PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
485B24E, 1996-10-31
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<PAGE>
   
              AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              ON OCTOBER 31, 1996
    
                                         SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATION NO. 2-91216
                                INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT REGISTRATION NO. 811-4023
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                   FORM N-1A
   
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933         / /
    
                           PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.                       / /
   
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 33                     /X/
    
                                     AND/OR
                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
   
                          INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940                     / /
    
   
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 34                            /X/
    
                        (Check appropriate box or boxes)
                            ------------------------
 
                        PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
   
                             GATEWAY CENTER THREE,
                            NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102
              (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 214-1250
    
 
   
                               S. JANE ROSE, ESQ.
                              GATEWAY CENTER THREE
                            NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102
                    (Name and Address of Agent for Service)
    
 
                 APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
                   As soon as practicable after the effective
                      date of the Registration Statement.
 
             It is proposed that this filing will become effective
                            (check appropriate box):
                           /X/ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
                           / / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
                           / / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
                           / / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
                           / / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
                           / / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule
                           485.
 
                           If appropriate, check the following box:
 
                           / / this post-effective amendment designates a new
                             effective date for a previously filed
                           post-effective amendment.
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PROPOSED         PROPOSED
                                                     MAXIMUM          MAXIMUM         AMOUNT OF
     TITLE OF SECURITIES         AMOUNT BEING    OFFERING PRICE      AGGREGATE      REGISTRATION
       BEING REGISTERED           REGISTERED       PER SHARE*     OFFERING PRICE*        FEE
<S>                             <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST,
 PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE.....     9,300,497          $8.61          $330,000           $100
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  * The  calculation of  the maximum  offering price  was made  pursuant to Rule
    24c-2 and was based on the average of the offering prices of the classes  of
    each  series, which offering prices on the  close of business on October 22,
    1996 were: $1.00 (Connecticut Money Market Series), $10.55 (Florida Series),
    $12.47  (Hawaii   Income   Series),   $11.18   (Maryland   Series),   $12.01
    (Massachusetts  Series), $1.00  (Massachusetts Money  Market Series), $12.19
    (Michigan Series),  $1.00  (New Jersey  Money  Market Series),  $11.32  (New
    Jersey  Series),  $1.00 (New  York Money  Market  Series), $12.27  (New York
    Series), $11.52 (North  Carolina Series),  $12.18 (Ohio  Series) and  $10.91
    (Pennsylvania  Series) pursuant to  Rule 457(d). The  total number of shares
    redeemed  during  the  fiscal  year  ended  August  31,  1996  amounted   to
    2,380,840,623  shares. Of this  number, 9,212,929 shares  have been used for
    reduction pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 24e-2 in all previous filings of
    post-effective amendments during the  current year and 2,396,613,052  shares
    have  been used for reduction pursuant to paragraph (c) of Rule 24f-2 in all
    previous filings during  the current  year. 9,300,497  ($80,077,287) of  the
    redeemed  shares  for  the  fiscal  year ended  August  31,  1996  are being
    registered in the post-effective amendment being filed herein.
    
 
   
   Pursuant to rule 24f-2 under the  Investment Company Act of 1940,  Registrant
   has  previously registered an  indefinite number of  its shares of beneficial
   interest, $.01 par  value per share.  The Registrant filed  a notice for  its
   fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 on or about October 29, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                           (AS REQUIRED BY RULE 495)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
N-1A ITEM NO.                                                                LOCATION
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>                                                              <C>
PART A
Item  1.    Cover Page.....................................................  Cover Page
Item  2.    Synopsis.......................................................  Fund Expenses; Fund Highlights
Item  3.    Condensed Financial Information................................  Fund Expenses; Financial Highlights; How the
                                                                              Fund Calculates Performance
Item  4.    General Description of Registrant..............................  Cover Page; Fund Highlights; How the Fund
                                                                              Invests; General Information
Item  5.    Management of the Fund.........................................  Financial Highlights; How the Fund is Managed
Item  5A.   Management's Discussion of Fund Performance....................  Financial Highlights
Item  6.    Capital Stock and Other Securities.............................  Taxes, Dividends and Distributions; General
                                                                              Information
Item  7.    Purchase of Securities Being Offered...........................  Shareholder Guide; How the Fund Values its
                                                                              Shares
Item  8.    Redemption or Repurchase.......................................  Shareholder Guide; How the Fund Values its
                                                                              Shares; General Information
Item  9.    Pending Legal Proceedings......................................  Not Applicable
PART B
Item 10.    Cover Page.....................................................  Cover Page
Item 11.    Table of Contents..............................................  Table of Contents
Item 12.    General Information and History................................  General Information; Organization and
                                                                              Capitalization
Item 13.    Investment Objectives and Policies.............................  Investment Objectives and Policies; Investment
                                                                              Restrictions
Item 14.    Management of the Fund.........................................  Trustees and Officers; Manager; Distributor
Item 15.    Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities............  Not Applicable
Item 16.    Investment Advisory and Other Services.........................  Manager; Distributor; Custodian, Transfer and
                                                                              Dividend Disbursing Agent and Independent
                                                                              Accountants
Item 17.    Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices.......................  Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
Item 18.    Capital Stock and Other Securities.............................  Not Applicable
Item 19.    Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Securities                   Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares;
              Being Offered................................................   Shareholder Investment Account; Net Asset Value
Item 20.    Tax Status.....................................................  Distributions and Tax Information
Item 21.    Underwriters...................................................  Distributor
Item 22.    Calculation of Performance Data................................  Performance Information
Item 23.    Financial Statements...........................................  Financial Statements
PART C
   Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the appropriate Item, so numbered, in Part C to this
   Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential  Municipal Series Fund (the "Fund") (Connecticut Money Market Series)
(the "Series") is one of fourteen  series of an open-end, management  investment
company,  or  mutual fund.  This Series  is non-diversified  and is  designed to
provide the highest  level of  current income  that is  exempt from  Connecticut
State and federal income taxes consistent with liquidity and the preservation of
capital.  The net  assets of  the Series  are invested  primarily in short-term,
tax-exempt  Connecticut  State,  municipal   and  local  debt  obligations   and
obligations  of other  qualifying issuers.  There can  be no  assurance that the
Series'  investment   objective   will   be  achieved.   See   "How   the   Fund
Invests--Investment  Objective  and  Policies." The  Fund's  address  is Gateway
Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey, 07102,  and its  telephone number  is  (800)
225-1852.
    
 
Shares  of the Series are sold without a  sales charge. The Series is subject to
an annual  charge of  .125% of  its average  daily net  assets pursuant  to  the
Distribution and Service Plan. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor."
 
   
THE  SERIES MAY INVEST A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF ITS ASSETS IN THE OBLIGATIONS OF
A SINGLE ISSUER, AND  THEREFORE AN INVESTMENT  IN THE SERIES  MAY BE MORE  RISKY
THAN AN INVESTMENT IN OTHER TYPES OF MONEY MARKET FUNDS.
    
 
AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE  SERIES IS  NEITHER  INSURED NOR  GUARANTEED BY  THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT AND  THERE CAN  BE  NO ASSURANCE  THAT THE  SERIES  WILL BE  ABLE  TO
MAINTAIN  A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00  PER SHARE. SEE "HOW THE FUND VALUES
ITS SHARES."
 
   
This Prospectus sets  forth concisely  the information  about the  Fund and  the
Connecticut  Money Market Series that a  prospective investor should know before
investing. Additional  information  about  the  Fund has  been  filed  with  the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission in  a Statement  of Additional Information,
dated November 1, 1996,  which information is  incorporated herein by  reference
(is  legally  considered a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available without
charge upon  request to  Prudential  Municipal Series  Fund  at the  address  or
telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The  following summary is intended  to highlight certain information contained
in this  Prospectus  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools  the resources of  investors by selling  its shares to  the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an  open-end,
  management  investment company. Only the  Connecticut Money Market Series is
  offered through this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The Series'  investment  objective is  to  provide the  highest  level  of
  current  income that  is exempt  from Connecticut  State and  federal income
  taxes consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. It seeks to
  achieve this  objective by  investing  primarily in  short-term  Connecticut
  State,  municipal and local government  obligations and obligations of other
  qualifying issuers,  such as  issuers  located in  Puerto Rico,  the  Virgin
  Islands  and Guam, which pay income exempt,  in the opinion of counsel, from
  Connecticut State and federal income taxes (Connecticut Obligations).  There
  can  be no assurance that the Series' investment objective will be achieved.
  See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies" at page 6.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
    It is  anticipated that  the net  asset value  of the  Series will  remain
  constant  at $1.00 per share,  although this cannot be  assured. In order to
  maintain such constant net asset value, the Series will value its  portfolio
  securities  at  amortized  cost.  While this  method  provides  certainty in
  valuation, it may result in periods during which the value of a security  in
  the  Series' portfolio, as determined by  amortized cost, is higher or lower
  than the price the Series would receive  if it sold such security. See  "How
  the Fund Values its Shares" at page 13.
 
   
    In  seeking to  achieve its investment  objective, the  Series will invest
  primarily  in   Connecticut   Obligations.   This   degree   of   investment
  concentration makes the Series particularly susceptible to factors adversely
  affecting issuers of Connecticut Obligations, and makes an investment in the
  Series  more risky than an investment in  other types of money market funds.
  The Series is non-diversified so that more  than 5% of its total assets  may
  be  invested  in the  securities of  one  or more  issuers. Investment  in a
  non-diversified  portfolio  involves   more  risk  than   investment  in   a
  diversified  portfolio. See "How the  Fund Invests--Investment Objective and
  Policies--Special Considerations" at page 9.
    
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the  Manager
  of  the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50 of
  1% of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996,  PMF
  served  as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including 38
  mutual funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion.  The
  Prudential   Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)  furnishes
  investment advisory services in connection  with the management of the  Fund
  under   a   Subadvisory  Agreement   with  PMF.   See   "How  the   Fund  is
  Managed--Manager" at page 10.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI) acts  as
  the  Distributor  of  the  Series'  shares.  The  Fund  currently reimburses
  Prudential Securities  for  expenses  related to  the  distribution  of  the
  Series'  shares at an annual rate  of up to .125 of  1% of the average daily
  net assets of the Series. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page
  11.
    
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
    The  minimum  initial  investment   is  $1,000.  The  minimum   subsequent
  investment  is $100. There is no  minimum investment requirement for certain
  employee savings plans.  For purchases  made through  the Automatic  Savings
  Accumulation Plan, the minimum initial and subsequent investment is $50. See
  "Shareholder  Guide--How  to  Buy  Shares  of  the  Fund"  at  page  16  and
  "Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services" at page 22.
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through  its
  transfer  agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the  Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities.  See
  "How  the Fund Values its Shares" at  page 13 and "Shareholder Guide--How to
  Buy Shares of the Fund" at page 16.
    
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
    You may redeem shares of the Series at any time at the NAV next determined
  after Prudential Securities or the Transfer Agent receives your sell  order.
  See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page 19.
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
    The  Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of net
  investment income and short-term capital gains. Dividends and  distributions
  will  be automatically reinvested in additional  shares of the Series at NAV
  unless you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes,  Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 13.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                       (CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases.................................       None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load.............................................       None
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends......................       None
    Redemption Fees.........................................................       None
    Exchange Fee............................................................       None
 
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES*
(as a percentage of average net assets)
    Management Fees (Before Waiver).........................................       .500%
    12b-1 Fees..............................................................       .125%
    Other Expenses..........................................................       .221%
                                                                                    ---
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver)...........................       .846%
                                                                                    ---
                                                                                    ---
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1          3          5         10
EXAMPLE                                                 YEAR       YEARS      YEARS      YEARS
                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2)
 redemption at the end of each time period:.........     $9         $27        $47       $104
 
The  above example is based on restated data for  the Series' fiscal year ended August 31, 1996.
THE EXAMPLE  SHOULD NOT  BE  CONSIDERED A  REPRESENTATION OF  PAST  OR FUTURE  EXPENSES.  ACTUAL
EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
 
The  purpose of  this table  is to  assist an  investor in  understanding the  various costs and
expenses that an  investor in the  Series will bear,  whether directly or  indirectly. For  more
complete  descriptions of the various costs and expenses,  see "How the Fund is Managed." "Other
Expenses" includes operating expenses  of the Series, such  as Trustees' and professional  fees,
registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer agency and custodian fees.
<FN>
 
  ------------------
*  Based on expenses  incurred during the  fiscal year ended  August 31, 1996,
  without taking into account the management fee waiver. At the current level of
  management fee waiver (75%), Management Fees and Total Fund Operating Expenses
  would be .125% and .471%, respectively, of the Series' average net assets. See
  "How the Fund is Managed-- Manager--Fee Waivers."
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August 31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in  conjunction with  the  financial statements  and notes  thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding,
total return, ratios to average net  assets and other supplemental data for  the
periods  indicated. This information is based on data contained in the financial
statements.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
                                                        -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           1996          1995          1994          1993          1992
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period..................  $      1.00   $      1.00   $      1.00   $      1.00   $      1.00
Net investment income and net realized gains (c)......          .03          .032          .020          .022          .034
Dividends and distributions to shareholders...........         (.03)        (.032)        (.020)        (.022)        (.034)
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Net asset value, end of period........................  $      1.00   $      1.00   $      1.00   $      1.00   $      1.00
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                        -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
TOTAL RETURN (d):.....................................         3.17%         3.16%         2.02%         2.20%         3.42%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).......................  $    77,683   $    62,867   $    54,302   $    57,794   $    40,480
Average net assets (000)..............................  $    74,576   $    57,103   $    60,594   $    53,152   $    33,964
Ratios to average net assets (c):
  Expenses, including distribution fee................          .47%         .581%         .542%         .387%         .125%
  Expenses, excluding distribution fee................          .35%         .456%         .417%         .262%          .00%
  Net investment income...............................         3.12%         3.17%         1.99%         2.17%         3.20%
 
<CAPTION>
                                                        AUGUST 5, 1991(a)
                                                             THROUGH
                                                         AUGUST 31, 1991
                                                        -----------------
<S>                                                     <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period..................     $  1.00
Net investment income and net realized gains (c)......        .003
Dividends and distributions to shareholders...........       (.003)
                                                        -----------------
Net asset value, end of period........................     $  1.00
                                                        -----------------
                                                        -----------------
TOTAL RETURN (d):.....................................        0.30%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).......................     $10,904
Average net assets (000)..............................     $ 6,730
Ratios to average net assets (c):
  Expenses, including distribution fee................        .125%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fee................         .00%(b)
  Net investment income...............................        4.42%(b)
<FN>
- --------------
 (a) Commencement of investment operations.
 (b) Annualized.
 (c) Net of expense subsidy and/or management fee waiver.
 (d) Total return  includes reinvestment of  dividends and distributions.  Total
     returns for periods of less than a full year are not annualized.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              CALCULATION OF YIELD
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  THE  SERIES CALCULATES ITS "CURRENT YIELD"  based on the net change, exclusive
of realized  and unrealized  gains or  losses, in  the value  of a  hypothetical
account  over  a  seven calendar  day  base  period. THE  SERIES  CALCULATES ITS
"EFFECTIVE ANNUAL  YIELD" ASSUMING  DAILY  COMPOUNDING AND  ITS  "TAX-EQUIVALENT
YIELD."  Tax-equivalent yield shows the taxable  yield an investor would have to
earn from a  fully taxable  investment in order  to equal  the Series'  tax-free
yield after taxes and is calculated by dividing the Series' current or effective
yield  by the result of one minus the State tax rate times one minus the federal
tax rate. The following is an example of the yield calculations as of August 31,
1996:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>
Value of hypothetical account at end of period.................  $1.000558183
Value of hypothetical account at beginning of period...........   1.000000000
                                                                 ------------
Base period return.............................................  $0.000558183
                                                                 ------------
                                                                 ------------
CURRENT YIELD (1.000558183 X (365/7))+.........................     2.91%
EFFECTIVE ANNUAL YIELD, assuming daily compounding+............     2.95%
TAX-EQUIVALENT CURRENT YIELD (2.91%  DIVIDED BY (1 -
 42.32%))+.....................................................     5.04%
<FN>
- --------------
+After fee waiver. Without fee waiver, the current yield, effective annual
 yield, and tax-equivalent yield would have been 2.53%, 2.57% and 4.39%,
 respectively. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
</TABLE>
    
 
  THE YIELD  WILL FLUCTUATE  FROM TIME  TO  TIME AND  DOES NOT  INDICATE  FUTURE
PERFORMANCE.
 
   
  The weighted average life to maturity of the portfolio of the Series on August
31, 1996 was 60 days.
    
 
  Yield  is computed in accordance with  a standardized formula described in the
Statement  of  Additional  Information.  In  addition,  comparative  performance
information  may  be used  from time  to  time in  advertising or  marketing the
Series'  shares,  including   data  from  Lipper   Analytical  Services,   Inc.,
Morningstar Publications, Inc., IBC/ Donoghue's Money Fund Report, The Bank Rate
Monitor, other industry publications, business periodicals and market indices.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL  MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS  MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE  CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET  SERIES
(THE  SERIES) IS NON-DIVERSIFIED AND ITS  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE THE
HIGHEST LEVEL  OF CURRENT  INCOME  THAT IS  EXEMPT  FROM CONNECTICUT  STATE  AND
FEDERAL  INCOME TAXES CONSISTENT WITH LIQUIDITY AND THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL.
THE SERIES SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE BY INVESTING PRIMARILY  IN
SHORT-TERM  CONNECTICUT STATE,  MUNICIPAL AND  LOCAL GOVERNMENT  OBLIGATIONS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF OTHER QUALIFYING ISSUERS, SUCH AS ISSUERS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO,
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND GUAM, WHICH PAY INCOME EXEMPT, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL,
FROM CONNECTICUT STATE AND FEDERAL  INCOME TAXES (CONNECTICUT OBLIGATIONS).  SEE
"INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES" IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
  THE  SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A  FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE  SERIES'
OUTSTANDING  VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE  NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  Interest  on  certain  municipal  obligations may  be  a  preference  item for
purposes of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest  without
limit  in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined in
the Internal Revenue Code), the interest on which would be a preference item for
purposes of  the federal  alternative  minimum tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends  and
Distributions."   Under  Connecticut  law,  distributions  from  the  Series  to
individual shareholders of  the Series resident  in Connecticut and  Connecticut
resident  trusts  and  estates  are  not subject  to  taxation  pursuant  to the
Connecticut Personal  Income  Tax to  the  extent that  such  distributions  are
excluded  from gross income  for federal income  tax purposes as exempt-interest
dividends and are derived from interest payments on Connecticut Obligations.  It
is  likely  that capital  gain dividends  derived from  the sale  of Connecticut
Obligations also  are  not  subject  to taxation  pursuant  to  the  Connecticut
Personal  Income Tax.  Other types  of distributions  received from  the Series,
including distributions of interest on, and capital gain dividends derived  from
sales  of, obligations issued  by other issuers, are  subject to the Connecticut
Personal Income Tax.  Certain shareholders  may also be  subject to  Connecticut
alternative  minimum  tax with  respect to  distributions  from the  Series. See
"Taxes, Dividends and Distributions." The  Connecticut Obligations in which  the
Series  may  invest include  certain short-term,  tax-exempt  notes such  as Tax
Anticipation  Notes,  Revenue  Anticipation  Notes,  Bond  Anticipation   Notes,
Construction Loan Notes and certain variable and floating rate demand notes. See
"Investment Objectives and Policies--Tax-Exempt Securities--Tax-Exempt Notes" in
the   Statement  of   Additional  Information.   The  Series   will  maintain  a
dollar-weighted average maturity of its portfolio of 90 days or less.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES,  INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION INTERESTS  THEREIN,  WHICH CONFORM  TO THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMORTIZED COST VALUATION RULE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. There  is no limit  on the  amount of such
securities that the Series may purchase. Floating rate securities normally  have
a  rate of interest which  is set as a specific  percentage of a designated base
rate, such as the rate on Treasury Bonds  or Bills or the prime rate at a  major
commercial   bank.  The  interest  rate  on  floating  rate  securities  changes
periodically when  there is  a  change in  the  designated base  interest  rate.
Variable  rate securities  provide for  a specified  periodic adjustment  in the
interest rate based  on prevailing market  rates and generally  would allow  the
Series  to demand payment of the obligation  on short notice at par plus accrued
interest, which amount may be more or  less than the amount the Series paid  for
them.
 
   
  ALL  CONNECTICUT  OBLIGATIONS PURCHASED  BY THE  SERIES WILL,  AT THE  TIME OF
PURCHASE, HAVE A REMAINING MATURITY OF THIRTEEN MONTHS OR LESS AND BE (I)  RATED
IN  ONE  OF  THE  TWO  HIGHEST RATING  CATEGORIES  BY  AT  LEAST  TWO NATIONALLY
RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS (NRSROS)  ASSIGNING A RATING TO  THE
SECURITY  OR ISSUER (OR, IF ONLY ONE NRSRO  ASSIGNED A RATING, BY THAT NRSRO) OR
(II) IF UNRATED, OF COMPARABLE QUALITY  AS DETERMINED BY THE INVESTMENT  ADVISER
UNDER  THE SUPERVISION OF THE TRUSTEES.  See "Description of Tax-Exempt Security
Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information. The investment adviser will
monitor the credit quality of securities purchased for the Series' portfolio and
will limit its investments to those which present minimal credit risks.
    
 
   
  In selecting  Connecticut  Obligations  for  investment  by  the  Series,  the
investment  adviser considers ratings assigned by NRSROs, information concerning
the financial history and  condition of the issuer  and its revenue and  expense
prospects and, in the case of revenue bonds, the financial history and condition
of  the source of revenue to service the bonds. If a Connecticut Obligation held
by the Series is assigned a lower  rating or ceases to be rated, the  investment
adviser  under the  supervision of the  Trustees will  promptly reassess whether
that security  presents  minimal credit  risks  and whether  the  Series  should
continue  to hold  the security  in its  portfolio. If  a portfolio  security no
longer presents minimal credit risks or  is in default, the Series will  dispose
of  the security as soon as reasonably practicable unless the Trustees determine
that to do so is not in the best interests of the Series and its shareholders.
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
  The Series utilizes the amortized cost method of valuation in accordance  with
regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). See "How the
Fund Values its Shares."
 
  The  Series intends to hold portfolio  securities to maturity; however, it may
sell any security at  any time in  order to meet redemption  requests or if  the
investment  adviser believes it advisable, based  on an evaluation of the issuer
or of market conditions.
 
  UNDER  NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO   INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY  ALL OF THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS WHICH PAY
INCOME EXEMPT FROM  FEDERAL INCOME  TAXES. As  a matter  of fundamental  policy,
during  normal market conditions the Series' assets  will be invested so that at
least 80% of its total assets will be invested in municipal securities which pay
income exempt from  federal income  taxes. These primarily  will be  Connecticut
Obligations,  unless the investment adviser is unable, due to the unavailability
of sufficient or reasonably  priced Connecticut Obligations  that also meet  the
Series'  credit quality and average  weighted maturity requirements, to purchase
Connecticut Obligations. To the extent  the Series invests in obligations  other
than  Connecticut Obligations,  dividends derived  therefrom likely  will not be
exempt from Connecticut taxes. During  abnormal market conditions or to  provide
liquidity,  the  Series  may  hold  cash or  taxable  cash  equivalents  such as
certificates of  deposit,  bankers'  acceptances  and  time  deposits  or  other
short-term  taxable  investments such  as repurchase  agreements, or  high grade
taxable obligations. When, in  the opinion of  the investment adviser,  abnormal
market  conditions require a temporary defensive position, the Series may invest
its assets so  that more than  20% of the  income is subject  to federal  income
taxes.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO SELL
SECURITIES HELD IN  THE SERIES'  PORTFOLIO AT A  SPECIFIED EXERCISE  PRICE ON  A
SPECIFIED  DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting the
Series from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which  the
put  applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case of
liquidity puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of  the
underlying  security. The aggregate value of  premiums paid to acquire puts held
in the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts) may not exceed 10% of  the
net  asset  value  of  the Series.  The  acquisition  of a  put  may  involve an
additional cost to the Series by payment of a premium for the put, by payment of
a higher purchase price for securities to which the put is attached or through a
lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts  in
that  the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase the
underlying security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under  the
following  circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the underlying
security and  such security  is  rated (a)  in one  of  the two  highest  rating
categories  by at least two NRSROs assigning a rating to the security or issuer,
or (b) if only one  such rating organization assigned  a rating, by that  rating
organization; or (2) the put is written by a person other than the issuer of the
underlying  security and such person has  securities outstanding which are rated
within such two highest quality grades; or (3) the put is backed by a letter  of
credit  or  similar financial  guarantee issued  by  a person  having securities
outstanding which are rated within the two highest quality grades of such rating
services. The  issuer of  the put,  or another  institution, must  undertake  to
notify  promptly the holder of the put if  the put feature is substituted with a
put from another issuer.
    
 
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR  "DELAYED
DELIVERY"  BASIS, IN  EACH CASE  WITHOUT LIMIT.  When municipal  obligations are
offered on a when-issued  or delayed delivery basis,  the price and coupon  rate
are  fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery and
payment of the securities take place  at a later date. Normally, the  settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase; the purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement, and
therefore,  no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser during
such period. In the case of purchases  by the Series, the price that the  Series
is  required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with  the
purpose  of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable for
investment reasons. At the  time the Series makes  the commitment to purchase  a
municipal  obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in  determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as  values of municipal obligations otherwise held  by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had occurred. The Series
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
will establish a segregated account with its Custodian in which it will maintain
cash,  U.S.   Government  securities,   equity  securities   or  other   liquid,
unencumbered  assets, marked-to-market daily,  equal in value  to its commitment
for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE SECONDARY MARKET INSURANCE ON CONNECTICUT  OBLIGATIONS
WHICH IT HOLDS OR ACQUIRES. Secondary market insurance would be reflected in the
market  value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series to
dispose of  a defaulted  obligation at  a price  similar to  that of  comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance  is  not  a  substitute  for the  basic  credit  of  an  issuer, but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage for the  Connecticut Obligations held  by the Series  reduces
credit  risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment of
principal and interest  if the issuer  defaults on its  obligation to make  such
payment,  it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price, I.E.,
the market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in  interest
rates and other factors.
 
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE  THE  SERIES  WILL  INVEST PRIMARILY  IN  CONNECTICUT  OBLIGATIONS AND
BECAUSE IT SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE INCOME DERIVED FROM CONNECTICUT OBLIGATIONS, IT  IS
MORE   SUSCEPTIBLE  TO  FACTORS  ADVERSELY   AFFECTING  ISSUERS  OF  CONNECTICUT
OBLIGATIONS THAN  IS A  COMPARABLE  TAX-EXEMPT MONEY  MARKET  FUND THAT  IS  NOT
CONCENTRATED  IN SUCH  OBLIGATIONS TO THIS  DEGREE. An investment  in the Series
therefore may  involve more  risk than  an investment  in other  types of  money
market funds. Recent economic difficulties have resulted in severe fiscal stress
in  Connecticut, culminating with a General Fund  deficit of $965 million at the
close of  fiscal year  1991 and  the subsequent  issuance of  a like  amount  of
Economic  Recovery Notes which are  being repaid over a  five year period. As of
August 9, 1996 only  $236,000 of principal remains  outstanding on the  Economic
Recovery Notes. In fiscal year 1992, the State took a number of actions to raise
revenues,  reduce expenditures,  and establish a  broader revenue  base aimed at
reducing the volatility of its budgetary operations. Chief among these were  the
implementation of a 4.5% personal income tax and the broadening of the sales tax
base,  which was coupled with a decrease in the sales tax rate from 8% to 6% and
a decrease in the Corporation Business Tax from 13.8% in 1991 to 10.5% in  1996.
These actions, along with conservative revenue projections, allowed the State to
achieve modest surpluses for fiscal years 1992 through 1995, a sharp contrast to
the  previous  four fiscal  years, all  of  which ended  in deficits.  The State
Comptroller's General Fund financial statements released August 1, 1996 estimate
on operating  surplus  for fiscal  year  1996 of  $224.8  million.  Furthermore,
defense  spending cuts, problems  in the insurance  industry and slow employment
growth continue to strain  the State's fiscal operations  as the economy in  the
northeast recovers from the recession. If either Connecticut or any of its local
governmental  entities is unable  to meet its  financial obligations, the income
derived by  the Series,  the ability  to preserve  the Series'  capital and  the
Series'  liquidity could be  adversely affected. See  "Investment Objectives and
Policies--Special Considerations Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  The Series is "non-diversified" so that more  than 5% of its total assets  may
be  invested  in  the  securities  of  one  or  more  issuers.  Investment  in a
non-diversified portfolio involves greater risk than investment in a diversified
portfolio because  a loss  resulting from  the default  of a  single issuer  may
represent  a greater portion of the total assets of a non-diversified portfolio.
The Series will treat an investment  in a municipal bond refunded with  escrowed
U.S.  Government securities  as U.S. Government  securities for  purposes of the
Investment  Company   Act's   diversification  requirements   provided   certain
conditions  are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
  The Series  may enter  into  repurchase agreements  whereby  the seller  of  a
security  agrees  to repurchase  that  security from  the  Series at  a mutually
agreed-upon time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite  short,
possibly  overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number of
months. The  resale price  is in  excess of  the purchase  price, reflecting  an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested   in   the   security.   The   Series'   repurchase   agreements   will
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
at all times be fully collateralized in  an amount at least equal to the  resale
price.  The instruments held as collateral are  valued daily and if the value of
the instruments declines, the Series will require additional collateral. If  the
seller  defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series  may incur a loss.  The Series participates in  a
joint  repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management  LLC pursuant  to an order  of the  SEC. See  "Investment
Objectives  and Policies--Repurchase Agreements" in  the Statement of Additional
Information.
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
  The Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value  of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or  emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series may
pledge up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure  these
borrowings.  The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series  may hold  up to  10% of  its net  assets in  illiquid  securities,
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities   with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale  (restricted
securities) and securities that are not readily marketable. Securities that have
a readily available  market are  not considered  illiquid for  purposes of  this
limitation.  See  "Investment  Restrictions"  in  the  Statement  of  Additional
Information.  The  investment  adviser  will  monitor  the  liquidity  of   such
restricted  securities under  the supervision  of the  Trustees. See "Investment
Objectives and  Policies--Illiquid Securities"  in the  Statement of  Additional
Information.  Repurchase  agreements  subject to  demand  are deemed  to  have a
maturity equal to the notice period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The Series  is subject  to  certain investment  restrictions which,  like  its
investment  objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental policies
cannot be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of  the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER,  SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY  BUSINESS
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996, total expenses of the Series as  a
percentage  of  its  average net  assets,  net  of fee  waiver,  were  .47%. See
"Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC  (PMF OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY  CENTER
THREE,  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET  ASSETS
OF  THE SERIES. PMF is organized in New  York as a limited liability company. It
is the successor to Prudential  Mutual Fund Management, Inc., which  transferred
its  assets to PMF in September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series paid a management fee of .125 of 1% of the Series' average net assets
after waiver.  See  "Fee  Waivers"  below and  "Manager"  in  the  Statement  of
Additional Information.
    
 
   
  As  of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end investment
companies, constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager  or
administrator  to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
  UNDER THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH  THE FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE  INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS  OF EACH SERIES OF THE FUND  AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL  INVESTMENT
CORPORATION  (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE  FUND AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR  ITS
REASONABLE  COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED IN  PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under the
Management Agreement, PMF  continues to have  responsibility for all  investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
   
  PMF  and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential),  a major diversified  insurance and financial  services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
   
  Effective  November 1, 1993,  PMF agreed to  waive 75% of  its management fee.
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, PMF voluntarily waived $279,660 of
its management  fee (.375  of  1% of  average net  assets).  The Series  is  not
required  to reimburse PMF  for such management fee  waiver. Thereafter, PMF may
from time to  time agree to  waive all or  a portion of  its management fee  and
subsidize  certain operating  expenses of  the Series.  Fee waivers  and expense
subsidies will increase the Series' yield. See "Fund Expenses" and  "Calculation
of Yield."
    
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL   SECURITIES  INCORPORATED  (PRUDENTIAL   SECURITIES,  PSI  OR  THE
DISTRIBUTOR), ONE SEAPORT  PLAZA, NEW  YORK, NEW  YORK 10292,  IS A  CORPORATION
ORGANIZED  UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR
OF THE SERIES' SHARES. It is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential.
Prior to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc. (PMFD),  One
Seaport  Plaza, New York, New York 10292,  acted as distributor of shares of the
Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER A DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN  (THE PLAN) ADOPTED BY THE SERIES  UNDER
RULE  12b-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (THE
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT), THE DISTRIBUTOR INCURS THE EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTING THE
SHARES OF THE SERIES. These expenses include account servicing fees paid to,  or
on  account of, financial advisers  of Prudential Securities and representatives
of Pruco  Securities  Corporation  (Prusec), an  affiliated  broker-dealer,  and
account  servicing  fees paid  to,  or on  account  of, other  broker-dealers or
financial institutions  (other  than national  banks)  which have  entered  into
agreements  with the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing and
mailing prospectuses to potential investors  and indirect and overhead costs  of
Prudential  Securities and  Prusec associated  with the  sale of  Series shares,
including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses. The State
of Texas requires that shares  of the Series may be  sold in that state only  by
dealers   or  other  financial  institutions   which  are  registered  there  as
broker-dealers.
    
 
  UNDER  THE   PLAN,   THE   SERIES   REIMBURSES   THE   DISTRIBUTOR   FOR   ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  EXPENSES AT  AN ANNUAL  RATE OF  UP TO  .125 OF  1% OF THE
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE SERIES. Account servicing fees are paid based on
the average balance of the Series' shares held in the accounts of the  customers
of  financial advisers. The entire  distribution fee may be  used to pay account
servicing fees.
 
   
  For the fiscal  year ended August  31, 1996, the  Series paid PMFD  and PSI  a
distribution  fee equal on an annual basis to .125% of the average net assets of
the Series. Amounts paid to  the Distributor by the Series  will not be used  to
pay distribution expenses incurred by any other series of the Fund.
    
 
  The  Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that each  such continuance  is approved  annually  by a  majority vote  of  the
Trustees  of  the  Fund,  including  a majority  of  the  Trustees  who  are not
"interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company Act)  and
who  have no direct or indirect financial  interest in the operation of the Plan
or any agreements related to the Plan. The Trustees are provided with and review
quarterly reports of expenditures under the Plan.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
  In addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under  the
Plan,  the Manager (or one  of its affiliates) may make  payments out of its own
resources to dealers (including Prudential  Securities) and other persons  which
distribute shares of the Series. Such payments may be calculated by reference to
the  net  asset value  of shares  sold by  such persons  or otherwise.  The Fund
records all payments made under the Plan  as expenses in the calculation of  its
net investment income.
    
 
  On  October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner  who joined  the settlement on  January 18, 1994)  and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  (the NASD) to resolve allegations  that
from  1980  through  1990  PSI sold  certain  limited  partnership  interests in
violation of  securities laws  to  persons for  whom  such securities  were  not
suitable and misrepresented the safety, potential returns and liquidity of these
investments.  Without admitting or denying  the allegations asserted against it,
PSI consented to  the entry  of an SEC  Administrative Order  which stated  that
PSI's  conduct violated the  federal securities laws, directed  PSI to cease and
desist from  violating the  federal securities  laws, pay  civil penalties,  and
adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000  civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount of
$330,000,000 and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for  compensatory
damages  by purchasers of  the partnership interests. PSI  has agreed to provide
additional funds, if necessary,  for the purpose of  the settlement fund.  PSI's
settlement  with the state securities regulators  included an agreement to pay a
penalty of $500,000  per jurisdiction.  PSI consented to  a censure  and to  the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In  October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United States
Magistrate for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI  committed
fraud  in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests in
violation of federal securities laws.  An agreement was simultaneously filed  to
defer  prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the signing
of the agreement, provided  that PSI complies with  the terms of the  agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the  agreement, no prosecution will  be instituted by the  United States for the
offenses charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course  of
the  three  year period,  PSI  violates the  terms  of the  agreement,  the U.S.
Attorney can  then  elect  to pursue  these  charges.  Under the  terms  of  the
agreement,  PSI agreed,  among other things,  to pay  an additional $330,000,000
into the  fund  established by  the  SEC to  pay  restitution to  investors  who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For   more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,  see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The Fund  is not  affected by  PSI's financial  condition and  is an  entirely
separate  legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein and
the Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company,  an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
   
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
    
 
  Prudential  Securities may  act as  a broker for  the Fund,  provided that the
commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives are fair and reasonable. See
"Portfolio  Transactions  and   Brokerage"  in  the   Statement  of   Additional
Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State  Street  Bank  and  Trust Company,  One  Heritage  Drive,  North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves  as Custodian  for the portfolio  securities of  the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.  (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison,  New
Jersey  08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain  books and records for  the Fund. PMFS is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING  ITS
LIABILITIES  FROM THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  AND DIVIDING  THE REMAINDER  BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. THE TRUSTEES  HAVE FIXED THE SPECIFIC TIME OF  DAY
FOR  THE COMPUTATION OF THE NET ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:30 P.M.,
NEW YORK TIME, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS.
 
  The Series will compute its NAV once daily on days the New York Stock Exchange
is open for  trading, except on  days on which  no orders to  purchase, sell  or
redeem  shares have been received by the Series  or days on which changes in the
value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the NAV.  The
New  York Stock Exchange  is closed on  the following holidays:  New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor  Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
  The  Series determines the value of  its portfolio securities by the amortized
cost method.  This  method  involves  valuing an  instrument  at  its  cost  and
thereafter  assuming  a constant  amortization to  maturity  of any  discount or
premium regardless of  the impact of  fluctuating interest rates  on the  market
value  of the instrument. While this  method provides certainty in valuation, it
may result in periods  during which value, as  determined by amortized cost,  is
higher  or  lower  than  the price  the  Series  would receive  if  it  sold the
instrument. During these periods, the yield to a shareholder may differ somewhat
from that which could be obtained from a similar fund which marks its  portfolio
securities  to the  market each  day. For  example, during  periods of declining
interest rates, if  the use of  the amortized  cost method resulted  in a  lower
value  of the Series'  portfolio on a  given day, a  prospective investor in the
Series would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield and existing shareholders
would receive  correspondingly  less income.  The  converse would  apply  during
periods  of  rising interest  rates.  The Trustees  have  established procedures
designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, the NAV of the  shares
of  the Series  at $1.00 per  share. See "Net  Asset Value" in  the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE SERIES  HAS  ELECTED TO  QUALIFY  AND INTENDS  TO  REMAIN QUALIFIED  AS  A
REGULATED  INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY, THE
SERIES WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT  INCOME
AND  CAPITAL GAINS,  IF ANY,  THAT IT  DISTRIBUTES TO  ITS SHAREHOLDERS.  TO THE
EXTENT NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND  CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To  the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn taxable
investment income.  Gain  or  loss realized  by  the  Series from  the  sale  of
securities generally will be treated as capital gain or loss; however, gain from
the sale of certain securities (including municipal obligations) will be treated
as  ordinary  income to  the extent  of any  "market discount."  Market discount
generally is the difference, if  any, between the price  paid by the Series  for
the  security and  the principal amount  of the security  (or, in the  case of a
security issued at an  original issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the
security).  The market  discount rule  does not apply  to any  security that was
acquired by  the  Series at  its  original  issue. See  "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In  general, the  character of tax-exempt  interest distributed  by the Series
will flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that  50%
or  more of the value  of its assets at  the end of each  quarter of its taxable
year is invested in state,
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
municipal and other obligations,  the interest on which  is excluded from  gross
income  for federal  income tax  purposes. During  normal market  conditions, at
least 80% of the Series' total assets will be invested in such obligations.  See
"How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies."
 
  Any   dividends  out   of  net   taxable  investment   income,  together  with
distributions of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net  short-term
capital  gains over net  long-term capital losses)  distributed to shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over  net
short-term  capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable as
long-term capital  gains to  the  shareholders, whether  or not  reinvested  and
regardless  of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares. The
maximum long-term  capital  gains  rate  for individuals  is  28%.  The  maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders currently is the same as
the  maximum tax rate  for ordinary income.  The Series does  not expect to have
long-term capital gains.
 
  CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL  ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS  A
RESULT  OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after  August
7,  1986) will  be treated  as an  item of  tax preference  for purposes  of the
alternative minimum  tax. The  Fund anticipates  that, under  regulations to  be
promulgated,  items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be attributed
to the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could  be
allocated  to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum  tax.
Similarly,  the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax  preference  attributed to  it.  The Series  is  permitted to  invest  in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
  Corporate  shareholders in the Series also will  have to take into account the
adjustment for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes.  Corporate
shareholders  should  consult  with  their tax  advisers  with  respect  to this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under  Connecticut   law,  distributions   from  the   Series  to   individual
shareholders  of  the Series  resident in  Connecticut and  Connecticut resident
trusts and  estates are  not subject  to taxation  pursuant to  the  Connecticut
Personal  Income Tax  to the  extent that  such distributions  are excluded from
gross income for federal  income tax purposes  as exempt-interest dividends  and
are derived from interest payments on Connecticut Obligations. It is likely that
capital gain dividends derived from the sale of Connecticut Obligations also are
not  subject to taxation pursuant to  the Connecticut Personal Income Tax. Other
types of  distributions received  from the  Series, including  distributions  of
interest  on,  and capital  gain dividends  derived  from sales  of, obligations
issued by other  issuers, are subject  to the Connecticut  Personal Income  Tax.
Individual   shareholders  and  estates  and  trusts  also  may  be  subject  to
alternative minimum tax  for Connecticut  tax purposes with  respect to  certain
distributions  (other  than exempt-interest  dividends derived  from Connecticut
Obligations) from the Series.
 
   
  Distributions  from  the  Series  to  corporate  shareholders  (other  than  S
Corporations)  that are exempt-interest  dividends, whether or  not derived from
interest payments on  Connecticut Obligations,  are subject  to the  Connecticut
Corporation   Business  Tax.  Thirty  percent   of  distributions  to  corporate
shareholders (other  than S  Corporations)  that are  treated as  dividends  for
federal  income  tax  purposes  (not  including  exempt-interest  dividends)  is
generally subject to taxation pursuant  to the Connecticut Corporation  Business
Tax; the remaining 70% is excluded.
    
 
   
  Distributions  from the Series to shareholders that are S Corporations are not
subject  to  the  Connecticut  Corporation  Business  Tax  to  the  extent  such
distributions  are  exempt-interest dividends  and  separately stated  items for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and  remit
to  the  U.S. Treasury  31%  of redemption  proceeds  on the  accounts  of those
shareholders who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS  Form
W-9  (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with the
required certifications  regarding the  shareholder's status  under the  federal
income  tax  law. Such  withholding is  also required  on taxable  dividends and
capital gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably  expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders  are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions as  to federal,  state  or local  taxes.  See "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  THE  SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME AND SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAINS.
 
  DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE  SERIES
BASED ON THE NET ASSET VALUE OF SERIES' SHARES ON THE PAYMENT DATE OR SUCH OTHER
DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER ELECTS IN WRITING NOT
LESS  THAN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS  IN CASH.  Such  election should  be submitted  to  Prudential
Mutual  Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New
Brunswick,  New  Jersey  08906-5015.  If  you  hold  shares  through  Prudential
Securities,  you  should  contact your  financial  adviser to  elect  to receive
dividends and distributions in cash.The Fund will notify each shareholder  after
the  close of the Fund's taxable year of  both the dollar amount and the taxable
status of that year's dividends and distributions.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its  Trustees.
The  Declaration of Trust permits  the Trustees to issue  an unlimited number of
full and  fractional shares  in  separate series,  currently designated  as  the
Connecticut  Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series, Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Michigan
Series,  New  Jersey Money  Market Series,  New Jersey  Series, New  York Income
Series (not presently  being offered), New  York Money Market  Series, New  York
Series,  North Carolina Series, Ohio  Series and Pennsylvania Series. Currently,
all series of  the Fund,  except for the  Connecticut Money  Market Series,  the
Florida  Series, the  Massachusetts Money  Market Series,  the New  Jersey Money
Market Series, the New Jersey Series, the  New York Income Series, the New  York
Money  Market Series  and the  New York  Series offer  three classes, designated
Class A, Class B and Class C  shares. The Florida Series, the New Jersey  Series
and the New York Series offer four classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class Z shares. The Connecticut Money Market Series, the Massachusetts Money
Market  Series, the New Jersey Money Market Series and the New York Money Market
Series offer only one class of shares. In accordance with the Fund's Declaration
of Trust,  the Trustees  may authorize  the creation  of additional  series  and
classes  within such series, with  such preferences, privileges, limitations and
voting and dividend rights as the Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable,  fully
transferable  and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are also
redeemable at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as  described
under  "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of the Series is
equal as to  earnings, assets and  voting privileges, and  each class bears  the
expenses  related to  the distribution of  its shares. There  are no conversion,
preemptive or other subscription rights. In the event of liquidation, each share
of beneficial interest of each series is  entitled to its portion of all of  the
Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the Fund have been paid. The Fund's
shares do not have cumulative voting rights for the election of Trustees.
 
  THE  FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS
OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS  OF
SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO BE
ACTED UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER  THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS  HAVE
CERTAIN  RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF THE
FUND'S OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE  OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The  Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make the
Fund similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation.  The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts  business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.   Under
Massachusetts   law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under  certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of  the
fund,  which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of the
Fund provides that shareholders shall not  be subject to any personal  liability
for  the acts  or obligations  of the  Fund and  that every  written obligation,
contract, instrument or undertaking made by  the Fund shall contain a  provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This  Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which has
been incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information  set
forth  in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under the
Securities Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained  at
a  reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH  ITS TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL  FUND
SERVICES,  INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT SERVICES,
P.O. BOX  15020,  NEW BRUNSWISK,  NEW  JERSEY 08906-5020.  The  minimum  initial
investment  is $1,000.  The minimum subsequent  investment is  $100. All minimum
investment requirements  are waived  for  the Command  Account program  (if  the
Series  is designated as your primary  fund) and certain employee savings plans.
For purchases made through the Automatic Savings Accumulation Plan, the  minimum
initial and subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Services" below.
 
  An  investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt or
tax-deferred investors.  Such  investors  should  consult  with  their  own  tax
advisers.
 
  SHARES  OF THE SERIES ARE  SOLD, WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE,  AT THE NAV PER SHARE
NEXT DETERMINED  FOLLOWING  RECEIPT AND  ACCEPTANCE  BY THE  TRANSFER  AGENT  OR
PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES OF AN ORDER IN PROPER  FORM (I.E., CHECK OR FEDERAL FUNDS
WIRED TO PMFS.) See "How the Fund  Values its Shares." When payment is  received
by  PMFS prior  to 4:30 P.M.,  New York time,  in proper form,  a share purchase
order will be entered at the price determined as of 4:30 P.M., New York time, on
that day, and dividends on the shares  purchased will begin on the business  day
following such investment. See "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions."
 
  Application  forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
If a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for  each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their  shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
Shareholders cannot utilize Expedited Redemption  or Check Redemption or have  a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan if they have been issued certificates.
 
  The  Fund reserves  the right  in its sole  discretion to  reject any purchase
order (including  an exchange  into the  Series)  or to  suspend or  modify  the
continuous offering of its shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your  dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund. The
Distributor reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which  payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions  in shares  of the  Series may  be subject  to postage  and other
charges imposed by the dealer.
 
  PURCHASES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
 
  If you have an account with  Prudential Securities (or open such an  account),
you  may ask  Prudential Securities  to purchase  shares of  the Series  on your
behalf. On the business  day following confirmation that  a free credit  balance
(I.E.,   immediately  available  funds)  exists   in  your  account,  Prudential
Securities will effect a purchase order for shares of the Series in an amount up
to the balance  of the  NAV determined  on that  day. Funds  held by  Prudential
Securities  on behalf  of its clients  in the  form of free  credit balances are
delivered to the Fund by Prudential  Securities and begin earning dividends  the
second  business  day  after  receipt of  the  order  by  Prudential Securities.
Accordingly, Prudential  Securities  will  have  the use  of  such  free  credit
balances during this period.
 
  Shares  of  the Series  purchased by  Prudential Securities  on behalf  of its
clients will  be held  by  Prudential Securities  as record  holder.  Prudential
Securities  will therefore  receive statements  and dividends  directly from the
Fund and  will in  turn  provide investors  with Prudential  Securities  account
statements  reflecting  purchases, redemptions  and dividend  payments. Although
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
Prudential  Securities  clients  who  purchase  shares  of  the  Series  through
Prudential  Securities may not redeem shares  of the Series by check, Prudential
Securities provides its clients  with alternative forms  of immediate access  to
monies invested in shares of the Series.
 
  Prudential   Securities  clients  wishing  additional  information  concerning
investment in shares  of the  Series made through  Prudential Securities  should
call their Prudential Securities financial adviser.
 
  AUTOMATIC  INVESTMENT. Prudential Securities has advised  the Fund that it has
instituted procedures  pursuant  to  which,  upon  enrollment  by  a  Prudential
Securities client, Prudential Securities will make automatic investments of free
credit  balances of $1,000  or more ($1.00 for  IRAs) (Eligible Credit Balances)
held in such client's account in shares of the Series (Autosweep). To effect the
automatic investment of Eligible Credit Balances representing the proceeds  from
the sale of securities, Prudential Securities will enter orders for the purchase
of  shares of  the Series at  the opening of  business on the  day following the
settlement of  such securities  transaction (on  settlement date  for IRAs);  to
effect  the  automatic  investment  of  Eligible  Credit  Balances  representing
non-trade related  credits,  Prudential Securities  will  enter orders  for  the
purchase  of shares of the  Series at the opening  of business semi-monthly. All
shares purchased  pursuant  to  such  procedures  will  be  issued  at  the  NAV
determined  on the date the order is  entered and will receive the next dividend
declared after such shares are issued.
 
  SELF-DIRECTED INVESTMENT. Prudential Securities clients not electing Autosweep
may continue to place orders  for the purchase of  shares of the Series  through
Prudential  Securities, subject to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
requirements described above.
 
  A Prudential  Securities  client  who has  not  elected  Autosweep  (Automatic
Investment)  and who does  not place a  purchase order promptly  after funds are
credited to his  or her Prudential  Securities account will  have a free  credit
balance  with  Prudential Securities  and will  not  begin earning  dividends on
shares of the Series until the second business day after receipt of the order by
Prudential Securities from the  client. Accordingly, Prudential Securities  will
have the use of such free credit balances during this period.
 
  PURCHASES THROUGH PRUSEC
 
  You  may purchase shares  of the Series  by placing an  order with your Prusec
representative accompanied by payment for the purchase price of such shares and,
in the case  of a new  account, a  completed application form.  You should  also
submit  an IRS Form W-9. The Prusec representative will then forward these items
to the Transfer Agent. See "Purchase by Mail" below.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE
 
  For an  initial purchase  of shares  of the  Series by  wire, you  must  first
telephone  PMFS at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an account number. The
following information will be requested: your name, address, tax  identification
number,  dividend  distribution election,  amount being  wired and  wiring bank.
Instructions should then be given by you to your bank to transfer funds by  wire
to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company  (State Street), Boston, Massachusetts,
Custody and  Shareholder  Services  Division,  Attention:  Prudential  Municipal
Series Fund, Connecticut Money Market Series, specifying on the wire the account
number assigned by PMFS and your name.
 
  If  you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to the
calculation of  NAV (4:30  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you  may
purchase shares of the Series as of that day and receive dividends commencing on
the  next business  day. See  "Net Asset Value"  in the  Statement of Additional
Information.
 
  In making a subsequent  purchase order by wire,  you should wire State  Street
directly, and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal Series
Fund  (Connecticut Money  Market Series)  and your  name and  individual account
number. It is  not necessary  to call PMFS  to make  subsequent purchase  orders
utilizing  Federal Funds. The  minimum amount which  may be invested  by wire is
$1,000.
 
  PURCHASE BY MAIL
 
  Purchase orders for which remittance is to be made by check or money order may
be submitted  directly  by  mail  to  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Services,  Inc.,
Attention:  Investment  Services,  P.O.  Box 15020,  New  Brunswick,  New Jersey
08906-5020, together with payment for the purchase price of such shares and,  in
the   case  of  a  new  account,   a  completed  application  form.  You  should
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
also submit an IRS Form W-9. If PMFS receives an order to purchase shares of the
Series and  payment in  proper  form prior  to 4:30  P.M.,  New York  time,  the
purchase  order will be effective that day  and the investor will be entitled to
dividends the following business day. See "Taxes, Dividends and  Distributions."
Checks  should be made payable to  Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Connecticut
Money Market Series.  Certified checks  are not  necessary, but  checks must  be
drawn  on a  bank located in  the United  States. There are  restrictions on the
redemption of shares purchased by check while the funds are being collected. See
"How to Sell  Your Shares"  below. The minimum  initial investment  by check  is
$1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment by check is $100.
 
  THE PRUDENTIAL ADVANTAGE ACCOUNT PROGRAM
 
  Shares  of the Series are offered  to participants in the Prudential Advantage
Account Program (the  Advantage Account Program),  a financial services  program
available to clients of Pruco Securities Corporation. Investors participating in
the  Advantage Account Program may select the Series as their primary investment
vehicle. Such investors will have free credit cash balances of $1.00 or more  in
their  Securities Account (Available Cash) (a component of the Advantage Account
Program carried through Prudential Securities) automatically invested in  shares
of the Series. Specifically, an order to purchase shares of the Series is placed
(i)  in the  case of  Available Cash resulting  from the  proceeds of securities
sales, on the settlement date  of the securities sale, and  (ii) in the case  of
Available  Cash  resulting  from  non-trade related  credits  (I.E.,  receipt of
dividends and interest payments, or a  cash payment by the participant into  his
or  her Securities  Account), on  the business  day after  receipt by Prudential
Securities of the non-trade related credit.
 
  All shares  purchased pursuant  to these  automatic purchase  procedures  will
begin  earning  dividends  on  the  business  day  after  the  order  is placed.
Prudential Securities will  arrange for investment  in shares of  the Series  at
4:30 P.M. on the day the order is placed and cause payment to be made in Federal
Funds  for the shares  prior to 4:30  P.M. on the  next business day. Prudential
Securities will have the use of free credit cash balances until delivery to  the
Fund.
 
  Redemptions will be automatically effected by Prudential Securities to satisfy
debit  balances in a Securities Account  created by activity therein or existing
under the  Advantage Account  Program, such  as  those incurred  by use  of  the
Visa-Registered  Trademark- Account, including Visa purchases, cash advances and
Visa Account checks. Each Advantage  Account Program Securities Account will  be
automatically  scanned for debits each business day  as of the close of business
on that  day and  after application  of any  free credit  cash balances  in  the
account to such debits, a sufficient number of shares of the Series (if selected
as  the primary fund) and, if necessary, shares of other Advantage Account funds
owned by the Advantage Account Program participant which have not been  selected
as  his or  her primary  fund or  shares of  a participant's  money market funds
managed by PMF which are not primary Advantage Account funds will be redeemed as
of that business day to satisfy any remaining debits in the Securities  Account.
Shares  may not be purchased until all debits, overdrafts and other requirements
in the Securities Account are satisfied.
 
  Advantage Account Program charges and expenses are not reflected in the  table
of Fund expenses. See "Fund Expenses."
 
  For  information on participation in the Advantage Account Program, you should
telephone (800) 235-7637 (toll-free).
 
  COMMAND ACCOUNT PROGRAM
 
  Shares of the Series are offered to participants in the Prudential  Securities
Command  Account program, an integrated financial services program of Prudential
Securities. Investors having a  Command Account may select  the Series as  their
primary  fund. Such investors  will have free  credit cash balances  of $1.00 or
more in their Securities  Account (Available Cash) (a  component of the  Command
Account  program) automatically  invested in shares  of the  Series as described
below. Specifically, an order to purchase shares of the Series is placed (i)  in
the  case of Available Cash resulting from  the proceeds of securities sales, on
the settlement date of the  securities sale, and (ii)  in the case of  Available
Cash  resulting from non-trade  related credits (I.E.,  receipt of dividends and
interest payments, maturity of a bond or a cash payment by the participant  into
his  or her Securities Account), on the business day after receipt by Prudential
Securities of the non-trade related credit. These automatic purchase  procedures
are also applicable for Corporate Command Accounts.
 
  All  shares  purchased pursuant  to these  automatic purchase  procedures will
begin earning  dividends  on  the  business  day  after  the  order  is  placed.
Prudential  Securities will  arrange for investment  in shares of  the Series at
4:30 P.M., New York time, on the
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
business day the order is placed and  cause payment to be made in Federal  Funds
for  the shares  prior to 4:30  P.M., New York  time, on the  next business day.
Prudential Securities  will have  the use  of free  credit cash  balances  until
delivery  to  the  Fund.  There  are  no  minimum  investment  requirements  for
participants in the Command Account program.
 
  Redemptions will be automatically effected by Prudential Securities to satisfy
debit balances in a Securities Account  created by activity therein or  existing
under  the  Command program,  such as  those incurred  by use  of the  Visa Gold
Account, including Visa purchases, cash  advances and Visa Account checks.  Each
Command  program  Securities Account  will be  automatically scanned  for debits
monthly for all Visa purchases incurred during that month and each business  day
as  of the close of business on that day for all cash advances and check charges
as incurred  and after  application of  any  free credit  cash balances  in  the
account  to such  debits, a sufficient  number of  shares of the  Series and, if
necessary,  shares  of  other  Command  funds  owned  by  the  Command   program
participant which have not been selected as his or her primary fund or shares of
a  participant's money market funds managed by PMF which are not primary Command
funds will be redeemed as of that  business day to satisfy any remaining  debits
in  the Securities Account. The single monthly  debit for Visa purchases will be
made on the twenty-fifth  day of each  month, or the prior  business day if  the
twenty-fifth  falls on a  weekend or holiday.  Margin loans will  be utilized to
satisfy debits remaining after the liquidation of all shares of the Series in  a
Securities  Account, and  shares may not  be purchased until  all debits, margin
loans and other requirements  in the Securities  Account are satisfied.  Command
Account  participants will not be entitled to  dividends declared on the date of
redemption.
 
  For information on participation  in the Command  Account program, you  should
telephone (800) 222-4321 (toll-free).
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU  CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV NEXT
DETERMINED AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY  THE
TRANSFER AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
 
  Shares  for which a redemption request is received by PMFS prior to 4:30 P.M.,
New York time, are  entitled to a dividend  on the day on  which the request  is
received.  By  pre-authorizing Expedited  Redemption,  you may  arrange  to have
payment for redeemed shares made in  Federal Funds wired to your bank,  normally
on  the next bank business  day following the date  of receipt of the redemption
instructions. Should you redeem all of your shares, you will receive the  amount
of  all dividends  declared for the  month-to-date on those  shares. See "Taxes,
Dividends and Distributions."
 
  If redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust or  fiduciary,
written evidence of authority acceptable to the Transfer Agent must be submitted
before   such  request  will  be  accepted.  All  correspondence  and  documents
concerning redemptions should be sent to the Fund in care of its Transfer Agent,
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Redemption Services, P.O.  Box
15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If  the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to a
person other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other  than
the  address  on  the Transfer  Agent's  records or  (d)  are  to be  paid  to a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on certificates,  if any, or  stock power must  be guaranteed by  an
"eligible  guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution" includes
any bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the  right
to  request additional information  from, and make  reasonable inquiries of, any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be obtained from the agency or  office manager of most Prudential Insurance  and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  NORMALLY,  THE FUND MAKES PAYMENT  ON THE NEXT BUSINESS  DAY FOR ALL SHARES OF
THE SERIES REDEEMED, BUT IN ANY EVENT,  PAYMENT IS MADE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS  AFTER
RECEIPT  BY PMFS OF SHARE CERTIFICATES AND/OR  OF A REDEMPTION REQUEST IN PROPER
FORM. However, the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date
of payment (a)  for any  periods during  which the  New York  Stock Exchange  is
closed  (other  than for  customary weekend  or holiday  closings), (b)  for any
periods when trading in the markets  which the Fund normally utilizes is  closed
or  restricted or an emergency exists as  determined by the SEC so that disposal
of the  Series'  investments or  determination  of  its NAV  is  not  reasonably
practicable  or (c) for such other periods  as the SEC may permit for protection
of the Series' shareholders.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
  PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL  THE
FUND  OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS BEEN
HONORED, UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM  THE TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE  CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK. THE FUND MAKES NO CHARGE FOR REDEMPTION.
 
  REDEMPTION OF SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
 
  Prudential  Securities clients  for whom  Prudential Securities  has purchased
shares of the Series  may have these shares  redeemed only by instructing  their
Prudential Securities financial adviser orally or in writing.
 
  Prudential  Securities has advised the Fund that it has established procedures
pursuant to which shares  of the Series held  by a Prudential Securities  client
having a deficiency in his or her Prudential Securities account will be redeemed
automatically  to the  extent of  that deficiency  to the  nearest higher dollar
unless the client notifies Prudential Securities to the contrary. The amount  of
the  redemption will  be the  lesser of  (a) the  total net  asset value  of the
Series' shares held  in the client's  Prudential Securities account  or (b)  the
deficiency  in  the  client's  Prudential Securities  account  at  the  close of
business  on  the  date  such  deficiency  is  due.  Accordingly,  a  Prudential
Securities client utilizing automatic redemption procedure and who wishes to pay
for  a securities transaction or  satisfy any other debit  balance in his or her
account other than through  this automatic redemption procedure  must do so  not
later than the day of settlement for such securities transaction or the date the
debit  balance is  incurred. Prudential Securities  clients who  have elected to
utilize Autosweep will  not be  entitled to dividends  declared on  the date  of
redemption.
 
  REDEMPTION OF SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH PMFS
 
  If  you  purchase shares  of  the Series  through  PMFS, you  may  use Regular
Redemption, Expedited  Redemption  or Check  Redemption.  Prudential  Securities
clients  for whom  Prudential Securities has  purchased shares may  not use such
services.
 
  REGULAR REDEMPTION. You may redeem your  shares by sending a written  request,
accompanied  by duly endorsed share certificates, if issued, to PMFS, Attention:
Redemption Services, P.O. Box  15010, New Brunswick,  New Jersey 08906-5010.  In
this  case, all share  certificates and certain  written requests for redemption
must be endorsed by you with  signature guaranteed, as described above.  Regular
redemption is made by check sent to your address.
 
  EXPEDITED REDEMPTION. By pre-authorizing Expedited Redemption, you may arrange
to  have payment for redeemed  shares made in Federal  Funds wired to your bank,
normally on  the  next  business  day following  redemption.  In  order  to  use
Expedited  Redemption, you may so designate  at the time the initial application
form is made  or at a  later date. Once  the Expedited Redemption  authorization
form  has been completed, the signature  on the authorization form guaranteed as
set forth above and the form returned to Prudential Mutual Fund Services,  Inc.,
Attention:  Account  Maintenance,  P.O.  Box 15015,  New  Brunswick,  New Jersey
08906-5015, requests  for  redemption  may  be  made  by  telegraph,  letter  or
telephone. To request Expedited Redemption by telephone, you should call PMFS at
(800)  225-1852. Calls must be received by PMFS before 4:30 P.M., New York time,
to permit redemption as of such date. Requests by letter should be addressed  to
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., at the address set forth above.
 
  A  signature guarantee  is not  required under  Expedited Redemption  once the
authorization form is properly completed and returned. The Expedited  Redemption
privilege may be used only to redeem shares in an amount of $200 or more, except
that,  if an account for which Expedited Redemption is requested has a net asset
value of less than $200,  the entire account must  be redeemed. The proceeds  of
redeemed  shares in the amount of $1,000 or more are transmitted by wire to your
account at a domestic commercial bank which  is a member of the Federal  Reserve
System.  Proceeds of less than $1,000 are  forwarded by check to your designated
bank account.
 
  DURING PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET  OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, EXPEDITED  REDEMPTION
MAY  BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD REDEEM SHARES BY MAIL AS DESCRIBED
AS ABOVE.
 
  CHECK REDEMPTION.  At your  request, State  Street will  establish a  personal
checking  account for you. Checks  drawn on this account  can be made payable to
the order of  any person in  any amount greater  than $500. When  such check  is
presented  to State Street for  payment, State Street presents  the check to the
Fund as authority to redeem a sufficient  number of shares of the Series in  the
shareholder's  account to cover the amount  of the check. If insufficient shares
are in the account, or if the purchase was made
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
by  check  within  10  calendar  days,   the  check  will  be  returned   marked
"insufficient  funds." Checks in an  amount less than $500  will not be honored.
Shares for which  certificates have  been issued  cannot be  redeemed by  check.
There  is a  service charge  of $5.00  payable to  PMFS to  establish a checking
account and order checks.
 
  INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. Because of the relatively high cost of maintaining  an
account, the Fund reserves the right to redeem, upon 60 days' written notice, an
account  which is reduced by a shareholder to  a net asset value of $500 or less
due to redemption.  You may avoid  such redemption by  increasing the net  asset
value of your account to an amount in excess of $500.
 
  REDEMPTION  IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests of the remaining  shareholders of the Series to make  payment
wholly  or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution in kind of  securities from the portfolio of the  Series,
in  lieu of cash, in conformity with the applicable rules of the SEC. Securities
will be readily marketable and will be valued in the same manner as in a regular
redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your shares are redeemed in
kind, you will  incur brokerage costs  in converting the  assets into cash.  The
Fund  has elected to be governed by  Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act
under which the  Fund is obligated  to redeem shares  solely in cash  up to  the
lesser  of $250,000 or one percent of the net asset value of the Fund during any
90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. You may direct that the proceeds of  a
redemption  of Series  shares be invested  in Class B  or Class C  shares of any
Prudential Mutual Fund by calling  your Prudential Securities financial  adviser
or the Transfer Agent at (800) 225-1852. The transaction will be effected on the
basis of the relative NAV.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
   
  AS  A SHAREHOLDER  OF THE  SERIES, YOU HAVE  AN EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE WITH OTHER
SERIES OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE  EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE),  INCLUDING ONE OR  MORE SPECIFIED MONEY MARKET  FUNDS AND FUNDS SOLD
WITH AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE, SUBJECT TO THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS  OF
SUCH  FUNDS. You may exchange your shares for Class A shares of the other series
of the Fund or Class A shares of the Prudential Mutual Funds on the basis of the
relative NAV per  share plus the  applicable sales charge.  No additional  sales
charge  is imposed in connection with subsequent exchanges. You may not exchange
your shares  for Class  B shares  of the  Prudential Mutual  Funds, except  that
shares acquired prior to January 22, 1990 subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge  can be exchanged for  Class B shares. See "Class  B and Class C Purchase
Privilege" above and "Shareholder Investment Account--Exchange Privilege" in the
Statement of Additional Information. An exchange will be treated as a redemption
and purchase for tax purposes. You may  not exchange your shares for Class C  or
Class  Z shares of other series of the Fund  or Class C or Class Z shares of the
Prudential Mutual Funds.
    
 
   
  IN ORDER TO  EXCHANGE SHARES BY  TELEPHONE, YOU MUST  AUTHORIZE THE  TELEPHONE
EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE
TRANSFER AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call
the Fund at (800) 225-1852 to execute a telephone exchange of shares,  weekdays,
except  holidays, between the hours  of 8:00 A.M. and  6:00 P.M., New York time.
For your protection  and to  prevent fraudulent exchanges,  your telephone  call
will  be recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal indentification
number. A written confirmation of the exchange transaction will be sent to  you.
NEITHER  THE FUND NOR ITS AGENTS WILL BE  LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, LIABILITY OR COST
WHICH RESULTS FROM ACTING  UPON INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY  BELIEVED TO BE  GENUINE
UNDER  THE FOREGOING  PROCEDURES. (THE  FUND OR ITS  AGENTS COULD  BE SUBJECT TO
LIABILITY IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY  REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will  be
made  on  the basis  of  the relative  NAV  of the  two  funds (or  series) next
determined after the request is received  in good order. The Exchange  Privilege
is available only in states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
  IF  YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO  BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You  may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New  Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
  IN  PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OF
SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL  BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  The  Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including exchanges
(and market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged  in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse  effect on the  ability of the  Subadviser to manage  the portfolio. The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination to reject  any exchange order  shall be in  the discretion of  the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The  Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, you can take advantage of the following
services and privileges:
 
        -  AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS  AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS.  For  your
    convenience, all dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested in
    full and fractional shares of the Series at NAV. You may direct the Transfer
    Agent in writing not less than 5 full business days prior to the record date
    to  have subsequent dividends and/or distributions  sent in cash rather than
    reinvested. If you  hold shares  through Prudential  Securities, you  should
    contact your financial adviser.
 
         - AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION  PLAN (ASAP).  Under ASAP you may make
    regular purchases of the Series' shares in  amounts as little as $50 via  an
    automatic  charge  to  a  bank  account  or  Prudential  Securities  account
    (including  a  Command  Account).  For  additional  information  about  this
    service,  you  may  contact your  Prudential  Securities  financial adviser,
    Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
        - SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN.  A systematic withdrawal plan is available
    for shareholders which provides for monthly or quarterly checks. See "How to
    Sell Your Shares."
 
        -  MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS.  Special procedures  have been designed for  banks
    and  other institutions that wish to  open multiple accounts. An institution
    may open a  single master  account by filing  an application  form with  the
    Transfer  Agent, Attention: Customer Service, P.O. Box 15005, New Brunswick,
    New Jersey 08906, signed by personnel authorized to act for the institution.
    Individual sub-accounts may  be opened  at the  time the  master account  is
    opened  by listing  them, or they  may be added  at a later  date by written
    advice or by filing forms supplied by the Fund. Procedures are available  to
    identify sub-accounts by name and number within the master account name. The
    investment  minimums set forth above are applicable to the aggregate amounts
    invested by a group and not to the amount credited to each sub-account.
 
   
          -  REPORTS  TO  SHAREHOLDERS.   The  Fund  will send  you  annual  and
    semi-annual  reports. The  financial statements appearing  in annual reports
    are audited by independent accountants. In order to reduce duplicate mailing
    and printing  expenses, the  Fund will  provide one  annual and  semi-annual
    shareholder  report  and annual  prospectus per  household. You  may request
    additional copies of such reports by calling (800) 225-1852 or by writing to
    the Fund at  Gateway Center Three,  Newark, New Jersey  07102. In  addition,
    monthly unaudited financial data is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
         - SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES.   Inquiries should be addressed to the Fund at
    Gateway Center Three, Newark,  New Jersey 07102, or  by telephone, at  (800)
    225-1852  (toll-free)  or,  from  outside  the  U.S.A.,  at  (908)  417-7555
    (collect).
    
 
  For additional  information regarding  the services  and privileges  described
above,  see  "Shareholder Investment  Account"  in the  Statement  of Additional
Information.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management  offers a  broad  range  of  mutual funds
designed to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the  investment
options  available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities financial adviser or Prusec  representative or telephone the Fund  at
(800)  225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before you
invest or send money.
 
- ----------------------
 
       TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------------
   
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
    
- --------------------------
 
       TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------------
Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Series
    California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
    High Yield Series
    Insured Series
    Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Florida Series
    Hawaii Income Series
    Maryland Series
    Massachusetts Series
    Michigan Series
    New Jersey Series
    New York Series
    North Carolina Series
    Ohio Series
    Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
- ----------------
 
       GLOBAL FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------------
   
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Limited Maturity Portfolio
    
   
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
    Global Series
    International Stock Series
    
   
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
    
- ----------------
 
       EQUITY FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------------
Prudential Allocation Fund
    Balanced Portfolio
    Strategy Portfolio
   
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
    Prudential Active Balanced Fund
    Prudential Stock Index Fund
    
   
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
    Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
    Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
    
   
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
    Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
    
- -----------------------
 
       MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------------
- - TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Money Market Series
    U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
   
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
    Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
- - TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Connecticut Money Market Series
    Massachusetts Money Market Series
    New Jersey Money Market Series
    New York Money Market Series
    
 
- - COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
- - INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
    Institutional Money Market Series
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained in this Prospectus, and,
if  given or made, such other information  or representations must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by  the Fund or the Distributor. This  Prospectus
does  not constitute an  offer by the  Fund or by  the Distributor to  sell or a
solicitation of any offer  to buy any  of the securities  offered hereby in  any
jurisdiction  to any person  to whom it is  unlawful to make  such offer in such
jurisdiction.
 
- -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                     ---
<S>                                               <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS.................................         2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics......         2
FUND EXPENSES...................................         4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS............................         5
CALCULATION OF YIELD............................         6
HOW THE FUND INVESTS............................         6
  Investment Objective and Policies.............         6
  Other Investments and Policies................         9
  Investment Restrictions.......................        10
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED.........................        10
  Manager.......................................        10
  Distributor...................................        11
  Portfolio Transactions........................        12
  Custodian and Transfer and
   Dividend Disbursing Agent....................        12
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES..................        13
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS..............        13
GENERAL INFORMATION.............................        15
  Description of Shares.........................        15
  Additional Information........................        16
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE...............................        16
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund.................        16
  How to Sell Your Shares.......................        19
  How to Exchange Your Shares...................        21
  Shareholder Services..........................        22
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY...............       A-1
</TABLE>
    
 
   
- ------------------------------------------------
MF154A                                         444575T
    
                              CUSIP No: 74435M-64-8
 
<PAGE>
   
PROSPECTUS
NOVEMBER 1,
    1996
    
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL
 
SERIES FUND
 
(CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES)
- --------------------------------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
(FLORIDA SERIES)
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the "Fund") (Florida Series) (the "Series") is
one  of fourteen series of an open-end, management investment company, or mutual
fund. This Series is non-diversified and seeks to provide the maximum amount  of
income that is exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation
of capital and to invest in securities which will enable its shares to be exempt
from  the Florida intangibles tax and,  in conjunction therewith, the Series may
invest in debt securities with the potential for capital gain. The net assets of
the Series will be  invested in obligations within  the four highest ratings  of
Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or another nationally
recognized  statistical rating organization  or in unrated  securities which, in
the opinion of the Fund's investment adviser, are of comparable quality. Subject
to the  limitations  described  herein,  the  Series  may  utilize  derivatives,
including  buying  and selling  futures contracts  and  options thereon  for the
purpose of hedging its portfolio securities. There can be no assurance that  the
Series'   investment   objective   will   be  achieved.   See   "How   the  Fund
Invests--Investment Objective  and  Policies."  The Fund's  address  is  Gateway
Center  Three,  Newark, New  Jersey  07102, and  its  telephone number  is (800)
225-1852.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets  forth concisely  the information  about the  Fund and  the
Florida  Series  that  a  prospective  investor  should  know  before investing.
Additional information about  the Fund has  been filed with  the Securities  and
Exchange  Commission in a Statement of  Additional Information dated November 1,
1996,  which  information  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  (is  legally
considered  a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available without  charge upon
request to the Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The  following summary is intended  to highlight certain information contained
in this  Prospectus  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools  the resources of  investors by selling  its shares to  the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an  open-end,
  management  investment company. Only  the Florida Series  is offered through
  this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The Series' investment  objective is  to maximize current  income that  is
  exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital
  and  to invest in securities which will  enable its shares to be exempt from
  the Florida intangibles tax. It seeks to achieve this objective by investing
  primarily in Florida State, municipal  and local government obligations  and
  obligations  of other qualifying issuers, such  as issuers located in Puerto
  Rico, the Virgin  Islands and Guam,  which, in the  opinion of counsel,  are
  exempt  from the  Florida intangibles tax  and which pay  income exempt from
  federal income tax (Florida Obligations). There can be no assurance that the
  Series'  investment  objective   will  be  achieved.   See  "How  the   Fund
  Invests--Investment Objective and Policies" at page 8.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
   
    In  seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest at
  least 80% of  the value  of its total  assets in  Florida Obligations.  This
  degree of investment concentration makes the Series particularly susceptible
  to  factors  adversely affecting  issuers of  Florida Obligations.  To hedge
  against changes in interest rates, the Series may also purchase put  options
  and  engage  in  transactions  involving  derivatives,  including  financial
  futures contracts and options thereon. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment
  Objective and Policies--Futures Contracts and Options Thereon" at page 10.
    
 
    The Series is non-diversified so that more than 5% of its total assets may
  be invested  in the  securities of  one  or more  issuers. Investment  in  a
  non-diversified   portfolio  involves   more  risk  than   investment  in  a
  diversified portfolio. See "How  the Fund Invests--Investment Objective  and
  Policies--Special Considerations" at page 12.
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential  Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the Manager
  of the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50  of
  1%  of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996, PMF
  served as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including  38
  mutual  funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion. The
  Prudential  Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)   furnishes
  investment  advisory services in connection with  the management of the Fund
  under  a   Subadvisory  Agreement   with   PMF.  See   "How  the   Fund   is
  Managed--Manager" at page 13.
    
 
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI), a major
  securities  underwriter and securities  and commodities broker,  acts as the
  Distributor of the Series' Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z shares  and
  is  paid a distribution and service fee with respect to Class A shares which
  is currently being charged at  the annual rate of .10  of 1% of the  average
  daily  net  assets of  the Class  A shares  and is  paid a  distribution and
  service fee with respect to Class B shares  at the annual rate of .50 of  1%
  of  the average daily net assets of the Class B shares and is paid an annual
  distribution and service fee with respect to  Class C shares at the rate  of
  .75  of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares. Prudential
  Securities incurs the  expense of  distributing the Series'  Class Z  shares
  under a Distribution Agreement with the Fund, none of which is reimbursed or
  paid for by the Fund.
    
    See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 14.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
    The  minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000
  per class and $5,000 for Class  C shares. The minimum subsequent  investment
  is  $100 for Class  A, Class B  and Class C  shares. Class Z  shares are not
  subject  to  any  minimum  investment  requirements.  There  is  no  minimum
  investment  requirement for  certain employee  savings plans.  For purchases
  made through the  Automatic Savings Accumulation  Plan, the minimum  initial
  and  subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares
  of the Fund"  at page  21 and "Shareholder  Guide--Shareholder Services"  at
  page 29.
    
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities  Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through its
  transfer agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the  Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities plus a
  sales  charge which may be imposed either (i) at the time of purchase (Class
  A shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis  (Class B or Class C shares). Class  Z
  shares  are  offered to  a limited  group  of investors  at net  asset value
  without any sales charge. See  "How the Fund Values  its Shares" at page  16
  and "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares of the Fund" at page 21.
    
 
  WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
   
    The Series offers four classes of shares:
    
 
       - Class A Shares:   Sold  with an initial sales charge  of up to 3% of
                           the offering price.
 
       - Class B Shares:    Sold without  an  initial sales  charge  but  are
                            subject  to a contingent  deferred sales charge or
                            CDSC (declining from  5% to zero  of the lower  of
                            the  amount invested  or the  redemption proceeds)
                            which will be imposed on certain redemptions  made
                            within  six  years of  purchase. Although  Class B
                            shares   are    subject    to    higher    ongoing
                            distribution-related expenses than Class A shares,
                            Class B shares will automatically convert to Class
                            A  shares  (which  are  subject  to  lower ongoing
                            distribution-related expenses) approximately seven
                            years after purchase.
 
       - Class C Shares:   Sold without an initial sales charge and, for  one
                           year  after purchase, are  subject to a  1% CDSC on
                           redemptions. Like Class  B shares,  Class C  shares
                           are  subject to higher ongoing distribution-related
                           expenses than Class A shares but do not convert  to
                           another class.
 
   
       - Class Z Shares:   Sold  without  either  an  initial  or  contingent
                           deferred  sales  charge  to  a  limited  group   of
                           investors.  Class Z  shares are not  subject to any
                           ongoing service or distribution-related expenses.
    
 
   
    See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 22.
    
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
   
    You may redeem your shares  at any time at  the NAV next determined  after
  Prudential  Securities  or  the  Transfer Agent  receives  your  sell order.
  However, the proceeds of redemptions  of Class B and  Class C shares may  be
  subject  to a CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page
  25.
    
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
   
    The Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of  net
  investment  income, if any, and make  distributions of any net capital gains
  at  least  annually.  Dividends  and  distributions  will  be  automatically
  reinvested  in additional shares of the Series at NAV without a sales charge
  unless you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes,  Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 17.
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                                (FLORIDA SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                    CLASS A
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES+                   SHARES       CLASS B SHARES          CLASS C SHARES          CLASS Z SHARES
                                                    -------  ----------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>                     <C>                     <C>
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases
     (as a percentage of offering price)..........    3%              None                    None                    None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load (as a percentage
     of original purchase price or redemption
     proceeds, whichever is lower)................   None     5% during the first    1% on redemptions made           None
                                                             year, decreasing by 1%    within one year of
                                                             annually to 1% in the          purchase
                                                             fifth and sixth years
                                                               and 0% the seventh
                                                                     year*
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested
     Dividends....................................   None             None                    None                    None
    Redemption Fees...............................   None             None                    None                    None
    Exchange Fee..................................   None             None                    None                    None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES**                                                                      CLASS Z
(as a percentage of average net assets)     CLASS A SHARES   CLASS B SHARES     CLASS C SHARES       SHARES***
                                            --------------  -----------------  -----------------  ----------------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>                <C>                <C>
    Management Fees (Before Waiver).......        .50%             .50%               .50%               .50%
    12b-1 Fees (After Reduction)..........        .10++            .50                .75               None
    Other Expenses (Before Subsidy).......        .15              .15                .15                .15
                                              -------       -----------------  -----------------  ----------------
 
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before
     Waiver and Subsidy and After
     Reduction)...........................        .75%            1.15%              1.40%               .65%
                                              -------       -----------------  -----------------  ----------------
                                              -------       -----------------  -----------------  ----------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE                                                                    1 YEAR   3 YEARS   5 YEARS   10 YEARS
                                                                          --------  --------  --------  --------
<S>                                                                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
 (1) 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
    Class A.............................................................  $    37   $    53   $    70   $   120
    Class B.............................................................  $    62   $    67   $    73   $   123
    Class C.............................................................  $    24   $    44   $    77   $   168
    Class Z***..........................................................  $     7   $    27   $    36   $    81
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, assuming
 no redemption:
    Class A.............................................................  $    37   $    53   $    70   $   120
    Class B.............................................................  $    12   $    37   $    63   $   123
    Class C.............................................................  $    14   $    44   $    77   $   168
    Class Z***..........................................................  $     7   $    27   $    36   $    81
</TABLE>
    
 
   
   The  above examples are based on restated data for the Series' fiscal year
   ended  August  31,  1996.  THE   EXAMPLES  SHOULD  NOT  BE  CONSIDERED   A
   REPRESENTATION  OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER
   OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
   The purpose of  this table  is to  assist investors  in understanding  the
   various  costs  and expenses  that an  investor in  the Series  will bear,
   whether directly  or indirectly.  For more  complete descriptions  of  the
   various  costs  and  expenses,  see  "How  the  Fund  is  Managed." "Other
   Expenses" includes operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees' and
   professional fees, registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer
   agency and custodian fees.
   ---------------------
    * Class  B  shares   will  automatically  convert   to  Class  A   shares
      approximately    seven   years   after   purchase.   See   "Shareholder
      Guide--Conversion Feature--Class B Shares."
   
    ** Based on expenses  incurred during  the fiscal year  ended August  31,
       1996, without taking into account the management and 12b-1 fee waivers
       (Class  A shares  only) and  the subsidy  of expenses.  At the current
       level of management fee waiver (40%) and other expense subsidy (100%),
       Management Fees would be .30 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z
       shares and Other Expenses and  Total Fund Operating Expenses would  be
       .10%  and .40%, respectively, of the average net assets of the Series'
       Class A shares, .50% and .80%, respectively, of the average net assets
       of the Series' Class  B shares, .75% and  1.05%, respectively, of  the
       average  net assets of the  Series' Class C shares  and .00% and .30%,
       respectively, of the average net assets of the Series' Class Z shares.
       See "How the Fund is Managed--Manager-- Fee Waivers and Subsidy."
    
   
   *** Estimated based on expenses expected to have been incurred if Class  Z
       shares  had been in existence throughout  the fiscal year ended August
       31, 1996.
    
    + Pursuant to rules  of the National  Association of Securities  Dealers,
      Inc.,  the aggregate initial sales  charges, deferred sales charges and
      asset-based sales charges on shares of the Series may not exceed  6.25%
      of  total  gross  sales,  subject  to  certain  exclusions.  This 6.25%
      limitation is imposed on each class of the Series rather than on a  per
      shareholder  basis. Therefore, long-term shareholders of the Series may
      pay more in total sales charges  than the economic equivalent of  6.25%
      of  such shareholders' investment in such  shares. See "How the Fund is
      Managed--Distributor."
   
    ++ Although the Class A Distribution  and Service Plan provides that  the
       Fund  may pay a distribution fee  of up to .30 of  1% per annum of the
       average daily net  assets of  the Class A  shares of  the Series,  the
       Distributor  has agreed to limit its distribution fees with respect to
       the Class A  shares of the  Series to no  more than .10  of 1% of  the
       average  daily net asset value of the Class A shares of the Series for
       the fiscal year ending August 31, 1997. Total Fund Operating  Expenses
       (Before  Waiver  and  Subsidy)  of the  Class  A  shares  without such
       limitation would be .95%. See "How the Fund is Managed-- Distributor."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class A Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
   The following  financial highlights,  with respect  to the  five-year  period
ended  August 31, 1996, have been audited  by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
accountants, whose report  thereon was unqualified.  This information should  be
read  in  conjunction with  the financial  statements  and notes  thereto, which
appear in  the  Statement of  Additional  Information. The  following  financial
highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  A share  of beneficial interest
outstanding, total return, ratios to  average net assets and other  supplemental
data  for the periods indicated. This information  is based on data contained in
the financial statements.  Further performance information  is contained in  the
annual  report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      CLASS A
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 DECEMBER 28,
                                                                                                   1990 (a)
                                                       YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                        THROUGH
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------    AUGUST 31,
                                        1996         1995        1994       1993       1992          1991
                                     ----------   ----------   --------   --------   ---------   -------------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 period............................    $  10.06     $   9.91   $  10.87   $  10.27   $    9.76    $   9.55
                                     ----------   ----------   --------   --------   ---------   -------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (c)..........         .57          .59        .59        .57         .65         .44
Net realized and unrealized gain on
 investment transactions...........         .05          .15       (.76)       .73         .51         .21
                                     ----------   ----------   --------   --------   ---------   -------------
    Total from investment
    operations.....................         .62          .74       (.17)      1.30        1.16         .65
                                     ----------   ----------   --------   --------   ---------   -------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income............................        (.57)        (.59)      (.59)      (.57)       (.65)       (.44)
Distributions from net realized
 gains.............................          --           --       (.20)      (.13)         --          --
                                     ----------   ----------   --------   --------   ---------   -------------
    Total distributions............        (.57)        (.59)      (.79)      (.70)       (.65)       (.44)
                                     ----------   ----------   --------   --------   ---------   -------------
Net asset value, end of period.....    $  10.11     $  10.06   $   9.91   $  10.87   $   10.27    $   9.76
                                     ----------   ----------   --------   --------   ---------   -------------
                                     ----------   ----------   --------   --------   ---------   -------------
TOTAL RETURN (d):..................        6.20%        7.85%     (1.69)%    13.78%      12.26%       6.90%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)....    $101,999     $120,963   $134,849   $148,900   $ 104,335    $ 63,929
Average net assets (000)...........    $112,266     $124,259   $146,489   $123,820   $  82,893    $ 41,528
Ratios to average net assets (c):
  Expenses, including distribution
   fees............................         .37%         .24%       .20%       .20%        .09%          0
  Expenses, excluding distribution
   fees............................         .27%         .17%       .20%       .20%        .09%          0
  Net investment income............        5.56%        6.04%      5.67%      5.94%       6.41%       6.68%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate............          68%          65%        75%        68%         56%         39%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
 
    (a) Commencement of offering of Class A shares.
    (b) Annualized.
    (c) Net of expense subsidy and fee waiver.
    (d) Total return  does not  consider the  effects of  sales loads.  Total
        return  is calculated assuming a purchase  of shares on the first day
        and a  sale on  the last  day of  each period  reported and  includes
        reinvestment  of  dividends  and  distributions.  Total  returns  for
        periods of less than a full year are not annualized.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class B Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The following financial highlights  have been audited  by Deloitte &  Touche
LLP,  independent  accountants,  whose  report  thereon  was  unqualified.  This
information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and  the
notes  thereto, which  appear in  the Statement  of Additional  Information. The
following financial highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  B share  of
beneficial  interest outstanding, total return, ratios to average net assets and
other supplemental data for the periods indicated. This information is based  on
data  contained in the financial  statements. Further performance information is
contained in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge.  See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               CLASS B
                                                              ------------------------------------------
                                                                                             AUGUST 1,
                                                                      YEAR ENDED              1994 (a)
                                                                      AUGUST 31,              THROUGH
                                                              ---------------------------    AUGUST 31,
                                                                  1996           1995           1994
                                                              ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>            <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period........................   $ 10.06        $  9.91        $  9.95
                                                              ------------     ------         ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (c)...................................       .53            .55            .04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions....................................       .05            .15           (.04)
                                                              ------------     ------         ------
    Total from investment operations........................       .58            .70             --
                                                              ------------     ------         ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income........................      (.53)          (.55)          (.04)
Distributions from net realized gains.......................        --             --             --
                                                              ------------     ------         ------
    Total distributions.....................................      (.53)          (.55)          (.04)
                                                              ------------     ------         ------
Net asset value, end of period..............................   $ 10.11        $ 10.06        $  9.91
                                                              ------------     ------         ------
                                                              ------------     ------         ------
TOTAL RETURN (d):...........................................      5.79%          7.39%         (0.05)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).............................   $14,699        $ 8,326        $   582
Average net assets (000)....................................   $12,570        $ 4,699        $   118
Ratios to average net assets (c):
  Expenses, including distribution fee......................       .77%           .67%           .70%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fee......................       .27%           .17%           .20%(b)
  Net investment income.....................................      5.16%          5.56%          6.21%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate.....................................        68%            65%            75%
</TABLE>
    
 
   -----------------------
    (a) Commencement of offering of Class B shares.
 
    (b) Annualized.
 
    (c) Net of expense subsidy and fee waiver.
 
    (d) Total  return does  not consider  the effects  of sales  loads. Total
        return is calculated assuming a purchase  of shares on the first  day
        and  a sale  on the  last day  of each  period reported  and includes
        reinvestment  of  dividends  and  distributions.  Total  returns  for
        periods of less than a full year are not annualized.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class C Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The  following financial highlights  have been audited  by Deloitte & Touche
LLP,  independent  accountants,  whose  report  thereon  was  unqualified.  This
information  should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the
notes thereto,  which appear  in the  Statement of  Additional Information.  The
following  financial highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  C share of
beneficial interest outstanding, total return, ratios to average net assets  and
other  supplemental data for the periods indicated. This information is based on
data contained in the financial  statements. Further performance information  is
contained  in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge. See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  CLASS C
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                                                                JULY 26, 1993
                                                                   YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,         (a) THROUGH
                                                              -------------------------------    AUGUST 31,
                                                                1996       1995       1994          1993
                                                              --------   --------   ---------   -------------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period........................  $  10.06   $   9.91    $10.87        $10.58
                                                              --------   --------   ---------      ------
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (c)...................................       .50        .53       .48           .03
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions....................................       .05        .15      (.76)          .29
                                                              --------   --------   ---------      ------
    Total from investment operations........................       .55        .68      (.28)          .32
                                                              --------   --------   ---------      ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income........................      (.50)      (.53)     (.48)         (.03)
Distributions from net realized gains.......................        --         --      (.20)           --
                                                              --------   --------   ---------      ------
    Total distributions.....................................      (.50)      (.53)     (.68)         (.03)
                                                              --------   --------   ---------      ------
Net asset value, end of period..............................  $  10.11   $  10.06    $ 9.91        $10.87
                                                              --------   --------   ---------      ------
                                                              --------   --------   ---------      ------
TOTAL RETURN (d):...........................................      5.52%      7.12%    (2.40)%        3.14%
 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).............................  $  7,792   $  9,028    $11,185       $3,132
Average net assets (000)....................................  $  8,293   $ 10,265    $9,280        $1,038
Ratios to average net assets (c):
  Expenses, including distribution fee......................      1.02%       .92%      .95%          .95%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fee......................       .27%       .17%      .20%          .20%(b)
  Net investment income.....................................      4.91%      5.35%     4.99%         5.19%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate.....................................        68%        65%       75%           68%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   
    (a) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
    
 
    (b) Annualized.
 
    (c) Net of expense subsidy and fee waiver.
 
    (d) Total return  does not  consider the  effects of  sales loads.  Total
        return  is calculated assuming a purchase  of shares on the first day
        and a  sale on  the last  day of  each period  reported and  includes
        reinvestment  of  dividends  and  distributions.  Total  returns  for
        periods of less than a full year are not annualized.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
    PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND (THE  FUND)  IS AN  OPEN-END,  MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
SERIES  OF THE FUND IS MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FLORIDA SERIES (THE SERIES) IS
NON-DIVERSIFIED AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME  THAT
IS  EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL
AND TO INVEST IN SECURITIES WHICH WILL  ENABLE ITS SHARES TO BE EXEMPT FROM  THE
FLORIDA  INTANGIBLES  TAX AND,  IN CONJUNCTION  THEREWITH,  THE SERIES  MAY ALSO
INVEST IN DEBT SECURITIES WITH THE  POTENTIAL FOR CAPITAL GAIN. See  "Investment
Objectives and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE  SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A  FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE  SERIES'
OUTSTANDING  VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE  NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  THE  SERIES  WILL  INVEST  PRIMARILY IN  FLORIDA  STATE,  MUNICIPAL  AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS  AND OBLIGATIONS  OF OTHER  QUALIFYING ISSUERS,  SUCH  AS
ISSUERS  LOCATED IN  PUERTO RICO,  THE VIRGIN  ISLANDS AND  GUAM, WHICH,  IN THE
OPINION OF COUNSEL, ARE  EXEMPT FROM THE FLORIDA  INTANGIBLES TAX AND WHICH  PAY
INCOME  EXEMPT FROM  FEDERAL INCOME TAX  (FLORIDA OBLIGATIONS). THERE  CAN BE NO
ASSURANCE THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
  Florida Obligations and certain types of U.S. Government securities and  other
assets  are exempt  from the  Florida intangibles tax.  The Fund  has obtained a
ruling from Florida authorities that,  if on January 1  of any year the  Series'
portfolio of assets consists solely of such exempt investments, then the Series'
shares will be exempt from the Florida intangibles tax payable in that year.
 
  Interest  on  certain  municipal  obligations may  be  a  preference  item for
purposes of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest  without
limit  in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined in
the Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item  for
purposes  of  the federal  alternative minimum  tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends and
Distributions." Florida Obligations  could include general  obligation bonds  of
the  State, counties,  cities, towns,  etc., revenue  bonds of  utility systems,
highways, bridges, port and airport  facilities, colleges, hospitals, etc.,  and
industrial  development and pollution  control bonds. The  Series will invest in
long-term Florida Obligations, and the  dollar-weighted average maturity of  the
Series'  portfolio will generally range between 10-20 years. The Series may also
invest in certain short-term, tax-exempt  notes such as Tax Anticipation  Notes,
Revenue Anticipation Notes, Bond Anticipation Notes, Construction Loan Notes and
variable and floating rate demand notes.
 
  Generally,  municipal obligations with longer maturities produce higher yields
and are subject to greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates (market  risk) than  municipal obligations  with shorter  maturities.  The
prices  of municipal  obligations vary  inversely with  interest rates. Interest
rates are currently  much lower  than in  recent years.  If rates  were to  rise
sharply,  the  prices  of bonds  in  the  Series' portfolio  might  be adversely
affected.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES,  INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as  a
specific  percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on Treasury
bonds or bills or the prime rate  at a major commercial bank. The interest  rate
on  floating rate securities changes periodically when  there is a change in the
designated base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a  specified
periodic  adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates and
generally would allow the  Series to demand payment  of the obligation on  short
notice  at par plus accrued interest, which amount  may be more or less than the
amount the Series paid for
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
them. An  inverse floater  is a  debt  instrument with  a floating  or  variable
interest  rate that  moves in  the opposite  direction of  the interest  rate on
another security or the value of an  index. Changes in the interest rate on  the
other  security or index inversely affect the residual interest rate paid on the
inverse floater,  with the  result  that the  inverse  floater's price  will  be
considerably  more  volatile than  that of  a  fixed rate  bond. The  market for
inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
  THE SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN  MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL  LEASE
OBLIGATION  IS A MUNICIPAL  SECURITY THE INTEREST  ON AND PRINCIPAL  OF WHICH IS
PAYABLE OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES  FINANCED
BY  THE ISSUE. Typically, municipal  lease obligations are issued  by a state or
municipal  financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction   of
facilities  (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or the
acquisition of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state  or
municipality  pursuant to a lease with  a financing authority. Certain municipal
lease obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes of  the Series'  15%  limitation on  illiquid securities  provided  the
investment  adviser determines that there is a readily available market for such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies--Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
  ALL FLORIDA OBLIGATIONS  PURCHASED BY  THE SERIES WILL  BE "INVESTMENT  GRADE"
SECURITIES.  In other words, all of the Florida Obligations will, at the time of
purchase, be  rated within  the four  highest quality  grades as  determined  by
Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for bonds, MIG 1,
MIG  2, MIG  3, MIG 4  for notes and  Prime-1 for commercial  paper), Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group (S&P) (currently AAA, AA, A, BBB for bonds, SP-1, SP-2  for
notes and A-1 for commercial paper) or another nationally recognized statistical
rating  organization (NRSRO) or,  if unrated, will  possess creditworthiness, in
the opinion of  the investment adviser,  comparable to securities  in which  the
Series  may invest. Securities  rated Baa may  have speculative characteristics,
and changes in  economic conditions or  other circumstances are  more likely  to
lead  to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the
case with higher grade securities. Subsequent  to its purchase by the Series,  a
municipal  obligation may be assigned a lower  rating or cease to be rated. Such
an event would not require the elimination of the issue from the portfolio,  but
the  investment adviser will  consider such an event  in determining whether the
Series should continue to hold the  security in its portfolio. See  "Description
of  Tax-Exempt Security Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information. The
Series may purchase Florida Obligations which, in the opinion of the  investment
adviser,  offer the  opportunity for capital  appreciation. This  may occur, for
example, when the investment  adviser believes that the  issuer of a  particular
Florida Obligation might receive an upgraded credit standing, thereby increasing
the  market value  of the  bonds it  has issued  or when  the investment adviser
believes that interest rates might decline. As a general matter, bond prices and
the Series' net asset value will vary inversely with interest rate fluctuations.
    
 
  From time to time, the Series may own the majority of a municipal issue.  Such
majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
  UNDER   NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO  INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS IN FLORIDA OBLIGATIONS. As a matter
of fundamental policy, during normal  market conditions the Series' assets  will
be  invested so  that the  Series will  have at  least 80%  of its  total assets
invested in Florida Obligations. During abnormal market conditions or to provide
liquidity, the Series  may hold  cash or  cash equivalents  or investment  grade
taxable obligations, including obligations that are exempt from federal, but not
state,  taxation. The  Series may invest  in tax-free cash  equivalents, such as
floating rate demand notes, tax-exempt  commercial paper and general  obligation
and  revenue  notes or  in  taxable cash  equivalents,  such as  certificates of
deposit, bankers  acceptances  and time  deposits  or other  short-term  taxable
investments  such  as  repurchase  agreements.  When,  in  the  opinion  of  the
investment adviser,  abnormal market  conditions require  a temporary  defensive
position, the Series may invest more than 20% of the value of its assets in debt
securities  other than Florida Obligations or may invest its assets so that more
than 20% of the income is subject to federal income taxes.
 
  THE SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO  SELL
SECURITIES  HELD IN  THE SERIES'  PORTFOLIO AT A  SPECIFIED EXERCISE  PRICE ON A
SPECIFIED DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting  the
Series from a
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
possible decline in the market value of the security to which the put applies in
the  event of interest rate fluctuations or,  in the case of liquidity puts, for
the purpose of shortening the effective maturity of the underlying security. The
aggregate value of premiums paid to  acquire puts held in the Series'  portfolio
(other  than liquidity puts)  may not exceed 10%  of the net  asset value of the
Series. The acquisition of a put may involve an additional cost to the Series by
payment of a  premium for the  put, by payment  of a higher  purchase price  for
securities  to which the put  is attached or through  a lower effective interest
rate.
 
   
  In addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts  in
that  the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase the
underlying security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under  the
following  circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the underlying
security and such security  is rated within the  four highest quality grades  as
determined  by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than the
issuer of the  underlying security  and such person  has securities  outstanding
which  are rated  within such  four highest  quality grades;  or (3)  the put is
backed by a letter of credit or  similar financial guarantee issued by a  person
having  securities outstanding  which are rated  within the  two highest quality
grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR  "DELAYED
DELIVERY"  BASIS, IN  EACH CASE  WITHOUT LIMIT.  When municipal  obligations are
offered on a when-issued  or delayed delivery basis,  the price and coupon  rate
are  fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the  settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore,  no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser during
such period. In the case of purchases  by the Series, the price that the  Series
is  required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with  the
purpose  of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable for
investment reasons. At the  time the Series makes  the commitment to purchase  a
municipal  obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in  determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as  values of municipal obligations otherwise held  by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with  its
Custodian  in which  it will maintain  cash, U.S.  Government securities, equity
securities or other liquid,  unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily,  equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL FORWARD CONTRACTS. A municipal forward
contract is a municipal security which is purchased on a when-issued basis  with
delivery  taking place up to  five years from the  date of purchase. No interest
will accrue on the security prior  to the delivery date. The investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity, value, credit  quality and delivery of the security
under the  supervision of  the Trustees.  The Fund  has obtained  a ruling  from
Florida  authorities  that such  municipal forward  contracts qualify  as assets
exempt from the Florida intangibles tax.
 
  THE SERIES  MAY PURCHASE  SECONDARY MARKET  INSURANCE ON  FLORIDA  OBLIGATIONS
WHICH IT HOLDS OR ACQUIRES. Secondary market insurance would be reflected in the
market  value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series to
dispose of  a defaulted  obligation at  a price  similar to  that of  comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance  is  not  a  substitute  for the  basic  credit  of  an  issuer, but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage for the Florida Obligations held by the Series reduces credit
risk by  providing  that the  insurance  company  will make  timely  payment  of
principal  and interest if  the issuer defaults  on its obligation  to make such
payment, it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price,  I.E.,
the  market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
    THE SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES, INCLUDING
FINANCIAL FUTURES  CONTRACTS (FUTURES  CONTRACTS) AND  OPTIONS THEREON  FOR  THE
PURPOSE OF HEDGING ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
BY  CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HEDGING AGAINST INCREASES IN
THE COST OF  SECURITIES THE SERIES  INTENDS TO PURCHASE.  THE SUCCESSFUL USE  OF
FUTURES  CONTRACTS  AND  OPTIONS  THEREON  BY  THE  SERIES  INVOLVES  ADDITIONAL
TRANSACTION COSTS  AND  IS  SUBJECT  TO  VARIOUS  RISKS  AND  DEPENDS  UPON  THE
INVESTMENT  ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT THE  DIRECTION OF THE MARKET (INCLUDING
INTEREST RATES).
 
  A FUTURES CONTRACT  OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE  CONTRACT TO  DELIVER TO  THE
PURCHASER  OF THE  CONTRACT CASH  EQUAL TO  A SPECIFIC  DOLLAR AMOUNT  TIMES THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF  THE CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH  THE
AGREEMENT  IS MADE. No  physical delivery of the  underlying securities is made.
The Series  will engage  in transactions  in only  those futures  contracts  and
options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
  The  Series intends to  engage in futures  contracts and options  thereon as a
hedge against  changes,  resulting  from  market conditions,  in  the  value  of
securities  which are held in the Series'  portfolio or which the Series intends
to purchase,  in accordance  with the  rules and  regulations of  the  Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). The Series also intends to engage in such
transactions  when they are economically appropriate  for the reduction of risks
inherent in the ongoing management of the Series.
 
  THE SERIES MAY NOT PURCHASE OR  SELL FUTURES CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS THEREON  IF,
IMMEDIATELY  THEREAFTER, (I)  THE SUM  OF INITIAL  AND NET  CUMULATIVE VARIATION
MARGIN ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID ON  OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (II) IN THE CASE
OF  RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL MARGIN
DEPOSITS ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS  THEREON
WOULD  EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There are
no limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and  no
limitations  on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts and
options thereon, except that the  aggregate value of the obligations  underlying
put  options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements for
qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue  Code
may  limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and options
thereon. See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Currently,  futures contracts are  available on several  types of fixed-income
securities, including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S.  Treasury
bills  and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal bond
index, based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40  actively
traded  municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in other
futures  contracts  that  become  available,   from  time  to  time,  in   other
fixed-income  securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
  THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE  MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A  LIQUID
SECONDARY  MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash  payments
of  variation  margin  in  the  event of  adverse  price  movements.  In  such a
situation, if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell  portfolio
securities  to meet daily variation margin requirements  at a time when it might
be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close futures positions also could
have an adverse impact on the ability of the Series to hedge effectively.  There
is  also  a risk  of loss  by  the Series  of margin  deposits  in the  event of
bankruptcy of a broker with  whom the Series has an  open position in a  futures
contract.
 
  THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND  OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES IS
SUBJECT TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions  involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and  movements in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities that
are the subject of the hedge. If the price of the futures contract moves more or
less than the price of the security that is the subject of the hedge, the Series
will experience a gain or loss that  will not be completely offset by  movements
in the price of the security. The risk of imperfect correlation is greater where
the  securities underlying futures contracts are taxable securities (rather than
municipal securities), are issued by companies in
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
different market sectors  or have  different maturities,  ratings or  geographic
mixes  than  the security  being  hedged. In  addition,  the correlation  may be
affected by additions to or deletions from  the index which serves as the  basis
for a futures contract. Finally, if the price of the security that is subject to
the  hedge were to  move in a  favorable direction, the  advantage to the Series
would be partially offset by the loss incurred on the futures contract.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
    BECAUSE THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST 80% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS
IN FLORIDA OBLIGATIONS, IT  IS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE  TO FACTORS ADVERSELY  AFFECTING
ISSUERS OF SUCH OBLIGATIONS THAN IS A COMPARABLE MUNICIPAL BOND MUTUAL FUND THAT
IS  NOT  CONCENTRATED  IN  SUCH  OBLIGATIONS TO  THIS  DEGREE.  Under  the State
Constitution and applicable  statutes, the  State budget  as a  whole, and  each
separate  fund within the State  budget, must be kept  in balance from currently
available revenues during each State fiscal year. Estimated General Revenue plus
Working Capital and Budget Stabilization funds available total $15,311.3 million
for 1995-1996,  an  increase of  3.3%  over revenues  for  1994-1995.  Estimated
Revenue of $14,538.8 million for fiscal 1995-1996 represents an increase of 6.5%
over  1994-1995. If the issuers of any  of the Florida Obligations are unable to
meet their  financial obligations  because  of natural  disasters or  for  other
reasons,  the income derived by  the Series, the ability  to preserve or realize
appreciation of the Series' capital and the Series' liquidity could be adversely
affected.  See  "Investment  Objectives  and  Policies--Special   Considerations
Regarding  Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities"  in the Statement of Additional
Information.
    
 
  The Series is "non-diversified" so that more  than 5% of its total assets  may
be  invested  in  the  securities  of  one  or  more  issuers.  Investment  in a
non-diversified portfolio involves greater risk than investment in a diversified
portfolio because  a loss  resulting from  the default  of a  single issuer  may
represent  a greater portion of the total assets of a non-diversified portfolio.
The Series will treat an investment  in a municipal bond refunded with  escrowed
U.S.  Government securities  as U.S. Government  securities for  purposes of the
Investment  Company   Act's   diversification  requirements   provided   certain
conditions  are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
    The Series  may on  occasion enter  into repurchase  agreements whereby  the
seller  of a security  agrees to repurchase  that security from  the Series at a
mutually agreed-upon time  and price. The  period of maturity  is usually  quite
short, possibly overnight or a few days, although it may extend over a number of
months.  The resale  price is  in excess  of the  purchase price,  reflecting an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price.  The
instruments  held  as  collateral are  valued  daily  and if  the  value  of the
instruments declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If  the
seller  defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series  may incur a loss.  The Series participates in  a
joint  repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management LLC pursuant to  an order of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission (SEC).
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
    The  Series may borrow an amount equal to  no more than 33 1/3% of the value
of  its  total  assets  (calculated  when  the  loan  is  made)  for  temporary,
extraordinary  or emergency purposes  or for the  clearance of transactions. The
Series may pledge up to 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets to secure these
borrowings. The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its  borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
    The Series does not expect to trade in securities for short-term gain. It is
anticipated  that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%. The
portfolio turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales  or
purchases  of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the portfolio
securities, excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase  of
one year or less.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
    The  Series may  hold up  to 15%  of its  net assets  in illiquid securities
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities  with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale   (restricted
securities)   and  securities  that  are   not  readily  marketable.  Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended  (the Securities  Act), privately placed  commercial paper  and
municipal  lease  obligations  that  have a  readily  available  market  are not
considered illiquid for purposes of this limitation. The investment adviser will
monitor the liquidity of such restricted securities under the supervision of the
Trustees. The Series' investment in Rule  144A securities could have the  effect
of  increasing  illiquidity to  the extent  that qualified  institutional buyers
become, for a limited time, uninterested in purchasing Rule 144A securities. See
"Investment  Objectives  and  Policies--Illiquid  Securities"  and   "Investment
Restrictions"  in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase agreements
subject to demand are deemed to have a maturity equal to the notice period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
    The Series is  subject to  certain investment restrictions  which, like  its
investment  objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental policies
cannot be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of  the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER,  SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY  BUSINESS
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996, total expenses of the Series as  a
percentage  of average net assets, net of  expense subsidy and fee waivers, were
 .37%, .77%  and 1.02%  for the  Series' Class  A, Class  B and  Class C  shares,
respectively.  See "Financial  Highlights." No  Class Z  shares were outstanding
during this period.
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
    PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND MANAGEMENT LLC  (PMF OR THE MANAGER), GATEWAY  CENTER
THREE,  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET  ASSETS
OF  THE SERIES. PMF is organized in New  York as a limited liability company. It
is the successor to Prudential  Mutual Fund Management, Inc., which  transferred
its  assets to PMF in September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series paid PMF  a management fee of  .19 of 1% of  the Series' average  net
assets.  See "Fee Waivers and  Subsidy" below and "Manager"  in the Statement of
Additional Information.
    
 
   
  As of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end  investment
companies,  constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager or
administrator to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets  of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER  THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH THE  FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS OF EACH SERIES OF THE  FUND AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S  BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER  A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT
CORPORATION (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY  SERVICES
IN  CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR ITS
REASONABLE COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED  IN PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under  the
Management  Agreement, PMF continues  to have responsibility  for all investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
  The current portfolio manager of the Series is Marie Conti, Vice President  of
Prudential   Investments.  Ms.  Conti  has  responsibility  for  the  day-to-day
management of the portfolio. Ms. Conti  has managed the portfolio since  October
1991  and has been employed  by PIC as a  portfolio manager since September 1989
and prior thereto was employed in an administrative capacity at PIC since August
1988.
    
 
   
  PMF and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance  Company
of  America (Prudential), a  major diversified insurance  and financial services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS AND SUBSIDY
 
   
    During the  fiscal  year  ended  August 31,  1996,  PMF  voluntarily  waived
$417,808  (.31 of 1% of average net assets) of its management fee. For the seven
months ended March 31, 1996, PMF agreed to waive 70% of its management fee.  For
the  three months ended June 30, 1996, PMF waived 60% of its management fee. For
the two months ended August 31, 1996, PMF waived 40% of its management fee.  For
the  four  months  ended  December  31,  1995,  PMF  voluntarily  subsidized all
operating expenses (except management and distribution fees) of the Series.  The
Series  is  not required  to  reimburse PMF  for  such fee  waivers  and expense
subsidy. Thereafter, PMF may  from time to  time waive its  management fee or  a
portion  thereof and  subsidize certain  operating expenses  of the  Series. Fee
waivers and expense subsidies will increase the Series' yield and total  return.
See "Fund Expenses."
    
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
    PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES  INCORPORATED  (PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES  OR  PSI), ONE
SEAPORT PLAZA, NEW YORK,  NEW YORK 10292, IS  A CORPORATION ORGANIZED UNDER  THE
LAWS  OF THE  STATE OF DELAWARE  AND SERVES AS  THE DISTRIBUTOR OF  THE CLASS A,
CLASS B,  CLASS  C  AND CLASS  Z  SHARES  OF  THE SERIES.  It  is  an  indirect,
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Prudential.  Prior to  January 2,  1996, Prudential
Mutual Fund Distributors,  Inc. (PMFD), One  Seaport Plaza, New  York, New  York
10292, acted as distributor of the Class A shares of the Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER  SEPARATE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS (THE  CLASS A PLAN, THE CLASS B
PLAN AND THE CLASS C  PLAN, COLLECTIVELY, THE PLANS)  ADOPTED BY THE FUND  UNDER
RULE  12B-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (THE
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT),  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES (THE  DISTRIBUTOR)  INCURS  THE
EXPENSES  OF DISTRIBUTING THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE SERIES.
Prudential Securities also incurs the expense of distributing the Series'  Class
Z  shares  under the  Distribution Agreement  with  the Fund,  none of  which is
reimbursed or  paid for  by the  Fund. These  expenses include  commissions  and
account  servicing  fees  paid  to,  or on  account  of,  financial  advisers of
Prudential  Securities  and  representatives  of  Pruco  Securities  Corporation
(Prusec), affiliated broker-dealers, commissions and account servicing fees paid
to, or on account of, other broker-dealers or financial institutions (other than
national  banks)  which  have  entered  into  agreements  with  the Distributor,
advertising expenses, the cost of printing and mailing prospectuses to potential
investors and indirect and  overhead costs of  Prudential Securities and  Prusec
associated   with  the  sale   of  Series  shares,   including  lease,  utility,
communications and sales promotion  expenses. The State  of Texas requires  that
shares  of  the Series  may  be sold  in  that state  only  by dealers  or other
financial institutions which are registered there as broker-dealers.
    
 
  Under the Plans, the  Series is obligated to  pay distribution and/or  service
fees  to  the  Distributor  as compensation  for  its  distribution  and service
activities,  not  as  reimbursement  for  specific  expenses  incurred.  If  the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Series will
not  be obligated to pay any  additional expenses. If the Distributor's expenses
are less than such distribution and service  fees, it will retain its full  fees
and realize a profit.
 
   
  UNDER  THE CLASS  A PLAN,  THE SERIES  MAY PAY  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES  FOR ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES OF  THE
SERIES.  The Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average daily
net assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service  and/or
the   maintenance  of  shareholder   accounts  (service  fee)   and  (ii)  total
distribution fees (including the
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
service fee of .25  of 1%) may  not exceed .30  of 1% of  the average daily  net
assets  of the  Class A  shares. Prudential Securities  has agreed  to limit its
distribution-related fees payable under  the Class A  Plan to .10  of 1% of  the
average daily net assets of the Class A shares for the fiscal year ending August
31, 1997.
    
 
  UNDER  THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE SERIES MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
FOR ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  ACTIVITIES WITH  RESPECT TO  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF UP TO .50 OF  1% AND .75 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY
NET ASSETS OF THE  CLASS B AND  CLASS C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.  The Class B  Plan
provides  for the payment  to Prudential Securities of  (i) an asset-based sales
charge of up to .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares,
and (ii) a service fee  at a rate of  up to .25 of 1%  of the average daily  net
assets  of the Class B shares;  provided that the total distribution-related fee
does not  exceed .50  of  1%. The  Class  C Plan  provides  for the  payment  to
Prudential  Securities of (i)  an asset-based sales  charge of .50  of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class C shares, and (ii) a service fee of .25 of
1% of the  average daily net  assets of the  Class C shares;  provided that  the
total  distribution-related fee does  not exceed .75  of 1%. The  service fee is
used to pay for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
Prudential Securities  also  receives  contingent deferred  sales  charges  from
certain  redeeming  shareholders.  See  "Shareholder  Guide--How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
 
   
  For the  fiscal year  ended  August 31,  1996,  the Series  paid  distribution
expenses  of .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and  .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets
of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. The Series records all
payments made under the Plans as  expenses in the calculation of net  investment
income. See "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  Distribution  expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of the Series  will be allocated  to each class based  upon the ratio  of
sales of each class to the sales of all shares of the Series other than expenses
allocable  to a particular class.  The distribution fee and  sales charge of one
class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.
    
 
  Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that a  majority of  the  Trustees of  the Fund,  including  a majority  of  the
Trustees  who  are not  "interested  persons" of  the  Fund (as  defined  in the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or any  agreement related to the Plan (the Rule  12b-1
Trustees),  vote annually to continue the Plan. Each Plan may be terminated with
respect to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule  12b-1
Trustees  or of a majority of the  outstanding shares of the applicable class of
the Series. The  Series will not  be obligated to  pay distribution and  service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
  In  addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under the
Class A, Class B and Class C Plans,  the Manager (or one of its affiliates)  may
make  payments  out  of  its  own  resources  to  dealers  (including Prudential
Securities) and other  persons who  distribute shares of  the Series  (including
Class  Z shares). Such payments may be  calculated by reference to the net asset
value of shares sold by such persons or otherwise.
    
 
  The Distributor  is  subject to  the  rules  of the  National  Association  of
Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges. See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  On October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the  SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD  to
resolve  allegations  that  from  1980 through  1990  PSI  sold  certain limited
partnership interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom  such
securities  were not suitable  and misrepresented the  safety, potential returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted against it, PSI consented to  the entry of an SEC Administrative  Order
which  stated that PSI's conduct violated  the federal securities laws, directed
PSI to cease and  desist from violating the  federal securities laws, pay  civil
penalties, and adopt remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000  civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount of
$330,000,000 and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for  compensatory
damages by
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
purchasers  of the partnership  interests. PSI has  agreed to provide additional
funds, if necessary, for  the purpose of the  settlement fund. PSI's  settlement
with  the state securities regulators included an  agreement to pay a penalty of
$500,000 per jurisdiction. PSI consented  to a censure and  to the payment of  a
$5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In  October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United States
Magistrate for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI  committed
fraud  in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests in
violation of federal securities laws.  An agreement was simultaneously filed  to
defer  prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the signing
of the agreement, provided  that PSI complies with  the terms of the  agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the  agreement, no prosecution will  be instituted by the  United States for the
offenses charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course  of
the  three  year period,  PSI  violates the  terms  of the  agreement,  the U.S.
Attorney can  then  elect  to pursue  these  charges.  Under the  terms  of  the
agreement,  PSI agreed,  among other things,  to pay  an additional $330,000,000
into the  fund  established by  the  SEC to  pay  restitution to  investors  who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For   more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,  see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The Fund  is not  affected by  PSI's financial  condition and  is an  entirely
separate  legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein and
the Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company,  an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
    Prudential Securities may act as a broker or futures commission merchant for
the  Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives
are fair  and reasonable.  See  "Portfolio Transactions  and Brokerage"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
    State  Street  Bank and  Trust Company,  One  Heritage Drive,  North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves  as Custodian  for the portfolio  securities of  the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.  (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison,  New
Jersey  08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain  books and records for  the Fund. PMFS is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING  ITS
LIABILITIES  FROM THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  AND DIVIDING  THE REMAINDER  BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS  CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS.  THE
TRUSTEES  HAVE FIXED  THE SPECIFIC TIME  OF DAY  FOR THE COMPUTATION  OF THE NET
ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:15 P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
 
  Portfolio securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not  readily
available,   at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under  procedures
established by  the Trustees.  Securities may  also be  valued based  on  values
provided  by  a pricing  service.  See "Net  Asset  Value" in  the  Statement of
Additional Information.
 
  The Series will compute  its NAV once  daily on days that  the New York  Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or  redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes in
the value of the
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
Series' portfolio securities  do not  materially affect  the NAV.  The New  York
Stock  Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents'
Day, Good Friday, Memorial  Day, Independence Day,  Labor Day, Thanksgiving  Day
and Christmas Day.
 
   
  Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical,
the  different expenses borne by each  class will result in different dividends.
As long as the Series declares dividends daily, the NAV of the Class A, Class B,
Class C and Class Z shares will generally be the same. It is expected,  however,
that  the  Series' dividends  will  differ by  approximately  the amount  of any
distribution and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  FROM TIME TO TIME THE FUND  MAY ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT  YIELD"
AND  "TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING  "AVERAGE ANNUAL"  TOTAL RETURN  AND "AGGREGATE"
TOTAL RETURN) OF THE SERIES IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. "YIELD," "TAX
EQUIVALENT YIELD"  AND "TOTAL  RETURN" ARE  CALCULATED SEPARATELY  FOR CLASS  A,
CLASS  B, CLASS  C AND  CLASS Z  SHARES. THESE  FIGURES ARE  BASED ON HISTORICAL
EARNINGS AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO INDICATE FUTURE PERFORMANCE. The "yield" refers
to the income  generated by  an investment  in the  Series over  a one-month  or
30-day  period. This income is then "annualized;"  that is, the amount of income
generated by the investment during that 30-day period is assumed to be generated
each 30-day  period for  twelve periods  and is  shown as  a percentage  of  the
investment. The income earned on the investment is also assumed to be reinvested
at  the end of the sixth 30-day period. The "tax equivalent yield" is calculated
similarly to the  "yield," except  that the yield  is increased  using a  stated
income  tax  rate  to demonstrate  the  taxable  yield necessary  to  produce an
after-tax yield equivalent to the Series.  The "total return" shows how much  an
investment  in  the Series  would have  increased  (decreased) over  a specified
period of time (I.E., one, five or  ten years or since inception of the  Series)
assuming  that all distributions and dividends  by the Series were reinvested on
the reinvestment  dates during  the  period and  less  all recurring  fees.  The
"aggregate"  total return  reflects actual performance  over a  stated period of
time. "Average annual" total  return is a hypothetical  rate of return that,  if
achieved  annually,  would  have produced  the  same aggregate  total  return if
performance had been  constant over  the entire period.  "Average annual"  total
return  smooths  out  variations  in  performance  and  takes  into  account any
applicable initial  or  contingent  deferred  sales  charges.  Neither  "average
annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return takes into account any federal
or  state income taxes which  may be payable upon  redemption. The Fund also may
include comparative  performance information  in  advertising or  marketing  the
shares  of the Series. Such performance information may include data from Lipper
Analytical  Services,  Inc.,  Morningstar  Publications,  Inc.,  other  industry
publications,   business  periodicals  and   market  indices.  See  "Performance
Information" in  the Statement  of Additional  Information. Further  performance
information  is  contained  in the  Series'  annual and  semi-annual  reports to
shareholders,  which   may  be   obtained  without   charge.  See   "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
    THE  SERIES HAS  ELECTED TO  QUALIFY AND  INTENDS TO  REMAIN QUALIFIED  AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY,  THE
SERIES  WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME
AND CAPITAL  GAINS, IF  ANY, THAT  IT DISTRIBUTES  TO ITS  SHAREHOLDERS. TO  THE
EXTENT  NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
  To the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn  taxable
investment   income.  Also,  to  the  extent   the  Series  engages  in  hedging
transactions in  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon,  it  may  earn  both
short-term  and long-term capital gain or loss. Under the Internal Revenue Code,
special rules apply to  the treatment of certain  options and futures  contracts
(Section  1256 contracts). At the end of each year, such investments held by the
Series will  be  required  to be  "marked  to  market" for  federal  income  tax
purposes, that is, treated as having been sold at market value. Sixty percent of
any  gain or loss recognized on these  "deemed sales" and on actual dispositions
will be treated as  long-term capital gain  or loss, and  the remainder will  be
treated  as  short-term  capital  gain  or  loss.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of securities generally will
be treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of  certain
securities  (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary income
to the  extent  of any  "market  discount."  Market discount  generally  is  the
difference,  if any, between the  price paid by the  Series for the security and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The  market
discount  rule does not apply to any security that was acquired by the Series at
its original issue. See "Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
    In  general, the character of tax-exempt  interest distributed by the Series
will flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that  50%
or  more of the value  of its assets at  the end of each  quarter of its taxable
year is invested  in state,  municipal and  other obligations,  the interest  on
which  is excluded  from gross  income for  federal income  tax purposes. During
normal market  conditions, at  least 80%  of the  Series' total  assets will  be
invested  in such obligations.  See "How the  Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any  dividends  out   of  net   taxable  investment   income,  together   with
distributions  of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net short-term
capital gains over  net long-term capital  losses) distributed to  shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any  net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable  as
long-term  capital  gains to  the shareholders,  whether  or not  reinvested and
regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares.  The
maximum  long-term  capital  gains  rate for  individuals  is  28%.  The maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders is currently the same as
the maximum tax rate for ordinary income.
 
   
  Any gain or  loss realized upon  a sale or  redemption of Series  shares by  a
shareholder  who is  not a  dealer in  securities will  be treated  as long-term
capital gain  or loss  if the  shares  have been  held more  than one  year  and
otherwise  as short-term  capital gain  or loss. Any  such loss  with respect to
shares that  are held  for  six months  or less,  however,  will be  treated  as
long-term  capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received
by the shareholder. In addition, any short-term capital loss will be  disallowed
to  the extent of any tax-exempt dividends received by the shareholder on shares
that are held for six months or less.
    
 
   
  The Fund has obtained opinions of counsel  to the effect that neither (i)  the
conversion  of Class B shares  into Class A shares nor  (ii) the exchange of any
class of the  Series' shares for  any other  class of its  shares constitutes  a
taxable  event for federal  income tax purposes. However,  such opinions are not
binding on the Internal Revenue Service.
    
 
  CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL  ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS  A
RESULT  OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after  August
7,  1986) will  be treated  as an  item of  tax preference  for purposes  of the
alternative minimum  tax. The  Fund anticipates  that, under  regulations to  be
promulgated,  items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be attributed
to the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could  be
allocated  to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum  tax.
Similarly,  the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax  preference  attributed to  it.  The Series  is  permitted to  invest  in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
  Corporate  shareholders in the Series also will  have to take into account the
adjustment for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes.  Corporate
shareholders  should  consult  with  their tax  advisers  with  respect  to this
potential adjustment.
    
 
   
  Florida does  not  currently  impose  an  income  tax  on  individuals.  Thus,
individual  shareholders of the Series will not  be subject to any Florida state
income tax on distributions received from the Series. However, distributions are
likely to  be taxable  in whole  or  in part  to corporate  shareholders  (which
include  limited  liability companies)  which are  subject to  Florida corporate
income tax.
    
 
  Florida currently imposes an "intangibles tax" on certain securities and other
intangible assets owned  by Florida residents.  Florida Obligations and  certain
types  of  U.S. Government  securities  and other  assets  are exempt  from this
intangibles tax. The Fund has obtained  a ruling from Florida authorities  that,
if  on January 1 of any year the  Series' portfolio of assets consists solely of
such exempt investments, then the Series' shares will be exempt from the Florida
intangibles tax payable  in that year.  If the  Series holds any  other type  of
assets on that date, then the entire value of the Series shares (except for that
portion  of the value of the shares attributable to U.S. government obligations)
will be subject to the Florida intangibles tax.
 
  Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares  of
the Series will not be deductible for federal or Florida purposes.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
    Under  the Internal  Revenue Code,  the Series  is required  to withhold and
remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of  redemption proceeds on the accounts of  those
shareholders  who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS Form
W-9 (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with  the
required  certifications regarding  the shareholder's  status under  the federal
income tax  law. Such  withholding also  is required  on taxable  dividends  and
capital  gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding  specific
questions  as  to federal,  state  or local  taxes.  See "Distributions  and Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
   
    THE SERIES  EXPECTS  TO DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF  NET
INVESTMENT  INCOME,  IF ANY,  AND MAKE  DISTRIBUTIONS AT  LEAST ANNUALLY  OF ANY
CAPITAL GAINS  IN  EXCESS OF  CAPITAL  LOSSES. The  Series  has a  capital  loss
carryforward of $1,442,339, which expires in 2003. Accordingly, no capital gains
distributions  are expected to be paid to shareholders until net gains have been
realized in excess of such amount. Dividends paid by the Series with respect  to
each  class of shares, to the extent  any dividends are paid, will be calculated
in the same manner, at the  same time, on the same day  and will be in the  same
amount  except  that each  such class  will bear  its own  distribution charges,
generally resulting  in  lower dividends  for  Class B  and  Class C  shares  in
relation to Class A and Class Z shares and lower dividends for Class A shares in
relation  to Class Z shares. Distributions of net capital gains, if any, will be
paid in the same amount for each class  of shares. See "How the Fund Values  its
Shares."
    
 
  DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE SERIES
BASED ON THE  NAV OF EACH  CLASS OF THE  SERIES ON THE  PAYMENT DATE AND  RECORD
DATE, RESPECTIVELY, OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE
SHAREHOLDER  ELECTS IN  WRITING NOT  LESS THAN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO THE
RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such  election
should  be submitted  to Prudential  Mutual Fund  Services, Inc.,  Attn: Account
Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick,  New Jersey 08906-5015. If you  hold
shares  through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial adviser
to elect to receive  dividends and distributions in  cash. The Fund will  notify
each  shareholder after the close of the  Fund's taxable year of both the dollar
amount and the taxable  status of that year's  dividends and distributions on  a
per share basis.
 
  Any  taxable dividends or distributions of  capital gains paid shortly after a
purchase by an investor will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value of the  investor's shares  by the  per share  amount of  the dividends  or
distributions. Such
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
dividends  or distributions, although in effect  a return of invested principal,
are subject to federal income taxes. Accordingly, prior to purchasing shares  of
the  Series,  an  investor  should  carefully  consider  the  impact  of taxable
dividends and capital gains distributions which are expected to be or have  been
announced.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
    THE  FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984,
BY A DECLARATION OF TRUST. The Fund's activities are supervised by its Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust  permits the Trustees to  issue an unlimited number  of
full  and  fractional shares  in separate  series,  currently designated  as the
Connecticut Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series,  Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series, New  Jersey Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York  Income
Series  (not presently  being offered), New  York Series, New  York Money Market
Series, North Carolina Series, Ohio  Series and Pennsylvania Series. The  Series
is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, divided into four classes,
designated  Class  A,  Class  B, Class  C  and  Class Z.  Each  class  of shares
represents an interest in the same assets of the Series and is identical in  all
respects  except that (i) each  class is subject to  different sales charges and
distribution and/or  service fees  (except  for Class  Z  shares which  are  not
subject  to any sales  charges and distribution and/or  service fees), which may
affect performance, (ii) each  class has exclusive voting  rights on any  matter
submitted  to  shareholders  that  relates solely  to  its  arrangement  and has
separate voting rights  on any  matter submitted  to shareholders  in which  the
interests  of one class differ from the interests of any other class, (iii) each
class has  a different  exchange privilege,  (iv)  only Class  B shares  have  a
conversion  feature and (v) Class Z shares are offered exclusively for sale to a
limited group  of investors.  See  "How the  Fund is  Managed--Distributor."  In
accordance  with the Fund's Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may authorize the
creation of  additional  series  and  classes  within  such  series,  with  such
preferences,  privileges,  limitations and  voting  and dividend  rights  as the
Trustees may determine.
    
 
   
  Shares of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable,  fully
transferable  and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are also
redeemable at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as  described
under  "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class of
the Series is  equal as  to earnings, assets  and voting  privileges, except  as
noted above, and each class (with the exception of Class Z shares, which are not
subject  to any distribution or service fees)  bears the expenses related to the
distribution of its shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to  the
Class  B  shares,  there are  no  conversion, preemptive  or  other subscription
rights. In the event of liquidation,  each share of beneficial interest in  each
series is entitled to its portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and
expenses  of the Fund have been paid. Since Class B and Class C shares generally
bear higher distribution expenses than Class A shares, the liquidation  proceeds
to  shareholders  of  those classes  are  likely to  be  lower than  to  Class A
shareholders and to Class  Z shareholders, whose shares  are not subject to  any
distribution  and/or  service fees.  The Fund's  shares  do not  have cumulative
voting rights for the election of Trustees.
    
 
  THE FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS
OTHERWISE  REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS OF
SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO  BE
ACTED  UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS HAVE
CERTAIN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF  THE
FUND'S  OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make  the
Fund  similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation. The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts   business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.  Under
Massachusetts  law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under   certain
circumstances,  be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
fund, which is not the case with a corporation. The
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that shareholders shall not be subject
to any personal liability for the acts or obligations of the Fund and that every
written obligation, contract, instrument or  undertaking made by the Fund  shall
contain  a provision  to the effect  that the shareholders  are not individually
bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
    This Prospectus, including the Statement of Additional Information which has
been incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information  set
forth  in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under the
Securities Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained  at
a  reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
   
    YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  PRUSEC
OR  DIRECTLY FROM THE  FUND, THROUGH ITS TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND
SERVICES, INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT  SERVICES,
P.O.  BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW  JERSEY 08906-5020. PARTICIPANTS IN PROGRAMS
SPONSORED  BY  PRUDENTIAL  RETIREMENT  SERVICES  SHOULD  CONTACT  THEIR   CLIENT
REPRESENTATIVE  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CLASS Z SHARES. The purchase price is
the NAV next determined following receipt of  an order by the Transfer Agent  or
Prudential  Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, may be imposed
either (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred  basis
(Class  B or Class C shares). Class Z  shares are offered commencing on or about
December 1, 1996 to a limited group of investors at net asset value without  any
sales  charge. See  "Alternative Purchase  Plan" below.  See also  "How the Fund
Values its Shares."
    
 
   
  An investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt  or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
    
 
   
  The  minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000 per
class and $5,000 for Class C shares, except that the minimum initial  investment
for  Class C  shares may  be waived  from time  to time.  The minimum subsequent
investment is $100 for Class A, Class B  and Class C shares. Class Z shares  are
not  subject  to any  minimum  investment requirements.  All  minimum investment
requirements are waived for certain  employee savings plans. For purchases  made
through  the  Automatic  Savings  Accumulation  Plan,  the  minimum  initial and
subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Services" below.
    
 
   
  Application forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or  Prusec.
If  a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
    
 
  The Fund  reserves  the right  to  reject  any purchase  order  (including  an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your  dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund. The
Distributor reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which  payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions  in shares of the  Series may be subject  to postage and handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an  account
number.  The following  information will be  requested: your  name, address, tax
identification number, class  election, dividend  distribution election,  amount
being  wired and wiring bank.  Instructions should then be  given by you to your
bank to transfer funds  by wire to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company  (State
Street), Boston, Massachusetts, Custody
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
and  Shareholder Services Division, Attention: Prudential Municipal Series Fund,
specifying on the wire  the account number  assigned by PMFS  and your name  and
identifying  the sales charge alternative (Class A,  Class B, Class C or Class Z
shares) and the name of the Series.
    
 
  If you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to  the
calculation  of  NAV (4:15  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you may
purchase shares of  the Series  as of  that day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  In  making a subsequent purchase  order by wire, you  should wire State Street
directly and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal  Series
Fund,  the name of the Series,  Class A, Class B, Class  C or Class Z shares and
your name and individual  account number. It  is not necessary  to call PMFS  to
make  subsequent  purchase orders  utilizing Federal  Funds. The  minimum amount
which may be invested by wire is $1,000.
    
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
    THE FUND OFFERS FOUR CLASSES OF SHARES (CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C AND  CLASS
Z  SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST BENEFICIAL SALES CHARGE STRUCTURE
FOR YOUR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES GIVEN THE  AMOUNT OF THE PURCHASE, THE  LENGTH
OF  TIME  YOU  EXPECT  TO  HOLD  THE  SHARES  AND  OTHER  RELEVANT CIRCUMSTANCES
(ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   ANNUAL 12B-1 FEES
                                                  (AS A % OF AVERAGE
                                                         DAILY
                       SALES CHARGE                   NET ASSETS)                OTHER INFORMATION
           ------------------------------------  ---------------------  ------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                   <C>                    <C>
CLASS A    Maximum initial sales charge of 3%    .30 of 1% (currently   Initial sales charge waived or
           of the public offering price          being charged at a     reduced for certain purchases
                                                 rate of .10 of 1%)
CLASS B    Maximum contingent deferred sales     .50 of 1%              Shares convert to Class A shares
           charge or CDSC of 5% of the lesser                           approximately seven years after
           of the amount invested or the                                purchase
           redemption proceeds; declines to
           zero after six years
CLASS C    Maximum CDSC of 1% of the lesser of   .75 of 1%              Shares do not convert to another
           the amount invested or the                                   class
           redemption proceeds on redemptions
           made within one year of purchase
CLASS Z    None                                  None                   Sold to a limited group of investors
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  The four classes  of shares  represent an interest  in the  same portfolio  of
investments  of the Series and have the  same rights, except that (i) each class
(with the exception of Class Z shares, which are not subject to any distribution
or service fees) bears the separate expenses of its Rule 12b-1 distribution  and
service  plan,  (ii)  each  class  has exclusive  voting  rights  on  any matter
submitted to  shareholders  that  relates  solely to  its  arrangement  and  has
separate  voting rights  on any  matter submitted  to shareholders  in which the
interests of one class differ from the  interests of any other class, and  (iii)
only  Class  B shares  have a  conversion  feature. The  four classes  also have
separate exchange  privileges. See  "How  to Exchange  Your Shares"  below.  The
income  attributable to each  class and the  dividends payable on  the shares of
each class will be  reduced by the  amount of the distribution  fee, if any,  of
each  class.  Class  B  and  Class  C  shares  bear  the  expenses  of  a higher
distribution fee which will generally cause  them to have higher expense  ratios
and to pay lower dividends than the Class A and Class Z shares.
    
 
   
  Financial  advisers and other sales agents who  sell shares of the Series will
receive different compensation for selling Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z
shares and will generally receive more compensation initially for selling  Class
A and Class B shares than for selling Class C or Class Z shares.
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
  IN  SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
(1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the amount of any
applicable sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase or  redemption)
and  distribution-related fees, as noted above,  (3) whether you qualify for any
reduction or waiver  of any applicable  sales charge, (4)  the various  exchange
privileges  among the  different classes  of shares  (see "How  to Exchange Your
Shares" below) and  (5) the fact  that Class B  shares automatically convert  to
Class  A  shares  approximately  seven  years  after  purchase  (see "Conversion
Feature--Class B Shares" below).
 
  The following  is  provided to  assist  you  in determining  which  method  of
purchase  best suits your individual circumstances  and is based on current fees
and expenses charged to the Series:
 
  If you intend to hold your investment in the Series for less than 5 years  and
do  not qualify  for a  reduced sales charge  on Class  A shares,  since Class A
shares are subject to a  maximum initial sales charge of  3% and Class B  shares
are  subject to a CDSC  of 5% which declines  to zero over a  6 year period, you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.
 
  If you intend to hold your investment for  5 years or more and do not  qualify
for  a reduced sales charge  on Class A shares, since  Class B shares convert to
Class A shares  approximately 7  years after purchase  and because  all of  your
money  would be  invested initially in  the case  of Class B  shares, you should
consider purchasing Class B shares over either Class A or Class C shares.
 
  If you qualify for a  reduced sales charge on Class  A shares, it may be  more
advantageous  for you to purchase Class A shares  over either Class B or Class C
shares regardless  of how  long you  intend to  hold your  investment.  However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested
initially  because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time of
purchase.
 
   
  If you do not  qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class  A shares and  you
purchase  Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than 4
years for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those  shares
to  exceed the initial sales  charge plus cumulative annual distribution-related
fee on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of  money,
which  further reduces the impact of the higher Class C distribution-related fee
on the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of the return  on
the  investment  over  this period  of  time  or redemptions  when  the  CDSC is
applicable.
    
 
   
  ALL PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT  OR
UNDER  RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR  LETTERS OF INTENT, MUST  BE FOR CLASS A SHARES
UNLESS THE PURCHASER IS ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE CLASS Z SHARES. See "Reduction  and
Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" and "Class Z Shares" below.
    
 
  CLASS A SHARES
 
  The  offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial sales
charge alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge (expressed  as
a  percentage of the offering price and of  the amount invested) as shown in the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      SALES CHARGE AS    SALES CHARGE AS    DEALER CONCESSION
                                       PERCENTAGE OF    PERCENTAGE OF NET   AS PERCENTAGE OF
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE                    OFFERING PRICE     AMOUNT INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE
- -----------------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  -------------------
<S>                                  <C>                <C>                <C>
Less than $99,999                            3.00%              3.09%               3.00%
$100,000 to $249,999                         2.50               2.56                2.50
$250,000 to $499,999                         1.50               1.52                1.50
$500,000 to $999,999                         1.00               1.01                1.00
$1,000,000 and above                      None             None               None
</TABLE>
 
   
  The Distributor  may  reallow the  entire  initial sales  charge  to  dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
  In  connection with the sale  of Class A shares at  NAV (without payment of an
initial sales charge), the Manager, the  Distributor or one of their  affiliates
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a
finders' fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such
persons.
    
 
  REDUCTION  AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL SALES  CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges are
available through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of  the
Fund  and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market funds
other than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be  aggregated
to  determine the  applicable reduction.  See "Purchase  and Redemption  of Fund
Shares--Reduction and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class  A Shares" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  OTHER  WAIVERS.  Class  A shares may  be purchased at  NAV, through Prudential
Securities or the  Transfer Agent, by  the following persons:  (a) officers  and
current  and former Directors/Trustees of the Prudential Mutual Funds (including
the Fund), (b) employees of Prudential Securities and PMF and their subsidiaries
and members of the families of  such persons who maintain an "employee  related"
account  at  Prudential  Securities or  the  Transfer Agent,  (c)  employees and
special agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all persons  who  have
retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries,
(d)  registered representatives and employees of dealers who have entered into a
selected dealer agreement with Prudential Securities provided that purchases  at
NAV  are  permitted by  such  person's employer  and  (e) investors  who  have a
business relationship with a financial adviser who joined Prudential  Securities
from  another investment firm, provided that (i) the purchase is made within 180
days of the  commencement of  the financial adviser's  employment at  Prudential
Securities or within one year in the case of benefit plans, (ii) the purchase is
made  with proceeds of a redemption of  shares of any open-end fund sponsored by
the financial adviser's  previous employer (other  than a money  market fund  or
other  no-load fund which imposes a distribution or  service fee of .25 of 1% or
less) and  (iii) the  financial adviser  served as  the client's  broker on  the
previous purchase.
    
 
   
  You  must  notify the  Transfer Agent  either  directly or  through Prudential
Securities or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of  the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your  entitlement.  No initial  sales charges  are imposed  upon Class  A shares
acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and
Redemption of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales  Charges--Class
A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
 
   
  The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of
the  deferred sales  charge alternatives  is the  NAV next  determined following
receipt of an  order by the  Transfer Agent or  Prudential Securities.  Although
there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B
and  Class  C  shares  may  be  subject  to  a  CDSC.  See  "How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below. The Distributor will pay sales
commissions of up  to 4% of  the purchase price  of Class B  shares to  dealers,
financial advisers and other persons who sell Class B shares at the time of sale
from  its own resources.  This facilitates the  ability of the  Fund to sell the
Class B shares without  an initial sales  charge being deducted  at the time  of
purchase.  The Distributor  anticipates that it  will recoup  its advancement of
sales commissions from the combination of the CDSC and the distribution fee. See
"Distributor." In connection with  the sale of Class  C shares, the  Distributor
will  pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute Class C
shares a sales commission of up to 1%  of the purchase price at the time of  the
sale.
    
 
   
  CLASS Z SHARES
    
 
   
  Class Z shares of the Series are available for purchase by participants in any
fee-based  program sponsored  by Prudential  Securities or  its affiliates which
includes mutual  funds  as investment  options  and for  which  the Fund  is  an
available option.
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
   
  In connection with the sale of Class Z shares, the Manager, the Distributor or
one  of their affiliates  may pay dealers, financial  advisers and other persons
which distribute shares a finders'  fee based on a  percentage of the net  asset
value of shares sold by such persons.
    
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
    YOU  CAN REDEEM YOUR  SHARES OF THE SERIES  AT ANY TIME FOR  CASH AT THE NAV
NEXT DETERMINED AFTER THE REDEMPTION REQUEST  IS RECEIVED IN PROPER FORM BY  THE
TRANSFER  AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE  "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
In certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount  of
any  applicable  contingent  deferred  sales  charge,  as  described  below. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  OF THE  SERIES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU  MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER. IF YOU
HOLD  SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED BY
YOU EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD  CERTIFICATES,
THE  CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN  ON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED. IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST  OR
FIDUCIARY,  WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY ACCEPTABLE  TO THE TRANSFER AGENT MUST
BE SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence  and
documents  concerning redemptions  should be  sent to  the Fund  in care  of its
Transfer Agent,  Prudential Mutual  Fund Services,  Inc., Attention:  Redemption
Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If  the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to a
person other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other  than
the  address  on the  Transfer  Agent's records,  or  (d) are  to  be paid  to a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution"  includes
any  bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the right
to request additional information  from, and make  reasonable inquiries of,  any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be  obtained from the agency or office  manager of most Prudential Insurance and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS AFTER  RECEIPT BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OF  THE CERTIFICATE  AND/OR  WRITTEN
REQUEST  EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED  BELOW. IF  YOU  HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment  may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock  Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays, (b)
when trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as  a
result  of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period  when
the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the  SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or (d)
exist.
 
  PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL  THE
FUND  OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS BEEN
HONORED, UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM  THE TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE  CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
 
  REDEMPTION  IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests  of the remaining  shareholders of the  Fund to make  payment
wholly  or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution  in kind of securities  from the investment portfolio  of
the  Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules of
the SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the  same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your
shares   are   redeemed  in   kind,  you   will   incur  transaction   costs  in
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
converting the assets into cash. The  Fund, however, has elected to be  governed
by  Rule  18f-1  under the  Investment  Company  Act, under  which  the  Fund is
obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1%  of
the  net  asset  value  of  the  Fund  during  any  90-day  period  for  any one
shareholder.
 
  INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the  Trustees
may  redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder which
is an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net  asset
value  of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give such
shareholders 60  days' prior  written  notice in  which to  purchase  sufficient
additional  shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent deferred sales charge
will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
 
   
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised the repurchase privilege, you may  reinvest any portion or all of  the
proceeds  of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next determined
after the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of  the
redemption.  Any CDSC paid  in connection with such  redemption will be credited
(in shares) to your account. (If less than a full repurchase is made, the credit
will be on a PRO RATA basis.) You must notify the Fund's Transfer Agent,  either
directly  or through Prudential Securities, at the time the repurchase privilege
is  exercised  to  adjust  your  account  for  the  CDSC  you  previously  paid.
Thereafter,  any redemptions will be subject to  the CDSC applicable at the time
of the redemption. See  "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charges" below. Exercise  of
the  repurchase privilege will generally not affect the federal tax treatment of
any gain realized upon redemption. However, if the redemption was made within  a
30  day period of the repurchase and if  the redemption resulted in a loss, some
or all of the loss, depending on  the amount reinvested, may not be allowed  for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
 
    Redemptions of Class B shares will be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge  or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C shares
redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC will
be deducted from the redemption  proceeds and reduce the  amount paid to you.  A
CDSC will be applied on the lesser of the original purchase price or the current
value  of the shares  being redeemed. Increases  in the value  of your shares or
shares acquired  through  reinvestment of  dividends  or distributions  are  not
subject  to a CDSC. The  amount of any contingent  deferred sales charge will be
paid  to   and   retained  by   the   Distributor.   See  "How   the   Fund   is
Managed--Distributor"   and   "Waiver   of   the   Contingent   Deferred   Sales
Charges--Class B Shares" below.
 
  The amount of the  CDSC, if any,  will vary depending on  the number of  years
from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption
of  such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the
time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will
be aggregated and deemed  to have been made  on the last day  of the month.  The
CDSC  will  be calculated  from the  first day  of the  month after  the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares were held  in a money market fund. See  "How
to Exchange Your Shares."
 
  The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemptions
of Class B shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES
                                                              CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                                              DOLLARS INVESTED OR
PAYMENT MADE                                                     REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
- ------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
First.......................................................               5.0%
Second......................................................               4.0%
Third.......................................................               3.0%
Fourth......................................................               2.0%
Fifth.......................................................               1.0%
Sixth.......................................................               1.0%
Seventh.....................................................            None
</TABLE>
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
  In  determining whether a CDSC is  applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a  manner that results in the  lowest possible rate. It will  be
assumed  that  the  redemption  is made  first  of  amounts  representing shares
acquired pursuant to the  reinvestment of dividends  and distributions; then  of
amounts  representing the increase in net asset  value above the total amount of
payments for the purchase of shares made during the preceding six years; then of
amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period;
and  finally, of amounts  representing the cost  of shares held  for the longest
period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
 
  For example, assume you purchased  100 Class B shares at  $10 per share for  a
cost  of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired  5 additional Class B shares through
dividend reinvestment.  During the  second year  after purchase  you decided  to
redeem  $500 of your investment. Assuming at  the time of the redemption the NAV
had appreciated to  $12 per share,  the value of  your Class B  shares would  be
$1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value
of  the reinvested dividend shares and  the amount which represents appreciation
($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260)  would
be  charged  at a  rate of  4% (the  applicable  rate in  the second  year after
purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
 
   
  For federal income tax purposes, the amount  of the CDSC will reduce the  gain
or  increase the  loss, as  the case  may be,  on the  amount recognized  on the
redemption of shares.
    
 
  WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be waived in the  case of a  redemption following the death  or disability of  a
shareholder  or,  in  the  case  of a  trust  account,  following  the  death or
disability of  the  grantor.  The  waiver is  available  for  total  or  partial
redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint tenancy
(with  rights of survivorship), at the time of death or initial determination of
disability,  provided  that  the  shares  were  purchased  prior  to  death   or
disability.  In addition, the CDSC will be  waived on redemptions of shares held
by a Trustee of the Fund.
 
  You  must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you are
entitled to  waiver  of  the CDSC  and  provide  the Transfer  Agent  with  such
supporting  documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be granted
subject to confirmation  of your  entitlement. See "Purchase  and Redemption  of
Fund  Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
 
    Class B shares will automatically convert  to Class A shares on a  quarterly
basis  approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected at
relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales  charge.
The  first conversion  of Class  B shares  occurred in  February 1995,  when the
conversion feature was first implemented.
 
  Since the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought  on
each  purchase  of Class  B shares,  the number  of Class  B shares  eligible to
convert to  Class A  shares  (excluding shares  acquired through  the  automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will be
determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (i)
the  ratio of (a) the  amounts paid for Class B  shares purchased at least seven
years prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class  B
shares  purchased and  then held  in your account  (ii) multiplied  by the total
number of Class B shares purchased and then held in your account. Each time  any
Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts
representing  Class B shares then in your account that were acquired through the
automatic reinvestment  of dividends  and other  distributions will  convert  to
Class A shares.
 
  For  purposes of  determining the  number of Eligible  Shares, if  the Class B
shares in  your  account on  any  conversion date  are  the result  of  multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible Shares
calculated  as described above  will generally be  either more or  less than the
number of  shares  actually  purchased approximately  seven  years  before  such
conversion  date. For example, if 100 shares were initially purchased at $10 per
share (for  a  total  of  $1,000)  and a  second  purchase  of  100  shares  was
subsequently  made at $11 per share (for  a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares would
convert
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
approximately seven years  from the  initial purchase (I.E.,  $1,000 divided  by
$2,100  (47.62%)  multiplied by  200 shares  equals  95.24 shares).  The Manager
reserves the right to modify the formula for determining the number of  Eligible
Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.
 
  Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class
B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be higher than
that  of  the Class  B  shares at  the time  of  conversion. Thus,  although the
aggregate dollar value will be  the same, you may  receive fewer Class A  shares
than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all
payments  for Class B shares during a month  will be deemed to have been made on
the last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through exchange, or a
series of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original  payment
for  purchases of such  Class B shares  was made. For  Class B shares previously
exchanged for shares of a money market  fund, the time period during which  such
shares were held in the money market fund will be excluded. For example, Class B
shares  held in a  money market fund  for one year  will not convert  to Class A
shares until approximately eight years from purchase. For purposes of  measuring
the  time period during which shares are  held in a money market fund, exchanges
will be deemed to have been  made on the last day  of the month. Class B  shares
acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares after expiration of the
conversion period applicable to the original purchase of such shares.
 
   
  The  conversion  feature  may be  subject  to the  continuing  availability of
opinions of counsel  or rulings  of the Internal  Revenue Service  (i) that  the
dividends  and other distributions paid on Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z
shares will not constitute "preferential  dividends" under the Internal  Revenue
Code and (ii) that the conversion of shares does not constitute a taxable event.
The  conversion of Class B  shares into Class A shares  may be suspended if such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class
B shares of the  Series will continue to  be subject, possibly indefinitely,  to
their higher annual distribution and service fee.
    
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
   
    AS  A SHAREHOLDER  OF THE  SERIES, YOU HAVE  AN EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE WITH THE
OTHER SERIES OF THE FUND AND CERTAIN OTHER PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUNDS (THE EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE), INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO  THE
MINIMUM  INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS OF  SUCH FUNDS. CLASS  A, CLASS B,  CLASS C AND
CLASS Z SHARES OF THE SERIES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C  AND
CLASS Z SHARES, RESPECTIVELY, OF THE OTHER SERIES OF THE FUND OR ANOTHER FUND ON
THE  BASIS OF THE RELATIVE NAV.  No sales charge will be  imposed at the time of
the exchange.  Any  applicable  CDSC  payable  upon  the  redemption  of  shares
exchanged  will be calculated from the first  day of the month after the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares  were held in a  money market fund. Class  B
and  Class C  shares may  not be  exchanged into  money market  funds other than
Prudential Special Money Market  Fund. For purposes  of calculating the  holding
period  applicable to  the Class  B conversion  feature, the  time period during
which Class B  shares were held  in a money  market fund will  be excluded.  See
"Conversion  Feature--Class B  Shares" above. An  exchange will be  treated as a
redemption  and  purchase   for  tax  purposes.   See  "Shareholder   Investment
Account--Exchange Privilege" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  IN  ORDER  TO  EXCHANGE  SHARES BY  TELEPHONE,  YOU  MUST  AUTHORIZE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE  TRANSFER
AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call the Fund
at  (800) 225-1852 to  execute a telephone exchange  of shares, weekdays, except
holidays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time. For  your
protection  and to  prevent fraudulent  exchanges, your  telephone call  will be
recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A
written confirmation of the  exchange transaction will be  sent to you.  NEITHER
THE  FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE  FOR ANY LOSS,  LIABILITY OR COST WHICH
RESULTS FROM ACTING UPON  INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED  TO BE GENUINE  UNDER
THE  FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (THE FUND OR ITS AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO LIABILITY
IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be made on the
basis of the relative NAV of the two funds (or series) next determined after the
request is received in good order.  The Exchange Privilege is available only  in
states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
  IF  YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO  BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You  may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New  Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN  PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OF
SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL  BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  SPECIAL  EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES.  A special  exchange privilege  is available for
shareholders who qualify  to purchase Class  A shares at  NAV (see  "Alternative
Purchase  Plan--Class A Shares--Reduction  and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges"
above) and  for  shareholders  who  qualify to  purchase  Class  Z  shares  (see
"Alternative   Purchase  Plan--Class  Z  Shares"  above).  Under  this  exchange
privilege, amounts representing any  Class B and Class  C shares (which are  not
subject  to a CDSC) held  in such a shareholder's  account will be automatically
exchanged for Class A  shares for shareholders who  qualify to purchase Class  A
shares  at NAV  on a quarterly  basis, unless the  shareholder elects otherwise.
Similarly, shareholders who qualify to purchase  Class Z shares will have  their
Class  B and Class C  shares which are not  subject to a CDSC  and their Class A
shares exchanged for Class Z shares  on a quarterly basis. Eligibility for  this
exchange  privilege will be calculated on the  business day prior to the date of
the exchange.  Amounts representing  Class B  or Class  C shares  which are  not
subject  to a CDSC  include the following:  (1) amounts representing  Class B or
Class C shares acquired pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends  and
distributions,  (2) amounts  representing the  increase in  the net  asset value
above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class B or Class C shares
and (3)  amounts  representing  Class  B  or Class  C  shares  held  beyond  the
applicable  CDSC  period.  Class B  and  Class  C shareholders  must  notify the
Transfer Agent either directly or  through Prudential Securities or Prusec  that
they are eligible for this special exchange privilege.
    
 
   
  Participants  in  any fee-based  program for  which the  Fund is  an available
option will have their Class A shares, if any, exchanged for Class Z shares when
they elect to have  those assets become  a part of  the fee-based program.  Upon
leaving  the program (whether voluntarily or not),  such Class Z shares (and, to
the extent  provided  for  in  the program,  Class  Z  shares  acquired  through
participation  in the program) will be exchanged for Class A shares at net asset
value.
    
 
   
  The Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including  exchanges
(and  market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse effect on  the ability of  the Subadviser to  manage the portfolio.  The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination  to reject any  exchange order shall  be in the  discretion of the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated  or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
    In  addition to the Exchange Privilege, as  a shareholder in the Series, you
can take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
        - AUTOMATIC  REINVESTMENT OF  DIVIDENDS AND/OR  DISTRIBUTIONS WITHOUT  A
    SALES  CHARGE.  For your  convenience, all  dividends and  distributions are
    automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Series at  NAV
    without  a sales charge.  You may direct  the Transfer Agent  in writing not
    less than 5 full business days prior  to the record date to have  subsequent
    dividends  and/or distributions sent in cash  rather than reinvested. If you
    hold shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial
    adviser.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
        - AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION  PLAN (ASAP). Under  ASAP you may  make
    regular  purchases of the Series' shares in  amounts as little as $50 via an
    automatic  debit  to  a  bank  account  or  Prudential  Securities   account
    (including  a  Command  Account).  For  additional  information  about  this
    service, you  may  contact  your Prudential  Securities  financial  adviser,
    Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
        -  SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan is available
    to shareholders which provides for monthly or quarterly checks.  Withdrawals
    of  Class B and Class  C shares may be  subject to a CDSC.  See "How to Sell
    Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" above.
 
   
        - REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund will send you annual and semi-annual
    reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are audited by
    independent accountants. In order to  reduce duplicate mailing and  printing
    expenses,  the  Fund will  provide  one annual  and  semi-annual shareholder
    report and  annual  prospectus per  household.  You may  request  additional
    copies  of such reports by calling (800)  225-1852 or by writing to the Fund
    at Gateway  Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey 07102.  In addition,  monthly
    unaudited financial data is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
        -  SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. Inquiries  should be addressed  to the Fund at
    Gateway Center Three, Newark,  New Jersey 07102, or  by telephone, at  (800)
    225-1852  (toll-free)  or,  from  outside  the  U.S.A.,  at  (908)  417-7555
    (collect).
    
 
  For additional  information regarding  the services  and privileges  described
above,  see  "Shareholder Investment  Account"  in the  Statement  of Additional
Information.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Prudential Mutual  Fund  Management  offers  a broad  range  of  mutual  funds
designed  to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the investment
options available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on  the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities  financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Funds at
(800) 225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before  you
invest or send money.
 
  -----------------------
 
        TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
  ---------------------------
   
  Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Short-Intermediate Term Series
  Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Income Portfolio
  The BlackRock Government Income Trust
    
  --------------------------
 
        TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
  ---------------------------
  Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Series
    California Income Series
  Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
    High Yield Series
    Insured Series
    Intermediate Series
  Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Florida Series
    Hawaii Income Series
    Maryland Series
    Massachusetts Series
    Michigan Series
    New Jersey Series
    New York Series
    North Carolina Series
    Ohio Series
    Pennsylvania Series
  Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
  -----------------
 
        GLOBAL FUNDS
  ---------------------------
   
  Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Limited Maturity Portfolio
  Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
  Prudential World Fund, Inc.
    Global Series
    International Stock Series
  The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
  The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
  Global Utility Fund, Inc.
    
  -----------------
 
        EQUITY FUNDS
  ---------------------------
   
  Prudential Allocation Fund
    Balanced Portfolio
    Strategy Portfolio
  Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Dryden Fund
    Prudential Active Balanced Fund
    Prudential Stock Index Fund
  Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Equity Income Fund
  Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
    Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
    Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
  Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
  Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
    Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
    
  ------------------------
 
        MONEY MARKET FUNDS
  ---------------------------
   
  -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
  Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Money Market Series
    U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
  Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
    Money Market Series
  Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
  -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
  Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
  Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Money Market Series
  Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Connecticut Money Market Series
    Massachusetts Money Market Series
    New Jersey Money Market Series
    New York Money Market Series
  -COMMAND FUNDS
  Command Money Fund
  Command Government Fund
  Command Tax-Free Fund
  -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
  Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
    Institutional Money Market Series
    
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made,  such  other information  or representations  must not  be relied  upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction  to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
- -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                     ---
<S>                                               <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS.................................         2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics......         2
FUND EXPENSES...................................         4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS............................         5
HOW THE FUND INVESTS............................         8
  Investment Objective and Policies.............         8
  Other Investments and Policies................        12
  Investment Restrictions.......................        13
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED.........................        13
  Manager.......................................        13
  Distributor...................................        14
  Portfolio Transactions........................        16
  Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing
   Agent........................................        16
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES..................        16
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE.............        17
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS..............        17
GENERAL INFORMATION.............................        20
  Description of Shares.........................        20
  Additional Information........................        21
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE...............................        21
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund.................        21
  Alternative Purchase Plan.....................        22
  How to Sell Your Shares.......................        25
  Conversion Feature--Class B Shares............        27
  How to Exchange Your Shares...................        28
  Shareholder Services..........................        29
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY...............       A-1
</TABLE>
    
 
- -------------------------------------------
   
MF148A                                                                   4443351
    
   
                                                            Class A: 74435M-50-7
                                                CUSIP Nos.: Class B: 74435M-60-6
                                                            Class C: 74435M-61-4
                                                            Class Z: 74435M-42-4
    
 
<PAGE>
   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
 
(FLORIDA SERIES)
- --------------------------------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(HAWAII INCOME SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential  Municipal  Series  Fund  (the "Fund")  (Hawaii  Income  Series) (the
"Series") is  one  of fourteen  series  of an  open-end,  management  investment
company, or mutual fund. This Series is non-diversified and seeks to provide the
maximum  amount of income  that is exempt  from Hawaii State  and federal income
taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and in conjunction  therewith,
the  Series may invest in  debt securities with the  potential for capital gain.
The net assets of the Series are invested in obligations within the four highest
ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or another
nationally recognized statistical rating organization or in unrated  obligations
which,  in  the opinion  of  the Fund's  investment  adviser, are  of comparable
quality. Subject to  the limitations  described herein, the  Series may  utilize
derivatives,  including buying and selling futures contracts and options thereon
for the purpose of hedging its  portfolio securities. There can be no  assurance
that  the  Series' investment  objective  will be  achieved.  See "How  the Fund
Invests--Investment Objective  and  Policies."  The Fund's  address  is  Gateway
Center  Three,  Newark, New  Jersey  07102, and  its  telephone number  is (800)
225-1852.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets  forth concisely  the information  about the  Fund and  the
Hawaii  Income Series that a prospective  investor should know before investing.
Additional information about  the Fund has  been filed with  the Securities  and
Exchange  Commission in a Statement of  Additional Information dated November 1,
1996,  which  information  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  (is  legally
considered  a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available without  charge upon
request to the Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE  ADVISED  TO  READ  THIS  PROSPECTUS  AND  RETAIN  IT  FOR  FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The  following summary is intended  to highlight certain information contained
in this  Prospectus  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools  the resources of  investors by selling  its shares to  the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an  open-end,
  management  investment  company. Only  the Hawaii  Income Series  is offered
  through this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
   
    The Series' investment  objective is  to maximize current  income that  is
  exempt  from  Hawaii  State and  federal  income taxes  consistent  with the
  preservation of capital.  It seeks  to achieve this  objective by  investing
  primarily  in Hawaii State,  municipal and local  government obligations and
  obligations of other qualifying issuers,  such as issuers located in  Puerto
  Rico,  the Virgin Islands and Guam, which  pay income exempt, in the opinion
  of counsel, from Hawaii State and federal income taxes (Hawaii Obligations).
  There can be  no assurance  that the  Series' investment  objective will  be
  achieved.  See "How the Fund  Invests--Investment Objective and Policies" at
  page 8.
    
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
   
    In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest  at
  least  80% of  the value  of its  total assets  in Hawaii  Obligations. This
  degree of investment concentration makes the Series particularly susceptible
  to factors adversely affecting issuers  of Hawaii Obligations. See "How  the
  Fund  Invests--Investment Objective and  Policies" at page  8. The Series is
  non-diversified so that more than 5% of its total assets may be invested  in
  the  securities  of one  or more  issuers.  Investment in  a non-diversified
  portfolio involves greater risk than investment in a diversified  portfolio.
  See  "How  the  Fund  Invests--Investment  Objective  and  Policies--Special
  Considerations" at page 11. To hedge against changes in interest rates,  the
  Series  may also purchase  put options and  engage in transactions involving
  derivatives, including financial futures contracts and options thereon.  See
  "How  the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies--Futures Contracts
  and Options Thereon" at page 10.
    
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
   
    Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the  Manager
  of  the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50 of
  1% of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996,  PMF
  served  as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including 38
  mutual funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion.  The
  Prudential   Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)  furnishes
  investment advisory services in connection  with the management of the  Fund
  under   a   Subadvisory  Agreement   with  PMF.   See   "How  the   Fund  is
  Managed--Manager" at page 13.
    
 
   
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
    
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI), a major
  securities underwriter and  securities and commodities  broker, acts as  the
  Distributor of the Series' Class A, Class B and Class C shares and is paid a
  distribution  and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class A  shares  which is
  currently being charged at the annual rate of .10 of 1% of the average daily
  net assets of the Class A shares and is paid a distribution and service  fee
  with  respect to  Class B  shares at  the annual  rate of  .50 of  1% of the
  average daily  net assets  of  the Class  B shares  and  is paid  an  annual
  distribution  and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class C  shares  which is
  currently being charged at the  rate of .75 of 1%  of the average daily  net
  assets of the Class C shares.
    
   
    See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 14.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
    The  minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000
  per class and $5,000 for Class  C shares. The minimum subsequent  investment
  is  $100  for Class  A, Class  B and  Class  C shares.  There is  no minimum
  investment requirement for  certain retirement and  employee savings  plans.
  For  purchases  made through  the Automatic  Savings Accumulation  Plan, the
  minimum  initial  and  subsequent   investment  is  $50.  See   "Shareholder
  Guide--How  to  Buy  Shares  of  the  Fund"  at  page  20  and  "Shareholder
  Guide--Shareholder Services" at page 27.
    
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through  its
  transfer  agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities plus a
  sales charge which may be imposed either (i) at the time of purchase  (Class
  A  shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis (Class B or Class C shares). See "How
  the Fund Values its Shares" at page  16 and "Shareholder Guide-- How to  Buy
  Shares of the Fund" at page 20.
    
 
  WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
    The Series offers three classes of shares:
 
     - Class A Shares: Sold with an initial sales charge of up to 3% of the
                       offering price.
 
     - Class B Shares: Sold without an initial sales charge but are subject
                       to  a  contingent  deferred  sales  charge  or  CDSC
                       (declining from  5%  to zero  of  the lower  of  the
                       amount  invested or  the redemption  proceeds) which
                       will be imposed on  certain redemptions made  within
                       six  years of purchase. Although  Class B shares are
                       subject  to   higher  ongoing   distribution-related
                       expenses  than Class  A shares, Class  B shares will
                       automatically convert to Class  A shares (which  are
                       subject   to   lower   ongoing  distribution-related
                       expenses) approximately seven years after purchase.
 
     - Class C Shares: Sold without an  initial sales charge  and, for  one
                       year  after purchase,  are subject  to a  1% CDSC on
                       redemptions. Like Class B shares, Class C shares are
                       subject  to   higher  ongoing   distribution-related
                       expenses  than Class A shares  but do not convert to
                       another class.
 
   
    See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 21.
    
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
   
    You may redeem your shares  at any time at  the NAV next determined  after
  Prudential  Securities  or  the  Transfer Agent  receives  your  sell order.
  However, the proceeds of redemptions  of Class B and  Class C shares may  be
  subject  to a CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page
  23.
    
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
   
    The Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of  net
  investment  income, if any, and make  distributions of any net capital gains
  at  least  annually.  Dividends  and  distributions  will  be  automatically
  reinvested  in additional shares of the Series at NAV without a sales charge
  unless you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes,  Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 17.
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                             (HAWAII INCOME SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES+                        CLASS A SHARES          CLASS B SHARES         CLASS C SHARES
                                                        -----------------   ------------------------   -----------------
<S>                                                     <C>                 <C>                        <C>
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases
     (as a percentage of offering price).............          3%                     None                   None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load (as a percentage of
     original purchase price or redemption proceeds,
     whichever is lower).............................         None          5%   during   the  first   1% on redemptions
                                                                            year, decreasing  by  1%   made  within  one
                                                                            annually to  1%  in  the   year of purchase
                                                                            fifth  and  sixth  years
                                                                            and 0% the seventh year*
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested
     Dividends.......................................         None                    None                   None
    Redemption Fees..................................         None                    None                   None
    Exchange Fee.....................................         None                    None                   None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES**                        CLASS A SHARES         CLASS B SHARES        CLASS C SHARES
                                                      -------------------  ----------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                  <C>                     <C>
(as a percentage of average net assets)
 
    Management Fees (Before Reduction)..............            .50%                   .50%                  .50%
    12b-1 Fees (After Reduction)....................            .10++                  .50                   .75++
    Other Expenses (Before Reduction)...............           1.38                   1.38                  1.38
                                                              -----                  -----                 -----
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Reduction,
     Except for 12b-1 Fees).........................           1.98%                  2.38%                 2.63%
                                                              -----                  -----                 -----
                                                              -----                  -----                 -----
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (After
     Reduction).....................................            .45%                   .85%                 1.10%
                                                              -----                  -----                 -----
                                                              -----                  -----                 -----
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1            3            5           10
EXAMPLE**                                                      YEAR        YEARS        YEARS        YEARS
                                                             --------     --------      -----        -----
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
  investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2)
  redemption at the end of each time period:
    Class A................................................    $ 34         $ 44      $      54    $      85
    Class B................................................    $ 59         $ 57      $      57    $      88
    Class C................................................    $ 21         $ 35      $      61    $     134
You would pay the following expenses on the same
  investment, assuming no redemption:
    Class A................................................    $ 34         $ 44      $      54    $      85
    Class B................................................    $  9         $ 27      $      47    $      88
    Class C................................................    $ 11         $ 35      $      61    $     134
</TABLE>
    
 
   
   The above examples are based on restated data for the Series' fiscal  year
   ended   August  31,  1996.  THE  EXAMPLES   SHOULD  NOT  BE  CONSIDERED  A
   REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE  GREATER
   OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
   The  purpose of  this table  is to  assist investors  in understanding the
   various costs  and expenses  that an  investor in  the Series  will  bear,
   whether  directly  or indirectly.  For more  complete descriptions  of the
   various costs  and  expenses,  see  "How  the  Fund  is  Managed."  "Other
   Expenses" includes operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees' and
   professional fees, registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer
   agency and custodian fees.
   ------------------------
 
    * Class   B  shares  will   automatically  convert  to   Class  A  shares
      approximately   seven   years   after   purchase.   See    "Shareholder
      Guide-Conversion Feature--Class B Shares."
 
   
   ** Based  on expenses  incurred during  the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
      1996, after  consideration of  expense reduction,  without taking  into
      account the management fee waiver. The Manager has agreed until further
      notice  to subsidize expenses  and waive management  fees so that Total
      Fund Operating  Expenses do  not exceed  .45%, .85%  and 1.10%  of  the
      average  net  assets  of the  Class  A,  Class B  and  Class  C shares,
      respectively. At the  current level  of management fee  waiver (.05  of
      1%),   Management  Fees  and  Total   Fund  Operating  Expenses  (After
      Reduction) would be  .45% and  .00%, respectively, of  the average  net
      assets  of the Series' Class A  shares, .45% and .40%, respectively, of
      the average net assets of the Series' Class B shares and .45% and .65%,
      respectively, of the average net assets of the Series' Class C  shares.
      See "How the Fund is Managed--Manager--Fee Waivers and Subsidy."
    
 
    + Pursuant  to rules of  the National Association  of Securities Dealers,
      Inc., the aggregate initial sales  charges, deferred sales charges  and
      asset-based  sales charges on shares of the Series may not exceed 6.25%
      of total  gross  sales,  subject  to  certain  exclusions.  This  6.25%
      limitation  is imposed on each class of the Series rather than on a per
      shareholder basis. Therefore, long-term shareholders of the Series  may
      pay  more in total sales charges  than the economic equivalent of 6.25%
      of such shareholders' investment in such  shares. See "How the Fund  is
      Managed--Distributor."
 
   
   ++ Although the Class A and Class C Distribution and Service Plans provide
      that  the Fund may pay a distribution fee of up to .30 of 1% and 1% per
      annum of  the average  daily net  assets of  the Class  A and  Class  C
      shares,   respectively,  the  Distributor  has   agreed  to  limit  its
      distribution fees with respect to the Class A and Class C shares of the
      Series to no more than .10 of 1% and .75 of 1% of the average daily net
      asset value of the Class A shares and Class C shares, respectively, for
      the fiscal year ending August  31, 1997. Total Fund Operating  Expenses
      (Before  Reduction)  of the  Class A  and Class  C shares  without such
      limitations would be 2.18% and  2.88%, respectively. See "How the  Fund
      is Managed--Distributor."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH OF THE INDICATED
                                    PERIODS)
                                (CLASS A SHARES)
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  The following financial highlights have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent  accountants, whose report thereon was unqualified. This information
should be  read in  conjunction  with the  financial  statements and  the  notes
thereto,  which appear in the Statement of Additional Information. The following
financial highlights contain  selected data for  a Class A  share of  beneficial
interest  outstanding,  total return,  ratios to  average  net assets  and other
supplemental data for the periods indicated.  This information is based on  data
contained  in  the  financial  statements.  Further  performance  information is
contained in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge.  See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           CLASS A
                                               -------------------------------
                                                                SEPTEMBER 19,
                                                YEAR ENDED        1994 (B)
                                                AUGUST 31,         THROUGH
                                                   1996        AUGUST 31, 1995
                                               -------------   ---------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.........      $12.13          $ 11.64
                                                   ------           ------
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (d)....................         .66              .58
                                                     (.05)             .49
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions.....................
                                                   ------           ------
    Total from investment operations.........         .61             1.07
                                                   ------           ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income.........        (.66)            (.58)
Distributions from net realized gains........        (.08)              --
                                                   ------           ------
    Total distributions......................        (.74)            (.58)
                                                   ------           ------
Net asset value, end of period...............      $12.00          $ 12.13
                                                   ------           ------
                                                   ------           ------
TOTAL RETURN (c):............................        5.01%            9.42%
 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)..............      $3,800          $ 3,333
Average net assets (000).....................      $3,620          $ 2,778
Ratios to average net assets: (d)
  Expenses, including distribution fees......         .45%             .46%(a)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fees......         .35%             .36%(a)
  Net investment income......................        5.38%            5.32%(a)
 
Portfolio turnover rate......................          18%              75%
</TABLE>
    
 
   --------------------------
 
   (a) Annualized.
 
   (b) Commencement of investment operations.
 
   
   (c) Total  return  does not  consider the  effects  of sales  loads. Total
       return is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first  day
       and  a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and includes
       reinvestment of dividends. Total  returns for periods  of less than  a
       full year are not annualized.
    
 
   (d) Net of expense subsidy and management fee waiver.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH OF THE INDICATED
                                    PERIODS)
                                (CLASS B SHARES)
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The  following financial highlights  have been audited  by Deloitte & Touche
LLP,  independent  accountants,  whose  report  thereon  was  unqualified.  This
information  should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the
notes thereto,  which appear  in the  Statement of  Additional Information.  The
following  financial highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  B share of
beneficial interest outstanding, total return, ratios to average net assets  and
other  supplemental data for the periods indicated. This information is based on
data contained in the financial  statements. Further performance information  is
contained  in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge. See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           CLASS B
                                               --------------------------------
                                                                 SEPTEMBER 19,
                                                 YEAR ENDED        1994 (B)
                                                 AUGUST 31,         THROUGH
                                                    1996        AUGUST 31, 1995
                                               --------------   ---------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.........      $ 12.13          $ 11.64
                                                   -------           ------
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (d)....................          .61              .54
                                                      (.05)             .49
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions.....................
                                                   -------           ------
    Total from investment operations.........          .56             1.03
                                                   -------           ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income.........         (.61)            (.54)
Distributions from net realized gains........         (.08)              --
                                                   -------           ------
    Total distributions......................         (.69)            (.54)
                                                   -------           ------
Net asset value, end of period...............      $ 12.00          $ 12.13
                                                   -------           ------
                                                   -------           ------
TOTAL RETURN (c):............................         4.60%            9.03%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)..............      $10,126          $ 8,949
Average net assets (000).....................      $ 9,599          $ 6,270
Ratios to average net assets: (d)
  Expenses, including distribution fees......          .85%             .86%(a)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fees......          .35%             .36%(a)
  Net investment income......................         4.98%            5.03%(a)
 
Portfolio turnover rate......................           18%              75%
</TABLE>
    
 
   --------------------------
 
   
   (a) Annualized.
    
 
   
   (b) Commencement of investment operations.
    
 
   
   (c) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment  of dividends. Total  returns for periods  of less than a
       full year are not annualized.
    
 
   
   (d) Net of expense subsidy and management fee waiver.
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH OF THE INDICATED
                                    PERIODS)
                                (CLASS C SHARES)
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The following financial highlights  have been audited  by Deloitte &  Touche
LLP,  independent  accountants,  whose  report  thereon  was  unqualified.  This
information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and  the
notes  thereto, which  appear in  the Statement  of Additional  Information. The
following financial highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  C share  of
beneficial  interest outstanding, total return, ratios to average net assets and
other supplemental data for the periods indicated. This information is based  on
data  contained in the financial  statements. Further performance information is
contained in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge.  See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           CLASS C
                                               -------------------------------
                                                                SEPTEMBER 19,
                                                YEAR ENDED        1994 (B)
                                                AUGUST 31,         THROUGH
                                                   1996        AUGUST 31, 1995
                                               -------------   ---------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.........      $12.13          $ 11.64
                                                   ------           ------
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (d)....................         .57              .51
                                                     (.05)             .49
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions.....................
                                                   ------           ------
    Total from investment operations.........         .52             1.00
                                                   ------           ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income.........        (.57)            (.51)
Distributions from net realized gains........        (.08)              --
                                                   ------           ------
    Total distributions......................        (.65)            (.51)
                                                   ------           ------
Net asset value, end of period...............      $12.00          $ 12.13
                                                   ------           ------
                                                   ------           ------
TOTAL RETURN (c):............................        4.34%            8.78%
 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)..............      $1,409          $   797
Average net assets (000).....................      $1,103          $   373
Ratios to average net assets: (d)
  Expenses, including distribution fees......        1.10%            1.11%(a)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fees......         .35%             .36%(a)
  Net investment income......................        4.74%            4.79%(a)
 
Portfolio turnover rate......................          18%              75%
</TABLE>
    
 
   --------------------------
 
   
   (a) Annualized.
    
 
   
   (b) Commencement of investment operations.
    
 
   
   (c) Total  return  does not  consider the  effects  of sales  loads. Total
       return is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first  day
       and  a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and includes
       reinvestment of dividends. Total  returns for periods  of less than  a
       full year are not annualized.
    
 
   
   (d) Net of expense subsidy and management fee waiver.
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND (THE FUND) IS AN OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANY,
OR  MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH SERIES OF THE FUND
IS  MANAGED   INDEPENDENTLY.  THE   HAWAII  INCOME   SERIES  (THE   SERIES)   IS
NON-DIVERSIFIED  AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME THAT
IS EXEMPT  FROM  HAWAII STATE  AND  FEDERAL  INCOME TAXES  CONSISTENT  WITH  THE
PRESERVATION  OF  CAPITAL.  See  "Investment  Objectives  and  Policies"  in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS  A FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE,  MAY
NOT  BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE SERIES'
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF  1940,
AS  AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  THE SERIES  WILL  INVEST  PRIMARILY  IN  HAWAII  STATE,  MUNICIPAL  AND  LOCAL
GOVERNMENT  OBLIGATIONS  AND OBLIGATIONS  OF OTHER  QUALIFYING ISSUERS,  SUCH AS
ISSUERS LOCATED IN PUERTO  RICO, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS  AND GUAM, WHICH PAY  INCOME
EXEMPT,  IN THE OPINION OF  COUNSEL, FROM HAWAII STATE  AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
(HAWAII OBLIGATIONS). THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE  TO
ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
  Interest  on  certain  municipal  obligations may  be  a  preference  item for
purposes of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest  without
limit  in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined in
the Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item  for
purposes  of  the federal  alternative minimum  tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends and
Distributions." Hawaii law provides that dividends paid by the Series are exempt
from Hawaii State income tax for individuals who reside in Hawaii to the  extent
such  dividends are derived from interest payments on Hawaii Obligations. Hawaii
Obligations may include general obligation bonds of the State, counties, cities,
towns, etc.,  revenue bonds  of  utility systems,  highways, bridges,  port  and
airport  facilities, colleges,  hospitals, etc., and  industrial development and
pollution control bonds. The Series will invest in long-term Hawaii Obligations,
and the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Series' portfolio will generally
range between 10-20  years. The Series  may also invest  in certain  short-term,
tax-exempt  notes such  as Tax  Anticipation Notes,  Revenue Anticipation Notes,
Bond Anticipation Notes, Construction Loan Notes and variable and floating  rate
demand notes.
 
  Generally,  municipal obligations with longer maturities produce higher yields
and are subject to greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates (market  risk) than  municipal obligations  with shorter  maturities.  The
prices  of municipal obligations vary  inversely with interest rates. Currently,
interest rates  are much  lower than  in recent  years. If  rates were  to  rise
sharply, the prices of bonds in the Series' portfolio may be adversely affected.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES, INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE  FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating  rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as a
specific percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on  Treasury
bonds  or bills or the prime rate at  a major commercial bank. The interest rate
on floating rate securities changes periodically  when there is a change in  the
designated  base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a specified
periodic adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates  and
generally  allow the Series to demand payment  of the obligation on short notice
at par plus accrued interest, which amount  may be more or less than the  amount
the  Series  paid for  them.  An inverse  floater is  a  debt instrument  with a
floating or variable interest rate that  moves in the opposite direction of  the
interest  rate on  another security  or the  value of  an index.  Changes in the
interest rate  on the  other security  or index  inversely affect  the  residual
interest  rate paid  on the  inverse floater, with  the result  that the inverse
floater's price will  be considerably more  volatile than that  of a fixed  rate
bond. The market for inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN  MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL LEASE
OBLIGATION IS A  MUNICIPAL SECURITY THE  INTEREST ON AND  PRINCIPAL OF WHICH  IS
PAYABLE  OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES FINANCED
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
BY THE ISSUE. Typically,  municipal lease obligations are  issued by a state  or
municipal   financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction  of
facilities (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or  the
acquisition  of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state or
municipality pursuant to a lease  with a financing authority. Certain  municipal
lease  obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the  supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes  of  the Series'  15% limitation  on  illiquid securities  provided the
investment adviser determines that there is a readily available market for  such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies--Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
  ALL  HAWAII OBLIGATIONS  PURCHASED BY  THE SERIES  WILL BE  "INVESTMENT GRADE"
SECURITIES. In other words, all of the  Hawaii Obligations will, at the time  of
purchase,  be  rated within  the four  highest quality  grades as  determined by
Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for bonds, MIG 1,
MIG 2, MIG  3, MIG 4  for notes and  Prime-1 for commercial  paper), Standard  &
Poor's  Ratings Group (S&P) (currently AAA, AA, A, BBB for bonds, SP-1, SP-2 for
notes and A-1 for commercial paper) or another nationally recognized statistical
rating organization (NRSRO)  or, if unrated,  will possess creditworthiness,  in
the  opinion of  the investment adviser,  comparable to securities  in which the
Series may invest.  Securities rated Baa  may have speculative  characteristics,
and  changes in  economic conditions or  other circumstances are  more likely to
lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is  the
case  with higher grade securities. Subsequent to  its purchase by the Series, a
municipal obligation may be assigned a lower  rating or cease to be rated.  Such
an  event would not require the elimination of the issue from the portfolio, but
the investment adviser will  consider such an event  in determining whether  the
Series  should continue to hold the  security in its portfolio. See "Description
of Tax-Exempt Security Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information.  The
Series  may purchase Hawaii Obligations which,  in the opinion of the investment
adviser, offer the  opportunity for  capital appreciation. This  may occur,  for
example,  when the investment  adviser believes that the  issuer of a particular
Hawaii Obligation might receive an upgraded credit standing, thereby  increasing
the  market value  of the  bonds it  has issued  or when  the investment adviser
believes that interest rates might decline. As a general matter, bond prices and
the Series' net asset value will vary inversely with interest rate fluctuations.
    
 
  From time to time, the Series may own the majority of a municipal issue.  Such
majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
  UNDER   NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO  INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS IN HAWAII OBLIGATIONS. As a  matter
of  fundamental policy, during normal market  conditions the Series' assets will
be invested so that at least 80% of the income will be exempt from Hawaii  State
and  federal income  taxes or  the Series will  have at  least 80%  of its total
assets invested in Hawaii Obligations.  During abnormal market conditions or  to
provide  liquidity, the Series  may hold cash or  cash equivalents or investment
grade taxable obligations, including obligations  that are exempt from  federal,
but  not state, taxation and the Series may invest in tax-free cash equivalents,
such as  floating rate  demand notes,  tax-exempt commercial  paper and  general
obligation   and  revenue  notes  or  in   taxable  cash  equivalents,  such  as
certificates  of  deposit,  bankers  acceptances  and  time  deposits  or  other
short-term  taxable  investments such  as  repurchase agreements.  When,  in the
opinion  of  the  investment  adviser,  abnormal  market  conditions  require  a
temporary  defensive position, the Series may invest  more than 20% of the value
of its assets in debt securities other than Hawaii Obligations or may invest its
assets so that more than 20% of the income is subject to Hawaii State or federal
income taxes.
 
  THE SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO  SELL
SECURITIES  HELD IN  THE SERIES'  PORTFOLIO AT A  SPECIFIED EXERCISE  PRICE ON A
SPECIFIED DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting  the
Series  from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which the
put applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case  of
liquidity  puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of the
underlying security. The aggregate value of  premiums paid to acquire puts  held
in  the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts) may not exceed 10% of the
net asset  value  of  the Series.  The  acquisition  of a  put  may  involve  an
additional  cost to the Series, by payment of  a premium for the put, by payment
of a  higher purchase  price for  securities to  which the  put is  attached  or
through a lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In  addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts in
that the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase  the
underlying  security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under the
following circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the  underlying
security  and such security is  rated within the four  highest quality grades as
determined by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than  the
issuer of the underlying security and such
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
person  has  securities outstanding  which are  rated  within such  four highest
quality grades;  or (3)  the put  is backed  by a  letter of  credit or  similar
financial  guarantee issued by a person  having securities outstanding which are
rated within the two highest quality grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR  "DELAYED
DELIVERY"  BASIS, IN  EACH CASE  WITHOUT LIMIT.  When municipal  obligations are
offered on a when-issued  or delayed delivery basis,  the price and coupon  rate
are  fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the  settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore,  no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser during
such period. In the case of purchases  by the Series, the price that the  Series
is  required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with  the
purpose  of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable for
investment reasons. At the  time the Series makes  the commitment to purchase  a
municipal  obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in  determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as  values of municipal obligations otherwise held  by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with  its
Custodian  in which  it will maintain  cash, U.S.  Government securities, equity
securities or other liquid,  unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily,  equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL FORWARD CONTRACTS. A municipal forward
contract is a municipal security which is purchased on a when-issued basis  with
delivery  taking place up to  five years from the  date of purchase. No interest
will accrue on the security prior  to the delivery date. The investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity, value, credit  quality and delivery of the security
under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE SECONDARY MARKET INSURANCE ON HAWAII OBLIGATIONS WHICH
IT HOLDS  OR ACQUIRES.  Secondary market  insurance would  be reflected  in  the
market  value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series to
dispose of  a defaulted  obligation at  a price  similar to  that of  comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance  is  not  a  substitute  for the  basic  credit  of  an  issuer, but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage for the Hawaii Obligations held by the Series reduces  credit
risk  by  providing  that the  insurance  company  will make  timely  payment of
principal and interest  if the issuer  defaults on its  obligation to make  such
payment,  it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price, I.E.,
the market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in  interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
  THE  SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE  AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES, INCLUDING
FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS  (FUTURES CONTRACTS)  AND OPTIONS  THEREON, FOR  THE
PURPOSE OF HEDGING ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED
BY  CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HEDGING AGAINST INCREASES IN
THE COST OF  SECURITIES THE SERIES  INTENDS TO PURCHASE.  THE SUCCESSFUL USE  OF
FUTURES  CONTRACTS  AND  OPTIONS  THEREON  BY  THE  SERIES  INVOLVES  ADDITIONAL
TRANSACTION COSTS  AND  IS  SUBJECT  TO  VARIOUS  RISKS  AND  DEPENDS  UPON  THE
INVESTMENT  ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT THE  DIRECTION OF THE MARKET (INCLUDING
INTEREST RATES).
 
  A FUTURES CONTRACT  OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE  CONTRACT TO  DELIVER TO  THE
PURCHASER  OF THE  CONTRACT CASH  EQUAL TO  A SPECIFIC  DOLLAR AMOUNT  TIMES THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF  THE CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH  THE
AGREEMENT  IS MADE. No  physical delivery of the  underlying securities is made.
The Series  will engage  in transactions  in only  those futures  contracts  and
options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
  The  Series intends to  engage in futures  contracts and options  thereon as a
hedge against  changes,  resulting  from  market conditions,  in  the  value  of
securities  which are held in the Series'  portfolio or which the Series intends
to purchase, in accordance
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
with the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission  (the
CFTC).  The Series  also intends  to engage in  such transactions  when they are
economically appropriate  for the  reduction of  risks inherent  in the  ongoing
management of the Series.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY NOT PURCHASE OR SELL  FUTURES CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS THEREON IF,
IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER,  (i) THE  SUM OF  INITIAL AND  NET CUMULATIVE  VARIATION
MARGIN  ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID ON OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (ii) IN THE CASE
OF RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL  MARGIN
DEPOSITS  ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS THEREON
WOULD EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There  are
no  limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and no
limitations on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts  and
options  thereon, except that the aggregate  value of the obligations underlying
put options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements  for
qualification  as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code
may limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and  options
thereon.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Currently, futures contracts  are available on  several types of  fixed-income
securities,  including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S. Treasury
bills and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal  bond
index,  based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40 actively
traded municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in  other
futures   contracts  that  become  available,  from   time  to  time,  in  other
fixed-income securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on  such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
  THERE  CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE  MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A LIQUID
SECONDARY MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT  ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the  Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash payments
of variation  margin  in  the  event  of adverse  price  movements.  In  such  a
situation,  if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell portfolio
securities to meet daily variation margin  requirements at a time when it  might
be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close futures positions also could
have  an adverse impact on the ability of the Series to hedge effectively. There
is also  a risk  of  loss by  the Series  of  margin deposits  in the  event  of
bankruptcy  of a broker with  whom the Series has an  open position in a futures
contract.
 
  THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS  AND OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES  IS
SUBJECT  TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and movements in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities  that
are the subject of the hedge. If the price of the futures contract moves more or
less than the price of the security that is the subject of the hedge, the Series
will  experience a gain or loss that  will not be completely offset by movements
in the price of the security. The risk of imperfect correlation is greater where
the securities underlying futures contracts are taxable securities (rather  than
municipal  securities), are issued  by companies in  different market sectors or
have different maturities, ratings or  geographic mixes than the security  being
hedged.  In  addition,  the  correlation  may be  affected  by  additions  to or
deletions from  the index  which serves  as the  basis for  a futures  contract.
Finally,  if the price of the security that is subject to the hedge were to move
in a favorable direction, the advantage to the Series would be partially  offset
by the loss incurred on the futures contract.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
  BECAUSE  THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST 80%  OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS
IN HAWAII OBLIGATIONS,  IT IS  MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO  FACTORS ADVERSELY  AFFECTING
ISSUERS OF SUCH OBLIGATIONS THAN IS A COMPARABLE MUNICIPAL BOND MUTUAL FUND THAT
IS  NOT CONCENTRATED IN  HAWAII OBLIGATIONS TO THIS  DEGREE. Hawaii's economy is
concentrated in  retail  trade  and  tourism  and  also  includes  construction,
agriculture  and military  operations. Tourism dominates  Hawaii's economy, with
six out of ten jobs  in the economy related  to tourism. By attracting  tourists
from  Asia, the  United States and  Europe, Hawaii's tourism  economy has become
less volatile. Nevertheless, the number of visitors has declined in recent years
because of recessions in both the United States and Japan. Reported  improvement
in  tourism has not yet  been reflected in State  revenues, and has lagged early
estimates.  Agriculture,  dominated  by  pineapple  and  sugar  production,  has
experienced increased foreign competition and a reduction in operations by major
producers.  There  has, however,  been some  diversification in  the agriculture
products raised in Hawaii and such diversification has provided some alternative
employment opportunities. The State's economy has in recent
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
years reflected the  effects of  the general  economic recession  in the  United
States  and Asia. If the issuers of any  of the Hawaii Obligations are unable to
meet their financial obligations, the income derived by the Series, the  ability
to  preserve  or realize  appreciation of  the Series'  capital and  the Series'
liquidity  could  be   adversely  affected.  See   "Investment  Objectives   and
Policies--Special  Considerations Regarding Investment in Tax-Exempt Securities"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE SERIES IS "NON-DIVERSIFIED" SO THAT MORE  THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS  MAY
BE  INVESTED  IN  THE  SECURITIES  OF  ONE  OR  MORE  ISSUERS.  Investment  in a
non-diversified portfolio involves greater risk than investment in a diversified
portfolio because  a loss  resulting from  the default  of a  single issuer  may
represent  a greater portion of the total assets of a non-diversified portfolio.
The Series will treat an investment  in a municipal bond refunded with  escrowed
U.S.  Government securities  as U.S. Government  securities for  purposes of the
Investment  Company   Act's   diversification  requirements   provided   certain
conditions  are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  The Series may not purchase  securities (other than municipal obligations  and
obligations  guaranteed as to  principal and interest by  the U.S. Government or
its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or more
of the total  assets of  the Series  (taken at  current market  value) would  be
invested in any one industry.
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of  a security agrees to repurchase that  security from the Series at a mutually
agreed-upon time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite  short,
possibly  overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number of
months. The  resale price  is in  excess of  the purchase  price, reflecting  an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully  collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price. The
instruments held  as  collateral  are valued  daily  and  if the  value  of  the
instruments  declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If the
seller defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the  repurchase
agreement  declines, the Series may  incur a loss. The  Series participates in a
joint repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by  Prudential
Mutual  Fund Management LLC pursuant to an  order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC).
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
  The Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value  of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or  emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series may
pledge up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure  these
borrowings.  The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
  The Series does not expect to trade  in securities for short-term gain. It  is
anticipated  that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%. The
portfolio turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales  or
purchases  of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the portfolio
securities, excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase  of
one year or less.
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The  Series  may hold  up to  15% of  its net  assets in  illiquid securities,
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities  with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale   (restricted
securities)   and  securities  that  are   not  readily  marketable.  Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended  (the Securities  Act), privately placed  commercial paper  and
municipal  lease  obligations  that  have a  readily  available  market  are not
considered illiquid for the purposes of this limitation. The investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity of such  restricted securities under the supervision
of the Trustees. The Series' investment  in Rule 144A securities could have  the
effect  of  increasing illiquidity  to the  extent that  qualified institutional
buyers become,  for  a  limited  time,  uninterested  in  purchasing  Rule  144A
securities.  See "Investment  Objectives and  Policies--Illiquid Securities" and
"Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase
agreements subject to demand are deemed to  have a maturity equal to the  notice
period.
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The  Series  is subject  to certain  investment  restrictions which,  like its
investment objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental  policies
cannot  be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER, SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS  OF
GENERAL  POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY BUSINESS
OPERATIONS OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY  INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For  the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,  total expenses of the Series as a
percentage of average net assets, net  of expense subsidy and fee waivers,  were
 .45%,  .85% and  1.10% for  the Series'  Class A,  Class B  and Class  C shares,
respectively. See "Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC  (PMF OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY  CENTER
THREE,  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, 07102, IS THE MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET  ASSETS
OF  THE SERIES. PMF is organized in New  York as a limited liability company. It
is the successor to Prudential  Mutual Fund Management, Inc., which  transferred
its  assets to PMF in September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series paid PMF  a management fee of  .45 of 1% of  the Series' average  net
assets.  See "Fee Waivers and  Subsidy" below and "Manager"  in the Statement of
Additional Information.
    
 
   
  As of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end  investment
companies,  constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager or
administrator to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets  of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER  THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH THE  FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS OF EACH SERIES OF THE  FUND AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S  BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER  A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT
CORPORATION (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY  SERVICES
IN  CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR ITS
REASONABLE COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED  IN PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under  the
Management  Agreement, PMF continues  to have responsibility  for all investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
   
  The current  portfolio  manager  is  Christian  Smith,  a  Vice  President  of
Prudential   Investments.  Mr.  Smith  has  responsibility  for  the  day-to-day
management of the portfolio.  He has managed the  portfolio since its  inception
and has been employed by PIC in various capacities since 1988.
    
 
   
  PMF  and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential),  a major diversified  insurance and financial  services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS AND SUBSIDY
 
   
  PMF  has voluntarily agreed to subsidize expenses and waive management fees so
that total Series operating expenses will not exceed .45%, .85% and 1.10% of the
average net assets of  the Class A,  Class B and  Class C shares,  respectively.
Effective  January 1, 1995, PMF  agreed to waive 10%  of its management fee. The
Series is  not  required  to reimburse  PMF  for  any such  subsidy  or  waiver.
Thereafter,  PMF may from  time to time agree  to waive its  management fee or a
portion thereof  and subsidize  certain operating  expenses of  the Series.  Fee
waivers  and expense subsidies will increase the Series' yield and total return.
See "Fund Expenses."
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
DISTRIBUTOR
    
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10292, IS A CORPORATION  ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS  OF
THE  STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND
CLASS C SHARES  OF THE  SERIES. It is  an indirect,  wholly-owned subsidiary  of
Prudential.  Prior to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc.
(PMFD), One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as distributor of the
Class A shares of the Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER SEPARATE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS  (THE CLASS A PLAN, THE CLASS  B
PLAN  AND THE CLASS C  PLAN, COLLECTIVELY, THE PLANS)  ADOPTED BY THE FUND UNDER
RULE 12b-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT  (THE
DISTRIBUTION  AGREEMENT),  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES (THE  DISTRIBUTOR)  INCURS THE
EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTING THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE  SERIES.
These  expenses include  commissions and account  servicing fees paid  to, or on
account of, financial advisers of  Prudential Securities and representatives  of
Pruco  Securities Corporation (Prusec), an affiliated broker-dealer, commissions
and account servicing fees  paid to, or on  account of, other broker-dealers  or
financial  institutions  (other than  national  banks) which  have  entered into
agreements with the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing  and
mailing  prospectuses to potential investors and  indirect and overhead costs of
Prudential Securities  and  Prusec associated  with  the sale  of  Fund  shares,
including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses. The State
of  Texas requires that shares of  the Series may be sold  in that state only by
dealers  or  other  financial  institutions   which  are  registered  there   as
broker-dealers.
    
 
  Under  the Plans, the  Series is obligated to  pay distribution and/or service
fees to  the  Distributor  as  compensation for  its  distribution  and  service
activities,  not  as  reimbursement  for  specific  expenses  incurred.  If  the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Series will
not be obligated to pay any  additional expenses. If the Distributor's  expenses
are  less than such distribution and service  fees, it will retain its full fees
and realize a profit.
 
   
  UNDER THE  CLASS A  PLAN, THE  SERIES MAY  PAY PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES FOR  ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF  UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES OF THE
SERIES. The Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average  daily
net  assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service and/or
the  maintenance  of   shareholder  accounts  (service   fee)  and  (ii)   total
distribution fees (including the service fee of .25 of 1%) may not exceed .30 of
1%  of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. Prudential Securities
has agreed to limit its distribution-related fees payable under the Class A Plan
to .10 of  1% of the  average daily  net assets of  the Class A  shares for  the
fiscal year ending August 31, 1997.
    
 
   
  UNDER  THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE SERIES MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
FOR ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  ACTIVITIES WITH  RESPECT TO  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF UP  TO .50 OF 1% AND UP  TO 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY
NET ASSETS OF THE  CLASS B AND  CLASS C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.  The Class B  Plan
provides  for the payment  to Prudential Securities of  (i) an asset-based sales
charge of up to .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares,
and (ii) a service fee of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the
Class B shares; provided that the total distribution-related fee does not exceed
 .50 of 1%. The Class C Plan provides for the payment to Prudential Securities of
(i) an asset-based  sales charge of  up to .75  of 1% of  the average daily  net
assets  of the Class C shares, and (ii) a service  fee of up to .25 of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class C  shares. The service fee is used to  pay
for  personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Prudential
Securities has agreed to limit  its distribution-related fees payable under  the
Class  C Plan to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares
for the fiscal year ending August 31, 1997. Prudential Securities also  receives
contingent  deferred  sales  charges from  certain  redeeming  shareholders. See
"Shareholder  Guide--How  to  Sell  Your  Shares--  Contingent  Deferred   Sales
Charges."
    
 
   
  For  the  fiscal year  ended  August 31,  1996,  the Series  paid distribution
expenses of .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and  .75 of 1% of the average daily net  assets
of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. The Series records all
payments  made under the Plans as expenses  in the calculation of net investment
income. See "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  Distribution expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B or Class  C
shares  of the Series  will be allocated to  each class based  upon the ratio of
sales of each class to the sales of all shares of the Series other than expenses
allocable to a particular  class. The distribution fee  and sales charge of  one
class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
  Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that  a  majority of  the  Trustees of  the Fund,  including  a majority  of the
Trustees who  are  not "interested  persons"  of the  Fund  (as defined  in  the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the  operation of the Plan or any agreement  related to the Plan (the Rule 12b-1
Trustees), vote annually to continue the Plan. Each Plan may be terminated  with
respect  to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule 12b-1
Trustees or of a majority of the  outstanding shares of the applicable class  of
the  Series. The Series  will not be  obligated to pay  distribution and service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
  In addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under  the
Class  A, Class B and Class C Plans,  the Manager (or one of its affiliates) may
make payments  out  of  its  own  resources  to  dealers  (including  Prudential
Securities) and other persons who distribute shares of the Series. Such payments
may  be calculated by  reference to the net  asset value of  shares sold by such
persons or otherwise.
    
 
  The Distributor  is  subject to  the  rules  of the  National  Association  of
Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges. See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  On October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the  SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD  to
resolve  allegations  that  from  1980 through  1990  PSI  sold  certain limited
partnership interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom  such
securities  were not suitable  and misrepresented the  safety, potential returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted against it, PSI consented to  the entry of an SEC Administrative  Order
which  stated that PSI's conduct violated  the federal securities laws, directed
PSI to cease and  desist from violating the  federal securities laws, pay  civil
penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000  civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount of
$330,000,000 and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for  compensatory
damages  by purchasers of  the partnership interests. PSI  has agreed to provide
additional funds, if necessary,  for the purpose of  the settlement fund.  PSI's
settlement  with the state securities regulators  included an agreement to pay a
penalty of $500,000  per jurisdiction.  PSI consented to  a censure  and to  the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In  October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United States
Magistrate for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI  committed
fraud  in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests in
violation of federal securities laws.  An agreement was simultaneously filed  to
defer  prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the signing
of the agreement, provided  that PSI complies with  the terms of the  agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the  agreement, no prosecution will  be instituted by the  United States for the
offenses charged in the complaint. If, on  the other hand, during the course  of
the  three  year period,  PSI  violates the  terms  of the  agreement,  the U.S.
Attorney can  then  elect  to pursue  these  charges.  Under the  terms  of  the
agreement,  PSI agreed,  among other things,  to pay  an additional $330,000,000
into the  fund  established by  the  SEC to  pay  restitution to  investors  who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For   more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,  see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The Fund  is not  affected by  PSI's financial  condition and  is an  entirely
separate  legal entity from PSI, which  has no beneficial ownership therein, and
the Fund's assets, which  are held by  State Street Bank  and Trust Company,  an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prudential  Securities may act as a  broker or futures commission merchant for
the Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it  receives
are  fair  and reasonable.  See "Portfolio  Transactions  and Brokerage"  in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State Street  Bank  and  Trust  Company, One  Heritage  Drive,  North  Quincy,
Massachusetts  02171, serves  as Custodian for  the portfolio  securities of the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
  Prudential  Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS),  Raritan Plaza One, Edison, New
Jersey 08837, serves  as Transfer  Agent and  Dividend Disbursing  Agent and  in
those  capacities maintains certain  books and records  for the Fund.  PMFS is a
wholly-owned subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005,  New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE  SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING ITS
LIABILITIES FROM  THE VALUE  OF ITS  ASSETS AND  DIVIDING THE  REMAINDER BY  THE
NUMBER  OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS  CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS. THE
TRUSTEES HAVE FIXED THE SPECIFIC TIME OF  DAY FOR THE COMPUTATION OF THE NAV  OF
THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:15 P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
 
  Portfolio  securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not readily
available,  at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under   procedures
established  by  the Trustees.  Securities may  also be  valued based  on values
provided by  a  pricing service.  See  "Net Asset  Value"  in the  Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
  The  Series will compute  its NAV once daily  on days that  the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes  in
the  value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor  Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
   
  Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical,
the  different expenses borne by each  class will result in different dividends.
As long as the Series declares dividends daily, the NAV of the Class A, Class  B
and Class C shares will generally be the same. It is expected, however, that the
Series'  dividends will differ  by approximately the  amount of any distribution
and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  FROM TIME TO TIME THE FUND  MAY ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT  YIELD"
AND  "TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING  "AVERAGE ANNUAL"  TOTAL RETURN  AND "AGGREGATE"
TOTAL RETURN) OF THE SERIES IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. "YIELD," "TAX
EQUIVALENT YIELD"  AND "TOTAL  RETURN" ARE  CALCULATED SEPARATELY  FOR CLASS  A,
CLASS  B AND CLASS C SHARES. THESE  FIGURES ARE BASED ON HISTORICAL EARNINGS AND
ARE NOT  INTENDED TO  INDICATE FUTURE  PERFORMANCE. The  "yield" refers  to  the
income  generated by  an investment  in the  Series over  a one-month  or 30-day
period. This  income  is  then  "annualized;" that  is,  the  amount  of  income
generated by the investment during that 30-day period is assumed to be generated
each  30-day  period for  twelve periods  and is  shown as  a percentage  of the
investment. The income earned on the investment is also assumed to be reinvested
at the end of the sixth 30-day period. The "tax equivalent yield" is  calculated
similarly  to the  "yield," except  that the yield  is increased  using a stated
income tax  rate  to demonstrate  the  taxable  yield necessary  to  produce  an
after-tax  yield equivalent to the Series. The  "total return" shows how much an
investment in  the Series  would  have increased  (decreased) over  a  specified
period  of time (I.E., one, five or ten  years or since inception of the Series)
assuming that all distributions and dividends  by the Series were reinvested  on
the  reinvestment  dates during  the  period and  less  all recurring  fees. The
"aggregate" total return  reflects actual  performance over a  stated period  of
time.  "Average annual" total return  is a hypothetical rate  of return that, if
achieved annually,  would  have produced  the  same aggregate  total  return  if
performance  had been  constant over the  entire period.  "Average annual" total
return smooths  out  variations  in  performance  and  takes  into  account  any
applicable  initial  or  contingent  deferred  sales  charges.  Neither "average
annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return takes into account any federal
or state income taxes which  may be payable upon  redemption. The Fund also  may
include  comparative  performance information  in  advertising or  marketing the
shares of the Series. Such performance information may include data from  Lipper
Analytical  Services,  Inc.,  Morningstar  Publications,  Inc.,  other  industry
publications, business periodicals and market indices. See
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
"Performance Information" in  the Statement of  Additional Information.  Further
performance  information  is contained  in  the Series'  annual  and semi-annual
reports to shareholders, which may be obtained without charge. See  "Shareholder
Guide-- Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE  SERIES  HAS ELECTED  TO  QUALIFY AND  INTENDS  TO REMAIN  QUALIFIED  AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY,  THE
SERIES  WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME
AND CAPITAL  GAINS, IF  ANY, THAT  IT DISTRIBUTES  TO ITS  SHAREHOLDERS. TO  THE
EXTENT  NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn  taxable
investment   income.  Also,  to  the  extent   the  Series  engages  in  hedging
transactions in  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon,  it  may  earn  both
short-term  and long-term capital gain or loss. Under the Internal Revenue Code,
special rules apply to  the treatment of certain  options and futures  contracts
(Section  1256 contracts). At the end of each year, such investments held by the
Series will  be  required  to be  "marked  to  market" for  federal  income  tax
purposes; that is, treated as having been sold at market value. Sixty percent of
any  gain or loss recognized on these  "deemed sales" and on actual dispositions
will be treated as  long-term capital gain  or loss, and  the remainder will  be
treated  as  short-term  capital  gain  or  loss.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of securities generally will
be treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of  certain
securities  (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary income
to the  extent  of any  "market  discount."  Market discount  generally  is  the
difference,  if any, between the  price paid by the  Series for the security and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The  market
discount  rule does not apply to any security that was acquired by the Series at
its original issue. See "Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In  general, the  character of tax-exempt  interest distributed  by the Series
will flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that  50%
or  more of the value  of its assets at  the end of each  quarter of its taxable
year is invested  in state,  municipal and  other obligations,  the interest  on
which  is excluded  from gross  income for  federal income  tax purposes. During
normal market  conditions, at  least 80%  of the  Series' total  assets will  be
invested  in such obligations.  See "How the  Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any  dividends  out   of  net   taxable  investment   income,  together   with
distributions  of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net short-term
capital gains over  net long-term capital  losses) distributed to  shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any  net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable  as
long-term  capital  gains to  the shareholders,  whether  or not  reinvested and
regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares.  The
maximum  long-term  capital  gains  rate for  individuals  is  28%.  The maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders currently is the same as
the maximum tax rate for ordinary income.
 
   
  Any gain or  loss realized upon  a sale or  redemption of Series  shares by  a
shareholder  who is  not a  dealer in  securities will  be treated  as long-term
capital gain  or loss  if the  shares  have been  held more  than one  year  and
otherwise  as short-term  capital gain  or loss. Any  such loss  with respect to
shares that  are held  for  six months  or less,  however,  will be  treated  as
long-term  capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received
by the shareholder. In addition, any short-term capital loss will be  disallowed
to  the extent of any tax-exempt dividends received by the shareholder on shares
that are held for six months or less.
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
   
  The Fund has obtained opinions of counsel  to the effect that neither (i)  the
conversion  of Class B shares into Class A shares nor (ii) the exchange of Class
B or Class C shares for Class  A shares constitutes a taxable event for  federal
income  tax purposes.  However, such  opinions are  not binding  on the Internal
Revenue Service.
    
 
  CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL  ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS  A
RESULT  OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after  August
7,  1986) will  be treated  as an  item of  tax preference  for purposes  of the
alternative minimum  tax. The  Fund anticipates  that, under  regulations to  be
promulgated,  items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be attributed
to the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could  be
allocated  to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum  tax.
Similarly,  the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax  preference  attributed to  it.  The Series  is  permitted to  invest  in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
  Corporate  shareholders in the Series also will  have to take into account the
adjustment for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes.  Corporate
shareholders  should  consult  with  their tax  advisers  with  respect  to this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under Hawaii law,  the taxation  of regulated investment  companies and  their
shareholders  was generally conformed to the federal  tax law that was in effect
on December 31, 1994. Dividends paid by the Series and derived from interest  on
obligations  which pay interest  excludable from Hawaii  income tax under Hawaii
law will be  exempt from the  Hawaii income  tax (although not  from the  Hawaii
franchise  tax).  To the  extent a  portion  of the  dividends are  derived from
interest on debt  obligations other  than those described  directly above,  such
portion  will  be  subject  to the  Hawaii  income  tax even  though  it  may be
excludable from  gross income  for  federal income  tax purposes.  In  addition,
distributions of short-term capital gains realized by the Series will be taxable
to the shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of long-term capital gains
will  be taxable as  such to the  shareholders regardless of  how long they held
their shares.
 
  Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares  of
the Series will not be deductible for federal or Hawaii purposes.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under  the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and remit
to the  U.S.  Treasury 31%  of  redemption proceeds  on  the accounts  of  those
shareholders  who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS Form
W-9 (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with  the
required  certifications regarding  the shareholder's  status under  the federal
income tax  law. Such  withholding is  also required  on taxable  dividends  and
capital  gains distributions made by the Series unless it is reasonably expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding  specific
questions  as  to federal,  state and  local taxes.  See "Distributions  and Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  THE SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF  NET
INVESTMENT  INCOME,  IF ANY,  AND MAKE  DISTRIBUTIONS AT  LEAST ANNUALLY  OF ANY
CAPITAL GAINS IN  EXCESS OF CAPITAL  LOSSES. Dividends paid  by the Series  with
respect  to each class of shares, to the  extent any dividends are paid, will be
calculated in the same manner, at the same time, on the same day and will be  in
the  same amount  except that  each such  class will  bear its  own distribution
charges, generally resulting in lower dividends for Class B and Class C  shares.
Distributions  of net capital gains, if any, will be paid in the same amount for
each class of shares. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE  SERIES
BASED  ON THE NAV  OF EACH CLASS  OF THE SERIES  ON THE PAYMENT  DATE AND RECORD
DATE, RESPECTIVELY, OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE
SHAREHOLDER ELECTS IN  WRITING NOT  LESS THAN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO  THE
RECORD  DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such election
should be submitted to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account
Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick,  New Jersey 08906-5015. If you  hold
shares through Prudential Securities, you
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
should  contact  your  financial  adviser  to  elect  to  receive  dividends and
distributions in cash. The Fund will notify each shareholder after the close  of
the Fund's taxable year both of the dollar amount and the taxable status of that
year's dividends and distributions on a per share basis.
 
  Any  taxable dividends or distributions of  capital gains paid shortly after a
purchase by an investor will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value of the  investor's shares  by the  per share  amount of  the dividends  or
distributions.  Such dividends or distributions, although  in effect a return of
invested principal, are subject to  federal income taxes. Accordingly, prior  to
purchasing  shares of the the Series,  an investor should carefully consider the
impact of taxable dividends and  capital gains distributions which are  expected
to be or have been announced.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A  DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust  permits the Trustees to  issue an unlimited number  of
full  and  fractional shares  in separate  series,  currently designated  as the
Connecticut Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series,  Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series, New  Jersey Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York  Income
Series  (not presently  being offered), New  York Series, New  York Money Market
Series, North Carolina Series, Ohio  Series and Pennsylvania Series. The  Series
is  authorized  to  issue an  unlimited  number  of shares,  divided  into three
classes, designated  Class  A,  Class  B  and Class  C.  Each  class  of  shares
represents  an interest in the same assets of the Series and is identical in all
respects except that (i)  each class is subject  to different sales charges  and
distribution  and/or service fees, which may affect performance, (ii) each class
has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates
solely to its arrangement and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted
to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of
any other class, (iii)  each class has a  different exchange privilege and  (iv)
only   Class  B  shares  have  a  conversion  feature.  See  "How  the  Fund  is
Managed--Distributor." In accordance with the  Fund's Declaration of Trust,  the
Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series and classes within such
series,  with such preferences, privileges,  limitations and voting and dividend
rights as the Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable,  fully
transferable  and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are also
redeemable at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as  described
under  "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class of
the Series is  equal as  to earnings, assets  and voting  privileges, except  as
noted  above, and each class  bears the expenses related  to the distribution of
its shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to the Class B  shares,
there  are no conversion, preemptive or  other subscription rights. In the event
of liquidation, each share of beneficial interest of each series is entitled  to
its  portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the Fund
have been  paid.  Since  Class  B  and Class  C  shares  generally  bear  higher
distribution   expenses  than  Class  A  shares,  the  liquidation  proceeds  to
shareholders  of  those  classes  are  likely  to  be  lower  than  to  Class  A
shareholders.  The Fund's  shares do not  have cumulative voting  rights for the
election of Trustees.
 
  THE FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS
OTHERWISE  REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS OF
SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO  BE
ACTED  UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS HAVE
CERTAIN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF  THE
FUND'S  OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make  the
Fund  similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation. The
principal distinction between a Massachusetts business trust and a Massachusetts
business corporation relates to shareholder liability. Under Massachusetts  law,
shareholders  of  a business  trust may,  under  certain circumstances,  be held
personally liable as partners for the obligations of the fund, which is not  the
case with a
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
corporation.  The Declaration  of Trust of  the Fund  provides that shareholders
shall not be subject to  any personal liability for  the acts or obligations  of
the  Fund and that every written obligation, contract, instrument or undertaking
made by the Fund shall contain a  provision to the effect that the  shareholders
are not individually bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This  Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which has
been incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information  set
forth  in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under the
Securities Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained  at
a  reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
   
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH  ITS TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL  FUND
SERVICES,  INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT SERVICES,
P.O. BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY 08906-5020. The purchase price is  the
NAV  next determined  following receipt  of an  order by  the Transfer  Agent or
Prudential Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, may be  imposed
either  (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis
(Class B or  Class C shares).  See "Alternative Purchase  Plan" below. See  also
"How the Fund Values its Shares."
    
 
  An  investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
 
   
  The minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000  per
class  and $5,000 for  Class C shares.The minimum  subsequent investment is $100
for all  classes. All  minimum investment  requirements are  waived for  certain
employee  savings  plans.  For  purchases  made  through  the  Automatic Savings
Accumulation Plan, the  minimum initial  and subsequent investment  is $50.  See
"Shareholder Services" below.
    
 
  Application  forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
If a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for  each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
 
  The  Fund  reserves  the right  to  reject  any purchase  order  (including an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund.  The
Distributor  reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions in shares of  the Series may be  subject to postage and  handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must  first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an account
number. The following  information will  be requested: your  name, address,  tax
identification  number, class  election, dividend  distribution election, amount
being wired and wiring bank.  Instructions should then be  given by you to  your
bank  to transfer funds  by wire to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company (State
Street), Boston,  Massachusetts,  Custody  and  Shareholder  Services  Division,
Attention:  Prudential Municipal Series Fund  (Hawaii Income Series), specifying
on the wire the account  number assigned by PMFS  and your name and  identifying
the sales charge alternative (Class A, Class B or Class C shares).
 
  If  you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to the
calculation of  NAV (4:15  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you  may
purchase  shares of  the Series  as of that  day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
  In making a subsequent  purchase order by wire,  you should wire State  Street
directly  and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal Series
Fund, the name of the Series, Class A,  Class B or Class C shares and your  name
and  individual  account  number. It  is  not  necessary to  call  PMFS  to make
subsequent purchase orders utilizing Federal Funds. The minimum amount which may
be invested by wire is $1,000.
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
  THE SERIES OFFERS THROUGH  THIS PROSPECTUS THREE CLASSES  OF SHARES (CLASS  A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST BENEFICIAL SALES
CHARGE  STRUCTURE FOR  YOUR INDIVIDUAL  CIRCUMSTANCES, GIVEN  THE AMOUNT  OF THE
PURCHASE AND THE LENGTH OF TIME YOU EXPECT TO HOLD THE SHARES AND OTHER RELEVANT
CIRCUMSTANCES (ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             ANNUAL 12b-1 FEES
                                                          (AS A % OF AVERAGE DAILY
                            SALES CHARGE                        NET ASSETS)                      OTHER INFORMATION
            --------------------------------------------  ------------------------  --------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>                                           <C>                       <C>
CLASS A     Maximum initial sales charge of 3% of the     .30 of 1% (currently      Initial sales charge waived or reduced for
            public offering price                         being charged at a rate   certain purchases
                                                          of .10 of 1%)
CLASS B     Maximum contingent deferred sales charge or   .50 of 1%                 Shares convert to Class A shares
            CDSC of 5% of the lesser of the amount                                  approximately seven years after purchase
            invested or the redemption proceeds;
            declines to zero after six years
CLASS C     Maximum CDSC of 1% of the lesser of the       1% (currently being       Shares do not convert to another class
            amount invested or the redemption proceeds    charged at a rate of .75
            on redemptions made within one year of        of 1%)
            purchase
</TABLE>
 
   
  The three classes  of shares represent  an interest in  the same portfolio  of
investments  of the Series and have the  same rights, except that (i) each class
bears the separate  expenses of its  Rule 12b-1 distribution  and service  plan,
(ii)  each  class  has  exclusive  voting  rights  on  any  matter  submitted to
shareholders that  relates solely  to its  arrangement and  has separate  voting
rights  on any matter  submitted to shareholders  in which the  interests of one
class differ from  the interests  of any  other class,  and (iii)  only Class  B
shares  have a conversion feature. The three classes also have separate exchange
privileges. See "How to Exchange Your Shares" below. The income attributable  to
each class and the dividends payable on the shares of each class will be reduced
by  the amount of the distribution fee of each class. Class B and Class C shares
bear the expenses of a higher  distribution fee which will generally cause  them
to  have  higher expense  ratios and  to pay  lower dividends  than the  Class A
shares.
    
 
  Financial advisers and other sales agents  who sell shares of the Series  will
receive  different compensation for selling Class A,  Class B and Class C shares
and will generally receive more compensation  initially for selling Class A  and
Class B shares than for selling Class C shares.
 
  IN  SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
(1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the amount of any
applicable sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase or  redemption)
and  distribution-related fees, as noted above,  (3) whether you qualify for any
reduction or waiver  of any applicable  sales charge, (4)  the various  exchange
privileges  among the  different classes  of shares  (see "How  to Exchange Your
Shares" below) and  (5) the fact  that Class B  shares automatically convert  to
Class  A  shares  approximately  seven  years  after  purchase  (see "Conversion
Feature--Class B Shares" below).
 
  The following  is  provided to  assist  you  in determining  which  method  of
purchase  best suits your individual circumstances  and is based on current fees
and expenses being charged to the Series:
 
  If you intend to hold your investment in the Series for less than 5 years  and
do  not qualify  for a  reduced sales charge  on Class  A shares,  since Class A
shares are subject to a  maximum initial sales charge of  3% and Class B  shares
are  subject to a CDSC  of 5% which declines  to zero over a  6 year period, you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
  If you intend to hold your investment for  5 years or more and do not  qualify
for  a reduced sales charge  on Class A shares, since  Class B shares convert to
Class A shares  approximately 7  years after purchase  and because  all of  your
money  would be  invested initially in  the case  of Class B  shares, you should
consider purchasing Class B shares over either Class A or Class C shares.
 
  If you qualify for a  reduced sales charge on Class  A shares, it may be  more
advantageous  for you to purchase Class A shares  over either Class B or Class C
shares regardless  of how  long you  intend to  hold your  investment.  However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested
initially  because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time of
purchase.
 
   
  If you do not  qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class  A shares and  you
purchase  Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than 4
years for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those  shares
to  exceed the initial sales  charge plus cumulative annual distribution-related
fee on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of  money,
which  further reduces the impact of the higher Class C distribution-related fee
on the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of the return  on
the  investment  over  this period  of  time  or redemptions  when  the  CDSC is
applicable.
    
 
  ALL PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT  OR
UNDER  RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR LETTERS OF  INTENT, MUST BE FOR CLASS A SHARES.
See "Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" below.
 
  CLASS A SHARES
 
  The offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial  sales
charge  alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge (expressed as
a percentage of the offering price and  of the amount invested) as shown in  the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                SALES CHARGE AS         SALES CHARGE AS          DEALER CONCESSION
                                 PERCENTAGE OF         PERCENTAGE OF NET         AS PERCENTAGE OF
    AMOUNT OF PURCHASE           OFFERING PRICE         AMOUNT INVESTED           OFFERING PRICE
- ---------------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------  -------------------------
<S>                          <C>                     <C>                     <C>
  Less than $99,999                      3.00%                   3.09%                    3.00%
  $100,000 to $249,999                   2.50                    2.56                     2.50
  $250,000 to $499,999                   1.50                    1.52                     1.50
  $500,000 to $999,999                   1.00                    1.01                     1.00
  $1,000,000 and above                None                    None                     None
</TABLE>
 
   
  The  Distributor  may  reallow the  entire  initial sales  charge  to dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
   
  In connection with the sale  of Class A shares at  NAV (without payment of  an
initial  sales charge), the Manager, the  Distributor or one of their affiliates
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a
finders' fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such
persons.
    
 
  REDUCTION AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL  SALES CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges  are
available  through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of the
Fund and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market  funds
other  than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be aggregated
to determine  the applicable  reduction. See  "Purchase and  Redemption of  Fund
Shares--Reduction  and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class  A Shares" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  OTHER WAIVERS.   Class A shares  may be purchased  at NAV, through  Prudential
Securities  or the  Transfer Agent, by  the following persons:  (a) officers and
current and former Directors/Trustees of the Prudential Mutual Funds  (including
the Fund), (b) employees of Prudential Securities and PMF and their subsidiaries
and  members of the families of such  persons who maintain an "employee related"
account at  Prudential  Securities or  the  Transfer Agent,  (c)  employees  and
special  agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all persons  who have
retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries,
(d) registered representatives and employees of dealers who have entered into  a
selected  dealer agreement with Prudential Securities provided that purchases at
NAV are  permitted  by such  person's  employer and  (e)  investors who  have  a
business  relationship with a financial adviser who joined Prudential Securities
from another investment firm, provided that (i) the purchase is made within  180
days  of the  commencement of the  financial adviser's  employment at Prudential
Securities or within one year
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
in the case  of benefit  plans, (ii)  the purchase is  made with  proceeds of  a
redemption  of shares of any open-end  fund sponsored by the financial adviser's
previous employer (other than  a money market fund  or other no-load fund  which
imposes  a distribution  or service  fee of  .25 of  1% or  less) and  (iii) the
financial adviser served as the client's broker on the previous purchases.
    
 
   
  You must  notify the  Transfer  Agent either  directly or  through  Prudential
Securities  or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your entitlement.  No initial  sales charges  are imposed  upon Class  A  shares
acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and
Redemption  of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges--Class
A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
 
   
  The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of
the deferred  sales charge  alternatives is  the NAV  next determined  following
receipt  of an  order by the  Transfer Agent or  Prudential Securities. Although
there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B
and  Class  C  shares  may  be  subject  to  a  CDSC.  See  "How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below. The Distributor will pay sales
commissions  of up  to 4% of  the purchase price  of Class B  shares to dealers,
financial advisers and other persons who sell Class B shares at the time of sale
from its own resources.  This facilitates the  ability of the  Fund to sell  the
Class  B shares without  an initial sales  charge being deducted  at the time of
purchase. The Distributor  anticipates that  it will recoup  its advancement  of
sales commissions from the combination of the CDSC and the distribution fee. See
"Distributor."  In connection with  the sale of Class  C shares, the Distributor
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute Class  C
shares a sales commission of up to 1% of the purchase price at the time of sale.
    
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU  CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV NEXT
DETERMINED AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY  THE
TRANSFER  AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE  "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
In certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount  of
any  applicable  contingent  deferred  sales  charge,  as  described  below. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  OF THE  SERIES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU  MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER. IF YOU
HOLD  SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED BY
YOU EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD  CERTIFICATES,
THE  CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN  ON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED. IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST  OR
FIDUCIARY,  WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY ACCEPTABLE  TO THE TRANSFER AGENT MUST
BE SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence  and
documents  concerning redemptions  should be  sent to  the Fund  in care  of its
Transfer Agent,  Prudential Mutual  Fund Services,  Inc., Attention:  Redemption
Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If  the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to a
person other than the record owner, (c) are to be
sent to an address other  than the address on  the Transfer Agent's records,  or
(d)  are  to be  paid to  a  corporation, partnership,  trust or  fiduciary, the
signature(s) on the redemption request and on the certificates, if any, or stock
power must be guaranteed  by an "eligible  guarantor institution." An  "eligible
guarantor  institution" includes any  bank, broker, dealer  or credit union. The
Transfer Agent reserves the  right to request  additional information from,  and
make reasonable inquiries of, any eligible guarantor institution. For clients of
Prusec,  a signature guarantee may be obtained from the agency or office manager
of most  Prudential  Insurance  and Financial  Services  or  Preferred  Services
offices.
 
  PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS  AFTER  RECEIPT BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OF  THE CERTIFICATE  AND/OR WRITTEN
REQUEST EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED  BELOW.  IF YOU  HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays,  (b)
when  trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as a
result of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is  not
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to  determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period when
the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or  (d)
exist.
 
  PAYMENT  FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL THE
FUND OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS  BEEN
HONORED,  UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE  TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
 
  REDEMPTION IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental  to
the  best interests of  the remaining shareholders  of the Fund  to make payment
wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or  in
part  by a distribution in  kind of securities from  the investment portfolio of
the Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules  of
the  SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your
shares are redeemed in kind, you will incur transaction costs in converting  the
assets  into cash. The Fund,  however, has elected to  be governed by Rule 18f-1
under the Investment Company  Act, under which the  Fund is obligated to  redeem
shares  solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the  Trustees
may  redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder which
is an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net  asset
value  of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give such
shareholders 60  days' prior  written  notice in  which to  purchase  sufficient
additional  shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent deferred sales charge
will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
 
   
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised the repurchase privilege, you may  reinvest any portion or all of  the
proceeds  of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next determined
after the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of  the
redemption.  Any CDSC paid  in connection with such  redemption will be credited
(in shares) to your account. (If less than a full repurchase is made, the credit
will be on a PRO RATA basis.) You must notify the Fund's Transfer Agent,  either
directly  or through Prudential Securities, at the time the repurchase privilege
is  exercised  to  adjust  your  account  for  the  CDSC  you  previously  paid.
Thereafter,  any redemptions will be subject to  the CDSC applicable at the time
of the redemption. See  "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charges" below. Exercise  of
the  repurchase privilege will generally not affect the federal tax treatment of
any gain realized upon redemption. However, if the redemption was made within  a
30  day period of the repurchase and if  the redemption resulted in a loss, some
or all of the loss, depending on  the amount reinvested, may not be allowed  for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
 
  Redemptions  of Class B shares will be  subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C  shares
redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC will
be  deducted from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid to you. The
CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by you which reduces the current value of
your Class B or Class C  shares to an amount which  is lower than the amount  of
all  payments by you for  shares during the preceding six  years, in the case of
Class B shares, and  one year, in  the case of  Class C shares.  A CDSC will  be
applied on the lesser of the original purchase price or the current value of the
shares  being redeemed. Increases in the value of your shares or shares acquired
through reinvestment of dividends  or distributions are not  subject to a  CDSC.
The  amount of any contingent deferred sales charge will be paid to and retained
by the Distributor. See  "How the Fund is  Managed--Distributor" and "Waiver  of
the Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class B Shares" below.
 
  The  amount of the  CDSC, if any, will  vary depending on  the number of years
from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption
of such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from  the
time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will
be  aggregated and deemed  to have been made  on the last day  of the month. The
CDSC will  be calculated  from the  first day  of the  month after  the  initial
purchase,  excluding the time shares were held  in a money market fund. See "How
to Exchange Your Shares."
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
  The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemptions
of Class B shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE AS A
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                          PERCENTAGE OF DOLLARS INVESTED OR
PAYMENT MADE                                        REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
- -----------------------------------------  -------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>
First....................................                  5.0%
Second...................................                  4.0%
Third....................................                  3.0%
Fourth...................................                  2.0%
Fifth....................................                  1.0%
Sixth....................................                  1.0%
Seventh..................................                  None
</TABLE>
 
  In determining whether a CDSC is  applicable to a redemption, the  calculation
will  be made in a manner  that results in the lowest  possible rate. It will be
assumed that  the  redemption  is  made first  of  amounts  representing  shares
acquired  pursuant to the  reinvestment of dividends  and distributions; then of
amounts representing the increase in net  asset value above the total amount  of
payments  for the purchase of Series shares made during the preceding six years;
then of amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable  CDSC
period;  and finally, of  amounts representing the  cost of shares  held for the
longest period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
 
  For example, assume you purchased  100 Class B shares at  $10 per share for  a
cost  of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired  5 additional Class B shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase you decided  to
redeem  $500 of your investment. Assuming at  the time of the redemption the NAV
had appreciated to  $12 per share,  the value of  your Class B  shares would  be
$1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value
of  the reinvested dividend shares and  the amount which represents appreciation
($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260)  would
be  charged  at a  rate of  4% (the  applicable  rate in  the second  year after
purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
 
  For federal income tax purposes, the amount  of the CDSC will reduce the  gain
or  increase the  loss, as  the case  may be,  on the  amount recognized  on the
redemption of shares.
 
  WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be waived in the  case of a  redemption following the death  or disability of  a
shareholder  or,  in  the  case  of a  trust  account,  following  the  death or
disability of  the  grantor.  The  waiver is  available  for  total  or  partial
redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint tenancy
(with  rights of survivorship), at the time of death or initial determination of
disability,  provided  that  the  shares  were  purchased  prior  to  death   or
disability.  In addition, the CDSC will be  waived on redemptions of shares held
by a Trustee of the Fund.
 
  You  must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you are
entitled to  waiver  of  the CDSC  and  provide  the Transfer  Agent  with  such
supporting  documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be granted
subject to confirmation  of your  entitlement. See "Purchase  and Redemption  of
Fund  Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
 
  Class B shares  will automatically convert  to Class A  shares on a  quarterly
basis  approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected at
relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales  charge.
The  first conversion  of Class  B shares  occurred in  February 1995,  when the
conversion feature was first implemented.
 
  Since the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought  on
each  purchase  of Class  B shares,  the number  of Class  B shares  eligible to
convert to  Class A  shares  (excluding shares  acquired through  the  automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will be
determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (i)
the  ratio of (a) the  amounts paid for Class B  shares purchased at least seven
years prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class  B
shares  purchased and  then held  in your account  (ii) multiplied  by the total
number
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
of Class  B shares  purchased  and then  held in  your  account. Each  time  any
Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts
representing  Class B shares then in your account that were acquired through the
automatic reinvestment  of dividends  and other  distributions will  convert  to
Class A shares.
 
  For  purposes of  determining the  number of Eligible  Shares, if  the Class B
shares in  your  account on  any  conversion date  are  the result  of  multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible Shares
calculated  as described above  will generally be  either more or  less than the
number of  shares  actually  purchased approximately  seven  years  before  such
conversion  date. For example, if 100 shares were initially purchased at $10 per
share (for  a  total  of  $1,000)  and a  second  purchase  of  100  shares  was
subsequently  made at $11 per share (for  a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares would
convert approximately  seven  years  from the  initial  purchase  (I.E.,  $1,000
divided  by $2,100 (47.62%)  multiplied by 200 shares  equals 95.24 shares). The
Manager reserves the right to modify  the formula for determining the number  of
Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.
 
  Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class
B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be higher than
that  of  the Class  B  shares at  the time  of  conversion. Thus,  although the
aggregate dollar value will be  the same, you may  receive fewer Class A  shares
than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all
payments  for Class B shares during a month  will be deemed to have been made on
the last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through exchange, or a
series of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original  payment
for  purchases of such  Class B shares  was made. For  Class B shares previously
exchanged for shares of a money market  fund, the time period during which  such
shares were held in the money market fund will be excluded. For example, Class B
shares  held in a  money market fund  for one year  will not convert  to Class A
shares until approximately eight years from purchase. For purposes of  measuring
the  time period during which shares are  held in a money market fund, exchanges
will be deemed to have been  made on the last day  of the month. Class B  shares
acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares after expiration of the
conversion period applicable to the original purchase of such shares.
 
  The  conversion  feature  may be  subject  to the  continuing  availability of
opinions of counsel  or rulings  of the Internal  Revenue Service  (i) that  the
dividends  and other distributions paid  on Class A, Class  B and Class C shares
will not constitute "preferential dividends" under the Internal Revenue Code and
(ii) that the  conversion of  shares does not  constitute a  taxable event.  The
conversion  of  Class B  shares into  Class A  shares may  be suspended  if such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class
B shares of the  Series will continue to  be subject, possibly indefinitely,  to
their higher annual distribution and service fee.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
  AS  A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH THE OTHER
SERIES OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE  EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE),  INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE
MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS  OF SUCH  FUNDS. CLASS A,  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  OF THE SERIES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR  CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES,
RESPECTIVELY, OF THE OTHER SERIES  OF THE FUND OR ANOTHER  FUND ON THE BASIS  OF
THE  RELATIVE NAV. No sales charge will be  imposed at the time of the exchange.
Any applicable CDSC  payable upon  the redemption  of shares  exchanged will  be
calculated from the first day of the month after the initial purchase, excluding
the time shares were held in a money market fund. Class B and Class C shares may
not  be exchanged  into money market  funds other than  Prudential Special Money
Market Fund. For purposes  of calculating the holding  period applicable to  the
Class  B conversion feature,  the time period  during which Class  B shares were
held in a money market fund  will be excluded. See "Conversion Feature--Class  B
Shares"  above. An exchange will be treated as a redemption and purchase for tax
purposes.  See  "Shareholder  Investment  Account--Exchange  Privilege"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  IN  ORDER  TO  EXCHANGE  SHARES BY  TELEPHONE,  YOU  MUST  AUTHORIZE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE  TRANSFER
AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call the Fund
at  (800) 225-1852 to  execute a telephone exchange  of shares, weekdays, except
holidays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time. For  your
protection  and to  prevent fraudulent  exchanges, your  telephone call  will be
recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A
written confirmation of the  exchange transaction will be  sent to you.  NEITHER
THE  FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE  FOR ANY LOSS,  LIABILITY OR COST WHICH
RESULTS FROM ACTING UPON
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
   
INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE  GENUINE UNDER THE FOREGOING  PROCEDURES.
(THE  FUND OR ITS  AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT  TO LIABILITY IF  THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY
REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be made on the basis of the  relative
NAV  of the two funds (or series)  next determined after the request is received
in good order.  The Exchange  Privilege is available  only in  states where  the
exchange may legally be made.
    
