DEFINED ASSET FUNDS MUNICIPAL INVT TR FD MULTISTATE SER W, 497, 1999-09-27

DEFINED ASSET FUNDS MUNICIPAL INVT TR FD MULTISTATE SER W
497, 1999-09-27

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DEFINED ASSET FUNDSSM
- --------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
MULTISTATE SERIES W
(A UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST)
O OHIO PORTFOLIO
O PORTFOLIO OF LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL BONDS
O DESIGNED FOR INCOME FREE FROM REGULAR FEDERAL
INCOME TAX
O EXEMPT FROM SOME STATE TAXES
O MONTHLY DISTRIBUTIONS

SPONSORS:
Merrill Lynch, -------------------------------------------------
Pierce, Fenner & Smith The Securities and Exchange Commission has not
Incorporated approved or disapproved these Securities or
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any
Prudential Securities representation to the contrary is a criminal
Incorporated offense.
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. Prospectus dated September 24, 1999.

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Defined Asset FundsSM
Defined Asset FundsSM is America's oldest and largest family of unit investment
trusts, with over $160 billion sponsored over the last 28 years. Defined Asset
Funds has been a leader in unit investment trust research and product
innovation. Our family of Funds helps investors work toward their financial
goals with a full range of quality investments, including municipal, corporate
and government bond portfolios, as well as domestic and international equity
portfolios.

Defined Asset Funds offer a number of advantages:
o A disciplined strategy of buying and holding with a long-term view is the
cornerstone of Defined Asset Funds.
o Fixed portfolio: Defined Funds follow a buy and hold investment strategy;
funds are not managed and portfolio changes are limited.
o Defined Portfolios: We choose the stocks and bonds in advance, so you know
what you're investing in.
o Professional research: Our dedicated research team seeks out stocks or bonds
appropriate for a particular fund's objectives.
o Ongoing supervision: We monitor each portfolio on an ongoing basis.
No matter what your investment goals, tolerance for risk or time horizon,
there's probably a Defined Asset Fund that suits your investment style. Your
financial professional can help you select a Defined Asset Fund that works best
for your investment portfolio.

THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS AS OF JUNE 30, 1999, THE
EVALUATION DATE.

CONTENTS
PAGE
-----------
Ohio Portfolio--
Risk/Return Summary.................................. 3
What You Can Expect From Your Investment................ 7
Monthly Income....................................... 7
Return Figures....................................... 7
Records and Reports.................................. 7
The Risks You Face...................................... 8
Interest Rate Risk................................... 8
Call Risk............................................ 8
Reduced Diversification Risk......................... 8
Liquidity Risk....................................... 8
Concentration Risk................................... 8
State Concentration Risk............................. 8
Bond Quality Risk.................................... 9
Litigation and Legislation Risks..................... 9
Selling or Exchanging Units............................. 9
Sponsors' Secondary Market........................... 9
Selling Units to the Trustee......................... 10
Exchange Option...................................... 10
How The Fund Works...................................... 11
Pricing.............................................. 11
Evaluations.......................................... 11
Income............................................... 11
Expenses............................................. 11
Portfolio Changes.................................... 12
Fund Termination..................................... 12
Certificates......................................... 12
Trust Indenture...................................... 12
Legal Opinion........................................ 13
Auditors............................................. 13
Sponsors............................................. 13
Trustee.............................................. 14
Underwriters' and Sponsors' Profits 14
Public Distribution.................................. 14
Code of Ethics....................................... 14
Year 2000 Issues..................................... 14
Taxes................................................... 15
Supplemental Information................................ 16
Financial Statements.................................... D-1

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OHIO PORTFOLIO--RISK/RETURN SUMMARY

1. WHAT IS THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE?
The Fund seeks interest income that is exempt from regular
federal income taxes and some state and local taxes by
investing in a fixed portfolio consisting primarily of long
term municipal revenue bonds issued by the state of Ohio
and its local governments and authorities.
2. WHAT ARE MUNICIPAL REVENUE BONDS?
Municipal revenue bonds are bonds issued by states,
municipalities and public authorities to finance the cost
of buying, building or improving various projects intended
to generate revenue, such as airports, health care
facilities, housing and municipal electric, water and sewer
utilities. Generally, payments on these bonds depend solely
on the revenues generated by the projects, excise taxes or
state appropriations, and are not backed by the
government's taxing power.

3. WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY?
O The Fund plans to hold to maturity 4 long-term tax-exempt
municipal bonds with an aggregate face amount of
$1,455,000.
o The Fund is a unit investment trust which means that,
unlike a mutual fund, the Portfolio is not managed.
o When the bonds were initially deposited they were rated A
or better by Standard & Poor's, Moody's or Fitch. The
quality of the bonds may currently be lower.
o Many of the bonds can be called at a premium declining over
time to par value. Some bonds may be called earlier at par
for extraordinary reasons.
o The Fund is concentrated in refunded bonds.

The Portfolio consists of municipal bonds of the following
types:

APPROXIMATE
PORTFOLIO
PERCENTAGE

/ / Refunded Bonds 100%

4. WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANT RISKS?
YOU CAN LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THIS CAN
HAPPEN FOR VARIOUS REASONS, INCLUDING:
o Rising interest rates, an issuer's worsening financial
condition or a drop in bond ratings can reduce the price of
your units.
o Assuming no changes in interest rates, when you sell your
units, they will generally be worth less than your cost
because your cost included a sales fee.
o The Fund will receive early returns of principal if bonds
are called or sold before they mature. If this happens your
income will decline and you may not be able to reinvest the
money you receive at as high a yield or as long a maturity.

