PILGRIM AMERICA PRIME RATE TRUST
N-2, 1998-12-02
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 2, 1998
                                                    1933 Act File No. 333-______
                                                    1940 Act File No. 811-5410
================================================================================

                     U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM N-2
                        (Check appropriate box or boxes)

[X]  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
[ ]  Pre-Effective Amendment No. ___
[ ]  Post-Effective Amendment No. ___
and
[X]  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
[X]  Amendment No. 29

                            PILGRIM PRIME RATE TRUST
                   (formerly Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust)
                  Exact Name of Registrant Specified in Charter
                       40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
                                Phoenix, AZ 85004
 Address of Principal Executive Offices (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)

                                 (602) 417-8256
               Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code

                             James M. Hennessy, Esq.
                               Pilgrim Group, Inc.
                       40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
                                Phoenix, AZ 85004
     Name and Address (Number, Street, State, Zip Code) of Agent for Service

                                   Copies to:
                             Jeffrey S. Puretz, Esq.
                             Dechert Price & Rhoads
                              1775 Eye Street, N.W.
                             Washington, D.C. 20006

Approximate  Date of Proposed  Public  Offering:  As soon as practical after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any securities  being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other
than securities  offered in connection with a dividend  reinvestment plan, check
the following box. [X]

        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=================================================================================================
<S>                    <C>              <C>                <C>                   <C>
                                         Proposed Maximum    Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities     Amount Being      Offering Price    Aggregate Offering      Amount of
 Being Registered        Registered          Per Unit             Price          Registration Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares of Beneficial    5,000,000 shares    $9.59375(1)       $47,968,750(1)        $13,335.31
Interest (without par
value)
=================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1)  Estimated  solely for the purpose of calculating  the  registration  fee in
     accordance  with Rule 457(c) under the  Securities Act of 1933 based on the
     average  of the high and low  sales  prices  of the  shares  of  beneficial
     interest on November 25, 1998 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

                              --------------------

The Registrant hereby amends this  Registration  Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective  date until  Registrant  shall file a
further amendment which  specifically  states that this  Registration  Statement
shall  thereafter  become effective in accordance with the provisions of Section
8(a) of the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended,  or until  the  Registration
Statement  shall become  effective on such date as the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

================================================================================
<PAGE>
                            PILGRIM PRIME RATE TRUST
                              CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
PART A

ITEM
 NO.    CAPTION                                   LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
- ----    -------                                   ----------------------
1.      Outside Front Cover...................... Front Cover Page

2.      Inside Front and Outside
        Back Cover Page.......................... Inside Front and Outside
                                                  Back Cover Page

3.      Fee Table and Synopsis................... Prospectus Summary; Trust
                                                  Expenses

4.      Financial Highlights..................... Financial Highlights and
                                                  Investment Performance --
                                                  Financial Highlights Table

5.      Plan of Distribution..................... Front Cover Page;
                                                  Prospectus Summary; Plan
                                                  of Distribution

6.      Selling Shareholders..................... Not Applicable

7.      Use of Proceeds.......................... Use of Proceeds

8.      General Description of the Registrant.... Front Cover  Page;  Prospectus
                                                  Summary;  Financial Highlights
                                                  and  Investment Performance --
                                                  Portfolio         Composition;
                                                  Financial    Highlights    and
                                                  Investment    Performance   --
                                                  Trading  and NAV  Information;
                                                  Description   of  the  Shares;
                                                  Investment    Objectives   and
                                                  Policies;   Risk  Factors  and
                                                  Special        Considerations;
                                                  General  Information on Senior
                                                  Loans

9.      Management............................... Prospectus Summary; Investment
                                                  Management and Other Services
10.     Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and
        Other Securities......................... Front Cover Page;  Description
                                                  of the Shares;  Dividends  and
                                                  Distributions  -- Distribution
                                                  Policy;      Dividends     and
                                                  Distributions  --  Shareholder
                                                  Investment    Program;     Tax
                                                  Matters
11.     Defaults and Arrears on Senior
        Securities............................... Not Applicable

12.     Legal Proceedings........................ Not Applicable

13.     Table of Contents of the Statement
        of Additional Information................ Table of Contents of Statement
                                                  of Additional Information
<PAGE>
PART B

ITEM                                              LOCATION IN STATEMENT OF
 NO.    CAPTION                                   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- ----    -------                                   ------------------------
14.     Cover Page............................... Cover Page

15.     Table of Contents........................ Table of Contents

16.     General Information and History.......... Change of Name

17.     Investment Objective and Policies........ Additional  Information  About
                                                  Investments   and   Investment
                                                  Techniques;         Investment
                                                  Restrictions

18.     Management............................... Trustees and Officers

19.     Control Persons and Principal Holders
        of Securities............................ Trustees     and     Officers;
                                                  Prospectus: Description of the
                                                  Shares

20.     Investment Advisory and Other Services... Investment    Management   and
                                                  Other  Services;   Prospectus:
                                                  Investment    Management   and
                                                  Other  Services;   Prospectus:
                                                  Experts
21.     Brokerage Allocation and Other
        Practices................................ Portfolio Transactions

22.     Tax Status............................... Tax Matters

23.     Financial Statements..................... Prospectus: Financial
                                                  Statements
PART C