 
  IF  YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO  BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You  may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New  Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN  PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OF
SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT  AND SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD MAKE EXCHANGES  BY
MAIL  BY WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND  SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED
ABOVE.
 
   
  SPECIAL EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE. A  special exchange  privilege is  available  for
shareholders  who qualify  to purchase Class  A shares at  NAV (see "Alternative
Purchase Plan--Class A  Shares--Reduction and Waiver  of Initial Sales  Charges"
above).  Under this  exchange privilege,  amounts representing  any Class  B and
Class C shares (which are  not subject to a CDSC)  held in such a  shareholder's
account will be automatically exchanged for Class A shares on a quarterly basis,
unless the shareholder elects otherwise. Eligibility for this exchange privilege
will  be  calculated on  the business  day prior  to the  date of  the exchange.
Amounts representing Class B or Class C  shares which are not subject to a  CDSC
include  the  following: (1)  amounts  representing Class  B  or Class  C shares
acquired pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends and  distributions,
(2)  amounts representing the  increase in the  net asset value  above the total
amount of payments for the purchase of Class B or Class C shares and (3) amounts
representing Class B or Class C  shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period.
Class  B and Class C shareholders must notify the Transfer Agent either directly
or through  Prudential Securities  or Prusec  that they  are eligible  for  this
special exchange privilege.
    
 
   
  The  Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including exchanges
(and market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged  in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse  effect on the  ability of the  Subadviser to manage  the portfolio. The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination to reject  any exchange order  shall be in  the discretion of  the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The  Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, as a shareholder of the Series, you can
take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
  -AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT  OF DIVIDENDS  AND/OR  DISTRIBUTIONS WITHOUT  A  SALES
CHARGE.  For your convenience, all dividends and distributions are automatically
reinvested in full and fractional  shares of the Series  at NAV without a  sales
charge.  You  may direct  the Transfer  Agent in  writing not  less than  5 full
business days  prior to  the record  date to  have subsequent  dividends  and/or
distributions  sent in cash  rather than reinvested. If  you hold shares through
Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial adviser.
 
   
  -AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION PLAN (ASAP).  Under ASAP you may make  regular
purchases  of the Series'  shares in amounts  as little as  $50 via an automatic
debit to a bank  account or Prudential Securities  account (including a  Command
Account).  For additional information  about this service,  you may contact your
Prudential Securities financial adviser,  Prusec representative or the  Transfer
Agent directly.
    
 
  -SYSTEMATIC  WITHDRAWAL  PLAN. A  systematic withdrawal  plan is  available to
shareholders which  provides for  monthly or  quarterly checks.  Withdrawals  of
Class  B and  Class C shares  may be subject  to a  CDSC. See "How  to Sell Your
Shares-- Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
   
  -REPORTS TO  SHAREHOLDERS.  The Fund  will  send you  annual  and  semi-annual
reports.  The financial  statements appearing in  annual reports  are audited by
independent accountants.  In  order to  reduce  duplicate mailing  and  printing
expenses,  the Fund will  provide one annual  and semi-annual shareholder report
and annual prospectus per household. You  may request additional copies of  such
reports  by calling (800) 225-1852  or by writing to  the Fund at Gateway Center
Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102.  In addition, monthly unaudited financial  data
is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
  -SHAREHOLDER  INQUIRIES. Inquiries should be addressed  to the Fund at Gateway
Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey 07102,  or by  telephone, at  (800)  225-1852
(toll-free) or, from outside the U.S.A., at (908) 417-7555 (collect).
    
 
  For  additional information  regarding the  services and  privileges described
above, see  "Shareholder  Investment Account"  in  the Statement  of  Additional
Information.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management  offers a  broad  range  of  mutual funds
designed to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the  investment
options  available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Funds  at
(800)  225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before you
invest or send money.
 
   
              ------------------------
              TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
              ------------------------
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
              ------------------------
              Tax-Exempt Bond Funds
              ------------------------
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Series
  California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
  High Yield Series
  Insured Series
  Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Florida Series
  Hawaii Income Series
  Maryland Series
  Massachusetts Series
  Michigan Series
  New Jersey Series
  New York Series
  North Carolina Series
  Ohio Series
  Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
              ------------------------
              Global Funds
              ------------------------
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Purdential World Fund, Inc.
  Global Series
  International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
              ------------------------
              Equity Funds
              ------------------------
Prudential Allocation Fund
  Balanced Portfolio
  Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
  Prudential Active Balanced Fund
  Prudential Stock Index Fund
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
  Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
  Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
              ------------------------
              Money Market Funds
              ------------------------
- -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Money Market Series
  U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
  Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
- -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Connecticut Money Market Series
  Massachusetts Money Market Series
  New Jersey Money Market Series
  New York Money Market Series
- -COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
- -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
  Institutional Money Market Series
 
                                      A-1
    
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made,  such  other information  or representations  must not  be relied  upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction  to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
FUND HIGHLIGHTS......................................................         2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics...........................         2
FUND EXPENSES........................................................         4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS.................................................         5
HOW THE FUND INVESTS.................................................         8
  Investment Objective and Policies..................................         8
  Other Investments and Policies.....................................        12
  Investment Restrictions............................................        13
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED..............................................        13
  Manager............................................................        13
  Distributor........................................................        14
  Portfolio Transactions.............................................        15
  Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent...............        15
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES.......................................        16
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE..................................        16
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS...................................        17
GENERAL INFORMATION..................................................        19
  Description of Shares..............................................        19
  Additional Information.............................................        20
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE....................................................        20
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund......................................        20
  Alternative Purchase Plan..........................................        21
  How to Sell Your Shares............................................        23
  Conversion Feature--Class B Shares.................................        25
  How to Exchange Your Shares........................................        26
  Shareholder Services...............................................        27
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY....................................       A-1
 
    
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
   
MF165A                                                                   42M042Y
    
 
                                      Class A:  74435M-47-3
                       CUSIP Nos.:    Class B:  74435M-46-5
                                      Class C:  74435M-45-7
 
   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
 
(HAWAII INCOME SERIES)
- --------------------------------------
 
   
                                     [LOGO]
    
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(MASSACHUSETTS SERIES)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential  Municipal  Series  Fund  (the  "Fund")  (Massachusetts  Series) (the
"Series") is  one  of fourteen  series  of an  open-end,  management  investment
company,  or mutual fund. This Series is  diversified and is designed to provide
the maximum amount of income that is exempt from Massachusetts state and federal
income taxes consistent  with the  preservation of capital  and, in  conjunction
therewith,  the  Series may  invest in  debt securities  with the  potential for
capital gain. The net  assets of the Series  are invested in obligations  within
the four highest ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group  or another  nationally recognized  statistical rating  organization or in
unrated obligations which, in the opinion of the Fund's investment adviser,  are
of  comparable quality. Subject to the  limitations described herein, the Series
may utilize  derivatives, including  buying and  selling futures  contracts  and
options  thereon for the purpose of  hedging its portfolio securities. There can
be no assurance that the Series' investment objective will be achieved. See "How
the Fund  Invests--Investment Objective  and Policies."  The Fund's  address  is
Gateway  Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey 07102,  and its  telephone number is
(800) 225-1852.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets  forth concisely  the information  about the  Fund and  the
Massachusetts  Series that a prospective  investor should know before investing.
Additional information about  the Fund has  been filed with  the Securities  and
Exchange  Commission in a Statement of  Additional Information dated November 1,
1996,  which  information  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  (is  legally
considered  a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available without  charge upon
request to the Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The  following summary is intended  to highlight certain information contained
in this  Prospectus  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools  the resources of  investors by selling  its shares to  the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an  open-end,
  management  investment  company. Only  the  Massachusetts Series  is offered
  through this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The Series' investment  objective is  to maximize current  income that  is
  exempt from Massachusetts state and federal income taxes consistent with the
  preservation  of capital.  It seeks to  achieve this  objective by investing
  primarily in Massachusetts state, municipal and local government obligations
  and obligations  of other  qualifying issuers,  such as  issuers located  in
  Puerto  Rico, the Virgin Islands  and Guam, which pay  income exempt, in the
  opinion of  counsel,  from  Massachusetts state  and  federal  income  taxes
  (Massachusetts  Obligations).  There can  be no  assurance that  the Series'
  investment objective will be achieved. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment
  Objective and Policies" at page 8.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
   
    In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest  at
  least  80% of  the value of  its total assets  in Massachusetts Obligations.
  This degree  of  investment  concentration  makes  the  Series  particularly
  susceptible   to  factors  adversely   affecting  issuers  of  Massachusetts
  Obligations.  See   "How   the  Fund   Invests--Investment   Objective   and
  Policies--Special  Considerations" at page  12. To hedge  against changes in
  interest rates,  the Series  may also  purchase put  options and  engage  in
  transactions  involving derivatives,  including financial  futures contracts
  and options thereon. See  "How the Fund  Invests-- Investment Objective  and
  Policies--Futures Contracts and Options Thereon" at page 11.
    
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential  Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the Manager
  of the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50  of
  1%  of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996, PMF
  served as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including  38
  mutual  funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion. The
  Prudential  Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)   furnishes
  investment  advisory services in connection with  the management of the Fund
  under a  Subadvisory Agreement  with PMF.  See "How  the Fund  is  Managed--
  Manager" at page 13.
    
 
   
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
    
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI), a major
  securities  underwriter and securities  and commodities broker,  acts as the
  Distributor of the Series' Class A, Class B and Class C shares and is paid a
  distribution and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class A  shares  which  is
  currently being charged at the annual rate of .10 of 1% of the average daily
  net  assets of the Class A shares and is paid a distribution and service fee
  with respect to  Class B  shares at  the annual  rate of  .50 of  1% of  the
  average  daily  net assets  of  the Class  B shares  and  is paid  an annual
  distribution and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class C  shares  which  is
  currently  being charged at the  rate of .75 of 1%  of the average daily net
  assets of the Class C shares.
    
 
    See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 14.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
    The minimum initial investment  for Class A and  Class B shares is  $1,000
  per  class and $5,000 for Class  C shares. The minimum subsequent investment
  is $100  for Class  A, Class  B  and Class  C shares.  There is  no  minimum
  investment  requirement for  certain employee  savings plans.  For purchases
  made through the  Automatic Savings Accumulation  Plan, the minimum  initial
  and  subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares
  of the Fund"  at page  21 and "Shareholder  Guide--Shareholder Services"  at
  page 29.
    
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities  Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through its
  transfer agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the  Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities plus a
  sales  charge which may be imposed either (i) at the time of purchase (Class
  A shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis (Class B or Class C shares). See  "How
  the  Fund Values its Shares"  at page 17 and  "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy
  Shares of the Fund" at page 21.
    
 
  WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
    The Series offers three classes of shares:
 
       - Class A Shares:  Sold with an initial sales  charge of up to  3%
                          of the offering price.
 
       - Class B Shares:  Sold  without an  initial sales  charge but are
                          subject to a  contingent deferred sales  charge
                          or  CDSC (declining from 5%  to zero of the lower
                          of  the   amount  invested   or  the   redemption
                          proceeds)   which  will  be  imposed  on  certain
                          redemptions made  within six  years of  purchase.
                          Although  Class  B shares  are subject  to higher
                          ongoing distribution-related expenses than  Class
                          A  shares,  Class  B  shares  will  automatically
                          convert to Class A  shares (which are subject  to
                          lower   ongoing   distribution-related  expenses)
                          approximately seven years after purchase.
 
       - Class C Shares:  Sold without an initial  sales charge and,  for
                          one  year after  purchase, are subject  to a 1%
                          CDSC on redemptions. Like Class B shares, Class C
                          shares   are    subject   to    higher    ongoing
                          distribution-related expenses than Class A shares
                          but do not convert to another class.
 
    See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 22.
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
    You  may redeem your shares  at any time at  the NAV next determined after
  Prudential Securities  or  the  Transfer Agent  receives  your  sell  order.
  However,  the proceeds of redemptions  of Class B and  Class C shares may be
  subject to a CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at  page
  24.
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
   
    The  Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of net
  investment income, if any, and make  distributions of any net capital  gains
  at  least  annually.  Dividends  and  distributions  will  be  automatically
  reinvested in additional shares of the Series at NAV without a sales  charge
  unless  you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes, Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 18.
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                             (Massachusetts Series)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES+          CLASS A SHARES              CLASS B SHARES                CLASS C SHARES
                                        ---------------------     -------------------------     -------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                       <C>                           <C>
  Maximum Sales Load Imposed on
   Purchases (as a percentage of
   offering price).................              3%                         None                          None
  Maximum Deferred Sales Load (as a
   percentage of original purchase
   price or redemption proceeds,
   whichever is lower).............             None              5% during the first year,     1% on redemptions made
                                                                  decreasing by 1% annually     within one year of
                                                                  to 1%  in the  fifth  and     purchase
                                                                  sixth  years  and  0% the
                                                                  seventh year*
  Maximum Sales Load Imposed on
   Reinvested Dividends............             None                        None                          None
  Redemption Fees..................             None                        None                          None
  Exchange Fee.....................             None                        None                          None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING
  EXPENSES**
(as a percentage of average
net assets)                         CLASS A SHARES         CLASS B SHARES         CLASS C SHARES
                                   -----------------      -----------------      -----------------
<S>                                <C>                    <C>                    <C>
    Management Fees (Before
     Waiver)..................              .50%                   .50%                   .50%
    12b-1 Fees (After
     Reduction)...............              .10++                  .50                    .75++
    Other Expenses............              .51                    .51                    .51
                                            ---                    ---                    ---
    Total Fund Operating
     Expenses (Before Waiver
     and After Reduction).....             1.11%                  1.51%                  1.76%
                                            ---                    ---                    ---
                                            ---                    ---                    ---
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1          3           5             10
EXAMPLE                                              YEAR       YEARS       YEARS         YEARS
                                                    -------    --------    --------      --------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and
 (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
    Class A......................................     $41         $64         $89          $161
    Class B......................................     $65         $78         $92          $164
    Class C......................................     $28         $55         $95          $207
You would pay the following expenses on the same
 investment, assuming no redemption:
    Class A......................................     $41         $64         $89          $161
    Class B......................................     $15         $48         $82          $164
    Class C......................................     $18         $55         $95          $207
</TABLE>
    
 
   
   The above examples are based on restated data for the Series' fiscal  year
   ended   August  31,  1996.  THE  EXAMPLES   SHOULD  NOT  BE  CONSIDERED  A
   REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE  GREATER
   OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
   The  purpose of  this table  is to  assist investors  in understanding the
   various costs  and expenses  that an  investor in  the Series  will  bear,
   whether  directly  or indirectly.  For more  complete descriptions  of the
   various costs  and  expenses,  see  "How  the  Fund  is  Managed."  "Other
   Expenses" includes operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees' and
   professional fees, registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer
   agency and custodian fees.
   ---------------------
 
    * Class   B  shares  will   automatically  convert  to   Class  A  shares
      approximately   seven   years   after   purchase.   See    "Shareholder
      Guide--Conversion Feature--Class B Shares."
 
   
   ** Based  on expenses  incurred during  the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
      1996, without taking  into account  the management fee  waiver. At  the
      current level of management fee waiver (.05 of 1%), Management Fees and
      Total Fund Operating Expenses would be .45% and 1.06%, respectively, of
      the  average net assets of the Series'  Class A shares, .45% and 1.46%,
      respectively, of the average net assets  of the Series' Class B  shares
      and  .45% and  1.71%, respectively,  of the  average net  assets of the
      Series' Class  C shares.  See "How  the Fund  is  Managed--Manager--Fee
      Waivers."
    
 
    + Pursuant  to rules of  the National Association  of Securities Dealers,
      Inc., the aggregate initial sales  charges, deferred sales charges  and
      asset-based  sales charges on shares of the Series may not exceed 6.25%
      of total  gross  sales,  subject  to  certain  exclusions.  This  6.25%
      limitation  is imposed on each class of the Series rather than on a per
      shareholder basis. Therefore, long-term shareholders of the Series  may
      pay  more in total sales charges  than the economic equivalent of 6.25%
      of such shareholders' investment in such  shares. See "How the Fund  is
      Managed-- Distributor."
 
   
   ++ Although the Class A and Class C Distribution and Service Plans provide
      that  the Fund may pay a distribution fee of up to .30 of 1% and 1% per
      annum of  the average  daily net  assets of  the Class  A and  Class  C
      shares,   respectively,  the  Distributor  has   agreed  to  limit  its
      distribution fees with respect to the Class A and Class C shares of the
      Series to no more than .10 of 1% and .75 of 1% of the average daily net
      asset value of the Class A shares and Class C shares, respectively, for
      the fiscal year ending August  31, 1997. Total Fund Operating  Expenses
      (Before  Waiver)  of  the  Class  A and  Class  C  shares  without such
      limitations would be 1.31% and  2.01%, respectively. See "How the  Fund
      is Managed--Distributor."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class A Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August  31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP, independent
accountants, whose report  thereon was unqualified.  This information should  be
read  in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto, which
appear in  the  Statement of  Additional  Information. The  following  financial
highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  A share  of beneficial interest
outstanding, total return, ratios to  average net assets and other  supplemental
data  for the periods indicated. This information  is based on data contained in
the financial statements.  Further performance information  is contained in  the
annual  report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        CLASS A
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     JANUARY 22,
                                                               YEAR ENDED                             1990 (A)
                                                               AUGUST 31,                              THROUGH
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------   AUGUST 31,
                                        1996         1995         1994     1993     1992     1991       1990
                                       -------      -------      ------   ------   ------   ------   -----------
  PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
  <S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
  Net asset value, beginning of
   period............................  $ 11.63      $ 11.37      $12.17   $11.50   $10.94   $10.44   $ 10.70
                                       -------      -------      ------   ------   ------   ------   -----------
  INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
  Net investment income..............      .59(d)       .65(d)      .67      .68      .69      .70       .41
  Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on
   investment transactions...........     (.02)         .26        (.73)     .67      .56      .50      (.26)
                                       -------      -------      ------   ------   ------   ------   -----------
    Total from investment
     operations......................      .57          .91        (.06)    1.35     1.25     1.20       .15
                                       -------      -------      ------   ------   ------   ------   -----------
  LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
  Dividends from net investment
   income............................     (.59)        (.65)       (.67)    (.68)    (.69)    (.70)     (.41)
  Distributions from net realized
   gains.............................     (.07)          --        (.07)      --       --       --        --
                                       -------      -------      ------   ------   ------   ------   -----------
    Total distributions..............     (.66)        (.65)       (.74)    (.68)    (.69)    (.70)     (.41)
                                       -------      -------      ------   ------   ------   ------   -----------
  Net asset value, end of period.....  $ 11.54      $ 11.63      $11.37   $12.17   $11.50   $10.94   $ 10.44
                                       -------      -------      ------   ------   ------   ------   -----------
                                       -------      -------      ------   ------   ------   ------   -----------
  TOTAL RETURN (C):..................     4.93%        8.33%       (.58)%  12.10%   11.76%   11.81%     1.41%
  RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
  Net assets, end of period (000)....  $28,058      $27,525      $2,293   $2,325   $  903   $  665   $   257
  Average net assets (000)...........  $28,091      $15,837      $2,578   $1,336   $  770   $  344   $   127
  Ratios to average net assets:
    Expenses, including distribution
     fee.............................     1.06%(d)      .97%(d)     .87%     .95%     .99%    1.05%     1.04%(b)
    Expenses, excluding distribution
     fee.............................      .96%(d)      .87%(d)     .77%     .85%     .89%     .95%      .95%(b)
    Net investment income............     5.06%(d)     5.59%(d)    5.60%    5.79%    6.14%    6.53%     6.60%(b)
  Portfolio turnover rate............       18%          36%         33%      56%      32%      34%       33%
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------
 
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class A shares.
 
   (b) Annualized.
 
   (c) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
 
   (d) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class B Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August  31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP, independent
accountants, whose report  thereon was unqualified.  This information should  be
read  in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto, which
appear in  the  Statement of  Additional  Information. The  following  financial
highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  B share  of beneficial interest
outstanding, total return, ratios to  average net assets and other  supplemental
data  for the periods indicated. This information  is based on data contained in
the financial statements.  Further performance information  is contained in  the
annual  report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           CLASS B
                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               1996         1995        1994         1993        1992        1991        1990        1989 (B)
                             --------     --------     -------     --------    --------    --------    --------    -------------
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net asset value,
 beginning of period.....    $  11.62     $  11.36     $ 12.17     $  11.49    $  10.94    $  10.44    $  10.74      $ 10.53
                             --------     --------     -------     --------    --------    --------    --------    -------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income....         .54(d)       .60(d)      .61          .63         .64         .65         .65          .68
Net realized and
 unrealized gain (loss)
 on investment
 transactions............        (.02)         .26        (.74)         .68         .55         .50        (.30)         .21
                             --------     --------     -------     --------    --------    --------    --------    -------------
  Total from investment
   operations............         .52          .86        (.13)        1.31        1.19        1.15         .35          .89
                             --------     --------     -------     --------    --------    --------    --------    -------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net
 investment income.......        (.54)        (.60)       (.61)        (.63)       (.64)       (.65)       (.65)        (.68)
Distributions from net
 realized gains..........        (.07)          --        (.07)          --          --          --          --           --
                             --------     --------     -------     --------    --------    --------    --------    -------------
  Total distributions....        (.61)        (.60)       (.68)        (.63)       (.64)       (.65)       (.65)        (.68)
                             --------     --------     -------     --------    --------    --------    --------    -------------
Net asset value, end of
 period..................    $  11.53     $  11.62     $ 11.36     $  12.17    $  11.49    $  10.94    $  10.44      $ 10.74
                             --------     --------     -------     --------    --------    --------    --------    -------------
                             --------     --------     -------     --------    --------    --------    --------    -------------
TOTAL RETURN (C):........       4.51%         7.90%      (1.15)%      11.77%      11.23%      11.38%       3.40%        8.67%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
 (000)...................    $ 22,758     $ 28,367     $55,420     $ 61,121    $ 53,449    $ 49,641    $ 50,575      $52,754
Average net assets
 (000)...................    $ 25,751     $ 39,455     $59,544     $ 55,965    $ 50,607    $ 49,083    $ 52,974      $49,841
Ratios to average net
 assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee......        1.46%(d)     1.34%(d)    1.27%        1.35%       1.39%       1.45%       1.37%        1.34%
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee......         .96%(d)      .84%(d)     .77%         .85%        .89%        .95%        .90%         .87%
  Net investment
   income................        4.66%(d)     5.37%(d)    5.20%        5.39%       5.74%       6.13%       6.21%        6.24%
Portfolio turnover
 rate....................          18%          36%         33%          56%         32%         34%         33%          23%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                               1988         1987
                             --------     --------
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
<S>                         <C>           <C>
Net asset value,
 beginning of period.....    $  10.58     $  11.47
                             --------     --------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income....         .71(a)       .71(a)
Net realized and
 unrealized gain (loss)
 on investment
 transactions............        (.05)        (.67)
                             --------     --------
  Total from investment
   operations............         .66          .04
                             --------     --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net
 investment income.......        (.71)        (.71)
Distributions from net
 realized gains..........          --         (.22)
                             --------     --------
  Total distributions....        (.71)        (.93)
                             --------     --------
Net asset value, end of
 period..................    $  10.53     $  10.58
                             --------     --------
                             --------     --------
TOTAL RETURN (C):........        6.54%        0.31%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
 (000)...................    $ 45,278     $ 40,655
Average net assets
 (000)...................    $ 41,357     $ 38,462
Ratios to average net
 assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee......        1.22%(a)     1.15%(a)
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee......         .72%(a)      .65%(a)
  Net investment
   income................        6.76%(a)     6.34%(a)
Portfolio turnover
 rate....................          41%         116%
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------
 
   (a) Net of expense subsidy.
 
   (b) On  December  31,  1988,  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management,   Inc.
       succeeded  The Prudential Insurance  Company of America  as manager of
       the Fund.
 
   (c) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
   (d) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class C Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The  following financial highlights  have been audited  by Deloitte & Touche
LLP,  independent  accountants,  whose  report  thereon  was  unqualified.  This
information  should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the
notes thereto,  which appear  in the  Statement of  Additional Information.  The
following  financial highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  C share of
beneficial interest outstanding, total return, ratios to average net assets  and
other  supplemental data for the periods indicated. This information is based on
data contained in the financial  statements. Further performance information  is
contained  in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge. See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            CLASS C
                                                              ------------------------------------
                                                                                        AUGUST 1,
                                                                   YEAR ENDED            1994 (a)
                                                                   AUGUST 31,            THROUGH
                                                              --------------------      AUGUST 31,
                                                               1996         1995           1994
                                                              -------      -------      ----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period........................  $ 11.62      $ 11.36        $ 11.41
                                                                           -------      ----------
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income.......................................      .51(d)       .57(d)         .04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions....................................     (.02)         .26           (.05)
                                                              -------      -------      ----------
    Total from investment operations........................      .49          .83           (.01)
                                                              -------      -------      ----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income........................     (.51)        (.57)          (.04)
Distributions from net realized gains.......................     (.07)          --             --
                                                              -------      -------      ----------
    Total distributions.....................................     (.58)        (.57)          (.04)
                                                              -------      -------      ----------
 
Net asset value, end of period..............................   $11.53       $11.62         $11.36
                                                              -------      -------      ----------
                                                              -------      -------      ----------
TOTAL RETURN (c):...........................................     4.26%        7.60%          (.27)%
 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period...................................  $45,000      $14,000        $   216
Average net assets..........................................  $41,000      $14,000        $    15
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution fee......................     1.72%(d)     1.60%(d)       1.57%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fee......................      .97%(d)      .85%(d)        .82%(b)
  Net investment income.....................................     4.39%(d)     5.07%(d)       5.06%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate.....................................       18%          36%            33%
</TABLE>
    
 
   -----------------------
 
   (a)  Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
 
   (b)  Annualized.
 
   (c)  Total return  does not  consider the  effects of  sales loads.  Total
        return  is calculated assuming a purchase  of shares on the first day
        and a  sale on  the last  day of  each period  reported and  includes
        reinvestment  of  dividends  and  distributions.  Total  returns  for
        periods of less than a full year are not annualized.
 
   (d)  Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL  MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MASSACHUSETTS SERIES (THE  SERIES)
IS  DIVERSIFIED AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE  IS TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME THAT
IS EXEMPT FROM MASSACHUSETTS STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXES CONSISTENT WITH  THE
PRESERVATION  OF CAPITAL AND, IN CONJUNCTION THEREWITH, THE SERIES MAY INVEST IN
DEBT SECURITIES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR CAPITAL GAIN. See "Investment  Objectives
and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE  SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A  FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE  SERIES'
OUTSTANDING  VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE  NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  THE  SERIES WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN  MASSACHUSETTS STATE, MUNICIPAL AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS  AND OBLIGATIONS  OF OTHER  QUALIFYING ISSUERS,  SUCH  AS
ISSUERS  LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO,  THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND  GUAM, WHICH PAY INCOME
EXEMPT, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL,  FROM MASSACHUSETTS STATE AND FEDERAL  INCOME
TAXES  (MASSACHUSETTS OBLIGATIONS).  THERE CAN BE  NO ASSURANCE  THAT THE SERIES
WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
  Interest on  certain  municipal  obligations  may be  a  preference  item  for
purposes  of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest without
limit in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined  in
the  Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item for
purposes of  the federal  alternative  minimum tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends  and
Distributions." Under Massachusetts law, dividends paid by the Series are exempt
from  Massachusetts  personal  income  tax for  resident  individuals  and other
resident noncorporate shareholders to the extent they are derived from  interest
payments on Massachusetts Obligations or from long-term capital gains on certain
Massachusetts  Obligations.  Massachusetts  Obligations  could  include  general
obligation bonds of  the Commonwealth,  counties, cities,  towns, etc.,  revenue
bonds  of  utility  systems,  highways, bridges,  port  and  airport facilities,
colleges, hospitals,  etc., and  industrial  development and  pollution  control
bonds.  The Series will invest in long-term obligations, and the dollar-weighted
average maturity of  the Series'  portfolio will generally  range between  10-20
years.  The Series also may invest  in certain short-term, tax-exempt notes such
as Tax Anticipation Notes, Revenue Anticipation Notes, Bond Anticipation  Notes,
Construction Loan Notes and variable and floating rate demand notes.
 
  Generally,  municipal obligations with longer maturities produce higher yields
and are subject to greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates (market  risk) than  municipal obligations  with shorter  maturities.  The
prices  of municipal  obligations vary  inversely with  interest rates. Interest
rates are currently  much lower  than in  recent years.  If rates  were to  rise
sharply,  the  prices  of bonds  in  the  Series' portfolio  might  be adversely
affected.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES,  INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as  a
specific  percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on Treasury
bonds or bills or the prime rate  at a major commercial bank. The interest  rate
on  floating rate securities changes periodically when  there is a change in the
designated base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a  specified
periodic  adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates and
generally allow the Series to demand  payment of the obligation on short  notice
at  par plus accrued interest, which amount may  be more or less than the amount
the Series  paid for  them.  An inverse  floater is  a  debt instrument  with  a
floating  or variable interest rate that moves  in the opposite direction of the
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
interest rate on  another security  or the  value of  an index.  Changes in  the
interest  rate  on the  other security  or index  inversely affect  the residual
interest rate paid  on the  inverse floater, with  the result  that the  inverse
floater's  price will be  considerably more volatile  than that of  a fixed rate
bond. The market for inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
  THE SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN  MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL  LEASE
OBLIGATION  IS A MUNICIPAL  SECURITY THE INTEREST  ON AND PRINCIPAL  OF WHICH IS
PAYABLE OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES  FINANCED
BY  THE ISSUE. Typically, municipal  lease obligations are issued  by a state or
municipal  financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction   of
facilities  (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or the
acquisition of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state  or
municipality  pursuant to a lease with  a financing authority. Certain municipal
lease obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes of  the Series'  15%  limitation on  illiquid securities  provided  the
investment  adviser determines that there is a readily available market for such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies--Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
  ALL MASSACHUSETTS  OBLIGATIONS PURCHASED  BY THE  SERIES WILL  BE  "INVESTMENT
GRADE" SECURITIES. In other words, all of the Massachusetts Obligations will, at
the  time  of purchase,  be  rated within  the  four highest  quality  grades as
determined by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for
bonds, MIG 1, MIG 2, MIG 3, MIG  4 for notes and Prime-1 for commercial  paper),
Standard  & Poor's  Ratings Group  (S&P) (currently AAA,  AA, A,  BBB for bonds,
SP-1, SP-2  for  notes and  A-1  for  commercial paper)  or  another  nationally
recognized  statistical rating organization (NRSRO) or, if unrated, will possess
creditworthiness, in  the  opinion  of the  investment  adviser,  comparable  to
securities  in  which  the Series  may  invest.  Securities rated  Baa  may have
speculative  characteristics,  and  changes  in  economic  conditions  or  other
circumstances  are more likely to lead to  a weakened capacity to make principal
and interest payments than is the case with higher grade securities.  Subsequent
to  its purchase by the  Series, a municipal obligation  may be assigned a lower
rating or cease to be rated. Such an event would not require the elimination  of
the  issue from the portfolio, but the  investment adviser will consider such an
event in determining whether the Series should continue to hold the security  in
its portfolio. See "Description of Tax-Exempt Security Ratings" in the Statement
of  Additional Information.  The Series  may purchase  Massachusetts Obligations
which, in  the opinion  of the  investment adviser,  offer the  opportunity  for
capital  appreciation. This may occur, for  example, when the investment adviser
believes that the issuer of a particular Massachusetts Obligation might  receive
an upgraded credit standing, thereby increasing the market value of the bonds it
has  issued or  when the investment  adviser believes that  interest rates might
decline. As a general matter, bond prices  and the Series' net asset value  will
vary inversely with interest rate fluctuations.
    
 
  From  time to time, the Series may own the majority of a municipal issue. Such
majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
  UNDER  NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO   INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY  ALL OF THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS IN MASSACHUSETTS OBLIGATIONS. As a
matter of fundamental policy, during normal market conditions the Series' assets
will be  invested so  that  at least  80%  of the  income  will be  exempt  from
Massachusetts  and federal income taxes or the  Series will have at least 80% of
its total assets invested in  Massachusetts Obligations. During abnormal  market
conditions or to provide liquidity, the Series may hold cash or cash equivalents
or  investment grade taxable obligations,  including obligations that are exempt
from federal, but not state, taxation and the Series may invest in tax-free cash
equivalents, such as floating rate demand notes, tax-exempt commercial paper and
general obligation and  revenue notes or  in taxable cash  equivalents, such  as
certificates  of  deposit,  bankers  acceptances  and  time  deposits  or  other
short-term taxable  investments  such as  repurchase  agreements. When,  in  the
opinion  of  the  investment  adviser,  abnormal  market  conditions  require  a
temporary defensive position, the Series may  invest more than 20% of the  value
of  its assets  in debt securities  other than Massachusetts  Obligations or may
invest  its  assets  so  that  more  than  20%  of  the  income  is  subject  to
Massachusetts state or federal income taxes. The Series will treat an investment
in  a municipal bond  refunded with escrowed U.S.  Government securities as U.S.
Government  securities   for   purposes   of  the   Investment   Company   Act's
diversification   requirements   provided  certain   conditions  are   met.  See
"Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the Statement of  Additional
Information.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
  THE  SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO SELL
SECURITIES HELD IN  THE SERIES'  PORTFOLIO AT A  SPECIFIED EXERCISE  PRICE ON  A
SPECIFIED  DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting the
Series from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which  the
put  applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case of
liquidity puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of  the
underlying  security. The aggregate value of  premiums paid to acquire puts held
in the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts) may not exceed 10% of  the
net  asset  value  of  the Series.  The  acquisition  of a  put  may  involve an
additional cost to the Series by payment of a premium for the put, by payment of
a higher purchase price for securities to which the put is attached or through a
lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts  in
that  the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase the
underlying security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under  the
following  circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the underlying
security and such security  is rated within the  four highest quality grades  as
determined  by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than the
issuer of the  underlying security  and such person  has securities  outstanding
which  are rated  within such  four highest  quality grades;  or (3)  the put is
backed by a letter of credit or  similar financial guarantee issued by a  person
having  securities outstanding  which are rated  within the  two highest quality
grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR  "DELAYED
DELIVERY"  BASIS, IN  EACH CASE  WITHOUT LIMIT.  When municipal  obligations are
offered on a when-issued  or delayed delivery basis,  the price and coupon  rate
are  fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the  settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore,  no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser during
such period. In the case of purchases  by the Series, the price that the  Series
is  required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with  the
purpose  of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable for
investment reasons. At the  time the Series makes  the commitment to purchase  a
municipal  obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in  determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as  values of municipal obligations otherwise held  by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with  its
Custodian  in which  it will maintain  cash, U.S.  Government securities, equity
securities or other liquid,  unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily,  equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL FORWARD CONTRACTS. A municipal forward
contract is a municipal security which is purchased on a when-issued basis  with
delivery  taking place up to  five years from the  date of purchase. No interest
will accrue on the security prior  to the delivery date. The investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity, value, credit  quality and delivery of the security
under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY   PURCHASE  SECONDARY  MARKET   INSURANCE  ON   MASSACHUSETTS
OBLIGATIONS  WHICH IT  HOLDS OR  ACQUIRES. Secondary  market insurance  would be
reflected in the  market value  of the  municipal obligation  purchased and  may
enable  the Series to  dispose of a  defaulted obligation at  a price similar to
that of comparable municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance is  not  a  substitute  for  the basic  credit  of  an  issuer,  but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance  coverage for the Massachusetts Obligations held by the Series reduces
credit risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment  of
principal  and interest if  the issuer defaults  on its obligation  to make such
payment, it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price,  I.E.,
the  market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
  THE SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO  PURCHASE AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES,  INCLUDING
FINANCIAL  FUTURES  CONTRACTS (FUTURES  CONTRACTS) AND  OPTIONS THEREON  FOR THE
PURPOSE OF HEDGING ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED
BY CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HEDGING AGAINST INCREASES  IN
THE  COST OF SECURITIES  THE SERIES INTENDS  TO PURCHASE. THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF
FUTURES  CONTRACTS  AND  OPTIONS  THEREON  BY  THE  SERIES  INVOLVES  ADDITIONAL
TRANSACTION  COSTS  AND  IS  SUBJECT  TO  VARIOUS  RISKS  AND  DEPENDS  UPON THE
INVESTMENT ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT  THE DIRECTION OF THE MARKET  (INCLUDING
INTEREST RATES).
 
  A  FUTURES CONTRACT  OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE  CONTRACT TO  DELIVER TO THE
PURCHASER OF  THE CONTRACT  CASH EQUAL  TO A  SPECIFIC DOLLAR  AMOUNT TIMES  THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE  OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF THE  CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH THE
AGREEMENT IS MADE. No  physical delivery of the  underlying securities is  made.
The  Series  will engage  in transactions  in only  those futures  contracts and
options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
  The Series intends  to engage in  futures contracts and  options thereon as  a
hedge  against  changes,  resulting  from market  conditions,  in  the  value of
securities which are held in the  Series' portfolio or which the Series  intends
to  purchase,  in accordance  with the  rules and  regulations of  the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). The Series also intends to engage in such
transactions when they are economically  appropriate for the reduction of  risks
inherent in the ongoing management of the Series.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY NOT PURCHASE OR SELL  FUTURES CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS THEREON IF,
IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER,  (I) THE  SUM OF  INITIAL AND  NET CUMULATIVE  VARIATION
MARGIN ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (II) IN THE CASE
OF  RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL MARGIN
DEPOSITS ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS  THEREON
WOULD  EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There are
no limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and  no
limitations  on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts and
options thereon, except that the  aggregate value of the obligations  underlying
put  options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements for
qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue  Code
may  limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and options
thereon. See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Currently,  futures contracts are  available on several  types of fixed-income
securities, including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S.  Treasury
bills  and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal bond
index, based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40  actively
traded  municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in other
futures  contracts  that  become  available,   from  time  to  time,  in   other
fixed-income  securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
  THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE  MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A  LIQUID
SECONDARY  MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash  payments
of  variation  margin  in  the  event of  adverse  price  movements.  In  such a
situation, if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell  portfolio
securities  to meet daily variation margin requirements  at a time when it might
be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close futures positions also could
have an adverse impact on the ability of the Series to hedge effectively.  There
is  also  a risk  of loss  by  the Series  of margin  deposits  in the  event of
bankruptcy of a broker with  whom the Series has an  open position in a  futures
contract.
 
  THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND  OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES IS
SUBJECT TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions  involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and  movements in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities that
are   the   subject   of   the   hedge.   If   the   price   of   the    futures
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
contract  moves more or less than the price  of the security that is the subject
of the  hedge, the  Series will  experience  a gain  or loss  that will  not  be
completely  offset  by movements  in  the price  of  the security.  The  risk of
imperfect  correlation  is  greater  where  the  securities  underlying  futures
contracts  are taxable securities (rather than municipal securities), are issued
by companies in different market  sectors or have different maturities,  ratings
or geographic mixes than the security being hedged. In addition, the correlation
may  be affected by additions to or deletions from the index which serves as the
basis for a  futures contract. Finally,  if the  price of the  security that  is
subject to the hedge were to move in a favorable direction, the advantage to the
Series would be partially offset by the loss incurred on the futures contract.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE  THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST 80%  OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS
IN MASSACHUSETTS OBLIGATIONS  AND BECAUSE  IT SEEKS TO  MAXIMIZE INCOME  DERIVED
FROM  MASSACHUSETTS  OBLIGATIONS, IT  IS MORE  SUSCEPTIBLE TO  FACTORS ADVERSELY
AFFECTING ISSUERS OF  MASSACHUSETTS OBLIGATIONS THAN  IS A COMPARABLE  MUNICIPAL
BOND  MUTUAL FUND THAT IS  NOT CONCENTRATED IN SUCH  OBLIGATIONS TO THIS DEGREE.
The  most  recent  recession  had  serious  adverse  effects  on  Massachusetts'
financial  operations and led to a  massive accumulated deficit of $1.45 billion
at the close of fiscal 1990. However, since that time, Massachusetts has adopted
more conservative  revenue forecasting  procedures  and has  moderated  spending
growth resulting in the achievement of balanced budgets in both fiscal 1991-1992
and fiscal 1992-1993. On a statutory accounting basis, the Commonwealth reported
that the Budgeted Operating Funds ended fiscal year 1993 with balances of $562.5
million  and ended fiscal year 1994 with balances of $589.3 million. Fiscal year
1995 tax revenue collections totaled $11.163 billion, which exeeded estimates by
$13 million and exceeded fiscal 1994 tax revenues by $556 million. On  September
16,  1996, the Commonwealth released its preliminary financial report for fiscal
year 1996. The Budgeted  Operating Funds of the  Commonwealth ended fiscal  1996
with a surplus of revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses of
$426.4  million  resulting in  aggregate ending  fund  balances in  the Budgeted
Operating Funds of  the Commonwealth of  approximately $1.152 billion.  Budgeted
revenues  and  other  sources  for  fiscal  1996  totaled  approximately $17.323
billion, including tax revenues of approximately $12.049 billion,  approximately
$365  million higher  than the most  recent estimate.  Budgeted expenditures and
other uses in fiscal 1996 totaled approximately $16.896 billion, an increase  of
approximately  $645.7 million,  or 4.0%,  over fiscal  1995. The  largest single
spending increase in  the fiscal 1996  budget is approximately  $232 million  to
continue funding the comprehensive education reform legislation enacted in 1993.
The  Commonwealth estimates  total spending in  fiscal 1997  to be approximately
$17.704 billion,  including $235.5  million  in continuing  appropriations  from
fiscal  1996.  Fiscal  1997 total  revenues  are estimated  to  be approximately
$17.296 billion, including  approximately $12.197 billion  in tax revenues.  The
tax  revenue estimate amounts  to an increase of  approximately $146 million, or
1.2%, over estimated fiscal  1996 tax collections.  Inflexibility dictated by  a
heavy  debt  load  and  other  substantial  fixed  costs,  particularly  pension
contributions and  transit subsidies,  pose significant  obstacles to  continued
progress.  If either  Massachusetts or any  of its local  government entities is
unable to meet its financial obligations, the income derived by the Series,  the
ability  to  preserve or  realize appreciation  of the  Series' capital  and the
Series' liquidity could  be adversely affected.  See "Investment Objectives  and
Policies--Special Considerations Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of  a security agrees to repurchase that  security from the Series at a mutually
agreed-upon time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite  short,
possibly  overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number of
months. The  resale price  is in  excess of  the purchase  price, reflecting  an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully  collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price. The
instruments held  as  collateral  are valued  daily  and  if the  value  of  the
instruments  declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If the
seller
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
defaults and  the value  of  the collateral  securing the  repurchase  agreement
declines,  the  Series may  incur a  loss.  The Series  participates in  a joint
repurchase account with other investment companies managed by Prudential  Mutual
Fund  Management  LLC  pursuant  to  an order  of  the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission (SEC).
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
  The Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value  of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or  emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series may
pledge up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure  these
borrowings.  The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
  The Series does not expect to trade  in securities for short-term gain. It  is
anticipated  that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%. The
portfolio turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales  or
purchases  of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the portfolio
securities, excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase  of
one year or less.
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The  Series  may hold  up  to 15%  of its  net  assets in  illiquid securities
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities  with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale   (restricted
securities)   and  securities  that  are   not  readily  marketable.  Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended  (the Securities  Act), privately placed  commercial paper  and
municipal  lease  obligations  that  have a  readily  available  market  are not
considered illiquid for the purposes of this limitation. The investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity of such  restricted securities under the supervision
of the Trustees. The Series' investment  in Rule 144A securities could have  the
effect  of  increasing illiquidity  to the  extent that  qualified institutional
buyers become,  for  a  limited  time,  uninterested  in  purchasing  Rule  144A
securities.  See "Investment  Objectives and  Policies--Illiquid Securities" and
"Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase
agreements subject to demand are deemed to  have a maturity equal to the  notice
period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The  Series  is subject  to certain  investment  restrictions which,  like its
investment objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental  policies
cannot  be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER, SUBADVISOR AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS  OF
GENERAL  POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY BUSINESS
OPERATIONS OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY  INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
    
 
   
  For  the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,  total expenses of the Series as a
percentage of average  net assets,  net of fee  waivers, were  1.06%, 1.46%  and
1.72%  for the Series'  Class A, Class  B and Class  C shares, respectively. See
"Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC  (PMF OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY  CENTER
THREE,  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR  ITS  SERVICES   AT  AN  ANNUAL   RATE  OF   .50  OF  1%   OF  THE   AVERAGE
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
NET  ASSETS OF THE SERIES.  PMF is organized in New  York as a limited liability
company. It is the successor to  Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.,  which
transferred  its assets  to PMF  in September  1996. For  the fiscal  year ended
August 31, 1996,  the Series  paid PMF  a management  fee of  .45 of  1% of  the
Series'  average  net  assets. See  "Fee  Waivers"  below and  "Manager"  in the
Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  As of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end  investment
companies,  constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager or
administrator to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets  of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER  THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH THE  FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS OF EACH SERIES OF THE  FUND AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S  BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER  A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT
CORPORATION (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY  SERVICES
IN  CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR ITS
REASONABLE COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED  IN PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under  the
Management  Agreement, PMF continues  to have responsibility  for all investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
   
  The current portfolio manager is Marie  Conti, a Vice President of  Prudential
Investments.  Ms. Conti has responsibility for  the day-to-day management of the
portfolio. Ms. Conti has managed the portfolio since April 19, 1995 and has been
employed by PIC as  a portfolio manager since  September 1989 and prior  thereto
was employed in an administrative capacity at PIC since August 1988.
    
 
   
  PMF  and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential),  a major diversified  insurance and financial  services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
  Effective  January 1, 1995, PMF agreed to waive 10% of its management fee. The
Series is  not  required  to  reimburse PMF  for  such  management  fee  waiver.
Thereafter,  PMF may from  time to time agree  to waive all or  a portion of its
management fee  and subsidize  certain  operating expenses  of the  Series.  Fee
waivers  and expense subsidies will increase the Series' yield and total return.
See "Fund Expenses."
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10292, IS A CORPORATION  ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS  OF
THE  STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND
CLASS C SHARES  OF THE  SERIES. It is  an indirect,  wholly-owned subsidiary  of
Prudential.  Prior to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc.
(PMFD), One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as distributor of the
Class A shares of the Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER SEPARATE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS  (THE CLASS A PLAN, THE CLASS  B
PLAN  AND THE CLASS C  PLAN, COLLECTIVELY, THE PLANS)  ADOPTED BY THE FUND UNDER
RULE 12B-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT  (THE
DISTRIBUTION  AGREEMENT),  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES (THE  DISTRIBUTOR)  INCURS THE
EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTING THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE  SERIES.
These  expenses include  commissions and account  servicing fees paid  to, or on
account of, financial advisers of  Prudential Securities and representatives  of
Pruco  Securities Corporation (Prusec), an affiliated broker-dealer, commissions
and account servicing fees  paid to, or on  account of, other broker-dealers  or
financial  institutions  (other than  national  banks) which  have  entered into
agreements with the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing  and
mailing  prospectuses to potential investors and  indirect and overhead costs of
Prudential Securities and Prusec
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
associated  with  the   sale  of  Series   shares,  including  lease,   utility,
communications  and sales promotion  expenses. The State  of Texas requires that
shares of  the Series  may  be sold  in  that state  only  by dealers  or  other
financial institutions which are registered there as broker-dealers.
 
  Under  the Plans, the  Series is obligated to  pay distribution and/or service
fees to  the  Distributor  as  compensation for  its  distribution  and  service
activities,  not  as  reimbursement  for  specific  expenses  incurred.  If  the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Series will
not be obligated to pay any  additional expenses. If the Distributor's  expenses
are  less than such distribution and service  fees, it will retain its full fees
and realize a profit.
 
   
  UNDER THE  CLASS A  PLAN, THE  SERIES MAY  PAY PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES FOR  ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF  UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES OF THE
SERIES. The Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average  daily
net  assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service and/or
the  maintenance  of   shareholder  accounts  (service   fee)  and  (ii)   total
distribution fees (including the service fee of .25 of 1%) may not exceed .30 of
1%  of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. Prudential Securities
has agreed to limit its distribution-related fees payable under the Class A Plan
to .10 of  1% of the  average daily  net assets of  the Class A  shares for  the
fiscal year ending August 31, 1997.
    
 
   
  UNDER  THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE SERIES MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
FOR ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  ACTIVITIES WITH  RESPECT TO  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF UP  TO .50 OF 1% AND UP  TO 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY
NET ASSETS OF THE  CLASS B AND  CLASS C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.  The Class B  Plan
provides  for the payment  to Prudential Securities of  (i) an asset-based sales
charge of up to .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares,
and (ii) a service fee of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the
Class B shares; provided that the total distribution-related fee does not exceed
 .50 of 1%. The Class C Plan provides for the payment to Prudential Securities of
(i) an asset-based  sales charge of  up to .75  of 1% of  the average daily  net
assets  of the Class C shares, and (ii) a service  fee of up to .25 of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class C  shares. The service fee is used to  pay
for  personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Prudential
Securities has agreed to limit  its distribution-related fees payable under  the
Class  C Plan to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares
for the fiscal year ending August 31, 1997. Prudential Securities also  receives
contingent  deferred  sales  charges from  certain  redeeming  shareholders. See
"Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
    
 
   
  For the  fiscal year  ended  August 31,  1996,  the Series  paid  distribution
expenses  of .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and  .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets
of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. The Series records all
payments made under the Plans as  expenses in the calculation of net  investment
income. See "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  Distribution  expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of the Series  will be allocated  to each class based  upon the ratio  of
sales of each class to the sales of all shares of the Series other than expenses
allocable  to a particular class.  The distribution fee and  sales charge of one
class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.
    
 
  Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that a  majority of  the  Trustees of  the Fund,  including  a majority  of  the
Trustees  who  are not  "interested  persons" of  the  Fund (as  defined  in the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or any  agreement related to the Plan (the Rule  12b-1
Trustees),  vote annually to continue the Plan. Each Plan may be terminated with
respect to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule  12b-1
Trustees  or of a majority of the  outstanding shares of the applicable class of
the Series. The  Series will not  be obligated to  pay distribution and  service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
  In  addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under the
Class A, Class B and Class C Plans,  the Manager (or one of its affiliates)  may
make  payments  out  of  its  own  resources  to  dealers  (including Prudential
Securities) and other persons who distribute shares of the Series. Such payments
may be calculated by  reference to the  net asset value of  shares sold by  such
persons or otherwise.
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
  The  Distributor  is  subject to  the  rules  of the  National  Association of
Securities Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges.  See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  On  October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner  who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD to
resolve allegations  that  from  1980  through 1990  PSI  sold  certain  limited
partnership  interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom such
securities were not  suitable and misrepresented  the safety, potential  returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted  against it, PSI consented to the  entry of an SEC Administrative Order
which stated that PSI's conduct  violated the federal securities laws,  directed
PSI  to cease and desist  from violating the federal  securities laws, pay civil
penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000 civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount  of
$330,000,000  and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for compensatory
damages by purchasers of  the partnership interests. PSI  has agreed to  provide
additional  funds, if necessary,  for the purpose of  the settlement fund. PSI's
settlement with the state securities regulators  included an agreement to pay  a
penalty  of $500,000  per jurisdiction.  PSI consented to  a censure  and to the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United  States
Magistrate  for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI committed
fraud in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests  in
violation  of federal securities laws. An  agreement was simultaneously filed to
defer prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the  signing
of  the agreement, provided that  PSI complies with the  terms of the agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the agreement, no prosecution  will be instituted by  the United States for  the
offenses  charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course of
the three  year  period, PSI  violates  the terms  of  the agreement,  the  U.S.
Attorney  can  then  elect to  pursue  these  charges. Under  the  terms  of the
agreement, PSI agreed,  among other  things, to pay  an additional  $330,000,000
into  the  fund established  by  the SEC  to  pay restitution  to  investors who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For  more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,   see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The  Fund is  not affected  by PSI's  financial condition  and is  an entirely
separate legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein  and
the  Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company, an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prudential Securities may act as a  broker or futures commission merchant  for
the  Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives
are fair  and reasonable.  See  "Portfolio Transactions  and Brokerage"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State  Street  Bank  and  Trust Company,  One  Heritage  Drive,  North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves  as Custodian  for the portfolio  securities of  the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.  (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison,  New
Jersey  08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain  books and records for  the Fund. PMFS is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING  ITS
LIABILITIES  FROM THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  AND DIVIDING  THE REMAINDER  BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS  CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS.  THE
TRUSTEES  HAVE FIXED  THE SPECIFIC TIME  OF DAY  FOR THE COMPUTATION  OF THE NET
ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:15 P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
 
  Portfolio securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not  readily
available,   at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under  procedures
established by  the Trustees.  Securities may  also be  valued based  on  values
provided  by  a pricing  service.  See "Net  Asset  Value" in  the  Statement of
Additional Information.
 
  The Series will compute  its NAV once  daily on days that  the New York  Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or  redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes in
the value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the  NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents'  Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
   
  Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical,
the different expenses borne by each  class will result in different  dividends.
As  long as the Series declares dividends daily, the NAV of the Class A, Class B
and Class C shares will generally be the same. It is expected, however, that the
Series' dividends will differ  by approximately the  amount of any  distribution
and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  FROM  TIME TO TIME THE FUND MAY  ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD"
AND "TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING  "AVERAGE ANNUAL"  TOTAL RETURN  AND  "AGGREGATE"
TOTAL RETURN) OF THE SERIES IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. "YIELD," "TAX
EQUIVALENT  YIELD" AND  "TOTAL RETURN"  ARE CALCULATED  SEPARATELY FOR  CLASS A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES. THESE  FIGURES ARE BASED ON HISTORICAL EARNINGS  AND
ARE  NOT  INTENDED TO  INDICATE FUTURE  PERFORMANCE. The  "yield" refers  to the
income generated  by an  investment in  the Series  over a  one-month or  30-day
period.  This  income  is  then  "annualized;" that  is,  the  amount  of income
generated by the investment during that 30-day period is assumed to be generated
each 30-day  period for  twelve periods  and is  shown as  a percentage  of  the
investment. The income earned on the investment is also assumed to be reinvested
at  the end of the sixth 30-day period. The "tax equivalent yield" is calculated
similarly to the  "yield," except  that the yield  is increased  using a  stated
income  tax  rate  to demonstrate  the  taxable  yield necessary  to  produce an
after-tax yield equivalent to the Series.  The "total return" shows how much  an
investment  in  the Series  would have  increased  (decreased) over  a specified
period of time (I.E., one, five or  ten years or since inception of the  Series)
assuming  that all distributions and dividends  by the Series were reinvested on
the reinvestment  dates during  the  period and  less  all recurring  fees.  The
"aggregate"  total return  reflects actual performance  over a  stated period of
time. "Average annual" total  return is a hypothetical  rate of return that,  if
achieved  annually,  would  have produced  the  same aggregate  total  return if
performance had been  constant over  the entire period.  "Average annual"  total
return  smooths  out  variations  in  performance  and  takes  into  account any
applicable initial  or  contingent  deferred  sales  charges.  Neither  "average
annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return takes into account any federal
or  state income taxes which  may be payable upon  redemption. The Fund also may
include comparative  performance information  in  advertising or  marketing  the
shares  of the Series. Such performance information may include data from Lipper
Analytical  Services,  Inc.,  Morningstar  Publications,  Inc.,  other  industry
publications, business periodicals and market indices. See
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
   
"Performance  Information" in  the Statement of  Additional Information. Further
performance information  is  contained in  the  Series' annual  and  semi-annual
reports  to shareholders, which may be obtained without charge. See "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE SERIES  HAS  ELECTED TO  QUALIFY  AND INTENDS  TO  REMAIN QUALIFIED  AS  A
REGULATED  INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY, THE
SERIES WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT  INCOME
AND  CAPITAL GAINS,  IF ANY,  THAT IT  DISTRIBUTES TO  ITS SHAREHOLDERS.  TO THE
EXTENT NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND  CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To  the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn taxable
investment  income.  Also,  to  the   extent  the  Series  engages  in   hedging
transactions  in  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon,  it  may  earn both
short-term and long-term capital gain or loss. Under the Internal Revenue  Code,
special  rules apply to  the treatment of certain  options and futures contracts
(Section 1256 contracts). At the end of each year, such investments held by  the
Series  will  be  required to  be  "marked  to market"  for  federal  income tax
purposes; that is, treated as having been sold at market value. Sixty percent of
any gain or loss recognized on  these "deemed sales" and on actual  dispositions
will  be treated as  long-term capital gain  or loss, and  the remainder will be
treated  as  short-term  capital  gain  or  loss.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of securities generally will
be  treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of certain
securities (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary  income
to  the  extent  of any  "market  discount."  Market discount  generally  is the
difference, if any, between the  price paid by the  Series for the security  and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original  issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The market
discount rule does not apply to any security that was acquired by the Series  at
its  original issue. See "Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In general, the  character of  tax-exempt interest distributed  by the  Series
will  flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that 50%
or more of the  value of its assets  at the end of  each quarter of its  taxable
year  is invested  in state,  municipal and  other obligations,  the interest on
which is excluded  from gross  income for  federal income  tax purposes.  During
normal  market conditions,  at least  80% of  the Series'  total assets  will be
invested in such  obligations. See "How  the Fund Invests--Investment  Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any   dividends  out   of  net   taxable  investment   income,  together  with
distributions of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net  short-term
capital  gains over net  long-term capital losses)  distributed to shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over  net
short-term  capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable as
long-term capital  gains to  the  shareholders, whether  or not  reinvested  and
regardless  of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares. The
maximum long-term  capital  gains  rate  for individuals  is  28%.  The  maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders is currently the same as
the maximum tax rate for ordinary income.
 
  Any  gain or  loss realized upon  a sale or  redemption of Series  shares by a
shareholder who  is not  a dealer  in securities  will be  treated as  long-term
capital  gain  or loss  if the  shares have  been  held more  than one  year and
otherwise as short-term capital gain
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
or loss. Any such loss  with respect to shares that  are held for six months  or
less,  however, will be treated  as long-term capital loss  to the extent of any
capital gain  distributions  received  by  the  shareholder.  In  addition,  any
short-term  capital  loss will  be disallowed  to the  extent of  any tax-exempt
dividends received by the shareholder on shares that are held for six months  or
less.
    
 
   
  The  Fund has obtained opinions of counsel  to the effect that neither (i) the
conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares nor (ii) the exchange of  Class
B  or Class C shares for Class A  shares constitutes a taxable event for federal
income tax purposes.  However, such  opinions are  not binding  on the  Internal
Revenue Service.
    
 
  CERTAIN  INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE  MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS A
RESULT OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN  THE FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from  certain
municipal  obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after August
7, 1986)  will be  treated as  an item  of tax  preference for  purposes of  the
alternative  minimum tax.  The Fund  anticipates that,  under regulations  to be
promulgated, items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be  attributed
to  the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could be
allocated to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's  individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could  result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum tax.
Similarly, the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for  items
of  tax  preference attributed  to  it. The  Series  is permitted  to  invest in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
  Corporate shareholders in the Series also  will have to take into account  the
adjustment  for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes. Corporate
shareholders should  consult  with  their  tax advisers  with  respect  to  this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under  Massachusetts  law,  dividends  paid  by  the  Series  are  exempt from
Massachusetts  personal  income  tax  for  individuals  and  other  noncorporate
shareholders resident in Massachusetts to the extent such dividends are excluded
from  gross income for federal income tax purposes and are derived from interest
payments on Massachusetts Obligations or are capital gain dividends for  federal
income  tax purposes  and are  derived from  long-term capital  gains on certain
Massachusetts Obligations.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and  remit
to  the  U.S. Treasury  31%  of redemption  proceeds  on the  accounts  of those
shareholders who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS  Form
W-9  (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with the
required certifications  regarding the  shareholder's status  under the  federal
income  tax  law. Such  withholding is  also required  on taxable  dividends and
capital gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably  expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders  are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions as  to federal,  state  or local  taxes.  See "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  THE  SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME,  IF ANY,  AND MAKE  DISTRIBUTIONS AT  LEAST ANNUALLY  OF  ANY
CAPITAL  GAINS IN EXCESS OF CAPITAL LOSSES. For federal income tax purposes, the
Series has a capital  loss carryforward as of  August 31, 1995 of  approximately
$10,600,  which expires in  2003. Accordingly, no  capital gains distribution is
expected to be paid to shareholders until future net gains have been realized in
excess of such carryforward. Dividends paid  by the Series with respect to  each
class of shares, to the extent any dividends are paid, will be calculated in the
same  manner, at the same time,  on the same day and  will be in the same amount
except that  each  class  will  bear its  own  distribution  charges,  generally
resulting  in lower dividends for  Class B and Class  C shares. Distributions of
net capital gains, if  any, will be paid  in the same amount  for each class  of
shares. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE SERIES
BASED ON THE  NAV OF EACH  CLASS OF THE  SERIES ON THE  PAYMENT DATE AND  RECORD
DATE, RESPECTIVELY, OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE
SHAREHOLDER  ELECTS IN  WRITING NOT  LESS THAN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO THE
RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such  election
should be submitted to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
Maintenance,  P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick,  New Jersey 08906-5015. If you hold
shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial  adviser
to  elect to receive dividends  and distributions in cash.  The Fund will notify
each shareholder after the close of the  Fund's taxable year of both the  dollar
amount  and the taxable status  of that year's dividends  and distributions on a
per share basis.
 
  Any taxable dividends or distributions of  capital gains paid shortly after  a
purchase by an investor will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value  of the  investor's shares  by the  per share  amount of  the dividends or
distributions. Such dividends or distributions,  although in effect a return  of
invested  principal, are subject to federal  income taxes. Accordingly, prior to
purchasing shares  of the  Series,  an investor  should carefully  consider  the
impact  of taxable dividends and capital  gains distributions which are expected
to be or have been announced.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its  Trustees.
The  Declaration of Trust permits  the Trustees to issue  an unlimited number of
full and  fractional shares  in  separate series,  currently designated  as  the
Connecticut  Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series, Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series,  New  Jersey Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York Income
Series (not presently  being offered), New  York Series, New  York Money  Market
Series,  North Carolina Series, Ohio Series  and Pennsylvania Series. The Series
is authorized  to  issue an  unlimited  number  of shares,  divided  into  three
classes,  designated  Class  A,  Class  B and  Class  C.  Each  class  of shares
represents an interest in the same assets of the Series, and is identical in all
respects except that (i)  each class is subject  to different sales charges  and
distribution  and/or service fees, which may affect performance, (ii) each class
has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates
solely to its arrangement and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted
to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of
any other class, (iii)  each class has a  different exchange privilege and  (iv)
only   Class  B  shares  have  a  conversion  feature.  See  "How  the  Fund  is
Managed--Distributor." In accordance with the  Fund's Declaration of Trust,  the
Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series and classes within such
series,  with such preferences, privileges,  limitations and voting and dividend
rights as the Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable,  fully
transferable  and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are also
redeemable at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as  described
under  "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class of
the Series is  equal as  to earnings, assets  and voting  privileges, except  as
noted  above, and each class  bears the expenses related  to the distribution of
its shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to the Class B  shares,
there  are no conversion, preemptive or  other subscription rights. In the event
of liquidation, each share of beneficial interest of each series is entitled  to
its  portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the Fund
have been  paid.  Since  Class  B  and Class  C  shares  generally  bear  higher
distribution   expenses  than  Class  A  shares,  the  liquidation  proceeds  to
shareholders  of  those  classes  are  likely  to  be  lower  than  to  Class  A
shareholders.  The Fund's  shares do not  have cumulative voting  rights for the
election of Trustees.
 
  THE FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS
OTHERWISE  REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS OF
SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO  BE
ACTED  UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS HAVE
CERTAIN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF  THE
FUND'S  OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
  The Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make  the
Fund  similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation. The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts   business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.  Under
Massachusetts  law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under   certain
circumstances,  be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
fund, which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of  the
Fund  provides that shareholders shall not  be subject to any personal liability
for the  acts or  obligations of  the Fund  and that  every written  obligation,
contract,  instrument or undertaking made by  the Fund shall contain a provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which  has
been  incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under  the
Securities  Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at
a reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at  the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
   
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY  FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH ITS  TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUND
SERVICES, INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT  SERVICES,
P.O.  BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY 08906-5020. The purchase price is the
NAV next  determined following  receipt of  an order  by the  Transfer Agent  or
Prudential  Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, may be imposed
either (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred  basis
(Class  B or Class  C shares). See  "Alternative Purchase Plan"  below. See also
"How the Fund Values its Shares."
    
 
  An investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt  or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
 
   
  The  minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000 per
class and $5,000 for Class C  shares. The minimum subsequent investment is  $100
for  all classes.  All minimum  investment requirements  are waived  for certain
employee savings  plans.  For  purchases  made  through  the  Automatic  Savings
Accumulation  Plan, the  minimum initial and  subsequent investment  is $50. See
"Shareholder Services" below.
    
 
   
  Application forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or  Prusec.
If  a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
    
 
  The Fund  reserves  the right  to  reject  any purchase  order  (including  an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your  dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund. The
Distributor reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which  payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions  in shares of the  Series may be subject  to postage and handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an  account
number.  The following  information will be  requested: your  name, address, tax
identification number, class  election, dividend  distribution election,  amount
being  wired and wiring bank.  Instructions should then be  given by you to your
bank to transfer funds  by wire to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company  (State
Street),  Boston,  Massachusetts,  Custody  and  Shareholder  Services Division,
Attention: Prudential Municipal Series Fund, specifying on the wire the  account
number  assigned  by  PMFS  and  your  name  and  identifying  the  sales charge
alternative (Class A, Class B or Class C shares) and the name of the Series.
 
  If you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to  the
calculation  of  NAV (4:15  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you may
purchase shares of  the Series  as of  that day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  In  making a subsequent purchase  order by wire, you  should wire State Street
directly and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal  Series
Fund,  the name of the Series, Class A, Class  B or Class C shares and your name
and individual  account  number.  It is  not  necessary  to call  PMFS  to  make
subsequent purchase orders utilizing Federal Funds. The minimum amount which may
be invested by wire is $1,000.
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
  THE  SERIES OFFERS THROUGH  THIS PROSPECTUS THREE CLASSES  OF SHARES (CLASS A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST BENEFICIAL SALES
CHARGE STRUCTURE  FOR YOUR  INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES,  GIVEN THE  AMOUNT OF  THE
PURCHASE,  THE LENGTH OF TIME  YOU EXPECT TO HOLD  THE SHARES AND OTHER RELEVANT
CIRCUMSTANCES (ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      ANNUAL 12b-1 FEES
                                                     (AS A % OF AVERAGE
                                                            DAILY
                        SALES CHARGE                     NET ASSETS)                  OTHER INFORMATION
           --------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                     <C>                      <C>
CLASS A    Maximum initial sales charge of 3% of   .30 of 1% (currently     Initial sales charge waived or reduced
           the public offering price               being charged at a rate  for certain purchases
                                                   of .10 of 1%)
CLASS B    Maximum contingent deferred sales       .50 of 1%                Shares convert to Class A shares
           charge or CDSC of 5% of the lesser of                            approximately seven years after
           the amount invested or the redemption                            purchase
           proceeds; declines to zero after six
           years
CLASS C    Maximum CDSC of 1% of the lesser of     1% (currently being      Shares do not convert to another class
           the amount invested or the redemption   charged at a rate of
           proceeds on redemptions made within     .75 of 1%)
           one year of purchase
</TABLE>
 
   
  The three classes  of shares represent  an interest in  the same portfolio  of
investments  of the Series and have the  same rights, except that (i) each class
bears the separate  expenses of its  Rule 12b-1 distribution  and service  plan,
(ii)  each  class  has  exclusive  voting  rights  on  any  matter  submitted to
shareholders that  relates solely  to its  arrangement and  has separate  voting
rights  on any matter  submitted to shareholders  in which the  interests of one
class differ from  the interests  of any  other class,  and (iii)  only Class  B
shares  have a conversion feature. The three classes also have separate exchange
privileges. See "How to Exchange Your Shares" below. The income attributable  to
each class and the dividends payable on the shares of each class will be reduced
by  the amount of the distribution fee of each class. Class B and Class C shares
bear the expenses of a higher  distribution fee which will generally cause  them
to  have  higher expense  ratios and  to pay  lower dividends  than the  Class A
shares.
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
  Financial advisers and other sales agents  who sell shares of the Series  will
receive  different compensation for selling Class A,  Class B and Class C shares
and will generally receive more compensation  initially for selling Class A  and
Class B shares than for selling Class C shares.
 
  IN  SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
(1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the amount of any
applicable sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase or  redemption)
and  distribution-related fees, as noted above,  (3) whether you qualify for any
reduction or waiver  of any applicable  sales charge, (4)  the various  exchange
privileges  among the  different classes  of shares  (see "How  to Exchange Your
Shares" below) and  (5) the fact  that Class B  shares automatically convert  to
Class  A  shares  approximately  seven  years  after  purchase  (see "Conversion
Feature--Class B Shares" below).
 
  The following  is  provided to  assist  you  in determining  which  method  of
purchase  best suits your individual circumstances  and is based on current fees
and expenses being charged to the Series:
 
  If you intend to hold your investment in the Series for less than 5 years  and
do  not qualify  for a  reduced sales charge  on Class  A shares,  since Class A
shares are subject to a  maximum initial sales charge of  3% and Class B  shares
are  subject to a CDSC  of 5% which declines  to zero over a  6 year period, you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.
 
  If you intend to hold your investment for  5 years or more and do not  qualify
for  a reduced sales charge  on Class A shares, since  Class B shares convert to
Class A shares  approximately 7  years after purchase  and because  all of  your
money  would be  invested initially in  the case  of Class B  shares, you should
consider purchasing Class B shares over either Class A or Class C shares.
 
  If you qualify for a  reduced sales charge on Class  A shares, it may be  more
advantageous  for you to purchase Class A shares  over either Class B or Class C
shares regardless  of how  long you  intend to  hold your  investment.  However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested
initially  because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time of
purchase.
 
   
  If you do not  qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class  A shares and  you
purchase  Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than 4
years for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those  shares
to  exceed the initial sales  charge plus cumulative annual distribution-related
fee on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of  money,
which  further reduces the impact of the higher Class C distribution-related fee
on the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of the return  on
investment over this period of time or redemptions when the CDSC is applicable.
    
 
  ALL  PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT OR
UNDER RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR LETTERS OF  INTENT, MUST BE FOR CLASS A  SHARES.
See "Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" below.
 
  CLASS A SHARES
 
  The  offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial sales
charge alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge (expressed  as
a  percentage of the offering price and of  the amount invested) as shown in the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        SALES CHARGE AS    SALES CHARGE AS    DEALER CONCESSION
                         PERCENTAGE OF      PERCENTAGE OF     AS PERCENTAGE OF
 AMOUNT OF PURCHASE     OFFERING PRICE     AMOUNT INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE
- ---------------------  -----------------  -----------------  -------------------
<S>                    <C>                <C>                <C>
Less than $99,999              3.00%              3.09%               3.00%
$100,000 to $249,999           2.50               2.56                2.50
$250,000 to $499,999           1.50               1.52                1.50
$500,000 to $999,999           1.00               1.01                1.00
$1,000,000 and above         None               None                None
</TABLE>
 
   
  The Distributor  may  reallow the  entire  initial sales  charge  to  dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
  In  connection with the sale  of Class A shares at  NAV (without payment of an
initial sales charge), the Manager, the  Distributor or one of their  affiliates
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a
finders' fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such
persons.
    
 
  REDUCTION  AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL SALES  CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges are
available through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of  the
Fund  and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market funds
other than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be  aggregated
to  determine the  applicable reduction.  See "Purchase  and Redemption  of Fund
Shares--Reduction and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class  A Shares" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  OTHER  WAIVERS. Class  A shares  may be  purchased at  NAV, through Prudential
Securities or the  Transfer Agent, by  the following persons:  (a) officers  and
current  and former Directors/Trustees of the Prudential Mutual Funds (including
the Fund), (b) employees of Prudential Securities and PMF and their subsidiaries
and members of the families of  such persons who maintain an "employee  related"
account  at  Prudential  Securities or  the  Transfer Agent,  (c)  employees and
special agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all persons  who  have
retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries,
(d)  registered representatives and employees of dealers who have entered into a
selected dealer agreement with Prudential Securities provided that purchases  at
NAV  are  permitted by  such  person's employer  and  (e) investors  who  have a
business relationship with a financial adviser who joined Prudential  Securities
from  another investment firm, provided that (i) the purchase is made within 180
days of the  commencement of  the financial adviser's  employment at  Prudential
Securities or within one year in the case of benefit plans, (ii) the purchase is
made  with proceeds of a redemption of  shares of any open-end fund sponsored by
the financial adviser's  previous employer (other  than a money  market fund  or
other  no-load fund which imposes a distribution or  service fee of .25 of 1% or
less) and  (iii) the  financial adviser  served as  the client's  broker on  the
previous purchases.
    
 
   
  You  must  notify the  Transfer Agent  either  directly or  through Prudential
Securities or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of  the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your  entitlement.  No initial  sales charges  are imposed  upon Class  A shares
acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and
Redemption of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales  Charges--Class
A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
 
   
  The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of
the  deferred sales  charge alternatives  is the  NAV next  determined following
receipt of an  order by the  Transfer Agent or  Prudential Securities.  Although
there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B
and  Class  C  shares  may  be  subject  to  a  CDSC.  See  "How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below. The Distributor will pay sales
commissions of up  to 4% of  the purchase price  of Class B  shares to  dealers,
financial advisers and other persons who sell Class B shares at the time of sale
from  its own resources.  This facilitates the  ability of the  Fund to sell the
Class B shares without  an initial sales  charge being deducted  at the time  of
purchase.  The Distributor  anticipates that it  will recoup  its advancement of
sales commissions from the combination of the CDSC and the distribution fee. See
"Distributor." In connection with  the sale of Class  C shares, the  Distributor
will  pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute Class C
shares a sales commission of up to 1%  of the purchase price at the time of  the
sale.
    
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU  CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV NEXT
DETERMINED AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY  THE
TRANSFER  AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE  "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
In certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount  of
any  applicable  contingent  deferred  sales  charge,  as  described  below. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  OF THE  SERIES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU  MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER. IF YOU
HOLD  SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED BY
YOU EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD  CERTIFICATES,
THE  CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN  ON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED. IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST  OR
FIDUCIARY,  WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY ACCEPTABLE  TO THE TRANSFER AGENT MUST
BE SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence  and
documents  concerning redemptions  should be  sent to  the Fund  in care  of its
Transfer Agent,  Prudential Mutual  Fund Services,  Inc., Attention:  Redemption
Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If  the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to a
person other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other  than
the  address  on the  Transfer  Agent's records,  or  (d) are  to  be paid  to a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution"  includes
any  bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the right
to request additional information  from, and make  reasonable inquiries of,  any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be  obtained from the agency or office  manager of most Prudential Insurance and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS AFTER  RECEIPT BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OF  THE CERTIFICATE  AND/OR  WRITTEN
REQUEST  EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED  BELOW. IF  YOU  HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment  may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock  Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays, (b)
when trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as  a
result  of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period  when
the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the  SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or (d)
exist.
 
  PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL  THE
FUND  OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS BEEN
HONORED, UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM  THE TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE  CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
 
  REDEMPTION  IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests  of the remaining  shareholders of the  Fund to make  payment
wholly  or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution  in kind of securities  from the investment portfolio  of
the  Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules of
the SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the  same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your
shares  are redeemed in kind, you will incur transaction costs in converting the
assets into cash. The Fund,  however, has elected to  be governed by Rule  18f-1
under  the Investment Company Act,  under which the Fund  is obligated to redeem
shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset  value
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  INVOLUNTARY  REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the Trustees
may redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder  which
is  an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net asset
value of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give  such
shareholders  60  days' prior  written notice  in  which to  purchase sufficient
additional shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent deferred sales  charge
will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
 
   
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised  the repurchase privilege, you may reinvest  any portion or all of the
proceeds of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next  determined
after  the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of the
redemption. Any CDSC paid in connection with such
    
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
   
redemption will be credited (in  shares) to your account.  (If less than a  full
repurchase is made, the credit will be on a PRO RATA basis.) You must notify the
Fund's  Transfer Agent, either directly or through Prudential Securities, at the
time the repurchase privilege is exercised  to adjust your account for the  CDSC
you  previously paid.  Thereafter, any redemptions  will be subject  to the CDSC
applicable at  the  time  of  the redemption.  See  "Contingent  Deferred  Sales
Charges"  below. Exercise of the repurchase  privilege will generally not affect
the federal tax treatment of any gain realized upon redemption. However, if  the
redemption  was  made  within a  30  day period  of  the repurchase  and  if the
redemption resulted in a loss, some or all of the loss, depending on the  amount
reinvested, may not be allowed for federal income tax purposes.
    
 
  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
 
  Redemptions  of Class B shares will be  subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C  shares
redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC will
be  deducted from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid to you. The
CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by you which reduces the current value of
your Class B or Class C  shares of the Series to  an amount which is lower  than
the  amount of all payments by you for shares during the preceding six years, in
the case of Class B shares, and one year, in the case of Class C shares. A  CDSC
will  be applied  on the lesser  of the  original purchase price  or the current
value of the shares  being redeemed. Increases  in the value  of your shares  or
shares  acquired  through reinvestment  of  dividends or  distributions  are not
subject to a CDSC. The  amount of any contingent  deferred sales charge will  be
paid   to   and   retained  by   the   Distributor.   See  "How   the   Fund  is
Managed--Distributor"   and   "Waiver   of   the   Contingent   Deferred   Sales
Charges--Class B Shares" below.
 
  The  amount of the  CDSC, if any, will  vary depending on  the number of years
from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption
of such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from  the
time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will
be  aggregated and deemed  to have been made  on the last day  of the month. The
CDSC will  be calculated  from the  first day  of the  month after  the  initial
purchase,  excluding the time shares were held  in a money market fund. See "How
to Exchange Your Shares."
 
  The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemptions
of Class B shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES
                                                                CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                                             OF DOLLARS INVESTED OR
PAYMENT MADE                                                      REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
- ------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
First.......................................................                         5.0%
Second......................................................                         4.0%
Third.......................................................                         3.0%
Fourth......................................................                         2.0%
Fifth.......................................................                         1.0%
Sixth.......................................................                         1.0%
Seventh.....................................................                         None
</TABLE>
 
  In determining whether a CDSC is  applicable to a redemption, the  calculation
will  be made in a manner  that results in the lowest  possible rate. It will be
assumed that  the  redemption  is  made first  of  amounts  representing  shares
acquired  pursuant to the  reinvestment of dividends  and distributions; then of
amounts representing the increase in net  asset value above the total amount  of
payments  for the purchase of Series shares  made during the preceding six years
(five years for Class  B shares purchased  prior to January  22, 1990); then  of
amounts  representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable CDSC period;
and finally, of  amounts representing the  cost of shares  held for the  longest
period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
 
  For  example, assume you purchased  100 Class B shares at  $10 per share for a
cost of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired  5 additional Class B shares  through
dividend  reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase you decided to
redeem $500 of your investment. Assuming at  the time of the redemption the  NAV
had appreciated to $12 per share, the value of your Class B
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
shares  would be  $1,260 (105 shares  at $12 per  share). The CDSC  would not be
applied to the  value of  the reinvested dividend  shares and  the amount  which
represents  appreciation ($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds
($500 minus $260) would be charged at a  rate of 4% (the applicable rate in  the
second year after purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
 
  For  federal income tax purposes, the amount  of the CDSC will reduce the gain
or increase  the loss,  as the  case may  be, on  the amount  recognized on  the
redemption of shares.
 
  WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be  waived in the  case of a redemption  following the death  or disability of a
shareholder or,  in  the  case  of  a trust  account,  following  the  death  or
disability  of  the  grantor.  The  waiver is  available  for  total  or partial
redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint tenancy
(with rights of survivorship), at the time of death or initial determination  of
disability,   provided  that  the  shares  were  purchased  prior  to  death  or
disability. In addition, the CDSC will  be waived on redemptions of shares  held
by a Trustee of the Fund.
 
  You  must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you  are
entitled  to  waiver  of the  CDSC  and  provide the  Transfer  Agent  with such
supporting documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be  granted
subject  to confirmation  of your entitlement.  See "Purchase  and Redemption of
Fund Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares"  in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  A quantity discount may apply to redemptions of Class B shares purchased prior
to  August  1,  1994.  See "Purchase  and  Redemption  of  Fund Shares--Quantity
Discount--Class B Shares Purchased Prior to August 1, 1994" in the Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
 
  Class  B shares will  automatically convert to  Class A shares  on a quarterly
basis approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected  at
relative  net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales charge.
The first  conversion of  Class B  shares occurred  in February  1995, when  the
conversion feature was first implemented.
 
  Since  the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought on
each purchase  of Class  B shares,  the number  of Class  B shares  eligible  to
convert  to  Class A  shares (excluding  shares  acquired through  the automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will be
determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (i)
the ratio of (a) the  amounts paid for Class B  shares purchased at least  seven
years  prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class B
shares purchased and  then held  in your account  (ii) multiplied  by the  total
number  of Class B shares purchased and then held in your account. Each time any
Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts
representing Class B shares then in your account that were acquired through  the
automatic  reinvestment  of dividends  and other  distributions will  convert to
Class A shares.
 
  For purposes of  determining the  number of Eligible  Shares, if  the Class  B
shares  in  your account  on  any conversion  date  are the  result  of multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible Shares
calculated as described  above will generally  be either more  or less than  the
number  of  shares  actually  purchased approximately  seven  years  before such
conversion date. For example, if 100 shares were initially purchased at $10  per
share  (for  a  total  of  $1,000)  and a  second  purchase  of  100  shares was
subsequently made at $11 per share (for  a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares  would
convert  approximately  seven  years  from the  initial  purchase  (I.E., $1,000
divided by $2,100 (47.62%)  multiplied by 200 shares  equals 95.24 shares).  The
Manager  reserves the right to modify the  formula for determining the number of
Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.
 
  Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class
B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be higher than
that of  the Class  B  shares at  the time  of  conversion. Thus,  although  the
aggregate  dollar value will be  the same, you may  receive fewer Class A shares
than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all
payments for Class B shares during a month  will be deemed to have been made  on
the  last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through exchange or a
series of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original  payment
for purchases of such Class B shares was made. For
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
Class  B shares previously exchanged for shares of a money market fund, the time
period during which  such shares  were held  in the  money market  fund will  be
excluded.  For example, Class B shares held in  a money market fund for one year
will not  convert  to  Class  A shares  until  approximately  eight  years  from
purchase. For purposes of measuring the time period during which shares are held
in  a money market fund, exchanges will be  deemed to have been made on the last
day of the month. Class B shares acquired through exchange will convert to Class
A shares after expiration  of the conversion period  applicable to the  original
purchase of such shares.
 
  The  conversion  feature  may be  subject  to the  continuing  availability of
opinions of counsel  or rulings  of the Internal  Revenue Service  (i) that  the
dividends  and other distributions paid  on Class A, Class  B and Class C shares
will not constitute "preferential dividends" under the Internal Revenue Code and
(ii) that the  conversion of  shares does not  constitute a  taxable event.  The
conversion  of  Class B  shares into  Class A  shares may  be suspended  if such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class
B shares of the  Series will continue to  be subject, possibly indefinitely,  to
their higher annual distribution and service fee.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
  AS  A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH THE OTHER
SERIES OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE  EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE),  INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE
MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS  OF SUCH  FUNDS. CLASS A,  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  OF THE SERIES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR  CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES,
RESPECTIVELY, OF THE OTHER SERIES  OF THE FUND OR ANOTHER  FUND ON THE BASIS  OF
THE  RELATIVE NAV. No sales charge will be  imposed at the time of the exchange.
Any applicable CDSC  payable upon  the redemption  of shares  exchanged will  be
calculated from the first day of the month after the initial purchase, excluding
the time shares were held in a money market fund. Class B and Class C shares may
not  be exchanged  into money market  funds other than  Prudential Special Money
Market Fund. For purposes  of calculating the holding  period applicable to  the
Class  B conversion feature,  the time period  during which Class  B shares were
held in a money market fund  will be excluded. See "Conversion Feature--Class  B
Shares"  above. An exchange will be treated as a redemption and purchase for tax
purposes.  See  "Shareholder  Investment  Account--Exchange  Privilege"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  IN  ORDER  TO  EXCHANGE  SHARES BY  TELEPHONE,  YOU  MUST  AUTHORIZE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE  TRANSFER
AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call the Fund
at  (800) 225-1852 to  execute a telephone exchange  of shares, weekdays, except
holidays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time. For  your
protection  and to  prevent fraudulent  exchanges, your  telephone call  will be
recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A
written confirmation of the  exchange transaction will be  sent to you.  NEITHER
THE  FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE  FOR ANY LOSS,  LIABILITY OR COST WHICH
RESULTS FROM ACTING UPON  INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED  TO BE GENUINE  UNDER
THE  FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (THE FUND OR ITS AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO LIABILITY
IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be made on the
basis of the relative NAV of the two funds (or series) next determined after the
request is received in good order.  The Exchange Privilege is available only  in
states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
  IF  YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD THE CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON
THE FACE OF THE  CERTIFICATES, MUST BE  RETURNED IN ORDER FOR  THE SHARES TO  BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You  may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New  Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN  PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OF
SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL  BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
   
  SPECIAL  EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE. A  special exchange  privilege is  available for
shareholders who qualify  to purchase Class  A shares at  NAV (see  "Alternative
Purchase  Plan--Class A Shares--Reduction  and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges"
above). Under  this exchange  privilege, amounts  representing any  Class B  and
Class  C shares (which are  not subject to a CDSC)  held in such a shareholder's
account will be automatically exchanged for Class A shares on a quarterly basis,
unless the shareholder elects otherwise. Eligibility for this exchange privilege
will be  calculated on  the business  day prior  to the  date of  the  exchange.
Amounts  representing Class B or Class C shares  which are not subject to a CDSC
include the  following: (1)  amounts  representing Class  B  or Class  C  shares
acquired  pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions,
(2) amounts representing  the increase in  the net asset  value above the  total
amount of payments for the purchase of Class B or Class C shares and (3) amounts
representing  Class B or Class C shares  held beyond the applicable CDSC period.
Class B and Class C shareholders must notify the Transfer Agent either  directly
or  through  Prudential Securities  or Prusec  that they  are eligible  for this
special exchange privilege.
    
 
   
  The Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including  exchanges
(and  market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse effect on  the ability of  the Subadviser to  manage the portfolio.  The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination  to reject any  exchange order shall  be in the  discretion of the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The Exchange  Privilege is  not a  right  and may  be suspended,  modified  or
terminated on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, as a shareholder in the Series, you can
take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
        -AUTOMATIC  REINVESTMENT  OF  DIVIDENDS AND/OR  DISTRIBUTIONS  WITHOUT A
    SALES CHARGE.  For your  convenience, all  dividends and  distributions  are
    automatically  reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Series at NAV
    without a sales  charge. You may  direct the Transfer  Agent in writing  not
    less  than 5 full business days prior  to the record date to have subsequent
    dividends and/or distributions sent in  cash rather than reinvested. If  you
    hold shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial
    adviser.
 
        -AUTOMATIC  SAVINGS ACCUMULATION  PLAN (ASAP).  Under ASAP  you may make
    regular purchases of the Series' shares in  amounts as little as $50 via  an
    automatic   debit  to  a  bank  account  or  Prudential  Securities  account
    (including  a  Command  Account).  For  additional  information  about  this
    service,  you  may  contact your  Prudential  Securities  financial adviser,
    Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
        -SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A  systematic withdrawal plan is  available
    to  shareholders which provides for monthly or quarterly checks. Withdrawals
    of Class B and  Class C shares may  be subject to a  CDSC. See "How to  Sell
    Your Shares-- Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" above.
 
   
        -REPORTS  TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund will send you annual and semi-annual
    reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are audited by
    independent accountants. In order to  reduce duplicate mailing and  printing
    expenses,  the  Fund will  provide  one annual  and  semi-annual shareholder
    report and  annual  prospectus per  household.  You may  request  additional
    copies  of such reports by calling (800)  225-1852 or by writing to the Fund
    at Gateway  Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey 07102.  In addition,  monthly
    unaudited financial data is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
        -SHAREHOLDER  INQUIRIES. Inquiries  should be  addressed to  the Fund at
    Gateway Center Three, Newark,  New Jersey 07102, or  by telephone, at  (800)
    225-1852  (toll-free)  or,  from  outside  the  U.S.A.,  at  (908)  417-7555
    (collect).
    
 
  For additional  information regarding  the services  and privileges  described
above,  see  "Shareholder Investment  Account"  in the  Statement  of Additional
Information.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Prudential Mutual  Fund  Management  offers  a broad  range  of  mutual  funds
designed  to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the investment
options available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on  the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities  financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Funds at
(800) 225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before  you
invest or send money.
 
  -----------------------
 
       TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
  -----------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
 
    
  --------------------------
 
       TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
  -----------------------------------------------
 
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Series
  California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
  High Yield Series
  Insured Series
  Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Florida Series
  Hawaii Income Series
  Maryland Series
  Massachusetts Series
  Michigan Series
  New Jersey Series
  New York Series
  North Carolina Series
  Ohio Series
  Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
 
  -----------------
 
       GLOBAL FUNDS
  -----------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
  Global Series
  International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
 
    
  -----------------
 
       EQUITY FUNDS
  -----------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Allocation Fund
  Balanced Portfolio
  Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
  Prudential Active Balanced Fund
  Prudential Stock Index Fund
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
  Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
  Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
 
    
  -----------------------
 
       MONEY MARKET FUNDS
  -----------------------------------------------
 
   
- -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Money Market Series
  U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
  Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
- -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Connecticut Money Market Series
  Massachusetts Money Market Series
  New Jersey Money Market Series
  New York Money Market Series
- -COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
- -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
  Institutional Money Market Series
    
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made,  such  other information  or representations  must not  be relied  upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction  to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           PAGE
                                          ------
<S>                                       <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS.........................       2
  Risk Factors and Special
   Characteristics......................       2
FUND EXPENSES...........................       4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS....................       5
HOW THE FUND INVESTS....................       8
  Investment Objective and Policies.....       8
  Other Investments and Policies........      12
  Investment Restrictions...............      13
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED.................      13
  Manager...............................      13
  Distributor...........................      14
  Portfolio Transactions................      16
  Custodian and Transfer and Dividend
   Disbursing Agent.....................      16
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES..........      17
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE.....      17
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS......      18
GENERAL INFORMATION.....................      20
  Description of Shares.................      20
  Additional Information................      21
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE.......................      21
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund.........      21
  Alternative Purchase Plan.............      22
  How to Sell Your Shares...............      24
  Conversion Feature--Class B Shares....      27
  How to Exchange Your Shares...........      28
  Shareholder Services..................      29
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY.......     A-1
</TABLE>
    
 
- -------------------------------------------
MF119A                                                                   44404AW
   
                                   Class A: 74435M-65-5
                        CUSIP Nos.: Class B: 74435M-66-3
                                   Class C: 74435M-56-4
    
 
   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                  NOVEMBER 1,
                                      1996
    
 
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
 
MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential  Municipal  Series  Fund  (the  "Fund")  (Massachusetts  Money Market
Series) (the "Series")  is one  of fourteen  series of  an open-end,  management
investment  company,  or  mutual fund.  This  Series is  non-diversified  and is
designed to provide  the highest  level of current  income that  is exempt  from
Massachusetts  state and federal income taxes  consistent with liquidity and the
preservation of capital. The net assets of the Series are invested primarily  in
short-term, tax-exempt Massachusetts state, municipal and local debt obligations
and  obligations of other qualifying issuers. There can be no assurance that the
Series'  investment   objective   will   be  achieved.   See   "How   the   Fund
Invests--Investment  Objective  and  Policies." The  Fund's  address  is Gateway
Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey  07102, and  its  telephone number  is  (800)
225 -1852.
    
 
Shares  of the Series are sold without a  sales charge. The Series is subject to
an annual  charge of  .125% of  its average  daily net  assets pursuant  to  the
Distribution and Service Plan. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor."
 
   
THE  SERIES MAY INVEST A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF ITS ASSETS IN THE OBLIGATIONS OF
A SINGLE ISSUER, AND  THEREFORE AN INVESTMENT  IN THE SERIES  MAY BE MORE  RISKY
THAN AN INVESTMENT IN OTHER TYPES OF MONEY MARKET FUNDS.
    
 
AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE  SERIES IS  NEITHER  INSURED NOR  GUARANTEED BY  THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT AND  THERE CAN  BE  NO ASSURANCE  THAT THE  SERIES  WILL BE  ABLE  TO
MAINTAIN  A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00  PER SHARE. SEE "HOW THE FUND VALUES
ITS SHARES."
 
   
This Prospectus sets  forth concisely  the information  about the  Fund and  the
Massachusetts Money Market Series that a prospective investor should know before
investing.  Additional  information  about  the Fund  has  been  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission in  a Statement  of Additional  Information,
dated  November 1, 1996,  which information is  incorporated herein by reference
(is legally  considered a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available  without
charge  upon  request to  Prudential  Municipal Series  Fund  at the  address or
telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The  following summary is intended  to highlight certain information contained
in this  Prospectus  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools  the resources of  investors by selling  its shares to  the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an  open-end,
  management investment company. Only the Massachusetts Money Market Series is
  offered through this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The  Series'  investment  objective is  to  provide the  highest  level of
  current income that is  exempt from Massachusetts  state and federal  income
  taxes consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. It seeks to
  achieve  this objective  by investing primarily  in short-term Massachusetts
  state, municipal and local government  obligations and obligations of  other
  qualifying  issuers,  such as  issuers located  in  Puerto Rico,  the Virgin
  Islands and Guam, which pay income  exempt, in the opinion of counsel,  from
  Massachusetts  state and  federal income  taxes (Massachusetts Obligations).
  There can be  no assurance  that the  Series' investment  objective will  be
  achieved.  See "How the Fund  Invests--Investment Objective and Policies" at
  page 6.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
    It is  anticipated that  the net  asset value  of the  Series will  remain
  constant  at $1.00 per share,  although this cannot be  assured. In order to
  maintain such constant net asset value, the Series will value its  portfolio
  securities  at  amortized  cost.  While this  method  provides  certainty in
  valuation, it may result in periods during which the value of a security  in
  the  Series' portfolio, as determined by  amortized cost, is higher or lower
  than the price the Series would receive  if it sold such security. See  "How
  the Fund Values its Shares" at page 13.
 
   
    In  seeking to  achieve its investment  objective, the  Series will invest
  primarily  in   Massachusetts  Obligations.   This  degree   of   investment
  concentration makes the Series particularly susceptible to factors adversely
  affecting  issuers of Massachusetts Obligations,  and makes an investment in
  the Series more  risky than  an investment in  other types  of money  market
  funds.  The Series  is non-diversified  so that  more than  5% of  its total
  assets may be invested in the securities of one or more issuers.  Investment
  in  a  non-diversified portfolio  involves more  risk  than investment  in a
  diversified portfolio. See "How  the Fund Invests--Investment Objective  and
  Policies--Special Considerations" at page 9.
    
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential  Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the Manager
  of the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50  of
  1%  of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996, PMF
  served as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including  38
  mutual  funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion. The
  Prudential  Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)   furnishes
  investment  advisory services in connection with  the management of the Fund
  under  a   Subadvisory  Agreement   with   PMF.  See   "How  the   Fund   is
  Managed--Manager" at page 10.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
    Prudential  Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI) acts as
  the Distributor  of  the Series'  shares.  The Series  currently  reimburses
  Prudential  Securities  for  expenses  related to  the  distribution  of the
  Series' shares at an annual  rate of up to .125  of 1% of the average  daily
  net assets of the Series. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page
  11.
    
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
    The   minimum  initial  investment  is   $1,000.  The  minimum  subsequent
  investment is $100. There is  no minimum investment requirement for  certain
  employee  savings plans.  For purchases  made through  the Automatic Savings
  Accumulation Plan, the minimum initial and subsequent investment is $50. See
  "Shareholder  Guide--How  to  Buy  Shares  of  the  Fund"  at  page  16  and
  "Shareholder Guide-- Shareholder Services" at page 22.
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities  Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through its
  transfer agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the  Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of  your purchase order by the  Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities. See
  "How the Fund Values its Shares"  at page 13 and "Shareholder Guide--How  to
  Buy Shares of the Fund" at page 16.
    
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
    You may redeem shares of the Series at any time at the NAV next determined
  after  Prudential Securities or the Transfer Agent receives your sell order.
  See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page 19.
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
    The Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of  net
  investment  income and short-term capital gains. Dividends and distributions
  will be automatically reinvested in additional  shares of the Series at  NAV
  unless  you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes, Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 13.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                      (MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases................................  None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load............................................  None
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends.....................  None
    Redemption Fees........................................................  None
    Exchange Fee...........................................................  None
 
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES*
(as a percentage of average net assets)
    Management Fees (Before Waiver)........................................   .500 %
    12b-1 Fees.............................................................   .125 %
    Other Expenses.........................................................   .304 %
                                                                             ------
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver)..........................   .929 %
                                                                             ------
                                                                             ------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1      3      5     10
EXAMPLE                                                      YEAR  YEARS  YEARS  YEARS
                                                             ----  -----  -----  -----
<S>                                                          <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2)
 redemption at the end of each time period:                  $ 9   $ 30   $ 51   $114
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  The above example  is based  on restated data  for the  Series' fiscal  year
  ended August 31, 1996. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION
  OF  PAST OR  FUTURE EXPENSES.  ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY  BE GREATER  OR LESS THAN
  THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
  The purpose of  this table  is to assist  an investor  in understanding  the
  various costs and expenses that an investor in the Series will bear, whether
  directly  or indirectly. For more complete descriptions of the various costs
  and expenses,  see "How  the  Fund is  Managed." "Other  Expenses"  includes
  operating  expenses of the Series, such  as Trustees' and professional fees,
  registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer agency and custodian
  fees.
  ------------------
   
  * Based on expenses incurred during the  fiscal year ended August 31,  1996,
    without  taking into  account the  management fee  waiver. At  the current
    level of  management fee  waiver  (75%), Management  Fees and  Total  Fund
    Operating  Expenses would be .125% and .554%, respectively, of the Series'
    average net assets. See "How the Fund is Managed-- Manager--Fee Waivers."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August 31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding,
total return, ratios to average net  assets and other supplemental data for  the
periods  indicated. This information is based on data contained in the financial
statements.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    AUGUST 5,
                                                               YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                 1991(a)
                                                    -------------------------------------------      THROUGH
                                                     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992    AUGUST 31, 1991
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period..............  $  1.00  $  1.00  $  1.00  $  1.00  $  1.00      $ 1.00
Net investment income and net realized
 gains (c)........................................     .031     .031     .019     .021     .034        .003
Dividends and distributions to shareholders.......    (.031)   (.031)   (.019)   (.021)   (.034)      (.003)
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------      ------
Net asset value, end of period....................  $  1.00  $  1.00  $  1.00  $  1.00  $  1.00      $ 1.00
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------      ------
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------      ------
TOTAL RETURN (d):.................................     3.12%    3.10%    1.89%    2.17%    3.44%       0.29%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)...................  $50,511  $56,822  $37,278  $36,608  $18,019      $6,365
Average net assets (000)..........................  $54,689  $42,919  $42,427  $32,246  $15,477      $3,200
Ratios to average net assets (c):
    Expenses, including distribution fee..........     .554%    .627%    .620%    .365%    .125%       .125%(b)
    Expenses, excluding distribution fee..........     .429%    .502%    .495%    .240%     .00%        .00%(b)
    Net investment income.........................     3.08%    3.14%    1.86%    2.11%    3.20%       4.46%(b)
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------------------
   (a) Commencement of investment operations.
   (b) Annualized.
   (c) Net of expense subsidy and/or management fee waiver.
   
   (d) Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
       Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not annualized.
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              CALCULATION OF YIELD
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  THE SERIES CALCULATES ITS "CURRENT YIELD"  based on the net change,  exclusive
of  realized and  unrealized gains  or losses,  in the  value of  a hypothetical
account over  a  seven calendar  day  base  period. THE  SERIES  CALCULATES  ITS
"EFFECTIVE  ANNUAL  YIELD" ASSUMING  DAILY  COMPOUNDING AND  ITS "TAX-EQUIVALENT
YIELD." Tax-equivalent yield shows the taxable  yield an investor would have  to
earn  from a  fully taxable  investment in order  to equal  the Series' tax-free
yield after taxes and is calculated by dividing the Series' current or effective
yield by the result of one minus the State tax rate times one minus the  federal
tax rate. The following is an example of the yield calculations as of August 31,
1996:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>
Value of hypothetical account at end of period.................  $1.000571113
Value of hypothetical account at beginning of period...........   1.000000000
                                                                 ------------
Base period return.............................................  $1.000571113
                                                                 ------------
                                                                 ------------
CURRENT YIELD (0.000571113 X (365/7))+.........................     2.98%
EFFECTIVE ANNUAL YIELD, assuming daily compounding+............     3.02%
TAX-EQUIVALENT CURRENT YIELD (2.98%  DIVIDED BY (1 -
 46.85%))+.....................................................     5.61%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
+ After fee waiver. Without fee waiver, the current yield, effective annual
  yield, and tax-equivalent yield would have been 2.60%, 2.64% and 4.90%,
  respectively. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  THE  YIELD  WILL FLUCTUATE  FROM TIME  TO  TIME AND  DOES NOT  INDICATE FUTURE
PERFORMANCE.
 
   
  The weighted average life to maturity of the portfolio of the Series on August
31, 1996 was 57 days.
    
 
  Yield is computed in accordance with  a standardized formula described in  the
Statement  of  Additional  Information.  In  addition,  comparative  performance
information may  be used  from time  to  time in  advertising or  marketing  the
Series'   shares,  including   data  from  Lipper   Analytical  Services,  Inc.,
Morningstar Publications, Inc., IBC/Donoghue's Money Fund Report, The Bank  Rate
Monitor, other industry publications, business periodicals and market indices.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL  MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET  SERIES
(THE  SERIES) IS NON-DIVERSIFIED AND ITS  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE THE
HIGHEST LEVEL OF  CURRENT INCOME  THAT IS  EXEMPT FROM  MASSACHUSETTS STATE  AND
FEDERAL  INCOME TAXES CONSISTENT WITH LIQUIDITY AND THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL.
THE SERIES SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE BY INVESTING PRIMARILY  IN
SHORT-TERM  MASSACHUSETTS STATE, MUNICIPAL AND  LOCAL GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF OTHER QUALIFYING ISSUERS, SUCH AS ISSUERS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO,
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND GUAM, WHICH PAY INCOME EXEMPT, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL,
FROM MASSACHUSETTS STATE AND  FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (MASSACHUSETTS  OBLIGATIONS).
SEE  "INVESTMENT  OBJECTIVES  AND  POLICIES"  IN  THE  STATEMENT  OF  ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT  THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO  ACHIEVE
ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
  THE  SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A  FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE  SERIES'
OUTSTANDING  VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE  NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  Interest  on  certain  municipal  obligations may  be  a  preference  item for
purposes of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest  without
limit  in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined in
the Internal Revenue Code), the interest on which would be a preference item for
purposes of  the federal  alternative  minimum tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends  and
Distributions." Under Massachusetts law, dividends paid by the Series are exempt
from  Massachusetts  personal  income  tax for  resident  individuals  and other
resident noncorporate shareholders to  the extent they  are excluded from  gross
income for federal income tax purposes and are derived from interest payments on
Massachusetts  Obligations or are capital gain  dividends for federal income tax
purposes and are derived from  long-term capital gains on certain  Massachusetts
Obligations.  The  Massachusetts  Obligations  in which  the  Series  may invest
include certain short-term,  tax-exempt notes  such as  Tax Anticipation  Notes,
Revenue Anticipation Notes, Bond Anticipation Notes, Construction Loan Notes and
certain  variable and floating rate demand notes. See "Investment Objectives and
Policies--Tax-Exempt  Securities--Tax-Exempt   Notes"   in  the   Statement   of
Additional  Information.  The  Series will  maintain  a  dollar-weighted average
maturity of its portfolio of 90 days or less.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES,  INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION INTERESTS  THEREIN,  WHICH CONFORM  TO THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMORTIZED COST VALUATION RULE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. There  is no limit  on the  amount of such
securities that the Series may purchase. Floating rate securities normally  have
a  rate of interest which  is set as a specific  percentage of a designated base
rate, such as the rate on Treasury Bonds  or Bills or the prime rate at a  major
commercial   bank.  The  interest  rate  on  floating  rate  securities  changes
periodically when  there is  a  change in  the  designated base  interest  rate.
Variable  rate securities  provide for  a specified  periodic adjustment  in the
interest rate based  on prevailing market  rates and generally  would allow  the
Series  to demand payment of the obligation  on short notice at par plus accrued
interest, which amount may be more or  less than the amount the Series paid  for
them.
 
   
  ALL  MASSACHUSETTS OBLIGATIONS  PURCHASED BY THE  SERIES WILL, AT  THE TIME OF
PURCHASE, HAVE A REMAINING MATURITY OF THIRTEEN MONTHS OR LESS AND BE (i)  RATED
IN  ONE  OF  THE  TWO  HIGHEST RATING  CATEGORIES  BY  AT  LEAST  TWO NATIONALLY
RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS (NRSROS)  ASSIGNING A RATING TO  THE
SECURITY  OR ISSUER (OR, IF ONLY ONE NRSRO  ASSIGNED A RATING, BY THAT NRSRO) OR
(ii) IF UNRATED, OF COMPARABLE QUALITY  AS DETERMINED BY THE INVESTMENT  ADVISER
UNDER  THE SUPERVISION OF THE TRUSTEES.  See "Description of Tax-Exempt Security
Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information. The investment adviser will
monitor the credit quality of securities purchased for the Series' portfolio and
will limit its investments to those which present minimal credit risks.
    
 
   
  In selecting  Massachusetts  Obligations for  investment  by the  Series,  the
investment  adviser considers ratings assigned by NRSROs, information concerning
the financial history and  condition of the issuer  and its revenue and  expense
prospects and, in the case of revenue bonds, the financial history and condition
of  the source of  revenue to service  the bonds. If  a Massachusetts Obligation
held by  the Series  is assigned  a  lower rating  or ceases  to be  rated,  the
investment  adviser under the supervision of the Trustees will promptly reassess
whether that  security presents  minimal  credit risks  and whether  the  Series
should  continue to hold the security in  its portfolio. If a portfolio security
no longer  presents minimal  credit risks  or  is in  default, the  Series  will
dispose  of the security  as soon as reasonably  practicable unless the Trustees
determine that to  do so  is not in  the best  interests of the  Series and  its
shareholders.
    
 
  The  Series utilizes the amortized cost method of valuation in accordance with
regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). See "How the
Fund Values its Shares."
 
  The Series intends to hold portfolio  securities to maturity; however, it  may
sell  any security at  any time in order  to meet redemption  requests or if the
investment adviser believes it advisable, based  on an evaluation of the  issuer
or of market conditions.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
  UNDER   NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO  INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS WHICH  PAY
INCOME  EXEMPT FROM  FEDERAL INCOME  TAXES. As  a matter  of fundamental policy,
during normal market conditions the Series'  assets will be invested so that  at
least 80% of its total assets will be invested in municipal securities which pay
income  exempt from federal income taxes.  These primarily will be Massachusetts
Obligations, unless the investment adviser is unable, due to the  unavailability
of  sufficient or reasonably priced Massachusetts Obligations that also meet the
Series' credit quality and average  weighted maturity requirements, to  purchase
Massachusetts Obligations. To the extent the Series invests in obligations other
than  Massachusetts Obligations, dividends derived  therefrom likely will not be
exempt from Massachusetts income taxes. During abnormal market conditions or  to
provide  liquidity, the Series may hold cash or taxable cash equivalents such as
certificates of  deposit,  bankers'  acceptances  and  time  deposits  or  other
short-term  taxable  investments such  as repurchase  agreements, or  high grade
taxable obligations, including obligations that are exempt from federal, but not
state, taxation. When, in the opinion of the investment adviser, abnormal market
conditions require a  temporary defensive  position, the Series  may invest  its
assets so that more than 20% of the income is subject to federal income taxes.
 
  THE  SERIES ALSO MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO
SELL SECURITIES HELD IN THE SERIES' PORTFOLIO AT A SPECIFIED EXERCISE PRICE ON A
SPECIFIED DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting  the
Series  from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which the
put applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case  of
liquidity  puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of the
underlying security. The aggregate value of  premiums paid to acquire puts  held
in  the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts) may not exceed 10% of the
net asset  value  of  the Series.  The  acquisition  of a  put  may  involve  an
additional cost to the Series by payment of a premium for the put, by payment of
a higher purchase price for securities to which the put is attached or through a
lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In  addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts in
that the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase  the
underlying  security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under the
following circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the  underlying
security  and  such security  is  rated (a)  in one  of  the two  highest rating
categories by at least two NRSROs assigning a rating to the security or  issuer,
or  (b) if only one  such rating organization assigned  a rating, by that rating
organization; or (2) the put is written by a person other than the issuer of the
underlying security and such person  has securities outstanding which are  rated
within  such two highest quality grades; or (3) the put is backed by a letter of
credit or  similar financial  guarantee  issued by  a person  having  securities
outstanding which are rated within the two highest quality grades of such rating
services.  The  issuer of  the put,  or another  institution, must  undertake to
notify promptly the holder of the put  if the put feature is substituted with  a
put from another issuer.
    
 
   
  THE  SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS  ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED
DELIVERY" BASIS,  IN EACH  CASE WITHOUT  LIMIT. When  municipal obligations  are
offered  on a when-issued or  delayed delivery basis, the  price and coupon rate
are fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery  and
payment  for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase; the purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued  during the  period between  purchase and  settlement,
and,  therefore, no  interest accrues to  the economic benefit  of the purchaser
during such period. In the case of  purchases by the Series, the price that  the
Series  is required to pay on the settlement date may be in excess of the market
value of the municipal  obligations on that date.  While securities may be  sold
prior  to the settlement  date, the Series intends  to purchase these securities
with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale would be desirable for
investment reasons. At the  time the Series makes  the commitment to purchase  a
municipal  obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in  determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as  values of municipal obligations otherwise held  by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with  its
Custodian  in which  it will maintain  cash, U.S.  Government securities, equity
securities or other liquid,  unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily,  equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE   SERIES  MAY   PURCHASE  SECONDARY  MARKET   INSURANCE  ON  MASSACHUSETTS
OBLIGATIONS WHICH  IT HOLDS  OR ACQUIRES.  Secondary market  insurance would  be
reflected  in the  market value  of the  municipal obligation  purchased and may
enable the Series to  dispose of a  defaulted obligation at  a price similar  to
that of comparable municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
  Insurance  is  not  a  substitute  for the  basic  credit  of  an  issuer, but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage for the Massachusetts Obligations held by the Series  reduces
credit  risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment of
principal and interest  if the issuer  defaults on its  obligation to make  such
payment,  it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price, I.E.,
the market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in  interest
rates and other factors.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE  THE  SERIES WILL  INVEST PRIMARILY  IN MASSACHUSETTS  OBLIGATIONS AND
BECAUSE IT SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE  INCOME DERIVED FROM MASSACHUSETTS OBLIGATIONS,  IT
IS  MORE  SUSCEPTIBLE TO  FACTORS ADVERSELY  AFFECTING ISSUERS  OF MASSACHUSETTS
OBLIGATIONS THAN  IS A  COMPARABLE  TAX-EXEMPT MONEY  MARKET  FUND THAT  IS  NOT
CONCENTRATED  IN SUCH  OBLIGATIONS TO THIS  DEGREE. An investment  in the Series
therefore may  involve more  risk than  an investment  in other  types of  money
market  funds.  The  most  recent  recession  had  serious  adverse  effects  on
Massachusetts' financial operations and led to a massive accumulated deficit  of
$1.45   billion  at  the  close  of  fiscal  1990.  However,  since  that  time,
Massachusetts has adopted more  conservative revenue forecasting procedures  and
has  moderated spending growth resulting in  the achievement of balanced budgets
in both fiscal 1991-1992 and fiscal 1992-1993. On a statutory accounting  basis,
the  Commonwealth reported that  the Budgeted Operating  Funds ended fiscal year
1993 with balances of $562.5 million and ended fiscal year 1994 with balances of
$589.3 million.  Fiscal  year  1995  tax  revenue  collections  totaled  $11.163
billion,  which exceeded estimates  by $13 million and  exceeded fiscal 1994 tax
revenues by $556 million. On September  16, 1996, the Commonwealth released  its
preliminary  financial report for fiscal year 1996. The Budgeted Operating Funds
of the  Commonwealth ended  fiscal 1996  with a  surplus of  revenues and  other
sources  over  expenditures  and  other  uses  of  $426.4  million  resulting in
aggregate  ending  fund  balances  in  the  Budgeted  Operating  Funds  of   the
Commonwealth  of  approximately  $1.152  billion.  Budgeted  revenues  and other
sources for fiscal  1996 totaled  approximately $17.323  billion, including  tax
revenues  of approximately  $12.049 billion,  approximately $365  million higher
than the most recent  estimate. Budgeted expenditures and  other uses in  fiscal
1996  totaled approximately $16.896 billion, an increase of approximately $645.7
million, or 4.0%, over fiscal 1995. The largest single spending increase in  the
fiscal  1996  budget  is  approximately $232  million  to  continue  funding the
comprehensive education  reform legislation  enacted in  1993. The  Commonwealth
estimates  total spending  in fiscal 1997  to be  approximately $17.704 billion,
including $235.5 million in continuing  appropriations from fiscal 1996.  Fiscal
1997 total revenues are estimated to be approximately $17.296 billion, including
approximately  $12.197 billion in tax revenues. The tax revenue estimate amounts
to an increase  of approximately $146  million, or 1.2%,  over estimated  fiscal
1996  tax collections.  Inflexibility dictated  by a  heavy debt  load and other
substantial  fixed  costs,  particularly   pension  contributions  and   transit
subsidies,   pose  significant  obstacles  to   continued  progress.  If  either
Massachusetts or any of  its local governmental entities  is unable to meet  its
financial obligations, the income derived by the Series, the ability to preserve
or  realize appreciation of the Series'  capital and the Series' liquidity could
be  adversely  affected.  See   "Investment  Objectives  and   Policies--Special
Considerations  Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities" in the Statement
of Additional Information.
    
 
  The Series is "non-diversified" so that more  than 5% of its total assets  may
be  invested  in  the  securities  of  one  or  more  issuers.  Investment  in a
non-diversified portfolio involves greater risk than investment in a diversified
portfolio because  a loss  resulting from  the default  of a  single issuer  may
represent  a greater portion of the total assets of a non-diversified portfolio.
The Series will treat an investment  in a municipal bond refunded with  escrowed
U.S.  Government securities  as U.S. Government  securities for  purposes of the
Investment  Company   Act's   diversification  requirements   provided   certain
conditions  are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
  The Series  may enter  into  repurchase agreements  whereby  the seller  of  a
security  agrees  to repurchase  that  security from  the  Series at  a mutually
agreed-upon time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite  short,
possibly  overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number of
months. The  resale price  is in  excess of  the purchase  price, reflecting  an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested   in   the   security.   The   Series'   repurchase   agreements   will
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
at all times be fully collateralized in  an amount at least equal to the  resale
price.  The instruments held as collateral are  valued daily and if the value of
the instruments declines, the Series will require additional collateral. If  the
seller  defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series  may incur a loss.  The Series participates in  a
joint  repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management  LLC pursuant  to an order  of the  SEC. See  "Investment
Objectives  and Policies--Repurchase Agreements" in  the Statement of Additional
Information.
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
  The Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value  of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or  emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series may
pledge up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure  these
borrowings.  The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series  may hold  up to  10% of  its net  assets in  illiquid  securities,
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities   with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale  (restricted
securities) and securities that are not readily marketable. Securities that have
a readily available  market are  not considered  illiquid for  purposes of  this
limitation.  See  "Investment  Restrictions"  in  the  Statement  of  Additional
Information.  The  investment  adviser  will  monitor  the  liquidity  of   such
restricted  securities under  the supervision  of the  Trustees. See "Investment
Objectives and  Policies--Illiquid Securities"  in the  Statement of  Additional
Information.  Repurchase  agreements  subject to  demand  are deemed  to  have a
maturity equal to the notice period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The Series  is subject  to  certain investment  restrictions which,  like  its
investment  objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental policies
cannot be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of  the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER,  SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY  BUSINESS
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996, total expenses of the Series as  a
percentage  of  its average  net  assets, net  of  fee waiver,  were  .554%. See
"Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC  (PMF OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY  CENTER
THREE,  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET  ASSETS
OF  THE SERIES. PMF is organized in New  York as a limited liability company. It
is the successor to Prudential  Mutual Fund Management, Inc., which  transferred
its  assets to PMF in September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series paid a management fee of .125 of 1% of the Series' average net assets
after waiver.  See  "Fee  Waivers"  below and  "Manager"  in  the  Statement  of
Additional Information.
    
 
   
  As  of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end investment
companies, constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager  or
administrator  to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
  UNDER THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH  THE FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE  INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS  OF EACH SERIES OF THE FUND  AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL  INVESTMENT
CORPORATION  (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE  FUND AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR  ITS
REASONABLE  COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED IN  PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under the
Management Agreement, PMF  continues to have  responsibility for all  investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
   
  PMF  and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential),  a major diversified  insurance and financial  services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
   
  PMF has agreed to waive 75% of its management fee until further notice. During
the  fiscal year ended August  31, 1996, PMF voluntarily  waived $205,083 of its
management fee (.375 of 1% of average net assets). The Series is not required to
reimburse PMF for such management fee  waiver. Thereafter, PMF may from time  to
time agree to waive all or a portion of its management fee and subsidize certain
operating  expenses  of  the  Series. Fee  waivers  and  expense  subsidies will
increase the Series' yield. See "Fund Expenses" and "Calculation of Yield."
    
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES  INCORPORATED  (PRUDENTIAL   SECURITIES,  PSI  OR   THE
DISTRIBUTOR),  ONE SEAPORT  PLAZA, NEW  YORK, NEW  YORK 10292,  IS A CORPORATION
ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE  DISTRIBUTOR
OF THE SERIES' SHARES. It is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential.
Prior  to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc. (PMFD), One
Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292,  acted as distributor of shares of  the
Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER  A DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN (THE  PLAN) ADOPTED BY THE SERIES UNDER
RULE 12b-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT  (THE
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT), THE DISTRIBUTOR INCURS THE EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTING THE
SHARES  OF THE SERIES. These expenses include account servicing fees paid to, or
on account of, financial advisers  of Prudential Securities and  representatives
of  Pruco Securities Corporation (Prusec),  an affiliated broker-dealer, account
servicing fees paid  to, or  on account  of, other  broker-dealers or  financial
institutions (other than national banks) which have entered into agreements with
the  Distributor,  advertising  expenses,  the  cost  of  printing  and  mailing
prospectuses  to  potential  investors  and  indirect  and  overhead  costs   of
Prudential  Securities and  Prusec associated  with the  sale of  Series shares,
including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses. The State
of Texas requires that shares  of the Series may be  sold in that state only  by
dealers   or  other  financial  institutions   which  are  registered  there  as
broker-dealers.
    
 
  UNDER  THE   PLAN,   THE   SERIES   REIMBURSES   THE   DISTRIBUTOR   FOR   ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  EXPENSES AT  AN ANNUAL  RATE OF  UP TO  .125 OF  1% OF THE
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE SERIES. Account servicing fees are paid based on
the average balance of the Series' shares held in the accounts of the  customers
of  financial advisers. The entire  distribution fee may be  used to pay account
servicing fees.
 
   
  For the fiscal  year ended August  31, 1996, the  Series paid PMFD  and PSI  a
distribution  fee equal on an annual basis to .125% of the average net assets of
the Series. Amounts paid to  the Distributor by the Series  will not be used  to
pay distribution expenses incurred by any other series of the Fund.
    
 
  The  Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that each  such continuance  is approved  annually  by a  majority vote  of  the
Trustees  of  the  Fund,  including  a majority  of  the  Trustees  who  are not
"interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company Act)  and
who  have no direct or indirect financial  interest in the operation of the Plan
or any agreements related to the Plan. The Trustees are provided with and review
quarterly reports of expenditures under the Plan.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
  In addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under  the
Plan,  the Manager (or one  of its affiliates) may make  payments out of its own
resources to dealers (including Prudential  Securities) and other persons  which
distribute shares of the Series. Such payments may be calculated by reference to
the  net  asset value  of shares  sold by  such persons  or otherwise.  The Fund
records all payments made under the Plan  as expenses in the calculation of  its
net investment income.
    
 
  On  October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner  who joined  the settlement on  January 18, 1994)  and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  (the NASD) to resolve allegations  that
from  1980  through  1990  PSI sold  certain  limited  partnership  interests in
violation of  securities laws  to  persons for  whom  such securities  were  not
suitable and misrepresented the safety, potential returns and liquidity of these
investments.  Without admitting or denying  the allegations asserted against it,
PSI consented to  the entry  of an SEC  Administrative Order  which stated  that
PSI's  conduct violated the  federal securities laws, directed  PSI to cease and
desist from  violating the  federal securities  laws, pay  civil penalties,  and
adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000  civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount of
$330,000,000 and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for  compensatory
damages  by purchasers of  the partnership interests. PSI  has agreed to provide
additional funds, if necessary,  for the purpose of  the settlement fund.  PSI's
settlement  with the state securities regulators  included an agreement to pay a
penalty of $500,000  per jurisdiction.  PSI consented to  a censure  and to  the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In  October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United States
Magistrate for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI  committed
fraud  in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests in
violation of federal securities laws.  An agreement was simultaneously filed  to
defer  prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the signing
of the agreement, provided  that PSI complies with  the terms of the  agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the  agreement, no prosecution will  be instituted by the  United States for the
offenses charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course  of
the  three  year period,  PSI  violates the  terms  of the  agreement,  the U.S.
Attorney can  then  elect  to pursue  these  charges.  Under the  terms  of  the
agreement,  PSI agreed,  among other things,  to pay  an additional $330,000,000
into the  fund  established by  the  SEC to  pay  restitution to  investors  who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For   more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,  see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The Fund  is not  affected by  PSI's financial  condition and  is an  entirely
separate  legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein and
the Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company,  an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
   
  Prudential  Securities may  act as  a broker for  the Fund,  provided that the
commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives are fair and reasonable. See
"Portfolio  Transactions  and   Brokerage"  in  the   Statement  of   Additional
Information.
    
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State  Street  Bank  and  Trust Company,  One  Heritage  Drive,  North Quincy,
Massachusetts, 02171 serves  as Custodian  for the portfolio  securities of  the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.  (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison,  New
Jersey  08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain  books and records for  the Fund. PMFS is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING  ITS
LIABILITIES  FROM THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  AND DIVIDING  THE REMAINDER  BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. THE TRUSTEES  HAVE FIXED THE SPECIFIC TIME OF  DAY
FOR  THE COMPUTATION OF THE NET ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:30 P.M.,
NEW YORK TIME, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS.
 
  The Series will compute  its NAV once  daily on days that  the New York  Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or  redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes in
the value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the  NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents'  Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
  The Series determines the value of  its portfolio securities by the  amortized
cost  method.  This  method  involves  valuing an  instrument  at  its  cost and
thereafter assuming  a constant  amortization  to maturity  of any  discount  or
premium  regardless of  the impact of  fluctuating interest rates  on the market
value of the instrument. While this  method provides certainty in valuation,  it
may  result in periods during  which value, as determined  by amortized cost, is
higher or  lower  than  the price  the  Series  would receive  if  it  sold  the
instrument. During these periods, the yield to a shareholder may differ somewhat
from  that which could be obtained from a similar fund which marks its portfolio
securities to the  market each  day. For  example, during  periods of  declining
interest  rates, if  the use of  the amortized  cost method resulted  in a lower
value of the Series'  portfolio on a  given day, a  prospective investor in  the
Series would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield and existing shareholders
would  receive  correspondingly less  income.  The converse  would  apply during
periods of  rising  interest rates.  The  Trustees have  established  procedures
designed  to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, the NAV of the shares
of the Series  at $1.00 per  share. See "Net  Asset Value" in  the Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE  SERIES  HAS ELECTED  TO  QUALIFY AND  INTENDS  TO REMAIN  QUALIFIED  AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY,  THE
SERIES  WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME
AND CAPITAL  GAINS, IF  ANY, THAT  IT DISTRIBUTES  TO ITS  SHAREHOLDERS. TO  THE
EXTENT  NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn  taxable
investment  income.  Gain  or loss  realized  by  the Series  from  the  sale of
securities generally will be treated as capital gain or loss; however, gain from
the sale of certain securities (including municipal obligations) will be treated
as ordinary  income to  the extent  of any  "market discount."  Market  discount
generally  is the difference, if  any, between the price  paid by the Series for
the security and  the principal amount  of the security  (or, in the  case of  a
security  issued at an original  issue discount, the revised  issue price of the
security). The market  discount rule  does not apply  to any  security that  was
acquired  by  the  Series at  its  original  issue. See  "Distributions  and Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In general, the  character of  tax-exempt interest distributed  by the  Series
will  flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that 50%
or more of the  value of its assets  at the end of  each quarter of its  taxable
year is invested in state,
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
municipal  and other obligations,  the interest on which  is excluded from gross
income for  federal income  tax purposes.  During normal  market conditions,  at
least  80% of the Series' total assets will be invested in such obligations. See
"How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies."
 
  Any  dividends  out   of  net   taxable  investment   income,  together   with
distributions  of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net short-term
capital gains over  net long-term capital  losses) distributed to  shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any  net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable  as
long-term  capital  gains to  the shareholders,  whether  or not  reinvested and
regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares.  The
maximum  long-term  capital  gains  rate for  individuals  is  28%.  The maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders currently is the same as
the maximum tax rate  for ordinary income.  The Series does  not expect to  have
long-term capital gains.
 
  CERTAIN  INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE  MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS A
RESULT OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN  THE FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from  certain
municipal  obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after August
7, 1986)  will be  treated as  an item  of tax  preference for  purposes of  the
alternative  minimum tax.  The Fund  anticipates that,  under regulations  to be
promulgated, items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be  attributed
to  the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could be
allocated to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's  individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could  result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum tax.
Similarly, the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for  items
of  tax  preference attributed  to  it. The  Series  is permitted  to  invest in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
  Corporate shareholders in the Series also  will have to take into account  the
adjustment  for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes. Corporate
shareholders should  consult  with  their  tax advisers  with  respect  to  this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under  Massachusetts  law,  dividends  paid  by  the  Series  are  exempt from
Massachusetts  personal  income  tax  for  individuals  and  other  noncorporate
shareholders resident in Massachusetts to the extent such dividends are excluded
from  gross income for federal income tax purposes and are derived from interest
payments on Massachusetts Obligations or are capital gain dividends for  federal
income  tax purposes  and are  derived from  long-term capital  gains on certain
Massachusetts Obligations.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and  remit
to  the  U.S. Treasury  31%  of redemption  proceeds  on the  accounts  of those
shareholders who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS  Form
W-9  (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with the
required certifications  regarding the  shareholder's status  under the  federal
income  tax  law. Such  withholding is  also required  on taxable  dividends and
capital gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably  expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders  are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions as  to federal,  state  or local  taxes.  See "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  THE  SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME AND SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAINS.
 
  DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE  SERIES
BASED  ON THE  NET ASSET VALUE  OF SERIES' SHARES  ON THE PAYMENT  DATE, OR SUCH
OTHER DATE  AS THE  TRUSTEES MAY  DETERMINE, UNLESS  THE SHAREHOLDER  ELECTS  IN
WRITING  NOT LESS THAN  FIVE BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO THE  RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE
SUCH DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH.  Such election should be submitted  to
Prudential  Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account Maintenance, P.O. Box
15015, New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey  08906-5015.  If  you  hold  shares  through
Prudential  Securities, you  should contact your  financial adviser  to elect to
receive  dividends  and  distributions  in  cash.  The  Fund  will  notify  each
shareholder after the close of the Fund's taxable year of both the dollar amount
and the taxable status of that year's dividends and distributions.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A  DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust  permits the Trustees to  issue an unlimited number  of
full  and  fractional shares  in separate  series,  currently designated  as the
Connecticut Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series,  Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Michigan
Series, New  Jersey Money  Market Series,  New Jersey  Series, New  York  Income
Series  (not presently  being offered), New  York Money Market  Series, New York
Series, North Carolina Series, Ohio  Series and Pennsylvania Series.  Currently,
all  series of  the Fund,  except for the  Connecticut Money  Market Series, the
Florida Series,  the Massachusetts  Money Market  Series, the  New Jersey  Money
Market  Series, the New Jersey Series, the  New York Income Series, the New York
Money Market Series  and the  New York  Series offer  three classes,  designated
Class  A, Class B and Class C shares.  The Florida Series, the New Jersey Series
and the New York Series offer four classes of shares, designated Class A,  Class
B,  Class C and Class Z shares. The Connecticut Money Market Series, the Florida
Series, the  Massachusetts Money  Market  Series, the  New Jersey  Money  Market
Series  and the New York Money Market Series  offer only one class of shares. In
accordance with the Fund's Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may authorize  the
creation  of  additional  series  and  classes  within  such  series,  with such
preferences, privileges,  limitations  and voting  and  dividend rights  as  the
Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares  of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable, fully
transferable and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are  also
redeemable  at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as described
under "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of the Series  is
equal  as to earnings,  assets and voting  privileges, and each  class bears the
expenses related to  the distribution of  its shares. There  are no  conversion,
preemptive or other subscription rights. In the event of liquidation, each share
of  beneficial interest of each series is entitled  to its portion of all of the
Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the Fund have been paid. The Fund's
shares do not have cumulative voting rights for the election of Trustees.
 
  THE FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS
OTHERWISE  REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS OF
SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO  BE
ACTED  UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS HAVE
CERTAIN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF  THE
FUND'S  OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make  the
Fund  similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation. The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts   business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.  Under
Massachusetts  law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under   certain
circumstances,  be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
fund, which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of  the
Fund  provides that shareholders shall not  be subject to any personal liability
for the  acts or  obligations of  the Fund  and that  every written  obligation,
contract,  instrument or undertaking made by  the Fund shall contain a provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which  has
been  incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under  the
Securities  Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at
a reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at  the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY  FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH ITS  TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUND
SERVICES, INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT  SERVICES,
P.O.  BOX  15020,  NEW BRUNSWICK,  NEW  JERSEY 08906-5020.  The  minimum initial
investment is $1,000.  The minimum  subsequent investment is  $100. All  minimum
investment  requirements  are waived  for the  Command  Account program  (if the
Series is designated as your primary  fund) and certain employee savings  plans.
For  purchases made through the Automatic Savings Accumulation Plan, the minimum
initial and subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Services" below.
 
  An investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt  or
tax-deferred  investors.  Such  investors  should  consult  with  their  own tax
advisers.
 
  SHARES OF THE SERIES ARE  SOLD, WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE,  AT THE NAV PER  SHARE
NEXT  DETERMINED  FOLLOWING  RECEIPT AND  ACCEPTANCE  BY THE  TRANSFER  AGENT OR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OF AN ORDER IN  PROPER FORM (I.E., CHECK OR FEDERAL  FUNDS
WIRED  TO PMFS). See "How the Fund  Values its Shares." When payment is received
by PMFS prior to  4:30 P .M., New  York time, in proper  form, a share  purchase
order  will be entered at the price determined  as of 4:30 P .M., New York time,
on that day, and dividends  on the shares purchased  will begin on the  business
day following such investment. See "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions."
 
  Application  forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
If a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for  each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their  shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
Shareholders cannot utilize Expedited Redemption  or Check Redemption or have  a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan if they have been issued certificates.
 
  The  Fund reserves  the right  in its sole  discretion to  reject any purchase
order (including  an exchange  into the  Series)  or to  suspend or  modify  the
continuous offering of its shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your  dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund. The
Distributor reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which  payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions  in shares  of the  Series may  be subject  to postage  and other
charges imposed by the dealer.
 
  PURCHASES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
 
  If you have an account with  Prudential Securities (or open such an  account),
you  may ask  Prudential Securities  to purchase  shares of  the Series  on your
behalf. On the business  day following confirmation that  a free credit  balance
(I.E.,   immediately  available  funds)  exists   in  your  account,  Prudential
Securities will effect a purchase order for shares of the Series in an amount up
to the balance  of the  NAV determined  on that  day. Funds  held by  Prudential
Securities  on behalf  of its clients  in the  form of free  credit balances are
delivered to the Fund by Prudential  Securities and begin earning dividends  the
second  business  day  after  receipt of  the  order  by  Prudential Securities.
Accordingly, Prudential  Securities  will  have  the use  of  such  free  credit
balances during this period.
 
  Shares  of  the Series  purchased by  Prudential Securities  on behalf  of its
clients will  be held  by  Prudential Securities  as record  holder.  Prudential
Securities  will therefore  receive statements  and dividends  directly from the
Fund and  will in  turn  provide investors  with Prudential  Securities  account
statements  reflecting  purchases, redemptions  and dividend  payments. Although
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
Prudential  Securities  clients  who  purchase  shares  of  the  Series  through
Prudential  Securities may not redeem shares  of the Series by check, Prudential
Securities provides its clients  with alternative forms  of immediate access  to
monies invested in shares of the Series.
 
  Prudential   Securities  clients  wishing  additional  information  concerning
investment in shares  of the  Series made through  Prudential Securities  should
call their Prudential Securities financial adviser.
 
  AUTOMATIC  INVESTMENT. Prudential Securities has advised  the Fund that it has
instituted procedures  pursuant  to  which,  upon  enrollment  by  a  Prudential
Securities client, Prudential Securities will make automatic investments of free
credit  balances of $1,000  or more ($1.00 for  IRAs) (Eligible Credit Balances)
held in such client's account in shares of the Series (Autosweep). To effect the
automatic investment of Eligible Credit Balances representing the proceeds  from
the sale of securities, Prudential Securities will enter orders for the purchase
of  shares of  the Series at  the opening of  business on the  day following the
settlement of  such securities  transaction (on  settlement date  for IRAs);  to
effect  the  automatic  investment  of  Eligible  Credit  Balances  representing
non-trade related  credits,  Prudential Securities  will  enter orders  for  the
purchase  of shares of the  Series at the opening  of business semi-monthly. All
shares purchased  pursuant  to  such  procedures  will  be  issued  at  the  NAV
determined  on the date the order is  entered and will receive the next dividend
declared after such shares are issued.
 
  SELF-DIRECTED INVESTMENT. Prudential Securities clients not electing Autosweep
may continue to place orders  for the purchase of  shares of the Series  through
Prudential  Securities, subject to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
requirements described above.
 
  A Prudential  Securities  client  who has  not  elected  Autosweep  (Automatic
Investment)  and who does  not place a  purchase order promptly  after funds are
credited to his  or her Prudential  Securities account will  have a free  credit
balance  with  Prudential Securities  and will  not  begin earning  dividends on
shares of the Series until the second business day after receipt of the order by
Prudential Securities from the  client. Accordingly, Prudential Securities  will
have the use of such free credit balances during this period.
 
  PURCHASES THROUGH PRUSEC
 
  You  may purchase shares  of the Series  by placing an  order with your Prusec
representative accompanied by payment for the purchase price of such shares and,
in the case  of a new  account, a  completed application form.  You should  also
submit  an IRS Form W-9. The Prusec representative will then forward these items
to the Transfer Agent. See "Purchase by Mail" below.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE
 
  For an  initial purchase  of shares  of the  Series by  wire, you  must  first
telephone  PMFS at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an account number. The
following information will be requested: your name, address, tax  identification
number,  dividend  distribution election,  amount being  wired and  wiring bank.
Instructions should then be given by you to your bank to transfer funds by  wire
to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company  (State Street), Boston, Massachusetts,
Custody and  Shareholder  Services  Division,  Attention:  Prudential  Municipal
Series  Fund,  Massachusetts Money  Market Series,  specifying  on the  wire the
account number assigned by PMFS and your name.
 
  If you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to  the
calculation  of  NAV (4:30  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you may
purchase shares of the Series as of that day and receive dividends commencing on
the next business  day. See  "Net Asset Value"  in the  Statement of  Additional
Information.
 
  In  making a subsequent purchase  order by wire, you  should wire State Street
directly, and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal Series
Fund (Massachusetts Money Market  Series) and your  name and individual  account
number.  It is  not necessary  to call PMFS  to make  subsequent purchase orders
utilizing Federal Funds.  The minimum amount  which may be  invested by wire  is
$1,000.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
  PURCHASE BY MAIL
 
  Purchase orders for which remittance is to be made by check or money order may
be  submitted  directly  by  mail  to  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Services, Inc.,
Attention: Investment  Services,  P.O.  Box 15020,  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey
08906-5020,  together with payment for the purchase price of such shares and, in
the case of a new account, a completed application form. You should also  submit
an  IRS Form W-9. If PMFS receives an order to purchase shares of the Series and
payment in proper form  prior to 4:30  P.M., New York  time, the purchase  order
will  be effective that day  and you will begin  earning dividends the following
business day. See "Taxes,  Dividends and Distributions."  Checks should be  made
payable  to Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Massachusetts Money Market Series.
Certified checks are not necessary, but checks  must be drawn on a bank  located
in  the  United  States. There  are  restrictions  on the  redemption  of shares
purchased by check while the  funds are being collected.  See "How to Sell  Your
Shares" below. The minimum initial investment by check is $1,000 and the minimum
subsequent investment by check is $100.
 
  THE PRUDENTIAL ADVANTAGE ACCOUNT PROGRAM
 
  Shares  of the Series are offered  to participants in the Prudential Advantage
Account Program (the  Advantage Account Program),  a financial services  program
available to clients of Pruco Securities Corporation. Investors participating in
the  Advantage Account Program may select the Series as their primary investment
vehicle. Such investors will have free credit cash balances of $1.00 or more  in
their  Securities Account (Available Cash) (a component of the Advantage Account
Program carried through Prudential Securities) automatically invested in  shares
of the Series. Specifically, an order to purchase shares of the Series is placed
(i)  in the  case of  Available Cash resulting  from the  proceeds of securities
sales, on the settlement date  of the securities sale, and  (ii) in the case  of
Available  Cash  resulting  from  non-trade related  credits  (I.E.,  receipt of
dividends and interest payments, or a  cash payment by the participant into  his
or  her Securities  Account), on  the business  day after  receipt by Prudential
Securities of the non-trade related credit.
 
  All shares  purchased pursuant  to these  automatic purchase  procedures  will
begin  earning  dividends  on  the  business  day  after  the  order  is placed.
Prudential Securities will  arrange for investment  in shares of  the Series  at
4:30 P.M. on the day the order is placed and cause payment to be made in Federal
Funds  for the shares  prior to 4:30  P.M. on the  next business day. Prudential
Securities will have the use of free credit cash balances until delivery to  the
Fund.
 
  Redemptions will be automatically effected by Prudential Securities to satisfy
debit  balances in a  Securities Account created by  activity therein or arising
under the  Advantage Account  Program, such  as  those incurred  by use  of  the
Visa-Registered  Trademark- Account, including Visa purchases, cash advances and
Visa Account checks. Each Advantage  Account Program Securities Account will  be
automatically  scanned for debits each business day  as of the close of business
on that  day and  after application  of any  free credit  cash balances  in  the
account to such debits, a sufficient number of shares of the Series (if selected
as  the primary fund) and, if necessary, shares of other Advantage Account funds
owned by the Advantage Account Program participant which have not been  selected
as  his or  her primary  fund or  shares of  a participant's  money market funds
managed by PMF which are not primary Advantage Account funds will be redeemed as
of that business day to satisfy any remaining debits in the Securities  Account.
Shares  may not be purchased until all debits, overdrafts and other requirements
in the Securities Account are satisfied.
 
  Advantage Account Program charges and expenses are not reflected in the  table
of Fund expenses. See "Fund Expenses."
 
  For  information on participation in the Advantage Account Program, you should
telephone (800) 235-7637 (toll-free).
 
  COMMAND ACCOUNT PROGRAM
 
  Shares of the Series are offered to participants in the Prudential  Securities
Command  Account program, an integrated financial services program of Prudential
Securities. Investors having a  Command Account may select  the Series as  their
primary fund. Such investors will have the free credit cash balances of $1.00 or
more  in their Securities  Account (Available Cash) (a  component of the Command
Account program) automatically  invested in  shares of the  Series as  described
below.  Specifically, an order to purchase shares of the Series is placed (i) in
the case of Available Cash resulting  from the proceeds of securities sales,  on
the
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
settlement  date of the securities sale, and  (ii) in the case of Available Cash
resulting from  non-trade  related  credits  (I.E.,  receipt  of  dividends  and
interest  payments, maturity of a bond or a cash payment by the participant into
his or her Securities Account), on the business day after receipt by  Prudential
Securities  of the non-trade related credit. These automatic purchase procedures
are also applicable for Corporate Command Accounts.
 
  All shares  purchased pursuant  to these  automatic purchase  procedures  will
begin  earning  dividends  on  the  business  day  after  the  order  is placed.
Prudential Securities will  arrange for investment  in shares of  the Series  at
4:30  P.M., New  York time, on  the business day  the order is  placed and cause
payment to be made in Federal Funds for the shares prior to 4:30 P.M., New  York
time,  on the next business day. Prudential Securities will have the use of free
credit cash balances until delivery to the Fund. There are no minimum investment
requirements for participants in the Command Account program.
 
  Redemptions will be automatically effected by Prudential Securities to satisfy
debit balances in a  Securities Account created by  activity therein or  arising
under   the   Command  Program,   such  as   those  incurred   by  use   of  the
Visa-Registered Trademark- Gold Account, including Visa purchases, cash advances
and Visa  Account  checks.  Each  Command program  Securities  Account  will  be
automatically  scanned for debits monthly for all Visa purchases incurred during
that month and each business day as of the close of business on that day for all
cash advances and check  charges as incurred and  after application of any  free
credit  cash balances  in the  account to  such debits;  a sufficient  number of
shares of the Series and, if necessary,  shares of other Command funds owned  by
the  Command program  participant which  have not  been selected  as his  or her
primary fund or  shares of  a participant's money  market funds  managed by  PMF
which  are not primary Command funds will be redeemed as of that business day to
satisfy any remaining debits in the Securities Account. The single monthly debit
for Visa purchases will be  made on the twenty-fifth day  of each month, or  the
prior  business day if  the twenty-fifth falls  on a weekend  or holiday. Margin
loans will be utilized to satisfy debits remaining after the liquidation of  all
shares  of the Series in  a Securities Account, and  shares may not be purchased
until all debits, margin loans and other requirements in the Securities  Account
are  satisfied. Command Account  participants will not  be entitled to dividends
declared on the date of redemption.
 
  For information on participation  in the Command  Account program, you  should
telephone (800) 222-4321 (toll-free).
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU  CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV NEXT
DETERMINED AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY  THE
TRANSFER AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
 
  Shares for which a redemption request is received by PMFS prior to 4:30 P .M.,
New  York time, are  entitled to a dividend  on the day on  which the request is
received. By  pre-authorizing  Expedited Redemption,  you  may arrange  to  have
payment  for redeemed shares made in Federal  Funds wired to your bank, normally
on the next bank business  day following the date  of receipt of the  redemption
instructions.  Should you redeem all of your shares, you will receive the amount
of all dividends  declared for the  month-to-date on those  shares. See  "Taxes,
Dividends and Distributions."
 
  If  redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary,
written evidence of authority acceptable to the Transfer Agent must be submitted
before  such  request  will  be  accepted.  All  correspondence  and   documents
concerning redemptions should be sent to the Fund in care of its Transfer Agent,
Prudential  Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Redemption Services, P.O. Box
15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to  a
person  other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other than
the address  on  the Transfer  Agent's  records  or (d)  are  to be  paid  to  a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request  and on certificates,  if any, or  stock power must  be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution"  includes
any  bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the right
to request additional information  from, and make  reasonable inquiries of,  any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be  obtained from the agency or office  manager of most Prudential Insurance and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
  NORMALLY, THE FUND MAKES PAYMENT  ON THE NEXT BUSINESS  DAY FOR ALL SHARES  OF
THE  SERIES REDEEMED, BUT IN ANY EVENT,  PAYMENT IS MADE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER
RECEIPT BY PMFS OF SHARE CERTIFICATES  AND/OR OF A REDEMPTION REQUEST IN  PROPER
FORM. However, the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date
of  payment (a)  for any  periods during  which the  New York  Stock Exchange is
closed (other  than for  customary weekend  or holiday  closings), (b)  for  any
periods  when trading in the markets which  the Fund normally utilizes is closed
or restricted or an emergency exists as  determined by the SEC so that  disposal
of  the  Series'  investments or  determination  of  its NAV  is  not reasonably
practicable or (c) for such other periods  as the SEC may permit for  protection
of the Series' shareholders.
 
  PAYMENT  FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL THE
FUND OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS  BEEN
HONORED,  UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE  TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK. THE FUND MAKES NO CHARGE FOR REDEMPTION.
 
  REDEMPTION OF SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
 
  Prudential Securities  clients for  whom Prudential  Securities has  purchased
shares  of the Series may  have these shares redeemed  only by instructing their
Prudential Securities financial adviser orally or in writing.
 
  Prudential Securities has advised the Fund that it has established  procedures
pursuant  to which shares of  the Series held by  a Prudential Securities client
having a deficiency in his or her Prudential Securities account will be redeemed
automatically to the  extent of  that deficiency  to the  nearest higher  dollar
unless  the client notifies Prudential Securities to the contrary. The amount of
the redemption  will be  the lesser  of (a)  the total  net asset  value of  the
Series'  shares held  in the client's  Prudential Securities account  or (b) the
deficiency in  the  client's  Prudential  Securities account  at  the  close  of
business  on  the  date  such  deficiency  is  due.  Accordingly,  a  Prudential
Securities client utilizing this automatic  redemption procedure and who  wishes
to pay for a securities transaction or satisfy any other debit balance in his or
her  account other than  through this automatic redemption  procedure must do so
not later than the day of settlement for such securities transaction or the date
the debit balance is incurred. Prudential Securities clients who have elected to
utilize Autosweep will  not be  entitled to dividends  declared on  the date  of
redemption.
 
  REDEMPTION OF SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH PMFS
 
  If  you  purchase shares  of  the Series  through  PMFS, you  may  use Regular
Redemption, Expedited  Redemption  or Check  Redemption.  Prudential  Securities
clients  for whom  Prudential Securities has  purchased shares may  not use such
services.
 
  REGULAR REDEMPTION. You may redeem your  shares by sending a written  request,
accompanied  by duly endorsed share certificates, if issued, to PMFS, Attention:
Redemption Services, P.O. Box  15010, New Brunswick,  New Jersey 08906-5010.  In
this  case, all share  certificates and certain  written requests for redemption
must be endorsed by you with  signature guaranteed, as described above.  Regular
redemption is made by check sent to your address.
 
  EXPEDITED REDEMPTION. By pre-authorizing Expedited Redemption, you may arrange
to  have payment for redeemed  shares made in Federal  Funds wired to your bank,
normally on  the  next  business  day following  redemption.  In  order  to  use
Expedited  Redemption, you may so designate  at the time the initial application
form is made  or at a  later date. Once  the Expedited Redemption  authorization
form  has been completed, the signature  on the authorization form guaranteed as
set forth above and the form returned to Prudential Mutual Fund Services,  Inc.,
Attention:  Account  Maintenance,  P.O.  Box 15015,  New  Brunswick,  New Jersey
08906-5015, requests  for  redemption  may  be  made  by  telegraph,  letter  or
telephone. To request Expedited Redemption by telephone, you should call PMFS at
(800)  225-1852. Calls must be received by PMFS before 4:30 P.M., New York time,
to permit redemption as of such date. Requests by letter should be addressed  to
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., at the address set forth above.
 
  A  signature guarantee  is not  required under  Expedited Redemption  once the
authorization form is properly completed and returned. The Expedited  Redemption
privilege may be used only to redeem shares in an amount of $200 or more, except
that, if an
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
account  for which Expedited  Redemption is requested  has a net  asset value of
less than $200, the  entire account must be  redeemed. The proceeds of  redeemed
shares  in the amount of $1,000 or more  are transmitted by wire to your account
at a domestic commercial bank which is  a member of the Federal Reserve  System.
Proceeds  of less  than $1,000  are forwarded by  check to  your designated bank
account.
 
  DURING PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET  OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, EXPEDITED  REDEMPTION
MAY  BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD REDEEM SHARES BY MAIL AS DESCRIBED
ABOVE.
 
  CHECK REDEMPTION.  At your  request, State  Street will  establish a  personal
checking  account for you. Checks  drawn on this account  can be made payable to
the order of  any person in  any amount greater  than $500. When  such check  is
presented  to State Street for  payment, State Street presents  the check to the
Fund as authority to redeem a sufficient  number of shares of the Series in  the
shareholder's  account to cover the amount  of the check. If insufficient shares
are in the  account, or if  the purchase was  made by check  within 10  calendar
days,  the  check will  be returned  marked "insufficient  funds." Checks  in an
amount less than $500  will not be honored.  Shares for which certificates  have
been  issued cannot  be redeemed by  check. There  is a service  charge of $5.00
payable to PMFS to establish a checking account and order checks.
 
  INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. Because of the relatively high cost of maintaining  an
account, the Fund reserves the right to redeem, upon 60 days' written notice, an
account  which is reduced by a shareholder to  a net asset value of $500 or less
due to redemption.  You may avoid  such redemption by  increasing the net  asset
value of your account to an amount in excess of $500.
 
  REDEMPTION  IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests of the remaining  shareholders of the Series to make  payment
wholly  or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution in kind of  securities from the portfolio of the  Series,
in  lieu of cash, in conformity with the applicable rules of the SEC. Securities
will be readily marketable and will be valued in the same manner as in a regular
redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your shares are redeemed in
kind, you will  incur brokerage costs  in converting the  assets into cash.  The
Fund  has elected to be governed by  Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act
under which the  Fund is obligated  to redeem shares  solely in cash  up to  the
lesser  of $250,000 or one percent of the net asset value of the Fund during any
90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. You may direct that the proceeds of  a
redemption  of Series  shares be invested  in Class B  or Class C  shares of any
Prudential Mutual Fund by calling  your Prudential Securities financial  adviser
or the Transfer Agent at (800) 225-1852. The transaction will be effected on the
basis of the relative NAV.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
   
  AS  A SHAREHOLDER  OF THE  SERIES, YOU HAVE  AN EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE WITH OTHER
SERIES OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE  EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE),  INCLUDING ONE OR  MORE SPECIFIED MONEY MARKET  FUNDS AND FUNDS SOLD
WITH AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE, SUBJECT TO THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS  OF
SUCH  FUNDS. You may exchange your shares for Class A shares of the other series
of the Fund or Class A shares of the Prudential Mutual Funds on the basis of the
relative NAV per  share plus the  applicable sales charge.  No additional  sales
charge  is imposed in connection with subsequent exchanges. You may not exchange
your shares  for Class  B shares  of the  Prudential Mutual  Funds, except  that
shares acquired prior to January 22, 1990 subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge  can be exchanged for  Class B shares. See "Class  B and Class C Purchase
Privilege" above and "Shareholder Investment Account--Exchange Privilege" in the
Statement of Additional Information. An exchange will be treated as a redemption
and purchase for tax purposes. You may  not exchange your shares for Class C  or
Class  Z shares of other series of the Fund  or Class C or Class Z shares of the
Prudential Mutual Funds.
    
 
   
  IN ORDER TO  EXCHANGE SHARES BY  TELEPHONE, YOU MUST  AUTHORIZE THE  TELEPHONE
EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE
TRANSFER AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call
the Fund at (800) 225-1852 to execute a telephone exchange of shares,  weekdays,
except  holidays, between the hours  of 8:00 A.M. and  6:00 P.M., New York time.
For your protection  and to  prevent fraudulent exchanges,  your telephone  call
will  be recorded and you will be  asked to provide your personal identification
number. A written confirmation of the exchange transaction will be sent to  you.
NEITHER  THE FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE FOR  ANY LOSS, LIABIITY OR COST
WHICH RESULTS FROM ACTING  UPON INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY  BELIEVED TO BE  GENUINE
UNDER    THE   FOREGOING   PROCEDURES.   (THE   FUND   OR   ITS   AGENTS   COULD
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
BE SUBJECT  TO LIABILITY  IF THEY  FAIL TO  EMPLOY REASONABLE  PROCEDURES.)  All
exchanges  will be made  on the basis of  the relative NAV of  the two funds (or
series) next  determined  after the  request  is  received in  good  order.  The
Exchange  Privilege  is made  available only  in states  where the  exchange may
legally be made.
    
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE  YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE  OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual  Fund
Services,  Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE  OF
SHARES  MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  The Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including  exchanges
(and  market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse effect on  the ability of  the Subadviser to  manage the portfolio.  The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination  to reject any  exchange order shall  be in the  discretion of the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated  or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, you can take advantage of the following
services and privileges:
 
      -  AUTOMATIC  REINVESTMENT  OF DIVIDENDS  AND/OR  DISTRIBUTIONS.  For your
    convenience, all dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested in
    full and fractional shares of the Series at NAV. You may direct the Transfer
    Agent in writing not less than 5 full business days prior to the record date
    to have subsequent dividends and/or  distributions sent in cash rather  than
    reinvested.  If you  hold shares  through Prudential  Securities, you should
    contact your financial adviser.
 
      - AUTOMATIC  SAVINGS ACCUMULATION  PLAN (ASAP).  Under ASAP  you may  make
    regular  purchases of the Series' shares in  amounts as little as $50 via an
    automatic  charge  to  a  bank  account  or  Prudential  Securities  account
    (including  a  Command  Account).  For  additional  information  about  this
    service, you  may  contact  your Prudential  Securities  financial  adviser,
    Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
      -  SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN.  A systematic withdrawal  plan is available
    for shareholders which provides for monthly or quarterly checks. See "How to
    Sell Your Shares."
 
      - MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS. Special procedures  have been designed for banks  and
    other  institutions that wish to open  multiple accounts. An institution may
    open a single master account by filing an application form with the Transfer
    Agent. Attention:  Customer  Service, P.O.  Box  15005, New  Brunswick,  New
    Jersey  08906, signed  by personnel authorized  to act  for the institution.
    Individual sub-accounts may  be opened  at the  time the  master account  is
    opened  by listing  them, or they  may be added  at a later  date by written
    advice or by filing forms supplied by the Fund. Procedures are available  to
    identify sub-accounts by name and number within the master account name. The
    investment  minimums set forth above are applicable to the aggregate amounts
    invested by a group and not to the amount credited to each sub-account.
 
   
      - REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund  will send you annual and  semi-annual
    reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are audited by
    independent  accountants. In order to  reduce duplicate mailing and printing
    expenses, the  Fund  will provide  one  annual and  semi-annual  shareholder
    report  and  annual prospectus  per  household. You  may  request additional
    copies of such reports by calling (800)  225-1852 or by writing to the  Fund
    at  Gateway Center  Three, Newark,  New Jersey  07102. In  addition, monthly
    unaudited financial data is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
      - SHAREHOLDER  INQUIRIES. Inquiries  should be  addressed to  the Fund  at
    Gateway  Center Three, Newark,  New Jersey 07102, or  by telephone, at (800)
    225-1852  (toll-free)  or,  from  outside  the  U.S.A.,  at  (908)  417-7555
    (collect).
    
 
  For  additional information  regarding the  services and  privileges discribed
above, see  "Shareholder  Investment Account"  in  the Statement  of  Additional
Information.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management  offers a  broad  range  of  mutual funds
designed to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the  investment
options  available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities financial adviser or Prusec  representative or telephone the Fund  at
(800)  225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before you
invest or send money.
 
- ------------------------------
TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
- ------------------------------
   
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
    
 
- ------------------------------
TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
- ------------------------------
Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Series
    California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
    High Yield Series
    Insured Series
    Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Florida Series
    Hawaii Income Series
    Maryland Series
    Massachusetts Series
    Michigan Series
    New Jersey Series
    New York Series
    North Carolina Series
    Ohio Series
    Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
- ------------------------------
GLOBAL FUNDS
- ------------------------------
   
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
    Global Series
    International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
    
 
- ------------------------------
EQUITY FUNDS
- ------------------------------
   
Prudential Allocation Fund
    Balanced Portfolio
    Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
    Prudential Active Balanced Fund
    Prudential Stock Index Fund
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
    Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
    Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
    Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
    
 
- ------------------------------
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ------------------------------
   
- - TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Money Market Series
    U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
    Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
    
 
   
- - TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Connecticut Money Market Series
    Massachusetts Money Market Series
    New Jersey Money Market Series
    New York Money Market Series
    
 
- - COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
 
- - INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
    Institutional Money Market Series
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained in this Prospectus, and,
if  given or made, such other information  or representations must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by  the Fund or the Distributor. This  Prospectus
does  not constitute an  offer by the  Fund or by  the Distributor to  sell or a
solicitation of any offer  to buy any  of the securities  offered hereby in  any
jurisdiction  to any person  to whom it is  unlawful to make  such offer in such
jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PAGE
                                                 ----
<S>                                              <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS................................    2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics.....    2
FUND EXPENSES..................................    4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS...........................    5
CALCULATION OF YIELD...........................    6
HOW THE FUND INVESTS...........................    6
  Investment Objective and Policies............    6
  Other Investments and Policies...............    9
  Investment Restrictions......................   10
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED........................   10
  Manager......................................   10
  Distributor..................................   11
  Portfolio Transactions.......................   12
  Custodian and Transfer and
   Dividend Disbursing Agent...................   12
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES.................   13
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.............   13
GENERAL INFORMATION............................   15
  Description of Shares........................   15
  Additional Information.......................   15
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE..............................   16
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund................   16
  How to Sell Your Shares......................   19
  How to Exchange Your Shares..................   21
  Shareholder Services.........................   22
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY..............  A-1
 
     -------------------------------------------
MF153A                                         444565U
</TABLE>
    
 
                              CUSIP No: 74435M-63-0
 
   
                                     PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
    PRUDENTIAL
 
    MUNICIPAL SERIES
 
    FUND
 
    MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES
 
- --------------------------------------
 
                                       [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(MARYLAND SERIES)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential  Municipal Series Fund (the  "Fund") (Maryland Series) (the "Series")
is one of  fourteen series  of an  open-end, management  investment company,  or
mutual  fund. This Series is diversified and  is designed to provide the maximum
amount of income  that is exempt  from Maryland State  and federal income  taxes
consistent  with the preservation of capital  and, in conjunction therewith, the
Series may invest in  debt securities with the  potential for capital gain.  The
net  assets of the  Series are invested  in obligations within  the four highest
ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or another
nationally recognized statistical rating organization or in unrated  obligations
which,  in  the opinion  of  the Fund's  investment  adviser, are  of comparable
quality. Subject to  the limitations  described herein, the  Series may  utilize
derivatives,  including buying and selling futures contracts and options thereon
for the purpose of hedging its  portfolio securities. There can be no  assurance
that  the  Series' investment  objective  will be  achieved.  See "How  the Fund
Invests--Investment Objective  and  Policies."  The Fund's  address  is  Gateway
Center  Three,  Newark, New  Jersey  07102, and  its  telephone number  is (800)
225-1852.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets  forth concisely  the information  about the  Fund and  the
Maryland  Series  that  a  prospective investor  should  know  before investing.
Additional information about  the Fund has  been filed with  the Securities  and
Exchange  Commission in a Statement of  Additional Information dated November 1,
1996,  which  information  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  (is  legally
considered  a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available without  charge upon
request to the Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The  following summary is intended  to highlight certain information contained
in this  Prospectus  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
  Prudential  Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered in
fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund  pools
the resources of investors by selling its shares to the public and investing the
proceeds  of such  sale in  a portfolio  of securities  designed to  achieve its
investment  objective.  Technically,  the   Fund  is  an  open-end,   management
investment company. Only the Maryland Series is offered through this Prospectus.
 
WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
  The  Series' investment objective is to maximize current income that is exempt
from Maryland State and federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of
capital. It seeks to achieve this  objective by investing primarily in  Maryland
State,  municipal  and local  government  obligations and  obligations  of other
qualifying issuers, such as issuers located  in Puerto Rico, the Virgin  Islands
and  Guam, which  pay income  exempt, in the  opinion of  counsel, from Maryland
State and federal income taxes (Maryland Obligations). There can be no assurance
that the  Series' investment  objective  will be  achieved.  See "How  the  Fund
Invests-- Investment Objective and Policies" at page 8.
 
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
   
  In  seeking to  achieve its  investment objective,  the Series  will invest at
least 80% of the value of its total assets in Maryland Obligations. This  degree
of investment concentration makes the Series particularly susceptible to factors
adversely   affecting  issuers  of  Maryland  Obligations.  See  "How  the  Fund
Invests--Investment Objective and Policies--Special Considerations" at page  12.
To  hedge against changes  in interest rates,  the Series may  also purchase put
options and engage  in transactions involving  derivatives, including  financial
futures  contracts and  options thereon.  See "How  the Fund Invests--Investment
Objective and Policies--Futures Contracts and Options Thereon" at page 11.
    
 
WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
  Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF  or the Manager) is the Manager  of
the  Fund and is compensated for its services at  an annual rate of .50 of 1% of
the Series' average daily net  assets. As of September  30, 1996, PMF served  as
manager  or administrator to 60 investment companies, including 38 mutual funds,
with aggregate assets  of approximately $52  billion. The Prudential  Investment
Corporation  (PIC or the  Subadviser) furnishes investment  advisory services in
connection with the management  of the Fund under  a Subadvisory Agreement  with
PMF. See "How the Fund is Managed--Manager" at page 13.
    
 
WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
  Prudential  Securities Incorporated  (Prudential Securities  or PSI),  a major
securities underwriter  and  securities  and commodities  broker,  acts  as  the
Distributor  of the Series'  Class A, Class B  and Class C shares  and is paid a
distribution and service fee with respect  to Class A shares which is  currently
being  charged at the rate of  .10 of 1% of the  average daily net assets of the
Class A shares and is paid a distribution and service fee with respect to  Class
B  shares at the annual rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the
Class B shares and is paid an  annual distribution and service fee with  respect
to  Class C shares which is currently being charged  at the rate of .75 of 1% of
the average daily net assets of the Class C shares.
    
 
  See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 14.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
  The minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000  per
class  and $5,000 for Class C shares.  The minimum subsequent investment is $100
for Class  A,  Class B  and  Class C  shares.  There is  no  minimum  investment
requirement  for certain employee savings plans.  For purchases made through the
Automatic  Savings  Accumulation  Plan,  the  minimum  initial  and   subsequent
investment  is $50. See  "Shareholder Guide--How to  Buy Shares of  the Fund" at
page 21 and "Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services" at page 29.
    
 
HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
  You may purchase  shares of  the Series through  Prudential Securities,  Pruco
Securities  Corporation (Prusec) or directly from  the Fund through its transfer
agent, Prudential Mutual Fund  Services, Inc. (PMFS or  the Transfer Agent),  at
the  net  asset value  per share  (NAV)  next determined  after receipt  of your
purchase order  by the  Transfer Agent  or Prudential  Securities plus  a  sales
charge  which may  be imposed either  (i) at the  time of the  purchase (Class A
shares) or (ii) on a  deferred basis (Class B or  Class C shares). See "How  the
Fund  Values its Shares" at page 16 and "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares of
the Fund" at page 21.
 
WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
  The Series offers three classes of shares:
 
     - Class A Shares:    Sold with an initial sales charge of up to 3%  of
                          the offering price.
 
     - Class B Shares:    Sold  without  an  initial sales  charge  but are
                          subject to a contingent  deferred sales charge  or
                          CDSC  (declining from 5%  to zero of  the lower of
                          the amount  invested or  the redemption  proceeds)
                          which  will be imposed on certain redemptions made
                          within six  years of  purchase. Although  Class  B
                          shares    are    subject    to    higher   ongoing
                          distribution-related expenses than Class A shares,
                          Class B shares will automatically convert to Class
                          A shares  (which  are  subject  to  lower  ongoing
                          distribution-related expenses) approximately seven
                          years after purchase.
 
     - Class C Shares:    Sold without an initial sales charge and, for one
                          year  after purchase, are subject  to a 1% CDSC on
                          redemptions. Like Class B  shares, Class C  shares
                          are subject to higher ongoing distribution-related
                          expenses than Class A shares but do not convert to
                          another class.
 
  See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 22.
 
HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
  You  may  redeem your  shares at  any time  at the  NAV next  determined after
Prudential Securities or the Transfer  Agent receives your sell order.  However,
the  proceeds of redemptions of Class  B and Class C shares  may be subject to a
CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page 24.
 
HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
  The Series  expects  to  declare  daily  and  pay  monthly  dividends  of  net
investment  income, if any, and  make distributions of any  net capital gains at
least annually. Dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested  in
additional shares of the Series at NAV without a sales charge unless you request
that  they be paid to  you in cash. See  "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions" at
page 17.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                               (MARYLAND SERIES)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     CLASS A                           CLASS C
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES+     SHARES       CLASS B SHARES       SHARES
                                   ------------   ----------------   ------------
<S>                                <C>            <C>                <C>
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on
     Purchases (as a percentage
     of offering price)..........       3%              None             None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load
     (as a percentage of original
     purchase price or redemption
     proceeds, whichever is
     lower)......................      None       5%  during   the   1% on
                                                  first year,        redemptions
                                                  decreasing by 1%   made within
                                                  annually  to  1%   one year of
                                                  in the fifth and   purchase
                                                  sixth years  and
                                                  0%  the  seventh
                                                  year*
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on
     Reinvested Dividends........      None             None             None
    Redemption Fees..............      None             None             None
    Exchange Fee.................      None             None             None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             CLASS A                           CLASS C
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES**              SHARES       CLASS B SHARES       SHARES
                                           ------------   ----------------   ------------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>                <C>
(as a percentage of average net assets)
    Management Fees (Before Waiver)......     .50%               .50%           .50%
    12b-1 Fees (After Reduction).........     .10++              .50            .75++
    Other Expenses.......................     .55                .55            .55
                                              ---                ---            ---
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before
     Waiver and After Reduction).........    1.15%              1.55%          1.80%
                                              ---                ---            ---
                                              ---                ---            ---
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               1        3        5        10
EXAMPLE                                                                                      YEAR     YEARS    YEARS    YEARS
                                                                                            -------  -------  -------  --------
<S>                                                                                         <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return
and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
    Class A...............................................................................  $ 41     $ 65     $ 91     $ 166
    Class B...............................................................................  $ 66     $ 79     $ 94     $ 169
    Class C...............................................................................  $ 28     $ 57     $ 97     $ 212
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, assuming no redemption:
    Class A...............................................................................  $ 41     $ 65     $ 91     $ 166
    Class B...............................................................................  $ 16     $ 49     $ 84     $ 169
    Class C...............................................................................  $ 18     $ 57     $ 97     $ 212
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  The above examples are  based on restated data  for the Series' fiscal  year
  ended   August  31,   1996.  THE  EXAMPLES   SHOULD  NOT   BE  CONSIDERED  A
  REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR
  LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
  The purpose  of this  table  is to  assist  investors in  understanding  the
  various costs and expenses that an investor in the Series will bear, whether
  directly  or indirectly. For more complete descriptions of the various costs
  and expenses,  see "How  the  Fund is  Managed." "Other  Expenses"  includes
  operating  expenses of the Series, such  as Trustees' and professional fees,
  registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer agency and custodian
  fees.
  ----------------
    *Class  B  shares   will  automatically   convert  to   Class  A   shares
     approximately    seven   years   after    purchase.   See   "Shareholder
     Guide--Conversion Feature--Class B Shares."
   
   **Based on expenses incurred during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
     without taking into account  the management fee  waiver. At the  current
     level  of management fee  waiver (.05 of 1%),  Management Fees and Total
     Fund Operating Expenses would  be .45% and  1.10%, respectively, of  the
     average  net  assets of  the  Series' Class  A  shares, .45%  and 1.50%,
     respectively, of the average  net assets of the  Series' Class B  shares
     and  .45%  and 1.75%,  respectively, of  the average  net assets  of the
     Series' Class  C  shares. See  "How  the Fund  is  Managed--Manager--Fee
     Waivers."
    
    +Pursuant  to rules  of the  National Association  of Securities Dealers,
     Inc., the aggregate  initial sales charges,  deferred sales charges  and
     asset-based  sales charges on shares of  the Series may not exceed 6.25%
     of  total  gross  sales,  subject  to  certain  exclusions.  This  6.25%
     limitation  is  on  each  class  of the  Series  rather  than  on  a per
     shareholder basis. Therefore, long-term  shareholders of the Series  may
     pay more in total sales charges than the economic equivalent of 6.25% of
     such  shareholders'  investment in  such shares.  See  "How the  Fund is
     Managed--Distributor."
   
   ++Although the Class A and Class C Distribution and Service Plans  provide
     that  the Fund may pay a distribution fee of  up to .30 of 1% and 1% per
     annum of the average daily net assets of the Class A and Class C shares,
     respectively, the Distributor has agreed to limit its distribution  fees
     with  respect to the Class A and Class C shares of the Series to no more
     than .10 of 1% and .75 of 1% of the average daily net asset value of the
     Class A shares  and Class C  shares, respectively, for  the fiscal  year
     ending August 31, 1997. Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver) of
     the  Class A and Class C shares  without such limitations would be 1.35%
     and 2.05%, respectively. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class A Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August 31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected  data for  a Class  A share  of beneficial  interest
outstanding,  total return, ratios to average  net assets and other supplemental
data for the periods indicated. This  information is based on data contained  in
the  financial statements. Further  performance information is  contained in the
annual report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder  Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      CLASS A
                                     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    JANUARY 22,
                                                                                                      1990(a)
                                                        YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                         THROUGH
                                     ------------------------------------------------------------   AUGUST 31,
                                      1996         1995         1994      1993     1992     1991       1990
                                     -------      -------      -------   ------   ------   ------   -----------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 period............................   $10.66       $10.66      $ 11.64   $11.11   $10.67   $10.23     $10.44
                                       -----        -----        -----    -----    -----    -----    -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income..............      .51(d)       .53(d)       .57      .62      .63      .67        .40
Net realized and unrealized gain
 (loss) on investment
 transactions......................      .08          .10         (.77)     .65      .44      .44       (.21)
                                       -----        -----        -----    -----    -----    -----    -------
    Total from investment
     operations....................      .59          .63         (.20)    1.27     1.07     1.11        .19
                                       -----        -----        -----    -----    -----    -----    -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income............................     (.51)        (.53)        (.57)    (.62)    (.63)    (.67)      (.40)
Distributions from net realized
 gains.............................       --         (.10)        (.21)    (.12)      --       --         --
                                       -----        -----        -----    -----    -----    -----    -------
    Total distributions............     (.51)        (.63)        (.78)    (.74)    (.63)    (.67)      (.40)
                                       -----        -----        -----    -----    -----    -----    -------
Net asset value, end of period.....   $10.74       $10.66      $ 10.66   $11.64   $11.11   $10.67     $10.23
                                       -----        -----        -----    -----    -----    -----    -------
                                       -----        -----        -----    -----    -----    -----   --------
TOTAL RETURN (c):..................     5.58%        6.32%       (1.75)%  11.89%   10.35%   10.84%      1.71%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)....  $18,339      $17,726      $ 2,709   $2,930   $1,335   $  804     $  349
Average net assets (000)...........  $18,484      $11,341      $ 2,877   $2,068   $1,080   $  518     $  141
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution
   fees............................     1.10%(d)     1.30%(d)      .95%     .96%     .96%    1.10%      1.01%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution
   fees............................     1.00%(d)     1.20%(d)      .85%     .86%     .86%    1.00%       .91%(b)
  Net investment income............     4.69%(d)     4.96%(d)     5.18%    5.51%    5.80%    6.07%      6.31%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate............       42%          49%          40%      41%      34%      18%        46%
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------
  (a) Commencement of offering of Class A shares.
  (b) Annualized.
  (c) Total  return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return
      is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a  sale
      on  the last  day of each  period reported and  includes reinvestment of
      dividends and distributions. Total  returns for periods  of less than  a
      full year are not annualized.
  (d) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class B Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August  31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP, independent
accountants, whose report  thereon was unqualified.  This information should  be
read  in  conjunction with  the financial  statements  and notes  thereto, which
appear in  the  Statement of  Additional  Information. The  following  financial
highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  B share  of beneficial interest
outstanding, total return, ratios to  average net assets and other  supplemental
data  for the periods indicated.  The information is based  on data contained in
the financial statements.  Further performance information  is contained in  the
annual  report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         CLASS B
                                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
                                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1996          1995          1994      1993      1992       1991       1990     1989 (b)
                                --------      --------      --------   -------  --------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                             <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 year.........................    $10.67        $10.67        $11.65    $11.12    $10.68     $10.23     $10.48    $10.23
                                --------      --------      --------   -------  --------   --------   --------   --------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income.........       .47(d)        .49(d)        .53       .58       .59        .63        .62       .65
Net realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on investment
 transactions.................       .08           .10          (.77)      .65       .44        .45       (.25)      .25
                                   -----         -----         -----     -----     -----      -----      -----    ------
    Total from investment
     operations...............       .55           .59          (.24)     1.23      1.03       1.08        .37       .90
                                   -----         -----         -----     -----     -----      -----      -----    ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income.......................      (.47)         (.49)         (.53)     (.58)     (.59)      (.63)      (.62)     (.65)
Distributions from net
 realized gains...............        --          (.10)         (.21)     (.12)       --         --         --        --
                                   -----         -----         -----     -----     -----      -----      -----    ------
    Total distributions.......      (.47)         (.59)         (.74)     (.70)     (.59)      (.63)      (.62)     (.65)
                                   -----         -----         -----     -----     -----      -----      -----    ------
Net asset value, end of
 year.........................    $10.75        $10.67        $10.67    $11.65    $11.12     $10.68     $10.23    $10.48
                                   -----         -----         -----     -----     -----      -----      -----    ------
                                                 -----         -----     -----     -----      -----      -----    ------
TOTAL RETURN (c):.............      5.16%         5.88%        (2.13)%   11.43%     9.90%     10.49%      3.58%     9.17%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year
 (000)........................   $18,512       $21,414       $51,198   $57,598   $51,313    $51,110    $48,226   $47,409
Average net assets (000)......  $ 19,898      $ 33,497      $ 55,223   $53,780  $ 50,970   $ 48,422   $ 48,573   $44,243
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fees..........      1.50%(d)      1.55%(d)      1.35%     1.36%     1.37%      1.49%      1.40%     1.37%
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fees..........      1.00%(d)      1.05%(d)       .85%      .86%      .87%       .99%       .92%      .90%
  Net investment income.......      4.30%(d)      4.85%(d)      4.77%     5.11%     5.42%      5.70%      5.95%     6.26%
Portfolio turnover rate.......        42%           49%           40%       41%       34%        18%        46%       47%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                  1988           1987
                                --------      -----------
<S>                             <C>           <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 year.........................    $10.29           $10.72
                                --------      -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income.........       .69(a)          (.68a)
Net realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on investment
 transactions.................      (.06)            (.43)
                                   -----            -----
    Total from investment
     operations...............       .63              .25
                                   -----            -----
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income.......................      (.69)            (.68)
Distributions from net
 realized gains...............        --               --
                                   -----            -----
    Total distributions.......      (.69)            (.68)
                                   -----            -----
Net asset value, end of
 year.........................    $10.23           $10.29
                                   -----            -----
                                   -----            -----
TOTAL RETURN (c):.............      6.38%            2.29%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year
 (000)........................   $39,154          $33,287
Average net assets (000)......  $ 35,675      $    30,537
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fees..........      1.24%(a)         1.16%(a)
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fees..........       .75%(a)         %.67(a)
  Net investment income.......      6.67%(a)         6.26%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate.......        46%            % 35
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------
   (a) Net of expense subsidy.
   (b) On  December  31,  1988,  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management,   Inc.
       succeeded  The Prudential Insurance  Company of America  as manager of
       the Fund.
   (c) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
   (d) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class C Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  The following financial highlights have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent  accountants, whose report thereon was unqualified. This information
should be read in conjunction with  the financial statements and notes  thereto,
which appear in the Statement of Additional Information. The following financial
highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  C share  of beneficial interest
outstanding, total return, ratios to  average net assets and other  supplemental
data  for the periods indicated. This information  is based on data contained in
the financial statements.  Further performance information  is contained in  the
annual   report,  which  may  be   obtained  without  charge.  See  "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       CLASS C
                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        AUGUST 1,
                                                                          YEAR ENDED                    1994 (a)
                                                                          AUGUST 31,                     THROUGH
                                                                   ------------------------            AUGUST 31,
                                                                     1996            1995                 1994
                                                                   --------        --------           -------------
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>                <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period........................       $  10.67        $  10.67           $      10.70
                                                                      -----           -----                 ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income.......................................            .44(d)          .47(d)                 .05
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment
 transactions...............................................            .08             .10                   (.03)
                                                                      -----           -----                 ------
    Total from investment operations........................            .52             .57                    .02
                                                                      -----           -----                 ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income........................           (.44)           (.47)                  (.05)
Distributions from net realized gains.......................             --            (.10)                    --
                                                                      -----           -----                 ------
    Total distributions.....................................           (.44)           (.57)                  (.05)
                                                                      -----           -----                 ------
 
Net asset value, end of period..............................       $  10.75        $  10.67           $      10.67
                                                                      -----           -----                 ------
                                                                      -----           -----                 ------
TOTAL RETURN (c):...........................................           4.90%           5.62%                   .07%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).............................       $     47        $     52           $        102
Average net assets (000)....................................       $     43        $     58           $         31
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution fees.....................           1.75%(d)        1.82%(d)               2.21%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fees.....................           1.00%(d)        1.07%(d)               1.47%(b)
  Net investment income.....................................           4.05%(d)        4.55%(d)               4.75%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate.....................................             42%             49%                    40%
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
   (b) Annualized.
   (c) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
   (d) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL  MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS  MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MARYLAND  SERIES (THE SERIES)  IS
DIVERSIFIED  AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS  TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME THAT IS
EXEMPT FROM  MARYLAND  STATE  AND  FEDERAL  INCOME  TAXES  CONSISTENT  WITH  THE
PRESERVATION  OF CAPITAL AND, IN CONJUNCTION THEREWITH, THE SERIES MAY INVEST IN
DEBT SECURITIES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR CAPITAL GAIN. See "Investment  Objectives
and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE  SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A  FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE  SERIES'
OUTSTANDING  VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE  NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  THE  SERIES  WILL  INVEST PRIMARILY  IN  MARYLAND STATE,  MUNICIPAL  AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS  AND OBLIGATIONS  OF OTHER  QUALIFYING ISSUERS,  SUCH  AS
ISSUERS  LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO,  THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND  GUAM, WHICH PAY INCOME
EXEMPT, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL, FROM MARYLAND STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME  TAXES
(MARYLAND  OBLIGATIONS). THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE  THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE
TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
  Interest on  certain  municipal  obligations  may be  a  preference  item  for
purposes  of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest without
limit in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined  in
the  Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item for
purposes of  the  federal  alternative  minimum tax  (AMT  bonds).  See  "Taxes,
Dividends  and Distributions." Under Maryland law,  dividends paid by the Series
are exempt from  Maryland personal income  tax for resident  individuals to  the
extent  they are derived from interest payments on and, in some cases, gain from
the sale of Maryland Obligations, provided, however, that up to 50% of dividends
attributable to interest received by the Series on AMT bonds could be subject to
Maryland individual  income  tax.  Maryland Obligations  could  include  general
obligation  bonds of the State, counties,  cities, towns, etc., revenue bonds of
utility systems,  highways,  bridges,  port and  airport  facilities,  colleges,
hospitals,  etc., and  industrial development  and pollution  control bonds. The
Series will invest  in long-term  obligations, and  the dollar-weighted  average
maturity  of the Series' portfolio will generally range between 10-20 years. The
Series also  may invest  in certain  short-term, tax-exempt  notes such  as  Tax
Anticipation   Notes,  Revenue  Anticipation  Notes,  Bond  Anticipation  Notes,
Construction Loan Notes and variable and floating rate demand notes.
 
  Generally, municipal obligations with longer maturities produce higher  yields
and are subject to greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates  (market  risk) than  municipal obligations  with shorter  maturities. The
prices of municipal  obligations vary  inversely with  interest rates.  Interest
rates  are currently  much lower  than in  recent years.  If rates  were to rise
sharply, the  prices  of bonds  in  the  Series' portfolio  might  be  adversely
affected.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES, INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE  FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating  rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as a
specific percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on  Treasury
bonds  or bills or the prime rate at  a major commercial bank. The interest rate
on floating rate securities changes periodically  when there is a change in  the
designated  base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a specified
periodic adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates  and
generally  would allow the Series  to demand payment of  the obligation on short
notice at par plus accrued interest, which  amount may be more or less than  the
amount  the Series paid for them. An inverse floater is a debt instrument with a
floating or variable interest rate that  moves in the opposite direction of  the
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
interest  rate on  another security  or the  value of  an index.  Changes in the
interest rate  on the  other security  or index  inversely affect  the  residual
interest  rate paid  on the  inverse floater, with  the result  that the inverse
floater's price will  be considerably more  volatile than that  of a fixed  rate
bond. The market for inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN  MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL LEASE
OBLIGATION IS A  MUNICIPAL SECURITY THE  INTEREST ON AND  PRINCIPAL OF WHICH  IS
PAYABLE  OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES FINANCED
BY THE ISSUE. Typically,  municipal lease obligations are  issued by a state  or
municipal   financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction  of
facilities (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or  the
acquisition  of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state or
municipality pursuant to a lease  with a financing authority. Certain  municipal
lease  obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the  supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes  of  the Series'  15% limitation  on  illiquid securities  provided the
investment adviser determines that there is a readily available market for  such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies--Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
  ALL  MARYLAND OBLIGATIONS PURCHASED  BY THE SERIES  WILL BE "INVESTMENT GRADE"
SECURITIES. In other words, all of the Maryland Obligations will, at the time of
purchase, be  rated within  the four  highest quality  grades as  determined  by
Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for bonds, MIG 1,
MIG  2, MIG  3, MIG 4  for notes and  Prime-1 for commercial  paper), Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group (S&P) (currently AAA, AA, A, BBB for bonds, SP-1, SP-2  for
notes and A-1 for commercial paper) or another nationally recognized statistical
rating  organization (NRSRO) or,  if unrated, will  possess creditworthiness, in
the opinion of  the investment adviser,  comparable to securities  in which  the
Series  may invest. Securities  rated Baa may  have speculative characteristics,
and changes in  economic conditions or  other circumstances are  more likely  to
lead  to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the
case with higher grade securities. Subsequent  to its purchase by the Series,  a
municipal  obligation may be assigned a lower  rating or cease to be rated. Such
an event would not require the elimination of the issue from the portfolio,  but
the  investment adviser will  consider such an event  in determining whether the
Series should continue to hold the  security in its portfolio. See  "Description
of  Tax-Exempt Security Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information. The
Series may purchase Maryland Obligations which, in the opinion of the investment
adviser, offer the  opportunity for  capital appreciation. This  may occur,  for
example,  when the investment  adviser believes that the  issuer of a particular
Maryland  Obligation  might  receive   an  upgraded  credit  standing,   thereby
increasing  the market value of  the bonds it has  issued or when the investment
adviser believes that interest  rates might decline. As  a general matter,  bond
prices  and the Series' net  asset value will vary  inversely with interest rate
fluctuations.
    
 
  From time to time, the Series may own the majority of a municipal issue.  Such
majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
  UNDER   NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO  INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL  OF THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  IN MARYLAND  OBLIGATIONS. As  a
matter of fundamental policy, during normal market conditions the Series' assets
will be invested so that at least 80% of the income will be exempt from Maryland
State and federal income taxes or the Series will have at least 80% of its total
assets invested in Maryland Obligations. During abnormal market conditions or to
provide  liquidity, the Series  may hold cash or  cash equivalents or investment
grade taxable obligations, including obligations  that are exempt from  federal,
but  not state, taxation and the Series may invest in tax-free cash equivalents,
such as  floating rate  demand notes,  tax-exempt commercial  paper and  general
obligation   and  revenue  notes  or  in   taxable  cash  equivalents,  such  as
certificates  of  deposit,  bankers  acceptances  and  time  deposits  or  other
short-term  taxable  investments such  as  repurchase agreements.  When,  in the
opinion  of  the  investment  adviser,  abnormal  market  conditions  require  a
temporary  defensive position, the Series may invest  more than 20% of the value
of its assets in debt securities  other than Maryland Obligations or may  invest
its  assets so that more than 20% of  the income is subject to Maryland State or
federal income taxes. The  Series will treat an  investment in a municipal  bond
refunded  with escrowed U.S. Government securities as U.S. Government securities
for purposes  of  the  Investment  Company  Act's  diversification  requirements
provided certain conditions are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In
General" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
  THE  SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO SELL
SECURITIES HELD IN  THE SERIES'  PORTFOLIO AT A  SPECIFIED EXERCISE  PRICE ON  A
SPECIFIED  DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting the
Series from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which  the
put  applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case of
liquidity puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of  the
underlying  security. The aggregate value of  premiums paid to acquire puts held
in the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts) may not exceed 10% of  the
net  asset  value  of  the Series.  The  acquisition  of a  put  may  involve an
additional cost to the Series by payment of a premium for the put, by payment of
a higher purchase price for securities to which the put is attached or through a
lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts  in
that  the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase the
underlying security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under  the
following  circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the underlying
security and such security  is rated within the  four highest quality grades  as
determined  by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than the
issuer of the  underlying security  and such person  has securities  outstanding
which  are rated  within such  four highest  quality grades;  or (3)  the put is
backed by a letter of credit or  similar financial guarantee issued by a  person
having  securities outstanding  which are rated  within the  two highest quality
grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR  "DELAYED
DELIVERY"  BASIS, IN  EACH CASE  WITHOUT LIMIT.  When municipal  obligations are
offered on a when-issued  or delayed delivery basis,  the price and coupon  rate
are  fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the  settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore,  no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser during
such period. In the case of purchases  by the Series, the price that the  Series
is  required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with  the
purpose  of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable for
investment reasons. At the  time the Series makes  the commitment to purchase  a
municipal  obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in  determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as  values of municipal obligations otherwise held  by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with  its
Custodian  in which  it will maintain  cash, U.S.  Government securities, equity
securities or other liquid,  unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily,  equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL FORWARD CONTRACTS. A municipal forward
contract is a municipal security which is purchased on a when-issued basis  with
delivery  taking place up to  five years from the  date of purchase. No interest
will accrue on the security prior  to the delivery date. The investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity, value, credit  quality and delivery of the security
under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
  THE SERIES MAY  PURCHASE SECONDARY  MARKET INSURANCE  ON MARYLAND  OBLIGATIONS
WHICH IT HOLDS OR ACQUIRES. Secondary market insurance would be reflected in the
market  value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series to
dispose of  a defaulted  obligation at  a price  similar to  that of  comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance  is  not  a  substitute  for the  basic  credit  of  an  issuer, but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage  for the  Maryland  Obligations held  by the  Series  reduces
credit  risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment of
principal and interest  if the issuer  defaults on its  obligation to make  such
payment,  it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price, I.E.,
the market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in  interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
  THE  SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE  AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES, INCLUDING
FINANCIAL FUTURES  CONTRACTS (FUTURES  CONTRACTS) AND  OPTIONS THEREON  FOR  THE
PURPOSE OF HEDGING ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED
BY  CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HEDGING AGAINST INCREASES IN
THE COST OF  SECURITIES THE SERIES  INTENDS TO PURCHASE.  THE SUCCESSFUL USE  OF
FUTURES  CONTRACTS  AND  OPTIONS  THEREON  BY  THE  SERIES  INVOLVES  ADDITIONAL
TRANSACTION COSTS  AND  IS  SUBJECT  TO  VARIOUS  RISKS  AND  DEPENDS  UPON  THE
INVESTMENT  ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT THE  DIRECTION OF THE MARKET (INCLUDING
INTEREST RATES).
 
  A FUTURES CONTRACT  OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE  CONTRACT TO  DELIVER TO  THE
PURCHASER  OF THE  CONTRACT CASH  EQUAL TO  A SPECIFIC  DOLLAR AMOUNT  TIMES THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF  THE CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH  THE
AGREEMENT  IS MADE. No  physical delivery of the  underlying securities is made.
The Series  will engage  in transactions  in only  those futures  contracts  and
options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
  The  Series intends to  engage in futures  contracts and options  thereon as a
hedge against  changes,  resulting  from  market conditions,  in  the  value  of
securities  which are held in the Series'  portfolio or which the Series intends
to purchase,  in accordance  with the  rules and  regulations of  the  Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). The Series also intends to engage in such
transactions  when they are economically appropriate  for the reduction of risks
inherent in the ongoing management of the Series.
 
  THE SERIES MAY NOT PURCHASE OR  SELL FUTURES CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS THEREON  IF,
IMMEDIATELY  THEREAFTER, (i)  THE SUM  OF INITIAL  AND NET  CUMULATIVE VARIATION
MARGIN ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (ii) IN THE CASE
OF RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL  MARGIN
DEPOSITS  ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS THEREON
WOULD EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There  are
no  limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and no
limitations on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts  and
options  thereon, except that the aggregate  value of the obligations underlying
put options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements  for
qualification  as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code
may limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and  options
thereon.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Currently, futures contracts  are available on  several types of  fixed-income
securities,  including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S. Treasury
bills and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal  bond
index,  based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40 actively
traded municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in  other
futures   contracts  that  become  available,  from   time  to  time,  in  other
fixed-income securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on  such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
  THERE  CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE  MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A LIQUID
SECONDARY MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT  ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the  Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash payments
of variation  margin  in  the  event  of adverse  price  movements.  In  such  a
situation,  if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell portfolio
securities to meet daily variation margin  requirements at a time when it  might
be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close futures positions also could
have  an adverse impact on the ability of the Series to hedge effectively. There
is also  a risk  of  loss by  the Series  of  margin deposits  in the  event  of
bankruptcy  of a broker with  whom the Series has an  open position in a futures
contract.
 
  THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS  AND OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES  IS
SUBJECT  TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and movements in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities  that
are    the   subject   of   the   hedge.   If   the   price   of   the   futures
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
contract moves more or less than the  price of the security that is the  subject
of  the  hedge, the  Series will  experience a  gain  or loss  that will  not be
completely offset  by  movements in  the  price of  the  security. The  risk  of
imperfect  correlation  is  greater  where  the  securities  underlying  futures
contracts are taxable securities (rather than municipal securities), are  issued
by  companies in different market sectors  or have different maturities, ratings
or geographic mixes than the security being hedged. In addition, the correlation
may be affected by additions to or deletions from the index which serves as  the
basis  for a  futures contract. Finally,  if the  price of the  security that is
subject to the hedge were to move in a favorable direction, the advantage to the
Series would be partially offset by the loss incurred on the futures contract.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST  80% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL  ASSETS
IN  MARYLAND OBLIGATIONS  AND BECAUSE IT  SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE  INCOME DERIVED FROM
MARYLAND OBLIGATIONS,  IT IS  MORE SUSCEPTIBLE  TO FACTORS  ADVERSELY  AFFECTING
ISSUERS  OF MARYLAND OBLIGATIONS THAN IS A COMPARABLE MUNICIPAL BOND MUTUAL FUND
THAT IS NOT CONCENTRATED  IN SUCH OBLIGATIONS TO  THIS DEGREE. During the  three
fiscal years from 1991 through 1993, the State's finances were severely affected
by  the national recession. Nevertheless, the State closed fiscal year 1993 with
a $10.5 million operating  surplus on a budgetary  basis and closed fiscal  year
1994 with a $60 million operating surplus on a budgetary basis. On a GAAP basis,
the  State's General Fund moved from a deficit  of $121.7 million as of June 30,
1993 to  a  positive balance  of  $113.9 million  on  June 30,  1994.  Financial
operations  continued to  improve in fiscal  year 1995,  with revenues exceeding
estimates by  $217  million  and  expenditures at  $184  million  above  budget.
Estimates  for 1996 General Fund revenues were revised downward by $148 million,
compared to  projections made  in the  enacted budget;  nevertheless, the  State
closed  fiscal year  1996 with a  General Fund  balance on a  budgetary basis of
$13.1 million and  $493.2 million in  the Revenue Stabilization  Account of  the
State  Reserve Fund.  The enacted  1997 budget  holds overall  appropriations to
slightly over 1996 levels, reflecting slowed  revenue growth and the absence  of
an  appropriation to the  now fully funded Revenue  Stabilization Account of the
State Reserve Fund. Other issuers of Maryland Obligations are subject to various
risks and uncertainties, and the credit quality of the securities issued by them
may vary  considerably from  the credit  quality of  obligations issued  by  the
State.  If either the State or any  of its local governmental entities is unable
to meet its financial obligations, the income derived by the Series, the ability
to preserve  or realize  appreciation of  the Series'  capital and  the  Series'
liquidity   could  be   adversely  affected.  See   "Investment  Objectives  and
Policies--Special Considerations Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of a security agrees to repurchase that  security from the Series at a  mutually
agreed-upon  time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite short,
possibly overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number  of
months.  The resale  price is  in excess  of the  purchase price,  reflecting an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price.  The
instruments  held  as  collateral are  valued  daily  and if  the  value  of the
instruments declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If  the
seller  defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series  may incur a loss.  The Series participates in  a
joint  repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management LLC pursuant to  an order of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission (SEC).
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
  The  Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series  may
pledge  up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure these
borrowings. The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its  borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
  The  Series does not expect to trade  in securities for short-term gain. It is
anticipated that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%.  The
portfolio  turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales or
purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the  portfolio
securities,  excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase of
one year or less.
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series  may hold  up  to 15%  of its  net  assets in  illiquid  securities
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities   with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale  (restricted
securities)  and  securities  that   are  not  readily  marketable.   Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933,  as amended  (the Securities Act),  privately placed  commercial paper and
municipal lease  obligations  that  have  a readily  available  market  are  not
considered  illiquid for the purposes of this limitation. The investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of  such restricted securities under the  supervision
of  the Trustees. The Series' investment in  Rule 144A securities could have the
effect of  increasing illiquidity  to the  extent that  qualified  institutional
buyers  become,  for  a  limited  time,  uninterested  in  purchasing  Rule 144A
securities. See "Investment  Objectives and  Policies--Illiquid Securities"  and
"Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase
agreements  subject to demand are deemed to  have a maturity equal to the notice
period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The Series  is subject  to  certain investment  restrictions which,  like  its
investment  objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental policies
cannot be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of  the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER,  SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY  BUSINESS
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996, total expenses of the Series as  a
percentage  of average  net assets,  net of fee  waivers, were  1.10%, 1.50% and
1.75% for the Series'  Class A, Class  B and Class  C shares, respectively.  See
"Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC (PMF  OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY CENTER
THREE, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS  COMPENSATED
FOR  ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
OF THE SERIES. PMF is organized in  New York as a limited liability company.  It
is  the successor to Prudential Mutual  Fund Management, Inc., which transferred
its assets to PMF in September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996,
the  Series paid PMF  a management fee of  .45 of 1% of  the Series' average net
assets. See  "Fee  Waivers"  below  and "Manager"  in  Statement  of  Additional
Information.
    
 
   
  As  of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end investment
companies, constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager  or
administrator  to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
  UNDER THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH  THE FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE  INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS  OF EACH SERIES OF THE FUND  AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL  INVESTMENT
CORPORATION  (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE  FUND AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR  ITS
REASONABLE  COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED  IN PROVIDING  SUCH SERVICE.  Under the
Management Agreement, PMF  continues to have  responsibility for all  investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
   
  The  current portfolio manager of the Series  is Marie Conti, a Vice President
of Prudential  Investments.  Ms. Conti  has  responsibility for  the  day-to-day
management  of the portfolio. Ms. Conti  has managed the portfolio since October
1991 and has been employed  by PIC as a  portfolio manager since September  1989
and prior thereto was employed in an administrative capacity at PIC since August
1988.
    
 
   
  PMF  and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential),  a major diversified  insurance and financial  services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
  Effective  January 1, 1995, PMF agreed to waive 10% of its management fee. The
Series is  not  required  to  reimburse PMF  for  such  management  fee  waiver.
Thereafter,  PMF may from  time to time agree  to waive all or  a portion of its
management fee  and subsidize  certain  operating expenses  of the  Series.  Fee
waivers  and expense subsidies will increase the Series' yield and total return.
See "Fund Expenses."
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10292, IS A CORPORATION  ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS  OF
THE  STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND
CLASS C SHARES  OF THE  SERIES. It is  an indirect,  wholly-owned subsidiary  of
Prudential.  Prior to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc.
(PMFD), One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as distributor of the
Class A shares of the Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER SEPARATE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS  (THE CLASS A PLAN, THE CLASS  B
PLAN  AND THE CLASS C  PLAN, COLLECTIVELY, THE PLANS)  ADOPTED BY THE FUND UNDER
RULE 12b-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT  (THE
DISTRIBUTION  AGREEMENT),  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES (THE  DISTRIBUTOR)  INCURS THE
EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTING THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE  SERIES.
These  expenses include  commissions and account  servicing fees paid  to, or on
account of, financial advisers of  Prudential Securities and representatives  of
Pruco  Securities Corporation (Prusec), an affiliated broker-dealer, commissions
and account servicing fees  paid to, or on  account of, other broker-dealers  or
financial  institutions  (other than  national  banks) which  have  entered into
agreements with the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing  and
mailing  prospectuses to potential investors and  indirect and overhead costs of
Prudential Securities  and Prusec  associated with  the sale  of Series  shares,
including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses. The State
of  Texas requires that shares of  the Series may be sold  in that state only by
dealers  or  other  financial  institutions   which  are  registered  there   as
broker-dealers.
    
 
  Under  the Plans, the  Series is obligated to  pay distribution and/or service
fees to  the  Distributor  as  compensation for  its  distribution  and  service
activities,  not  as  reimbursement  for  specific  expenses  incurred.  If  the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Series will
not be obligated to pay any  additional expenses. If the Distributor's  expenses
are  less than such distribution and service  fees, it will retain its full fees
and realize a profit.
 
   
  UNDER THE  CLASS A  PLAN, THE  SERIES MAY  PAY PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES FOR  ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF  UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES OF THE
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
SERIES. The Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average  daily
net  assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service and/or
the  maintenance  of   shareholder  accounts  (service   fee)  and  (ii)   total
distribution fees (including the service fee of .25 of 1%) may not exceed .30 of
1%  of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. Prudential Securities
has agreed to limit its distribution-related fees payable under the Class A Plan
to .10 of  1% of the  average daily  net assets of  the Class A  shares for  the
fiscal year ending August 31, 1997.
    
 
   
  UNDER  THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE SERIES MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
FOR ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  ACTIVITIES WITH  RESPECT TO  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF UP  TO .50 OF 1% AND UP  TO 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY
NET ASSETS OF THE  CLASS B AND  CLASS C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.  The Class B  Plan
provides  for the payment  to Prudential Securities of  (i) an asset-based sales
charge of up to .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares,
and (ii) a service fee of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the
Class B shares; provided that the total distribution-related fee does not exceed
 .50 of 1%. The Class C Plan provides for the payment to Prudential Securities of
(i) an asset-based  sales charge of  up to .75  of 1% of  the average daily  net
assets  of the Class C shares, and (ii) a service  fee of up to .25 of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class C  shares. The service fee is used to  pay
for  personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Prudential
Securities has agreed to limit  its distribution-related fees payable under  the
Class  C Plan to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares
for the fiscal year ending August 31, 1997. Prudential Securities also  receives
contingent  deferred  sales  charges from  certain  redeeming  shareholders. See
"Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
    
 
   
  For the  fiscal year  ended  August 31,  1996,  the Series  paid  distribution
expenses  of .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and  .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets
of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. The Series records all
payments made under the Plans as  expenses in the calculation of net  investment
income. See "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  Distribution  expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of the Series  will be allocated  to each class based  upon the ratio  of
sales of each class to the sales of all shares of the Series other than expenses
allocable  to a particular class.  The distribution fee and  sales charge of one
class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.
    
 
  Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that a  majority of  the  Trustees of  the Fund,  including  a majority  of  the
Trustees  who  are not  "interested  persons" of  the  Fund (as  defined  in the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or any  agreement related to the Plan (the Rule  12b-1
Trustees),  vote annually to continue the Plan. Each Plan may be terminated with
respect to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule  12b-1
Trustees  or of a majority of the  outstanding shares of the applicable class of
the Series. The  Series will not  be obligated to  pay distribution and  service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
  In  addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under the
Class A, Class B and Class C Plans,  the Manager (or one of its affiliates)  may
make  payments  out  of  its  own  resources  to  dealers  (including Prudential
Securities) and other persons who distribute shares of the Series. Such payments
may be calculated by  reference to the  net asset value of  shares sold by  such
persons or otherwise.
    
 
  The  Distributor  is  subject to  the  rules  of the  National  Association of
Securities Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges.  See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  On  October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner  who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD to
resolve allegations  that  from  1980  through 1990  PSI  sold  certain  limited
partnership  interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom such
securities were not  suitable and misrepresented  the safety, potential  returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted  against it, PSI consented to the  entry of an SEC Administrative Order
which stated that PSI's conduct  violated the federal securities laws,  directed
PSI  to cease and desist  from violating the federal  securities laws, pay civil
penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000 civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount  of
$330,000,000  and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for compensatory
damages by purchasers of  the partnership interests. PSI  has agreed to  provide
additional  funds, if necessary,  for the purpose of  the settlement fund. PSI's
settlement with the state securities regulators  included an agreement to pay  a
penalty  of $500,000  per jurisdiction.  PSI consented to  a censure  and to the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United  States
Magistrate  for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI committed
fraud in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests  in
violation  of federal securities laws. An  agreement was simultaneously filed to
defer prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the  signing
of  the agreement, provided that  PSI complies with the  terms of the agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the agreement, no prosecution  will be instituted by  the United States for  the
offenses  charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course of
the three  year  period, PSI  violates  the terms  of  the agreement,  the  U.S.
Attorney  can  then  elect to  pursue  these  charges. Under  the  terms  of the
agreement, PSI agreed,  among other  things, to pay  an additional  $330,000,000
into  the  fund established  by  the SEC  to  pay restitution  to  investors who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For  more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,   see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The  Fund is  not affected  by PSI's  financial condition  and is  an entirely
separate legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein  and
the  Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company, an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prudential Securities may act as a  broker or futures commission merchant  for
the  Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives
are fair  and reasonable.  See  "Portfolio Transactions  and Brokerage"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State  Street  Bank  and  Trust Company,  One  Heritage  Drive,  North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves  as Custodian  for the portfolio  securities of  the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.  (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison,  New
Jersey  08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain  books and records for  the Fund. PMFS is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING  ITS
LIABILITIES  FROM THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  AND DIVIDING  THE REMAINDER  BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS  CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS.  THE
TRUSTEES  HAVE FIXED  THE SPECIFIC TIME  OF DAY  FOR THE COMPUTATION  OF THE NET
ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:15 P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
 
  Portfolio securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not  readily
available,   at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under  procedures
established by  the Trustees.  Securities may  also be  valued based  on  values
provided  by  a pricing  service.  See "Net  Asset  Value" in  the  Statement of
Additional Information.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
  The Series will compute  its NAV once  daily on days that  the New York  Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or  redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes in
the value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the  NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents'  Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
   
  Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical,
the different expenses borne by each  class will result in different  dividends.
As  long as the Series declares dividends daily, the NAV of the Class A, Class B
and Class C shares will generally be the same. It is expected, however, that the
Series' dividends will differ  by approximately the  amount of any  distribution
and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  FROM  TIME TO TIME THE FUND MAY  ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD"
AND "TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING  "AVERAGE ANNUAL"  TOTAL RETURN  AND  "AGGREGATE"
TOTAL RETURN) OF THE SERIES IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. "YIELD," "TAX
EQUIVALENT  YIELD" AND  "TOTAL RETURN"  ARE CALCULATED  SEPARATELY FOR  CLASS A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES. THESE  FIGURES ARE BASED ON HISTORICAL EARNINGS  AND
ARE  NOT  INTENDED TO  INDICATE FUTURE  PERFORMANCE. The  "yield" refers  to the
income generated  by an  investment in  the Series  over a  one-month or  30-day
period.  This  income  is  then  "annualized;" that  is,  the  amount  of income
generated by the investment during that 30-day period is assumed to be generated
each 30-day  period for  twelve periods  and is  shown as  a percentage  of  the
investment. The income earned on the investment is also assumed to be reinvested
at  the end of the sixth 30-day period. The "tax equivalent yield" is calculated
similarly to the  "yield," except  that the yield  is increased  using a  stated
income  tax  rate  to demonstrate  the  taxable  yield necessary  to  produce an
after-tax yield equivalent to the Series.  The "total return" shows how much  an
investment  in  the Series  would have  increased  (decreased) over  a specified
period of time (I.E., one, five or  ten years or since inception of the  Series)
assuming  that all distributions and dividends  by the Series were reinvested on
the reinvestment  dates during  the  period and  less  all recurring  fees.  The
"aggregate"  total return  reflects actual performance  over a  stated period of
time. "Average annual" total  return is a hypothetical  rate of return that,  if
achieved  annually,  would  have produced  the  same aggregate  total  return if
performance had been  constant over  the entire period.  "Average annual"  total
return  smooths  out  variations  in  performance  and  takes  into  account any
applicable initial  or  contingent  deferred  sales  charges.  Neither  "average
annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return takes into account any federal
or  state income taxes which  may be payable upon  redemption. The Fund also may
include comparative  performance information  in  advertising or  marketing  the
shares  of the Series. Such performance information may include data from Lipper
Analytical  Services,  Inc.,  Morningstar  Publications,  Inc.,  other  industry
publications,   business  periodicals  and   market  indices.  See  "Performance
Information" in  the Statement  of Additional  Information. Further  performance
information  is  contained  in the  Series'  annual and  semi-annual  reports to
shareholders,  which   may  be   obtained  without   charge.  See   "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE  SERIES  HAS ELECTED  TO  QUALIFY AND  INTENDS  TO REMAIN  QUALIFIED  AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY,  THE
SERIES  WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME
AND CAPITAL  GAINS, IF  ANY, THAT  IT DISTRIBUTES  TO ITS  SHAREHOLDERS. TO  THE
EXTENT  NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
  To the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn  taxable
investment   income.  Also,  to  the  extent   the  Series  engages  in  hedging
transactions in  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon,  it  may  earn  both
short-term  and long-term capital gain or loss. Under the Internal Revenue Code,
special rules apply to  the treatment of certain  options and futures  contracts
(Section  1256 contracts). At the end of each year, such investments held by the
Series will  be  required  to be  "marked  to  market" for  federal  income  tax
purposes; that is, treated as having been sold at market value. Sixty percent of
any  gain or loss recognized on these  "deemed sales" and on actual dispositions
will be treated as  long-term capital gain  or loss, and  the remainder will  be
treated  as  short-term  capital  gain  or  loss.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of securities generally will
be treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of  certain
securities  (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary income
to the  extent  of any  "market  discount."  Market discount  generally  is  the
difference,  if any, between the  price paid by the  Series for the security and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The  market
discount  rule does not apply to any security that was acquired by the Series at
its original issue. See "Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In  general, the  character of tax-exempt  interest distributed  by the Series
will flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that  50%
or  more of the value  of its assets at  the end of each  quarter of its taxable
year is invested  in state,  municipal and  other obligations,  the interest  on
which  is excluded  from gross  income for  federal income  tax purposes. During
normal market  conditions, at  least 80%  of the  Series' total  assets will  be
invested  in such obligations.  See "How the  Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any dividends out of net investment income, together with distributions of net
short-term gains (I.E.,  the excess  of net  short-term capital  gains over  net
long-term  capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders,  will  be  taxable as
ordinary income to the  shareholder whether or not  reinvested. Any net  capital
gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of net  long-term capital  gains over  net short-term
capital losses) distributed to shareholders will be taxable as long-term capital
gains to  the shareholders,  whether or  not reinvested  and regardless  of  the
length  of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares. The maximum long-term
capital gains rate for individuals is  28%. The maximum long-term capital  gains
rate  for corporate shareholders currently  is the same as  the maximum tax rate
for ordinary income.
 
   
  Any gain or  loss realized upon  a sale or  redemption of Series  shares by  a
shareholder  who is  not a  dealer in  securities will  be treated  as long-term
capital gain  or loss  if the  shares  have been  held more  than one  year  and
otherwise  as short-term  capital gain  or loss. Any  such loss  with respect to
shares that  are held  for  six months  or less,  however,  will be  treated  as
long-term  capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received
by the shareholder. In addition, any short-term capital loss will be  disallowed
to  the extent of any tax-exempt dividends received by the shareholder on shares
that are held for six months or less.
    
 
   
  The Fund has obtained opinions of counsel  to the effect that neither (i)  the
conversion  of Class B shares into Class A shares nor (ii) the exchange of Class
B or Class C shares for Class  A shares constitutes a taxable event for  federal
income  tax purposes.  However, such  opinions are  not binding  on the Internal
Revenue Service.
    
 
  CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL  ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS  A
RESULT  OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after  August
7,  1986) will  be treated  as an  item of  tax preference  for purposes  of the
alternative minimum  tax. The  Fund anticipates  that, under  regulations to  be
promulgated,  items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be attributed
to the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could  be
allocated  to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum  tax.
Similarly,  the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax  preference  attributed to  it.  The Series  is  permitted to  invest  in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
  Corporate  shareholders in the Series also will  have to take into account the
adjustment for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes.  Corporate
shareholders  should  consult  with  their tax  advisers  with  respect  to this
potential adjustment.
    
 
   
  Under Maryland law,  dividends paid  by the  Series are  exempt from  Maryland
personal  income tax for individuals  who reside in Maryland  to the extent such
dividends are  exempt from  federal income  tax and  are derived  from  interest
payments on Maryland Obligations, provided, however, that up to 50% of dividends
attributable  to interest  received by  the Series  on certain  private activity
bonds  which  are  not  issued  by  the  State  of  Maryland  or  its  political
subdivisions  could be subject  to Maryland individual  income tax. In addition,
distributions attributable (i) to gain realized by the Series on the disposition
of those Maryland Obligations issued by  the State of Maryland or its  political
subdivisions  and (ii)  to interest  received by  the Series  on U.S. Government
obligations are exempt from Maryland personal income tax.
    
 
  Distributions other than those described as exempt in the preceding  paragraph
will be subject to Maryland personal income tax.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under  the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and remit
to the  U.S.  Treasury 31%  of  redemption proceeds  on  the accounts  of  those
shareholders  who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS Form
W-9 (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with  the
required  certifications regarding  the shareholder's  status under  the federal
income tax  law. Such  withholding also  is required  on taxable  dividends  and
capital  gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding  specific
questions  as  to federal,  state  or local  taxes.  See "Distributions  and Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  THE SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF  NET
INVESTMENT  INCOME,  IF ANY,  AND MAKE  DISTRIBUTIONS AT  LEAST ANNUALLY  OF ANY
CAPITAL GAINS IN  EXCESS OF CAPITAL  LOSSES. Dividends paid  by the Series  with
respect  to each class of shares, to the  extent any dividends are paid, will be
calculated in the same manner, at the same time, on the same day and will be  in
the  same amount except that each class  will bear its own distribution charges,
generally resulting  in  lower  dividends  for  Class  B  and  Class  C  shares.
Distributions  of net capital gains, if any, will be paid in the same amount for
each class of shares. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE  SERIES
BASED  ON THE NAV  OF EACH CLASS  OF THE SERIES  ON THE PAYMENT  DATE AND RECORD
DATE, RESPECTIVELY, OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE
SHAREHOLDER ELECTS IN  WRITING NOT  LESS THAN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO  THE
RECORD  DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such election
should be submitted to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account
Maintenance P.O. Box 15015,  New Brunswick, New Jersey  08906-5015. If you  hold
shares  through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial adviser
to elect to receive  dividends and distributions in  cash. The Fund will  notify
each  shareholder after the close of the  Fund's taxable year of both the dollar
amount and the taxable  status of that year's  dividends and distributions on  a
per share basis.
 
  Any  taxable dividends or distributions of  capital gains paid shortly after a
purchase by an investor will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value of the  investor's shares  by the  per share  amount of  the dividends  or
distributions.  Such dividends or distributions, although  in effect a return of
invested principal, are subject to  federal income taxes. Accordingly, prior  to
purchasing  shares  of the  Series, an  investor  should carefully  consider the
impact of taxable dividends and  capital gains distributions which are  expected
to be or have been announced.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A  DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust  permits the Trustees to  issue an unlimited number  of
full  and  fractional shares  in separate  series,  currently designated  as the
Connecticut Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series,  Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series, New  Jersey Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York  Income
Series  (not presently  being offered), New  York Series, New  York Money Market
Series, North Carolina Series, Ohio  Series and Pennsylvania Series. The  Series
is  authorized  to  issue an  unlimited  number  of shares,  divided  into three
classes, designated  Class  A,  Class  B  and Class  C.  Each  class  of  shares
represents an interest in the same assets of the Series and are identical in all
respects  except that (i) each  class is subject to  different sales charges and
distribution and/or service fees, which may affect performance, (ii) each  class
has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates
solely to its arrangement and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted
to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of
any  other class, (iii) each  class has a different  exchange privilege and (iv)
only  Class  B  shares  have  a  conversion  feature.  See  "How  the  Fund   is
Managed--Distributor."  In accordance with the  Fund's Declaration of Trust, the
Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series and classes within such
series, with such preferences, privileges,  limitations and voting and  dividend
rights as the Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares  of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable, fully
transferable and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are  also
redeemable  at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as described
under "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class  of
the  Series is  equal as  to earnings, assets  and voting  privileges, except as
noted above, and each  class bears the expenses  related to the distribution  of
its  shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to the Class B shares,
there are no conversion, preemptive or  other subscription rights. In the  event
of  liquidation, each share of beneficial interest of each series is entitled to
its portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the  Fund
have  been  paid.  Since  Class  B and  Class  C  shares  generally  bear higher
distribution  expenses  than  Class  A  shares,  the  liquidation  proceeds   to
shareholders  of  those  classes  are  likely  to  be  lower  than  to  Class  A
shareholders. The Fund's  shares do not  have cumulative voting  rights for  the
election of Trustees.
 
  THE  FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS
OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS  OF
SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO BE
ACTED UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER  THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS  HAVE
CERTAIN  RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF THE
FUND'S OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE  OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The  Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make the
Fund similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation.  The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts  business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.   Under
Massachusetts   law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under  certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of  the
fund,  which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of the
Fund provides that shareholders shall not  be subject to any personal  liability
for  the acts  or obligations  of the  Fund and  that every  written obligation,
contract, instrument or undertaking made by  the Fund shall contain a  provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This  Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which has
been incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information  set
forth  in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under the
Securities Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained  at
a  reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
   
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH  ITS TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL  FUND
SERVICES,  INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT SERVICES,
P.O. BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY 08906-5020. The purchase price is  the
NAV  next determined  following receipt  of an  order by  the Transfer  Agent or
Prudential Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, may be  imposed
either  (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis
(Class B or  Class C shares).  See "Alternative Purchase  Plan" below. See  also
"How the Fund Values its Shares."
    
 
  An  investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
 
   
  The minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000  per
class  and $5,000 for Class C shares.  The minimum subsequent investment is $100
for all  classes. All  minimum investment  requirements are  waived for  certain
employee  savings  plans.  For  purchases  made  through  the  Automatic Savings
Accumulation Plan, the  minimum initial  and subsequent investment  is $50.  See
"Shareholder Services" below.
    
 
  Application  forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
If a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for  each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
 
  The  Fund  reserves  the right  to  reject  any purchase  order  (including an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund.  The
Distributor  reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions in shares of  the Series may be  subject to postage and  handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must  first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an account
number. The following  information will  be requested: your  name, address,  tax
identification  number, class  election, dividend  distribution election, amount
being wired and wiring bank.  Instructions should then be  given by you to  your
bank  to transfer funds  by wire to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company (State
Street), Boston,  Massachusetts,  Custody  and  Shareholder  Services  Division,
Attention:  Prudential Municipal Series Fund, specifying on the wire the account
number assigned  by  PMFS  and  your  name  and  identifying  the  sales  charge
alternative (Class A, Class B or Class C shares) and the name of the Series.
 
  If  you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to the
calculation of  NAV (4:15  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you  may
purchase  shares of  the Series  as of that  day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
  In making a subsequent  purchase order by wire,  you should wire State  Street
directly  and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal Series
Fund, the name of the Series, Class A,  Class B or Class C shares and your  name
and  individual  account  number. It  is  not  necessary to  call  PMFS  to make
subsequent purchase orders utilizing Federal Funds. The minimum amount which may
be invested by wire is $1,000.
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
  THE SERIES OFFERS THROUGH  THIS PROSPECTUS THREE CLASSES  OF SHARES (CLASS  A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST BENEFICIAL SALES
CHARGE  STRUCTURE  FOR YOUR  INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES  GIVEN  THE AMOUNT  OF THE
PURCHASE, THE LENGTH OF TIME  YOU EXPECT TO HOLD  THE SHARES AND OTHER  RELEVANT
CIRCUMSTANCES (ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      ANNUAL 12b-1 FEES
                                                     (AS A % OF AVERAGE
                                                            DAILY
                        SALES CHARGE                     NET ASSETS)                  OTHER INFORMATION
           --------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                     <C>                      <C>
CLASS A    Maximum initial sales charge of 3% of   .30 of 1% (currently     Initial sales charge waived or reduced
           the public offering price               being charged at a rate  for certain purchases
                                                   of .10 of 1%)
CLASS B    Maximum contingent deferred sales       .50 of 1%                Shares convert to Class A shares
           charge or CDSC of 5% of the lesser of                            approximately seven years after
           the amount invested or the redemption                            purchase
           proceeds; declines to zero after six
           years
CLASS C    Maximum CDSC of 1% of the lesser of     1% (currently being      Shares do not convert to another class
           the amount invested or the redemption   charged at a rate of
           proceeds on redemptions made within     .75 of 1%)
           one year of purchase
</TABLE>
 
   
  The  three classes of  shares represent an  interest in the  same portfolio of
investments of the Series and have the  same rights, except that (i) each  class
bears  the separate  expenses of its  Rule 12b-1 distribution  and service plan,
(ii) each  class  has  exclusive  voting  rights  on  any  matter  submitted  to
shareholders  that relates  solely to  its arrangement  and has  separate voting
rights on any  matter submitted to  shareholders in which  the interests of  one
class  differ from  the interests  of any  other class,  and (iii)  only Class B
shares have a conversion feature. The three classes also have separate  exchange
privileges.  See "How to Exchange Your Shares" below. The income attributable to
each class and the dividends payable on the shares of each class will be reduced
by the amount of the distribution fee of each class. Class B and Class C  shares
bear  the expenses of a higher distribution  fee which will generally cause them
to have  higher expense  ratios and  to pay  lower dividends  than the  Class  A
shares.
    
 
  Financial  advisers and other sales agents who  sell shares of the Series will
receive different compensation for selling Class  A, Class B and Class C  shares
and  will generally receive more compensation  initially for selling Class A and
Class B shares than for selling Class C shares.
 
  IN SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER  THINGS,
(1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the amount of any
applicable  sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase or redemption)
and distribution-related fees, as noted above,  (3) whether you qualify for  any
reduction  or waiver  of any applicable  sales charge, (4)  the various exchange
privileges among the  different classes  of shares  (see "How  to Exchange  Your
Shares"  below) and (5)  the fact that  Class B shares  automatically convert to
Class A  shares  approximately  seven  years  after  purchase  (see  "Conversion
Feature--Class B Shares" below).
 
  The  following  is  provided to  assist  you  in determining  which  method of
purchase best suits your individual circumstances  and is based on current  fees
and expenses being charged to the Series:
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
  If  you intend to hold your investment in the Series for less than 5 years and
do not qualify  for a  reduced sales  charge on Class  A shares,  since Class  A
shares  are subject to a  maximum initial sales charge of  3% and Class B shares
are subject to a  CDSC of 5% which  declines to zero over  a 6 year period,  you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.
 
  If  you intend to hold your investment for  5 years or more and do not qualify
for a reduced sales charge  on Class A shares, since  Class B shares convert  to
Class  A shares  approximately 7  years after purchase  and because  all of your
money would be  invested initially in  the case  of Class B  shares, you  should
consider purchasing Class B shares over either Class A or Class C shares.
 
  If  you qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class A  shares, if may be more
advantageous for you to purchase Class A  shares over either Class B or Class  C
shares  regardless  of how  long you  intend to  hold your  investment. However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested
initially because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time  of
purchase.
 
   
  If  you do not  qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class  A shares and you
purchase Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than  4
years  for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those shares
to exceed the initial sales  charge plus cumulative annual  distribution-related
fee  on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of money,
which further reduces the impact of the higher Class C distribution-related  fee
on  the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of the return on
the investment  over  this  period of  time  or  redemptions when  the  CDSC  is
applicable.
    
 
  ALL  PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT OR
UNDER RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR LETTERS OF  INTENT, MUST BE FOR CLASS A  SHARES.
See "Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" below.
 
  CLASS A SHARES
 
  The  offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial sales
charge alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge (expressed  as
a  percentage of the offering price and of  the amount invested) as shown in the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           SALES CHARGE AS  SALES CHARGE AS  DEALER CONCESSION
                            PERCENTAGE OF    PERCENTAGE OF   AS PERCENTAGE OF
   AMOUNT OF PURCHASE      OFFERING PRICE   AMOUNT INVESTED   OFFERING PRICE
- -------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  -----------------
<S>                        <C>              <C>              <C>
Less than $99,999                  3.00%            3.09%             3.00%
$100,000 to $249,999               2.50             2.56              2.50
$250,000 to $499,999               1.50             1.52              1.50
$500,000 to $999,999               1.00             1.01              1.00
$1,000,000 and above               None          None                  None
</TABLE>
 
   
  The Distributor  may  reallow the  entire  initial sales  charge  to  dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
   
  In  connection with the sale  of Class A shares at  NAV (without payment of an
initial sales charge), the Manager, the  Distributor or one of their  affiliates
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a
finders' fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such
persons.
    
 
  REDUCTION  AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL SALES  CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges are
available through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of  the
Fund  and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market funds
other than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be  aggregated
to  determine the  applicable reduction. See  " Purchase and  Redemption of Fund
Shares--Reduction and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class  A Shares" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  OTHER  WAIVERS.  Class  A shares may  be purchased at  NAV, through Prudential
Securities or the  Transfer Agent, by  the following persons:  (a) officers  and
current  and former Directors/Trustees of Prudential Mutual Funds (including the
Fund),
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
(b) employees  of  Prudential Securities  and  PMF and  their  subsidiaries  and
members  of  the families  of such  persons who  maintain an  "employee related"
account at  Prudential  Securities or  the  Transfer Agent,  (c)  employees  and
special  agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all persons  who have
retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries,
(d) registered representatives and employees of dealers who have entered into  a
selected  dealer agreement with Prudential Securities provided that purchases at
NAV are  permitted  by such  person's  employer and  (e)  investors who  have  a
business  relationship with a financial adviser who joined Prudential Securities
from another investment firm, provided that (i) the purchase is made within  180
days  of the  commencement of the  financial adviser's  employment at Prudential
Securities or within one year in the case of benefit plans, (ii) the purchase is
made with proceeds of a redemption of  shares of any open-end fund sponsored  by
the  financial adviser's  previous employer (other  than a money  market fund or
other no-load fund which imposes a distribution  or service fee of .25 of 1%  or
less)  and (iii)  the financial  adviser served  as the  client's broker  on the
previous purchases.
    
 
   
  You must  notify the  Transfer  Agent either  directly or  through  Prudential
Securities  or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your entitlement.  No initial  sales charges  are imposed  upon Class  A  shares
acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and
Redemption  of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges--Class
A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
 
   
  The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of
the deferred  sales charge  alternatives is  the NAV  next determined  following
receipt  of an  order by the  Transfer Agent or  Prudential Securities. Although
there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B
and  Class  C  shares  may  be  subject  to  a  CDSC.  See  "How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below. The Distributor will pay sales
commissions  of up  to 4% of  the purchase price  of Class B  shares to dealers,
financial advisers and other persons who sell Class B shares at the time of sale
from its own resources.  This facilitates the  ability of the  Fund to sell  the
Class  B shares without  an initial sales  charge being deducted  at the time of
purchase. The Distributor  anticipates that  it will recoup  its advancement  of
sales commissions from the combination of the CDSC and the distribution fee. See
"Distributor."  In connection with  the sale of Class  C shares, the Distributor
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute Class  C
shares  a sales commission of up to 1% of  the purchase price at the time of the
sale.
    
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV  NEXT
DETERMINED  AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY THE
TRANSFER AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE  "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS  SHARES."
In  certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount of
any applicable  contingent  deferred  sales  charge,  as  described  below.  See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
 
  IF  YOU  HOLD SHARES  OF THE  SERIES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER. IF YOU
HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED  BY
YOU  EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES,
THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S)  SHOWN ON THE FACE OF THE  CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED.  IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST OR
FIDUCIARY, WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY  ACCEPTABLE TO THE TRANSFER AGENT  MUST
BE  SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence and
documents concerning  redemptions should  be sent  to the  Fund in  care of  its
Transfer  Agent, Prudential  Mutual Fund  Services, Inc.,  Attention: Redemption
Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to  a
person  other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other than
the address  on the  Transfer  Agent's records,  or  (d) are  to  be paid  to  a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
"eligible  guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution" includes
any bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the  right
to  request additional information  from, and make  reasonable inquiries of, any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be obtained from the agency or  office manager of most Prudential Insurance  and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS  AFTER  RECEIPT BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OF  THE CERTIFICATE  AND/OR WRITTEN
REQUEST EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED  BELOW.  IF YOU  HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays,  (b)
when  trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as a
result of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is  not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to  determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period when
the SEC, by order, so permits: provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or  (d)
exist.
 
  PAYMENT  FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL THE
FUND OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS  BEEN
HONORED,  UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE  TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
 
  REDEMPTION IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental  to
the  best interests of  the remaining shareholders  of the Fund  to make payment
wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or  in
part  by a distribution in  kind of securities from  the investment portfolio of
the Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules  of
the  SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your
shares are redeemed in kind, you will incur transaction costs in converting  the
assets  into cash. The Fund,  however, has elected to  be governed by Rule 18f-1
under the Investment Company  Act, under which the  Fund is obligated to  redeem
shares  solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the  Trustees
may  redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder which
is an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net  asset
value  of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give such
shareholders 60  days' prior  written  notice in  which to  purchase  sufficient
additional  shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent deferred sales charge
will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
 
   
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised the repurchase privilege, you may  reinvest any portion or all of  the
proceeds  of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next determined
after the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of  the
redemption.  Any CDSC paid  in connection with such  redemption will be credited
(in shares) to your account. If less than a full repurchase is made, the  credit
will  be on a PRO RATA basis. You  must notify the Fund's Transfer Agent, either
directly or through Prudential Securities, at the time the repurchase  privilege
is  exercised  to  adjust  your  account  for  the  CDSC  you  previously  paid.
Thereafter, any redemptions will be subject  to the CDSC applicable at the  time
of  the redemption. See  "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charges" below. Exercise of
the repurchase privilege will generally not affect the federal tax treatment  of
any  gain realized upon redemption. However, if the redemption was made within a
30 day period of the repurchase and  if the redemption resulted in a loss,  some
or  all of the loss, depending on the  amount reinvested, may not be allowed for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
 
  Redemptions of Class B shares will  be subject to a contingent deferred  sales
charge  or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C shares
redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC will
be deducted
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid to you. The CDSC will be
imposed on any redemption by you which reduces the current value of your Class B
or Class C shares to an amount which is lower than the amount of all payments by
you for shares during the  preceding six years, in the  case of Class B  shares,
and  one year,  in the case  of Class C  shares. A  CDSC will be  applied on the
lesser of the original purchase price or  the current value of the shares  being
redeemed.  Increases  in the  value of  your shares  or shares  acquired through
reinvestment of dividends or distributions are not subject to a CDSC. The amount
of any contingent  deferred sales charge  will be  paid to and  retained by  the
Distributor.  See  "How the  Fund is  Managed--Distributor"  and "Waiver  of the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class B Shares" below.
 
  The amount of the  CDSC, if any,  will vary depending on  the number of  years
from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption
of  such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the
time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will
be aggregated and deemed  to have been made  on the last day  of the month.  The
CDSC  will  be calculated  from the  first day  of the  month after  the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares were held  in a money market fund. See  "How
to Exchange Your Shares."
 
  The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemptions
of Class B shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES
                                              CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE
          YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                 OF DOLLARS INVESTED OR
          PAYMENT MADE                          REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
          ---------------------------------  -------------------------
          <S>                                <C>
          First............................              5.0%
          Second...........................              4.0%
          Third............................              3.0%
          Fourth...........................              2.0%
          Fifth............................              1.0%
          Sixth............................              1.0%
          Seventh..........................              None
</TABLE>
 
  In  determining whether a CDSC is  applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a  manner that results in the  lowest possible rate. It will  be
assumed  that  the  redemption  is made  first  of  amounts  representing shares
acquired pursuant to the  reinvestment of dividends  and distributions; then  of
amounts  representing the increase in net asset  value above the total amount of
payments for the purchase of Series  shares made during the preceding six  years
(five  years for Class  B shares purchased  prior to January  22, 1990); then of
amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period;
and  finally, of amounts  representing the cost  of shares held  for the longest
period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
 
  For example, assume you purchased  100 Class B shares at  $10 per share for  a
cost  of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired  5 additional Class B shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase you decided  to
redeem  $500 of your investment. Assuming at  the time of the redemption the NAV
had appreciated to  $12 per share,  the value of  your Class B  shares would  be
$1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value
of  the reinvested dividend shares and  the amount which represents appreciation
($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260)  would
be  charged  at a  rate of  4% (the  applicable  rate in  the second  year after
purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
 
  For federal income tax purposes, the amount  of the CDSC will reduce the  gain
or  increase the  loss, as  the case  may be,  on the  amount recognized  on the
redemption of shares.
 
  WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be waived in the  case of a  redemption following the death  or disability of  a
shareholder  or,  in  the  case  of a  trust  account,  following  the  death or
disability of  the  grantor.  The  waiver is  available  for  total  or  partial
redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint tenancy
(with  rights of survivorship), at the time of death or initial determination of
disability,  provided  that  the  shares  were  purchased  prior  to  death   or
disability.  In addition, the CDSC will be  waived on redemptions of shares held
by a Trustee of the Fund.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
  You  must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you are
entitled to  waiver  of  the CDSC  and  provide  the Transfer  Agent  with  such
supporting  documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be granted
subject to confirmation  of your  entitlement. See "Purchase  and Redemption  of
Fund  Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  A quantity discount may apply to redemptions of Class B shares purchased prior
to August  1,  1994.  See  "Purchase and  Redemption  of  Fund  Shares--Quantity
Discount--Class  B Shares Pruchased Prior to August 1, 1994" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
 
  Class B shares  will automatically convert  to Class A  shares on a  quarterly
basis  approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected at
relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales  charge.
The  first conversion  of Class  B shares  occurred in  February 1995,  when the
conversion feature was first implemented.
 
  Since the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought  on
each  purchase  of Class  B shares,  the number  of Class  B shares  eligible to
convert to  Class A  shares  (excluding shares  acquired through  the  automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will be
determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (i)
the  ratio of (a) the  amounts paid for Class B  shares purchased at least seven
years prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class  B
shares  purchased and  then held  in your account  (ii) multiplied  by the total
number of Class B shares purchased and then held in your account. Each time  any
Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts
representing  Class B shares then in your account that were acquired through the
automatic reinvestment  of dividends  and other  distributions will  convert  to
Class A shares.
 
  For  purposes of  determining the  number of Eligible  Shares, if  the Class B
shares in  your  account on  any  conversion date  are  the result  of  multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible Shares
calculated  as described above  will generally be  either more or  less than the
number of  shares  actually  purchased approximately  seven  years  before  such
conversion  date. For example, if 100 shares were initially purchased at $10 per
share (for  a  total  of  $1,000)  and a  second  purchase  of  100  shares  was
subsequently  made at $11 per share (for  a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares would
convert approximately  seven  years  from the  initial  purchase  (I.E.,  $1,000
divided  by $2,100 (47.62%), multiplied by  200 shares equals 95.24 shares). The
Manager reserves the right to modify  the formula for determining the number  of
Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.
 
  Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class
B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be higher than
that  of  the Class  B  shares at  the time  of  conversion. Thus,  although the
aggregate dollar value will be  the same, you may  receive fewer Class A  shares
than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all
payments  for Class B shares during a month  will be deemed to have been made on
the last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through exchange or  a
series  of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original payment
for purchases of such  Class B shares  was made. For  Class B shares  previously
exchanged  for shares of a money market  fund, the time period during which such
shares were held in the money market fund will be excluded. For example, Class B
shares held in  a money market  fund for one  year will not  convert to Class  A
shares  until approximately eight years from purchase. For purposes of measuring
the time period during which shares are  held in a money market fund,  exchanges
will  be deemed to have been  made on the last day  of the month. Class B shares
acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares after expiration of the
conversion period applicable to the original purchase of such shares.
 
  The conversion  feature  may be  subject  to the  continuing  availability  of
opinions  of counsel  or rulings  of the Internal  Revenue Service  (i) that the
dividends and other distributions paid  on Class A, Class  B and Class C  shares
will not constitute "preferential dividends" under the Internal Revenue Code and
(ii)  that the  conversion of  shares does not  constitute a  taxable event. The
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
conversion of  Class B  shares into  Class A  shares may  be suspended  if  such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class
B  shares of the Series  will continue to be  subject, possibly indefinitely, to
their higher annual distribution and service fee.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
  AS A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH THE  OTHER
SERIES  OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE), INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO  THE
MINIMUM  INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS  OF SUCH  FUNDS. CLASS A,  CLASS B  AND CLASS C
SHARES OF THE SERIES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR  CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C  SHARES,
RESPECTIVELY,  OF THE OTHER SERIES  OF THE FUND OR ANOTHER  FUND ON THE BASIS OF
THE RELATIVE NAV. No sales charge will  be imposed at the time of the  exchange.
Any  applicable CDSC  payable upon  the redemption  of shares  exchanged will be
calculated from the first day of the month after the initial purchase, excluding
the time shares were held in a money market fund. Class B and Class C shares may
not be exchanged  into money market  funds other than  Prudential Special  Money
Market  Fund. For purposes  of calculating the holding  period applicable to the
Class B conversion  feature, the time  period during which  Class B shares  were
held  in a money market fund will be excluded. See " Conversion Feature--Class B
Shares" above. An exchange will be treated as a redemption and purchase for  tax
purposes.  See  "Shareholder  Investment  Account--Exchange  Privilege"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  IN ORDER  TO  EXCHANGE  SHARES  BY TELEPHONE,  YOU  MUST  AUTHORIZE  TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES  ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE TRANSFER
AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call the Fund
at (800) 225-1852 to  execute a telephone exchange  of shares, weekdays,  except
holidays,  between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time. For your
protection and  to prevent  fraudulent exchanges,  your telephone  call will  be
recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A
written  confirmation of the  exchange transaction will be  sent to you. NEITHER
THE FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE  LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS,  LIABILITY OR COST  WHICH
RESULTS  FROM ACTING UPON  INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED  TO BE GENUINE UNDER
THE FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (THE FUND OR ITS AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO  LIABILITY
IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be made on the
basis of the relative NAV of the two funds (or series) next determined after the
request  is received in good order. The  Exchange Privilege is available only in
states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE  YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE  OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual  Fund
Services,  Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE  OF
SHARES  MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  SPECIAL EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE. A  special exchange  privilege is  available  for
shareholders  who qualify  to purchase Class  A shares at  NAV (see "Alternative
Purchase Plan  --  Class A  Shares  -- Reduction  and  Waiver of  Initial  Sales
Charges" above). Under this exchange privilege, amounts representing any Class B
and  Class  C  shares  (which  are  not  subject  to  a  CDSC)  held  in  such a
shareholder's account will be  automatically exchanged for Class  A shares on  a
quarterly  basis, unless the shareholder  elects otherwise. Eligibility for this
exchange privilege will be calculated on the  business day prior to the date  of
the  exchange. Amounts  representing Class  B or  Class C  shares which  are not
subject to a  CDSC include the  following: (1) amounts  representing Class B  or
Class  C shares acquired pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends and
distributions, (2)  amounts representing  the increase  in the  net asset  value
above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class B or Class C shares
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
and  (3)  amounts  representing  Class  B or  Class  C  shares  held  beyond the
applicable CDSC  period.  Class B  and  Class  C shareholders  must  notify  the
Transfer  Agent either directly or through  Prudential Securities or Prusec that
they are eligible for this special exchange privilege.
 
