PUTNAM INCOME FUND
497, 1998-03-27
OIL ROYALTY TRADERS
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                                                   [H&M Draft]
                                            [March     , 1998]
[Translation]






               SECURITIES REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                        (for NAV Sale)



                       SECURITIES REPORT

                       (the Third Term)
                    From:  November 1, 1996
                     To:  October 31, 1997



        AMENDMENT TO SECURITIES REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                        (for NAV Sale)















                      PUTNAM INCOME FUND












               SECURITIES REGISTRATION STATEMENT





















                      PUTNAM INCOME FUND



               SECURITIES REGISTRATION STATEMENT

To:  Minister of Finance
Filing                              Date:  March 16, 1998

Name of the Registrant Fund:       PUTNAM INCOME FUND

Name of Trustees:                  George Putnam
                                   William F. Pounds
                                   Jameson A. Baxter
                                   Hans H. Estin
                                   John A. Hill
                                   Ronald J. Jackson
                                   Paul L. Joskow
                                   Elizabeth T. Kennan
                                   Lawrence J. Lasser
                                   John H. Mullin, III
                                   Robert E. Patterson
                                   Donald S. Perkins
                                   George Putnam, III
                                   A.J.C. Smith
                                   W. Thomas Stephens
                                   W. Nicholas Thorndike

Address of Principal Office:       One Post Office Square
                                   Boston, Massachusetts 02109
                                   U. S. A.

Name and Title of Registration Agent:        Harume Nakano

Attorney-at-Law

Signature [Harume Nakano]

(Seal)
                              Ken Miura
                              Attorney-at-Law

Signature [Ken Miura]

(Seal)

Address or Place of Business  Kasumigaseki Building,
                              25th Floor 2-5,
                              Kasumigaseki 3-chome
                              Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Name of Liaison Contact:      Harume Nakano
                              Ken Miura Kensuke Anbe

Attorneys-at-Law

Place of Liaison Contact:     Hamada & Matsumoto
                              Kasumigaseki Building, 
                              25th Floor 2-5,
                              Kasumigaseki 3-chome
                              Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Phone Number:                 03-3580-3377

                            - ii -



           Public Offering or Sale for Registration

Name of the Fund Making Public          PUTNAM INCOME FUND
Offering or Sale of Foreign
Investment Fund Securities:

Type and Aggregate Amount of Up to 276.4 million Class M Shares
Foreign Investment Fund Securities Up to the total
                              amount aggregating the
to be Publicly Offered or Sold: amounts calculated by
                              multiplying the respective net
                              asset value per Class M Share by
                              the respective number of Class M
                              Shares in respect of 276.4
                              million Class M Shares
                              (The maximum amount expected to be
                              sold is 1,965 million U.S.
                              dollars (Yen250 billion).

Note 1:   U.S.$ amount is translated into Japanese Yen at the
     rate of U.S.$l.00=Yen127.25 the mean of the exchange rate
     quotations by The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. for
     buying and selling spot dollars by telegraphic transfer
     against yen on January 30, 1998.

Note 2:   The maximum amount expected to be sold is an amount
     calculated by multiplying the net asset value per Class M
     Share as of January 30, 1998 (U.S.$7.11) by 276.4 million
     Class M Shares for convenience.



      Places where a copy of this Securities Registration
         Statement is available for Public Inspection


                        Not applicable.


    (Total number of pages of this Securities Registration
                   Statement in Japanese is
              8 including front and back pages.)





                        C O N T E N T S

                                                Japanese  This
                                                OriginalEnglish
                                                      Translation


PART I.   INFORMATION CONCERNING SECURITIES          1    1


PART II.  INFORMATION CONCERNING ISSUER             4      5

I.   DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND                        4      5

II.  OUTLINE OF THE FUND                            4      5

III. OUTLINE OF THE OTHER RELATED COMPANIES         4      5

IV.  FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE FUND               4      5

V.   SUMMARY OF INFORMATION CONCERNING
     FOREIGN INVESTMENT FUND SECURITIES             4      5

VI.  MISCELLANEOUS                                  4      5


PART III. SPECIAL INFORMATION                       5      6

I.   OUTLINE OF THE SYSTEM OF INVESTMENT
     TRUSTS IN MASSACHUSETTS                        5      6

II.  FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE INVESTMENT
     MANAGEMENT COMPANY                             11    13

III. FORM OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT
     FUND SECURITIES                                11    13



PART I.                       INFORMATION CONCERNING
                              SECURITIES

1.                            NAME OF FUND:  PUTNAM INCOME FUND

(hereinafter referred to as the "Fund")

2.                            NATURE OF FOREIGN Four
                              classes of shares (Class A
                              shares, INVESTMENT FUND SECU-    Class B
                              shares, Class M shares and Class
                              Y RITIES CERTIFICATES:
                              shares)

                              Registered shares without par value
                              In Japan, Class M shares
                              (hereinafter referred to as the
                              "Shares") are for public
                              offering.  No rating has been
                              acquired.

3.                            NUMBER OF SHARES TO      Up to
                              276.4 million Shares
                              BE OFFERED FOR SALE
                              (IN JAPAN)

4.                            TOTAL AMOUNT OF          Up to
                              the total amount aggregating the
                              OFFERING PRICE:
                              amounts calculated by
                              multiplying the respective net
                              asset value per Share by the
                              respective number of Shares in
                              respect of 276.4 million Shares
                                                       (The
                              maximum amount expected to be
                              sold is 1,965 million U.S.
                              dollars (Yen250 billion).

    Note 1:   The maximum amount expected to be sold is the
          amount calculated, for convenience, by multiplying
          the net asset value per Share as of January 30, 1998
          ($7.11) by the number of Shares to be offered (276.4
          million).
    
    Note 2:   Dollar amount is translated for convenience at
          the rate of $1.00=Yen127.25 (the mean of the
          exchange rate quotations by The Bank of Tokyo-
          Mitsubishi, Ltd. for buying and selling spot dollars
          by telegraphic transfer against yen on January 30,
          1998).  The same applies hereinafter.
    
    Note 3:   In this document, money amounts and percentages
          have been rounded.  Therefore, there are cases in
          which the amount of the "total column" is not equal
          to the aggregate amount.  Also, translation into yen
          is made simply by multiplying the corresponding
          amount by the conversion rate specified and rounded
          up when necessary.  As a result, in this document,
          there are cases in which Japanese yen figures for
          the same information differ from each other.
    
5.                            ISSUE PRICE:            The Net
                              Asset Value per Share next
                              calculated on a Fund Business
                              Day after the application for
                              purchase is received by the
                              Fund.

    Note:A "Fund Business Day" means a day on which the New
          York Stock Exchange is open for business.

6.                            SALES CHARGE:            The
                              sales charge in Japan shall be
                              3% of the amount obtained by
                              deduction of the amount
                              equivalent to 3% of the public
                              offering price from such price
                              (hereinafter referred to as the
                              "Sales Price").  Any amount,
                              which is over the net asset
                              value, of the Sales Price shall
                              be retained by Putnam Mutual
                              Funds Corp., principal
                              underwriter of the Fund.
                                                       The
                              public offering price means the
                              amount calculated by dividing
                              the net asset value by (1-
                              0.0325) and rounded to three
                              decimal places.

7.                            MINIMUM AMOUNT OR        The
                              minimum amount for purchase of
                              NUMBER OF SHARES         Shares
                              is 200 shares and in integral
                              FOR SUBSCRIPTION:
                              multiples of 100 shares.

8.                            PERIOD OF SUBSCRIPTION:  From:
                              April 1, 1998 (Wednesday)
                                                       To:
                              September 30, 1998 (Wednesday)

                              Provided that the subscription
                              is handled only on a Fund
                              Business Day and a business day
                              when securities companies are
                              open for business in Japan.

9.                            DEPOSIT FOR SUBSCRIPTION:
                              None.

10.                           PLACE OF SUBSCRIPTION:   Kankaku
                              Securities Co., Ltd.
                              (hereinafter referred to as
                              "Kankaku")

Shibusawa City Place A., 13-16,
                              Nihonbashi-Kayaba-cho 1-chome,
                              Chuo-ku, Tokyo

    Note:The subscription is handled at the head office and
          the branch offices in Japan of the above-mentioned
          securities company.

11.                           DATE AND PLACE
                              Investors shall pay the Issue
                              Price and Sales
                              OF PAYMENT:              Charge
                              to Kankaku within 4 business
                              days in Japan from the day when
                              Kankaku confirms the execution
                              of the order (the "Trade Day")
                              (see page 24 of the Securities
                              Report mentioned below).
                                                       The
                              total issue price for each
                              Application Day will be
                              transferred by Kankaku to the
                              account of the Fund at Putnam
                              Fiduciary Trust Company, the
                              transfer agent, within 3 Fund
                              Business Days (hereinafter
                              referred to as "Payment Date")
                              from (and including) the
                              Application Day.

12.  OUTLINE OF UNDERWRITING, ETC.:
(A)  Kankaku undertakes to make a public offering of 276.4
     million Shares in accordance with an agreement dated 18th
     August, 1997 with Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. in connection
     with the sale of the Shares in Japan.
(B)  During the public offering period, Kankaku will execute
     or forward the purchase orders and repurchase requests of
     the Shares received directly or indirectly through other
     Handling Securities Companies to the Fund.
(C)  The Fund has appointed Kankaku as the Agent Securities
     Company in Japan.
    Note:"The Agent Securities Company" shall mean a
          securities company which, under a contract made with
          a foreign issuer of investment securities, makes
          public the net asset value per Share and submits or
          forwards the financial reports or other documents to
          the Japan Securities Dealers Association ("JSDA")
          and other handling securities companies (the
          "Handling Securities Companies") rendering such
          other services.

13.  MISCELLANEOUS:
(A)  Method of Subscription:
          Investors who subscribe to Shares shall enter into
     an agreement with a Handling Securities Company
     concerning transactions of foreign securities.  A
     Handling Securities Company shall provide to the
     investors a Contract Concerning a Foreign Securities
     Transactions Account ("Contract") and the investors
     submit to the Handling Securities Company an application
     for requesting the opening of a transactions account
     under the Contract.  The subscription amount shall be
     paid in yen in principle and the yen exchange rate shall
     be the exchange rate which shall be based on the foreign
     exchange rate quoted in the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market
     on the Trade Day of each subscription and which shall be
     determined by such Handling Securities Company.
          The subscription amount shall be paid in dollars to
     the account of the Fund with Putnam Fiduciary Trust
     Company as custodian for the Fund by Kankaku on the
     Payment Date.
(B)  Expenses summary:
          Expenses are one of several factors to consider when
     investing.  The following table summarizes an investor's
     maximum transaction costs from investing in class M
     shares of the Fund and expenses incurred in respect of
     class M shares in the most recent fiscal year.  The
     example shows the cumulative expenses attributable to a
     hypothetical $1,000 investment in class M shares over the
     specified periods.
     
     Shareholder transaction expenses
     Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases
     (as a percentage of public offering price)  3.25%
     
     Deferred sales charge                 None
     
     Annual Fund operating expenses
      (as a percentage of average net assets)
     Management fees                       0.55%
     12b-1 fees                            0.50%
     Other expenses                        0.37%
     Total Fund operating expenses         1.42%
     
          The table is provided to help you understand the
     expenses of investing in class M shares of the Fund and
     your share of the operating expenses the Fund incurs.
     The expenses shown in the table do not reflect the
     application of credits related to expense offset
     arrangements that reduce certain Fund expenses.

     Example
          An investment of $1,000 would incur the following
     expenses, assuming 5% annual return and redemption at the
     end of each period.
     
     One year                              $46
     3 years                                $76
     5 years                                $108
     10 years                              $197
     
          The example does not represent past or future
     expense levels.  Actual expenses may be greater or less
     than those shown.  Federal regulations require the
     example to assume a 5% annual return, but actual annual
     return varies.
(C)  Offerings other than in Japan:
          Shares are simultaneously offered in the United
     States of America.
PART II.  INFORMATION CONCERNING ISSUER

I.   DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
     The description in this item is the same as the
     description in I. DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND of the
     Securities Report set forth below (the Securities Report
     mentioned below, from page 1 to page 36)

II.  OUTLINE OF THE FUND
     The description in this item is the same as the
     description in II. OUTLINE OF THE FUND of the Securities
     Report set forth below (Ditto, from page 37 to page 67)

III. OUTLINE OF THE OTHER RELATED COMPANIES
     The description in this item is same as the description
     in III. OUTLINE OF THE OTHER RELATED COMPANIES of the
     Securities Report set forth below (Ditto, from page 68 to
     page 69)

IV.  FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE FUND
     The description in this item is same as the description
     in IV. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE FUND of the Securities
     Report set forth below (Ditto, from page 70 to page 75)

V.   SUMMARY OF INFORMATION CONCERNING FOREIGN INVESTMENT FUND
     SECURITIES
     The description in this item is same as the description
     in V. SUMMARY OF INFORMATION CONCERNING FOREIGN
     INVESTMENT FUND SECURITIES of the Securities Report set
     forth below  (Ditto, page 76)

VI.  MISCELLANEOUS
     The description in this item is same as the description
     in VII. REFERENCE INFORMATION of the Securities Report
     set forth below (Ditto, from page 76 to page 77)
PART III. SPECIAL INFORMATION


I.   OUTLINE OF THE SYSTEM OF INVESTMENT TRUSTS IN
     MASSACHUSETTS

Below is an outline of certain general information about open-
end U.S. investment companies.  This outline is not intended
to provide comprehensive information about such investment
companies or the various laws, rules or regulations applicable
to them, but provides only a brief summary of certain
information which may be of interest to investors.  The
discussion below is qualified in its entirely by the complete
registration statement of the fund and the full text of any
referenced statutes and regulations.

I.   Massachusetts Business Trusts

     A.   General Information

          Many investment companies are organized as
     Massachusetts business trusts.  A Massachusetts business
     trust is organized pursuant to a declaration of trust,
     setting out the general rights and obligations of the
     shareholders, trustees, and other related parties.
     Generally, the trustees of the trust oversee its
     business, and its officers and agents manage its day-to-
     day affairs.

          Chapter 182 of the Massachusetts General Laws
     applies to certain "voluntary associations", including
     many Massachusetts business trusts.  Chapter 182 provides
     for, among other things, the filing of the declaration of
     trust with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of
     Massachusetts and the filing by the trust of an annual
     statement regarding, among other things, the number of
     its shares outstanding and the names and addresses of its
     trustees.

     B.   Shareholder Liability

          Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under
     certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the
     obligations of a trust.  Typically, a declaration of
     trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or
     obligations of the trust and provides for indemnification
     out of trust property for all loss and expense of any
     shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of
     a trust.  Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring
     financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
     limited to circumstances in which a particular trust
     would be unable to meet its obligations.

II.  United States Investment Company Laws and Enforcement

     A.   General

          In the United States, pooled investment management
     arrangements which offer shares to the public are
     governed by a variety of federal statutes ant
     regulations.  Most mutual funds are subject to these
     laws.  Among the more significant of these statutes are:

          1.  Investment Company Act of 1940
     
              The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
          (the "1940 Act"), in general, requires investment
          companies to register as such with the U.S.
          Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and
          to comply with a number of substantive regulations
          of their operations.  The 1940 Act requires an
          investment company, among other things, to provide
          periodic reports to its shareholders.
     
          2.  Securities Act of 1933
     
              The Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
          "1933 Act"), regulates many sales of securities.
          The Act, among other things, imposes various
          registration requirements upon sellers of securities
          and provides for various liabilities for failures to
          comply with its provisions or in respect of other
          specified matters.
     
          3.  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
     
              The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
          (the "1934 Act"), regulates a variety of matters
          involving, among other things, the secondary trading
          of securities, periodic reporting by the issuers of
          securities, and certain of the activities of
          transfer agents and brokers and dealers.
     
          4.  The Internal Revenue Code
     
              An investment company is an entity subject to
          federal income taxation under the Internal Revenue
          Code.  However, under the Code, an investment
          company may be relieved of federal taxes on income
          and gains it distributes to shareholders if it
          qualifies as a "regulated investment company" under
          the Code for federal income tax purposes and meets
          all other necessary requirements.
     
          5.  Other laws
     
              The Fund is subject to the provisions of other
          laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the Fund
          or its operations, such as, for example, various
          state laws regarding the sale of the Fund's shares.

     B.   Outline of the Supervisory Authorities

          Among the regulatory authorities having jurisdiction
     over the Fund or certain of its operations are the SEC
     and state regulatory agencies or authorities.

          1.  The SEC has broad authority to oversee the
          application and enforcement of the federal
          securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the 1933
          Act, and the 1934 Act, among others, to the Fund.
          The 1940 Act provides the SEC broad authority to
          inspect the records of investment companies, to
          exempt investment companies or certain practices
          from the provisions of the Act, and otherwise to
          enforce the provisions of the Act.
     
          2.  State authorities typically have broad authority
          to regulate the offering and sale of securities to
          their residents or within their jurisdictions and
          the activities of brokers, dealers, or other persons
          directly or indirectly engaged in related
          activities.
     
     B.   Offering Shares to the Public

          An investment company ("investment company" or fund)
     offering its shares to the public must meet a number of
     requirements, including, among other things, registration
     as an investment company under the 1940 Act; registration
     of the sale of its shares under the 1933 Act;
     registration of the fund, the sale of its shares, or
     both, with state securities regulators; delivery of a
     current prospectus to current or prospective investors;
     and so forth.  Many of these requirements must be met not
     only at the time of the original offering of the fund's
     shares, but compliance must be maintained or updated from
     time to time throughout the life of the fund.

     C.   Ongoing Requirements

          Under U.S. law, a fund is subject to numerous
     ongoing requirements, including, but not limited to;

          1.  Updating its registration statement if it
          becomes materially inaccurate or misleading;

          2.  Annual update of its registration statement;
     
          3.  Filing semi-annual and annual financial reports
          with the SEC and distributing them to shareholders;
     
          4.  Annual trustee approval of investment advisory
          arrangements, distribution plans, underwriting
          arrangements, errors and omissions/director and
          officer liability insurance, foreign custody
          arrangements, and auditors;
     
          5.  Maintenance of a code of ethics; and
     
          6.  Periodic board review of certain fund
          transactions, dividend payments, and payments under
          a fund's distribution plan.
     
III. Management of a Fund

     The board of directors or trustees of a fund are
responsible for generally overseeing the conduct of a fund's
business.  The officers and agents of a fund are generally
responsible for the day-to-day operations of a fund.  The
trustees and officers of a fund may or may not receive a fee
for their services.

     The investment adviser to a fund is typically responsible
for implementing the fund's investment program.  The adviser
typically receives a fee for its services based on a
percentage of the net assets of a fund.  Certain rules govern
the activities of investment advisers and the fees they may
charge.  In the United States, investment advisers to
investment companies must be registered under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

IV.  Share Information

     A.   Valuation

          Shares of a fund are generally sold at the net asset
     value next determined after an order is received by a
     fund, plus any applicable sales charges.  A fund normally
     calculates its net asset value per share by dividing the
     total value of its assets, less liabilities, by the
     number of its shares outstanding.  Shares are typically
     valued as of the close of regular trading on the New York
     Stock Exchange (4:00) each day the Exchange is open.

     B.   Redemption

          Shareholders may generally sell shares of a fund to
     that fund any day the fund is open for business at the
     net asset value next computed after receipt of the
     shareholders' order.  Under unusual circumstances, a fund
     may suspend redemptions, or postpone payment for more
     than seven days, if permitted by U.S. securities laws.  A
     fund may charge redemption fees as described in its
     prospectus.

     C.   Transfer agency

          The transfer agent for a fund typically processes
     the transfer of shares, redemption of shares, and payment
     and/or reinvestment of distributions.

V.   Shareholder Information, Rights and Procedures for the
Exercise of Such Rights

     A.   Voting Rights

          Voting rights vary from fund to fund.  In the case
     of many funds organized as Massachusetts business trusts,
     shareholders are entitled to vote on the election of
     trustees, approval of investment advisory agreements,
     underwriting agreements, and distribution plans (or
     amendments thereto), certain mergers or other business
     combinations, and certain amendments to the declaration
     of trust.  Shareholder approval is also required to
     modify or eliminate a fundamental investment policy.

     B.   Dividends

          Shareholders are typically entitled to receive
     dividends when and if declared by a fund's trustees.  In
     declaring dividends, the trustees will normally set a
     record date, and all shareholders of record on that date
     will be entitled to receive the dividend paid.

     C.   Dissolution

          Shareholders would normally be entitled to receive
     the net assets of a fund which were liquidated in
     accordance with the proportion of the fund's outstanding
     shares he owns.

     D.   Transferability

          Shares of a fund are typically transferable without
     restriction.

     E.   Right to Inspection

          Shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust have
     the right to inspect the records of the trust as provided
     in the declaration of trust or as otherwise provided by
     applicable law.

VI.  U.S. Tax Matters

     The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the United States
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

     As a regulated investment company qualifying to have its
tax liability determined under Subchapter M, the Fund will not
be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any of its net
investment income or net realized capital gains that are
distributed to its shareholders.  In addition, as a
Massachusetts business trust, the Fund under present
Massachusetts law is not subject to any excise or income taxes
in Massachusetts.

     In order to qualify as a "regulated investment company",
the Fund must, among other things, (a) derive at least 90% of
its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with
respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale
of stock, securities and foreign currencies, or other income
(including but not limited to gains from options, futures, or
forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of
investing in such stock, securities, or currencies; (b)
distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of
the sum of its taxable net investment income, its net tax-
exempt income, and the excess, if any, of its net short-term
capital gains over net long-term capital losses for such year;
(c) diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each
quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of
its total assets consists of cash, cash items, U.S. Government
Securities, securities of other regulated investment companies
and other securities limited generally with respect to any one
issuer to not more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund and
not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such
issuer, and (ii) not more than 25 % of the value of its assets
is invested in the securities (other than those of the U.S.
Government or other regulated investment companies) of any one
issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and
which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or
businesses.

     In addition, until the start of the Fund's first tax year
beginning after August 5, 1997, the Fund must derive less than
30% of its gross income from the sale or other disposition of
certain assets (including stock or securities and certain
options, futures contracts, forward contracts and foreign
currencies) held for less than three months in order to
qualify as a regulated investment company.

     If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company
that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be
subject to federal income tax on income paid to its
shareholders in the form of dividends (including capital gain
dividends).

     If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment
company accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year,
the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at
corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and
profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income
and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income.  In addition, the Fund could
be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial
taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before
requalifying as a regulated investment company that is
accorded special tax treatment.

