SELECTED CAPITAL PRESERVATION TRUST
485BPOS, 1997-05-01
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM N-1A

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                            REGISTRATION NO. 33-15807

                         Post-Effective Amendment No. 20

                                       and

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

                            REGISTRATION NO. 811-5240

                                Amendment No. 22

                       SELECTED CAPITAL PRESERVATION TRUST
                       -----------------------------------
                              124 East Marcy Street
                           Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

               Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code
                                 1-800-243-1575

                               Agent for Service:

                                Sheldon R. Stein
                                D'Ancona & Pflaum
                             30 North LaSalle Street
                             Chicago, Illinois 60602
                                 (312) 580-2014

      It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

      ____  Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

       X    on May 1, 1997, pursuant to paragraph (b)

      ____  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)

      ____  on _________________________, pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485

   
      Registrant has registered an indefinite number of shares of its beneficial
interest pursuant to Rule 24f-2, and filed its Rule 24f-2 Notice for
Registrant's most recent fiscal year on or about February 28, 1997. FORM N-1A
    

                                    FORM N-1A
                       SELECTED CAPITAL PRESERVATION TRUST

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 20 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 33-15807 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND AMENDMENT NO. 22 UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF
1940 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 811-5240.
<PAGE>

                                 CROSS REFERENCE

  N-1A
Item No.              Prospectus Caption or Placement
- --------              -------------------------------
    1                 Front Cover
    2                 Fund Expenses
    3                 Financial Highlights; Fund Performance
    4                 Selected Funds - Summary; Investment
                      Objectives
    5                 Manager, Sub-Adviser and Distributor
    6                 Organization of the Funds; Selected Funds -
                      Summary; Dividends; Taxes; Manager and Distributor
    7                 Buying Shares; Determining the Price of
                      Shares - Net Asset Value; Exchanging Shares;
                      Manager and Distributor
    8                 Selling Shares; Exchanging Shares
    9                 (Not Applicable)

                      Part B Caption or Placement
                      ---------------------------
   10                 Cover Page
   11                 Table of Contents
   12                 (Not Applicable)
   13                 Investments; Investment Restric-
                      tions; Portfolio Transactions
   14                 Trustees and Officers
   15                 (Not Applicable)
   16                 Manager; Expense Limitation; Custodian and Transfer 
                      Agent; Independent Auditors; Distribution Plans
   17                 Portfolio Transactions
   18                 *
   19                 Net Asset Value
   20                 Taxes
   21                 Distribution Plans
   22                 Performance Data
   23                 **

- ----------

*  Included in Prospectus

** Financial Statements appearing in the December 31, 1996 Annual Report are
   incorporated by reference.
<PAGE>

   
PROSPECTUS                                                           May 1, 1997
    

                               THE SELECTED FUNDS
                              124 East Marcy Street
                           Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
                                 1-800-243-1575

     Welcome to the Selected Funds, a family of diversified no-load mutual funds
offering a variety of investment opportunities. The Funds pay distribution fees
pursuant to distribution plans adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1.

Stock-Oriented Funds

     Selected American Shares, Inc. - a Growth and Income Fund.

     Selected Special Shares, Inc. - a Growth Fund.

Bond-Oriented Fund

     Selected U.S. Government Income Fund - an Income Fund.

Money Market Fund

     Selected Daily Government Fund - a U.S. Government Money Market Fund.

     Selected Daily Government Fund and Selected U.S. Government Income Fund are
     part of Selected Capital Preservation Trust.

     This Prospectus concisely sets forth information about the Selected Funds
that you should know before investing. Please keep it handy for future
reference. Additional information is included in the Statements of Additional
Information of the Selected Funds dated May 1, 1997, and filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Statements of Additional Information are
incorporated herein by reference. You may obtain copies of the Statements of
Additional Information without charge by writing or calling us at the above
address or phone number.

     An investment in the Selected U.S. Government Income Fund or Selected Daily
Government Fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. There
can be no assurance that Selected Daily Government Fund will be able to maintain
a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share. Shares in the Funds are not
deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank, and are not
federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal
Reserve Board or any other agency.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>

                                     SUMMARY

Stock-Oriented Funds

     Selected American Shares, Inc. ("Selected American") and Selected Special
Shares, Inc. ("Selected Special") are diversified, professionally managed
stock-oriented funds. Selected American seeks a combination of capital growth
and income and invests primarily in common stocks and other equity securities.
Selected Special seeks capital growth and invests primarily in common stocks and
securities convertible into common stocks. See "Investment Objectives."

Bond-Oriented Fund

     Selected U.S. Government Income Fund ("Selected Government Income") seeks
to obtain current income consistent with preservation of capital by investing
primarily in debt obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities ("U.S. Government Securities").

Money Market Fund

     Selected Daily Government Fund ("Selected Daily Government") seeks to
provide a high level of current income from short-term money market securities
consistent with prudent investment management, preservation of capital and
maintenance of liquidity. It invests in U.S. Government Securities and
repurchase agreements in respect thereto.

   
Manager, Sub-Advisers and Distributor

     Davis Selected Advisers, L.P. (the "Manager") serves as the investment
manager and distributor for Selected American, Selected Special, Selected
Government Income and Selected Daily Government (individually a "Fund" or
together the "Funds" or the "Selected Funds"). The Manager has hired Bramwell
Capital Management, Inc. (the "Sub-Advisor") to provide day to day management of
the portfolio of Selected Special. The Manager has entered into a Sub-Advisory
Agreement with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Davis Selected Advisers-NY, Inc.
("DSA-NY"). DSA-NY performs research and other services for the Funds on behalf
of the Manager. There are management and Rule 12b-1 distribution fees payable by
each Fund. For more information see "Fund Expenses" and "Manager, Sub-Advisers
and Distributor."
    

Purchases and Redemptions

     Shares of the Funds are sold and redeemed at net asset value without any
sales or redemption charge. The minimum initial investment in any of the
Selected Funds is $1,000 and subsequent investments are $100 or more. Please see
"Buying Shares" for more information on how easy it is to invest. Please see
"Selling Shares" for details on how to redeem shares.

Factors to Consider

     An investment in any of our Funds, as with any mutual fund, includes risks
that vary depending upon the Fund's investment objectives and policies. There is
no assurance that the investment objective of any Fund will be achieved. A
Fund's return and net asset value will fluctuate, although Selected Daily
Government seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share.


                                        2
<PAGE>

                                  FUND EXPENSES

       Shareholder transaction expenses:
       Sales Load on Purchases .................................    None
       Redemption Fee ..........................................    None*
       Sales Load on Reinvested Dividends ......................    None
       Exchange Fee ............................................    None
       Deferred Sales Load .....................................    None

- ----------
*    A service fee of $5 is charged for each wire redemption.

     Annual fund operating expenses after any expense reimbursements, as a
percentage of average net assets:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Selected     Selected    Selected Gov't   Selected Daily
                                 American     Special      Income***          Gov't
                                 --------     -------      ---------          -----
   
<S>                                <C>          <C>           <C>              <C>  
Management Fees .............      0.62%        0.70%         0.50%            0.30%
12b-1 Fees** ................      0.25%        0.25%         0.25%            0.25%
Other Expenses ..............      0.16%        0.38%         0.69%            0.20%
                                   -----        -----         -----            -----
Total Operating Expenses ....      1.03%        1.33%         1.44%            0.75%
    
</TABLE>

- ----------
**   The effect of a 12b-1 plan is that long-term shareholders may pay more than
     the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted
     under applicable rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
     Inc.

   
***  After contractual expense reimbursements.

      The Manager agreed to absorb certain expenses during 1996 for Selected
Government Income as is reflected above. If the Manager had not done so, "Other
Expenses" for Selected Government Income in the table above would be 0.92%, and
"Total Operating Expenses" would be 1.67%. Please see "Manager, Sub-Advisers and
Distributor" and the Statements of Additional Information for more information
on fees.
    

      We can illustrate these expenses with the examples below. You would pay
the following expenses on a $1,000 investment (assuming a 5% annual return and
redemption at the end of each period):

                       Selected   Selected      Selected Gov't   Selected Daily
                       American    Special       Income***         Gov't***

   
One Year ..........        $11         $14           $15              $ 8
Three Years .......       $ 33        $ 42          $ 46              $24
Five Years ........       $ 57        $ 73          $ 79              $42
Ten Years .........       $126        $160          $172              $93

      The tables are here to help you understand the various expenses that you
as an investor in a Fund will bear and are based on the Funds' expenses for the
year ended December 31, 1996, which reflect expense reimbursements in respect to
Selected Government Income as described above. There can be no
    


                                        3
<PAGE>

   
assurance that reimbursements for Selected Government Income will continue
beyond December 31, 1997. The 5% rate used in the example is only for
illustration and is not intended to be indicative of the future performance of
the Funds, which may be more or less than the assumed rate. Actual expenses may
be greater or lesser than those shown.
    

                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

   
     The following tables provide you with information about the history of the
Funds' shares, including periods prior to May 1, 1993 when Davis Selected
Advisers, L.P. became the Funds' Manager. The tables present the financial
highlights for a share outstanding throughout each respective period. Such
tables are included as supplementary information to the Funds' financial
statements which are included in the December 31, 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders which may be obtained by writing or calling the Fund. The Funds'
1996 financial statements including the financial highlights for each of the
five years in the period ended December 31, 1996, have been audited by the
Funds' independent certified public accountants, whose unqualified opinion
thereon is contained in the Annual Report.
    


                                        4
<PAGE>

                                SELECTED AMERICAN

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Year ended December 31,
                                     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996        1995       1994     1993(2)       1992       1991      1990         1989    
                                     ----------   --------   --------   --------    --------   --------  --------    --------   
<S>                                  <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>        
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period ...............  $    17.68   $  13.09   $  14.59   $  17.13    $  18.43   $  12.79  $  13.81    $  13.67   
Income From Investment 
  Operations Net Investment 
  Income ..........................        0.18       0.22       0.20       0.24        0.19       0.23      0.26        0.48   
  Net Gains or Losses on 
    Securities (both realized 
    and unrealized)                        5.15       4.74      (0.66)      0.70        0.89       5.65     (0.81)       2.21   
                                     ----------   --------   --------   --------    --------   --------  --------    --------   
    Total From Investment
     Operations ...................        5.33       4.96      (0.46)      0.94        1.08       5.88     (0.55)       2.69   
Less Distributions
  Dividends (from net
    investment income) ............       (0.17)     (0.22)     (0.20)     (0.24)      (0.19)     (0.23)    (0.35)      (0.45)  
  Distributions (from capital
    gains) ........................       (1.31)     (0.15)     (0.83)     (3.24)      (2.19)      --       (0.04)      (2.10)  
  Distributions in Excess of
    Net Investment Income .........        --         --        (0.01)      --          --        (0.01)    (0.08)       --     
                                     ----------   --------   --------   --------    --------   --------  --------    --------   
   Total Distributions ............       (1.48)     (0.37)     (1.04)     (3.48)      (2.38)     (0.24)    (0.47)      (2.55)  
                                     ----------   --------   --------   --------    --------   --------  --------    --------   
Net Asset Value, End of
Period ............................  $    21.53   $  17.68   $  13.09   $  14.59    $  17.13   $  18.43  $  12.79    $  13.81   
                                     ==========   ========   ========   ========    ========   ========  ========    ========   
Total Return ......................       30.74%     38.09%     (3.20)%     5.42%       5.78%     46.37%    (3.90%)     20.08%  

   
Ratios/Supplemental Data

  Net Assets, End of Period
    (000 omitted) .................   1,376,466    925,512    529,404    451,392     580,889    711,905   400,597     360,366   
  Ratio of Expenses to
    Average Net Assets ............        1.03%      1.09%      1.26%      1.01%(1)    1.17%      1.19%     1.35%       1.08%  
   Ratio of Net Income to
    Average Net Assets ............        0.87%      1.42%      1.42%      1.37%       0.95%      1.41%     2.04%       3.06%  
   Portfolio Turnover Rate ........          29%        27%        23%         79%        50%       21%        48%         45%
    Average Commission Rate
    Per Share .....................  $     .058       --         --         --          --         --        --          --     
</TABLE>
    

                                   Year ended December 31,
                                   -----------------------
                                       1988        1987       
                                       ----        ----       
                                                              
Net Asset Value,                                              
Beginning of Period ...............  $  11.43    $  12.65     
Income From Investment                                        
  Operations Net Investment                                   
  Income ..........................      0.26        0.34     
  Net Gains or Losses on                                      
    Securities (both realized                                 
    and unrealized)                      2.24       (0.22)    
                                     --------    --------     
    Total From Investment                                     
     Operations ...................      2.50        0.12     
Less Distributions                                            
  Dividends (from net                                         
    investment income) ............     (0.26)      (0.42)    
  Distributions (from capital                                 
    gains) ........................      --         (0.92)    
  Distributions in Excess of                                  
    Net Investment Income .........      --          --       
                                     --------    --------     
   Total Distributions ............     (0.26)      (1.34)    
                                     --------    --------     
Net Asset Value, End of                                       
Period ............................  $  13.67    $  11.43     
                                     ========    ========     
Total Return ......................     21.95%       0.23%    

   
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                      

  Net Assets, End of Period                                   
    (000 omitted) .................   284,719     263,141     
  Ratio of Expenses to                                        
    Average Net Assets ............      1.11%       1.11%    
   Ratio of Net Income to                                     
    Average Net Assets ............      2.07%       2.38%    
   Portfolio Turnover Rate ........        35%         45% 
    Average Commission Rate                                
    Per Share .....................      --          --       
    

- ----------
(1)  Had the former manager not absorbed certain expenses, the ratio of expenses
     for the year ended December 31, 1993 would have been 1.22%.

(2)  Effective May 1, 1993, Davis Selected Advisers, L.P. became the investment
     adviser. Until May 1 1993, Selected Financial Services, Inc. was the
     investment adviser.


                                       5
<PAGE>

                                SELECTED SPECIAL

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Year ended December 31,
                               1996      1995      1994    1993(2),(3)    1992(3)     1991(3)   1990(3)  1989(3)   1988(3)  1987(3)
                             -------   -------   -------   ----------     -------     -------   ------   -------   -------  -------
<S>                          <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
Net Asset Value,
 Beginning of Period ......  $ 10.80   $  9.02   $ 10.20     $ 10.40      $ 10.16     $  9.04   $ 9.95   $  8.52   $  7.96  $  8.92
Income From Investment
  Operations
   Net Investment Income ..     --        --       (0.03)       --           0.07        0.12     0.17      0.21      0.10     0.09
   Net Gains or Losses on
     Securities (both 
     realized and 
     unrealized) ..........     1.27      3.04     (0.22)       1.10         0.78        2.11    (0.85)     2.23      1.44    (0.03)
                             -------   -------   -------     -------      -------     -------   ------   -------   -------  -------
  Total From
     Investment
     Operations ...........     1.27      3.04     (0.25)       1.10         0.85        2.23    (0.68)     2.44      1.54     0.06
Less Distributions
  Dividends (from net
    investment income) ....               --        --          --          (0.07)      (0.13)   (0.20)    (0.18)    (0.10)   (0.32)
   Distributions (from
    capital gains) ........    (1.18)    (1.26)    (0.93)      (1.30)       (0.54)      (0.98)   (0.03)    (0.83)    (0.88)   (0.70)
                             -------   -------   -------     -------      -------     -------   ------   -------   -------  -------
   Total Distributions ....    (1.18)    (1.26)    (0.93)      (1.30)       (0.61)      (1.11)   (0.23)    (1.01)    (0.98)   (1.02)
                             -------   -------   -------     -------      -------     -------   ------   -------   -------  -------

   
Net Asset Value, End of
Period ....................  $ 10.89   $ 10.80   $  9.02     $ 10.20      $ 10.40     $ 10.16   $ 9.04   $  9.95   $  8.52  $  7.96
                             =======   =======   =======     =======      =======     =======   ======   =======   =======  =======
Total Return ..............    11.86%    34.24%    (2.56%)     10.81%        8.43%      25.53%   (6.87%)   28.91%    19.51%    0.50%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
  Net Assets, End of
    Period (000 omitted) ..   62,435    58,975    47,275      53,257       57,605      60,216   50,474    49,887    34,903   36,073
  Ratio of Expenses to
    Average Net Assets ....     1.33%     1.48%     1.41%(1)    1.24%(1)     1.41%(1)    1.39%    1.41%     1.22%     1.24%    1.10%
  Ratio of Net Income to
    Average Net Assets ....    (0.66)%   (0.58)%   (0.27)%     (0.07)%       0.56%       1.11%    1.81%     2.11%     1.09%    0.85%
  Portfolio Turnover Rate .       98%      127%       99%        100%          41%         74%      87%       45%       71%      89%
  Average Commission
    Rate per share ........  $  .060      --        --          --            --          --       --        --        --       --
</TABLE>
    

(1)  Had the Manager not absorbed certain expenses, the ratio of expenses for
     the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993 would have been 1.62% and 1.51%,
     respectively. Had the former manager not absorbed certain expenses, the
     ratio of expenses for the year ended December 31, 1992 would have been
     1.47%.