   
  The Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including  exchanges
(and  market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse effect on  the ability of  the Subadviser to  manage the portfolio.  The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination  to reject any  exchange order shall  be in the  discretion of the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated  or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, as a shareholder in the Series, you can
take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
    -AUTOMATIC  REINVESTMENT OF  DIVIDENDS AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS  WITHOUT A SALES
  CHARGE.  For   your  convenience,   all   dividends  and   distributions   are
  automatically  reinvested in full  and fractional shares of  the Series at NAV
  without a sales charge. You may direct the Transfer Agent in writing not  less
  than  5  full  business days  prior  to  the record  date  to  have subsequent
  dividends and/or distributions  sent in  cash rather than  reinvested. If  you
  hold  shares through Prudential Securities,  you should contact your financial
  adviser.
 
    -AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION PLAN (ASAP). Under ASAP you may make regular
  purchases of the Series' shares in amounts  as little as $50 via an  automatic
  charge to a bank account or Prudential Securities account (including a Command
  Account).  For additional information about this service, you may contact your
  Prudential Securities financial adviser, Prusec representative or the Transfer
  Agent directly.
 
    -SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN.  A systematic withdrawal  plan is available  to
  shareholders  which provides for  monthly or quarterly  checks. Withdrawals of
  Class B and Class  C shares may be  subject to a CDSC.  See "How to Sell  Your
  Shares-- Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" above.
 
   
    -  REPORTS TO  SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund  will send you  annual and semi-annual
  reports. The financial statements appearing  in annual reports are audited  by
  independent  accountants. In  order to  reduce duplicate  mailing and printing
  expenses, the Fund will provide one annual and semi-annual shareholder  report
  and annual prospectus per household. You may request additional copies of such
  reports  by calling (800) 225-1852 or by writing to the Fund at Gateway Center
  Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102. In addition, monthly unaudited financial data
  is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
    - SHAREHOLDER  INQUIRIES.  Inquiries should  be  addressed to  the  Fund  at
  Gateway  Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey 07102,  or by  telephone, at (800)
  225-1852 (toll-free) or, from outside the U.S.A., at (908) 417-7555 (collect).
    
 
  For additional  information regarding  the services  and privileges  described
above,  see  "Shareholder Investment  Account"  in the  Statement  of Additional
Information.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management  offers a  broad  range  of  mutual funds
designed to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the  investment
options  available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Funds  at
(800)  225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before you
invest or send money.
 
- ---------------------
 
     TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
 
    
- ------------------------
 
     TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------
 
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Series
  California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
  High Yield Series
  Insured Series
  Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Florida Series
  Hawaii Income Series
  Maryland Series
  Massachusetts Series
  Michigan Series
  New Jersey Series
  New York Series
  North Carolina Series
  Ohio Series
  Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
 
- ---------------
 
     GLOBAL FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
  Global Series
  International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
 
    
- ---------------
 
     EQUITY FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Allocation Fund
  Balanced Portfolio
  Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
  Prudential Active Balanced Fund
  Prudential Stock Index Fund
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
  Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
  Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
 
    
- ---------------------
 
     MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------
 
   
- -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Money Market Series
  U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
  Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
- -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Connecticut Money Market Series
  Massachusetts Money Market Series
  New Jersey Money Market Series
  New York Money Market Series
- -COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
- -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
  Institutional Money Market Series
    
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made,  such  other information  or representations  must not  be relied  upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction  to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
FUND HIGHLIGHTS.........................................................     2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics..............................     2
FUND EXPENSES...........................................................     4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS....................................................     5
HOW THE FUND INVESTS....................................................     8
  Investment Objective and Policies.....................................     8
  Other Investments and Policies........................................    12
  Investment Restrictions...............................................    13
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED.................................................    13
  Manager...............................................................    13
  Distributor...........................................................    14
  Portfolio Transactions................................................    16
  Custodian and Transfer and
   Dividend Disbursing Agent............................................    16
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES..........................................    16
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE.....................................    17
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS......................................    17
GENERAL INFORMATION.....................................................    20
  Description of Shares.................................................    20
  Additional Information................................................    21
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE.......................................................    21
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund.........................................    21
  Alternative Purchase Plan.............................................    22
  How to Sell Your Shares...............................................    24
  Conversion Feature--Class B Shares....................................    27
  How to Exchange Your Shares...........................................    28
  Shareholder Services..................................................    29
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY.......................................   A-1
 
- -------------------------------------------
MF 125A                                                                  44404BU
 
   
                 Class A: 74435M-70-5
       CUSIP Nos.: Class B: 74435M-80-4
                 Class C: 74435M-57-2
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
 
MARYLAND SERIES
- --------------------------------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(MICHIGAN SERIES)
- ---------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential  Municipal Series Fund (the  "Fund") (Michigan Series) (the "Series")
is one of  fourteen series  of an  open-end, management  investment company,  or
mutual  fund. This Series is diversified and  is designed to provide the maximum
amount of income  that is exempt  from Michigan State  and federal income  taxes
consistent  with the preservation of capital  and, in conjunction therewith, the
Series may invest in  debt securities with the  potential for capital gain.  The
net  assets of the  Series are invested  in obligations within  the four highest
ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or another
nationally recognized statistical rating organization or in unrated  obligations
which,  in  the opinion  of  the Fund's  investment  adviser, are  of comparable
quality. Subject to  the limitations  described herein, the  Series may  utilize
derivatives,  including buying and selling futures contracts and options thereon
for the purpose of hedging its  portfolio securities. There can be no  assurance
that  the  Series' investment  objective  will be  achieved.  See "How  the Fund
Invests--Investment Objective  and  Policies."  The Fund's  address  is  Gateway
Center  Three,  Newark, New  Jersey  07102, and  its  telephone number  is (800)
225-1852.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets  forth concisely  the information  about the  Fund and  the
Michigan  Series  that  a  prospective investor  should  know  before investing.
Additional information about  the Fund has  been filed with  the Securities  and
Exchange  Commission in a Statement of  Additional Information dated November 1,
1996,  which  information  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  (is  legally
considered  a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available without  charge upon
request to the Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The  following summary is intended  to highlight certain information contained
in this  Prospectus  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools  the resources of  investors by selling  its shares to  the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an  open-end,
  management  investment company. Only the  Michigan Series is offered through
  this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The Series' investment  objective is  to maximize current  income that  is
  exempt  from Michigan  State and  federal income  taxes consistent  with the
  preservation of capital.  It seeks  to achieve this  objective by  investing
  primarily  in Michigan State, municipal and local government obligations and
  obligations of other qualifying issuers,  such as issuers located in  Puerto
  Rico,  the Virgin Islands and Guam, which  pay income exempt, in the opinion
  of  counsel,  from  Michigan  State  and  federal  income  taxes   (Michigan
  Obligations).  There  can  be  no  assurance  that  the  Series'  investment
  objective will be achieved. See "How the Fund Invests-- Investment Objective
  and Policies" at page 8.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
   
    In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest  at
  least  80% of the  value of its  total assets in  Michigan Obligations. This
  degree of investment concentration makes the Series particularly susceptible
  to factors adversely affecting issuers of Michigan Obligations. See "How the
  Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies--Special Considerations"  at
  page  12. To hedge  against changes in  interest rates, the  Series may also
  purchase put  options  and  engage in  transactions  involving  derivatives,
  including financial futures contracts and options thereon. See "How the Fund
  Invests--Investment  Objective and  Policies--Futures Contracts  and Options
  Thereon" at page 11.
    
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the  Manager
  of  the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50 of
  1% of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996,  PMF
  served  as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including 38
  mutual funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion.  The
  Prudential   Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)  furnishes
  investment advisory services in connection  with the management of the  Fund
  under   a   Subadvisory  Agreement   with  PMF.   See   "How  the   Fund  is
  Managed--Manager" at page 13.
    
 
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI), a major
  securities underwriter and  securities and commodities  broker, acts as  the
  Distributor of the Series' Class A, Class B and Class C shares and is paid a
  distribution  and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class A  shares  which is
  currently being charged at the annual rate of .10 of 1% of the average daily
  net assets of the Class A shares and is paid a distribution and service  fee
  with  respect to  Class B  shares at  the annual  rate of  .50 of  1% of the
  average daily  net assets  of  the Class  B shares  and  is paid  an  annual
  distribution  and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class C  shares  which is
  currently being charged at the  rate of .75 of 1%  of the average daily  net
  assets of the Class C shares.
    
 
    See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 14.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
    The  minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000
  per class and $5,000 for Class  C shares. The minimum subsequent  investment
  is  $100  for Class  A, Class  B and  Class  C shares.  There is  no minimum
  investment requirement  for certain  employee savings  plans. For  purchases
  made  through the Automatic  Savings Accumulation Plan,  the minimum initial
  and subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy  Shares
  of  the Fund"  at page 21  and "Shareholder  Guide--Shareholder Services" at
  page 29.
    
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through  its
  transfer  agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities plus a
  sales charge which may be imposed either (i) at the time of purchase  (Class
  A  shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis (Class B or Class C shares). See "How
  the Fund Values its  Shares" at page 16  and "Shareholder Guide--How to  Buy
  Shares of the Fund" at page 21.
 
  WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
    The Series offers three classes of shares:
 
     - Class A Shares:   Sold  with an initial sales charge of up to 3% of the
                         offering price.
 
     - Class B Shares:    Sold without an initial sales charge but are subject
                          to  a  contingent  deferred  sales  charge  or  CDSC
                          (declining  from  5% to  zero  of the  lower  of the
                          amount invested  or the  redemption proceeds)  which
                          will  be imposed on  certain redemptions made within
                          six years of purchase.  Although Class B shares  are
                          subject   to  higher   ongoing  distribution-related
                          expenses than Class  A shares, Class  B shares  will
                          automatically  convert to Class  A shares (which are
                          subject  to   lower   ongoing   distribution-related
                          expenses) approximately seven years after purchase.
 
     - Class C Shares:    Sold  without an  initial sales charge  and, for one
                          year after purchase,  are subject  to a  1% CDSC  on
                          redemptions. Like Class B shares, Class C shares are
                          subject   to  higher   ongoing  distribution-related
                          expenses than Class A shares  but do not convert  to
                          another class.
 
    See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 22.
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
    You  may redeem your shares  at any time at  the NAV next determined after
  Prudential Securities  or  the  Transfer Agent  receives  your  sell  order.
  However,  the proceeds of redemptions  of Class B and  Class C shares may be
  subject to a CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at  page
  24.
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
   
    The  Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of net
  investment income, if any, and make  distributions of any net capital  gains
  at  least  annually.  Dividends  and  distributions  will  be  automatically
  reinvested in additional shares of the Series at NAV without a sales  charge
  unless  you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes, Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 17.
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                               (MICHIGAN SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               CLASS A
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES+                              SHARES         CLASS B SHARES     CLASS C SHARES
                                                            -------------  --------------------  ---------------
<S>                                                         <C>            <C>                   <C>
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a
     percentage of offering price)........................       3%                None               None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load (as a percentage of
     original purchase price or redemption proceeds,
     whichever is lower)..................................      None       5%  during the first  1% on
                                                                           year, decreasing  by  redemptions
                                                                           1% annually to 1% in  made within one
                                                                           the  fifth and sixth  year of
                                                                           years  and  0%   the  purchase
                                                                           seventh year*
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends....      None               None               None
    Redemption Fees.......................................      None               None               None
    Exchange Fee..........................................      None               None               None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES**
 (as a percentage of average net assets)                     CLASS A SHARES         CLASS B SHARES         CLASS C SHARES
                                                            -----------------  ------------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                         <C>                <C>                       <C>
    Management Fees (Before Waiver).......................          .50%                    .50%                   .50%
    12b-1 Fees (After Reduction)..........................          .10++                   .50                    .75++
    Other Expenses........................................          .36                     .36                    .36
                                                                    ---                     ---                    ---
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver and After
     Reduction)...........................................          .96%                   1.36%                  1.61%
                                                                    ---                     ---                    ---
                                                                    ---                     ---                    ---
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 1      3      5     10
EXAMPLE                                                                         YEAR  YEARS  YEARS  YEARS
                                                                                ----  -----  -----  -----
<S>                                                                             <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5%
 annual return and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
    Class A...................................................................  $40   $ 60   $ 81   $144
    Class B...................................................................  $64   $ 73   $ 84   $147
    Class C...................................................................  $26   $ 51   $ 88   $191
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, assuming no
 redemption:
    Class A...................................................................  $40   $ 60   $ 81   $144
    Class B...................................................................  $14   $ 43   $ 74   $147
    Class C...................................................................  $16   $ 51   $ 88   $191
</TABLE>
    
 
   
   The  above examples are based on restated data for the Series' fiscal year
   ended  August  31,  1996.  THE   EXAMPLES  SHOULD  NOT  BE  CONSIDERED   A
   REPRESENTATION  OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER
   OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
   The purpose of  this table  is to  assist investors  in understanding  the
   various  costs  and expenses  that an  investor in  the Series  will bear,
   whether directly  or indirectly.  For more  complete descriptions  of  the
   various  costs  and  expenses,  see  "How  the  Fund  is  Managed." "Other
   Expenses" includes operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees' and
   professional fees, registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer
   agency and custodian fees.
   ---------------------
 
    *Class  B  shares   will  automatically   convert  to   Class  A   shares
     approximately    seven   years   after    purchase.   See   "Shareholder
     Guide--Conversion Feature--Class B Shares."
   
   **Based on expenses incurred during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
     without taking into account  the management fee  waiver. At the  current
     level  of management fee  waiver (.05 of 1%),  Management Fees and Total
     Fund Operating Expenses  would be  .45% and .91%,  respectively, of  the
     average  net  assets of  the  Series' Class  A  shares, .45%  and 1.31%,
     respectively, of the average  net assets of the  Series' Class B  shares
     and  .45%  and 1.56%,  respectively, of  the average  net assets  of the
     Series' Class  C  shares. See  "How  the Fund  is  Managed--Manager--Fee
     Waivers."
    
    +Pursuant  to rules  of the  National Association  of Securities Dealers,
     Inc., the aggregate  initial sales charges,  deferred sales charges  and
     asset-based  sales charges on shares of  the Series may not exceed 6.25%
     of  total  gross  sales,  subject  to  certain  exclusions.  This  6.25%
     limitation  is imposed on each class of  the Series rather than on a per
     shareholder basis. Therefore, long-term  shareholders of the Series  may
     pay more in total sales charges than the economic equivalent of 6.25% of
     such  shareholders'  investment in  such shares.  See  "How the  Fund is
     Managed--Distributor."
   
   ++Although the Class A and Class C Distribution and Service Plans  provide
     that  the Fund may pay a distribution fee of  up to .30 of 1% and 1% per
     annum of the average daily net assets of the Class A and Class C shares,
     respectively, the Distributor has agreed to limit its distribution  fees
     with  respect to the Class A and Class C shares of the Series to no more
     than .10 of 1% and .75 of 1% of the average daily net asset value of the
     Class A shares  and Class C  shares, respectively, for  the fiscal  year
     ending August 31, 1997. Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver) of
     the  Class A and Class C shares  without such limitations would be 1.16%
     and 1.86%, respectively. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class A Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August 31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected  data for  a Class  A share  of beneficial  interest
outstanding,  total return, ratios to average  net assets and other supplemental
data for the periods indicated. This  information is based on data contained  in
the  financial statements. Further  performance information is  contained in the
annual report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder  Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         CLASS A
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                               JANUARY 22,
                                                                                                                1990 (A)
                                                          YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                                  THROUGH
                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------      AUGUST 31,
                                  1996          1995         1994         1993         1992         1991          1990
                                --------      --------      -------      -------      -------      ------      -----------
<S>                             <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 period.......................  $  11.89      $  11.75      $ 12.51      $ 11.90      $ 11.30      $10.81        $11.02
                                --------      --------      -------      -------      -------      ------      -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income.........       .62(e)        .64(e)       .64          .67          .68         .67           .41
Net realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on investment
 transactions.................      (.02)          .17         (.69)         .71          .60         .49          (.21)
                                --------      --------      -------      -------      -------      ------      -----------
    Total from investment
     operations...............       .60           .81         (.05)        1.38         1.28        1.16           .20
                                --------      --------      -------      -------      -------      ------      -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income.......................      (.62)         (.64)        (.64)        (.67)        (.68)       (.67)         (.41)
Distributions from net
 realized gains...............      (.15)         (.03)        (.07)        (.10)          --          --            --
                                --------      --------      -------      -------      -------      ------      -----------
    Total distributions.......      (.77)         (.67)        (.71)        (.77)        (.68)       (.67)         (.41)
                                --------      --------      -------      -------      -------      ------      -----------
Net asset value, end of
 period.......................  $  11.72      $  11.89      $ 11.75      $ 12.51      $ 11.90      $11.30        $10.81
                                --------      --------      -------      -------      -------      ------      -----------
                                --------      --------      -------      -------      -------      ------      -----------
TOTAL RETURN (C):.............      5.07%        7.13%        (0.38)%      11.95%       11.63%      11.04%         1.82%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
 (000)........................  $ 28,730      $ 27,024      $ 4,706      $ 3,814      $ 1,618      $  835        $  501
Average net assets (000)......  $ 27,978      $ 16,932      $ 4,505      $ 2,285      $ 1,235      $  694        $  365
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee...........       .91%(e)      1.02%(e)      .91%         .96%(d)      .98%       1.09%         1.09%(b)
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee...........       .81%(e)       .92%(e)      .81%         .86%(d)      .88%        .99%          .99%(b)
  Net investment income.......      5.18%(e)      5.31%(e)     5.27%        5.51%(d)     5.82%       6.09%         6.25%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate.......        36%           33%          12%          14%          30%         62%           55%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class A shares.
   (b) Annualized.
   (c) Total  return  does not  consider the  effects  of sales  loads. Total
       return is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first  day
       and  a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
   
   (d) Restated.
    
   (e) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class B Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August 31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected  data for  a Class  B share  of beneficial  interest
outstanding,  total return, ratios to average  net assets and other supplemental
data for the periods indicated. This  information is based on data contained  in
the  financial statements. Further  performance information is  contained in the
annual report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder  Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           CLASS B
                               ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
                               ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1996          1995          1994       1993          1992       1991       1990       1989 (B)
                               --------      --------      --------   --------      --------   --------   --------     --------
<S>                            <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning
 of year...................    $  11.88      $  11.75      $  12.51   $  11.90      $  11.30   $  10.81   $  11.03     $ 10.57
                               --------      --------      --------   --------      --------   --------   --------     --------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income......         .57(e)        .59(e)        .59        .62           .63        .63        .65         .68
Net realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on investment
 transactions..............        (.02)          .16          (.69)       .71           .60        .49       (.22)        .46
                               --------      --------      --------   --------      --------   --------   --------     --------
    Total from investment
     operations............         .55           .75          (.10)      1.33          1.23       1.12        .43        1.14
                               --------      --------      --------   --------      --------   --------   --------     --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net
 investment income.........        (.57)         (.59)         (.59)      (.62)         (.63)      (.63)      (.65)       (.68)
Distributions from net
 realized gains............        (.15)         (.03)         (.07)      (.10)           --         --         --          --
                               --------      --------      --------   --------      --------   --------   --------     --------
    Total distributions....        (.72)         (.62)         (.66)      (.72)         (.63)      (.63)      (.65)       (.68)
                               --------      --------      --------   --------      --------   --------   --------     --------
Net asset value, end of
 year......................    $  11.71      $  11.88      $  11.75   $  12.51      $  11.90   $  11.30   $  10.81     $ 11.03
                               --------      --------      --------   --------      --------   --------   --------     --------
                               --------      --------      --------   --------      --------   --------   --------     --------
TOTAL RETURN (C):..........       4.66%         6.60%         (0.78)%    11.51%        11.18%     10.60%      4.02%      11.08%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year
 (000).....................    $ 34,971      $ 41,459      $ 70,112   $ 70,302      $ 56,095   $ 59,400   $ 49,923     $47,025
Average net assets (000)...    $ 39,052      $ 52,216      $ 72,095   $ 61,548      $ 52,137   $ 50,809   $ 48,694     $43,957
Ratios to average net
 assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee........        1.31%(e)      1.37%(e)      1.31%      1.36%(d)      1.38%      1.49%      1.44%       1.35%
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee........         .81%(e)       .87%(e)       .81%       .86%(d)       .88%       .99%       .97%        .96%
  Net investment income....        4.77%(e)      5.04%(e)      4.87%      5.11%(d)      5.42%      5.66%      5.95%       6.20%
Portfolio turnover rate....          36%           33%           12%        14%           30%        62%        55%         36%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                 1988          1987
                               --------      --------
<S>                            <C>           <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning
 of year...................    $  10.85      $  11.94
                               --------      --------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income......         .72(a)        .73(a)
Net realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on investment
 transactions..............        (.28)         (.44)
                               --------      --------
    Total from investment
     operations............         .44           .29
                               --------      --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net
 investment income.........        (.72)         (.73)
Distributions from net
 realized gains............          --          (.65)
                               --------      --------
    Total distributions....        (.72)        (1.38)
                               --------      --------
Net asset value, end of
 year......................    $  10.57      $  10.85
                               --------      --------
                               --------      --------
TOTAL RETURN (C):..........        4.34%         2.52%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year
 (000).....................    $ 40,489      $ 40,597
Average net assets (000)...    $ 39,246      $ 39,088
Ratios to average net
 assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee........        1.20%(a)      1.13%(a)
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee........         .72%(a)       .66%(a)
  Net investment income....        6.85%(a)      6.40%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate....         156%          105%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Net of expense subsidy.
   (b) On   December  31,  1988,  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management,  Inc.
       succeeded The Prudential  Insurance Company of  America as manager  of
       the Fund.
   (c) Total  return  does not  consider the  effects  of sales  loads. Total
       return is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first  day
       and  a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
   (d) Restated.
   (e) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class C Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The following financial highlights have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent accountants, whose report thereon was unqualified. This  information
should  be  read in  conjunction  with the  financial  statements and  the notes
thereto, which appear in the Statement of Additional Information. The  following
financial  highlights contain  selected data for  a Class C  share of beneficial
interest outstanding,  total return,  ratios  to average  net assets  and  other
supplemental  data for the periods indicated.  This information is based on data
contained in  the  financial  statements.  Further  performance  information  is
contained  in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge. See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                CLASS C
                                               ------------------------------------------
                                                                               AUGUST 1,
                                                       YEAR ENDED               1994 (A)
                                                       AUGUST 31,               THROUGH
                                               --------------------------      AUGUST 31,
                                                  1996            1995            1994
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>             <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.........    $  11.88        $11.75          $11.78
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income........................         .54(d)        .56(d)          .04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions.....................        (.02)          .16            (.03)
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
    Total from investment operations.........         .52           .72             .01
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income.........        (.54)         (.56)           (.04)
Distributions from net realized gains........        (.15)         (.03)          --
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
    Total distributions......................        (.69)         (.59)           (.04)
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
Net asset value, end of period...............    $  11.71        $11.88          $11.75
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
                                               ----------      ----------      ----------
TOTAL RETURN (C):............................        4.39%         6.29%           0.06%
 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)..............    $    112        $  100          $  200(e)
Average net assets (000).....................    $     95        $   61          $  199(e)
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution fee.......        1.56%(d)      1.68%(d)        2.15%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fee.......         .81%(d)       .93%(d)        1.39%(b)
  Net investment income......................        4.53%(d)      4.66%(d)        4.56%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate......................          36%           33%             12%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
   (b) Annualized.
   (c) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
   (d) Net of management fee waiver.
   (e) Figures are actual and not rounded to the nearest thousand.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL  MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS  MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MICHIGAN  SERIES (THE SERIES)  IS
DIVERSIFIED  AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS  TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME THAT IS
EXEMPT FROM  MICHIGAN  STATE  AND  FEDERAL  INCOME  TAXES  CONSISTENT  WITH  THE
PRESERVATION  OF CAPITAL AND, IN CONJUNCTION THEREWITH, THE SERIES MAY INVEST IN
DEBT SECURITIES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR CAPITAL GAIN. See "Investment  Objectives
and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE  SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A  FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE  SERIES'
OUTSTANDING  VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE  NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  THE  SERIES  WILL  INVEST PRIMARILY  IN  MICHIGAN STATE,  MUNICIPAL  AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS  AND OBLIGATIONS  OF OTHER  QUALIFYING ISSUERS,  SUCH  AS
ISSUERS  LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO,  THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND  GUAM, WHICH PAY INCOME
EXEMPT, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL, FROM MICHIGAN STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME  TAXES
(MICHIGAN  OBLIGATIONS). THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE  THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE
TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
  Interest on  certain  municipal  obligations  may be  a  preference  item  for
purposes  of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest without
limit in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined  in
the  Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item for
purposes of  the federal  alternative  minimum tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends  and
Distributions." Under Michigan law, dividends paid by the Series are exempt from
Michigan  income  tax  and  single business  tax  for  resident  individuals and
corporations to the extent they are  derived from interest payments on  Michigan
Obligations.  Michigan Obligations could include general obligation bonds of the
State,  counties,  cities,  towns,  etc.,  revenue  bonds  of  utility  systems,
highways,  bridges, port and airport  facilities, colleges, hospitals, etc., and
industrial development and pollution  control bonds. The  Series will invest  in
long-term  obligations, and the dollar-weighted  average maturity of the Series'
portfolio will generally range between 10-20  years. The Series also may  invest
in  certain short-term, tax-exempt notes such as Tax Anticipation Notes, Revenue
Anticipation  Notes,  Bond  Anticipation  Notes,  Construction  Loan  Notes  and
variable and floating rate demand notes.
 
  Generally,  municipal obligations with longer maturities produce higher yields
and are subject to greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates (market  risk) than  municipal obligations  with shorter  maturities.  The
prices  of municipal  obligations vary  inversely with  interest rates. Interest
rates are currently  much lower  than in  recent years.  If rates  were to  rise
sharply,  the  prices  of bonds  in  the  Series' portfolio  might  be adversely
affected.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES,  INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as  a
specific  percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on Treasury
bonds or bills or the prime rate  at a major commercial bank. The interest  rate
on  floating rate securities changes periodically when  there is a change in the
designated base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a  specified
periodic  adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates and
generally would allow the  Series to demand payment  of the obligation on  short
notice  at par plus accrued interest, which amount  may be more or less than the
amount the Series paid for them. An inverse floater is a debt instrument with  a
floating  or variable interest rate that moves  in the opposite direction of the
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
interest rate on  another security  or the  value of  an index.  Changes in  the
interest  rate  on the  other security  or index  inversely affect  the residual
interest rate paid  on the  inverse floater, with  the result  that the  inverse
floater's  price will be  considerably more volatile  than that of  a fixed rate
bond. The market for the inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
  THE SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN  MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL  LEASE
OBLIGATION  IS A MUNICIPAL  SECURITY THE INTEREST  ON AND PRINCIPAL  OF WHICH IS
PAYABLE OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES  FINANCED
BY  THE ISSUE. Typically, municipal  lease obligations are issued  by a state or
municipal  financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction   of
facilities  (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or the
acquisition of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state  or
municipality  pursuant to a lease with  a financing authority. Certain municipal
lease obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes of  the Series'  15%  limitation on  illiquid securities  provided  the
investment  adviser determines that there is a readily available market for such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies--Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
  ALL MICHIGAN OBLIGATIONS PURCHASED  BY THE SERIES  WILL BE "INVESTMENT  GRADE"
SECURITIES. In other words, all of the Michigan Obligations will, at the time of
purchase,  be  rated within  the four  highest quality  grades as  determined by
Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for bonds, MIG 1,
MIG 2, MIG  3, MIG 4  for notes and  Prime-1 for commercial  paper), Standard  &
Poor's  Ratings Group (S&P) (currently AAA, AA, A, BBB for bonds, SP-1, SP-2 for
notes and A-1 for commercial paper) or another nationally recognized statistical
rating organization (NRSRO)  or, if unrated,  will possess creditworthiness,  in
the  opinion of  the investment adviser,  comparable to securities  in which the
Series may invest.  Securities rated Baa  may have speculative  characteristics,
and  changes in  economic conditions or  other circumstances are  more likely to
lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is  the
case  with higher grade securities. Subsequent to  its purchase by the Series, a
municipal obligation may be assigned a lower  rating or cease to be rated.  Such
an  event would not require the elimination of the issue from the portfolio, but
the investment adviser will  consider such an event  in determining whether  the
Series  should continue to hold the  security in its portfolio. See "Description
of Tax-Exempt Security Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information.  The
Series may purchase Michigan Obligations which, in the opinion of the investment
adviser,  offer the  opportunity for capital  appreciation. This  may occur, for
example, when the investment  adviser believes that the  issuer of a  particular
Michigan   Obligation  might  receive  an   upgraded  credit  standing,  thereby
increasing the market value of  the bonds it has  issued or when the  investment
adviser  believes that interest  rates might decline. As  a general matter, bond
prices and the Series'  net asset value will  vary inversely with interest  rate
fluctuations.
    
 
  From  time to time, the Series may own the majority of a municipal issue. Such
majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
  UNDER  NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO   INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY  ALL OF  THE VALUE  OF ITS  ASSETS IN  MICHIGAN OBLIGATIONS.  As a
matter of fundamental policy, during normal market conditions the Series' assets
will be invested so that at least 80% of the income will be exempt from Michigan
State and federal income taxes or the Series will have at least 80% of its total
assets invested in Michigan Obligations. During abnormal market conditions or to
provide liquidity, the Series  may hold cash or  cash equivalents or  investment
grade  taxable obligations, including obligations  that are exempt from federal,
but not state, taxation and the Series may invest in tax-free cash  equivalents,
such  as floating  rate demand  notes, tax-exempt  commercial paper  and general
obligation  and  revenue  notes  or   in  taxable  cash  equivalents,  such   as
certificates  of deposit, bankers acceptances, time deposits or other short-term
taxable investments such as repurchase agreements.  When, in the opinion of  the
investment  adviser, abnormal  market conditions  require a  temporary defensive
position, the Series may invest more than 20% of the value of its assets in debt
securities other than Michigan Obligations or may invest its assets so that more
than 20% of the income is subject to Michigan State or federal income taxes. The
Series will treat an investment in a municipal bond refunded with escrowed  U.S.
Government  securities  as  U.S.  Government  securities  for  purposes  of  the
Investment  Company   Act's   diversification  requirements   provided   certain
conditions  are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
  THE SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO  SELL
SECURITIES  HELD IN  THE SERIES'  PORTFOLIO AT A  SPECIFIED EXERCISE  PRICE ON A
SPECIFIED DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting  the
Series  from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which the
put applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case  of
liquidity  puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of the
underlying security. The aggregate value of  premiums paid to acquire puts  held
in  the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts) may not exceed 10% of the
net asset  value  of  the Series.  The  acquisition  of a  put  may  involve  an
additional cost to the Series by payment of a premium for the put, by payment of
a higher purchase price for securities to which the put is attached or through a
lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In  addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts in
that the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase  the
underlying  security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under the
following circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the  underlying
security  and such security is  rated within the four  highest quality grades as
determined by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than  the
issuer  of the  underlying security and  such person  has securities outstanding
which are rated  within such  four highest  quality grades;  or (3)  the put  is
backed  by a letter of credit or  similar financial guarantee issued by a person
having securities outstanding  which are  rated within the  two highest  quality
grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
  THE  SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS  ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED
DELIVERY" BASIS,  IN EACH  CASE WITHOUT  LIMIT. When  municipal obligations  are
offered  on a when-issued or  delayed delivery basis, the  price and coupon rate
are fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery  and
payment  for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore, no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser  during
such  period. In the case of purchases by  the Series, the price that the Series
is required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market  value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the  settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with the
purpose of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable  for
investment  reasons. At the time  the Series makes the  commitment to purchase a
municipal obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will  record
the  transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as values of municipal obligations otherwise  held by the Series. If the  seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that  had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with its
Custodian in which  it will  maintain cash, U.S.  Government securities,  equity
securities  or other liquid, unencumbered  assets, marked-to-market daily, equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE SERIES MAY ALSO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL FORWARD CONTRACTS. A municipal  forward
contract  is a municipal security which is purchased on a when-issued basis with
delivery taking place up to  five years from the  date of purchase. No  interest
will  accrue on the security prior to  the delivery date. The investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity, value, credit  quality and delivery of the  security
under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY  PURCHASE SECONDARY  MARKET INSURANCE  ON MICHIGAN OBLIGATIONS
WHICH IT HOLDS OR ACQUIRES. Secondary market insurance would be reflected in the
market value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series  to
dispose  of a  defaulted obligation  at a  price similar  to that  of comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance is  not  a  substitute  for  the basic  credit  of  an  issuer,  but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance  coverage  for the  Michigan Obligations  held  by the  Series reduces
credit risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment  of
principal  and interest if  the issuer defaults  on its obligation  to make such
payment, it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price,  I.E.,
the  market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
  THE SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO  PURCHASE AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES,  INCLUDING
FINANCIAL  FUTURES  CONTRACTS (FUTURES  CONTRACTS) AND  OPTIONS THEREON  FOR THE
PURPOSE OF HEDGING ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED
BY CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HEDGING AGAINST INCREASES  IN
THE  COST OF SECURITIES  THE SERIES INTENDS  TO PURCHASE. THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF
FUTURES  CONTRACTS  AND  OPTIONS  THEREON  BY  THE  SERIES  INVOLVES  ADDITIONAL
TRANSACTION  COSTS  AND  IS  SUBJECT  TO  VARIOUS  RISKS  AND  DEPENDS  UPON THE
INVESTMENT ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT  THE DIRECTION OF THE MARKET  (INCLUDING
INTEREST RATES).
 
  A  FUTURES CONTRACT  OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE  CONTRACT TO  DELIVER TO THE
PURCHASER OF  THE CONTRACT  CASH EQUAL  TO A  SPECIFIC DOLLAR  AMOUNT TIMES  THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE  OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF THE  CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH THE
AGREEMENT IS MADE. No  physical delivery of the  underlying securities is  made.
The  Series  will engage  in transactions  in only  those futures  contracts and
options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
  The Series intends  to engage in  futures contracts and  options thereon as  a
hedge  against  changes,  resulting  from market  conditions,  in  the  value of
securities which are held in the  Series' portfolio or which the Series  intends
to  purchase,  in accordance  with the  rules and  regulations of  the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). The Series also intends to engage in such
transactions when they are economically  appropriate for the reduction of  risks
inherent in the ongoing management of the Series.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY NOT PURCHASE OR SELL  FUTURES CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS THEREON IF,
IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER,  (I) THE  SUM OF  INITIAL AND  NET CUMULATIVE  VARIATION
MARGIN ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (II) IN THE CASE
OF  RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL MARGIN
DEPOSITS ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS  THEREON
WOULD  EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There are
no limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and  no
limitations  on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts and
options thereon, except that the  aggregate value of the obligations  underlying
put  options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements for
qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue  Code
may  limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and options
thereon. See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Currently,  futures contracts are  available on several  types of fixed-income
securities, including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S.  Treasury
bills  and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal bond
index, based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40  actively
traded  municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in other
futures  contracts  that  become  available,   from  time  to  time,  in   other
fixed-income  securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
  THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE  MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A  LIQUID
SECONDARY  MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash  payments
of  variation  margin  in  the  event of  adverse  price  movements.  In  such a
situation, if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell  portfolio
securities  to meet daily variation margin requirements  at a time when it might
be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close futures positions also could
have an adverse impact on the ability of the Series to hedge effectively.  There
is  also  a risk  of loss  by  the Series  of margin  deposits  in the  event of
bankruptcy of a broker with  whom the Series has an  open position in a  futures
contract.
 
  THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND  OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES IS
SUBJECT TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions  involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and  movements in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities that
are the subject of the hedge. If the price of the futures contract moves more or
less than the price of the security that is the subject of the hedge, the Series
will experience a gain or loss
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
that will not be completely  offset by movements in  the price of the  security.
The  risk of  imperfect correlation is  greater where  the securities underlying
futures contracts are taxable securities (rather than municipal securities), are
issued by companies in  different market sectors  or have different  maturities,
ratings  or geographic  mixes than the  security being hedged.  In addition, the
correlation may be affected  by additions to or  deletions from the index  which
serves  as  the basis  for  a futures  contract. Finally,  if  the price  of the
security that is subject to the hedge were to move in a favorable direction, the
advantage to the Series would  be partially offset by  the loss incurred on  the
futures contract.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE  THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST 80%  OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS
IN MICHIGAN OBLIGATIONS  AND BECAUSE IT  SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE  INCOME DERIVED  FROM
MICHIGAN  OBLIGATIONS,  IT IS  MORE SUSCEPTIBLE  TO FACTORS  ADVERSELY AFFECTING
ISSUERS OF MICHIGAN OBLIGATIONS THAN IS A COMPARABLE MUNICIPAL BOND MUTUAL  FUND
THAT   IS  NOT  CONCENTRATED  IN  SUCH  OBLIGATIONS  TO  THIS  DEGREE.  Michigan
encountered financial difficulties during the  late 1980's, largely as a  result
of  poor conditions in the automotive industry. Recovery, however, has proved to
be robust in  Michigan as employment  levels reached an  all-time high in  1995.
Michigan's  economy is  among the  most cyclical of  all the  states and remains
dependent on domestic  auto production  and durable  goods consumption.  Despite
budget  problems of over-estimation of revenues and under-estimation of expenses
and the resulting drawdown  on the State's Budget  Stabilization Fund in  recent
years,  for  fiscal 1993  the State  achieved a  budget surplus  as a  result of
accounting adjustments and other payment deferrals.  At the end of fiscal  1994,
the  State's Budget Stabilization Fund had increased to $780 million. The fiscal
year 1997 budget does not  call for an additional  formula pay-in to the  Budget
Stabilization  Fund. Earlier projections of a  balance in excess of $1.1 billion
will not be met because of a reduced payment in fiscal year 1996, and because  a
portion  of  the  Stabilization  Fund  was used  to  pay  a  settlement. Current
projections are that the Stabilization Fund will  be $1.0 billion at the end  of
fiscal year 1997. The market value and the marketability of Michigan Obligations
may  be affected  adversely by the  same factors that  affect Michigan's economy
generally. If  either Michigan  or any  of its  local governmental  entities  is
unable  to meet its financial obligations, the income derived by the Series, the
ability to  preserve or  realize appreciation  of the  Series' capital  and  the
Series'  liquidity could be  adversely affected. See  "Investment Objectives and
Policies--Special Considerations Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of a security agrees to repurchase that  security from the Series at a  mutually
agreed-upon  time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite short,
possibly overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number  of
months.  The resale  price is  in excess  of the  purchase price,  reflecting an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price.  The
instruments  held  as  collateral are  valued  daily  and if  the  value  of the
instruments declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If  the
seller  defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series  may incur a loss.  The Series participates in  a
joint  repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management LLC pursuant to  an order of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission (SEC).
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
  The  Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series  may
pledge  up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure these
borrowings. The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its  borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
   
  The  Series does not expect to trade  in securities for short-term gain. It is
anticipated that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%.  The
portfolio  turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales or
purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the  portfolio
securities,  excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase of
one year or less.
    
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series  may hold  up  to 15%  of its  net  assets in  illiquid  securities
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities   with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale  (restricted
securities)  and  securities  that   are  not  readily  marketable.   Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933,  as amended  (the Securities Act),  privately placed  commercial paper and
municipal lease  obligations  that  have  a readily  available  market  are  not
considered  illiquid for the purposes of this limitation. The investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of  such restricted securities under the  supervision
of  the Trustees. The Series' investment in  Rule 144A securities could have the
effect of  increasing illiquidity  to the  extent that  qualified  institutional
buyers  become,  for  a  limited  time,  uninterested  in  purchasing  Rule 144A
securities. See "Investment  Objectives and  Policies--Illiquid Securities"  and
"Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase
agreements  subject to demand are deemed to  have a maturity equal to the notice
period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The Series  is subject  to  certain investment  restrictions which,  like  its
investment  objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental policies
cannot be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of  the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER,  SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY  BUSINESS
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996, total expenses of the Series as  a
percentage  of average net assets, net of fee waiver, were .91%, 1.31% and 1.56%
for the  Series'  Class  A,  Class  B and  Class  C  shares,  respectively.  See
"Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC (PMF  OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY CENTER
THREE, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS  COMPENSATED
FOR  ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
OF THE SERIES. PMF is organized in  New York as a limited liability company.  It
is  the successor to Prudential Mutual  Fund Management, Inc., which transferred
its assets to PMF in September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996,
the  Series paid PMF  a management fee of  .47 of 1% of  the Series' average net
assets. See "Fee  Waivers" below and  "Manager" in the  Statement of  Additional
Information.
    
 
   
  As  of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end investment
companies, constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager  or
administrator  to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH  THE FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE  INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS  OF EACH SERIES OF THE FUND  AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
  UNDER A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL  INVESTMENT
CORPORATION  (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE  FUND AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR  ITS
REASONABLE  COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED IN  PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under the
Management Agreement, PMF  continues to have  responsibility for all  investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
   
  The  current  portfolio  manager  is  Christian  Smith,  a  Vice  President of
Prudential  Investments.  Mr.  Smith  has  responsibility  for  the   day-to-day
management of the portfolio. He has managed the portfolio since January 1996. He
also  managed the portfolio from 1991 until 1994 and has been employed by PIC in
various capacities since 1988.
    
 
   
  PMF and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance  Company
of  America (Prudential), a  major diversified insurance  and financial services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
  Effective January 1, 1995, PMF agreed to waive 10% of its management fee.  The
Series  is  not  required  to  reimburse PMF  for  such  management  fee waiver.
Thereafter, PMF may from  time to time agree  to waive all or  a portion of  its
management  fee  and subsidize  certain operating  expenses  of the  Series. Fee
waivers and expense subsidies will increase the Series' yield and total  return.
See "Fund Expenses."
 
   
DISTRIBUTOR
    
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA,  NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10292, IS A CORPORATION  ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE CLASS A, CLASS B  AND
CLASS  C SHARES  OF THE  SERIES. It is  an indirect,  wholly-owned subsidiary of
Prudential. Prior to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,  Inc.
(PMFD), One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as distributor of the
Class A shares of the Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER  SEPARATE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS (THE  CLASS A PLAN, THE CLASS B
PLAN AND THE CLASS C  PLAN, COLLECTIVELY, THE PLANS)  ADOPTED BY THE FUND  UNDER
RULE  12B-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (THE
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT),  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES (THE  DISTRIBUTOR)  INCURS  THE
EXPENSES  OF DISTRIBUTING THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE SERIES.
These expenses include  commissions and account  servicing fees paid  to, or  on
account  of, financial advisers of  Prudential Securities and representatives of
Pruco Securities Corporation (Prusec), an affiliated broker-dealer,  commissions
and  account servicing fees paid  to, or on account  of, other broker-dealers or
financial institutions  (other  than national  banks)  which have  entered  into
agreements  with the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing and
mailing prospectuses to potential investors  and indirect and overhead costs  of
Prudential  Securities and  Prusec associated  with the  sale of  Series shares,
including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses. The State
of Texas requires that shares  of the Series may be  sold in that state only  by
dealers   or  other  financial  institutions   which  are  registered  there  as
broker-dealers.
    
 
  Under the Plans, the  Series is obligated to  pay distribution and/or  service
fees  to  the  Distributor  as compensation  for  its  distribution  and service
activities,  not  as  reimbursement  for  specific  expenses  incurred.  If  the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Series will
not  be obligated to pay any  additional expenses. If the Distributor's expenses
are less than such distribution and service  fees, it will retain its full  fees
and realize a profit.
 
   
  UNDER  THE CLASS  A PLAN,  THE SERIES  MAY PAY  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES  FOR ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES OF  THE
SERIES.  The Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average daily
net assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service  and/or
the   maintenance  of  shareholder   accounts  (service  fee)   and  (ii)  total
distribution fees (including the
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
service fee of .25  of 1%) may  not exceed .30  of 1% of  the average daily  net
assets  of the  Class A  shares. Prudential Securities  has agreed  to limit its
distribution-related fees payable under  the Class A  Plan to .10  of 1% of  the
average daily net assets of the Class A shares for the fiscal year ending August
31, 1997.
    
 
   
  UNDER  THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE SERIES MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
FOR ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  ACTIVITIES WITH  RESPECT TO  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF UP  TO .50 OF 1% AND UP  TO 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY
NET ASSETS OF THE  CLASS B AND  CLASS C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.  The Class B  Plan
provides  for the payment  to Prudential Securities of  (i) an asset-based sales
charge of up to .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares,
and (ii) a service fee of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the
Class B shares; provided that the total distribution-related fee does not exceed
 .50 of 1%. The Class C Plan provides for the payment to Prudential Securities of
(i) an asset-based  sales charge of  up to .75  of 1% of  the average daily  net
assets  of the Class C shares, and (ii) a service  fee of up to .25 of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class C  shares. The service fee is used to  pay
for  personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Prudential
Securities has agreed to limit  its distribution-related fees payable under  the
Class  C Plan to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares
for the fiscal year ending August 31, 1997. Prudential Securities also  receives
contingent  deferred  sales  charges from  certain  redeeming  shareholders. See
"Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
    
 
   
  For the  fiscal year  ended  August 31,  1996,  the Series  paid  distribution
expenses  of .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and  .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets
of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. The Series records all
payments made under the Plans as  expenses in the calculation of net  investment
income. See "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  Distribution  expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of the Series  will be allocated  to each class based  upon the ratio  of
sales of each class to the sales of all shares of the Series other than expenses
allocable  to a particular class.  The distribution fee and  sales charge of one
class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.
    
 
  Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that a  majority of  the  Trustees of  the Fund,  including  a majority  of  the
Trustees  who  are not  "interested  persons" of  the  Fund (as  defined  in the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or any  agreement related to the Plan (the Rule  12b-1
Trustees),  vote annually to continue the Plan. Each Plan may be terminated with
respect to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule  12b-1
Trustees  or of a majority of the  outstanding shares of the applicable class of
the Series. The  Series will not  be obligated to  pay distribution and  service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
  In  addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under the
Class A, Class B and Class C Plans,  the Manager (or one of its affiliates)  may
make  payments  out  of  its  own  resources  to  dealers  (including Prudential
Securities) and other persons who distribute shares of the Series. Such payments
may be calculated by  reference to the  net asset value of  shares sold by  such
persons or otherwise.
    
 
  The  Distributor  is  subject to  the  rules  of the  National  Association of
Securities Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges.  See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  On  October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner  who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD to
resolve allegations  that  from  1980  through 1990  PSI  sold  certain  limited
partnership  interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom such
securities were not  suitable and misrepresented  the safety, potential  returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted  against it, PSI consented to the  entry of an SEC Administrative Order
which stated that PSI's conduct  violated the federal securities laws,  directed
PSI  to cease and desist  from violating the federal  securities laws, pay civil
penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000 civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount  of
$330,000,000  and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for compensatory
damages by
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
purchasers of the partnership  interests. PSI has  agreed to provide  additional
funds,  if necessary, for  the purpose of the  settlement fund. PSI's settlement
with the state securities regulators included  an agreement to pay a penalty  of
$500,000  per jurisdiction. PSI consented  to a censure and  to the payment of a
$5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United  States
Magistrate  for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI committed
fraud in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests  in
violation  of federal securities laws. An  agreement was simultaneously filed to
defer prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the  signing
of  the agreement, provided that  PSI complies with the  terms of the agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the agreement, no prosecution  will be instituted by  the United States for  the
offenses  charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course of
the three  year  period, PSI  violates  the terms  of  the agreement,  the  U.S.
Attorney  can  then  elect to  pursue  these  charges. Under  the  terms  of the
agreement, PSI agreed,  among other  things, to pay  an additional  $330,000,000
into  the  fund established  by  the SEC  to  pay restitution  to  investors who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For  more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,   see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The  Fund is  not affected  by PSI's  financial condition  and is  an entirely
separate legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein  and
the  Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company, an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prudential Securities may act as a  broker or futures commission merchant  for
the  Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives
are fair  and reasonable.  See  "Portfolio Transactions  and Brokerage"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State  Street  Bank  and  Trust Company,  One  Heritage  Drive,  North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves  as Custodian  for the portfolio  securities of  the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.  (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison,  New
Jersey  08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain  books and records for  the Fund. PMFS is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING  ITS
LIABILITIES  FROM THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  AND DIVIDING  THE REMAINDER  BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS  CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS.  THE
TRUSTEES  HAVE FIXED  THE SPECIFIC TIME  OF DAY  FOR THE COMPUTATION  OF THE NET
ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:15 P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
 
  Portfolio securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not  readily
available,   at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under  procedures
established by  the Trustees.  Securities may  also be  valued based  on  values
provided  by  a pricing  service.  See "Net  Asset  Value" in  the  Statement of
Additional Information.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
  The Series will compute  its NAV once  daily on days that  the New York  Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or  redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes in
the value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the  NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents'  Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
   
  Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical,
the different expenses borne by each  class will result in different  dividends.
As  long as the Series declares dividends daily, the NAV of the Class A, Class B
and Class C shares will generally be the same. It is expected, however, that the
Series' dividends will differ  by approximately the  amount of any  distribution
and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  FROM  TIME TO TIME THE FUND MAY  ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD"
AND "TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING  "AVERAGE ANNUAL"  TOTAL RETURN  AND  "AGGREGATE"
TOTAL RETURN) OF THE SERIES IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. "YIELD," "TAX
EQUIVALENT  YIELD" AND  "TOTAL RETURN"  ARE CALCULATED  SEPARATELY FOR  CLASS A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES. THESE  FIGURES ARE BASED ON HISTORICAL EARNINGS  AND
ARE  NOT  INTENDED TO  INDICATE FUTURE  PERFORMANCE. The  "yield" refers  to the
income generated  by an  investment in  the Series  over a  one-month or  30-day
period.  This  income  is  then  "annualized;" that  is,  the  amount  of income
generated by the investment during that 30-day period is assumed to be generated
each 30-day  period for  twelve periods  and is  shown as  a percentage  of  the
investment. The income earned on the investment is also assumed to be reinvested
at  the end of the sixth 30-day period. The "tax equivalent yield" is calculated
similarly to the  "yield," except  that the yield  is increased  using a  stated
income  tax  rate  to demonstrate  the  taxable  yield necessary  to  produce an
after-tax yield equivalent to the Series.  The "total return" shows how much  an
investment  in  the Series  would have  increased  (decreased) over  a specified
period of time (I.E., one, five or  ten years or since inception of the  Series)
assuming  that all distributions and dividends  by the Series were reinvested on
the reinvestment  dates during  the  period and  less  all recurring  fees.  The
"aggregate"  total return  reflects actual performance  over a  stated period of
time. "Average annual" total  return is a hypothetical  rate of return that,  if
achieved  annually,  would  have produced  the  same aggregate  total  return if
performance had been  constant over  the entire period.  "Average annual"  total
return  smooths  out  variations  in  performance  and  takes  into  account any
applicable initial  or  contingent  deferred  sales  charges.  Neither  "average
annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return takes into account any federal
or  state income taxes which  may be payable upon  redemption. The Fund also may
include comparative  performance information  in  advertising or  marketing  the
shares  of the Series. Such performance information may include data from Lipper
Analytical  Services,  Inc.,  Morningstar  Publications,  Inc.,  other  industry
publications,   business  periodicals  and   market  indices.  See  "Performance
Information" in  the Statement  of Additional  Information. Further  performance
information  is  contained  in the  Series'  annual and  semi-annual  reports to
shareholders, which may  be obtained  without charge.  See "Shareholder  Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE  SERIES  HAS ELECTED  TO  QUALIFY AND  INTENDS  TO REMAIN  QUALIFIED  AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY,  THE
SERIES  WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME
AND CAPITAL  GAINS, IF  ANY, THAT  IT DISTRIBUTES  TO ITS  SHAREHOLDERS. TO  THE
EXTENT  NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
  To the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn  taxable
investment   income.  Also,  to  the  extent   the  Series  engages  in  hedging
transactions in  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon,  it  may  earn  both
short-term  and long-term capital gain or loss. Under the Internal Revenue Code,
special rules apply to  the treatment of certain  options and futures  contracts
(Section  1256 contracts). At the end of each year, such investments held by the
Series will  be  required  to be  "marked  to  market" for  federal  income  tax
purposes; that is, treated as having been sold at market value. Sixty percent of
any  gain or loss recognized on these  "deemed sales" and on actual dispositions
will be treated as  long-term capital gain  or loss, and  the remainder will  be
treated  as  short-term  capital  gain  or  loss.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of securities generally will
be treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of  certain
securities  (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary income
to the  extent  of any  "market  discount."  Market discount  generally  is  the
difference,  if any, between the  price paid by the  Series for the security and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The  market
discount  rule does not apply to any security that was acquired by the Series at
its original issue. See "Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In  general, the  character of tax-exempt  interest distributed  by the Series
will flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that  50%
or  more of the value  of its assets at  the end of each  quarter of its taxable
year is invested  in state,  municipal and  other obligations,  the interest  on
which  is excluded  from gross  income for  federal income  tax purposes. During
normal market  conditions, at  least 80%  of the  Series' total  assets will  be
invested  in such obligations.  See "How the  Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any  dividends  out   of  net   taxable  investment   income,  together   with
distributions  of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net short-term
capital gains over  net long-term capital  losses) distributed to  shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any  net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable  as
long-term  capital  gains to  the shareholders,  whether  or not  reinvested and
regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares.  The
maximum  long-term  capital  gains  rate for  individuals  is  28%.  The maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders is currently the same as
the maximum tax rate for ordinary income.
 
   
  Any gain or  loss realized upon  a sale or  redemption of Series  shares by  a
shareholder  who is  not a  dealer in  securities will  be treated  as long-term
capital gain  or loss  if the  shares  have been  held more  than one  year  and
otherwise  as short-term  capital gain  or loss. Any  such loss  with respect to
shares that  are held  for  six months  or less,  however,  will be  treated  as
long-term  capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received
by the shareholder. In addition, any short-term capital loss will be  disallowed
to  the extent of any tax-exempt dividends received by the shareholder on shares
that are held for six months or less.
    
 
   
  The Fund has obtained opinions of counsel  to the effect that neither (i)  the
conversion  of Class B shares into Class A shares nor (ii) the exchange of Class
B or Class C shares for Class  A shares constitutes a taxable event for  federal
income  tax purposes.  However, such  opinions are  not binding  on the Internal
Revenue Service.
    
 
  CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL  ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS  A
RESULT  OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after  August
7,  1986) will  be treated  as an  item of  tax preference  for purposes  of the
alternative minimum  tax. The  Fund anticipates  that, under  regulations to  be
promulgated,  items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be attributed
to the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could  be
allocated  to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum  tax.
Similarly,  the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax  preference  attributed to  it.  The Series  is  permitted to  invest  in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
  Corporate  shareholders in the Series also will  have to take into account the
adjustment for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes.  Corporate
shareholders  should  consult  with  their tax  advisers  with  respect  to this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under Michigan  law,  dividends paid  by  the  Series that  are  derived  from
interest  payments attributable to Michigan Obligations are exempt from Michigan
income tax and any  income taxes imposed by  cities in Michigan for  individuals
who   reside  in  Michigan  and  from  the  Michigan  single  business  tax  for
corporations that  are subject  to such  tax to  the extent  such dividends  are
exempt  from  federal  income  tax  (except  for  possible  application  of  the
alternative  minimum  tax).  An  investment   in  the  Series,  to  the   extent
attributable to interest on Michigan Obligations, will also be excluded from the
Michigan intangibles tax.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under  the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and remit
to the  U.S.  Treasury 31%  of  redemption proceeds  on  the accounts  of  those
shareholders  who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS Form
W-9 (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with  the
required  certifications regarding  the shareholder's  status under  the federal
income tax  law. Such  withholding is  also required  on taxable  dividends  and
capital  gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding  specific
questions  as  to federal,  state  or local  taxes.  See "Distributions  and Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  THE SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF  NET
INVESTMENT  INCOME,  IF ANY,  AND MAKE  DISTRIBUTIONS AT  LEAST ANNUALLY  OF ANY
CAPITAL GAINS IN  EXCESS OF CAPITAL  LOSSES. Dividends paid  by the Series  with
respect  to each class of shares, to the  extent any dividends are paid, will be
calculated in the same manner, at the same time, on the same day and will be  in
the  same amount except that each class  will bear its own distribution charges,
generally resulting  in  lower  dividends  for  Class  B  and  Class  C  shares.
Distributions  of net capital gains, if any, will be paid in the same amount for
each class of shares. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE  SERIES
BASED  ON THE NAV  OF EACH CLASS  OF THE SERIES  ON THE PAYMENT  DATE AND RECORD
DATE, RESPECTIVELY, OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE
SHAREHOLDER ELECTS IN  WRITING NOT  LESS THAN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO  THE
RECORD  DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such election
should be submitted to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account
Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick,  New Jersey 08906-5015. If you  hold
shares  through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial adviser
to elect to receive  dividends and distributions in  cash. The Fund will  notify
each  shareholder after the close of the  Fund's taxable year of both the dollar
amount and the taxable  status of that year's  dividends and distributions on  a
per share basis.
 
  Any  taxable dividends or distributions of  capital gains paid shortly after a
purchase by an investor will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value of the  investor's shares  by the  per share  amount of  the dividends  or
distributions.  Such dividends or distributions, although  in effect a return of
invested principal, are subject to  federal income taxes. Accordingly, prior  to
purchasing  shares  of the  Series, an  investor  should carefully  consider the
impact of taxable dividends and  capital gains distributions which are  expected
to be or have been announced.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A  DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust  permits the Trustees to  issue an unlimited number  of
full  and  fractional shares  in separate  series,  currently designated  as the
Connecticut Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series,  Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series, New  Jersey Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York  Income
Series  (not presently  being offered), New  York Series, New  York Money Market
Series, North Carolina Series, Ohio  Series and Pennsylvania Series. The  Series
is  authorized  to  issue an  unlimited  number  of shares,  divided  into three
classes, designated  Class  A,  Class  B  and Class  C.  Each  class  of  shares
represents an interest in the same assets of the Series and are identical in all
respects  except that (i) each  class is subject to  different sales charges and
distribution and/or service fees, which may affect performance, (ii) each  class
has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates
solely to its arrangement and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted
to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of
any  other class, (iii) each  class has a different  exchange privilege and (iv)
only  Class  B  shares  have  a  conversion  feature.  See  "How  the  Fund   is
Managed--Distributor."  In accordance with the  Fund's Declaration of Trust, the
Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series and classes within such
series, with such preferences, privileges,  limitations and voting and  dividend
rights as the Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares  of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable, fully
transferable and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are  also
redeemable  at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as described
under "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class  of
the  Series is  equal as  to earnings, assets  and voting  privileges, except as
noted above, and each  class bears the expenses  related to the distribution  of
its  shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to the Class B shares,
there are no conversion, preemptive or  other subscription rights. In the  event
of  liquidation, each share of beneficial interest of each series is entitled to
its portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the  Fund
have  been  paid.  Since  Class  B and  Class  C  shares  generally  bear higher
distribution  expenses  than  Class  A  shares,  the  liquidation  proceeds   to
shareholders  of  those  classes  are  likely  to  be  lower  than  to  Class  A
shareholders. The Fund's  shares do not  have cumulative voting  rights for  the
election of Trustees.
 
  THE  FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS
OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS  OF
SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO BE
ACTED UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER  THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS  HAVE
CERTAIN  RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF THE
FUND'S OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE  OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The  Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make the
Fund similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation.  The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts  business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.   Under
Massachusetts   law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under  certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of  the
fund,  which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of the
Fund provides that shareholders shall not  be subject to any personal  liability
for  the acts  or obligations  of the  Fund and  that every  written obligation,
contract, instrument or undertaking made by  the Fund shall contain a  provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This  Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which has
been incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information  set
forth  in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under the
Securities Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained  at
a  reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
   
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH  ITS TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL  FUND
SERVICES,  INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT SERVICES,
P.O. BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY 08906-5020. The purchase price is  the
NAV  next determined  following receipt  of an  order by  the Transfer  Agent or
Prudential Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, may be  imposed
either  (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis
(Class B or  Class C shares).  See "Alternative Purchase  Plan" below. See  also
"How the Fund Values its Shares."
    
 
  An  investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
 
   
  The minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000  per
class  and $5,000 for Class C shares.  The minimum subsequent investment is $100
for all  classes. All  minimum investment  requirements are  waived for  certain
employee  savings  plans.  For  purchases  made  through  the  Automatic Savings
Accumulation Plan, the  minimum initial  and subsequent investment  is $50.  See
"Shareholder Services" below.
    
 
  Application  forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
If a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for  each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
 
  The  Fund  reserves  the right  to  reject  any purchase  order  (including an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund.  The
Distributor  reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions in shares of  the Series may be  subject to postage and  handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must  first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an account
number. The following  information will  be requested: your  name, address,  tax
identification  number, class  election, dividend  distribution election, amount
being wired and wiring bank.  Instructions should then be  given by you to  your
bank  to transfer funds  by wire to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company (State
Street), Boston,  Massachusetts,  Custody  and  Shareholder  Services  Division,
Attention:  Prudential Municipal Series Fund, specifying on the wire the account
number assigned  by  PMFS  and  your  name  and  identifying  the  sales  charge
alternative (Class A, Class B or Class C shares) and the name of the Series.
 
  If  you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to the
calculation of  NAV (4:15  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you  may
purchase  shares of  the Series  as of that  day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
  In making a subsequent  purchase order by wire,  you should wire State  Street
directly  and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal Series
Fund, the name of the Series, Class A,  Class B or Class C shares and your  name
and  individual  account  number. It  is  not  necessary to  call  PMFS  to make
subsequent purchase orders utilizing Federal Funds. The minimum amount which may
be invested by wire is $1,000.
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
  THE FUND OFFERS  THROUGH THIS  PROSPECTUS THREE  CLASSES OF  SHARES (CLASS  A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST BENEFICIAL SALES
CHARGE  STRUCTURE  FOR YOUR  INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES  GIVEN  THE AMOUNT  OF THE
PURCHASE, THE LENGTH OF TIME  YOU EXPECT TO HOLD  THE SHARES AND OTHER  RELEVANT
CIRCUMSTANCES (ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          ANNUAL 12b-1 FEES
                                          (AS A % OF AVERAGE
                                                DAILY
                  SALES CHARGE               NET ASSETS)        OTHER INFORMATION
         ------------------------------  --------------------  --------------------
<S>      <C>                             <C>                   <C>
CLASS A  Maximum initial sales charge    .30 of 1% (currently  Initial sales charge
         of 3% of the public offering    being charged at a    waived or reduced
         price                           rate of .10 of 1%)    for certain
                                                               purchases
CLASS B  Maximum contingent deferred     .50 of 1%             Shares convert to
         sales charge or CDSC of 5% of                         Class A shares
         the lesser of the amount                              approximately seven
         invested or the redemption                            years after purchase
         proceeds; declines to zero
         after six years
CLASS C  Maximum CDSC of 1% of the       1% (currently being   Shares do not
         lesser of the amount invested   charged at a rate of  convert to another
         or the redemption proceeds on   .75 of 1%)            class
         redemptions made within one
         year of purchase
</TABLE>
 
   
  The  three classes of  shares represent an  interest in the  same portfolio of
investments of the Series and have the  same rights, except that (i) each  class
bears  the separate  expenses of its  Rule 12b-1 distribution  and service plan,
(ii) each  class  has  exclusive  voting  rights  on  any  matter  submitted  to
shareholders  that relates  solely to  its arrangement  and has  separate voting
rights on any  matter submitted to  shareholders in which  the interests of  one
class  differ from  the interests  of any  other class,  and (iii)  only Class B
shares have a conversion feature. The three classes also have separate  exchange
privileges.  See "How to Exchange Your Shares" below. The income attributable to
each class and the dividends payable on the shares of each class will be reduced
by the amount of the distribution fee of each class. Class B and Class C  shares
bear  the expenses of a higher distribution  fee which will generally cause them
to have  higher expense  ratios and  to pay  lower dividends  than the  Class  A
shares.
    
 
  Financial  advisers and other sales agents who  sell shares of the Series will
receive different compensation for selling Class  A, Class B and Class C  shares
and  will generally receive more compensation  initially for selling Class A and
Class B shares than for selling Class C shares.
 
  IN SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER  THINGS,
(1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the amount of any
applicable  sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase or redemption)
and distribution-related fees, as noted above,  (3) whether you qualify for  any
reduction  or waiver  of any applicable  sales charge, (4)  the various exchange
privileges among the  different classes  of shares  (see "How  to Exchange  Your
Shares"  below) and (5)  the fact that  Class B shares  automatically convert to
Class A  shares  approximately  seven  years  after  purchase  (see  "Conversion
Feature--Class B Shares" below).
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
  The  following  is  provided to  assist  you  in determining  which  method of
purchase best suits your individual circumstances  and is based on current  fees
and expenses being charged to the Series:
 
  If  you intend to hold your investment in the Series for less than 5 years and
do not qualify  for a  reduced sales  charge on Class  A shares,  since Class  A
shares  are subject to a  maximum initial sales charge of  3% and Class B shares
are subject to a  CDSC of 5% which  declines to zero over  a 6 year period,  you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.
 
  If  you intend to hold your investment for  5 years or more and do not qualify
for a reduced sales charge  on Class A shares, since  Class B shares convert  to
Class  A shares  approximately 7  years after purchase  and because  all of your
money would be  invested initially in  the case  of Class B  shares, you  should
consider purchasing Class B shares over either Class A or Class C shares.
 
  If  you qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class A  shares, it may be more
advantageous for you to purchase Class A  shares over either Class B or Class  C
shares  regardless  of how  long you  intend to  hold your  investment. However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested
initially because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time  of
purchase.
 
   
  If  you do not  qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class  A shares and you
purchase Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than  4
years  for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those shares
to exceed the initial sales  charge plus cumulative annual  distribution-related
fee  on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of money,
which further reduces the impact of the higher Class C distribution-related  fee
on  the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of the return on
the investment  over  this  period of  time  or  redemptions when  the  CDSC  is
applicable.
    
 
  ALL  PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT OR
UNDER RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR LETTERS OF  INTENT, MUST BE FOR CLASS A  SHARES.
See "Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" below.
 
  CLASS A SHARES
 
  The  offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial sales
charge alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge (expressed  as
a  percentage of the offering price and of  the amount invested) as shown in the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            SALES CHARGE AS    SALES CHARGE AS    DEALER CONCESSION
                             PERCENTAGE OF      PERCENTAGE OF     AS PERCENTAGE OF
   AMOUNT OF PURCHASE       OFFERING PRICE     AMOUNT INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE
- -------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  -------------------
<S>                        <C>                <C>                <C>
Less than $99,999                  3.00%              3.09%               3.00%
$100,000 to $249,999               2.50               2.56                2.50
$250,000 to $499,999               1.50               1.52                1.50
$500,000 to $999,999               1.00               1.01                1.00
$1,000,000 and above             None               None                None
</TABLE>
 
   
  The Distributor  may  reallow the  entire  initial sales  charge  to  dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
   
  In  connection with the sale  of Class A shares at  NAV (without payment of an
initial sales charge), the Manager, the  Distributor or one of their  affiliates
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a
finders' fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such
persons.
    
 
  REDUCTION  AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL SALES  CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges are
available through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of  the
Fund  and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market funds
other than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be  aggregated
to  determine the  applicable reduction.  See "Purchase  and Redemption  of Fund
Shares--Reduction and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class  A Shares" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
  OTHER  WAIVERS. Class  A shares  may be  purchased at  NAV, through Prudential
Securities or the  Transfer Agent, by  the following persons:  (a) officers  and
current  and former Directors/Trustees of the Prudential Mutual Funds (including
the Fund), (b) employees of Prudential Securities and PMF and their subsidiaries
and members of the families of  such persons who maintain an "employee  related"
account  at  Prudential  Securities or  the  Transfer Agent,  (c)  employees and
special agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all persons  who  have
retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries,
(d)  registered representatives and employees of dealers who have entered into a
selected dealer agreement with Prudential Securities provided that purchases  at
NAV  are  permitted by  such  person's employer  and  (e) investors  who  have a
business relationship with a financial adviser who joined Prudential  Securities
from  another investment firm, provided that (i) the purchase is made within 180
days of the  commencement of  the financial adviser's  employment at  Prudential
Securities or within one year in the case of benefit plans, (ii) the purchase is
made  with proceeds of a redemption of  shares of any open-end fund sponsored by
the financial adviser's  previous employer (other  than a money  market fund  or
other  no-load fund which imposes a distribution or  service fee of .25 of 1% or
less) and  (iii) the  financial adviser  served as  the client's  broker on  the
previous purchases.
    
 
   
  You  must  notify the  Transfer Agent  either  directly or  through Prudential
Securities or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of  the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your  entitlement.  No initial  sales charges  are imposed  upon Class  A shares
acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and
Redemption of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales  Charges--Class
A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
 
   
  The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of
the  deferred sales  charge alternatives  is the  NAV next  determined following
receipt of an  order by the  Transfer Agent or  Prudential Securities.  Although
there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B
and  Class  C  shares  may  be  subject  to  a  CDSC.  See  "How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below. The Distributor will pay sales
commissions of up  to 4% of  the purchase price  of Class B  shares to  dealers,
financial advisers and other persons who sell Class B shares at the time of sale
from  its own resources.  This facilitates the  ability of the  Fund to sell the
Class B shares without  an initial sales  charge being deducted  at the time  of
purchase.  The Distributor  anticipates that it  will recoup  its advancement of
sales commissions from the combination of the CDSC and the distribution fee. See
"Distributor." In connection with  the sale of Class  C shares, the  Distributor
will  pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute Class C
shares a sales commission of up to 1%  of the purchase price at the time of  the
sale.
    
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU  CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV NEXT
DETERMINED AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY  THE
TRANSFER  AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE  "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
In certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount  of
any  applicable  contingent  deferred  sales  charge,  as  described  below. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  OF THE  SERIES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU  MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER. IF YOU
HOLD  SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED BY
YOU EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD  CERTIFICATES,
THE  CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN  ON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED. IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST  OR
FIDUCIARY,  WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY ACCEPTABLE  TO THE TRANSFER AGENT MUST
BE SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence  and
documents  concerning redemptions  should be  sent to  the Fund  in care  of its
Transfer Agent,  Prudential Mutual  Fund Services,  Inc., Attention:  Redemption
Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If  the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to a
person other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other  than
the  address  on the  Transfer  Agent's records,  or  (d) are  to  be paid  to a
corporation, partnership, trust
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
or  fiduciary,  the  signature(s)   on  the  redemption   request  and  on   the
certificates,  if  any,  or  stock  power must  be  guaranteed  by  an "eligible
guarantor institution." An "eligible  guarantor institution" includes any  bank,
broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to request
additional  information  from, and  make reasonable  inquiries of,  any eligible
guarantor institution.  For clients  of  Prusec, a  signature guarantee  may  be
obtained  from the  agency or  office manager  of most  Prudential Insurance and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS AFTER  RECEIPT BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OF  THE CERTIFICATE  AND/OR  WRITTEN
REQUEST  EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED  BELOW. IF  YOU  HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment  may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock  Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays, (b)
when trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as  a
result  of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period  when
the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the  SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or (d)
exist.
 
  PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL  THE
FUND  OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS BEEN
HONORED, UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM  THE TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE  CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
 
  REDEMPTION  IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests  of the remaining  shareholders of the  Fund to make  payment
wholly  or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution  in kind of securities  from the investment portfolio  of
the  Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules of
the SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the  same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your
shares  are redeemed in kind, you will incur transaction costs in converting the
assets into cash. The Fund,  however, has elected to  be governed by Rule  18f-1
under  the Investment Company Act,  under which the Fund  is obligated to redeem
shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset  value
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  INVOLUNTARY  REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the Trustees
may redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder  which
is  an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net asset
value of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give  such
shareholders  60  days' prior  written notice  in  which to  purchase sufficient
additional shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent deferred sales  charge
will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
 
   
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised  the repurchase privilege, you may reinvest  any portion or all of the
proceeds of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next  determined
after  the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of the
redemption. Any CDSC paid  in connection with such  redemption will be  credited
(in shares) to your account. (If less than a full repurchase is made, the credit
will  be on a PRO RATA basis.) You must notify the Fund's Transfer Agent, either
directly or through Prudential Securities, at the time the repurchase  privilege
is  exercised  to  adjust  your  account  for  the  CDSC  you  previously  paid.
Thereafter, any redemptions will be subject  to the CDSC applicable at the  time
of  the redemption. See  "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charges" below. Exercise of
the repurchase privilege will generally not affect the federal tax treatment  of
any  gain realized upon redemption. However, if the redemption was made within a
30 day period of the repurchase and  if the redemption resulted in a loss,  some
or  all of the loss, depending on the  amount reinvested, may not be allowed for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
 
  Redemptions of Class B shares will  be subject to a contingent deferred  sales
charge  or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C shares
redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC will
be deducted
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid to you. The CDSC will be
imposed on any redemption by you which reduces the current value of your Class B
or Class C shares to an amount which is lower than the amount of all payments by
you for shares during the  preceding six years, in the  case of Class B  shares,
and  one year,  in the case  of Class C  shares. A  CDSC will be  applied on the
lesser of the original purchase price or  the current value of the shares  being
redeemed.  Increases  in the  value of  your shares  or shares  acquired through
reinvestment of dividends or distributions are not subject to a CDSC. The amount
of any contingent  deferred sales charge  will be  paid to and  retained by  the
Distributor.  See  "How the  Fund is  Managed--Distributor"  and "Waiver  of the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class B Shares" below.
 
  The amount of the  CDSC, if any,  will vary depending on  the number of  years
from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption
of  such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the
time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will
be aggregated and deemed  to have been made  on the last day  of the month.  The
CDSC  will  be calculated  from the  first day  of the  month after  the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares were held  in a money market fund. See  "How
to Exchange Your Shares."
 
  The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemptions
of Class B shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              CONTINGENT DEFERRED
                                                     SALES
                                             CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                          OF DOLLARS INVESTED OR
PAYMENT MADE                                  REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
- ------------------------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                                         <C>
First.....................................               5.0%
Second....................................               4.0%
Third.....................................               3.0%
Fourth....................................               2.0%
Fifth.....................................               1.0%
Sixth.....................................               1.0%
Seventh...................................            None
</TABLE>
 
  In  determining whether a CDSC is  applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a  manner that results in the  lowest possible rate. It will  be
assumed  that  the  redemption  is made  first  of  amounts  representing shares
acquired pursuant to the  reinvestment of dividends  and distributions; then  of
amounts  representing the increase in net asset  value above the total amount of
payments for the purchase of Series  shares made during the preceding six  years
(five  years for Class  B shares purchased  prior to January  22, 1990); then of
amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period;
and  finally, of amounts  representing the cost  of shares held  for the longest
period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
 
  For example, assume you purchased  100 Class B shares at  $10 per share for  a
cost  of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired  5 additional Class B shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase you decided  to
redeem  $500 of your investment. Assuming at  the time of the redemption the NAV
had appreciated to  $12 per share,  the value of  your Class B  shares would  be
$1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value
of  the reinvested dividend shares and  the amount which represents appreciation
($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260)  would
be  charged  at a  rate of  4% (the  applicable  rate in  the second  year after
purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
 
  For federal income tax purposes, the amount  of the CDSC will reduce the  gain
or  increase the  loss, as  the case  may be,  on the  amount recognized  on the
redemption of shares.
 
  WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be waived in the  case of a  redemption following the death  or disability of  a
shareholder  or,  in  the  case  of a  trust  account,  following  the  death or
disability of  the  grantor.  The  waiver is  available  for  total  or  partial
redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint tenancy
(with  rights of survivorship), at the time of death or initial determination of
disability,  provided  that  the  shares  were  purchased  prior  to  death   or
disability.  In addition, the CDSC will be  waived on redemptions of shares held
by a Trustee of the Fund.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
  You  must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you are
entitled to  waiver  of  the CDSC  and  provide  the Transfer  Agent  with  such
supporting  documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be granted
subject to confirmation  of your  entitlement. See "Purchase  and Redemption  of
Fund  Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  A quantity discount may apply to redemptions of Class B shares purchased prior
to August  1,  1994.  See  "Purchase and  Redemption  of  Fund  Shares--Quantity
Discount--Class  B Shares Purchased Prior to August 1, 1994" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
 
  Class B shares  will automatically convert  to Class A  shares on a  quarterly
basis  approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected at
relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales  charge.
The  first conversion  of Class  B shares  occurred in  February 1995,  when the
conversion feature was first implemented.
 
  Since the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought  on
each  purchase  of Class  B shares,  the number  of Class  B shares  eligible to
convert to  Class A  shares  (excluding shares  acquired through  the  automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will be
determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (i)
the  ratio of (a) the  amounts paid for Class B  shares purchased at least seven
years prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class  B
shares  purchased and  then held  in your account  (ii) multiplied  by the total
number of Class B shares purchased and then held in your account. Each time  any
Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts
representing  Class B shares then in your account that were acquired through the
automatic reinvestment  of dividends  and other  distributions will  convert  to
Class A shares.
 
  For  purposes of  determining the  number of Eligible  Shares, if  the Class B
shares in  your  account on  any  conversion date  are  the result  of  multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible Shares
calculated  as described above  will generally be  either more or  less than the
number of  shares  actually  purchased approximately  seven  years  before  such
conversion  date. For example, if 100 shares were initially purchased at $10 per
share (for  a  total  of  $1,000)  and a  second  purchase  of  100  shares  was
subsequently  made at $11 per share (for  a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares would
convert approximately  seven  years  from the  initial  purchase  (I.E.,  $1,000
divided  by $2,100 (47.62%)  multiplied by 200 shares  equals 95.24 shares). The
Manager reserves the right to modify  the formula for determining the number  of
Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.
 
  Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class
B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be higher than
that  of  the Class  B  shares at  the time  of  conversion. Thus,  although the
aggregate dollar value will be  the same, you may  receive fewer Class A  shares
than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all
payments  for Class B shares during a month  will be deemed to have been made on
the last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through exchange or  a
series  of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original payment
for purchases of such  Class B shares  was made. For  Class B shares  previously
exchanged  for shares of a money market  fund, the time period during which such
shares were held in the money market fund will be excluded. For example, Class B
shares held in  a money market  fund for one  year will not  convert to Class  A
shares  until approximately eight years from purchase. For purposes of measuring
the time period during which shares are  held in a money market fund,  exchanges
will  be deemed to have been  made on the last day  of the month. Class B shares
acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares after expiration of the
conversion period applicable to the original purchase of such shares.
 
  The conversion  feature  may be  subject  to the  continuing  availability  of
opinions  of counsel  or rulings  of the Internal  Revenue Service  (i) that the
dividends and other distributions paid  on Class A, Class  B and Class C  shares
will not constitute "preferential dividends" under the Internal Revenue Code and
(ii)  that the  conversion of  shares does not  constitute a  taxable event. The
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
conversion of  Class B  shares into  Class A  shares may  be suspended  if  such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class
B  shares of the Series  will continue to be  subject, possibly indefinitely, to
their higher annual distribution and service fee.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
  AS A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH THE  OTHER
SERIES  OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE), INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO  THE
MINIMUM  INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS  OF SUCH  FUNDS. CLASS A,  CLASS B  AND CLASS C
SHARES OF THE SERIES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR  CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C  SHARES,
RESPECTIVELY,  OF THE OTHER SERIES  OF THE FUND OR ANOTHER  FUND ON THE BASIS OF
THE RELATIVE NAV. No sales charge will  be imposed at the time of exchange.  Any
applicable  CDSC  payable  upon  the  redemption  of  shares  exchanged  will be
calculated from the first day of the month after the initial purchase, excluding
the time shares were held in a money market fund. Class B and Class C shares may
not be exchanged  into money market  funds other than  Prudential Special  Money
Market  Fund. For purposes  of calculating the holding  period applicable to the
Class B conversion  feature, the time  period during which  Class B shares  were
held  in a money market fund will  be excluded. See "Conversion Feature--Class B
Shares" above. An exchange will be treated as a redemption and purchase for  tax
purposes.  See  "Shareholder  Investment  Account--Exchange  Privilege"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  IN ORDER  TO  EXCHANGE  SHARES  BY TELEPHONE,  YOU  MUST  AUTHORIZE  TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES  ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE TRANSFER
AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call the Fund
at (800) 225-1852 to  execute a telephone exchange  of shares, weekdays,  except
holidays,  between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time. For your
protection and  to prevent  fraudulent exchanges,  your telephone  call will  be
recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A
written  confirmation of the  exchange transaction will be  sent to you. NEITHER
THE FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE  LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS,  LIABILITY OR COST  WHICH
RESULTS  FROM ACTING UPON  INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED  TO BE GENUINE UNDER
THE FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (THE FUND OR ITS AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO  LIABILITY
IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be made on the
basis of the relative NAV of the two funds (or series) next determined after the
request  is received in good order. The  Exchange Privilege is available only in
states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE  YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE  OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual  Fund
Services,  Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE  OF
SHARES  MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  SPECIAL EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE. A  special exchange  privilege is  available  for
shareholders  who qualify  to purchase Class  A shares at  NAV (see "Alternative
Purchase Plan--Class A  Shares--Reduction and Waiver  of Initial Sales  Charges"
above).  Under this  exchange privilege,  amounts representing  any Class  B and
Class C shares (which are  not subject to a CDSC)  held in such a  shareholder's
account will be automatically exchanged for Class A shares on a quarterly basis,
unless the shareholder elects otherwise. Eligibility for this exchange privilege
will  be  calculated on  the business  day prior  to the  date of  the exchange.
Amounts representing Class B or Class C  shares which are not subject to a  CDSC
include  the  following: (1)  amounts  representing Class  B  or Class  C shares
acquired pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends and  distributions,
(2)  amounts representing the  increase in the  net asset value  above the total
amount of payments for the purchase of Class B or Class C shares and (3) amounts
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
representing Class B or Class C  shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period.
Class  B and Class C shareholders must notify the Transfer Agent either directly
or through  Prudential Securities  or Prusec  that they  are eligible  for  this
special exchange privilege.
 
   
  The  Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including exchanges
(and market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged  in
by  one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise that have or may have an
adverse effect on  the ability of  the Subadviser to  manage the portfolio.  The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination  to reject any  exchange order shall  be in the  discretion of the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated  or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, as a shareholder in the Series, you can
take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
        -  AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT  OF DIVIDENDS  AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS  WITHOUT A
    SALES CHARGE.  For your  convenience, all  dividends and  distributions  are
    automatically  reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Series at NAV
    without a sales  charge. You may  direct the Transfer  Agent in writing  not
    less  than 5 full business days prior  to the record date to have subsequent
    dividends and/or distributions sent in  cash rather than reinvested. If  you
    hold shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial
    adviser.
 
        -  AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION  PLAN (ASAP). Under  ASAP you may make
    regular purchases of the Series' shares in  amounts as little as $50 via  an
    automatic   debit  to  a  bank  account  or  Prudential  Securities  account
    (including  a  Command  Account).  For  additional  information  about  this
    service,  you  may  contact your  Prudential  Securities  financial adviser,
    Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
        - SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan is  available
    to  shareholders which provides for monthly or quarterly checks. Withdrawals
    of Class B and  Class C shares may  be subject to a  CDSC. See "How to  Sell
    Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" above.
 
   
        - REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund will send you annual and semi-annual
    reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are audited by
    independent  accountants. In order to  reduce duplicate mailing and printing
    expenses, the  Fund  will provide  one  annual and  semi-annual  shareholder
    report  and  annual prospectus  per  household. You  may  request additional
    copies of such reports by calling (800)  225-1852 or by writing to the  Fund
    at  Gateway Center  Three, Newark,  New Jersey  07102. In  addition, monthly
    unaudited financial data is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
        - SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. Inquiries  should be addressed  to the Fund  at
    Gateway  Center Three, Newark,  New Jersey 07102, or  by telephone, at (800)
    225-1852  (toll-free)  or,  from  outside  the  U.S.A.,  at  (908)  417-7555
    (collect).
    
 
  For  additional information  regarding the  services and  privileges described
above, see  "Shareholder  Investment Account"  in  the Statement  of  Additional
Information.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Prudential  Mutual  Fund Management  offers a  broad  range of  mutual funds
designed to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the  investment
options  available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Funds  at
(800)  225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before you
invest or send money.
 
- ---------------------
 
     TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
   
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
    
- ------------------------
 
     TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Series
  California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
  High Yield Series
  Insured Series
  Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Florida Series
  Hawaii Income Series
  Maryland Series
  Massachusetts Series
  Michigan Series
  New Jersey Series
  New York Series
  North Carolina Series
  Ohio Series
  Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
- ---------------
 
     GLOBAL FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
   
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Purdential World Fund, Inc.
  Global Series
  International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
    
- ---------------
 
     EQUITY FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
   
Prudential Allocation Fund
  Balanced Portfolio
  Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
  Prudential Active Balanced Fund
  Prudential Stock Index Fund
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
  Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
  Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
    
- ----------------------
 
     MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
   
- -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Money Market Series
  U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
  Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
- -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Connecticut Money Market Series
  Massachusetts Money Market Series
  New Jersey Money Market Series
  New York Money Market Series
- -COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
- -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
  Institutional Money Market Series
    
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
    No  dealer, sales representative or any  other person has been authorized to
give any information or to make any representations, other than those  contained
in this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given
or  made, such other information  or representations must not  be relied upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction  to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                     ---
<S>                                               <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS.................................         2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics......         2
FUND EXPENSES...................................         4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS............................         5
HOW THE FUND INVESTS............................         8
  Investment Objective and Policies.............         8
  Other Investments and Policies................        12
  Investment Restrictions.......................        13
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED.........................        13
  Manager.......................................        13
  Distributor...................................        14
  Portfolio Transactions........................        16
  Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing
   Agent........................................        16
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES..................        16
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE.............        17
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS..............        17
GENERAL INFORMATION.............................        20
  Description of Shares.........................        20
  Additional Information........................        21
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE...............................        21
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund.................        21
  Alternative Purchase Plan.....................        22
  How to Sell Your Shares.......................        24
  Conversion Feature--Class B Shares............        27
  How to Exchange Your Shares...................        28
  Shareholder Services..........................        29
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY...............       A-1
</TABLE>
    
 
- -------------------------------------------
 
MF 120A                                                                  44404CS
                                   Class A: 74435M-67-1
                        CUSIP Nos.: Class B: 74435M-68-9
                                   Class C: 74435M-55-6
 
   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
   
PRUDENTIAL
    
   
MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
    
 
   
MICHIGAN SERIES
    
- --------------------------------------
 
   
                                     [LOGO]
    
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
(NEW JERSEY SERIES)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the "Fund") (New Jersey Series) (the "Series")
is  one of  fourteen series  of an  open-end, management  investment company, or
mutual fund. This Series is diversified  and is designed to provide the  maximum
amount  of income that  is exempt from  New Jersey State  income tax and federal
income tax  consistent with  the  preservation of  capital and,  in  conjunction
therewith,  the  Series may  invest in  debt securities  with the  potential for
capital gain. The net  assets of the Series  are invested in obligations  within
the four highest ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group  or another  nationally recognized  statistical rating  organization or in
unrated obligations which, in the opinion of the Fund's investment adviser,  are
of  comparable quality. Subject to the  limitations described herein, the Series
may utilize  derivatives, including  buying and  selling futures  contracts  and
options  thereon for the purpose of  hedging its portfolio securities. There can
be no assurance that the Series' investment objective will be achieved. See "How
the Fund  Invests--Investment Objective  and Policies."  The Fund's  address  is
Gateway  Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey 07102,  and its  telephone number is
(800) 225-1852.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund and the  New
Jersey  Series  that  a  prospective  investor  should  know  before  investing.
Additional information about  the Fund has  been filed with  the Securities  and
Exchange  Commission in a Statement of  Additional Information dated November 1,
1996,  which  information  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  (is  legally
considered  a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available without  charge upon
request to the Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The  following summary is intended to highlight certain information contained in
this  Prospectus  and  is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by  the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
 WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
   Prudential  Municipal Series Fund is a  mutual fund whose shares are offered
 in fourteen series, each of which operates  as a separate fund. A mutual  fund
 pools  the resources  of investors  by selling  its shares  to the  public and
 investing the proceeds of such sale  in a portfolio of securities designed  to
 achieve  its  investment  objective.  Technically, the  Fund  is  an open-end,
 management investment company. Only the  New Jersey Series is offered  through
 this Prospectus.
 
 WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
   The  Series'  investment objective  is to  maximize  current income  that is
 exempt from New  Jersey State  and federal  income taxes  consistent with  the
 preservation  of  capital. It  seeks to  achieve  this objective  by investing
 primarily in New Jersey State, municipal and local government obligations  and
 obligations  of other  qualifying issuers, such  as issuers  located in Puerto
 Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam, which pay income exempt, in the opinion  of
 counsel,   from  New  Jersey  State  and  federal  income  taxes  (New  Jersey
 Obligations). There can be no assurance that the Series' investment  objective
 will  be  achieved.  See  "How  the  Fund  Invests--Investment  Objective  and
 Policies" at page 8.
 
 RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
   In seeking to achieve  its investment objective, the  Series will invest  at
 least  80% of the  value of its  total assets in  New Jersey Obligations. This
 degree of investment concentration  makes the Series particularly  susceptible
 to factors adversely affecting issuers of New Jersey Obligations. See "How the
 Fund  Invests--Investment Objective  and Policies--Special  Considerations" at
 page 12.  To hedge  against changes  in interest  rates, the  Series may  also
 purchase  put  options  and  engage  in  transactions  involving  derivatives,
 including financial futures contracts and  options thereon. See "How the  Fund
 Invests--Investment  Objective  and  Policies--Futures  Contracts  and Options
 Thereon" at page 11.
 
 WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
   Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the Manager of
 the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50 of 1% of
 the Series' average daily net assets. As of September 30, 1996, PMF served  as
 manager  or  administrator to  60  investment companies,  including  38 mutual
 funds, with  aggregate assets  of approximately  $52 billion.  The  Prudential
 Investment  Corporation (PIC or the  Subadviser) furnishes investment advisory
 services in connection  with the management  of the Fund  under a  Subadvisory
 Agreement with PMF. See "How the Fund is Managed--Manager" at page 13.
    
 
 WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
   Prudential  Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities  or PSI), a major
 securities underwriter  and securities  and commodities  broker, acts  as  the
 Distributor of the Series' Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z shares and is
 paid  a distribution and service  fee with respect to  Class A shares which is
 currently being charged at the annual rate  of .10 of 1% of the average  daily
 net  assets of the Class  A shares and is paid  a distribution and service fee
 with respect to Class B shares at the annual rate of .50 of 1% of the  average
 daily  net assets of the Class B shares and is paid an annual distribution and
 service fee with respect to Class C shares which is currently being charged at
 the rate of .75 of 1% of the  average daily net assets of the Class C  shares.
 Prudential  Securities incurs the expense of  distributing the Series' Class Z
 shares under  a  Distribution  Agreement  with the  Fund,  none  of  which  is
 reimbursed or paid for by the Fund.
    
 
   See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 14.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
   The  minimum initial investment for Class A and Class B shares is $1,000 per
 class and $5,000 for Class C shares. The minimum subsequent investment is $100
 for Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class Z shares are not subject to any
 minimum investment requirements.  There is no  minimum investment  requirement
 for  certain employee savings plans. For  purchases made through the Automatic
 Savings Accumulation Plan,  the minimum initial  and subsequent investment  is
 $50.  See "Shareholder Guide--How  to Buy Shares  of the Fund"  at page 21 and
 "Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services" at page 30.
    
 
 HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
   You may purchase shares of  the Series through Prudential Securities,  Pruco
 Securities Corporation (Prusec) or directly from the Fund through its transfer
 agent,  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer Agent), at
 the net asset  value per  share (NAV) next  determined after  receipt of  your
 purchase  order by  the Transfer Agent  or Prudential Securities  plus a sales
 charge which  may be  imposed either  (i) at  the time  of purchase  (Class  A
 shares)  or (ii)  on a  deferred basis (Class  B or  Class C  shares). Class Z
 shares are offered to a limited group of investors at net asset value  without
 any  sales  charge.  See "How  the  Fund Values  its  Shares" at  page  17 and
 "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares of the Fund" at page 21.
    
 
 WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
   
   The Series offers four classes of shares:
    
 
        -  Class A Shares:  Sold with an initial sales charge of up to 3%
                            of the offering price.
 
        -  Class B Shares:  Sold without an initial sales charge but  are
                            subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
                            or  CDSC (declining  from 5%  to zero  of the
                            lower  of   the   amount  invested   or   the
                            redemption proceeds) which will be imposed on
                            certain  redemptions made within six years of
                            purchase. Although Class B shares are subject
                            to   higher   ongoing    distribution-related
                            expenses  than Class A shares, Class B shares
                            will automatically convert to Class A  shares
                            (which   are   subject   to   lower   ongoing
                            distribution-related expenses)  approximately
                            seven years after purchase.
 
   
        -  Class C Shares:  Sold without an initial sales charge and, for
                            one  year after purchase, are subject to a 1%
                            CDSC on  redemptions.  Like Class  B  shares,
                            Class  C shares are subject to higher ongoing
                            distribution-related expenses  than  Class  A
                            shares but do not convert to another class.
    
 
   
        -  Class Z Shares:  Sold  without either an initial or contingent
                            deferred sales charge to  a limited group  of
                            investors.  Class Z shares are not subject to
                            any ongoing  service or  distribution-related
                            expenses.
    
 
   
   See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 22.
    
 
 HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
   
   You  may redeem  your shares at  any time  at the NAV  next determined after
 Prudential Securities or the Transfer Agent receives your sell order. However,
 the proceeds of redemptions of Class B and Class C shares may be subject to  a
 CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page 25.
    
 
 HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
   The  Series  expects  to declare  daily  and  pay monthly  dividends  of net
 investment income, if any, and make distributions of any net capital gains  at
 least  annually. Dividends and distributions  will be automatically reinvested
 in additional shares of the  Series at NAV without  a sales charge unless  you
 request  that  they  be  paid  to  you  in  cash.  See  "Taxes,  Dividends and
 Distributions" at page 18.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                              (NEW JERSEY SERIES)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                      CLASS Z
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES+              CLASS A SHARES         CLASS B SHARES            CLASS C SHARES        SHARES
                                               --------------  ----------------------------  --------------------  -------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>                           <C>                   <C>
  Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases....        3%                    None                      None              None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load (as a
     percentage of original purchase price or
     redemption proceeds, whichever is
     lower)..................................       None       5% during  the  first  year,  1%   on  redemptions      None
                                                               decreasing by 1% annually to  made within one year
                                                               1% in  the fifth  and  sixth  of purchase
                                                               years  and  0%  the  seventh
                                                               year*
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested
     Dividends...............................       None                   None                      None              None
    Redemption Fees..........................       None                   None                      None              None
    Exchange Fee.............................       None                   None                      None              None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES**
(as a percentage of average net assets)        CLASS A SHARES        CLASS B SHARES         CLASS C SHARES   CLASS Z SHARES***
                                               --------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>                         <C>              <C>
    Management Fees (Before Waiver)..........       .50%                   .50%                 .50%               .50%
    12b-1 Fees (After Reduction).............       .10++                  .50                  .75++              None
    Other Expenses...........................       .15                    .15                  .15                 .15
                                                -------           ------------              --------------   -----------------
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before
     Waiver and After Reduction).............       .75%                  1.15%                1.40%               .65%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1          3          5          10
EXAMPLE                                           YEAR       YEARS      YEARS       YEARS
                                                  -----      -----      -----       -----
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a
 $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual
 return and (2) redemption at the end of each
 time period:
    Class A..................................      $37        $53        $70        $120
    Class B..................................      $62        $67        $73        $123
    Class C..................................      $24        $44        $77        $168
    Class Z***...............................      $ 7        $21        $37        $ 82
You would pay the following expenses on the
 same investment, assuming no redemption:
    Class A..................................      $37        $53        $70        $120
    Class B..................................      $12        $37        $63        $123
    Class C..................................      $14        $44        $77        $168
    Class Z***...............................      $ 7        $21        $37        $ 82
</TABLE>
    
 
   
   The above examples are based on restated data for the Series' fiscal  year
   ended   August  31,  1996.  THE  EXAMPLES   SHOULD  NOT  BE  CONSIDERED  A
   REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE  GREATER
   OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
   The  purpose of  this table  is to  assist investors  in understanding the
   various costs  and expenses  that an  investor in  the Series  will  bear,
   whether  directly  or indirectly.  For more  complete descriptions  of the
   various costs  and  expenses,  see  "How  the  Fund  is  Managed."  "Other
   Expenses" includes operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees' and
   professional fees, registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer
   agency and custodian fees.
 
   ---------------------
 
    *Class   B  shares   will  automatically   convert  to   Class  A  shares
     approximately   seven   years    after   purchase.   See    "Shareholder
     Guide--Conversion Feature--Class B Shares."
   
    **Based  on expenses  incurred during  the fiscal  year ended  August 31,
      1996, without taking into account the partial management fee waiver. At
      the current level of management fee waiver (.10 of 1%), Management Fees
      would be .40%  for Class A,  Class B. Class  C and Class  Z shares  and
      Total  Fund Operating Expenses would be  .65% for Class A shares, 1.05%
      for Class B  shares, 1.30%  for Class  C shares  and .55%  for Class  Z
      shares. See "How the Fund is Managed-- Manager--Fee Waivers."
    
   
   ***Estimated  based on expenses expected to  have been incurred if Class Z
      shares had been in  existence throughout the  fiscal year ended  August
      31, 1996.
    
    +Pursuant  to rules  of the  National Association  of Securities Dealers,
     Inc., the aggregate  initial sales charges,  deferred sales charges  and
     asset-based  sales charges on shares of  the Series may not exceed 6.25%
     of  total  gross  sales,  subject  to  certain  exclusions.  This  6.25%
     limitation  is imposed on each class of  the Series rather than on a per
     shareholder basis. Therefore, long-term  shareholders of the Series  may
     pay more in total sales charges than the economic equivalent of 6.25% of
     such  shareholders'  investment in  such shares.  See  "How the  Fund is
     Managed--Distributor."
   
    ++Although the Class A and Class C Distribution and Service Plans provide
      that the Fund may pay a distribution fee of up to .30 of 1% and 1%  per
      annum  of  the average  daily net  assets of  the Class  A and  Class C
      shares,  respectively,  the  Distributor   has  agreed  to  limit   its
      distribution fees with respect to the Class A and Class C shares of the
      Series to no more than .10 of 1% and .75 of 1% of the average daily net
      asset value of the Class A shares and Class C shares, respectively, for
      the  fiscal year ending August 31,  1997. Total Fund Operating Expenses
      (Before Waiver)  of  the  Class  A and  Class  C  shares  without  such
      limitations would be .95% and 1.65%, respectively. See "How the Fund is
      Managed--Distributor."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class A Shares)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The  following financial  highlights, with  respect to  the five-year period
ended August 31, 1996, have been  audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected  data for  a Class  A share  of beneficial  interest
outstanding,  total return, ratios to average  net assets and other supplemental
data for the periods indicated. This  information is based on data contained  in
the  financial statements. Further  performance information is  contained in the
annual  report,  which  may  be   obtained  without  charge.  See   "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 CLASS A
                                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                JANUARY 22,
                                                                                                                 1990 (A)
                                                                   YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                          THROUGH
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------  AUGUST  31,
                                                1996       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991        1990
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period......... $  10.98   $  10.81    $ 11.74    $ 11.15   $  10.73   $  10.16     $ 10.30
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (c)....................      .57        .61        .61        .64        .67        .69         .41
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions.....................     (.07)       .17       (.75)       .71        .51        .59        (.14)
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Total from investment operations.........      .50        .78       (.14)      1.35       1.18       1.28         .27
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income.........     (.57)      (.61)      (.61)      (.64)      (.67)      (.69)       (.41)
Distributions from net realized gains........     (.04)        --       (.18)      (.12)      (.09)      (.02)         --
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Total distributions......................     (.61)      (.61)      (.79)      (.76)      (.76)      (.71)       (.41)
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
Net asset value, end of period............... $  10.87   $  10.98    $ 10.81    $ 11.74   $  11.15   $  10.73     $ 10.16
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN (d):............................     4.63%      7.55%     (1.27)%    12.57%     11.35%     12.96%       2.70%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).............. $ 74,492   $ 49,666    $14,774    $15,501   $ 11,941   $  8,041     $ 3,616
Average net assets (000)..................... $ 61,837   $ 30,290    $15,334    $13,444   $  9,759   $  5,637     $ 1,902
Ratios to average net assets: (c)
  Expenses, including distribution fees......      .67%       .55%       .58%       .61%       .48%       .29%        .20%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fees......      .57%       .45%       .48%       .51%       .38%       .19%        .10%(b)
  Net investment income......................     5.19%      5.65%      5.42%      5.63%      6.14%      6.58%       6.79%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate......................       62%        37%        34%        32%        38%       116%         87%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class A shares.
   (b) Annualized.
   (c) Net of management and/or distribution fee waiver.
   (d) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class B Shares)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The  following financial  highlights, with  respect to  the five-year period
ended August 31, 1996, have been  audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected  data for  a Class  B share  of beneficial  interest
outstanding,  total return, ratios to average  net assets and other supplemental
data for the periods indicated. This  information is based on data contained  in
the  financial statements. Further  performance information is  contained in the
annual  report,  which  may  be   obtained  without  charge.  See   "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             CLASS B
                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        MARCH 4,
                                                                                                                        1988 (a)
                                                               YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                                     THROUGH
                               --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  AUGUST 31,
                                 1996       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991       1990     1989 (d)      1988
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 period....................... $  10.98   $  10.81   $  11.74   $  11.15   $  10.73   $  10.16   $  10.33   $   9.95    $ 10.00
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income (c).....      .53        .57        .56        .59        .63        .65        .67        .73        .36
Net realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on investment
 transactions.................     (.07)       .17       (.75)       .71        .51        .59       (.14)       .38       (.05)
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Total from investment
     operations...............      .46        .74       (.19)      1.30       1.14       1.24        .53       1.11        .31
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income.......................     (.53)      (.57)      (.56)      (.59)      (.63)      (.65)      (.67)      (.73)      (.36)
Distributions from net
 realized gains...............     (.04)        --       (.18)      (.12)      (.09)      (.02)      (.03)        --         --
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Total distributions.......     (.57)      (.57)      (.74)      (.71)      (.72)      (.67)      (.70)      (.73)      (.36)
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
Net asset value, end of
 period....................... $  10.87   $  10.98   $  10.81   $  11.74   $  11.15   $  10.73   $  10.16   $  10.33    $  9.95
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
TOTAL RETURN (e):.............     4.22%      7.12%     (1.67)%    12.12%     10.93%     12.52%      5.28%     11.48%      3.03%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
 (000)........................ $188,315   $246,202   $323,077   $351,878   $295,781   $244,322   $180,636   $125,650    $28,815
Average net assets (000)...... $222,235   $274,995   $343,941   $316,372   $269,318   $208,893   $155,162   $ 79,269    $19,806
Ratios to average net assets:
 (c)
  Expenses, including
   distribution fees..........     1.07%       .95%       .98%      1.01%       .88%       .69%       .50%       .20%         0%
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fees..........      .57%       .45%       .48%       .51%       .38%       .19%       .10%       .14%         0%
  Net investment income.......     4.80%      5.30%      5.02%      5.23%      5.74%      6.18%      6.50%      6.55%      6.27%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate.......       62%        37%        34%        32%        38%       116%        87%        20%        96%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class B shares.
   (b) Annualized.
   (c) Net of expense subsidy and management and/or distribution fee waiver.
   (d) On   December  31,  1988,  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management,  Inc.
       succeeded The Prudential  Insurance Company of  America as manager  of
       the Fund.
   (e) Total  return  does not  consider the  effects  of sales  loads. Total
       return is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first  day
       and  a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class C Shares)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The following financial highlights  have been audited  by Deloitte &  Touche
LLP,  independent  accountants,  whose  report  thereon  was  unqualified.  This
information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and  the
notes  thereto, which  appear in  the Statement  of Additional  Information. The
following financial highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  C share  of
beneficial  interest outstanding, total return, ratios to average net assets and
other supplemental data for the periods indicated. This information is based  on
data  contained in the financial  statements. Further performance information is
contained in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge.  See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         CLASS C
                                         ----------------------------------------
                                                                      AUGUST 1,
                                                                       1994 (a)
                                           YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,       THROUGH
                                         --------------------------   AUGUST 31,
                                             1996          1995          1994
                                         ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                      <C>           <C>           <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period....    $10.98        $10.81        $10.83
                                            ------        ------        ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (c)...............       .50           .54           .04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
 on investment transactions.............      (.07)          .17          (.02)
                                            ------        ------        ------
    Total from investment operations....       .43           .71           .02
                                            ------        ------        ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income....      (.50)         (.54)         (.04)
Distributions from net realized gains...      (.04)           --            --
                                            ------        ------        ------
    Total distributions.................      (.54)         (.54)         (.04)
                                            ------        ------        ------
Net asset value, end of period..........    $10.87        $10.98        $10.81
                                            ------        ------        ------
                                            ------        ------        ------
TOTAL RETURN (d):.......................      3.96%         6.86%         0.14%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).........    $1,961        $1,502        $  240
Average net assets (000)................    $1,735        $  790        $   11
Ratios to average net assets: (c)
  Expenses, including distribution
   fee..................................      1.32%         1.20%         1.29%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution
   fee..................................       .57%          .45%          .54%(b)
  Net investment income.................      4.54%         4.99%         5.06%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate.................        62%           37%           34%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
   (b) Annualized.
   (c) Net of management fee waiver.
   (d) Total  return  does not  consider the  effects  of sales  loads. Total
       return is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first  day
       and  a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL  MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE NEW JERSEY SERIES (THE SERIES)  IS
DIVERSIFIED  AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS  TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME THAT IS
EXEMPT FROM NEW JERSEY STATE INCOME  TAX AND FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSISTENT  WITH
THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL AND, IN CONJUNCTION THEREWITH, THE SERIES MAY INVEST
IN  DEBT  SECURITIES  WITH  THE  POTENTIAL  FOR  CAPITAL  GAIN.  See "Investment
Objectives and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS  A FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE,  MAY
NOT  BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE SERIES'
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF  1940,
AS  AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  THE SERIES WILL  INVEST PRIMARILY  IN NEW  JERSEY STATE,  MUNICIPAL AND  LOCAL
GOVERNMENT  OBLIGATIONS  AND OBLIGATIONS  OF OTHER  QUALIFYING ISSUERS,  SUCH AS
ISSUERS LOCATED IN PUERTO  RICO, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS  AND GUAM, WHICH PAY  INCOME
EXEMPT,  IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL, FROM NEW JERSEY STATE INCOME TAX AND FEDERAL
INCOME TAX (NEW JERSEY OBLIGATIONS). THERE  CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE  SERIES
WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
  Interest  on  certain  municipal  obligations may  be  a  preference  item for
purposes of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest  without
limit  in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined in
the Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item  for
purposes  of  the federal  alternative minimum  tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends and
Distributions." Under  New Jersey  law, as  long as  the Series  qualifies as  a
"qualified  investment fund," dividends  paid by the Series  are exempt from New
Jersey income tax for resident individuals and New Jersey trusts and estates  to
the  extent  such  dividends are  derived  from  interest payments  on  and gain
realized from  the  sale  or  exchange  of  New  Jersey  Obligations  and  other
obligations  exempt from State and  local taxation by the  laws of New Jersey or
the United States. New Jersey Obligations could include general obligation bonds
of the State, counties, cities, towns,  etc., revenue bonds of utility  systems,
highways,  bridges, port and airport  facilities, colleges, hospitals, etc., and
industrial development and pollution  control bonds. The  Series will invest  in
long-term  obligations, and the dollar-weighted  average maturity of the Series'
portfolio will generally range between 10-20  years. The Series also may  invest
in  certain short-term, tax-exempt notes such as Tax Anticipation Notes, Revenue
Anticipation  Notes,  Bond  Anticipation  Notes,  Construction  Loan  Notes  and
variable and floating rate demand notes.
 
  Generally,  municipal obligations with longer maturities produce higher yields
and are subject to greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates (market  risk) than  municipal obligations  with shorter  maturities.  The
prices  of municipal  obligations vary  inversely with  interest rates. Interest
rates are currently  much lower  than in  recent years.  If rates  were to  rise
sharply,  the  prices  of bonds  in  the  Series' portfolio  might  be adversely
affected.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES,  INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as  a
specific  percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on Treasury
bonds or bills or the prime rate  at a major commercial bank. The interest  rate
on  floating rate securities changes periodically when  there is a change in the
designated base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a  specified
periodic  adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates and
generally would allow the  Series to demand payment  of the obligation on  short
notice  at par plus accrued interest, which amount  may be more or less than the
amount the Series paid for them. An inverse floater is a debt instrument with  a
floating  or variable interest rate that moves  in the opposite direction of the
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
interest rate on  another security  or the  value of  an index.  Changes in  the
interest  rate  on the  other security  or index  inversely affect  the residual
interest rate paid  on the  inverse floater, with  the result  that the  inverse
floater's  price will be  considerably more volatile  than that of  a fixed rate
bond. The market for inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
  THE SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN  MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL  LEASE
OBLIGATION  IS A MUNICIPAL  SECURITY THE INTEREST  ON AND PRINCIPAL  OF WHICH IS
PAYABLE OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES  FINANCED
BY  THE ISSUE. Typically, municipal  lease obligations are issued  by a state or
municipal  financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction   of
facilities  (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or the
acquisition of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state  or
municipality  pursuant to a lease with  a financing authority. Certain municipal
lease obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes of  the Series'  15%  limitation on  illiquid securities  provided  the
investment  adviser determines that there is a readily available market for such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies--Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
  ALL NEW JERSEY OBLIGATIONS PURCHASED BY THE SERIES WILL BE "INVESTMENT  GRADE"
SECURITIES.  In other words, all of the New Jersey Obligations will, at the time
of purchase, be rated  within the four highest  quality grades as determined  by
Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for bonds, MIG 1,
MIG  2, MIG  3, MIG 4  for notes and  Prime-1 for commercial  paper), Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group (S&P) (currently AAA, AA, A, BBB for bonds, SP-1, SP-2  for
notes and A-1 for commercial paper) or another nationally recognized statistical
rating  organization (NRSRO) or,  if unrated, will  possess creditworthiness, in
the opinion of  the investment adviser,  comparable to securities  in which  the
Series  may invest. Securities  rated Baa may  have speculative characteristics,
and changes in  economic conditions or  other circumstances are  more likely  to
lead  to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the
case with higher grade securities. Subsequent  to its purchase by the Series,  a
municipal  obligation may be assigned a lower  rating or cease to be rated. Such
an event would not require the elimination of the issue from the portfolio,  but
the  investment adviser will  consider such an event  in determining whether the
Series should continue to hold the  security in its portfolio. See  "Description
of  Tax-Exempt Security Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information. The
Series may  purchase  New  Jersey  Obligations which,  in  the  opinion  of  the
investment  adviser, offer  the opportunity  for capital  appreciation. This may
occur, for example, when  the investment adviser believes  that the issuer of  a
particular  New  Jersey Obligation  might receive  an upgraded  credit standing,
thereby increasing the  market value  of the  bonds it  has issued  or when  the
investment  adviser believes  that interest  rates might  decline. As  a general
matter, bond prices  and the Series'  net asset value  will vary inversely  with
interest rate fluctuations.
    
 
  From  time to time, the Series may own the majority of a municipal issue. Such
majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
  UNDER  NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO   INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY  ALL OF THE  VALUE OF ITS  ASSETS IN NEW  JERSEY OBLIGATIONS. As a
matter of fundamental policy, during normal market conditions the Series' assets
will be invested so that  at least 80% of its  total assets will be invested  in
New  Jersey  Obligations.  During  abnormal  market  conditions  or  to  provide
liquidity, the Series  may hold  cash or  cash equivalents  or investment  grade
taxable obligations, including obligations that are exempt from federal, but not
state,  taxation and the Series may invest in tax-free cash equivalents, such as
floating rate demand notes, tax-exempt  commercial paper and general  obligation
and  revenue  notes, or  in taxable  cash equivalents,  such as  certificates of
deposit, bankers  acceptances  and time  deposits  or other  short-term  taxable
investments  such  as  repurchase  agreements.  When,  in  the  opinion  of  the
investment adviser,  abnormal market  conditions require  a temporary  defensive
position, the Series may invest more than 20% of the value of its assets in debt
securities  other than New Jersey  Obligations or may invest  its assets so that
more than 20% of the  income is subject to New  Jersey or federal income  taxes.
However,  the Series must invest at least  80% of the aggregate principal amount
of all  its  investments  (excluding  cash,  cash  items  and  receivables,  and
financial  options,  futures,  forward  contracts,  or  other  similar financial
instruments related  to interest-bearing  obligations, obligations  issued at  a
discount  or  bond  indices related  thereto  that  are related  to  the Series'
business  of  investing  in  securities  (Related  Financial  Instruments))   in
obligations  exempt  from  New  Jersey  personal income  tax  in  order  for its
distributions to remain exempt from such
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
tax. The  Series will  treat an  investment in  a municipal  bond refunded  with
escrowed  U.S. Government securities as  U.S. Government securities for purposes
of the Investment  Company Act's diversification  requirements provided  certain
conditions  are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  If the Series  fails to  qualify as a  "qualified investment  fund" under  New
Jersey  law, distributions  to its  shareholders will  be subject  to New Jersey
income tax. To  meet the  requirements for  a "qualified  investment fund,"  the
Series  must  have  100% of  its  investments in  interest  bearing obligations,
obligations issued at a  discount, cash and  cash items, including  receivables,
and Related Financial Instruments.
 
  THE  SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO ACQUIRE PUT  OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE
RIGHT TO SELL SECURITIES HELD IN  THE SERIES' PORTFOLIO AT A SPECIFIED  EXERCISE
PRICE  ON A  SPECIFIED DATE. The  Series may  acquire puts on  securities in its
portfolio for the purpose  of protecting the Series  from a possible decline  in
the  market value  of the  security to  which the  put applies  in the  event of
interest rate fluctuations or, in the case of liquidity puts, for the purpose of
shortening the  effective maturity  of the  underlying security.  The  aggregate
value of premiums paid to acquire puts held in the Series' portfolio (other than
liquidity  puts) may not  exceed 10% of the  net asset value  of the Series. The
acquisition of a put may involve an additional cost to the Series by payment  of
a  premium for the put, by payment of  a higher purchase price for securities to
which the put is attached or through a lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts  in
that  the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase the
underlying securities. Accordingly, the Series will acquire puts only under  the
following  circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the underlying
security and such security  is rated within the  four highest quality grades  as
determined  by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than the
issuer of the  underlying security  and such person  has securities  outstanding
which  are rated  within such  four highest  quality grades;  or (3)  the put is
backed by a letter of credit or  similar financial guarantee issued by a  person
having  securities outstanding  which are rated  within the  two highest quality
grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR  "DELAYED
DELIVERY"  BASIS, IN  EACH CASE  WITHOUT LIMIT.  When municipal  obligations are
offered on a when-issued  or delayed delivery basis,  the price and coupon  rate
are  fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the  settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore,  no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser during
such period. In the case of purchases  by the Series, the price that the  Series
is  required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with  the
purpose  of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable for
investment reasons. At the  time the Series makes  the commitment to purchase  a
municipal  obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in  determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as  values of municipal obligations otherwise held  by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with  its
Custodian  in which  it will maintain  cash, U.S.  Government securities, equity
securities and other liquid, unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily,  equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL FORWARD CONTRACTS. A municipal forward
contract is a municipal security which is purchased on a when-issued basis  with
delivery  taking place up to  five years from the  date of purchase. No interest
will accrue on the security prior  to the delivery date. The investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity, value, credit  quality and delivery of the security
under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE SECONDARY  MARKET INSURANCE ON NEW JERSEY  OBLIGATIONS
WHICH IT HOLDS OR ACQUIRES. Secondary market insurance would be reflected in the
market  value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series to
dispose of  a defaulted  obligation at  a price  similar to  that of  comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
  Insurance  is  not  a  substitute  for the  basic  credit  of  an  issuer, but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage for  the New Jersey  Obligations held by  the Series  reduces
credit  risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment of
principal and interest  if the issuer  defaults on its  obligation to make  such
payment,  it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price, I.E.,
the market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in  interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
  THE  SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE  AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES, INCLUDING
FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS (FUTURES CONTRACTS) AND OPTIONS THEREON. THE  SERIES
MAY  PURCHASE AND SELL FUTURES CONTRACTS AND  OPTIONS THEREON TO THE EXTENT THEY
ARE RELATED  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS  FOR  THE PURPOSE  OF HEDGING  ITS  PORTFOLIO
SECURITIES  AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED BY CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET
INTEREST RATES  AND HEDGING  AGAINST INCREASES  IN THE  COST OF  SECURITIES  THE
SERIES  INTENDS TO PURCHASE. THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
THEREON BY THE SERIES  INVOLVES ADDITIONAL TRANSACTION COSTS  AND IS SUBJECT  TO
VARIOUS  RISKS AND DEPENDS UPON THE  INVESTMENT ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT THE
DIRECTION OF THE MARKET (INCLUDING INTEREST RATES).
 
  A FUTURES CONTRACT  OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE  CONTRACT TO  DELIVER TO  THE
PURCHASER  OF THE  CONTRACT CASH  EQUAL TO  A SPECIFIC  DOLLAR AMOUNT  TIMES THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF  THE CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH  THE
AGREEMENT  IS MADE. No  physical delivery of the  underlying securities is made.
The Series  will engage  in transactions  in only  those futures  contracts  and
options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
  The  Series intends to  engage in futures  contracts and options  thereon as a
hedge against  changes,  resulting  from  market conditions,  in  the  value  of
securities  which are held in the Series'  portfolio or which the Series intends
to purchase,  in accordance  with the  rules and  regulations of  the  Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). The Series also intends to engage in such
transactions  when they are economically appropriate  for the reduction of risks
inherent in the ongoing management of the Series.
 
  THE SERIES MAY NOT PURCHASE OR  SELL FUTURES CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS THEREON  IF,
IMMEDIATELY  THEREAFTER, (I)  THE SUM  OF INITIAL  AND NET  CUMULATIVE VARIATION
MARGIN ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (II) IN THE CASE
OF RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL  MARGIN
DEPOSITS  ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS THEREON
WOULD EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There  are
no  limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and no
limitations on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts  and
options  thereon, except that the aggregate  value of the obligations underlying
put options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements  for
qualification  as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code
may limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and  options
thereon.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Currently, futures contracts  are available on  several types of  fixed-income
securities,  including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S. Treasury
bills and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal  bond
index,  based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40 actively
traded municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in  other
futures   contracts  that  become  available,  from   time  to  time,  in  other
fixed-income securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on  such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
  THERE  CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE  MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A LIQUID
SECONDARY MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT  ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the  Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash payments
of variation  margin  in  the  event  of adverse  price  movements.  In  such  a
situation,  if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell portfolio
securities to meet daily variation
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
margin requirements at a  time when it  might be disadvantageous  to do so.  The
inability  to close futures positions  also could have an  adverse impact on the
ability of the Series to hedge effectively. There is also a risk of loss by  the
Series  of margin deposits in the event of  bankruptcy of a broker with whom the
Series has an open position in a futures contract.
 
  THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS  AND OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES  IS
SUBJECT  TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and movements in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities  that
are the subject of the hedge. If the price of the futures contract moves more or
less than the price of the security that is the subject of the hedge, the Series
will  experience a gain or loss that  will not be completely offset by movements
in the price of the security. The risk of imperfect correlation is greater where
the securities underlying futures contracts are taxable securities (rather  than
municipal  securities), are issued  by companies in  different market sectors or
have different maturities, ratings or  geographic mixes than the security  being
hedged.  In  addition,  the  correlation  may be  affected  by  additions  to or
deletions from  the index  which serves  as the  basis for  a futures  contract.
Finally,  if the price of the security that is subject to the hedge were to move
in a favorable direction, the advantage to the Series would be partially  offset
by the loss incurred on the futures contract.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE  THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST 80%  OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS
IN NEW JERSEY OBLIGATIONS AND BECAUSE  IT SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE INCOME DERIVED  FROM
NEW  JERSEY OBLIGATIONS, IT  IS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE  TO FACTORS ADVERSELY AFFECTING
ISSUERS OF NEW  JERSEY OBLIGATIONS THAN  IS A COMPARABLE  MUNICIPAL BOND  MUTUAL
FUND  THAT IS NOT CONCENTRATED IN SUCH  OBLIGATIONS TO THIS DEGREE. The economic
slowdown which began in  1989 translated into  revenue shortfalls and  operating
deficits  in fiscal 1989, 1990 and 1991. To balance the budget for the last four
years, the State has utilized  nonrecurring revenues and serious spending  cuts.
The  fiscal 1996 ending balances were $900 million, over $549 million in surplus
from that originally planned. The 1997 budget accomodates the final stage of the
State's  $1.25  billion  multi-year  personal  income  tax  cut,  and   includes
appropriations  totaling $15.978 billion, down $211 million or 1.37% from fiscal
year 1996. Continued challenges  to New Jersey's ability  to continue limits  on
expenditures  will likely come  from the need to  reconfigure the State's school
aid formula. Additionally, New Jersey will  likely be adversely impacted by  the
block-grant formula adopted in new federal welfare reform legislation. If either
New  Jersey or  any of  its local  governmental entities  is unable  to meet its
financial obligations, the income derived by the Series, the ability to preserve
or realize appreciation of the Series'  capital and the Series' liquidity  could
be   adversely  affected.  See   "Investment  Objectives  and  Policies--Special
Considerations Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities" in the  Statement
of Additional Information.
    
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of  a security agrees to repurchase that  security from the Series at a mutually
agreed-upon time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite  short,
possibly  overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number of
months. The  resale price  is in  excess of  the purchase  price, reflecting  an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully  collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price. The
instruments held  as  collateral  are valued  daily  and  if the  value  of  the
instruments  declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If the
seller defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the  repurchase
agreement  declines, the Series may  incur a loss. The  Series participates in a
joint repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by  Prudential
Mutual  Fund Management LLC pursuant to an  order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC).
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
  BORROWING
 
   
  The Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value  of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or  emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series may
pledge up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure  these
borrowings.  The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
  The Series does not expect to trade  in securities for short-term gain. It  is
anticipated  that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%. The
portfolio turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales  or
purchases  of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the portfolio
securities, excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase  of
one year or less.
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The  Series  may hold  up  to 15%  of its  net  assets in  illiquid securities
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities  with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale   (restricted
securities)   and  securities  that  are   not  readily  marketable.  Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended  (the Securities  Act), privately placed  commercial paper  and
municipal  lease  obligations  that  have a  readily  available  market  are not
considered illiquid for purposes of this limitation. The investment adviser will
monitor the liquidity of such restricted securities under the supervision of the
Trustees. The Series' investment in Rule  144A securities could have the  effect
of  increasing  illiquidity to  the extent  that qualified  institutional buyers
become, for a limited time, uninterested in purchasing Rule 144A securities. See
"Investment  Objectives  and  Policies--Illiquid  Securities"  and   "Investment
Restrictions"  in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase agreements
subject to demand are deemed to have a maturity equal to the notice period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The Series  is subject  to  certain investment  restrictions which,  like  its
investment  objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental policies
cannot be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of  the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE  FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION  TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER, SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS  OF
GENERAL  POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY BUSINESS
OPERATIONS OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY  INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For  the  year  ended August  31,  1996, total  expenses  of the  Series  as a
percentage of average  net assets,  net of  management fee  waivers, were  .67%,
1.07%  and  1.32%  for  the  Series'  Class  A,  Class  B  and  Class  C shares,
respectively. See "Financial  Highlights." No  Class Z  shares were  outstanding
during this period.
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC (PMF  OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY CENTER
THREE, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS  COMPENSATED
FOR  ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
OF THE SERIES. PMF is organized in  New York as a limited liability company.  It
is the successor to Prudential
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
Mutual  Fund Management, Inc., which transferred  its assets to PMF in September
1996. For  the  fiscal  year ended  August  31,  1996, the  Series  paid  PMF  a
management fee of .41 of 1% of the Series' average net assets. See "Fee Waivers"
below and "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  As  of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end investment
companies, constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager  or
administrator  to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH  THE FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE  INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS  OF EACH SERIES OF THE FUND  AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL  INVESTMENT
CORPORATION  (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE  FUND AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR  ITS
REASONABLE  COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED IN  PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under the
Management Agreement, PMF  continues to have  responsibility for all  investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
   
  The  current portfolio manager is Marie  Conti, a Vice President of Prudential
Investments. Ms. Conti has responsibility  for the day-to-day management of  the
portfolio. Ms. Conti has managed the portfolio since April 19, 1995 and has been
employed  by PIC as a  portfolio manager since September  1989 and prior thereto
was employed in an administrative capacity at PIC since August 1988.
    
 
   
  PMF and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance  Company
of  America (Prudential), a  major diversified insurance  and financial services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
   
  During the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, PMF voluntarily waived  $266,868
(.09%  of average net assets)  of its management fee.  For the four months ended
December 31, 1995, PMF agreed to waive 35% of its management fee. For the  eight
months  ended August 31,  1996, PMF agreed  to waive 10%  of its management fee.
Thereafter, PMF may  from time to  time waive  its management fee  or a  portion
thereof  and subsidize certain operating expenses of the Series. Fee waivers and
expense subsidies will increase  the Series' yield and  total return. See  "Fund
Expenses."
    
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA,  NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10292, IS A CORPORATION  ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF DELAWARE  AND SERVES AS  THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE  CLASS A, CLASS  B,
CLASS  C  AND CLASS  Z SHARES  OF THE  SERIES. It  is an  indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of  Prudential. Prior  to  January 2,  1996, Prudential  Mutual  Fund
Distributors, Inc. (PMFD), One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as
distributor of the Class A shares of the Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER  SEPARATE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS (THE  CLASS A PLAN, THE CLASS B
PLAN AND THE CLASS C  PLAN, COLLECTIVELY, THE PLANS)  ADOPTED BY THE FUND  UNDER
RULE  12B-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (THE
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT),  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES (THE  DISTRIBUTOR)  INCURS  THE
EXPENSES  OF DISTRIBUTING THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE SERIES.
Prudential Securities also incurs the expense of distributing the Series'  Class
Z  shares  under the  Distribution Agreement  with  the Fund,  none of  which is
reimbursed or  paid for  by the  Fund. These  expenses include  commissions  and
account  servicing  fees  paid  to,  or on  account  of,  financial  advisers of
Prudential  Securities  and  representatives  of  Pruco  Securities  Corporation
(Prusec),  an affiliated  broker-dealer, commissions and  account servicing fees
paid to, or on account of, other broker-dealers or financial institutions (other
than national banks) which  have entered into  agreements with the  Distributor,
advertising expenses, the cost of printing and mailing prospectuses to potential
investors and
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
indirect  and overhead costs of Prudential Securities and Prusec associated with
the sale of Series  shares, including lease,  utility, communications and  sales
promotion expenses. The State of Texas requires that shares of the Series may be
sold  in that state  only by dealers  or other financial  institutions which are
registered there as broker-dealers.
 
  Under the Plans, the  Series is obligated to  pay distribution and/or  service
fees  to  the  Distributor  as compensation  for  its  distribution  and service
activities,  not  as  reimbursement  for  specific  expenses  incurred.  If  the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Series will
not  be obligated to pay any  additional expenses. If the Distributor's expenses
are less than such distribution and service  fees, it will retain its full  fees
and realize a profit.
 
   
  UNDER  THE CLASS  A PLAN,  THE SERIES  MAY PAY  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES  FOR ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES OF  THE
SERIES.  The Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average daily
net assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service  and/or
the   maintenance  of  shareholder   accounts  (service  fee)   and  (ii)  total
distribution fees (including the service fee of .25 of 1%) may not exceed .30 of
1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. Prudential  Securities
has agreed to limit its distribution-related fees payable under the Class A Plan
to  .10 of  1% of the  average daily net  assets of  the Class A  shares for the
fiscal year ending August 31, 1997.
    
 
   
  UNDER THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE SERIES MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES
FOR  ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  ACTIVITIES WITH  RESPECT TO  CLASS B  AND CLASS C
SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF  UP TO .50 OF 1% AND  UP TO 1% OF THE AVERAGE  DAILY
NET  ASSETS OF THE  CLASS B AND CLASS  C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.  The Class B Plan
provides for the payment  to Prudential Securities of  (i) an asset-based  sales
charge of up to .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares,
and (ii) a service fee of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the
Class B shares; provided that the total distribution-related fee does not exceed
 .50 of 1%. The Class C Plan provides for the payment to Prudential Securities of
(i)  an asset-based sales  charge of up  to .75 of  1% of the  average daily net
assets of the Class C shares, and (ii) a  service fee of up to .25 of 1% of  the
average  daily net assets of the Class C  shares. The service fee is used to pay
for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts.  Prudential
Securities  has agreed to limit its  distribution-related fees payable under the
Class C Plan to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C  shares
for  the fiscal year ending August 31, 1997. Prudential Securities also receives
contingent deferred  sales  charges  from certain  redeeming  shareholders.  See
"Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
    
 
   
  For  the  fiscal year  ended  August 31,  1996,  the Series  paid distribution
expenses of .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and  .75 of 1% of the average daily net  assets
of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. The Series records all
payments  made under the Plans as expenses  in the calculation of net investment
income. See "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  Distribution expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B or Class  C
shares  of the Series  will be allocated to  each class based  upon the ratio of
sales of each class to the sales of all shares of the Series other than expenses
allocable to a particular  class. The distribution fee  and sales charge of  one
class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.
    
 
  Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that  a  majority of  the  Trustees of  the Fund,  including  a majority  of the
Trustees who  are  not "interested  persons"  of the  Fund  (as defined  in  the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the  operation of the Plan or any agreement  related to the Plan (the Rule 12b-1
Trustees), vote annually to continue the Plan. Each Plan may be terminated  with
respect  to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule 12b-1
Trustees or of a majority of the  outstanding shares of the applicable class  of
the  Series. The Series  will not be  obligated to pay  distribution and service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
  In addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under  the
Class  A, Class B and Class C Plans,  the Manager (or one of its affiliates) may
make payments  out  of  its  own  resources  to  dealers  (including  Prudential
Securities)  and other  persons who distribute  shares of  the Series (including
Class Z shares). Such payments may be  calculated by reference to the net  asset
value of shares sold by such persons or otherwise.
    
 
  The  Distributor  is  subject to  the  rules  of the  National  Association of
Securities Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges.  See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
  On  October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner  who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD to
resolve allegations  that  from  1980  through 1990  PSI  sold  certain  limited
partnership  interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom such
securities were not  suitable and misrepresented  the safety, potential  returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted  against it, PSI consented to the  entry of an SEC Administrative Order
which stated that PSI's conduct  violated the federal securities laws,  directed
PSI  to cease and desist  from violating the federal  securities laws, pay civil
penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000 civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount  of
$330,000,000  and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for compensatory
damages by purchasers of  the partnership interests. PSI  has agreed to  provide
additional  funds, if necessary,  for the purpose of  the settlement fund. PSI's
settlement with the state securities regulators  included an agreement to pay  a
penalty  of $500,000  per jurisdiction.  PSI consented to  a censure  and to the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United  States
Magistrate  for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI committed
fraud in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests  in
violation  of federal securities laws. An  agreement was simultaneously filed to
defer prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the  signing
of  the agreement, provided that  PSI complies with the  terms of the agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the agreement, no prosecution  will be instituted by  the United States for  the
offenses  charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course of
the three  year  period, PSI  violates  the terms  of  the agreement,  the  U.S.
Attorney  can  then  elect to  pursue  these  charges. Under  the  terms  of the
agreement, PSI agreed,  among other  things, to pay  an additional  $330,000,000
into  the  fund established  by  the SEC  to  pay restitution  to  investors who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For  more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,   see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The  Fund is  not affected  by PSI's  financial condition  and is  an entirely
separate legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein  and
the  Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company, an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prudential Securities may act as a  broker or futures commission merchant  for
the  Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives
are fair  and reasonable.  See  "Portfolio Transactions  and Brokerage"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State  Street  Bank  and  Trust Company,  One  Heritage  Drive,  North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves  as Custodian  for the portfolio  securities of  the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.  (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison,  New
Jersey  08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain  books and records for  the Fund. PMFS is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING  ITS
LIABILITIES  FROM THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  AND DIVIDING  THE REMAINDER  BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS  CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS.  THE
TRUSTEES  HAVE FIXED  THE SPECIFIC TIME  OF DAY  FOR THE COMPUTATION  OF THE NET
ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:15 P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
 
  Portfolio securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not  readily
available,   at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under  procedures
established by  the Trustees.  Securities may  also be  valued based  on  values
provided  by  a pricing  service.  See "Net  Asset  Value" in  the  Statement of
Additional Information.
 
  The Series will compute  its NAV once  daily on days that  the New York  Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or  redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes in
the value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the  NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents'  Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
   
  Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical,
the different expenses borne by each  class will result in different  dividends.
As long as the Series declares dividends daily, the NAV of the Class A, Class B,
Class  C and Class Z shares will generally be the same. It is expected, however,
that the  Series' dividends  will  differ by  approximately  the amount  of  any
distribution and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  FROM  TIME TO TIME THE FUND MAY  ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD"
AND "TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING  "AVERAGE ANNUAL"  TOTAL RETURN  AND  "AGGREGATE"
TOTAL RETURN) OF THE SERIES IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. "YIELD," "TAX
EQUIVALENT  YIELD" AND  "TOTAL RETURN"  ARE CALCULATED  SEPARATELY FOR  CLASS A,
CLASS B, CLASS  C AND  CLASS Z  SHARES. THESE  FIGURES ARE  BASED ON  HISTORICAL
EARNINGS AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO INDICATE FUTURE PERFORMANCE. The "yield" refers
to  the income  generated by  an investment  in the  Series over  a one-month or
30-day period. This income is then  "annualized;" that is, the amount of  income
generated by the investment during that 30-day period is assumed to be generated
each  30-day  period for  twelve periods  and is  shown as  a percentage  of the
investment. The income earned on the investment is also assumed to be reinvested
at the end of the sixth 30-day period. The "tax equivalent yield" is  calculated
similarly  to the  "yield," except  that the yield  is increased  using a stated
income tax  rate  to demonstrate  the  taxable  yield necessary  to  produce  an
after-tax  yield equivalent to the Series. The  "total return" shows how much an
investment in  the Series  would  have increased  (decreased) over  a  specified
period  of time (I.E., one, five or ten  years or since inception of the Series)
assuming that all distributions and dividends  by the Series were reinvested  on
the  reinvestment  dates during  the  period and  less  all recurring  fees. The
"aggregate total return"  reflects actual  performance over a  stated period  of
time.  "Average annual" total return  is a hypothetical rate  of return that, if
achieved annually,  would  have produced  the  same aggregate  total  return  if
performance  had been  constant over the  entire period.  "Average annual" total
return smooths  out  variations  in  performance  and  takes  into  account  any
applicable  initial  or  contingent  deferred  sales  charges.  Neither "average
annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return takes into account any federal
or state income taxes which  may be payable upon  redemption. The Fund also  may
include  comparative  performance information  in  advertising or  marketing the
shares of the Series. Such performance information may include data from  Lipper
Analytical  Services,  Inc.,  Morningstar  Publications,  Inc.,  other  industry
publications, business periodicals and market indices. See
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
   
"Performance Information" in  the Statement of  Additional Information.  Further
performance  information  is contained  in  the Series'  annual  and semi-annual
reports to shareholders, which may be obtained without charge. See  "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE  SERIES  HAS ELECTED  TO  QUALIFY AND  INTENDS  TO REMAIN  QUALIFIED  AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY,  THE
SERIES  WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME
AND CAPITAL  GAINS, IF  ANY, THAT  IT DISTRIBUTES  TO ITS  SHAREHOLDERS. TO  THE
EXTENT  NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn  taxable
investment   income.  Also,  to  the  extent   the  Series  engages  in  hedging
transactions in  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon,  it  may  earn  both
short-term  and long-term capital gain or loss. Under the Internal Revenue Code,
special rules apply to  the treatment of certain  options and futures  contracts
(Section  1256 contracts). At the end of each year, such investments held by the
Series will  be  required  to be  "marked  to  market" for  federal  income  tax
purposes; that is, treated as having been sold at market value. Sixty percent of
any  gain or loss recognized on these  "deemed sales" and on actual dispositions
will be treated as  long-term capital gain  or loss, and  the remainder will  be
treated  as  short-term  capital  gain  or  loss.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of securities generally will
be treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of  certain
securities  (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary income
to the  extent  of any  "market  discount."  Market discount  generally  is  the
difference,  if any, between the  price paid by the  Series for the security and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The  market
discount  rule does not apply to any security that was acquired by the Series at
its original issue. See "Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In  general, the  character of tax-exempt  interest distributed  by the Series
will flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that  50%
or  more of the value  of its assets at  the end of each  quarter of its taxable
year is invested  in state,  municipal and  other obligations,  the interest  on
which  is excluded  from gross  income for  federal income  tax purposes. During
normal market  conditions, at  least 80%  of the  Series' total  assets will  be
invested  in such obligations.  See "How the  Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any  dividends  out   of  net   taxable  investment   income,  together   with
distributions  of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net short-term
capital gains over  net long-term capital  losses) distributed to  shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any  net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable  as
long-term  capital  gains to  the shareholders,  whether  or not  reinvested and
regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares.  The
maximum  long-term  capital  gains  rate for  individuals  is  28%.  The maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders is currently the same as
the maximum tax rate for ordinary income.
 
  Any gain or  loss realized upon  a sale or  redemption of Series  shares by  a
shareholder  who is  not a  dealer in  securities will  be treated  as long-term
capital gain  or loss  if the  shares  have been  held more  than one  year  and
otherwise as short-term capital gain
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
or  loss. Any such loss with  respect to shares that are  held for six months or
less, however, will be treated  as long-term capital loss  to the extent of  any
capital  gain  distributions  received  by  the  shareholder.  In  addition, any
short-term capital  loss will  be disallowed  to the  extent of  any  tax-exempt
dividends  received by the shareholder on shares that are held for six months or
less.
    
 
   
  The Fund has obtained opinions of counsel  to the effect that neither (i)  the
conversion  of Class B shares  into Class A shares nor  (ii) the exchange of any
class of the  Series' shares for  any other  class of its  shares constitutes  a
taxable  event for federal  income tax purposes. However,  such opinions are not
binding on the Internal Revenue Service.
    
 
  CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL  ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS  A
RESULT  OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after  August
7,  1986) will  be treated  as an  item of  tax preference  for purposes  of the
alternative minimum  tax. The  Fund anticipates  that, under  regulations to  be
promulgated,  items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be attributed
to the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could  be
allocated  to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum  tax.
Similarly,  the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax  preference  attributed to  it.  The Series  is  permitted to  invest  in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
  Corporate  shareholders in the Series also will  have to take into account the
adjustment for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes.  Corporate
shareholders  should  consult  with  their tax  advisers  with  respect  to this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under New  Jersey  law,  as long  as  the  Series qualifies  as  a  "qualified
investment fund," dividends paid by the Series are exempt from New Jersey income
tax  for resident individuals  and New Jersey  trusts and estates  to the extent
such dividends are derived from interest payments on, and gain realized from the
sale or exchange of,  New Jersey Obligations and  other obligations exempt  from
state  and  local taxation  by the  laws of  New Jersey  and the  United States.
Dividends paid  to corporate  shareholders will  be subject  to the  New  Jersey
Corporation  Business tax or  corporation income tax  and may increase liability
under the federal alternative minimum tax.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and  remit
to  the  U.S. Treasury  31%  of redemption  proceeds  on the  accounts  of those
shareholders who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS  Form
W-9  (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with the
required certifications  regarding the  shareholder's status  under the  federal
income  tax  law. Such  withholding is  also required  on taxable  dividends and
capital gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably  expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders  are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions as  to federal,  state  or local  taxes.  See "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
   
  THE  SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME,  IF ANY,  AND MAKE  DISTRIBUTIONS AT  LEAST ANNUALLY  OF  ANY
CAPITAL  GAINS IN EXCESS  OF CAPITAL LOSSES.  Dividends paid by  the Series with
respect to each class of shares, to the extent any distributions are paid,  will
be  calculated in the same manner, at the same time, on the same day and will be
in the  same  amount except  that  each class  will  bear its  own  distribution
charges,  generally resulting in lower dividends for  Class B and Class C shares
in relation to Class A and Class Z shares and lower dividends for Class A shares
in relation to Class Z shares. Distributions of net capital gains, if any,  will
be  paid in the same amount  for each class of shares.  See "How the Fund Values
its Shares."
    
 
  DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE  SERIES
BASED  ON THE NAV  OF EACH CLASS  OF THE SERIES  ON THE PAYMENT  DATE AND RECORD
DATE, RESPECTIVELY, OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE
SHAREHOLDER ELECTS IN  WRITING NOT  LESS THAN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO  THE
RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
AND  DISTRIBUTIONS  IN CASH.  Such election  should  be submitted  to Prudential
Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015,  New
Brunswick,  New  Jersey  08906-5015.  If  you  hold  shares  through  Prudential
Securities, you  should  contact your  financial  adviser to  elect  to  receive
dividends and distributions in cash. The Fund will notify each shareholder after
the  close of the Fund's taxable year of  both the dollar amount and the taxable
status of that year's dividends and distributions on a per share basis.
 
  Any taxable dividends or distributions of  capital gains paid shortly after  a
purchase by an investor will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value  of the  investor's shares  by the  per share  amount of  the dividends or
distributions. Such dividends or distributions,  although in effect a return  of
invested  principal, are subject to federal  income taxes. Accordingly, prior to
purchasing shares  of the  Series,  an investor  should carefully  consider  the
impact  of taxable dividends and capital  gains distributions which are expected
to be or have been announced.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its  Trustees.
The  Declaration of Trust permits  the Trustees to issue  an unlimited number of
full and  fractional shares  in  separate series,  currently designated  as  the
Connecticut  Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series, Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series,  New  Jersey Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York Income
Series (not presently  being offered), New  York Series, New  York Money  Market
Series,  North Carolina Series, Ohio Series  and Pennsylvania Series. The Series
is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, divided into four classes,
designated Class  A,  Class  B, Class  C  and  Class Z.  Each  class  of  shares
represents  an interest in the same assets of the Series and is identical in all
respects except that (i)  each class is subject  to different sales charges  and
distribution  and/or  service fees  (except  for Class  Z  shares which  are not
subject to any sales  charges and distribution and/or  service fees), which  may
affect  performance, (ii) each  class has exclusive voting  rights on any matter
submitted to  shareholders  that  relates  solely to  its  arrangement  and  has
separate  voting rights  on any  matter submitted  to shareholders  in which the
interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class, (iii)  each
class  has  a different  exchange privilege,  (iv)  only Class  B shares  have a
conversion feature and (v) Class Z shares are offered exclusively for sale to  a
limited  group  of investors.  See "How  the  Fund is  Managed--Distributor." In
accordance with the Fund's Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may authorize  the
creation  of  additional  series  and  classes  within  such  series,  with such
preferences, privileges,  limitations  and voting  and  dividend rights  as  the
Trustees may determine.
    
 
   
  Shares  of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable, fully
transferable and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are  also
redeemable  at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as described
under "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class  of
the  Series is  equal as  to earnings, assets  and voting  privileges, except as
noted above, and each class (with the exception of Class Z shares, which are not
subject to any distribution or service  fees) bears the expenses related to  the
distribution  of its shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to the
Class B  shares,  there are  no  conversion, preemptive  or  other  subscription
rights.  In the event of liquidation, each  share of beneficial interest of each
series is entitled to its portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and
expenses of the Fund have been paid. Since Class B and Class C shares  generally
bear  higher distribution expenses than Class A shares, the liquidation proceeds
to shareholders  of  those classes  are  likely to  be  lower than  to  Class  A
shareholders  and to Class Z  shareholders, whose shares are  not subject to any
distribution and/or  service fees.  The  Fund's shares  do not  have  cumulative
voting rights for the election of Trustees.
    
 
  THE  FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS
OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS  OF
SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO BE
ACTED
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS HAVE CERTAIN
RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING  UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF THE  FUND'S
OUTSTANDING  SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE  OF VOTING  ON THE  REMOVAL OF  ONE OR MORE
TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make  the
Fund  similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation. The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts   business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.  Under
Massachusetts  law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under   certain
circumstances,  be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
fund, which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of  the
Fund  provides that shareholders shall not  be subject to any personal liability
for the  acts or  obligations of  the Fund  and that  every written  obligation,
contract,  instrument or undertaking made by  the Fund shall contain a provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which  has
been  incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under  the
Securities  Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at
a reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at  the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
   
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY  FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH ITS  TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUND
SERVICES, INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT  SERVICES,
P.O.  BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW  JERSEY 08906-5020. PARTICIPANTS IN PROGRAMS
SPONSORED  BY  PRUDENTIAL  RETIREMENT  SERVICES  SHOULD  CONTACT  THEIR   CLIENT
REPRESENTATIVE  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CLASS Z SHARES. The purchase price is
the NAV next determined following receipt of  an order by the Transfer Agent  or
Prudential  Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, may be imposed
either (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred  basis
(Class  B or Class C shares). Class Z  shares are offered commencing on or about
December 1, 1996 to a limited group of investors at net asset value without  any
sales  charge. See  "Alternative Purchase  Plan" below.  See also  "How the Fund
Values its Shares."
    
 
   
  An investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt  or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
    
 
   
  The  minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000 per
class and $5,000 for Class C shares, except that the minimum initial  investment
for  Class C  shares may  be waived  from time  to time.  The minimum subsequent
investment is $100 for Class A, Class B  and Class C shares. Class Z shares  are
not  subject  to any  minimum  investment requirements.  All  minimum investment
requirements are waived for certain  employee savings plans. For purchases  made
through  the  Automatic  Savings  Accumulation  Plan,  the  minimum  initial and
subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Services" below.
    
 
   
  Application forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or  Prusec.
If  a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
    
 
  The Fund  reserves  the right  to  reject  any purchase  order  (including  an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
  Your  dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund. The
Distributor reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which  payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions  in shares of the  Series may be subject  to postage and handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
   
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an  account
number.  The following  information will be  requested: your  name, address, tax
identification number, class  election, dividend  distribution election,  amount
being  wired and wiring bank.  Instructions should then be  given by you to your
bank to transfer funds  by wire to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company  (State
Street),  Boston,  Massachusetts,  Custody  and  Shareholder  Services Division,
Attention: Prudential Municipal Series Fund, specifying on the wire the  account
number  assigned  by  PMFS  and  your  name  and  identifying  the  sales charge
alternative (Class A, Class B,  Class C or Class Z  shares) and the name of  the
Series.
    
 
  If  you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to the
calculation of  NAV (4:15  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you  may
purchase  shares of  the Series  as of that  day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  In making a subsequent  purchase order by wire,  you should wire State  Street
directly  and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal Series
Fund, the name of the Series,  Class A, Class B, Class  C or Class Z shares  and
your  name and individual  account number. It  is not necessary  to call PMFS to
make subsequent  purchase orders  utilizing Federal  Funds. The  minimum  amount
which may be invested by wire is $1,000.
    
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
  THE  FUND OFFERS FOUR CLASSES OF SHARES (CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS Z
SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU  TO CHOOSE THE MOST  BENEFICIAL SALES CHARGE  STRUCTURE
FOR  YOUR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES GIVEN THE  AMOUNT OF THE PURCHASE, THE LENGTH
OF TIME  YOU  EXPECT  TO  HOLD  THE  SHARES  AND  OTHER  RELEVANT  CIRCUMSTANCES
(ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      ANNUAL 12b-1 FEES
                                                     (AS A % OF AVERAGE
                                                            DAILY
                        SALES CHARGE                     NET ASSETS)                  OTHER INFORMATION
           --------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                     <C>                      <C>
CLASS A    Maximum initial sales charge of 3% of   .30 of 1% (currently     Initial sales charge waived or reduced
           the public offering price               being charged at a rate  for certain purchases
                                                   of .10 of 1%)
CLASS B    Maximum contingent deferred sales       .50 of 1%                Shares convert to Class A shares
           charge or CDSC of 5% of the lesser of                            approximately seven years after
           the amount invested or the redemption                            purchase
           proceeds; declines to zero after six
           years
CLASS C    Maximum CDSC of 1% of the lesser of     1% (currently being      Shares do not convert to another class
           the amount invested or the redemption   charged at a rate of
           proceeds on redemptions made within     .75 of 1%)
           one year of purchase
CLASS Z    None                                    None                     Sold to a limited group of investors
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  The  four classes  of shares  represent an interest  in the  same portfolio of
investments of the Series and have the  same rights, except that (i) each  class
(with the exception of Class Z shares, which are not subject to any distribution
or  service fees) bears the separate expenses of its Rule 12b-1 distribution and
service plan,  (ii)  each  class  has exclusive  voting  rights  on  any  matter
submitted  to  shareholders  that  relates solely  to  its  arrangement  and has
separate voting rights  on any  matter submitted  to shareholders  in which  the
interests  of one class differ  from the interests of  any other class and (iii)
only Class  B shares  have a  conversion  feature. The  four classes  also  have
separate  exchange  privileges. See  "How to  Exchange  Your Shares"  below. The
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
income attributable to  each class and  the dividends payable  on the shares  of
each  class will be  reduced by the amount  of the distribution  fee, if any, of
each class.  Class  B  and  Class  C  shares  bear  the  expenses  of  a  higher
distribution  fee which will generally cause  them to have higher expense ratios
and to pay lower dividends than the Class A and Class Z shares.
    
 
   
  Financial advisers and other sales agents  who sell shares of the Series  will
receive different compensation for selling Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z
shares  and will generally receive more compensation initially for selling Class
A and Class B shares than for selling Class C or Class Z shares.
    
 
  IN SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER  THINGS,
(1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the amount of any
applicable  sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase or redemption)
and distribution-related fees, as noted above,  (3) whether you qualify for  any
reduction  or waiver  of any applicable  sales charge, (4)  the various exchange
privileges among the  different classes  of shares  (see "How  to Exchange  Your
Shares"  below) and (5)  the fact that  Class B shares  automatically convert to
Class A  shares  approximately  seven  years  after  purchase  (see  "Conversion
Feature--Class B Shares" below).
 
  The  following  is  provided to  assist  you  in determining  which  method of
purchase best suits your individual circumstances  and is based on current  fees
and expenses being charged to the Series:
 
  If  you intend to hold your investment in the Series for less than 5 years and
do not qualify  for a  reduced sales  charge on Class  A shares,  since Class  A
shares  are subject to a  maximum initial sales charge of  3% and Class B shares
are subject to a  CDSC of 5% which  declines to zero over  a 6 year period,  you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.
 
  If  you intend to hold your investment for  5 years or more and do not qualify
for a reduced sales charge  on Class A shares, since  Class B shares convert  to
Class  A shares  approximately 7  years after purchase  and because  all of your
money would be  invested initially in  the case  of Class B  shares, you  should
consider purchasing Class B shares over either Class A or Class C shares.
 
  If  you qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class A  shares, it may be more
advantageous for you to purchase Class A  shares over either Class B or Class  C
shares  regardless  of how  long you  intend to  hold your  investment. However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested
initially because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time  of
purchase.
 
   
  If  you do not  qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class  A shares and you
purchase Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than  4
years  for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those shares
to exceed the initial sales  charge plus cumulative annual  distribution-related
fee  on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of money,
which further reduces the impact of the higher Class C distribution-related  fee
on  the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of the return on
the investment  over  this  period of  time  or  redemptions when  the  CDSC  is
applicable.
    
 
   
  ALL  PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT OR
UNDER RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR  LETTERS OF INTENT, MUST  BE FOR CLASS A  SHARES
UNLESS  THE PURCHASER IS ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE CLASS Z SHARES. See "Reduction and
Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" and "Class Z Shares" below.
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
  CLASS A SHARES
 
  The offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial  sales
charge  alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge (expressed as
a percentage of the offering price and  of the amount invested) as shown in  the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            SALES CHARGE AS    SALES CHARGE AS    DEALER CONCESSION
                             PERCENTAGE OF      PERCENTAGE OF     AS PERCENTAGE OF
   AMOUNT OF PURCHASE       OFFERING PRICE     AMOUNT INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE
- -------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  -------------------
<S>                        <C>                <C>                <C>
Less than $99,999                  3.00%              3.09%               3.00%
$100,000 to $249,999               2.50               2.56                2.50
$250,000 to $499,999               1.50               1.52                1.50
$500,000 to $999,999               1.00               1.01                1.00
$1,000,000 and above             None               None                None
</TABLE>
 
   
  The  Distributor  may  reallow the  entire  initial sales  charge  to dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
   
  In connection with the sale  of Class A shares at  NAV (without payment of  an
initial  sales charge), the Manager, the  Distributor or one of their affiliates
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a
finders' fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such
persons.
    
 
  REDUCTION AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL  SALES CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges  are
available  through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of the
Fund and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market  funds
other  than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be aggregated
to determine  the applicable  reduction. See  "Purchase and  Redemption of  Fund
Shares--Reduction  and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class  A Shares" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  OTHER WAIVERS. Class  A shares  may be  purchased at  NAV, through  Prudential
Securities  or the  Transfer Agent, by  the following persons:  (a) officers and
current and former Directors/Trustees of the Prudential Mutual Funds  (including
the Fund), (b) employees of Prudential Securities and PMF and their subsidiaries
and  members of the families of such  persons who maintain an "employee related"
account at  Prudential  Securities or  the  Transfer Agent,  (c)  employees  and
special  agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all persons  who have
retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries,
(d) registered representatives and employees of dealers who have entered into  a
selected  dealer agreement with Prudential Securities provided that purchases at
NAV are  permitted  by such  person's  employer and  (e)  investors who  have  a
business  relationship with a financial adviser who joined Prudential Securities
from another investment firm, provided that (i) the purchase is made within  180
days  of the  commencement of the  financial adviser's  employment at Prudential
Securities or within one year in the case of benefit plans, (ii) the purchase is
made with proceeds of a redemption of  shares of any open-end fund sponsored  by
the  financial adviser's  previous employer (other  than a money  market fund or
other no-load fund which imposes a distribution  or service fee of .25 of 1%  or
less)  and (iii)  the financial  adviser served  as the  client's broker  on the
previous purchases.
    
 
   
  You must  notify the  Transfer  Agent either  directly or  through  Prudential
Securities  or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your entitlement.  No initial  sales charges  are imposed  upon Class  A  shares
acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and
Redemption  of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges--Class
A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
 
   
  The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of
the deferred  sales charge  alternatives is  the NAV  next determined  following
receipt  of an  order by the  Transfer Agent or  Prudential Securities. Although
there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B
and  Class  C  shares  may  be  subject  to  a  CDSC.  See  "How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below. The Distributor will pay sales
commissions of up to 4% of the purchase
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
   
price  of Class B  shares to dealers,  financial advisers and  other persons who
sell Class B shares at the time of sale from its own resources. This facilitates
the ability of  the Fund to  sell the Class  B shares without  an initial  sales
charge  being deducted at the time of purchase. The Distributor anticipates that
it will recoup its advancement of sales commissions from the combination of  the
CDSC and the distribution fee. See "Distributor." In connection with the sale of
Class  C shares, the Distributor will  pay dealers, financial advisers and other
persons which distribute Class C  shares a sales commission of  up to 1% of  the
purchase price at the time of the sale.
    
 
   
  CLASS Z SHARES
    
 
   
  Class Z shares of the Series are available for purchase by participants in any
fee-based  program sponsored  by Prudential  Securities or  its affiliates which
includes mutual  funds  as investment  options  and for  which  the Fund  is  an
available option.
    
 
   
  In connection with the sale of Class Z shares, the Manager, the Distributor or
one  of their affiliates  may pay dealers, financial  advisers and other persons
which distribute shares a finders'  fee based on a  percentage of the net  asset
value of shares sold by such persons.
    
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU  CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV NEXT
DETERMINED AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY  THE
TRANSFER  AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE  "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
In certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount  of
any  applicable  contingent  deferred  sales  charge,  as  described  below. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  OF THE  SERIES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU  MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER. IF YOU
HOLD  SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED BY
YOU EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD  CERTIFICATES,
THE  CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN  ON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED. IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST  OR
FIDUCIARY,  WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY ACCEPTABLE  TO THE TRANSFER AGENT MUST
BE SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence  and
documents  concerning redemptions  should be  sent to  the Fund  in care  of its
Transfer Agent,  Prudential Mutual  Fund Services,  Inc., Attention:  Redemption
Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If  the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to a
person other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other  than
the  address  on the  Transfer  Agent's records,  or  (d) are  to  be paid  to a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution"  includes
any  bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the right
to request additional information  from, and make  reasonable inquiries of,  any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be  obtained from the agency or office  manager of most Prudential Insurance and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS AFTER  RECEIPT BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OF  THE CERTIFICATE  AND/OR  WRITTEN
REQUEST  EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED  BELOW. IF  YOU  HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment  may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock  Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays, (b)
when trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as  a
result  of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period  when
the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the  SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or (d)
exist.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
  PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL  THE
FUND  OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS BEEN
HONORED, UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM  THE TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE  CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
 
  REDEMPTION  IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests  of the remaining  shareholders of the  Fund to make  payment
wholly  or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution  in kind of securities  from the investment portfolio  of
the  Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules of
the SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the  same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your
shares  are redeemed in kind, you will incur transaction costs in converting the
assets into cash. The Fund,  however, has elected to  be governed by Rule  18f-1
under  the Investment Company Act,  under which the Fund  is obligated to redeem
shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset  value
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  INVOLUNTARY  REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the Trustees
may redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder  which
is  an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net asset
value of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give  such
shareholders  60  days' prior  written notice  in  which to  purchase sufficient
additional shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent deferred sales  charge
will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
 
   
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised  the repurchase privilege, you may reinvest  any portion or all of the
proceeds of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next  determined
after  the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of the
redemption. Any CDSC paid  in connection with such  redemption will be  credited
(in shares) to your account. (If less than a full repurchase is made, the credit
will  be on a PRO RATA basis.) You must notify the Fund's Transfer Agent, either
directly or through Prudential Securities, at the time the repurchase  privilege
is  exercised  to  adjust  your  account  for  the  CDSC  you  previously  paid.
Thereafter, any redemptions will be subject  to the CDSC applicable at the  time
of  the redemption. See  "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charges" below. Exercise of
the repurchase privilege will generally not affect the federal tax treatment  of
any  gain realized upon redemption. However, if the redemption was made within a
30 day period of the repurchase and  if the redemption resulted in a loss,  some
or  all of the loss, depending on the  amount reinvested, may not be allowed for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
 
  Redemptions of Class B shares will  be subject to a contingent deferred  sales
charge  or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C shares
redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC will
be deducted from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid to you.  The
CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by you which reduces the current value of
your  Class B or Class C  shares of the Series to  an amount which is lower than
the amount of all payments by you for shares during the preceding six years,  in
the  case of Class B shares, and one year, in the case of Class C shares. A CDSC
will be applied  on the lesser  of the  original purchase price  or the  current
value  of the shares  being redeemed. Increases  in the value  of your shares or
shares acquired  through  reinvestment of  dividends  or distributions  are  not
subject  to a CDSC. The  amount of any contingent  deferred sales charge will be
paid  to   and   retained  by   the   Distributor.   See  "How   the   Fund   is
Managed--Distributor"   and   "Waiver   of   the   Contingent   Deferred   Sales
Charges--Class B Shares" below.
 
  The amount of the  CDSC, if any,  will vary depending on  the number of  years
from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption
of  such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the
time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will
be aggregated and deemed  to have been made  on the last day  of the month.  The
CDSC  will  be calculated  from the  first day  of the  month after  the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares were held  in a money market fund. See  "How
to Exchange Your Shares."
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
  The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemptions
of Class B shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                CONTINGENT DEFERRED
                                                                       SALES
                                                               CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                                            OF DOLLARS INVESTED OR
PAYMENT MADE                                                    REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
- ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
First.......................................................               5.0%
Second......................................................               4.0%
Third.......................................................               3.0%
Fourth......................................................               2.0%
Fifth.......................................................               1.0%
Sixth.......................................................               1.0%
Seventh.....................................................            None
</TABLE>
 
  In  determining whether a CDSC is  applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a  manner that results in the  lowest possible rate. It will  be
assumed  that  the  redemption  is made  first  of  amounts  representing shares
acquired pursuant to the  reinvestment of dividends  and distributions; then  of
amounts  representing the increase in net asset  value above the total amount of
payments for the purchase of Series  shares made during the preceding six  years
(five  years for Class  B shares purchased  prior to January  22, 1990); then of
amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period;
and  finally, of amounts  representing the cost  of shares held  for the longest
period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
 
  For example, assume you purchased  100 Class B shares at  $10 per share for  a
cost  of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired  5 additional Class B shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase you decided  to
redeem  $500 of your investment. Assuming at  the time of the redemption the NAV
had appreciated to  $12 per share,  the value of  your Class B  shares would  be
$1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value
of  the reinvested dividend shares and  the amount which represents appreciation
($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260)  would
be  charged  at a  rate of  4% (the  applicable  rate in  the second  year after
purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
 
  For federal income tax purposes, the amount  of the CDSC will reduce the  gain
or  increase the  loss, as  the case  may be,  on the  amount recognized  on the
redemption of shares.
 
  WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be waived in the  case of a  redemption following the death  or disability of  a
shareholder  or,  in  the  case  of a  trust  account,  following  the  death or
disability of  the  grantor.  The  waiver is  available  for  total  or  partial
redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint tenancy
(with  rights of survivorship), at the time of death or initial determination of
disability,  provided  that  the  shares  were  purchased  prior  to  death   or
disability.  In addition, the CDSC will be  waived on redemptions of shares held
by a Trustee of the Fund.
 
  You  must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you are
entitled to  waiver  of  the CDSC  and  provide  the Transfer  Agent  with  such
supporting  documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be granted
subject to confirmation  of your  entitlement. See "Purchase  and Redemption  of
Fund  Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  A quantity discount may apply to redemptions of Class B shares purchased prior
to August  1,  1994.  See  "Purchase and  Redemption  of  Fund  Shares--Quantity
Discount--Class  B Shares Purchased Prior to August 1, 1994" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
 
  Class B shares  will automatically convert  to Class A  shares on a  quarterly
basis  approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected at
relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales  charge.
The  first conversion  of Class  B shares  occurred in  February 1995,  when the
conversion feature was first implemented.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
  Since the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought  on
each  purchase  of Class  B shares,  the number  of Class  B shares  eligible to
convert to  Class A  shares  (excluding shares  acquired through  the  automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will be
determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (i)
the  ratio of (a) the  amounts paid for Class B  shares purchased at least seven
years prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class  B
shares  purchased and  then held  in your account  (ii) multiplied  by the total
number of Class B shares purchased and then held in your account. Each time  any
Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts
representing  Class B shares then in your account that were acquired through the
automatic reinvestment  of dividends  and other  distributions will  convert  to
Class A shares.
 
  For  purposes of  determining the  number of Eligible  Shares, if  the Class B
shares in  your  account on  any  conversion date  are  the result  of  multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible Shares
calculated  as described above  will generally be  either more or  less than the
number of  shares  actually  purchased approximately  seven  years  before  such
conversion  date. For example, if 100 shares were initially purchased at $10 per
share (for  a  total  of  $1,000)  and a  second  purchase  of  100  shares  was
subsequently  made at $11 per share (for  a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares would
convert approximately  seven  years  from the  initial  purchase  (I.E.,  $1,000
divided  by $2,100 (47.62%)  multiplied by 200 shares  equals 95.24 shares). The
Manager reserves the right to modify  the formula for determining the number  of
Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.
 
  Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class
B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be higher than
that  of  the Class  B  shares at  the time  of  conversion. Thus,  although the
aggregate dollar value will be  the same, you may  receive fewer Class A  shares
than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all
payments  for Class B shares during a month  will be deemed to have been made on
the last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through exchange or  a
series  of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original payment
for purchases of such  Class B shares  was made. For  Class B shares  previously
exchanged  for shares of a money market  fund, the time period during which such
shares were held in the money market fund will be excluded. For example, Class B
shares held in  a money market  fund for one  year will not  convert to Class  A
shares  until approximately eight years from purchase. For purposes of measuring
the time period during which shares are  held in a money market fund,  exchanges
will  be deemed to have been  made on the last day  of the month. Class B shares
acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares after expiration of the
conversion period applicable to the original purchase of such shares.
 
   
  The conversion  feature  may be  subject  to the  continuing  availability  of
opinions  of counsel  or rulings  of the Internal  Revenue Service  (i) that the
dividends and other distributions paid on Class A, Class B, Class C and Class  Z
shares  will not constitute "preferential  dividends" under the Internal Revenue
Code and (ii) that the conversion of shares does not constitute a taxable event.
The conversion of Class B  shares into Class A shares  may be suspended if  such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class
B  shares of the Series  will continue to be  subject, possibly indefinitely, to
their higher annual distribution and service fee.
    
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
   
  AS A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH THE  OTHER
SERIES  OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE), INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO  THE
MINIMUM  INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS OF  SUCH FUNDS. CLASS  A, CLASS B,  CLASS C AND
CLASS Z SHARES OF THE SERIES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C  AND
CLASS Z SHARES, RESPECTIVELY, OF THE OTHER SERIES OF THE FUND OR ANOTHER FUND ON
THE  BASIS OF THE RELATIVE NAV.  No sales charge will be  imposed at the time of
the exchange.  Any  applicable  CDSC  payable  upon  the  redemption  of  shares
exchanged  will be calculated from the first  day of the month after the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares  were held in a  money market fund. Class  B
and  Class C  shares may  not be  exchanged into  money market  funds other than
Prudential Special Money Market  Fund. For purposes  of calculating the  holding
period applicable to the
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
Class  B conversion feature,  the time period  during which Class  B shares were
held in a money market fund  will be excluded. See "Conversion Feature--Class  B
Shares"  above. An exchange will be treated as a redemption and purchase for tax
purposes.  See  "Shareholder  Investment  Account--Exchange  Privilege"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  IN  ORDER  TO  EXCHANGE  SHARES BY  TELEPHONE,  YOU  MUST  AUTHORIZE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE  TRANSFER
AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call the Fund
at  (800) 225-1852 to  execute a telephone exchange  of shares, weekdays, except
holidays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time. For  your
protection  and to  prevent fraudulent  exchanges, your  telephone call  will be
recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A
written confirmation of the  exchange transaction will be  sent to you.  NEITHER
THE  FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE  FOR ANY LOSS,  LIABILITY OR COST WHICH
RESULTS FROM ACTING UPON  INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED  TO BE GENUINE  UNDER
THE  FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (THE FUND OR ITS AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO LIABILITY
IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be made on the
basis of the relative NAV of the two funds (or series) next determined after the
request is received in good order.  The Exchange Privilege is available only  in
states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
  IF  YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO  BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You  may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New  Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN  PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OF
SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL  BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  SPECIAL  EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES.  A special  exchange privilege  is available for
shareholders who qualify  to purchase Class  A shares at  NAV (see  "Alternative
Purchase  Plan--Class A Shares--Reduction  and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges"
above) and  for  shareholders  who  qualify to  purchase  Class  Z  shares  (see
"Alternative   Purchase  Plan--Class  Z  Shares"  above).  Under  this  exchange
privilege, amounts representing any  Class B and Class  C shares (which are  not
subject  to a CDSC) held  in such a shareholder's  account will be automatically
exchanged for Class A  shares for shareholders who  qualify to purchase Class  A
shares  at NAV  on a quarterly  basis, unless the  shareholder elects otherwise.
Similarly, shareholders who qualify to purchase  Class Z shares will have  their
Class  B and Class C  shares which are not  subject to a CDSC  and their Class A
shares exchanged for Class Z shares  on a quarterly basis. Eligibility for  this
exchange  privilege will be calculated on the  business day prior to the date of
the exchange.  Amounts representing  Class B  or Class  C shares  which are  not
subject  to a CDSC  include the following:  (1) amounts representing  Class B or
Class C shares acquired pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends  and
distributions,  (2) amounts  representing the  increase in  the net  asset value
above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class B or Class C shares
and (3)  amounts  representing  Class  B  or Class  C  shares  held  beyond  the
applicable  CDSC  period.  Class B  and  Class  C shareholders  must  notify the
Transfer Agent either directly or  through Prudential Securities or Prusec  that
they are eligible for this special exchange privilege.
    
 
   
  Participants  in  any fee-based  program for  which the  Fund is  an available
option will have their Class A shares, if any, exchanged for Class Z shares when
they elect to have  those assets become  a part of  the fee-based program.  Upon
leaving  the program (whether voluntarily or not),  such Class Z shares (and, to
the extent  provided  for  in  the program,  Class  Z  shares  acquired  through
participation  in the program) will be exchanged for Class A shares at net asset
value.
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
   
  The Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including  exchanges
(and  market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse effect on  the ability of  the Subadviser to  manage the portfolio.  The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination  to reject any  exchange order shall  be in the  discretion of the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated  or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, as a shareholder in the Series, you can
take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
        -  AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT  OF DIVIDENDS  AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS  WITHOUT A
      SALES CHARGE.  For your  convenience, all dividends and distributions  are
      automatically  reinvested in full  and fractional shares  of the Series at
      NAV without a sales charge. You  may direct the Transfer Agent in  writing
      not  less  than 5  full business  days prior  to the  record date  to have
      subsequent  dividends  and/or  distributions  sent  in  cash  rather  than
      reinvested.  If you hold shares  through Prudential Securities, you should
      contact your financial adviser.
 
        - AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION PLAN (ASAP).   Under ASAP you may  make
      regular purchases of the Series' shares in amounts as little as $50 via an
      automatic  debit  to  a  bank  account  or  Prudential  Securities account
      (including a  Command  Account).  For additional  information  about  this
      service,  you may  contact your  Prudential Securities  financial adviser,
      Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
        - SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN.  A systematic withdrawal plan is available
      to  shareholders  which   provides  for  monthly   or  quarterly   checks.
      Withdrawals  of Class B and  Class C shares may be  subject to a CDSC. See
      "How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" above.
 
   
        -  REPORTS  TO  SHAREHOLDERS.    The  Fund  will  send  you  annual  and
      semi-annual  reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports
      are audited  by  independent accountants.  In  order to  reduce  duplicate
      mailing  and  printing  expenses, the  Fund  will provide  one  annual and
      semi-annual shareholder report  and annual prospectus  per household.  You
      may request additional copies of such reports by calling (800) 225-1852 or
      by  writing to the Fund at Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102.
      In addition, monthly  unaudited financial data  is available upon  request
      from the Fund.
    
 
   
        -  SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES.  Inquiries should  be addressed to the Fund at
      Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102, or by telephone, at  (800)
      225-1852  (toll-free)  or,  from  outside the  U.S.A.,  at  (908) 417-7555
      (collect).
    
 
  For additional  information regarding  the services  and privileges  described
above,  see  "Shareholder Investment  Account"  in the  Statement  of Additional
Information.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Mutual Fund Management offers a broad range of mutual funds  designed
to  meet your individual needs. We welcome  you to review the investment options
available through our family  of funds. For more  information on the  Prudential
Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential Securities
financial  adviser  or Prusec  representative or  telephone  the Funds  at (800)
225-1852 for a free prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before you  invest
or send money.
 
   
                             -------------------------
                                TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
                             -------------------------
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
                             -------------------------
                               TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
                             -------------------------
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Series
  California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
  High Yield Series
  Insured Series
  Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Florida Series
  Hawaii Income Series
  Maryland Series
  Massachusetts Series
  Michigan Series
  New Jersey Series
  New York Series
  North Carolina Series
  Ohio Series
  Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
                             -------------------------
                                   GLOBAL FUNDS
                             -------------------------
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
  Global Series
  International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
                             -------------------------
                                   EQUITY FUNDS
                             -------------------------
Prudential Allocation Fund
  Balanced Portfolio
  Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
  Prudential Active Balanced Fund
  Prudential Stock Index Fund
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
  Prudential Jennison Growth &
   Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
  Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
                             -------------------------
                                MONEY MARKET FUNDS
                             -------------------------
- -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Money Market Series
  U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
  Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
- -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Connecticut Money Market Series
  Massachusetts Money Market Series
  New Jersey Money Market Series
  New York Money Market Series
- -COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
- -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
  Institutional Money Market Series
    
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made,  such  other information  or representations  must not  be relied  upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction  to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
FUND HIGHLIGHTS...........................................................    2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics................................    2
FUND EXPENSES.............................................................    4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS......................................................    5
HOW THE FUND INVESTS......................................................    8
  Investment Objective and Policies.......................................    8
  Other Investments and Policies..........................................   12
  Investment Restrictions.................................................   13
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED...................................................   13
  Manager.................................................................   13
  Distributor.............................................................   14
  Portfolio Transactions..................................................   16
  Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent....................   16
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES............................................   17
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE.......................................   17
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS........................................   18
GENERAL INFORMATION.......................................................   20
  Description of Shares...................................................   20
  Additional Information..................................................   21
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE.........................................................   21
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund...........................................   21
  Alternative Purchase Plan...............................................   22
  How to Sell Your Shares.................................................   25
  Conversion Feature--Class B Shares......................................   27
  How to Exchange Your Shares.............................................   28
  Shareholder Services....................................................   30
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY.........................................  A-1
 
    
                  -------------------------------------------
MF138A                                                                   642873R
 
   
                                     Class A: 74435M-78-8
                         CUSIP Nos.: Class B: 74435M-79-6
                                     Class C: 74435M-53-1
                                     Class Z: 74435M-43-2
 
    
 
   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
 
(NEW JERSEY SERIES)
- --------------------------------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the "Fund") (New Jersey Money Market Series)
(the "Series") is one of fourteen series of an open-end, management investment
company, or mutual fund. This Series is non-diversified and is designed to
provide the highest level of current income that is exempt from New Jersey State
and federal income taxes consistent with liquidity and the preservation of
capital. The net assets of the Series are invested primarily in short-term,
tax-exempt New Jersey State, municipal and local debt obligations and
obligations of other qualifying issuers. There can be no assurance that the
Series' investment objective will be achieved. See "How the Fund
Invests--Investment Objective and Policies." The Fund's address is Gateway
Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102, and its telephone number is (800)
225-1852.
    
 
Shares of the Series are sold without a sales charge. The Series is subject to
an annual charge of .125% of its average daily net assets pursuant to the
Distribution and Service Plan. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor."
 
   
THE SERIES MAY INVEST A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF ITS ASSETS IN THE OBLIGATIONS OF
A SINGLE ISSUER, AND THEREFORE AN INVESTMENT IN THE SERIES MAY BE MORE RISKY
THAN AN INVESTMENT IN OTHER TYPES OF MONEY MARKET FUNDS.
    
 
AN INVESTMENT IN THE SERIES IS NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO
MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER SHARE. SEE "HOW THE FUND VALUES
ITS SHARES."
 
   
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund and the New
Jersey Money Market Series that a prospective investor should know before
investing. Additional information about the Fund has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in a Statement of Additional Information,
dated November 1, 1996, which information is incorporated herein by reference
(is legally considered a part of this Prospectus) and is available without
charge upon request to Prudential Municipal Series Fund at the address or
telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The following summary is intended to highlight certain information contained
in this Prospectus and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools the resources of investors by selling its shares to the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its investment objective. Technically, the Fund is an open-end,
  management investment company. Only the New Jersey Money Market Series is
  offered through this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The Series' investment objective is to provide the highest level of
  current income that is exempt from New Jersey State and federal income taxes
  consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. It seeks to
  achieve this objective by investing primarily in short-term New Jersey
  State, municipal and local government obligations and obligations of other
  qualifying issuers, such as issuers located in Puerto Rico, the Virgin
  Islands and Guam, which pay income exempt, in the opinion of counsel, from
  New Jersey State and federal income taxes (New Jersey Obligations). There
  can be no assurance that the Series' investment objective will be achieved.
  See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies" at page 6.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
   
    It is anticipated that the net asset value of the Series will remain
  constant at $1.00 per share, although this cannot be assured. In order to
  maintain such constant net asset value, the Series will value its portfolio
  securities at amortized cost. While this method provides certainty in
  valuation, it may result in periods during which the value of a security in
  the Series' portfolio, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower
  than the price the Series would receive if it sold such security. See "How
  the Fund Values its Shares" at page 12.
    
 
   
    In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest
  more than 80% of the value of its total assets in New Jersey Obligations.
  This degree of investment concentration makes the Series particularly
  susceptible to factors adversely affecting issuers of New Jersey
  Obligations, and makes an investment in the Series more risky than an
  investment in other types of money market funds. The Series is
  non-diversified so that more than 5% of its total assets may be invested in
  the securities of one or more issuers. Investment in a non-diversified
  portfolio involves more risk than investment in a diversified portfolio. See
  "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies--Special
  Considerations" at page 9.
    
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the Manager
  of the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50 of
  1% of the Series' average daily net assets. As of September 30, 1996, PMF
  served as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including 38
  mutual funds, with aggregate assets of approximately $52 billion. The
  Prudential Investment Corporation (PIC or the Subadviser) furnishes
  investment advisory services in connection with the management of the Fund
  under a Subadvisory Agreement with PMF. See "How the Fund is
  Managed--Manager" at page 10.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI) acts as
  the Distributor of the Series' shares. The Series currently reimburses
  Prudential Securities for expenses related to the distribution of the
  Series' shares at an annual rate of up to .125 of 1% of the average daily
  net assets of the Series. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page
  11.
    
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
    The minimum initial investment is $1,000. The minimum subsequent
  investment is $100. There is no minimum investment requirement for certain
  employee savings plans. For purchases made through the Automatic Savings
  Accumulation Plan, the minimum initial and subsequent investment is $50. See
  "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares of the Fund" at page 16 and
  "Shareholder Guide-- Shareholder Services" at page 22.
    
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities Corporation (Prusec) or directly from the Fund through its
  transfer agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities. See
  "How the Fund Values its Shares" at page 12 and "Shareholder Guide--How to
  Buy Shares of the Fund" at page 16.
    
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
    You may redeem shares of the Series at any time at the NAV next determined
  after Prudential Securities or the Transfer Agent receives your sell order.
  See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page 19.
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
    The Series expects to declare daily and pay monthly dividends of net
  investment income and short-term capital gains. Dividends and distributions
  will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Series at NAV
  unless you request that they be paid to you in cash. See "Taxes, Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 13.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                        (NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
<S>                                                           <C>
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases.................  None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load.............................  None
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends......  None
    Redemption Fees.........................................  None
    Exchange Fee............................................  None
 
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets)
    Management Fees.........................................  .500%
    12b-1 Fees..............................................  .125%
    Other Expenses..........................................  .125%
                                                              -----
    Total Fund Operating Expenses...........................  .750%
                                                              -----
                                                              -----
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1          3          5         10
EXAMPLE                                                 YEAR       YEARS      YEARS      YEARS
                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2)
 redemption at the end of each time period: ........     $8         $24        $42        $93
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  The above example is based on restated data for the Series' fiscal year
  ended August 31, 1996. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION
  OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN
  THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
   
  The purpose of this table is to assist an investor in understanding the
  various costs and expenses that an investor in the Series will bear, whether
  directly or indirectly. For more complete descriptions of the various costs
  and expenses, see "How the Fund is Managed." "Other Expenses" includes
  operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees' and professional fees,
  registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer agency and custodian
  fees.
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period
ended August 31, 1996, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
accountants, whose report thereon was unqualified. This information should be
read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto, which
appear in the Statement of Additional Information. The following financial
highlights contain selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding,
total return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the
periods indicated. This information is based on data contained in the financial
statements.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    DECEMBER 3,
                                                                   YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                              1990(A)
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------          THROUGH
                                                 1996        1995        1994         1993           1992         AUGUST 31, 1991
                                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ----------     ----------     ------------------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.........      $1.00       $1.00       $1.00        $1.00          $1.00             $1.00
Net investment income and net realized gains
 (c).........................................        .03         .03         .02          .02            .04               .03
Dividends and distributions to
 shareholders................................       (.03)       (.03)       (.02)        (.02)          (.04)             (.03)
                                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ----------     ----------          --------
Net asset value, end of period...............      $1.00       $1.00       $1.00        $1.00          $1.00             $1.00
                                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ----------     ----------          --------
                                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ----------     ----------          --------
TOTAL RETURN (D):............................       2.92%       3.15%       1.90%        2.31%          3.48%             3.55%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)..............  $ 181,396   $ 182,453   $ 158,280   $  163,087     $  164,092         $ 117,460
Average net assets (000).....................  $ 192,617   $ 171,223   $ 169,123   $  170,103     $  155,915         $  89,273
Ratios to average net assets (c):
    Expenses, including distribution fee.....        .70%        .64%        .68%         .64%           .32%              .13%(b)
    Expenses, excluding distribution fee.....        .57%        .51%        .55%         .51%           .19%              .00%(b)
    Net investment income....................       2.89%       3.11%       1.87%        2.02%          3.33%             4.48%(b)
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------------------
    (a) Commencement of investment operations.
    (b) Annualized.
    (c) Net of expense subsidy and/or management fee waiver.
   
    (d) Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
        Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not
        annualized.
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              CALCULATION OF YIELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  THE SERIES CALCULATES ITS "CURRENT YIELD" based on the net change, exclusive
of realized and unrealized gains or losses, in the value of a hypothetical
account over a seven calendar day base period. THE SERIES CALCULATES ITS
"EFFECTIVE ANNUAL YIELD" ASSUMING DAILY COMPOUNDING AND ITS "TAX-EQUIVALENT
YIELD." Tax-equivalent yield shows the taxable yield an investor would have to
earn from a fully taxable investment in order to equal the Series' tax-free
yield after taxes and is calculated by dividing the Series' current or effective
yield by the result of one minus the State tax rate times one minus the federal
tax rate. The following is an example of the yield calculations as of August 31,
1996:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>
Value of hypothetical account at end of period.................  $1.000526212
Value of hypothetical account at beginning of period...........   1.000000000
                                                                 ------------
Base period return.............................................  $0.000526212
                                                                 ------------
                                                                 ------------
CURRENT YIELD (.000526212 x (365/7))...........................  2.74%
EFFECTIVE ANNUAL YIELD, assuming weekly compounding............  2.78%
TAX-EQUIVALENT CURRENT YIELD (2.74%  DIVIDED BY (1-43.61%))....  4.86%
</TABLE>
    
 
  THE YIELD WILL FLUCTUATE FROM TIME TO TIME AND DOES NOT INDICATE FUTURE
PERFORMANCE.
 
   
  The weighted average maturity of the Series' portfolio on August 31, 1996 was
72 days.
    
 
  Yield is computed in accordance with a standardized formula described in the
Statement of Additional Information. In addition, comparative performance
information may be used from time to time in advertising or marketing the
Series' shares, including data from Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.,
Morningstar Publications, Inc., IBC/Donoghue's Money Fund Report, The Bank Rate
Monitor, other industry publications, business periodicals and market indices.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
    PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND (THE FUND) IS AN OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
(THE SERIES) IS NON-DIVERSIFIED AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE THE
HIGHEST LEVEL OF CURRENT INCOME THAT IS EXEMPT FROM NEW JERSEY STATE AND FEDERAL
INCOME TAXES CONSISTENT WITH LIQUIDITY AND THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL. THE
SERIES SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE BY INVESTING PRIMARILY IN
SHORT-TERM NEW JERSEY STATE, MUNICIPAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF OTHER QUALIFYING ISSUERS, SUCH AS ISSUERS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO,
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND GUAM, WHICH PAY INCOME EXEMPT, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL,
FROM NEW JERSEY STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (NEW JERSEY OBLIGATIONS). SEE
"INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES" IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE.
 
  THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE SERIES'
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED (THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT). THE SERIES' POLICIES THAT ARE NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  Interest on certain municipal obligations may be a preference item for
purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax. The Series may invest without
limit in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined in
the Internal Revenue
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
Code), the interest on which would be a preference item for purposes of the
federal alternative minimum tax. See "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions." Under
New Jersey law, as long as the Series qualifies as a "qualified investment
fund," dividends paid by the Series are exempt from New Jersey income tax for
resident individuals and New Jersey trusts and estates to the extent such
dividends are derived from interest payments on and gain realized from the sale
or exchange of New Jersey Obligations and other obligations exempt from state
and local taxation by the laws of New Jersey or the United States. The New
Jersey Obligations in which the Series may invest include certain short-term,
tax-exempt notes such as Tax Anticipation Notes, Revenue Anticipation Notes,
Bond Anticipation Notes, Construction Loan Notes and certain variable and
floating rate demand notes. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--Tax-Exempt
Securities--Tax-Exempt Notes" in the Statement of Additional Information. The
Series will maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity of its portfolio of 90
days or less.
 
  THE SERIES MAY INVEST ITS ASSETS IN FLOATING RATE AND VARIABLE RATE
SECURITIES, INCLUDING PARTICIPATION INTERESTS THEREIN, WHICH CONFORM TO THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMORTIZED COST VALUATION RULE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. There is no limit on the amount of such
securities that the Series may purchase. Floating rate securities normally have
a rate of interest which is set as a specific percentage of a designated base
rate, such as the rate on Treasury Bonds or Bills or the prime rate at a major
commercial bank. The interest rate on floating rate securities changes
periodically when there is a change in the designated base interest rate.
Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the
interest rate based on prevailing market rates and generally would allow the
Series to demand payment of the obligation on short notice at par plus accrued
interest, which amount may be more or less than the amount the Series paid for
them.
 
   
  ALL NEW JERSEY OBLIGATIONS PURCHASED BY THE SERIES WILL, AT THE TIME OF
PURCHASE, HAVE A REMAINING MATURITY OF THIRTEEN MONTHS OR LESS AND BE (I) RATED
IN ONE OF THE TWO HIGHEST RATING CATEGORIES BY AT LEAST TWO NATIONALLY
RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS (NRSROS) ASSIGNING A RATING TO THE
SECURITY OR ISSUER (OR, IF ONLY ONE NRSRO ASSIGNED A RATING, BY THAT NRSRO) OR
(II) IF UNRATED, OF COMPARABLE QUALITY AS DETERMINED BY THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE TRUSTEES. See "Description of Tax-Exempt Security
Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information. The investment adviser will
monitor the credit quality of securities purchased for the Series' portfolio and
will limit its investments to those which present minimal credit risks.
    
 
   
  In selecting New Jersey Obligations for investment by the Series, the
investment adviser considers ratings assigned by NRSROs, information concerning
the financial history and condition of the issuer and its revenue and expense
prospects and, in the case of revenue bonds, the financial history and condition
of the source of revenue to service the bonds. If a New Jersey Obligation held
by the Series is assigned a lower rating or ceases to be rated, the investment
adviser under the supervision of the Trustees will promptly reassess whether
that security presents minimal credit risks and whether the Series should
continue to hold the security in its portfolio. If a portfolio security no
longer presents minimal credit risks or is in default, the Series will dispose
of the security as soon as reasonably practicable unless the Trustees determine
that to do so is not in the best interests of the Series and its shareholders.
    
 
  The Series utilizes the amortized cost method of valuation in accordance with
regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). See "How the
Fund Values its Shares."
 
  The Series intends to hold portfolio securities to maturity; however, it may
sell any security at any time in order to meet redemption requests or if the
investment adviser believes it advisable, based on an evaluation of the issuer
or of market conditions.
 
  UNDER NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, THE SERIES WILL ATTEMPT TO INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS IN NEW JERSEY OBLIGATIONS. As a
matter of fundamental policy, during normal market conditions the Series' assets
will be invested so that at least 80% of its total assets will be invested in
New Jersey Obligations. During abnormal market conditions or to provide
liquidity, the Series may hold cash or taxable cash equivalents such as
certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and time deposits or other
short-term taxable investments such as repurchase agreements, or high grade
taxable obligations, including obligations that are exempt from federal, but not
state, taxation. When, in the opinion of the investment adviser, abnormal market
conditions require a temporary defensive position, the Series may invest more
than 20% of the value of its assets in short-term
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
debt securities other than New Jersey Obligations or may invest its assets so
that more than 20% of the income is subject to New Jersey or federal income
taxes. However, the Series must invest at least 80% of the aggregate principal
amount of all of its investments (excluding cash, cash items and receivables,
and financial options, futures, forward contracts, or other similar financial
instruments related to interest-bearing obligations, obligations issued at a
discount or bond indexes related thereto that are related to the Series'
business of investing in securities (Related Financial Instruments)) in
obligations exempt from New Jersey personal income tax in order for its
distributions to remain exempt from such tax.
 
  If the Series fails to qualify as a "qualified investment fund" under New
Jersey law, distributions to its shareholders will be subject to New Jersey
income tax. To meet the requirements for a "qualified investment fund," the
Series must have 100% of its investments in interest bearing obligations,
obligations issued at a discount, cash and cash items, including receivables,
and Related Financial Instruments.
 
  THE SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE
RIGHT TO SELL SECURITIES HELD IN THE SERIES' PORTFOLIO AT A SPECIFIED EXERCISE
PRICE ON A SPECIFIED DATE. The Series may acquire puts on securities in its
portfolio for the purpose of protecting the Series from a possible decline in
the market value of the security to which the put applies in the event of
interest rate fluctuations or, in the case of liquidity puts, for the purpose of
shortening the effective maturity of the underlying security. The aggregate
value of premiums paid to acquire puts held in the Series' portfolio (other than
liquidity puts) may not exceed 10% of the net asset value of the Series. The
acquisition of a put may involve an additional cost to the Series by payment of
a premium for the put, by payment of a higher purchase price for securities to
which the put is attached or through a lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In addition, there is a credit risk associated with the purchase of puts in
that the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase the
underlying security. Accordingly, the Series will acquire puts only under the
following circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the underlying
security and such security is rated (a) in one of the two highest rating
categories by at least two NRSROs assigning a rating to the security or issuer,
or (b) if only one such rating organization assigned a rating, by that rating
organization; or (2) the put is written by a person other than the issuer of the
underlying security and such person has securities outstanding which are rated
within such two highest quality grades; or (3) the put is backed by a letter of
credit or similar financial guarantee issued by a person having securities
outstanding which are rated within the two highest quality grades of such rating
services. The issuer of the put, or another institution, must undertake to
notify promptly the holder of the put if the put feature is substituted with a
put from another issuer.
    
 
   
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED
DELIVERY" BASIS, IN EACH CASE WITHOUT LIMIT. When municipal obligations are
offered on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the price and coupon rate
are fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase; the purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement,
and, therefore, no interest accrues to the economic benefit of the purchaser
during such period. In the case of purchases by the Series, the price that the
Series is required to pay on the settlement date may be in excess of the market
value of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold
prior to the settlement date, the Series intends to purchase these securities
with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale would be desirable for
investment reasons. At the time the Series makes the commitment to purchase a
municipal obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as values of municipal obligations otherwise held by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had occurred. The Series will establish a segregated account with its
Custodian in which it will maintain cash, U.S. Government securities, equity
securities or other liquid, unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily, equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE SECONDARY MARKET INSURANCE ON NEW JERSEY OBLIGATIONS
WHICH IT HOLDS OR ACQUIRES. Secondary market insurance would be reflected in the
market value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series to
dispose of a defaulted obligation at a price similar to that of comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
  Insurance is not a substitute for the basic credit of an issuer, but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage for the New Jersey Obligations held by the Series reduces
credit risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment of
principal and interest if the issuer defaults on its obligation to make such
payment, it does not afford protection against fluctuation in the price, I.E.,
the market value, of the municipal obligations caused by changes in interest
rates and other factors.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE THE SERIES WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN NEW JERSEY OBLIGATIONS AND BECAUSE
IT SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE INCOME DERIVED FROM NEW JERSEY OBLIGATIONS, IT IS MORE
SUSCEPTIBLE TO FACTORS ADVERSELY AFFECTING ISSUERS OF NEW JERSEY OBLIGATIONS
THAN IS A COMPARABLE TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND THAT IS NOT CONCENTRATED IN
SUCH OBLIGATIONS TO THIS DEGREE. An investment in the Series therefore may
involve more risk than an investment in other types of money market funds. The
economic slowdown which began in 1989 translated into revenue shortfalls and
operating deficits in fiscal 1989, 1990 and 1991. To balance the budget for the
last four years, the State has utilized nonrecurring revenues and serious
spending cuts. The fiscal 1996 ending balances were $900 million, over $549
million in surplus from that originally planned. The 1997 budget accomodates the
final stage of the State's $1.25 billion multi-year personal income tax cut, and
includes appropriations totaling $15.978 billion, down $211 million or 1.37%
from fiscal year 1996. Continued challenges to New Jersey's ability to continue
limits on expenditures will likely come from the need to reconfigure the State's
school aid formula. Additionally, New Jersey will likely be adversely impacted
by the block-grant formula adopted in new federal welfare reform legislation. If
either New Jersey or any of its local governmental entities is unable to meet
its financial obligations, the income derived by the Series, the ability to
preserve or realize appreciation of the Series' capital and the Series'
liquidity could be adversely affected. See "Investment Objectives and
Policies--Special Considerations Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  The Series is "non-diversified" so that more than 5% of its total assets may
be invested in the securities of one or more issuers. Investment in a
non-diversified portfolio involves greater risk than investment in a diversified
portfolio because a loss resulting from the default of a single issuer may
represent a greater portion of the total assets of a non-diversified portfolio.
The Series will treat an investment in a municipal bond refunded with escrowed
U.S. Government securities as U.S. Government securities for purposes of the
Investment Company Act's diversification requirements provided certain
conditions are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller of a
security agrees to repurchase that security from the Series at a mutually
agreed-upon time and price. The period of maturity is usually quite short,
possibly overnight or a few days, although it might extend over a number of
months. The resale price is in excess of the purchase price, reflecting an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully collateralized in an amount at least equal to the resale price. The
instruments held as collateral are valued daily and if the value of the
instruments declines, the Series will require additional collateral. If the
seller defaults and the value of the collateral securing the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series may incur a loss. The Series participates in a
joint repurchase account with other investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management LLC pursuant to an order of the SEC. See "Investment
Objectives and Policies--Repurchase Agreements" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
  BORROWING
 
   
  The Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or emergency purposes or for the clearance of transactions. The Series may
pledge up to 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets to secure these
borrowings. The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series may hold up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities,
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale (restricted
securities) and securities that are not readily marketable. Securities that have
a readily available market are not considered illiquid for purposes of this
limitation. See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional
Information. The investment adviser will monitor the liquidity of such
restricted securities under the supervision of the Trustees. See "Investment
Objectives and Policies--Illiquid Securities" in the Statement of Additional
Information. Repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed to have a
maturity equal to the notice period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
    The Series is subject to certain investment restrictions which, like its
investment objective, constitute fundamental policies. Fundamental policies
cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER, SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S MANAGER CONDUCTS AND SUPERVISES THE DAILY BUSINESS
OPERATIONS OF THE FUND. THE FUND'S SUBADVISER FURNISHES DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, total expenses of the Series as a
percentage of its average net assets, net of fee waiver, were .70%. See
"Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
    PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND MANAGEMENT LLC (PMF OR THE MANAGER), GATEWAY CENTER
THREE, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
OF THE SERIES. PMF is organized in New York as a limited liability company. It
is the successor to Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc., which transferred
its assets to PMF in September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series paid a management fee of .46 of 1% of the Series' average net assets.
See "Fee Waivers" below and "Manager" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
    
 
   
  As of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end investment
companies, constituting all of the Prudential Mutual Funds, and as manager or
administrator to 22 closed-end investment companies with aggregate assets of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE FUND, PMF MANAGES THE INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS OF EACH SERIES OF THE FUND AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER A SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN PMF AND THE PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT
CORPORATION (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND AND IS
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR ITS REASONABLE COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED IN PROVIDING
SUCH SERVICES. Under the Management Agreement, PMF continues to have
responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises PIC's
performance of such services.
 
   
  PMF and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential), a major diversified insurance and financial services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
   
  Effective March 1, 1993, PMF agreed to waive 25% of its management fee.
Effective January 1, 1996, PMF ceased waiving any portion of its management fee.
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, PMF voluntarily waived $85,123 of
its management fee (.044 of 1% of average net assets). The Series is not
required to reimburse PMF for such management fee waiver. Thereafter, PMF may
from time to time waive all or a portion of its management fee and subsidize
certain operating expenses of the Series. Fee waivers and expense subsidies will
increase the Series' yield. See "Calculation of Yield" and "Fund Expenses."
    
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
    PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PSI OR THE
DISTRIBUTOR), ONE SEAPORT PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10292, IS A CORPORATION
ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR
OF THE SERIES' SHARES. It is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential.
Prior to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc. (PMFD), One
Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as distributor of shares of the
Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER A DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN (THE PLAN) ADOPTED BY THE SERIES UNDER
RULE 12B-1 UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (THE
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT), THE DISTRIBUTOR INCURS THE EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTING THE
SHARES OF THE SERIES. These expenses include account servicing fees paid to, or
on account of, financial advisers of Prudential Securities and representatives
of Pruco Securities Corporation (Prusec), an affiliated broker-dealer, account
servicing fees paid to, or on account of, other broker-dealers or financial
institutions (other than national banks) which have entered into agreements with
the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing and mailing
prospectuses to potential investors and indirect and overhead costs of
Prudential Securities and Prusec associated with the sale of Series shares,
including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses. The State
of Texas requires that shares of the Series may be sold in that state only by
dealers or other financial institutions which are registered there as
broker-dealers.
    
 
  UNDER THE PLAN, THE SERIES REIMBURSES THE DISTRIBUTOR FOR ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED EXPENSES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF UP TO .125 OF 1% OF THE
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE SERIES. Account servicing fees are paid based on
the average balance of the Series' shares held in the accounts of the customers
of financial advisers. The entire distribution fee may be used to pay account
servicing fees.
 
   
  For the year ended August 31, 1996, the Series paid PMFD and PSI a
distribution fee equal on an annual basis to .125% of the average net assets of
the Series. Amounts paid to the Distributor by the Series will not be used to
pay distribution expenses incurred by any other series of the Fund.
    
 
  The Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that each such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the
Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and
who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan
or any agreements related to the Plan. The Trustees are provided with and review
quarterly reports of expenditures under the Plan.
 
   
  In addition to distribution and service fees paid by the Series under the
Plan, the Manager (or one of its affiliates) may make payments out of its own
resources to dealers (including Prudential Securities) and other persons which
distribute shares of the Series. Such payments may be calculated by reference to
the net asset value of shares sold by such persons or otherwise. The Fund
records all payments made under the Plan as expenses in the calculation of its
net investment income.
    
 
  On October 21, 1993, PSI entered into an omnibus settlement with the SEC,
state securities regulators (with the exception of the Texas Securities
Commissioner who joined the settlement on January 18, 1994) and the National
Association of Securities
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
Dealers, Inc. (the NASD) to resolve allegations that from 1980 through 1990 PSI
sold certain limited partnership interests in violation of securities laws to
persons for whom such securities were not suitable and misrepresented the
safety, potential returns and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting
or denying the allegations asserted against it, PSI consented to the entry of an
SEC Administrative Order which stated that PSI's conduct violated the federal
securities laws, directed PSI to cease and desist from violating the federal
securities laws, pay civil penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to
address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000 civil penalty, established a settlement fund in the amount of
$330,000,000 and procedures to resolve legitimate claims for compensatory
damages by purchasers of the partnership interests. PSI has agreed to provide
additional funds, if necessary, for the purpose of the settlement fund. PSI's
settlement with the state securities regulators included an agreement to pay a
penalty of $500,000 per jurisdiction. PSI consented to a censure and to the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In October 1994, a criminal complaint was filed with the United States
Magistrate for the Southern District of New York alleging that PSI committed
fraud in connection with the sale of certain limited partnership interests in
violation of federal securities laws. An agreement was simultaneously filed to
defer prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the signing
of the agreement, provided that PSI complies with the terms of the agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the agreement, no prosecution will be instituted by the United States for the
offenses charged in the complaint. If on the other hand, during the course of
the three year period, PSI violates the terms of the agreement, the U.S.
Attorney can then elect to pursue these charges. Under the terms of the
agreement, PSI agreed, among other things, to pay an additional $330,000,000
into the fund established by the SEC to pay restitution to investors who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For more detailed information concerning the foregoing matters, see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The Fund is not affected by PSI's financial condition and is an entirely
separate legal entity from PSI, which has no beneficial ownership therein and
the Fund's assets which are held by State Street Bank and Trust Company, an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
   
    Prudential Securities may act as a broker for the Fund, provided that the
commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives are fair and reasonable. See
"Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
    
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
    State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Heritage Drive, North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves as Custodian for the portfolio securities of the
Series and cash and, in that capacity, maintains certain financial and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison, New
Jersey 08837, serves as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain books and records for the Fund. PMFS is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING ITS
LIABILITIES FROM THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS AND DIVIDING THE REMAINDER BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. THE TRUSTEES HAVE FIXED THE SPECIFIC TIME OF DAY
FOR THE COMPUTATION OF THE NET ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:30 P.M.,
NEW YORK TIME, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
  The Series will compute its NAV once daily on days the New York Stock Exchange
is open for trading, except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell or
redeem shares have been received by the Series or days on which changes in the
value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the NAV. The
New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
  The Series determines the value of its portfolio securities by the amortized
cost method. This method involves valuing an instrument at its cost and
thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or
premium regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market
value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it
may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is
higher or lower than the price the Series would receive if it sold the
instrument. During these periods, the yield to a shareholder may differ somewhat
from that which could be obtained from a similar fund which marks its portfolio
securities to the market each day. For example, during periods of declining
interest rates, if the use of the amortized cost method resulted in a lower
value of the Series' portfolio on a given day, a prospective investor in the
Series would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield and existing shareholders
would receive correspondingly less income. The converse would apply during
periods of rising interest rates. The Trustees have established procedures
designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, the NAV of the shares
of the Series at $1.00 per share. See "Net Asset Value" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
    THE SERIES HAS ELECTED TO QUALIFY AND INTENDS TO REMAIN QUALIFIED AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY, THE
SERIES WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME
AND CAPITAL GAINS, IF ANY, THAT IT DISTRIBUTES TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS. TO THE
EXTENT NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn taxable
investment income. Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of
securities generally will be treated as capital gain or loss; however, gain from
the sale of certain securities (including municipal obligations) will be treated
as ordinary income to the extent of any "market discount." Market discount
generally is the difference, if any, between the price paid by the Series for
the security and the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a
security issued at an original issue discount, the revised issue price of the
security). The market discount rule does not apply to any security that was
acquired by the Series at its original issue. See "Distributions and Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
    In general, the character of tax-exempt interest distributed by the Series
will flow through as tax-exempt interest to its shareholders provided that 50%
or more of the value of its assets at the end of each quarter of its taxable
year is invested in state, municipal and other obligations, the interest on
which is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. During
normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Series' total assets will be
invested in such obligations. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any dividends out of net taxable investment income, together with
distributions of net short-term gains (I.E., the excess of net short-term
capital gains over net long-term capital losses) distributed to shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses) distributed to shareholders will be taxable as
long-term capital gains to the shareholders, whether or not reinvested
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
and regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares.
The maximum long-term capital gains rate for individuals is 28%. The maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders currently is the same as
the maximum tax rate for ordinary income. The Series does not expect to have
long-term capital gains.
 
  CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY INCUR FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX LIABILITY AS A
RESULT OF THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE FUND. Tax-exempt interest from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after August
7, 1986) will be treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of the
alternative minimum tax. The Fund anticipates that, under regulations to be
promulgated, items of tax preference incurred by the Series will be attributed
to the Series' shareholders, although some portion of such items could be
allocated to the Series itself. Depending upon each shareholder's individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the shareholder for the alternative minimum tax.
Similarly, the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax preference attributed to it. The Series is permitted to invest in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
  Corporate shareholders in the Series also will have to take into account the
adjustment for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes. Corporate
shareholders should consult with their tax advisers with respect to this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under New Jersey law, as long as the Series qualifies as a "qualified
investment fund," dividends paid by the Series are exempt from New Jersey income
tax for resident individuals and New Jersey trusts and estates to the extent
such dividends are derived from interest payments on, and gain realized from the
sale or exchange of, New Jersey Obligations and other obligations exempt from
state and local taxation by the laws of New Jersey and the United States.
Dividends paid to corporate shareholders will be subject to the New Jersey
Corporation Business tax or corporation income tax and may increase liability
under the federal alternative minimum tax.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
    Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and
remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of redemption proceeds on the accounts of those
shareholders who fail to furnish their tax identification numbers on IRS Form
W-9 (or IRS Form W-8 in the case of certain foreign shareholders) with the
required certifications regarding the shareholder's status under the federal
income tax law. Such withholding is also required on taxable dividends and
capital gain distributions made by the Series unless it is reasonably expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions as to federal, state or local taxes. See "Distributions and Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    THE SERIES EXPECTS TO DECLARE DAILY AND PAY MONTHLY DIVIDENDS OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME AND SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAINS.
 
  DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL SHARES OF THE SERIES
BASED ON THE NET ASSET VALUE OF SERIES' SHARES ON THE PAYMENT DATE OR SUCH OTHER
DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER ELECTS IN WRITING NOT
LESS THAN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such election should be submitted to Prudential
Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5015. If you hold shares through Prudential
Securities, you should contact your financial adviser to elect to receive
dividends and distributions in cash. The Fund will notify each shareholder after
the close of the Fund's taxable year of both the dollar amount and the taxable
status of the year's dividends and distributions.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
    THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984,
BY A DECLARATION OF TRUST. The Fund's activities are supervised by its Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of
full and fractional shares in separate series, currently designated as the
Connecticut Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series, Maryland
Series, Massachusetts Series, Massachusetts Money Market Series, Michigan
Series, New Jersey Series, New Jersey Money Market Series, New York Income
Series (not presently being offered), New York Series, New York Money Market
Series, North Carolina Series, Ohio Series and Pennsylvania Series. Currently,
all series of the Fund, except for the Connecticut Money Market Series, the
Florida Series, the Massachusetts Money Market Series, the New Jersey Money
Market Series, the New Jersey Series, the New York Income Series, the New York
Money Market Series and the New York Series, offer three classes, designated
Class A, Class B and Class C shares. The Florida Series, the New Jersey Series
and the New York Series offer four classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class Z shares. The Connecticut Money Market Series, the Massachusetts Money
Market Series, the New Jersey Money Market Series and the New York Money Market
Series offer only one class of shares. In accordance with the Fund's Declaration
of Trust, the Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series and
classes within such series, with such preferences, privileges, limitations and
voting and dividend rights as the Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares of the Fund, when issued, are fully paid, nonassessable, fully
transferable and redeemable at the option of the holder. Shares are also
redeemable at the option of the Fund under certain circumstances as described
under "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of the Series is
equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges, and each class bears the
expenses related to the distribution of its shares. There are no conversion,
preemptive or other subscription rights. In the event of liquidation, each share
of beneficial interest of each series is entitled to its portion of all of the
Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the Fund have been paid. The Fund's
shares do not have cumulative voting rights for the election of Trustees.
 
  THE FUND DOES NOT INTEND TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS
OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW. THE FUND WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HOLD MEETINGS OF
SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION OF TRUSTEES IS REQUIRED TO BE
ACTED UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS HAVE
CERTAIN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF THE
FUND'S OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR THE PURPOSE OF VOTING ON THE REMOVAL OF ONE OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make the
Fund similar in certain respects to a Massachusetts business corporation. The
principal distinction between a Massachusetts business corporation and a
Massachusetts business trust relates to shareholder liability. Under
Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
fund, which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of the
Fund provides that shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability
for the acts or obligations of the Fund and that every written obligation,
contract, instrument or undertaking made by the Fund shall contain a provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
    This Prospectus, including the Statement of Additional Information which has
been incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the
Securities Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at
a reasonable charge from the SEC or may be examined, without charge, at the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
    YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC
OR DIRECTLY FROM THE FUND, THROUGH ITS TRANSFER AGENT, PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND
SERVICES, INC. (PMFS OR THE TRANSFER AGENT), ATTENTION: INVESTMENT SERVICES,
P.O. BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY 08906-5020. The minimum initial
investment is $1,000. The minimum subsequent investment is $100. All minimum
investment requirements are waived for the Command Account program (if the
Series is designated as your primary fund) and certain employee savings plans.
For purchases made through the Automatic Savings Accumulation Plan, the minimum
initial and subsequent investment if $50. See "Shareholder Services" below.
 
  An investment in the Series may not be appropriate for tax-exempt or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult with their own tax
advisers.
 
  SHARES OF THE SERIES ARE SOLD, WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE, AT THE NAV PER SHARE
NEXT DETERMINED FOLLOWING RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE BY THE TRANSFER AGENT OR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OF AN ORDER IN PROPER FORM (I.E., CHECK OR FEDERAL FUNDS
WIRED TO PMFS). See "How the Fund Values its Shares." When payment is received
by PMFS prior to 4:30 P.M., New York time, in proper form, a share purchase
order will be entered at the price determined as of 4:30 P.M., New York time, on
that day, and dividends on the shares purchased will begin on the business day
following such investment. See "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions."
 
  Application forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
If a share certificate is desired, it must be requested in writing for each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
Shareholders cannot utilize Expedited Redemption or Check Redemption or have a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan if they have been issued share certificates.
 
  The Fund reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject any purchase
order (including an exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the
continuous offering of its shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your dealer is responsible for forwarding payment promptly to the Fund. The
Distributor reserves the right to cancel any purchase order for which payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions in shares of the Series may be subject to postage and other
charges imposed by the dealer.
 
  PURCHASES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
 
  If you have an account with Prudential Securities (or open such an account),
you may ask Prudential Securities to purchase shares of the Series on your
behalf. On the business day following confirmation that a free credit balance
(I.E., immediately available funds) exists in your account, Prudential
Securities will effect a purchase order for shares of the Series in an amount up
to the balance of the NAV determined on that day. Funds held by Prudential
Securities on behalf of its clients in the form of free credit balances are
delivered to the Fund by Prudential Securities and begin earning dividends the
second business day after receipt of the order by Prudential Securities.
Accordingly, Prudential Securities will have the use of such free credit
balances during this period.
 
  Shares of the Series purchased by Prudential Securities on behalf of its
clients will be held by Prudential Securities as record holder. Prudential
Securities will therefore receive statements and dividends directly from the
Fund and will in turn provide investors with Prudential Securities account
statements reflecting purchases, redemptions and dividend payments. Although
Prudential Securities clients who purchase shares of the Series through
Prudential Securities may not redeem shares of the Series by check, Prudential
Securities provides its clients with alternative forms of immediate access to
monies invested in shares of the Series.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
  Prudential Securities clients wishing additional information concerning
investment in shares of the Series made through Prudential Securities should
call their Prudential Securities financial adviser.
 
  AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT. Prudential Securities has advised the Fund that it has
instituted procedures pursuant to which, upon enrollment by a Prudential
Securities client, Prudential Securities will make automatic investments of free
credit balances of $1,000 or more ($1.00 for IRAs) (Eligible Credit Balances)
held in such client's account in shares of the Series (Autosweep). To effect the
automatic investment of Eligible Credit Balances representing the proceeds from
the sale of securities, Prudential Securities will enter orders for the purchase
of shares of the Series at the opening of business on the day following the
settlement of such securities transaction (on settlement date for IRAs); to
effect the automatic investment of Eligible Credit Balances representing
non-trade related credits, Prudential Securities will enter orders for the
purchase of shares of the Series at the opening of business semi-monthly. All
shares purchased pursuant to such procedures will be issued at the NAV
determined on the date the order is entered and will receive the next dividend
declared after such shares are issued.
 
  SELF-DIRECTED INVESTMENT. Prudential Securities clients not electing Autosweep
may continue to place orders for the purchase of shares of the Series through
Prudential Securities, subject to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
requirements described above.
 
  A Prudential Securities client who has not elected Autosweep (Automatic
Investment) and who does not place a purchase order promptly after funds are
credited to his or her Prudential Securities account will have a free credit
balance with Prudential Securities and will not begin earning dividends on
shares of the Series until the second business day after receipt of the order by
Prudential Securities from the client. Accordingly, Prudential Securities will
have the use of such free credit balances during this period.
 
  PURCHASES THROUGH PRUSEC
 
  You may purchase shares of the Series by placing an order with your Prusec
representative accompanied by payment for the purchase price of such shares and,
in the case of a new account, a completed application form. You should also
submit an IRS Form W-9. The Prusec representative will then forward these items
to the Transfer Agent. See "Purchase by Mail" below.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE
 
  For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you must first
telephone PMFS at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free) to receive an account number. The
following information will be requested: your name, address, tax identification
number, dividend distribution election, amount being wired and wiring bank.
Instructions should then be given by you to your bank to transfer funds by wire
to State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), Boston, Massachusetts,
Custody and Shareholder Services Division, Attention: Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, New Jersey Money Market Series, specifying on the wire the account
number assigned by PMFS and your name.
 
  If you arrange for receipt by State Street of Federal Funds prior to the
calculation of NAV (4:30 P.M., New York time), on a business day, you may
purchase shares of the Series as of that day and receive dividends commencing on
the next business day. See "Net Asset Value" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
 
  In making a subsequent purchase order by wire, you should wire State Street
directly, and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal Series
Fund (New Jersey Money Market Series) and your name and individual account
number. It is not necessary to call PMFS to make subsequent purchase orders
utilizing Federal Funds. The minimum amount which may be invested by wire is
$1,000.
 
  PURCHASE BY MAIL
 
  Purchase orders for which remittance is to be made by check or money order may
be submitted directly by mail to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.,
Attention: Investment Services, P.O. Box 15020, New Brunswick, New Jersey
08906-5020, together with payment for the purchase price of such shares and, in
the case of a new account, a completed application form. You should
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
also submit an IRS Form W-9. If PMFS receives an order to purchase shares of the
Series and payment in proper form prior to 4:30 P.M., New York time, the
purchase order will be effective that day and the investor will be entitled to
dividends the following business day. See "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions."
Checks should be made payable to Prudential Municipal Series Fund, New Jersey
Money Market Series. Certified checks are not necessary, but checks must be
drawn on a bank located in the United States. There are restrictions on the
redemption of shares purchased by check while the funds are being collected. See
"How to Sell Your Shares" below. The minimum initial investment by check is
$1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment by check is $100.
 
  THE PRUDENTIAL ADVANTAGE ACCOUNT PROGRAM
 
  Shares of the Series are offered to participants in the Prudential Advantage
Account Program (the Advantage Account Program), a financial services program
available to clients of Pruco Securities Corporation. Investors participating in
the Advantage Account Program may select the Series as their primary investment
vehicle. Such investors will have free credit cash balances of $1.00 or more in
their Securities Account (Available Cash) (a component of the Advantage Account
Program carried through Prudential Securities) automatically invested in shares
of the Series. Specifically, an order to purchase shares of the Series is placed
(i) in the case of Available Cash resulting from the proceeds of securities
sales, on the settlement date of the securities sale, and (ii) in the case of
Available Cash resulting from non-trade related credits (I.E., receipt of
dividends and interest payments, or a cash payment by the participant into his
or her Securities Account), on the business day after receipt by Prudential
Securities of the non-trade related credit.
 
  All shares purchased pursuant to these automatic purchase procedures will
begin earning dividends on the business day after the order is placed.
Prudential Securities will arrange for investment in shares of the Series at
4:30 P.M. on the day the order is placed and cause payment to be made in Federal
Funds for the shares prior to 4:30 P.M. on the next business day. Prudential
Securities will have the use of free credit cash balances until delivery to the
Fund.
 
  Redemptions will be automatically effected by Prudential Securities to satisfy
debit balances in a Securities Account created by activity therein or arising
under the Advantage Account Program, such as those incurred by use of the
Visa-Registered Trademark- Account, including Visa purchases, cash advances and
Visa Account checks. Each Advantage Account Program Securities Account will be
automatically scanned for debits each business day as of the close of business
on that day and after application of any free credit cash balances in the
account to such debits, a sufficient number of shares of the Series (if selected
as the primary fund) and, if necessary, shares of other Advantage Account funds
owned by the Advantage Account Program participant which have not been selected
as his or her primary fund or shares of a participant's money market funds
managed by PMF which are not primary Advantage Account funds will be redeemed as
of that business day to satisfy any remaining debits in the Securities Account.
Shares may not be purchased until all debits, overdrafts and other requirements
in the Securities Account are satisfied.
 
  Advantage Account Program charges and expenses are not reflected in the table
of Fund expenses. See "Fund Expenses."
 
  For information on participation in the Advantage Account Program, you should
telephone (800) 235-7637 (toll-free).
 
  COMMAND ACCOUNT PROGRAM
 
  Shares of the Series are offered to participants in the Prudential Securities
Command Account program, an integrated financial services program of Prudential
Securities. Investors having a Command Account may select the Series as their
primary fund. Such investors will have free credit cash balances of $1.00 or
more in their Securities Account (Available Cash) (a component of the Command
Account program) automatically invested in shares of the Series as described
below. Specifically, an order to purchase shares of the Series is placed (i) in
the case of Available Cash resulting from the proceeds of securities sales, on
the settlement date of the securities sale, and (ii) in the case of Available
Cash resulting from non-trade related credits (I.E., receipt of dividends and
interest payments, maturity of a bond or a cash payment by the participant into
his or her Securities Account), on the business day after receipt by Prudential
Securities of the non-trade related credit. These automatic purchase procedures
are also applicable for Corporate Command Accounts.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
  All shares purchased pursuant to these automatic purchase procedures will
begin earning dividends on the business day after the order is placed.
Prudential Securities will arrange for investment in shares of the Series at
4:30 P.M., New York time, on the business day the order is placed and cause
payment to be made in Federal Funds for the shares prior to 4:30 P.M., New York
time, on the next business day. Prudential Securities will have the use of free
credit cash balances until delivery to the Fund. There are no minimum investment
requirements for participants in the Command Account program.
 
  Redemptions will be automatically effected by Prudential Securities to satisfy
debit balances in a Securities Account created by activity therein or arising
under the Command program, such as those incurred by use of the
Visa-Registered Trademark- Gold Account, including Visa purchases, cash advances
and Visa Account checks. Each Command program Securities Account will be
automatically scanned for debits monthly for all Visa purchases incurred during
that month and each business day as of the close of business on that day for all
cash advances and check charges as incurred and after application of any free
credit cash balances in the account to such debits, a sufficient number of
shares of the Series and, if necessary, shares of other Command funds owned by
the Command program participant which have not been selected as his or her
primary fund or shares of a participant's money market funds managed by PMF
which are not primary Command funds will be redeemed as of that business day to
satisfy any remaining debits in the Securities Account. The single monthly debit
for Visa purchases will be made on the twenty-fifth day of each month, or the
prior business day if the twenty-fifth falls on a weekend or holiday. Margin
loans will be utilized to satisfy debits remaining after the liquidation of all
shares of the Series in a Securities Account, and shares may not be purchased
until all debits, margin loans and other requirements in the Securities Account
are satisfied. Command Account participants will not be entitled to dividends
declared on the date of redemption.
 
  For information on participation in the Command Account program, you should
telephone (800) 222-4321 (toll-free).
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
    YOU CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV
NEXT DETERMINED AFTER THE REDEMPTION REQUEST IS RECEIVED IN PROPER FORM BY THE
TRANSFER AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
 
  Shares for which a redemption request is received by PMFS prior to 4:30 P.M.,
New York time, are entitled to a dividend on the day on which the request is
received. By pre-authorizing Expedited Redemption, you may arrange to have
payment for redeemed shares made in Federal Funds wired to your bank, normally
on the next bank business day following the date of receipt of the redemption
instructions. Should you redeem all of your shares, you will receive the amount
of all dividends declared for the month-to-date on those shares. See "Taxes,
Dividends and Distributions."
 
  If redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary,
written evidence of authority acceptable to the Transfer Agent must be submitted
before such request will be accepted. All correspondence and documents
concerning redemptions should be sent to the Fund in care of its Transfer Agent,
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Redemption Services, P.O. Box
15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to a
person other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other than
the address on the Transfer Agent's records or (d) are to be paid to a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor institution." An "eligible guarantor institution" includes
any bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the right
to request additional information from, and make reasonable inquiries of, any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be obtained from the agency or office manager of most Prudential Insurance and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  NORMALLY, THE FUND MAKES PAYMENT ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY FOR ALL SHARES OF
THE SERIES REDEEMED, BUT IN ANY EVENT, PAYMENT IS MADE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER
RECEIPT BY PMFS OF SHARE CERTIFICATES AND/OR OF A REDEMPTION REQUEST IN PROPER
FORM. However, the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date
of payment (a) for any periods during which the New York Stock Exchange is
closed (other than for customary weekend or holiday closings), (b) for any
periods
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
when trading in the markets which the Fund normally utilizes is closed or
restricted or an emergency exists as determined by the SEC so that disposal of
the Series' investments or determination of its NAV is not reasonably
practicable or (c) for such other periods as the SEC may permit for protection
of the Series' shareholders.
 
  PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL THE
FUND OR ITS TRANSFER AGENT HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT THE PURCHASE CHECK HAS BEEN
HONORED, UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK. THE FUND MAKES NO CHARGE FOR REDEMPTION.
 
  REDEMPTION OF SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
 
  Prudential Securities clients for whom Prudential Securities has purchased
shares of the Series may have these shares redeemed only by instructing their
Prudential Securities financial adviser orally or in writing.
 
  Prudential Securities has advised the Fund that it has established procedures
pursuant to which shares of the Series held by a Prudential Securities client
having a deficiency in his or her Prudential Securities account will be redeemed
automatically to the extent of that deficiency to the nearest higher dollar
unless the client notifies Prudential Securities to the contrary. The amount of
the redemption will be the lesser of (a) the total net asset value of the
Series' shares held in the client's Prudential Securities account or (b) the
deficiency in the client's Prudential Securities account at the close of
business on the date such deficiency is due. Accordingly, a Prudential
Securities client utilizing this automatic redemption procedure and who wishes
to pay for a securities transaction or satisfy any other debit balance in his or
her account other than through this automatic redemption procedure must do so
not later than the day of settlement for such securities transaction or the date
the debit balance is incurred. Prudential Securities clients who have elected to
utilize Autosweep will not be entitled to dividends declared on the date of
redemption.
 
  REDEMPTION OF SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH PMFS
 
  If you purchase shares of the Series through PMFS, you may use Regular
Redemption, Expedited Redemption or Check Redemption. Prudential Securities
clients for whom Prudential Securities has purchased shares may not use such
services.
 
  REGULAR REDEMPTION. You may redeem your shares by sending a written request,
accompanied by duly endorsed share certificates, if issued, to PMFS, Attention:
Redemption Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010. In
this case, all share certificates and certain written requests for redemption
must be endorsed by you with signature guaranteed, as described above. Regular
redemption is made by check sent to your address.
 
  EXPEDITED REDEMPTION. By pre-authorizing Expedited Redemption, you may arrange
to have payment for redeemed shares made in Federal Funds wired to your bank,
normally on the next business day following redemption. In order to use
Expedited Redemption, you may so designate at the time the initial application
form is made or at a later date. Once the Expedited Redemption authorization
form has been completed, the signature on the authorization form guaranteed as
set forth above and the form returned to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.,
Attention: Account Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick, New Jersey
08906-5015, requests for redemption may be made by telegraph, letter or
telephone. To request Expedited Redemption by telephone, you should call PMFS at
(800) 225-1852. Calls must be received by PMFS before 4:30 P.M., New York time,
to permit redemption as of such date. Requests by letter should be addressed to
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. at the address set forth above.
 
  A signature guarantee is not required under Expedited Redemption once the
authorization form is properly completed and returned. The Expedited Redemption
privilege may be used only to redeem shares in an amount of $200 or more, except
that, if an account for which Expedited Redemption is requested has a net asset
value of less than $200, the entire account must be redeemed. The proceeds of
redeemed shares in the amount of $1,000 or more are transmitted by wire to your
account at a domestic commercial bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve
System. Proceeds of less than $1,000 are forwarded by check to your designated
bank account.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
  DURING PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, EXPEDITED REDEMPTION
MAY BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD REDEEM SHARES BY MAIL AS DESCRIBED
ABOVE.
 
  CHECK REDEMPTION. At your request, State Street will establish a personal
checking account for you. Checks drawn on this account can be made payable to
the order of any person in any amount greater than $500. When such check is
presented to State Street for payment, State Street presents the check to the
Fund as authority to redeem a sufficient number of shares of the Series in the
shareholder's account to cover the amount of the check. If insufficient shares
are in the account, or if the purchase was made by check within 10 calendar
days, the check will be returned marked "insufficient funds." Checks in an
amount less than $500 will not be honored. Shares for which certificates have
been issued cannot be redeemed by check. There is a service charge of $5.00
payable to PMFS to establish a checking account and order checks.
 
  INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. Because of the relatively high cost of maintaining an
account, the Fund reserves the right to redeem, upon 60 days' written notice, an
account which is reduced by a shareholder to a net asset value of $500 or less
due to redemption. You may avoid such redemption by increasing the net asset
value of your account to an amount in excess of $500.
 
  REDEMPTION IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Series to make payment
wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution in kind of securities from the portfolio of the Series,
in lieu of cash, in conformity with the applicable rules of the SEC. Securities
will be readily marketable and will be valued in the same manner as in a regular
redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your shares are redeemed in
kind, you will incur brokerage costs in converting the assets into cash. The
Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act
under which the Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or one percent of the net asset value of the Fund during any
90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. You may direct that the proceeds of a
redemption of Series' shares be invested in Class B or Class C shares of any
Prudential Mutual Fund by calling your Prudential Securities financial adviser
or the Transfer Agent at (800) 225-1852. The transaction will be effected on the
basis of the relative NAV.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
   
    AS A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH OTHER
SERIES OF THE FUND AND CERTAIN OTHER PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUNDS (THE EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE), INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED MONEY MARKET FUNDS AND FUNDS SOLD
WITH AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE, SUBJECT TO THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS OF
SUCH FUNDS. You may exchange your shares for Class A shares of the other series
of the Fund or Class A shares of the Prudential Mutual Funds on the basis of the
relative NAV per share plus the applicable sales charge. No additional sales
charge is imposed in connection with subsequent exchanges. You may not exchange
your shares for Class B shares of the Prudential Mutual Funds, except that
shares acquired prior to January 22, 1990 subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge can be exchanged for Class B shares. See "Class B and Class C Purchase
Privilege" above and "Shareholder Investment Account--Exchange Privilege" in the
Statement of Additional Information. An exchange will be treated as a redemption
and purchase for tax purposes. You may not exchange your shares for Class C or
Class Z shares of other series of the Fund or Class C or Class Z shares of the
Prudential Mutual Funds.
    
 
   
  IN ORDER TO EXCHANGE SHARES BY TELEPHONE, YOU MUST AUTHORIZE THE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE
TRANSFER AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call
the Fund at (800) 225-1852 to execute a telephone exchange of shares, weekdays,
except holidays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time.
For your protection and to prevent fraudulent exchanges, your telephone call
will be recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification
number. A written confirmation of the exchange transaction will be sent to you.
NEITHER THE FUND NOR ITS AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, LIABILITY OR COST
WHICH RESULTS FROM ACTING UPON INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE GENUINE
UNDER THE FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (THE FUND OR ITS AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO
LIABILITY IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be
made on the basis of the relative NAV of the two funds (or series) next
determined after the request is received in good order. The Exchange Privilege
is available only in states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
  IF YOU HOLD SHARES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, YOU MUST EXCHANGE YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES, MUST BE RETURNED IN ORDER FOR THE SHARES TO BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You may also exchange shares by mail by writing to Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OF
SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  The Fund reserves the right to reject any exchange order including exchanges
(and market timing transactions) which are of size and/or frequency engaged in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse effect on the ability of the Subadviser to manage the portfolio. The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination to reject any exchange order shall be in the discretion of the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The Exchange Privilege is not a right and may be suspended, terminated or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
    In addition to the Exchange Privilege, you can take advantage of the
following services and privileges:
 
      - AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS. For your
    convenience, all dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested in
    full and fractional shares of the Series at NAV. You may direct the Transfer
    Agent in writing not less than 5 full business days prior to the record date
    to have subsequent dividends and/or distributions sent in cash rather than
    reinvested. If you hold shares through Prudential Securities, you should
    contact your financial adviser.
 
      - AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION PLAN (ASAP). Under ASAP you may make
    regular purchases of the Series' shares in amounts as little as $50 via an
    automatic charge to a bank account or Prudential Securities account
    (including a Command Account). For additional information about this
    service, you may contact your Prudential Securities financial adviser,
    Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
      - SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan is available
    for shareholders which provides for monthly or quarterly checks. See "How to
    Sell Your Shares."
 
      - MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS. Special procedures have been designed for banks and
    other institutions that wish to open multiple accounts. An institution may
    open a single master account by filing an application form with the Transfer
    Agent, Attention: Customer Service, P.O. Box 15005, New Brunswick, New
    Jersey 08906, signed by personnel authorized to act for the institution.
    Individual sub-accounts may be opened at the time the master account is
    opened by listing them, or they may be added at a later date by written
    advice or by filing forms supplied by the Fund. Procedures are available to
    identify sub-accounts by name and number within the master account name. The
    investment minimums set forth above are applicable to the aggregate amounts
    invested by a group and not to the amount credited to each sub-account.
 
   
      - REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund will send you annual and semi-annual
    reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are audited by
    independent accountants. In order to reduce duplicate mailing and printing
    expenses, the Fund will provide one annual and semi-annual shareholder
    report and annual prospectus per household. You may request additional
    copies of such reports by calling (800) 225-1852 or by writing to the Fund
    at Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102. In addition, monthly
    unaudited financial data is available from the Fund.
    
 
   
      - SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. Inquiries should be addressed to the Fund at
    Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102, or by telephone, at (800)
    225-1852 (toll-free) or, from outside the U.S.A., at (908) 417-7555
    (collect).
    
 
  For additional information regarding the services and privileges described
above, see "Shareholder Investment Account" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Management offers a broad range of mutual funds
designed to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the investment
options available through our family of funds. For more information on the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Fund at
(800) 225-1852 for a free prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before you
invest or send money.
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
        TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
    
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
        TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Series
    California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
    High Yield Series
    Insured Series
    Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Florida Series
    Hawaii Income Series
    Maryland Series
    Massachusetts Series
    Michigan Series
    New Jersey Series
    New York Series
    North Carolina Series
    Ohio Series
    Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
        GLOBAL FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
    Global Series
    International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------
 
        EQUITY FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Allocation Fund
    Balanced Portfolio
    Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
    Prudential Active Balanced Fund
    Prudential Stock Index Fund
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
    Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
    Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
    Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
    
- ------------------------------------------------
 
        MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
   
- - TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Money Market Series
    U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
    Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
- - TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Connecticut Money Market Series
    Massachusetts Money Market Series
    New Jersey Money Market Series
    New York Money Market Series
    
 
- - COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
 
- - INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
    Institutional Money Market Series
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained in this Prospectus, and,
if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus
does not constitute an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a
solicitation of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any
jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such
jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PAGE
                                                 ----
<S>                                              <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS................................    2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics.....    2
FUND EXPENSES..................................    4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS...........................    5
CALCULATION OF YIELD...........................    6
HOW THE FUND INVESTS...........................    6
  Investment Objective and Policies............    6
  Other Investments and Policies...............    9
  Investment Restrictions......................   10
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED........................   10
  Manager......................................   10
  Distributor..................................   11
  Portfolio Transactions.......................   12
  Custodian and Transfer and
   Dividend Disbursing Agent...................   12
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES.................   12
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.............   13
GENERAL INFORMATION............................   15
  Description of Shares........................   15
  Additional Information.......................   15
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE..............................   16
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund................   16
  How to Sell Your Shares......................   19
  How to Exchange Your Shares..................   21
  Shareholder Services.........................   22
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY..............  A-1
 
     -------------------------------------------
MF147A                                         4441264
</TABLE>
    
 
                              CUSIP No: 74435M-76-2
 
   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
 
   
(NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES)
    
- --------------------------------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(NEW YORK SERIES)
- ------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential  Municipal Series Fund (the "Fund")  (New York Series) (the "Series")
is one of  fourteen series  of an  open-end, management  investment company,  or
mutual  fund. This Series is diversified and  is designed to provide the maximum
amount of income that is exempt from  New York State, New York City and  federal
income  taxes consistent  with the preservation  of capital  and, in conjunction
therewith, the  Series may  invest in  debt securities  with the  potential  for
capital  gain. The net assets  of the Series are  invested in obligations within
the four highest ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group or another  nationally recognized  statistical rating  organization or  in
unrated  obligations which, in the opinion of the Fund's investment adviser, are
of comparable quality. Subject to  the limitations described herein, the  Series
may  utilize  derivatives, including  buying and  selling futures  contracts and
options thereon for the purpose of  hedging its portfolio securities. There  can
be no assurance that the Series' investment objective will be achieved. See "How
the  Fund  Invests--Investment Objective  and Policies."  The Fund's  address is
Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102 and its telephone number is (800)
225-1852.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund and the  New
York Series that a prospective investor should know before investing. Additional
information  about  the Fund  has been  filed with  the Securities  and Exchange
Commission in  a Statement  of Additional  Information dated  November 1,  1996,
which  information is incorporated herein by  reference (is legally considered a
part of this  Prospectus) and is  available without charge  upon request to  the
Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The following summary is intended  to highlight certain information  contained
in  this  Prospectus and  is  qualified in  its  entirety by  the  more detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools the resources  of investors by  selling its shares  to the public  and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve  its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an open-end,
  management investment company. Only the  New York Series is offered  through
  this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The  Series' investment  objective is to  maximize current  income that is
  exempt from  New  York  State,  New  York  City  and  federal  income  taxes
  consistent  with  the  preservation of  capital.  It seeks  to  achieve this
  objective by  investing primarily  in New  York State,  municipal and  local
  government  obligations and obligations of other qualifying issuers, such as
  issuers located  in Puerto  Rico, the  Virgin Islands  and Guam,  which  pay
  income exempt, in the opinion of counsel, from New York State, New York City
  and  federal income taxes (New York  Obligations). There can be no assurance
  that the Series' investment  objective will be achieved.  See "How the  Fund
  Invests--Investment Objective and Policies" at page 8.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
    In  seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest at
  least 80% of the  value of its  total assets in  New York Obligations.  This
  degree of investment concentration makes the Series particularly susceptible
  to factors adversely affecting issuers of New York Obligations. See "How the
  Fund  Invests--Investment Objective and Policies--Special Considerations" at
  page 12. To  hedge against changes  in interest rates,  the Series may  also
  purchase  put  options  and engage  in  transactions  involving derivatives,
  including financial futures contracts and options thereon. See "How the Fund
  Invests--Investment Objective  and Policies--Futures  Contracts and  Options
  Thereon" at page 10.
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential  Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the Manager
  of the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50  of
  1%  of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996, PMF
  served as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including  38
  mutual  funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion. The
  Prudential  Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)   furnishes
  investment  advisory services in connection with  the management of the Fund
  under  a   Subadvisory  Agreement   with   PMF.  See   "How  the   Fund   is
  Managed--Manager" at page 13.
    
 
   
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
    
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI), a major
  securities  underwriter and securities  and commodities broker,  acts as the
  Distributor of the Series' Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z shares  and
  is  paid a distribution and service fee with respect to Class A shares which
  is currently being charged at  the annual rate of .10  of 1% of the  average
  daily  net  assets of  the Class  A shares  and is  paid a  distribution and
  service fee with respect to Class B shares  at the annual rate of .50 of  1%
  of  the average daily net assets of the Class B shares and is paid an annual
  distribution and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class C  shares  which  is
  currently  being charged at the  rate of .75 of 1%  of the average daily net
  assets of the Class  C shares. Prudential Securities  incurs the expense  of
  distributing  the Series' Class Z shares under a Distribution Agreement with
  the Fund, none of which is reimbursed or paid for by the Fund.
    
 
    See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 14.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
    The minimum initial investment  for Class A and  Class B shares is  $1,000
  per  class and $5,000 for Class  C shares. The minimum subsequent investment
  is $100 for  Class A, Class  B and Class  C shares. Class  Z shares are  not
  subject  to  any  minimum  investment  requirements.  There  is  no  minimum
  investment requirement  for certain  employee savings  plans. For  purchases
  made  through the Automatic  Savings Accumulation Plan,  the minimum initial
  and subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy  Shares
  of  the Fund"  at page 21  and "Shareholder  Guide--Shareholder Services" at
  page 30.
    
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through  its
  transfer  agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities plus a
  sales charge which may be imposed either (i) at the time of purchase  (Class
  A  shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis  (Class B or Class C shares). Class Z
  shares are  offered to  a limited  group  of investors  at net  asset  value
  without  any sales charge. See  "How the Fund Values  its Shares" at page 16
  and "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares of the Fund" at page 21.
    
 
  WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
   
    The Series offers four classes of shares:
    
 
       - Class A Shares:    Sold with an initial sales charge of up to 3%
                            of the offering price.
 