     If the Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year
substantially all of its ordinary income for such year and
substantially all of its capital gain net income for the one-
year period ending October 31 (or later if the Fund is
permitted to elect and so elects), plus any retained amount
from the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a 4% excise
tax on the undistributed amounts.  A dividend paid to
shareholders by the Fund in January of a year generally is
deemed to have been paid by the Fund on December 31 of the
preceding year, if the dividend was declared and payable to
shareholders of record on a date in October, November or
December of that preceding year.  The Fund intends generally
to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the 4%
excise tax.

     Fund distributions will be taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income, except that any distributions designated by
the Fund as deriving from net gains on securities held for
more than one year but not more than 18 months and from net
gains on securities held for more than 18 months will be
taxable as such, regardless of how long a shareholder has held
shares in the Fund.   Distributions will be taxable as
described above whether received in cash or in shares through
the reinvestment of distributions.  Shareholders who are not
subject to U.S. federal income tax on their income generally
will not have to pay such tax on amounts distributed to them.

     Distributions from capital gains are made after applying
any available capital loss carryovers.

     The Fund's transactions in foreign currencies, foreign
currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign
currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and
similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss
to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in
the value of the foreign currency concerned.

     Investment by the Fund in "passive foreign investment
companies" could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax
or other charge on the proceeds from the sale of its
investment in such a company; however, this tax can be avoided
by making an election to mark such investments to market
annually or to treat the passive foreign investment company as
a "qualified electing fund".

     A "passive foreign investment company" is any foreign
corporation: (i) 75 percent or more of the income of which for
the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) the average
percentage of the assets of which (generally by value, but by
adjusted tax basis in certain cases) that produce or are held
for the production of passive income is at least 50 percent.
Generally, passive income for this purpose means dividends,
interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties,
rents, annuities, the excess of gains over losses from certain
property transactions and commodities transactions, and
foreign currency gains.  Passive income for this purpose does
not include rents and royalties received by the foreign
corporation from active business and certain income received
from related persons.

     The sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares may give
rise to a gain or loss.  In general, any gain or loss realized
upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-
term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for
more than 12 months, and otherwise as short-term capital gain
or loss.  However, any loss realized upon a taxable
disposition of shares held for six months or less will be
treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of
any long-term capital gain distributions received by the
shareholder with respect to the shares.  All or a portion of
any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares
will be disallowed if other shares of the Fund are purchased
within 30 days before or after the disposition.  In such a
case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted
to reflect the disallowed loss.

     Special tax rules apply to investments though defined
contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans.
Shareholders should consult their tax adviser to determine the
suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through
such plans and the precise effect of an investment on their
particular tax situation.

     The Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to
the U.S. Treasury 31% of the taxable dividends and other
distributions paid to any individual shareholder who fails to
furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number
(TIN), who has under-reported dividends or interest income, or
who fails to certify to the fund that he or she is not subject
to such withholding.

     The Fund's investment in securities issued at a discount
and certain other obligations will (and investments in
securities purchased at a discount may) require the Fund to
accrue and distribute income not yet received.  In order to
generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions,
the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio
that it otherwise would have continued to hold.

     The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the
applicable provisions of the Code and related regulations
currently in effect.  For the complete provisions, reference
should be made to the pertinent Code sections and regulations.
The Code and regulations are subject to change by legislative
or administrative actions.  Dividends and distributions also
may be subject to state taxes.  Shareholders are urged to
consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to
U.S. federal, state or local taxes.  The foregoing discussion
relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law.  Non-U.S.
investors should consult their tax advisers concerning the tax
consequences of ownership of shares of the fund, including the
possibility that distributions may be subject to a 30% United
States withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding
provided by treaty), the possibility that a non-U.S. investor
may be subject to U.S. tax on capital gain distributions and
gains realized upon the sale of fund shares if the investor is
present in the United States for more than 182 days during the
taxable year (and certain other conditions apply), or the
possibility that a non-U.S. investor may be subject to U.S.
tax on income from the fund that is "effectively connected"
with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such an investor.
Shareholders residing in Japan should consult "Tax Treatment
of Shareholders in Japan", above.

VII. Important Participants in Offering of Mutual Fund Shares

     A.   Investment Company

          Certain pooled investment vehicles qualify as
     investment companies under the 1940 Act.  There are open-
     end investment companies (those which offer redeemable
     securities) and closed-end investment companies (any
     others).

     B.   Investment Adviser/Administrator

          The investment adviser is typically responsible for
     the implementation of an investment company's investment
     program.  It, or another affiliated or unaffiliated
     entity, may also perform certain record keeping and
     administrative functions.

     C.   Underwriter

          An investment company may appoint one or more
     principal underwriters for its shares.  The activities of
     such a principal underwriter are generally governed by a
     number of legal regimes, including, for example, the 1940
     Act, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and state laws.

     D.   Transfer Agent

          A transfer agent performs certain bookkeeping, data
     processing, and administrative services pertaining to the
     maintenance of shareholder accounts.  A transfer agent
     may also handle the payment of any dividends declared by
     the trustees of a fund.

     E.   Custodian

          A custodian's responsibilities may include, among
     other things, safeguarding and controlling a fund's cash
     and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of
     securities, and collecting interest and dividends on a
     fund's investments.


II.  FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY

     [Omitted, in Japanese version, financial statements of
     the Investment Management Company and Japanese
     translations thereof are incorporated here.]


III. FORM OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT FUND SECURITIES

     Main items to be set forth on the share certificate of
     the Fund (if issued) are as follows:-

     (1)  Front

     a.   Name of the Fund
     b.   Number of shares represented
     c.   Signatures of the Chairman and Transfer Agent
     d.   Description stating that the Declaration of Trust
          applies to shareholders and assignees therefrom
     
     (2)  Back

     a.   Space for endorsement
     b.   Description concerning delegation of transfer agency





                       SECURITIES REPORT

                       (the Third Term)
                    From:  November 1, 1996
                     To:  October 31, 1997


















                      PUTNAM INCOME FUND
                               
                       SECURITIES REPORT
                       (the Third Term)
                    From:  November 1, 1996
                     To:  October 31, 1997

To:  Minister of Finance
                       Filing Date :  March 16, 1998

Name of the Registrant Fund:          PUTNAM INCOME FUND

Name of Trustees:                     George Putnam
                                      William F. Pounds
                                      Jameson A. Baxter
                                      Hans H. Estin
                                      John A. Hill
                                      Ronald J. Jackson
                                      Paul L. Joskow
                                      Elizabeth T. Kennan
                                      Lawrence J. Lasser
                                      John H. Mullin, III
                                      Robert E. Patterson
                                      Donald S. Perkins
                                      George Putnam, III
                                      A.J.C. Smith
                                      W. Thomas Stephens
                                      W. Nicholas Thorndike

Address of Principal Office:          One Post Office Square
                                      Boston, Massachusetts 02109
                                      U. S. A.

Name and Title of Registration Agent: Harume Nakano

Attorney-at-Law

Signature [Harume Nakano]

(Seal)

                                                       Ken
                              Miura

                              Attorney-at-Law

Signature [Ken Miura]

(Seal)

Address or Place of Business            Kasumigaseki Building,
                              25th Floor
                                                       2-5,
                              Kasumigaseki 3-chome
                                                       Chiyoda-
                              ku, Tokyo

Name of Liaison Contact:                Harume Nakano
                                                       Ken
                              Miura
                                                       Kensuke
                              Anbe

Attorneys-at-Law

Place of Liaison Contact:               Hamada & Matsumoto

Kasumigaseki Building, 25th
                              Floor
                                                       2-5,
                              Kasumigaseki 3-chome
                                                       Chiyoda-
                              ku, Tokyo

Phone Number:                                03-3580-3377

                            - ii -



Places where a copy of this Securities Report is available for
                       Public Inspection

                        Not applicable.

 (Total number of pages of this Securities Report in Japanese
               is 100 including the front page)



                        C O N T E N T S


                                               Japanese This
                                               OriginalEnglish
                                                    Translation

 I.  DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND                        1      1
     1.   GENERAL INFORMATION                       1      1
     2.   INVESTMENT POLICY                         5      6
     3.   MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE                     13     17
     4.   INFORMATION CONCERNING THE EXERCISE
          OF RIGHTS BY SHAREHOLDERS, ETC.          22     30
     5.   STATUS OF INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO           25     34

II.  OUTLINE OF THE FUND                           29     37

III. OUTLINE OF THE OTHER RELATED COMPANIES        64     68

IV.  FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE FUND              66     70

     V.   FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE INVESTMENT
          MANAGEMENT COMPANY                      170     76
          (translated from the English source: omitted in
     English Translation)

      VI. SUMMARY OF INFORMATION CONCERNING
     FOREIGN INVESTMENT FUND SECURITIES           195     76

VII. REFERENCE INFORMATION                        195     76


           Note 1:  The exchange rate of U.S. Dollars
           ("dollar" or "$") into Japanese Yen is Yen127.25
           for one U.S. Dollar, which is the actual middle
           point between the selling and buying currency rate
           by telegraphic transfer on the January 30, 1998
           quoted by The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd.  The
           same applies hereinafter.

           Note 2:  In this report, money amounts and
           percentages have been rounded.  Therefore, there
           are cases in which the amount for the "total"
           column is not equal to the aggregate amount.  Also,
           conversion into other currencies is done simply by
           multiplying the corresponding amount by the
           conversion rate specified and rounded up when
           necessary.  As a result, in this report, there are
           cases in which figures for the same information
           differ from each other.

           Note 3:  In this report, "fiscal year" refers to
           the year from November 1 to October 31 of the
           following year.  However, the first fiscal year
           refers to a period from December 14, 1994
           (Incorporation of the Fund) to October 31, 1995.


I.   DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND

1.   GENERAL INFORMATION
(A)  Outline of Laws Regulating the Fund in the Jurisdiction
     Where Established:
     (1)  Name of the Fund:   Putnam Income Fund (the "Fund")
     (2)  Form of the Fund
          Putnam Income Fund is a Massachusetts business trust
     organized on August 13, 1982 as the successor to The
     Putnam Income Fund, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation
     organized on October 13, 1954.  A copy of the Agreement
     and Declaration of Trust, which is governed by
     Massachusetts law, is on file with the Secretary of State
     of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
          The Fund is an open-end, diversified management
     investment company with an unlimited number of authorized
     shares of beneficial interest which may be divided
     without shareholder approval into two or more classes of
     shares having such preferences and special or relative
     rights and privileges as the Trustees determine.  The
     Fund's shares are not currently divided into any series.
     Only the Fund's class M shares are currently offered in
     Japan.  The Fund also offers other classes of shares with
     different sales charges and expenses in the United States
     of America.  Because of these different sales charges and
     expenses, the investment performance of the classes will
     vary.
          Each share has one vote, with fractional shares
     voting proportionally.  Shares of all classes will vote
     together as a single class except when otherwise required
     by law or as determined by the Trustees.  Shares are
     freely transferable, are entitled to dividends as
     declared by the Trustees, and, if the Fund were
     liquidated, would receive the net assets of the Fund.
     The Fund may suspend the sale of shares at any time and
     may refuse any order to purchase shares.  Although the
     Fund is not required to hold annual meetings of its
     shareholders, shareholders holding at least 10% of the
     outstanding shares entitled to vote have the right to
     call a meeting to elect or remove Trustees, or to take
     other actions as provided in the Agreement and
     Declaration of Trust.
          If a shareholder owns fewer shares than the minimum
     set by the Trustees (presently 20 shares), the Fund may
     choose to redeem the shareholders' shares. Shareholders
     will receive at least 30 days' written notice before the
     Fund redeems shareholders' shares, and shareholders may
     purchase additional shares at any time to avoid a
     redemption.  The Fund may also redeem shares if
     shareholders own shares above a maximum amount set by the
     Trustees.  There is presently no maximum, but the
     Trustees may, at any time, establish one which could
     apply to both present and future shareholders.
     (3)  Governing Laws
          The Fund was created under, and is subject to, the
     laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The sale of
     the Fund's shares is subject to, among other things, the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and certain state
     securities laws.  The Fund also  attempts to qualify each
     year and elect to be taxed as a regulated investment
     company under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
     amended.
          The following is a broad outline of certain of the
     principal statutes regulating the operations of the Fund
     in the U.S.:
          a.   Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 182 -
               Voluntary Associations and Certain Trusts
              Chapter 182 provides in part as follows:
              A copy of the declaration of trust must be filed
          with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of
          Massachusetts and with the Clerk of the City of
          Boston.  Any amendment of the declaration of trust
          must be filed with the Secretary and the Clerk
          within thirty days after the adoption of such
          amendment.
              A trust must annually file with the Secretary of
          State on or before June 1 a report providing the
          name of the trust, its address, number of shares
          outstanding and the names and addresses of its
          trustees.
              Penalties may be assessed against the trust for
          failure to comply with certain of the provisions of
          Chapter 182.
          b.  Investment Company Act of 1940
              The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
          (the "1940 Act"), in general, requires investment
          companies to register as such with the U.S.
          Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and
          to comply with a number of substantive regulations
          of their operations. The 1940 Act requires an
          investment company, among other things, to provide
          periodic reports to its shareholders.
          c.  Securities Act of 1933
              The Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
          "1933 Act"), regulates many sales of securities. The
          Act, among other things, imposes various
          registration requirements upon sellers of securities
          and provides for various liabilities for failures to
          comply with its provisions or in respect of other
          specified matters.
          d.  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
              The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
          (the "1934 Act"), regulates a variety of matters
          involving, among other things, the secondary trading
          of securities, periodic reporting by the issuers of
          securities, and certain of the activities of
          transfer agents and brokers and dealers.
          e.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986
              The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated
          investment company" for federal income tax purposes
          and to meet all other requirements necessary for it
          to be relieved of federal taxes on income and gains
          it distributes to shareholders.
          f.  Other laws
              The Fund is subject to the provisions of other
          laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the Fund
          or its operations, such as, for example, various
          state laws regarding the sale of the Fund's shares.
 (B) Outline of the Supervisory Authorities
          Among the regulatory authorities having jurisdiction
     over the Fund or certain of its operations are the SEC
     and state regulatory agencies or authorities.
              a.  The SEC has broad authority to oversee the
          application and enforcement of the federal
          securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the 1933
          Act, and the 1934 Act, among others, to the Fund.
          The 1940 Act provides the SEC broad authority to
          inspect the records of investment companies, to
          exempt investment companies or certain practices
          from the provisions of the Act, and otherwise to
          enforce the provisions of the Act.
              b.  State authorities typically have broad
          authority to regulate the offering and sale of
          securities to their residents or within their
          jurisdictions and the activities of brokers,
          dealers, or other persons directly or indirectly
          engaged in related activities.
 (C) Objects and Basic Nature of the Fund:
          The Fund seeks high current income consistent with
     what Putnam Investment Management, Inc. (the "Investment
     Management Company") believes to be prudent risk.  The
     Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program,
     and there is no assurance it will achieve its objective.
 (D) History of the Fund:
                                   October 13, 1954:
                              Organization of the Fund as a
                              Massachusetts corporation.
                                   August 13, 1982:
                              Organization of the Fund as a
                              Massachusetts business trust.
                              Adoption of the Agreement and
                              Declaration of Trust.
                                   April 7, 1989:
                              Adoption of the Amended and
                              Restated Agreement and
                              Declaration of Trust.
 (E) Affiliated Companies of the Fund:
          Names and related business of the affiliated
     companies of the Fund are as follows:
          (1) Putnam Investment Management, Inc. ("Investment
          Management Company") renders investment management
          services to the Fund.
          (2) Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company (the "Custodian"
          and "Investor Servicing Agent") acts as Custodian
          and Investor Servicing Agent.
          (3) Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. ("Principal
          Underwriter") engages in providing marketing
          services to the Fund.
          (4) Kankaku Securities Co., Ltd. ("Distributor in
          Japan" and "Agent Securities Company") engages in
          forwarding the purchase or repurchase orders for the
          Shares in Japan and also acts as the agent
          securities company.

2.   INVESTMENT POLICY
(A)  Basic Policy for Investment and Objects of Investment:
          The Fund seeks high current income consistent with
     what the Investment Management Company believes to be
     prudent risk.  The Fund is not intended to be a complete
     investment program, and there is no assurance it will
     achieve its objective.

     Basic investment strategy
          The Fund may invest in debt securities, including
     both government and corporate obligations, preferred
     stocks and dividend-paying common stocks.  The Fund may
     also hold a portion of its assets in cash or money market
     instruments.
          In recent years, the Fund's portfolio has emphasized
     fixed-income securities.  Investment Management Company
     presently expects that it will continue to do so.
     Declines in the prices of equity securities coupled with
     rising dividend payouts, however, could result in an
     increase in the Fund's equity positions.
          At times Investment Management Company may judge
     that conditions in the securities markets make pursuing
     the Fund's basic investment strategy inconsistent with
     the best interests of its shareholders.  At such times,
     Investment Management Company may temporarily use
     alternative strategies that are primarily designed to
     reduce fluctuations in the value of Fund assets.
          In implementing these defensive strategies, the Fund
     may invest without limit in money market instruments and
     in U.S. government or agency obligations, or in any other
     securities Investment Management Company considers
     consistent with such defensive strategies.
          It is impossible to predict when, or for how long,
     these alternative strategies would be used.

     Risk factors
     Non-U.S. investments
          The Fund may invest in securities of non-U.S.
     issuers that are not actively traded in U.S. markets.
     These non-U.S. investments involve certain special risks
     described below.
          Non-U.S. securities are normally denominated and
     traded in non-U.S. currencies.  As a result, the value of
     the Fund's non-U.S. investments and the value of its
     shares may be affected favorably or unfavorably by
     changes in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S.
     dollars.  The Fund may engage in a variety of non-U.S.
     currency exchange transactions in connection with its non-
     U.S. investments, including transactions involving
     futures contracts, forward contracts and options.
          Investments in non-U.S. securities may subject the
     Fund to other risks as well.  For example, there may be
     less information publicly available about a non-U.S.
     issuer than about a U.S. issuer, and non-U.S. issuers are
     not generally subject to accounting, auditing and
     financial reporting standards and practices comparable to
     those in the Unites States.  The securities of some non-
     U.S. issuers are less liquid and at times more volatile
     than securities of comparable U.S. issuers.  Non-U.S.
     brokerage commissions and other fees are also generally
     higher than in the United States.  Non-U.S. settlement
     procedures and trade regulations may involve certain
     risks (such as delay in payment or delivery of securities
     or in the recovery of the Fund's assets held abroad) and
     expenses not present in the settlement of investments in
     U.S. markets.
          In addition, the Fund's investments in non-U.S.
     securities may be subject to the risk of nationalization
     or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency
     exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of
     non-U.S. currency, confiscatory taxation, political or
     financial instability and diplomatic developments which
     could affect the value of the Fund's investments in
     certain non-U.S. countries.  Dividends or interest on, or
     proceeds from the sale of, non-U.S. securities may be
     subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes, and special U.S.
     tax considerations may apply.
          Legal remedies available to investors in certain non-
     U.S. countries may be more limited than those available
     with respect to investments in the United States or in
     other non-U.S. countries.  The laws of some non-U.S.
     countries may limit the Fund's ability to invest in
     securities of certain issuers organized under the laws of
     those non-U.S. countries.
          The risks described above are typically increased in
     connection with investments in less developed and
     developing nations, which are sometimes referred to as
     "emerging markets."  For example, political and economic
     structures in these countries may be in their infancy and
     developing rapidly, causing instability.  High rates of
     inflation or currency devaluations may adversely affect
     the economies and securities markets of such countries.
     Investments in emerging markets may be considered
     speculative.
          The Fund expects that its investments in non-U.S.
     securities generally will not exceed 20% of its total
     assets, although the Fund's investments in non-U.S.
     securities may exceed this amount from time to time.
     Certain of the foregoing risks may also apply to some
     extent to securities of U.S. issuers that are denominated
     in non-U.S. currencies or that are traded in non-U.S.
     markets, or securities of U.S. issuers having significant
     non-U.S. operations.
          The Fund may engage in a variety of non-U.S.
     currency exchange transactions in connection with its non-
     U.S. investments, including transactions involving
     futures contracts, forward contracts and options.  For a
     further discussion of the risks associated with
     purchasing and selling futures contracts and options, see
     "Options and futures portfolio strategies."  The decision
     as to whether and to what extent the Fund will engage in
     non-U.S. currency exchange transactions will depend on a
     number of factors, including prevailing market
     conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio and
     the availability of suitable transactions.   Accordingly,
     there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in
     non-U.S. currency exchange transactions at any given time
     or from time to time.

     Investments in premium securities
          At times, the Fund may invest in securities bearing
     coupon rates higher than prevailing market rates.  Such
     "premium" securities are typically purchased at prices
     greater than the principal amounts payable on maturity.
          The Fund does not amortize the premium paid for
     these securities in calculating its net investment
     income.  As a result, the purchase of premium securities
     provides a higher level of investment income
     distributable to shareholders on a current basis than if
     the Fund purchased securities bearing current market
     rates of interest.  Because the value of premium
     securities tends to approach the principal amount as they
     approach maturity (or call price in the case of
     securities approaching their first call date), the
     purchase of such securities may increase the risk of
     capital loss if such securities are held to maturity (or
     first call date).
          During a period of declining interest rates, many of
     the Fund's portfolio investments will likely bear coupon
     rates that are higher than the current market rates,
     regardless of whether such securities were originally
     purchased at a premium.  These securities would generally
     carry premium market values that would be reflected in
     the net asset value of Fund shares.  As a result, an
     investor who purchases Fund shares during such periods
     would initially receive higher taxable monthly
     distributions (derived from the higher coupon rates
     payable on the Fund's investments) than might be
     available from alternative investments bearing current
     market interest rates, but the investor may face an
     increased risk of capital loss as these higher coupon
     securities approach maturity (or first call date).  In
     evaluating the potential performance of an investment in
     the Fund, investors may find it useful to compare the
     Fund's current dividend rate with its "yield," which is
     computed on a yield-to-maturity basis in accordance with
     SEC regulations and which reflects amortization of market
     premiums.

     Portfolio turnover
          The length of time the Fund has held a particular
     security is not generally a consideration in investment
     decisions.  A change in the securities held by the Fund
     is known as "portfolio turnover." As a result of the
     Fund's investment policies, under certain market
     conditions its portfolio turnover rate may be higher than
     that of other mutual funds.
          Portfolio turnover generally involves some expense,
     including brokerage commissions or dealer markups and
     other transaction costs in connection with the sale of
     securities and reinvestment in other securities.  These
     transactions may result in realization of taxable capital
     gains.

