MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
NSAR-A, 1997-06-25
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<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 A000000 04/30/97
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
010 A00AA01 MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
010 B00AA01 801-17352
010 C01AA01 BOSTON
010 C02AA01 MA
010 C03AA01 02116
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  2
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
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 ING BARING SECURITIES
020 B000001 00-0000000
020 C000001    157
020 A000002 MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENN
020 B000002 13-5674085
020 C000002    141
020 A000003 MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
020 B000003 13-2655998
020 C000003    108
020 A000004 NOMURA SECURITIES
020 B000004 13-2642206
020 C000004    105
020 A000005 UBS SECURITIES
020 B000005 13-2932996
020 C000005     96
020 A000006 GOLDMAN SACHS
020 B000006 13-5108880
020 C000006     79
020 A000007 MORGAN J.P. SECURITIES
020 B000007 13-3224016
020 C000007     70
020 A000008 C. J. LAWRENCE
020 B000008 00-0000000
020 C000008     51
020 A000009 SALOMON BROTHERS INC.
020 B000009 13-3082694
020 C000009     41
020 A000010 LEHMAN BROTHERS
020 B000010 13-2518466
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
020 C000010     38
021  000000     1720
022 A000001 GENERAL ELECTRIC
022 B000001 00-0000000
022 C000001    712773
022 D000001         0
022 A000002 GOLMAN SACHS
022 B000002 13-5108880
022 C000002    348578
022 D000002      9721
022 A000003 CARROLL MC ENTEE
022 B000003 00-0000000
022 C000003    196312
022 D000003     70162
022 A000004 FORD MOTOR CREDIT
022 B000004 38-1612444
022 C000004    143264
022 D000004         0
022 A000005 CS FIRST BOSTON CORP.
022 B000005 13-5659485
022 C000005     89147
022 D000005     14531
022 A000006 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
022 B000006 22-2347336
022 C000006     78864
022 D000006     16447
022 A000007 MORGAN J.P. SECURITIES
022 B000007 13-3224016
022 C000007     70676
022 D000007      7965
022 A000008 NATIONS BANK
022 B000008 75-0520130
022 C000008     45048
022 D000008         0
022 A000009 MERRILL LYNCH
022 B000009 13-5674085
022 C000009     27340
022 D000009     11762
022 A000010 CHASE SECURITIES
022 B000010 00-0000000
022 C000010     31726
022 D000010      3495
023 C000000    1964017
023 D000000     257022
026 A000000 Y
026 B000000 Y
026 C000000 N
026 D000000 Y
026 E000000 N
026 F000000 N
026 G010000 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  4
026 G020000 N
026 H000000 N
027  000000 Y
037  00AA00 N
038  00AA00      0
039  00AA00 N
040  00AA00 Y
041  00AA00 Y
054 A00AA00 Y
054 B00AA00 N
054 C00AA00 N
054 D00AA00 N
054 E00AA00 N
054 F00AA00 N
054 G00AA00 N
054 H00AA00 Y
054 I00AA00 N
054 J00AA00 Y
054 K00AA00 N
054 L00AA00 N
054 M00AA00 Y
054 N00AA00 N
054 O00AA00 N
058 A00AA00 N
059  00AA00 Y
060 A00AA00 N
060 B00AA00 N
061  00AA00     1000
077 A000000 Y
077 I000000 Y
077 Q010000 Y
078  000000 N
080 A00AA00 NATIONAL UNION INSURANCE CO.
080 B00AA00 ICI MUTUAL
080 C00AA00    65000
081 A00AA00 Y
081 B00AA00 110
082 A00AA00 Y
082 B00AA00      100
083 A00AA00 N
083 B00AA00        0
084 A00AA00 N
084 B00AA00        0
085 A00AA00 Y
085 B00AA00 N
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086 B010000      0
086 B020000      0
086 C010000      0
086 C020000      0
<PAGE>      PAGE  5
086 D010000      0
086 D020000      0
086 E010000      0
086 E020000      0
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086 F020000      0
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086 A02AA00      0
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086 B02AA00      0
086 C01AA00      0
086 C02AA00      0
086 D01AA00      0
086 D02AA00      0
086 E01AA00      0
086 E02AA00      0
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 Y
025 A000101 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
025 B000101 13-5108880
025 C000101 D
025 D000101    7480
025 D000102       0
025 D000103       0
025 D000104       0
025 D000105       0
025 D000106       0
025 D000107       0
025 D000108       0
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028 A020100       284
028 A030100         0
028 A040100      1470
028 B010100      4728
028 B020100       793
028 B030100         0
028 B040100      2232
028 C010100      7172
028 C020100       321
028 C030100         0
<PAGE>      PAGE  6
028 C040100      2563
028 D010100      6651
028 D020100       352
028 D030100         0
028 D040100      1782
028 E010100      6320
028 E020100       379
028 E030100         0
028 E040100     13873
028 F010100      5422
028 F020100       310
028 F030100         0
028 F040100      1945
028 G010100     33786
028 G020100      2439
028 G030100         0
028 G040100     23865
028 H000100     10741
029  000100 Y
030 A000100    277
030 B000100  4.75
030 C000100  0.00
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033  000100      0
034  000100 Y
035  000100     31
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042 D000100  97
042 E000100   0
042 F000100   0
042 G000100   0
042 H000100   0
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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
048 C010100        0
048 C020100 0.000
048 D010100        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  7
048 D020100 0.000
048 E010100        0
048 E020100 0.000
048 F010100        0
048 F020100 0.000
048 G010100        0
048 G020100 0.000
048 H010100        0
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048 I010100        0
048 I020100 0.000
048 J010100        0
048 J020100 0.000
048 K010100        0
048 K020100 0.000
049  000100 N
050  000100 Y
051  000100 N
052  000100 N
053 A000100 Y
053 B000100 Y
053 C000100 Y
055 A000100 Y
055 B000100 N
056  000100 Y
057  000100 N
062 A000100 Y
062 B000100   0.0
062 C000100   0.0
062 D000100   8.1
062 E000100   0.0
062 F000100   0.0
062 G000100   0.0
062 H000100   0.0
062 I000100   0.0
062 J000100   0.0
062 K000100   0.0
062 L000100   2.1
062 M000100   8.1
062 N000100   0.0
062 O000100   0.0
062 P000100  54.1
062 Q000100  27.5
062 R000100   3.4
063 A000100   0
063 B000100  6.0
064 A000100 Y
064 B000100 Y
065  000100 N
066 A000100 N
067  000100 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  8
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
070 P020100 N
070 Q010100 N
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 N
070 R020100 N
071 A000100     91010
071 B000100     78360
071 C000100     82293
071 D000100   95
072 A000100  6
072 B000100     4045
072 C000100      186
072 D000100        0
072 E000100        0
072 F000100      516
072 G000100        2
072 H000100        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  9
072 I000100       62
072 J000100       65
072 K000100       25
072 L000100       40
072 M000100       24
072 N000100        0
072 O000100        0
072 P000100        0
072 Q000100        0
072 R000100       39
072 S000100        5
072 T000100      272
072 U000100        0
072 V000100        0
072 W000100       73
072 X000100     1123
072 Y000100      673
072 Z000100     3781
072AA000100     1956
072BB000100        0
072CC010100        0
072CC020100     1410
072DD010100     2190
072DD020100     1167
072EE000100      758
073 A010100   0.3500
073 A020100   0.3200
073 B000100   0.0700
073 C000100   0.0000
074 A000100        0
074 B000100     7480
074 C000100     1949
074 D000100    83153
074 E000100     2980
074 F000100       86
074 G000100        0
074 H000100        0
074 I000100       91
074 J000100     2248
074 K000100      315
074 L000100     2854
074 M000100      342
074 N000100   101498
074 O000100     8599
074 P000100       28
074 Q000100        0
074 R010100        0
074 R020100        0
074 R030100        0
074 R040100      194
074 S000100        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  10