   
(2)  Effective May 1, 1993, Davis Selected Advisers, L.P. became the investment
     adviser. Until May 1, 1993, Selected Financial Services, Inc. was the
     investment adviser.
    

(3)  Per share data has been restated to give effect to a 2 for 1 stock split to
     shareholders of record as of the close of January 4, 1994.


                                        6
<PAGE>

                           SELECTED GOVERNMENT INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                           
                                                    Year ended December 31,                                                
                            1996       1995        1994      1993(2)     1992      1991      1990     1989       1988      
                           ------     ------     -------     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    
<S>                        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        
Net Asset Value,
  Beginning of Period ...  $ 9.20     $ 8.45     $  9.20     $  9.31   $  9.70   $  9.22   $  9.20   $  9.34    $ 10.01    
Income From Investment
  Operations
  Net Investment Income .    0.53       0.54        0.50        0.56      0.61      0.60      0.63      0.64       0.63    
  Net Gains or Losses on
    Securities (both
    realized and
    unrealized) .........   (0.28)      0.78       (0.75)       0.21     (0.13)     0.58      0.11      0.21      (0.32)   
                           ------     ------     -------     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    
    Total From
      Investment
      Operations ........    0.25       1.32       (0.25)       0.77      0.48      1.18      0.74      0.85       0.31    
  Less Distributions
  Dividends (from net
    investment income) ..   (0.53)     (0.54)      (0.50)      (0.56)    (0.61)    (0.60)    (0.63)    (0.64)    (0.63)     

   
  Distributions (from
    capital gains) ......   (0.02)     (0.03)       --         (0.32)    (0.26)     --        --        --         --      
  Distributions in Excess
    of Net Investment
    Income ..............     --         --         --           --        --      (0.10)    (0.09)    (0.35)     (0.35)
                           ------     ------     -------     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    
  Total Distributions ...   (0.55)     (0.57)      (0.50)      (0.88)    (0.87)    (0.70)    (0.72)    (0.99)     (0.98)   
                           ------     ------     -------     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    
Net Asset Value, End of
Period ..................  $ 8.90     $ 9.20     $  8.45     $  9.20   $  9.31   $  9.70   $  9.22   $  9.20    $  9.34    
                           ======     ======     =======     =======   =======   =======   =======   =======    =======    
Total Return ............    2.85%     15.97%      (2.71)%      7.99%     5.11%    13.46%     8.53%     8.47%      2.94%   
Ratios/Supplemental Data
  Net Assets, End of
    Period (000 omitted)    6,934      7,811      10,263      10,336    13,945    22,019    21,153    27,594     14,611    
  Ratio of Expenses to
    Average Net Assets ..    1.44%(1)   1.44%(1)    1.42%(1)    1.34%     1.44%     1.41%     1.44%     1.50%(1)   1.50%(1)
  Ratio of Net Income to
    Average Net Assets ..    5.96%      6.09%       5.70%       5.85%     6.26%     6.51%     6.95%     6.70%      6.30%   
  Portfolio Turnover Rate      26%        76%         65%         29%       53%       36%       29%       75%        76%   
</TABLE>
    

                              November 24, 1987
                                (Commencement
                                of operations)
                                   through
                                 December 31,
                                    1987
                              -----------------
Net Asset Value,                                       
  Beginning of Period ...          $10.00              
Income From Investment                                 
  Operations                                           
  Net Investment Income .            0.06              
  Net Gains or Losses on                               
    Securities (both                                   
    realized and                                       
    unrealized) .........            0.02              
                                   ------              
    Total From                                         
      Investment                                       
      Operations ........            0.08              
  Less Distributions                                   
  Dividends (from net                                  
    investment income) ..            (0.06)                  
  Distributions (from                                  
    capital gains) ......           (0.01)             

   
  Distributions in Excess                              
    of Net Investment                                  
    Income ..............            --                
                                   ------              
  Total Distributions ...           (0.07)             
                                   ------              
Net Asset Value, End of                                
Period ..................          $10.01              
                                   ======              
Total Return ............            6.57%*            
Ratios/Supplemental Data                               
  Net Assets, End of                                   
    Period (000 omitted)            8,737              
  Ratio of Expenses to                                 
    Average Net Assets ..            1.26%*            
  Ratio of Net Income to                               
    Average Net Assets ..            4.42%*            
  Portfolio Turnover Rate            --                

- ----------
(1)  Had the Manager not absorbed certain expenses, the ratio of expenses for
     the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 199 would have been
     1.67%, 1.58%, 1.69% and 1.88% respectively. Had the former manager not
     absorbed certain expenses, the ratio of expenses for the years ended
     December 31, 1992, 1989 and 1988 would have been 1.72%, 1.59% and 1.63%,
     respectively. 

(2)  Effective May 1, 1993, Davis Selected Advisers, L.P became the investment
     adviser. Until May 1, 1993, Selected Financial Services, Inc. was the
     investment adviser.
    

     Annualized


                                       7
<PAGE>

                            SELECTED DAILY GOVERNMENT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                      May 9, 1988
                                                                                                                     (Commencement
                                                                                                                     of operations)
                                                                                                                         through
                                                    Year ended December 31,                                           December 31,
                             1996      1995         1994       1993(2)      1992        1991       1990      1989         1988
                          --------   --------     --------     -------     -------     -------   --------  --------  --------------
Net Asset Value,
<S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      
  Beginning of Period ..  $  1.000   $  1.000     $  1.000     $ 1.000     $ 1.000     $ 1.000   $  1.000  $  1.000   $   1.000
Income From Investment
  Operations
   Net Investment Income     0.046      0.051        0.034       0.023       0.030       0.054      0.074     0.083       0.051
                          --------   --------     --------     -------     -------     -------   --------  --------   ---------
     Total From
       Investment
       Operations ......     0.046      0.051        0.034       0.023       0.030       0.054      0.074     0.083       0.051
Less Distributions
  Dividends (from net
    investment income) .    (0.046)    (0.051)      (0.034)     (0.023)     (0.030)     (0.054)    (0.074)   (0.083)     (0.051)
                          --------   --------     --------     -------     -------     -------   --------  --------   ---------
     Total Distributions    (0.046)    (0.051)      (0.034)     (0.023)     (0.030)     (0.054)    (0.074)   (0.083)     (0.051)
                          --------   --------     --------     -------     -------     -------   --------  --------   ---------
Net Asset Value, End of
Period .................  $  1.000   $  1.000     $  1.000     $ 1.000     $ 1.000     $ 1.000   $  1.000  $  1.000   $   1.000
                          ========   ========     ========     =======     =======     =======   ========  ========   =========

   
Total Return ...........      4.70%      5.23%        3.51%       2.34%       3.07%       5.51%      7.66%     8.63%       8.17%*
Ratios/Supplemental Data
  Net Assets, End of
    Period (000 omitted)   112,674    184,603      121,886       8,732       6,626      30,706    174,914   100,517      53,173
  Ratio of Expenses to
    Average Net Assets .      0.75%      0.75%(1)     0.75%(1)    0.75%(1)    0.75%(1)    0.68%      0.63%     0.74%       0.70%(1)*
  Ratio of Net Income to
    Average Net Assets .      4.62%      5.13%        3.44%       2.31%       3.02%       5.37%      7.39%     8.28%       7.86%*
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  Had the Manager not absorbed certain expenses, the ratio of expenses for
     the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 would have been .78%,
     1.07% and 2.29%, respectively. Had the former manager not absorbed certain
     expenses, the ratio of expenses for the year ended December 31, 1992 would
     have been 1.23% and for the period May 9, 1988 through December 31, 1988
     would have been 0.78% (annualized).
(2)  Effective May 1, 1993, Davis Selected Advisers, L.P became the investment
     adviser. Until May 1, 1993, Selected Financial Services, Inc. was the
     investment adviser.
*    Annualized
    


                                        8
<PAGE>

                              INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

     You probably have a variety of goals you want to reach, and these goals
will likely change over time. For that reason we offer a variety of Funds with
different objectives. In this way, you can balance your mix of investments
within one family of Funds. Of course, no mutual fund offered by us, or by
anyone else, can guarantee that its objective will be met or that you will reach
all of your goals.

Stock-Oriented Funds

     Selected American - a Growth and Income Fund

     Selected American seeks to provide its shareholders with both capital
growth and income. It invests primarily in common stocks and other equity
securities (including securities convertible into equity securities). The Fund
will normally invest at least 65% of its total assets in securities of U.S.
companies. The Fund diversifies its holdings among many companies and
industries, and although not required to do so, usually emphasizes "blue chip"
firms (companies that have market capitalizations of more than $1 billion and
long records of earnings growth and dividends). The Fund may also invest in
fixed-income securities for income or as a defensive strategy when the Manager
believes that existing economic or market conditions dictate such strategies.
Increases in interest rates tend to reduce the market value of fixed-income
securities and declines in interest rates tend to increase their value.

   
     The Fund may invest in real estate investment trust ("REITS"). Equity REITs
invest directly in real property while mortgage REITs invest in mortgages on
real property. REITs may be subject to certain risks associated with the direct
ownership of real estate including declines in the value of real estate, risks
related to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased
competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, and variations
in rental income. REITs pay dividends to their shareholders based upon available
funds from operations. It is quite common for these dividends to exceed the
REIT's taxable earnings and profits resulting in the excess portion of such
dividends being designated as a return of capital. The Fund intends to include
the gross dividends from such REITs in its distribution to its shareholders and,
accordingly, a portion of the Fund's distributions may also be designated as a
return of capital.
    

     The Fund may invest in high yield, high risk debt securities (including
convertible securities) rated BBB or lower by Standard & Poor's Corporation
("S&P") or Baa or lower by Moody's Investor Services ("Moody's") or unrated
securities deemed by the Manager to be of an equivalent rating. Securities rated
BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody's have speculative characteristics; changes in
economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to make principal and interest payments. Securities rated BB or lower
by S&P and Ba or lower by Moody's are referred to in the financial community as
"junk bonds" and are considered speculative. The Fund does not intend to
purchase securities rated BB or Ba or lower if after such purchase more than 30%
of the Fund's net assets would be invested in such securities (including
downgraded securities). See "Quality Ratings of Bonds" and "High Yield, High
Risk Debt Securities." There is no other limitation on the percentage of assets
that may be invested in any particular type of security. Since Selected American
invests in common stocks and other securities that fluctuate in value, the price
of its shares will fluctuate.


                                        9
<PAGE>

     Selected Special - a Growth Fund

     Selected Special seeks to provide capital growth. The Fund invests in
companies which the Sub-Adviser believes have capital growth potential because
of factors such as rapid growth of demand within their existing markets,
expansion into new markets, new products and opportunities for improving returns
on sales and investments.

     The Fund invests primarily in common stocks and other equity securities
(including convertible securities). Normally at least 65% of its total assets
are invested in equity securities. Investment income is only incidental. The
Fund invests primarily in securities of domestic companies. However, the Fund
may invest in the securities of foreign companies directly or through registered
closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in foreign securities. An
investment company invests primarily in foreign securities if normally more than
50% of such company's assets are invested in foreign securities. No such
investment in other investment companies may be made if it would cause more than
10% of Selected Special's total assets to be invested in such companies. Such
other investment companies usually have their own expenses including management
costs or fees and the Fund's Manager earns its regular fee on such assets.

     Generally, the Fund's holdings in equity securities are diversified in a
variety of industries and with companies of varying sizes, although the
investment emphasis is on companies with small and medium market capitalizations
(approximating $1 billion). The Fund may also invest in the same types of high
yield, high risk convertible securities as Selected American; however, Selected
Special will not invest in securities rated below investment grade if such
investment would cause more than 5% of net assets to be so invested. See "High
Yield, High Risk Debt Securities."

     The price of the Fund's shares fluctuates because the value of the
securities in which the Fund invests also fluctuates. When the Sub-Adviser
believes that economic or investment conditions indicate the need for a
defensive strategy, the Fund may, to protect the interests of its shareholders,
temporarily and without limitation, hold assets other than equity securities,
including cash, U.S. Government Securities and other liquid high-grade debt
securities.

   
Both Stock Oriented Funds

     Both Selected American and Selected Special may invest in foreign
securities. Selected American will not make such an investment if it would cause
more than 35% of its total assets to be invested in foreign securities. Selected
Special does not currently have any investment restriction relative to foreign
securities. However, Selected Special's Sub-Adviser intends to limit investments
in foreign securities to 25% or less of the Fund's total assets. As of December
31, 1996, neither Fund had investments in foreign securities.
    

     The Funds will generally invest in securities of foreign companies directly
through trades of individual securities on recognized exchanges and developed
over-the-counter markets and through American Depository Receipts ("ADRs")
covering such securities. In addition, Selected Special may invest in foreign
securities indirectly through registered closed-end investment companies
primarily investing in foreign securities.

     Investments in foreign securities may involve a higher degree of risk than
investments in domestic issuers. Foreign securities are often denominated in
foreign currencies, which means that their value will


                                       10
<PAGE>

be affected by changes in exchange rates, as well as other factors that affect
securities prices. There generally is less publicly available information about
foreign securities and securities markets, and there may be less governmental
regulation and supervision of foreign issuers and securities markets. Foreign
securities and markets are also affected by political and economic instabilities
in such countries, and may be more volatile and less liquid than domestic
securities and markets. The risks of investment may include expropriation or
nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, exchange controls and
limitations on the use or transfer of assets, and significant withholding taxes.
Foreign economies may differ from the United States favorably or unfavorably
with respect to inflation rates, balance of payments, capital reinvestment,
gross national product expansion, and other relevant economic issues. When there
are significant foreign investments, the operating expense ratio of a Fund may
be higher than that of investment companies investing exclusively in U.S.
securities, since the management, custodial and certain other expenses are
expected to be higher.

   
     For income purposes (which is only incidental with respect to Selected
Special) the Funds may lend portfolio securities and may write covered call
options on portfolio securities. A Fund will not engage a loan of portfolio
securities if more than 10% of its total assets would be subject to such loans.
Selected American may not write covered call options if more than 20% of its net
assets would be subject to covered call options. Selected Special may not write
covered call options if more than 10% of its net assets would be subject to
covered call options.
    

     The Funds may not invest in commodities or futures contracts. Until this
restriction is changed by shareholder vote, the Funds will not enter into
currency exchange contracts (agreements to buy or sell foreign currency
transactions at a future date) or other hedging transactions designed to reduce
overall investment risks, including the risks of currency fluctuation with
respect to foreign investments. Such techniques depend upon a portfolio
manager's ability to predict future foreign currency values, interest rates and
other relevant investment measures. The Manager and the Sub-Adviser believe that
the use of such techniques, which are not assured to work, involves certain
risks and costs. However, the failure to use such hedging procedures may result
in greater volatility, particularly with respect to foreign currency
fluctuations, than if such procedures were successfully employed. Nevertheless,
to the extent that the Funds' foreign investments are globally diversified,
fluctuations in one particular currency may be offset by fluctuations in other
currencies in which the Funds' investments are denominated.

     Selected American and Selected Special do not usually trade actively for
short-term profits. However, when the investment manager believes that it would
benefit the Funds, short-term profits may be taken.

Selected Government Income

     The investment objective of Selected Government Income is to obtain current
income consistent with preservation of capital by investing primarily in U.S.
Government Securities. A shareholder's investment in the Fund is not insured or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. The net
asset value of the Fund will fluctuate. A material factor in such fluctuations
is the fact that increases in interest rates tend to reduce the market value of
U.S. Government Securities owned by the Fund and declines in interest rates tend
to increase their value.

     Investments

     The Fund invests primarily in U.S. Government Securities, without
limitation on their maturities, and repurchase agreements secured by U.S.
Government Securities. Under normal market circumstances, at least 65% of the
Fund's total assets will be invested in U.S. Government Securities or repurchase
agreements related thereto.


                                       11
<PAGE>

     Some U.S. Government Securities are supported by the full faith and credit
of the United States, such as Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA")
Certificates and obligations of the Farmers Home Administration and the
Export-Import Bank. Others are supported solely by the credit of the issuing
agency or instrumentality with limited rights to borrow from the U.S. Treasury,
such as obligations of the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"). With respect to securities
supported only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality or by an
additional line of credit with the U.S. Treasury, there is no guarantee that the
U.S. Government will provide financial support to such agencies or
instrumentalities. The government guarantee of the securities owned by the Fund
does not guarantee the yield to the Fund, the market value of the securities
owned by the Fund or the net asset value of the Fund's shares.

