DREYFUS VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUND
N-30D, 1999-08-30
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Variable Investment Fund, Zero Coupon 2000 Portfolio

SEMIANNUAL REPORT June 30, 1999

(reg.tm)



<PAGE>

The  views  expressed herein are current to the date of this report. These views
and  the composition of the portfolio are subject to change at any time based on
market and other conditions.

   * Not FDIC-Insured
   * Not Bank-Guaranteed
   * May Lose Value

Year 2000 Issues (Unaudited)

The portfolio could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by The
Dreyfus Corporation and the portfolio's other service providers do not properly
process and calculate date-related information from and after January 1, 2000.
The Dreyfus Corporation is working to avoid Year 2000-related problems in its
systems and to obtain assurances from other service providers that they are
taking similar steps. In addition, issuers of securities in which the portfolio
invests may be adversely affected by Year 2000-related problems. This could have
an impact on the value of the portfolio's investments and its share price.



<PAGE>

                                 Contents

                                 THE PORTFOLIO
- ------------------------------------------------------------

                             2   Letter from the President

                             3   Discussion of Performance

                             6   Statement of Investments

                             8   Statement of Financial Futures

                             9   Statement of Assets and Liabilities

                            10   Statement of Operations

                            11   Statement of Changes in Net Assets

                            12   Financial Highlights

                            13   Notes to Financial Statements

                                 FOR MORE INFORMATION
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 Back Cover

<PAGE>


                                                                  The Portfolio

                                              Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund,

                                                     Zero Coupon 2000 Portfolio

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this semiannual report for Dreyfus Variable Investment
Fund,  Zero Coupon 2000 Portfolio, covering the six-month period from January 1,
1999  through  June 30, 1999. Inside, you'll find valuable information about how
the  portfolio  was  managed during the reporting period, including a discussion
with the portfolio manager, Gerald Thunelius.

The  past  six  months  have  produced mixed results for fixed-income investors.
That' s  because  economic growth has been stronger than many analysts expected,
fueling  fears  that  inflation pressures may re-emerge. Overseas economies that
had  been in recession -- including Japan and the rest of Asia -- appear to have
begun  to  gain  strength.  The U.S. economy, which is now in its eighth year of
expansion,  has also grown more robustly than expected. In response, the Federal
Reserve raised short-term interest rates modestly on June 30.

In  this economic climate, U.S. Treasury securities declined, giving back all of
the  gains  they  achieved  during  their remarkable rally last summer and fall.
Prices  of  other  types  of  bonds  fell  less  sharply  or remained relatively
unchanged  when  investors  shifted  assets  back  into  market sectors they had
previously   avoided.   Accordingly,   many   corporate  bonds,  mortgage-backed
securities,  asset-backed  securities  and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign bonds
provided higher returns than U.S. Treasuries over the first half of 1999.

We  appreciate  your confidence over the past six months, and we look forward to
your  continued  participation  in Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund, Zero Coupon
2000    Portfolio.

Sincerely,


Stephen E. Canter

President and Chief Investment Officer

The Dreyfus Corporation

July 15, 1999





<PAGE>

DISCUSSION OF PERFORMANCE

Gerald Thunelius, Portfolio Manager

How did Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund, Zero Coupon 2000 Portfolio perform
relative to its benchmark?

For  the six-month period ended June 30, 1999, Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund,
Zero  Coupon  2000  Portfolio  produced  a  total  return, including share price
changes  and  dividend  income  generated,  of  0.82% .(1)  In  comparison,  the
portfolio' s  benchmark,  the  Merrill  Lynch U.S. Treasury Coupon 2-Year Strips
Index,  produced  a  0.69% total return for the same period.(2) Income dividends
paid  from net investment income during the period amounted to $0.326 per share,
representing an annualized distribution rate per share of 5.33%.(3)

What is the portfolio's investment approach?

The  portfolio  seeks  as  high  an  investment return as is consistent with the
preservation of capital. To pursue this goal, the portfolio invests primarily in
debt   obligations   issued   by  the  U.S.  government  and  its  agencies  and
instrumentalities  that  have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons,
and  interest  coupons  that  have  been  stripped  from these debt obligations

Simply put, the term "stripped securities" refers to a debt obligation that does
not  entitle  the holder to any periodic payments of interest prior to maturity.
Stripped securities are bonds that are issued and trade at a discount from their
face  amount.  The discount varies depending on the time of maturity, prevailing
interest  rates  and  the  perceived credit quality of the issuer. Investors who
hold stripped securities until maturity know the total amount of their return at
the    time    of    investment.

