VAN KAMPEN EQUITY TRUST, 485APOS, 2000-02-09

VAN KAMPEN EQUITY TRUST
485APOS, 2000-02-09

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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 9, 2000

REGISTRATION NOS. 33-8122
811-4805
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]

Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 [X]

and

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]

Amendment No. 37 [X]
</TABLE>

VAN KAMPEN EQUITY TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust)

1 Parkview Plaza, PO Box 5555, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(630) 684-6000
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code

A. THOMAS SMITH III
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Van Kampen Investments Inc.
1 Parkview Plaza
PO Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

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

Copies to:

WAYNE W. WHALEN, ESQ.
THOMAS A. HALE, ESQ.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 407-0700
------------------------

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable
following effectiveness of this Registration Statement.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

[X] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

If appropriate check the following box:
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for
a previously filed post-effective amendment.

Title of Securities Being Registered: Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value
$0.01 per share.
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EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the Registration Statement contains
one Prospectus and one Statement of Additional Information describing the Van
Kampen Select Growth Fund, a new series of the Registrant (the "Applicable
Series"). The Registration Statement is organized as follows:

Facing Page

Prospectus relating to the Applicable Series

Statement of Additional Information relating to the Applicable Series

Part C Information

Exhibits

The prospectus and statement of additional information of the Van Kampen Small
Cap Growth Fund of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
which was filed with the Commission on February 4, 2000. The prospectus and
statement of additional information of the Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund
of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 34 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which was filed
with the Commission on January 21, 2000. The prospectus and statement of
additional information of the Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund of the Registrant
is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which was filed with the Commission on June
16, 1999. The prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Van
Kampen Utility Fund, Van Kampen Growth Fund, Van Kampen Mid Cap Value Fund, Van
Kampen Great American Companies Fund, Van Kampen Prospector Fund, and Van Kampen
Aggressive Growth Fund are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 33 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which was filed
with the Commission on July 29, 1999. This Amendment is not intended to amend
the prospectuses and statements of additional information incorporated herein.

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The
Fund may not sell these securities until the post-effective amendment to
the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these
securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION--DATED FEBRUARY 9, 2000

VAN KAMPEN
SELECT GROWTH FUND

Van Kampen Select Growth Fund is a mutual fund with the investment objective of
capital appreciation. The Fund's investment adviser seeks to achieve the Fund's
investment objective by investing primarily in a non-diversified portfolio of
common stocks of growth companies.

Shares of the Fund have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) or any state regulator, and neither the SEC nor any
state regulator has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated APRIL , 2000

[VAN KAMPEN FUNDS LOGO]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Risk/Return Summary................................ 3
Fees and Expenses of the Fund...................... 4
Investment Objective, Policies and Risks........... 5
Investment Advisory Services....................... 9
Purchase of Shares................................. 10
Redemption of Shares............................... 16
Distributions from the Fund........................ 18
Shareholder Services............................... 18
Federal Income Taxation............................ 20
</TABLE>

No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this
prospectus, in connection with the offer contained in this prospectus and, if
given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon
as having been authorized by the Fund, the Fund's investment adviser or the
Fund's distributor. This prospectus does not constitute an offer by the Fund or
by the Fund's distributor to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of
the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is
unlawful for the Fund to make such an offer in such jurisdiction.
<PAGE> 5

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund is a mutual fund with the investment objective of capital appreciation.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Under normal market conditions, the Fund's investment adviser seeks to achieve
the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a non-diversified
portfolio of common stocks of growth companies. The Fund's investment adviser
uses a "bottom up" stock selection process seeking attractive growth
opportunities on an individual company basis. In selecting securities for
investment, the Fund's investment adviser seeks those companies that it believes
have rising earnings expectations and rising valuations. The Fund generally
sells securities when earnings expectations or valuations flatten or decline.
The Fund emphasizes individual security selection and generally focuses its
investments in a relatively small number of companies and may invest up to 25%
of its total assets in a single issuer. The Fund may purchase and sell certain
derivative instruments, such as options, futures and options on futures, for
various portfolio management purposes.

INVESTMENT RISKS

An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risks, and you could lose
money on your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund
will achieve its investment objective.

MARKET RISK. Market risk is the possibility that the market values of securities
owned by the Fund will decline. Market risk may affect a single issuer,
industry, sector of the economy or the market as a whole. Investments in common
stocks generally are affected by changes in the stock markets, which fluctuate
substantially over time, sometimes suddenly and sharply. The Fund emphasizes a
"growth" style of investing and may invest in smaller- and medium-sized
companies. The market values of such securities may be more volatile than other
types of investments. The returns on "growth" securities may or may not move in
tandem with the returns on other styles of investing or the overall stock
markets. During an overall stock market decline, stock prices of smaller- and
medium-sized companies often fluctuate more and may fall more than the stock
prices of larger-sized companies. Historically, smaller- and medium-sized
company stocks have sometimes gone through extended periods when they did not
perform as well as stocks of larger-sized companies.

FOREIGN RISKS. Because the Fund may own securities of foreign issuers, it may be
subject to risks not usually associated with owning securities of U.S. issuers.
These risks can include fluctuations in foreign currencies, foreign currency
exchange controls, political and economic instability, differences in financial
reporting, differences in securities regulation and trading, and foreign
taxation issues.

NON-DIVERSIFICATION RISKS. The Fund is classified as a "non-diversified" fund,
which means the Fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in a more
limited number of issuers than a "diversified" fund. As a result, the Fund may
be subject to greater risk than a diversified fund because changes in the
financial condition or market assessment of a single issuer may cause greater
fluctuations in the value of the Fund's shares. In addition, as a result of the
Fund's stock selection process, a significant portion of the Fund's assets may
be invested in companies within the same industries or sectors of the market. To
the extent the Fund focuses its investments in this way, it may be more
susceptible to economic, political, regulatory and other occurrences influencing
those industries or market sectors.

RISKS OF USING DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS. In general terms, a derivative instrument
is one whose value depends on (or is derived from) the value of an underlying
asset, interest rate or index. Options, futures and options on futures are
examples of derivatives. Derivative instruments involve risks different from
direct investment in underlying securities. These risks include imperfect
correlation between the value of the instruments and the underlying assets;
risks of default by the other party to certain transactions; risks that the
transactions may result in losses that partially or completely offset gains in
portfolio positions; risks that the transactions may not be liquid; and manager
risk.

MANAGER RISK. As with any managed fund, the Fund's investment adviser may not be
successful in selecting the best-performing securities or investment techniques,
and the Fund's performance may lag behind that of similar funds.

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INVESTOR PROFILE

In light of the Fund's investment objective and strategies, the Fund may be
appropriate for investors who:

- - Seek capital appreciation over the long term

- - Do not seek current income from their investment

- - Can withstand substantial volatility in the value of their Fund shares

- - Seek a fund with an investment strategy focused on a relatively small number
of companies

- - Wish to add to their investment portfolio a fund that emphasizes a growth
style of investing in a portfolio of common stocks

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank or other insured
depository institution. Your investment is not insured or guaranteed by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. The Fund is
not intended to be a complete investment program, and investors should consider
their long term investment goals and financial needs when making an investment
decision about the Fund. An investment in the Fund is intended to be a long term
investment, and the Fund should not be used as a trading vehicle.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The Fund had not commenced investment operations prior to the date of this
prospectus. Accordingly, the Fund had no investment performance as of the date
of this prospectus and thus has no historical calendar year annual performance
or comparative performance tables.

FEES AND EXPENSES
OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Fund.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C
Shares Shares Shares
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER FEES
(fees paid directly from your investment)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum sales charge
(load) imposed on
purchases (as a
percentage of offering
price) 5.75%(1) None None
...............................................................
Maximum deferred sales
charge (load)(as a
percentage of the lesser
of original purchase
price or redemption
proceeds) None(2) 5.00%(3) 1.00%(4)
...............................................................
Maximum sales charge
(load) imposed on
reinvested dividends None None None
...............................................................
Redemption fees None None None
...............................................................
Exchange fee None None None
...............................................................
</TABLE>

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES

(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)

<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Management fees
...............................................................
Distribution and/or
service (12b-1) fees(5) %(6) %(6)
...............................................................
Other expenses(7)
...............................................................
Total annual fund
operating expenses
...............................................................
</TABLE>

(1) Reduced for purchases of $50,000 and over. See "Purchase of Shares -- Class
A Shares."
(2) Investments of $1 million or more are not subject to any sales charge at the
time of purchase, but a deferred sales charge of 1.00% may be imposed on
certain redemptions made within one year of the purchase. See "Purchase of
Shares -- Class A Shares."
(3) The maximum deferred sales charge is 5.00% in the first year after purchase,
declining thereafter as follows:

Year 1-5.00%
Year 2-4.00%
Year 3-3.00%
Year 4-2.50%
Year 5-1.50%
After-None
See "Purchase of Shares -- Class B Shares."
(4) The maximum deferred sales charge is 1.00% in the first year after purchase
and 0.00% thereafter. See "Purchase of Shares -- Class C Shares."

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(5) Class A Shares are subject to an annual service fee of up to 0.25% of the
average daily net assets attributable to such class of shares. Class B
Shares and Class C Shares are each subject to a combined annual distribution
and service fee of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets attributable
to such class of shares. See "Purchase of Shares."
(6) Because distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees are paid out of the Fund's
assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of
your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales
charges.
(7) Other expenses have been estimated for the Fund's current fiscal year.

Example:

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in
the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the
Fund's operating expenses remain the same each year. Although your actual costs
may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
One Three
Year Years
- -----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Class A Shares
.....................................................
Class B Shares
.....................................................
Class C Shares
.....................................................
</TABLE>

You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE,
POLICIES AND RISKS

The Fund's investment objective is to provide capital appreciation. Any income
received from the investment of portfolio securities is incidental to the Fund's
investment objective. The Fund's investment objective may be changed by the
Fund's Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, but no change is
anticipated. If there is a change in the investment objective of the Fund,
shareholders should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment
in light of their then current financial positions and needs. There are risks
inherent in all investments in securities; accordingly, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund's investment adviser seeks to achieve
the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a non-diversified
portfolio of common stocks of growth companies. The Fund's primary approach is
to seek what the Fund's investment adviser believes to be unusually attractive
growth opportunities on an individual company basis. The Fund's investment
adviser uses a "bottom-up" disciplined style of investing. The Fund's investment
adviser relies on its research capabilities and company/analyst meetings in
reviewing companies. The Fund focuses on those companies that exhibit rising
earnings expectations and rising valuations. In selecting securities for
investment, the Fund generally seeks companies that appear to be positioned to
produce an attractive level of future earnings through the development of new
products, services or markets or as a result of changing markets or industry
conditions. The Fund's investment adviser expects that many of the companies in
which the Fund invests will, at the time of investment, be experiencing high
rates of earnings growth. The securities of such companies may trade at higher
price to earnings ratios relative to more established companies and rates of
earnings growth may be volatile.

The Fund does not limit its investments to any single group or type of security.
The Fund may invest in securities involving special circumstances, such as
initial public offerings, companies with new management or management reliant on
one or a few key people, special products and techniques, limited or cyclical
product lines, markets or resources or unusual developments, such as mergers,
liquidations, bankruptcies or leveraged buyouts. Investments in smaller or
unseasoned companies or companies with special circumstances often involve much
greater risks than are inherent in other types of investments, because
securities of such companies may be more likely to experience unexpected
fluctuations in price.

The Fund emphasizes a strategy that focuses on larger investments in a few
select companies rather than smaller investments in a large number of issuers.
To the extent the Fund focuses its investments in this way, it may be subject to
more risk than a diversified fund because changes affecting a single issuer may

5
<PAGE> 8

cause greater fluctuations in the value of the Fund's shares. The Fund's
investment adviser believes that an effective way to maximize return and reduce
the risks associated with its focused investment approach is through a program
of intensive research, careful selection of individual securities and continual
supervision of the Fund's portfolio. In addition, the Fund's stock selection
process may result in a significant portion of the Fund's assets invested in
companies in the same industry or sector of the market. To the extent the Fund's
investments are invested in this way, it may be more susceptible to economic,
political, regulatory and other occurrences influencing those industries or
market sectors.

The Fund invests in companies of any capitalization range including securities
of smaller- and medium-sized companies. The securities of smaller- or
medium-sized companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements
than securities of larger-sized companies or the market averages in general. In
addition, such companies typically are subject to a greater degree of change in
earnings and business prospects than are larger-sized companies. Thus, to the
extent the Fund invests in smaller- and medium-sized companies it may be subject
to greater investment risk than that assumed through its investments in
larger-sized companies.

The Fund may dispose of a security whenever, in the opinion of the Fund's
investment adviser, factors indicate it is advisable to do so. The Fund
generally sells securities when earnings expectations or valuations flatten or
decline. Other factors may include changes in the company's operations or
relative market performance or appreciation possibilities offered by individual
securities, a change in the market trend or other factors affecting an
individual security, a change in economic or market factors in general or with
respect to a particular industry, and other circumstances bearing on the
desirability of a given investment. In addition, if an individual stock position
appreciates to a point where it begins to account for a larger percentage of the
Fund's assets, the Fund's investment adviser may sell a portion of the position
held.

The Fund invests primarily in common stocks. Common stocks are shares of a
corporation or other entity that entitle the holder to a pro rata share of the
profits of the corporation, if any, without preference over any other class of
securities, including such entity's debt securities, preferred stock and other
senior equity securities. Common stock usually carries with it the right to vote
and frequently an exclusive right to do so.

While the Fund invests primarily in common stocks, it may invest in preferred
stocks, convertible securities and rights and warrants to purchase common or
preferred stock. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and
liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in
an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities,
preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of
directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory
redemption provisions.

A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other
security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of
common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer or into
cash within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A
convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or
accrued on debt securities or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the
convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before
conversion, convertible securities generally have characteristics similar to
both debt and equity securities. The value of convertible securities tends to
decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to
vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying equity securities.
Convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally
higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar issuers.
Convertible securities generally rank senior to common stock in a corporation's
capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable nonconvertible
securities. Convertible securities generally do not participate directly in any
dividend increases or decreases of the underlying equity securities although the
market prices of the convertible securities may be affected by any dividend
changes or other changes in the underlying equity securities.

Rights and warrants entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific
price for a specific period of time. Rights typically have a substantially
shorter duration than do warrants. Rights and warrants may be considered more
speculative and less liquid than certain other types of investments in that they
do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the
underlying securities nor do they

6
<PAGE> 9

represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. Rights and warrants
may lack a secondary market.

RISKS OF INVESTING IN

SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS

The Fund may invest a portion or all of its total assets in securities of
foreign issuers. Securities of foreign issuers may be denominated in U.S.
dollars or in currencies other than U.S. dollars. Investments in foreign
securities present certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in
securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates, political, economic or legal developments (including war or
other instability, expropriation of assets, nationalization and confiscatory
taxation), the imposition of foreign exchange limitations (including currency
blockage), withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments or capital
transactions or other restrictions, higher transaction costs (including higher
brokerage, custodial and settlement costs and currency conversion costs) and
possible difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations or taking judicial
action. Also, foreign securities may not be as liquid and may be more volatile
than comparable domestic securities.

In addition, there often is less publicly available information about many
foreign issuers, and issuers of foreign securities are subject to different,
often less comprehensive, auditing, accounting and financial reporting
disclosure requirements than domestic issuers. There is generally less
government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad
than in the U.S., and, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a
possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, or diplomatic
developments which could affect investment in those countries. Because there is
usually less supervision and governmental regulation of exchanges, brokers and
dealers than there is in the U.S., the Fund may experience settlement
difficulties or delays not usually encountered in the U.S.

Delays in making trades in foreign securities relating to volume constraints,
limitations or restrictions, clearance or settlement procedures, or otherwise
could impact returns and result in temporary periods when assets of the Fund are
not fully invested or attractive investment opportunities are foregone.

Investments in securities of developing or emerging market countries are subject
to greater risks than investments in securities of developed countries since
emerging market countries tend to have economic structures that are less diverse
and mature and political systems that are less stable than developed countries.

In addition to the increased risks of investing in foreign securities, there are
often increased transactions costs associated with investing in foreign
securities including the costs incurred in connection with converting
currencies, higher foreign brokerage or dealer costs, and higher settlement
costs or custodial costs.

USING OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS

AND RELATED OPTIONS

The Fund may, but is not required to, use various investment strategic
transactions, including options, futures contracts and options on futures
contracts, in several different ways depending upon the status of the Fund's
portfolio and the Fund's investment adviser's expectations concerning the
securities markets. Although the Fund's investment adviser seeks to use the
practices to further the Fund's investment objective, no assurance can be given
that the use of these practices will achieve this result.

In times of stable or rising stock prices, the Fund generally seeks to be fully
invested in equity securities. Even when the Fund is fully invested, however,
prudent management requires that at least a small portion of assets be available
as cash to honor redemption requests and for other short-term needs. The Fund
may also have cash on hand that has not yet been invested. The portion of the
Fund's assets that is invested in cash or cash equivalents does not fluctuate
with stock market prices, so that, in times of rising market prices, the Fund
may underperform the market in proportion to the amount of cash or cash
equivalents in its portfolio. By purchasing stock index futures contracts,
however, the Fund can compensate for the cash portion of its assets and may
obtain performance equivalent to investing 100% of its assets in equity
securities.

The Fund can engage in options transactions on securities (or stock index
options or options on futures) to attempt to manage the portfolio's risk in
advancing or declining markets. For example, the value of a put option generally
increases as the value of the underlying security declines below a specified
level. Value is protected against a market decline to the degree the performance
of the put correlates with

7
<PAGE> 10

the performance of the Fund's investment portfolio. If the market remains stable
or advances, the Fund can refrain from exercising the put and its portfolio will
participate in the advance, having incurred only the premium cost for the put.

Generally, the Fund expects that options will be purchased or sold on securities
exchanges. However, the Fund is authorized to purchase and sell listed and
over-the-counter options ("OTC Options"). OTC Options are subject to certain
additional risks including default by the other party to the transaction and the
liquidity of the transactions.

The Fund may use futures in many ways. For example, if the Fund's investment
adviser forecasts a market decline, the Fund may seek to reduce its exposure to
the securities markets by increasing its cash position. By selling stock index
futures contracts instead of portfolio securities, a similar result can be
achieved to the extent that the performance of the futures contracts correlates
to the performance of the Fund's portfolio securities. Sales of futures
contracts frequently may be accomplished more rapidly and at less cost than the
actual sale of securities. Once the desired hedged position has been reached,
the Fund could then liquidate securities in a more deliberate manner.

In certain cases, the options and futures markets provide investment or risk
management opportunities that are not available from direct investments in
securities. In addition, some strategies can be performed with greater ease and
at lower cost by utilizing the options and futures markets rather than
purchasing or selling portfolio securities. However, such transactions involve
risks different from the direct investment in underlying securities. For
example, there may be imperfect correlation between the value of the instruments
and the underlying assets. In addition, the use of such instruments includes the
risks of default by the other party to certain transactions. The Fund may incur
losses in using these instruments that partially or completely offset gains in
portfolio positions. These transactions may not be liquid and involve manager
risk. In addition, such transactions may involve commissions and other costs,
which may increase the Fund's expenses and reduce its return. A more complete
discussion of options, futures contracts and related options and their risks is
contained in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. The Statement of
Additional Information can be obtained by investors free of charge as described
on the back cover of this prospectus.

OTHER INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS

For cash management purposes, the Fund may engage in repurchase agreements with
broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions in order to earn a return
on temporarily available cash. Such transactions are subject to the risk of
default by the other party.

The Fund may invest up to 15% of the Fund's net assets in illiquid securities
and certain restricted securities. Such securities may be difficult or
impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like. Thus, the
Fund may have to sell such securities at a lower price, sell other securities
instead to obtain cash or forego other investment opportunities.

Further information about these types of investments and other investment
practices that may be used by the Fund is contained in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information.

The Fund may sell securities without regard to the length of time they have been
held in order to take advantage of new investment opportunities, or when the
Fund's investment adviser believes the potential for capital appreciation has
lessened, or for other reasons. The portfolio turnover rate may vary from year
to year. A high portfolio turnover rate (100% or more) increases a fund's
transactions costs (including brokerage commissions or dealer costs) and a high
portfolio turnover rate may result in the realization of more short-term capital
gains than if a fund had a lower portfolio turnover rate. Increases in a fund's
transaction costs would adversely impact the fund's performance. The turnover
rate will not be a limiting factor, however, if the Fund's investment adviser
considers portfolio changes appropriate.

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE STRATEGY. When market conditions dictate a more "defensive"
investment strategy, the Fund may on a temporary basis hold cash or invest a
portion or all of its assets in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities, prime commercial paper,
certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and other obligations of domestic
banks having total assets of at least $500 million, and repurchase agreements.
Under normal market conditions, the potential for capital appreciation on these
securities will tend to be lower than the potential for capital appreciation on
other securities that may be owned by the Fund. In taking such a defensive
position, the Fund would not be pursuing and may not achieve its investment
objective.

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<PAGE> 11

INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES

THE ADVISER. Van Kampen Asset Management Inc. is the Fund's investment adviser
(the "Adviser" or "Asset Management"). The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Van Kampen Investments Inc. ("Van Kampen Investments"). Van Kampen
Investments is a diversified asset management company with more than two million
retail investor accounts, extensive capabilities for managing institutional
portfolios, and more than $90 billion under management or supervision as of
December 31, 1999. Van Kampen Investments' more than 50 open-end and 39
closed-end funds and more than 2,700 unit investment trusts are professionally
distributed by leading authorized dealers nationwide. Van Kampen Funds Inc., the
distributor of the Fund (the "Distributor") and the sponsor of the funds
mentioned above, is also a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments.
Van Kampen Investments is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co. The Adviser's principal office is located at 1 Parkview Plaza,
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555.