     The Fund may purchase collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"),
including residual interests. A CMO is a debt security issued by a trust,
corporation or a U.S. Government instrumentality that is backed
("collateralized") by a portfolio of mortgages, mortgage-backed securities or
U.S. Government Securities. The issuer's obligation to make interest and
principal payments is secured by the underlying portfolio of securities or
mortgages. The Fund may invest only in CMOs issued by FHLMC, FNMA, or GNMA and
privately-issued CMOs that are (i) fully collateralized by mortgage-backed
securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC and (ii) rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by
Moody's or are unrated but in the opinion of the Manager, are of comparable
quality. "Fully collateralized" means that the collateral will generate cash
flows sufficient to meet obligations to holders of the collateralized
obligations under even the most conservative prepayment and interest rate
scenario. CMOs issued by FHLMC, FNMA and GNMA are considered U.S. Government
Securities for purposes of the above described 65% test; privately issued CMOs
are not.

     In the case of CMOs, payments of principal and interest on the underlying
collateral securities are not passed through directly and equally to all the
holders of the collateralized obligations. Collateralized obligations are often
issued in two or more classes with varying maturities and stated rates of
interest. The payments are directed to different classes of the CMO at unequal
rates. This results in varying maturities among the classes. This also may in
effect "strip" the interest payments from principal payments of the underlying
securities and allow for the separate purchase of either the interest or the
principal payments (sometimes called "interest only" and "principal only"
securities). Such "stripped" CMOs are currently considered by the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission to constitute illiquid securities and as such
are to be included in the calculation of the Fund's 10% limitation on illiquid
securities. See "All Funds - Restricted or Illiquid Securities."

     Mortgage prepayments at rates which are more rapid than those rates
projected at the time mortgage related U.S. Government Securities are purchased
at a premium can be expected to result in a decline in the value of mortgage
related securities because prepayments reduce the yield to maturity on such
securities. Conversely, the value of mortgage related securities purchased at a
discount can be expected to increase under the same circumstances. Prepayments
typically increase during periods of rapidly declining interest rates.

     Investment in such securities could also subject the Fund to "maturity
extension risk" which is the possibility that rising interest rates may cause
prepayments to occur at a slower than expected rate. This particular risk may
effectively change a security which was considered a short or intermediate-term
security at the time of purchase into a long term security. Long-term securities
generally fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates than
short or intermediate-term.


                                       12
<PAGE>

     Since the collateralized obligations may be issued in classes with varying
maturities and interest rates, the investor may obtain varying degrees of
predictability of maturity as opposed to direct investments in mortgage-backed
securities. With respect to the interest only securities and the principal only
securities, an investor has the option to select from the pool of underlying
collateral the portion of the cash flows that most closely corresponds to the
investor's forecast of interest rate movements. These instruments tend to be
highly sensitive to prepayment rates on the underlying collateral and thus place
a premium on accurate prepayment projections by the investor.

     The Fund may invest in FHLMC, FNMA and GNMA certificates, which are
mortgage-backed securities representing part ownership in a pool of mortgage
loans. These mortgages are assembled by financial institutions and, after being
approved by the government agency, are guaranteed by that agency and some are
backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. These certificates
are called "pass-through" securities, because both interest and principal
payments are passed through to the holder. As with CMOs, the Fund's ability to
maintain a portfolio of high-yielding securities will be adversely affected to
the extent that prepayments of mortgages must be reinvested in securities which
have lower yields than the mortgages. These securities may also be subject to
maturity extension risk, described above.

   Investment Policies

     Selected Government Income is managed with a view to obtaining current
income while seeking to preserve capital. Consistent with its investment
objective and policies, the Fund may invest in the full range of maturities of
U.S. Government Securities. The Manager may adjust the average maturity of the
Fund's portfolio from time to time, depending on its assessment of the relative
yields available on securities of different maturities and its assessment of
future interest rate patterns and market risk. Thus, at various times the
average maturity of the portfolio may be relatively short (from one year to five
years, for example) and at other times may be relatively long (over 10 years,
for example). Fluctuations in portfolio values and therefore fluctuations in the
net asset value of the Fund's shares are more likely to be greater when the
portfolio average maturity is longer. At times, for defensive purposes, the
portfolio may be comprised substantially of securities maturing in one year or
less.

     The Fund may sell portfolio securities without regard to the length of time
they have been held in order to take advantage of new investment opportunities
or yield differentials or to preserve gains or limit losses due to changing
economic conditions. This may cause the Fund to incur a relatively high annual
rate of portfolio turnover in some years. However, there are usually no
brokerage commissions paid in connection with transactions in U.S. Government
Securities.

     The Fund may from time to time make commitments to purchase securities on a
"when-issued" or delayed delivery basis; that is, delivery and payment for the
securities normally takes place in the future. The Fund will not invest in
excess of 50% of its assets, determined at the time of investment, in
"when-issued" securities. Sometimes the purchase price of the securities is not
fixed until the date such securities are issued. The securities so purchased are
subject to market fluctuation and no interest accrues to the Fund until delivery
and payment take place. The Fund intends to make commitments to purchase
securities with the intention of actually acquiring such securities, but it may
sell the securities before the settlement date if it is advisable or necessary
as a matter of investment strategy. At the time the Fund first makes a
commitment to purchase a security, it will record the transaction and reflect
the value of the obligation in determining its net asset value. The Custodian
will maintain on a daily basis a separate Fund


                                       13
<PAGE>

account consisting of cash, U.S. Government Securities or other high grade debt
securities with a value at least equal to the amount of the commitments to
purchase "when-issued" securities. When payment is made for "when-issued"
securities, the Fund will meet its obligations from then available cash flow,
sale of securities held in the separate account, sale of other securities or,
although it would normally not expect to do so, sale of the "when-issued"
securities themselves (which may have a market value greater or lesser than the
Fund's obligation). If the Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a
"when-issued" security prior to its acquisition, it could, as with the
disposition of any other portfolio obligation, incur a gain or loss due to
market fluctuation.

Selected Daily Government - a U.S. Government Money Market Fund

     Selected Daily Government seeks to provide as high a level of current
income as possible from the type of short-term investments (i.e., with
maturities of one year or less) in which it invests, consistent with prudent
investment management, stability of principal and maintenance of liquidity.
Although there can be no guarantee, Selected Daily Government seeks to maintain
a share price of $1.00 per share and has done so since inception.

     Selected Daily Government may invest in U.S. Government Securities and
repurchase agreements fully collateralized by such securities. See "Selected
Government Income-Investments" for a more detailed description of U.S.
Government Securities.

     Selected Daily Government may invest in securities that have interest rates
that are adjusted periodically or that float continuously in relation to an
index such as the prime rate ("variable or floating rate securities"), and in
participation interests of such securities. The value of such securities may
change when interest rates change, although the variable or floating rate nature
of these securities should reduce the degree of fluctuation in the value of
portfolio investments.

     Selected Daily Government limits its investments to securities that meet
the quality and diversification requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. See "Determining the Price of Shares - Net Asset Value" for
more information. For more information on Selected Daily Government's
investments, please see "Investments" and "Investment Restrictions" in the
Statement of Additional Information.

All Funds

     Borrowing. The Funds may borrow money from banks for temporary or emergency
purposes in an amount not exceeding 10% of the value of a Fund's total assets,
and may pledge an amount not exceeding 15% of total assets to secure such
borrowing. No Fund will purchase portfolio securities while any outstanding
borrowing exceeds 5% of such Fund's total assets.

     Industry Concentration. No Fund will make any investment (other than U.S.
Government Securities) which would cause 25% or more of its total assets to be
invested in any one industry.

     Repurchase Agreements. The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements, but
normally do not enter into repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven
days, and may make repurchase agreement transactions through a joint account
with other funds managed by the Manager. A repurchase agreement involves a sale
of securities to the Funds, with the concurrent agreement of the seller (a
member bank of the Federal Reserve System, or securities dealer, which the
Manager or Sub-Adviser


                                       14
<PAGE>

determines to be financially sound at the time of the transaction) to repurchase
the securities at the same price plus an amount equal to accrued interest at an
agreed-upon interest rate, within a specified time, usually less than one week,
but, on occasion, at a later time. The repurchase obligation of the seller is,
in effect, secured by the underlying securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or
other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Funds could experience
both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses, including
possible decline in the value of the collateral during the period while the
Funds seek to enforce their rights, possible loss of all or a part of the income
during such period and expenses of enforcing their rights.

     Restricted or Illiquid Securities. The Funds may invest in restricted
securities, i.e. securities which, if sold, would cause the Funds to be deemed
"underwriters" under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or which are
subject to contractual restrictions on resale. No investment will be made in
illiquid securities (which may include restricted securities that are illiquid)
if such investment would cause more than 15% of the net assets of Selected
American or Selected Special or more than 10% of the net assets of Selected
Government Income or Selected Daily Government, to be so invested. In the event
that market fluctuations cause a Fund to be invested in illiquid securities
exceeding 15% of net assets, steps will be taken as soon as practicable to
reduce the amount of illiquid securities held by such Fund.

     The restricted securities which the Funds may purchase include securities
which have not been registered under the 1933 Act but are eligible for purchase
and sale pursuant to Rule 144A ("Rule 144A Securities"). This Rule permits
certain qualified institutional buyers, such as the Funds, to trade in privately
placed securities even though such securities are not registered under the 1933
Act. The Manager or Sub-Adviser will consider whether Rule 144A Securities being
purchased or held by a Fund are illiquid and thus subject to that Fund's
policies limiting investments in illiquid securities. In making this
determination, the Manager or Sub-Adviser will consider the frequency of trades
and quotes, the number of dealers and potential purchasers, dealer undertakings
to make a market, and the nature of the security and the market place trades
(for example, the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of
soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer). The liquidity of Rule 144A
Securities will also be monitored by the Manager or Sub-Adviser and, if as a
result of changed conditions, it is determined that a Rule 144A Security is no
longer liquid, a Fund's holding of illiquid securities will be reviewed to
determine what, if any, action is appropriate in light of the policy limiting
investments in such securities. There is no limitation on the percentage of a
Fund's assets that can be invested in liquid Rule 144A Securities. Investing in
Rule 144A Securities could have the effect of increasing the amount of
investments in illiquid securities if qualified institutional buyers are
unwilling to purchase such securities.

     Portfolio Transactions. Subject to an overall policy to place portfolio
transactions as efficiently as possible and at favorable prices, research
services and sales of Fund shares may be considered as factors in placing
portfolio transactions for a Fund. Usually the portfolio transactions of
Selected Government Income and Selected Daily Government are principal
transactions without brokerage commissions, although a profit or loss to a
dealer may be incurred. In principal transactions the sole consideration in
determining the amount paid is efficient execution at a favorable price. Due to
differences in the investment objectives of the Funds, portfolio turnover rates
may vary. At times it could be high, which, for Selected Special and Selected
American, would require the payment of larger amounts in brokerage commissions.
Each Fund's portfolio turnover rates are set forth in "Financial Highlights."

     Fundamental Policies. The investment objectives of the Funds and the
restrictions set forth in the Statements of Additional Information, including
those set forth in respect to borrowing and diversifica-


                                       15
<PAGE>

tion as discussed above, are fundamental policies. The policies with respect to
permissible investments are fundamental policies of Selected Government Income
and Selected Daily Government. All other investment objectives and policies of
the Selected Funds are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder
approval.

   
     Any percentage restrictions set forth in this Prospectus or in the
Statements of Additional Information, other than the restriction with respect to
illiquid securities, apply as of the time of investment without regard to later
increases or decreases in the values of securities or total net assets.

                      MANAGER, SUB-ADVISERS AND DISTRIBUTOR
    

     Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., whose principal office is at 124 E. Marcy
Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, (the "Manager") serves as the manager and
distributor for the Selected Funds. The sole general partner of the Manager is
Venture Advisers, Inc. (the "General Partner"). Shelby M.C. Davis is the
controlling shareholder of the General Partner. Subject to the direction and
supervision of the Board of Directors/Trustees, the Manager is responsible for
investment management, administration and distribution activities for the
Selected Funds. As discussed below, the Manager has hired Bramwell Capital
Management, Inc. as the Sub-Adviser for Selected Special. Davis Selected
Advisers-NY, Inc. ("DSA NY"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, performs
research and other services for the Funds on behalf of the Manager under a
sub-Advisory Agreement with the Manager. This Agreement does not affect the
services provided by Bramwell Capital Management. The Manager also acts as
investment adviser and distributor of Davis New York Venture Fund, Inc., Davis
High Income Fund, Inc., Davis Tax-Free High Income Fund, Inc., Davis Series,
Inc. and Davis International Series, Inc.

     The Manager receives advisory fees monthly based upon each Fund's average
daily net assets at the following annual rates: Selected American - 0.65% on the
first $500 million, 0.60% on the next $500 million, and 0.55% on amounts over $1
billion; Selected Special Inc. 0.70% on the first $50 million, 0.675% on the
next $100 million, 0.65% on the next $100 million and 0.60% on amounts over $250
million; Selected Government Income - 0.50% on all amounts; Selected Daily
Government - 0.30% on all amounts. Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement with DSA-NY,
the Manager pays all of DSA-NY's direct and indirect costs of operations. All
the fees paid to DSA-NY are paid by the Manager and not the Funds.

   
     The Manager has agreed to absorb Fund operating expenses during 1997 to the
extent that the ratio of expenses to average net assets exceeds 1.50% for
Selected Government Income.
    

     Bramwell Capital Management, Inc. (the "Sub-Adviser"), is the Sub-Adviser
for Selected Special. The Sub-Adviser is employed by the Manager to manage the
day to day investment operations for Selected Special subject to the Manager's
responsibility to monitor the performance and effectiveness of the Sub-Adviser
Selected Special pays no fees directly to the Sub-Adviser The Sub-Adviser
receives from the Manager a fee in an amount equal to 50% of the advisory fees
received by the Manager from Selected Special less 50% of any trail commissions
paid to dealers by the Manager in excess of 0.25% of the Fund's net assets per
annum, with a minimum annual fee of $150,000. The Sub-Adviser also provides
investment advisory services to individuals and institutional investors as well
as the Bramwell Funds, Inc. The Sub-Adviser's offices are located at 745 Fifth
Avenue, New York, New York 10151. Elizabeth R. Bramwell is the controlling
shareholder of the Sub-Adviser.


                                       16
<PAGE>

     The shares of the Selected Funds are distributed by the Manager The Manager
is paid a fee provided by Distribution Plans adopted and approved by the Funds'
Boards and shareholders in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. This Rule regulates the manner in which a mutual fund may
assume the costs of distributing and promoting the sale of its shares. The
Manager provides office space and equipment, personnel, literature distribution
and advertising to promote the sale of the Funds' shares. Each Fund pays a
monthly distribution fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of average daily net
assets. In addition, the Plans provide that the Manager, in its sole discretion,
may utilize its own resources for distributing and promoting sales of Fund
shares, including any profits from its management fees.

   
     The Manager has agreements with securities dealers for distributing shares
of the Funds and providing services to shareholders. The Manager may pay such
firms service fees of up to 0.55% of the average net asset value of the shares
of Selected American and Selected Special and up to 0.25% of the average net
asset value of the shares of Selected Government Income and Selected Daily
Government in accounts for which representatives of the dealers are responsible
and provide services.
    

     Shares of the Selected Funds may be sold through banks or bank-affiliated
dealers. If it is determined that the Glass-Steagall Act (which limits the
ability of a bank to be an underwriter of securities) prohibits banks or bank
affiliates from selling shares of the Funds, there would be no material adverse
effects on the Funds. State securities laws may require such firms to be
licensed as securities dealers in order to sell shares of the Selected Funds.

                               PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

   
     Christopher C. Davis is the portfolio manager for Selected American. He was
co-portfolio manager of Selected American, with Shelby M.C. Davis, from
December, 1994 until February 19, 1997. Prior to his responsibilities as
co-portfolio manager, Christopher C. Davis worked closely with Shelby M.C. Davis
as an assistant portfolio manager and research analyst beginning in September,
1989.
    

     Shelby M.C. Davis is Chief Investment Officer of the Manager. As Chief
Investment Officer, he is active in providing investment themes, strategies and
individual stock selection to Selected American. He was the primary portfolio
manager for Selected American from May 1, 1993 until February 19, 1997. He is a
director and officer of all investment companies managed by the Manager and was
the portfolio manager of a growth fund from its inception in 1969 until February
19, 1997. He has been a director of the Manager's general partner since 1969.

     Elizabeth R. Bramwell is the primary portfolio manager of Selected Special.
Since February, 1994, Ms. Bramwell has been the Chief Executive Officer and sole
director of the Sub-Adviser. Prior to February, 1994, Ms. Bramwell was
President, Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager and a Trustee of The
Gabelli Growth Fund from its inception, April 10, 1987.

   
     Carolyn H. Spolidoro is the primary portfolio manager of Selected
Government Income and Selected Daily Government. She has been employed by the
Adviser since August, 1985. She is a Vice President of the Manager's General
Partner and Vice President of all of the investment companies managed by the
Manager, except the Selected Funds. She is also portfolio manager of the Davis
Series, Inc., Davis Government Bond Fund and Davis Government Money Market Fund.
    