ALSO, THE PORTFOLIO IS CONCENTRATED IN BONDS OF OHIO SO IT
IS LESS DIVERSIFIED THAN A NATIONAL FUND AND IS SUBJECT TO
RISKS PARTICULAR TO OHIO WHICH ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED UNDER
STATE CONCENTRATION RISKS LATER IN THIS PROSPECTUS.

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5. IS THIS FUND APPROPRIATE FOR YOU?
Yes, if you want federally tax-free income. You will
benefit from a professionally selected and supervised
portfolio whose risk is reduced by investing in bonds of
several different issuers.
The Fund is not appropriate for you if you want a
speculative investment that changes to take advantage of
market movements, if you do not want a tax-advantaged
investment or if you cannot tolerate any risk.

DEFINING YOUR INCOME

WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT (Payable on the 25th day of
the month to holders of record on the 10th day
of the month):
Regular Monthly Income per unit $ 3.11
Annual Income per unit: $ 37.32
These figures are estimates determined on the evaluation
day; actual payments may vary.

6. WHAT ARE THE FUND'S FEES AND EXPENSES?
This table shows the costs and expenses you may pay,
directly or indirectly, when you invest in the Fund.
INVESTOR FEES
Maximum Sales Fee (Load) on new
purchases (as a percentage of
$1,000 invested) 2.90%
Employees of some of the Sponsors and their affiliates may
pay a reduced sales fee of no less than $5.00 per unit.
The maximum sales fee is reduced if you invest at least
$100,000, as follows:

YOUR MAXIMUM
SALES FEE
IF YOU INVEST: WILL BE:
----------------------------------- -----------------
Less than $100,000 2.90%
$100,000 to $249,999 2.65%
$250,000 to $499,999 2.40%
$500,000 to $999,999 2.15%
$1,000,000 and over 1.90%

Maximum Exchange Fee 1.90%

ESTIMATED ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES

AMOUNT
PER UNIT
-----------
$ 0.30
Trustee's Fee
$ 0.25
Portfolio Supervision,
Bookkeeping and
Administrative Fees
(including updating
expenses)
$ 0.41
Evaluator's Fee
$ 0.51
Other Operating Expenses
-----------
$ 1.47
TOTAL

The Sponsors historically paid updating expenses.
7. HOW HAVE SIMILAR FUNDS PERFORMED IN THE PAST?
In the following chart we show past performance of prior
Ohio Portfolios, which had investment objectives,
strategies and types of bonds substantially similar to
this Fund. These prior Series differed in that they
charged a higher sales fee. These prior Ohio Series were
offered between September 22, 1988 and September 13, 1996
and were outstanding on June 30, 1999. OF COURSE, PAST
PERFORMANCE OF PRIOR SERIES IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE
RESULTS OF THIS FUND.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND TOTAL RETURNS
FOR PRIOR SERIES
Reflecting all expenses. For periods ended 6/30/99.

WITH SALES FEE NO SALES FEE
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 1 YEAR 5 YEARS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
High 2.51% 6.47% 3.75% 7.66%
Average -0.07 4.96 2.78 6.05
Low -3.10 3.81 0.93 4.65
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Average
Sales fee 2.91% 5.36%

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Note: All returns represent changes in unit price with distributions reinvested
into the Municipal Fund Investment Accumulation Program.

8. IS THE FUND MANAGED?
Unlike a mutual fund, the Fund is not managed and bonds are
not sold because of market changes. Rather, experienced
Defined Asset Funds financial analysts regularly review the
bonds in the Fund. The Fund may sell a bond if certain
adverse credit or other conditions exist.

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9. HOW DO I BUY UNITS?
The minimum investment is one unit.
You can buy units from any of the Sponsors and other
broker-dealers. The Sponsors are listed later in this
prospectus. Some banks may offer units for sale through
special arrangements with the Sponsors, although certain
legal restrictions may apply.
UNIT PRICE PER UNIT $498.88
(as of June 30, 1999)
Unit price is based on the net asset value of the Fund plus
the sales fee. An amount equal to any principal cash, as
well as net accrued but undistributed interest on the unit,
is added to the unit price. An independent evaluator prices
the bonds at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time every business day.
Unit price changes every day with changes in the prices of
the bonds in the Fund.
10. HOW DO I SELL UNITS?
You may sell your units at any time to any Sponsor or the
Trustee for the net asset value determined at the close of
business on the date of sale. You will not pay any other
fee when you sell your units.

11. HOW ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE AND TAXED?
The Fund pays income monthly.
In the opinion of bond counsel when each bond was issued,
interest on the bonds in this Fund is generally 100% exempt
from regular federal income tax. Your income may also be
exempt from some Ohio state and local personal income taxes
if you live in Ohio.
You will also receive principal payments if bonds are sold
or called or mature, when the cash available is more than
$5.00 per unit. You will be subject to tax on any gain
realized by the Fund on the disposition of bonds.
12. WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
REINVESTMENT
You will receive your income in cash unless you choose to
compound your income by reinvesting at no sales fee in the
Municipal Fund Investment Accumulation Program, Inc. This
program is an open-end mutual fund with a comparable
investment objective. Income from this program will
generally be subject to state and local income taxes. For
more complete information about the program, including
charges and fees, ask the Trustee for the program's
prospectus. Read it carefully before you invest. The Trustee
must receive your written election to reinvest at least 10
days before the record day of an income payment.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
You may exchange units of this Fund for units of certain
other Defined Asset Funds. You may also exchange into this
Fund from certain other funds. We charge a reduced sales fee
on exchanges.

