<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 A000000 01/31/98
000 C000000 0000811444
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 3.0.a
000 J000000 U
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001 B000000 811-5055
001 C000000 2013677491
002 A000000 100 MULBERRY ST.
002 B000000 NEWARK
002 C000000 NJ
002 D010000 07102
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 N
007 B000000 0
007 C010100 1
007 C010200 2
007 C010300 3
007 C010400 4
007 C010500 5
007 C010600 6
007 C010700 7
007 C010800 8
007 C010900 9
007 C011000 10
008 A000001 PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENTS FUND MANAGEMENT LLC
008 B000001 A
008 C000001 801-31104
008 D010001 NEWARK
008 D020001 NJ
008 D030001 07102
008 A000002 PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
008 B000002 S
008 C000002 801-22808
008 D010002 NEWARK
008 D020002 NJ
008 D030002 07102
010 A000001 PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENTS FUND MANAGEMENT LLC
010 B000001 811-31104
010 C010001 NEWARK
010 C020001 NJ
010 C030001 07102
011 A000001 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
011 B000001 8-27154
<PAGE> PAGE 2
011 C010001 NEW YORK
011 C020001 NY
011 C030001 10292
011 A000002 DELETE
012 A000001 PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES LLC
012 B000001 85-4110019
012 C010001 NEW BRUNSWICK
012 C020001 NJ
012 C030001 08906
013 A000001 PRICE WATERHOUSE LLC
013 B010001 NEW YORK
013 B020001 NY
013 B030001 10036
014 A000001 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
014 B000001 8-27154
014 A000002 PRUCO SECURITIES CORP.
014 B000002 8-16402
015 A000001 STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST CO.
015 B000001 C
015 C010001 BOSTON
015 C020001 MA
015 C030001 02171
015 E010001 X
015 A000002 CANADA TRUSTCO MORTGAGE COMPANY
015 B000002 S
015 C010002 TORONTO
015 D010002 CANADA
015 E040002 X
015 A000003 BANQUE PARIBAS
015 B000003 S
015 C010003 PARIS
015 D010003 FRANCE
015 E040003 X
015 A000004 STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST CO.
015 B000004 S
015 C010004 LONDON
015 D010004 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040004 X
015 A000005 WESTPAC BANKING CORP.
015 B000005 S
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015 D010005 AUSTRALIA
015 E040005 X
015 A000006 GIROCREDIT BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT DER SPARKA
015 B000006 S
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015 D010006 AUSTRIA
015 E040006 X
015 A000007 GENERALE BANK
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<PAGE> PAGE 3
015 D010007 BELGIUM
015 E040007 X
015 A000008 DEN DANSKE BANK
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015 C010008 COPENHAGEN
015 D010008 DENMARK
015 E040008 X
015 A000009 MERITA BANK LIMITED
015 B000009 S
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015 D010009 FINLAND
015 E040009 X
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015 C010010 FRANKFURT
015 D010010 GERMANY
015 E040010 X
015 A000011 THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORP. LTD.
015 B000011 S
015 C010011 SHANGHAI
015 D010011 CHINA
015 E040011 X
015 A000012 BANK OF IRELAND
015 B000012 S
015 C010012 DUBLIN
015 D010012 IRELAND
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015 C010013 MILAN
015 D010013 ITALY
015 E040013 X
015 A000014 SUMITOMO TRUST & BANKING CO., LTD.
015 B000014 S
015 C010014 TOKYO
015 D010014 JAPAN
015 E040014 X
015 A000015 SEOULBANK
015 B000015 S
015 C010015 SEOUL
015 D010015 KOREA
015 E040015 X
015 A000016 STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
015 B000016 S
015 C010016 HONG KONG
015 D010016 HONG KONG
015 E040016 X
015 A000017 STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
015 B000017 S
015 C010017 KUALA LUMPUR
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<PAGE> PAGE 4
015 E040017 X
015 A000018 CITIBANK MEXICO, N.A.
015 B000018 S
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015 D010018 MEXICO
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015 A000019 MEESPIERSON N.V.
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<PAGE> PAGE 5
015 A000028 CITIBANK, N.A.
015 B000028 S
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015 A000029 CITIBANK, N.A.
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<PAGE> PAGE 6
015 B000038 S
015 C010038 TOKYO
015 D010038 JAPAN
015 E040038 X
015 A000039 DEUTSCHE BANK AG
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015 A000042 CITIBANK POLAND, S.A.
015 B000042 S
015 C010042 WARSAW
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015 A000043 CEKOSLOVENSKA OBCHODNA BANKA A.S.