       - Class B Shares:    Sold without an initial sales charge but  are
                            subject  to a contingent deferred sales charge
                            or CDSC  (declining from  5%  to zero  of  the
                            lower of the amount invested or the redemption
                            proceeds)  which  will be  imposed  on certain
                            redemptions made within six years of purchase.
                            Although Class B shares are subject to  higher
                            ongoing   distribution-related  expenses  than
                            Class  A   shares,   Class   B   shares   will
                            automatically convert to Class A shares (which
                            are subject to lower ongoing
                            distribution-related  expenses)  approximately
                            seven years after purchase.
 
       - Class C Shares:    Sold without an initial sales charge and, for
                            one year after purchase,  are subject to a  1%
                            CDSC  on  redemptions.  Like  Class  B shares,
                            Class C shares are  subject to higher  ongoing
                            distribution-related  expenses  than  Class  A
                            shares but do not convert to another class.
 
   
       - Class Z Shares:    Sold without either an initial or  contingent
                            deferred  sales charge  to a  limited group of
                            investors. Class Z shares  are not subject  to
                            any  ongoing  service  or distribution-related
                            expenses.
    
 
    See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 22.
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
   
    You may redeem your shares  at any time at  the NAV next determined  after
  Prudential  Securities  or  the  Transfer Agent  receives  your  sell order.
  However, the proceeds of redemptions  of Class B and  Class C shares may  be
  subject  to a CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page
  25.
    
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
    The Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of  net
  investment  income, if any, and make  distributions of any net capital gains
  at  least  annually.  Dividends  and  distributions  will  be  automatically
  reinvested  in additional shares of the Series at NAV without a sales charge
  unless you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes,  Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 17.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                               (NEW YORK SERIES)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES+              CLASS A SHARES         CLASS B SHARES          CLASS C SHARES    CLASS Z SHARES
                                               --------------  ----------------------------  -----------------  --------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>                           <C>                <C>
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases
     (as a percentage of offering price).....        3%                    None                    None              None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load (as a
     percentage of original purchase price or
     redemption proceeds, whichever is
     lower)..................................       None       5%  during  the  first year,  1% on redemptions       None
                                                               decreasing by 1% annually to  made  within  one
                                                               1%  in  the fifth  and sixth  year of purchase
                                                               years  and  0%  the  seventh
                                                               year*
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested
     Dividends...............................       None                   None                    None              None
    Redemption Fees..........................       None                   None                    None              None
    Exchange Fee.............................       None                   None                    None              None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES**
(as a percentage of average net assets)      CLASS A SHARES    CLASS B SHARES    CLASS C SHARES    CLASS Z SHARES***
                                             ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ------------------
<S>                                          <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
    Management Fees (Before Waiver)........         .50%              .50%              .50%               .50%
    12b-1 Fees (After Reduction)...........         .10++             .50               .75++             None
    Other Expenses.........................         .13               .13               .13                .13
                                                     --
                                                                      ---               ---                ---
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before
     Waiver and After Reduction)...........         .73%             1.13%             1.38%               .63%
                                                     --
                                                     --
                                                                      ---               ---                ---
                                                                      ---               ---                ---
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1          3          5          10
EXAMPLE                                           YEAR       YEARS      YEARS       YEARS
                                                  -----      -----      -----       -----
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a
 $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual
 return and (2) redemption at the end of each
 time period:
    Class A..................................      $37        $53        $69        $118
    Class B..................................      $62        $66        $72        $121
    Class C..................................      $24        $44        $76        $166
    Class Z***...............................      $ 6        $20        $35        $ 79
You would pay the following expenses on the
 same investment, assuming no redemption:
    Class A..................................      $37        $53        $69        $118
    Class B..................................      $12        $36        $62        $121
    Class C..................................      $14        $44        $76        $166
    Class Z***...............................      $ 6        $20        $35        $ 79
</TABLE>
    
 
   
   The  above examples are based on restated data for the Series' fiscal year
   ended  August  31,  1996.  THE   EXAMPLES  SHOULD  NOT  BE  CONSIDERED   A
   REPRESENTATION  OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER
   OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
   The purpose of  this table  is to  assist investors  in understanding  the
   various  costs  and expenses  that an  investor in  the Series  will bear,
   whether directly  or indirectly.  For more  complete descriptions  of  the
   various  costs  and  expenses,  see  "How  the  Fund  is  Managed." "Other
   Expenses" includes operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees' and
   professional fees, registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer
   agency and custodian fees.
   ------------------------
 
    *Class  B  shares   will  automatically   convert  to   Class  A   shares
     approximately    seven   years   after    purchase.   See   "Shareholder
     Guide--Conversion Feature--Class B Shares."
   
    **Based on  expenses incurred  during the  fiscal year  ended August  31,
      1996,  without taking  into account the  management fee  waiver. At the
      current level of  management fee  waiver (.05 of  1%), Management  Fees
      would  be .45%  for Class A,  Class B, Class  C and Class  Z shares and
      Total Fund Operating Expenses would be  .68% of the average net  assets
      of  the Series' Class A shares, 1.08%  of the average net assets of the
      Series' Class B shares, 1.33% of the average net assets of the  Series'
      Class  C shares and .58% of the average net assets of the Series' Class
      Z shares. See "How the Fund is Managed-- Manager--Fee Waivers."
    
   
   ***Estimated based on expenses expected to  have been incurred if Class  Z
      shares  had been in  existence throughout the  fiscal year ended August
      31, 1996.
    
    +Pursuant to rules  of the  National Association  of Securities  Dealers,
     Inc.,  the aggregate initial  sales charges, deferred  sales charges and
     asset-based sales charges on shares of  the Series may not exceed  6.25%
     of  total  gross  sales,  subject  to  certain  exclusions.  This  6.25%
     limitation is imposed on each class of  the Series rather than on a  per
     shareholder  basis. Therefore, long-term shareholders  of the Series may
     pay more in total sales charges than the economic equivalent of 6.25% of
     such shareholders'  investment in  such  shares. See  "How the  Fund  is
     Managed--Distributor."
   
    ++Although the Class A and Class C Distribution and Service Plans provide
      that  the Fund may pay a distribution fee of up to .30 of 1% and 1% per
      annum of  the average  daily net  assets of  the Class  A and  Class  C
      shares,   respectively,  the  Distributor  has   agreed  to  limit  its
      distribution fees with respect to the Class A and Class C shares of the
      Series to no more than .10 of 1% and .75 of 1% of the average daily net
      asset value of the Class A shares and Class C shares, respectively, for
      the fiscal year ending August  31, 1997. Total Fund Operating  Expenses
      (Before  Waiver)  of  the  Class  A and  Class  C  shares  without such
      limitations would be .93% and 1.63%, respectively. See "How the Fund is
      Managed--Distributor."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class A Shares)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August 31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected  data for  a Class  A share  of beneficial  interest
outstanding,  total return, ratios to average  net assets and other supplemental
data for the periods indicated. This  information is based on data contained  in
the  financial statements. Further  performance information is  contained in the
annual report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder  Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 CLASS A
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                       JANUARY 22,
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------  1990(A) THROUGH
                                                 1996         1995        1994      1993     1992    1991   AUGUST 31, 1990
                                               --------     --------     -------   -------  ------  ------  ---------------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.........    $11.91       $11.71      $12.54    $11.75  $11.08  $10.62      $10.81
                                               --------     --------     -------   -------  ------  ------      ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income........................       .63(d)       .66(d)      .67       .70     .71     .72         .42
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions.....................      (.09)         .20        (.83)      .79     .67     .46        (.19)
                                               --------     --------     -------   -------  ------  ------      ------
  Total from investment operations...........       .54          .86        (.16)     1.49    1.38    1.18         .23
                                               --------     --------     -------   -------  ------  ------      ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income.........      (.63)        (.66)       (.67)     (.70)   (.71)   (.72)       (.42)
Distributions from net realized gains........      (.05)          --          --        --      --      --          --
                                               --------     --------     -------   -------  ------  ------      ------
  Total distributions........................      (.68)        (.66)       (.67)     (.70)   (.71)   (.72)       (.42)
                                               --------     --------     -------   -------  ------  ------      ------
Net asset value, end of period...............    $11.77       $11.91      $11.71    $12.54  $11.75  $11.08      $10.62
                                               --------     --------     -------   -------  ------  ------      ------
                                               --------     --------     -------   -------  ------  ------      ------
TOTAL RETURN(C):.............................      4.53%        7.70%      (1.38)%   13.06%  12.73%  11.49%       2.03%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)..............  $168,037     $163,025     $13,661   $11,821  $6,057  $2,729      $1,174
Average net assets (000).....................  $168,291     $ 95,024     $13,454   $ 8,755  $4,024  $1,579      $  588
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution fee.......       .68%(d)      .69%(d)     .74%      .74%    .74%    .71%        .78%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fee.......       .58%(d)      .59%(d)     .64%      .64%    .64%    .61%        .68%(b)
  Net investment income......................      5.24%(d)     5.65%(d)    5.46%     5.78%   6.19%   6.61%       6.41%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate......................        92%          57%         49%       44%     45%     78%        127%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
   
 (a) Commencement of offering of Class A shares.
    
   
 (b) Annualized.
    
   
 (c) Total  return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return
     is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a  sale
     on  the last  day of each  period reported and  includes reinvestment of
     dividends. Total returns for  periods of less than  a full year are  not
     annualized.
    
   
 (d) Net of fee waiver.
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class B Shares)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August  31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP, independent
accountants, whose report  thereon was unqualified.  This information should  be
read  in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto, which
appear in  the  Statement of  Additional  Information. The  following  financial
highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  B share  of beneficial interest
outstanding, total return, ratios to  average net assets and other  supplemental
data  for the periods indicated. This information  is based on data contained in
the financial statements.  Further performance information  is contained in  the
annual  report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          CLASS B
                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1996          1995          1994        1993       1992       1991       1990      1989(A)
                               ---------     ---------     ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                            <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 year.........................    $11.91        $11.71        $12.54      $11.75     $11.08     $10.62     $10.88     $10.59
                               ---------     ---------     ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income.........       .58(b)        .61(b)        .62         .65        .66        .67        .65        .65
Net realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on investment
 transactions.................      (.09)          .20          (.83)        .79        .67        .46       (.26)       .29
                               ---------     ---------     ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Total from investment
   operations.................       .49           .81          (.21)       1.44       1.33       1.13        .39        .94
                               ---------     ---------     ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income.......................      (.58)         (.61)         (.62)       (.65)      (.66)      (.67)      (.65)      (.65)
Distributions from net
 realized gains...............      (.05)           --            --          --         --         --         --         --
                               ---------     ---------     ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Total distributions.........      (.63)         (.61)         (.62)       (.65)      (.66)      (.67)      (.65)      (.65)
                               ---------     ---------     ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value, end of
 year.........................    $11.77        $11.91        $11.71      $12.54     $11.75     $11.08     $10.62     $10.88
                               ---------     ---------     ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                               ---------     ---------     ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
TOTAL RETURN(C):..............      4.12%         7.26%        (1.77)%     12.61%     12.32%     10.96%      3.73%      9.33%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year
 (000)........................  $135,764      $163,013      $331,982    $358,607   $316,472   $293,942   $313,606   $340,728
Average net assets (000)......  $152,656      $230,033      $350,564    $330,823   $303,016   $295,285   $332,580   $353,225
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee...........      1.08%(b)      1.11%(b)      1.14%       1.14%      1.14%      1.11%      1.17%      1.05%
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution
   fee........................       .58%(b)       .61%(b)       .64%        .64%       .64%       .61%       .67%       .64%
  Net investment income.......      4.84%(b)      5.30%(b)      5.06%       5.38%      5.79%      6.21%      6.10%      5.77%
Portfolio turnover rate.......        92%           57%           49%         44%        45%        78%       127%        96%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                  1988        1987
                                ---------  ----------
<S>                            <C>         <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 year.........................     $10.79      $12.07
                                ---------  ----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income.........        .71         .72
Net realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on investment
 transactions.................       (.20)       (.81)
                                ---------  ----------
  Total from investment
   operations.................        .51        (.09)
                                ---------  ----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income.......................       (.71)       (.72)
Distributions from net
 realized gains...............         --        (.47)
                                ---------  ----------
  Total distributions.........       (.71)      (1.19)
                                ---------  ----------
Net asset value, end of
 year.........................     $10.59      $10.79
                                ---------  ----------
                                ---------  ----------
TOTAL RETURN(C):..............       4.93%      (0.89)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year
 (000)........................   $307,458    $313,663
Average net assets (000)......   $298,290    $299,963
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee...........       1.10%       1.06%
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution
   fee........................        .62%        .57%
  Net investment income.......       6.72%       6.21%
Portfolio turnover rate.......         91%        246%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
   
 (a) On December 31, 1988, Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc. succeeded
     The Prudential Insurance Company of America as manager of the Fund.
    
   
 (b) Net of fee waiver.
    
   
 (c) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total  return
     is  calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale
     on the  last day  of each  year reported  and includes  reinvestment  of
     dividends and distributions.
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class C Shares)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  The following financial highlights have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent  accountants, whose report thereon was unqualified. This information
should be  read in  conjunction  with the  financial  statements and  the  notes
thereto,  which appear in the Statement of Additional Information. The following
financial highlights contain  selected data for  a Class C  share of  beneficial
interest  outstanding,  total return,  ratios to  average  net assets  and other
supplemental data for the periods indicated.  This information is based on  data
contained  in  the  financial  statements.  Further  performance  information is
contained in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge.  See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      CLASS C
                                          --------------------------------
                                                                AUGUST 1,
                                          YEAR ENDED AUGUST      1994(A)
                                                 31,             THROUGH
                                          -----------------     AUGUST 31,
                                           1996       1995         1994
                                          ------     ------     ----------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period....  $11.91     $11.71      $ 11.74
                                          ------     ------     ----------
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income...................     .55(b)     .58(b)       .04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
 on
 investment transactions................    (.09)       .20         (.03)
                                          ------     ------     ----------
    Total from investment operations....     .46        .78         (.01)
                                          ------     ------     ----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income....    (.55)      (.58)        (.04)
Distributions from net realized gains...    (.05)        --           --
                                          ------     ------     ----------
    Total distributions.................    (.60)      (.58)        (.04)
                                          ------     ------     ----------
Net asset value, end of period..........  $11.77     $11.91       $11.71
                                          ------     ------     ----------
                                          ------     ------     ----------
TOTAL RETURN(D):........................    3.86%      7.00%        0.06%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).........  $  876     $  529      $   142
Average net assets (000)................  $  659     $  325      $    42
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution
   fee..................................    1.33%(b)   1.36%(b)     1.62%(c)
  Expenses, excluding distribution
   fee..................................     .58%(b)    .61%(b)      .87%(c)
  Net investment income.................    4.59%(b)   5.05%(b)     5.17%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate.................      92%        57%          49%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
   
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
    
   
   (b) Net of fee waiver.
    
   
   (c) Annualized.
    
   
   (d) Total  return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return
       is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a  sale
       on  the last  day of each  period reported and  includes reinvestment of
       dividends. Total returns for  periods of less than  a full year are  not
       annualized.
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL  MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS  MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE NEW  YORK SERIES (THE SERIES)  IS
DIVERSIFIED  AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS  TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME THAT IS
EXEMPT FROM NEW YORK  STATE, NEW YORK CITY  AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXES  CONSISTENT
WITH  THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL AND,  IN CONJUNCTION THEREWITH, THE SERIES MAY
INVEST IN DEBT SECURITIES WITH THE  POTENTIAL FOR CAPITAL GAIN. See  "Investment
Objectives and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE  SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A  FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE  SERIES'
OUTSTANDING  VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE  NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  THE  SERIES  WILL INVEST  PRIMARILY  IN NEW  YORK  STATE, MUNICIPAL  AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS  AND OBLIGATIONS  OF OTHER  QUALIFYING ISSUERS,  SUCH  AS
ISSUERS  LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO,  THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND  GUAM, WHICH PAY INCOME
EXEMPT, IN  THE OPINION  OF COUNSEL,  FROM NEW  YORK STATE,  NEW YORK  CITY  AND
FEDERAL  INCOME TAXES (NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS). THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE
SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
  Interest on  certain  municipal  obligations  may be  a  preference  item  for
purposes  of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest without
limit in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined  in
the  Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item for
purposes of  the federal  alternative  minimum tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends  and
Distributions." Under New York law, dividends paid by the Series are exempt from
New  York State  and New York  City income  tax for resident  individuals to the
extent they are derived from interest payments on New York Obligations. New York
Obligations could  include  general obligation  bonds  of the  State,  counties,
cities,  towns, etc., revenue bonds of  utility systems, highways, bridges, port
and airport facilities,  colleges, hospitals, etc.,  and industrial  development
and  pollution control bonds.  The Series will  invest in long-term obligations,
and the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Series' portfolio will generally
range between 10-20  years. The Series  also may invest  in certain  short-term,
tax-exempt  notes such  as Tax  Anticipation Notes,  Revenue Anticipation Notes,
Bond Anticipation Notes, Construction Loan Notes and variable and floating  rate
demand notes.
 
  Generally,  municipal obligations with longer maturities produce higher yields
and are subject to greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates (market  risk) than  municipal obligations  with shorter  maturities.  The
prices  of municipal  obligations vary  inversely with  interest rates. Interest
rates are currently  much lower  than in  recent years.  If rates  were to  rise
sharply,  the  prices  of bonds  in  the  Series' portfolio  might  be adversely
affected.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES,  INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as  a
specific  percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on Treasury
bonds or bills or the prime rate  at a major commercial bank. The interest  rate
on  floating rate securities changes periodically when  there is a change in the
designated base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a  specified
periodic  adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates and
generally would allow the  Series to demand payment  of the obligation on  short
notice  at par plus accrued interest, which amount  may be more or less than the
amount the Series paid for them. An inverse floater is a debt instrument with  a
floating  or variable interest rate that moves  in the opposite direction of the
interest rate on  another security  or the  value of  an index.  Changes in  the
interest  rate  on the  other security  or index  inversely affect  the residual
interest rate paid  on the  inverse floater, with  the result  that the  inverse
floater's  price will be  considerably more volatile  than that of  a fixed rate
bond. The market for inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
  THE SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN  MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL  LEASE
OBLIGATION  IS A MUNICIPAL  SECURITY THE INTEREST  ON AND PRINCIPAL  OF WHICH IS
PAYABLE OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES  FINANCED
BY  THE ISSUE. Typically, municipal  lease obligations are issued  by a state or
municipal  financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction   of
facilities  (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or the
acquisition of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state  or
municipality  pursuant to a lease with  a financing authority. Certain municipal
lease obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes of  the Series'  15%  limitation on  illiquid securities  provided  the
investment  adviser determines that there is a readily available market for such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies-- Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
  ALL NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS  PURCHASED BY THE SERIES  WILL BE "INVESTMENT  GRADE"
SECURITIES. In other words, all of the New York Obligations will, at the time of
purchase,  be  rated within  the four  highest quality  grades as  determined by
Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for bonds, MIG 1,
MIG 2, MIG  3, MIG 4  for notes and  Prime-1 for commercial  paper), Standard  &
Poor's  Ratings Group (S&P) (currently AAA, AA, A, BBB for bonds, SP-1, SP-2 for
notes and A-1 for commercial paper) or another nationally recognized statistical
rating organization (NRSRO)  or, if unrated,  will possess creditworthiness,  in
the  opinion of  the investment adviser,  comparable to securities  in which the
Series may invest.  Securities rated Baa  may have speculative  characteristics,
and  changes in  economic conditions or  other circumstances are  more likely to
lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is  the
case  with higher grade securities. Subsequent to  its purchase by the Series, a
municipal obligation may be assigned a lower  rating or cease to be rated.  Such
an  event would not require the elimination of the issue from the portfolio, but
the investment adviser will  consider such an event  in determining whether  the
Series  should continue to hold the  security in its portfolio. See "Description
of Tax-Exempt Security Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information.  The
Series may purchase New York Obligations which, in the opinion of the investment
adviser,  offer the  opportunity for capital  appreciation. This  may occur, for
example, when the investment  adviser believes that the  issuer of a  particular
New   York  Obligation  might  receive  an  upgraded  credit  standing,  thereby
increasing the market value of  the bonds it has  issued or when the  investment
adviser  believes that interest  rates might decline. As  a general matter, bond
prices and the Series'  net asset value will  vary inversely with interest  rate
fluctuations.
    
 
  From  time to time, the Series may own the majority of a municipal issue. Such
majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
  UNDER  NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO   INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY  ALL OF  THE VALUE  OF ITS  ASSETS IN  NEW YORK  OBLIGATIONS. As a
matter of fundamental policy, during normal market conditions the Series' assets
will be invested so that at least 80% of the income will be exempt from New York
State, New York City and federal income  taxes or the Series will have at  least
80% of its total assets invested in New York Obligations. During abnormal market
conditions or to provide liquidity, the Series may hold cash or cash equivalents
or  investment grade taxable obligations,  including obligations that are exempt
from federal, but not New York City  or New York State, taxation and the  Series
may  invest in  tax-free cash equivalents,  such as floating  rate demand notes,
tax-exempt commercial  paper and  general obligation  and revenue  notes, or  in
taxable  cash equivalents, such as  certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances
and time deposits  or other  short-term taxable investments  such as  repurchase
agreements.  When, in  the opinion  of the  investment adviser,  abnormal market
conditions require a temporary  defensive position, the  Series may invest  more
than  20% of  the value  of its assets  in debt  securities other  than New York
Obligations or may  invest its assets  so that more  than 20% of  the income  is
subject  to New York  State, New York  City or federal  income taxes. The Series
will treat  an  investment in  a  municipal  bond refunded  with  escrowed  U.S.
Government  securities  as  U.S.  Government  securities  for  purposes  of  the
Investment  Company   Act's   diversification  requirements   provided   certain
conditions  are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO  SELL
SECURITIES  HELD IN  THE SERIES'  PORTFOLIO AT A  SPECIFIED EXERCISE  PRICE ON A
SPECIFIED DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting  the
Series  from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which the
put applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case  of
liquidity  puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of the
underlying security. The aggregate value of premiums
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
paid to acquire puts held in  the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts)
may  not exceed 10% of the  net asset value of the  Series. The acquisition of a
put may involve an additional cost to the Series by payment of a premium for the
put, by payment of a  higher purchase price for securities  to which the put  is
attached or through a lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In  addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts in
that the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase  the
underlying  security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under the
following circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the  underlying
security  and such security is  rated within the four  highest quality grades as
determined by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than  the
issuer  of the  underlying security and  such person  has securities outstanding
which are rated  within such  four highest  quality grades;  or (3)  the put  is
backed  by a letter of credit or  similar financial guarantee issued by a person
having securities outstanding  which are  rated within the  two highest  quality
grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
  THE  SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS  ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED
DELIVERY" BASIS,  IN EACH  CASE WITHOUT  LIMIT. When  municipal obligations  are
offered  on a when-issued or  delayed delivery basis, the  price and coupon rate
are fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery  and
payment  for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore, no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser  during
such  period. In the case of purchases by  the Series, the price that the Series
is required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market  value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the  settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with the
purpose of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable  for
investment  reasons. At the time  the Series makes the  commitment to purchase a
municipal obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will  record
the  transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as values of municipal obligations otherwise  held by the Series. If the  seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that  had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with its
Custodian in which  it will  maintain cash, U.S.  Government securities,  equity
securities  or other liquid, unencumbered  assets, marked-to-market daily, equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE SERIES MAY ALSO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL FORWARD CONTRACTS. A municipal  forward
contract  is a municipal security which is purchased on a when-issued basis with
delivery taking place up to  five years from the  date of purchase. No  interest
will  accrue on the security prior to  the delivery date. The investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity, value, credit  quality and delivery of the  security
under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY  PURCHASE SECONDARY MARKET  INSURANCE ON  NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS
WHICH IT HOLDS OR ACQUIRES. Secondary market insurance would be reflected in the
market value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series  to
dispose  of a  defaulted obligation  at a  price similar  to that  of comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance is  not  a  substitute  for  the basic  credit  of  an  issuer,  but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance  coverage  for the  New York  Obligations held  by the  Series reduces
credit risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment  of
principal  and interest if  the issuer defaults  on its obligation  to make such
payment, it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price,  I.E.,
the  market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
  THE SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO  PURCHASE AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES,  INCLUDING
FINANCIAL  FUTURES  CONTRACTS (FUTURES  CONTRACTS) AND  OPTIONS THEREON  FOR THE
PURPOSE OF HEDGING ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED
BY CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HEDGING AGAINST INCREASES  IN
THE  COST OF SECURITIES  THE SERIES INTENDS  TO PURCHASE. THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF
FUTURES  CONTRACTS  AND  OPTIONS  THEREON  BY  THE  SERIES  INVOLVES  ADDITIONAL
TRANSACTION  COSTS  AND  IS  SUBJECT  TO  VARIOUS  RISKS  AND  DEPENDS  UPON THE
INVESTMENT ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT  THE DIRECTION OF THE MARKET  (INCLUDING
INTEREST RATES).
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
  A  FUTURES CONTRACT  OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE  CONTRACT TO  DELIVER TO THE
PURCHASER OF  THE CONTRACT  CASH EQUAL  TO A  SPECIFIC DOLLAR  AMOUNT TIMES  THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE  OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF THE  CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH THE
AGREEMENT IS MADE. No  physical delivery of the  underlying securities is  made.
The  Series  will engage  in transactions  in only  those futures  contracts and
options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
  The Series intends  to engage in  futures contracts and  options thereon as  a
hedge  against  changes,  resulting  from market  conditions,  in  the  value of
securities which are held in the  Series' portfolio or which the Series  intends
to  purchase,  in accordance  with the  rules and  regulations of  the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). The Series also intends to engage in such
transactions when they are economically  appropriate for the reduction of  risks
inherent in the ongoing management of the Series.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY NOT PURCHASE OR SELL  FUTURES CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS THEREON IF,
IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER,  (I) THE  SUM OF  INITIAL AND  NET CUMULATIVE  VARIATION
MARGIN ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (II) IN THE CASE
OF  RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL MARGIN
DEPOSITS ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS  THEREON
WOULD  EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There are
no limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and  no
limitations  on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts and
options thereon, except that the  aggregate value of the obligations  underlying
put  options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements for
qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue  Code
may  limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and options
thereon. See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Currently,  futures contracts are  available on several  types of fixed-income
securities, including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S.  Treasury
bills  and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal bond
index, based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40  actively
traded  municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in other
futures  contracts  that  become  available,   from  time  to  time,  in   other
fixed-income  securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
  THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE  MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A  LIQUID
SECONDARY  MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash  payments
of  variation  margin  in  the  event of  adverse  price  movements.  In  such a
situation, if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell  portfolio
securities  to meet daily variation margin requirements  at a time when it might
be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close futures positions also could
have an adverse impact on the ability of the Series to hedge effectively.  There
is  also  a risk  of loss  by  the Series  of margin  deposits  in the  event of
bankruptcy of a broker with  whom the Series has an  open position in a  futures
contract.
 
  THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND  OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES IS
SUBJECT TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions  involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and  movements in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities that
are the subject of the hedge. If the price of the futures contract moves more or
less than the price of the security that is the subject of the hedge, the Series
will experience a gain or loss that  will not be completely offset by  movements
in the price of the security. The risk of imperfect correlation is greater where
the  securities underlying futures contracts are taxable securities (rather than
municipal securities), are issued  by companies in  different market sectors  or
have  different maturities, ratings or geographic  mixes than the security being
hedged. In  addition,  the  correlation  may be  affected  by  additions  to  or
deletions  from the  index which  serves as  the basis  for a  futures contract.
Finally, if the price of the security that is subject to the hedge were to  move
in  a favorable direction, the advantage to the Series would be partially offset
by the loss incurred on the futures contract.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST  80% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL  ASSETS
IN NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS AND BECAUSE IT SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE INCOME DERIVED FROM NEW
YORK  OBLIGATIONS, IT IS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FACTORS ADVERSELY AFFECTING ISSUERS
OF NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS THAN IS A COMPARABLE MUNICIPAL BOND MUTUAL FUND THAT  IS
NOT  CONCENTRATED IN  SUCH OBLIGATIONS  TO THIS  DEGREE. New  York's budgets for
fiscal years 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 have produced cash surpluses for the  first
time  since  fiscal  year  1987-1988. The  State's  economic  recovery, however,
weakened by mid-1994, and the  1994-1995 General Fund deficit was  approximately
$241  million. The State's Comptroller's audited financial statements for fiscal
year 1996 are  expected to indicate  that the State's  accumulated deficit  (now
approximately  $7.5 billion) was not reduced  significantly in fiscal year 1996,
despite the  State's  ending cash  balance  of $445  million.  There can  be  no
assurances  that the  State will not  face substantial potential  budget gaps in
this and  future  years  resulting  from a  significant  disparity  between  tax
revenues  projected  from  a  lower recurring  receipts  base  and  the spending
required to maintain State programs at current levels. To address any  potential
budgetary  imbalance, the  State may need  to take significant  actions to align
recurring receipts and disbursements in future fiscal years. If either New  York
State  or any of its local governmental entities is unable to meet its financial
obligations, the  income derived  by  the Series,  the  ability to  preserve  or
realize  appreciation of the Series' capital  and the Series' liquidity could be
adversely   affected.   See   "Investment   Objectives   and   Policies--Special
Considerations  Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities" in the Statement
of Additional Information.
    
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of a security agrees to repurchase that  security from the Series at a  mutually
agreed-upon  time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite short,
possibly overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number  of
months.  The resale  price is  in excess  of the  purchase price,  reflecting an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price.  The
instruments  held  as  collateral are  valued  daily  and if  the  value  of the
instruments declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If  the
seller  defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series  may incur a loss.  The Series participates in  a
joint  repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management LLC pursuant to  an order of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission (SEC).
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
  The  Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series  may
pledge  up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure these
borrowings. The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its  borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
  The  Series does not expect to trade  in securities for short-term gain. It is
anticipated that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%.  The
portfolio  turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales or
purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the  portfolio
securities,  excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase of
one year or less.
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series  may hold  up  to 15%  of its  net  assets in  illiquid  securities
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities   with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale  (restricted
securities)  and  securities  that   are  not  readily  marketable.   Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933, as
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
amended  (the Securities Act),  privately placed commercial  paper and municipal
lease obligations  that  have a  readily  available market  are  not  considered
illiquid  for purposes of  this limitation. The  investment adviser will monitor
the liquidity  of  such  restricted  securities under  the  supervision  of  the
Trustees.  The Series' investment in Rule  144A securities could have the effect
of increasing  illiquidity to  the extent  that qualified  institutional  buyers
become, for a limited time, uninterested in purchasing Rule 144A securities. See
"Investment   Objectives  and  Policies--Illiquid  Securities"  and  "Investment
Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase  agreements
subject to demand are deemed to have a maturity equal to the notice period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The  Series  is subject  to certain  investment  restrictions which,  like its
investment objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental  policies
cannot  be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION  TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE  FUND'S
MANAGER,  SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY  BUSINESS
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996, total expenses of the Series as  a
percentage of average net assets, net of fee waivers, were .68%, 1.08% and 1.33%
for  the  Series'  Class  A,  Class B  and  Class  C  shares,  respectively. See
"Financial Highlights." No Class Z shares were outstanding during this period.
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC  (PMF OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY  CENTER
THREE,  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET  ASSETS
OF  THE SERIES. PMF is organized in New  York as a limited liability company. It
is the successor to Prudential  Mutual Fund Management, Inc., which  transferred
its  assets to PMF in September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series paid PMF  a management fee of  .45 of 1% of  the Series' average  net
assets.  See "Fee  Waivers" below and  "Manager" in the  Statement of Additional
Information.
    
 
   
  As of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end  investment
companies,  constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager or
administrator to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets  of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER  THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH THE  FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS OF EACH SERIES OF THE  FUND AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S  BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER  A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT
CORPORATION (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY  SERVICES
IN  CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR ITS
REASONABLE COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED  IN PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under  the
Management  Agreement, PMF continues  to have responsibility  for all investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
  Effective  April 1996, Peter  J. Allegrini, a  Managing Director of Prudential
Investments, and Christian  Smith, a Vice  President of Prudential  Investments,
became  co-managers of  the Series and  share responsibility  for the day-to-day
management of the Series' portfolio. Mr. Allegrini has been employed by PIC as a
portfolio manager  since July  1994 and  serves as  the portfolio  manager of  a
number  of  other  portfolios  managed  by  PIC.  He  was  employed  by Fidelity
Investments from 1982 to 1985 as a senior bond analyst and from 1985 to 1994  as
a  portfolio manager,  most recently of  Fidelity Adviser  High Income Municipal
Fund. Mr. Smith has been  employed by PIC in  various capacities since 1988  and
serves  as the portfolio manager for a number of other municipal bond portfolios
managed by PIC.
    
 
   
  PMF and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance  Company
of  America (Prudential), a  major diversified insurance  and financial services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
  Effective January 1, 1995, PMF agreed to waive 10% of its management fee.  The
Series  is  not  required  to  reimburse PMF  for  such  management  fee waiver.
Thereafter, PMF may from  time to time agree  to waive all or  a portion of  its
management  fee  and subsidize  certain operating  expenses  of the  Series. Fee
waivers and expense subsidies will increase the Series' yield and total  return.
See "Fund Expenses."
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA,  NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10292, IS A CORPORATION  ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF DELAWARE  AND SERVES AS  THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE  CLASS A, CLASS  B,
CLASS  C  AND CLASS  Z SHARES  OF THE  SERIES. It  is an  indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of  Prudential. Prior  to  January 2,  1996, Prudential  Mutual  Fund
Distributors, Inc. (PMFD), One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as
distributor of the Class A shares of the Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER  SEPARATE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS (THE  CLASS A PLAN, THE CLASS B
PLAN AND THE CLASS C  PLAN, COLLECTIVELY, THE PLANS)  ADOPTED BY THE FUND  UNDER
RULE  12B-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (THE
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT),  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES (THE  DISTRIBUTOR)  INCURS  THE
EXPENSES  OF DISTRIBUTING THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE SERIES.
Prudential Securities also incurs the expense of distributing the Series'  Class
Z  shares  under the  Distribution Agreement  with  the Fund,  none of  which is
reimbursed or  paid for  by the  Fund. These  expenses include  commissions  and
account  servicing  fees  paid  to,  or on  account  of,  financial  advisers of
Prudential  Securities  and  representatives  of  Pruco  Securities  Corporation
(Prusec),  an affiliated  broker-dealer, commissions and  account servicing fees
paid to, or on account of, other broker-dealers or financial institutions (other
than national banks) which  have entered into  agreements with the  Distributor,
advertising expenses, the cost of printing and mailing prospectuses to potential
investors  and indirect and  overhead costs of  Prudential Securities and Prusec
associated  with  the   sale  of  Series   shares,  including  lease,   utility,
communications  and sales promotion  expenses. The State  of Texas requires that
shares of  the Series  may  be sold  in  that state  only  by dealers  or  other
financial institutions which are registered there as broker-dealers.
    
 
  Under  the Plans, the  Series is obligated to  pay distribution and/or service
fees to  the  Distributor  as  compensation for  its  distribution  and  service
activities,  not  as  reimbursement  for  specific  expenses  incurred.  If  the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Series will
not be obligated to pay any  additional expenses. If the Distributor's  expenses
are  less than such distribution and service  fees, it will retain its full fees
and realize a profit.
 
   
  UNDER THE  CLASS A  PLAN, THE  SERIES MAY  PAY PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES FOR  ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF  UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES OF THE
SERIES. The Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average  daily
net  assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service and/or
the  maintenance  of   shareholder  accounts  (service   fee)  and  (ii)   total
distribution fees (including the
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
service  fee of .25  of 1%) may  not exceed .30  of 1% of  the average daily net
assets of the  Class A  shares. Prudential Securities  has agreed  to limit  its
distribution-related  fees payable under  the Class A  Plan to .10  of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class A shares for the fiscal year ending August
31, 1997.
    
 
   
  UNDER THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE SERIES MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES
FOR  ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  ACTIVITIES WITH  RESPECT TO  CLASS B  AND CLASS C
SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF  UP TO .50 OF 1% AND  UP TO 1% OF THE AVERAGE  DAILY
NET  ASSETS OF THE  CLASS B AND CLASS  C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.  The Class B Plan
provides for the payment  to Prudential Securities of  (i) an asset-based  sales
charge of up to .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares,
and (ii) a service fee of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the
Class B shares; provided that the total distribution-related fee does not exceed
 .50 of 1%. The Class C Plan provides for the payment to Prudential Securities of
(i)  an asset-based sales  charge of up  to .75 of  1% of the  average daily net
assets of the Class C shares, and (ii) a  service fee of up to .25 of 1% of  the
average  daily net assets of the Class C  shares. The service fee is used to pay
for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts.  Prudential
Securities  has agreed to limit its  distribution-related fees payable under the
Class C Plan to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C  shares
for  the fiscal year ending August 31, 1997. Prudential Securities also receives
contingent deferred  sales  charges  from certain  redeeming  shareholders.  See
"Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
    
 
   
  For  the  fiscal year  ended  August 31,  1996,  the Series  paid distribution
expenses of .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and  .75 of 1% of the average daily net  assets
of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. The Series records all
payments  made under the Plans as expenses  in the calculation of net investment
income. See "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  Distribution expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B or Class  C
shares  of the Series  will be allocated to  each class based  upon the ratio of
sales of each class to the sales of all shares of the Series other than expenses
allocable to a particular  class. The distribution fee  and sales charge of  one
class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.
    
 
  Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that  a  majority of  the  Trustees of  the Fund,  including  a majority  of the
Trustees who  are  not "interested  persons"  of the  Fund  (as defined  in  the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the  operation of the Plan or any agreement  related to the Plan (the Rule 12b-1
Trustees), vote annually to continue the Plan. Each Plan may be terminated  with
respect  to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule 12b-1
Trustees or of a majority of the  outstanding shares of the applicable class  of
the  Series. The Series  will not be  obligated to pay  distribution and service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
  In addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under  the
Class  A, Class B and Class C Plans,  the Manager (or one of its affiliates) may
make payments  out  of  its  own  resources  to  dealers  (including  Prudential
Securities)  and other  persons who distribute  shares of  the Series (including
Class Z shares). Such payments may be  calculated by reference to the net  asset
value of shares sold by such persons or otherwise.
    
 
  The  Distributor  is  subject to  the  rules  of the  National  Association of
Securities Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges.  See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  On  October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner  who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD to
resolve allegations  that  from  1980  through 1990  PSI  sold  certain  limited
partnership  interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom such
securities were not  suitable and misrepresented  the safety, potential  returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted  against it, PSI consented to the  entry of an SEC Administrative Order
which stated that PSI's conduct  violated the federal securities laws,  directed
PSI  to cease and desist  from violating the federal  securities laws, pay civil
penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000 civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount  of
$330,000,000  and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for compensatory
damages by
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
purchasers of the partnership  interests. PSI has  agreed to provide  additional
funds,  if necessary, for  the purpose of the  settlement fund. PSI's settlement
with the state securities regulators included  an agreement to pay a penalty  of
$500,000  per jurisdiction. PSI consented  to a censure and  to the payment of a
$5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United  States
Magistrate  for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI committed
fraud in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests  in
violation  of federal securities laws. An  agreement was simultaneously filed to
defer prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the  signing
of  the agreement, provided that  PSI complies with the  terms of the agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the agreement, no prosecution  will be instituted by  the United States for  the
offenses  charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course of
the three  year  period, PSI  violates  the terms  of  the agreement,  the  U.S.
Attorney  can  then  elect to  pursue  these  charges. Under  the  terms  of the
agreement, PSI agreed,  among other  things, to pay  an additional  $330,000,000
into  the  fund established  by  the SEC  to  pay restitution  to  investors who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For  more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,   see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The  Fund is  not affected  by PSI's  financial condition  and is  an entirely
separate legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein  and
the  Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company, an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prudential Securities may act as a  broker or futures commission merchant  for
the  Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives
are fair  and reasonable.  See  "Portfolio Transactions  and Brokerage"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State  Street  Bank  and  Trust Company,  One  Heritage  Drive,  North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves  as Custodian  for the portfolio  securities of  the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P .O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.  (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison,  New
Jersey  08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain  books and records for  the Fund. PMFS is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of  PMF. Its  mailing address is  P .O.  Box 15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE  PER SHARE OR NAV  IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING  ITS
LIABILITIES  FROM THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  AND DIVIDING  THE REMAINDER  BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS  CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS.  THE
TRUSTEES  HAVE FIXED  THE SPECIFIC TIME  OF DAY  FOR THE COMPUTATION  OF THE NET
ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:15 P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
 
  Portfolio securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not  readily
available,   at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under  procedures
established by  the Trustees.  Securities may  also be  valued based  on  values
provided  by  a pricing  service.  See "Net  Asset  Value" in  the  Statement of
Additional Information.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
  The Series will compute  its NAV once  daily on days that  the New York  Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or  redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes in
the value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the  NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents'  Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
   
  Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical,
the different expenses borne by each  class will result in different  dividends.
As long as the Series declares dividends daily, the NAV of the Class A, Class B,
Class  C and Class Z shares will generally be the same. It is expected, however,
that the  Series' dividends  will  differ by  approximately  the amount  of  any
distribution and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
FROM TIME TO TIME THE FUND MAY ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD" AND
"TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING "AVERAGE  ANNUAL" TOTAL RETURN  AND "AGGREGATE" TOTAL
RETURN) OF  THE SERIES  IN  ADVERTISEMENTS OR  SALES LITERATURE.  "YIELD,"  "TAX
EQUIVALENT  YIELD" AND  "TOTAL RETURN"  ARE CALCULATED  SEPARATELY FOR  CLASS A,
CLASS B, CLASS  C AND  CLASS Z  SHARES. THESE  FIGURES ARE  BASED ON  HISTORICAL
EARNINGS AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO INDICATE FUTURE PERFORMANCE. The "yield" refers
to  the income  generated by  an investment  in the  Series over  a one-month or
30-day period. This income is then  "annualized;" that is, the amount of  income
generated by the investment during that 30-day period is assumed to be generated
each  30-day  period for  twelve periods  and is  shown as  a percentage  of the
investment. The income earned on the investment is also assumed to be reinvested
at the end of the sixth 30-day period. The "tax equivalent yield" is  calculated
similarly  to the  "yield," except  that the yield  is increased  using a stated
income tax  rate  to demonstrate  the  taxable  yield necessary  to  produce  an
after-tax  yield equivalent to the Series. The  "total return" shows how much an
investment in  the Series  would  have increased  (decreased) over  a  specified
period  of time (I.E., one, five or ten  years or since inception of the Series)
assuming that all distributions and dividends  by the Series were reinvested  on
the  reinvestment  dates during  the  period and  less  all recurring  fees. The
"aggregate" total return  reflects actual  performance over a  stated period  of
time.  "Average annual" total return  is a hypothetical rate  of return that, if
achieved annually,  would  have produced  the  same aggregate  total  return  if
performance  had been  constant over the  entire period.  "Average annual" total
return smooths  out  variations  in  performance  and  takes  into  account  any
applicable  initial  or  contingent  deferred  sales  charges.  Neither "average
annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return takes into account any federal
or state income taxes which  may be payable upon  redemption. The Fund also  may
include  comparative  performance information  in  advertising or  marketing the
shares of the Series. Such performance information may include data from  Lipper
Analytical  Services,  Inc.,  Morningstar  Publications,  Inc.,  other  industry
publications,  business  periodicals,  and  market  indices.  See   "Performance
Information"  in the  Statement of  Additional Information.  Further performance
information is  contained  in the  Series'  annual and  semi-annual  reports  to
shareholders,   which  may   be  obtained   without  charge.   See  "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE SERIES  HAS  ELECTED TO  QUALIFY  AND INTENDS  TO  REMAIN QUALIFIED  AS  A
REGULATED  INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY, THE
SERIES WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT  INCOME
AND  CAPITAL GAINS,  IF ANY,  THAT IT  DISTRIBUTES TO  ITS SHAREHOLDERS.  TO THE
EXTENT NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND  CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To  the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn taxable
investment  income.  Also,  to  the   extent  the  Series  engages  in   hedging
transactions  in  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon,  it  may  earn both
short-term and long-term capital gain
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
or loss. Under the Internal Revenue  Code, special rules apply to the  treatment
of certain options and futures contracts (Section 1256 contracts). At the end of
each year, such investments held by the Series will be required to be "marked to
market" for federal income tax purposes; that is, treated as having been sold at
market  value. Sixty  percent of  any gain or  loss recognized  on these "deemed
sales" and on actual dispositions will  be treated as long-term capital gain  or
loss,  and the remainder will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. See
"Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of securities generally will
be treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of  certain
securities  (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary income
to the  extent  of any  "market  discount."  Market discount  generally  is  the
difference,  if any, between the  price paid by the  Series for the security and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The  market
discount  rule does not apply to any security that was acquired by the Series at
its original issue. See "Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In  general, the  character of tax-exempt  interest distributed  by the Series
will flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that  50%
or  more of the value  of its assets at  the end of each  quarter of its taxable
year is invested  in state,  municipal and  other obligations,  the interest  on
which  is excluded  from gross  income for  federal income  tax purposes. During
normal market  conditions, at  least 80%  of the  Series' total  assets will  be
invested  in such obligations.  See "How the  Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any  dividends  out   of  net   taxable  investment   income,  together   with
distributions  of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net short-term
capital gains over  net long-term capital  losses) distributed to  shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any  net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable  as
long-term  capital  gains to  the shareholders,  whether  or not  reinvested and
regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares.  The
maximum  long-term  capital  gains  rate for  individuals  is  28%.  The maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders is currently the same as
the maximum tax rate for ordinary income.
 
   
  Any gain or  loss realized upon  a sale or  redemption of Series  shares by  a
shareholder  who is  not a  dealer in  securities will  be treated  as long-term
capital gain  or loss  if the  shares  have been  held more  than one  year  and
otherwise  as short-term  capital gain  or loss. Any  such loss  with respect to
shares that  are held  for  six months  or less,  however,  will be  treated  as
long-term  capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received
by the shareholder. In addition, any short-term capital loss will be  disallowed
to  the extent of any tax-exempt dividends received by the shareholder on shares
that are held for six months or less.
    
 
   
  The Fund has obtained opinions of counsel  to the effect that neither (i)  the
conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares nor (ii) exchanges of any class
of  the Series' shares for  any other class of  its shares constitutes a taxable
event for federal income tax purposes. However, such opinions are not binding on
the Internal Revenue Service.
    
 
  CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL  ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS  A
RESULT  OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after  August
7,  1986) will  be treated  as an  item of  tax preference  for purposes  of the
alternative minimum  tax. The  Fund anticipates  that, under  regulations to  be
promulgated,  items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be attributed
to the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could  be
allocated  to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum  tax.
Similarly,  the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax  preference  attributed to  it.  The Series  is  permitted to  invest  in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
  Corporate  shareholders in the Series also will  have to take into account the
adjustment for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes.  Corporate
shareholders  should  consult  with  their tax  advisers  with  respect  to this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under New York  law, dividends paid  by the  Series are exempt  from New  York
State and New York City income taxes for resident individuals to the extent such
dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and are
derived from interest payments on New York Obligations.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
   
  Under  the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and remit
to the  U.S.  Treasury 31%  of  redemption proceeds  on  the accounts  of  those
shareholders  who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS Form
W-9 (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with  the
required  certifications regarding  the shareholder's  status under  the federal
income tax  law. Such  withholding also  is required  on taxable  dividends  and
capital  gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
    
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding  specific
questions  as  to federal,  state  or local  taxes.  See "Distributions  and Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
    
 
   
  THE SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF  NET
INVESTMENT  INCOME,  IF ANY,  AND MAKE  DISTRIBUTIONS AT  LEAST ANNUALLY  OF ANY
CAPITAL GAINS IN  EXCESS OF CAPITAL  LOSSES. Dividends paid  by the Series  with
respect  to each class of shares, to the  extent any dividends are paid, will be
calculated in the same manner, at the same time, on the same day and will be  in
the  same amount except that each class  will bear its own distribution charges,
generally resulting  in  lower dividends  for  Class B  and  Class C  shares  in
relation to Class A and Class Z shares and lower dividends for Class A shares in
relation  to Class Z shares. Distributions of net capital gains, if any, will be
paid in the same amount for each class  of shares. See "How the Fund Values  its
Shares."
    
 
  DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE SERIES
BASED ON THE  NAV OF EACH  CLASS OF THE  SERIES ON THE  PAYMENT DATE AND  RECORD
DATE, RESPECTIVELY, OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE
SHAREHOLDER  ELECTS IN  WRITING NOT  LESS THAN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO THE
RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such  election
should be submitted to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account
Maintenance,  P .O. Box 15015, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5015. If you hold
shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial  adviser
to  elect to receive dividends  and distributions in cash.  The Fund will notify
each shareholder after the close of the  Fund's taxable year of both the  dollar
amount  and the taxable status  of that year's dividends  and distributions on a
per share basis.
 
  Any taxable dividends or distributions of  capital gains paid shortly after  a
purchase by an investor will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value  of the  investor's shares  by the  per share  amount of  the dividends or
distributions. Such dividends or distributions,  although in effect a return  of
invested  principal, are subject to federal  income taxes. Accordingly, prior to
purchasing shares  of the  Series,  an investor  should carefully  consider  the
impact  of taxable dividends and capital  gains distributions which are expected
to be or have been announced.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its  Trustees.
The  Declaration of Trust permits  the Trustees to issue  an unlimited number of
full and  fractional shares  in  separate series,  currently designated  as  the
Connecticut  Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series, Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series,  New  Jersey Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York Income
Series (not presently  being offered), New  York Series, New  York Money  Market
Series,  North Carolina Series, Ohio Series  and Pennsylvania Series. The Series
is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, divided into four classes,
designated Class  A,  Class  B, Class  C  and  Class Z.  Each  class  of  shares
represents  an interest in the same assets of the Series and is identical in all
respects except that (i)  each class is subject  to different sales charges  and
distribution  and/or  service fees  (except  for Class  Z  shares which  are not
subject to any sales  charges and distribution and/or  service fees), which  may
affect  performance, (ii) each  class has exclusive voting  rights on any matter
submitted to  shareholders  that  relates  solely to  its  arrangement  and  has
separate  voting rights  on any  matter submitted  to shareholders  in which the
interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class, (iii)  each
class  has  a different  exchange privilege,  (iv)  only Class  B shares  have a
conversion feature and (v) Class Z shares are offered exclusively for sale to  a
limited  group  of investors.  See "How  the  Fund is  Managed--Distributor." In
accordance with the Fund's Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may authorize  the
creation  of  additional  series  and  classes  within  such  series,  with such
preferences, privileges,  limitations  and voting  and  dividend rights  as  the
Trustees may determine.
    
 
   
  Shares  of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable, fully
transferable and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are  also
redeemable  at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as described
under "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class  of
the  Series is  equal as  to earnings, assets  and voting  privileges, except as
noted above, and each class (with the exception of Class Z shares, which are not
subject to any distribution or service  fees) bears the expenses related to  the
distribution  of its shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to the
Class B  shares,  there are  no  conversion, preemptive  or  other  subscription
rights.  In the event of liquidation, each  share of beneficial interest of each
series is entitled to its portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and
expenses of the Fund have been paid. Since Class B and Class C shares  generally
bear  higher distribution expenses than Class A shares, the liquidation proceeds
to shareholders  of  those classes  are  likely to  be  lower than  to  Class  A
shareholders  and to Class Z  shareholders, whose shares are  not subject to any
distribution and/or  service fees.  The  Fund's shares  do not  have  cumulative
voting rights for the election of Trustees.
    
 
  THE  FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS
OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS  OF
SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO BE
ACTED UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER  THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS  HAVE
CERTAIN  RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF THE
FUND'S OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE  OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The  Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make the
Fund similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation.  The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts  business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.   Under
Massachusetts   law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under  certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of  the
fund, which is not the case with a
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
corporation.  The Declaration  of Trust of  the Fund  provides that shareholders
shall be subject to any  personal liability for the  acts or obligations of  the
Fund and that every written obligation, contract, instrument or undertaking made
by  the Fund shall contain  a provision to the  effect that the shareholders are
not individually bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which  has
been  incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under  the
Securities  Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at
a reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at  the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
   
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY  FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH ITS  TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUND
SERVICES, INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT  SERVICES,
P.O.  BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW  JERSEY 08906-5020. PARTICIPANTS IN PROGRAMS
SPONSORED  BY  PRUDENTIAL  RETIREMENT  SERVICES  SHOULD  CONTACT  THEIR   CLIENT
REPRESENTATIVE  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CLASS Z SHARES. The purchase price is
the NAV next determined following receipt of  an order by the Transfer Agent  or
Prudential  Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, may be imposed
either (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred  basis
(Class  B or Class C shares). Class Z  shares are offered commencing on or about
December 1, 1996 to a limited group of investors at net asset value without  any
sales  charge. See  "Alternative Purchase  Plan" below.  See also  "How the Fund
Values its Shares."
    
 
   
  An investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt  or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
    
 
   
  The  minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000 per
class and $5,000 for Class C shares, except that the minimum initial  investment
for  Class C  shares may  be waived  from time  to time.  The minimum subsequent
investment is $100 for Class A, Class B  and Class C shares. Class Z shares  are
not  subject  to any  minimum  investment requirements.  All  minimum investment
requirements are waived for certain  employee savings plans. For purchases  made
through  the  Automatic  Savings  Accumulation  Plan,  the  minimum  initial and
subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Services" below.
    
 
  Application forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or  Prusec.
If  a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
 
  The Fund  reserves  the right  to  reject  any purchase  order  (including  an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your  dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund. The
Distributor reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which  payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions  in shares of the  Series may be subject  to postage and handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an  account
number.  The following  information will be  requested: your  name, address, tax
identification number, class  election, dividend  distribution election,  amount
being   wired  and   wiring  bank.   Instructions  should   then  be   given  by
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
you to  your bank  to transfer  funds by  wire to  State Street  Bank and  Trust
Company  (State Street), Boston, Massachusetts, Custody and Shareholder Services
Division, Attention: Prudential  Municipal Series Fund,  specifying on the  wire
the  account number  assigned by  PMFS and your  name and  identifying the sales
charge alternative (Class A, Class B, Class C or Class Z shares) and the name of
the Series.
    
 
  If you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to  the
caculation  of  NAV (4:15  P.M.,  New York  time), on  a  business day,  you may
purchase shares of  the Series  as of  that day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  In  making a subsequent purchase  order by wire, you  should wire State Street
directly and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal  Series
Fund,  the name of the Series,  Class A, Class B, Class  C or Class Z shares and
your name and individual  account number. It  is not necessary  to call PMFS  to
make  subsequent  purchase orders  utilizing Federal  Funds. The  minimum amount
which may be invested by wire is $1,000.
    
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
  THE SERIES OFFERS FOUR CLASSES OF SHARES (CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C AND  CLASS
Z  SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST BENEFICIAL SALES CHARGE STRUCTURE
FOR YOUR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES GIVEN THE  AMOUNT OF THE PURCHASE, THE  LENGTH
OF  TIME  YOU  EXPECT  TO  HOLD  THE  SHARES  AND  OTHER  RELEVANT CIRCUMSTANCES
(ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      ANNUAL 12b-1 FEES
                                                     (AS A % OF AVERAGE
                                                            DAILY
                        SALES CHARGE                     NET ASSETS)                  OTHER INFORMATION
           --------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                     <C>                      <C>
CLASS A    Maximum initial sales charge of 3% of   .30 of 1% (currently     Initial sales charge waived or reduced
           the public offering price               being charged at a rate  for certain purchases
                                                   of .10 of 1%)
CLASS B    Maximum contingent deferred sales       .50 of 1%                Shares convert to Class A shares
           charge or CDSC of 5% of the lesser of                            approximately seven years after
           the amount invested or the redemption                            purchase
           proceeds; declines to zero after six
           years
CLASS C    Maximum CDSC of 1% of the lesser of     1% (currently being      Shares do not convert to another class
           the amount invested or the redemption   charged at a rate of
           proceeds on redemptions made within     .75 of 1%)
           one year of purchase
CLASS Z    None                                    None                     Sold to a limited group of investors
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  The four classes  of shares  represent an interest  in the  same portfolio  of
investments  of the Series and have the  same rights, except that (i) each class
(with the exception of Class Z shares, which are not subject to any distribution
or service fees) bears the separate expenses of its Rule 12b-1 distribution  and
service  plan,  (ii)  each  class  has exclusive  voting  rights  on  any matter
submitted to  shareholders  that  relates  solely to  its  arrangement  and  has
separate  voting rights  on any  matter submitted  to shareholders  in which the
interests of one class differ from the  interests of any other class, and  (iii)
only  Class  B shares  have a  conversion  feature. The  four classes  also have
separate exchange  privileges. See  "How  to Exchange  Your Shares"  below.  The
income  attributable to each  class and the  dividends payable on  the shares of
each class will be  reduced by the  amount of the distribution  fee, if any,  of
each  class.  Class  B  and  Class  C  shares  bear  the  expenses  of  a higher
distribution fee which will generally cause  them to have higher expense  ratios
and to pay lower dividends than the Class A and Class Z shares.
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
  Financial  advisers and other sales agents who  sell shares of the Series will
receive different compensation for selling Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z
shares and will generally receive more compensation initially for selling  Class
A and Class B shares than for selling Class C or Class Z shares.
    
 
  IN  SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
(1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the amount of any
applicable sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase or  redemption)
and  distribution-related fees, as noted above,  (3) whether you qualify for any
reduction or waiver  of any applicable  sales charge, (4)  the various  exchange
privileges  among the  different classes  of shares  (see "How  to Exchange Your
Shares" below) and  (5) the fact  that Class B  shares automatically convert  to
Class  A  shares  approximately  seven  years  after  purchase  (see "Conversion
Feature--Class B Shares" below).
 
  The following  is  provided to  assist  you  in determining  which  method  of
purchase  best suits your individual circumstances  and is based on current fees
and expenses being charged to the Series:
 
  If you intend to hold your investment in the Series for less than 5 years  and
do  not qualify  for a  reduced sales charge  on Class  A shares,  since Class A
shares are subject to a  maximum initial sales charge of  3% and Class B  shares
are  subject to a CDSC  of 5% which declines  to zero over a  6 year period, you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.
 
  If you intend to hold your investment for  5 years or more and do not  qualify
for  a reduced sales charge  on Class A shares, since  Class B shares convert to
Class A shares  approximately 7  years after purchase  and because  all of  your
money  would be  invested initially in  the case  of Class B  shares, you should
consider purchasing Class B shares over either Class A or Class C shares.
 
  If you qualify for a  reduced sales charge on Class  A shares, it may be  more
advantageous  for you to purchase Class A shares  over either Class B or Class C
shares regardless  of how  long you  intend to  hold your  investment.  However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested
initially  because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time of
purchase.
 
   
  If you do not  qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class  A shares and  you
purchase  Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than 4
years for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those  shares
to  exceed the initial sales  charge plus cumulative annual distribution-related
fee on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of  money,
which  further reduces the impact of the higher Class C distribution-related fee
on the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of the return  on
the  investment  over  this period  of  time  or redemptions  when  the  CDSC is
applicable.
    
 
   
  ALL PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT  OR
UNDER  RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR  LETTERS OF INTENT, MUST  BE FOR CLASS A SHARES
UNLESS THE PURCHASER IS ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE CLASS Z SHARES. See "Reduction  and
Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" and "Class Z Shares" below.
    
 
  CLASS A SHARES
 
  The  offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial sales
charge alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge (expressed  as
a  percentage of the offering price and of  the amount invested) as shown in the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        SALES CHARGE AS    SALES CHARGE AS    DEALER CONCESSION
                         PERCENTAGE OF      PERCENTAGE OF     AS PERCENTAGE OF
 AMOUNT OF PURCHASE     OFFERING PRICE     AMOUNT INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE
- ---------------------  -----------------  -----------------  -------------------
<S>                    <C>                <C>                <C>
Less than $99,999              3.00%              3.09%               3.00%
$100,000 to $249,999           2.50               2.56                2.50
$250,000 to $499,999           1.50               1.52                1.50
$500,000 to $999,999           1.00               1.01                1.00
$1,000,000 and above         None               None                None
</TABLE>
 
   
  The Distributor  may  reallow the  entire  initial sales  charge  to  dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
  In  connection with the sale  of Class A shares at  NAV (without payment of an
initial sales charge), the Manager, the  Distributor or one of their  affiliates
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a
finders' fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such
persons.
    
 
  REDUCTION  AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL SALES  CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges are
available through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of  the
Fund  and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market funds
other than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be  aggregated
to  determine the  applicable reduction.  See "Purchase  and Redemption  of Fund
Shares--Reduction and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class  A Shares" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  OTHER  WAIVERS.  Class  A shares may  be purchased at  NAV, through Prudential
Securities or the  Transfer Agent, by  the following persons:  (a) officers  and
current  and former Directors/Trustees of the Prudential Mutual Funds (including
the Fund), (b) employees of Prudential Securities and PMF and their subsidiaries
and members of the families of  such persons who maintain an "employee  related"
account  at  Prudential  Securities or  the  Transfer Agent,  (c)  employees and
special agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all persons  who  have
retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries,
(d)  registered representatives and employees of dealers who have entered into a
selected dealer agreement with Prudential Securities provided that purchases  at
NAV  are  permitted by  such  person's employer  and  (e) investors  who  have a
business relationship with a financial adviser who joined Prudential  Securities
from  another investment firm, provided that (i) the purchase is made within 180
days of the  commencement of  the financial adviser's  employment at  Prudential
Securities or within one year in the case of benefit plans, (ii) the purchase is
made  with proceeds of a redemption of  shares of any open-end fund sponsored by
the financial adviser's  previous employer (other  than a money  market fund  or
other  no-load fund which imposes a distribution or  service fee of .25 of 1% or
less) and  (iii) the  financial adviser  served as  the client's  broker on  the
previous purchases.
    
 
   
  You  must  notify the  Transfer Agent  either  directly or  through Prudential
Securities or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of  the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your  entitlement.  No initial  sales charges  are imposed  upon Class  A shares
acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and
Redemption of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales  Charges--Class
A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
 
   
  The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of
the  deferred sales  charge alternatives  is the  NAV next  determined following
receipt of an  order by the  Transfer Agent or  Prudential Securities.  Although
there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B
and  Class  C  shares  may  be  subject  to  a  CDSC.  See  "How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below. The Distributor will pay sales
commissions of up  to 4% of  the purchase price  of Class B  shares to  dealers,
financial advisers and other persons who sell Class B shares at the time of sale
from  its own resources.  This facilitates the  ability of the  Fund to sell the
Class B shares without  an initial sales  charge being deducted  at the time  of
purchase.  The Distributor  anticipates that it  will recoup  its advancement of
sales commissions from the combination of the CDSC and the distribution fee. See
"Distributor." In connection with  the sale of Class  C shares, the  Distributor
will  pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute Class C
shares a sales commission of up to 1%  of the purchase price at the time of  the
sale.
    
 
   
  CLASS Z SHARES
    
 
   
  Class Z shares of the Series are available for purchase by participants in any
fee-based  program sponsored  by Prudential  Securities or  its affiliates which
includes mutual  funds  as investment  options  and for  which  the Fund  is  an
available option.
    
 
   
  In connection with the sale of Class Z shares, the Manager, the Distributor or
one  of their affiliates  may pay dealers, financial  advisers and other persons
which distribute shares a finders'  fee based on a  percentage of the net  asset
value of shares sold by such persons.
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU  CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV NEXT
DETERMINED AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY  THE
TRANSFER  AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE  "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
In certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount  of
any  applicable  contingent  deferred  sales  charge,  as  described  below. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  OF THE  SERIES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU  MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER. IF YOU
HOLD  SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED BY
YOU EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD  CERTIFICATES,
THE  CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN  ON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED. IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST  OR
FIDUCIARY,  WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY ACCEPTABLE  TO THE TRANSFER AGENT MUST
BE SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence  and
documents  concerning redemptions  should be  sent to  the Fund  in care  of its
Transfer Agent,  Prudential Mutual  Fund Services,  Inc., Attention:  Redemption
Services, P .O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If  the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to a
person other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other  than
the  address  on the  Transfer  Agent's records,  or  (d) are  to  be paid  to a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution"  includes
any  bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the right
to request additional information  from, and make  reasonable inquiries of,  any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be  obtained from the agency or office  manager of most Prudential Insurance and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS AFTER  RECEIPT BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OF  THE CERTIFICATE  AND/OR  WRITTEN
REQUEST  EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED  BELOW. IF  YOU  HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment  may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock  Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays, (b)
when trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as  a
result  of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period  when
the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the  SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or (d)
exist.
 
  PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL  THE
FUND  OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS BEEN
HONORED, UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM  THE TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE  CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
 
  REDEMPTION  IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests  of the remaining  shareholders of the  Fund to make  payment
wholly  or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution  in kind of securities  from the investment portfolio  of
the  Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules of
the SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the  same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your
shares  are redeemed in kind, you will incur transaction costs in converting the
assets into cash. The Fund,  however, has elected to  be governed by Rule  18f-1
under  the Investment Company Act,  under which the Fund  is obligated to redeem
shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset  value
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
  INVOLUNTARY  REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the Trustees
may redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder  which
is  an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net asset
value of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give  such
shareholders  60  days' prior  written notice  in  which to  purchase sufficient
additional shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent deferred sales  charge
will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
 
   
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised  the repurchase privilege, you may reinvest  any portion or all of the
proceeds of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next  determined
after  the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of the
redemption. Any CDSC paid  in connection with such  redemption will be  credited
(in shares) to your account. (If less than a full repurchase is made, the credit
will  be on a PRO RATA basis.) You must notify the Fund's Transfer Agent, either
directly or through Prudential Securities, at the time the repurchase  privilege
is  exercised  to  adjust  your  account  for  the  CDSC  you  previously  paid.
Thereafter, any redemptions will be subject  to the CDSC applicable at the  time
of  the redemption. See  "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charges" below. Exercise of
the repurchase privilege will generally not affect the federal tax treatment  of
any  gain realized upon redemption. However, if the redemption was made within a
30 day period of the repurchase and  if the redemption resulted in a loss,  some
or  all of the loss, depending on the  amount reinvested, may not be allowed for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
 
  Redemptions of Class B shares will  be subject to a contingent deferred  sales
charge  or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C shares
redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC will
be deducted from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid to you.  The
CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by you which reduces the current value of
your  Class B or Class C  shares to an amount which  is lower than the amount of
all payments by you for  shares during the preceding six  years, in the case  of
Class  B shares, and  one year, in  the case of  Class C shares.  A CDSC will be
applied on the lesser of the original purchase price or the current value of the
shares being redeemed. Increases in the value of your shares or shares  acquired
through  reinvestment of dividends  or distributions are not  subject to a CDSC.
The amount of any contingent deferred sales charge will be paid to and  retained
by  the Distributor. See  "How the Fund is  Managed--Distributor" and "Waiver of
the Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class B Shares" below.
 
  The amount of the  CDSC, if any,  will vary depending on  the number of  years
from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption
of  such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the
time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will
be aggregated and deemed  to have been made  on the last day  of the month.  The
CDSC  will  be calculated  from the  first day  of the  month after  the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares were held  in a money market fund. See  "How
to Exchange Your Shares."
 
  The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemptions
of Class B shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES
                                                                         CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                                                      OF DOLLARS INVESTED OR
PAYMENT MADE                                                               REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>
First.................................................................               5.0%
Second................................................................               4.0%
Third.................................................................               3.0%
Fourth................................................................               2.0%
Fifth.................................................................               1.0%
Sixth.................................................................               1.0%
Seventh...............................................................            None
</TABLE>
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
  In  determining whether a CDSC is  applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a  manner that results in the  lowest possible rate. It will  be
assumed  that  the  redemption  is made  first  of  amounts  representing shares
acquired pursuant to the  reinvestment of dividends  and distributions; then  of
amounts  representing the increase in net asset  value above the total amount of
payments for the purchase of Series  shares made during the preceding six  years
(five  years for Class  B shares purchased  prior to January  22, 1990); then of
amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period;
and  finally, of amounts  representing the cost  of shares held  for the longest
period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
 
  For example, assume you purchased  100 Class B shares at  $10 per share for  a
cost  of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired  5 additional Class B shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase you decided  to
redeem  $500 of your investment. Assuming at  the time of the redemption the NAV
had appreciated to  $12 per share,  the value of  your Class B  shares would  be
$1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value
of  the reinvested dividend shares and  the amount which represents appreciation
($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260)  would
be  charged  at a  rate of  4% (the  applicable  rate in  the second  year after
purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
 
  For federal income tax purposes, the amount  of the CDSC will reduce the  gain
or  increase the  loss, as  the case  may be,  on the  amount recognized  on the
redemption of shares.
 
  WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be waived in the  case of a  redemption following the death  or disability of  a
shareholder  or,  in  the  case  of a  trust  account,  following  the  death or
disability of  the  grantor.  The  waiver is  available  for  total  or  partial
redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint tenancy
(with  rights of survivorship), at the time of death or initial determination of
disability,  provided  that  the  shares  were  purchased  prior  to  death   or
disability.  In addition, the CDSC will be  waived on redemptions of shares held
by a Trustee of the Fund.
 
  You  must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you are
entitled to  waiver  of  the CDSC  and  provide  the Transfer  Agent  with  such
supporting  documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be granted
subject to confirmation  of your  entitlement. See "Purchase  and Redemption  of
Fund  Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  A quantity discount may apply to redemptions of Class B shares purchased prior
to August  1,  1994.  See  "Purchase and  Redemption  of  Fund  Shares--Quantity
Discount--Class  B Shares Purchased Prior to August 1, 1994" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
 
  Class B shares  will automatically convert  to Class A  shares on a  quarterly
basis  approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected at
relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales  charge.
The  first conversion  of Class  B shares  occurred in  February 1995,  when the
conversion feature was first implemented.
 
  Since the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought  on
each  purchase  of Class  B shares,  the number  of Class  B shares  eligible to
convert to  Class A  shares  (excluding shares  acquired through  the  automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will be
determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (i)
the  ratio of (a) the  amounts paid for Class B  shares purchased at least seven
years prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class  B
shares  purchased and  then held  in your account  (ii) multiplied  by the total
number of Class B shares purchased and then held in your account. Each time  any
Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts
representing  Class B shares then in your account that were acquired through the
automatic reinvestment  of dividends  and other  distributions will  convert  to
Class A shares.
 
  For  purposes of  determining the  number of Eligible  Shares, if  the Class B
shares in  your  account on  any  conversion date  are  the result  of  multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible Shares
calculated  as described above  will generally be  either more or  less than the
number of  shares  actually  purchased approximately  seven  years  before  such
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
conversion  date. For example, if 100 shares were initially purchased at $10 per
share (for  a  total  of  $1,000)  and a  second  purchase  of  100  shares  was
subsequently  made at $11 per share (for  a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares would
convert approximately  seven  years  from the  initial  purchase  (I.E.,  $1,000
divided  by $2,100 (47.62%)  multiplied by 200 shares  equals 95.24 shares). The
Manager reserves the right to modify  the formula for determining the number  of
Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.
 
  Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class
B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be higher than
that  of  the Class  B  shares at  the time  of  conversion. Thus,  although the
aggregate dollar value will be  the same, you may  receive fewer Class A  shares
than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all
payments  for Class B shares during a month  will be deemed to have been made on
the last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through exchange or  a
series  of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original payment
for purchases of such  Class B shares  was made. For  Class B shares  previously
exchanged  for shares of a money market  fund, the time period during which such
shares were held in the money market fund will be excluded. For example, Class B
shares held in  a money market  fund for one  year will not  convert to Class  A
shares  until approximately eight years from purchase. For purposes of measuring
the time period during which shares are  held in a money market fund,  exchanges
will  be deemed to have been  made on the last day  of the month. Class B shares
acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares after expiration of the
conversion period applicable to the original purchase of such shares.
 
   
  The conversion  feature  may be  subject  to the  continuing  availability  of
opinions  of counsel  or rulings  of the Internal  Revenue Service  (i) that the
dividends and other distributions paid on Class A, Class B, Class C and Class  Z
shares  will not constitute "preferential  dividends" under the Internal Revenue
Code and (ii) that the conversion of shares does not constitute a taxable event.
The conversion of Class B  shares into Class A shares  may be suspended if  such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class
B  shares of the Series  will continue to be  subject, possibly indefinitely, to
their higher annual distribution and service fee.
    
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
   
  AS A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH THE  OTHER
SERIES  OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE), INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO  THE
MINIMUM  INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS OF  SUCH FUNDS. CLASS  A, CLASS B,  CLASS C AND
CLASS Z SHARES OF THE SERIES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C  AND
CLASS Z SHARES, RESPECTIVELY, OF THE OTHER SERIES OF THE FUND OR ANOTHER FUND ON
THE  BASIS OF THE RELATIVE NAV.  No sales charge will be  imposed at the time of
the exchange.  Any  applicable  CDSC  payable  upon  the  redemption  of  shares
exchanged  will be calculated from the first  day of the month after the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares  were held in a  money market fund. Class  B
and  Class C  shares may  not be  exchanged into  money market  funds other than
Prudential Special Money Market  Fund. For purposes  of calculating the  holding
period  applicable to  the Class  B conversion  feature, the  time period during
which Class B  shares were held  in a money  market fund will  be excluded.  See
"Conversion  Feature--Class B  Shares" above. An  exchange will be  treated as a
redemption  and  purchase   for  tax  purposes.   See  "Shareholder   Investment
Account--Exchange Privilege" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  IN  ORDER  TO  EXCHANGE  SHARES BY  TELEPHONE,  YOU  MUST  AUTHORIZE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE  TRANSFER
AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call the Fund
at  (800) 225-1852 to  execute a telephone exchange  of shares, weekdays, except
holidays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P .M., New York time. For your
protection and  to prevent  fraudulent exchanges,  your telephone  call will  be
recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A
written  confirmation of the  exchange transaction will be  sent to you. NEITHER
THE FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE  LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS,  LIABILITY OR COST  WHICH
RESULTS  FROM ACTING UPON  INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED  TO BE GENUINE UNDER
THE   FOREGOING   PROCEDURES.    (THE   FUND    OR   ITS    AGENTS   COULD    BE
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
   
SUBJECT  TO  LIABILITY  IF  THEY  FAIL  TO  EMPLOY  REASONABLE  PROCEDURES.) All
exchanges will be made  on the basis of  the relative NAV of  the two funds  (or
series)  next  determined  after the  request  is  received in  good  order. The
Exchange Privilege is available only in states where the exchange may legally be
made.
    
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE  YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE  OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual  Fund
Services,  Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing, P .O. Box 15010, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE  OF
SHARES  MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  SPECIAL EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES.  A special  exchange privilege  is available  for
shareholders  who qualify  to purchase Class  A shares at  NAV (see "Alternative
Purchase Plan-- Class A Shares--Reduction  and Waiver of Initial Sales  Charges"
above)  and  for  shareholders  who  qualify to  purchase  Class  Z  shares (see
"Alternative  Purchase  Plan--Class  Z  Shares"  above).  Under  this   exchange
privilege,  amounts representing any Class  B and Class C  shares (which are not
subject to a CDSC)  held in such a  shareholder's account will be  automatically
exchanged  for Class A shares  for shareholders who qualify  to purchase Class A
shares at NAV  on a quarterly  basis, unless the  shareholder elects  otherwise.
Similarly,  shareholders who qualify to purchase  Class Z shares will have their
Class B and Class  C shares which are  not subject to a  CDSC and their Class  A
shares  exchanged for Class Z shares on  a quarterly basis. Eligibility for this
exchange privilege will be calculated on the  business day prior to the date  of
the  exchange. Amounts  representing Class  B or  Class C  shares which  are not
subject to a  CDSC include the  following: (1) amounts  representing Class B  or
Class  C shares acquired pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends and
distributions, (2)  amounts representing  the increase  in the  net asset  value
above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class B or Class C shares
and  (3)  amounts  representing  Class  B or  Class  C  shares  held  beyond the
applicable CDSC  period.  Class B  and  Class  C shareholders  must  notify  the
Transfer  Agent either directly or through  Prudential Securities or Prusec that
they are eligible for this special exchange privilege.
    
 
   
  Participants in  any fee-based  program for  which the  Fund is  an  available
option will have their Class A shares, if any, exchanged for Class Z shares when
they  elect to have  those assets become  a part of  the fee-based program. Upon
leaving the program (whether voluntarily or  not), such Class Z shares (and,  to
the  extent  provided  for  in  the program,  Class  Z  shares  acquired through
participation in the program) will be exchanged for Class A shares at net  asset
value.
    
 
   
  The  Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including exchanges
(and market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged  in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse  effect on the  ability of the  Subadviser to manage  the portfolio. The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination to reject  any exchange order  shall be in  the discretion of  the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The  Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, as a shareholder in the Series, you can
take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
    -AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF  DIVIDENDS AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS  WITHOUT A  SALES
  CHARGE.     For  your   convenience,  all  dividends   and  distributions  are
  automatically reinvested in full  and fractional shares of  the Series at  NAV
  without  a sales charge. You may direct the Transfer Agent in writing not less
  than 5  full  business  days prior  to  the  record date  to  have  subsequent
  dividends  and/or distributions  sent in cash  rather than  reinvested. If you
  hold shares through Prudential Securities,  you should contact your  financial
  adviser.
 
    -AUTOMATIC  SAVINGS  ACCUMULATION  PLAN (ASAP).    Under ASAP  you  may make
  regular purchases of the  Series' shares in  amounts as little  as $50 via  an
  automatic  debit to a bank account or Prudential Securities account (including
  a Command Account).  For additional  information about this  service, you  may
  contact your Prudential Securities financial adviser, Prusec representative or
  the Transfer Agent directly.
 
    -SYSTEMATIC  WITHDRAWAL PLAN.  A systematic  withdrawal plan is available to
  shareholders which provides  for monthly or  quarterly checks. Withdrawals  of
  Class  B and Class C  shares may be subject  to a CDSC. See  "How to Sell Your
  Shares-- Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" above.
 
   
    -REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS.   The Fund  will send you  annual and  semi-annual
  reports.  The financial statements appearing in  annual reports are audited by
  independent accountants. In  order to  reduce duplicate  mailing and  printing
  expenses,  the Fund will provide one annual and semi-annual shareholder report
  and annual prospectus per household. You may request additional copies of such
  reports by calling (800) 225-1852 or by writing to the Fund at Gateway  Center
  Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102. In addition, monthly unaudited financial data
  is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
    -SHAREHOLDER  INQUIRIES.    Inquiries should  be  addressed to  the  Fund at
  Gateway Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey 07102,  or by  telephone, at  (800)
  225-1852 (toll-free) or, from outside the U.S.A., at (908) 417-7555 (collect).
    
 
  For  additional information  regarding the  services and  privileges described
above, see  "Shareholder  Investment Account"  in  the Statement  of  Additional
Information.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential  Mutual Fund Management offers a broad range of mutual funds designed
to meet your individual needs. We  welcome you to review the investment  options
available  through our family  of funds. For more  information on the Prudential
Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential Securities
financial adviser  or Prusec  representative  or telephone  the Funds  at  (800)
225-1852  for a free prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest
or send money.
 
   
                             -------------------------
                                TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
                             -------------------------
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
                             -------------------------
                               TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
                             -------------------------
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Series
  California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
  High Yield Series
  Insured Series
  Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Florida Series
  Hawaii Income Series
  Maryland Series
  Massachusetts Series
  Michigan Series
  New Jersey Series
  New York Series
  North Carolina Series
  Ohio Series
  Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
                             -------------------------
                                   GLOBAL FUNDS
                             -------------------------
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Purdential World Fund, Inc.
  Global Series
  International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
                             -------------------------
                                   EQUITY FUNDS
                             -------------------------
Prudential Allocation Fund
  Balanced Portfolio
  Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
  Prudential Active Balanced Fund
  Prudential Stock Index Fund
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
  Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
  Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
                             -------------------------
                                MONEY MARKET FUNDS
                             -------------------------
- -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Money Market Series
  U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
  Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
- -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Connecticut Money Market Series
  Massachusetts Money Market Series
  New Jersey Money Market Series
  New York Money Market Series
- -COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
- -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
  Institutional Money Market Series
    
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
   
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made,  such  other information  or representations  must not  be relied  upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction  to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
    
                  -------------------------------------------
 
   
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         PAGE
                                                         ----
<S>                                                      <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS........................................    2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics.............    2
FUND EXPENSES..........................................    4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS...................................    5
HOW THE FUND INVESTS...................................    8
  Investment Objective and Policies....................    8
  Other Investments and Policies.......................   12
  Investment Restrictions..............................   13
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED................................   13
  Manager..............................................   13
  Distributor..........................................   14
  Portfolio Transactions...............................   16
  Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing
   Agent...............................................   16
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES.........................   16
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE....................   17
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.....................   17
GENERAL INFORMATION....................................   20
  Description of Shares................................   20
  Additional Information...............................   21
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE......................................   21
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund........................   21
  Alternative Purchase Plan............................   22
  How to Sell Your Shares..............................   25
  Conversion Feature--Class B Shares...................   27
  How to Exchange Your Shares..........................   28
  Shareholder Services.................................   30
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY......................  A-1
</TABLE>
    
 
- -------------------------------------------
MF 122A                                                                  44404EO
   
                                   Class A: 74435M-74-7
                        CUSIP Nos.: Class B: 74435M-75-4
                                   Class C: 74435M-52-3
                                   Class Z: 74435M-44-0
    
 
   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
   
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
    
 
   
(NEW YORK SERIES)
    
- --------------------------------------
 
   
                                     [LOGO]
    
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(NEW YORK INCOME SERIES)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential  Municipal Series  Fund (the  "Fund") (New  York Income  Series) (the
"Series") is  one  of  fifteen  series of  an  open-end,  management  investment
company, or mutual fund. This Series is non-diversified and seeks to provide the
maximum  amount of income that is exempt from  New York State, New York City and
federal income taxes  consistent with  the preservation of  capital. The  Series
will  invest primarily  in investment grade  municipal obligations  but may also
invest a portion  of its  assets in  lower-quality municipal  obligations or  in
non-rated securities which, in the opinion of the Fund's investment adviser, are
of  comparable quality.  There can be  no assurance that  the Series' investment
objective will be achieved. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective  and
Policies."  The  Fund's address  is Gateway  Center  Three, Newark,  New Jersey,
07102, and its telephone number is (800) 225-1852.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund and the  New
York  Income Series  that a prospective  investor should  know before investing.
Additional information about  the Fund has  been filed with  the Securities  and
Exchange  Commission in a Statement of  Additional Information dated November 1,
1996,  which  information  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  (is  legally
considered  a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available without  charge upon
request to the Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE  ADVISED  TO  READ  THIS  PROSPECTUS  AND  RETAIN  IT  FOR  FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The following summary is intended to highlight certain information contained
in  this  Prospectus and  is  qualified in  its  entirety by  the  more detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fifteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual  fund
  pools  the resources of  investors by selling  its shares to  the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an  open-end,
  management  investment company. Only  the New York  Income Series is offered
  through this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The Series' investment  objective is  to maximize current  income that  is
  exempt  from  New  York  State,  New  York  City  and  federal  income taxes
  consistent with  the  preservation of  capital.  It seeks  to  achieve  this
  objective by investing primarily in New York State, New York City, municipal
  and  local  government  obligations  and  obligations  of  other  qualifying
  issuers, such as  issuers located  in Puerto  Rico, the  Virgin Islands  and
  Guam,  which pay  income exempt,  in the opinion  of counsel,  from New York
  State, New York City and federal income taxes (New York Obligations).  There
  can  be no assurance that the Series' investment objective will be achieved.
  See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies" at page 5.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
    In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest  at
  least  80% of the  value of its  total assets in  New York Obligations. This
  degree of investment concentration makes the Series particularly susceptible
  to factors adversely affecting issuers  of New York Obligations. The  Series
  may  invest up to 30% of its total assets in high yield securities, commonly
  known as "junk bonds," which may  be considered speculative and are  subject
  to the risk of an issuer's inability to meet principal and interest payments
  on   the  obligations   as  well   as  price   volatility.  The   Series  is
  non-diversified in that more than 5% of its total assets may be invested  in
  the  securities  of  one or  more  issuers. Investing  in  a non-diversified
  portfolio involves greater risk than investment in a diversified  portfolio.
  See  "How  the  Fund  Invests--Investment  Objective  and  Policies--Special
  Considerations" at page 9. To hedge  against changes in interest rates,  the
  Series  may also purchase  put options and  engage in transactions involving
  derivatives, including financial futures contracts and options thereon.  See
  "How  the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies--Futures Contracts
  and Options Thereon" at page 8.
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the  Manager
  of  the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50 of
  1% of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996,  PMF
  served  as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including 38
  mutual funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion.  The
  Prudential   Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)  furnishes
  investment advisory services in connection  with the management of the  Fund
  under   a   Subadvisory  Agreement   with  PMF.   See   "How  the   Fund  is
  Managed--Manager" at page 11.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI) acts  as
  the Distributor of the Series' shares and is paid an annual distribution and
  service fee which is currently being charged at the rate of .10 of 1% of the
  average  daily  net assets  of the  Series'  shares, although  currently the
  entire fee is waived. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 11.
    
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
    The  minimum  initial  investment   is  $1,000.  The  minimum   subsequent
  investment  is $100. There is no  minimum investment requirement for certain
  employee savings plans.  For purchases  made through  the Automatic  Savings
  Accumulation Plan, the minimum initial and subsequent investment is $50. See
  "Shareholder   Guide--Continuous  Offering   of  Shares"  at   page  17  and
  "Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services" at page 21.
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through  its
  transfer  agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities plus a
  sales charge which is  imposed at the  time of purchase.  See "How the  Fund
  Values its Shares" at page 13.
    
 
  WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
    The  Series offers one class of shares  which may be purchased at the next
  determined NAV plus a sales charge which is imposed at the time of purchase.
 
          - Shares are sold with an initial sales charge of up to 3%  of
            the amount invested.
 
      See "Shareholder Guide--Continuous Offering of Shares" at page 17.
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
    You  may redeem your shares  at any time at  the NAV next determined after
  Prudential Securities or the  Transfer Agent receives  your sell order.  See
  "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page 19.
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
    The  Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of net
  investment income, if any, and make  distributions of any net capital  gains
  at  least  annually.  Dividends  and  distributions  will  be  automatically
  reinvested in additional shares of the Series at NAV without a sales  charge
  unless  you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes, Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 14.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                            (NEW YORK INCOME SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
     <S>                                       <C>
 
         Maximum Sales Load Imposed on
          Purchases (as a percentage of
          offering price)....................      3%
         Maximum Deferred Sales Load.........     None
         Maximum Sales Load Imposed on
          Reinvested Dividends...............     None
         Redemption Fees.....................     None
         Exchange Fee........................     None
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES*
(as a percentage of average net assets)
<S>                                         <C>
    Management Fees (After Waiver)......       0%
    12b-1 Fees (After Waiver)...........       0%
    Other Expenses (After Subsidy)......       0%
                                            ------
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (After
     Waiver and Subsidy)................       0%
                                            ------
                                            ------
</TABLE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1       3
     EXAMPLE                                   YEAR    YEARS
     ----------------------------------------  -----   ------
 
     <S>                                       <C>     <C>
     You would pay the following expenses on
      a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5%
      annual return and (2) redemption at the
      end of each time period:...............   $30     $30
 
     The above example  is based  on estimated  data for  the
     Series'  current fiscal year. THE  EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE
     CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE  EXPENSES.
     ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
 
     The  purpose of this  table is to  assist an investor in
     understanding the  various costs  and expenses  that  an
     investor  in  the  New  York  Income  Series  will bear,
     whether  directly  or  indirectly.  For  more   complete
     descriptions of the various costs and expenses, see "How
     the   Fund  is   Managed."  "Other   Expenses"  includes
     operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees'  and
     professional   fees,   registration  fees,   reports  to
     shareholders and transfer agency and custodian fees.
 
     PMF has agreed to waive its management fee and subsidize
     100% of other expenses and  PSI has agreed to waive  its
     distribution fee until August 31, 1997.
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------------------
   *Before  the waiver of management and distribution fees and the subsidy of
    other expenses, Management  Fees, 12b-1  Fees, Other  Expenses and  Total
    Fund Operating Expenses would be .50%, .10%, .27% and .87% of the Series'
    average net assets. See "Management of the Fund--Manager--Fee Waivers and
    Subsidy."
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL  MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FIFTEEN SEPARATE SERIES.  EACH
SERIES  OF THE FUND  IS MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY.  THE NEW YORK  INCOME SERIES (THE
SERIES) IS NON-DIVERSIFIED AND ITS  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO MAXIMIZE  CURRENT
INCOME  THAT IS  EXEMPT FROM NEW  YORK STATE,  NEW YORK CITY  AND FEDERAL INCOME
TAXES CONSISTENT WITH  THE PRESERVATION OF  CAPITAL. See "Investment  Objectives
and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
    THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT  BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE SERIES'
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF  1940,
AS  AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
    THE SERIES WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN NEW YORK STATE, NEW YORK CITY, MUNICIPAL
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT  OBLIGATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS  OF OTHER QUALIFYING  ISSUERS,
SUCH  AS ISSUERS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO,  THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND GUAM, WHICH PAY
INCOME EXEMPT, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL, FROM NEW YORK STATE, NEW YORK CITY AND
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS). THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT  THE
SERIES  WILL BE  ABLE TO ACHIEVE  ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.  Interest on certain
municipal obligations  may be  a preference  item for  purposes of  the  federal
alternative  minimum  tax.  The Series  may  invest without  limit  in municipal
obligations that  are  "private activity  bonds"  (as defined  in  the  Internal
Revenue  Code) the interest on which would  be a preference item for purposes of
the federal alternative minimum tax.  See "Taxes, Dividends and  Distributions."
Under  New York law, dividends paid by the Series are exempt from New York State
and New York City  income tax for  resident individuals to  the extent they  are
derived from interest payments on New York Obligations. New York Obligations may
include  general obligation bonds  of the State,  counties, cities, towns, etc.,
revenue  bonds  of  utility  systems,   highways,  bridges,  port  and   airport
facilities,  colleges, hospitals, etc., and industrial development and pollution
control bonds. The Series will invest in long-term New York Obligations, and the
dollar-weighted average maturity of the  Series' portfolio will generally  range
between  10-30  years.  The  Series  may  also  invest  in  certain  short-term,
tax-exempt notes such  as Tax  Anticipation Notes,  Revenue Anticipation  Notes,
Bond  Anticipation Notes, Construction Loan Notes and variable and floating rate
demand notes.
 
    Generally, municipal  obligations  with  longer  maturities  produce  higher
yields  and are subject to greater price  fluctuations as a result of changes in
interest rates (market risk) than municipal obligations with shorter maturities.
The prices of municipal obligations vary inversely with interest rates. Interest
rates are currently  much lower  than in  recent years.  If rates  were to  rise
sharply,  the  prices  of bonds  in  the  Series' portfolio  might  be adversely
affected.
 
    THE SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES,  INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as  a
specific  percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on Treasury
bonds or bills or the prime rate  at a major commercial bank. The interest  rate
on  floating rate securities changes periodically when  there is a change in the
designated base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a  specified
periodic  adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates and
generally would allow the  Series to demand payment  of the obligation on  short
notice  at par plus accrued interest, which amount  may be more or less than the
amount the Series paid for them. An inverse floater is a debt instrument with  a
floating  or variable interest rate that moves  in the opposite direction of the
interest rate on  another security  or the  value of  an index.  Changes in  the
interest  rate  on the  other security  or index  inversely affect  the residual
interest rate paid  on the  inverse floater, with  the result  that the  inverse
floater's  price will be  considerably more volatile  than that of  a fixed rate
bond. The market for inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
    THE SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL LEASE
OBLIGATION IS A  MUNICIPAL SECURITY THE  INTEREST ON AND  PRINCIPAL OF WHICH  IS
PAYABLE  OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES FINANCED
BY THE ISSUE. Typically,  municipal lease obligations are  issued by a state  or
municipal   financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction  of
facilities (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or  the
acquisition  of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state or
municipality pursuant to a lease  with a financing authority. Certain  municipal
lease  obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the  supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes  of  the Series'  15% limitation  on  illiquid securities  provided the
investment adviser determines that there is a readily available market for  such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies--Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
    THE  SERIES  WILL  INVEST AT  LEAST  70% OF  ITS  TOTAL ASSETS  IN  NEW YORK
OBLIGATIONS WHICH, AT THE  TIME OF PURCHASE, ARE  RATED WITHIN THE FOUR  HIGHEST
QUALITY  GRADES AS DETERMINED BY  MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE (MOODY'S) (CURRENTLY
AAA, AA, A, BAA FOR BONDS, MIG 1, MIG 2, MIG 3, MIG 4 FOR NOTES AND PRIME-1  FOR
COMMERCIAL  PAPER), STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP (S&P) (CURRENTLY AAA, AA, A,
BBB FOR BONDS, SP-1,  SP-2 FOR NOTES  AND A-1 FOR  COMMERCIAL PAPER) OR  ANOTHER
NATIONALLY  RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL  RATING ORGANIZATION (NRSRO)  OR, IF UNRATED,
WILL POSSESS  CREDITWORTHINESS,  IN  THE  OPINION  OF  THE  INVESTMENT  ADVISER,
COMPARABLE TO SUCH "INVESTMENT GRADE" RATED SECURITIES.
    
 
   
    THE  SERIES  MAY ALSO  INVEST UP  TO 30%  OF  ITS TOTAL  ASSETS IN  NEW YORK
OBLIGATIONS RATED BELOW  BAA BY  MOODY'S OR  BELOW BBB  BY S&P  OR A  COMPARABLE
RATING  BY ANOTHER NRSRO OR, IF NON-RATED, OF COMPARABLE QUALITY, IN THE OPINION
OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENT ADVISER, BASED ON ITS CREDIT ANALYSIS. Securities rated
Baa by Moody's are described by Moody's  as being investment grade but are  also
 characterized as having speculative characteristics. Securities rated below Baa
by  Moody's and below BBB by S&P are considered speculative. See "Description of
Security Ratings" in the  Appendix. Such lower rated  high yield securities  are
commonly  referred to as "junk bonds."  Such securities generally offer a higher
current yield  than those  in  the higher  rating  categories but  also  involve
greater  price volatility and  risk of loss  of principal and  income. See "Risk
Factors Relating to Investing in  High Yield Municipal Obligations" below.  Many
issuers  of lower-quality bonds  choose not to have  their obligations rated and
the Series  may  invest  without  further  limit  in  such  unrated  securities.
Investors   should  carefully  consider  the   relative  risks  associated  with
investments in securities which carry lower ratings and in comparable  non-rated
securities.  As a general  matter, bond prices  and the Series'  net asset value
will vary inversely with interest rate fluctuations. The Series may also  invest
up  to 5% of its total assets in New York Obligations that are in default in the
payment of principal or interest. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--Risks
of  Investing  in   Defaulted  Securities"  in   the  Statement  of   Additional
Information.
    
 
    From  time to time,  the Series may  own the majority  of a municipal issue.
Such majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
    UNDER  NORMAL  MARKET  CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL  ATTEMPT  TO   INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY  ALL OF  THE VALUE  OF ITS  ASSETS IN  NEW YORK  OBLIGATIONS. As a
matter of fundamental policy, during normal market conditions the Series' assets
will be invested so that at least 80% of the income will be exempt from New York
State, New York City and federal income  taxes or the Series will have at  least
80% of its total assets invested in New York Obligations. During abnormal market
conditions or to provide liquidity, the Series may hold cash or cash equivalents
or  investment grade taxable obligations,  including obligations that are exempt
from federal, but not state, taxation and the Series may invest in tax-free cash
equivalents, such as floating rate demand notes, tax-exempt commercial paper and
general obligation and  revenue notes or  in taxable cash  equivalents, such  as
certificates  of  deposit,  bankers  acceptances  and  time  deposits  or  other
short-term taxable  investments  such as  repurchase  agreements. When,  in  the
opinion  of  the  investment  adviser,  abnormal  market  conditions  require  a
temporary defensive position, the Series may  invest more than 20% of the  value
of  its assets in debt securities other  than New York Obligations or may invest
its assets so that more than 20% of  the income is subject to New York State  or
federal income taxes.
 
    THE  SERIES MAY ACQUIRE  PUT OPTIONS (PUTS)  GIVING THE SERIES  THE RIGHT TO
SELL SECURITIES HELD IN THE SERIES' PORTFOLIO AT A SPECIFIED EXERCISE PRICE ON A
SPECIFIED DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting  the
Series  from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which the
put applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case  of
liquidity  puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of the
underlying security. The aggregate value of  premiums paid to acquire puts  held
in  the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts) may not exceed 10% of the
net asset value of the Series. The
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
acquisition of a put may involve an additional cost to the Series, by payment of
a premium for the put, by payment  of a higher purchase price for securities  to
which the put is attached or through a lower effective interest rate.
 
   
    In  addition, there is a credit risk associated with the purchase of puts in
that the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase  the
underlying  security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under the
following circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the  underlying
security  and such security is  rated within the four  highest quality grades as
determined by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than  the
issuer  of the  underlying security and  such person  has securities outstanding
which are rated  within such  four highest  quality grades;  or (3)  the put  is
backed  by a letter of credit or  similar financial guarantee issued by a person
having securities outstanding  which are  rated within the  two highest  quality
grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
    THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED
DELIVERY"  BASIS, IN  EACH CASE  WITHOUT LIMIT.  When municipal  obligations are
offered on a when-issued  or delayed delivery basis,  the price and coupon  rate
are  fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the  settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore,  no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser during
such period. In the case of purchases  by the Series, the price that the  Series
is  required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with  the
purpose  of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable for
investment reasons. At the  time the Series makes  the commitment to purchase  a
municipal  obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in  determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as  values of municipal obligations otherwise held  by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with  its
Custodian  in which  it will maintain  cash, U.S.  Government securities, equity
securities or  other liquid,  unencumbered  assets, marked-to-market  daily,  in
value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
    THE  SERIES  MAY  ALSO  PURCHASE MUNICIPAL  FORWARD  CONTRACTS.  A municipal
forward contract is  a municipal security  which is purchased  on a  when-issued
basis  with delivery taking place up to five years from the date of purchase. No
interest will accrue on the security prior to the delivery date. The  investment
adviser  will monitor the  liquidity, value, credit quality  and delivery of the
security under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
    THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE SECONDARY  MARKET INSURANCE ON NEW YORK  OBLIGATIONS
WHICH IT HOLDS OR ACQUIRES. Secondary market insurance would be reflected in the
market  value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series to
dispose of  a defaulted  obligation at  a price  similar to  that of  comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
    Insurance  is  not a  substitute  for the  basic  credit of  an  issuer, but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage  for the  New York  Obligations held  by the  Series  reduces
credit  risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment of
principal and interest  if the issuer  defaults on its  obligation to make  such
payment,  it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price, I.E.,
the market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in  interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
    RISK  FACTORS  RELATING TO  INVESTING IN  HIGH YIELD  MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS.
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE RISK OF AN ISSUER'S INABILITY TO MEET
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE OBLIGATIONS (CREDIT RISK) AND MAY ALSO BE
SUBJECT TO PRICE VOLATILITY  DUE TO SUCH FACTORS  AS INTEREST RATE  SENSITIVITY,
MARKET  PERCEPTION  OF THE  CREDITWORTHINESS OF  THE  ISSUER AND  GENERAL MARKET
LIQUIDITY (MARKET RISK). Lower-rated or  unrated (I.E., high yield)  securities,
commonly  known  as  "junk bonds,"  are  more  likely to  react  to developments
affecting market and credit  risk than are more  highly rated securities,  which
react  primarily  to  movements in  the  general  level of  interest  rates. The
investment adviser  considers  both  credit  risk  and  market  risk  in  making
investment  decisions for the Series. Under  circumstances where the Series owns
the majority of an issue, such market and credit risks may be greater. Investors
should carefully  consider  the  relative  risks  of  investing  in  high  yield
municipal  obligations  and understand  that such  securities are  not generally
meant for short-term investing.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
    LOWER-RATED OR UNRATED DEBT OBLIGATIONS ALSO PRESENT RISKS BASED ON  PAYMENT
EXPECTATIONS.  If an issuer calls the  obligation for redemption, the Series may
have to replace  the security  with a  lower-yielding security,  resulting in  a
decreased  return  for  investors.  If  the  Series  experiences  unexpected net
redemptions, it may be forced to  sell its higher quality securities,  resulting
in  a  decline  in the  overall  credit  quality of  the  Series'  portfolio and
increasing the exposure of the Series to the risks of high yield securities.
 
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
  THE SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO  PURCHASE AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES,  INCLUDING
FINANCIAL  FUTURES  CONTRACTS (FUTURES  CONTRACTS) AND  OPTIONS THEREON  FOR THE
PURPOSE OF HEDGING ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED
BY CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HEDGING AGAINST INCREASES  IN
THE  COST OF SECURITIES  THE SERIES INTENDS  TO PURCHASE. THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF
FUTURES  CONTRACTS  AND  OPTIONS  THEREON  BY  THE  SERIES  INVOLVES  ADDITIONAL
TRANSACTION  COSTS  AND  IS  SUBJECT  TO  VARIOUS  RISKS  AND  DEPENDS  UPON THE
INVESTMENT ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT  THE DIRECTION OF THE MARKET  (INCLUDING
INTEREST RATES).
 
    A  FUTURES CONTRACT OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE CONTRACT  TO DELIVER TO THE
PURCHASER OF  THE CONTRACT  CASH EQUAL  TO A  SPECIFIC DOLLAR  AMOUNT TIMES  THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE  OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF THE  CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH THE
AGREEMENT IS MADE OR  AN AGREED AMOUNT OF  A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY.  No
physical  delivery of the underlying securities  is made. The Series will engage
in transactions in  only those futures  contracts and options  thereon that  are
traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
    The  Series intends to engage in futures  contracts and options thereon as a
hedge against  changes,  resulting  from  market conditions,  in  the  value  of
securities  which are held in the Series'  portfolio or which the Series intends
to purchase,  in accordance  with the  rules and  regulations of  the  Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). The Series also intends to engage in such
transactions  when they are economically appropriate  for the reduction of risks
inherent in the ongoing management of the Series.
 
    THE SERIES MAY NOT  PURCHASE OR SELL FUTURES  CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS  THEREON,
IF,  IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, (I) THE SUM OF INITIAL AND NET CUMULATIVE VARIATION
MARGIN ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID ON  OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (II) IN THE CASE
OF  RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL MARGIN
DEPOSITS ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS  THEREON
WOULD  EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There are
no limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and  no
limitations  on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts and
options thereon, except that the  aggregate value of the obligations  underlying
put  options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements for
qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue  Code
may  limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and options
thereon. See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
    Currently,  futures contracts are available on several types of fixed-income
securities, including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S.  Treasury
bills  and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal bond
index, based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40  actively
traded  municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in other
futures  contracts  that  become  available,   from  time  to  time,  in   other
fixed-income  securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
    THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A LIQUID
SECONDARY MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT  ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the  Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash payments
of variation  margin  in  the  event  of adverse  price  movements.  In  such  a
situation,  if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell portfolio
securities to meet daily variation margin  requirements at a time when it  might
be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close futures positions also could
have
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
an  adverse impact on the  ability of the Series  to hedge effectively. There is
also a risk of loss by the Series of margin deposits in the event of  bankruptcy
of a broker with whom the Series has an open position in a futures contract.
 
    THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES IS
SUBJECT  TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and movements in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities  that
are the subject of the hedge. If the price of the futures contract moves more or
less than the price of the security that is the subject of the hedge, the Series
will  experience a gain or loss that  will not be completely offset by movements
in the price of the security. The risk of imperfect correlation is greater where
the securities underlying futures contracts are taxable securities (rather  than
municipal  securities), are issued  by companies in  different market sectors or
have different maturities, ratings or  geographic mixes than the security  being
hedged.  In  addition,  the  correlation  may be  affected  by  additions  to or
deletions from  the index  which serves  as the  basis for  a futures  contract.
Finally,  if the price of the security that is subject to the hedge has moved in
a favorable direction, the advantage to the Series would be partially offset  by
the loss incurred on the futures contract.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE  THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST 80%  OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS
IN NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS,  AND BECAUSE IT SEEKS  TO MAXIMIZE INCOME DERIVED  FROM
NEW  YORK OBLIGATIONS,  IT IS  MORE SUSCEPTIBLE  TO FACTORS  ADVERSELY AFFECTING
ISSUERS OF SUCH OBLIGATIONS THAN IS A COMPARABLE MUNICIPAL BOND MUTUAL FUND THAT
IS NOT CONCENTRATED IN NEW YORK  OBLIGATIONS TO THIS DEGREE. New York's  budgets
for  fiscal years 1992-1993  and 1993-1994 have produced  cash surpluses for the
first time since fiscal year 1987-1988. The State's economic recovery,  however,
weakened  by mid-1994, and the 1994-1995  General Fund deficit was approximately
$241 million. The State's Comptroller's audited financial statements for  fiscal
year  1996 are  expected to indicate  that the State's  accumulated deficit (now
approximately $7.5 billion) was not  reduced significantly in fiscal year  1996,
despite  the  State's ending  cash  balance of  $445  million. There  can  be no
assurances that the  State will not  face substantial potential  budget gaps  in
this  and  future  years  resulting from  a  significant  disparity  between tax
revenues projected  from  a  lower  recurring receipts  base  and  the  spending
required  to maintain State programs at current levels. To address any potential
budgetary imbalance, the  State may need  to take significant  actions to  align
recurring  receipts and disbursements in future fiscal years. If either New York
State or any of its local governmental entities is unable to meet its  financial
obligations,  the  income derived  by  the Series,  the  ability to  preserve or
realize appreciation of the Series' capital  and the Series' liquidity could  be
adversely   affected.   See   "Investment   Objectives   and   Policies--Special
Considerations Regarding Investment in  Tax-Exempt Securities" in the  Statement
of Additional Information.
    
 
    THE SERIES IS "NON-DIVERSIFIED" SO THAT MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS MAY
BE  INVESTED  IN  THE  SECURITIES  OF  ONE  OR  MORE  ISSUERS.  Investment  in a
non-diversified portfolio involves greater risk than investment in a diversified
portfolio because  a loss  resulting from  the default  of a  single issuer  may
represent  a greater portion of the total assets of a non-diversified portfolio.
The Series will treat an investment  in a municipal bond refunded with  escrowed
U.S.  Government securities  as U.S. Government  securities for  purposes of the
Investment  Company   Act's   diversification  requirements   provided   certain
conditions  are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of a security agrees to repurchase that  security from the Series at a  mutually
agreed-upon  time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite short,
possibly overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number  of
months.  The resale  price is  in excess  of the  purchase price,  reflecting an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price.  The
instruments  held  as  collateral are  valued  daily  and if  the  value  of the
instruments declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If  the
seller  defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the repurchase
agreement   declines,   the    Series   may   incur    a   loss.   The    Series
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
participates  in  a joint  repurchase  account with  other  investment companies
managed by Prudential  Mutual Fund Management  LLC pursuant to  an order of  the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
  The  Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series  may
pledge  up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure these
borrowings. The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its  borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
  The  Series does not expect to trade  in securities for short-term gain. It is
anticipated that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%.  The
portfolio  turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales or
purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the  portfolio
securities,  excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase of
one year or less.
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series  may hold  up  to 15%  of its  net  assets in  illiquid  securities
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities   with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale  (restricted
securities)  and  securities  that   are  not  readily  marketable.   Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933,  as amended  (the Securities Act),  privately placed  commercial paper and
municipal lease  obligations  that  have  a readily  available  market  are  not
considered  illiquid for the purposes of this limitation. The investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of  such restricted securities under the  supervision
of  the Trustees. The Series' investment in  Rule 144A securities could have the
effect of  increasing illiquidity  to the  extent that  qualified  institutional
buyers  become,  for  a  limited  time,  uninterested  in  purchasing  Rule 144A
securities. See "Investment  Objectives and  Policies--Illiquid Securities"  and
"Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase
agreements  subject to demand are deemed to  have a maturity equal to the notice
period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The Series  is subject  to  certain investment  restrictions which,  like  its
investment  objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental policies
cannot be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of  the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER,  SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY  BUSINESS
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
    The Series  is responsible  for the  payment of  certain fees  and  expenses
including,  among others, the  following: (i) management  and distribution fees;
(ii) the fees of unaffiliated Trustees;  (iii) the fees of the Fund's  Custodian
and  Transfer and Dividend Disbursing  Agent; (iv) the fees  of the Fund's legal
counsel and  independent  accountants;  (v) brokerage  commissions  incurred  in
connection   with  portfolio  transactions;  (vi)   all  taxes  and  charges  of
governmental agencies; (vii)  the reimbursement of  organizational expenses  and
(viii) expenses related to shareholder communications.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC (PMF  OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY CENTER
THREE, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS  COMPENSATED
FOR  ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
OF THE SERIES. PMF is organized in  New York as a limited liability company.  It
is  the successor to Prudential Mutual  Fund Management, Inc., which transferred
its assets to PMF in September 1996.
    
 
   
    As of  September  30,  1996,  PMF  served as  the  manager  to  37  open-end
investment  companies, constituting all  of the Prudential  Mutual Funds, and as
manager or administrator  to 22 closed-end  investment companies with  aggregate
assets of approximately $52 billion.
    
 
    UNDER  THE MANAGEMENT  AGREEMENT WITH THE  FUND, PMF  MANAGES THE INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS OF EACH SERIES OF THE  FUND AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S  BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
    UNDER  A  SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND THE  PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT
CORPORATION (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY  SERVICES
IN  CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR ITS
REASONABLE COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED  IN PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under  the
Management  Agreement, PMF continues  to have responsibility  for all investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
                   [INSERT PORTFOLIO MANAGER WHEN IDENTIFIED]
 
   
    PMF and  PIC  are  wholly-owned subsidiaries  of  The  Prudential  Insurance
Company  of America  (Prudential), a  major diversified  insurance and financial
services company, and are  part of Prudential Investments,  a business group  of
Prudential.
    
 
FEE WAIVERS AND SUBSIDY
 
   
  PMF HAS AGREED TO WAIVE ITS MANAGEMENT FEE AND TO SUBSIDIZE OPERATING EXPENSES
OF  THE SERIES UNTIL  AUGUST 31, 1997  AND PSI HAS  AGREED TO WAIVE DISTRIBUTION
FEES UNTIL SUCH  DATE. The  Series is  not required  to reimburse  PMF for  such
management  fee waiver or expense subsidy. Thereafter, PMF may from time to time
agree to waive  its management fee  or a portion  thereof and subsidize  certain
operating  expenses  of  the  Series. Fee  waivers  and  expense  subsidies will
increase the Series' yield and total return. See "Fund Expenses."
    
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10292, IS A CORPORATION  ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS  OF
THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE SHARES OF THE SERIES.
It is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential.
    
 
   
    UNDER A PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (THE PLAN) ADOPTED BY THE FUND UNDER RULE 12B-1
UNDER  THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (THE DISTRIBUTION
AGREEMENT), PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES  (THE  DISTRIBUTOR) INCURS  THE  EXPENSES  OF
DISTRIBUTING  THE SHARES OF  THE SERIES. These  expenses include commissions and
account servicing  fees  paid  to,  or on  account  of,  financial  advisers  of
Prudential  Securities  and  representatives  of  Pruco  Securities  Corporation
(Prusec), affiliated broker-dealers, commissions and account servicing fees paid
to, or on account of, other broker-dealers or financial institutions (other than
national banks)  which  have  entered  into  agreements  with  the  Distributor,
advertising expenses, the cost of printing and mailing prospectuses to potential
investors  and indirect and  overhead costs of  Prudential Securities and Prusec
associated  with  the   sale  of  Series   shares,  including  lease,   utility,
communications  and sales promotion  expenses. The State  of Texas requires that
shares of  the Series  may  be sold  in  that state  only  by dealers  or  other
financial institutions which are registered there as broker-dealers.
    
 
   
    UNDER  THE  PLAN,  THE  SERIES  COMPENSATES  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES  FOR ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES AT  AN ANNUAL RATE  OF UP  TO .30 OF  1% OF  THE
SERIES'  AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS. The Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of
the average  daily net  assets of  the Series'  shares may  be used  to pay  for
personal  service  and/or  the  maintenance  of  shareholder  accounts  (service
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
fee) and (ii) total distribution fees (including  the service fee of .25 of  1%)
may  not exceed .30 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series' shares.
It is expected that proceeds from the distribution fee will be used primarily to
pay account  servicing fees  to financial  advisers. Prudential  Securities  has
advised the Series that distribution expenses under the Plan will not exceed .10
of  1% of the Series' average daily net assets for the fiscal year ending August
31, 1997, although currently Prudential Securities is waiving its fee.
    
 
    The Series  records all  payments made  under the  Plan as  expenses in  the
calculation of net investment income.
 
    The  Plan  provides that  it  shall continue  in  effect from  year  to year
provided that a majority of  the Trustees of the  Fund, including a majority  of
the  Trustees who are  not "interested persons"  of the Fund  (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or any  agreement related to the Plan (the Rule  12b-1
Trustees),  vote annually to continue the Plan.  The Plan may be terminated with
respect to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule  12b-1
Trustees  or of a majority  of the outstanding shares  of the Series. The Series
will not be obligated  to pay distribution and  service fees incurred under  the
Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
    In  addition to distribution and  service fees paid by  the Series under the
Plan, the Manager (or one  of its affiliates) may make  payments out of its  own
resources  to dealers (including Prudential  Securities) and other persons which
distribute shares of the Series. Such payments may be calculated by reference to
the net asset value of shares sold by such persons or otherwise.
    
 
    The Distributor  is subject  to the  rules of  the National  Association  of
Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges. See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
    On October 21, 1993,  PSI entered into an  omnibus settlement with the  SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD  to
resolve  allegations  that  from  1980 through  1990  PSI  sold  certain limited
partnership interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom  such
securities  were not suitable  and misrepresented the  safety, potential returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted against it, PSI consented to  the entry of an SEC Administrative  Order
which  stated that PSI's conduct violated  the federal securities laws, directed
PSI to cease and  desist from violating the  federal securities laws, pay  civil
penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of
a  $10,000,000 civil  penalty, established  a settlement  fund in  the amount of
$330,000,000 and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for  compensatory
damages  by purchasers of  the partnership interests. PSI  has agreed to provide
additional funds, if necessary,  for the purpose of  the settlement fund.  PSI's
settlement  with the state securities regulators  included an agreement to pay a
penalty of $500,000  per jurisdiction.  PSI consented to  a censure  and to  the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
    In  October  1994, a  criminal complaint  was filed  with the  United States
Magistrate for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI  committed
fraud  in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests in
violation of federal securities laws.  An agreement was simultaneously filed  to
defer  prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the signing
of the agreement, provided  that PSI complies with  the terms of the  agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the  agreement, no prosecution will  be instituted by the  United States for the
offenses charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course  of
the  three  year period,  PSI  violates the  terms  of the  agreement,  the U.S.
Attorney can  then  elect  to pursue  these  charges.  Under the  terms  of  the
agreement,  PSI agreed,  among other things,  to pay  an additional $330,000,000
into the  fund  established by  the  SEC to  pay  restitution to  investors  who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
    For   more  detailed  information  concerning  the  foregoing  matters,  see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
    The Fund is  not affected by  PSI's financial condition  and is an  entirely
separate  legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein and
the Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company,  an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prudential  Securities may act as a  broker or futures commission merchant for
the Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it  receives
are  fair  and reasonable.  See "Portfolio  Transactions  and Brokerage"  in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State Street  Bank  and  Trust  Company, One  Heritage  Drive,  North  Quincy,
Massachusetts  02171, serves  as Custodian for  the portfolio  securities of the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts, 02105.
 
    Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison, New
Jersey  08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain  books and records for  the fund. PMFS is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING  ITS
LIABILITIES  FROM THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  AND DIVIDING  THE REMAINDER  BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. THE TRUSTEES  HAVE FIXED THE SPECIFIC TIME OF  DAY
FOR  THE COMPUTATION OF THE  NAV OF THE SERIES  TO BE AS OF  4:15 P.M., NEW YORK
TIME.
 
    Portfolio securities  are  valued based  on  market quotations  or,  if  not
readily  available, at fair  value as determined in  good faith under procedures
established by  the Fund's  Trustees. Securities  may also  be valued  based  on
values  provided by a pricing service. See "Net Asset Value" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
    The Series will compute its NAV once  daily on days that the New York  Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or  redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes in
the value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the  NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents'  Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  FROM TIME TO TIME THE FUND  MAY ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT  YIELD"
AND  "TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING  "AVERAGE ANNUAL"  TOTAL RETURN  AND "AGGREGATE"
TOTAL RETURN) OF THE SERIES IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. THESE FIGURES
ARE BASED  ON  HISTORICAL EARNINGS  AND  ARE  NOT INTENDED  TO  INDICATE  FUTURE
PERFORMANCE.  The "yield" refers to the income generated by an investment in the
Series over a one-month or 30-day period. This income is then "annualized"; that
is, the amount of income generated  by the investment during that 30-day  period
is assumed to be generated each 30-day period for twelve periods and is shown as
a  percentage of  the investment.  The income earned  on the  investment is also
assumed to  be reinvested  at  the end  of the  sixth  30-day period.  The  "tax
equivalent  yield" is calculated similarly to the "yield," except that the yield
is increased using  a stated income  tax rate to  demonstrate the taxable  yield
necessary  to produce an after-tax equivalent  to the Series. The "total return"
shows how much an investment in the Series would have increased (decreased) over
a specified period of time (I.E., one,  five or ten years or since inception  of
the  Fund)  assuming that  all distributions  and dividends  by the  Series were
reinvested on the reinvestment  dates during the period  and less all  recurring
fees.  The "aggregate"  total return reflects  actual performance  over a stated
period of time. "Average annual" total  return is a hypothetical rate of  return
that,  if achieved annually, would have produced the same aggregate total return
if performance had been constant over the entire period.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
"Average annual" total return  smooths out variations  in performance and  takes
into  account  any  applicable  initial or  contingent  deferred  sales charges.
Neither "average annual" total  return nor "aggregate"  total return takes  into
account  any federal or state income taxes which may be payable upon redemption.
The Fund also may include comparative performance information in advertising  or
marketing  the shares  of the Series.  Such performance  information may include
data from  Lipper Analytical  Services,  Inc., Morningstar  Publications,  Inc.,
other  industry  publications,  business  periodicals  and  market  indices. See
"Performance Information" in  the Statement of  Additional Information.  Further
performance  information  is contained  in  the Series'  annual  and semi-annual
reports to shareholders, which may be obtained without charge. See  "Shareholder
Guide-- Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE  SERIES  WILL  ELECT TO  QUALIFY  AND  INTENDS TO  REMAIN  QUALIFIED  AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY, IF SO
QUALIFIED, THE SERIES WILL  NOT BE SUBJECT  TO FEDERAL INCOME  TAXES ON ITS  NET
INVESTMENT  INCOME  AND  CAPITAL  GAINS,  IF ANY,  THAT  IT  DISTRIBUTES  TO ITS
SHAREHOLDERS.  TO  THE  EXTENT  NOT  DISTRIBUTED  BY  THE  SERIES,  NET  TAXABLE
INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
    To  the  extent the  Series  invests in  taxable  obligations, it  will earn
taxable investment income. Also,  to the extent the  Series sells securities  or
engages in hedging transactions in futures contracts and options thereon, it may
earn  both short-term and long-term  capital gain or loss.  Capital gain or loss
may also arise upon the sale of municipal securities. Under the Internal Revenue
Code, special  rules apply  to  the treatment  of  certain options  and  futures
contracts  (Section 1256 contracts).  At the end of  each year, such investments
held by the Series will be required to be "market to market" for federal  income
tax  purposes;  that is,  treated as  having  been sold  at market  value. Sixty
percent of any gain  or loss recognized  on these "deemed  sales" and on  actual
dispositions  will  be  treated  as  long-term capital  gain  or  loss,  and the
remainder will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. See "Distributions
and Tax Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
    Gain or loss realized  by the Series from  the sale of securities  generally
will  be treated as capital gain or loss; however, gain from the sale of certain
securities (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary  income
to  the  extent  of any  "market  discount."  Market discount  generally  is the
difference, if any, between the  price paid by the  Series for the security  and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original  issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The market
discount rule does not apply to any security that was acquired by the Series  at
its  original issue. See "Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement of
Additional information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In general,  for  federal income  tax  purposes the  character  of  tax-exempt
interest  distributed by the Series will  flow through as tax-exempt interest to
its shareholders provided that 50% or more of the value of its assets at the end
of each quarter of its  taxable year is invested  in state, municipal and  other
obligations,  the interest  on which is  excluded from gross  income for federal
income tax  purposes. During  normal  market conditions,  at  least 80%  of  the
Series'  total assets will  be invested in  such obligations. See  "How the Fund
Invests--Investment Objective and Policies."
 
    Any  dividends  out  of  net   taxable  investment  income,  together   with
distributions  of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net short-term
capital gains over  net long-term capital  losses) distributed to  shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any  net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable  as
long-term  capital  gains to  the shareholders,  whether  or not  reinvested and
regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares.  The
maximum long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders currently is the
same  as the maximum tax rate for ordinary income. The maximum long-term capital
gains rate for individuals is 28%.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
    Any gain or loss realized  upon a sale or redemption  of Series shares by  a
shareholder  who is  not a  dealer in  securities will  be treated  as long-term
capital gain  or loss  if the  shares  have been  held more  than one  year  and
otherwise  as short-term  capital gain  or loss. Any  such loss  with respect to
shares that  are held  for  six months  or less,  however,  will be  treated  as
long-term  capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received
by the shareholder. In addition, any short-term capital loss will be  disallowed
to  the extent of any tax-exempt dividends received by the shareholder or shares
that are held for six months or less.
    
 
    CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY INCUR FEDERAL  ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX LIABILITY AS  A
RESULT  OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after  August
7,  1986) will  be treated  as an  item of  tax preference  for purposes  of the
alternative minimum  tax. The  Fund anticipates  that, under  regulations to  be
promulgated, items of tax reference incurred by the Series will be attributed to
the Series' shareholders, although some portion of such items could be allocated
to   the   Series   itself.  Depending   upon   each   shareholder's  individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum  tax.
Similarly,  the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax  preference  attributed to  it.  The Series  is  permitted to  invest  in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
    Corporate shareholders in the Series also will have to take into account the
adjustment  for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes. Corporate
shareholders should  consult  with  their  tax advisors  with  respect  to  this
potential adjustment.
    
 
    Under  New York law, dividends  paid by the Series  are exempt from New York
State and New York City income tax  for resident individuals to the extent  such
dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and are
derived from interest payments on New York Obligations.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under  the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and remit
to the U.S. Treasury  31% of dividend, capital  gain and redemption proceeds  on
the  accounts of those shareholders who fail to furnish their tax identification
numbers on  IRS Form  W-9  (or IRS  form  W-8 in  the  case of  certain  foreign
shareholders)  with  the  required  certifications  regarding  the shareholder's
status under the federal income tax law. Withholding also is required on taxable
dividends and  capital  gain distributions  made  by  the Series  unless  it  is
reasonably  expected that at  least 95% of  the distributions of  the Series are
comprised of tax-exempt dividends.
 
    Shareholders are  advised  to  consult  their  own  tax  advisers  regarding
specific  questions as to federal, state  or local taxes. See "Distributions and
Tax Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  THE SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF  NET
INVESTMENT  INCOME, IF ANY, AND MAKE DISTRIBUTIONS  AT LEAST ANNUALLY OF ANY NET
CAPITAL GAINS IN EXCESS OF CAPITAL LOSSES.
 
    DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL SHARES OF THE  SERIES
BASED  ON THE NET ASSET  VALUES OF SERIES SHARES ON  THE PAYMENT DATE AND RECORD
DATE, RESPECTIVELY, OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE
SHAREHOLDER ELECTS IN  WRITING NOT  LESS THAN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO  THE
RECORD  DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such election
should  be  submitted  to  Prudential   Mutual  Fund  Services,  Inc.,   Account
Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5015. The Fund will
notify  each shareholder after the close of  the Fund's taxable year both of the
per  share  amount  and  the  taxable  status  of  that  year's  dividends   and
distributions.  If  you hold  shares through  Prudential Securities,  you should
contact your financial adviser to  elect to receive dividends and  distributions
in cash.
 
    Any  taxable dividends  or distributions of  net capital  gains paid shortly
after a purchase by an investor will  have the effect of reducing the per  share
net  asset value by the per share amount of the dividends or distributions. Such
dividends or distributions, although in  effect a return of invested  principal,
are  subject to federal income taxes. Accordingly, prior to purchasing shares of
the Series,  an  investor  should  carefully  consider  the  impact  of  taxable
dividends  and capital gains distributions which are expected to be or have been
announced.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its  Trustees.
The  Declaration of Trust permits  the Trustees to issue  an unlimited number of
full and  fractional shares  in  separate series,  currently designated  as  the
Connecticut  Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series, Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series,  New  Jersey Series,  New  Jersey Money  Market  Series, the  New Jersey
Series, New York Series, New York  Income Series, New York Money Market  Series,
North  Carolina Series, Ohio  Series and Pennsylvania Series.  All series of the
Fund, except for the  Connecticut Money Market Series,  the Florida Series,  the
Massachusetts  Money Market Series, the New  Jersey Money Market Series, the New
York Income Series, the New  York Money Market Series  and the New York  Series,
offer three classes, designated Class A, Class B and Class C shares. The Florida
Series,  the New  Jersey Series and  the New  York Series offer  four classes of
shares, designated Class A, Class B, Class  C and Class Z shares. The Series  is
authorized  to issue two classes  of shares, Class A  and Class B. Currently the
Series is offering only one class of shares, which will be redesignated Class  A
shares  if  the Alternative  Purchase Plan  is implemented  with respect  to the
Series. In accordance  with the Fund's  Declaration of Trust,  the Trustees  may
authorize the creation of additional series and classes within such series, with
such  preferences, privileges, limitations and voting and dividend rights as the
Trustees may determine.
    
 
    Shares of  the  Fund, when  issued,  are fully  paid,  nonassessable,  fully
transferable  and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are also
redeemable at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as  described
under  "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of the Series is
equal as to earnings, assets and  voting privileges, except as noted above,  and
each  class bears the expenses related to  the distribution of its shares. There
are no  conversion, premptive  or other  subscription rights.  In the  event  of
liquidation, each share of beneficial interest of each series is entitled to its
portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the Fund have
been  paid.  The Fund's  shares do  not  have cumulative  voting rights  for the
election of Trustees.
 
    THE FUND DOES  NOT INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL MEETINGS  OF SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS
OTHERWISE  REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS OF
SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO  BE
ACTED  UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS HAVE
CERTAIN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF  THE
FUND'S  OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
    The Declaration of Trust and  the By-Laws of the  Fund are designed to  make
the  Fund similar in  certain respects to  a Massachusetts business corporation.
The principal distinction  between a  Massachusetts business  corporation and  a
Massachusetts   business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.  Under
Massachusetts  law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under   certain
circumstances,  be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
fund, which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of  the
Fund  provides that shareholders shall not  be subject to any personal liability
for the  acts or  obligations of  the Fund  and that  every written  obligation,
contract,  instrument or undertaking made by  the Fund shall contain a provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which  has
been  incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under  the
Securities  Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at
a reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at  the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INITIAL OFFERING OF SHARES
 
   
  DURING  A SUBSCRIPTION PERIOD (THE  SUBSCRIPTION PERIOD) CURRENTLY EXPECTED TO
END ON OR ABOUT       , 199 , PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, AS SUBSCRIPTION AGENT, WILL
SOLICIT SUBSCRIPTIONS  FOR SHARES  OF  THE SERIES.  SHARES  WILL BE  OFFERED  TO
INVESTORS  AT A MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE OF $     PER SHARE, WHICH IS INCLUSIVE OF
THE MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE OF 3.0% (3.09% OF THE AMOUNT INVESTED). INVESTORS  THAT
PLACE ORDERS FOR SHARES OF $100,000 OR MORE WILL PAY A REDUCED SALES CHARGE. SEE
"CONTINUOUS OFFERING OF SHARES."
    
 
    EACH  INVESTOR'S  DEALER  WILL  NOTIFY  SUCH  INVESTOR  OF  THE  END  OF THE
SUBSCRIPTION PERIOD AND PAYMENT WILL BE DUE WITHIN FIVE DAYS THEREAFTER. If  any
orders  received during the Subscription Period are accompanied by payment, such
payment will  be returned  unless instructions  have been  received  authorizing
investment  in a money market  fund. All such moneys  received and invested in a
money market fund,  including any  dividends received  on these  funds, will  be
automatically  invested in  the Series on  the closing date  without any further
action by  the  investor. Shareholders  who  purchase their  shares  during  the
Subscription  Period will  not receive  share certificates.  The minimum initial
investment during the Subscription  Period is $1,000, except  that there are  no
minimum  investment  requirements for  certain  retirement and  employee savings
plans or custodial accounts for the benefit of minors.
 
    Subscribers for shares will not have any  of the rights of a shareholder  of
the  Fund until the shares subscribed for  have been paid for and their issuance
has been reflected  in the books  of the Fund.  The Fund reserves  the right  to
withdraw,  modify or terminate the initial offering without notice and to refuse
any order in whole or in part.
 
CONTINUOUS OFFERING OF SHARES
 
    YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  PRUSEC
OR  DIRECTLY FROM  THE FUND THROUGH  ITS TRANSFER AGENT,  PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND
SERVICES, INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT  SERVICES,
P.O.  BOX  15020,  NEW BRUNSWICK,  NEW  JERSEY 08906-5020.  The  minimum initial
investment is $1,000.  The minimum  subsequent investment is  $100. All  minimum
investment  requirements  are waived  for  certain employee  savings  plans. For
purchases made  through the  Automatic Savings  Accumulation Plan,  the  minimum
initial  and subsequent investment  required is $50.  See "Shareholder Services"
below.
 
    An investment  in  the Series  may  not  be appropriate  for  tax-exempt  or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
 
    THE PURCHASE PRICE IS THE NAV PER SHARE NEXT DETERMINED FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF
AN  ORDER BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES PLUS  A SALES CHARGE
(EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE OFFERING PRICE AND OF THE AMOUNT INVESTED)  AS
SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        SALES CHARGE AS    SALES CHARGE AS    DEALER CONCESSION
                                         PERCENTAGE OF      PERCENTAGE OF     AS PERCENTAGE OF
     AMOUNT OF PURCHASE                  OFFERING PRICE    AMOUNT INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE
     --------------------------------   ----------------   ----------------   -----------------
     <S>                                <C>                <C>                <C>
     Less than $99,999                            3.00%              3.09%              3.00%
     $100,000 to $249,999                         2.50               2.56               2.50
     $250,000 to $499,999                         1.50               1.52               1.50
     $500,000 to $999,999                         1.00               1.01               1.00
     $1,000,000 and above                      None               None               None
</TABLE>
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
   
    The  Distributor may  reallow the  entire initial  sales charge  to dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
   
    In connection with the sale of shares at NAV (without payment of an  initial
sales  charge), the Manager, the Distributor or one of their affiliates will pay
dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a finders'
fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such persons.
    
 
    Application forms  can  be  obtained from  PMFS,  Prudential  Securities  or
Prusec.  If a share certificate is desired,  it must be requested in writing for
each transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who
hold  their  shares  through  Prudential  Securities  will  not  receive   share
certificates.
 
    The  Fund  reserves the  right to  reject any  purchase order  (including an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
    Your dealer is responsible for forwarding payment promptly to the Fund.  The
Distributor  reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which payment
has not been received by the fifth business day following the investment.
 
    Transactions in shares of the Series may be subject to postage and  handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
  REDUCTION  AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL SALES  CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges are
available through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of  the
Fund  and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market funds
other than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be  aggregated
to  determine the  applicable reduction.  See "Purchase  and Redemption  of Fund
Shares--Reduction and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class  A Shares" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  OTHER  WAIVERS. Shares may be purchased  at NAV, through Prudential Securities
or the Transfer Agent,  by the following persons:  (a) officers and current  and
former  Directors/Trustees of the Prudential  Mutual Funds (including the Fund),
(b) employees  of  Prudential Securities  and  PMF and  their  subsidiaries  and
members  of  the families  of such  persons who  maintain an  "employee related"
account at  Prudential  Securities or  the  Transfer Agent,  (c)  employees  and
special  agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all persons  who have
retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries,
(d) registered representatives and employees of dealers who have entered into  a
selected  dealer agreement with Prudential Securities provided that purchases at
NAV are  permitted  by such  person's  employer and  (e)  investors who  have  a
business  relationship with a financial adviser who joined Prudential Securities
from another investment firm, provided that (i) the purchase is made within  180
days  of the  commencement of the  financial adviser's  employment at Prudential
Securities or within one year in the case of benefit plans, (ii) the purchase is
made with proceeds of a redemption of  shares of any open-end fund sponsored  by
the  financial adviser's  previous employer (other  than a money  market fund or
other no-load fund which imposes a distribution  or service fee of .25 of 1%  or
less)  and (iii)  the financial  adviser served  as the  client's broker  on the
previous purchases.
    
 
    You must notify  the Transfer  Agent either directly  or through  Prudential
Securities  or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your entitlement. No initial sales charges are imposed upon shares acquired upon
the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and Redemption of
Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class A Shares"  in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must  first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an account
number. The following  information will  be requested: your  name, address,  tax
identification  number, dividend  distribution election, amount  being wired and
wiring bank. Instructions should then be given  by you to your bank to  transfer
funds  by wire to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company  (State Street), Boston,
Massachusetts, Custody and Shareholder Services Division, Attention:  Prudential
Municipal  Series  Fund (New  York  Income Series)  specifying  on the  wire the
account number assigned by PMFS and your name.
 
    If you arrange for  receipt by State  Street of Federal  Funds prior to  the
calculation  of  NAV (4:15  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you may
purchase shares of  the Series  as of  that day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
    In  making a subsequent purchase order by wire, you should wire State Street
directly and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal  Series
Fund (New York Income Series) and your name and individual account number. It is
not  necessary to call PMFS to make subsequent purchase orders utilizing Federal
Funds. The minimum amount which may be invested by wire is $1,000.
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
  At a special meeting of shareholders  held on December 18, 1989,  shareholders
of  the Fund  approved, among other  proposals, an Alternative  Purchase Plan in
connection with the offer and sale of Fund shares and an amendment to the Fund's
Declaration of Trust to, among other  things, classify the shares of  beneficial
interest  of the  Fund into  two classes in  order to  implement the Alternative
Purchase Plan.  At a  special meeting  of shareholders  held on  July 19,  1994,
shareholders  of the  Fund approved  an amendment  to the  Fund's Declaration of
Trust authorizing a third class of shares, Class C.
 
    The  Series  is  currently   offering  only  one   class  of  shares.   Upon
implementation  of the Alternative Purchase Plan  by the Series, the Series will
commence issuing two or  more classes of shares.  The outstanding shares of  the
Series  will be redesignated Class  A shares. The offering  of classes of shares
will be made by a new prospectus. There  can be no assurance that there will  be
an  offering of Class B or Class C  shares. See "Purchase and Redemption of Fund
Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES  AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV  PER
SHARE NEXT DETERMINED AFTER THE REDEMPTION REQUEST IS RECEIVED IN PROPER FORM BY
THE  TRANSFER  AGENT OR  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES. SEE  "HOW  THE FUND  VALUES ITS
SHARES."
 
    IF YOU HOLD  SHARES OF THE  SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES, YOU  MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER. IF YOU
HOLD  SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED BY
YOU EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD  CERTIFICATES,
THE  CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN  ON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED. IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST  OR
FIDUCIARY,  WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY ACCEPTABLE  TO THE TRANSFER AGENT MUST
BE SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence  and
documents  concerning redemptions  should be  sent to  the Fund  in care  of its
Transfer Agent,  Prudential Mutual  Fund Services,  Inc., Attention:  Redemption
Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
    If  the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to
a person other than  the record owner, (c)  are to be sent  to an address  other
than  the address on  the Transfer Agent's records,  or (d) are to  be paid to a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution"  includes
any  bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the right
to request additional information  from, and make  reasonable inquiries of,  any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be  obtained from the agency or office  manager of most Prudential Insurance and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
    PAYMENT FOR SHARES  PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION  WILL BE MADE  BY CHECK  WITHIN
SEVEN DAYS AFTER RECEIPT BY THE TRANSFER AGENT OF THE CERTIFICATE AND/OR WRITTEN
REQUEST  EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED  BELOW. IF  YOU  HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment  may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock  Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays, (b)
when trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as  a
result  of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period  when
the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the  SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or (d)
exist.
 
    PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF  RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES  WILL BE DELAYED  UNTIL
THE FUND OR ITS TRANSFER AGENT HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT THE PURCHASE CHECK HAS BEEN
HONORED,   UP  TO   10  CALENDAR   DAYS  FROM  THE   TIME  OF   RECEIPT  OF  THE
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
PURCHASE CHECK BY THE  TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY  MAY BE AVOIDED BY  PURCHASING
SHARES BY WIRE OR BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECKS.
 
  REDEMPTION  IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests  of the remaining  shareholders of the  Fund to make  payment
wholly  or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution  in kind of securities  from the investment portfolio  of
the  Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules of
the SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the  same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your
shares are redeemed in kind, you would incur transaction costs in converting the
assets  into cash. The Fund,  however, has elected to  be governed by Rule 18f-1
under the Investment Company  Act, under which the  Fund is obligated to  redeem
shares  solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the  Trustees
may  redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder which
is an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net  asset
value  of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give such
shareholders 60  days' prior  written  notice in  which to  purchase  sufficient
additional shares to avoid such redemption.
 
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised  the repurchase privilege, you may reinvest  any portion or all of the
proceeds of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next  determined
after  the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of the
redemption. No sales  charge will  apply to  such repurchases.  Exercise of  the
repurchase  privilege will generally not affect  federal income tax treatment of
any gain realized upon redemption. If the redemption resulted in a loss, some or
all of  the loss,  depending on  the amount  reinvested, will  generally not  be
allowed for federal income tax purposes.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
  AS  A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH THE OTHER
SERIES OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE  EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE),  INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE
MINIMUM INVESTMENT  REQUIREMENTS OF  SUCH FUNDS.  SHARES OF  THE SERIES  MAY  BE
EXCHANGED  FOR CLASS A SHARES OF THE OTHER SERIES OF THE FUND AND CLASS A SHARES
OF OTHER PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUNDS ON THE  BASIS OF THE RELATIVE NAV. AN  EXCHANGE
WILL  BE TREATED AS A REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE FOR TAX PURPOSES. See "Shareholder
Investment  Account--  Exchange  Privilege"  in  the  Statement  of   Additional
Information.
 
   
    IN  ORDER TO EXCHANGE SHARES BY  TELEPHONE, YOU MUST AUTHORIZE THE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO  THE
TRANSFER AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call
the  Fund at (800) 225-1852 to execute a telephone exchange of shares, weekdays,
except holidays, between the hours  of 8:00 A.M. and  6:00 P.M., New York  time.
For  your protection  and to prevent  fraudulent exchanges,  your telephone call
will be recorded and you will  be asked to provide your personal  identification
number.  A written confirmation of the exchange transaction will be sent to you.
NEITHER THE FUND NOR ITS AGENTS WILL  BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, LIABILITY OR  COST
WHICH  RESULTS FROM ACTING  UPON INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY  BELIEVED TO BE GENUINE
UNDER THE FOREGOING  PROCEDURES. (THE  FUND OR ITS  AGENTS COULD  BE SUBJECT  TO
LIABILITY  IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY  REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be
made on the basis of the relative net  asset value of the two funds (or  series)
next  determined  after the  request  is received  in  good order.  The Exchange
Privilege is available only in states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
    IF YOU HOLD  SHARES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, YOU  MUST EXCHANGE  YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
    IF  YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES,  SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON
THE FACE OF THE  CERTIFICATES, MUST BE  RETURNED IN ORDER FOR  THE SHARES TO  BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
    You  may also exchange shares  by mail by writing  to Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New  Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    IN  PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR  ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
OF SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
    The Fund reserves the right to reject any exchange order including exchanges
(and market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged  in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse  effect on the  ability of the  Subadviser to manage  the portfolio. The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination to reject  any exchange order  shall be in  the discretion of  the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
    The  Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, modified or
terminated on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, as a shareholder in the Series, you can
take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
        -AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT  OF  DIVIDENDS AND/OR  DISTRIBUTIONS  WITHOUT  A
    SALES  CHARGE.  For your  convenience, all  dividends and  distributions are
    automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Series at  NAV
    without  a sales charge.  You may direct  the Transfer Agent  in writing not
    less than 5 full business days prior  to the record date to have  subsequent
    dividends  and/or distributions sent in cash  rather than reinvested. If you
    hold shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial
    adviser.
 
        -AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION  PLAN (ASAP).  Under ASAP  you may  make
    regular  purchases of the Series' shares in  amounts as little as $50 via an
    automatic  debit  to  a  bank  account  or  Prudential  Securities   account
    (including  a  Command  Account).  For  additional  information  about  this
    service, you  may  contact  your Prudential  Securities  financial  adviser,
    Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
        -SYSTEMATIC  WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic  withdrawal plan is available
    which provides for monthly or quarterly checks.
 
   
        -REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund will send you annual and  semi-annual
    reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are audited by
    independent  accountants. In order to  reduce duplicate mailing and printing
    expenses, the  Fund  will provide  one  annual and  semi-annual  shareholder
    report  and  annual prospectus  per  household. You  may  request additional
    copies of such reports by calling (800)  225-1852 or by writing to the  Fund
    at  Gateway Center  Three, Newark,  New Jersey  07102. In  addition, monthly
    unaudited financial data is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
        -SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. Inquiries  should be  addressed to  the Fund  at
    Gateway  Center Three, Newark,  New Jersey 07102, or  by telephone, at (800)
    225-1852  (toll-free)  or,  from  outside  the  U.S.A.,  at  (908)  417-7555
    (collect).
    
 
  For  additional information  regarding the  services and  privileges described
above, see  "Shareholder  Investment Account"  in  the Statement  of  Additional
Information.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
                        DESCRIPTION OF SECURITY RATINGS
 
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE
BOND RATINGS
 
  Aaa:   Bonds which  are rated Aaa are  judged to be of  the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree  of investment risk and  are generally referred to  as
"gilt  edged". Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements may
change, such  changes as  can be  visualized  are most  unlikely to  impair  the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
 
  Aa:    Bonds which  are rated  Aa  are judged  to be  of  high quality  by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group,  they comprise what are generally  known
as  high grade  bonds. They are  rated lower  than Aaa bonds  because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be  of greater  amplitude or there  may be  other elements  present
which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
 
  A:   Bonds which are rated A  possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving  security
to  principal and interest  are considered adequate but  elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
 
  Baa:  Bonds which  are rated Baa are  considered as medium grade  obligations,
I.E.,  they are neither  highly protected nor  poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate  for the present, but certain  protective
elements  may be lacking or may  be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such  bonds lack outstanding  investment characteristics and  in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
 
  Ba:   Bonds which are rated Ba  are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered  as well assured. Often  the protection of  interest
and  principal payments may  be very moderate, and  thereby not well safeguarded
during other  good  and bad  times  over  the future.  Uncertainty  of  position
characterizes bonds in this class.
 
  B:   Bonds which are  rated B generally lack  characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest  and principal payments  or of maintenance  of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
 
  Bonds  rated within the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B categories which Moody's believes
possess the strongest credit attributes  within those categories are  designated
by the symbols Aa1, A1, Baa1, Ba1 and B1.
 
  Caa:   Bonds which are rated  Caa are of poor standing.  Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal  or
interest.
 
  Ca:  Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
 
  C:  Bonds which are rated C are the lowest-rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated  can be regarded as having extremely  poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
 
SHORT-TERM RATINGS
 
  Moody's ratings for tax-exempt notes and other short-term loans are designated
Moody's Investment  Grade  (MIG). This  distinction  is in  recognition  of  the
differences between short-term and long-term credit risk.
 
  MIG  1:  Loans bearing the designation MIG 1 are of the best quality, enjoying
strong protection  by  established cash  flows,  superior liquidity  support  or
demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
 
  MIG  2:  Loans bearing the designation MIG 2 are of high quality, with margins
of protection ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
  MIG 3:  Loans bearing the designation MIG 3 are of favorable quality, with all
security elements  accounted  for but  lacking  the strength  of  the  preceding
grades.
 
  MIG  4:    Loans  bearing  the designation  MIG  4  are  of  adequate quality.
Protection commonly regarded and required  of an investment security is  present
and  although  not distinctly  or predominantly  speculative, there  is specific
risk.
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS
 
  Moody's Short-Term Debt  Ratings are  opinions of  the ability  of issuers  to
repay  punctually senior  debt obligations which  have an  original maturity not
exceeding one year.
 
  Prime-1:  The designation Prime-1  indicates a superior ability for  repayment
of senior short-term debt obligations.
 
  Prime-2:   The designation Prime-2 indicates a strong ability for repayment of
senior short-term debt obligations.
 
  Prime-3:    The  designation  Prime-3  indicates  an  acceptable  ability  for
repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
 
  Not Prime:  Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating
categories.
 
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP
 
BOND RATINGS
 
  AAA:   Debt rated AAA has the highest  rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
  AA:   Debt rated  AA has  a very  strong capacity  to pay  interest and  repay
principal and differs from the highest-rated issues only in small degree.
 
  A:   Debt rated  A has a strong  capacity to pay  interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat  more susceptible to the  adverse effects of changes  in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
 
  BBB:    Debt rated  BBB  is regarded  as having  an  adequate capacity  to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas  it normally exhibits adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions or  changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to a  weakened capacity to pay  interest and repay principal  for
debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.
 
  BB, B, CCC, CC and C:  Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC or C is regarded, on balance,
as  predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in  accordance with  the terms  of the  obligation. BB  indicates  the
lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such
debt  will likely  have some quality  and protective  characteristics, these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
 
  D:  Debt rated D  is in default, and payment  of interest and/or repayment  of
principal is in arrears.
 
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
 
  An  S&P commercial paper rating  is a current assessment  of the likelihood of
timely payment of debt considered short-term in the relevant market.
 
  A-1:  The A-1 designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is either overwhelming or very  strong. A "+" designation is applied  to
those issued rated A-1 which possess an overwhelming degree of safety.
 
  A-2:    Capacity for  timely payment  on  issues with  the designation  A-2 is
strong. However, the  relative degree of  safety is  not as high  as for  issues
designated A-1.
 
  A-3:  Issues carrying this designation have a satisfactory capacity for timely
payment.  They are, however, somewhat more  vulnerable to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
 
MUNICIPAL NOTES
 
  Municipal notes issued  after July  29, 1984 are  rated SP-1,  SP-2 and  SP-3.
Municipal notes outstanding on July 29, 1984 carry the same symbols as municipal
bonds.  The designation SP-1  indicates a very strong  capacity to pay principal
and interest. A "+" is added to those issues determined to possess  overwhelming
safety characteristics. An SP-2 designation indicates a satisfactory capacity to
pay  principal and interest. An  SP-3 designation indicates speculative capacity
to pay principal and interest.
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management  offers a  broad  range  of  mutual funds
designed to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the  investment
options  available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Funds  at
(800)  225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before you
invest or send money.
 
- ---------------------
 
      TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
 
- ------------------------
    
 
      TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------
 
Prudential California Muncipal Fund
  California Series
  California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
  High Yield Series
  Insured Series
  Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Florida Series
  Hawaii Income Series
  Maryland Series
  Massachusetts Series
  Michigan Series
  New Jersey Series
  New York Series
  New York Income Series
  North Carolina Series
  Ohio Series
  Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
 
- ---------------
 
      GLOBAL FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
  Global Series
  International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
 
- ---------------
    
 
      EQUITY FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Allocation Fund
  Balanced Portfolio
  Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
  Prudential Active Balanced Fund
  Prudential Stock Index Fund
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
  Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
  Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
 
- ----------------------
    
 
      MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ------------------------------------------
 
   
- -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Money Market Series
  U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
  Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
- -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Connecticut Money Market Series
  Massachusetts Money Market Series
  New Jersey Money Market Series
  New York Money Market Series
- -COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
- -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
  Institutional Money Market Series
 
                                      B-1
    
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained in this Prospectus, and,
if  given or made, such other information  or representations must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by  the Fund or the Distributor. This  Prospectus
does  not constitute an  offer by the  Fund or by  the Distributor to  sell or a
solicitation of any offer  to buy any  of the securities  offered hereby in  any
jurisdiction  to any person  to whom it is  unlawful to make  such offer in such
jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                     ---
<S>                                               <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS.................................         2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics......         2
FUND EXPENSES...................................         4
HOW THE FUND INVESTS............................         5
  Investment Objective and Policies.............         5
  Other Investments and Policies................         9
  Investment Restrictions.......................        10
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED.........................        10
  Manager.......................................        11
  Distributor...................................        11
  Portfolio Transactions........................        13
  Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing
   Agent........................................        13
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES..................        13
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE.............        13
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS..............        14
GENERAL INFORMATION.............................        16
  Description of Shares.........................        16
  Additional Information........................        16
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE...............................        17
  Initial Offering of Shares....................        17
  Continuous Offering of Shares.................        17
  Alternative Purchase Plan.....................        19
  How to Sell Your Shares.......................        19
  How to Exchange Your Shares...................        20
  Shareholder Services..........................        21
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITY RATINGS.................       A-1
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY...............       B-1
</TABLE>
    
 
- -------------------------------------------
MF
                              CUSIP No.: 74435M- -
 
   
                                    PROSPECTUS
                                OCTOBER 30, 1996
    
 
  PRUDENTIAL
 
  MUNICIPAL
 
  SERIES FUND
 
  NEW YORK INCOME SERIES
 
- --------------------------------------
 
                                      [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the "Fund") (New York Money Market Series)
(the "Series") is one of fourteen series of an open-end, management investment
company, or mutual fund. This Series is diversified and is designed to provide
the highest level of current income that is exempt from New York State, New York
City and federal income taxes consistent with liquidity and the preservation of
capital. The net assets of the Series are invested primarily in short-term,
tax-exempt New York State, municipal and local debt obligations and obligations
of other qualifying issuers. There can be no assurance that the Series'
investment objective will be achieved. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment
Objective and Policies." The Fund's address is Gateway Center Three, Newark, New
Jersey 07102, and its telephone number is (800) 225-1852.
    
 
Shares of the Series are sold without a sales charge. The Series is subject to
an annual charge of .125% of its average daily net assets pursuant to the
Distribution and Service Plan. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor."
 
   
THE SERIES MAY INVEST A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF ITS ASSETS IN THE OBLIGATIONS OF
A SINGLE ISSUER, AND THEREFORE AN INVESTMENT IN THE SERIES MAY BE MORE RISKY
THAN AN INVESTMENT IN OTHER TYPES OF MONEY MARKET FUNDS.
    
 
AN INVESTMENT IN THE SERIES IS NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO
MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER SHARE. SEE "HOW THE FUND VALUES
ITS SHARES."
 
   
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund and the New
York Money Market Series that a prospective investor should know before
investing. Additional information about the Fund has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in a Statement of Additional Information
dated November 1, 1996, which information is incorporated herein by reference
(is legally considered a part of this Prospectus) and is available without
charge upon request to Prudential Municipal Series Fund at the address or
telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The following summary is intended to highlight certain information contained
in this Prospectus and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools the resources of investors by selling its shares to the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its investment objective. Technically, the Fund is an open-end,
  management investment company. Only the New York Money Market Series is
  offered through this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The Series' investment objective is to provide the highest level of
  current income that is exempt from New York State, New York City and federal
  income taxes consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. It
  seeks to achieve this objective by investing primarily in short-term New
  York State, municipal and local government obligations and obligations of
  other qualifying issuers, such as issuers located in Puerto Rico, the Virgin
  Islands and Guam, which pay income exempt, in the opinion of counsel, from
  New York State, New York City and federal income taxes (New York
  Obligations). There can be no assurance that the Series' investment
  objective will be achieved. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective
  and Policies" at page 6.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
    It is anticipated that the net asset value of the Series will remain
  constant at $1.00 per share, although this cannot be assured. In order to
  maintain such constant net asset value, the Series will value its portfolio
  securities at amortized cost. While this method provides certainty in
  valuation, it may result in periods during which the value of a security in
  the Series' portfolio, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower
  than the price the Series would receive if it sold such security. See "How
  the Fund Values its Shares" at page 12.
 
   
    In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest
  more than 80% of the value of its total assets in New York Obligations. This
  degree of investment concentration makes the Series particularly susceptible
  to factors adversely affecting issuers of New York Obligations, and makes an
  investment in the Series more risky than an investment in other types of
  money market funds. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and
  Policies--Special Considerations" at page 8.
    
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the Manager
  of the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50 of
  1% of the Series' average daily net assets. As of September 30, 1996, PMF
  served as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including 38
  mutual funds, with aggregate assets of approximately $52 billion. The
  Prudential Investment Corporation (PIC or the Subadviser) furnishes
  investment advisory services in connection with the management of the Fund
  under a Subadvisory Agreement with PMF. See "How the Fund is
  Managed--Manager" at page 10.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI) acts as
  the Distributor of the Series' shares. The Series currently reimburses
  Prudential Securities for expenses related to the distribution of the
  Series' shares at an annual rate of up to .125 of 1% of the average daily
  net assets of the Series. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page
  10.
    
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
    The minimum initial investment is $1,000. The minimum subsequent
  investment is $100. There is no minimum investment requirement for certain
  employee savings plans. For purchases made through the Automatic Savings
  Accumulation Plan, the minimum initial and subsequent investment is $50. See
  "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares of the Fund" at page 15 and
  "Shareholder Guide-- Shareholder Services" at page 21.
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities Corporation (Prusec) or directly from the Fund through its
  transfer agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities. See
  "How the Fund Values its Shares" at page 12 and "Shareholder Guide--How to
  Buy Shares of the Fund" at page 15.
    
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
    You may redeem shares of the Series at any time at the NAV next determined
  after Prudential Securities or the Transfer Agent receives your sell order.
  See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page 18.
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
    The Series expects to declare daily and pay monthly dividends of net
  investment income and short-term capital gains. Dividends and distributions
  will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Series at NAV
  unless you request that they be paid to you in cash. See "Taxes, Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 12.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                         (NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases......................   None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load..................................   None
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends...........   None
    Redemption Fees..............................................   None
    Exchange Fee.................................................   None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets)
    Management Fees..............................................   .500%
    12b-1 Fees...................................................   .125%
    Other Expenses...............................................   .095%
                                                                   ------
    Total Fund Operating Expenses................................   .720%
                                                                   ------
                                                                   ------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE                                                            1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS  10 YEARS
                                                                   ------  -------  -------  --------
<S>                                                                <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>
    You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
      assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end
      of each time period:.......................................  $   7   $   23   $   40   $    89
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  The above example is based on data for the Series' fiscal year ended August
  31, 1996. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
  FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
  The purpose of this table is to assist an investor in understanding the
  various costs and expenses that an investor in the Series will bear, whether
  directly or indirectly. For more complete descriptions of the various costs
  and expenses, see "How the Fund is Managed." "Other Expenses" includes
  operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees' and professional fees,
  registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer agency and custodian
  fees.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August 31, 1996, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
accountants, whose report thereon was unqualified. This information should be
read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto, which
appear in the Statement of Additional Information. The following financial
highlights contain selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding,
total return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the
periods indicated. This information is based on data contained in the financial
statements.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            1996       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991       1990      1989(B)
                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value,
 beginning of year.......    $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00
Net investment income and
 net realized gains......      .03        .03        .02        .02        .03        .04        .05        .05
Dividends and
 distributions to
 shareholders............     (.03)      (.03)      (.02)      (.02)      (.03)      (.04)      (.05)      (.05)
                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value, end of
 year....................    $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00
                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
TOTAL RETURN (C):........     2.97%      3.06%      1.80%      1.80%      2.93%      4.37%      5.14%      5.14%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year
 (000)................... $349,470   $324,698   $269,073   $286,304   $249,785   $236,361   $226,758   $184,615
Average net assets
 (000)................... $336,427   $292,763   $280,492   $275,640   $248,557   $245,494   $218,423   $173,661
Ratios to average net
 assets:
    Expenses, including
     distribution fee....      .72%       .73%       .77%       .75%       .76%       .79%       .75%       .79%
    Expenses, excluding
     distribution fee....      .60%       .61%       .64%       .63%       .63%       .66%       .62%       .67%
    Net investment
     income..............     2.91%      3.02%      1.78%      1.75%      2.83%      4.23%      4.99%      5.01%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                            1988         1987
                          ---------  ------------
<S>                       <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value,
 beginning of year.......    $1.00      $1.00
Net investment income and
 net realized gains......      .04        .04(a)
Dividends and
 distributions to
 shareholders............     (.04)      (.04)
                          ---------  ------------
Net asset value, end of
 year....................    $1.00      $1.00
                          ---------  ------------
                          ---------  ------------
TOTAL RETURN (C):........     4.14%      3.66%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year
 (000)................... $168,391   $134,317
Average net assets
 (000)................... $154,746   $139,263
Ratios to average net
 assets:
    Expenses, including
     distribution fee....      .72%       .71%(a)
    Expenses, excluding
     distribution fee....      .60%       .59%(a)
    Net investment
     income..............     4.18%      3.53%(a)
</TABLE>
    
 
   ------------------------
   
   (a) Net of expense subsidy and/or fee waiver.
    
   
   (b) On December 31, 1988, Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.
       succeeded The Prudential Insurance Company of America as investment
       adviser and since then has acted as manager of the Fund.
    
   
   (c) Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              CALCULATION OF YIELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  THE SERIES CALCULATES ITS "CURRENT YIELD" based on the net change, exclusive
of realized and unrealized gains or losses, in the value of a hypothetical
account over a seven calendar day base period. THE SERIES CALCULATES ITS
"EFFECTIVE ANNUAL YIELD" ASSUMING DAILY COMPOUNDING AND ITS "TAX-EQUIVALENT
YIELD." Tax-equivalent yield shows the taxable yield an investor would have to
earn from a fully taxable investment in order to equal the Series' tax-free
yield after taxes and is calculated by dividing the Series' current or effective
yield by the result of one minus the State tax rate times one minus the federal
tax rate. The following is an example of the yield calculations as of August 31,
1996:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>
Value of hypothetical account at end of period.........  $1.000464721
Value of hypothetical account at beginning of period...   1.000000000
                                                         ------------
Base period return.....................................  $0.000464721
                                                         ------------
                                                         ------------
CURRENT YIELD (.000464721 X (365/7))...................         2.42%
EFFECTIVE ANNUAL YIELD, assuming daily compounding.....         2.45%
TAX-EQUIVALENT CURRENT YIELD (2.42%  DIVIDED BY
 (1-44.36%))...........................................         4.35%
</TABLE>
    
 
  THE YIELD WILL FLUCTUATE FROM TIME TO TIME AND DOES NOT INDICATE FUTURE
PERFORMANCE.
 
   
  The weighted average life to maturity of the portfolio of the Series on August
31, 1996 was 64 days.
    
 
  Yield is computed in accordance with a standardized formula described in the
Statement of Additional Information. In addition, comparative performance
information may be used from time to time in advertising or marketing the
Series' shares, including data from Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.,
Morningstar Publications, Inc., IBC/Donoghue's Money Fund Report, The Bank Rate
Monitor, other industry publications, business periodicals and market indices.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND (THE FUND) IS AN OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES (THE
SERIES) IS DIVERSIFIED AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST
LEVEL OF CURRENT INCOME THAT IS EXEMPT FROM NEW YORK STATE, NEW YORK CITY AND
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES CONSISTENT WITH LIQUIDITY AND THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL.
THE SERIES SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE BY INVESTING PRIMARILY IN
SHORT-TERM NEW YORK STATE, MUNICIPAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF OTHER QUALIFYING ISSUERS, SUCH AS ISSUERS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO,
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND GUAM, WHICH PAY INCOME EXEMPT, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL,
FROM NEW YORK STATE, NEW YORK CITY AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (NEW YORK
OBLIGATIONS). SEE "INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES" IN THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE
TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
  THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE SERIES'
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED (THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT). THE SERIES' POLICIES THAT ARE NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  Interest on certain municipal obligations may be a preference item for
purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax. The Series may invest without
limit in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined in
the Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item for
purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax. See "Taxes, Dividends and
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
Distributions." Under New York law, dividends paid by the Series are exempt from
New York State and New York City income tax for resident individuals to the
extent they are derived from interest payments on New York Obligations. The New
York Obligations in which the Series may invest include certain short-term,
tax-exempt notes such as Tax Anticipation Notes, Revenue Anticipation Notes,
Bond Anticipation Notes, Construction Loan Notes and certain variable and
floating rate demand notes. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--Tax-Exempt
Securities--Tax-Exempt Notes" in the Statement of Additional Information. The
Series will maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity of its portfolio of 90
days or less.
 
  THE SERIES MAY INVEST ITS ASSETS IN FLOATING RATE AND VARIABLE RATE
SECURITIES, INCLUDING PARTICIPATION INTERESTS THEREIN, WHICH CONFORM TO THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMORTIZED COST VALUATION RULE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. There is no limit on the amount of such
securities that the Series may purchase. Floating rate securities normally have
a rate of interest which is set as a specific percentage of a designated base
rate, such as the rate on Treasury Bonds or Bills or the prime rate at a major
commercial bank. The interest rate on floating rate securities changes
periodically when there is a change in the designated base interest rate.
Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the
interest rate based on prevailing market rates and generally would allow the
Series to demand payment of the obligation on short notice at par plus accrued
interest, which amount may be more or less than the amount the Series paid for
them.
 
   
  ALL NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS PURCHASED BY THE SERIES WILL, AT THE TIME OF
PURCHASE, HAVE A REMAINING MATURITY OF THIRTEEN MONTHS OR LESS AND BE (I) RATED
IN ONE OF THE TWO HIGHEST RATING CATEGORIES BY AT LEAST TWO NATIONALLY
RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS (NRSROS) ASSIGNING A RATING TO THE
SECURITY OR ISSUER (OR, IF ONLY ONE NRSRO ASSIGNED A RATING, BY THAT NRSRO) OR
(II), IF UNRATED, OF COMPARABLE QUALITY AS DETERMINED BY THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE TRUSTEES. See "Description of Tax-Exempt Security
Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information. The investment adviser will
monitor the credit quality of securities purchased for the Series' portfolio and
will limit its investments to those which present minimal credit risks.
    
 
   
  In selecting New York Obligations for investment by the Series, the investment
adviser considers ratings assigned by NRSROs, information concerning the
financial history and condition of the issuer and its revenue and expense
prospects and, in the case of revenue bonds, the financial history and condition
of the source of revenue to service the bonds. If a New York Obligation held by
the Series is assigned a lower rating or ceases to be rated, the investment
adviser under the supervision of the Trustees will promptly reassess whether
that security presents minimal credit risks and whether the Series should
continue to hold the security in its portfolio. If a portfolio security no
longer presents minimal credit risks or is in default, the Series will dispose
of the security as soon as reasonably practicable unless the Trustees determine
that to do so is not in the best interests of the Series and its shareholders.
    
 
  The Series utilizes the amortized cost method of valuation in accordance with
regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). See "How the
Fund Values its Shares."
 
  The Series intends to hold portfolio securities to maturity; however, it may
sell any security at any time in order to meet redemption requests or if the
investment adviser believes it advisable, based on an evaluation of the issuer
or of market conditions.
 
  UNDER NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, THE SERIES WILL ATTEMPT TO INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS IN NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS. As a
matter of fundamental policy, during normal market conditions the Series' assets
will be invested so that at least 80% of the income will be exempt from New York
State, New York City and federal income taxes or the Series will have at least
80% of its total assets invested in New York Obligations. During abnormal market
conditions or to provide liquidity, the Series may hold cash or taxable cash
equivalents such as certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and time
deposits or other short-term taxable investments such as repurchase agreements,
or high grade taxable obligations, including obligations that are exempt from
federal, but not New York City or New York State, taxation. When, in the opinion
of the investment adviser, abnormal market conditions require a temporary
defensive position, the Series may invest more than 20% of the value of its
assets in short-term debt securities other than New York Obligations or may
invest its assets so that more than 20% of the income is subject to New York
State, New York City or federal income taxes. The Series will treat an
investment in a municipal bond refunded with escrowed U.S. Government securities
as U.S. Government securities for purposes of the Investment Company Act's
diversification requirements provided certain conditions are met. See
"Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
  THE SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO SELL
SECURITIES HELD IN THE SERIES' PORTFOLIO AT A SPECIFIED EXERCISE PRICE ON A
SPECIFIED DATE. Such puts may be acquired for the purpose of protecting the
Series from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which the
put applies in the event of interest rate fluctuations or, in the case of
liquidity puts, for the purpose of shortening the effective maturity of the
underlying security. The aggregate value of premiums paid to acquire puts held
in the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity puts) may not exceed 10% of the
net asset value of the Series. The acquisition of a put may involve an
additional cost to the Series by payment of a premium for the put, by payment of
a higher purchase price for securities to which the put is attached or through a
lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In addition, there is a credit risk associated with the purchase of puts in
that the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase the
underlying security. Accordingly, the Series will acquire puts only under the
following circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the underlying
security and such security is rated (a) in one of the two highest rating
categories by at least two NRSROs assigning a rating to the security or issuer,
or (b) if only one such rating organization assigned a rating, by that rating
organization; or (2) the put is written by a person other than the issuer of the
underlying security and such person has securities outstanding which are rated
within such two highest quality grades; or (3) the put is backed by a letter of
credit or similar financial guarantee issued by a person having securities
outstanding which are rated within the two highest quality grades of such rating
services. The issuer of the put, or another institution, must undertake to
notify promptly the holder of the put if the put feature is substituted with a
put from another issuer.
    
 
   
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED
DELIVERY" BASIS, IN EACH CASE WITHOUT LIMIT. When municipal obligations are
offered on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the price and coupon rate
are fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase; the purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore, no interest accrues to the economic benefit of the purchaser during
such period. In the case of purchases by the Series, the price that the Series
is required to pay on the settlement date may be in excess of the market value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the settlement date, the Series intends to purchase these securities with the
purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale would be desirable for
investment reasons. At the time the Series makes the commitment to purchase a
municipal obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as values of municipal obligations otherwise held by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had occurred. The Series will establish a segregated account with its
Custodian in which it will maintain cash, U.S. Government securities, equity
securities or other liquid, unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily, equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE SECONDARY MARKET INSURANCE ON NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS
WHICH IT HOLDS OR ACQUIRES. Secondary market insurance would be reflected in the
market value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series to
dispose of a defaulted obligation at a price similar to that of comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance is not a substitute for the basic credit of an issuer, but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage for the New York Obligations held by the Series reduces
credit risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment of
principal and interest if the issuer defaults on its obligation to make such
payment, it does not afford protection against fluctuation in the price, I.E.,
the market value, of the municipal obligations caused by changes in interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE THE SERIES WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS AND BECAUSE
IT SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE INCOME DERIVED FROM NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS, IT IS MORE
SUSCEPTIBLE TO FACTORS ADVERSELY AFFECTING ISSUERS OF NEW YORK OBLIGATIONS THAN
IS A COMPARABLE TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND THAT IS NOT CONCENTRATED IN SUCH
OBLIGATIONS TO THIS DEGREE. An investment in the Series therefore may involve
more risk than an investment in other types of money market funds. New York's
budgets for fiscal years 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 have produced cash surpluses
for the first time since fiscal year 1987-1988. The State's economic recovery,
however, weakened by mid-1994, and the 1994-1995 General Fund deficit was
approximately $241 million. The State's Comptroller's audited financial
statements for fiscal year 1996 are expected to indicate that the State's
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
accumulated deficit (now approximately $7.5 billion) was not reduced
significantly in fiscal year 1996, despite the State's ending cash balance of
$445 million. There can be no assurances that the State will not face
substantial potential budget gaps this and in future years resulting from a
significant disparity between tax revenues projected from a lower recurring
receipts base and the spending required to maintain State programs at current
levels. To address any potential budgetary imbalance, the State may need to take
significant actions to align recurring receipts and disbursements in future
fiscal years. If either New York State or any of its local governmental entities
is unable to meet its financial obligations, the income derived by the Series,
the ability to preserve or realize appreciation of the Series' capital and the
Series' liquidity could be adversely affected. See "Investment Objectives and
Policies--Special Considerations Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of a security agrees to repurchase that security from the Series at a mutually
agreed-upon time and price. The period of maturity is usually quite short,
possibly overnight or a few days, although it may extend over a number of
months. The resale price is in excess of the purchase price, reflecting an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully collateralized in an amount at least equal to the resale price. The
instruments held as collateral are valued daily and if the value of the
instruments declines, the Series will require additional collateral. If the
seller defaults and the value of the collateral securing the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series may incur a loss. The Series participates in a
joint repurchase account with other investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management LLC pursuant to an order of the SEC. See "Investment
Objectives and Policies--Repurchase Agreements" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
  The Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or emergency purposes or for the clearance of transactions. The Series may
pledge up to 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets to secure these
borrowings. The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series may hold up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities,
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale (restricted
securities) and securities that are not readily marketable. Securities that have
a readily available market are not considered illiquid for purposes of this
limitation. See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional
Information. The investment adviser will monitor the liquidity of such
restricted securities under the supervision of the Trustees. See "Investment
Objectives and Policies--Illiquid Securities" in the Statement of Additional
Information. Repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed to have a
maturity equal to the notice period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The Series is subject to certain investment restrictions which, like its
investment objective, constitute fundamental policies. Fundamental policies
cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER, SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S MANAGER CONDUCTS AND SUPERVISES THE DAILY BUSINESS
OPERATIONS OF THE FUND. THE FUND'S SUBADVISER FURNISHES DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, total expenses of the Series as a
percentage of its average net assets were .72%. See "Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND MANAGEMENT LLC (PMF OR THE MANAGER), GATEWAY CENTER
THREE, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
OF THE SERIES. PMF is organized in New York as a limited liability company. It
is the successor to Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc., which transferred
its assets to PMF in September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series paid a management fee of .50 of 1% of the Series' average net assets.
See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  As of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end investment
companies, constituting all of the Prudential Mutual Funds, and as manager or
administrator to 22 closed-end investment companies with aggregate assets of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE FUND, PMF MANAGES THE INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS OF EACH SERIES OF THE FUND AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER A SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN PMF AND THE PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT
CORPORATION (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR ITS
REASONABLE COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED IN PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES. Under the
Management Agreement, PMF continues to have responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
   
  PMF and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential), a major diversified insurance and financial services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  PMF MAY FROM TIME TO TIME AGREE TO WAIVE ALL OR A PORTION OF ITS MANAGEMENT
FEE AND SUBSIDIZE CERTAIN OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE SERIES. The Series is not
required to reimburse PMF for such management fee waiver or expense subsidy. Fee
waivers and expense subsidies will increase the Series' yield. See "Fund
Expenses" and "Calculation of Yield."
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PSI OR THE
DISTRIBUTOR), ONE SEAPORT PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10292, IS A CORPORATION
ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR
OF THE SERIES' SHARES. It is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential.
Prior to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc. (PMFD), One
Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as distributor of shares of the
Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER A DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN (THE PLAN) ADOPTED BY THE SERIES UNDER
RULE 12B-1 UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (THE
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT), THE DISTRIBUTOR INCURS THE EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTING THE
SHARES OF THE SERIES. These expenses include account servicing fees paid to, or
on account of, financial advisers of Prudential Securities and representatives
of Pruco Securities Corporation (Prusec), an affiliated broker-dealer, account
servicing fees paid to, or on account of, other broker-dealers or financial
institutions (other than national banks) which have entered into agreements with
the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing and mailing
prospectuses to potential investors and indirect and overhead costs of
Prudential Securities and Prusec associated with the sale of Series shares,
including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses. The State
of Texas requires that shares of the Series may be sold in that state only by
dealers or other financial institutions which are registered there as
broker-dealers.
    
 
  UNDER THE PLAN, THE SERIES REIMBURSES THE DISTRIBUTOR FOR ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED EXPENSES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .125 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE
DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE SERIES. Account servicing fees are paid based on the
average balance of the Series' shares held in the accounts of the customers of
financial advisers. The entire distribution fee may be used to pay account
servicing fees.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, the Series paid PMFD and PSI a
distribution fee equal on an annual basis to .125% of the average net assets of
the Series. Amounts paid to the Distributor by the Series will not be used to
pay distribution expenses incurred by any other series of the Fund.
    
 
  The Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that each such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the
Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and
who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan
or any agreements related to the Plan. The Trustees are provided with and review
quarterly reports of expenditures under the Plan.
 
   
  In addition to distribution and service fees paid by the Series under the
Plan, the Manager (or one of its affiliates) may make payments out of its own
resources to dealers (including Prudential Securities) and other persons which
distribute shares of the Series. Such payments may be calculated by reference to
the net asset value of shares sold by such persons or otherwise. The Fund
records all payments made under the Plan as expenses in the calculation of its
net investment income.
    
 
  On October 21, 1993, PSI entered into an omnibus settlement with the SEC,
state securities regulators (with the exception of the Texas Securities
Commissioner who joined the settlement on January 18, 1994) and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the NASD) to resolve allegations that
from 1980 through 1990 PSI sold certain limited partnership interests in
violation of securities laws to persons for whom such securities were not
suitable and misrepresented the safety, potential returns and liquidity of these
investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations asserted against it,
PSI consented to the entry of an SEC Administrative Order which stated that
PSI's conduct violated the federal securities laws, directed PSI to cease and
desist from violating the federal securities laws, pay civil penalties, and
adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000 civil penalty, established a settlement fund in the amount of
$330,000,000 and procedures to resolve legitimate claims for compensatory
damages by purchasers of the partnership interests. PSI has agreed to provide
additional funds, if necessary, for the purpose of the settlement fund. PSI's
settlement with the state securities regulators included an agreement to pay a
penalty of $500,000 per jurisdiction. PSI consented to a censure and to the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In October 1994, a criminal complaint was filed with the United States
Magistrate for the Southern District of New York alleging that PSI committed
fraud in connection with the sale of certain limited partnership interests in
violation of federal securities laws. An agreement was simultaneously filed to
defer prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the signing
of the agreement, provided that PSI complies with the terms of the agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the agreement, no prosecution will be instituted by the United States for the
offenses charged in the complaint. If on the other hand, during the course of
the three year period, PSI violates the terms of the agreement, the U.S.
Attorney can then elect to pursue these charges. Under the terms of the
agreement, PSI agreed, among other things, to pay an additional $330,000,000
into the fund established by the SEC to pay restitution to investors who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For more detailed information concerning the foregoing matters, see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The Fund is not affected by PSI's financial condition and is an entirely
separate legal entity from PSI, which has no beneficial ownership therein and
the Fund's assets which are held by State Street Bank and Trust Company, an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
   
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
    
 
  Prudential Securities may act as a broker for the Fund, provided that the
commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives are fair and reasonable. See
"Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Heritage Drive, North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves as Custodian for the portfolio securities of the
Series and cash and, in that capacity, maintains certain financial and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison, New
Jersey 08837, serves as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain books and records for the Fund. PMFS is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING ITS
LIABILITIES FROM THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS AND DIVIDING THE REMAINDER BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. THE TRUSTEES HAVE FIXED THE SPECIFIC TIME OF DAY
FOR THE COMPUTATION OF THE NET ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:30 P.M.,
NEW YORK TIME, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS.
 
  The Series will compute its NAV once daily on days the New York Stock Exchange
is open for trading, except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell or
redeem shares have been received by the Series or days on which changes in the
value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the NAV. The
New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
  The Series determines the value of its portfolio securities by the amortized
cost method. This method involves valuing an instrument at its cost and
thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or
premium regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market
value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it
may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is
higher or lower than the price the Series would receive if it sold the
instrument. During these periods, the yield to a shareholder may differ somewhat
from that which could be obtained from a similar fund which marks its portfolio
securities to the market each day. For example, during periods of declining
interest rates, if the use of the amortized cost method resulted in a lower
value of the Series' portfolio on a given day, a prospective investor in the
Series would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield and existing shareholders
would receive correspondingly less income. The converse would apply during
periods of rising interest rates. The Trustees have established procedures
designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, the NAV of the shares
of the Series at $1.00 per share. See "Net Asset Value" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE SERIES HAS ELECTED TO QUALIFY AND INTENDS TO REMAIN QUALIFIED AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY, THE
SERIES WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME
AND CAPITAL GAINS, IF ANY, THAT IT DISTRIBUTES TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS. TO THE
EXTENT NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn taxable
investment income. Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of
securities generally will be treated as capital gain or loss; however, gain from
the sale of certain securities (including municipal obligations) will be treated
as ordinary income to the extent of any "market discount." Market discount
generally is the difference, if any, between the price paid by the Series for
the security and the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a
security issued at an original issue discount, the revised issue price of the
security). The market discount rule does not apply to any security that was
acquired by the Series at its original issue. See "Distributions and Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In general, the character of tax-exempt interest distributed by the Series
will flow through as tax-exempt interest to its shareholders provided that 50%
or more of the value of its assets at the end of each quarter of its taxable
year is invested in state, municipal and other obligations, the interest on
which is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. During
normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Series' total assets will be
invested in such obligations. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any dividends out of net taxable investment income, together with
distributions of net short-term gains (I.E., the excess of net short-term
capital gains over net long-term capital losses) distributed to shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses) distributed to shareholders will be taxable as
long-term capital gains to the shareholders, whether or not reinvested and
regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares. The
maximum long-term capital gains rate for individuals is 28%. The maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders currently is the same as
the maximum tax rate for ordinary income. The Series does not expect to realize
long-term capital gains.
 
  CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY INCUR FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX LIABILITY AS A
RESULT OF THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE FUND. Tax-exempt interest from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after August
7, 1986) will be treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of the
alternative minimum tax. The Fund anticipates that, under regulations to be
promulgated, items of tax preference incurred by the Series will be attributed
to the Series' shareholders, although some portion of such items could be
allocated to the Series itself. Depending upon each shareholder's individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the shareholder for the alternative minimum tax.
Similarly, the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax preference attributed to it. The Series is permitted to invest in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
  Corporate shareholders in the Series also will have to take into account the
adjustment for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes. Corporate
shareholders should consult with their tax advisers with respect to this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under New York law, dividends paid by the Series are exempt from New York
State and New York City income taxes for resident individuals to the extent such
dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and are
derived from interest payments on New York Obligations.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and remit
to the U.S. Treasury 31% of redemption proceeds on the accounts of those
shareholders who fail to furnish their tax identification numbers on IRS Form
W-9 (or IRS Form W-8 in the case of certain foreign shareholders) with the
required certifications regarding the shareholder's status under the federal
income tax law. Such withholding is also required on taxable dividends and
capital gain distributions made by the Series unless it is reasonably expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions as to federal, state or local taxes. See "Distributions and Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  THE SERIES EXPECTS TO DECLARE DAILY AND PAY MONTHLY DIVIDENDS OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME AND SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAINS.
 
  DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL SHARES OF THE SERIES
BASED ON THE NET ASSET VALUE OF SERIES' SHARES ON THE PAYMENT DATE OR SUCH OTHER
DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER ELECTS IN WRITING NOT
LESS THAN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such election should be submitted to Prudential
Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5015. If you hold shares through Prudential
Securities, you should contact your financial adviser to elect to receive
dividends and distributions in cash. The Fund will notify each shareholder after
the close of the Fund's taxable year of both the dollar amount and the taxable
status of that year's dividends and distributions.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984 BY
A DECLARATION OF TRUST. The Fund's activities are supervised by its Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of
full and fractional shares in separate series, currently designated as the
Connecticut Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series, Maryland
Series, Massachusetts Series, Massachusetts Money Market Series, Michigan
Series, New Jersey Series, New Jersey Money Market Series, New York Income
Series (not presently being offered), New York Series, New York Money Market
Series, North Carolina Series, Ohio Series and Pennsylvania Series. Currently,
all series of the Fund, except for the Connecticut Money Market Series, the
Florida Series, the Massachusetts Money Market Series, the New Jersey Money
Market Series, the New Jersey Series, the New York Income Series, the New York
Money Market Series and the New York Series, offer three classes, designated
Class A, Class B and Class C shares. The Florida Series, the New Jersey Series
and the New York Series offer four classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class Z shares. The Connecticut Money Market Series, the Massachusetts Money
Market Series, the New Jersey Money Market Series and the New York Money Market
Series offer only one class of shares. Pursuant to the Fund's Declaration of
Trust, the Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series and classes
within such series, with such preferences, privileges, limitations and voting
and dividend rights as the Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares of the Fund, when issued, are fully paid, nonassessable, fully
transferable and redeemable at the option of the holder. Shares are also
redeemable at the option of the Fund under certain circumstances as described
under "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of the Series is
equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges, and each class bears the
expenses related to the distribution of its shares. There are no conversion,
preemptive or other subscription rights. In the event of liquidation, each share
of beneficial interest of each series is entitled to its portion of all of the
Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the Fund have been paid. The Fund's
shares do not have cumulative voting rights for the election of Trustees.
 
  THE FUND DOES NOT INTEND TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS
OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW. THE FUND WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HOLD MEETINGS OF
SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION OF TRUSTEES IS REQUIRED TO BE
ACTED UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS HAVE
CERTAIN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF THE
FUND'S OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR THE PURPOSE OF VOTING ON THE REMOVAL OF ONE OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make the
Fund similar in certain respects to a Massachusetts business corporation. The
principal distinction between a Massachusetts business corporation and a
Massachusetts business trust relates to shareholder liability. Under
Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
fund, which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of the
Fund provides that shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability
for the acts or obligations of the Fund and that every written obligation,
contract, instrument or undertaking made by the Fund shall contain a provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This Prospectus, including the Statement of Additional Information which has
been incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the
Securities Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at
a reasonable charge from the SEC or may be examined, without charge, at the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY FROM THE FUND, THROUGH ITS TRANSFER AGENT, PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND
SERVICES, INC. (PMFS OR THE TRANSFER AGENT), ATTENTION: INVESTMENT SERVICES,
P.O. BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY 08906-5020. The minimum initial
investment is $1,000. The minimum subsequent investment is $100. All minimum
investment requirements are waived for the Command Account program (if the
Series is designated as your primary fund) and certain employee savings plans.
For purchases made through the Automatic Savings Accumulation Plan, the minimum
initial and subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Services" below.
 
  An investment in the Series may not be appropriate for tax-exempt or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult with their own tax
advisers.
 
  SHARES OF THE SERIES ARE SOLD, WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE, AT THE NAV PER SHARE
NEXT DETERMINED FOLLOWING RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE BY THE TRANSFER AGENT OR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OF AN ORDER IN PROPER FORM (I.E., CHECK OR FEDERAL FUNDS
WIRED TO PMFS). See "How the Fund Values its Shares." When payment is received
by PMFS prior to 4:30 P.M., New York time, in proper form, a share purchase
order will be entered at the price determined as of 4:30 P.M., New York time, on
that day, and dividends on the shares purchased will begin on the business day
following such investment. See "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions."
 
  Application forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
If a share certificate is desired, it must be requested in writing for each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
Shareholders cannot utilize Expedited Redemption or Check Redemption or have a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan if they have been issued certificates.
 
  The Fund reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject any purchase
order (including an exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the
continuous offering of its shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your dealer is responsible for forwarding payment promptly to the Fund. The
Distributor reserves the right to cancel any purchase order for which payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions in shares of the Series may be subject to postage and other
charges imposed by the dealer.
 
  PURCHASES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
 
  If you have an account with Prudential Securities (or open such an account),
you may ask Prudential Securities to purchase shares of the Series on your
behalf. On the business day following confirmation that a free credit balance
(I.E., immediately available funds) exists in your account, Prudential
Securities will effect a purchase order for shares of the Series in an amount up
to the balance of the NAV determined on that day. Funds held by Prudential
Securities on behalf of its clients in the form of free credit balances are
delivered to the Fund by Prudential Securities and begin earning dividends the
second business day after receipt of the order by Prudential Securities.
Accordingly, Prudential Securities will have the use of such free credit
balances during this period.
 
  Shares of the Series purchased by Prudential Securities on behalf of its
clients will be held by Prudential Securities as record holder. Prudential
Securities will therefore receive statements and dividends directly from the
Fund and will in turn provide investors with Prudential Securities account
statements reflecting purchases, redemptions and dividend payments. Although
Prudential Securities clients who purchase shares of the Series through
Prudential Securities may not redeem shares of the Series by check, Prudential
Securities provides its clients with alternative forms of immediate access to
monies invested in shares of the Series.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
  Prudential Securities clients wishing additional information concerning
investment in shares of the Series made through Prudential Securities should
call their Prudential Securities financial adviser.
 
  AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT. Prudential Securities has advised the Fund that it has
instituted procedures pursuant to which, upon enrollment by a Prudential
Securities client, Prudential Securities will make automatic investments of free
credit balances of $1,000 or more ($1.00 for IRAs) (Eligible Credit Balances)
held in such client's account in shares of the Series (Autosweep). To effect the
automatic investment of Eligible Credit Balances representing the proceeds from
the sale of securities, Prudential Securities will enter orders for the purchase
of shares of the Series at the opening of business on the day following the
settlement of such securities transaction (on settlement date for IRAs); to
effect the automatic investment of Eligible Credit Balances representing
non-trade related credits, Prudential Securities will enter orders for the
purchase of shares of the Series at the opening of business semi-monthly. All
shares purchased pursuant to such procedures will be issued at the NAV
determined on the date the order is entered and will receive the next dividend
declared after such shares are issued.
 
  SELF-DIRECTED INVESTMENT. Prudential Securities clients not electing Autosweep
may continue to place orders for the purchase of shares of the Series through
Prudential Securities, subject to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
requirements described above.
 
  A Prudential Securities client who has not elected Autosweep (Automatic
Investment) and who does not place a purchase order promptly after funds are
credited to his or her Prudential Securities account will have a free credit
balance with Prudential Securities and will not begin earning dividends on
shares of the Series until the second business day after receipt of the order by
Prudential Securities from the client. Accordingly, Prudential Securities will
have the use of such free credit balances during this period.
 
  PURCHASES THROUGH PRUSEC
 
  You may purchase shares of the Series by placing an order with your Prusec
representative accompanied by payment for the purchase price of such shares and,
in the case of a new account, a completed application form. You should also
submit an IRS Form W-9. The Prusec representative will then forward these items
to the Transfer Agent. See "Purchase by Mail" below.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE
 
  For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you must first
telephone PMFS at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free) to receive an account number. The
following information will be requested: your name, address, tax identification
number, dividend distribution election, amount being wired and wiring bank.
Instructions should then be given by you to your bank to transfer funds by wire
to State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), Boston, Massachusetts,
Custody and Shareholder Services Division, Attention: Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, New York Money Market Series, specifying on the wire the account
number assigned by PMFS and your name.
 
  If you arrange for receipt by State Street of Federal Funds prior to the
calculation of NAV (4:30 P.M., New York time), on a business day, you may
purchase shares of the Series as of that day and receive dividends commencing on
the next business day. See "Net Asset Value" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
 
  In making a subsequent purchase order by wire, you should wire State Street
directly, and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal Series
Fund (New York Money Market Series) and your name and individual account number.
It is not necessary to call PMFS to make subsequent purchase orders utilizing
Federal Funds. The minimum amount which may be invested by wire is $1,000.
 
  PURCHASE BY MAIL
 
  Purchase orders for which remittance is to be made by check or money order may
be submitted directly by mail to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.,
Attention: Investment Services, P.O. Box 15020, New Brunswick, New Jersey
08906-5020, together with payment for the purchase price of such shares and, in
the case of a new account, a completed application form. You should also submit
an IRS Form W-9. If PMFS receives an order to purchase shares of the Series and
payment in proper form prior to 4:30 P.M., New York time, the purchase order
will be effective that day and you will begin earning dividends the following
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
business day. See "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions." Checks should be made
payable to Prudential Municipal Series Fund, New York Money Market Series.
Certified checks are not necessary, but checks must be drawn on a bank located
in the United States. There are restrictions on the redemption of shares
purchased by check while the funds are being collected. See "How to Sell Your
Shares" below. The minimum initial investment by check is $1,000 and the minimum
subsequent investment by check is $100.
 
  THE PRUDENTIAL ADVANTAGE ACCOUNT PROGRAM
 
  Shares of the Series are offered to participants in the Prudential Advantage
Account Program (the Advantage Account Program), a financial services program
available to clients of Pruco Securities Corporation. Investors participating in
the Advantage Account Program may select the Series as their primary investment
vehicle. Such investors will have free credit cash balances of $1.00 or more in
their Securities Account (Available Cash) (a component of the Advantage Account
Program carried through Prudential Securities) automatically invested in shares
of the Series. Specifically, an order to purchase shares of the Series is placed
(i) in the case of Available Cash resulting from the proceeds of securities
sales, on the settlement date of the securities sale, and (ii) in the case of
Available Cash resulting from non-trade related credits (I.E., receipt of
dividends and interest payments, or a cash payment by the participant into his
or her Securities Account), on the business day after receipt by Prudential
Securities of the non-trade related credit.
 
  All shares purchased pursuant to these automatic purchase procedures will
begin earning dividends on the business day after the order is placed.
Prudential Securities will arrange for investment in shares of the Series at
4:30 P.M. on the day the order is placed and cause payment to be made in Federal
Funds for the shares prior to 4:30 P.M. on the next business day. Prudential
Securities will have the use of free credit cash balances until delivery to the
Fund.
 
  Redemptions will be automatically effected by Prudential Securities to satisfy
debit balances in a Securities Account created by activity therein or arising
under the Advantage Account Program, such as those incurred by use of the
Visa-Registered Trademark- Account, including Visa purchases, cash advances and
Visa Account checks. Each Advantage Account Program Securities Account will be
automatically scanned for debits each business day as of the close of business
on that day and after application of any free credit cash balances in the
account to such debits, a sufficient number of shares of the Series (if selected
as the primary fund) and, if necessary, shares of other Advantage Account funds
owned by the Advantage Account Program participant which have not been selected
as his or her primary fund or shares of a participant's money market funds
managed by PMF which are not primary Advantage Account funds will be redeemed as
of that business day to satisfy any remaining debits in the Securities Account.
Shares may not be purchased until all debits, overdrafts and other requirements
in the Securities Account are satisfied.
 
  Advantage Account Program charges and expenses are not reflected in the table
of Fund expenses. See "Fund Expenses."
 
  For information on participation in the Advantage Account Program, you should
telephone (800) 235-7637 (toll-free).
 
  COMMAND ACCOUNT PROGRAM
 
  Shares of the Series are offered to participants in the Prudential Securities
Command Account program, an integrated financial services program of Prudential
Securities. Investors having a Command Account may select the Series as their
primary fund. Such investors will have free credit cash balances of $1.00 or
more in their Securities Account (Available Cash) (a component of the Command
Account program) automatically invested in shares of the Series as described
below. Specifically, an order to purchase shares of the Series is placed (i) in
the case of Available Cash resulting from the proceeds of securities sales, on
the settlement date of the securities sale, and (ii) in the case of Available
Cash resulting from non-trade related credits (I.E., receipt of dividends and
interest payments, maturity of a bond or a cash payment by the participant into
his or her Securities Account), on the business day after receipt by Prudential
Securities of the non-trade related credit. These automatic purchase procedures
are also applicable for Corporate Command Accounts.
 
  All shares purchased pursuant to these automatic purchase procedures will
begin earning dividends on the business day after the order is placed.
Prudential Securities will arrange for investment in shares of the Series at
4:30 P.M., New York time, on the business day the order is placed and cause
payment to be made in Federal Funds for the shares prior to 4:30 P.M., New York
time, on the next business day. Prudential Securities will have the use of free
credit cash balances until delivery to the Fund. There are no minimum investment
requirements for participants in the Command Account program.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
  Redemptions will be automatically effected by Prudential Securities to satisfy
debit balances in a Securities Account created by activity therein or arising
under the Command program, such as those incurred by use of the Visa Gold
Account, including Visa purchases, cash advances and Visa Account checks. Each
Command program Securities Account will be automatically scanned for debits
monthly for all Visa purchases incurred during that month and each business day
as of the close of business on that day for all cash advances and check charges
as incurred and after application of any free credit cash balances in the
account to such debits, a sufficient number of shares of the Series and, if
necessary, shares of other Command funds owned by the Command program
participant which have not been selected as his or her primary fund or shares of
a participant's money market funds managed by PMF which are not primary Command
funds will be redeemed as of that business day to satisfy any remaining debits
in the Securities Account. The single monthly debit for Visa purchases will be
made on the twenty-fifth day of each month, or the prior business day if the
twenty-fifth falls on a weekend or holiday. Margin loans will be utilized to
satisfy debits remaining after the liquidation of all shares of the Series in a
Securities Account, and shares may not be purchased until all debits, margin
loans and other requirements in the Securities Account are satisfied. Command
Account participants will not be entitled to dividends declared on the date of
redemption.
 
  For information on participation in the Command Account program, you should
telephone (800) 222-4321 (toll-free).
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV NEXT
DETERMINED AFTER THE REDEMPTION REQUEST IS RECEIVED IN PROPER FORM BY THE
TRANSFER AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
 
  Shares for which a redemption request is received by PMFS prior to 4:30 P.M.,
New York time, are entitled to a dividend on the day on which the request is
received. By pre-authorizing Expedited Redemption, you may arrange to have
payment for redeemed shares made in Federal Funds wired to your bank, normally
on the next business day following the date of receipt of the redemption
instructions. Should you redeem all of your shares, you will receive the amount
of all dividends declared for the month-to-date on those shares. See "Taxes,
Dividends and Distributions."
 
  If redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary,
written evidence of authority acceptable to the Transfer Agent must be submitted
before such request will be accepted. All correspondence and documents
concerning redemptions should be sent to the Fund in care of its Transfer Agent,
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Redemption Services, P.O. Box
15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to a
person other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other than
the address on the Transfer Agent's records or (d) are to be paid to a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor institution". An "eligible guarantor institution" includes
any bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the right
to request additional information from, and make reasonable inquiries of, any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be obtained from the agency or office manager of most Prudential Insurance and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  NORMALLY, THE FUND MAKES PAYMENT ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY FOR ALL SHARES OF
THE SERIES REDEEMED, BUT IN ANY EVENT, PAYMENT IS MADE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER
RECEIPT BY PMFS OF SHARE CERTIFICATES AND/OR OF A REDEMPTION REQUEST IN PROPER
FORM. However, the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date
of payment (a) for any periods during which the New York Stock Exchange is
closed (other than for customary weekends or holiday closings), (b) for any
periods when trading in the markets which the Fund normally utilizes is closed
or restricted or an emergency exists as determined by the SEC so that disposal
of the Series' investments or determination of its NAV is not reasonably
practicable or (c) for such other periods as the SEC may permit for protection
of the Series' shareholders.
 
  PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL THE
FUND OR ITS TRANSFER AGENT HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT THE PURCHASE CHECK HAS BEEN
HONORED, UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK. THE FUND MAKES NO CHARGE FOR REDEMPTION.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
  REDEMPTION OF SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
 
  Prudential Securities clients for whom Prudential Securities has purchased
shares of the Series may have these shares redeemed only by instructing their
Prudential Securities financial adviser orally or in writing.
 
  Prudential Securities has advised the Fund that it has established procedures
pursuant to which shares of the Series held by a Prudential Securities client
having a deficiency in his or her Prudential Securities account will be redeemed
automatically to the extent of that deficiency to the nearest higher dollar
unless the client notifies Prudential Securities to the contrary. The amount of
the redemption will be the lesser of (a) the total net asset value of the
Series' shares held in the client's Prudential Securities account or (b) the
deficiency in the client's Prudential Securities account at the close of
business on the date such deficiency is due. Accordingly, a Prudential
Securities client utilizing this automatic redemption procedure and who wishes
to pay for a securities transaction or satisfy any other debit balance in his or
her account other than through this automatic redemption procedure must do so
not later than the day of settlement for such securities transaction or the date
the debit balance is incurred. Prudential Securities clients who have elected to
utilize Autosweep will not be entitled to dividends declared on the date of
redemption.
 
  REDEMPTION OF SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH PMFS
 
  If you purchase shares of the Series through PMFS, you may use Regular
Redemption, Expedited Redemption or Check Redemption. Prudential Securities
clients for whom Prudential Securities has purchased shares may not use such
services.
 
  REGULAR REDEMPTION. You may redeem your shares by sending a written request,
accompanied by duly endorsed share certificates, if issued, to PMFS, Attention:
Redemption Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010. In
this case, all share certificates and certain written requests for redemption
must be endorsed by you with signature guaranteed, as described above. Regular
redemption is made by check sent to your address.
 
  EXPEDITED REDEMPTION. By pre-authorizing Expedited Redemption, you may arrange
to have payment for redeemed shares made in Federal Funds wired to your bank,
normally on the next business day following redemption. In order to use
Expedited Redemption, you may so designate at the time the initial application
form is made or at a later date. Once the Expedited Redemption authorization
form has been completed, the signature on the authorization form guaranteed as
set forth below and the form returned to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.,
Attention: Account Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick, New Jersey
08906-5015, requests for redemption may be made by telegraph, letter or
telephone. To request Expedited Redemption by telephone, you should call PMFS at
(800) 225-1852. Calls must be received by PMFS before 4:30 P.M., New York time
to permit redemption as of such date. Requests by letter should be addressed to
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. at the address set forth above.
 
  A signature guarantee is not required under Expedited Redemption once the
authorization form is properly completed and returned. The Expedited Redemption
privilege may be used only to redeem shares in an amount of $200 or more, except
that, if an account for which Expedited Redemption is requested has a net asset
value of less than $200, the entire account must be redeemed. The proceeds of
redeemed shares in the amount of $1,000 or more are transmitted by wire to your
account at a domestic commercial bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve
System. Proceeds of less than $1,000 are forwarded by check to your designated
bank account.
 
  DURING PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, EXPEDITED REDEMPTION
MAY BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD REDEEM SHARES BY MAIL AS DESCRIBED
ABOVE.
 
  CHECK REDEMPTION. At your request, State Street will establish a personal
checking account for you. Checks drawn on this account can be made payable to
the order of any person in any amount greater than $500. When such check is
presented to State Street for payment, State Street presents the check to the
Fund as authority to redeem a sufficient number of shares of the Series in the
shareholder's account to cover the amount of the check. If insufficient shares
are in the account, or if the purchase was made by check within 10 calendar
days, the check will be returned marked "insufficient funds." Checks in an
amount less than $500 will not be honored. Shares for which certificates have
been issued cannot be redeemed by check. There is a service charge of $5.00
payable to PMFS to establish a checking account and order checks.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
  INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. Because of the relatively high cost of maintaining an
account, the Fund reserves the right to redeem, upon 60 days' written notice, an
account which is reduced by a shareholder to a net asset value of $500 or less
due to redemption. You may avoid such redemption by increasing the net asset
value of your account to an amount in excess of $500.
 
  REDEMPTION IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Series to make payment
wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution in kind of securities from the portfolio of the Series,
in lieu of cash, in conformity with the applicable rules of the SEC. Securities
will be readily marketable and will be valued in the same manner as in a regular
redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your shares are redeemed in
kind, you will incur brokerage costs in converting the assets into cash. The
Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act
under which the Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or one percent of the net asset value of the Fund during any
90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. You may direct that the proceeds of a
redemption of Series shares be invested in Class B or Class C shares of any
Prudential Mutual Fund by calling your Prudential Securities financial adviser
or the Transfer Agent at (800) 225-1852. The transaction will be effected on the
basis of the relative NAV.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
   
  AS A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH OTHER
SERIES OF THE FUND AND CERTAIN OTHER PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUNDS (THE EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE), INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED MONEY MARKET FUNDS AND FUNDS SOLD
WITH AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE, SUBJECT TO THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS OF
SUCH FUNDS. You may exchange your shares for Class A shares of the other series
of the Fund or Class A shares of the Prudential Mutual Funds on the basis of the
relative NAV per share plus the applicable sales charge. No additional sales
charge is imposed in connection with subsequent exchanges. You may not exchange
your shares for Class B shares of the Prudential Mutual Funds, except that
shares acquired prior to January 22, 1990 subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge can be exchanged for Class B shares. See "Class B and Class C Purchase
Privilege" above and "Shareholder Investment Account--Exchange Privilege" in the
Statement of Additional Information. An exchange will be treated as a redemption
and purchase for tax purposes. You may not exchange your shares for Class C or
Class Z shares of other series of the Fund or Class C or Class Z shares of the
Prudential Mutual Funds.
    
 
   
  IN ORDER TO EXCHANGE SHARES BY TELEPHONE, YOU MUST AUTHORIZE THE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE
TRANSFER AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call
the Fund at (800) 225-1852 to execute a telephone exchange of shares, weekdays,
except holidays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time.
For your protection and to prevent fraudulent exchanges, your telephone call
will be recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal indentification
number. A written confirmation of the exchange transaction will be sent to you.
NEITHER THE FUND NOR ITS AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, LIABILITY OR COST
WHICH RESULTS FROM ACTING UPON INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE GENUINE
UNDER THE FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (THE FUND OR ITS AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO
LIABILITY IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be
made on the basis of the relative NAV of the two funds (or series) next
determined after the request is received in good order. The Exchange Privilege
is available only in states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
  IF YOU HOLD SHARES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, YOU MUST EXCHANGE YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES, MUST BE RETURNED IN ORDER FOR THE SHARES TO BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You may also exchange shares by mail by writing to Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OF
SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AND SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD MAKE EXCHANGES BY
MAIL BY WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED
ABOVE.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
   
  The Fund reserves the right to reject any exchange order including exchanges
(and market timing transactions) which are of size and/or frequency engaged in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse effect on the ability of the Subadviser to manage the portfolio. The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination to reject any exchange order shall be in the discretion of the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The Exchange Privilege is not a right and may be suspended, terminated or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, you can take advantage of the following
services and privileges:
 
      - AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS. For your
    convenience, all dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested in
    full and fractional shares of the Series at NAV. You may direct the Transfer
    Agent in writing not less than 5 full business days prior to the record date
    to have subsequent dividends and/or distributions sent in cash rather than
    reinvested. If you hold shares through Prudential Securities, you should
    contact your financial adviser.
 
      - AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION PLAN (ASAP). Under ASAP, you may make
    regular purchases of the Series' shares in amounts as little as $50 via an
    automatic charge to a bank account or Prudential Securities account
    (including a Command Account). For additional information about this
    service, you may contact your Prudential Securities financial adviser,
    Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
      - SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan is available
    for shareholders which provides for monthly or quarterly checks. See "How to
    Sell Your Shares."
 
      - MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS. Special procedures have been designed for banks and
    other institutions that wish to open multiple accounts. An institution may
    open a single master account by filing an application form with the Transfer
    Agent. Attention: Customer Service, P.O. Box 15005, New Brunswick, New
    Jersey 08906, signed by personnel authorized to act for the institution.
    Individual sub-accounts may be opened at the time the master account is
    opened by listing them, or they may be added at a later date by written
    advice or by filing forms supplied by the Fund. Procedures are available to
    identify sub-accounts by name and number within the master account name. The
    investment minimums set forth above are applicable to the aggregate amounts
    invested by a group and not to the amount credited to each sub-account.
 
   
      - REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund will send you annual and semi-annual
    reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are audited by
    independent accountants. In order to reduce duplicate mailing and printing
    expenses, the Fund will provide one annual and semi-annual shareholder
    report and annual prospectus per household. You may request additional
    copies of such reports by calling (800) 225-1852 or by writing to the Fund
    at Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102. In addition, monthly
    unaudited financial data is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
      - SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. Inquiries should be addressed to the Fund at
    Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102, or by telephone, at (800)
    225-1852 (toll-free) or, from outside the U.S.A., at (908) 417-7555
    (collect).
    
 
  For additional information regarding the services and privileges described
above, see "Shareholder Investment Account" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Management offers a broad range of mutual funds
designed to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the investment
options available through our family of funds. For more information on the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Fund at
(800) 225-1852 for a free prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before you
invest or send money.
 
- ------------------------
 
        TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
- ---------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
    
- -----------------------
 
        TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
- ---------------------------------------------------
 
Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Series
    California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
    High Yield Series
    Insured Series
    Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Florida Series
    Hawaii Income Series
    Maryland Series
    Massachusetts Series
    Michigan Series
    New Jersey Series
    New York Series
    North Carolina Series
    Ohio Series
    Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
- ---------------
 
        GLOBAL FUNDS
- ---------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
    Global Series
    International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
    
 
- ---------------
 
        EQUITY FUNDS
- ---------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential Allocation Fund
    Balanced Portfolio
    Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
    Prudential Active Balanced Fund
    Prudential Stock Index Fund
    Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
    Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
    Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
    Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
    
- ---------------------
 
        MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ---------------------------------------------------
 
   
- - TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Money Market Series
    U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
    Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
- - TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Connecticut Money Market Series
    Massachusetts Money Market Series
    New Jersey Money Market Series
    New York Money Market Series
    
 
- - COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
- - INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
    Institutional Money Market Series
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained in this Prospectus, and,
if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus
does not constitute an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a
solicitation of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any
jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such
jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PAGE
                                                 ----
<S>                                              <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS................................    2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics.....    2
FUND EXPENSES..................................    4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS...........................    5
CALCULATION OF YIELD...........................    6
HOW THE FUND INVESTS...........................    6
  Investment Objective and Policies............    6
  Other Investments and Policies...............    9
  Investment Restrictions......................    9
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED........................    9
  Manager......................................   10
  Distributor..................................   10
  Portfolio Transactions.......................   11
  Custodian and Transfer and
   Dividend Disbursing Agent...................   11
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES.................   12
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.............   12
GENERAL INFORMATION............................   14
  Description of Shares........................   14
  Additional Information.......................   14
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE..............................   15
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund................   15
  How to Sell Your Shares......................   18
  How to Exchange Your Shares..................   20
  Shareholder Services.........................   21
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY..............  A-1
</TABLE>
    
 
                  -------------------------------------------
   
MF127A                                                                   444005A
    
 
                              CUSIP No: 74435M-72-1
 
   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL SERIES
FUND
 
   
NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
    
- --------------------------------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(NORTH CAROLINA SERIES)
- ---------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential  Municipal  Series Fund  (the  "Fund") (North  Carolina  Series) (the
"Series") is  one  of fourteen  series  of an  open-end,  management  investment
company,  or mutual fund. This Series is  diversified and is designed to provide
the maximum  amount of  income that  is  exempt from  North Carolina  State  and
federal  income  taxes  consistent  with the  preservation  of  capital  and, in
conjunction therewith,  the  Series  may  invest in  debt  securities  with  the
potential  for  capital gain.  The  net assets  of  the Series  are  invested in
obligations within  the  four  highest ratings  of  Moody's  Investors  Service,
Standard  & Poor's  Ratings Group  or another  nationally recognized statistical
rating organization  or in  unrated obligations  which, in  the opinion  of  the
Fund's investment adviser, are of comparable quality. Subject to the limitations
described  herein,  the Series  may  utilize derivatives,  including  buying and
selling futures contracts  and options thereon  for the purpose  of hedging  its
portfolio  securities. There  can be  no assurance  that the  Series' investment
objective will be achieved. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective  and
Policies." The Fund's address is Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102,
and its telephone number is (800) 225-1852.
    
 
   
This  Prospectus sets  forth concisely  the information  about the  Fund and the
North Carolina Series that a prospective investor should know before  investing.
Additional  information about  the Fund has  been filed with  the Securities and
Exchange Commission in a Statement  of Additional Information dated November  1,
1996,  which  information  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  (is  legally
considered a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available without  charge  upon
request to the Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS  ARE  ADVISED  TO  READ  THIS  PROSPECTUS  AND  RETAIN  IT  FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The  following summary is intended  to highlight certain information contained
in this  Prospectus  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools  the resources of  investors by selling  its shares to  the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an  open-end,
  management  investment company.  Only the  North Carolina  Series is offered
  through this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The Series' investment  objective is  to maximize current  income that  is
  exempt  from North Carolina  State and federal  income taxes consistent with
  the preservation of capital. It seeks to achieve this objective by investing
  primarily  in  North   Carolina  State,  municipal   and  local   government
  obligations  and obligations  of other  qualifying issuers,  such as issuers
  located in  Puerto Rico,  the  Virgin Islands  and  Guam, which  pay  income
  exempt,  in the  opinion of counsel,  from North Carolina  State and federal
  income taxes (North Carolina  Obligations). There can  be no assurance  that
  the  Series'  investment  objective  will be  achieved.  See  "How  the Fund
  Invests--Investment Objective and Policies" at page 8.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
    In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest  at
  least  80% of the value  of its total assets  in North Carolina Obligations.
  This degree  of  investment  concentration  makes  the  Series  particularly
  susceptible  to  factors  adversely  affecting  issuers  of  North  Carolina
  Obligations.  See   "How   the  Fund   Invests--Investment   Objective   and
  Policies--Special  Considerations" at page  12. To hedge  against changes in
  interest rates,  the Series  may also  purchase put  options and  engage  in
  transactions  involving derivatives,  including financial  futures contracts
  and options thereon.  See "How  the Fund  Invests--Investment Objective  and
  Policies--Futures Contracts and Options Thereon" at page 11.
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential  Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the Manager
  of the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50  of
  1%  of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996, PMF
  served as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including  38
  mutual  funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion. The
  Prudential  Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)   furnishes
  investment  advisory services in connection with  the management of the Fund
  under a  Subadvisory Agreement  with PMF.  See "How  the Fund  is  Managed--
  Manager" at page 13.
    
 
   
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
    
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI), a major
  securities  underwriter and securities  and commodities broker,  acts as the
  Distributor of the Series' Class A, Class B and Class C shares and is paid a
  distribution and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class A  shares  which  is
  currently being charged at the annual rate of .10 of 1% of the average daily
  net  assets of the Class A shares and is paid a distribution and service fee
  with respect to  Class B  shares at  the annual  rate of  .50 of  1% of  the
  average  daily  net assets  of  the Class  B shares  and  is paid  an annual
  distribution and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class C  shares  which  is
  currently  being charged at the  rate of .75 of 1%  of the average daily net
  assets of the Class C shares.
    
 
    See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 14.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
    The minimum initial investment  for Class A and  Class B shares is  $1,000
  per  class and $5,000 for Class  C shares. The minimum subsequent investment
  is $100  for Class  A, Class  B  and Class  C shares.  There is  no  minimum
  investment  requirement for  certain employee  savings plans.  For purchases
  made through the  Automatic Savings Accumulation  Plan, the minimum  initial
  and  subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares
  of the Fund"  at page  21 and "Shareholder  Guide--Shareholder Services"  at
  page 29.
    
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities  Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through its
  transfer agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the  Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities plus a
  sales  charge which may be imposed either (i) at the time of purchase (Class
  A shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis (Class B or Class C shares). See  "How
  the  Fund Values its Shares" at page  16 and "Shareholder Guide-- How to Buy
  Shares of the Fund" at page 21.
 
  WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
    The Series offers three classes of shares:
 
     - Class A Shares:    Sold with an initial sales charge of up to 3%  of
                          the offering price.
 
     - Class B Shares:    Sold  without  an  initial sales  charge  but are
                          subject to a contingent deferred sales charge  or
                          CDSC  (declining from 5% to  zero of the lower of
                          the amount invested  or the redemption  proceeds)
                          which will be imposed on certain redemptions made
                          within  six years  of purchase.  Although Class B
                          shares   are    subject   to    higher    ongoing
                          distribution-related   expenses   than   Class  A
                          shares, Class B shares will automatically convert
                          to Class  A shares  (which are  subject to  lower
                          ongoing distribution-related expenses)
                          approximately seven years after purchase.
 
     - Class C Shares:    Sold without an initial sales charge and, for one
                          year  after purchase, are subject to a 1% CDSC on
                          redemptions. Like Class B shares, Class C  shares
                          are subject to higher ongoing
                          distribution-related expenses than Class A shares
                          but do not convert to another class.
 
    See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 22.
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
    You  may redeem your shares  at any time at  the NAV next determined after
  Prudential Securities  or  the  Transfer Agent  receives  your  sell  order.
  However,  the proceeds of redemptions  of Class B and  Class C shares may be
  subject to a CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at  page
  24.
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
    The  Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of net
  investment income, if any, and make  distributions of any net capital  gains
  at  least  annually.  Dividends  and  distributions  will  be  automatically
  reinvested in additional shares of the Series at NAV without a sales  charge
  unless  you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes, Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 17.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                            (NORTH CAROLINA SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES+                   CLASS A SHARES      CLASS B SHARES        CLASS C SHARES
                                                    --------------   --------------------  --------------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>                   <C>
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases.......        3%         None                  None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load (as a percentage
     of original purchase price or redemption
     proceeds, whichever is lower)................       None        5% during the  first  1% on redemptions
                                                                     year,  decreasing by  made within one year
                                                                     1% annually to 1% in  of purchase
                                                                     the fifth and  sixth
                                                                     years   and  0%  the
                                                                     seventh year*
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested
     Dividends....................................       None        None                  None
    Redemption Fees...............................       None        None                  None
    Exchange Fee..................................       None        None                  None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES**
    (as a percentage of average net assets)         CLASS A SHARES     CLASS B SHARES     CLASS C SHARES
                                                    ---------------   ----------------   ----------------
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>                <C>
    Management Fees (Before Waiver)...............       .50%               .50%               .50%
    12b-1 Fees (After Reduction)..................       .10++              .50                .75++
    Other Expenses................................       .48                .48                .48
                                                         ---                ---                ---
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver
     and After Reduction).........................      1.08%              1.48%              1.73%
                                                         ---                ---                ---
                                                         ---                ---                ---
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1         3         5        10
      EXAMPLE                                                YEAR     YEARS     YEARS     YEARS
                                                             ----     -----     -----     -----
      <S>                                                    <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
      You would pay the  following expenses on a  $1,000
       investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2)
       redemption at the end of each time period:
          Class A.......................................     $41      $ 63      $ 88      $158
          Class B.......................................     $65      $ 77      $ 91      $161
          Class C.......................................     $28      $ 54      $ 94      $204
 
      You  would pay the following  expenses on the same
       investment, assuming no redemption:
          Class A.......................................     $41      $ 63      $ 88      $158
          Class B.......................................     $15      $ 47      $ 81      $161
          Class C.......................................     $18      $ 54      $ 94      $204
</TABLE>
    
 
   
   The above examples are based on restated data for the Series' fiscal  year
   ended   August  31,  1996.  THE  EXAMPLES   SHOULD  NOT  BE  CONSIDERED  A
   REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE  GREATER
   OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
   The  purpose of  this table  is to  assist investors  in understanding the
   various costs  and expenses  that an  investor in  the Series  will  bear,
   whether  directly  or indirectly.  For more  complete descriptions  of the
   various costs  and  expenses,  see  "How  the  Fund  is  Managed."  "Other
   Expenses" includes operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees' and
   professional fees, registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer
   agency and custodian fees.
 
   ---------------------
    *Class   B  shares   will  automatically   convert  to   Class  A  shares
     approximately   seven   years    after   purchase.   See    "Shareholder
     Guide--Conversion Feature--Class B Shares."
   
   **Based on expenses incurred during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
     without  taking into account  the management fee  waiver. At the current
     level of management fee  waiver (.05 of 1%),  Management Fees and  Total
     Fund  Operating Expenses would  be .45% and  1.03%, respectively, of the
     average net  assets of  the  Series' Class  A  shares, .45%  and  1.43%,
     respectively,  of the average  net assets of the  Series' Class B shares
     and .45%  and 1.68%,  respectively, of  the average  net assets  of  the
     Series'  Class  C shares.  See  "How the  Fund  is Managed--Manager--Fee
     Waivers."
    
    +Pursuant to rules  of the  National Association  of Securities  Dealers,
     Inc.,  the aggregate initial  sales charges, deferred  sales charges and
     asset-based sales charges on shares of  the Series may not exceed  6.25%
     of  total  gross  sales,  subject  to  certain  exclusions.  This  6.25%
     limitation is imposed on each class of  the Series rather than on a  per
     shareholder  basis. Therefore, long-term shareholders  of the Series may
     pay more in total sales charges than the economic equivalent of 6.25% of
     such shareholders'  investment in  such  shares. See  "How the  Fund  is
     Managed--Distributor."
   
   ++Although  the Class A and Class C Distribution and Service Plans provide
     that the Fund may pay a distribution fee  of up to .30 of 1% and 1%  per
     annum of the average daily net assets of the Class A and Class C shares,
     respectively,  the Distributor has agreed to limit its distribution fees
     with respect to the Class A and Class C shares of the Series to no  more
     than .10 of 1% and .75 of 1% of the average daily net asset value of the
     Class  A shares  and Class C  shares, respectively, for  the fiscal year
     ending August 31, 1997. Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver) of
     the Class A and Class C  shares without such limitations would be  1.28%
     and 1.98%, respectively. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class A Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August  31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP, independent
accountants, whose report  thereon was unqualified.  This information should  be
read  in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto, which
appear in  the  Statement of  Additional  Information. The  following  financial
highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  A share  of beneficial interest
outstanding, total return, ratios to  average net assets and other  supplemental
data  for the periods indicated. This information  is based on data contained in
the financial statements.  Further performance information  is contained in  the
annual  report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        CLASS A
                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       JANUARY 22,
                                                                                                         1990 (a)
                                                          YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                          THROUGH
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------   AUGUST   31,
                                       1996         1995        1994      1993      1992      1991         1990
                                     --------     --------     -------   -------   -------   -------   ------------
 
<S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 period............................  $  11.19     $  11.06     $ 12.04   $ 11.37   $ 10.86   $ 10.45     $10.63
                                     --------     --------     -------   -------   -------   -------     ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income..............       .53(d)       .60(d)      .61       .65       .67       .67        .41
Net realized and unrealized gain
 (loss) on investment
 transactions......................      (.01)         .13        (.76)      .67       .51       .41       (.18)
                                     --------     --------     -------   -------   -------   -------     ------
    Total from investment
     operations....................       .52          .73        (.15)     1.32      1.18      1.08        .23
                                     --------     --------     -------   -------   -------   -------     ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income............................      (.53)        (.60)       (.61)     (.65)     (.67)     (.67)      (.41)
Distributions from net realized
 gains.............................      (.12)       --           (.22)    --        --        --         --
                                     --------     --------     -------   -------   -------   -------     ------
    Total distributions............      (.65)        (.60)       (.83)     (.65)     (.67)     (.67)      (.41)
                                     --------     --------     -------   -------   -------   -------     ------
Net asset value, end of period.....  $  11.06     $  11.19     $ 11.06   $ 12.04   $ 11.37   $ 10.86     $10.45
                                     --------     --------     -------   -------   -------   -------     ------
                                     --------     --------     -------   -------   -------   -------     ------
TOTAL RETURN (c):..................      4.70%        6.86%      (1.35)%   11.99%    11.12%    10.63%      2.09%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net asset, end of period (000).....  $ 28,089     $ 26,519     $ 2,256   $ 1,777   $   917   $   362     $   58
Average net assets (000)...........  $ 27,628     $ 15,244     $ 2,067   $ 1,316   $   612   $   246     $   32
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution
   fee.............................      1.03%(d)      .98%(d)     .88%      .87%      .91%      .99%      1.00%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution
   fee.............................       .93%(d)      .88%(d)     .78%      .77%      .81%      .89%       .90%(b)
  Net investment income............      4.78%(d)     5.25%(d)    5.31%     5.55%     5.90%     6.24%      6.24%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate............        23%          28%         17%       38%       36%       27%        24%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class A shares.
   (b) Annualized.
   (c) Total  return  does not  consider the  effects  of sales  loads. Total
       return is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first  day
       and  a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
   (d) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class B Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August 31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected  data for  a Class  B share  of beneficial  interest
outstanding,  total return, ratios to average  net assets and other supplemental
data for the periods indicated. This  information is based on data contained  in
the  financial statements. Further  performance information is  contained in the
annual report, which may  be obtained without  charge. See "Shareholder  Guide--
Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       CLASS B
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1996         1995         1994        1993      1992      1991      1990    1989 (b)
                                --------     --------     --------    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 
<S>                             <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 year.........................  $  11.19     $  11.06     $  12.05    $  11.37  $  10.86  $  10.45  $  10.65  $ 10.35
                                --------     --------     --------    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income.........       .49(d)       .55(d)       .56         .60       .62       .63       .64      .65
Net realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on investment
 transactions.................      (.01)         .13         (.77)        .68       .51       .41      (.20)     .30
                                --------     --------     --------    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total from investment
     operations...............       .48          .68         (.21)       1.28      1.13      1.04       .44      .95
                                --------     --------     --------    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income.......................      (.49)        (.55)        (.56)       (.60)     (.62)     (.63)     (.64)    (.65)
Distributions from net
 realized gains...............      (.12)       --            (.22)      --        --        --        --       --
                                --------     --------     --------    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total distributions.......      (.61)        (.55)        (.78)       (.60)     (.62)     (.63)     (.64)    (.65)
                                --------     --------     --------    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net asset value, end of
 year.........................  $  11.06     $  11.19     $  11.06    $  12.05  $  11.37  $  10.86  $  10.45  $ 10.65
                                --------     --------     --------    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                --------     --------     --------    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
TOTAL RETURN (c):.............      4.28%        6.44%       (1.82)%     11.62%    10.64%    10.17%     4.28%    9.39%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net asset, end of year
 (000)........................  $ 31,029     $ 40,119     $ 69,448    $ 75,515  $ 63,573  $ 59,875  $ 57,429  $34,222
Average net assets (000)......  $ 35,605     $ 51,963     $ 73,606    $ 67,997  $ 60,751  $ 59,071  $ 56,745  $49,868
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee...........      1.43%(d)     1.34%(d)     1.28%       1.27%     1.31%     1.39%     1.38%    1.39%
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee...........       .93%(d)      .84%(d)      .78%        .77%      .81%      .89%      .89%     .89%
  Net investment income.......      4.37%(d)     5.10%(d)     4.89%       5.18%     5.58%     5.88%     5.96%    6.06%
Portfolio turnover rate.......        23%          28%          17%         38%       36%       27%       24%      47%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                 1988         1987
                               --------     --------
<S>                            <C>          <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
 year......................... $  10.59     $  11.32
                               --------     --------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income.........      .69(a)       .70(a)
Net realized and unrealized
 gain (loss) on investment
 transactions.................     (.24)        (.61)
                               --------     --------
    Total from investment
     operations...............      .45          .09
                               --------     --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
 income.......................     (.69)        (.70)
Distributions from net
 realized gains...............    --            (.12)
                               --------     --------
    Total distributions.......     (.69)        (.82)
                               --------     --------
Net asset value, end of
 year......................... $  10.35     $  10.59
                               --------     --------
                               --------     --------
TOTAL RETURN (c):.............     4.47%         .74%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net asset, end of year
 (000)........................ $ 44,076     $ 39,477
Average net assets (000)...... $ 40,442     $ 35,368
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee...........     1.13%(a)     1.06%(a)
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee...........      .64%(a)      .57%(a)
  Net investment income.......     6.58%(a)     6.15%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate.......       66%          37%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Net of expense subsidy.
   (b) On   December  31,  1988,  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management,  Inc.
       succeeded The Prudential  Insurance Company of  America as manager  of
       the Fund.
   (c) Total  return  does not  consider the  effects  of sales  loads. Total
       return is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first  day
       and  a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
   (d) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class C Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The following financial highlights have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent accountants, whose report thereon was unqualified. This  information
should  be  read in  conjunction  with the  financial  statements and  the notes
thereto, which appear in the Statement of Additional Information. The  following
financial  highlights contain  selected data for  a Class C  share of beneficial
interest outstanding,  total return,  ratios  to average  net assets  and  other
supplemental  data for the periods indicated.  This information is based on data
contained in  the  financial  statements.  Further  performance  information  is
contained  in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge. See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             CLASS C
                                          ----------------------------------------------
                                                                            AUGUST 1,
                                                  YEAR ENDED                 1994 (a)
                                                  AUGUST 31,                 THROUGH
                                          ---------------------------       AUGUST 31,
                                             1996            1995              1994
                                          -----------     -----------     --------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period....      $11.19          $11.06          $11.09
                                          -----------     -----------         ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income...................         .46(d)          .52(d)          .04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
 on investment transactions.............        (.01)            .13            (.03)
                                          -----------     -----------         ------
    Total from investment operations....         .45             .65             .01
                                          -----------     -----------         ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income....        (.46)           (.52)           (.04)
Distributions from net realized gains...        (.12)         --                --
                                          -----------     -----------         ------
    Total distributions.................        (.58)           (.52)           (.04)
                                          -----------     -----------         ------
Net asset value, end of period..........      $11.06          $11.19          $11.06
                                          -----------     -----------         ------
TOTAL RETURN (c):.......................        4.03%           6.17%            .02%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).........      $   72          $   53          $   10
Average net assets (000)................      $   69          $   32          $    5
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution
   fee..................................        1.68%(d)        1.63%(d)        1.67%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution
   fee..................................         .93%(d)         .88%(d)         .92%(b)
  Net investment income.................        4.14%(d)        4.59%(d)        5.06%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate.................          23%             28%             17%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
   (b) Annualized.
   (c) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
   (d) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
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                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL  MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE NORTH CAROLINA SERIES (THE SERIES)
IS DIVERSIFIED AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE  IS TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME  THAT
IS EXEMPT FROM NORTH CAROLINA STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXES CONSISTENT WITH THE
PRESERVATION  OF CAPITAL AND, IN CONJUNCTION THEREWITH, THE SERIES MAY INVEST IN
DEBT SECURITIES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR CAPITAL GAIN. See "Investment  Objectives
and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE  SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A  FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE  SERIES'
OUTSTANDING  VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE  NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  THE  SERIES WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN NORTH CAROLINA STATE, MUNICIPAL AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTAL OBLIGATIONS AND  OBLIGATIONS OF OTHER  QUALIFYING ISSUERS, SUCH  AS
ISSUERS  LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO,  THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND  GUAM, WHICH PAY INCOME
EXEMPT, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL, FROM NORTH CAROLINA STATE AND FEDERAL  INCOME
TAXES  (NORTH CAROLINA OBLIGATIONS).  THERE CAN BE NO  ASSURANCE THAT THE SERIES
WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
  Interest on  certain  municipal  obligations  may be  a  preference  item  for
purposes  of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest without
limit in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined  in
the  Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item for
purposes of  the federal  alternative  minimum tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends  and
Distributions."  Under North Carolina  law, dividends distributed  by the Series
and attributable to  interest on obligations  issued by North  Carolina and  its
political  subdivisions  are exempt  from North  Carolina individual,  trust and
estate income taxes.  See "Taxes, Dividends  and Distributions." North  Carolina
Obligations  could  include general  obligation  bonds of  the  State, counties,
cities, towns, etc., revenue bonds  of utility systems, highways, bridges,  port
and  airport facilities,  colleges, hospitals, etc.,  and industrial development
and pollution control bonds.  The Series will  invest in long-term  obligations,
and the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Series' portfolio will generally
range  between 10-20  years. The Series  also may invest  in certain short-term,
tax-exempt notes such  as Tax  Anticipation Notes,  Revenue Anticipation  Notes,
Bond  Anticipation Notes, Construction Loan Notes and variable and floating rate
demand notes.
 
  Generally, municipal obligations with longer maturities produce higher  yields
and are subject to greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates  (market  risk) than  municipal obligations  with shorter  maturities. The
prices of municipal  obligations vary  inversely with  interest rates.  Interest
rates  are currently  much lower  than in  recent years.  If rates  were to rise
sharply, the  prices  of bonds  in  the  Series' portfolio  might  be  adversely
affected.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES, INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE  FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating  rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as a
specific percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on  Treasury
bonds  or bills or the prime rate at  a major commercial bank. The interest rate
on floating rate securities changes periodically  when there is a change in  the
designated  base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a specified
periodic adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates  and
generally  allow the Series to demand payment  of the obligation on short notice
at par plus accrued interest, which amount  may be more or less than the  amount
the  Series  paid for  them.  An inverse  floater is  a  debt instrument  with a
floating or variable interest rate that  moves in the opposite direction of  the
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
interest  rate on  another security  or the  value of  an index.  Changes in the
interest rate  on the  other security  or index  inversely affect  the  residual
interest  rate paid  on the  inverse floater, with  the result  that the inverse
floater's price will  be considerably more  volatile than that  of a fixed  rate
bond. The market for inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN  MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL LEASE
OBLIGATION IS A  MUNICIPAL SECURITY THE  INTEREST ON AND  PRINCIPAL OF WHICH  IS
PAYABLE  OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES FINANCED
BY THE ISSUE. Typically,  municipal lease obligations are  issued by a state  or
municipal   financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction  of
facilities (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or  the
acquisition  of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state or
municipality pursuant to a lease  with a financing authority. Certain  municipal
lease  obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the  supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes  of the  Series' 15%  limitation on  illiquid securities,  provided the
investment adviser determines that there is a readily available market for  such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies--Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
  ALL  NORTH CAROLINA  OBLIGATIONS PURCHASED BY  THE SERIES  WILL BE "INVESTMENT
GRADE" SECURITIES. In other words, all  of the North Carolina Obligations  will,
at  the time  of purchase, be  rated within  the four highest  quality grades as
determined by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for
bonds, MIG 1, MIG 2, MIG 3, MIG  4 for notes and Prime-1 for commercial  paper),
Standard  & Poor's  Ratings Group  (S&P) (currently AAA,  AA, A,  BBB for bonds,
SP-1, SP-2  for  notes and  A-1  for  commercial paper)  or  another  nationally
recognized  statistical rating organization (NRSRO) or, if unrated, will possess
creditworthiness, in  the  opinion  of the  investment  adviser,  comparable  to
securities  in  which  the Series  may  invest.  Securities rated  Baa  may have
speculative  characteristics,  and  changes  in  economic  conditions  or  other
circumstances  are more likely to lead to  a weakened capacity to make principal
and interest payments than is the case with higher grade securities.  Subsequent
to  its purchase by the  Series, a municipal obligation  may be assigned a lower
rating or cease to be rated. Such an event would not require the elimination  of
the  issue from the portfolio, but the  investment adviser will consider such an
event in determining whether the Series should continue to hold the security  in
its portfolio. See "Description of Tax-Exempt Security Ratings" in the Statement
of  Additional Information. The  Series may purchase  North Carolina Obligations
which, in  the opinion  of the  investment adviser,  offer the  opportunity  for
capital  appreciation. This may occur, for  example, when the investment adviser
believes that the issuer of a particular North Carolina Obligation might receive
an upgraded credit standing, thereby increasing the market value of the bonds it
has issued or  when the investment  adviser believes that  interest rates  might
decline.  As a general matter, bond prices  and the Series' net asset value will
vary inversely with interest rate fluctuations.
    
 
  From time to time, the Series may own the majority of a municipal issue.  Such
majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
  UNDER   NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO  INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS IN NORTH CAROLINA OBLIGATIONS. As a
matter of fundamental policy, during normal market conditions the Series' assets
will be invested so that  at least 80% of the  income will be exempt from  North
Carolina  and federal income taxes  or the Series will have  at least 80% of its
total assets  invested in  North Carolina  Obligations. During  abnormal  market
conditions or to provide liquidity, the Series may hold cash or cash equivalents
or  investment grade taxable obligations,  including obligations that are exempt
from federal, but not state, taxation and the Series may invest in tax-free cash
equivalents, such as floating rate demand notes, tax-exempt commercial paper and
general obligation and revenue  notes, or in taxable  cash equivalents, such  as
certificates  of  deposit,  bankers  acceptances  and  time  deposits  or  other
short-term taxable  investments  such as  repurchase  agreements. When,  in  the
opinion  of  the  investment  adviser,  abnormal  market  conditions  require  a
temporary defensive position, the Series may  invest more than 20% of the  value
of  its assets in debt  securities other than North  Carolina Obligations or may
invest its  assets so  that more  than 20%  of the  income is  subject to  North
Carolina State or federal income taxes. The Series will treat an investment in a
municipal  bond  refunded  with  escrowed  U.S.  Government  securities  as U.S.
Government  securities   for   purposes   of  the   Investment   Company   Act's
diversification   requirements   provided  certain   conditions  are   met.  See
"Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in the Statement of  Additional
Information.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
  THE  SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO SELL
SECURITIES HELD IN  THE SERIES'  PORTFOLIO AT A  SPECIFIED EXERCISE  PRICE ON  A
SPECIFIED  DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting the
Series from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which  the
put  applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case of
liquidity puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of  the
underlying  security. The aggregate value of  premiums paid to acquire puts held
in the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts) may not exceed 10% of  the
net  asset  value  of  the Series.  The  acquisition  of a  put  may  involve an
additional cost to the Series by payment of a premium for the put, by payment of
a higher purchase price for securities to which the put is attached or through a
lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts  in
that  the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase the
underlying security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under  the
following  circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the underlying
security and such security  is rated within the  four highest quality grades  as
determined  by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than the
issuer of the  underlying security  and such person  has securities  outstanding
which  are rated  within such  four highest  quality grades;  or (3)  the put is
backed by a letter of credit or  similar financial guarantee issued by a  person
having  securities outstanding  which are rated  within the  two highest quality
grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR  "DELAYED
DELIVERY"  BASIS, IN  EACH CASE  WITHOUT LIMIT.  When municipal  obligations are
offered on a when-issued  or delayed delivery basis,  the price and coupon  rate
are  fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the  settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore,  no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser during
such period. In the case of purchases  by the Series, the price that the  Series
is  required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with  the
purpose  of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable for
investment reasons. At the  time the Series makes  the commitment to purchase  a
municipal  obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in  determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as  values of municipal obligations otherwise held  by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with  its
Custodian  in which  it will maintain  cash, U.S.  Government securities, equity
securities or other liquid,  unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily,  equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL FORWARD CONTRACTS. A municipal forward
contract is a municipal security which is purchased on a when-issued basis  with
delivery  taking place up to  five years from the  date of purchase. No interest
will accrue on the security prior  to the delivery date. The investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity, value, credit  quality and delivery of the security
under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  PURCHASE  SECONDARY  MARKET  INSURANCE  ON  NORTH   CAROLINA
OBLIGATIONS  WHICH IT  HOLDS OR  ACQUIRES. Secondary  market insurance  would be
reflected in the  market value  of the  municipal obligation  purchased and  may
enable  the Series to  dispose of a  defaulted obligation at  a price similar to
that of comparable municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance is  not  a  substitute  for  the basic  credit  of  an  issuer,  but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage for the North Carolina Obligations held by the Series reduces
credit  risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment of
principal and interest  if the issuer  defaults on its  obligation to make  such
payment,  it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price, I.E.,
the market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in  interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
  THE  SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE  AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES, INCLUDING
FINANCIAL FUTURES  CONTRACTS (FUTURES  CONTRACTS) AND  OPTIONS THEREON  FOR  THE
PURPOSE OF HEDGING ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED
BY  CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HEDGING AGAINST INCREASES IN
THE COST OF  SECURITIES THE SERIES  INTENDS TO PURCHASE.  THE SUCCESSFUL USE  OF
FUTURES  CONTRACTS  AND  OPTIONS  THEREON  BY  THE  SERIES  INVOLVES  ADDITIONAL
TRANSACTION COSTS  AND  IS  SUBJECT  TO  VARIOUS  RISKS  AND  DEPENDS  UPON  THE
INVESTMENT  ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT THE  DIRECTION OF THE MARKET (INCLUDING
INTEREST RATES).
 
  A FUTURES CONTRACT  OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE  CONTRACT TO  DELIVER TO  THE
PURCHASER  OF THE  CONTRACT CASH  EQUAL TO  A SPECIFIC  DOLLAR AMOUNT  TIMES THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF  THE CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH  THE
AGREEMENT  IS MADE. No  physical delivery of the  underlying securities is made.
The Series  will engage  in transactions  in only  those futures  contracts  and
options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
  The  Series intends to  engage in futures  contracts and options  thereon as a
hedge against  changes,  resulting  from  market conditions,  in  the  value  of
securities  which are held in the Series'  portfolio or which the Series intends
to purchase,  in accordance  with the  rules and  regulations of  the  Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). The Series also intends to engage in such
transactions  when they are economically appropriate  for the reduction of risks
inherent in the ongoing management of the Series.
 
  THE SERIES MAY NOT PURCHASE OR  SELL FUTURES CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS THEREON  IF,
IMMEDIATELY  THEREAFTER, (I)  THE SUM  OF INITIAL  AND NET  CUMULATIVE VARIATION
MARGIN ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (II) IN THE CASE
OF RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL  MARGIN
DEPOSITS  ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS THEREON
WOULD EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There  are
no  limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and no
limitations on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts  and
options  thereon, except that the aggregate  value of the obligations underlying
put options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements  for
qualification  as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code
may limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and  options
thereon.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in the
Statement of Additional Information. Finally,  the Series must eliminate all  of
its  positions in futures contracts  and options thereon by  December 31 of each
year in order to comply with requirements for exemption from the North  Carolina
intangibles tax.
 
  Currently,  futures contracts are  available on several  types of fixed-income
securities, including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S.  Treasury
bills  and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal bond
index, based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40  actively
traded  municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in other
futures  contracts  that  become  available,   from  time  to  time,  in   other
fixed-income  securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
  THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE  MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A  LIQUID
SECONDARY  MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash  payments
of  variation  margin  in  the  event of  adverse  price  movements.  In  such a
situation, if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell  portfolio
securities  to meet daily variation margin requirements  at a time when it might
be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close futures positions also could
have an adverse impact on the ability of the Series to hedge effectively.  There
is  also  a risk  of loss  by  the Series  of margin  deposits  in the  event of
bankruptcy of a broker with  whom the Series has an  open position in a  futures
contract.
 
  THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND  OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES IS
SUBJECT TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions  involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
movements  in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities that are
the subject of the  hedge. If the  price of the futures  contract moves more  or
less than the price of the security that is the subject of the hedge, the Series
will  experience a gain or loss that  will not be completely offset by movements
in the price of the security. The risk of imperfect correlation is greater where
the securities underlying futures contracts are taxable securities (rather  than
municipal  securities), are issued  by companies in  different market sectors or
have different maturities, ratings or  geographic mixes than the security  being
hedged.  In  addition,  the  correlation  may be  affected  by  additions  to or
deletions from  the index  which serves  as the  basis for  a futures  contract.
Finally,  if the price of the security that is subject to the hedge were to move
in a favorable direction, the advantage to the Series would be partially  offset
by the loss incurred on the futures contract.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE  THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST 80%  OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS
IN NORTH CAROLINA OBLIGATIONS  AND BECAUSE IT SEEKS  TO MAXIMIZE INCOME  DERIVED
FROM  NORTH CAROLINA  OBLIGATIONS, IT IS  MORE SUSCEPTIBLE  TO FACTORS ADVERSELY
AFFECTING ISSUERS OF NORTH CAROLINA  OBLIGATIONS THAN IS A COMPARABLE  MUNICIPAL
BOND  MUTUAL FUND THAT IS  NOT CONCENTRATED IN SUCH  OBLIGATIONS TO THIS DEGREE.
Despite stressful  periods  during  the  latest  recession  that  depleted  fund
reserves  and  ended with  General Fund  deficits, prudent  steps were  taken to
control fiscal decline  with resulting  operating surpluses in  fiscal 1992  and
1993. The State had a budget surplus of approximately $865 million at the end of
fiscal  year 1993-1994.  Because of  growth in State  tax and  fee revenues, the
General Fund  balance  at the  end  of fiscal  year  1994-1995 was  reported  at
approximately $300 million. By the end of the 1995-1996 fiscal year, the surplus
grew to approximately $700 million. If either North Carolina or any of its local
governmental  entities is unable  to meet its  financial obligations, the income
derived by the Series,  the ability to preserve  or realize appreciation of  the
Series'  capital  and the  Series' liquidity  could  be adversely  affected. See
"Investment   Objectives   and   Policies--Special   Considerations    Regarding
Investments   in  Tax-Exempt   Securities"  in   the  Statement   of  Additional
Information.
    
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of a security agrees to repurchase that  security from the Series at a  mutually
agreed-upon  time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite short,
possibly overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number  of
months.  The resale  price is  in excess  of the  purchase price,  reflecting an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price.  The
instruments  held  as  collateral are  valued  daily  and if  the  value  of the
instruments declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If  the
seller  defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series  may incur a loss.  The Series participates in  a
joint  repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management LLC pursuant to  an order of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission (SEC).
    
 
  BORROWING
 
   
  The  Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series  may
pledge  up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure these
borrowings. The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its  borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
  The  Series does not expect to trade  in securities for short-term gain. It is
anticipated that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%.  The
portfolio  turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales or
purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the  portfolio
securities,  excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase of
one year or less.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series  may hold  up  to 15%  of its  net  assets in  illiquid  securities
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities   with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale  (restricted
securities)  and  securities  that   are  not  readily  marketable.   Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933,  as amended  (the Securities Act),  privately placed  commercial paper and
municipal lease  obligations  that  have  a readily  available  market  are  not
considered  illiquid for the purposes of this limitation. The investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of  such restricted securities under the  supervision
of  the Trustees. The Series' investment in  Rule 144A securities could have the
effect of  increasing illiquidity  to the  extent that  qualified  institutional
buyers  become,  for  a  limited  time,  uninterested  in  purchasing  Rule 144A
securities. See "Investment  Objectives and  Policies--Illiquid Securities"  and
"Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase
agreements  subject to demand are deemed to  have a maturity equal to the notice
period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The Series  is subject  to  certain investment  restrictions which,  like  its
investment  objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental policies
cannot be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of  the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
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                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER,  SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY  BUSINESS
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996, total expenses of the Series as  a
percentage  of average  net assets,  net of fee  waivers, were  1.03%, 1.43% and
1.68% for the Series'  Class A, Class  B and Class  C shares, respectively.  See
"Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC (PMF  OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY CENTER
THREE, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS  COMPENSATED
FOR  ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
OF THE SERIES. PMF is organized in  New York as a limited liability company.  It
is  the successor to Prudential Mutual  Fund Management, Inc., which transferred
its assets to PMF in September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996,
the  Series paid PMF  a management fee of  .45 of 1% of  the Series' average net
assets. See "Fee  Waivers" below and  "Manager" in the  Statement of  Additional
Information.
    
 
   
  As  of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end investment
companies, constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager  or
administrator  to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH  THE FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE  INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS  OF EACH SERIES OF THE FUND  AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL  INVESTMENT
CORPORATION  (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE  FUND AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR  ITS
REASONABLE  COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED IN  PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under the
Management Agreement, PMF  continues to have  responsibility for all  investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
  The  current portfolio manager of the Series  is Marie Conti, a Vice President
of Prudential  Investments.  Ms. Conti  has  responsibility for  the  day-to-day
management  of the portfolio. Ms. Conti  has managed the portfolio since October
1991 and has been employed  by PIC as a  portfolio manager since September  1989
and prior thereto was employed in an administrative capacity at PIC since August
1988.
    
 
   
  PMF  and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential),  a major diversified  insurance and financial  services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
  Effective  January 1, 1995, PMF agreed to waive 10% of its management fee. The
Series is  not  required  to  reimburse PMF  for  such  management  fee  waiver.
Thereafter,  PMF may from  time to time agree  to waive all or  a portion of its
management fee  and subsidize  certain  operating expenses  of the  Series.  Fee
waivers  and expense subsidies will increase the Series' yield and total return.
See "Fund Expenses."
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10292, IS A CORPORATION  ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS  OF
THE  STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND
CLASS C SHARES  OF THE  SERIES. It is  an indirect,  wholly-owned subsidiary  of
Prudential.  Prior to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc.
(PMFD), One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as distributor of the
Class A shares of the Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER SEPARATE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS  (THE CLASS A PLAN, THE CLASS  B
PLAN  AND THE CLASS C  PLAN, COLLECTIVELY, THE PLANS)  ADOPTED BY THE FUND UNDER
RULE 12b-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT  (THE
DISTRIBUTION  AGREEMENT),  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES (THE  DISTRIBUTOR)  INCURS THE
EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTING THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE  SERIES.
These  expenses include  commissions and account  servicing fees paid  to, or on
account of, financial advisers of  Prudential Securities and representatives  of
Pruco  Securities Corporation (Prusec), an affiliated broker-dealer, commissions
and account servicing fees  paid to, or on  account of, other broker-dealers  or
financial  institutions  (other than  national  banks) which  have  entered into
agreements with the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing  and
mailing  prospectuses to potential investors and  indirect and overhead costs of
Prudential Securities  and Prusec  associated with  the sale  of Series  shares,
including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses. The State
of  Texas requires that shares of  the Series may be sold  in that state only by
dealers  or  other  financial  institutions   which  are  registered  there   as
broker-dealers.
    
 
  Under  the Plans, the  Series is obligated to  pay distribution and/or service
fees to  the  Distributor  as  compensation for  its  distribution  and  service
activities,  not  as  reimbursement  for  specific  expenses  incurred.  If  the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Series will
not be obligated to pay any  additional expenses. If the Distributor's  expenses
are  less than such distribution and service  fees, it will retain its full fees
and realize a profit.
 
   
  UNDER THE  CLASS A  PLAN, THE  SERIES MAY  PAY PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES FOR  ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF  UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES OF THE
SERIES. The Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average  daily
net  assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service and/or
the  maintenance  of   shareholder  accounts  (service   fee)  and  (ii)   total
distribution fees (including the service fee of .25 of 1%) may not exceed .30 of
1%  of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. Prudential Securities
has agreed to limit its distribution-related fees payable under the Class A Plan
to .10 of  1% of the  average daily  net assets of  the Class A  shares for  the
fiscal year ending August 31, 1997.
    
 
  UNDER  THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE SERIES MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
FOR ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  ACTIVITIES WITH  RESPECT TO  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF UP  TO .50 OF 1% AND UP  TO 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY
NET ASSETS OF THE  CLASS B AND  CLASS C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.  The Class B  Plan
provides for the payment to Prudential Securities of
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
(i)  an asset-based sales  charge of up  to .50 of  1% of the  average daily net
assets of the Class B shares, and (ii) a  service fee of up to .25 of 1% of  the
average  daily  net  assets of  the  Class  B shares;  provided  that  the total
distribution-related fee does not  exceed .50 of 1%.  The Class C Plan  provides
for  the payment to Prudential Securities of  (i) an asset-based sales charge of
up to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares, and  (ii)
a  service fee of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C
shares. The  service  fee  is  used  to pay  for  personal  service  and/or  the
maintenance  of shareholder accounts. Prudential  Securities has agreed to limit
its distribution-related fees payable under the Class C Plan to .75 of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class C shares for the fiscal year ending August
31, 1997. Prudential Securities also receives contingent deferred sales  charges
from  certain redeeming shareholders.  See "Shareholder Guide--How  to Sell Your
Shares-- Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
    
 
   
  For the  fiscal year  ended  August 31,  1996,  the Series  paid  distribution
expenses  of .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and  .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets
of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. The Series records all
payments made under the Plans as  expenses in the calculation of net  investment
income. See "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  Distribution  expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of the Series  will be allocated  to each class based  upon the ratio  of
sales of each class to the sales of all shares of the Series other than expenses
allocable  to a particular class.  The distribution fee and  sales charge of one
class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.
    
 
  Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that a  majority of  the  Trustees of  the Fund,  including  a majority  of  the
Trustees  who  are not  "interested  persons" of  the  Fund (as  defined  in the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or any  agreement related to the Plan (the Rule  12b-1
Trustees),  vote annually to continue the Plan. Each Plan may be terminated with
respect to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule  12b-1
Trustees  or of a majority of the  outstanding shares of the applicable class of
the Series. The  Series will not  be obligated to  pay distribution and  service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
  In  addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under the
Class A, Class B and Class C Plans,  the Manager (or one of its affiliates)  may
make  payments  out  of  its  own  resources  to  dealers  (including Prudential
Securities) and other persons who distribute shares of the Series. Such payments
may be calculated by  reference to the  net asset value of  shares sold by  such
persons or otherwise.
    
 
  The  Distributor  is  subject to  the  rules  of the  National  Association of
Securities Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges.  See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  On  October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner  who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD to
resolve allegations  that  from  1980  through 1990  PSI  sold  certain  limited
partnership  interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom such
securities were not  suitable and misrepresented  the safety, potential  returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted  against it, PSI consented to the  entry of an SEC Administrative Order
which stated that PSI's conduct  violated the federal securities laws,  directed
PSI  to cease and desist  from violating the federal  securities laws, pay civil
penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000 civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount  of
$330,000,000  and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for compensatory
damages by purchasers of  the partnership interests. PSI  has agreed to  provide
additional  funds, if necessary,  for the purpose of  the settlement fund. PSI's
settlement with the state securities regulators  included an agreement to pay  a
penalty  of $500,000  per jurisdiction.  PSI consented to  a censure  and to the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United  States
Magistrate  for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI committed
fraud in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests  in
violation  of federal securities laws. An  agreement was simultaneously filed to
defer prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the  signing
of  the agreement, provided that  PSI complies with the  terms of the agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the agreement, no prosecution  will be instituted by  the United States for  the
offenses charged in the
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
complaint. If on the other hand, during the course of the three year period, PSI
violates  the terms of the agreement, the U.S. Attorney can then elect to pursue
these charges. Under the terms of the agreement, PSI agreed, among other things,
to pay an additional $330,000,000  into the fund established  by the SEC to  pay
restitution   to  investors  who  purchased   certain  PSI  limited  partnership
interests.
 
  For  more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,   see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The  Fund is  not affected  by PSI's  financial condition  and is  an entirely
separate legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein  and
the  Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company, an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prudential Securities may act as a  broker or futures commission merchant  for
the  Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it receives
are fair  and reasonable.  See  "Portfolio Transactions  and Brokerage"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State  Street  Bank  and  Trust Company,  One  Heritage  Drive,  North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171  serves as  Custodian for  the portfolio  securities of  the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.  (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison,  New
Jersey  08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and, in
those capacities, maintains certain  books and records for  the Fund. PMFS is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  THE SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING  ITS
LIABILITIES  FROM THE  VALUE OF  ITS ASSETS  AND DIVIDING  THE REMAINDER  BY THE
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS  CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS.  THE
TRUSTEES  HAVE FIXED  THE SPECIFIC TIME  OF DAY  FOR THE COMPUTATION  OF THE NET
ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:15 P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
 
  Portfolio securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not  readily
available,   at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under  procedures
established by  the Trustees.  Securities may  also be  valued based  on  values
provided  by  a pricing  service.  See "Net  Asset  Value" in  the  Statement of
Additional Information.
 
  The Series will compute  its NAV once  daily on days that  the New York  Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or  redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes in
the value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the  NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents'  Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
   
  Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical,
the different expenses borne by each  class will result in different  dividends.
As  long as the Series declares dividends daily, the NAV of the Class A, Class B
and Class C shares will generally be the same. It is expected, however, that the
Series' dividends will differ  by approximately the  amount of any  distribution
and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  FROM  TIME TO TIME THE FUND MAY  ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD"
AND "TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING  "AVERAGE ANNUAL"  TOTAL RETURN  AND  "AGGREGATE"
TOTAL RETURN) OF THE SERIES IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. "YIELD," "TAX
EQUIVALENT  YIELD" AND  "TOTAL RETURN"  ARE CALCULATED  SEPARATELY FOR  CLASS A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES. THESE  FIGURES ARE BASED ON HISTORICAL EARNINGS  AND
ARE  NOT  INTENDED TO  INDICATE FUTURE  PERFORMANCE. The  "yield" refers  to the
income generated  by an  investment in  the Series  over a  one-month or  30-day
period.  This  income  is  then  "annualized;" that  is,  the  amount  of income
generated by the investment during that 30-day period is assumed to be generated
each 30-day  period for  twelve periods  and is  shown as  a percentage  of  the
investment. The income earned on the investment is also assumed to be reinvested
at  the end of the sixth 30-day period. The "tax equivalent yield" is calculated
similarly to the  "yield," except  that the yield  is increased  using a  stated
income  tax  rate  to demonstrate  the  taxable  yield necessary  to  produce an
after-tax yield equivalent to the Series.  The "total return" shows how much  an
investment  in  the Series  would have  increased  (decreased) over  a specified
period of time (I.E., one, five or  ten years or since inception of the  Series)
assuming  that all distributions and dividends  by the Series were reinvested on
the reinvestment  dates during  the  period and  less  all recurring  fees.  The
"aggregate"  total return  reflects actual performance  over a  stated period of
time. "Average annual" total  return is a hypothetical  rate of return that,  if
achieved  annually,  would  have produced  the  same aggregate  total  return if
performance had been  constant over  the entire period.  "Average annual"  total
return  smooths  out  variations  in  performance  and  takes  into  account any
applicable initial  or  contingent  deferred  sales  charges.  Neither  "average
annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return takes into account any federal
or  state income taxes which  may be payable upon  redemption. The Fund also may
include comparative  performance information  in  advertising or  marketing  the
shares  of the Series. Such performance information may include data from Lipper
Analytical  Services,  Inc.,  Morningstar  Publications,  Inc.,  other  industry
publications,   business  periodicals  and   market  indices.  See  "Performance
Information" in  the Statement  of Additional  Information. Further  performance
information  is  contained  in the  Series'  annual and  semi-annual  reports to
shareholders,  which   may  be   obtained  without   charge.  See   "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE  SERIES  HAS ELECTED  TO  QUALIFY AND  INTENDS  TO REMAIN  QUALIFIED  AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY,  THE
SERIES  WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME
AND CAPITAL  GAINS, IF  ANY, THAT  IT DISTRIBUTES  TO ITS  SHAREHOLDERS. TO  THE
EXTENT  NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn  taxable
investment   income.  Also,  to  the  extent   the  Series  engages  in  hedging
transactions in  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon,  it  may  earn  both
short-term  and long-term capital gain or loss. Under the Internal Revenue Code,
special rules apply to  the treatment of certain  options and futures  contracts
(Section  1256 contracts). At the end of each year, such investments held by the
Series will  be  required  to be  "marked  to  market" for  federal  income  tax
purposes; that is, treated as having been sold at market value. Sixty percent of
any  gain or loss recognized on these  "deemed sales" and on actual dispositions
will be treated as  long-term capital gain  or loss, and  the remainder will  be
treated  as  short-term  capital  gain  or  loss.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of securities generally will
be treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of  certain
securities  (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary income
to the extent of any "market
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
discount." Market  discount generally  is the  difference, if  any, between  the
price  paid  by the  Series for  the security  and the  principal amount  of the
security (or, in the case  of a security issued  at an original issue  discount,
the  revised issue  price of  the security). The  market discount  rule does not
apply to any security that was acquired by the Series at its original issue. See
"Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In general, the  character of  tax-exempt interest distributed  by the  Series
will  flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that 50%
or more of the  value of its assets  at the end of  each quarter of its  taxable
year  is invested  in state,  municipal and  other obligations,  the interest on
which is excluded  from gross  income for  federal income  tax purposes.  During
normal  market conditions,  at least  80% of  the Series'  total assets  will be
invested in such  obligations. See "How  the Fund Invests--Investment  Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any   dividends  out   of  net   taxable  investment   income,  together  with
distributions of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net  short-term
capital  gains over net  long-term capital losses)  distributed to shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over  net
short-term  capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable as
long-term capital  gains to  the  shareholders, whether  or not  reinvested  and
regardless  of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares. The
maximum long-term  capital  gains  rate  for individuals  is  28%.  The  maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders is currently the same as
the maximum tax rate for ordinary income.
 
   
  Any  gain or  loss realized upon  a sale or  redemption of Series  shares by a
shareholder who  is not  a dealer  in securities  will be  treated as  long-term
capital  gain  or loss  if the  shares have  been  held more  than one  year and
otherwise as short-term  capital gain  or loss. Any  such loss  with respect  to
shares  that  are held  for  six months  or less,  however,  will be  treated as
long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions  received
by  the shareholder. In addition, any short-term capital loss will be disallowed
to the extent of any tax-exempt dividends received by the shareholder on  shares
that are held for six months or less.
    
 
   
  The  Fund has obtained opinions of counsel  to the effect that neither (i) the
conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares nor (ii) the exchange of  Class
B  or Class C shares for Class A  shares constitutes a taxable event for federal
income tax purposes.  However, such  opinions are  not binding  on the  Internal
Revenue Service.
    
 
  CERTAIN  INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE  MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS A
RESULT OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN  THE FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from  certain
municipal  obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after August
7, 1986)  will be  treated as  an item  of tax  preference for  purposes of  the
alternative  minimum tax.  The Fund  anticipates that,  under regulations  to be
promulgated, items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be  attributed
to  the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could be
allocated to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's  individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could  result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum tax.
Similarly, the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for  items
of  tax  preference attributed  to  it. The  Series  is permitted  to  invest in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
  Corporate shareholders in the Series also  will have to take into account  the
adjustment  for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes. Corporate
shareholders should  consult  with  their  tax advisers  with  respect  to  this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  In  the  opinion of  North  Carolina tax  counsel,  distributions will  not be
subject to North Carolina income tax if made to individual shareholders resident
in North Carolina or to trusts or  estates subject to North Carolina income  tax
to  the extent such distributions are either  (i) exempt from federal income tax
and attributable to interest on obligations  of North Carolina or its  political
subdivisions;  nonprofit educational  institutions organized  or chartered under
the laws of North  Carolina; or Guam,  Puerto Rico or  the United States  Virgin
Islands including the governments thereof and their agencies, instrumentalities,
and  authorities or (ii)  attributable to interest on  direct obligations of the
United States.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and  remit
to  the  U.S. Treasury  31%  of redemption  proceeds  on the  accounts  of those
shareholders who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS  Form
W-9  (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with the
required certifications  regarding the  shareholder's status  under the  federal
income  tax  law. Such  withholding also  is required  on taxable  dividends and
capital gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably  expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders  are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions as  to federal,  state  or local  taxes.  See "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  THE  SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME,  IF ANY,  AND MAKE  DISTRIBUTIONS AT  LEAST ANNUALLY  OF  ANY
CAPITAL  GAINS IN EXCESS  OF CAPITAL LOSSES.  Dividends paid by  the Series with
respect to each class of shares, to the extent any distributions are paid,  will
be  calculated in the same manner, at the same time, on the same day and will be
in the  same  amount except  that  each class  will  bear its  own  distribution
charges,  generally resulting in lower dividends for Class B and Class C shares.
Distributions of net capital gains, if any, will be paid in the same amount  for
each class of shares. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE SERIES
BASED ON THE  NAV OF EACH  CLASS OF THE  SERIES ON THE  PAYMENT DATE AND  RECORD
DATE, RESPECTIVELY, OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE
SHAREHOLDER  ELECTS IN  WRITING NOT  LESS THAN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO THE
RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such  election
should be submitted to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account
Maintenance,  P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick,  New Jersey 08906-5015. If you hold
shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial  adviser
to  elect to receive dividends  and distributions in cash.  The Fund will notify
each shareholder after the close of the  Fund's taxable year of both the  dollar
amount  and the taxable status  of that year's dividends  and distributions on a
per share basis.
 
  Any taxable dividends or distributions of  capital gains paid shortly after  a
purchase by an investor will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value  of the  investor's shares  by the  per share  amount of  the dividends or
distributions. Such dividends or distributions,  although in effect a return  of
invested  principal, are subject to federal  income taxes. Accordingly, prior to
purchasing shares  of the  Series,  an investor  should carefully  consider  the
impact  of taxable dividends and capital  gains distributions which are expected
to be or have been announced.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its  Trustees.
The  Declaration of Trust permits  the Trustees to issue  an unlimited number of
full and  fractional shares  in  separate series,  currently designated  as  the
Connecticut  Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series, Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series,  New  Jersey Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York Income
Series (not presently  being offered), New  York Series, New  York Money  Market
Series,  North Carolina Series, Ohio Series  and Pennsylvania Series. The Series
is authorized  to  issue an  unlimited  number  of shares,  divided  into  three
classes,  designated  Class  A,  Class  B and  Class  C.  Each  class  of shares
represents an interest in the same assets of the Series and is identical in  all
respects  except that (i) each  class is subject to  different sales charges and
distribution and/or service fees, which may affect performance, (ii) each  class
has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates
solely to its arrangement and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted
to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of
any  other class, (iii) each  class has a different  exchange privilege and (iv)
only  Class  B  shares  have  a  conversion  feature.  See  "How  the  Fund   is
Managed--Distributor."  In accordance with the  Fund's Declaration of Trust, the
Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series and classes within such
series, with such preferences, privileges,  limitations and voting and  dividend
rights as the Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares  of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable, fully
transferable and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are  also
redeemable  at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as described
under "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class  of
the  Series is  equal as  to earnings, assets  and voting  privileges, except as
noted above, and each  class bears the expenses  related to the distribution  of
its  shares. Except  for the  conversion feature  applicable to  Class B shares,
there are no conversion, preemptive or  other subscription rights. In the  event
of  liquidation, each share of beneficial interest of each series is entitled to
its portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the  Fund
have  been  paid.  Since  Class  B and  Class  C  shares  generally  bear higher
distribution  expenses  than  Class  A  shares,  the  liquidation  proceeds   to
shareholders  of  those  classes  are  likely  to  be  lower  than  to  Class  A
shareholders. The Fund's  shares do not  have cumulative voting  rights for  the
election of Trustees.
 
  THE  FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS
OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS  OF
SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO BE
ACTED UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER  THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS  HAVE
CERTAIN  RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF THE
FUND'S OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE  OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The  Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make the
Fund similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation.  The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts  business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.   Under
Massachusetts   law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under  certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of  the
fund,  which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of the
Fund provides that shareholders shall not  be subject to any personal  liability
for  the acts  or obligations  of the  Fund and  that every  written obligation,
contract, instrument or undertaking made by  the Fund shall contain a  provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This  Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which has
been incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information  set
forth  in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under the
Securities Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained  at
a  reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
   
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH  ITS TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL  FUND
SERVICES,  INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT SERVICES,
P.O. BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY 08906-5020. The purchase price is  the
NAV  next determined  following receipt  of an  order by  the Transfer  Agent or
Prudential Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, may be  imposed
either  (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis
(Class B or  Class C shares).  See "Alternative Purchase  Plan" below. See  also
"How the Fund Values its Shares."
    
 
  An  investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
 
   
  The minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000  per
class  and $5,000 for Class C shares.  The minimum subsequent investment is $100
for all  classes. All  minimum investment  requirements are  waived for  certain
employee  savings  plans.  For  purchases  made  through  the  Automatic Savings
Accumulation Plan, the  minimum initial  and subsequent investment  is $50.  See
"Shareholder Services" below.
    
 
  Application  forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
If a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for  each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
 
  The  Fund  reserves  the right  to  reject  any purchase  order  (including an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund.  The
Distributor  reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions in shares of  the Series may be  subject to postage and  handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must  first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an account
number. The following  information will  be requested: your  name, address,  tax
identification  number, class  election, dividend  distribution election, amount
being wired and wiring bank.  Instructions should then be  given by you to  your
bank  to transfer funds  by wire to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company (State
Street), Boston,  Massachusetts,  Custody  and  Shareholder  Services  Division,
Attention:  Prudential Municipal Series Fund, specifying on the wire the account
number assigned  by  PMFS  and  your  name  and  identifying  the  sales  charge
alternative (Class A, Class B or Class C shares) and the name of the Series.
 
  If  you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to the
calculation of  NAV (4:15  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you  may
purchase  shares of  the Series  as of that  day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
  In making a subsequent  purchase order by wire,  you should wire State  Street
directly  and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal Series
Fund, the name of the Series, Class A,  Class B or Class C shares and your  name
and  individual  account  number. It  is  not  necessary to  call  PMFS  to make
subsequent purchase orders utilizing Federal Funds. The minimum amount which may
be invested by wire is $1,000.
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
  THE SERIES OFFERS THROUGH  THIS PROSPECTUS THREE CLASSES  OF SHARES (CLASS  A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST BENEFICIAL SALES
CHARGE  STRUCTURE  FOR YOUR  INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES  GIVEN  THE AMOUNT  OF THE
PURCHASE, THE LENGTH OF TIME  YOU EXPECT TO HOLD  THE SHARES AND OTHER  RELEVANT
CIRCUMSTANCES (ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      ANNUAL 12b-1 FEES
                                                     (AS A % OF AVERAGE
                                                            DAILY
                        SALES CHARGE                     NET ASSETS)                  OTHER INFORMATION
           --------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                     <C>                      <C>
CLASS A    Maximum initial sales charge of 3% of   .30 of 1% (currently     Initial sales charge waived or reduced
           the public offering price               being charged at a rate  for certain purchases
                                                   of .10 of 1%)
CLASS B    Maximum contingent deferred sales       .50 of 1%                Shares convert to Class A shares
           charge or CDSC of 5% of the lesser of                            approximately seven years after
           the amount invested or the redemption                            purchase
           proceeds; declines to zero after six
           years
CLASS C    Maximum CDSC of 1% of the lesser of     1% (currently being      Shares do not convert to another class
           the amount invested or the redemption   charged at a rate of
           proceeds on redemptions made within     .75 of 1%)
           one year of purchase
</TABLE>
 
   
  The  three classes of  shares represent an  interest in the  same portfolio of
investments of the Series and have the  same rights, except that (i) each  class
bears  the separate  expenses of its  Rule 12b-1 distribution  and service plan,
(ii) each  class  has  exclusive  voting  rights  on  any  matter  submitted  to
shareholders  that relates  solely to  its arrangement  and has  separate voting
rights on any  matter submitted to  shareholders in which  the interests of  one
class  differ from  the interests  of any  other class,  and (iii)  only Class B
shares have a conversion feature. The three classes also have separate  exchange
privileges.  See "How to Exchange Your Shares" below. The income attributable to
each class and the dividends payable on the shares of each class will be reduced
by the amount of the distribution fee of each class. Class B and Class C  shares
bear  the expenses of a higher distribution  fee which will generally cause them
to have  higher expense  ratios and  to pay  lower dividends  than the  Class  A
shares.
    
 
  Financial  advisers and other sales agents who  sell shares of the Series will
receive different compensation for selling Class  A, Class B and Class C  shares
and  will generally receive more compensation  initially for selling Class A and
Class B shares than for selling Class C shares.
 
  IN SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER  THINGS,
(1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the amount of any
applicable  sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase or redemption)
and distribution-related fees, as noted above,  (3) whether you qualify for  any
reduction  or waiver  of any applicable  sales charge, (4)  the various exchange
privileges among the  different classes  of shares  (see "How  to Exchange  Your
Shares"  below) and (5)  the fact that  Class B shares  automatically convert to
Class A  shares  approximately  seven  years  after  purchase  (see  "Conversion
Feature--Class B Shares" below).
 
  The  following  is  provided to  assist  you  in determining  which  method of
purchase best suits your individual circumstances  and is based on current  fees
and expenses being charged to the Series:
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
  If  you intend to hold your investment in the Series for less than 5 years and
do not qualify  for a  reduced sales  charge on Class  A shares,  since Class  A
shares  are subject to a  maximum initial sales charge of  3% and Class B shares
are subject to a  CDSC of 5% which  declines to zero over  a 6 year period,  you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.
 
  If  you intend to hold your investment for  5 years or more and do not qualify
for a reduced sales charge  on Class A shares, since  Class B shares convert  to
Class  A shares  approximately 7  years after purchase  and because  all of your
money would be  invested initially in  the case  of Class B  shares, you  should
consider purchasing Class B shares over either Class A or Class C shares.
 
  If  you qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class A  shares, it may be more
advantageous for you to purchase Class A  shares over either Class B or Class  C
shares  regardless  of how  long you  intend to  hold your  investment. However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested
initially because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time  of
purchase.
 
   
  If  you do not  qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class  A shares and you
purchase Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than  4
years  for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those shares
to exceed the initial sales  charge plus cumulative annual  distribution-related
fee  on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of money,
which further reduces the impact of the higher Class C distribution-related  fee
on  the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of the return on
the investment  over  this  period of  time  or  redemptions when  the  CDSC  is
applicable.
    
 
  ALL  PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT OR
UNDER RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR LETTERS OF  INTENT, MUST BE FOR CLASS A  SHARES.
See "Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" below.
 
  CLASS A SHARES
 
  The  offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial sales
charge alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge (expressed  as
a  percentage of the offering price and of  the amount invested) as shown in the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            SALES CHARGE AS    SALES CHARGE AS    DEALER CONCESSION
                             PERCENTAGE OF      PERCENTAGE OF     AS PERCENTAGE OF
   AMOUNT OF PURCHASE       OFFERING PRICE     AMOUNT INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE
- -------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  -------------------
<S>                        <C>                <C>                <C>
Less than $99,999                   3.00%              3.09%               3.00%
$100,000 to $249,999                2.50               2.56                2.50
$250,000 to $499,999                1.50               1.52                1.50
$500,000 to $999,999                1.00               1.01                1.00
$1,000,000 and above                None               None                None
</TABLE>
 
   
  The Distributor  may  reallow the  entire  initial sales  charge  to  dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
   
  In  connection with the sale  of Class A shares at  NAV (without payment of an
initial sales charge), the Manager, the  Distributor or one of their  affiliates
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a
finders' fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such
persons.
    
 
  REDUCTION  AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL SALES  CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges are
available through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of  the
Fund  and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market funds
other than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be  aggregated
to  determine the  applicable reduction.  See "Purchase  and Redemption  of Fund
Shares--Reduction and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class  A Shares" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  OTHER  WAIVERS. Class  A shares  may be  purchased at  NAV, through Prudential
Securities or the  Transfer Agent, by  the following persons:  (a) officers  and
current  and former Directors/Trustees of the Prudential Mutual Funds (including
the Fund), (b) employees of Prudential Securities and PMF and their subsidiaries
and   members    of    the   families    of    such   persons    who    maintain
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
an  "employee related" account  at Prudential Securities  or the Transfer Agent,
(c) employees and  special agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all
persons  who have retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of
its subsidiaries, (d)  registered representatives and  employees of dealers  who
have  entered  into  a  selected  dealer  agreement  with  Prudential Securities
provided that purchases at NAV are  permitted by such person's employer and  (e)
investors  who have a business relationship  with a financial adviser who joined
Prudential Securities  from  another  investment firm,  provided  that  (i)  the
purchase  is made within 180 days of the commencement of the financial adviser's
employment at Prudential Securities  or within one year  in the case of  benefit
plans,  (ii) the purchase is made with proceeds of a redemption of shares of any
open-end fund sponsored by the financial adviser's previous employer (other than
a money  market fund  or other  no-load  fund which  imposes a  distribution  or
service  fee of .25 of 1% or less) and (iii) the financial adviser served as the
client's broker on the previous purchases.
    
 
   
  You must  notify the  Transfer  Agent either  directly or  through  Prudential
Securities  or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your entitlement.  No initial  sales charges  are imposed  upon Class  A  shares
acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and
Redemption  of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges--Class
A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
 
   
  The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of
the deferred  sales charge  alternatives is  the NAV  next determined  following
receipt  of an  order by the  Transfer Agent or  Prudential Securities. Although
there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B
and  Class  C  shares  may  be  subject  to  a  CDSC.  See  "How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below. The Distributor will pay sales
commissions  of up  to 4% of  the purchase price  of Class B  shares to dealers,
financial advisers and other persons who sell Class B shares at the time of sale
from its own resources.  This facilitates the  ability of the  Fund to sell  the
Class  B shares without  an initial sales  charge being deducted  at the time of
purchase. The Distributor  anticipates that  it will recoup  its advancement  of
sales commissions from the combination of the CDSC and the distribution fee. See
"Distributor."  In connection with  the sale of Class  C shares, the Distributor
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute Class  C
shares  a sales commission of up to 1% of  the purchase price at the time of the
sale.
    
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV  NEXT
DETERMINED  AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY THE
TRANSFER AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE  "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS  SHARES."
In  certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount of
any applicable  contingent  deferred  sales  charge,  as  described  below.  See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
 
  IF  YOU  HOLD SHARES  OF THE  SERIES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISOR. IF YOU
HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED  BY
YOU  EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES,
THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S)  SHOWN ON THE FACE OF THE  CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED.  IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST OR
FIDUCIARY, WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY  ACCEPTABLE TO THE TRANSFER AGENT  MUST
BE  SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence and
documents concerning  redemptions should  be sent  to the  Fund in  care of  its
Transfer  Agent, Prudential  Mutual Fund  Services, Inc.,  Attention: Redemption
Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to  a
person  other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other than
the address  on the  Transfer  Agent's records,  or  (d) are  to  be paid  to  a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
"eligible  guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution" includes
any bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
Agent reserves  the  right to  request  additional information  from,  and  make
reasonable  inquiries  of, any  eligible guarantor  institution. For  clients of
Prusec, a signature guarantee may be obtained from the agency, or office manager
of most  Prudential  Insurance  and Financial  Services  or  Preferred  Services
offices.
 
  PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS  AFTER  RECEIPT BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OF  THE CERTIFICATE  AND/OR WRITTEN
REQUEST, EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED BELOW.  IF  YOU HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays,  (b)
when  trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as a
result of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is  not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to  determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period when
the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or  (d)
exist.
 
  PAYMENT  FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL THE
FUND OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS  BEEN
HONORED,  UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE  TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
 
  REDEMPTION IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental  to
the  best interests of  the remaining shareholders  of the Fund  to make payment
wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or  in
part  by a distribution in  kind of securities from  the investment portfolio of
the Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules  of
the  SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your
shares are redeemed in kind, you will incur transaction costs in converting  the
assets  into cash. The Fund,  however, has elected to  be governed by Rule 18f-1
under the Investment Company  Act, under which the  Fund is obligated to  redeem
shares  solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the  Trustees
may  redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder which
is an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net  asset
value  of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give such
shareholders 60  days' prior  written  notice in  which to  purchase  sufficient
additional  shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent deferred sales charge
will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
 
   
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised the repurchase privilege, you may  reinvest any portion or all of  the
proceeds  of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next determined
after the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of  the
redemption.  Any CDSC paid  in connection with such  redemption will be credited
(in shares) to your account. (If less than a full repurchase is made, the credit
will be on a PRO RATA basis.) You must notify the Fund's Transfer Agent,  either
directly  or through Prudential Securities, at the time the repurchase privilege
is  exercised  to  adjust  your  account  for  the  CDSC  you  previously  paid.
Thereafter,  any redemptions will be subject to  the CDSC applicable at the time
of the redemption. See  "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charges" below. Exercise  of
the  repurchase privilege will generally not affect the federal tax treatment of
any gain realized upon redemption. However, if the redemption was made within  a
30  day period of the repurchase and if  the redemption resulted in a loss, some
or all of the loss, depending on  the amount reinvested, may not be allowed  for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
 
  Redemptions  of Class B shares will be  subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C  shares
redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC will
be  deducted from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid to you. The
CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by you which reduces the current value of
your Class B or Class C  shares to an amount which  is lower than the amount  of
all payments by you
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
for  shares during the preceding  six years, in the case  of Class B shares, and
one year, in the case of Class C shares. A CDSC will be applied on the lesser of
the original purchase price or the  current value of the shares being  redeemed.
Increases in the value of your shares or shares acquired through reinvestment of
dividends  or  distributions  are not  subject  to  a CDSC.  The  amount  of any
contingent  deferred  sales  charge  will  be  paid  to  and  retained  by   the
Distributor.  See  "How the  Fund is  Managed--Distributor"  and "Waiver  of the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class B Shares" below.
 
  The amount of the  CDSC, if any,  will vary depending on  the number of  years
from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption
of  such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the
time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will
be aggregated and deemed  to have been made  on the last day  of the month.  The
CDSC  will  be calculated  from the  first day  of the  month after  the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares were held  in a money market fund. See  "How
to Exchange Your Shares."
 
  The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemptions
of Class B shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         CONTINGENT DEFERRED
                                                                                SALES
                                                                        CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                                                     OF DOLLARS INVESTED OR
PAYMENT MADE                                                             REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>
First.................................................................           5.0%
Second................................................................           4.0%
Third.................................................................           3.0%
Fourth................................................................           2.0%
Fifth.................................................................           1.0%
Sixth.................................................................           1.0%
Seventh...............................................................           None
</TABLE>
 
  In  determining whether a CDSC is  applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a  manner that results in the  lowest possible rate. It will  be
assumed  that  the  redemption  is made  first  of  amounts  representing shares
acquired pursuant to the  reinvestment of dividends  and distributions; then  of
amounts  representing the increase in net asset  value above the total amount of
payments for the purchase of Series  shares made during the preceding six  years
(five  years for Class  B shares purchased  prior to January  22, 1990); then of
amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period;
and  finally, of amounts  representing the cost  of shares held  for the longest
period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
 
  For example, assume you purchased  100 Class B shares at  $10 per share for  a
cost  of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired  5 additional Class B shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase you decided  to
redeem  $500 of your investment. Assuming at  the time of the redemption the NAV
had appreciated to  $12 per share,  the value of  your Class B  shares would  be
$1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value
of  the reinvested dividend shares and  the amount which represents appreciation
($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260)  would
be  charged  at a  rate of  4% (the  applicable  rate in  the second  year after
purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
 
  For federal income tax purposes, the amount  of the CDSC will reduce the  gain
or  increase the  loss, as  the case  may be,  on the  amount recognized  on the
redemption of shares.
 
  WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be waived in the  case of a  redemption following the death  or disability of  a
shareholder  or,  in  the  case  of a  trust  account,  following  the  death or
disability of  the  grantor.  The  waiver is  available  for  total  or  partial
redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint tenancy
(with  rights of survivorship), at the time of death or initial determination of
disability,  provided  that  the  shares  were  purchased  prior  to  death   or
disability.  In addition, the CDSC will be  waived on redemptions of shares held
by a Trustee of the Fund.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
  You  must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you are
entitled to  waiver  of  the CDSC  and  provide  the Transfer  Agent  with  such
supporting  documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be granted
subject to confirmation  of your  entitlement. See "Purchase  and Redemption  of
Fund  Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  A quantity discount may apply to redemptions of Class B shares purchased prior
to August  1,  1994.  See  "Purchase and  Redemption  of  Fund  Shares--Quantity
Discount--Class  B Shares Purchased Prior to August 1, 1994" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
 
  Class B shares  will automatically convert  to Class A  shares on a  quarterly
basis  approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected at
relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales  charge.
The  first conversion  of Class  B shares  occurred in  February 1995,  when the
conversion feature was first implemented.
 
  Since the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought  on
each  purchase  of Class  B shares,  the number  of Class  B shares  eligible to
convert to  Class A  shares  (excluding shares  acquired through  the  automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will be
determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (i)
the  ratio of (a) the  amounts paid for Class B  shares purchased at least seven
years prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class  B
shares  purchased and  then held  in your account  (ii) multiplied  by the total
number of Class B shares purchased and then held in your account. Each time  any
Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts
representing  Class B shares then in your account that were acquired through the
automatic reinvestment  of dividends  and other  distributions will  convert  to
Class A shares.
 
  For  purposes of  determining the  number of Eligible  Shares, if  the Class B
shares in  your  account on  any  conversion date  are  the result  of  multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible Shares
calculated  as described above  will generally be  either more or  less than the
number of  shares  actually  purchased approximately  seven  years  before  such
conversion  date. For example, if 100 shares were initially purchased at $10 per
share (for  a  total  of  $1,000)  and a  second  purchase  of  100  shares  was
subsequently  made at $11 per share (for  a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares would
convert approximately  seven  years  from the  initial  purchase  (I.E.,  $1,000
divided  by $2,100 (47.62%), multiplied by  200 shares equals 95.24 shares). The
Manager reserves the right to modify  the formula for determining the number  of
Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.
 
  Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class
B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be higher than
that  of  the Class  B  shares at  the time  of  conversion. Thus,  although the
aggregate dollar value will be  the same, you may  receive fewer Class A  shares
than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all
payments  for Class B shares during a month  will be deemed to have been made on
the last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through exchange or  a
series  of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original payment
for purchases of such  Class B shares  was made. For  Class B shares  previously
exchanged  for shares of a money market  fund, the time period during which such
shares were held in the money market fund will be excluded. For example, Class B
shares held in  a money market  fund for one  year will not  convert to Class  A
shares  until approximately eight years from purchase. For purposes of measuring
the time period during which shares are  held in a money market fund,  exchanges
will  be deemed to have been  made on the last day  of the month. Class B shares
acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares after expiration of the
conversion period applicable to the original purchase of such shares.
 
  The conversion  feature  may be  subject  to the  continuing  availability  of
opinions  of counsel  or rulings  of the Internal  Revenue Service  (i) that the
dividends and other distributions paid  on Class A, Class  B and Class C  shares
will not constitute "preferential dividends" under the Internal Revenue Code and
(ii)  that the  conversion of  shares does not  constitute a  taxable event. The
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
conversion of  Class B  shares into  Class A  shares may  be suspended  if  such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class
B  shares of the Series  will continue to be  subject, possibly indefinitely, to
their higher annual distribution and service fee.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
  AS A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH THE  OTHER
SERIES  OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE), INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO  THE
MINIMUM  INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS  OF SUCH  FUNDS. CLASS A,  CLASS B  AND CLASS C
SHARES OF THE SERIES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR  CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C  SHARES,
RESPECTIVELY,  OF THE OTHER SERIES  OF THE FUND OR ANOTHER  FUND ON THE BASIS OF
THE RELATIVE NAV. No sales charge will  be imposed at the time of the  exchange.
Any  applicable CDSC  payable upon  the redemption  of shares  exchanged will be
calculated from the first day of the month after the initial purchase, excluding
the time shares were held in a money market fund. Class B and Class C shares may
not be exchanged  into money market  funds other than  Prudential Special  Money
Market  Fund. For purposes  of calculating the holding  period applicable to the
Class B conversion  feature, the time  period during which  Class B shares  were
held  in a money market fund will  be excluded. See "Conversion Feature--Class B
Shares" above. An exchange will be treated as a redemption and purchase for  tax
purposes.  See  "Shareholder  Investment  Account--Exchange  Privilege"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  IN ORDER  TO  EXCHANGE  SHARES  BY TELEPHONE,  YOU  MUST  AUTHORIZE  TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES  ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE TRANSFER
AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call the Fund
at (800) 225-1852 to  execute a telephone exchange  of shares, weekdays,  except
holidays,  between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time. For your
protection and  to prevent  fraudulent exchanges,  your telephone  call will  be
recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A
written  confirmation of the  exchange transaction will be  sent to you. NEITHER
THE FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE  LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS,  LIABILITY OR COST  WHICH
RESULTS  FROM ACTING UPON  INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED  TO BE GENUINE UNDER
THE FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (THE FUND OR ITS AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO  LIABILITY
IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be made on the
basis of the relative NAV of the two funds (or series) next determined after the
request  is received in good order. The  Exchange Privilege is available only in
states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE  YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE  OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual  Fund
Services,  Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE  OF
SHARES  MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  SPECIAL EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE. A  special exchange  privilege is  available  for
shareholders  who qualify  to purchase Class  A shares at  NAV (see "Alternative
Purchase Plan--Class A  Shares--Reduction and Waiver  of Initial Sales  Charges"
above).  Under this  exchange privilege,  amounts representing  any Class  B and
Class C shares (which are  not subject to a CDSC)  held in such a  shareholder's
account will be automatically exchanged for Class A shares on a quarterly basis,
unless the shareholder elects otherwise. Eligibility for this exchange privilege
will  be  calculated on  the business  day prior  to the  date of  the exchange.
Amounts representing Class B or Class C  shares which are not subject to a  CDSC
include  the  following: (1)  amounts  representing Class  B  or Class  C shares
acquired pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends and  distributions,
(2) amounts representing the
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
increase  in the  net asset  value above  the total  amount of  payments for the
purchase of Class B or Class C  shares and (3) amounts representing Class B  and
Class  C shares  held beyond  the applicable  CDSC period.  Class B  and Class C
shareholders  must  notify  the  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or   through
Prudential Securities or Prusec that they are eligible for this special exchange
privilege.
 
   
  The  Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including exchanges
(and market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged  in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse  effect on the  ability of the  Subadviser to manage  the portfolio. The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination to reject  any exchange order  shall be in  the discretion of  the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The  Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, as a shareholder in the Series, you can
take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
      - AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS WITHOUT A SALES
    CHARGE.  For  your   convenience,  all  dividends   and  distributions   are
    automatically  reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Series at NAV
    without a sales  charge. You may  direct the Transfer  Agent in writing  not
    less  than 5 full business days prior  to the record date to have subsequent
    dividends and/or distributions sent in  cash rather than reinvested. If  you
    hold shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial
    adviser.
 
      -  AUTOMATIC SAVINGS  ACCUMULATION PLAN  (ASAP). Under  ASAP you  may make
    regular purchases of the Series' shares in  amounts as little as $50 via  an
    automatic   debit  to  a  bank  account  or  Prudential  Securities  account
    (including  a  Command  Account).  For  additional  information  about  this
    service,  you  may  contact your  Prudential  Securities  financial adviser,
    Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
      - SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan is available to
    shareholders which provides for monthly  or quarterly checks in any  amount.
    Withdrawals of Class B and Class C shares may be subject to a CDSC. See "How
    to Sell Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
 
   
      -  REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund  will send you annual and semi-annual
    reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are audited by
    independent accountants. In order to  reduce duplicate mailing and  printing
    expenses,  the  Fund will  provide  one annual  and  semi-annual shareholder
    report and  annual  prospectus per  household.  You may  request  additional
    copies  of such reports by calling (800)  225-1852 or by writing to the Fund
    at Gateway  Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey 07102.  In addition,  monthly
    unaudited financial data is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
      -  SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES.  Inquiries should  be addressed  to the  Fund at
    Gateway Center Three, Newark,  New Jersey 07102, or  by telephone, at  (800)
    225-1852  (toll-free)  or,  from  outside  the  U.S.A.,  at  (908)  417-7555
    (collect).
    
 
  For additional  information regarding  the services  and privileges  described
above,  see  "Shareholder Investment  Account"  in the  Statement  of Additional
Information.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Prudential Mutual  Fund  Management  offers  a broad  range  of  mutual  funds
designed  to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the investment
options available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on  the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities  financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Funds at
(800) 225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before  you
invest or send money.
 
- ---------------------
 
     TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------
   
 Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Government Securities Trust
   Short-Intermediate Term Series
 Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
   Income Portfolio
 The BlackRock Government Income Trust
    
- ------------------------
 
     TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
- -------------------------------------
 Prudential California Municipal Fund
   California Series
   California Income Series
 Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
   High Yield Series
   Insured Series
   Intermediate Series
 Prudential Municipal Series Fund
   Florida Series
   Hawaii Income Series
   Maryland Series
   Massachusetts Series
   Michigan Series
   New Jersey Series
   New York Series
   North Carolina Series
   Ohio Series
   Pennsylvania Series
 Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
- ---------------
 
     GLOBAL FUNDS
- --------------------------------
   
 Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
   Limited Maturity Portfolio
 Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
 Prudential World Fund, Inc.
   Global Series
   International Stock Series
 The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
 The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
 Global Utility Fund, Inc.
    
- ---------------
     EQUITY FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
   
 Prudential Allocation Fund
   Balanced Portfolio
   Strategy Portfolio
 Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Dryden Fund
   Prudential Active Balanced Fund
   Prudential Stock Index Fund
 Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Equity Income Fund
 Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
   Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
   Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
 Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
 Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
 Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
   Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
    
- ---------------------
 
     MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ------------------------------------
   
 -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
 Prudential Government Securities Trust
   Money Market Series
   U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
 Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
   Money Market Series
 Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
 -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
 Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
 Prudential California Municipal Fund
   California Money Market Series
 Prudential Municipal Series Fund
   Connecticut Money Market Series
   Massachusetts Money Market Series
   New Jersey Money Market Series
   New York Money Market Series
 -COMMAND FUNDS
 Command Money Fund
 Command Government Fund
 Command Tax-Free Fund
 -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
 Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
   Institutional Money Market Series
    
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made,  such  other information  or representations  must not  be relied  upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction  to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
                                                    PAGE
                                                     ---
FUND HIGHLIGHTS.................................         2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics......         2
FUND EXPENSES...................................         4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS............................         5
HOW THE FUND INVESTS............................         8
  Investment Objective and Policies.............         8
  Other Investments and Policies................        12
  Investment Restrictions.......................        13
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED.........................        13
  Manager.......................................        13
  Distributor...................................        14
  Portfolio Transactions........................        16
  Custodian and Transfer and Dividend
   Disbursing Agent.............................        16
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES..................        16
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE.............        17
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS..............        17
GENERAL INFORMATION.............................        20
  Description of Shares.........................        20
  Additional Information........................        21
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE...............................        21
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund.................        21
  Alternative Purchase Plan.....................        22
  How to Sell Your Shares.......................        24
  Conversion Feature--Class B Shares............        27
  How to Exchange Your Shares...................        28
  Shareholder Services..........................        29
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY...............       A-1
 
    
 
- -------------------------------------------
MF 126A                                                                  44404HI
                                   Class A: 74435M-81-2
                        CUSIP Nos.: Class B: 74435M-82-0
                                   Class C: 74435M-51-5
 
   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
 
(NORTH CAROLINA SERIES)
- --------------------------------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(OHIO SERIES)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential  Municipal Series Fund  (the "Fund") (Ohio  Series) (the "Series") is
one of fourteen series of an open-end, management investment company, or  mutual
fund.  This Series is diversified and is  designed to provide the maximum amount
of income that  is exempt from  Ohio State and  federal income taxes  consistent
with  the preservation of capital and,  in conjunction therewith, the Series may
invest in debt securities with the potential for capital gain. The net assets of
the Series  are invested  in  obligations within  the  four highest  ratings  of
Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or another nationally
recognized  statistical rating organization or  in unrated obligations which, in
the opinion of the Fund's investment adviser, are of comparable quality. Subject
to the  limitations  described  herein,  the  Series  may  utilize  derivatives,
including  buying  and selling  futures contracts  and  options thereon  for the
purpose of hedging its portfolio securities. There can be no assurance that  the
Series'   investment   objective   will   be  achieved.   See   "How   the  Fund
Invests--Investment Objective  and  Policies."  The Fund's  address  is  Gateway
Center  Three,  Newark, New  Jersey  07102, and  its  telephone number  is (800)
225-1852.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund and the Ohio
Series that  a prospective  investor should  know before  investing.  Additional
information  about  the Fund  has been  filed with  the Securities  and Exchange
Commission in  a Statement  of Additional  Information dated  November 1,  1996,
which  information is incorporated herein by  reference (is legally considered a
part of this  Prospectus) and is  available without charge  upon request to  the
Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The  following summary is intended  to highlight certain information contained
in this  Prospectus  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools  the resources of  investors by selling  its shares to  the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an  open-end,
  management  investment company. Only the Ohio Series is offered through this
  Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The Series' investment  objective is  to maximize current  income that  is
  exempt  from  Ohio  State  and  federal  income  taxes  consistent  with the
  preservation of capital.  It seeks  to achieve this  objective by  investing
  primarily  in  Ohio State,  municipal and  local government  obligations and
  obligations of other qualifying issuers,  such as issuers located in  Puerto
  Rico,  the Virgin Islands and Guam, which  pay income exempt, in the opinion
  of counsel, from  Ohio State  and federal income  taxes (Ohio  Obligations).
  There  can be  no assurance  that the  Series' investment  objective will be
  achieved. See "How the Fund  Invests--Investment Objective and Policies"  at
  page 8.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
    In  seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest at
  least 80% of the value of its total assets in Ohio Obligations. This  degree
  of  investment concentration  makes the  Series particularly  susceptible to
  factors adversely affecting issuers of  Ohio Obligations. See "How the  Fund
  Invests--Investment  Objective and Policies--Special Considerations" at page
  12. To hedge against changes in interest rates, the Series may also purchase
  put options  and engage  in  transactions involving  derivatives,  including
  financial futures contracts and options thereon. See "How the Fund Invests--
  Investment Objective and Policies--Futures Contracts and Options Thereon" at
  page 11.
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential  Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the Manager
  of the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50  of
  1%  of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996, PMF
  served as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including  38
  mutual  funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion. The
  Prudential  Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)   furnishes
  investment  advisory services in connection with  the management of the Fund
  under  a   Subadvisory  Agreement   with   PMF.  See   "How  the   Fund   is
  Managed--Manager" at page 13.
    
 
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI), a major
  securities  underwriter and securities  and commodities broker,  acts as the
  Distributor of the Series' Class A, Class B and Class C shares and is paid a
  distribution and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class A  shares  which  is
  currently being charged at the annual rate of .10 of 1% of the average daily
  net  assets of the Class A shares and is paid a distribution and service fee
  with respect to  Class B  shares at  the annual  rate of  .50 of  1% of  the
  average  daily  net assets  of  the Class  B shares  and  is paid  an annual
  distribution and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class C  shares  which  is
  currently  being charged at the  rate of .75 of 1%  of the average daily net
  assets of the Class C shares.
    
 
    See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 14.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
    The minimum initial investment  for Class A and  Class B shares is  $1,000
  per  class and $5,000 for Class  C shares. The minimum subsequent investment
  is $100  for Class  A, Class  B  and Class  C shares.  There is  no  minimum
  investment  requirement for  certain employee  savings plans.  For purchases
  made through the  Automatic Savings Accumulation  Plan, the minimum  initial
  and  subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy Shares
  of the Fund"  at page  21 and "Shareholder  Guide--Shareholder Services"  at
  page 29.
    
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities  Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through its
  transfer agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the  Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities plus a
  sales  charge which may be imposed either (i) at the time of purchase (Class
  A shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis (Class B or Class C shares). See  "How
  the  Fund Values its Shares"  at page 17 and  "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy
  Shares of the Fund" at page 21.
    
 
  WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
    The Series offers three classes of shares:
 
       - Class A Shares:    Sold with an initial sales charge of up to 3%
                            of the offering price.
 
       - Class B Shares:    Sold without an initial sales charge but  are
                            subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
                            or CDSC (declining from 5% to zero of the lower
                            of   the  amount  invested  or  the  redemption
                            proceeds) which  will  be  imposed  on  certain
                            redemptions  made within six years of purchase.
                            Although Class B shares  are subject to  higher
                            ongoing   distribution-related   expenses  than
                            Class   A   shares,   Class   B   shares   will
                            automatically  convert to Class A shares (which
                            are subject to lower ongoing
                            distribution-related  expenses)   approximately
                            seven years after purchase.
 
       - Class C Shares:    Sold without an initial sales charge and, for
                            one  year after purchase, are subject to a 1%
                            CDSC on redemptions. Like Class B shares, Class
                            C  shares   are  subject   to  higher   ongoing
                            distribution-related   expenses  than  Class  A
                            shares but do not convert to another class.
 
    See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 22.
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
    You may redeem your shares  at any time at  the NAV next determined  after
  Prudential  Securities  or  the  Transfer Agent  receives  your  sell order.
  However, the proceeds of redemptions  of Class B and  Class C shares may  be
  subject  to a CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares" at page
  24.
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
    The Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of  net
  investment  income, if any, and make  distributions of any net capital gains
  at  least  annually.  Dividends  and  distributions  will  be  automatically
  reinvested  in additional shares of the Series at NAV without a sales charge
  unless you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes,  Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 18.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                                 (OHIO SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES+             CLASS A SHARES       CLASS B SHARES       CLASS C SHARES
                                            -------------------  -------------------  -------------------
<S>                                         <C>                  <C>                  <C>
    Maximum    Sales   Load   Imposed   on
     Purchases   (as   a   percentage   of
     offering price)......................          3%                  None                 None
    Maximum  Deferred  Sales  Load  (as  a
     percentage of original purchase price
     or redemption proceeds, whichever  is
     lower)...............................         None          5% during the first  1% on redemptions
                                                                 year, decreasing by  made within one
                                                                 1% annually to 1%    year of purchase
                                                                 in the fifth and
                                                                 sixth years and 0%
                                                                 the seventh year*
    Maximum    Sales   Load   Imposed   on
     Reinvested Dividends.................         None                 None                 None
    Redemption Fees.......................         None                 None                 None
    Exchange Fee..........................         None                 None                 None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES**
(as a percentage of average net assets)     CLASS A SHARES  CLASS B SHARES  CLASS C SHARES
                                            --------------  --------------  --------------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>             <C>
    Management Fees (Before Waiver).......        .50%            .50%            .50%
    12b-1 Fees (After Reduction)..........        .10++           .50             .75++
    Other Expenses........................        .25             .25             .25
                                                 ----            ----           -----
    Total Fund Operating Expenses  (Before
     Waiver and After Reduction)..........        .85%           1.25%           1.50%
                                                 ----            ----           -----
                                                 ----            ----           -----
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1        3        5        10
EXAMPLE                                                                       YEAR    YEARS    YEARS    YEARS
                                                                             ------  -------  -------  --------
<S>                                                                          <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1)
 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
    Class A................................................................  $  38   $   56   $   76   $   132
    Class B................................................................  $  63   $   70   $   79   $   135
    Class C................................................................  $  25   $   47   $   82   $   179
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, assuming no
 redemption:
    Class A................................................................  $  38   $   56   $   76   $   132
    Class B................................................................  $  13   $   40   $   69   $   135
    Class C................................................................  $  15   $   47   $   82   $   179
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  The  above examples are based  on restated data for  the Series' fiscal year
  ended  August  31,   1996.  THE   EXAMPLES  SHOULD  NOT   BE  CONSIDERED   A
  REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR
  LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
  The  purpose  of this  table  is to  assist  investors in  understanding the
  various costs and expenses that an investor in the Series will bear, whether
  directly or indirectly. For more complete descriptions of the various  costs
  and  expenses,  see "How  the Fund  is  Managed." "Other  Expenses" includes
  operating expenses of the Series,  such as Trustees' and professional  fees,
  registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer agency and custodian
  fees.
  -----------------
    *Class   B  shares   will  automatically   convert  to   Class  A  shares
     approximately   seven   years    after   purchase.   See    "Shareholder
     Guide--Conversion Feature--Class B Shares."
   
   **Based on expenses incurred during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996,
     without  taking into account  the management fee  waiver. At the current
     level of management fee  waiver (.05 of 1%),  Management Fees and  Total
     Fund  Operating Expenses  would be .45%  and .80%,  respectively, of the
     average net  assets of  the  Series' Class  A  shares, .45%  and  1.20%,
     respectively,  of the average  net assets of the  Series' Class B shares
     and .45%  and 1.45%,  respectively, of  the average  net assets  of  the
     Series'  Class  C shares.  See  "How the  Fund  is Managed--Manager--Fee
     Waivers."
    
 
    +Pursuant to rules  of the  National Association  of Securities  Dealers,
     Inc.,  the aggregate initial  sales charges, deferred  sales charges and
     asset-based sales charges on shares of  the Series may not exceed  6.25%
     of  total  gross  sales,  subject  to  certain  exclusions.  This  6.25%
     limitation is imposed on each class of  the Series rather than on a  per
     shareholder  basis. Therefore, long-term shareholders  of the Series may
     pay more in total sales charges than the economic equivalent of 6.25% of
     such shareholders'  investment in  such  shares. See  "How the  Fund  is
     Managed--Distributor."
 
   
   ++Although  the Class A and Class C Distribution and Service Plans provide
     that the Fund may pay a distribution fee  of up to .30 of 1% and 1%  per
     annum of the average daily net assets of the Class A and Class C shares,
     respectively,  the Distributor has agreed to limit its distribution fees
     with respect to the Class A and Class C shares of the Series to no  more
     than .10 of 1% and .75 of 1% of the average daily net asset value of the
     Class  A shares  and Class C  shares, respectively, for  the fiscal year
     ending August 31, 1997. Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver) of
     the Class A and Class C  shares without such limitations would be  1.05%
     and 1.75%, respectively. See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class A Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The  following financial  highlights, with  respect to  the five-year period
ended August 31, 1996, have been  audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected  data for  a Class  A share  of beneficial  interest
outstanding,  total return, ratios to average  net assets and other supplemental
data for the periods indicated. This  information is based on data contained  in
the  financial statements. Further  performance information is  contained in the
annual  report,  which  may  be   obtained  without  charge.  See   "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services-- Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 CLASS A
                                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             JANUARY 22,
                                                                                                               1990(a)
                                                                   YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                       THROUGH
                                                -----------------------------------------------------------   AUGUST 31,
                                                  1996          1995         1994     1993    1992    1991       1990
                                                --------      --------      ------   ------  ------  ------  ------------
<S>                                             <C>           <C>           <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period..........  $  11.92      $  11.72      $12.38   $11.69  $11.17  $10.71    $10.85
                                                --------      --------      ------   ------  ------  ------    ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income.........................       .63(b)        .65(b)      .66      .69     .70     .70       .47
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions......................      (.15)          .20        (.66)     .69     .52     .46      (.14)
                                                --------      --------      ------   ------  ------  ------    ------
    Total from investment operations..........       .48           .85        --       1.38    1.22    1.16       .33
                                                --------      --------      ------   ------  ------  ------    ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income..........      (.63)         (.65)       (.66)    (.69)   (.70)   (.70)     (.47)
Distributions from net realized gains.........      (.07)           --          --       --      --      --        --
                                                --------      --------      ------   ------  ------  ------    ------
    Total distributions.......................      (.70)         (.65)       (.66)    (.69)   (.70)   (.70)     (.47)
                                                --------      --------      ------   ------  ------  ------    ------
Net asset value, end of period................  $  11.70      $  11.92      $11.72   $12.38  $11.69  $11.17    $10.71
                                                --------      --------      ------   ------  ------  ------    ------
                                                --------      --------      ------   ------  ------  ------    ------
TOTAL RETURN(d):..............................      4.02%         7.59%      (0.01)%  12.12%  11.26%  11.06%     2.58%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)...............  $ 49,851      $ 51,132      $4,749   $4,647  $2,095    $923      $462
Average net assets (000)......................  $ 51,205      $ 29,904      $4,733   $2,904  $1,289    $615      $289
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution fee........       .80%(b)       .83%(b)     .84%     .84%    .81%    .93%      .96%(c)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fee........       .70%(b)       .73%(b)     .74%     .74%    .71%    .83%      .86%(c)
  Net investment income.......................      5.27%(b)      5.50%(b)    5.45%    5.73%   6.34%   6.34%     6.51%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate.......................        35%           38%         20%      28%     37%     37%       24%
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------
   
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class A shares.
    
   
   (b) Net of fee waiver.
    
   
   (c) Annualized.
    
   
   (d) Total  return  does not  consider the  effects  of sales  loads. Total
       return is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first  day
       and  a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and includes
       reinvestment of dividends. Total  returns for periods  of less than  a
       full year are not annualized.
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class B Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
  The following financial highlights, with respect to the five-year period ended
August  31,  1996,  have been  audited  by  Deloitte &  Touche  LLP, independent
accountants, whose report  thereon was unqualified.  This information should  be
read  in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto, which
appear in  the  Statement of  Additional  Information. The  following  financial
highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  B share  of beneficial interest
outstanding, total return, ratios to  average net assets and other  supplemental
data  for the periods indicated. This information  is based on data contained in
the financial statements.  Further performance information  is contained in  the
annual   report,  which  may  be   obtained  without  charge.  See  "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services-- Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        CLASS B
                         ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
                         ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          1996        1995         1994       1993       1992      1991     1990    1989(c)     1988     1987
                         -------     -------     --------   ---------  ---------  -------  -------  --------  --------  -------
<S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value,
 beginning of year.....  $ 11.93     $ 11.73     $  12.38   $   11.70  $   11.18  $ 10.71  $ 10.85  $ 10.53   $  10.89   $11.70
                         -------     -------     --------   ---------  ---------  -------  -------  --------  --------  -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment
 income................      .58(a)      .60(a)       .61         .65        .65      .65      .66      .67        .71      .74(b)
Net realized and
 unrealized gain (loss)
 on investment
 transactions..........     (.15)        .20         (.65)        .68        .52      .47     (.14)     .32       (.36)    (.66)
                         -------     -------     --------   ---------  ---------  -------  -------  --------  --------  -------
    Total from
     investment
     operations........      .43         .80         (.04)       1.33       1.17     1.12      .52      .99        .35      .08
                         -------     -------     --------   ---------  ---------  -------  -------  --------  --------  -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net
 investment income.....     (.58)       (.60)        (.61)       (.65)      (.65)    (.65)    (.66)    (.67)      (.71)    (.74)
Distributions from net
 realized gains........     (.07)         --           --          --         --       --       --       --         --     (.15)
                         -------     -------     --------   ---------  ---------  -------  -------  --------  --------  -------
    Total
     distributions.....     (.65)       (.60)        (.61)       (.65)      (.65)    (.65)    (.66)    (.67)      (.71)    (.89)
                         -------     -------     --------   ---------  ---------  -------  -------  --------  --------  -------
Net asset value, end of
 year..................  $ 11.71     $ 11.93     $  11.73      $12.38     $11.70   $11.18   $10.71   $10.85     $10.53   $10.89
                         -------     -------     --------   ---------  ---------  -------  -------  --------  --------  -------
                         -------     -------     --------   ---------  ---------  -------  -------  --------  --------  -------
TOTAL RETURN(d):.......     3.61%       7.16%       (0.33)%     11.58%     10.79%   10.74%    4.87%    9.68%      3.52%    0.64%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
 DATA:
Net assets, end of year
 (000).................  $50,998     $62,805     $118,270    $121,937   $102,199  $92,572  $89,183  $87,426    $73,972  $75,833
Average net assets
 (000).................  $57,909     $85,410     $121,365    $110,053    $96,178  $90,437  $89,302  $81,613    $72,333  $69,995
Ratios to average net
 assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee....     1.20%(a)    1.22%(a)     1.24%       1.24%      1.21%    1.33%    1.32%    1.32%      1.24%    1.15%(b)
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee....      .70%(a)     .72%(a)      .74%        .74%       .71%     .83%     .84%     .84%       .75%     .66%(b)
  Net investment
   income..............     4.87%(a)    5.27%(a)     5.05%       5.33%      5.73%    5.94%    6.08%    6.17%      6.79%    6.43%(b)
Portfolio turnover
 rate..................       35%         38%          20%         28%        37%      37%      24%      41%       127%     120%
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------
   
   (a) Net of fee waiver.
    
   
   (b) Net of expense subsidy.
    
   
   (c) On December 31, 1988, Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.
       succeeded The Prudential Insurance Company of America as manager of
       the Fund.
    
   
   (d) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale  on  the last  day  of  each year  reported  and  includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                    periods)
                                (Class C Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The  following financial highlights  have been audited  by Deloitte & Touche
LLP,  independent  accountants,  whose  report  thereon  was  unqualified.  This
information  should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the
notes thereto,  which appear  in the  Statement of  Additional Information.  The
following  financial highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  C share of
beneficial interest outstanding, total return, ratios to average net assets  and
other  supplemental data for the periods indicated. This information is based on
data contained in the financial  statements. Further performance information  is
contained  in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge. See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CLASS C
                                                  --------------------------------
                                                                        AUGUST 1,
                                                  YEAR ENDED AUGUST      1994(a)
                                                         31,             THROUGH
                                                  -----------------     AUGUST 31,
                                                   1996       1995         1994
                                                  ------     ------     ----------
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.........     $11.93     $11.73       $11.75
                                                  ------     ------     ----------
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income........................        .55(b)     .57(b)       .05
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
 investment transactions.....................       (.15)       .20         (.02)
                                                  ------     ------     ----------
    Total from investment operations.........        .40        .77          .03
                                                  ------     ------     ----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income.........       (.55)      (.57)        (.05)
Distributions from net realized gains........       (.07)        --           --
                                                  ------     ------     ----------
    Total distributions......................       (.62)      (.57)        (.05)
                                                  ------     ------     ----------
Net asset value, end of period...............     $11.71     $11.93       $11.73
                                                  ------     ------     ----------
                                                  ------     ------     ----------
TOTAL RETURN(d):.............................       3.36%      6.89%        0.18%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)..............     $   44     $  126           $5
Average net assets (000).....................     $   97     $   61           $2
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution fee.......       1.45%(b)   1.49%(b)     2.28%(c)
  Expenses, excluding distribution fee.......        .70%(b)    .74%(b)     1.53%(c)
  Net investment income......................       4.62%(b)   4.76%(b)     4.73%(c)
 
Portfolio turnover rate......................         35%        38%          20%
</TABLE>
    
 
  ----------------
   
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
    
   
   (b) Net of fee waiver.
    
   
   (c) Annualized.
    
   
   (d) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment  of dividends. Total  returns for periods  of less than a
       full year are not annualized.
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END,  MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF  THESE  SERIES IS  MANAGED  INDEPENDENTLY. THE  OHIO  SERIES (THE  SERIES) IS
DIVERSIFIED AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS  TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME THAT  IS
EXEMPT FROM OHIO STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXES CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESERVATION
OF  CAPITAL  AND,  IN  CONJUNCTION  THEREWITH, THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  IN DEBT
SECURITIES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR  CAPITAL GAIN. See "Investment Objectives  and
Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  THE  SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS A  FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE, MAY
NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE  SERIES'
OUTSTANDING  VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AS AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE  NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  THE SERIES WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN OHIO STATE, MUNICIPAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF OTHER QUALIFYING ISSUERS, SUCH AS ISSUERS LOCATED
IN  PUERTO RICO, THE  VIRGIN ISLANDS AND  GUAM, WHICH PAY  INCOME EXEMPT, IN THE
OPINION OF COUNSEL, FROM OHIO STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (OHIO OBLIGATIONS).
THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE.
 
  Interest on  certain  municipal  obligations  may be  a  preference  item  for
purposes  of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest without
limit in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined  in
the  Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item for
purposes of  the federal  alternative  minimum tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends  and
Distributions."  Under Ohio  law, dividends paid  by the Series  are exempt from
Ohio personal income tax and municipal and school district income taxes in  Ohio
for  resident  individuals  to  the extent  they  are  properly  attributable to
interest payments on  Ohio Obligations. Ohio  Obligations could include  general
obligation  bonds of the State, counties,  cities, towns, etc., revenue bonds of
utility systems,  highways,  bridges,  port and  airport  facilities,  colleges,
hospitals,  etc., and  industrial development  and pollution  control bonds. The
Series will invest  in long-term  obligations, and  the dollar-weighted  average
maturity  of the Series' portfolio will generally range between 10-20 years. The
Series also  may invest  in certain  short-term, tax-exempt  notes such  as  Tax
Anticipation   Notes,  Revenue  Anticipation  Notes,  Bond  Anticipation  Notes,
Construction Loan Notes and variable and floating rate demand notes.
 
  Generally, municipal obligations with longer maturities produce higher  yields
and are subject to greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates  (market  risk) than  municipal obligations  with shorter  maturities. The
prices of municipal  obligations vary  inversely with  interest rates.  Interest
rates  are currently  much lower  than in  recent years.  If rates  were to rise
sharply, the  prices  of bonds  in  the  Series' portfolio  might  be  adversely
affected.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES, INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE  FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating  rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as a
specific percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on  Treasury
bonds  or bills or the prime rate at  a major commercial bank. The interest rate
on floating rate securities changes periodically  when there is a change in  the
designated  base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a specified
periodic adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates  and
generally  allow the Series to demand payment  of the obligation on short notice
at par plus accrued interest, which amount  may be more or less than the  amount
the Series paid for
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
them.  An  inverse floater  is a  debt  instrument with  a floating  or variable
interest rate  that moves  in the  opposite direction  of the  interest rate  on
another  security or the value of an index.  Changes in the interest rate on the
other security or index inversely affect the residual interest rate paid on  the
inverse  floater,  with the  result  that the  inverse  floater's price  will be
considerably more  volatile than  that of  a  fixed rate  bond. The  market  for
inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN  MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL LEASE
OBLIGATION IS A  MUNICIPAL SECURITY THE  INTEREST ON AND  PRINCIPAL OF WHICH  IS
PAYABLE  OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES FINANCED
BY THE ISSUE. Typically,  municipal lease obligations are  issued by a state  or
municipal   financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction  of
facilities (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or  the
acquisition  of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state or
municipality pursuant to a lease  with a financing authority. Certain  municipal
lease  obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the  supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes  of  the Series'  15% limitation  on  illiquid securities  provided the
investment adviser determines that there is a readily available market for  such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies--Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
  ALL  OHIO  OBLIGATIONS  PURCHASED BY  THE  SERIES WILL  BE  "INVESTMENT GRADE"
SECURITIES. In other words,  all of the  Ohio Obligations will,  at the time  of
purchase,  be  rated within  the four  highest quality  grades as  determined by
Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for bonds, MIG 1,
MIG 2, MIG  3, MIG 4  for notes and  Prime-1 for commercial  paper), Standard  &
Poor's  Ratings Group (S&P) (currently AAA, AA, A, BBB for bonds, SP-1, SP-2 for
notes and A-1 for commercial paper) or another nationally recognized statistical
rating organization (NRSRO)  or, if unrated,  will possess creditworthiness,  in
the  opinion of  the investment adviser,  comparable to securities  in which the
Series may invest.  Securities rated Baa  may have speculative  characteristics,
and  changes in  economic conditions or  other circumstances are  more likely to
lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is  the
case  with higher grade securities. Subsequent to  its purchase by the Series, a
municipal obligation may be assigned a lower  rating or cease to be rated.  Such
an  event would not require the elimination of the issue from the portfolio, but
the investment adviser will  consider such an event  in determining whether  the
Series  should continue to hold the  security in its portfolio. See "Description
of Tax-Exempt Security Ratings" in the Statement of Additional Information.  The
Series  may purchase  Ohio Obligations which,  in the opinion  of the investment
adviser, offer the  opportunity for  capital appreciation. This  may occur,  for
example,  when the investment  adviser believes that the  issuer of a particular
Ohio Obligation might  receive an upgraded  credit standing, thereby  increasing
the  market value  of the  bonds it  has issued  or when  the investment adviser
believes that interest rates might decline. As a general matter, bond prices and
the Series' net asset value will vary inversely with interest rate fluctuations.
    
 
  From time to time, the Series may own the majority of a municipal issue.  Such
majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
  UNDER   NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO  INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE VALUE OF ITS ASSETS IN OHIO OBLIGATIONS. As a matter of
fundamental policy, during normal market  conditions the Series' assets will  be
invested  so that at least 80% of the  income will be exempt from Ohio State and
federal income taxes or the  Series will have at least  80% of its total  assets
invested  in Ohio Obligations.  During abnormal market  conditions or to provide
liquidity, the Series  may hold  cash or  cash equivalents  or investment  grade
taxable obligations, including obligations that are exempt from federal, but not
state,  taxation and the Series may invest in tax-free cash equivalents, such as
floating rate demand notes, tax-exempt  commercial paper and general  obligation
and  revenue  notes or  in  taxable cash  equivalents,  such as  certificates of
deposit, bankers  acceptances  and time  deposits  or other  short-term  taxable
investments  such  as  repurchase  agreements.  When,  in  the  opinion  of  the
investment adviser,  abnormal market  conditions require  a temporary  defensive
position, the Series may invest more than 20% of the value of its assets in debt
securities  other than Ohio  Obligations or may  invest its assets  so that more
than 20% of the  income is subject  to Ohio State or  federal income taxes.  The
Series  will treat an investment in a municipal bond refunded with escrowed U.S.
Government  securities  as  U.S.  Government  securities  for  purposes  of  the
Investment   Company   Act's  diversification   requirements   provided  certain
conditions are met. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--In General" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
  THE  SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO SELL
SECURITIES HELD IN  THE SERIES'  PORTFOLIO AT A  SPECIFIED EXERCISE  PRICE ON  A
SPECIFIED  DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting the
Series from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which  the
put  applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case of
liquidity puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of  the
underlying  security. The aggregate value of  premiums paid to acquire puts held
in the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts) may not exceed 10% of  the
net  asset  value  of  the Series.  The  acquisition  of a  put  may  involve an
additional cost to the Series by payment of a premium for the put, by payment of
a higher purchase price for securities to which the put is attached or through a
lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts  in
that  the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase the
underlying security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under  the
following  circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the underlying
security and such security  is rated within the  four highest quality grades  as
determined  by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than the
issuer of the  underlying security  and such person  has securities  outstanding
which  are rated  within such  four highest  quality grades;  or (3)  the put is
backed by a letter of credit or  similar financial guarantee issued by a  person
having  securities outstanding  which are rated  within the  two highest quality
grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR  "DELAYED
DELIVERY"  BASIS, IN  EACH CASE  WITHOUT LIMIT.  When municipal  obligations are
offered on a when-issued  or delayed delivery basis,  the price and coupon  rate
are  fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the  settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore,  no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser during
such period. In the case of purchases  by the Series, the price that the  Series
is  required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with  the
purpose  of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable for
investment reasons. At the  time the Series makes  the commitment to purchase  a
municipal  obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record
the transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in  determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as  values of municipal obligations otherwise held  by the Series. If the seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with  its
Custodian  in which  it will maintain  cash, U.S.  Government securities, equity
securities or other liquid,  unencumbered assets, marked-to-market daily,  equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL FORWARD CONTRACTS. A municipal forward
contract is a municipal security which is purchased on a when-issued basis  with
delivery  taking place up to  five years from the  date of purchase. No interest
will accrue on the security prior  to the delivery date. The investment  adviser
will  monitor the liquidity, value, credit  quality and delivery of the security
under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE SECONDARY  MARKET INSURANCE ON OHIO OBLIGATIONS  WHICH
IT  HOLDS  OR ACQUIRES.  Secondary market  insurance would  be reflected  in the
market value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series  to
dispose  of a  defaulted obligation  at a  price similar  to that  of comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance is  not  a  substitute  for  the basic  credit  of  an  issuer,  but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance  coverage for the  Ohio Obligations held by  the Series reduces credit
risk by  providing  that the  insurance  company  will make  timely  payment  of
principal  and interest if  the issuer defaults  on its obligation  to make such
payment, it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price,  I.E.,
the  market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
  THE SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO  PURCHASE AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES,  INCLUDING
FINANCIAL  FUTURES  CONTRACTS (FUTURES  CONTRACTS) AND  OPTIONS THEREON  FOR THE
PURPOSE OF HEDGING ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED
BY CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HEDGING AGAINST INCREASES  IN
THE  COST OF SECURITIES  THE SERIES INTENDS  TO PURCHASE. THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF
FUTURES  CONTRACTS  AND  OPTIONS  THEREON  BY  THE  SERIES  INVOLVES  ADDITIONAL
TRANSACTION  COSTS  AND  IS  SUBJECT  TO  VARIOUS  RISKS  AND  DEPENDS  UPON THE
INVESTMENT ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT  THE DIRECTION OF THE MARKET  (INCLUDING
INTEREST RATES).
 
  A  FUTURES CONTRACT  OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE  CONTRACT TO  DELIVER TO THE
PURCHASER OF  THE CONTRACT  CASH EQUAL  TO A  SPECIFIC DOLLAR  AMOUNT TIMES  THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE  OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF THE  CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH THE
AGREEMENT IS MADE. No  physical delivery of the  underlying securities is  made.
The  Series  will engage  in transactions  in only  those futures  contracts and
options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
  The Series intends  to engage in  futures contracts and  options thereon as  a
hedge  against  changes,  resulting  from market  conditions,  in  the  value of
securities which are held in the  Series' portfolio or which the Series  intends
to  purchase,  in accordance  with the  rules and  regulations of  the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). The Series also intends to engage in such
transactions when they are economically  appropriate for the reduction of  risks
inherent in the ongoing management of the Series.
 
   
  THE  SERIES MAY NOT PURCHASE OR SELL  FUTURES CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS THEREON IF,
IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER,  (i) THE  SUM OF  INITIAL AND  NET CUMULATIVE  VARIATION
MARGIN ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (ii) IN THE CASE
OF  RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL MARGIN
DEPOSITS ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS  THEREON
WOULD  EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There are
no limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and  no
limitations  on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts and
options thereon, except that the  aggregate value of the obligations  underlying
put  options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements for
qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue  Code
may  limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and options
thereon. See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  Currently,  futures contracts are  available on several  types of fixed-income
securities, including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S.  Treasury
bills  and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal bond
index, based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40  actively
traded  municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in other
futures  contracts  that  become  available,   from  time  to  time,  in   other
fixed-income  securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
  THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE  MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A  LIQUID
SECONDARY  MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash  payments
of  variation  margin  in  the  event of  adverse  price  movements.  In  such a
situation, if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell  portfolio
securities  to meet daily variation margin requirements  at a time when it might
be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close futures positions also could
have an adverse impact on the ability of the Series to hedge effectively.  There
is  also  a risk  of loss  by  the Series  of margin  deposits  in the  event of
bankruptcy of a broker with  whom the Series has an  open position in a  futures
contract.
 
  THE  SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND  OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES IS
SUBJECT TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions  involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
movements  in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities that are
the subject of the  hedge. If the  price of the futures  contract moves more  or
less than the price of the security that is the subject of the hedge, the Series
will  experience a gain or loss that  will not be completely offset by movements
in the price of the security. The risk of imperfect correlation is greater where
the securities underlying futures contracts are taxable securities (rather  than
municipal  securities), are issued  by companies in  different market sectors or
have different maturities, ratings or  geographic mixes than the security  being
hedged.  In  addition,  the  correlation  may be  affected  by  additions  to or
deletions from  the index  which serves  as the  basis for  a futures  contract.
Finally,  if the price of the security that is subject to the hedge were to move
in a favorable direction, the advantage to the Series would be partially  offset
by the loss incurred on the futures contract.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE  THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST 80%  OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS
IN OHIO OBLIGATIONS AND  BECAUSE IT SEEKS TO  MAXIMIZE INCOME DERIVED FROM  OHIO
OBLIGATIONS,  IT IS MORE  SUSCEPTIBLE TO FACTORS  ADVERSELY AFFECTING ISSUERS OF
OHIO OBLIGATIONS THAN  IS A COMPARABLE  MUNICIPAL BOND MUTUAL  FUND THAT IS  NOT
CONCENTRATED  IN SUCH OBLIGATIONS TO THIS DEGREE. Ohio has encountered financial
difficulties over some prior years. While Ohio has faced revenue shortfalls, the
State has  acted  promptly  in addressing  budgetary  shortfalls  with  spending
reductions  and by tax adjustments. The  State's 1994-95 biennium ended June 30,
1995 with a General Revenue Fund (GRF) ending balance of $928 million, of  which
$535.2 million was transferred into the State's Budget Stabilization Fund (BSF),
a  cash and budgetary management  fund (which had an  October 7, 1996 balance of
over $828  million). In  accordance  with the  GRF  appropriations act  for  the
1995-96  biennium passed on  June 28, 1995 and  promptly signed (after selective
vetoes) by  the Governor,  the  significant June  30,  1995 GRF  balance,  after
leaving  in the GRF an  unreserved and undesignated balance  of $70 million, was
transferred to other funds, including the  BSF, school assistance funds and,  in
anticipation of possible federal program changes, a human services stabilization
fund.  All necessary GRF appropriations for  State debt service and lease rental
payments  then  projected  for  the  1995-96  biennium  were  included  in  that
appropriations  act.  Fiscal year  1996 proved  to be  another year  of positive
results for the GRF,  with a year-end  Fund balance of  $781 million. If  either
Ohio  or any of its local governmental  entities is unable to meet its financial
obligations, the  income derived  by  the Series,  the  ability to  preserve  or
realize  appreciation of the Series' capital  and the Series' liquidity could be
adversely   affected.   See   "Investment   Objectives   and   Policies--Special
Considerations  Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities" in the Statement
of Additional Information.
    
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of a security agrees to repurchase that  security from the Series at a  mutually
agreed-upon  time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite short,
possibly overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number  of
months.  The resale  price is  in excess  of the  purchase price,  reflecting an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price.  The
instruments  held  as  collateral are  valued  daily  and if  the  value  of the
instruments declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If  the
seller  defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series  may incur a loss.  The Series participates in  a
joint  repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management LLC pursuant to  an order of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission (SEC).
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
  BORROWING
 
   
  The  Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series  may
pledge  up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure these
borrowings. The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its  borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
  The  Series does not expect to trade  in securities for short-term gain. It is
anticipated that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%.  The
portfolio  turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales or
purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the  portfolio
securities,  excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase of
one year or less.
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series  may hold  up  to 15%  of its  net  assets in  illiquid  securities
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities   with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale  (restricted
securities)  and  securities  that   are  not  readily  marketable.   Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933,  as amended  (the Securities Act),  privately placed  commercial paper and
municipal lease  obligations  that  have  a readily  available  market  are  not
considered  illiquid for the purposes of this limitation. The investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of  such restricted securities under the  supervision
of  the Trustees. The Series' investment in  Rule 144A securities could have the
effect of  increasing illiquidity  to the  extent that  qualified  institutional
buyers  become,  for  a  limited  time,  uninterested  in  purchasing  Rule 144A
securities. See "Investment  Objectives and  Policies--Illiquid Securities"  and
"Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase
agreements  subject to demand are deemed to  have a maturity equal to the notice
period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The Series  is subject  to  certain investment  restrictions which,  like  its
investment  objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental policies
cannot be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of  the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER,  SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY  BUSINESS
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996, total expenses of the Series as  a
percentage of average net assets, net of fee waivers, were .80%, 1.20% and 1.45%
for  the  Series'  Class  A,  Class B  and  Class  C  shares,  respectively. See
"Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC  (PMF OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY  CENTER
THREE,  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET  ASSETS
OF  THE SERIES. PMF is organized in New  York as a limited liability company. It
is the successor to Prudential
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
Mutual Fund Management, Inc., which transferred  its assets to PMF in  September
1996.  For  the  fiscal  year ended  August  31,  1996, the  Series  paid  PMF a
management fee of .45 of 1% of the Series' average net assets. See "Fee Waivers"
below and "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  As of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end  investment
companies,  constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager or
administrator to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets  of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER  THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH THE  FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS OF EACH SERIES OF THE  FUND AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S  BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER  A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT
CORPORATION (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY  SERVICES
IN  CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND  AND IS REIMBURSED BY PMF FOR ITS
REASONABLE COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED  IN PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under  the
Management  Agreement, PMF continues  to have responsibility  for all investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
   
  The current  portfolio  manager of  the  Series  is Christian  Smith,  a  Vice
President  of  Prudential  Investments.  Mr. Smith  has  responsibility  for the
day-to-day management  of the  portfolio. Mr.  Smith has  managed the  portfolio
since 1991 and has been employed by PIC in various capacities since 1988.
    
 
   
  PMF  and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential),  a major diversified  insurance and financial  services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
  Effective  January 1, 1995, PMF agreed to waive 10% of its management fee. The
Series is  not  required  to  reimburse PMF  for  such  management  fee  waiver.
Thereafter,  PMF may from  time to time agree  to waive all or  a portion of its
management fee  and subsidize  certain  operating expenses  of the  Series.  Fee
waivers  and expense subsidies will increase the Series' yield and total return.
See "Fund Expenses."
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10292, IS A CORPORATION  ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS  OF
THE  STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND
CLASS C SHARES  OF THE  SERIES. It is  an indirect,  wholly-owned subsidiary  of
Prudential.  Prior to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc.
(PMFD), One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as distributor of the
Class A shares of the Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER SEPARATE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS  (THE CLASS A PLAN, THE CLASS  B
PLAN  AND THE CLASS C  PLAN, COLLECTIVELY, THE PLANS)  ADOPTED BY THE FUND UNDER
RULE 12b-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT  (THE
DISTRIBUTION  AGREEMENT),  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES (THE  DISTRIBUTOR)  INCURS THE
EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTING THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE  SERIES.
These  expenses include  commissions and account  servicing fees paid  to, or on
account of, financial advisers of  Prudential Securities and representatives  of
Pruco  Securities Corporation (Prusec), an affiliated broker-dealer, commissions
and account servicing fees  paid to, or on  account of, other broker-dealers  or
financial  institutions  (other than  national  banks) which  have  entered into
agreements with the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing  and
mailing  prospectuses to potential investors and  indirect and overhead costs of
Prudential Securities  and Prusec  associated with  the sale  of Series  shares,
including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses. The State
of  Texas requires that shares of  the Series may be sold  in that state only by
dealers  or  other  financial  institutions   which  are  registered  there   as
broker-dealers.
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
  Under  the Plans, the  Series is obligated to  pay distribution and/or service
fees to  the  Distributor  as  compensation for  its  distribution  and  service
activities,  not  as  reimbursement  for  specific  expenses  incurred.  If  the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Series will
not be obligated to pay any  additional expenses. If the Distributor's  expenses
are  less than such distribution and service  fees, it will retain its full fees
and realize a profit.
 
   
  UNDER THE  CLASS A  PLAN, THE  SERIES MAY  PAY PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES FOR  ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF  UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES OF THE
SERIES. The Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average  daily
net  assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service and/or
the  maintenance  of   shareholder  accounts  (service   fee)  and  (ii)   total
distribution fees (including the service fee of .25 of 1%) may not exceed .30 of
1%  of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. Prudential Securities
has agreed to limit its distribution-related fees payable under the Class A Plan
to .10 of  1% of the  average daily  net assets of  the Class A  shares for  the
fiscal year ending August 31, 1997.
    
 
   
  UNDER  THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE SERIES MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
FOR ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  ACTIVITIES WITH  RESPECT TO  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF UP  TO .50 OF 1% AND UP  TO 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY
NET ASSETS OF THE  CLASS B AND  CLASS C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.  The Class B  Plan
provides  for the payment  to Prudential Securities of  (i) an asset-based sales
charge of up to .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares,
and (ii) a service fee of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the
Class B shares; provided that the total distribution-related fee does not exceed
 .50 of 1%. The Class C Plan provides for the payment to Prudential Securities of
(i) an asset-based  sales charge of  up to .75  of 1% of  the average daily  net
assets  of the Class C shares, and (ii) a service  fee of up to .25 of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class C  shares. The service fee is used to  pay
for  personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Prudential
Securities has agreed to limit  its distribution-related fees payable under  the
Class  C Plan to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares
for the fiscal year ending August 31, 1997. Prudential Securities also  receives
contingent  deferred  sales  charges from  certain  redeeming  shareholders. See
"Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
    
 
   
  For the  fiscal year  ended  August 31,  1996,  the Series  paid  distribution
expenses  of .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and  .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets
of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. The Series records all
payments made under the Plans as  expenses in the calculation of net  investment
income. See "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  Distribution expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B and Class C
shares  of the Series  will be allocated to  each class based  upon the ratio of
sales of each class to the sales of all shares of the Series other than expenses
allocable to a particular  class. The distribution fee  and sales charge of  one
class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.
    
 
  Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that  a  majority of  the  Trustees of  the Fund,  including  a majority  of the
Trustees who  are  not "interested  persons"  of the  Fund  (as defined  in  the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the  operation of the Plan or any agreement  related to the Plan (the Rule 12b-1
Trustees), vote annually to continue the Plan. Each Plan may be terminated  with
respect  to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule 12b-1
Trustees or of a majority of the  outstanding shares of the applicable class  of
the  Series. The Series  will not be  obligated to pay  distribution and service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
  In addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under  the
Class  A, Class B and Class C Plans,  the Manager (or one of its affiliates) may
make payments  out  of  its  own  resources  to  dealers  (including  Prudential
Securities) and other persons who distribute shares of the Series. Such payments
may  be calculated by  reference to the net  asset value of  shares sold by such
persons or otherwise.
    
 
  The Distributor  is  subject to  the  rules  of the  National  Association  of
Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges. See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
  On October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the  SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD  to
resolve  allegations  that  from  1980 through  1990  PSI  sold  certain limited
partnership interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom  such
securities  were not suitable  and misrepresented the  safety, potential returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted against it, PSI consented to  the entry of an SEC Administrative  Order
which  stated that PSI's conduct violated  the federal securities laws, directed
PSI to cease and  desist from violating the  federal securities laws, pay  civil
penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000  civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount of
$330,000,000 and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for  compensatory
damages  by purchasers of  the partnership interests. PSI  has agreed to provide
additional funds, if necessary,  for the purpose of  the settlement fund.  PSI's
settlement  with the state securities regulators  included an agreement to pay a
penalty of $500,000  per jurisdiction.  PSI consented to  a censure  and to  the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In  October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United States
Magistrate for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI  committed
fraud  in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests in
violation of federal securities laws.  An agreement was simultaneously filed  to
defer  prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the signing
of the agreement, provided  that PSI complies with  the terms of the  agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the  agreement, no prosecution will  be instituted by the  United States for the
offenses charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course  of
the  three  year period,  PSI  violates the  terms  of the  agreement,  the U.S.
Attorney can  then  elect  to pursue  these  charges.  Under the  terms  of  the
agreement,  PSI agreed,  among other things,  to pay  an additional $330,000,000
into the  fund  established by  the  SEC to  pay  restitution to  investors  who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For   more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,  see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The Fund  is not  affected by  PSI's financial  condition and  is an  entirely
separate  legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein and
the Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company,  an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prudential  Securities may act as a  broker or futures commission merchant for
the Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it  receives
are  fair  and reasonable.  See "Portfolio  Transactions  and Brokerage"  in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State Street  Bank  and  Trust  Company, One  Heritage  Drive,  North  Quincy,
Massachusetts  02171, serves  as Custodian for  the portfolio  securities of the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential  Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS),  Raritan Plaza One, Edison, New
Jersey 08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and,  in
those  capacities, maintains certain books  and records for the  Fund. PMFS is a
wholly-owned subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005,  New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE  SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING ITS
LIABILITIES FROM  THE VALUE  OF ITS  ASSETS AND  DIVIDING THE  REMAINDER BY  THE
NUMBER  OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS  CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS. THE
TRUSTEES HAVE FIXED  THE SPECIFIC TIME  OF DAY  FOR THE COMPUTATION  OF THE  NET
ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:15 P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
 
  Portfolio  securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not readily
available,  at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under   procedures
established  by  the Trustees.  Securities may  also be  valued based  on values
provided by  a  pricing service.  See  "Net Asset  Value"  in the  Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
  The  Series will compute  its NAV once daily  on days that  the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes  in
the  value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor  Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
   
  Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical,
the  different expenses borne by each  class will result in different dividends.
As long as the Series declares dividends daily, the NAV of the Class A, Class  B
and Class C shares will generally be the same. It is expected, however, that the
Series'  dividends will differ  by approximately the  amount of any distribution
and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  FROM TIME TO TIME THE FUND  MAY ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT  YIELD"
AND  "TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING  "AVERAGE ANNUAL"  TOTAL RETURN  AND "AGGREGATE"
TOTAL RETURN) OF THE SERIES IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. "YIELD," "TAX
EQUIVALENT YIELD"  AND "TOTAL  RETURN" ARE  CALCULATED SEPARATELY  FOR CLASS  A,
CLASS  B AND CLASS C SHARES. THESE  FIGURES ARE BASED ON HISTORICAL EARNINGS AND
ARE NOT  INTENDED TO  INDICATE FUTURE  PERFORMANCE. The  "yield" refers  to  the
income  generated by  an investment  in the  Series over  a one-month  or 30-day
period. This  income  is  then  "annualized;" that  is,  the  amount  of  income
generated by the investment during that 30-day period is assumed to be generated
each  30-day  period for  twelve periods  and is  shown as  a percentage  of the
investment. The income earned on the investment is also assumed to be reinvested
at the end of the sixth 30-day period. The "tax equivalent yield" is  calculated
similarly  to the  "yield," except  that the yield  is increased  using a stated
income tax  rate  to demonstrate  the  taxable  yield necessary  to  produce  an
after-tax  yield equivalent to the Series. The  "total return" shows how much an
investment in  the Series  would  have increased  (decreased) over  a  specified
period  of time (I.E., one, five or ten  years or since inception of the Series)
assuming that all distributions and dividends  by the Series were reinvested  on
the  reinvestment  dates during  the  period and  less  all recurring  fees. The
"aggregate" total return  reflects actual  performance over a  stated period  of
time.  "Average annual" total return  is a hypothetical rate  of return that, if
achieved annually,  would  have produced  the  same aggregate  total  return  if
performance  had been  constant over the  entire period.  "Average annual" total
return smooths  out  variations  in  performance  and  takes  into  account  any
applicable  initial  or  contingent  deferred  sales  charges.  Neither "average
annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return takes into account any federal
or state income taxes which  may be payable upon  redemption. The Fund also  may
include  comparative  performance information  in  advertising or  marketing the
shares of the Series. Such performance information may include data from  Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc.,
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
   
Morningstar   Publications,   Inc.,   other   industry   publications,  business
periodicals and market indices. See  "Performance Information" in the  Statement
of  Additional Information. Further performance  information is contained in the
Series' annual and semi-annual  reports to shareholders,  which may be  obtained
without  charge.  See  "Shareholder  Guide--Shareholder  Services--  Reports  to
Shareholders."
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE SERIES  HAS  ELECTED TO  QUALIFY  AND INTENDS  TO  REMAIN QUALIFIED  AS  A
REGULATED  INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY, THE
SERIES WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT  INCOME
AND  CAPITAL GAINS,  IF ANY,  THAT IT  DISTRIBUTES TO  ITS SHAREHOLDERS.  TO THE
EXTENT NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND  CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To  the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn taxable
investment  income.  Also,  to  the   extent  the  Series  engages  in   hedging
transactions  in  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon,  it  may  earn both
short-term and long-term capital gain or loss. Under the Internal Revenue  Code,
special  rules apply to  the treatment of certain  options and futures contracts
(Section 1256 contracts). At the end of each year, such investments held by  the
Series  will  be  required to  be  "marked  to market"  for  federal  income tax
purposes; that is, treated as having been sold at market value. Sixty percent of
any gain or loss recognized on  these "deemed sales" and on actual  dispositions
will  be treated as  long-term capital gain  or loss, and  the remainder will be
treated  as  short-term  capital  gain  or  loss.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of securities generally will
be  treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of certain
securities (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary  income
to  the  extent  of any  "market  discount."  Market discount  generally  is the
difference, if any, between the  price paid by the  Series for the security  and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original  issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The market
discount rule does not apply to any security that was acquired by the Series  at
its  original issue. See "Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In general, the  character of  tax-exempt interest distributed  by the  Series
will  flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that 50%
or more of the  value of its assets  at the end of  each quarter of its  taxable
year  is invested  in state,  municipal and  other obligations,  the interest on
which is excluded  from gross  income for  federal income  tax purposes.  During
normal  market conditions,  at least  80% of  the Series'  total assets  will be
invested in such  obligations. See "How  the Fund Invests--Investment  Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any dividends of net taxable investment income, together with distributions of
net  short-term gains (I.E., the excess of net short-term capital gains over net
long-term capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders,  will  be  taxable  as
ordinary  income to the  shareholder whether or not  reinvested. Any net capital
gains (I.E.,  the excess  of net  long-term capital  gains over  net  short-term
capital losses) distributed to shareholders will be taxable as long-term capital
gains  to  the shareholders,  whether or  not reinvested  and regardless  of the
length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares. The maximum  long-term
capital  gains rate for individuals is  28%. The maximum long-term capital gains
rate for corporate shareholders  is currently the same  as the maximum tax  rate
for ordinary income.
 
  Any  gain or  loss realized upon  a sale or  redemption of Series  shares by a
shareholder who  is not  a dealer  in securities  will be  treated as  long-term
capital  gain  or loss  if the  shares have  been  held more  than one  year and
otherwise as short-term capital gain
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
or loss. Any such loss  with respect to shares that  are held for six months  or
less,  however, will be treated  as long-term capital loss  to the extent of any
capital gain  distributions  received  by  the  shareholder.  In  addition,  any
short-term  capital  loss will  be disallowed  to the  extent of  any tax-exempt
dividends received by the shareholder on shares that are held for six months  or
less.
    
 
   
  The  Fund has obtained opinions of counsel  to the effect that neither (i) the
conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares nor (ii) the exchange of  Class
B  or Class C shares for Class A  shares constitutes a taxable event for federal
income tax purposes.  However, such  opinions are  not binding  on the  Internal
Revenue Service.
    
 
  CERTAIN  INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE  MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS A
RESULT OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN  THE FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from  certain
municipal  obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after August
7, 1986)  will be  treated as  an item  of tax  preference for  purposes of  the
alternative  minimum tax.  The Fund  anticipates that,  under regulations  to be
promulgated, items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be  attributed
to  the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could be
allocated to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's  individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could  result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum tax.
Similarly, the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for  items
of  tax  preference attributed  to  it. The  Series  is permitted  to  invest in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
  Corporate shareholders in the Series also  will have to take into account  the
adjustment  for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes. Corporate
shareholders should  consult  with  their  tax advisers  with  respect  to  this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under Ohio law, dividends paid by the Series are exempt from the Ohio personal
income  tax and municipal and school district income taxes in Ohio to the extent
such  dividends  are  properly  attributable   to  interest  payments  on   Ohio
Obligations,  provided  that  the Series  continues  to qualify  as  a regulated
investment company for  federal income  tax purposes and  that at  all times  at
least 50% of the value of the total assets of the Series consists of obligations
issued  by or on behalf of the State of Ohio, political subdivisions thereof and
agencies and instrumentalities of  the State or  its political subdivisions,  or
similar  obligations of other states or  their subdivisions. Subject to the same
regulated investment  company  and 50%  requirements,  such dividends  are  also
excluded  from the net income base of  the Ohio corporation franchise tax to the
extent such dividends are either excluded  from gross income for federal  income
tax  purposes  or  are  properly  attributable  to  interest  payments  on  Ohio
Obligations.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and  remit
to  the  U.S. Treasury  31%  of redemption  proceeds  on the  accounts  of those
shareholders who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS  Form
W-9  (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with the
required certifications  regarding the  shareholder's status  under the  federal
income  tax  law. Such  withholding also  is required  on taxable  dividends and
capital gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably  expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders  are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions as  to federal,  state and  local taxes.  See "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  THE  SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME,  IF ANY,  AND MAKE  DISTRIBUTIONS AT  LEAST ANNUALLY  OF  ANY
CAPITAL  GAINS IN EXCESS  OF CAPITAL LOSSES.  Dividends paid by  the Series with
respect to each class of shares, to  the extent any dividends are paid, will  be
calculated  in the same manner, at the same time, on the same day and will be in
the same  amount except  that each  such class  will bear  its own  distribution
charges,  generally resulting  in lower  dividends for the  Class B  and Class C
shares. Distributions of net  capital gains, if  any, will be  paid in the  same
amount for each class of shares. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE SERIES
BASED ON THE  NAV OF EACH  CLASS OF THE  SERIES ON THE  PAYMENT DATE AND  RECORD
DATE,  RESPECTIVELY, OR  SUCH OTHER DATE  AS THE TRUSTEES  MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
THE SHAREHOLDER ELECTS IN WRITING NOT LESS THAN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO  THE
RECORD  DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such election
should be submitted to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account
Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick,  New Jersey 08906-5015. If you  hold
shares  through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial adviser
to elect to receive  dividends and distributions in  cash. The Fund will  notify
each  shareholder after the close of the  Fund's taxable year of both the dollar
amount and the taxable  status of that year's  dividends and distributions on  a
per share basis.
 
  Any  taxable dividends or distributions of  capital gains paid shortly after a
purchase by an investor will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value of the  investor's shares  by the  per share  amount of  the dividends  or
distributions.  Such dividends or distributions, although  in effect a return of
invested principal, are subject to  federal income taxes. Accordingly, prior  to
purchasing  shares  of the  Series, an  investor  should carefully  consider the
impact of taxable dividends and  capital gains distributions which are  expected
to be or have been announced.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A  DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust  permits the Trustees to  issue an unlimited number  of
full  and  fractional shares  in separate  series,  currently designated  as the
Connecticut Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series,  Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series, New  Jersey Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York  Income
Series  (not presently  being offered), New  York Series, New  York Money Market
Series, North Carolina Series, Ohio  Series and Pennsylvania Series. The  Series
is  authorized  to  issue an  unlimited  number  of shares,  divided  into three
classes, designated  Class  A,  Class  B  and Class  C.  Each  class  of  shares
represents  an interest in the same assets of the Series and is identical in all
respects except that (i)  each class is subject  to different sales charges  and
distribution  and/or service fees, which may affect performance, (ii) each class
has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates
solely to its arrangement and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted
to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of
any other class, (iii)  each class has a  different exchange privilege and  (iv)
only   Class  B  shares  have  a  conversion  feature.  See  "How  the  Fund  is
Managed--Distributor." In accordance with the  Fund's Declaration of Trust,  the
Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series and classes within such
series,  with such preferences, privileges,  limitations and voting and dividend
rights as the Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable,  fully
transferable  and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are also
redeemable at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as  described
under  "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class of
the Series is  equal as  to earnings, assets  and voting  privileges, except  as
noted  above, and each class  bears the expenses related  to the distribution of
its shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to the Class B  shares,
there  are no conversion, preemptive or  other subscription rights. In the event
of liquidation, each share of beneficial interest in each series is entitled  to
its  portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the Fund
have been  paid.  Since  Class  B  and Class  C  shares  generally  bear  higher
distribution   expenses  than  Class  A  shares,  the  liquidation  proceeds  to
shareholders  of  those  classes  are  likely  to  be  lower  than  to  Class  A
shareholders.  The Fund's  shares do not  have cumulative voting  rights for the
election of Trustees.
 
  THE FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS
OTHERWISE  REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS OF
SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO  BE
ACTED  UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS HAVE
CERTAIN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF THE FUND'S OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR THE PURPOSE OF
VOTING ON THE REMOVAL OF ONE OR MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
  The Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make  the
Fund  similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation. The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts   business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.  Under
Massachusetts  law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under   certain
circumstances,  be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
Fund, which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of  the
Fund  provides that shareholders shall not  be subject to any personal liability
for the  acts or  obligations of  the Fund  and that  every written  obligation,
contract,  instrument or undertaking made by  the Fund shall contain a provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which  has
been  incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under  the
Securities  Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at
a reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at  the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
   
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY  FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH ITS  TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUND
SERVICES, INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT  SERVICES,
P.O.  BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY 08906-5020. The purchase price is the
NAV next  determined following  receipt of  an order  by the  Transfer Agent  or
Prudential  Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, may be imposed
either (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred  basis
(Class  B or Class  C shares). See  "Alternative Purchase Plan"  below. See also
"How the Fund Values its Shares."
    
 
  An investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt  or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
 
   
  The  minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000 per
class and $5,000 for Class C  shares. The minimum subsequent investment is  $100
for  all classes.  All minimum  investment requirements  are waived  for certain
employee savings  plans.  For  purchases  made  through  the  Automatic  Savings
Accumulation  Plan, the  minimum initial and  subsequent investment  is $50. See
"Shareholder Services" below.
    
 
  Application forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or  Prusec.
If  a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
 
  The Fund  reserves  the right  to  reject  any purchase  order  (including  an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your  dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund. The
Distributor reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which  payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions  in shares of the  Series may be subject  to postage and handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an  account
number.  The following  information will be  requested: your  name, address, tax
identification number, class  election, dividend  distribution election,  amount
being  wired and wiring bank.  Instructions should then be  given by you to your
bank to transfer funds  by wire to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company  (State
Street),  Boston,  Massachusetts,  Custody  and  Shareholder  Services Division,
Attention: Prudential Municipal Series Fund, specifying on the wire the  account
number  assigned  by  PMFS  and  your  name  and  identifying  the  sales charge
alternative (Class A, Class B or Class C shares) and the name of the Series.
 
  If you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to  the
calculation  of  NAV (4:15  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you may
purchase shares of  the Series  as of  that day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  In  making a subsequent purchase  order by wire, you  should wire State Street
directly and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal  Series
Fund,  the name of the Series, Class A, Class  B or Class C shares and your name
and individual  account  number.  It is  not  necessary  to call  PMFS  to  make
subsequent purchase orders utilizing Federal Funds. The minimum amount which may
be invested by wire is $1,000.
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
  THE  SERIES OFFERS THROUGH  THIS PROSPECTUS THREE CLASSES  OF SHARES (CLASS A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST BENEFICIAL SALES
CHARGE STRUCTURE  FOR YOUR  INDIVIDUAL  CIRCUMSTANCES GIVEN  THE AMOUNT  OF  THE
PURCHASE,  THE LENGTH OF TIME  YOU EXPECT TO HOLD  THE SHARES AND OTHER RELEVANT
CIRCUMSTANCES (ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       ANNUAL 12b-1 FEES
                                                   (AS A % OF AVERAGE DAILY
                       SALES CHARGE                       NET ASSETS)                    OTHER INFORMATION
         ----------------------------------------  -------------------------  ----------------------------------------
<S>      <C>                                       <C>                        <C>
CLASS A  Maximum initial sales charge of 3% of     .30 of 1% (currently       Initial sales charge waived or reduced
         the public offering price                 being charged at a rate    for certain purchases
                                                   of .10 of 1%)
CLASS B  Maximum contingent deferred sales charge  .50 of 1%                  Shares convert to Class A shares
         or CDSC of 5% of the lesser of the                                   approximately seven years after purchase
         amount invested or the redemption
         proceeds; declines to zero after six
         years
CLASS C  Maximum CDSC of 1% of the lesser of the   1% (currently being        Shares do not convert to another class
         amount invested or the redemption         charged at a rate of
         proceeds on redemptions made within one   .75 of 1%)
         year of purchase
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  The three classes  of shares represent  an interest in  the same portfolio  of
investments  of the Series and have the  same rights, except that (i) each class
bears the separate  expenses of its  Rule 12b-1 distribution  and service  plan,
(ii)  each  class  has  exclusive  voting  rights  on  any  matter  submitted to
shareholders that  relates solely  to its  arrangement and  has separate  voting
rights  on any matter  submitted to shareholders  in which the  interests of one
class differ from  the interests  of any  other class,  and (iii)  only Class  B
shares  have a conversion feature. The three classes also have separate exchange
privileges. See "How to Exchange Your Shares" below. The income attributable  to
each class and the dividends payable on the shares of each class will be reduced
by  the amount of the distribution fee of each class. Class B and Class C shares
bear the expenses of a higher  distribution fee which will generally cause  them
to  have  higher expense  ratios and  to pay  lower dividends  than the  Class A
shares.
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
  Financial advisers and other sales agents  who sell shares of the Series  will
receive  different compensation for selling Class A,  Class B and Class C shares
and will generally receive more compensation  initially for selling Class A  and
Class B shares than for selling Class C shares.
 
  IN  SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
(1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the amount of any
applicable sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase or  redemption)
and  distribution-related fees, as noted above,  (3) whether you qualify for any
reduction or waiver  of any applicable  sales charge, (4)  the various  exchange
privileges  among the  different classes  of shares  (see "How  to Exchange Your
Shares" below) and  (5) the fact  that Class B  shares automatically convert  to
Class  A  shares  approximately  seven  years  after  purchase  (see "Conversion
Feature--Class B Shares" below).
 
  The following  is  provided to  assist  you  in determining  which  method  of
purchase  best suits your individual circumstances  and is based on current fees
and expenses being charged to the Series:
 
  If you intend to hold your investment in the Series for less than 5 years  and
do  not qualify  for a  reduced sales charge  on Class  A shares,  since Class A
shares are subject to a  maximum initial sales charge of  3% and Class B  shares
are  subject to a CDSC  of 5% which declines  to zero over a  6 year period, you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.
 
  If you intend to hold your investment for  5 years or more and do not  qualify
for  a reduced sales charge  on Class A shares, since  Class B shares convert to
Class A shares  approximately 7  years after purchase  and because  all of  your
money  would be  invested initially in  the case  of Class B  shares, you should
consider purchasing Class B shares over either Class A or Class C shares.
 
  If you qualify for a  reduced sales charge on Class  A shares, it may be  more
advantageous  for you to purchase Class A shares  over either Class B or Class C
shares regardless  of how  long you  intend to  hold your  investment.  However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested
initially  because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time of
purchase.
 
   
  If you do not  qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class  A shares and  you
purchase  Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than 4
years for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those  shares
to  exceed the initial sales  charge plus cumulative annual distribution-related
fee on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of  money,
which  further reduces the impact of the higher Class C distribution-related fee
on the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of the return  on
the  investment  over  this period  of  time  or redemptions  when  the  CDSC is
applicable.
    
 
  ALL PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT  OR
UNDER  RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR LETTERS OF  INTENT, MUST BE FOR CLASS A SHARES.
See "Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" below.
 
  CLASS A SHARES
 
  The offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial  sales
charge  alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge (expressed as
a percentage of the offering price and  of the amount invested) as shown in  the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               SALES CHARGE AS    SALES CHARGE AS    DEALER CONCESSION
                                PERCENTAGE OF      PERCENTAGE OF     AS PERCENTAGE OF
     AMOUNT OF PURCHASE        OFFERING PRICE     AMOUNT INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE
- ----------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  -------------------
<S>                           <C>                <C>                <C>
Less than $99,999                     3.00%              3.09%               3.00%
$100,000 to $249,999                  2.50               2.56                2.50
$250,000 to $499,999                  1.50               1.52                1.50
$500,000 to $999,999                  1.00               1.01                1.00
$1,000,000 and above                None               None                None
</TABLE>
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
  The  Distributor  may  reallow the  entire  initial sales  charge  to dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
   
  In connection with the sale  of Class A shares at  NAV (without payment of  an
initial  sales charge), the Manager, the  Distributor or one of their affiliates
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a
finders' fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such
persons.
    
 
  REDUCTION AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL  SALES CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges  are
available  through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of the
Fund and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market  funds
other  than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be aggregated
to determine  the applicable  reduction. See  "Purchase and  Redemption of  Fund
Shares--Reduction  and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges--Class  A Shares" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
   
    OTHER WAIVERS.  Class A shares  may be purchased at NAV, through  Prudential
Securities  or the  Transfer Agent, by  the following persons:  (a) officers and
current and former Directors/Trustees of the Prudential Mutual Funds  (including
the Fund), (b) employees of Prudential Securities and PMF and their subsidiaries
and  members of the families of such  persons who maintain an "employee related"
account at  Prudential  Securities or  the  Transfer Agent,  (c)  employees  and
special  agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all persons  who have
retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries,
(d) registered representatives and employees of dealers who have entered into  a
selected  dealer agreement with Prudential Securities provided that purchases at
NAV are  permitted  by such  person's  employer and  (e)  investors who  have  a
business  relationship with a financial adviser who joined Prudential Securities
from another investment firm, provided that (i) the purchase is made within  180
days  of the  commencement of the  financial adviser's  employment at Prudential
Securities or within one year in the case of benefit plans, (ii) the purchase is
made with proceeds of a redemption of  shares of any open-end fund sponsored  by
the  financial adviser's  previous employer (other  than a money  market fund or
other no-load fund which imposes a distribution  or service fee of .25 of 1%  or
less)  and (iii)  the financial  adviser served  as the  client's broker  on the
previous purchases.
    
 
   
  You must  notify the  Transfer  Agent either  directly or  through  Prudential
Securities  or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your entitlement.  No initial  sales charges  are imposed  upon Class  A  shares
acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and
Redemption  of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges--Class
A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
 
   
  The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of
the deferred  sales charge  alternatives is  the NAV  next determined  following
receipt  of an  order by the  Transfer Agent or  Prudential Securities. Although
there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B
and  Class  C  shares  may  be  subject  to  a  CDSC.  See  "How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below. The Distributor will pay sales
commissions  of up  to 4% of  the purchase price  of Class B  shares to dealers,
financial advisers and other persons who sell Class B shares at the time of sale
from its own resources.  This facilitates the  ability of the  Fund to sell  the
Class  B shares without  an initial sales  charge being deducted  at the time of
purchase. The Distributor  anticipates that  it will recoup  its advancement  of
sales commissions from the combination of the CDSC and the distribution fee. See
"Distributor."  In connection with  the sale of Class  C shares, the Distributor
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute Class  C
shares  a sales commission of up to 1% of  the purchase price at the time of the
sale.
    
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU CAN REDEEM YOUR  SHARES OF THE SERIES  ANY TIME FOR CASH  AT THE NAV  NEXT
DETERMINED  AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY THE
TRANSFER  AGENT  OR  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES.  SEE  "HOW  THE  FUND  VALUES   ITS
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
SHARES."  In certain cases, however, redemption  proceeds will be reduced by the
amount of any applicable contingent  deferred sales charge, as described  below.
See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
 
  IF  YOU  HOLD SHARES  OF THE  SERIES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER. IF YOU
HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED  BY
YOU  EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES,
THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S)  SHOWN ON THE FACE OF THE  CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED.  IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST OR
FIDUCIARY, WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY  ACCEPTABLE TO THE TRANSFER AGENT  MUST
BE  SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence and
documents concerning  redemptions should  be sent  to the  Fund in  care of  its
Transfer  Agent, Prudential  Mutual Fund  Services, Inc.,  Attention: Redemption
Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  If the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to  a
person  other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other than
the address  on the  Transfer  Agent's records,  or  (d) are  to  be paid  to  a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
"eligible  guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution" includes
any bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the  right
to  request additional information  from, and make  reasonable inquiries of, any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be obtained from the agency or  office manager of most Prudential Insurance  and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS  AFTER  RECEIPT BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OF  THE CERTIFICATE  AND/OR WRITTEN
REQUEST EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED  BELOW.  IF YOU  HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays,  (b)
when  trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as a
result of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is  not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to  determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period when
the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or  (d)
exist.
 
  PAYMENT  FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL THE
FUND OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS  BEEN
HONORED,  UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE  TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
 
  REDEMPTION IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental  to
the  best interests of  the remaining shareholders  of the Fund  to make payment
wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or  in
part  by a distribution in  kind of securities from  the investment portfolio of
the Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules  of
the  SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares" If  your
shares  are redeemed in kind, you will incur transaction costs in converting the
assets into cash. The Fund,  however, has elected to  be governed by Rule  18f-1
under  the Investment Company Act,  under which the Fund  is obligated to redeem
shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset  value
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  INVOLUNTARY  REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the Trustees
may redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder  which
is  an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net asset
value of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give  such
shareholders  60  days' prior  written notice  in  which to  purchase sufficient
additional shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent deferred sales  charge
will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
   
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised  the repurchase privilege, you may reinvest  any portion or all of the
proceeds of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next  determined
after  the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of the
redemption. Any CDSC paid  in connection with such  redemption will be  credited
(in shares) to your account. (If less than a full repurchase is made, the credit
will  be on a PRO RATA basis.) You must notify the Fund's Transfer Agent, either
directly or through Prudential Securities, at the time the repurchase  privilege
is  exercised  to  adjust  your  account  for  the  CDSC  you  previously  paid.
Thereafter, any redemptions will be subject  to the CDSC applicable at the  time
of  the redemption. See  "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charges" below. Exercise of
the repurchase privilege will generally not affect the federal tax treatment  of
any  gain realized upon redemption. However, if the redemption was made within a
30 day period of the repurchase and  if the redemption resulted in a loss,  some
or  all of the loss, depending on the  amount reinvested, may not be allowed for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
 
  Redemptions of Class B shares will  be subject to a contingent deferred  sales
charge  or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C shares
redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC will
be deducted from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid to you.  The
CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by you which reduces the current value of
your  Class B or Class C  shares to an amount which  is lower than the amount of
all payments by you for  shares during the preceding six  years, in the case  of
Class  B shares, and  one year, in  the case of  Class C shares.  A CDSC will be
applied on the lesser of the original purchase price or the current value of the
shares being redeemed. Increases in the value of your shares or shares  acquired
through  reinvestment of dividends  or distributions are not  subject to a CDSC.
The amount of any contingent deferred sales charge will be paid to and  retained
by  the Distributor. See "How the Fund  is Managed-- Distributor" and "Waiver of
the Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class B Shares" below.
 
  The amount of the  CDSC, if any,  will vary depending on  the number of  years
from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption
of  such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the
time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will
be aggregated and deemed  to have been made  on the last day  of the month.  The
CDSC  will  be calculated  from the  first day  of the  month after  the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares were held  in a money market fund. See  "How
to Exchange Your Shares."
 
  The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemptions
of Class B shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                CONTINGENT DEFERRED
                                                                       SALES
                                                              CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                                           OF DOLLARS INVESTED OR
PAYMENT MADE                                                    REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
- ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
First.......................................................              5.0%
Second......................................................              4.0%
Third.......................................................              3.0%
Fourth......................................................              2.0%
Fifth.......................................................              1.0%
Sixth.......................................................              1.0%
Seventh.....................................................                None
</TABLE>
 
  In  determining whether a CDSC is  applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a  manner that results in the  lowest possible rate. It will  be
assumed  that  the  redemption  is made  first  of  amounts  representing shares
acquired pursuant to the  reinvestment of dividends  and distributions; then  of
amounts  representing the increase in net asset  value above the total amount of
payments for the purchase of Series  shares made during the preceding six  years
(five  years for Class  B shares purchased  prior to January  22, 1990); then of
amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period;
and  finally, of amounts  representing the cost  of shares held  for the longest
period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
  For example, assume you purchased  100 Class B shares at  $10 per share for  a
cost  of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired  5 additional Class B shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase you decided  to
redeem  $500 of your investment. Assuming at  the time of the redemption the net
asset value had appreciated to $12 per  share, the value of your Class B  shares
would  be $1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to
the value of  the reinvested  dividend shares  and the  amount which  represents
appreciation ($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus
$260)  would be charged at a rate of  4% (the applicable rate in the second year
after purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
 
  For federal income tax purposes, the amount  of the CDSC will reduce the  gain
or  increase the  loss, as  the case  may be,  on the  amount recognized  on the
redemption of shares.
 
  WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be waived in the  case of a  redemption following the death  or disability of  a
shareholder  or,  in  the  case  of a  trust  account,  following  the  death or
disability of  the  grantor.  The  waiver is  available  for  total  or  partial
redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint tenancy
(with  rights of survivorship), at the time of death or initial determination of
disability,  provided  that  the  shares  were  purchased  prior  to  death   or
disability.  In addition, the CDSC will be  waived on redemptions of shares held
by a Trustee of the Fund.
 
  You  must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you are
entitled to  waiver  of  the CDSC  and  provide  the Transfer  Agent  with  such
supporting  documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be granted
subject to confirmation  of your  entitlement. See "Purchase  and Redemption  of
Fund  Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  A quantity discount may apply to redemptions of Class B shares purchased prior
to August  1,  1994.  See  "Purchase and  Redemption  of  Fund  Shares--Quantity
Discount--Class  B Shares Purchased Prior to August 1, 1994" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
 
  Class B shares  will automatically convert  to Class A  shares on a  quarterly
basis  approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected at
relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales  charge.
The  first conversion  of Class  B shares  occurred in  February 1995,  when the
conversion feature was first implemented.
 
  Since the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought  on
each  purchase  of Class  B shares,  the number  of Class  B shares  eligible to
convert to  Class A  shares  (excluding shares  acquired through  the  automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will be
determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (i)
the  ratio of (a) the  amounts paid for Class B  shares purchased at least seven
years prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class  B
shares  purchased and  then held  in your account  (ii) multiplied  by the total
number of Class B shares purchased and then held in your account. Each time  any
Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts
representing  Class B shares then in your account that were acquired through the
automatic reinvestment  of dividends  and other  distributions will  convert  to
Class A shares.
 
  For  purposes of  determining the  number of Eligible  Shares, if  the Class B
shares in  your  account on  any  conversion date  are  the result  of  multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible Shares
calculated  as described above  will generally be  either more or  less than the
number of  shares  actually  purchased approximately  seven  years  before  such
conversion  date. For example, if 100 shares were initially purchased to $10 per
share (for  a  total  of  $1,000)  and a  second  purchase  of  100  shares  was
subsequently  made at $11 per share (for  a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares would
convert approximately  seven  years  from the  initial  purchase  (I.E.,  $1,000
divided  by $2,100 (47.62%)  multiplied by 200 shares  equals 95.24 shares). The
Manager reserves the right to modify  the formula for determining the number  of
Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
  Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class
B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be higher than
that  of  the Class  B  shares at  the time  of  conversion. Thus,  although the
aggregate dollar value will be  the same, you may  receive fewer Class A  shares
than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all
payments  for Class B shares during a month  will be deemed to have been made on
the last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through exchange, or a
series of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original  payment
for  purchases of such  Class B shares  was made. For  Class B shares previously
exchanged for shares of a money market  fund, the time period during which  such
shares were held in the money market fund will be excluded. For example, Class B
shares  held in a  money market fund  for one year  will not convert  to Class A
shares until approximately eight years from purchase. For purposes of  measuring
the  time period during which shares are  held in a money market fund, exchanges
will be deemed to have been  made on the last day  of the month. Class B  shares
acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares after expiration of the
conversion period applicable to the original purchase of such shares.
 
  The  conversion  feature  may be  subject  to the  continuing  availability of
opinions of counsel  or rulings  of the Internal  Revenue Service  (i) that  the
dividends  and other distributions paid  on Class A, Class  B and Class C shares
will not constitute "preferential dividends" under the Internal Revenue Code and
(ii) that the  conversion of  shares does not  constitute a  taxable event.  The
conversion  of  Class B  shares into  Class A  shares may  be suspended  if such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class
B shares of the  Series will continue to  be subject, possibly indefinitely,  to
their higher annual distribution and service fee.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
  AS  A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH THE OTHER
SERIES OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE  EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE),  INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE
MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS  OF SUCH  FUNDS. CLASS A,  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  OF THE SERIES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR  CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES,
RESPECTIVELY, OF THE OTHER SERIES  OF THE FUND OR ANOTHER  FUND ON THE BASIS  OF
THE  RELATIVE NAV. No sales charge will be  imposed at the time of the exchange.
Any applicable CDSC  payable upon  the redemption  of shares  exchanged will  be
calculated from the first day of the month after the initial purchase, excluding
the time shares were held in a money market fund. Class B and Class C shares may
not  be exchanged  into money market  funds other than  Prudential Special Money
Market Fund. For purposes  of calculating the holding  period applicable to  the
Class  B conversion feature,  the time period  during which Class  B shares were
held in a money market fund  will be excluded. See "Conversion Feature--Class  B
Shares"  above. An exchange will be treated as a redemption and purchase for tax
purposes.  See  "Shareholder  Investment  Account--Exchange  Privilege"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  IN  ORDER  TO  EXCHANGE  SHARES BY  TELEPHONE,  YOU  MUST  AUTHORIZE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE  TRANSFER
AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call the Fund
at  (800) 225-1852 to  execute a telephone exchange  of shares, weekdays, except
holidays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time. For  your
protection  and to  prevent fraudulent  exchanges, your  telephone call  will be
recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A
written confirmation of the  exchange transaction will be  sent to you.  NEITHER
THE  FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE  FOR ANY LOSS,  LIABILITY OR COST WHICH
RESULTS FROM ACTING UPON  INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED  TO BE GENUINE  UNDER
THE  FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (THE FUND OR ITS AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO LIABILITY
IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be made on the
basis of the relative NAV of the two funds (or series) next determined after the
request is received in good order.  The Exchange Privilege is available only  in
states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
  IF  YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO  BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You  may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New  Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN  PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OF
SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL  BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  SPECIAL  EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE. A  special exchange  privilege is  available for
shareholders who qualify  to purchase Class  A shares at  NAV (see  "Alternative
Purchase  Plan--Class A Shares--Reduction  and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges"
above). Under  this exchange  privilege, amounts  representing any  Class B  and
Class  C shares (which are  not subject to a CDSC)  held in such a shareholder's
account will be automatically exchanged for Class A shares on a quarterly basis,
unless the shareholder elects otherwise. Eligibility for this exchange privilege
will be  calculated on  the business  day prior  to the  date of  the  exchange.
Amounts  representing Class B or Class C shares  which are not subject to a CDSC
include the  following: (1)  amounts  representing Class  B  or Class  C  shares
acquired pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends and distribtutions,
(2)  amounts representing the  increase in the  net asset value  above the total
amount of payments for the purchase of Class B or Class C shares and (3) amounts
representing Class B or Class C  shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period.
Class  B and Class C shareholders must notify the Transfer Agent either directly
or through  Prudential Securities  or Prusec  that they  are eligible  for  this
special exchange privilege.
    
 
   
  The  Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including exchanges
(and market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged  in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse  effect on the  ability of the  Subadviser to manage  the portfolio. The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination to reject  any exchange order  shall be in  the discretion of  the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The  Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, as a shareholder in the Series, you can
take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
  -  AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT  OF DIVIDENDS AND/OR  DISTRIBUTIONS WITHOUT A  SALES
CHARGE.  For your convenience, all dividends and distributions are automatically
reinvested in full and fractional  shares of the Series  at NAV without a  sales
charge.  You  may direct  the Transfer  Agent in  writing not  less than  5 full
business days  prior to  the record  date to  have subsequent  dividends  and/or
distributions  sent in cash  rather than reinvested. If  you hold shares through
Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial adviser.
 
  -  AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION PLAN (ASAP). Under ASAP you may make regular
purchases of the Series'  shares in amounts  as little as  $50 via an  automatic
debit  to a bank  account or Prudential Securities  account (including a Command
Account). For additional information  about this service,  you may contact  your
Prudential  Securities financial adviser, Prusec  representative or the Transfer
Agent directly.
 
  -  SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL  PLAN. A systematic withdrawal  plan is available  to
shareholders  which  provides for  monthly or  quarterly checks.  Withdrawals of
Class B and  Class C shares  may be  subject to a  CDSC. See "How  to Sell  Your
Shares-- Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" above.
 
  -   REPORTS  TO SHAREHOLDERS.  The Fund will  send you  annual and semi-annual
reports. The financial  statements appearing  in annual reports  are audited  by
independent  accountants.  In order  to  reduce duplicate  mailing  and printing
expenses, the Fund
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
   
will provide one annual and semi-annual shareholder report and annual prospectus
per household. You  may request  additional copies  of such  reports by  calling
(800)  225-1852 or by writing  to the Fund at  Gateway Center Three, Newark, New
Jersey 07102. In addition,  monthly unaudited financial  data is available  upon
request from the Fund.
    
 
   
  -  SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. Inquiries should be addressed to the Fund at Gateway
Center  Three,  Newark, New  Jersey 07102,  or by  telephone, at  (800) 225-1852
(toll-free) or, from outside the U.S.A., at (908) 417-7555 (collect).
    
 
  For additional  information regarding  the services  and privileges  described
above,  see  "Shareholder Investment  Account"  in the  Statement  of Additional
Information.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Prudential Mutual  Fund  Management  offers  a broad  range  of  mutual  funds
designed  to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the investment
options available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on  the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities  financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Funds at
(800) 225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before  you
invest or send money.
 
- --------------------------------------
TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
   
Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Short-Intermediate Term Series
Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Income Portfolio
The BlackRock Government Income Trust
    
- --------------------------------------
TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Series
  California Income Series
Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
  High Yield Series
  Insured Series
  Intermediate Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Florida Series
  Hawaii Income Series
  Maryland Series
  Massachusetts Series
  Michigan Series
  New Jersey Series
  New York Series
  North Carolina Series
  Ohio Series
  Pennsylvania Series
Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
- --------------------------------------
GLOBAL FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
   
Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
  Limited Maturity Portfolio
Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
Prudential World Fund, Inc.
  Global Series
  International Stock Series
The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
Global Utility Fund, Inc.
    
 
- --------------------------------------
EQUITY FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
   
Prudential Allocation Fund
  Balanced Portfolio
  Strategy Portfolio
Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
Prudential Dryden Fund
  Prudential Active Balanced Fund
  Prudential Stock Index Fund
Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
Prudential Equity Income Fund
Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
  Prudential Jennison Growth & Income Fund
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
  Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
    
- --------------------------------------
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- --------------------------------------
 
   
- -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Government Securities Trust
  Money Market Series
  U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
  Money Market Series
Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
    
 
   
- -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
Prudential California Municipal Fund
  California Money Market Series
Prudential Municipal Series Fund
  Connecticut Money Market Series
  Massachusetts Money Market Series
  New Jersey Money Market Series
  New York Money Market Series
    
 
- -COMMAND FUNDS
Command Money Fund
Command Government Fund
Command Tax-Free Fund
- -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
  Institutional Money Market Series
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made,  such  other information  or representations  must not  be relied  upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction  to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PAGE
                                                 ----
<S>                                              <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS................................    2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics.....    2
FUND EXPENSES..................................    4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS...........................    5
HOW THE FUND INVESTS...........................    8
  Investment Objective and Policies............    8
  Other Investments and Policies...............   12
  Investment Restrictions......................   13
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED........................   13
  Manager......................................   13
  Distributor..................................   14
  Portfolio Transactions.......................   16
  Custodian and Transfer and Dividend
   Disbursing Agent............................   16
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES.................   17
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE............   17
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.............   18
GENERAL INFORMATION............................   20
  Description of Shares........................   20
  Additional Information.......................   21
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE..............................   21
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund................   21
  Alternative Purchase Plan....................   22
  How to Sell Your Shares......................   24
  Conversion Feature--Class B Shares...........   27
  How to Exchange Your Shares..................   28
  Shareholder Services.........................   29
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY..............  A-1
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------
 
MF 123A                                       44404FM
                                   Class A: 74435M-83-8
                       CUSIP Nos.: Class B: 74435M-84-6
                                   Class C: 74435M-49-9
 
   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
PRUDENTIAL
MUNICIPAL
SERIES FUND
 
OHIO SERIES
- --------------------------------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
(PENNSYLVANIA SERIES)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Prudential   Municipal   Series   Fund   (the   "Fund")   (Pennsylvania  Series)
(the "Series") is one of fourteen  series of an open-end, management  investment
company,  or mutual fund. This Series is  diversified and is designed to provide
the maximum amount of  income that is exempt  from Pennsylvania personal  income
tax  and federal income tax consistent with  the preservation of capital and, in
conjunction therewith,  the  Series  may  invest in  debt  securities  with  the
potential  for  capital gain.  The  net assets  of  the Series  are  invested in
obligations within  the  four  highest ratings  of  Moody's  Investors  Service,
Standard  & Poor's  Ratings Group  or another  nationally recognized statistical
rating organization  or in  unrated obligations  which, in  the opinion  of  the
Fund's investment adviser, are of comparable quality. Subject to the limitations
described  herein,  the Series  may  utilize derivatives,  including  buying and
selling futures contracts  and options thereon  for the purpose  of hedging  its
portfolio  securities. There  can be  no assurance  that the  Series' investment
objective will be achieved. See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective  and
Policies." The Fund's address is Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102,
and its telephone number is (800) 225-1852.
    
 
   
This  Prospectus sets  forth concisely  the information  about the  Fund and the
Pennsylvania Series that  a prospective investor  should know before  investing.
Additional  information about  the Fund has  been filed with  the Securities and
Exchange Commission in a Statement  of Additional Information dated November  1,
1996,  which  information  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  (is  legally
considered a  part of  this Prospectus)  and is  available without  charge  upon
request to the Fund at the address or telephone number noted above.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                FUND HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The  following summary is intended  to highlight certain information contained
in this  Prospectus  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the  more  detailed
information appearing elsewhere herein.
 
  WHAT IS PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND?
 
    Prudential Municipal Series Fund is a mutual fund whose shares are offered
  in fourteen series, each of which operates as a separate fund. A mutual fund
  pools  the resources of  investors by selling  its shares to  the public and
  investing the proceeds of such sale in a portfolio of securities designed to
  achieve its  investment objective.  Technically, the  Fund is  an  open-end,
  management  investment  company.  Only the  Pennsylvania  Series  is offered
  through this Prospectus.
 
  WHAT IS THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
 
    The Series' investment  objective is  to maximize current  income that  is
  exempt  from Commonwealth  of Pennsylvania  personal income  tax and federal
  income tax consistent with the preservation of capital. It seeks to  achieve
  this  objective by investing  primarily in Pennsylvania  municipal and local
  government obligations and obligations of other qualifying issuers, such  as
  issuers  located  in Puerto  Rico, the  Virgin Islands  and Guam,  which pay
  income exempt, in the opinion of counsel, from Commonwealth of  Pennsylvania
  personal income tax and federal income tax (Pennsylvania Obligations). There
  can  be no assurance that the Series' investment objective will be achieved.
  See "How the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies" at page 8.
 
  RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
   
    In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Series will invest  at
  least 80% of the value of its total assets in Pennsylvania Obligations. This
  degree of investment concentration makes the Series particularly susceptible
  to factors adversely affecting issuers of Pennsylvania Obligations. See "How
  the Fund Invests--Investment Objective and Policies--Special Considerations"
  at  page 12. To hedge against changes in interest rates, the Series may also
  purchase put  options  and  engage in  transactions  involving  derivatives,
  including financial futures contracts and options thereon. See "How the Fund
  Invests--Investment  Objective and  Policies--Futures Contracts  and Options
  Thereon" at page 11.
    
 
  WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
 
   
    Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the Manager) is the  Manager
  of  the Fund and is compensated for its services at an annual rate of .50 of
  1% of the Series' average  daily net assets. As  of September 30, 1996,  PMF
  served  as manager or administrator to 60 investment companies, including 38
  mutual funds,  with  aggregate  assets of  approximately  $52  billion.  The
  Prudential   Investment  Corporation  (PIC   or  the  Subadviser)  furnishes
  investment advisory services in connection  with the management of the  Fund
  under   a   Subadvisory  Agreement   with  PMF.   See   "How  the   Fund  is
  Managed--Manager" at page 13.
    
 
  WHO DISTRIBUTES THE SERIES' SHARES?
 
   
    Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities or PSI), a major
  securities underwriter and  securities and commodities  broker, acts as  the
  Distributor of the Series' Class A, Class B and Class C shares and is paid a
  distribution  and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class A  shares  which is
  currently being charged at the annual rate of .10 of 1% of the average daily
  net assets of the Class A shares and is paid a distribution and service  fee
  with  respect to  Class B  shares at  the annual  rate of  .50 of  1% of the
  average daily  net assets  of  the Class  B shares  and  is paid  an  annual
  distribution  and  service  fee with  respect  to  Class C  shares  which is
  currently being charged at the  rate of .75 of 1%  of the average daily  net
  assets of the Class C shares.
    
    See "How the Fund is Managed--Distributor" at page 14.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT?
 
   
    The  minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000
  per class and $5,000 for Class  C shares. The minimum subsequent  investment
  is  $100  for Class  A, Class  B and  Class  C shares.  There is  no minimum
  investment requirement  for certain  employee savings  plans. For  purchases
  made  through the Automatic  Savings Accumulation Plan,  the minimum initial
  and subsequent investment is $50. See "Shareholder Guide--How to Buy  Shares
  of  the Fund"  at page 21  and "Shareholder  Guide--Shareholder Services" at
  page 29.
    
 
  HOW DO I PURCHASE SHARES?
 
   
    You may purchase shares of the Series through Prudential Securities, Pruco
  Securities Corporation  (Prusec)  or  directly from  the  Fund  through  its
  transfer  agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS or the Transfer
  Agent), at the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after receipt
  of your purchase order by the Transfer Agent or Prudential Securities plus a
  sales charge which may be imposed either (i) at the time of purchase  (Class
  A  shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis (Class B or Class C shares). See "How
  the Fund Values its  Shares" at page 17  and "Shareholder Guide--How to  Buy
  Shares of the Fund" at page 21.
    
 
  WHAT ARE MY PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES?
 
    The Series offers three classes of shares:
 
        -Class A Shares:    Sold with an initial sales charge of up to 3%
                            of the offering price.
 
        -Class B Shares:    Sold  without an initial sales charge but are
                            subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
                            or CDSC  (declining from  5% to  zero of  the
                            lower   of   the  amount   invested   or  the
                            redemption proceeds) which will be imposed on
                            certain redemptions made within six years  of
                            purchase. Although Class B shares are subject
                            to    higher   ongoing   distribution-related
                            expenses than Class A shares, Class B  shares
                            will  automatically convert to Class A shares
                            (which   are   subject   to   lower   ongoing
                            distribution-related  expenses) approximately
                            seven years after purchase.
 
        -Class C Shares:    Sold without an initial sales charge and, for
                            one year after purchase, are subject to a  1%
                            CDSC  on  redemptions. Like  Class  B shares,
                            Class C shares are subject to higher  ongoing
                            distribution-related  expenses  than  Class A
                            shares but do not convert to another class.
 
    See "Shareholder Guide--Alternative Purchase Plan" at page 22.
 
  HOW DO I SELL MY SHARES?
 
    You may redeem your shares  at any time at  the NAV next determined  after
  Prudential  Securities  or  the  Transfer Agent  receives  your  sell order.
  However, the proceeds of redemptions  of Class B and  Class C shares may  be
  subject to a CDSC. See "Shareholder Guide-- How to Sell Your Shares" at page
  24.
 
  HOW ARE DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID?
 
   
    The  Series  expects to  declare daily  and pay  monthly dividends  of net
  investment income, if any, and make  distributions of any net capital  gains
  at  least  annually.  Dividends  and  distributions  will  be  automatically
  reinvested in additional shares of the Series at NAV without a sales  charge
  unless  you request that they be paid  to you in cash. See "Taxes, Dividends
  and Distributions" at page 18.
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 FUND EXPENSES
                             (PENNSYLVANIA SERIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES+                   CLASS A SHARES     CLASS B SHARES        CLASS C SHARES
                                                    --------------  --------------------  --------------------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>                   <C>
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a
     percentage of offering price)................        3%                None                  None
    Maximum Deferred Sales Load (as a percentage
     of original purchase price or redemption
     proceeds, whichever is lower)................       None       5% during the  first  1%   on  redemptions
                                                                    year, decreasing  by  made within one year
                                                                    1% annually to 1% in  of purchase
                                                                    the  fifth and sixth
                                                                    years  and  0%   the
                                                                    seventh year*
    Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested
     Dividends....................................       None               None                  None
    Redemption Fees...............................       None               None                  None
    Exchange Fee..................................       None               None                  None
 
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES**
(as a percentage of average net assets)             CLASS A SHARES     CLASS B SHARES        CLASS C SHARES
                                                    --------------  --------------------  --------------------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>                   <C>
    Management Fees (Before Waiver)...............      .50%                .50%               .50%
    12b-1 Fees (After Reduction)..................      .10++               .50                .75++
    Other Expenses................................      .20%                .20%               .20%
                                                        ----                ---                ---
    Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver
     and After Reduction).........................      .80%               1.20%              1.45%
                                                        ----                ---                ---
                                                        ----                ---                ---
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE                                              1 YEAR    3 YEARS   5 YEARS   10 YEARS
                                                     -------   -------   -------   --------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2)
 redemption at the end of each time period:
    Class A........................................    $38       $55       $73       $126
    Class B........................................    $62       $68       $76       $129
    Class C........................................    $25       $46       $79       $174
You would pay the following expenses on the same
 investment, assuming no redemption:
    Class A........................................    $38       $55       $73       $126
    Class B........................................    $12       $38       $66       $129
    Class C........................................    $15       $46       $79       $174
</TABLE>
    
 
   
   The  above examples are based on restated data for the Series' fiscal year
   ended  August  31,  1996.  THE   EXAMPLES  SHOULD  NOT  BE  CONSIDERED   A
   REPRESENTATION  OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER
   OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
   The purpose of  this table  is to  assist investors  in understanding  the
   various  costs  and expenses  that an  investor in  the Series  will bear,
   whether directly  or indirectly.  For more  complete descriptions  of  the
   various  costs  and  expenses,  see  "How  the  Fund  is  Managed." "Other
   Expenses" includes operating expenses of the Series, such as Trustees' and
   professional fees, registration fees, reports to shareholders and transfer
   agency and custodian fees.
   ---------------------
    * Class  B  shares   will  automatically  convert   to  Class  A   shares
      approximately    seven   years   after   purchase.   See   "Shareholder
      Guide--Conversion Feature-- Class B Shares."
   
   ** Based on  expenses incurred  during the  fiscal year  ended August  31,
      1996,  without taking  into account the  management fee  waiver. At the
      current level of management fee waiver (.05 of 1%), Management Fees and
      Total Fund Operating Expenses would be .45% and .75%, respectively,  of
      the  average net assets of the Series'  Class A shares, .45% and 1.15%,
      respectively, of the average net assets  of the Series' Class B  shares
      and  .45% and  1.40%, respectively,  of the  average net  assets of the
      Series' Class  C shares.  See "How  the Fund  is  Managed--Manager--Fee
      Waivers."
    
    + Pursuant  to rules of  the National Association  of Securities Dealers,
      Inc., the aggregate initial sales  charges, deferred sales charges  and
      asset-based  sales charges on shares of the Series may not exceed 6.25%
      of total  gross  sales,  subject  to  certain  exclusions.  This  6.25%
      limitation  is imposed on each class of the Series rather than on a per
      shareholder basis. Therefore, long-term shareholders of the Series  may
      pay  more in total sales charges  than the economic equivalent of 6.25%
      of such shareholders' investment in such  shares. See "How the Fund  is
      Managed-- Distributor."
   
   ++ Although the Class A and Class C Distribution and Service Plans provide
      that  the Fund may pay a distribution fee of up to .30 of 1% and 1% per
      annum of  the average  daily net  assets of  the Class  A and  Class  C
      shares,   respectively,  the  Distributor  has   agreed  to  limit  its
      distribution fees with respect to the Class A and Class C shares of the
      Series to no more than .10 of 1% and .75 of 1% of the average daily net
      asset value of the Class A shares and Class C shares, respectively, for
      the fiscal year ending August  31, 1997. Total Fund Operating  Expenses
      (Before  Waiver)  of  the  Class  A and  Class  C  shares  without such
      limitations would be 1.00% and  1.70%, respectively. See "How the  Fund
      is Managed--Distributor."
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                periods)
                                (Class A Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    The  following financial  highlights, with  respect to  the five-year period
ended August 31, 1996, have been  audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent
accountants,  whose report thereon  was unqualified. This  information should be
read in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto,  which
appear  in  the Statement  of  Additional Information.  The  following financial
highlights contain selected  data for  a Class  A share  of beneficial  interest
outstanding,  total return, ratios to average  net assets and other supplemental
data for the periods indicated. This  information is based on data contained  in
the  financial statements. Further  performance information is  contained in the
annual  report,  which  may  be   obtained  without  charge.  See   "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services-- Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 CLASS A
                           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      JANUARY
                                                                                                        22,
                                                                                                      1990 (a)
                                                                                                      THROUGH
                                                   YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,                               AUGUST
                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------        31,
                             1996          1995          1994       1993       1992       1991          1990
                           --------      --------      --------   --------   --------   --------      --------
<S>                        <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value,
 beginning of period.....  $  10.55      $  10.42      $  11.21   $  10.55   $   9.96   $   9.60      $  9.83
                           --------      --------      --------   --------   --------   --------      --------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income....       .59(c)        .60(c)        .59        .62        .62        .62(c)       .38(c)
Net realized and
 unrealized gain (loss)
 on investment
 transactions............      (.06)          .13          (.68)       .70        .59        .39         (.23)
                           --------      --------      --------   --------   --------   --------      --------
    Total from investment
     operations..........       .53           .73          (.09)      1.32       1.21       1.01          .15
                           --------      --------      --------   --------   --------   --------      --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net
 investment income.......      (.59)         (.60)         (.59)      (.62)      (.62)      (.62)        (.38)
Distributions from net
 realized gains..........        --            --          (.11)      (.04)        --       (.03)          --
                           --------      --------      --------   --------   --------   --------      --------
    Total
     distributions.......      (.59)         (.60)         (.70)      (.66)      (.62)      (.65)        (.38)
                           --------      --------      --------   --------   --------   --------      --------
Net asset value, end of
 period..................  $  10.49      $  10.55      $  10.42   $  11.21   $  10.55   $   9.96      $  9.60
                           --------      --------      --------   --------   --------   --------      --------
                           --------      --------      --------   --------   --------   --------      --------
TOTAL RETURN (d):........      5.08%         7.35%         (.82)%    12.86%     12.44%     10.82%        1.43%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
 (000)...................  $ 69,659      $ 50,696      $ 10,651   $  9,342   $  5,908   $  3,521      $ 1,823
Average net assets
 (000)...................  $ 59,995      $ 30,092      $ 10,315   $  7,354   $  4,439   $  2,366      $   977
Ratios to average net
 assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee......       .75%(c)       .80%(c)       .75%       .78%       .81%       .83%(c)      .78%(b)(c)
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee......       .65%(c)       .70%(c)       .65%       .68%       .71%       .74%(c)      .68%(b)(c)
  Net investment
   income................      5.56%(c)      5.76%(c)      5.52%      5.69%      5.99%      6.32%(c)     6.51%(b)(c)
Portfolio turnover
 rate....................        26%           19%           22%        13%        25%        62%          37%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class A shares.
 
   (b) Annualized.
 
   (c) Net of expense subsidy/management fee waiver.
 
   (d) Total  return  does not  consider the  effects  of sales  loads. Total
       return is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first  day
       and  a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                periods)
                                (Class B Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The following financial  highlights, with  respect to  the five-year  period
ended  August 31, 1996, have been audited  by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
accountants, whose report  thereon was unqualified.  This information should  be
read  in conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto, which
appear in  the  Statement of  Additional  Information. The  following  financial
highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  B share  of beneficial interest
outstanding, total return, ratios to  average net assets and other  supplemental
data  for the periods indicated. This information  is based on data contained in
the financial statements.  Further performance information  is contained in  the
annual   report,  which  may  be   obtained  without  charge.  See  "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services-- Reports to Shareholders."
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           CLASS B
                              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
                              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                1996           1995          1994        1993      1992      1991          1990        1989 (b)
                              ---------      --------      --------    --------  --------  --------      --------      --------
<S>                           <C>            <C>           <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>           <C>           <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value,
 beginning of period.....     $   10.55      $  10.42      $  11.21    $  10.54  $   9.96  $   9.60      $   9.81      $   9.47
                              ---------      --------      --------    --------  --------  --------      --------      --------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income....           .55(a)        .56(a)        .55         .57       .58       .58(a)        .61(a)        .65(a)
Net realized and
 unrealized gain (loss)
 on investment
 transactions............          (.06)          .13          (.68)        .71       .58       .39          (.21)          .34
                              ---------      --------      --------    --------  --------  --------      --------      --------
    Total from investment
     operations..........           .49           .69          (.13)       1.28      1.16       .97           .40           .99
                              ---------      --------      --------    --------  --------  --------      --------      --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net
 investment income.......          (.55)         (.56)         (.55)       (.57)     (.58)     (.58)         (.61)         (.65)
Distributions from net
 realized gains..........            --            --          (.11)       (.04)       --      (.03)           --            --
                              ---------      --------      --------    --------  --------  --------      --------      --------
    Total
     distributions.......          (.55)         (.56)         (.66)       (.61)     (.58)     (.61)         (.61)         (.65)
                              ---------      --------      --------    --------  --------  --------      --------      --------
Net asset value, end of
 period..................     $   10.49      $  10.55      $  10.42    $  11.21  $  10.54  $   9.96      $   9.60      $   9.81
                              ---------      --------      --------    --------  --------  --------      --------      --------
                              ---------      --------      --------    --------  --------  --------      --------      --------
TOTAL RETURN (c):........          4.66%         6.92%        (1.22)%     12.54%    11.92%    10.39%         4.08%        10.75%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
 (000)...................     $ 167,809      $202,633      $257,732    $263,752  $206,028  $170,162      $150,824      $118,280
Average net assets
 (000)...................     $ 189,902      $223,082      $266,594    $229,955  $186,113  $146,591      $141,183      $ 86,496
Ratios to average net
 assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee......          1.15%(a)      1.17%(a)      1.15%       1.18%     1.21%     1.23%(a)      1.02%(a)       .77%(a)
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee......           .65%(a)       .67%(a)       .65%        .68%      .71%      .74%(a)       .53%(a)       .29%(a)
  Net investment
   income................          5.16%(a)      5.44%(a)      5.11%       5.29%     5.59%     5.94%(a)      6.05%(a)      6.27%(a)
Portfolio turnover
 rate....................            26%           19%           22%         13%       25%       62%           37%           11%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                              APRIL 3,
                                              1987(d)
                                              THROUGH
                                             AUGUST 31,
                                1988            1987
                              ---------      ----------
<S>                           <C>            <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value,
 beginning of period.....     $    9.73      $  10.00
                              ---------      ----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS
Net investment income....           .67(a)        .26(a)
Net realized and
 unrealized gain (loss)
 on investment
 transactions............          (.26)         (.27)
                              ---------      ----------
    Total from investment
     operations..........           .41          (.01)
                              ---------      ----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net
 investment income.......          (.67)         (.26)
Distributions from net
 realized gains..........            --            --
                              ---------      ----------
    Total
     distributions.......          (.67)         (.26)
                              ---------      ----------
Net asset value, end of
 period..................     $    9.47      $   9.73
                              ---------      ----------
                              ---------      ----------
TOTAL RETURN (c):........          4.53%        (0.15)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
 (000)...................     $  52,503      $ 16,340
Average net assets
 (000)...................     $  35,700      $  4,403
Ratios to average net
 assets:
  Expenses, including
   distribution fee......           .53%(a)         0%(a)(e)
  Expenses, excluding
   distribution fee......           .06%(a)         0%(a)(e)
  Net investment
   income................          6.66%(a)      5.54%(a)(e)
Portfolio turnover
 rate....................           137%           42%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Net of expense subsidy/management fee waiver.
 
   (b) On  December  31,  1988,  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management,   Inc.
       succeeded  The Prudential Insurance  Company of America  as manager of
       the Fund.
 
   (c) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       of less than a full year are not annualized.
 
   (d) Commencement of offering of Class B shares.
 
   (e) Annualized.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each of the indicated
                                periods)
                                (Class C Shares)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
    The  following financial highlights  have been audited  by Deloitte & Touche
LLP,  independent  accountants,  whose  report  thereon  was  unqualified.  This
information  should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the
notes thereto,  which appear  in the  Statement of  Additional Information.  The
following  financial highlights  contain selected  data for  a Class  C share of
beneficial interest outstanding, total return, ratios to average net assets  and
other  supplemental data for the periods indicated. This information is based on
data contained in the financial  statements. Further performance information  is
contained  in  the annual  report,  which may  be  obtained without  charge. See
"Shareholder Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           CLASS C
                                          -----------------------------------------
                                                                         AUGUST 1,
                                                                         1994 (a)
                                           YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,          THROUGH
                                          ------------------------      AUGUST 31,
                                            1996           1995            1994
                                          ---------      ---------      -----------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period....    $10.55         $10.42          $10.44
                                          ---------      ---------      -----------
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income...................       .52(d)         .53(d)          .04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
 on investment transactions.............      (.06)           .13            (.02)
                                          ---------      ---------      -----------
    Total from investment operations....       .46            .66             .02
                                          ---------      ---------      -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income....      (.52)          (.53)           (.04)
Distributions from net realized gains...        --             --              --
                                          ---------      ---------      -----------
    Total distributions.................      (.52)          (.53)           (.04)
                                          ---------      ---------      -----------
Net asset value, end of period..........    $10.49         $10.55          $10.42
                                          ---------      ---------      -----------
                                          ---------      ---------      -----------
TOTAL RETURN (c):.......................      4.41%          6.65%            .14%
 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).........    $  829         $  336          $   90
Average net assets (000)................    $  704         $  223          $    1
Ratios to average net assets:
  Expenses, including distribution
   fee..................................      1.40%(d)       1.44%(d)        2.00%(b)
  Expenses, excluding distribution
   fee..................................       .65%(d)        .69%(d)        1.25%(b)
  Net investment income.................      4.91%(d)       5.14%(d)        8.51%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate.................        26%            19%             22%
</TABLE>
    
 
   ---------------------
   (a) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
   (b) Annualized.
   (c) Total return  does not  consider  the effects  of sales  loads.  Total
       return  is calculated assuming  a purchase of shares  on the first day
       and a  sale on  the last  day  of each  period reported  and  includes
       reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods
       less than a full year are not annualized.
   (d) Net of management fee waiver.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              HOW THE FUND INVESTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
  PRUDENTIAL  MUNICIPAL  SERIES  FUND  (THE  FUND)  IS  AN  OPEN-END, MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY, OR MUTUAL FUND, CONSISTING OF FOURTEEN SEPARATE SERIES. EACH
OF THESE SERIES IS MANAGED  INDEPENDENTLY. THE PENNSYLVANIA SERIES (THE  SERIES)
IS  DIVERSIFIED AND ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE  IS TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME THAT
IS EXEMPT  FROM COMMONWEALTH  OF PENNSYLVANIA  PERSONAL INCOME  TAX AND  FEDERAL
INCOME  TAX  CONSISTENT WITH  THE PRESERVATION  OF  CAPITAL AND,  IN CONJUNCTION
THEREWITH, THE  SERIES MAY  INVEST IN  DEBT SECURITIES  WITH THE  POTENTIAL  FOR
CAPITAL  GAIN.  See "Investment  Objectives and  Policies"  in the  Statement of
Additional Information.
 
  THE SERIES' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS  A FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AND, THEREFORE,  MAY
NOT  BE CHANGED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE SERIES'
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF  1940,
AS  AMENDED  (THE INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT).  THE SERIES'  POLICIES THAT  ARE NOT
FUNDAMENTAL MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE TRUSTEES.
 
  THE  SERIES  WILL  INVEST  PRIMARILY  IN  PENNSYLVANIA,  MUNICIPAL  AND  LOCAL
GOVERNMENT  OBLIGATIONS  AND OBLIGATIONS  OF OTHER  QUALIFYING ISSUERS,  SUCH AS
ISSUERS LOCATED IN  PUERTO RICO, THE  VIRGIN ISLANDS OR  GUAM, WHICH PAY  INCOME
EXEMPT,  IN THE OPINION  OF COUNSEL, FROM  COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PERSONAL
INCOME TAX AND FEDERAL  INCOME TAX (PENNSYLVANIA OBLIGATIONS).  THERE CAN BE  NO
ASSURANCE THAT THE SERIES WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 
   
  Interest  on  certain  municipal  obligations may  be  a  preference  item for
purposes of the federal alternative minimum  tax. The Series may invest  without
limit  in municipal obligations that are "private activity bonds" (as defined in
the Internal Revenue Code) the interest on which would be a preference item  for
purposes  of  the federal  alternative minimum  tax.  See "Taxes,  Dividends and
Distributions." Under Pennsylvania law, dividends paid by the Series are  exempt
from  Pennsylvania personal  income tax for  resident individuals  to the extent
they  are   derived  from   interest  payments   on  Pennsylvania   Obligations.
Pennsylvania   Obligations  could  include  general   obligation  bonds  of  the
Commonwealth, counties, cities, towns, etc.,  revenue bonds of utility  systems,
highways,  bridges, port and airport  facilities, colleges, hospitals, etc., and
industrial development and  pollution control  bonds, the interest  on which  is
exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, from Pennsylvania personal
income  taxes.  The  Series  will  invest  in  long-term  obligations,  and  the
dollar-weighted average maturity of the  Series' portfolio will generally  range
between  10-20  years.  The  Series  also  may  invest  in  certain  short-term,
tax-exempt notes such  as Tax  Anticipation Notes,  Revenue Anticipation  Notes,
Bond  Anticipation Notes, Construction Loan Notes and variable and floating rate
demand notes.
    
 
  Generally, municipal obligations with longer maturities produce higher  yields
and are subject to greater price fluctuations as a result of changes in interest
rates  (market  risk) than  municipal obligations  with shorter  maturities. The
prices of municipal  obligations vary  inversely with  interest rates.  Interest
rates  are currently  much lower  than in  recent years.  If rates  were to rise
sharply, the  prices  of bonds  in  the  Series' portfolio  might  be  adversely
affected.
 
  THE  SERIES  MAY  INVEST  ITS  ASSETS  IN  FLOATING  RATE  AND  VARIABLE  RATE
SECURITIES, INCLUDING  PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS THEREIN  AND  INVERSE  FLOATERS.
There is no limit on the amount of such securities that the Series may purchase.
Floating  rate securities  normally have a  rate of  interest which is  set as a
specific percentage of  a designated  base rate, such  as the  rate on  Treasury
bonds  or bills or the prime rate at  a major commercial bank. The interest rate
on floating rate securities changes periodically  when there is a change in  the
designated  base interest rate. Variable rate securities provide for a specified
periodic adjustment in the  interest rate based on  prevailing market rates  and
generally  would allow the Series  to demand payment of  the obligation on short
notice at par plus accrued interest, which  amount may be more or less than  the
amount  the Series paid for them. An inverse floater is a debt instrument with a
floating or variable interest rate that  moves in the opposite direction of  the
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
interest  rate on  another security  or the  value of  an index.  Changes in the
interest rate  on the  other security  or index  inversely affect  the  residual
interest  rate paid  on the  inverse floater, with  the result  that the inverse
floater's price will  be considerably more  volatile than that  of a fixed  rate
bond. The market for inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
  THE  SERIES MAY ALSO INVEST IN  MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. A MUNICIPAL LEASE
OBLIGATION IS A  MUNICIPAL SECURITY THE  INTEREST ON AND  PRINCIPAL OF WHICH  IS
PAYABLE  OUT OF LEASE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE FACILITIES FINANCED
BY THE ISSUE. Typically,  municipal lease obligations are  issued by a state  or
municipal   financing  authority  to  provide  funds  for  the  construction  of
facilities (E.G.,  schools, dormitories,  office buildings  or prisons)  or  the
acquisition  of equipment.  The facilities  are typically  used by  the state or
municipality pursuant to a lease  with a financing authority. Certain  municipal
lease  obligations may  trade infrequently. Accordingly,  the investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of municipal lease obligations under the  supervision
of the Trustees. Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for
purposes  of  the Series'  15% limitation  on  illiquid securities  provided the
investment adviser determines that there is a readily available market for  such
securities. See "Other Investments and Policies--Illiquid Securities" below.
 
   
  ALL  PENNSYLVANIA  OBLIGATIONS PURCHASED  BY  THE SERIES  WILL  BE "INVESTMENT
GRADE" SECURITIES. In other words, all of the Pennsylvania Obligations will,  at
the  time  of purchase,  be  rated within  the  four highest  quality  grades as
determined by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for
bonds, MIG 1, MIG 2, MIG 3, MIG  4 for notes and Prime-1 for commercial  paper),
Standard  & Poor's  Ratings Group  (S&P) (currently AAA,  AA, A,  BBB for bonds,
SP-1, SP-2  for  notes and  A-1  for  commercial paper)  or  another  nationally
recognized  statistical rating organization (NRSRO)  or if unrated, will possess
creditworthiness, in  the  opinion  of the  investment  adviser,  comparable  to
securities  in  which  the Series  may  invest.  Securities rated  Baa  may have
speculative  characteristics,  and  changes  in  economic  conditions  or  other
circumstances  are more likely to lead to  a weakened capacity to make principal
and interest payments than is the case with higher grade securities.  Subsequent
to  its purchase by the  Series, a municipal obligation  may be assigned a lower
rating or cease to be rated. Such an event would not require the elimination  of
the  issue from the portfolio, but the  investment adviser will consider such an
event in determining whether the Series should continue to hold the security  in
its portfolio. See "Description of Tax-Exempt Security Ratings" in the Statement
of  Additional  Information. The  Series  may purchase  Pennsylvania Obligations
which, in  the opinion  of the  investment adviser,  offer the  opportunity  for
capital  appreciation. This may occur, for  example, when the investment adviser
believes that the issuer of  a particular Pennsylvania Obligation might  receive
an upgraded credit standing, thereby increasing the market value of the bonds it
has  issued or  when the investment  adviser believes that  interest rates might
decline. As a general matter, bond prices  and the Series' net asset value  will
vary inversely with interest rate fluctuations.
    
 
  From  time to time, the Series may own the majority of a municipal issue. Such
majority-owned holdings may present market and credit risks.
 
  UNDER  NORMAL  MARKET   CONDITIONS,  THE   SERIES  WILL   ATTEMPT  TO   INVEST
SUBSTANTIALLY  ALL OF THE VALUE OF ITS  ASSETS IN PENNSYLVANIA OBLIGATIONS. As a
matter of fundamental policy, during normal market conditions the Series' assets
will be  invested so  that  at least  80%  of the  income  will be  exempt  from
Pennsylvania  personal income taxes and federal  income taxes or the Series will
have at least  80% of  its total  assets invested  in Pennsylvania  Obligations.
During  abnormal market conditions or to  provide liquidity, the Series may hold
cash or  cash equivalents  or investment  grade taxable  obligations,  including
obligations that are exempt from federal, but not state, taxation and the Series
may  invest in  tax-free cash equivalents,  such as floating  rate demand notes,
tax-exempt commercial  paper and  general obligation  and revenue  notes, or  in
taxable  cash equivalents, such as  certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances
and time deposits  or other  short-term taxable investments  such as  repurchase
agreements.  When, in  the opinion  of the  investment adviser,  abnormal market
conditions require a temporary defensive position or when there is a scarcity of
bonds exempt from Pennsylvania tax, the Series  may invest more than 20% of  the
value  of its assets  in debt securities other  than Pennsylvania Obligations or
may invest  its assets  so  that more  than  20% of  the  income is  subject  to
Pennsylvania  or federal income taxes. The Series  will treat an investment in a
municipal bond  refunded  with  escrowed  U.S.  Government  securities  as  U.S.
Government   securities   for   purposes  of   the   Investment   Company  Act's
diversification  requirements   provided  certain   conditions  are   met.   See
"Investment  Objectives and Policies--In General" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
  THE SERIES MAY ACQUIRE PUT OPTIONS (PUTS) GIVING THE SERIES THE RIGHT TO  SELL
SECURITIES  HELD IN  THE SERIES'  PORTFOLIO AT A  SPECIFIED EXERCISE  PRICE ON A
SPECIFIED DATE. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting  the
Series  from a possible decline in the market value of the security to which the
put applies  in the  event of  interest rate  fluctuations or,  in the  case  of
liquidity  puts, for  the purpose  of shortening  the effective  maturity of the
underlying security. The aggregate value of  premiums paid to acquire puts  held
in  the Series' portfolio (other than liquidity  puts) may not exceed 10% of the
net asset  value  of  the Series.  The  acquisition  of a  put  may  involve  an
additional cost to the Series by payment of a premium for the put, by payment of
a higher purchase price for securities to which the put is attached or through a
lower effective interest rate.
 
   
  In  addition, there is a  credit risk associated with  the purchase of puts in
that the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase  the
underlying  security. Accordingly, the  Series will acquire  puts only under the
following circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the  underlying
security  and such security is  rated within the four  highest quality grades as
determined by an NRSRO;  or (2) the put  is written by a  person other than  the
issuer  of the  underlying security and  such person  has securities outstanding
which are rated  within such  four highest  quality grades;  or (3)  the put  is
backed  by a letter of credit or  similar financial guarantee issued by a person
having securities outstanding  which are  rated within the  two highest  quality
grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
   
  THE  SERIES MAY PURCHASE MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS  ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED
DELIVERY" BASIS,  IN EACH  CASE WITHOUT  LIMIT. When  municipal obligations  are
offered  on a when-issued or  delayed delivery basis, the  price and coupon rate
are fixed at  the time  the commitment  to purchase  is made,  but delivery  and
payment  for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement
date occurs within one month of purchase. The purchase price for such securities
includes interest accrued during the period between purchase and settlement and,
therefore, no interest accrues to the  economic benefit of the purchaser  during
such  period. In the case of purchases by  the Series, the price that the Series
is required to pay on the settlement date  may be in excess of the market  value
of the municipal obligations on that date. While securities may be sold prior to
the  settlement date, the  Series intends to purchase  these securities with the
purpose of  actually  acquiring  them  unless a  sale  would  be  desirable  for
investment  reasons. At the time  the Series makes the  commitment to purchase a
municipal obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will  record
the  transaction and reflect the value of the obligation each day in determining
its net asset value. This value may fluctuate from day to day in the same manner
as values of municipal obligations otherwise  held by the Series. If the  seller
defaults in the sale, the Series could fail to realize the appreciation, if any,
that  had  occurred. The  Series will  establish a  segregated account  with its
Custodian in which  it will  maintain cash, U.S.  Government securities,  equity
securities  or other liquid, unencumbered  assets, marked-to-market daily, equal
in value to its commitments for when-issued or delayed delivery securities.
    
 
  THE SERIES MAY ALSO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL FORWARD CONTRACTS. A municipal  forward
contract  is a municipal security which is purchased on a when-issued basis with
delivery taking place up to  five years from the  date of purchase. No  interest
will  accrue on the security prior to  the delivery date. The investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity, value, credit  quality and delivery of the  security
under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
  THE SERIES MAY PURCHASE SECONDARY MARKET INSURANCE ON PENNSYLVANIA OBLIGATIONS
WHICH IT HOLDS OR ACQUIRES. Secondary market insurance would be reflected in the
market  value of the municipal obligation purchased and may enable the Series to
dispose of  a defaulted  obligation at  a price  similar to  that of  comparable
municipal obligations which are not in default.
 
  Insurance  is  not  a  substitute  for the  basic  credit  of  an  issuer, but
supplements the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. While
insurance coverage for the Pennsylvania  Obligations held by the Series  reduces
credit  risk by providing that the insurance company will make timely payment of
principal and interest  if the issuer  defaults on its  obligation to make  such
payment,  it does not afford protection  against fluctuation in the price, I.E.,
the market value,  of the municipal  obligations caused by  changes in  interest
rates and other factors, nor in turn against fluctuations in the net asset value
of the shares of the Series.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
  FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
  THE  SERIES IS AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE  AND SELL CERTAIN DERIVATIVES, INCLUDING
FINANCIAL FUTURES  CONTRACTS (FUTURES  CONTRACTS) AND  OPTIONS THEREON  FOR  THE
PURPOSE OF HEDGING ITS PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AGAINST FLUCTUATIONS IN VALUE CAUSED
BY  CHANGES IN PREVAILING MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HEDGING AGAINST INCREASES IN
THE COST OF  SECURITIES THE SERIES  INTENDS TO PURCHASE.  THE SUCCESSFUL USE  OF
FUTURES  CONTRACTS  AND  OPTIONS  THEREON  BY  THE  SERIES  INVOLVES  ADDITIONAL
TRANSACTION COSTS  AND  IS  SUBJECT  TO  VARIOUS  RISKS  AND  DEPENDS  UPON  THE
INVESTMENT  ADVISER'S ABILITY TO PREDICT THE  DIRECTION OF THE MARKET (INCLUDING
INTEREST RATES).
 
  A FUTURES CONTRACT  OBLIGATES THE  SELLER OF THE  CONTRACT TO  DELIVER TO  THE
PURCHASER  OF THE  CONTRACT CASH  EQUAL TO  A SPECIFIC  DOLLAR AMOUNT  TIMES THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VALUE OF A SPECIFIC FIXED-INCOME SECURITY OR INDEX AT THE
CLOSE OF  THE LAST  TRADING DAY  OF  THE CONTRACT  AND THE  PRICE AT  WHICH  THE
AGREEMENT  IS MADE. No  physical delivery of the  underlying securities is made.
The Series  will engage  in transactions  in only  those futures  contracts  and
options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.
 
  The  Series intends to  engage in futures  contracts and options  thereon as a
hedge against  changes,  resulting  from  market conditions,  in  the  value  of
securities  which are held in the Series'  portfolio or which the Series intends
to purchase,  in accordance  with the  rules and  regulations of  the  Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). The Series also intends to engage in such
transactions  when they are economically appropriate  for the reduction of risks
inherent in the ongoing management of the Series.
 
  THE SERIES MAY NOT PURCHASE OR  SELL FUTURES CONTRACTS OR OPTIONS THEREON  IF,
IMMEDIATELY  THEREAFTER, (I)  THE SUM  OF INITIAL  AND NET  CUMULATIVE VARIATION
MARGIN ON OUTSTANDING FUTURES CONTRACTS, TOGETHER WITH PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS
THEREON, WOULD EXCEED 20% OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE SERIES, OR (II) IN THE CASE
OF RISK  MANAGEMENT  TRANSACTIONS, THE  SUM  OF  THE AMOUNT  OF  INITIAL  MARGIN
DEPOSITS  ON THE SERIES' FUTURES POSITIONS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR OPTIONS THEREON
WOULD EXCEED 5% OF THE LIQUIDATION VALUE OF THE SERIES' TOTAL ASSETS. There  are
no  limitations on the  percentage of the  portfolio which may  be hedged and no
limitations on the  use of  the Series' assets  to cover  futures contracts  and
options  thereon, except that the aggregate  value of the obligations underlying
put options will not exceed 50% of the Series' assets. Certain requirements  for
qualification  as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code
may limit  the  Series' ability  to  engage  in futures  contracts  and  options
thereon.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax  Information--Federal  Taxation"  in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Currently, futures contracts  are available on  several types of  fixed-income
securities,  including U.S. Treasury bonds  and notes, three-month U.S. Treasury
bills and Eurodollars. Futures contracts are also available on a municipal  bond
index,  based on THE  BOND BUYER Municipal  Bond Index, an  index of 40 actively
traded municipal bonds.  The Series  may also  engage in  transactions in  other
futures   contracts  that  become  available,  from   time  to  time,  in  other
fixed-income securities or municipal bond indices  and in other options on  such
contracts if the investment adviser believes such contracts and options would be
appropriate for hedging the Series' portfolio.
 
  THERE  CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT VIABLE  MARKETS WILL CONTINUE OR THAT A LIQUID
SECONDARY MARKET WILL EXIST TO TERMINATE ANY PARTICULAR FUTURES CONTRACT AT  ANY
SPECIFIC TIME. If it is not possible to close a futures position entered into by
the  Series, the Series will continue to be required to make daily cash payments
of variation  margin  in  the  event  of adverse  price  movements.  In  such  a
situation,  if the Series had insufficient cash, it might have to sell portfolio
securities to meet daily variation margin  requirements at a time when it  might
be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close futures positions also could
have  an adverse impact on the ability of the Series to hedge effectively. There
is also  a risk  of  loss by  the Series  of  margin deposits  in the  event  of
bankruptcy  of a broker with  whom the Series has an  open position in a futures
contract.
 
  THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS  AND OPTIONS THEREON BY THE SERIES  IS
SUBJECT  TO VARIOUS ADDITIONAL  RISKS. Any use  of futures transactions involves
the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts
and movements in interest rates and, in turn, the prices of the securities  that
are the subject of the hedge. If the price of the futures contract moves more or
less than the price of the security that is the subject of the hedge, the Series
will experience a gain or loss
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
that  will not be completely  offset by movements in  the price of the security.
The risk of  imperfect correlation  is greater where  the securities  underlying
futures contracts are taxable securities (rather than municipal securities), are
issued  by companies in  different market sectors  or have different maturities,
ratings or geographic  mixes than the  security being hedged.  In addition,  the
correlation  may be affected by  additions to or deletions  from the index which
serves as  the basis  for  a futures  contract. Finally,  if  the price  of  the
security that is subject to the hedge were to move in a favorable direction, the
advantage  to the Series would  be partially offset by  the loss incurred on the
futures contract.
 
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
  BECAUSE THE SERIES WILL INVEST AT LEAST  80% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL  ASSETS
IN PENNSYLVANIA OBLIGATIONS AND BECAUSE IT SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE INCOME DERIVED FROM
PENNSYLVANIA  OBLIGATIONS, IT IS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FACTORS ADVERSELY AFFECTING
ISSUERS OF PENNSYLVANIA OBLIGATIONS THAN  IS A COMPARABLE MUNICIPAL BOND  MUTUAL
FUND  THAT IS NOT CONCENTRATED IN THESE ISSUERS TO THIS DEGREE. The Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania has  not been immune  to the  problems of the  Northeast as  the
national recession of the early 1990s reduced tax revenue growth contributing to
budget  shortfalls and  reduced cash balances.  For the five  year period fiscal
1991 through fiscal 1995, total revenues and other sources rose at a 9.1 percent
average annual rate while total expenditures and other uses grew by 7.4  percent
annually.  Over two-thirds of  the increase in total  revenues and other sources
during this period occurred during fiscal 1992 when a $2.7 billion tax  increase
was  enacted  to address  a fiscal  1991  budget deficit  and to  fund increased
expenditures for  fiscal 1992.  For the  four year  period fiscal  1992  through
fiscal  1995, total revenues and other sources increased at an annual average of
3.3 percent, less than one-half  the rate of increase  for the five year  period
beginning  with fiscal 1991. This slower rate of growth was due, in part, to tax
rate reductions and other  tax law revisions that  restrained the growth of  tax
receipts for fiscal years 1993, 1994 and 1995.
    
 
   
  Expenditures  and other uses followed a  pattern similar to that for revenues,
although with smaller growth rates, during  the fiscal 1991 through fiscal  1995
period.  Program areas having the largest increase  in costs for the fiscal 1991
to fiscal 1995 period  were for protection  of persons and  property, due to  an
expansion  of state prisons,  and for public  health and welfare,  due to rising
caseloads, program  utilization  and  increased  prices.  Recently,  efforts  to
restrain  the rapid  expansion of public  health and welfare  program costs have
resulted in expenditure  increases at or  below the total  rate of increase  for
total  expenditures  in each  fiscal year.  For the  period fiscal  1992 through
fiscal 1995, public health and welfare costs increased by an average annual rate
of 3.5 percent, well  below the 5.2 percent  average for total expenditures  and
other  uses during the same period. The  enacted fiscal 1997 budget provides for
expenditures from Commonwealth  revenues of  $16,375.8 million,  an increase  of
0.6%  over appropriated amounts  from Commonwealth revenues  for fiscal 1996. If
either Pennsylvania or any  of its local government  entities is unable to  meet
its  financial obligations,  the income  derived by  the Series,  the ability to
preserve or  realize  appreciation  of  the  Series'  capital  and  the  Series'
liquidity   could  be   adversely  affected.  See   "Investment  Objectives  and
Policies--Special Considerations Regarding Investments in Tax-Exempt Securities"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES
 
  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
   
  The Series may on occasion enter into repurchase agreements whereby the seller
of a security agrees to repurchase that  security from the Series at a  mutually
agreed-upon  time  and price.  The period  of maturity  is usually  quite short,
possibly overnight  or a  few days,  although it  may extend  over a  number  of
months.  The resale  price is  in excess  of the  purchase price,  reflecting an
agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Series' money is
invested in the security. The Series' repurchase agreements will at all times be
fully collateralized  in an  amount at  least  equal to  the resale  price.  The
instruments  held  as  collateral are  valued  daily  and if  the  value  of the
instruments declines,  the Series  will require  additional collateral.  If  the
seller  defaults  and  the  value  of  the  collateral  securing  the repurchase
agreement declines, the Series  may incur a loss.  The Series participates in  a
joint  repurchase account with other  investment companies managed by Prudential
Mutual Fund Management LLC pursuant to  an order of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission (SEC).
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
  BORROWING
 
   
  The  Series may borrow an amount equal to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of
its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary
or emergency  purposes or  for the  clearance of  transactions. The  Series  may
pledge  up  to  33  1/3% of  the  value  of  its total  assets  to  secure these
borrowings. The Series will not purchase portfolio securities if its  borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets.
    
 
  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
  The  Series does not expect to trade  in securities for short-term gain. It is
anticipated that the annual  portfolio turnover rate will  not exceed 150%.  The
portfolio  turnover  rate  is calculated  by  dividing  the lesser  of  sales or
purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the  portfolio
securities,  excluding securities having  a maturity at the  date of purchase of
one year or less.
 
  ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
  The Series  may hold  up  to 15%  of its  net  assets in  illiquid  securities
including repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
securities   with  legal  or  contractual  restrictions  on  resale  (restricted
securities)  and  securities  that   are  not  readily  marketable.   Restricted
securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933,  as amended  (the Securities Act),  privately placed  commercial paper and
municipal lease  obligations  that  have  a readily  available  market  are  not
considered  illiquid for the purposes of this limitation. The investment adviser
will monitor the liquidity of  such restricted securities under the  supervision
of  the Trustees. The Series' investment in  Rule 144A securities could have the
effect of  increasing illiquidity  to the  extent that  qualified  institutional
buyers  become,  for  a  limited  time,  uninterested  in  purchasing  Rule 144A
securities. See "Investment  Objectives and  Policies--Illiquid Securities"  and
"Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information. Repurchase
agreements  subject to demand are deemed to  have a maturity equal to the notice
period.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
  The Series  is subject  to  certain investment  restrictions which,  like  its
investment  objective,  constitute  fundamental  policies.  Fundamental policies
cannot be changed  without the  approval of  the holders  of a  majority of  the
Series' outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
See "Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                            HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE FUND HAS TRUSTEES WHO, IN ADDITION TO OVERSEEING THE ACTIONS OF THE FUND'S
MANAGER,  SUBADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR, AS SET FORTH BELOW, DECIDE UPON MATTERS OF
GENERAL POLICY. THE FUND'S  MANAGER CONDUCTS AND  SUPERVISES THE DAILY  BUSINESS
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  FUND.  THE  FUND'S  SUBADVISER  FURNISHES  DAILY INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES.
 
   
  For the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996, total expenses of the Series as  a
percentage of average net assets, net of fee waivers, were .75%, 1.15% and 1.40%
for  the  Series'  Class  A,  Class B  and  Class  C  shares,  respectively. See
"Financial Highlights."
    
 
MANAGER
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND  MANAGEMENT LLC  (PMF OR THE  MANAGER), GATEWAY  CENTER
THREE,  NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102, IS THE  MANAGER OF THE FUND AND IS COMPENSATED
FOR ITS SERVICES AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF .50 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET  ASSETS
OF  THE SERIES. PMF is organized in New York as limited liability company. It is
the successor to
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc., which transferred its assets to PMF  in
September 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, the Series paid PMF a
management fee of .45 of 1% of the Series' average net assets. See "Fee Waivers"
below and "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  As  of September 30, 1996, PMF served as the manager to 37 open-end investment
companies, constituting all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds,  and as manager  or
administrator  to 22  closed-end investment  companies with  aggregate assets of
approximately $52 billion.
    
 
  UNDER THE  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT  WITH  THE FUND,  PMF MANAGES  THE  INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS  OF EACH SERIES OF THE FUND  AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FUND'S BUSINESS
AFFAIRS. See "Manager" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  UNDER A  SUBADVISORY  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PMF  AND  THE  PRUDENTIAL  INVESTMENT
CORPORATION  (PIC OR THE SUBADVISER), PIC FURNISHES INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
IN CONNECTION  WITH  THE  MANAGEMENT OF  THE  FUND  AND IS  REIMBURSED  FOR  ITS
REASONABLE  COSTS AND  EXPENSES INCURRED IN  PROVIDING SUCH  SERVICES. Under the
Management Agreement, PMF  continues to have  responsibility for all  investment
advisory services and supervises PIC's performance of such services.
 
   
  The  current portfolio manager of the Series is Peter J. Allegrini, a Managing
Director of Prudential  Investments. Mr.  Allegrini has  responsibility for  the
day-to-day  management of the portfolio. Mr. Allegrini has managed the portfolio
since April 19, 1995 and has been  employed by PIC as a portfolio manager  since
July  1994. From  1982 to  1986, he  was employed  by Fidelity  Investments as a
senior bond analyst  and from 1986  to 1994,  he was a  portfolio manager,  most
recently  of Fidelity  Advisor High  Income Municipal  Fund. Mr.  Allegrini also
serves as the portfolio  manager of Prudential Municipal  Bond Fund, High  Yield
Series.
    
 
   
  PMF  and PIC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company
of America (Prudential),  a major diversified  insurance and financial  services
company, and are part of Prudential Investments, a business group of Prudential.
    
 
  FEE WAIVERS
 
  Effective  January 1, 1995, PMF agreed to waive 10% of its management fee. The
Series is  not  required  to  reimburse PMF  for  such  management  fee  waiver.
Thereafter,  PMF may from  time to time agree  to waive all or  a portion of its
management fee  and subsidize  certain  operating expenses  of the  Series.  Fee
waivers  and expense subsidies will increase the Series' yield and total return.
See "Fund Expenses."
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES OR PSI), ONE SEAPORT
PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10292, IS A CORPORATION  ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS  OF
THE  STATE OF DELAWARE AND SERVES AS THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND
CLASS C SHARES  OF THE  SERIES. It is  an indirect,  wholly-owned subsidiary  of
Prudential.  Prior to January 2, 1996, Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc.
(PMFD), One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acted as distributor of the
Class A shares of the Series.
    
 
   
  UNDER SEPARATE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS  (THE CLASS A PLAN, THE CLASS  B
PLAN  AND THE CLASS C  PLAN, COLLECTIVELY, THE PLANS)  ADOPTED BY THE FUND UNDER
RULE 12b-1 UNDER THE  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT AND  A DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT  (THE
DISTRIBUTION  AGREEMENT),  PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES (THE  DISTRIBUTOR)  INCURS THE
EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTING THE CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES OF THE  SERIES.
These  expenses include  commissions and account  servicing fees paid  to, or on
account of, financial advisers of  Prudential Securities and representatives  of
Pruco  Securities Corporation (Prusec), an affiliated broker-dealer, commissions
and account servicing fees  paid to, or on  account of, other broker-dealers  or
financial  institutions  (other than  national  banks) which  have  entered into
agreements with the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing  and
mailing  prospectuses to potential investors and  indirect and overhead costs of
Prudential Securities and Prusec
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
associated  with  the   sale  of  Series   shares,  including  lease,   utility,
communications  and sales promotion  expenses. The State  of Texas requires that
shares of  the Series  may  be sold  in  that state  only  by dealers  or  other
financial institutions which are registered there as broker-dealers.
    
 
  Under  the Plans, the  Series is obligated to  pay distribution and/or service
fees to  the  Distributor  as  compensation for  its  distribution  and  service
activities,  not  as  reimbursement  for  specific  expenses  incurred.  If  the
Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, the Series will
not be obligated to pay any  additional expenses. If the Distributor's  expenses
are  less than such distribution and service  fees, it will retain its full fees
and realize a profit.
 
   
  UNDER THE  CLASS A  PLAN, THE  SERIES MAY  PAY PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES FOR  ITS
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES AT AN ANNUAL RATE
OF  UP TO .30 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS A SHARES OF THE
SERIES. The Class A Plan provides that (i) up to .25 of 1% of the average  daily
net  assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service and/or
the  maintenance  of   shareholder  accounts  (service   fee)  and  (ii)   total
distribution fees (including the service fee of .25 of 1%) may not exceed .30 of
1%  of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. Prudential Securities
has agreed to limit its distribution-related fees payable under the Class A Plan
to .10 of 1% of the average daily net asset value of the Class A shares for  the
fiscal year ending August 31, 1997.
    
 
   
  UNDER  THE CLASS B AND CLASS C PLANS, THE SERIES MAY PAY PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
FOR ITS DISTRIBUTION-RELATED  ACTIVITIES WITH  RESPECT TO  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF UP  TO .50 OF 1% AND UP  TO 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY
NET ASSETS OF THE  CLASS B AND  CLASS C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.  The Class B  Plan
provides  for the payment  to Prudential Securities of  (i) an asset-based sales
charge of up to .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares,
and (ii) a service fee of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the
Class B shares; provided that the total distribution-related fee does not exceed
 .50 of 1%. The Class C Plan provides for the payment to Prudential Securities of
(i) an asset-based  sales charge of  up to .75  of 1% of  the average daily  net
assets  of the Class C shares, and (ii) a service  fee of up to .25 of 1% of the
average daily net assets of the Class C  shares. The service fee is used to  pay
for  personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Prudential
Securities has agreed to limit  its distribution-related fees payable under  the
Class  C Plan to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares
for the fiscal year ending August 31, 1997. Prudential Securities also  receives
contingent  deferred  sales  charges from  certain  redeeming  shareholders. See
"Shareholder  Guide--How  to  Sell  Your  Shares--  Contingent  Deferred   Sales
Charges."
    
 
   
  For  the  fiscal year  ended  August 31,  1996,  the Series  paid distribution
expenses of .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and  .75 of 1% of the average daily net  assets
of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. The Series records all
payments  made under the Plans as expenses  in the calculation of net investment
income. See "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
  Distribution expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B or Class  C
shares  of the Series  will be allocated to  each class based  upon the ratio of
sales of each class to the sales of all shares of the Series other than expenses
allocable to a particular  class. The distribution fee  and sales charge of  one
class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.
    
 
  Each Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided
that  a  majority of  the  Trustees of  the Fund,  including  a majority  of the
Trustees who  are  not "interested  persons"  of the  Fund  (as defined  in  the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the  operation of the Plan or any agreement  related to the Plan (the Rule 12b-1
Trustees), vote annually to continue the Plan. Each Plan may be terminated  with
respect  to the  Series at  any time  by vote  of a  majority of  the Rule 12b-1
Trustees or of a majority of the  outstanding shares of the applicable class  of
the  Series. The Series  will not be  obligated to pay  distribution and service
fees incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.
 
   
  In addition to  distribution and  service fees paid  by the  Series under  the
Class  A, Class B and Class C Plans,  the Manager (or one of its affiliates) may
make payments  out  of  its  own  resources  to  dealers  (including  Prudential
Securities) and other persons who distribute shares of the Series. Such payments
may  be calculated by  reference to the net  asset value of  shares sold by such
persons or otherwise.
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
  The Distributor  is  subject to  the  rules  of the  National  Association  of
Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  (the  NASD)  governing  maximum  sales  charges. See
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  On October 21,  1993, PSI  entered into an  omnibus settlement  with the  SEC,
state  securities  regulators  (with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  Securities
Commissioner who joined  the settlement  on January 18,  1994) and  the NASD  to
resolve  allegations  that  from  1980 through  1990  PSI  sold  certain limited
partnership interests in violation of securities  laws to persons for whom  such
securities  were not suitable  and misrepresented the  safety, potential returns
and liquidity of these investments. Without admitting or denying the allegations
asserted against it, PSI consented to  the entry of an SEC Administrative  Order
which  stated that PSI's conduct violated  the federal securities laws, directed
PSI to cease and  desist from violating the  federal securities laws, pay  civil
penalties, and adopt certain remedial measures to address the violations.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the SEC settlement, PSI agreed to the imposition of a
$10,000,000  civil  penalty,  established a  settlement  fund in  the  amount of
$330,000,000 and  procedures  to  resolve  legitimate  claims  for  compensatory
damages  by purchasers of  the partnership interests. PSI  has agreed to provide
additional funds, if necessary,  for the purpose of  the settlement fund.  PSI's
settlement  with the state securities regulators  included an agreement to pay a
penalty of $500,000  per jurisdiction.  PSI consented to  a censure  and to  the
payment of a $5,000,000 fine in settling the NASD action.
 
  In  October  1994,  a criminal  complaint  was  filed with  the  United States
Magistrate for the  Southern District of  New York alleging  that PSI  committed
fraud  in connection with  the sale of certain  limited partnership interests in
violation of federal securities laws.  An agreement was simultaneously filed  to
defer  prosecution of these charges for a period of three years from the signing
of the agreement, provided  that PSI complies with  the terms of the  agreement.
If, upon completion of the three year period, PSI has complied with the terms of
the  agreement, no prosecution will  be instituted by the  United States for the
offenses charged in the complaint.  If on the other  hand, during the course  of
the  three  year period,  PSI  violates the  terms  of the  agreement,  the U.S.
Attorney can  then  elect  to pursue  these  charges.  Under the  terms  of  the
agreement,  PSI agreed,  among other things,  to pay  an additional $330,000,000
into the  fund  established by  the  SEC to  pay  restitution to  investors  who
purchased certain PSI limited partnership interests.
 
  For   more  detailed   information  concerning  the   foregoing  matters,  see
"Distributor" in the Statement of Additional Information, a copy of which may be
obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-225-1852.
 
  The Fund  is not  affected by  PSI's financial  condition and  is an  entirely
separate  legal entity from  PSI, which has no  beneficial ownership therein and
the Fund's assets  which are held  by State  Street Bank and  Trust Company,  an
independent custodian, are separate and distinct from PSI.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prudential  Securities may act as a  broker or futures commission merchant for
the Fund, provided that the commissions, fees or other remuneration it  receives
are  fair  and reasonable.  See "Portfolio  Transactions  and Brokerage"  in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
  State Street  Bank  and  Trust  Company, One  Heritage  Drive,  North  Quincy,
Massachusetts  02171, serves  as Custodian for  the portfolio  securities of the
Series  and  cash  and,  in  that  capacity,  maintains  certain  financial  and
accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Fund. Its mailing
address is P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
  Prudential  Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS),  Raritan Plaza One, Edison, New
Jersey 08837, serves  as Transfer Agent  and Dividend Disbursing  Agent and,  in
those  capacities, maintains certain books  and records for the  Fund. PMFS is a
wholly-owned subsidiary  of PMF.  Its mailing  address is  P.O. Box  15005,  New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  THE  SERIES' NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE OR NAV IS DETERMINED BY SUBTRACTING ITS
LIABILITIES FROM  THE VALUE  OF ITS  ASSETS AND  DIVIDING THE  REMAINDER BY  THE
NUMBER  OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. NAV IS  CALCULATED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CLASS. THE
TRUSTEES HAVE FIXED  THE SPECIFIC TIME  OF DAY  FOR THE COMPUTATION  OF THE  NET
ASSET VALUE OF THE SERIES TO BE AS OF 4:15 P.M., NEW YORK TIME.
 
  Portfolio  securities are valued based on market quotations or, if not readily
available,  at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under   procedures
established  by  the Trustees.  Securities may  also be  valued based  on values
provided by  a  pricing service.  See  "Net Asset  Value"  in the  Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
  The  Series will compute  its NAV once daily  on days that  the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading except on days on which no orders to purchase, sell
or redeem shares have been  received by the Series or  days on which changes  in
the  value of the Series' portfolio securities do not materially affect the NAV.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor  Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
   
  Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical,
the  different expenses borne by each  class will result in different dividends.
As long as the Series declares dividends daily, the NAV of the Class A, Class  B
and Class C shares will generally be the same. It is expected, however, that the
Series'  dividends will differ  by approximately the  amount of any distribution
and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  FROM TIME TO TIME THE FUND  MAY ADVERTISE THE "YIELD," "TAX EQUIVALENT  YIELD"
AND  "TOTAL  RETURN" (INCLUDING  "AVERAGE ANNUAL"  TOTAL RETURN  AND "AGGREGATE"
TOTAL RETURN) OF THE SERIES IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR SALES LITERATURE. "YIELD," "TAX
EQUIVALENT YIELD"  AND "TOTAL  RETURN" ARE  CALCULATED SEPARATELY  FOR CLASS  A,
CLASS  B AND CLASS C SHARES. THESE  FIGURES ARE BASED ON HISTORICAL EARNINGS AND
ARE NOT  INTENDED TO  INDICATE FUTURE  PERFORMANCE. The  "yield" refers  to  the
income  generated by  an investment  in the  Series over  a one-month  or 30-day
period. This  income  is  then  "annualized;" that  is,  the  amount  of  income
generated by the investment during that 30-day period is assumed to be generated
each  30-day  period for  twelve periods  and is  shown as  a percentage  of the
investment. The income earned on the investment is also assumed to be reinvested
at the end of the sixth 30-day period. The "tax equivalent yield" is  calculated
similarly  to the  "yield," except  that the yield  is increased  using a stated
income tax  rate  to demonstrate  the  taxable  yield necessary  to  produce  an
after-tax  yield equivalent to the Series. The  "total return" shows how much an
investment in  the Series  would  have increased  (decreased) over  a  specified
period  of time (I.E., one, five or ten  years or since inception of the Series)
assuming that all distributions and dividends  by the Series were reinvested  on
the  reinvestment  dates during  the  period and  less  all recurring  fees. The
"aggregate" total return  reflects actual  performance over a  stated period  of
time.  "Average annual" total return  is a hypothetical rate  of return that, if
achieved annually,  would  have produced  the  same aggregate  total  return  if
performance  had been  constant over the  entire period.  "Average annual" total
return smooths  out  variations  in  performance  and  takes  into  account  any
applicable  initial  or  contingent  deferred  sales  charges.  Neither "average
annual" total return nor "aggregate" total return takes into account any federal
or state income taxes which  may be payable upon  redemption. The Fund also  may
include  comparative  performance information  in  advertising or  marketing the
shares of the Series. Such performance information may include data from  Lipper
Analytical  Services,  Inc.,  Morningstar  Publications,  Inc.,  other  industry
publications, business periodicals and market indices. See
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
   
"Performance Information" in  the Statement of  Additional Information.  Further
performance  information  is contained  in  the Series'  annual  and semi-annual
reports to shareholders, which may be obtained without charge. See  "Shareholder
Guide--Shareholder Services--Reports to Shareholders."
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAXATION OF THE FUND
 
  THE  SERIES  HAS ELECTED  TO  QUALIFY AND  INTENDS  TO REMAIN  QUALIFIED  AS A
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE  INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCORDINGLY,  THE
SERIES  WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON ITS NET INVESTMENT INCOME
AND CAPITAL  GAINS, IF  ANY, THAT  IT DISTRIBUTES  TO ITS  SHAREHOLDERS. TO  THE
EXTENT  NOT DISTRIBUTED BY THE SERIES, NET TAXABLE INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL
GAINS AND LOSSES ARE TAXABLE TO THE SERIES.
 
  To the extent the Series invests in taxable obligations, it will earn  taxable
investment   income.  Also,  to  the  extent   the  Series  engages  in  hedging
transactions in  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon,  it  may  earn  both
short-term  and long-term capital gain or loss. Under the Internal Revenue Code,
special rules apply to  the treatment of certain  options and futures  contracts
(Section  1256 contracts). At the end of each year, such investments held by the
Series will  be  required  to be  "marked  to  market" for  federal  income  tax
purposes; that is, treated as having been sold at market value. Sixty percent of
any  gain or loss recognized on these  "deemed sales" and on actual dispositions
will be treated as  long-term capital gain  or loss, and  the remainder will  be
treated  as  short-term  capital  gain  or  loss.  See  "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  Gain or loss realized by the Series from the sale of securities generally will
be treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of  certain
securities  (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary income
to the  extent  of any  "market  discount."  Market discount  generally  is  the
difference,  if any, between the  price paid by the  Series for the security and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The  market
discount  rule does not apply to any security that was acquired by the Series at
its original issue. See "Distributions and Tax Information" in the Statement  of
Additional Information.
 
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
  In  general, the  character of tax-exempt  interest distributed  by the Series
will flow through as tax-exempt interest  to its shareholders provided that  50%
or  more of the value  of its assets at  the end of each  quarter of its taxable
year is invested  in state,  municipal and  other obligations,  the interest  on
which  is excluded  from gross  income for  federal income  tax purposes. During
normal market  conditions, at  least 80%  of the  Series' total  assets will  be
invested  in such obligations.  See "How the  Fund Invests--Investment Objective
and Policies."
 
  Any  dividends  out   of  net   taxable  investment   income,  together   with
distributions  of  net  short-term gains  (I.E.,  the excess  of  net short-term
capital gains over  net long-term capital  losses) distributed to  shareholders,
will be taxable as ordinary income to the shareholder whether or not reinvested.
Any  net capital gains (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital  losses)  distributed  to shareholders  will  be  taxable  as
long-term  capital  gains to  the shareholders,  whether  or not  reinvested and
regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned his or her shares.  The
maximum  long-term  capital  gains  rate for  individuals  is  28%.  The maximum
long-term capital gains rate for corporate shareholders currently is the same as
the maximum tax rate for ordinary income.
 
  Any gain or  loss realized upon  a sale or  redemption of Series  shares by  a
shareholder  who is  not a  dealer in  securities will  be treated  as long-term
capital gain  or loss  if the  shares  have been  held more  than one  year  and
otherwise as short-term capital gain
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
or  loss. Any such loss with  respect to shares that are  held for six months or
less, however, will be treated  as long-term capital loss  to the extent of  any
capital  gain  distributions  received  by  the  shareholder.  In  addition, any
short-term capital  loss will  be disallowed  to the  extent of  any  tax-exempt
dividends  received by the shareholder on shares that are held for six months or
less.
    
 
   
  The Fund has obtained opinions of counsel  to the effect that neither (i)  the
conversion  of Class B shares into Class A shares nor (ii) the exchange of Class
B or Class C shares for Class  A shares constitutes a taxable event for  federal
income  tax purposes.  However, such  opinions are  not binding  on the Internal
Revenue Service. Shareholders  should consult their  own tax advisers  regarding
the  taxability  of  such conversions  and  exchanges  for State  and  local tax
purposes.
    
 
  CERTAIN INVESTORS MAY  INCUR FEDERAL  ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX  LIABILITY AS  A
RESULT  OF  THEIR  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND.  Tax-exempt  interest  from certain
municipal obligations (I.E., certain private activity bonds issued after  August
7,  1986) will  be treated  as an  item of  tax preference  for purposes  of the
alternative minimum  tax. The  Fund anticipates  that, under  regulations to  be
promulgated,  items of tax preference incurred  by the Series will be attributed
to the  Series' shareholders,  although  some portion  of  such items  could  be
allocated  to the  Series itself.  Depending upon  each shareholder's individual
circumstances, the attribution of items of tax preference incurred by the Series
could result in liability for the  shareholder for the alternative minimum  tax.
Similarly,  the Series could be liable for the alternative minimum tax for items
of tax  preference  attributed to  it.  The Series  is  permitted to  invest  in
municipal obligations of the type that will produce items of tax preference.
 
   
  Corporate  shareholders in the Series also will  have to take into account the
adjustment for current earnings for alternative minimum tax purposes.  Corporate
shareholders  should  consult  with  their tax  advisers  with  respect  to this
potential adjustment.
    
 
  Under  Pennsylvania  law,  dividends  paid  by  the  Series  are  exempt  from
Pennsylvania income tax for individuals who are subject to Pennsylvania personal
income  tax to the extent  such dividends are derived  from interest payments on
Pennsylvania Obligations.
 
  Dividends paid by  the Series  are also  exempt from  the Philadelphia  School
District investment net income tax for individuals who are residents of the City
of  Philadelphia to the extent such dividends are derived from interest payments
on Pennsylvania Obligations or  to the extent such  dividends are designated  as
capital gain dividends for federal income tax purposes.
 
  Shares of the Series will be exempt from Pennsylvania county personal property
taxes  to the  extent the Series'  portfolio securities  consist of Pennsylvania
Obligations on the annual assessment date.
 
WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
  Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Series is required to withhold and  remit
to  the  U.S. Treasury  31%  of redemption  proceeds  on the  accounts  of those
shareholders who fail to  furnish their tax identification  numbers on IRS  Form
W-9  (or IRS  Form W-8  in the  case of  certain foreign  shareholders) with the
required certifications  regarding the  shareholder's status  under the  federal
income  tax  law. Such  withholding is  also required  on taxable  dividends and
capital gain distributions made by the  Series unless it is reasonably  expected
that at least 95% of the distributions of the Series are comprised of tax-exempt
dividends.
 
  Shareholders  are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions as  to federal,  state  or local  taxes.  See "Distributions  and  Tax
Information" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
   
  THE  SERIES  EXPECTS  TO  DECLARE  DAILY  AND  PAY  MONTHLY  DIVIDENDS  OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME,  IF ANY,  AND MAKE  DISTRIBUTIONS AT  LEAST ANNUALLY  OF  ANY
CAPITAL  GAINS IN EXCESS  OF CAPITAL LOSSES.  Dividends paid by  the Series with
respect to each class of shares, to  the extent any dividends are paid, will  be
calculated  in the same manner, at the same time, on the same day and will be in
the same amount except that each  class will bear its own distribution  charges,
generally  resulting in  lower dividends  for the  Class B  and Class  C shares.
Distributions of net capital gains, if any, will be paid in the same amount  for
each class of shares. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
    
 
  DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL  BE PAID IN ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE SERIES
BASED ON THE  NAV OF EACH  CLASS OF THE  SERIES ON THE  PAYMENT DATE AND  RECORD
DATE, RESPECTIVELY, OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS THE TRUSTEES MAY DETERMINE, UNLESS THE
SHAREHOLDER  ELECTS IN  WRITING NOT  LESS THAN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS  PRIOR TO THE
RECORD DATE TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. Such  election
should be submitted to Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Account
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
Maintenance,  P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick,  New Jersey 08906-5015. If you hold
shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial  adviser
to  elect to receive dividends  and distributions in cash.  The Fund will notify
each shareholder after the close of the  Fund's taxable year of both the  dollar
amount  and the taxable status  of that year's dividends  and distributions on a
per share basis.
 
  Any taxable dividends or distributions of  capital gains paid shortly after  a
purchase by an investor will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value  of the  investor's shares  by the  per share  amount of  the dividends or
distributions. Such dividends or distributions,  although in effect a return  of
invested  principal, are subject to federal  income taxes. Accordingly, prior to
purchasing shares  of the  Series,  an investor  should carefully  consider  the
impact  of taxable dividends and capital  gains distributions which are expected
to be or have been announced.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
   
  THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AS A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST ON MAY 18, 1984, BY
A DECLARATION OF TRUST.  The Fund's activities are  supervised by its  Trustees.
The  Declaration of Trust permits  the Trustees to issue  an unlimited number of
full and  fractional shares  in  separate series,  currently designated  as  the
Connecticut  Money Market Series, Florida Series, Hawaii Income Series, Maryland
Series,  Massachusetts  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market  Series,  Michigan
Series,  New  Jersey Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York Income
Series (not presently  being offered), New  York Series, New  York Money  Market
Series,  North Carolina Series, Ohio Series  and Pennsylvania Series. The Series
is authorized  to  issue an  unlimited  number  of shares,  divided  into  three
classes,  designated  Class  A,  Class  B and  Class  C.  Each  class  of shares
represents an interest in the same assets of the Series and is identical in  all
respects  except that (i) each  class is subject to  different sales charges and
distribution and/or service fees, which may affect performance, (ii) each  class
has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates
solely to its arrangement and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted
to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of
any  other class, (iii) each  class has a different  exchange privilege and (iv)
only  Class  B  shares  have  a  conversion  feature.  See  "How  the  Fund   is
Managed--Distributor."  In accordance with the  Fund's Declaration of Trust, the
Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series and classes within such
series, with such preferences, privileges,  limitations and voting and  dividend
rights as the Trustees may determine.
    
 
  Shares  of  the  Fund,  when  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable, fully
transferable and  redeemable  at the  option  of  the holder.  Shares  are  also
redeemable  at the option  of the Fund under  certain circumstances as described
under "Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares." Each share of each class  of
the  Series is  equal as  to earnings, assets  and voting  privileges, except as
noted above, and each  class bears the expenses  related to the distribution  of
its  shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to the Class B shares,
there are no conversion, preemptive or  other subscription rights. In the  event
of  liquidation, each share of beneficial interest in each series is entitled to
its portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the  Fund
have  been  paid.  Since  Class  B and  Class  C  shares  generally  bear higher
distribution  expenses  than  Class  A  shares,  the  liquidation  proceeds   to
shareholders  of  those  classes  are  likely  to  be  lower  than  to  Class  A
shareholders. The Fund's  shares do not  have cumulative voting  rights for  the
election of Trustees.
 
  THE  FUND  DOES NOT  INTEND  TO HOLD  ANNUAL  MEETINGS OF  SHAREHOLDERS UNLESS
OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW.  THE FUND WILL  NOT BE REQUIRED  TO HOLD MEETINGS  OF
SHAREHOLDERS  UNLESS, FOR  EXAMPLE, THE ELECTION  OF TRUSTEES IS  REQUIRED TO BE
ACTED UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS UNDER  THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. SHAREHOLDERS  HAVE
CERTAIN  RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CALL A MEETING UPON A VOTE OF 10% OF THE
FUND'S OUTSTANDING SHARES FOR  THE PURPOSE OF  VOTING ON THE  REMOVAL OF ONE  OR
MORE TRUSTEES OR TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
  The  Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make the
Fund similar in certain  respects to a  Massachusetts business corporation.  The
principal  distinction  between  a  Massachusetts  business  corporation  and  a
Massachusetts  business   trust   relates  to   shareholder   liability.   Under
Massachusetts   law,  shareholders  of  a  business  trust  may,  under  certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of  the
fund,  which is not the case with a corporation. The Declaration of Trust of the
Fund provides that shareholders shall not  be subject to any personal  liability
for  the acts  or obligations  of the  Fund and  that every  written obligation,
contract, instrument or undertaking made by  the Fund shall contain a  provision
to the effect that the shareholders are not individually bound thereunder.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  This  Prospectus, including the Statement  of Additional Information which has
been incorporated by reference herein, does not contain all the information  set
forth  in the Registration  Statement filed by  the Fund with  the SEC under the
Securities Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained  at
a  reasonable charge  from the SEC  or may  be examined, without  charge, at the
office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
 
   
  YOU MAY PURCHASE SHARES OF THE SERIES THROUGH PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, PRUSEC OR
DIRECTLY FROM  THE FUND,  THROUGH  ITS TRANSFER  AGENT, PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL  FUND
SERVICES,  INC. (PMFS  OR THE  TRANSFER AGENT),  ATTENTION: INVESTMENT SERVICES,
P.O. BOX 15020, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY 08906-5020. The purchase price is  the
NAV  next determined  following receipt  of an  order by  the Transfer  Agent or
Prudential Securities plus a sales charge which, at your option, may be  imposed
either  (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis
(Class B or  Class C shares).  See "Alternative Purchase  Plan" below. See  also
"How the Fund Values its Shares."
    
 
  An  investment  in  the  Series  may  not  be  appropriate  for  tax-exempt or
tax-deferred investors. Such investors should consult their own tax advisers.
 
   
  The minimum initial investment for  Class A and Class  B shares is $1,000  per
class  and $5,000 for Class C shares.  The minimum subsequent investment is $100
for all  classes. All  minimum investment  requirements are  waived for  certain
employee  savings  plans.  For  purchases  made  through  the  Automatic Savings
Accumulation Plan, the  minimum initial  and subsequent investment  is $50.  See
"Shareholder Services" below.
    
 
  Application  forms can be obtained from PMFS, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
If a share  certificate is desired,  it must  be requested in  writing for  each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares. Shareholders who hold
their shares through Prudential Securities will not receive share certificates.
 
  The  Fund  reserves  the right  to  reject  any purchase  order  (including an
exchange into the Series) or to suspend or modify the continuous offering of its
shares. See "How to Sell Your Shares" below.
 
   
  Your dealer is responsible  for forwarding payment promptly  to the Fund.  The
Distributor  reserves the right  to cancel any purchase  order for which payment
has not been received by the third business day following the investment.
    
 
  Transactions in shares of  the Series may be  subject to postage and  handling
charges imposed by your dealer.
 
  PURCHASE BY WIRE. For an initial purchase of shares of the Series by wire, you
must  first telephone PMFS  at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free)  to receive an account
number. The following  information will  be requested: your  name, address,  tax
identification  number, class  election, dividend  distribution election, amount
being  wired   and  wiring   bank.  Instructions   should  then   be  given   by
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
you  to your  bank to  transfer funds  by wire  to State  Street Bank  and Trust
Company (State Street), Boston, Massachusetts, Custody and Shareholder  Services
Division,  Attention: Prudential Municipal  Series Fund, specifying  on the wire
the account number  assigned by  PMFS and your  name and  identifying the  sales
charge  alternative (Class  A, Class B  or Class C  shares) and the  name of the
Series.
 
  If you arrange  for receipt  by State  Street of  Federal Funds  prior to  the
calculation  of  NAV (4:15  P.M., New  York time),  on a  business day,  you may
purchase shares of  the Series  as of  that day. See  "Net Asset  Value" in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
  In  making a subsequent purchase  order by wire, you  should wire State Street
directly and should be sure that the wire specifies Prudential Municipal  Series
Fund,  the name of the Series, Class A, Class  B or Class C shares and your name
and individual  account  number.  It is  not  necessary  to call  PMFS  to  make
subsequent purchase orders utilizing Federal Funds. The minimum amount which may
be invested by wire is $1,000.
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN
 
   
  THE  SERIES OFFERS THROUGH  THIS PROSPECTUS THREE CLASSES  OF SHARES (CLASS A,
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES) WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE THE MOST BENEFICIAL SALES
CHARGE STRUCTURE  FOR YOUR  INDIVIDUAL  CIRCUMSTANCES GIVEN  THE AMOUNT  OF  THE
PURCHASE,  THE LENGTH OF TIME  YOU EXPECT TO HOLD  THE SHARES AND OTHER RELEVANT
CIRCUMSTANCES (ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLAN).
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      ANNUAL 12b-1 FEES
                                                     (AS A % OF AVERAGE
                                                            DAILY
                        SALES CHARGE                     NET ASSETS)                  OTHER INFORMATION
           --------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                     <C>                      <C>
CLASS A    Maximum initial sales charge of 3% of   .30 of 1% (currently     Initial sales charge waived or reduced
           the public offering price               being charged at a rate  for certain purchases
                                                   of .10 of 1%)
CLASS B    Maximum contingent deferred sales       .50 of 1%                Shares convert to Class A shares
           charge or CDSC of 5% of the lesser of                            approximately seven years after
           the amount invested or the redemption                            purchase
           proceeds; declines to zero after six
           years
 
CLASS C    Maximum CDSC of 1% the lesser of the    1% (currently being      Shares do not convert to another class
           amount invested or the redemption       charged at a rate of
           proceeds on redemptions made within     .75 of 1%)
           one year of purchase
</TABLE>
 
   
  The three classes  of shares represent  an interest in  the same portfolio  of
investments  of the Series and have the  same rights, except that (i) each class
bears the separate  expenses of its  Rule 12b-1 distribution  and service  plan,
(ii)  each  class  has  exclusive  voting  rights  on  any  matter  submitted to
shareholders that  relates solely  to its  arrangement and  has separate  voting
rights  on any matter  submitted to shareholders  in which the  interests of one
class differ from  the interests  of any  other class,  and (iii)  only Class  B
shares  have a conversion feature. The three classes also have separate exchange
privileges. See "How to Exchange Your Shares" below. The income attributable  to
each class and the dividends payable on the shares of each class will be reduced
by  the amount of the distribution fee of each class. Class B and Class C shares
bear the expenses of a higher  distribution fee which will generally cause  them
to  have  higher expense  ratios and  to pay  lower dividends  than the  Class A
shares.
    
 
  Financial advisers and other sales agents  who sell shares of the Series  will
receive  different compensation for selling Class A,  Class B and Class C shares
and will generally receive more compensation  initially for selling Class A  and
Class B shares than for selling Class C shares.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
  IN  SELECTING A PURCHASE ALTERNATIVE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
(1) the length of time you expect to hold your investment, (2) the amount of any
applicable sales charge (whether imposed at the time of purchase or  redemption)
and  distribution-related fees, as noted above,  (3) whether you qualify for any
reduction or waiver  of any applicable  sales charge, (4)  the various  exchange
privileges  among the  different classes  of shares  (see "How  to Exchange Your
Shares" below) and  (5) the fact  that Class B  shares automatically convert  to
Class  A  shares  approximately  seven  years  after  purchase  (see "Conversion
Feature--Class B Shares" below).
 
  The following  is  provided to  assist  you  in determining  which  method  of
purchase  best suits your individual circumstances  and is based on current fees
and expenses being charged to the Series:
 
  If you intend to hold your investment in the Series for less than 5 years  and
do  not qualify  for a  reduced sales charge  on Class  A shares,  since Class A
shares are subject to a  maximum initial sales charge of  3% and Class B  shares
are  subject to a CDSC  of 5% which declines  to zero over a  6 year period, you
should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.
 
  If you intend to hold your investment for  5 years or more and do not  qualify
for  a reduced sales charge  on Class A shares, since  Class B shares convert to
Class A shares  approximately 7  years after purchase  and because  all of  your
money  would be  invested initially in  the case  of Class B  shares, you should
consider purchasing Class B shares over either Class A or Class C shares.
 
  If you qualify for a  reduced sales charge on Class  A shares, it may be  more
advantageous  for you to purchase Class A shares  over either Class B or Class C
shares regardless  of how  long you  intend to  hold your  investment.  However,
unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested
initially  because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time of
purchase.
 
   
  If you do not  qualify for a reduced  sales charge on Class  A shares and  you
purchase  Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than 4
years for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those  shares
to  exceed the initial sales  charge plus cumulative annual distribution-related
fee on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of  money,
which  further reduces the impact of the higher Class C distribution-related fee
on the investment, fluctuations in net asset value, the effect of the return  on
the  investment  over  this period  of  time  or redemptions  when  the  CDSC is
applicable.
    
 
  ALL PURCHASES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, EITHER AS PART OF A SINGLE INVESTMENT  OR
UNDER  RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION OR LETTERS OF  INTENT, MUST BE FOR CLASS A SHARES.
See "Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales Charges" below.
 
  CLASS A SHARES
 
  The offering price of Class A shares for investors choosing the initial  sales
charge  alternative is the next determined NAV plus a sales charge (expressed as
a percentage of the offering price and  of the amount invested) as shown in  the
following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           SALES CHARGE AS   SALES CHARGE AS    DEALER CONCESSION
                            PERCENTAGE OF     PERCENTAGE OF     AS PERCENTAGE OF
   AMOUNT OF PURCHASE       OFFERING PRICE   AMOUNT INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE
- -------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  -------------------
<S>                        <C>               <C>               <C>
Less than $99,999                  3.00%             3.09%               3.00%
$100,000 to $249,999               2.50              2.56                2.50%
$250,000 to $499,999               1.50              1.52                1.50%
$500,000 to $999,999               1.00              1.01                1.00%
$1,000,000 and above                None          None                    None
</TABLE>
 
   
  The  Distributor  may  reallow the  entire  initial sales  charge  to dealers.
Selling dealers may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act.
    
 
   
  In connection with the sale  of Class A shares at  NAV (without payment of  an
initial  sales charge), the Manager, the  Distributor or one of their affiliates
will pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute shares a
finders' fee based on a percentage of the net asset value of shares sold by such
persons.
    
 
  REDUCTION AND  WAIVER OF  INITIAL  SALES CHARGES.  Reduced sales  charges  are
available  through Rights of  Accumulation and Letters of  Intent. Shares of the
Fund and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market  funds
other than those
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
acquired  pursuant to the exchange privilege) may be aggregated to determine the
applicable reduction. See "Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares--Reduction and
Waiver of Initial Sales Charges--Class A Shares" in the Statement of  Additional
Information.
 
   
  OTHER  WAIVERS. Class  A shares  may be  purchased at  NAV, through Prudential
Securities or the  Transfer Agent, by  the following persons:  (a) officers  and
current  and former Directors/Trustees of the Prudential Mutual Funds (including
the Fund), (b) employees of Prudential Securities and PMF and their subsidiaries
and members of the families of  such persons who maintain an "employee  related"
account  at  Prudential  Securities or  the  Transfer Agent,  (c)  employees and
special agents  of Prudential  and its  subsidiaries and  all persons  who  have
retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries,
(d)  registered representatives and employees of dealers who have entered into a
selected dealer agreement with Prudential Securities provided that purchases  at
NAV  are  permitted by  such  person's employer  and  (e) investors  who  have a
business relationship with a financial adviser who joined Prudential  Securities
from  another investment firm, provided that (i) the purchase is made within 180
days of the  commencement of  the financial adviser's  employment at  Prudential
Securities or within one year in the case of benefit plans, (ii) the purchase is
made  with proceeds of a redemption of  shares of any open-end fund sponsored by
the financial adviser's  previous employer (other  than a money  market fund  or
other  no-load fund which imposes a distribution or  service fee of .25 of 1% or
less) and  (iii) the  financial adviser  served as  the client's  broker on  the
previous purchases.
    
 
   
  You  must  notify the  Transfer Agent  either  directly or  through Prudential
Securities or Prusec that  you are entitled  to the reduction  or waiver of  the
sales charge. The reduction or waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of
your  entitlement.  No initial  sales charges  are imposed  upon Class  A shares
acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. See "Purchase and
Redemption of Fund Shares--Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales  Charges--Class
A Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
  CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
 
   
  The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of
the  deferred sales  charge alternatives  is the  NAV next  determined following
receipt of an  order by the  Transfer Agent or  Prudential Securities.  Although
there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B
and  Class  C  shares  may  be  subject  to  a  CDSC.  See  "How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below. The Distributor will pay sales
commissions of up  to 4% of  the purchase price  of Class B  shares to  dealers,
financial advisers and other persons who sell Class B shares at the time of sale
from  its own resources.  This facilitates the  ability of the  Fund to sell the
Class B shares without  an initial sales  charge being deducted  at the time  of
purchase.  The Distributor  anticipates that it  will recoup  its advancement of
sales commissions from the combination of the CDSC and the distribution fee. See
"Distributor." In connection with  the sale of Class  C shares, the  Distributor
will  pay dealers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute Class C
shares a sales commission of up to 1%  of the purchase price at the time of  the
sale.
    
 
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
 
  YOU  CAN REDEEM YOUR SHARES OF THE SERIES AT ANY TIME FOR CASH AT THE NAV NEXT
DETERMINED AFTER  THE REDEMPTION  REQUEST  IS RECEIVED  IN  PROPER FORM  BY  THE
TRANSFER  AGENT OR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES. SEE  "HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES."
In certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount  of
any  applicable  contingent  deferred  sales  charge,  as  described  below. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" below.
 
  IF YOU  HOLD SHARES  OF THE  SERIES THROUGH  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES,  YOU  MUST
REDEEM SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER. IF YOU
HOLD  SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM, A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REDEMPTION SIGNED BY
YOU EXACTLY AS THE ACCOUNT IS REGISTERED IS REQUIRED. IF YOU HOLD  CERTIFICATES,
THE  CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN  ON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATES,
MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT IN ORDER FOR THE REDEMPTION REQUEST TO BE
PROCESSED. IF REDEMPTION IS  REQUESTED BY A  CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, TRUST  OR
FIDUCIARY,  WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY ACCEPTABLE  TO THE TRANSFER AGENT MUST
BE SUBMITTED  BEFORE  SUCH REQUEST  WILL  BE ACCEPTED.  All  correspondence  and
documents  concerning redemptions  should be  sent to  the Fund  in care  of its
Transfer Agent,  Prudential Mutual  Fund Services,  Inc., Attention:  Redemption
Services, P.O. Box 15010, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
  If  the proceeds of the redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to be paid to a
person other than the record owner, (c) are to be sent to an address other  than
the  address  on the  Transfer  Agent's records,  or  (d) are  to  be paid  to a
corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemption
request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor institution." An  "eligible guarantor institution"  includes
any  bank, broker, dealer or credit union. The Transfer Agent reserves the right
to request additional information  from, and make  reasonable inquiries of,  any
eligible guarantor institution. For clients of Prusec, a signature guarantee may
be  obtained from the agency or office  manager of most Prudential Insurance and
Financial Services or Preferred Services offices.
 
  PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE MADE BY CHECK WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS AFTER  RECEIPT BY  THE TRANSFER  AGENT OF  THE CERTIFICATE  AND/OR  WRITTEN
REQUEST  EXCEPT  AS  INDICATED  BELOW. IF  YOU  HOLD  SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL
SECURITIES, PAYMENT FOR SHARES PRESENTED FOR REDEMPTION WILL BE CREDITED TO YOUR
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES ACCOUNT, UNLESS YOU  INDICATE OTHERWISE. Such payment  may
be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock  Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays, (b)
when trading on such Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as  a
result  of  which  disposal by  the  Series of  securities  owned by  it  is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Series fairly
to determine the value of  its net assets, or (d)  during any other period  when
the SEC, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of
the  SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or (d)
exist.
 
  PAYMENT FOR REDEMPTION OF RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL  THE
FUND  OR ITS TRANSFER  AGENT HAS BEEN  ADVISED THAT THE  PURCHASE CHECK HAS BEEN
HONORED, UP TO 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM  THE TIME OF RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE  CHECK
BY THE TRANSFER AGENT. SUCH DELAY MAY BE AVOIDED BY PURCHASING SHARES BY WIRE OR
BY CERTIFIED OR OFFICIAL BANK CHECK.
 
  REDEMPTION  IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests  of the remaining  shareholders of the  Fund to make  payment
wholly  or partly in cash, the Fund may  pay the redemption price in whole or in
part by a distribution  in kind of securities  from the investment portfolio  of
the  Series of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules of
the SEC. Securities will be  readily marketable and will  be valued in the  same
manner as in a regular redemption. See "How the Fund Values its Shares." If your
shares  are redeemed in kind, you will incur transaction costs in converting the
assets into cash. The Fund,  however, has elected to  be governed by Rule  18f-1
under  the Investment Company Act,  under which the Fund  is obligated to redeem
shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset  value
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
 
  INVOLUNTARY  REDEMPTION. In order to reduce expenses of the Fund, the Trustees
may redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder  which
is  an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement  plan, whose account has a net asset
value of  less  than  $500  due  to  a  redemption.  The  Fund  will  give  such
shareholders  60  days' prior  written notice  in  which to  purchase sufficient
additional shares to avoid such redemption. No contingent deferred sales  charge
will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.
 
   
  90-DAY REPURCHASE PRIVILEGE. If you redeem your shares and have not previously
exercised  the repurchase privilege, you may reinvest  any portion or all of the
proceeds of such redemption in shares of  the Series at the NAV next  determined
after  the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of the
redemption. Any CDSC paid  in connection with such  redemption will be  credited
(in shares) to your account. (If less than a full repurchase is made, the credit
will  be on a PRO RATA basis.) You must notify the Fund's Transfer Agent, either
directly or through Prudential Securities, at the time the repurchase  privilege
is  exercised  to  adjust  your  account  for  the  CDSC  you  previously  paid.
Thereafter, any redemptions will be subject  to the CDSC applicable at the  time
of  the redemption. See  "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charges" below. Exercise of
the repurchase privilege will generally not affect the federal tax treatment  of
any  gain realized upon redemption. However, if the redemption was made within a
30 day period of the repurchase and  if the redemption resulted in a loss,  some
or  all of the loss, depending on the  amount reinvested, may not be allowed for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
  CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
 
  Redemptions of Class B shares will  be subject to a contingent deferred  sales
charge  or CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C shares
redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC will
be deducted from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid to you.  The
CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by you which reduces the current value of
your  Class B or Class C  shares to an amount which  is lower than the amount of
all payments by you for  shares during the preceding six  years, in the case  of
Class  B shares, and  one year, in  the case of  Class C shares.  A CDSC will be
applied on the lesser of the original purchase price or the current value of the
shares being redeemed. Increases in the value of your shares or shares  acquired
through  reinvestment of dividends  or distributions are not  subject to a CDSC.
The amount of any contingent deferred sales charge will be paid to and  retained
by  the Distributor. See  "How the Fund is  Managed--Distributor" and "Waiver of
the Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class B Shares" below.
 
  The amount of the  CDSC, if any,  will vary depending on  the number of  years
from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption
of  such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the
time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will
be aggregated and deemed  to have been made  on the last day  of the month.  The
CDSC  will  be calculated  from the  first day  of the  month after  the initial
purchase, excluding the time shares were held  in a money market fund. See  "How
to Exchange Your Shares."
 
  The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemptions
of Class B shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CONTINGENT DEFERRED
                                                                            SALES
                                                                    CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                                                 OF DOLLARS INVESTED OR
PAYMENT MADE                                                         REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>
First.............................................................            5.0%
Second............................................................            4.0%
Third.............................................................            3.0%
Fourth............................................................            2.0%
Fifth.............................................................            1.0%
Sixth.............................................................            1.0%
Seventh...........................................................            None
</TABLE>
 
  In  determining whether a CDSC is  applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a  manner that results in the  lowest possible rate. It will  be
assumed  that  the  redemption  is made  first  of  amounts  representing shares
acquired pursuant to the  reinvestment of dividends  and distributions; then  of
amounts  representing the increase in net asset  value above the total amount of
payments for the purchase of Series  shares made during the preceding six  years
(five  years for Class  B shares purchased  prior to January  22, 1990); then of
amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable CDSC  period;
and  finally, of amounts  representing the cost  of shares held  for the longest
period of time within the applicable CDSC period.
 
  For example, assume you purchased  100 Class B shares at  $10 per share for  a
cost  of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired  5 additional Class B shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase you decided  to
redeem  $500 of your investment. Assuming at  the time of the redemption the NAV
had appreciated to  $12 per share,  the value of  your Class B  shares would  be
$1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value
of  the reinvested dividend shares and  the amount which represents appreciation
($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260)  would
be  charged  at a  rate of  4% (the  applicable  rate in  the second  year after
purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
 
  For federal income tax purposes, the amount  of the CDSC will reduce the  gain
or  increase the  loss, as  the case  may be,  on the  amount recognized  on the
redemption of shares.
 
  WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. The CDSC will
be waived in the  case of a  redemption following the death  or disability of  a
shareholder  or,  in  the  case  of a  trust  account,  following  the  death or
disability of  the  grantor.  The  waiver is  available  for  total  or  partial
redemptions  of  shares  owned by  a  person,  either individually  or  in joint
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
tenancy (with  rights  of  survivorship),  at  the  time  of  death  or  initial
determination of disability, provided that the shares were purchased on or prior
to  death or disability. In addition, the  CDSC will be waived on redemptions of
shares held by a Trustee of the Fund.
 
  You  must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you are
entitled to  waiver  of  the CDSC  and  provide  the Transfer  Agent  with  such
supporting  documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be granted
subject to confirmation  of your  entitlement. See "Purchase  and Redemption  of
Fund  Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
 
  A quantity discount may apply to redemptions of Class B shares purchased prior
to August  1,  1994.  See  "Purchase and  Redemption  of  Fund  Shares--Quantity
Discount--Class  B Shares Purchased Prior to August 1, 1994" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES
 
  Class B shares  will automatically convert  to Class A  shares on a  quarterly
basis  approximately seven years after purchase. Conversions will be effected at
relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales  charge.
The  first conversion  of Class  B shares  occurred in  February 1995,  when the
conversion feature was first implemented.
 
  Since the Fund tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought  on
each  purchase  of Class  B shares,  the number  of Class  B shares  eligible to
convert to  Class A  shares  (excluding shares  acquired through  the  automatic
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (the Eligible Shares) will be
determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (i)
the  ratio of (a) the  amounts paid for Class B  shares purchased at least seven
years prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class  B
shares  purchased and  then held  in your account  (ii) multiplied  by the total
number of Class B shares purchased and then held in your account. Each time  any
Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts
representing  Class B shares then in your account that were acquired through the
automatic reinvestment  of dividends  and other  distributions will  convert  to
Class A shares.
 
  For  purposes of  determining the  number of Eligible  Shares, if  the Class B
shares in  your  account on  any  conversion date  are  the result  of  multiple
purchases at different net asset values per share, the number of Eligible Shares
calculated  as described above  will generally be  either more or  less than the
number of  shares  actually  purchased approximately  seven  years  before  such
conversion  date. For example, if 100 shares were initially purchased at $10 per
share (for  a  total  of  $1,000)  and a  second  purchase  of  100  shares  was
subsequently  made at $11 per share (for  a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares would
convert approximately  seven  years  from the  initial  purchase  (I.E.,  $1,000
divided  by $2,100 (47.62%)  multiplied by 200 shares  equals 95.24 shares). The
Manager reserves the right to modify  the formula for determining the number  of
Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.
 
  Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class
B shares, the per share net asset value of the Class A shares may be higher than
that  of  the Class  B  shares at  the time  of  conversion. Thus,  although the
aggregate dollar value will be  the same, you may  receive fewer Class A  shares
than Class B shares converted. See "How the Fund Values its Shares."
 
  For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all
payments  for Class B shares during a month  will be deemed to have been made on
the last day of the month, or for Class B shares acquired through exchange, or a
series of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original  payment
for  purchases of such  Class B shares  was made. For  Class B shares previously
exchanged for shares of a money market  fund, the time period during which  such
shares were held in the money market fund will be excluded. For example, Class B
shares  held in a  money market fund  for one year  will not convert  to Class A
shares until approximately eight years from purchase. For purposes of  measuring
the  time period during which shares are  held in a money market fund, exchanges
will be deemed to have been  made on the last day  of the month. Class B  shares
acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares after expiration of the
conversion period applicable to the original purchase of such shares.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
  The  conversion  feature  may be  subject  to the  continuing  availability of
opinions of counsel  or rulings  of the Internal  Revenue Service  (i) that  the
dividends  and other distributions paid  on Class A, Class  B and Class C shares
will not constitute "preferential dividends" under the Internal Revenue Code and
(ii) that the  conversion of  shares does not  constitute a  taxable event.  The
conversion  of  Class B  shares into  Class A  shares may  be suspended  if such
opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class
B shares of the  Series will continue to  be subject, possibly indefinitely,  to
their higher annual distribution and service fee.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES
 
  AS  A SHAREHOLDER OF THE SERIES, YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE WITH THE OTHER
SERIES OF  THE FUND  AND CERTAIN  OTHER PRUDENTIAL  MUTUAL FUNDS  (THE  EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE),  INCLUDING ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED  MONEY MARKET FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE
MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS  OF SUCH  FUNDS. CLASS A,  CLASS B  AND CLASS  C
SHARES  OF THE SERIES MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR  CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES,
RESPECTIVELY, OF THE OTHER SERIES  OF THE FUND OR ANOTHER  FUND ON THE BASIS  OF
THE  RELATIVE NAV. No sales charge will be  imposed at the time of exchange. Any
applicable CDSC  payable  upon  the  redemption  of  shares  exchanged  will  be
calculated from the first day of the month after the initial purchase, excluding
the time shares were held in a money market fund. Class B and Class C shares may
not  be exchanged  into money market  funds other than  Prudential Special Money
Market Fund. For purposes  of calculating the holding  period applicable to  the
Class  B conversion feature,  the time period  during which Class  B shares were
held in a money market fund  will be excluded. See "Conversion Feature--Class  B
Shares"  above. An exchange will be treated as a redemption and purchase for tax
purposes.  See  "Shareholder  Investment  Account--Exchange  Privilege"  in  the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
   
  IN  ORDER  TO  EXCHANGE  SHARES BY  TELEPHONE,  YOU  MUST  AUTHORIZE TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES ON YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION FORM OR BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE  TRANSFER
AGENT AND HOLD SHARES IN NON-CERTIFICATE FORM. Thereafter, you may call the Fund
at  (800) 225-1852 to  execute a telephone exchange  of shares, weekdays, except
holidays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., New York time. For  your
protection  and to  prevent fraudulent  exchanges, your  telephone call  will be
recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A
written confirmation of the  exchange transaction will be  sent to you.  NEITHER
THE  FUND NOR ITS  AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE  FOR ANY LOSS,  LIABILITY OR COST WHICH
RESULTS FROM ACTING UPON  INSTRUCTIONS REASONABLY BELIEVED  TO BE GENUINE  UNDER
THE  FOREGOING PROCEDURES. (THE FUND OR ITS AGENTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO LIABILITY
IF THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY REASONABLE PROCEDURES.) All exchanges will be made on the
basis of the relative NAV of the two funds (or series) next determined after the
request is received in good order.  The Exchange Privilege is available only  in
states where the exchange may legally be made.
    
 
  IF  YOU  HOLD SHARES  THROUGH PRUDENTIAL  SECURITIES,  YOU MUST  EXCHANGE YOUR
SHARES BY CONTACTING YOUR PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FINANCIAL ADVISER.
 
  IF YOU HOLD CERTIFICATES, THE CERTIFICATES, SIGNED IN THE NAME(S) SHOWN ON THE
FACE OF  THE CERTIFICATES,  MUST  BE RETURNED  IN ORDER  FOR  THE SHARES  TO  BE
EXCHANGED. SEE "HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES" ABOVE.
 