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TAX-FREE VS. TAXABLE INCOME: A COMPARISON OF TAXABLE AND TAX-FREE YIELDS

FOR OHIO RESIDENTS
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COMBINED
EFFECTIVE
TAXABLE INCOME 1999* TAX RATE TAX-FREE YIELD OF
SINGLE RETURN JOINT RETURN % 4% 4.5% 5% 5.5% 6% 6.5% 7% 7.5% 8%
IS EQUIVALENT TO A TAXABLE YIELD OF

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To compare the yield of a taxable security with the yield of a tax-free
security, find your taxable income and read across. The table incorporates 1999
federal and applicable State income tax rates and assumes that all income would
otherwise be taxed at the investor's highest tax rate. Yield figures are for
example only.

*Based upon net amount subject to federal income tax after deductions and
exemptions. This table does not reflect the possible effect of other tax
factors, such as alternative minimum tax, personal exemptions, the phase out of
exemptions, itemized deductions or the possible partial disallowance of
deductions. Consequently, you should consult your own tax advisers in this
regard.

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WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR INVESTMENT

MONTHLY INCOME

The Fund will pay you regular monthly income. Your monthly income may vary
because of:
o elimination of one or more bonds from the Fund's portfolio because of
calls, redemptions or sales;
o a change in the Fund's expenses; or
o the failure by a bond's issuer to pay interest.

Changes in interest rates generally will not affect your income because the
portfolio is fixed.

Along with your income, you will receive your share of any available bond
principal.

RETURN FIGURES

We cannot predict your actual return, which will vary with unit price, how long
you hold your investment and changes in the portfolio, interest income and
expenses.

Estimated Current Return equals the estimated annual cash to be received from
the bonds in the Fund less estimated annual Fund expenses, divided by the Unit
Price (including the maximum sales fee):

Estimated Annual Estimated
Interest Income - Annual Expenses
- -------------------------------------------------
Unit Price

Estimated Long Term Return is a measure of the estimated return over the
estimated life of the Fund. Unlike Estimated Current Return, Estimated Long Term
Return reflects maturities, discounts and premiums of the bonds in the Fund. It
is an average of the yields to maturity (or in certain cases, to an earlier call
date) of the individual bonds in the portfolio, adjusted to reflect the Fund's
maximum sales fee and estimated expenses. We calculate the average yield for the
portfolio by weighting each bond's yield by its market value and the time
remaining to the call or maturity date.

Yields on individual bonds depend on many factors including general conditions
of the bond markets, the size of a particular offering and the maturity and
quality rating of the particular issues. Yields can vary among bonds with
similar maturities, coupons and ratings.

These return quotations are designed to be comparative rather than predictive.

RECORDS AND REPORTS

You will receive:
o a monthly statement of income payments and any principal payments;
o a notice from the Trustee when new bonds are deposited in exchange or
substitution for bonds originally deposited;
o an annual report on Fund activity; and
o annual tax information. This will also be sent to the IRS. You must report the
amount of tax-exempt interest received during the year.

You may request:
o copies of bond evaluations to enable you to comply with federal and state tax
reporting requirements; and
o audited financial statements of the Fund.

You may inspect records of Fund transactions at the Trustee's office during
regular business hours.

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THE RISKS YOU FACE

INTEREST RATE RISK

Investing involves risks, including the risk that your investment will decline
in value if interest rates rise. Generally, bonds with longer maturities will
change in value more than bonds with shorter maturities. Bonds in the Fund are
more likely to be called when interest rates decline. This would result in early
returns of principal to you and may result in early termination of the Fund. Of
course, we cannot predict how interest rates may change.

CALL RISK

Many bonds can be prepaid or 'called' by the issuer before their stated
maturity.

For example, some bonds may be required to be called pursuant to mandatory
sinking fund provisions.

Also, an issuer might call its bonds during periods of falling interest rates,
if the issuer's bonds have a coupon higher than current market rates.

An issuer might call its bonds in extraordinary cases, including if:
o it no longer needs the money for the original purpose;
o the project is condemned or sold;
o the project is destroyed and insurance proceeds are used to redeem the
bonds;
o any related credit support expires and is not replaced; or
o interest on the bonds become taxable.

If the bonds are called, your income will decline and you may not be able to
reinvest the money you receive at as high a yield or as long a maturity. An
early call at par of a premium bond will reduce your return.

REDUCED DIVERSIFICATION RISK

If many investors sell their units, the Fund will have to sell bonds. This could
reduce the diversification of your investment and increase your share of Fund
expenses.

LIQUIDITY RISK

You can always sell back your units, but we cannot assure you that a liquid
trading market will always exist for the bonds in the portfolio, especially
since current law may restrict the Fund from selling bonds to any Sponsor. The
bonds will generally trade in the over-the-counter market. The value of the
bonds, and of your investment, may be reduced if trading in bonds is limited or
absent.

CONCENTRATION RISK

When a certain type of bond makes up 25% or more of the portfolio, it is said to
be 'concentrated' in that bond type, which makes the Portfolio less diversified.

Here is what you should know about the Ohio Portfolio's concentration in
refunded bonds. Refunded bonds are typically:
o backed by direct obligations of the U.S. government; or
o in some cases, backed by obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government and
placed in escrow with an independent trustee;
o noncallable prior to maturity; but
o sometimes called for redemption prior to maturity.

STATE CONCENTRATION RISK

OHIO RISKS

Generally

Overall, Ohio's economy is more cyclical than non-industrial states and the
nation as a whole:

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o Manufacturing (especially auto-related manufacturing) is an important part
of Ohio's economy.

o Agriculture and related industries are also very important.

o Recent employment growth has been in non-manufacturing areas.