ADVISORY AGREEMENT. The Fund retains the Adviser to manage the investment of its
assets and to place orders for the purchase and sale of its portfolio
securities. Under an investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the
Fund (the "Advisory Agreement"), the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee
computed based upon an annual rate applied to the average daily net assets of
the Fund as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average Daily Net Assets % Per Annum
- ------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
......................................................
......................................................
......................................................
......................................................
</TABLE>

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser furnishes offices, necessary
facilities and equipment and provides administrative services to the Fund. The
Fund pays all charges and expenses of its day-to-day operations, including
compensation of trustees of the Trust (other than those who are affiliated
persons of the Adviser, Distributor or Van Kampen Investments), the charges and
expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants, distribution fees,
service fees, custodian fees and the costs of providing reports to shareholders,
and all other ordinary business expenses not specifically assumed by the
Adviser.

From time to time, the Adviser or the Distributor may voluntarily undertake to
reduce the Fund's expenses by reducing the fees payable to them or by reducing
other expenses of the Fund in accordance with such limitations as the Adviser or
Distributor may establish.

The Adviser may utilize, at its own expense, credit analysis, research and
trading support services provided by its affiliate, Van Kampen Investment
Advisory Corp. ("Advisory Corp.").

PERSONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES. The Fund, the Adviser and the Distributor have
adopted Codes of Ethics designed to recognize the fiduciary relationship between
the Fund and the Adviser, Distributor and their employees. The Codes of Ethics
permit directors, trustees, officers and employees to buy and sell securities
for their personal accounts subject to certain restrictions. Persons with access
to certain sensitive information are subject to pre-clearance and other
procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT. The Fund is managed by a group of portfolio managers
headed by Gary M. Lewis, Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Lewis has been Senior
Vice President of the Adviser and Advisory Corp. since September 1995. Prior to
October 1995, Mr. Lewis was Vice President--Portfolio Manager of the Adviser
since June 1991. Mr. Lewis has been employed by the Adviser since September
1986. He has been affiliated with the Fund since its inception.

Portfolio Managers Dudley Brickhouse, Matthew Hart, Janet Luby and David Walker
are responsible as co-managers for the day-to-day management of the Fund's
investment portfolio.

Mr. Brickhouse, a Portfolio Manager and Vice President of the Adviser and
Advisory Corp. since January 1999, was an Associate Portfolio Manager of the
Adviser and of Advisory Corp. since September 1997. Prior to September 1997, Mr.
Brickhouse was a Vice President and Portfolio Manager with NationsBank
Investment Management, where he had worked since 1995. He has been affiliated
with the Fund since its inception.

9
<PAGE> 12

Mr. Hart, a Portfolio Manager since January 1998, has been a Vice President of
the Adviser and Advisory Corp. since December 1998. Prior to January 1998, Mr.
Hart was an Associate Portfolio Manager of the Adviser and Advisory Corp. since
August 1997. Prior to August 1997, Mr. Hart was with AIM Capital Management,
Inc., since June 1992, working in various positions within the portfolio area
the entire five years he was there, with his last position being a convertible
bonds analyst. He has been affiliated with the Fund since its inception.

Ms. Luby, a Senior Portfolio Manager since December 1999, and Vice President of
the Adviser and Advisory Corp. since December 1998. She became an Assistant Vice
President of the Adviser and Advisory Corp. in December of 1997. Prior to
December 1997, Ms. Luby was an Associate Portfolio Manager of the Adviser since
July 1995. Prior to July 1995, she spent eight years at AIM Capital Management,
Inc. where she worked five years in the accounting department and three years in
the investment area. Her last position in the investment area being a Senior
Securities Analyst. She has been affiliated with the Fund since its inception.

Mr. Walker, a Portfolio Manager and Vice President of the Adviser and Advisory
Corp. since January 1999, was an Assistant Vice President of the Adviser and of
Advisory Corp. since June 1995. Prior to April 1996, Mr. Walker was a
Quantitative Analyst of the Adviser and has worked for the Adviser since October
1990. Mr. Walker is also a portfolio manager for various unit investment trusts
managed by Advisory Corp. since September 1997. He has been affiliated with the
Fund since its inception.

PURCHASE OF SHARES

GENERAL

The Fund offers three classes of shares designated as Class A Shares, Class B
Shares and Class C Shares. By offering three classes of shares, the Fund permits
each investor to choose the class of shares that is most beneficial given the
amount to be invested and the length of time the investor expects to hold the
shares.

Initial investments must be at least $1,000 for each class of shares, and
subsequent investments must be at least $25 for each class of shares. Minimum
investment amounts may be waived by the Distributor for plans involving periodic
investments.

Each class of shares represents an interest in the same portfolio of investments
of the Fund and has the same rights except that (i) Class A Shares generally
bear the sales charge expenses at the time of purchase while Class B Shares and
Class C Shares bear the sales charge expenses at the time of redemption and any
expenses (including higher distribution fees and transfer agency costs)
resulting from such deferred sales charge arrangement, (ii) each class of shares
has exclusive voting rights with respect to approvals of the Rule 12b-1
distribution plan and service plan (each as described below) under which its
distribution fee and/or service fee is paid, (iii) each class of shares has
different exchange privileges, (iv) certain classes of shares are subject to a
conversion feature and (v) certain classes of shares have different shareholder
service options available.

The offering price of the Fund's shares is based upon the Fund's net asset value
per share (plus sales charges, where applicable). The net asset values per share
of the Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares are generally expected
to be substantially the same. In certain circumstances, however, the per share
net asset values of the classes of shares may differ from one another,
reflecting the daily expense accruals of the higher distribution fees and
transfer agency costs applicable to the Class B Shares and Class C Shares and
the differential in the dividends that may be paid on each class of shares.

The net asset value per share for each class of shares of the Fund is determined
once daily as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the
"Exchange") (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time) each day the Exchange is open
for trading except on any day on which no purchase or redemption orders are
received or there is not a sufficient degree of trading in the Fund's portfolio
securities such that the Fund's net asset value per share might be materially
affected. The Fund's Board of Trustees reserves the right to calculate the net
asset value per share and adjust the offering price based thereon more
frequently than once daily if deemed desirable. Net asset value per share for
each class is determined by dividing the value of the Fund's portfolio
securities, cash and other assets (including accrued interest) attributable to
such class, less all liabilities (including accrued expenses) attributable to
such class, by the total number of shares of the class outstanding. Such
computation is made by using prices as of the close of trading on the Exchange
and (i) valuing securities listed or traded on a national securities exchange at

10
<PAGE> 13

the last reported sale price, or if there has been no sale that day, at the mean
between the last reported bid and asked prices, (ii) valuing over-the-counter
securities at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices available
from the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations
("NASDAQ") and (iii) valuing any securities for which market quotations are not
readily available and any other assets at fair value as determined in good faith
by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Fund's Board of
Trustees. Short-term securities are valued in the manner described in the notes
to the financial statements included in the Fund's Statement of Additional
Information.

The Fund has adopted a distribution plan (the "Distribution Plan") with respect
to each class of its shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The Fund also has adopted a service
plan (the "Service Plan") with respect to each class of its shares. Under the
Distribution Plan and the Service Plan, the Fund pays distribution fees in
connection with the sale and distribution of its shares and service fees in
connection with the provision of ongoing services to shareholders and the
maintenance of such shareholders' accounts.

The amount of distribution and service fees varies among the classes offered by
the Fund. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing
basis, these fees will increase the cost of your investment in the Fund. By
purchasing a class of shares subject to higher distribution and service fees,
you may pay more over time than on a class of shares with other types of sales
charge arrangements. Long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic
equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charges permitted by the rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). The net income
attributable to a class of shares will be reduced by the amount of the
distribution and service fees and other expenses of the Fund associated with
such class of shares. To assist investors in comparing classes of shares, the
tables under the heading "Fees and Expenses of the Fund" provide a summary of
sales charges and expenses and an example of the sales charges and expenses of
the Fund applicable to each class of shares.

The shares are offered to the public on a continuous basis through the
Distributor as principal underwriter, which is located at 1 Parkview Plaza,
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555. Shares also are offered through members
of the NASD who are acting as securities dealers ("dealers") and NASD members or
eligible non-NASD members who are acting as brokers or agents for investors
("brokers"). "Dealers" and "brokers" are sometimes referred to herein as
"authorized dealers."

Shares may be purchased on any business day by completing the application
accompanying this prospectus and forwarding the application, directly or through
an authorized dealer, to the Fund's shareholder service agent, Van Kampen
Investor Services Inc. ("Investor Services"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Van
Kampen Investments. When purchasing shares of the Fund, investors must specify
whether the purchase is for Class A Shares, Class B Shares or Class C Shares by
selecting the correct Fund number on the account application. Sales personnel of
authorized dealers distributing the Fund's shares are entitled to receive
compensation for selling such shares and may receive differing compensation for
selling Class A Shares, Class B Shares or Class C Shares.

The offering price for shares is based upon the next calculation of net asset
value per share (plus sales charges, where applicable) after an order is
received by Investor Services. Orders received by authorized dealers prior to
the close of the Exchange are priced based on the date of receipt provided such
order is transmitted to Investor Services prior to Investor Services' close of
business on such date. Orders received by authorized dealers after the close of
the Exchange or transmitted to Investor Services after its close of business are
priced based on the date of the next computed net asset value per share provided
they are received by Investor Services prior to Investor Services' close of
business on such date. It is the responsibility of authorized dealers to
transmit orders received by them to Investor Services so they will be received
in a timely manner.

The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to refuse any order for the
purchase of shares. The Fund also reserves the right to suspend the sale of the
Fund's shares in response to conditions in the securities markets or for other
reasons. Shares of the Fund may be sold in foreign countries where permissible.

Investor accounts will automatically be credited with additional shares of the
Fund after any Fund distributions, such as dividends and capital gain

11
<PAGE> 14

dividends, unless the investor instructs the Fund otherwise. Investors wishing
to receive cash instead of additional shares should contact the Fund at (800)
341-2911 or by writing to the Fund, c/o Van Kampen Investor Services Inc., PO
Box 218256, Kansas City, MO 64121-8256.

CLASS A SHARES

Class A Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value plus an initial maximum
sales charge of up to 5.75% of the offering price (or 6.10% of the net amount
invested), reduced on investments of $50,000 or more as follows:

CLASS A SHARES

SALES CHARGE SCHEDULE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As % of As % of
Size of Offering Net Amount
Investment Price Invested
- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 5.75% 6.10%
......................................................
$50,000 but less than
$100,000 4.75% 4.99%
..........................................................
$100,000 but less than
$250,000 3.75% 3.90%
..........................................................
$250,000 but less than
$500,000 2.75% 2.83%
..........................................................
$500,000 but less than
$1,000,000 2.00% 2.04%
..........................................................
$1,000,000 or more * *
..........................................................
</TABLE>

* No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1
million or more, although for such investments the Fund may impose a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% on certain redemptions made within
one year of the purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge is assessed
on an amount equal to the lesser of the then current market value or the
cost of the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no sales charge is imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.

No sales charge is imposed on Class A Shares received from reinvestment of
dividends or capital gain dividends.

Under the Distribution Plan and Service Plan, the Fund may spend up to a total
of 0.25% per year of the Fund's average daily net assets with respect to the
Class A Shares of the Fund. From such amount, under the Service Plan, the Fund
may spend up to 0.25% per year of the Fund's average daily net assets with
respect to the Class A Shares of the Fund.

CLASS B SHARES

Class B Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value and are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within five years of purchase as
shown in the table as follows:

CLASS B SHARES

SALES CHARGE SCHEDULE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge
as a Percentage of
Dollar Amount
Year Since Purchase Subject to Charge
- ------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
First 5.00%
................................................
Second 4.00%
................................................
Third 3.00%
................................................
Fourth 2.50%
................................................
Fifth 1.50%
................................................
Sixth and After None
................................................
</TABLE>

The contingent deferred sales charge is assessed on an amount equal to the
lesser of the then current market value or the cost of the shares being
redeemed. Accordingly, no sales charge is imposed on increases in net asset
value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no sales charge is assessed
on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gain dividends. It
is presently the policy of the Distributor not to accept any order for Class B
Shares in an amount of $500,000 or more because it ordinarily will be more
advantageous for an investor making such an investment to purchase Class A
Shares.

The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, varies depending on
the number of years from the time of payment for each purchase of Class B Shares
until the time of redemption of such shares.

In determining whether a contingent deferred sales charge applies to a
redemption, it is assumed that the shares being redeemed first are any shares in
the shareholder's Fund account that are not subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge followed by shares held the longest in the shareholder's account.

Under the Distribution Plan, the Fund may spend up to 0.75% per year of the
Fund's average daily net assets with respect to the Class B Shares of the Fund.
In addition, under the Service Plan, the Fund may spend up to 0.25% per year of
the Fund's average

12
<PAGE> 15

daily net assets with respect to the Class B Shares of the Fund.

CLASS C SHARES

Class C Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value and are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the dollar amount subject to charge
if redeemed within one year of purchase.

The contingent deferred sales charge is assessed on an amount equal to the
lesser of the then current market value or the cost of the shares being
redeemed. Accordingly, no sales charge is imposed on increases in net asset
value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no sales charge is assessed
on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gain dividends. It
is presently the policy of the Distributor not to accept any order for Class C
Shares in an amount of $1 million or more because it ordinarily will be more
advantageous for an investor making such an investment to purchase Class A
Shares.

Under the Distribution Plan, the Fund may spend up to 0.75% per year of the
Fund's average daily net assets with respect to the Class C Shares of the Fund.
In addition, under the Service Plan, the Fund may spend up to 0.25% per year of
the Fund's average daily net assets with respect to the Class C Shares of the
Fund.

CONVERSION FEATURE

Class B Shares, including Class B Shares received from reinvestment of dividends
through the dividend reinvestment plan, automatically convert to Class A Shares
eight years after the end of the calendar month in which the shares were
purchased. Such conversion will be on the basis of the relative net asset values
per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The
conversion schedule applicable to a share of the Fund acquired through the
exchange privilege from another Van Kampen fund participating in the exchange
program is determined by reference to the Van Kampen fund from which such share
was originally purchased.

The conversion of such shares to Class A Shares is subject to the continuing
availability of an opinion of counsel to the effect that (i) the assessment of
the higher distribution fee and transfer agency costs with respect to such
shares does not result in the Fund's dividends or capital gain dividends
constituting "preferential dividends" under the federal income tax law and (ii)
the conversion of shares does not constitute a taxable event under federal
income tax law. The conversion may be suspended if such an opinion is no longer
available and such shares might continue to be subject to the higher aggregate
fees applicable to such shares for an indefinite period.

WAIVER OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

The contingent deferred sales charge is waived on redemptions of Class B Shares
and Class C Shares (i) within one year following the death or disability (as
disability is defined by federal income tax law) of a shareholder, (ii) for
required minimum distributions from an individual retirement account ("IRA") or
certain other retirement plan distributions, (iii) for withdrawals under the
Fund's systematic withdrawal plan but limited to 12% annually of the initial
value of the account, (iv) if no commission or transaction fee is paid to
authorized dealers at the time of purchase of such shares and (v) if made by
involuntary liquidation by the Fund of a shareholder's account as described
under the heading "Redemption of Shares." Subject to certain limitations, a
shareholder who has redeemed Class C Shares of the Fund may reinvest in Class C
Shares at net asset value with credit for any contingent deferred sales charge
if the reinvestment is made within 180 days after the redemption. For a more
complete description of contingent deferred sales charge waivers, please refer
to the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or contact your authorized
dealer.

QUANTITY DISCOUNTS

Investors purchasing Class A Shares may, under certain circumstances described
below, be entitled to pay reduced or no sales charges. Investors, or their
authorized dealers, must notify the Fund at the time of the purchase order
whenever a quantity discount is applicable to purchases. Upon such notification,
an investor will pay the lowest applicable sales charge. Quantity discounts may
be modified or terminated at any time. For more information about quantity
discounts, investors should contact their authorized dealer or the Distributor.

13
<PAGE> 16

A person eligible for a reduced sales charge includes an individual, his or her
spouse and children under 21 years of age and any corporation, partnership or
sole proprietorship which is 100% owned, either alone or in combination, by any
of the foregoing; a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing for a single trust or
for a single fiduciary account, or a "company" as defined in Section 2(a)(8) of
the 1940 Act.

As used herein, "Participating Funds" refers to certain open-end investment
companies advised by Asset Management or Advisory Corp. and distributed by the
Distributor as determined from time to time by the Fund's Board of Trustees.

VOLUME DISCOUNTS. The size of investment shown in the Class A Shares sales
charge table applies to the total dollar amount being invested by any person in
shares of the Fund, or in any combination of shares of the Fund and shares of
other Participating Funds, although other Participating Funds may have different
sales charges.

CUMULATIVE PURCHASE DISCOUNT. The size of investment shown in the Class A Shares
sales charge table may also be determined by combining the amount being invested
in shares of the Participating Funds plus the current offering price of all
shares of the Participating Funds currently owned.

LETTER OF INTENT. A Letter of Intent provides an opportunity for an investor to
obtain a reduced sales charge by aggregating investments over a 13-month period
to determine the sales charge as outlined in the Class A Shares sales charge
table. The size of investment shown in the Class A Shares sales charge table
includes purchases of shares of the Participating Funds over a 13-month period
based on the total amount of intended purchases plus the value of all shares of
the Participating Funds previously purchased and still owned. An investor may
elect to compute the 13-month period starting up to 90 days before the date of
execution of a Letter of Intent. Each investment made during the period receives
the reduced sales charge applicable to the total amount of the investment goal.
The initial purchase must be for an amount equal to at least 5% of the minimum
total purchase amount of the level selected. If trades not initially made under
a Letter of Intent subsequently qualify for a lower sales charge through the
90-day backdating provisions, an adjustment will be made at the expiration of
the Letter of Intent to give effect to the lower sales charge. Such adjustment
in sales charge will be used to purchase additional shares for the shareholder
with the applicable sales charge. The Fund initially will escrow shares totaling
5% of the dollar amount of the Letter of Intent to be held by Investor Services
in the name of the shareholder. In the event the Letter of Intent goal is not
achieved within the specified period, the investor must pay the difference
between the sales charge applicable to the purchases made and the reduced sales
charge previously paid. Such payments may be made directly to the Distributor
or, if not paid, the Distributor will liquidate sufficient escrowed shares to
obtain the difference.

OTHER PURCHASE PROGRAMS

Purchasers of Class A Shares may be entitled to reduced or no initial sales
charges in connection with the unit investment trust reinvestment program and
purchases by registered representatives of selling firms or purchases by persons
affiliated with the Fund or the Distributor. The Fund reserves the right to
modify or terminate these arrangements at any time.

UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST REINVESTMENT PROGRAM. The Fund permits unitholders of unit
investment trusts to reinvest distributions from such trusts in Class A Shares
of the Fund at net asset value per share and with no minimum initial or
subsequent investment requirement, if the administrator of an investor's unit
investment trust program meets certain uniform criteria relating to cost savings
by the Fund and the Distributor. The total sales charge for all other
investments made from unit investment trust distributions will be 1.00% of the
offering price (1.01% of net asset value). Of this amount, the Distributor will
pay to the authorized dealer, if any, through which such participation in the
qualifying program was initiated 0.50% of the offering price as a dealer
concession or agency commission. Persons desiring more information with respect
to this program, including the terms and conditions that apply to the program,
should contact their authorized dealer or the Distributor.

The administrator of such a unit investment trust must have an agreement with
the Distributor pursuant to which the administrator will (1) submit a single
bulk order and make payment with a single remittance for all investments in the
Fund during each distribution period by all investors who choose to invest in
the Fund through the program and (2) provide Investor Services with appropriate
backup data for each investor participating in the program in

14
<PAGE> 17

a computerized format fully compatible with Investor Services' processing
system.

In order to obtain these special benefits, the Fund requires that all dividends
and other distributions from the Fund must be reinvested in additional shares
and there can not be any systematic withdrawal program. There will be no minimum
for reinvestments from unit investment trusts. The Fund will send account
activity statements to such participants on a quarterly basis only, even if
their investments are made more frequently. The Fund reserves the right to
modify or terminate this program at any time.

NET ASSET VALUE PURCHASE OPTIONS. Class A Shares of the Fund may be purchased at
net asset value, upon written assurance that the purchase is made for investment
purposes and that the shares will not be resold except through redemption by the
Fund, by:

(1) Current or retired trustees or directors of funds advised by Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co. and any of its subsidiaries and such persons' families and
their beneficial accounts.

(2) Current or retired directors, officers and employees of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter & Co. and any of its subsidiaries; employees of an investment
subadviser to any fund described in (1) above or an affiliate of such
subadviser; and such persons' families and their beneficial accounts.

(3) Directors, officers, employees and, when permitted, registered
representatives, of financial institutions that have a selling group
agreement with the Distributor and their spouses and children under 21 years
of age when purchasing for any accounts they beneficially own, or, in the
case of any such financial institution, when purchasing for retirement plans
for such institution's employees; provided that such purchases are otherwise
permitted by such institutions.

(4) Registered investment advisers who charge a fee for their services, trust
companies and bank trust departments investing on their own behalf or on
behalf of their clients. The Distributor may pay authorized dealers through
which purchases are made an amount up to 0.50% of the amount invested, over
a 12-month period.

