MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
NSAR-B, 1997-12-29
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<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 B000000 10/31/97
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   54
019 C00AA00 MASSFINSER
020 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENN
020 B000001 13-5674085
020 C000001    207
020 A000002 MORGAN STANLEY ANC CO., INC.
020 B000002 13-2655998
020 C000002    160
020 A000003 GOLDMAN SACHS
020 B000003 13-5140880
020 C000003    151
020 A000004 ING BARINGS SECURITIES, INC.
020 B000004 00-0000000
020 C000004    119
020 A000005 NOMURA SECURITIES INT'L., INC.
020 B000005 13-2642206
020 C000005    108
020 A000006 UBS SECURITIES, INC.
020 B000006 13-2932996
020 C000006     89
020 A000007 SALOMON BROTHERS, INC.
020 B000007 13-3082694
020 C000007     89
020 A000008 MORGAN, J.P. SECURITIES, INC.
020 B000008 13-3224016
020 C000008     80
020 A000009 BANQUE S.G. WARBURG
020 B000009 13-3340045
020 C000009     73
020 A000010 C.J. LAWRENCE/DEUTSCHE BANK
020 B000010 00-0000000
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
020 C000010     64
021  000000     2715
022 A000001 GOLDMAN SACHS
022 B000001 13-5108880
022 C000001   1270156
022 D000001     24587
022 A000002 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP.
022 B000002 00-0000000
022 C000002   1126713
022 D000002         0
022 A000003 CARROLL MC ENTEE
022 B000003 00-0000000
022 C000003    360066
022 D000003    170769
022 A000004 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.
022 B000004 00-0000000
022 C000004    410845
022 D000004         0
022 A000005 FORD MOTOR CREDIT CORP.
022 B000005 38-1612444
022 C000005    266428
022 D000005         0
022 A000006 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
022 B000006 22-2347336
022 C000006    198231
022 D000006     17250
022 A000007 CS FIRST BOSTON CORP.
022 B000007 13-5659485
022 C000007    141538
022 D000007     23125
022 A000008 MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENN
022 B000008 13-5674085
022 C000008     61898
022 D000008     25743
022 A000009 SALOMON BROTHERS, INC.
022 B000009 13-3082694
022 C000009     40546
022 D000009     45116
022 A000010 MORGAN, J.P. SECURITIES
022 B000010 13-3224016
022 C000010     82897
022 D000010         0
023 C000000    4635333
023 D000000     598937
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 B000000 Y
077 C000000 N
077 D000000 Y
077 E000000 N
077 F000000 N
077 G000000 N
077 H000000 N
077 I000000 N
077 J000000 N
077 K000000 N
077 L000000 N
077 M000000 N
077 N000000 N
077 O000000 N
077 P000000 N
077 Q010000 N
077 Q020000 N
077 Q030000 N
078  000000 N
080 A00AA00 NATIONAL UNION INSURANCE CO.
080 B00AA00 ICI MUTUAL
080 C00AA00    10000
<PAGE>      PAGE  5
081 A00AA00 Y
081 B00AA00 135
082 A00AA00 Y
082 B00AA00      250
083 A00AA00 N
083 B00AA00        0
084 A00AA00 N
084 B00AA00        0
085 A00AA00 Y
085 B00AA00 N
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086 F020000      0
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086 A02AA00      0
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086 B02AA00      0
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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    9781
025 D000102       0
025 D000103       0
<PAGE>      PAGE  6
025 D000104       0
025 D000105       0
025 D000106       0
025 D000107       0
025 D000108       0
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028 A020100       331
028 A030100         0
028 A040100      2004
028 B010100      9035
028 B020100       382
028 B030100         0
028 B040100      1446
028 C010100     15818
028 C020100       412
028 C030100         0
028 C040100      2139
028 D010100     13993
028 D020100       472
028 D030100         0
028 D040100      2811
028 E010100     17306
028 E020100       523
028 E030100         0
028 E040100      2164
028 F010100     15565
028 F020100       584
028 F030100         0
028 F040100      4854
028 G010100     82884
028 G020100      2704
028 G030100         0
028 G040100     15418
028 H000100     24730
029  000100 Y
030 A000100    581
030 B000100  4.75
030 C000100  0.00
031 A000100     97
031 B000100      0
032  000100    484
033  000100      0
034  000100 Y
035  000100     60
036 A000100 N
036 B000100      0
042 A000100   0
042 B000100   0
042 C000100  54
042 D000100  46
042 E000100   0
<PAGE>      PAGE  7
042 F000100   0
042 G000100   0
042 H000100   0
043  000100    678
044  000100      0
045  000100 Y
046  000100 N
047  000100 Y
048  000100  0.000
048 A010100  1000000
048 A020100 0.900
048 B010100        0
048 B020100 0.000
048 C010100        0
048 C020100 0.000
048 D010100        0
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
048 H020100 0.000
048 I010100        0
048 I020100 0.000
048 J010100        0
048 J020100 0.000
048 K010100  1000000
048 K020100 0.750
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   6.0
062 E000100   0.0
062 F000100   0.0
062 G000100   0.0
062 H000100   0.0
062 I000100   0.0
<PAGE>      PAGE  8
062 J000100   0.0
062 K000100   0.0
062 L000100   0.8
062 M000100   5.8
062 N000100   8.2
062 O000100   0.0
062 P000100  49.5
062 Q000100  30.2
062 R000100  -0.5
063 A000100   0
063 B000100  8.8
064 A000100 Y
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
070 P020100 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  9
070 Q010100 N
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 N
070 R020100 N
071 A000100    301634
071 B000100    220490
071 C000100    101540
071 D000100  217
072 A000100 12
072 B000100     9472
072 C000100      227
072 D000100        0
072 E000100        0
072 F000100     1231
072 G000100       12
072 H000100        0
072 I000100      146
072 J000100       88
072 K000100       34
072 L000100       44
072 M000100       46
072 N000100        0
072 O000100        0
072 P000100        0
072 Q000100        0
072 R000100       56
072 S000100        6
072 T000100      693
072 U000100        0
072 V000100        0
072 W000100      140
072 X000100     2496
072 Y000100     1354
072 Z000100     8557
072AA000100     2631
072BB000100        0
072CC010100        0
072CC020100     2722
072DD010100     4704
072DD020100     3069
072EE000100      758
073 A010100   0.6900
073 A020100   0.6400
073 B000100   0.0800
073 C000100   0.0000
074 A000100        2
074 B000100     9781
074 C000100     1228
074 D000100   148914
074 E000100     3123
074 F000100       61
<PAGE>      PAGE  10
074 G000100        0
074 H000100        0
074 I000100     2573
074 J000100     3991
074 K000100        0
074 L000100     5035
074 M000100      518
074 N000100   175226
074 O000100    12963
074 P000100        4
074 Q000100        0
074 R010100        0
074 R020100        0
074 R030100        0
074 R040100      233
074 S000100        0
074 T000100   162026
074 U010100     8480
074 U020100     8735
074 V010100     8.24
074 V020100     8.18
074 W000100   0.0000
074 X000100     6675
074 Y000100        0
075 A000100        0
075 B000100   107851
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     63717
<PAGE>      PAGE  11
028 A020200         0
028 A030200         0
028 A040200     66525
028 B010200     40074
028 B020200         0
028 B030200         0
028 B040200     51662
028 C010200     56198
028 C020200        28
028 C030200         0
028 C040200     43887
028 D010200     37272
028 D020200         0
028 D030200         0
028 D040200     48310
028 E010200     53488
028 E020200         0
028 E030200         0
028 E040200     52107
028 F010200     84509
028 F020200         0
028 F030200         0
028 F040200     81445
028 G010200    335258
028 G020200        28
028 G030200         0
028 G040200    343936
028 H000200    293737
029  000200 Y
030 A000200    537
030 B000200  5.75
030 C000200  0.00
031 A000200     61
031 B000200      0
032  000200    476
033  000200      0
034  000200 Y
035  000200    583
036 A000200 N
036 B000200      0
042 A000200   0
042 B000200   0
042 C000200  61
042 D000200  39
042 E000200   0
042 F000200   0
042 G000200   0
042 H000200   0
043  000200   3726
044  000200      0
045  000200 Y
<PAGE>      PAGE  12
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
048 E010200        0
048 E020200 0.000
048 F010200        0
048 F020200 0.000
048 G010200        0
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
062 G000200   0.0
062 H000200   0.0
062 I000200   0.0
062 J000200   0.0
062 K000200   0.0
062 L000200   0.0
062 M000200   0.0
062 N000200   0.0
062 O000200   0.0
<PAGE>      PAGE  13
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
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  14
070 R020200 N
071 A000200    695594
071 B000200    652359
071 C000200    514690
071 D000200  133
072 A000200 12
072 B000200     1406
072 C000200     6366
072 D000200        0
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072 F000200     4718
072 G000200       54
072 H000200        0
072 I000200      731
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072 S000200       19
072 T000200     3944
072 U000200        7
072 V000200        0
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072 X000200    10613
072 Y000200      296
072 Z000200    -3010
072AA000200    54088
072BB000200        0
072CC010200    21043
072CC020200        0
072DD010200        0
072DD020200        0
072EE000200    24060
073 A010200   0.0000
073 A020200   0.0000
073 B000200   1.0500
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074 B000200        0
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074 D000200        0
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074 F000200   523795
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<PAGE>      PAGE  15
074 J000200     8170
074 K000200        0
074 L000200    12007
074 M000200      298
074 N000200   561774
074 O000200    15809
074 P000200      174
074 Q000200        0
074 R010200        0
074 R020200        0
074 R030200        0
074 R040200      969
074 S000200        0
074 T000200   544822
074 U010200     9856
074 U020200    15017
074 V010200    20.79
074 V020200    20.56
074 W000200   0.0000
074 X000200    51229
074 Y000200        0
075 A000200        0
075 B000200   524209
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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        167333254
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       165680187
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9027689
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  518181
