<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 B000000 10/31/95
000 C000000 819673
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 Y
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 2.2
000 J000000 A
001 A000000 MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
001 B000000 811-5262
001 C000000 6179545000
002 A000000 500 BOYLSTON STREET
002 B000000 BOSTON
002 C000000 MA
002 D010000 02116
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 Y
007 B000000 2
007 C010100 1
007 C020100 MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
007 C030100 N
007 C010200 2
007 C020200 MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND
007 C030200 N
011 A00AA01 MFS FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
011 B00AA01 8-27864
011 C01AA01 BOSTON
011 C02AA01 MA
011 C03AA01 02116
012 A00AA01 MFS SERVICE CENTER, INC.
012 B00AA01 84-1316
012 C01AA01 BOSTON
012 C02AA01 MA
012 C03AA01 02116
015 A00AA01 STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY
015 B00AA01 C
015 C01AA01 BOSTON
015 C02AA01 MA
015 C03AA01 02110
015 E01AA01 X
015 A00AA02 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
015 B00AA02 S
015 C01AA02 NEW YORK
015 C02AA02 NY
015 C03AA02 10081
015 E04AA02 X
015 A00AA03 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
<PAGE> PAGE 2
015 B00AA03 S
015 C01AA03 NEW YORK
015 C02AA03 NY
015 C03AA03 10286
015 E01AA03 X
018 00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00 50
019 C00AA00 MASSFINSER
020 A000001 CREDIT LYONNAIS SECURITIES
020 B000001 00-0000000
020 C000001 77
020 A000002 MARGAN STANLEY
020 B000002 13-2655998
020 C000002 77
020 A000003 MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
020 B000003 13-5674085
020 C000003 70
020 A000004 SALOMON BROTHERS INC.
020 B000004 13-3082694
020 C000004 63
020 A000005 BARING SECURITIES
020 B000005 04-2455153
020 C000005 47
020 A000006 INSTINET CORP.
020 B000006 13-3443395
020 C000006 44
020 A000007 WERTHEIM SCHRODER & CO.
020 B000007 13-2697272
020 C000007 44
020 A000008 COUNTY SECURITIES
020 B000008 00-0000000
020 C000008 43
020 A000009 SMITH BARNEY
020 B000009 13-1912900
020 C000009 42
020 A000010 WEEDEN & COMPANY
020 B000010 04-2579802
020 C000010 40
021 000000 1642
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022 C000001 1076093
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022 B000002 13-2518466
022 C000002 702719
022 D000002 13266
022 A000003 CS FIRST BOSTON
022 B000003 13-5659485
022 C000003 370877
<PAGE> PAGE 3
022 D000003 47232
022 A000004 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
022 B000004 22-2347336
022 C000004 344478
022 D000004 13993
022 A000005 HONG KONG-SHANGHAI BANK
022 B000005 00+0000000
022 C000005 189891
022 D000005 14181
022 A000006 NATIONSBANK
022 B000006 75-0520130
022 C000006 157323
022 D000006 4084
022 A000007 BANK OF AMERICA
022 B000007 94-1687665
022 C000007 105052
022 D000007 350
022 A000008 FIRST CHICAGO CAPITAL MARKETS
022 B000008 36-3595942
022 C000008 100773
022 D000008 0
022 A000009 CARROLL MCENTEE & MCGINLEY
022 B000009 13-2650272
022 C000009 87218
022 D000009 0
022 A000010 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
022 B000010 13-5108880
022 C000010 48012
022 D000010 16512
023 C000000 3584751
023 D000000 359640
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039 00AA00 N
040 00AA00 Y
041 00AA00 Y
054 A00AA00 Y
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054 E00AA00 N
<PAGE> PAGE 4
054 F00AA00 N
054 G00AA00 N
054 H00AA00 Y
054 I00AA00 N
054 J00AA00 Y
054 K00AA00 N
054 L00AA00 N
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054 N00AA00 N
054 O00AA00 N
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059 00AA00 Y
060 A00AA00 N
060 B00AA00 N
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077 A000000 Y
077 B000000 Y
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082 B00AA00 100
083 A00AA00 N
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084 B00AA00 0
085 A00AA00 Y
085 B00AA00 N
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086 B02AA00 0
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086 F02AA00 0
008 A000101 MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
008 B000101 A
008 C000101 801-17352
008 D010101 BOSTON
008 D020101 MA
008 D030101 02116
013 A000101 ERNST & YOUNG LLP
<PAGE> PAGE 5
013 B010101 BOSTON
013 B020101 MA
013 B030101 02116
024 000100 N
028 A010100 789
028 A020100 102
028 A030100 0
028 A040100 880
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034 000100 Y
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036 A000100 N
036 B000100 0
042 A000100 0
042 B000100 0
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042 D000100 90
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<PAGE> PAGE 6
042 G000100 0
042 H000100 0
043 000100 215
044 000100 0
045 000100 Y
046 000100 N
047 000100 N
048 000100 0.000
048 A010100 0
048 A020100 0.000
048 B010100 0
048 B020100 0.000
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048 I010100 0
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050 000100 Y
051 000100 N
052 000100 N
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053 B000100 N
053 C000100 Y
055 A000100 Y
055 B000100 N
056 000100 Y
057 000100 N
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<PAGE> PAGE 7
062 K000100 0.2
062 L000100 0.0
062 M000100 6.6
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062 Q000100 25.5
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064 A000100 N
064 B000100 Y
065 000100 N
066 A000100 N
067 000100 N
068 A000100 N
068 B000100 N
069 000100 N
070 A010100 Y
070 A020100 Y
070 B010100 Y
070 B020100 N
070 C010100 Y
070 C020100 N
070 D010100 Y
070 D020100 N
070 E010100 Y
070 E020100 N
070 F010100 Y
070 F020100 N
070 G010100 Y
070 G020100 N
070 H010100 Y
070 H020100 N
070 I010100 N
070 I020100 N
070 J010100 Y
070 J020100 Y
070 K010100 Y
070 K020100 N
070 L010100 Y
070 L020100 Y
070 M010100 Y
070 M020100 Y
070 N010100 Y
070 N020100 N
070 O010100 Y
070 O020100 N
070 P010100 Y
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<PAGE> PAGE 8
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 N
070 R020100 N
071 A000100 109673
071 B000100 111417
071 C000100 44070
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<PAGE> PAGE 9
074 H000100 0
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074 L000100 1575
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074 N000100 54437
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008 A000201 MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
008 B000201 A
008 C000201 801-17352
008 D010201 BOSTON
008 D020201 MA
008 D030201 02116
008 A000202 OECHSLE INTERNATIONAL ADVISORS, L.P.
008 B000202 S
008 C000202 801-28111
008 D010202 BOSTON
008 D020202 MA
008 D030202 02116
008 A000203 BATTERYMARCH FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
008 B000203 S
008 C000203 801-48035
008 D010203 BOSTON
008 D020203 MA
008 D030203 02116
013 A000201 DELOITTTE & TOUCHE LLP
013 B010201 BOSTON
013 B020201 MA
013 B030201 02110
024 000200 N
028 A010200 15510
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<PAGE> PAGE 10
028 A030200 0
028 A040200 12524
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<PAGE> PAGE 11
047 000200 Y
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<PAGE> PAGE 12
062 Q000200 0.0
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<PAGE> PAGE 13
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<PAGE> PAGE 14
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SIGNATURE JAMES O.YOST