074 T000100    92677
074 U010100     6282
074 U020100     4207
074 V010100     8.19
074 V020100     8.14
074 W000100   0.0000
074 X000100     6675
074 Y000100        0
075 A000100        0
075 B000100    88400
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
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     29484
028 A020200         0
028 A030200         0
028 A040200     27228
028 B010200     40598
028 B020200     19068
028 B030200         0
028 B040200     39460
028 C010200     65738
028 C020200         0
028 C030200         0
028 C040200     60450
028 D010200     57344
028 D020200         0
028 D030200         0
028 D040200     58593
028 E010200     53119
<PAGE>      PAGE  11
028 E020200         0
028 E030200         0
028 E040200     58333
028 F010200     62432
028 F020200         0
028 F030200         0
028 F040200     53036
028 G010200    308715
028 G020200     19068
028 G030200         0
028 G040200    297100
028 H000200    268469
029  000200 Y
030 A000200    415
030 B000200  5.75
030 C000200  0.00
031 A000200     46
031 B000200      0
032  000200    369
033  000200      0
034  000200 Y
035  000200    291
036 A000200 N
036 B000200      0
042 A000200   0
042 B000200   0
042 C000200  63
042 D000200  37
042 E000200   0
042 F000200   0
042 G000200   0
042 H000200   0
043  000200   1841
044  000200      0
045  000200 Y
046  000200 N
047  000200 Y
048  000200  0.900
048 A010200        0
048 A020200 0.000
048 B010200        0
048 B020200 0.000
048 C010200        0
048 C020200 0.000
048 D010200        0
048 D020200 0.000
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048 E020200 0.000
048 F010200        0
048 F020200 0.000
048 G010200        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  12
048 G020200 0.000
048 H010200        0
048 H020200 0.000
048 I010200        0
048 I020200 0.000
048 J010200        0
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 Y
055 B000200 N
056  000200 Y
057  000200 N
062 A000200 N
062 B000200   0.0
062 C000200   0.0
062 D000200   0.0
062 E000200   0.0
062 F000200   0.0
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062 H000200   0.0
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062 J000200   0.0
062 K000200   0.0
062 L000200   0.0
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062 O000200   0.0
062 P000200   0.0
062 Q000200   0.0
062 R000200   0.0
063 A000200   0
063 B000200  0.0
066 A000200 Y
066 B000200 N
066 C000200 Y
066 D000200 N
066 E000200 N
066 F000200 N
066 G000200 N
067  000200 N
068 A000200 N
068 B000200 Y
069  000200 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  13
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 Y
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
070 R010200 N
070 R020200 N
071 A000200    384894
071 B000200    353890
071 C000200    457996
071 D000200   77
072 A000200  6
072 B000200      713
072 C000200     2749
072 D000200        0
072 E000200     -225
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072 G000200       12
072 H000200        0
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072 K000200       57
<PAGE>      PAGE  14
072 L000200       39
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072 U000200        3
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072 X000200     5005
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072DD020200        0
072EE000200    24060
073 A010200   0.0000
073 A020200   0.0000
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074 S000200        0
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074 U010200     9941
074 U020200    15352
<PAGE>      PAGE  15
074 V010200    18.56
074 V020200    18.42
074 W000200   0.0000
074 X000200    51229
074 Y000200        0
075 A000200        0
075 B000200   490650
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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         96023735
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        95739267
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5417094
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<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      90682855
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          6281952
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          6035708
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       249074
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<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        1950129
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      (204591)
<NET-ASSETS>                                  92677467
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               186039
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              4044646
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  449610
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        3781075
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1955819
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (1410110)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          4326784
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (2190051)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (460894)
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<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.35)
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.80
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
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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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         96023735
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        95739267
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5417094
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  341199
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               101497560
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       8599194
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       220899
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            8820093
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      90682855
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          4206932
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          3115960
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       249074
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        1950129
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      (204591)
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<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               186039
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<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  449610
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        3781075
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1955819
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (1410110)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          4326784
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (1166941)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (246359)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        2309268
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1339660)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             121364
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        12405673
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          61857
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       752188
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           515943
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                1122665
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          88399553
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.14
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.33
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.06