     Investments in fixed-income securities
          The Fund may invest in both higher-rated and lower-
     rated fixed-income securities.  The values of lower-rated
     securities generally fluctuate more than those of higher-
     rated securities.  In addition, the lower rating reflects
     a greater possibility that the financial condition of the
     issuer, or adverse changes in economic conditions, or
     both, may impair the ability of the issuer to make
     payments of income and principal.
          The Fund will not invest in securities rated lower
     than B by a nationally recognized securities rating
     agency, such as Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or Moody's
     Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or in unrated
     securities determined by Investment Management Company to
     be of comparable quality.  Securities rated B are
     predominantly speculative and have large uncertainties or
     major exposures to adverse conditions.  Securities rated
     below BBB or Baa and unrated securities of comparable
     quality are commonly known as "junk bonds."  The
     foregoing investment limitations will be measured at the
     time of purchase and, to the extent a security is
     assigned a different rating by one or more of the various
     rating agencies, Investment Management Company will use
     the highest rating assigned by any agency.
          Investors should carefully consider their ability to
     assume the risks of owning shares of a mutual fund that
     invests in lower-rated securities before making an
     investment.
          The market values of the Fund's investments will
     change in response to changes in interest rates and other
     factors.  During periods of falling interest rates, the
     values of long-term fixed-income securities generally
     rise.  Conversely, during periods of rising interest
     rates, the values of such securities generally decline.
     Changes by recognized rating services in their ratings of
     fixed-income securities and changes in the ability of an
     issuer to make payments of interest and principal may
     also affect the value of these investments.  Changes in
     the value of the Fund's portfolio securities will not
     affect interest income derived from these securities but
     will affect the Fund's net asset value.
          The table below shows the percentages of Fund assets
     invested during fiscal 1997 in securities assigned to the
     various rating categories by S&P, or, if unrated by S&P,
     assigned to comparable rating categories by another
     rating agency, and in unrated securities determined by
     Investment Management Company to be of comparable
     quality:

                           Rated securities,    Unrated securities
                            as percentage of      of comparable
       Rating                 net assets          quality, as
                              percentage of net    asssets
"AAA"                            51.32%            ?
"AA"                              0.76%            ?
"A"                              11.16%            ?
"BBB"                            19.09%            0.32%
"BB"                              9.65%            0.03%
"B"                               4.24%            0.20%
"CCC"                             0.18%            ?
"CC"                              0.01%            ?
Total                            96.41%            0.55%

          Investment Management Company seeks to minimize the
     risks of investing in lower-rated securities through
     careful investment analysis.  When the Fund invests in
     securities in the lower rating categories, the
     achievement of the Fund's goals is more dependent on
     Investment Management Company's ability than would be the
     case if the Fund were investing in securities in the
     higher rating categories.
          The Fund will not necessarily dispose of a security
     when its rating is reduced below its rating at the time
     of purchase.  However, Investment Management Company will
     consider such reduction in its determination of whether
     the Fund should continue to hold the security in its
     portfolio.
          At times, a substantial portion of Fund assets may
     be invested in securities of which the Fund, by itself or
     together with other funds and accounts managed by
     Investment Management Company or its affiliates, holds
     all or a major portion.  Under adverse market or economic
     conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the
     financial condition of the issuer, it may be more
     difficult to sell these securities when Investment
     Management Company believes it advisable to do so or the
     Fund may be able to sell the securities only at prices
     lower than if they were more widely held.  Under these
     circumstances, it may also be more difficult to determine
     the fair value of such securities for purposes of
     computing the Fund's net asset value.
          In order to enforce its rights in the event of a
     default of these securities, the Fund may be required to
     participate in various legal proceedings or take
     possession of and manage assets securing the issuer's
     obligations on the securities.  This could increase the
     Fund's operating expenses and adversely affect the Fund's
     net asset value.
          Certain securities held by the Fund may permit the
     issuer at its option to "call," or redeem, its
     securities.  If an issuer were to redeem securities held
     by the Fund during a time of declining interest rates,
     the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds in
     securities providing the same investment return as the
     securities redeemed.
          Certain investment grade securities in which the
     Fund may invest share some of the risk factors discussed
     above with respect to lower-rated securities.

     Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
          The Fund may invest a substantial portion of its
     assets in mortgage-backed securities, including
     collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") and certain
     stripped mortgage-backed securities.  CMOs and other
     mortgage-backed securities represent a participation in,
     or are secured by, mortgage loans and include:
     Yen  Certain securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
          government or one of its agencies or
          instrumentalities;
     Yen  Securities issued by private issuers that represent
          an interest in or are secured by mortgage-backed
          securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
          government or one of its agencies or
          instrumentalities; and
     Yen  Securities issued by private issuers that represent
          an interest in or are secured by mortgage loans or
          mortgage-backed securities without a government
          guarantee but usually having some form of private
          credit enhancement.
          Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually
     structured with two classes that receive different
     portions of the interest and principal distributions on a
     pool of mortgage loans.  The Fund may invest in both the
     interest-only or "IO" class and the principal-only or
     "PO" class.
          The Fund may also invest in asset-backed securities.
     Asset-backed securities are structured like mortgage-
     backed securities, but instead of mortgage loans or
     interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may
     include such items as motor vehicle installment sales or
     installment loan contracts, leases of various types of
     real and personal property, and receivables from credit
     card agreements.  The ability of an issuer of asset-
     backed securities to enforce its security interest in the
     underlying assets may be limited.
          Prepayment risk.  Mortgage-backed and asset-backed
     securities have yield and maturity characteristics
     corresponding to the underlying assets.  Unlike
     traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate
     of interest until maturity when the entire principal
     amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed and
     asset-backed securities include both interest and a
     partial payment of principal.  Besides the scheduled
     repayment of principal, payments of principal may result
     from voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of
     the underlying mortgage loans.
          Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are less
     effective than other types of securities as a means of
     "locking in" attractive long-term interest rates.  One
     reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal;
     another is the possibility of significant unscheduled
     prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates.
     These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower
     rates.  As a result, these securities may have less
     potential for capital appreciation during periods of
     declining interest rates than other securities of
     comparable maturities, although they may have a similar
     risk of decline in market value during periods of rising
     interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly
     shorten the effective maturities of these securities,
     especially during periods of declining interest rates.
     Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a
     reduction in prepayments may increase the effective
     maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a
     greater risk of decline in market value in response to
     rising interest rates than traditional debt securities,
     and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of
     the Fund.
          At times, some of the mortgage-backed and asset-
     backed securities in which the Fund may invest will have
     higher than market interest rates and therefore will be
     purchased at a premium above their par value. Prepayments
     may cause losses in securities purchased at a premium, as
     unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, will
     cause the Fund to experience a loss equal to any
     unamortized premium.
          CMOs.  CMOs are issued with a number of classes or
     series that have different maturities and that may
     represent interests in some or all of the interest or
     principal on the underlying collateral.  Payment of
     interest or principal on some classes or series of CMOs
     may be subject to contingencies or some classes or series
     may bear some or all of the risk of default on the
     underlying mortgages.  CMOs of different classes or
     series are generally retired in sequence as the
     underlying mortgage loans in the mortgage pool are
     repaid.  If enough mortgages are repaid ahead of
     schedule, the classes or series of a CMO with the
     earliest maturities generally will be retired prior to
     their maturities.  Thus, the early retirement of
     particular classes or series of a CMO would have the same
     effect as the prepayment of mortgages underlying other
     mortgage-backed securities.  Conversely, slower than
     anticipated prepayments can extend the effective
     maturities of CMOs, subjecting them to a greater risk of
     decline in market value in response to rising interest
     rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore,
     potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.
          Stripped mortgage-backed securities.  The yield to
     maturity on an IO or PO class of stripped mortgage-backed
     securities is extremely sensitive not only to changes in
     prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of
     principal payments (including prepayments) on the
     underlying assets.  A rapid rate of principal prepayments
     may have a measurably adverse effect on the Fund's yield
     to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs.  If the
     assets underlying the IOs experience greater than
     anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail
     to recoup fully its initial investment in these
     securities.  Conversely, POs tend to increase in value if
     prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if
     prepayments are slower than anticipated.
          In either event, the secondary market for stripped
     mortgage-backed securities may be more volatile and less
     liquid than that for other mortgage-backed securities,
     potentially limiting the Fund's ability to buy or sell
     these securities at any particular time.

     Options and futures portfolio strategies
          The Fund may engage in a variety of transactions
     involving the use of options and futures contracts.  The
     Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts in order to
     hedge against changes in the values of securities the
     Fund owns or expects to purchase or to hedge against
     interest rate changes.  For example, if Investment
     Management Company expected interest rates to increase,
     the Fund might sell futures contracts on U.S. government
     securities.  If rates were to increase, the value of the
     Fund's fixed income securities would decline, but this
     decline might be offset in whole or in part by an
     increase in the value of the futures contracts.  The Fund
     may purchase and sell call and put options on futures
     contracts or on securities the Fund is permitted to
     purchase directly in addition to or as an alternative to
     purchasing and selling futures contracts.  The Fund will
     engage in these transactions for hedging purposes and, to
     the extent permitted by applicable law, for non-hedging
     purposes, such as to manage the effective duration of the
     Fund's portfolio or as a substitute for direct
     investment.
          Options and futures transactions involve costs and
     may result in losses.  The effective use of options and
     futures strategies depends on the Fund's ability to
     terminate options and futures positions at times when
     Investment Management Company deems it desirable to do
     so. Options on certain U.S. government securities are
     traded in significant volume on securities exchanges.
     However, other options which the Fund may purchase or
     sell may be traded in the "over-the-counter" market
     rather than on an exchange.  This means that the Fund
     would enter into such option contracts with particular
     securities dealers who make markets in these options.
     The Fund's ability to terminate options positions in the
     over-the-counter market may be more limited than for
     exchange-traded options and may also involve the risk
     that securities dealers participating in such
     transactions might fail to meet their obligations to the
     Fund.
          The use of options and futures strategies also
     involves the risk of imperfect correlation among
     movements in the prices of the securities underlying the
     futures and options purchased and sold by the Fund, of
     the option and futures contract themselves, and, in the
     case of hedging transactions, of the securities which are
     the subject of a hedge.
          The Fund's ability to engage in options and futures
     transactions and to sell related securities may be
     limited by tax considerations and by certain regulatory
     requirements.

     Other investment practices
          The Fund may also engage in the following investment
     practices, each of which involves certain special risks.
          Options.  The Fund may seek to increase its current
     return by writing covered call and put options on
     securities it owns or in which it may invest.  The Fund
     receives a premium from writing a call or put option,
     which increases the return if the option expires
     unexercised or is closed out at a net profit.
          When the Fund writes a call option, it gives up the
     opportunity to profit from any increase in the price of a
     security above the exercise price of the option; when it
     writes a put option, it takes the risk that it will be
     required to purchase a security from the option holder at
     a price above the current market price of the security.
     The Fund may terminate an option that it has written
     prior to its expiration by entering into a closing
     purchase transaction in which it purchases an option
     having the same terms as the option written.
          The Fund may also buy and sell put and call options,
     including combinations of put and call options on the
     same underlying security.  The use of these strategies
     may be limited by applicable law.
          Securities loans, repurchase agreements and forward
     commitments.  The Fund may lend portfolio securities
     amounting to not more than 25% of its assets to broker-
     dealers and may enter into repurchase agreements on up to
     25% of its assets.  These transactions must be fully
     collateralized at all times.  The Fund may also purchase
     securities for future delivery, which may increase its
     overall investment exposure and involves a risk of loss
     if the value of the securities declines prior to the
     settlement date.  These transactions involve some risk if
     the other party should default on its obligation and the
     Fund is delayed or prevented from recovering the
     collateral or completing the transaction.

     Derivatives
          Certain of the instruments in which the Fund may
     invest, such as options, futures forward contracts and
     CMOs, are considered to be "derivatives." Derivatives are
     financial instruments whose value depends upon, or is
     derived from, the value of an underlying asset, such as a
     security or an index.
(B)  Restrictions of Investment:
          Except for the investment restrictions designated as
     fundamental below, the investment restrictions described
     in this Securities Registration Statement and the
     Japanese prospectus are not fundamental investment
     restrictions.  The Trustees may change any non-
     fundamental restrictions without shareholder approval.
     As fundamental investment restrictions, which may not be
     changed without a vote of a majority of the outstanding
     voting securities, the Fund may not and will not:
     (1)  With respect to 75% of its total assets, invest in
     the securities of any issuer if, immediately after such
     investment, more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund
     (taken at current value) would be invested in the
     securities of such issuer; provided that this limitation
     does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed as to
     interest or principal by the U.S. government or its
     agencies or instrumentalities.
     (2)  With respect to 75% of its total assets, acquire
     more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any
     issuer.
     (3)  Borrow money in excess of 10% of its total assets
     (taken at cost) and then only as a temporary measure for
     extraordinary or emergency purposes and not for
     investment.  (The Fund may borrow only from banks and
     immediately after any such borrowing there must be an
     asset coverage (total assets of the Fund including the
     amount borrowed less liabilities other than such
     borrowings) of at least 300% of the amount of all
     borrowings.  In the event that, due to market decline or
     other reasons, such asset coverage should at any time
     fall below 300%, the Fund is required within three days,
     not including Sundays and holidays, to reduce the amount
     of its borrowings to the extent necessary to cause the
     asset coverage of such borrowings to be at least 300%.
     If this should happen, the Fund may have to sell
     securities at a time when it would be disadvantageous to
     do so.)
     (4)  Make loans, except by purchase of debt obligations
     in which the Fund may invest consistent with its
     investment policies, by entering into repurchase
     agreements, or by lending its portfolio securities.
     (5)  Purchase or sell real estate, although it may
     purchase securities of issuers which deal in real estate,
     securities which are secured by interests in real estate,
     and securities which represent interests in real estate,
     and it may acquire and dispose of real estate or
     interests in real estate acquired through the exercise of
     its rights as a holder of debt obligations secured by
     real estate or interests therein.
     (6)  Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts,
     except that the Fund may purchase and sell financial
     futures contracts and options and may enter into foreign
     currency exchange transactions and other financial
     transactions not involving physical commodities.
     (7)  Underwrite securities issued by other persons except
     to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of
     its portfolio investments, it may be deemed to be an
     underwriter under certain federal securities laws.
     (8)  Purchase securities (other than securities of the
     U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities), if,
     as a result of such pruchase, more than 25% of the Fund's
     total assets would be invested in any one industry.
          Although certain of the Fund's fundamental
     investment restrictions permit it to borrow money to a
     limited extent, the Fund does not currently intend to do
     so and did not do so last year.
          The Investment Company Act of 1940 provides that a
     "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities"
     of the Fund means the affirmative vote of the lesser of
     (1) more than 50% of the outstanding Fund shares, or (2)
     67% or more of the shares present at a meeting if more
     than 50% of the outstanding Fund shares are represented
     at the meeting in person or by proxy.
          It is contrary to the Fund's present policy, which
     may be changed without shareholder approval, to:
     (1)  Invest in (a) securities which are not readily
     marketable, (b) securities restricted as to resale
     (excluding securities determined by the Trustees of the
     Fund (or the person designated by the Trustees of the
     Fund to make such determinations) to be readily
     marketable), and (c) repurchase agreements maturing in
     more than seven days, if, as a result, more 15% of the
     Fund's net assets (taken at current value) would be
     invested in securities described in (a), (b) and (c)
     above.
          In addition, the Fund will, so long as shares of the
     Fund are being offered for sale by the Fund in Japan,
     comply with the following standards of selection of the
     Japan Securities Dealers Association.
     1.   The Fund may not make short sales of securities or
     maintain a short position for the account of the Fund
     unless at all times when a short position is open it owns
     an equal amount of such securities or owns securities
     which, without payment of any further consideration, are
     convertible into or exchangeable for securities of the
     same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities
     sold short;
     2.   The Fund may not invest in securities of any issuer
     if, immediately after such investment, more than 5% of
     the total assets of the Fund (taken at current value)
     would be invested in the securities of such issuer,
     provided that this limitation does not apply to
     obligations issued or guaranteed as to interest or
     principal by the U.S. or other sovereign government or
     its agencies or instrumentalities;
     3.   The Fund may not acquire more than 10% of the
     outstanding voting securities of any issuer or may not
     acquire more than 15% of the outstanding voting
     securities of any issuer together with other mutual funds
     managed by Investment Management Company;
     4.   The Fund may not invest in the securities of other
     registered open-end investment funds or companies, except
     as they may be acquired as part of a merger,
     consolidation or acquisition of assets;
     5.   The Fund may not invest more than 10% of the net
     assets of the Fund in securities which are not traded on
     an official stock exchange or other regulated market,
     operating regularly and being recognized and open to the
     public (which shall include, without limitation, the
     National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
     Quotation System).  This restriction shall not be
     applicable to fixed income securities determined by
     Investment Management Company to be liquid and for which
     a market price (including a dealer quotation) is
     generally obtainable or determinable.
          If any violation of the foregoing standards occurs,
     the Fund will, promptly after discovery of the violation,
     take such action as may be necessary to cause the
     violation to cease, which shall be the only obligation of
     the Fund and the only remedy in respect of the violation.
          Although the Fund is permitted under its investment
     policies to invest without limit in so-called "interest-
     only" (IO) and "principal-only" (PO) classes of mortgage-
     backed securities, the Fund has no present intention of
     investing more than 15% of its net assets in such
     securities.
          All percentage limitations on investments (other
     than pursuant to the non-fundamental restriction (1))
     will apply at the time of the making of an investment and
     shall not be considered violated unless an excess or
     deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a
     result of such investment.
(C)  Distribution Policy:
          The Fund distributes net investment income monthly
     and any net realized capital gains at least annually.
     Distributions from capital gains are made after applying
     any available capital loss carryovers.  The Fund normally
     pays distributions on the 25th day of each month to
     investors who hold shares as of 15th day of each month.
     The payment to Japanese investors may be made by the end
     of each month by Kankaku.
3.   MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
(A)  Outline of Management of Assets, etc.:
     A.   Valuation of assets:
          The Fund determines the net asset value per share of
     each class of shares once each day the New York Stock
     Exchange (the "Exchange") is open.  Currently, the
     Exchange is closed Saturdays, Sundays and the following
     U.S. holidays: New Year's Day, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
     King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial
     Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and
     Christmas.  The Fund determines net asset value as of the
     close of regular trading on the Exchange, currently 4:00
     p.m., New York time.  However, equity options held by the
     Fund are priced as of the close of trading at 4:10 p.m.,
     New York time, and futures contracts on U.S. government
     and other fixed-income securities and index options held
     by the Fund are priced as of their close of trading at
     4:15 p.m., New York time.
          Securities for which market quotations are readily
     available are valued at prices which, in the opinion of
     Investment Management Company, most nearly represent the
     market values of such securities.  Currently, such prices
     are determined using the last reported sale price or, if
     no sales are reported (as in the case of some securities
     traded over-the-counter), the last reported bid price,
     except that certain securities are valued at the mean
     between the last reported bid and asked prices.  Short-
     term investments having remaining maturities of 60 days
     or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates
     market value.  All other securities and assets are valued
     at their fair value procedures approved by the Trustees.
     Liabilities are deducted from the total, and the
     resulting amount is divided by the number of shares of
     the class outstanding.
          Reliable market quotations are not considered to be
     readily available for long-term corporate bonds and
     notes, certain preferred stocks, tax-exempt securities,
     and certain foreign securities.  These investments are
     valued at fair value on the basis of valuations furnished
     by pricing services, which determine valuations for
     normal, institutional-size trading units of such
     securities using methods based on market transactions for
     comparable securities and various relationships between
     securities which are generally recognized by
     institutional traders.
          If any securities held by the Fund are restricted as
     to resale, Investment Management Company determines their
     fair value using procedures approved by the Trustees.
     The fair value of such securities is generally determined
     as the amount which the Fund could reasonably expect to
     realize from an orderly disposition of such securities
     over a reasonable period of time.  The valuation
     procedures applied in any specific instance are likely to
     vary from case to case.  However, consideration is
     generally given to the financial position of the issuer
     and other fundamental analytical data relating to the
     investment and to the nature of the restrictions on
     disposition of the securities (including any registration
     expenses that might be borne by the Fund in connection
     with such disposition).  In addition, specific factors
     are also generally considered, such as the cost of the
     investment, the market value of any unrestricted
     securities of the same class, the size of the holding,
     the prices of any recent transactions or offers with
     respect to such securities and any available analysts'
     reports regarding the issuer.
          Generally, trading in certain securities (such as
     foreign securities) is substantially completed each day
     at various times prior to the close of the Exchange.  The
     values of these securities used in determining the net
     asset value of the Fund's shares are computed as of such
     times.  Also, because of the amount of time required to
     collect and process trading information as to large
     numbers of securities issues, the values of certain
     securities (such as convertible bonds, U.S. government
     securities, and tax-exempt securities) are determined
     based on market quotations collected earlier in the day
     at the latest practicable time prior to the close of the
     Exchange.  Occasionally, events affecting the value of
     such securities may occur between such times and the
     close of the Exchange which will not be reflected in the
     computation of the Fund's net asset value.  If events
     materially affecting the value of such securities occur
     during such period, then these securities will be valued
     at their fair value using procedures approved by the
     Trustees.
     B.   Management Fee, etc.:
     (1)  Management Fee:
          (a) Management and Agent Securities Company Fees
              Under a Management Contract dated April 6, 1995,
          the Fund pays a quarterly fee to Investment
          Management Company based on the average net assets
          of the Fund, as determined at the close of each
          business day during the quarter, at an annual rate
          of 0.65% of the first $500 million of average net
          assets, 0.55% of the next $500 million, 0.50% of the
          next $500 million, 0.45% of the next $5 billion,
          0.425 % of the next $5 billion, 0.405%  of the next
          $5 billion, 0.39% of the next $5 billion, and 0.38%
          thereafter.
              For the fiscal years ending on October 31, 1997,
          1996 and 1995 the Fund paid $9,469,339, $8,111,205
          and $5,587,152, respectively as a management fee.
          (b) Custodian Fee and Charges of the Investor
          Servicing Agent
              Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company, the Fund's
          Custodian, shall be entitled to receive, out of the
          assets of the Fund, reasonable compensation for its
          services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed from
          time to time between the Fund and the Custodian, not
          including fees paid by the Custodian to any sub-
          custodian, payable monthly based on the average
          daily total net assets of the Fund during the
          relevant month.  Any reasonable disbursements and
          out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation
          telephone, telex, cable and postage expenses)
          incurred by the Custodian, and any custody charges
          of banks and financial institutions to whom the
          custody of assets of the Fund is entrusted, will be
          borne by the Fund.
              The Fund will pay to Putnam Investor Services, a
          division of Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company, the
          Fund's Investor Servicing Agent, such fee, out of
          the assets of the Fund, as is mutually agreed upon
          in writing from time to time, in the amount, at the
          time and in the manner of payment mutually agreed.
              For the fiscal year ending on October 31, 1997,
          the Fund paid $5,449,140 as a custodian fee and
          investor servicing agent fee.
          (c) Fee on Class M Distribution Plan
              The Class M distribution plan provides for
          payments by the Fund to Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. at
          the annual rate of up to 1.00% of average net assets
          attributable to Class M shares.  The Trustees
          currently limit payments under the Class M plan to
          the annual rate of 0.50% of such assets.
              Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. makes quarterly
          payments to Kankaku and other dealers at an annual
          rate of 0.40% of the average net asset value of
          Class M shares attributable to shareholders for whom
          Kankaku and other dealers are designated as the
          dealer of record.
              Payments under the plan are intended to
          compensate Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. for services
          provided and expenses incurred by it as principal
          underwriter of the Fund's shares, including the
          payments to dealers mentioned above.  Putnam Mutual
          Funds Corp. may suspend or modify such payments to
          dealers.
              For the fiscal year ending on October 31, 1997,
          the Fund paid fees under the distribution plan of
          $2,879,758, $3,681,694 and $258,462 for Class A,
          Class B and Class M shares, respectively.
          (d) Other Expenses:
              The Fund pays all expenses not assumed by
          Investment Management Company, including Trustees'
          fees, auditing, legal, custodial, investor servicing
          and shareholder reporting expenses, and payments
          under its distribution plans (which are in turn
          allocated to the relevant class of shares).  The
          Fund also reimburses Investment Management Company
          for the compensation and related expenses of certain
          Fund officers and their staff who provide
          administrative services.  The total reimbursement is
          determined annually by the Trustees and was $20,406
          for Fiscal 1997.
              Each Trustee receives a fee for his or her
          services.  Each Trustee also receives fees for
          serving as Trustee of other Putnam funds.  The
          Trustees periodically review their fees to assure
          that such fees continue to be appropriate in light
          of their responsibilities as well as in relation to
          fees paid to trustees of other mutual fund
          complexes.  The Trustees meet monthly over a two-day
          period, except in August.  The Compensation
          Committee, which consists solely of Trustees not
          affiliated with the Investment Management Company
          and is responsible for recommending Trustee
          compensation, estimates that Committee and Trustee
          meeting time together with the appropriate
          preparation requires the equivalent of at least
          three business days per Trustee meeting.  The
          following table shows the year each Trustee was
          first elected a Trustee of the Putnam funds, the
          fees paid to each Trustee by the Fund for fiscal
          1997 and the fees paid to each Trustee by all of the
          Putnam funds during calendar 1997:
     
