MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA BOND FUND OF ML CALIF MUN SERIES TR
NSAR-A, 1999-04-28
Previous: CTC COMMUNICATIONS CORP, 8-K, 1999-04-28
Next: HEALTH CARE PROPERTY INVESTORS INC, 424B5, 1999-04-28



<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 A000000 02/28/99
000 C000000 0000765199
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 6.1
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 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 MLPF&S AND OTHER ML BROKER/DEALER AFFILIATES
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 THE CHASE MANHATTAN 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 GUARANTY TRUST CO. OF NEW YORK
015 B00AA05 S
015 C01AA05 NEW YORK
015 C02AA05 NY
015 C03AA05 10260
015 E01AA05 X
018  00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00  218
019 C00AA00 MERRILLLYN
020 C000001      0
020 C000002      0
020 C000003      0
020 C000004      0
020 C000005      0
020 C000006      0
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
020 C000007      0
020 C000008      0
020 C000009      0
020 C000010      0
021  000000        0
022 A000001 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
022 B000001 13-5108880
022 C000001    122464
022 D000001     89710
022 A000002 MORGAN (J.P.) SECURITIES INC.
022 B000002 13-3224016
022 C000002    102684
022 D000002     81680
022 A000003 SUTRO & CO. INCORPORATED
022 B000003 94-1704902
022 C000003     68656
022 D000003    100654
022 A000004 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
022 B000004 13-2518466
022 C000004     44119
022 D000004     18475
022 A000005 STONE & YOUNGBERG LLC
022 B000005 94-1052545
022 C000005     24380
022 D000005     31340
022 A000006 SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
022 B000006 11-2418191
022 C000006     32977
022 D000006     21229
022 A000007 CIBC OPPENHEIMER CORP.
022 B000007 13-2798343
022 C000007     20283
022 D000007     28327
022 A000008 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
022 B000008 13-2655998
022 C000008      7400
022 D000008     26965
022 A000009 PIPER JAFFRAY INC.
022 B000009 41-0953246
022 C000009         0
022 D000009     32319
022 A000010 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
022 B000010 22-2347336
022 C000010      4408
022 D000010     27347
023 C000000     507379
023 D000000     521504
026 A000000 N
026 B000000 Y
026 C000000 N
026 D000000 Y
<PAGE>      PAGE  4
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
068 B00AA00 N
069  00AA00 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  5
077 A000000 Y
077 O000000 Y
078  000000 N
024  000100 N
028 A010100      5584
028 A020100       967
028 A030100         0
028 A040100      7638
028 B010100      7049
028 B020100      1193
028 B030100         0
028 B040100      6590
028 C010100      4631
028 C020100       941
028 C030100         0
028 C040100      5753
028 D010100     10030
028 D020100         0
028 D030100         0
028 D040100      7723
028 E010100      3799
028 E020100      8194
028 E030100         0
028 E040100     13043
028 F010100      6636
028 F020100       955
028 F030100         0
028 F040100      8996
028 G010100     37729
028 G020100     12250
028 G030100         0
028 G040100     49743
028 H000100     11635
029  000100 Y
030 A000100     67
030 B000100  4.00
030 C000100  0.00
031 A000100      2
031 B000100      0
032  000100      0
033  000100     65
034  000100 Y
035  000100    100
036 A000100 N
036 B000100      0
037  000100 N
038  000100      0
039  000100 N
040  000100 Y
041  000100 Y
042 A000100   0
<PAGE>      PAGE  6
042 B000100   0
042 C000100 100
042 D000100   0
042 E000100   0
042 F000100   0
042 G000100   0
042 H000100   0
043  000100    970
044  000100      0
049  000100 N
050  000100 N
051  000100 N
052  000100 N
053 A000100 Y
053 B000100 Y
053 C000100 N
055 A000100 N
055 B000100 N
056  000100 Y
057  000100 N
058 A000100 N
059  000100 Y
060 A000100 Y
060 B000100 Y
061  000100        0
062 A000100 Y
062 B000100   0.0
062 C000100   0.0
062 D000100   0.0
062 E000100   2.9
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
062 M000100   0.0
062 N000100   0.0
062 O000100  94.6
062 P000100   0.0
062 Q000100   0.0
062 R000100   0.0
063 A000100   0
063 B000100 17.2
064 A000100 Y
064 B000100 N
070 A010100 Y
070 A020100 N
070 B010100 N
070 B020100 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  7
070 C010100 Y
070 C020100 N
070 D010100 N
070 D020100 N
070 E010100 Y
070 E020100 N
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    280717
071 B000100    306060
071 C000100    585414
071 D000100   48
072 A000100  6
072 B000100    16883
072 C000100        0
072 D000100        0
072 E000100        0
072 F000100     1641
072 G000100       51
072 H000100        0
072 I000100       89
072 J000100       30
072 K000100        0
072 L000100       33
072 M000100       19
072 N000100       30
072 O000100        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  8
072 P000100        0
072 Q000100        0
072 R000100       16
072 S000100       20
072 T000100      970
072 U000100        0
072 V000100        0
072 W000100       14
072 X000100     2913
072 Y000100       13
072 Z000100    13983
072AA000100    11238
072BB000100     1356
072CC010100        0
072CC020100    12010
072DD010100     6247
072DD020100     7736
072EE000100    12773
073 A010100   0.0000
073 A020100   0.0000
073 B000100   0.0000
073 C000100   0.0000
074 A000100       36
074 B000100        0
074 C000100    17350
074 D000100   558312
074 E000100        0
074 F000100        0
074 G000100        0
074 H000100        0
074 I000100        0
074 J000100    12435
074 K000100        0
074 L000100     8787
074 M000100       87
074 N000100   597007
074 O000100     5163
074 P000100      394
074 Q000100        0
074 R010100        0
074 R020100        0
074 R030100        0
074 R040100     1307
074 S000100        0
074 T000100   590143
074 U010100    21651
074 U020100    28120
074 V010100     0.00
074 V020100     0.00
074 W000100   0.0000
074 X000100    13312
<PAGE>      PAGE  9
074 Y000100        0
075 A000100        0
075 B000100   601846
076  000100     0.00
024  000200 N
028 A010200      1272
028 A020200       129
028 A030200         0
028 A040200      3569
028 B010200      1566
028 B020200       164
028 B030200         0
028 B040200      1997
028 C010200      1779
028 C020200       130
028 C030200         0
028 C040200       887
028 D010200      1033
028 D020200         0
028 D030200         0
028 D040200      1080
028 E010200      1305
028 E020200       396
028 E030200         0
028 E040200      1432
028 F010200      1819
028 F020200       129
028 F030200         0
028 F040200      1253
028 G010200      8774
028 G020200       948
028 G030200         0
028 G040200     10218
028 H000200      1484
029  000200 Y
030 A000200     20
030 B000200  4.00
030 C000200  0.00
031 A000200      0
031 B000200      0
032  000200      0
033  000200     20
034  000200 Y
035  000200     30
036 A000200 N
036 B000200      0
037  000200 N
038  000200      0
039  000200 N
040  000200 Y
041  000200 Y
<PAGE>      PAGE  10
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    184
044  000200      0
049  000200 N
050  000200 N
051  000200 N
052  000200 N
053 A000200 N
055 A000200 Y
055 B000200 Y
056  000200 Y
057  000200 N
058 A000200 N
059  000200 Y
060 A000200 N
060 B000200 N
061  000200        0
062 A000200 Y
062 B000200   0.0
062 C000200   0.0
062 D000200   0.0
062 E000200   8.8
062 F000200   0.0
062 G000200   0.0
062 H000200   0.0
062 I000200   0.0
062 J000200   0.0
062 K000200   0.0
062 L000200   0.0
062 M000200   0.0
062 N000200   0.0
062 O000200  90.1
062 P000200   0.0
062 Q000200   0.0
062 R000200   0.0
063 A000200   0
063 B000200 15.1
064 A000200 Y
064 B000200 N
070 A010200 Y
070 A020200 N
070 B010200 N
070 B020200 N
070 C010200 Y
<PAGE>      PAGE  11
070 C020200 N
070 D010200 N
070 D020200 N
070 E010200 Y
070 E020200 N
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 N
070 Q010200 N
070 Q020200 N
070 R010200 N
070 R020200 N
071 A000200     61359
071 B000200     64352
071 C000200     87556
071 D000200   70
072 A000200  6
072 B000200     2477
072 C000200        0
072 D000200        0
072 E000200        0
072 F000200      253
072 G000200       24
072 H000200        0
072 I000200       13
072 J000200        7
072 K000200        0
072 L000200       49
072 M000200        3
072 N000200       30
072 O000200        0
072 P000200        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  12
072 Q000200        0
072 R000200       14
072 S000200       18
072 T000200      184
072 U000200        0
072 V000200        0
072 W000200        6
072 X000200      601
072 Y000200        0
072 Z000200     1876
072AA000200     2125
072BB000200      203
072CC010200        0
072CC020200     1853
072DD010200      474
072DD020200     1402
072EE000200      249
073 A010200   0.0000
073 A020200   0.0000
073 B000200   0.0000
073 C000200   0.0000
074 A000200       98
074 B000200        0
074 C000200     8200
074 D000200    84099
074 E000200        0
074 F000200        0
074 G000200        0
074 H000200        0
074 I000200        0
074 J000200        0
074 K000200        0
074 L000200     1169
074 M000200       18
074 N000200    93584
074 O000200        0
074 P000200       68
074 Q000200        0
074 R010200        0
074 R020200        0
074 R030200        0
074 R040200      207
074 S000200        0
074 T000200    93309
074 U010200     2156
074 U020200     6708
074 V010200     0.00
074 V020200     0.00
074 W000200   0.0000
074 X000200     1696
074 Y000200        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  13
075 A000200        0
075 B000200    92819