                                       17
<PAGE>

                                  BUYING SHARES

      Shares of the Funds may be purchased through a securities dealer having a
sales agreement with the Manager (a "Qualified Dealer") or directly from the
Funds. No matter how you purchase your shares, you pay no sales load. You buy
shares at the net asset value computed after receipt of your investment in
proper form. This procedure is described below. Shares purchased through a
Qualified Dealer may be subject to administrative charges or transaction fees
imposed by the Dealer.

Initial Investment ($1,000 minimum)

     You may make an initial investment in any of the Selected Funds for $1,000
or more.

     Directly By Wire. Opening an account directly by wire means that your money
is invested earlier than if you mail a check and will go to work for you sooner.

     To open an account, just call us at 1-800-243-1575 and we will ask you your
name, address, social security or tax I.D. number, the name of the Fund in which
you want to invest, the amount of your investment and the name and address of
the financial institution that will be wiring your investment to the Selected
Funds and we will immediately give you an account number. (We will then mail you
an application form, which you will need to complete, sign and return to us
immediately.) Then, have your financial institution wire federal funds to the
Selected Funds' Custodian with the following instructions:

               Selected Funds
               c/o Investors Fiduciary Trust Company
               127 W. 10th Street
               Kansas City, MO 64105
               ABA #101003621
               Selected Funds Group Account No. 7523734
               The name of the Selected Fund(s) in which you wish to invest
               Your shareholder account number
               The name in which your account is registered

     We accept wires at no charge. However, your bank may charge you for this
service.

     Directly By Mail. All it takes to open an account is a check and the
enclosed application. Once you've completed the application, mail it along with
your check to:

               Selected Funds
               P.O. Box 419782
               Kansas City, MO 64141-6782

   
     Please make your check payable to the Selected Funds, and do not forget to
indicate on the application the Fund(s) and amount(s) you are investing. An
investment in Selected American, Selected Special or Selected Government Income
will be effected at the next net asset value computed after your order is
received in good form. Your investment in Selected Daily Government will be
effected when your check is converted to federal funds (money credited to a
financial institution's account at a Federal Reserve Bank), which usually takes
at least two business days.
    


                                       18
<PAGE>

Subsequent Investments ($100 minimum)

     Directly By Wire. Follow the instructions above for initial investments
directly by wire. There is no need to call us first. Just contact your financial
institution.

     Directly By Mail. To add to your account by mail, please send your check or
money order with the detachable stub which you'll find at the bottom of your
most recent account statement, or you may drop us a note that includes the
registered account name, name of the Fund, account number, and amount you wish
to invest. Please remember that purchases should be sent to:

               Selected Funds
               P.O. Box 419798
               Kansas City, MO 64141-6798

Automatic Investing Through Your Bank

   
     Whether you purchase through a Qualified Dealer or directly, you may
arrange for automatic monthly investing by authorizing Investors Fiduciary Trust
Company to initiate a debit to your bank account of a specific amount (minimum
$100) each month to be used to purchase Fund shares. After each automatic
investment, you will receive a transaction confirmation and the debit should be
reflected on your next bank statement. You may terminate the plan at any time,
and we may modify or terminate the plan at any time. If you desire to utilize
this investment option, complete the Automatic Investment Plan portion of the
Application form enclosed with this Prospectus.
    

Prototype Retirement Plans

     The Manager has available various types of prototype retirement plans,
including Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs"). See "Retirement Plans" for
more information.

General

     Selected American, Selected Special and Selected Government Income do not
issue share certificates unless you specifically request one each time you make
a purchase. We don't issue certificates for Selected Daily Government shares,
for fractional shares, or to shareholders who have elected the Automatic
Withdrawals plan. Also, shares represented by certificates may not be redeemed
by wire or by telephone. See "Selling Shares" for information on how to sell
shares.

     Because clearance of foreign checks generally takes longer than checks
drawn on domestic banks, shares will not be purchased until the Funds have
collected funds from checks drawn on foreign banks. Therefore, all purchases
made by check should preferably be in U.S. dollars and made payable to the
Selected Funds. Any fees involved in collecting on foreign checks will be
charged to the shareholder. Third party checks, except those to an existing
share-owner who is a natural person (as opposed to a corporation or
partnership), credit cards, and cash will not be accepted. When purchases are
made by check or periodic automatic investment, redemption will not be allowed
until the investment being redeemed has been in the account for 15 business
days.


                                       19
<PAGE>

                                 SELLING SHARES

     With any of our Funds, you can access all or part of your account by
selling (redeeming) your shares through your securities dealer (who may charge
you a fee for this service) or directly by using one of the methods described
below. You can sell shares at the net asset value computed after receipt of your
redemption request in proper form. Please refer to "Dividends" and "Determining
the Price of Shares-Net Asset Value" for information on dividends and
redemptions and the price you will receive for your shares upon redemption.

     To keep expenses low, we reserve the right to redeem any single Fund
account that falls below $750. Because we value you as a shareholder, before
your account is redeemed, you will be notified in writing and we will allow you
60 days to make additional share purchases to bring your account value up to the
minimum level.

      You may not sell shares by wire or through the Automatic Withdrawals plan
or write checks against a Selected Daily Government account until the shares
have been on the Fund's books for at least 15 days, although there is no delay
for selling shares which have been purchased by wire.

By Wire or Electronic Funds Transfer

   
     You can sell shares by wire or electronically through the Automated
Clearing House system (ACH), if you have selected this option in your
application, have named a commercial bank or savings institution and have
attached a voided check or encoded deposit slip to which we can send your money.
There is a $1,000 redemption minimum for Selected Daily Government and a $10,000
redemption minimum for the other Funds if you wire funds. You will be charged a
service fee of $5 for each wire redemption. There is a $25,000 maximum for all
the Funds if you utilize ACH.

     Once you elect this redemption privilege, you or any other person can make
a request to use this privilege by calling 1-800-243-1575. You may also use your
privilege by mailing to the Funds a signed request that includes the Fund name,
account number and amount you wish to have wired. The proceeds will be sent only
to the financial institution you have designated on your application. You may
terminate this redemption privilege by notifying us in writing. See "Please
Note" following "By Telephone," as the conditions set forth in the note also
apply to wire and ACH redemptions.
    

     Changes in your bank account ownership or bank account number (including
the name of the financial institution) may be made by written notice to us with
your signature and those of the new owner(s) guaranteed. See "By Mail" for
signature guarantee instructions. Additional documents may be required when
shares are held by a corporation, partnership, executor, administrator, trustee
or guardian.

     Requests for wire redemptions are normally paid by the next business day.
However, in the event that the Manager determines that such redemptions would
adversely affect the Funds by requiring untimely disposition of portfolio
securities, such payment may be delayed for up to seven calendar days.

Automatic Withdrawals Plan

     This Plan may be appropriate if you have special income needs or recurring
major expenses and your account balance is $5,000 or more. Under the Automatic
Withdrawals Plan, you may choose to have your shares redeemed from your account
monthly, quarterly or semi-annually and a check will be sent to you


                                       20
<PAGE>

or to anyone you choose. Just let us know what the amount of the check should
be, although there is a $100 minimum for the Plan. Withdrawals can also be
processed electronically as described in the preceding section. Any income and
capital gains dividends will be automatically reinvested in your account on the
dividend reinvestment date. Shares are redeemed and checks are issued at the end
of the month of the time period selected. Therefore, you should receive your
check during the first week of the next month.

     As these withdrawals involve redemption of shares, they may result in a
gain or loss for income tax purposes (although generally no gain or loss results
from redemption of shares of Selected Daily Government). Purchases of Selected
American, Selected Special or Selected Government Income shares at the same time
you are selling shares may not be advantageous because of tax consequences. In
addition, depending upon the size of the requested payment and fluctuations in
the share price, you may exhaust your account.

By Telephone

     You can sell shares by calling 1-800-243-1575 (see "How to Reach Us") and
receive a check by mail, but please keep in mind:

          The check can be issued only in amounts up to a maximum $25,000; 
          The check can be issued only to the registered owner (who must be an
          individual); 
          The check can be sent only to the address of record; and
          Your current address of record must have been on file for 60 days.

Please Note:

     Unless you have provided in your application that the telephone privilege
is not to be available, the telephone privilege is automatically available for
selling or exchanging shares. By exercising the telephone privilege to sell or
exchange shares, you agree that the Fund will not be liable for following
telephone instructions reasonably believed to be genuine. Reasonable procedures
will be employed to confirm that such instructions are genuine and if not
employed, the Fund may be liable for unauthorized instructions. Such procedures
will include a request for personal identification (account or social security
number) and tape recording of the instructions. You should be aware that during
unusual market conditions we may experience difficulty accepting telephone
requests, in which case you should mail your redemption request. See "By Mail"
below.

By Mail

     Simply send your written request to redeem your shares as follows:

          Selected Funds
          P.O. Box 419782
          Kansas City, MO 64141-6782

     This written request must: (1) be signed by all account owners exactly as
the account is registered (both parties must sign in the case of joint
accounts); (2) state the dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed; and
(3) specify the Fund and account number from which shares are to be redeemed.
Please


                                       21
<PAGE>

remember that you cannot place any conditions on your request. If any share
certificates were issued, they must also be returned duly endorsed or
accompanied by a separate stock assignment. For your protection, you should send
your share certificates by registered mail.

     If the redemption proceeds are $25,000 or less and are to be paid to an
individual shareholder of record at the address of record, a signature guarantee
is not required (unless there has been an address change within 60 days). All
other redemption requests must have signatures guaranteed. Signatures may be
guaranteed by a commercial bank, trust company, savings and loan association,
federal savings bank, a member firm of a national stock exchange, credit union
or other eligible financial institution. An acknowledgment by a notary public is
not acceptable. Certain shareholders, such as corporations, trusts and estates,
may be required to submit additional documents.

     Normally, payment by check is made within seven days after the redemption
request is received with all required documents in proper form. However, if you
bought your shares by check, a Fund will delay sending redemption proceeds until
it has determined that your check has cleared, which is generally within 15
days.

By Check - Selected Daily Government Only

     If you are a shareholder in Selected Daily Government, you can also redeem
shares by check. If you choose this free check writing privilege in your account
application (or request it later), you will be provided with a supply of checks.
These checks will be imprinted with your name, the Fund name and your account
number, and can be made payable to any person with a $250 minimum and $5 million
maximum amount. You may not sell shares by writing checks against your Selected
Daily Government account until the shares have been on the Fund's books for at
least 15 days.

     When a check is presented for payment, a sufficient number of shares in
your account will be redeemed to cover the amount of the redemption check. You
will continue to earn dividends on these shares until the check clears. All
checks must be signed exactly as the account is registered so that, unless only
one signer is authorized on the account application, these redemption checks
must be signed by all account owners. You should not write a check to close your
account because the amount in your account varies daily (due to the daily
declaration of dividends). If you wish to close your account, you should do so
by the other redemption procedures described above.

     IRA or other retirement plan accounts and certain accounts established
through brokers may not use the check redemption feature.

     Your account will be charged a $10 service fee if you:

   
          Write a check for less than the $250 minimum; 
          Overdraw your available account balance; 
          Draw against shares owned for less than 15 days (does
            not apply to shares purchased by wire); 
          or Order a "stop payment."
    

     The Fund will not honor checks when the right to redeem shares has been
suspended or postponed, or whenever the account has been otherwise restricted.


                                       22
<PAGE>

Please Note:

     The Funds reserve the right to terminate, suspend or modify the Automatic
Withdrawals plan, check-writing privilege or telephone redemption privilege. A
Fund may suspend the right of redemption or delay payment (1) during any period
when the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and
holiday closings), (2) when trading in the markets that a Fund normally utilizes
is restricted, or an emergency exists, as determined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, so that the disposal of any of a Fund's investments or the
determination of its net asset value is not reasonably practicable, or (3) for
such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission by order may permit
for protection of a Fund's shareholders. In case of suspension of the right of
redemption, you may either withdraw your request for redemption or, if your
request is not withdrawn, receive payment based on the next net asset value
computed after termination of the suspension.

                                EXCHANGING SHARES

     You may exchange your shares in one Selected Fund for shares of another
Selected Fund. Please remember that you cannot place any conditions on your
request. Simply send us a written request that includes:

          Your name;
          Your account number;
          The name of the Fund you currently own; 
          The name of the Fund you wish to exchange into; and 
          The dollar amount or number of shares you wish to exchange.

     If you have any share certificates, you must include them with your
request. A signature guarantee is not required except in cases where shares are
also redeemed for cash at the same time. For certificate delivery and signature
guarantee instructions, please see "Selling Shares -- By Mail."

     You may also make exchanges by calling 1-800-243-1575 (see "How to Reach
Us"). Exchanges made over the phone may be made by any person, not just the
shareholder of record. Please remember that during unusual market conditions, we
may experience difficulty accepting telephone requests, in which case you should
mail your request. In addition, exchanges may also be made through securities
dealers who may charge you a fee for effecting an exchange. See "Please Note"
following "Selling Shares-By Telephone," as the conditions set forth in the note
also apply to exchanges.

     An exchange of shares is considered a sale for federal income tax purposes.
A shareholder may realize a gain or loss depending upon whether the value of the
shares being exchanged is more or less than the adjusted cost basis. This is
usually the case except when exchanging shares of Selected Daily Government for
shares of another Selected Fund.

   
     Since excessive trading may hurt Fund performance, disrupt portfolio
management and increase transaction costs, the Funds have decided to limit
excessive exchange activity. Exchanges out of a Fund are limited to four per
calendar year. This exchange limitation may be terminated or amended at any time
upon such notice as is required by applicable regulatory authorities.
    

     Exchanges are available only in states where shares of a particular Fund
being acquired may legally be sold. The Funds reserve the right to suspend,
terminate or modify the exchange privilege at any time, but will normally give
you advance notice.


                                       23
<PAGE>

                                FUND PERFORMANCE

     The Funds may quote information from publications including, but not
limited to, The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Forbes, Barron's, Newsweek,
Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, USA Today,
Fortune, Investors Business Daily, Financial World, Smart Money, No-Load Fund
Investor and Kiplinger's and may cite information from Morningstar, Value Line
or the Investment Company Institute. Selected American, Selected Special and
Selected Government Income may compare their performance to the Consumer Price
Index, Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index, the
Russell 2,000 Index or Wilshire 5,000 and to the performance of mutual fund
indexes as reported by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or CDA Investment
Technologies, Inc., two widely recognized independent mutual fund reporting
services. We invite you to compare the performance of the Selected Funds to the
historical returns of various investments, performance indexes or economic
indicators such as stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, money market funds
and U.S. Treasury Bills. Some of these investments may offer fixed rates of
return and guaranteed principal and may be insured. For more information on the
Funds' performance, and performance advertising see "Performance Data" in the
Statements of Additional Information. Please remember that performance
information is based upon historical results and is not necessarily indicative
of future performance.

     The Funds' Annual Report contains additional performance information. Such
Annual Report will be made available upon request and without charge.

Stock-Oriented Funds

     We may advertise the performance of Selected American or Selected Special
expressed in terms of "total return" or "average annual total return." Average
annual total return (which is standardized in accordance with Securities and
Exchange Commission regulations) and total return reflect the change in the
value of an investment in a Fund over a stated period. Total return and average
annual total return measure both the net investment income from, and any
realized or unrealized appreciation of, a Fund's holdings for a stated time
period and assume that all dividends were reinvested. The average annual total
return calculation is annualized and is shown as a percentage change over the
time period. Total return represents the aggregate percentage or dollar value
change over the stated period. Performance data will generally be stated for
one, five and ten year periods, but may also be quoted for other longer or
shorter periods.

Selected Government Income

     In addition to advertising "total return" or "average annual total return"
(see discussion under "Fund Performance-Stock-Oriented Funds"), we may also
advertise Selected Government Income's "yield." "Yield" with respect to Selected
Government Income refers to the net investment income generated by a
hypothetical investment in the Fund during a thirty day or one month period. The
income is then annualized by assuming the same income was generated each month
for a twelve month period, and is shown as a percentage of the investment.

Selected Daily Government

     We may, from time to time, advertise Selected Daily Government's "yield,"
and "compounded yield."


                                       24
<PAGE>

     "Yield" with respect to Selected Daily Government refers to the net
investment income generated by a hypothetical investment in the Fund during a
seven-day period. The income is then annualized by assuming the same income was
generated each week during a 52-week period, and is shown as a percentage of the
investment. "Compounded yield" is determined similarly but, when annualized, the
income earned by an investment is assumed to be compounded weekly. Compounded
yield will be slightly higher than the yield because of the effects of
compounding.

     The performance of Selected Daily Government may be compared to that of
other money market mutual funds tracked by Lipper or rated by Donaghue's Money
Fund Report, a money market fund reporting service. Investors may want to
compare the Fund's performance to that of various bank products as reported by
BANK RATE MONITOR(R), a financial reporting service that publishes each week
average rates of bank and thrift institution money market deposit accounts,
Super N.O.W. accounts and certificates of deposit.

