GABELLI ASSET FUND
N-30B-2, 1996-05-28
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<PAGE>

                             THE GABELLI ASSET FUND
                              One Corporate Center
                            Rye, New York 10580-1434
                              FIRST QUARTER REPORT
                                 MARCH 31, 1996


TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:

              In the first quarter of 1996, the stock market shrugged off an
economy mired in snow, the GM strike, the ongoing budget stalemate in Washington
and rising long-term interest rates to post a solid advance. Flow of funds into
mutual funds and continued merger activity at record levels provided the fuel
for an ebullient U.S. stock market. Markets around the world marched in step.

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

              During the first quarter ended March 31, 1996, the Fund's total
return was 6.6% compared to returns of 5.4%, 5.8%, and 5.1% over the same period
for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), the Value Line Composite and
Russell 2000 Index, respectively. Each index is an unmanaged indicator of stock
market performance. For the 12 months ended March 31, 1996, the Fund gained
24.0%, including reinvested dividends, versus 32.1% for the S&P 500, 25.0% for
the Value Line Composite and 29.1% for the Russell 2000. For the five year
period ended March 31, 1996, the Fund's return averaged 14.6% annually, versus
average annual returns of 14.7%, 14.9% and 16.1% for the S&P 500, Value Line
Composite and Russell 2000 Index, respectively.

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY!  MORNINGSTAR RATES GABELLI ASSET FUND  * * * * *

              The Gabelli Asset Fund celebrated its tenth anniversary on March
3, 1996. As a result of the Fund's solid returns over the last ten years, it has
received Morningstar's highest rating -- five stars - both overall and for the
ten years ended March 31, 1996. It is rated four stars based on three and five
year returns. For the ten year period through March 31, 1996, the Fund achieved
a total return of 334.1%, which equates to an average annual return of 15.8%.
This compares favorably to average annual returns of 14.0% for the S&P 500,
11.3% for the Value Line Composite and 10.5% for the Russell 2000 over the same
period. More importantly, it compares favorably to our long-term hurdle rate of
enhancing our assets by ten percent "real", i.e., ten percent over the unfolding
inflation rate. As of March 31, 1996, the Fund's shareholders numbered 48,180
and total net assets were over $1.1 billion.

- -------------------
For the ten year, five year and three year periods, the Fund received
Morningstar rankings of five, four and four, stars, respectively, rated against
a total of 517, 970 and 1,469 equity funds, respectively. Morningstar
proprietary ratings reflect historical risk adjusted performance as of 3/31/96.
The ratings are subject to change every month. Morningstar ratings are
calculated from the Fund's three, five and ten-year average annual returns in
excess of 90-day T-bill returns with appropriate fee adjustments and a risk
factor that reflects fund performance below 90-day T-Bill returns. 10% of the
funds in an investment category receive five stars and the next 22.5% receive
four stars. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.



<PAGE>

INVESTMENT RESULTS (a)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 Quarter
                                         ---------------------------------------------------
                                           1st              2nd          3rd           4th           Year
                                           ---              ---          ---           ---           ----

  <S>                                    <C>              <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>   
  1996:    Net Asset Value ............  $27.44               --           --            --             --
           Total Return ...............     6.6%              --           --            --             --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1995:    Net Asset Value ............  $23.84           $25.10       $26.76        $25.75         $25.75
           Total Return ...............     7.3%             5.3%         6.6%          3.7%          24.9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1994:    Net Asset Value ............  $22.63           $22.36       $23.56        $22.21         $22.21
           Total Return ...............    (2.9)%           (1.2)%        5.4%         (1.2)%         (0.1)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1993:    Net Asset Value ............  $21.10           $22.10       $23.63        $23.30         $23.30
           Total Return ...............     6.1%             4.7%         6.9%          2.5%          21.8%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1992:    Net Asset Value ............  $19.04           $18.91       $19.02        $19.88         $19.88
           Total Return ...............     6.0%            (0.7)%        0.6%          8.5%          14.9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1991:    Net Asset Value ............  $17.36           $17.36       $17.90        $17.96         $17.96
           Total Return ...............    11.1%             0.0%         3.1%          3.2%          18.1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1990:    Net Asset Value ............  $16.48           $16.81       $15.21        $15.63         $15.63
           Total Return ...............    (4.5)%            2.0%        (9.5)%         7.8%          (5.0)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1989:    Net Asset Value ............  $16.46           $18.01       $18.73        $17.26         $17.26
           Total Return ...............    12.0%             9.4%         4.0%         (1.0)%         26.2%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1988:    Net Asset Value ............  $13.49           $14.62       $14.94        $14.69         $14.69
           Total Return ...............    14.4%             8.4%         2.2%          3.5%          31.1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1987:    Net Asset Value ............  $12.97           $13.93       $14.66        $12.61         $12.61
           Total Return ...............    19.6%             7.4%         5.2%        (14.0)%         16.2%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1986:    Net Asset Value ............  $10.44           $11.21       $11.29        $11.28         $11.28
           Total Return ...............     4.4%(b)          7.4%         0.7%         (0.1)%         12.8%(b)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------
Average Annual Returns - March 31, 1996 (a)
- -------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>  
1 Year ...................................   24.0%
5 Year ...................................   14.6%
10 Year ..................................   15.8%
Life of Fund (b) .........................   16.2%
- --------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
                      Dividend History
- -------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
Payment (ex) Date      Rate Per Share      Reinvestment Price
- -----------------      --------------      ------------------
<S>                        <C>                  <C>   
December 29, 1995          $2.000               $25.75
December 30, 1994          $1.056               $22.21
December 31, 1993          $0.921               $23.30
December 31, 1992          $0.755               $19.88
December 31, 1991          $0.505               $17.96
December 31, 1990          $0.770               $15.63
December 29, 1989          $1.278               $17.26
December 30, 1988          $0.775               $14.69
January 4, 1988            $0.834               $12.07
March 9, 1987              $0.505               $12.71
<FN>


(a) Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and
are net of expenses. The net asset value of the Fund is reduced on the ex-dividend (payment) date by the
amount of the dividend paid. Of course, returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future
results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed
they may be worth more or less than their original cost. (b) From commencement of operations on March 3, 1986.
</TABLE>

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


                                        2


<PAGE>


WHAT WE DO

              We do what is described as bottom up research:
we read annual reports; we visit the competition; we talk to
customers; we go belly to belly with management.  We structure
our portfolio by picking stocks.

              In past reports, we have tried to articulate our     [GRAPHIC OF
investment philosophy and methodology.  The following graphic       TRIANGLE]
further illustrates the interplay among the four components of
our valuation approach.

              Our focus is on free cash flow; earnings before 
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) minus 
the capital expenditures necessary to grow the business. We believe free cash
flow is the best barometer of a business' value. Rising free cash flow often
foreshadows net earnings improvement. We also look at earnings per share trends.
Unlike Wall Street's ubiquitous earnings momentum players, we do not try to
forecast earnings with accounting precision and then trade stocks based on
quarterly expectations and realities. We simply try to position ourselves in
front of long-term earnings uptrends. In addition, we analyze on and off balance
sheet assets and liabilities such as plant and equipment, inventories,
receivables, and legal, environmental and health care issues. We want to know
everything and anything that will add to or detract from our private market
value (PMV) estimates. Finally, we look for a catalyst; something happening in
the company's industry or indigenous to the company itself that will surface
value. In the case of the independent telephone stocks, the catalyst is a
regulatory change. In the agricultural equipment business, it is the increasing
worldwide demand for American food and feed crops. In other instances, it may be
a change in management, sale or spin-off of a division or the development of a
profitable new business.

