MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
NSAR-A, 1998-06-23
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<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 A000000 04/30/98
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
018  00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00   53
019 C00AA00 MASSFINSER
020 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH
020 B000001 13-5674085
020 C000001     98
020 A000002 GOLDMAN SACHS
020 B000002 13-5108880
020 C000002     84
020 A000003 SBC WARBURG
020 B000003 00-0000000
020 C000003     49
020 A000004 MORGAN STANLEY
020 B000004 13-2655998
020 C000004     42
020 A000005 SALOMON BROTHERS
020 B000005 13-3082694
020 C000005     35
020 A000006 BARING SECURITIES
020 B000006 04-2455153
020 C000006     35
020 A000007 UBS SECURITIES
020 B000007 13-2932996
020 C000007     29
020 A000008 CS FIRST BOSTON
020 B000008 13-5659485
020 C000008     25
020 A000009 SMITH BARNEY
020 B000009 13-1912900
020 C000009     23
020 A000010 WERTHEIM SCHRODER
020 B000010 00-0000000
020 C000010     22
021  000000      874
022 A000001 GOLDMAN SACHS
022 B000001 13-5108880
022 C000001   1307876
022 D000001     26514
022 A000002 GENERAL ELECTRIC
022 B000002 06-1109503
022 C000002    632578
022 D000002         0
022 A000003 CARROLL MC ENTEE
022 B000003 13-2650270
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
022 C000003    172598
022 D000003     52309
022 A000004 FORD MOTOR CREDIT
022 B000004 38-1612444
022 C000004    105540
022 D000004         0
022 A000005 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
022 B000005 22-2347336
022 C000005     87255
022 D000005     13405
022 A000006 CHASE SECURITIES
022 B000006 13-3112953
022 C000006     65856
022 D000006     36478
022 A000007 UBS SECURITIES
022 B000007 13-2932996
022 C000007     66376
022 D000007     21041
022 A000008 MERRILL LYNCH
022 B000008 13-5674085
022 C000008     58138
022 D000008     22148
022 A000009 NATIONS BANK
022 B000009 75-0520130
022 C000009     71639
022 D000009         0
022 A000010 ASSOCIATES CORP
022 B000010 00-0000000
022 C000010     69041
022 D000010         0
023 C000000    2997414
023 D000000     441783
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041  00AA00 Y
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<PAGE>      PAGE  4
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
058 B00AA00 N
058 C00AA00 N
058 D00AA00 N
058 E00AA00 N
059  00AA00 Y
060 A00AA00 N
060 B00AA00 N
061  00AA00     1000
077 A000000 N
078  000000 N
080 A00AA00 NATIONAL UNION INSURANCE CO.
080 B00AA00 ICI MUTUAL
080 C00AA00    10000
081 A00AA00 Y
081 B00AA00 135
082 A00AA00 Y
082 B00AA00      100
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<PAGE>      PAGE  5
086 C01AA00      0
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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
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025 D000106       0
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028 E040100      3970
028 F010100     17329
<PAGE>      PAGE  6
028 F020100       842
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048 F010100        0
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048 G010100        0
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048 H020100 0.000
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<PAGE>      PAGE  7
048 I020100 0.000
048 J010100        0
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048 K010100        0
048 K020100 0.000
049  000100 N
050  000100 N
051  000100 N
052  000100 N
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053 B000100 Y
053 C000100 Y
055 A000100 N
055 B000100 N
056  000100 Y
057  000100 N
062 A000100 Y
062 B000100   0.0
062 C000100   0.0
062 D000100   3.8
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   1.2
062 M000100  14.6
062 N000100   3.4
062 O000100   0.0
062 P000100  47.8
062 Q000100  29.4
062 R000100   1.5
063 A000100   0
063 B000100  9.7
064 A000100 Y
064 B000100 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
<PAGE>      PAGE  8
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 N
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    377654
071 B000100    297340
071 C000100    193880
071 D000100  153
072 A000100  6
072 B000100     8728
072 C000100       52
072 D000100        0
072 E000100        0
072 F000100     1127
072 G000100       14
072 H000100        0
072 I000100      119
072 J000100       52
072 K000100       20
072 L000100       45
072 M000100       22
072 N000100        0
072 O000100        0
072 P000100        0
072 Q000100        0
072 R000100       25
072 S000100        3
<PAGE>      PAGE  9
072 T000100      754
072 U000100        0
072 V000100        0
072 W000100      105
072 X000100     2286
072 Y000100     1085
072 Z000100     7579
072AA000100      915
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072CC010100     2418
072CC020100        0
072DD010100     2830
072DD020100     3003
072EE000100     3124
073 A010100   0.3000
073 A020100   0.2800
073 B000100   0.1300
073 C000100   0.0000
074 A000100        1
074 B000100     9337
074 C000100     3000
074 D000100   235295
074 E000100     3664
074 F000100       21
074 G000100        0
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074 I000100       39
074 J000100    23228
074 K000100      368
074 L000100     7016
074 M000100        1
074 N000100   281970
074 O000100    34117
074 P000100       72
074 Q000100        0
074 R010100        0
074 R020100        0
074 R030100        0
074 R040100      566
074 S000100        0
074 T000100   247215
074 U010100    10947
074 U020100    14377
074 V010100     8.29
074 V020100     8.22
074 W000100   0.0000
074 X000100     6675
074 Y000100        0
075 A000100        0
075 B000100   203907
076  000100     0.00
<PAGE>      PAGE  10
008 A000201 MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
008 B000201 A
008 C000201 801-17352
008 D010201 BOSTON
008 D020201 MA
008 D030201 02116
008 A000202 FOREIGN & COLONIAL MANAGEMENT, LTD.
008 B000202 S
008 C000202 801-28111
008 D010202 LONDON
008 D050202 UK
008 D060202 EC2A 2NY
008 A000203 FCEM HOLDINGS LTD.
008 B000203 S
008 C000203 801-48035
008 D010203 LONDON
008 D050203 UK
008 D060203 EC2A 2NY
013 A000201 DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
013 B010201 BOSTON
013 B020201 MA
013 B030201 02110
024  000200 Y
025 A000201 DONALDSON, LUFTKIN & JENRETTE
025 B000201 13-2741729
025 C000201 E
025 D000201     531
025 A000202 MORGAN STANLEY, DEAN WITTER, DISCOVER & CO.
025 B000202 13-2655998
025 C000202 E
025 D000202    1065
025 D000203       0
025 D000204       0
025 D000205       0
025 D000206       0
025 D000207       0
025 D000208       0
028 A010200     51873
028 A020200         0
028 A030200         0
028 A040200     55112
028 B010200     74320
028 B020200     41493
028 B030200         0
028 B040200     76055
028 C010200     57005
028 C020200        -2
028 C030200         0
028 C040200     72444
028 D010200    105102
028 D020200         1
<PAGE>      PAGE  11
028 D030200         0
028 D040200     94328
028 E010200    125296
028 E020200         0
028 E030200         0
028 E040200    135005
028 F010200    106779
028 F020200        -2
028 F030200         0
028 F040200    108239
028 G010200    520375
028 G020200     41490
028 G030200         0
028 G040200    541183
028 H000200    475599
029  000200 Y
030 A000200    285
030 B000200  5.75
030 C000200  0.00
031 A000200     31
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032  000200    254
033  000200      0
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036 A000200 N
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042 A000200   0
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043  000200   2040
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045  000200 Y
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047  000200 Y
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048 A010200  1000000
048 A020200 0.900
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048 B020200 0.000
048 C010200        0
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048 D010200        0
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048 E020200 0.000
<PAGE>      PAGE  12
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  1000000
048 K020200 0.750
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
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
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  13
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 Y
070 P010200 Y
070 P020200 Y
070 Q010200 N
070 Q020200 N
070 R010200 N
070 R020200 N
071 A000200    237558
071 B000200    277730
071 C000200    543690
071 D000200   44
072 A000200  6
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<PAGE>      PAGE  14
072 I000200      325
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074 D000200        0
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074 R030200        0
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<PAGE>      PAGE  15
074 T000200   602941
074 U010200    10980
074 U020200    15389
074 V010200    21.77
074 V020200    21.60
074 W000200   0.0000
074 X000200    54078
074 Y000200        0
075 A000200        0
075 B000200   553669
076  000200     0.00
SIGNATURE   MARK E. BRADLEY                              
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
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<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
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<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       251357628