State Government

The Ohio general revenue fund for the current two-year period calls for
expenditures of over $36 billion:

o Because general fund receipts and payments do not match exactly, temporary
cash-flow deficiencies occur throughout the year. Ohio law permits the
state government to manage this problem by permitting the adjustment of
payment schedules and the use of the total operating fund.

o Ohio's general obligation bonds are currently rated Aa1 by Moody's; AA+ by
Standard & Poor's (except for the State's highway bonds which Standard &
Poor's rates AAA). Fitch rates Ohio's general obligation bonds and its
highway bonds AA+. Any of these ratings may be changed.

o Ohio voters have authorized the State to incur debt to which taxes or
excises are pledged for payment.

Education Financing

In March of 1997, the Ohio Supreme Court found major parts of the state's school
funding system to be unconstitutional. The Court ruled that, although property
taxes can play a role in school financing, they can no longer be the primary
means of school financing. The court stayed its ruling for one year to allow the
State to devise a system that complied with the State's constitution. During
that stay, repayment provisions of certain bonds issued for school funding will
remain valid.

BOND QUALITY RISK

A reduction in a bond's rating may decrease its value and, indirectly, the value
of your investment in the Fund.

LITIGATION AND LEGISLATION RISKS

We do not know of any pending litigation that might have a material adverse
effect upon the Fund.

Future tax legislation could affect the value of the portfolio by:
o limiting real property taxes,
o reducing tax rates,
o imposing a flat or other form of tax, or
o exempting investment income from tax.

SELLING OR EXCHANGING UNITS

You can sell your units at any time for a price based on net asset value. Your
net asset value is calculated each business day by:
o adding the value of the bonds, net accrued interest, cash and any other
Fund assets;
o subtracting accrued but unpaid Fund expenses, unreimbursed Trustee
advances, cash held to buy back units or for distribution to investors and
any other Fund liabilities; and
o dividing the result by the number of outstanding units.

Your net asset value when you sell may be more or less than your cost because of
sales fees, market movements and changes in the portfolio.

SPONSORS' SECONDARY MARKET

While we are not obligated to do so, we will buy back units at net asset value
without any

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other fee or charge. We may resell the units to other buyers or to the Trustee.
You should consult your financial professional for current market prices to
determine if other broker-dealers or banks are offering higher prices.

We have maintained the secondary market continuously for over 25 years, but we
could discontinue it without prior notice for any business reason.

SELLING UNITS TO THE TRUSTEE

Regardless of whether we maintain a secondary market, you can sell your units to
the Trustee at any time by sending the Trustee a letter (with any outstanding
certificates if you hold Unit certificates). You must properly endorse your
certificates (or execute a written transfer instrument with signatures
guaranteed by an eligible institution). Sometimes, additional documents are
needed such as a trust document, certificate of corporate authority, certificate
of death or appointment as executor, administrator or guardian.

Within seven days after your request and the necessary documents are received,
the Trustee will mail a check to you. Contact the Trustee for additional
information.

As long as we are maintaining a secondary market, the Trustee will sell your
units to us at a price based on net asset value. If there is no secondary
market, the Trustee may sell your units in the over-the-counter market for a
higher price, but it is not obligated to do so. In that case, you will receive
the net proceeds of the sale.

If the Fund does not have cash available to pay you for units you are selling,
the agent for the Sponsors will select bonds to be sold. Bonds will be selected
based on market and credit factors. These sales could be made at times when the
bonds would not otherwise be sold and may result in your receiving less than the
unit par value and also reduce the size and diversity of the Fund.

There could be a delay in paying you for your units:
o if the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and
holiday closings);
o if the SEC determines that trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
restricted or that an emergency exists making sale or evaluation of the
bonds not reasonably practicable; and
o for any other period permitted by SEC order.

EXCHANGE OPTION

You may exchange units of certain Defined Asset Funds for units of this Fund at
a maximum exchange fee of 1.90%. You may exchange units of this Fund for units
of certain other Defined Asset Funds at a reduced sales fee if your investment
goals change. To exchange units, you should talk to your financial professional
about what funds are exchangeable, suitable and currently available.

Normally, an exchange is taxable and you must recognize any gain or loss on the
exchange. However, the IRS may try to disallow a loss if the portfolios of the
two funds are not materially different; you should consult your own tax adviser.

We may amend or terminate this exchange option at any time without notice.

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HOW THE FUND WORKS

PRICING

The price of a unit includes interest accrued on the bonds, less expenses, from
the initial most recent Record Day up to, but not including, the settlement
date, which is usually three business days after the purchase date of the unit.

A portion of the price of a unit consists of cash so that the Trustee can
provide you with regular monthly income. When you sell your units you will
receive your share of this cash.

EVALUATIONS

An independent Evaluator values the bonds on each business day (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays as observed by the New York Stock
Exchange: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas).
Bond values are based on current bid or offer prices for the bonds or comparable
bonds. In the past, the difference between bid and offer prices of publicly
offered tax-exempt bonds has ranged from 0.5% of face amount on actively traded
issues to 3.5% on inactively traded issues; the difference has averaged between
1 and 2%.

INCOME

The Trustee credits interest to an Income Account and other receipts to a
Capital Account. The Trustee may establish a Reserve Account by withdrawing from
these accounts amounts it considers appropriate to pay any material liability.
These accounts do not bear interest.

EXPENSES

The Trustee is paid monthly. It also benefits when it holds cash for the Fund in
non-interest bearing accounts. The Trustee may also receive additional amounts:
o to reimburse the Trustee for the Fund's operating expenses;
o for extraordinary services and costs of indemnifying the Trustee and the
Sponsors;
o costs of actions taken to protect the Fund and other legal fees and
expenses;
o expenses for keeping the Fund's registration statement current; and
o Fund termination expenses and any governmental charges.