              Once we identify stocks that qualify as fundamental and conceptual
bargains, we then become patient investors. This has been a proven long-term
method for preserving and enhancing wealth in the U.S. equities market. At the
margin, our new investments are focused on businesses that are well managed and
will benefit from sustainable long-term economic dynamics. These include macro
trends, such as globalization of the market in filmed entertainment and
telecommunications, and micro trends, such as increased focus on productivity
enhancing goods and services.

COMMENTARY

THE ECONOMY AND THE STOCK MARKET

              In our year-end 1995 letter, we opined that modest economic
growth, decent corporate profits, low inflation, and higher long-term interest
rates would add up to a "decent, but much less inspiring stock market". With the
exception of the more than decent gains in equities in the first quarter, our
scenario appears to be on track. February's strong job report, while offset by
weaker than expected retail sales, still pointed to an economy that is moving
forward at a sustainable pace. Corporate profits are good, if not great, and
overall inflation remains subdued despite an anticipated (by us) increase in
food and fuel prices.


                                       3

<PAGE>

              Is this backdrop likely to continue? In the second half of 1996,
the effects of an election year will provide positive psychological
underpinnings to the consumer as candidates for both political parties paint a
rosy picture for the future of the U.S. But we believe the kindling inflationary
pressure on the economy will become more evident. Higher prices for agricultural
commodities, notably food crops and feed grains, along with the spike in fuel
prices added to spot shortages in other industrial commodities point to
inflation in the 3.5% range. Long-term interest rates are adjusting to this,
ultimately putting pressure on equities multiples. As October 1987 taught us,
stocks can only advance so far into a headwind of rising long-term interest
rates.

FINALLY, A TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILL

              The long awaited, comprehensive telecommunications bill is finally
a reality. While it is not quite the detailed architectural drawing investors
might have preferred, it is a reasonably good blueprint of the
telecommunications/media industry of tomorrow. While Wall Street is still
sorting out all of the ramifications of the bill, industry participants have
been quick to respond. US WEST Media Group's (UMG - $20.625 - NYSE) ten billion
dollar acquisition of closely held Continental Cablevision underscores the
viability of extending telephone franchises via cable telephony. That's probably
good news for other cable television operators like Comcast Corporation (CMCSA -
$17.375 - NASDAQ), Cablevision Systems Corporation (CVC - $57.50 - ASE), and
Time Warner Inc. (TWX - $40.875 - NYSE). AT&T Corp.'s (T - $61.25 - NYSE) second
break-up foreshadows head-to-head competition with Regional Bell Operating
Companies (RBOCs) in the local loop. It also gives investors the opportunity to
take advantage of a great fundamental bargain in the form of Lucent
Technologies, AT&T's telecommunications equipment business being spun-off to
shareholders. We believe a combination of RBOCs, NYNEX Corporation (NYN -
$49.875 - NYSE) and Bell Atlantic Corp. (BEL - $62.125 - NYSE) being the most
likely, will be a "back door" entry into long distance. With television
broadcast company "footprints" being enlarged from 25% to 35% as part of the
Telecommunications Bill, we expect merger and acquisition activity to
accelerate. Indeed, we benefited from the takeover of Citicasters Inc. (CITI -
$29.25 - NASDAQ) by Jacor Communications Inc. (JCOR - $19.50 - NASDAQ). We like
both the prospective buyers (Walt Disney Company (DIS - $63.875 - NYSE) and
Westinghouse Electric Corp. (WX - $19.25 - NYSE)) and sellers (Liberty
Corporation (LC - $33.00 - NYSE), Osborne Communications Corporation (OSBN -
$11.125 - NYSE) and LIN Television Corporation (LNTV - $35.25 - NASDAQ)) in that
industry.

SEE THE WORLD

              The rejuvenation of American industry, spawned by declining cost
of capital and enormous productivity gains, and the victory of global
capitalism, symbolized best by the crumbling of the Berlin Wall, are the
catalysts that positioned us to conquer new international economic frontiers.
With free market economies evolving in China and Eastern Europe, and rapidly
expanding middle classes in developing nations in Latin America and the Pacific
Rim, there will be 2.5 to 3 billion new consumers by the turn of the century.
How are these new consumers going to spend their money? If the past is a
prologue to the future -- and we can learn something by looking back at the
economic evolution of the great American middle-class -- they will: upgrade or,
perhaps more accurately, diversify their diets; buy communications services, if
made available; spend money on entertainment; and travel. American companies
will be instrumental in satisfying the needs and wants of this emerging
international middle-class.


                                       4

<PAGE>

              Let's start in agriculturally state-of-the-art Iowa. The American
grain farmer is the most productive in the world. If chicken and pork
consumption in China were to increase by one ounce per capita, and Iowa were to
provide all the grain used to fatten these Chinese chickens and hogs, on a gross
national product basis, it would rank among the richest countries in the world.
This hypothetical statistical analogy calls attention to the tremendous upside
potential for the American grain farmer and vendors to the farmer. Agricultural
equipment manufacturers like Deere & Company (DE - $41.75 - NYSE), and grain
transporters and processors like Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. (ADM - $18.375 -
NYSE) should profit handsomely as the American farmer helps put more meat on
tables across the globe.

              What else will these new consumers spring for? Telephone calls to
friends and family. To compete on the global economic stage and to attract
foreign capital, developing countries need modern telecommunications systems.
Who will build and service them? AT&T and Northern Telecom Limited (NT - $47.75
- - NYSE) will play a big role in wiring the world. AirTouch Communications Inc.
(ATI - $31.125 - NYSE), which has done a terrific job winning joint venture
cellular telephone franchises on technical merit throughout Europe, will expand
into the Pacific Rim and Latin America. Motorola, Inc. (MOT - $53.00 - NYSE)
will build millions of handsets for new international wireless customers. Cable
& Wireless plc (CWP - $24.125 - NYSE) (51% owners of Hong Kong Telephone) will
be a gateway to China.

              There is simply no place you can go in the world without American
filmed entertainment being a theatrical, cable television and broadcast staple.
The same goes for American music. As distribution channels for entertainment
software products expand both here (via the convergence of the computer,
telephone, and cable television industries) and overseas (the number of
satellite dishes in India has gone from 400,000 to 15 million in the last five
years), the value of entertainment software will continue to increase. Who wins?
Time Warner, Viacom Inc. (VIA - $41.00 - ASE, VIA'B - $42.125 - ASE), Seagram
Company Ltd. (VO - $32.375 - NYSE) (the new owner of MCA), and
Tele-Communications, Inc./Liberty Media Group (LBTYA - $26.375 - NASDAQ)
(Tele-Communications, Inc.'s (TCOMA - $18.5625 - NASDAQ) collection of
entertainment software and cable network investments).

