ROYCE VALUE TRUST INC
N-30D, 1996-08-07
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                               Royce Value Trust




                               SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
                                 June 30, 1996

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                                The Royce Funds
                                                1414 Avenue of the Americas
                                                         New York, NY 10019
                                                           (212) 355-7311
                                                           (800) 221-4268
 
Dear Stockholder:
 
   After a left foot start in January, small company stocks, as measured by the
Russell 2000 index, outperformed their large company brethren (S&P 500) in
February, March, April and May (15.2% versus 6.2%), but were unable to continue
their winning ways in June (-4.1% versus 0.4%). June's downturn in performance
was the first sign of potentially higher volatility for small-cap issues. In
fact, the Nasdaq Composite closed the second quarter off over 5% from the high
it established on June 5th, its largest decline since a 13.8% drop in the second
quarter of 1994. In spite of June's downturn, and because of the February-May
surge, the Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks won the first half performance
derby with a 10.4% total return versus a 10.2% total return for the large-cap
oriented S&P 500. Similarly, the small-cap oriented S&P 600 was up 11.2%.
Effective July 1, 1996, the S&P 600 replaces the S&P 500 as the Fund's
investment advisory fee performance benchmark.
 
   Within small-cap, 'growth' finished ahead of 'value' with the Russell 2000
Growth Index providing an 11.9% return versus an 8.7% gain for the Russell 2000
Value Index. A similar performance relationship, but with wider disparity, was
also present in the Wilshire Target Small Cap Index Funds, as the Small Cap
Growth Fund (+13.2%) handily outperformed the Small Cap Value Fund (+3.9%).
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC. ('RVT'), with its small-cap value orientation, performed
in line with the two small-cap value proxies for both the quarter and the six
month period, posting NAV total returns of 3.8% and 6.8%, respectively.
Contributing to the Fund's performance were nice gains in two sectors (retail
and consumer durables) which had been mediocre performers in 1995.
 
   Although not always leading in the short-term, RVT's intermediate and
longer-term results are competitive on an absolute and risk adjusted basis.
Average annual NAV total returns for the one year, five year and since inception
(November 26, 1986) periods were 16.0%, 15.9% and 12.4%, respectively. One of
RVT's additional attributes is its relatively low risk profile. According to
independent mutual fund evaluation service Morningstar, RVT was one of the
lowest risk domestic equity closed-end funds for the three years ended June 30,
1996, as measured by standard deviation (4th lowest out of 32 funds), beta (5th
lowest out of 32 funds) and Morningstar's risk ratio (5th lowest out of 32
funds). WE BELIEVE THAT OUR APPROACH OF INVESTING IN HIGH QUALITY SMALL-CAP
COMPANIES, USING ABSOLUTE VALUATION STANDARDS, IS AN APPROPRIATE STRATEGY FOR
GENERATING ABOVE AVERAGE RESULTS.
 
FIREWORKS IN JULY
 
[GRAPHIC]

   Louis Pasteur once said, 'Chance favors the prepared mind.' Although everyone
was prepared for the fireworks of July 4th, few were prepared for the market
fireworks which began in June and intensified throughout July. Double digit
gains in small-cap indices were erased and many investors now find themselves
starting over at mid-year.

                      PERFORMANCE UPDATE THROUGH JULY 31

                                % DECLINE    JULY '96    YTD RETURN
                                FROM HIGH*    RETURN    THRU 7/31/96
                                ---------    --------   ------------
               RVT (NAV)          -5.6%        -3.8%       +2.7%
               Russell 2000      -13.1%        -8.7%       +0.7%
               Nasdaq Comp.      -13.4%        -8.8%       +2.7%

                          * Russell 2000 high was made on 5/22/96.
2

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   We view the current pyrotechnics of July from the vantage point that these
fluctuations are inevitable and desirable, and part of the normal rhythm of the
market. We are prone to keep ourselves at a distance. This is largely common
sense -- no special preparation needed.
 
WORTH REPEATING
 
   To be quoted is flattering. To quote oneself presents the dual risk of boring
our readers and tooting our own horn. Nevertheless, we want to repeat some of
our comments from the 1995 Annual Report. (We promise we won't do this again.)
 

IN OUR LAST REPORT WE SAID:

'An interesting aspect of this five year rise in both stocks and bonds is the
ever increasing participation of individual investors....In fact, it is that
very same demand which is believed to ensure future success and prevent any
major reversal in market fortunes....The suggestion that continued success is
nearly guaranteed by demand is a scary proposition....We remain most astonished,
not with the magnitude of investor appetite for stocks, but the nearly universal
assumption of its permanence.'


WE NOW THINK:
 
   In a perverse way, the least informed (the purchasing public) now appear to
be dictating investment policy to those presumed most knowledgeable (portfolio
managers). Normally prudent professionals have taken comfort in the fact that
the public is pouring money into equity mutual funds. As one of our shareholders
commented, 'The inmates are running the asylum.'
 

ALSO IN THE 1995 ANNUAL REPORT WE SAID:
 
'We are certain, particularly in a global economy, that an ample supply of
securities can be created to meet and even exceed investors' demands.'


AND NOW:
 
   The $132 billion of new investments in equity mutual funds for the first half
of 1996 has eclipsed the prior annual record set in 1993 ($130 billion for the
full year). Yet, the dramatic upward progress that this commitment was expected
to produce has not materialized. A move up in long-term interest rates and
increased corporate insider selling activity are partly to blame, as well as a
surge in IPO activity. By late June, roughly 80 new offerings a week were
producing a fresh supply of securities at the rate of approximately $20 billion
a month.


[GRAPHIC]

   One of the most instructive offerings of the recent IPO boom was the creation
and issuance of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B shares. Berkshire Hathaway's
Chairman, Warren Buffett, is perhaps the best known investor of our time.
Multiple warnings on the front page of the prospectus included ''neither 
Mr.  Buffett  nor  Mr.  Munger  (Vice Chairman) would currently buy 
Berkshire shares (at the current  price), nor  would  they  recommend
that their families or friends do so'' and ''Berkshire has attempted to assess
the current demand for Class B shares and has tailored the size of this offering
to fully satisfy that demand (and) therefore, buyers hoping to capture quick
profits are almost certain to be disap-

                                                                               3
 
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pointed.'' Yet, despite the warnings, over $500 million was raised.
 WALL STREET HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN CREATING AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF 
NEW AND SECONDARY OFFERINGS TO FULLY SATISFY DEMAND.
HOWEVER, IT PROVIDES NO SIMILAR 'WARNING LABELS.'
 

ADDITIONALLY WE SAID:

'The magnitude of the decline in interest rates is virtually not repeatable.
Consequently, a further decline in interest rates will not have the same
favorable impact on stock prices, no matter how bullish one is on rates.'

 
AND NOW:
 
   The consensus expectations of lower rates (then at 6%) in an election year
have proved to be wrong. Long-term government bond yields rose by over 20% in
the first half to a current yield of over 7.0%. While this surprise has not
ended the party, it's getting hard to find the punch bowl.
 

AND FINALLY WE SAID:

'THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WILL BE DIFFERENT! It's not likely that the next five years
will rival the previous five in terms of ideal wind conditions or spectacular
performance. History tells us that periods of high valuation and high return are
usually followed by periods of lower, less dynamic returns....We see no reason
why performance should not revert to the mean and, thus, a period of lower five
year returns is likely. Very simply, the last five years was a period in which
risk and reward were synonymous and one in which risk management provided
virtually no benefit. It's likely that we have completed the best five year
performance period for this decade.'


AND NOW?
 
   Enough said.
 
THE VALUE IN VALUE INVESTING
 
   A basic premise of value investing is that stocks, like other goods and
services, should be purchased at the most attractive prices possible, preferably
at a discount to their 'intrinsic worth.' The reality for most investors is just
the opposite. In other words, investor comfort levels and, therefore, demand
increase when prices rise, and diminish as prices decline. The higher a stock
rises, the greater the perceived opportunity.
 
   Value investing, on the other hand, takes a contrary view to this highly
emotional process. By systematically reducing risk when others ignore it and
taking risk when it is feared, one can capitalize on valuation discrepancies
(opportunities) which develop from time to time. The greatest risk that the
value investor confronts is the loss of either patience or discipline when faced
with the prospect of being out-of-sync with the market. THE VALUE IN 'VALUE
INVESTING' IS TO PROVIDE A COHERENT SYSTEM FOR RATIONAL DECISION MAKING  . . .
THE PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO COMPOUND WEALTH WHILE MINIMIZING RISK. Its basic
premise is that the price one pays for an investment makes a significant
difference in the return one receives.
 
WHAT WE DO

[GRAPHIC]
 
   Royce Value Trust uses a risk-averse approach to invest in the securities of
small-cap companies. Experience tells us that paying attention to risk does not
diminish long-term results, although individual market phases may not
necessarily confirm this.
 
   Our approach attempts to understand and value a company's private
worth -- what we believe an enterprise would sell for in a transaction between
rational parties. The price we will pay for a security must be significantly
under our appraisal of its private worth. The consistent use of this discipline,
applied to less well-known securities, is the source of our performance.

4

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NO OTHER PLACE WE WOULD RATHER BE
 
   While the Fund focuses on companies with market caps below $1 billion, our
weighted average and median market caps
are actually much lower, $359 million and $256 million, respectively, at June
30, 1996.
 