     Information  required  to be  included  in Part C is set  forth  under  the
appropriate item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
PILGRIM                                  5,000,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest
The Value of Investing                            PILGRIM PRIME RATE TRUST
                                            New York Stock Exchange Symbol: PPR

                                   PROSPECTUS

                       40 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE, SUITE 1200
                             PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85004
                                 (800) 992-0180

Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust") is a diversified,  closed-end  management
investment company.  The Trust's investment objective is to seek as high a level
of current income as is consistent with the  preservation of capital.  The Trust
seeks to achieve its  objective  by  investing  primarily in interests in senior
floating-rate  loans  ("Senior  Loans"),  the  interest  rates  of  which  float
periodically  based upon a benchmark  indicator of  prevailing  interest  rates.
Shares of the Trust trade on the New York Stock  Exchange (the "NYSE") under the
symbol  "PPR." The  Trust's  Investment  Manager is  Pilgrim  Investments,  Inc.
("Pilgrim Investments" or the "Investment Manager"). The address of the Trust is
40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.

INVESTMENT  IN THE TRUST  INVOLVES  CERTAIN  RISKS AND  SPECIAL  CONSIDERATIONS,
INCLUDING RISKS  ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRUST'S USE OF LEVERAGE.  SEE "RISK FACTORS
AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS" BEGINNING ON PAGE ___.

This  prospectus  applies  to  5,000,000  shares  of  beneficial  interest  (the
"Shares")  of the Trust  which  may be issued  and sold from time to time by the
Trust (the "Offering") through Pilgrim Securities,  Inc. ("Pilgrim Securities"),
as  distributor  and  principal  underwriter,  through  broker-dealers  who have
entered into selected dealer  agreements with Pilgrim  Securities.  See "Plan of
Distribution."  The  Shares  will be sold  at  market  prices,  which  shall  be
determined with reference to trades on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to a
minimum price to be established  each day by the Trust. The minimum price on any
day will not be less than the current net asset value ("NAV") per Share plus the
per share amount of the sales commission to be paid to Pilgrim  Securities.  Any
shares sold pursuant to this prospectus will be subject to a commission of 4% of
the gross sales price of the shares sold. As of ______,  1998, the last reported
sales price of a Share of the Trust on the NYSE was $_____.

                                -----------------

    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
     AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
          PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
             REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                                -----------------

INVESTORS  ARE  ADVISED  TO  READ  THIS  PROSPECTUS  AND  RETAIN  IT FOR  FUTURE
REFERENCE.  This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Trust
that a  prospective  investor  ought to know before  investing.  A Statement  of
Additional Information dated __________,  1998 (the "SAI") containing additional
information  about the Trust has been filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (the  "Commission")  and is incorporated by reference in its entirety
into this Prospectus.  A copy of the SAI, the table of contents of which appears
on page __ of this Prospectus,  may be obtained without charge by contacting the
Trust toll-free at (800) 992-0180.

                                -----------------

                THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS __________, 1998.
<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Summary..........................................................  3

Trust Expenses..............................................................  5

Financial Highlights and Investment Performance.............................  7

Investment Objective and Policies........................................... 14

General Information on Senior Loans......................................... 16

Risk Factors and Special Considerations..................................... 19

Description of the Trust.................................................... 22

Investment Management and Other Services.................................... 23

Plan of Distribution........................................................ 25

Use of Proceeds............................................................. 26

Dividends and Distributions................................................. 26

Tax Matters................................................................. 27

Legal Matters............................................................... 27

Experts  ................................................................... 27

Registration Statement...................................................... 28

Shareholder Reports......................................................... 28

Financial Statements........................................................ 28

Table of Contents of Statement of Additional Information.................... 29
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE MORE
DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.

                              THE TRUST AT A GLANCE

================================================================================
The Trust                     The Trust is a diversified,  closed-end management
                              investment  company  organized as a  Massachusetts
                              business trust. As of _________, 1998, the Trust's
                              NAV per Share was $_____.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NYSE                          Listed  As  of  _______,   1998,   the  Trust  had
                              _________ Shares outstanding,  which are traded on
                              the NYSE under the symbol  "PPR." As of  ________,
                              1998,  the last reported sales price of a Share of
                              the Trust was $______.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Objective          To obtain as high a level of current  income as is
                              consistent with the preservation of capital. There
                              can be no  assurance  that the Trust will  achieve
                              its investment objective.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary Investment Strategy   The  Trust   seeks  to  achieve   its   investment
                              objective  by  primarily  acquiring  interests  in
                              Senior  Loans  with  interest   rates  that  float
                              periodically  based on a  benchmark  indicator  of
                              prevailing  interest rates, such as the Prime Rate
                              or the London  Inter-Bank  Offered Rate ("LIBOR").
                              The  Trust  may  also  employ  techniques  such as
                              borrowing for investment purposes.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diversification               The  Trust  maintains  a  diversified   investment
                              portfolio.  As a diversified management investment
                              company,  the  Trust,  with  respect to 75% of its
                              total  assets,  may  invest no more than 5% of the
                              value of its total assets in any one issuer (other
                              than  the  U.S.  Government).   This  strategy  of
                              diversification  is  intended  to  manage  risk by
                              limiting exposure to any one issuer.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Investment            Under  normal  circumstances,  at least 80% of the
Guidelines                    Trust's net assets is invested in Senior Loans.