The  portfolio  has the ability to invest in other zero coupon securities issued
by  state and local governments and their agencies, and in investment-grade zero
coupon    securities    issued    by    domestic    corporations.

                                                        The Portfolio



<PAGE>

DISCUSSION OF PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

At  least  65%  of  the  portfolio' s  assets  will  be  invested in zero coupon
securities  that  will  mature  on or about December 31, 2000. On that date, the
portfolio  will  be liquidated. Prior to December 31, 2000, shareholders will be
informed  of  the liquidation of the portfolio and will be given the opportunity
to   exchange  their  investment  for  another  portfolio  of  Dreyfus  Variable
Investment  Fund.  If  the  portfolio  has  not  received  instructions from its
shareholders before the liquidation date, their investment will automatically be
invested in the Dreyfus Money Market Portfolio.

What other factors influenced the portfolio's performance?

When the Federal Reserve Board cut key short-term interest rates last fall, just
before  the six-month reporting period began, they were concerned about economic
weakness  in  the  overseas  markets.  Their strategy was apparently successful:
evidence  emerged  in the first quarter of 1999 that troubled economies in Japan
and  Southeast  Asia  had  begun  to recover. At the same time, the U.S. economy
appeared to gain strength.

In  fact,  stronger-than-expected U.S. economic growth during the second quarter
of  1999 created concerns that long-dormant inflation pressures might re-emerge.
Because  high  rates  of  inflation effectively erode the future value of bonds'
interest  and  principal  payments, inflation fears tend to cause bond prices to
fall.  By  the time the Federal Reserve Board actually tightened monetary policy
modestly  on  June  30  to  forestall a rise in inflation, investors had already
translated    their    concerns    into    lower    bond    prices.

What is the portfolio's current strategy?

As  of  June  30,  1999,  the portfolio was composed of approximately 88% agency
bonds,  3.6%  municipal  bonds,  2.5%  foreign  bonds  and  the  balance in cash
equivalents.  Our emphasis on agency bonds during the past six months has proved
beneficial.  As  the  U.S.  economy continued to exhibit strong growth, and many
global  economies  appeared to have rebounded from the financial problems of the
fall,    investors    seem

<PAGE>


to have been more willing to take on investments that entail greater risks. As a
result, the agency bond market has been the recipient of some of the assets that
were  being  moved  away  from  the  "safe  haven"  provided  by  U.S.  Treasury
securities.

In  addition,  we  implemented  a "barbell" strategy, in which we purchased some
bonds  on two ends of the maturity spectrum -- both before our targeted maturity
date    as    well    as    after    that    date.

Finally, in the rising interest-rate environment during the reporting period, we
reduced  the  portfolio's average duration (a measure of sensitivity to changing
interest  rates)  by  emphasizing  bonds with shorter maturities, thereby making
assets  more  available for higher yielding investments at a later date. Indeed,
as  interest  rates  rose  throughout  the  period, we were able to quickly take
advantage    of    opportunities    to    lock    in    higher    yields.

July 15, 1999

(1)  TOTAL RETURN INCLUDES REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND ANY CAPITAL GAINS PAID.
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS. SHARE PRICE AND INVESTMENT
RETURN FLUCTUATE SO THAT UPON REDEMPTION, PORTFOLIO SHARES MAY BE WORTH MORE OR
LESS THAN THEIR ORIGINAL COST. THE PORTFOLIO'S PERFORMANCE DOES NOT REFLECT THE
DEDUCTION OF ADDITIONAL CHARGES AND EXPENSES IMPOSED IN CONNECTION WITH
INVESTING IN VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACTS, WHICH WILL REDUCE RETURNS.

(2)  SOURCE: MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER AND SMITH, INC. -- THE MERRILL LYNCH
U.S. TREASURY COUPON 2-YEAR STRIPS INDEX IS AN UNMANAGED ZERO COUPON INDEX WITH
CONSTANT MATURITY AND DURATION. THE INDEX DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHARGES,
FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES.