   Although our orientation is small-cap stocks, our picking universe is by no
means small, with over 10,000 companies valued at more than $900 billion in
total market capitalization. It is both robust and perpetuating; IPO's,
spin-offs and reorganizations create hundreds of new prospects each year. It is
a sector rich in opportunity and easily accommodates our strategy given the size
of the investable universe.
 
   From time to time we are criticized for the large number of securities that
we hold in the portfolio. In fact, given the size of our universe, we believe
our strategy is quite focused because total portfolio holdings represent fewer
than 3% of the available small-cap universe. Not many large-cap managers would
be content with only 15 selections from the S&P 500.
 
   Not long ago we had a conversation with a highly successful and respected
fund manager about diversification. His contention was that statistical
diversification could be achieved with just 13 holdings. His own portfolio was
concentrated in a mere 20 selections. We were impressed. Yet, upon further
examination, we discovered his 20 large-cap holdings were involved in 61
different businesses. As defined by Standard Industrial Classification codes
(SICs), Philip Morris has seven different business groups, Pepsi has six,
Johnson & Johnson has five and so on. In contrast, the vast majority of our
holdings have single lines of business. When one adds up the numbers, there's
really not much difference in terms of diversification between our approach and
that of 'focused' managers.
 
HOW IT WORKS

[GRAPHIC]
 
   Our approach to investing in individual small-cap companies has proven
historical benefits, but can be both unpredictable and frustrating in the
near-term. We believe that the stock market in the short-term is a polling
place, and in the long-term, a highly efficient weighing device. While our
ultimate success will continue to be driven by the process of 'weighing the true
value' of the small companies in which we have invested, the following provides
a brief glimpse of some of this year's 'election results.'
 
FALLING IN LOVE

[GRAPHIC]

   Despite a generally rising market, there were numerous opportunities for us
to either add new positions or increase our investment in some old favorites.
The following companies represent our most significant commitments in 1996's
first half. More importantly, they represent examples of works in progress which
we hope will build future performance.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECURITY                                 NET INVESTED
- --------------------------------------   ------------
 
<S>                                      <C>
Penn Engineering & Mfg. Corp.             $ 2,645,742
Marshall Industries                         2,498,378
Zenith National Insurance Corp.             1,936,450
Leucadia National Corporation               1,830,897
Haemonetics Corporation                     1,777,628
</TABLE>
 
   Our largest new purchases were old favorites, Penn Engineering and
Manufacturing Corp. and Marshall Industries. Both of these companies are
indirect participants in the recent technology boom and ensuing bust. Penn
Engineering makes self clenching fasteners for computers and electronics as well
as many other applications. Marshall Industries distributes electronic
components including semi-conductors. Both companies have fortress like balance
sheets, generate high internal rates of return on their own

                                                                               5
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capital and were purchased well off their highs. Zenith National Insurance Corp.
and Leucadia National Corporation are insurance companies. Each is well managed,
conservatively capitalized and, so far, unrecognized for their historically
superior performance. Rising interest rates and continuing price competition in
the insurance industry have provided us with the opportunity to increase our
ownership in these companies on very favorable terms. Finally, Haemonetics
Corporation is a market leader in providing equipment and disposable supplies in
the collection of blood. Earnings growth has temporarily slowed at Haemonetics
as the company awaits FDA approval for a new generation of blood collection
products. If Haemonetics new products perform as we think they can, this could
become a new growth stock star.
 
HARVEST SEASON

[GRAPHIC]
 
   Selling stocks is always difficult for the value investor for it requires
either parting with success or admitting mistakes. So far this year we have done
both. The following is a list of our five largest divestitures during 1996's
first half.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECURITY                                 NET PROCEEDS
- --------------------------------------   ------------
 
<S>                                      <C>
Cliffs Drilling Company                   $2,996,440
Comdisco, Inc.                             2,403,349
Claire's Stores, Inc.                      2,345,389
The Wet Seal, Inc. (Class A)               2,213,560
Ash Grove Cement Co.                       2,072,700
</TABLE>
 
   In each case depicted above, we reduced our exposure due to full and fair
valuations. These companies were all purchased when conditions in their
respective industries were challenging and their potential was obscure to most
investors. Lately, fortunes in energy, computer leasing, retailing, and even
cement manufacturing have improved and we have enjoyed some big winners.
 
VOLATILITY IS A FRIEND
 
   Recently, stock market volatility has generated a great deal of attention
from the financial press. While large changes (100 point or greater moves) in
the Dow Jones Industrial Average make interesting reading in the morning papers,
their significance is exaggerated. The table below depicts the Russell 2000's
yearly price variation using the index's annual range as a percentage of the
beginning year's price.
 
[GRAPHIC]

   It's interesting to note how tame the markets have remained in the last four
and a half years relative to the prior thirteen. TO US, VOLATILITY IS A FRIEND
IN THAT IT CREATES IRRATIONAL PRICING OF SECURITIES AND, THEREFORE,
OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO CAPITALIZE ON OUR RISK MANAGEMENT SKILLS.
 
ARE THERE ANY REAL INVESTORS LEFT?

[GRAPHIC]
 
   The term 'investor' denotes a long-term supplier of capital. In contrast, a
'speculator' is one who takes opportunistic risk in hopes of generating quick
profits. In essence, investors expect to get paid by the correct assessment of
underlying business fundamentals, whereas speculators count on others (often
referred to as greater fools) to buy them out profitably.
 
   In the current bull market, it has become very difficult to tell the
difference between investors and speculators. For example, what exactly is
'momentum investing?' The term

6

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seems oxymoronic. While equities represent a permanent ownership position in an
enterprise, in many fund portfolios, they are reviewed and replaced more
frequently than three month Treasury Bills. Wall Street brokerage firms publish
'Buy' and 'Sell' recommendations based on a company's quarterly progress down to
the penny per share; and the country's largest equity mutual fund lost its star
manager after a short period of underperformance, which may have contributed to
the decision by that fund's investors to withdraw in excess of $1 billion.
 
   Only time and more difficult market conditions will separate the true
investors from disappointed speculators. GIVEN THAT WE BELIEVE THAT EQUITIES
REPRESENT LONG-TERM INTERESTS IN BUSINESSES, THE TERM 'INVESTOR' SUITS US JUST
FINE.
 
WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
 
   Given our belief that the next phase of the market will include lower equity
returns and greater volatility -- the need for basic blocking and tackling, in
the form of commitment, focus and experience, is paramount. We remain committed
to investing in high quality, small-cap companies using absolute valuation
standards; our focus remains sharp, and exclusively on small and micro-cap
companies; and our 20+ years of investment experience ensures that our vigilance
and discipline remain constant. Your continued confidence is appreciated.
 
   Yours faithfully,
 

 
    /s/ Charles M. Royce     Jack E. Fockler, Jr.
    Charles M. Royce         W. Whitney George
     President                Vice Presidents
 
August 1, 1996
 
P.S. Our 'new era' fund will wait for the 'new era.'
 
Note: The Fund intends (subject to effectiveness of registration under the
Securities Act of 1933) to offer 2,400,000 shares of preferred stock for sale at
$25.00 per share through an underwriting syndicate to be led by Morgan Stanley &
Co. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, but has not yet become effective. These
securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time
the registration statement becomes effective. This announcement does not
constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor may there
be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation
or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such State.

Morningstar proprietary risk ratio, beta and standard deviation are measures of
a fund's relative risk and are calculated for the trailing 36-month period.
Morningstar risk ratio measures a fund's downside volatility relative to all
equity funds which have an average score of 1.00. Beta is a measure of
sensitivity to market movements compared to the unmanaged S&P 500 index, with
the beta of the S&P 500 equal to 1.00. Standard deviation is a statistical
measure within which a fund's total return falls. The average Morningstar risk
ratio, beta and standard deviation for the 194 closed-end domestic equity funds
with a three-year history as of 6/30/96 were: 0.53, 0.85 & 10.97, respectively.
The Morningstar risk ratio, beta and standard deviation for Royce Value Trust
over the same period were: 0.32, 0.54 & 6.94, respectively. Source: Morningstar,
Inc.
 
The Russell 2000, Russell 2000 Growth, Russell 2000 Value, S&P 500 and S&P
SmallCap 600 indices are unmanaged and include the reinvestment of dividends.
The Nasdaq Composite is an unmanaged index. The Wilshire Target Small Company
Value and Growth Funds attempt to replicate the performance of the Wilshire Next
1750 Small Company Value and Growth Indices, respectively.
 