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<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               175226057
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      12962853
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       237115
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           13199968
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     160789071
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          8480135
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          6035708
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                        (109205)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        2863036
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     (1516813)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 162026089
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               227263
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              9471661
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 1141477
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        8557447
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       2630601
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (2722332)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          8465716
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (4703670)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (460894)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        4259003
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (2107380)
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<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          61857
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       752188
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1231230
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2496921
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        57,056,359
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.19
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.69
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.13
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.69)
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<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.24
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.79
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        167333254
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       165680187
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9027689
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  518181
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               175226057
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      12962853
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       237115
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           13199968
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          8734516
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          3115960
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                        (109205)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        2863036
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     (1516813)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 162026089
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               227263
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              9471661
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 1141477
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        8557447
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       2630601
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (2722332)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          8465716
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (3069009)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (246359)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        7475595
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (2127213)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             270174
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        81754295
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          61857
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       752188
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1231230
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2496921
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          41063475
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.14
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.61
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.15
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.64)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.08)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.18
<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> 013
   <NAME> MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        167333254
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       165680187
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9027689
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  518181
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               175226057
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      12962853
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       237115
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           13199968
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     160789071
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          2507639
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           674704
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                        (109205)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        2863036
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     (1516813)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 162026089
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               227263
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              9471661
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 1141477
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        8557447
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       2630601
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (2722332)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          8465716
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (714530)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (50625)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        2305490
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (533281)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              60726
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        81754295
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          61857
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       752188
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1231230
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2496921
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            9685281
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.12
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.60
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.16
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.64)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.08)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.16
<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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        167333254
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       165680187
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9027689
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  518181
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               175226057
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      12962853
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       237115
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           13199968
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     160789071
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            27849
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                        (109205)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        2863036
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     (1516813)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 162026089
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               227263
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              9471661
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 1141477
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        8557447
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       2630601
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (2722332)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          8465716
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                       (3175)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          27472
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                377
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        81754295
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          61857
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       752188
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1231230
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2496921
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             56398
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.15
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.49
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.15
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.54)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.25
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.44
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 021
   <NAME> MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND CLASS A
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        471150750
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       541012337
<RECEIVABLES>                                 18833297
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   11748
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           1916868 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               561774250