                              A maximum of 25% of the Trust's assets is invested
                              in any one industry.

                              The Trust  only  invests  in Senior  Loans of U.S.
                              corporations,   partnerships,   limited  liability
                              companies,  or other business  entities  organized
                              under  U.S.  law or  domiciled  in  Canada or U.S.
                              territories and possessions. The Senior Loans must
                              be denominated in U.S. dollars.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions                 Income  dividends  are declared and paid  monthly.
                              Income  dividends  may be  distributed  in cash or
                              reinvested  in  additional   full  and  fractional
                              shares through the Trust's Shareholder  Investment
                              Program.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Manager            Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrator                 Pilgrim Group, Inc.
================================================================================

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
               RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AT A GLANCE

     THIS  PROSPECTUS  CONTAINS  CERTAIN  STATEMENTS  THAT MAY BE  DEEMED  TO BE
"FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS." ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
PROJECTED IN THE  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF  UNCERTAINTIES  SET
FORTH BELOW AND ELSEWHERE IN THE  PROSPECTUS.  FOR ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION,  SEE
"RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS."

================================================================================
Discount from or Premium      +   The  Offering  will be  conducted  only  when
to NAV                            Shares of the Trust  are  trading  at a price
                                  equal to or above the  Trust's  NAV per Share
                                  plus the per Share amount of commissions.

                              +   As with any security, the market value of the
                                  Shares  may  increase  or  decrease  from the
                                  amount that you paid for the Shares.

                              +   The Trust's Shares may trade at a discount to
                                  NAV.  This is a risk  separate  and  distinct
                                  from  the  risk  that  the  Trust's  NAV  may
                                  decrease.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Risk                   Investment  in the  Trust  involves  the risk that
                              borrowers   under  Senior  Loans  may  default  on
                              obligations to pay principal or interest when due,
                              that lenders may have  difficulty  liquidating the
                              collateral  securing the Senior Loans or enforcing
                              their rights under the terms of the Senior  Loans,
                              and that the Trust's investment  objective may not
                              be realized.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leverage                      The  Trust may  borrow  for  investment  purposes,
                              which  increases both  investment  opportunity and
                              risk.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Secondary Market for the      The  issuance of the Shares  through the  Offering
Trust's Shares                may  have  an  adverse  effect  on  prices  in the
                              secondary   market  for  the  Trust's   Shares  by
                              increasing  the  number  of Shares  available  for
                              sale. In a separate  offering,  the Trust may also
                              issue Shares of the Trust through its  Shareholder
                              Investment    Program   and   through    privately
                              negotiated  transactions  at  a  discount  to  the
                              market  price  for  such  Shares,  which  may  put
                              downward  pressure on the market  price for Shares
                              of the Trust.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limited Secondary Market      Because of a limited  secondary  market for Senior
for Senior Loans              Loans,  the Trust may be limited in its ability to
                              sell  portfolio  holdings  at  carrying  value  to
                              generate gains or avoid losses.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demand for Senior Loans       An  increase  in  demand  for  Senior   Loans  may
                              adversely  affect the rate of interest  payable on
                              Senior Loans acquired by the Trust.
================================================================================

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
                                 TRUST EXPENSES

     The  following  table is intended to assist the Trust's  shareholders  (the
"Shareholders") in understanding the various costs and expenses  associated with
investing in the Trust. (1)

                                                   Net Assets      Net Assets
                                                      Plus          Without
                                                  Borrowings (2)  Borrowings (3)
                                                  --------------  --------------
     Shareholder Transaction Expenses
        Commissions (as a percentage
         of Offering price) (4).....................  4.00%           4.00%
        Shareholder Investment
         Program Fees...............................   NONE            NONE
     Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net
      assets attributable to Common Shares)
        Management and Administrative Fees (5) .....  1.27%           0.92%
        Other Operating Expenses(6) ................  0.23%           0.23%
                                                      ----            ----
     Total Annual Expenses before Interest .........  1.50%           1.15%
     Interest Expense on Borrowed Funds ............  2.82%           0.00%
                                                      ----            ----
     Total Annual Expenses..........................  4.32%           1.15%
                                                      ====            ====

(1)  The  calculations in the fee table above are based on the Trust's  expenses
     as a  percentage  of net assets.  Certain  expenses  of the Trust,  such as
     management  and  administrative  fees,  are  calculated on the basis of net
     assets plus borrowings. If the Trust's expenses are calculated on the basis
     of net assets plus borrowings (including borrowings equal to 33 1/3% of net
     assets plus borrowings), the annual expenses in the fee table would read as
     follows:

     Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets
      plus borrowings attributable to Shares)
      Management and Administrative Fees.................................. 0.85%
      Other Operating Expenses............................................ 0.16%
     Total Annual Expenses before Interest Expense........................ 1.01%
     Interest Expense on Borrowed Funds................................... 1.88%
     Total Annual Expenses................................................ 2.89%

     Borrowing   may  be  made  for  the   purpose   of   acquiring   additional
     income-producing investments when the Investment Manager believes that such
     use of borrowed proceeds will enhance the Trust's net yield.