                                                                               7



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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS                                                  June 30, 1996
                                                            ------------------
<S>                 <C>                                     <C>
                    Net Assets                                    $364,428,204
                    Net Asset Value Per Share                           $14.48
                    Market Price Per Share                             $12.375
                    Shares Outstanding                              24,836,018
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
FINANCIAL REVIEW
 
The  table below represents the total returns of the Fund on two separate bases.
NAV total return is the compound rate  of return, using net asset values, on  an
amount   invested  in  the  Fund  throughout   the  stated  period  and  assumes
reinvestment  of   dividend  and   capital   gain  distributions   and   primary
participation   in  rights   offerings.  Stockholders   are  able   to  reinvest
distributions, and purchase  shares through  rights offerings,  at prices  which
have  historically been below  NAV, and without commission  costs. NAV return is
the most meaningful measurement of  a continuous stockholder's progress.  Market
Value  total return presents similar information,  but values the Fund at market
rather than NAV and, therefore, reflects the actual experience of a stockholder,
before commission costs, who bought and sold shares of the Fund at the beginning
and ending dates.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NAV          Market Value      S&P       Russell      S&P Small-
                                          Total Return     Total Return     500`D'     2000`D'      Cap 600`D'
                                          ------------     ------------     -----     ---------     ----------
 
<S>                                       <C>              <C>              <C>       <C>           <C>        <C>
Total Returns
3 months ended 6/30/96                            3.8%             1.0%       4.5%         5.0%           5.2%
6 months ended 6/30/96                            6.8              4.2       10.2         10.4           11.2
 
Annual Returns (ended December 31)
1995                                             22.6             20.5       37.5         28.4           30.0
1994                                              1.1            - 5.6        1.3        - 1.8          - 4.8
1993                                             17.9             14.8       10.0         18.9           18.8
1992                                             19.9             26.8        7.7         18.4           21.0
1991                                             39.5             35.3       30.5         46.1           48.5
 
Average Annual Total Returns (ended June 30, 1996)
1-year                                           16.0%            15.1%      26.1%        23.9%          26.0%
3-year                                           13.2              8.3       17.3         15.8           15.6
5-year                                           15.9             13.7       15.8         17.5           18.4
Since inception*                                 12.4              9.5       14.3         12.0           10.3
</TABLE>
 
`D' The S&P 500,  Russell 2000 and  S&P SmallCap 600  are unmanaged indices  and
    include the reinvestment of dividends. Source: Frank Russell Co.
 
 * Inception date - November 26, 1986
 
The  results presented in this report  represent past performance and should not
be considered representative  of the 'total  return' from an  investment in  the
Fund  today. They  are provided  only to give  an historical  perspective of the
Fund. The investment return and net asset and market values of Fund shares  will
fluctuate, so that the shares may be worth more or less than their original cost
when sold.
 
8
 
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HISTORY SINCE INCEPTION
 
The  following  table  details  the share  accumulation  history  of  an initial
investor in the Fund who reinvested all distributions and participated fully  in
the rights offering. By reinvesting all distributions and fully participating in
the  rights offerings, an  investor maximizes his returns.  This table should be
read in conjunction with the Financial Review of the Fund (see page 8).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Amount      Purchase                  NAV         MKT
              History                Invested      Price       Shares     Value*      Value*
              -------------------    --------     --------     ------     -------     -------
 
<S>           <C>                    <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>
11/26/86      Initial Purchase       $10,000      $10.000      1,000      $ 9,280     $10,000
 
10/15/87      Distribution $.30                     7.000         42
 
12/31/87      Distribution $.22                     7.125         32        8,578       7,250
 
12/27/88      Distribution $.51                     8.625         63       10,529       9,238
 
09/22/89      Rights Offering            405        9.000         45
 
12/29/89      Distribution $.52                     9.125         67       12,942      11,866
 
09/24/90      Rights Offering            457        7.375         62
 
12/31/90      Distribution $.32                     8.000         52       11,713      11,074
 
09/23/91      Rights Offering            638        9.375         68
 
12/31/91      Distribution $.61                    10.625         82       17,919      15,697
 
09/25/92      Rights Offering            825       11.000         75
 
12/31/92      Distribution $.90                    12.500        114       21,999      20,874
 
09/24/93      Rights Offering          1,469       13.000        113
 
12/31/93      Distribution $1.15                   13.000        160       26,603      25,428
 
10/28/94      Rights Offering          1,103       11.250         98
 
12/19/94      Distribution $1.05                   11.375        191       27,939      24,905
 
11/03/95      Rights Offering          1,425       12.500        114
 
12/07/95      Distribution $1.29                   12.125        253       35,676      31,243
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
06/30/96                             $16,322                   2,631      $38,097     $32,559
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
* Other than for Initial Purchase and for the current period, values are  stated
  as of December 31 of the year indicated, after reinvestment of distributions.
 
The  Board  of  Directors  has given  the  Fund's  management  the discretionary
authority to cause the  Fund to repurchase  up to 300,000  shares of its  common
stock  in open  market and  other transactions  through December  31, 1996. Such
repurchases would be effected at  a price per share  less than the then  current
net asset value, but not in excess of the then prevailing market price.
 
                            ------------------------
 
The  Board  of Directors  of the  Fund  is authorized  to offer  stockholders an
opportunity to  subscribe for  additional shares  of common  stock of  the  Fund
through  rights offerings at  a price per share  that may be  less than the then
current net asset value of the Fund's common stock. The timing and terms of  any
such  offerings are left to the Board's  discretion. The Fund does not expect to
have a rights offering in 1996.
 
                                                                               9
 
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<PAGE>


DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN
 
WHAT IS THE DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN?
     Distributions of  net investment  income  and capital  gains, if  any,  are
normally  made  in  December.  The  Fund's  Distribution  Reinvestment  and Cash
Purchase Plan  (the  'Plan')  offers  you an  automatic  way  to  reinvest  your
dividends  and capital  gains distributions  in additional  shares of  the Fund,
increasing your holdings in the Fund. Reinvestment of the annual distribution is
done at market price, without commissions. The number of shares to be issued  to
a  stockholder will  be determined  by dividing  the amount  of the distribution
payable to the stockholder  by the last  reported sale price of  a share of  the
Fund's common stock on the valuation date, which follows the record date.
 
     The  plan  also  allows  registered  stockholders  to  make  optional  cash
investments in shares of the Fund's common  stock through the Plan Agent and  to
deposit   certificates  representing  Fund  shares   with  the  Plan  Agent  for
safekeeping. Stockholders should refer to  the Plan document for information  on
these options.
 
HOW DO REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN?
     If your shares are registered directly with the Fund, you are automatically
a  participant in the Plan unless you  have instructed the Plan Agent in writing
otherwise. The Plan Agent  must receive the instructions  not less than 10  days
prior  to the record date  for a distribution in order  to be effective for that
distribution. A registered stockholder may also receive the distribution in  the
form  of a stock certificate for the full  shares and a check for the fractional
share if the  Plan Agent  is properly notified.  Stockholders who  elect to  not
participate  in the Plan will  receive all distributions in  cash, paid by check
and mailed directly to the stockholder  by State Street Bank and Trust  Company,
dividend paying agent and Plan Agent.
 
WHAT IF MY SHARES ARE HELD BY A BROKERAGE FIRM, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE?
     If  your shares are  held in the name  of a brokerage  firm, bank, or other
nominee as the  stockholder of  record, we  still expect  them to  automatically
reinvest  distributions on your behalf. Please consult with your brokerage firm,
bank or other nominee to be certain that it is reinvesting distributions on your
behalf. If your nominee is unable to reinvest distributions on your behalf,  you
should  instruct your  nominee to  have your shares  registered in  your name in
order to participate.
 
HOW WILL I KNOW HOW MANY SHARES I HAVE?
     The Plan Agent  maintains the  account for registered  stockholders in  the
Plan  and  sends  written  confirmation  of  all  transactions  in  the account,
including information  needed  by participants  for  personal and  tax  records.
Shares  in the  account of each  participant will be  held by the  Plan Agent in
non-certificated form in the name of the participant, and each participant  will
be able to vote those shares at a shareholder meeting or by proxy. A participant
may also send other stock certificates held by them to the Plan Agent to be held
in  non-certificated form. There  is no service fee  charged to participants for
reinvesting distributions.  The Plan  Agent's  fees for  the processing  of  the
distribution  reinvestment are paid for by the Fund. A participant may terminate
his account under the Plan by written notice to the Plan Agent. Termination will
be effective as  described in  the Plan.  If a  participant elects  to sell  his
shares  before the  Plan is terminated,  the Plan  will deduct a  $2.50 fee plus
brokerage commissions from the sale transaction. If a nominee is the  registered
owner of your shares, the nominee will maintain the accounts on your behalf.
 
WHAT IF I NEED MORE INFORMATION?
     You  may obtain more detailed information by  requesting a copy of the Plan
from the  Plan Agent.  All correspondence  (including notifications)  should  be
directed to: Royce Value Trust, Inc. Distribution Reinvestment and Cash Purchase
Plan,  c/o  State  Street  Bank  and  Trust  Company,  PO  Box  8200,  Boston MA
02266-8200, (800) 426-5523.
 