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.32)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.07)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.14
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.45
<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         96023735
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        95739267
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5417094
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  341199
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               101497560
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       8599194
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       220899
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            8820093
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      90682855
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           862552
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           674704
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       249074
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        1950129
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      (204591)
<NET-ASSETS>                                  92677467
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               186039
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              4044646
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  449610
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        3781075
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1955819
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (1410110)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          4326784
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (236864)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (50625)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         524292
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (364697)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              28253
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        12405673
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          61857
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       752188
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           515943
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                1122665
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          88399553
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.12
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.33
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.07
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.32)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.08)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.12
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.44
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 014
   <NAME> MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS I
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         96023735
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        95739267
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5417094
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  341199
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               101497560
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       8599194
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       220899
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            8820093
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      90682855
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                               12
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       249074
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        1950129
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      (204591)
<NET-ASSETS>                                  92677467
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               186039
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              4044646
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  449610
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        3781075
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1955819
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (1410110)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          4326784
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                          (2)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                             12
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        12405673
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          61857
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       752188
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           515943
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                1122665
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          88399553
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.15
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.20
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.02
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.18)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.19
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                      0
<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        444244565
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       488367344
<RECEIVABLES>                                 10487799
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3665
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           2364914
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               501223722
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       5648223
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1217130
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            6865353
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     434429368
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          9941487
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          9014099
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2020634)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       17848429
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      44101206
<NET-ASSETS>                                 494358369
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2748746
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               712926
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (224982)
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 4881572
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (1644882)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      19341380
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (4708867)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         12987631
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     (9634864)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       14275030
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (13796962)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             449320
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        19590276
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     22567448
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (375752)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2190224
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5004572
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         490650064
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            19.09
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.02)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.54
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.05)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              18.56