(3)  DISTRIBUTION RATE PER SHARE IS BASED UPON DIVIDENDS PER SHARE PAID FROM NET
INVESTMENT INCOME DURING THE PERIOD (ANNUALIZED), DIVIDEND BY THE NET ASSET
VALUE PER SHARE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD.

                                                        The Portfolio

<PAGE>


STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


June 30, 1999 (Unaudited)

                                                                              Principal
BONDS AND NOTES--94.1%                                                       Amount ($)       Value ($)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>            <C>
FOREIGN--2.5%

Deutsche Bank AG,

   Medium-Term Notes, Zero Coupon, 2000                                         1,000,000      969,199

MUNICIPAL BONDS--3.6%

New Jersey Economic Development Authority,

  State Pension Funding Bonds, Ser. 1997B,

   Zero Coupon, 2001                                                            1,500,000    1,355,625

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES--88.0%

Chattanooga Valley,

   Secured First Mortgage, Zero Coupon, 1/1/2000                                  176,000      171,226

FACO Coupon Strips,

   Ser. 97-1, Zero Coupon, 7/21/2000                                            4,743,000    4,475,315

FICO Coupon Strips:

   Ser. 1, Zero Coupon, 11/11/2000                                              1,132,000    1,048,166

   Ser. 15, Zero Coupon, 9/7/2001                                               2,500,000    2,197,725

Federal Home Loan Bank Coupon Strips,

   Ser. A-1, Zero Coupon, 2/25/2003                                             1,789,000    1,432,511

Federal Home Loan Mortgage:

   Coupon Strips, Zero Coupon, 5/15/2000                                        5,000,000    4,771,300

   Principal Strips, Zero Coupon, 5/15/2000                                     1,000,000      954,750

Federal National Mortgage Association:

  Medium-Term Notes, Coupon Strips:

      Zero Coupon, 4/8/2001                                                     5,500,000    4,961,385

      Zero Coupon, 7/24/2001                                                    1,227,000    1,087,989

   Principal Strips,

      Zero Coupon, 8/7/2001                                                     6,000,000    5,308,140

Tennessee Valley Authority:

   Coupon Strips, Zero Coupon, 11/1/2000                                        3,000,000    2,782,290

   Principal Strips, Zero Coupon, 11/1/2000                                     4,500,000    4,183,065

                                                                                            33,373,862

TOTAL BONDS AND NOTES

   (cost $35,491,889)                                                                       35,698,686



SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--5.2%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. GOVERNMENTS--.2%

U.S. Treasury Bills:

   4.42%, 7/1/1999                                                                 10,000 (a)   10,000

   5.08%, 7/22/1999                                                                10,000 (a)    9,976

   4.93%, 8/19/1999                                                                25,000 (a)   24,851

   4.42%, 8/26/1999                                                                10,000 (a)    9,932

                                                                                                54,759


<PAGE>


                                                                                 Principal
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)                                             Amount ($)     Value ($)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES--5.0%

Federal Farm Credit Bank,
   4.5%, 7/1/1999                                                               1,910,000    1,910,000

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

   (cost $1,964,755)                                                                         1,964,759

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (cost $37,456,644)                                                99.3%   37,663,445

CASH AND RECEIVABLES (NET)                                                            .7%      268,788

NET ASSETS                                                                         100.0%   37,932,233

 (A) HELD BY THE CUSTODIAN IN A SEGREGATED ACCOUNT AS COLLATERAL FOR OPEN
FINANCIAL FUTURES POSITIONS.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</TABLE>

                                                        The Portfolio

<PAGE>


STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL FUTURES

June 30, 1999 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                           Unrealized

                                                     Market Value                          Appreciation
                                                         Covered                          (Depreciation)
                                  Contracts       by Contracts ($)      Expiration        at 6/30/99 ($)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>             <C>                       <C>
FINANCIAL FUTURES SHORT

U.S. Treasury 2 year Notes              25            5,198,438       September '99            (9,625)

U.S. Treasury 10 year Notes              2              222,375       September '99            (1,813)


FINANCIAL FUTURES LONG

U.S. Treasury 5 year Notes              25            2,725,000       September '99            15,281

U.S. Treasury Bonds                     14            1,622,688       September '99            12,563

