MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA BOND FUND OF ML CALIF MUN SERIES TR
NSAR-B, 1997-10-29
Previous: NATIONAL CITY BANCSHARES INC, 8-K, 1997-10-29
Next: FOUR SEASONS FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 10-K, 1997-10-29



<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 B000000 08/31/97
000 C000000 0000765199
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 3.0.a
000 J000000 A
001 A000000 ML CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
001 B000000 811-4264
001 C000000 6092822800
002 A000000 P.O. BOX 9011
002 B000000 PRINCETON
002 C000000 NJ
002 D010000 08543
002 D020000 9011
003  000000 N
004  000000 N
005  000000 N
006  000000 N
007 A000000 Y
007 B000000  2
007 C010100  1
007 C020100 MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
007 C030100 N
007 C010200  2
007 C020200 ML CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
007 C030200 N
007 C010300  3
007 C010400  4
007 C010500  5
007 C010600  6
007 C010700  7
007 C010800  8
007 C010900  9
007 C011000 10
008 A00AA01 FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
008 B00AA01 A
008 C00AA01 801-12485
008 D01AA01 PRINCETON
008 D02AA01 NJ
008 D03AA01 08543
008 D04AA01 9011
011 A00AA01 MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
011 B00AA01 8-14663
011 C01AA01 PRINCETON
011 C02AA01 NJ
011 C03AA01 08543
011 C04AA01 9011
012 A00AA01 MERRILL LYNCH FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
<PAGE>      PAGE  2
012 B00AA01 84-01339
012 C01AA01 JACKSONVILLE
012 C02AA01 FL
012 C03AA01 32246
012 C04AA01 6484
013 A00AA01 DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
013 B01AA01 PRINCETON
013 B02AA01 NJ
013 B03AA01 08540
014 A00AA01 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INC.
014 B00AA01 8-7221
015 A00AA01 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B00AA01 C
015 C01AA01 NEW YORK
015 C02AA01 NY
015 C03AA01 10286
015 E01AA01 X
015 A00AA02 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B00AA02 S
015 C01AA02 NEW YORK
015 C02AA02 NY
015 C03AA02 10006
015 E01AA02 X
015 A00AA03 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B00AA03 S
015 C01AA03 NEW YORK
015 C02AA03 NY
015 C03AA03 10017
015 E01AA03 X
015 A00AA04 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B00AA04 S
015 C01AA04 NEW YORK
015 C02AA04 NY
015 C03AA04 10167
015 E01AA04 X
015 A00AA05 MORGAN GUARANTEE TRUST CO.
015 B00AA05 S
015 C01AA05 NEW YORK
015 C02AA05 NY
015 C03AA05 10260
015 E01AA05 X
018  00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00  195
019 C00AA00 MERRILLLYN
020 A000001 SMITH BARNEY INC.
020 B000001 13-1912900
020 C000001     11
020 C000002      0
020 C000003      0
020 C000004      0
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
020 C000005      0
020 C000006      0
020 C000007      0
020 C000008      0
020 C000009      0
020 C000010      0
021  000000       11
022 A000001 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
022 B000001 13-5108880
022 C000001    250490
022 D000001    228911
022 A000002 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
022 B000002 13-2518466
022 C000002     99714
022 D000002     69559
022 A000003 MORGAN (J.P.) SECURITIES INC.
022 B000003 13-3224016
022 C000003     50588
022 D000003     52682
022 A000004 SUTRO & CO. INCORPORATED
022 B000004 94-1704902
022 C000004     39023
022 D000004     63771
022 A000005 PIPER JAFFRAY INC.
022 B000005 41-0953246
022 C000005     44851
022 D000005     48123
022 A000006 SMITH BARNEY INC.
022 B000006 13-1912900
022 C000006     23256
022 D000006     51309
022 A000007 BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
022 B000007 13-3299429
022 C000007     37934
022 D000007     32365
022 A000008 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
022 B000008 13-2655998
022 C000008     47865
022 D000008     14051
022 A000009 JOHN HANCOCK DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
022 B000009 04-2442399
022 C000009     40648
022 D000009     17411
022 A000010 OPPENHEIMER & CO., INC.
022 B000010 13-2798343
022 C000010     22027
022 D000010     29595
023 C000000     855457
023 D000000     867226
026 A000000 N
026 B000000 Y
<PAGE>      PAGE  4
026 C000000 N
026 D000000 Y
026 E000000 N
026 F000000 N
026 G010000 N
026 G020000 N
026 H000000 N
027  000000 Y
045  00AA00 Y
046  00AA00 N
047  00AA00 Y
048  00AA00  0.000
048 A01AA00   500000
048 A02AA00 0.550
048 B01AA00   500000
048 B02AA00 0.525
048 C01AA00        0
048 C02AA00 0.000
048 D01AA00        0
048 D02AA00 0.000
048 E01AA00        0
048 E02AA00 0.000
048 F01AA00        0
048 F02AA00 0.000
048 G01AA00        0
048 G02AA00 0.000
048 H01AA00        0
048 H02AA00 0.000
048 I01AA00        0
048 I02AA00 0.000
048 J01AA00        0
048 J02AA00 0.000
048 K01AA00  1000000
048 K02AA00 0.500
054 A00AA00 Y
054 B00AA00 Y
054 C00AA00 N
054 D00AA00 N
054 E00AA00 N
054 F00AA00 N
054 G00AA00 N
054 H00AA00 Y
054 I00AA00 N
054 J00AA00 Y
054 K00AA00 N
054 L00AA00 N
054 M00AA00 Y
054 N00AA00 N
066 A00AA00 N
067  00AA00 N
068 A00AA00 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  5
068 B00AA00 N
069  00AA00 N
077 A000000 Y
077 B000000 Y
077 O000000 Y
077 P000000 Y
078  000000 N
080 A00AA00 ICI MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
080 C00AA00     1000
081 A00AA00 Y
081 B00AA00 113
082 A00AA00 N
082 B00AA00        0
083 A00AA00 N
083 B00AA00        0
084 A00AA00 N
084 B00AA00        0
085 A00AA00 Y
085 B00AA00 N
024  000100 N
028 A010100      3951
028 A020100      1107
028 A030100         0
028 A040100      9540
028 B010100      6050
028 B020100      1103
028 B030100         0
028 B040100     11211
028 C010100      3764
028 C020100      1408
028 C030100         0
028 C040100     12156
028 D010100      5111
028 D020100      1063
028 D030100         0
028 D040100     11992
028 E010100      5745
028 E020100      1068
028 E030100         0
028 E040100      7693
028 F010100      4263
028 F020100      1302
028 F030100         0
028 F040100      7414
028 G010100     28884
028 G020100      7051
028 G030100         0
028 G040100     60006
028 H000100      4303
029  000100 Y
030 A000100     62
<PAGE>      PAGE  6
030 B000100  4.00
030 C000100  0.00
031 A000100      6
031 B000100      0
032  000100      0
033  000100     56
034  000100 Y
035  000100    373
036 A000100 N
036 B000100      0
037  000100 N
038  000100      0
039  000100 N
040  000100 Y
041  000100 Y
042 A000100   0
042 B000100   0
042 C000100 100
042 D000100   0
042 E000100   0
042 F000100   0
042 G000100   0
042 H000100   0
043  000100   2314
044  000100      0
049  000100 N
050  000100 N
051  000100 N
052  000100 N