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      15809278
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1142693
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           16951971
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     425800148
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          9855669
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          9014099
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                         (24743)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       49194215
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      69852659
<NET-ASSETS>                                 544822279
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              6365528
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              1405964
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (465140)
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (10316687)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (3010335)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      54087549
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     21042586
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         72119800
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     (9634864)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       28172048
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (27406795)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             449325
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        70054186
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     22567448
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (375752)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          4717882
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               10613181
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         524209100
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            19.09
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.02)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           2.77
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.05)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              20.79
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.52
<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
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        471150750
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       541012337
<RECEIVABLES>                                 18833297
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   11748
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           1916868
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               561774250
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      15809278
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1142693
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           16951971
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     425800148
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         15017474
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         14977356
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                         (24743)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       49194215
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      69852659
<NET-ASSETS>                                 544822279
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              6365528
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              1405964
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (465140)
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (10316687)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (3010335)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      54087549
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     21042586
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         72119800
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (13421222)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        3233868
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (3754830)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             561080
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        70054186
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     22567448
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (375752)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          4717882
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               10613181
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         524209100
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            18.87
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.17)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           2.76
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.90)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              20.56
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   2.28
<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
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        471150750
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       541012337
<RECEIVABLES>                                 18833297
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   11748
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           1916868
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               561774250
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      15809278
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1142693
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           16951971
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     425800148
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1203889
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1060845
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                         (24743)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       49194215
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      69852659
<NET-ASSETS>                                 544822279
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              6365528
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              1405964
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (465140)
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (10316687)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (3010335)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      54087549
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     21042586
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         72119800
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     (1004314)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         480867
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (374659)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              36836
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        70054186
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     22567448
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (375752)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          4717882
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               10613181
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         524209100
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            18.85
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.17)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           2.75
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.94)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              20.49
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   2.25
<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
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        471150750
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       541012337
<RECEIVABLES>                                 18833297
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   11748
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           1916868
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               561774250
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      15809278
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1142693
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           16951971
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     425800148
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           314356
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                         (24743)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       49194215
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      69852659
<NET-ASSETS>                                 544822279
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              6365528
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              1405964
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (465140)
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (10316687)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (3010335)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      54087549
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     21042586
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         72119800
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          38825
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (97477)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        70054186
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     22567448
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (375752)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          4717882
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               10613181
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         524209100
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            18.34
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.04
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           2.46
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              20.84
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.21
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>


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