TITLE ASSISTANT TREASURER
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS A FOR THE "PERIOD ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY" REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <SERIES>
<NUMBER> 011
<NAME> MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 51,822,633
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 52,447,161
<RECEIVABLES> 1,736,400
<ASSETS-OTHER> 251,454
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 1,880
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 54,436,895
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1,303,149
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,020,076
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 3,323,225
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 50,103,143
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 5,166,298
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 5,820,199
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 212,718
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 462,530
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 335,279
<NET-ASSETS> 51,113,670
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
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<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 780,212
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 3,769,276
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1,067,286
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1,875,133
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 6,711,695
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (3,165,100)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 599,130
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>(1,380,515)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 127,484
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1,718,704
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> (37,878)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (487,329)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 565,213
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,252,722
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 7.57
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.60
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<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.58)
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<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
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<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS B FOR THE "PERIOD ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY" REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <SERIES>
<NUMBER> 012
<NAME> MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 51,822,633
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 52,447,161
<RECEIVABLES> 1,736,400
<ASSETS-OTHER> 251,454
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 1,880
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 54,436,895
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1,303,149
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,020,076
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 3,323,225
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 50,103,143
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1,041,745
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 710,511
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 212,718
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 462,530
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 335,279
<NET-ASSETS> 51,113,670
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 4,549,488
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 780,212
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 3,769,276
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1,067,286
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1,875,133
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 6,711,695
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (442,955)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 584,310
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (286,518)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 33,442
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1,718,704
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> (37,878)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (487,329)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 565,213
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,252,722
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 48,573,743
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 7.53
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.55
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.48
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.53)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.03
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.27
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS C FOR THE "PERIOD ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY" REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <SERIES>
<NUMBER> 013
<NAME> MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 51,822,633
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 52,447,161
<RECEIVABLES> 1,736,400
<ASSETS-OTHER> 251,454
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 1,880
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 54,436,895
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1,303,149
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,020,076
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 3,323,225
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 50,103,143
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 132,558
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1,755
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 212,718
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 462,530
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 335,279
<NET-ASSETS> 51,113,670
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 4,549,488
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 780,212
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 3,769,276
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1,067,286
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1,875,133
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 6,711,695
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (28,052)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 174,377
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (45,641)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2,067
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1,718,704
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> (37,878)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (487,329)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 565,213
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,252,722
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 48,573,743
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 7.53
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.54
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.48
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.55)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.20
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MFS WORLD GROWTH