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015 A000047 CITIBANK, N.A.
015 B000047 S
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015 D010047 VENEZUELA
015 E040047 X
015 A000048 CITIBANK, N.A.
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<PAGE> PAGE 7
015 C010048 MONTEVIDEO
015 D010048 URUGUAY
015 E040048 X
015 A000049 STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
015 B000049 S
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015 A000053 NATIONAL BANK OF EGYPT
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015 C010053 CAIRO
015 D010053 EGYPT
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015 A000054 BARCLAYS BANK OF GHANA LIMITED
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015 C010054 ACCRA
015 D010054 GHANA
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015 A000055 DEUTSCHE BANK AG
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015 C010056 ABIDJAN
015 D010056 IVORY COAST
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015 A000057 THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED
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015 C010057 TOKYO
015 D010057 JAPAN
015 E040057 X
015 A000058 THE BRITISH BANK OF THE MIDDLE EAST
015 B000058 S
015 C010058 AMMAN
<PAGE> PAGE 8
015 D010058 JORDAN
015 E040058 X
015 A000059 BARCLAYS BANK OF KENYA LIMITED
015 B000059 S
015 C010059 NAIROBI
015 D010059 KENYA
015 E040059 X
015 A000060 THE BRITISH BANK OF THE MIDDLE EAST
015 B000060 S
015 C010060 BEIRUT
015 D010060 LEBANON
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015 A000061 BANQUE COMMERCIALE DU MAROC
015 B000061 S
015 C010061 CASABLANCA
015 D010061 MOROCCO
015 E040061 X
015 A000062 CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON,
015 B000062 S
015 C010062 MOSCOW
015 D010062 RUSSIA
015 E040062 X
015 A000063 THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORP. LTD
015 B000063 S
015 C010063 COLOMBO
015 D010063 SRI LANKA
015 E040063 X
018 000000 Y
019 A000000 Y
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020 C000001 100
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020 A000005 DILLON, READ & CO.
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020 A000006 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
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020 C000006 26
020 A000007 ALEX, BROWN & SONS INC.
020 B000007 52-1319768
<PAGE> PAGE 9
020 C000007 25
020 A000008 NEUBERGER & BERMAN
020 B000008 13-5521910
020 C000008 24
020 A000009 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES, INC.
020 B000009 22-2343366
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020 A000010 DEUTSCHE MORGAN GRENFELL
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020 C000010 19
021 000000 690
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022 B000001 13-3299429
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022 D000001 5281
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022 B000002 13-5659485
022 C000002 2446944
022 D000002 14737
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022 C000003 1749848
022 D000003 0
022 A000004 DEUTSCHE MORGAN GRENFELL
022 B000004 13-2730828
022 C000004 1557405
022 D000004 0
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022 B000005 13-3224016
022 C000005 958688
022 D000005 30329
022 A000006 SALOMAN SMITH BARNEY, INC.
022 B000006 13-3082674
022 C000006 884056
022 D000006 70160
022 A000007 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.,
022 B000007 13-5108880
022 C000007 739692
022 D000007 54823
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022 C000008 391071
022 D000008 491
022 A000009 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
022 B000009 13-2518466
022 C000009 241733
022 D000009 16854
022 A000010 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INC.
022 B000010 13-2655998
022 C000010 204926
022 D000010 42168
<PAGE> PAGE 10
023 C000000 12563521
023 D000000 381338
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025 A000001 BEAR, STEARNS & CO.