(2)  Expenses are calculated  based upon the Trust's net assets plus outstanding
     borrowings  (at 33 1/3% of net assets plus  borrowings)  and are shown as a
     percentage of net assets.

(3)  Expense ratios are calculated based upon net assets of the Trust and assume
     that no borrowings have been made.

(4)  The  compensation to Pilgrim  Securities with respect to the Shares will be
     at a fixed  commission rate of 4% of the gross sales price per Share of the
     Shares sold.

(5)  Pursuant to an  investment  management  agreement  with the Trust,  Pilgrim
     Investments  is entitled to receive a fee of 0.80% of the average daily net
     assets of the  Trust  plus the  proceeds  of  any  outstanding  borrowings.
     Pilgrim  Investments has agreed to reduce its management fee until November
     12, 1999 to 0.60% on that portion of the Trust's  average daily net  assets
     plus  the  proceeds  of any  outstanding  borrowings,  in  excess  of $1.15
     billion.  See  "Investment  Management  and Other  Services  --  Investment
     Manager." Pursuant to its Administration  Agreement with the Trust, Pilgrim
     Group, Inc.  ("Administrator"),  the Trust's Administrator,  is entitled to
     receive a fee of 0.15% of the Trust's  average  daily net  assets  plus the
     proceeds of any outstanding  borrowings,  up to $800 million;  and 0.10% of
     the  average  daily  net  assets  plus  the   proceeds  of any  outstanding
     borrowings, in excess of $800 million. See "Investment Management and Other
     Services - The Administrator."

(6)  "Other Operating  Expenses" are based on estimated  amounts for the current
     fiscal year.
                                      -5-
<PAGE>
================================================================================
       EXAMPLE                         1 YEAR    3 YEARS    5 YEARS    10 YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You would pay the following expenses
on a $1,000 investment, assuming a
5% annual return and where the Trust
has borrowed.                           $81        $166       $251       $469
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You would pay the following expenses
on a $1,000 investment, assuming a
5% annual return and where the Trust
has not borrowed.                       $51        $ 75       $101       $174
================================================================================

     This   hypothetical   example   assumes  that  all   dividends   and  other
distributions are reinvested at NAV and that the percentage amounts listed under
Annual  Expenses above remain the same in the years shown.  The above tables and
the assumption in the hypothetical example of a 5% annual return are required by
regulation of the Commission applicable to all investment companies; the assumed
5% annual return is not a prediction of, and does not  represent,  the projected
or actual performance of the Trust's Shares.  For more complete  descriptions of
certain of the Trust's costs and expenses,  see "Investment Management and Other
Services."

     THE FOREGOING  EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
                 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS TABLE

     The table below sets forth selected  financial  information  which has been
derived from the financial  statements in the Trust's  Annual Report dated as of
February 28,  1998,  and the Trust's  Semi-Annual  report dated as of August 31,
1998.  For the fiscal  years ended  February 28,  1998,  February 28, 1997,  and
February 29, 1996,  the  information in the table below has been audited by KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP,  independent  certified  public  accountants.  For all periods
ending prior to February 29, 1996, the financial  information was audited by the
Trust's former  auditors.  The information in the table for the six-month period
ended  August  31,  1998  is  unaudited.  This  information  should  be  read in
conjunction  with the Financial  Statements  and Notes  thereto  included in the
Trust's  February  28,  1998  Annual  Report,  and the  Trust's  August 31, 1998
Semi-Annual  Report,   which  contain  further  information  about  the  Trust's
performance,  and which is  available to  Shareholders  upon request and without
charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    SIX MONTHS
                                       ENDED
                                     AUGUST 31,                 YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28 OR FEBRUARY 29,
                                       1998      --------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (UNAUDITED)      1998        1997(8)         1996(6)    1995        1994
                                    -----------      ----        -------         -------    ----        ----
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
<S>                                <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>        <C>          <C>
NAV, beginning of period .......    $     9.34   $     9.45   $     9.61       $   9.66   $  10.02     $  10.05
                                    ----------   ----------   ----------       --------   --------     --------
Net investment income ..........          0.40         0.87         0.82           0.89       0.74         0.60
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investment ......         (0.03)       (0.13)       (0.02)         (0.08)      0.07        (0.05)
                                    ----------   ----------   ----------       --------   --------     --------
Increase in NAV from
investment operations ..........          0.37         0.74         0.80           0.81       0.81         0.55
Distributions from net
investment income ..............         (0.41)       (0.85)       (0.82)         (0.86)     (0.73)       (0.60)
Increase in NAV from
share offerings.................          0.02           --           --             --         --           --
Reduction in NAV from  rights
offering .......................            --           --        (0.14)            --      (0.44)          --
Increase in NAV from repurchase
of capital stock ...............            --           --           --             --         --         0.02
                                    ----------   ----------   ----------       --------   --------     --------
NAV, end of period .............    $     9.32   $     9.34   $     9.45       $   9.61   $   9.66     $  10.02
                                    ==========   ==========   ==========       ========   ========     ========
Closing market price at
end of period ..................    $    10.00   $    10.31   $    10.00       $   9.50   $   8.75     $   9.25
                                    ==========   ==========   ==========       ========   ========     ========
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return at
closing market price (3) .......          1.21%       12.70%       15.04%(5)      19.19%      3.27%(5)     8.06%