076  000200     0.00
SIGNATURE   DONALD C. BURKE                              
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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        541528299
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       575662399
<RECEIVABLES>                                 21222293
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  122776
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               597007468
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       5162924
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1701109
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            6864033
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     553783822
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          3851661
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          3747608
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        2225513
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      34134100
<NET-ASSETS>                                  45658251
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             16883448
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2900248)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       13983200
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       9882067
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (12009861)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         11855406
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (1130126)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (950752)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         390608
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (366400)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              79845
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (14664719)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      5116794
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1641473
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2912875
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          45451465
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            12.15
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .30
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                         (0.04)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.30)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.26)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.85
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .65
<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        541528299
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       575662399
<RECEIVABLES>                                 21222293
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  122776
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               597007468
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       5162924
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1701109
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            6864033
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     553783822
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         26934706
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         28059270
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        2225513
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      34134100
<NET-ASSETS>                                 319392069
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             16883448
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2900248)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       13983200
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       9882067
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (12009861)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         11855406
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (7436485)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     (7010408)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1629101
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (3318821)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             565156
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (14664719)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      5116794
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1641473
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2912875
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         332678494
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            12.16
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .27
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                         (0.04)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.27)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.26)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.86
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.15
<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        541528299
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       575662399
<RECEIVABLES>                                 21222293
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  122776
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               597007468
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       5162924
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1701109
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            6864033
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     553783822
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1185209
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1040386
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        2225513
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      34134100
<NET-ASSETS>                                  14051660
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             16883448
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2900248)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       13983200
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       9882067
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (12009861)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         11855406
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (299924)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (300919)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         247713
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (133065)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              30175
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (14664719)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      5116794
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1641473
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2912875
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          13729537
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            12.15
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .26
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                         (0.03)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.26)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.26)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.86
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.26
<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        541528299
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       575662399
<RECEIVABLES>                                 21222293
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  122776
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               597007468
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       5162924
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1701109
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            6864033
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     553783822
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         17799104
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         16906280
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        2225513
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      34134100
<NET-ASSETS>                                 211041455
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             16883448
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2900248)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       13983200
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       9882067
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (12009861)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         11855406
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (5116665)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     (4511269)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1859456
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1317187)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             350555
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (14664719)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      5116794
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1641473
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2912875
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         209986275
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            12.16
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .29
