MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
NSAR-A, 1999-06-22
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<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 A000000 04/30/1999
000 C000000 0000819673
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 6.1
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 GLOBAL 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   53
019 C00AA00 MASSFINSER
020 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH
020 B000001 13-5674085
020 C000001     90
020 A000002 SALOMON BROTHERS
020 B000002 13-3082694
020 C000002     78
020 A000003 PAINE WEBBER
020 B000003 13-2638166
020 C000003     67
020 A000004 GOLDMAN SACHS
020 B000004 13-5108880
020 C000004     58
020 A000005 SBC WARBURG
020 B000005 00-0000000
020 C000005     51
020 A000006 BARING SECURITIES
020 B000006 13-2680091
020 C000006     46
020 A000007 MORGAN STANLEY
020 B000007 13-2655998
020 C000007     35
020 A000008 DRESDNER SECURITIES
020 B000008 00-0000000
020 C000008     35
020 A000009 DEUTSCHE BANK
020 B000009 13-2730828
020 C000009     33
020 A000010 PARIBAS
020 B000010 13-3235334
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
020 C000010     25
021  000000      992
022 A000001 GOLDMAN SACHS
022 B000001 13-5108880
022 C000001    718264
022 D000001     28121
022 A000002 GENERAL ELECTRIC
022 B000002 06-1109503
022 C000002    706770
022 D000002         0
022 A000003 CARROLL MC ENTEE
022 B000003 13-2650270
022 C000003    510349
022 D000003     20955
022 A000004 BANK OF BOSTON
022 B000004 00-0000000
022 C000004    273965
022 D000004     18261
022 A000005 CHASE SECURITIES
022 B000005 13-3112953
022 C000005    169104
022 D000005     33871
022 A000006 MERRILL LYNCH
022 B000006 13-5674085
022 C000006    155766
022 D000006     35881
022 A000007 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
022 B000007 22-2347336
022 C000007    168233
022 D000007     12007
022 A000008 CS FIRST BOSTON
022 B000008 13-5659485
022 C000008    167187
022 D000008     11614
022 A000009 SALOMON BROTHERS
022 B000009 13-3082694
022 C000009     64226
022 D000009     59447
022 A000010 FORD MOTOR CREDIT
022 B000010 38-1612444
022 C000010     88455
022 D000010         0
023 C000000    3483639
023 D000000     468272
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
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./CHUBB FEDERAL
080 B00AA00 FEDERAL INSURANCE
080 C00AA00    80000
081 A00AA00 Y
081 B00AA00 133
082 A00AA00 Y
082 B00AA00      100
083 A00AA00 N
083 B00AA00        0
084 A00AA00 N
084 B00AA00        0
085 A00AA00 Y
085 B00AA00 N
086 A010000      0
086 A020000      0
086 B010000      0
086 B020000      0
<PAGE>      PAGE  5
086 C010000      0
086 C020000      0
086 D010000      0
086 D020000      0
086 E010000      0
086 E020000      0
086 F010000      0
086 F020000      0
086 A01AA00      0
086 A02AA00      0
086 B01AA00      0
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    2517
025 D000102       0
025 D000103       0
025 D000104       0
025 D000105       0
025 D000106       0
025 D000107       0
025 D000108       0
028 A010100     11008
028 A020100      2487
028 A030100         0
028 A040100      7006
028 B010100      9107
028 B020100      2568
028 B030100         0
028 B040100      9167
028 C010100      7885
<PAGE>      PAGE  6
028 C020100        -6
028 C030100         0
028 C040100     10369
028 D010100      7423
028 D020100      1278
028 D030100         0