Total investment return
based on NAV (4) ...............          4.15%        8.01%        8.06%          9.21%      5.24%(5)     6.28%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of
  period (000's)................    $1,152,592   $1,034,403   $1,031,089       $862,938   $867,083     $719,979
Average Borrowings (000's) .....    $  452,049   $  346,110   $  131,773             --         --           --
Ratios to average net assets
plus borrowings:
 Expenses (before interest and
 other fees related to revolving
 credit facility) ..............          1.04%(1)     1.04%        1.13%            --         --           --
  Expenses .....................          2.88%(1)     2.65%        1.92%            --         --           --
  Net investment income ........          6.18%(1)     6.91%        7.59%            --         --           --
Ratios to average net assets:
 Expenses (before interest and
 other fees related to revolving
 credit facility) ..............          1.47%(1)     1.39%        1.29%            --         --           --
  Expenses .....................          4.08%(1)     3.54%        2.20%          1.23%      1.30%        1.31%
  Net investment income ........          8.77%(1)     9.23%        8.67%          9.23%      7.59%        6.04%
Portfolio turnover rate ........            47%          90%          82%            88%       108%          87%
Shares outstanding at end of
period (000's)..................       123,650      110,764      109,140         89,794     89,794       71,835
Average daily balance of debt
  outstanding during the
  period (000's) (7) ...........    $  452,049   $  346,110   $  131,773       $     --   $  2,811     $     --
Average monthly shares outstanding
  during the period (000's) ....       117,217      109,998       95,917         89,794     74,598           --
Average amount of debt  per share
   during the period (7) .......    $     3.86   $     3.15   $     1.37       $     --   $   0.04     $     --

                                                                                         MAY 12,
                                        YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28 OR FEBRUARY 29,          1988* TO
                                      ---------------------------------------------     FEBRUARY
                                      1993       1992          1991         1990        28, 1989
                                      ----       ----          ----         ----        --------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
NAV, beginning of period .......    $   9.96   $   9.97     $    10.00   $    10.00     $  10.00
                                    --------   --------     ----------   ----------     --------
Net investment income ..........        0.60       0.76           0.98         1.06         0.72
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investment ......        0.01      (0.02)         (0.05)          --           --
                                    --------   --------     ----------   ----------     --------
Increase in NAV from
investment operations ..........        0.61       0.74           0.93         1.06         0.72
Distributions from net
investment income ..............       (0.57)     (0.75)         (0.96)       (1.06)       (0.72)
Increase in NAV from
share offerings.................          --         --             --           --           --
Reduction in NAV from  rights
offering .......................          --         --             --           --           --
Increase in NAV from repurchase
of capital stock ...............        0.05         --             --           --           --
                                    --------   --------     ----------   ----------     --------
NAV, end of period .............    $  10.05   $   9.96     $     9.97   $    10.00     $  10.00
                                    ========   ========     ==========   ==========     ========
Closing market price at
end of period ..................    $   9.13   $     --     $       --   $       --     $     --
                                    ========   ========     ==========   ==========     ========
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return at
closing market price (3) .......       10.89%        --             --           --           --

Total investment return
based on NAV (4) ...............        7.29%      7.71%          9.74%       11.13%        7.35%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of
  period (000's)................    $738,810   $874,104     $1,158,224   $1,036,470     $252,998
Average Borrowings (000's) .....          --         --             --           --           --
Ratios to average net assets
plus borrowings:
 Expenses (before interest and
 other fees related to revolving
 credit facility) ..............          --         --             --           --           --
  Expenses .....................          --         --             --           --           --
  Net investment income ........          --         --             --           --           --
Ratios to average net assets:
 Expenses (before interest and
 other fees related to revolving
 credit facility) ..............          --         --             --           --           --
  Expenses .....................        1.42%      1.42%(2)       1.38%        1.46%(2)     1.18%(1)(2)
  Net investment income ........        5.88%      7.62%(2)       9.71%       10.32%(2)     9.68%(1)(2)
Portfolio turnover rate ........          81%        53%            55%         100%          49%(1)
Shares outstanding at end of
period (000's)..................      73,544     87,782        116,022      103,600       25,294
Average daily balance of debt
  outstanding during the
  period (000's) (7) ...........    $    636   $  8,011     $    2,241   $       --     $     --
Average monthly shares outstanding
  during the period (000's) ....      79,394    102,267        114,350           --           --
Average amount of debt  per share
   during the period (7) .......    $   0.01   $   0.08     $     0.02   $       --     $     --
</TABLE>
- ----------
* Commencement of operations.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
(1)  Annualized.

(2)  Prior to the waiver of  expenses,  the ratios of  expenses  to average  net
     assets were 1.95% (annualized), 1.48% and 1.44% for the period from May 12,
     1988 to February 28, 1989, and for the fiscal years ended February 28, 1990
     and  February  29,  1992,  respectively,  and the ratios of net  investment
     income to average net assets were 8.91% (annualized),  10.30% and 7.60% for
     the period from May 12, 1988 to February  28, 1989 and for the fiscal years
     ended February 28, 1990 and February 29, 1992, respectively.