053 A000100 N
055 A000100 Y
055 B000100 N
056  000100 Y
057  000100 N
058 A000100 N
059  000100 Y
060 A000100 Y
060 B000100 Y
061  000100     1000
062 A000100 Y
062 B000100   0.0
062 C000100   0.0
062 D000100   0.0
062 E000100   2.3
062 F000100   0.0
062 G000100   0.0
062 H000100   0.0
062 I000100   0.0
062 J000100   0.0
062 K000100   0.0
062 L000100   0.0
<PAGE>      PAGE  7
062 M000100   0.0
062 N000100   0.0
062 O000100  99.2
062 P000100   0.0
062 Q000100   0.0
062 R000100   0.0
063 A000100   0
063 B000100 18.4
064 A000100 Y
064 B000100 N
070 A010100 Y
070 A020100 N
070 B010100 N
070 B020100 N
070 C010100 Y
070 C020100 N
070 D010100 N
070 D020100 N
070 E010100 Y
070 E020100 Y
070 F010100 N
070 F020100 N
070 G010100 Y
070 G020100 N
070 H010100 N
070 H020100 N
070 I010100 N
070 I020100 N
070 J010100 Y
070 J020100 N
070 K010100 N
070 K020100 N
070 L010100 N
070 L020100 N
070 M010100 N
070 M020100 N
070 N010100 N
070 N020100 N
070 O010100 Y
070 O020100 N
070 P010100 Y
070 P020100 Y
070 Q010100 N
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 N
070 R020100 N
071 A000100    446440
071 B000100    466703
071 C000100    606549
071 D000100   74
072 A000100 12
<PAGE>      PAGE  8
072 B000100    38439
072 C000100        0
072 D000100        0
072 E000100        0
072 F000100     3422
072 G000100       65
072 H000100        0
072 I000100      224
072 J000100       63
072 K000100        0
072 L000100       25
072 M000100       39
072 N000100       91
072 O000100        0
072 P000100        0
072 Q000100        0
072 R000100       33
072 S000100       36
072 T000100     2314
072 U000100        0
072 V000100        0
072 W000100        4
072 X000100     6316
072 Y000100        0
072 Z000100    32123
072AA000100    11330
072BB000100     4004
072CC010100    10038
072CC020100        0
072DD010100    10723
072DD020100    21400
072EE000100        0
073 A010100   0.0000
073 A020100   0.0000
073 B000100   0.0000
073 C000100   0.0000
074 A000100       82
074 B000100        0
074 C000100    14600
074 D000100   611773
074 E000100        0
074 F000100        0
074 G000100        0
074 H000100        0
074 I000100        0
074 J000100     9247
074 K000100        0
074 L000100    10886
074 M000100      114
074 N000100   646702
074 O000100    27657
<PAGE>      PAGE  9
074 P000100      484
074 Q000100        0
074 R010100        0
074 R020100        0
074 R030100        0
074 R040100     1687
074 S000100        0
074 T000100   616874
074 U010100    19462
074 U020100    32743
074 V010100     0.00
074 V020100     0.00
074 W000100   0.0000
074 X000100    14348
074 Y000100        0
075 A000100        0
075 B000100   629838
076  000100     0.00
024  000200 N
028 A010200       830
028 A020200       148
028 A030200         0
028 A040200      2051
028 B010200       934
028 B020200       151
028 B030200         0
028 B040200      2421
028 C010200       861
028 C020200       184
028 C030200         0
028 C040200      2228
028 D010200       876
028 D020200       136
028 D030200         0
028 D040200      2177
028 E010200       567
028 E020200       134
028 E030200         0
028 E040200      1718
028 F010200      2155
028 F020200       168
028 F030200         0
028 F040200      4288
028 G010200      6223
028 G020200       921
028 G030200         0
028 G040200     14883
028 H000200      1520
029  000200 Y
030 A000200      5
030 B000200  4.00
<PAGE>      PAGE  10
030 C000200  0.00
031 A000200      1
031 B000200      0
032  000200      0
033  000200      4
034  000200 Y
035  000200    135
036 A000200 N
036 B000200      0
037  000200 N
038  000200      0
039  000200 N
040  000200 Y
041  000200 Y
042 A000200   0
042 B000200   0
042 C000200 100
042 D000200   0
042 E000200   0
042 F000200   0
042 G000200   0
042 H000200   0
043  000200    395
044  000200      0
049  000200 N
050  000200 N
051  000200 N
052  000200 N
053 A000200 Y
053 B000200 Y
053 C000200 N
055 A000200 N
055 B000200 N
056  000200 Y
057  000200 N
058 A000200 N
059  000200 Y
060 A000200 N
060 B000200 N
061  000200     1000
062 A000200 Y
062 B000200   0.0
062 C000200   0.0
062 D000200   0.0
062 E000200   0.8
062 F000200   0.0
062 G000200   0.0
062 H000200   0.0
062 I000200   0.0
062 J000200   0.0
062 K000200   0.0
<PAGE>      PAGE  11
062 L000200   0.0
062 M000200   0.0
062 N000200   0.0
062 O000200  95.5
062 P000200   0.0
062 Q000200   0.0
062 R000200   0.0
063 A000200   0
063 B000200 18.0
064 A000200 Y
064 B000200 N
070 A010200 Y
070 A020200 N
070 B010200 N
070 B020200 N
070 C010200 Y
070 C020200 N
070 D010200 N
070 D020200 N
070 E010200 Y
070 E020200 Y
070 F010200 N
070 F020200 N
070 G010200 Y
070 G020200 N
070 H010200 N
070 H020200 N
070 I010200 N
070 I020200 N
070 J010200 Y
070 J020200 N
070 K010200 Y
070 K020200 N
070 L010200 N
070 L020200 N
070 M010200 N
070 M020200 N
070 N010200 N
070 N020200 N
070 O010200 Y
070 O020200 N
070 P010200 Y
070 P020200 Y
070 Q010200 N
070 Q020200 N
070 R010200 N
070 R020200 N
071 A000200     60586
071 B000200     68144
071 C000200     90054
071 D000200   67
<PAGE>      PAGE  12
072 A000200 12
072 B000200     5411
072 C000200        0
072 D000200        0
072 E000200        0
072 F000200      526
072 G000200       86
072 H000200        0
072 I000200       28
072 J000200       14
072 K000200        0
072 L000200       38
072 M000200        3
072 N000200       81
072 O000200        0
072 P000200        0
072 Q000200        0
072 R000200       26
072 S000200       26
072 T000200      395
072 U000200       11
072 V000200        0
072 W000200       12
072 X000200     1246
072 Y000200      239
072 Z000200     4404
072AA000200     1505
072BB000200      153
072CC010200     2533
072CC020200        0
072DD010200      927
072DD020200     3477
072EE000200        0
073 A010200   0.0000
073 A020200   0.0000
073 B000200   0.0000
073 C000200   0.0000
074 A000200       48
074 B000200        0
074 C000200      700
074 D000200    87927
074 E000200        0
074 F000200        0
074 G000200        0
074 H000200        0
074 I000200        0
074 J000200     3984
074 K000200        0
074 L000200     1470
074 M000200       46
074 N000200    94175
<PAGE>      PAGE  13
074 O000200     1693
074 P000200       70
074 Q000200        0
074 R010200        0
074 R020200        0
074 R030200        0
074 R040200      354
074 S000200        0
074 T000200    92058
074 U010200     1695
074 U020200     7287
074 V010200     0.00
074 V020200     0.00
074 W000200   0.0000
074 X000200     1822
074 Y000200        0
075 A000200        0
075 B000200    95831
076  000200     0.00
SIGNATURE   GERALD M. RICHARD                            
TITLE       TREASURER           
 