10




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                               PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
 
The  following  information  is provided  as  a  'bird's eye'  view  of  the RVT
portfolio. For  a more  complete picture,  the full  portfolio and  accompanying
financial statements should be read in their entirety.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    % of Common                              % of Total
                                                      Stocks               Value             Investments
                                                   -------------      ---------------      ---------------
<S>                                                <C>                <C>                  <C>
Top 100 Stocks..................................        63.6%          $  236,146,300            58.1%
Other Stocks....................................        36.4              135,067,767            33.3
                                                   -------------      ---------------       ----------
Common Stocks...................................       100.0%             371,214,067            91.4
                                                   -------------
                                                   -------------
Bonds & Preferred Stock.........................                            3,224,705             0.8
Repurchase Agreement............................                           31,500,000             7.8
                                                                      ---------------       ----------
Total Investments...............................                       $  405,938,772           100.0%
                                                                      ---------------       ----------
                                                                      ---------------       ----------
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
PORTFOLIO DIAGNOSTICS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
Weighted Average Market Capitalization (Total Portfolio)..........                 $359 Million
Median Market Capitalization (Total Portfolio)....................                 $256 Million
Weighted Average P/E Ratio (100 Largest Positions)................                 13.8x
Weighted Average P/B Ratio (100 Largest Positions)................                  1.6x
Weighted Average Portfolio Yield (100 Largest Positions)..........                  1.9%
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
COMMON STOCK SECTORS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        % of Net Assets
                                                                        ---------------
<S>                                                                          <C>
Financial..........................................................           25.6%
Industrial Cyclicals...............................................           24.2
Services...........................................................           16.1
Consumer Durables..................................................           11.4
Retail.............................................................            7.2
Technology.........................................................            5.0
Consumer Staples...................................................            4.3
Energy.............................................................            3.4
Miscellaneous......................................................            2.9
Health.............................................................            1.7
Utilities..........................................................            0.1
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TOP TWENTY POSITIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Market Value      % of Net Assets
                                                                        ---------------      ---------------
 <S>  <C>                                                                    <C>                      <C>
  1.  Ash Grove Cement Company Cl. B...............................          $4,321,629               1.2%
  2.  Comdisco, Inc................................................           4,136,194               1.1
  3.  The Standard Register Company................................           3,824,263               1.0
  4.  Zenith National Insurance Corp...............................           3,810,600               1.0
  5.  Family Dollar Stores, Inc....................................           3,612,263               1.0
  6.  Wesco Financial Corporation..................................           3,445,375               0.9
  7.  Velcro Industries N.V........................................           3,335,550               0.9
  8.  Lilly Industries, Inc. Cl. A.................................           3,273,911               0.9
  9.  Juno Lighting, Inc...........................................           3,262,300               0.9
 10.  Marshall Industries..........................................           3,234,000               0.9
 11.  Florida Rock Industries, Inc.................................           3,224,025               0.9
 12.  Kimball International, Inc. Cl. B............................           3,138,200               0.9
 13.  Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation Cl. A.................           3,117,800               0.9
 14.  National Bancorp of Alaska, Inc..............................           3,104,010               0.9
 15.  Transnational Re Corporation Cl. A...........................           3,087,975               0.8
 16.  Ethan Allen Interiors Inc....................................           3,078,900               0.8
 17.  Woodward Governor Company....................................           3,053,600               0.8
 18.  Vallen Corporation...........................................           3,050,757               0.8
 19.  Farmer Bros. Co..............................................           3,036,000               0.8
 20.  The Dress Barn, Inc..........................................           2,973,600               0.8

</TABLE>
 
                                                                              11




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT JUNE 30, 1996 (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS -- 101.9%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Shares                                     Value
- ----------                                ------------
<C>          <S>                          <C>
CONSUMER DURABLES -- 11.4%
    63,290   Allen Organ Company Cl.
               B........................  $  2,476,221
    24,000   Burnham Corporation Cl.
               A........................       618,000
    18,000   *Burnham Corporation Cl.
               B........................       463,500
    52,950   *Conso Products Co.........       860,438
   106,500   *Delta Woodside Industries,
               Inc......................       545,812
   124,400   Ethan Allen Interiors
               Inc......................     3,078,900
   154,172   First Years Inc............     2,119,865
    41,000   Flexsteel Industries,
               Inc......................       481,750
    99,400   Garan Incorporated.........     1,689,800
    65,700   *Johnson Worldwide
               Associates, Inc. Cl. A...       903,375
   191,900   Juno Lighting, Inc.........     3,262,300
   148,400   K-Swiss Inc. Cl. A.........     1,613,850
     5,000   La-Z-Boy Chair Company.....       150,625
   116,100   *Lazare Kaplan
               International, Inc.......     1,523,813
   191,336   *Lifetime Hoan
               Corporation..............     2,056,862
    41,000   *Marisa Christina,
               Incorporated.............       820,000
    54,700   Matthews International
               Corporation Cl. A........     1,504,250
    41,600   National Presto Industries,
               Inc......................     1,580,800
    64,900   The Rival Company..........     1,492,700
    30,700   Russ Berrie and Company,
               Inc......................       564,113
    58,700   The Singer Company N.V.....     1,188,675
   115,700   Skyline Corporation........     2,892,500
    85,200   The Stride Rite
               Corporation..............       702,900
    55,100   Sturm, Ruger & Company,
               Inc......................     2,562,150
   158,400   Thomaston Mills, Inc. Cl.
               A........................     1,782,000
   125,700   Thor Industries, Inc.......     2,576,850
   129,500   *The Topps Company, Inc....       728,437
    30,200   Weyco Group, Inc...........     1,223,100
                                          ------------
                                            41,463,586
                                          ------------
CONSUMER STAPLES -- 4.3%
    68,000   Alico, Inc.................     1,326,000
    22,000   Farmer Bros. Co............     3,036,000
    30,000   Golden Enterprises, Inc....       241,875
       643   Hershey Creamery Company...     1,067,380
    52,200   *J & J Snack Foods Corp....       600,300
   165,600   *Midwest Grain Products,
               Inc......................     2,152,800
     4,050   Seaboard Corporation.......       803,925
   102,700   Stanhome Inc...............     2,721,550
    60,100   Velcro Industries N.V. ....     3,335,550
    20,000   WLR Foods, Inc.............       280,000
                                          ------------
                                            15,565,380
                                          ------------
ENERGY -- 3.4%
   105,400   *American Oilfield Divers,
               Inc......................       948,600
    70,000   *Belden & Blake
               Corporation..............     1,452,500
    63,400   *Tom Brown, Inc............     1,085,725
    60,700   Camco International Inc....     2,056,213
    31,400   Devon Energy Corporation...       769,300
 