025 B000001 13-3299429
025 C000001 D
025 D000001 22703
025 A000002 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO., INC.,
025 B000002 13-5108880
025 C000002 D
025 D000002 13041
025 A000003 SBC WARBURG
025 B000003 13-3340045
025 C000003 D
025 D000003 22703
025 A000004 SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
025 B000004 13-3082674
025 C000004 D
025 D000004 22703
025 D000005 0
025 D000006 0
025 D000007 0
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<PAGE> PAGE 11
028 E030000 0
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<PAGE> PAGE 12
048 E020000 0.000
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<PAGE> PAGE 13
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070 E010000 Y
070 E020000 N
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070 I010000 N
070 I020000 N
070 J010000 Y
070 J020000 Y
070 K010000 N
070 K020000 N
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070 L020000 Y
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070 M020000 Y
070 N010000 N
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<PAGE> PAGE 14
070 R020000 Y
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<PAGE> PAGE 15
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<PAGE> PAGE 16
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SIGNATURE GRACE TORRES
TITLE TREASURER
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000811444
<NAME> THE PRUDENTIAL BALANCED FUND
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 001
<NAME> THE PRUDENTIAL BALANCED FUND (CLASS A)
<S> <C>
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<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JANUARY 31, 1998
<PERIOD-END> JANUARY 31, 1998
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<RECEIVABLES> 27,933,567
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<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,177,505,162
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<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 6,954,228
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 11,439,336
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,073,974,457
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 96,513,203
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 90,069,241
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1,927,808
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 4,687,160
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 85,476,401
<NET-ASSETS> 1,166,065,826
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3,659,517
<INTEREST-INCOME> 19,135,211
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 9,338,688
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 13,456,040
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 72,670,957
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (95,066,903)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (8,939,906)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (13,515,108)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (142,998,612)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 92,777,300
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (168,366,909)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 147,451,504
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (93,591,731)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,927,808
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 4,687,160
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3,967,833
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 9,338,688
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 482,134,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 14.01
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.17
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.23)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.18)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.66)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.11
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.19
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000811444
<NAME> THE PRUDENTIAL BALANCED FUND
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 002
<NAME> THE PRUDENTIAL BALANCED FUND (CLASS B)
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JANUARY 31, 1998
<PERIOD-END> JANUARY 31, 1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,063,756,063
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,149,232,468
<RECEIVABLES> 27,933,567
<ASSETS-OTHER> 339,127
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,177,505,162
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 4,485,108
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 6,954,228
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 11,439,336
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,073,974,457
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 96,513,203
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 90,069,241
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1,927,808
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 4,687,160
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 85,476,401
<NET-ASSETS> 1,166,065,826
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3,659,517
<INTEREST-INCOME> 19,135,211
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 9,338,688
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 13,456,040
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 72,670,957
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (95,066,903)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (8,939,906)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (13,515,108)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (142,998,612)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 92,777,300
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (168,366,909)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 147,451,504
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (93,591,731)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,927,808
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 4,687,160
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3,967,833
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 9,338,688
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 558,221,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.96
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.12
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.24)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.13)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.66)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.05
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.94
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000811444
<NAME> THE PRUDENTIAL BALANCED FUND
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 003
<NAME> THE PRUDENTIAL BALANCED FUND (CLASS C)
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JANUARY 31, 1998
<PERIOD-END> JANUARY 31, 1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,063,756,063
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,149,232,468
<RECEIVABLES> 27,933,567
<ASSETS-OTHER> 339,127
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,177,505,162
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 4,485,108
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 6,954,228
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 11,439,336
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,073,974,457
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 96,513,203
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 90,069,241
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1,927,808
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 4,687,160
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 85,476,401
<NET-ASSETS> 1,166,065,826
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3,659,517
<INTEREST-INCOME> 19,135,211
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 9,338,688
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 13,456,040
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 72,670,957
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (95,066,903)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (8,939,906)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (13,515,108)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (142,998,612)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 92,777,300
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (168,366,909)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 147,451,504
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (93,591,731)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,927,808
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 4,687,160
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3,967,833
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 9,338,688
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 7,403,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.96
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.12
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.24)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.13)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.66)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.05
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.94
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000811444
<NAME> THE PRUDENTIAL BALANCED FUND
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 004
<NAME> THE PRUDENTIAL BALANCED FUND (CLASS Z)
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JANUARY 31, 1998
<PERIOD-END> JANUARY 31, 1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,063,756,063
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,149,232,468
<RECEIVABLES> 27,933,567
<ASSETS-OTHER> 339,127
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,177,505,162
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 4,485,108
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 6,954,228
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 11,439,336
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,073,974,457
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 96,513,203
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 90,069,241
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1,927,808
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 4,687,160
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 85,476,401
<NET-ASSETS> 1,166,065,826
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3,659,517
<INTEREST-INCOME> 19,135,211
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 9,338,688
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 13,456,040
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 72,670,957
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (95,066,903)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (8,939,906)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (13,515,108)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (142,998,612)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 92,777,300
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (168,366,909)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 147,451,504
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (93,591,731)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,927,808
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 4,687,160
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3,967,833
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 9,338,688
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 117,589,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 14
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (2)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
For the period ended January 31, 1998
File number: 811-5055
SUB-ITEM 77 D
EXHIBITS
Policies with respect to security investment
On October 25, 1997 the Trustees
authorized a modification of the investment
policies of the Fund to expand the definition of
equity-related securities to include common
stocks, preferred stocks, rights, warrants and
debt securities or preferred stocks which are
convertible or exchangeable for common stocks or
preferred stocks and master limited
partnerships, among others.
N-SAR\DIS\1-98\77D