              Finally, the new international middle-class will be taking to the
friendly skies. Over the next five years, you might profit by investing in
international airline stocks. However, it will be less complicated and perhaps
just as lucrative investing in Boeing Co. (BA - $86.625 - NYSE), which will
build the foreign fleets to accommodate increasing air travel. Industry studies
indicate that in the next ten years, 7,000 new aircraft will be built. Boeing
will get the lion's share of these orders. Vendors to Boeing like Precision
Castparts Corp. (PCP - $40.00 - NYSE), SPS Technologies, Inc. (ST - $55.625 -
NYSE), AMETEK, Inc. (AME - $17.625 - NYSE) and Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW -
$52.00 - NYSE) will also do quite well.

LET'S TALK STOCKS

              The following are stock specifics on selected holdings of our
Fund's investments. Favorable EBITDA prospects do not necessarily translate into
higher stock prices, but they do express a positive trend which we believe will
develop over time.

              American Express Company (AXP - $49.375 - NYSE), founded in 1850,
is a diversified travel and financial services company operating in 160
countries around the world. The company is best known for


                                       5

<PAGE>

its American Express charge card and travel-related services. Another important
operation is Minneapolis-based American Express Financial Advisors, Inc.
(formerly IDS Financial Services) which sells financial products ranging from
mutual funds to annuities. Harvey Golub, Chairman and CEO, has refocused AXP on
its core "green" charge card and investment management businesses. The company
has significantly expanded the range of merchants who welcome its cards.
Management's objective is virtual parity with bankcard networks. An electronic
interactive service was introduced last year that enables cardmembers to make
travel arrangements, check the status of their accounts, pay their bills and
purchase catalogue merchandise. We believe the company has been repositioned to
enjoy double-digit earnings growth over the balance of this decade

Chris-craft Industries, Inc. (CCN - $41.75 - NYSE), through its 74% ownership 
of BHC Communications, Inc. is primarily a             ----------------------  
television broadcaster. BHC owns and operates          Chris-Craft Industries  
independent TV stations in Los Angeles (KCOP) and      ----------------------  
Portland (KPTV). BHC also controls over 50% of                                 
United Television, Inc., which operates an NBC              74%                
affiliate, an ABC affiliate and three independent                              
stations. BHC has entered into a partnership           ----------------------  
agreement with Paramount Communications, Inc. to         BHC Communications
launch a new fifth television network called           ----------------------  
United Paramount Television Network (UPN). CCN,                                
with over $1.5 billion in cash and marketable               56%                
securities, is strongly positioned to expand its       
operations. CCN is the eighth-largest TV station       ----------------------
group owner in the U.S. and covers almost 20% of          United Television
TV households.                                         ----------------------

Deere & Company (DE - $41.75 - NYSE) is a leading manufacturer of farm equipment
including tractors, planting, harvesting and crop handling equipment. With corn,
soybeans and wheat selling at or near record levels, farm incomes in 1996 should
show substantial increases. In addition, greater overseas demand for U.S. wheat
should further boost farm income. With raw material costs under control, Deere's
near-term earnings should be impressive. Long-term prospects for farm equipment
manufacturers like Deere are enhanced as standards of living improve overseas,
in countries such as China, as evidenced by increased consumption of chicken and
pork

General Electric Company (GE - $77.875 - NYSE), having an equity market
valuation of $130 billion, is the largest U.S. company. Earlier this year, GE
passed Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation to become the world's largest
industrial company as well. Operating segments include aircraft engines,
appliances, broadcasting (NBC), industrial products, plastic materials, power
generating turbines and a hugely successful financial services business. Under
Jack Welch's prodding, GE has recorded a series of impressive earnings gains
which are anticipated to continue into the next century.

Hilton Hotels Corporation (HLT - $94.00 - NYSE) is a major lodging and gaming
company. Throughout the United States, Hilton owns and manages approximately 23
hotels, manages 40 hotels owned by others and franchises the Hilton name to
hotel operators for 160 properties. Hilton's hotels include the Waldorf-Astoria
(New York) (owned), the Beverly Hilton (Los Angeles) (franchise), the Chicago
Hilton (franchise) and a 50% interest in Hilton Hawaiian Village. HLT's
international hotel business is operated under the Conrad name. (Hotels bearing
the "Hilton" name outside the U.S. are properties of the British


                                       6


<PAGE>

company Ladbroke Group, PLC.) HLT operates gaming properties, primarily in
Nevada, including the Flamingo and the Las Vegas Hilton, two casino-hotels in
Reno and one in Laughlin. HLT's Nevada properties have over 11,000 rooms and
364,000 square feet of gaming space. Steve Bollenbach's joining the company has
sparked renewed interest in HLT as an emerging global growth company.

Pittway Corporation (PRY - $50.00 - ASE) has undergone significant changes over
the past few years, selling or spinning off businesses representing half its
sales volume and over 60% of its income. The company has two remaining core
businesses: manufacturing and distributing professional burglar and fire alarm
equipment, and publishing trade magazines and directories. Its Ademco Security
Group, approximately 75% of revenues, is growing rapidly. Penton Publishing
appears to be emerging from three years of difficult operating conditions, as
operating margins are now showing improvement. Pittway is also involved in real
estate and other promising ventures, including a 37% interest in Cylink (Pittway
owns 8.9 million shares), a leading manufacturer of encryption equipment, and a
4.5% equity interest in U.S. Satellite Broadcasting (Pittway owns 4.2 million
shares), a direct-to-the-home (DTH) satellite broadcast company.

Ralston Purina Group (RAL - $66.875 - NYSE), based in St. Louis, Missouri, is a
holding company for four separate business units: pet products (Ralston Purina,
the world's largest pet food producer), battery products (Eveready Battery, a
global leader in supplying portable power), soy protein products (Protein
Technologies International, a supplier of soy protein and fiber food
ingredients), and agricultural products (Ralston Purina International, a
worldwide supplier of formula animal feed). All are strong, stable, free cash
flow generators with leading market shares, either #1 or #2, in their respective
fields. By spinning off Ralcorp in April 1994 and selling Continental Banking
Corp. in July 1995, management demonstrated its focus on increasing shareholder
value. The company's shares trade at a greater than 20% discount to their
estimated 1996 PMV of almost $85, which we expect to increase to $130 per share
by the year 2000.

Tele-communications, Inc. (TCOMA - $18.5625 - NASDAQ), the largest cable TV
operator in the U.S., serving about 14 million subscribers, is guided by Dr.
John C. Malone - one of the most shareholder sensitive managers we have found.
Given that regulation has historically played a major role in the valuation of
cable properties, we believe that the recent passage of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996, combined with the current deregulatory climate in Congress, could
prove to be a significant catalyst for cable stocks. Strategically, TCOMA is a
well-positioned industry leader, from its telephony joint-venture with Sprint to
its innovative Internet access business, dubbed @ Home, to its 80% ownership of
Tele-Communications International.