                DETERMINING THE PRICE OF SHARES - NET ASSET VALUE

     The price you pay when you buy shares in a Fund and the price you receive
if you redeem is the next net asset value computed after we receive your order
to buy or redeem in proper form. The net asset value per share of a Fund is
computed by dividing the total value of the assets of a Fund, minus its
liabilities, by the total number of its shares outstanding.

     The net asset value per share is determined on each day the New York Stock
Exchange is open, at the earlier of the close of the Exchange or 4:00 p.m. New
York time. The price per share for purchases or redemptions made directly
through Investors Fiduciary Trust Company is the net asset value next computed
after Investors Fiduciary Trust Company receives the purchase order or
redemption request. If the purchase order or redemption request is placed with a
Qualified Dealer, then the applicable price is computed as of 4:00 p.m. New York
time, provided that the Qualified Dealer receives the order before 4:00 p.m. New
York time and the Distributor receives the order before 5:30 p.m. New York time.
Otherwise the applicable price is the next determined net asset value. It is the
responsibility of Qualified Dealers to promptly forward purchase and redemption
orders to the Distributor. Note that in the case of redemptions and repurchases
of shares owned by corporations, trusts or estates, the Transfer Agent may
require additional documents to effect the redemption and the applicable price
will be that next determined following the receipt of the required
documentation.

Method of Valuation

   
     Selected American, Selected Special and Selected Government Income each
value their security holdings on the basis of market value which, with respect
to fixed-income securities, may be based on prices provided by a pricing
service. If no market value is readily available, such securities will be valued
at a fair value determined by the Boards of Directors/Trustees.
    

     Selected Daily Government investments are normally valued at amortized
cost, which means that they are valued at acquisition cost (and adjusted for
amortization of premium or discount) rather than current market value. This
enables Selected Daily Government to maintain a stable net asset value or share
price of $1.00, although there can be no assurance that a stable price of $1.00
will always be maintained.


                                       25
<PAGE>

     If a deviation of 1/2 of 1% or more were to occur between Selected Daily
Government's net asset value per share calculated at current market values and
amortized cost, or if there were any other deviations that the Board of Trustees
believed would result in a material dilution to shareholders, the Board of
Trustees would promptly consider what action, if any, should be taken. Please
see "Net Asset Value" in the Statement of Additional Information for further
discussion.

                                    DIVIDENDS

     To help keep your account growing, income and capital gains dividends from
any Fund are automatically reinvested on the payment date for you as additional
shares of that Fund, unless you request that dividends of $10 or more be paid by
check. You may make such an election on your account application or make such a
request later. You can make such a request by writing to the Funds. Your request
will be effective for the current dividend or distribution if it is received
before the record date. Requests received after that time will be effective
beginning with the next dividend or distribution.

     If you elect to have dividends and/or distributions paid in cash, and the
U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the check, or if it remains uncashed for six
months, it, as well as future dividends and distributions, will be reinvested in
additional shares.

Stock-Oriented Funds

     Selected American pays any income dividends quarterly and any capital gains
dividends at least annually. Selected Special pays any income and capital gains
dividends at least annually.

Selected Government Income

     Net income dividends are accrued daily and paid monthly. Shares earn
dividends as of the day after the effective purchase date up to, but not
including, the date of redemption. Capital gains dividends, if any, are paid at
least annually.

Selected Daily Government

     Dividends from the net income of Selected Daily Government are accrued
daily and paid monthly. Shares earn dividends as of the first business day after
the effective purchase date up through the date of redemption.

All Funds

     As a protection, if two of your dividend checks are returned as
undeliverable, those undelivered dividends will be invested in additional shares
at the then current net asset value, and the account will be redesignated as a
dividend reinvestment account.

                                      TAXES

     The Funds intend to continue qualifying as "regulated investment companies"
under the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). The Funds distribute all of their
taxable net income and net realized capital gains to shareholders so that the
Funds themselves do not pay any income taxes. You should consult your tax
adviser about the effects of federal, state and local tax laws on investments in
the Funds.


                                       26
<PAGE>

     Distributions of net investment income from a Fund are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income. A portion of the income dividends received by
the Funds from U.S. corporations may qualify for the "dividends received"
deduction available to corporate shareholders. Distributions from net long-term
capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains regardless of how long Fund
shares are owned. Distributions from net short-term capital gains are taxable as
ordinary income. Shareholders are informed annually of the amount and nature of
any income or gain. Distributions are taxable whether received in cash or
reinvested in additional shares.

   
     If for any reason you do not provide us with your correct Social Security
or Tax I.D. number (or certify that you are not subject to backup withholding),
we are required by the Code to withhold 31% of taxable dividends and proceeds of
certain exchanges and redemptions.
    

     If a Fund distributes less than the amount it is required to distribute
during any year, a 4% excise tax will be imposed on the undistributed amount.
The Funds intend to declare and distribute dividends during each year sufficient
to prevent imposition of the excise tax.

                                RETIREMENT PLANS

     The Selected Funds offer prototype retirement plans including 401(k),
profit sharing, money purchase, IRAs, Simplified Employee Pension ("SEP") plans
and model 403(b) and 457 plans for charitable, educational and governmental
entities. These plans utilize the shares of the Funds as their investment
vehicle. Investors Fiduciary Trust Company ("IFTC") acts as custodian or trustee
for the plans and charges the participant an annual maintenance fee of $12 per
account (which will be redeemed automatically at year end from your account,
unless you elect to pay the fee directly to IFTC each year).

     The Funds' custodian, IFTC, acts as the trustee or custodian under the IRA,
SEP and 403(b) plans and may act as trustee or custodian under the other plans.
For information, please call 1-800-243-1575, or write us at Selected Funds, P0.
Box 419782, Kansas City, MO 64141-6782.

     Please do not use the application included with this prospectus to open
your retirement plan account. Instead, call 1-800-243-1575 for a retirement plan
account application. Please consult your tax adviser to determine the effect of
any of the plans on your financial picture.

                            ORGANIZATION OF THE FUNDS

Stock-Oriented Funds

     Selected American, organized in 1933, and Selected Special, organized in
1939, are Maryland corporations and are both diversified, open-end management
investment companies. Selected American and Selected Special each issue one
series of common stock. Shares when issued are fully paid, non-assessable, and
freely transferable. Shares of each Fund have equal non-cumulative voting rights
and equal rights with respect to dividends, assets and liquidation.

Selected Government Income and Selected Daily Government

      Selected Government Income and Selected Daily Government are each separate
series of Selected Capital Preservation Trust. The Trust is a diversified
open-end management investment company organized as a business trust under the
laws of Ohio in 1987. Shares of the Trust when issued are fully paid,
non-assessable and freely transferable.


                                       27
<PAGE>

     Shares of each series have equal voting rights with other shares of that
series and each share is entitled to one vote at a shareholder meeting. On
certain matters, such as election of the Board of Trustees and ratification of
the selection of independent auditors, all series vote together. However, on
certain matters affecting a particular series, such as changes in investment
restrictions, the shares of that series vote separately.

All Funds

     The Funds do not have annual shareholder meetings but do have special
shareholder meetings when the Boards believe it is necessary or when required by
law. A Fund will have a special meeting when requested in writing by the holders
of at least 10% of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting.

     In the opinion of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
use of this combined Prospectus may make each Fund liable for any misstatement
or omission in this Prospectus regardless of the particular Fund to which it
pertains.

                             DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES

     The management and affairs of the Funds are under the direction and
supervision of the Boards of Directors and Trustees.

     The following persons serve as Directors and Trustees of the Selected
Funds:

   
          William P. Barr                  Katherine L. MacWilliams
          Floyd A. Brown                   James J. McMonagle
          William G. Cole                  Richard C. O'Brien
          Shelby M.C. Davis                Larry Robinson
          Robert J. Greenebaum             Marsha Williams
          Jerome E. Hass
    

     More information concerning the Directors and Trustees is contained in the
Statements of Additional Information.

                                 HOW TO REACH US

     You can have your questions answered about any of the Selected Funds or the
status of your account simply by calling 1-800-243-1575 Monday through Friday
from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain time. The Funds are closed on days on which
the New York Stock Exchange is closed. Whenever you want to contact us by mail,
please write to us at:

          Selected Funds
          P.O. Box 419782
          Kansas City, MO 64141-6782

                            QUALITY RATINGS OF BONDS

Portfolio Quality Ratings

     The table on the following page reflects Selected American's portfolio
quality ratings for the year ended December 31, 1996 calculated on the basis of
the average weighted ratings of all bonds held during


                                       28
<PAGE>

the year The table reflects the percentage of total assets represented by
fixed-income securities rated by Moody's or S&P by unrated fixed-income
securities and by other assets. The percentages shown reflect the higher of the
Moody's or S&P rating. U.S. Government Securities, whether or not rated, are
reflected as Aaa and AAA (highest quality). Other assets may include money
market instruments, repurchase agreements, equity securities, net payables and
receivables and cash. The allocations in the table are not necessarily
representative of portfolio composition at other times. Portfolio quality
ratings will change over time.

     The description of each bond quality category set forth below is intended
to be a general guide and not a definitive statement as to how Moody's and S&P
define such rating category. A more complete description of the rating
categories is set forth following the table. The ratings of Moody's and S&P
represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities that they undertake
to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are relative and
subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. There is no assurance that
a rating assigned initially will not change. Selected American may retain a
security whose rating has changed or has become unrated.

          Portfolio Composition of Selected American by Quality Rating
              as a Percentage of Total Assets at December 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Fund's Assessment of     General Definition
Moody'/S&P Rating Category    Percentage    Unrated Securities        of Bond Quality
- --------------------------    ----------    ------------------        ---------------
<S>                             <C>                <C>             <C>
   
Aaa/AAA                                                            Highest quality
Aa/AA                                                -             High quality
A/A                             0.24                 -             Upper medium grade
Baa/BBB                         0.44                 -             Medium grade
Ba/BB                             -                  -             Some speculative elements
B/B                               -                  -             Speculative
Caa/CCC                           -                  -             More speculative
Ca,C/CC,C,D                       -                  -             Very speculative, may
                                                                    be in default
Not Rated                         -                  -             Not rated by Moody's
                                                                    or S&P
Common and Preferred Stock      98.4                 -
Short-term Investments          0.92                 -
                              ------
                              100.00%              0.00%
</TABLE>
    

Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Corporate Bond Ratings

     Aaa - Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk. Interest payments are protected by
a large or an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the
various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be
visualized are unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such
issues.

     Aa - Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the


                                       29
<PAGE>

best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa
securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or
there may be other elements present which make the long term risks appear
somewhat greater than Aaa securities.

     A - Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes
and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be
present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

     Baa - Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e. they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics, as well.

     Ba - Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements;
their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of
interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well
safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of
position characterizes bonds in this class.

     B - Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any longer period of time may be small.

     Caa - Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.

     Ca - Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative
to a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.

     C - Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues
so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
any real investment standing.

Standard & Poor's Corporation Corporate Bond Ratings

     AAA - Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard and
Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

     AA - Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.

     A - Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

     BBB - Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.


                                       30
<PAGE>

     BB - Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating.

     B - Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has
the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse
business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or
willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also
used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied
BB or BB- rating.

     CCC - CC - C - is regarded as having predominantly speculative
characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. C
indicates the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have
some quality and protective characteristics, these are out-weighed by large
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

     D - This rating indicates that the issue is either in default as to payment
of interest and/or repayment of principal or is expected to be in default upon
maturity.

                      HIGH YIELD, HIGH RISK DEBT SECURITIES

     Selected American and Selected Special may invest in debt securities,
including securities convertible into common stocks. Investments may be made in
convertible securities to provide an opportunity for appreciation as the value
of the common stock appreciates. However, convertible securities are often
viewed by the issuer as future common stock subordinated to other debt and carry
a lower rating than the issuer's non-convertible debt obligations.

     The debt securities (including convertible securities) in which the Funds
may invest include securities rated BB or lower by S&P or Ba or lower by Moody's
or, if unrated, deemed by management to be comparable to such ratings.
Securities rated BB or Ba or lower are referred to in the financial community as
"junk bonds." While likely to have some quality and protective characteristics,
such securities, whether or not convertible into common stock, usually involve
increased risk as to payment of principal and interest. Such securities are
subject to greater price volatility than higher rated securities, tend to
decline in price more steeply than higher rated securities in periods of
economic difficulty or accelerating interest rates and are subject to greater
risk of non-payment in adverse economic times. There may be a thin trading
market for such securities. This may have an adverse impact on market price and
the ability of the Funds to dispose of particular issues and may cause the Funds
to incur special securities registration responsibilities, liabilities and costs
and liquidity and valuation difficulties. Unexpected net redemptions may force
the Funds to sell high yield, high risk debt securities without regard to
investment merit, thereby possibly reducing return rates. Such securities may be
subject to redemptions or call provisions which, if exercised when investment
rates are declining, could result in the replacement of such securities with
lower yielding securities, resulting in a decreased return. To the extent that
the Funds invest in bonds that are original issue discount, zero coupon,
pay-in-kind or deferred interest bonds, the Funds may have taxable interest
income in excess of the cash actually received on these issues. In order to
avoid taxation to the Funds, the Funds may have to sell portfolio securities to
meet taxable distribution requirements.

     See the Statements of Additional Information for more detailed information
on high yield, high risk debt securities.


                                       31
<PAGE>

Selected Daily                      INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DRAFTS USED FOR
Government Check                    CHECK WRITING PRIVILEGE:
Writing Privilege:
|_| If you wish to use   1. Your Selected Daily Government Fund drafts are paid
this privilege please       from an account at Investors Fiduciary Trust Company
check the box to the        ("IFTC"). 
left and complete the 
signature card below.    2. In connection with this account, you will have the 
                            same rights and duties with respect to stop payment
                            orders, "stale" drafts, unauthorized signatures,
                            alterations, and unauthorized endorsements as bank
                            checking account customers do under the Kansas
                            Uniform Commercial Code. All notices with regard to
                            those rights and duties must be given to IFTC.

                         3. Stop payment instructions must be given to Davis
                            Selected Advisers, L.P. by calling their service
                            telephone number for the Selected Funds: (800)
                            243-1575 or by writing to IFTC. IFTC's address is
                            Investors Fiduciary Trust Company, c/o The Selected
                            Funds, P.O. Box 419782, Kansas City, MO 64141-6782.

                         4. These rules may be amended from time to time.

                         THE SELECTED DAILY GOVERNMENT FUND SIGNATURE CARD (Type
                         or Print)

                         Account number_________________________________________

                         Shareholder Name_______________________________________

                         Co-Shareholder Name____________________________________

                         BY SIGNING THIS SIGNATURE CARD THE UNDERSIGNED AGREE(S)
                         TO BE SUBJECT TO THE INSTRUCTIONS AND RULES, AS NOW IN
                         EFFECT AND AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, OF THE
                         SELECTED DAILY GOVERNMENT FUND, THAT PERTAIN TO THE USE
                         OF REDEMPTION CHECKS. (SOME OF THE CURRENT RULES APPEAR
                         ABOVE.) EACH SIGNATORY GUARANTEES THE OTHER'S
                         SIGNATURE. 
                         (Signature)____________________________________________

                         (Signature of Co-Shareholder)__________________________

                         |_| Check here if both signatures are required on
                         checks. 
                         |_| Check here if only one signature is required on
                         checks.

                         If neither box is checked, all checks will require both
                         signatures.


                                       32

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
Summary ..................................................................   2
Fund Expenses ............................................................   3
Financial Highlights .....................................................   4
Investment Objectives ....................................................   9
Manager, Sub-Advisers and Distributor ....................................  16
Portfolio Managers .......................................................  17
Buying Shares ............................................................  18
Selling Shares ...........................................................  20
Exchanging Shares ........................................................  23
Fund Performance .........................................................  24

Determining the Price of Shares -
   Net Asset Value .......................................................  25
Dividends ................................................................  26
Taxes ....................................................................  26
Retirement Plans .........................................................  27
Organization of the Funds ................................................  27
Directors and Trustees ...................................................  28
How to Reach Us ..........................................................  28
Quality Ratings of Bonds .................................................  28
High Yield, High Risk Debt Securities ....................................  31

================================================================================
<PAGE>

   
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION                                  May 1, 1997
    

                      Selected Capital Preservation Trust

                             124 East Marcy Street

                           Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

                         Call Toll-Free l-800-243-1575

      Selected Capital Preservation Trust (the "Trust") is a diversified,
open-end, management investment company currently offering two separate funds
(the "Funds"):

    Selected U.S. Government Income Fund ("Selected Government Income"), and

          Selected Daily Government Fund ("Selected Daily Government")

   
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus and should be read
in conjunction with the Prospectus dated May 1, 1997. The Prospectus may be
obtained from the Trust.
    
<PAGE>

   
The Fund's December 31, 1996 Annual Report accompanies this Statement of
Additional Information. The Financial Statements appearing in this report are
incorporated herein by reference.
    