<RECEIVABLES>                                 30611118
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<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          8480135
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
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<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                52013
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<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.79
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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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
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<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       251357628
<RECEIVABLES>                                 30611118
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<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      34116541
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       638371
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           34754912
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         14376626
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          8734516
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<EXPENSES-NET>                               (1200463)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        7579061
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1169357
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      2283570
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         11031988
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (3003338)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     (1433172)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        6508645
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1211463)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             344928
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        85189260
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      2863036
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (109205)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1126561
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2285957
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          94182850
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.18
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.29
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.16
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.28)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.13)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.22
<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        250592939
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       251357628
<RECEIVABLES>                                 30611118
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    1515
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               281970261
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      34116541
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       638371
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           34754912
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     244851951
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          4625251
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          2507639
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       687940
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         908701
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        766757
<NET-ASSETS>                                 247215349
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                52013
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              8727511
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (1200463)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        7579061
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1169357
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      2283570
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         11031988
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (937777)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (451823)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        2359299
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (331565)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              89878
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        85189260
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      2863036
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (109205)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1126561
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2285957
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          29621955
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.16
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.29
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.16
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.28)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.13)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.20
<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> 014
   <NAME> MFS STRATEGIC INCOME FUND CLASS I
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        250592939
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       251357628
<RECEIVABLES>                                 30611118
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    1515
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               281970261
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      34116541
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       638371
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           34754912
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     244851951
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            43208
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            27849
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       687940
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         908701
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        766757
<NET-ASSETS>                                 247215349
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                52013
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              8727511
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (1200463)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        7579061
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1169357
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      2283570
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         11031988
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      (11259)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                        (4783)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          13409
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                               1950
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        85189260
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      2863036
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                       (109205)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1126561
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2285957
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            312243
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.25
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.34
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.15
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.32)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.13)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.29
<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
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        466024576
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       596817631
<RECEIVABLES>                                 18441045
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   16935
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            355835
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               615631446
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       9058878
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      3632059
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           12690937
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     446991165
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         10979746
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          9855669
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                    (2067711)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       27257393
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     130759662
<NET-ASSETS>                                 602940509
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              3059576
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               373909
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (194811)
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (5281642)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (2042968)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      29572063
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     60907003
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         88436098