028 D040100      8445
028 E010100      6693
028 E020100      1270
028 E030100         0
028 E040100     10772
028 F010100      7354
028 F020100      1230
028 F030100         0
028 F040100      8740
028 G010100     49470
028 G020100      8827
028 G030100         0
028 G040100     54499
028 H000100     13273
029  000100 Y
030 A000100    321
030 B000100  4.75
030 C000100  0.00
031 A000100     55
031 B000100      0
032  000100    266
033  000100      0
034  000100 Y
035  000100    255
036 A000100 N
036 B000100      0
042 A000100   0
042 B000100   0
042 C000100  53
042 D000100  47
042 E000100   0
042 F000100   0
042 G000100   0
042 H000100   0
043  000100   1081
044  000100      0
045  000100 Y
046  000100 N
047  000100 Y
048  000100  0.500
048 A010100        0
048 A020100 0.000
048 B010100        0
048 B020100 0.000
048 C010100        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  7
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        0
048 K020100 0.000
049  000100 N
050  000100 N
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   0.9
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   0.6
062 L000100   0.0
062 M000100   8.6
062 N000100   3.5
062 O000100   0.0
062 P000100  80.3
062 Q000100   4.7
062 R000100   1.4
063 A000100   0
063 B000100 10.7
064 A000100 Y
064 B000100 N
066 A000100 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  8
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 Y
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    308187
071 B000100    297025
071 C000100    269461
071 D000100  110
072 A000100  6
072 B000100    13397
072 C000100       71
072 D000100        0
072 E000100        0
072 F000100     1640
072 G000100       14
<PAGE>      PAGE  9
072 H000100        0
072 I000100      153
072 J000100       66
072 K000100       29
072 L000100       35
072 M000100       20
072 N000100        0
072 O000100        0
072 P000100        0
072 Q000100        0
072 R000100       18
072 S000100        1
072 T000100     1079
072 U000100        0
072 V000100        0
072 W000100      156
072 X000100     3211
072 Y000100     1437
072 Z000100    11694
072AA000100      229
072BB000100        0
072CC010100    10417
072CC020100        0
072DD010100     5133
072DD020100     7027
072EE000100        0
073 A010100   0.3900
073 A020100   0.3700
073 B000100   0.0000
073 C000100   0.0000
074 A000100      228
074 B000100     2517
074 C000100        0
074 D000100   275166
074 E000100     4006
074 F000100        0
074 G000100        0
074 H000100        0
074 I000100     1709
074 J000100     7269
074 K000100      444
074 L000100     7579
074 M000100        3
074 N000100   298921
074 O000100    12331
074 P000100       85
074 Q000100        0
074 R010100        0
074 R020100        0
074 R030100      502
074 R040100     2559
<PAGE>      PAGE  10
074 S000100        0
074 T000100   283444
074 U010100    12900
074 U020100    19234
074 V010100     7.55
074 V020100     7.48
074 W000100   0.0000
074 X000100    17061
074 Y000100        0
075 A000100        0
075 B000100   279908
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 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 FORD MOTOR CREDIT
025 B000201 38-1612444
025 C000201 D
025 D000201    9562
025 A000202 MORGAN STANLEY
025 B000202 13-2655998
025 C000202 E
025 D000202    4880
025 A000203 MERRILL LYNCH
025 B000203 13-5674085
025 C000203 E
025 D000203    2325
025 A000204 PAINE WEBBER
025 B000204 13-2638166