(3)  Total  investment  return  measures  the change in the market value of your
     investment   assuming   reinvestment   of   dividends   and  capital   gain
     distributions,  if any, in accordance  with the  provisions of the dividend
     reinvestment plan. On March 9, 1992, the shares of the Trust were initially
     listed for trading on the NYSE.  Accordingly,  the total investment  return
     for the year ended February 28, 1993,  covers only the period from March 9,
     1992 to February 28, 1993. Total investment return for the periods prior to
     the year ended  February 28, 1993 is not presented  since market values for
     the Trust's shares were not available. Total returns for less than one year
     are not annualized.

(4)  Total investment  return at NAV has been calculated  assuming a purchase at
     NAV at the  beginning  of each  period and a sale at NAV at the end of each
     period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions
     in accordance with the provisions of the dividend  reinvestment  plan. This
     calculation  differs from total  investment  return because it excludes the
     effects  of  changes  in the market  values of the  Trust's  shares.  Total
     returns for less than one year are not annualized.

(5)  Calculation  of total return  excludes the effect of the per share dilution
     resulting  from the rights  offering as the total  account value of a fully
     subscribed shareholder was minimally impacted.

(6)  Pilgrim  Investments,  the Trust's  Investment  Manager,  acquired  certain
     assets of Pilgrim  Management  Corporation,  the Trust's former  investment
     manager, in a transaction that closed on April 7, 1995.

(7)  Prior to May 2,  1996,  the Trust  borrowed  to enable it to  purchase  its
     Shares in connection with periodic tender offers. On May 2, 1996, the Trust
     received  shareholder  approval to borrow for  investment  purposes.  As of
     August 31, 1998, the Trust had outstanding borrowings of $509,000,000 under
     lines of credit  totaling  $650,000,000.  See "Policy on Borrowing" in this
     section.

(8)  Pilgrim  Investments  has  agreed to  reduce  its fee for a period of three
     years from November 12, 1996 (the  expiration of the 1996 rights  offering)
     to 0.60% of the Trust's average daily net assets,  plus the proceeds of any
     outstanding borrowings, over $1.15 billion.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
TRUST CHARACTERISTICS AND COMPOSITION

     The  following  tables set forth  certain  information  with respect to the
characteristics and the composition of the Trust's investment portfolio in terms
of percentages of net assets and total assets as of August 31, 1998.

                              TRUST CHARACTERISTICS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets                                                       $1,152,591,504
Assets Invested in Senior Loans*                                 $1,626,434,169
Outstanding Borrowings                                           $  509,000,000
Total Number of Senior Loans                                                152
Average Amount Outstanding per Senior Loan                       $   10,700,225
Total Number of Industries                                                   30
Portfolio Turnover Rate (year to date)                                       47%
Average Amount of Senior Loans  per Industry                     $   54,214,472
Weighted Average Days to Interest Rate Reset                            43 days
Average Senior Loan Maturity                                          69 months
Average Age of Senior Loans Held in Portfolio                          9 months
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(* INCLUDES LOANS AND OTHER DEBT RECEIVED THROUGH RESTRUCTURES)


                           TOP 10 INDUSTRIES AS A % OF
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              NET ASSETS         TOTAL ASSETS
Healthcare, Education and Childcare              16.0%               11.1%
Telecommunications                               12.7%               8.8%
Personal, Food and Misc. Services                8.1%                5.6%
Automobile                                       8.0%                5.5%
Broadcasting                                     7.9%                5.4%
Buildings and Real Estate                        7.7%                5.3%
Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber                   6.9%                4.8%
Printing and Publishing                          6.0%                4.1%
Electronics                                      5.5%                3.8%
Beverage, Food and Tobacco                       5.5%                3.8%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      TOP 10 SENIOR LOAN HOLDINGS AS A % OF
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              NET ASSETS         TOTAL ASSETS
MAFCO Financial Corp.                            3.5%                2.4%
NEXTEL Finance Co.                               2.6%                1.8%
Laidlaw Environmental Services                   2.5%                1.7%
Community Health Systems                         2.1%                1.5%
Ventas, Inc.                                     2.0%                1.4%
Papa Gino's, Inc.                                1.8%                1.2%
24-Hour Fitness, Inc.                            1.7%                1.2%
American Wireless Corporation                    1.7%                1.2%
Florida Panthers Holdings, Inc.                  1.7%                1.2%
Patriot American Hospitality                     1.7%                1.2%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
POLICY ON BORROWING

     Beginning  in May of 1996,  the  Trust  began a  policy  of  borrowing  for
investment  purposes.  The Trust seeks to use proceeds from borrowing to acquire
income-producing  investments  which,  by their  terms,  pay  interest at a rate
higher than the rate the Trust pays on  borrowings.  Accordingly,  borrowing has
the  potential to increase the Trust's total  income.  The Trust  currently is a
party to credit facilities with financial  institutions that permit the Trust to
borrow up to $650,000,000.  Interest is payable on the credit  facilities by the
Trust at a variable  rate that is tied to LIBOR,  the federal  funds rate,  or a
commercial  paper based rate, plus a facility fee on unused  commitments.  As of
____________, 1998, the Trust had outstanding borrowings of $_____________.  The
lenders under the credit  facilities  have a security  interest in all assets of
the Trust.  The lenders have the right to liquidate Trust assets in the event of
default by the Trust,  and the Trust may be inhibited  from paying  dividends in
the event of a  material  adverse  event or  condition  respecting  the Trust or
Investment  Manager  until  outstanding  debts  are paid or until  the  event or
condition  is cured.  The Trust is  permitted  to borrow up to 33 1/3%,  or such
other  percentage  permitted by law, of its total assets  (including  the amount
borrowed)  less all  liabilities  other than  borrowings.  See "Risk Factors and
Special Considerations - Borrowing and Leverage."