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000765199
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 011
   <NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        580294043
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       626372705
<RECEIVABLES>                                 20133485
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  196368
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               646702558
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      27657449
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      2170737
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           29828186
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     582753430
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          3779839
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          3713704
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (11912626)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      46033568
<NET-ASSETS>                                  44652364
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             38438745
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (6316040)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       32122705
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       7326062
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     10038184
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         49486951
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (2365153)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         784082
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (807960)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              90013
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (26390402)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (16973057)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (2265631)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          3422246
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                6316040
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          43215808
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.49
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .64
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .32
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.64)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.81
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .63
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000765199
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 012
   <NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        580294043
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       626372705
<RECEIVABLES>                                 20133485
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  196368
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               646702558
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      27657449
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      2170737
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           29828186
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     582753430
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         31819804
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         41822524
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (11912626)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      46033568
<NET-ASSETS>                                 376018231
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             38438745
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (6316040)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       32122705
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       7326062
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     10038184
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         49486951
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (20956944)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        3032901
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (13837258)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             801637
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (26390402)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (16973057)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (2265631)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          3422246
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                6316040
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         421959021
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.49
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .58
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .33
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.58)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.82
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.14
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000765199
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 013
   <NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        580294043
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       626372705
<RECEIVABLES>                                 20133485
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  196368
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               646702558
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      27657449
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      2170737
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           29828186
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     582753430
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           922838
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           705950
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (11912626)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      46033568
<NET-ASSETS>                                  10903527
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             38438745
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (6316040)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       32122705
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       7326062
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     10038184
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         49486951
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (442724)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         528637
