MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
NSAR-A, 1996-06-28
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<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 A000000 04/30/96
000 C000000 0000819673
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 3.0.a
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
007 C010300  3
007 C010400  4
007 C010500  5
007 C010600  6
007 C010700  7
007 C010800  8
007 C010900  9
007 C011000 10
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  2
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
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 MORGAN STANLEY
020 B000001 13-2655998
020 C000001     44
020 A000002 MERRILL LYNCHY
020 B000002 13-5674085
020 C000002     31
020 A000003 SMITH BARNEY-SHEARSON
020 B000003 13-1912900
020 C000003     28
020 A000004 CREDIT LYONNAISS INC.
020 B000004 00-0000000
020 C000004     26
020 A000005 BANQUE PARIBAS
020 B000005 13-3235334
020 C000005     24
020 A000006 BARING SECURITIES
020 B000006 04-2455153
020 C000006     19
020 A000007 COUNTY SECURITIES & CO.
020 B000007 00-0000000
020 C000007     17
020 A000008 BSN SOCIEDAD DE VALORE
020 B000008 00-0000000
020 C000008     16
020 A000009 CROSBY SECURITIES
020 B000009 13-3431728
020 C000009     14
020 A000010 GOLDMAN SACHS
020 B000010 13-5108880
020 C000010     14
021  000000      612
022 A000001 CHEMICAL BANK
022 B000001 13-4994650
022 C000001    878300
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
022 D000001     11566
022 A000002 LEHMAN BROS
022 B000002 13-2518466
022 C000002    674556
022 D000002     40230
022 A000003 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
022 B000003 13-5108880
022 C000003    440393
022 D000003     20103
022 A000004 CS FIRST BOSTON
022 B000004 13-5659485
022 C000004    407619
022 D000004     47045
022 A000005 GE FINANCIAL
022 B000005 06-1109503
022 C000005    383709
022 D000005         0
022 A000006 HONG KONG-SHANGHAI
022 B000006 00-0000000
022 C000006    300726
022 D000006     28310
022 A000007 PRUDENTIAL BACHE
022 B000007 22-2347336
022 C000007    264717
022 D000007     12329
022 A000008 FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO.
022 B000008 38-1612444
022 C000008    222001
022 D000008         0
022 A000009 FIRST CHICAGO
022 B000009 36-3595942
022 C000009    170359
022 D000009         0
022 A000010 NATIONSBANK
022 B000010 75-0520130
022 C000010    140095
022 D000010      4084
023 C000000    4467907
023 D000000     447871
026 A000000 Y
026 B000000 Y
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026 E000000 N
026 F000000 N
026 G010000 N
026 G020000 N
026 H000000 N
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037  00AA00 N
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<PAGE>      PAGE  4
039  00AA00 N
040  00AA00 Y
041  00AA00 Y
054 A00AA00 Y
054 B00AA00 Y
054 C00AA00 N
054 D00AA00 N
054 E00AA00 N
054 F00AA00 N
054 G00AA00 N
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054 K00AA00 N
054 L00AA00 N
054 M00AA00 Y
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060 A00AA00 N
060 B00AA00 N
061  00AA00     1000
077 A000000 Y
077 C000000 Y
077 D000000 Y
077 Q010000 Y
078  000000 N
080 A00AA00 NATIONAL UNION INSURANCE CO.
080 B00AA00 ICI MUTUAL
080 C00AA00    65000
081 A00AA00 Y
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082 A00AA00 Y
082 B00AA00      100
083 A00AA00 N
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084 A00AA00 N
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<PAGE>      PAGE  5
086 F01AA00      0
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
013 B010101 BOSTON
013 B020101 MA
013 B030101 02116
024  000100 N
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030 B000100  4.75
030 C000100  0.00
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034  000100 Y
<PAGE>      PAGE  6
035  000100     10
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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
062 A000100 Y
<PAGE>      PAGE  7
062 B000100   0.0
062 C000100   0.0
062 D000100   6.2
062 E000100   0.0
062 F000100   0.0
062 G000100   0.0
062 H000100   0.0
062 I000100   0.0
062 J000100   1.3
062 K000100   0.3
062 L000100   0.0
062 M000100   7.6
062 N000100   1.3
062 O000100   0.0
062 P000100  51.2
062 Q000100  23.4
062 R000100   6.2
063 A000100   0
063 B000100 10.3
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  8
070 M010100 Y
070 M020100 Y
070 N010100 Y
070 N020100 N
070 O010100 Y
070 O020100 N
070 P010100 Y
070 P020100 N
070 Q010100 N
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 N
070 R020100 N
071 A000100     91514
071 B000100     72194
071 C000100     54812
071 D000100  132
072 A000100  6
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072 V000100        0
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072 X000100      689
072 Y000100      268
072 Z000100     2189
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072DD020100      406
072EE000100      500
073 A010100   0.3000
073 A020100   0.2800
<PAGE>      PAGE  9
073 B000100   0.0800
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074 A000100       47
074 B000100     4495
074 C000100      964
074 D000100    60728
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074 L000100     3073
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074 X000100     5196
074 Y000100     8567
075 A000100        0
075 B000100    61021
076  000100     0.00
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  10
008 D020203 MA
008 D030203 02116
013 A000201 DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
013 B010201 BOSTON
013 B020201 MA
013 B030201 02110
024  000200 N
028 A010200     16142
028 A020200         0
028 A030200         0
028 A040200     17499
028 B010200     22502
028 B020200     27805
028 B030200         0
028 B040200     17270
028 C010200     36427
028 C020200         0
028 C030200         0
028 C040200     29909
028 D010200     22502
028 D020200         0
028 D030200         0
028 D040200     22577
028 E010200     36530
028 E020200         0
028 E030200         0
028 E040200     35381
028 F010200     31975
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028 F040200     26131
028 G010200    166078
028 G020200     27805
028 G030200         0
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029  000200 Y
030 A000200    349
030 B000200  5.75
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036 A000200 N
036 B000200      0
042 A000200   0
042 B000200   0
042 C000200  64
<PAGE>      PAGE  11
042 D000200  36
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042 F000200   0
042 G000200   0
042 H000200   0
043  000200   1625
044  000200      0
045  000200 Y
046  000200 N
047  000200 Y
048  000200  0.900
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048 F020200 0.000
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048 G020200 0.000
048 H010200        0
048 H020200 0.000
048 I010200        0
048 I020200 0.000
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048 J020200 0.000
048 K010200        0
048 K020200 0.000
049  000200 N
050  000200 N
051  000200 N
052  000200 N
053 A000200 Y
053 B000200 Y
053 C000200 Y
055 A000200 N
055 B000200 N
056  000200 Y
057  000200 N
062 A000200 N
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062 C000200   0.0
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<PAGE>      PAGE  12
062 H000200   0.0
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062 O000200   0.0
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062 Q000200   0.0
062 R000200   0.0
066 A000200 Y
066 C000200 Y
067  000200 N
068 A000200 N
068 B000200 Y
069  000200 N
070 A010200 Y
070 A020200 N
070 B010200 Y
070 B020200 N
070 C010200 N
070 C020200 N
070 D010200 Y
070 D020200 N
070 E010200 N
070 E020200 N
070 F010200 Y
070 F020200 N
070 G010200 Y
070 G020200 N
070 H010200 Y
070 H020200 N
070 I010200 N
070 I020200 N
070 J010200 Y
070 J020200 Y
070 K010200 Y
070 K020200 N
070 L010200 Y
070 L020200 Y
070 M010200 Y
070 M020200 Y
070 N010200 Y
070 N020200 N
070 O010200 Y
070 O020200 N
070 P010200 Y
070 P020200 Y
070 Q010200 N
070 Q020200 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  13
070 R010200 N
070 R020200 N
071 A000200    221597
071 B000200    180695
071 C000200    411452
071 D000200   44
072 A000200  6
072 B000200      669
072 C000200     2235
072 D000200        0
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072 U000200        3
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073 A010200   0.0100
073 A020200   0.0000
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<PAGE>      PAGE  14
074 I000200        0
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074 R030200        0
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074 V010200    19.35
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076  000200     0.00
SIGNATURE   JAMES O.YOST                                 
TITLE       ASSISTANT TREASURER 
 


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 011
   <NAME> MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         71081165
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        70889610
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1486190
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            2187819
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      72692067
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          6362272
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                       (15976)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (477822)
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.07
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.30
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 012
   <NAME> MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
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<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        70889610
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<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        701629
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1486190
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            2187819
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          2248312
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1041745
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       237487
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                       (15976)
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<NET-ASSETS>                                  72740287
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                86250
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              2523236
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (87623)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1350499
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (182200)
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<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        21626617
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                         211718
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       462530
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 688943
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.03
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.27