(5) Trustees and other fiduciaries purchasing shares for retirement plans which
invest in multiple fund families through broker-dealer retirement plan
alliance programs that have entered into agreements with the Distributor and
which are subject to certain minimum size and operational requirements.
Trustees and other fiduciaries should refer to the Statement of Additional
Information for further details with respect to such alliance programs.

(6) Beneficial owners of shares of Participating Funds held by a retirement plan
or held in a tax-advantaged retirement account who purchase shares of the
Fund with proceeds from distributions from such a plan or retirement account
other than distributions taken to correct an excess contribution.

(7) Accounts as to which a bank or broker-dealer charges an account management
fee ("wrap accounts"), provided the bank or broker-dealer has a separate
agreement with the Distributor.

(8) Trusts created under pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit plans
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), or custodial accounts held by a bank created pursuant
to Section 403(b) of the Code and sponsored by nonprofit organizations
defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and assets held by an employer
or trustee in connection with an eligible deferred compensation plan under
Section 457 of the Code. Such plans will qualify for purchases at net asset
value provided, for plans initially establishing accounts with the
Distributor in the Participating Funds after January 1, 2000, that (1) the
total plan assets are at least $1 million or (2) such shares are purchased
by an employer sponsored plan with more than 100 eligible employees. Such
plans that have been established with a Participating Fund or have received
proposals from the Distributor prior to January 1, 2000 based on net asset
value purchase privileges previously in effect will be qualified to purchase
shares of the Participating Funds at net asset value. Section 403(b) and
similar accounts for which Van Kampen Trust Company serves as custodian will
not be eligible for net asset value purchases based on the aggregate
investment made by the plan or the number of eligible employees, except
under certain uniform criteria established by the Distributor from time to
time. For purchases on February 1, 1997 and thereafter, a commission

15
<PAGE> 18

will be paid as follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the
next $1 million, plus 0.50% on the next $47 million, plus 0.25% on the
excess over $50 million.

(9) Individuals who are members of a "qualified group." For this purpose, a
qualified group is one which (i) has been in existence for more than six
months, (ii) has a purpose other than to acquire shares of the Fund or
similar investments, (iii) has given and continues to give its endorsement
or authorization, on behalf of the group, for purchase of shares of the Fund
and Participating Funds, (iv) has a membership that the authorized dealer
can certify as to the group's members and (v) satisfies other uniform
criteria established by the Distributor for the purpose of realizing
economies of scale in distributing such shares. A qualified group does not
include one whose sole organizational nexus, for example, is that its
participants are credit card holders of the same institution, policy holders
of an insurance company, customers of a bank or broker-dealer, clients of an
investment adviser or other similar groups. Shares purchased in each group's
participants account in connection with this privilege will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% in the event of redemption within
one year of purchase, and a commission will be paid to authorized dealers
who initiate and are responsible for such sales to each individual as
follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the next $1 million and
0.50% on the excess over $3 million.

The term "families" includes a person's spouse, children under 21 years of age
and grandchildren, parents, and a person's spouse's parents.

Purchase orders made pursuant to clause (4) may be placed either through
authorized dealers as described above or directly with Investor Services by the
investment adviser, trust company or bank trust department, provided that
Investor Services receives federal funds for the purchase by the close of
business on the next business day following acceptance of the order. An
authorized dealer may charge a transaction fee for placing an order to purchase
shares pursuant to this provision or for placing a redemption order with respect
to such shares. Authorized dealers will be paid a service fee as described above
on purchases made under options (3) through (9) above. The Fund may terminate,
or amend the terms of, offering shares of the Fund at net asset value to such
groups at any time.

REDEMPTION OF
SHARES

Generally shareholders may redeem for cash some or all of their shares without
charge by the Fund (other than applicable sales charge) at any time. As
described under the heading "Purchase of Shares," redemptions of Class B Shares
and Class C Shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. In
addition, certain redemptions of Class A Shares for shareholder accounts of $1
million or more may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
Redemptions completed through an authorized dealer or a custodian/trustee of a
retirement plan account may involve additional fees charged by the dealer or
custodian/trustee.

Except as specified below under "Telephone Redemption Requests," payment for
shares redeemed generally will be made by check mailed within seven days after
receipt by Investor Services of the request and any other necessary documents in
proper form as described below. Such payment may be postponed or the right of
redemption suspended as provided by the rules of the SEC. Such payment may,
under certain circumstances, be paid wholly or in part by a distribution-in-kind
of portfolio securities which may result in brokerage costs and a gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes when such securities are sold. If the shares to
be redeemed have been recently purchased by check, Investor Services may delay
the payment of redemption proceeds until it confirms the purchase check has
cleared, which may take up to 15 days. A taxable gain or loss will be recognized
by the shareholder upon redemption of shares.

WRITTEN REDEMPTION REQUESTS. Shareholders may request a redemption of shares by
written request in proper form sent directly to Van Kampen Investor Services
Inc., PO Box 218256, Kansas City, MO 64121-8256. The request for redemption
should indicate the number of shares to be redeemed, the Fund name and class
designation of such shares and the shareholder's account number. The redemption
request must be signed by all persons in whose names the shares are registered.
Signatures must conform

16
<PAGE> 19

exactly to the account registration. If the proceeds of the redemption exceed
$50,000, or if the proceeds are not to be paid to the record owner at the record
address, or if the record address has changed within the previous 30 days,
signature(s) must be guaranteed by one of the following: a bank or trust
company; a broker-dealer; a credit union; a national securities exchange,
registered securities association or clearing agency; a savings and loan
association; or a federal savings bank.

Generally, a properly signed written request with any required signature
guarantee is all that is required for a redemption to be in proper form. In some
cases, however, additional documents may be necessary. In the case of
shareholders holding certificates, the certificates for the shares being
redeemed must be properly endorsed for transfer and must accompany the
redemption request. In the event a redemption is requested by and registered to
a corporation, partnership, trust, fiduciary, or other legal entity, a copy of
the corporate resolution or other legal documentation appointing the authorized
signer and certified within the prior 120 days must accompany the redemption
request. Retirement Plan distribution requests should be sent to the
custodian/trustee to be forwarded to Investor Services. Contact the
custodian/trustee for further information.

In the case of written redemption requests sent directly to Investor Services,
the redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined after the
request in proper form is received by Investor Services.

AUTHORIZED DEALER REDEMPTION REQUESTS. Shareholders may place redemption
requests through an authorized dealer. The redemption price for such shares is
the net asset value per share next calculated after an order in proper form is
received by an authorized dealer provided such order is transmitted to the
Distributor prior to the Distributor's close of business on such day. It is the
responsibility of authorized dealers to transmit redemption requests received by
them to the Distributor so they will be received prior to such time. Redemptions
completed through an authorized dealer may involve additional fees charged by
the dealer.

TELEPHONE REDEMPTION REQUESTS. The Fund permits redemption of shares by
telephone and for redemption proceeds to be sent to the address of record for
the account or to the bank account of record as described below. A shareholder
automatically has telephone redemption privileges unless the shareholder
indicates otherwise by checking the applicable box on the application form
accompanying the prospectus. For accounts that are not established with
telephone redemption privileges, a shareholder may call the Fund at (800)
341-2911 to request that a copy of the Telephone Redemption Authorization form
be sent to the shareholder for completion. To redeem shares, contact the
telephone transaction line at (800) 421-5684. Shares may also be redeemed by
phone through FundInfo(R) (automated phone system) to the shareholder's bank
account of record 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 847-2424. Van
Kampen Investments and its subsidiaries, including Investor Services, and the
Fund employ procedures considered by them to be reasonable to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. Such procedures include
requiring certain personal identification information prior to acting upon
telephone instructions, tape recording telephone communications and providing
written confirmation of instructions communicated by telephone. If reasonable
procedures are employed, none of Van Kampen Investments, Investor Services or
the Fund will be liable for following telephone instructions which it reasonably
believes to be genuine. Telephone redemptions may not be available if the
shareholder cannot reach Investor Services by telephone, whether because all
telephone lines are busy or for any other reason; in such case, a shareholder
would have to use the Fund's other redemption procedure previously described.
Requests received by Investor Services prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, will
be processed at the next determined net asset value per share. These privileges
are available for most accounts other than retirement accounts or accounts with
shares represented by certificates. If an account has multiple owners, Investor
Services may rely on the instructions of any one owner.

For redemptions authorized by telephone, amounts of $50,000 or less may be
redeemed daily if the proceeds are to be paid by check and amounts of at least
$1,000 up to $1 million may be redeemed daily if the proceeds are to be paid by
wire. The proceeds must be payable to the shareholder(s) of record and sent to
the address of record for the account or wired directly to their predesignated
bank account. This privilege is not available if the address of record has been
changed within 30 days prior to a telephone redemption request. If a redemption
is requested through FundInfo(R), transactions are sent to the predesignated
bank account of record only. Proceeds

17
<PAGE> 20

from redemptions payable by wire transfer are expected to be wired on the next
business day following the date of redemption. The Fund reserves the right at
any time to terminate, limit or otherwise modify this redemption privilege.

OTHER REDEMPTION INFORMATION. The Fund may redeem any shareholder account that
has a value on the date of the notice of redemption less than the minimum
initial investment as specified in this prospectus. At least 60 days' advance
written notice of any such involuntary redemption will be provided to the
shareholder and such shareholder will be given an opportunity to purchase the
required value of additional shares at the next determined net asset value
without sales charge. Any involuntary redemption may only occur if the
shareholder account is less than the minimum initial investment due to
shareholder redemptions.

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FUND

In addition to any increase in the value of shares which the Fund may achieve,
shareholders may receive distributions from the Fund of dividends and capital
gain dividends.

DIVIDENDS. Dividends from stocks and interest earned from other investments are
the Fund's main sources of net investment income. The Fund's present policy,
which may be changed at any time by the Fund's Board of Trustees, is to
distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income at least
annually as dividends to shareholders. Dividends are automatically applied to
purchase additional shares of the Fund at the next determined net asset value
unless the shareholder instructs otherwise.

The per share dividends on Class B Shares and Class C Shares may be lower than
the per share dividends on Class A Shares as a result of the higher distribution
fees and transfer agency costs applicable to such classes of shares.

CAPITAL GAIN DIVIDENDS. The Fund may realize capital gains or losses when it
sells securities, depending on whether the sales prices for the securities are
higher or lower than purchase prices. The Fund distributes any capital gains to
shareholders at least annually. As in the case of dividends, capital gain
dividends are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund at the
next determined net asset value unless the shareholder instructs otherwise.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

Listed below are some of the shareholder services the Fund offers to investors.
For a more complete description of the Fund's shareholder services, such as
investment accounts, share certificates, retirement plans, automated clearing
house deposits, dividend diversification and the systematic withdrawal plan,
please refer to the Statement of Additional Information or contact your
authorized dealer.

REINVESTMENT PLAN. A convenient way for investors to accumulate additional
shares is by accepting dividends and capital gain dividends in shares of the
Fund. Such shares are acquired at net asset value per share (without sales
charge) on the applicable payable date of the dividend or capital gain dividend.
Unless the shareholder instructs otherwise, the reinvestment plan is automatic.
This instruction may be made by telephone by calling (800) 341-2911 ((800)
421-2833 for the hearing impaired) or by writing to Investor Services. The
investor may, on the initial application or prior to any declaration, instruct
that dividends and/or capital gains be paid in cash, be reinvested in the Fund
at net asset value, or be invested in another Van Kampen fund at net asset
value.

AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN. An automatic investment plan is available under which
a shareholder can authorize Investor Services to debit the shareholder's bank
account on a regular basis to invest pre-determined amounts in the Fund.
Additional information is available from the Distributor or your authorized
dealer.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of the same
class of any Participating Fund based on the next computed net asset value per
share of each fund after requesting the exchange without any sales charge,
subject to certain limitations. Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares
of any Participating Fund only if shares of that Participating Fund are
available for sale; however, during periods of suspension of sales, shares of a
Participating Fund may be available for sale only to existing shareholders of a
Participating Fund. Shareholders seeking an exchange into a Participating Fund
should obtain and read the current prospectus for such

18
<PAGE> 21

fund prior to implementing an exchange. A prospectus of any of the Participating
Funds may be obtained from any authorized dealer or the Distributor.

To be eligible for exchange, shares of the Fund must have been registered in the
shareholder's name for at least 30 days prior to an exchange. Shares of the Fund
registered in a shareholder's name for less than 30 days may only be exchanged
upon receipt of prior approval of the Adviser. It is the policy of the Adviser,
under normal circumstances, not to approve such requests.

When shares that are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge are exchanged
among Participating Funds, the holding period for purposes of computing the
contingent deferred sales charge is based upon the date of the initial purchase
of such shares from a Participating Fund. When such shares are redeemed and not
exchanged for shares of another Participating Fund, the shares are subject to
the contingent deferred sales charge schedule imposed by the Participating Fund
from which such shares were originally purchased.

Exchanges of shares are sales of shares of one Participating Fund and purchases
of shares of another Participating Fund. The sale may result in a gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes. If the shares sold have been held for less than
91 days, the sales charge paid on such shares is carried over and included in
the tax basis of the shares acquired.

A shareholder wishing to make an exchange may do so by sending a written request
to Investor Services, by contacting the telephone transaction line at (800)
421-5684, through FundInfo(R) (automated phone system) at (800) 847-2424 or
through the internet at www.vankampen.com. A shareholder automatically has these
telephone exchange privileges unless the shareholder indicates otherwise by
checking the applicable box on the application form accompanying the prospectus.
Van Kampen Investments and its subsidiaries, including Investor Services, and
the Fund employ procedures considered by them to be reasonable to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. Such procedures include
requiring certain personal identification information prior to acting upon
telephone instructions, tape-recording telephone communications, and providing
written confirmation of instructions communicated by telephone. If reasonable
procedures are employed, none of Van Kampen Investments, Investor Services or
the Fund will be liable for following telephone instructions which it reasonably
believes to be genuine. If the exchanging shareholder does not have an account
in the fund whose shares are being acquired, a new account will be established
with the same registration, dividend and capital gain dividend options (except
dividend diversification) and authorized dealer of record as the account from
which shares are exchanged, unless otherwise specified by the shareholder. In
order to establish a systematic withdrawal plan for the new account or reinvest
dividends from the new account into another fund, however, an exchanging
shareholder must submit a specific request. The Fund reserves the right to
reject any order to acquire its shares through exchange. In addition, the Fund
and other Participating Funds may restrict exchanges by shareholders engaged in
excessive trading by limiting or disallowing the exchange privilege to such
shareholders. For further information on these restrictions, see the Fund's
Statement of Additional Information. The Fund may modify, restrict or terminate
the exchange privilege at any time on 60 days' notice to its shareholders of any
termination or material amendment.

For purposes of determining the sales charge rate previously paid on Class A
Shares, all sales charges paid on the exchanged security and on any security
previously exchanged for such security or for any of its predecessors shall be
included. If the exchanged security was acquired through reinvestment, that
security is deemed to have been sold with a sales charge rate equal to the rate
previously paid on the security on which the dividend or distribution was paid.
If a shareholder exchanges less than all of such shareholder's securities, the
security upon which the highest sales charge rate was previously paid is deemed
exchanged first.

Exchange requests received on a business day prior to the time shares of the
funds involved in the request are priced will be processed on the date of
receipt. "Processing" a request means that shares of the fund which the
shareholder is redeeming will be redeemed at the net asset value per share next
determined on the date of receipt. Shares of the fund that the shareholder is
purchasing will also normally be purchased at the net asset value per share,
plus any applicable sales charge, next determined on the date of receipt.
Exchange requests received on a business day after the time shares of the funds
involved in the request are priced will be processed on the next business day in
the manner described herein.

INTERNET TRANSACTIONS. In addition to performing transactions on your account
through written

19
<PAGE> 22

instruction or by telephone, you may also perform certain transactions through
the Internet. Please refer to our web site at www.vankampen.com for further
instruction. Van Kampen Investments and its subsidiaries, including Investor
Services, and the Fund employ procedures considered by them to be reasonable to
confirm that instructions communicated through the Internet are genuine. Such
procedures include requiring use of a personal identification number prior to
acting upon internet instructions and providing written confirmation of
instructions communicated through the Internet. If reasonable procedures are
employed, none of Van Kampen Investments, Investor Services or the Fund will be
liable for following instructions received through the internet which it
reasonably believes to be genuine. If an account has multiple owners, Investor
Services may rely on the instructions of any one owner.

FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

Distributions of the Fund's investment company taxable income (generally taxable
income and net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income to the extent of the Fund's earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or
reinvested in additional shares. Distributions of the Fund's net capital gain
(which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital
loss) as capital gain dividends, if any, are taxable to shareholders as
long-term capital gains, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional
shares, and regardless of how long the shares of the Fund have been held by such
shareholders. The Fund expects that its distributions will consist of ordinary
income and capital gain dividends. Distributions in excess of the Fund's
earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder's
shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute
capital gains to such holder (assuming such shares are held as a capital asset).
Although distributions generally are treated as taxable in the year they are
paid, distributions declared in October, November or December, payable to
shareholders of record on a specified date in such month and paid during January
of the following year will be treated as having been distributed by the Fund and
received by the shareholders on the December 31st prior to the date of payment.
The Fund will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all
distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.

The sale or exchange of shares may be a taxable transaction for federal income
tax purposes. Shareholders who sell their shares will generally recognize gain
or loss in an amount equal to the difference between their adjusted tax basis in
the shares sold and the amount received. If the shares are held as a capital
asset, the gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss. Any recognized capital
gains may be taxed at different rates depending on how long the shareholder held
such shares.

The Fund is required, in certain circumstances, to withhold 31% of dividends and
certain other payments, including redemptions, paid to shareholders who do not
furnish to the Fund their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of
individuals, their social security number) and certain required certifications
or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding.

Foreign shareholders, including shareholders who are non-resident aliens, may be
subject to U.S. withholding tax on certain distributions (whether received in
cash or in shares) at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as prescribed by an
applicable treaty. Prospective foreign investors should consult their tax
advisers concerning the tax consequences to them of an investment in shares.

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under federal
income tax law. If the Fund so qualifies and distributes each year to its
shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, the Fund
will not be required to pay federal income taxes on any income it distributes to
shareholders. If the Fund distributes less than an amount equal to the sum of
98% of its ordinary income and 98% of its capital gain net income, then the Fund
will be subject to a 4% excise tax on such undistributed amounts.

The federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information
only. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the
specific federal tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of
shares, as well as the effects of state, local and foreign tax law and any
proposed tax law changes.

20
<PAGE> 23

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
AND OFFICERS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
J. Miles Branagan Richard F. Powers, III*
Jerry D. Choate Phillip B. Rooney
Linda Hutton Heagy Fernando Sisto
R. Craig Kennedy Wayne W. Whalen*, Chairman
Mitchell M. Merin* Suzanne H. Woolsey
Jack E. Nelson Paul G. Yovovich
</TABLE>

OFFICERS

Richard F. Powers, III*
President

Dennis J. McDonnell*
Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer

A. Thomas Smith III*
Vice President and Secretary

Edward C. Wood III*
Vice President

Michael H. Santo*
Vice President

Peter W. Hegel*
Vice President

Stephen L. Boyd*
Vice President

John L. Sullivan*
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

* "Interested Persons" of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS OR PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS
Call your broker or (800) 341-2911
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central time Monday through Friday

DEALERS
For dealer information, selling agreements, wire orders, or
redemptions, call the Distributor at (800) 421-5666

TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF
For shareholder and dealer inquiries through Telecommunications Device for the
Deaf (TDD), call (800) 421-2833

FUNDINFO(R)
For automated telephone services, call (800) 847-2424

WEB SITE
www.vankampen.com

VAN KAMPEN SELECT GROWTH FUND
1 Parkview Plaza
PO Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555

Investment Adviser
VAN KAMPEN ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
1 Parkview Plaza
PO Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555

Distributor
VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC.
1 Parkview Plaza
PO Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555

Transfer Agent
VAN KAMPEN INVESTOR SERVICES INC.
PO Box 218256
Kansas City, MO 64121-8256
Attn: Van Kampen Select Growth Fund

Custodian
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
225 West Franklin Street, PO Box 1713
Boston, MA 02105-1713
Attn: Van Kampen Select Growth Fund

Legal Counsel
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM (ILLINOIS)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

Independent Accountants
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
200 East Randolph Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
<PAGE> 24

VAN KAMPEN
SELECT GROWTH FUND

PROSPECTUS
APRIL , 2000

A Statement of Additional Information, which
contains more details about the Fund, is
incorporated by reference in its entirety into
this prospectus.

You will find additional information about the
Fund in its annual and semiannual reports to
shareholders. The annual report explains the
market conditions and investment strategies
affecting the Fund's performance during its
last fiscal year.

You can ask questions or obtain a free copy of
the Fund's reports or its Statement of
Additional Information by calling (800)
341-2911 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Central
time, Monday through Friday.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf users
may call (800) 421-2833. A free copy of the
Fund's reports can also be ordered from our
web site at www.vankampen.com.

Information about the Fund, including its
reports and Statement of Additional
Information, has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It
can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC or on the
EDGAR database on the SEC's internet site
(http://www.sec.gov). Information on the
operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room
may be obtained by calling the SEC at
1-202-942-8090. You can also request copies of
these materials, upon payment of a duplicating
fee, by electronic request at the SEC's e-mail
address ([email protected]), or by writing
the Public Reference Section of the SEC,
Washington, DC 20549-0102.

[VAN KAMPEN FUNDS LOGO]

The Fund's Investment Company Act File No. is 811-4805. SG PRO 03/00
<PAGE> 25

The information in this statement of additional information is not
complete and may be changed. The Fund may not sell these securities
until the post- effective amendment to the registration statement
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This
statement of additional information is not a prospectus. This
statement of additional information is not an offer to sell these
securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION--DATED FEBRUARY 9, 2000

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VAN KAMPEN
SELECT GROWTH FUND

Van Kampen Select Growth Fund (the "Fund") is a mutual fund with the
investment objective of capital appreciation. The Fund's investment adviser
seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a
non-diversified portfolio of common stocks of growth companies.