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (333381)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              21632
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (26390402)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (16973057)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (2265631)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          3422246
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                6316040
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           9113048
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.49
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .57
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .33
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.57)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.82
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.24
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000765199
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 014
   <NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        580294043
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       626372705
<RECEIVABLES>                                 20133485
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  196368
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               646702558
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      27657449
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      2170737
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           29828186
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     582753430
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         15682302
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          9729971
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (11912626)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      46033568
<NET-ASSETS>                                 185300250
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             38438745
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (6316040)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       32122705
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       7326062
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     10038184
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         49486951
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (8357884)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        7598195
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1956003)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             310139
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (26390402)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (16973057)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (2265631)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          3422246
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                6316040
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         155549854
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.49
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .63
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .33
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.63)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.82
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .73
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000765199
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 021
   <NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         83789452
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        88626832
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5453585
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   94203
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                94174620
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       1692972
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       423843
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            2116815
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      90009813
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1213650
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1441410
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (2813138)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       4861130
<NET-ASSETS>                                  12437427
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              5411269
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (1006972)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        4404297
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1351724
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      2532891
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          8288912
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (695974)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         167842
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (422075)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              26473
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       (4621838)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (4164862)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           525625
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                1245807
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          13882195
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.84
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .50
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .41
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.50)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.25
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .89
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000765199
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 022
   <NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         83789452
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        88626832
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5453585
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   94203
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                94174620
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       1692972
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       423843
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            2116815
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      90009813
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          6763433