  You  may also  exchange shares  by mail by  writing to  Prudential Mutual Fund
Services, Inc., Attention: Exchange Processing,  P.O. Box 15010, New  Brunswick,
New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  IN  PERIODS OF SEVERE MARKET OR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OF
SHARES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO  IMPLEMENT AND YOU SHOULD  MAKE EXCHANGES BY MAIL  BY
WRITING TO PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., AT THE ADDRESS NOTED ABOVE.
 
   
  SPECIAL  EXCHANGE  PRIVILEGE. A  special exchange  privilege is  available for
shareholders who qualify  to purchase Class  A shares at  NAV (see  "Alternative
Purchase  Plan--Class A Shares--Reduction  and Waiver of  Initial Sales Charges"
above). Under  this exchange  privilege, amounts  representing any  Class B  and
Class  C shares (which are  not subject to a CDSC)  held in such a shareholder's
account will be automatically exchanged for Class A shares on a quarterly basis,
unless the shareholder elects otherwise. Eligibility for this exchange privilege
will be  calculated on  the business  day prior  to the  date of  the  exchange.
Amounts  representing Class B or Class C shares  which are not subject to a CDSC
include the  following: (1)  amounts  representing Class  B  or Class  C  shares
acquired  pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions,
(2) amounts representing  the increase in  the net asset  value above the  total
amount of payments for the purchase of Class B or Class C shares and (3) amounts
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
representing  Class B or Class C shares  held beyond the applicable CDSC period.
Class B and Class C shareholders must notify the Transfer Agent either  directly
or  through  Prudential Securities  or Prusec  that they  are eligible  for this
special exchange privilege.
 
   
  The Fund reserves the right to  reject any exchange order including  exchanges
(and  market timing transactions) which are  of size and/or frequency engaged in
by one or more accounts acting in concert or otherwise, that have or may have an
adverse effect on  the ability of  the Subadviser to  manage the portfolio.  The
determination that such exchanges or activity may have an adverse effect and the
determination  to reject any  exchange order shall  be in the  discretion of the
Manager and the Subadviser.
    
 
   
  The Exchange Privilege  is not  a right and  may be  suspended, terminated  or
modified on 60 days' notice to shareholders.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
  In addition to the Exchange Privilege, as a shareholder in the Series, you can
take advantage of the following services and privileges:
 
      - AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS WITHOUT A SALES
    CHARGE.   For  your   convenience,  all  dividends   and  distributions  are
    automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Series at  NAV
    without  a sales charge.  You may direct  the Transfer Agent  in writing not
    less than 5 full business days prior  to the record date to have  subsequent
    dividends  and/or distributions sent in cash  rather than reinvested. If you
    hold shares through Prudential Securities, you should contact your financial
    adviser.
 
      - AUTOMATIC  SAVINGS ACCUMULATION  PLAN (ASAP).  Under ASAP  you may  make
    regular  purchases of the Series' shares in  amounts as little as $50 via an
    automatic  debit  to  a  bank  account  or  Prudential  Securities   account
    (including  a  Command  Account).  For  additional  information  about  this
    service, you  may  contact  your Prudential  Securities  financial  adviser,
    Prusec representative or the Transfer Agent directly.
 
      - SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan is available to
    shareholders  which provides for monthly or quarterly checks. Withdrawals of
    Class B and Class C shares may be  subject to a CDSC. See "How to Sell  Your
    Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charges" above.
 
   
      -  REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund  will send you annual and semi-annual
    reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are audited by
    independent accountants. In order to  reduce duplicate mailing and  printing
    expenses,  the  Fund will  provide  one annual  and  semi-annual shareholder
    report and  annual  prospectus per  household.  You may  request  additional
    copies  of such reports by calling (800)  225-1852 or by writing to the Fund
    at Gateway  Center Three,  Newark, New  Jersey 07102.  In addition,  monthly
    unaudited financial data is available upon request from the Fund.
    
 
   
      -  SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES.  Inquiries should  be addressed  to the  Fund at
    Gateway Center Three, Newark,  New Jersey 07102, or  by telephone, at  (800)
    225-1852  (toll-free)  or,  from  outside  the  U.S.A.,  at  (908)  417-7555
    (collect).
    
 
  For additional  information regarding  the services  and privileges  described
above,  see  "Shareholder Investment  Account"  in the  Statement  of Additional
Information.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management  offers a  broad  range  of  mutual funds
designed to meet your individual needs. We welcome you to review the  investment
options  available  through our  family of  funds. For  more information  on the
Prudential Mutual Funds, including charges and expenses, contact your Prudential
Securities financial adviser or Prusec representative or telephone the Funds  at
(800)  225-1852 for a free prospectus.  Read the prospectus carefully before you
invest or send money.
 
  -----------------------------------------------
  TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
  -----------------------------------------------
  Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Short-Intermediate Term Series
  Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Income Portfolio
  The BlackRock Government Income Trust
  -----------------------------------------------
  TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS
  -----------------------------------------------
  Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Series
    California Income Series
  Prudential Municipal Bond Fund
    High Yield Series
    Insured Series
    Intermediate Series
  Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Florida Series
    Hawaii Income Series
    Maryland Series
    Massachusetts Series
    Michigan Series
    New Jersey Series
    New York Series
    North Carolina Series
    Ohio Series
    Pennsylvania Series
  Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.
  -----------------------------------------------
  GLOBAL FUNDS
  -----------------------------------------------
  Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.
    Limited Maturity Portfolio
  Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.
  Prudential World Fund, Inc.
    Global Series
    International Stock Series
  The Global Government Plus Fund, Inc.
  The Global Total Return Fund, Inc.
  Global Utility Fund, Inc.
 
  -----------------------------------------------
  EQUITY FUNDS
  -----------------------------------------------
   
  Prudential Allocation Fund
    Balanced Portfolio
    Strategy Portfolio
  Prudential Distressed Securities Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Dryden Fund
    Prudential Active Balanced Fund
    Prudential Stock Index Fund
  Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Equity Income Fund
  Prudential Jennison Series Fund, Inc.
    Prudential Jennison Growth Fund
    Prudential Jennison Growth & Income
      Fund
  Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Small Companies Fund, Inc.
  Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.
  Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.
    Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund
    
  -----------------------------------------------
  MONEY MARKET FUNDS
  -----------------------------------------------
  -TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
  Prudential Government Securities Trust
    Money Market Series
    U.S. Treasury Money Market Series
  Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc.
    Money Market Series
  Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc.
  -TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
  Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
  Prudential California Municipal Fund
    California Money Market Series
  Prudential Municipal Series Fund
    Connecticut Money Market Series
    Massachusetts Money Market Series
    New Jersey Money Market Series
    New York Money Market Series
  -COMMAND FUNDS
  Command Money Fund
  Command Government Fund
  Command Tax-Free Fund
  -INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
  Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc.
    Institutional Money Market Series
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
No  dealer, sales representative or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to  make any representations, other  than those contained  in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made,  such  other information  or representations  must not  be relied  upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an offer by the Fund or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation
of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction  to
any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.
 
                  -------------------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         PAGE
                                                         ----
<S>                                                      <C>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS........................................    2
  Risk Factors and Special Characteristics.............    2
FUND EXPENSES..........................................    4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS...................................    5
HOW THE FUND INVESTS...................................    8
  Investment Objective and Policies....................    8
  Other Investments and Policies.......................   12
  Investment Restrictions..............................   13
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED................................   13
  Manager..............................................   13
  Distributor..........................................   14
  Portfolio Transactions...............................   16
  Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing
   Agent...............................................   16
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES.........................   17
HOW THE FUND CALCULATES PERFORMANCE....................   17
TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.....................   18
GENERAL INFORMATION....................................   20
  Description of Shares................................   20
  Additional Information...............................   21
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE......................................   21
  How to Buy Shares of the Fund........................   21
  Alternative Purchase Plan............................   22
  How to Sell Your Shares..............................   24
  Conversion Feature--Class B Shares...................   27
  How to Exchange Your Shares..........................   28
  Shareholder Services.................................   29
THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND FAMILY......................  A-1
</TABLE>
    
 
- -------------------------------------------
MF132A                                         4440349
                                   Class A: 74435M-87-9
                        CUSIP Nos.: Class B: 74435M-88-7
                                   Class C: 74435M-48-1
 
   
                                    PROSPECTUS
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
  PRUDENTIAL
 
  MUNICIPAL
 
  SERIES FUND
 
  PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
 
- --------------------------------------
 
                                      [LOGO]
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
- ------------------------------------------
 
   
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
Prudential   Municipal  Series  Fund  (the  Fund)  is  an  open-end,  management
investment  company,  or  mutual  fund,  consisting  of  fourteen  series--  the
Connecticut  Money Market Series, the Florida  Series, the Hawaii Income Series,
the Maryland Series,  the Massachusetts Series,  the Massachusetts Money  Market
Series,  the Michigan Series, the New Jersey Series, the New Jersey Money Market
Series, the  New  York Series,  the  New York  Money  Market Series,  the  North
Carolina  Series,  the  Ohio Series  and  the Pennsylvania  Series.  A fifteenth
series, the  New  York  Income  Series, is  not  currently  being  offered.  The
objective  of each series,  other than the Connecticut  Money Market Series, the
Massachusetts Money Market Series,  the New Jersey Money  Market Series and  the
New York Money Market Series (collectively, the money market series), is to seek
to provide to shareholders who are residents of the respective state the maximum
amount  of income that is exempt from  federal and applicable state income taxes
and, in the case of the New York Series and the New York Income Series, also New
York City income  taxes, consistent with  the preservation of  capital, and,  in
conjunction  therewith,  the  series  may invest  in  debt  securities  with the
potential for capital gain. The objective of the money market series is to  seek
to  provide the highest level of current  income that is exempt from federal and
applicable state income  taxes and, in  the case  of the New  York Money  Market
Series,  also  New York  City income  taxes, consistent  with liquidity  and the
preservation of capital. All  of the series are  diversified except the  Florida
Series,  the Hawaii  Income Series,  the New York  Income Series,  and the money
market series, other  than the New  York Money  Market Series. There  can be  no
assurance   that  any  series'  investment   objective  will  be  achieved.  See
"Investment Objectives and Policies."
 
   
The Fund's address is  Gateway Center Three, Newark,  New Jersey 07102, and  its
telephone number is (800) 225-1852.
    
 
   
This  Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read
in conjunction with the Prospectuses of  each series of the Fund dated  November
1, 1996, copies of which may be obtained from the Fund upon request.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
117B
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                CROSS-REFERENCES TO PAGES IN SERIES PROSPECTUSES
                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    CONNECTICUT                                        MASSACHUSETTS
                                       MONEY            HAWAII                             MONEY
                               PAGE   MARKET    FLORIDA INCOME  MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS    MARKET     MICHIGAN
                               ---- ----------- ------- ------- -------- ------------- ------------- --------
<S>                            <C>  <C>         <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>           <C>           <C>
General Information...........  B-1        15       20      17       20          20            15         20
Investment Objectives and
 Policies.....................  B-1         6        8       8        8           8             6          8
  In General..................  B-1        --       --               --          --            --         --
  Tax-Exempt Securities.......  B-3         6        8       8        8           8             7          8
  Risks of Investing in
   Defaulted Securities.......  B-4        --       --       8       --          --            --         --
  Special Considerations
   Regarding Investments in
   Tax-Exempt Securities......  B-5         9       12      11       12          12             9         12
  Additional Issuers.......... B-14        --       --      --       --          --            --         --
  Floating Rate and Variable
   Rate Securities............ B-16         7        8       8        8           8             7          8
  Put Options................. B-16         8       10       9       10          10             8         10
  Financial Futures Contracts
   and Options Thereon........ B-17        --       11      10       11          11            --         11
  When-Issued and Delayed
   Delivery Securities........ B-19         8       10      10       10          10             8         10
  Portfolio Turnover.......... B-20        --       12      12       13          13            --         13
  Illiquid Securities......... B-20        10       13      12       13          13            10         13
  Repurchase Agreements....... B-21         9       12      12       12          12             9         12
Investment Restrictions....... B-21        10       13      13       13          13            10         13
Trustees and Officers......... B-23        10       13      13       13          13            10         13
Manager....................... B-27        10       13      13       13          13            10         13
Distributor................... B-30        11       14      14       14          14            11         14
Portfolio Transactions and
 Brokerage.................... B-35        12       16      15       16          16            12         16
Purchase and Redemption of
 Fund Shares.................. B-37        16       21      20       21          21            16         21
  Specimen Price Make-Up...... B-37        --       --      --       --          --            --         --
  Reduction and Waiver of
   Initial Sales
   Charges--Class A Shares.... B-37        --       24      22       23          24            --         23
  Waiver of the Contingent
   Deferred Sales
   Charge--Class B Shares..... B-39        --       27      25       26          27            --         28
  Quantity Discount--Class B
   Shares Purchased Prior to
   August 1, 1994............. B-39        --       --      --       27          27            --         27
Shareholder Investment
 Account...................... B-40        23       30      28       29          29            23         29
  Automatic Reinvestment of
   Dividends and/or
   Distributions.............. B-40        22       29      27       29          29            22         29
  Exchange Privilege.......... B-40        21       29      26       28          28            21         28
  Dollar Cost Averaging....... B-41        --       --               --          --            --         --
  Automatic Savings
   Accumulation Plan (ASAP)... B-42        23       30      27       29          29            22         29
  Systematic Withdrawal
   Plan....................... B-42        23       30      27       29          29            22         29
  How to Redeem Shares of the
   Money Market Series........ B-43        20       --      --       --          --            19         --
  Mutual Fund Programs........ B-44        --       --      --       --          --            --         --
Net Asset Value............... B-44        13       16      16       16          17            13         16
Performance Information....... B-45         6       17      16       17          17             6         17
Distributions and Tax
 Information.................. B-49        13       17      17       17          18            13         17
  Distributions............... B-49        15       19      18       19          19            14         19
  Federal Taxation............ B-50        13       18      17       17          18            13         17
  State Taxation.............. B-53        14       19      18       19          19            14         19
Organization and
 Capitalization............... B-59        15       20      19       20          20            15         20
Custodian, Transfer and
 Dividend Disbursing Agent and
 Independent Accountants...... B-60        12       16      15       16          16            12         16
Description of Tax-Exempt
 Security Ratings............. B-61        --       --     A-1       --          --            --         --
Financial Statements..........              5        5      --        5           5             5          5
Appendix I....................  I-1        --       --      --       --          --            --         --
Appendix II................... II-1        --       --      --       --          --            --         --
Appendix III.................. III-1        --      --      --       --          --            --         --
Appendix IV................... IV-1        --       --      --       --          --            --         --
</TABLE>
    
 
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         CROSS-REFERENCES TO PAGES IN SERIES PROSPECTUSES
                                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     NEW JERSEY                   NEW YORK
                                               NEW     MONEY             NEW YORK  MONEY    NORTH
                                         PAGE JERSEY   MARKET   NEW YORK  INCOME   MARKET  CAROLINA OHIO PENNSYLVANIA
                                         ---- ------ ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ---- ------------
<S>                                      <C>  <C>    <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>  <C>
General Information.....................  B-1    20       14        20       16       14       20    20         19
Investment Objectives and Policies......  B-1     8        6         8        5        6        8     8          8
  In General............................  B-1    --       --        --       --       --       --    --         --
  Tax-Exempt Securities.................  B-3     8        6         8        5        6        8     8          8
  Risks of Investing in Defaulted
   Securities...........................  B-4    --       --        --       --       --       --    --         --
  Special Considerations Regarding
   Investments in Tax-Exempt
   Securities...........................  B-5    12        9        12        9        8       12    12         12
  Additional Issuers.................... B-14    --       --        --       --       --       --    --         --
  Floating Rate and Variable Rate
   Securities........................... B-16     8        7         8        5        7        8     8          8
  Put Options........................... B-16    10        8         9        6        8       10    10         10
  Financial Futures Contracts and
   Options Thereon...................... B-17    11       --        10        8       --       11    11         11
  When-Issued and Delayed Delivery
   Securities........................... B-19    10        8        10        7        8       10    10         10
  Portfolio Turnover.................... B-20    13       --        12       10       --       12    13         13
  Illiquid Securities................... B-20    13       10        12       10        9       13    13         13
  Repurchase Agreements................. B-21    12        9        12        9        9       12    12         12
Investment Restrictions................. B-21    13       10        13       10        9       13    13         13
Trustees and Officers................... B-23    13       10        13       10        9       13    13         13
Manager................................. B-27    13       10        13       11       10       13    13         13
Distributor............................. B-30    14       11        14       11       10       14    14         14
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage.... B-35    16       12        16       13       11       16    16         16
Purchase and Redemption of Fund
 Shares................................. B-37    21       16        21       17       15       21    21         21
  Specimen Price Make-Up................ B-37    --       --        --       --       --       --    --         --
  Reduction and Waiver of Initial Sales
   Charges--Class A Shares.............. B-37    24       --        24       18       --       23    24         23
  Waiver of the Contingent Deferred
   Sales Charge--Class B Shares......... B-39    27       --        27       --       --       26    27         26
  Quantity Discount--Class B Shares
   Purchased Prior to August 1, 1994.... B-39    27       --        27       --       --       27    27         27
Shareholder Investment Account.......... B-40    30       22        30       21       21       29    30         28
  Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends
   and/or Distributions................. B-40    30       22        30       21       21       29    29         29
  Exchange Privilege.................... B-40    28       21        28       20       20       28    28         28
  Dollar Cost Averaging................. B-41    --       --        --       --       --       --    --         --
  Automatic Savings Accumulation Plan
   (ASAP)............................... B-42    30       22        30       21       21       29    29         29
  Systematic Withdrawal Plan............ B-42    30       22        30       21       21       29    29         29
  How to Redeem Shares of the Money
   Market Series........................ B-43    --       20        --       --       18       --    --         --
  Mutual Fund Programs.................. B-44    --       --        --       --       --       --    --         --
Net Asset Value......................... B-44    17       12        16       13       12       16    17         17
Performance Information................. B-45    17        6        17       13        6       17    17         17
Distributions and Tax Information....... B-49    18       13        17       14       12       17    18         18
  Distributions......................... B-49    19       14        19       15       13       19    19         19
  Federal Taxation...................... B-50    18       13        17       14       12       17    18         18
  State Taxation........................ B-53    19       14        19       15       13       18    19         18
Organization and Capitalization......... B-59    20       14        20       16       14       20    20         20
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend
 Disbursing Agent and Independent
 Accountants............................ B-60    16       12        16       13       11       16    16         16
Description of Tax-Exempt Security
 Ratings................................ B-61    --       --        --       --       --       --    --         --
Financial Statements....................          5        5         5       --        5        5     5          5
Appendix I..............................  I-1    --       --        --       --       --       --    --         --
Appendix II............................. II-1    --       --        --       --       --       --    --         --
Appendix III............................ III-1    --      --        --       --       --       --    --         --
Appendix IV............................. IV-1    --       --        --       --       --       --    --         --
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
    The  Fund was organized on May 18,  1984. On February 28, 1991, the Trustees
approved an amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change the Fund's name from
Prudential-Bache Municipal Series Fund to Prudential Municipal Series Fund.
 
                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
 
IN GENERAL
 
    Prudential Municipal  Series  Fund (the  Fund)  is an  open-end,  management
investment company consisting of fourteen separate series: the Connecticut Money
Market  Series,  the  Florida Series,  the  Hawaii Income  Series,  the Maryland
Series, the Massachusetts  Series, the  Massachusetts Money  Market Series,  the
Michigan  Series, the New Jersey Series, the New Jersey Money Market Series, the
New York Series, the  New York Money Market  Series, the North Carolina  Series,
the  Ohio Series and the  Pennsylvania Series. A fifteenth  series, the New York
Income Series, is not  currently being offered. A  separate Prospectus has  been
prepared for each series. This Statement of Additional Information is applicable
to  all series. The  investment objective of  each series, other  than the money
market series, is to seek  to provide to shareholders  who are residents of  the
respective  state the maximum amount  of income that is  exempt from federal and
applicable state income taxes and,  in the case of the  New York Series and  the
New  York Income Series,  also New York  City income taxes,  consistent with the
preservation of capital, and, in conjunction therewith, the series may invest in
debt securities with the potential  for capital gain. Opportunities for  capital
gain  may exist, for example, when securities  are believed to be undervalued or
when the likelihood of redemption  by the issuer at  a price above the  purchase
price  indicates capital gain potential. The  investment objective of each money
market series is to provide the highest  level of current income that is  exempt
from  federal and applicable state income taxes and, in the case of the New York
Money Market Series, also New York City income taxes, consistent with  liquidity
and  the preservation of capital.  All of the series  are diversified except the
Florida Series, the  Hawaii Income Series,  the New York  Income Series and  the
money  market series, other than the New  York Money Market Series. There can be
no assurance that any series will achieve its objective or that all income  from
any series will be exempt from all federal, state or local income taxes.
 
    The investment objective of a series may not be changed without the approval
of  the  holders of  a majority  of  the outstanding  voting securities  of such
series. A "majority of the outstanding voting securities" of a series when  used
in  this Statement of Additional Information means  the lesser of (i) 67% of the
voting shares of a series represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the
outstanding voting shares of  a series are present  in person or represented  by
proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of a series.
 
   
    Each  series of the Fund, other than the money market series, will invest in
"investment grade" tax-exempt  securities which  on the date  of investment  are
rated  within the four  highest ratings of  Moody's Investors Service (Moody's),
currently Aaa, Aa, A, Baa for bonds, MIG 1,  MIG 2, MIG 3, MIG 4 for notes,  and
Prime-1  for  commercial  paper,  of  Standard  &  Poor's  Ratings  Group (S&P),
currently AAA, AA, A, BBB for bonds, SP-1, SP-2 for notes and A-1 for commercial
paper or comparable ratings of another nationally recognized statistical  rating
organization  (NRSRO). The New  York Income Series  may invest up  to 30% of its
total assets in New York Obligations rated below Baa by Moody's or below BBB  by
S&P  or  comparable ratings  of another  NRSRO or,  if non-rated,  of comparable
quality, in the opinion  of the Fund's investment  adviser, based on its  credit
analysis.  In addition, the  New York Income Series  may invest up  to 5% of its
total assets in  New York Obligations  which are  in default in  the payment  of
principal  or interest. The money market series will invest in securities which,
at the time of purchase,  have a remaining maturity  of thirteen months or  less
and  are rated (or issued by an issuer that  is rated with respect to a class of
short-term debt  obligations,  or  any  security  within  that  class,  that  is
comparable in priority and security with the security) in one of the two highest
rating  categories by at least two NRSROs  assigning a rating to the security or
issuer (or, if  only one  such rating organization  assigned a  rating, by  that
rating  organization). Each series may invest in tax-exempt securities which are
not rated if, based upon a credit  analysis by the investment adviser under  the
supervision   of  the  Trustees,  the  investment  adviser  believes  that  such
securities are  of comparable  quality to  other municipal  securities that  the
series may purchase. A description of the ratings is set forth under the heading
"Description  of Tax-Exempt  Security Ratings"  in this  Statement of Additional
Information. The  ratings of  Moody's and  S&P and  other NRSROs  represent  the
    
 
                                      B-1
<PAGE>
respective  opinions  of such  firms  of the  qualities  of the  securities each
undertakes to rate and such ratings  are general and are not absolute  standards
of  quality. In  determining suitability of  investment in  a particular unrated
security, the investment  adviser will  take into consideration  asset and  debt
service coverage, the purpose of the financing, history of the issuer, existence
of  other rated securities of the issuer, credit enhancement by virtue of letter
of credit or other financial guaranty deemed suitable by the investment  adviser
and  other general  conditions as  may be  relevant, including  comparability to
other issuers.
 
    Under  normal  market  conditions,  each  series  will  attempt  to   invest
substantially  all and, as a matter of  fundamental policy, will invest at least
80% of the value  of its assets  in securities the interest  on which is  exempt
from  state and federal income  taxes or the series'  assets will be invested so
that at least 80%  of the income  will be exempt from  state and federal  income
taxes,  except that,  as a  matter of  fundamental policy,  during normal market
conditions the Florida Series', the New Jersey Series' and the New Jersey  Money
Market  Series' assets  will be  invested so  that at  least 80%  of their total
assets will  be invested  in  Florida Obligations  (as  defined in  the  Florida
Series'  Prospectus) and  New Jersey Obligations  (as defined in  the New Jersey
Series' and the New Jersey Money Market Series' Prospectuses), respectively, and
except that, as a matter of fundamental policy, during normal market  conditions
the  Connecticut Money Market Series' and the Massachusetts Money Market Series'
assets will be  invested so  that at  least 80% of  their total  assets will  be
invested  in municipal  securities which pay  income exempt  from federal income
taxes. These latter  securities primarily  will be  Connecticut Obligations  (as
defined  in the Connecticut  Money Market Series'  Prospectus) and Massachusetts
Obligations (as defined in the  Massachusetts Money Market Series'  Prospectus),
respectively, unless the investment adviser is unable, due to the unavailability
of  sufficient or  reasonably priced  Connecticut Obligations  and Massachusetts
Obligations, respectively, that also meet the Series' credit quality and average
weighted  maturity  requirements,  to   purchase  Connecticut  Obligations   and
Massachusetts  Obligations, respectively. Each  series will continuously monitor
the 80% tests to ensure that either  the asset investment or the income test  is
met at all times, except for temporary defensive measures during abnormal market
conditions.
 
   
    A  series may invest  its assets from time  to time on  a temporary basis in
debt securities, the  interest on which  is subject to  federal, state or  local
income  tax, pending the investment or  reinvestment in tax-exempt securities of
proceeds of sales  of shares or  sales of  portfolio securities or  in order  to
avoid  the necessity of liquidating portfolio investments to meet redemptions of
shares by investors or where market  conditions due to rising interest rates  or
other adverse factors warrant temporary investing. Investments (other than those
of  the money market  series) in taxable securities  may include: obligations of
the U.S. Government,  its agencies or  instrumentalities; other debt  securities
rated  within the four highest grades by  either Moody's or S&P or another NRSRO
or,  if  unrated,  judged  by  the  investment  adviser  to  possess  comparable
creditworthiness;  commercial paper rated in the highest grade by either of such
rating services  (Prime-1 or  A-1, respectively);  certificates of  deposit  and
bankers'  acceptances;  and repurchase  agreements with  respect  to any  of the
foregoing investments. The money  market series may also  invest in the  taxable
securities  listed above, except  that their debt securities,  if rated, will be
rated within the two highest rating categories by at least two NRSROs  assigning
a  rating to  the security or  issuer (or  if only one  such rating organization
assigned a rating,  by that rating  organization). No series  intends to  invest
more  than 5% of  its assets in any  one of the  foregoing taxable securities. A
series may also hold its assets in other cash equivalents or in cash.
    
 
    Each series except for the Florida Series, the Hawaii Income Series, the New
York Income Series and the  money market series, other  than the New York  Money
Market  Series, is  classified as a  "diversified" investment  company under the
Investment Company Act  of 1940 (the  Investment Company Act).  This means  that
with  respect to 75% of these series' assets, (1) no series may invest more than
5% of  its  total assets  in  the securities  of  any one  issuer  (except  U.S.
Government  obligations)  and  (2)  no  series may  own  more  than  10%  of the
outstanding voting securities  of any  one issuer. For  purposes of  calculating
these  5% or  10% ownership limitations,  the series will  consider the ultimate
source of  revenues supporting  each obligation  to be  a separate  issuer.  For
example,  even though a state hospital authority or a state economic development
authority might issue obligations on behalf of many different entities, each  of
the  underlying  health  facilities  or economic  development  projects  will be
considered as  a separate  issuer. These  investments are  also subject  to  the
limitations  described  in the  remainder  of this  section.  See "How  the Fund
Invests--Investment  Objective  and  Policies--Special  Considerations"  in  the
Prospectuses  of  the Florida  Series, the  Hawaii Income  Series, the  New York
Income Series and the money market series, other than the New York Money  Market
Series.
 
                                      B-2
<PAGE>
    Since  securities issued or  guaranteed by states  or municipalities are not
voting securities, there is no limitation on the percentage of a single issuer's
securities which a series may own so long as, with respect to 75% of the  assets
of  each series other than the Florida Series, the Hawaii Income Series, the New
York Income Series and the  money market series (except  for the New York  Money
Market  Series), it  does not  invest more than  5% of  its total  assets in the
securities of such issuer (except obligations  issued or guaranteed by the  U.S.
Government).  As  for the  other  25% of  a series'  assets  not subject  to the
limitation described above, there is no limitation on the amount of these assets
that may be invested in a minimum  number of issuers. Because of the  relatively
smaller  number of issuers of investment-grade tax-exempt securities (or, in the
case of the New York Money Market Series, high quality tax-exempt securities) in
any one of these states, a series is  more likely to use this ability to  invest
its  assets in the securities  of a single issuer  than is an investment company
which invests  in a  broad range  of tax-exempt  securities. Such  concentration
involves  an increased risk of  loss to a series should  the issuer be unable to
make interest or principal payments thereon  or should the market value of  such
securities decline.
 
    The  Fund expects that a  series will not invest more  than 25% of its total
assets in municipal obligations the source  of revenue of which is derived  from
any  one of the following categories: hospitals and health facilities; turnpikes
and toll roads; ports and airports;  or colleges and universities. A series  may
invest more than 25% of its total assets in municipal obligations of one or more
of  the  following types:  obligations  of public  housing  authorities; general
obligations of states  and localities;  lease rental obligations  of states  and
local  authorities; obligations of state  and local housing finance authorities;
obligations of municipal utilities systems; bonds that are secured or backed  by
the  Treasury  or other  U.S.  Government guaranteed  securities;  or industrial
development and  pollution  control  bonds.  Each  of  the  foregoing  types  of
investments  might be subject  to particular risks  which, to the  extent that a
series is concentrated in such investments, could affect the value or  liquidity
of the series.
 
   
    Each  series  will treat  an investment  in a  municipal bond  refunded with
escrowed U.S. Government securities as  U.S. Government securities for  purposes
of  the Investment Company Act's  diversification requirements provided: (i) the
escrowed securities are  "government securities"  as defined  in the  Investment
Company  Act,  (ii)  the escrowed  securities  are irrevocably  pledged  only to
payment of debt service on  the refunded bonds, except  to the extent there  are
amounts  in excess of funds necessary for such debt service, (iii) principal and
interest on the escrowed securities will be sufficient to satisfy all  scheduled
principal,  interest and any  premiums on the refunded  bonds and a verification
report prepared by  a party  acceptable to a  nationally recognized  statistical
rating  agency, or counsel  to the holders  of the refunded  bonds, so verifies,
(iv) the escrow agreement provides that the issuer of the refunded bonds  grants
and  assigns  to the  escrow agent,  for the  equal and  ratable benefit  of the
holders of the refunded bonds, an express first lien on, pledge of and perfected
security interest in the  escrowed securities and  the interest income  thereon,
(v)  the escrow  agent had  no lien  of any  type with  respect to  the escrowed
securities for payment of its  fees or expenses except  to the extent there  are
excess  securities, as described in (ii) above,  and (vi) except with respect to
the Florida Series, the Hawaii Income Series, the New York Income Series and the
money market series,  the series  will not  invest more  than 25%  of its  total
assets in pre-refunded bonds of the same municipal issuer.
    
 
TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES
 
    Tax-exempt  securities include  notes and  bonds issued  by or  on behalf of
states, territories and  possessions of  the United States  and their  political
subdivisions,  agencies and instrumentalities and  the District of Columbia, the
interest on  which  is exempt  from  federal  income tax  (except  for  possible
application   of  the  alternative  minimum  tax)  and,  in  certain  instances,
applicable state or local  income and personal  property taxes. Such  securities
are traded primarily in the over-the-counter market.
 
    For  purposes  of  diversification and  concentration  under  the Investment
Company Act,  the identification  of the  issuer of  tax-exempt bonds  or  notes
depends  on  the terms  and  conditions of  the  obligation. If  the  assets and
revenues of an agency, authority, instrumentality or other political subdivision
are separate  from those  of the  government creating  the subdivision  and  the
obligation  is backed only by  the assets and revenues  of the subdivision, such
subdivision is  regarded  as the  sole  issuer. Similarly,  in  the case  of  an
industrial  development revenue bond  or pollution control  revenue bond, if the
bond   is    backed    only   by    the    assets   and    revenues    of    the
 
                                      B-3
<PAGE>
nongovernmental  user, the nongovernmental user is  regarded as the sole issuer.
If in  either case  the  creating government  or  another entity  guarantees  an
obligation,  the guaranty may be regarded as  a separate security and treated as
an issue of such guarantor.
 
    TAX-EXEMPT BONDS. Tax-exempt bonds  are issued to  obtain funds for  various
public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities
such  as airports,  bridges, highways, housing,  hospitals, mass transportation,
schools, streets,  water  and  sewer  works, and  gas  and  electric  utilities.
Tax-exempt  bonds  also  may  be  issued in  connection  with  the  refunding of
outstanding obligations, to obtain funds  to lend to other public  institutions,
or for general operating expenses.
 
    The   two  principal  classifications  of   tax-exempt  bonds  are  "general
obligation" and "revenue". General obligation bonds are secured by the  issuer's
pledge  of its full faith, credit and  taxing power for the payment of principal
and interest. Revenue bonds  are payable only from  the revenues derived from  a
particular  facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds
of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source.
 
    Industrial  development  bonds  are  issued  by  or  on  behalf  of   public
authorities to obtain funds to provide various privately-operated facilities for
business and manufacturing, housing, sports, pollution control, and for airport,
mass  transit, port and parking facilities.  The Internal Revenue Code restricts
the types of industrial development bonds  (IDBs) which qualify to pay  interest
exempt from federal income tax, and interest on certain IDBs issued after August
7,  1986 is subject to the alternative  minimum tax. Although IDBs are issued by
municipal authorities, they are generally  secured by the revenues derived  from
payments  of the industrial user.  The payment of the  principal and interest on
IDBs is dependent solely on the ability  of the user of the facilities  financed
by  the bonds to meet its financial obligations  and the pledge, if any, of real
and personal property so financed as security for such payment.
 
    TAX-EXEMPT NOTES.  Tax-exempt  notes  generally  are  used  to  provide  for
short-term  capital needs  and generally  have maturities  of one  year or less.
Tax-exempt notes include:
 
        1. TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES. Tax Anticipation Notes are issued to  finance
    working  capital  needs of  municipalities.  Generally, they  are  issued in
    anticipation of various seasonal  tax revenues, such  as income, sales,  use
    and business taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes.
 
        2.  REVENUE ANTICIPATION NOTES. Revenue Anticipation Notes are issued in
    expectation of receipt of other kinds  of revenue, such as federal  revenues
    available under the Federal Revenue Sharing Programs.
 
        3.  BOND  ANTICIPATION  NOTES.  Bond Anticipation  Notes  are  issued to
    provide interim financing until long-term financing can be arranged. In most
    cases, the long-term bonds then provide  the money for the repayment of  the
    Notes.
 
        4.  CONSTRUCTION LOAN NOTES. Construction Loan Notes are sold to provide
    construction financing.  Permanent  financing,  the proceeds  of  which  are
    applied  to the payment of Construction Loan Notes, is sometimes provided by
    a commitment  by  the Government  National  Mortgage Association  (GNMA)  to
    purchase  the  loan,  accompanied by  a  commitment by  the  Federal Housing
    Administration to insure mortgage  advances thereunder. In other  instances,
    permanent  financing is  provided by  commitments of  banks to  purchase the
    loan.
 
    TAX-EXEMPT  COMMERCIAL  PAPER.    Issues  of  tax-exempt  commercial   paper
typically  represent short-term,  unsecured, negotiable  promissory notes. These
obligations are issued  by agencies of  state and local  governments to  finance
seasonal   working  capital  needs  of  municipalities  or  to  provide  interim
construction financing and are paid  from general revenues of municipalities  or
are  refinanced with long-term debt. In  most cases, tax-exempt commercial paper
is backed by letters of  credit, lending agreements, note repurchase  agreements
or  other credit facility agreements offered  by banks or other institutions and
is actively traded.
 
RISKS OF INVESTING IN DEFAULTED SECURITIES
 
    The New York Income Series  may invest up to 5%  of its total assets in  New
York  Obligations that are in  default in the payment  of principal or interest.
There are a number of risks associated with investments in defaulted securities.
These risks  include investment  in  an already  troubled issuer,  the  possible
incurrence  of  costs  associated  with indemnifying  the  trustee  for pursuing
remedies (which  amount  could equal  the  principal amount  of  the  securities
purchased) and possible legal and consulting fees incurred to pursue remedies.
 
                                      B-4
<PAGE>
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING INVESTMENTS IN TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES
 
    The  following is a  discussion of the general  factors that might influence
the ability of the issuers in the various states to repay principal and interest
when due on  the obligations  contained in the  portfolio of  each series.  Such
information  is derived from  sources that are  generally available to investors
and is believed to be accurate, but has not been independently verified and  may
not be complete.
 
   
    In  August  1996  legislation reforming  the  welfare system  was  passed by
Congress. In essence, it  eliminated the federal  guarantee of welfare  benefits
and  leaves  the  determination  of  eligibility  to  the  states.  The  federal
government will provide block grants to the states for their use in the  funding
of  benefits. Although states are not obligated to absorb any of the reductions,
they may choose to do so. The consequences of such generosity may be adverse  in
the  event of an economic downturn or  a swelling in the ranks of beneficiaries.
If a state feels compelled to offset  lost benefits, the net effect is merely  a
shifting of the burden to the state and may affect its rating over time.
    
 
  CONNECTICUT
 
    Connecticut,  which experienced  very strong economic  growth throughout the
mid-to-late 1980s, is  a wealthy  state. During Connecticut's  period of  strong
growth,  the State's personal income growth  exceeded that of the United States,
its per  capita  income  was  the  highest  in  the  nation,  and  the  rate  of
unemployment  was below the national average.  Beginning in 1988, however, these
trends began to reverse  as the Northeast entered  into recession in advance  of
the  rest of the nation. The recession in the Northeast was precipitated largely
by major reductions in defense spending and by weaknesses in housing and  office
construction,  banking, and the insurance industry. As a result, personal income
growth  has  slowed  considerably  and  unemployment  has  risen  significantly,
although remaining somewhat below the national average.
 
   
    Connecticut's  economic  difficulties  resulted  in  severe  fiscal  stress,
culminating in a General  Fund deficit of  $965 million at  the close of  fiscal
year  1991, and the  subsequent issuance of  a like amount  of Economic Recovery
Notes, which are being repaid over a five-year period. In fiscal year 1992,  the
State  acted to  reduce the  volatility of  its budgetary  operations by raising
revenues, reducing expenditures and establishing  a broader revenue base.  Chief
among  these actions were (i)  the implementation of a  4.5% personal income tax
and (ii) the broadening of the sales tax base, which was coupled with a decrease
in the sales  tax rate from  8% to  6%. These actions,  along with  conservative
revenue  projections, permitted the State to achieve modest surpluses for fiscal
years 1992 through 1995. A  portion of such surplus was  used to retire some  of
the outstanding Economic Recovery Notes issued to fund the cumulative deficit of
fiscal  year 1990-1991. As of August 9, 1996, only $236,000 of principal remains
outstanding on the Economic Recovery Notes.
    
 
    In June 1992,  the Manufacturing  Recovery Act  of 1992,  which is  directed
primarily   toward  providing  incentives  to   manufacturers,  was  enacted  in
Connecticut. The legislation provides credits for establishing new manufacturing
and increasing new employee  training. In addition,  property tax exemption  and
sales  tax  exemptions  were  expanded for  purchases  of  certain manufacturing
machinery and production materials.
 
   
    The adopted budget for fiscal  1996-97 anticipates General Fund revenues  of
$9,158 million and General Fund expenditures of $9,157.8 million, resulting in a
projected  surplus  of  $0.2  million.  The  State  Comptroller's  General  Fund
financial statements released  August 1,  1996, however,  estimate an  operating
surplus for fiscal year 1996 of $224.8 million.
    
 
   
    The  adopted budget reflects implementation of significant tax changes aimed
at increasing overall  disposable income and  encouraging economic expansion  in
the  State. A phase  down in the personal  income tax rate  was enacted in 1995,
pursuant to which the tax rate on  the first $4,500 of taxable income for  joint
filers  is dropped 33% from 4.5% to 3% for the income year commencing January 1,
1996. For income years commencing on  or after January 1, 1997, the  application
of  the 3% rate  is further expanded to  the first $9,000  of taxable income for
joint filers. In addition, a new personal income tax credit, limited to no  more
than  $100 per filer, has been added for the income years commencing on or after
January 1, 1995.  To improve  the business climate  in the  State and  stimulate
long-term  job  growth, legislation  was  also enacted  to  reduce Connecticut's
corporate tax rate from the  rate of 11.25% in 1995  to 7.5% by January 1,  2000
and to phase out corporate level tax on S corporations by the year 2001.
    
 
                                      B-5
<PAGE>
    The adopted budget also reflects significant reductions in expenditures from
current  service levels. Some of these changes,  which are expected to result in
significant long-term savings to the State, including restructuring the  General
Assistance  program  to  limit benefits,  reform  of  the Aid  to  Families with
Dependent Children  program  to place  time  limits on  benefits,  reduction  of
long-term  care costs by creating a system of capitated rates, merging of mental
health and substance  abuse services,  consolidating the  State's mental  health
hospitals and moving the State toward a 40 hour work week for State employees.
 
  FLORIDA
 
   
    In 1980, Florida ranked seventh in population among the fifty states, having
a  population of 9.7 million people. The State has grown dramatically since 1980
and, as of April 1, 1995, Florida ranked fourth in the nation, with an estimated
population of 14.1 million. The  service sector is Florida's largest  employment
sector,  currently accounting  for 87%  of total  non-farm employment. Florida's
manufacturing jobs  exist in  the  high-tech and  value-added sectors,  such  as
electrical  and electronic equipment, as well  as printing and publishing. Since
1986, the job creation  rate for the  State is almost  twice the nation's  rate;
however,  in recent  years, Florida's  unemployment rate  has tracked  above the
national average. The  average rate of  unemployment for Florida  since 1986  is
6.2%, while the national average is also 6.2%.
    
 
    South  Florida, because of its location  and involvement with foreign trade,
tourism and  investment capital,  is particularly  susceptible to  international
trade  and currency  imbalances and economic  dislocations in  Central and South
America. The Central and northern portions of the State are effected by problems
in the agricultural  sector, particularly  in the citrus  and sugar  industries.
Short-term  adverse economic  conditions may be  experienced by  the Central and
northern section of Florida, and in the State as a whole, due to crop  failures,
severe  weather conditions  or other agriculture-related  problems. In addition,
the State economy has  historically been somewhat dependent  on the tourism  and
construction industries and is therefore sensitive to trends in those sectors.
 
   
    Under  the State Constitution and applicable statutes, the State budget as a
whole, and each separate fund within the  State budget, must be kept in  balance
from  currently  available revenues  during  each State  fiscal  year. Estimated
General Revenue plus  Working Capital and  Budget Stabilization funds  available
total  $15,311.3 million  for 1995-1996, an  increase of 3.3%  over revenues for
1994-1995.  Estimated  Revenue  of   $14,538.8  million  for  fiscal   1995-1996
represents an increase of 6.5% over 1994-1995.
    
 
   
    At  the November 1994 general election,  voters approved an amendment to the
State Constitution that limits the amount  of taxes, fees, licenses and  charges
imposed by the Legislature and collected during any fiscal year to the amount of
revenues  allowed  for the  prior fiscal  year, plus  an adjustment  for growth.
Growth is defined as the  amount equal to the average  annual rate of growth  in
Florida  personal  income over  the previous  5 years  times the  State revenues
allowed for the prior fiscal year. The revenues allowed for any fiscal year  can
be  increased by a  two-thirds vote of  the Legislature. The  limit is effective
starting with  fiscal year  1995-1996.  Any excess  revenues generated  will  be
deposited  in the  Budget Stabilization Fund.  Included among  the categories of
revenues which  are exempt  from the  proposed revenue  limitation are  revenues
pledged to State bonds.
    
 
    Many   factors,  including  national,  economic,  social  and  environmental
policies and conditions, most which are not  within the control of the State  or
local  government, could  affect or  adversely impact  on the  State's financial
condition.
 
  HAWAII
 
    Hawaii's separation from the  mainland and dependence  upon tourism make  it
unique among the states. Tourism dominates Hawaii's economy, with six out of ten
jobs  in the  economy related  to tourism. Other  major sectors  of the Hawaiian
economy  include   construction,  retail   trade,  agriculture,   and   military
operations,  all of which  have been adversely affected  by recent recessions in
the United States (particularly California) and Japan, and cutbacks in  military
spending. Hawaii's economy experienced strong growth during that late 1980s, but
since  1990 the rate of growth has  slowed considerably, marked by a decrease in
Japanese investment and  construction and increased  foreign competition in  the
production of pineapples and sugar.
 
                                      B-6
<PAGE>
    Over  the years,  financial operations  in the  State have  been sound, with
consistently favorable budget performance. Surpluses in excess of 5% of revenues
have regularly  triggered constitutionally  provided  tax credits,  even  during
fiscal  years 1992 and 1993 when revenue growth had slowed due to the recession.
The 1995-97 biennium budget  submitted by the  prior administration in  December
1994,  has undergone substantial adjustments and the new administration has made
extensive labor  reductions. Despite  these reductions,  however, the  available
General  Fund balance is expected  to decline from $290.9  million at the end of
fiscal 1994 to $53.9 million at the end of fiscal 1996.
 
    Hawaii's economy  remains vulnerable  to the  lingering recessions  of  both
California and Japan and the State government cutbacks may also adversely affect
economic  growth. Reported improvement in the  tourism industry has not yet been
reflected in  State revenues,  and has  lagged early  estimates. Employment  has
continued  to decline, with job growth the  slowest of all fifty states in 1994.
These factors, combined with the decline in construction, suggest that continued
stagnation in the near future is probable for Hawaii's economy.
 
  MARYLAND
 
    Maryland, one  of the  wealthiest states  in the  nation, experienced  rapid
growth  during the 1980s. Maryland's total personal income and per capita income
outperformed the national averages until 1990. The economy is well  diversified,
with services, trade, and government, accounting for a large percentage of total
employment.   Due  to  Maryland's  proximity  to  Washington,  D.C.,  government
employment plays an  important role  in the economy.  Government employment  has
served  to insulate  the regional  economy from  more volatile  economic swings,
making the Maryland unemployment rate  historically below the national  average.
For the same reason, Maryland employment may be more affected by federal layoffs
or budget reductions than employment in other states.
 
    Maryland  has generally been among the  most heavily indebted of the states,
although its  position was  more  moderate with  the  inclusion of  local  debt,
reflecting  in part the State's assumption  of school construction costs several
years  ago.  The   State,  concerned   over  its  debt   levels,  followed   the
recommendation  of a debt affordability  committee and restrained its borrowing.
Resources have also expanded and ratios have stabilized. Capital borrowing plans
are reasonable and designed not to increase debt levels substantially.
 
   
    During the three fiscal years from  1991 through 1993, the State's  finances
were severely affected by the national recession. Nevertheless, the State closed
fiscal year 1993 with a $10.5 million operating surplus on a budgetary basis and
closed  fiscal year  1994 with  a $60 million  operating surplus  on a budgetary
basis. On a GAAP basis, the State's General Fund moved from a deficit of  $121.7
million  as of June 30, 1993 to a positive balance of $113.9 million on June 30,
1994. Financial  operations  continued to  improve  in fiscal  year  1995,  with
revenues  exceeding estimate  by $217 million  and expenditures  at $184 million
above budget. Estimates for 1996 General Fund revenues were revised downward  by
$148  million, compared to projections made in the enacted budget; nevertheless,
the State closed fiscal  year 1996 with  a General Fund  balance on a  budgetary
basis  of $13.1 million and $493.2  million in the Revenue Stabilization Account
of the State Reserve Fund. The enacted 1997 budget holds overall  appropriations
to  slightly over 1996 levels, reflecting  slowed revenue growth and the absence
of an appropriation to the now fully funded Revenue Stabilization Account of the
State Reserve Fund.  The State projects  ending its fiscal  year with a  General
Fund  balance on a  budgetary basis of  $22.5 million and  $493.2 million in the
Revenue Stabilization Account of the State Reserve Fund.
    
 
    The State and its various political subdivisions issue a number of different
kinds of municipal obligations, including general obligation bonds supported  by
tax  collections, revenue  bonds payable from  certain identified  tax levies or
revenue streams, conduit  revenue bonds  payable from the  repayment of  certain
loans  to authorized entities such as  hospitals, universities and other private
entities, and  certificates of  participation  in tax-exempt  municipal  leases.
These  obligations are subject to various  economic risks and uncertainties, and
the credit quality of  the securities issued by  them varies with the  financial
strengths of the respective borrowers.
 
    There  can  be  no  assurance that  future  statewide  or  regional economic
difficulties, and the resulting  impact on the  financial condition of  Maryland
issuers  generally,  will  not adversely  affect  the market  value  of Maryland
Obligations held by the Maryland Series or the ability of particular obligors to
make timely payments of debt service on (or relating to) those obligations.
 
                                      B-7
<PAGE>
  MASSACHUSETTS
 
   
    Massachusetts is an urban, densely populated, and wealthy state with a fully
developed industrial economy. Massachusetts' industrial economy has  experienced
a  significant evolution  in the  last decade,  shifting from  textiles, leather
products and  heavy  manufacturing  into  high  technology  and  defense-related
sectors,  with concomitant growth in services  and trade. Little affected by the
national recession of the early 1980s, Massachusetts enjoyed unemployment  rates
among  the lowest in the nation for the  most of the decade. But, as the economy
slowed, unemployment rates  rose in  1988, 1989 and  1990. Unemployment  climbed
above  the national  figure to 9.0%  in 1991, placing  Massachusetts among those
states with the highest unemployment rates  in the nation. The construction  and
manufacturing  sectors were particularly hard hit by job losses. Personal income
growth, both for the total and on a  per capita basis, also slowed to below  the
national  rate in 1989, although per capita personal income levels are still far
above the U.S. figure. It  appears that two of  the factors contributing to  the
earlier  economic boom --  large increases in defense  contract spending and low
oil prices -- are no longer present, and the inflation in the relative costs  of
land  and  labor  also  poses  an  economic  disadvantage.  Although  job losses
continued in high tech  manufacturing and finance during  1992 and 1993,  strong
gains were registered in services, construction and high tech non-manufacturing.
The December 1993 unemployment rate was 6.3% compared to 6.4% for the nation. In
August 1996, the unemployment rate was 4.0%, the lowest rate since June 1989 and
below the national rate of 5.1%.
    
 
   
    The  most  recent recession  had serious  adverse effects  on Massachusetts'
financial operations and led to a  massive accumulated deficit of $1.45  billion
at  the  close  of  fiscal  1990.  In  order  to  regain  fiscal  solvency,  the
Commonwealth sold a total of  $1.4 billion in dedicated  tax bonds secured by  a
portion  of the Commonwealth's income tax proceeds as well as the full faith and
credit general obligation pledge of  the Commonwealth. In addition, since  1990,
Massachusetts  has adopted more conservative  revenue forecasting procedures and
has moderated spending growth, resulting in the achievement of balanced  budgets
in  both fiscal  1991-1992 and  fiscal 1992-1993.  Fiscal year  1995 tax revenue
collections totaled $11.163 billion, which exceeded estimates by $13 million and
exceeded fiscal 1994 tax revenues by  $556 million. Through August, fiscal  1996
tax collections were 3.7% greater than in the prior-year period.
    
 
   
    Despite  successful  concerted efforts  to control  Massachusetts' financial
operations, substantial risks to the Commonwealth's financial stability  remain.
Education  reform  legislation enacted  in June  1993  was estimated  to require
annual spending increases for elementary and secondary education of $175 million
in fiscal 1994, $414  million in 1995,  and $662 million  in 1996. This  program
will absorb a large part of the Commonwealth's future revenue growth.
    
 
   
    Proposition  2  1/2  is  a  property  tax  limitation  initiative  passed by
Massachusetts voters  in 1980.  In  general, Proposition  2 1/2  constrains  the
ability  of cities and towns  to raise property tax  revenues. As property taxes
are the only local source of revenue available, such tax limitation may lead  to
adverse financial consequences for some municipalities. Under Proposition 2 1/2,
many  cities and towns  were required to  reduce their property  tax levies to a
stated percentage of the full and fair  cash value of their taxable real  estate
and  personal property.  The Proposition limited  the amount by  which the total
property taxes assessed by all cities and towns may increase from year to  year.
Many  communities have responded to the limitations of Proposition 2 1/2 through
statutorily permitted overrides  and exclusions.  During fiscal  years 1992  and
1993,  123 communities had  successful votes adding $47.4  million to their levy
limits. Although Proposition 2 1/2 will continue to constrain local property tax
revenues, significant capacity  exists for  overrides in nearly  all cities  and
towns.
    
 
  MICHIGAN
 
   
    Michigan  is  a  highly  industrialized state  with  an  economy principally
dependent  upon  three  sectors:  manufacturing  (particularly  durable   goods,
automotive  products and office equipment), tourism and agriculture. Legislation
requires that the administration prepare two economic forecasts each year, which
are presented  each  January and  May  of a  given  year. The  State's  economic
forecast  for calendar 1996 projects modest  growth. Real gross domestic product
is projected to grow 2.4% in 1996 on a calendar year basis. Nationally, car  and
light truck sales are expected to total 14.6 million units in 1996. The forecast
assumes  an  inflation  rate  of 2.4%,  accompanied  by  steady  interest rates.
Ninety-day U.S. Treasury rates are expected to average 5.1% for 1996.
    
 
                                      B-8
<PAGE>
   
    The State's forecast for the Michigan economy reflects the national outlook.
Total wage and salary employment is projected to grow 1.4% in 1996. This  slight
growth  reflects  the  ongoing  diversification  of  the  Michigan  economy. The
unemployment rate is projected to continue to fall from 5.4% in 1995 to 5.2%  in
1996, placing Michigan below the national forecasted unemployment rate of 5.7%.
    
 
   
    The  principal revenue sources  for the State's General  Fund are taxes from
sales, personal  income, single  business,  and excise  taxes. Under  the  State
Constitution,  expenditures from  the General Fund  are not  permitted to exceed
available revenues.  The  principal  expenditures  from  the  General  Fund  are
directed  towards education,  public protection,  mental and  public health, and
social services. The  State's fiscal  year ended  September 30,  1993, marked  a
turning  point in the  financial condition of the  State budget. Improvements in
the Michigan  economy have  resulted in  increased revenue  collections,  which,
together  with restraint on the expenditure side of the budget, produced General
Fund surpluses of $280.1  million in fiscal year  1992-93 and $602.9 million  in
fiscal  year 1993-94. General Fund  revenue fell by 2.5%  to $7,995.2 million in
fiscal year 1995, principally  due to the earmarking  of $882 million in  income
tax  revenue  to  Michigan's School  Aid  Fund.  Fiscal year  1996  General Fund
revenues are  expected to  be $8,396.7  million, an  increase of  5.0% over  the
previous  year. Fiscal year 1997 revenues  are projected at $8,867.4 million, an
increase over fiscal 1995-1996 of 5.6%.
    
 
   
    The fiscal year  1997 budget is  built upon the  assumption that the  United
States  Congress and the  President will develop  a comprehensive agreement that
will lead to a balanced budget within  seven years. It further assumes that  the
Republican  balanced budget plan approved by the U.S. Congress and vetoed by the
President in December  1995 will be  the basis of  this federal balanced  budget
plan.
    
 
    The State Constitution limits the amount of total State revenues that can be
raised  from taxes and certain other  sources. State revenues (excluding federal
aid and revenues  for payment of  principal and interest  on general  obligation
bonds)  in any fiscal year  are limited to a  fixed percentage of State personal
income in the prior calendar year or average of the prior three calendar  years,
whichever  is greater, and this fixed percentage equals the ratio of the 1978-79
fiscal year revenues to total calendar 1977 State personal income.
 
    In  August  1993,  the  Governor  signed   into  law  a  measure  that   has
significantly  impacted the financing of primary and secondary school operations
in the State  and has  resulted in additional  property tax  and school  finance
reform  legislation. This  legislation exempts  all property  in the  State from
millage levied for  local and intermediate  school district operating  purposes,
other  than millages  levied for community  colleges. In order  to replace local
property tax revenues  lost as  a result  of this  legislation, the  Legislature
enacted  several laws  in December  1993 which  address property  tax and school
finance reform, including a ballot proposal that was approved by Michigan voters
in March 1994. Under this proposal, effective  May 1, 1994, the State sales  and
use  tax was increased  from 4% to 6%,  the State income  tax was decreased from
4.6% to 4.4%, the cigarette tax was  increased from $0.25 to $0.75 per pack  and
an  additional tax of 16% of the wholesale  price began to be imposed on certain
other tobacco  products.  A 0.75%  real  estate transfer  tax  became  effective
January 1, 1995, and a State property tax of 6 mills began to be imposed in 1994
on all real and personal property currently subject to the general property tax.
The  total  effect  of these  school  finance  reforms is  to  shift significant
portions of the cost of local  school operations from local school districts  to
the  State and  raise additional State  revenues to fund  these additional State
expenses.  These  additional  revenues  will  be  included  within  the  State's
constitutional  revenue limitations and may impact  the State's ability to raise
additional revenues in the future.
 
    Although revenue obligations of the State or its political subdivisions  may
be payable from a specific project or source, including lease rentals, there can
be no assurance that further economic difficulties will not adversely affect the
market  value of  municipal obligations  held in  the portfolio  of the Michigan
Series or the ability  of the respective obligors  to make required payments  on
such obligations.
 
  NEW JERSEY
 
    New  Jersey has a  highly diversified economy.  While once heavily dependent
upon manufacturing, New Jersey's economy is now increasingly based on trade  and
services. The State fully participated in the national economic recovery and did
not  experience the brunt of the Northeast  recession until much later than many
other states.  The rate  of  unemployment was  consistently below  the  national
average through 1991. In 1992,
 
                                      B-9
<PAGE>
however,  the  unemployment  rate rose  well  above  that of  the  nation. While
personal income growth  lagged behind  the U.S. level  in 1989  and 1991,  since
1989,  the State's per  capita income remains  the second highest  in the United
States.
 
    The principal sources  of State  revenue are sales,  corporate and  personal
income  taxes. The Constitution of the  State prohibits the expenditure of funds
in excess  of the  State's revenues  and reserves.  Since the  Constitution  was
adopted  in 1947, New Jersey has always had a positive undesignated fund balance
in its general fund at the end of each year. A favorable economy translated into
substantial growth  in revenue  and surpluses:  from fiscal  year 1984  to  1988
revenues  grew almost 40%.  Economic slowdown translated  revenue shortfalls and
operating deficits in fiscal years 1989 and 1990. Surplus balances, which peaked
at $1.2  billion  in fiscal  year  1988, fell  to  $116 million  (excluding  the
Transition School Aid Account) by fiscal year-end 1991.
 
    At first, the State was able to use its significant fund balance reserves to
cushion against the large imbalance between revenues and expenditures. In fiscal
year  1991, however,  a $1.4  billion tax  program was  required to  balance the
budget.
 
    For the last  three fiscal  years, the  State has  resorted to  a number  of
non-recurring  revenues  and expenditure  deferrals  to balance  its  budget. In
addition, balancing the budget was  made difficult by a  tax revolt in the  1991
elections  that resulted in a reduction of the sales tax by 1%, from 7% to 6%. A
balanced budget was  achieved by  delaying a  $1.1 billion  contribution to  the
State  employees' pension fund. This move, in addition to heavy borrowing by the
previous administration, has caused  concern that the State  bond rating may  be
adversely  affected.  Despite  certain  reservations  regarding  the  New Jersey
economy, however, S&P  recently announced that  New Jersey will  retain its  AA+
bond rating.
 
   
    The  fiscal 1995 ending balances were  $966 million, up from $455 originally
budgeted. The State ended fiscal year 1996 with estimated undesignated  balances
of  $873 million. The  1997 budget accommodates  the final stage  of the State's
$1.25 billion multi-year  personal income tax  cut, and includes  appropriations
totaling $15.978 billion, down $211 million or 1.3% from fiscal year 1996.
    
 
    Spending reductions in current and future years rely on savings from reduced
costs  of the State's employee workforce.  The State has reached agreements with
two of its unions, but  major agreements with some  of the largest unions  still
have  to be reached. Furthermore, a  1994 State Supreme Court decision regarding
the State's  system of  funding of  education required  that the  State  achieve
substantial equivalence in spending between wealthy and poor districts by fiscal
1998.
 
  NEW YORK
 
   
    New  York  State is  the third  most  populous state  in the  nation (behind
California and Texas) and  has a relatively high  level of personal wealth.  The
State's  economy is  diverse, with a  comparatively large share  of the nation's
finance, insurance, transportation, communications and services employment,  and
a  comparatively  small share  of the  nation's farming  and mining  activity. A
declining proportion of the State's work  force is engaged in manufacturing  and
an  increasing proportion  of its work  force is engaged  in service industries.
This transition reflects a national trend. Historically, the State has been  one
of  the wealthiest  states in  the nation. For  decades, however,  the State has
grown more slowly  than the nation  as a whole,  gradually eroding its  relative
economic affluence.
    
 
   
    A  nation-wide  recession  commenced  in  mid-1990.  The  downturn continued
throughout the State's  1990-1991 fiscal year  and was followed  by a period  of
weak  economic growth  during the  1991 and  1992 calendar  years. In  1993, the
economy grew faster than in 1992, but at a very modest rate as compared to other
recoveries. In contrast with  the strength of the  national economy in 1994  and
into  1995,  New  York's economic  recovery  weakened by  mid-1994.  The State's
delayed economic recovery is  due, in part, to  the significant retrenchment  in
the  banking  and financial  services  industries, downsizing  by  several major
corporations, cutbacks  in  defense  spending,  and an  over  supply  of  office
buildings.   The  State  currently  forecasts  an  anticipated  non-agricultural
employment growth of 0.9% for calendar 1996 and of 0.6% for calendar 1997.
    
 
    The State's General Fund  budgets for fiscal  years 1992-1993 and  1993-1994
produced  cash surpluses  for the  first time  since fiscal  year 1987-1988. The
1994-1995  General   Fund   budget   finished  with   an   actual   deficit   of
 
                                      B-10
<PAGE>
   
$241  million. The State  Comptroller's audited financial  statements for fiscal
year 1996 are expected to indicate that the State's accumulated deficit was  not
reduced  significantly  in fiscal  year 1996,  despite  the State's  ending cash
balance of $445 million.  The 1996-1997 budget is  projected to result in  $33.1
billion  in General Fund disbursements. The  budget also enacted a tax reduction
and economic incentive  program which  will reduce  receipts. These  reductions,
together  with the reduction in the State personal income tax in 1995 (scheduled
to occur over a three-year period)  and business tax reductions enacted in  1994
will  result  in  significant budget  gaps  by  the 1997-1998  fiscal  year. The
1996-1997 budget  also  relies on  $1.3  billion in  non-recurring  receipts  or
savings.  There  is  no  assurance  that the  State  will  not  face substantial
potential budget  gaps in  this or  future years  resulting from  a  significant
disparity  between tax revenues  projected from a  lower recurring receipts base
and the spending  required to  maintain State  programs at  current levels.  The
State,  in  addressing  any  potential budgetary  imbalance,  may  need  to take
significant actions  to align  recurring receipts  and disbursements  in  future
fiscal years.
    
 
  NORTH CAROLINA
 
    The  following  discussion regarding  the financial  condition of  the North
Carolina State government may not be  relevant to general obligation or  revenue
bonds  issued by political subdivisions of  the State. Such information, and the
following discussion regarding the  economy of the State,  are included for  the
purpose  of providing information about general  economic conditions that may or
may not affect issuers of North Carolina obligations.
 
    The economic  profile  of  North  Carolina  consists  of  a  combination  of
industry,  agriculture and  tourism. The population  of the  State increased 13%
between 1980  and 1990,  from 5,880,095  to 6,657,106  as reported  by the  1990
federal  census.  The State's  estimate of  population  as of  June 30,  1994 is
7,064,470. Although North Carolina is the tenth largest state in population,  it
is  primarily a rural state, having only five municipalities with populations in
excess of 100,000. The State, once  largely an agriculturally based economy,  is
now  a service and goods  producing economy. From 1980  to 1994, the State labor
force increased by approximately  26% (from 2,855,200  to 3,609,000) and  during
the period 1980-1993, per capita income grew from $7,999 to $18,702, an increase
of 133.8%.
 
    The  North  Carolina  State  Constitution requires  that  the  State's total
expenditures for the fiscal period covered  by each budget not exceed the  total
of  receipts during  the fiscal  period and the  surplus remaining  in the State
Treasury at the beginning of the period.
 
    In 1990 and 1991 the State had difficulty meeting its budgetary projections.
The General  Assembly responded  by  enacting new  taxes  and fees  to  generate
additional  revenue and  reduce allowable department  operating expenditures and
continuation funding.
 
   
    The State, like the  nation, has experienced  economic recovery since  1991.
Due  to both increased tax and fee  revenues and the previously enacted spending
reductions, the State had a budget surplus of approximately $865 million at  the
end  of  fiscal 1993-1994.  After review  of  the 1994-1995  continuation budget
adopted in 1993, the General Assembly approved spending expansion funds, in part
to restore certain employee salaries to budgeted levels, which amounts had  been
deferred  to balance the budgets in 1989-1993,  and to authorize funding for new
initiatives in economic, social and environmental programs. Because of growth in
State tax and fee revenues, the General Fund balance at the end of the 1994-1995
fiscal year  was reported  at approximately  $300  million. By  the end  of  the
1995-1996  fiscal year,  the surplus grew  to approximately $700  million, but a
portion of that was appropriated.
    
 
    In April 1995, the North  Carolina General Assembly repealed, effective  for
taxable  years beginning on or after January  1, 1995, the tax levied on various
forms of intangible personal property.  The intangibles tax revenues  receivable
by  counties  and  municipalities  will  no  longer  be  received.  Instead, the
legislature  has   provided  for   specific  appropriations   to  counties   and
muncipalities.
 
    The  State is involved in certain litigation; however, none of the cases, in
the reported opinion of the Department  of the Treasurer, would have a  material
adverse effect on the State's ability to meet its obligations.
 
                                      B-11
<PAGE>
    Both the nation and the State have experienced a modest economic recovery in
the  past year. It is unclear, however,  what effect these developments, as well
as the reduction in government  spending or increase in  taxes, may have on  the
value  of the  debt obligations  in the North  Carolina Series.  No clear upward
trend has  developed, and  both the  State and  the national  economies must  be
watched carefully.
 
  OHIO
 
   
    The  Ohio  economy,  while diversifying  more  into the  services  and other
non-manufacturing  areas,  continues   to  rely   in  part   on  durable   goods
manufacturing,  although largely  concentrated in motor  vehicles and equipment,
steel, rubber  products  and household  appliances.  As a  result,  the  general
economic  activity in Ohio,  as in other industrially  developed states, is more
cyclical than  some other  states  and the  nation  overall. Agriculture  is  an
important  segment of the State's economy. More than half of the State's land is
devoted  to  farming.  An  estimated  16%   of  total  Ohio  employment  is   in
agribusiness.
    
 
    The  State operates on the basis of a fiscal biennium for its appropriations
and expenditures, and  is precluded by  law from ending  its July 1  to June  30
fiscal  year or fiscal biennium in a deficit position. Most State operations are
financed through the  General Revenue Fund,  for which the  personal income  and
sales-use taxes are the major sources.
 
   
    The  biennium of 1992-93 presented significant challenges to State finances,
which were  successfully addressed.  To  allow time  to resolve  certain  budget
differences,  an interim appropriations act was  enacted effective July 1, 1991;
it included General Revenue  Fund debt service  and lease rental  appropriations
for the entire biennium, while continuing most other appropriations for a month.
Pursuant  to the general  appropriations act for the  entire biennium, passed on
July 11, 1991, $200 million was  transferred from the Budget Stabilization  Fund
to the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 1992.
    
 
   
    Based  on updated results and  forecasts in the course  of fiscal year 1992,
both in light of a continuing uncertain nationwide economic situation, there was
projected, and then timely  addressed, a fiscal year  1992 imbalance in  General
Revenue  Fund resources and expenditures. In response, the Governor ordered most
State agencies to reduce General Revenue Fund spending in the last six months of
fiscal year 1992 by  a total of approximately  $184 million; the $100.4  million
Budget  Stabilization  Fund balance  and additional  amounts from  certain other
funds were transferred to the General Revenue Fund, and adjustments were made in
the timing of certain tax payments.
    
 
   
    A significant General  Revenue Fund shortfall  (approximately $520  million)
was  then  projected  for fiscal  year  1993.  It was  addressed  by appropriate
legislative and  administrative actions,  including the  Governor's ordering  of
$300 million in selected General Revenue Fund spending reductions and subsequent
executive  and legislative action (a combination of tax revisions and additional
spending reduction). The June 30, 1993 ending General Revenue Fund fund  balance
was   approximately  $111  million,  of  which,   as  a  first  step  to  Budget
Stabilization Fund  replenishment,  $21  million was  deposited  in  the  Budget
Stabilization Fund.
    
 
   
    The  1994-95 biennium presented a more affirmative financial picture for the
State. Based on June 30, 1994 balances, an additional $260 million was deposited
in the  Budget Stabilization  Fund. The  biennium  ended June  30, 1995  with  a
General  Revenue  Fund ending  fund  balance of  $928  million, of  which $535.2
million has been transferred  into the Budget Stabilization  Fund (which had  an
October 7, 1996 balance of over $828 million).
    
 
   
    The  General Revenue  Fund appropriations act  for the  1995-96 biennium was
passed on June  28, 1995  and promptly signed  (after selective  vetoes) by  the
Governor.  All  necessary General  Revenue  Fund appropriations  for  State debt
service and lease rental payments then projected for the biennium were  included
in that act. In accordance with the appropriations act, the significant June 30,
1995  General Revenue Fund balance, after leaving in the General Revenue Fund an
unreserved and undesignated balance of $70 million, was transferred to the  Bond
Stabilization  Fund and other  funds, including school  assistance funds and, in
anticipation of possible federal program changes, a human services stabilization
fund. Fiscal year 1996  proved to be  another year of  positive results for  the
General Revenue Fund with a year-end fund balance of $781 million.
    
 
    The incurrence or assumption of debt by the State without a popular vote is,
with   limited  exceptions,  prohibited  by  current  provisions  of  the  State
Constitution. The State  may incur debt  to cover casual  deficits, failures  in
revenues  or to meet expenses not otherwise  provided for, but limited in amount
to $750,000 plus
 
                                      B-12
<PAGE>
debt incurred to repel invasion, suppress  insurrection, or defend the State  in
war. The State is expressly precluded from assuming any local government debt or
corporation   debt,  except  for  debt  incurred  to  repel  invasion,  suppress
insurrection, or defend the State in war.
 
   
    Although the State's revenue obligations  or its political subdivisions  may
be payable from a specific project or source, including lease rentals, there can
be no assurance that economic difficulties and the resulting impact on State and
local  governmental  finances  will not  adversely  affect the  market  value of
municipal obligations held in the portfolio of the Ohio Series or the ability of
the respective obligors to make required payments on or leases relating to  such
obligations.
    
 
  PENNSYLVANIA
 
   
    Pennsylvania   is  an   established  state   with  a   diversified  economy.
Pennsylvania has  been  historically  identified  as  a  heavy  industry  state,
although  that reputation has  changed over the  last thirty years  as the coal,
steel  and  railroad  industries   declined  and  the  Commonwealth's   business
environment  readjusted  to reflect  a  more diversified  industrial  base. This
economic readjustment  was  a  direct  result of  a  long-term  shift  in  jobs,
investment  and workers away  from the northeast part  of the nation. Currently,
the major sources  of growth in  Pennsylvania are in  the service sector,  which
includes   trade,  medical,   and  health  services,   education  and  financial
institutions.
    
 
   
    For the five year period fiscal 1991 through fiscal 1995, total revenues and
other sources rose at  a 9.1% average annual  rate while expenditures and  other
uses  grew by 7.4% annually.  Over two-thirds of the  increase in total revenues
and other sources  during this period  occurred during fiscal  1992 when a  $2.7
billion  tax increase was enacted to address a fiscal 1991 budget deficit and to
fund increased expenditures  for fiscal 1992.  For the four  year period  fiscal
1992  through  fiscal 1995,  total revenues  and other  sources increased  at an
annual average of 3.3%,  less than one-half  the rate of  increase for the  five
year  period beginning with fiscal 1991. This  slower rate of growth was due, in
part, to tax reductions and other  tax law revisions that restrained the  growth
of tax receipts for the fiscal years 1993, 1994 and 1995.
    
 
   
    Expenditures and other uses followed a pattern similar to that for revenues,
although  with smaller growth rates, during  the fiscal years 1991 through 1995.
Program areas having  the largest increase  in costs for  the fiscal years  1991
through 1995 were for protection of persons and property, due to an expansion of
state  prisons,  and for  public health  and welfare,  due to  rising caseloads,
program utilization and increased process. Recent efforts to restrain the  rapid
expansion   of  public  health  and  welfare  program  costs  have  resulted  in
expenditure increases  at  or  below  the  total  rate  of  increase  for  total
expenditures in each fiscal year.
    
 
   
    The  General  Fund,  the  Commonwealth's  largest  fund,  receives  all  tax
receipts, revenues, federal grants and reimbursements that are not specified  by
law  to be deposited elsewhere. The General Fund is the principal operating fund
for the majority of the Commonwealth's governmental activities. Debt service  on
all  obligations, except those issued for highway purposes or for the benefit of
other special revenue funds, is payable from the General Fund.
    
 
   
    Fiscal 1995 was the fourth consecutive fiscal year the Commonwealth reported
an increase  in the  fiscal  year-end unappropriated  balance. The  fiscal  1995
unappropriated  surplus (prior to reserves for transfer to the Tax Stabilization
Reserve Fund) was $540  million, an increase of  $204.2 million over the  fiscal
1994  unappropriated surplus  (prior to  transfers). Commonwealth  revenues were
$459.4 million (2.9%) above the estimate of revenues used at the time the budget
was enacted. The  higher than estimated  revenues from tax  sources were due  to
faster economic growth in the national and state economy than had been projected
when  the budget was adopted. Expenditures from Commonwealth revenues (excluding
pooled  financing  expenditures),  including   $65.5  million  of   supplemental
appropriations  enacted at  the close of  the 1995 fiscal  year, totaled $15,674
million, representing an increase of 5% over spending during fiscal 1994.
    
 
   
    For GAAP purposes,  the General Fund  recorded a $49.8  million deficit  for
fiscal  1995, leading to a decline in the fund balance to $688.3 million at June
30, 1995. The two  items which predominantly contributed  to the decline in  the
fund  balance were (i) the use of  a more comprehensive procedure to compute the
liabilities for certain public welfare programs, leading to an increase for  the
year-end  accruals,  and  (ii) a  change  to  the methodology  to  calculate the
year-end accrual  for corporate  tax  payables which  increased the  tax  refund
liability  by $72 million for the 1995 fiscal year when compared to the previous
fiscal year.
    
 
                                      B-13
<PAGE>
   
    The fiscal  1996  unappropriated  surplus  (prior to  transfer  to  the  Tax
Stabilization  Reserve Fund) was  $183.8 million, $65.5  million above estimate.
Net expenditures  and encumbrances  from Commonwealth  revenues, including  $113
million   of  supplemental   appropriations  (but   excluding  pooled  financing
expenditures)  totalled  $16,162.9  million.  Expenditures  exceeded   available
revenues  and lapses by $253.2 million. The difference was funded from a planned
partial  drawdown  of   the  $437   million  fiscal   year  adjusted   beginning
unappropriated surplus.
    
 
   
    Commonwealth  revenues (prior to  tax refunds) for  fiscal 1996 increased by
$113.9 million over the prior year  to $16,338.5 million (representing a  growth
rate of .7 percent). Tax rate reductions and other tax law changes substantially
reduced  the  amount and  rate  of revenue  growth for  the  fiscal year.  It is
estimated the  tax changes  enacted  for the  fiscal year  reduced  Commonwealth
revenues by $283.4 million.
    
 
   
    The  enacted fiscal 1997 budget  provides for expenditures from Commonwealth
revenues of  $16,375.8 million,  an  increase of  .6 percent  over  appropriated
amounts  from Commonwealth revenues  for fiscal 1996. The  fiscal 1997 budget is
based  on  anticipated  Commonwealth  revenues  (before  refunds)  of  $16,744.5
million,  an  increase over  actual  fiscal 1996  revenues  of 2.5  percent. The
revenue estimate includes provision for a $15 million tax credit program enacted
with the  fiscal  1997  budget  for  businesses  creating  new  jobs.  Staggered
corporation tax years will cause fiscal 1997 revenues to continue to be affected
by  the business  tax reductions enacted  during the two  prior completed fiscal
years. Those reductions, together with the  new jobs creation tax credit,  cause
revenue  growth comparisons between fiscal 1996 and 1997 to be understated. When
these tax changes are taken into account, revenues in the fiscal 1997 budget are
anticipated to  increase at  the rate  of  3 percent.  The fiscal  1997  revenue
estimate  is based on a forecast of the national economy for real gross domestic
product to slow to a growth rate of 2 percent for 1996 and below 1.5 percent for
1997. This is based on  the assumption that the  Federal Reserve Board does  not
cut  interest rates and that foreign economic growth is weak. The consequence of
this economic scenario is  a U.S. economy  with very low  growth, slow gains  in
consumer spending, declining inflation rates, but increasing unemployment.
    
 
   
    Increased authorized spending for fiscal 1997 is driven largely by increased
costs  of the  corrections and probation  and payroll programs.  The fiscal 1997
budget contains an appropriation  increase in excess of  $110 million for  these
programs. The fiscal 1997 budget also contains some departmental restructurings.
    
 
   
    The current Constitutional provisions pertaining to Commonwealth debt permit
the  issuance of the following types of  debt: (i) debt to suppress insurrection
or rehabilitate areas affected by disaster, (ii) electorate approved debt, (iii)
debt for capital projects subject to an  aggregate debt limit of 1.75 times  the
annual  average tax  revenue of  the preceding  five fiscal  years and  (iv) tax
anticipation notes payable in the fiscal  year of issuance. All debt except  tax
anticipation  notes must be amortized in  substantial and regular amounts. As of
June 30, 1996, the Commonwealth had $5,054.5 million of general obligation  debt
outstanding.
    
 
   
    There  is various litigation pending  against the Commonwealth, its officers
and employees.  An  adverse  decision  in  one or  more  of  these  cases  could
materially affect the Commonwealth's governmental operations.
    
 
ADDITIONAL ISSUERS
 
  GUAM
 
    Guam  is governed  under the  Organic Act  of Guam  of 1950,  which gave the
island statutory local power of self-government and made the inhabitants of Guam
citizens of the United States.
 
    The economy  of Guam  is based,  in large  part, upon  the significant  U.S.
military  presence on the island. The federal government is the largest employer
on the island:  in 1991, there  were 10,757 active  duty military personnel  and
approximately  7,762 civilian  personnel. Military spending  makes a significant
contribution to  Guam's  economy,  exceeding  $587 million  in  1991.  The  U.S.
military presence on Guam has increased recently due to the closure of Subic Bay
Naval  Base and Clark Air  Force Base in the  Philippines. The United States Air
Force headquarters has also relocated to Guam from Clark Air Force Base.
 
    Tourism also plays  a major  role in Guam's  economy. Over  the past  twenty
years,  the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for
new hotels and the expansion of  older hotels. With visitors coming mainly  from
Japan, tourist arrivals rose by more than 16% annually between 1985 and 1990. In
1992,
 
                                      B-14
<PAGE>
there  were  approximately 900,000  tourists. Nevertheless,  recent earthquakes,
typhoons and the economic slowdown in  Japan have had adverse effects on  Guam's
economy. Furthermore, in 1994, Guam was faced with the problem of offsetting the
impact  of military downsizing.  Guam's economy is  also based on  the export of
fish and handicrafts. Approximately 60% of the labor force works for the private
sector, and the remaining 40% (approximately) work for the government. Guam is a
duty-free port  and  an important  distribution  point for  goods  destined  for
Micronesia. Unemployment, which has been historically low, was 2% in 1992.
 
  PUERTO RICO
 
    Puerto Rico enjoys a Commonwealth status with the U.S. as a result of Public
Law  600, enacted by the  U.S. Congress in 1950 and  affirmed by a referendum in
1952. Residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens.
 
    Since World  War  II,  Puerto  Rico has  undergone  a  social  and  economic
transformation. Puerto Rico, which was at one time a poor, agrarian economy with
a  densely populated  environment, is  now a  urbanized society  with an economy
based on manufacturing  and services. Despite  its long-term economic  progress,
unemployment  and poverty continue to be significant problems. The island's 1994
unemployment rate of 16% was more than double the corresponding U.S. figure, and
income data for the island compare unfavorably  with even the poorest of the  50
states.
 
    Financial operations of recent years have reflected general economic trends,
with fiscal improvements registered during good economic times and deterioration
during  slowdown.  In the  mid-1980s, economic  recovery  and stable  oil prices
helped the Commonwealth to reduce the General Fund's accumulated deficit. Later,
as  economic   slowdown  placed   financial  operations   under  pressure,   the
Commonwealth   sought   budgetary  balance,   but   with  regular   reliance  on
non-recurring measures. The General Fund closed  in a negative cash position  in
fiscal  years  1992  and 1993.  The  Commonwealth  had projected  only  a modest
improvement in the General Fund's negative ending position for fiscal year 1994,
even after the announcement in February 1994  of a $211 million increase in  the
revenue estimate.
 
    In  fiscal year 1995, year-to-date General  Fund reserve growth has exceeded
expectations. Original budget projections called for revenue growth of 4.6% over
fiscal year  1994 to  $4,878 million.  Revenue  growth in  fiscal year  1995  is
primarily  driven by  individual income tax  receipts, as a  result of continued
evasion control  measures  and  increased  excise  taxes,  reflecting  continued
economic growth.
 
   
    In  1993, Congress passed legislation  which restricts corporations' ability
to take advantage of Section 936  credits. Despite these changes, Puerto  Rico's
economy  has continued to grow. In fiscal  year 1994 its real gross product rose
2.6% and in fiscal year 1995 it rose 3.3%. The number of jobs Puerto Ricans hold
has also increased, by 1.8% in fiscal year  1994 and 2.1% in 1995. In 1993,  the
Senate  approved NAFTA, which poses a new  challenge to the Puerto Rican economy
by increasing competition from certain areas with Mexico.
    
 
  UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
 
    The Virgin Islands, comprised of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, form an
unincorporated territory of the United States. The residents of the islands were
granted a measure of self-government by the Organic Act, as revised in 1954.
 
    The Virgin Islands are  heavily dependent on links  with the U.S.  mainland.
More  than 90% of the trade is conducted with Puerto Rico and the United States.
Tourism is the  predominant source  of employment  and income  for the  Islands.
Specifically,  the visiting cruise ship business and the advantages of duty-free
purchases are attractive to  American visitors. Although  tourism in the  Virgin
Islands  declined in 1992, in 1993 occupancy rates at hotels and on cruise ships
increased, with 18% more American tourists and 30% more European tourists.
 
    The Territorial Government  also plays a  vital role in  the economy of  the
Virgin  Islands. Since governmental services must  be provided on three separate
islands, the duplication of effort results in an unusually large public  sector.
In  1993,  26.8%  of  total  employment  resulted  from  Territorial  Government
employment.  The  manufacturing  sector   consists  of  textiles,   electronics,
pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly plants. International business and financial
services  are  a  small but  growing  component  of the  economy.  The  level of
unemployment has been consistently low, but rose to 3.1% in May 1993.
 
                                      B-15
<PAGE>
FLOATING RATE AND VARIABLE RATE SECURITIES
 
    Each  series may  invest more  than 5%  of its  assets in  floating rate and
variable rate  securities, including  participation interests  therein and  (for
series   other  than  money  market  series)  inverse  floaters.  Floating  rate
securities normally  have  a  rate  of  interest which  is  set  as  a  specific
percentage  of a  designated base rate,  such as  the rate on  Treasury Bonds or
Bills or  the prime  rate  at a  major commercial  bank.  The interest  rate  on
floating  rate securities changes  whenever there is a  change in the designated
base interest rate.  Variable rate  securities provide for  a specific  periodic
adjustment  in the interest rate based  on prevailing market rates and generally
would allow the series to  demand payment of the  obligation on short notice  at
par  plus accrued interest, which amount may be more or less than the amount the
series paid for them. An inverse floater is a debt instrument with a floating or
variable interest rate that moves in the opposite direction of the interest rate
on another security or the  value of an index. Changes  in the interest rate  on
the  other security or interest inversely affect the residual interest rate paid
on the inverse floater, with the result that the inverse floater's price will be
considerably more  volatile than  that of  a  fixed rate  bond. The  market  for
inverse floaters is relatively new.
 
    Each   series  may  invest  in  participation  interests  in  variable  rate
tax-exempt securities (such  as certain  IDBs) owned by  banks. A  participation
interest  gives the series  an undivided interest in  the tax-exempt security in
the proportion  that  the series'  participation  interest bears  to  the  total
principal  amount of  the tax-exempt  security and  generally provides  that the
holder may demand repurchase within  one to seven days. Participation  interests
frequently  are backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of a bank
that the investment adviser under the supervision of the Trustees has determined
meets the prescribed quality  standards for the series.  A series generally  has
the  right to sell  the instrument back  to the bank  and draw on  the letter of
credit on demand,  on seven days'  notice, for all  or any part  of the  series'
participation interest in the par value of the tax-exempt security, plus accrued
interest.  Each series intends to exercise the demand under the letter of credit
only (1) upon  a default  under the  terms of  the documents  of the  tax-exempt
security, (2) as needed to provide liquidity in order to meet redemptions or (3)
to maintain a high quality investment portfolio. Banks will retain a service and
letter  of credit fee and a fee  for issuing repurchase commitments in an amount
equal to  the excess  of  the interest  paid by  the  issuer on  the  tax-exempt
securities  over the  negotiated yield at  which the  instruments were purchased
from the bank  by a  series. The investment  adviser will  monitor the  pricing,
quality  and  liquidity of  the variable  rate demand  instruments held  by each
series, including the IDBs supported by bank letters of credit or guarantees, on
the basis of  published financial  information, reports of  rating agencies  and
other  bank analytical services  to which the  investment adviser may subscribe.
Participation interests will be  purchased only if, in  the opinion of  counsel,
interest  income  on  such  interests will  be  tax-exempt  when  distributed as
dividends to shareholders.
 
PUT OPTIONS
 
    Each series may acquire  put options (puts) giving  the series the right  to
sell securities held in the series' portfolio at a specified exercise price on a
specified  date. Such  puts may  be acquired for  the purpose  of protecting the
series from a possible decline  in the market value  of the securities to  which
the  put applies in the event of interest  rate fluctuations and, in the case of
liquidity puts, to shorten  the effective maturity  of the underlying  security.
The  aggregate value  of the  premiums paid  to acquire  puts held  in a series'
portfolio (other than liquidity puts) may not exceed 10% of the net asset  value
of  such series. The acquisition of a put  may involve an additional cost to the
series by payment  of a premium  for the put,  by payment of  a higher  purchase
price  for securities to which the put  is attached or through a lower effective
interest rate.
 
   
    In addition, there is a credit risk associated with the purchase of puts  in
that  the issuer of the put may be unable to meet its obligation to purchase the
underlying security. Accordingly, the  series will acquire  puts only under  the
following  circumstances: (1) the put is written by the issuer of the underlying
security and such security is rated within the four highest quality grades  (two
highest  grades for the money  market series) as determined  by an NRSRO; or (2)
the put is written by a person other than the issuer of the underlying  security
and  such person has securities outstanding which are rated within such four (or
two for the money market series) highest quality grade of such rating  services;
or  (3) the put is  backed by a letter of  credit or similar financial guarantee
issued by a person having securities outstanding which are rated within the  two
highest quality grades of an NRSRO.
    
 
                                      B-16
<PAGE>
    One  form of transaction involving liquidity  puts consists of an underlying
fixed rate municipal bond  that is subject  to a third  party demand feature  or
"tender  option". The holder of  the bond would pay a  "tender fee" to the third
party tender option provider, the amount of which would be periodically adjusted
so that the bond/ tender option combination would reasonably be expected to have
a market value  that approximates the  par value of  the bond. This  bond/tender
option  combination  would  therefore  be  functionally  equivalent  to ordinary
variable or floating rate obligations and the Fund may purchase such obligations
subject  to  certain  conditions  specified  by  the  Securities  and   Exchange
Commission (SEC).
 
FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON
 
    FUTURES  CONTRACTS.   Each series (except  for the money  market series) may
engage in  transactions  in  financial  futures contracts  as  a  hedge  against
interest  rate related fluctuations in the value of securities which are held in
the investment portfolio  or which the  series intends to  purchase. A  clearing
corporation associated with the commodities exchange on which a futures contract
trades  assumes responsibility for the completion of transactions and guarantees
that open  futures contracts  will  be closed.  Although interest  rate  futures
contracts  call for  actual delivery or  acceptance of debt  securities, in most
cases the contracts are closed out before the settlement date without the making
or taking of delivery.
 
    When the futures contract is entered into, each party deposits with a broker
or in a segregated  custodial account approximately 5%  of the contract  amount,
called  the "initial margin". Subsequent payments to and from the broker, called
"variation margin", will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying
security or index fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures
contracts more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to the market."
 
   
    When a series purchases  a futures contract, it  will maintain an amount  of
cash,   U.S.  Government   obligations,  equity  securities   or  other  liquid,
unencumbered assets, marked-to-market  daily, in a  segregated account with  the
Fund's  Custodian, so that the  amount so segregated plus  the amount of initial
and variation margin held in the account  of its broker equals the market  value
of  the futures contract, thereby ensuring that the use of such futures contract
is unleveraged.  A series  that has  sold a  futures contract  may "cover"  that
position by owning the instruments underlying the futures contract or by holding
a call option on such futures contract. A series will not sell futures contracts
if  the value of  such futures contracts  exceeds the total  market value of the
securities of the  series. It is  not anticipated that  transactions in  futures
contracts will have the effect of increasing portfolio turnover.
    
 
    OPTIONS  ON FINANCIAL  FUTURES.   Each series  (other than  the money market
series) may purchase  call options  and write put  and call  options on  futures
contracts  and enter into  closing transactions with respect  to such options to
terminate an  existing position.  Each series  will use  options on  futures  in
connection with hedging strategies.
 
    An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for
the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if
the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified
exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the
option,  the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the
holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated  balance
in  the writer's futures margin account which represents the amount by which the
market price of the  futures contract, at  exercise, exceeds, in  the case of  a
call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on
the futures contract. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to
the  expiration date of the option, the settlement will be made entirely in cash
equal to the difference between the exercise price of the option and the closing
price of the futures contract on the expiration date. Currently, options can  be
purchased  or written with respect to  futures contracts on U.S. Treasury Bonds,
among other  fixed-income  securities, and  on  municipal bond  indices  on  the
Chicago Board of Trade. As with options on debt securities, the holder or writer
of  an option  may terminate  his or  her position  by selling  or purchasing an
option of the same series. There  is no guaranty that such closing  transactions
can be effected.
 
    When  a series hedges its portfolio by purchasing a put option, or writing a
call option, on a futures  contract, it will own a  long futures position or  an
amount  of debt  securities corresponding  to the  open option  position. When a
series writes a put option on a futures contract, it may, rather than  establish
a segregated
 
                                      B-17
<PAGE>
   
account,  sell  the futures  contract underlying  the put  option or  purchase a
similar put option. In instances  involving the purchase of  a call option on  a
futures  contract,  the series  will deposit  in a  segregated account  with the
Fund's  Custodian  an  amount  in  cash,  U.S.  government  obligations,  equity
securities   or  other  liquid,   unencumbered  assets,  marked-to-market  daily
high-grade  debt  securities  equal  to  the  market  value  of  the  obligation
underlying  the  futures  contract, less  any  amount  held in  the  initial and
variation margin accounts.
    
 
   
    LIMITATIONS ON  PURCHASE  AND SALE.    Under regulations  of  the  Commodity
Exchange  Act, investment companies registered  under the Investment Company Act
are exempted  from  the definition  of  "commodity pool  operator,"  subject  to
compliance  with certain conditions. The exemption is conditioned upon a series'
purchasing and selling financial futures contracts and options thereon for  BONA
FIDE  hedging transactions, except  that a series may  purchase and sell futures
contracts and  options thereon  for any  other purpose  to the  extent that  the
aggregate initial margin and option premiums do not exceed 5% of the liquidation
value  of the series' total assets. Each  series will use financial futures in a
manner consistent  with  these  requirements. With  respect  to  long  positions
assumed  by a  series, the  series will segregate  with the  Fund's Custodian an
amount of cash, U.S. Government  securities, equity securities or other  liquid,
unencumbered  assets, marked-to-market  daily so  that the  amount so segregated
plus the amount  of initial  and variation  margin held  in the  account of  its
broker equals the market value of the futures contracts and thereby insures that
the use of futures contracts is unleveraged. Each series will continue to invest
at  least 80%  of its  total assets in  municipal obligations  except in certain
circumstances,  as   described   in  its   Prospectus   under  "How   the   Fund
Invests--Investment Objective and Policies." A series may not enter into futures
contracts  if, immediately thereafter, the sum of  the amount of initial and net
cumulative variation  margin  on  outstanding futures  contracts  together  with
premiums  paid on options thereon,  would exceed 20% of  the total assets of the
series.
    
 
    RISKS OF FINANCIAL FUTURES TRANSACTIONS.  In addition to the risk associated
with predicting movements in the direction of interest rates, discussed in  "How
the  Fund  Invests--Investment Objective  and  Policies-- Futures  Contracts and
Options Thereon" in each series' Prospectus,  there are a number of other  risks
associated with the use of financial futures for hedging purposes.
 
    Each series intends to purchase and sell futures contracts only on exchanges
where  there  appears to  be  a market  in  the futures  sufficiently  active to
accommodate the volume of its trading activity. There can be no assurance that a
liquid market will always  exist for any particular  contract at any  particular
time.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that it will always be possible to
close a futures  position when such  closing is  desired; and, in  the event  of
adverse  price movements, the series would continue to be required to make daily
cash payments of variation margin. However, if futures contracts have been  sold
to  hedge  portfolio securities,  these securities  will not  be sold  until the
offsetting futures contracts can be  purchased. Similarly, if futures have  been
bought  to hedge  anticipated securities  purchases, the  purchases will  not be
executed until the offsetting futures contracts can be sold.
 
    The hours of trading of interest rate  futures may not conform to the  hours
during  which the series may trade municipal  securities. To the extent that the
futures markets close before the municipal securities market, significant  price
and  rate  movements can  take place  that  cannot be  reflected in  the futures
markets on a day-to-day basis.
 
    RISKS OF TRANSACTIONS IN OPTIONS ON  FINANCIAL FUTURES.  In addition to  the
risks  which apply to all options  transactions, there are several special risks
relating to options on futures. The ability to establish and close out positions
on such options will be subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market.
Compared to  the sale  of financial  futures,  the purchase  of put  options  on
financial  futures involves less potential risk  to a series because the maximum
amount at risk  is the premium  paid for the  options (plus transaction  costs).
However,  there may  be circumstances  when the  purchase of  a put  option on a
financial future would result in a loss to a series when the sale of a financial
future would  not, such  as when  there  is no  movement in  the price  of  debt
securities.
 
    An  option position may be  closed out only on  an exchange which provides a
secondary market for an option of  the same series. Although a series  generally
will  purchase  only those  options  for which  there  appears to  be  an active
secondary market, there  is no assurance  that a liquid  secondary market on  an
exchange  will exist for any  particular option, or at  any particular time, and
for some options, no secondary market on an exchange
 
                                      B-18
<PAGE>
may  exist.  In  such  event,  it  might  not  be  possible  to  effect  closing
transactions  in particular options, with the result that a series would have to
exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur  transaction
costs  upon the sale  of underlying securities  pursuant to the  exercise of put
options.
 
    Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange  include
the  following:  (i)  there  may be  insufficient  trading  interest  in certain
options, (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions
or closing  transactions or  both,  (iii) trading  halts, suspensions  or  other
restrictions  may be  imposed with  respect to  particular classes  or series of
options or underlying securities, (iv)  unusual or unforeseen circumstances  may
interrupt  normal operations on  an exchange, (v) the  facilities of an exchange
may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume or (vi) one or
more exchanges could, for economic or  other reasons, decide or be compelled  at
some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or
series  of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in
that class or  series of  options) would  cease to  exist, although  outstanding
options  on that  exchange could continue  to be exercisable  in accordance with
their terms.
 
    There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other
unforeseen events  might  not,  at times,  render  certain  clearing  facilities
inadequate,  and thereby  result in  the institution  by an  exchange of special
procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customers' orders.
 
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES
 
    Each series may purchase tax-exempt  securities on a when-issued or  delayed
delivery  basis, in which  case delivery and payment  normally take place within
one month after the date of  the commitment to purchase. The payment  obligation
and  the interest rate  that will be  received on the  tax-exempt securities are
each fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. The purchase  price
for  the security includes  interest accrued during  the period between purchase
and settlement and, therefore,  no interest accrues to  the economic benefit  of
the  series until delivery and  payment take place. Although  a series will only
purchase a tax-exempt security on a  when-issued or delayed delivery basis  with
the  intention of actually  acquiring the securities, the  series may sell these
securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable.
 
    Tax-exempt securities purchased on a  when-issued or delayed delivery  basis
are subject to changes in market value based upon the public's perception of the
creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of
interest  rates (which will generally result  in similar changes in value, I.E.,
experiencing both appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when
interest  rates  rise).  Therefore,  to   the  extent  that  a  series   remains
substantially  fully invested at the same  time that it has purchased securities
on a when-issued  or delayed  delivery basis, the  market value  of the  series'
assets  will vary  to a greater  extent than otherwise.  Purchasing a tax-exempt
security on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis can involve a risk that  the
yields  available in the market when the delivery takes place may be higher than
those obtained on the security so purchased.
 
   
    A segregated  account of  each series  consisting of  cash, U.S.  Government
obligations, equity securities or other liquid, unencumbered assets equal to the
amount  of the when-issued and delayed  delivery commitments will be established
with the Fund's Custodian  and marked to market  daily, with additional cash  or
other assets added when necessary. When the time comes to pay for when-issued or
delayed  delivery securities, the series  will meet their respective obligations
from then available cash  flow, sale of securities  held in a separate  account,
sale  of other securities or, although they  would not normally expect to do so,
from the sale of the when-issued  securities themselves (which may have a  value
greater or less than the series' payment obligations). The sale of securities to
meet such obligations carries with it a greater potential for the realization of
capital  gain,  which is  not exempt  from  state or  federal income  taxes. See
"Distributions and Tax Information."
    
 
    Each series (other than the money market series) may also purchase municipal
forward contracts. A municipal forward contract is a municipal security which is
purchased on a  when-issued basis with  delivery taking place  up to five  years
from  the date of purchase. No interest will accrue on the security prior to the
delivery date. The investment adviser will monitor the liquidity, value,  credit
quality  and delivery of the security under the supervision of the Trustees. The
Fund has obtained a ruling from Florida authorities that such municipal  forward
contracts qualify as assets exempt from the Florida intangibles tax.
 
                                      B-19
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
    Portfolio  transactions  will  be  undertaken  principally  to  accomplish a
series' objective in relation to anticipated  movements in the general level  of
interest  rates but  a series may  also engage in  short-term trading consistent
with its objective. Securities may be  sold in anticipation of a market  decline
(a  rise in  interest rates) or  purchased in  anticipation of a  market rise (a
decline in interest rates) and later sold.  In addition, a security may be  sold
and  another purchased at approximately the same  time to take advantage of what
the investment adviser believes to be a temporary disparity in the normal  yield
relationship between the two securities. Yield disparities may occur for reasons
not  directly  related to  the investment  quality of  particular issues  or the
general movement  of interest  rates, due  to  such factors  as changes  in  the
overall  demand  for or  supply  of various  types  of tax-exempt  securities or
changes in the investment objectives of investors.
 
   
    The Fund's investment policies may lead to frequent changes in  investments,
particularly  in  periods of  rapidly fluctuating  interest  rates. A  change in
securities held by a series is known as "portfolio turnover" and may involve the
payment by the series of dealer mark-ups or underwriting commissions, and  other
transaction  costs on the sale of securities,  as well as on the reinvestment of
the proceeds in other securities. Portfolio  turnover rate for a fiscal year  is
the  ratio of the  lesser of purchases  or sales of  portfolio securities to the
monthly average of the value of portfolio securities--excluding securities whose
maturities at acquisition were  one year or less.  A series' portfolio  turnover
rate  will not be a limiting factor when  the Fund deems it desirable to sell or
purchase securities. For the  fiscal year ended August  31, 1996, the  portfolio
turnover  rate  of each  series,  other than  the  money market  series,  was as
follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 PORTFOLIO
SERIES                                                                         TURNOVER RATE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
<S>                                                                            <C>
Florida......................................................................         68%
Hawaii Income................................................................         18%
Maryland.....................................................................         42%
Massachusetts................................................................         18%
Michigan.....................................................................         36%
New Jersey...................................................................         62%
New York.....................................................................         92%
North Carolina...............................................................         23%
Ohio.........................................................................         35%
Pennsylvania.................................................................         26%
</TABLE>
    
 
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
   
    A series may hold up to 15% (10% in the case of the money market series)  of
its  net assets  in illiquid  securities, including  repurchase agreements which
have a maturity of longer than seven days, securities with legal or  contractual
restrictions  on  resale (restricted  securities)  and securities  that  are not
readily marketable. Repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed to have a
maturity equal  to the  notice period.  Mutual  funds do  not typically  hold  a
significant amount of illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on
resale  and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations  on resale may have an adverse
effect on the marketability of portfolio  securities and a mutual fund might  be
unable  to dispose of  illiquid securities promptly or  at reasonable prices and
might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven days.
    
 
   
    Securities of financially  and operationally  troubled obligors  (distressed
securities)  are less liquid and are  more volatile than securities of companies
not experiencing financial difficulties. A  series might have to sell  portfolio
securities  at a disadvantageous time or at  a disadvantageous price in order to
maintain no more than 15% (or 10%) of its net assets in illiquid securities.
    
 
    Municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for purposes  of
the  series' limitation on  illiquid securities provided  the investment adviser
determines that there  is a  readily available  market for  such securities.  In
reaching  liquidity decisions, the investment adviser will consider, INTER ALIA,
the following factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the  security,
(2)  the number  of dealers  wishing to  purchase or  sell the  security and the
number of other potential purchasers, (3)  dealer undertakings to make a  market
in  the security,  and (4)  the nature  of the  security and  the nature  of the
marketplace trades (E.G., the time needed to dispose of
 
                                      B-20
<PAGE>
the security,  the  method  of  soliciting  offers  and  the  mechanics  of  the
transfer).  With respect to municipal  lease obligations, the investment adviser
also considers: (1) the willingness of the municipality to continue, annually or
biannually, to  appropriate funds  for payment  of the  lease, (2)  the  general
credit  quality of the municipality and  the essentiality to the municipality of
the property covered by the  lease, (3) in the  case of unrated municipal  lease
obligations,  an analysis  of factors  similar to  that performed  by nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations in evaluating the credit quality  of
a  municipal lease obligation, including (i) whether the lease can be cancelled,
(ii) if applicable, what assurance there  is that the assets represented by  the
lease  can be sold, (iii) the strength of the lessee's general credit (E.G., its
debt,  administrative,  economic  and   financial  characteristics),  (iv)   the
likelihood  that the municipality will discontinue appropriating funding for the
leased property  because the  property  is no  longer  deemed essential  to  the
operations   of  the  municipality   (E.G.,  the  potential   for  an  event  of
non-appropriation) and  (v)  the legal  recourse  in  the event  of  failure  to
appropriate  and (4) any other factors  unique to municipal lease obligations as
determined by the investment adviser.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
    The series' repurchase agreements will be collateralized by U.S.  Government
obligations.  The  series  will  enter into  repurchase  transactions  only with
parties meeting creditworthiness standards approved by the Fund's Trustees.  The
Fund's  investment  adviser will  monitor the  creditworthiness of  such parties
under the general  supervision of the  Trustees. In  the event of  a default  or
bankruptcy  by  a  seller,  the  series  will  promptly  seek  to  liquidate the
collateral. To the  extent that the  proceeds from any  sale of such  collateral
upon  a default  in the  obligation to repurchase  are less  than the repurchase
price, the series will suffer a loss.
 
   
    The series participate in a  joint repurchase account with other  investment
companies  managed by Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF) pursuant to an
order of the SEC. On a daily  basis, any uninvested cash balances of the  series
may be aggregated with those of such investment companies and invested in one or
more  repurchase  agreements. Each  fund or  series  participates in  the income
earned or  accrued  in  the  joint  account  based  on  the  percentage  of  its
investment.
    
 
    Except as described above and under "Investment Restrictions," the foregoing
investment  policies are not fundamental  and may be changed  by the Trustees of
the Fund without the vote of a majority of its outstanding voting securities (as
defined above).
 
                            INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
    The following restrictions  are fundamental  policies. Fundamental  policies
are  those which  cannot be  changed without  the approval  of the  holders of a
majority of the outstanding  voting securities of a  series. A "majority of  the
outstanding  voting  securities" of  a series,  when used  in this  Statement of
Additional Information,  means  the lesser  of  (i)  67% of  the  voting  shares
represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares
are  present in  person or  represented by proxy  or (ii)  more than  50% of the
outstanding voting shares.
 
    The Fund may not:
 
        1.   Purchase  securities  on  margin, but  the  Fund  may  obtain  such
    short-term  credits as may  be necessary for  the clearance of transactions.
    For the purpose  of this  restriction, the deposit  or payment  by the  Fund
    (except   with  respect  to   the  Connecticut  Money   Market  Series,  the
    Massachusetts Money Market Series, the New York Money Market Series and  the
    New  Jersey  Money  Market  Series)  of  initial  or  maintenance  margin in
    connection with futures  contracts or  related options  transactions is  not
    considered the purchase of a security on margin.
 
        2.  Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position.
 
   
        3.   Issue senior securities, borrow  money or pledge its assets, except
    that the Fund may on behalf of a series borrow up to 33 1/3% of the value of
    its  total  assets  (calculated  when  the  loan  is  made)  for  temporary,
    extraordinary  or emergency purposes  or for the  clearance of transactions.
    The Fund on behalf of a series may pledge up to 33 1/3% of the value of  its
    total assets to secure such borrowings. A series will not purchase portfolio
    securities  if its borrowings exceed 5% of  the assets. For purposes of this
    restriction, the preference
    
 
                                      B-21
<PAGE>
   
    as to shares of a series in  liquidation and as to dividends over all  other
    series  of the  Fund with respect  to assets specifically  allocated to that
    series, the  purchase and  sale of  futures contracts  and related  options,
    collateral  arrangements with respect  to margin for  futures contracts, the
    writing of related  options (except  with respect to  the Connecticut  Money
    Market  Series, the  Massachusetts Money Market  Series, the  New York Money
    Market Series and the New Jersey Money Market Series) and obligations of the
    Fund to Trustees  pursuant to  deferred compensation  arrangements, are  not
    deemed to be a pledge of assets or the issuance of a senior security.
    
 
        4.   Purchase  any security  if as a  result, with  respect to  75% of a
    series' total assets (except  with respect to  the Connecticut Money  Market
    Series,  the  Florida Series,  the Hawaii  Income Series,  the Massachusetts
    Money Market Series,  the New Jersey  Money Market Series  and the New  York
    Income  Series), more  than 5% of  the total  assets of any  series would be
    invested in the securities of any one issuer (provided that this restriction
    shall not apply  to obligations  issued or  guaranteed as  to principal  and
    interest    either   by   the   U.S.   Government   or   its   agencies   or
    instrumentalities).
 
        5.  Buy or  sell commodities or commodity  contracts, or real estate  or
    interests  in  real  estate, although  it  may purchase  and  sell financial
    futures  contracts  and  related  options   (except  with  respect  to   the
    Connecticut  Money Market Series, the Massachusetts Money Market Series, the
    New York  Money Market  Series  and the  New  Jersey Money  Market  Series),
    securities  which are  secured by  real estate  and securities  of companies
    which invest or deal in real estate.
 
        6.  Act as underwriter except to the extent that, in connection with the
    disposition of portfolio securities, it may  be deemed to be an  underwriter
    under certain federal securities laws.
 
        7.   Invest  in interests  in oil, gas  or other  mineral exploration or
    development programs.
 
        8.  Make loans, except through repurchase agreements.
 
    Whenever any fundamental investment policy or investment restriction  states
a maximum percentage of the Fund's assets, it is intended that if the percentage
limitation  is  met  at the  time  the investment  is  made, a  later  change in
percentage resulting  from  changing total  or  net  asset values  will  not  be
considered  a violation of  such policy. However,  in the event  that the Fund's
asset coverage for borrowings falls below 300%, the Fund will take prompt action
to reduce its borrowings, as required by applicable law.
 
   
    As long  as  required in  order  to comply  with  certain state  "blue  sky"
restrictions, the Fund will not as a matter of operating policy:
    
 
        1.  Invest in oil, gas and mineral leases or programs.
 
        2.   Purchase warrants if as a result the Fund would then have more than
    5% of its  net assets  (determined at the  time of  investment) invested  in
    warrants.  Warrants  will be  valued  at the  lower  of cost  or  market and
    investment in warrants which are not  listed on the New York Stock  Exchange
    or  American Stock Exchange will  be limited to 2%  of the Fund's net assets
    (determined at the time of investment). For the purpose of this  limitation,
    warrants  acquired  in units  or  attached to  securities  are deemed  to be
    without value.
 
        3.  Purchase any interests in real estate limited partnerships which are
    not readily marketable.
 
        4.   Purchase  securities  of  other  investment  companies,  except  in
    connection  with a  merger, consolidation, reorganization  or acquisition of
    assets.
 
   
        5.  Purchase the securities of any one issuer if any officer or  trustee
    of  the Fund or  the Manager or Subadviser  owns more than 1/2  of 1% of the
    outstanding securities of such  issuer, and such  officers and trustees  who
    own more than 1/2 of 1% own in the aggregate more than 5% of the outstanding
    securities of such issuer.
    
 
                                      B-22
<PAGE>
                             TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
       NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE         POSITION WITH FUND               DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- -----------------------------------  ------------------  ---------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                 <C>
 Edward D. Beach(71)...............    Trustee           President  and Director of  BMC Fund, Inc., a
 c/o Prudential Mutual Fund                              closed-end  investment  company;  previously,
 Management LLC                                            Vice   Chairman   of   Broyhill   Furniture
 Gateway Center Three                                      Industries, Inc.; Certified Public
 Newark, NJ                                                Accountant;  Secretary  and  Treasurer   of
                                                           Broyhill Family Foundation, Inc.; Member of
                                                           the Board of Trustees of Mars Hill College;
                                                           President,  Treasurer  and Director  of The
                                                           High  Yield  Plus  Fund,  Inc.  and   First
                                                           Financial   Fund,   Inc.;   President   and
                                                           Director of Global Utility Fund, Inc.
 
 Eugene C. Dorsey(69)..............    Trustee           Retired President,  Chief  Executive  Officer
 c/o Prudential Mutual Fund                              and  Trustee of  the Gannett  Foundation (now
 Management LLC                                            Freedom Forum);  former Publisher  of  four
 Gateway Center Three                                      Gannett  newspapers  and Vice  President of
 Newark, NJ                                                Gannett   Company;    past   Chairman    of
                                                           Independent  Sector (national  coalition of
                                                           philanthropic organizations); former
                                                           Chairman of  the American  Council for  the
                                                           Arts;  Director  of the  Advisory  Board of
                                                           Chase Manhattan Bank  of Rochester and  The
                                                           High Yield Income Fund, Inc.
 
 Delayne Dedrick Gold(58)..........    Trustee           Marketing and Management Consultant.
 c/o Prudential Mutual Fund
 Management LCC
 Gateway Center Three
 Newark, NJ
 
*Robert F. Gunia(49)...............    Trustee           Chief Administrative Officer (July
 Gateway Center Three                                    1990-September   1996),   Director   (January
 Newark, NJ                                                1989-September   1996),   Executive    Vice
                                                           President,  Treasurer  and  Chief Financial
                                                           Officer  (June   1987-September  1996)   of
                                                           Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management, Inc.;
                                                           Comptroller of  Prudential  Investments  of
                                                           The Prudential Insurance Company of America
                                                           (Prudential);  Senior Vice President (since
                                                           March  1987)   of   Prudential   Securities
                                                           Incorporated  (Prudential Securities); Vice
                                                           President and Director of The Asia  Pacific
                                                           Fund, Inc. (since May 1989).
 
*Harry A. Jacobs, Jr.(75)..........    Trustee           Senior   Director  (since  January  1986)  of
 One Seaport Plaza                                       Prudential   Securities;   formerly   Interim
 New York, NY                                              Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer of
                                                           Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management,  Inc.
                                                           (June-September 1993); formerly Chairman of
                                                           the    Board   of   Prudential   Securities
                                                           (1982-1985) and Chairman  of the Board  and
                                                           Chief Executive Officer of Bache Group Inc.
                                                           (1977-1982);  Director  of  the  Center for
                                                           National Policy, The First Australia  Fund,
                                                           Inc.  and The First  Australia Prime Income
                                                           Fund,  Inc.;   Trustee   of   the   Trudeau
                                                           Institute.
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------
   
*"Interested"  Trustee, as defined  in the Investment Company  Act, by reason of
 his affiliation  with Prudential,  Prudential Securities  or Prudential  Mutual
 Fund Management LLC (PMF).
    
 
                                      B-23
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
       NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE         POSITION WITH FUND               DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- -----------------------------------  ------------------  ---------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                 <C>
 Donald D. Lennox(77)..............    Trustee           Chairman  (since February  1990) and Director
 c/o Prudential Mutual Fund                              (since April 1989)  of International  Imaging
 Management LLC                                            Materials,  Inc.;  Retired  Chairman, Chief
 Gateway Center Three                                      Executive Officer and  Director of  Shlegel
 Newark, NJ                                                Corporation (industrial
                                                           manufacturing)(March  1987-February  1989);
                                                           Director of  Gleason Corporation,  Personal
                                                           Sound Technologies, Inc. and The High Yield
                                                           Income Fund, Inc.
*Mendel A. Melzer(35)..............    Trustee           [Chief   Investment  Officer  (since  October
 751 Broad Street                                        1996)   of    Prudential    Investments    of
 Newark, NJ                                                Prudential;    formerly   Chief   Financial
                                                           Officer of Prudential Investments (November
                                                           1995-September 1996), Senior Vice President
                                                           and Chief Financial  Officer of  Prudential
                                                           Preferred    Financial    Services   (April
                                                           1993-November 1995),  Managing Director  of
                                                           Prudential   Investment   Advisors   (April
                                                           1991-April 1993) and Senior Vice  President
                                                           of  Prudential  Capital  Corporation  (July
                                                           1989-April 1991); Chairman and Director  of
                                                           Prudential Series Fund, Inc.]
 Thomas T. Mooney(54)..............    Trustee           President  of  the  Greater  Rochester  Metro
 c/o Prudential Mutual Fund                              Chamber of Commerce; formerly Rochester  City
 Management LLC                                            Manager; Trustee of Center for Governmental
 Gateway Center Three                                      Research,  Inc.; Director  of Monroe County
 Newark, NJ                                                Water Authority, Rochester Jobs, Inc., Blue
                                                           Cross of Rochester, Executive Service Corps
                                                           of  Rochester,  Monroe  County   Industrial
                                                           Development  Corporation, Northeast Midwest
                                                           Institute, First Financial Fund, Inc.,  The
                                                           Global  Government Plus Fund,  Inc. and The
                                                           High Yield Plus Fund, Inc.
 Thomas H. O'Brien(71).............    Trustee           President of  O'Brien  Associates  (Financial
 c/o Prudential Mutual Fund                              and   Management  Consultants)  (since  April
 Management LLC                                            1984); formerly President of Jamaica  Water
 Gateway Center Three                                      Securities Corp. (holding company)
 Newark, NJ                                                (February  1989-August  1990);  Chairman of
                                                           the  Board  and  Chief  Executive   Officer
                                                           (September  1987-February 1989)  of Jamaica
                                                           Water   Supply    Company   and    Director
                                                           (September  1987-April  1991);  Director of
                                                           Ridgewood Savings Bank; Trustee of  Hofstra
                                                           University.
*Richard A. Redeker(53)............    President and     President,   Chief   Executive   Officer  and
 Gateway Center Three                  Trustee           Director  (October  1993-September  1996)  of
 Newark, NJ                                                Prudential  Mutual  Fund  Management, Inc.;
                                                           Executive  Vice  President,  Director   and
                                                           Member   of   Operating   Committee  (since
                                                           October   1993),   Prudential   Securities;
                                                           Director  (since October  1993), Prudential
                                                           Securities  Group,  Inc.;  Executive   Vice
                                                           President,    The   Prudential   Investment
                                                           Corporation (since January 1994);  formerly
                                                           Senior   Executive   Vice   President   and
                                                           Director of Kemper Financial Services, Inc.
                                                           (September 1978-September 1993);  President
                                                           and Director of The High Yield Income Fund,
                                                           Inc.
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------
   
 *"Interested"  Trustee, as defined in the  Investment Company Act, by reason of
  his affiliation with  Prudential, Prudential Securities  or Prudential  Mutual
  Fund Management LLC (PMF).
    
 
                                      B-24
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
       NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE         POSITION WITH FUND               DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- -----------------------------------  ------------------  ---------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                 <C>
 Nancy H. Teeters(66)..............    Trustee           Economist;  formerly Vice President and Chief
 c/o Prudential Mutual Fund                                Economist   (March   1986-June   1990)   of
 Management LLC                                            International Business Machines
 Gateway Center Three                                      Corporation;   Director  of   Inland  Steel
 Newark, NJ                                                Industries  (since  July  1991)  and  First
                                                           Financial Fund, Inc.
 
 Louis A. Weil, III(55)............    Trustee           Publisher  and Chief Executive Officer (since
 c/o Prudential Mutual Fund                              January 1996) and  Director (since  September
 Management LLC                                            1991) of Central Newspapers, Inc.; Chairman
 Gateway Center Three                                      of   the   Board   (since   January  1996),
 Newark, NJ                                                Publisher  and   Chief  Executive   Officer
                                                           (August   1991-December  1995)  of  Phoenix
                                                           Newspapers, Inc.; prior thereto,  Publisher
                                                           of  Time  Magazine  (May  1989-March 1991);
                                                           formerly  President,  Publisher  and  Chief
                                                           Executive   Officer  of  The  Detroit  News
                                                           (February   1986-August   1989);   formerly
                                                           member   of   the  Advisory   Board,  Chase
                                                           Manhattan Bank--Westchester.
 
 S. Jane Rose(50)..................    Secretary         Senior Vice President (January 1991-September
 Gateway Center Three                                    1996) and Senior Counsel (June 1987-September
 Newark, NJ                                                1996) of Prudential Mutual Fund Management,
                                                           Inc.;  Senior  Vice  President  and  Senior
                                                           Counsel  (since  June  1992)  of Prudential
                                                           Securities;  formerly  Vice  President  and
                                                           Associate  General  Counsel  of  Prudential
                                                           Securities.
 
 Grace Torres(37)..................    Treasurer and     First Vice  President  (March  1994-September
 Gateway Center Three                  Principal         1996)  of Prudential  Mutual Fund Management,
 Newark, NJ                            Financial and       Inc.; First  Vice  President  (since  March
                                       Accounting          1994)   of  Prudential   Securities;  prior
                                       Officer             thereto, Vice  President of  Bankers  Trust
                                                           Corporation.
 
 Stephen M. Ungerman(43)...........    Assistant         First  Vice  President  of  Prudential Mutual
 Gateway Center Three                  Treasurer         Fund Management, Inc. (February
 Newark, NJ                                                1993-September  1996);   Tax  Director   of
                                                           Prudential   Investments  and  the  Private
                                                           Asset  Group  of  Prudential  (since  March
                                                           1996); prior thereto, Senior Tax Manager of
                                                           Price Waterhouse (1981-January 1993).
 
 Deborah A. Docs(38)...............    Assistant         Vice  President and Associate General Counsel
 Gateway Center Three                  Secretary         (January 1993-September  1996) of  Prudential
 Newark, NJ                                                Mutual    Fund   Management,   Inc.;   Vice
                                                           President  and  Associate  General  Counsel
                                                           (since    January   1993)   of   Prudential
                                                           Securities;   previously   Associate   Vice
                                                           President  (January 1990-December 1992) and
                                                           Assistant General  Counsel (November  1991-
                                                           December  1992)  of Prudential  Mutual Fund
                                                           Management, Inc.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      B-25
<PAGE>
   
    Trustees and officers of the Fund are also Trustees, directors and  officers
of  some  or all  of the  other investment  companies distributed  by Prudential
Securities.
    
 
    The officers  conduct and  supervise the  daily business  operations of  the
Fund,  while  the  Trustees, in  addition  to  their functions  set  forth under
"Manager" and "Distributor," review such actions and decide on general policy.
 
   
    The Fund pays each of  its Trustees who is not  an affiliated person of  the
Manager  or  the Fund's  investment adviser  annual  compensation of  $9,000, in
addition to certain  out-of-pocket expenses. Mr.  Dorsey receives his  Trustees'
fee  pursuant to a deferred fee agreement with  the Fund. Under the terms of the
agreement, the Fund accrues daily the amount of such Trustees' fees which accrue
interest at a rate equivalent to  the prevailing rate applicable to 90-day  U.S.
Treasury  Bills at the beginning of each calendar quarter or, pursuant to an SEC
Exemptive order,  at the  daily rate  of return  of the  Fund (the  Fund  rate).
Payment  of the interest so accrued is also deferred and accruals become payable
at the option of the Trustee. The Fund's obligation to make payments of deferred
Trustees' fees, together with interest thereon,  is a general obligation of  the
Fund.
    
 
   
    The Trustees have adopted a retirement policy which calls for the retirement
of  Trustees on December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of 72 except
that retirement is being phased in for Trustees  who were age 68 or older as  of
December  31, 1993. Under this phase-in provision, Messrs. Beach, Jacobs, Lennox
and O'Brien are scheduled to retire on  December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997 and  1999,
respectively.
    
 
    Pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement with the Fund, the Manager
pays  all compensation of officers and employees of the Fund as well as the fees
and expenses of  all Trustees  of the  Fund who  are affiliated  persons of  the
Manager.
 
   
    The  following table sets forth the  aggregate compensation paid by the Fund
for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 to the Trustees who are not affiliated
with the  Manager and  the  aggregate compensation  paid  to such  Trustees  for
service  on the Fund's  Board and the  Boards of any  other investment companies
managed by PMF (Fund Complex) for the calendar year ended December 31, 1995.
    
 
                               COMPENSATION TABLE
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             TOTAL
                                                       PENSION OR                         COMPENSATION
                                                       RETIREMENT                          FROM FUND
                                      AGGREGATE     BENEFITS ACCRUED   ESTIMATED ANNUAL     AND FUND
                                     COMPENSATION   AS PART OF FUND     BENEFITS UPON     COMPLEX PAID
NAME AND POSITION                     FROM FUND         EXPENSES          RETIREMENT      TO TRUSTEES
- -----------------------------------  ------------   ----------------   ----------------   ------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>                <C>                <C>
Edward D. Beach, Trustee...........     $9,000            None                N/A           $183,500(22/43)**
Eugene C. Dorsey, Trustee..........     $9,000            None                N/A           $ 85,783*(10/34)**
Delayne Dedrick Gold, Trustee......     $9,000            None                N/A           $183,250(24/45)**
Robert F. Gunia, Trustee...........     --              --                 --                 --
Harry A. Jacobs, Jr., Trustee......     $    0            None                N/A           $      0
Donald D. Lennox, Trustee..........     --              --                 --               $ 86,250(10/22)**
Mendel A. Melzer, Trustee..........     --              --                 --                 --
Thomas T. Mooney, Trustee..........     $9,000            None                N/A           $125,625(14/19)**
Thomas H. O'Brien, Trustee.........     $9,000            None                N/A           $ 44,000(6/24)**
Richard A. Redeker, Trustee........     $    0            None                N/A           $      0
Nancy H. Teeters, Trustee..........     $9,000            None                N/A           $107,500(13/31)**
Louis A. Weil, III, Trustee........     --              --                 --               $ 93,750(11/16)**
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------
 
   
 * All compensation for  the calendar  year ended December  31, 1995  represents
   deferred  compensation. Aggregate compensation  from the Fund  for the fiscal
   year ended August 31, 1996, including accrued interest, amounted to  $10,238.
   Aggregate  compensation from  all of  the funds in  the Fund  Complex for the
   calendar year ended December 31,  1995, including accrued interest,  amounted
   to approximately $85,783.
    
 
** Indicates  number of funds/portfolios in Fund Complex (including the Fund) to
   which aggregate compensation relates.
 
                                      B-26
<PAGE>
   
    As of October 4, 1996,  the Trustees and officers of  the Fund, as a  group,
owned beneficially less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest
of each series of the Fund.
    
 
   
    As  of October  4, 1996, the  beneficial owners, directly  or indirectly, of
more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of beneficial interest of  a
Series were those listed in Appendix IV.
    
 
   
    As of October 4, 1996, Prudential Securities was the record holder for other
beneficial  owners  of  the following  shares  of the  series,  representing the
percentage shown of the outstanding shares of each such series:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     SERIES                            CLASS A                 CLASS B                CLASS C
     -------------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------  --------------------
     <S>                        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
     Florida..................   8,006,536       (80%)   1,372,428       (90%)   678,844       (88%)
     Hawaii Income............     147,115       (43%)     744,871       (90%)   113,856       (96%)
     Maryland.................     976,215       (55%)     889,594       (55%)     3,510       (81%)
     Massachusetts............   1,413,864       (56%)     925,349       (49%)     3,811       (96%)
     Michigan.................   1,187,169       (47%)   1,226,997       (43%)     5,631       (58%)
     New Jersey...............   6,152,969       (79%)  12,519,708       (78%)   152,187       (83%)
     New York.................   9,085,934       (62%)   7,238,798       (65%)    57,943       (88%)
     North Carolina...........   1,788,202       (69%)   2,052,077       (77%)     3,603       (55%)
     Ohio.....................   2,274,936       (52%)   2,036,899       (49%)     2,201       (58%)
     Pennsylvania.............   3,788,116       (51%)   6,309,538       (42%)    43,522       (56%)
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    As of October 4, 1996, Prudential Securities was the record holder for other
beneficial owners of  74,667,814 shares  (or 99%  of those  outstanding) of  the
Connecticut Money Market Series, 52,114,145 shares (or 99% of those outstanding)
of  the Massachusetts Money  Market Series, 187,346,830 shares  (or 99% of those
outstanding) of the New  Jersey Money Market Series  and 330,536,519 shares  (or
99%  of those outstanding) of the New York  Money Market Series. In the event of
any meetings of shareholders, Prudential  Securities will forward, or cause  the
forwarding  of, proxy  materials to  the beneficial owners  for which  it is the
record holder.
    
 
                                    MANAGER
 
   
    The manager of the Fund is Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC (PMF or the
Manager), Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102. PMF serves as  manager
to all of the other open-end management investment companies that, together with
the   Fund,  comprise  the  Prudential  Mutual  Funds.  See  "How  the  Fund  is
Managed--Manager" in the Prospectus  of each series. As  of September 30,  1996,
PMF  managed and/or  administered open-end and  closed-end management investment
companies with assets of approximately $52 billion. According to the  Investment
Company  Institute, as of August 31, 1996,  the Prudential Mutual Funds were the
17th largest family of mutual funds in the United States.
    
 
   
    PMF is a subsidiary of Prudential  Securities and Prudential. PMF has  three
wholly-owned subsidiaries: Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc., Prudential
Mutual  Fund Services, Inc.  (PMFS or the Transfer  Agent) and Prudential Mutual
Fund Investment Management. PMFS serves as the transfer agent for the Prudential
Mutual Funds  and, in  addition, provides  customer service,  recordkeeping  and
management and administration services to qualified plans.
    
 
    Pursuant   to  the  Management  Agreement  with  the  Fund  (the  Management
Agreement), PMF,  subject to  the  supervision of  the  Fund's Trustees  and  in
conformity  with the  stated policies of  the Fund, manages  both the investment
operations of  each  series  and  the composition  of  each  series'  portfolio,
including  the  purchase,  retention,  disposition and  loan  of  securities. In
connection therewith, PMF is obligated to keep certain books and records of  the
Fund.  PMF  also  administers the  Fund's  business affairs  and,  in connection
therewith, furnishes  the  Fund  with office  facilities,  together  with  those
ordinary  clerical and  bookkeeping services  which are  not being  furnished by
State Street Bank and Trust Company  (the Custodian), the Fund's custodian,  and
PMFS, the Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent. The management services
of  PMF  for  the Fund  are  not exclusive  under  the terms  of  the Management
Agreement and PMF is free to, and does, render management services to others.
 
    For its services, PMF receives, pursuant to the Management Agreement, a  fee
at  an annual rate of .50 of 1% of  the average daily net assets of each series.
The   fee   is   computed   daily   and   payable   monthly.   The    Management
 
                                      B-27
<PAGE>
   
Agreement  also provides that, in the event  the expenses of the Fund (including
the  fees  of  PMF,  but  excluding  interest,  taxes,  brokerage   commissions,
distribution   fees  and  litigation  and  indemnification  expenses  and  other
extraordinary expenses  not  incurred  in  the ordinary  course  of  the  Fund's
business)  for  any  fiscal year  exceed  the lowest  applicable  annual expense
limitation established and enforced pursuant  to the statutes or regulations  of
any  jurisdiction in which the  Fund's shares are qualified  for offer and sale,
the compensation  due  PMF  will  be  reduced by  the  amount  of  such  excess.
Reductions  in excess of the  total compensation payable to  PMF will be paid by
PMF to the Fund. No such reductions  were required during the fiscal year  ended
August  31, 1996. Currently, the Fund believes that the most restrictive expense
limitation of state securities commissions is 2 1/2% of a series' average  daily
net  assets up to  $30 million, 2%  of the next  $70 million of  such assets and
1 1/2% of such assets in excess of $100 million.
    
 
    In connection with its management of  the business affairs of the Fund,  PMF
bears the following expenses:
 
  (a)    the salaries and expenses of all of its and the Fund's personnel except
the fees and expenses of Trustees who  are not affiliated persons of PMF or  the
Fund's investment adviser;
 
  (b)    all expenses incurred by PMF or by the Fund in connection with managing
the ordinary course of the Fund's business, other than those assumed by the Fund
as described below; and
 
  (c)   the costs and expenses payable to The Prudential Investment  Corporation
(PIC) pursuant to the subadvisory agreement between PMF and PIC (the Subadvisory
Agreement).
 
    Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Fund is responsible for the
payment  of the following expenses: (a) the fees payable to the Manager, (b) the
fees and expenses of Trustees who are  not affiliated persons of the Manager  or
the  Fund's  investment  adviser,  (c)  the fees  and  certain  expenses  of the
Custodian and  Transfer and  Dividend Disbursing  Agent, including  the cost  of
providing   records  to  the  Manager  in  connection  with  its  obligation  of
maintaining required records of the Fund  and of pricing the Fund's shares,  (d)
the  charges and expenses  of legal counsel and  independent accountants for the
Fund, (e) brokerage commissions  and any issue or  transfer taxes chargeable  to
the  Fund  in connection  with its  securities transactions,  (f) all  taxes and
corporate fees payable by the Fund to governmental agencies, (g) the fees of any
trade associations of  which the Fund  may be a  member, (h) the  cost of  share
certificates  representing  shares of  the Fund,  (i) the  cost of  fidelity and
liability insurance, (j) certain organization expenses of the Fund and the  fees
and  expenses involved in  registering and maintaining  registration of the Fund
and of its shares with the SEC,  registering the Fund and qualifying its  shares
under  state  securities laws,  including the  preparation  and printing  of the
Fund's registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, (k) allocable
communication expenses with  respect to  investor services and  all expenses  of
shareholders'  and  Trustees' meetings  and of  preparing, printing  and mailing
reports, proxy  statements  and  prospectuses  to  shareholders  in  the  amount
necessary   for   distribution   to  the   shareholders,   (l)   litigation  and
indemnification expenses and  other extraordinary expenses  not incurred in  the
ordinary course of the Fund's business and (m) distribution fees.
 
   
    The  Management Agreement also provides that PMF  will not be liable for any
error of judgment or for  any loss suffered by the  Fund in connection with  the
matters  to which the Management Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of  duty.
The  Management  Agreement  provides  that it  will  terminate  automatically if
assigned, and that it may be terminated without penalty by either party upon not
more than  60  days' nor  less  than 30  days'  written notice.  The  Management
Agreement  will continue in effect for a period  of more than two years from the
date of execution only so long  as such continuance is specifically approved  at
least  annually in  conformity with the  Investment Company  Act. The Management
Agreement was last approved by the Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of
the Trustees who are not parties to  such contract or interested persons of  any
such  party as  defined in  the Investment Company  Act, on  May 9,  1996 and by
shareholders of each series of the Fund then in existence on December 28,  1988,
by  shareholders of the Florida Series and the New Jersey Money Market Series on
December 30, 1991, by  the shareholders of the  Connecticut Money Market  Series
and  the Massachusetts Money Market Series on  November 10, 1992 and by the sole
shareholder of the Hawaii Income Series on September 19, 1994.
    
 
                                      B-28
<PAGE>
   
    The amount of the management fee paid by each series of the Fund to PMF  for
the fiscal years ended August 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 was as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1994               1995               1996
                                                                         -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                <C>                <C>
Connecticut Money Market...............................................  $       63,440(a)  $       71,379(a)  $      372,880(a)
Florida................................................................         311,558(b)         231,778(b)         665,643(b)
Hawaii Income..........................................................             N/A             41,133(c)          71,610(c)
Maryland...............................................................         290,509            210,311(d)         192,126(d)
Massachusetts..........................................................         310,614            258,040(e)         269,415(e)
Massachusetts Money Market.............................................          44,800(f)          53,649(f)         273,444(f)
Michigan...............................................................         383,005            323,133(g)         335,620(g)
New Jersey.............................................................       1,347,284(h)       1,047,300(h)       1,429,531(h)
New Jersey Money Market................................................         634,767(i)         642,087(i)         963,088(i)
New York...............................................................       1,820,106          1,518,552(j)       1,608,029(j)
New York Money Market..................................................       1,402,462          1,463,815          1,682,136
North Carolina.........................................................         378,373            313,847(k)         316,510(k)
Ohio...................................................................         630,490            538,657(l)         546,058(l)
Pennsylvania...........................................................       1,384,548          1,182,799(m)       1,253,004(m)
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(a)  PMF  voluntarily waived all or a portion of its management fee of $243,395,
     $214,138 and $279,660, respectively.
    
 
   
(b)  PMF voluntarily  waived  a  portion  of its  management  fee  of  $467,337,
     $464,337 and $417,808, respectively.
    
 
   
(c)  PMF  voluntarily  waived a  portion  of its  management  fee of  $3,651 and
     $7,161, respectively.
    
 
   
(d)  PMF voluntarily  waived a  portion of  its management  fee of  $14,170  and
     $19,213, respectively.
    
 
   
(e)  PMF  voluntarily  waived a  portion of  its management  fee of  $18,492 and
     $26,941, respectively.
    
 
   
(f)  PMF voluntarily waived all or a portion of its management fee of  $167,335,
     $160,946 and $205,083, respectively.
    
 
   
(g)   PMF  voluntarily waived  a portion  of its  management fee  of $22,911 and
      $33,562, respectively.
    
 
   
(h)  PMF voluntarily  waived  a  portion  of its  management  fee  of  $449,095,
     $483,073 and $266,868, respectively.
    
 
   
(i)   PMF  voluntarily  waived  a portion  of  its management  fee  of $211,404,
      $214,029 and $85,123, respectively.
    
 
   
(j)  PMF voluntarily waived  a portion  of its  management fee  of $108,361  and
     $160,803, respectively.
    
 
   
(k)  PMF  voluntarily  waived a  portion of  its management  fee of  $22,350 and
     $31,651, respectively.
    
 
   
(l)  PMF voluntarily  waived a  portion of  its management  fee of  $38,218  and
     $54,606, respectively.
    
 
   
(m)  PMF  voluntarily  waived a  portion of  its management  fee of  $84,187 and
     $125,300, respectively.
    
 
   
    PMF has entered into  the Subadvisory Agreement  with PIC (the  Subadviser).
The  Subadvisory Agreement  provides that  PIC will  furnish investment advisory
services in connection with the management of the Fund. In connection therewith,
PIC is obligated to keep certain books and records of the Fund. PMF continues to
have responsibility  for  all  investment  advisory  services  pursuant  to  the
Management  Agreement and supervises PIC's performance  of such services. PIC is
reimbursed by  PMF for  the reasonable  costs and  expenses incurred  by PIC  in
furnishing those services.
    
 
    Peter  Allegrini oversees the municipal bond team at the Subadviser. He also
serves as the portfolio manager of the High Yield Series of Prudential Municipal
Bond Fund and the Pennsylvania Series of the Fund. He has been in the investment
business since 1978.
 
    The Subadvisory Agreement  was last  approved by the  Trustees, including  a
majority  of the  Trustees who  are not  parties to  the contract  or interested
persons  of   any   such   party   as  defined   in   the   Investment   Company
 
                                      B-29
<PAGE>
   
Act,  on  May 9,  1996,  by shareholders  of  each series  of  the Fund  then in
existence on December 28,  1988, by shareholders of  the Florida Series and  the
New  Jersey Money  Market Series  on December 30,  1991, by  shareholders of the
Connecticut Money Market  Series and  the Massachusetts Money  Market Series  on
November  10, 1992 and  by the sole  shareholder of the  Hawaii Income Series on
September 19, 1994.
    
 
    The Subadvisory Agreement provides  that it will terminate  in the event  of
its  assignment  (as  defined  in  the  Investment  Company  Act)  or  upon  the
termination of  the  Management  Agreement. The  Subadvisory  Agreement  may  be
terminated by the Fund, PMF or PIC upon not more than 60 days', nor less than 30
days',  written notice. The Subadvisory Agreement provides that it will continue
in effect for a period of more than two years from its execution only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved  at least annually in accordance  with
the requirements of the Investment Company Act.
 
    The  Subadviser maintains a  credit unit which  provides credit analysis and
research on both tax-exempt and  taxable fixed-income securities. The  portfolio
managers  routinely  consult  with  the  credit  unit  in  managing  the  Fund's
portfolios. The credit unit  reviews on an ongoing  basis issuers of  tax-exempt
and  taxable  fixed-income  obligations,  including  prospective  purchases  and
portfolio holdings of the  Fund. Credit analysts have  broad access to  research
and financial reports, data retrieval services and industry analysts.
 
   
    With  respect to  tax-exempt issuers,  credit analysts  review financial and
operating statements supplied by state  and local governments and other  issuers
of  municipal  securities  to  evaluate revenue  projections  and  the financial
soundness of municipal issuers. They study the impact of economic and  political
developments  on state and local governments, evaluate industry sectors and meet
periodically with public officials and other representatives of state and  local
governments  and  other tax-exempt  issuers to  discuss  such matters  as budget
projections, debt policy, the strength of the regional economy and, in the  case
of  revenue bonds, the demand for facilities. They also make site inspections to
review specified projects and  to evaluate the progress  of construction or  the
operation of a facility.
    
 
   
                                  DISTRIBUTOR
    
 
   
    Prudential  Securities, One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York 10292, acts as
the distributor of the shares of the Fund. Prior to January 2, 1996,  Prudential
Mutual  Fund Distributors,  Inc. (PMFD), One  Seaport Plaza, New  York, New York
10292, acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of each series of the Fund
having Class A shares and of the shares of the money market series.
    
 
   
    Under separate Distribution and Service Plans (the Class A Plan, the Class B
Plan and the Class C  Plan, collectively, the Plans)  adopted by the Fund  under
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act and separate distribution agreements
for  the money market series and the other series (the Distribution Agreements),
Prudential Securities  (the Distributor)  incurs  the expenses  of  distributing
shares  of the money market series  and the Fund's Class A,  Class B and Class C
shares. Prudential  Securities  also incurs  the  expenses of  distributing  the
Fund's  Class  Z  shares under  the  Distribution  Agreement, none  of  which is
reimbursed  by   or   paid   for  by   the   Fund.   See  "How   the   Fund   is
Managed--Distributor" in each series' Prospectus.
    
 
    Prior  to January 22, 1990, the non-money  market series of the Fund offered
only one class  of shares (the  then existing  Class B shares).  On October  19,
1989,  the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Class A or Class B Plan or in any agreement related to any  one
of  the Plans (the Rule 12b-1 Trustees), at  a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on the Class A and Class B Plans, adopted a new plan of distribution  for
the  Class A shares of the  Fund (the Class A Plan)  and approved an amended and
restated plan of distribution  with respect to  the Class B  shares of the  Fund
(the  Class B Plan). On  May 6, 1993, the Trustees,  including a majority of the
Rule 12b-1 Trustees, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on each Plan,
approved the continuance of the  Plans and Distribution Agreements and  approved
modifications  of  the  Fund's  Class  A  and  Class  B  Plans  and Distribution
Agreements to conform them with recent amendments to the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) maximum sales charge rule described below. As so
modified, the Class  A Plan provides  that (i) up  to .25 of  1% of the  average
daily  net assets of the Class A shares  may be used to pay for personal service
and/or the  maintenance of  shareholder accounts  (service fee)  and (ii)  total
distribution fees (including the service fee of .25 of 1%) may not exceed .30 of
1%. As so modified, the Class B Plan provides that
 
                                      B-30
<PAGE>
   
(i) up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares may be
paid  as a service fee and  (ii) up to .50 of  1% (including the service fee) of
the average daily net  assets of the Class  B shares (asset-based sales  charge)
may  be used as reimbursement for  distribution-related expenses with respect to
the Class B shares. Total distribution fees (including the service fee of .25 of
1%) may not exceed .50 of 1%. On May 6, 1993, the Trustees, including a majority
of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the
Plans, adopted  a plan  of distribution  for  the Class  C shares  and  approved
further amendments to the plans of distribution for the Fund's Class A and Class
B shares changing them from reimbursement type plans to compensation type plans.
Also  on  May 6,  1993, the  Trustees, including  a majority  of the  Rule 12b-1
Trustees, approved a plan of distribution (the Florida Series' Class C Plan) for
the Florida  Series'  Class  C shares.  The  Plans  were last  approved  by  the
Trustees,  including a majority of the Rule  12b-1 Trustees, on May 9, 1996. The
Class A Plan, as amended, was approved by Class A and Class B shareholders,  the
Class  B Plan  was approved  by Class B  shareholders and  the Class  C Plan was
approved by the Class C shareholders on July 19, 1994. The Florida Series' Class
C Plan was approved by the sole shareholder of the Class C shares of the Florida
Series on June 30, 1993. The Class  B Plan was approved by the sole  shareholder
of  the Florida Series' Class B  shares on August 1, 1994.  The Class A Plan and
Class B Plan were approved by the sole shareholder of Class A and Class B shares
of the Hawaii Income Series on September 19, 1994. The Class C Plan was approved
by the  sole shareholder  of  Class C  shares of  the  Hawaii Income  Series  on
September  19, 1994 and of  the other series having Class  C shares on August 1,
1994.
    
 
   
    CLASS A PLAN.   For  the fiscal  year ended August  31, 1996,  PMFD and  PSI
received the following payments under the Class A Plan:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>
Florida.........................................................................  $   112,266
Hawaii Income...................................................................        3,620
Maryland........................................................................       18,483
Massachusetts...................................................................       28,091
Michigan........................................................................       27,978
New Jersey......................................................................       61,836
New York........................................................................      168,291
North Carolina..................................................................       27,628
Ohio............................................................................       51,205
Pennsylvania....................................................................       59,995
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    This  amount was primarily expended for payment of account servicing fees to
financial advisers and  other persons who  sell Class A  shares. For the  fiscal
year ended August 31, 1996, PMFD and PSI also received approximate initial sales
charges with respect to the sale of Class A shares as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>
Florida.........................................................................  $   101,700
Hawaii Income...................................................................        7,200
Maryland........................................................................        4,400
Massachusetts...................................................................        6,700
Michigan........................................................................       10,900
New Jersey......................................................................       16,300
New York........................................................................       44,000
North Carolina..................................................................        2,600
Ohio............................................................................        6,200
Pennsylvania....................................................................       24,600
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      B-31
<PAGE>
   
    CLASS  B  PLAN.   For  the fiscal  year  ended August  31,  1996, Prudential
Securities received the distribution  fees paid by the  following series of  the
Fund  and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors on
the redemption of Class B shares as set forth below:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 APPROXIMATE
                                                                                 CONTINGENT
                                                                                  DEFERRED
SERIES                                                           AMOUNT OF FEE  SALES CHARGES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>
Florida........................................................  $      62,850   $    62,000
Hawaii Income..................................................         47,993        37,500
Maryland.......................................................         99,492        33,400
Massachusetts..................................................        128,755        41,400
Michigan.......................................................        195,258        73,900
New Jersey.....................................................      1,111,674       383,900
New York.......................................................        763,278       317,700
North Carolina.................................................        178,025       109,600
Ohio...........................................................        289,546       116,600
Pennsylvania...................................................        949,510       285,600
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    For the fiscal year ended August  31, 1996, it is estimated that  Prudential
Securities spent approximately the following amounts:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  COMPENSATION    APPROXIMATE
                      PRINTING AND  COMMISSION                   TO PRUSEC* FOR      TOTAL
                        MAILING     PAYMENTS TO                    COMMISSION       AMOUNT
                      PROSPECTUSES   FINANCIAL                    PAYMENTS TO      SPENT BY
                        TO OTHER    ADVISERS OF  OVERHEAD COSTS  REPRESENTATIVES  DISTRIBUTOR
                      THAN CURRENT  PRUDENTIAL   OF PRUDENTIAL     AND OTHER     ON BEHALF OF
SERIES                SHAREHOLDERS  SECURITIES    SECURITIES**     EXPENSES**       SERIES
- --------------------  ------------  -----------  --------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                   <C>           <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>
Florida.............  $      100    $   98,200   $    174,200    $     6,700     $    279,200
Hawaii Income.......      10,600        32,900         59,500          1,200          104,200
Maryland............         100        31,900         14,200         11,400           57,600
Massachusetts.......         100        40,700         34,500         14,500           89,800
Michigan............         100        46,100         24,000         38,800          109,000
New Jersey..........         100       311,600        188,700         72,500          572,900
New York............         100       254,700        218,300        174,300          647,400
North Carolina......         100        53,100         42,500         25,300          121,000
Ohio................         100        71,500         38,400         64,300          174,300
Pennsylvania........         100       245,500        155,900        220,200          621,700
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
 *Pruco Securities Corporation, an affiliated broker-dealer.
 
**Including lease, utility and sales promotional expenses.
 
    The  term  "overhead costs"  represents (a)  the  expenses of  operating the
branch offices of Prudential Securities and  Prusec in connection with the  sale
of  Fund shares,  including lease costs,  the salaries and  employee benefits of
operations and sales support personnel,  utility costs, communication costs  and
the costs of stationery and supplies, (b) the cost of client sales seminars, (c)
expenses  of mutual fund sales  coordinators to promote the  sale of Fund shares
and (d) other incidental expenses relating to branch promotion of Fund sales.
 
    Prudential Securities  also receives  the  proceeds of  contingent  deferred
sales  charges paid by investors upon certain redemptions of Class B shares. See
"Shareholder Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales  Charges"
in  the  Prospectus  of  each  applicable series  of  the  Fund.  The  amount of
distribution expenses reimbursable by the Fund is reduced by the amount of  such
contingent deferred sales charges.
 
                                      B-32
<PAGE>
   
    CLASS  C  PLAN.   For  the fiscal  year  ended August  31,  1996, Prudential
Securities received the distribution  fees paid by the  following series of  the
Fund  under  the Class  C Plan  and  the proceeds  of contingent  deferred sales
charges paid by investors on the redemption of shares as set forth below:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 APPROXIMATE
                                                                                 CONTINGENT
                                                                                  DEFERRED
                                                                                    SALES
SERIES                                                          AMOUNT OF FEE      CHARGES
- --------------------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>
Florida.......................................................    $   62,195      $     300
Hawaii Income.................................................         8,274            200
Maryland......................................................           324            200
Massachusetts.................................................           304             --
Michigan......................................................           711             --
New Jersey....................................................        13,012          2,200
New York......................................................         4,941             --
North Carolina................................................         1,000             --
Ohio..........................................................           730             --
Pennsylvania..................................................         5,277             --
</TABLE>
    
 
    Distribution fees were expended primarily  for payment of account  servicing
fees.
 
   
    Pursuant  to Rule  12b-1, the  Plans and  the money  market series'  Plan of
Distribution (collectively, the Plans) were last approved by the Trustees of the
Fund, including the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, at a meeting called for the purpose  of
voting on the Plans on May 9, 1996.
    
 
    The  Plans provide that they shall continue in effect from year to year with
respect to each series, provided such continuance is approved annually by a vote
of the Trustees of the Fund in the manner described above. The Plans may not  be
amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described
therein  without approval of  the shareholders of the  applicable class (by both
Class A and  Class B shareholders,  voting separately, in  the case of  material
amendments  to the Class A Plan), and all material amendments are required to be
approved by  the  Trustees in  the  manner described  above.  Each Plan  may  be
terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of
the  Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or  by a vote of a  majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the applicable class  on not more than 60  days' nor less than  30
days'  written  notice  to  any  other  party  to  the  Plans.  Each  Plan  will
automatically terminate in  the event of  its assignment. The  Fund will not  be
contractually  obligated  to  pay expenses  incurred  under  any Plan  if  it is
terminated or not continued.
 
    Pursuant to each Plan, the Trustees will review at least quarterly a written
report of the distribution expenses incurred  on behalf of each class of  shares
of  the  Fund by  the Distributor.  The  report includes  an itemization  of the
distribution expenses and  the purposes  of such expenditures.  In addition,  as
long  as the Plans  remain in effect,  the selection and  nomination of the Rule
12b-1 Trustees shall be committed to the Rule 12b-1 Trustees.
 
   
    Pursuant to each Distribution  Agreement, the Fund  has agreed to  indemnify
Prudential  Securities to the extent permitted by applicable law against certain
liabilities under  the Securities  Act  of 1933,  as amended.  The  Distribution
Agreements  were last approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Rule
12b-1 Trustees,  on May  9, 1996.  The  Trustees approved  the transfer  of  the
Distribution  Agreement with PMFD  for the money market  series to PSI effective
January 2, 1996.
    
 
   
    The Connecticut Money Market, Massachusetts  Money Market, New Jersey  Money
Market,  and the New York  Money Market Series' Plan  of Distribution (the Money
Market Plan) was last approved by the Trustees of the Fund, including a majority
of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the
Money Market  Plan, on  May  9, 1996.  The Money  Market  Plan was  approved  by
shareholders  of  the New  York Money  Market  Series on  December 28,  1988, by
shareholders of the New Jersey Money Market  Series on December 30, 1991 and  by
shareholders  of  the Connecticut  Money Market  Series and  Massachusetts Money
    
 
                                      B-33
<PAGE>
   
Market Series on November 10, 1992. For  the fiscal year ended August 31,  1996,
PMFD  and Prudential Securities  incurred distribution expenses  with respect to
the money market  series, all  of which were  recovered by  PMFD and  Prudential
Securities through the distribution fee paid by the series, as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DISTRIBUTION
SERIES                                                                                       EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>
Connecticut Money Market.................................................................   $   93,220
Massachusetts Money Market...............................................................       68,361
New Jersey Money Market..................................................................      240,772
New York Money Market....................................................................      420,534
</TABLE>
    
 
    On  October 21,  1993, Prudential Securities  (PSI) entered  into an omnibus
settlement with the SEC, state securities regulators in 51 jurisdictions and the
NASD to resolve  allegations that PSI  sold interests in  more than 700  limited
partnerships (and a limited number of other types of securities) from January 1,
1980  through December 31, 1990, in violation  of securities laws to persons for
whom such securities were  not suitable in light  of the individuals'  financial
condition  or  investment  objectives.  It was  also  alleged  that  the safety,
potential returns and liquidity of the investments had been misrepresented.  The
limited  partnerships principally  involved real  estate, oil  and gas producing
properties and aircraft leasing  ventures. The SEC  Order (i) included  findings
that PSI's conduct violated the federal securities laws and that an order issued
by  the  SEC in  1986 requiring  PSI  to adopt,  implement and  maintain certain
supervisory procedures had not  been complied with; (ii)  directed PSI to  cease
and  desist from violating the federal securities laws and imposed a $10 million
civil penalty;  and  (iii)  required  PSI to  adopt  certain  remedial  measures
including the establishment of a Compliance Committee of its Board of Directors.
Pursuant  to the terms of the SEC  settlement, PSI established a settlement fund
in the  amount of  $330,000,000 and  procedures, overseen  by a  court  approved
Claims  Administrator, to resolve legitimate  claims for compensatory damages by
purchasers of the partnership  interests. PSI has  agreed to provide  additional
funds,  if  necessary,  for  that  purpose.  PSI's  settlement  with  the  state
securities regulators included  an agreement to  pay a penalty  of $500,000  per
jurisdiction. PSI consented to a censure and to the payment of a $5,000,000 fine
in  settling  the NASD  action. In  settling the  above referenced  matters, PSI
neither admitted nor denied the allegations asserted against it.
 
    On January 18, 1994, PSI agreed to the entry of a Final Consent Order and  a
Parallel  Consent  Order by  the Texas  Securities  Commissioner. The  firm also
entered into a  related agreement  with the Texas  Securities Commissioner.  The
allegations were that the firm had engaged in improper sales practices and other
improper  conduct  resulting in  pecuniary losses  and  other harm  to investors
residing in Texas  with respect to  purchases and sales  of limited  partnership
interests  during  the period  of  January 1,  1980  through December  31, 1990.
Without admitting  or denying  the allegations,  PSI consented  to a  reprimand,
agreed  to cease  and desist  from future  violations, and  to provide voluntary
donations to the State of Texas in the aggregate amount of $1,500,000. The  firm
agreed   to  suspend  the  creation  of   new  customer  accounts,  the  general
solicitation of new accounts, and  the offer for sale  of securities in or  from
PSI's North Dallas office to new customers during a period of twenty consecutive
business  days, and agreed that its other  Texas offices would be subject to the
same restrictions  for a  period of  five consecutive  business days.  PSI  also
agreed to institute training programs for its securities salesmen in Texas.
 
    On October 27, 1994, Prudential Securities Group, Inc. (PSG) and PSI entered
into  agreements with the United States Attorney deferring prosecution (provided
PSI complies with the terms  of the agreement for  three years) for any  alleged
criminal  activity related to  the sale of  certain limited partnership programs
from 1983 to 1990. In  connection with these agreements,  PSI agreed to add  the
sum  of  $330,000,000  to  the  fund  established  by  the  SEC  and  executed a
stipulation providing for a reversion of such funds to the United States  Postal
Inspection  Service. PSI further agreed to  obtain a mutually acceptable outside
director to sit on the Board of Directors of PSG and the Compliance Committee of
PSI. The new  director will also  serve as an  independent "ombudsman" whom  PSI
employees  can  call anonymously  with complaints  about ethics  and compliance.
Prudential Securities  shall report  any allegations  or instances  of  criminal
conduct  and material improprieties  to the new director.  The new director will
submit compliance reports which shall identify all such allegations or instances
of criminal  conduct  and  material  improprieties  every  three  months  for  a
three-year period.
 
                                      B-34
<PAGE>
    NASD  MAXIMUM  SALES  CHARGE  RULE.  Pursuant  to  rules  of  the  NASD, the
Distributor is required to limit aggregate initial sales charges, deferred sales
charges and asset-based  sales charges  to 6.25% of  total gross  sales of  each
class of shares. Interest charges on unreimbursed distribution expenses equal to
the  prime rate plus one percent per annum may be added to the 6.25% limitation.
Sales from the reinvestment of dividends  and distributions are not included  in
the  calculation of the 6.25% limitation. The annual asset-based sales charge on
shares of a  series may not  exceed .75 of  1% per class.  The 6.25%  limitation
applies  to each class of a series of  the Fund rather than on a per shareholder
basis. If aggregate sales charges were to  exceed 6.25% of total gross sales  of
any  class of  any series, all  sales charges on  shares of that  class would be
suspended.
 
                      PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
 
    The Manager is  responsible for  decisions to  buy and  sell securities  and
futures  and  options thereon  for each  series  of the  Fund, the  selection of
brokers, dealers and futures commission merchants to effect the transactions and
the negotiation of  brokerage commissions. The  term "Manager" as  used in  this
section  includes  the  Subadviser.  Purchases  and  sales  of  securities  on a
securities exchange, which are not expected  to be a significant portion of  the
portfolio  securities of any  series, are effected through  brokers who charge a
commission for their  services. Broker-dealers may  also receive commissions  in
connection  with options  and futures  transactions, including  the purchase and
sale of  underlying securities  upon  the exercise  of  options. Orders  may  be
directed  to any broker or futures  commission merchant including, to the extent
and in the  manner permitted by  applicable law, Prudential  Securities and  its
affiliates.  Brokerage  commissions  on United  States  securities,  options and
futures exchanges or  boards of  trade are  subject to  negotiation between  the
Manager and the broker or futures commission merchant.
 
    In  the over-the-counter market, securities are  generally traded on a "net"
basis with dealers acting as principal  for their own accounts without a  stated
commission,  although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the
dealer. In underwritten  offerings, securities  are purchased at  a fixed  price
which  includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred
to as  the underwriter's  concession  or discount.  On occasion,  certain  money
market  instruments may be purchased  directly from an issuer,  in which case no
commissions or  discounts are  paid.  The Fund  will  not deal  with  Prudential
Securities  in any transaction in which Prudential Securities acts as principal.
Thus it will not deal in over-the-counter securities with Prudential  Securities
acting  as  a market  maker, and  it will  not execute  a negotiated  trade with
Prudential Securities  if execution  involves Prudential  Securities' acting  as
principal with respect to any part of the Fund's order.
 
    In  placing orders for portfolio securities for each series of the Fund, the
Manager is  required  to  give  primary  consideration  to  obtaining  the  most
favorable  price  and  efficient execution.  The  Manager seeks  to  effect each
transaction at a price and commission, if any, that provides the most  favorable
total  cost or proceeds  reasonably attainable in  the circumstances. Within the
framework of this policy, the Manager will consider the research and  investment
services provided by brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants who effect
or  are  parties to  portfolio  transactions of  the  Fund, the  Manager  or the
Manager's other clients. Such research  and investment services are those  which
brokerage  houses  customarily provide  to  institutional investors  and include
statistical and economic data and  research reports on particular companies  and
industries.  Such services are used by the Manager in connection with all of its
investment activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the
execution of transactions for the Fund may be used in managing other  investment
accounts.   Conversely,  brokers,   dealers  or   futures  commission  merchants
furnishing such services may  be selected for the  execution of transactions  of
such  other accounts, whose aggregate  assets are far larger  than the Fund, and
the services furnished by such brokers, dealers or futures commission  merchants
may  be used  by the  Manager in providing  investment management  for the Fund.
Commission rates are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker  based
on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the broker, dealer
or  futures commission merchant in the  light of generally prevailing rates. The
Manager's policy is to pay higher commissions to brokers, other than  Prudential
Securities,  for particular  transactions than might  be charged  if a different
broker had been  selected, on  occasions when,  in the  Manager's opinion,  this
policy furthers the objective of obtaining best price and execution. The Manager
is  authorized to pay higher commissions  on brokerage transactions for the Fund
to brokers other than Prudential Securities in order to secure the research  and
investment  services described above,  subject to review  by the Fund's Trustees
from
 
                                      B-35
<PAGE>
time to time as to the extent and continuation of this practice. The  allocation
of  orders among brokers and the commission rates paid are reviewed periodically
by the  Fund's Trustees.  Portfolio securities  may not  be purchased  from  any
underwriting  or  selling  syndicate  of  which  Prudential  Securities  (or any
affiliate), during the existence  of the syndicate,  is a principal  underwriter
(as  defined in the Investment Company Act),  except in accordance with rules of
the SEC. This  limitation, in the  opinion of the  Fund, will not  significantly
affect  the  series'  ability  to pursue  their  present  investment objectives.
However, in  the  future  in  other  circumstances,  the  series  may  be  at  a
disadvantage  because  of  this limitation  in  comparison to  other  funds with
similar objectives but not subject to such limitations.
 
    Subject to  the above  considerations, Prudential  Securities may  act as  a
broker  or futures  commission merchant  for the  Fund. In  order for Prudential
Securities (or any affiliate) to effect any portfolio transactions for the Fund,
the commissions, fees  or other remuneration  received by Prudential  Securities
(or any affiliate) must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees
or  other remuneration paid to other  brokers or futures commission merchants in
connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities or  futures
contracts  being purchased  or sold on  an exchange  or board of  trade during a
comparable period of time. This  standard would allow Prudential Securities  (or
any  affiliate) to receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected
to be received  by an unaffiliated  broker or futures  commission merchant in  a
commensurate  arm's-length transaction.  Furthermore, the Trustees  of the Fund,
including a majority  of the  non-interested Trustees,  have adopted  procedures
which  are reasonably  designed to provide  that any commissions,  fees or other
remuneration paid to  Prudential Securities  (or any  affiliate) are  consistent
with  the foregoing standard. In accordance with Section 11(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act  of 1934,  Prudential Securities  may not  retain compensation  for
effecting transactions on a national securities exchange for the Fund unless the
Fund  has expressly  authorized the  retention of  such compensation. Prudential
Securities must furnish to the Fund at least annually a statement setting  forth
the  total amount  of all  compensation retained  by Prudential  Securities from
transactions effected for the Fund  during the applicable period. Brokerage  and
futures  transactions  with Prudential  Securities (or  any affiliate)  are also
subject to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed upon Prudential Securities
(or such affiliate) by applicable law.
 
   
    During the fiscal  years ended August  31, 1996, 1995  and 1994, the  series
paid  brokerage commissions on  certain options and  futures transactions as set
forth below. During these periods, the  series paid no brokerage commissions  to
Prudential Securities.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
                                                                               -------------------------------
SERIES                                                                           1996       1995       1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Connecticut Money Market.....................................................          0          0          0
Florida......................................................................  $   7,438  $  10,973  $   4,113
Hawaii Income................................................................      1,120      1,680        N/A
Maryland.....................................................................      3,413      5,513        613
Massachusetts................................................................      3,413      1,820        263
Massachusetts Money Market...................................................          0          0          0
Michigan.....................................................................      4,498      4,550      2,030
New Jersey...................................................................     15,839     17,098        875
New Jersey Money Market......................................................          0          0          0
New York.....................................................................     22,540     13,581          0
New York Money Market........................................................          0          0          0
North Carolina...............................................................      6,651     20,213        175
Ohio.........................................................................      9,468     15,698      4,953
Pennsylvania.................................................................     20,685     22,033        875
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      B-36
<PAGE>
                     PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
 
   
    Shares  of each series of the Fund,  other than the money market series, may
be purchased at a price equal to  the next determined net asset value per  share
plus  a sales  charge which,  at the  election of  the investor,  may be imposed
either (i) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred  basis
(Class B or Class C shares) Class Z shares of the Florida Series, the New Jersey
Series  and the New York  Series are offered to a  limited group of investors at
net asset value without  any sales charges. See  "Shareholder Guide--How to  Buy
Shares of the Fund" in each series' Prospectus.
    
 
   
    Each  class  of  shares represents  an  interest  in the  same  portfolio of
investments of the series and has the same rights, except that (i) each class is
subject to different sales charges and distribution and/or service fees  (except
for  Class Z shares, which are not subject to any sales charges and distribution
and/or service  fees),  which  may  affect  performance,  (ii)  each  class  has
exclusive  voting rights  on any matter  submitted to  shareholders that relates
solely to its arrangement and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted
to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of
any other class, (iii) each class has a different exchange privilege, (iv)  only
Class  B shares  have a conversion  feature and  (v) Class Z  shares are offered
exclusively for sale  to a  limited group  of investors.  See "Distributor"  and
"Shareholder Investment Account-- Exchange Privilege."
    
 
    For  a description  of the methods  of purchasing shares  of the Connecticut
Money Market Series, the Massachusetts Money Market Series, the New Jersey Money
Market Series or the New York  Money Market Series, see "Shareholder  Guide--How
to Buy Shares of the Fund" in the money market series' Prospectuses.
 
SPECIMEN PRICE MAKE-UP
 
   
    Under  the  current  distribution  arrangements  between  the  Fund  and the
Distributor, Class A shares are sold at  a maximum sales charge of 3% and  Class
B*,  Class C* and  Class Z** shares are  sold at net asset  value. Using the net
asset value at August 31, 1996 of each series currently in existence (other than
the Connecticut Money Market Series, the Massachusetts Money Market Series,  the
New  Jersey  Money Market  Series and  the  New York  Money Market  Series), the
maximum offering price of the series' shares is as follows:
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A                                    FL     HI     MD     MA     MI     NJ     NY     NC     OH     PA
- ---------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S>                                      <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Net asset value and redemption price per
 Class A share.......................... $10.11 $12.00 $10.74 $11.54 $11.72 $10.87 $11.77 $11.06 $11.70 $10.49
Maximum sales charge (3% of offering
 price).................................    .31    .37    .33    .36    .36    .34    .36    .34    .36    .32
                                         ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Offering price to public................ $10.42 $12.37 $11.07 $11.90 $12.08 $11.21 $12.13 $11.40 $12.06 $10.81
                                         ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
                                         ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
 
<CAPTION>
 
CLASS B                                    FL     HI     MD     MA     MI     NJ     NY     NC     OH     PA
- ---------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S>                                      <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Net asset value, redemption price and
 offering price to public per Class B
 share*................................. $10.11 $12.00 $10.75 $11.53 $11.71 $10.87 $11.77 $11.06 $11.71 $10.49
                                         ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
                                         ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<CAPTION>
 
CLASS C                                    FL     HI     MD     MA     MI     NJ     NY     NC     OH     PA
- ---------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S>                                      <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Net asset value, redemption price and
 offering price to public per Class C
 share*................................. $10.11 $12.00 $10.75 $11.53 $11.71 $10.87 $11.77 $11.06 $11.71 $10.49
                                         ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
                                         ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<CAPTION>
 
CLASS Z                                    FL                                 NJ     NY
- ---------------------------------------- ------                             ------ ------
<S>                                      <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Net asset value, redemption price and
 offering price to public per Class Z
 share**................................ $10.11                             $10.87 $11.77
                                         ------                             ------ ------
                                         ------                             ------ ------
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------
 *Class B and Class C shares are  subject to a contingent deferred sales  charge
  on   certain   redemptions.   See  "Shareholder   Guide--How   to   Sell  Your
  Shares--Contingent  Deferred  Sales  Charges"   in  the  Prospectus  of   each
  applicable series.
 
   
**Class Z shares did not exist at August 31, 1996.
    
 
REDUCTION AND WAIVER OF INITIAL SALES CHARGES--CLASS A SHARES
 
    COMBINED  PURCHASE AND  CUMULATIVE PURCHASE  PRIVILEGE.   If an  investor or
eligible group  of  related investors  purchases  Class  A shares  of  the  Fund
concurrently   with   Class  A   shares  of   other  series   of  the   Fund  or
 
                                      B-37
<PAGE>
other Prudential Mutual Funds, the purchases  may be combined to take  advantage
of  the reduced sales charges  applicable to larger purchases.  See the table of
breakpoints  under  "Shareholder  Guide--Alternative   Purchase  Plan"  in   the
applicable Prospectus.
 
    An  eligible group of related Fund investors includes any combination of the
following:
 
  (a)   an individual;
 
  (b)   the individual's spouse, their children and their parents;
 
  (c)   the individual's and spouse's Individual Retirement Account (IRA);
 
  (d)   any company controlled by the individual (a person, entity or group that
holds 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a corporation will  be
deemed  to  control the  corporation, and  a  partnership will  be deemed  to be
controlled by each of its general partners);
 
  (e)   a trust  created by the individual, the  beneficiaries of which are  the
individual, his or her spouse, parents or children;
 
  (f)    a Uniform  Gifts to Minors Act/Uniform  Transfers to Minors Act account
created by the individual or the individual's spouse; and
 
   
  (g)    one  or more  employee  benefit plans  of a  company controlled  by  an
individual.
    
 
    In  addition, an  eligible group  of related  Fund investors  may include an
employer (or group of  related employers) and one  or more qualified  retirement
plans  of such employer or employers  (an employer controlling, controlled by or
under common control with another employer is deemed related to that employer).
 
    The Distributor must be notified at  the time of purchase that the  investor
is  entitled to a reduced sales charge. The reduced sales charge will be granted
subject to confirmation of the investor's holdings.
 
    RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION.   Reduced sales charges  are also available  through
Rights  of Accumulation, under which an investor or an eligible group of related
investors, as described above under  "Combined Purchase and Cumulative  Purchase
Privilege,"  may aggregate the value of their existing holdings of shares of the
Fund and shares of other Prudential  Mutual Funds (excluding money market  funds
other  than those acquired pursuant to  the exchange privilege) to determine the
reduced sales  charge. However,  the  value of  shares  held directly  with  the
Transfer  Agent  and through  Prudential Securities  will  not be  aggregated to
determine the reduced sales charge. All shares must be held either directly with
the Transfer  Agent or  through  Prudential Securities.  The value  of  existing
holdings  for purposes  of determining  the reduced  sales charge  is calculated
using the maximum offering price (net asset value plus maximum sales charge)  as
of  the  previous business  day. See  "How the  Fund Values  its Shares"  in the
Prospectuses.
 
    The Distributor must be notified at  the time of purchase that the  investor
is  entitled to a reduced sales charge. The reduced sales charge will be granted
subject to confirmation of the investor's holdings.
 
    LETTERS OF INTENT.  Reduced sales charges are also available to investors or
an eligible group of related investors who enter into a written Letter of Intent
providing for the  purchase, within a  thirteen-month period, of  shares of  the
Fund  and shares of  other Prudential Mutual  Funds. All shares  of the Fund and
shares of other Prudential Mutual Funds (excluding money market funds other than
those acquired  pursuant  to  the  exchange  privilege)  which  were  previously
purchased  and are still  owned are also included  in determining the applicable
reduction. However, the value  of shares held directly  with the Transfer  Agent
and  through  Prudential  Securities will  not  be aggregated  to  determine the
reduced sales charge. All shares must be held either directly with the  Transfer
Agent  or through Prudential Securities. The Distributor must be notified at the
time of purchase that the  investor is entitled to  a reduced sales charge.  The
reduced  sales charges will be granted subject to confirmation of the investor's
holdings.
 
    A Letter of Intent permits a purchaser to establish a total investment  goal
to  be achieved by any number of  investments over a thirteen-month period. Each
investment made  during  the  period  will  receive  the  reduced  sales  charge
applicable  to  the amount  represented  by the  goal, as  if  it were  a single
investment. Escrowed Class  A shares  totaling 5% of  the dollar  amount of  the
Letter   of   Intent   will   be   held   by   the   Transfer   Agent   in   the
 
                                      B-38
<PAGE>
name of  the  purchaser.  The effective  date  of  a Letter  of  Intent  may  be
back-dated  up to 90 days, in order that any investments made during this 90-day
period, valued at the purchaser's cost, can be applied to the fulfillment of the
Letter of Intent goal.
 
    The Letter of  Intent does not  obligate the investor  to purchase, nor  the
Fund  to sell, the indicated  amount. In the event the  Letter of Intent goal is
not achieved within the thirteen-month period, the purchaser is required to  pay
the  difference between the  sales charge otherwise  applicable to the purchases
made during this period and the sales charge actually paid. Such payment may  be
made directly to the Distributor or, if not paid, the Distributor will liquidate
sufficient  escrowed  shares to  obtain such  difference. Investors  electing to
purchase Class  A shares  of the  Fund pursuant  to a  Letter of  Intent  should
carefully read such Letter of Intent.
 
WAIVER OF THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE--CLASS B SHARES
 
    The contingent deferred sales charge is waived under circumstances described
in  the  applicable  Prospectuses.  See  Shareholder  Guide--How  to  Sell  Your
Shares--Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charges-- Class B Shares" in the
Prospectuses. In connection with these waivers, the Transfer Agent will  require
you to submit the supporting documentation set forth below.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
CATEGORY OF WAIVER                                REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Death                                             A  copy of  the shareholder's  death certificate
                                                  or, in  the  case of  a  trust, a  copy  of  the
                                                  grantor's  death certificate, plus a copy of the
                                                  trust agreement identifying the grantor.
Disability--An  individual  will  be  considered  A  copy  of the  Social  Security Administration
disabled if he or she is unable to engage in any  award letter or a letter from a physician on the
substantial gainful  activity by  reason of  any  physician's    letterhead   stating   that   the
medically  determinable   physical   or   mental  shareholder  (or, in  the case  of a  trust, the
impairment which can  be expected  to result  in  grantor)  is  permanently  disabled.  The letter
death or to be of long-continued and  indefinite  must also indicate the date of disability.
duration.
</TABLE>
 
The Transfer Agent reserves the right to request such additional documents as it
                             may deem appropriate.
 
QUANTITY DISCOUNT--CLASS B SHARES PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 1, 1994
 
    The CDSC is reduced on redemptions of Class B shares of a series of the Fund
purchased  prior  to August  1, 1994  if  immediately after  a purchase  of such
shares, the aggregate cost of all Class B  shares of a series of the Fund  owned
by  you in  a single  account exceeded $500,000.  For example,  if you purchased
$100,000 of  Class B  shares of  a series  of the  Fund and  the following  year
purchase  an additional  $450,000 of  Class B  shares with  the result  that the
aggregate cost of  your Class B  shares of a  series of the  Fund following  the
second  purchase was $550,000, the quantity  discount would be available for the
second purchase of  $450,000 but  not for the  first purchase  of $100,000.  The
quantity  discount will be  imposed at the following  rates depending on whether
the aggregate value exceeded $500,000 or $1 million:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
                              AS A PERCENTAGE OF DOLLARS INVESTED
                                    OR REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
   YEAR SINCE PURCHASE     -----------------------------------------
      PAYMENT MADE         $500,001 TO $1 MILLION    OVER $1 MILLION
- -------------------------  -----------------------   ---------------
<S>                        <C>                       <C>
First....................             3.0%                  2.0%
Second...................             2.0%                  1.0%
Third....................             1.0%                  0%
Fourth and thereafter....             0%                    0%
</TABLE>
 
    You must  notify  the  Fund's  Transfer Agent  either  directly  or  through
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec, at  the  time  of redemption,  that  you are
entitled to  the reduced  CDSC. The  reduced  CDSC will  be granted  subject  to
confirmation of your holdings.
 
                                      B-39
<PAGE>
                         SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT ACCOUNT
 
    Upon  the initial purchase of Fund  shares, a Shareholder Investment Account
is established  for  each investor  under  which the  shares  are held  for  the
investor  by the Transfer Agent.  If a share certificate  is desired, it must be
requested in writing for each transaction. Certificates are issued only for full
shares and may be redeposited in the Account at any time. There is no charge  to
the  investor for  issuance of  a certificate. The  Fund makes  available to its
shareholders the following privileges and plans.
 
AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    For the  convenience  of  investors, all  dividends  and  distributions  are
automatically  reinvested in full and fractional shares of a series. An investor
may direct the Transfer Agent in writing by the first business day of the  month
to  have  subsequent dividends  and/or distributions  sent  in cash  rather than
reinvested. In  the case  of recently  purchased shares  for which  registration
instructions  have not been  received on the  record date, cash  payment will be
made directly  to  the dealer.  Any  shareholder  who receives  a  cash  payment
representing   a  dividend  or  distribution   may  reinvest  such  dividend  or
distribution at net asset value (without a sales charge) by returning the  check
or the proceeds to the Transfer Agent within 30 days after the payment date. The
investment  will be made at the net  asset value per share next determined after
receipt of the check  or proceeds by the  Transfer Agent. Such shareholder  will
receive  credit for any contingent deferred sales charge paid in connection with
the amount of proceeds being reinvested.
 
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
 
    Each series makes available to its shareholders the privilege of  exchanging
their  shares of  a series for  shares of other  series of the  Fund and certain
other Prudential  Mutual Funds,  including one  or more  specified money  market
funds,  subject  in each  case to  the minimum  investment requirements  of such
funds. Shares of such  other Prudential Mutual Funds  may also be exchanged  for
shares  of the Fund. All  exchanges are made on the  basis of relative net asset
value next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. An exchange will
be treated  as  a  redemption and  purchase  for  tax purposes.  Shares  may  be
exchanged  for shares of another fund only if shares of such fund may legally be
sold under applicable state laws.
 
    It is contemplated  that the  Exchange Privilege  may be  applicable to  new
mutual funds whose shares may be distributed by the Distributor.
 
    CLASS  A.  Shareholders  of the Fund  may exchange their  Class A shares for
Class A shares of other  series of the Fund  or certain other Prudential  Mutual
Funds, shares of Prudential Government Securities Trust (Short-Intermediate Term
Series)  and shares of the  money market funds specified  below. No fee or sales
load will be imposed upon the  exchange. Shareholders of money market funds  who
acquired  such  shares upon  exchange of  Class  A shares  may use  the Exchange
Privilege only  to  acquire  Class  A shares  of  the  Prudential  Mutual  Funds
participating in the Exchange Privilege.
 
    The  following  money  market  funds participate  in  the  Class  A Exchange
Privilege:
 
       Prudential California Municipal Fund
        (California Money Market Series)
 
       Prudential Government Securities Trust
        (Money Market Series)
        (U.S. Treasury Money Market Series)
 
       Prudential Municipal Series Fund
        (Connecticut Money Market Series)
        (Massachusetts Money Market Series)
        (New Jersey Money Market Series)
        (New York Money Market Series)
 
   
       Prudential MoneyMart Assets, Inc. (Class A shares)
    
 
   
       Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.
    
 
                                      B-40
<PAGE>
   
    CLASS B AND CLASS C.  Shareholders of each series may exchange their Class B
and Class C shares for Class B and Class C shares, respectively, of other series
of the Fund or  certain other Prudential Mutual  Funds and shares of  Prudential
Special  Money Market Fund, Inc.,  a money market fund.  No CDSC will be payable
upon such exchange, but a CDSC may be payable upon the redemption of the Class B
and Class C shares acquired  as a result of  the exchange. The applicable  sales
charge will be that imposed by the fund in which shares were initially purchased
and  the purchase date will be deemed to be the first day of the month after the
initial purchase, rather than the date of the exchange.
    
 
   
    Class B and Class C shares of the  Fund may also be exchanged for shares  of
Prudential Special Money Market Fund, Inc. without imposition of any CDSC at the
time  of exchange.  Upon subsequent  redemption from  such money  market fund or
after re-exchange  into  the Fund,  such  shares will  be  subject to  the  CDSC
calculated by excluding the time such shares were held in the money market fund.
In  order to minimize the period of time  in which shares are subject to a CDSC,
shares exchanged out of the money market fund will be exchanged on the basis  of
their  remaining  holding periods,  with the  longest remaining  holding periods
being transferred first. In measuring the time period shares are held in a money
market fund and "tolled"  for purposes of calculating  the CDSC holding  period,
exchanges  are deemed to  have been made on  the last day  of the month.Thus, if
shares are exchanged into  the Fund from  a money market  fund during the  month
(and  are held in the  Fund at the end  of the month), the  entire month will be
included in the CDSC holding period. Conversely, if shares are exchanged into  a
money  market fund prior to the last day of the month (and are held in the money
market fund on the  last day of  the month), the entire  month will be  excluded
from the CDSC holding period. For purposes of calculating the seven year holding
period  applicable to  the Class  B conversion  feature, the  time period during
which Class B shares were held in a money market fund will be excluded.
    
 
    At any time after acquiring shares of other funds participating in the Class
B or Class C Exchange Privilege,  a shareholder may again exchange those  shares
(and  any reinvested dividends and distributions) for  Class B or Class C shares
of a series, respectively, without subjecting such shares to any CDSC. Shares of
any fund participating in the  Class B or Class  C Exchange Privilege that  were
acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions may be exchanged for
Class B or Class C shares of other funds, respectively, without being subject to
any CDSC.
 
   
    CLASS  Z.   Class Z  shares may  be exchanged  for Class  Z shares  of other
Prudential Mutual Funds.
    
 
    Additional details about the Exchange Privilege and prospectuses for each of
the Prudential  Mutual  Funds are  available  from the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent,
Prudential  Securities  or  Prusec.  The  Exchange  Privilege  may  be modified,
terminated or suspended on 60 days' notice, and any fund, including the Fund, or
the Distributor, has the  right to reject any  exchange application relating  to
such fund's shares.
 
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING (NOT APPLICABLE TO THE MONEY MARKET SERIES)
 
    Dollar  cost averaging  is a  method of  accumulating shares  by investing a
fixed amount of dollars in shares at set intervals. An investor buys more shares
when the price is low and fewer shares when the price is high. The average  cost
per  share is lower than it would be  if a constant number of shares were bought
at set intervals.
 
    Dollar cost averaging may be used,  for example, to plan for retirement,  to
save  for a major expenditure, such  as the purchase of a  home, or to finance a
college  education.   The  cost   of   a  year's   education  at   a   four-year
 
                                      B-41
<PAGE>
   
college  today averages around $14,000 at a private college and around $6,000 at
a public university. Assuming these  costs increase at a rate  of 7% a year,  as
has  been projected, for the freshman class  beginning in 2011, the cost of four
years at a private  college could reach  $210,000 and over  $90,000 at a  public
university.-1-
    
 
    The  following chart shows how much you would need in monthly investments to
achieve specified lump sums to finance your investment goals.-2-
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         PERIOD OF
                   MONTHLY INVESTMENTS:                       $100,000     $150,000     $200,000     $250,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
25 Years...................................................   $     110    $     165    $     220    $     275
20 Years...................................................         176          264          352          440
15 Years...................................................         296          444          592          740
10 Years...................................................         555          833        1,110        1,338
 5 Years...................................................       1,371        2,057        2,742        3,428
</TABLE>
 
See "Automatic Savings Accumulation Plan."
- --------------
   
- -1- Source information concerning the costs  of education at public and  private
   universities  is available from The College  Board Annual Survey of Colleges,
   1993. Average costs for private institutions include tuition, fees, room  and
   board for the 1993-1994 academic year.
    
 
   
- -2-  The  chart assumes  an effective  rate  of return  of 8%  (assuming monthly
   compounding). This  example is  for  illustrative purposes  only and  is  not
   intended  to reflect the performance of an  investment in shares of the Fund.
   The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate  so
   that  an investor's shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their
   original cost.
    
 
AUTOMATIC SAVINGS ACCUMULATION PLAN (ASAP)
 
    Under ASAP, an  investor may arrange  to have a  fixed amount  automatically
invested in shares of a series monthly by authorizing his or her bank account or
Prudential  Securities account  (including a Command  Account) to  be debited to
invest specified dollar  amounts in shares  of the series.  The investor's  bank
must  be a member of the Automatic Clearing House System. Share certificates are
not issued to ASAP participants.
 
    Further information  about  this program  and  an application  form  can  be
obtained from the Transfer Agent, Prudential Securities or Prusec.
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
 
    A withdrawal plan is available to shareholders through Prudential Securities
or  the Transfer Agent.  Such withdrawal plan provides  for monthly or quarterly
checks in any amount, except as provided below, up to the value of the shares in
the shareholder's  account. Withdrawals  of Class  B or  Class C  shares may  be
subject  to a CDSC. See "Shareholder  Guide--How to Sell Your Shares--Contingent
Deferred Sales Charges" in the Prospectus of each applicable series.
 
    In the case of shares held through the Transfer Agent (i) a $10,000  minimum
account  value applies, (ii) withdrawals may not be for less than $100 and (iii)
the  shareholder  must  elect  to   have  all  dividends  and/or   distributions
automatically  reinvested in additional full and  fractional shares at net asset
value  on   shares   held  under   this   plan.  See   "Shareholder   Investment
Account--Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends and/or Distributions."
 
    Prudential  Securities  and  the  Transfer  Agent  act  as  agents  for  the
shareholder in redeeming sufficient  full and fractional  shares to provide  the
amount of the periodic withdrawal payment. The systematic withdrawal plan may be
terminated at any time, and the Distributor reserves the right to initiate a fee
of up to $5 per withdrawal, upon 30 days' written notice to the shareholder.
 
    Withdrawal  payments should not be considered as dividends, yield or income.
If  periodic   withdrawals   continuously  exceed   reinvested   dividends   and
distributions,  the  shareholder's original  investment will  be correspondingly
reduced and ultimately exhausted.
 
                                      B-42
<PAGE>
    Furthermore, each withdrawal  constitutes a  redemption of  shares, and  any
gain  or loss realized  must be recognized  for federal income  tax purposes. In
addition, withdrawals made concurrently with purchases of additional shares  are
inadvisable  because of the sales charge applicable to (i) the purchase of Class
A shares and (ii) the withdrawal of Class B and Class C shares. Each shareholder
should consult his or her own tax adviser with regard to the tax consequences of
the systematic withdrawal plan.
 
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES OF THE MONEY MARKET SERIES
 
    Redemption orders  submitted  to  and received  by  Prudential  Mutual  Fund
Services,  Inc. (PMFS) will be  effected at the net  asset value next determined
after receipt of the order. Shareholders of the Connecticut Money Market Series,
the Massachusetts Money Market  Series, the New Jersey  Money Market Series  and
the  New York Money Market Series  (other than Prudential Securities clients for
whom Prudential Securities has  purchased shares of such  Series) may use  Check
Redemption, Expedited Redemption or Regular Redemption.
 
  CHECK REDEMPTION
 
    Shareholders  are subject to the Custodian's rules and regulations governing
checking accounts, including the right of  the Custodian not to honor checks  in
amounts  exceeding the value of the shareholder's  account at the time the check
is presented for payment.
 
    Shares for  which  certificates  have  been issued  are  not  available  for
redemption to cover checks. A shareholder should be certain that adequate shares
for  which certificates have not been issued are  in his or her account to cover
the amount of the check.  Also, shares purchased by  check are not available  to
cover  checks until 10 days  after receipt of the  purchase check by PMFS unless
the Fund or PMFS has been advised that the purchase check has been honored. Such
delay may be avoided by purchasing  shares by certified or official bank  checks
or  by wire. If insufficient  shares are in the account,  or if the purchase was
made by check within 10 days, the check is returned marked "insufficient funds."
Since the dollar value of an account is constantly changing, it is not  possible
for  a shareholder to determine in advance the total value of his or her account
so as to write a  check for the redemption of  the entire account. Checks in  an
amount less than $500 will not be honored.
 
    There  is a service charge of $5.00  payable to PMFS to establish a checking
account and to order checks. The Custodian and the Fund have reserved the  right
to  modify this checking account privilege or  to impose a charge for each check
presented for payment  for any  individual account or  for all  accounts in  the
future.
 
    The  Fund or PMFS may  terminate Check Redemption at  any time upon 30 days'
notice to participating  shareholders. To receive  further information,  contact
Prudential  Mutual Fund Services, Inc., Redemption Services, P.O. Box 15010, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.
 
  EXPEDITED REDEMPTION
 
    To request Expedited Redemption by telephone, a shareholder should call PMFS
at (800) 225-1852. Calls  must be received  by PMFS before  4:30 P.M., New  York
time. Requests by letter should be addressed to Prudential Mutual Fund Services,
Inc.,  Attention: Account Maintenance, P.O. Box 15015, New Brunswick, New Jersey
08906-5015.
 
    In order to change the name of the commercial bank or account designated  to
receive  redemption  proceeds,  it  is  necessary  to  execute  a  new Expedited
Redemption Authorization Form  and submit it  to PMFS at  the address set  forth
above.  Requests to change a bank or  account must be signed by each shareholder
and each signature  must be  guaranteed by:  (a) a  commercial bank  which is  a
member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; (b) a trust company; or (c)
a member firm of a domestic securities exchange. Guarantees must be signed by an
authorized  signatory of the bank, trust  company or member firm, and "Signature
Guaranteed" should appear  with the signature.  Signature guarantees by  savings
banks, savings and loan associations and notaries will not be accepted. PMFS may
request  further  documentation  from  corporations,  executors, administrators,
trustees or guardians.
 
    To receive  further  information, investors  should  contact PMFS  at  (800)
225-1852.
 
                                      B-43
<PAGE>
  REGULAR REDEMPTION
 
    Shareholders  may redeem their shares by sending to PMFS, at the address set
forth above, a written request, accompanied by duly endorsed share certificates,
if issued. If the proceeds of the  redemption (a) exceed $50,000, (b) are to  be
paid  to a person other than the record owner,  (c) are to be sent to an address
other than the address on the Transfer Agent's records or (d) are to be paid  to
a  corporation,  partnership,  trust  or  fiduciary,  the  signature(s)  on  the
redemption request  and on  the certificates,  if any,  or stock  power must  be
guaranteed  by  an  "eligible  guarantor  institution."  An  "eligible guarantor
institution" includes any bank, broker, dealer  or credit union. For clients  of
Prusec,  a signature guarantee may be obtained from the agency or office manager
of most  Prudential  District or  Ordinary  offices.  The Fund  may  change  the
signature  guarantee requirements from  time to time  on notice to shareholders,
which may be given by means  of a new Prospectus. All correspondence  concerning
redemptions should be sent to the Fund in care of its Transfer Agent, Prudential
Mutual  Fund Services, Inc., Attention: Redemption Services, P.O. Box 15010, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5010.  Regular redemption is made  by check sent  to
the shareholder's address.
 
MUTUAL FUND PROGRAMS
 
    From  time to time, the Fund (or a portfolio of the Fund) may be included in
a mutual fund program with other Prudential Mutual Funds. Under such a  program,
a  group of  portfolios will be  selected and  thereafter promoted collectively.
Typically, these programs are  created with an investment  theme, E.G., to  seek
greater  diversification, protection from  interest rate movements  or access to
different management styles. In  the event such a  program is instituted,  there
may be a minimum investment requirement for the program as a whole. The Fund may
waive  or reduce the minimum initial  investment requirements in connection with
such a program.
 
    The mutual funds in the program may  be purchased individually or as a  part
of  the program. Since the allocation of  portfolios included in the program may
not be appropriate for all investors, investors should consult their  Prudential
Securities  Financial  Advisor  or  Prudential/Pruco  Securities  Representative
concerning the appropriate blend of portfolios  for them. If investors elect  to
purchase  the  individual  mutual  funds  that  constitute  the  program  in  an
investment ratio  different  from that  offered  by the  program,  the  standard
minimum investment requirements for the individual mutual funds will apply.
 
                                NET ASSET VALUE
 
    The  net asset value per share  of a series is the  net worth of such series
(assets including securities at value  minus liabilities) divided by the  number
of  shares of such series outstanding.  Net asset value is calculated separately
for each class. The Fund  will compute the net asset  value of each such  series
(except the money market series) once daily at 4:15 P.M., New York time, on days
the  New York  Stock Exchange is  open for trading,  except on days  on which no
orders to purchase, sell or redeem shares of the series have been received or on
days on which changes in  the value of the  series' portfolio securities do  not
affect  net asset value. The Fund will compute  the net asset value of the money
market series at 4:30 P.M., New York  time, on days the New York Stock  Exchange
is  open for  trading, except on  days on which  no orders to  purchase, sell or
redeem shares of the money market series have been received or on days on  which
changes  in the value  of the money  market series' portfolio  securities do not
affect net asset value. The New York  Stock Exchange is closed on the  following
holidays:   New  Year's  Day,  Presidents'   Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day,  Thanksgiving Day and Christmas  Day. In the  event
the  New York  Stock Exchange closes  early on  any business day,  the net asset
value of the Fund's shares  shall be determined at  a time between such  closing
and  4:15 P.M., New  York time (with  respect to shares  of the non-money market
series of the Fund) and between such closing and 4:30 P.M., New York time  (with
respect to the money market series of the Fund).
 
    Portfolio  securities for which market  quotations are readily available are
valued at their bid quotations. Securities  for which market quotations are  not
readily available are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures adopted
by  the Trustees. Under these procedures the Fund values municipal securities on
the basis of  valuations provided by  a pricing service  which uses  information
with  respect to  transactions in  bonds, quotations  from bond  dealers, market
transactions  in  comparable  securities   and  various  relationships   between
securities  in  determining value.  The  Trustees believe  that  reliable market
quotations  are  generally  not  readily  available  for  purposes  of   valuing
tax-exempt  securities.  As a  result,  depending on  the  particular tax-exempt
 
                                      B-44
<PAGE>
securities owned by the Fund, it is likely that most of the valuations for  such
securities  will  be  based  upon  fair  value  determined  under  the foregoing
procedures. Short-term investments which mature in less than 60 days are  valued
at  amortized cost, if their original term to maturity was less than 60 days, or
are valued  at amortized  cost  on the  60th day  prior  to maturity,  if  their
original  term to  maturity when  acquired by  the Fund  was more  than 60 days,
unless this is determined not to represent fair value by the Trustees.
 
    The money market series use the amortized cost method to determine the value
of their portfolio  securities in accordance  with regulations of  the SEC.  The
amortized cost method involves valuing a security at its cost and amortizing any
discount  or premium over  the period until  maturity. The method  does not take
into account  unrealized capital  gains and  losses which  may result  from  the
effect of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the security.
 
    With  respect to  the money market  series, the Trustees  have determined to
maintain a dollar-weighted  average portfolio maturity  of 90 days  or less,  to
purchase  instruments having remaining maturities of thirteen months or less and
to invest only  in securities  determined by  the investment  adviser under  the
supervision  of  the Trustees  to  present minimal  credit  risks and  to  be of
"eligible quality" in accordance with regulations of the SEC. The Trustees  have
adopted procedures designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, the
money  market series' price per  share as computed for  the purpose of sales and
redemptions at $1.00. Such  procedures will include review  of the money  market
series'  portfolio holdings by the Trustees, at  such intervals as they may deem
appropriate, to  determine whether  the  money market  series' net  asset  value
calculated  by using available  market quotations deviates  from $1.00 per share
based on amortized cost.  The extent of  any deviation will  be examined by  the
Trustees.  If  such deviation  exceeds  1/2 of  1%,  the Trustees  will promptly
consider what  action, if  any, will  be initiated.  In the  event the  Trustees
determine that a deviation exists which may result in material dilution or other
unfair  results to prospective investors  or existing shareholders, the Trustees
will take such  corrective action  as they consider  necessary and  appropriate,
including the sale of portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital
gains  or losses  or to shorten  average portfolio maturity,  the withholding of
dividends, redemptions  of  shares in  kind,  or  the use  of  available  market
quotations to establish a net asset value per share.
 
                            PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
  ALL SERIES (EXCEPT THE MONEY MARKET SERIES)
 
   
    YIELD.   Each series may from time to time advertise its yield as calculated
over a 30-day period. Yield is calculated separately for Class A, Class B, Class
C and Class Z  shares. The yield  will be computed by  dividing the series'  net
investment  income per share earned  during this 30-day period  by the net asset
value per share on  the last day  of this period. The  average number of  shares
used  in determining  the net  investment income per  share will  be the average
daily number of shares outstanding during  the 30-day period that were  eligible
to  receive  dividends.  In  accordance with  SEC  regulations,  income  will be
computed by totaling  the interest  earned on  all debt  obligations during  the
30-day  period  and subtracting  from  that amount  the  total of  all recurring
expenses incurred during the period, which includes management and  distribution
fees. The 30-day
    
 
                                      B-45
<PAGE>
   
yield  is  then  annualized  on  a  bond-equivalent  basis  assuming semi-annual
reinvestment and  compounding of  net  investment income,  as described  in  the
Prospectus  of each series. The yield for the  30 days ended August 31, 1996 and
the yield without the management subsidies and waivers were as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                CLASS A                       CLASS B                       CLASS C
                      ---------------------------   ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                                 YIELD SUBSIDY/                YIELD SUBSIDY/                YIELD SUBSIDY/
SERIES                 YIELD     WAIVER ADJUSTED     YIELD     WAIVER ADJUSTED     YIELD     WAIVER ADJUSTED
- --------------------  -------   -----------------   -------   -----------------   -------   -----------------
<S>                   <C>       <C>                 <C>       <C>                 <C>       <C>
Florida.............   5.32%           5.12%         5.08%           4.87%         4.82%           4.61%
Hawaii Income.......   5.14            3.36          4.90            3.07          4.65            2.82
Maryland............   4.66            4.61          4.40            4.35          4.15            4.10
Massachusetts.......   4.62            4.57          4.36            4.31          4.10            4.05
Michigan............   4.79            4.74          4.54            4.48          4.28            4.22
New Jersey..........   4.94            4.89          4.69            4.63          4.44            4.38
New York............   4.80            4.75          4.54            4.49          4.29            4.24
North Carolina......   4.71            4.66          4.45            4.40          4.20            4.15
Ohio................   4.54            4.49          4.28            4.22          4.04            3.98
Pennsylvania........   4.89            4.84          4.64            4.59          4.38            4.33
</TABLE>
    
 
    The series' yield is computed according to the following formula:
 
<TABLE>
               <S>         <C>       <C>
                            a - b
               YIELD = 2[( -------   +1)to the power of 6 - 1]
                             cd
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>     <C>   <C>
Where:  a  =  dividends and interest earned during the period.
        b  =  expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements).
        c  =  the average daily number of shares outstanding during the
              period that were entitled to receive dividends.
        d  =  the maximum offering price per share on the last day of  the
              period.
</TABLE>
 
   
    Each  series  may also  calculate  the tax  equivalent  yield over  a 30-day
period. The tax equivalent yield will be determined by first computing the yield
as discussed above. The series will then determine what portion of that yield is
attributable to securities, the income on which is exempt for federal income tax
purposes. This portion of the yield will then be divided by one minus the  state
tax  rate times one minus the federal tax  rate and then added to the portion of
the yield that is attributable to other securities. For the 30 days ended August
31, 1996, the tax equivalent yield (assuming a federal tax rate of 36%) and  the
tax  equivalent  yield  without the  management  subsidies and  waivers  were as
follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                CLASS A                               CLASS B                               CLASS C
                  -----------------------------------   -----------------------------------   -----------------------------------
                                      TAX EQUIVALENT                        TAX EQUIVALENT                        TAX EQUIVALENT
                   TAX EQUIVALENT     YIELD SUBSIDY/     TAX EQUIVALENT     YIELD SUBSIDY/     TAX EQUIVALENT     YIELD SUBSIDY/
SERIES                 YIELD         WAIVER ADJUSTED         YIELD         WAIVER ADJUSTED         YIELD         WAIVER ADJUSTED
- ----------------  ----------------   ----------------   ----------------   ----------------   ----------------   ----------------
<S>               <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Florida.........         8.31%              7.99%              7.94%              7.61%              7.53%              7.21%
Hawaii Income...         8.92               5.84               8.51               5.32               8.07               4.89
Maryland........         7.75               7.66               7.31               7.23               6.90               6.81
Massachusetts...         8.20               8.11               7.74               7.64               7.28               7.19
Michigan........         7.83               7.74               7.42               7.32               7.00               6.90
New Jersey......         8.26               8.17               7.84               7.75               7.43               7.33
New York........         8.14               8.05               7.70               7.61               7.28               7.19
North
 Carolina.......         7.98               7.89               7.54               7.45               7.11               7.02
Ohio............         7.67               7.58               7.23               7.13               6.82               6.73
Pennsylvania....         7.86               7.79               7.46               7.37               7.04               6.96
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN.  Each series of the Fund may from time to  time
advertise  its  average  annual total  return.  Average annual  total  return is
determined separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z shares. See "How
the Fund Calculates Performance" in the Prospectus of each applicable series.
    
 
                                      B-46
<PAGE>
    Average annual total return is computed according to the following formula:
 
                         P(1+T)to the power of n = ERV
 
Where:  P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1000.
        T = average annual total return.
        n = number of years.
        ERV  =  Ending Redeemable Value at the end of the 1, 5 or 10 year
                periods (or fractional portion thereof) of a hypothetical
                $1000 payment made at the beginning of the 1, 5 or 10 year
                periods.
 
    Average annual total  return takes  into account any  applicable initial  or
contingent  deferred sales charges but does not take into account any federal or
state income taxes that may be payable upon redemption.
 
   
    The average annual total return  and subsidy/waiver adjusted average  annual
total return for the series (other than the money market series) for the periods
ended August 31, 1996 were as follows:
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 CLASS B
                                                                                 ---------------------------------------
                                            CLASS A                                                               SUBSIDY/WAIVER
                 -------------------------------------------------------------                                    ADJUSTED
                                                        SUBSIDY/WAIVER                                            ------
                                                           ADJUSTED                                     TEN
                                                 -----------------------------                         YEARS
                  ONE      FIVE       SINCE       ONE      FIVE       SINCE       ONE      FIVE      OR SINCE      ONE
SERIES            YEAR    YEARS     INCEPTION     YEAR    YEARS     INCEPTION     YEAR     YEARS     INCEPTION     YEAR
- ---------------  ------   ------   -----------   ------   ------   -----------   ------   -------   -----------   ------
<S>              <C>      <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>       <C>           <C>
Florida........    3.0%     N/A           7.3%     2.6%     N/A           6.7%     0.8%      N/A           4.9%     0.4%
Hawaii
 Income........    1.9      N/A           5.7      0.7      N/A           4.5     (0.4)      N/A           5.0     (1.6)
Maryland.......    2.4      5.7%          6.2      2.3      5.7%          6.2      0.1       5.8%          6.1      0.1
Massachusetts...   1.8      6.6           6.9      1.7      6.6           6.9     (0.5)      6.6           6.4     (0.6)
Michigan.......    1.9      6.3           6.7      1.9      6.3           6.7     (0.3)      6.4           6.5     (0.4)
New Jersey.....    1.5      6.2           7.0      1.4      6.0           6.8     (0.8)      6.3           7.6     (0.9)
New York.......    1.4      6.6           7.0      1.3      6.6           7.0     (0.9)      6.6           6.2     (0.9)
North
 Carolina......    1.6      5.9           6.4      1.5      5.9           6.4     (0.7)      6.0           5.9     (0.8)
Ohio...........    0.9      6.3           6.8      0.8      6.2           6.8     (1.4)      6.3           6.1     (1.5)
Pennsylvania...    1.9      6.6           6.8      1.8      6.6           6.8     (0.3)      6.7           6.8     (0.4)
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                               CLASS C
                                           -----------------------------------------------
                                                                           SUBSIDY/
                                                                            WAIVER
                                TEN                                        ADJUSTED
                               YEARS                                ----------------------
                   FIVE       OR SINCE      ONE         SINCE        ONE         SINCE
SERIES            YEARS      INCEPTION      YEAR      INCEPTION      YEAR      INCEPTION
- ---------------  --------   ------------   ------   -------------   ------   -------------
<S>              <C>        <C>            <C>      <C>             <C>      <C>
Florida........      N/A            4.5%     4.5%            4.3%     4.1%            3.8%
Hawaii
 Income........      N/A            3.8      3.3             6.7      2.1             5.4
Maryland.......      5.8%           6.1      3.9             5.1      3.8             5.0
Massachusetts..      6.6            6.3      3.3             5.6      3.2             5.6
Michigan.......      6.4            6.4      3.4             5.2      3.3             5.1
New Jersey.....      6.0            7.3      3.0             5.3      2.9             5.1
New York.......      6.6            6.2      2.8             5.2      2.7             5.2
North
 Carolina......      6.0            5.9      3.0             4.9      2.9             4.8
Ohio...........      6.3            6.1      2.4             5.0      2.3             5.0
Pennsylvania...      6.7            6.7      3.4             5.4      3.3             5.3
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    AGGREGATE  TOTAL RETURN.   Each  series of the  Fund may  also advertise its
aggregate total  return. Aggregate  total return  is determined  separately  for
Class  A, Class  B, Class  C and Class  Z shares.  See "How  the Fund Calculates
Performance" in the Prospectus of each applicable series.
    
 
    Aggregate total return represents the cumulative  change in the value of  an
investment  in a series of  the Fund and is  computed according to the following
formula:
 
                                     ERV-P
                                     ------
                                       P
 
    Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1000.
 
           ERV = Ending Redeemable Value at the end of the 1, 5 or 10 year
                 periods of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning
                 of the 1, 5 or 10 year periods (or fractional portion thereof).
 
    Aggregate total  return does  not take  into account  any federal  or  state
income  taxes that may be  payable upon redemption or  any applicable initial or
contingent deferred sales charges.
 
                                      B-47
<PAGE>
   
    The aggregate total return for each series  for the one year, five year  and
ten  year (or since  inception) periods ended  August 31, 1996  for the Class A,
Class B and Class C shares were as follows:
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    CLASS B
                                                                   ------------------------------------------
                                       CLASS A                                                                       CLASS C
                      ------------------------------------------                                                -----------------
                                                                        AGGREGATE TOTAL
                           AGGREGATE TOTAL                                  RETURN                               AGGREGATE TOTAL
                               RETURN                              -------------------------                         RETURN
                      -------------------------                                    10 YR. OR                    -----------------
                                        SINCE                                        SINCE                                SINCE
SERIES                1 YR.   5 YR.   INCEPTION   INCEPTION DATE   1 YR.   5 YR.   INCEPTION   INCEPTION DATE   1 YR.   INCEPTION
- --------------------  -----   -----   ---------   --------------   -----   -----   ---------   --------------   -----   ---------
<S>                   <C>     <C>     <C>         <C>              <C>     <C>     <C>         <C>              <C>     <C>
Florida.............    6.2%   43.9%    53.8%           12/27/90     5.8%    N/A     13.6%         8/1/94         5.5%    13.8%
Hawaii Income.......    5.0     N/A     14.9             9/19/94     4.6     N/A     14.0         9/19/94         4.3     13.5
Maryland............    5.6    36.1     53.5             1/22/90     5.2    33.4     81.5         1/22/85         4.9     10.8
Massachusetts.......    4.9    41.6     60.6             1/22/90     4.5    38.6     85.3         9/19/84         4.3     12.1
Michigan............    5.1    40.2     58.5             1/22/90     4.7    37.3     87.6         9/19/84         4.4     11.1
New Jersey..........    4.6    39.3     61.6             1/22/90     4.2    36.7     85.8          3/1/88         4.0     11.3
New York............    4.5    41.6     61.0             1/22/90     4.1    38.8     81.6         9/27/84         3.9     11.2
North Carolina......    4.7    37.4     55.1             1/22/90     4.3    34.6     77.9         2/13/85         4.0     10.5
Ohio................    4.0    39.6     59.0             1/22/90     3.6    36.8     81.6         9/19/84         3.4     10.7
Pennsylvania........    5.1    42.0     59.6             1/22/90     4.7    39.2     85.0          3/6/87         4.4     11.5
 
<CAPTION>
 
SERIES                INCEPTION DATE
- --------------------  --------------
<S>                   <C>
Florida.............      8/1/94
Hawaii Income.......     9/19/94
Maryland............      8/1/94
Massachusetts.......      8/1/94
Michigan............      8/1/94
New Jersey..........      8/1/94
New York............      8/1/94
North Carolina......      8/1/94
Ohio................      8/1/94
Pennsylvania........      8/1/94
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    The aggregate total return for each series  for the one year, five year  and
ten  year (or since  inception) periods ended  August 31, 1996  for the Class A,
Class B and Class C shares,  without the management subsidies and waivers,  were
as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           CLASS B                 CLASS C
                                                  -------------------------   -----------------
                               CLASS A
                      -------------------------                                AGGREGATE TOTAL
                                                       AGGREGATE TOTAL             RETURN
                           AGGREGATE TOTAL                 RETURN              SUBSIDY/WAIVER
                               RETURN              SUBSIDY/WAIVER ADJUSTED
                       SUBSIDY/WAIVER ADJUSTED    -------------------------       ADJUSTED
                      -------------------------                   10 YR. OR   -----------------
                                        SINCE                       SINCE               SINCE
SERIES                1 YR.   5 YR.   INCEPTION   1 YR.   5 YR.   INCEPTION   1 YR.   INCEPTION
- --------------------  -----   -----   ---------   -----   -----   ---------   -----   ---------
<S>                   <C>     <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>
Florida.............    5.8%   40.0%    49.2%       5.4%    N/A     12.5%       5.1%    12.1%
Hawaii Income.......    3.8     N/A     12.2        3.4     N/A     11.4        3.1     10.9
Maryland............    5.4    36.0     53.4        5.0    33.3     80.2        4.8     10.7
Massachusetts.......    4.8    41.5     60.4        4.4    38.4     84.2        4.2     12.0
Michigan............    5.0    40.1     58.4        4.6    37.2     86.8        4.3     11.0
New Jersey..........    4.6    38.0     59.2        4.1    35.3     82.2        3.9     11.0
New York............    4.4    41.5     60.9        4.0    38.7     81.5        3.8     11.1
North Carolina......    4.6    37.2     55.0        4.2    34.5     76.6        3.9     10.4
Ohio................    3.9    39.5     58.9        3.5    36.7     80.9        3.3     10.6
Pennsylvania........    5.0    41.9     59.3        4.6    39.1     83.7        4.3     11.4
</TABLE>
    
 
 THE CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES, THE MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES, THE
 NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES AND THE NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
 
    The  money market series will prepare a current quotation of yield from time
to time. The yield quoted will be the simple annualized yield for an  identified
seven calendar day period. The yield calculation will be based on a hypothetical
account  having a balance of exactly one share at the beginning of the seven-day
period. The  base  period  return  will  be the  change  in  the  value  of  the
hypothetical  account during the seven-day  period, including dividends declared
on any shares purchased with dividends  on the shares but excluding any  capital
changes.  The yield will  vary as interest rates  and other conditions affecting
money market instruments change.  Yield also depends on  the quality, length  of
maturity  and type of instruments in the  money market series' portfolio and its
operating expenses. The money market series may also prepare an effective annual
yield computed  by  compounding  the unannualized  seven-day  period  return  as
follows:  by adding 1  to the unannualized seven-day  period return, raising the
sum to a power equal to 365 divided by 7, and subtracting 1 from the result.
 
                                      B-48
<PAGE>
   
    The  money market series may also calculate  the tax equivalent yield over a
7-day period. The tax equivalent yield will be determined by first computing the
current yield as discussed above. The Series will then determine what portion of
that yield is  attributable to  securities, the income  on which  is exempt  for
federal  income tax purposes. This portion of  the yield will then be divided by
one minus the state tax rate times one minus the federal tax rate and then added
to the  portion of  the yield  that  is attributable  to other  securities.  The
Connecticut  Money Market Series, Massachusetts  Money Market Series, New Jersey
Money Market Series and New York Money Market Series' 7-day tax equivalent yield
(assuming a federal tax rate of 36%) as of August 31, 1996 was    %,    %,     %
and    %, respectively.
    
 
    Comparative  performance  information  may  be used  from  time  to  time in
advertising or marketing the  money market series'  shares, including data  from
Lipper  Analytical  Services, Inc.,  IBC/Donoghue's Money  Fund Report  or other
industry publications.
 
    The money market series' yield fluctuates, and an annualized yield quotation
is not a representation by the money  market series as to what an investment  in
the  money market series will actually yield for any given period. Actual yields
will depend upon not only changes in interest rates generally during the  period
in  which the  investment in the  money market series  is held, but  also on any
realized or unrealized gains and losses and changes in the money market  series'
expenses.
 
    From  time to time,  the performance of  the series may  be measured against
various indices. Set forth  below is a chart  which compares the performance  of
different types of investments over the long-term and the rate of inflation.(1)
 
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
 
<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                      <C>
Common Stocks       Long-Term Govt. Bonds  Inflation
10.2%                                4.8%       3.1%
</TABLE>
 
   
    (1)Source:  Ibbotson Associates,  "Stocks, Bonds,  Bills and Inflation--1995
Yearbook"  (annually  updates  the  work  of  Roger  G.  Ibbotson  and  Rex   A.
Sinquefield).  Used with permission.  All rights reserved.  Common stock returns
are based on the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index, a market-weighted, unmanaged
index of 500 common stocks  in a variety of industry  sectors. It is a  commonly
used  indicator of broad  stock price movements. This  chart is for illustrative
purposes only,  and  is  not  intended  to  represent  the  performance  of  any
particular  investment or  fund. Investors cannot  invest directly  in an index.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
    
 
                       DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    All of  the Fund's  net investment  income is  declared as  a dividend  each
business  day. Shares will begin earning dividends on the day following the date
on which  the shares  are issued,  the date  of issuance  customarily being  the
"settlement"  date. Shares continue  to earn dividends  until they are redeemed.
Unless the shareholder elects (by notice to the Dividend Disbursing Agent by the
first business day of the month) to receive monthly cash payments of  dividends,
such  dividends  will  be  automatically received  in  additional  series shares
monthly at net asset value on the payable date. In the event an investor redeems
all the shares in his or her account at any time during the month, all dividends
declared to the date of redemption will be paid to
 
                                      B-49
<PAGE>
him or her at the  time of the redemption. The  Fund's net investment income  on
weekends,  holidays and other days on which the Fund is closed for business will
be declared  as a  dividend  on shares  outstanding on  the  close of  the  last
business day on which the Fund was open for business. Accordingly, a shareholder
who redeems his or her shares effective as of 4:15 P.M. (4:30 P.M. for the money
market  series), New York time, on a  Friday earns a dividend which reflects the
income earned by the  Fund on the  following Saturday and  Sunday. On the  other
hand,  an investor whose purchase order is  effective as of 4:15 P.M. (4:30 P.M.
for the money market series), New York time, on a Friday does not begin  earning
dividends  until the following  business day. Net  investment income consists of
interest income accrued  on portfolio securities  less all expenses,  calculated
daily.
 
    Net realized capital gains, if any, will be distributed annually and, unless
the  shareholder elects to receive them  in cash, will be automatically received
in additional shares of a series.
 
    The per share dividends  on Class B  shares and Class C  shares of a  series
will  be lower than the per share dividends on Class A shares of the series as a
result of the  higher distribution-related  fee applicable  to the  Class B  and
Class  C shares. The per share distributions  of net capital gains, if any, will
be paid in the  same amount for Class  A, Class B and  Class C shares. See  "Net
Asset Value."
 
    Annually,  the Fund will mail to  shareholders information regarding the tax
status of dividends and distributions made by the Fund in the calendar year. The
Fund intends to report the proportion of all distributions that were  tax-exempt
for  that calendar year.  The percentage of income  designated as tax-exempt for
the calendar year  may be  substantially different  from the  percentage of  the
Fund's income that was tax-exempt for a particular period.
 
FEDERAL TAXATION
 
    Under  the Internal Revenue Code, each series  of the Fund is required to be
treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes.
 
   
    Each series  of  the Fund  has  elected to  qualify  and intends  to  remain
qualified to be treated as a regulated investment company under the requirements
of  Subchapter  M of  the Internal  Revenue Code  for each  taxable year.  If so
qualified, each series will not  be subject to federal  income taxes on any  net
investment  income and capital  gains, if any, realized  during the taxable year
which are distributed to shareholders. In addition, each series intends to  make
distributions  in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code so
as to avoid the 4% excise tax on certain amounts remaining undistributed at  the
end  of  each calendar  year.  In order  to  qualify as  a  regulated investment
company, each series of the Fund must,  among other things, (a) derive at  least
90%  of  its annual  gross income  (without offset  for losses)  from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to securities  loans and gains from the sale  or
other  disposition of  stock or securities  or options thereon;  (b) derive less
than 30% of its annual gross income from gains (without offset for losses)  from
the  sale  or other  disposition of  stock, securities  or futures  contracts or
options thereon held for less than  three months; (c) diversify its holdings  so
that,  at the end of  each quarter of the  taxable year (i) at  least 50% of the
value of  the assets  of the  series  is represented  by cash,  U.S.  Government
securities  and other securities  limited, in respect  of any one  issuer, to an
amount not greater than 5% of the value  of the assets of the series and 10%  of
the  outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of
the value of the assets of the series  is invested in the securities of any  one
issuer  (other  than  U.S. Government  securities);  and (d)  distribute  to its
shareholders at least 90% of its net investment income and net short-term  gains
(I.E.,  the excess  of net short-term  capital gains over  net long-term capital
losses) in each year.
    
 
    Gain or loss realized by a series from the sale of securities generally will
be treated as  capital gain  or loss;  however, gain  from the  sale of  certain
securities  (including municipal obligations) will be treated as ordinary income
to the  extent  of any  "market  discount".  Market discount  generally  is  the
difference,  if any, between the  price paid by the  series for the security and
the principal amount of the security (or, in the case of a security issued at an
original issue discount, the  revised issue price of  the security). The  market
discount  rule does not apply  to any security that was  acquired by a series at
its original issue.
 
    The purchase of  a put  option may  be subject to  the short  sale rules  or
straddle  rules (including the modified short  sale rule) for federal income tax
purposes. Absent a tax  election to the contrary,  gain or loss attributable  to
the  lapse, exercise or closing out of any such put option (or any other Section
1256 contract under the Internal
 
                                      B-50
<PAGE>
   
Revenue Code) will be treated as  60% long-term and 40% short-term capital  gain
or loss. On the last trading day of the fiscal year of a series, all outstanding
put  options as  well as certain  futures contracts  will be treated  as if such
positions were closed out at their closing price on such day, with any resulting
gain or loss  recognized as  60% long-term and  40% short-term  capital gain  or
loss. In addition, positions held by a series which consist of at least one debt
security  and at least  one put option  which substantially reduces  the risk of
loss of  the series  with respect  to  that debt  security constitute  a  "mixed
straddle"  which is governed by certain  provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
that may cause deferral  of losses, adjustments in  the holding periods of  debt
securities  and conversion of  short-term capital losses  into long-term capital
losses. Each  series may  consider making  certain tax  elections applicable  to
mixed  straddles. In  addition, the  conversion transaction  rules may  apply to
recharacterize certain capital gains as ordinary income.
    
 
    Each series' hedging activities may be affected by the requirement under the
Internal Revenue Code that less than 30% of a series' income be derived from the
sale or other disposition  of securities, futures  contracts, options and  other
instruments held for less than three months. From time to time, this requirement
may  cause a series to limit its acquisitions of futures contracts to those that
will not expire for at least three months. At the present time, there is only  a
limited  market for futures contracts on the  municipal bond index that will not
expire within three months.  Therefore, to meet the  30%/3 month requirement,  a
series may choose to use futures contracts based on fixed-income securities that
will not expire within three months.
 
   
    Since  each series is  treated as a  separate entity for  federal income tax
purposes,  the  determination  of   the  amount  of   net  capital  gains,   the
identification  of those gains as long-term  or short-term and the determination
of the amount of income  dividends of a particular series  will be based on  the
purchases  and sales of securities and the income received and expenses incurred
in that  series.  Net  capital  gains  of  a  series  which  are  available  for
distribution to shareholders will be computed by taking into account any capital
loss carryforward of the series.
    
 
    If  any  net long-term  capital gains  in excess  of net  short-term capital
losses are retained by a series  for investment, requiring federal income  taxes
to  be paid thereon by  the series, the series will  elect to treat such capital
gains as having been distributed to shareholders. As a result, shareholders will
be taxed on such amounts as long-term capital gains, will be able to claim their
proportionate share of the federal income taxes paid by the series on such gains
as a  credit against  their own  federal  income tax  liabilities, and  will  be
entitled  to increase the adjusted  tax basis of their  shares in such series by
the differences between their PRO RATA share of such gains and their tax credit.
 
   
    Subchapter M permits the character  of tax-exempt interest distributed by  a
regulated  investment  company to  flow through  as  tax-exempt interest  to its
shareholders provided that 50% or more of the value of its assets at the end  of
each  quarter  of its  taxable year  is  invested in  state, municipal  or other
obligations the interest  on which is  exempt for federal  income tax  purposes.
Distributions to shareholders of tax-exempt interest earned by any series of the
Fund  for the  taxable year are  not subject  to federal income  tax (except for
possible application  of the  alternative minimum  tax). Interest  from  certain
private  activity and other  bonds is treated  as an item  of tax preference for
purposes of  the  28%  alternative  minimum  tax  on  individuals  and  the  20%
alternative minimum tax on corporations. To the extent interest on such bonds is
distributed  to shareholders  of any  series of  the Fund,  shareholders will be
subject  to  the  alternative  minimum  tax  on  such  distributions.  Moreover,
exempt-interest  dividends, whether or  not on private  activity bonds, that are
held by  corporations  will  be  taken  into  account  (i)  in  determining  the
alternative  minimum  tax  imposed on  75%  of  the excess  of  adjusted current
earnings over  alternative  minimum  taxable income,  (ii)  in  calculating  the
environmental  tax equal to 0.12 percent of a corporation's modified alternative
minimum taxable income  in excess of  $2 million, and  (iii) in determining  the
foreign  branch profits  tax imposed on  the effectively  connected earnings and
profits (with adjustments) of United States branches of foreign corporations.
    
 
    Distributions of taxable  net investment  income and  of the  excess of  net
short-term  capital  gains  over net  long-term  capital losses  are  taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income.  None of the income  distributions of the  Fund
will be eligible for the deduction for dividends received by corporations.
 
    Distributions  of  the  excess  of  net  long-term  capital  gains  over net
short-term capital  losses  are taxable  to  shareholders as  long-term  capital
gains,  regardless of the length of time the shares of the series have been held
 
                                      B-51
<PAGE>
by such  shareholders. Such  distributions are  not eligible  for the  dividends
received  deduction. Distributions of long-term capital  gains of the series are
includable in income and may also be subject to the alternative minimum tax.
 
   
    Any short-term capital loss  realized upon redemption  of shares within  six
months  (or such shorter  period as may be  established by Treasury regulations)
from  the  date  of  purchase  of  such  shares  and  following  receipt  of  an
exempt-interest  dividend will  be disallowed to  the extent  of such tax-exempt
dividend. Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from
the date of purchase of such shares and following receipt of a long-term capital
gains distribution will be  treated as long-term capital  loss to the extent  of
such long-term capital gains distribution.
    
 
    Any loss realized on a sale, redemption or exchange of shares of the Fund by
a  shareholder will be disallowed to the extent the shares are replaced within a
61-day period  (beginning 30  days  before the  disposition of  shares).  Shares
purchased  pursuant  to  the  reinvestment  of  a  dividend  will  constitute  a
replacement of shares.
 
    A shareholder  who  acquires shares  of  the  Fund and  sells  or  otherwise
disposes  of such  shares within 90  days of  acquisition may not  be allowed to
include certain sales charges incurred in acquiring such shares for purposes  of
calculating gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund.
 
   
    Interest  on indebtedness incurred or  continued by shareholders to purchase
or carry  shares of  the Fund  will not  be deductible  for federal  income  tax
purposes.  In addition,  under rules  used by  the Internal  Revenue Service for
determining when borrowed  funds are considered  to be used  for the purpose  of
purchasing  or  carrying  particular  assets,  the  purchase  of  shares  may be
considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though the borrowed  funds
are not directly traceable to the purchase of shares.
    
 
    Persons  holding  certain municipal  obligations  who also  are "substantial
users" (or persons related thereto)  of facilities financed by such  obligations
may  not  exclude  interest on  such  obligations  from their  gross  income. No
investigation as  to  the users  of  the facilities  financed  by bonds  in  the
portfolios  of the Fund's series has been  made by the Fund. Potential investors
should consult their tax advisers with respect to this matter before  purchasing
shares of the Fund.
 
    From  time to time,  proposals have been introduced  before Congress for the
purpose of  restricting or  eliminating  the federal  income tax  exemption  for
interest  on certain  state and municipal  obligations. It can  be expected that
similar proposals may be introduced in  the future. Such proposals, if  enacted,
may  further  limit  the  availability of  state  or  municipal  obligations for
investment by the Fund and the value of portfolio securities held by the  series
may  be  adversely  affected.  In  such case,  each  series  of  the  Fund would
reevaluate its investment objective and policies.
 
   
    All distributions of taxable  net investment income  and net capital  gains,
whether  received in shares or cash, must be reported by each shareholder on his
or her federal income tax return. Shareholders electing to receive distributions
in the form of additional shares will  have a cost basis for federal income  tax
purposes  in each share so received  equal to the net asset  value of a share of
the applicable series  of the Fund  on the reinvestment  date. Distributions  of
tax-exempt  interest must also  be reported. Under federal  income tax law, each
series of the Fund will  be required to report  to the Internal Revenue  Service
all  distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds
from the redemption or exchange of shares of such series, except in the case  of
certain  exempt  shareholders. Under  the backup  withholding provisions  of the
Internal Revenue Code, all  proceeds from the redemption  or exchange of  shares
are  subject to withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 31% in the case
of nonexempt shareholders who fail to furnish the appropriate series of the Fund
with their taxpayer  identification numbers on  IRS Form W-9  and with  required
certifications  regarding their  status under the  federal income  tax law. Such
withholding  is  also   required  on   taxable  dividends   and  capital   gains
distributions  unless  it  is  reasonably  expected that  at  least  95%  of the
distributions of  the  series are  comprised  of tax-exempt  dividends.  If  the
withholding  provisions  are applicable,  any  such distributions  and proceeds,
whether taken in cash or  reinvested in shares, will  be reduced by the  amounts
required  to be withheld. Investors may wish to consult their tax advisers about
the applicability of the backup withholding provisions.
    
 
                                      B-52
<PAGE>
STATE TAXATION
 
    The following discussion assumes that each series of the Fund qualified  for
each taxable year as a regulated investment company for federal tax purposes.
 
    CONNECTICUT.   Distributions from  the Connecticut Money  Market Series (the
Connecticut  Series)  to  individual  shareholders  of  the  Connecticut  Series
resident  in Connecticut  and Connecticut  resident trusts  and estates  are not
subject to  taxation pursuant  to the  Connecticut Personal  Income Tax  to  the
extent  that  such  distributions  constitute  exempt-interest  dividends  under
section 852(b)(5)  of the  Internal Revenue  Code and  are derived  from  income
received  by the Connecticut Series as interest from obligations of the State of
Connecticut or its political subdivisions (Connecticut Municipal Obligations) or
on obligations the  interest on which  is exempt from  state taxation under  the
laws  of the  United States  (including obligations  issued by  Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands and Guam). It is likely that capital gain dividends derived  from
the  sale  of Connecticut  Municipal  Obligations also  are  not subject  to the
Connecticut Personal Income Tax. Other distributions to individual  shareholders
resident  in Connecticut and to resident trusts and estates from the Connecticut
Series, including  capital gains  dividends derived  from sales  of  obligations
other  than Connecticut Municipal Obligations, exempt-interest dividends derived
from sources  other than  Connecticut Obligations,  and distributions  that  are
taxable  as dividends for  federal income tax  purposes are not  exempt from the
Connecticut Personal Income Tax. Individual shareholders and estates and  trusts
subject  to alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes may also be subject
to alternative  minimum  tax  for Connecticut  Tax  purposes.  Exempt  interest-
dividends  other than  those derived from  Connecticut Obligations  and any loss
from the  sale or  exchange of  Connecticut  Obligations will  be added  to  the
alternative  minimum  tax  base,  while exempt  dividends  paid  by  a regulated
investment company, exempt interest-dividends derived from interest payments  on
Connecticut  Obligations and  capital gain  dividends derived  from the  sale of
Connecticut obligations are subtracted from the alternative minimum tax base for
Connecticut Tax purposes.
 
    Distributions  that  constitute  exempt-interest  dividends  under   section
852(b)(5)  of the Internal Revenue Code from the Connecticut Series to corporate
shareholders  (other  than  shareholders  that  are  S  Corporations)  that  are
apportioned  to Connecticut are subject to  taxation pursuant to the Connecticut
Corporation Business  Tax, whether  or not  derived from  Connecticut  Municipal
Obligations.  Distributions to  corporate shareholders  (other than shareholders
that are S  Corporations) from  the Connecticut Series  that constitute  capital
gains  for federal income tax purposes are  also subject to taxation pursuant to
the Connecticut Corporation  Business Tax.  Thirty percent  of distributions  to
corporate  shareholders (other than  shareholders that are  S Corporations) that
are taxable as dividends for federal income tax purposes generally is subject to
taxation pursuant  to the  Corporation Business  Tax and  the remaining  seventy
percent is not.
 
    Distributions   to  shareholders  of  the  Connecticut  Series  that  are  S
Corporations that constitute  either exempt-interest dividends,  whether or  not
derived  from  Connecticut  Municipal  Obligations,  capital  gain  dividends or
taxable dividends  for federal  income tax  purposes which  are required  to  be
separately  taken into  account by  shareholders of  S Corporations  for federal
income tax purposes  are not  subject to  taxation pursuant  to the  Connecticut
Corporation  Business Tax. For purposes of  the Connecticut Personal Income Tax,
Connecticut resident individual, trust and estate shareholders of S Corporations
are taxed on their PRO  RATA share of such separately  stated items in the  same
manner  and  to  the  same extent  as  if  received by  them  directly  from the
Connecticut Series.
 
    Shares of  the  Connecticut Series  will  not  be subject  to  the  personal
property tax in the State of Connecticut.
 
    Shareholders  of the  Connecticut Series  should consult  their tax advisers
about other  state  and  local  tax consequences  of  their  investment  in  the
Connecticut Series including the tax consequences of ceasing to be a resident of
Connecticut.
 
    FLORIDA.    Florida does  not  impose an  income  tax on  individuals. Thus,
individual shareholders of the Florida Series will not be subject to any Florida
state or local income taxes on distributions received from the Florida Series.
 
                                      B-53
<PAGE>
    Florida does  impose a  State  income tax  on  the income  of  corporations,
limited   liability  companies   and  certain  trusts   (excluding  probate  and
testamentary trusts)  that is  allocated or  apportioned to  Florida. For  those
shareholders,  in determining  income subject  to Florida  corporate income tax,
Florida generally  "piggy-backs" federal  taxable  income concepts,  subject  to
adjustments  that are applicable  to all corporations  and some adjustments that
are applicable to  certain classes  of corporations.  In regard  to the  Florida
Series,  the most significant  adjustment is for interest  income from state and
local bonds that is exempt  from tax under Section  103 of the Internal  Revenue
Code.  Provided  that the  Florida Series  qualifies  as a  regulated investment
company and  complies  with  the  requirements  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code
necessary  to pay exempt-interest  dividends, including the  requirement that at
least 50% of the value of its assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable
year be invested in state, municipal or other obligations the interest on  which
is  exempt from tax under Section 103,  the corporate shareholders of the Series
may incur Section 103 interest  income from Florida Series distributions.  While
Section  103  interest  income is  generally  excluded from  taxable  income for
federal income tax  purposes, it  is added back  to taxable  income for  Florida
corporate  income  tax purposes  (only  40% of  such  income is  added  back for
corporate taxpayers subject to  Florida alternative minimum tax).  Consequently,
the  portion  of the  Section 103  interest income  (or 40%  of that  amount for
corporate taxpayers subject to the Florida alternative minimum tax) allocated or
apportioned to Florida of  a corporate Florida  Series shareholder arising  from
Florida Series distributions is subject to Florida corporate income taxes. Other
distributions  from the Florida Series to  corporate shareholders, to the extent
allocated or apportioned to Florida, may also be subject to Florida income tax.
 
    Provided that on and throughout January 1  of a given year the portfolio  of
assets  of the Florida Series will be comprised exclusively of notes, bonds, and
other obligations issued by the State of Florida or its municipalities, counties
and other  taxing districts,  the  United States  Government and  its  agencies,
Puerto  Rico, Guam  and the  Virgin Islands,  and other  investments exempt from
Florida intangible  personal property  tax, in  the opinion  of Florida  counsel
shares  of the Florida Series will not be subject to Florida intangible personal
property taxes  for that  year.  The Florida  Series  has obtained  a  technical
assistance advisement from the Florida Department of Revenue which confirms this
consequence.  If the Florida Series holds any  other type of asset on that date,
then the entire value of the Florida  Series shares (except for that portion  of
the  value attributable to  U.S. government obligations) will  be subject to the
intangible personal property tax.
 
    Shareholders of the Florida Series  should consult their tax advisers  about
other  state  and local  tax consequences  of their  investments in  the Florida
Series.
 
   
    HAWAII.  In the opinion of Hawaii tax counsel, distributions from the Hawaii
Series to Hawaii  residents will  not be  subject to  Hawaii income  tax to  the
extent  that  such  distributions  constitute  exempt  interest  dividends under
Section 852(b)(5)  of the  Internal Revenue  Code and  are derived  from  income
received  by  the Series  from obligations  which  pay interest  excludable from
Hawaii income tax. Other  distributions, including capital gains  distributions,
exempt  interest dividends derived from obligations  of states other than Hawaii
and  their  political  subdivisions,  and  distributions  that  are  taxable  as
dividends for federal income tax purposes are not exempt from Hawaii income tax.
    
 
    Distributions  from  the  Hawaii  Series  are  not  exempt  from  the Hawaii
Franchise Tax.  This  tax applies  to  banks, building  and  loan  associations,
financial  services loan  companies, financial corporations,  and small business
investment companies.
 
    Persons or entities  who are not  Hawaii residents should  generally not  be
subject  to Hawaiian income taxation on  dividends and distributions made by the
Series but may be subject to other state and local taxes.
 
    MARYLAND.  In the opinion  of Maryland tax counsel, individual  shareholders
of  the Maryland Series resident in Maryland, corporate shareholders (other than
financial institutions such as banks) of the Maryland Series and shareholders of
the Maryland Series that are trusts or  estates will not be subject to  Maryland
State  or local income taxes on  distributions received from the Maryland Series
to the extent that such distributions are attributable to interest on tax-exempt
obligations  of  the  State  of  Maryland  or  its  political  subdivisions  and
authorities, or obligations issued by the Governments of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands  and Guam,  provided that the  Maryland Series qualifies  as a regulated
investment company and complies  with the requirements  of the Internal  Revenue
Code  necessary to pay exempt-interest  dividends including the requirement that
at least
 
                                      B-54
<PAGE>
   
50% of the value of its assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable  year
be  invested in state, municipal or other  obligations, the interest on which is
exempt from federal  income tax  under Section  103(a) of  the Internal  Revenue
Code.  Up  to 50  percent of  dividends  attributable to  exempt-interest income
received by the Maryland Series from obligations that are (i) "specified private
activity bonds"  within  the meaning  of  Section 57(a)(5)(C)  of  the  Internal
Revenue  Code and  (ii) not  issued by  the State  of Maryland  or its political
subdivisions and agencies could be subject to Maryland individual income tax.
    
 
    In addition,  distributions  received from  the  Maryland Series  which  are
attributable  to (i) gains realized  on the sale or  exchange of bonds issued by
the State of Maryland or its  political subdivisions and (ii) interest  received
by  the Maryland Series  on U.S. Government  obligations will not  be subject to
Maryland State and  local income  taxes. Other distributions  from the  Maryland
Series will generally not be exempt from Maryland State and local income taxes.
 
    Entities  subject to the  Maryland financial institution  franchise tax will
generally be subject to tax on all distributions from the Maryland Series.
 
    Shares of the Maryland Series will  not be subject to the Maryland  personal
property tax.
 
    Shareholders  of the Maryland Series should consult their tax advisers about
other state and  local tax  consequences of  their investments  in the  Maryland
Series.
 
    MASSACHUSETTS.    In  the  opinion  of  Massachusetts  tax  counsel,  if the
Massachusetts Series and the Massachusetts  Money Market Series each qualify  as
regulated   investment   companies,  (1)   individual  and   other  noncorporate
shareholders of each  Series resident in  Massachusetts will not  be subject  to
Massachusetts  personal income tax on distributions received from such Series to
the extent  such  distributions  are  attributable  to  interest  on  tax-exempt
obligations  of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its political subdivisions
and instrumentalities provided  that such Series  complies with the  requirement
that at least 50% of the value of its assets at the close of each quarter of its
taxable  year be invested in state, municipal or other obligations, the interest
on which is  excluded from gross  income for federal  income tax purposes  under
Section  103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code;  (2) such shareholders will not be
subject to  Massachusetts personal  income tax  on distributions  received  from
either  of  such Series  to the  extent such  distributions are  attributable to
interest on obligations  issued by the  Governments of Puerto  Rico, the  Virgin
Islands  or Guam; and (3) such shareholders will not be subject to Massachusetts
personal income  tax on  capital gain  dividends received  from either  of  such
Series  to the extent such capital  gain dividends are attributable to long-term
capital gains  realized on  the sale  or exchange  of Massachusetts  obligations
issued pursuant to legislation which specifically exempts capital gains from the
disposition  of such obligations from Massachusetts personal income tax; in each
case subject to  the requirement  that such  Series notify  its shareholders  in
writing within sixty days following the close of its taxable year of the portion
of any distribution qualifying for any such exemption.
 
    Other  distributions  from the  Massachusetts  Series and  the Massachusetts
Money Market Series  will generally  not be exempt  from Massachusetts  personal
income tax.
 
    Massachusetts Series and the Massachusetts Money Market Series distributions
will  not  be  excluded  from  net income  of  corporations  and  shares  of the
Massachusetts Series  and the  Massachusetts  Money Market  Series will  not  be
excluded  from the net worth of  intangible property corporations in determining
the Massachusetts excise tax on corporations.
 
    Shares of the Massachusetts Series and the Massachusetts Money Market Series
will not be subject to Massachusetts local property taxes.
 
    Shareholders of the Massachusetts Series and the Massachusetts Money  Market
Series  should  consult  their tax  advisers  about  other state  and  local tax
consequences  of  their  investments  in   the  Massachusetts  Series  and   the
Massachusetts Money Market Series.
 
    MICHIGAN.    Individual  shareholders  of the  Michigan  Series  residing in
Michigan will not be subject to Michigan personal income tax or personal  income
taxes  imposed by  cities in  Michigan, and  corporate shareholders  will not be
subject to the Michigan single business tax, on distributions received from  the
Michigan Series to the extent such distributions are attributable to interest on
tax-exempt obligations of the State of
 
                                      B-55
<PAGE>
Michigan  or any municipality,  political subdivision or  governmental agency or
instrumentality thereof or on  obligations issued by  the Governments of  Puerto
Rico,  the Virgin Islands  and Guam, provided that  the Michigan Series complies
with the requirement of the Internal Revenue Code that at least 50% of the value
of its assets at the  close of each quarter of  its taxable year is invested  in
state,  municipal  or other  obligations the  interest on  which is  exempt from
federal income tax under Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
    Other distributions from  the Michigan  Series, including  those related  to
long-term  and short-term capital  gains, will generally not  be exempt from the
Michigan personal income tax or single business tax.
 