COMPENSATION TABLE

                              Pension on   Estimated    Total
                    Aggregate retirement   annual benefits
compensation
                    compensation           benefits accruedfrom
all                 from all
                    from the  as part of   Putnam funds Putnam
Trustees/Year       fund (1)  fund expenses             upon
retirement (2)      funds (3)

Jameson A. Baxter/1994 (4)$1,787$625      $87,500     $176,000
Hans H. Estin/1972    1,771    2,008       87,500      175,000
John A. Hill/1985 (4) 1,778      751       87,500      175,000
Ronald J. Jackson/1996 (4)1,787  115       87,500      176,000
Paul L. Joskow/1997 (7) * -        -            -       25,500
Elizabeth T. Kennan/19921,769  1,289       87,500      174,000
Lawrence J. Lasser/1992 *1,751   966       87,500      172,000
John H. Mullin, III/1997 (7)       -            -            -
25,500
Robert E. Patterson/19841,787    602       87,500      176,000
Donald S. Perkins/1982 *1,787  2,184       87,500      176,000
William F. Pounds/1971 (5)2,0852,069       98,000      201,000
George Putnam/1957 *  1,778    2,303       87,500      175,000
George Putnam, III/1984 *1,769   396       87,500      174,000
A.J.C. Smith/1986 *   1,735    1,344       87,500      170,000
W. Thomas Stephens/1997 (4)(6)   273            -            -
53,000
W. Nicholas Thorndike/19921,7871,852       87,500      176,000

    (1)  Includes an annual retainer and an attendance fee
          for each meeting attended.
    (2)  Assumes that each Trustee retires at the normal
          retirement date.  Estimated benefits for each
          Trustee are based on Trustee fee rates in effect
          during calendar 1997.
    (3)  As of December 31, 1997, there were 101 funds in the
          Putnam family.
    (4)  Includes compensation deferred pursuant to a Trustee
          Compensation Deferral Plan.  The total amounts of
          deferred compensation payable by the Fund to
          Ms. Baxter, Mr. Hill, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Stephens
          as of October 31, 1997 were $4,345, $6,490, $3,278
          and $240, respectively, including income earned on
          such amounts.
    (5)  Includes additional compensation for service as Vice
          Chairman of the Putnam funds.
    (6)  Elected as a Trustee in September 1997.
    (7)  Elected as a Trustee in November 1997.
    *    Is or may be deemed to be an "interested person," as
          defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 of the
          Fund, Investment Management Company or Putnam Mutual
          Funds Corp.
    
              Under a Retirement Plan for Trustees of the
          Putnam funds (the "Plan") each Trustee who retires
          with at least five years of service as a Trustee of
          the funds is entitled to receive an annual
          retirement benefit equal to one-half of the average
          annual compensation paid to such Trustee for the
          last three years of service prior to retirement.
          This retirement benefit is payable during a
          Trustee's lifetime, beginning the year following
          retirement, for a number of years equal to such
          Trustee's years of service.  A death benefit is also
          available under the Plan which assures that the
          Trustee and his or her beneficiaries will receive
          benefit payments for the lesser of an aggregate
          period of (i) ten years or (ii) such Trustee's total
          years of service.
              The Plan Administrator (a committee comprised of
          Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the
          Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of
          1940) may terminate or amend the Plan at any time,
          but no termination or amendment will result in a
          reduction in the amount of benefits (i) currently
          being paid to a Trustee at the time of such
          termination or amendment, or (ii) to which a current
          Trustee would have been entitled had he or she
          retired immediately prior to such termination or
          amendment.
              Investment Management Company places all orders
          for purchases and sales of Fund securities.  In
          selecting broker-dealers, Investment Management
          Company may consider research and brokerage services
          furnished to it and its affiliates.  Subject to
          seeking the most favorable price and execution
          available, Investment Management Company may
          consider sales of Fund shares (and, if permitted by
          law, of the other Putnam Funds) as a factor in the
          selection of broker-dealers.  During fiscal 1995,
          1996 and 1997, the Fund paid $123,878, $27,784 and
          $575,163 in brokerage commissions, respectively.
          During fiscal 1997 the Fund paid $0.00 on
          transactions with an aggregate principal value of
          $0.00 (0.00% of transactions) to brokers and dealers
          to recognize research, statistical and quotation
          services provided to Investment Management Company
          and its affiliates.
              For the fiscal year ending on October 31, 1997,
          the Fund paid $6,820,114 in total other expenses,
          including payments under its distribution plans, but
          excluding management fees, investor servicing agent
          expenses and custodian expenses.
     C.   Sales, Repurchases and Custody:
     (1)  Sales of Shares:
           a. Sales in the United States
              Investors residing in the United States can open
          a Fund account with as little as $500 and make
          additional investments at any time with as little as
          $50.  They can buy Fund shares three ways - through
          most investment dealers, through Putnam Mutual Funds
          Corp. or through a systematic investment plan.
              Buying shares through Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
          Complete an order form and write a check for the
          amount shareholders wish to invest, payable to the
          Fund.  Return the completed form and check to Putnam
          Mutual Funds Corp., which will act as investor's
          agent in purchasing shares.
              Buying shares through systematic investing.
          Investors can make regular investments of $25 or
          more per month through automatic deductions from
          investor's bank checking or savings account.
          Application forms are available from investor's
          investment dealer or through Investor Servicing
          Agent.
              Shares are sold at the public offering price
          based on the net asset value next determined after
          Investor Servicing Agent receives a shareholder's
          order. In most cases, in order to receive that day's
          public offering price, Investor Servicing Agent must
          receive a shareholder's order before the close of
          regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. If
          shareholders buy shares through their investment
          dealer, the dealer must receive the shareholders'
          orders before the close of regular trading on the
          New York Stock Exchange to receive that day's public
          offering price.
          U.S. Offering Price and Sales Charges
              The public offering price of class M shares is
          the net asset value plus a sales charge that varies
          depending on the size of investor's purchase. The
          Fund receives the net asset value.  The sales charge
          is allocated between an investor's investment dealer
          and Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. as shown in the
          following table, except when Putnam Mutual Funds
          Corp., and its discretion, allocates the entire
          amount to the investor's investment dealer.

                                   Sales charge as
      Amount of sales
                                   a percentage of:
      charge reallowed
                           Net                 to dealers as
      a
      Amount of transactionamount     Offering   percentage
      of
      at offering price ($)           invested price
      offering price
      
      Under 50,000          3.36 %    3.25 %
      3.00 %
      
      50,000 but under 100,000        2.30 %      2.25 %
      2.00 %
      
      100,000 but under 250,000       1.52 %      1.50 %
      1.25 %
      
      250,000 but under 500,000       1.01 %      1.00 %
      1.00 %
      
      500,000 and above     None      None        None
      
              Class M qualified benefit plans (retirement
          plans for which Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company or
          its affiliates provide recordkeeping or other
          services in connection with the purchase of class M
          shares) and members of qualified groups may purchase
          Class M shares without a sales charge.
              An investor may be eligible to buy class M
          shares at reduced sales charges.  For fiscal 1996
          and 1997, Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. received
          $128,856 and $11,521,976, respectively, in sales
          charges for Class M shares, of which it retained
          $13,212 and $963,584, respectively.
           b. Sales in Japan
              In Japan, Shares of the Fund are offered on any
          Business Day and any business day of securities
          company in Japan during the Subscription Period
          mentioned in "8. Period of Subscription, Part I
          Information concerning Securities" of a securities
          registration statement pursuant to the terms set
          forth in "Part I. Information concerning Securities"
          of the relevant securities registration statement.
          A Handling Securities Company shall provide to the
          investors a Contract Concerning a Foreign Securities
          Transactions Account (the "Contract") and receive
          from such investors an application for requesting
          the opening of a transactions account under the
          Contract.  The purchase shall be made in the minimum
          investment amount of 200 shares and in integral
          multiples of 100 shares.
              The issue price for Shares during the
          Subscription period shall be, in principle, the Net
          Asset Value per Share next calculated on the day on
          which the Fund has received such application.  The
          Trade Day in Japan is the day when the Handling
          Securities Company confirms the execution of the
          order (ordinarily the business day in Japan next
          following the placement of orders), and the payment
          and delivery shall be made on the fourth Business
          Day after and including the Trade Day. The sales
          charge in Japan shall be 3% of the amount obtained
          by deduction of the amount equivalent to 3% of the
          public offering price from such price (hereinafter
          referred to as the "Sales Price").  Any amount,
          which is over the net asset value, of the Sales
          Price shall be retained by Putnam Mutual Fund Corp.,
          principal underwriter of the Fund.  The public
          offering price means the amount calculated by
          dividing the net asset value by (1- 0.0325) and
          rounded to three decimal places.
              The Investors having entrusted a Handling
          Securities Company with safekeeping of the
          certificates for Fund shares will receive a
          certificate of safekeeping in exchange for the
          purchase price.  In such case payment shall be made
          in yen in principle and the applicable exchange rate
          shall be the exchange rate which shall be based on
          the foreign exchange rate quoted in the Tokyo
          Foreign Exchange Market on the Trade Day and which
          shall be determined by such Handling Securities
          Company.  The payment may be made in dollars to the
          extent that the Handling Securities Companies can
          agree.
              In addition, Handling Securities Companies in
          Japan who are members of the Japan Securities
          Dealers' Association cannot continue sales of the
          Shares in Japan when the net assets of the Fund are
          less than Yen500,000,000 or the Shares otherwise cease
          to comply with the "Standards of Selection of
          Foreign Investment Fund Securities" established by
          the Association.
     (2)  Repurchase of Shares:
           a. Repurchase in the United States
              A shareholders can sell his shares to the Fund
          any day the New York Stock Exchange is open, either
          directly to the Fund or through his investment
          dealer. The Fund will only redeem shares for which
          it has received payment.
              Selling shares directly to the Fund.  A
          shareholder must send a signed letter of instruction
          or stock power form to Investor Servicing Agent,
          along with any certificates that represent shares a
          shareholder wants to sell.  The price a shareholder
          will receive is the next net asset value calculated
          after the Fund receives a shareholder's request in
          proper form.  In order to receive that day's net
          asset value, Investor Servicing Agent must receive a
          shareholder's request before the close of regular
          trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
              If a shareholder sells shares having a net asset
          value of $100,000 or more, the signatures of
          registered owners or their legal representatives
          must be guaranteed by a bank, broker-dealer or
          certain other financial institutions.
              If a shareholder wants his redemption proceeds
          sent to an address other than his address as it
          appears on records of the Investor Servicing Agent,
          a signature guarantee is required.  Investor
          Servicing Agent usually requires additional
          documentation for the sale of shares by a
          corporation, partnership, agent or fiduciary, or a
          surviving joint owner.
              The Fund generally sends shareholders payment
          for shareholders' shares the business day after
          shareholders' request is received.  Under unusual
          circumstances, the Fund may suspend repurchase, or
          postpone payment for more than seven days, as
          permitted by U.S. securities law.
              A shareholder may use Investor Servicing Agent's
          Telephone Redemption Privilege to redeem shares
          valued up to $100,000 unless he has notified
          Investor Servicing Agent of an address change within
          the preceding 15 days.  Unless an investor indicates
          otherwise on the account application, Investor
          Servicing Agent will be authorized to act upon
          redemption and transfer instructions received by
          telephone from a shareholder, or any person claiming
          to act as his representative, who can provide
          Investor Servicing Agent with his account
          registration and address as it appears on Investor
          Servicing Agent's records.
              Investor Servicing Agent will employ these and
          other reasonable procedures to confirm that
          instructions communicated by telephone are genuine;
          if it fails to employ reasonable procedures,
          Investor Servicing Agent may be liable for any
          losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
          instructions.
              During periods of unusual market changes and
          shareholder activity, a shareholder may experience
          delays in contacting Investor Servicing Agent by
          telephone.  In this event, the shareholder may wish
          to submit a written redemption request, as described
          above, or contact shareholders' investment dealer.
          The Telephone Redemption Privilege is not available
          if the shareholder was issued certificates for
          shares that remain outstanding. The Telephone
          Redemption Privilege may be modified or terminated
          without notice.
              Selling shares through investment dealers.  A
          shareholder's dealer must receive shareholders'
          request before the close of regular trading on the
          New York Stock Exchange to receive that day's net
          asset value.  A shareholder's dealer will be
          responsible for furnishing all necessary
          documentation to Investor Servicing Agent, and may
          charge a shareholder for its services.
           b. Repurchase in Japan
              Shareholders in Japan may at any time request
          repurchase of their Shares.  Repurchase requests in
          Japan may be made to Investor Servicing Agent
          through the Handling Securities Company on a Fund
          Business Day that is business day of securities
          companies in Japan without a contingent deferred
          sales charge.  The repurchase shall be made is
          integral multiples of 100 shares.
              The price a shareholder in Japan will receive is
          the next net asset value calculated after the Fund
          receives the repurchase request from Kankaku,
          provided the request is received before the close of
          regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange.  The
          payment of the price shall be made in yen through
          the Handling Securities Companies pursuant to the
          Contracts or, if the Handling Securities Companies
          agree, in dollars.  The payment for repurchase
          proceeds shall be made on the fourth business day of
          securities companies in Japan after and including
          the Trade Day.
     (3)  Suspension of Repurchase:
              The Fund may suspend shareholders' right of
          redemption, or postpone payment for more than seven
          days, if the New York Stock Exchange is closed for
          other than customary weekends or holidays, or if
          permitted by the rules of the U.S. Securities and
          Exchange Commission during periods when trading on
          the Exchange is restricted or during any emergency
          which makes it impracticable for the Fund to dispose
          of its securities or to determine fairly the value
          of its net assets, or during any other period
          permitted by order of the U.S. Securities and
          Exchange Commission for protection of investors.
     (4)  Custody of Shares:
              Share certificates shall be held by Shareholders
          at their own risk.
              The custody of the Share certificates (if
          issued) representing Shares sold to Japanese
          Shareholders shall, unless otherwise instructed by
          the Shareholder, be held, in the name of the
          custodian, by the custodian of Kankaku.
          Certificates of custody for the Shares shall be
          delivered by the Handling Securities Companies to
          the Japanese Shareholders.
     D.   Miscellaneous:
     (1)  Duration and Liquidation:
              Unless terminated, the Fund shall continue
          without limitation of time.  The Fund may be
          terminated at any time by vote of Shareholders
          holding at least 66 2/3% of the Shares entitled to
          vote or by the Trustees of the Fund by written
          notice to the Shareholders.
     (2)  Accounting Year:
              The accounts of the Fund will be closed each
          year on 31st October.
     (3)  Authorized Shares:
              There is no prescribed authorized number of
          Shares, and Shares may be issued from time to time.
     (4)  Agreement and Declaration of Trust:
              Originals or copies of the Agreement and
          Declaration of Trust, as amended, are maintained in
          the office of the Fund and are made available for
          public inspection for the Shareholders.  Originals
          or copies of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
          as amended, are on file in the United States with
          the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of
          Massachusetts and with the Clerk of the City of
          Boston.
              The Agreement and Declaration of Trust may be
          amended at any time by an instrument in writing
          signed by a majority of the then Trustees when
          authorized to do so by vote of Shareholders holding
          a majority of the Shares entitled to vote, except
          that an amendment which shall affect the holders of
          one or more series or classes of Shares but not the
          holders of all outstanding series and classes shall
          be authorized by vote of the Shareholders holding a
          majority of the Shares entitled to vote of each
          series and class affected and no vote of
          Shareholders of a series or class not affected shall
          be required.  Amendments having the purpose of
          changing the name of the Fund or of supplying any
          omission, curing any ambiguity or curing, correcting
          or supplementing any defective or inconsistent
          provision contained herein shall not require
          authorization by Shareholder vote.
              In Japan, material changes in the Agreement and
          Declaration of Trust shall be published or notice
          thereof shall be sent to the Japanese Shareholders.
     (5)  Issue of Warrants, Subscription Rights, etc.:
              The Fund may not grant privileges to purchase
          shares of the Fund to shareholders or investors by
          issuing warrants, subscription rights or options, or
          other similar rights.
     (6)  How Performance Is Shown:
              Fund advertisements may, from time to time,
          include performance information. "Yield" is
          calculated by dividing the annualized net investment
          income per share during a recent 30-day period by
          the maximum public offering price per share on the
          last day of that period.
              For purposes of calculating yield, net
          investment income is calculated in accordance with
          U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations
          and may differ from net investment income as
          determined for financial reporting purposes.  U.S.
          Securities and Exchange Commission regulations
          require that net investment income be calculated on
          a "yield-to-maturity" basis, which has the effect of
          amortizing any premiums or discounts in the current
          market value of fixed-income securities.  The
          current dividend rate is based on net investment
          income as determined for tax purposes, which may not
          reflect amortization in the same manner.
              Yield is based on the price of the shares,
          including the maximum initial sales charge.
              "Total return" for the one-, five- and ten-year
          periods (or for the life of the Fund, if shorter)
          through the most recent calendar quarter represents
          the average annual compounded rate of return on an
          investment of $1,000 in the Fund invested at the
          maximum public offering price.  Total return may
          also be presented for other periods or based on
          investment at reduced sales charge levels.  Any
          quotation of investment performance not reflecting
          the maximum initial sales charge or contingent
          deferred sales charge would be reduced if the sales
          charge were used.  For the one-year, five-year and
          ten-year periods ended October 31, 1997, the average
          annual total return for Class M shares of the Fund
          was 5.28%, 7.01% and 8.98%, respectively.  Returns
          for Class M shares reflect the deduction of the
          current maximum initial sales charge of 3.25% for
          Class M shares.  Returns shown for Class M shares
          for periods prior to December 14, 1996 are derived
          from the historical performance of Class A shares,
          adjusted to reflect both the deduction of the
          initial sales charge and the higher operating
          expenses applicable to Class M shares.  The 30-day
          yield for the Class M shares of the Fund for the
          period ended October 31, 1997 was 5.61%.
              All data are based on past investment results
          and do not predict future performance.  Investment
          performance, which will vary, is based on many
          factors, including market conditions, portfolio
          composition, Fund operating expenses and which class
          of shares the investor purchases.  Investment
          performance also often reflects the risks associated
          with the Fund's investment objective and policies.
          These factors should be considered when comparing
          the Fund's investment results with those of other
          mutual funds and other investment vehicles.
              Quotations of investment performance for any
          period when an expense limitation was in effect will
          be greater than if the limitation had not been in
          effect.  Fund performance may be compared to that of
          various indexes.
(B)  Outline of Disclosure System:
     (1)  Disclosure in U.S.A.:
          (i) Disclosure to shareholders
              In accordance with the Investment Company Act of
          1940, the investment fund is required to send to its
          shareholders annual and semi-annual reports
          containing financial information.
          (ii)Disclosure to the SEC
              The investment fund has filed a registration
          statement with the SEC on Form N-1A; the Fund
          updates that registration statement periodically in
          accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940.
     (2)  Disclosure in Japan:
           a. Disclosure to the Supervisory Authority:
              When the Fund intends to offer the Shares
          amounting to more than 500 million yen in Japan, it
          shall submit to the Minister of Finance of Japan
          securities registration statements together with the
          copies of the Agreement and Declaration of the Fund
          and the agreements with major related companies as
          attachments thereto.  The said documents are made
          available for public inspection for investors and
          any other persons who desire at the Ministry of
          Finance.
              The Handling Securities Companies of the Shares
          shall deliver to the investors prospectuses the
          contents of which are substantially identical to
          Part I and Part II of the securities registration
          statements.  For the purpose of disclosure of the
          financial conditions, etc., the Trustees shall
          submit to the Minister of Finance of Japan
          securities reports within 6 months of the end of
          each fiscal year, semi-annual reports within 3
          months of the end of each semi-annual period and
          extraordinary reports from time to time when changes
          occur as to material subjects of the Fund.  These
          documents are available for public inspection for
          the investors and any other persons who desire at
          the Ministry of Finance.
           b. Disclosure to Japanese Shareholders:
              The Japanese Shareholders will be notified of
          the material facts which would change their
          position, including material amendments to the
          Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Fund, and
          of notices from the Trustees, through the Handling
          Securities Companies.
              The financial statements shall be sent to the
          Japanese Shareholders through the Handling
          Securities Companies or the summary thereof shall be
          carried in daily newspapers.
 (C) Restrictions on Transactions with Interested Parties:
          Portfolio securities of the Fund may not be
     purchased from or sold or loaned to any Trustee of the
     Fund, Putnam Investment Management, Inc., acting as
     investment adviser of the Fund, or any affiliate thereof
     or any of their directors, officers, or employees, or any
     major shareholder thereof (meaning a shareholder who
     holds to the actual knowledge of Investment Management
     Company, on his own account whether in his own or other
     name (as well as a nominee's name), 10% or more of the
     total issued outstanding shares of such a company) acting
     as principal or for their own account unless the
     transaction is made within the investment restrictions
     set forth in the Fund's prospectus and statement of
     additional information and either (i) at a price
     determined by current publicly available quotations
     (including a dealer quotation) or (ii) at competitive
     prices or interest rates prevailing from time to time on
     internationally recognized securities markets or
     internationally recognized money markets (including a
     dealer quotation).