<CAPTION>
  Shares                                     Value
- ----------                                ------------
<C>          <S>                          <C>
    28,000   *Gulfmark International
               Inc......................  $    973,000
    66,500   Lufkin Industries, Inc.....     1,363,250
   146,400   *Offshore Logistics,
               Inc......................     2,031,300
    54,300   Penn Virginia
               Corporation..............     1,900,500
                                          ------------
                                            12,580,388
                                          ------------
FINANCIAL -- 25.6%
    10,400   Alexander & Alexander
               Services Inc.............       205,400
    10,103   *Alleghany Corporation.....     1,939,776
    57,750   ALLIED Group, Inc..........     2,512,125
    94,000   ALLIED Life Financial
               Corporation..............     1,880,000
    45,474   Argonaut Group, Inc........     1,421,063
    36,856   *Avatar Holdings Inc.......     1,266,925
    15,000   BHC Financial, Inc.........       210,000
    46,100   BHI Corporation............       674,212
    60,000   Baker, Fentress &
               Company..................     1,147,500
   126,000   Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Cl.
               B........................     2,598,750
    42,800   W. R. Berkley Corp.........     1,786,900
    92,100   E.W. Blanch Holdings,
               Inc......................     1,830,487
    10,000   CB Bancshares, Inc.........       311,250
    91,850   Capitol Transamerica
               Corporation..............     1,768,113
   155,350   Comdisco, Inc..............     4,136,194
   111,718   The Commerce Group, Inc....     2,332,113
     7,800   Consolidated-Tomoka Land
               Co.......................       154,050
     8,282   County Bank Corp...........       296,081
    50,200   Crawford & Company Cl. B...       872,225
   100,100   Crawford & Company Cl. A...     1,701,700
    65,100   Eaton Vance Corp...........     2,359,875
    44,000   Fidelity National
               Financial, Inc...........       665,500
       215   The First National Bank of
               Anchorage................       324,650
    57,750   Fremont General
               Corporation..............     1,328,250
    79,600   Arthur J. Gallagher &
               Co.......................     2,547,200
   114,000   *Gryphon Holdings Inc......     1,710,000
   104,700   Guaranty National
               Corporation..............     1,884,600
   202,475   Hilb, Rogal & Hamilton
               Company..................     2,809,341
   108,128   Independence Holding
               Company..................       506,850
   131,100   Intercargo Corporation.....     1,130,737
    39,059   Investors Financial
               Services Corporation.....       908,122
     8,989   *Investors Financial
               Services Corporation Cl.
               A........................       208,994
     7,400   The John Nuveen Company....       184,075
    27,615   Keystone Heritage Group,
               Inc......................       624,789
    77,500   Lawyers Title
               Corporation..............     1,395,000
   100,400   Leucadia National
               Corporation..............     2,459,800
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT JUNE 30, 1996 (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Shares                                     Value
- ----------                                ------------
FINANCIAL-(CONT'D)
<C>          <S>                          <C>
    38,110   *MAIC Holdings, Inc........  $  1,419,598
     4,200   *Markel Corporation........       390,600
       200   THE MECHANICS BANK.........     1,420,000
    23,800   NYMAGIC, INC...............       449,225
    49,270   National Bancorp of Alaska,
               Inc......................     3,104,010
    59,500   New England Investment
               Companies, L.P...........     1,398,250
   123,800   The Newhall Land and
               Farming Company..........     2,042,700
   119,500   Nobel Insurance Limited....     1,389,187
    45,600   Oriental Federal Savings
               Bank.....................       866,400
    53,587   Orion Capital
               Corporation..............     2,732,937
   183,400   Pennsylvania Manufacturers
               Corporation Cl. A........     3,117,800
   108,100   Phoenix Duff & Phelps
               Corporation..............       810,750
   107,200   The Pioneer Group, Inc.....     2,867,600
    69,500   Piper Jaffray Companies
               Inc......................       868,750
    33,512   Poe & Brown, Inc...........       829,422
    19,250   RLI Corp...................       469,219
    59,025   *Rand Capital
               Corporation..............        92,227
    15,356   *Reliance Group Holdings,
               Inc......................        31,679
    21,200   Student Loan Corporation...       763,200
    38,587   Titan Holdings, Inc........       540,218
   129,600   *Toreador Royalty
               Corporation..............       356,400
     5,000   Transatlantic Holdings,
               Inc......................       350,625
   125,400   Transnational Re
               Corporation Cl. A........     3,087,975
    58,500   Trenwick Group Inc.........     2,925,000
   249,205   *U.S. Global Investors Inc.
               Cl. A....................       716,464
    21,450   Vornado Realty Trust.......       876,769
    21,500   Wesco Financial
               Corporation..............     3,445,375
   165,100   **Willis Corroon Group
               plc......................     1,960,563
   139,200   Zenith National Insurance
               Corp.....................     3,810,600
                                          ------------
                                            93,226,190
                                          ------------
HEALTH -- 1.7%
    25,200   Diagnostic Products
               Corporation..............       970,200
   154,000   *Haemonetics Corporation...     2,810,500
    43,900   Life Technologies, Inc.....     1,382,850
    47,200   *Spacelabs Medical, Inc....     1,097,400
                                          ------------
                                             6,260,950
                                          ------------
INDUSTRIAL CYCLICALS -- 24.2%
     2,501   R. P. Adams Company,
               Inc......................        45,018
    50,200   American Filtrona
               Corporation..............     1,606,400
    27,800   *Ameron International
               Corp.....................     1,098,100
    45,000   *Art's-Way Manufacturing
               Co., Inc.................       225,000
    38,759   Ash Grove Cement Company
               Cl. B....................     4,321,629
<CAPTION>
  Shares                                     Value
- ----------                                ------------
<C>          <S>                          <C>
    53,500   *Guy F. Atkinson Company of
               California...............  $    722,250
    47,190   BHA Group, Inc. Cl. A......       625,267
    16,500   Baldor Electric Company....       371,250
    15,300   *Banister Foundation
               Inc......................       120,488
    25,200   *Bird Corp.................        82,687
   116,600   Blessings Corporation......     1,195,150
    83,100   W. H. Brady Co. Cl. A......     1,848,975
   148,900   CalMat Co..................     2,698,813
    36,400   Cascade Corp...............       486,850
       375   Central Steel & Wire
               Company..................       236,625
   114,969   *Chemfab Corporation.......     1,609,566
    19,700   CLARCOR Inc................       487,575
     2,300   ConBraCo Industries,
               Inc......................       977,500
    53,400   Curtiss-Wright
               Corporation..............     2,883,600
     6,022   Decker Manufacturing
               Corporation..............       228,836
    98,000   Fab Industries, Inc........     2,670,500
     9,000   Federal Signal
               Corporation..............       211,500
   124,600   Florida Rock Industries,
               Inc......................     3,224,025
    73,645   *`D'General Builders
               Corporation..............        46,028
   111,900   P. H. Glatfelter Company...     2,056,162
    24,800   Gorman-Rupp Company........       328,600
   124,969   Hawkins Chemical, Inc......       968,510
    12,500   *Hirsh International Corp.
               Cl. A....................       239,063
    28,800   *Insituform Technologies,
               Inc......................       223,200
    68,600   International Aluminum
               Corporation..............     1,732,150
    41,700   Kaman Corporation Cl. A....       422,212
   113,600   Kimball International, Inc.
               Cl. B....................     3,138,200
    79,750   Knape & Vogt Manufacturing
               Company..................     1,256,062
    49,650   LeaRonal, Inc..............     1,241,250
   192,583   Lilly Industries, Inc. Cl.
               A........................     3,273,911
    21,990   The Lincoln Electric
               Company..................       775,148
    63,900   The Lincoln Electric
               Company Cl. A............     1,932,975
    52,878   Liqui-Box Corporation......     1,586,340
   188,200   *MK Gold Company...........       282,300
    39,553   MacDermid, Incorporated....     2,768,710
    44,800   Mine Safety Appliances
               Company..................     1,836,800
    38,300   Paul Mueller Company.......     1,302,200
    31,500   NCH Corporation............     2,023,875
    30,700   Nordson Corporation........     1,734,550
    37,600   Oil-Dri Corporation of
               America..................       559,300
    45,000   Oregon Steel Mills, Inc....       618,750
    92,800   Oshkosh Truck Corporation
               Cl. B....................     1,310,800
    57,800   Peerless Mfg. Co...........       621,350
    10,000   *Pegasus Gold Inc..........       122,500
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                                                              13
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT JUNE 30, 1996 (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Shares                                     Value
- ----------                                ------------
INDUSTRIAL CYCLICALS-(CONT'D)
<C>          <S>                          <C>
   126,600   Penn Engineering and
               Manufacturing Inc........  $  2,389,575
    30,400   Penn Engineering and
               Manufacturing Corp. Cl.
               A........................       718,200
    75,800   *Perini Corporation........       909,600
    23,400   Precision Castparts
               Corp.....................     1,006,200
    41,300   Preformed Line Products
               Company..................     1,404,200
    83,300   Puerto Rican Cement
               Company, Inc.............     2,592,713
   103,750   Quaker Chemical
               Corporation..............     1,322,812
    51,270   Robroy Industries, Inc. Cl.
               A........................       794,685
   102,600   *Shorewood Packaging
               Corporation..............     1,577,475
   126,700   *Simpson Manufacturing Co.,
               Inc......................     2,534,000
    47,000   *Sinter Metals, Inc. Cl.
               A........................       822,500
    59,500   The L. S. Starrett Company
               Cl. A....................     1,547,000
    33,300   Tecumseh Products Company
               Cl. A....................     1,789,875
    44,286   *Thermal Industries,
               Inc......................       395,806
    59,800   *The Turner Corporation....       687,700
    45,200   Unifi, Inc.................     1,271,250
     4,308   United Screw and Bolt
               Corporation..............       310,176
    73,700   Versa Technologies, Inc....       994,950
    15,000   Wellman, Inc...............       350,625
    34,700   Woodward Governor Company..     3,053,600
    70,800   Zero Corporation...........     1,513,350
                                          ------------
                                            88,364,842
                                          ------------
RETAIL -- 7.2%
     5,000   *Alexander's, Inc..........       363,125
    13,000   J. Baker, Inc..............        97,500
    53,100   Blair Corporation..........     1,254,488
    26,900   *The Buckle, Inc...........       921,325
   212,400   *CATHERINES STORES
               CORPORATION..............     2,097,450
     1,200   Cato Corporation Cl. A.....         7,200
   133,100   *Charming Shoppes, Inc.....       940,019
    81,800   Claire's Stores, Inc.......     2,259,725
     7,800   Dart Group Corporation Cl.
               A........................       694,200
   130,400   Deb Shops Inc..............       652,000
   283,200   *The Dress Barn, Inc.......     2,973,600
   207,900   Family Dollar Stores,
               Inc......................     3,612,263
    80,500   Frederick's of Hollywood,
               Inc. Cl. A...............       402,500
   182,296   Frederick's of Hollywood,
               Inc. Cl. B...............       820,332
    57,000   *InterTAN Inc..............       327,750
   135,800   *Little Switzerland,
               Inc......................       712,950
    88,000   *Mikasa, Inc...............       968,000
<CAPTION>
  Shares                                     Value
- ----------                                ------------
<C>          <S>                          <C>
    49,830   *Monro Muffler Brake,
               Inc......................  $    915,623
    15,900   Oshkosh B'Gosh, Inc. Cl.
               A........................       286,200
   180,805   Pier 1 Imports, Inc........     2,689,474
   107,600   *Stein Mart, Inc...........     1,963,700
    27,183   Strawbridge & Clothier Cl.
               A........................       441,724
   127,800   *Suzy Shier Ltd............       697,200
                                          ------------
                                            26,098,348
                                          ------------
SERVICES -- 16.1%
    33,340   Aceto Corporation..........       525,105
    79,712   Air Express International
               Corporation..............     2,251,864
   149,948   Arnold Industries, Inc.....     2,136,759
    37,200   Atlantic Southeast
               Airlines, Inc............     1,050,900
    81,174   *Bell Industries, Inc......     1,359,664
    52,700   Bowl America Incorporated
               Cl. A....................       368,900
    20,000   Bowne & Co., Inc...........       412,500
    38,100   *Jenny Craig, Inc..........       681,038
   105,600   Dames & Moore..............     1,280,400
   103,400   Ennis Business Forms,
               Inc......................     1,176,175
   119,900   *FRP Properties, Inc.......     2,457,950
   167,800   *FCA International Ltd.....       285,069
     2,600   Fisher Companies Inc.......       227,500
   220,935   Frozen Food Express
               Industries, Inc..........     2,485,519
    31,400   Gilbert Associates, Inc.
               Cl. A....................       400,350
    13,417   Grey Advertising Inc.......     2,965,157
    20,304   Hardinge Brothers, Inc.....       644,652
   115,825   The Harper Group...........     2,258,587
    76,100   *International Dairy Queen,
               Inc. Cl. A...............     1,674,200
    12,500   *Internation Family
               Entertainment, Inc.......       231,250
    72,850   *JOULE Inc.................       437,100
    39,500   Kenan Transport Company....       819,625
    40,300   Lawson Products, Inc.......     1,017,575
   115,500   *Marshall Industries.......     3,234,000
    99,800   Merrill Corporation........     2,495,000
    98,300   *MovieFone, Inc. Cl. A.....       417,775
    98,400   New England Business
               Service, Inc.............     1,918,800
     9,300   *Nichols Research
               Corporation..............       290,625
     9,900   *PAYCO AMERICAN
               CORPORATION..............        86,625
    72,600   Plenum Publishing
               Corporation..............     2,541,000
   173,500   Richardson Electronics,
               Ltd......................     1,735,000
    78,500   *Rollins Environmental
               Services, Inc............       304,188
    53,000   Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.........       761,875
    84,525   *SEATTLE FILMWORKS, Inc....     1,373,531
   155,000   Sotheby's Holdings, Inc.
               Cl. A....................     2,247,500
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT JUNE 30, 1996 (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Shares                                     Value
- ----------                                ------------
SERVICES-(CONT'D)
<C>          <S>                          <C>
   155,300   The Standard Register
               Company..................  $  3,824,263
    30,000   *Steck-Vaughn Publishing
               Corporation..............       375,000
    52,600   Stone & Webster, Inc.......     1,794,975
   229,500   *TBC Corporation...........     1,979,438
   109,400   Treadco, Inc...............       929,900
    42,000   True North Communications
               Inc......................       934,500
    56,200   *The Union Corporation.....     1,109,950
   174,329   *Vallen Corporation........     3,050,757
                                          ------------
                                            58,552,541
                                          ------------
TECHNOLOGY -- 5.0%
    57,250   Astro-Med, Inc.............       515,250
   129,605   *CSP Inc...................     1,069,241
    32,000   Communications Systems,
               Inc......................       440,000
    50,200   *Comptek Research, Inc.....       276,100
    32,400   *Dionex Corporation........     1,044,900
   105,900   *Electroglas, Inc..........     1,509,075
   105,250   *Exar Corporation..........     1,368,250
    25,000   *Fusion Systems............       618,750
    57,100   *Giga-tronics
               Incorporated.............       642,375
    15,000   Hach Company...............       240,000
    16,089   *IFR Systems, Inc..........       197,090
    73,200   *ILC Technology, Inc.......       850,950
    26,300   *Integral Systems, Inc.....       710,100
   105,000   Landauer Inc...............     2,218,125
     9,400   MacNeal-Schwendler
               Corporation..............        70,500
    20,350   Modern Controls, Inc.......       211,131
    47,700   National Computer Systems,
               Inc......................     1,019,588
     1,000   *National Instruments
               Corp.....................        22,500
    40,100   Newport Corporation........       395,987
    21,200   *Phoenix Technologies
               Ltd......................       355,100
    67,200   *Programming & Systems,
               Inc......................        16,800
   104,000   *`D'Sage Laboratories,
               Inc......................     1,664,000
    96,100   Scitex Corporation
               Limited..................     1,657,725
    49,800   *Technical Communications
               Corporation..............       790,575
    39,300   Woodhead Industries,
               Inc......................       461,775
                                          ------------
                                            18,365,887
                                          ------------
<CAPTION>
  Shares                                     Value
- ----------                                ------------
<C>          <S>                          <C>
UTILITIES -- .1%
    10,000   *Digital Systems
               International, Inc.......  $    151,250
                                          ------------
MISCELLANEOUS -- 2.9%...................    10,584,705
             Total Common Stocks
               (Cost $286,228,272)......   371,214,067
                                          ------------
PREFERRED STOCKS -- .1%
    11,500   *Bird Corp. $1.85 Conv.
               (Cost $201,690)..........       175,375
                                          ------------
<CAPTION>
 