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.54
<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        444244565
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       488367344
<RECEIVABLES>                                 10487799
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3665
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           2364914
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               501223722
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       5648223
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1217130
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            6865353
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     434429368
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         15351672
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         14977356
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2020634)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       17848429
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      44101206
<NET-ASSETS>                                 494358369
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2748746
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               712926
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (224982)
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 4881572
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (1644882)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      19341380
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (4708867)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         12987631
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (13421222)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1538951
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1724378)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             559743
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        19590276
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     22567448
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (375752)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2190224
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5004572
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         490650064
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            18.87
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.09)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.54
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.90)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              18.42
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   2.31
<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        444244565
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       488367344
<RECEIVABLES>                                 10487799
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3665
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           2364914
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               501223722
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       5648223
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1217130
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            6865353
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     434429368
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1147149
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1060845
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2020634)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       17848429
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      44101206
<NET-ASSETS>                                 494358369
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2748746
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               712926
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (224982)
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 4881572
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (1644882)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      19341380
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (4708867)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         12987631
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     (1004313)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         235472
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (186004)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              36836
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        19590276
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     22567448
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (375752)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2190224
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5004572
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         490650064
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            18.85
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.09)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.53
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.94)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              18.35
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   2.26
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 024
   <NAME> MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND CLASS I
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        444244565
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       488367344
<RECEIVABLES>                                 10487799
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3665
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           2364914
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               501223722
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       5648223
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1217130
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            6865353
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     434429368
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           328095
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2020634)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       17848429
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      44101206
<NET-ASSETS>                                 494358369
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2748746
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               712926
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (224982)
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 4881572
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (1644882)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      19341380
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (4708867)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         12987631
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         388023
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (59928)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        19590276
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     22567448
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (375752)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2190224
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5004572
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         490650064
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            18.34
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.02
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.21
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              18.57
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.14
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>


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