025 C000204 E
025 D000204      14
<PAGE>      PAGE  11
025 D000205       0
025 D000206       0
025 D000207       0
025 D000208       0
028 A010200     65864
028 A020200         0
028 A030200         0
028 A040200     89912
028 B010200    126132
028 B020200     33956
028 B030200         0
028 B040200    125072
028 C010200     95791
028 C020200       923
028 C030200         0
028 C040200     94553
028 D010200     98918
028 D020200         1
028 D030200         0
028 D040200    123197
028 E010200    159168
028 E020200        -4
028 E030200         0
028 E040200    166745
028 F010200    123336
028 F020200         8
028 F030200         0
028 F040200    123842
028 G010200    669209
028 G020200     34884
028 G030200         0
028 G040200    723321
028 H000200    613273
029  000200 Y
030 A000200    274
030 B000200  5.75
030 C000200  0.00
031 A000200     34
031 B000200      0
032  000200    240
033  000200      0
034  000200 Y
035  000200    229
036 A000200 N
036 B000200      0
042 A000200   0
042 B000200   0
042 C000200  62
042 D000200  38
042 E000200   0
042 F000200   0
<PAGE>      PAGE  12
042 G000200   0
042 H000200   0
043  000200   1860
044  000200      0
045  000200 Y
046  000200 N
047  000200 Y
048  000200  0.000
048 A010200  1000000
048 A020200 0.900
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  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 Y
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  13
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
068 A000200 N
068 B000200 Y
069  000200 N
070 A010200 Y
070 A020200 Y
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 Y
070 O010200 Y
070 O020200 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  14
070 P010200 Y
070 P020200 N
070 Q010200 N
070 Q020200 N
070 R010200 Y
070 R020200 Y
071 A000200    304075
071 B000200    361753
071 C000200    492463
071 D000200   62
072 A000200  6
072 B000200      750
072 C000200     2140
072 D000200        0
072 E000200        0
072 F000200     2324
072 G000200       26
072 H000200        0
072 I000200      285
072 J000200      235
072 K000200       50
072 L000200       43
072 M000200       20
072 N000200        0
072 O000200        0
072 P000200        0
072 Q000200        0
072 R000200       24
072 S000200        1
072 T000200     1872
072 U000200        1
072 V000200        0
072 W000200      214
072 X000200     5095
072 Y000200      140
072 Z000200    -2065
072AA000200    33220
072BB000200        0
072CC010200    78709
072CC020200        0
072DD010200        0
072DD020200        0
072EE000200    41000
073 A010200   0.0000
073 A020200   0.0000
073 B000200   1.6100
073 C000200   0.0000
074 A000200       31
074 B000200        0
074 C000200    54614
074 D000200        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  15
074 E000200        0
074 F000200   509588
074 G000200        0
074 H000200        0
074 I000200        0
074 J000200    13573
074 K000200        0
074 L000200     6087
074 M000200     1595
074 N000200   585488
074 O000200     7084
074 P000200      148
074 Q000200        0
074 R010200        0
074 R020200        0
074 R030200        0
074 R040200    49574
074 S000200        0
074 T000200   528682
074 U010200    10346
074 U020200    14025
074 V010200    20.75
074 V020200    20.42
074 W000200   0.0000
074 X000200    52073
074 Y000200        0
075 A000200        0
075 B000200   518651
076  000200     0.00
SIGNATURE   MARK E. BRADLEY
TITLE       ASSISTANT TREASURER


WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        293279357
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       283398074
<RECEIVABLES>                                 15291691
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3078
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            228286
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               298921129
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      12331444
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      3145367
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           15476811
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     306104457
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         12900312
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         13000440
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                      1421044
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                    (13059829)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (11021354)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 283444318
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                71433
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             13396717
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (1774034)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       11694116
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        228822
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     10417354
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         22340292
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (5133352)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1800151
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (2331580)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             431301
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        11829231
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        4038807
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                  (13288651)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1640338
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                3211492
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          96869385
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.33
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.33
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.28
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.39)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               7.55
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.89
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING]                               0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE]                                 0



</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        293279357
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       283398074
<RECEIVABLES>                                 15291691
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3078
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            228286
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               298921129
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      12331444
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      3145367
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           15476811
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     306104457
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         19233793
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         18411642
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                      1421044
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                    (13059829)
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       11694116
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        228822
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     10417354
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (7027147)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        3796306
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (3596151)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             621996
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        11829231
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        4038807
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<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                  (13288651)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1640338
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                3211492
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         140578860
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.27
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.30
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.28
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.37)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               7.48
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.54
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING]                               0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE]                                 0



</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        293279357
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       283398074
<RECEIVABLES>                                 15291691
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3078
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            228286
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               298921129
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      12331444
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      3145367
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           15476811
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     306104457
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          5615056
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          5820995
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                      1421044
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                    (13059829)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (11021354)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 283444318
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                71433
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             13396717
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (1774034)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       11694116
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        228822
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     10417354
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         22340292
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (2136833)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1138747
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1500495)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             155809
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        11829231
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        4038807
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                  (13288651)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1640338
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                3211492
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          42190731
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.25
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.30
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.28
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.37)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               7.46
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.54
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING]                               0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE]                                 0



</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        293279357
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       283398074
<RECEIVABLES>                                 15291691
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3078
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            228286
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               298921129
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      12331444
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      3145367
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           15476811
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     306104457
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            37422
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            32466
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                      1421044
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                    (13059829)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (11021354)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 283444318
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                71433
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             13396717
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (1774034)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       11694116
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        228822
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     10417354
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         22340292
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      (14547)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           7255
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                     (4283)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                               1984
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        11829231
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        4038807
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                  (13288651)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1640338
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                3211492
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            268637
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.33
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.34
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.29
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.41)
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<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               7.55
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.54
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING]                               0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE]                                 0



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 021
   <NAME> MFS GLOBAL GROWTH FUND - CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        455860608
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       564201967
<RECEIVABLES>                                 19660580
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    5456
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           1620472
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               585488475
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       7083978
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     49722505
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           56806483
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     393372641
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         10346035
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         10685341
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2099007)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       29113206
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     108295152
<NET-ASSETS>                                 528681992
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2337684
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               750119
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (197646)
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (4955545)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (2065388)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      33220188
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     78708812
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        109863612
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (16259953)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       31052840
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (32228412)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             836266
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        49549052
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     36893291
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                        (33619)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2323627
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5094905
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         518651356
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            18.27
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.04)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           4.13
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.61)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              20.75
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.50



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 022
   <NAME> MFS GLOBAL GROWTH FUND - CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        455860608
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       564201967
<RECEIVABLES>                                 19660580
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    5456
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<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               585488475
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       7083978
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     49722505
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           56806483
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     393372641
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         14024674
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         14361502
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2099007)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       29113206
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     108295152
<NET-ASSETS>                                 528681992
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2337684
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               750119
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (197646)
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (4955545)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (2065388)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      33220188
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     78708812
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        109863612
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                    (22605139)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         949386
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (2273177)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             986963
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        49549052
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     36893291
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                        (33619)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2323627
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5094905
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         518651356
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            18.06
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.11)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           4.08
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.61)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              20.42
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   2.25



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 023
   <NAME> MFS GLOBAL GROWTH FUND - CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        455860608
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       564201967
<RECEIVABLES>                                 19660580
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    5456
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           1620472
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               585488475
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       7083978
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     49722505
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           56806483
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     393372641
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1049194
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1064384
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2099007)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       29113206
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     108295152
<NET-ASSETS>                                 528681992
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2337684
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               750119
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (197646)
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (4955545)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (2065388)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      33220188
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     78708812
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        109863612
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     (1663777)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1905868
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1986420)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              65362
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        49549052
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     36893291
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                        (33619)
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<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2323627
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5094905
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         518651356
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            17.99
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.11)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           4.06
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.61)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              20.33
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   2.25



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000819673
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VIII
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 024
   <NAME> MFS GLOBAL GROWTH FUND - CLASS I
<MULTIPLIER> 1

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        455860608
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       564201967
<RECEIVABLES>                                 19660580
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    5456
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<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               585488475
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       7083978
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     49722505
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           56806483
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     393372641
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           301212
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           297205
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2099007)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       29113206
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     108295152
<NET-ASSETS>                                 528681992
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2337684
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               750119
<OTHER-INCOME>                                (197646)
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (4955545)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      (2065388)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      33220188
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     78708812
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        109863612
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (471404)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          22376
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (44016)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              25647
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        49549052
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     36893291
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                        (33619)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5094905
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         518651356
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            18.32
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.01)
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<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.61)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              20.85
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.25



</TABLE>


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