Principal
  Amount
- ----------
<C>          <S>                          <C>
CORPORATE BONDS -- .8%
$  824,000   Dixie Yarns, Inc. 7.00%
               Conv. Sub. Deb. due
               5/15/12..................       626,240
   314,000   Reliance Group Holdings,
               Inc. 9.00% Sr. Note due
               11/15/00.................       313,215
 1,073,000   Richardson Electronics,
               Ltd. 7.25% Conv. Sub.
               Deb. due 12/15/06........       912,050
 1,458,000   Semi-Tech Corp 0% Sr. Secs.
               Disc Note due 8/15/03....       856,575
   750,000   Shoney's, Inc. 0% Sub.
               Conv. Deb. due 4/11/04...       341,250
                                          ------------
             Total Corporate Bonds
               (Cost $2,674,170)........     3,049,330
                                          ------------
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT -- 8.6%
State Street Bank and Trust Company,
  4.90% due 7/01/96, collateralized by
  U.S. Treasury Notes, 5.25%, due
  12/31/97, valued at $32,131,220 (Cost     31,500,000
  $31,500,000)..........................
                                          ------------
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS -- 111.4% (COST
  $320,604,132).........................   405,938,772
 
LIABILITIES LESS CASH AND OTHER
  ASSETS -- (11.4%).....................  (41,510,568)
                                          ------------
 
NET ASSETS -- 100.0%....................  $364,428,204
                                          ------------
                                          ------------
</TABLE>
 
 * Non-income producing.
 
** American Depository Receipt.
 
 `D' At  June 30, 1996, the  Fund owned 5% or  more of the Company's outstanding
     shares thereby making  the Company  an affiliated  person as  that term  is
     defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
INCOME  TAX INFORMATION -- The cost of  total investments for federal income tax
purposes was $320,604,132. At June 30, 1996, net unrealized appreciation for all
securities  was   $85,334,640,   consisting  of   aggregate   gross   unrealized
appreciation  of  $97,930,143  and aggregate  gross  unrealized  depreciation of
$12,595,503.
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                                                              15



<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             June 30, 1996
                                                                                             -------------
 
<S>                                                                                          <C>
ASSETS:
Investments at value (identified cost $320,604,132).......................................   $ 405,938,772
Cash......................................................................................         143,207
Receivable for investments sold...........................................................         400,629
Receivable for dividends and interest.....................................................         596,506
Prepaid expenses and other assets.........................................................          96,857
                                                                                             -------------
     Total Assets.........................................................................     407,175,971
                                                                                             -------------
 
LIABILITIES:
Notes payable.............................................................................      38,685,014
Interest payable..........................................................................       1,150,000
Payable for investments purchased.........................................................       2,584,619
Investment advisory fee payable...........................................................         114,567
Accrued expenses..........................................................................         213,567
                                                                                             -------------
     Total Liabilities....................................................................      42,747,767
                                                                                             -------------
     Net Assets...........................................................................   $ 364,428,204
                                                                                             -------------
                                                                                             -------------
 
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:
Undistributed net investment income.......................................................   $   2,181,080
Accumulated net realized gain on investments..............................................      22,313,646
Net unrealized appreciation on investments................................................      85,334,640
Capital Stock (24,836,018 shares outstanding).............................................          24,836
Additional paid-in capital................................................................     254,574,002
                                                                                             -------------
     Net Assets...........................................................................   $ 364,428,204
                                                                                             -------------
                                                                                             -------------
 
PRICING OF SHARES:
Net asset value per share, assuming conversion of Notes
  ($403,113,218 [div] 27,843,537 fully converted shares)..................................          $14.48
                                                                                             -------------
                                                                                             -------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                Six Months
                                                                                                   ended
                                                                                               June 30, 1996
                                                                                               -------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
  Income:
     Dividends..............................................................................    $  3,172,647
     Interest...............................................................................         687,359
                                                                                               -------------
          Total Income......................................................................       3,860,006
                                                                                               -------------
  Expenses:
     Investment advisory fee................................................................         704,547
     Interest expense.......................................................................       1,150,000
     Amortization of underwriting discount and offering costs...............................          82,264
     Administrative and office facilities expense...........................................          92,632
     Custodian and transfer agent fees......................................................          64,792
     Professional fees......................................................................          28,392
     Directors' fees........................................................................          24,934
     Other expenses.........................................................................         153,274
                                                                                               -------------
          Total Expenses....................................................................       2,300,835
          Fees waived by investment adviser.................................................         (44,656)
                                                                                               -------------
          Net Expenses......................................................................       2,256,179
                                                                                               -------------
          Net Investment Income.............................................................       1,603,827
                                                                                               -------------
 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS:
     Net realized gain on investments.......................................................      19,234,136
     Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................................       4,619,890
                                                                                               -------------
          Net realized and unrealized gain on investments...................................      23,854,026
                                                                                               -------------
 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS........................................    $ 25,457,853
                                                                                               -------------
                                                                                               -------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                                                              17
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Six Months          Year
                                                                               ended           ended
                                                                           June 30, 1996    December 31,
                                                                            (unaudited)         1995
                                                                           -------------    ------------
<S>                                                                        <C>              <C>
FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
     Net investment income..............................................   $   1,603,827    $  1,030,325
     Net realized gain on investments...................................      19,234,136      32,580,075
     Net unrealized appreciation on investments.........................       4,619,890      29,032,226
                                                                           -------------    ------------
     Increase in net assets resulting from operations...................      25,457,853      62,642,626
     Dividends paid from net investment income..........................        --              (693,347)
     Distributions paid from net realized gain..........................        --           (29,124,623)
FROM CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS:
     Increase in net assets from capital stock transactions.............        --            37,113,835
                                                                           -------------    ------------
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS..................................................      25,457,853      69,938,491
NET ASSETS:
     Beginning of period................................................     338,970,351     269,031,860
                                                                           -------------    ------------
     End of period (including undistributed net investment income of
       $2,181,080 and $577,253, respectively)...........................   $ 364,428,204    $338,970,351
                                                                           -------------    ------------
                                                                           -------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Six Months
                                                                                                 ended
                                                                                             June 30, 1996
                                                                                             -------------
<S>                                                                                          <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Investment income received...........................................................   $   3,922,867
     Interest paid........................................................................      (1,150,000)
     Payment of operating expenses........................................................      (1,048,258)
     Purchases of investments.............................................................     (90,132,901)
     Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments....................................      88,551,499
                                                                                             -------------
          Cash from operating activities..................................................         143,207
          Cash at beginning of period.....................................................               0
                                                                                             -------------
          Cash at end of period...........................................................   $     143,207
                                                                                             -------------
                                                                                             -------------
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS TO CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Net increase in net assets resulting from operations.................................   $  25,457,853
     Net increase in investments..........................................................     (20,992,186)
     Net increase in unrealized appreciation on investments...............................      (4,619,890)
     Decrease in dividends and interest receivable........................................          62,861
     Decrease in receivable for investments sold..........................................       2,145,034
     Accretion of offering costs..........................................................          82,264
     Decrease in payable for investments purchased........................................      (1,926,301)
     Decrease in accrued expenses and other assets........................................         (66,428)
                                                                                             -------------
          Cash from operating activities..................................................   $     143,207
                                                                                             -------------
                                                                                             -------------
</TABLE>