TRADING AND NAV INFORMATION

     The following table shows for the Trust's Shares for the periods indicated:
(1) the high and low closing prices as shown on the NYSE  Composite  Transaction
Tape;  (2) the NAV per  Share  represented  by each of the high and low  closing
prices as shown on the NYSE  Composite  Transaction  Tape;  and (3) the discount
from or premium to NAV per Share  (expressed  as a  percentage)  represented  by
these closing prices.  The table also sets forth the aggregate  number of shares
traded as shown on the NYSE  Composite  Transaction  Tape during the  respective
quarter.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PREMIUM/(DISCOUNT)
                           PRICE               NAV             TO NAV
  CALENDAR                 -----               ---        -----------------    REPORTED
QUARTER ENDED           HIGH     LOW      HIGH     LOW      HIGH      LOW     NYSE VOLUME
- -------------           ----     ---      ----     ---      ----      ---     -----------
<S>                 <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
December 31, 1994    $ 9.875  $ 9.000   $10.080  $10.020   (2.03)%  (10.18)%  15,590,400
March 31, 1995         9.000    8.500    10.040    9.650  (10.36)   (11.92)   24,778,200
June 30, 1995          9.250    8.750     9.650    9.600   (4.15)    (8.85)   16,974,600
September 30, 1995     9.375    8.875     9.660    9.660   (2.95)    (8.13)   15,325,900
December 31, 1995      9.500    9.000     9.650    9.620   (1.55)    (6.44)   16,428,200
March 31, 1996         9.625    9.250     9.610    9.590    0.16     (3.55)   17,978,300
June 30, 1996          9.750    9.375     9.610    9.570    1.46     (2.04)   13,187,700
September 30, 1996    10.000    9.500     9.560    9.580    4.60     (0.84)   15,821,000
December 31, 1996     10.000    9.250     9.580    9.430    4.38     (1.91)   28,740,200
March 31, 1997        10.000    9.625     9.390    9.420    6.50      2.18    18,483,600
June 30, 1997         10.125    9.875     9.400    9.380    7.71      5.28    18,863,600
September 30, 1997    10.250   10.000     9.400    9.410    9.04      6.27    15,034,200
December 31, 1997     10.375   10.125     9.310    9.380   11.44      7.94    13,270,900
March 31, 1998        10.500    9.875     9.360    9.340   12.18      5.73    15,588,500
June 30, 1998         10.250    9.875     9.360    9.330    9.51      5.84    16,225,800
September 30, 1998    10.125    9.875     9.310    9.330    8.75      5.84    23,597,200
</TABLE>

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
     The following  chart shows for the Trust's Shares for the period from March
3, 1995 to _______,  1998:  (1) the closing  price of the Shares as shown on the
NYSE Composite Transaction Tape; (2) the NAV of the Shares; and (3) the discount
or premium to NAV.




                                     [INSERT CHART]








     Source: BLOOMBERG Financial Markets.

     On _____,  1998,  the last  reported  sale price of a Share of the  Trust's
Shares on the NYSE was $_____.  The Trust's NAV on ______,  1998 was $_____. See
"Net Asset Value" in the SAI. On ______, the last reported sale price of a share
of the Trust's  Common Shares on the NYSE ($_____)  represented a _____% premium
above NAV ($_____) as of that date.

     The Trust's Shares have traded in the market above, at, and below NAV since
March 9, 1992, when the Trust's Shares were listed on the NYSE. The Trust cannot
predict  whether its Shares will trade in the future at a premium or discount to
NAV,  and if so, the level of such  premium or  discount.  Shares of  closed-end
investment companies frequently trade at a discount from NAV.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

                               MORNINGSTAR RATINGS

     [TO BE UPDATED PRIOR TO GOING EFFECTIVE] For the three-year,  five-year and
ten-year  periods ended June 30, 1998, the Trust had a 4 star, 4 star and 5 star
Morningstar  risk-adjusted  performance rating, when rated among 141, 116 and 49
fixed income closed-end funds, respectively.  The Trust's overall rating through
June 30, 1998, was 5 stars.1 For the three-year,  five-year and ten-year periods
ended June 30,  1998,  the Trust's risk score placed the Trust 1st out of 32, 30
and 24  Corporate  Bond  --General  funds.  For the  three-year,  five-year  and
ten-year  periods  ended June 30, 1998,  the Trust's risk score placed the Trust
1st, 2nd and 1st out of all closed-end funds (463, 386 and 108 closed-end funds,
respectively)  tracked by  Morningstar.2  Morningstar's  risk score evaluates an
investment  company's  downside  volatility  relative  to all  other  investment
companies in its class.