Time Warner Inc. (TWX - $40.875 - NYSE), in a bold and brilliant tactic,
announced that it will acquire Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc. for $7.5
billion. The acquisition would make TWX the largest diversified media and
publishing company in the world, adding a wealth of programming to a company
already rich in entertainment content. Time Warner is restructuring into two
general areas: copyright and creativity, which includes publishing, music and
filmed entertainment, and distribution, which is mostly cable. Under the aegis
of Gerald M. Levin, investors can expect significant returns over the rest of
the decade.


                                       7


<PAGE>

Viacom Inc. (VIA - $41.00 - ASE; VIA'B - $42.125 - ASE), long a major provider
of entertainment "content", has evolved into one of the world's dominant media
companies. Following its recent acquisitions of Paramount Communications and
Blockbuster Entertainment, the company is now selling non-core assets to reduce
debt and is focusing on the global expansion of its media franchises. Viacom is
well-positioned in music (notably MTV) and cable networks such as Nickelodeon,
USA (50% interest) and the Sci-Fi Channel.

MINIMUM INITIAL INVESTMENT - $1,000

              The Fund's minimum initial investment for both regular and
retirement accounts is $1,000. There are no subsequent investment minimums. No
initial minimum is required for those establishing an Automatic Investment Plan.

GABELLI U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND

              Shareholders of any of the Gabelli Funds may invest in The Gabelli
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund with an initial investment of $3,000 or more.
The Fund provides checkwriting and exchange privileges. The Fund's expenses are
capped at .30% of average net assets, making it one of the most attractive U.S.
Treasury-only money market funds. With dividends that are exempt from state and
local income taxes in all states, the Fund is an excellent vehicle in which to
store idle cash. An investment in The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund is
neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. There can be no assurance
that the Fund will maintain a stable $1 per share net asset value. Call us at
1-800-GABELLI (1-800-422-3554) for a prospectus which gives a more complete
description of the Fund, including management fees and expenses. Read it
carefully before you invest or send money.

INTERNET

              You can now visit us on the Internet. Our home page at
http://www.gabelli.com contains information about Gabelli Funds, Inc., the
Gabelli Mutual Funds, quarterly reports, closing prices, IRAs, 401(k)s and other
current news. You can also send us e-mail at [email protected].

IN CONCLUSION

              As investors entrusted with preserving and enhancing the value of
your assets, we react with mixed emotions to rapidly rising equities markets.
While we enjoy the tailwind provided by investor euphoria, we worry about what
will happen when the party winds down. Sooner or later, however, this historic
bull market will loose steam, either with a real correction/bear market, or more
likely and preferably, an extended period of returns in line with earnings
gains. In a more historical market environment, our conservative value oriented
approach to equities investing should demonstrate its virtues on an absolute and
relative basis.


                                       8


<PAGE>

              The Fund's daily net asset value is available in the financial
press and each evening after 6:00 PM (Eastern Time) by calling 1-800-GABELLI
(1-800-422-3554). The Fund's NASDAQ symbol is GABAX. Please call us during the
day for further information.

              We thank you for your confidence in our investing abilities and
wish you a productive and financially rewarding 1996.

                                       Sincerely,


                                       /s/ Mario J. Gabelli
                                       -----------------------------
                                       MARIO J. GABELLI, CFA
                                       Portfolio Manager and  
                                       Chief Investment Officer

April 19, 1996





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

                                TOP TEN HOLDINGS
                                 MARCH 31, 1996
                                 --------------

        Time Warner Inc.                        Deere & Company          
        American Express Company                Ralston Purina Group     
        Pittway Corporation                     Viacom Inc.              
        Chris-Craft Industries, Inc.            Hilton Hotels Corporation
        General Electric Company                American Brands, Inc.    

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




NOTE: The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio manager,
only through the end of the period of this report as stated on the cover. The
manager's views are subject to change at any time based on market and other
conditions.


                                       9



<PAGE>
 

<TABLE>
THE GABELLI ASSET FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- MARCH 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
- ---------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                MARKET
   SHARES                                      VALUE (c)
  -------                                     -----------
  <S>       <C>                               <C>
            COMMON STOCKS -- 92.3%

            AGRICULTURE -- 0.1%
   80,000   Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. ...    $ 1,470,000
                                              -----------
            AIRLINES -- 1.0%
  125,000   AMR Corporation +.............     11,187,500
                                              -----------
            AUTOMOTIVE -- 1.4%
  285,000   General Motors Corporation....     15,176,250
   24,000   Harley Davidson, Inc. ........        933,000
                                              -----------
                                               16,109,250
                                              -----------

            AUTOMOTIVE: PARTS AND ACCESSORIES -- 4.8%
   33,500   APS Holding Corporation, Class
              A +.........................        577,875
   30,000   Borg-Warner Automotive,
              Inc. .......................        997,500
  200,000   Echlin Inc. ..................      7,250,000
  150,000   Federal-Mogul Corporation.....      2,793,750
  675,000   GenCorp Inc. .................      8,437,500
  245,000   Genuine Parts Company.........     11,025,000
  205,000   Handy & Harman................      3,356,875
  105,000   Johnson Controls, Inc. .......      7,835,625
  135,000   Modine Manufacturing
              Company.....................      3,577,500
   39,875   Myers Industries, Inc. .......        672,891
  170,000   Quaker State Corporation......      2,380,000
   40,000   Republic Automotive Parts,
              Inc. +......................        610,000
  115,000   Standard Motor Products, 
              Inc. .......................      1,840,000
   13,200   Superior Industries
              International, Inc. ........        330,000
  105,000   UAP Inc., Class A.............      1,136,358
   51,000   Wynn's International, Inc. ...      1,198,500
                                              -----------
                                               54,019,374
                                              -----------

            AVIATION: PARTS AND SERVICES -- 2.1%
   75,000   Boeing Co. ...................      6,496,875
   75,000   Coltec Industries Inc. +......        909,375
  100,000   Curtiss-Wright Corporation....      5,200,000
   85,000   General Motors Corporation,
              Class H.....................      5,376,250
   60,000   Hi-Shear Industries Inc. +....        382,500
   23,700   Hudson General Corporation....      1,027,988
  120,000   Precision Castparts Corp. ....      4,800,000
                                              -----------
                                               24,192,988
                                              -----------

            BROADCASTING -- 4.5%
    3,000   BHC Communications, Inc.,
              Class A.....................        280,500
  397,206   Chris-Craft Industries,
              Inc. .......................     16,583,355
   65,560   Chris-Craft Industries, Inc.,
              Class B (a).................      2,737,152
  135,000   Citicasters Inc. .............      3,948,750
  300,000   Grupo Televisa S.A., GDR +....      7,462,500
  150,000   Havas, Sponsored ADR..........      3,225,000
   70,000   Liberty Corporation...........      2,310,000
   53,000   LIN Television Corporation +..      1,868,250
 
<CAPTION>
                                                MARKET
   SHARES                                      VALUE (c)
  -------                                     -----------
  <S>       <C>                               <C>
   18,000   Osborn Communications
              Corporation +...............    $   200,250
   30,000   Paxson Communications
              Corporation, Class A +......        480,000
  420,000   Television Broadcasting Ltd.
              ORD.........................      1,544,996
  100,000   United Television, Inc. ......      8,875,000
   83,000   Westinghouse Electric
              Corp. ......................      1,597,750
                                              -----------
                                               51,113,503
                                              -----------

