MERRILL LYNCH GROWTH FUND FOR INVESTMENT & RETIREMENT
NSAR-A, 1999-06-25
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SIGNATURE   DONALD C. BURKE
TITLE       TREASURER


WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000807907
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH GROWTH FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 001
   <NAME> CLASS A

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WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000807907
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH GROWTH FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 002
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WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000807907
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH GROWTH FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 003
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WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000807907
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH GROWTH FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 004
   <NAME> CLASS D

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