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     This  table  is presented  to show  selected data  for a  share outstanding
throughout each  period, and  to assist  stockholders in  evaluating the  Fund's
performance.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Six Months
                                              ended                       Years ended December 31,
                                          June 30, 1996   --------------------------------------------------------
                                           (unaudited)      1995        1994        1993        1992        1991
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
 
<S>                                       <C>             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD....    $   13.56     $  12.34    $  13.47    $  12.50    $  11.23    $   8.58
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS(a):
  Net investment income.................         0.07         0.04        0.04        0.09        0.15        0.17
  Net realized and unrealized gain on
    investments.........................         0.85         2.70        0.09        2.12        2.12        3.20
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
    Total from investment operations....         0.92         2.74        0.13        2.21        2.27        3.37
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:
  Net investment income.................      --             (0.03)      (0.01)      (0.09)      (0.15)      (0.17)
  Net realized gain on investments......      --             (1.26)      (1.04)      (1.06)      (0.75)      (0.44)
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
    Total dividends and distributions...      --             (1.29)      (1.05)      (1.15)      (0.90)      (0.61)
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS:
  Effect of rights offering.............      --             (0.12)      (0.14)      (0.08)      (0.06)      (0.10)
  Effect of reinvestment of
    distributions.......................      --             (0.11)      (0.07)*     (0.01)      (0.04)      (0.01)
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
    Total capital stock transactions....      --             (0.23)      (0.21)      (0.09)      (0.10)      (0.11)
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD (a)......    $   14.48     $  13.56    $  12.34    $  13.47    $  12.50    $  11.23
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
MARKET VALUE, END OF PERIOD.............    $  12.375     $ 11.875    $ 11.000    $ 12.875    $ 12.250    $ 10.375
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                          -------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
TOTAL RETURN (b):
  Net Asset Value (a)...................          6.8%        22.6%        1.1%       17.9%       19.9%       39.5%
  Market Value..........................          4.2%        20.5%      - 5.6%       14.8%       26.8%       35.3%
 
RATIOS BASED ON AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Total expenses(c).......................         1.29%**      2.01%       2.01%       1.33%       0.81%       0.79%
Management fee expense..................         0.38%**      0.97%       1.21%       1.09%       0.53%       0.43%
Interest expense........................         0.70%**      0.75%       0.46%         --          --          --
Other operating expenses................         0.21%**      0.29%       0.34%       0.24%       0.28%       0.36%
Net investment income...................         0.92%**      0.34%       0.31%       0.74%       1.31%       1.52%
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net Assets, End of Period (in
  thousands)............................     $364,428     $338,970    $269,032    $246,558    $202,483    $166,550
Portfolio Turnover Rate.................           13%          32%         35%         33%         40%         34%
Average Commission Rate Paid`D'.........    $  0.0574           --          --          --          --          --
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
 (a) Commencing  June 21, 1995, Net Asset Value per share, Net Asset Value Total
     Return and Income  from Investment Operations  are calculated assuming  the
     Notes  are fully converted except when the  effect of doing so results in a
     higher  Net  Asset  Value  per  share  than  was  calculated  without  such
     assumption.  If it were assumed  the Notes had not  been converted, the Net
     Asset Value per share would have been  increased by $0.12 at June 30,  1996
     and $0.09 at December 31, 1995.
 
 (b) The  Net  Asset Value  and Market  Value Total  Return assume  a continuous
     stockholder who reinvested all net investment income dividends and  capital
     gain distributions and fully participated in primary rights offerings.
 
 (c) Expense  ratios before waiver of fees  by the investment advisor would have
     been 1.32% for the six months ended June 30, 1996, and 2.04% and 2.02%  for
     the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
  * Includes distributions paid January 31, 1994 and distributions paid December
    30, 1994.
 
 ** Annualized.
 
 `D' For  fiscal  years beginning  on  or after  October  1, 1995,  the  Fund is
     required to  disclose  its  average  commission rate  paid  per  share  for
     purchases and sales of investments.
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                                                              19


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
NOTE 1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
     Royce Value Trust, Inc. (the 'Fund') was incorporated under the laws of the
State  of  Maryland  on July  1,  1986  as a  diversified  closed-end investment
company. The Fund commenced operations on November 26, 1986.
 
Valuation of investments:
 
     Securities listed on an  exchange or on the  Nasdaq National Market  System
are  valued  on the  basis  of the  last  reported sale  prior  to the  time the
valuation is made or, if  no sale is reported for  such day, at their bid  price
for  exchange-listed securities and at the average of their bid and asked prices
for Nasdaq securities. Quotations are taken  from the market where the  security
is   primarily  traded.  Other  over-the-counter  securities  for  which  market
quotations are readily available are valued  at their bid price. Securities  for
which market quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value
under  procedures established and  supervised by the  Fund's Board of Directors.
Bonds and other  fixed income  securities may be  valued by  reference to  other
securities  with  comparable  ratings,  interest  rates  and  maturities,  using
established independent pricing services.
 
Investment transactions and related investment income:
 
     Investment transactions are accounted  for on the  trade date and  dividend
income  is recorded on the ex-dividend date.  Interest income is recorded on the
accrual basis.  Realized  gains  and losses  from  investment  transactions  and
unrealized  appreciation and depreciation  of investments are  determined on the
basis of identified cost for book and tax purposes.
 
     For the six months ended June 30, 1996, net realized gain on investments of
$19,234,136 included $16,786,957  of net  long-term gain and  $2,447,179 of  net
short-term gain.
 
Taxes:
 
     As  a  qualified regulated  investment company  under  Subchapter M  of the
Internal Revenue Code, the  Fund is not  subject to income  taxes to the  extent
that it distributes substantially all of its taxable income for its fiscal year.
The  schedule of investments  includes information regarding  income taxes under
the caption 'Income Tax Information'.
 
Distributions:
 
     Dividend and capital  gain distributions  are recorded  on the  ex-dividend
date  and  paid  annually in  December.  These distributions  are  determined in
accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from generally  accepted
accounting  principles.  Permanent book  and tax  basis differences  relating to
shareholder distributions will result in reclassification to paid-in capital and
may affect net investment income per share. Undistributed net investment  income
may  include temporary book  and tax basis  differences which will  reverse in a
subsequent period. Any taxable  income or gain remaining  at fiscal year end  is
distributed in the following year.
 
Repurchase agreements:
 
     The  Fund enters into  repurchase agreements with  respect to its portfolio
securities solely  with  State Street  Bank  and Trust  Company  ('SSB&T'),  the
custodian  of its assets. The Fund restricts repurchase agreements to maturities
of no more  than seven  days. Securities  pledged as  collateral for  repurchase
agreements  are  held  by SSB&T  until  maturity of  the  repurchase agreements.
Repurchase agreements could  involve certain risks  in the event  of default  or
insolvency  of SSB&T, including possible delays or restrictions upon the ability
of the Fund to dispose of the underlying securities.
 
20
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
NOTE 2.  INVESTMENT COMPANY CONVERTIBLE NOTES:
 
     The Fund  issued  $40,000,000  aggregate  principal  amount  of  Investment
Company  Convertible Notes  (the 'Notes')  on June  22, 1994.  The Fund received
proceeds of $38,350,000  after the  deduction of the  underwriting discount  and
offering  costs incurred  by the  Fund in  connection with  the issuance  of the
Notes. The  underwriting  discount and  the  offering costs  of  $1,200,000  and
$450,000,  respectively, are  being accreted on  a straight line  basis over the
term of the Notes.
 
     The Notes, which are unsecured obligations of the Fund, mature on June  30,
2004  and  bear  interest  payable on  June  30  and December  31  of  each year
commencing with June 30, 1994  at the rate of 5  3/4% per annum. The Notes  have
Aaa rating from Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ('Moody's').
 