            BUSINESS SERVICES -- 1.9%
   18,000   BBN Corporation +.............        456,750
   50,000   Berlitz International, Inc.,
              New +.......................        812,500
   80,000   Honeywell, Inc. ..............      4,420,000
  120,000   International Business
              Machines Corporation........     13,335,000
   71,000   Landauer, Inc. ...............      1,464,375
   70,000   Nashua Corporation............        901,250
                                              -----------
                                               21,389,875
                                              -----------

            CABLE -- 3.5%
   60,000   BET Holdings, Inc., 
              Class A +...................      1,672,500
   70,000   Cablevision Systems
              Corporation, Class A +......      4,025,000
   60,000   Comcast Corporation, Class
              A...........................      1,042,500
   30,000   Comcast Corporation, Class A
              Special.....................        530,625
  396,000   International Family
              Entertainment, Inc., 
              Class B +...................      6,682,500
   20,000   Shaw Cable Systems Ltd., 
              Class B, Conv. .............        137,559
   40,000   Shaw Communications Inc.,
              Class B, Conv. .............        275,118
  820,000   Tele-Communications, Inc.,
              Class A +...................     15,221,250
  287,500   Tele-Communications,
              Inc./Liberty Media Group,
              Class A +...................      7,582,813
   60,000   United International Holdings,
              Inc., Class A +.............        960,000
   50,000   US WEST Media Group +.........      1,031,250
                                              -----------
                                               39,161,115
                                              -----------
            CLOSED-END FUNDS -- 0.1%
   79,628   Royce Value Trust, Inc. ......        975,443
                                              -----------
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS -- 9.2%
  380,000   American Brands, Inc. ........     16,102,500
  400,000   Carter-Wallace, Inc. .........      6,550,000
  200,000   Church & Dwight Co., Inc. ....      4,175,000
   10,000   Culbro Corporation +..........        613,750
   22,000   Duracell International
              Inc. .......................      1,091,750
   92,000   Eastman Kodak Company.........      6,532,000
  150,000   Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc. +.....      3,112,500
   78,000   First Brands Corporation......      2,184,000
  240,000   General Electric Company......     18,690,000
</TABLE>
 
                                       10

<PAGE>
 

<TABLE>
THE GABELLI ASSET FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) -- MARCH 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                MARKET
   SHARES                                      VALUE (c)
  -------                                    ------------
  <S>       <C>                              <C>
            COMMON STOCKS (CONTINUED)
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS (CONTINUED)
   53,000   Gillette Company..............   $  2,742,750
   20,000   Libbey Inc. ..................        437,500
   35,000   Outboard Marine Corp. ........        669,375
   35,000   Philips Electronics N.V., New
              York........................      1,273,125
   60,000   Procter & Gamble Company......      5,085,000
  252,000   Ralston Purina Group..........     16,852,500
   90,000   Scotts Company, Class A +.....      1,597,500
  100,000   Syratech Corporation +........      2,575,000
  125,000   Tambrands Inc. ...............      5,843,750
  320,000   Whitman Corporation...........      7,760,000
                                             ------------
                                              103,888,000
                                             ------------

            CONSUMER SERVICES -- 0.4%
  180,000   Rollins, Inc. ................      4,207,500
                                             ------------

            DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIAL -- 3.0%
   15,000   Anixter International 
              Inc. +......................        253,125
   50,000   GATX Corporation..............      2,300,000
  160,000   ITT Industries Inc. ..........      4,080,000
  150,000   Katy Industries, Inc. ........      2,043,750
    6,500   Kyocera Corporation, ADR......        874,250
  385,000   Lamson & Sessions Co. +.......      3,561,250
  100,000   Lawter International, Inc. ...      1,087,500
  115,000   Minnesota Mining and
              Manufacturing Company.......      7,460,625
   80,000   National Service Industries,
              Inc. .......................      2,900,000
   20,000   Tenneco Inc. .................      1,117,500
   60,000   Thomas Industries Inc. .......      1,260,000
  200,000   Trinity Industries, Inc. .....      6,975,000
                                             ------------
                                               33,913,000
                                             ------------

            ELECTRONICS -- 0.1%
    2,000   Hitachi, Ltd., ADR............        195,250
   10,000   Sony Corporation..............        607,500
                                             ------------
                                                  802,750
                                             ------------

            ENERGY -- 3.4%
   55,000   Atlantic Richfield Company....      6,545,000
   35,000   British Petroleum Company
              plc, ADR....................      3,718,750
  120,000   Burlington Resources Inc. ....      4,455,000
   30,000   Chevron Corporation...........      1,683,750
  170,000   Eastern Enterprises...........      6,035,000
   60,000   Enron Oil & Gas Company.......      1,582,500
  105,000   Exxon Corporation.............      8,570,625
   20,000   Halliburton Company...........      1,137,500
  100,000   Kaneb Services, Inc. +........        250,000
 
<CAPTION>
                                                MARKET
   SHARES                                      VALUE (c)
  -------                                    ------------
  <S>       <C>                              <C>
   45,000   PacifiCorp....................   $    939,375
   80,000   Southwest Gas Corporation.....      1,380,000
   30,000   Texaco Inc. ..................      2,580,000
                                             ------------
                                               38,877,500
                                             ------------

            ENTERTAINMENT -- 5.6%
   55,000   Bay Meadows Operating
              Company.....................        811,250
  195,675   Gaylord Entertainment 
              Company, Class A............      5,283,225
   80,000   GC Companies, Inc. +..........      3,040,000
   40,000   GTECH Holdings Corporation
              +...........................      1,240,000
   20,000   PolyGram NV...................      1,205,000
   32,000   Santa Anita Realty
              Enterprises, Inc. ..........        488,000
  110,000   THORN EMI plc, Sponsored
              ADR.........................      2,809,400
  700,000   Time Warner Inc. .............     28,612,500
   11,528   Todd-AO Corporation, 
              Class A.....................        158,510
  120,000   Viacom Inc., Class A +........      4,920,000
  210,000   Viacom Inc., Class B +........      8,846,250
   91,438   Walt Disney Company...........      5,840,602
                                             ------------
                                               63,254,737
                                             ------------

            FINANCIAL SERVICES -- 5.9%
        1   Al-Zar Ltd. + (a).............            350
  570,000   American Express Company......     28,143,750
      220   Berkshire Hathaway Inc. +.....      7,447,000
   35,000   Commerzbank AG,
              Sponsored ADR...............      1,618,750
  140,000   Deutsche Bank AG, Sponsored
              ADR.........................      7,192,500
   60,000   H&R Block Inc. ...............      2,167,500
   70,000   KeyCorp.......................      2,703,750
  290,000   Lehman Brothers Holdings
              Inc. .......................      7,757,500
   85,200   Midland Company...............      4,185,450
   65,000   Salomon Inc. .................      2,437,500
   25,000   State Street Boston
              Corporation.................      1,250,000
   10,000   SunTrust Banks, Inc. .........        700,000
   11,941   Transamerica Corporation......        894,082
    8,000   Value Line, Inc. .............        280,000
                                             ------------
                                               66,778,132
                                             ------------
            FOOD AND BEVERAGE -- 6.3%
   71,000   Brown-Forman Corporation,
              Class A.....................      2,857,750
   60,000   Campbell Soup Company.........      3,652,500
   74,263   Chock Full o'Nuts
              Corporation.................        371,315
   23,000   Coca-Cola Company.............      1,900,375
   25,000   Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. ...        771,875
   17,000   CPC International Inc. .......      1,179,375
   47,000   Delchamps, Inc. ..............        998,750
</TABLE>
 