                                                                                               16,406

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES


June 30, 1999 (Unaudited)

                                                             Cost       Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSETS ($):

Investments in securities--See Statement of Investments  37,456,644  37,663,445

Cash                                                                    305,411

Receivable for futures variation margin--Note 4(a)                        4,335

Prepaid expenses                                                            745

                                                                     37,973,936
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITIES ($):

Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates                            14,610

Payable for shares of Beneficial Interest redeemed                        6,131

Accrued expenses                                                         20,962

                                                                         41,703
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET ASSETS ($)                                                       37,932,233
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS ($):

Paid-in capital                                                      37,779,317

Accumulated undistributed investment income--net                        170,095

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments                    (240,386)

Accumulated net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
   on investments (including $16,406 net unrealized
   appreciation on financial futures)--Note 4(b)                        223,207
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET ASSETS ($)                                                       37,932,233
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHARES OUTSTANDING

(unlimited number of $.001 par value shares
   of Beneficial Interest authorized)                                 3,074,254

NET ASSET VALUE, offering and redemption price per share ($)              12.34

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                                        The Portfolio

<PAGE>


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 (Unaudited)

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENT INCOME ($):

INTEREST INCOME                                                      1,123,800

EXPENSES:

Investment advisory fee--Note 3(a)                                      84,832

Auditing fees                                                           15,181

Prospectus and shareholders' reports                                     7,391

Custodian fees--Note 3(a)                                                3,755

Legal fees                                                               1,081

Shareholder servicing costs                                                952

Trustees' fees and expenses--Note 3(b)                                     335

Loan commitment fees--Note 2                                                60

Miscellaneous                                                           12,446

TOTAL EXPENSES                                                         126,033

INVESTMENT INCOME--NET                                                 997,767
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS--NOTE 4 ($):

Net realized gain (loss) on investments                                (67,084)

Net realized gain (loss) on financial futures                           21,682

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
   (including $16,406 net unrealized
   appreciation on financial futures)                                 (612,258)

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS                (657,660)

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS                   340,107

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


<PAGE>


STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

                                             Six Months Ended
                                                June 30, 1999  Year Ended
                                                  (Unaudited)  December 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATIONS ($):

Investment income--net                                997,767      1,954,940

Net realized gain (loss) on investments               (45,402)        88,493

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
   on investments                                    (612,258)       467,097

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS                          340,107      2,510,530
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM ($):

Investment income--net                               (827,672)    (1,955,398)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BENEFICIAL INTEREST TRANSACTIONS ($):

Net proceeds from shares sold                       3,949,611      9,622,198

Dividends reinvested                                  827,846      1,955,398

Cost of shares redeemed                            (4,885,651)    (8,710,873)

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM

   BENEFICIAL INTEREST TRANSACTIONS                  (108,194)     2,866,723

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS              (595,759)     3,421,855
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET ASSETS ($):

Beginning of Period                                38,527,992     35,106,137

END OF PERIOD                                      37,932,233     38,527,992

Undistributed investment income--net                  170,095             --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (SHARES):

Shares sold                                           318,205        770,401

Shares issued for dividends reinvested                 66,918        157,239

Shares redeemed                                      (393,546)      (698,443)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN SHARES OUTSTANDING          (8,423)       229,197

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                                        The Portfolio

<PAGE>


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The  following table describes the performance for the fiscal periods indicated.
Total  return  shows  how  much  your  investment  in  the  portfolio would have
increased   (or  decreased)  during each period, assuming you had reinvested all
dividends   and   distributions.  These  figures  have  been  derived  from  the
portfolio's financial statements.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                              Six Months Ended
                                               June 30, 1999              Year Ended December 31,
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------

                                      (Unaudited)     1998        1997        1996         1995        1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
PER SHARE DATA ($):

Net asset value,

   beginning of period                  12.50       12.30       12.29        12.70       11.39       12.57

Investment Operations:

Investment income--net                    .33         .67         .69          .68         .69         .69

Net realized and unrealized
   gain (loss) on investments            (.22)        .20         .14         (.36)       1.31       (1.18)

Total from Investment Operations          .11         .87         .83          .32        2.00        (.49)

Distributions:

Dividends from investment

   income--net                           (.27)       (.67)       (.69)        (.68)      (.69)        (.68)

