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JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES FUND
Supplement to Prospectus dated January 1, 1995
The discussion of who is responsible for the day to day management of
the Fund contained in the "Organization and Management of the Fund" section
is replaced with the following:
Frank A. Lucibella is the portfolio manager of the New York Portfolio
and John Hancock Managed-Tax Exempt Fund. He joined the Adviser in 1988 after
six years of investment experience with Eaton Vance and The Travelers
Corporation.
Dianne Sales-Singer is the portfolio manager of the Massachusetts
Portfolio. Ms. Sales-Singer has been with the Adviser since 1989. Prior to
joining the Adviser, she was employed at Bear Stearns & Co., Inc.
The "Qualifying for a Reduced Sales Charge" section under SHARE PRICE is
supplemented as follows:
Effective March 15, 1995, participant directed defined contribution
plans with at least 100 eligible employees at the inception of the Fund
account may purchase Class A shares of the Fund without an initial sales
charge but if the shares are redeemed within 12 months after the end of the
calendar year in which the purchase was made, a contingent deferred sales
charge will be imposed at the rate for Class A shares described in the
prospectus.
October 9, 1995
0000S 10/95