The Fund is organized as a non-diversified series of Van Kampen Equity
Trust, an open-end, management investment company (the "Trust").

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. This
Statement of Additional Information should be read in conjunction with the
Fund's prospectus (the "Prospectus") dated as of the same date as this Statement
of Additional Information. This Statement of Additional Information does not
include all the information that a prospective investor should consider before
purchasing shares of the Fund. Investors should obtain and read the Prospectus
prior to purchasing shares of the Fund. A Prospectus may be obtained without
charge by writing or calling Van Kampen Funds Inc. at 1 Parkview Plaza, PO Box
5555, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555 or (800) 341-2911 (or (800) 421-2833
for the hearing impaired).

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS
---------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
General Information......................................... B-2
Investment Objective, Policies and Risks.................... B-3
Options, Futures Contracts and Related Options.............. B-7
Investment Restrictions..................................... B-13
Trustees and Officers....................................... B-14
Investment Advisory Agreement............................... B-24
Other Agreements............................................ B-25
Distribution and Service.................................... B-25
Transfer Agent.............................................. B-28
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation............. B-29
Shareholder Services........................................ B-30
Redemption of Shares........................................ B-33
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge-Class A.................... B-33
Waiver of Class B and Class C Contingent Deferred Sales
Charges................................................... B-34
Taxation.................................................... B-36
Fund Performance............................................ B-41
Other Information........................................... B-43
</TABLE>

THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS DATED APRIL , 2000.
<PAGE> 26

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Fund is organized as a separate non-diversified series of the Trust.
The Trust is an unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of the
State of Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of
Trust") dated May 10, 1995. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to
create one or more separate investment portfolios and issue a series of shares
for each portfolio, such as the Fund. The Trustees may authorize the division of
shares of each series into one or more classes of shares for such series.

The Trust was originally organized in 1987 under the name Van Kampen
Merritt Equity Trust as a Massachusetts business trust (the "Massachusetts
Trust"). The Massachusetts Trust was reorganized into the Trust under the name
Van Kampen American Capital Equity Trust on July 31, 1995. The Trust was created
for facilitating the Massachusetts Trust reorganization into a Delaware business
trust. On July 14, 1998, the Trust adopted its current name.

Van Kampen Asset Management Inc. (the "Adviser" or "Asset Management"), Van
Kampen Funds Inc. (the "Distributor"), and Van Kampen Investor Services Inc.
("Investor Services") are wholly owned subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments
Inc. ("Van Kampen Investments"), which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co ("Morgan Stanley Dean Witter"). The principal
office of the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor and Van Kampen Investments is
located at 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555.

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and various of its directly or indirectly owned
subsidiaries, including Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management Inc.,
an investment adviser, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, a registered
broker-dealer and investment adviser, and Morgan Stanley International, are
engaged in a wide range of financial services. Their principal businesses
include securities underwriting, distribution and trading; merger, acquisition,
restructuring and other corporate finance advisory activities; merchant banking;
stock brokerage and research services; credit services; asset management;
trading of futures, options, foreign exchange, commodities and swaps (involving
foreign exchange, commodities, indices and interest rates); real estate advice,
financing and investing; and securities lending.

The authorized capitalization of the Trust consists of an unlimited number
of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, which can be
divided into series, such as the Fund, and further subdivided into classes of
each series. Each share represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets
of the series with each other share in such series and no interest in any other
series. No series is subject to the liabilities of any other series. The
Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders are not liable for any
liabilities of the Trust or any of its series, requires inclusion of a clause to
that effect in every agreement entered into by the Trust or any of its series
and indemnifies shareholders against any such liability.

The Fund currently offers three classes of shares, designated Class A
Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Other classes may be established from
time to time in accordance with provisions of the Declaration of Trust. Each
class of shares of the Fund generally are identical in all respects except that
each class bears certain distribution expenses and has exclusive voting rights
with respect to its distribution fee. Shares of the Trust entitle their holders
to one vote per share; however, separate votes are taken by each series on
matters affecting an individual series and separate votes are taken by each
class

B-2
<PAGE> 27

of a series on matters affecting an individual class of such series. For
example, a change in investment policy for a series would be voted upon by
shareholders of only the series involved and a change in the distribution fee
for a class of a series would be voted upon by shareholders of only the class of
such series involved. Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus or herein,
shares do not have cumulative voting rights, preemptive rights or any
conversion, subscription or exchange rights.

The Trust does not contemplate holding regular meetings of shareholders to
elect Trustees or otherwise. However, the holders of 10% or more of the
outstanding shares may by written request require a meeting to consider the
removal of Trustees by a vote of two-thirds of the shares then outstanding cast
in person or by proxy at such meeting. The Fund will assist such holders in
communicating with other shareholders of the Fund to the extent required by the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), or rules or
regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

In the event of liquidation, each of the shares of the Fund is entitled to
its portion of all of the Fund's net assets after all debts and expenses of the
Fund have been paid. Since Class B Shares and Class C Shares have higher
distribution fees and transfer agency costs, the liquidation proceeds to holders
of Class B Shares and Class C Shares are likely to be lower than to holders of
Class A Shares.

The Trustees may amend the Declaration of Trust (including with respect to
any series) in any manner without shareholder approval, except that the Trustees
may not adopt any amendment adversely affecting the rights of shareholders of
any series without approval by a majority of the shares of each affected series
present at a meeting of shareholders (or such higher vote as may be required by
the 1940 Act or other applicable law) and except that the Trustees cannot amend
the Declaration of Trust to impose any liability on shareholders, make any
assessment on shares or impose liabilities on the Trustees without approval from
each affected shareholder or Trustee, as the case may be.

Statements contained in this Statement of Additional Information as to the
contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily
complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract
or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Statement of Additional Information forms a part, each such statement being
qualified in all respects by such reference.

As of the date of this statement of additional information, there were no
shares of the Fund issued or outstanding.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND RISKS

The following disclosures supplement disclosures set forth under the same
caption in the Prospectus and do not, standing alone, present a complete or
accurate explanation of the matters disclosed. Readers must refer also to this
caption in the Prospectus for a complete presentation of the matters disclosed
below.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks or
other financial institutions in order to earn a return on temporarily available
cash. A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser
(i.e., the Fund) acquires

B-3
<PAGE> 28

ownership of a security and the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a
future time and set price, thereby determining the yield during the holding
period. Repurchase agreements involve certain risks in the event of default by
the other party. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions deemed to be creditworthy
by the Adviser under guidelines approved by the Trustees. The Fund will not
invest in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days if any such
investment, together with any other illiquid securities held by the Fund, would
exceed the Fund's limitation on illiquid securities described below. The Fund
does not bear the risk of a decline in value of the underlying security unless
the seller defaults under its repurchase obligation. In the event of the
bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund
could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses
including: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security during
the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto; (b) possible lack
of access to income on the underlying security during this period; and (c)
expenses of enforcing its rights.

For the purpose of investing in repurchase agreements, the Adviser may
aggregate the cash that certain funds advised or subadvised by the Adviser or
certain of its affiliates would otherwise invest separately into a joint
account. The cash in the joint account is then invested in repurchase agreements
and the funds that contributed to the joint account share pro rata in the net
revenue generated. The Adviser believes that the joint account produces
efficiencies and economies of scale that may contribute to reduced transaction
costs, higher returns, higher quality investments and greater diversity of
investments for the Fund than would be available to the Fund investing
separately. The manner in which the joint account is managed is subject to
conditions set forth in an exemptive order from the SEC permitting this
practice, which conditions are designed to ensure the fair administration of the
joint account and to protect the amounts in that account.

Repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by the underlying securities
and are considered to be loans under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays for such
securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer to the
account of a custodian or bank acting as agent. The seller under a repurchase
agreement will be required to maintain the value of the underlying securities
marked-to-market daily at not less than the repurchase price. The underlying
securities (normally securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities) may have maturity dates exceeding one year.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund's portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of
purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a fiscal year by the average
monthly value of the Fund's portfolio securities during such fiscal year. The
turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a year.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities,
which includes securities that are not readily marketable, repurchase agreements
which have a maturity of longer than seven days and generally includes
securities that are restricted from sale to the public without registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). The sale of such
securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or
dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of liquid
securities trading on national

B-4
<PAGE> 29

securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities
are often purchased at a discount from the market price of unrestricted
securities of the same issuer reflecting the fact that such securities may not
be readily marketable without some time delay. Investments in securities for
which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as
determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved
by the Fund's Trustees. Ordinarily, the Fund would invest in restricted
securities only when it receives the issuer's commitment to register the
securities without expense to the Fund. However, registration and underwriting
expenses (which typically may range from 7% to 15% of the gross proceeds of the
securities sold) may be paid by the Fund. Restricted securities which can be
offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the
1933 Act ("144A Securities") and are determined to be liquid under guidelines
adopted by and subject to the supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees are
not subject to the limitation on illiquid securities. Such 144A Securities are
subject to monitoring and may become illiquid to the extent qualified
institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing such
securities. Factors used to determine whether 144A Securities are liquid
include, among other things, a security's trading history, the availability of
reliable pricing information, the number of dealers making quotes or making a
market in such security and the number of potential purchasers in the market for
such security. For purposes hereof, investments by the Fund in securities of
other investment companies will not be considered investments in restricted
securities to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to
time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act,
as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief from the
provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

The Fund's investments in convertible securities may include securities
with enhanced convertible features or "equity-linked" features. These securities
come in many forms and may include features, among others, such as the
following: (i) may be issued by the issuer of the underlying equity security on
its own securities or securities it holds of another company or be issued by a
third party (typically a brokerage firm or other financial entity) on a security
of another company, (ii) may convert into equity securities, such as common
stock, or may be redeemed for cash or some combination of cash and the linked
security at a value based upon the value of the underlying equity security,
(iii) may have various conversion features prior to maturity at the option of
the holder or the issuer or both, (iv) may limit the appreciation value with
caps or collars of the value of underlying equity security and (v) may have
fixed, variable or no interest payments during the life of the security which
reflect the actual or a structured return relative to the underlying dividends
of the linked equity security. Generally these securities are designed to give
investors enhanced yield opportunities to the equity securities of an issuer,
but these securities may involve a limited appreciation potential, downside
exposure, or a finite time in which to capture the yield advantage. For example,
certain securities may provide a higher current dividend income than the
dividend income on the underlying security while capping participation in the
capital appreciation of such security. Other securities may involve arrangements
with no interest or dividend payments made until maturity of the security or an
enhanced principal amount received at maturity based on the yield and value of
the underlying equity security during the security's term or at maturity.
Besides enhanced yield opportunities, another advantage of using such securities
is that they may be used for portfolio management or hedging purposes to reduce
the risk of investing in a more volatile underlying equity security. There may
be additional types of convertible securities with

B-5
<PAGE> 30

features not specifically referred to herein in which the Fund may invest
consistent with its investment objective and policies.

Investments in enhanced convertible or equity-linked securities may subject
the Fund to additional risks not ordinarily associated with investments in
traditional convertible securities. Particularly when such securities are issued
by a third party on an underlying linked security of another company, the Fund
is subject to risks if the underlying security underperforms or the issuer
defaults on the payment of the dividend or the underlying security at maturity.
Additionally, the trading market for certain securities may be less liquid than
for other convertible securities making it difficult for the Fund to dispose of
a particular security in a timely manner, and reduced liquidity in the secondary
market for any such securities may make it more difficult to obtain market
quotations for valuing the Fund's portfolio.

WARRANTS

Warrants are in effect longer-term call options. They give the holder the
right to purchase a given number of shares of a particular company at specified
prices within certain periods of time. The purchaser of a warrant expects that
the market price of the security will exceed the purchase price of the warrant
plus the exercise price of the warrant, thus giving him a profit. Of course,
since the market price may never exceed the exercise price before the expiration
date of the warrant, the purchaser of the warrant risks the loss of the entire
purchase price of the warrant. Warrants generally trade in the open market and
may be sold rather than exercised. Warrants are sometimes sold in unit form with
other securities of an issuer. Units of warrants and common stock may be
employed in financing young, unseasoned companies. The purchase price of a
warrant varies with the exercise price of the warrant, the current market value
of the underlying security, the life of the warrant and various other investment
factors.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

The Fund also may purchase foreign securities in the form of American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") or other
securities representing underlying shares of foreign companies. These securities
may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying
securities but generally are denominated in the currency of the market in which
they are traded. ADRs are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust
company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign
corporation. ADRs are publicly traded on exchanges or over-the-counter in the
United States and are issued through "sponsored" or "unsponsored" arrangements.
In a sponsored ADR arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes the obligation to pay
some or all of the depositary's transaction fees, whereas under an unsponsored
arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes no obligations and the depositary's
transaction fees are paid by the ADR holders. In addition, less information
generally is available for an unsponsored ADR than about a sponsored ADR and
financial information about a company may not be as reliable for an unsponsored
ADR as it is for a sponsored ADR. The Fund may invest in ADRs through both
sponsored and unsponsored arrangements. EDRs are receipts issued in Europe by
banks or depositaries which evidence similar ownership arrangement.

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<PAGE> 31

NON-DIVERSIFICATION

The Fund is a "non-diversified" investment company, which means the Fund is
not limited in the proportion of its assets that may be invested in the
securities of a single issuer. However, the Fund intends to conduct its
operations so as to qualify as a "regulated investment company" for purposes of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). If the Fund
qualifies as a regulated investment company under the Code, it will be relieved
of any liability for federal income tax to the extent its earnings are
distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify, among other requirements, the
Fund must limit its investments so that, at the close of each calendar quarter,
(i) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund's total assets are
invested in securities of a single issuer (other than the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities), and (ii) at least 50% of the market value of
its total assets is invested in cash, securities of the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities and other securities limited in respect of any
one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the Fund's
total assets. Since the Fund, as a non-diversified investment company, may
invest in a smaller number of individual issuers than a diversified investment
company, an investment in the Fund may, under certain circumstances, present
greater risks to an investor than an investment in a diversified company.

OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS

The Fund may, but is not required to, use various investment strategies as
described below to earn income, facilitate portfolio management, and mitigate
risks. Techniques and instruments may change over time as new instruments and
strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur.

SELLING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS

Purpose. The principal reason for selling options is to obtain, through
receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the
underlying securities alone. Such current return could be expected to fluctuate
because premiums earned from an option selling program and dividend or interest
income yields on portfolio securities vary as economic and market conditions
change. Selling options on portfolio securities is likely to result in a higher
portfolio turnover rate.

Selling Options. The purchaser of a call option pays a premium to the
seller (i.e., the writer) for the right to buy the underlying security from the
seller at a specified price during a certain period. The Fund would write call
options only on a covered basis or for cross-hedging purposes. A call option is
covered if, at all times during the option period, the Fund would own or have
the right to acquire securities of the type that it would be obligated to
deliver if any outstanding option were exercised. An option is for cross-hedging
purposes if it is not covered by the security subject to the option, but is
designed to provide a hedge against another security which the Fund owns or has
the right to acquire. In such circumstances, the Fund collateralizes the option
by maintaining in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian cash or liquid
securities in an amount not less than the market value of the underlying
security, marked to market daily, while the option is outstanding.

The purchaser of a put option pays a premium to the seller (i.e., the
writer) for the right to sell the underlying security to the writer at a
specified price during a certain period. The

B-7
<PAGE> 32

Fund would sell put options only on a secured basis, which means that, at all
times during the option period, the Fund would maintain in a segregated account
with its custodian cash or liquid securities in an amount of not less than the
exercise price of the option, or would hold a put on the same underlying
security at an equal or greater exercise price.

Closing Purchase Transactions and Offsetting Transactions. In order to
terminate its position as a writer of a call or put option, the Fund could enter
into a "closing purchase transaction," which is the purchase of a call (put) on
the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration
date as the call (put) previously sold by the Fund. The Fund would realize a
gain (loss) if the premium plus commission paid in the closing purchase
transaction is lesser (greater) than the premium it received on the sale of the
option. The Fund would also realize a gain if an option it has written lapses
unexercised.

The Fund could sell options that are listed on an exchange as well as
options which are privately negotiated in over-the-counter transactions. The
Fund could close out its position as a seller of an option only if a liquid
secondary market exists for options of that series, but there is no assurance
that such a market will exist, particularly in the case of over-the-counter
options, since they can be closed out only with the other party to the
transaction. Alternatively, the Fund could purchase an offsetting option, which
would not close out its position as a seller, but would provide an asset of
equal value to its obligation under the option sold. If the Fund is not able to
enter into a closing purchase transaction or to purchase an offsetting option
with respect to an option it has sold, it will be required to maintain the
securities subject to the call or the collateral securing the option until a
closing purchase transaction can be entered into (or the option is exercised or
expires) even though it might not be advantageous to do so.

Risks of Writing Options. By selling a call option, the Fund loses the
potential for gain on the underlying security above the exercise price while the
option is outstanding; by selling a put option the Fund might become obligated
to purchase the underlying security at an exercise price that exceeds the then
current market price.

PURCHASING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS

The Fund could purchase call options to protect against anticipated
increases in the prices of securities it wishes to acquire. Alternatively, call
options could be purchased for capital appreciation. Since the premium paid for
a call option is typically a small fraction of the price of the underlying
security, a given amount of funds will purchase call options covering a much
larger quantity of such security than could be purchased directly. By purchasing
call options, the Fund could benefit from any significant increase in the price
of the underlying security to a greater extent than had it invested the same
amount in the security directly. However, because of the very high volatility of
option premiums, the Fund would bear a significant risk of losing the entire
premium if the price of the underlying security did not rise sufficiently, or if
it did not do so before the option expired.

Put options may be purchased to protect against anticipated declines in the
market value of either specific portfolio securities or of the Fund's assets
generally. Alternatively, put options may be purchased for capital appreciation
in anticipation of a price decline in the underlying security and a
corresponding increase in the value of the put option. The purchase of put
options for capital appreciation involves the same significant risk of loss as
described above for call options.

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<PAGE> 33

In any case, the purchase of options for capital appreciation would
increase the Fund's volatility by increasing the impact of changes in the market
price of the underlying securities on the Fund's net asset value.

OPTIONS ON STOCK INDICES

Options on stock indices are similar to options on stock, but the delivery
requirements are different. Instead of giving the right to take or make delivery
of stock at a specified price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the
right to receive an amount of cash which amount will depend upon the closing
level of the stock index upon which the option is based being greater than (in
the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of
the option. The amount of cash received will be the difference between the
closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, multiplied by a
specified dollar multiple. The writer of the option is obligated, in return for
the premium received, to make delivery of this amount.

Some stock index options are based on a broad market index such as the
Standard & Poor's 500 or the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index, or a
narrower index such as the Standard & Poor's 100. Indices are also based on an
industry or market segment such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer
and Business Equipment Index. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the
market values of the stocks included in the index. Options are currently traded
on several exchanges.

Gain or loss to the Fund on transactions in stock index options will depend
on price movements in the stock market generally (or in a particular industry or
segment of the market) rather than price movements of individual securities. As
with stock options, the Fund may offset its position in stock index options
prior to expiration by entering into a closing transaction on an exchange, or it
may let the option expire unexercised.

FUTURES CONTRACTS

The Fund may engage in transactions involving futures contracts and related
options in accordance with the rules and interpretations of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") under which the Fund would be exempt from
registration as a "commodity pool."

A stock index futures contract is an agreement pursuant to which a party
agrees to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar
amount multiplied by the difference between the stock index value at a specified
time and the price at which the futures contract originally was struck. No
physical delivery of the underlying stocks in the index is made.

Currently, stock index futures contracts can be purchased with respect to
several indices on various exchanges. Differences in the stocks included in the
indices may result in differences in correlation of the futures contracts with
movements in the value of the securities being hedged.

An interest rate futures contract is an agreement pursuant to which a party
agrees to take or make delivery of a specified debt security (such as U.S.
Treasury bonds or notes) at a specified future time and at a specified price.
The Fund also may invest in foreign stock index futures traded outside the
United States which involve additional risks

B-9
<PAGE> 34

including fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, foreign currency exchange
controls, political and economic instability, differences in financial reporting
and securities regulation and trading, and foreign taxation issues.

Initial and Variation Margin. In contrast to the purchase or sale of a
security, no price is paid or received upon the purchase or sale of a futures
contract. Initially, the Fund is required to deposit with its custodian in an
account in the broker's name an amount of cash or liquid securities equal to a
percentage (which will normally range between 2% and 10%) of the contract
amount. This amount is known as initial margin. The nature of initial margin in
futures transactions is different from that of margin in securities transactions
in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the
customer to finance the transaction. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature
of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract, which is returned
to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract and satisfaction of its
contractual obligations. Subsequent payments to and from the broker, called
variation margin, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying
securities or index fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the
futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to market.

For example, when the Fund purchases a futures contract and the price of
the underlying security or index rises, that position increases in value, and
the Fund receives from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that
increase in value. Conversely, where the Fund purchases a futures contract and
the value of the underlying security or index declines, the position is less
valuable, and the Fund is required to make a variation margin payment to the
broker.

At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect
to terminate the position by taking an opposite position. A final determination
of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or
released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain.