FUND CLASS A AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FIANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER>021
<NAME> MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 390,811,334
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 401,992,206
<RECEIVABLES> 14,126,696
<ASSETS-OTHER> 27,609
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 33,428
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 416,179,939
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 8,762,984
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 3,088,228
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 11,851,212
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 358,006,766
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 7,902,613
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 7,535,626
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 382,012
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 35,417,804
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 10,522,145
<NET-ASSETS> 404,328,727
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3,811,599
<INTEREST-INCOME> 2,931,502
<OTHER-INCOME> (413,759)
<EXPENSES-NET> 8,286,490
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (1,957,148)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 38,220,302
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (16,132,432)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 20,130,722
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 1,679,929
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 5,928,735
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 5,642,373
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 80,625
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (23,983,435)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 209,806
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3,013,096
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3,459,664
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 8,438,762
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 384,434,072
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 17.45
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.93
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.22
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 18.16
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.63
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND - CLASS B AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FIANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <SERIES>
<NUMBER> 022
<NAME> MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND - CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 390,811,334
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 401,992,206
<RECEIVABLES> 14,126,696
<ASSETS-OTHER> 27,609
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 33,428
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 416,179,939
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 8,762,984
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 3,088,228
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 11,851,212
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 358,006,766
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 7,902,613
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 7,535,626
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 382,012
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 35,417,804
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 10,522,145
<NET-ASSETS> 404,328,727
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3,811,599
<INTEREST-INCOME> 2,931,502
<OTHER-INCOME> (413,759)
<EXPENSES-NET> 8,286,490
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (1,957,148)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 38,220,302
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (16,132,432)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 20,130,722
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 1,679,929
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 5,928,735
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 5,642,373
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 80,625
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (23,983,435)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 209,806
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3,013,096
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3,459,664
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 8,438,762
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 384,434,072
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 17.32
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.14)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.92
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.13
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 17.97
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.45
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WORLD GROWTH
FUND - CLASS C AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FIANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 023
<NAME> MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND - CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 390,811,334
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 401,992,206
<RECEIVABLES> 14,126,696
<ASSETS-OTHER> 27,609
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 33,428
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 416,179,939
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 8,762,984
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 3,088,228
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 11,851,212
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 358,006,766
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 7,902,613
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 7,535,626
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 382,012
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 35,417,804
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 10,522,145
<NET-ASSETS> 404,328,727
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3,811,599
<INTEREST-INCOME> 2,931,502
<OTHER-INCOME> (413,759)
<EXPENSES-NET> 8,286,490
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (1,957,148)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 38,220,302
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (16,132,432)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 20,130,722
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 1,679,929
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 5,928,735
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (5,642,373)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 80,625
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (23,983,435)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 209,806
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3,013,096
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3,459,664
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 8,438,762
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 384,434,072
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 17.34
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.13)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.92
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.17
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 17.96
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.38
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