                                       11

<PAGE>
 

<TABLE>
THE GABELLI ASSET FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) -- MARCH 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                MARKET
   SHARES                                      VALUE (c)
  -------                                    ------------
  <S>       <C>                              <C>
            COMMON STOCKS (CONTINUED)

            FOOD AND BEVERAGE (CONTINUED)
  100,000   Dole Food Company, Inc. ......   $  3,850,000
    4,500   Farmer Brothers Company.......        598,500
   62,500   General Mills, Inc. ..........      3,648,437
   37,500   Heinz Company (H.J.)..........      1,242,187
   35,000   Hershey Foods Corporation.....      2,607,500
   84,000   Kellogg Company...............      6,363,000
   25,000   LVHM Moet Hennessy Louis
              Vuitton, Sponsored ADR......      1,256,250
  220,000   PepsiCo, Inc. ................     13,915,000
  210,000   Quaker Oats Company...........      7,008,750
   65,000   Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. +......      1,665,625
   20,000   Rykoff-Sexton, Inc. ..........        317,500
  280,000   Seagram Company Ltd. .........      9,065,000
   41,140   Tootsie Roll Industries,
              Inc. .......................      1,501,610
  120,000   Wrigley (Wm.) Jr. Company.....      7,035,000
                                             ------------
                                               71,806,299
                                             ------------

            HEALTH CARE -- 3.1%
   15,000   Amgen Inc. +..................        871,875
   10,000   Biogen, Inc. +................        595,000
   20,000   BioWhittaker, Inc. +..........        162,500
   12,000   Chiron Corporation +..........      1,179,000
  100,000   Genentech, Inc. +.............      5,262,500
  125,000   Johnson & Johnson.............     11,531,250
   70,000   Mallinckrodt Group, Inc. .....      2,633,750
   89,999   Merck & Co., Inc. ............      5,602,438
  100,000   Pfizer Inc. ..................      6,700,000
                                             ------------
                                               34,538,313
                                             ------------

            HOTELS/CASINOS -- 2.6%
   40,000   Circus Circus Enterprises,
              Inc. +......................      1,345,000
   16,000   Harrah's Entertainment 
              Inc. +......................        470,000
  172,000   Hilton Hotels Corporation.....     16,168,000
  100,000   ITT Corporation, New +........      6,000,000
  200,000   Ladbroke Group plc............        593,731
  110,000   Mirage Resorts, 
              Incorporated +..............      4,826,250
                                             ------------
                                               29,402,981
                                             ------------

            INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES -- 13.2%
  347,000   AMETEK, Inc. .................      6,115,875
   50,000   AMP Incorporated..............      2,068,750
   25,000   Amphenol Corporation, 
              Class A +...................        584,375
  226,000   AptarGroup, Inc. .............      9,379,000
   64,000   Caterpillar Inc. .............      4,352,000
   65,000   CLARCOR Inc. .................      1,413,750
 
<CAPTION>
                                                MARKET
   SHARES                                      VALUE (c)
  ---------                                  ------------
  <S>       <C>                              <C>
  150,000   Crane Co. ....................   $  6,056,250
  100,000   CTS Corporation...............      3,837,500
  430,000   Deere & Company...............     17,952,500
  249,300   Donaldson Company, Inc. ......      6,855,750
  150,000   Gerber Scientific, Inc. ......      2,250,000
  140,000   Greif Bros. Corporation, 
              Class A.....................      4,095,000
  132,500   Guardsman Products, Inc. .....      3,030,937
   12,546   Hach Company..................        207,009
  354,000   IDEX Corporation..............     13,761,750
   80,000   Ingersoll-Rand Company........      3,260,000
  200,000   Kollmorgen Corporation........      2,350,000
   95,000   Lufkin Industries, Inc. ......      1,733,750
   60,000   Manitowoc Company, Inc. ......      1,890,000
  250,000   Mark IV Industries, Inc. .....      5,500,000
  255,000   Navistar International
              Corporation +...............      2,645,625
  165,000   Nortek, Inc. +................      2,000,625
    4,333   Nortek, Inc., Special 
              Common + (a)................         47,663
   10,000   PACCAR Inc. ..................        487,500
  120,000   Pittway Corporation...........      6,000,000
  272,000   Pittway Corporation, 
              Class A.....................     13,464,000
   50,000   Sequa Corporation, 
              Class A +...................      1,706,250
   80,200   Sequa Corporation, 
              Class B +...................      3,288,200
   80,000   SPS Technologies, Inc. +......      4,450,000
  134,000   St. Joe Paper Company.........      7,738,500
  100,000   TransPro Inc. ................        812,500
   20,000   Valmont Industries, Inc. .....        600,000
  217,000   Varity Corporation, New +.....      9,385,250
                                             ------------
                                              149,320,309
                                             ------------

            METALS AND MINING -- 0.9%
   34,350   Barrick Gold Corporation......      1,043,381
   75,000   Echo Bay Mines Ltd. ..........      1,012,500
   45,000   Homestake Mining Company......        871,875
  100,000   Horsham Corporation...........      1,462,500
   33,000   Newmont Gold Company..........      1,852,125
  160,000   Pegasus Gold Inc. +...........      2,340,000
   17,500   Placer Dome Inc. .............        505,313
  180,000   Royal Oak Mines Inc. +........        753,750
                                             ------------
                                                9,841,444
                                             ------------

            PUBLISHING -- 3.2%
   75,000   American Media Inc. +.........        271,875
    8,000   Central Newspapers, Inc. .....        285,000
    5,000   E.W. Scripps Company, 
              Class A.....................        209,375
   32,000   McClatchy Newspapers, Inc.,
              Class A.....................        764,000
   78,000   McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ..      6,766,500
  385,000   Media General, Inc., 
              Class A.....................     14,918,750
</TABLE>
 
                                       12

<PAGE>
 

<TABLE>
THE GABELLI ASSET FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) -- MARCH 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                MARKET
   SHARES                                      VALUE (c)
  -------                                    ------------
  <S>       <C>                              <C>
            COMMON STOCKS (CONTINUED)

            PUBLISHING (CONTINUED)
   30,000   Meredith Corporation..........   $  1,237,500
  149,993   New York Times Company,
              Class A.....................      4,349,797
   15,000   News Corporation Limited,
              ADS.........................        345,000
   84,000   Reader's Digest Association,
              Inc., Class B...............      3,622,500
  304,500   Western Publishing Group, 
              Inc. +......................      3,006,938
                                             ------------
                                               35,777,235
                                             ------------

            REAL ESTATE -- 0.2%
   30,000   Castle & Cooke Inc. +.........        491,250
  240,000   Catellus Development
              Corporation +...............      1,860,000
                                             ------------
                                                2,351,250
                                             ------------