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                         (0.04)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.29)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.26)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.86
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .75
<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         88675689
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        92298573
<RECEIVABLES>                                  1169083
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  116482
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                93584138
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       274955
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             274955
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      88879720
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           971253
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1187422
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         806579
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       3622884
<NET-ASSETS>                                  10221500
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              2476844
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                (601002)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        1875842
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1922143
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (1853108)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          1944877
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (233318)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (28215)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          40403
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (265580)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                               9008
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        (676384)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (866349)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           253154
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 601002
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          10502144
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.54
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .23
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .01
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.23)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.03)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.52
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .90
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         88675689
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        92298573
<RECEIVABLES>                                  1169083
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  116482
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                93584138
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       274955
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             274955
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      88879720
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          6232218
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          6334960
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         806579
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       3622884
<NET-ASSETS>                                  65599662
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              2476844
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                (601002)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        1875842
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1922143
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (1853108)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          1944877
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (1310463)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (177057)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         427073
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (587686)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              57871
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        (676384)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (866349)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           253154
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 601002
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          66463290
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.55
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .21
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .01
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.21)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.03)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.53
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.41
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         88675689
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        92298573
<RECEIVABLES>                                  1169083
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  116482
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                93584138
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       274955
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             274955
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      88879720
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           475949
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           430419
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         806579
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       3622884
<NET-ASSETS>                                   5007357
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              2476844
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                (601002)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        1875842
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1922143
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (1853108)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          1944877
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      (91496)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (12805)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         108500
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (68675)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                               5705
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        (676384)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (866349)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           253154
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 601002
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           4767115
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.54
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .20
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .01
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.20)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.03)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.52
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.51
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         88675689
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        92298573
<RECEIVABLES>                                  1169083
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  116482
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                93584138
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       274955
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             274955
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      88879720
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1185064
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           959525
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         806579
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       3622884
<NET-ASSETS>                                  12480664
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              2476844
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                (601002)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        1875842
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1922143
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (1853108)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          1944877
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (240565)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (31138)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         277195
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (68922)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              17266
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        (676384)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (866349)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           253154
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 601002
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          11086317
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.55
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .23
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .01
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.23)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.03)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.53
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.00
<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