    Income from the Michigan Series, to  the extent attributable to interest  on
obligations  issued by Michigan or its  political subdivisions, will be excluded
for purposes of determining yield under the Michigan intangibles tax.
 
    The Fund has obtained rulings from the Michigan Department of Treasury which
confirm these  state  tax consequences  for  Michigan resident  individuals  and
corporations.  Shareholders  of the  Michigan  Series should  consult  their tax
advisers about other state  and local tax consequences  of their investments  in
the Michigan Series.
 
    NEW  JERSEY.    In  the  opinion  of  New  Jersey  tax  counsel,  individual
shareholders of the New Jersey Series
and the New Jersey Money Market  Series resident in New Jersey and  shareholders
of  the New Jersey Series and the New Jersey Money Market Series that are trusts
or estates  will  not be  subject  to New  Jersey  income tax  on  distributions
received   from  either  series  to  the  extent  that  such  distributions  are
attributable to interest on tax-exempt obligations of the State of New Jersey or
its political  subdivisions  and  authorities,  or  obligations  issued  by  the
Governments  of  Puerto Rico,  the Virgin  Islands and  Guam, provided  that the
relevant Series complies with the requirement of the New Jersey Gross Income Tax
Act that  (1) 80%  of the  aggregate  principal amount  of all  its  investments
(excluding  cash, cash  items and  receivables, and  financial options, futures,
forward  contracts,   or  other   similar  financial   instruments  related   to
interest-bearing  obligations, obligations issued at  a discount or bond indexes
related thereto  that are  related  to such  series'  business of  investing  in
securities  (Related Financial Instruments)) are  invested in obligations issued
by the State of New Jersey or any of its agencies or political subdivisions,  or
other  obligations exempt  from state  or local taxation  under the  laws of New
Jersey and the United States and (2)  it has no investments other than  interest
bearing  obligations, obligations issued at a discount, and cash and cash items,
including receivables, and Related Financial Instruments.
 
    Distributions received by shareholders who are resident individuals,  trusts
or  estates from the  New Jersey Series  and the New  Jersey Money Market Series
which are attributable to gains realized on the sale or exchange of bonds issued
by the State of  New Jersey or  its political subdivisions  are exempt from  New
Jersey  income tax. Other distributions  from the New Jersey  Series and the New
Jersey Money Market Series, including those related to long-term and  short-term
capital  gains from other  bonds, will generally  not be exempt  from New Jersey
income tax.
 
    Shareholders of the New Jersey Series and the New Jersey Money Market Series
should consult their tax advisers about  other state and local tax  consequences
of their investments in these Series.
 
   
    NEW  YORK.   The New  York State  franchise tax  law and  the New  York City
general corporation tax law  have special provisions  governing the taxation  of
regulated  investment companies  which elect to  be treated and  qualify as such
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Assuming that (1) the New  York
Series  and the New York Money Market Series  (the Series) each are treated as a
separate entity for federal income and  New York purposes, (2) each such  Series
qualifies  as  a  regulated  investment  company  and  distributes  all  of  its
investment income (including interest on New York Obligations, described  below)
and  short-term and long-term capital gains so  as to have no federal income tax
liability, and  (3)  all of  the  assets of  each  Series consist  of  New  York
Obligations  (as  described  below),  other  governmental  obligations,  cash or
certain cash equivalents, each Series will  be subject only to nominal New  York
State  franchise and New York City  general corporation taxes of $325 (increased
by the applicable New  York State surcharges)  and $300, respectively.  However,
capital
    
 
                                      B-56
<PAGE>
   
gains retained by a Series could be subject to additional New York State or City
tax,  and  shareholders of  such Series  who  are State  or City  residents will
receive no State or City income tax credit for taxes paid by such Series.
    
 
   
    Individual shareholders of the  New York Series, the  New York Money  Market
Series  and the New  York Income Series resident  in New York  State will not be
subject to State income tax on distributions received from either Series to  the
extent such distributions are attributable to interest on tax-exempt obligations
of  the State of New York and its political subdivisions, and obligations of the
Governments of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam (New York  Obligations),
provided  that  such interest  is  exempt from  federal  income tax  pursuant to
Section 103(a)  of the  Internal  Revenue Code,  and  that the  relevant  Series
qualifies  as a regulated  investment company and  satisfies the requirements of
the Internal Revenue Code necessary to pay exempt-interest dividends,  including
the  requirement that at  least 50% of the  value of its assets  at the close of
each quarter  of its  taxable year  be  invested in  state, municipal  or  other
obligations  the interest  on which  is excluded  from gross  income for federal
income  tax  purposes  under  Section  103(a)  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code.
Individual shareholders who reside in New York City will be able to exclude such
distributions for City income tax purposes.
    
 
    Other  distributions from  the New  York Series,  the New  York Money Market
Series and the New York Income Series, including those related to long-term  and
short-term capital gains, will generally not be exempt from State or City income
tax.
 
    Distributions  from these  Series will not  be excluded from  net income and
shares of  these  Series  will  not  be  excluded  from  investment  capital  in
determining  State  or  City  franchise  and  corporation  taxes  for  corporate
shareholders.
 
    Shares of these Series  will not be  subject to any  State or City  property
tax.
 
    The  Fund has obtained  the opinion of  its New York  tax counsel to confirm
these State and City tax consequences for  the New York Series and the New  York
Money  Market Series and for New  York resident individuals and corporations who
are shareholders of the New  York Series and the  New York Money Market  Series.
The Fund anticipates receiving an opinion of its New York tax counsel to confirm
these State and City tax consequences for the New York Income Series and for New
York  residents who are shareholders of that series when such series is offered.
Shareholders of the New York  Series, the New York  Money Market Series and  the
New York Income Series should consult their advisers about other state and local
tax consequences of their investments in these Series.
 
    NORTH  CAROLINA.  In  the opinion of North  Carolina tax counsel, individual
shareholders resident  in North  Carolina and  shareholders that  are trusts  or
estates  will  not be  subject  to North  Carolina  income tax  on distributions
received from the  North Carolina Series  to the extent  such distributions  are
either  (i)  exempt from  federal  income tax  and  attributable to  interest on
obligations  of  North  Carolina   or  its  political  subdivisions;   nonprofit
educational  institutions  organized  or  chartered  under  the  laws  of  North
Carolina; or Guam, Puerto Rico or  the Virgin Islands including the  governments
thereof   and  their   agencies,  instrumentalities  and   authorities  or  (ii)
attributable to interest on direct obligations of the United States. These North
Carolina income tax  exemptions will  be available  only if  the North  Carolina
Series  complies with the requirement of the Internal Revenue Code that at least
50% of the value of its assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable  year
is  invested in state, municipal  or other obligations the  interest on which is
exempt from federal  income tax  under Section  103(a) of  the Internal  Revenue
Code.
 
    Other  distributions from the North Carolina Series (except distributions of
capital gains  attributable to  the sale  by  the North  Carolina Series  of  an
obligation  the profit from  which is exempt  by a North  Carolina statute) will
generally not be exempt from North Carolina income tax.
 
    Shares of the North  Carolina Series will not  be subject to an  intangibles
tax in North Carolina.
 
    The  Series  has  obtained  a  ruling  signed  by  the  Director  of  and an
Information Release issued by  the Individual Income Tax  Division of the  North
Carolina    Department   of    Revenue   which    form   the    basis   of   the
 
                                      B-57
<PAGE>
opinion of North Carolina  tax counsel regarding the  North Carolina income  tax
consequences of investments in the North Carolina Series for individuals, trusts
and  estates. The general practice in North Carolina is for taxpayers to rely on
rulings signed  by a  Division Director  and Information  Releases issued  by  a
Division.
 
    Shareholders  of the North Carolina Series should consult their tax advisers
about other state and local tax  consequences of their investments in the  North
Carolina Series.
 
    OHIO.   In the  opinion of Ohio  tax counsel, distributions  with respect to
shares of the Ohio  Series ("Distributions") that  are properly attributable  to
interest on, or profit made on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of, Ohio
Obligations  are  exempt from  the Ohio  personal income  tax and  municipal and
school district income taxes in Ohio, provided that the Ohio Series continues to
qualify as a regulated  investment company for federal  income tax purposes  and
that  at all times  at least 50%  of the value  of the total  assets of the Ohio
Series consists of Ohio Obligations, or  similar obligations of other states  or
their  subdivisions (but not including, for  this purpose, obligations of United
States territories  or possessions).  For purposes  of this  discussion of  Ohio
taxes,  (i) "Ohio Obligations" means  obligations issued by or  on behalf of the
State of Ohio, political subdivisions thereof and agencies and instrumentalities
of the State  or its  political subdivisions  and (ii)  it is  assumed that  the
regulated investment company and 50% requirements described above are satisfied.
 
    Distributions  are excluded from the net income base of the Ohio corporation
franchise tax to  the extent that  such Distributions are  either excluded  from
gross  income for  federal income tax  purposes or are  properly attributable to
interest on, or profit made on the sale, exchange or other disposition of,  Ohio
Obligations.  However,  shares of  the  Ohio Series  will  be includable  in the
computation of net worth for purposes of such tax.
 
    Distributions that are properly attributable  to interest on obligations  of
the  United  States  or its  territories  or  possessions or  of  any authority,
commission or instrumentality  of the United  States that is  exempt from  state
income  taxes under the laws of the  United States (including the obligations of
the Governments of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam) are exempt from the
Ohio personal income tax and municipal and school district income taxes in Ohio,
and are excluded from the net income base of the Ohio corporation franchise tax.
 
    Other Distributions will generally not be exempt from Ohio income tax.
 
    Shareholders of  the Ohio  Series should  consult their  tax advisers  about
other state and local tax consequences of their investments in the Ohio Series.
 
   
    PENNSYLVANIA.    Under  Pennsylvania  law,  individual  shareholders  of the
Pennsylvania Series who  are residents of  Pennsylvania will not  be subject  to
Pennsylvania personal income tax on distributions received from the Pennsylvania
Series  to  the  extent  such  distributions  are  attributable  to  interest on
tax-exempt obligations of  the Commonwealth and  its political subdivisions  and
authorities  or of  qualifying issuers  in Puerto  Rico, the  Virgin Islands and
Guam. Other distributions  from the  Pennsylvania Series will  generally not  be
exempt  from  Pennsylvania  personal  income  tax.  Distributions  paid  by  the
Pennsylvania Series will also  be exempt from  the Philadelphia School  District
investment  net income  tax for  individuals who  are residents  of the  City of
Philadelphia to  the extent  such  distributions are  derived from  interest  on
tax-exempt  obligations of the  Commonwealth and its  political subdivisions and
authorities or of  qualifying issuers  in Puerto  Rico, the  Virgin Islands  and
Guam,  or  to  the extent  such  distributions  are designated  as  capital gain
dividends for federal income tax purposes.
    
 
    Corporations which are subject to the Pennsylvania corporate net income  tax
will  not  be subject  to tax  on distributions  received from  the Pennsylvania
Series provided  that such  distributions are  not included  in federal  taxable
income determined before net operating loss deductions and special deductions.
 
    The  Pennsylvania  Series  will  not  be treated  as  a  taxable  entity and
therefore will  not  be subject  to  the  Pennsylvania personal  income  tax  or
corporate net income tax.
 
    In  addition,  shares of  the  Pennsylvania Series  will  not be  subject to
personal property  taxation in  Pennsylvania to  the extent  that the  portfolio
securities  owned by the Pennsylvania Series on the annual assessment date would
not be subject to such taxation if owned by a resident of Pennsylvania.  Because
the Pennsylvania
 
                                      B-58
<PAGE>
Series  will invest  predominantly in  obligations of  the Commonwealth  and its
political subdivisions and  authorities, which  obligations are  not subject  to
personal  property taxation in  Pennsylvania, only a small  fraction, if any, of
the value of the shares of the Pennsylvania Series would be subject to such tax.
 
    Shareholders of the  Pennsylvania Series should  consult their tax  advisers
about  other  state  and local  tax  consequences  of their  investments  in the
Pennsylvania Series.
 
                        ORGANIZATION AND CAPITALIZATION
 
    The Fund is a Massachusetts  business trust established under a  Declaration
of  Trust  dated May  18, 1984,  as amended.  The Declaration  of Trust  and the
By-Laws of the Fund are designed to make the Fund similar in most respects to  a
Massachusetts  business corporation.  The principal distinction  between the two
forms relates to shareholder liability; under Massachusetts law, shareholders of
a business trust  may, in certain  circumstances, be held  personally liable  as
partners  for  the  obligations  of the  Fund,  which  is not  the  case  with a
corporation. The Declaration  of Trust  of the Fund  provides that  shareholders
shall  not be subject to  any personal liability for  the acts or obligations of
the Fund and that every written obligation, contract, instrument or  undertaking
made  by the Fund shall contain a  provision to the effect that the shareholders
are not individually bound thereunder.
 
    Counsel for the Fund have advised  the Fund that no personal liability  will
attach  to the shareholders under any undertaking containing such provision when
adequate  notice  of  such  provision  is  given,  except  possibly  in  a   few
jurisdictions.  With respect to all types  of claims in the latter jurisdictions
and with respect to tort claims, contract claims where the provision referred to
is omitted  from  the  undertaking,  claims  for  taxes  and  certain  statutory
liabilities  in other jurisdictions, a shareholder may be held personally liable
to the extent that claims are not  satisfied by the Fund. However, upon  payment
of any such liability the shareholder will be entitled to reimbursement from the
general assets of the Fund. The Trustees intend to conduct the operations of the
Fund,  with the  advice of  counsel, in  such a way  so as  to avoid,  as far as
possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for liabilities of the Fund.
 
    The Declaration of Trust further provides that no Trustee, officer, employee
or agent of  the Fund is  liable to  the Fund or  to a shareholder,  nor is  any
Trustee,  officer, employee or  agent liable to any  third persons in connection
with the affairs of the Fund, except  as such liability may arise from his,  her
or  its  own  bad  faith,  willful  misfeasance,  gross  negligence  or reckless
disregard of his, her  or its duties.  It also provides  that all third  parties
shall look solely to the Fund property or the property of the appropriate series
of the Fund for satisfaction of claims arising in connection with the affairs of
the  Fund  or of  the  particular series  of  the Fund,  respectively.  With the
exceptions stated, the Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to provide  for
the  indemnification  of Trustees,  officers, employees  or  agents of  the Fund
against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Fund.
 
    Other distinctions between a corporation and a Massachusetts business  trust
include   the  absence  of  a  requirement  that  business  trusts  issue  share
certificates.
 
    The Fund and all  series thereof shall continue  without limitation of  time
subject  to the provisions in the Declaration of Trust concerning termination by
action of  the  shareholders  or  by  the Trustees  by  written  notice  to  the
shareholders.
 
    The authorized capital of the Fund consists of an unlimited number of shares
of  beneficial interest, $.01 par value,  issued in separate series. Each series
of the Fund, for federal income  tax and Massachusetts state law purposes,  will
constitute  a separate  trust which  will be governed  by the  provisions of the
Declaration of  Trust.  All  shares  of  any  series  of  the  Fund  issued  and
outstanding  will be fully  paid and non-assessable  by the Fund.  Each share of
each series represents an equal proportionate interest in that series with  each
other  share of that  series. The assets of  the Fund received  for the issue or
sale of the shares of each series and all income, earnings, profits and proceeds
thereof, subject only to the rights  of creditors of such series, are  specially
allocated  to such series  and constitute the underlying  assets of such series.
The underlying assets of each series are segregated on the books of account  and
are  to be  charged with the  liabilities in respect  to such series  and with a
share of the general liabilities of  the Fund. Under no circumstances would  the
assets  of a series be used to meet liabilities which are not otherwise properly
chargeable to it.  Expenses with respect  to any two  or more series  are to  be
 
                                      B-59
<PAGE>
   
allocated in proportion to the asset value of the respective series except where
allocations of direct expenses can otherwise be fairly made. The officers of the
Fund,  subject to  the general  supervision of the  Trustees, have  the power to
determine which liabilities are allocable to a given series or which are general
or allocable to two or more series. Upon redemption of shares of a series of the
Fund, the shareholder will receive proceeds solely of the assets of such series.
In the event of the dissolution or  liquidation of the Fund, the holders of  the
shares of any series are entitled to receive as a class the underlying assets of
such series available for distribution to shareholders.
    
 
    Shares  of the Fund entitle their holders to one vote per share. However, on
any matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders, all shares then entitled  to
vote  will  be voted  by  individual series,  unless  otherwise required  by the
Investment Company  Act  (in  which  case  all  shares  will  be  voted  in  the
aggregate).  For example, a  change in investment  policy for a  series would be
voted upon only by shareholders  of the series involved. Additionally,  approval
of  the investment advisory agreement is a matter to be determined separately by
each series. Approval by the shareholders of one series is effective as to  that
series  whether or not  enough votes are  received from the  shareholders of the
other series to approve the proposal as to those series.
 
    The Fund does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders.
 
    Pursuant to  the  Declaration  of  Trust, the  Trustees  may  authorize  the
creation of additional series of shares (the proceeds of which would be invested
in   separate,  independently   managed  portfolios   with  distinct  investment
objectives and policies and share  purchase, redemption and net asset  valuation
procedures)  and additional classes of shares  within any series (which would be
used to distinguish among the rights of different categories of shareholders, as
might be required by future regulations or other unforeseen circumstances)  with
such  preferences, privileges, limitations and voting and dividend rights as the
Trustees may determine. All consideration received by the Fund for shares of any
additional series  or class,  and  all assets  in  which such  consideration  is
invested,  would belong to that  series or class (subject  only to the rights of
creditors of  such series  or class)  and would  be subject  to the  liabilities
related  thereto. Pursuant  to the Investment  Company Act,  shareholders of any
additional series or class of shares would normally have to approve the adoption
of any advisory contract relating to such series or class and of any changes  in
the investment policies related thereto.
 
    The  Trustees themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of
office of the Trustees,  and they may  at any time lengthen  their own terms  or
make  their terms of unlimited  duration (subject to removal  upon the action of
two-thirds of the outstanding shares  of beneficial interest) and appoint  their
own  successors, provided that always  at least a majority  of the Trustees have
been elected by the shareholders of the Fund. The voting rights of  shareholders
are not cumulative, so that holders of more than 50 percent of the shares voting
can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected, while the holders of the
remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees.
 
               CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
                          AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    State  Street  Bank and  Trust Company,  One  Heritage Drive,  North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves as Custodian for the Fund's portfolio securities and
cash and in that  capacity maintains cash and  certain financial and  accounting
books  and records pursuant to an agreement with  the Fund. See "How the Fund is
Managed--  Custodian  and  Transfer  and  Dividend  Disbursing  Agent"  in   the
Prospectus of each series.
 
    Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (PMFS), Raritan Plaza One, Edison, New
Jersey  08837, serves as Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent of the Fund. Its
mailing address is P.O. Box 15005, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08906-5005. PMFS is
a wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  PMF. PMFS  provides  customary  transfer  agency
services  to the Fund, including the handling of shareholder communications, the
processing of shareholder transactions,  the maintenance of shareholder  account
records, payment of dividends and distributions and related functions. For these
services,  PMFS receives an annual fee per shareholder account, in addition to a
new set up fee for each manually established account and a monthly inactive zero
balance account fee  per shareholder account.  PMFS is also  reimbursed for  its
out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to
 
                                      B-60
<PAGE>
   
postage,  stationery, printing, allocable communication and other costs. For the
fiscal year ended August 31,  1996, the Fund incurred  fees for the services  of
PMFS in the following amounts with respect to each currently existing series:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      TRANSFER AGENCY
SERIES                                                      FEES
- ----------------------------------------------------  ----------------
<S>                                                   <C>
Connecticut Money Market............................    $     35,000
Florida.............................................          40,000
Hawaii Income.......................................           5,500
Maryland............................................          31,000
Massachusetts.......................................          35,000
Massachusetts Money Market..........................          25,000
Michigan............................................          49,000
New Jersey..........................................         110,000
New Jersey Money Market.............................          87,000
New York............................................         165,000
New York Money Market...............................         137,000
North Carolina......................................          37,000
Ohio................................................          72,000
Pennsylvania........................................         190,000
</TABLE>
    
 
    Deloitte & Touche LLP, Two World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281,
serves  as the  Fund's independent accountants  and in that  capacity audits the
Fund's annual financial statements.
 
                   DESCRIPTION OF TAX-EXEMPT SECURITY RATINGS
 
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE
 
BOND RATINGS
 
   
    Aaa:  Bonds that are  rated Aaa are judged to  be of the best quality.  They
carry  the smallest degree of  investment risk and are  generally referred to as
"gilt edge". Interest payments are protected  by a large or by an  exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely  to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
    
 
   
    Aa:   Bonds that  are rated  Aa are  judged to  be of  high quality  by  all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high  grade bonds. They are  rated lower than the  best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present that
make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
    
 
   
    A:  Bonds that are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes  and
are  to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered  adequate, but elements may be  present
that suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
    
 
   
    Baa:   Bonds that are rated Baa  are considered as medium grade obligations,
I.E., they are neither  highly protected nor  poorly secured. Interest  payments
and  principal security appear adequate for  the present, but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may  be characteristically unreliable over any  great
length  of time. Such  bonds lack outstanding  investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
    
 
    Bonds rated  within the  Aa, A  and Baa  categories which  Moody's  believes
possess  the strongest credit attributes  within those categories are designated
by the symbols Aa1, A1 and Baa1.
 
                                      B-61
<PAGE>
SHORT-TERM RATINGS
 
    Moody's  ratings  for  tax-exempt  notes  and  other  short-term  loans  are
designated Moody's Investment Grade (MIG). This distinction is in recognition of
the  differences between short-term and long-term credit risk. Loans bearing the
designation MIG  1  are of  the  best  quality, enjoying  strong  protection  by
established  cash flows, superior liquidity  support or demonstrated broad-based
access to the market for refinancing. Loans bearing the designation MIG 2 are of
high quality with margins of  protection ample although not  so large as in  the
preceding  group. Loans bearing the designation  MIG 3 are of favorable quality,
with all  security  elements accounted  for  but  lacking the  strength  of  the
preceding  grades. Loans bearing the designation  MIG 4 are of adequate quality.
Protection commonly regarded and required  of an investment security is  present
and  although  not distinctly  or predominantly  speculative, there  is specific
risk.
 
SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS
 
    Moody's Short-Term Debt Ratings  are opinions of the  ability of issuers  to
repay  punctually  senior  debt  obligations  having  an  original  maturity not
exceeding one year.
 
    Prime-1:   Issuers rated  at  Prime-1 (or  supporting institutions)  have  a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
 
   
    Prime-2:   Issuers rated Prime-2 (or  supporting institutions) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
    
 
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP
 
BOND RATINGS
 
    AAA:  Debt rated AAA has the  highest rating assigned by S&P's. Capacity  to
pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
    AA:   Debt  rated AA has  a very strong  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal and differs from the highest-rated issues only in small degree.
 
    A:  Debt rated A has a  strong capacity to pay interest and repay  principal
although  it is somewhat more  susceptible to the adverse  effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.
 
    BBB:  Debt  rated BBB  is regarded  as having  an adequate  capacity to  pay
interest  and repay principal. Whereas  it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are  more
likely  to lead to a  weakened capacity to pay  interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than for debt in higher-rated categories.
 
MUNICIPAL NOTES
 
   
    An S&P  municipal note  rating reflects  the liquidity  concerns and  market
access  risks unique to municipal notes. Municipal  notes maturing in 3 years or
less will likely receive a municipal note rating, while notes maturing beyond  3
years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating.
    
 
   
    SP-1:    Strong  capacity  to  pay  principal  and  interest.  Those  issues
determined to possess very strong safety  characteristics are given a plus  sign
(+) designation.
    
 
   
    SP-2:    Satisfactory  capacity to  pay  principal and  interest,  with some
vulnerability to adverse  financial and economic  changes over the  term of  the
notes.
    
 
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
 
    S&P's  commercial paper ratings are current assessments of the likelihood of
timely payment of debt considered short-term in the relevant market.
 
   
    A-1:  This highest  category indicates that the  degree of safety  regarding
timely  payment is strong.  Those issues determined  to possess extremely strong
safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
    
 
   
    A-2:   Capacity  for timely  payment  on  issues with  this  designation  is
satisfactory.  However, the  relative degree  of safety  is not  as high  as for
issues designated A-1.
    
 
                                      B-62
<PAGE>

Portfolio of Investments                 PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                    CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connecticut St. Dev. Auth.,
   Conco Proj., Ser. 85, F.R.W.D.                                P-1             3.40%         9/05/96   $  1,700     $ 1,700,000
   Ind. Dev., Shelton Inn L.P., Ser. 86, F.R.M.D.                P-1             4.00          9/03/96      1,000       1,000,000
   Lt. & Pwr. Co. Proj., Ser. 93B, F.R.W.D.                      VMIG1           3.50          9/04/96      3,200       3,200,000
   Poll. Ctrl. Rev., Conn Lt. & Pwr. Co., Proj. A, Ser.
      96A, F.R.W.D.                                              P-1             3.50          9/05/96      2,200       2,200,000
   Poll. Ctrl. Rev., W. Mass. Elec. Co., Ser. 93A, F.R.W.D.      VMIG1           3.45          9/04/96      3,200       3,200,000
   Rand Whitney Container Bd., Ser. 93, F.R.W.D.                 P-1             3.20          9/04/96      2,500       2,500,000
   SHW Inc. Proj., Ser. 90, F.R.W.D.                             NR              3.55          9/04/96      3,600       3,600,000
Connecticut St. Hlth. & Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev.,
   Charlotte-Hungerford, Ser. B, F.R.W.D.                        VMIG1           3.30          9/05/96      1,600       1,600,000
   Pomfret School Issue, Ser. A, F.R.W.D.                        VMIG1           3.15          9/04/96      1,000       1,000,000
   Yale Univ., Ser. L, T.E.C.P.                                  VMIG1           3.40          9/05/96      1,100       1,100,000
   Yale Univ., Ser. N, T.E.C.P.                                  VMIG1           3.40          9/05/96      1,500       1,500,000
Connecticut St. Hsg. Fin. Auth. Prog., Ser. A-4, A.M.T.          VMIG1           3.65          4/10/97      2,200       2,200,000
Connecticut St. Mun. Elec. Engy., Pwr. Supply Sys. Rev.,
   Ser. 95A, T.E.C.P.                                            P-1             3.45         10/16/96      1,600       1,600,000
Connecticut St. Spec. Assmt., Unemployment Comp., Ser. 93C,
   A.M.T.                                                        VMIG1           3.90          7/01/97      5,000       5,000,000
Connecticut St. Spec. Tax Oblig., Trans. Infrastructure
   Rev., Ser. 90I, F.R.W.D.                                      VMIG1           3.35          9/04/96      5,145       5,145,000
Decatur Alabama Indl. Dev. Brd. Solid Waste Disp. Rev.,
   Ser. 95, F.R.D.D.                                             P-1             3.95          9/03/96        600         600,000
East Hartford Connecticut, B.A.N.                                NR              3.75          1/27/97      2,000       2,003,123
Fairfield Connecticut, B.A.N.                                    NR              3.75          1/15/97      1,680       1,682,110
Gulf Coast Indl. Dev. Auth., Texas, Solid Waste Disp. Rev.,
   Citgo Petroleum Corp. Proj., Ser. 95, F.R.D.D.                VMIG1           4.00          9/03/96      2,400       2,400,000
Hartford Connecticut Redev. Agcy. MultiFamily Mtge.,
   Underwood Twrs. Proj., Ser. 90, F.R.W.D.                      A1+(d)          3.45          9/05/96      2,800       2,800,000
Litchfield Connecticut, B.A.N.                                   NR              4.00         10/24/96        943         943,341
Mashantucket Western Connecticut,
   Ser. 96, T.E.C.P.                                             P-1             3.55         10/03/96      3,000       3,000,000
   Ser. 96, T.E.C.P.                                             P-1             3.60         11/07/96      2,700       2,700,000
Puerto Rico Comnwlth. Hwy. & Trans. Auth. Rev., Ser. 85,
   F.R.W.D.                                                      VMIG1           3.10          9/04/96        200         200,000
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev., Ser. K                        Aaa             9.25          7/01/97      1,000(e)    1,063,333
Puerto Rico Hsg. Fin. Corp., MultiFamily Mtge. Rev.,
   Portfolio A, Ser. 90I, M.O.T.                                 Aa              3.55          9/15/96      2,455       2,455,000
Puerto Rico Ind. Med. & Environ. Poll. Ctrl. Fac. Fin.
   Auth. Rev., Ser. 83A, A.O.T.                                  NR              3.80         12/01/96      2,500       2,500,000
Puerto Rico Public Bldgs. Auth. Rev., Ser. SG34, F.R.W.D.        A1+(d)          3.40          9/05/96      3,000       3,000,000
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-63

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                 PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                    CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Charles Parish Louisiana, Poll. Ctrl. Rev., Shell Oil
   Co. Norco Proj., Ser. 91, F.R.D.D.                            VMIG1           3.95%         9/03/96   $  1,600     $ 1,600,000
Stamford Connecticut Hsg. Auth. Rev., Morgan Street Proj.,
   Ser. 94, F.R.W.D.                                             VMIG1           3.35          9/04/96      1,500       1,500,000
Washington St. Hsg. Fin. Commission, Ser. 91, F.R.D.D.           VMIG1           3.95          9/03/96      1,300       1,300,000
Windham Connecticut, General Obligation, B.A.N.                  NR              3.50         12/17/96      3,200       3,201,903
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total Investments--89.5%
   (amortized cost--$69,493,810 (c))                                                                                   69,493,810
Other assets in excess of liabilities--10.5%                                                                            8,188,783
                                                                                                                      -----------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                      $77,682,593
                                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
    A.M.T.--Annual Mandatory Tender.
    A.O.T.--Annual Optional Tender.
    B.A.N.--Bond Anticipation Note.
    F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
    F.R.M.D.--Floating Rate (Monthly) Demand Note (b).
    F.R.W.D.--Floating Rate (Weekly) Demand Note (b).
    M.O.T.--Monthly Optional Tender.
    T.E.C.P.--Tax Exempt Commercial Paper.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating Rate
    Demand Notes is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) The cost of securities for federal income tax purposes is substantially the
    same as for financial reporting purposes.
(d) Standard & Poor's rating.
(e) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and/or direct U.S.
    guaranteed obligations.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                     B-64

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities          CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
Investments, at amortized cost which approximates market value.............................................      $   69,493,810
Cash.......................................................................................................           2,787,038
Receivable for Series shares sold..........................................................................           5,284,943
Receivable for investments sold............................................................................           3,000,000
Interest receivable........................................................................................             530,012
Deferred expenses and other assets.........................................................................               2,207
                                                                                                                 ---------------
   Total assets............................................................................................          81,098,010
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Liabilities
Payable for investments purchased..........................................................................           2,700,000
Payable for Series shares reacquired.......................................................................             607,131
Accrued expenses and other liabilities.....................................................................              43,696
Dividends payable..........................................................................................              36,096
Distribution fee payable...................................................................................              18,116
Management fee payable.....................................................................................               7,678
Deferred trustee's fees....................................................................................               2,700
                                                                                                                 ---------------
   Total liabilities.......................................................................................           3,415,417
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Net Assets.................................................................................................      $   77,682,593
                                                                                                                 ---------------
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at $.01 par value........................................................      $      776,826
   Paid-in capital in excess of par........................................................................          76,905,767
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996................................................................................      $   77,682,593
                                                                                                                 ---------------
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share ($77,682,593 / 77,682,593 shares of
   beneficial interest issued and outstanding; unlimited number of shares authorized)......................                $1.00
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       B-65

<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Year Ended
Net Investment Income                            August 31, 1996
<S>                                              <C>
Income
   Interest and discount earned...............     $ 2,669,092
                                                 ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee.............................         372,880
   Distribution fee...........................          93,220
   Custodian's fees and expenses..............          44,000
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.........          35,000
   Registration fees..........................          26,000
   Reports to shareholders....................          23,000
   Amortization of organization expense.......          13,790
   Audit fee and expenses.....................          11,100
   Legal fees and expenses....................           5,000
   Trustees' fees.............................           4,600
   Miscellaneous..............................           2,576
                                                 ---------------
      Total expenses..........................         631,166
Less: Management fee waiver (Note 2)..........        (279,660)
    Custodian fee credit......................          (8,450)
                                                 ---------------
      Net expenses............................         343,056
                                                 ---------------
Net investment income.........................       2,326,036
Realized Loss on Investments
Net realized loss on investments..............            (911)
                                                 ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations.....................     $ 2,325,125
                                                 ---------------
                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                   Year Ended August 31,
in Net Assets                          1996            1995
<S>                                <C>             <C>
Operations
   Net investment income........   $  2,326,036    $  1,812,631
   Net realized gain (loss) on
      investment transactions...           (911)            714
                                   ------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from
      operations................      2,325,125       1,813,345
                                   ------------    ------------
Dividends and distributions to
   shareholders.................     (2,325,125)     (1,813,345)
                                   ------------    ------------
Series share transactions (at $1
   per share)
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold......................    288,309,868     234,075,262
   Net asset value of shares
      issued to shareholders in
      reinvestment of dividends
      and distributions.........      2,252,473       1,751,916
   Cost of shares reacquired....   (275,746,533)   (227,262,566)
                                   ------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets
      from Series share
      transactions..............     14,815,808       8,564,612
                                   ------------    ------------
Total increase..................     14,815,808       8,564,612
Net Assets
Beginning of year...............     62,866,785      54,302,173
                                   ------------    ------------
End of year.....................   $ 77,682,593    $ 62,866,785
                                   ------------    ------------
                                   ------------    ------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-66

<PAGE>
                                           PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements              CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The Connecticut Money Market Series (the
``Series'') commenced investment operations on August 5, 1991. The Series is
non-diversified and seeks to provide the highest level of income that is exempt
from Connecticut state, local and federal income taxes with the minimum of risk
by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt securities having a maturity of
thirteen months or less and whose ratings are within the two highest ratings
categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or if not
rated, are of comparable quality. The ability of the issuers of the securities
held by the Series to meet their obligations may be affected by economic
developments in a specific state, industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: Portfolio securities of the Series are valued at
amortized cost, which approximates market value. The amortized cost method of
valuation involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and
thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or
premium.

All securities are valued as of 4:30 p.m., New York time.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments
are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the
use of certain estimates by management.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross
income consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is
required.

Dividends: The Series declares daily dividends from net investment income.
Payment of dividends is made monthly. Income distributions and capital gain
distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may
differ from generally accepted accounting principles.

Deferred Organization Expenses: The Series incurred $52,600 in organization and
initial registration expenses. Such amount was deferred and amortized over a
period of 60 months ended July 1996.

Custody Fee Credits: The Series has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the cost of the subadviser's
services, the compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain
clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and
expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. For the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1996, PMF voluntarily waived 75% of its management fee.
The amount of fees waived for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 amounted to
$279,660 ($.004 per share; .375% of average net assets).

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Fund through January 1,
1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities Incorporated (``PSI'')
became the distributor of the Fund and is serving the Fund under the same terms
and conditions as under the arrangement with PMFD. The Series reimbursed PMFD
and PSI for distributing and servicing the Series' shares pursuant to the plan
of distribution at an annual rate of .125 of 1% of the Series' average daily net
assets. The distribution fee is accrued daily and payable monthly.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                      B-67
<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series incurred fees of approximately $31,300 for the services of PMFS. As
of August 31, 1996, approximately $2,500 of such fees were due to PMFS. Transfer
agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations also include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.


                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights (Unaudited)             CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Year Ended August 31,
                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996        1995        1994        1993        1992
                                         -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
<S>                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year...    $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00
Net investment income and realized
  gains(a)...........................        .03         .03         .02         .02         .03
Dividends and distributions to
  shareholders.......................       (.03)       (.03)       (.02)       (.02)       (.03)
                                         -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Net asset value, end of year.........    $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00
                                         -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
                                         -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
TOTAL RETURN(b):.....................       3.17%       3.16%       2.02%       2.20%       3.42%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)........    $77,683     $62,867     $54,302     $57,794     $40,480
Average net assets (000).............    $74,576     $57,103     $60,594     $53,152     $33,964
Ratios to average net assets(a):
  Expenses, including distribution
  fee................................        .47%        .58%        .54%        .39%        .13%
  Expenses, excluding distribution
    fee..............................        .35%        .46%        .42%        .26%        .00%
  Net investment income..............       3.12%       3.17%       1.99%       2.17%       3.20%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of management fee waiver and/or expense subsidy.
(b) Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-68

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report                CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Connecticut Money Market Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Connecticut
Money Market Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations
for the year then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years
in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five
years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights
based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and broker. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, Connecticut Money Market Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results
of its operations, the changes in net assets, and its financial highlights for
the respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996

   
    

                                      B-69

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                 PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                    FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Moody's                               Principal
                                                                  Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount          Value
Description (a)                                                (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)         (Note 1)
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--98.0%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alachua Cnty. Hlth. Facs. Auth.,
   Santa Fe Healthcare Facs. Proj.                            AAA(c)            7.60%     11/15/13    $  1,750 (e)   $  1,973,930
   Shands Teaching Hosp. & Clinics, Ser. A, M.B.I.A.          Aaa               5.80      12/01/26       2,000          1,933,440
Alachua Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth. Rev., HB Fuller Co. Proj.       NR                7.75      11/01/16       3,000          3,119,070
Brevard Cnty. Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev., Florida Inst. of
   Tech.                                                      BBB(c)            6.875     11/01/22       1,500          1,536,945
Brevard Cnty. Sch. Brd. Ctfs. of Part., Ser. A,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                 Aaa               6.50       7/01/12       3,500 (e)      3,871,420
Broward Cnty. Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev., Nova Univ. Dorm.
   Proj., Ser. A                                              NR                7.50       4/01/17       1,500 (e)      1,691,580
Broward Cnty. Hlth. Facs. Auth., North Beach Hosp.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                   Aaa               6.75       8/15/06       1,000          1,095,800
City of Miami Beach, Wtr. & Swr. Rev., F.S.A.                 Aaa               5.375      9/01/15       2,000          1,898,480
Clay Cnty. Hsg. Fin. Auth. Rev., Sngl. Fam. Mtge., Ser.
   A, G.N.M.A.                                                Aaa               7.45       9/01/23         375            391,635
Coral Springs Impvt. Dist., Wtr. & Swr. Rfdg., M.B.I.A.       Aaa               6.00       6/01/10       1,000          1,056,620
Dade Cnty.,
   Pub. Impvt. J & K Seaport, M.B.I.A.                        Aaa               6.50      10/01/07       1,220          1,357,738
   Pub. Impvt. J & K Seaport, M.B.I.A.                        Aaa               6.50      10/01/10       1,555          1,720,499
Dade Cnty. Aviation Dept. Rev.,
   Ser. B, M.B.I.A.                                           Aaa               6.00      10/01/24       1,500          1,483,830
   Ser. E, A.M.B.A.C.                                         Aaa               5.50      10/01/10       1,000            993,180
Dade Cnty. Hlth. Facs. Auth. Rev., Baptist Hosp. of
   Miami Proj.,
   Ser. A, E.T.M., M.B.I.A.                                   Aaa               6.75       5/01/08         500            540,260
Dade Cnty. Hsg. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
   Sngl. Fam. Mtge., Ser. B, G.N.M.A                          Aaa               7.25       9/01/23         360            373,172
   Sngl. Fam. Mtge., Ser. C, G.N.M.A.                         Aaa               7.75       9/01/22         820            862,394
Dade Cnty. Pub. Facs. Ref., Jackson Mem. Hosp., Ser. A,
   M.B.I.A.                                                   Aaa               4.875      6/01/15       3,000          2,638,230
Dade Cnty. Sch. Dist., Gen. Oblig., M.B.I.A.                  Aaa               6.00       7/15/06       3,500          3,736,180
Dade Cnty. Spl. Oblig., Metro Dade Fire & Rescue Svc.,
   F.G.I.C.                                                   Aaa               6.00       4/01/05       2,800          2,977,324
Duval Cnty. Hsg. Fin. Auth. Rev., Sngl. Fam. Mtge.,
   G.N.M.A.                                                   AAA(c)            8.375     12/01/14         515            543,109
Enterprise Cmnty. Dev. Dist., Osceola Co. Spl. Assmnt.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                   Aaa               6.00       5/01/10       2,320          2,390,876
Escambia Cnty. Hlth. Facs. Auth. Rev., Baptist Hosp.
   Inc., Ser. A                                               BBB+(c)           8.70      10/01/14       1,830          1,990,601
Escambia Cnty. Poll. Ctrl. Rev., Champion Int'l. Corp.
   Proj.                                                      Baa1              6.90       8/01/22       3,500          3,628,625
Escambia Cnty. Sch. Brd. Cert., M.B.I.A.                      Aaa               5.50       2/01/22       2,000          1,887,700
Florida St. Brd. of Ed. Cap. Outlay,
   Ser. A, F.G.I.C.                                           Aaa               5.00       1/01/15       1,000            909,290
   Ref. Pub. Ed., Ser. D                                      Aa                4.75       6/01/22       4,985          4,172,595
Florida St. Mun. Pwr. Agcy. Ref., Stanton II Proj.,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                 Aaa               4.50      10/01/27       2,500          1,971,450
Gainesville Utils. Sys. Rev., Ser. A                          Aa                5.20      10/01/22       2,500          2,271,425
Hillsborough Cnty.,
   Cnty. Ctr. Proj., M.B.I.A.                                 Aaa               5.00       7/01/15       1,560          1,413,017
   Ref. Cnty. Ctr. Proj., M.B.I.A.                            Aaa               6.00       7/01/06       1,605          1,712,952
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-70

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                 PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                    FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Moody's                               Principal
                                                                  Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount          Value
Description (a)                                                (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)         (Note 1)
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hillsborough Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth., Poll. Ctrl. Rev.,
   Tampa Elec. Proj., Ser. 92                                 Aa3               8.00%      5/01/22    $  1,750       $  2,019,010
Indian Rvr. Cnty., Wtr. & Swr. Rev., F.G.I.C.                 Aaa               5.50       9/01/26       3,280          3,109,702
Jacksonville Elec. Auth. Rev., St. Johns Rvr. Pwr. Park
   Issue 2                                                    Aa1              Zero       10/01/10       3,000          1,359,240
Jacksonville Hlth. Facs. Auth. Hosp. Rev.,
   Nat'l. Ben. Assoc.                                         Baa1             7.00       12/01/22       1,825          1,857,047
   St. Lukes Hosp. Assoc. Proj.                               AA+(c)           7.125      11/15/20       1,000          1,082,010
Jacksonville Wtr. & Swr. Dev. Rev., Suburban Utils.           A3               6.75        6/01/22       1,000          1,046,720
Jacksonville Wtr. & Swr. Rev., United Wtr. Proj.,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                 Aaa              6.35        8/01/25       1,500          1,552,455
Lake Cnty. Res. Rec., Ind. Dev. Rev., Ser. A                  Baa              5.95       10/01/13       1,035            989,543
Leon Cnty. Hsg. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
   Sngl. Fam. Mtge., Ser. A., G.N.M.A.                        Aaa              7.30        4/01/21         405            419,693
Martin Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth. Rev., Indiantown Cogen
   Proj.                                                      Baa3             7.875      12/15/25       1,200          1,341,588
Martin Cnty. Ref., A.M.B.A.C.                                 Aaa              4.50        2/01/09       1,575          1,405,750
Miami Hlth. Facs. Auth. Rev., Mercy Hosp.                     A                8.125       8/01/11       1,000          1,072,360
Miami Spec. Oblig.,
   Admn. Bldg. Acquis. Proj., F.G.I.C.                        Aaa              6.00        2/01/16       1,500          1,517,880
   Admn. Bldg. Acquis. Proj., F.G.I.C.                        Aaa              6.00        2/01/25         500            504,355
Miramar Wstwtr. Impvt. Assmt., F.G.I.C.                       Aaa              6.75       10/01/16       2,500          2,743,475
Okaloosa Cnty. Cap. Impvt. Rev., M.B.I.A.                     Aaa              Zero       12/01/06         450            261,891
Orange Cnty. Hlth. Facs. Auth. Rev., Adventist Hlth.
   Sys., A.M.B.A.C.                                           Aaa               5.25      11/15/20       1,000            914,300
Orange Cnty. Hsg. Fin. Auth. Mtge. Rev., Ser. A,
   G.N.M.A.                                                   AAA(c)            7.375      9/01/24         420            438,262
Orange Cnty. Hsg. Fin. Rev. Auth.,
   MultiFam. Ashley Point Apts.                               BBB+(c)           6.85      10/01/16       1,200          1,224,360
   MultiFam. Ashley Point Apts.                               BBB+(c)           7.10      10/01/24         855            873,502
Orlando Utils. Commn., Wtr. & Elec., Ser. D                   Aa                6.75      10/01/17       2,200          2,481,226
Palm Beach Cnty. Hlth. Facs. Auth. Rev., Good Samaritan
   Hlth. Sys.                                                 A+(c)             6.30      10/01/22       1,000          1,014,420
Pensacola Hlth. Facs. Auth., Daughters of Charity,
   M.B.I.A.                                                   Aaa               5.25       1/01/11       1,600          1,529,984
Puerto Rico Comnwlth.,
   Gen. Oblig.                                                Baa1              6.45       7/01/17       1,400          1,472,702
   Gen. Oblig.                                                Baa1              6.50       7/01/23       2,650          2,793,391
   Gen. Oblig., F.S.A.                                        Aaa               7.958(d)   7/01/20       3,000          2,928,750
   Pub. Impvt., M.B.I.A.                                      Aaa               5.375      7/01/22       2,000          1,886,740
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev.,
   Ser. R                                                     Baa1              6.25       7/01/17       5,000          5,058,050
   Pwr. Rev. Bds.                                             Baa1              5.50       7/01/20       1,665          1,536,262
   Ser. X                                                     Baa1              5.50       7/01/25       3,000          2,787,450
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-71
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                 PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                    FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Moody's                               Principal
                                                                  Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount          Value
Description (a)                                                (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)         (Note 1)
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico Ind. Tour. Edl. Hosp. Auxil., Mut. Oblig.
   Grp. Proj., M.B.I.A.                                       Aaa               6.25%      7/01/24    $  2,635       $  2,728,042
Puerto Rico Tel. Auth. Rev., Ser. I, M.B.I.A.                 Aaa               7.116(d)   1/16/15       2,250          2,075,625
Sarasota Wtr. & Swr. Util. Ref., Ser. C, F.G.I.C.             Aaa               4.50      10/01/16       1,000            833,370
St. Petersburg Hlth. Facs. Auth. Rev., Allegheny Hlth.
   Proj., M.B.I.A.                                            Aaa               7.00      12/01/15       1,000          1,099,400
Tampa Gtd. Entitlement Rev., A.M.B.A.C.                       Aaa               7.05      10/01/07       2,000          2,215,040
Tampa Sports Auth. Rev., M.B.I.A.                             Aaa               5.75      10/01/20       1,000            999,940
Virgin Islands Terr., Hugo Ins. Claims Fund Proj., Ser.
   91                                                         NR                7.75      10/01/06       1,265          1,334,196
Volusia Cnty. Edl. Fac. Auth. Rev., Embry Riddle Univ.        AAA(c)            6.625     10/15/22       1,000          1,064,750
Volusia Cnty. Hlth. Facs. Auth. Rev., Mem. Hlth. Sys.
   Proj.                                                      BBB+(c)           8.25       6/01/20       2,000 (e)      2,269,120
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total long-term investments (cost $119,913,169)                                                                       121,984,968
                                                                                                                     ------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--1.0%
Puerto Rico Comnwlth., Gov't. Dev. Bk., Ser. 85,
   F.R.W.D.                                                   VMIG1            3.10        9/04/96         100            100,000
St. Lucie Cnty. Solid Wst. Disp. Rev., F.R.D.D.               VMIG1            4.00        9/03/96       1,100          1,100,000
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total short-term investments (cost $1,200,000)                                                                          1,200,000
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total Investments--99.0%
(cost $121,113,169; Note 4)                                                                                           123,184,968
Other assets in excess of liabilities--1.0%                                                                             1,304,622
                                                                                                                     ------------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                     $124,489,590
                                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
  A.M.B.A.C.--American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation.
  E.T.M.--Escrowed to Maturity.
  F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
  F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
  F.R.W.D.--Floating Rate (Weekly) Demand Note (b).
  F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
  G.N.M.A.--Government National Mortgage Association.
  M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Association.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating Rate
    Demand Notes is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(d) Inverse floating rate bond. The coupon is inversely indexed to a floating
interest rate. The rate shown is the rate at period end.
(e) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and direct U.S. guaranteed
obligations.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-72
<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities           FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
Investments, at value (cost $121,113,169).................................................................       $ 123,184,968
Cash......................................................................................................              14,389
Interest receivable.......................................................................................           2,026,228
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................              89,334
Receivable for investments sold...........................................................................              65,314
Prepaid expenses and other assets.........................................................................               3,838
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         125,384,071
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................             671,760
Dividends payable.........................................................................................             108,186
Accrued expenses and other liabilities....................................................................              59,392
Management fee payable....................................................................................              32,347
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................              20,096
Deferred trustees' fees...................................................................................               2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................             894,481
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................       $ 124,489,590
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at par..................................................................       $     123,092
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         123,691,631
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                   123,814,723
   Accumulated net realized loss on investments...........................................................          (1,396,932)
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................................................           2,071,799
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................       $ 124,489,590
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class A:
   Net asset value and redemption price per share
      ($101,998,936 / 10,085,572 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)....................               $10.11
   Maximum sales charge (3% of offering price)............................................................                 .31
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Maximum offering price to public.......................................................................              $10.42
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class B:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($14,698,364 / 1,453,225 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................              $10.11
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class C:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($7,792,290 / 770,359 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding).........................              $10.11
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-73
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
FLORIDA SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Year Ended
Net Investment Income                          August 31, 1996
<S>                                            <C>
Income
   Interest.................................     $ 7,900,417
                                               ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee...........................         665,643
   Distribution fee--Class A................         112,266
   Distribution fee--Class B................          62,850
   Distribution fee--Class C................          62,195
   Custodian's fees and expenses............          59,000
   Reports to shareholders..................          42,000
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.......          40,000
   Registration fees........................          32,000
   Audit fee and expenses...................          12,300
   Legal fees and expenses..................          10,000
   Trustees' fees...........................           3,900
   Miscellaneous............................           5,980
                                               ---------------
      Total expenses........................       1,108,134
   Less: Management fee waiver..............        (417,808)
      Expense subsidy (Note 4)..............         (86,788)
      Custodian fee credit..................          (2,769)
                                               ---------------
      Net expenses..........................         600,769
                                               ---------------
Net investment income.......................       7,299,648
                                               ---------------
Realized and Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Net realized gain on:
   Investment transactions..................       3,128,437
   Financial futures contract
      transactions..........................         252,913
   Written option transactions..............          40,511
                                               ---------------
                                                   3,421,861
                                               ---------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation
   (depreciation) on:
   Investments..............................      (2,691,837)
   Financial futures contracts..............          46,875
                                               ---------------
                                                  (2,644,962)
                                               ---------------
Net gain on investments.....................         776,899
                                               ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations...................     $ 8,076,547
                                               ---------------
                                               ---------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
FLORIDA SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                   Year Ended August 31,
in Net Assets                         1996              1995
<S>                              <C>                <C>
Operations
   Net investment income.......   $   7,299,648     $  8,313,464
   Net realized gain (loss) on
      investment
      transactions.............       3,421,861       (4,155,474)
   Net change in unrealized
      appreciation
      (depreciation) of
      investments..............      (2,644,962)       6,025,242
                                 ---------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from
      operations...............       8,076,547       10,183,232
                                 ---------------    ------------
   Dividends from net
      investment income (Note
      1)
      Class A..................      (6,244,938)      (7,502,100)
      Class B..................        (647,226)        (262,158)
      Class C..................        (407,484)        (549,206)
                                 ---------------    ------------
                                     (7,299,648)      (8,313,464)
                                 ---------------    ------------
Series share transactions (net
   of share conversions) (Note
   6)
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold.....................      15,332,603       26,011,068
   Net asset value of shares
      issued in reinvestment of
      dividends................       3,085,406        3,653,143
   Cost of shares reacquired...     (33,022,261)     (39,832,414)
                                 ---------------    ------------
   Net decrease in net assets
      from Series share
      transactions.............     (14,604,252)     (10,168,203)
                                 ---------------    ------------
Total decrease.................     (13,827,353)      (8,298,435)
Net Assets
Beginning of year..............     138,316,943      146,615,378
                                 ---------------    ------------
End of year....................   $ 124,489,590     $138,316,943
                                 ---------------    ------------
                                 ---------------    ------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.                         


                                     B-74
  
<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements            FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The Florida Series (the ``Series'') commenced
investment operations on December 28, 1990. The Series is non-diversified and
seeks to achieve its investment objective of providing the maximum amount of
income that is exempt from federal income taxes with the minimum of risk, and
investing in securities which will enable its shares to be exempt from the
Florida intangibles tax by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt
securities whose ratings are within the four highest ratings categories by a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if not rated, are of
comparable quality. The ability of the issuers of the securities held by the
Series to meet their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a
specific state, industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: The Fund values municipal securities (including
commitments to purchase such securities on a ``when-issued'' basis) on the basis
of prices provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in
comparable securities and various relationships between securities in
determining values. If market quotations are not readily available from such
pricing service, a security is valued at its fair value as determined under
procedures established by the Trustees.

Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost.

All securities are valued as of 4:15 P.M., New York time.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to
purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities at a set price
for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures contract,
the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash and/or other
assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This amount is
known as the ``initial margin''. Subsequent payments, known as ``variation
margin'', are made or received by the Series each day, depending on the daily
fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation margin is
recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as unrealized gain or
loss. When the contract expires or is closed, the gain or loss is realized and
is presented in the statement of operations as net realized gain (loss) on
financial futures contracts.

The Series invests in financial futures contracts in order to hedge its existing
portfolio securities, or securities the Series intends to purchase, against
fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates. Should
interest rates move unexpectedly, the Series may not achieve the anticipated
benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of
futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in
the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets.

Options: The Series may either purchase or write options in order to hedge
against adverse market movements or fluctuations in value caused by changes in
prevailing interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates with respect to
securities or currencies which the Series currently owns or intends to purchase.
When the Series purchases an option, it pays a premium and an amount equal to
that premium is recorded as an investment. When the Series writes an option, it
receives a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as a
liability. The investment or liability is adjusted daily to reflect the current
market value of the option. If an option expires unexercised, the Series
realizes a gain or loss to the extent of the premium received or paid. If an
option is exercised, the premium received or paid is an adjustment to the
proceeds from the sale or the cost basis of the purchase in determining whether
the Series has realized a gain or loss. The difference between the premium and
the amount received or paid on effecting a closing purchase or sale transaction
is also treated as a realized gain or loss. Gain or loss on purchased options is
included in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions. Gain or loss on
written options is presented separately as net realized gain (loss) on written
option transactions.

The Series, as writer of an option, has no control over whether the underlying
securities or currencies may be sold (called) or purchased (put). As a result,
the Series bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the
security or currency underlying the written option. The Series, as purchaser of
an option, bears the risk of the potential inability of the counterparties to
meet the terms of their contracts.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-75

<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements            FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are
calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. The Series amortizes premiums and accretes original issue
discount on portfolio securities as adjustments to interest income. Expenses are
recorded on the accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates by
management.

Net investment income (other than distribution fees) and unrealized and realized
gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the
relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated
investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to shareholders.
For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross income
consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is required.

Dividends and Distributions: The Series declares daily dividends from net
investment income. Payment of dividends is made monthly. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, are made annually.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles.

Deferred Organization Expenses: The Series incurred approximately $32,000 in
organization and initial registration expenses. Such amount has been amortized
over a period of 60 months ended December 1995.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the cost of the subadviser's
services, the compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain
clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and
expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. For the seven
months ended March 31, 1996, PMF waived 70% of its management fee. For the three
months ended June 30, 1996, PMF waived 60% of its management fee. For the two
months ended August 31, 1996, PMF waived 40% of its management fee. The amount
of fees waived during the year ended August 31, 1996 amounted to $417,808 ($.03
per share for Class A, B and C shares; .31% of average net assets). The Series
is not required to reimburse PMF for such waiver.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of the
Fund through January 1, 1996. Prudential Securities Incorporated (``PSI'')
became the distributor of the Class A shares of the Fund effective January 2,
1996 and is serving the Fund under the same terms and conditions as under the
arrangement with PMFD and continues as the distributor of the Class B and Class
C shares of the Fund. The Fund compensates PMFD and PSI for distributing and
servicing the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of
distribution (the ``Class A, B and C Plans'') regardless of expenses actually
incurred by them. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.

Pursuant to the Class A, B and C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI, and PMFD for
the period September 1, 1995 through January 1, 1996 with respect to Class A
shares, for distribution-related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of
1%, .50 of 1% and .75 of 1%, of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B
and C shares, respectively. Such expenses under the Class A, B and C Plans were
 .10 of 1%, .50 of 1% and .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets,
respectively, for the year ended August 31, 1996.

PMFD and PSI have advised the Series that they have received approximately
$101,700 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares
during the year ended August 31, 1996. From these fees, PMFD and PSI paid such
sales charges to affiliated broker-dealers which in turn paid commissions to
salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

PSI has advised the Series that for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, it
received approximately $62,100 and $300 in contingent deferred sales charges
imposed upon certain redemptions by Class B and C shareholders, respectively.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       B-76
<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements            FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series incurred fees of approximately $37,600 for the services of PMFS. As
of August 31, 1996, approximately $2,900 of such fees were due to PMFS. Transfer
agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 4. Expense Subsidy

PMF voluntarily subsidized all operating expenses (except management and
distribution fees) of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Series
until January 1, 1996. For the four months ended December 31, 1995, PMF
subsidized $86,788 ($.007 per share for Class A, B and C shares; .19% of average
net assets) of the Series' expenses. The Series is not required to reimburse PMF
for such subsidy.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 5. Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities, excluding short-term investments,
for the year ended August 31, 1996 were $88,764,398 and $96,774,426,
respectively.

The federal income tax basis of the Series' investments at August 31, 1996 was
$121,114,419 and, accordingly, net unrealized appreciation was $2,070,549 (gross
unrealized appreciation--$4,205,684; gross unrealized depreciation--$2,135,135).

Transactions in written options during the year ended August 31, 1996 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Number of    Premiums
                                       Contracts    Received
                                       ---------    --------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>
Options written                              180    $ 40,511
Options expired                             (180)    (40,511)
                                       ---------    --------
Options outstanding at August 31,
  1996                                         0    $      0
                                       ---------    --------
                                       ---------    --------
</TABLE>

For federal income tax purposes, the Series has a capital loss carryforward as
of August 31, 1996 of approximately $1,463,000 which expires in 2003. Such
carryforward is after utilization of approximately $1,263,000 of net taxable
gains realized and recognized during the year ended August 31, 1996.
Accordingly, no capital gains distribution is expected to be paid until net
gains have been realized in excess of the carryforward.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 6. Capital

The Series currently offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares
are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 3.0%. Class B shares are sold
with a contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending
on the period of time the shares are held. Class C shares, which prior to August
1, 1994 were known as D shares, are sold with a contingent deferred sales charge
of 1% during the first year. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class
A shares on a quarterly basis approximately seven years after purchase. A
special exchange privilege is also available for shareholders who qualify to
purchase Class A shares at net asset value.

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
each class at $.01 par value per share. Transactions in shares of beneficial
interest for the fiscal years ended August 31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................     512,938    $  5,271,777
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................     251,003       2,571,304
Shares reacquired...................  (2,770,938)    (28,334,987)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................  (2,006,997)    (20,491,906)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................      66,824         684,012
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................  (1,940,173)   $(19,807,894)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................   1,647,106    $ 15,829,864
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................     327,990       3,198,613
Shares reacquired...................  (3,554,066)    (34,407,990)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................  (1,578,970)   $(15,379,513)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-77
<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements            FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1996:
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Shares sold.........................     895,444    $  9,260,865
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................      27,459         281,193
Shares reacquired...................    (230,552)     (2,340,629)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................     692,351       7,201,429
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A......................     (66,824)       (684,012)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................     625,527    $  6,517,417
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................     945,274    $  9,166,110
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................      11,460         113,360
Shares reacquired...................    (187,734)     (1,825,550)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................     769,000    $  7,453,920
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Class C
- ------------------------------------
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................      76,922    $    799,961
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................      22,738         232,909
Shares reacquired...................    (226,860)     (2,346,645)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................    (127,200)   $ (1,313,775)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................     104,420    $  1,015,094
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................      34,986         341,170
Shares reacquired...................    (370,059)     (3,598,874)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................    (230,653)   $ (2,242,610)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

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

                                      B-78

<PAGE>
                                     PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                 FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Class A
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Year Ended August 31,
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1996         1995         1994         1993         1992
                                                        --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year..................    $  10.06     $   9.91     $  10.87     $  10.27     $   9.76
                                                        --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income(a)............................         .57          .59          .59          .57          .65
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
   investment transactions..........................         .05          .15         (.76)         .73          .51
                                                        --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
   Total from investment operations.................         .62          .74         (.17)        1.30         1.16
                                                        --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income................        (.57)        (.59)        (.59)        (.57)        (.65)
Distributions from net realized gains...............          --           --         (.20)        (.13)          --
                                                        --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
   Total distributions..............................        (.57)        (.59)        (.79)        (.70)        (.65)
                                                        --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Net asset value, end of year........................    $  10.11     $  10.06     $   9.91     $  10.87     $  10.27
                                                        --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
                                                        --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
TOTAL RETURN(b):....................................        6.20%        7.85%       (1.69)%      13.78%       12.26%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000).......................    $101,999     $120,963     $134,849     $148,900     $104,335
Average net assets (000)............................    $112,266     $124,259     $146,489     $123,820     $ 82,893
Ratios to average net assets(a):
   Expenses, including distribution fees............         .37%         .24%         .20%         .20%         .09%
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees............         .27%         .17%         .20%         .20%         .09%
   Net investment income............................        5.56%        6.04%        5.67%        5.94%        6.41%
For Class A, B and C shares:
   Portfolio turnover rate..........................          68%          65%          75%          68%          56%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of expense subsidy and fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-79

<PAGE>
                                           PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                       FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Class B                              Class C
                                                        -----------------------------------------     ------------------------
                                                                                       August 1,
                                                                                        1994(c)
                                                          Year Ended August 31,         through        Year Ended August 31,
                                                        --------------------------     August 31,     ------------------------
                                                           1996           1995            1994            1996          1995
                                                        ----------     -----------     ----------     ------------     -------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>              <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period................     $  10.06        $  9.91         $ 9.95         $  10.06       $  9.91
                                                        ----------        -----          -----           ------       --------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income(a)............................          .53            .55            .04              .50           .53
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
   investment transactions..........................          .05            .15           (.04)             .05           .15
                                                        ----------        -----          -----           ------       --------
   Total from investment operations.................          .58            .70             --              .55           .68
                                                        ----------        -----          -----           ------       --------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income................         (.53)          (.55)          (.04)            (.50)         (.53)
Distributions from net realized gains...............           --             --             --               --            --
                                                        ----------        -----          -----           ------       --------
   Total distributions..............................         (.53)          (.55)          (.04)            (.50)         (.53)
                                                        ----------        -----          -----           ------       --------
Net asset value, end of period......................     $  10.11        $ 10.06         $ 9.91         $  10.11       $ 10.06
                                                        ----------        -----          -----           ------       --------
                                                        ----------        -----          -----           ------       --------
TOTAL RETURN(b):....................................         5.79%          7.39%         (0.05)%           5.52%         7.12%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).....................      $14,699         $8,326           $582           $7,792        $9,028
Average net assets (000)............................      $12,570         $4,699           $118           $8,293       $10,265
Ratios to average net assets(a):
   Expenses, including distribution fees............          .77%           .67%           .70%(d)         1.02%          .92%
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees............          .27%           .17%           .20%(d)          .27%          .17%
   Net investment income............................         5.16%          5.56%          6.21%(d)         4.91%         5.35%
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>
                                                                      July 26,
                                                                      1993(e)
                                                                      through
                                                                     August 31,
                                                         1994           1993
                                                      ----------     ----------
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period................   $  10.87        $10.58
                                                      ----------       -------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income(a)............................        .48           .03
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
   investment transactions..........................       (.76)          .29
                                                      ----------       -------
   Total from investment operations.................       (.28)          .32
                                                      ----------       -------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income................       (.48)         (.03)
Distributions from net realized gains...............       (.20)           --
                                                      ----------       -------
   Total distributions..............................       (.68)         (.03)
                                                      ----------       -------
Net asset value, end of period......................   $   9.91        $10.87
                                                      ----------       -------
                                                      ----------       -------
TOTAL RETURN(b):....................................      (2.40)%        3.14%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).....................    $11,185        $3,132
Average net assets (000)............................    $ 9,280        $1,038
Ratios to average net assets(a):
   Expenses, including distribution fees............        .95%          .95%(d)
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees............        .20%          .20%(d)
   Net investment income............................       4.99%         5.19%(d)
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of expense subsidy and fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions. Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not
    annualized.
(c) Commencement of offering of Class B shares.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Commencement of offering of Class C shares. Prior to August 1, 1994, Class C
shares were called Class D shares.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-80
<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report             FLORIDA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Florida Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Florida
Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations for the year
then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the
period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, Florida Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the
respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    

                                      B-81
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                HAWAII INCOME SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating       Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--96.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guam Gov't., Gen. Oblig., Ser. A                                 BBB(c)            5.90%       9/01/05   $    500     $   496,560
Guam Pwr. Auth. Rev.,
   Ser. A                                                        BBB(c)            6.625      10/01/14        250         255,045
   Ser. A                                                        BBB(c)            6.75       10/01/24        525         537,679
Hawaii St. Arpt. Sys. Rev., 2nd Ser.                             A                 7.00        7/01/18        365         387,626
Hawaii St. Arpt. Sys. Rev., 2nd Ser. 90, F.G.I.C.                Aaa               7.50        7/01/20        500         546,595
Hawaii St. Dept. Budget & Fin.,
   Hawaiian Elec. Co., Ser. C, M.B.I.A.                          Aaa               7.375      12/01/20        500         547,190
   Kapiolani Hlth. Care Sys.                                     A                 6.30        7/01/08        500         515,650
   Kapiolani Hosp.                                               A                 6.00        7/01/11        250         250,185
   Queens Med. Ctr.                                              Aa                5.80        7/01/10        500         501,655
   Queens Med. Ctr. Proj., F.G.I.C.                              Aaa               5.90        7/01/07        230 (d)     245,971
Hawaii St. Gen. Oblig., Ser. CJ                                  Aa                6.25        1/01/15        650         671,222
Hawaii St. Harbor Cap. Impvt. Rev.,
   F.G.I.C.                                                      Aaa               6.25        7/01/10        250 (e)     260,030
   F.G.I.C.                                                      Aaa               6.25        7/01/15        500         511,745
Hawaii St. Hsg. Fin. & Dev. Corp. Rev.,
   Affordable Rental Proj., Ser. A                               A1                6.05        7/01/22        725         710,094
   Sngl. Fam. Mtge. Rev., Ser. B, F.N.M.A.                       Aa                5.85        7/01/17        500         494,615
   Univ. of Hawaii Fac. Hsg. Proj., A.M.B.A.C.                   Aaa               5.65       10/01/16        500         487,670
Honolulu City & Cnty.,
   Ref. & Impvt., Ser. B, F.G.I.C.                               Aaa               5.50       10/01/11        900         899,037
   Water Sys. Rev.                                               Aa                5.80        7/01/16        500         497,040
Maui Cnty., Ser. A, M.B.I.A.                                     Aaa               5.65        6/01/10        570         573,352
Puerto Rico Comnwlth., Gen. Oblig.                               Baa1              6.45        7/01/17        500         525,965
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev., Ser. O                        Baa1              5.00        7/01/12        600         538,032
Puerto Rico Hwy. & Trans. Auth. Rev., Ser. V                     Baa1              6.375       7/01/08        500         526,240
Puerto Rico Ind., Tourist, Ed., Med. & Env. Ctrl. Facs.,
   Doctor Pila Hosp. Proj., F.H.A.                               AAA(c)            6.125       8/01/25        500         508,635
   Hosp. Auxilio Mutuo Oblig. Grp. Proj., M.B.I.A.               Aaa               6.25        7/01/16        500         522,800
   Hosp. Auxilio Mutuo Oblig. Grp. Proj., M.B.I.A.               Aaa               6.25        7/01/24        250         258,827
Puerto Rico Mun. Fin. Agcy., Ser. A, F.S.A.                      Aaa               6.00        7/01/14        250         253,498
Puerto Rico Tel. Auth. Rev., Ser. I, M.B.I.A.                    Aaa               5.449       1/16/15      1,000         961,670
Puerto Rico Univ. Sys. Rev., Ser. M, M.B.I.A.                    Aaa               5.25        6/01/25        750         692,550
Virgin Islands Pub. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
   Gov't. Dev. Proj., Ser. B                                     BBB-(c)           7.375      10/01/10        300         323,319
   Ref. Matching Loan Notes, Ser. A                              NR                7.25       10/01/18        250         265,335
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total long-term investments (cost $14,327,900)                                                                         14,765,832
                                                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-82
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                HAWAII INCOME SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating       Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--1.9%
Puerto Rico Comnwlth., Gov't Dev. Bank., Ser. 85, F.R.W.D.
   (cost $300,000)                                               VMIG1             3.10%       9/04/96   $    300     $   300,000
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total Investments--98.2%
(cost $14,627,900; Note 5)                                                                                             15,065,832
Other assets in excess of liabilities--1.8%                                                                               269,107
                                                                                                                      -----------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                      $15,334,939
                                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
  A.M.B.A.C.--American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation.
  F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
  F.H.A.--Federal Housing Administration.
  F.N.M.A.--Federal National Mortgage Association.
  F.R.W.D.--Floating Rate (Weekly) Demand Note (b).
  F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
  M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Association.
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>
 (b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating Rate Demand Notes is considered to be the later of
     the next date on which the security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of interest is adjusted.
 (c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
 (d) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and/or direct U.S. guaranteed obligations.
 (e) Pledged as initial margin on financial futures contracts.
</TABLE>

NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                     B-83
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities          HAWAII INCOME SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
Investments, at value (cost $14,627,900)..................................................................      $  15,065,832
Cash......................................................................................................             40,121
Interest receivable.......................................................................................            203,652
Deferred expenses and other assets........................................................................             64,310
Due from Manager..........................................................................................             41,472
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................             31,814
Due from broker-variation margin..........................................................................              4,938
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         15,452,139
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Accrued expenses..........................................................................................             76,933
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................             19,590
Dividends payable.........................................................................................             13,441
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................              5,536
Deferred trustees' fees...................................................................................              1,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................            117,200
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................      $  15,334,939
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at par..................................................................      $      12,775
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         14,911,740
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                   14,924,515
   Accumulated net realized loss on investments...........................................................            (36,759  )
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................................................            447,183
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................      $  15,334,939
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class A:
   Net asset value and redemption price per share
      ($3,800,184 / 316,580 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding).........................               $12.00
   Maximum sales charge (3% of offering price)............................................................                .37
   Maximum offering price to public.......................................................................             $12.37
Class B:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($10,126,267 / 843,579 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)........................             $12.00
Class C:
   Net asset value, offer price and redemption price per share
      ($1,408,488 / 117,335 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding).........................             $12.00
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-84

<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
HAWAII INCOME SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                              <C>
                                                   Year Ended
<CAPTION>
                                                   August 31,
Net Investment Income                                 1996
                                                 ---------------
<S>                                              <C>
Income
   Interest...................................     $   835,223
                                                 ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee.............................          71,610
   Distribution fee--Class A..................           3,620
   Distribution fee--Class B..................          47,993
   Distribution fee--Class C..................           8,274
   Custodian's fees and expenses..............          64,000
   Reports to shareholders....................          41,000
   Registration fees..........................          36,000
   Amortization of organization expense.......          20,976
   Audit fee expenses.........................          12,300
   Legal fees and expenses....................          10,000
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.........           5,500
   Trustees' fees and expenses................           3,900
   Miscellaneous..............................           4,411
                                                 ---------------
      Total expenses..........................         329,584
   Less: Management fee waiver................          (7,161)
       Expense subsidy........................        (212,409)
                                                 ---------------
      Net expenses............................         110,014
                                                 ---------------
Net investment income.........................         725,209
                                                 ---------------
Realized and Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Net realized gain (loss) on:
   Investment transactions....................          57,939
   Financial futures contract transactions....        (101,589)
                                                 ---------------
                                                       (43,650)
                                                 ---------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
   Investments................................         (57,716)
   Financial futures contracts................          23,782
                                                 ---------------
                                                       (33,934)
                                                 ---------------
Net loss on investments.......................         (77,584)
                                                 ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations.....................     $   647,625
                                                 ---------------
                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
HAWAII INCOME SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      September
                                                         19,
                                                        1994*
                                      Year Ended       through
Increase (Decrease)                   August 31,      August 31,
in Net Assets                            1996            1995
                                     ------------    ------------
<S>                                  <C>             <C>
Operations
   Net investment income..........   $    725,209    $    457,043
   Net realized gain (loss) on
      investment transactions.....        (43,650)         94,967
   Net change in unrealized
      appreciation (depreciation)
      of investments..............        (33,934)        481,117
                                     ------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from operations...        647,625       1,033,127
                                     ------------    ------------
Dividends and Distributions (Note
   1):
   Dividends from net investment
      income
      Class A.....................       (194,875)       (140,503)
      Class B.....................       (478,063)       (299,569)
      Class C.....................        (52,271)        (16,971)
                                     ------------    ------------
                                         (725,209)       (457,043)
                                     ------------    ------------
   Distributions from net realized
      gains
      Class A.....................        (22,739)             --
      Class B.....................        (58,916)             --
      Class C.....................         (6,421)             --
                                     ------------    ------------
                                          (88,076)             --
                                     ------------    ------------
Series share transactions (net of
   share conversions) (Note 6):
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold........................      3,550,148      13,508,423
   Net asset value of shares
      issued
      in reinvestment of dividends
      and distributions...........        434,866         199,822
   Cost of shares reacquired......     (1,563,629)     (1,205,115)
                                     ------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets from
      Series share transactions...      2,421,385      12,503,130
                                     ------------    ------------
Total increase....................      2,255,725      13,079,214
Net Assets
Beginning of period...............     13,079,214              --
                                     ------------    ------------
End of period.....................   $ 15,334,939    $ 13,079,214
                                     ------------    ------------
                                     ------------    ------------
</TABLE>

- ------------
* Commencement of investment operations.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-85
<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               HAWAII INCOME SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The Hawaii Income Series (the ``Series'')
commenced investment operations on September 19, 1994. The Series is
non-diversified and seeks to provide the maximum amount of income that is exempt
from Hawaii State and federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of
capital by investing in investment grade municipal obligations but may also
invest a portion of its assets in lower-quality municipal obligations or in
non-rated securities which, in the opinion of the Fund's investment adviser, are
of comparable quality. The ability of the issuers of the securities held by the
Series to meet their obligations may be affected by economic or political
developments in a specific state, industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: The Fund values municipal securities (including
commitments to purchase such securities on a ``when-issued'' basis) on the basis
of prices provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in
comparable securities and various relationships between securities in
determining values. If market quotations are not readily available from such
pricing service, a security is valued at its fair value as determined under
procedures established by the Trustees.

Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost.

All securities are valued as of 4:15 P.M., New York time.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to
purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities at a set price
for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures contract,
the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash and/or other
assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This amount is
known as the ``initial margin''. Subsequent payments, known as ``variation
margin'', are made or received by the Series each day, depending on the daily
fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation margin is
recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as unrealized gain or
loss. When the contract expires or is closed, the gain or loss is realized and
is presented in the statement of operations as net realized gain(loss) on
financial futures contracts. The Series invests in financial futures contracts
in order to hedge its existing portfolio securities or securities the Series
intends to purchase, against fluctuations in value caused by changes in
prevailing interest rates. Should interest rates move unexpectedly, the Series
may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and
may realize a loss. The use of futures transactions involves the risk of
imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts, interest
rates and the underlying hedged assets.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are
calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. The Series amortizes premiums and original issue discount paid on
purchases of portfolio securities as adjustments to interest income. Expenses
are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates
by management.

Net investment income (other than distribution fees) and unrealized and realized
gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the
relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated
investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to shareholders.
For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross income
consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is required.

Dividends and Distributions: The Series declares daily dividends from net
investment income. Payment of dividends is made monthly. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, are made annually.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles.

Deferred Organization Expenses: The Series incurred $98,700 in organization and
initial registration expenses. Such amount has been deferred and is being
amortized over a period of 60 months ending September 1999.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-86

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               HAWAII INCOME SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management, LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''). PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the services of PIC, the cost of
compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain clerical and
bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. PMF has agreed
to waive a portion (.05 of 1% of the Series' average daily net assets) of its
management fee, which amounted to $7,161 ($0.006 per share for Class A, B, and C
shares; .05% of average net assets). The Series is not required to reimburse PMF
for such waiver.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of the
Fund through January 1, 1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities
Incorporated (``PSI'') became the distributor of the Class A shares of the Fund
and is serving the Fund under the same terms and conditions as under the
arrangement with PMFD. PSI is also the distributor of the Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund. The Fund compensated PMFD and PSI for distributing and
servicing the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of
distribution (the ``Class A, B and C Plans''), regardless of expenses actually
incurred by them. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.

Pursuant to the Class A, B and C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI, and PMFD for
the period September 1, 1995 through January 1, 1996 with respect to Class A
shares, for distribution-related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of
1%, .50 of 1% and 1%, of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C
shares, respectively. Such expenses under the Plans were .10 of 1%, .50 of 1%
and .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C shares,
respectively, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996.

PMFD and PSI have advised the Series that they have received approximately
$7,200 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares during
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996. From these fees, PMFD and PSI paid such
sales charges to affiliated broker-dealers which in turn paid commissions to
sales persons and incurred other distribution costs.

PSI has advised the Series that for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, it
received approximately $37,500 and $200 in contingent deferred sales charges
imposed upon certain redemptions by Class B and C shareholders, respectively.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the fiscal year ended August
31, 1996, the Series incurred fees of approximately $4,200 for the services of
PMFS. As of August 31, 1996, approximately $300 of such fees were due to PMFS.
Transfer agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 4. Expense Subsidy

PMF has agreed to subsidize expenses so that total operating expenses do not
exceed .45%, .85% and 1.10% of the average net assets of the Class A shares,
Class B shares and Class C shares, respectively, until further notice. For the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, PMF subsidized $212,409 ($0.17 per share for
Class A, B and C shares; 1.48% of average net assets) of the Series' expenses.
The Series is not required to reimburse PMF for such subsidy.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 5. Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities of the Series, excluding short-term
investments, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 were $4,466,168 and
$2,553,985, respectively.

At August 31, 1996, the Series sold 60 financial futures contracts on the U.S.
Treasury Index of which 40 expire in September 1996 and 20 expire in December
1996. The value at disposition of such contracts is $652,063. The value of such
contracts on August 31, 1996 was $642,812, thereby resulting in an unrealized
gain of $9,251.

The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes is substantially
the same as for financial reporting purposes and, accordingly, as of
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-87

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               HAWAII INCOME SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 31, 1996, net unrealized appreciation for federal income tax purposes was
$437,932 (gross unrealized appreciation--$464,899; gross unrealized
depreciation--$26,967).

The Series will elect to treat net realized capital losses of approximately
$31,150 incurred in the ten month period ended August 31, 1996 as having been
incurred in the following fiscal year.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 6. Capital

The Series offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold
with a front-end sales charge of up to 3.0%. Class B shares are sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending on the
period of time the shares are held. Class C shares are sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge of 1% during the first year. Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately seven
years after purchase. A special exchange privilege is also available for
shareholders who qualify to purchase Class A shares at net asset value.

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
each class at $.01 par value per share. Of the 1,277,494 shares of beneficial
interest issued and outstanding at August 31, 1996, PMF owned 171,821 shares.
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1996 and the period ended August 31, 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A                                    Shares       Amount
- ---------------------------------------   --------    ----------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold............................     36,885    $  448,439
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions..........      4,000        48,647
Shares reacquired......................    (10,531)     (126,891)
                                          --------    ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding
  before conversion....................     30,354       370,195
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B..............................     11,406       137,525
<CAPTION>
                                          --------    ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding.....     41,760    $  507,720
                                          --------    ----------
                                          --------    ----------
September 19, 1994* through
  August 31, 1995:
Shares sold............................    279,870    $3,255,106
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends............................      1,566        18,665
Shares reacquired......................    (10,702)     (123,633)
                                          --------    ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding
  before conversion....................    270,734     3,150,138
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B..............................      4,086        49,084
                                          --------    ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding.....    274,820    $3,199,222
                                          --------    ----------
                                          --------    ----------
Class B                                    Shares       Amount
- ---------------------------------------   --------    ----------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold............................    204,563    $2,491,095
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions..........     28,137       342,549
Shares reacquired......................   (115,555)   (1,409,389)
                                          --------    ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding
  before conversion....................    117,145     1,424,255
Shares reacquired upon conversion into
  Class A..............................    (11,406)     (137,525)
                                          --------    ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding.....    105,739    $1,286,730
                                          --------    ----------
                                          --------    ----------
September 19, 1994* through
  August 31, 1995:
Shares sold............................    816,861    $9,471,988
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends............................     14,410       171,145
Shares reacquired......................    (89,345)   (1,066,264)
                                          --------    ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding
  before conversion....................    741,926     8,576,869
Shares reacquired upon conversion into
  Class A..............................     (4,086)      (49,084)
                                          --------    ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding.....    737,840    $8,527,785
                                          --------    ----------
                                          --------    ----------
<CAPTION>
Class C
- ---------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold............................     50,226    $  610,614
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions..........      3,592        43,670
Shares reacquired......................     (2,216)      (27,349)
                                          --------    ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding.....     51,602    $  626,935
                                          --------    ----------
                                          --------    ----------
September 19, 1994* through
  August 31, 1995:
Shares sold............................     66,136    $  781,329
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends............................        845        10,012
Shares reacquired......................     (1,248)      (15,218)
                                          --------    ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding.....     65,733    $  776,123
                                          --------    ----------
                                          --------    ----------
- ---------------
* Commencement of investment operations.
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-88

<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                          HAWAII INCOME SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Class A                          Class B                 Class C
                                                  ----------------------------     ----------------------------     ----------
                                                                 September 19,                    September 19,
                                                     Year           1994(b)           Year           1994(b)           Year
                                                    Ended           Through          Ended           Through          Ended
                                                  August 31,      August 31,       August 31,      August 31,       August 31,
                                                     1996            1995             1996            1995             1996
                                                     -----            -----        ----------         -----           -----
<S>                                               <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>               <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period..........      $12.13          $ 11.64         $  12.13         $ 11.64          $12.13
                                                     -----            -----        ----------         -----           -----
Income from investment operations
Net investment income(d)......................         .66              .58              .61             .54             .57
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment
   transactions...............................        (.05)             .49             (.05)            .49            (.05)
                                                     -----            -----        ----------         -----           -----
   Total from investment operations...........         .61             1.07              .56            1.03             .52
                                                     -----            -----        ----------         -----           -----
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income..........        (.66)            (.58)            (.61)           (.54)           (.57)
Distributions from net realized gains.........        (.08)              --             (.08)             --            (.08)
                                                     -----            -----        ----------         -----           -----
   Total distributions........................        (.74)            (.58)            (.69)           (.54)           (.65)
                                                     -----            -----        ----------         -----           -----
Net asset value, end of period................      $12.00          $ 12.13         $  12.00         $ 12.13          $12.00
                                                     -----            -----        ----------         -----           -----
                                                     -----            -----        ----------         -----           -----
TOTAL RETURN(c):..............................        5.01%            9.42%            4.60%           9.03%           4.34%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)...............      $3,800          $ 3,333         $ 10,126         $ 8,949          $1,409
Average net assets (000)......................      $3,620          $ 2,778         $  9,599         $ 6,270          $1,103
Ratios to average net assets:(d)
   Expenses, including distribution fees......         .45%             .46%(a)          .85%            .86%(a)        1.10%
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees......         .35%             .36%(a)          .35%            .36%(a)         .35%
   Net investment income......................        5.38%            5.32%(a)         4.98%           5.03%(a)        4.74%
Portfolio turnover rate.......................          18%              75%              18%             75%             18%
<CAPTION>

                                                September 19,
                                                   1994(b)
                                                   Through
                                                 August 31,
                                                    1995
<S>                                               <C>
                                                     -----

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period..........     $ 11.64
                                                     -----

Income from investment operations
Net investment income(d)......................         .51
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment
   transactions...............................         .49
                                                     -----

   Total from investment operations...........        1.00
                                                     -----

Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income..........        (.51)
Distributions from net realized gains.........          --
                                                     -----

   Total distributions........................        (.51)
                                                     -----

Net asset value, end of period................     $ 12.13
                                                     -----
                                                     -----

TOTAL RETURN(c):..............................        8.78%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)...............     $   797
Average net assets (000)......................     $   373
Ratios to average net assets:(d)
   Expenses, including distribution fees......        1.11%(a)
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees......         .36%(a)
   Net investment income......................        4.79%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate.......................          75%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Annualized.
(b) Commencement of investment operations.
(c) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends.
    Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not annualized.
(d) Net of expense subsidy and management fee waiver.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-89

<PAGE>
                                          PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report              HAWAII INCOME SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Hawaii Income Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Hawaii Income
Series as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations for the year
then ended and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the
year then ended and the period September 19, 1994 (commencement of investment
operations) to August 31, 1995. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights
based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and broker. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, Hawaii Income Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the
respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    


                                     B-90
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                   MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating       Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--97.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attleboro Massachusetts, Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                 Aaa              5.125%      12/01/15    $ 1,000     $   924,420
Boston Mass. Ind. Dev. Fin. Auth., Swr. Fac. Rev.,
   Harbor Electric Energy Co. Proj.                              Baa1             7.375        5/15/15      1,500       1,599,465
Boston Mass. Rev., Boston City Hospital, F.H.A.                  Aa               5.75         2/15/23      2,000       1,916,160
Brockton Massachusetts Gen. Oblig.                               Baa1             6.125        6/15/18      1,030       1,035,099
Gloucester Massachusetts Gen. Oblig., F.S.A.                     Aaa              5.50        11/15/13      2,000       1,960,600
Holyoke Massachusetts Gen. Oblig., School Proj., M.B.I.A.        Aaa              8.10         6/15/05        700         832,265
Lowell Massachusetts Gen. Oblig.                                 Aaa              7.625        2/15/10        750(e)      856,695
Lynn Mass. Wtr. & Swr. Comn., Gen. Rev., Ser. A, M.B.I.A.        Aaa              7.25        12/01/10      2,100(e)    2,347,149
Mass. Bay Trans. Auth., Gen. Trans., Ser. B, A.M.B.A.C.          Aaa              5.375        3/01/25      1,000         933,190
Mass. St. Gen. Oblig.,
   Ser. A                                                        A                Zero         8/01/06        665         396,945
   Ser. A, A.M.B.A.C.                                            Aaa              5.00         7/01/12      1,000         935,470
   Ser. C, F.G.I.C.                                              Aaa              6.00         8/01/09      1,500       1,585,725
Mass. St. Hlth. & Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev.,
   Beth Israel Hospital, A.M.B.A.C.                              Aaa              8.623(d)     7/01/25      1,500       1,486,875
   Dana Farber Cancer Proj., Ser. G-1                            A1               6.25        12/01/22        625         626,931
   Faulkner Hospital, Ser. C                                     Baa1             6.00         7/01/23      1,500       1,370,370
   Holyoke Hospital, Ser. B                                      Baa1             6.50         7/01/15      1,500       1,429,965
   Jordan Hospital, Ser. C                                       A-(c)            6.875       10/01/22      1,350       1,396,764
   Med Academic & Scientific A                                   A-(c)            6.625        1/01/15      1,000       1,030,430
   Newton-Wellesley Hospital, M.B.I.A.                           Aaa              5.875        7/01/15      1,000         995,960
   Newton-Wellesley Hospital, M.B.I.A.                           Aaa              6.00         7/01/18      1,000         999,900
   Valley Regional Hlth. Sys.                                    AAA(c)           7.00         7/01/10        825         933,397
   Valley Regional Hlth. Sys., Ser. B                            Aaa              8.00         7/01/18      1,000(e)    1,132,760
   Winchester Hospital, Ser. D                                   AAA(c)           5.75         7/01/24      2,000       1,893,820
Mass. St. Hsg. Fin. Agcy. Hsg. Rev., Sngl. Fam. Mtge., Ser.
   6                                                             Aa               8.10        12/01/14      1,755       1,848,278
Mass. St. Ind. Fin. Agcy. Rev.,
   Brooks School                                                 A                5.95         7/01/23        640         619,142
   Cape Cod Hlth. Sys.                                           Aaa              8.50        11/15/20      2,000(e)    2,323,140
   Phillips Academy                                              Aa1              5.375        9/01/23      1,695       1,566,960
Mass. St. Mun. Wholesale Elec. Co. Pwr. Supply Sys. Rev.,
   Ser. A, A.M.B.A.C.                                            Aaa              5.00         7/01/14      1,500       1,350,645
Mass. St. Port Authority Rev., Ser. B                            Aa               5.00         7/01/18      1,000         871,410
Mass. St. Water Pollution Abatement Trust,
   Water Pollution Rev.                                          Aa               6.00         8/01/05      1,000       1,060,860
   Water Pollution Rev.                                          Aa               6.375        2/01/15      1,000       1,050,850
Mass. St. Water Res. Auth., Ser. B, M.B.I.A.                     Aaa              6.25        12/01/11      1,000       1,078,800
Palmer Massachusetts Gen. Oblig., Ser. F, A.M.B.A.C.             Aaa              7.30         3/01/10        500(e)      552,395
Plymouth County Corr. Facs. Proj., Cert. of Part., Ser. A        A-(c)            7.00         4/01/22        500         549,870
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-91

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                   MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating       Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,
   Aqueduct & Swr. Auth. Rev., M.B.I.A.                          Aaa               6.00%       7/01/07   $  1,000     $ 1,070,690
   Gen. Oblig.                                                   Baa1              5.25        7/01/18      1,000         899,200
   Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                                       Aaa               7.00        7/01/10      1,000       1,154,440
   Gen. Oblig., F.S.A.                                           Aaa               7.958(d)    7/01/20      1,250       1,220,312
   Hwy. & Trans. Auth. Rev., Ser. T                              Baa1              6.625       7/01/18      1,380 (e)   1,533,263
Puerto Rico Electric Pwr. Auth. Pwr. Rev., Ser. T                Baa1              6.375       7/01/24      1,000       1,040,260
Quabbin Mass. Reg. School Dist., Jr.-Sr. High Sch. Proj.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                      Aaa               5.50        6/15/06      1,045       1,069,537
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total long-term investments (cost $46,726,526)                                                                         49,480,407
                                                                                                                      -----------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--1.6%
Mass. St. Hlth. & Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev., Cap. Asset Prog.,
   Ser. D, M.B.I.A., F.R.D.D.                                    VMIG1             3.75        9/03/96        700         700,000
Mass. St. Ind. Fin. Agcy., Pollution Control Rev. Ser. 92
   F.R.D.D.                                                      VMIG1             3.60        9/03/96        100         100,000
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total short-term investments (cost $800,000)                                                                              800,000
                                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                            Expiration
OUTSTANDING CALL OPTION PURCHASED                                                              Date      Contracts(f)
                                                                                            ----------   ---------
U.S. Treasury Bond Future, expiring Sept. '96 @ $114.00
(cost $18,435)                                                   NR                   --       9/21/96         50             781
Total Investments--98.9%
(cost $47,544,961; Note 4)                                                                                             50,281,188
Other assets in excess of liabilities --1.1%                                                                              580,698
                                                                                                                      -----------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                      $50,861,886
                                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
    A.M.B.A.C.--American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation.
    F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
    F.H.A.--Federal Housing Administration.
    F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
    F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
    M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Corporation.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating Rate
    Demand Notes is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(d) Inverse floating rate bond. The coupon is inversely indexed to a floating
interest rate. The rate shown is the rate at year end.
(e) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and/or direct U.S.
    guaranteed obligations.
(f) One contract equals $1,000 face value.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-92

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities         MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
Investments, at value (cost $47,544,961)..................................................................      $  50,281,188
Cash......................................................................................................             63,452
Interest receivable.......................................................................................            637,161
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................             34,829
Deferred expenses and other assets........................................................................              1,507
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         51,018,137
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Accrued expenses..........................................................................................             81,993
Dividends payable.........................................................................................             39,686
Management fee payable....................................................................................             19,675
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................             12,197
Deferred trustees' fees...................................................................................              2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................            156,251
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................      $  50,861,886
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at par..................................................................      $      44,098
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         47,510,044
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                   47,554,142
   Accumulated net realized gain on investments...........................................................            571,517
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................................................          2,736,227
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................      $  50,861,886
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class A:
   Net asset value and redemption price per share
      ($28,058,042 / 2,431,996 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................               $11.54
   Maximum sales charge (3% of offering price)............................................................                .36
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Maximum offering price to public.......................................................................             $11.90
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class B:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($22,758,409 / 1,973,880 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................             $11.53
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class C:
   Net asset value, offer price and redemption price per share
      ($45,435 / 3,941 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)..............................             $11.53
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       B-93
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Year Ended
Net Investment Income                            August 31, 1996
<S>                                              <C>
Income
   Interest...................................     $ 3,296,943
                                                 ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee.............................         269,415
   Distribution fee--Class A..................          28,091
   Distribution fee--Class B..................         128,755
   Distribution fee--Class C..................             304
   Reports to shareholders....................          86,000
   Custodian's fees and expenses..............          75,000
   Registration fees..........................          50,000
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.........          35,000
   Audit fee and expenses.....................          12,300
   Legal fees and expenses....................          12,000
   Trustees' fees and expenses................           3,900
   Miscellaneous..............................           4,289
                                                 ---------------
      Total expenses..........................         705,054
      Less: Management fee waiver.............         (26,941)
         Custodian fee credit.................          (4,246)
                                                 ---------------
   Net expenses...............................         673,867
                                                 ---------------
Net investment income.........................       2,623,076
                                                 ---------------
Realized and Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Net realized gain (loss) on:
   Investment transactions....................       1,055,600
   Financial futures transactions.............         (57,631)
   Written options transactions...............          16,842
                                                 ---------------
                                                     1,014,811
                                                 ---------------
Net change in unrealized depreciation on:
   Investments................................      (1,098,536)
                                                 ---------------
Net loss on investments.......................         (83,725)
                                                 ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations.....................     $ 2,539,351
                                                 ---------------
                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                     Year Ended August 31,
In Net Assets                            1996           1995
<S>                                   <C>            <C>
Operations
   Net investment income............  $ 2,623,076    $ 3,002,835
   Net realized gain on investment
      transactions..................    1,014,811        294,358
   Net change in unrealized
      appreciation/depreciation of
      investments...................   (1,098,536)       871,511
                                      -----------    -----------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from operations.....    2,539,351      4,168,704
                                      -----------    -----------
Dividends and distributions (Note 1)
   Dividends from net investment
      income
      Class A.......................   (1,420,826)      (884,881)
      Class B.......................   (1,200,467)    (2,117,251)
      Class C.......................       (1,783)          (703)
                                      -----------    -----------
                                       (2,623,076)    (3,002,835)
                                      -----------    -----------
   Distributions from net realized
      gains
      Class A.......................     (162,429)            --
      Class B.......................     (151,088)            --
      Class C.......................         (242)            --
                                      -----------    -----------
                                         (313,759)            --
                                      -----------    -----------
Series share transactions (net of
   share conversions) (Note 5)
   Net proceeds from shares sold....    2,218,216      3,105,413
   Net asset value of shares issued
      in reinvestment of
      dividends.....................    1,723,072      1,755,219
   Cost of shares reacquired........   (8,587,851)    (7,833,814)
                                      -----------    -----------
   Net decrease in net assets from
      Series share transactions.....   (4,646,563)    (2,973,182)
                                      -----------    -----------
   Total decrease...................   (5,044,047)    (1,807,313)
Net Assets
Beginning of year...................   55,905,933     57,713,246
                                      -----------    -----------
End of year.........................  $50,861,886    $55,905,933
                                      -----------    -----------
                                      -----------    -----------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                     B-94
<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements            MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The Massachusetts Series (the ``Series'')
commenced investment operations in September, 1984. The Series is diversified
and seeks to achieve its investment objective of obtaining the maximum amount of
income exempt from federal and applicable state income taxes with the minimum of
risk by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt securities whose ratings
are within the four highest ratings categories by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization or, if not rated, are of comparable quality. The
ability of the issuers of the securities held by the Series to meet their
obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific state,
industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: The Fund values municipal securities (including
commitments to purchase such securities on a ``when-issued'' basis) on the basis
of prices provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in
comparable securities and various relationships between securities in
determining values. If market quotations are not readily available from such
pricing service, a security is valued at its fair value as determined under
procedures established by the Trustees.

Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost which approximates market value.

All securities are valued as of 4:15 P.M., New York time.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to
purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of debt securities at a set
price for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures
contract, the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash
and/or other assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This
amount is known as the ``initial margin''. Subsequent payments, known as
``variation margin'', are made or received by the Series each day, depending on
the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation
margin is recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as
unrealized gain or loss. The Series invests in financial futures contracts
solely for the purpose of hedging its existing portfolio securities or
securities the Series intends to purchase against fluctuations in value caused
by changes in prevailing market interest rates. Should interest rates move
unexpectedly, the Series may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the
financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of futures
transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the
price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets.

Options: The Fund may either purchase or write options in order to hedge against
adverse market movements or fluctuations in value caused by changes in
prevailing interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates with respect to
securities or currencies which the Fund currently owns or intends to purchase.
When the Fund purchases an option, it pays a premium and an amount equal to that
premium is recorded as an investment. When the Fund writes an option, it
receives a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as a
liability. The investment or liability is adjusted daily to reflect the current
market value of the option. If an option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes
a gain or loss to the extent of the premium received or paid. If an option is
exercised, the premium received or paid is an adjustment to the proceeds from
the sale or the cost basis of the purchase in determining whether the Fund has
realized a gain or loss. The difference between the premium and the amount
received or paid on effecting a closing purchase or sale transaction is also
treated as a realized gain or loss. Gain or loss on purchased options is
included in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.

The Fund, as writer of an option, has no control over whether the underlying
securities or currencies may be sold (called) or purchased (put). As a result,
the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the
security or currency underlying the written option. The Series, as purchaser of
an option, bears the risk of the potential inability of the counterparties to
meet the terms of their contracts.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are
calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. The Series amortizes premiums and original issue discount paid on
purchases of portfolio securities as adjustments to interest income. Expenses
are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates
by management.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-95

<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements            MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income (other than distribution fees) and unrealized and realized
gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the
relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross
income consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is
required.

Dividends and Distributions: The Series declares daily dividends from net
investment income. Payment of dividends is made monthly. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, are made annually.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for
short-term capital gains and market discount.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''). PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the cost of the subadviser's
services, the compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain
clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and
expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. PMF has agreed
to waive a portion (.05 of 1% of the Series' average daily net assets) of its
management fee, which amounted to $26,941 ($0.01 per share; .05% of average net
assets) until further notice. The Series is not required to reimburse PMF for
such waiver.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of the
Fund through January 1, 1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities
Incorporated (``PSI''), became the distributor of the Class A shares of the Fund
and is serving the Fund under the same terms and conditions as under the
arrangement with PMFD. PSI is also distributor of the Class B and Class C shares
of the Fund. The Fund compensated PMFD and PSI for distributing and servicing
the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of
distribution, (the ``Class A, B and C Plans''), regardless of expenses actually
incurred by them. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.

Pursuant to the Class A, B and C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI, and PMFD for
the period September 1, 1995 through January 1, 1996 with respect to Class A
shares for distribution-related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of 1%,
 .50 of 1% and 1%, of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C
shares, respectively. Such expenses under the Plans were .10 of 1%, .50 of 1%
and .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C shares,
respectively, for the year ended August 31, 1996.

PMFD and PSI have advised the Series that they have received approximately
$6,700 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares during
the year ended August 31, 1996. From these fees, PMFD and PSI paid such sales
charges to affiliated broker-dealers, which in turn paid commissions to sales
persons and incurred other distribution costs.

PSI has advised the Series that for the year ended August 31, 1996, it received
approximately $41,400 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon certain
redemptions by Class B shareholders.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions With Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent and during the year ended August 31,
1996, the Series incurred fees of approximately $25,300 for the services of
PMFS. As of August 31, 1996, approximately $2,000 of such fees were due to PMFS.
Transfer agent fees and expenses in the statement of operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-96
<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements            MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 4. Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities of the Series, excluding short-term
investments, for the year ended August 31, 1996, were $9,435,421 and
$12,728,317, respectively.

The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes, at August 31,
1996, was $47,653,790 and, accordingly, net unrealized appreciation of
investments for federal income tax purposes was $2,627,398 (gross unrealized
appreciation--$2,867,364, gross unrealized depreciation--$239,966).

Transactions in written options during the year ended August 31, 1996 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Number of    Premiums
                                       Contracts    Received
                                       ---------    --------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>
Options written......................         75    $ 16,842
Options expired......................        (75)    (16,842)
                                       ---------    --------
Options outstanding at August 31,
  1996...............................          0    $      0
                                       ---------    --------
                                       ---------    --------
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 5. Capital

The Series currently offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares
are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 3%. Class B shares are sold with
a contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending on
the period of time the shares are held. Class C shares are sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1% during the first year. Class B shares
will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately
seven years after purchase. A special exchange privilege is also available for
shareholders who qualify to purchase Class A shares at net asset value.

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
each class at $.01 par value per share.

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest for the year ended August 31, 1996
and fiscal year ended August 31, 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................      41,217    $    487,329
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.......      80,396         943,108
Shares reacquired...................    (389,160)     (4,544,162)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (267,547)     (3,113,725)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................     333,272       3,892,048
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................      65,725    $    778,323
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................      32,229    $    365,268
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.......      44,959         516,523
Shares reacquired...................    (153,318)     (1,754,945)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................     (76,130)       (873,154)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................   2,240,731      25,201,555
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................   2,164,601    $ 24,328,401
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

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

                                       B-97
<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements            MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................     144,346    $  1,689,531
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.......      66,308         777,976
Shares reacquired...................    (343,488)     (4,032,383)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (132,834)     (1,564,876)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A......................    (333,455)     (3,892,048)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................    (466,289)   $ (5,456,924)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................     241,751    $  2,725,137
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.......     111,056       1,237,961
Shares reacquired...................    (546,923)     (6,076,741)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (194,116)     (2,113,643)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A......................  (2,242,679)    (25,201,555)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................  (2,436,795)   $(27,315,198)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
<CAPTION>
Class C                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................       3,492    $     41,356
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.......         170           1,988
Shares reacquired...................        (958)        (11,306)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................       2,704    $     32,038
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................       1,340    $     15,008
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................          65             735
Shares reacquired...................        (187)         (2,128)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................       1,218    $     13,615
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>


                                      B-98
<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                     MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Class A
                                               -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Year Ended August 31,
                                               -------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1996         1995        1994       1993       1992
                                               ----------     -------     ------     ------     ------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year...........   $  11.63      $ 11.37     $12.17     $11.50     $10.94
                                               ----------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income........................        .59(a)       .65(a)     .67        .68        .69
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
   investment transactions...................       (.02)         .26       (.73)       .67        .56
                                               ----------     -------     ------     ------     ------
   Total from investment operations..........        .57          .91       (.06)      1.35       1.25
                                               ----------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income.........       (.59)        (.65)      (.67)      (.68)      (.69)
Distributions from net realized gains........       (.07)          --       (.07)        --         --
                                               ----------     -------     ------     ------     ------
   Total distributions.......................       (.66)        (.65)      (.74)      (.68)      (.69)
                                               ----------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Net asset value, end of year.................   $  11.54      $ 11.63     $11.37     $12.17     $11.50
                                               ----------     -------     ------     ------     ------
                                               ----------     -------     ------     ------     ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):.............................       4.93%        8.33%      (.58)%    12.10%     11.76%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)................   $ 28,058      $27,525     $2,293     $2,325     $  903
Average net assets (000).....................   $ 28,091      $15,837     $2,578     $1,336     $  770
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution fees.....       1.06%(a)      .97%(a)    .87%       .95%       .99%
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees.....        .96%(a)      .87%(a)    .77%       .85%       .89%
   Net investment income.....................       5.06%(a)     5.59%(a)   5.60%      5.79%      6.14%
Portfolio turnover rate......................         18%          36%        33%        56%        32%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of management fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       B-99

<PAGE>
                                          PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                      MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Class B                                  Class C
                                               -------------------------------------------------------     ------------------
                                                                                                               Year Ended
                                                                Year Ended August 31,                          August 31,
                                               -------------------------------------------------------     ------------------
                                                1996        1995        1994        1993        1992        1996        1995
                                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year...........  $ 11.62     $ 11.36     $ 12.17     $ 11.49     $ 10.94     $ 11.62     $11.36
                                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income........................      .54(a)      .60(a)      .61         .63         .64         .51(a)     .57(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
   investment transactions...................     (.02)        .26        (.74)        .68         .55        (.02)       .26
                                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
   Total from investment operations..........      .52         .86        (.13)       1.31        1.19         .49        .83
                                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income.........     (.54)       (.60)       (.61)       (.63)       (.64)       (.51)      (.57)
Distributions from net realized gains........     (.07)         --        (.07)         --          --        (.07)        --
                                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
   Total distributions.......................     (.61)       (.60)       (.68)       (.63)       (.64)       (.58)      (.57)
                                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
Net asset value, end of year.................  $ 11.53     $ 11.62     $ 11.36     $ 12.17     $ 11.49     $ 11.53     $11.62
                                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
                                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):.............................     4.51%       7.90%      (1.15)%     11.77%      11.23%       4.26%      7.60%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)................  $22,758     $28,367     $55,420     $61,121     $53,449     $    45     $   14
Average net assets (000).....................  $25,751     $39,455     $59,544     $55,965     $50,607     $    41     $   14
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution fees.....     1.46%(a)    1.34%(a)    1.27%       1.35%       1.39%       1.72%(a)   1.60%(a)
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees.....      .96%(a)     .84%(a)     .77%        .85%        .89%        .97%(a)    .85%(a)
   Net investment income.....................     4.66%(a)    5.37%(a)    5.20%       5.39%       5.74%       4.39%(a)   5.07%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate......................       18%         36%         33%         56%         32%         18%        36%
<CAPTION>

<S>                                            <C>
                                               August 1,
                                                1994(d)
                                                through
                                               August 31,
                                                  1994
                                                  -----
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year...........    $11.41
                                                  -----

Income from investment operations
Net investment income........................       .04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
   investment transactions...................      (.05)
                                                  -----

   Total from investment operations..........      (.01)
                                                  -----

Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income.........      (.04)
Distributions from net realized gains........        --
                                                  -----

   Total distributions.......................      (.04)
                                                  -----

Net asset value, end of year.................    $11.36
                                                  -----
                                                  -----

TOTAL RETURN(b):.............................     (0.27)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)................    $  216(e)
Average net assets (000).....................    $   15(e)
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution fees.....      1.57%(c)
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees.....       .82%(c)
   Net investment income.....................      5.06%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate......................        33%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
 (a) Net of management fee waiver.
 (b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total
     return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the
     first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported
     and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
     Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not annualized.
 (c) Annualized.
 (d) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
 (e) Amounts are actual and not rounded to the nearest thousand.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                      B-100

<PAGE>
                                           PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report               MASSACHUSETTS SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Massachusetts Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Massachusetts
Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations for the year
then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the
period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and broker. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, Massachusetts Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the
respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    

                                      B-101
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                   PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                      MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston Wtr. & Swr. Comm., Ser. 94A, F.R.W.D.                     VMIG1            3.10%        9/05/96    $ 1,300     $ 1,300,000
Brazos River Auth. Poll. Ctrl. Rev.,
   Texas Util. Elec. Co. A, Ser. 95A, F.R.D.D.                   VMIG1            3.95         9/03/96      1,300       1,300,000
   Texas Util. Elec. Co., Ser. 95C, F.R.D.D.                     VMIG1            4.00         9/03/96        200         200,000
Chicopee Mass., Gen. Oblig., Ser. 96, F.S.A.                     Aaa              6.00         8/01/97        600         611,201
Dracut Mass., Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                            Aaa              6.00         6/01/97        740         752,373
Fitchburg Mass., Gen. Oblig., Ser. 96, A.M.B.A.C.                Aaa              5.50         3/01/97      1,200       1,212,824
Holyoke Poll. Ctrl. Rev., Ser. 88, F.R.W.D.                      A-1+(c)          3.10         9/04/96        900         900,000
Mashpee Mass., Ser. 96, B.A.N.                                   NR               4.00         2/07/97      1,500       1,501,890
Mass. Edl. Loan Auth. Rev., Issue E, Ser. 96A, F.R.W.D.          A-1+(c)          3.40         9/04/96      1,500       1,500,000
Mass. Mun. Whsl. Elec. Co. Pwr. Supply Sys. Rev., Ser. 94C,
   F.R.W.D.                                                      VMIG1            3.35         9/04/96      2,500       2,500,000
Mass. St., Gen. Oblig., Ded. Inc.Tax, Ser. 90B, F.R.D.D.         VMIG1            3.65         9/03/96      1,700       1,700,000
Mass. St. Hlth. & Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev.,
   Boston Univ., Ser. 85H, T.E.C.P.                              VMIG1            3.50        10/17/96      2,000       2,000,000
   Cap. Asset Prog., Ser. 85C, F.R.D.D., M.B.I.A.                VMIG1            3.55         9/03/96        600         600,000
   Cap. Asset Prog., Ser. D, F.R.D.D., M.B.I.A.                  VMIG1            3.75         9/03/96      1,200       1,200,000
   Harvard Univ., Ser. 89L, T.E.C.P.                             VMIG1            3.55        12/13/96      1,300(d)    1,300,000
Mass. St. Hsg. Fin. Agcy. Rev.,
   Long Opt Per. Ser. 11, A.N.N.O.T., A.M.B.A.C.                 Aaa              4.00         9/01/97      1,695       1,695,000
   Multi Family Rev., Ser. A, G.N.M.A., F.R.W.D.                 A-1+(c)          3.35         9/04/96      1,000       1,000,000
Mass. St. Ind. Fin. Agcy. Ind. Rev.,
   Bradford College, Ser. 95A, F.R.W.D.                          VMIG1            3.40         9/04/96      1,500       1,500,000
   Edgewood Retirement, Ser. 95C, F.R.W.D.                       VMIG1            3.45         9/04/96      2,500       2,500,000
   Goddard House, Ser. 95, F.R.W.D.                              A-1(c)           3.55         9/05/96      2,000       2,000,000
   Hazen Paper Co., Ser. 95, F.R.W.D.                            A-2(c)           3.60         9/05/96      1,350       1,350,000
   Nutramax Prods. Inc., Ser. 96A, F.R.W.D.                      A-1+(c)          3.55         9/05/96      2,000       2,000,000
   Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. Proj., Ser. 84, A.N.N.O.T.       A+(c)            3.95        10/15/96      1,400       1,400,000
   Riverdale Mills, Ser. 95, F.R.W.D.                            A-2(c)           3.60         9/05/96      1,300       1,300,000
   United Med. Corp. Issue, Ser. 92, F.R.W.D.                    P-1              3.35         9/04/96        700         700,000
Mass. St. Ind. Fin. Agcy. Poll. Ctrl. Rev., New England
   Pwr. Co.
   Proj., Ser. 93A, T.E.C.P.                                     VMIG1            3.70        10/09/96      2,000       2,000,000
Mass. St. Wtr. Res. Auth., Fltg. Rate Rcpts., Ser. SG17,
   F.R.W.D.,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                    A-1+(c)          3.60         9/05/96      1,440       1,440,000
Mass. St.. Port. Auth. Rev., Multi Modal Rev. Ref.,
   Ser.95B, F.R.D.D.                                             VMIG1            3.85         9/03/96      2,400       2,400,000
Town of Milford Mass., Gen. Oblig., M.B.I.A.                     Aaa              4.50         8/15/97        608         611,936
Natick Mass., Gen. Oblig., Ser. 96, B.A.N.                       NR               3.70         5/22/97      1,000       1,000,346
Needham Mass., Gen. Oblig., Ser. 96                              Aa               4.75         5/15/97        865         871,327
North Attleborough Mass., Gen. Oblig., Ser. 93A, M.B.I.A.        Aaa              3.80         1/15/97        728         728,168
Northampton Mass., Gen. Oblig., Ser. 96, M.B.I.A.                Aaa              4.25         5/15/97        752         754,552
Peabody Mass., Gen. Oblig., Ser. 96, B.A.N.                      NR               4.15         8/15/97      1,000       1,002,887
Puerto Rico Ind. Med. & Environ. Poll. Ctrl. Fac., Fin.
   Auth. Rev.,
   Pharmaceuticals, Ser. 83A, A.N.N.O.T.                         AAA(c)           3.80        12/01/96      2,000       2,000,000
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-102

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                   PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                      MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revere Hsg. Auth. Multifamily Mtge. Rev., Waters Edge Apts.
   Proj., Ser. 91C, F.R.W.D., F.S.A.                             A-1(c)           4.00%        9/06/96    $ 1,990     $ 1,990,000
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total Investments--96.7%
(cost $48,822,504;(e))                                                                                                 48,822,504
Other assets in excess of liabilities--3.3%                                                                             1,688,908
                                                                                                                      -----------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                      $50,511,412
                                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
    A.M.B.A.C.--American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation.
    A.N.N.O.T.--Annual Optional Tender.
    B.A.N.--Bond Anticipation Note.
    F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
    F.R.W.D.--Floating Rate (Weekly) Demand Note (b).
    F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
    G.N.M.A.--Government National Mortgage Association.
    M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Corporation.
    T.E.C.P.--Tax Exempt Commercial Paper.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating Rate
    Demand Notes is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(d) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and/or direct U.S.
    guaranteed obligations.
(e) The cost of securities for federal income tax purposes is substantially the
    same as for financial reporting purposes.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-103

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilitie          MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Investments, at amortized cost which approximates market value............................................        $48,822,504
Cash......................................................................................................             83,642
Receivable for investments sold...........................................................................          3,748,179
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................            446,889
Interest receivable.......................................................................................            274,359
Other assets..............................................................................................              1,488
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         53,377,061
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Payable for investments purchased.........................................................................          1,710,679
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................          1,055,065
Accrued expenses..........................................................................................             63,707
Dividends payable.........................................................................................             25,098
Management fee payable....................................................................................              5,460
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................              2,940
Deferred trustees' fees...................................................................................              2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................          2,865,649
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................        $50,511,412
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at $.01 par value.......................................................        $   505,114
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         50,006,298
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................        $50,511,412
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share ($50,511,412 / 50,511,412 shares of
   beneficial interest issued and outstanding; unlimited number of shares authorized).....................                $1.00
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-104

<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Year Ended
Net Investment Income                          August 31, 1996
<S>                                            <C>
Income
   Interest.................................    $   1,978,034
                                               ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee...........................          273,444
   Distribution fee.........................           68,361
   Custodian's fees and expenses............           60,000
   Reports to shareholders..................           32,000
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.......           25,000
   Registration fees........................           15,000
   Amortization of organization expenses....           11,150
   Audit fees and expenses..................           10,800
   Legal fees and expenses..................            5,000
   Trustees' fees and expenses..............            3,900
   Insurance expense........................            1,000
   Miscellaneous............................            2,148
                                               ---------------
      Total expenses........................          507,803
   Less: Management fee waiver..............         (205,083)
      Custodian fee credit..................           (6,728)
                                               ---------------
      Net expenses..........................          295,992
                                               ---------------
Net investment income.......................        1,682,042
                                               ---------------
Realized Loss on Investments
Net realized loss on investment
   transactions.............................             (130)
                                               ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations...................    $   1,681,912
                                               ---------------
                                               ---------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase                                Year Ended August 31,
in Net Assets                          1996               1995
<S>                               <C>                <C>
Operations
   Net investment income........   $    1,682,042     $    1,349,006
   Net realized loss on
      investment transactions...             (130)              (663)
                                  ---------------    ---------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from
      operations................        1,681,912          1,348,343
                                  ---------------    ---------------
Dividends to shareholders (Note
   1)...........................       (1,681,912)        (1,348,343)
                                  ---------------    ---------------
Series share transactions
   (at $1 per share)
   Net proceeds from shares
   sold.........................      264,188,977        209,358,640
   Net asset value of shares
      issued to shareholders in
      reinvestment of
      dividends.................        1,637,636          1,276,924
   Cost of shares reacquired....     (272,137,014)      (191,091,855)
                                  ---------------    ---------------
   Net increase (decrease) in
      net assets from Series
      share transactions........       (6,310,401)        19,543,709
                                  ---------------    ---------------
Total increase (decrease).......       (6,310,401)        19,543,709
Net Assets
Beginning of year...............       56,821,813         37,278,104
                                  ---------------    ---------------
End of year.....................   $   50,511,412     $   56,821,813
                                  ---------------    ---------------
                                  ---------------    ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-105

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The Massachusetts Money Market Series (the
``Series'') commenced investment operations on August 5, 1991. The Series is
non-diversified and seeks to provide the highest level of income that is exempt
from Massachusetts State, local and federal income taxes with the minimum of
risk by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt securities having a
maturity of thirteen months or less and whose ratings are within the two highest
ratings categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization,
or if not rated, are of comparable quality. The ability of the issuers of the
securities held by the Series to meet their obligations may be affected by
economic developments in a specific state, industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.
Securities Valuations: Portfolio securities of the Series are valued at
amortized cost, which approximates market value. The amortized cost method of
valuation involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and
thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or
premium.

All securities are valued as of 4:30 P.M., New York time.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments
are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis.The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes original issue discount
on portfolio securities as adjustments to interest income. Expenses are recorded
on the accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates by
management.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason, no federal income tax provision is required.

Dividends: The Series declares daily dividends from net investment income.
Payment of dividends is made monthly. Income distributions and capital gain
distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may
differ from generally accepted accounting principles.

Deferred Organization Expenses: The Series incurred approximately $51,000 in
organization and initial registration expenses. Such amount was deferred and
amortized over the period of 60 months ended July 1996.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the services of PIC, the
compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain clerical and
bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. For the year
ended August 31, 1996, PMF voluntarily waived 75% of its management fee. The
amount of fees waived for the year ended August 31, 1996 amounted to $205,083
($.004 per share; .375% of average net assets).

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Fund through January 1,
1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities Incorporated (``PSI'')
became the distributor of the Fund and is serving the Fund under the same terms
and conditions as under the arrangement with PMFD. The Series reimbursed PMFD
and PSI for distributing and servicing the Series' shares pursuant to the plan
of distribution at an annual rate of .125 of 1% of the Series' average daily net
assets. The distribution fee is accrued daily and payable monthly.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are (indirect)
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series incurred fees of approximately $22,800 for the services of PMFS. As
of August 31, 1996, approximately $1,800 of such fees were due to PMFS. Transfer
agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-106
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                         MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Year Ended August 31,
                                                                   -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    1996        1995        1994        1993        1992
                                                                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year.............................    $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00
Net investment income and realized gains(a)....................       .031        .031        .019        .021        .034
Dividends and distributions to shareholders....................      (.031)      (.031)      (.019)      (.021)      (.034)
                                                                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Net asset value, end of year...................................    $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00     $  1.00
                                                                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
                                                                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
TOTAL RETURN(b):...............................................       3.12%       3.10%       1.89%       2.17%       3.44%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)..................................    $50,511     $56,822     $37,278     $36,608     $18,019
Average net assets (000).......................................    $54,689     $42,919     $42,427     $32,246     $15,477
Ratios to average net assets:(a)
   Expenses, including distribution fees.......................       .554%       .627%       .620%       .365%       .125%
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees.......................       .429%       .502%       .495%       .240%        .00%
   Net investment income.......................................       3.08%       3.14%       1.86%       2.11%       3.20%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of management fee waiver and/or expense subsidy.
(b) Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-107

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report                MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Massachusetts Money Market Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Massachusetts
Money Market Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations
for the year then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years
in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five
years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights
based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and broker. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, Massachusetts Money Market Series, as of August 31, 1996, the
results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial
highlights for the respective stated periods in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    


                                      B-108

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                 PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                    MARYLAND SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--95.5%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore Conv. Ctr. Rev., F.G.I.C.                              Aaa              5.75%        9/01/08   $  1,075     $ 1,095,694
Baltimore Econ. Dev. Lease Rev., Armistead Partnership           BBB+(c)          7.00         8/01/11      1,000       1,050,410
Baltimore Rev., Ref. Wastewater Proj., Ser. A, F.G.I.C.          Aaa              5.50         7/01/26      1,100       1,042,910
Charles Cnty.                                                    Aa               5.50         3/01/05        665         685,941
Charles Cnty.                                                    Aa               5.50         3/01/06        695         713,626
Gaithersburg Hosp. Fac. Rev., Ref. Impvt. Shady Grove
   Adventist Hosp., F.S.A.                                       Aaa              5.50         9/01/15      1,000         959,060
Gaithersburg Nursing Home Rev., Ref. Shady Grove Adventist
   Hosp., F.S.A.                                                 Aaa              5.50         9/01/15      1,000         959,060
Harford Cnty.                                                    Aa               5.50         3/01/06      1,500       1,545,885
Kent Cnty., Coll. Rev. Proj. & Ref., Washington Coll. Proj.      Baa              7.70         7/01/18        750         812,573
Maryland St. & Local Facs., Second Ser.                          Aaa              5.125       10/15/10      1,500       1,452,300
Maryland St. Hlth. & Higher Edl. Facs., Auth. Rev.,
   Doctor's Comn. Hosp.                                          Baa              5.50         7/01/24      1,000         860,580
   Howard Cnty. Gen. Hosp.                                       Baa1             5.50         7/01/21      1,000         868,970
   Proj. & Ref. Mercy Medical Center, F.S.A.                     Aaa              5.75         7/01/26      1,800       1,754,748
Maryland St. Hsg. & Cmnty. Dev. Admin.,
   Sngl. Fam. Mtge. Rev. Prog., Sixth Ser.                       Aa               7.125        4/01/14        705         722,569
   Sngl. Fam. Mtge. Rev. Prog., Third Ser.                       Aa               8.00         4/01/18        750         763,282
Maryland St. Ind. Dev. Fin. Auth. Rev., Amer. Ctr. For
   Physics                                                       BBB(c)           6.625        1/01/17      1,000       1,008,150
Maryland St. Trans. Auth., Baltimore Washington Int'l.
   Airport, F.G.I.C.                                             Aaa              6.25         7/01/14      1,750       1,813,542
Maryland Wtr. Quality Fin. Admin., Revolving Loan Fund
   Rev.,
   Ser. A                                                        Aa               5.90         9/01/04        565         600,267
Montgomery Cnty.,
   Cons. Pub. Impvt.                                             Aaa              9.75         6/01/01        450         547,614
   Cons. Pub. Impvt., Ser. A                                     Aaa              5.75        10/01/07      1,300       1,357,577
Northeast Waste Disp. Auth., Baltimore City Sludge Proj.         NR               7.25         7/01/07        904         923,906
Ocean City,
   M.B.I.A.                                                      Aaa              5.40        10/01/11        500         486,505
   M.B.I.A.                                                      Aaa              5.50        10/01/15      1,235       1,188,366
Prince Georges Cnty.,
   Cons. Pub. Impvt., M.B.I.A.                                   Aaa              5.25         1/01/15        750         714,315
   Hosp. Rev., Dimensions Hlth. Corp.                            A                5.30         7/01/24        750         667,297
   Pollution Control Rev., Ref. Potomac Elec. Proj.,
      M.B.I.A.                                                   Aaa              5.75         3/15/10      1,100       1,118,623
   Ref. Cons. Pub. Impvt.                                        A1               5.25        10/01/11      1,000         971,550
   Stormwater Mgmt.                                              Aa               6.50         3/15/03      1,140       1,242,338
Puerto Rico Comnwlth.,
   Aqueduct & Swr. Auth. Rev., M.B.I.A.                          Aaa              6.00         7/01/07      1,000       1,070,690
   Gen. Oblig., F.S.A.                                           Aaa              7.958 (d)    7/01/20      1,000         976,250
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       B-109
<PAGE>

Portfolio of Investments                 PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                    MARYLAND SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico Ind. Tourist, Edu. Med. & Env. Ctrl. Facs.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                      Aaa              6.25%        7/01/24    $ 1,250     $ 1,294,138
Puerto Rico Tel. Auth. Rev., Ser. I, M.B.I.A.                    Aaa              7.065(d)     1/16/15      1,000         922,500
Takoma Park Hosp. Facs. Rev., Ref. Impvt., Washington
   Adventist Hosp., F.S.A.                                       Aaa              6.50         9/01/12      1,000       1,086,550
Washington Dist. of Columbia, Metro. Area Transit Auth.
   Rev., F.G.I.C.                                                Aaa              6.00         7/01/08      1,000       1,064,500
Washington Suburban San. Dist., Water Supply                     Aa1              5.25         6/01/14        950         904,600
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total long-term investments (cost $34,756,010)                                                                         35,246,886
                                                                                                                      -----------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--3.5%
Puerto Rico Comnwlth.,
   Gov't. Dev. Bank, Ser. 85, F.R.W.D.                           VMIG1            3.10         9/04/96        100         100,000
   Hwy. & Trans. Auth. Rev., F.R.W.D.                            VMIG1            3.10         9/04/96      1,200       1,200,000
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total short-term investments (cost $1,300,000)                                                                          1,300,000
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total Investments--99.0%
(cost $36,056,010; Note 4)                                                                                             36,546,886
Other assets in excess of liabilities--1.0%                                                                               350,914
                                                                                                                      -----------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                      $36,897,800
                                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
    F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
    F.R.W.D.--Floating Rate (Weekly) Demand Note (b).
    F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
    M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Association.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating Rate
    Demand Notes is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(d) Inverse floating rate bond. The coupon is inversely indexed to a floating
    interest rate. The rate shown is the rate at year end.
NR - Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-110

<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities           MARYLAND SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Assets                                                                                                          August 31, 1996
                                                                                                                ---------------
Investments, at value (cost $36,056,010)..................................................................        $36,546,886
Interest receivable.......................................................................................            643,847
Other assets..............................................................................................              1,161
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................                653
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         37,192,547
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Bank overdraft............................................................................................             71,487
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................             88,264
Accrued expenses..........................................................................................             81,508
Dividends payable.........................................................................................             26,793
Management fee payable....................................................................................             14,372
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................              9,623
Deferred trustees' fees...................................................................................              2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................            294,747
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................        $36,897,800
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at par..................................................................        $    34,329
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         35,939,039
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                   35,973,368
   Accumulated net realized gain on investments...........................................................            433,556
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................................................            490,876
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................        $36,897,800
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class A:
   Net asset value and redemption price per share
      ($18,338,535 / 1,707,253 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................               $10.74
   Maximum sales charge (3.0% of offering price)..........................................................                .33
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Maximum offering price to public.......................................................................             $11.07
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class B:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($18,512,086 / 1,721,298 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................             $10.75
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class C:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($47,179 / 4,387 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)..............................             $10.75
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-111

<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
MARYLAND SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Year Ended
Net Investment Income                            August 31, 1996
<S>                                              <C>
Income
   Interest...................................     $ 2,210,285
                                                 ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee.............................         192,126
   Distribution fee--Class A..................          18,483
   Distribution fee--Class B..................          99,492
   Distribution fee--Class C..................             324
   Custodian's fees and expenses..............          66,000
   Reports to shareholders....................          43,000
   Registration fees..........................          36,000
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.........          31,000
   Audit fee and expenses.....................          12,300
   Legal fees and expenses....................          10,000
   Trustees' fees and expenses................           3,900
   Miscellaneous..............................           9,154
                                                 ---------------
      Total expenses..........................         521,779
   Less: Management fee waiver................         (19,213)
      Custodian fee credit....................         (17,574)
                                                 ---------------
      Net expenses............................         484,992
                                                 ---------------
Net investment income.........................       1,725,293
                                                 ---------------
Realized and Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Net realized gain on:
   Investment transactions....................         786,866
   Financial futures contracts................         191,897
   Written options transactions...............          13,504
                                                 ---------------
                                                       992,267
                                                 ---------------
Net change in unrealized
   appreciation/depreciation of:
   Investments................................        (677,782)
   Financial futures contracts................           4,219
                                                 ---------------
                                                      (673,563)
                                                 ---------------
Net gain on investments.......................         318,704
                                                 ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations.....................     $ 2,043,997
                                                 ---------------
                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
MARYLAND SERIES
Statement of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                     Year Ended August 31,
in Net Assets                            1996            1995
<S>                                  <C>             <C>
Operations
   Net investment income..........   $  1,725,293    $  2,185,896
   Net realized gain (loss) on
      investment transactions.....        992,267        (429,571)
   Net change in unrealized
      appreciation/depreciation of
      investments.................       (673,563)        442,801
                                     ------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from operations...      2,043,997       2,199,126
                                     ------------    ------------
Dividends and distributions (Note
   1):
   Dividends from net investment
      income
      Class A.....................       (867,743)       (561,997)
      Class B.....................       (855,800)     (1,621,246)
      Class C.....................         (1,750)         (2,653)
                                     ------------    ------------
                                       (1,725,293)     (2,185,896)
                                     ------------    ------------
   Distributions from net realized
      gains
      Class A.....................             --         (21,234)
      Class B.....................             --        (419,138)
      Class C.....................             --            (255)
                                     ------------    ------------
                                               --        (440,627)
                                     ------------    ------------
Series share transactions (net of
   share conversions) (Note 5):
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold........................      2,762,194       2,121,739
   Net asset value of shares
      issued in reinvestment of
      dividends and
      distributions...............      1,114,649       1,744,018
   Cost of shares reacquired......     (6,489,419)    (18,256,314)
                                     ------------    ------------
   Net decrease in net assets from
      Series share transactions...     (2,612,576)    (14,390,557)
                                     ------------    ------------
Total decrease....................     (2,293,872)    (14,817,954)
Net Assets
Beginning of year.................     39,191,672      54,009,626
                                     ------------    ------------
End of year.......................   $ 36,897,800    $ 39,191,672
                                     ------------    ------------
                                     ------------    ------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-112

<PAGE>
                                           PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements              MARYLAND SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The Maryland Series (the ``Series'') commenced
investment operations in January, 1985. The Series is diversified and seeks to
achieve its investment objective of obtaining the maximum amount of income
exempt from federal and applicable state income taxes with the minimum of risk
by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt securities whose ratings are
within the four highest ratings categories by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization or, if not rated, are of comparable quality. The
ability of the issuers of the securities held by the Series to meet their
obligations may be affected by economic or political developments in a specific
state, industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: The Fund values municipal securities (including
commitments to purchase such securities on a ``when-issued'' basis) on the basis
of prices provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in
comparable securities and various relationships between securities in
determining values. If market quotations are not readily available from such
pricing service, a security is valued at its fair value as determined under
procedures established by the Trustees.

Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost.

All securities are valued as of 4:15 P.M., New York time.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to
purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of debt securities at a set
price for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures
contract, the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash
and/or other assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This
amount is known as the ``initial margin''. Subsequent payments, known as
``variation margin'', are made or received by the Series each day, depending on
the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation
margin is recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as
unrealized gain or loss. When the contract expires or is closed, the gain or
loss is realized and is presented in the statement of operations as net realized
gain (loss) on financial futures contracts. The Series invests in financial
futures contracts in order to hedge its existing portfolio securities or
securities the Series intends to purchase, against fluctuations in value caused
by changes in prevailing interest rates. Should interest rates move
unexpectedly, the Series may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the
financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of futures
transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the
price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets.

Option Writing: When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium
received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to
the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from writing
options which expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date
as realized gains from securities or currencies based upon the type of option
written. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a
closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated
as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for
the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is
exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying
security or currency in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or
loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the
securities or currencies purchased by the Fund. The Fund as writer of an option
may have no control over whether the underlying securities may be sold (call) or
purchased (put) and as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable change
in the price of the security underlying the writen option. There were no written
options outstanding at August 31, 1996.

Securities Transactions and Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are
calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the
use of certain estimates by management. The Series amortizes premiums and
original issue discount paid on purchases of portfolio securities as adjustments
to interest income.

Net investment income (other than distribution fees) and unrealized and realized
gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the
relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-113

<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements            MARYLAND SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross
income consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is
required.

Dividends and Distributions: The Series declares daily dividends from net
investment income. Payment of dividends is made monthly. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, are made annually.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management, LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the services of PIC, the
compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain clerical and
bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. PMF has agreed
to waive a portion (.05 of 1% of the Series' average daily net assets) of its
management fee, which amounted to $19,213 ($0.006 per share for Class A, B and C
shares; .05% of average net assets) until further notice. The Series' is not
required to reimburse PMF for such waiver.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of the
Fund through January 1, 1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities
Incorporated (``PSI'') became the distributor of the Class A shares of the Fund
and is serving the Fund under the same terms and conditions as under the
arrangement with PMFD. PSI is also the distributor of the Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund. The Fund compensates PMFD and PSI for distributing and
servicing the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of
distribution (the ``Class A, B and C Plans'') regardless of expenses actually
incurred by them. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.

Pursuant to the Class A, B and C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI, and PMFD for
the period September 1, 1995 through January 1, 1996 with respect to Class A
shares, for distribution-related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of
1%, .50 of 1% and 1%, of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C
shares, respectively. Such expenses under the Plans were .10 of 1%, .50 of 1%
and .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C shares,
respectively, for the year ended August 31, 1996.

PMFD and PSI have advised the Series that they have received approximately
$4,400 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares during
the year ended August 31, 1996. From these fees, PMFD and PSI paid such sales
charges to an affiliated broker-dealer which in turn paid commissions to
salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

PSI has advised the Series that for the year ended August 31, 1996, it received
approximately $33,400 and $200 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon
certain redemptions by Class B and Class C shareholders, respectively.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions With Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series incurred fees of approximately $23,900 for the services of PMFS. As
of August 31, 1996, approximately $1,900 of such fees were due to PMFS. Transfer
agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 4. Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities of the Series, excluding short-term
investments, for the year ended August 31, 1996 were $15,255,672 and
$16,830,152, respectively.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      B-114
<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements            MARYLAND SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes is substantially
the same as for financial reporting purposes and, accordingly, as of August 31,
1996, net unrealized appreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes
is $490,876 (gross unrealized appreciation--$836,497; gross unrealized
depreciation $345,621).

The Fund utilized its capital loss carryforward of approximately $399,100 to
offset the Series net taxable gains realized and recognized in the fiscal year
ended August 31, 1996.

Transactions in written options during the period ended August 31, 1996 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Number
                                        of          Premiums
                                     Contracts      Received
                                    -----------    ----------
<S>                                 <C>            <C>
Options written...................           60     $  13,504
Options expired...................         )(60       (13,504)
                                    -----------    ----------
Options outstanding at August 31,
  1996                                        0     $       0
                                    -----------    ----------
                                    -----------    ----------
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 5. Capital

The Series offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold
with a front-end sales charge of up to 3.0%. Class B shares are sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending on the
period of time the shares are held. Class C shares are sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge of 1% during the first year. Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately seven
years after purchase. A special exchange privilege is also available for
shareholders who qualify to purchase Class A shares at net asset value.

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
each class at $.01 par value per share. Transactions in shares of beneficial
interest for the fiscal years ended August 31, 1995 and 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- -----------------------------------   ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold........................       58,783    $    649,434
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends........................       53,117         575,999
Shares reacquired..................     (308,466)     (3,328,355)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion................     (196,566)     (2,102,922)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B..........................      240,370       2,604,069
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding......................       43,804    $    501,147
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
<CAPTION>
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- -----------------------------------   ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold........................       30,696    $    321,277
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions......       36,276         380,528
Shares reacquired..................     (516,337)     (5,397,762)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion................     (449,365)     (4,695,957)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B..........................    1,858,567      19,167,920
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding......................    1,409,202    $ 14,471,963
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
<CAPTION>
Class B
- -----------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold........................      192,644    $  2,088,999
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends........................       49,517         537,616
Shares reacquired..................     (287,898)     (3,130,338)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion................      (45,737)       (503,723)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A.....................     (240,066)     (2,604,069)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding......................     (285,803)   $ (3,107,792)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold........................      168,521    $  1,765,335
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions......      133,516       1,361,503
Shares reacquired..................   (1,235,993)    (12,775,937)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion................     (933,956)     (9,649,099)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A.....................   (1,856,766)    (19,167,920)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding......................   (2,790,722)   $(28,817,019)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
<CAPTION>
Class C
- -----------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold........................        2,200    $     23,761
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends........................           96           1,034
Shares reacquired..................       (2,795)        (30,726)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding......................         (499)   $     (5,931)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold........................        3,361    $     35,127
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions......          194           1,987
Shares reacquired..................       (8,221)        (82,615)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding......................       (4,666)   $    (45,501)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

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


                                       B-115

<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                         MARYLAND SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Class A
                                      -----------------------------------------------------
                                                      Year Ended August 31,
                                      -----------------------------------------------------
                                       1996        1995        1994        1993       1992
                                      -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   year.............................  $ 10.66     $ 10.66     $ 11.64     $11.11     $10.67
                                      -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income...............      .51(a)      .53(a)      .57        .62        .63
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions.....................      .08         .10        (.77)       .65        .44
                                      -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
   Total from investment
      operations....................      .59         .63        (.20)      1.27       1.07
                                      -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income...........................     (.51)       (.53)       (.57)      (.62)      (.63)
Distributions from net realized
   gains............................       --        (.10)       (.21)      (.12)        --
                                      -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
   Total distributions..............     (.51)       (.63)       (.78)      (.74)      (.63)
                                      -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
Net asset value, end of year........  $ 10.74     $ 10.66     $ 10.66     $11.64     $11.11
                                      -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
                                      -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):....................     5.58%       6.32%      (1.75)%    11.89%     10.35%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000).......  $18,339     $17,726     $ 2,709     $2,930     $1,335
Average net assets (000)............  $18,484     $11,341     $ 2,877     $2,068     $1,080
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..........................     1.10%(a)    1.30%(a)     .95%       .96%       .96%
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..........................     1.00%(a)    1.20%(a)     .85%       .86%       .86%
   Net investment income............     4.69%(a)    4.96%(a)    5.18%      5.51%      5.80%
Portfolio turnover rate.............       42%         49%         40%        41%        34%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of management fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-116

<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                     MARYLAND SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Class B                                        Class C
                                      -------------------------------------------------------     -----------------------------
                                                       Year Ended August 31,                          Year Ended August 31,
                                      -------------------------------------------------------     -----------------------------
                                       1996        1995        1994        1993        1992           1996             1995
                                      -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------------     ------------
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>              <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   period...........................  $ 10.67     $ 10.67     $ 11.65     $ 11.12     $ 10.68        $10.67          $  10.67
                                      -------     -------     -------     -------     -------         -----            ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income...............      .47(a)      .49(a)      .53         .58         .59           .44(a)            .47(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions.....................      .08         .10        (.77)        .65         .44           .08               .10
                                      -------     -------     -------     -------     -------         -----            ------
   Total from investment
      operations....................      .55         .59        (.24)       1.23        1.03           .52               .57
                                      -------     -------     -------     -------     -------         -----            ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income...........................     (.47)       (.49)       (.53)       (.58)       (.59)         (.44)             (.47)
Distributions from net realized
   gains............................       --        (.10)       (.21)       (.12)         --            --              (.10)
                                      -------     -------     -------     -------     -------         -----            ------
   Total distributions..............     (.47)       (.59)       (.74)       (.70)       (.59)         (.44)             (.57)
                                      -------     -------     -------     -------     -------         -----            ------
Net asset value, end of period......  $ 10.75     $ 10.67     $ 10.67     $ 11.65     $ 11.12        $10.75          $  10.67
                                      -------     -------     -------     -------     -------         -----            ------
                                      -------     -------     -------     -------     -------         -----            ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):....................     5.16%       5.88%      (2.13)%     11.43%       9.90%         4.90%             5.62%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).....  $18,512     $21,414     $51,198     $57,598     $51,313        $   47          $     52
Average net assets (000)............  $19,898     $33,497     $55,223     $53,780     $50,970        $   43          $     58
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..........................     1.50%(a)    1.55%(a)    1.35%       1.36%       1.37%         1.75%(a)          1.82%(a)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..........................     1.00%(a)    1.05%(a)     .85%        .86%        .87%         1.00%(a)          1.07%(a)
   Net investment income............     4.30%(a)    4.84%(a)    4.77%       5.11%       5.42%         4.05%(a)          4.55%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate.............       42%         49%         40%         41%         34%           42%               49%
<CAPTION>
                                      August 1,
                                       1994(d)
                                       through
                                      August 31,
                                         1994
                                      ----------
<S>                                   <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   period...........................   $  10.70

                                      ----------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income...............        .05
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions.....................       (.03)

                                      ----------
   Total from investment
      operations....................        .02

                                      ----------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income...........................       (.05)
Distributions from net realized
   gains............................         --

                                      ----------
   Total distributions..............       (.05)

                                      ----------
Net asset value, end of period......   $  10.67

                                      ----------
                                      ----------
TOTAL RETURN(b):....................        .07%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).....   $    102
Average net assets (000)............   $     31
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..........................       2.21%(c)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..........................       1.47%(c)
   Net investment income............       4.75%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate.............         40%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of management fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions. Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not
    annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       B-117

<PAGE>
                                          PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report              MARYLAND SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Maryland Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Maryland
Series as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations for the year
then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the
period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, Maryland Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the
respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    


                                       B-118

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments               PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                  MICHIGAN SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--96.0%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adams Twnshp. Michigan Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.        Aaa              6.60%       5/01/24    $  1,000     $ 1,076,300
Avondale Michigan Sch. Dist., A.M.B.A.C.
   Oakland Cnty., Gen. Oblig.                                    Aaa              5.75        5/01/14         665         659,121
   Oakland Cnty., Gen. Oblig.                                    Aaa              5.80        5/01/15         525         521,168
   Oakland Cnty., Gen. Oblig.                                    Aaa              5.80        5/01/16         550         544,225
Brandon Sch. Dist. Gen. Oblig., F.G.I.C.
   Oakland & Lapeer Cnty.                                        Aaa              5.70        5/01/12       1,155       1,152,528
   Oakland & Lapeer Cnty.                                        Aaa              5.875       5/01/26       1,310       1,296,258
Breitung Twnshp. Sch. Dist. Rev., Gen. Oblig., M.B.I.A.          Aaa              6.30        5/01/15         250         261,878
Canton Charter Twnshp. Bldg. Auth.,
   Wayne Cnty. Golf Course,
      F.S.A.                                                     Aaa              4.75        1/01/12         450         405,787
      F.S.A.                                                     Aaa              4.75        1/01/13         500 (e)     446,475
      F.S.A.                                                     Aaa              4.75        1/01/14         500         438,565
      F.S.A.                                                     Aaa              4.75        1/01/11         450         409,707
Central Michigan Univ. Rev.                                      A                7.00       10/01/10         700 (f)     772,142
Detroit Econ. Dev. Corp., Res. Rec. Rev., Ser. A, F.S.A.         Aaa              6.875       5/01/09       1,000       1,061,590
Detroit Sewage Disp. Rev., Ser. 1993 A, F.G.I.C.                 Aaa              7.476       7/01/23       1,000 (d)     898,750
Detroit St. Aid, Gen. Oblig.                                     Baa              5.625       5/01/97       1,500 (f)   1,517,355
Detroit Wtr. Supply Sys. Rev.,
   F.G.I.C.                                                      Aaa              4.75        7/01/19       1,000         853,330
   Ser. B, M.B.I.A.                                              Aaa              5.55        7/01/12       1,000         989,540
Dickinson Cnty. Mem. Hosp. Sys. Rev.                             Ba1              8.00       11/01/14       1,000       1,056,830
East Detroit Michigan Sch. Dist. Rfdg., F.G.I.C.                 Aaa              6.625       5/01/07       1,600       1,783,376
Ferris St. Univ. Gen. Rev., A.M.B.A.C.                           Aaa              5.80       10/01/05         440         462,088
Grand Ledge Public Sch. Dist., M.B.I.A.                          Aaa              5.375       5/01/24       1,480       1,384,066
Grand Rapids San. Swr. Sys. Rev.                                 A1               7.00        1/01/16         500         537,375
Guam Pwr. Auth. Rev., Ser. A                                     BBB(c)           6.625      10/01/14       1,000       1,020,180
Holland Sch. Dist., A.M.B.A.C.                                   Aaa              Zero        5/01/15       2,400         783,072
Huron Valley Sch. Dist., Gen. Oblig., F.G.I.C.                   Aaa              Zero        5/01/10       3,500 (e)   1,604,050
Kent Hosp. Fac. Fin. Auth. Rev., Blodgette Mem. Med. Ctr.,
   Ser. A                                                        A                7.25        7/01/05         500         530,965
Kirtland Comm. College Dist., Gen. Oblig., M.B.I.A.              Aaa              4.625       5/01/16       1,025         881,480
Lincoln Park Michigan Sch. Dist.,
   F.G.I.C                                                       Aaa              7.00        5/01/20       1,500       1,663,800
   F.G.I.C.                                                      Aaa              5.90        5/01/26         750         745,762
Mason Public Sch. Dist., Gen. Oblig., F.G.I.C.                   Aaa              5.40        5/01/21       2,000       1,883,080
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-119

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments               PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                  MICHIGAN SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan Higher Ed., Student Loan Auth. Rev., Ser. XIII-A,
   M.B.I.A.                                                      Aaa              7.55%      10/01/08    $    500     $   509,215
Michigan Pub. Pwr. Agcy. Rev., Belle River Proj., Ser. A         A1               5.00        1/01/19       1,000         881,110
Michigan St. Hosp. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
   Bay Med. Ctr., Ser. A                                         Baa1             8.25        7/01/12       2,000       2,132,940
   Henry Ford Hosp.                                              Aaa              9.00        5/01/08       2,340 (f)   3,015,792
   Hosp. Genesys Hlth.                                           Baa              8.125      10/01/21       1,000       1,092,380
   Hosp. Genesys Hlth.                                           Baa              7.50       10/01/27         500         519,960
Michigan St. Hsg. Dev. Auth. Rev.,
   Multifamily Mtge. Insured Hsg., Ser. A                        A+(c)            7.15        4/01/10         810         845,989
   Multifamily Mtge. Insured Hsg., Ser. A                        A+(c)            7.70        4/01/23         500         528,405
   Sngl. Fam. Mtge., Ser. A                                      AA+(c)           7.70       12/01/16         370         375,879
Michigan St. Strategic Fund Ltd. Obligated Rev.,
   Waste Mgmt. Inc. Proj.,                                       A1               6.625      12/01/12       2,000       2,132,420
Michigan St. Trunk Line Hwy.,
   Ser. A, A.M.B.A.C.                                            Aaa              Zero       10/01/05       2,600       1,610,726
   Ser. A, A.M.B.A.C.                                            Aaa              Zero       10/01/06       1,250         727,450
Michigan St. Underground Storage Tank Fin. Assurance Auth.
   Rev., A.M.B.A.C.                                              Aaa              6.00        5/01/06       2,000 (e)   2,117,100
Michigan St. Univ. Rev., Ser. A, A.M.B.A.C.                      Aaa              5.125       2/15/16       1,000 (e)     922,950
Monroe Cnty. Poll. Ctrl. Rev., Detroit Edison Co., F.G.I.C.      Aaa              7.65        9/01/20       2,000 (e)   2,200,720
Mt. Pleasant Wtr. Rev., Wtr. & Swr.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                      Aaa              5.00        2/01/22         520         459,368
   M.B.I.A                                                       Aaa              4.00        2/01/23         550         410,382
   M.B.I.A                                                       Aaa              4.00        2/01/24         585         434,199
Oak Park, Gen. Oblig.,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                    Aaa              7.00        5/01/11         375 (f)     420,188
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                    Aaa              7.00        5/01/12         400 (f)     448,200
Posen Cons. Sch. Dist., Sch. Dist. No. 9, M.B.I.A.               Aaa              6.75        5/01/22       1,000  e)(f)   1,114,950
Puerto Rico Commonwlth. Hwy. Auth. Rev., Ser. Q                  AAA(c)           7.75        7/01/16       1,500  e)(f)   1,697,430
Puerto Rico Commonwlth. Gen. Oblig., M.B.I.A.                    Aaa              7.887       7/01/08       1,000 (d)   1,043,750
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev., Ser. N                        Baa1             7.125       7/01/14         920         989,846
Puerto Rico Ind. Tourist Edu., Med. & Envir. Ctrl. Facs.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                      Aaa              6.25        7/01/24       1,000       1,035,310
St. Clair Cnty., Wtr. Supply Sys. No. VII, IRA Township,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                    Aaa              5.25        7/01/15       1,000         940,660
Univ. of Michigan Rev.,
   Pkg. Sys. Rfdg.                                               Aa1              5.00        6/01/15         500         450,890
Virgin Islands Wtr. & Pwr. Auth., Elec. Sys. Rev., Ser. A        NR               7.40        7/01/11         500         521,490
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-120

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments               PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                  MICHIGAN SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne Cnty. Bldg. Auth., Ser. A                                  Baa              8.00%       3/01/17    $  1,250 (f) $ 1,450,800
Western Michigan Univ. Gen. Rev., F.G.I.C.                       Aaa              5.00        7/15/21         500         439,290
Wyandotte Elec. Rev., M.B.I.A.                                   Aaa              6.25       10/01/08       2,000       2,167,860
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total long-term investments (cost $58,607,375)                                                                         61,278,492
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--0.2%
Midland Cnty. Econ. Dev. Auth., Dow Chemical Co. Proj.,
   F.R.D.D., Ser. 93A                                            P1               3.90        9/03/96         100         100,000
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total short-term investments (cost $100,000)                                                                              100,000
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total Investments--96.2%
(cost $ 58,707,375; Note 4)                                                                                            61,378,492
Other assets in excess of liabilities--3.8%                                                                             2,434,888
                                                                                                                      -----------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                      $63,813,380
                                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
    A.M.B.A.C.--American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation.
    F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
    F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
    F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
    M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Corporation.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating Rate
    Demand Notes is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(d) Inverse floating rate bond. The coupon is inversely indexed to a floating
    interest rate. The rate shown is the rate at year end.
(e) Pledged as initial margin on financial futures contracts.
(f) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and/or direct U.S.
guaranteed obligations.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-121

<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities           MICHIGAN SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
Investments, at value (cost $58,707,375)...................................................................        $61,378,492
Cash.......................................................................................................             49,780
Receivable for investments sold............................................................................          1,515,490
Interest receivable........................................................................................          1,008,208
Receivable for Series shares sold..........................................................................             30,201
Due from broker - variation margin.........................................................................             16,250
Other assets...............................................................................................              1,944
                                                                                                                 ---------------
   Total assets............................................................................................         64,000,365
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Liabilities
Accrued expenses...........................................................................................             69,930
Dividends payable..........................................................................................             51,301
Management fee payable.....................................................................................             24,617
Payable for Series shares reacquired.......................................................................             20,908
Distribution fee payable...................................................................................             17,529
Deferred trustees' fees....................................................................................              2,700
                                                                                                                 ---------------
   Total liabilities.......................................................................................            186,985
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Net Assets.................................................................................................        $63,813,380
                                                                                                                 ---------------
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at par...................................................................        $    54,483
   Paid-in capital in excess of par........................................................................         61,024,390
                                                                                                                 ---------------
                                                                                                                    61,078,873
   Accumulated net realized gain on investments............................................................             30,452
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments..............................................................          2,704,055
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996................................................................................        $63,813,380
                                                                                                                 ---------------
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Class A:
   Net asset value and redemption price per share
      ($28,730,162 / 2,451,978 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding).......................               $11.72
   Maximum sales charge (3% of offering price).............................................................                .36
                                                                                                                 ---------------
   Maximum offering price to public........................................................................             $12.08
                                                                                                                 ---------------
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Class B:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($34,970,785 / 2,986,735 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding).......................              $11.71
                                                                                                                 ---------------
                                                                                                                 ---------------
Class C:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($112,433 / 9,602 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)..............................              $11.71
                                                                                                                 ---------------
                                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-122

<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
MICHIGAN SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Year Ended
Net Investment Income                          August 31, 1996
<S>                                            <C>
Income
   Interest.................................     $ 4,079,632
                                               ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee...........................         335,620
   Distribution fee--Class A................          27,978
   Distribution fee--Class B................         195,258
   Distribution fee--Class C................             711
   Custodian's fees and expenses............          76,000
   Reports to shareholders..................          49,000
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.......          49,000
   Registration fees........................          36,500
   Audit fees and expenses..................          12,300
   Legal fees and expenses..................          10,000
   Trustees' fees and expenses..............           3,900
   Miscellaneous............................           5,398
                                               ---------------
      Total expenses........................         801,665
   Less: Management fee waiver..............         (33,562)
       Custodian fee credit.................          (5,696)
                                               ---------------
      Net expenses..........................         762,407
                                               ---------------
Net investment income.......................       3,317,225
                                               ---------------
Realized and Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Net realized gain on:
   Investment transactions..................         208,633
   Financial futures contract
      transactions..........................          90,102
                                               ---------------
                                                     298,735
                                               ---------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation
   (depreciation) on:
   Investments..............................        (441,660)
   Financial futures contracts..............          50,438
                                               ---------------
                                                    (391,222)
                                               ---------------
Net loss on investments.....................         (92,487)
                                               ---------------
>Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations...................     $ 3,224,738
                                               ---------------
                                               ---------------
</TABLE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
MICHIGAN SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                    Year Ended August 31,
in Net Assets                           1996            1995
<S>                                 <C>             <C>
Operations
   Net investment income.........   $  3,317,225    $  3,534,666
   Net realized gain on
      investment transactions....        298,735         845,031
   Net change in unrealized
      depreciation of
      investments................       (391,222)       (108,362)
                                    ------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from
      operations.................      3,224,738       4,271,335
                                    ------------    ------------
Dividends and distributions (Note
   1):
   Dividends from net investment
      income
      Class A....................     (1,448,506)       (898,307)
      Class B....................     (1,864,426)     (2,633,512)
      Class C....................         (4,293)         (2,847)
                                    ------------    ------------
                                      (3,317,225)     (3,534,666)
                                    ------------    ------------
   Distributions from net
      realized gains
      Class A....................       (352,642)        (12,146)
      Class B....................       (514,059)       (177,027)
      Class C....................           (412)            (43)
                                    ------------    ------------
                                        (867,113)       (189,216)
                                    ------------    ------------
Series share transactions (net of
   share conversions) (Note 5):
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold.......................      2,574,979       4,796,012
   Net asset value of shares
      issued in reinvestment of
      dividends and
      distributions..............      2,652,668       2,351,573
   Cost of shares reacquired.....     (9,038,280)    (13,930,082)
                                    ------------    ------------
   Net decrease in net assets
      from Series share
      transactions...............     (3,810,633)     (6,782,497)
                                    ------------    ------------
Total decrease...................     (4,770,233)     (6,235,044)
Net Assets
Beginning of year................     68,583,613      74,818,657
                                    ------------    ------------
End of year......................   $ 63,813,380    $ 68,583,613
                                    ------------    ------------
                                    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-123

<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                MICHIGAN SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The Michigan Series (the ``Series'') commenced
investment operations in September, 1984. The Series is diversified and seeks to
achieve its investment objective of obtaining the maximum amount of income
exempt from federal and applicable state income taxes with the minimum of risk
by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt securities whose ratings are
within the four highest ratings categories by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization or, if not rated, are of comparable quality. The
ability of the issuers of the securities held by the Series to meet their
obligations may be affected by economic or political developments in a specific
state, industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: The Fund values municipal securities (including
commitments to purchase such securities on a ``when-issued'' basis) on the basis
of prices provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in
comparable securities and various relationships between securities in
determining values. If market quotations are not readily available from such
pricing service, a security is valued at its fair value as determined under
procedures established by the Trustees.

Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost.

All securities are valued as of 4:15 P.M., New York time.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to
purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities at a set price
for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures contract,
the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash and/or other
assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This amount is
known as the ``initial margin''. Subsequent payments, known as ``variation
margin'', are made or received by the Series each day, depending on the daily
fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation margin is
recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as unrealized gain or
loss. When the contract expires or is closed, the gain or loss is realized and
is presented in the statement of operations as net realized gain (loss) on
financial futures contracts.

The Series invests in financial futures contracts in order to hedge it's
existing portfolio securities, or securities the Series intends to purchase,
against fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates.
Should interest rates move unexpectedly, the Series may not achieve the
anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss.
The use of futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in
movements in the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying
hedged assets.

Option Writing: When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium
received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to
the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from writing
options which expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date
as realized gains from securities or currencies based upon the type of option
written. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a
closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated
as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for
the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is
exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying
security or currency in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or
loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the
securities or currencies purchased by the Fund. The Fund as writer of an option
may have no control over whether the underlying securities may be sold (call) or
purchased (put) and as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable change
in the price of the security underlying the written option. There were no
written options outstanding at August 31, 1996.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are
calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. The Series amortizes premiums and accretes original issue
discount on portfolio securities as adjustments to interest income. Expenses are
recorded on the accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates by
management.

Net investment income (other than distribution fees) and unrealized and realized
gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the
relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       B-124
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                MICHIGAN SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated
investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to shareholders.
For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross income
consist of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is required.

Dividends and Distributions: The Series declares daily dividends from net
investment income. Payment of dividends is made monthly. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, are made annually.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''). PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the services of PIC, the cost of
compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain clerical and
bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. PMF has agreed
to waive a portion (.05 of 1% of the Series' average daily net assets) of its
management fee, which amounted to $33,562 ($0.006 per share for Class A, B and C
shares; .05% of average net assets) until further notice. The Series is not
required to reimburse PMF for such waiver.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of the
Fund through January 1, 1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities
Incorporated (``PSI''), became the distributor of the Class A shares of the Fund
and is serving the Fund under the same terms and conditions as under the
arrangement with PMFD. PSI is also the distributor of the Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund. The Fund compensated PMFD and PSI for distributing and
servicing the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of
distribution (the ``Class A, B and C Plans'') regardless of expenses actually
incurred by them. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.

Pursuant to the Class A, B and C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI, and PMFD for
the period September 1, 1995 through January 1, 1996 with respect to Class A
shares, for distribution-related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of
1%, .50 of 1% and 1%, of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C
shares, respectively. Such expenses under the Plans were .10 of 1%, .50 of 1%
and .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C shares,
respectively, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996.

PMFD and PSI has advised the Series that it has received approximately $10,900
in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares during the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1996. From these fees, PMFD and PSI paid such sales
charges to affiliated broker-dealers which in turn paid commissions to
salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

PSI has advised the Series that for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, it
received approximately $73,900 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon
certain redemptions by Class B shareholders.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the fiscal year ended August
31, 1996, the Series incurred fees of approximately $36,700 for the services of
PMFS. As of August 31, 1996, approximately $2,900 of such fees were due to PMFS.
Transfer agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 4. Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities of the Series, excluding short-term
investments, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 were $23,145,382 and
$28,297,922, respectively.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-125

<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                MICHIGAN SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At August 31, 1996, the Fund sold 20 financial futures contracts on U.S.
Treasury Bonds which expire in September 1996. The value at disposition of such
contracts is $2,179,188. The value of such contracts on August 31, 1996 was
$2,146,250, thereby resulting in an unrealized gain of $32,938.

The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes is substantially
the same as for financial reporting purposes and, accordingly, as of August 31,
1996, net unrealized appreciation for federal income tax purposes was $2,671,117
(gross unrealized appreciation--$3,032,975; gross unrealized
depreciation--$361,858).
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 5. Capital

The Series offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold
with a front-end sales charge of up to 3.0%. Class B shares are sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending on the
period of time the shares are held. Class C shares are sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge of 1% during the first year. Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately seven
years after purchase. A special exchange privilege is also available for
shareholders who qualify to purchase Class A shares at net asset value.

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
each class at $.01 par value per share. Transactions in shares of beneficial
interest for the fiscal years ended August 31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................      52,406    $    620,873
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends
  and distributions.................      94,877       1,134,847
Shares reacquired...................    (308,633)     (3,671,352)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (161,350)     (1,915,632)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................     339,773       4,040,498
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................     178,423    $  2,124,866
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................      39,300    $    455,090
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends
  and distributions.................      47,423         558,002
Shares reacquired...................    (207,127)     (2,427,463)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (120,404)     (1,414,371)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................   1,993,537      23,087,478
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................   1,873,133    $ 21,673,107
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Class B
- ------------------------------------
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................     153,896    $  1,841,004
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends
  and distributions.................     126,423       1,513,838
Shares reacquired...................    (444,092)     (5,262,595)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (163,773)     (1,907,753)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A......................    (339,981)     (4,040,498)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................    (503,754)   $ (5,948,251)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................     366,931    $  4,247,921
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends
  and distributions.................     155,664       1,790,735
Shares reacquired...................  (1,004,534)    (11,502,619)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (481,939)     (5,463,963)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into
  Class A...........................  (1,995,260)    (23,087,478)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................  (2,477,199)   $(28,551,441)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Class C
- ------------------------------------
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................       9,428    $    113,102
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends
  and distributions.................         334           3,983
Shares reacquired...................      (8,567)       (104,333)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................       1,195    $     12,752
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................       8,149    $     93,001
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.......         241           2,836
                                      ----------    ------------
Increase in shares outstanding......       8,390    $     95,837
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      B-126

<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                     MICHIGAN SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Class A
                                         ----------------------------------------------------
                                                        Year Ended August 31,
                                         ----------------------------------------------------
                                          1996        1995        1994       1993       1992
                                         -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year...    $ 11.89     $ 11.75     $12.51     $11.90     $11.30
                                         -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income................        .62(a)      .64(a)     .64        .67        .68
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions......................       (.02)        .17       (.69)       .71        .60
                                         -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
   Total from investment
      operations.....................        .60         .81       (.05)      1.38       1.28
                                         -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income............................       (.62)       (.64)      (.64)      (.67)      (.68)
Distributions from net realized
   gains.............................       (.15)       (.03)      (.07)      (.10)        --
                                         -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
   Total distributions...............       (.77)       (.67)      (.71)      (.77)      (.68)
                                         -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Net asset value, end of year.........    $ 11.72     $ 11.89     $11.75     $12.51     $11.90
                                         -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
                                         -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):.....................       5.07%       7.13%     (0.38)%    11.95%     11.63%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)........    $28,730     $27,024     $4,706     $3,814     $1,618
Average net assets (000).............    $27,978     $16,932     $4,505     $2,285     $1,235
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees...........................        .91%(a)    1.02%(a)    .91%       .96%       .98%
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees...........................        .81%(a)     .92%(a)    .81%       .86%       .88%
   Net investment income.............       5.18%(a)    5.31%(a)   5.27%      5.51%      5.82%
Portfolio turnover rate..............         36%         33%        12%        14%        30%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a)  Net of management fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       B-127

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                        MICHIGAN SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           Class C
                                                                Class B                               ------------------
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Year Ended August
                                                         Year Ended August 31,                               31,
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------     ------------------
                                        1996           1995        1994        1993        1992        1996        1995
                                       -------        -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
<S>                                    <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   period............................  $ 11.88        $ 11.75     $ 12.51     $ 11.90     $ 11.30     $ 11.88     $11.75
                                       -------        -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income................      .57(a)         .59(a)      .59         .62         .63         .54(a)     .56(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions......................     (.02)           .16        (.69)        .71         .60        (.02)       .16
                                       -------        -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
   Total from investment
      operations.....................      .55            .75       (.10)        1.33        1.23         .52        .72
                                       -------        -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income............................     (.57)          (.59)       (.59)       (.62)       (.63)       (.54)      (.56)
Distributions from net realized
   gains.............................     (.15)          (.03)       (.07)       (.10)         --        (.15)      (.03)
                                       -------        -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
   Total distributions...............     (.72)          (.62)       (.66)       (.72)       (.63)       (.69)      (.59)
                                       -------        -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
Net asset value, end of period.......  $ 11.71        $ 11.88     $ 11.75     $ 12.51     $ 11.90     $ 11.71     $11.88
                                       -------        -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
                                       -------        -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):.....................     4.66%          6.60%      (0.78)%     11.51%      11.18%       4.39%      6.29%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)......  $34,971        $41,459     $70,112     $70,302     $56,095        $112       $100
Average net assets (000).............  $39,052        $52,216     $72,095     $61,548     $52,137         $95        $61
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees...........................     1.31%(a)       1.37%(a)    1.31%       1.36%       1.38%       1.56%(a)   1.68%(a)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees...........................      .81%(a)        .87%(a)     .81%        .86%        .88%        .81%(a)    .93%(a)
   Net investment income.............     4.77%(a)       5.04%(a)    4.87%       5.11%       5.42%       4.53%(a)   4.66%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate..............       36%            33%         12%         14%         30%         36%        33%
<CAPTION>

                                       August 1,
                                        1994(d)
                                        through
                                       August 31,
                                          1994
                                       ----------
<S>                                    <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   period............................    $11.78
                                          -----

Income from investment operations
Net investment income................       .04
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions......................      (.03)
                                          -----

   Total from investment
      operations.....................       .01
                                          -----

Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income............................      (.04)
Distributions from net realized
   gains.............................        --
                                          -----

   Total distributions...............      (.04)
                                          -----

Net asset value, end of period.......    $11.75
                                          -----
                                          -----

TOTAL RETURN(b):.....................      0.06%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)......      $200(e)
Average net assets (000).............      $199(e)
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees...........................      2.15%(c)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees...........................      1.39%(c)
   Net investment income.............      4.56%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate..............        12%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of management fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions. Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not
    annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
(e) Figures are actual and not rounded to the nearest thousand.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-128

<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report                  MICHIGAN SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Michigan Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Michigan
Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations for the year
then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the
period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and broker. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, Michigan Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the
respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    


                                      B-129

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                 NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--97.1%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic City Mun. Utils. Auth. Rev., Wtr. Sys.                 A-(c)            7.75%       5/01/17      $2,000 (e)   $2,236,940
Atlantic City, Gen. Oblig., Ser. A                              Baa1             Zero       11/01/06       1,490          875,301
Bergen Cnty., Utils. Auth., Wtr. Poll. Ctrl. Rev., Ser. B,
   F.G.I.C.                                                     Aaa              5.75       12/15/05       1,000        1,053,590
Camden Cnty. Mun. Utility Auth. Ref., F.G.I.C.                  Aaa              6.00        7/15/06       2,500        2,658,725
Cape May Cnty. Ind. Poll. Ctrl., Fin. Auth. Rev., M.B.I.A.      Aaa              6.80        3/01/21       2,615        2,988,527
Cinnaminson Sewage Auth. Rev.                                   NR               7.40        2/01/15       1,600(e)     1,769,392
Edison Twnshp., Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                         Aaa              6.00        1/01/08       5,390(e)     5,736,361
Egg Harbor Twnshp. Sch. Dist., Cert. of Part., M.B.I.A.         Aaa              7.40        4/01/02       1,000        1,090,390
Egg Harbor Twnshp. Sch. Dist., F.S.A.                           Aaa              4.75        2/15/09       1,010          935,422
Essex Cnty. Ref., Ser. A-1, A.M.B.A.C.                          Aaa              5.375       9/01/10       2,500        2,451,825
Essex Cnty. Impvt. Auth., Ser. A, A.M.B.A.C.                    Aaa              5.50        9/01/15       3,800        3,682,504
Evesham Mun. Utils. Auth. Rev., Ser. B, M.B.I.A.                Aaa              7.00        7/01/10       2,000        2,145,800
Hammonton, Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                              Aaa              6.85        8/15/03         500          559,640
Hammonton, Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                              Aaa              6.85        8/15/04         500          563,180
Hammonton, Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                              Aaa              6.85        8/15/05         500          565,660
Hudson Cnty. Impvt. Auth., Solid Waste Sys. Rev.                BBB-(c)          7.10        1/01/20       2,050        2,005,658
Hudson Cnty. Impvt. Auth., Solid Waste Sys. Rev.                A+(c)            6.10        7/01/20       1,500        1,507,560
Jackson Twnshp. Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                            Aaa              6.60        6/01/04       1,020        1,128,283
Jackson Twnshp. Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                            Aaa              6.60        6/01/05         940        1,043,081
Jackson Twnshp. Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                            Aaa              6.60        6/01/10       1,600        1,782,864
Jackson Twnshp. Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                            Aaa              6.60        6/01/11       1,600        1,782,992
Jersey City,
   Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                                      Aaa              6.00       10/01/09       2,000(f)     2,113,380
   Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                                      Aaa              6.00       10/01/10       2,760(f)     2,904,983
   Gen. Oblig., Ser. A, F.S.A.                                  Aaa              9.25        5/15/04       4,310        5,476,243
Lakewood Twnshp., Gen. Oblig., F.G.I.C.                         Aaa              6.60       12/01/04         450          501,570
Lakewood Twnshp., Gen. Oblig., F.G.I.C.                         Aaa              6.60       12/01/05         445          497,394
Lenape Regl. High Sch. Dist., Gen. Oblig., M.B.I.A.             Aaa              7.625       1/01/12         400          485,892
Mercer Cnty. Impvt. Auth. Rev.                                  Aa1              Zero        4/01/06       2,500        1,525,500
Middle Twnshp. Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                             Aaa              7.00        7/15/05       1,200        1,363,788
Middlesex Cnty. New Jersey Utils. Auth. Sewer Rev.
   Refunding Ser. A, F.G.I.C.                                   Aaa              5.375       9/15/15       2,250        2,170,710
Millburn Twnshp. Sch. Dist., Brd. of Ed.                        Aaa              5.35        7/15/13       1,140        1,106,894
Millburn Twnshp. Sch. Dist., Brd. of Ed.                        Aaa              5.35        7/15/14       1,135        1,102,130
Millburn Twnshp. Sch. Dist., Brd. of Ed.                        Aaa              5.35        7/15/16       1,150        1,109,037
Millburn Twnshp. Sch. Dist., Brd. of Ed.                        Aaa              5.35        7/15/17       1,150        1,106,312
Monmouth Cnty. Impvt. Auth. Rev.                                AA(c)            6.55        7/01/12       4,065        4,372,517
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-130

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                 NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monmouth Cnty. Impvt. Auth. Rev.,
   Govt. Loan, F.S.A.                                           Aaa              5.25%       7/15/08      $1,900       $1,880,050
   Govt. Loan, F.S.A.                                           Aaa              5.35        7/15/10       1,980        1,947,152
   Water & Sewage Facs. Rev., M.B.I.A.                          Aaa              5.00        2/01/13       1,600        1,481,520
   Wtr. Treatment Fac., M.B.I.A.                                Aaa              6.875       8/01/12         750          822,787
Morris Cnty. Gen'l. Impt. & Park                                Aaa              5.00        7/15/14       3,180        2,942,358
Morris Cnty. Gen'l. Impt. & Park                                Aaa              5.00        7/15/15       3,180        2,917,555
New Jersey Bldg. Auth. Rev., Garden St. Svg. Bonds, Ser. A      Aa              Zero         6/15/03         890          636,813
New Jersey Econ. Dev. Auth Wtr. Fac. Rev. F.G.I.C               NR               7.966      11/01/29       5,000        4,725,000
New Jersey Econ. Dev. Auth. Rev.,
   Clara Maas Health Sys. Project, F.S.A.                       Aaa              5.00        7/01/25       3,365        2,977,015
   Ed. Testing Service, Ser. B, M.B.I.A.                        Aaa              5.90        5/15/15       2,000        2,004,520
   Ed. Testing Service, Ser. B, M.B.I.A.                        Aaa              6.25        5/15/25       5,000        5,181,100
   Nat'l. Assoc. of Accountants                                 NR               7.50        7/01/01       1,050        1,094,163
   Nat'l. Assoc. of Accountants                                 NR               7.65        7/01/09         950          991,069
   New Jersey Performing Arts Center Proj., Ser. C,
      A.M.B.A.C.                                                Aaa              5.00        6/15/15       3,320        3,004,069
   New Jersey Performing Arts Center Proj., Ser. C,
      A.M.B.A.C.                                                Aaa              5.00        6/15/16       3,485        3,153,716
New Jersey Econ. Dist. Heating & Cool., Trigen Trenton
   Proj.                                                        BBB-(c)          6.20       12/01/10         600          597,798
New Jersey Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev.,
   Higher Educ. Facs. Trust Fund, Ser. A, A.M.B.A.C.            Aaa              5.125       9/01/10       1,200        1,153,164
   New Jersy Inst. of Tech., Ser. E, M.B.I.A.                   Aaa              5.375       7/01/20       4,860        4,594,595
   Princeton Theological, Ser. B                                Aaa              5.90        7/01/26       4,500        4,514,805
   Princeton Univ. Inst. For Adv. Study, Ser. B                 Aaa              6.35        7/01/21       5,620        5,805,179
   Seton Hall Univ. Proj., Ser. D                               Baa1             7.00        7/01/21       2,000        2,083,320
   Trenton State College, Ser. A, M.B.I.A.                      Aaa              5.00        7/01/16       3,450        3,153,507
   Univ. of Medicine & Dentistry, Ser. B, A.M.B.A.C.            Aaa              5.25       12/01/15       1,500        1,419,900
   Univ. of Medicine & Dentistry, Ser. B, A.M.B.A.C.            Aaa              5.25       12/01/21       3,150        2,921,499
   Univ. of Medicine & Dentistry, Ser. B, A.M.B.A.C.            Aaa              5.25       12/01/25       1,000          924,200
New Jersey Hlth. Care Facs. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
   Atlantic City Med. Ctr., Ser. C.                             A                6.80        7/01/11       2,500        2,668,100
   East Orange Gen. Hosp., Ser. B                               BBB+(c)          7.75        7/01/20       2,250        2,375,370
   Helene Fuld Med. Ctr., Ser. C                                A(c)             8.00        7/01/08       2,700        2,878,632
   Helene Fuld Med. Ctr., Ser. C                                A(c)             8.125       7/01/13         500          534,160
   Intercare Hlth. Systems-JFK Ctr.                             A                7.50        7/01/07       1,000        1,055,530
   Intercare Hlth. Systems-JFK Ctr.                             A                7.625       7/01/18         945          999,517
   Jersey Shore Med. Ctr., A.M.B.A.C.                           Aaa              6.00        7/01/09       1,465        1,525,592
   Jersey Shore Med. Ctr., A.M.B.A.C.                           Aaa              6.25        7/01/21       1,500        1,546,515
   Kensington Cmnty. Med. Ctr., M.B.I.A.                        Aaa              7.00        7/01/20       3,450        3,723,551
   Rahway Hospital, Ser. B                                      Baa1             7.75        7/01/14       4,740        4,945,858
   Robert Wood Johnson Univ., Ser. C, M.B.I.A.                  Aaa              5.25        7/01/10       2,935        2,823,089
   St. Joseph's Hosp. Med. Ctr., Ser. A                         AAA(c)           5.70        7/01/11       4,375        4,294,806
   Warren Hosp.                                                 AA(c)            5.25        7/01/14       2,985        2,729,394
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-131

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                 NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey St. Hsg. & Mtge. Fin. Agcy.,
   Ser. D, M.B.I.A.                                             Aaa              7.70%      10/01/29      $3,915       $4,063,026
   Rental Housing, Ser. B                                       A+(c)            6.75       11/01/11       2,190        2,261,175
New Jersey St. Hwy. Auth., Garden St. Pkwy. Gen. Rev.,          A1               6.20        1/01/10       3,035        3,245,508
New Jersey St. Tpke. Auth. Rev., Ser. C, M.B.I.A                Aaa              6.50        1/01/09       1,000        1,098,990
New Jersey St. Tpke. Auth. Rev., Ser. C, M.B.I.A                Aaa              6.50        1/01/16       5,835        6,355,540
New Jersey St. Trans. Trust Fund Auth. Trans. Sys., Ser.
   A, M.B.I.A.                                                  Aaa              6.00       12/15/06       5,000        5,348,150
New Jersey St. Trans. Trust Fund Auth. Trans. Sys., Ser.
   A, M.B.I.A.                                                  Aaa              5.00        6/15/15       2,000        1,841,800
New Jersey St. Trans. Trust Fund Auth. Trans. Sys., Ser.
   B, M.B.I.A.                                                  Aaa              6.50        6/15/11       5,000        5,522,550
New Jersey St. Trans. Trust Fund Auth. Trans. Sys., Ser.
   B, M.B.I.A.                                                  Aaa              5.75        6/15/14       5,000        4,912,150
North Brunswick Twnshp.,
   Brd. of Ed., Gen. Oblig.                                     Aa(c)            6.80        6/15/06         350          396,536
   Brd. of Ed., Gen. Oblig.                                     Aa(c)            6.80        6/15/07         350          397,320
   Gen. Oblig.                                                  Aa               6.40        5/15/10         545          585,025
Northfield Brd. of Ed., F.S.A                                   Aaa              5.375       7/15/14       1,390        1,339,668
Northfield Brd. of Ed., F.S.A                                   Aaa              5.375       7/15/15       1,470        1,406,908
Paterson Cnty., F.S.A.                                          Aaa              6.50        2/15/05       2,000        2,168,940
Port Auth. New York & New Jersey, Ser. 100                      A1               5.75        6/15/30       1,430        1,372,371
Port Auth. New York & New Jersey, Ser. 94                       A1               5.80       12/01/13       2,500        2,470,250
Port Auth. New York & New Jersey, Ser. 96, F.G.I.C.             Aaa              6.60       10/01/23       2,750        2,924,020
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev.                               Baa1             6.00        7/01/12       3,295        3,310,322
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev., Ser. R                       Baa1             6.25        7/01/17       2,800        2,832,508
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev., Ser. S                       Baa1             6.125       7/01/08       2,300        2,438,046
Puerto Rico Hwy. Auth. Rev., Ser. R                             Baa1             6.75        7/01/05       1,000 (e)    1,091,540
Puerto Rico Hwy. Auth. Rev., Ser. S                             Baa1             6.50        7/01/22         750          829,155
Puerto Rico Ind. Tour. Edl. Hosp. Auxil., Mut. Oblig. Grp.
   Proj., M.B.I.A.                                              Aaa              6.25        7/01/24       3,000        3,105,930
Puerto Rico Public Bldgs. Auth. Rev., Guar. Gov't. Fac.,
   Ser. A, A.M.B.A.C.                                           Aaa              5.50        7/01/21       1,600        1,533,056
Puerto Rico Tel. Auth. Rev., Ser. I, M.B.I.A.                   Aaa              6.677       1/25/07       7,875        7,707,656
Rutgers St. Univ. Rev., Ser. A                                  A1               6.40        5/01/13       2,000        2,169,460
Salem Cnty. New Jersey Indus. Poll. Ctrl. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                     Aaa              5.55       11/01/33       1,250        1,175,363
South Brunswick Twnshp., Wtr. & Swr. Utils., Gen. Impvt.,       AA(c)            6.90        8/01/05         850 (e)      931,957
South Brunswick Twnshp., Wtr. & Swr. Utils., Gen. Impvt.,       AA(c)            6.90        8/01/06         850 (e)      931,957
South River Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                                Aaa              5.00       12/01/13       1,300        1,207,518
South River Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                                Aaa              5.00       12/01/14       1,300        1,197,469
South River Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                                Aaa              5.00       12/01/15       1,230        1,123,322
Union City Sch. Impvt., F.S.A.                                  Aaa              6.375      11/01/08       1,545        1,690,972
Union Cnty. Utils. Auth., Solid Waste Rev., Ser. A              A-(c)            7.20        6/15/14       4,850        4,880,797
Virgin Islands Terr., Hugo Ins. Claims Fund Proj., Ser. 91      NR               7.75       10/01/06       1,865        1,967,015
West Morris Regl. High Sch. Dist., Cert. of Part., B.I.G.       Aaa              7.50        3/15/09       1,500        1,601,295
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-132

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                 NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West New York & New Jersey Mun. Util. Auth. Swr. Rev.,
   F.G.I.C.                                                     Aaa              5.125%     12/15/17       $2,050    $  1,891,269
West Windsor Regional Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                      Aaa              5.25       12/01/05       1,000        1,016,780
West Windsor Regional Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                      Aaa              5.50       12/01/13       2,600        2,557,126
West Windsor Regional Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.                      Aaa              5.50       12/01/14       2,700        2,641,950
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total long-term investments (cost $251,910,540)                                                                      $256,969,403
                                                                                                                     ------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--3.9%
Port Auth. of New York & New Jersey,
   Ser. 3, F.R.D.D.                                             VMIG1            3.65        9/03/96       8,600        8,600,000
   Ser. 4, F.R.D.D.                                             VMIG1            3.80        9/03/96       1,800        1,800,000
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total short-term investments (cost $10,400,000)                                                                      $ 10,400,000
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total Investments--101.0%
(cost $ 262,310,540; Note 4)                                                                                          267,369,403
Liabilities in excess of other assets--(1.0)%                                                                          (2,600,485)
                                                                                                                     ------------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                     $264,768,918
                                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
     A.M.B.A.C.--American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation.
     B.I.G.--Bond Investors Guaranty Insurance Company.
     F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
     F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
     F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
     M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Association.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating Rate
    Demand Notes is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(d) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and/or direct U.S.
guaranteed obligations.
(e) Indicates a when-issued security.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-133

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities         NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
Investments, at value (cost $262,310,540).................................................................       $ 267,369,403
Cash......................................................................................................               9,357
Interest receivable.......................................................................................           3,429,885
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................              58,899
Deferred expenses and other assets........................................................................               8,351
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         270,875,895
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Payable for investments purchased.........................................................................           5,080,969
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................             565,258
Dividends payable.........................................................................................             201,867
Management fee payable....................................................................................             102,850
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................              88,869
Accrued expenses and other liabilities....................................................................              64,464
Deferred trustees' fees...................................................................................               2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................           6,106,977
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................       $ 264,768,918
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at par..................................................................       $     243,581
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         255,176,279
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                   255,419,860
   Accumulated net realized gain on investments...........................................................           4,290,195
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................................................           5,058,863
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................       $ 264,768,918
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class A:
   Net asset value and redemption price per share
      ($74,492,295 / 6,854,155 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................               $10.87
   Maximum sales charge (3.0% of offering price)..........................................................                 .34
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Maximum offering price to public.......................................................................              $11.21
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class B:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($188,315,307 / 17,323,497 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)....................              $10.87
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class C:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($1,961,316 / 180,427 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding).........................              $10.87
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-134

<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
NEW JERSEY SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Year Ended
Net Investment Income                          August 31, 1996
<S>                                            <C>
Income
   Interest.................................     $16,722,100
                                               ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee...........................       1,429,531
   Distribution fee--Class A................          61,836
   Distribution fee--Class B................       1,111,674
   Distribution fee--Class C................          13,012
   Reports to shareholders..................         139,000
   Custodian's fees and expenses............         125,000
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.......         110,000
   Registration fees........................          61,000
   Legal fees and expenses..................          10,000
   Audit fees and expenses..................          12,300
   Trustee's fees...........................           3,900
   Miscellaneous............................           2,760
                                               ---------------
      Total expenses........................       3,080,013
      Less: Management fee waiver...........        (266,868)
          Custodian fee credit..............         (40,377)
                                               ---------------
          Net expenses......................       2,772,768
                                               ---------------
Net investment income.......................      13,949,332
                                               ---------------
Realized and Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Net realized gain on:
   Investment transactions..................       6,988,022
   Financial futures transactions...........         134,325
   Options written..........................          74,270
                                               ---------------
                                                   7,196,617
                                               ---------------
Net change in unrealized
   appreciation/depreciation on:
   Investments..............................      (8,753,100)
   Financial futures transactions...........          40,469
                                               ---------------
                                                  (8,712,631)
                                               ---------------
Net loss on investments.....................      (1,516,014)
                                               ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations...................     $12,433,318
                                               ---------------
                                               ---------------
</TABLE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
NEW JERSEY SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                   Year Ended August 31,
in Net Assets                         1996               1995
<S>                             <C>                  <C>
Operations
   Net investment income......    $  13,949,332      $ 16,331,296
   Net realized gain on
      investment
      transactions............        7,196,617         1,258,159
   Net change in unrealized
     appreciation/depreciation
      of investments..........       (8,712,631)        1,997,149
                                -----------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from
      operations..............       12,433,318        19,586,604
                                -----------------    ------------
Dividends and distributions (Note 1):
   Dividends from net
      investment income
      Class A.................       (3,208,681)       (1,712,625)
      Class B.................      (10,661,812)      (14,579,222)
      Class C.................          (78,839)          (39,449)
                                -----------------    ------------
                                    (13,949,332)      (16,331,296)
                                -----------------    ------------
   Distributions from net
      realized gains
      Class A.................         (241,413)               --
      Class B.................         (912,215)               --
      Class C.................           (5,692)               --
                                -----------------    ------------
                                     (1,159,320)               --
                                -----------------    ------------
Series share transactions (net
   of share conversions) (Note
   5):
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold....................       12,763,152        18,110,094
   Net asset value of shares
      issued in reinvestment
      of dividends and
      distributions...........        9,004,603         9,760,545
   Cost of shares
      reacquired..............      (51,693,450)      (71,846,422)
                                -----------------    ------------
   Net decrease in net assets
      from Series share
      transactions............      (29,925,695)      (43,975,783)
                                -----------------    ------------
Total decrease................      (32,601,029)      (40,720,475)
Net Assets
Beginning of year.............      297,369,947       338,090,422
                                -----------------    ------------
End of year...................    $ 264,768,918      $297,369,947
                                -----------------    ------------
                                -----------------    ------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-135

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984, and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The New Jersey Series (the ``Series'')
commenced investment operations in March 1988. The Series is diversified and
seeks to achieve its investment objective of obtaining the maximum amount of
income exempt from federal and applicable state income taxes with the minimum of
risk by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt securities whose ratings
are within the four highest ratings categories by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization or, if not rated, are of comparable quality. The
ability of the issuers of the securities held by the Series to meet their
obligations may be affected by economic or political developments in a specific
state, industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: The Fund values municipal securities (including
commitments to purchase such securities on a ``when-issued'' basis) on the basis
of prices provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in
comparable securities and various relationships between securities in
determining values. If market quotations are not readily available from such
pricing service, a security is valued at its fair value as determined under
procedures established by the Trustees.

Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost which approximates market value.

All securities are valued as of 4:15 P.M., New York time.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to
purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of debt securities at a set
price for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures
contract, the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash
and/or other assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This
amount is known as the ``initial margin''. Subsequent payments, known as
``variation margin'', are made or received by the Series each day, depending on
the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation
margin is recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as
unrealized gain or loss. The Series invests in financial futures contracts
solely for the purpose of hedging its existing portfolio securities or
securities the Series intends to purchase against fluctuations in value caused
by changes in prevailing market interest rates. Should interest rates move
unexpectedly, the Series may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the
financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of futures
transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the
price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets.

Option Writing: When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium
received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to
the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from writing
options which expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date
as realized gains from securities or currencies based upon the type of option
written. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a
closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated
as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for
the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is
exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying
security or currency in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or
loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the
securities or currencies purchased by the Fund. The Fund as writer of an option
may have no control over whether the underlying securities may be sold (call) or
purchased (put) and as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable change
in the price of the security underlying the written option. There were no
written options outstanding at August 31, 1996.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are
calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. The Series amortizes premiums and original issue discount paid on
purchases of portfolio securities as adjustments to interest income. Expenses
are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates
by management.

Net investment income (other than distribution fees) and unrealized and realized
gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the
relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-136

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross
income consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is
required.

Dividends and Distributions: The Series declares daily dividends from net
investment income. Payment of dividends is made monthly. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, are made annually.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for
short-term capital gains and market discount.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''). PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the cost of the subadvisor's
services, the compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain
clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and
expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. For the four
months ended December 31, 1995, PMF waived 35% of its management fee. For the
eight months ended August 31, 1996, PMF waived 10% of its management fee. The
amount of fees waived for the year ended August 31, 1996, amounted to $266,868
($0.019 per share for Class A, B and C shares; 0.09% of average net assets)
until further notice. The Series is not required to reimburse PMF for such
waiver.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of the
Fund through January 1, 1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities
Incorporated (``PSI''), became the distributor of the Class A shares of the Fund
and is serving the Fund under the same terms and conditions as under the
arrangement with PMFD. PSI is also the distributor of the Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund. The Fund compensated PMFD and PSI for distributing and
servicing the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of
distribution, (the ``Class A, B and C Plans'') regardless of expenses actually
incurred by them. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.

Pursuant to the Class A, B and C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI and PMFD for
the period September 1, 1995 through January 1, 1996 with respect to Class A
shares for distribution-related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of 1%,
 .50 of 1% and 1%, of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C
shares, respectively. Such expenses under the Plans were .10 of 1%, .50 of 1%
and .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C shares,
respectively, for the year ended August 31, 1996.

PMFD and PSI have advised the Series that they have received approximately
$16,300 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares during
the year ended August 31, 1996. From these fees, PMFD and PSI paid such sales
charges to affiliated broker-dealers which in turn paid commissions to sales
persons and incurred other distribution costs.

PSI has advised the Series that for the year ended August 31, 1996, it received
approximately $383,900 and $2,200 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed
upon certain redemptions by Class B and Class C shareholders, respectively.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent and during the year ended August 31,
1996, the Series incurred fees of approximately $102,800 for the services of
PMFS. As of August 31, 1996, approximately $8,000 of such fees were due to PMFS.
Transfer agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-137

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 4. Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities of the Series, excluding short-term
investments, for the year ended August 31, 1996, were $169,609,043 and
$204,222,142, respectively.

The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes at August 31,
1996, was $262,322,690 and, accordingly, net unrealized appreciation of
investments for federal income tax purposes was $5,046,713 (gross unrealized
appreciation--$7,959,214; gross unrealized depreciation--$2,912,501).

The Series utilized its capital loss carryforward of approximately $1,724,478 to
offset the Series net taxable gains realized and recognized in the fiscal year
ended August 31, 1996.

Transactions in written options during the period ended August 31, 1996 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Number of    Premiums
                                       Contracts    Received
                                       ---------    --------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>
Options written......................        330      74,270
Options expired......................       (330)    (74,270)
                                       ---------    --------
Options outstanding at August 31,
  1996...............................          0           0
                                       ---------    --------
                                       ---------    --------
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 5. Capital

The Series currently offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares
are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 3%. Class B shares are sold with
a contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending on
the period of time the shares are held. Class C shares are sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1% during the first year. Class B shares
will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately
seven years after purchase. A special exchange privilege is also available for
shareholders who qualify to purchase Class A shares at net asset value.

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
each class at $.01 par value per share.
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest for the fiscal years ended August
31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................     148,515    $  1,647,737
Shares issued in reinvestment
  of dividends and distributions....     190,011       2,098,434
Shares reacquired...................  (1,234,733)    (13,625,430)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (896,207)     (9,879,259)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................   3,227,199      35,525,116
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................   2,330,992    $ 25,645,857
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................     146,305    $  1,554,250
Shares issued in reinvestment
  of dividends......................     101,255       1,092,947
Shares reacquired...................    (644,816)     (6,937,778)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (397,256)     (4,290,581)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................   3,553,656      38,072,569
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................   3,156,400    $ 33,781,988
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
<CAPTION>
Class B
- ------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................     917,780    $ 10,139,469
Shares issued in reinvestment
  of dividends and distributions....     617,603       6,835,852
Shares reacquired...................  (3,405,389)    (37,508,650)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................  (1,870,006)    (20,533,329)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A......................  (3,227,199)    (35,525,116)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................  (5,097,205)   $(56,058,445)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

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


                                      B-138

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................   1,439,537    $ 15,328,727
Shares issued in reinvestment
  of dividends......................     811,273       8,636,803
Shares reacquired...................  (6,166,186)    (64,879,456)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................  (3,915,376)    (40,913,926)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A......................  (3,553,656)    (38,072,569)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................  (7,469,032)   $(78,986,495)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
<CAPTION>
Class C
- ------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................      88,262    $    975,946
Shares issued in reinvestment
  of dividends and distributions....       6,369          70,317
Shares reacquired...................     (51,020)       (559,370)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................      43,611    $    486,893
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................     114,493    $  1,227,117
Shares issued in reinvestment
  of dividends......................       2,852          30,795
Shares reacquired...................      (2,705)        (29,188)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................     114,640    $  1,228,724
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

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


                                      B-139

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                        NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Class A
                                              -------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Year Ended August 31,
                                              -------------------------------------------------------
                                               1996        1995        1994        1993        1992
                                              -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year.........   $ 10.98     $ 10.81     $ 11.74     $ 11.15     $ 10.73
                                              -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income(a)...................       .57         .61         .61         .64         .67
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
   investment transactions.................      (.07)        .17        (.75)        .71         .51
                                              -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
   Total from investment operations........       .50         .78        (.14)       1.35        1.18
                                              -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income.......      (.57)       (.61)       (.61)       (.64)       (.67)
Distributions from net realized gains on
   investment transactions.................      (.04)         --        (.18)       (.12)       (.09)
                                              -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
   Total distributions.....................      (.61)       (.61)       (.79)       (.76)       (.76)
                                              -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Net asset value, end of year...............   $ 10.87     $ 10.98     $ 10.81     $ 11.74     $ 11.15
                                              -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
                                              -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
TOTAL RETURN(b):...........................      4.63%       7.55%      (1.27)%     12.57%      11.35%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)..............   $74,492     $49,666     $14,774     $15,501     $11,941
Average net assets (000)...................   $61,837     $30,290     $15,334     $13,444     $ 9,759
Ratios to average net assets:(a)
   Expenses, including distribution fees...       .67%        .55%        .58%        .61%        .48%
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees...       .57%        .45%        .48%        .51%        .38%
   Net investment income...................      5.19%       5.65%       5.42%       5.63%       6.14%
Portfolio turnover rate....................        62%         37%         34%         32%         38%
- ---------------
</TABLE>
(a) Net of management and/or distribution fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       B-140

<PAGE>
                                        PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                    NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Class B                                       Class C
                                             ------------------------------------------------------------     ---------------------
                                                                Year Ended August 31,                         Year Ended August 31,
                                             ------------------------------------------------------------     ---------------------
                                               1996         1995         1994         1993         1992          1996         1995
                                             --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     ----------     ------
<S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.......  $  10.98     $  10.81     $  11.74     $  11.15     $  10.73       $10.98       $10.81
                                             --------     --------     --------     --------     --------       ------       ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income(a)...................       .53          .57          .56          .59          .63          .50          .54
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
   investment transactions.................      (.07)         .17         (.75)         .71          .51         (.07)         .17
                                             --------     --------     --------     --------     --------       ------       ------
   Total from investment operations........       .46          .74         (.19)        1.30         1.14          .43          .71
                                             --------     --------     --------     --------     --------       ------       ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income.......      (.53)        (.57)        (.56)        (.59)        (.63)        (.50)        (.54)
Distributions from net realized gains on
   investment transactions.................      (.04)          --         (.18)        (.12)        (.09)        (.04)          --
                                             --------     --------     --------     --------     --------       ------       ------
   Total distributions.....................      (.57)        (.57)        (.74)        (.71)        (.72)        (.54)        (.54)
                                             --------     --------     --------     --------     --------       ------       ------
Net asset value, end of period.............  $  10.87     $  10.98     $  10.81     $  11.74     $  11.15       $10.87       $10.98
                                             --------     --------     --------     --------     --------       ------       ------
                                             --------     --------     --------     --------     --------       ------       ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):...........................      4.22%        7.12%       (1.67)%      12.12%       10.93%        3.96%        6.86%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)............  $188,315     $246,202     $323,077     $351,878     $295,781       $1,961       $1,502
Average net assets (000)...................  $222,235     $274,995     $343,941     $316,372     $269,318       $1,735       $  790
Ratios to average net assets:(a)
   Expenses, including distribution fees...      1.07%         .95%         .98%        1.01%         .88%        1.32%        1.20%
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees...       .57%         .45%         .48%         .51%         .38%         .57%         .45%
   Net investment income...................      4.80%        5.30%        5.02%        5.23%        5.74%        4.54%        4.99%
Portfolio turnover rate....................        62%          37%          34%          32%          38%          62%          37%
- ---------------
<CAPTION>
<S>                                          <C>
                                             August 1,
                                              1994(d)
                                              through
                                             August 31,
                                                1994
                                             ----------
<S>                                          <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period.......    $10.83
                                                -----
Income from investment operations
Net investment income(a)...................       .04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
   investment transactions.................      (.02)
                                                -----
   Total from investment operations........       .02
                                                -----
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income.......      (.04)
Distributions from net realized gains on
   investment transactions.................        --
                                                -----
   Total distributions.....................      (.04)
                                                -----
Net asset value, end of period.............    $10.81
                                                -----
                                                -----
TOTAL RETURN(b):...........................      0.14%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)............    $  240
Average net assets (000)...................    $   11
Ratios to average net assets:(a)
   Expenses, including distribution fees...      1.29%(c)
   Expenses, excluding distribution fees...       .54%(c)
   Net investment income...................      5.06%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate....................        34%
- ---------------
</TABLE>
(a) Net of management and/or distribution fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions. Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not
    annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       B-141

<PAGE>
                                          PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report              NEW JERSEY SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, New Jersey Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, New Jersey
Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations for the year
then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the
period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies
were not received from brokers, we performed other audit procedures. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, New Jersey Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the
respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    


                                      B-142
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                    PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                       NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Cnty. Impvt. Auth. Rev., Ser. 86, F.R.W.D.             VMIG1            3.20%        9/04/96   $  1,300     $  1,300,000
Bergen Cnty., Ser. 96, G.O.                                     Aaa              4.50         6/15/97      1,690        1,698,371
Bernards Twnshp., Ser. 96, B.A.N.                               NR               4.00         5/23/97      3,801        3,808,165
Brazos River Auth. Poll. Ctrl. Rev., Texas Util. Elec.
   Co., Ser. 95C, F.R.D.D.                                      VMIG1            4.00         9/03/96      2,000        2,000,000
Essex Cnty. Impvt. Auth. Rev., F.R.W.D.                         VMIG1            3.00         9/04/96      4,000        4,000,000
Gloucester Cnty. Ind. Poll. Ctrl. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
   Monsanto Co. Proj., Ser. 92, F.R.W.D.                        P-1              3.20         9/04/96      3,120        3,120,000
Hudson Cnty. Impvt. Auth. Rev., Ser. 86, F.R.W.D.               A-1(c)           3.50         9/05/96      4,445        4,445,000
Jersey City, B.A.N.                                             P-1              4.25         9/27/96      7,000        7,001,970
Morris Cnty., B.A.N.                                            VMIG1            3.95         8/07/97      7,000        7,001,831
New Jersey Sports & Expo. Auth., Ser. 92C, F.R.W.D.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                     VMIG1            3.15         9/05/96      4,300        4,300,000
New Jersey St. Econ. Dev. Auth.,
   Brach Jersey Ave, Ser. 86, F.R.W.D.                          P-1              3.30         9/04/96      2,200        2,200,000
   Catholic Cmnty. Svcs Proj., Ser. 93, F.R.W.D.                VMIG1            3.35         9/05/96      5,900        5,900,000
   Catholic Cmnty. Svcs Proj., Ser. 95, F.R.W.D.                VMIG1            3.35         9/05/96      2,500        2,500,000
   Chambers Cogen. Ltd., Ser. 91, T.E.C.P.                      VMIG1            3.50        10/25/96      3,000        3,000,000
   Chambers Cogen. Ltd., Ser. 91, T.E.C.P.                      VMIG1            3.50        12/16/96      4,400        4,400,000
   East Meadow Corp., Ser. 86A, F.R.W.D.                        VMIG1            3.60         9/04/96      2,675        2,675,000
   Econ. Growth Bds., Ser. 94B, F.R.W.D.                        A-1(c)           3.25         9/05/96      1,800        1,800,000
   Franciscan Oaks Proj., Ser. 92B, F.R.W.D.                    A-1+(c)          3.30         9/04/96      1,600        1,600,000
   Hillcrest Health Svcs. Sys. Proj., Ser. 95, F.R.W.D.         P-1              3.40         9/04/96      8,000        8,000,000
   Hoffman La-Roche Inc. Proj., Ser. 93, F.R.D.D.               Aaa              3.60         9/03/96      6,800        6,800,000
   Kent Place, Ser. 92L, F.R.W.D.                               VMIG1            3.40         9/05/96      1,930        1,930,000
   Keystone Proj., Ser. 92, T.E.C.P.                            VMIG1            3.55         9/20/96      2,360        2,360,000
   Keystone Proj., Ser. 92, T.E.C.P.                            VMIG1            3.55        10/24/96      2,600        2,600,000
   Keystone Proj., Ser. 92, T.E.C.P.                            VMIG1            3.50        12/17/96      1,500        1,500,000
   Michael Shalit Proj., Ser. 93, F.R.D.D.                      P-1              3.80         9/03/96      1,700        1,700,000
   North Plainfield Hldg., Ser. 92, A.O.T.                      VMIG1            4.00         9/01/97      3,635        3,635,000
   Ocean Spray Cranberry Inc. Proj., Ser. 87, S.A.O.T.          A+(c)(e)         4.10         7/01/97      4,000        4,000,000
   Office Court Assoc. Proj., F.R.W.D.                          A-1+(c)          3.45         9/04/96      1,800        1,800,000
   Peddie Sch. Proj., Ser. 94B, F.R.W.D.                        A-1(c)           3.25         9/05/96      3,000        3,000,000
   RJB Associates Ltd., F.R.W.D.                                A-1(c)           3.50         9/05/96      1,480        1,480,000
   Russ Berrie & Co., Ser. 83, F.R.W.D.                         A-1+(c)          3.15         9/04/96        200          200,000
   Thermal Energy Ltd., Ser. 95, S.A.O.T.                       NR               3.60        12/12/96      2,500        2,500,000
   Volvo America Corp, Ser. 84, F.R.W.D.                        A-1+(c)          4.015        9/04/96      1,500        1,500,000
New Jersey St. Hsg. Fin. Agcy., Ser. 92A, Q.T.P.O.T.            AA+(c)           3.75        11/01/96      3,000        3,000,000
New Jersey St. Tpke. Auth. Rev., Ser. D, F.R.W.D.,
   F.G.I.C.                                                     VMIG1            3.00         9/04/96      3,000        3,000,000
Newark Healthcare Facs. Rev., Ser. 95A, F.R.W.D.                A-1(c)           3.60         9/05/96      2,955        2,955,000
Ocean Cnty., Ser. 96, B.A.N.                                    VMIG1            4.10         7/01/97      3,000        3,008,544
Piscataway Twnshp., Ser. 96, B.A.N.                             NR               4.25         4/25/97      3,000        3,012,157
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-143

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                    PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                       NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Auth. of New York & New Jersey,
   Ser. 93, F.R.D.D.                                            VMIG1            3.65%        9/03/96   $  5,000     $  5,000,000
   Ser. 93-2, F.R.W.D.                                          P-1              3.441        9/03/96      8,000        8,000,000
   Ser. 94, F.R.D.D.                                            VMIG1            3.80         9/03/96      4,200        4,200,000
Puerto Rico Comnwlth.,
   Gov't. Dev. Bank, Ser. 85, F.R.W.D.                          VMIG1            3.10         9/04/96        400          400,000
   Gov't. Dev. Bank, Ser. 95, T.E.C.P.                          A-1+(c)          3.35         9/12/96      1,300        1,300,000
   Gov't. Dev. Bank, Ser. 95, T.E.C.P.                          A-1+(c)          3.45         9/12/96      2,500        2,500,000
   Gov't. Dev. Bank, Ser. 95, T.E.C.P.                          A-1+(c)          3.60        10/07/96      4,000        4,000,000
Randolph Twnshp., B.A.N.                                        NR               4.25         9/06/96      3,593        3,592,642
Roxbury Twnshp., Ser. 96, B.A.N.                                NR               3.75         2/14/97      7,798        7,815,067
Salem Cnty. Ind. Poll. Ctrl. Rev., Ser. 93A, T.E.C.P.           VMIG1            3.50        12/17/96      8,000        8,000,000
Sussex Cnty., B.A.N.                                            NR               4.50         9/13/96      5,000        5,000,945
Washington Twnshp., Ser. 96, B.A.N.                             NR               3.50        10/21/96      5,334        5,335,064
West Orange Twnshp., B.A.N.                                     NR               3.75        10/03/96      3,951        3,951,843
Woodbridge., Ser. 96, T.A.N.                                    NR               3.43         2/13/97      1,250        1,248,504
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total Investments--99.8%
(amortized cost $181,075,103; (d))                                                                                    181,075,103
Other assets in excess of liabilities--0.2%                                                                               321,190
                                                                                                                     ------------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                     $181,396,293
                                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
    A.O.T.--Annual Optional Tender.
    B.A.N.--Bond Anticipation Note.
    F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Corp.
    F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
    F.R.W.D.--Floating Rate (Weekly) Demand Note (b).
    G.O.--General Obligation.
    M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Investors Assurance.
    Q.T.P.O.T.--Quarterly Third Party Optional Tender.
    S.A.O.T.--Semi-Annual Optional Tender.
    T.A.N.--Tax Anticipation Note.
    T.E.C.P--Tax Exempt Commercial Paper.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of such
    securities is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(d) The cost of securities for federal income tax purposes is substantially the
    same as for financial reporting purposes.
(e) This security has been deemed comparable in quality to an eligible
    investment.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-144

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities         NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Assets                                                                                                          August 31, 1996
                                                                                                                ---------------
<S>                                                                                                           <C>
Investments, at amortized cost which approximates market value............................................       $ 181,075,103
Interest receivable.......................................................................................           1,521,811
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................           1,010,016
Receivable for investments sold...........................................................................             245,000
Deferred expenses and other assets........................................................................               5,318
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         183,857,248
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................           2,198,593
Accrued expenses and other liabilities....................................................................              87,001
Dividends payable.........................................................................................              84,560
Management fee payable....................................................................................              77,411
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................              10,690
Deferred trustees' fees...................................................................................               2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................           2,460,955
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................       $ 181,396,293
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at $.01 par value.......................................................       $   1,813,963
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         179,582,330
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................       $ 181,396,293
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share ($181,396,293 / 181,396,293 shares of
   beneficial interest
   issued and outstanding; unlimited number of shares authorized).........................................                $1.00
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-145

<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Year Ended
Net Investment Income                            August 31, 1996
<S>                                              <C>
Income
   Interest and discount earned...............     $ 6,925,960
                                                 ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee.............................         963,088
   Distribution fee...........................         240,772
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.........          87,000
   Custodian's fees and expenses..............          60,000
   Reports to shareholders....................          35,000
   Registration fees..........................          24,000
   Audit fee..................................          10,800
   Legal fees.................................           5,000
   Trustee's fees.............................           3,900
   Deferred organization expenses.............           2,000
   Miscellaneous..............................           9,198
                                                 ---------------
      Total expenses..........................       1,440,758
   Less: Management fee waiver (note 2).......         (85,123)
      Custodian fee credit....................          (1,632)
                                                 ---------------
      Net expenses............................       1,354,003
                                                 ---------------
Net investment income.........................       5,571,957
                                                 ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations.....................     $ 5,571,957
                                                 ---------------
                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>


PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                   Year Ended August 31,
<S>                               <C>              <C>
in Net Assets                         1996             1995
Operations
   Net investment income.......   $   5,571,957    $   5,328,982
                                  -------------    -------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from
      operations...............       5,571,957        5,328,982
                                  -------------    -------------
Dividends to shareholders......      (5,571,957)      (5,328,982)
                                  -------------    -------------
Series share transactions
   (at $1 per share)
   Net proceeds from shares
      subscribed...............     686,158,251      621,173,812
   Net asset value of shares
      issued to shareholders in
      reinvestment of
      dividends................       5,403,204        5,178,490
   Cost of shares reacquired...    (692,617,954)    (602,179,432)
                                  -------------    -------------
   Net increase (decrease) in
      net assets from Series
      share transactions.......      (1,056,499)      24,172,870
                                  -------------    -------------
Total increase (decrease)......      (1,056,499)      24,172,870
Net Assets
Beginning of year..............     182,452,792      158,279,922
                                  -------------    -------------
End of year....................   $ 181,396,293    $ 182,452,792
                                  -------------    -------------
                                  -------------    -------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-146

<PAGE>
                                          PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements             NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The New Jersey Money Market Series (the
``Series'') commenced investment operations on December 3, 1990. The Series is
non-diversified and seeks to achieve its investment objective of providing the
highest level of income that is exempt from New Jersey State and federal income
taxes with a minimum of risk by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt
securities maturing within 13 months or less and whose ratings are within the
two highest ratings categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating
organization, or if not rated, are of comparable quality. The ability of the
issuers of the securities held by the Series to meet their obligations may be
affected by economic developments in a specific state, industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: Portfolio securities of the Series are valued at
amortized cost, which approximates market value. The amortized cost method of
valuation involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and
thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or
premium.

All securities are valued as of 4:30 p.m., New York time.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments
are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the
use of certain estimates by management.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross
income consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is
required.

Dividends: The Series declares daily dividends from net investment income.
Payment of dividends is made monthly.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles.

Deferred Organization Expenses: The Series incurred $32,200 in organization and
initial registration expenses. Such amount was deferred and amortized over a
period of 60 months ended December 1995.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the cost of the subadviser's
services, the compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain
clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and
expenses.

The management fee paid to PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an
annual rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. During
the year ended August 31, 1996, PMF waived 25% of its management fee for the
period September 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995. The amount of such fees
waived for the year ended August 31, 1996 amounted to $85,123 ($.0004 per share;
 .044% of average net assets). Effective January 1, 1996 PMF ceased waiving any
portion of its management fee.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Fund through January 1,
1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities Incorporated (``PSI'')
became the distributor of the Fund and is serving the Fund under the same terms
and conditions as under the arrangement with PMFD. The Series reimbursed PMFD
and PSI for distributing and servicing the Series' shares pursuant to the plan
of distribution at an annual rate of .125 of 1% of the Series average daily net
assets. The distribution fee is accrued daily and payable monthly.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                     B-147

<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are (indirect)
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series incurred fees of approximately $79,000 for the services of PMFS. As
of August 31, 1996, approximately $6,200 of such fees were due to PMFS. Transfer
agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-148

<PAGE>
                                         PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                     NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Year Ended August 31,
                                                  ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1996         1995         1994         1993         1992
                                                  --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year............    $   1.00     $   1.00     $   1.00     $   1.00     $   1.00
Net investment income and net realized
   gains(a)...................................         .03          .03          .02          .02          .04
Dividends and distributions...................        (.03)        (.03)        (.02)        (.02)        (.04)
                                                  --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Net asset value, end of year..................    $   1.00     $   1.00     $   1.00     $   1.00     $   1.00
                                                  --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
                                                  --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
TOTAL RETURN(b):..............................        2.92%        3.15%        1.90%        2.31%        3.48%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000).................    $181,396     $182,453     $158,280     $163,087     $164,092
Average net assets (000)......................    $192,617     $171,223     $169,123     $170,103     $155,915
Ratios to average net assets(a):
   Expenses, including distribution fee.......         .70%         .64%         .68%         .64%         .32%
   Expenses, excluding distribution fee.......         .57%         .51%         .55%         .51%         .19%
   Net investment income......................        2.89%        3.11%        1.87%        2.02%        3.33%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of management fee waiver and/or expense subsidy.
(b) Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-149

<PAGE>
                                           PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report               NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, New Jersey Money Market Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, New Jersey
Money Market Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations
for the year then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years
in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five
years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights
based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, New Jersey Money Market Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results
of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights
for the respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    

                                       B-150

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                   PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                      NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--94.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of Elmira, Wtr. Impt., Ser. B, A.M.B.A.C.                  Aaa              5.95%        3/01/16   $  5,395     $  5,420,087
City of New Rochelle Ind. Dev. Agcy.,
   Coll. of New Rochelle                                        BBB-(c)          6.625        7/01/12        500          513,290
   Coll. of New Rochelle                                        BBB-(c)          6.75         7/01/22      2,000        2,051,040
Dutchess Cnty. Res. Rec. Agcy. Rev., Solid Waste Mgmt.,
   Ser. A, F.G.I.C.                                             Aaa              7.50         1/01/09      1,150        1,251,534
Islip Res. Rec., Ser. B, A.M.B.A.C.                             Aaa              7.20         7/01/10      1,745        2,015,580
Jefferson Cnty. Ind. Dev. Agcy., Solid Waste Disp. Rev.         Baa1             7.20        12/01/20      1,500        1,590,630
Met. Trans. Auth. Facs. Rev.,
   Commuter Facs., Ser. 7                                       Baa1             Zero         7/01/08      8,760        4,356,260
   Commuter Facs., Ser. 7                                       Baa1             Zero         7/01/09      4,445        2,057,991
   Commuter Facs., Ser. A, F.G.I.C.                             Aaa              5.60         7/01/09        500          502,535
   Commuter Facs., Ser. A, F.G.I.C.                             Aaa              5.70         7/01/10      1,000        1,006,760
   Commuter Facs., Ser. O                                       Baa1             5.50         7/01/17      2,500        2,307,575
   Trans. Facs. Rev., Ser. A, F.S.A.                            Aaa              5.50         7/01/08      3,630        3,629,709
   Trans. Facs. Rev., Ser. A, F.S.A.                            Aaa              5.60         7/01/09      2,900        2,897,129
   Trans. Facs. Rev., Ser. A, F.S.A.                            Aaa              5.70         7/01/10      4,600        4,603,496
   Trans. Facs. Rev., Ser. N, F.G.I.C.                          Aaa             Zero          7/01/12      5,575        2,271,757
   Trans. Facs. Rev., Ser. N, F.G.I.C.                          Aaa             Zero          7/01/13      4,000        1,532,600
   Trans. Facs. Rev., Ser. O                                    Baa1             5.75         7/01/08      2,740        2,693,667
   Trans. Facs. Rev., Ser. O                                    Baa1             5.75         7/01/13      1,975        1,898,686
Mun. Assist. Corp. for New York City, Ser. E                    Aa               6.00         7/01/06      6,700        7,134,629
New York City Ind. Dev. Agcy., Spec. Fac. Rev.,
   U.S.T.A. National Tennis Center Proj., F.S.A.                Aaa              6.375       11/15/14      1,000        1,055,550
   Y.M.C.A. Of Greater N.Y. Proj.                               NR               8.00         8/01/16      1,350        1,448,982
New York City, Gen. Oblig.,
   Ser. A                                                       Aaa              7.75         3/15/03      3,330(d)     3,701,928
   Ser. B                                                       Aaa              8.00         6/01/99        890(d)       972,610
   Ser. B                                                       Baa1             8.00         6/01/99        130          140,349
   Ser. B                                                       Baa1             7.50         2/01/01      4,000        4,340,000
   Ser. B                                                       Baa1             5.875        8/15/12      9,000        8,531,550
   Ser. D                                                       Baa1             8.00         8/01/03      2,500        2,785,600
   Ser. D                                                       Baa1             7.70         2/01/09      3,040        3,366,982
   Ser. F                                                       Baa1             8.20        11/15/03      3,000        3,371,400
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-151

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                   PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                      NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York St. Dorm. Auth. Rev.,
   City Univ., Ser. A                                           Baa1             5.75%        7/01/13   $  3,500     $  3,361,190
   City Univ. Refunding Bonds                                   Baa1             6.00         7/01/14      6,500        6,415,370
   City Univ. Sys. Cons., Ser. A                                Baa1             8.125        7/01/07      3,435        3,697,331
   City Univ. Sys. Cons., Ser. A                                Baa1             5.625        7/01/16      5,600        5,271,280
   City Univ. Sys. Cons., Ser. C, F.G.I.C.                      Aaa              7.50         7/01/10      3,500        4,181,030
   City Univ. Sys. Cons., Ser. D                                Baa1             7.00         7/01/09      1,880        2,065,913
   Coll. & Univ. Ed., M.B.I.A.                                  Aaa             Zero          7/01/04      2,255        1,504,694
   Episcopal Hlth. Svcs., G.N.M.A.                              AAA(c)           7.55         8/01/29      3,000        3,239,970
   Insured Mount Sinai Med. Sch., Ser. A, M.B.I.A.              Aaa              5.00         7/01/13      2,945        2,723,506
   Long Island Med. Ctr., Ser. A, F.H.A.                        Aa               7.625        8/15/08      2,595        2,739,749
   Long Island Med. Ctr., Ser. A, F.H.A.                        Aa               7.75         8/15/27      4,100        4,335,832
   Mental Hlth. Svcs. Fac. Impvt., Ser. B                       Baa1             6.50         8/15/11      3,000        3,101,640
   Spec. Act. Sch. Districts, F.G.I.C.                          Aaa              7.00         7/01/13      3,050        3,316,326
   St. Univ. Edl. Facs., Ser. A                                 Baa1             5.25         5/15/15      8,600        7,754,706
   St. Univ. Edl. Facs., Ser. B                                 Baa1             7.50         5/15/11      4,660        5,355,878
New York St. Energy Resch. & Dev. Auth. Rev.,
   Brooklyn Union Gas Co., Ser. B, M.B.I.A.                     Aaa              6.75         2/01/24      2,000(f)     2,132,860
   Brooklyn Union Gas Co., Ser. D, M.B.I.A.                     Aaa              5.635(e)     7/08/26      4,000        3,735,120
   Con. Edison Co.                                              Aa3              7.50         7/01/25      6,735        7,204,429
   Con. Edison Co., Ser.A                                       Aa3              7.50         1/01/26      4,775        5,131,215
New York St. Environ. Facs. Corp., Poll. Ctrl. Rev.,
   Ser. C                                                       Aaa              5.35         7/15/07      2,000        2,012,980
   Ser. C                                                       Aaa              5.45         7/15/08      3,090        3,110,641
   Ser. C                                                       Aaa              5.55         7/15/09      1,375        1,384,130
   St. Wtr. Revolving Fund, Ser. B                              Aa               7.50         3/15/11      1,300        1,402,154
   St. Wtr. Revolving Fund, Ser. E                              Aa               6.50         6/15/14      1,000        1,059,590
New York St. Hsg. Fin. Agcy. Rev., Ser. A,
   Multifamily Hsg.                                             Aa               7.05         8/15/24      1,000        1,050,160
   Ref. Hsg. Proj. Mtge., Ser. A, F.S.A.                        Aaa              6.10        11/01/15      8,900        8,921,182
   St. Univ. Constr., Ser. A                                    Aaa              8.00         5/01/11      3,600(d)     4,415,256
New York St. Local Gov't. Assistance Corp.,
   Ser. C                                                       A               Zero          4/01/14     11,882        4,229,992
   Ser. E                                                       A                6.00         4/01/14      6,135        6,302,915
   Ser. E                                                       A                5.25         4/01/16      4,500        4,197,330
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-152

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                   PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                      NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York St. Med. Care Facs. Fin. Agcy. Rev.,
   Mental Hlth. Svcs., M.B.I.A.                                 Aaa              6.00%        8/15/02   $  3,000     $  3,179,790
   Mental Hlth. Svcs., Ser. A                                   Baa1             7.50         8/15/07        815          899,964
   New York Hosp., Ser. A, A.M.B.A.C., F.H.A.                   Aaa              6.50         8/15/29      3,000        3,207,270
   St. Francis Hosp., Proj. A, F.G.I.C.                         Aaa              7.60        11/01/08      2,350        2,534,310
New York St. Mtge. Agcy. Rev.,
   Homeowner Mtge., Ser. A                                      Aa               8.05        10/01/21      3,110        3,261,457
   Homeowner Mtge., Ser 55                                      Aa               5.95        10/01/17      2,000        1,966,880
New York St. Mun. Bond Bank Agcy., Spec. Proj. Rev., Ser.
   A                                                            A+(c)            6.75         3/15/11      3,000        3,195,030
New York St. Thrwy. Auth. Svc. Contract Rev., Local
   Highway & Bridge                                             Baa1             6.45         4/01/15      1,000        1,023,800
New York St. Urban Dev. Corp. Rev.,
   Correctional Cap. Facs., A.M.B.A.C.                          Aaa             Zero          1/01/08     10,000        5,424,000
   Correctional Cap. Facs., Ser.5, A.M.B.A.C.                   Aaa              6.00         1/01/04      4,415        4,688,553
   St. Facs.                                                    Baa1             5.75         4/01/11      5,000        4,832,200
   St. Facs.                                                    Baa1             5.75         4/01/12      5,750        5,532,305
   St. Facs.                                                    Baa1             5.60         4/01/15      2,000        1,881,140
Port Auth. of New York & New Jersey, Ser. 70                    A1               7.25         8/01/25      1,000        1,069,700
Puerto Rico Comnwlth.,
   Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                                      Aaa              7.00         7/01/10      6,500        7,503,860
   Pub. Impvt. Rfdg., M.B.I.A.                                  Aaa              7.00         7/01/10      1,250        1,443,050
Puerto Rico Comnwlth., Hwy. & Trans. Auth. Rev., Ser. W         Aaa              5.50         7/01/13     11,000       10,856,560
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev., Pub. Impvt. Ref.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                     Aaa             Zero          7/01/04     11,895        8,028,649
Puerto Rico Pub. Bldgs. Auth. Rev. Gtd. Gov't. Facs., Ser.
   A, A.M.B.A.C.                                                Aaa              6.25         7/01/15      2,050        2,183,886
Puerto Rico Tel. Auth. Rev., Ser. I, M.B.I.A.                   Aaa              6.677(e)     1/25/07      7,875        7,707,656
Rockland Cnty. Solid Waste Mgmt. Auth., Ser. B, A.M.B.A.C.      Aaa              5.625       12/15/14      1,585        1,525,325
Suffolk Cnty. Ind. Dev. Agcy., Southwest Swr. Sys. Rev.,
   F.G.I.C.                                                     Aaa              6.00         2/01/07      1,000        1,067,830
Suffolk Cnty. Wtr. Auth. Rev., Ser. W                           AAA(c)           6.80         6/01/12      1,740(d)     1,913,530
Suffolk Cnty. Wtr. Auth., Waterworks Rev., M.B.I.A.             Aaa              6.00         6/01/09      5,160        5,461,757
Triborough Bridge & Tunl. Auth. Rev., Ser. A, M.B.I.A.          Aaa              6.00         1/01/10      2,000        2,110,900
Western Nassau Cnty. Wtr. Auth., Wtr. Sys. Rev.,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                   Aaa              5.65         5/01/26      2,000        1,932,880
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total long-term investments (cost $281,374,188)                                                                       289,236,557
                                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-153


<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                   PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                      NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--4.2%
New York City Hsg. Dev. Corp., E.17th St. Property, Ser.
   93A, F.R.D.D.                                                A-1(c)           3.85%        9/03/96   $    200     $    200,000
New York City Ind. Dev. Agcy. Rev., Japan Airlines, Ser.
   91, F.R.D.D.                                                 A1+(c)           3.90         9/03/96        800          800,000
New York St. Energy. Resch. & Dev. Auth., Poll. Ctrl.
   Rev.,
   Niagara Mohawk Pwr. Corp., Ser. 85A, F.R.D.D.                A1+(c)           3.95         9/03/96        900          900,000
   Niagara Mohawk Pwr. Corp., Ser. 86A, F.R.D.D.                P1               3.95         9/03/96      3,300        3,300,000
   Niagara Mohawk Pwr. Corp., Ser. 87A, F.R.D.D.                A2               4.05         9/03/96      5,900        5,900,000
   Niagara Mohawk Pwr. Corp., Ser. 87B, F.R.D.D.                A1+(c)           4.05         9/03/96      1,300        1,300,000
Port Auth. of New York & New Jersey, Ser. 3, F.R.D.D.           VMIG1            3.65         9/03/96        200          200,000
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total short-term investments (cost $12,600,000)                                                                        12,600,000
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total Investments--99.1%
(cost $ 293,974,188; Note 4)                                                                                          301,836,557
Other assets in excess of liabilities--0.9%                                                                            >2,840,839
                                                                                                                     ------------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                     $304,677,396
                                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
    A.M.B.A.C.--American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation.
    F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
    F.H.A.--Federal Housing Administration.
    F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
    F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
    G.N.M.A.--Government National Mortgage Association.
    M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Corporation.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating Rate
    Demand Notes is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(d) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and/or direct U.S.
    guaranteed obligations.
(e) Inverse floating rate bond. The coupon is inversely indexed to a floating
    interest rate. The rate shown is the rate at year end.
(f) Pledged as initial margin on financial futures contracts.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                   B-154

<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities          NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Assets                                                                                                          August 31, 1996
                                                                                                                ---------------
Investments, at value (cost $293,974,188).................................................................       $ 301,836,557
Cash......................................................................................................              51,745
Interest receivable.......................................................................................           3,398,940
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................             163,993
Due from broker-variation margin..........................................................................              58,219
Prepaid expenses and other assets.........................................................................               9,386
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         305,518,840
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................             312,861
Dividends payable.........................................................................................             247,785
Management fee payable....................................................................................             118,098
Accrued expenses..........................................................................................              86,487
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................              73,513
Deferred trustee's fees...................................................................................               2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................             841,444
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................       $ 304,677,396
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at par..................................................................       $     258,869
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         289,823,156
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                   290,082,025
   Accumulated net realized gain on investments...........................................................           6,655,377
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................................................           7,939,994
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................       $ 304,677,396
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class A:
   Net asset value and redemption price per share
      ($168,036,760 / 14,279,015 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)....................               $11.77
   Maximum sales charge (3% of offering price)............................................................                 .36
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Maximum offering price to public.......................................................................              $12.13
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class B:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($135,764,197 / 11,533,381 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)....................              $11.77
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class C:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($876,439 / 74,455 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)............................              $11.77
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-115

<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
NEW YORK SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Year Ended
Net Investment Income                          August 31, 1996
<S>                                           <C>
Income
   Interest and discount earned............     $  19,028,429
                                              -----------------
Expenses
   Management fee..........................         1,608,029
   Distribution fee--Class A...............           168,291
   Distribution fee--Class B...............           763,278
   Distribution fee--Class C...............             4,941
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses......           165,000
   Custodian's fees and expenses...........            98,000
   Reports to shareholders.................            76,000
   Registration fees.......................            44,500
   Audit fees and expenses.................            12,300
   Legal fees and expenses.................            10,000
   Trustees' fees..........................             3,900
   Miscellaneous...........................            22,260
                                              -----------------
      Total expenses.......................         2,976,499
   Less: Management fee waiver.............          (160,803)
       Custodian fee credit................           (17,613)
                                              -----------------
   Net expenses............................         2,798,083
                                              -----------------
Net investment income......................        16,230,346
                                              -----------------
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investments
Net realized gain on:
   Investment transactions.................         8,098,900
   Financial futures transactions..........           903,272
                                              -----------------
                                                    9,002,172
                                              -----------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation on:
   Investments.............................       (11,379,989)
   Financial futures contracts.............            77,625
                                              -----------------
                                                  (11,302,364)
                                              -----------------
Net loss on investments....................        (2,300,192)
                                              -----------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations..................     $  13,930,154
                                              -----------------
                                              -----------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
NEW YORK SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                    Year Ended August 31,
<S>                                 <C>             <C>
in Net Assets                           1996            1995
Operations
   Net investment income..........  $ 16,230,346    $ 17,632,805
   Net realized gain (loss) on
      investment transactions.....     9,002,172        (425,049)
   Net change in unrealized
      appreciation of
      investments.................   (11,302,364)      5,023,826
                                    ------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from operations...    13,930,154      22,231,582
                                    ------------    ------------
Dividends and distributions (Note
   1)
   Dividends from net investment
      income
      Class A.....................    (8,811,465)     (5,367,852)
      Class B.....................    (7,388,688)    (12,248,452)
      Class C.....................       (30,193)        (16,501)
                                    ------------    ------------
                                     (16,230,346)    (17,632,805)
                                    ------------    ------------
   Distributions from net realized
      gains
      Class A.....................      (701,061)             --
      Class B.....................      (645,835)             --
      Class C.....................        (2,246)             --
                                    ------------    ------------
                                      (1,349,142)             --
                                    ------------    ------------
Series share transactions (net of
   share conversions) (Note 5)
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold........................    18,427,055      18,761,553
   Net asset value of shares
      issued in reinvestment of
      dividends and
      distributions...............    10,492,197      10,361,213
   Cost of shares reacquired......   (47,159,422)    (52,939,335)
                                    ------------    ------------
   Net decrease in net assets from
      Series share transactions...   (18,240,170)    (23,816,569)
                                    ------------    ------------
Total decrease....................   (21,889,504)    (19,217,792)
Net Assets
Beginning of year.................   326,566,900     345,784,692
                                    ------------    ------------
End of year.......................  $304,677,396    $326,566,900
                                    ------------    ------------
                                    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                     B-156

<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The New York Series (the ``Series'') commenced
investment operations in September, 1984. The Series is diversified and seeks to
achieve its investment objective of obtaining the maximum amount of income
exempt from federal and applicable state and city income taxes with the minimum
of risk by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt securities and whose
ratings are within the four highest ratings categories by a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization or, if not rated, are of comparable
quality. The ability of the issuers of the securities held by the Series to meet
their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific state,
industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: The Series values municipal securities (including
commitments to purchase such securities on a ``when-issued'' basis) on the basis
of prices provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in
comparable securities and various relationships between securities in
determining values. If market quotations are not readily available from such
pricing service, a security is valued at its fair value as determined under
procedures established by the Trustees.

Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost.

All securities are valued as of 4:15 p.m., New York time.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to
purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities at a set price
for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures contract,
the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash and/or other
assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This amount is
known as the ``initial margin''. Subsequent payments, known as ``variation
margin'', are made or received by the Series each day, depending on the daily
fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation margin is
recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as unrealized gain or
loss. When the contract expires or is closed, the gain or loss is realized and
is presented in the statement of operations as net realized gain (loss) on
financial futures contracts.

The Series invests in financial futures contracts in order to hedge its existing
portfolio securities or securities the Series intends to purchase, against
fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates. Should
interest rates move unexpectedly, the Series may not achieve the anticipated
benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of
futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in
the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are
calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. The Series amortizes premiums and original issue discount paid on
purchases of portfolio securities as adjustments to interest income. Expenses
are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates
by management.

Net investment income (other than distribution fees), and unrealized and
realized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon
the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross
income consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is
required.

Dividends and Distributions: The Series declares daily dividends from net
investment income. Payment of dividends is made monthly. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, are made annually.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                      B-157

<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the cost of the subadviser's
services, the compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain
clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and
expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. PMF has agreed
to waive a portion (.05 of 1% of the Series' average daily net assets) of its
management fee, which amounted to $160,803 ($0.006 per share for the fiscal year
ended August 31, 1996). The Series is not required to reimburse PMF for such
waiver.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of the
Fund through January 1, 1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities
Incorporated (``PSI'') became distributor of the Class A shares of the Fund and
is serving the Fund under the same terms and conditions as under the arrangement
with PMFD. PSI is also the distributor of the Class B and Class C shares of the
Fund. The Fund compensated PMFD and PSI for distributing and servicing the
Fund's Class A, Class B, and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of distribution,
(the ``Class A, B and C plans'') regardless of expenses actually incurred by
them. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.

Pursuant to the Class A, B and C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI, and PMFD for
the period September 1, 1995 through January 1, 1996 with respect to Class A
shares, for distribution-related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of
1%, .50 of 1% and 1%, of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C
shares, respectively. Such expenses under the Plans were .10 of 1%, .50 of 1%
and .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C shares,
respectively, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996.

PMFD and PSI have advised the Series that they have received approximately
$44,000 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares during
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996. From these fees, PMFD and PSI paid such
sales charges to affiliated broker-dealers which in turn paid commissions to
salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

PSI has advised the Series that for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, it
received approximately $317,700 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed
upon certain redemptions by Class B and C shareholders.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the fiscal year ended August
31, 1996, the Series incurred fees of approximately $127,000 for the services of
PMFS. As of August 31, 1996, approximately $9,800 of such fees were due to PMFS.
Transfer agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 4. Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities of the Series, excluding short-term
investments, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 were $276,839,476 and
$285,033,908, respectively.

The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes at August 31, 1996
was substantially the same as for financial reporting purposes and, accordingly,
net unrealized appreciation on investments for federal income tax purposes was
$7,862,369 (gross unrealized appreciation--$10,288,888, gross unrealized
depreciation--$2,426,519).

The Series utilized its capital loss carryforward of approximately $1,071,600 to
offset net taxable gains realized and recognized during the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1996.

At August 31, 1996 the Series sold 69 financial futures on U.S. Treasury bonds
which expire in December 1996. The value at sale of such contracts was
$7,445,531. The value of such contracts on August 31, 1996 was $7,367,906,
thereby resulting in an unrealized gain of $77,625.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-158

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 5. Capital

The Series offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold
with a front-end sales charge of up to 3%. Class B shares are sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending on the
period of time the shares are held. Class C shares are sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge of 1% during the first year. Class B shares automatically
convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately seven years after
purchase. A special exchange privilege is also available for shareholders who
qualified to purchase Class A shares at net asset value.

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
each class at $.01 par value per share.