            RETAIL -- 1.8%
   20,000   Aaron Rents, Inc., Class A....        435,000
   13,000   Aaron Rents, Inc., Class B....        269,750
  150,000   Burlington Coat Factory
              Warehouse Corporation +.....      1,762,500
  125,000   Earl Scheib, Inc. +...........        945,313
   50,000   Fingerhut Companies, Inc. ....        643,750
   70,000   Lillian Vernon Corporation....        953,750
  675,000   Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. +...     15,018,750
                                             ------------
                                               20,028,813
                                             ------------

            RETAIL: FOOD AND DRUG -- 0.6%
   25,000   Albertson's, Inc. ............        928,125
  115,000   American Stores Company.......      3,795,000
   50,000   Kroger Co. +..................      2,025,000
   10,000   Smith's Food & Drug Centers
              Inc., Class B...............        240,000
                                             ------------
                                                6,988,125
                                             ------------

            SPECIALTY CHEMICAL -- 0.9%
   50,000   E.I. du Pont de Nemours and
              Company.....................      4,150,000
  215,000   Ferro Corporation.............      6,100,625
                                             ------------
                                               10,250,625
                                             ------------

            TELECOMMUNICATIONS -- 9.1%
  185,000   AT&T Corp. ...................     11,331,250
  100,000   BC TELECOM Inc. ..............      1,861,634
  295,000   BCE Inc. .....................     10,435,625
   22,500   BellSouth Corporation.........        832,500
   15,000   British Telecommunications
              plc, Sponsored ADR..........        847,500
 
<CAPTION>
                                                MARKET
   SHARES                                      VALUE (c)
  -------                                    ------------
  <S>       <C>                              <C>
  100,000   Cable & Wireless plc,
              Sponsored ADR...............   $  2,412,500
  275,000   C-TEC Corporation +...........     10,243,750
   46,500   C-TEC Corporation, 
              Class B +...................      1,708,875
   55,000   Frontier Corporation..........      1,732,500
  280,000   GTE Corporation...............     12,285,000
   35,000   Hong Kong Telecommunications
              Ltd., Sponsored ADR.........        700,000
   60,000   Koninklijke PTT Nederland
              (KPN), ADR +................      2,370,000
  120,000   Lincoln Telecommunications
              Company.....................      2,310,000
   60,000   Motorola, Inc. ...............      3,180,000
   25,000   Northern Telecom Limited......      1,193,750
   62,000   NYNEX Corporation.............      3,092,250
   50,000   Pacific Telesis Group Inc. ...      1,381,250
  100,000   SBC Communications Inc. ......      5,262,500
   28,000   Southern New England
              Telecommunications
              Corporation.................      1,127,000
  335,000   Sprint Corporation............     12,730,000
  215,000   STET - Societa Finanziaria
              Telefonica SpA, Sponsored
              ADR.........................      5,993,125
1,500,000   Telecom Italia SpA, ORD.......      2,377,391
  110,000   Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras
              SA (Telebras), Sponsored
              ADR.........................      5,472,500
1,521,945   Telecomunicacoes de Sao Paulo
              SA (Telesp) +...............        258,832
   16,000   Telefonica de Espana,
              Sponsored ADR...............        760,000
   18,000   Telefonos De Mexico SA,
              Sponsored ADR...............        591,750
   30,000   US WEST Communications
              Group.......................        971,250
                                             ------------
                                              103,462,732
                                             ------------

            TRANSPORTATION -- 0.1%
   12,500   Florida East Coast 
              Industries, Inc. ...........      1,092,187
                                             ------------

            WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS -- 3.3%
  215,000   AirTouch Communications Inc.
              +...........................      6,691,875
  120,000   Allen Group Inc. .............      2,325,000
   18,500   Associated Group, Inc., Class
              A +.........................        356,125
   18,500   Associated Group, Inc., Class
              B +.........................        353,813
  260,000   Century Telephone 
              Enterprises, Inc. ..........      8,255,000
  140,000   COMSAT Corporation, Series
              1...........................      3,272,500
   80,000   NEXTEL Communications, Inc.,
              Class A +...................      1,510,000
2,500,000   Telecom Italia Mobile SpA +...      4,544,309
  140,000   Telephone and Data Systems,
              Inc. .......................      6,475,000
</TABLE>
 
                                       13

<PAGE>
 

<TABLE>
THE GABELLI ASSET FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) -- MARCH 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                  MARKET
 SHARES                                         VALUE (c)
- ---------                                     --------------
<C>         <S>                               <C>
            COMMON STOCKS (CONTINUED)

            WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS (CONTINUED)
  126,667   360() Communications 
              Company +...................    $    3,024,167
                                              --------------
                                                  36,807,789
                                              --------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS.......................     1,043,008,769
                                              --------------

            PREFERRED STOCKS -- 0.5%
            CONSUMER PRODUCTS -- 0.2%
   45,000   Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc.,
              Series A, 6.00%, Conv. Pfd.,
              144A(d).....................         2,070,000
    2,000   Kerr Group, Inc., Class B,
              Series D, $1.70, Cumulative
              Conv. Pfd. .................            35,750
                                              --------------
                                                   2,105,750
                                              --------------

            INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES -- 0.1%
   20,000   Sequa Corporation, $5.00,
              Cumulative Conv. Pfd. ......         1,330,000
                                              --------------
            METALS AND MINING -- 0.0%
   10,000   Freeport-McMoRan Inc.,
              Depository Shares, 7.00%
              Cumulative Conv. Pfd. ......           280,000
                                              --------------

            TELECOMMUNICATIONS -- 0.2%
   35,000   Globalstar 
              Telecommunications,
              6.50%, Conv. Pfd.,
              144A(d).....................         1,855,000
   15,000   Sprint Corporation, 8.25%,
              Conv. Pfd...................           581,250
                                              --------------
                                                   2,436,250
                                              --------------
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS....................         6,152,000
                                              --------------

<CAPTION>
  PRINCIPAL                                       MARKET
   AMOUNT                                        VALUE (c)
- -----------                                   --------------
<C>           <S>                             <C>
              CORPORATE BONDS -- 0.3%

              AUTOMOTIVE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES -- 0.1%
$   400,000   GenCorp Inc., Conv. Sub.
                Deb., 8.00% due
                08/01/2002.................   $      398,000
                                              --------------

              BROADCASTING -- 0.0%
FRF 593,750   Havas, Conv. Bond,
                Payment-in-kind, 3.00% due
                12/31/1997.................          145,494
                                              --------------

              ENTERTAINMENT -- 0.2%
$ 2,700,000   Viacom Inc., Ex. Sub. Deb.,
                8.00% due 07/07/2006.......        2,592,000
                                              --------------
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS......................        3,135,494
                                              --------------

              U.S. TREASURY BILLS -- 6.5%
 73,819,000   4.67% to 5.25% ++ due
                04/04/1996 - 05/09/1996....       73,601,518
                                              --------------

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
  (COST $751,198,466)(b)............. 99.6%    1,125,897,781
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (NET)...   0.4        4,565,550
                                      -----   --------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO 41,197,930
  SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
  OUTSTANDING........................ 100.0%  $1,130,463,331
                                      =====   ==============
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING AND
  REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE.........         $        27.44
                                              ==============
<FN>
 
- ---------------
 
(a)  Security fair valued by the Board of Trustees.