Futures Strategies. When the Fund anticipates a significant market or
market sector advance, the purchase of a futures contract affords a hedge
against not participating in the advance at a time when the Fund is otherwise
fully invested ("anticipatory hedge"). Such purchase of a futures contract would
serve as a temporary substitute for the purchase of individual securities, which
may be purchased in an orderly fashion once the market has stabilized. As
individual securities are purchased, an equivalent amount of futures contracts
could be terminated by offsetting sales. The Fund may sell futures contracts in
anticipation of or in a general market or market sector decline that may
adversely affect the market value of the Fund's securities ("defensive hedge").
To the extent that the Fund's portfolio of securities changes in value in
correlation with the underlying security or index, the sale of futures contracts
would substantially reduce the risk to the Fund of a market decline and, by so
doing, provides an alternative to the liquidation of securities positions in the
Fund. Ordinarily transaction costs associated with futures transactions are
lower than transaction costs that would be incurred in the purchase and sale of
the underlying securities.

Special Risks Associated with Futures Transactions. There are several risks
connected with the use of futures contracts. These include the risk of imperfect
correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and of the
underlying securities or index; the risk of market distortion; the illiquidity
risk; and the risk of error in anticipating price movement.

B-10
<PAGE> 35

There may be an imperfect correlation (or no correlation) between movements
in the price of the futures contracts and of the securities being hedged. The
risk of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the securities
being hedged diverges from the securities upon which the futures contract is
based. If the price of the futures contract moves less than the price of the
securities being hedged, the hedge will not be fully effective. To compensate
for the imperfect correlation, the Fund could buy or sell futures contracts in a
greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of securities being hedged if the
historical volatility of the securities being hedged is greater than the
historical volatility of the securities underlying the futures contract.
Conversely, the Fund could buy or sell futures contracts in a lesser dollar
amount than the dollar amount of securities being hedged if the historical
volatility of the securities being hedged is less than the historical volatility
of the securities underlying the futures contracts. It is also possible that the
value of futures contracts held by the Fund could decline at the same time as
portfolio securities being hedged; if this occurred, the Fund would lose money
on the futures contract in addition to suffering a decline in value in the
portfolio securities being hedged.

There is also the risk that the price of futures contracts may not
correlate perfectly with movements in the securities or index underlying the
futures contract due to certain market distortions. First, all participants in
the futures market are subject to margin depository and maintenance
requirements. Rather than meet additional margin depository requirements,
investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions, which
could distort the normal relationship between the futures market and the
securities or index underlying the futures contract. Second, from the point of
view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less
onerous than margin requirements in the securities markets. Therefore, increased
participation by speculators in the futures markets may cause temporary price
distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion in the futures markets
and because of the imperfect correlation between movements in futures contracts
and movements in the securities underlying them, a correct forecast of general
market trends by the Adviser may still not result in a successful hedging
transaction.

There is also the risk that futures markets may not be sufficiently liquid.
Futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade that
provides a market for such futures contracts. Although the Fund intends to
purchase or sell futures only on exchanges and boards of trade where there
appears to be an active secondary market, there can be no assurance that an
active secondary market will exist for any particular contract or at any
particular time. In the event of such illiquidity, it might not be possible to
close a futures position and, in the event of adverse price movement, the Fund
would continue to be required to make daily payments of variation margin. Since
the securities being hedged would not be sold until the related futures contract
is sold, an increase, if any, in the price of the securities may to some extent
offset losses on the related futures contract. In such event, the Fund would
lose the benefit of the appreciation in value of the securities.

Successful use of futures is also subject to the Adviser's ability to
correctly predict the direction of movements in the market. For example, if the
Fund hedges against a decline in the market, and market prices instead advance,
the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increase in value of its
securities holdings because it will have offsetting losses in futures contracts.
In such cases, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio
securities at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so in order to meet the
daily variation margin.

B-11
<PAGE> 36

Although the Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only if there is
an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market
will exist for the contracts at any particular time. Most U.S. futures exchanges
and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures
contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been
reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price
beyond that limit. It is possible that futures contract prices would move to the
daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading,
thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some
futures traders to substantial losses. In such event, and in the event of
adverse price movements, the Fund would be required to make daily cash payments
of variation margin. In such circumstances, an increase in the value of the
portion of the portfolio being hedged, if any, may partially or completely
offset losses on the futures contract. However, as described above, there is no
guarantee that the price of the securities being hedged will, in fact, correlate
with the price movements in a futures contract and thus provide an offset to
losses on the futures contract.

The Fund will not enter into futures contracts or options transactions
(except for closing transactions) other than for bona fide hedging purposes if,
immediately thereafter, the sum of its initial margin and premiums on open
futures contracts and options exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's
assets; however, in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of
purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%
limitation. In order to prevent leverage in connection with the purchase of
futures contracts by the Fund, an amount of cash or liquid securities equal to
the market value of the obligation under the futures contracts (less any related
margin deposits) will be maintained in a segregated account with the custodian.

OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS

The Fund could also purchase and write options on futures contracts. An
option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the
premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the
option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified
exercise price at any time during the option period. As a writer of an option on
a futures contract, the Fund would be subject to initial margin and maintenance
requirements similar to those applicable to futures contracts. In addition, net
option premiums received by the Fund are required to be included as initial
margin deposits. When an option on a futures contract is exercised, delivery of
the futures position is accompanied by cash representing the difference between
the current market price of the futures contract and the exercise price of the
option. The Fund could purchase put options on futures contracts in lieu of, and
for the same purposes as, the sale of a futures contract; at the same time, it
could write put options at a lower strike price (a "put bear spread") to offset
part of the cost of the strategy to the Fund. The purchase of call options on
futures contracts is intended to serve the same purpose as the actual purchase
of the futures contracts.

Risks of Transactions in Options on Futures Contracts. In addition to the
risks described above which apply to all options transactions, there are several
special risks relating to options on futures. The Adviser will not purchase
options on futures on any exchange unless in the Adviser's opinion, a liquid
secondary exchange market for such options exists. Compared to the use of
futures, the purchase of options on futures involves less potential risk to the
Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options
(plus transaction

B-12
<PAGE> 37

costs). However, there may be circumstances, such as when there is no movement
in the price of the underlying security or index, when the use of an option on a
future would result in a loss to the Fund when the use of a future would not.

ADDITIONAL RISKS OF OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS

Each of the exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum
number of call or put options on the same underlying security or futures
contract (whether or not covered) which may be written by a single investor,
whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such
options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written on
one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). Option positions of all
investment companies advised by the Adviser are combined for purposes of these
limits. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in
violation of these limits and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions.
These position limits may restrict the number of listed options which the Fund
may write.

In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages
in transactions in options, futures or related options, the Fund could
experience delays or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or incur a
loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker. Transactions are
entered into by the Fund only with brokers or financial institutions deemed
creditworthy by the Adviser.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment restrictions
which may not be changed without shareholder approval by the vote of a majority
of its outstanding voting securities which is defined by the 1940 Act as the
lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting, if the
holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are
present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding
voting securities. The percentage limitations contained in the restrictions and
policies set forth herein apply at the time of purchase of securities. With
respect to the limitation on liquid securities and borrowings, the percentage
limitations apply at the time of purchase and on an ongoing basis. These
restrictions provide that the Fund shall not:

1. Issue senior securities nor borrow money, except the Fund may issue
senior securities or borrow money to the extent permitted by (i) the
1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations
promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time,
or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the
provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

2. Act as an underwriter of securities issued by others, except to the
extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities,
it may be deemed to be an underwriter under applicable securities laws.

3. Invest in any security if, as a result, more than 25% of the value of
the Fund's total assets, taken at market value at the time of each
investment, are in the securities of issuers in any particular industry
(excluding securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and
its agencies and instrumentalities or securities of state and municipal
governments or their political subdivisions), or when the Fund has taken
a temporary defensive position, or as otherwise provided by (i) the 1940
Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations
promulgated by the

B-13
<PAGE> 38

SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or
other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as
amended from time to time.

4. Purchase or sell real estate except that the Fund may: (a) acquire or
lease office space for its own use, (b) invest in securities of issuers
that invest in real estate or interests therein or that are engaged in
or operate in the real estate industry, (c) invest in securities that
are secured by real estate or interests therein, (d) purchase and sell
mortgage-related securities, (e) hold and sell real estate acquired by
the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities and (f) as otherwise
permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the
rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as
amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief
applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended
from time to time.

5. Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments; provided that this
restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling
options, futures contracts and related options thereon, forward
contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and any other financial
instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed
by physical commodities or as otherwise permitted by (i) the 1940 Act,
as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated
by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an
exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of
the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

6. Make loans of money or property to any person, except (a) to the extent
that securities or interests in which the Fund may invest are considered
to be loans, (b) through the loan of portfolio securities, (c) to the
extent that the Fund may lend money or property in connection with the
maintenance of the value of, or the Fund's interest with respect to, the
securities owned by the Fund, (d) by engaging in repurchase agreements
or (e) as may otherwise be permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended
from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption
or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940
Act, as amended from time to time.

The Fund has an operating policy not to borrow except for borrowings for
temporary purposes and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total
assets of the Fund at the time when the borrowing is made.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the
Fund's Board of Trustees and the Fund's officers appointed by the Board of
Trustees. The tables below list the trustees and officers of the Fund and
executive officers of the Fund's investment adviser and their principal
occupations for the last five years and their affiliations, if any, with Van
Kampen Investments Inc. ("Van Kampen Investments"), Van Kampen Investment
Advisory Corp. ("Advisory Corp."), Van Kampen Asset Management Inc. ("Asset
Management"), Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the "Distributor"), Van Kampen Management
Inc., Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Insurance Agency of Illinois Inc.,
Van Kampen Insurance Agency of Texas Inc., Van Kampen

B-14
<PAGE> 39

System Inc., Van Kampen Recordkeeping Services Inc., American Capital
Contractual Services, Inc., Van Kampen Trust Company, Van Kampen Exchange Corp.
and Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. ("Investor Services"). Advisory Corp. and
Asset Management sometimes are referred to herein collectively as the
"Advisers". For purposes hereof, the term "Fund Complex" includes each of the
open-end investment companies advised by the Advisers (excluding Van Kampen
Exchange Fund).

TRUSTEES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS
--------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C>
J. Miles Branagan......................... Private investor. Trustee/Director of each of
1632 Morning Mountain Road the funds in the Fund Complex. Co-founder, and
Raleigh, NC 27614 prior to August 1996, Chairman, Chief Executive
Date of Birth: 07/14/32 Officer and President, MDT Corporation (now
Age: 67 known as Getinge/Castle, Inc., a subsidiary of
Getinge Industrier AB), a company which
develops, manufactures, markets and services
medical and scientific equipment.
Jerry D. Choate........................... Director of Amgen Inc., a biotechnological
Barrington Place, Building 4 company. Trustee/Director of each of the funds
18 E. Dundee Road, Suite 101 in the Fund Complex. Prior to January 1999,
Barrington, IL 60010 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The
Date of Birth: 09/16/38 Allstate Corporation ("Allstate") and Allstate
Age: 61 Insurance Company. Prior to January 1995,
President and Chief Executive Officer of
Allstate. Prior to August 1994, various
management positions at Allstate.
Linda Hutton Heagy........................ Managing Partner of Heidrick & Stuggles, an
Sears Tower executive search firm. Trustee/Director of each
233 South Wacker Drive of the funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to
Suite 7000 1997, Partner, Ray & Berndtson, Inc., an
Chicago, IL 60606 executive recruiting and management consulting
Date of Birth: 06/03/48 firm. Formerly, Executive Vice President of ABN
Age: 51 AMRO, N.A., a Dutch bank holding company. Prior
to 1992, Executive Vice President of La Salle
National Bank. Trustee on the University of
Chicago Hospitals Board, Vice Chair of the
Board of The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and a
member of the Women's Board of the University
of Chicago. Prior to 1996, Trustee of The
International House Board.
R. Craig Kennedy.......................... President and Director, German Marshall Fund of
11 DuPont Circle, N.W. the United States, an independent U.S.
Washington, D.C. 20016 foundation created to deepen understanding,
Date of Birth: 02/29/52 promote collaboration and stimulate exchanges
Age: 47 of practical experience between Americans and
Europeans. Trustee/Director of each of the
funds in the Fund Complex. Formerly, advisor to
the Dennis Trading Group Inc., a managed
futures and option company that invests money
for individuals and institutions. Prior to
1992, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Director and Member of the Investment Committee
of the Joyce Foundation, a private foundation.
</TABLE>

B-15
<PAGE> 40

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS
--------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C>
Mitchell M. Merin*........................ President and Chief Operating Officer of Asset
Two World Trade Center Management of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter since
66th Floor December 1998. President and Director since
New York, NY 10048 April 1997 and Chief Executive Officer since
Date of Birth: 08/13/53 June 1998 of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Age: 46 Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Services Company Inc. Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Director of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Distributors Inc. since June 1998.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since June
1998, and Director since January 1998, of
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB. Director
of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
subsidiaries. President of the Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Funds and Discover Brokerage Index
Series since May 1999. Trustee/Director of each
of the funds in the Fund Complex, and Vice
President of other investment companies advised
by the Advisers and their affiliates.
Previously Chief Strategic Officer of Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. and Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Services Company Inc. and
Executive Vice President of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Distributors Inc. April 1997-June 1998,
Vice President of the Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Funds and Discover Brokerage Index
Series May 1997-April 1999, and Executive Vice
President of Dean Witter, Discover & Co.
Jack E. Nelson............................ President and owner, Nelson Investment Planning
423 Country Club Drive Services, Inc., a financial planning company
Winter Park, FL 32789 and registered investment adviser in the State
Date of Birth: 02/13/36 of Florida. President and owner, Nelson Ivest
Age: 63 Brokerage Services Inc., a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. and Securities Investors Protection Corp.
Trustee/Director of each of the funds in the
Fund Complex.
Richard F. Powers, III*................... Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
1 Parkview Plaza of Van Kampen Investments. Chairman, Director
P.O. Box 5555 and Chief Executive Officer of the Advisers,
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555 the Distributor, Van Kampen Advisors Inc. and
Date of Birth: 02/02/46 Van Kampen Management Inc. Director and officer
Age: 53 of certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen
Investments. Trustee/Director and President of
each of the funds in the Fund Complex. Trustee,
President and Chairman of the Board of other
investment companies advised by the Advisers
and their affiliates, and Chief Executive
Officer of Van Kampen Exchange Fund. Prior to
May 1998, Executive Vice President and Director
of Marketing at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and
Director of Dean Witter Discover & Co. and Dean
Witter Realty. Prior to 1996, Director of Dean
Witter Reynolds Inc.
</TABLE>

B-16
<PAGE> 41

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS
--------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C>
Phillip B. Rooney......................... Vice Chairman (since April 1997) and Director
One ServiceMaster Way (since 1994) of The ServiceMaster Company, a
Downers Grove, IL 60515 business and consumer services company.
Date of Birth: 07/08/44 Director of Illinois Tool Works, Inc., a
Age: 55 manufacturing company and the Urban Shopping
Centers Inc., a retail mall management company.
Trustee, University of Notre Dame.
Trustee/Director of each of the funds in the
Fund Complex. Prior to 1998, Director of Stone
Smurfit Container Corp., a paper manufacturing
company. From May 1996 through February 1997 he
was President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Operating Officer of Waste Management,
Inc., an environmental services company, and
from November 1984 through May 1996 he was
President and Chief Operating Officer of Waste
Management, Inc.

Fernando Sisto............................ Professor Emeritus. Prior to August 1996, a
155 Hickory Lane George M. Bond Chaired Professor with Stevens
Closter, NJ 07624 Institute of Technology, and prior to 1995,
Date of Birth: 08/02/24 Dean of the Graduate School, Stevens Institute
Age: 75 of Technology. Director, Dynalysis of
Princeton, a firm engaged in engineering
research. Trustee/Director of each of the funds
in the Fund Complex.

Wayne W. Whalen*.......................... Partner in the law firm of Skadden, Arps,
333 West Wacker Drive Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois), legal counsel
Chicago, IL 60606 to the funds in the Fund Complex, and other
Date of Birth: 08/22/39 investment companies advised by the Advisers or
Age: 60 Van Kampen Management Inc. Trustee/Director of
each of the funds in the Fund Complex, and
Trustee/Managing General Partner of other
investment companies advised by the Advisers or
Van Kampen Management Inc.

Suzanne H. Woolsey........................ Chief Operating Officer of the National Academy
2101 Constitution Ave., N.W. of Sciences/National Research Council, an
Room 206 independent, federally chartered policy
Washington, D.C. 20418 institution, since 1993. Director of Neurogen
Date of Birth: 12/27/41 Corporation, a pharmaceutical company, since
Age: 58 January 1998. Director of the German Marshall
Fund of the United States, Trustee of Colorado
College, and Vice Chair of the Board of the
Council for Excellence in Government. Trustee/
Director of each of the funds in the Fund
Complex. Prior to 1993, Executive Director of
the Commission on Behavioral and Social
Sciences and Education at the National Academy
of Sciences/National Research Council. From
1980 through 1989, Partner of Coopers &
Lybrand.
</TABLE>

B-17
<PAGE> 42

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS
--------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C>
Paul G. Yovovich.......................... Private investor. Director of 3Com Corporation,
Sears Tower which provides information access products and
233 South Wacker Drive network system solutions, COMARCO, Inc., a
Suite 9700 wireless communications products company and
Chicago, IL 60606 APAC Customer Services, Inc., a provider of
Date of Birth: 10/29/53 outsourced customer contact services.
Age: 46 Trustee/Director of each of the funds in the
Fund Complex. Prior to May 1996, President of
Advance Ross Corporation, an international
transaction services and pollution control
equipment manufacturing company.
</TABLE>

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

* Such trustee is an "interested person" (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19)
of the 1940 Act). Mr. Whalen is an interested person of the Fund by reason of
his firm currently acting as legal counsel to the Fund. Messrs. Merin and
Powers are interested persons of the Fund and the Advisers by reason of their
positions with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter or its affiliates.

B-18
<PAGE> 43

OFFICERS

Messrs. McDonnell, Smith, Santo, Hegel, Sullivan, and Wood are located at 1
Parkview Plaza, PO Box 5555, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555. The Fund's other
officers are located at 2800 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITIONS AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
OFFICES WITH FUND DURING PAST 5 YEARS
------------------------ ---------------------
<S> <C>
Dennis J. McDonnell.................. Currently Executive Vice President and Director of
Date of Birth: 05/20/42 Van Kampen Investments, and employed by Van Kampen
Executive Vice President and Chief Investments since March 1983. President, Chief
Investment Officer Operating Officer and Director of the Advisers, Van
Age: 57 Kampen Advisors Inc., and Van Kampen Management
Inc. Executive Vice President and Chief Investment
Officer of each of the funds in the Fund Complex,
since 1998. Chief Investment Officer, Executive
Vice President and Trustee/ Managing General
Partner of other investment companies advised by
the Advisers or Van Kampen Management Inc.
("Management Inc."), since the inception of funds
advised by Advisory Corp. and Management Inc. and
since 1998 for funds advised by Asset Management.
Director of Global Decisions Group LLC, a financial
research firm, and its affiliates MCM Asia Pacific
and MCM Europe. Prior to 1998, President, Chief
Operating Officer and a Director of the Advisers,
Van Kampen American Capital Management, Inc.;
Director of Van Kampen American Capital, Inc.; and
President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of
each of the funds advised by Advisory Corp. Prior
to July 1998, Director and Executive Vice President
of VK/AC Holding, Inc. (predecessor of Van Kampen
Investments). Prior to April 1998, President and
Director of Van Kampen Merritt Equity Advisors
Corp. Prior to April 1997, Director of Van Kampen
Merritt Equity Holdings Corp. Prior to September
1996, Chief Executive Officer and Director of MCM
Group, Inc. and McCarthy, Crisanti & Maffei, Inc.,
a financial research firm, and Chairman of MCM Asia
Pacific Company, Limited and MCM (Europe) Limited.
Prior to December 1991, Senior Vice President of
Van Kampen Merritt Inc.
</TABLE>

B-19
<PAGE> 44

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITIONS AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
OFFICES WITH FUND DURING PAST 5 YEARS
------------------------ ---------------------
<S> <C>
A. Thomas Smith III.................. Executive Vice President, General Counsel,
Date of Birth: 12/14/56 Secretary and Director of Van Kampen Investments,
Vice President and Secretary the Advisers, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen
Age: 43 Management Inc., the Distributor, American Capital
Contractual Services, Inc., Van Kampen Exchange
Corp., Van Kampen Recordkeeping Services Inc.,
Investor Services, Van Kampen Insurance Agency of
Illinois Inc. and Van Kampen System Inc. Vice
President and Secretary/Vice President, Principal
Legal Officer and Secretary of other investment
companies advised by the Advisers or their
affiliates. Vice President and Secretary of each of
the funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to January
1999, Vice President and Associate General Counsel
to New York Life Insurance Company ("New York
Life"), and prior to March 1997, Associate General
Counsel of New York Life. Prior to December 1993,
Assistant General Counsel of The Dreyfus
Corporation. Prior to August 1991, Senior
Associate, Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Prior to
January 1989, Staff Attorney at the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Division of Investment
Management, Office of Chief Counsel.

Michael H. Santo..................... Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative
Date of Birth: 10/22/55 Officer and Director of Van Kampen Investments, the
Vice President Advisers, the Distributor, Van Kampen Advisors
Age: 44 Inc., Van Kampen Management Inc. and Van Kampen
Investor Services Inc., and serves as a Director or
Officer of certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen
Investments. Vice President of each of the funds in
the Fund Complex and certain other investment
companies advised by the Advisers and their
affiliates. Prior to 1998, Senior Vice President
and Senior Planning Officer for Individual Asset
Management of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and its
predecessor since 1994. From 1990-1994, First Vice
President and Assistant Controller in Dean Witter's
Controller's Department.