The Sponsors are currently reimbursed up to 55 cents per $1,000 face amount
annually for providing portfolio supervisory, bookkeeping and administrative
services and for any other expenses properly chargeable to the Fund. Legal,
typesetting, electronic filing and regulatory filing fees and expenses
associated with updating the Portfolio's registration statement yearly are also
now chargeable to the Portfolio. While this fee may exceed the amount of these
costs and expenses attributable to this Fund, the total of these fees for all
Series of Defined Asset Funds will not exceed the aggregate amount attributable
to all of these Series for any calendar year. The Fund also pays the Evaluator's
fees.

The Trustee's, Sponsors' and Evaluator's fees may be adjusted for inflation
without investors' approval.

The Sponsors will pay advertising and selling expenses at no charge to the Fund.
If Fund expenses exceed initial estimates, the Fund will owe the excess. The
Trustee has a lien on

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Fund assets to secure reimbursement of Fund expenses and may sell bonds if cash
is not available.

PORTFOLIO CHANGES

The Sponsors and Trustee are not liable for any default or defect in a bond; if
a contract to buy any bond.

Unlike a mutual fund, the portfolio is designed to remain intact and we may keep
bonds in the portfolio even if their credit quality declines or other adverse
financial circumstances occur. However, we may sell a bond in certain cases if
we believe that certain adverse credit conditions exist or if a bond becomes
taxable.

If we maintain a secondary market in units but are unable to sell the units that
we buy in the secondary market, we will redeem units, which will affect the size
and composition of the portfolio. Units offered in the secondary market may not
represent the same face amount of bonds that they did originally.

We decide whether or not to offer units for sale that we acquire in the
secondary market after reviewing:
o diversity of the portfolio;
o size of the Fund relative to its original size;
o ratio of Fund expenses to income;
o current and long-term returns;
o degree to which units may be selling at a premium over par; and
o cost of maintaining a current prospectus.

FUND TERMINATION

The Fund will terminate following the stated maturity or sale of the last bond
in the portfolio. The Fund may also terminate earlier with the consent of
investors holding 51% of the units or if total assets of the Fund have fallen
below 40% of the face amount of bonds deposited. We will decide whether to
terminate the Fund early based on the same factors used in deciding whether or
not to offer units in the secondary market.

When the Fund is about to terminate you will receive a notice, and you will be
unable to sell your units after that time. On or shortly before termination, we
will sell any remaining bonds, and you will receive your final distribution. Any
bond that cannot be sold at a reasonable price may continue to be held by the
Trustee in a liquidating trust pending its final sale.

You will pay your share of the expenses associated with termination, including
brokerage costs in selling bonds. This may reduce the amount you receive as your
final distribution.

CERTIFICATES

Certificates for units are issued on request. You may transfer certificates by
complying with the requirements for redeeming certificates, described above. You
can replace lost or mutilated certificates by delivering satisfactory indemnity
and paying the associated costs.

TRUST INDENTURE

The Fund is a 'unit investment trust' governed by a Trust Indenture, a contract
among the Sponsors, the Trustee and the Evaluator, which sets forth their duties
and obligations and your rights. A copy of the Indenture is available to you on
request to the Trustee. The following summarizes certain provisions of the
Indenture.

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The Sponsors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture without your consent:
o to cure ambiguities;
o to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision;
o to make any amendment required by any governmental agency; or
o to make other changes determined not to be materially adverse to your best
interest (as determined by the Sponsors).

Investors holding 51% of the units may amend the Indenture. Every investor must
consent to any amendment that changes the 51% requirement. No amendment may
reduce your interest in the Fund without your written consent.

The Trustee may resign by notifying the Sponsors. The Sponsors may remove the
Trustee without your consent if:
o it fails to perform its duties and the Sponsors determine that its
replacement is in your best interest; or
o it becomes incapable of acting or bankrupt or its affairs are taken over by
public authorities.
Investors holding 51% of the units may remove the Trustee. The Evaluator may
resign or be removed by the Sponsors and the Trustee without the consent of
investors. The resignation or removal of either becomes effective when a
successor accepts appointment. The Sponsors will try to appoint a successor
promptly; however, if no successor has accepted within 30 days after notice of
resignation, the resigning Trustee or Evaluator may petition a court to appoint
a successor.

Any Sponsor may resign as long as one Sponsor with a net worth of $2 million
remains and agrees to the resignation. The remaining Sponsors and the Trustee
may appoint a replacement. If there is only one Sponsor and it fails to perform
its duties or becomes bankrupt the Trustee may:
o remove it and appoint a replacement Sponsor;
o liquidate the Fund; or
o continue to act as Trustee without a Sponsor.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated acts as agent for the
Sponsors.

The Trust Indenture contains customary provisions limiting the liability of the
Trustee, the Sponsors and the Evaluator.

LEGAL OPINION

Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, as
counsel for the Sponsors, has given an opinion that the units are validly
issued. Special counsel located in the relevant states have given state and
local tax opinions.

AUDITORS

Deloitte & Touche LLP, 2 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281,
independent accountants, audited the Statements of Condition included in this
prospectus.

SPONSORS

The Sponsors are:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED (a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.)
P.O. Box 9051,
Princeton, NJ 08543-9051
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC. (an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup
Inc.)