Dividends from net realized gain
   on investments                         --           --        (.13)        (.05)        --         (.01)

Total Distributions                      (.27)       (.67)       (.82)        (.73)      (.69)        (.69)

Net asset value, end of period          12.34       12.50       12.30        12.29      12.70        11.39
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL RETURN (%)                         1.65(a)     7.27        7.01         2.59      17.95        (3.91)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA (%):

Ratio of expenses

   to average net assets                  .67(a)      .59         .61          .66        .68         --

Ratio of net investment income

   to average net assets                 5.29(a)     5.41        5.65         5.54       5.73         6.04

Decrease reflected in above
   expense ratios due to undertakings
   by The Dreyfus Corporation              --        --          --           --          .03         1.05

Portfolio Turnover Rate                 11.97(b)    84.71       200.54       98.28      49.43          --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Assets, end of period
   ($ x 1,000)                         37,932      38,528       35,106      31,796     22,291       10,913

(A)  ANNUALIZED.

(B)  NOT ANNUALIZED.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

NOTE 1--Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund (the "fund") is registered under the Investment
Company  Act  of  1940,  as  amended  (the  "Act" ), as  an  open-end management
investment  company,  operating  as a series company currently offering thirteen
series,  including  the  Zero  Coupon  2000  Portfolio  (the "portfolio") and is
intended  to  be  a  funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts and variable
life insurance policies to be offered by the separate accounts of life insurance
companies.  The  portfolio  is  a  diversified  series.  The  Series' investment
objective  is  to provide as high an investment return as is consistent with the
preservation  of  capital.  The  Dreyfus  Corporation  ("Dreyfus") serves as the
portfolio' s  investment adviser. Dreyfus is a direct subsidiary of Mellon Bank,
N.A.  (" Mellon" ). Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. is the distributor of the
portfolio's shares, which are sold without a sales charge.

The  portfolio accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of
each  series.  Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to that
series  operations;  expenses  which  are applicable to all series are allocated
among them on a pro rata basis.

The  portfolio' s financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles which may require the use of management estimates
and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(a)   Portfolio  valuation:  Investments  in  securities  (excluding  short-term
investments  other  than  U.S.  Treasury Bills and financial futures) are valued
each  business day by an independent pricing service ("Service") approved by the
Board of Trustees. Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available
and  are  representative  of  the  bid side of the market in the judgment of the
Service are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by the
Service  from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated by the
Service  based  upon  its  evaluation  of the market for such securities). Other
investments  (which  constitute  a  majority of the portfolio's securities)  The
Portfolio

<PAGE>


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (CONTINUED)

are  carried  at fair value as determined by the Service, based on methods which
include  consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality,
coupon,  maturity  and  type; indications as to values from dealers; and general
market  conditions. Securities for which there are no such valuations are valued
at  fair  value  as  determined  in  good  faith  under  the  Board of Trustees.
Short-term investments, excluding U. S. Treasury Bills, are carried at amortized
cost,  which  approximates value. Financial futures are valued at the last sales
price  on  the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded
or  at  the  last sales price on the national securities market on each business
day.

(b)  Securities  transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are
recorded  on  a  trade  date  basis.  Realized  gain  and  loss  from securities
transactions  are  recorded  on  the  identified  cost  basis.  Interest income,
including,  where  applicable,  amortization  of  discount  on  investments,  is
recognized  on  the accrual basis. Under the terms of the custody agreement, the
portfolio received net earnings credits of $754 during the period ended June 30,
1999  based on available cash balances left on deposit. Income earned under this
arrangement is included in interest income.

(c)  Dividends  to shareholders: Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends  from  investment  income-net are declared and paid monthly. Dividends
from  net realized capital gain are normally declared and paid annually, but the
portfolio  may  make  distributions  on a more frequent basis to comply with the
distribution  requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
" Code" ). To the extent that net realized capital gain can be offset by capital
loss carryovers, it is the policy of the portfolio not to distribute such gain.

(d)  Federal  income  taxes:  It  is  the policy of the portfolio to continue to
qualify  as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best
interests  of  its  shareholders, by complying with the applicable provisions of
the  Code,  and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it
from substantially all Federal income and excise taxes.


