<PAGE>
DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS
1775 EYE STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006
(202) 261-3300
May 6, 1998
VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
Re: The MainStay Funds
File Nos. 33-2610 and 811-4550
Dear Sir/Madam:
On behalf of the currently effective series of The MainStay Funds, a
registered management investment company (the "Trust"), we hereby certify that,
pursuant to Rule 497(j) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), the form
of prospectus that would have been filed under Rule 497(c) on behalf of the
Trust does not differ from that contained in the Trust's most recent post-
effective amendment, Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 filed April 29, 1998. The
text of Post Effective Amendment No. 45 was filed electronically (accession no.
0000950130-98-002195). The definitive form of the Trust's Statement of
Additional Information is being filed pursuant to Rule 497(c) under the Act.
Please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer B. McHugh at (202) 261-3370
or the undersigned at (202) 261-3314 if you have any questions regarding the
attached filing.
Sincerely,
/s/ Jeffrey L. Steele
Jeffrey L. Steele