4.   INFORMATION CONCERNING THE EXERCISE OF RIGHTS BY
     SHAREHOLDERS, ETC.
 (A) Rights of Shareholders and Procedures for Their Exercise:
          Shareholders must register their shares in their own
     name in order to exercise directly their rights as
     Shareholders.  Therefore, the Shareholders in Japan who
     entrust the custody of their Shares to the Handling
     Securities Company cannot exercise directly their
     Shareholder rights, because their Shares are registered
     in the name of the custodian.  Shareholders in Japan may
     have the Handling Securities Companies exercise their
     rights on their behalf in accordance with the Account
     Agreement with the Handling Securities Companies.
          Shareholders in Japan who do not entrust the custody
     of their Shares to the Handling Securities Companies may
     exercise their rights in accordance with their own
     arrangement under their own responsibility.
          The major rights enjoyed by Shareholders are as
     follows:
          (i) Voting rights
              Each share has one vote, with fractional shares
          voting proportionally.  Shares of each class will
          vote together as a single class except when
          otherwise required by law or as determined by the
          Trustees.  Although the Fund is not required to hold
          annual meetings of its shareholders, shareholders
          holding at least 10% of the outstanding shares
          entitled to vote have the right to call a meeting to
          elect or remove Trustees, or to take other actions
          as provided in the Agreement and Declaration of
          Trust.
          (ii)Repurchase rights
              Shareholders are entitled to request repurchase
          of Shares at their Net Asset Value at any time.
          (iii)    Rights to receive dividends
              Shareholders generally receive any distribution
          from net investment income monthly and any net
          realized capital gains at least annually.
          Distributions from capital gains are made after
          applying any available capital loss carryovers.
              Shareholders may choose three distribution
          options, though investors in Japan may only choose
          the last alternative.
              - Reinvest all distributions in additional
          shares without a sales charge;
              - Receive distributions from net investment
          income in cash while reinvesting capital gains
          distributions in additional shares without a sales
          charge; or
              - Receive all distributions in cash.
          (iv)Right to receive distributions upon dissolution
              Shareholders of a fund are entitled to receive
          distributions upon dissolution in proportion to the
          number of shares then held by them, except as
          otherwise required.
          (v) Right to inspect accounting books and the like
              Shareholders are entitled to inspect the
          Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the accounting
          books at the discretion of the Court and the minutes
          of any shareholders' meetings.
          (vi)Right to transfer shares
              Shares are transferable without restriction except
          as limited by applicable law.
          (vii)    Rights with respect to the U.S.
          registration statement
              If, under the 1933 Act, there is any false
          statement concerning any important matter in the
          U.S. Registration Statement, or any omission of any
          statement of important matters to be stated therein
          or not to cause any misunderstanding, shareholders
          are generally entitled to institute a lawsuit,
          against the person who had signed the relevant
          Registration Statement, the trustee of the issuer
          (or any person placed in the same position) at the
          time of filing such Statement, any person involved
          in preparing such Statement or any subscriber of the
          relevant shares.
 (B) Tax Treatment of Shareholders in Japan:
          The tax treatment of Shareholders in Japan shall be
     as follows:
     (1)  The distributions to be made by the Fund will be
     treated as distributions made by a domestic investment
     trust.
          a.  The distributions to be made by the Fund to
          Japanese individual shareholders will be subject to
          separate taxation from other income (i.e.
          withholding of income tax at the rate of 15% and
          withholding of local taxes at the rate of 5% in
          Japan). In this case, no report concerning
          distributions will be filed with the Japanese tax
          authorities.
          b.  The distributions to be made by the Fund to
          Japanese corporate shareholders will be subject to
          withholding of income tax at the rate of 15% and to
          withholding of local taxes at the rate of 5% in
          Japan.  In certain cases, the Handling Securities
          Companies will prepare a report concerning
          distributions and file such report with the Japanese
          tax authorities.
          c.  Net investment returns such as dividends, etc.
          and distributions of short-term net realized capital
          gain, among distributions on Shares of the Fund,
          will be, in principle, subject to withholding of U.
          S. federal income tax at the rate of 15% and the
          amount obtained after such deduction will be paid in
          Japan.
              Distributions of long-term net realized capital
          gain will not be subject to withholding of U. S.
          federal income tax and the full amount thereof will
          be paid in Japan.  The amount subject to withholding
          of U. S. federal income tax may be deducted from the
          tax levied on a foreign entity in Japan.
              The Japanese withholding tax imposed on
          distributions as referred to in a. and b. above will
          be collected by way of so-called "difference
          collecting method".  In this method only the
          difference between the amount equivalent to 20% of
          the distributions before U.S. withholding tax and
          the amount of U.S. withholding tax withheld in the
          U.S. will be collected in Japan.
     (2)  The provisions of Japanese tax laws giving the
     privilege of a certain deduction from taxable income to
     corporations, which may apply to dividends paid by a
     domestic corporation, shall not apply.
     (3)  Capital gains and losses arising from purchase and
     repurchase of the Shares shall be treated in the same way
     as those arising from purchase and sale of a domestic
     investment trust.  The distribution of the net
     liquidation assets shall be also treated in the same way
     as those arising from liquidation of a domestic
     investment trust.
     (4)  The Japanese securities transaction tax will not be
     imposed so far as the transactions concerned are
     conducted outside Japan.  Such tax, however, is
     applicable to dealers' transactions for their own account
     and to privately negotiated transactions conducted in
     Japan.
 (C) Foreign Exchange Control in U.S.A.:
          In U.S.A., there are no foreign exchange control
     restrictions on remittance of dividends, repurchase
     money, etc. of the Shares to Japanese Shareholders.
 (D) Agent in Japan:
          Hamada & Matsumoto
          Kasumigaseki Building, 25th Floor
          2-5, Kasumigaseki 3-chome
          Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
          The foregoing law firm is the true and lawful agent
     of the Fund to represent and act for the Fund in Japan
     for the purpose of;
     (1)  the receipt of any and all communications, claims,
     actions, proceedings and processes as to matters
     involving problems under the laws and the rules and
     regulations of the JSDA and
     (2)  representation in and out of court in connection
     with any and all disputes, controversies or differences
     regarding the transactions relating to the public
     offering, sale and repurchase in Japan of the Shares of
     the Fund.
          The agent for the registration with the Japanese
     Minister of Finance of the initial public offering
     concerned as well as for the continuous disclosure is
     each of the following persons:
          Harume Nakano
          Ken Miura
          Attorneys-at-law
          Hamada & Matsumoto
          Kasumigaseki Building, 25th Floor
          2-5, Kasumigaseki, 3-chome
          Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
      (E) Jurisdiction:
          Limited only to litigation brought by Japanese
     investors regarding transactions relating to (D)(2)
     above, the Fund has agreed that the following court has
     jurisdiction over such litigation and the Japanese law is
     applicable thereto:
          Tokyo District Court
          1-4, Kasumigaseki 1-chome
          Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

5.
      5. Status of                                    
     the Invesment
         Portfolio
               (A)                                    
   Diversification
     of Investment
        Portfolio:
12                                  (As
 7                                   of
                                    the
                                    end
                                     of
                                  Janua
                                    ry,
                                  1998)
   Types of Assets  Name     Total  Inves
                  of       U.S.   tment
                  Countr  Dollars Ratio
                  y                 (%)
                                                      
   US Government    United          45.13               
  Obligations      States  1,404,5
                           22,244
   Corporate Bonds  United          30.89               
                  States  961,247
                             ,451
                   Canada           1.35               
                          42,110,
                              618
                   Chile            1.19               
                          36,978,
                              275
                   United           0.70               
                  Kingdo  21,815,
                  m           842
                   Norway           0.34               
                          10,500,
                              696
                   Denmar           0.27               
                  k       8,539,0
                               36
                   Israel           0.27               
                          8,403,5
                               97
                   China            0.26               
                          8,221,1
                               56
                   France           0.24               
                          7,565,8
                               70
                   Indone           0.23               
                  sia     7,295,7
                               50
                   Sweden           0.23               
                          7,217,4
                               97
                   Nether           0.20               
                  lands   6,139,3
                               50
                   Philip           0.13               
                  pines   3,924,2
                               95
                   India            0.08               
                          2,348,5
                               00
                   Finlan           0.05               
                  d       1,508,2
                               35
                   Luxemb           0.05               
                  ourg    1,477,6
                               00
                   Mexico           0.05               
                          1,466,1
                               25
                   Greece           0.03               
                          1,040,7
                               00
                   Bermud           0.02               
                  a       667,050
                   Austra           0.02               
                  lia     609,550
                   Irelan           0.01               
                  d       191,750
                   Switze           0.01               
                  rland   170,363
                   Poland           0.01               
                          166,500
                   Argent           0.01               
                  ina     162,200
                   Colomb           0.00               
                  ia      122,850
                   Brazil           0.00               
                           83,600
                   Ecuado           0.00               
                  r        51,000
                                                      
      Sub-total                   36.63               
                          1,140,0
                           25,456
   Foreign          France           3.61               
  Government              112,347
  Bonds                      ,702
                   South            1.88               
                  Africa  58,588,
                              781
                   United           1.84               
                  Kingdo  57,263,
                  m           154
                   German           1.56               
                  y       48,431,
                              014
                   Canada           0.88               
                          27,516,
                              534
                   Argent           0.70               
                  ina     21,834,
                              671
                   New              0.51               
                  Zealan  15,955,
                  d           913
                   Peru             0.42               
                          13,021,
                              400
                                                      
      Sub-total                   11.41               
                          354,959
                             ,169
   Short-term       United           6.10               
  (Repurchase      States  189,880
  Agreement)                 ,942
                   Turkey           0.53               
                          16,476,
                              103
                                                      
      Sub-total                    6.63               
                          206,357
                             ,045
   Collateralized   United           3.86               
  Mortgage         States  120,085
  Obligations                ,995
   Brady Bonds      Mexico           1.14               
                          35,409,
                            750
                   Philip           0.36               
                  pines   11,278,
                            900
                   Poland           0.01               
                          444,975
                   Argent           0.00               
                  ina       18
                                                      
      Sub-total                    1.51               
                          47,133,
                              643
   Preferred Stock  United           0.60               
                  States  18,740,
                            900
                   German           0.03               
                  y       909,500
                                                      
      Sub-total                    0.63               
                          19,650,
                              400
   Municiapal       United           0.27               
  Bonds            States  8,528,0
                            02
   Convertible      United           0.13               
  Bonds            States  4,110,7
                            19
                    United           0.06               
                  Kingdo  1,791,0
                  m         75
                                                      
      Sub-total                    0.19               
                          5,901,7
                               94
   Units            United           0.13               
                  States  4,044,3
                            75
                   United           0.01               
                  Kingdo  216,000
                  m
                                                      
      Sub-total                    0.14               
                          4,260,3
                               75
   Common stock     United           0.05               
                  States  1,458,0
                               28
   Convertible      United           0.01               
  Preferred        States  275,625
  Stocks
   Warrants         United           0.00               
                  States  73,592
                   Irelan           0.00               
                  d         9,100
                                                      
      Sub-total                    0.00               
                           82,692
   Cash, Deposit                    -6.47               
  and Other               (201,21
  Assets (After            0,980)
  deduction of
  liabilities)
        Total                     100.0               
                          3,112,0     0
                           29,488
        (Net Asset        #######                     
        Value)               ####
                                                      
                                                      
             Note:
        Investment
          ratio is
     calculated by
     dividing each
      asset at its
   market value by
     the total Net
             Asset                                    
      Value of the
   Fund.  The same
           applies
      hereinafter.
                                                      
                                                      






(B)  Results of Past Operations
 (1) Record of Changes in Net Assets (Class M Shares)
          Record of changes in net assets at the end of the
     following fiscal years and at the end of each month
     within one year prior to the end of January, 1998 is as
     follows:




(Note)    Operations of Class M Shares were commenced on
     December 14, 1994.

 (2)  Record of Distributions Paid


(Note)    Record of distribution paid from November 1996 to
     January 1998 are as follows:



(C)  Record of Sales and Repurchases
          Record of sales and repurchases during the following
fiscal years and number of outstanding Shares of the Fund as
of the end of such Fiscal Years are as follows:

                    Number of      Number of      Number of
                   Shares Sold      Shares       Outstanding
                                  Repurchased      Shares
    1st Fiscal     1,163,283         73,164    1,090,119
    Year                 (0)         (0)       (0)
    (12/14/94-
    10/31/95)
    2nd Fiscal     2,435,804         816,055   2,709,868
    Year                 (0)         (0)       (0)
    (11/1/95-
    10/31/96)
    3rd Fiscal    50,402,587                   51,801,067
    Year          (47,615,400)   1,311,388     (47,561,000)
    (11/1/96-                        (54,400)
    10/31/97)

Note:    The Shares were sold in Japan beginning August 27,
     1997.
                               
II. OUTLINE OF THE FUND

1.   Fund
(A)  Law of Place of Incorporation
          The Fund is a Massachusetts business trust organized
     in Massachusetts, U.S.A. on August 13, 1982 as the
     successor to The Putnam Income Fund, Inc., a
     Massachusetts corporation formed on October 13, 1954.
          Chapter 182 of the Massachusetts General Laws
     prescribes the fundamental matters in regard to the
     operations of certain business trusts constituting
     voluntary associations under that chapter.
          The Fund is an open-end, diversified management
     company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(B)  Outline of the Supervisory Authority
          Refer to I - l (B) Outline of the Supervisory
     Authority.
(C)  Purpose of the Fund
          The purpose of the Fund is to provide investors a
     managed investment primarily in securities, debt
     instruments and other instruments and rights of a
     financial character.
(D)  History of the Fund
                                   October 13, 1954:
                              Organization of the Fund as a
                              Massachusetts corporation.
                                   August 13, 1982:
                              Organization of the Fund as a
                              Massachusetts business trust.
                              Adoption of the Agreement and
                              Declaration of Trust.
                                   April 7, 1989:
                              Adoption of the Amended and
                              Restated Agreement and
                              Declaration of Trust.
(E)  Amount of Capital Stock
          Not applicable.
(F)  Structure of the management of the Fund
          The Trustees are responsible for generally
     overseeing the conduct of the Fund's business.  The
     Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that they
     shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry
     out that responsibility.  The number of Trustees is fixed
     by the Trustees and may not be less than three.  A
     Trustee may be elected either by the Trustees or by the
     shareholders.  At any meeting called for the purpose, a
     Trustee may be removed by vote of two-thirds of the
     outstanding shares of the Fund.  Each Trustee elected by
     the Trustees or the shareholders shall serve until he or
     she retires, resigns, is removed, or dies or until the
     next meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of
     electing Trustees and until the election and
     qualification of his or her successor.
          The Trustees of the Fund are authorized by the
     Agreement and Declaration of Trust to issue shares of the
     Fund in one or more series, each series being preferred
     over all other series in respect of the assets allocated
     to that series.  The Trustees may, without shareholder
     approval, divide the shares of any series into two or
     more classes, with such preferences and special or
     relative rights and privileges as the Trustees may
     determine.
          Under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust the
     shareholders shall have power, as and to the extent
     provided therein, to vote only (i) for the election of
     Trustees, to the extent provided therein (ii) for the
     removal of Trustees, to the extent provided therein (iii)
     with respect to any investment adviser, to the extent
     provided therein (iv) with respect to any termination of
     the Fund, to the extent provided therein (v) with respect
     to certain amendments of the Agreement and Declaration of
     Trust, (vi) to the same extent as the stockholders of a
     Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a
     court action, proceeding, or claim should or should not
     be brought or maintained derivatively or as a class
     action on behalf of the Fund or the shareholders, and
     (vii) with respect to such additional matters relating to
     the Fund as may be required by the Agreement and
     Declaration of Trust, the Bylaws of the Fund, or any
     registration of the Fund with the U.S. Securities and
     Exchange Commission (or any successor agency) or any
     state, or as the Trustees may consider necessary or
     desirable.  Certain of the foregoing actions may, in
     addition, be taken by the Trustees without vote of the
     shareholders of the Fund.
          On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders,
     all shares of the Fund then entitled to vote are voted in
     the aggregate as a single class without regard to series
     or classes of shares, except (1) when required by the
     Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or when the
     Trustees hall have determined that the matter affects one
     or more series or classes of shares materially
     differently, share are voted by individual series or
     class; and (2) when the Trustees have determined that the
     matter affects on the interests of one or more series or
     classes, then only shareholders of such series or classes
     are entitled to vote thereon.  There is no cumulative
     voting.
          Meetings of shareholders may be called by the Clerk
     whenever ordered by the Trustees, the Chairman of the
     Trustees, or requested in writing by the holder or
     holders of at least one-tenth of the outstanding shares
     entitled to vote at the meeting.  Written notice of any
     meeting of shareholders must be given by mailing the
     notice at least seven days before the meeting.  Thirty
     percent of shares entitled to vote on a particular matter
     is a quorum for the transaction of business on that
     matter at a shareholders' meeting, except that, where any
     provision of law or of the Agreement and Declaration of
     Trust permits or requires that holders of any series or
     class vote as an individual series or class, then thirty
     percent of the aggregate number of shares of that series
     or class entitled to vote are necessary to constitute a
     quorum for the transaction of business by that series or
     class.  For the purpose of determining the shareholders
     of any class or series of shares who are entitled to vote
     or act at any meeting, or who are entitled to receive
     payment of any dividend or other distribution, the
     Trustees are authorized to fix record dates, which may
     not be more then 90 days before the date of any meeting
     of shareholders or more than 60 days before the date of
     payment of any dividend or other distribution.
          The Trustees are authorized by the Agreement and
     Declaration of Trust to adopt Bylaws not inconsistent
     with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust providing for
     the conduct of the business of the Fund.  The Bylaws
     contemplate that the Trustees shall elect a Chairman of
     the Trustees, the President, the Treasurer, and the Clerk
     of the Fund, and that other officers, if any, may be
     elected or appointed by the Trustees at any time.  The
     Bylaws may be amended or repealed, in whole or in part,
     by a majority of the Trustees then in office at any
     meeting of the Trustees, or by one or more writings
     signed by such a majority.
          Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without
     call or notice at such places and at such times as the
     Trustees may from time to time determine.  It shall be
     sufficient notice to a Trustee of a special meeting to
     send notice by mail at least forty-eight hours or by
     telegram at least twenty-four hours before the meeting or
     to give notice to him or her in person or by telephone at
     least twenty-four hours before the meeting.
          At any meeting of Trustees, a majority of the
     Trustees then in office shall constitute a quorum.
     Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement and
     Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, any action to be taken by
     the Trustees may be taken by a majority of the Trustees
     present at a meeting (a quorum being present), or by
     written consents of a majority of the Trustees then in
     office.
          Subject to a favorable majority shareholder vote (as
     defined        in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust),
the
     Trustees may contract for exclusive or nonexclusive
     advisory and/or management services with any corporation,
     trust, association, or other organization.
          The Agreement and Declaration of Trust contains
     provisions for the indemnification of Trustees, officers,
     and shareholders of the Fund under the circumstances and
     on the terms specified therein.
          The Fund may be terminated at any time by vote of
     shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares
     entitled to vote or by the trustees by written notice to
     the shareholders.  Any series of shares may be terminated
     at any time by vote of shareholders holding at least two-
     thirds of the shares of such series entitled to vote or
     by the Trustees by written notice to the shareholders of
     such series.
          The foregoing is a general summary of certain
     provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and
     Bylaws of the Fund, and is qualified in its entirety by
     reference to each of those documents.
(G)  Information Concerning Major Shareholders
          Not applicable.
(H)  Information Concerning Directors, Officers and Employees
     (1) Trustees and Officers of the Fund             (as of
     the end of January, 1998)
                                                      Shares
Name           Office and    Resume                   Owned
               Title
George Putnam  Chairman and  present: Chairman and        0.0
               President           Director of
                                   Putnam Management
                                   and Putnam Mutual
                                   Funds Corp.
                                   Director, Marsh &
                                   McLennan
                                   Companies, Inc.
William F.     Vice          present: Professor of    27,718
Pounds         Chairman            Management,        .159
                                   Alfred P. Sloan
                                   School of
                                   Management,
                                   Massachusetts
                                   Institute of
                                   Technology
Jameson Adkins Trustee       present: President,      
Baxter                             Baxter             889.377
                                   Associates, Inc.
Hans H. Estin  Trustee       present: Vice Chairman,  
                                   North American     351.051
                                   Management Corp.
John A. Hill   Trustee       present: Chairman and    
                                   Managing           621.202
                                   Director, First
                                   Reserve
                                   Corporation
Ronald J.      Trustee       present: Former          
Jackson                            Chairman,          408.805
                                   President and
                                   Chief Executive
                                   Officer of Fisher-
                                   Price, Inc.,
                                   Trustee of Salem
                                   Hospital and the
                                   Peabody Essex
                                   Museum
Paul. L.       Trustee       present: Professor of    
Joskow                             Economics and      139.608
                                   Management,
                                   Massachusetts
                                   Institute of
                                   Technology,
                                   Director, New
                                   England Electric
                                   System, State
                                   Farm Indemnity
                                   Company and
                                   Whitehead
                                   Institute for
                                   Biomedical
                                   Research
Elizabeth T.   Trustee       present: President       
Kennan                             Emeritus and       236.358
                                   Professor, Mount
                                   Holyoke College
Lawrence J.    Trustee and   present: President,      
Lasser         Vice                Chief Executive    152.640
               President           Officer and
                                   Director of
                                   Putnam
                                   Investments, Inc.
                                   and the
                                   Investment
                                   Management
                                   Company
                                   Director, Marsh &
                                   McLennan
                                   Companies, Inc.
John H.        Trustee       present: Chairman and    
Mullin, III                        Chief Executive    710.956
                                   Officer of
                                   Ridgeway Farm,
                                   Director of ACX
                                   Technologies,
                                   Inc., Alex Brown
                                   Realty, Inc. and
                                   The Liberty
                                   Corporation
Robert E.      Trustee       present: President and   
Patterson                          Trustee of Cabot   987.692
                                   Industrial Trust
Donald S.      Trustee       present: Director of     
Perkins                            various            3,239.886
                                   corporations,
                                   including Cummins
                                   Engine Company,
                                   Lucent
                                   Technologies,
                                   Inc., Springs
                                   Industries, Inc.
                                   and Time Warner
                                   Inc.
George Putnam, Trustee       present: President, New  
III                                Generation         4,013.267
                                   Research, Inc.
A.J.C. Smith   Trustee       present: Chairman and    
                                   Chief Executive    228.300
                                   Officer, Marsh &
                                   McLennan
                                   Companies, Inc.
W. Thomas      Trustee       present: President and   
Stephens                           Chief Executive    103.233
                                   Officer of
                                   MacMillian
                                   Bloedel Ltd.,
                                   Director of Mail-
                                   well Inc., Qwest
                                   Communications,
                                   The Eagle Picher
                                   Trust and New
                                   Century Energies
W. Nicholas    Trustee       present: Director of     
Thorndike                          various            152.640
                                   corporations and
                                   charitable
                                   organizations,
                                   including Data
                                   General
                                   Corporation,
                                   Bradley Real
                                   Estate, Inc. and
                                   Providence
                                   Journal Co.
                                   Trustee of Cabot
                                   Industrial Trust,
                                   Massachusetts
                                   General Hospital
                                   and Eastern
                                   Utilities
                                   Associations
Charles E.     Executive     present: Managing            0
Porter         Vice                Director of
               President           Putnam
                                   Investments, Inc.
                                   and the
                                   Investment
                                   Management
                                   Company
Patricia C.    Senior Vice   present: Senior Vice         0
Flaherty       President           President of
                                   Putnam
                                   Investments, Inc.
                                   and the
                                   Investment
                                   Management
                                   Company
William N.     Vice          present: Director and        0
Shiebler       President           Senior Managing
                                   Director of
                                   Putnam
                                   Investments, Inc.
                                   President and
                                   Director of
                                   Putnam Mutual
                                   Funds
Gordon H.      Vice          present: Director and        0
Silver         President           Senior Managing
                                   Director of
                                   Putnam
                                   Investments, Inc.
                                   and the
                                   Investment
                                   Management
                                   Company
John D. Hughes Vice          present: Senior Vice         0
               President           President of the
               and                 Investment
               Treasurer           Management
                                   Company
Beverly Marcus Clerk and           N/A                    0
               Assistant
               Treasurer
Gary N. Coburn Vice          present: Senior              0
               President           Managing Director
                                   of Putnam
                                   Investments, Inc.
                                   and the
                                   Investment
                                   Management
                                   Company
John R. Verani Vice          present: Senior Vice         0
               President           President of
                                   Putnam
                                   Investment, Inc.
                                   and the
                                   Investment
                                   Management
                                   Company
Kenneth J.     Vice          present: Senior Vice         0
Taubes         President           President of
                                   Putnam
                                   Investments, Inc.
                                   and Putnam
                                   Management
Jeffrey J.     Vice          present: Senior Vice         0
Kobylarz       President           President of
                                   Putnam
                                   Management, Inc.
D. William     Vice          present: Managing            0
Kohli          President           Director of
                                   Putnam
                                   Management, Inc.
William J.     Vice          present: Managing            0
Curtin         President           Director of
                                   Putnam
                                   Investments, Inc.
                                   and the
                                   Investment
                                   Management
                                   Company
David L.       Vice          present: Managing            0
Waldman        President           Director of
                                   Putnam
                                   Management, Inc.