(b)  Aggregate cost for Federal tax purposes was $751,937,798. Net unrealized 
     appreciation for Federal tax purposes was $373,959,983 (gross unrealized 
     appreciation was $384,556,452 and gross unrealized depreciation was 
     $10,596,469).

(c)  Securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last
     sale price as of the close of business on the day the securities are being
     valued. Securities for which no sale was reported on that day and over-
     the-counter securities are valued at the mean between the last reported 
     bid and asked prices. U.S. Government obligations and other debt 
     instruments with 60 days or less to maturity are valued at amortized cost 
     which approximates market value.  Short-term investments with greater than
     60 days to maturity are valued at the highest independent bid price as 
     quoted by market makers.

(d)  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of
     1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt 
     from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.

 +   Non-income producing security.

++   Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.

ADR -- American Depositary Receipt
ADS -- American Depositary Share
FRF -- French Franc
GDR -- Global Depositary Receipt
ORD -- Ordinary Share
</TABLE>
 
                                       14

<PAGE>

                            GABELLI FAMILY OF FUNDS
                     Distributed by Gabelli & Company, Inc.
                    One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1435

GABELLI ASSET FUND  ______________________________
Invests in a diversified portfolio of companies selling below their private 
market value.  The Fund's primary objective is to seek growth of capital.  
(no-load)
                    Portfolio Manager:  Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

GABELLI GROWTH FUND ______________________________
Invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks that have favorable, yet
undervalued, prospects for earnings growth.  The Fund's primary objective       
is to seek capital appreciation by employing an earnings-driven investment
approach.  (no-load)
                    Portfolio Manager:  Howard F. Ward, CFA

GABELLI VALUE FUND _______________________________
Invests in a concentrated portfolio of securities of companies which are
selling below their private market value.  The Fund's primary objective is      
long-term capital appreciation.  $250 initial minimum for IRAs.          
                    Portfolio Manager:  Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
                         Max. Sales Charge:  5 1/2%

GABELLI SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND ____________________
Invests primarily in equity securities of smaller companies (companies with a 
total market capitalization of less than $500 million) which are believed 
likely to have rapid growth in revenues and earnings.  The Fund's primary 
objective is to seek capital appreciation.
                    Portfolio Manager:  Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
                         Max. Sales Charge:  4 1/2%

GABELLI EQUITY INCOME FUND _______________________
Invests primarily in a portfolio of income producing equity securities.  Pays 
quarterly dividends.  The Fund's primary objective is to seek a high level of 
total return.
                    Portfolio Manager:  Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
                         Max. Sales Charge:  4 1/2%

GABELLI/WESTWOOD FUNDS ___________________________
Three investment portfolios, designed to pursue a variety of investment 
objectives: Equity Fund seeks capital appreciation, Balanced Fund seeks 
income and growth, and Intermediate Bond Fund seeks current income.  
(no-load)                                                     
                    Portfolio Managers:  Susan Byrne & Pat Fraze

GABELLI GLOBAL SERIES ____________________________

  GABELLI GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND 
  Invests in telecommunications companies throughout the world. Targets
  undervalued companies with strong earnings per share and cash flow dynamics.
  The Fund's primary objective is to seek capital appreciation. (no-load)
                    Team Manager:  Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

  GABELLI GLOBAL CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND 
  Invests principally in bonds and preferred stocks which are convertible into
  common stock of foreign and domestic companies. The Fund's primary objective
  is to seek a high level of total return through a combination of current
  income and capital appreciation. (no-load)
                    Portfolio Manager:  Hart Woodson

  GABELLI GLOBAL INTERACTIVE COUCH POTATO[Registration Mark] FUND
  Invests in companies involved in communications, creativity and copyright
  throughout the world. The Fund will also invest in companies participating in
  emerging technological advances in interactive services and products. The
  Fund's primary objective is to seek capital appreciation. (no-load)
                    Portfolio Manager:  Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

GABELLI GOLD FUND ________________________________
Invests in a global portfolio of equity securities of gold mining and related 
companies. The Fund's primary objective is to seek capital appreciation.  
Investment in gold stocks is considered speculative and is affected by a 
variety of worldwide economic, financial and political factors.  (no-load)
                    Portfolio Manager:  Caesar Bryan

GABELLI INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND ________________
Invests in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of 
companies outside of the U.S. Seeks to achieve international diversification 
and capital appreciation, and to serve as a complement to a domestic 
investment portfolio.   (no-load)
                    Portfolio Manager:  Caesar Bryan 

The five funds above invest in foreign securities which involves risks not 
ordinarily associated with investments in domestic issues, including currency 
fluctuation, economic and political risks.

GABELLI U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND __________
Invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury securities. 
The Fund's primary objective is to provide high current income consistent 
with the preservation of principal and liquidity.  Features low expenses, 
free checkwriting, telephone exchange and redemption privileges. 
                    Portfolio Manager:  Ronald Eaker

To request a prospectus, call  1-800-GABELLI (1-800-422-3554)
Or, visit our Internet homepage at: http://www.gabelli.com

The prospectus(es) contain more complete information, including fees and
expenses, and should be read carefully prior to investing.


<PAGE>


                             THE GABELLI ASSET FUND
                              One Corporate Center
                            Rye, New York 10580-1434
                                 1-800-GABELLI
                                [1-800-422-3554]
                              FAX: 1-914-921-5118
                             http://www.gabelli.com
                            e-mail: [email protected]
               (Net Asset Value may be obtained daily by calling
                         1-800-GABELLI after 6:00 P.M.)

                               BOARD OF TRUSTEES

          Mario J. Gabelli, CFA              Karl Otto Pohl     
          Chairman And Chief                 Former President   
          Investment Officer                 Deutsche Bundesbank
          Gabelli Funds, Inc.                
                             
          Felix J. Christiana                Anthony R. Pustorino        
          Former Senior                      Certified Public Accountant 
          Vice President                     Professor, Pace University  
          Dollar Dry Dock Savings Bank       

          Anthony J. Colavita                Anthonie C. van Ekris     
          Attorney-at-law                    Managing Director         
          Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.          BALMAC International, Inc.
                                             
          James P. Conn                      Salvatore J. Zizza    
          Managing Director and              Chairman, Chief       
          Chief Investment Officer           Executive Officer     
          Financial Security Assurance       The Lehigh Group, Inc.
          Holdings Ltd.                      


                        OFFICERS AND PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

          Mario J. Gabelli, CFA              Bruce N. Alpert
          Portfolio Manager                  President And Treasurer

          James E. McKee
          Secretary


                                  DISTRIBUTOR
                            Gabelli & Company, Inc.

                  CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND AGENT
                      State Street Bank and Trust Company

                                 LEGAL COUNSEL
                      Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of 
The Gabelli Asset Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective 
investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                   [PICTURE]


THE

GABELLI

ASSET

FUND




FIRST QUARTER REPORT
     MARCH 31, 1996



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