<PAGE>


The  portfolio  has  an  unused capital loss carryover of approximately $146,000
available  for  Federal  income  tax  purposes  to be applied against future net
securities  profits,  if  any,  realized  subsequent  to  December 31, 1998. The
carryover  does not include net realized securities losses from November 1, 1998
through December 31, 1998 which are treated, for Federal income tax purposes, as
arising  in  fiscal  1999. If not applied, the carryover expires in fiscal 2005

NOTE 2--Bank Line of Credit:

The  portfolio  participates  with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $600 million
redemption  credit  facility  (the  "Facility" ) to be utilized for temporary or
emergency  purposes,  including  the  financing  of  redemptions.  In connection
therewith,  the  portfolio  has  agreed  to  pay commitment fees on its pro rata
portion  of the Facility. Interest is charged to the portfolio at rates based on
prevailing  market rates in effect at the time of borrowings.  During the period
ended June 30, 1999, the portfolio did not borrow under the Facility.

NOTE 3--Investment Advisory Fee and Other Transactions With Affiliates:

(a)  Pursuant  to  an Investment Advisory Agreement with Dreyfus, the investment
advisory  fee  is  computed  at the annual rate of .45 of 1% of the value of the
portfolio's average daily net assets and is payable monthly.

The  portfolio  compensates Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Dreyfus,   under  a  transfer  agency  agreement  for  providing  personnel  and
facilities to perform transfer agency services for the portfolio.

The  portfolio compensates Mellon under a custody agreement to provide custodial
services for the portfolio. During the period ended June 30, 1999, the portfolio
was charged $3,755 pursuant to the custody agreement.

(b)  Each  trustee  who  is  not  an  "affiliated  person" as defined in the Act
receives from the fund an annual fee of $2,500 and an attendance fee of $250 per
meeting.  The  Chairman  of  the  Board  receives  an  additional  25%  of  such
compensation.

                                                        The Portfolio

<PAGE>


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (CONTINUED)

NOTE 4--Securities Transactions:

(a)  The  aggregate  amount  of  purchases  and  sales of investment securities,
excluding  short-term  securities and financial futures, during the period ended
June 30, 1999, amounted to $4,467,503 and $6,892,761, respectively.

The  portfolio  may  invest  in  financial  futures  contracts  in order to gain
exposure  to  or protect against changes in the market. The portfolio is exposed
to  market  risk as a result of changes in the value of the underlying financial
instruments.  Investments in financial futures require the portfolio to "mark to
market"  on  a daily basis, which reflects the change in the market value of the
contract  at  the  close  of  each  day's trading. Accordingly, variation margin
payments  are received or made to reflect daily unrealized gains or losses. When
the  contracts  are  closed,  the  portfolio recognizes a realized gain or loss.
These  investments  require  initial  margin  deposits  with  a custodian, which
consist  of  cash  or  cash equivalents, up to approximately 10% of the contract
amount.  The  amount of these deposits is determined by the exchange or Board of
Trade  on  which the contract is traded and is subject to change. Contracts open
at June 30, 1999 are set forth in the Statement of Financial Futures.

(b) At June 30, 1999, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments and
financial  futures,  was  $223,207,  consisting  of   $271,692  gross unrealized
appreciation and $48,485 gross unrealized depreciation.

At  June  30,  1999, the cost of investments for Federal income tax purposes was
substantially  the  same  as  the cost for financial reporting purposes (see the
Statement of Investments).


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                                                           For More Information

                        Dreyfus Variable

                        Investment Fund,

                        Zero Coupon 2000

                        Portfolio

                        200 Park Avenue

                        New York, NY 10166

                        Investment Adviser

                        The Dreyfus Corporation

                        200 Park Avenue

                        New York, NY 10166

                        Custodian

                        Mellon Bank, N.A.

                        One Mellon Bank Center

                        Pittsburgh, PA 15258

                        Transfer Agent &

                        Dividend Disbursing Agent

                        Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.

                        P.O. Box 9671

                        Providence, RI 02940

                        Distributor

                        Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.

                        60 State Street

                        Boston, MA 02109

To obtain information:

BY TELEPHONE Call 1-800-554-4611 or 516-338-3300

BY MAIL  Write to:  The Dreyfus Family of Funds 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144 Attn: Institutional Servicing

(c) 1999 Dreyfus Service Corporation                                  119SA996



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