*    A trustee of the Fund on November 6, 1997 and therefore
     did not own any shares of the Fund as of September 30,
     1997.
     (2) Employees of the Fund
          The Fund does not have any employees.
(I)  Description of Business and Outline of Operation
          The Fund may carry out any administrative and
     managerial act, including the purchase, sale,
     subscription and exchange of any securities, and the
     exercise of all rights directly or indirectly pertaining
     to the Fund's assets.  The Fund has        retained Putnam
     Investment Management, Inc., the investment adviser, to
     render investment advisory services        and Putnam
Fiduciary
     Trust Company, to hold the assets of the Fund in custody
     and act as Investor Servicing Agent.
(J)  Miscellaneous
     (1)  Changes of Trustees and Officers
              Trustees may be removed or replaced by, among
          other things, a resolution adopted by a vote of two-
          thirds of the outstanding shares at a meeting called
          for the purpose.  In the event of vacancy, the
          remaining Trustees may fill such vacancy by
          appointing for the remaining term of the predecessor
          Trustee such other person as they in their
          discretion shall see fit.  The Trustees may add to
          their number as they consider appropriate.  The
          Trustees may elect and remove officers as they
          consider appropriate.
     (2)  Amendment to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust
              Generally, approval of shareholders is required
          to amend the Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
          except for certain matters such as change of name,
          curing any ambiguity or curing any defective or
          inconsistent provision.
     (3)  Litigation and Other Significant Events
              Nothing which has or which would have a material
          adverse effect on the Fund has occurred which has
          not been disclosed.  The fiscal year end of the Fund
          is October 31.  The Fund is established for an
          indefinite period and may be dissolved at any time
          by vote of the shareholders holding at least two-
          thirds of the shares entitled to vote or by the
          Trustees by written notice to shareholders.

2.   Putnam Investment Management, Inc. (Investment Management
     Company)
 (A) Law of Place of Incorporation
     Putnam is incorporated under the General Corporation Law
     of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, U.S.A.  Its
     investment advisory business is regulated under the
     Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

     Under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, an investment
     adviser means, with certain exceptions, any person who,
     for compensation, engages in the business of advising
     others, either directly or through publications or
     writings, as to the value of securities or as to the
     advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling
     securities, or who, for compensation and as part of a
     regular business, issues analyses or reports concerning
     securities.  Investment advisers under the Act may not
     conduct their business unless they are registered with
     the SEC.

(B)  Outline of the Supervisory Authority
     Investment Management Company is registered as an
     investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of
     1940.

(C) Purpose of the Company
     Investment Management Company's sole business is
     investment management, which includes the buying,
     selling, exchanging and trading of securities of all
     descriptions on behalf of mutual funds in any part of the
     world.

(D)  History of the Company
     Investment Management Company is one of America's oldest
     and largest money management firms.  Investment
     Management Company's staff of experienced portfolio
     managers and research analysts selects securities and
     constantly supervises the fund's portfolio.  By pooling
     an investor's money with that of other investors, a
     greater variety of securities can be purchased than would
     be the case individually: the resulting diversification
     helps reduce investment risk.  Investment Management
     Company has been managing mutual funds since 1937.
     Today, the firm serves as the Investment Management
     Company for the funds in the Putnam Family, with over
     $184 billion in assets and nearly 9 million shareholder
     accounts at the end of January, 1998.  An affiliate, The
     Putnam Advisory Company, Inc., manages domestic and
     foreign institutional accounts and mutual funds,
     including the accounts of many Fortune 500 companies.
     Another affiliate, Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company,
     provides investment advice to institutional clients under
     its banking and fiduciary powers as well as shareholder
     and custody services to the Putnam Funds.

     Putnam Investment Management Inc., Putnam Mutual Funds
     and Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company are subsidiaries of
     Putnam Investments, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Marsh
     & McLennan Companies, Inc., a publicly-owned holding
     company whose principal businesses are international
     insurance and reinsurance brokerage, employee benefit
     consulting and investment management.

(E)  Amount of Capital Stock  (as of the end of January, 1998)

     1.   Amount of Capital (issued capital stock at par
          value):
          Common Stock 1,000 shares at $1 par value
     
     2.   Number of authorized shares of capital stock:
          Common Stock 1,000 shares
     
     3.   Number of outstanding shares of capital stock:
          Common Stock 1,000 shares
     
     4.   Amount of capital (for the purposes of this Item,
          "Amount of Capital" means total stockholders' equity
          for the past five years:

                                    Amount of Capital
            Year                (Total Stockholders' Equity)

     End of 1992                    $42,618,341

     End of 1993                    $49,847,760

     End of 1994                    $48,149,491

     End of 1995                    $45,521,351

     End of 1996                    $45,817,658

     End of 1997                    $48,617,160

(F)  Structure of the Management of the Company
     Investment Management Company is ultimately managed by
     its Board of Directors, which is elected by its
     shareholders.

     Each fund managed by Investment Management Company is
     managed by one or more portfolio managers.  These
     managers, in coordination with analysts who research
     specific securities and other members of the relevant
     investment group (in the case of the Fund, Investment
     Management Company's Fixed Income Investments Group),
     provide a continuous investment program for the Fund and
     place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
     securities.

     The investment performance and portfolio of each Fund is
     overseen by its Board of Trustees, a majority of whom are
     not affiliated with Investment Management Company.  The
     Trustees meet 11 times a year and review the performance
     of each fund with its manager at least quarterly.

     In selecting portfolio securities for the Fund,
     Investment Management Company looks for securities that
     represent attractive values based on careful issue-by-
     issue credit analysis and hundreds of onsite visits and
     other contacts with issuers every year.  Investment
     Management Company is one of the largest managers of high
     yield and other debt securities in the United States.

     The following officer of Investment Management Company
     has had primary responsibility for the day-to-day
     management of the Fund's portfolio since the years stated
     below:
                              (as of the end of January, 1998)
     Names      Yea              Business Experience
                 r               (at least 5 years)
D. William      199  Employed as an investment professional by
Kohli           4    Investment Management Company since 1994.
Managing            Prior to September, 1994, Mr. Kohli was
Director            Executive Vice President and Co-Director of
                   Global Bond Management and, prior to
                   October, 1993, Senior Portfolio Manager at
                   Franklin Advisors/Templeton Investment
                   Counsel.
Jeffrey J.      199  Employed as an investment professional by
Kobylarz        8    Investment Management Company since May,
Senior Vice         1993.
President           Prior to May, 1993, Mr. Kobylarz was an
                   Assistant Vice President and analyst at Dean
                   Witter Intercapital.
Kenneth J.      199  Employed as an investment professional by
Taubes          3    Investment Management Company since 1991.
Senior Vice
President
                                                              
                (G)  Information Concerning Major Stockholders
           As of the end of January, 1998, all the outstanding
      shares of capital stock of Investment Management Company
      were owned by Putnam Investments, Inc.  See subsection D
                                                        above.
                                                              
            (H)  Information Concerning Officers and Employees
       The following table lists the names of various officers
      and directors of Investment Management Company and their
      respective positions with Investment Management Company.
     For each named individual, the table lists: (i) any other
          organizations (excluding other Investment Management
      Company's  funds) with which the officer and/or director
     has recently had or has substantial involvement; and (ii)
                        positions held with such organization:
                                                              
      List of Officers and Directors of Putnam Investment
                       Management, Inc.
                                          (       as of the end
of
                        January, 1998)
               Position with   
               Putnam          
     Name      Investment      Other Business Affiliation
               Management,
               Inc.
     Putnam,   Chairman        Chairman of Putnam Mutual
     George                    Funds Corp.
     Lasser,   President and   
     Lawrence  Director        
     J.
     Silver,   Director and    Putnam Fiduciary Trust
     Gordon H. Senior          Company
               Managing        Senior Administrative
               Director        Officer and Director of
                               Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     Burke,    Director and    Senior Managing Director of
     Robert W. Senior          Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
               Managing
               Director
     Coburn,   Senior          
     Gary N.   Managing
               Director
     Ferguson, Senior          
     Ian C.    Managing
               Director
     Spiegel,  Director and    Senior Managing Director of
     Steven    Senior          Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
               Managing
               Director
     Anderson, Managing        
     Blake E.  Director
     Bankart,  Managing        
     Alan J.   Director
     Bogan,    Managing        
     Thomas    Director
     Browchuk, Managing        
     Brett     Director
     Collman,  Managing        Managing Director of Putnam
     Kathleen  Director        Mutual Funds Corp.
     M.
     Curtin,   Managing        
     William   Director
     J.
     
     D'Alelio, Managing        
     Edward H. Director
     DeTore,   Managing        Managing Director of Putnam
     John A.   Director        Fiduciary Trust Company
     Durgarian Managing        Director and Managing
     , Karnig  Director        Director of Putnam Fiduciary
     H.                        Trust Company
     Erickson, Managing        
     James E.  Director
     Esteves,  Senior          
     Irene M.  Managing
               Director
     Hurley,   Managing        Managing Director of Putnam
     William   Director        Mutual Funds Corp.
     J.
     Jacobs,   Managing        
     Jerome J. Director
     Kearney,  Managing        Managing Director of Putnam
     Mary E.   Director        Mutual Funds Corp.
     Kohli, D. Managing        
     William   Director
     Kreisel,  Managing        
     Anthony   Director
     I.
     Landes,   Managing        
     William   Director
     J.
     Maloney,  Managing        
     Kevin J.  Director
     Martino,  Managing        
     Michael   Director
     Maxwell,  Managing        
     Scott M.  Director
     McGue,    Managing        
     William   Director
     F.
     McMullen, Managing        
     Carol C.  Director
     Miller,   Managing        
     Daniel L. Director
     Morgan    Managing        Managing Director of Putnam
     Jr., John Director        Fiduciary Trust Company
     J.
     O'Donnell Managing        
     Jr., C.   Director
     Patrick
     Peacher,  Managing        
     Stephen   Director
     C.
     Porter,   Managing        
     Charles   Director
     E.
     Reilly,   Managing        
     Thomas V. Director
     Scott,    Managing        Managing Director of Putnam
     Justin M. Director        Fiduciary Trust Company
     Schultz,  Managing        
     Mitchell  Director
     D.
     Talanian, Managing        Managing Director of Putnam
     John C.   Director        Mutual Funds Corp.
     Woolverto Managing        Managing Director of Putnam
     n,        Director        Mutual Funds Corp.
     William
     H.
     Asher,    Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Steven E. President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     Baumback, Senior Vice     
     Robert K. President
     Beck,     Senior Vice     
     Robert R. President
     Bousa,    Senior Vice     
     Edward P. President
     Bresnahan Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     , Leslee  President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     R.
     Burns,    Senior Vice     
     Cheryl A. President
     Cassaro,  Managing        
     Joseph A. Director
     Chapman,  Senior Vice     
     Susan     President
     Cotner,   Senior Vice     
     Beth C.   President
     Curran,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     J. Peter  President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     Dalferro, Senior Vice     
     John R.   President
     Daly,     Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Kenneth   President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     L.
     Derbyshir Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     e, Ralph  President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     C.
     England,  Senior Vice     
     Richard   President
     B.
     Fitzgeral Senior Vice     
     d,        President
     Michael
     T.
     Flaherty, Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Patricia  President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     C.
     Francis,  Senior Vice     
     Jonathan  President
     H.
     Frucci,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Richard   President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
     M.                        Company
     Fullerton Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     , Brian   President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     J.
     Gillis,   Managing        
     Roland    Director
     Grant, J. Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Peter     President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
                               Company
     Grim,     Senior Vice     
     Daniel J. President
     Haagensen Senior Vice     
     , Paul E. President
     Halperin, Senior Vice     
     Matthew   President
     C.
     Han,      Senior Vice     
     Billy P.  President
     Healey,   Senior Vice     
     Deborah   President
     R.
     Joseph,   Senior Vice     
     Joseph P. President
     Joyce,    Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Kevin M.  President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     Kamshad,  Senior Vice     
     Omid      President
     Kay,      Senior Vice     Clerk, Director and Senior
     Karen R.  President       Vice President of Putnam
                               Fiduciary Trust Company
     King,     Managing        
     David L.  Director
     Kirson,   Senior Vice     
     Steven L. President
     Leichter, Senior Vice     
     Jennifer  President
     E.
     Lindsey,  Senior Vice     
     Jeffrey   President
     R.
     Lukens,   Senior Vice     
     James W.  President
     Manning,  Senior Vice     
     Howard K. President
     Matteis,  Senior Vice     
     Andrew S. President
     McAuley,  Senior Vice     
     Alexander President
     J.
     McDonald, Senior Vice     
     Richard   President
     E.
     Meehan,   Senior Vice     
     Thalia    President
     Mikami,   Senior Vice     
     Darryl    President
     Mockard,  Senior Vice     
     Jeanne L. President
     Morgan,   Senior Vice     
     Kelly A.  President
     Mufson,   Senior Vice     
     Michael   President
     J.
     Mullin,   Senior Vice     
     Hugh H.   President
     Netols,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Jeffrey   President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
     W.                        Company
     Nguyen,   Senior Vice     
     Triet M.  President
     Paine,    Senior Vice     
     Robert M. President
     Pohl,     Senior Vice     
     Charles   President
     G.
     Pollard,  Senior Vice     
     Mark D.   President
     Quinton,  Senior Vice     
     Keith P.  President
     Ray,      Senior Vice     
     Christoph President
     er A.
     Reeves,   Senior Vice     
     William   President
     H.
     Regan,    Senior          
     Anthony   Managing
     W.        Director
     Rosalanko Senior Vice     
     , Thomas  President
     J.
     Ruys de   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Perez,    President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
     Charles                   Company
     A.
     Schwister Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     , Jay E.  President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
                               Company
     Senter,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Max S.    President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
                               Company
     Simon,    Senior Vice     
     Sheldon   President
     N.
     Smith     Senior Vice     
     Jr., Leo  President
     J.
     Smith,    Senior Vice     
     Margaret  President
     D.
     Storkerso Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     n, John   President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
     K.                        Company
     Strumpf,  Senior Vice     
     Casey     President
     Sullivan, Senior Vice     
     Roger R.  President
     Swanberg, Senior Vice     
     Charles   President
     H.
     Swift,    Senior Vice     
     Robert    President
     Taubes,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Kenneth   President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
     J.                        Company
     Thomas,   Senior Vice     
     David K.  President
     Thomsen,  Managing        Managing Director of Putnam
     Rosemary  Director        Fiduciary Trust Company
     H.
     Tibbetts, Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Richard   President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     B.
     Till,     Senior Vice     
     Hilary F. President
     Van       Senior Vice     
     Vleet,    President
     Charles
     C.
     Verani,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     John R.   President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
                               Company
     Weinstein Senior Vice     
     , Michael President
     R.
     Weiss,    Senior Vice     
     Man       President
     vuel
     Schultz,  Senior Vice     
     Mitchell  President
     D.
     Wheeler,  Senior Vice     
     Diane     President
     D.F.
     Wyke,     Senior Vice     
     Richard   President
     P.
     Zukowski, Senior Vice     
     Gerald S. President
     Haslett,  Managing        
     Thomas R. Director
     Zieff,    Managing        
     William   Director
     Svensson, Senior Vice     
     Lisa A.   President
     Waldman,  Managing        
     David L.  Director
     Atkin,    Senior Vice     
     Michael   President
     J.
     Bakshi,   Senior Vice     
     Manjit S. President
     Bamford,  Senior Vice     
     Dolores   President
     Snyder
     Cronin,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Kevin M.  President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
                               Company
     Holding,  Senior Vice     
     Pamela    President
     Kobylarz, Senior Vice     
     Jeffrey,  President
     J.
     Koontz,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Jill A.   President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     Korn,     Senior Vice     
     Karen A.  President
     Kuenstner Senior Vice     
     , Deborah President
     F.
     Madore,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Robert A. President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
                               Company
     Malloy,   Senior Vice     
     Julie M.  President
     Minn,     Senior Vice     
     Seung, H. President
     Oler,     Senior Vice     
     Stephen   President
     S.
     Perry,    Senior Vice     
     William   President
     Peters,   Senior Vice     
     Carmel    President
     Santos,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     David J.  President       Putnam Fiduciary Trust
                               Company
     Scordato, Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Christine President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     A.
     Silk,     Senior Vice     
     David M.  President
     Stairs,   Senior Vice     
     George W. President
     Troped,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Bonnie L. President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     Whalen,   Senior Vice     Senior Vice President of
     Edward F. President       Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
     Yogg,     Senior Vice     
     Michael   President
     R.
                               