13
<PAGE>
388 Greenwich Street--23rd Floor,
New York, NY 10013
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC. (a principal operating subsidiary of Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co.)
Two World Trade Center--59th Floor,
New York, NY 10048
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Prudential Insurance Company of America)
One New York Plaza
New York, NY 10292

Each Sponsor is a Delaware corporation and it, or its predecessor, has acted as
sponsor to many unit investment trusts. As a registered broker-dealer each
Sponsor buys and sells securities (including investment company shares) for
others (including investment companies) and participates as an underwriter in
various selling groups.

TRUSTEE

The Chase Manhattan Bank, Unit Investment Trust Department, 4 New York
Plaza--6th Floor, New York, New York 10004, is the Trustee.

It is supervised by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and New York State banking authorities.

UNDERWRITERS' AND SPONSORS' PROFITS

Underwriters receive sales charges when they sell units. The Sponsors also
realized a profit or loss on the initial date of deposit of the bonds. Any cash
made available by you to the Sponsors before the settlement date for those units
may be used in the Sponsors' businesses to the extent permitted by federal law
and may benefit the Sponsors.

A Sponsor or Underwriter may realize profits or sustain losses on bonds in the
Fund which were acquired from underwriting syndicates of which it was a member.

In maintaining a secondary market, the Sponsors will also realize profits or
sustain losses in the amount of any difference between the prices at which they
buy units and the prices at which they resell or redeem them.

PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

The Sponsors do not intend to qualify units for sale in any foreign countries.
This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell units in any country where
units cannot lawfully be sold.

CODE OF ETHICS

Merrill Lynch, as agent for the Sponsors, has adopted a code of ethics requiring
preclearance and reporting of personal securities transactions by its employees
with access to information on portfolio transactions. The goal of the code is to
prevent fraud, deception or misconduct against the Fund and to provide
reasonable standards of conduct.

YEAR 2000 ISSUES

Many computer systems were designed in such a way that they may be unable to
distinguish between the year 2000 and the year 1900 (commonly known as the 'Year
2000 Problem'). We do not expect that the computer system changes necessary to
prepare for the Year 2000 will cause any major operational difficulties for the
Fund. The Year 2000 Problem may adversely affect the issuers

14
<PAGE>
of the bonds contained in a Portfolio, but we cannot predict whether any impact
will be material to the Fund as a whole.

TAXES

The following summary describes some of the important income tax consequences of
holding units. It assumes that you are not a dealer, financial institution,
insurance company or other investor with special circumstances. You should
consult your own tax adviser about your particular circumstances.

At the date of issue of each bond, counsel for the issuer delivered an opinion
to the effect that interest on the bond is exempt from regular federal income
tax. However, interest may be subject to state and local taxes and federal
alternative minimum tax. Neither we nor our counsel have reviewed the issuance
of the bonds, related proceedings or the basis for the opinions of counsel for
the issuers. We cannot assure you that the issuer (or other users) have complied
or will comply with any requirements necessary for a bond to be tax-exempt. If
any of the bonds were determined not to be tax-exempt, you could be required to
pay income tax for current and prior years, and if the Fund were to sell the
bond, it might have to sell it at a substantial discount.

In the opinion of our counsel, under existing law:

GENERAL TREATMENT OF THE FUND AND YOUR INVESTMENT

The Fund will not be taxed as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, and
you will be considered to own directly your share of each bond in the Fund.

GAIN OR LOSS UPON DISPOSITION

When all or part of your share of a bond is disposed of (for example, when the
Fund sells, exchanges or redeems a bond or when you sell or exchange your
units), you will generally recognize capital gain or loss. Your gain, however,
will generally be ordinary income to the extent of any accrued 'market
discount'. Generally you will have market discount to the extent that your basis
in a bond when you purchase a unit is less than its stated redemption price at
maturity (or, if it is an original issue discount bond, the issue price
increased by original issue discount that has accrued on the bond before your
purchase). You should consult your tax adviser in this regard.

If your net long-term capital gains exceed your net short-term capital losses,
the excess may be subject to tax at a lower rate than ordinary income. Any
capital gain from the Fund will be long-term if you are considered to have held
your investment on each bond for more than one year and short-term otherwise. If
you are an individual and sell your units after holding them for more than one
year, you may be entitled to a 20% maximum federal tax rate on any resulting
gains. Consult your tax adviser in this regard. Because the deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitations, you may not be able to deduct all of
your capital losses.

YOUR BASIS IN THE BONDS

Your aggregate basis in the bonds will be equal to the cost of your units,
including any sales charges and the organizational expenses you pay, adjusted to
reflect any accruals of 'original issue discount,' 'acquisition

15
<PAGE>
premium' and 'bond premium'. You should consult your tax adviser in this regard.

EXPENSES

If you are not a corporate investor, you will not be entitled to a deduction for
your share of fees and expenses of the Fund. Also, if you borrowed money in
order to purchase or carry your units, you will not be able to deduct the
interest on this borrowing for federal income tax purposes. The IRS may treat
your purchase of units as made with borrowed money even if the money is not
directly traceable to the purchase of units.

STATE AND LOCAL TAXES

Under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, the Fund will not
be taxed as a corporation. If you are a New York taxpayer, your income from the
Fund will not be tax-exempt in New York except to the extent that the income is
earned on bonds that are tax-exempt for New York purposes. Depending on where
you live, your income from the Fund may be subject to state and local taxation.
You should consult your tax adviser in this regard.