     The  Notes are convertible into  shares of Common Stock  of the Fund at the
option of the holder, at  any time prior to  maturity, except during the  period
from  the second trading day prior to  the ex-dividend date through the last day
of each  year  unless an  earlier  date is  selected  by the  Fund,  and  unless
previously  redeemed at the option of the Fund. The conversion price at June 30,
1996 is $13.30  per share. This  conversion price  is subject to  an annual  net
adjustment  involving an escalation of  6.75% and a reduction  for the impact on
net asset value per share of distributions to stockholders.
 
     Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund is required to  maintain
an  asset coverage of  at least 300%  for the Notes.  In addition, the Indenture
governing the Notes  requires the Fund  to maintain a  certain discounted  asset
coverage  for its portfolio that equals  or exceeds the Basic Maintenance Amount
under the guidelines established by Moody's. The Fund has met these requirements
since the issuance of the Notes.
 
     Commencing July 1,  1997, and any  time thereafter prior  to maturity,  the
Fund  may, at its  option, redeem the  Notes in whole  or in part  for cash at a
price equal to 100%  of their principal amount,  together with accrued  interest
thereon.  Prior to  July 1, 1997,  the Fund will  have the option  to redeem the
Notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount, together with
accrued interest, only if a redemption is necessary for the Fund to maintain the
required asset coverage for the Notes and/or continue to qualify as a  regulated
investment company.
 
     Only  July 1, 1999, if the average market price per $1,000 principal amount
of Notes for the 45 trading days ending May 31, 1999 is less than $950, the Fund
will either call all  of the Notes for  redemption or reset one  or more of  the
terms  of the Notes so that  the market value of the Notes  is at or as close as
possible to par.
 
NOTE 3.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT:
 
     Under the  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  between  Quest  Advisory  Corp.
('Quest')  and the  Fund effective  through June  30, 1996,  the Basic  Fee is a
monthly fee equal to 1/12  of 1% (1% on an  annualized basis) of the average  of
the  total net  assets of  the Fund  at the  end of  each month  included in the
applicable performance period, which  is a rolling 36  month period ending  with
the most recent calendar month.
 
     The  Basic Fee for such monthly period  is subject to increase or decrease,
depending on the extent, if any, by which the investment performance of the Fund
exceeds by  more  than 2  percentage  points, or  is  exceeded by  more  than  1
percentage  point, by the percentage change in  the investment record of the S&P
500 for such performance period. For each  percentage point in excess of 2  that
the  investment performance  of the  Fund exceeds  the percentage  change in the
investment record of the  S&P 500, such  Basic Fee is increased  at the rate  of
1/12  of .05%.  For each  percentage point  in excess  of 1  that the percentage
change  in  the  investment  record  of  the  S&P  500  exceeds  the  investment
performance of the Fund, such Basic Fee is decreased at the rate of 1/12 of .1%.
 
                                                                              21
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     The  maximum increase or  decrease in the  Basic Fee for  any month may not
exceed 1/12 of .5%.  Accordingly, the maximum monthly  fee rate as adjusted  for
performance  is 1/12 of 1.5% and would  be payable if the investment performance
of the Fund exceeded the percentage change  in the investment record of the  S&P
500  by 12  or more  percentage points for  the performance  period. The minimum
monthly fee rate as adjusted for performance is 1/12 of .5% and would be payable
if the percentage change in  the investment record of  the S&P 500 exceeded  the
investment  performance  of the  Fund by  6  or more  percentage points  for the
performance period.
 
     The Investment  Advisory Agreement  also provides  that Quest  will not  be
entitled  to receive any fees for any performance period in which the investment
performance of the Fund, rounded to the nearest whole point, is less than  zero.
In  the event that  the Fund's investment performance  for a performance period,
rounded to  the nearest  whole  point, is  less than  zero,  Quest will  not  be
required to refund to the Fund any fees earned for any prior performance period.
 
     In  calculating the investment  performance of the  Fund and the percentage
change in  the  investment  record of  the  S&P  500, all  dividends  and  other
distributions   during  the  performance  period  are  treated  as  having  been
reinvested and  gain (loss)  from  transactions in  Fund shares  is  eliminated.
Fractions  of a percentage point are rounded  to the nearest whole point (to the
higher whole point if exactly one-half).
 
     For the six months ended June 30,  1996, the Fund paid Quest advisory  fees
totalling $659,891 which is net of $44,656 voluntarily waived by Quest.
 
     Effective  July 1,  1996, the Fund  entered into a  new Investment Advisory
Agreement with Quest which changed, among  other things, the benchmark index  to
the S&P 600 and changed the rate of decrease in the Agreement to be equal to the
rate of increase.
 
NOTE 4.  TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF AFFILIATED COMPANIES:
 
     An  'Affiliated Company', as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
is a company in  which the Fund  owns at least 5%  of the company's  outstanding
voting  securities. The  Fund effected the  following transactions  in shares of
such companies during the six months ended June 30, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Purchases                Sales
                                 -------------------    -------------------    Realized     Dividend
Affiliated Company               Shares       Cost      Shares       Cost      Gain/Loss     Income
- ------------------------------   -------    --------    -------    --------    ---------    --------
<S>                              <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>
General Builders Corp.........     --          --         --          --          --           --
Sage Laboratories, Inc........     --          --         --          --          --           --
United Services
  Advisers, Inc...............     --          --       249,205    $436,109       --           --
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 5.  FUND SHARES:
 
     At June  30,  1996, there  were  150,000,000  shares of  common  stock  and
50,000,000  shares of preferred stock, $.001  par value, authorized. Only common
stock has been issued, and transactions were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Six Months ended
                                                      June 30, 1996                 Year ended
                                                       (unaudited)              December 31, 1995
                                                 ------------------------    ------------------------
                                                  Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount
                                                 ---------    -----------    ---------    -----------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Net proceeds from rights offerings............      --            --         1,308,387    $16,244,838
Dividends and distributions reinvested in
  additional shares...........................      --            --         1,721,155     20,868,997
</TABLE>
 
     During the  year ended  December  31, 1995,  the  Fund completed  a  rights
offering  of 1,308,387 shares to  its stockholders at the  rate of one share for
each twenty rights held by stockholders of record on September 20, 1995.
 
22
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ROYCE VALUE TRUST, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
NOTE 6.  PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES:
 
     For the six months ended June 30, 1996, the cost of purchases and  proceeds
from  sales of investment securities, other than short-term securities, amounted
to $58,632,901 and $66,626,851, respectively.
 
          At the Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders held  on June  26, 1996,  Fund
stockholders  elected directors,  ratified the  Board's selection  of the Fund's
independent public accountants for 1996, and approved the following proposals:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Proposal/                       Votes        Votes      Votes Cast      Votes
              Name of Director                   Cast For     Withheld     Against      Abstained
- ---------------------------------------------   ----------    --------    ----------    ---------
 
<S>                                             <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>
Proposal to approve new Investment Advisory
  Agreement with Quest Advisory Corp. .......   19,036,178      N/A         595,061      370,906
 
Proposal to change the Fund's investment
  policy concerning warrants, rights and
  options....................................   13,330,499      N/A         634,457      537,072
 
Ratification of independent public ac-
  countants..................................   19,737,602      N/A          81,359      183,184
 
Charles M. Royce.............................   19,751,866    250,279        N/A          N/A
Thomas R. Ebright............................   19,655,377    346,768        N/A          N/A
Richard M. Galkin............................   19,657,300    344,845        N/A          N/A
Stephen L. Isaacs............................   19,676,454    325,691        N/A          N/A
David L. Meister.............................   19,675,370    326,775        N/A          N/A
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              23



<PAGE>
<PAGE>

OFFICERS
Charles M. Royce, President and Treasurer
Jack E. Fockler, Jr., Vice President
W. Whitney George, Vice President
Daniel A. O'Byrne, Vice President
& Assistant Secretary
John E. Denneen, Secretary
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Ernst & Young LLP

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT
  AND REGISTRAR
State Street Bank and Trust Company
 
DIRECTORS
Thomas R. Ebright
     Quest Advisory Corp., Vice President
     Royce, Ebright & Associates, Inc., President
 
Richard M. Galkin
     Richard M. Galkin Associates Inc.,
       President
 
Stephen L. Isaacs
     Columbia University Development Law and
       Policy Program, Director; Attorney
 
David L. Meister
     Communications Industry, Consultant
 
Charles M. Royce
     Quest Advisory Corp., President
 

                            Royce Value Trust, Inc.
                            Semi-Annual Report 1996
                          1414 Avenue of the Americas
                            New York, New York 10019
                                 (800) 221-4268
 


                           STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
                           ------------------------

               The dagger symbol shall be expressed as..... `D'
               The division sign shall be expressed as..... [div]

                               GRAPHIC APPENDIX

On page 2 of the paper format Royce Value Trust report:
Picture of firecracker exploding

On page 3 of the paper format Royce Value Trust report:
A picture of a Prospectus cover of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

On page 4 of the paper format Royce Value Trust report:
A picture of a scale balancing a dollar sign and a factory.

On page 5 of the paper format Royce Value Trust report:
A picture of a man in long white coat pointing with a pointer.
A picture of Cupid shooting an arrow with two hearts around him.

On page 6 of the paper format Royce Value Trust report:
A picture of a basket of fruit at harvest time.
A bar graph of the Russell 2000 price variations from 1979 to 1996.
A picture of a ticker tape machine.





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