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPIC                                                                       PAGE

Investments .............................................................     3

Investment Restrictions .................................................     4

Net Asset Value .........................................................     7

Trustees and Officers ...................................................     7

Trustees Compensation Schedule ..........................................     9

Manager .................................................................     9

Expense Limitations .....................................................    10

Custodian and Transfer Agent ............................................    11

Independent Auditors ....................................................    11

Distribution Plans ......................................................    11

Portfolio Transactions ..................................................    12

Taxes ...................................................................    12

Trust Shares ............................................................    13

Major Shareholders ......................................................    14

Shareholder Meetings ....................................................    14

Ratings of Permissible Investments ......................................    14

Performance Data ........................................................    15


                                       2
<PAGE>

INVESTMENTS

      The following information supplements the discussion of investment
objectives contained in the Prospectus.

Selected Government Income

      Selected Government Income seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in U.S. Treasury bills, notes, bonds and other obligations
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities
("U.S. Government Securities") and repurchase agreements secured by such
obligations. Direct obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury include bills, notes
and bonds which differ from each other only in interest rates, maturities and
times of issuance: Treasury bills have maturities of one year or less, Treasury
notes have initial maturities of one to ten years and Treasury bonds have
initial maturities of greater than ten years.

      Examples of obligations issued by agencies or instrumentalities
established or sponsored by the U.S. Government include, among others,
securities issued by the Central Bank for Cooperatives, Export-Import Bank of
the United States, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("FHLMC"), Federal Housing Administration, Federal Intermediate
Credit Banks, Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), General Services
Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Maritime Administration,
Small Business Administration, and The Tennessee Valley Authority. Selected
Government Income may also invest in securities issued by agencies or
instrumentalities which may be established or sponsored by the U.S. Government
in the future.

      GNMA Certificates are mortgage-backed securities representing part
ownership of a pool of mortgage loans. A "pool" or group of such mortgages is
assembled and, after being approved by GNMA, typically is offered to investors
through securities dealers. Once approved by GNMA, the timely payment of
interest and principal on each mortgage is guaranteed by GNMA and backed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. GNMA Certificates differ from
bonds in that principal is paid back monthly by the borrower over the term of
the loan rather than returned in a lump sum at maturity. GNMA Certificates are
called "pass-through" securities because both interest and principal payments
(including prepayments) are passed through to the holder of the Certificate.
FNMA and FHLMC Certificates are similar to GNMA Certificates except that timely
payment of interest and principal on each mortgage may not be guaranteed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

      General Factors. The value of fixed-rate debt securities generally is
affected by three factors: (1) quality (the credit risk); (2) yield (the
interest rate); and (3) maturity (the length of time remaining until principal
is due). Because of the high quality of the permissible investments in Selected
Government Income, the credit risk is minimal and should not significantly
impact the value of portfolio securities. However, changes in prevailing
interest rates can be expected to cause changes in the value of portfolio
securities and therefore the net asset value per share; the degree of such
changes will depend on the yield and maturity of such securities. Generally
speaking, the longer the average maturity of the portfolio, the more susceptible
the portfolio will be to changes in value as the result of fluctuations in
interest rates. Investors purchasing shares of Selected Government Income should
understand that it is not a money market fund and should expect the net asset
value of the shares to fluctuate as interest rates change and as dividends are
declared and paid. Accordingly, investors seeking a constant net asset value
should consider investing in Selected Daily Government.

      Futures and Options Transactions. Selected Government Income is not
prohibited from engaging in transactions in futures and options. However the
Fund has not done so for several years and does not intend to do so in the near
future. In the event that the Manager determines that such investments would be
in the best 


                                       3
<PAGE>

interest of the Fund, shareholders will be given advance notice and the proper
disclosure will be provided in the Fund's registration statement, including the
Prospectus.

Selected Daily Government

   
      Selected Daily Government may invest in U.S. Treasury bills, notes, bonds
and other U.S. Government Securities and repurchase agreements secured by such
obligations. The Fund limits its investments to securities and repurchase
agreements which will mature in 397 days or less from the date of purchase. This
period is calculated pursuant to the provision of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment
Act of 1940 which governs the use of amortized cost valuation. Maturities of
securities collateralizing repurchase agreements are not so limited.
    

Both Funds

      Additional Information Regarding Repurchase Agreements. The Manager, under
guidelines and standards of review established by the Trust's Board of Trustees,
evaluates the creditworthiness of sellers and enters into repurchase agreements
only with those institutions that it believes present minimal credit risks. The
Manager has been directed to obtain from the seller full collateral for the
amount of any repurchase agreement and to require the seller to maintain
collateral, on a daily basis, at least equal to the repurchase price.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

      The Funds have adopted as fundamental policies their investment objectives
as described in the Prospectus and the investment restrictions enumerated below.
These cannot be changed unless authorized by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Funds, as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act").

Selected Government Income may not:

   
(1)   Buy the securities of any company if more than 5% of the value of the
      Fund's total assets would be invested in that company. Securities issued
      by the U.S. Government, or its agencies or instrumentalities and
      repurchase agreements involving such securities (U.S. Government
      Securities") are excluded from this restriction;
    

(2)   invest 25% or more of its total assets in any one industry, except that
      this restriction shall not apply to U.S. Government Securities.

(3)   borrow money except for temporary or emergency non-investment purposes,
      such as to accommodate abnormally heavy redemption requests, and then only
      in an amount not exceeding 10% of the value of Selected Government
      Income's total assets at the time of borrowing;

(4)   pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except that to secure
      borrowings permitted by (3) above, it may pledge securities having a
      market value at the time of pledge not exceeding 15% of Selected
      Government Income's total assets; provided, however, that the deposit of
      underlying securities and other assets in escrow in connection with the
      writing of put or call options and collateral arrangements with respect to
      margin for futures contracts and options thereon are not to be considered
      pledges or other encumbrances;

(5)   purchase securities on margin except that Selected Government Income may
      obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of
      purchases and sales of securities and further excepting that the deposit
      or payment by Selected Government Income of initial or variation margin in
      connection with futures contracts or related options transactions is not
      to be considered the purchase of a security on margin;

(6)   make short sales of securities;


                                       4
<PAGE>

(7)   underwrite any securities issued by others 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 or sell real estate, real estate mortgage loans, commodities or
      commodity futures contracts, or oil, gas, or mineral exploration or
      development interests except that Selected Government Income may invest in
      futures contracts and related options as described in the Prospectus and
      Statement of Additional Information;

(9)   make loans, other than (a) by entering into repurchase agreements, (b)
      through the purchase of other permitted investments in accordance with its
      investment objective and policies, and (c) through the lending of
      portfolio securities with respect to not more than 30% of its assets;

(10)  enter into a repurchase agreement maturing in more than seven days, or
      knowingly purchase securities that are subject to restrictions on resale
      or for which there are no readily available market quotations if, as a
      result, more than 10% of the value of Selected Government Income's total
      assets (taken at current value) at the time would be invested in such
      securities;

   
(11)  invest in securities of other investment companies, except as they may be
      acquired as part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets;

(12)  issue senior securities as defined in the 1940 Act, except insofar as
      Selected Government Income may be deemed to have issued a senior security
      by reason of (a) entering into any repurchase agreements; (b) permitted
      borrowings of money; (c) purchasing securities on a "when-issued" or
      delayed delivery basis; or (d) purchasing options, futures contracts and
      related options;

(13)  purchase or sell futures contracts or options on futures contracts if, as
      a result, the sum of the initial margin deposits on Selected Government
      Income's existing futures contracts and related options positions and the
      premiums paid for options on futures contracts would exceed 5% of the fair
      market value of Selected Government Income's assets after taking into
      account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it
      has entered into; provided, however, that in the case of an option that is
      "in-the-money" at the time of the purchase, the "in-the-money" amount may
      be excluded in computing such 5%; or

(14)  invest more than 10% of its total assets (determined at the time of
      investment) in illiquid securities, securities which are not readily
      marketable and repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than
      seven days. In addition, Selected Government Income will not invest more
      than 5% of its total assets in securities the disposition of which is
      restricted under federal securities laws. The staff of the SEC has taken
      the position that OTC Options and the assets used as "cover" for written
      OTC Options should generally be treated as illiquid securities. However,
      if a dealer recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank as a "primary dealer"
      in U.S. Government Securities is the other party to an option contract
      written by a fund, and that fund has the absolute right to repurchase the
      option from the dealer at a formula price established in a contract with
      the dealer, the SEC staff has agreed that fund only needs to treat as
      illiquid that amount of the "cover" amount equal to the amount by which
      (a) the formula price exceeds (b) any amount by which the market value of
      the security subject to the option exceeds the exercise price of the
      option (the amount by which the option is "in-the-money"). Although the
      Manager does not believe that OTC Options are generally illiquid, it has
      agreed that pending resolution of this issue, Selected Government Income
      will conduct its operations in conformity with the views of the staff.
    

      All percentage restrictions apply as of the time of investment without
regard to later increases or decreases in the values of securities or total or
net assets.


                                       5
<PAGE>

Selected Daily Government may not:

(1)   purchase securities, if immediately after such purchase more than 5% of
      its total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer
      excluding U.S. Government Securities, and repurchase agreements with
      respect to such securities;

(2)   invest 25% or more of its total assets in any one industry, except that
      this restriction shall not apply to U.S. Government Securities;

(3)   borrow money, except for temporary or emergency non-investment purposes
      such as to accommodate abnormally heavy redemption requests, and then only
      in an amount not exceeding 10% of the value of its total assets at the
      time of borrowing;

(4)   pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except that to secure
      borrowings permitted by (3) above, it may pledge securities having a
      market value at the time of pledge not exceeding 15% of its total assets;

(5)   sell securities short or purchase any securities on margin, except for
      such short-term credits as are necessary for clearance or portfolio
      transactions;

(6)   write, purchase or sell put or call options;

(7)   underwrite any securities issued by others (except that it may technically
      be considered an underwriter if it sells restricted securities);

(8)   purchase or sell real estate, real estate mortgage loans, commodities,
      commodity contracts (including futures contracts) or oil and gas
      interests;

(9)   make loans, other than by entering into repurchase agreements and through
      the purchase of other permitted investments in accordance with its
      investment objective and policies;

   
(10)  invest in securities of other investment companies, except as they may be
      acquired as part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets;

(11)  enter into a repurchase agreement maturing in more than seven days or
      knowingly purchase securities that are subject to restrictions on resale
      or for which there are no readily available market quotations if, as a
      result of such purchase more than 10% of a Fund's assets would be invested
      in such securities;

(12)  issue any class of securities senior to any other class of securities.
    

      All percentage restrictions apply as of the time of investment without
regard to later increases or decreases in the values of securities or total or
net assets.

NET ASSET VALUE

      The net asset value per share of each Fund is calculated on each day that
the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is open for business. The Exchange
is currently closed on weekends and on New Year's Day, President's Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas Day. 

      The method of valuing portfolio securities is as set forth below.

      Net asset value per share is determined by calculating the total value of
a Fund's assets, deducting total liabilities and dividing the result by the
number of shares outstanding.

Selected Government Income


                                       6
<PAGE>

      Fixed income securities are valued by using market quotations or
independent pricing services that use prices provided by market makers or
estimates of market values obtained from yield data relating to instruments or
securities with similar characteristics. Portfolio securities that are primarily
traded on a securities exchange or securities listed on the NASDAQ National
Market are valued at the last sale price on the exchange or market where
primarily traded or listed or, if there is no recent sale price available, at
the last current bid quotation. Securities not so traded or listed are valued at
the last current bid quotation if market quotations are available. Other
securities, including restricted securities, and other assets are valued at fair
value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. On each day the
Exchange is open for trading, the net asset value is determined as of the
earlier of 4:00 p.m. New York time or the close of the Exchange.

Selected Daily Government

      Investment securities are valued using the amortized cost method whereby a
security is valued at cost adjusted for the amortization of any premiums or
discounts over the period until maturity. With respect to repurchase agreements,
which are collateralized by U.S. Government Securities, the market value of the
collateral is evaluated daily.

      As discussed in the Prospectus, if a deviation of 1/2 of 1% or more were
to occur between Selected Daily Government's net asset value per share
calculated at current market values and amortized cost, or if there were any
other deviation the Board of Trustees believed would result in a material
dilution to shareholders, the Board of Trustees would consider certain temporary
actions to protect the interests of the shareholders. Such action could include
withholding dividends, paying dividends out of surplus, realizing gains or
losses, or using market asset valuation.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

      The trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to
their principal occupations during the past 5 years, are listed below. Each of
the Trust's trustees is also a director of Selected American Shares, Inc. and
Selected Special Shares, Inc. (collectively with the Trust, the "Selected
Funds"). As indicated below, certain directors and officers of the Fund hold
similar positions with the following funds that are also managed by the Manager:
Davis New York Venture Fund, Inc., Davis High Income Fund, Inc., Davis Tax-Free
High Income Fund, Inc., Davis Series, Inc. and Davis International Series, Inc.
(collectively the "Davis Funds").

William P. Barr (5/23/50) - Trustee. Senior Vice President, General Counsel, GTE
Corporation since July 1994. Attorney General of the United States from August
1991 to January 1993. Deputy Attorney General from May 1990 to August 1991.
Assistant Attorney General from April 1989 to May 1990. Partner with the law
firm of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge from 1984 to April 1989 and January
1993 to August 1994. His address is One Stamford Forum, Stamford, CT 06904.

Floyd A. Brown (11/5/30) - Trustee. Staff announcer and program host for WGN
Radio and Television, Chicago, Illinois. Sole proprietor of The Floyd Brown Co.,
Elgin, Illinois (advertising, media production and mass media marketing). His
address is 51 Douglas Avenue, Elgin, Illinois 60120.

William G. Cole (3/7/17) - Trustee. Retired educator; writer. His address is 544
W. Brompton, Chicago, Illinois 60657.

   
*/**Shelby M.C. Davis (3/20/37) - Trustee and President. Director, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Venture Advisers, Inc. President of each of the Davis
Funds; Employee of Capital Ideas, Inc. (financial consulting firm); Consultant
to Fiduciary Trust Company International. Director of Shelby Cullom Davis
Financial Consultants, Inc. Prior to December 31, 1992, Chairman of Venture
Pension Advisers, Inc. His address is P.O. Box 205, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455.
    


                                       7
<PAGE>

**Robert J. Greenebaum (7/30/17) - Trustee and Chairman of the Board. Retired.
Engaged in investment consulting and private investment activities. Director,
Blue Chip Value Fund, Inc. and United Asset Management Corporation (a holding
company in the investment management field). His address is 111 West Washington
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602.

Jerome E. Hass (6/1/40) - Trustee. Professor of Finance and Business Strategy
Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University. Consultant National
Economic Research Associates. Formerly Chief of Research of the Federal Power
Commission and Special Assistant to James R. Schlesinger at the Executive Office
of the President of the United States.

   
Katherine L. MacWilliams (1/19/56) - Trustee. Vice President, Treasurer Coors
Brewing Company and Adolph Coors Company. Formerly Vice President of Capital
Markets for UBS Securities in New York. Former member of the Board of
International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.
    

James J. McMonagle (10/1/44) - Trustee. Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of University Health System, Inc. and University Hospitals of Cleveland.
From 1976 to 1990, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
His address is 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.

   
Richard C. O'Brien (9/12/45) - Trustee. Corporate Economist for Hewlett-Packard
Company. Director, National Association of Business Economists, former President
of the Northern California High Technology Council and former Chairman of the
Economic Advisory Council of the California Chamber of Commerce.
    

Larry Robinson (10/28/28) - Trustee. General Partner, Robinson Investment
Company. Management Consultant. Corporate Liaison for Mayor Michael R. White of
Cleveland, Ohio. Adjunct Professor at Weatherhead School of Management, Case
Western Reserve University. His address is 950 Terminal Tower, 50 Public Square,
Cleveland, Ohio 44113.

Marsha Williams (3/28/51). Director. Treasurer, Amoco Corporation. Director,
Illinois Benedictine College, The Conference Board Council of Corporate
Treasurers, Illinois Council on Economic Education, Chicagoland Chamber of
Commerce; Formerly, Director, Fertilizers of Trinidad and Tobago from 1989-1993,
Ok Tedi Mining Limited from 1992-1993, Just Jobs from 1988-1992. Her address is
200 E. Randolph Dr., Chicago, IL 60601.

   
**Samuel P. Ynzunza (8/13/62) - Vice President and Secretary. Senior Vice
President, Venture Advisers, Inc. Vice President and Secretary of each of the
Davis Funds except Davis International. Former Corporate Counsel, INVESCO Funds
Group, Inc. and Franklin Resources. His address is 124 East Marcy Street, Santa
Fe, New Mexico 87501.
    

**Eileen R. Street (3/11/62) - Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary.
Senior Vice President, Venture Advisers, Inc. Assistant Treasurer and Assistant
Secretary of each of the Davis Funds. Her address is 124 East Marcy Street,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.