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.28)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.08)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               7.94
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.95
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 013
   <NAME> MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         71081165
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        70889610
<RECEIVABLES>                                  3989430
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                             47338
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                74928106
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        701629
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1486190
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            2187819
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      72692067
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           514478
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           132558
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       237487
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                       (15976)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      (173291)
<NET-ASSETS>                                  72740287
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                86250
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              2523236
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                (420578)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        2188908
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         20567
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     (508570)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          1700905
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      (72835)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (10866)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         422748
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (49538)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                               8710
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        21626617
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                         211718
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       462530
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           330300
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 688943
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          61020793
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.28
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.28)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.08)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               7.92
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.87
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 021
   <NAME> MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        408147695
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       477331374
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9487217
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   75476
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            204751
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               487098818
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       4028102
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1061386
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5089488
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     403129478
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          8944416
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          7902613
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (1476696)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       11000154
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      69356394
<NET-ASSETS>                                 482009330
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2235674
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               668861
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (176419)
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 4483840
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (1755724)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      12068423
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     58834249
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         69146948
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (102984)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (13664586)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        6280351
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (5897498)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             658950
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        77680603
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                         382012
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     35417804
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1915978
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                4566636
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         429992886
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            18.16
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.03)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           2.95
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.01)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.72)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              19.35
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.57
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 022
   <NAME> MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        408147695
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       477331374
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9487217
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   75746
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            204751
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               487098818
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       4028102
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1061386
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5089488
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     403129478
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         15108724
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         13771603
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (1476696)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       11000154
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      69356394
<NET-ASSETS>                                 482009330
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2235674
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               668861
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (176419)
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 4483840
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (1755724)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      12068423
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     58834249
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         69146948
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (21606221)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        2625100
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (2211127)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             923148
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                         1041803
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          38201
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     35417804
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1915978
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                4566636
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         429992886
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            17.97
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.10)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           2.93
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.00)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.59)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              19.21
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   2.39
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 023
   <NAME> MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        408147695
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       477331374
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9487217
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   75476
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            204751
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               487098818
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       4028102
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1061386
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5089488
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     403129478
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           975210
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           743411
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (1476696)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       11000154
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      69356394
<NET-ASSETS>                                 482009330
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2235674
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               668861
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (176419)
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 4483840
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (1755724)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      12068423
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     58834249
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         69146948
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     (1215266)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         343079
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (154659)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              43379
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                         1041803
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          38201
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     35417804
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1915978
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                4566636
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         429992886
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            17.96
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.09)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           2.91
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.00)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.61)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              19.17
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   2.32
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>


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