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (20053104)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       23283329
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (23112314)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             953062
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        58118230
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        (24743)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     49194215
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2478319
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               21579
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5473060
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         553669043
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            20.79
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.03)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           3.11
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (2.10)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              21.77
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.51
<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        466024576
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       596817631
<RECEIVABLES>                                 18441045
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   16935
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            355835
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               615631446
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       9058878
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      3632059
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           12690937
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     446991165
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         15388529
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         15017474 
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                    (2067711)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       27257393
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     130759662
<NET-ASSETS>                                 602940509
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              3059576
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               373909
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (194811)
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (5281642)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (2042968)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      29572063
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     60907003
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         88436098
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (28720424)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1297770
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (2157002)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            1230287
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        58118230
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        (24743)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     49194215
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2478319
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               21579
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5473060
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         553669043
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            20.56
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.10)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           3.08
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.94)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              21.60
<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> 023
   <NAME> MFS WORLD GROWTH FUND CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        466024576
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       596817631
<RECEIVABLES>                                 18441045
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   16935
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            355835
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               615631446
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       9058878
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      3632059
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           12690937
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     446991165
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1151242
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1203889
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                    (2067711)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       27257393
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     130759662
<NET-ASSETS>                                 602940509
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              3059576
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               373909
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (194811)
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (5281642)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (2042968)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      29572063
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     60907003
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         88436098
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     (2097140)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         954786
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1085449)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              78016
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        58118230
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        (24743)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     49194215
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2478319
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               21579
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5473060
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         553669043
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            20.49
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.10)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           3.06
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.94)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              21.51
<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
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        466024576
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       596817631
<RECEIVABLES>                                 18441045
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   16935
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            355835
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               615631446
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       9058878
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      3632059
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           12690937
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     446991165
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           313402
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           314356
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                    (2067711)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       27257393
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     130759662
<NET-ASSETS>                                 602940509
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              3059576
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               373909
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (194811)
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (5281642)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (2042968)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      29572063
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     60907003
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         88436098
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (638217)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          25517
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (61694)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              35223
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        58118230
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        (24743)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     49194215
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2478319
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               21579
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5473060
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         553669043
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            20.84
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                      0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           3.12
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (2.16)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              21.80
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.25
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>


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