OHIO TAXES

In the opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, Columbus, Ohio, special
counsel on Ohio tax matters:

Under the laws of the State of Ohio, the Ohio Trust will not be subject to the
Ohio corporation franchise tax or the Ohio tax on dealers in intangibles. If you
are an Ohio taxpayer, your interest income from the Ohio Trust will be exempt
from Ohio personal income taxes and Ohio corporation franchise taxes to the
extent it relates to bonds held by the Ohio Trust that are exempt from taxation
under Ohio law. However, any gains and losses which must be recognized for
federal income tax purposes (whether upon the sale of your units in the Ohio
Trust or upon the sale of bonds by the Ohio Trust) also must be recognized for
Ohio personal income and corporation franchise tax purposes, except to the
extent the gains and losses are attributable to the sale of bonds by the Ohio
Trust that are exempt from such taxation under Ohio law. Your interest income
and your gains and losses generally are not subject to municipal income taxation
in Ohio. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the application of Ohio
taxes to you in connection with your investment in the Ohio Trust.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

You can receive at no cost supplemental information about the Fund by calling
the Trustee. The supplemental information includes more detailed risk disclosure
about the types of bonds that may be in the Fund's portfolios, general risk
disclosure concerning any insurance securing certain bonds, and general
information about the structure and operation of the Fund. The supplemental
information is also available from the SEC.

<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - W (OHIO TRUST)

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

The Sponsors, Trustee and Holders
of Defined Asset Funds - Municipal Investment Trust Fund,
Multistate Series - W (Ohio Trust):

We have audited the accompanying statement of condition of
Defined Asset Funds - Municipal Investment Trust Fund,
Multistate Series - W (Ohio Trust) including the portfolio,
as of June 30, 1999 and the related statements of operations
and of changes in net assets for the years ended June 30, 1999,
1998 and 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Trustee. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements 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 are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
Securities owned at June 30, 1999, as shown in such portfolio,
were confirmed to us by The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee.
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by the Trustee, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Defined Asset Funds - Municipal Investment Trust
Fund, Multistate Series - W (Ohio Trust) at June 30, 1999 and
the results of its operations and changes in its net assets for
the above-stated years in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, N.Y.
September 7, 1999

D - 1.
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - W (OHIO TRUST)

STATEMENT OF CONDITION
As of June 30, 1999

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
TRUST PROPERTY:
Investment in marketable securities
{ 20} at value (cost $ 1,413,608)(Note 1) ......... $ 1,666,693
{ 36} Accrued interest................................ 30,763
{ 32} Cash - income .................................. 7,170
{ 34} Cash - principal ............................... 22
-------------
{ 40} Total trust property ......................... 1,704,648

LESS LIABILITIES:
{143} Accrued Sponsors' fees ......................... $ 429
Trustee's fees and expenses payable ............ 1,146 1,575
------------- -------------

NET ASSETS, REPRESENTED BY:
{ 80} 3,414 units of fractional undivided
{ 80} interest outstanding (Note 3) ............... 1,666,715

{105} Undistributed net investment income ............ 36,358 $ 1,703,073
------------- =============

{130}UNIT VALUE ($ 1,703,073 / 3,414 units)............ $ 498.85
=============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.

D - 2.

<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - W (OHIO TRUST)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Years Ended June 30,
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----

INVESTMENT INCOME:

{ 10} Interest income ........................ $ 136,679 $ 155,010 $ 166,537
{ 20} Trustee's fees and expenses ............ (5,006) (5,212) (3,535)
{ 30} Sponsors' fees ......................... (899) (980) (1,023)
----------------------------------------------
{ 40} Net investment income .................. 130,774 148,818 161,979
----------------------------------------------

REALIZED OR UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS:
Realized gain on
{ 50} securities sold or redeemed .......... 8,489 36,515 13,555
Unrealized depreciation
{ 60} of investments ....................... (84,369) (56,452) (25,117)
----------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
{ 80} loss on investments .................. $ (75,880) $ (19,937) $ (11,562)
----------------------------------------------

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
{ 80} RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS .............. $ 54,894 $ 128,881 $ 150,417
==============================================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.

D - 3.
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - W (OHIO TRUST)

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Years Ended June 30,
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----

<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS:
{ 10} Net investment income .................. $ 130,774 $ 148,818 $ 161,979
Realized gain on
{ 20} securities sold or redeemed .......... 8,489 36,515 13,555
Unrealized depreciation
{ 30} of investments ....................... (84,369) (56,452) (25,117)
----------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets
{ 40} resulting from operations ............ 54,894 128,881 150,417
----------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO HOLDERS (Note 2):
{ 50} Income ................................ (138,130) (149,976) (161,324)
{ 60} Principal .............................. (144,242) (144,995) (100,017)
----------------------------------------------
{ 70} Total distributions .................... (282,372) (294,971) (261,341)
----------------------------------------------
SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
{ 82} Redemption amounts - income ............ (2,217)
{ 83} Redemption amounts - principal ......... (92,847)
----------------------------------------------
{ 84} Total share transactions ............... (95,064)
----------------------------------------------

{ 90}NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS ............... (227,478) (261,154) (110,924)

{100}NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR .......... 1,930,551 2,191,705 2,302,629
----------------------------------------------
{110}NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR ................ $ 1,703,073 $ 1,930,551 $ 2,191,705
==============================================
PER UNIT:
Income distributions during
{120} year ................................. $ 40.46 $ 42.04 $ 45.05
==============================================
Principal distributions during
{130} year ................................. $ 42.25 $ 40.49 $ 27.93
==============================================
Net asset value at end of
{140} year ................................. $ 498.85 $ 565.48 $ 612.04
==============================================
TRUST UNITS:
{ 83} Redeemed during year ................... 167
{150} Outstanding at end of year ............. 3,414 3,414 3,581
==============================================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.

D - 4.

<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - W (OHIO TRUST)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a
Unit Investment Trust. The following is a summary of significant
accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the
preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

(A) Securities are stated at value as determined by the
Evaluator based on bid side evaluations for the securities.