**Arthur Don (9/24/53) - Assistant Secretary. Assistant Secretary of each of the
Davis Funds. Partner, D'Ancona & Pflaum, Fund Legal Counsel. His address is 30
North LaSalle Street, Suite 2900, Chicago, Illinois 60602.

**Sheldon R. Stein (11/29/28) - Assistant Secretary. Assistant Secretary of each
of the Davis Funds. Partner, D'Ancona & Pflaum, Fund Legal Counsel. His address
is 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2900, Chicago, Illinois 60602.

   
      As of March 31, 1997, the trustees and officers of the Trust as a group
owned 0.033% and 3.157% of the outstanding shares of Selected Daily Government
and Selected U.S. Government Income, respectively.
    

- ----------
*A Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund (as defined in the 1940
Act). 
**Holds same office(s) with Selected American Shares, Inc. and Selected
Special Shares, Inc.


                                       8
<PAGE>

TRUSTEES' COMPENSATION SCHEDULE

      During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 the compensation paid to
Trustees who are not considered to be interested persons of the Trust was as
follows:

                                                Aggregate Trust   Total Complex
                   Name                         Compensation      Compensation*

   
            William P. Barr                          3,516            30,000
            Floyd A Brown                            3,751            32,000
            William G. Cole                          4,044            34,500
            Robert J. Greenebaum                     6,271            53,500
            Jerome E. Hass***                          -0-               -0-
            Walter E. Hoadley**                      3,751            32,000
            Katherine L. MacWilliams***                -0-               -0-
            James J. McMonagle                       3,282            28,000
            Richard C. O'Brien***                      -0-               -0-
            Larry Robinson                           3,282            28,000
            Marsha Williams                          3,282            28,000
    

*   Complex compensation is the aggregate compensation paid, for services as a
    Trustee, by all mutual funds with the same investment adviser.

   
**  Mr. Hoadley retired from the Board of Trustees effective December 31, 1996.

*** Ms. MacWilliams and Messrs. Hass and O'Brien were elected to the Board on
    March 25, 1997.
    

MANAGER

      Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., 124 East Marcy Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico
87501, a Colorado limited partnership, has served as the Manager since May 1,
1993. The Manager's general partner is Venture Advisers, Inc. (the "General
Partner"), 124 East Marcy Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, a New York
corporation. Shelby M.C. Davis is the controlling shareholder of the General
Partner.

      The Manager, subject to the general supervision of the Funds' Board of
Trustees, provides the Funds with investment advice and management. It furnishes
statistical, executive and clerical personnel, bookkeeping, office space, and
equipment necessary to carry out its investment advisory functions and such
corporate managerial duties as are requested by the Board of Trustees of the
Funds. The Manager pays all salaries of officers and fees and expenses of
trustees who are directors, officers or employees of the Manager or any of its
affiliates. The Funds pays all other Fund expenses. Under the Investment
Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager, in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties,
the Manager will not be liable for any act or omission in the cause of, or
connected with, rendering service under the Agreement or for any losses that may
be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security.

      The Manager is paid a fee for its services at the annual rates of .50 of
1% of average daily net assets for Selected Government Income and .30 of 1% of
average daily net assets for Selected Daily Government.

   
      During the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 Selected
Government Income paid advisory fees of $36,483, $39,847 and $46,401,
respectively. During such periods Selected Daily Government paid advisory fees
of $438,932, $396,025 and $122,232, respectively.
    


                                       9
<PAGE>

      The Manager has adopted a Code of Ethics which regulates the personal
securities transactions of the Manager's investment personnel and other
employees and affiliates with access to information regarding securities
transactions of the Fund. The Code of Ethics requires investment personnel to
disclose personal securities holdings upon commencement of employment and all
subsequent trading activity to the Manager's Compliance Officer. Investment
personnel are prohibited from engaging in any securities transactions, including
the purchase of securities in a private offering, without the prior consent of
the Compliance Officer. Additionally, such personnel are prohibited from
purchasing securities in an initial public offering and are prohibited from
trading in any securities (i) for which the Fund has a pending buy or sell
order, (ii) which the Fund is considering buying or selling, or (iii) which the
Fund purchased or sold within seven calendar days.

Expense Limitations

Selected Government Income

   
      Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, if the aggregate expenses
(including the management fee and any fee paid pursuant to a distribution
expense plan, but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage fees and commissions, and
where permitted under expense limitations imposed by state securities
administrators, extraordinary expenses) for any fiscal year exceed 1.50% of the
average daily net assets of Selected Government Income (or any lesser limitation
imposed by a state regulatory authority), the Manager will refund, or otherwise
bear, the excess over the specified percentage.

      During the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Manager voluntarily
undertook to limit to 1.44% the ratio of expenses (including management and
distribution fees but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage fees, commissions and
extraordinary expenses) to average annual net assets of Selected Government
Income and reimbursed or absorbed expenses in excess of that amount. During the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 , Selected Government Income was
reimbursed $16,402 and $10,709, respectively of expenses by the Manager.
    

Selected Daily Government

   
      The Manager has voluntarily undertaken to limit to 0.75% the ratio of
expenses (including management and distribution fees but excluding taxes,
interest, brokerage fees, commissions and extraordinary expenses) to average
annual net assets of Selected Daily Government through December 31, 1997 and
will reimburse or absorb expenses in excess of that amount. During the year
ended December 31, 1995, Selected Daily Government was reimbursed $35,315, of
expenses by the Manager.
    

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

      Investors Fiduciary Trust Company ("IFTC"), 127 West 10th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64105, serves as the Funds' custodian and the United Missouri
Bank of Kansas City, N.A., Tenth and Grand Streets, Kansas City, Missouri 64106,
serves as the Funds' sub-custodian. The custodian and sub-custodian have custody
of all securities and cash of the Funds. The custodian and sub-custodian attend
to the collection of principal and income and the payment for, and the
collection of, proceeds of securities bought and sold by the Funds. IFTC is also
the Funds' transfer agent and dividend-paying agent.


                                       10
<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

      The Trust's auditors are Tait, Weller & Baker, Two Penn Center, Suite 700,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-1707. The services of Tait, Weller & Baker
include an audit of the Funds' annual financial statements included in the
annual reports to shareholders, amendments to the registration statement filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, consultation on financial
accounting and reporting matters and meeting with the Audit Committee of the
Board of Trustees. In addition, the auditors normally provide assistance in
preparation of federal and state income tax returns and related forms.

DISTRIBUTION PLANS

      The Manager has served as the Distributor of the shares of the Funds since
May 1, 1993. The Trust has adopted Distribution Plans (the "Plans") under Rule
l2b-l of the 1940 Act with respect to each Fund. Rule l2b-l permits an
investment company to finance, directly or indirectly, any activity which is
primarily intended to result in the sale of its shares only if it does so in
accordance with the provisions of the Rule. Under the Plans, each Fund pays the
Distributor an annual compensatory fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets for
distributing the Fund's shares. The Distributor pays all the costs of
distribution except for the cost of prospectuses and reports sent to current
shareholders. The Board of Trustees has determined that there is a reasonable
likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and their shareholders.

      The Board of Trustees has been informed by the Manager that the expenses
of distribution currently exceed, and for the foreseeable future are expected to
exceed, the amounts paid by the Funds under the Plans. Such excess is and will
be paid out of the Manager's own resources and not by the Funds.

   
      During the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, Selected Government
Income paid distribution fees of $18,242 and $19,854, respectively. The
Distributor reported that it spent the following amounts on the indicated items:
$8,586 and $8,593, respectively, was spent on advertising, $506 and $9,694,
respectively on printing and mailing prospectuses and sales literature to other
than current shareholders, $15,577 and $13,518, respectively on fees to brokers
and $4,232 and $4,232, respectively, on registration and filing fees.

      During the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 Selected Daily
Government paid distribution fees of $365,777 and $330,022, respectively. The
Distributor reported that it spent the following amounts on the indicated items:
$172,184 and $4,296, respectively on advertising for Selected Daily Government;
$10,097 and $6,463, respectively on printing and mailing prospectuses and sales
literature to other than current shareholders of Selected Daily Government;
$4,232 and $4,232, respectively on registration and filing fees. No fees were
paid to brokers with respect to Selected Daily Government during the year ended
December 31, 1996.
    

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

      The Manager makes investment decisions and decisions as to the execution
of portfolio transactions for the Funds, subject to the general supervision of
the Board of Trustees.

      Selected Daily Government expects that most of its purchase and sale
transactions will be with the issuer or an underwriter or with major dealers in
money market instruments acting as principals or as agents. Such transactions
are normally on a net basis and generally do not involve payment of brokerage
commissions. However, the cost of securities purchased from an underwriter
normally includes a commission paid by the issuer to the underwriter. Purchases
and sales from dealers will normally reflect the spread between bid and ask
prices. In placing portfolio transactions with brokers or dealers for Selected
Daily Government, the Manager's sole consideration is the ability to promptly
execute and clear orders in an efficient manner at favorable prices. Selected
Daily Government did not pay any brokerage commissions during the last three
fiscal years.

   
      It is the policy of Selected Government Income to seek to place portfolio
transactions with brokers or dealers who will execute transactions as
efficiently as possible, and at a favorable price. Selected Government Income
does not usually pay brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase of
U.S. Government Securities, 
    


                                       11
<PAGE>

although purchases from or sales to dealers will normally reflect the spread
between bid and asked prices. During the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994 Selected Government Income did not pay brokerage commissions.

      The Manager, in effecting purchases and sales of portfolio securities for
Selected Government Income, will place orders in such manner as in the opinion
of the Manager will offer a favorable price and market for the execution of each
transaction. In seeking a favorable price and market for securities traded only
in the over-the-counter market, Selected Government Income will generally deal
directly with the issuer or with major dealers acting as principals or as
agents. Subject to the foregoing policy, it will be the practice of Selected
Government Income, when purchasing through dealers, to select them primarily on
the basis of research information and statistical and other services furnished
to the Manager as well as satisfactory execution. It is not always possible to
place a dollar value on information and services received from dealers. Since it
is only supplementary to the Manager's own research efforts, the receipt of
research information is not expected to significantly reduce the Manager's
expenses. Selected Government Income may also consider, subject to the
requirement of favorable execution and price, dealers' sales of the Funds'
shares when selecting dealers to execute portfolio transactions.

      Research services furnished by brokers and used by Selected Government
Income for portfolio transactions may be utilized by the Manager in connection
with its investment services for other accounts and, conversely, research
services provided by brokers used for transactions in other accounts may be
utilized by the Manager in performing its services for Selected Government
Income.

      On occasions, the Manager may deem the purchase or sale of a security to
be in the best interests of one or more of the Funds as well as other fiduciary
accounts. In such event, the Manager may aggregate such purchase or sale in
order to obtain the best net price and most favorable execution. Allocation will
be made by the Manager in the manner considered to be most equitable and
consistent with its fiduciary obligations to all such fiduciary accounts,
including the Funds. In some instances, this procedure could adversely effect a
Fund but the Funds deem that any disadvantage in the procedure would be
outweighed by the increased selection available and the increased opportunity to
engage in volume transactions.

TAXES

      A Fund may be subject to an excise tax of 4% to the extent that its
distributions do not meet the "required distribution" pursuant to the Code. The
required distribution for any calendar year is the sum of 98% of a Fund's
ordinary income for that year plus 98% of the Fund's capital gain net income for
the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year. The Funds do not intend
to incur any excise tax and, if necessary, will make special distributions to
shareholders in order to avoid such tax.

      Fund dividends that are derived from interest on direct (but not
guaranteed) obligations of the U.S. Government and certain of its agencies and
instrumentalities may be exempt from state and local taxes in certain states. In
other states, arguments can be made that such distributions should be exempt
from state and local taxes based on federal law, 31 U.S. C. Section 3124, and
the U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of that provision in American Bank and
Trust Co. v. Dallas County, 463 U.S. 855 (1983). The Funds currently intend to
advise shareholders of the proportion of dividends that consists of such
interest. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers regarding the possible
exclusion of such portion of their dividends for state and local income tax
purposes.

Selected Government Income

      Dividends derived from interest or dividends in respect of portfolio
securities held by Selected Government Income or from short-term capital gains
are taxable to you as ordinary income even if such dividends are reinvested in
additional shares of Selected Government Income. Distributions of the excess, if
any, of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of any realized net long-term capital
gain over any net realized short-term capital loss), to the extent so designated
by Selected Government Income, will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain
irrespective of the length of time you have held the Fund's shares. Dividend
distributions will not qualify for the dividends 


                                       12
<PAGE>

received deduction for corporations. You will realize a taxable gain or loss on
your shares when they are sold or redeemed for an amount different from your
original cost. Such a gain or loss will generally constitute a long-term capital
gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year and a short-term
capital gain or loss if the shares were held for one year or less. However, if
you recognize a loss on the sale of shares that you had held for six months or
less, your loss will be a long-term capital loss to the extent of any net
capital gain distributions that you received with respect to those shares.
Information as to capital gains distributions, if any, and the tax status of
your dividends and distributions will be mailed annually shortly after the end
of the calendar year.

      You should be aware of the tax implication of purchasing shares of
Selected Government Income just prior to a distribution on such shares. When
distributions are paid shortly after a purchase, you will suffer a reduction in
the per share net asset value of your shares by the amount of the distribution.
Although, in effect, this is a return of your capital, such distributions are
subject to Federal income tax.

TRUST SHARES

      Upon issuance and sale in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus and
this Statement of Additional Information, each share of the Trust will be fully
paid and non-assessable. Shares of the Trust have no preemptive, subscription or
conversion rights and are redeemable as set forth in the Prospectus. Assets
received for the issue or sale of the shares of each Fund and all income,
earnings, profits and proceeds thereof are exclusively allocated to each such
Fund and constitute the underlying assets of each such Fund. The underlying
assets of each Fund are segregated on the books of account and are to be charged
with the liabilities of each such Fund and with a share of the general
liabilities of the Trust. All creditors, persons contracting with the Trust or
persons having any claim against the Trust may look solely to the assets of the
Fund with which such person dealt for payments of such credit, contract or
claim.

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

   
      As of April 22, 1997, Shelby Cullom Davis & Co., 609 5th Avenue, 11th
Floor, New York, NY , 10017-1021, owned of record 96,488,530.250 shares of
Selected Daily Government, constituting 83.75% of the outstanding shares of such
stock.
    

SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS

      The Trust does not hold annual meetings, but will hold special meetings of
shareholders as required by the 1940 Act such as to elect trustees or when
called by Trustees for any other purpose they deem appropriate. The Secretary is
required to call a special meeting of shareholders upon written request of at
least 10% of the shares entitled to be cast as votes at the meeting.

      Trustees may be removed from office by a vote of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares at a meeting called for that purpose, which meeting
shall be held upon the written request of the holders of not less than 10% of
the outstanding shares. Upon the written request of ten or more shareholders who
have been such for at least six months and who hold shares constituting at least
1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust stating that such shareholders wish to
communicate with the other shareholders for the purpose of obtaining the
signatures necessary to demand a meeting to consider removal of a Trustee, the
Trust has undertaken to disseminate appropriate materials at the expense of the
requesting shareholders.

RATINGS OF PERMISSIBLE INVESTMENTS

      The following is a description of the highest commercial paper and bond
ratings issued by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") and Moody's Investors
Services, Inc. ("Moody's"). To the extent that ratings accorded by S&P or
Moody's may change as a result of changes in such organizations, the Funds will
attempt to use comparable rating standards for their permissible investments.


                                       13
<PAGE>

      Commercial Paper, Loans and Notes. Commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P
indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is either
overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to possess overwhelming
safety characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign designation.

      The rating Prime-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by
Moody's. Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:

- -     Leading market positions in well established industries.

- -     High rates of return on funds employed.

- -     Conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt and
      ample asset production.

- -     Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
      internal cash generation.

- -     Well established access to a range of financial markets and assured
      sources of alternate liquidity.

      Description of S&P's Two Highest Bond Ratings. AAA - Bonds rated AAA have
the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal
is extremely strong.

      AA - Bonds rated AA have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and usually differ from the higher rated issues only in small degree.

      Plus (+) or Minus (-): The rating AA may be modified by the addition of a
plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

      Description of Moody's Two Highest Bond Ratings. Aaa - Bonds which are Aaa
are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of
investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt-edge." Interest payments
are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is
secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes
as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong
position of such issues.

      Aa - Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group, they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long term risks appear somewhat greater than in Aaa securities.

      Moody's also applies the numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in the generic
rating classification of Aa. 1 in-dicates that a security ranks in the higher
end of a rating category, 2 in the mid-range of a category and 3 in the lower
end of a category.