     (I)  Summary of Business Lines and Business Operation
      Investment Management Company is engaged in the business
       of providing investment management and investment
   advisory services to mutual funds.  As of Junethe end of
     January, 1998, Investment Management Company managed,
    advised, and/or administered the following 99101 funds
   and fund portfolios (having an aggregate net asset value
             of approximately $100184.53 billion):
                               
                               
                                                       (As
                                                        of
                                                       the
                                                       end
                                                        of
                                                     Janua
                                                       ry,
                                                     1998)
           Name            Month/Da Principa  Total  Net
                           te/Year      l      Net  Asset
                           Establis Characte  Asset Value
                             hed     ristics  Value  per
                                               ($   share
                                             million ($)
                                                )
                                                                  
     
The George Putnam Fund of  11/5/37  Open/Equ  3,045.5  18.03      
       
Boston; A                           ity
The George Putnam Fund of  4/24/92  Open/Equ  1,057.8  17.89      
       
Boston; B                           ity
The George Putnam Fund of  12/1/94  Open/Equ   244.7  17.89       
      
Boston; M                           ity
The George Putnam Fund of   1/1/94  Open/Equ   422.8  18.06       
      
Boston; Y                           ity
Putnam Arizona Tax Exempt  1/30/91  Open/Bon   122.7   9.36       
      
Income Fund; A                      d
Putnam Arizona Tax Exempt  7/15/93  Open/Bon    30.6   9.35       
      
Income Fund; B                      d
Putnam Arizona Tax Exempt   7/3/95  Open/Bon     0.5   9.38       
      
Income Fund; M                      d
Putnam American Government  3/1/85  Open/Bon  1,527.8   8.87      
       
Income Fund; A                      d
Putnam American Government 5/20/94  Open/Bon    36.1   8.84       
      
Income Fund; B                      d
Putnam American Government 2/14/95  Open/Bon     1.5   8.88       
      
Income Fund; M                      d
Putnam Asia Pacific Growth 2/20/91  Open/Equ   458.3  11.09       
      
Fund; A                             ity
Putnam Asia Pacific Growth  6/1/93  Open/Equ   144.4  10.95       
      
Fund; B                             ity
Putnam Asia Pacific Growth  2/1/95  Open/Equ     7.7  11.06       
      
Fund; M                             ity
Putnam Asset Allocation:    2/7/94  Open/Bal   796.4  11.12       
      
Balanced Portfolio; A               anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:   2/11/94  Open/Bal   454.7  11.06       
      
Balanced Portfolio; B               anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:    9/1/94  Open/Bal    78.6  11.01       
      
Balanced Portfolio; C               anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:    2/6/95  Open/Bal    49.9  11.10       
      
Balanced Portfolio; M               anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:   7/14/94  Open/Bal   228.1  11.12       
      
Balanced Portfolio; Y               anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:    2/7/94  Open/Bal   342.8  10.03       
      
Conservative Portfolio; A           anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:   2/18/94  Open/Bal   146.4  10.00       
      
Conservative Portfolio; B           anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:    9/1/94  Open/Bal    33.2   9.97       
      
Conservative Portfolio; C           anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:    2/7/95  Open/Bal    14.0  10.00       
      
Conservative Portfolio; M           anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:   7/14/94  Open/Bal    19.7  10.04       
      
Conservative Portfolio; Y           anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:    2/8/94  Open/Bal   544.3  12.19       
      
Growth Portfolio; A                 anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:   2/16/94  Open/Bal   367.6  12.08       
      
Growth Portfolio; B                 anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:    9/1/94  Open/Bal    77.3  11.98       
      
Growth Portfolio; C                 anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:    2/1/95  Open/Bal    40.5  12.08       
      
Growth Portfolio; M                 anced
Putnam Asset Allocation:   7/14/94  Open/Bal   219.8  12.26       
      
Growth Portfolio; Y                 anced
Putnam Balanced Retirement 4/19/85  Open/Bal   607.3  10.91       
      
Fund; A                             anced
Putnam Balanced Retirement  2/1/94  Open/Bal    98.5  10.82       
      
Fund; B                             anced
Putnam Balanced Retirement 3/17/95  Open/Bal     9.1  10.86       
      
Fund; M                             anced
Putnam California Tax      4/29/83  Open/Bon  3,109.6   8.82      
       
Exempt Income Fund; A               d
Putnam California Tax       1/4/93  Open/Bon   599.6   8.81       
      
Exempt Income Fund; B               d
Putnam California Tax      2/14/95  Open/Bon    13.2   8.81       
      
Exempt Income Fund; M               d
Putnam VT Asia Pacific      5/1/95  Open/Equ   109.4   9.10       
      
Growth Fund                         ity
Putnam VT Diversified      9/15/93  Open/Bon   666.9  12.61       
      
Income Fund                         d
Putnam VT Global Growth     5/1/90  Open/Equ  1,609.2  18.51      
       
Fund                                ity
Putnam VT  Global Asset     2/1/88  Open/Bal   953.3  18.79       
      
Allocation Fund                     anced
Putnam VT Growth and        2/1/88  Open/Bal  8,402.2  28.42      
       
Income Fund                         anced
Putnam VT High Yield Fund   2/1/88  Open/Bon  1,083.4  13.84      
       
                                   d
Putnam VT Money Market      2/1/88  Open/Bon   384.5   1.00       
      
Fund                                d
Putnam VT New               5/2/94  Open/Equ  2,610.3  21.17      
       
Opportunities Fund                  ity
Putnam VT U.S. Government   2/1/88  Open/Bon   804.9  13.58       
      
and High Quality Bond Fund          d
Putnam VT Utilities Growth  5/1/92  Open/Bal   818.9  16.88       
      
and Income Fund                     anced
Putnam VT Voyager Fund      2/1/88  Open/Equ  4,544.5  39.00      
       
                                   ity
Putnam Capital              8/5/93  Open/Equ  1,110.2  21.37      
       
Appreciation Fund; A                ity
Putnam Capital             11/2/94  Open/Equ  1,200.1  21.16      
       
Appreciation Fund; B                ity
Putnam Capital             1/22/96  Open/Equ    93.2  21.19       
      
Appreciation Fund; M                ity
Putnam Convertible Income- 6/29/72  Open/Bal  1,192.2  21.30      
       
Growth Trust; A                     anced
Putnam Convertible Income- 7/15/93  Open/Bal   272.1  21.08       
      
Growth Trust; B                     anced
Putnam Convertible Income- 3/13/95  Open/Bal    16.3  21.15       
      
Growth Trust; M                     anced
Putnam Diversified Equity   7/1/94  Open/Equ   247.0  12.19       
      
Trust; A                            ity
Putnam Diversified Equity   7/2/94  Open/Equ   305.3  12.09       
      
Trust; B                            ity
Putnam Diversified Equity   7/3/95  Open/Equ    23.6  12.12       
      
Trust; M                            ity
Putnam Diversified Income  10/3/88  Open/Bon  2,090.7  12.65      
       
Trust; A                            d
Putnam Diversified Income   3/1/93  Open/Bon  2,356.3  12.60      
       
Trust; B                            d
Putnam Diversified Income  12/1/94  Open/Bon   862.3  12.61       
      
Trust; M                            d
Putnam Diversified Income  7/11/96  Open/Bon    22.5  12.65       
      
Trust ; Y                           d
Putnam Equity Income Fund; 6/15/77  Open/Bal   911.6  15.47       
      
A                                   anced
Putnam Equity Income Fund; 9/13/93  Open/Bal   497.7  15.38       
      
B                                   anced
Putnam Equity Income Fund; 12/2/94  Open/Bal    53.1  15.39       
      
M                                   anced
Putnam Europe Growth Fund;  9/7/90  Open/Equ   440.6  18.91       
      
A                                   ity
Putnam Europe Growth Fund;  2/1/94  Open/Equ   348.4  18.52       
      
B                                   ity
Putnam Europe Growth Fund; 12/1/94  Open/Equ    20.9  18.82       
      
M                                   ity
Putnam Florida Tax Exempt  8/24/90  Open/Bon   242.1   9.52       
      
Income Fund; A                      d
Putnam Florida Tax Exempt   1/4/93  Open/Bon    69.7   9.51       
      
Income Fund; B                      d
Putnam Florida Tax Exempt   5/1/95  Open/Bon     1.6   9.51       
      
Income Fund; M                      d
Putnam High Quality Bond    6/2/86  Open/Bon   340.7  10.22       
      
Fund; A                             d
Putnam High Quality Bond    6/6/94  Open/Bon    12.9  10.18       
      
Fund; B                             d
Putnam High Quality Bond   4/12/95  Open/Bon     1.2  10.22       
      
Fund; M                             d
Putnam Global Governmental  6/1/87  Open/Bon   294.0  13.35       
      
Income Trust; A                     d
Putnam Global Governmental  2/1/94  Open/Bon    40.6  13.32       
      
Income Trust; B                     d
Putnam Global Governmental 3/17/95  Open/Bon   239.8  13.29       
      
Income Trust; M                     d
Putnam Global Growth Fund;  9/1/67  Open/Equ  2,292.9  10.04      
       
A                                   ity
Putnam Global Growth Fund; 4/27/92  Open/Equ  1,679.4   9.71      
       
B                                   ity
Putnam Global Growth Fund;  3/1/95  Open/Equ    44.7   9.98       
      
M                                   ity
Putnam Global Growth Fund; 6/15/94  Open/Equ    49.1  10.19       
      
Y                                   ity
Putnam Growth and Income    1/5/95  Open/Bal  1,089.8  13.73      
       
Fund II; A                          anced
Putnam Growth and Income    1/5/95  Open/Bal  1,298.4  13.64      
       
Fund II; B                          anced
Putnam Growth and Income    1/5/95  Open/Bal   155.5  13.68       
      
Fund II; M                          anced
The Putnam Fund for Growth 11/6/57  Open/Bal  17,582.  19.60      
       
and Income; A                       anced          3
The Putnam Fund for Growth 4/27/92  Open/Bal  14,582.  19.36      
       
and Income; B                       anced          3
The Putnam Fund for Growth  5/1/95  Open/Bal   379.9  19.49       
      
and Income; M                       anced
The Putnam Fund for Growth 6/15/94  Open/Bal   757.8  19.63       
      
and Income; Y                       anced
Putnam High Yield          3/25/86  Open/Bon  1,577.7   9.99      
       
Advantage Fund; A                   d
Putnam High Yield          5/16/94  Open/Bon  1,337.1   9.98      
       
Advantage Fund; B                   d
Putnam High Yield          12/1/94  Open/Bon  2,167.8  10.03      
       
Advantage Fund; M                   d
Putnam High Yield Trust; A 2/14/78  Open/Bon  3,320.9  13.14      
       
                                   d
Putnam High Yield Trust; B  3/1/93  Open/Bon  1,239.4  13.09      
       
                                   d
Putnam High Yield Trust; M  7/3/95  Open/Bon    23.7  13.13       
      
                                   d
Putnam Health Sciences     5/28/82  Open/Equ  2,018.5  56.64      
       
Trust; A                            ity
Putnam Health Sciences      3/1/93  Open/Equ   806.6  55.02       
      
Trust; B                            ity
Putnam Health Sciences      7/3/95  Open/Equ    35.9  56.14       
      
Trust; M                            ity
Putnam Income Fund; A      11/1/54  Open/Bon  1,380.9   7.15      
       
                                   d
Putnam Income Fund; B       3/1/93  Open/Bon   426.6   7.11       
      
                                   d
Putnam Income Fund; M      12/14/94 Open/Bon  1,094.8   7.11      
       
                                   d
Putnam Income Fund; Y      2/12/94  Open/Bon   208.0   7.15       
      
                                   d
Putnam Intermediate U.S.   2/16/93  Open/Bon   137.3   4.95       
      
Government Income Fund; A           d
Putnam Intermediate U.S.   2/16/93  Open/Bon    70.9   4.96       
      
Government Income Fund; B           d
Putnam Intermediate U.S.    4/3/95  Open/Bon     7.2   4.96       
      
Government Income Fund; M           d
Putnam International New    1/3/95  Open/Equ   718.0  11.04       
      
Opportunities Fund; A               ity
Putnam International New   7/21/95  Open/Equ   904.9  10.88       
      
Opportunities Fund; B               ity
Putnam International New   7/21/95  Open/Equ    74.6  10.95       
      
Opportunities Fund; M               ity
Putnam Investors Fund; A   12/1/25  Open/Equ  2,109.8  11.36      
       
                                   ity
Putnam Investors Fund; B    3/1/93  Open/Equ   419.9  10.98       
      
                                   ity
Putnam Investors Fund; M   12/2/94  Open/Equ    44.9  11.22       
      
                                   ity
Putnam Investors Fund; Y   11/30/96 Open/Equ   100.7  11.36       
      
                                   ity
Putnam Massachusetts Tax   10/23/89 Open/Bon   293.5   9.68       
      
Exempt Income Fund; A               d
Putnam Massachusetts Tax   7/15/93  Open/Bon   101.5   9.67       
      
Exempt Income Fund; B               d
Putnam Massachusetts Tax   5/12/95  Open/Bon     2.3   9.67       
      
Exempt Income Fund; M               d
Putnam Michigan Tax Exempt 10/23/89 Open/Bon   145.8   9.42       
      
Income Fund; A                      d
Putnam Michigan Tax Exempt 7/15/93  Open/Bon    39.3   9.40       
      
Income Fund; B                      d
Putnam Michigan Tax Exempt 4/17/95  Open/Bon     1.5   9.41       
      
Income Fund; M                      d
Putnam Minnesota Tax       10/23/89 Open/Bon   104.5   9.24       
      
Exempt Income Fund; A               d
Putnam Minnesota Tax       7/15/93  Open/Bon    41.2   9.21       
      
Exempt Income Fund; B               d
Putnam Minnesota Tax        4/3/95  Open/Bon     1.7   9.24       
      
Exempt Income Fund; M               d
Putnam Money Market Fund;  10/1/76  Open/Bon  2,057.9   1.00      
       
A                                   d
Putnam Money Market Fund;  4/27/92  Open/Bon   408.9   1.00       
      
B                                   d
Putnam Money Market Fund;  12/8/94  Open/Bon    57.5   1.00       
      
M                                   d
Putnam Municipal Income    5/22/89  Open/Bon   825.3   9.37       
      
Fund; A                             d
Putnam Municipal Income     1/4/93  Open/Bon   502.6   9.36       
      
Fund; B                             d
Putnam Municipal Income    12/1/94  Open/Bon    15.0   9.36       
      
Fund; M                             d
Putnam New Jersey Tax      2/20/90  Open/Bon   227.0   9.40       
      
Exempt Income Fund; A               d
Putnam New Jersey Tax       1/4/93  Open/Bon    93.0   9.39       
      
Exempt Income Fund; B               d
Putnam New Jersey Tax       5/1/95  Open/Bon     1.0   9.40       
      
Exempt Income Fund; M               d
Putnam New York Tax Exempt  9/2/83  Open/Bon  1,735.5   9.08      
       
Income Fund; A                      d
Putnam New York Tax Exempt  1/4/93  Open/Bon   231.6   9.07       
      
Income Fund; B                      d
Putnam New York Tax Exempt 4/10/95  Open/Bon     2.2   9.08       
      
Income Fund; M                      d
Putnam New York Tax Exempt 11/7/90  Open/Bon   167.2   9.21       
      
Opportunities Fund; A               d
Putnam New York Tax Exempt  2/1/94  Open/Bon    61.5   9.20       
      
Opportunities Fund; B               d
Putnam New York Tax Exempt 2/10/95  Open/Bon     2.4   9.20       
      
Opportunities Fund; M               d
Putnam Global Natural      7/24/80  Open/Equ   215.7  19.29       
      
Resources Fund; A                   ity
Putnam Global Natural       2/1/94  Open/Equ    11.2  19.29       
      
Resources Fund; B                   ity
Putnam Global Natural       7/3/95  Open/Equ     7.8  19.20       
      
Resources Fund; M                   ity
Putnam New Opportunities   8/31/90  Open/Equ  8,424.3  48.51      
       
Fund; A                             ity
Putnam New Opportunities    3/1/93  Open/Equ  6,856.2  46.75      
       
Fund; B                             ity
Putnam New Opportunities   12/1/94  Open/Equ   378.0  47.75       
      
Fund; M                             ity
Putnam New Opportunities   7/19/94  Open/Equ   327.7  48.97       
      
Fund; Y                             ity
Putnam Ohio Tax Exempt     10/23/89 Open/Bon   185.6   9.33       
      
Income Fund; A                      d
Putnam Ohio Tax Exempt     7/15/93  Open/Bon    51.9   9.32       
      
Income Fund; B                      d
Putnam Ohio Tax Exempt      4/3/95  Open/Bon     1.7   9.33       
      
Income Fund; M                      d
Putnam OTC & Emerging      11/1/82  Open/Equ  2,268.2  16.06      
       
Growth Fund; A                      ity
Putnam OTC & Emerging      7/15/93  Open/Equ  1,152.6  15.43      
       
Growth Fund; B                      ity
Putnam OTC & Emerging      12/2/94  Open/Equ   198.9  15.77       
      
Growth Fund; M                      ity
Putnam OTC & Emerging      7/12/96  Open/Equ    96.0  16.14       
      
Growth Fund; Y                      ity
Putnam International       2/28/91  Open/Equ  1,181.1  16.67      
       
Growth Fund; A                      ity
Putnam International        6/1/94  Open/Equ   798.8  16.41       
      
Growth Fund; B                      ity
Putnam International       12/1/94  Open/Equ    95.6  16.58       
      
Growth Fund; M                      ity
Putnam International       7/12/96  Open/Equ   103.3  16.70       
      
Growth Fund; Y                      ity
Putnam Pennsylvania Tax    7/21/89  Open/Bon   190.6   9.53       
      
Exempt Income Fund; A               d
Putnam Pennsylvania Tax    7/15/93  Open/Bon    86.7   9.52       
      
Exempt Income Fund; B               d
Putnam Pennsylvania Tax     7/3/95  Open/Bon     1.4   9.54       
      
Exempt Income Fund; M               d
Putnam Preferred Income     1/4/84  Open/Bon   120.0   9.15       
      
Fund; A                             d
Putnam Preferred Income    4/20/95  Open/Bon     8.4   9.13       
      
Fund; M                             d
Putnam Tax - Free Income   9/20/93  Open/Bon   228.0  15.59       
      
Trust                               d
Tax - Free High Yield
Fund; A
Putnam Tax - Free Income    9/9/85  Open/Bon   337.8  15.61       
      
Trust                               d
Tax - Free High Yield Fund
B
Putnam Tax - Free Income   12/29/94 Open/Bon     1.7  15.59       
      
Trust                               d
Tax - Free High Yield Fund
M
Putnam Tax - Free Income   9/30/93  Open/Bon   637.7  14.75       
      
Trust                               d
Tax - Free Insured Fund; A
Putnam Tax - Free Income    9/9/85  Open/Bon  1,393.5  14.75      
       
Trust                               d
Tax - Free Insured Fund; B
Putnam Tax - Free Income    6/1/95  Open/Bon    18.1  14.74       
      
Trust                               d
Tax - Free Insured Fund; M
Putnam Tax Exempt Income   12/31/76 Open/Bon  2,050.7   9.29      
       
Fund; A                             d
Putnam Tax Exempt Income    1/4/93  Open/Bon   252.6   9.28       
      
Fund; B                             d
Putnam Tax Exempt Income   2/16/95  Open/Bon     9.4   9.30       
      
Fund; M                             d
Putnam Tax Exempt Money    10/26/87 Open/Bon    84.1   1.00       
      
Market Fund                         d
Putnam U.S. Government      2/8/84  Open/Bon  2,235.6  13.16      
       
Income Trust; A                     d
Putnam U.S. Government     4/27/92  Open/Bon  1,280.7  13.10      
       
Income Trust; B                     d
Putnam U.S. Government      2/6/95  Open/Bon   158.2  13.13       
      
Income Trust; M                     d
Putnam U.S. Government     4/11/94  Open/Bon     5.2  13.14       
      
Income Trust; Y                     d
Putnam Utilities Growth    11/19/90 Open/Bal   724.7  12.74       
      
and Income Fund; A                  anced
Putnam Utilities Growth    4/27/92  Open/Bal   728.6  12.67       
      
and Income Fund; B                  anced
Putnam Utilities Growth     3/1/95  Open/Bal    12.2  12.73       
      
and Income Fund; M                  anced
Putnam Vista Fund; A        6/3/68  Open/Equ  2,722.2  11.50      
       
                                   ity
Putnam Vista Fund; B        3/1/93  Open/Equ  1,301.7  11.03      
       
                                   ity
Putnam Vista Fund; M       12/1/94  Open/Equ   105.2  11.30       
      
                                   ity
Putnam Vista Fund; Y       3/28/95  Open/Equ   243.3  11.62       
      
                                   ity
Putnam Voyager Fund II; A  4/14/93  Open/Equ   533.7  18.93       
      
                                   ity
Putnam Voyager Fund II; B  10/2/95  Open/Equ   496.8  18.60       
      
                                   ity
Putnam Voyager Fund II; M  10/2/95  Open/Equ    59.6  18.73       
      
                                   ity
Putnam Voyager Fund; A      4/1/96  Open/Equ  11,793.  19.01      
       
                                   ity            8
Putnam Voyager Fund; B     4/27/92  Open/Equ  6,211.4  17.99      
       
                                   ity
Putnam Voyager Fund; M     12/1/94  Open/Equ   270.9  18.68       
  
                                   ity
Putnam Voyager Fund; Y      4/1/94  Open/Equ  1,256.8  19.26      
   
                                   ity
Putnam California          11/27/92 Closed/B    90.1  19.56       
      
Investment Grade Municipal          ond
Trust
Putnam Convertible         6/29/95  Closed/B   100.2  27.05       
      
Opportunities and Income            ond
Trust
Putnam Dividend Income     9/28/89  Closed/B   128.2  11.85       
      
Fund                                ond
Putnam High Income          7/9/87  Closed/B   133.3   9.91       
      
Convertible and Bond Fund           ond
Putnam Investment Grade    10/26/89 Closed/B   392.7  18.99       
      
Municipal Trust                     ond
Putnam Investment Grade    11/27/92 Closed/B   278.1  20.82       
      
Municipal Trust II                  ond
Putnam Investment Grade    11/29/93 Closed/B    71.1  17.76       
      
Municipal Trust III                 ond
Putnam Managed High Yield  6/25/93  Closed/B   111.8  14.89       
      
Trust                               ond
Putnam Managed Municipal   2/24/89  Closed/B   635.8  13.84       
      
Income Trust                        ond
Putnam Master Income Trust 12/28/87 Closed/B   492.6   9.28       
      
                                   ond
Putnam Master Intermediate 4/29/88  Closed/B   863.2   8.63       
      
Income Trust                        ond
Putnam Municipal           5/28/93  Closed/B   358.0  22.16       
      
Opportunities Trust                 ond
Putnam New York Investment 11/27/92 Closed/B    52.5  18.45       
      
Grade Municipal Trust               ond
Putnam Premier Income      2/29/88  Closed/B  1,314.4   9.37      
       
Trust                               ond
Putnam Tax - Free Heath    6/29/92  Closed/B   215.4  15.60       
      
Care Fund                           ond
Putnam Growth              10/2/95  Open/Equ   110.0  13.66       
      
Opportunities Fund; A               ity
Putnam Growth               8/1/97  Open       109.0  13.62       
      
Opportunities Fund; B
Putnam Growth               8/1/97  Open       10.00  13.63       
      
Opportunities Fund; M
Putnam Strategic Income    2/19/95  Open/Bon    52.5   8.66       
      
Fund; A                             d
Putnam Strategic Income    2/19/96  Open/Bon    77.7   8.66       
      
Fund; B                             d
Putnam Strategic Income    2/19/96  Open/Bon     8.6   8.67       
      
Fund; M                             d
Putnam High Yield Total     1/1/97  Open/Bon    15.9   8.90       
      
Return Fund; A                      d
Putnam High Yield Total     1/1/97  Open/Bon    19.3   8.80       
      
Return Fund; B                      d
Putnam High Yield Total     1/1/97  Open/Bon     2.0   8.81       
      
Return Fund; M                      d
Putnam VT International     1/1/97  Open/Bal   211.0  11.52       
      
Growth and Income                   anced
Putnam VT International     1/1/97  Open/Equ   106.1   9.88       
      
New Opportunities Fund              ity
Putnam VT International     1/1/97  Open/Equ   159.0  11.44       
      
Growth Fund                         ity
Putnam Balanced Fund       10/2/95  Open/Bal     2.9  11.06       
      
                                   anced
Putnam Emerging Markets    10/2/95  Open/Equ    40.6   8.66       
      
Fund; A                             ity
Putnam Emerging Markets    10/2/95  Open/Equ    32.6   8.59       
      
Fund; B                             ity
Putnam Emerging Markets    10/2/95  Open/Equ     3.3   8.61       
      
Fund; M                             ity
Putnam California Tax      10/26/87 Open        30.9   1.00       
      
Exempt Money Market Fund
Putnam High Yield          5/25/89  Closed     248.9  11.39       
      
Municipal Trust
Putnam New York Tax Exempt 10/26/87 Open        38.4   1.00       
      
Money Market Fund
Putnam International        8/1/96  Open       291.3  10.60       
      
Growth and Income Fund;  A
Putnam International        8/1/96  Open       299.0  10.54       
      
Growth and Income Fund;  B
Putnam International        8/1/96  Open        30.1  10.57       
      
Growth and Income Fund;  M
Putnam Research Fund       10/2/95  Open        11.1  11.79       
      
Putnam New Value Fund;  A   1/3/95  Open       469.9  13.72       
      
Putnam New Value Fund;  B  2/26/96  Open       448.8  13.62       
      
Putnam New Value Fund;  M  2/26/96  Open        50.3  13.66       
      
Putnam Global Growth and    1/3/95  Open        20.9  11.87       
      
Income Fund; A
Putnam Global Growth and   10/31/97 Open         7.6  11.86       
      
Income Fund; B
Putnam Global Growth and   10/31/97 Open         0.6  11.86       
      
Income Fund; M
Putnam Equity '98          12/30/97 Open         1.8   8.84       
      
Putnam High Yield II Fund; 12/31/97 Open         7.1   8.91       
      
A
Putnam High Yield II Fund; 12/31/97 Open         1.2   8.90       
      
B
Putnam High Yield II Fund; 12/31/97 Open       0.045   8.90       
      
M
Putnam International Fund  12/28/95 Open         3.8   9.75       
      
Putnam Japan Fund          12/28/95 Open         2.4   5.38       
      
Putnam International       12/28/95 Open        55.1  11.32       
      
Voyager Fund;  A
Putnam International       10/30/96 Open        46.8  11.25       
      
Voyager Fund;  B
Putnam International       10/30/96 Open         5.1  11.29       
      
Voyager Fund;  M
Putnam VT New Value Fund    1/2/97  Open       200.5  11.40       
      
Putnam VT Vista Fund        1/2/97  Open       172.4  11.96       
      
                                                                  
     
                               
 (J) Miscellaneous

     1.   Election and Removal of Directors
          Directors of Investment Management Company are
     elected to office or removed from office by vote of
     either stockholders or directors, in accordance with
     Articles of Organization and By-Laws of Investment
     Management Company.
     