Peter W. Hegel....................... Executive Vice President of the Advisers, Van
Date of Birth: 06/25/56 Kampen Management Inc. and Van Kampen Advisors Inc.
Vice President Vice President of each of the funds in the Fund
Age: 43 Complex and certain other investment companies
advised by the Advisers or their affiliates. Prior
to September 1996, Director of McCarthy, Crisanti &
Maffei, Inc, a financial research company.
</TABLE>

B-20
<PAGE> 45

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITIONS AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
OFFICES WITH FUND DURING PAST 5 YEARS
------------------------ ---------------------
<S> <C>
Stephen L. Boyd...................... Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for
Date of Birth: 11/16/40 Equity Investments of the Advisers. Vice President
Vice President of each of the funds in the Fund Complex and
Age: 59 certain other investment companies advised by the
Advisers or their affiliates. Prior to October
1998, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager
with AIM Capital Management, Inc. Prior to February
1998, Senior Vice President of Van Kampen American
Capital Asset Management, Inc., Van Kampen American
Capital Investment Advisory Corp. and Van Kampen
American Capital Management, Inc.

John L. Sullivan..................... Senior Vice President of Van Kampen Investments and
Date of Birth: 08/20/55 the Advisers. Vice President, Chief Financial
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of each of the funds in the
Officer and Treasurer Fund Complex and certain other investment companies
Age: 44 advised by the Advisers or their affiliates.

Curtis W. Morell..................... Senior Vice President of the Advisers, Vice
Date of Birth: 08/04/46 President and Chief Accounting Officer of each of
Vice President and Chief Accounting the funds in the Fund Complex and certain other
Officer investment companies advised by the Advisers or
Age: 53 their affiliates.

Edward C. Wood III................... Senior Vice President of the Advisers, Van Kampen
Date of Birth: 01/11/56 Investments and Van Kampen Management Inc. Senior
Vice President Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Age: 44 Distributor. Vice President of each of the funds in
the Fund Complex and certain other investment
companies advised by the Advisers or their
affiliates.
</TABLE>

Each trustee/director holds the same position with each of the funds in the
Fund Complex. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, there
are 65 operating funds in the Fund Complex. Each trustee/director who is not an
affiliated person of Van Kampen Investments, the Advisers or the Distributor
(each a "Non-Affiliated Trustee") is compensated by an annual retainer and
meeting fees for services to the funds in the Fund Complex. Each fund in the
Fund Complex provides a deferred compensation plan to its Non-Affiliated
Trustees that allows trustees/directors to defer receipt of their compensation
and earn a return on such deferred amounts. Deferring compensation has the
economic effect as if the Non-Affiliated Trustee reinvested his or her
compensation into the funds. Each fund in the Fund Complex provides a retirement
plan to its Non-Affiliated Trustees that provides Non-Affiliated Trustees with
compensation after retirement, provided that certain eligibility requirements
are met as more fully described below.

B-21
<PAGE> 46

The compensation of each Non-Affiliated Trustee includes an annual retainer
in an amount equal to $50,000 per calendar year, due in four quarterly
installments on the first business day of each quarter. Payment of the annual
retainer is allocated among the funds in the Fund Complex on the basis of the
relative net assets of each fund as of the last business day of the preceding
calendar quarter. The compensation of each Non-Affiliated Trustee includes a per
meeting fee from each fund in the Fund Complex in the amount of $200 per
quarterly or special meeting attended by the Non-Affiliated Trustee, due on the
date of the meeting, plus reasonable expenses incurred by the Non-Affiliated
Trustee in connection with his or her services as a trustee, provided that no
compensation will be paid in connection with certain telephonic special
meetings.

Under the deferred compensation plan, each Non-Affiliated Trustee generally
can elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the compensation earned by
such Non-Affiliated Trustee until retirement. Amounts deferred are retained by
the Fund and earn a rate of return determined by reference to the return on the
common shares of such Fund or other funds in the Fund Complex as selected by the
respective Non-Affiliated Trustee, with the same economic effect as if such
Non-Affiliated Trustee had invested in one or more funds in the Fund Complex. To
the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in securities of those
funds selected by the Non-Affiliated Trustees in order to match the deferred
compensation obligation. The deferred compensation plan is not funded and
obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general
assets of the Fund.

Under the retirement plan, a Non-Affiliated Trustee who is receiving
compensation from such Fund prior to such Non-Affiliated Trustee's retirement,
has at least 10 years of service (including years of service prior to adoption
of the retirement plan) and retires at or after attaining the age of 60, is
eligible to receive a retirement benefit equal to $2,500 per year for each of
the ten years following such retirement from such Fund. Non-Affiliated Trustees
retiring prior to the age of 60 or with fewer than 10 years but more than 5
years of service may receive reduced retirement benefits from such Fund. Each
trustee/director has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fund
since he or she was first appointed or elected in the year set forth below. The
retirement plan contains a Fund Complex retirement benefit cap of $60,000 per
year.

B-22
<PAGE> 47

Additional information regarding compensation and benefits for trustees is
set forth below for the periods described in the notes accompanying the table.

COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fund Complex
---------------------------------------------
Aggregate
Aggregate Estimated
Pension or Maximum Total
Aggregate Retirement Annual Compensation
Compensation Benefits Benefits from before
before Accrued as the Fund Deferral from
Deferral from Part of Upon Fund
Name(1) the Fund(2) Expenses(3) Retirement(4) Complex(5)
------- ------------- ----------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Miles Branagan............. $ (2) $35,691 $60,000 $125,200
Jerry D. Choate(1)............ (2) 0 60,000 0
Linda Hutton Heagy............ (2) 3,861 60,000 112,800
R. Craig Kennedy.............. (2) 2,652 60,000 125,200
Jack E. Nelson................ (2) 18,385 60,000 125,200
Phillip B. Rooney............. (2) 6,002 60,000 125,200
Fernando Sisto................ (2) 68,615 60,000 125,200
Wayne W. Whalen............... (2) 12,658 60,000 125,200
Suzanne H. Woolsey(1)......... (2) 0 60,000 0
Paul G. Yovovich(1)........... (2) 0 60,000 25,300
</TABLE>

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

(1) Trustees not eligible for compensation are not included in the Compensation
Table. Mr. Yovovich became a member of the Board of Trustees for the Trust
and other funds in the Fund Complex on October 22, 1998 and therefore does
not have a full fiscal year of information to report. Mr. Choate and Ms.
Woolsey became members of the Board of Trustees for the Trust and other
funds in the Fund Complex on May 26, 1999 and therefore do not have a full
year of information to report.

(2) For the Fund's first fiscal year, the estimated aggregate compensation from
the Fund per trustee is anticipated to be approximately $1,000-$2,000. The
trustees may defer compensation from the Fund. Amounts deferred are retained
by the Fund and earn a rate of return determined by reference to either the
return on the common shares of the Fund or other funds in the Fund Complex
as selected by the respective Non-Affiliated Trustee, with the same economic
effect as if such Non-Affiliated Trustee had invested in one or more funds
in the Fund Complex. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, each Fund may
invest in securities of those funds selected by the Non-Affiliated Trustees
in order to match the deferred compensation obligation.

(3) The amounts shown in this column represent the sum of the retirement
benefits accrued by the operating investment companies in the Fund Complex
for each of the trustees for the Funds' respective fiscal years ended in
1999. The retirement plan is described above the Compensation Table.

(4) For each trustee, this is the sum of the estimated maximum annual benefits
payable by the funds in the Fund Complex for each year of the 10-year period
commencing in the year of such trustee's anticipated retirement. The
retirement plan is described above the Compensation Table.

B-23
<PAGE> 48

(5) The amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate compensation paid
by all operating investment companies in the Fund Complex as of December 31,
1999 before deferral by the trustees under the deferred compensation plan.
Because the funds in the Fund Complex have different fiscal year ends, the
amounts shown in this column are presented on a calendar year basis. Certain
trustees deferred all or a portion of their aggregate compensation from the
Fund Complex during the calendar year ended December 31, 1999. The deferred
compensation earns a rate of return determined by reference to the return on
the shares of the funds in the Fund Complex as selected by the respective
Non-Affiliated Trustee, with the same economic effect as if such
Non-Affiliated Trustee had invested in one or more funds in the Fund
Complex. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in
securities of those investment companies selected by the Non-Affiliated
Trustees in order to match the deferred compensation obligation. The
Advisers and their affiliates also serve as investment adviser for other
investment companies; however, with the exception of Mr. Whalen, the
Non-Affiliated Trustees were not trustees of such investment companies.
Combining the Fund Complex with other investment companies advised by the
Advisers and their affiliates, Mr. Whalen received Total Compensation of
$279,250 during the calendar year ended December 31, 1999.

As of the date of this statement of additional information, the trustees
and officers of the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the
Fund.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The Fund and the Adviser are parties to an investment advisory agreement
(the "Advisory Agreement"). Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund retains the
Adviser to manage the investment of the Fund's assets, including the placing of
orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Adviser obtains
and evaluates economic, statistical and financial information to formulate
strategy and implement the Fund's investment objective. The Adviser also
furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment, provides administrative
services to the Fund, renders periodic reports to the Board of Trustees and
permits its officers or employees to serve without compensation as trustees of
the Trust or officers of the Fund if elected to such positions. The Fund pays
all charges and expenses of its day-to-day operations, including distribution
fees, service fees, custodian fees, legal and auditing fees, the costs of
reports to shareholders, compensation of trustees of the Trust (other than those
who are affiliated persons of the Adviser, Distributor or Van Kampen
Investments), and all other ordinary business expenses not specifically assumed
by the Adviser. The Advisory Agreement also provides that the Adviser shall not
be liable to the Fund for any error of judgment or of law, or for any loss
suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the agreement
relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its obligations and
duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties
under the agreement.

The Advisory Agreement also provides that, in the event the expenses of the
Fund for any fiscal year exceed the most restrictive applicable expense
limitation in any jurisdiction in which the Fund's Shares are qualified for
offer and for sale, the compensation due the Adviser will be reduced by the
amount of such excess and that, if a reduction in and refund of the

B-24
<PAGE> 49

advisory fee is insufficient, the Adviser will pay the Fund monthly an amount
sufficient to make up the deficiency, subject to readjustment during the fiscal
year.

The Advisory Agreement may be continued from year to year if specifically
approved at least annually (a)(i) by the Fund's Trustees or (ii) by a vote of a
majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities and (b) by a vote of a
majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the agreement or interested
persons of any such party by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such
purpose. The Advisory Agreement provides that it shall terminate automatically
if assigned and that it may be terminated without penalty by either party on 60
days' written notice.

OTHER AGREEMENTS

Accounting Services Agreement. The Fund has entered into an accounting
services agreement pursuant to which Advisory Corp. provides accounting services
to the Fund supplementary to those provided by the Custodian. Such services are
expected to enable the Fund to more closely monitor and maintain its accounts
and records. The Fund pays all costs and expenses related to such services,
including all salary and related benefits of accounting personnel, as well as
the overhead and expenses of office space and the equipment necessary to render
such services. The Fund shares together with the other Van Kampen funds in the
cost of providing such services with 25% of such costs shared proportionately
based on the respective number of classes of securities issued per fund and the
remaining 75% of such costs based proportionally on their respective net assets
per fund.

Legal Services Agreement. The Fund and certain of the other Van Kampen
funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates and distributed by the
Distributor have entered into legal services agreements pursuant to which Van
Kampen Investments provides legal services, including without limitation:
accurate maintenance of the fund's minute books and records, preparation and
oversight of the fund's regulatory reports, and other information provided to
shareholders, as well as responding to day-to-day legal issues on behalf of the
funds. Payment by the Funds for such services is made on a cost basis for the
salary and salary related benefits, including but not limited to bonuses, group
insurance and other regular wages for the employment of personnel, as well as
overhead and the expenses related to the office space and the equipment
necessary to render the legal services. Other funds distributed by the
Distributor also receive legal services from Van Kampen Investments. Of the
total costs for legal services provided to funds distributed by the Distributor,
one half of such costs are allocated equally to each fund and the remaining one
half of such costs are allocated to specific funds based on monthly time
records.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE

The Distributor acts as the principal underwriter of the Fund's shares
pursuant to a written agreement (the "Distribution and Service Agreement"). The
Distributor has the exclusive right to distribute shares of the Fund through
authorized dealers on a continuous basis. The Distributor's obligation is an
agency or "best efforts" arrangement under which the Distributor is required to
take and pay for only such shares of the Fund as may be sold to the public. The
Distributor is not obligated to sell any stated number of shares. The

B-25
<PAGE> 50

Distributor bears the cost of printing (but not typesetting) prospectuses used
in connection with this offering and certain other costs including the cost of
supplemental sales literature and advertising. The Distribution and Service
Agreement is renewable from year to year if approved (a)(i) by the Fund's
Trustees or (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities and (b) by a vote of a majority of Trustees who are not parties to
the Distribution and Service Agreement or interested persons of any party, by
votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Distribution and
Service Agreement provides that it will terminate if assigned, and that it may
be terminated without penalty by either party on 90 days' written notice.

With respect to sales of Class A Shares of the Fund, the total sales
charges and concessions reallowed to authorized dealers at the time of purchase
are as follows:

CLASS A SHARES SALES CHARGE TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Sales Charge
------------------------- Reallowed
As % of As % of Net To Dealers
Size of Offering Amount As a % of
Investment Price Invested Offering Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000........................... 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000.............. 4.75% 4.99% 4.00%
$100,000 but less than $250,000............. 3.75% 3.90% 3.00%
$250,000 but less than $500,000............. 2.75% 2.83% 2.25%
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000........... 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
$1,000,000 or more.......................... * * *
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1
million or more, although the Fund may impose a contingent deferred sales
charge of 1.00% on certain redemptions made within one year of the purchase. A
commission or transaction fee will be paid by the Distributor at the time of
purchase directly out of the Distributor's assets (and not out of the Fund's
assets) to authorized dealers who initiate and are responsible for purchases
of $1 million or more computed based on a percentage of the dollar value of
such shares sold as follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the
next $1 million and 0.50% on the excess over $3 million.

With respect to sales of Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund, a
commission or transaction fee generally will be paid by the Distributor at the
time of purchase directly out of the Distributor's assets (and not out of the
Fund's assets) to authorized dealers who initiate and are responsible for such
purchases computed based on a percentage of the dollar value of such shares sold
of 4.00% on Class B Shares and 1.00% on Class C Shares.

Proceeds from any contingent deferred sales charge and any distribution
fees on Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund are paid to the
Distributor and are used by the Distributor to defray its distribution related
expenses in connection with the sale of the Fund's shares, such as the payment
to authorized dealers for selling such shares. With respect to Class C Shares,
the authorized dealers generally are paid the ongoing commission and transaction
fees of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class C Shares
annually commencing in the second year after purchase.

B-26
<PAGE> 51

In addition to reallowances or commissions described above, the Distributor
may from time to time implement programs under which an authorized dealer's
sales force may be eligible to win nominal awards for certain sales efforts or
under which the Distributor will reallow to any authorized dealer that sponsors
sales contests or recognition programs conforming to criteria established by the
Distributor, or participates in sales programs sponsored by the Distributor, an
amount not exceeding the total applicable sales charges on the sales generated
by the authorized dealer at the public offering price during such programs.
Other programs provide, among other things and subject to certain conditions,
for certain favorable distribution arrangements for shares of the Fund. Also,
the Distributor in its discretion may from time to time, pursuant to objective
criteria established by the Distributor, pay fees to, and sponsor business
seminars for, qualifying authorized dealers for certain services or activities
which are primarily intended to result in sales of shares of the Fund or other
Van Kampen funds. Fees may include payment for travel expenses, including
lodging, incurred in connection with trips taken by invited registered
representatives for meetings or seminars of a business nature. In some instances
additional compensation or promotional incentives may be offered to brokers,
dealers or financial intermediaries that have sold or may sell significant
amounts of shares during specified periods of time. The Distributor may provide
additional compensation to Edward D. Jones & Co. or an affiliate thereof based
on a combination of its sales of shares and increases in assets under
management. The Distributor is sponsering a sales incentive program for A.G.
Edwards & Sons, Inc. ("A.G. Edwards"). The Distributor will reallow the Fund's
sales charge to A.G. Edwards on sales of Class A Shares of the Fund until April
17, 2000 in connection with the "rollover" of assets into an Individual
Retirement Account ("IRA"), the transfer of assets into an IRA and contributions
to an IRA. All of the foregoing payments are made by the Distributor out of its
own assets. Such fees paid for such services and activities with respect to the
Fund will not exceed in the aggregate 1.25% of the average total daily net
assets of the Fund on an annual basis. These programs will not change the price
an investor will pay for shares or the amount that a Fund will receive from such
sale.

The Fund has adopted a distribution plan (the "Distribution Plan") with
respect to each class of its shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
The Fund also has adopted a service plan (the "Service Plan") with respect to
each class of its shares. The Distribution Plan and the Service Plan sometimes
are referred to herein as the "Plans". The Plans provide that the Fund may spend
a portion of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to each class of
shares in connection with distribution of the respective class of shares and in
connection with the provision of ongoing services to shareholders of such class,
respectively. The Distribution Plan and the Service Plan are being implemented
through the Distribution and Service Agreement with the Distributor of each
class of the Fund's shares and sub-agreements between the Distributor and
members of the NASD who are acting as securities dealers and NASD members or
eligible non-members who are acting as brokers or agents and similar agreements
between the Fund and financial intermediaries who are acting as brokers
(collectively, "Selling Agreements") that may provide for their customers or
clients certain services or assistance, which may include, but not be limited
to, processing purchase and redemption transactions, establishing and
maintaining shareholder accounts regarding the Fund, and such other services as
may be agreed to from time to time and as may be permitted by applicable
statute, rule or regulation. Brokers, dealers and financial intermediaries that
have entered into sub-agreements with the Distributor and sell shares of the
Fund are referred to herein as "financial intermediaries."

B-27
<PAGE> 52

Certain financial intermediaries may be prohibited under the law from
providing certain underwriting or distribution services. If a financial
intermediary was prohibited from acting in any capacity or providing any of the
described services, the Distributor would consider what action, if any, would be
appropriate. The Distributor does not believe that termination of a relationship
with a financial intermediary would result in any material adverse consequences
to the Fund.

The Distributor must submit quarterly reports to the Board of Trustees of
the Trust, of which the Fund is a series, setting forth separately by class of
shares all amounts paid under the Distribution Plan and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made, together with such other information as from time
to time is reasonably requested by the Trustees. The Plans provide that they
will continue in full force and effect from year to year so long as such
continuance is specifically approved by a vote of the Trustees, and also by a
vote of the disinterested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on the Plans. Each of the Plans may not be amended to increase
materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein with
respect to any class of shares without approval by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting shares of such class, and all material amendments to either
of the Plans must be approved by the Trustees and also by the disinterested
Trustees. Each of the Plans may be terminated with respect to any class of
shares at any time by a vote of a majority of the disinterested Trustees or by a
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of such class.

The Plans generally provide for the Fund to reimburse the lesser of (i) the
distribution and service fees at the rates specified in the prospectus or (ii)
the amount of the Distributor's actual expenses incurred less any deferred sales
charges it received. For Class A Shares, to the extent the Distributor is not
fully reimbursed in a given year, there is no carryover of such unreimbursed
amounts to succeeding years. For each of the Class B Shares and Class C Shares,
to the extent the Distributor is not fully reimbursed in a given year, any
unreimbursed expenses for such class will be carried forward and paid by the
Fund in future years so long as such Plans are in effect. Except as mandated by
applicable law, the Fund does not impose any limit with respect to the number of
years into the future that such unreimbursed expenses may be carried forward (on
a Fund level basis). Because such expenses are accounted on a Fund level basis,
in periods of extreme net asset value fluctuation such amounts with respect to a
particular Class B Share or Class C Share may be greater or less than the amount
of the initial commission (including carrying cost) paid by the Distributor with
respect to such share. In such circumstances, a shareholder of a share may be
deemed to incur expenses attributable to other shareholders of such class. If
the Plans were terminated or not continued, the Fund would not be contractually
obligated to pay the Distributor for any expenses not previously reimbursed by
the Fund or recovered through contingent deferred sales charges.

TRANSFER AGENT

The Fund's transfer agent, shareholder service agent and dividend
disbursing agent is Van Kampen Investor Services Inc., PO Box 218256, Kansas
City, MO 64121-8256. The transfer agency prices are determined through
negotiations with the Fund's Board of Trustees and are based on competitive
benchmarks.

B-28
<PAGE> 53

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION

The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the
Fund, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the
negotiation of prices and any brokerage commissions on such transactions. While
the Adviser will be primarily responsible for the placement of the Fund's
portfolio business, the policies and practices in this regard will at all times
be subject to review by the Trustees of the Fund.