PERFORMANCE DATA

      The current yield quotations for Selected Daily Government as they appear
in advertising and sales materials are computed by determining the net change,
exclusive of capital changes, over a seven-day base period in the value of a
hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one share at the beginning
of the period. The net change in account value is divided by the value of the
account at the beginning of the base period to obtain the base period return.
The base period return is then multiplied by (365/7), with the resulting
annualized yield figure carried to the nearest 1/100 of 1%. For purposes of
calculating current yield, net change in account value reflects: (1) the value
of additional shares purchased with dividends from the original shares and
dividends declared on both the original shares and any such additional shares,
and (2) all fees (other than non-recurring account charges) that are charged to
all shareholder accounts in proportion to the length of the base period and the
average account size of Selected Daily Government. The capital changes excluded
from the calculation of 


                                       14
<PAGE>

current yield are realized gains and losses from the sale of securities and
unrealized appreciation and depreciation.

      The effective yield quotations for Selected Daily Government are computed
by compounding the unannualized seven-day base period return as follows: 1 is
added to the base period return and this sum is then raised to a power equal to
(365/7), and 1 is then subtracted from the result.

   
      Based upon the seven days ended December 31, 1996, Selected Daily
Government's current and effective yields were 4.60% and 4.68% respectively.

      Selected Government Income's average annual total return for the one year
and five years ended December 31, 1996 and for the period from November 24, 1987
through December 31, 1996 was, 2.85%, 5.66% and 6.81%, respectively. Average
annual total return measures both the net investment income generated by, and
the effect of any realized or unrealized appreciation or depreciation of, the
underlying investments in Selected Government Income's portfolio. Selected
Government Income's average annual total return figures are computed by
determining the average annual compounded rates of return over the periods
indicated in the advertisement, sales literature or shareholders' report, that
would equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value,
according to the following formula:
    

                           P(l + T)n = ERV

Where:            P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000

                           T = average annual total return

                           n = number of years

                           ERV = ending redeemable value at the end of the
                           period of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the
                           beginning of such period

This calculation (1) assumes all dividends and distributions are reinvested at
net asset value on the appropriate reinvestment dates as described in the
Prospectus and (2) deducts all recurring fees, such as advisory fees, charged as
expenses to all shareholder accounts.

   
      Selected Government Income's total return for the one year and five years
ended December 31, 1996 and for the period from November 24, 1987 through
December 31, 1996 was 2.85%, 31.76% and 82.54%, respectively. Total return is
the cumulative rate of investment growth which assumes that income dividends and
capital gains are reinvested. It is determined by assuming a hypothetical
investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, adding in the
reinvestment of all income dividends and capital gains, calculating the ending
value of the investment at the net asset value as of the end of the specified
time period, subtracting the amount of the original investment, and dividing
this amount by the amount of the original investment. This calculated amount is
then expressed as a percentage by multiplying by 100.

      Selected Government Income's yield for the thirty day period ended
December 31, 1996 was 5.82%. Yield refers to the net investment income generated
by a hypothetical investment in the Fund during a thirty-day or one month
period. The income is then annualized by assuming the same income was generated
each month for a twelve month period, and is shown as a percentage of the
investment.
    

      The value of the portfolio securities of Selected Government Income
fluctuates with market and economic conditions, causing the value of its shares
to fluctuate. Depending upon when shares are redeemed, their value may be higher
or lower than their value on the date of purchase. The performance figures of
Selected Government Income as described above will vary from time to time
depending upon market and economic conditions, the composition of its portfolio
and operating expenses. These factors should be considered when 


                                       15
<PAGE>

comparing the performance figures of Selected Government Income with those of
other investment companies and investment vehicles.

      Unlike bank deposits and other investments that pay a fixed rate of
interest, the average annual total return rates on Selected Government Income's
shares fluctuate. Accordingly, you should not consider such rates as
representative of what your investment may earn in any future period. At any
time in the future, such rates may be higher or lower than past rates, and there
is no assurance that any historical rate will continue.

      The performance of Selected Daily Government may be compared to that of
other money market mutual funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
("Lipper"), a widely used independent research firm that ranks mutual funds by
overall performance, investment objective and assets. Lipper performance
calculations include the reinvestment of all capital gain and income dividends
for the periods covered by the calculation.

      The performance and relative size of Selected Daily Government may be
compared to other money market mutual funds rated by Donaghue's Money Fund
Report ("Donaghue"), a reporting service on money market funds. As reported by
Donaghue's, all investment results represent total return (annualized results
for the period net of management fees and expenses) and one year investment
results are effective annual yields assuming reinvestment of dividends.

      Investors may want to compare the performance of Selected Daily Government
to that of various bank products as reported by BANK RATE MONITOR(R), a
financial reporting service that publishes each week average rates of bank and
thrift institution money market deposit accounts, Super N.O.W. accounts and
certificate of deposit. The rates published by the Bank Rate Monitor National
Index(R) are averages of the personal account rates offered on the Wednesday
prior to the date of publication by 100 large banks and thrifts in the top ten
Consolidated Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

      With respect to money market deposit accounts and Super N.O.W. accounts,
account minimums range upward from $2,000 in each institution and compounding
methods vary. Super N.O.W. accounts generally offer unlimited check writing
while money market deposit accounts generally restrict the number of checks that
may be written. If more than one rate is offered, the lowest rate is used. Rates
are determined by the financial institution and are subject to change at any
time specified by the institution. Generally, the rates offered for these
products take market conditions and competitive product yields into
consideration when set. Bank products represent a taxable alternative income
producing product. Bank and thrift institution deposit accounts may be insured,
while shareholder accounts in Selected Daily Government are not so insured. Bank
passbook savings accounts compete with money market mutual fund products with
respect to certain liquidity features but may not offer all of the features
available from a money market mutual fund, such as check writing. Bank passbook
savings accounts normally offer a fixed rate of interest while the yield of
Selected Daily Government fluctuates. Bank checking accounts normally do not pay
interest but compete with money market mutual fund products with respect to
certain liquidity features (e.g., the ability to write checks against the
account). Bank certificates of deposit may offer fixed or variable rates for a
set term. (Normally, a variety of terms are available.) Withdrawal of these
deposits prior to maturity will normally be subject to a penalty. In contrast,
shares of Selected Daily Government are redeemable at the net asset value
(normally, $1.00 per share) next determined after a request is received, without
charge.


                                       16
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                                     PART C

                                OTHER INFORMATION

Item  24. Financial Statements and Exhibits

      (a)   Financial statements:

            Included in Part A:

                  Financial Highlights.

            Included in Part B by incorporation from the 1996 Annual Report:

                  Tait, Weller & Baker Auditor's Report.

                  Portfolio of Investments at December 31, 1996.

                  Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 1996.

                  Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 1996.

                  Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended
                  December 31, 1996 and 1995.

                  Notes to Financial Statements.

            Included in Part B:

                  Report of Tait, Weller & Baker.

      (b)   Exhibits:

            (1)         Amended Declaration of Trust, incorporated by reference
                        to Exhibit (1) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to
                        Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File
                        No. 33-15807.

            (2)         Amended and Restated By-Laws as of January 22, 1992,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2) to
                        Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant's
                        Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (5)(a)      Management Agreement dated May 1, 1993, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit (5) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
                        13 to
<PAGE>

                        Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File
                        No. 33-15807.

            (5)(b)      Sub-Advisory Agreement Dated December 1, 1996.

            (6)/(15)    Distribution Services Agreement and Plan of Distribution
                        dated May 1, 1993, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                        (6)/(15) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to
                        Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File
                        No. 33-15807. 

             (8)(a)     Custody Agreement dated November 25, 1991, incorporated 
                        by reference to Exhibit (8)(a) to Post-Effective 
                        Amendment No. 11 to Registrant's Registration Statement 
                        on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (8)(b)      Agency Agreement dated November 25, 1991, incorporated
                        by reference to Exhibit (8)(b) to Post-Effective
                        Amendment No. 11 to Registrant's Registration Statement
                        on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (11)        Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker.

            (14)(a)     Individual Retirement Account Plan Documents,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit (14)(a) to
                        Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to Registrant's
                        Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (14)(b)     Money Purchase Pension and Profit Sharing Plan Basic
                        Document, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (14)(b)
                        to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to Registrant's
                        Registration Statement on form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (14)(c)     Money Purchase Pension Adoption Agreement, incorporated
                        by reference to Exhibit (14)(c) to Post-Effective
                        Amendment No. 13 to Registrant's Registration Statement
                        on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (14)(d)     Profit-Sharing Adoption Agreement, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit (14)(d) to Post-Effective
                        Amendment No. 13 to Registrant's Registration Statement
                        on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (14)(e)     Profit-Sharing 401(k) Plan, incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit (14)(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to
                        Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File
                        No. 33-15807.
<PAGE>

            (14)(f)     403(b) Plan Documents, incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit (14)(f) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to
                        Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File
                        No. 33-15807.

            (14)(g)     Prototype Simplified Employee Pension Plan Documents,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit (14)(g) to
                        Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Registrant's
                        Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (14)(h)     Deferred Compensation Section 457 Savings Plan,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit (14)(h) to
                        Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Registrant's
                        Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (14)(i)     Defined Contribution Trust, incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit (14)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to
                        Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File
                        No. 33-15807.

            (16)(a)     Sample Computations of Performance Quotations,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit (16)(a) to
                        Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 2 and 11 to Registrant's
                        Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (16)(b)     Sample Computations of Total Return, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit (16)(b) to Post-Effective
                        Amendment No. 11 to Registrant's Registration Statement
                        on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (17)(a)     Powers of Attorney, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                        (17) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 18, to Registrant's
                        Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.

            (17)(b)     Power of attorney for Jerome E. Hass, Katherine L.
                        MacWilliams, Richard C. O'Brien and Kenneth Eich.

Item 25. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant

         Not applicable.

Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities

                                                       Number of Record Holders
                  Title of Class                           as of March 31, 1997
                  --------------                           --------------------

                  Shares of Beneficial Interest, 
                  par value $.10 per share:
<PAGE>

                  Selected U.S. Government Income Fund            1,692
                  Selected Daily Government Fund                    342

Item 27. Indemnification

            Reference is made to Article V of the Amended Declaration of Trust
of the Registrant, previously filed as Exhibit (1) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 2 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-15807.
Officers and Trustees of Registrant are insured against liability by reason of
acts, errors, or omissions in such capacities.

Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

            Davis Selected Advisers, L.P. the Registrant's investment adviser,
renders investment advisory services to individual, institutional and pension
and profit-sharing plan accounts, as well as to Selected American Shares, Inc.
and Selected Special Shares, Inc., Davis New York Venture Fund, Davis High
Income Fund, Davis Tax-Free High Income Fund, Davis Series, Inc. and Davis
International Series, Inc

            Shelby M.C. Davis is a Director, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and principal owner of Venture Advisers, Inc. (the "General Partner") and is a
Director of Shelby Cullom Davis Financial Consultants, 70 Pine Street, New York,
New York 10270.

Item 29. Principal Underwriter

            (a) Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., located at 124 East Marcy Street,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, serves as the principal underwriter of the
Registrant and also serves as principal underwriter for Selected American
Shares, Inc. and Selected Special Shares, Inc., Davis New York Venture Fund,
Davis High Income Fund, Davis Tax-Free High Income Fund, Davis Series, Inc. and
Davis International Series, Inc.

            (b) Management of the General Partner of the Principal Underwriter.

                             Positions and Offices           Positions and
Name and Principal           with General Partner of         Offices with
Business Address             Principal Underwriter           Registrant
- ----------------             ---------------------           ----------
Shelby M.C. Davis            Director, Chairman              Trustee and
P.O. Box 205                 and Chief Executive             President
Hobe Sound, FL  33455        Officer

Kenneth C. Eich              Senior Vice President,          Vice President
124 East Marcy Street        Chief Operating Officer
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Eileen R. Street             Senior Vice President           Treasurer and
124 East Marcy Street                                        Assistant Secretary
Santa Fe, NM  87501
<PAGE>

Samuel P. Ynzunza            Senior Vice President,          Vice President and
124 East Marcy Street        General Counsel                 Secretary
Santa Fe, NM  87501

Carolyn H. Spolidoro         Vice President                  None
124 East Marcy Street
Santa Fe, NM  87501

Andrew Davis                 Co-President                    None
124 East Marcy Street
Santa Fe, NM  87501

            (c)   Not applicable.

Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records

            All records and documents required to be maintained under Section 31
(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder
are in the possession of Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., 124 East Marcy Street,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, the investment adviser of the Registrant, except
that shareholder account records are in the possession of Investors Fiduciary
Trust Company, 127 West 10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, custodian and
transfer agent, and current minute books are in the possession of D'Ancona &
Pflaum, 30 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602. Davis Selected
Advisers, L.P. maintains copies of the minutes.

Item 31. Management Services

            Not applicable.

Item 32. Undertakings

            Registrant undertakes to furnish to each person to whom a prospectus
is delivered a copy of Registrant's latest annual report to shareholders upon
request and without charge.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                       SELECTED CAPITAL PRESERVATION TRUST

                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Santa Fe and State of New Mexico on the 28th day of
April, 1997

                                        SELECTED CAPITAL PRESERVATION TRUST


                                        By: /s/ Sheldon R. Stein
                                            ---------------------------
                                            Sheldon R. Stein,
                                            Attorney -in-Fact

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated.

     Signature                      Title                         Date
     ---------                      -----                         ----


Shelby M.C. Davis*            President,                     April 28, 1997
- ----------------------        Chief Executive
Shelby M.C. Davis             Officer and Director
                              

Kenneth C. Eich*              Vice President,                April 28, 1997
- ----------------              principal accounting
                              officer


                                        *By: /s/ Sheldon R. Stein
                                             ---------------------------
                                             Sheldon R. Stein,
                                             Attorney-in-Fact

      *Sheldon R. Stein signs this document on behalf of the foregoing officers
pursuant to the powers of attorney filed as Exhibit 17 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 76 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A.
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed on April
28, 1997 by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

         Signature                               Title


     William P. Barr*                           Trustee
     -----------------------
     William P. Barr


     Floyd A. Brown*                            Trustee
     -----------------------
     Floyd A. Brown


     William G. Cole*                           Trustee
     -----------------------
     William G. Cole


     Shelby M.C. Davis*                         Trustee
     -----------------------
     Shelby M.C. Davis


     Robert J. Greenebaum*                      Trustee
     -----------------------
     Robert J. Greenebaum


     Jerome E. Hass*                            Trustee
     -----------------------
     Jerome E. Hass


     Katherine L. MacWilliams*                  Trustee
     -----------------------
     Katherine L. MacWilliams


     James J. McMonagle*                        Trustee
     -----------------------
     James J. McMonagle


     Richard C. O'Brien                         Trustee
     -----------------------
     Richard C. O'Brien


     Larry J.B. Robinson*                       Trustee
     -----------------------
     Larry J.B. Robinson


     Marsha Williams*                           Trustee
     -----------------------
     Marsha Williams


                                        *By: /s/ Sheldon R. Stein
                                             ---------------------------
                                             Sheldon R. Stein,
                                             Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>

      *Sheldon R. Stein signs this document on behalf of the foregoing persons
pursuant to the powers of attorney filed as Exhibit 17 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 76 to Registrants' Registration Statement on Form N-1A.


               CONSENT OF INEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the reference to our firm in the Registration Statement, (Form
N-1A), and related Statement of Additional Information of Selected American
Shares, Inc. and to the inclusion of our report dated January 31, 1997 to the
Shareholders and Board of Directors/Trustees of Selected American Shares, Inc.,
Selected Special Shares Inc. and Selected Capital Preservation Trust.


                                        TAIT WELLER & BAKER
                                        -------------------
                                        TAIT WELLER & BAKER

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 28, 1997



                          SELECTED SPECIAL SHARES, INC.

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

            KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned
constitutes and appoints Robert J. Greenebaum, Sheldon R. Stein and Arthur Don,
and each of them, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any
post-effective amendments to the registration statement under the Securities Act
of 1933 (Registration No. 2-27514) and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940
(Registration No. 811-1550), whether on Form N-1A or any successor forms
thereof, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and all
appropriate state or federal regulatory authorities. Each of the undersigned
hereby ratifies and confirms all that each of the aforenamed attorneys-in-fact,
or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Power of
Attorney as of the 10th day of April, 1997.


- -----------------------------
Richard C. O'Brien


- -----------------------------
Jerome E. Hass


- -----------------------------
Katherine L. MacWilliams
<PAGE>

                          SELECTED SPECIAL SHARE, INC.

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

            KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints Robert J. Greenebaum, Samuel P. Ynzunza, Sheldon R. Stein and Arthur
Don, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any post-effective
amendments to the registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933
(Registration No. 2-27514) and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940
(Registration No. 811-1550), whether on Form N-1A or any successor forms
thereof, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and all
appropriate state or federal regulatory authorities. The undersigned hereby
ratifies and confirms all that each of the aforenamed attorneys-in-fact, or his
substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

            IN WITNESS WHEROF, the undersigned has executed this Power of
Attorney as of the 25th day of April, 1997.


- -----------------------------
Kenneth C. Eich, Vice President



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