(B) The Fund was not subject to income taxes. Accordingly, no
provision for such taxes was required.

2. DISTRIBUTIONS

A distribution of net investment income is made to Holders each month.
Receipts other than interest, after deductions for redemptions and
applicable expenses, are also distributed periodically.

3. NET CAPITAL
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
{ 10} Cost of 3,414 units at Date of Deposit ..................... $ 3,452,284
{ 20} Less sales charge .......................................... 138,097
-----------
{ 25} Net amount applicable to Holders ........................... 3,314,187
{ 31} Redemptions of units - net cost of 1,586 units redeemed
{143} less redemption amounts (principal)....................... 61,697
{ 40} Realized gain on securities sold or redeemed ............... 358,468
{ 50} Principal distributions .................................... (2,320,722)
{ 70} Unrealized appreciation of investments...................... 253,085
-----------

{ 80} Net capital applicable to Holders .......................... $ 1,666,715
===========
</TABLE>

4. INCOME TAXES

As of June 30, 1999, unrealized appreciation of investments, based on
cost for Federal income tax purposes, aggregated $253,085, all of
which related to appreciated securities. The cost of investment
securities for Federal income tax purposes was $1,413,608 at
June 30, 1999.

D - 5.
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - W (OHIO TRUST)

PORTFOLIO
As of June 30, 1999

Rating Optional
Portfolio No. and Title of of Face Redemption
Securities Issues(1) Amount Coupon Maturities(3) Provisions(3) Cost Value(2)
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 Cnty. of Lucas, OH, Hosp. Imp. First AAA $ 245,000 6.000 % 2004 None $ 172,781 $ 254,440
Mtge. Rev. Bonds, Ser. 1973 (Mercy
Hosp. Proj.)

2 Ohio Bldg. Auth., State Fac. Bonds, AAA 660,000 10.125 2006(4) 04/01/03 699,600 763,231
1982 Ser. A @ 100.000

3 Ohio Wtr. Dev. Auth., State of Ohio AAA 435,000 9.000 2010 None 422,202 499,128
Wtr. Dev. Rev. Bonds, Safe Wtr. Ser.
III

4 Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Swr. Auth. AAA 115,000 10.250 2009 None 119,025 149,894
Rev. Bonds, Ser. 1984

--------- --------- ---------
$ 1,455,000 $ 1,413,608 $ 1,666,693
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Portfolio.

D - 6.

<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - W (OHIO TRUST)

NOTES TO PORTFOLIO
As of June 30, 1999

(1) The ratings of the bonds are by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, or by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. if followed by "(m)", or by Fitch
Investors Service, Inc. if followed by "(f)"; "NR" indicates that this
bond is not currently rated by any of the above-mentioned rating services.
These ratings have been furnished by the Evaluator but not confirmed with
the rating agencies.

(2) See Notes to Financial Statements.

(3) Optional redemption provisions, which may be exercised in whole or in
part, are initially at prices of par plus a premium, then subsequently at
prices declining to par. Certain securities may provide for redemption at
par prior or in addition to any optional or mandatory redemption dates or
maturity, for example, through the operation of a maintenance and
replacement fund, if proceeds are not able to be used as contemplated,the
project is condemned or sold or the project is destroyed and insurance
proceeds are used to redeem the securities. Many of the securities are also
subject to mandatory sinking fund redemption commencing on dates which may
be prior to the date on which securities may be optionally redeemed. Sinking
fund redemptions are at par and redeem only part of the issue. Some of the
securities have mandatory sinking funds which contain optional provisions
permitting the issuer to increase the principal amount of securities called
on a mandatory redemption date. The sinking fund redemptions with optional
provisions may, and optional refunding redemptions generally will, occur at
times when the redeemed securities have an offering side evaluation which
represents a premium over par. To the extent that the securities were
acquired at a price higher than the redemption price, this will represent a
loss of capital when compared with the Public Offering Price of the Units
when acquired. Distributions will generally be reduced by the amount of the
income which would otherwise have been paid with respect to redeemed
securities and there will be distributed to Holders any principal amount and
premium received on such redemption after satisfying any redemption requests
for Units received by the Fund. The estimated current return may be affected
by redemptions.

(4) Bonds with an aggregate face amount of $ 660,000 have been pre-refunded
and are expected to be called for redemption on the optional redemption
provision date shown.

D - 7.

<PAGE>
Defined
Asset FundsSM

HAVE QUESTIONS ? MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
Request the most MULTISTATE SERIES W
recent free Information (A Unit Investment Trust)
Supplement that gives more ---------------------------------------
details about the Fund, This Prospectus does not contain
by calling: complete information about the
The Chase Manhattan Bank investment company filed with the
1-800-323-1508 Securities and Exchange Commission in
Washington, D.C. under the:
o Securities Act of 1933 (file no.
2-95430) and
o Investment Company Act of 1940 (file
no. 811-1777).
TO OBTAIN COPIES AT PRESCRIBED RATES--
WRITE: Public Reference Section of the
Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549-6009
CALL: 1-800-SEC-0330.
VISIT: http://www.sec.gov.
---------------------------------------
No person is authorized to give any
information or representations about
this Fund not contained in this
Prospectus or the Information
Supplement, and you should not rely on
any other information.
---------------------------------------
When units of this Fund are no longer
available, this Prospectus may be used
as a preliminary prospectus for a
future series, but some of the
information in this Prospectus will be
changed for that series.
Units of any future series may not be
sold nor may offers to buy be accepted
until that series has become effective
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. No units can be sold in any
State where a sale would be illegal.

12671--9/99