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest for the fiscal years ended August
31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A                               Shares          Amount
- ----------------------------------  -----------    -------------
<S>                                 <C>            <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.......................      288,545    $   3,471,580
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.....      482,548        5,793,739
Shares reacquired.................   (1,836,870)     (21,951,600)
                                    -----------    -------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion...............   (1,065,777)     (12,686,281)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B.........................    1,655,227       19,855,903
                                    -----------    -------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.....................      589,450    $   7,169,622
                                    -----------    -------------
                                    -----------    -------------
Year ended August 31 1995:
Shares sold.......................      277,184    $   3,225,910
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.......................      267,148        3,155,429
Shares reacquired.................   (1,006,903)     (11,817,623)
                                    -----------    -------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion...............     (462,571)      (5,436,284)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B.........................   12,985,377      149,561,617
                                    -----------    -------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.....................   12,522,806    $ 144,125,333
                                    -----------    -------------
                                    -----------    -------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B                               Shares          Amount
- ----------------------------------  -----------    -------------
<S>                                 <C>            <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.......................    1,214,638    $  14,603,191
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.....      388,580        4,669,975
Shares reacquired.................   (2,099,335)     (25,184,658)
                                    -----------    -------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion...............     (496,117)      (5,911,492)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A....................   (1,655,227)     (19,855,903)
                                    -----------    -------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.....................   (2,151,344)   $ (25,767,395)
                                    -----------    -------------
                                    -----------    -------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.......................    1,310,430    $  15,158,331
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.......................      627,938        7,192,642
Shares reacquired.................   (3,612,951)     (41,102,851)
                                    -----------    -------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion...............   (1,674,583)     (18,751,878)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A....................  (12,985,377)    (149,561,617)
                                    -----------    -------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.....................  (14,659,960)   $(168,313,495)
                                    -----------    -------------
                                    -----------    -------------
Class C
- ----------------------------------
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.......................       29,584    $     352,284
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.....        2,378           28,483
Shares reacquired.................       (1,951)         (23,164)
                                    -----------    -------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.....................       30,011    $     357,603
                                    -----------    -------------
                                    -----------    -------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.......................       32,796    $     377,312
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.......................        1,131           13,142
Shares reacquired.................       (1,612)         (18,861)
                                    -----------    -------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.....................       32,315    $     371,593
                                    -----------    -------------
                                    -----------    -------------
</TABLE>

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


                                      B-159

<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                         NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Class A
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>              <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                           Year Ended August 31,
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1996           1995        1994        1993        1992
                                        ------------     --------     -------     -------     ------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   year.............................      $  11.91       $  11.71     $ 12.54     $ 11.75     $11.08
                                        ------------     --------     -------     -------     ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income...............           .63(a)         .66(a)      .67         .70        .71
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions.....................          (.09)           .20        (.83)        .79        .67
                                        ------------     --------     -------     -------     ------
   Total from investment
      operations....................           .54            .86        (.16)       1.49       1.38
                                        ------------     --------     -------     -------     ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income...........................          (.63)          (.66)       (.67)       (.70)      (.71)
Distributions from net realized
   gains............................          (.05)            --          --          --         --
                                        ------------     --------     -------     -------     ------
   Total distributions..............          (.68)          (.66)       (.67)       (.70)      (.71)
                                        ------------     --------     -------     -------     ------
Net asset value, end of year........      $  11.77       $  11.91     $ 11.71     $ 12.54     $11.75
                                        ------------     --------     -------     -------     ------
                                        ------------     --------     -------     -------     ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):....................          4.53%          7.70%      (1.38)%     13.06%     12.73%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000).......      $168,037       $163,025     $13,661     $11,821     $6,057
Average net assets (000)............      $168,291       $ 95,024     $13,454     $ 8,755     $4,024
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..........................           .68%(a)        .69%(a)     .74%        .74%       .74%
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..........................           .58%(a)        .59%(a)     .64%        .64%       .64%
   Net investment income............          5.24%(a)       5.65%(a)    5.46%       5.78%      6.19%
Portfolio turnover rate.............            92%            57%         49%         44%        45%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-160

<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                        NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Class C
                                                                    Class B                                   ------------
                                      -------------------------------------------------------------------         Year
                                                             Year Ended August 31,                               Ended
                                      -------------------------------------------------------------------      August 31,
                                          1996              1995         1994         1993         1992           1996
<S>                                   <C>                 <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                      ------------        --------     --------     --------     --------         -----
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   period...........................    $  11.91          $  11.71     $  12.54     $  11.75     $  11.08        $11.91
                                      ------------        --------     --------     --------     --------         -----
Income from investment operations
Net investment income...............         .58(a)            .61(a)       .62          .65          .66           .55(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions.....................        (.09)              .20         (.83)         .79          .67          (.09)
                                      ------------        --------     --------     --------     --------         -----
   Total from investment
      operations....................         .49               .81         (.21)        1.44         1.33           .46
                                      ------------        --------     --------     --------     --------         -----
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income...........................        (.58)             (.61)        (.62)        (.65)        (.66)         (.55)
Distributions from net realized
   gains............................        (.05)               --           --           --           --          (.05)
                                      ------------        --------     --------     --------     --------         -----
   Total distributions                      (.63)             (.61)        (.62)        (.65)        (.66)         (.60)
                                      ------------        --------     --------     --------     --------         -----
Net asset value, end of period......    $  11.77          $  11.91     $  11.71     $  12.54     $  11.75        $11.77
                                      ------------        --------     --------     --------     --------         -----
                                      ------------        --------     --------     --------     --------         -----
TOTAL RETURN(b):....................        4.12%             7.27%       (1.77)%      12.61%       12.32%         3.86%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).....    $135,764          $163,013     $331,982     $358,607     $316,472        $  876
Average net assets (000)............    $152,656          $230,033     $350,564     $330,823     $303,016        $  659
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..........................        1.08%(a)          1.11%(a)     1.14%        1.14%        1.14%         1.33%(a)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..........................         .58%(a)           .61%(a)      .64%         .64%         .64%          .58%(a)
   Net investment income............        4.84%(a)          5.30%(a)     5.06%        5.38%        5.79%         4.59%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate.............          92%               57%          49%          44%          45%           92%
<CAPTION>

                                                       August 1,
                                         Ended          Through
                                       August 31,      August 31,
                                          1995            1994
<S>                                    <C>            <C>
                                          -----           -----

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   period...........................     $11.71          $11.74
                                          -----           -----

Income from investment operations
Net investment income...............        .58(a)          .04
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions.....................        .20            (.03)
                                          -----           -----

   Total from investment
      operations....................        .78             .01
                                          -----           -----

Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income...........................       (.58)           (.04)
Distributions from net realized
   gains............................         --              --
                                          -----           -----

   Total distributions                     (.58)           (.04)
                                          -----           -----

Net asset value, end of period......     $11.91          $11.71
                                          -----           -----
                                          -----           -----

TOTAL RETURN(b):....................       7.01%           0.06%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).....     $  529          $  142
Average net assets (000)............     $  325          $   42
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..........................       1.36%(a)        1.62%(c)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..........................        .61%(a)         .87%(c)
   Net investment income............       5.05%(a)        5.17%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate.............         57%             49%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends.
    Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-161

<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report                 NEW YORK SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, New York Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, New York
Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations for the year
then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the
period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and broker. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, New York Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the
respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    


                                      B-162
<PAGE>

Portfolio of Investments                    PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                       NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albany Cnty., Ser. 96B, B.A.N.                                  NR                3.50%       2/19/97   $  6,525     $  6,535,330
Amherst Ind. Dev. Agcy. Rev., Gen. Accident Ins. Co., Ser.
   85, S.E.M.O.T.                                               A1+(c)            3.65       11/01/96      3,100        3,100,000
Babylon Ind. Dev. Agcy. Rev., Res. Rec. Rev., Ser. 89,
   F.R.D.D.                                                     A1+(c)            3.70        9/03/96     11,800       11,800,000
Babylon, Ser. 95, R.A.N.                                        NR                3.85       10/30/96      4,500        4,502,980
Clinton Cnty. Ind. Dev. Agcy Rev., Ser. 96A, F.R.W.D.           A-1(c)            3.55        9/05/96      3,500        3,500,000
Dist. of Columbia., Gen. Oblig., Ser. 92A-4, F.R.D.D.           VMIG1             3.95        9/03/96      4,400        4,400,000
Erie Cnty. Industrial Development Agency, Ser. A, R.A.N.        MIG1              4.25        4/17/97      5,500        5,521,532
Erie Cnty., Ser. 95, R.A.N.                                     MIG1              4.50        9/20/96      1,800        1,800,585
Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority, Ser. 95 F.R.D.D.           VMIG1             3.95        9/03/96      3,000        3,000,000
Hempstead Town, Ser. 96A, B.A.N.                                NR                3.50        2/28/97      5,000        4,992,577
Islip, Ser. 96, B.A.N.                                          NR                4.25        7/25/97      5,000        5,012,901
Monroe Cnty. Ind. Dev. Agcy. Rev., Gen. Accident Ins. Co.,
   Ser. 84, S.E.M.O.T.                                          A1+(c)            3.70        3/01/97      7,000        7,000,000
Nassau Cnty., General Improvement, Series 96T                   Aaa               5.125       9/01/97      8,180        8,280,874
New York City, Gen. Oblig.,
   Ser. 94H-2, T.E.C.P.                                         VMIG1             3.70       11/14/96      5,000        5,000,000
   Ser. 95F-3, F.R.W.D.                                         VMIG1             3.40        9/04/96      6,300        6,300,000
   Ser. 95F-5, F.R.W.D.                                         VMIG1             3.40        9/04/96      4,500        4,500,000
   Ser. J2, T.E.C.P.                                            NR                3.50       10/31/96      5,000        5,000,000
New York City Hsg. Dev. Corp.,
   400 West 59th St. Proj., Ser. 95A-1, F.R.W.D.                A-1(c)            3.35        9/04/96     10,000       10,000,000
   400 West 59th St. Proj., Ser. 95A-2, F.R.W.D.                A-1(c)            3.45        9/04/96      5,000        5,000,000
   E.17th St. Property, Ser. 93A, F.R.D.D.                      A-1(c)            3.85        9/03/96      3,000        3,000,000
   James Tower Proj., Ser. 94A, F.R.W.D.                        A1(c)             3.35        9/04/96      6,500        6,500,000
   Multi Fam. Columbus Ave., Ser. 93A, F.R.W.D.                 A1+(c)            3.40        9/04/96      4,000        4,000,000
New York City Ind. Dev. Agcy. Rev., Japan Airlines, Ser.
   91, F.R.D.D.                                                 A1+(c)            3.90        9/03/96      9,700        9,700,000
New York City Mun. Water Fin. Auth., Water & Sew. Rev.,
   Ser. 88A                                                     Aaa               9.00        6/15/97      5,000(e)     5,300,570
New York City Transit Authority Special Obligation Ser.
   96A, R.A.N.                                                  MIG2              4.25       12/12/96     10,600       10,612,246
New York City Trust Cultural Res. Rev.,
   Museum of Broadcasting, Ser. 89, F.R.W.D.                    VMIG1             3.50        9/04/96      2,100        2,100,000
   The Jewish Museum Proj., Ser. 92, F.R.W.D.                   VMIG1             3.50        9/04/96      7,200        7,200,000
New York St. Dorm. Auth. Rev.,
   Ellis Hospital, Ser 1995 PT75, F.R.W.D.S.                    A1+(c)            3.50        9/05/96      8,600        8,600,000
   Mem. Sloan Kettering, Ser. 89A, T.E.C.P.                     VMIG1             3.55       10/18/96      1,000        1,000,000
   Rockefeller Univ., Ser. 91A, F.R.W.D.S                       Aaa               3.62        9/04/96     14,000       14,000,000
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-163
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                    PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                       NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York St. Energy Res. & Dev. Auth.,
   Long Island Ltg. Co. Proj., Ser. 85A, A.N.N.M.T.             VMIG1             3.25%       3/01/97   $  5,000     $  5,000,000
   Long Island Ltg. Co. Proj., Ser. 95A, F.R.W.D.               VMIG1             3.25        9/04/96      5,000        5,000,000
   New York St. Elec. & Gas Ser. 85A, A.N.N.O.T.                P1                3.30        3/15/97      5,000        5,000,000
   Niagara Mohawk Pwr. Corp., Ser. 85B, F.R.D.D.                P1                3.85        9/03/96        600          600,000
   Niagara Mohawk Pwr. Corp., Ser. 85C, F.R.D.D.                A1+(c)            3.85        9/03/96        400          400,000
   Niagara Mohawk Pwr. Corp., Ser. 86A, F.R.D.D.                P1                3.95        9/03/96     16,100       16,100,000
   Niagara Mohawk Pwr. Corp., Ser. 87B, F.R.D.D.                A1+(c)            4.05        9/03/96        400          400,000
   Niagara Mohawk Pwr. Corp., Ser. 88A, F.R.D.D.                A1+(c)            4.05        9/03/96      5,900        5,900,000
New York St. Environ. Facs. Corp., Solid Waste Disp. Rev.,
   Ser. 92A, T.E.C.P.                                           P1                3.60        9/12/96      4,800        4,800,000
New York St., Gen. Oblig., Ser. R, T.E.C.P.                     P1                3.55       10/04/96      4,800        4,800,000
New York St. Hsg. Fin. Auth., Liberty View Apts., Ser.
   85A, F.R.W.D.                                                VMIG1             3.45        9/04/96     11,600       11,600,000
New York St. Job Dev. Auth., F.R.M.D.,
   Ser. 84D                                                     MIG1              3.70        9/03/96      1,470        1,470,000
   Ser. 84E                                                     VMIG1             3.70        9/03/96      3,445        3,445,000
   Ser. 84F                                                     VMIG1             3.70        9/03/96      1,350        1,350,000
   Ser. 86C                                                     VMIG1             3.85        9/03/96      1,105        1,105,000
New York St. Local Gov't Assistance Corp., Var. Rate Bonds
   Ser. 95B, F.R.W.D.                                           VMIG1             3.20        9/04/96      5,000        5,000,000
   Ser. 95E, F.R.W.D.                                           VMIG1             3.35        9/04/96     10,900       10,900,000
New York St., Thruway Auth. Rev., Ser. C, F.R.W.D.S.            NR                3.60        9/05/96      7,000        7,000,000
Niagara Cnty. Ind. Dev. Agcy. Rev., Gen. Abrasive
   Treibacher,
   Ser. 91, F.R.W.D.                                            P1                3.60        9/04/96      4,600        4,600,000
Oswego Cnty. Ind. Dev. Agcy. Rev., Phillip Morris Co.,
   Ser. 92, F.R.W.D.                                            P1                3.40        9/04/96      6,300        6,300,000
Port Auth. of New York & New Jersey,
   Ser. 4, F.R.D.D.                                             VMIG1             3.80        9/03/96        600          600,000
   Ser. 93-1, F.R.W.D.                                          CPS1              3.441       9/03/96     12,000       12,000,000
Puerto Rico Commwlth.,
   Gov't. Dev. Bank, Ser. 95, T.E.C.P.                          A-1(c)            3.55        9/05/96      3,000        3,000,000
   Gov't. Dev. Bank, Ser. 95, T.E.C.P.                          A-1(c)            3.55       10/07/96      7,400        7,400,000
Rochester Cnty., Ser. I, B.A.N.                                 NR                4.25       10/31/96      5,000        5,003,717
Sachem Central School District, Ser. 96, R.A.N.                 NR                4.00        9/25/96      4,510        4,510,709
Saratoga Springs School District, Ser. 96, R.A.N.               NR                4.00       11/19/96      3,100        3,102,484
Smithtown Central School District, Ser. 96-97, T.A.N.           NR                4.25        6/26/97      9,580        9,606,322
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-164
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                    PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                       NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southwestern Illinois Dev. Auth. Solid Waste Disp. Rev.,
   Shell Oil Co., Wood River Proj., Ser. 92, F.R.D.D.           A1+(c)            3.95%       9/03/96   $  2,800     $  2,800,000
Syracuse, Ser. 95, B.A.N.                                       NR                4.00       12/20/96      8,000        8,008,099
Tarrytowns Union Free School District, Ser. 96,T.A.N.           NR                4.25        6/25/97      3,950        3,959,287
Yates Cnty. Ind. Dev. Agcy. Rev., Clearpass Containers
   Inc., Ser. 92A, F.R.W.D.                                     A-1(c)            3.40        9/05/96      1,330        1,330,000
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total Investments--97.1%
(cost $339,350,213(d))                                                                                                339,350,213
Other assets in excess of liabilities--2.9%                                                                            10,119,594
                                                                                                                     ------------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                     $349,469,807
                                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
    A.N.N.M.T.--Annual Mandatory Tender.
    A.N.N.O.T.--Annual Optional Tender.
    B.A.N--Bond Anticipation Note.
    F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
    F.R.M.D.--Floating Rate (Monthly) Demand Note (b).
    F.R.W.D.--Floating Rate (Weekly) Demand Note (b).
    F.R.W.D.S.--Floating Rate (Weekly) Demand Note Synthetic (b).
    R.A.N.--Revenue Anticipation Note.
    S.E.M.O.T.--Semi-Annual Optional Tender.
    T.A.N.--Tax Anticipation Note.
    T.E.C.P.--Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of such
    securities is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(d) The cost of securities for federal income tax purposes is substantially the
same as for financial reporting purposes.
(e) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and direct U.S. guaranteed
obligations.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-165
<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities           NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Investments, at amortized cost which approximates market value............................................      $  339,350,213
Cash>.....................................................................................................              44,944
Receivable for investments sold...........................................................................          16,770,925
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................           3,872,190
Interest receivable.......................................................................................           2,282,776
Deferred expenses and other assets........................................................................               9,725
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         362,330,773
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Payable for investments purchased.........................................................................           7,000,000
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................           5,356,788
Accrued expenses and other liabilities....................................................................             168,548
Dividends payable.........................................................................................             165,565
Management fee payable....................................................................................             147,080
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................              20,285
Deferred trustees' fee....................................................................................               2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................          12,860,966
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................      $  349,469,807
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at $.01 par value.......................................................      $    3,494,698
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         345,975,109
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................      $  349,469,807
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share ($349,469,807 / 349,469,807 shares
   of beneficial interest issued and outstanding; unlimited number of shares authorized)..................                $1.00
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-166
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Year Ended
Net Investment Income                            August 31, 1996
<S>                                              <C>
Income
   Interest...................................     $12,223,232
                                                 ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee.............................       1,682,136
   Distribution fee...........................         420,534
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.........         137,000
   Custodian's fees and expenses..............          80,000
   Reports to shareholders....................          47,000
   Registration fees..........................          29,000
   Audit fees and expenses....................          10,800
   Legal fees and expenses....................           5,000
   Trustees' fees.............................           3,900
   Miscellaneous..............................          11,209
                                                 ---------------
      Total expenses..........................       2,426,579
   Less: custodian fee credit.................          (3,599)
                                                 ---------------
      Net expenses............................       2,422,980
                                                 ---------------
Net investment income.........................       9,800,252
Net realized gain on investments..............           1,956
                                                 ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations.....................     $ 9,802,208
                                                 ---------------
                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                  Year Ended August 31,
in Net Assets                       1996               1995
<S>                            <C>                <C>
Operations
   Net investment income....   $     9,800,252    $     8,853,758
   Net realized gain on
      investment
      transactions..........             1,956                 --
                               ---------------    ---------------
   Net increase in net
      assets resulting from
      operations............         9,802,208          8,853,758
                               ---------------    ---------------
Dividends and distributions
   to shareholders..........        (9,802,208)        (8,853,758)
                               ---------------    ---------------
Series share transactions
   (at $1 per share)
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold..................     1,133,204,969      1,099,424,608
   Net asset value of shares
      issued to shareholders
      in reinvestment of
      dividends and
      distributions.........         9,471,692          8,564,122
   Cost of shares
      reacquired............    (1,117,904,471)    (1,052,364,310)
                               ---------------    ---------------
   Net increase in net
      assets from Series
      share transactions....        24,772,190         55,624,420
                               ---------------    ---------------
Total increase..............        24,772,190         55,624,420
Net Assets
Beginning of year...........       324,697,617        269,073,197
                               ---------------    ---------------
End of year.................   $   349,469,807    $   324,697,617
                               ---------------    ---------------
                               ---------------    ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-167
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The New York Money Market Series (the
``Series'') commenced investment operations in April, 1985. The Series is
diversified and seeks to achieve its investment objective of providing the
highest level of income that is exempt from New York State, New York City and
federal income taxes with a minimum of risk by investing in ``investment grade''
tax-exempt securities having a maturity of thirteen months or less whose ratings
are within the two highest ratings categories by two nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations, or if not rated, are of comparable quality.
The ability of the issuers of the securities held by the Series to meet their
obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific state,
industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.
Securities Valuations: Portfolio securities of the Series are valued at
amortized cost, which approximates market value. The amortized cost method of
valuation involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and
thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or
premium.

All securities are valued as of 4:30 P.M., New York time.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments
are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the
use of certain estimates by management.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross
income consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is
required.

Dividends: The Series declares daily dividends from net investment income.
Payment of dividends is made monthly.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the cost of the subadviser's
services, the compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain
clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and
expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series.
The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Fund through January 1,
1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities Incorporated (``PSI'')
became the distributor of the Fund and is serving the Fund under the same terms
and conditions as under the arrangement with PMFD. The Series reimbursed PMFD
and PSI for distributing and servicing the Series' shares pursuant to the plan
of distribution at an annual rate of .125 of 1% of the Series' average daily net
assets. The distribution fee is accrued daily and payable monthly.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are (indirect)
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the year ended August 31, 1996,
the Series incurred fees of approximately $122,400 for the services of PMFS. As
of August 31, 1996, approximately $9,800 of such fees were due to PMFS. Transfer
agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-168
<PAGE>
                                           PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                       NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Year Ended August 31,
                                                                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                                               1996         1995         1994         1993
                                                                             --------     --------     --------     --------
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year.......................................    $   1.00     $   1.00     $   1.00     $   1.00
Net investment income and net realized gains.............................         .03          .03          .02          .02
Dividends and distributions to shareholders..............................        (.03)        (.03)        (.02)        (.02)
                                                                             --------     --------     --------     --------
Net asset value, end of year.............................................    $   1.00     $   1.00     $   1.00     $   1.00
                                                                             --------     --------     --------     --------
                                                                             --------     --------     --------     --------
TOTAL RETURN(a):.........................................................        2.97%        3.06%        1.80%        1.80%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)............................................    $349,470     $324,698     $269,073     $286,304
Average net assets (000).................................................    $336,427     $292,763     $280,492     $275,640
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution fee..................................         .72%         .73%         .77%         .75%
   Expenses, excluding distribution fee..................................         .60%         .61%         .64%         .63%
   Net investment income.................................................        2.91%        3.02%        1.78%        1.75%
<CAPTION>

                                                                             1992
                                                                           --------
<S>                                                                          <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year.......................................  $   1.00
Net investment income and net realized gains.............................       .03
Dividends and distributions to shareholders..............................      (.03)
                                                                           --------
Net asset value, end of year.............................................  $   1.00
                                                                           --------
                                                                           --------
TOTAL RETURN(a):.........................................................      2.93%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)............................................  $249,785
Average net assets (000).................................................  $248,557
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution fee..................................       .76%
   Expenses, excluding distribution fee..................................       .63%
   Net investment income.................................................      2.83%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.



                                      B-169
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report                 NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, New York Money Market Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, New York
Money Market Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations
for the year then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years
in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five
years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights
based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and broker. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, New York Money Market Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of
its operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for
the respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996



   
    


                                      B-170
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                    PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                       NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--96.5%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buncombe Cnty., Pub. Impvt. Bonds                                Aa               6.90%        3/01/09   $  1,000(d)  $ 1,077,810
Cary Sanitary Sewer                                              Aa1              5.20         4/01/09        500         490,925
Charlotte Pub. Impvt.                                            Aaa              5.40         4/01/15      1,500       1,457,115
Charlotte Mecklenberg Hosp., Hlth. Care Sys. Rev.                Aa               6.25         1/01/20        750         760,920
Charlotte Wtr. & Swr.                                            Aaa              6.20         6/01/17      1,500(d)    1,633,995
Charlotte Wtr. & Swr.                                            Aaa              5.90         2/01/19      1,000       1,025,210
Charlotte, Cert. of Part., Conv. Fac. Proj., A.M.B.A.C.          Aaa              5.00        12/01/21      3,000       2,629,710
City of Greensboro Enterprise Sys. Rev., Comb Ser. A             A1               5.30         6/01/15      1,000         954,190
Concord Util. Sys. Rev., M.B.I.A.                                Aaa              5.50        12/01/14      1,000         977,390
Craven Cnty., M.B.I.A.                                           Aaa              5.50         6/01/16      1,000         978,700
Dare Cnty., Util. Sys. Rev., M.B.I.A.                            Aaa              5.75         6/01/14        500         489,075
Davidson Cnty.                                                   Aa               5.40         6/01/14        800         776,648
Durham Cnty., Pub. Impvt.                                        Aaa              4.60         5/01/04      2,000       1,972,200
Durham, Gen. Oblig.                                              Aa1              5.10         2/01/15      1,000         931,750
Fayetteville, Cert. of Part., San. Swr. & Pub. Impvt.,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                    Aaa              6.875       12/01/08      1,750       1,908,655
Gastonia, Gen. Oblig., Wtr. Sys. & St. Impvt., F.G.I.C.          Aaa              5.25         4/01/09      1,625       1,594,141
Haywood Cnty., Ind. Facs. & Poll. Ctrl.,
   Fin. Auth. Environ. Impvt. Rev.                               Baa1             6.25         9/01/25        750         737,970
   Fin. Auth. Environ. Impvt. Rev., Ser. A                       Baa1             5.75        12/01/25      1,000         911,350
Lincoln Cnty. Gen. Oblig., Ref., F.G.I.C.                        Aaa              5.10         6/01/09      1,170       1,123,984
Martin Cnty. Ind. Facs. & Poll. Ctrl. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
   Weyerhaueser Co. Proj.                                        A2               8.50         6/15/99        200         219,124
Mecklenberg Cnty., Pub. Impvt.                                   Aaa              5.00         4/01/08      1,000         976,760
Mecklenburg Cnty., Pub. Impvt.                                   Aaa              4.80         3/01/06      1,050       1,031,929
New Hanover Cnty. Hosp. Rev., Regl. Med. Ctr. Proj.,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                    Aaa              4.75        10/01/23      1,600       1,345,040
No. Carolina Eastn. Mun. Pwr. Agcy.,
   Pwr. Sys. Rev. A.M.B.A.C.                                     Aaa              6.00         1/01/18      1,000       1,027,920
   Pwr. E.T.M. prerefunded, Ser. A                               Aaa              6.50         1/01/18      1,995       2,198,251
   Pwr. Sys. Rev., Ser. A                                        A                6.50         1/01/18      1,005       1,039,090
   Pwr. Sys. Rev., Ser. B                                        Aaa              6.00         1/01/26        650 (d)     659,288
   Pwr. Sys. Rev., Ser. A                                        A                6.40         1/01/21      1,000         995,010
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-171
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                    PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                       NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. Carolina Hsg. Fin. Agcy., Sngl. Fam. Mtge. Rev., Ser. G      Aa               7.80%        3/01/21   $    670     $   701,329
No. Carolina Med. Care Comn., Hlth. Care Facs. Rev.,
   Stanley Mem. Hosp. Proj.                                      Baa1             7.80        10/01/19        650         722,781
North Carolina Med. Care Comn. Hlth. Care Fac. Rev.,
   Stanley Mem. Hosp. Proj., A.M.B.A.C.                          Aaa              5.375       10/01/19      1,500       1,397,730
No. Carolina Med. Care Comn., Hosp. Rev.,
   Annie Pen Mem. Hosp. Proj.                                    Baa              7.50         8/15/21      1,000       1,032,310
   Rex Hosp. Proj.                                               A1               6.25         6/01/17      1,750       1,761,497
No. Carolina Mun. Pwr. Agcy.,
   No. 1 Catawba Elec. Rev., A.M.B.A.C.                          Aaa              5.25         1/01/09      1,000         981,250
   No. 1 Catawba Elec. Rev., M.B.I.A.                            Aaa              6.00         1/01/10      1,250       1,310,825
   No. 1 Catawba Elec. Rev., M.B.I.A.                            Aaa             6.97(e)       1/01/12      2,000       1,830,000
North Carolina Gen. Oblig. Cap. Impvt., Ser. A                   Aaa              4.70         2/01/10      1,200       1,104,540
Northern Hosp. Dist. Surry Cnty. Hlth. Care Facs. Rev., No.
   Carolina Hosp.                                                Ba1              7.875       10/01/21      1,500       1,563,120
Pitt Cnty. Rev., Pitt Cnty. Mem. Hosp.                           Aa               5.25        12/01/21      1,500       1,369,005
Puerto Rico Comnwlth.,
   Gen. Oblig., F.S.A.                                           Aaa              7.958(e)     7/01/20      1,300       1,269,125
   Gen. Oblig., Ser. A, M.B.I.A.                                 Aaa              6.25         7/01/10      1,240       1,306,315
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev., Pwr. Rev. Bds.                Baa1             5.50         7/01/20      1,520       1,402,474
Puerto Rico Ind. Med. & Environ. Poll. Ctrl. Facs., Upjohn
   Co. Proj.                                                     Aa3              7.50        12/01/23        500         544,860
Puerto Rico Tel. Auth. Rev., Ser. I, M.B.I.A.                    Aaa              6.677(e)     1/25/07      1,000         978,750
Puerto Rico Univ. Sys. Rev., Ser. M, M.B.I.A.                    Aaa              5.25         6/01/25      1,000         923,400
Union Cnty. Wtr. & Swr., Solid Waste Rev.                        A1               6.50         4/01/07        850         912,645
University of No. Carolina Chapel Hill Hosp. Rev.                Aa               5.25         2/15/26      1,000         914,860
Virgin Islands Terr., Hugo Ins. Claims Fund Proj., Ser. 91       NR               7.75        10/01/06        415         437,701
Wake Cnty. Hosp. Rev., M.B.I.A.                                  Aaa              5.125       10/01/26      1,500       1,321,890
Winston Salem, Sngl. Fam. Mtge. Rev.                             A1               8.00         9/01/07        410         425,961
Winston Salem, Wtr. & Swr., Sys. Rev., Ser. B                    Aa               5.70         6/01/17      1,000         977,310
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total long-term investments (cost $56,471,948)                                                                         57,113,828
                                                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-172
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                    PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                       NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Moody's                               Principal
                                                                    Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                  (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)       (Note 1)
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--2.5%
Halifax Cnty. Ind. Facs. & Poll. Ctrl., Westmoreland L.G. &
   E. Partners, Ser. 93 F.R.D.D.                                 A-1+(c)          3.95%        9/03/96   $  1,400     $ 1,400,000
Halifax Cnty. Ind. Facs. & Poll. Ctrl., Westmoreland-Hadson
   Roano, Ser. 91 F.R.D.D.                                       Aa2              4.05         9/03/96        100         100,000
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total short-term investments (cost $1,500,000)                                                                          1,500,000
                                                                                                                      -----------
Total Investments--99.0%
(cost $ 57,971,948; Note 4)                                                                                            58,613,828
Other assets in excess of liabilities--1.0%                                                                               576,319
                                                                                                                      -----------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                      $59,190,147
                                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                                                      -----------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
 (a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
     A.M.B.A.C.--American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation.
     E.T.M.--Escrowed to Maturity.
     F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
     F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
     F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
     M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Association.
 (b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating
     Rate Demand Notes is considered to be the later of the next date on which
     the security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate
     of interest is adjusted.
 (c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
 (d) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and/or direct U.S.
     guaranteed obligations.
 (e) Inverse floating rate bond. The coupon is inversely indexed to a floating
     interest rate. The rate shown is the rate at year end.

NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description
of Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                     B-173
<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities           NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
Investments, at value (cost $57,971,948)..................................................................      $  58,613,828
Cash......................................................................................................             30,458
Interest receivable.......................................................................................            892,099
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................             15,250
Receivable for investments sold...........................................................................             15,000
Other assets..............................................................................................              1,873
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         59,568,508
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................            166,195
Accrued expenses..........................................................................................            124,846
Dividends payable.........................................................................................             45,802
Management payable........................................................................................             22,969
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................             15,849
Deferred trustees' fees...................................................................................              2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................            378,361
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................      $  59,190,147
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at par..................................................................      $      53,528
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         57,679,667
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                   57,733,195
   Accumulated net realized gain on investments...........................................................            815,072
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................................................            641,880
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................      $  59,190,147
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class A:
   Net asset value and redemption price per share
      ($28,088,731 / 2,540,740 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................               $11.06
   Maximum sales charge (3% of offering price)............................................................                .34
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Maximum offering price to public.......................................................................             $11.40
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class B:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($31,028,910 / 2,805,475 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................             $11.06
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class C:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($72,506 / 6,556 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)..............................             $11.06
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-174
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Year Ended
Net Investment Income                            August 31, 1996
<S>                                              <C>
Income
   Interest...................................     $ 3,671,215
                                                 ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee.............................         316,510
   Distribution fee--Class A..................          27,628
   Distribution fee--Class B..................         178,025
   Distribution fee--Class C..................             514
   Reports to shareholders....................         105,000
   Custodian's fees and expenses..............          90,000
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.........          37,000
   Registration fees..........................          35,000
   Audit fee and expenses.....................          12,300
   Legal fees and expenses....................          10,000
   Directors' fees and expenses...............           3,900
   Miscellaneous..............................          12,118
                                                 ---------------
      Total expenses..........................         827,995
      Less: Management fee waiver.............         (31,651)
         Custodian fee credit.................          (4,609)
                                                 ---------------
      Net expenses............................         791,735
                                                 ---------------
Net investment income.........................       2,879,480
                                                 ---------------
Realized and Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Net realized gain (loss) on:
   Investment transactions....................       1,009,689
   Financial futures contracts................         (56,144)
   Written options transactions...............          16,880
                                                 ---------------
                                                       970,425
                                                 ---------------
Net change in unrealized
   appreciation/depreciation on:
   Investments................................        (957,729)
   Financial futures contracts................         (52,187)
                                                 ---------------
                                                    (1,009,916)
                                                 ---------------
Net loss on investments.......................         (39,491)
                                                 ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations.....................     $ 2,839,989
                                                 ---------------
                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                     Year Ended August 31,
in Net Assets                            1996            1995
<S>                                  <C>             <C>
Operations
   Net investment income..........   $  2,879,480    $  3,451,275
   Net realized gain on investment
      transactions................        970,425         675,725
   Net change in unrealized
      depreciation of
      investments.................     (1,009,916)       (130,375)
                                     ------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from operations...      2,839,989       3,996,625
                                     ------------    ------------
Dividends and distributions (Note
   1):
   Dividends from net investment
      income
      Class A.....................     (1,319,689)       (800,554)
      Class B.....................     (1,556,956)     (2,649,245)
      Class C.....................         (2,835)         (1,476)
                                     ------------    ------------
                                       (2,879,480)     (3,451,275)
                                     ------------    ------------
   Distributions from net realized
      gains
      Class A.....................       (283,246)             --
      Class B.....................       (369,288)             --
      Class C.....................           (674)             --
                                     ------------    ------------
                                         (653,208)             --
                                     ------------    ------------
Series share transactions (net of
   share conversions) (Note 5):
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold........................      2,409,691       4,576,741
   Net asset value of shares
      issued in reinvestment of
      dividends and
      distributions...............      1,901,502       1,814,783
   Cost of shares reacquired......    (11,119,778)    (11,959,150)
                                     ------------    ------------
   Net decrease in net assets from
      Series share transactions...     (6,808,585)     (5,567,626)
                                     ------------    ------------
Total decrease....................     (7,501,284)     (5,022,276)
Net Assets
Beginning of year.................     66,691,431      71,713,707
                                     ------------    ------------
End of year.......................   $ 59,190,147    $ 66,691,431
                                     ------------    ------------
                                     ------------    ------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-175
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The North Carolina Series (the ``Series'')
commenced investment operations in February, 1985. The Series is diversified and
seeks to achieve its investment objective of obtaining the maximum amount of
income exempt from federal and applicable state income taxes with the minimum of
risk by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt securities whose ratings
are within the four highest ratings categories by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization or, if not rated, are of comparable quality. The
ability of the issuers of the securities held by the Series to meet their
obligations may be affected by economic or political developments in a specific
state, industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: The Fund values municipal securities (including
commitments to purchase such securities on a ``when-issued'' basis) on the basis
of prices provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in
comparable securities and various relationships between securities in
determining values. If market quotations are not readily available from such
pricing service, a security is valued at its fair value as determined under
procedures established by the Trustees.

Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost which approximates market value.

All securities are valued as of 4:15 P.M., New York time.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to
purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of debt securities at a set
price for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures
contract, the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash
and/or other assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This
amount is known as the ``initial margin''. Subsequent payments, known as
``variation margin'', are made or received by the Series each day, depending on
the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation
margin is recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as
unrealized gain or loss until the contracts expire or are closed, at which time
the gain or loss is reclassified to realized gain or loss. The Series invests in
financial futures contracts solely for the purpose of hedging its existing
portfolio securities, or securities the Series intends to purchase against
fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing market conditions. Should
market conditions move unexpectedly, the Series may not achieve the anticipated
benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of
futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in
the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets.

Option Writing: When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium
received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to
the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from writing
options which expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date
as realized gains from securities or currencies based upon the type of option
written. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a
closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated
as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for
the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is
exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying
security or currency in determining whether the fund has realized a gain or
loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the
securities or currencies purchased by the Fund. The Fund as writer of an option
may have no control over whether the underlying securities may be sold (call) or
purchased (put) and as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable change
in the price of the security underlying the written option. There were no
written options outstanding at August 31, 1996.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are
calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. The Series amortizes premiums and original issue discount paid on
purchases of portfolio securities as adjustments to interest income. Expenses
are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates
made by management.

Net investment income (other than distribution fees) and unrealized and realized
gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the
relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-176
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross
income consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is
required.

Dividends and Distributions: The Series declares daily dividends from net
investment income. Payment of dividends is made monthly. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, are made annually.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for
short-term capital gains and market discount.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the cost of the subadviser's
services, the cost of compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and
certain clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other
costs and expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. PMF has agreed
to waive a portion (.05 of 1% of the Series' average daily net assets) of its
management fee, which amounted to $31,651 ($0.006 per share for Class A, B and C
shares; .05% of average net assets, annualized). The Series is not required to
reimburse PMF for such waiver.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of the
Fund through January 1, 1996. Effective January 2, 1996 Prudential Securities
Incorporated (``PSI'') became the distributor of the Class A shares of the Fund
and is serving the Fund under the same terms and conditions as under the
arrangement with PMFD. PSI is also the distributor of the Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund. The Fund compensated PMFD and PSI for distributing and
servicing the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of
distribution (the ``Class A, B and C Plans''), regardless of expenses actually
incurred by them. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.

Pursuant to the Class A, B and C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI and PMFD for
the period September 1, 1995 through January 1, 1996 with respect to Class A
shares, for distribution-related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of
1%, .50 of 1% and 1%, of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C
shares, respectively. Such expenses under the Plans were .10 of 1%, .50 of 1%
and .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C shares,
respectively, for the year ended August 31, 1996.

PMFD and PSI have advised the Series that they have received approximately
$2,600 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares during
the year ended August 31, 1996. From these fees, PMFD and PSI paid such sales
charges to affiliated broker-dealers which in turn paid commissions to sales
persons and incurred other distribution costs.

PSI has advised the Series that for the year ended August 31, 1996, it received
approximately $109,600 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon certain
redemptions by Class B and Class C shareholders.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent and during the year ended August 31,
1996, the Series incurred fees of approximately $26,800 for the services of
PMFS. As of August 31, 1996, approximately $2,000 of such fees were due to PMFS.
Transfer agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-177
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 4. Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities of the Series, excluding short-term
investments, for the year ended August 31, 1996 were $13,823,323 and
$19,348,514, respectively.

The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially
the same as for financial reporting purposes and, accordingly, as of August 31,
1996, net unrealized appreciation for federal income tax purposes was $641,880
(gross unrealized appreciation--$1,567,100; gross unrealized
depreciation--$925,220).

Transactions in written options during the period ended August 31, 1996 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Number of    Premiums
                                       Contracts    Received
                                       ---------    --------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>
Options written......................         75      16,880
Options expired......................        (75)    (16,880)
                                       ---------    --------
Options outstanding at August 31,
  1996...............................          0           0
                                       ---------    --------
                                       ---------    --------
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 5. Capital

The Series currently offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares
are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 3%. Class B shares are sold with
a contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending on
the period of time the shares are held. Class C shares are sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1% during the first year. Class B shares
will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately
seven years after purchase. A special exchange privilege is also available for
shareholders who qualify to purchase Class A shares at net asset value.

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
each class at $.01 par value per share.

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest for the years ended August 31,
1996 and 1995, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................      26,122    $    294,382
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.......      77,298         872,346
Shares reacquired...................    (371,852)     (4,173,584)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (268,432)     (3,006,856)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................     438,352       4,936,059
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................     169,920    $  1,929,203
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
<CAPTION>
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................     101,495    $  1,107,658
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................      40,041         444,345
Shares reacquired...................    (219,838)     (2,440,629)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................     (78,302)       (888,626)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................   2,245,102      24,527,190
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................   2,166,800    $ 23,638,564
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Class B
- ------------------------------------
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................     184,643    $  2,097,677
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends and distributions.......      90,870       1,026,914
Shares reacquired...................    (617,133)     (6,946,194)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (341,620)     (3,821,603)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................    (437,963)     (4,936,059)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................    (779,583)   $ (8,757,662)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................     313,714    $  3,421,366
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................     126,657       1,369,272
Shares reacquired...................    (889,076)     (9,511,942)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (448,705)     (4,721,304)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A......................  (2,245,029)    (24,527,190)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................  (2,693,734)   $(29,248,494)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Class C
- ------------------------------------
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................       1,566    $     17,632
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................         199           2,242
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................       1,765    $     19,874
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................       4,353    $     47,717
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................         105           1,166
Shares reacquired...................        (592)         (6,579)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................       3,866    $     42,304
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

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


                                      B-178
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                         NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Class A
                                        ----------------------------------------------------
                                                       Year Ended August 31,
                                        ----------------------------------------------------
                                         1996        1995        1994       1993       1992
                                        -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year...   $ 11.19     $ 11.06     $12.04     $11.37     $10.86
                                        -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income................       .53         .60(a)     .61        .65        .67
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions......................      (.01)        .13       (.76)       .67        .51
                                        -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
   Total from investment
      operations.....................       .52         .73       (.15)      1.32       1.18
                                        -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income............................      (.53)       (.60)      (.61)      (.65)      (.67)
Distributions from net realized
   gains.............................      (.12)         --       (.22)        --         --
                                        -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
   Total distributions...............      (.65)       (.60)      (.83)      (.65)      (.67)
                                        -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Net asset value, end of year.........   $ 11.06     $ 11.19     $11.06     $12.04     $11.37
                                        -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
                                        -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):.....................      4.70%       6.86%     (1.35)%    11.99%     11.12%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)........   $28,089     $26,519     $2,256     $1,777     $  917
Average net assets (000).............   $27,628     $15,244     $2,067     $1,316     $  612
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees...........................      1.03%(a)     .98%(a)    .88%       .87%       .91%
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees...........................       .93%(a)     .88%(a)    .78%       .77%       .81%
   Net investment income.............      4.78%(a)    5.25%(a)   5.31%      5.55%      5.90%
Portfolio turnover rate..............        23%         28%        17%        38%        36%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of management fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-179
<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                          NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Class B                                      Class C
                                       -------------------------------------------------------     -------------------------
                                                                                                      Year           Year
                                                        Year Ended August 31,                        Ended          Ended
                                       -------------------------------------------------------     August 31,     August 31,
                                        1996        1995        1994        1993        1992          1996           1995
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ----------        -----
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   period............................  $ 11.19     $ 11.06     $ 12.05     $ 11.37     $ 10.86      $  11.19        $11.06
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ----------        -----
Income from investment operations
Net investment income................      .49(a)      .55(a)      .56         .60         .62           .46           .52(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions......................     (.01)        .13        (.77)        .68         .51          (.01)          .13
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ----------        -----
   Total from investment
      operations.....................      .48         .68        (.21)       1.28        1.13           .45           .65
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ----------        -----
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income............................     (.49)       (.55)       (.56)       (.60)       (.62)         (.46)         (.52)
Distributions from net realized
   gains.............................     (.12)         --        (.22)         --          --          (.12)           --
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ----------        -----
   Total distributions...............     (.61)       (.55)       (.78)       (.60)       (.62)         (.58)         (.52)
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ----------        -----
Net asset value, end of period.......  $ 11.06     $ 11.19     $ 11.06     $ 12.05     $ 11.37      $  11.06        $11.19
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ----------        -----
                                       -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     ----------        -----
TOTAL RETURN(b):.....................     4.28%       6.44%      (1.82)%     11.62%      10.64%         4.03%         6.17%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)......  $31,029     $40,119     $69,448     $75,515     $63,573      $     72        $   53
Average net assets (000).............  $35,605     $51,963     $73,606     $67,997     $60,751      $     69        $   32
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees...........................     1.43%(a)    1.34%(a)    1.28%       1.27%       1.31%         1.68%(a)      1.63%(a)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees...........................      .93%(a)     .84%(a)     .78%        .77%        .81%          .93%(a)       .90%(a)
   Net investment income.............     4.37%(a)    5.10%(a)    4.89%       5.18%       5.58%         4.14%(a)      4.59%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate..............       23%         28%         17%         38%         36%           23%           28%

<CAPTION>
                                       August 1,
                                        1994(d)
                                        through
                                       August 31,
                                          1994
                                          -----
<S>                                  <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   period............................    $11.09
                                          -----

Income from investment operations
Net investment income................       .04(c)
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions......................      (.03)
                                          -----

   Total from investment
      operations.....................       .01
                                          -----

Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income............................      (.04)
Distributions from net realized
   gains.............................        --
                                          -----

   Total distributions...............      (.04)
                                          -----

Net asset value, end of period.......    $11.06
                                          -----
                                          -----

TOTAL RETURN(b):.....................       .02%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000)......    $   10
Average net assets (000).............    $    5
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees...........................      1.67%(c)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees...........................       .88%(c)
   Net investment income.............      5.06%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate..............        17%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of management fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions. Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not
    annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Commencement of offering of Class C Shares.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-180
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report                 NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, North Carolina Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, North
Carolina Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations for
the year then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years in
the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years
in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights
are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based
on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, North Carolina Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the
respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    


                                      B-181
<PAGE>

Portfolio of Investments                     PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                        OHIO SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--98.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akron, Bath & Copley Twnshps., Hosp. Dist. Rev., Summa
   Health, Systems Proj., Ser. A                                A                 5.75%      11/15/08   $  4,015     $  3,921,812
Akron, Gen. Oblig.,                                             A                10.50       12/01/04        200          271,980
Akron, Gen. Oblig., F.S.A.                                      Aaa               4.50       12/01/12        645          555,629
Allen Cnty. Wtr. & Swr. Dist., A.M.B.A.C.                       Aaa               7.80       12/01/08      1,000(c)     1,091,910
Bellefontaine City Sch. Dist., Gen. Oblig., Ser. 93,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                   Aaa              Zero        12/01/08        485          250,366
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                   Aaa              Zero        12/01/09        390          188,304
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                   Aaa             Zero         12/01/10        390          175,785
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                   Aaa             Zero         12/01/11        465          196,960
Brecksville Broadview Heights City Sch. Dist., F.G.I.C.         Aaa               6.50       12/01/16      1,000        1,076,150
Canton Water Works Sys., Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                Aaa               5.85       12/01/15        700          700,497
Carroll Cnty. Econ. Dev. Rev., Great Trail Lake Ctr.,
   F.H.A.                                                       NR               11.75        8/01/14        660          756,043
Cleveland City Sch. Dist., Gen. Oblig.,
   Sch. Impvt., Ser. B, F.G.I.C.                                Aaa             Zero          6/01/05        490          313,718
   Sch. Impvt., Ser. B, F.G.I.C.                                Aaa             Zero          6/01/06        400          240,844
   Sch. Impvt., Ser. B, F.G.I.C.                                Aaa             Zero          6/01/07        315          178,173
   Sch. Impvt., Ser. B, F.G.I.C.                                Aaa             Zero         12/01/08        550          283,921
Cleveland Parking Facs. Rev., Ref., Ser. 96, M.B.I.A.           NR                5.50        9/15/22      3,000        2,865,000
Columbus Citation Hsg. Dev. Corp., Mtge. Rev., F.H.A.           AA(b)             7.625       1/01/22      1,885(c)     2,226,110
Columbus, Gen. Oblig., Mun. Arpt. No. 32                        Aaa               7.15        7/15/06        435          469,722
Cuyahoga Cnty. Hosp. Rev., Meridia Health Sys.                  A1                6.25        8/15/24      1,500        1,490,145
Dayton, Gen. Oblig., M.B.I.A.                                   Aaa               7.00       12/01/07        480          555,077
Dover Mun. Elec. Sys. Rev., F.G.I.C.                            Aaa               5.95       12/01/14      1,000        1,014,450
Dublin City Sch. Dist., Franklin, Delaware & Union Co.,
   A.M.B.A.C                                                    Aaa             Zero         12/01/05      1,000          624,140
East Cleveland Rev., Local Gov't. Fund Notes                    NR                7.90       12/01/97        595          617,247
Franklin Cnty. Hosp. Rev., Holy Cross Hlth. Sys., Ser. B,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                   Aaa               7.65        6/01/10      2,500(c)     2,797,375
Franklin Cnty. Pub Impvt., Ser. 93                              Aaa               5.375      12/01/20      1,690        1,598,622
Gahanna Jefferson City Sch. Dist., Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.      Aaa             Zero         12/01/09        445          214,859
Greene Cnty. Swr. Sys. Rev.,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                   Aaa             Zero         12/01/08        450          232,299
   Wtr. Sys. Rev., Ser. A, F.G.I.C.                             Aaa               6.125      12/01/21      1,000        1,024,080
Guam Pwr. Auth. Rev., Ser. A                                    BBB(b)            6.75       10/01/24      3,110        3,185,106
Hamilton Cnty. Gas Sys. Rev., Ser. A, M.B.I.A.                  Aaa               4.75       10/15/23      3,250        2,724,117
Hilliard Sch. Dist., Cap. Apprec. Impvt.,
   Ser. A, F.G.I.C.                                             Aaa             Zero         12/01/09      2,855        1,378,480
   Ser. A, F.G.I.C.                                             Aaa             Zero         12/01/10      2,855        1,286,834
Logan Hocking Local Sch. Dist., Hocking, Perry & Vinton
   Co., Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                                 Aaa             Zero         12/01/09        650          313,840
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-182
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                     PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                        OHIO SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lucas Cnty. Hosp. Rev., Promedica Healthcare Oblig.,
   Ser. 96, M.B.I.A.                                            Aaa               5.75%      11/15/09   $  3,000     $  3,033,840
   Toledo Hosp., Impvt. & Ref., M.B.I.A.                        Aaa               5.00       11/15/13      1,000          910,500
Marion Cnty. Hosp. Impvt. Rev., Ref., Comn. Hosp., Ser. 96      BBB+(b)           6.375       5/15/11      2,000        1,978,000
Marysville Village Sch. Dist., Gen. Oblig., Sch. Impvt.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                     Aaa             Zero         12/01/15        865          283,435
Miami Cnty. Hosp. Fac. Rev., Ref & Impvt., Upper Valley
   Med. Ctr.                                                    Baa               6.375       5/15/26      1,000          967,330
Montgomery Cnty. Swr. Sys. Rev.,
   Greater Moraine, Beaver Creek, F.G.I.C.                      Aaa             Zero          9/01/05      1,000          632,140
   Greater Moraine, Beaver Creek, F.G.I.C.                      Aaa             Zero          9/01/07        500          279,095
Mount Vernon City Sch. Dist., Gen. Oblig., F.G.I.C.             Aaa               7.50       12/01/14        500          575,950
Newark, Ltd. Tax Gen. Oblig., Wtr. Impvt., A.M.B.A.C.           Aaa             Zero         12/01/06        805          472,253
Ohio St. Air Quality Dev. Auth. Rev., Poll. Ctrl.,
   Cleveland Elec. Co. Proj., F.G.I.C.                          Aaa               8.00       12/01/13      2,500        2,927,100
   Edison Proj., Ser. A, F.G.I.C                                Aaa               7.45        3/01/16      3,750        4,106,250
Ohio St. Bldg. Auth.,
   Columbus St. Bldg. Proj., Ser. A                             A                 7.75       10/01/07        750(c)       815,100
   Das Data Ctr. Proj.,                                         A1                6.00       10/01/08        615          651,334
   St. Correctional Facs., Ser. A                               Aaa               8.00        8/01/06        600(c)       642,768
   St. Correctional Facs., Ser. A                               Aaa               8.00        8/01/08        500(c)       535,640
   Workers Comp. - W. Green Bldg. A                             A1                4.75        4/01/14      2,740        2,422,544
Ohio St. Higher Edl. Fac. Comn. Rev.,
   Case Western Resv. Univ., Ser. A                             Aa                7.70       10/01/18        965(c)     1,015,286
   Case Western Resv. Univ., Ser. B                             Aa                7.70       10/01/18         35           36,747
   Case Western Resv. Univ., Ser. B                             Aa                6.50       10/01/20        750          823,845
   Oberlin Coll.                                                NR                7.375      10/01/14      1,000(c)     1,098,450
Ohio St. Mtge. Rev., Ser. A, F.H.A.                             AAA(b)            8.15        8/01/17      3,500        3,690,190
Ohio St. Wtr. Dev. Auth. Rev., Ser. I                           Aaa               7.50       12/01/08      1,200(c)     1,287,936
Ottawa Cnty. San. Sew. Sys. Rev., Danbury Proj.,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                   Aaa               7.375      10/01/14      1,000(c)     1,099,970
Oxford Hosp. Facs. Rev., 1st Mtge., McCullough Hyde Mem.        NR                8.00        5/01/17      1,445        1,475,258
Pickerington Local Sch. Dist.,
   Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                                      Aaa             Zero         12/01/08        890          459,436
   Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                                      Aaa             Zero         12/01/09        935          451,446
   Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                                      Aaa             Zero         12/01/13        525          196,434
Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Swr. Auth. Rev., Ser. A                  Baa               7.875       7/01/17      1,000(c)     1,084,780
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev., Ser. O                       Baa1              5.00        7/01/12      1,720        1,542,358
Puerto Rico Hwy. & Trans. Auth. Rev., M.B.I.A.                  Aaa               5.50        7/01/15      5,000        4,896,300
Puerto Rico Ind. Tourist Edu. Med. & Envir. Ctrl. Facs.,
   Mut. Oblig. Grp. Proj., M.B.I.A.                             Aaa               6.25        7/01/24      2,500        2,588,275
Puerto Rico Pub. Bldgs. Auth. Rev., Gtd. Pub. Ed. & Hlth.
   Facs., Ser. J                                                Baa1            Zero          7/01/06      3,000        1,752,600
Puerto Rico Reg. Linked Bonds, M.B.I.A.                         Aaa               5.782(d)    7/01/08      2,000        2,044,220
Richland Cnty. Madison Swr. Impvt., A.M.B.A.C.                  Aaa               6.95       12/01/11        500          563,475
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-183
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                     PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                        OHIO SERIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Lorain Cnty. Wtr. Auth. Res. Rev., A.M.B.A.C.             Aaa               7.70%      10/01/08   $  2,000(c)  $  2,169,960
Scioto Cnty. Hosp. Fac. Rev., Portsmouth Proj., Ser. B,
   M.B.I.A.                                                     Aaa               7.625       5/15/08      2,290        2,444,323
Sugarcreek Local Sch. Dist., Cap. Apprec., F.G.I.C.             Aaa              Zero        12/01/08        500          258,110
Summit Cnty. Ind. Dev. Rev., Century Products, Gerber
   Foods                                                        A1               7.75        11/01/05      3,250        3,362,937
Toledo-Lucas Cnty. Convention & Visitors Ctr., Lodging
   Tax,
   Ser. 96, M.B.I.A.                                            Aaa              5.70        10/01/15      2,000        1,974,700
Trumbull Cnty., Correctional Facs.,
   Cap. Apprec., A.M.B.A.C.                                     Aaa              Zero        12/01/08      1,250          645,275
   Cap. Apprec., A.M.B.A.C.                                     Aaa             Zero         12/01/09      1,250          603,537
Univ. of Puerto Rico Revs., Cap. Apprec. Ref. Ser. N,
   M.B.I.A.                                                     Aaa             Zero          6/01/13      4,245        1,661,026
Univ. of Toledo, Gen. Receipts, M.B.I.A.                        Aaa               7.70        6/01/18      1,000(c)     1,075,920
Virgin Islands Pub. Fin. Auth. Rev., Ref. Matching Loan
   Notes,
   Ser. A                                                       NR                7.25       10/01/18      1,000        1,061,340
Virgin Islands Terr., Hugo Ins. Claims Fund Proj., Ser. 91      NR                7.75       10/01/06        415          437,701
Virgin Islands Wtr. & Pwr. Auth., Elec. Sys. Rev., Ser. A       NR                7.40        7/01/11      1,000        1,042,980
Woodmore Indpt. Sch. Dist., Gen. Oblig.,
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                   Aaa             Zero         12/01/05        490          305,829
   A.M.B.A.C.                                                   Aaa             Zero         12/01/06        480          281,592
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total Investments--98.6%
(cost $94,461,170; Note 4)                                                                                             99,485,110
Other assets in excess of liabilities--1.4%                                                                             1,407,962
                                                                                                                     ------------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                     $100,893,072
                                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
    A.M.B.A.C.--American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation.
    F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
    F.H.A.--Federal Housing Administration.
    F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
    M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Association.
(b) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(c) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and/or direct U.S.
    guaranteed obligations.
(d) Inverse floating rate bond. The coupon is inversely indexed to a floating
    interest rate. The rate shown is the rate at year end.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-184
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities          OHIO SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Investments, at value (cost $94,461,170)..................................................................      $   99,485,110
Receivable for investments sold...........................................................................           5,147,374
Interest receivable.......................................................................................           1,425,275
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................             102,424
Deferred expenses and other assets........................................................................               3,129
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         106,163,312
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Payable for investments purchased.........................................................................           4,851,516
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................             152,369
Accrued expenses and other liabilities....................................................................             114,901
Dividends payable.........................................................................................              83,591
Management fee payable....................................................................................              38,982
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................              26,181
Deferred trustee's fees...................................................................................               2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................           5,270,240
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................      $  100,893,072
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at par..................................................................      $       86,220
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................          95,924,825
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                    96,011,045
   Accumulated net realized loss on investments...........................................................            (141,913 )
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................................................           5,023,940
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................      $  100,893,072
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class A:
   Net asset value and redemption price per share
      ($49,851,411 / 4,261,715 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................               $11.70
   Maximum sales charge (3.0% of offering price)..........................................................                 .36
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Maximum offering price to public.......................................................................              $12.06
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class B:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($50,997,864 / 4,356,540 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................              $11.71
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class C:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($43,797 / 3,741 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)..............................              $11.71
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-185
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
OHIO SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Year Ended
Net Investment Income                          August 31, 1996
<S>                                            <C>
Income
   Interest.................................     $ 6,617,678
                                               ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee...........................         546,058
   Distribution fee--Class A................          51,205
   Distribution fee--Class B................         289,546
   Distribution fee--Class C................             730
   Custodian's fees and expenses............          85,000
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.......          72,000
   Reports to shareholders..................          46,000
   Registration fees........................          40,000
   Audit fees and expenses..................          12,300
   Legal fees and expenses..................          10,000
   Trustees' fees...........................           3,900
   Miscellaneous............................           6,397
                                               ---------------
      Total expenses........................       1,163,136
   Less: Management fee waiver..............         (54,606)
      Custodian fee credit..................          (9,783)
                                               ---------------
      Net expenses..........................       1,098,747
                                               ---------------
Net investment income.......................       5,518,931
                                               ---------------
Realized and Unrealized Gain
(Loss) on Investments
Net realized gain (loss) on:
   Investment transactions..................         835,052
   Financial futures transactions...........        (660,186)
                                               ---------------
                                                     174,866
                                               ---------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation on:
   Investments..............................      (1,647,381)
   Financial futures contracts..............          91,875
                                               ---------------
                                                  (1,555,506)
                                               ---------------
Net loss on investments.....................      (1,380,640)
                                               ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations...................     $ 4,138,291
                                               ---------------
                                               ---------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
OHIO SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                      Year Ended August 31,
in Net Assets                           1996                1995
<S>                               <C>                  <C>
Operations
   Net investment income........    $   5,518,931       $    6,137,178
   Net realized gain on
      investment
      transactions..............          174,866              807,146
   Net change in unrealized
      appreciation of
      investments...............       (1,555,506)             868,206
                                  -----------------    ---------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from
      operations................        4,138,291            7,812,530
                                  -----------------    ---------------
Dividends and distributions
   (Note 1)
   Dividends to shareholders
      from net investment income
      Class A...................       (2,697,227)          (1,643,462)
      Class B...................       (2,817,228)          (4,490,813)
      Class C...................           (4,476)              (2,903)
                                  -----------------    ---------------
                                       (5,518,931)          (6,137,178)
                                  -----------------    ---------------
   Distributions from net
      realized gains
      Class A...................         (301,130)                  --
      Class B...................         (344,409)                  --
      Class C...................             (787)                  --
                                  -----------------    ---------------
                                         (646,326)                  --
                                  -----------------    ---------------
Series share transactions (net
   of share conversions) (Note
   5)
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold......................        4,188,171            6,780,605
   Net asset value of shares
      issued in reinvestment of
      dividends and
      distributions.............        3,659,786            3,526,725
   Cost of shares reacquired....      (18,991,116)         (20,943,985)
                                  -----------------    ---------------
   Net decrease in net assets
      from Series share
      transactions..............      (11,143,159)         (10,636,655)
                                  -----------------    ---------------
Total decrease..................      (13,170,125)          (8,961,303)
Net Assets
Beginning of year...............      114,063,197          123,024,500
                                  -----------------    ---------------
End of year.....................    $ 100,893,072       $  114,063,197
                                  -----------------    ---------------
                                  -----------------    ---------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-186
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                OHIO SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The Ohio Series (the ``Series'') commenced
investment operations in September, 1984. The Series is diversified and seeks to
achieve its investment objectives of obtaining the maximum amount of income
exempt from federal and applicable state and city income taxes with the minimum
of risk by investing primarily in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt securities
whose ratings are within the four highest ratings categories by a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization or, if not rated, are of comparable
quality. The ability of the issuers of the securities held by the Series to meet
their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific state,
industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in preparation of its financial statements.

Security Valuations: The Series values municipal securities (including
commitments to purchase such securities on a ``when-issued'' basis) on the basis
of prices provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in
comparable securities and various relationships between securities in
determining values. If market quotations are not readily available from such
pricing services, a security is valued at its fair value as determined under
procedures established by the Trustees.

Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost.

All securities are valued as of 4:15 p.m., New York time.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to
purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities at a set price
for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures contract,
the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash and/or other
assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This amount is
known as the ``initial margin''. Subsequent payments, known as ``variation
margin'', are made or received by the Series each day, depending on the daily
fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation margin is
recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as unrealized gain or
loss. When the contract expires or is closed, the gain or loss is realized and
is presented in the statement of operations as net realized gain (loss) on
financial futures contracts.

The Series invests in financial futures contracts in order to hedge its existing
portfolio securities or securities the Series intends to purchase, against
fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates. Should
interest rates move unexpectedly, the Series may not achieve the anticipated
benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of
futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in
the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets.
There were no futures contracts outstanding at August 31, 1996.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are
calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis. The Series amortizes premiums and original issue discount paid on
purchases of portfolio securities as adjustments to interest income. Expenses
are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates
by management.

Net investment income (other than distribution fees) and unrealized and realized
gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the
relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal Income tax purposes, each Series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross
income consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is
required.

Dividends and Distributions: The Series declares daily dividends from net
investment income. Payment of dividends are made monthly. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, are made annually.

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles.

Custody Fee Credits: The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-187
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                OHIO SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the cost of the subadviser's
services, compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain clerical
and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. PMF has agreed
to waive a portion (.05 of 1% of the Series' average daily net assets) of its
management fee, which amounted to $54,606 ($0.006 per share) for the year ended
August 31, 1996. The series is not required to reimburse PMF for such waiver.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of the
Fund through January 1, 1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities
Incorporated (``PSI'') became distributor of the Class A shares of the Fund and
is serving the Fund under the same terms and conditions as under the arrangement
with PMFD. PSI is also the distributor of the Class B and Class C shares of the
Fund. The Fund compensated PMFD and PSI for distributing and servicing the
Fund's Class A, Class B, and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of distribution,
(the ``Class A, B and C plans'') regardless of expenses actually incurred by
them. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.

Pursuant to the Class A, B and C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI, and PMFD for
the period September 1, 1995 through January 1, 1996 with respect to Class A
shares, for distribution-related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of
1%, .50 of 1% and 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B, and C
shares, respectively. Such expenses under the Plans were .10 of 1%, .50 of 1%
and .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C shares,
respectively, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996.

PMFD and PSI have advised the Series that they have received approximately
$6,200 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares during
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996. From these fees, PMFD and PSI paid such
sales charges to affiliated broker-dealers which in turn paid commissions to
sales-persons and incurred other distribution costs.

PSI has advised the Series that for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, it
received approximately $116,600 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed
upon certain redemptions by Class B and C shareholders.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF, and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the fiscal year ended August
31, 1996, the Series incurred fees of approximately $51,000 for the services of
PMFS. As of August 31, 1996 approximately $4,000 of such fees were due to PMFS.
Transfer agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 4. Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities of the Series, excluding short-term
investments, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 were $37,527,067 and
$46,951,299, respectively.

The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes at August 31,
1996, was substantially the same as for financial reporting purposes and,
accordingly, net unrealized appreciation of investments for federal income tax
purposes was $5,023,940 (gross unrealized appreciation--$5,296,158; gross
unrealized depreciation--$272,218).

The Fund elected to treat approximately $90,800 of net capital losses incurred
during the ten month period ended August 31, 1996 as having occurred in the
following fiscal year.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 5. Capital

The Series offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold
with a front-end sales charge of up to 3%. Class B shares are sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending on the
period of time the shares are held. Class C shares are sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge of 1% during the first year. Class B shares automatically
convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately seven years after
purchase. A special exchange privilege is
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-188
<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               OHIO SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
also available for shareholders who qualified to purchase Class A shares at net
asset value.

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
each class at $.01 par value per share.

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................      43,750    $    514,430
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends
  and distributions.................     146,362       1,749,925
Shares reacquired...................    (808,263)     (9,588,893)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (618,151)     (7,324,538)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................     590,855       7,039,782
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................     (27,296)   $   (284,756)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................      66,566    $    777,944
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................      76,044         896,433
Shares reacquired...................    (429,023)     (5,024,610)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (286,413)     (3,350,233)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B...........................   4,170,236      48,050,779
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................   3,883,823    $ 44,700,546
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
<CAPTION>
Class B                                 Shares         Amount
- ------------------------------------  ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................     304,364    $  3,636,646
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends
  and distributions.................     159,308       1,908,271
Shares reacquired...................    (780,551)     (9,284,600)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (316,879)     (3,739,683)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A......................    (591,352)     (7,039,782)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................    (908,231)   $(10,779,465)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................     508,275    $  5,874,263
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................     228,476       2,627,480
Shares reacquired...................  (1,391,757)    (15,906,486)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion.................    (655,006)     (7,404,743)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A......................  (4,166,740)    (48,050,779)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................  (4,821,746)   $(55,455,522)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Class C
- ------------------------------------
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold.........................       3,157    $     37,095
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends
  and distributions.................         133           1,590
Shares reacquired...................     (10,129)       (117,623)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding.......................      (6,839)   $    (78,938)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold.........................      11,057    $    128,398
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends.........................         237           2,812
Shares reacquired...................      (1,160)        (12,889)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding.......................      10,134    $    118,321
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

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


                                      B-189
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                         OHIO SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Class A
                                          ----------------------------------------------------
                                                         Year Ended August 31,
                                          ----------------------------------------------------
                                           1996        1995        1994       1993       1992
                                          -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year......  $ 11.92     $ 11.72     $12.38     $11.69     $11.17
                                          -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income...................      .63(a)      .65(a)     .66        .69        .70
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
   on investment transactions...........     (.15)        .20       (.66)       .69        .52
                                          -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
   Total from investment operations.....      .48         .85         --       1.38       1.22
                                          -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income....     (.63)       (.65)      (.66)      (.69)      (.70)
Distributions from net realized gains        (.07)         --         --         --         --
                                          -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
   Total distributions..................     (.70)       (.65)      (.66)      (.69)      (.70)
                                          -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Net asset value, end of year............  $ 11.70     $ 11.92     $11.72     $12.38     $11.69
                                          -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
                                          -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):........................     4.02%       7.59%     (0.01)%    12.12%     12.60%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000)...........  $49,851     $51,132     $4,749     $4,647     $2,095
Average net assets (000)................  $51,205     $29,904     $4,733     $2,904     $1,289
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..............................      .80%(a)     .83%(a)    .84%       .84%       .81%
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..............................      .70%(a)     .73%(a)    .74%       .74%       .71%
   Net investment income................     5.27%(a)    5.50%(a)   5.45%      5.73%      6.34%
Portfolio turnover rate.................       35%         38%        20%        28%        37%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) Net of fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-190
<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                          OHIO SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Class B                                         Class C
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------     ---------------------------
                                                            Year Ended August 31,                           Year Ended August 31,
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------     ---------------------------
                                           1996        1995         1994         1993         1992           1996            1995
                                          -------     -------     --------     --------     --------     ------------     ----------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period....  $ 11.93     $ 11.73     $  12.38     $  11.70     $  11.18        $11.93          $11.73
                                          -------     -------     --------     --------     --------         -----           -----
Income from investment operations
Net investment income...................      .58(a)      .60(a)       .61          .65          .65           .55(a)
 .57(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
   on investment transactions...........     (.15)        .20         (.65)         .68          .52          (.15)            .20
                                          -------     -------     --------     --------     --------         -----           -----
   Total from investment operations.....      .43         .80         (.04)        1.33         1.17           .40             .77
                                          -------     -------     --------     --------     --------         -----           -----
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income....     (.58)       (.60)        (.61)        (.65)        (.65)         (.55)           (.57)
Distributions from net realized gains...     (.07)         --           --           --           --          (.07)             --
                                          -------     -------     --------     --------     --------         -----           -----
   Total distributions..................     (.65)       (.60)        (.61)        (.65)        (.65)         (.62)           (.57)

                                          -------     -------     --------     --------     --------         -----           -----
Net asset value, end of period..........  $ 11.71     $ 11.93     $  11.73     $  12.38     $  11.70        $11.71          $11.93
                                          -------     -------     --------     --------     --------         -----           -----
                                          -------     -------     --------     --------     --------         -----           -----
TOTAL RETURN(b):........................     3.61%       7.16%       (0.33)%      11.58%       10.79%         3.36%           6.89%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).........  $50,998     $62,805     $118,270     $121,937     $102,199           $44            $126
Average net assets (000)................  $57,909     $85,410     $121,365     $110,053     $ 96,178           $97            $ 61
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..............................     1.20%(a)    1.22%(a)     1.24%        1.24%        1.21%         1.45%(a)
1.49%(a)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..............................      .70%(a)     .72%(a)      .74%         .74%         .71%          .70%(a)
 .74%(a)
   Net investment income................     4.87%(a)    5.27%(a)     5.05%        5.33%        5.73%         4.62%(a)
4.76%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate.................       35%         38%          20%          28%          37%           35%             38%
- ---------------
<CAPTION>
                                          August 1,
                                           1994(d)
                                           Through
                                          August 31,
                                             1994
                                          ----------
<S>                                       <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period....    $11.75
                                             -----
Income from investment operations
Net investment income...................       .05
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
   on investment transactions...........      (.02)
                                             -----
   Total from investment operations.....       .03
                                             -----
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income....      (.05)
Distributions from net realized gains...        --
                                             -----
   Total distributions..................      (.05)
                                             -----
Net asset value, end of period..........    $11.73
                                             -----
                                             -----
TOTAL RETURN(b):........................      0.18%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).........        $5
Average net assets (000)................        $2
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..............................      2.28%(c)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..............................      1.53%(c)
   Net investment income................      4.73%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate.................        20%
- ---------------
</TABLE>
(a) Net of fee waiver.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is
    calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the
    last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and
    distributions. Total returns for periods of less than a full year are not
    annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-191
<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report                OHIO SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Ohio Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Ohio Series,
as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations for the year then
ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then
ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period
then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, Ohio Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of its operations,
the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the respective
stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    


                                      B-192

<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                     PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                        PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest     Maturity     Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate         Date        (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--97.9%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allegheny Cnty. Arpt. Rev., Greater Pittsburgh Int'l.
   Arpt., Ser. A, F.S.A.                                        Aaa              6.60%       1/01/04    $  1,000     $  1,077,680
Allegheny Cnty. Higher Ed. Bldg. Auth. Rev.,
   Robert Morris Coll., M.B.I.A.                                Aaa              7.00        6/15/08       1,000(f)     1,083,990
   Univ. Rev., Duquesne Univ. Proj., A.M.B.A.C.                 Aaa              5.00        3/01/21       1,500        1,333,320
Allegheny Cnty. Hosp. Dev. Auth. Rev.,
   Allegheny Gen. Hosp. Proj., Ser. A, M.B.I.A.                 Aaa              6.25        9/01/20       1,750        1,801,905
   Magee-Womens Hosp., F.G.I.C.                                 Aaa              Zero       10/01/14       2,000          687,760
   Magee-Womens Hosp., F.G.I.C.                                 Aaa              Zero       10/01/16       2,000          605,260
   Magee-Womens Hosp., F.G.I.C.                                 Aaa             Zero        10/01/18       2,000          537,340
   Magee-Womens Hosp., F.G.I.C.                                 Aaa             Zero        10/01/19       4,000        1,012,600
   Presbyterian Univ. Hosp., Ser. C, M.B.I.A.                   Aaa              7.625       7/01/15       1,100        1,178,287
   West Penn. Hosp. Hlth. Ctr.                                  NR               8.50        1/01/20       2,000        2,177,140
Allegheny Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth. Rev., USX Proj., Ser. A         Baa3             6.70       12/01/20       4,500        4,558,815
Allegheny Cnty. Residential Fin. Auth., Mtge. Rev.,
   G.N.M.A.,
   Ser. F                                                       Aaa              9.00        6/01/17         375          392,272
   Ser. Q                                                       Aaa              7.40       12/01/22         970        1,019,121
Allegheny Cnty. San. Auth. Swr. Rev.,
   F.G.I.C.                                                     Aaa             Zero        12/01/05       2,620        1,616,173
   Ser. A, F.G.I.C.                                             Aaa             Zero         6/01/06       1,640          976,259
Allegheny Cnty., Ser. C-37, M.B.I.A.                            Aaa              7.30       12/01/10       1,500(f)     1,657,110
Allentown, A.M.B.A.C.,
   Gtd. Wtr. Impvt.                                             Aaa              5.65        7/15/10         775          786,121
   Gtd. Wtr. Impvt.                                             Aaa              5.65        7/15/10         325          329,664
   Gtd. Wtr. Impvt.                                             Aaa              5.65        7/15/10         330          334,736
Beaver Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth., Poll. Ctrl. Rev., Ohio
   Edison Proj., Ser. A, F.G.I.C.                               Aaa              7.75        9/01/24       1,150        1,256,996
Berks Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth. Rev., Lutheran Home Proj.           NR               6.875       1/01/23       1,500        1,469,100
Berks Cnty. Mun. Auth. Hosp. Rev., Reading Hosp. Med. Ctr.
   Proj., M.B.I.A.                                              Aaa              5.70       10/01/14       1,250        1,233,288
Bucks Cnty. Wtr. & Swr. Auth. Rev., Neshaminy Interceptor
   Swr. Sys., F.G.I.C.                                          Aaa             Zero        12/01/15       2,175          691,694
Butler Cnty. Hosp. Auth. Rev., North Hills Passavant
   Hosp., Ser. A, F.S.A.                                        Aaa              7.00        6/01/22       1,000        1,078,640
Cambria Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth., Poll. Ctrl. Rev., Elec. Co.
   Proj., Ser. A, M.B.I.A.                                      Aaa              5.35       11/01/10       8,360        8,203,166
Central Greene Sch. Dist., Ser. AA, A.M.B.A.C.                  Aaa              5.25        2/15/24       1,000          918,460
Chartiers Valley Ind., Ref.-Friendship Vlg./South Hills         NR               6.75        8/15/18       2,225        2,191,380
Chester Upland Sch. Auth., Sch. Rev.                            A(c)             6.375       9/01/21       1,000        1,014,650
Dauphin Cnty. Gen. Auth. Rev., B.I.G                            Aaa              7.40        1/01/06          70           72,213
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-193
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                     PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                        PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest    Maturity      Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate        Date         (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware Cnty. Auth. Hosp. Rev., Crozer-Chester Med. Ctr.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                     Aaa              7.15%      12/15/05    $  2,550     $  2,842,358
Delaware Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth. Rev., Res. Rec. Proj., Ser.
   A                                                            Aa3              8.10       12/01/13       2,000        2,082,980
Doylestown Hosp. Auth. Rev., Pine Run Retirement, Ser. A        NR               7.20        7/01/23       3,180        3,206,394
Emmaus Gen. Auth. Rev., Local Gov't Bond, B.I.G.,
   Ser. B                                                       Aaa              8.00        5/15/18       1,000(e)     1,069,920
   Ser. C                                                       Aaa              7.90        5/15/18       1,250        1,344,125
   Ser. E                                                       Aaa              7.90        5/15/18       2,000        2,150,600
   Ser. F                                                       Aaa              7.90        5/15/18       1,600        1,720,480
Erie Higher Ed. Bldg. Auth., College Rev., Mercyhurst
   Coll. Proj.                                                  AAA(c)           7.85        9/15/19       1,000        1,096,950
Great Valley Sch. Dist., Chester Cnty.                          Aa1              5.10        2/15/16       2,000        1,837,260
Greencastle Antrim Sch. Dist., M.B.I.A.,
   Cap. Appreciation, Ser. B                                    Aaa              Zero        1/01/12       1,000          413,620
   Cap. Appreciation, Ser. B                                    Aaa              Zero        1/01/13       1,000          384,340
Harrisburg Auth. Lease Rev., F.S.A.                             Aaa              6.625       6/01/13       1,500(f)     1,634,265
Harrisburg Redev. Auth. Rev., Cap. Impvt., Ser. A,
   F.G.I.C.                                                     Aaa              7.875      11/02/16         900          964,980
Lancaster Cnty. Solid Waste Mgmt. Auth. Rev.,
   Res. Rec. Sys. Landfill Rev.                                 A                7.75       12/15/04         750          776,753
   Res. Rec. Sys. Landfill Rev.                                 A                7.875      12/15/09         500          519,005
   Res. Rec. Sys. Rev., Ser. A                                  A                8.375      12/15/04       1,000        1,050,560
Langhorne Manor Boro. Higher Ed. & Hlth. Auth Rev., Lower
   Bucks Hosp.                                                  Ba               7.35        7/01/22       1,000          933,720
Latrobe Ind. Dev. Auth. Coll. Rev.,
   St. Vincent Coll. Proj.                                      Baa1             6.75        5/01/14       1,800        1,833,264
   St. Vincent Coll. Proj.                                      Baa1             6.75        5/01/24       1,500        1,507,200
Lehigh Cnty. Gen. Purpose Auth. Revs., Horizon Hlth. Sys.
   Inc.,
   Ser. A                                                       NR               8.25        7/01/13         500          525,375
Lower Pottsgrove Twnshp. Auth. Swr. Rev., Montgomery
   Cnty., A.M.B.A.C.,
   Ser. A                                                       Aaa             Zero        11/01/13       1,155          422,776
   Ser. A                                                       Aaa             Zero        11/01/15       1,185          378,726
Luzerne Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth. Rev., Gas & Water, Ser. B         Baa1             7.125      12/01/22       6,000        6,268,860
Montgomery Cnty. Higher Ed. & Hlth. Auth. Hosp. Rev.,
   Jeanes Hlth. Sys. Proj.                                      NR               8.625       7/01/07       4,000(f)     4,616,360
Montgomery Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth. Rev., Poll Ctrl.,
   Philadelphia Elec. Co., Ser. A                               Baa1             7.60        4/01/21       1,000        1,065,930
   Res. Recovery                                                A-(c)            7.50        1/01/12       2,000        2,124,080
Montgomery Cnty. Redev. Auth., Multifamily Hsg., Ser. A         NR               6.50        7/01/25       1,400        1,345,344
Northampton Cnty. Higher Ed. Auth. Rev.,
   Lehigh Univ., M.B.I.A.                                       Aaa              7.10       11/15/09       1,500        1,628,940
   Moravian Coll.                                               AAA(c)           8.20        6/01/11       2,095(f)     2,442,330
   Moravian Coll., A.M.B.A.C.                                   Aaa              6.25        7/01/11       2,195        2,353,347
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-194
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                     PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                        PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest    Maturity      Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate        Date         (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeastern Hosp. & Ed. Auth. Coll. Rev., Kings Coll.
   Proj., Ser. B                                                BBB(c)           6.00%       7/15/18    $  3,235     $  2,980,147
Northumberland Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth. Rev., Roaring Creek
   Wtr.                                                         NR               6.375      10/15/23       1,000          921,590
Penn Hills, Ser. B, A.M.B.A.C.                                  Aaa              Zero       12/01/18       1,360          361,787
Penn Hills Twnshp., Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.,
   Ser. A                                                       Aaa              Zero       12/01/09       1,530          727,392
   Ser. A                                                       Aaa             Zero         6/01/10       1,535          704,857
Pennsylvania Convention Ctr. Auth. Rev., Ser. A, F.G.I.C.       Aaa              6.00        9/01/19       5,320        5,516,893
Pennsylvania Econ. Dev. Auth.,
   Macmillan Ltd. Partnership Proj.                             Baa2             7.60       12/01/20       3,000        3,291,930
   Wst. Wtr. Treatment Rev., Sun Co. R & M Proj., Ser. A        Baa1             7.60       12/01/24       4,500        4,945,185
Pennsylvania Hsg. Fin. Agcy.,
   Sngl. Fam. Mtge.                                             Aa               7.80       10/01/20       2,930        3,075,269
   Sngl. Fam. Mtge.                                             Aa               8.414(d)    4/01/25       2,100        1,968,750
   Sngl. Fam. Mtge., Ser. X, F.H.A.                             Aa               8.10       10/01/10         780          785,858
Pennsylvania Infrastructure Invt. Auth. Rev., M.B.I.A.          Aaa              5.625       9/01/14       1,500        1,458,675
Pennsylvania St. Cert. of Part., F.S.A.                         Aaa              6.25       11/01/06       1,900        2,017,971
Pennsylvania St. Higher Edl. Facs. Auth. Rev.,
   Allegheny Coll., Ser. B                                      BBB+(c)          6.00       11/01/22       2,000        1,883,620
   Hahnemann Univ. Proj., M.B.I.A.                              Aaa              7.20        7/01/09       1,500        1,637,235
   Hlth. Svs. Rev., Allegheny De. Vy. Oblig., Ser. A.,
      M.B.I.A.                                                  Aa               5.75        1/01/22       1,500        1,457,040
   Hlth. Svs. Rev., Univ. of PA., Ser. A                        Aaa              5.70       11/15/11       2,000        1,985,760
   La Salle Univ., M.B.I.A.                                     Aaa              7.70        5/01/10       1,100(f)     1,181,565
   Med. Coll. of Penn., Ser. A                                  Baa              7.50        3/01/14       2,350(f)     2,516,262
Philadelphia Arpt. Rev., Philadelphia Arpt. Sys.                Baa1             9.00        6/15/15       2,000        2,048,060
Philadelphia Gas Wks. Rev.                                      Baa1             7.70        6/15/11         215          245,309
Philadelphia Gas Wks. Rev.,
   13th Ser.                                                    Baa1             7.20        6/15/98         500          521,450
   13th Ser.                                                    Baa1             7.30        6/15/99         625          663,544
   13th Ser.                                                    Aaa              7.70        6/15/21       3,430(f)     3,927,830
Philadelphia Gen. Oblig., M.B.I.A.                              Aaa              5.00        5/15/15       4,640        4,229,082
Philadelphia Hosps. & Higher Ed. Fac. Auth. Rev.,
   Childrens' Hosp. Proj., Ser. A                               Aa               5.00        2/15/21       2,000        1,738,220
   Childrens' Seashore House                                    A-(c)            7.00        8/15/12         500          524,265
   Childrens' Seashore House, Ser. A                            A-(c)            7.00        8/15/12       1,000        1,048,340
   Childrens' Seashore House, Ser. A                            A-(c)            7.00        8/15/17       1,000        1,032,520
   Grad. Hlth. Systems                                          Ba               7.25        7/01/18       5,000        5,079,750
Philadelphia Ind. Dev. Auth. Rev.,
   Inst. For Cancer Res. Proj., Ser. B                          AA-(c)           7.25        7/01/10       5,770        6,223,695
   Nat'l. Brd. of Med. Examiners Proj.                          A+(c)            6.75        5/01/12       5,000        5,360,000
Philadelphia Pkg. Auth. Rev., Arpt. Pkg., A.M.B.A.C.            Aaa              7.375       9/01/18       2,200        2,362,294
Philadelphia Redev. Auth. Rev., Home Impvt. Loan, Ser. A,
   F.H.A.                                                       A1               7.40        6/01/08         295          311,691
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-195
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                     PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                        PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest    Maturity      Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate        Date         (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philadelphia Wtr. & Swr. Rev.,
   M.B.I.A.                                                     Aaa              6.25%       8/01/08    $  2,000     $  2,164,360
   15th Ser., M.B.I.A.                                          Aaa              6.875      10/01/06         700          750,547
Pittsburgh Stadium Auth. Rev., F.G.I.C.                         AAA(c)           7.50       10/15/01         500          512,230
Pittsburgh Urban Redev. Auth., Mtge. Rev.,
   Ser. 87B                                                     A1               8.30        4/01/17         795          832,627
   Ser. C, A.M.T.                                               A1               6.55        4/01/28       1,635        1,629,458
Pittsburgh Wtr. & Swr. Auth., F.G.I.C.,
   Ser. A                                                       Aaa              5.60        9/01/22       5,450        5,220,010
   Wtr. & Swr. Sys. Rev.                                        Aaa              6.50        9/01/13       5,000        5,500,950
Pottstown Boro. Auth., Swr. Rev., F.G.I.C.                      Aaa             Zero        11/01/03       1,200          836,916
Puerto Rico Comnwlth.,
   Gen. Oblig.                                                  Baa1             5.40        7/01/25       2,500        2,292,050
   Gen. Oblig., A.M.B.A.C.                                      Aaa              7.00        7/01/10       4,030        4,652,393
   Gen. Oblig., F.S.A.                                          Aaa              7.958(d)    7/01/20       4,250        4,149,062
   Gen. Oblig., M.B.I.A.                                        Aaa              5.50        7/01/08       3,340        3,397,916
   Hwy. & Trans. Auth. Rev., Ser. Y                             Baa1             6.25        7/01/14       1,000        1,047,230
   Pub. Impvt.                                                  AAA(c)           7.70        7/01/20       5,250(f)     5,931,870
   Pub. Impvt. Rfdg., M.B.I.A.                                  Aaa              7.00        7/01/10         720          831,197
Puerto Rico Elec. Pwr. Auth., Pwr. Rev., Ser. S, M.B.I.A.       Aaa              7.00        7/01/06       1,800        2,073,834
Puerto Rico Port Auth. Rev., Spl. Facs. Amer. Airlines,
   Ser. A.                                                      Baa3             6.25        6/01/26       1,475        1,463,392
Sayre Hlth. Care Facs. Auth. Rev., A.M.B.A.C.,
   Cap. Asset Fin. Prog. C                                      Aaa              7.70       12/01/13         500          546,070
   Cap. Asset Fin. Prog. C                                      Aaa              7.625      12/01/15       1,000        1,109,420
Scranton Pkg. Auth. Rev.                                        A(c)             8.125       9/15/14       1,600(f)     1,716,768
Scranton-Lackawanna Hlth. & Welfare Auth. Rev.,
   Univ. of Scranton Proj., Ser. C                              A-(c)            7.50        6/15/06       1,000(f)     1,114,730
   Univ. of Scranton Proj., Ser. C                              A-(c)            6.50        3/01/15       2,250        2,347,492
So. Fork Mun. Auth. Hosp. Rev., Lee Hosp. Proj., Ser. A         A-(c)            5.50        7/01/23       2,500        2,213,025
Unity Twnshp. Mun. Auth., Gtd. Swr. Rev., A.M.B.A.C.,
   Cap. Appreciation                                            Aaa             Zero        11/01/11       1,035          435,425
   Cap. Appreciation                                            Aaa             Zero        11/01/12       1,035          408,049
   Cap. Appreciation                                            Aaa             Zero        11/01/13       1,035          378,851
Virgin Islands Pub. Fin. Auth. Rev.,
   Hwy. Trans. Gas Tax                                          BBB(c)           7.70       10/01/04       1,000        1,077,620
   Ref. Matching Loan Notes, Ser. A                             NR               7.25       10/01/18       1,950        2,069,613
Virgin Islands Terr., Hugo Ins. Claims Fund Proj., Ser. 91      NR               7.75       10/01/06       1,000        1,054,700
Washington Cnty. Auth. Lease Rev., Mun. Fac., Shadyside
   Hosp., Ser. C-1D, A.M.B.A.C.                                 Aaa              7.45       12/15/18       2,900(f)     3,257,512
Washington Cnty. Hosp. Auth. Rev., Monongahela Valley
   Hosp.                                                        A                6.75       12/01/08       2,750        2,858,790
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-196
<PAGE>
Portfolio of Investments                     PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
as of August 31, 1996                        PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Moody's                               Principal
                                                                   Rating      Interest    Maturity      Amount         Value
Description (a)                                                 (Unaudited)      Rate        Date         (000)        (Note 1)
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Mifflin San. Swr. Mun. Auth. Rev., F.G.I.C.                Aaa              6.25%       8/01/10    $  1,555     $  1,670,459
York Cnty. Solid Waste & Refuse Auth., Ind. Dev. Rev.,
   Res. Rec. Proj., Ser. C                                      AA-(c)           8.20       12/01/14       1,000        1,060,840
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total long-term investments (cost $222,556,850)                                                                       233,175,224
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--0.7%
Philadelphia Hosps. & Higher Ed. Fac. Auth. Rev.,
   F.R.D.D.,
   Childrens' Hosp. of PA., Ser. 92B                            VMIG1            3.75        9/03/96         200          200,000
   Childrens' Hosp of PA., Ser. 96A                             VMIG1            3.75        9/03/96       1,500        1,500,000
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total short-term investments (cost $1,700,000)                                                                          1,700,000
OUTSTANDING CALL OPTION PURCHASED                                                          Expiration                Contracts(g)
                                                                                             Date                     -----------
                                                                                           ---------
U.S. Treasury Bond Futures expiring Nov. '96 @$112.00
   (cost $72,807)                                               NR              --          11/16/96         100           35,937
                                                                                                                     ------------
Total Investments--98.6%
(cost $224,329,657; Note 4)                                                                                           234,911,161
Other assets in excess of liabilities--1.4%                                                                             3,385,691
                                                                                                                     ------------
Net Assets--100%                                                                                                     $238,296,852
                                                                                                                     ------------
                                                                                                                     ------------
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(a) The following abbreviations are used in portfolio descriptions:
   A.M.B.A.C.--American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation.
    A.M.T.--Annual Mandatory Tender.
    B.I.G.--Bond Investors Guaranty Insurance Company.
    F.G.I.C.--Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
    F.H.A.--Federal Housing Administration.
    F.R.D.D.--Floating Rate (Daily) Demand Note (b).
    F.S.A.--Financial Security Assurance.
    G.N.M.A.--Government National Mortgage Association.
    M.B.I.A.--Municipal Bond Insurance Association.
(b) For purposes of amortized cost valuation, the maturity date of Floating Rate
    Demand Notes is considered to be the later of the next date on which the
    security can be redeemed at par, or the next date on which the rate of
    interest is adjusted.
(c) Standard & Poor's Rating.
(d) Inverse floating rate bond. The coupon is inversely indexed to a floating
    interest rate. The rate shown is the rate at year end.
(e) Pledged as initial margin on financial futures contracts.
(f) Prerefunded issues are secured by escrowed cash and/or direct U.S.
    guaranteed obligations.
(g) One contract equals $1,000 face value.
NR--Not Rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
The Fund's current Statement of Additional Information contains a description of
Moody's and Standard & Poor's ratings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-197
<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities         PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
Assets                                                                                                         August 31, 1996
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Investments, at value (cost $224,329,657).................................................................      $  234,911,161
Cash......................................................................................................             405,047
Interest receivable.......................................................................................           3,989,629
Receivable for investments sold...........................................................................           2,065,698
Receivable for Series shares sold.........................................................................              74,047
Deferred expenses and other assets........................................................................               7,260
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total assets...........................................................................................         241,452,842
                                                                                                                ---------------
Liabilities
Payable for investments purchased.........................................................................           2,093,598
Payable for Series shares reacquired......................................................................             355,529
Dividends payable.........................................................................................             207,733
Accrued expenses..........................................................................................             182,657
Due to broker-variation margin............................................................................             142,188
Management fee payable....................................................................................              92,621
Distribution fee payable..................................................................................              78,964
Deferred trustee's fees...................................................................................               2,700
                                                                                                                ---------------
   Total liabilities......................................................................................           3,155,990
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net Assets................................................................................................      $  238,296,852
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets were comprised of:
   Shares of beneficial interest, at par..................................................................      $      227,240
   Paid-in capital in excess of par.......................................................................         226,563,470
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                   226,790,710
   Accumulated net realized gain on investments...........................................................           1,314,482
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................................................          10,191,660
                                                                                                                ---------------
Net assets, August 31, 1996...............................................................................      $  238,296,852
                                                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                                                ---------------
Class A:
   Net asset value and redemption price per share
      ($69,658,688 / 6,641,845 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)......................               $10.49
   Maximum sales charge (3.0% of offering price)..........................................................                 .32
   Maximum offering price to public.......................................................................              $10.81
Class B:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($167,809,191 / 16,003,102 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)....................              $10.49
Class C:
   Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share
      ($828,973 / 79,052 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)............................              $10.49
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-198
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
Statement of Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Year Ended
Net Investment Income                            August 31, 1996
<S>                                              <C>
Income
   Interest...................................     $15,822,531
                                                 ---------------
Expenses
   Management fee.............................       1,253,004
   Distribution fee--Class A..................          59,995
   Distribution fee--Class B..................         949,510
   Distribution fee--Class C..................           5,277
   Transfer agent's fees and expenses.........         190,000
   Reports to shareholders....................         141,000
   Custodian's fees and expenses..............         109,000
   Registration fees..........................          47,000
   Audit fees and expenses....................          12,300
   Legal fees and expenses....................          10,000
   Trustees' fees.............................           3,900
   Miscellaneous..............................           3,708
                                                 ---------------
      Total expenses..........................       2,784,694
   Less: Management fee waiver................        (125,300)
       Custodian fee credit...................         (24,139)
                                                 ---------------
      Net expenses............................       2,635,255
                                                 ---------------
Net investment income.........................      13,187,276
                                                 ---------------
Realized and Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Net realized gain on:
   Investment transactions....................       2,187,217
   Financial futures contracts................         919,453
                                                 ---------------
                                                     3,106,670
                                                 ---------------
Net change in unrealized depreciation on:
   Investments................................      (4,058,154)
   Financial futures contracts................        (332,813)
                                                 ---------------
                                                    (4,390,967)
                                                 ---------------
Net loss on investments.......................      (1,284,297)
                                                 ---------------
Net Increase in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations.....................     $11,902,979
                                                 ---------------
                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>

PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Increase (Decrease)                   Year Ended August 31,
in Net Assets                          1996            1995
<S>                                <C>             <C>
Operations
   Net investment income........   $ 13,187,276    $ 13,870,072
   Net realized gain (loss) on
      investment transactions...      3,106,670        (508,005)
   Net change in unrealized
      appreciation/depreciation
      of investments............     (4,390,967)      2,878,813
                                   ------------    ------------
   Net increase in net assets
      resulting from
      operations................     11,902,979      16,240,880
                                   ------------    ------------
Dividends to shareholders from
   net investment income (Note
   1)
      Class A...................     (3,346,434)     (1,734,468)
      Class B...................     (9,806,020)    (12,124,140)
      Class C...................        (34,822)        (11,464)
                                   ------------    ------------
                                    (13,187,276)    (13,870,072)
                                   ------------    ------------
Series share transactions (net
   of share conversions) (Note
   5)
   Net proceeds from shares
      sold......................     14,511,819      19,260,042
   Net asset value of shares
      issued in reinvestment of
      dividends.................      7,333,818       7,902,987
   Cost of shares reacquired....    (35,929,977)    (44,342,507)
                                   ------------    ------------
   Net decrease in net assets
      from Series share
      transactions..............    (14,084,340)    (17,179,478)
                                   ------------    ------------
Total decrease..................    (15,368,637)    (14,808,670)
Net Assets
Beginning of year...............    253,665,489     268,474,159
                                   ------------    ------------
End of year.....................   $238,296,852    $253,665,489
                                   ------------    ------------
                                   ------------    ------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-199
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prudential Municipal Series Fund (the ``Fund'') is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company. The Fund was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 18, 1984 and consists of
fourteen series. The monies of each series are invested in separate,
independently managed portfolios. The Pennsylvania Series (the ``Series'')
commenced investment operations in April, 1987. The Series is diversified and
seeks to achieve it's investment objective of obtaining the maximum amount of
income exempt from federal and applicable state income taxes with the minimum of
risk by investing in ``investment grade'' tax-exempt securities whose ratings
are within the four highest ratings categories by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization or, if not rated, are of comparable quality. The
ability of the issuers of the securities held by the Series to meet their
obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific state,
industry or region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund, and the Series, in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuations: The Series values municipal securities (including
commitments to purchase such securities on a ``when-issued'' basis) on the basis
of prices provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to
transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in
comparable securities and various relationships between securities in
determining values. If market quotations are not readily available from such
pricing service, a security is valued at its fair value as determined under
procedures established by the Trustees.

Short-term securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued at current
market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost.

All securities are valued as of 4:15 P.M., New York time.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to
purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of debt securities at a set
price for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures
contract, the Series is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash
and/or other assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This
amount is known as the ``initial margin''. Subsequent payments, known as
``variation margin'', are made or received by the Series each day, depending on
the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation
margin is recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as
unrealized gain or loss. When the contract expires or is closed, the gain or
loss is realized and is presented in the statement of operations as net realized
gain (loss) on financial futures. The Series invests in financial futures
contracts in order to hedge its existing portfolio securities or securities the
Series intends to purchase against fluctuations in value caused by changes in
prevailing interest rates. Should interest rates move unexpectedly, the Series
may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and
may realize a loss. The use of futures transactions involves the risk of
imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts, interest
rates and the underlying hedged assets.

Options: The Series may either purchase or write options in order to hedge
against adverse market movements or fluctuations in value caused by changes in
prevailing interest rates with respect to securities which the Fund currently
owns or intends to purchase. The Series' principal reason for writing options is
to realize, through receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be
realized on the underlying security alone. When the Series purchases an option,
it pays a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as an
investment. When the Series writes an option, it receives a premium and an
amount equal to that premium is recorded as a liability. The investment or
liability is adjusted daily to reflect the current market value of the option.
If an option expires unexercised, the Series realizes a gain or loss to the
extent of the premium received or paid. If an option is exercised, the premium
received or paid is an adjustment to the proceeds from the sale or the cost of
the purchase in determining whether the Series has realized a gain or loss. The
difference between the premium and the amount received or paid on effecting a
closing purchase or sale transaction is also treated as a realized gain or loss.
Gain or loss on purchased options is included in net realized gain (loss) on
investment transactions. Gain or loss on written options is presented separately
as net realized gain (loss) on written option transactions.

The Series, as a writer of an option, may have no control over whether the
underlying securities may be sold (called) or purchased (put). As a result, the
Series bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the
security underlying the written option. The Series, as purchaser of an option,
bears the risk of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the
terms of their contracts. As of August 31, 1996, the Fund did not have any open
written options.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are
calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-200
<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                 PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
recorded on the accrual basis. The Series amortizes premiums and original issue
discount paid on purchases of portfolio securities as adjustments to interest
income. Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis which may require the use of
certain estimates by management.

Net investment income (other than distribution fees) and unrealized and realized
gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the
relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day.

Federal Income Taxes: For federal income tax purposes, each series in the Fund
is treated as a separate taxpaying entity. It is the intent of the Series to
continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net income to
shareholders. For this reason and because substantially all of the Series' gross
income consists of tax-exempt interest, no federal income tax provision is
required.

Dividends and Distributions: The Series declares daily dividends from net
investment income. Payment of dividends are made monthly. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, are made annually. Income distributions and capital gain
distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may
differ from generally accepted accounting principles.

Custody Fee Credits: The Series has an arrangement with its custodian bank,
whereby uninvested monies earn credits which reduce the fees charged by the
custodian.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2. Agreements

The Fund has a management agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC.
(``PMF''). Pursuant to this agreement, PMF has responsibility for all investment
advisory services and supervises the subadviser's performance of such services.
PMF has entered into a subadvisory agreement with The Prudential Investment
Corporation (``PIC''); PIC furnishes investment advisory services in connection
with the management of the Fund. PMF pays for the cost of the subadviser's
services, the compensation of officers of the Fund, occupancy and certain
clerical and bookkeeping costs of the Fund. The Fund bears all other costs and
expenses.

The management fee paid PMF is computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual
rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Series. PMF has agreed
to waive a portion (.05 of 1% of the Series' average daily net assets) of its
management fee, which amounted to $125,300 ($.006 per share for Class A, B and C
shares: .05% of average net assets). The Series is not required to reimburse PMF
for such waiver.

The Fund had a distribution agreement with Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. (``PMFD''), which acted as the distributor of the Class A shares of the
Fund through January 1, 1996. Effective January 2, 1996, Prudential Securities
Incorporated (``PSI'') became the distributor of the Class A shares of the Fund
and is serving the Fund under the same terms and conditions as under the
arrangement with PMFD. PSI is also the distributor of the Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund. The Fund compensated PMFD and PSI for distributing and
servicing the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares, pursuant to plans of
distribution (the ``Class A, B and C Plans''), regardless of expenses actually
incurred by them. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.

Pursuant to the Class A, B and C Plans, the Fund compensates PSI, and PMFD for
the period September 1, 1995 through January 1, 1996 with respect to Class A
shares, for distribution-related activities at an annual rate of up to .30 of
1%, .50 of 1% and 1%, of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C
shares, respectively. Such expenses under the Plans were .10 of 1%, .50 of 1%
and .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, B and C shares,
respectively, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996.

PMFD and PSI have advised the Series that they have received approximately
$24,600 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares during
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996. From these fees, PMFD and PSI paid such
sales charges Pruco Securities Corporation, an affiliated broker-dealer, which
in turn paid commissions to salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

PSI has advised the Series that for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, it
received approximately $285,600 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed
upon certain redemptions by Class B and Class C shareholders.

PMFD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMF; PSI, PMF and PIC are indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      B-201
<PAGE>
                                            PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements               PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 3. Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (``PMFS''), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
PMF, serves as the Fund's transfer agent. During the fiscal year ended August
31, 1996, the Series incurred fees of approximately $122,800 for the services of
PMFS. As of August 31, 1996, approximately $9,800 of such fees were due to PMFS.
Transfer agent fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations includes certain
out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 4. Portfolio Securities

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities of the Series, excluding short-term
investments, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 were $65,199,553 and
$82,899,570, respectively.

The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes was $224,297,076
and, accordingly, as of August 31, 1996 net unrealized appreciation of
investments for federal income tax purposes is $10,614,085 (gross unrealized
appreciation--$12,093,548; gross unrealized depreciation--$1,479,463).

At August 31, 1996 the Series purchased 175 financial futures contracts on the
Municipal Bond Index expiring September 1996. The value at disposition of such
contracts was $19,169,531. The value of such contracts on August 31, 1996 was
$18,779,687 thereby resulting in an unrealized loss of $389,844.

The Series has fully utilized its capital loss carryforward of approximately
$1,452,000. The Series has elected to treat net capital losses of approximately
$1,202,900 incurred in the ten month period ended August 31, 1995 as being
incurred in the current fiscal year.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Note 5. Capital

The Series offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold
with a front-end sales charge of up to 3%. Class B shares are sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 5% to zero depending on the
period of time the shares are held. Class C shares are sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge of 1% during the first year. Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately seven
years after purchase. A special exchange privilege is also available for
shareholders who qualify to purchase Class A shares at net asset value.

The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
each class at $.01 par value per share. Transactions in shares of beneficial
interest for the fiscal years ended August 31, 1996 and August 31, 1995 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A                                 Shares         Amount
- -----------------------------------   ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold........................      170,524    $  1,815,672
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends........................      174,484       1,854,233
Shares reacquired..................     (856,245)     (9,076,849)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion................     (511,237)     (5,406,944)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B..........................    2,346,430      24,852,900
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding......................    1,835,193    $ 19,445,956
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold........................      299,314    $  3,060,202
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends........................       94,611         981,883
Shares reacquired..................     (429,242)     (4,432,346)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion................      (35,317)       (390,261)
Shares issued upon conversion from
  Class B..........................    3,820,038      39,180,753
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding......................    3,784,721    $ 38,790,492
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Class B
- -----------------------------------
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold........................    1,135,725    $ 12,092,210
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends........................      513,704       5,464,148
Shares reacquired..................   (2,513,126)    (26,746,007)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion................     (863,697)     (9,189,649)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A.....................   (2,346,430)    (24,852,900)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding......................   (3,210,127)   $(34,042,549)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

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

                                      B-202
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Notes to Financial Statements                PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B                                 Shares         Amount
- -----------------------------------   ----------    ------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold........................    1,556,154    $ 15,906,587
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends........................      676,394       6,911,570
Shares reacquired..................   (3,929,313)    (39,845,757)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares outstanding
  before conversion................   (1,696,765)    (17,027,600)
Shares reacquired upon conversion
  into Class A.....................   (3,820,038)    (39,180,753)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net decrease in shares
  outstanding......................   (5,516,803)   $(56,208,353)
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Class C
- -----------------------------------
Year ended August 31, 1996:
Shares sold........................       55,805    $    603,937
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends........................        1,449          15,437
Shares reacquired..................      (10,040)       (107,121)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding......................       47,214    $    512,253
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
Year ended August 31, 1995:
Shares sold........................       28,444    $    293,253
Shares issued in reinvestment of
  dividends........................          926           9,534
Shares reacquired..................       (6,201)        (64,404)
                                      ----------    ------------
Net increase in shares
  outstanding......................       23,169    $    238,383
                                      ----------    ------------
                                      ----------    ------------
</TABLE>

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

                                      B-203
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                         PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Class A
                                        -----------------------------------------------------
                                                        Year Ended August 31,
                                        -----------------------------------------------------
                                         1996        1995        1994        1993       1992
                                        -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   year.............................    $ 10.55     $ 10.42     $ 11.21     $10.55     $ 9.96
                                        -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income...............        .59(a)      .60(a)      .59        .62        .62
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions.....................       (.06)        .13        (.68)       .70        .59
                                        -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
   Total from investment
      operations....................        .53         .73        (.09)      1.32       1.21
                                        -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income...........................       (.59)       (.60)       (.59)      (.62)      (.62)
Distributions from net realized
   gains............................      --          --           (.11)      (.04)      --
                                        -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
   Total distributions..............       (.59)       (.60)       (.70)      (.66)      (.62)
                                        -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
Net asset value, end of year........    $ 10.49     $ 10.55     $ 10.42     $11.21     $10.55
                                        -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
                                        -------     -------     -------     ------     ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):....................       5.08%       7.35%       (.82)%    12.86%     12.44%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000).......    $69,659     $50,696     $10,651     $9,342     $5,908
Average net assets (000)............    $59,995     $30,092     $10,315     $7,354     $4,439
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..........................        .75%(a)     .80%(a)     .75%       .78%       .81%
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..........................        .65%(a)     .70%(a)     .65%       .68%       .71%
   Net investment income............       5.56%(a)    5.76%(a)    5.52%      5.69%      5.99%
Portfolio turnover rate.............         26%         19%         22%        13%        25%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
 (a) Net of expense subsidy/management fee waiver.
 (b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return
     is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale
     on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment
     dividends and distributions.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-204
<PAGE>
                                              PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Financial Highlights                          PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Class B                                     Class C
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------     -----------------
                                                         Year Ended August 31,                         Year Ended August 31,
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------     -----------------
                                        1996         1995         1994         1993         1992        1996       1995
<S>                                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
                                      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     ------     ------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   period...........................  $  10.55     $  10.42     $  11.21     $  10.54     $   9.96     $10.55     $10.42
                                      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     ------     ------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income...............       .55(a)       .56(a)       .55          .57          .58        .52(a)     .53(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions.....................      (.06)         .13        (.68)          .71          .58       (.06)       .13
                                      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     ------     ------
   Total from investment
      operations....................       .49          .69        (.13)         1.28         1.16        .46        .66
                                      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     ------     ------
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income...........................      (.55)        (.56)       (.55)        (.57)        (.58)       (.52)      (.53)
Distributions from net realized
   gains............................     --           --           (.11)        (.04)        --          --         --
                                      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     ------     ------
   Total distributions..............      (.55)        (.56)       (.66)        (.61)        (.58)       (.52)      (.53)
                                      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     ------     ------
Net asset value, end of period......  $  10.49     $  10.55     $  10.42     $  11.21     $  10.54     $10.49     $10.55
                                      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     ------     ------
                                      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     ------     ------
TOTAL RETURN(b):....................      4.66%        6.92%      (1.22)%       12.54%       11.92%      4.41%      6.65%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).....  $167,809     $202,633     $257,732     $263,752     $206,028     $  829     $  336
Average net assets (000)............  $189,902     $223,082     $266,594     $229,955     $186,113     $  704     $  223
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..........................      1.15%(a)     1.17%(a)     1.15%        1.18%        1.21%      1.40%(a)   1.44%(a)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..........................       .65%(a)      .67%(a)      .65%         .68%         .71%       .65%(a)    .69%(a)
   Net investment income............      5.16%(a)     5.44%(a)     5.11%        5.29%        5.59%      4.91%(a)   5.14%(a)
Portfolio turnover rate.............        26%          19%          22%          13%          25%        26%        19%

<CAPTION>
                                      August 1,
                                       Through
                                      August 31,
                                         1994
<S>                                   <C>
                                      ----------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
   period...........................    $10.44
                                         -----

Income from investment operations
Net investment income...............       .04
Net realized and unrealized gain
   (loss) on investment
   transactions.....................      (.02)
                                         -----

   Total from investment
      operations....................       .02
                                         -----

Less distributions
Dividends from net investment
   income...........................      (.04)
Distributions from net realized
   gains............................      --
                                         -----

   Total distributions..............      (.04)
                                         -----

Net asset value, end of period......    $10.42
                                         -----
                                         -----

TOTAL RETURN(b):....................       .14%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000).....    $   90
Average net assets (000)............    $    1
Ratios to average net assets:
   Expenses, including distribution
      fees..........................      2.00%(c)
   Expenses, excluding distribution
      fees..........................      1.25%(c)
   Net investment income............      8.51%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate.............        22%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
 (a) Net of expense subsidy/management fee waiver.
 (b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return
     is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale
     on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment
     dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods of less than a
     full year are not annualized.
 (c) Annualized.
 (d) Commencement of offering of Class C shares.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                      B-205
<PAGE>
                                             PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
Independent Auditors' Report                 PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Pennsylvania Series

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, of Prudential Municipal Series Fund, Pennsylvania
Series, as of August 31, 1996, the related statements of operations for the year
then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the
period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of
August 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies
were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund, Pennsylvania Series, as of August 31, 1996, the results of its
operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the
respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
October 14, 1996


   
    


                                      B-206
<PAGE>
   
APPENDIX I--GENERAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
    
 
   
    The following terms are used in mutual fund investing.
    
 
   
ASSET ALLOCATION
    
 
   
    Asset  allocation is a technique for reducing risk, providing balance. Asset
allocation among  different types  of securities  within an  overall  investment
portfolio  helps to reduce risk and to potentially provide stable returns, while
enabling investors to work toward  their financial goal(s). Asset allocation  is
also  a  strategy to  gain  exposure to  better  performing asset  classes while
maintaining investment in other asset classes.
    
 
   
DIVERSIFICATION
    
 
   
    Diversification is  a time-honored  technique for  reducing risk,  providing
"balance" to an overall portfolio and potentially achieving more stable returns.
Owning a portfolio of securities mitigates the individual risks (and returns) of
any  one  security.  Additionally,  diversification  among  types  of securities
reduces the risks (and general returns) of any one type of security.
    
 
   
DURATION
    
 
   
    Debt securities have  varying levels  of sensitivity to  interest rates.  As
interest  rates  fluctuate, the  value  of a  bond  (or a  bond  portfolio) will
increase or decrease. Longer term bonds are generally more sensitive to  changes
in  interest  rates.  When  interest rates  fall,  bond  prices  generally rise.
Conversely, when interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
    
 
   
    Duration is an approximation of the price  sensitivity of a bond (or a  bond
portfolio)  to interest rate changes. It  measures the weighted average maturity
of a bond's  (or a bond  portfolio's) cash flows,  I.E., principal and  interest
rate  payments. Duration is expressed as a  measure of time in years--the longer
the duration of a bond (or a bond portfolio), the greater the impact of interest
rate changes on  the bond's (or  the bond portfolio's)  price. Duration  differs
from  effective maturity  in that duration  takes into  account call provisions,
coupon rates and other  factors. Duration measures interest  rate risk only  and
not  other  risks, such  as  credit risk  and, in  the  case of  non-U.S. dollar
denominated securities,  currency risk.  Effective maturity  measures the  final
maturity dates of a bond (or a bond portfolio).
    
 
   
MARKET TIMING
    
 
   
    Market  timing--buying securities when prices are  low and selling them when
prices are relatively  higher--may not  work for  many investors  because it  is
impossible to predict with certainty how the price of a security will fluctuate.
However,  owning a security for a long  period of time may help investors offset
short-term price volatility and realize positive returns.
    
 
   
POWER OF COMPOUNDING
    
 
   
    Over time, the  compounding of returns  can significantly impact  investment
returns.  Compounding  is  the  effect  of  continuous  investment  on long-term
investment results, by which  the proceeds of  capital appreciation (and  income
distributions, if elected) are reinvested to contribute to the overall growth of
assets. The long-term investment results of compounding may be greater than that
of   an  equivalent  initial  investment  in   which  the  proceeds  of  capital
appreciation and income distributions are taken in cash.
    
 
   
                                      I-1
    
<PAGE>
   
APPENDIX II--HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE DATA
    
 
   
    Set forth below is historical  performance data relating to various  sectors
of  the fixed-income  securities markets. The  chart shows  the historical total
returns of U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. mortgage securities, U.S. corporate  bonds,
U.S.  high yield bonds and  world government bonds on  an annual basis from 1987
through 1995. The total  returns of the indices  include accrued interest,  plus
the  price changes  (gains or  losses) of  the underlying  securities during the
period mentioned.  The data  is provided  to illustrate  the varying  historical
total  returns and  investors should  not consider  this performance  data as an
indication of the future performance of the  Fund or of any sector in which  the
Fund invests.
    
 
   
    All  information relies on data  obtained from statistical services, reports
and other services believed by the Manager to be reliable. Such information  has
not been verified. The figures do not reflect the operating expenses and fees of
a  mutual fund. See  "Fund Expenses" in  each Prospectus. The  net effect of the
deduction of the operating expenses of  a mutual fund on these historical  total
returns, including the compounded effect over time, could be substantial.
    
 
   
           HISTORICAL TOTAL RETURNS OF DIFFERENT BOND MARKET SECTORS
    
 
   
- -1-
  LEHMAN  BROTHERS TREASURY BOND INDEX is an unmanaged index made up of over 150
  public issues of the U.S. Treasury having maturities of at least one year.
    
 
   
- -2-
  LEHMAN BROTHERS MORTGAGE-BACKED  SECURITIES INDEX is  an unmanaged index  that
  includes over 600 15- and 30-year fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities of the
  Government  National  Mortgage Association  (GNMA), Federal  National Mortgage
  Association (FNMA), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC).
    
 
   
- -3-
  LEHMAN BROTHERS CORPORATE  BOND INDEX includes  over 3,000 public  fixed-rate,
  nonconvertible  investment-grade bonds. All  bonds are U.S. dollar-denominated
  issues and include debt issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereign governments,
  municipalities, governmental agencies or international agencies. All bonds  in
  the index have maturities of at least one year.
    
 
   
- -4-
  LEHMAN  BROTHERS HIGH YIELD  BOND INDEX is an  unmanaged index comprising over
  750 public, fixed-rate, nonconvertible  bonds that are rated  Ba1 or lower  by
  Moody's Investors Service (or rated BB+ or lower by Standard & Poor's or Fitch
  Investors  Service). All bonds  in the index  have maturities of  at least one
  year.
    
 
   
- -5-
  SALOMON BROTHERS WORLD  GOVERNMENT INDEX  (NON U.S.) includes  over 800  bonds
  issued  by various  foreign governments  or agencies,  excluding those  in the
  U.S.,  but  including  Japan,  Germany,  France,  the  U.K.,  Canada,   Italy,
  Australia,  Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Austria. All
  bonds in the index have maturities of at least one year.
    
 
   
                                      II-1
    
<PAGE>
   
    This chart below shows the  historical volatility of general interest  rates
as measured by the long U.S. Treasury Bond.
    
 
   
              LONG U.S. TREASURY BOND YIELD IN PERCENT (1926-1995)
    
 
- --------------
   
Source:  Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and Inflation 1996 Yearbook, Ibbotson Associates,
Chicago (annually updates  work by Roger  G. Ibbotson and  Rex A.  Sinquefield).
Used  with permission. All rights reserved. The chart illustrates the historical
yield of a long-term U.S. Treasury Bond from 1926-1996. Yield represents that of
an  annually  renewed   one-bond  portfolio   with  a   remaining  maturity   of
approximately  20 years. This chart is  for illustrative purposes and should not
be construed to represent the yields of any Prudential Mutual Fund.
    
 
   
                                      II-2
    
<PAGE>
   
APPENDIX III--INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PRUDENTIAL
    
 
   
    Set forth below is information relating to The Prudential Insurance  Company
of  America (Prudential) and its subsidiaries as well as information relating to
the Prudential  Mutual Funds.  See "Management  of the  Fund-- Manager"  in  the
Prospectus.  The data will be used in sales materials relating to the Prudential
Mutual Funds. Unless otherwise indicated, the information is as of December  31,
1995  and  is  subject to  change  thereafter.  All information  relies  on data
provided by The Prudential  Investment Corporation (PIC)  or from other  sources
believed  by the Manager to be reliable.  Such information has not been verified
by the Fund.
    
 
   
INFORMATION ABOUT PRUDENTIAL
    
 
   
    The Manager and PIC-1- are subsidiaries  of Prudential, which is one of  the
largest  diversified financial services institutions in  the world and, based on
total assets, the largest insurance company in North America as of December  31,
1995.  Its primary business is to offer a full range of products and services in
three areas:  insurance,  investments and  home  ownership for  individuals  and
families;  health-care management  and other  benefit programs  for employees of
companies and members of groups; and asset management for institutional  clients
and  their associates. Prudential (together  with its subsidiaries) employs more
than 92,000  persons worldwide,  and maintains  a sales  force of  approximately
13,000  agents and  5,600 financial  advisors. Prudential  is a  major issuer of
annuities, including variable annuities. Prudential seeks to develop  innovative
products  and services  to meet  consumer needs in  each of  its business areas.
Prudential uses the rock of  Gibraltar as its symbol.  The Prudential rock is  a
recognized brand name throughout the world.
    
 
   
    INSURANCE.   Prudential  has been  engaged in  the insurance  business since
1875. It insures or provides financial  services to more than 50 million  people
worldwide--one  of  every five  people in  the  United States.  Long one  of the
largest issuers of individual life insurance, the Prudential has 19 million life
insurance policies in force today with  a face value of $1 trillion.  Prudential
has  the largest capital base  ($11.4 billion) of any  life insurance company in
the United States.  The Prudential  provides auto  insurance for  more than  1.7
million cars and insures more than 1.4 million homes.
    
 
   
    MONEY  MANAGEMENT.    The Prudential  is  one  of the  largest  pension fund
managers in the country, providing pension services to 1 in 3 Fortune 500 firms.
It manages $36  billion of  individual retirement  plan assets,  such as  401(k)
plans.  In July 1995, INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ranked Prudential the third largest
institutional money manager of the 300 largest money management organizations in
the United States as of December 31,  1994. As of December 31, 1995,  Prudential
had  more than $314  billion in assets  under management. Prudential Investments
(of which Prudential Mutual Funds  is a key part)  manages over $190 billion  in
assets of institutions and individuals.
    
 
   
    REAL ESTATE.  The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, the fourth largest real
estate  brokerage network in the United States, has more than 34,000 brokers and
agents and more than 1,100 offices in the United States.-2-
    
 
   
    HEALTHCARE.   Over two  decades  ago, the  Prudential introduced  the  first
federally-funded,  for-profit  HMO  in  the  country.  Today,  almost  5 million
Americans receive healthcare from a Prudential managed care membership.
    
 
   
    FINANCIAL SERVICES.  The Prudential  Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of  the
Prudential,  has  nearly $3  billion  in assets  and  serves nearly  1.5 million
customers across 50 states.
    
 
   
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUNDS
    
 
   
    Prudential Mutual Fund Management is one of the sixteen largest mutual  fund
companies  in the country,  with over 2.5 million  shareholders invested in more
than 50 mutual fund portfolios and variable annuities with more than 3.7 million
shareholder accounts.
    
 
- ---------------
   
- -1- Prudential Investments,  a  business  group of  Prudential,  serves  as  the
    Subadviser  to substantially all of  the Prudential Mutual Funds. Wellington
    Management Company serves as  the subadviser to  Global Utility Fund,  Inc.,
    Nicholas-Applegate  Capital Management  as subadviser  to Nicholas-Applegate
    Fund,  Inc.,  Jennison  Associates  Capital  Corp.  as  the  subadviser   to
    Prudential  Jennison Fund, Inc. and  BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. as
    subadviser to  The BlackRock  Government Income  Trust. There  are  multiple
    subadvisers for The Target Portfolio Trust.
    
 
   
- -2- As of December 31, 1994.
    
 
   
                                     III-1
    
<PAGE>
   
    The  Prudential Mutual Funds have over 30 portfolio managers who manage over
$55 billion in  mutual fund and  variable annuity assets.  Some of  Prudential's
portfolio  managers  have  over  20  years  of  experience  managing  investment
portfolios.
    
 
   
    From time to  time, there may  be media coverage  of portfolio managers  and
other investment professionals associated with the Manager and the Subadviser in
national   and  regional  publications,  on   television  and  in  other  media.
Additionally, individual mutual fund portfolios are frequently cited in  surveys
conducted  by national and regional publications and media organizations such as
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, THE NEW YORK TIMES, BARRON'S and USA TODAY.
    
 
   
    EQUITY FUNDS.  FORBES  magazine listed Prudential  Equity Fund among  twenty
mutual  funds on  its Honor Roll  in its mutual  fund issue of  August 28, 1995.
Honorees are chosen annually among  mutual funds (excluding sector funds)  which
are  open to new  investors and have had  the same management  for at least five
years. Forbes considers, among other criteria, the total return of a mutual fund
in both bull  and bear  markets as  well as  a fund's  risk profile.  Prudential
Equity  Fund  is  managed with  a  "value"  investment style  by  PIC.  In 1995,
Prudential Securities introduced Prudential Jennison Fund, a growth-style equity
fund managed  by  Jennison Associates  Capital  Corp., a  premier  institutional
equity manager and a subsidiary of Prudential.
    
 
   
    HIGH  YIELD FUNDS.  Investing in high  yield bonds is a complex and research
intensive pursuit. A separate team of  high yield bond analysts monitor the  167
issues held in the Prudential High Yield Fund (currently the largest fund of its
kind  in the country) along with 100 or  so other high yield bonds, which may be
considered for purchase.-3- Non-investment grade bonds, also known as junk bonds
or high yield  bonds, are subject  to a greater  risk of loss  of principal  and
interest  including default risk than  higher-rated bonds. Prudential high yield
portfolio managers and analysts meet face-to-face with almost every bond  issuer
in  the  High Yield  Fund's portfolio  annually,  and have  additional telephone
contact throughout the year.
    
 
   
    Prudential's portfolio managers are supported  by a large and  sophisticated
research  organization.  Fourteen  investment grade  bond  analysts  monitor the
financial viability  of  approximately  1,750  different  bond  issuers  in  the
investment  grade  corporate  and  municipal  bond  markets--from  IBM  to small
municipalities, such as Rockaway Township,  New Jersey. These analysts  consider
among other things sinking fund provisions and interest coverage ratios.
    
 
   
    Prudential's  portfolio managers and analysts receive research services from
almost 200 brokers  and market  service vendors.  They also  receive nearly  100
trade  publications and  newspapers--from Pulp  and Paper  Forecaster to Women's
Wear Daily--to keep them informed of the industries they follow.
    
 
   
    Prudential Mutual Funds' traders scan over 100 computer monitors to  collect
detailed  information on which  to trade. From  natural gas prices  in the Rocky
Mountains to the results  of local municipal  elections, a Prudential  portfolio
manager or trader is able to monitor it if it's important to a Prudential mutual
fund.
    
 
   
    Prudential  Mutual Funds trade approximately $31 billion in U.S. and foreign
government securities  a  year. PIC  seeks  information from  government  policy
makers.  In 1995, Prudential's  portfolio managers met  with several senior U.S.
and foreign government officials, on issues ranging from economic conditions  in
foreign  countries to  the viability  of index-linked  securities in  the United
States.
    
 
   
    Prudential Mutual Funds' portfolio managers and analysts met with over 1,200
companies in  1995,  often with  the  Chief  Executive Officer  (CEO)  or  Chief
Financial Officer (CFO). They also attended over 250 industry conferences.
    
 
   
    Prudential Mutual Fund global equity managers conducted many of their visits
overseas,  often holding private  meetings with a company  in a foreign language
(our global  equity managers  speak 7  different languages,  including  Mandarin
Chinese).
    
 
- ---------------
   
- -3- As  of December 31, 1995. The  number of bonds and the  size of the Fund are
    subject to change.
    
 
   
                                     III-2
    
<PAGE>
   
    TRADING DATA.-4-     On an  average day, Prudential  Mutual Funds' U.S.  and
foreign  equity trading desks traded $77 million in securities representing over
3.8 million shares  with nearly  200 different firms.  Prudential Mutual  Funds'
bond  trading desks traded $157 million in  government and corporate bonds on an
average day. That represents more in daily trading than most bond funds  tracked
by  Lipper even  have in assets.-5-  Prudential Mutual Funds'  money market desk
traded $3.2 billion in money market securities  on an average day, or over  $800
billion a year. They made a trade every 3 minutes of every trading day. In 1994,
the  Prudential Mutual  Funds effected more  than 40,000 trades  in money market
securities and held on average $20 billion of money market securities.-6-
    
 
   
    Based on  complex-wide data,  on  an average  day, over  7,250  shareholders
telephoned  Prudential Mutual  Fund Services,  Inc., the  Transfer Agent  of the
Prudential Mutual Funds, on the Prudential Mutual Funds' toll-free number. On an
annual  basis,  that  represents  approximately  1.8  million  telephone   calls
answered.
    
 
   
INFORMATION ABOUT PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
    
 
   
    Prudential  Securities is  the fifth  largest retail  brokerage firm  in the
United States  with approximately  5,600 financial  advisors. It  offers to  its
clients  a  wide  range  of  products,  including  Prudential  Mutual  Funds and
annuities. As of December 31, 1995, assets held by Prudential Securities for its
clients approximated  $168  billion.  During  1994,  over  28,000  new  customer
accounts were opened each month at PSI.-7-
    
 
   
    Prudential Securities has a two-year Financial Advisor training program plus
advanced education programs, including Prudential Securities "university," which
provides  advanced education  in a  wide array  of investment  areas. Prudential
Securities is  the only  Wall Street  firm to  have its  own in-house  Certified
Financial  Planner (CFP) program. In the  December 1995 issue of Registered Rep,
an industry  publication,  Prudential  Securities'  Financial  Advisor  training
programs received a grade of A-(compared to an industry average of B+).
    
 
   
    In   1995,  Prudential  Securities'  equity  research  team  ranked  8th  in
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR magazine's 1995 "All America Research Team" survey.  Five
Prudential Securities' analysts were ranked as first-team finishers.-8-
    
 
   
    In  addition  to  training,  Prudential  Securities  provides  its financial
advisors with  access  to firm  economists  and  market analysts.  It  has  also
developed  proprietary  tools  for  use  by  financial  advisors,  including the
Financial Architect-SM-, a  state-of-the-art asset  allocation software  program
which  helps Financial  Advisors to evaluate  a client's  objectives and overall
financial plan, and a comprehensive mutual fund information and analysis  system
that compares different mutual funds.
    
 
   
    For  more complete  information about  any of  the Prudential  Mutual Funds,
including charges  and  expenses,  call  your  Prudential  Securities  financial
adviser  or  Pruco/Prudential  representative  for a  free  prospectus.  Read it
carefully before you invest or send money.
    
 
- ---------------
   
- -4- Trading data represents  average daily  transactions for  portfolios of  the
    Prudential  Mutual Funds for which PIC  serves as the subadviser, portfolios
    of the Prudential Series Fund and institutional and non-US accounts  managed
    by  Prudential Mutual Fund Investment Management, a division of PIC, for the
    year ended December 31, 1995.
    
 
   
- -5- Based on 669 funds  in Lipper Analytical Services  categories of Short  U.S.
    Treasury,  Short U.S.  Government, Intermediate  U.S. Treasury, Intermediate
    U.S. Government, Short Investment Grade Debt, Intermediate Investment  Grade
    Debt, General U.S. Treasury, General U.S. Government and Mortgage funds.
    
 
   
- -6- As of December 31, 1994.
    
 
   
- -7- As of December 31, 1994.
    
 
   
- -8- On  an annual basis,  INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR magazine  surveys more than 700
    institutional  money  managers,  chief  investment  officers  and   research
    directors,  asking them to evaluate analysts  in 76 industry sectors. Scores
    are produced by taking the number of votes awarded to an individual  analyst
    and  weighting them based on  the size of the  voting institution. In total,
    the magazine  sends its  survey to  approximately 2,000  institutions and  a
    group of European and Asian institutions.
    
 
   
                                     III-3
    
<PAGE>
   
APPENDIX IV--FIVE PERCENT SHAREHOLDER REPORT
    
 
   
    As  of October  4, 1996, the  beneficial owners, directly  or indirectly, of
more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of beneficial interest of  a
Series were:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SERIES AND CLASS NAME                        REGISTRATION                 SHARES       (PERCENT)
- -----------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                        <C>                                   <C>            <C>
Florida Series (Class C)                   Randall E L Falck Ttee                       53,473       (6.9%)
                                           Randall E L Falck
                                           Rev TR UA DTD 12/03/91
                                           FBO Randall E L Falck
                                           8049 Whisper Lake Ln W
                                           Ponte Vedra FL 32082-3116
                                           Mr Joseph R Rainwater Ttee                   45,995       (6.0%)
                                           Brown V Rainwater LVG
                                           Trust #1 UA Dtd 06/21/86
                                           PO Box 10875
                                           Pensacola FL 32524-0876
 
Hawaii Income Series (Class B)             Evelyn J Gender Ttee                         61,332       (7.4%)
                                           Amended and Restated Self
                                           Trusted TR UA Dtd 09/03/87
                                           619 Hunakai St
                                           Honolulu HI 96816-4909
                                           Erica K Hsiao Ttee                           43,621       (5.3%)
                                           Sidney C Hsiao &
                                           Erica Hsiao Tr Ua Dtd 09/27/83
                                           1434 Punahou St
                                           Honolulu HI 96822-4754
 
Hawaii Income Series (Class C)             Ralph S Tawata &                              6,274       (5.3%)
                                           Betty Y Tawata JT Ten
                                           3150 Oahu Ave
                                           Honolulu HI 96822-1246
                                           John C Rapozo                                10,806       (9.1%)
                                           PO Box 681
                                           Keaau Hi 96749-0681
                                           Thomas K Tsobota Miyako                      11,255       (9.5%)
                                           Tsubota Co-TTEES
                                           Thomas k Tsubota
                                           Miyako I Tsubota
                                           Revliv Tr UA DTD 04/19/90
                                           911 11th Ave
                                           Honolulu HI 96818-2240
                                           Mrs Joyce W Borthwick &                       7,039       (5.9%)
                                           Mrs Amy T Shibuya JT Ten
                                           123 Dowsett Ave
                                           Honolulu HI 96818-1109
                                           Irish O Eustace                               6,550       (5.5%)
                                           1930 Alaeloa St
                                           Honolulu HI 96821-1019
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      IV-1
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SERIES AND CLASS NAME                        REGISTRATION                 SHARES       (PERCENT)
- -----------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                        <C>                                   <C>            <C>
Maryland Series (Class C)                  Julien J Lavoie                                 713      (16.5%)
                                           Marjorie G Lavoie JT Ten
                                           13405 Beall Creek Ct
                                           Potomac MD 20854-1119
                                           Henry Nathan II &                             1,416      (32.7%)
                                           Elaine T Nathan JT TEN
                                           6222 Roblynn Road
                                           Laurel MD 20707-2635
                                           Prudential Securities Inc.                    2,095      (48.4%)
                                           Erma N Ruble
 
Massachusetts Series (Class C)             Anna R Mascott TTEE                           2,953      (74.5%)
                                           Anna R Mascott 1988
                                           Revocable Trust UA DTD 01/19/88
                                           358 Del Pond Drive
                                           Canton MA 02021-2750
                                           Richard E Gray &                                563      (14.2%)
                                           Dorothy E Gray JT TEN
                                           234 Spring St
                                           Medford MA 02155-2852
                                           Ellen D Rothberg                                297       (7.5%)
                                           102 West Emerson St
                                           Melrose MA 02176-3128
 
Michigan Series (Class C)                  Richard Coleman                               2,515      (26.1%)
                                           PO Box 243
                                           Glenn MI 49416-0243
                                           Ann P Franklin                                2,532      (26.3%)
                                           Don F Franklin JT TEN
                                           707 Byron
                                           Milford MI 48381
                                           Lester L Fall Jr                              1,445      (15.0%)
                                           Cynthia D Fall JT TEN
                                           12460 Lincoln
                                           Burt MI 48417-9746
                                           David D Verdier TTEE                          1,366      (14.2%)
                                           The David D Verdier Trust
                                           UA DTD 06/02/90
                                           3043 Mary Ave
                                           E Grand Rapids MI 49506-3150
                                           Hans J Pinagel &                              1,750      (18.2%)
                                           Jack Lukens JT TEN
                                           12768 Marilyn Dr
                                           Leroy MI 49655-9747
 
New Jersey Series (Class C)                Linda Abrams                                 10,461       (5.7%)
                                           209 Pipers Landing CT
                                           Holmdel NJ 07733-2519
                                           Martin Abrams                                16,272       (8.9%)
                                           209 Pipers Landing CT
                                           Holmdel NJ 07733-2519
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      IV-2
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SERIES AND CLASS NAME                        REGISTRATION                 SHARES       (PERCENT)
- -----------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                        <C>                                   <C>            <C>
                                           Ralph J. Bisirri                             18,769      (10.3%)
                                           6 Lake Corson Lane
                                           Marmora NJ 08223-1667
                                           Dolores Truex                                20,764      (11.4%)
                                           126 Mayetta Landing Rd
                                           West Creek NJ 08092-3100
                                           Prudential Securities Inc.                   19,999      (11.0%)
                                           Arsenio Stabile
 
New York Series (Class C)                  Michael F Scheitel                            5,158       (7.9%)
                                           Dorothy E Scheitel Jt Ten
                                           38 King Ave
                                           Selden NY 11784-2338
                                           Henry Hocker &                               12,278      (18.7%)
                                           Gloria Hocker Jt Ten
                                           West Suffolk Ave
                                           Central Islip NY 11722-2142
                                           Shelley Fehrenbach                            4,921       (7.5%)
                                           2 Cherry Lane
                                           Kings Point NY 11024-1122
                                           Lawrence R Caponegro TTEE                    10,775      (16.4%)
                                           Caponegro Family Revocable
                                           Tr Ua Dtd 06/29/92
                                           47 Woodbury Road
                                           Hauppauge NY 11788-4729
                                           Kandala K. Chary MD &                         3,330       (5.1%)
                                           Vaidehi Chary JTTEN,
                                           99 Roxbury Pk
                                           East Amherst NY 14051-1769
                                           Mrs Barbara Ann Moccia                        4,445       (6.8%)
                                           11 Byrd St
                                           Rye NY 10580-2407
 
North Carolina Series (Class C)            Steven J Sybert                               2,945      (44.8%)
                                           Rosalie B Sybert Jt Ten
                                           4509 Coburn Ct
                                           Charlotte NC 28277-2551
                                           Howard G Hochman                              1,005      (15.3%)
                                           1200 Dwire Pl
                                           Durhan NC 27706-2515
                                           S J Black and Son Inc                         1,031      (15.7%)
                                           PO Box 1105
                                           Monroe NC 28111-1105
                                           Janet H Kean                                  1,371      (20.9%)
                                           Thomas J Kean Recovable Livtr
                                           UA DTD 10/30/87
                                           17404 Randalls Ferry Rd #B
                                           Norwood NC 28128-7460
 
Ohio Series (Class C)                      Robert M Beck                                   503      (13.2%)
                                           339 Walnut Creek Pike
                                           Circleville OH 43113-1051
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      IV-3
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SERIES AND CLASS NAME                        REGISTRATION                 SHARES       (PERCENT)
- -----------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                        <C>                                   <C>            <C>
                                           Cynthia L Weaver                                437      (11.5%)
                                           9813 Camelot St NW
                                           Pickerington OH 43147-8579
                                           Neal W Toth                                     438      (11.5%)
                                           Ann D Toth JT TEN
                                           108 Bayberry Dr
                                           Northfield OH 44087-2622
                                           Coleman Popp &                                1,764      (46.2%)
                                           Stella J Popp JT TEN
                                           Box 601
                                           Adena OH 43901-0601
                                           Charles E Cartwright                            654      (17.1%)
                                           Janet L Cartwright
                                           700 Swayne Dr
                                           Coshocton, OH 43812-1051
 
Pennsylvania Series (Class C)              Samuel J Occhipinti                           9,273      (12.0%)
                                           Jeanette Occhipinti JT TEN
                                           324 42nd St
                                           Pittsburgh PA 15201-1702
                                           Thomas E Flack &                              9,440      (12.2%)
                                           Dorothy E Flack JT TEN
                                           2504 Radcliffe Road
                                           Brodmall PA 19008-2116
                                           Barry L Joel &                                4,260       (5.5%)
                                           Tammy L Joel Jt Ten
                                           7368 Beacon Hill Dr
                                           Pittsburgh PA 15221-2569
                                           Betty J Falvo                                 8,647      (11.2%)
                                           1317 Clifton Rd
                                           Washington PA 15301-8237
                                           Herbert P Schenkel                           18,613      (24.1%)
                                           PO Box 427
                                           Macunge PA 18062-0427
                                           Robert J Niehaus &                            4,037       (5.2%)
                                           Jacqueline Niehaus Jt Ten
                                           5960 NE 28th Ave
                                           Ft Lauderdale FL 33308-2701
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      IV-4
<PAGE>
                                     PART C
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
 
  (A)   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
 
       (1) Financial statements included in the Prospectuses constituting Part A
  of this Registration Statement:
 
          Financial Highlights.
 
       (2)   Financial  statements  included  in  the  Statement  of  Additional
  Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement:
 
   
          Portfolio of Investments at August 31, 1996.
    
 
   
          Statement of Assets and Liabilities at August 31, 1996.
    
 
   
          Statement of Operations for the year ended August 31, 1996.
    
 
   
          Statement of  Changes  in Net  Assets  for the  years  ended
          August 31, 1996 and 1995.
    
 
          Notes to Financial Statements.
 
          Financial Highlights.
 
          Independent Auditors' Reports.
 
  (B)   EXHIBITS:
 
         1.   (a)  Amended and Restated Declaration  of Trust of the Registrant,
              incorporated by reference  to Exhibit No.  1(a) to  Post-Effective
              Amendment  No. 30 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed
              via EDGAR on December 28, 1994 (File No. 2-91216).
 
   
              (b) Amended Certificate of Designation.*
    
 
         2.   Restated By-Laws, incorporated  by reference to  Exhibit No. 2  to
              Post-Effective  Amendment No. 27 to  the Registration Statement on
              Form N-1A filed via EDGAR on May 12, 1994 (File No. 2-91216).
 
         4.   (a) Specimen receipt for shares  of beneficial interest, $.01  par
              value,  of the  Registrant (for  Class B  shares), incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit No.  4 to Post-Effective  Amendment No. 9  to
              the  Registration Statement  on Form  N-1A filed  October 31, 1988
              (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (b) Specimen receipt for shares  of beneficial interest, $.01  par
              value,  of the  Registrant (for  Class A  shares), incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit No. 4(b)  to Post-Effective Amendment No.  13
              to  the Registration Statement on Form  N-1A filed August 24, 1990
              (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (c) Specimen receipts for shares of beneficial interest of Florida
              Series  and  New  Jersey  Money  Market  Series,  incorporated  by
              reference  to Exhibit No. 4(c)  to Post-Effective Amendment No. 16
              to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 3,  1990
              (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (d)  Specimen  receipts  for  shares  of  beneficial  interest  of
              Connecticut Money  Market Series  and Massachusetts  Money  Market
              Series,   incorporated  by  reference  to   Exhibit  No.  4(d)  to
              Post-Effective Amendment No. 19  to the Registration Statement  on
              Form N-1A filed May 10, 1991 (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (e) Specimen receipt for shares of beneficial interest of New York
              Income  Series, incorporated by  reference to Exhibit  No. 4(e) to
              Post-Effective Amendment No. 24  to the Registration Statement  on
              Form N-1A filed March 8, 1993 (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (f)  Specimen receipt for shares of beneficial interest of Florida
              Series (for Class D Shares), incorporated by reference to  Exhibit
              No.  4(f) to Post-Effective  Amendment No. 25  to the Registration
              Statement on Form N-1A filed April 30, 1993 (File No. 2-91216).
 
         5.   (a) Management  Agreement between  the Registrant  and  Prudential
              Mutual Fund Management, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              No.  5(a) to Post-Effective  Amendment No. 10  to the Registration
              Statement on Form N-1A filed November 2, 1989 (File No. 2-91216).
 
                                      C-1
<PAGE>
              (b)  Subadvisory   Agreement   between  Prudential   Mutual   Fund
              Management,   Inc.  and  The  Prudential  Investment  Corporation,
              incorporated by reference  to Exhibit No.  5(b) to  Post-Effective
              Amendment  No. 10 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed
              November 2, 1989 (File No. 2-91216).
 
   
         6.   (a)  Amended  and  Restated  Distribution  Agreement  between  the
              Registrant  (Connecticut Money Market  Series, Massachusetts Money
              Market Series,  New Jersey  Money Market  Series, New  York  Money
              Market Series) and Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc.*
    
 
   
              (b) Amendment to Distribution Agreements.*
    
 
   
              (c) Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement.*
    
 
         8.   (a)  Custodian Agreement  between the Registrant  and State Street
              Bank and Trust Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 8
              to Post-Effective Amendment No.  10 to the Registration  Statement
              on Form N-1A filed November 2, 1989 (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (b)  Custodian Agreement  between the Registrant  and State Street
              Bank and Trust Company, incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  No.
              8(b)  to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  13  to  the Registration
              Statement on Form N-1A filed August 24, 1990 (File No. 2-91216).
 
         9.   Transfer Agency and Service  Agreement between the Registrant  and
              Prudential  Mutual Fund Services,  Inc., incorporated by reference
              to Exhibit  No.  9  to  Post-Effective Amendment  No.  10  to  the
              Registration  Statement on Form N-1A  filed November 2, 1989 (File
              No. 2-91216).
 
        10.   Opinion of Counsel.*
 
        11.   Consent of Independent Accountants.*
 
        13.   Purchase Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 13 to
              Pre-Effective Amendment  No. 1  to the  Registration Statement  on
              Form N-1A filed August 29, 1984 (File No. 2-91216).
 
        15.   (a)  Distribution and Service Plan between the Registrant (Class D
              shares) and  Prudential Securities  Incorporated, incorporated  by
              reference  to Exhibit No. 15(g) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26
              to the  Registration Statement  on Form  N-1A filed  via EDGAR  on
              November 1, 1993 (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (b)   Distribution  and   Service  Plan   between  the  Registrant
              (Connecticut  Money  Market  Series,  Massachusetts  Money  Market
              Series,  New  Jersey Money  Market Series,  New York  Money Market
              Series)   and   Prudential   Mutual   Fund   Distributors,   Inc.,
              incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  No. 15(j) to Post-Effective
              Amendment No. 26 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A  filed
              via EDGAR on November 1, 1993 (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (c) Distribution and Service Plan for Class A shares, incorporated
              by  reference to Exhibit No. 15(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
              30 to the Registration Statement on  Form N-1A filed via EDGAR  on
              December 28, 1994 (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (d) Distribution and Service Plan for Class B shares, incorporated
              by  reference to Exhibit No. 15(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
              30 to the Registration Statement on  Form N-1A filed via EDGAR  on
              December 28, 1994 (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (e) Distribution and Service Plan for Class C shares, incorporated
              by  reference to Exhibit No. 15(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
              30 to the Registration Statement on  Form N-1A filed via EDGAR  on
              December 28, 1994 (File No. 2-91216).
 
        16.   (a)   Schedule   of   Computation   of   Performance  Information,
              incorporated by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.16  to  Post-Effective
              Amendment  No. 10 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed
              November 2, 1989 (File No. 2-91216).
 
              (b) Schedule of Computation of Performance Information of Class  A
              shares,   incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.  16(b)  to
              Post-Effective Amendment No. 16  to the Registration Statement  on
              Form N-1A filed December 3, 1990 (File No. 2-91216).
 
        17.   Financial Data Schedules.*
 
   
        18.   Rule 18f-3 Plan.*
    
- --------------
*Filed herewith.
 
                                      C-2
<PAGE>
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
 
    None.
 
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
 
   
    As  of October 4, 1996, each series of  the Fund had the following number of
record holders  of shares  of beneficial  interest, $.01  par value  per  share:
Connecticut  Money Market  Series, 1,761  record holders;  Florida Series, 2,376
record holders of Class A shares, 378  record holders of Class B shares and  198
record  holders of Class  C shares; Hawaii  Income Series, 78  record holders of
Class A shares, 301 record  holders of Class B shares  and 62 record holders  of
Class  C shares;  Maryland Series,  893 record  holders of  Class A  shares, 823
record holders  of Class  B  shares and  8 record  holders  of Class  C  shares;
Massachusetts  Series, 949 record holders of  Class A shares, 939 record holders
of Class B shares and  6 record holders of  Class C shares; Massachusetts  Money
Market  Series, 1,177 record  holders; Michigan Series,  1,315 record holders of
Class A shares, 1,565 record holders of  Class B shares and 7 record holders  of
Class C shares; New Jersey Series, 3,029 record holders of Class A shares, 6,160
record  holders of Class B  shares and 55 record holders  of Class C shares; New
Jersey Money Market Series, 5,140 record holders; New York Money Market  Series,
7,989  record holders; New York Series, 5,902  record holders of Class A shares,
5,556 record holders of Class B shares and 31 record holders of Class C  shares;
North  Carolina  Series, 910  record  holders of  Class  A shares,  1,074 record
holders of Class B shares and 7  record holders of Class C shares; Ohio  Series,
2,050  record holders of Class A shares,  2,144 record holders of Class B shares
and 7 record holders  of Class C shares;  and Pennsylvania Series, 3,570  record
holders  of Class A shares, 7,592 record holders of Class B shares and 34 record
holders of Class C shares. As of October 4, 1996, the New York Income Series did
not have any record holders of shares of beneficial interest.
    
 
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION.
 
    Article V, Section  5.1 of  the Registrant's Declaration  of Trust  provides
that  neither shareholders nor Trustees, officers,  employees or agents shall be
subject to  personal liability  to any  other person,  except (with  respect  to
Trustees,  officers,  employees or  agents)  liability arising  from  bad faith,
willful misfeasance,  gross  negligence or  reckless  disregard of  his  of  her
duties.  Section 5.1 also  provides that the Registrant  will indemnify and hold
harmless each shareholder against all claims and all expenses reasonably related
thereto.
 
   
    As permitted by Sections 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the 1940 Act) and pursuant  to Article VI of the  Fund's By-Laws (Exhibit 2  to
the  Registration Statement),  officers, Trustees,  employees and  agents of the
Registrant will  not be  liable  to the  Registrant, any  shareholder,  officer,
Trustee,  employee, agent  or other  person for  any action  or failure  to act,
except  for  bad  faith,  willful  misfeasance,  gross  negligence  or  reckless
disregard   of  duties,  and  those   individuals  may  be  indemnified  against
liabilities in connection with the  Registrant, subject to the same  exceptions.
As  permitted by Section 17(i) of  the 1940 Act, pursuant to  Section 9 or 10 of
each Distribution  Agreement  (Exhibit 6  to  the Registration  Statement),  the
Distributor  of the Registrant  may be indemnified  against liabilities which it
may incur, except liabilities arising from bad faith, gross negligence,  willful
misfeasance or reckless disregard of duties.
    
 
    Insofar  as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 (Securities Act) may be permitted to Trustees, officers and  controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the
Registrant  has been advised that in the  opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification  is against  public policy as  expressed in  the
1940  Act  and is,  therefore,  unenforceable. In  the  event that  a  claim for
indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other  than  the  payment  by  the
Registrant  of expenses  incurred or paid  by a Trustee,  officer or controlling
person of  the Registrant  in  connection with  the  successful defense  of  any
action,  suit or proceeding) is asserted against the Registrant by such Trustee,
officer or controlling person  in connection with  the shares being  registered,
the  Registrant will, unless in  the opinion of its  counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate  jurisdiction
the  question whether  such indemnification  by it  is against  public policy as
expressed in the 1940 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
 
    The Registrant has purchased an  insurance policy insuring its officers  and
Trustees against liabilities, and certain costs of defending claims against such
officers and Trustees, to the extent such officers and Trustees are not found to
have  committed  conduct  constituting  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith, gross
negligence or  reckless  disregard  in  the performance  of  their  duties.  The
insurance policy also insures the Registrant against the cost of indemnification
payments to officers and Trustees under certain circumstances.
 
    Section  9 of  the Management  Agreement (Exhibit  5(a) to  the Registration
Statement) and  Section 4  of the  Subadvisory Agreement  (Exhibit 5(b)  to  the
Registration   Statement)  limit   the  liability  of   Prudential  Mutual  Fund
Management,  Inc.  (PMF)  and  The  Prudential  Investment  Corporation   (PIC),
respectively,  to  liabilities arising  from willful  misfeasance, bad  faith or
gross negligence in the performance  of their respective obligations and  duties
under the agreements.
 
                                      C-3
<PAGE>
    The  Registrant  hereby undertakes  that it  will apply  the indemnification
provisions of its By-Laws and each Distribution Agreement in a manner consistent
with Release No. 11330 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the  1940
Act  so long  as the  interpretations of  Sections 17(h)  and 17(i)  of such Act
remain in effect and are consistently applied.
 
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
   
    (a) Prudential Mutual Fund Management LLC
    
 
    See "How the Fund is Managed--Manager" in the Prospectuses constituting Part
A of this Registration  Statement and "Manager" in  the Statement of  Additional
Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement.
 
   
    The  business and  other connections  of the officers  of PMF  are listed in
Schedules A and D of  Form ADV of PMF as  currently on file with the  Securities
and  Exchange Commission, the text of  which is hereby incorporated by reference
(File No. 801-31104).
    
 
   
    The  business  and  other  connections  of  PMF's  directors  and  principal
executive  officers  are set  forth below.  Except  as otherwise  indicated, the
address of each person is Gateway Center Three, Newark, NJ 07102.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS               POSITION WITH PMF                                PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
- -----------------------------  -------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>                        <C>
Brian Storms                   President and Chief        President and Chief Executive Officer, PMF
                                Executive Officer
</TABLE>
    
 
    (b) The Prudential Investment Corporation (PIC)
 
    See "How the Fund is Managed--Manager" in the Prospectus constituting Part A
of this  Registration Statement  and "Manager"  in the  Statement of  Additional
Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement.
 
    The business and other connections of PIC's directors and executive officers
are  as set  forth below.  Except as  otherwise indicated,  the address  of each
person is Prudential Plaza, Newark, NJ 07102.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS               POSITION WITH PIC                                PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
- -----------------------------  -------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>                        <C>
E. Michael Caulfield           Chairman of the Board,     Chief Executive Officer, Prudential Investments of Prudential;
                                President, Chief           Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                Executive Officer and      Director, PIC
                                Director
Jonathan M. Greene             Senior Vice President and  President -- Investment Management, Prudential Investments of
                                Director                   Prudential; Senior Vice President and Director, PIC
John R. Strangfeld             Vice President and         President of Private Asset Management Group of Prudential; Vice
                                Director                   President and Director, PIC
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
 
   
    (a) Prudential Securities Incorporated
    
 
   
    Prudential  Securities  Incorporated  is   distributor  for  The   BlackRock
Government  Income Trust, Command  Money Fund, Command  Government Fund, Command
Tax-Free Fund, The Global  Government Plus Fund, Inc.,  The Global Total  Return
Fund,   Inc.,  Global   Utility  Fund,   Inc.,  Nicholas-Applegate   Fund,  Inc.
(Nicholas-Applegate  Equity  Fund),   Prudential  Allocation  Fund,   Prudential
California   Municipal  Fund,  Prudential   Distressed  Securities  Fund,  Inc.,
Prudential Diversified  Bond  Fund,  Inc., Prudential  Dryden  Fund,  Prudential
Equity Fund, Inc., Prudential Equity Income Fund, Prudential Europe Growth Fund,
Inc.,  Prudential Global Genesis Fund,  Inc., Prudential Global Limited Maturity
Fund, Inc.,  Prudential  Government  Income Fund,  Inc.,  Prudential  Government
Securities  Trust, Prudential  High Yield  Fund, Inc.,  Prudential Institutional
Liquidity Portfolio,  Inc., Prudential  Intermediate Global  Income Fund,  Inc.,
Prudential  Jennison Fund,  Inc., Prudential MoneyMart  Assets, Inc., Prudential
Mortgage Income  Fund,  Inc.,  Prudential Multi-Sector  Fund,  Inc.,  Prudential
Municipal  Bond  Fund,  Prudential Municipal  Series  Fund,  Prudential National
Municipals Fund,  Inc.,  Prudential  Natural Resources  Fund,  Inc.,  Prudential
Pacific  Growth Fund,  Inc., Prudential  Small Companies  Fund, Inc., Prudential
Special Money  Market Fund,  Inc., Prudential  Structured Maturity  Fund,  Inc.,
Prudential  Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc., Prudential Utility Fund, Inc., Prudential
World Fund, Inc. and The Target Portfolio Trust. Prudential Securities is also a
depositor for the following unit investment trusts:
    
 
   
                     Corporate Investment Trust Fund
                     Prudential Equity Trust Shares
                     National Equity Trust
                     Prudential Unit Trust
                     Government Securities Equity Trust
                     National Municipal Trust
    
 
                                      C-4
<PAGE>
   
    (b)   Information  concerning  the  officers  and  directors  of  Prudential
Securities Incorporated is set forth below.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      POSITIONS AND                                                      POSITIONS AND
                                      OFFICES WITH                                                       OFFICES WITH
NAME(1)                               UNDERWRITER                                                        REGISTRANT
- ------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------
<S>                                   <C>                                                                <C>
Robert Golden.......................  Executive Vice President and Director                                    None
One New York Plaza
New York, NY 10292
Alan D. Hogan.......................  Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and               None
                                      Director
George A. Murray....................  Executive Vice President and Director                                    None
Leland B. Paton.....................  Executive Vice President and Director                                    None
One New York Plaza
New York, NY 10292
Martin Pfinsgraff...................  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director           None
Vincent T. Pica, II.................  Executive Vice President and Director                                    None
One New York Plaza
New York, NY 10292
Hardwick Simmons....................  Chief Executive Officer, President and Director                          None
Lee B. Spencer, Jr..................  Executive Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel and Director        None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>   <C>
<FN>
- ------------
 
(1)   The address of each person named is One Seaport Plaza, New York, NY 10292
      unless otherwise indicated.
      (c) Registrant has no principal underwriter who is not an affiliated
      person of the Registrant.
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
 
   
    All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section
31(a)  of the 1940 Act and the Rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of
State  Street  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  One  Heritage  Drive,  North  Quincy,
Massachusetts  02171. The  Prudential Investment  Corporation, Prudential Plaza,
751 Broad  Street, Newark,  New Jersey,  the Registrant,  Gateway Center  Three,
Newark,  New Jersey,  and Prudential Mutual  Fund Services,  Inc., Raritan Plaza
One, Edison, New Jersey. Documents required by Rules 31a-1(b)(5), (6), (7), (9),
(10) and  (11)  and 31a-1(f)  will  be kept  at  Two Gateway  Center,  documents
required  by Rules  31a-1(b)(4) and (11)  and 31a-1(d) at  Gateway Center Three,
Newark, New  Jersey  and  the  remaining accounts,  books  and  other  documents
required  by  such other  pertinent provisions  of Section  31(a) and  the Rules
promulgated thereunder will be kept by  State Street Bank and Trust Company  and
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
    
 
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
 
    Other   than   as  set   forth  under   the  captions   "How  the   Fund  is
Managed--Manager"  and  "How   the  Fund  is   Managed--  Distributor"  in   the
Prospectuses and under the captions "Manager" and "Distributor" in the Statement
of Additional Information, constituting Part A and Part B, respectively, of this
Registration  Statement,  Registrant is  not a  party to  any management-related
service contract.
 
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS
 
    (a) The  Registrant hereby  undertakes  to furnish  each  person to  whom  a
Prospectus  is delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to
shareholders, upon request and without charge.
 
                                      C-5
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933  and the
Investment Company Act of  1940, the Registrant certifies  that it meets all  of
the  requirements  for effectiveness  of  this Post-Effective  Amendment  to the
Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of  1933
and  has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of New York, and State of New York, on this 30th day of October, 1996.
    
 
                                               PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
 
                                               By:     /s/ RICHARD A. REDEKER
 
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                  Richard A. Redeker, President
 
    Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of   the  Securities  Act  of  1933,   this
Post-Effective  Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by
the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         NAME                           TITLE                                                  DATE
- ------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------  ------------------
<C>                                                     <S>                                             <C>
 
             /s/ EDWARD D. BEACH
- -------------------------------------------             Trustee                                           October 30, 1996
              Edward D. Beach
 
             /s/ EUGENE C. DORSEY
- -------------------------------------------             Trustee                                           October 30, 1996
              Eugene C. Dorsey
 
             /s/ DELAYNE D. GOLD
- -------------------------------------------             Trustee                                           October 30, 1996
               Delayne D. Gold
 
             /s/ ROBERT F. GUNIA
- -------------------------------------------             Vice President and Trustee                        October 30, 1996
               Robert F. Gunia
 
           /s/ HARRY A. JACOBS, JR.
- -------------------------------------------             Trustee                                         October 30, 1996
             Harry A. Jacobs, Jr.
 
- -------------------------------------------             Trustee
              Donald D. Lennox
 
             /s/ MENDEL A. MELZER
- -------------------------------------------             Trustee                                           October 30, 1996
              Mendel A. Melzer
 
            /s/ THOMAS T. MOONEY
- -------------------------------------------             Trustee                                           October 30, 1996
              Thomas T. Mooney
 
            /s/ THOMAS H. O'BRIEN
- -------------------------------------------             Trustee                                           October 30, 1996
              Thomas H. O'Brien
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      C-7
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         NAME                           TITLE                                                  DATE
- ------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------  ------------------
<C>                                                     <S>                                             <C>
 
            /s/ RICHARD A. REDEKER
- -------------------------------------------             President and Trustee                             October 30, 1996
              Richard A. Redeker
 
            /s/ NANCY HAYS TEETERS
- -------------------------------------------             Trustee                                           October 30, 1996
             Nancy Hays Teeters
 
- -------------------------------------------             Trustee
               Louis A. Weil, III
 
              /s/ GRACE TORRES
- -------------------------------------------             Principal Financial and Accounting Officer        October 30, 1996
                Grace Torres
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      C-8
<PAGE>
                        PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT                                                              PAGE
   NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION                         NUMBER
  --------  -------------------------------------------------------  --------
  <C>       <S>                                                      <C>
        1.  (a) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the
            Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit No.
            1(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the
            Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed via EDGAR on
            December 28, 1994 (File No. 2-91216).                      --
            (b) Amended Certificate of Designation.*
        2.  Restated By-Laws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
            No. 2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the
            Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed via EDGAR on
            May 12, 1994 (File No. 2-91216).                           --
        4.  (a) Specimen receipt for shares of beneficial interest,
            $.01 par value, of the Registrant (for Class B shares),
            incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4 to
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Registration
            Statement on Form N-1A filed October 31, 1988 (File No.
            2-91216).                                                  --
            (b) Specimen receipt for shares of beneficial interest,
            $.01 par value, of the Registrant (for Class A shares),
            incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4(b) to
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registration
            Statement on Form N-1A filed August 24, 1990 (File No.
            2-91216).                                                  --
            (c) Specimen receipts for shares of beneficial interest
            of Florida Series and New Jersey Money Market Series,
            incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4(c) to
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the Registration
            Statement on Form N-1A filed December 3, 1990 (File No.
            2-91216).                                                  --
            (d) Specimen receipts for shares of beneficial interest
            of Connecticut Money Market Series and Massachusetts
            Money Market Series, incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit No. 4(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to
            the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed May 10,
            1991 (File No. 2-91216).                                   --
            (e) Specimen receipt for shares of beneficial interest
            of New York Income Series, incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit No. 4(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to
            the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 8,
            1993 (File No. 2-91216).                                   --
            (f) Specimen receipt for shares of beneficial interest
            of Florida Series (for Class D Shares), incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit No. 4(f) to Post-Effective
            Amendment No. 25 to the Registration Statement on Form
            N-1A filed April 30, 1993 (File No. 2-91216).              --
        5.  (a) Management Agreement between the Registrant and
            Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc., incorporated
            by reference to Exhibit No. 5(a) to Post-Effective
            Amendment No. 10 to the Registration Statement on Form
            N-1A filed November 2, 1989 (File No. 2-91216).            --
            (b) Subadvisory Agreement between Prudential Mutual
            Fund Management, Inc. and The Prudential Investment
            Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit No.
            5(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the
            Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed November 2,
            1989 (File No. 2-91216).                                   --
        6.  (a) Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between
            the Registrant (Connecticut Money Market Series,
            Massachusetts Money Market Series, New Jersey Money
            Market Series, New York Money Market Series) and
            Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc.*
            (b) Amendment to Distribution Agreements.*
            (c) Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement.*
        8.  (a) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and
            State Street Bank and Trust Company, incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit No. 8 to Post-Effective Amendment
            No. 10 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed
            November 2, 1989 (File No. 2-91216).                       --
            (b) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and
            State Street Bank and Trust Company, incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit No. 8(b) to Post-Effective
            Amendment No. 13 to the Registration Statement on Form
            N-1A filed August 24, 1990 (File No. 2-91216).             --
        9.  Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the
            Registrant and Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.,
            incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 9 to
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the Registration
            Statement on Form N-1A filed November 2, 1989 (File No.
            2-91216).                                                  --
       10.  Opinion of Counsel.*
       11.  Consent of Independent Accountants.*
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT                                                              PAGE
   NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION                         NUMBER
  --------  -------------------------------------------------------  --------
  <C>       <S>                                                      <C>
       13.  Purchase Agreement, incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit No. 13 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
            Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed August 29,
            1984 (File No. 2-91216).                                   --
       15.  (a) Distribution and Service Plan between the
            Registrant (Class D shares) and Prudential Securities
            Incorporated, incorporated by reference to Exhibit No.
            15(g) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the
            Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed via EDGAR on
            November 1, 1993 (File No. 2-91216).                       --
            (b) Distribution and Service Plan between the
            Registrant (Connecticut Money Market Series,
            Massachusetts Money Market Series, New Jersey Money
            Market Series, New York Money Market Series) and
            Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors, Inc., incorporated
            by reference to Exhibit No. 15(j) to Post-Effective
            Amendment No. 26 to the Registration Statement on Form
            N-1A filed via EDGAR on November 1, 1993 (File No.
            2-91216).                                                  --
            (c) Distribution and Service Plan for Class A shares,
            incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 15(c) to
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration
            Statement on Form N-1A filed via EDGAR on December 28,
            1994 (File No. 2-91216).                                   --
            (d) Distribution and Service Plan for Class B shares,
            incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 15(d) to
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration
            Statement on Form N-1A filed via EDGAR on December 28,
            1994 (File No. 2-91216).                                   --
            (e) Distribution and Service Plan for Class C shares,
            incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 15(e) to
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration
            Statement on Form N-1A filed via EDGAR on December 28,
            1994 (File No. 2-91216).                                   --
       16.  (a) Schedule of Computation of Performance Information,
            incorporated by reference to Exhibit No.16 to
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the Registration
            Statement on Form N-1A filed November 2, 1989 (File No.
            2-91216).                                                  --
            (b) Schedule of Computation of Performance Information
            of Class A shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
            No. 16(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the
            Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 3,
            1990 (File No. 2-91216).                                   --
       17.  Financial Data Schedules.*
       18.  Rule 18f-3 Plan.*
<FN>
- --------------
*Filed herewith.
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>

                        PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND

                       AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

     The undersigned, being the Assistant Secretary of Prudential Municipal
Series Fund (hereinafter referred to as the "Trust"), a trust with transferable
shares of the type commonly called a Massachusetts business trust, DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY that, pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Trustees of the Trust
by Section 6.9 and Section 9.3 of the Declaration of Trust, dated May 18, 1984,
as amended to date, including by an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
dated August 17, 1994 and filed with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on September 23, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as the "Declaration
of Trust"), and pursuant to affirmative votes of a majority of the Trustees at a
meeting duly called and held on May 9, 1996, the Establishment and Designation
of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 Par Value, dated May 18, 1984
and filed with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on May 22,
1984, as most recently amended by an Amended and Restated Certificate of
Designation dated December 1, 1995 and filed with the Secretary of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts on December 1, 1995, is hereby further amended and
restated effective as of October 30, 1996 to read in its entirety as follows:

     The shares of beneficial interest of the Trust shall be divided into
fifteen separate Series, each Series to have the following special and relative
rights:

     (1)  The Series shall be designated as follows:

           Connecticut Money Market Series        New Jersey Money Market Series
           Florida Series                         New York Income Series
           Hawaii Income Series                   New York Series
           Maryland Series                        New York Money Market Series
           Massachusetts Series                   North Carolina Series
           Massachusetts Money Market Series      Ohio Series
           Michigan Series                        Pennsylvania Series
           New Jersey Series

     (2)  Each Series shall be authorized to invest in cash, securities,
instruments and other property as from time to time described in the Trust's
then currently effective registration statement


                                       -1-
<PAGE>

under the Securities Act of 1933.  Each share of beneficial interest of each
Series ("share") shall be redeemable, shall be entitled to one vote or fraction
thereof in respect of a fractional share on matters on which shares of that
Series shall be entitled to vote and shall represent a pro rata beneficial
interest in the assets allocated to that Series, and shall be entitled to
receive its pro rata share of net assets of that Series upon liquidation of that
Series, all as provided in the Declaration of Trust.

     (3)  The shares of beneficial interest of the New York Income Series are
classified into two Classes, designated "Class A Shares" and "Class B Shares,"
respectively, of which an unlimited number may be issued.  The shares of
beneficial interest of the Hawaii Income Series, Maryland Series, Massachusetts
Series, Michigan Series, North Carolina Series, Ohio Series and Pennsylvania
Series are classified into three Classes, designated "Class A Shares," "Class B
Shares" and "Class C Shares," respectively, of which an unlimited number may be
issued.  The shares of beneficial interest of the Florida Series, the New Jersey
Series and the New York Series are classified into four Classes, designated
"Class A Shares," "Class B Shares," "Class C Shares" and "Class Z Shares,"
respectively, of which an unlimited number may be issued.  Class A Shares,
Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Florida Series, the New Jersey Series
and the New York Series, respectively, outstanding on the date on which the
amendments provided for herein become effective shall be and continue to be
Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares, respectively, of such Series.

     (4)  The holders of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and
Class Z Shares of each Series shall be considered Shareholders of such Series,
and shall have the relative rights and preferences set forth herein and in the
Declaration of Trust with respect to Shares of such Series, and shall also be
considered Shareholders of the Trust for all other purposes (including, without
limitation, for purposes of receiving reports and notices and the right to vote)
and, for matters reserved to the Shareholders of one or more other Classes or
Series by the Declaration of Trust or by any instrument establishing and
designating a particular Class or Series, or as required by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and/or the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission thereunder (collectively, as from time to time in effect,
the "1940 Act") or other applicable laws.

     (5)  The Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class Z Shares
of each Series shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the share of
such Class in the Trust Property belonging to that Series, adjusted for any
liabilities specifically allocable to the Shares of that Class, and each Share
of any such Class shall have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other
rights and the same terms and conditions, except that the expenses related
directly or indirectly to the distribution of the Shares of a Class, and any
service fees to which such Class is subject (as determined by the Trustees),
shall be borne solely by such Class, and such expenses shall be


                                       -2-
<PAGE>

appropriately reflected in the determination of net asset value and the
dividend, distribution and liquidation rights of such Class.

     (6)  (a)  Class A Shares of each Series shall be subject to (i) a front-end
sales charge and (ii)(A) an asset-based sales charge pursuant to a plan under
Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act (a "Plan"), and/or (B) a service fee for the
maintenance of shareholder accounts and personal services, in such amounts as
shall be determined from time to time.

          (b)  Class B Shares of each Series shall be subject to (i) a
contingent deferred sales charge and (ii)(A) an asset-based sales charge
pursuant to a Plan, and/or (B) a service fee for the maintenance of shareholder
accounts and personal services, in such amounts as shall be determined from time
to time.

          (c)  Class C Shares of each Series shall be subject to (i) a
contingent deferred sales charge and (ii)(A) an asset-based sales charge
pursuant to a Plan, and/or (B) a service fee for the maintenance of shareholder
accounts and personal services, in such amounts as shall be determined from time
to time.

          (d)  Class Z Shares of each Series having the same shall not be
subject to either an initial or contingent deferred sales charge nor subject to
any Rule 12b-1 fee.

     (7)  Subject to compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the
Trustees shall have the authority to provide that holders of Shares of any
Series shall have the right to convert said Shares into Shares of one or more
other series of registered investment companies specified for the purpose in
this Trust's Prospectus for the Shares accorded such right, that holders of any
Class of Shares of a Series shall have the right to convert such Shares into
Shares of one or more other Classes of such Series, and that Shares of any Class
of a Series shall be automatically converted into Shares of another Class of
such Series, in each case in accordance with such requirements and procedures as
the Trustees may from time to time establish.  The requirements and procedures
applicable to such mandatory or optional conversion of any such Shares shall be
set forth in the Prospectus in effect with respect to such Shares.

     (8)  Shareholders of each Series and Class shall vote as a separate Series
or Class, as the case may be, on any matter to the extent required by, and any
matter shall be deemed to have been effectively acted upon with respect to any
Series or Class as provided in, Rule 18f-2, as from time to time in effect,
under the 1940 Act, or any successor rule and by the Declaration of Trust.
Except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, the Shareholders of each Class of
any Series having more than


                                       -3-
<PAGE>

one Class of Shares, voting as a separate class, shall have sole and exclusive
voting rights with respect to the provisions of any Plan applicable to Shares of
such Class, and shall have no voting rights with respect to provisions of any
Plan applicable solely to any other Class of Shares of such Series.

     (9)  The assets and liabilities of the Trust shall be allocated among the
above-referenced Series and Classes as set forth in Section 6.9 of the
Declaration of Trust, except as provided below:

          (a)  Costs incurred and payable by the Trust in connection with its
organization and initial registration and public offering of shares shall be
divided equally among the Arizona, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
New York, Ohio and Oregon Series (except to the extent that such costs may be
fairly allocated to the Connecticut Money Market, Florida, Hawaii Income,
Maryland, Massachusetts Money Market, New Jersey, New Jersey Money Market, New
York Income, New York Money Market, North Carolina and Pennsylvania Series) and
shall be amortized for each such Series over the period beginning on the date
that such costs become payable and ending sixty months after the commencement of
operations of the Trust.

          (b)  The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the
Trust (other than the investment advisory fee or the organization expenses paid
by the Trust) which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular
Series or Class shall be allocated among the several Series and Classes on the
basis of their relative average daily net assets.

     (10) The Trustees (including any successor Trustees) shall have the right
at any time and from time to time to reallocate assets and expenses or to change
the designation of any Series or Class, now or hereafter created, or to
otherwise change the special and relative rights of any such Series or Class,
provided that such change shall not adversely affect the rights of holders of
shares of a Series or Class.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set her hand and seal this 25th day
of October, 1996.


                                        /s/ Deborah A. Docs
                                        -----------------------------
                                        Deborah A. Docs, Assistant Secretary


                                       -4-
<PAGE>

                                 ACKNOWLEDGMENT


STATE OF NEW YORK   )
                    )    SS                       October 24, 1996
COUNTY OF NEW YORK  )


     Then personally appeared before me the above named Deborah A. Docs,
Assistant Secretary, and acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be her free
act and deed.




                                                  Notary Public

                                                  /s/ Lenora Hines
                                                  -----------------
                                                  Lenora Hines


                                       -5-

<PAGE>

                        PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND

                        (Connecticut Money Market Series)
                       (Massachusetts Money Market Series)
                        (New Jersey Money Market Series)
                         (New York Money Market Series)

                             Distribution Agreement

     Agreement made as of December 30, 1988, as amended and restated on July 1,
1993 and August 1, 1995, between Prudential Municipal Series Fund, a
Massachusetts business trust (the Fund) and Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the Distributor).

                                   WITNESSETH

     WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the Investment Company Act), as a diversified, open-end, management
investment company and it is in the interest of the Series to offer its shares
for sale continuously;

     WHEREAS, the Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is engaged in the business of selling
shares of registered investment companies either directly or through other
broker-dealers;

     WHEREAS, the Fund and the Distributor wish to enter into and agreement with
each other, with respect to the continuous offering of the Series' shares from
and after the date hereof in order to promote the growth of the Series and
facilitate the distribution of its shares; and

     WHEREAS, the Series has adopted a distribution and service plan pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (the Plan) authorizing payments by
the Fund to the Distributor with respect to the distribution of the shares of
the Series and the maintenance at shareholder accounts.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

Section 1.     APPOINTMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR

     The Fund hereby appoints the Distributor as the principal underwriter and
distributor of the Series to sell shares to the public on behalf of the Series
and the Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act hereunder.
The Fund hereby agrees during the term of this Agreement to sell shares of the
Series through the Distributor on the terms and conditions set forth below.

Section 2.     EXCLUSIVE NATURE OF DUTIES

<PAGE>

     The Distributor shall be the exclusive representative of the Fund to act as
principal underwriter and distributor of the Series' shares, except that:


     2.1  The exclusive rights granted to the Distributor to sell shares of the
Series shall not apply to shares of the Series issued in connection with the
merger or consolidation of any other investment company or personal holding
company with the Fund or the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all (or
substantially all) the assets or the outstanding shares of any such company by
the Fund.

     2.2  Such exclusive rights shall not apply to shares issued by the Series
pursuant to reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.

     2.3  Such exclusive rights shall not apply to shares issued by the Series
pursuant to the reinstatement privilege afforded redeeming shareholders.

     2.4  Such exclusive rights shall not apply to purchases made through the
Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent in the manner set forth in the
currently effective Prospectus of the Series.  The term "Prospectus" shall mean
the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information included as part of the
Fund's Registration Statement, as such Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and the term
"Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration Statement filed by the Fund
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and effective under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and the Investment Company Act, as
such Registration Statement is amended from time to time.

Section 3.     PURCHASE OF SHARES FROM THE FUND

     3.1  The Distributor shall have the right to buy from the Fund on behalf of
investors the shares needed, but not more than the shares needed (except for
clerical errors in transmission) to fill unconditional orders for shares placed
with the Distributor by investors or registered and qualified securities dealers
and other financial institutions (selected dealers).

     3.2  The shares shall be sold by the Distributor on behalf of the Series
and delivered by the Distributor or selected dealers, as described in Section
6.4 hereof, to investors at the offering price as set forth in the Prospectus.

     3.3  The Series shall have the right to suspend the sale of its shares at
times when redemption is suspended pursuant to the conditions in Section 4.3
hereof or at such other times as may be determined by the Directors/Trustees.
The Series shall also have

                                        2
<PAGE>

the right to suspend the sale of its shares if a banking moratorium shall have
been declared by federal or New York authorities.

     3.4  The Fund, or any agent of the Fund designated in writing by the Fund,
shall be promptly advised of all purchase orders for shares received by the
Distributor.  Any order may be rejected by the Series; provided, however, that
the Fund will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept or
confirm orders for the purchase of shares.  The Fund (or its agent) will confirm
orders upon their receipt, will make appropriate book entries and upon receipt
by the Fund (or its agent) of payment therefor, will deliver deposit receipts
for such shares pursuant to the instructions of the Distributor.  Payment shall
be made to the Fund in New York Clearing House funds or federal funds.  The
Distributor agrees to cause such payment and such instructions to be delivered
promptly to the Fund (or its agent).

Section 4.     REPURCHASE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES BY THE FUND

     4.1  Any of the outstanding shares may be tendered for redemption at any
time, and the Fund agrees to repurchase or redeem the shares so tendered in
accordance with its Declaration of Trust as amended from time to time, and in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Prospectus.  The price to be
paid to redeem or repurchase the shares shall be equal to the net asset value
determined as set forth in the Prospectus.  All payments by the Fund hereunder
shall be made in the manner set forth in Section 4.2 below.

     4.2  The Fund shall pay the total amount of the redemption price as defined
in the above paragraph pursuant to the instructions of the Distributor on or
before the seventh calendar day subsequent to its having received the notice of
redemption in proper form.  The proceeds of any redemption of shares shall be
paid by the Fund to or for the account of the redeeming shareholder, in each
case in accordance with applicable provisions of the Prospectus.

     4.3  Redemption of shares or payment may be suspended at times when the New
York Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary weekends and holidays,
when trading on said Exchange is restricted, when an emergency exists as a
result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably
practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine
the value of its net assets, or during any other period when the Securities and
Exchange Commission, by order, so permits.

Section 5.     DUTIES OF THE FUND

     5.1  Subject to the possible suspension of the sale of shares as provided
herein, the Series agrees to sell its shares so long as it has shares available.

                                        3
<PAGE>

     5.2  The Fund shall furnish the Distributor copies of all information,
financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may reasonably
request for use in connection with the distribution of shares, and this shall
include one certified copy, upon request by the Distributor, of all financial
statements prepared for the Fund by independent public accountants.  The Fund
shall make available to the Distributor such number of copies of its Prospectus
and annual and interim reports as the Distributor shall reasonably request.

     5.3  The Fund shall take, from time to time, but subject to the necessary
approval of the Directors/Trustees and the shareholders, all necessary action to
fix the number of authorized shares and such steps as may be necessary to
register the same under the Securities Act, to the end that there will be
available for sale such number of shares as the Distributor reasonably may
expect to sell.  The Fund agrees to file from time to time such amendments,
reports and other documents as may be necessary in order that there will be no
untrue statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement, or necessary
in order that there will be no omission to state a material fact in the
Registration Statement which omission would make the statements therein
misleading.

     5.4  The Fund shall use its best efforts to qualify and maintain the
qualification of any appropriate number of its shares for sales under the
securities laws of such states as the Distributor and the Fund may approve;
provided that the Fund shall not be required to amend its Declaration of Trust
or By-Laws to comply with the laws of any state, to maintain an office in any
state, to change the terms of the offering of its shares in any state from the
terms set forth in its Registration Statement, to qualify as a foreign
corporation in any state or to consent to service of process in any state other
than with respect to claims arising out of the offering of its shares.  Any such
qualification may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by the Fund at any time
in its discretion.  As provided in Section 8.1 hereof, the expense of
qualification and maintenance of qualification shall be borne by the Fund.  The
Distributor shall furnish such information and other material relating to its
affairs and activities as may be required by the Fund in connection with such
qualifications.

Section 6.     DUTIES OF THE DISTRIBUTOR

     6.1  The Distributor shall devote reasonable time and effort to effect
sales of shares of the Series, but shall not be obligated to sell any specific
number of shares.  Sales of the shares shall be on the terms described in the
Prospectus.  The Distributor may enter into like arrangements with other
investment companies.  The Distributor shall compensate the selected dealers as
set forth in the Prospectus.

                                        4
<PAGE>

     6.2  In selling the shares, the Distributor shall use its best efforts in
all respects duly to conform with the requirements of all federal and state laws
relating to the sale of such securities.  Neither the Distributor nor any
selected dealer nor any other person is authorized by the Fund to give any
information or to make any representations, other than those contained in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus and any sales literature approved by
appropriate officers of the Fund.

     6.3  The Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures for the confirmation
of sales to investors and selected dealers, the collection of amounts payable by
investors and selected dealers on such sales and the cancellation of unsettled
transactions, as may be necessary to comply with the requirements of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD).

     6.4  The Distributor shall have the right to enter into selected dealer
agreements with registered and qualified securities dealers and other financial
institutions of its choice for the sale of shares, provided that the Fund shall
approve the forms of such agreements.  Within the United States, the Distributor
shall offer and sell shares only to such selected dealers as are members in good
standing of the NASD.  shares sold to selected dealers shall be for resale by
such dealers only at the offering price determined as set forth in the
Prospectus.

Section 7.     PAYMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THE PLAN

     7.1  The Series shall pay to the Distributor as compensation for services
under the Distribution and Service Plan and this Agreement a fee of .125 of 1%
per annum of the assets of the shares of the Series.  Payment of the
distribution and service fee shall be subject to the limitations of Article III,
Section 26 of the NASD Rules of Fair Practice.

     7.2  So long as the Plan or any amendment thereto is in effect, the
Distributor shall inform the Directors/Trustees of the commissions and account
servicing fees to be paid by the Distributor to account executives of the
Distributor and to broker-dealers and financial institutions which have dealer
agreements with the Distributor.  So long as the Plan (or any amendment thereto)
is in effect, at the request of the Directors/Trustees or any agent or
representative of the Fund, the Distributor shall provide such additional
information as may reasonably be requested concerning the activities of the
Distributor hereunder and the costs incurred in performing such activities.

     7.3  Expenses of distribution with respect to shares of the Series include,
among others:

          (a)  Amounts paid to Prudential Securities for

                                        5
<PAGE>

          performing services under a selected dealer agreement between
          Prudential Securities and the Distributor for sale of shares of the
          Series, including sales commissions and account servicing fees paid
          to, or on account of, account executives and indirect and overhead
          costs associated with the performance of distribution activities,
          including central office and branch expenses;

          (b) amounts paid to Prusec for performing services under a selected
          dealer agreement between Prusec and the Distributor for sale of shares
          of the Series, including sales commissions and account servicing fees
          paid to, or on account of, agents and indirect and overhead costs
          associated with distribution activities;

          (c) sales commissions and account servicing fees paid to, or on
          account of, broker-dealers and financial institutions (other than
          Prudential Securities and Prusec) which have entered into selected
          dealer agreements with the Distributor with respect to shares of the
          Series;

          (d) amounts paid to, or on account of, account executives of
          Prudential Securities, Prusec, or other broker-dealers or financial
          institutions for personal services and/or the maintenance of
          shareholder accounts; and

          (e) advertising for the Series in various forms through any available
          medium, including the cost of printing and mailing Series
          Prospectuses, and periodic financial reports and sales literature to
          persons other than current shareholders of the Series.

Indirect and overhead costs referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of the foregoing
sentence include (i) lease expenses, (ii) salaries and benefits of personnel
including operations and sales support personnel, (iii) utility expenses, (iv)
communications expenses, (v) sales promotion expenses, (vi) expenses of postage,
stationery and supplies and (vii) general overhead.

Section 8.     ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES

     8.1  The Fund shall bear all costs and expenses of the continuous offering
of its shares, including fees and disbursements of its counsel and auditors, in
connection with the preparation and filing of any required Registration
Statements and/or Prospectuses under the Investment Company Act or the
Securities Act, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and preparing and
mailing annual and periodic reports and proxy materials to shareholders
(including but not limited to the expense of setting in type any such
Registration Statements, Prospectuses, annual or periodic reports or proxy
materials).  The Fund shall also bear the cost of expenses of qualification of
the shares for sale, and, if necessary

                                        6
<PAGE>

or advisable in connection therewith, of qualifying the Fund as a broker or
dealer, in such states of the United States or other jurisdictions as shall be
selected by the Fund and the Distributor pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof and the
cost and expense payable to each such state for continuing qualification therein
until the Fund decides to discontinue such qualification pursuant to Section 5.4
hereof.  As set forth in Section 7 above, the Fund shall also bear the expenses
it assumes pursuant to the Plan with respect to the shares of the Series, so
long as the Plan is in effect.

Section 9.     INDEMNIFICATION

    9.1   The Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor, its
officers and directors and any person who controls the Distributor within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and harmless from and against
any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost of
investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any counsel
fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Distributor, its officers,
directors or any such controlling person may incur under the Securities Act, or
under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement
of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or
arising out of or based upon any alleged omission to state a material fact
required to be stated in either thereof or necessary to make the statements in
either thereof not  misleading, except insofar as such claims, demands,
liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement
or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished in writing by the Distributor to the Fund
for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus; provided, however, that
this indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of any such officer,
director, trustee or controlling person unless a court of competent jurisdiction
shall determine in a final decision on the merits, that the person to be
indemnified was not liable 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 under this Agreement (disabling conduct), or, in
the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination, based upon a review
of the facts, that the indemnified person was not liable by reason of disabling
conduct, by (a) a vote of a majority of a quorum of directors or trustees who
are neither "interested persons" of the Fund as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of
the Investment Company Act nor parties to the proceeding, or (b) an independent
legal counsel in a written opinion.  The Fund's agreement to indemnify the
Distributor, its officers and directors or trustees and any such controlling
person as aforesaid is expressly conditioned upon the Fund's being promptly
notified of any action brought against the Distributor, its officers or
directors or trustees, or any such controlling person, such notification to be
given by letter or telegram addressed to the Fund at its principal business
office.

                                        7
<PAGE>

The Fund agrees promptly to notify the Distributor of the commencement of any
litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in
connection with the issue and sale of any shares.

    9.2   The Distributor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Fund, its
officers and Directors/Trustees and any person who controls the Fund, if any,
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and harmless from
and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the
cost of investigating or defending against such claims, demands or liabilities
and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Fund, its
officers and Directors/Trustees or any such controlling person may incur under
the Securities Act or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that
such liability or expense incurred by the Fund, its Directors/Trustees or
officers or such controlling person resulting from such claims or demands shall
arise out of or be based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in information furnished in writing by the Distributor to the Fund for
use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or shall arise out of or be
based upon any alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with such
information required to be stated in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or
necessary to make such information not misleading.  The Distributor's agreement
to indemnify the Fund, its officers and Directors/Trustees and any such
controlling person as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Distributor's
being promptly notified of any action brought against the Fund, its officers and
Directors/Trustees or any such controlling person, such notification being given
to the Distributor at its principal business office.

Section 10.    DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT

    10.1  This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first above
written and shall remain in force for two years from the date hereof and
thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by (a) the Directors/Trustees of the Fund, or by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the shares of the Series, and
(b) by the vote of a majority of those Directors/Trustees who are not parties to
this Agreement or interested persons of any such parties and who have no direct
or indirect financial interest in this Agreement or in the operation of the
Series Plan or in any agreement related thereto (Rule 12b-1 Directors/Trustees),
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting upon such approval.

    10.2  This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of
any penalty, by a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Directors/Trustees or by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the shares of the Series, or by
the

                                        8
<PAGE>

Distributor, on sixty (60) days' written notice to the other party.  This
Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.


    10.3  The terms "affiliated person," "assignment," "interested person" and
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities", when used in this
Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified in the Investment
Company Act.

Section 11.    AMENDMENTS TO THIS AGREEMENT

     This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is
specifically approved by (a) the Directors/Trustees of the Fund, or by the vote
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the shares of the Series,
and (b) by the vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Directors/Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such amendment.

Section 12.    GOVERNING LAW

     The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York as at the time in effect and
the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act.  To the extent that the
applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein,
conflict with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the
latter shall control.

Section 13.  LIABILITIES OF THE FUND

     The name Prudential Municipal Series Fund is the designation of the
Trustees under a Declaration of Trust, dated May 18, 1984, as thereafter
amended, and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property
of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the
Trustees, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for
obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.

                                        9
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year above written.


                         Prudential Mutual Fund
                           Distributors, Inc.



                         By: /s/ Robert F. Gunia
                             -------------------------------
                             Name:  Robert F. Gunia
                             Title: Executive Vice President

                         Prudential Muncipal Series Fund
                           (Connecticut Money Market Series)
                           (Massachusetts Money Market Series)
                           (New Jersey Money Market Series)
                           (New York Money Market Series)


                         By: /s/ Richard A. Redeker
                             -------------------------------
                             Name:  Richard A. Redeker
                             Title: President


                                       10

<PAGE>


                      AMENDMENT TO DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS


     The Distribution Agreements between Prudential Mutual Fund Distributors,
Inc. and each of the Funds listed below are hereby transferred to Prudential
Securities Incorporated effective January 1, 1996.


Name of Fund                                 Date of Agreement
- ------------                                 -----------------

The BlackRock Government Income Trust        August 30, 1991 and amended
(Class A)                                    and restated on April 12, 1995

Command Government Fund                      September 15, 1988 and amended and
                                             restated on April 12, 1995

Command Money Fund                           September 15, 1988 and amended and
                                             restated on April 12, 1995

Command Tax-Free Money Fund                  September 15, 1988 and amended and
                                             restated on April 12, 1995

Global Utility Fund, Inc.                    February 4, 1991 and amended and
(Class A)                                    restated on July 1, 1993, 
                                             August 1, 1994 and May 4, 1995

Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.                August 1, 1994 and amended
 (Class A)                                   and restated on May 12, 1995

     Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund

Prudential Allocation Fund                   January 22, 1990 and amended and
 (Class A)                                   restated on August 1, 1994 and
                                             May 3, 1995
     Strategy Portfolio


                                        1
<PAGE>

     Balanced Portfolio

Prudential California Municipal Fund              August 1, 1994 and amended
(Class A)                                         and restated on May 5, 1995

     California Income Series
     California Series

Prudential California Municipal Fund              February 10, 1989 and
                                                  amended and restated on
     California Money Market Series               July 1, 1993 and May 5, 1995

Prudential Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.            January 3, 1995 and amended
  (Class A)                                       and restated on June 13, 1995

Prudential Equity Fund, Inc.                      August 1, 1994 and amended
 (Class A)                                        and restated on May 5, 1995

Prudential Equity Income Fund                     August 1, 1994 and amended
 (Class A)                                        and restated on  May 3, 1995

Prudential Europe Growth Fund, Inc.               July 11, 1994 and amended
 (Class A)                                        and restated on June 13, 1995

Prudential Global Fund, Inc.                      August 1, 1994 and amended
 (Class A)                                        and restated on June 5, 1995

Prudential Global Genesis Fund, Inc.              August 1, 1994 and amended
(Class A)                                         and restated on May 3, 1995

Prudential Global Natural Resources Fund, Inc.    August 1, 1994 and amended
(Class A)                                         and restated on May 3, 1995

Prudential Government Income Fund, Inc.           January 22, 1990 and
(Class A)                                         amended and restated on
                                                  April 13, 1995

Prudential Government Securities Trust            November 20, 1990 and
  Money Market Series                             amended and restated on
  U.S. Treasury Money Market Series               July 1, 1993, May 2, 1995
                                                  and August 1, 1995


                                        2
<PAGE>

Prudential Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.          January 22, 1990 and
(Class A)                                         amended and restated on
                                                  July 1, 1993, August 1, 1994
                                                  and May 2, 1995

Prudential High Yield Fund, Inc.                  January 22, 1990 and
 (Class A)                                        amended and restated on
                                                  July 1, 1993, August 1, 1994
                                                  and May 2, 1995

Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio,     November 20, 1987 and
 Inc.                                             amended and restated on
                                                  July 1, 1993 and
  Prudential Institutional Money Market Series    April 11, 1995

Prudential Intermediate Global Income Fund, Inc.  August 1, 1994 and amended
 (Class A)                                        and restated on May 10, 1995

Prudential MoneyMart Assets                       May 1, 1988 and amended
                                                  and restated on July 1, 1993
                                                  and May 10, 1995

Prudential Mortgage Income Fund, Inc.             August 1, 1994 and amended
  (Class A)                                       and restated on May 5, 1995

Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.                August 1, 1994 and amended
  (Class A)                                       and restated on May 3, 1995

Prudential Municipal Bond Fund                    August 1, 1994 and amended
  (Class A)                                       and restated on May 3, 1995

     Insured Series
     High Yield Series
     Intermediate Series

Prudential Municipal Series Fund                  August 1, 1994 and amended
 (Class A)                                        and restated on May 5, 1995

     Florida Series
     Hawaii Income Series
     Maryland Series
     Massachusetts Series
     Michigan Series


                                        3
<PAGE>

Prudential Municipal Series Fund

     New Jersey Series
     New York Series
     North Carolina Series
     Ohio Series
     Pennsylvania Series

  Connecticut Money Market Series                 February 10, 1989 and
Massachusetts Money Market Series                 amended and restated on
  New Jersey Money Market Series                  July 1, 1993 and May 5, 1995
  New York Money Market Series

Prudential National Municipals Fund, Inc.         January 22, 1990 and
(Class A)                                         amended and restated on
                                                  July 1, 1993, August 1, 1994
                                                  and May 2, 1995


Prudential Pacific Growth Fund, Inc.              August 1, 1994 and amended
  (Class A)                                       and restated on June 5, 1995

Prudential Global Limited Maturity Fund, Inc.     August 1, 1994 and amended
  (formerly Prudential Short-Term Global Income   and restated on June 5, 1995
  Fund Inc.)
  (Class A)

     Global Assets Portfolio
     Limited Maturity Portfolio

Prudential Special Money Market Fund              January 12, 1990 and
     Money Market Series                          amended and restated on
                                                  April 12, 1995

Prudential Structured Maturity Fund, Inc.         August 1, 1994 and amended
(Class A)                                         and restated on June 14, 1995

     Income Portfolio

Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.              May 2, 1988 and
                                                  amended and restated on
                                                  July 1, 1993, May 2, 1995 and
                                                  August 1, 1995


                                        4
<PAGE>

Prudential U. S. Government Fund                  August 1, 1994 and amended
  (Class A)                                       and restated on June 5, 1995


Prudential Utility Fund, Inc.                     August 1, 1994 and amended
(Class A)                                         and restated on June 14, 1995


                    EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ABOVE



               By

                    /s/ Robert F. Gunia
                    ----------------------------
                    Robert F. Gunia
                    Vice President


                    PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.


               By

                    /s/ Stephen P. Fisher
                    ----------------------------
                    Stephen P. Fisher
                    Vice President


AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:


     PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED

By

     /s/ Brendan Boyle
     -------------------------
     Brendan Boyle
     Senior Vice President


                                        5

<PAGE>

                        PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND

                             DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT


          Agreement made as of May 9, 1996, between Prudential Municipal Series
Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the Fund), and Prudential Securities
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the Distributor).

                                   WITNESSETH

          WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the Investment Company Act), as a diversified open-end,
management investment company and it is in the interest of the Fund to offer its
shares for sale continuously;

          WHEREAS, the shares of the Fund may be divided into classes and/or
series (all such shares being referred to herein as Shares) and the Fund
currently is authorized to offer Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z shares;

          WHEREAS, the Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is engaged in the business of
selling shares of registered investment companies either directly or through
other broker-dealers;

          WHEREAS, the Fund and the Distributor wish to enter into an agreement
with each other, with respect to the continuous offering of the Fund's Shares
from and after the date hereof in order to promote the growth of the Fund and
facilitate the distribution of its Shares; and

          WHEREAS, upon approval by the holders of the respective classes and/or
series of Shares of the Fund it is contemplated that the Fund will adopt a plan
(or plans) of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company
Act with respect to certain of its classes and/or series of Shares (the Plans)
authorizing payments by the Fund to the Distributor with respect to the
distribution of such classes and/or series of Shares and the maintenance of
related shareholder accounts.

          NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

Section 1.  APPOINTMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR

          The Fund hereby appoints the Distributor as the principal underwriter
and distributor of the Shares of the Fund to sell Shares to the public on behalf
of the Fund and the Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to
act hereunder.  The
<PAGE>

Fund hereby agrees during the term of this Agreement to sell Shares of the Fund
through the Distributor on the terms and conditions set forth below.

Section 2.  EXCLUSIVE NATURE OF DUTIES

          The Distributor shall be the exclusive representative of the Fund to
act as principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund's Shares, except that:

          2.1  The exclusive rights granted to the Distributor to sell Shares of
the Fund shall not apply to Shares of the Fund issued in connection with the
merger or consolidation of any other investment company or personal holding
company with the Fund or the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all (or
substantially all) the assets or the outstanding shares of any such company by
the Fund.

          2.2  Such exclusive rights shall not apply to Shares issued by the
Fund pursuant to reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions or
through the exercise of any conversion feature or exchange privilege.

          2.3  Such exclusive rights shall not apply to Shares issued by the
Fund pursuant to the reinstatement privilege afforded redeeming shareholders.

          2.4  Such exclusive rights shall not apply to purchases made through
the Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent in the manner set forth in the
currently effective Prospectus of the Fund.  The term "Prospectus" shall mean
the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information included as part of the
Fund's Registration Statement, as such Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and the term
"Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration Statement filed by the Fund
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and effective under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and the Investment Company Act, as
such Registration Statement is amended from time to time.

Section 3.  PURCHASE OF SHARES FROM THE FUND

          3.1  The Distributor shall have the right to buy from the Fund on
behalf of investors the Shares needed, but not more than the Shares needed
(except for clerical errors in transmission) to fill unconditional orders for
Shares placed with the Distributor by investors or registered and qualified
securities dealers and other financial institutions (selected dealers).

          3.2  The Shares shall be sold by the Distributor on behalf of the Fund
and delivered by the Distributor or selected


                                        2
<PAGE>

dealers, as described in Section 6.4 hereof, to investors at the offering price
as set forth in the Prospectus.

          3.3  The Fund shall have the right to suspend the sale of any or all
classes and/or series of its Shares at times when redemption is suspended
pursuant to the conditions in Section 4.3 hereof or at such other times as may
be determined by the Board of Trustees.  The Fund shall also have the right to
suspend the sale of any or all classes and/or series of its Shares if a banking
moratorium shall have been declared by federal or New York authorities.

          3.4  The Fund, or any agent of the Fund designated in writing by the
Fund, shall be promptly advised of all purchase orders for Shares received by
the Distributor.  Any order may be rejected by the Fund; provided, however, that
the Fund will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept or
confirm orders for the purchase of Shares.  The Fund (or its agent) will confirm
orders upon their receipt, will make appropriate book entries and upon receipt
by the Fund (or its agent) of payment therefor, will deliver deposit receipts
for such Shares pursuant to the instructions of the Distributor.  Payment shall
be made to the Fund in New York Clearing House funds or federal funds.  The
Distributor agrees to cause such payment and such instructions to be delivered
promptly to the Fund (or its agent).

Section 4.  REPURCHASE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES BY THE FUND

          4.1  Any of the outstanding Shares may be tendered for redemption at
any time, and the Fund agrees to repurchase or redeem the Shares so tendered in
accordance with its Declaration of Trust as amended from time to time, and in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Prospectus.  The price to be
paid to redeem or repurchase the Shares shall be equal to the net asset value
determined as set forth in the Prospectus.  All payments by the Fund hereunder
shall be made in the manner set forth in Section 4.2 below.

          4.2  The Fund shall pay the total amount of the redemption price as
defined in the above paragraph pursuant to the instructions of the Distributor
on or before the seventh day subsequent to its having received the notice of
redemption in proper form.  The proceeds of any redemption of Shares shall be
paid by the Fund as follows:  (I) in the case of Shares subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge, any applicable contingent deferred sales charge shall be
paid to the Distributor, and the balance shall be paid to or for the account of
the redeeming shareholder, in each case in accordance with applicable provisions
of the Prospectus; and (ii) in the case of all other Shares, proceeds shall be
paid to or for the account of the redeeming shareholder, in each case in
accordance with applicable provisions of the Prospectus.


                                        3
<PAGE>

          4.3  Redemption of any class and/or series of Shares or payment may be
suspended at times when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than
customary weekends and holidays, when trading on said Exchange is restricted,
when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities
owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable
for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or during any
other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission, by order, so permits.

Section 5.  DUTIES OF THE FUND

          5.1  Subject to the possible suspension of the sale of Shares as
provided herein, the Fund agrees to sell its Shares so long as it has Shares of
the respective class and/or series available.

          5.2  The Fund shall furnish the Distributor copies of all information,
financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may reasonably
request for use in connection with the distribution of Shares, and this shall
include one certified copy, upon request by the Distributor, of all financial
statements prepared for the Fund by independent public accountants.  The Fund
shall make available to the Distributor such number of copies of its Prospectus
and annual and interim reports as the Distributor shall reasonably request.

          5.3  The Fund shall take, from time to time, but subject to the
necessary approval of the Board of Trustees and the shareholders, all necessary
action to fix the number of authorized Shares and such steps as may be necessary
to register the same under the Securities Act, to the end that there will be
available for sale such number of Shares as the Distributor reasonably may
expect to sell.  The Fund agrees to file from time to time such amendments,
reports and other documents as may be necessary in order that there will be no
untrue statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement, or necessary
in order that there will be no omission to state a material fact in the
Registration Statement which omission would make the statements therein
misleading.

          5.4  The Fund shall use its best efforts to qualify and maintain the
qualification of any appropriate number of its Shares for sales under the
securities laws of such states as the Distributor and the Fund may approve;
provided that the Fund shall not be required to amend its Declaration of Trust
or By-Laws to comply with the laws of any state, to maintain an office in any
state, to change the terms of the offering of its Shares in any state from the
terms set forth in its Registration Statement, to qualify as a foreign
corporation in any state or to consent to service of process in any state other
than with respect to claims arising out of the offering of its Shares.  Any such
qualification


                                        4
<PAGE>

may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by the Fund at any time in its
discretion.  As provided in Section 9 hereof, the expense of qualification and
maintenance of qualification shall be borne by the Fund.  The Distributor shall
furnish such information and other material relating to its affairs and
activities as may be required by the Fund in connection with such
qualifications.

Section 6.  DUTIES OF THE DISTRIBUTOR

          6.1  The Distributor shall devote reasonable time and effort to effect
sales of Shares, but shall not be obligated to sell any specific number of
Shares.  Sales of the Shares shall be on the terms described in the Prospectus.
The Distributor may enter into like arrangements with other investment
companies.  The Distributor shall compensate the selected dealers as set forth
in the Prospectus.

          6.2  In selling the Shares, the Distributor shall use its best efforts
in all respects duly to conform with the requirements of all federal and state
laws relating to the sale of such securities.  Neither the Distributor nor any
selected dealer nor any other person is authorized by the Fund to give any
information or to make any representations, other than those contained in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus and any sales literature approved by
appropriate officers of the Fund.

          6.3  The Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures for the
confirmation of sales to investors and selected dealers, the collection of
amounts payable by investors and selected dealers on such sales and the
cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary to comply with the
requirements of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD).

          6.4  The Distributor shall have the right to enter into selected
dealer agreements with registered and qualified securities dealers and other
financial institutions of its choice for the sale of Shares, provided that the
Fund shall approve the forms of such agreements.  Within the United States, the
Distributor shall offer and sell Shares only to such selected dealers as are
members in good standing of the NASD.  Shares sold to selected dealers shall be
for resale by such dealers only at the offering price determined as set forth in
the Prospectus.

Section 7.  PAYMENTS TO THE DISTRIBUTOR

          7.1  With respect to classes and/or series of Shares which impose a
front-end sales charge, the Distributor shall receive and may retain any portion
of any front-end sales charge which is imposed on such sales and not reallocated
to selected dealers as set forth in the Prospectus, subject to the limitations
of Article III, Section 26 of the NASD Rules of Fair Practice.


                                        5
<PAGE>

Payment of these amounts to the Distributor is not contingent upon the adoption
or continuation of any applicable Plans.

          7.2  With respect to classes and/or series of Shares which impose a
contingent deferred sales charge, the Distributor shall receive and may retain
any contingent deferred sales charge which is imposed on such sales as set forth
in the Prospectus, subject to the limitations of Article III, Section 26 of the
NASD Rules of Fair Practice.  Payment of these amounts to the Distributor is not
contingent upon the adoption or continuation of any Plan.

Section 8.  PAYMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THE PLAN

          8.1  The Fund shall pay to the Distributor as compensation for
services under any Plans adopted by the Fund and this Agreement a distribution
and service fee with respect to the Fund's classes and/or series of Shares as
described in each of the Fund's respective Plans and this Agreement.

          8.2  So long as a Plan or any amendment thereto is in effect, the
Distributor shall inform the Board of Trustees of the commissions and account
servicing fees with respect to the relevant class and/or series of Shares to be
paid by the Distributor to account executives of the Distributor and to
broker-dealers and financial institutions which have dealer agreements with the
Distributor.  So long as a Plan (or any amendment thereto) is in effect, at the
request of the Board of Trustees or any agent or representative of the Fund, the
Distributor shall provide such additional information as may reasonably be
requested concerning the activities of the Distributor hereunder and the costs
incurred in performing such activities with respect to the relevant class and/or
series of Shares.

Section 9.  ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES

          The Fund shall bear all costs and expenses of the continuous offering
of its Shares (except for those costs and expenses borne by the Distributor
pursuant to a Plan and subject to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act), including fees and disbursements of its counsel and
auditors, in connection with the preparation and filing of any required
Registration Statements and/or Prospectuses under the Investment Company Act or
the Securities Act, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and preparing
and mailing annual and periodic reports and proxy materials to shareholders
(including but not limited to the expense of setting in type any such
Registration Statements, Prospectuses, annual or periodic reports or proxy
materials).  The Fund shall also bear the cost of expenses of qualification of
the Shares for sale, and, if necessary or advisable in connection therewith, of
qualifying the Fund as a broker or dealer, in such states of the United States
or other


                                        6
<PAGE>

jurisdictions as shall be selected by the Fund and the Distributor pursuant to
Section 5.4 hereof and the cost and expense payable to each such state for
continuing qualification therein until the Fund decides to discontinue such
qualification pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof.  As set forth in Section 8 above,
the Fund shall also bear the expenses it assumes pursuant to any Plan, so long
as such Plan is in effect.

Section 10.  INDEMNIFICATION

          10.1 The Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor,
its officers and directors and any person who controls the Distributor within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and harmless from and
against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the
cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any
reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Distributor,
its officers, directors or any such controlling person may incur under the
Securities Act, or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon
any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement
or Prospectus or arising out of or based upon any alleged omission to state a
material fact required to be stated in either thereof or necessary to make the
statements in either thereof not misleading, except insofar as such claims,
demands, liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based upon any such untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by the Distributor
to the Fund for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus; provided,
however, that this indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of any
such officer, director, trustee or controlling person unless a court of
competent jurisdiction shall determine in a final decision on the merits, that
the person to be indemnified was not liable 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 under this Agreement (disabling
conduct), or, in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination,
based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnified person was not liable by
reason of disabling conduct, by (a) a vote of a majority of a quorum of
directors or trustees who are neither "interested persons" of the Fund as
defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act nor parties to the
proceeding, or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. The Fund's
agreement to indemnify the Distributor, its officers and directors or trustees
and any such controlling person as aforesaid is expressly conditioned upon the
Fund's being promptly notified of any action brought against the Distributor,
its officers or directors or trustees, or any such controlling person, such
notification to be given by letter or telegram addressed to the Fund at its
principal business office.  The Fund agrees promptly to notify the Distributor
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of


                                        7
<PAGE>

its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any Shares.

          10.2 The Distributor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Fund,
its officers and Trustees and any person who controls the Fund, if any, within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and harmless from and
against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the
cost of investigating or defending against such claims, demands or liabilities
and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the
Fund, its officers and Trustees or any such controlling person may incur under
the Securities Act or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that
such liability or expense incurred by the Fund, its Trustees or officers or such
controlling person resulting from such claims or demands shall arise out of or
be based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
information furnished in writing by the Distributor to the Fund for use in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or shall arise out of or be based upon any
alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with such information
required to be stated in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or necessary
to make such information not misleading.  The Distributor's agreement to
indemnify the Fund, its officers and Trustees and any such controlling person as
aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Distributor's being promptly
notified of any action brought against the Fund, its officers and Trustees or
any such controlling person, such notification being given to the Distributor at
its principal business office.

Section 11.  DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT

          11.1 This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first above
written and shall remain in force for two years from the date hereof and
thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by (a) the Board of Trustees of the Fund, or by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable class and/or
series of the Fund, and (b) by the vote of a majority of those Trustees who are
not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such parties and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement or in the
operation of any of the Fund's Plans or in any agreement related thereto
(Independent Trustees), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting upon such approval.

          11.2 This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment
of any penalty, by a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable class and/or
series of the Fund, or by the Distributor, on sixty (60) days' written notice to
the other party.  This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of
its assignment.


                                        8
<PAGE>

          11.3 The terms "affiliated person," "assignment," "interested person"
and "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities", when used in 
this Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified in the Investment
Company Act.

Section 12.  AMENDMENTS TO THIS AGREEMENT

          This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is
specifically approved by (a) the Board of Trustees of the Fund, or by the vote
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable class
and/or series of the Fund, and (b) by the vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
amendment.

Section 13.  SEPARATE AGREEMENT AS TO CLASSES AND/OR SERIES

          The amendment or termination of this Agreement with respect to any
class and/or series shall not result in the amendment or termination of this
Agreement with respect to any other class and/or series unless explicitly so
provided.

Section 14.  GOVERNING LAW

          The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York as at the time in effect and
the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act.  To the extent that the
applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein,
conflict with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the
latter shall control.

Section 15.  LIABILITIES OF THE FUND

     The name Prudential Municipal Series Fund is the designation of the
Trustees under a Declaration of Trust, dated May 18, 1984, as thereafter
amended, and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property
of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the
Trustees, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for
obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.


                                        9
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year above written.


                                              Prudential Securities Incorporated


                                              By: /s/ Robert F. Gunia
                                                  ------------------------
                                                  Robert F. Gunia
                                                  Senior Vice President



                                               Prudential Municipal Series Fund


                                               By: /s/ Richard A. Redeker
                                                   ------------------------
                                                   Richard A. Redeker
                                                   President






                                       10

<PAGE>

                                 [Letterhead]


                                        Boston
                                        October 30, 1996
                                        
                                        

Trustees of Prudential Municipal Series Fund
c/o Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.
One Seaport Plaza
New York, N.Y.  10292

          Re:  Post-Effective Amendment to 
               Registration Statement on Form N-1A
               -----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     You have requested our opinion as to certain matters of Massachusetts law
in connection with the filing by Prudential Municipal Series Fund, a
Massachusetts trust with transferable shares (the "FUND"), pursuant to Section
24(e)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Fund's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the "REGISTRATION STATEMENT") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), Registration No.
2-91216, and Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Fund's Registration
Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, Registration No.
811-4023 (collectively, the "AMENDMENT").

     We have acted as Massachusetts counsel to the Fund in connection with the
preparation of the Amendment and the authorization by the Trustees of the Fund
of the issuance and sale of the several series of shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value, of the Fund (the "SHARES") which are to be registered pursuant
to the Amendment. In this connection we have examined and are familiar with the
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated August 17, 1994 of the Fund,
amending and restating the original Declaration of Trust dated May 18, 1984
under which the Fund was established (the "ORIGINAL DECLARATION"), which, as
theretofore amended, was amended and restated by an Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust (the "AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION") dated August 17,
1994, and supplemented by Amended Certificates of Designation dated December 1,
1995 and October 25, 1996 (the Original Declaration, as so amended, restated and
supplemented, is hereinafter referred to as the "DECLARATION") the Bylaws of the
Fund, the Amendment, substantially in the form in which it is to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the most recent forms of the
Prospectus (the "PROSPECTUS") and the Statement of Additional Information (the
"SAI") included in the Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, the actions
of the Trustees 

<PAGE>

Trustees of Prudential                -2-                      October 30, 1996
  Municipal Series Fund

to organize the Fund and to authorize the issuance of the Shares, 
certificates of Trustees and officers of the Fund and of public officials as 
to matters of fact, and such other documents and instruments, certified or 
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, and such questions of law and fact, 
as we have considered necessary or appropriate for purposes of the opinions 
expressed herein. We have assumed the genuineness of the signatures on, and 
the authenticity of, all documents furnished to us, and the conformity to the 
originals of documents submitted to us as certified copies, which facts we 
have not independently verified.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we hereby advise you that, in our
opinion, under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

     1.   The Fund has been duly organized and is validly existing as a trust
          with transferable shares of the type commonly called a Massachusetts
          business trust.

     2.   The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares; the
          Shares to be registered pursuant to the Amendment have been duly and
          validly authorized by all requisite action of the Trustees of the
          Fund, and no action of shareholders of the Fund is required in such
          connection.

     3.   The Shares, when duly sold, issued and paid for as contemplated by the
          Prospectus and the SAI, will be validly and legally issued, fully paid
          and nonassessable by the Fund.

     With respect to the opinion stated in paragraph 3 above, we wish to point
out that the shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust may under some
circumstances be subject to assessment at the instance of creditors to pay the
obligations of such trust in the event that its assets are insufficient for the
purpose.

     This letter expresses our opinions as to the provisions of the Declaration
and the laws of Massachusetts applying to business trusts generally, but does
not extend to the Massachusetts Securities Act, or to federal securities or
other laws.

     We hereby consent to the reference to us in the Prospectus, and to the
filing of this letter with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
In giving such consent, we do not thereby concede that we come within the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act.

                                 Very truly yours,
                                 
                                 /s/ Sullivan & Worcester LLP
                                  
                                 SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP

<PAGE>

                                                                  Exhibit 99.B11




CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the use in Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registration 
Statement No. 2-91216 of Prudential Municipal Series Fund of our reports 
dated October 14, 1996, appearing in the Statement of Additional Information, 
which is a part of such Registration Statement, and to the references to us 
under the headings "Financial Highlights" in the Prospectuses, which are a part
of such Registration Statement, and "Custodian, Transfer and Dividend 
Disbursing Agent and Independent Accountants" in the Statement of Additional 
Information.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
October 28, 1996

<PAGE>


                        PRUDENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERIES FUND
                                   (the Fund)


                           PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 18F-3

     The Fund hereby adopts this plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act), setting forth the separate
arrangement and expense allocation of each class of shares.  Any material
amendment to this plan is subject to prior approval of the Board of Trustees,
including a majority of the independent Trustees.


                              CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

CLASS A SHARES:     Class A shares are subject to a high initial sales charge
                    and a distribution and/or service fee pursuant to Rule 12b-1
                    under the 1940 Act (Rule 12b-1 fee) not to exceed .30 of 1%
                    per annum of the average daily net assets of the class.  The
                    initial sales charge is waived or reduced for certain
                    eligible investors.

CLASS B SHARES:     Class B shares are not subject to an initial sales charge
                    but are subject to a high contingent deferred sales charge
                    (declining by 1% each year) which will be imposed on certain
                    redemptions and a Rule 12b-1 fee of not to exceed .75 of
                    1% per annum of the average daily net assets of the
                    class.  The contingent deferred sales charge is waived for
                    certain eligible investors.  Class B shares automatically
                    convert to Class A shares approximately seven years after
                    purchase.

CLASS C SHARES:     Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge
                    but are subject to a low contingent deferred sales charge
                    (declining by 1% each year) which will be imposed on certain
                    redemptions and a Rule 12b-1 fee not to exceed 1% per annum
                    of the average daily net assets of the class.

CLASS Z SHARES:     Class Z shares are not subject to either an initial or
                    contingent deferred sales charge nor are they subject to any
                    Rule 12b-1 fee.

                         INCOME AND EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS

     Income and expenses not allocated to a particular class will be allocated 
     to each class on the basis of relative net assets (settled shares).  
     "Relative net assets (settled shares)" are net assets valued in 
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles but excluding 
     the value of subscriptions receivable in relation to the net assets of 
     the Fund.  Any realized and unrealized capital gains and losses will be 
     allocated to each class on the basis of the net asset value of that 
     class in relation to the net asset value of the Fund.

<PAGE>

                           DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund to each class of shares,
     to the extent paid, will be paid on the same day and at the same time, and
     will be determined in the same manner and will be in the same amount,
     except that the amount of the dividends and other distributions declared
     and paid by a particular class may be different from that paid by another
     class because of Rule 12b-1 fees and other expenses borne exclusively by
     that class.


                               EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

     Each class of shares is generally exchangeable for the same class of shares
     (or the class of shares with similar characteristics), if any, of the other
     Prudential Mutual Funds (subject to certain minimum investment
     requirements) at relative net asset value without the imposition of any
     sales charge.

     Class B and Class C shares (which are not subject to a contingent deferred
     sales charge) of shareholders who qualify to purchase Class A shares at net
     asset value will be automatically exchanged for Class A shares on a
     quarterly basis, unless the shareholder elects otherwise.


                               CONVERSION FEATURES

     Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly
     basis approximately seven years after purchase.  Conversions will be
     effected at relative net asset value without the imposition of any
     additional sales charge.


                                     GENERAL

A.   Each class of shares shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter
     submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its arrangement and shall
     have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in
     which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other
     class.

B.   On an ongoing basis, the Trustees, pursuant to their fiduciary
     responsibilities under the 1940 Act and otherwise, will monitor the Fund
     for the existence of any material conflicts among the interests of its
     several classes.  The Trustees, including a majority of the independent
<PAGE>

     Directors, shall take such action as is reasonably necessary to eliminate
     any such conflicts that may develop.  Prudential Mutual Fund Management,
     Inc., the Fund's Manager, will be responsible for reporting any potential
     or existing conflicts to the Trustees.



C.   For purposes of expressing an opinion on the financial statements of the
     Fund, the methodology and procedures for calculating the net asset value
     and dividends/distributions of the Fund's several classes and the proper
     allocation of income and expenses among such classes will be examined
     annually by the Fund's independent auditors who, in performing such
     examination, shall consider the factors set forth in the relevant auditing
     standards adopted, from time to time, by the American Institute of
     Certified Public Accountants.


Dated:    May 9, 1996


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 001
   <NAME> CONNECTICUT MONEY MARKET SERIES
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                 0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       69,493,810
<RECEIVABLES>                                 8,814,955
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                2,789,245
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      2,700,000
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       715,417
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     77,682,593
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        77,682,593
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        62,866,785
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                               0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                              0
<NET-ASSETS>                              (140,549,378)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             2,669,092
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  343,056
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       2,326,036
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          (911)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                             0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         2,325,125
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (2,325,125)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                     288,309,868
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>               (275,746,533)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           2,252,473
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       14,815,808
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                             0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           372,880
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  54,946
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         74,576,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                              1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.03
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.03)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.47
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 002
   <NAME> FLORIDA SERIES (CLASS A)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       121,113,169
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      123,184,968
<RECEIVABLES>                                 2,180,876
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   18,227
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        671,760
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       222,721
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    123,814,723
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        12,309,156
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        13,751,002
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (1,396,932)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      2,071,799
<NET-ASSETS>                               (26,060,158)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             7,900,417
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  600,769
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       7,299,648
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      3,421,861
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (2,644,962)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         8,076,547
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     7,299,648
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (7,299,648)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      15,332,603
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (33,022,261)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           3,085,406
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (6,527,705)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (4,818,793)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           665,643
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  93,404
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        112,266,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.06
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.62
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.57)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.11
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.37
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 003
   <NAME> FLORIDA SERIES (CLASS B)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       121,113,169
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      123,184,968
<RECEIVABLES>                                 2,180,876
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   18,227
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              125,384,071
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        671,760
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       222,721
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             894,481
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    123,691,631
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        12,309,156
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        13,751,002
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (1,396,932)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      2,071,799
<NET-ASSETS>                                124,489,590
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             7,900,417
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  600,769
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       7,299,648
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      3,421,861
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (2,644,962)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         8,076,547
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     7,299,648
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (7,299,648)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      15,332,603
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (33,022,261)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           3,085,406
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (6,527,705)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (4,818,793)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           665,643
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 442,491
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         12,570,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.06
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.58
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.53)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.11
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.77
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 004
   <NAME> FLORIDA SERIES (CLASS C)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       121,113,169
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      123,184,968
<RECEIVABLES>                                 2,180,876
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   18,227
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        671,760
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       222,721
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    123,814,723
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        12,309,156
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        13,751,002
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (1,396,932)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      2,071,799
<NET-ASSETS>                               (26,060,158)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             7,900,417
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  600,769
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       7,299,648
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      3,421,861
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (2,644,962)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         8,076,547
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     7,299,648
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (7,299,648)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      15,332,603
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (33,022,261)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           3,085,406
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (6,527,705)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (4,818,793)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           665,643
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  93,404
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          8,293,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.06
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.55
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.50)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.11
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.02
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 005
   <NAME> HAWAII INCOME SERIES (CLASS A)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        14,627,900
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       15,065,832
<RECEIVABLES>                                   281,876
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  104,431
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                         19,590
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                        97,610
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     14,924,515
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         1,277,494
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         1,078,393
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        (36,759)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        447,183
<NET-ASSETS>                                (2,355,887)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               835,223
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  110,014
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         725,209
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       (43,650)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      (33,934)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           647,625
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (88,076)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                         (725,209)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       3,550,148
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (1,563,629)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             434,866
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        2,255,725
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                        94,967
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            71,610
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               (109,556)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          3,620,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             12.13
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.61
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.74)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               12.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.45
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 006
   <NAME> HAWAII INCOME SERIES (CLASS B)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        14,627,900
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       15,065,832
<RECEIVABLES>                                   281,876
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  104,431
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                         19,590
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                        97,610
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     14,924,515
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         1,277,494
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         1,078,393
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        (36,759)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        447,183
<NET-ASSETS>                                (2,355,887)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               835,223
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  110,014
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         725,209
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       (43,650)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      (33,934)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           647,625
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (88,076)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                         (725,209)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       3,550,148
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (1,563,629)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             434,866
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        2,255,725
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                        94,967
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            71,610
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               (109,556)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         10,126,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             12.13
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.56
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.69)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               12.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.85
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 007
   <NAME> HAWAII INCOME SERIES (CLASS C)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        14,627,900
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       15,065,832
<RECEIVABLES>                                   281,876
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  104,431
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                         19,590
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                        97,610
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     14,924,515
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         1,277,494
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         1,078,393
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        (36,759)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        447,183
<NET-ASSETS>                                (2,355,887)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               835,223
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  110,014
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         725,209
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       (43,650)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      (33,934)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           647,625
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (88,076)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                         (725,209)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       3,550,148
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (1,563,629)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             434,866
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        2,255,725
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                        94,967
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            71,610
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               (109,556)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          1,409,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             12.13
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.52
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.65)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               12.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.10
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 008
   <NAME> MARYLAND SERIES (CLASS A)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        36,056,010
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       36,546,886
<RECEIVABLES>                                   644,500
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    1,161
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                         88,264
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       206,483
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     35,973,368
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         3,432,938
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         3,675,436
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         433,556
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        490,876
<NET-ASSETS>                                (7,108,374)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             2,210,285
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  484,992
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       1,725,293
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        992,267
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     (673,563)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         2,043,997
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (1,725,293)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,762,194
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (6,489,419)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           1,114,649
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (2,293,872)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (558,711)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           192,126
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 448,205
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         18,484,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.66
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.59
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.51)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.74
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.10
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 009
   <NAME> MARYLAND SERIES (CLASS B)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        36,056,010
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       36,546,886
<RECEIVABLES>                                   644,500
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    1,161
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                         88,264
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       206,483
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     35,973,368
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         3,432,938
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         3,675,436
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         433,556
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        490,876
<NET-ASSETS>                                (7,108,374)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             2,210,285
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  484,992
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       1,725,293
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        992,267
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     (673,563)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         2,043,997
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (1,725,293)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,762,194
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (6,489,419)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           1,114,649
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (2,293,872)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (558,711)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           192,126
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 448,205
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         19,898,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.67
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.55
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.47)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.75
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.50
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 010
   <NAME> MARYLAND SERIES (CLASS C)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        36,056,010
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       36,546,886
<RECEIVABLES>                                   644,500
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    1,161
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                         88,264
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       206,483
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     35,973,368
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         3,432,938
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         3,675,436
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         433,556
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        490,876
<NET-ASSETS>                                (7,108,374)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             2,210,285
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  484,992
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       1,725,293
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        992,267
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     (673,563)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         2,043,997
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (1,725,293)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,762,194
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (6,489,419)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           1,114,649
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (2,293,872)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (558,711)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           192,126
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 448,205
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             43,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.67
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.52
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.44)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.75
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.75
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 011
   <NAME> MASSACHUSETTS SERIES (CLASS A)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        47,544,961
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       50,281,188
<RECEIVABLES>                                   671,990
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   64,959
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                              0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       156,251
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     47,554,142
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         4,409,817
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         4,807,677
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         571,517
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      2,736,227
<NET-ASSETS>                                (9,217,494)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             3,296,943
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  673,867
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       2,623,076
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      1,014,811
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (1,098,536)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         2,539,351
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (313,759)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (2,623,076)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,218,216
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (8,587,851)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           1,723,072
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (5,044,047)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (129,535)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           269,415
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 642,680
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         28,091,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.63
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.57
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.66)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.54
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.06
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 012
   <NAME> MASSACHUSETTS SERIES (CLASS B)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        47,544,961
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       50,281,188
<RECEIVABLES>                                   671,990
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   64,959
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                              0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       156,251
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     47,554,142
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         4,409,817
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         4,807,677
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         571,517
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      2,736,227
<NET-ASSETS>                                (9,217,494)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             3,296,943
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  673,867
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       2,623,076
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      1,014,811
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (1,098,536)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         2,539,351
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (313,759)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (2,623,076)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,218,216
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (8,587,851)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           1,723,072
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (5,044,047)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (129,535)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           269,415
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 642,680
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         25,751,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.62
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.52
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.61)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.53
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.46
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 013
   <NAME> MASSACHUSETTS SERIES (CLASS C)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        47,544,961
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       50,281,188
<RECEIVABLES>                                   671,990
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   64,959
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                              0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       156,251
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     47,554,142
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         4,409,817
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         4,807,677
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         571,517
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      2,736,227
<NET-ASSETS>                                (9,217,494)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             3,296,943
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  673,867
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       2,623,076
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      1,014,811
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (1,098,536)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         2,539,351
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (313,759)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (2,623,076)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,218,216
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (8,587,851)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           1,723,072
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (5,044,047)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (129,535)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           269,415
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 642,680
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             41,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.62
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.49
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.58)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.53
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.72
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 014
   <NAME> MASSACHUSETTS MONEY MARKET SERIES
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                 0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       48,822,504
<RECEIVABLES>                                 4,469,427
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   85,130
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      1,710,679
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     1,154,970
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     50,511,412
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        50,511,412
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        56,821,813
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                               0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                              0
<NET-ASSETS>                              (107,333,225)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             1,978,034
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  295,992
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       1,682,042
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          (130)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                             0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         1,681,912
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                     264,188,977
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>               (272,137,014)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           1,637,636
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (4,628,489)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                             0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           273,444
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  84,181
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         54,689,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                              1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.31
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.31)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.55
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 015
   <NAME> MICHIGAN SERIES (CLASS A)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        58,707,375
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       61,378,492
<RECEIVABLES>                                 2,570,149
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   51,724
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                         20,908
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       166,077
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     61,078,873
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         5,448,315
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         5,772,451
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          30,452
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      2,704,055
<NET-ASSETS>                               (11,220,766)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             4,079,632
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  762,407
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       3,317,225
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        298,735
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     (391,222)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         3,224,738
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (867,113)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (3,317,225)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,574,979
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (9,038,280)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           2,652,668
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (4,770,233)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       598,830
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           335,620
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 723,149
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         27,978,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.89
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.60
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.77)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.72
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.91
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 016
   <NAME> MICHIGAN SERIES (CLASS B)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        58,707,375
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       61,378,492
<RECEIVABLES>                                 2,570,149
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   51,724
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                         20,908
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       166,077
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     61,078,873
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         5,448,315
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         5,772,451
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          30,452
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      2,704,055
<NET-ASSETS>                               (11,220,766)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             4,079,632
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  762,407
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       3,317,225
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        298,735
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     (391,222)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         3,224,738
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (867,113)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (3,317,225)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,574,979
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (9,038,280)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           2,652,668
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (4,770,233)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       598,830
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           335,620
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 723,149
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         39,052,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.88
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.55
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.72)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.71
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.31
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 017
   <NAME> MICHIGAN SERIES (CLASS C)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        58,707,375
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       61,378,492
<RECEIVABLES>                                 2,570,149
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   51,724
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                         20,908
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       166,077
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     61,078,873
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         5,448,315
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         5,772,451
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          30,452
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      2,704,055
<NET-ASSETS>                               (11,220,766)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             4,079,632
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  762,407
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       3,317,225
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        298,735
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     (391,222)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         3,224,738
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (867,113)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (3,317,225)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,574,979
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (9,038,280)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           2,652,668
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (4,770,233)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       598,830
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           335,620
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 723,149
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             95,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.88
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.52
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.69)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.71
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.56
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 018
   <NAME> NEW JERSEY SERIES (CLASS A)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       262,310,540
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      267,369,403
<RECEIVABLES>                                 3,488,784
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   17,708
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      5,080,969
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     1,026,008
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    255,419,860
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        24,358,079
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        27,080,681
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       4,290,195
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      5,058,863
<NET-ASSETS>                               (51,438,760)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            16,722,100
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                2,772,768
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      13,949,332
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      7,196,617
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (8,712,631)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        12,433,318
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (1,159,320)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                      (13,949,332)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      12,763,152
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (51,693,450)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           9,004,603
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (32,601,029)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (1,747,102)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         1,429,531
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               2,465,523
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         61,837,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.98
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.50
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.61)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.87
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.67
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 019
   <NAME> NEW JERSEY SERIES (CLASS B)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       262,310,540
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      267,369,403
<RECEIVABLES>                                 3,488,784
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   17,708
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              270,875,895
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      5,080,969
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     1,026,008
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           6,106,977
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    255,176,279
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        24,358,079
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        27,080,681
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       4,290,195
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      5,058,863
<NET-ASSETS>                                264,768,918
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            16,722,100
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                2,772,768
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      13,949,332
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      7,196,617
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (8,712,631)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        12,433,318
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (1,159,320)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                      (13,949,332)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      12,763,152
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (51,693,450)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           9,004,603
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (32,601,029)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (1,747,102)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         1,429,531
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               1,650,482
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        222,235,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.98
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.46
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.57)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.87
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.07
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 020
   <NAME> NEW JERSEY SERIES (CLASS C)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       262,310,540
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      267,369,403
<RECEIVABLES>                                 3,488,784
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   17,708
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      5,080,969
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     1,026,008
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    255,419,860
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        24,358,079
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        27,080,681
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       4,290,195
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      5,058,863
<NET-ASSETS>                               (51,438,760)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            16,722,100
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                2,772,768
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      13,949,332
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      7,196,617
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (8,712,631)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        12,433,318
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (1,159,320)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                      (13,949,332)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      12,763,152
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (51,693,450)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           9,004,603
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (32,601,029)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (1,747,102)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         1,429,531
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               2,465,523
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          1,735,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.98
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.43
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.54)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.87
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.32
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 021
   <NAME> NEW JERSEY MONEY MARKET SERIES
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                 0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      181,075,103
<RECEIVABLES>                                 2,776,827
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    5,318
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      2,198,593
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       262,362
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    181,396,293
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                       181,369,293
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                       182,452,792
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                               0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0 
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                              0
<NET-ASSETS>                              (363,822,085)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             6,925,960
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                1,354,003
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       5,571,957
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                              0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                             0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         5,571,957
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                     686,158,251
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>               (692,617,954)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           5,403,204
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        4,515,458
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                             0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           963,088
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               1,267,248
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        192,617,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                              1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.03
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.03)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.70
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 022
   <NAME> NEW YORK SERIES (CLASS A)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       293,974,188
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      301,836,557
<RECEIVABLES>                                 3,621,152
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   61,131
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        312,861
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       528,583
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    290,082,025
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        25,886,851
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        27,418,734
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       6,655,377
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      7,939,994
<NET-ASSETS>                               (53,305,585)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            19,028,429
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                2,798,083
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      16,230,346
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      9,002,172
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                  (11,302,364)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        13,930,154
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (1,349,142)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                      (16,230,346)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      18,427,055
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (47,159,422)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                          10,492,197
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (21,889,504)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (997,653)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         1,608,029
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               2,619,667
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        168,291,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.54
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.68)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.77
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.68
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 023
   <NAME> NEW YORK SERIES (CLASS B)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       293,974,188
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      301,836,557
<RECEIVABLES>                                 3,621,152
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   61,131
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        312,861
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       528,583
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    290,082,025
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        25,886,851
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        27,418,734
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       6,655,377
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      7,939,994
<NET-ASSETS>                               (53,305,585)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            19,028,429
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                2,798,083
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      16,230,346
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      9,002,172
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                  (11,302,364)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        13,930,154
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (1,349,142)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                      (16,230,346)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      18,427,055
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (47,159,422)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                          10,492,197
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (21,889,504)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (997,653)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         1,608,029
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               2,619,667
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        152,656,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.49
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.63)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.77
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.08
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 024
   <NAME> NEW YORK SERIES (CLASS C)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       293,974,188
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      301,836,557
<RECEIVABLES>                                 3,621,152
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   61,131
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        312,861
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       528,583
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    290,082,025
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        25,886,851
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        27,418,734
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       6,655,377
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      7,939,994
<NET-ASSETS>                               (53,305,585)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            19,028,429
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                2,798,083
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      16,230,346
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      9,002,172
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                  (11,302,364)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        13,930,154
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (1,349,142)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                      (16,230,346)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      18,427,055
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (47,159,422)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                          10,492,197
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (21,889,504)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (997,653)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         1,608,029
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               2,619,667
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            659,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.46
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.60)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.77
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.33
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 025
   <NAME> NEW YORK MONEY MARKET SERIES
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                 0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      339,350,213
<RECEIVABLES>                                22,925,891
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   54,669
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      7,000,000
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     5,860,966
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    349,469,807
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                       349,469,807
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                       324,697,617
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                               0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                              0
<NET-ASSETS>                              (674,167,424)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            12,223,232
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                2,422,980
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       9,800,252
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          1,956
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                             0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         9,802,208
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (9,802,208)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                   1,133,204,969
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>             (1,117,904,471)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           9,471,692
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       24,772,190
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                             0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         1,682,136
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               2,419,381
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        336,427,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                              1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.03
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.03)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.72
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 026
   <NAME> NORTH CAROLINA SERIES (CLASS A)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        57,971,948
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       58,613,828
<RECEIVABLES>                                   922,349
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   32,331
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        166,195
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       212,166
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     57,733,195
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         5,352,771
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         5,960,669
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         815,072
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        641,880
<NET-ASSETS>                               (11,313,440)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             3,671,215
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  791,735
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       2,879,480
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        970,425
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (1,009,916)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         2,839,989
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (653,208)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (2,879,480)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,409,691
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (11,119,778)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           1,901,502
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (7,501,284)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       497,855
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           316,510
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 755,475
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         27,628,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.19
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.52
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.65)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.06
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.03
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 027
   <NAME> NORTH CAROLINA SERIES (CLASS B)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        57,971,948
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       58,613,828
<RECEIVABLES>                                   922,349
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   32,331
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        166,195
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       212,166
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     57,733,195
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         5,352,771
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         5,960,669
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         815,072
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        641,880
<NET-ASSETS>                               (11,313,440)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             3,671,215
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  791,735
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       2,879,480
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        970,425
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (1,009,916)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         2,839,989
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (653,208)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (2,879,480)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,409,691
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (11,119,778)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           1,901,502
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (7,501,284)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       497,855
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           316,510
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 755,475
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         35,605,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.19
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.48
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.61)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.06
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.43
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 028
   <NAME> NORTH CAROLINA SERIES (CLASS C)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        57,971,948
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       58,613,828
<RECEIVABLES>                                   922,349
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   32,331
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        166,195
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       212,166
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     57,733,195
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         5,352,771
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         5,960,669
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         815,072
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0 
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        641,880
<NET-ASSETS>                               (11,313,440)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             3,671,215
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  791,735
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       2,879,480
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        970,425
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (1,009,916)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         2,839,989
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (653,208)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (2,879,480)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       2,409,691
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (11,119,778)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           1,901,502
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (7,501,284)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       497,855
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           316,510
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 755,475
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             69,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.19
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.45
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.58)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.06
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.68
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 029
   <NAME> OHIO SERIES (CLASS A)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        94,461,170
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       99,485,110
<RECEIVABLES>                                 6,675,073
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3,129
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      4,851,516
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       418,724
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     96,011,045
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         8,621,996
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         9,564,362
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       (141,913)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      5,023,940
<NET-ASSETS>                               (18,186,358)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             6,617,678
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                1,098,747
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       5,518,931
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        174,866
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (1,555,506)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         4,138,291
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (646,326)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (5,518,931)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       4,188,171
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (18,991,116)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           3,659,786
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (13,170,125)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       329,547
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           546,058
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               1,034,358
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         51,205,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.92
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.48
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.70)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.70
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.80
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 030
   <NAME> OHIO SERIES (CLASS B)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        94,461,170
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       99,485,110
<RECEIVABLES>                                 6,675,073
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3,129
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      4,851,516
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       418,724
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     96,011,045
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         8,621,996
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         9,564,362
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       (141,913)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      5,023,940
<NET-ASSETS>                               (18,186,358)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             6,617,678
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                1,098,747
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       5,518,931
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        174,866
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (1,555,506)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         4,138,291
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (646,326)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (5,518,931)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       4,188,171
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (18,991,116)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           3,659,786
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (13,170,125)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       329,547
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           546,058
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               1,034,358
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         50,998,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.93
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.43
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.65)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.71
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.20
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 031
   <NAME> OHIO SERIES (CLASS C)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        94,461,170
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       99,485,110
<RECEIVABLES>                                 6,675,073
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3,129
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      4,851,516
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       418,724
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     96,011,045
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         8,621,996
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         9,564,362
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       (141,913)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      5,023,940
<NET-ASSETS>                               (18,186,358)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             6,617,678
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                1,098,747
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       5,518,931
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        174,866
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (1,555,506)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         4,138,291
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (646,326)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                       (5,518,931)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       4,188,171
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (18,991,116)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           3,659,786
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (13,170,125)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       329,547
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           546,058
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               1,034,358
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             97,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             11.93
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.40
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.62)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               11.71
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.45
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 032
   <NAME> PENNSYLVANIA SERIES (CLASS A)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       224,329,657
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      234,911,161
<RECEIVABLES>                                 6,129,374
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  412,307
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      2,093,598
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     1,062,392
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    226,790,710
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        22,723,999
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        24,051,719
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       1,314,482
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     10,191,660
<NET-ASSETS>                               (46,775,718)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            15,822,531
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                2,635,255
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      13,187,276
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      3,106,670
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (4,390,967)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        11,902,979
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                      (13,187,276)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      14,511,819
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (35,929,977)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           7,333,818
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (15,368,637)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (1,792,188)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         1,253,004
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               2,485,816
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         59,995,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.55
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.53
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.59)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.49
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    0.75
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 033
   <NAME> PENNSYLVANIA SERIES (CLASS B)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       224,329,657
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      234,911,161
<RECEIVABLES>                                 6,129,374
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  412,307
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      2,093,598
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     1,062,392
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    226,790,710
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        22,723,999
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        24,051,719
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       1,314,482
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     10,191,660
<NET-ASSETS>                               (46,775,718)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            15,822,531
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                2,635,255
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      13,187,276
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      3,106,670
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (4,390,967)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        11,902,979
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                      (13,187,276)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      14,511,819
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (35,929,977)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           7,333,818
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (15,368,637)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (1,792,188)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         1,253,004
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               2,485,816
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        189,902,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.55
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.49
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.55)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.49
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.15
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 034
   <NAME> PENNSYLVANIA SERIES (CLASS C)
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       224,329,657
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      234,911,161
<RECEIVABLES>                                 6,129,374
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  412,307
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                  0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      2,093,598
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     1,062,392
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                   0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                       0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    226,790,710
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        22,723,999
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        24,051,719
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       1,314,482
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                              0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     10,191,660
<NET-ASSETS>                               (46,775,718)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                     0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            15,822,531
<OTHER-INCOME>                                        0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                2,635,255
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      13,187,276
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      3,106,670
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (4,390,967)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        11,902,979
<EQUALIZATION>                                        0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                      (13,187,276)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      14,511,819
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                (35,929,977)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           7,333,818
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (15,368,637)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (1,792,188)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                               0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         1,253,004
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               2,485,816
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            704,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             10.55
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    0.46
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (0.52)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                               0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               10.49
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    1.40
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                               0.00
        


</TABLE>


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