     2.   Election and Removal of Officers
          Officers are elected by the Board of Directors.  The
     Board of Directors may remove any officer without cause.

     3.   Supervision by SEC of Changes in Directors and
     Certain Officers
          Investment Management Company files certain reports
     with the SEC in accordance with Sections 203 and 204 of
     the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which reports list
     and provide certain information relating to directors and
     officers of Investment Management Company.
          Under Section 9 (b) of the Investment Company Act of
     1940 SEC may prohibit the directors and officers from
     remaining in office, if SEC will judge that such
     directors and officers have willfully violated any
     provision of the federal securities law.

     4.   Amendment to the Articles of Organization, Transfer
          of Business and Other Important Matters.

          a.   Articles of Organization of Investment
               Management Company may be amended, under the
               General Corporation Law of The Commonwealth of
               Massachusetts, by appropriate shareholders'
               vote.
          
          b.   Under the General Corporation Law of The
               Commonwealth of Massachusetts, transfer of
               business requires a vote of 2/3 of the
               stockholders entitled to vote thereon.
          
          c.   Investment Management Company has no direct
               subsidiaries.

     5.   Litigation, etc.
          There are no known facts, such as legal proceedings,
     which are expected to materially affect the Fund and/or
     Investment Management Company within the six-month period
     preceding the filing of this Registration Statement.

III. OUTLINE OF THE OTHER RELATED COMPANIES

(A)  Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company (the Transfer Agent,
     Shareholder Service Agent and Custodian)
     (1) Amount of Capital
          U.S.$31,684,418.78 as of the end of January, 1998
     (2)  Description of Business
          Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company is a Massachusetts
          trust company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
          Putnam Investments, Inc., parent of Putnam.  Putnam
          Fiduciary Trust Company has been providing paying
          agent and shareholder service agent services to
          mutual funds, including the Fund, since its
          inception and custody services since 1990.
     (3)  Outline of Business Relationship with the Fund
          Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company provides transfer
          agent services, shareholder services and custody
          services to the Fund.

(B)  Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. (the Principal Underwriter)
     (1) Amount of Capital
          U.S.$109,503,822.69 as of the end of January, 1998
     (2)  Description of Business
          Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. is the Principal
          Underwriter of the shares of Putnam Funds including
          the Fund.
     (3)  Outline of Business Relationship with the Fund
          Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. engages in providing
          marketing services to the Fund.

(C)  Kankaku Securities Co., Ltd. (Distributor in Japan and
     Agent Securities Company)
     (1)  Amount of Capital
          Yen51.1 billion as of the end of January, 1998
     (2)  Description of Business
          Kankaku Securities Co., Ltd. is a diversified
          securities company in Japan.  Kankaku Securities
          Co., Ltd. engages in handling the sales and
          redemptions of the fund shares for 4 offering
          foreign investment funds.
      (3) The Company acts as a Distributor in Japan and Agent
          Securities Company for the Fund in connection with
          the offering of shares in Japan.

(D)  Capital Relationships
          100% of the shares of Putnam Investment Management,
     Inc. are held by Putnam Investments, Inc.

(E)  Interlocking Directors and Auditors
          Names and functions of officers of the Fund who also
     are officers of the related companies are as follows:

                                             (       as of the
filing date)
     Name of                   Investment      Transfer Agent
     Officer                   Management      and
     or        Fund            Company         Shareholder
     Trustee                                   Service Agent
     George    Chairman,       Chairman and         None
     Putnam    Trustee and     Director
               President
     Charles   Executive Vice  Managing             None
     E. Porter President       Director
     Patricia  Senior Vice     Senior Vice          None
     C.        President       President
     Flaherty
     John D.   Senior Vice     Senior Vice          None
     Hughes    President and   President
               Treasurer
     Lawrence  Trustee and     President and        None
     J. Lasser Vice President  CEO
     Gordon H. Vice President  Senior             Director
     Silver                    Managing
                               Director
     Gary N.   Vice President  Senior               None
     Coburn                    Managing
                               Director
     D.        Vice President  Managing             None
     William                   Director
     Kohli
     Kenneth   Vice President  Senior Vice          None
     J. Taubes                 President
     Jeffrey   Vice President  Senior Vice          None
     J.                        President
     Kobylarz
     John R.   Vice President  Senior Vice          None
     Verani                    President
     William   Vice President  Managing             None
     J. Curtin                 Director
     David L.  Vice President  Managing             None
     Waldman                   Director
IV.  FINANCIAL CONDITIONSS OF THE FUND

1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     [Omitted, in Japanese version, financial statements of
     the Fund and Japanese translations thereof are
     incorporated here]
     Financial highlights
          The following table presents per share financial
     information for class M shares.  This information has
     been audited and reported on by the Fund's independent
     accountants.  Financial statements included in the Fund's
     annual report to shareholders for the 1997 fiscal year
     are presented in their entirety on in this SRS.  The
     Fund's annual report is available without charge upon
     request.

Financial highlights (For a share outstanding throughout the
period)

                                             December 14, 1994
                                                 (commencement

Year ended        of operations)

October 31        to October 31

                                    1997     1996     1995


                                          Class M


Net asset value, beginning of period  $6.99    $7.04    $6.50



Investment operations


Net investment income                   .43      .44      .43
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments    .16
(.04)                                   .54


Total from investment operations        .59      .40      .97


Less distributions:
From net investment income             (.43)    (.45)    (.43)
In excess of net investment income
- -                  -                   -
From net realized gain on investments
(.04)                 -                   -
From return of capital
- -                  -                   -


Total distributions                    (.47)    (.45)    (.43)


Net asset value, end of period        $7.11    $6.99    $7.04


Total investment return at net asset value (%) (a)   8.745.92
15.43 *


Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $368,297  $18,937$7,
673


Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) (b) 1.42     1.42
1.19 *
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) 5.76
6.28                                   5.17 *
Portfolio turnover (%)               265.71   213.46   169.29


  *  Not annualized.
(a)  Total investment return assumes dividend reinvestment and
     does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
(b)  The ratio of expenses to average net assets for the years
     ended October 31, 1995 and thereafter, includes amounts
     paid through expense offset arrangements.  Prior period
     ratios exclude these amounts.
(c)  Per share net investment income has been determined on
     the basis of the weighted average number of shares
     outstanding during the period.
[The following financial documents are omitted here.]

Statement of assets and liabilities  October 31, 1996
Statement of operations  Year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of changes in net assets
Financial highlights (For a share outstanding throughout the
period)
Notes to financial statements  October 31, 1996
Portfolio of investments owned  October 31, 1996
Statement of assets and liabilities  October 31, 1995
Statement of operations  Year ended October 31, 1995
Statement of changes in net assets
Financial highlights (For a share outstanding throughout the
period)
Notes to financial statements  October 31, 1995
Report of independent accountants  For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1996
Report of independent accountants  For the year ended October
31, 1995
Statement of assets and liabilities  April 30, 1997
Statement of operations  Period ended April 30, 1997
Statement of changes in net assets
Financial highlights (For a share outstanding throughout the
period)
Notes to financial statements  April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Portfolio of investments owned  April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

2.   CONDITION OF THE FUND
      (a) Statement of Net Assets





##                                                                
                               
 #
                                                                  
                              
(b
 )
Na
me
 s
of
Ma
jo
 r
Po
rt
fo
li
 o
Ho
ld
in
gs
ot
he
 r
th
an
Eq
ui
ty
Sh
ar
es
(T
op
30
Ho
ld
in
gs
 )
                                                                  
                 (As
                                                                  
                 of
                                                                  
                the
                                                                  
                end
                                                                  
                 of
                                                                  
               Janu
                                                                  
               ary,
                                                                  
               1998
                                                                  
                  )
                                                                 
U.S.  Invest-                  
                                                                
Dollar
                            Kind of          Inte   Par   
Acquisition   Current  ment            
                                             rest  Value
     Name of Securities      Issue    Maturi Rate  (1,000) curr  
Cost    Value   Ratio          
                                        ty   (%)           ency   
                (%)
                                                                  
                              
1. U. S. Treasury Notes       U.S.     2002   5             USD
153,825,   153,825  4.94      
                           Government        3/4    151,715       
  356      ,356
2. GNMA                       U.S.    2024-   7             USD
152,972,   153,814  4.94      
                           Government  2028         151,406       
  333      ,056
3. GNMA                       U.S.    2024-   7             USD
130,011,   132,399  4.25      
                           Government  2028  1/2    128,622       
  511      ,672
4. France (Government of)   Foreign    2007   5            FRF 
84,109,8   83,460,  2.68      
                             Bonds           1/2    495,830       
   56       540
5. U. S. Treasury Notes       U.S.     2027   6             USD
81,609,7   81,699,  2.63      
                           Government        1/8    78,240        
  73       773
6. U. S. Treasury Notes       U.S.     2002   6             USD
74,838,9   74,838,  2.40      
                           Government        1/4    72,505        
  36       936
7. U. S. Treasury Notes       U.S.     2002   5             USD
67,658,0   67,658,  2.17      
                           Government        5/8    67,030        
  71       071
8. U.S. Treasury Notes        U.S.     2006   7             USD
61,892,9   61,892,  1.99      
                           Government               56,515        
  67       967
9. U. S. Treasury Notes       U.S.     1999   5             USD
61,686,6   61,686,  1.98      
                           Government        5/8    61,370        
  69       669
10 FHLMA TBA                  U.S.     2028   8             USD
59,177,8   59,583,  1.91      
 .                          Government        1/2    59,752        
  21       499
11 South Africa (Republic   Foreign    2010   13           ZAR 
59,917,6   58,588,  1.88      
 .  of)                       Bonds                  298,482       
   16       781
12 United Kingdom Treasury  Foreign    2007   7             GBP
57,439,3   57,263,  1.84      
 .                            Bonds           1/4    32,230        
  08       154
13 U.S. Treasury Bonds        U.S.     2027   6             USD
55,512,6   55,512,  1.78      
 .                          Government        1/8    53,170        
  70       670
14 Germany (Federal         Foreign    2027   6            DEM 
47,201,6   48,431,  1.56      
 .  Republic of)              Bonds           1/2    79,315        
  03       014
15 U.S. Treasury Notes        U.S.     2000  5.75           USD
40,282,3   40,282,  1.29      
 .                          Government               39,865        
  87       387
                                                               
61090980                          
                                                                  
                              
                                                                  
                              
                                                                  
                              
                                                                  
                              
                                                                  
                               
                                                                 
U.S.      Investment
                                                                
Dollar
                            Kind of          Inte   Par   
Acquisition   Current  Ratio          
                                             rest  Value
     Name of Securities      Issue    Maturi Rate  (1,000) curr  
Cost    Value   Ratio          
                                        ty   (%)           ency   
                (%)
                                                                  
                              
16 FHLMC                      U.S.    2010-   5            USD 
37,214,5   39,267,  1.26      
 .                          Government  2011  1/2    40,272        
  01       507
17 GNMA  - TBA                U.S.     2028   7             USD
37,097,2   37,255,  1.20      
 .                          Government               36,705        
  25       575
18 U.S. Treasury Notes        U.S.     2002   6             USD
37,136,1   37,136,  1.19      
 .                          Government               36,308        
  85       185
19 U.S. Treasury Bonds        U.S.     2005   10            USD
36,102,9   36,102,  1.16      
 .                          Government        3/4    27,432        
  81       981
20 United Mexican States     Brady     2019   4             USD
34,975,6   35,409,  1.14      
 .                            Bonds           1/3    38,075        
  13       750
21 FHLMC                      U.S.     2012   7             USD
31,382,8   31,627,  1.02      
 .                          Government               30,987        
  67       117
22 FNMA DWARF - TBA           U.S.     2013   5             USD
29,396,1   29,681,  0.95      
 .                          Government        1/2    30,492        
  94       828
23 FHLMC - TBA                U.S.     2013   7             USD
29,498,8   29,575,  0.95      
 .                          Government               28,987        
  02       726
24 France (Government of)   Foreign    2003   6             FRF
29,506,2   28,887,  0.93      
 .                            Bonds           3/4    16,078        
  01       162
25 Time Warner             Corporate   2033   8             USD
26308,90   27,245,  0.88      
 .  Entertainment sr. notes   Bonds           3/8    23,720        
   6       029
26 FNMA                       U.S.    2025-   6             USD
26,152,3   26,684,  0.86      
 .                          Government  2027  1/2    26,811        
  21       962
27 FNMA - TBA                 U.S.     2028   6             USD
25,539,9   25,499,  0.82      
 .                          Government        1/2    25,620        
  38       842
28 GNMA -ARMS                 U.S.     2023   7             USD
23,441,6   23,640,  0.76      
 .                          Government        1/8    22,850        
  83       907
29 FNMA Drawf TBA             U.S.     2012   7             USD
22,070,9   22,057,  0.71      
 .                          Government               21,632        
  05       223
30 Commercial Mtge            CMO      2030  6.57           USD
20,353,9   20,939,  0.67      
 .  Acceptance Corp.                                 20,215        
  78       506
20                                                                
                0.00     
 .
21                                                                
                0.00     
 .
                               
V.   FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY
          (translated from the English source: omitted in
     English Translation)

VI.  SUMMARY OF INFORMATION CONCERNING FOREIGN INVESTMENT FUND
     SECURITIES

1.   Transfer of the Shares
          The transfer agent for the registered share
     certificates is Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company, P.O.Box
     41203, Providence, RI 02940-1203, U. S. A.
          The Japanese investors who entrust the custody of
     their shares to a Handling Securities Company shall have
     their shares transferred under the responsibility of such
     company, and the other investors shall make their own
     arrangements.
          No fee is chargeable for the transfer of shares.
2.   The Closing Period of the Shareholders' Book
          No provision is made.
3.   There isare no annual shareholders' meetings.  Special
     shareholders' meeting shallmay be held from time to time
     as required by the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and
     the Investment Company Act of 1940.
4.   No special privilege is granted to Shareholders.
     The acquisition of Shares by any person may be
     restricted.


VII. REFERENCE INFORMATION
1.   The following documents concerning the Fund have been
     filed with the Ministry of Finance of Japan.
          August 11, 1997     Securities Registration
     Statement
          August 20, 1997     Amendment to Securities
     Regiatration Statement
          January 6, 1998     Securities Registration
     Statement
2.   (1)  The ornamental design is used in cover page of the
     Japanese Prospectus.
     (2)  The following must be set forth in the Prospectus.
          Outline of the Prospectus will be included at the
          beginning of the Prospectus, summarizing the content
          of Part I., Information on the securities, "I.
          Descriptions of the Fund", "III. Outline of Other
          Related Companies" and "IV. Finanacial Condition of
          the Fund" in Part II, Information on the Issuer, of
          the SRS.
     (3)  Summarized Preliminary Prospectus will be used.
          Attached document (Summarized Preliminary
          Prospectus) will be used pursuant to the below, as
          the document (Summarized Preliminary Prospectus) as
          set forth at Item 1.(1)(b), of Article 12 of the
          Ordinance Concerning the Disclosure of the Content,
          etc. of the Specified Securities.
          For information of the achievement, the average of
          the annual yield calculated in respect of
          immediately preceding seven days and/or any one
          month may be added in percentage up to one decimal
          places (rounding down to second decimal places).
     











        AMENDMENT TO SECURITIES REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                          (NAV Sale)




















                      PUTNAM INCOME FUND

        AMENDMENT TO SECURITIES REGISTRATION STATEMENT


To:  Minister of Finance


                       Filing Date :  March 16, 1998


Name of the Registrant Fund:       PUTNAM INCOME FUND

Name of Trustees:                            George Putnam
                                                       William
                              F. Pounds
                                                       Jameson
                              A. Baxter
                                                       Hans H.
                              Estin
                                                       John A.
                              Hill
                                                       Ronald
                              J. Jackson
                                                       Paul L.
                              Joskow

Elizabeth T. Kennan

Lawrence J. Lasser
                                                       John H.
                              Mullin, III
                                                       Robert
                              E. Patterson
                                                       Donald
                              S. Perkins
                                                       George
                              Putnam, III
                                                       A.J.C.
                              Smith
                                                       W.
                              Thomas Stephens
                                                       W.
                              Nicholas Thorndike

Address of Principal Office:            One Post Office Square
                                                       Boston,
                              Massachusetts 02109
                                                       U. S.
                              A.

Name and Title of Registration Agent:        Harume Nakano

Attorney-at-Law

Signature [Harume Nakano]

(Seal)

                                                       Ken
                              Miura

Attorney-at-Law

Signature [Ken Miura]

(Seal)

Address or Place of Business            Kasumigaseki Building,
                              25th Floor
                                                       2-5,
                              Kasumigaseki 3-chome
                                                       Chiyoda-
                              ku, Tokyo

Name of Liaison Contact:                Harume Nakano
                                                       Ken
                              Miura
                                                       Kensuke
                              Anbe

Attorneys-at-Law

Place of Liaison Contact:               Hamada & Matsumoto

Kasumigaseki Building, 25th
                              Floor
                                                       2-5,
                              Kasumigaseki 3-chome
                                                       Chiyoda-
                              ku, Tokyo

Phone Number:                                03-3580-3377

                            - ii -



           Public Offering or Sale for Registration

Name of the Fund Making Public          PUTNAM INCOME FUND
Offering or Sale of Foreign
Investment Fund Securities:

Type and Aggregate Amount of       Up to 211.87 million Class
                              M Shares
Foreign Investment Fund Securities           Up to the total
                              amount aggregating the
to be Publicly Offered or Sold:         amounts calculated by
                              multiplying the respective net
                              asset value per Class M Share by
                              the respective number of Class M
                              Shares in respect of 211.87
                              million Class M Shares
                                                       (The
                              maximum amount expected to be
                              sold is 1.5 billion U.S. dollars
                              (Yen190.9 billion).

Note 1:   U.S.$ amount is translated into Japanese Yen at the
     rate of U.S.$l.00=Yen127.25 the mean of the exchange rate
     quotations by The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. for
     buying and selling spot dollars by telegraphic transfer
     against yen on January 30, 1998.

Note 2:   The maximum amount expected to be sold is an amount
     calculated by multiplying the net asset value per Class M
     Share as of January 30, 1998 (U.S.$7.11) by 211.87
     million Class M Shares for convenience.



      Places where a copy of this Amendment to Securities
                         Registration
         Statement is available for Public Inspection


                        Not applicable.


    (Total number of pages of this Amendment to Securities
                    Registration Statement
       in Japanese is 2 including front and back pages.)


I.   REASON FOR FILING THIS AMENDMENT TO SECURITIES
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT:

     This statement purports to amend and update the relevant
     information of the Securities Registration Statement
     ("SRS") filed on January 6, 1998 due to the fact that the
     aforementioned Securities Report was filed today.
     The exchange rates used in this statement to translate
     the amended amounts of foreign currencies are different
     from those used before these amendments, as the latest
     exchange rates are used in this statement.

II.  CONTENTS OF THE AMENDMENTS (the page numbers refer to
     those of the Japanese original)

Part II.  INFORMATION CONCERNING ISSUER
          (page 4 of the original Japanese SRS)

     The following matters in the original Japanese SRS are
     amended to have the same contents as those provided in
     the following items of the aforementioned Securities
     Report:

 Before amendment               After amendment
 [Original Japanese SRS]        [Aforementioned Annual
Securities Report]

                                   I.  DESCRIPTION OF THE
                                   FUNDI.  DESCRIPTION OF
                                   THE FUND (the
                                   aforementioned Securities
                                   Report, from page 1 to page
                                   36)

                                   II. OUTLINE OF THE FUND
                                   II. OUTLINE OF THE FUND
                                   (Ditto, from page 37 to
                                   page 67)

                                   III.OUTLINE OF THE OTHER
                                   III.OUTLINE OF THE OTHER
                                       RELATED COMPANIES
                                   RELATED COMPANIES (Ditto,
                                   from page 68 to page 69)

                                   IV. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
                                   OF  IV. FINANCIAL
                                   CONDITIONS OF
                                       THE FUND     THE
                                   FUND (Ditto, from page 70
                                   to page 75)

                                   V.  SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
                                   VI. SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
                                       CONCERNING FOREIGN
                                   CONCERNING FOREIGN
                                       INVESTMENT FUND
                                   SECURITIES
                                   INVESTMENT FUND SECURITIES
                                               (Ditto, page
                                   76)

                                   VI. MISCELLANEOUS VII.
                                   REFERENCE INFORMATION
                                   (Ditto, from page 76 to
                                   page 77)


        Note 1:     U.S.$ amount is translated into Japanese
        Yen at the rate of U.S.$1 = Yen127.25, the mean of the
        exchange rate quotations at The Bank of Tokyo-
        Mitsubishi, Ltd. for buying and selling spot dollars
        by telegraphic transfer against yen on January 30,
        1998, for convenience.

        Note 2:     In this document, money amounts and
        percentages have been rounded.  Therefore, there are
        cases in which the amount of the "total column" is not
        equal to the aggregate amount.  Also, translation into
        yen is made simply by multiplying the corresponding
        amount by the conversion rate specified and rounded up
        when necessary.  As a result, in this document, there
        are cases in which Japanese yen figures for the same
        information differ from each other.

        Note 3:In this Report, "fiscal year" refers to a year
        from November 1 to October 31 of the following year.

Part III. SPECIAL INFORMATION
          (Ditto, page 183)
     II. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
     COMPANY of the Original SRS is ammended to to have the
     same contents as those provided in V. FINANCIAL
     CONDITIONS OF THE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY of the
     aforementioned Securities Report:




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