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          7448173
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (2813138)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       4861130
<NET-ASSETS>                                  69320188
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              5411269
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (1006972)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        4404297
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1351724
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      2532891
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          8288912
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (3248319)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         925806
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1742829)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             132283
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       (4621838)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (4164862)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           525625
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                1245807
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          72048012
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.84
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .45
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .41
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.45)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.25
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.39
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000765199
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 023
   <NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         83789452
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        88626832
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5453585
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   94203
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                94174620
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       1692972
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       423843
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            2116815
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      90009813
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           523342
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           498310
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (2813138)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       4861130
<NET-ASSETS>                                   5361183
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              5411269
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (1006972)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        4404297
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1351724
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      2532891
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          8288912
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (228905)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         252747
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (241739)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              14024
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       (4621838)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (4164862)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           525625
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                1245807
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           5195558
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.84
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .44
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .40
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.44)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.24
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.49
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000765199
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 024
   <NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         83789452
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        88626832
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5453585
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   94203
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                94174620
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       1692972
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       423843
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            2116815
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      90009813
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           481550
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           437072
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (2813138)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       4861130
<NET-ASSETS>                                   4939007
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              5411269
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (1006972)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        4404297
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1351724
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      2532891
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          8288912
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (231099)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          90128
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (61225)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              15575
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       (4621838)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (4164862)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           525625
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                1245807
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           4705650
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.85
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .49
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .41
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.49)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.26
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .98
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>


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