The Adviser is responsible for placing portfolio transactions and does so
in a manner deemed fair and reasonable to the Fund and not according to any
formula. The primary consideration in all portfolio transactions is prompt
execution of orders in an effective manner at the most favorable price. In
selecting broker-dealers and in negotiating prices and any brokerage commissions
on such transactions, the Adviser considers the firm's reliability, integrity
and financial condition and the firm's execution capability, the size and
breadth of the market for the security, the size of and difficulty in executing
the order, and the best net price. There are many instances when, in the
judgment of the Adviser, more than one firm can offer comparable execution
services. In selecting among such firms, consideration may be given to those
firms which supply research and other services in addition to execution
services. The Adviser is authorized to pay higher commissions to brokerage firms
that provide it with investment and research information than to firms which do
not provide such services if the Adviser determines that such commissions are
reasonable in relation to the overall services provided. No specific value can
be assigned to such research services which are furnished without cost to the
Adviser. Since statistical and other research information is only supplementary
to the research efforts of the Adviser to the Fund and still must be analyzed
and reviewed by its staff, the receipt of research information is not expected
to reduce its expenses materially. The investment advisory fee is not reduced as
a result of the Adviser's receipt of such research services. Services provided
may include (a) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the
advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the
availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (b)
furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities,
economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of
accounts; and (c) effecting securities transactions and performing functions
incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement and custody). Research
services furnished by firms through which the Fund effects its securities
transactions may be used by the Adviser in servicing all of its advisory
accounts; not all of such services may be used by the Adviser in connection with
the Fund. The Adviser also may place portfolio transactions, to the extent
permitted by law, with brokerage firms affiliated with the Fund, the Adviser or
the Distributor and with brokerage firms participating in the distribution of
the Fund's shares if it reasonably believes that the quality of execution and
the commission are comparable to that available from other qualified firms.
Similarly, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the same considerations
on quality of execution and comparable commission rates, the Adviser may direct
an executing broker to pay a portion or all of any commissions, concessions or
discounts to a firm supplying research or other services or to a firm
participating in the distribution of the Fund's shares.

The Adviser may place portfolio transactions at or about the same time for
other advisory accounts, including other investment companies. The Adviser seeks
to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are
made to purchase or sell securities for the Fund and another advisory account.
In some cases, this procedure could

B-29
<PAGE> 54

have an adverse effect on the price or the amount of securities available to the
Fund. In making such allocations among the Fund and other advisory accounts, the
main factors considered by the Adviser are the respective sizes of the Fund and
other advisory accounts, the respective investment objectives, the relative size
of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of
cash for investment, the size of investment commitments generally held and
opinions of the persons responsible for recommending the investment.

Effective October 31, 1996, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("Morgan
Stanley") became an affiliate of the Adviser. Effective May 31, 1997, Dean
Witter Reynolds, Inc. ("Dean Witter") became an affiliate of the Adviser. The
Trustees have adopted certain policies incorporating the standards of Rule 17e-1
issued by the SEC under the 1940 Act which require that the commissions paid to
affiliates of the Fund must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions,
fees or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in
connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities during a
comparable period of time. The rule and procedures also contain review
requirements and require the Adviser to furnish reports to the Trustees and to
maintain records in connection with such reviews. After consideration of all
factors deemed relevant, the Trustees will consider from time to time whether
the advisory fee for the Fund will be reduced by all or a portion of the
brokerage commission given to affiliated brokers.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

The Fund offers a number of shareholder services designed to facilitate
investment in its shares at little or no extra cost to the investor. Below is a
description of such services. The following information supplements the section
in the Fund's Prospectus captioned "Shareholder Services."

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT

Each shareholder has an investment account under which the investor's
shares of the Fund are held by Investor Services, the Fund's transfer agent.
Investor Services performs bookkeeping, data processing and administrative
services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Except as described
in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, after each share
transaction in an account, the shareholder receives a statement showing the
activity in the account. Each shareholder who has an account in any of the
Participating Funds (as defined in the Prospectus) will receive statements
quarterly from Investor Services showing any reinvestments of dividends and
capital gain dividends and any other activity in the account since the preceding
statement. Such shareholders also will receive separate confirmations for each
purchase or sale transaction other than reinvestment of dividends and capital
gain dividends. Additional shares may be purchased at any time through
authorized dealers or by mailing a check directly to Investor Services.

SHARE CERTIFICATES

Generally, the Fund will not issue share certificates. However, upon
written or telephone request to the Fund, a share certificate will be issued
representing shares (with the exception of fractional shares) of the Fund. A
shareholder will be required to surrender

B-30
<PAGE> 55

such certificates upon an exchange or redemption of the shares represented by
the certificate. In addition, if such certificates are lost the shareholder must
write to Van Kampen Funds Inc., c/o Investor Services, PO Box 218256, Kansas
City, MO 64121-8256, requesting an "Affidavit of Loss" and obtain a Surety Bond
in a form acceptable to Investor Services. On the date the letter is received,
Investor Services will calculate the fee for replacing the lost certificate
equal to no more than 1.50% of the net asset value of the issued shares, and
bill the party to whom the replacement certificate was mailed.

RETIREMENT PLANS

Eligible investors may establish individual retirement accounts ("IRAs");
SEP; 401(k) plans; Section 403(b)(7) plans in the case of employees of public
school systems and certain non-profit organizations; or other pension or profit
sharing plans. Documents and forms containing detailed information regarding
these plans are available from the Distributor. Van Kampen Trust Company serves
as custodian under the IRA, 403(b)(7) and Money Purchase and Profit Sharing
Keogh plans. Details regarding fees, as well as full plan administration for
profit sharing, pension and 401(k) plans, are available from the Distributor.

AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE("ACH") DEPOSITS

Shareholders can use ACH to have redemption proceeds deposited
electronically into their bank accounts. Redemption proceeds transferred to a
bank account via the ACH plan are available to be credited to the account on the
second business day following normal payment. In order to utilize this option,
the shareholder's bank must be a member of ACH. In addition, the shareholder
must fill out the appropriate section of the account application. The
shareholder must also include a voided check or deposit slip from the bank
account into which redemption proceeds are to be deposited together with the
completed application. Once Investor Services has received the application and
the voided check or deposit slip, such shareholder's designated bank account,
following any redemption, will be credited with the proceeds of such redemption.
Once enrolled in the ACH plan, a shareholder may terminate participation at any
time by writing Investor Services or by calling (800) 341-2911 ((800) 421-4833
for the hearing impaired).

DIVIDEND DIVERSIFICATION

A shareholder may upon written request, by completing the appropriate
section of the application form accompanying the Prospectus or by calling (800)
341-2911 ((800) 421-2833 for the hearing impaired), elect to have all dividends
and capital gain dividends paid on a class of shares of the Fund invested into
shares of the same class of any Participating Fund so long as the investor has a
pre-existing account for such class of shares of the other fund. Both accounts
must be of the same type, either non-retirement or retirement. If the accounts
are retirement accounts, they must both be for the same class and of the same
type of retirement plan (e.g. IRA, 403(b)(7), 401(k), Keogh) and for the benefit
of the same individual. If a qualified, pre-existing account does not exist, the
shareholder must establish a new account subject to minimum investment and other
requirements of the fund into which distributions would be invested.
Distributions are

B-31
<PAGE> 56

invested into the selected fund at its net asset value per share as of the
payable date of the distribution.

SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN

A shareholder may establish a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual
withdrawal plan if the shareholder owns shares in a single account valued at
$10,000 or more at the next determined net asset value per share at the time the
plan is established. If a shareholder owns shares in a single account valued at
$5,000 or more at the next determined net asset value per share at the time the
plan is established, the shareholder may establish a quarterly, semiannual or
annual withdrawal plan. This plan provides for the orderly use of the entire
account, not only the income but also the capital, if necessary. Each payment
represents the proceeds of a redemption of shares on which any capital gain or
loss will be recognized. The planholder may arrange for monthly, quarterly,
semiannual or annual checks in any amount, not less than $25. Such a systematic
withdrawal plan may also be maintained by an investor purchasing shares for a
retirement plan established on a form made available by the Fund.

Class B Shareholders and Class C Shareholders who establish a systematic
withdrawal plan may redeem up to 12% annually of the shareholder's initial
account balance without incurring a contingent deferred sales charge. Initial
account balance means the amount of the shareholder's investment at the time the
election to participate in the plan is made.

Under the plan, sufficient shares of the Fund are redeemed to provide the
amount of the periodic payment. Dividends and capital gain dividends on shares
held in accounts with systematic withdrawal plans are reinvested in additional
shares at the next determined net asset value per share. If periodic withdrawals
continuously exceed reinvested dividends and capital gain dividends, the
shareholder's original investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately
exhausted. Redemptions made concurrently with the purchase of additional shares
ordinarily will be disadvantageous to the shareholder because of the duplication
of sales charges. Any gain or loss realized by the shareholder upon redemption
of shares is a taxable event. The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate
the systematic withdrawal program upon 30 days' notice to its shareholders.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

All shareholders are limited to eight exchanges per fund during a rolling
365-day period.

Exchange privileges will be suspended on a particular fund if more than
eight exchanges out of that fund are made by a shareholder during a rolling
365-day period. If exchange privileges are suspended, subsequent exchange
requests during the stated period will not be processed. Exchange privileges
will be restored when the account history shows fewer than eight exchanges in
the rolling 365-day period.

This policy change does not apply to money market funds, systematic
exchange plans, or employer-sponsored retirement plans.

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<PAGE> 57

REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE

A Class A Shareholder or Class B Shareholder who has redeemed shares of the
Fund may reinstate any portion or all of the net proceeds of such redemption in
Class A Shares of the Fund. A Class C Shareholder who has redeemed shares of the
Fund may reinstate any portion or all of the net proceeds of such redemption in
Class C Shares of the Fund with credit given for any contingent deferred sales
charge paid upon such redemption. Such reinstatement is made at the net asset
value per share (without sales charge) next determined after the order is
received, which must be made within 180 days after the date of the redemption.
Reinstatement at net asset value per share is also offered to participants in
those eligible retirement plans held or administered by Van Kampen Trust Company
for repayment of principal (and interest) on their borrowings on such plans.

REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Redemptions are not made on days during which the New York Stock Exchange
(the "Exchange") is closed. The right of redemption may be suspended and the
payment therefor may be postponed for more than seven days during any period
when (a) the Exchange is closed for other than customary weekends or holidays;
(b) the SEC determines trading on the Exchange is restricted; (c) the SEC
determines an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of
securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets; or (d)
the SEC, by order, so permits.

Additionally, if the Board of Trustees determines that payment wholly or
partly in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining
shareholders of the Fund, the Fund may pay the redemption proceeds in whole or
in part by a distribution-in-kind of portfolio securities held by the Fund in
lieu of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC. Shareholders may
incur brokerage charges and a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon
the sale of portfolio securities so received in payment of redemptions.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE-CLASS A

As described in the Prospectus under "Purchase of Shares -- Class A
Shares," there is no sales charge payable on Class A Shares at the time of
purchase on investments of $1 million or more, but a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC -- Class A") may be imposed on certain redemptions made within one
year of purchase. For purposes of the CDSC-Class A, when shares of one fund are
exchanged for shares of another fund, the purchase date for the shares of the
fund exchanged into will be assumed to be the date on which shares were
purchased in the fund from which the exchange was made. If the exchanged shares
themselves are acquired through an exchange, the purchase date is assumed to
carry over from the date of the original election to purchase shares subject to
a CDSC-Class A rather than a front-end load sales charge. In determining whether
a CDSC-Class A is payable, it is assumed that shares being redeemed first are
any shares in the shareholder's account not subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge, followed by shares held the longest in the shareholder's account.

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<PAGE> 58

WAIVER OF CLASS B AND CLASS C CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES

As described in the Prospectus under "Redemption of Shares," redemptions of
Class B Shares and Class C Shares will be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC-Class B and C). The CDSC-Class B and C is waived on redemptions of
Class B Shares and Class C Shares in the circumstances described below:

REDEMPTION UPON DEATH OR DISABILITY

The Fund will waive the CDSC-Class B and C on redemptions following the
death or disability of a Class B shareholder and Class C shareholder. An
individual will be considered disabled for this purpose if he or she meets the
definition thereof in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), which in pertinent part defines a person as disabled if
such person "is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason
of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be
expected to result in death or to be of long-continued and indefinite duration."
While the Fund does not specifically adopt the balance of the Code's definition
which pertains to furnishing the Secretary of Treasury with such proof as he or
she may require, the Distributor will require satisfactory proof of death or
disability before it determines to waive the CDSC-Class B and C.

In cases of death or disability, the CDSC-Class B and C will be waived
where the decedent or disabled person is either an individual shareholder or
owns the shares as a joint tenant with right of survivorship or is the
beneficial owner of a custodial or fiduciary account, and where the redemption
is made within one year of the death or initial determination of disability.
This waiver of the CDSC-Class B and C applies to a total or partial redemption,
but only to redemptions of shares held at the time of the death or initial
determination of disability.

REDEMPTION IN CONNECTION WITH CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS FROM RETIREMENT PLANS

The Fund will waive the CDSC-Class B and C when a total or partial
redemption is made in connection with certain distributions from retirement
plans. The CDSC -- Class B and C will be waived upon the tax-free rollover or
transfer of assets to another retirement plan invested in one or more
Participating Funds; in such event, as described below, the Fund will "tack" the
period for which the original shares were held on to the holding period of the
shares acquired in the transfer or rollover for purposes of determining what, if
any, CDSC-Class B and C is applicable in the event that such acquired shares are
redeemed following the transfer or rollover. The charge also will be waived on
any redemption which results from the return of an excess contribution pursuant
to Section 408(d)(4) or (5) of the Code, the return of excess deferral amounts
pursuant to Code Section 401(k)(8) or 402(g)(2), the financial hardship of the
employee pursuant to United States Treasury Regulations 401(k)-1(d)(2) or from
the death or disability of the employee (see Code Section 72(m)(7) and
72(t)(2)(A)(ii)). In addition, the charge will be waived on any minimum
distribution required to be distributed in accordance with Code Section
401(a)(9).

The Fund does not intend to waive the CDSC -- Class B and C for any
distributions from IRAs or other retirement plans not specifically described
above.

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<PAGE> 59

REDEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE FUND'S SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN

A shareholder may elect to participate in a systematic withdrawal plan with
respect to the shareholder's investment in the Fund. Under the systematic
withdrawal plan, a dollar amount of a participating shareholder's investment in
the Fund will be redeemed systematically by the Fund on a periodic basis, and
the proceeds sent to the designated payee of record. The amount to be redeemed
and frequency of the systematic withdrawals will be specified by the shareholder
upon his or her election to participate in the systematic withdrawal plan. The
CDSC-Class B and C will be waived on redemptions made under the systematic
withdrawal plan.

The amount of the shareholder's investment in a Fund at the time the
election to participate in the systematic withdrawal plan is made with respect
to the Fund is hereinafter referred to as the "initial account balance." The
amount to be systematically redeemed from the Fund without the imposition of a
CDSC-Class B and C may not exceed a maximum of 12% annually of the shareholder's
initial account balance. The Fund reserves the right to change the terms and
conditions of the systematic withdrawal plan and the ability to offer the
systematic withdrawal plan.

NO INITIAL COMMISSION OR TRANSACTION FEE

The Fund will waive the CDSC-Class B and C in circumstances under which no
commission or transaction fee is paid to authorized dealers at the time of
purchase of shares.

INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES

The Fund reserves the right to redeem shareholder accounts with balances of
less than a specified dollar amount as set forth in the Prospectus. Prior to
such redemptions, shareholders will be notified in writing and allowed a
specified period of time to purchase additional shares to bring the value of the
account up to the required minimum balance. The Fund will waive the CDSC-Class B
and C upon such involuntary redemption.

REINVESTMENT OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

A shareholder who has redeemed Class C Shares of a Fund may reinvest at net
asset value, with credit for any CDSC-Class C paid on the redeemed shares, any
portion or all of his or her redemption proceeds (plus that amount necessary to
acquire a fractional share to round off his or her purchase to the nearest full
share) in Class C Shares of the Fund, provided that the reinvestment is effected
within 180 days after such redemption and the shareholder has not previously
exercised this reinvestment privilege with respect to Class C Shares of the
Fund. Shares acquired in this manner will be deemed to have the original cost
and purchase date of the redeemed shares for purposes of applying the CDSC-Class
C to subsequent redemptions.

REDEMPTION BY ADVISER

The Fund may waive the CDSC-Class B and C when a total or partial
redemption is made by the Adviser with respect to its investments in the Fund.

B-35
<PAGE> 60

TAXATION

FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION OF THE FUND

The Fund intends to elect and to qualify, and intends to continue to
qualify each year, to be treated as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Code. To qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund
must comply with certain requirements of the Code relating to, among other
things, the source of its income and diversification of its assets.

If the Fund so qualifies and distributes each year to its shareholders at
least 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, taxable income
and net short-term capital gain, but not net capital gain, which is the excess
of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) and meets
certain other requirements, it will not be required to pay federal income taxes
on any income it distributes to shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute at
least the minimum amount of investment company taxable income necessary to
satisfy the 90% distribution requirement. The Fund will not be subject to
federal income tax on any net capital gain distributed to shareholders.

In order to avoid a 4% excise tax, the Fund will be required to distribute,
by December 31st of each year, at least an amount equal to the sum of (i) 98% of
its ordinary income for such year and (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income
(the latter of which generally is computed on the basis of the one-year period
ending on October 31st of such year), plus any amounts that were not distributed
in previous taxable years. For purposes of the excise tax, any ordinary income
or capital gain net income retained by, and subject to federal income tax in the
hands of, the Fund will be treated as having been distributed.

If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company or failed
to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, the Fund would
be taxed as an ordinary corporation on its taxable income (even if such income
were distributed to its shareholders) and all distributions out of earnings and
profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. To qualify again as a
regulated investment company in a subsequent year, the Fund may be required to
pay an interest charge on 50% of its earnings and profits attributable to
non-regulated investment company years and would be required to distribute such
earnings and profits to shareholders (less any interest charge). In addition, if
the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company for its first
taxable year or, if immediately after qualifying as a regulated investment
company for any taxable year, it failed to qualify for a period greater than one
taxable year, the Fund would be required to recognize any net built-in gains
(the excess of aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses
that would have been realized if it had been liquidated) in order to qualify as
a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.

Some of the Fund's investment practices are subject to special provisions
of the Code that, among other things, may defer the use of certain losses of the
Fund and affect the holding period of the securities held by the Fund and the
character of the gains or losses realized by the Fund. These provisions may also
require the Fund to recognize income or gain without receiving cash with which
to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the 90% distribution
requirement and the distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise
taxes. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax

B-36
<PAGE> 61

elections in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent
disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.

Investments of the Fund in securities issued at a discount or providing for
deferred interest or payment of interest in kind are subject to special tax
rules that will affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to
shareholders. For example, with respect to securities issued at a discount, the
Fund will be required to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount
and to distribute such income each year in order to maintain its qualification
as a regulated investment company and to avoid income and excise taxes. In order
to generate sufficient cash to make distributions necessary to satisfy the 90%
distribution requirement and to avoid income and excise taxes, the Fund may have
to dispose of securities that it would otherwise have continued to hold.

PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES. The Fund may invest in the stock of
"passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs"). A PFIC is a foreign
corporation that, in general, meets either of the following tests: (i) at least
75% of its gross income is passive income or (ii) an average of at least 50% of
its assets produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Under
certain circumstances, a regulated investment company that holds stock of a PFIC
will be subject to federal income tax on (i) a portion of any "excess
distribution" received on such stock or (ii) any gain from a sale or disposition
of such stock (collectively, "PFIC income"), plus interest on such amounts, even
if the regulated investment company distributes the PFIC income as a taxable
dividend to its shareholders. The balance of the PFIC income will be included in
the regulated investment company's investment company taxable income and,
accordingly, will not be taxable to it to the extent that income is distributed
to its shareholders. If the Fund invests in a PFIC and elects to treat the PFIC
as a "qualified electing fund," then in lieu of the foregoing tax and interest
obligation, the Fund would be required to include in income each year its pro
rata share of the qualified electing fund's annual ordinary earnings and net
capital gain, which most likely would have to be distributed to satisfy the 90%
distribution requirement and the distribution requirement for avoiding income
and excise taxes. In most instances it will be very difficult to make this
election due to certain requirements imposed with respect to the election.

As an alternative to making the above-described election to treat the PFIC
as a qualified electing fund, the Fund may make an election to annually
mark-to-market PFIC stock that it owns (a "PFIC Mark-to-Market Election").
"Marking-to-market," in this context, means recognizing as ordinary income or
loss each year an amount equal to the difference between the Fund's adjusted tax
basis in such PFIC stock and its fair market value. Losses will be allowed only
to the extent of net mark-to-market gain previously included by the Fund
pursuant to the election for prior taxable years. The Fund may be required to
include in its taxable income for the first taxable year in which it makes a
PFIC Mark-to-Market Election an amount equal to the interest charge that would
otherwise accrue with respect to distributions on, or dispositions of, the PFIC
stock. This amount would not be deductible from the Fund's taxable income. The
PFIC Mark-to-Market Election applies to the taxable year for which made and to
all subsequent taxable years, unless the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
consents to revocation of the election. By making the PFIC Mark-to-Market
Election, the Fund could ameliorate the adverse tax consequences arising from
its ownership of PFIC stock, but in any particular year may be

B-37
<PAGE> 62

required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it receives from the
PFIC and proceeds from the dispositions of PFIC stock.

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

Distributions of the Fund's investment company taxable income are taxable
to shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's earnings and
profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Distributions
of the Fund's net capital gain as capital gain dividends, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of time shares
of the Fund have been held by such shareholders. Distributions in excess of the
Fund's earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a
holder's shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will
constitute capital gains to such holder (assuming such shares are held as a
capital asset). For a summary of the maximum tax rates applicable to capital
gains (including capital gain dividends), see "Capital Gains Rates" below.
Tax-exempt shareholders not subject to federal income tax on their income
generally will not be taxed on distributions from the Fund.

Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares
issued by the Fund will be treated for federal income tax purposes as receiving
a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares
received, determined as of the distribution date. The basis of such shares will
equal the fair market value on the distribution date.

The Fund will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all
distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year. Distributions from
the Fund generally will not be eligible for the corporate dividends received
deduction.

Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid,
dividends declared in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of
record on a specified date in such month and paid during January of the
following year will be treated as having been distributed by the Fund and
received by the shareholders on the December 31st prior to the date of payment.
In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a taxable year
of the Fund may be "spilled back" and treated as paid by the Fund (except for
purposes of the 4% excise tax) during such taxable year. In such case,
shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable
year in which the distribution was actually made.

Income from investments in foreign securities received by the Fund may be
subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and
U.S. possessions. Such taxes will not be deductible or creditable by
shareholders. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States
may reduce or eliminate such taxes.

Certain foreign currency gains or losses attributable to currency exchange
rate fluctuations are treated as ordinary income or loss. Such income or loss
may increase or decrease (or possibly eliminate) the Fund's income available for
distribution. If, under the rules governing the tax treatment of foreign
currency gains and losses, the Fund's income available for distribution is
decreased or eliminated, all or a portion of the dividends declared by the Fund
may be treated for federal income tax purposes as a return of capital or, in
some circumstances, as capital gains. Generally, a shareholder's tax basis in
Fund

B-38
<PAGE> 63

shares will be reduced to the extent that an amount distributed to such
shareholder is treated as a return of capital.

SALE OF SHARES

The sale of shares (including transfers in connection with a redemption or
repurchase of shares) may be a taxable transaction for federal income tax
purposes. Selling shareholders will generally recognize gain or loss in an
amount equal to the difference between their adjusted tax basis in the shares
and the amount received. If such shares are held as a capital asset, the gain or
loss will be a capital gain or loss. For a summary of the maximum tax rates
applicable to capital gains (including capital gain dividends), see "Capital
Gains Rates" below. Any loss recognized upon a taxable disposition of shares
held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the
extent of any capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. For
purposes of determining whether shares have been held for six months or less,
the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the shareholder's
risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in
substantially similar or related property or through certain options or short
sales.

CAPITAL GAINS RATES

The maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by
individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers investing in the Fund is (i) the
same as the maximum ordinary income tax rate for capital assets held for one
year or less or (ii) 20% for capital assets held for more than one year. The
maximum long-term capital gains rate for corporations is 35%.

NON-U.S. SHAREHOLDERS

A shareholder who is not (i) a citizen or resident of the United States,
(ii) a corporation or partnership created or organized under the laws of the
United States or any state thereof, (iii) an estate, the income of which is
subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or
(iv) a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a
United States court and which has one or more United States fiduciaries who have
the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust (a "Non-U.S.
Shareholder") generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal
income tax at a 30% rate (or lower applicable treaty rate) on dividends from the
Fund (other than capital gain dividends) that are not "effectively connected"
with a United States trade or business carried on by such shareholder.

Non-effectively connected capital gain dividends and gains realized from
the sale of shares will not be subject to United States federal income tax in
the case of (i) a Non-U.S. Shareholder that is a corporation and (ii) a Non-U.S.
Shareholder that is not present in the United States for more than 182 days
during the taxable year (assuming that certain other conditions are met).
However, certain Non-U.S. Shareholders may nonetheless be subject to backup
withholding on capital gain dividends and gross proceeds paid to them upon the
sale of their shares. See "Backup Withholding" below.

If income from the Fund or gains realized from the sale of shares is
effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Shareholder's United States trade or
business, then such
B-39
<PAGE> 64

amounts will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net basis at
the tax rates applicable to United States citizens or domestic corporations.
Non-U.S. Shareholders that are corporations may also be subject to an additional
"branch profits tax" with respect to income from the Fund that is effectively
connected with a United States trade or business.

Final United States Treasury Regulations, effective for payments made after
December 31, 2000, modify the withholding, backup withholding and information
reporting rules, including the procedures to be followed by Non-U.S.
Shareholders in establishing foreign status. Prospective investors should
consult their tax advisors concerning the applicability and effect of such
Treasury regulations on an investment in shares of the Fund.

The tax consequences to a Non-U.S. Shareholder entitled to claim the
benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described in
this section. Non-U.S. Shareholders may be required to provide appropriate
documentation to establish their entitlement to the benefits of such a treaty.
Foreign investors are advised to consult their tax advisers with respect to the
tax implications of purchasing, holding and disposing of shares of the Fund.

BACKUP WITHHOLDING

The Fund may be required to withhold federal income tax at a rate of 31%
("backup withholding") from dividends and redemption proceeds paid to
non-corporate shareholders. This tax may be withheld from dividends if (i) the
shareholder fails to furnish the Fund with its correct taxpayer identification
number, (ii) the IRS notifies the Fund that the shareholder has failed to
properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond
to notices to that effect or (iii) when required to do so, the shareholder fails
to certify that he or she is not subject to backup withholding. Redemption
proceeds may be subject to withholding under the circumstances described in (i)
above.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the
backup withholding rules from payments made to a Shareholder may be refunded or
credited against such shareholder's United States federal income tax liability,
if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

INFORMATION REPORTING

The Fund must report annually to the IRS and to each shareholder the amount
of dividends paid to such shareholder and the amount, if any, of tax withheld
with respect to such dividends. This information may also be made available to
the tax authorities in a Non-U.S. Shareholder's country of residence.

GENERAL

The federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general
information only. Prospective investors and shareholders should consult their
advisors regarding the specific federal tax consequences of purchasing, holding
and disposing of shares, as well as the effects of state, local and foreign tax
law and any proposed tax law changes.

B-40
<PAGE> 65

FUND PERFORMANCE

From time to time the Fund may advertise its total return for prior
periods. Any such advertisement would include at least average annual total
return quotations for one year, five year and ten year periods. Other total
return quotations, aggregate or average, over other time periods may also be
included.

The total return of the Fund for a particular period represents the
increase (or decrease) in the value of a hypothetical investment in the Fund
from the beginning to the end of the period. Total return is calculated by
subtracting the value of the initial investment from the ending value and
showing the difference as a percentage of the initial investment; the
calculation assumes the initial investment is made at the current maximum public
offering price (which includes the maximum sales charge for Class A Shares);
that all income dividends or capital gain dividends during the period are
reinvested in Fund shares at net asset value; and that any applicable contingent
deferred sales charge has been paid. The Fund's total return will vary depending
on market conditions, the securities comprising the Fund's portfolio, the Fund's
operating expenses and unrealized net capital gains or losses during the period.
Total return is based on historical earnings and asset value fluctuations and is
not intended to indicate future performance. No adjustments are made to reflect
any income taxes payable by shareholders on dividends and capital gain dividends
paid by the Fund.

Average annual total return quotations for periods of two or more years are
computed by finding the average annual compounded rate of return over the period
that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value.

The Fund may, in supplemental sales literature, advertise non-standardized
total return figures representing the cumulative, non-annualized total return of
each class of shares of the Fund from a given date to a subsequent given date.
Cumulative non-standardized total return is calculated by measuring the value of
an initial investment in a given class of shares of the Fund at a given time,
deducting the maximum initial sales charge, if any, determining the value of all
subsequent reinvested distributions, and dividing the net change in the value of
the investment as of the end of the period by the amount of the initial
investment and expressing the result as a percentage. Non-standardized total
return will be calculated separately for each class of shares.

Non-standardized total return calculations do not reflect the imposition of
a contingent deferred sales charge, and if any such contingent deferred sales
charge imposed at the time of redemption were reflected, it would reduce the
performance quoted.

Total return is calculated separately for Class A Shares, Class B Shares
and Class C Shares. Total return figures for Class A Shares include the maximum
sales charge; total return figures for Class B Shares and Class C Shares include
any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Because of the differences in
sales charges and distribution fees, the total returns for each class of shares
will differ.

From time to time, the Fund may include in its sales literature and
shareholder reports a quotation of the current "distribution rate" for each
class of shares of the Fund. Distribution rate is a measure of the level of
income and short-term capital gain dividends, if any, distributed for a
specified period. Distribution rate differs from yield, which is a measure of
the income actually earned by the Fund's investments, and from total return

B-41
<PAGE> 66

which is a measure of the income actually earned by the Fund's investments plus
the effect of any realized and unrealized appreciation or depreciation of such
investments during a stated period. Distribution rate is, therefore, not
intended to be a complete measure of the Fund's performance. Distribution rate
may sometimes be greater than yield since, for instance, it may not include the
effect of amortization of bond premiums, and may include non-recurring
short-term capital gains and premiums from futures transactions engaged in by
the Fund. Distribution rates will be computed separately for each class of the
Fund's shares.

From time to time marketing materials may provide a portfolio manager
update, an Adviser update and discuss general economic conditions and outlooks.
The Fund's marketing materials may also show the Fund's asset class
diversification, top sector holdings and largest holdings. Materials may also
mention how the Distributor believes the Fund compares relative to other Van
Kampen funds. Materials may also discuss the Dalbar Financial Services study
from 1984 to 1994 which studied investor cash flow into and out of all types of
mutual funds. The ten-year study found that investors who bought mutual fund
shares and held such shares outperformed investors who bought and sold. The
Dalbar study conclusions were consistent regardless of whether shareholders
purchased their funds in direct or sales force distribution channels. The study
showed that investors working with a professional representative have tended
over time to earn higher returns than those who invested directly. The
performance of the funds purchased by the investors in the Dalbar study and the
conclusions based thereon are not necessarily indicative of future performance
of such funds or conclusions that may result from similar studies in the future.
The Fund may also be marketed on the internet.

In reports or other communications to shareholders or in advertising
material, the Fund may compare its performance with that of other mutual funds
as listed in the rankings or ratings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., CDA, Morningstar Mutual Funds or similar independent services which
monitor the performance of mutual funds with the Consumer Price Index, the Dow
Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's indices, NASDAQ Composite Index,
other appropriate indices of investment securities, or with investment or
savings vehicles. The performance information may also include evaluations of
the Fund published by nationally recognized ranking or rating services and by
nationally recognized financial publications. Such comparative performance
information will be stated in the same terms in which the comparative data or
indices are stated. Such advertisements and sales material may also include a
yield quotation as of a current period. In each case, such total return and
yield information, if any, will be calculated pursuant to rules established by
the SEC and will be computed separately for each class of the Fund's shares. For
these purposes, the performance of the Fund, as well as the performance of other
mutual funds or indices, do not reflect sales charges, the inclusion of which
would reduce the Fund's performance. The Fund will include performance data for
each class of shares of the Fund in any advertisement or information including
performance data of the Fund.

The Fund may also utilize performance information in hypothetical
illustrations. For example, the Fund may, from time to time: (1) illustrate the
benefits of tax-deferral by comparing taxable investments to investments made
through tax-deferred retirement plans; (2) illustrate in graph or chart form, or
otherwise, the benefits of dollar cost averaging by comparing investments made
pursuant to a systematic investment plan to investments

B-42
<PAGE> 67

made in a rising market; (3) illustrate allocations among different types of
mutual funds for investors at different stages of their lives; and (4) in
reports or other communications to shareholders or in advertising material,
illustrate the benefits of compounding at various assumed rates of return.

The Fund's Annual Report and Semiannual Report contain additional
performance information. A copy of the Annual Report or Semiannual Report may be
obtained without charge by calling or writing the Fund at the telephone number
and address printed on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information.

OTHER INFORMATION

CUSTODY OF ASSETS

All securities owned by the Fund and all cash, including proceeds from the
sale of shares of the Fund and of securities in the Fund's investment portfolio,
are held by State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 West Franklin Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110, as Custodian. The Custodian also provides
accounting services to the Fund.

SHAREHOLDER REPORTS

Semiannual statements are furnished to shareholders, and annually such
statements are audited by the independent accountants.

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 200 East Randolph Drive, Chicago, Illinois
60601, the independent accountants for the Fund, performs an annual audit of the
Fund's financial statements.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Counsel to the Fund is Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois).

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<PAGE> 68

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 23. EXHIBITS.
(a) (1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust(7)
(2) Certificate of Amendment(9)

(3) Certificate of Designation:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(9)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(9)
(iii) Van Kampen Mid Cap Value Fund(13)
(iv) Van Kampen Great American Companies Fund(9)
(v) Van Kampen Prospector Fund(9)
(vi) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(9)
(vii) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(10)
(viii) Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund++
(ix) Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund++
(x) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund++
</TABLE>

(b) By-Laws(7)

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(7)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(7)
(iii) Van Kampen Mid Cap Value Fund(7)
(iv) Van Kampen Great American Companies Fund(7)
(v) Van Kampen Prospector Fund(7)
(vi) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(7)
(vii) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(10)
(viii) Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund++
(ix) Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund++
(x) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund++
</TABLE>

(d) Investment Advisory Agreement for:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(8)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(8)
(iii) Van Kampen Mid Cap Value Fund(8)
(iv) Van Kampen Great American Companies Fund(8)
(v) Van Kampen Prospector Fund(8)
(vi) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(8)
(vii) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(10)
(viii) Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund++
(ix) Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund++
(x) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund++
</TABLE>

(e)(1) Distribution and Service Agreement for:

(2) Form of Dealer Agreement(12)
(3) Form of Broker Fully Disclosed Clearing Agreement(12)
(4) Form of Bank Fully Disclosed Clearing Agreement(12)
(f)(1) Form of Trustee Deferred Compensation Agreement(11)
(2) Form of Trustee Retirement Plan(11)
(g)(1) Custodian Contract(12)
(2) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement(8)
(h)(1) Fund Accounting Agreement(12)
(2) Amended and Restated Legal Services Agreement(12)
(i) Opinion and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(Illinois):
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(3)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(5)
(iii) Van Kampen Mid Cap Value Fund(5)
(iv) Van Kampen Great American Companies Fund(5)
</TABLE>

C-1
<PAGE> 69

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(v) Van Kampen Prospector Fund(5)
(vi) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(6)
(vii) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(12)
(viii) Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund++
(ix) Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund++
(x) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund++
</TABLE>

(j) Consents of KPMG LLP:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(13)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(13)
(iii) Van Kampen Mid Cap Value Fund(13)
(iv) Van Kampen Great American Companies Fund(13)
(v) Van Kampen Prospector Fund(13)
(vi) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(13)
(vii) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(12)
(viii) Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund++
(ix) Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund++
(x) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund++
</TABLE>

(k) Not Applicable
(l) Letter of Understanding relating to initial capital(7)

(m)(1) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for:

(2) Form of Shareholder Assistance Agreement(12)
(3) Form of Administrative Services Agreement(12)

(4) Service Plan for:

(o)(1) Amended Multi-Class Plan(8)
(2) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund Multi-Class Plan(12)

(p) Power of Attorney(14)

(z)(1) List of certain investment companies in response to Item
27(a)++
(2) List of Officers and Directors of Van Kampen Funds Inc. in
response to Item 27(b)++
- ---------------
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on October 29, 1986.

(2) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on June 8, 1993.

(3) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on August 1, 1995.

(4) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on August 29, 1995.

(5) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on October 13, 1995.

(6) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on March 15, 1996.

(7) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on October 25, 1996.

C-2
<PAGE> 70

(8) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on October 28, 1997.

(9) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on September 30, 1998.

(10) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on March 1, 1999.

(11) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 to Van
Kampen Harbor Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Numbers
2-12685 and 811-739, filed April 29, 1999.

(12) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on June 16, 1999.

(13) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on July 29, 1999.

(14) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on January 21, 2000.

+ Filed herewith.

++ To be filed by further amendment.

ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.

None.

ITEM 25. INDEMNIFICATION.

Pursuant to Del. Code Ann. Title 12, Section 3817, a Delaware business
trust may provide in its governing instrument for the indemnification of its
officers and trustees from and against any and all claims and demands
whatsoever.

Reference is made to Article 8, Section 8.4 of the Registrant's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust. Article 8, Section 8.4 of the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust provides that each officer and trustee of the Registrant
shall be indemnified by the Registrant against all liabilities incurred in
connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other
proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which the officer or trustee may be or
may have been involved by reason of being or having been an officer or trustee,
except that such indemnity shall not protect any such person against a liability
to the Registrant or any shareholder thereof to which such person would
otherwise be subject by reason of (i) not acting in good faith in the reasonable
belief that such person's actions were not in the best interests of the Trust,
(ii) willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office or (iii) for a criminal
proceeding, not having a reasonable cause to believe that such conduct was
unlawful (collectively, "Disabling Conduct"). Absent a court determination that
an officer or trustee seeking indemnification was not liable on the merits or
guilty of Disabling Conduct in the conduct of his or her office, the decision by
the Registrant to indemnify such person must be based upon the reasonable
determination of independent counsel or non-party independent trustees, after
review of the facts, that such officer or trustee is not guilty of Disabling
Conduct, in the conduct of his or her office.

The Registrant has purchased insurance on behalf of its officers and
trustees protecting such persons from liability arising from their activities as
officers or trustees of the Registrant. The insurance does not protect or
purport to protect such persons from liability to the Registrant or to its
shareholders to which such officers or trustees would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.

Conditional advancing of indemnification monies may be made if the trustee
or officer undertakes to repay the advance unless it is ultimately determined
that he or she is entitled to the indemnification and only if the following
conditions are met: (1) the trustee or officer provides a security for the
undertaking; (2) the Registrant is insured against losses arising from lawful
advances; or (3) a majority of a quorum of the Registrant's disinterested,
non-party trustees, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall
determine, based upon a review of readily available facts, that a recipient of
the advance ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

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<PAGE> 71

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "1933 Act") may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by the trustee, officer, or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in
connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Pursuant to Section 7 of the Distribution and Service Agreement, the
Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the
"Distributor") and each of its trustees and officers and each person, if any,
who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable
cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages,
or expense and reasonable counsel fees) arising by reason of any person
acquiring any shares, based upon the ground that the Registration Statement,
prospectus, shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the
Registrant (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or
necessary in order to make the statements not misleading under the 1933 Act, or
any other statute or the common law. The Registrant does not agree to indemnify
the Distributor or hold it harmless to the extent that the statement or omission
was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the
Registrant by or on behalf of the Distributor. In no case is the indemnity of
the Registrant in favor of the Distributor or any person indemnified to be
deemed to protect the Distributor or any person against any liability to the
Fund or its security holders to which the Distributor or such person would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties under the agreement.

See also "Investment Advisory Agreement" in the Statement of Additional
Information.

ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER:

See "Investment Advisory Services" in each Prospectus and "Investment
Advisory Agreement," "Other Agreements," and "Trustees and Officers" in the
Statement of Additional Information for information regarding the business of
Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp. (the "Adviser"). For information as to the
business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of
the officers and directors of the Adviser, reference is made to the Adviser's
current Form ADV (File No. 801-18161) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940, as amended, incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

(a) The sole principal underwriter is Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the
"Distributor") which acts as principal underwriter for certain investment
companies and unit investment trusts. See Exhibit (z)(1) incorporated by
reference herein.

(b) Van Kampen Funds Inc., is an affiliated person of the Registrant and is
the only principal underwriter for the Registrant. The name, principal business
address and positions and offices with Van Kampen Funds Inc. of each of the
trustees and officers of the Registrant are disclosed in Exhibit (z)(2). Except
as disclosed under the heading, "Trustees and Officers" in Part B of this
Registration Statement, none of such persons has any position or office with the
Registrant.

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<PAGE> 72

ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.

All accounts, books and other documents of the Registrant required by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended and the Rules
thereunder to be maintained (i) by the Registrant will be maintained at its
offices located at 1 Parkview Plaza, P.O. Box 5555, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
60181-5555; Van Kampen Investor Services Inc., 7501 Tiffany Springs Parkway,
Kansas City, Missouri, 64153; or at State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776
Heritage Drive, North Quincy, Massachusetts, 02171, (ii) by the Adviser will be
maintained at its offices, located at 1 Parkview Plaza, P.O. Box 5555, Oakbrook
Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555, and (iii) by Van Kampen Funds Inc., the principal
underwriter, will be maintained at its offices located at 1 Parkview Plaza, P.O.
Box 5555, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555.

ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS.

Not applicable.

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<PAGE> 73

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant,
VAN KAMPEN EQUITY TRUST, has duly caused this Amendment to this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized in the City of Oakbrook Terrace, and the State of Illinois on the 9th
day of February, 2000.

VAN KAMPEN EQUITY TRUST

By: /s/ A. THOMAS SMITH III
-------------------------------------
A. Thomas Smith III, Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Amendment to the
Registration Statement has been signed on February 9, 2000, by the following
persons in the capacities indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURES TITLE
---------- -----
<C> <S>
Principal Executive Officer:
/s/ RICHARD F. POWERS, III* President and Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
Richard F. Powers, III
Principal Financial Officer:

/s/ JOHN L. SULLIVAN* Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
- ------------------------------------------------ Treasurer
John L. Sullivan
Trustees:

/s/ J. MILES BRANAGAN* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
J. Miles Branagan

/s/ JERRY D. CHOATE* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
Jerry D. Choate

/s/ LINDA HUTTON HEAGY* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
Linda Hutton Heagy

/s/ R. CRAIG KENNEDY* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
R. Craig Kennedy

/s/ MITCHELL M. MERIN* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
Mitchell M. Merin

/s/ JACK E. NELSON* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
Jack E. Nelson

/s/ PHILLIP B. ROONEY* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
Phillip B. Rooney

/s/ FERNANDO SISTO* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
Fernando Sisto

/s/ WAYNE W. WHALEN* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
Wayne W. Whalen

/s/ SUZANNE H. WOOLSEY* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
Suzanne H. Woolsey

/s/ PAUL G. YOVOVICH* Trustee
- ------------------------------------------------
Paul G. Yovovich
- ---------------
* Signed by A. Thomas Smith III pursuant to a power of attorney previously filed.
/s/ A. THOMAS SMITH III February 9, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------
A. Thomas Smith III
Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>

C-6