                                 LIPPER RANKINGS

     According to Lipper Analytical  Services,  Inc.  ("Lipper") (a company that
calculates  and  publishes  rankings  of  closed-end  and  open-end   management
investment  companies),  for the  one-,  three-,  and  five-year  periods  ended
_________,   1998,   the  Trust  ranked  first  among  all  funds  in  the  Loan
Participation  Fund Category of closed-end  funds,  defined by Lipper to include
closed-end   management  investment  companies  that  invest  in  Senior  Loans.
Investors should note that past performance is no assurance of future results.

Periods ended                                  Total         Number of Funds
            , 1998         Ranking(3)        Return (3)      in Category (4)
- ------------------         ----------        ----------      ---------------
One year                        1                %                 8
Three years                     1                %                 6
Five years                      1                %                 5
Ten Years                       1                %                 1

- ----------
(1)  The  Trust's  overall  rating  is  based  on  a  weighted  average  of  its
     performance for the three-year and five-year periods ended ________, 1998.
(2)  Morningstar's  taxable  bond  fund  category  includes  Corporate  Bond  --
     General, Government Bond, International Bond and Multisector Bond funds. On
     Morningstar's  risk-adjusted  performance rating system, funds falling into
     the top 10% of all funds within  their  category are awarded five stars and
     funds in the next 22.5% receive four stars,  and the next 35% receive three
     stars.  Morningstar ratings are calculated from the Trust's three, five and
     ten year returns (with fee adjustment, if any) in excess of 90-day Treasury
     bill returns, and a risk factor that reflects the Trust's performance below
     90-day  Treasury  bill  returns.  The ratings  are subject to change  every
     month.  Morningstar  ranks  funds  within  the  Corporate  Bond --  General
     category  and the  closed-end  universe  for risk for the  three,  five and
     ten-year periods based upon their downside  volatility compared to a 90-day
     Treasury bill.
(3)  Ranking is based on total return.  Total return is measured on the basis of
     NAV at the beginning and end of each period,  assuming the  reinvestment of
     all dividends and  distributions,  but not  reflecting the January 1995 and
     November 1996 rights offerings.  The Trust's expenses were partially waived
     for the fiscal year ended  February  29,  1992.  As part of the 1996 rights
     offering the Investment Manager has voluntarily  reduced its management fee
     for the period from November 1996 through November 1999.
(4)  This category includes other closed-end  investment  companies that, unlike
     the current  practices of the Trust,  offer their shares  continuously  and
     have conducted periodic tender offers for their shares. These practices may
     have affected the total returns of these companies.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
               COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE - TRAILING 12 MONTH AVERAGE

     Presented  below are  distribution  rates for the Trust for the period from
January 1, 1991 through  ______,  1998. Also shown are  distribution  rates of a
composite of other investment companies with investment  objectives and policies
comparable  to those of the Trust.  In  addition,  presented  below are  various
benchmark indicators of interest and borrowing rates. The distribution rates for
the Trust and the composite of the other  investment  companies  are  calculated
using actual distributions annualized for the preceding twelve months.





                                 [INSERT GRAPH]





- ----------
(1)  The distribution rate is the annualization of the Trust's distributions per
     Share,  divided  by the NAV of the Trust at  month-end.  For the  one-year,
     five-year and ten-year periods ended _________,  1998 and the period of May
     12, 1988 (inception of the Trust) to __________,  1998, the Trust's average
     annual total returns,  based on NAV and assuming all rights were exercised,
     were  ____%,  ____%,  ____% and ____%,  respectively.  The  Trust's  30-day
     standardized  SEC yields as of ______,  1998 were ____% at NAV and ____% at
     market.  The Trust's  expenses  were  partially  waived for the fiscal year
     ended February 29, 1992. As part of the 1996 rights offering the Investment
     Manager  has  voluntarily  reduced its  management  fee for the period from
     November, 1996 through November, 1999.
(2)  The composite  represents an unweighted  average for  investment  companies
     included in Lipper  Analytical  Services,  Inc.'s Loan  Participation  Fund
     Category of  closed-end  funds (for funds  excluding the Trust in existence
     for the  entire  period  shown).  Historical  yields  are based on  monthly
     dividends  divided  by  corresponding   month-end  NAVs,  annualized.   The
     closed-end  investment  companies  reflected in the  composite,  unlike the
     current  practices of the Trust,  offer their shares  continuously and have
     conducted periodic tender offers for their shares. These practices may have
     affected the yield of these companies.
(3)  The  distribution  rate  is  based  solely  on  the  actual  dividends  and
     distributions,  which  are  made  at  the  discretion  of  management.  The
     distribution  rate  may or may  not  include  all  investment  income,  and
     ordinarily will not include capital gains or losses, if any.
(4)  Source: BLOOMBERG Financial Markets.
(5)  Source: IDD/Tradeline. The LIBOR rate is the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate
     and is the benchmark for  determining the interest paid on more than 90% of
     the Senior  Loans in the Trust's  portfolio.  Generally,  the yield on such
     loans  has  reflected,   during  the  periods   presented,   a  premium  of
     approximately 2% or more to LIBOR.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
                        INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

     The Trust's  investment  objective is to provide as high a level of current
income as is consistent  with the  preservation  of capital.  The Trust seeks to
achieve  its  objective  primarily  by  investing  in  interests  in variable or
floating  rate  Senior  Loans,   which,   in  most   circumstances,   are  fully
collateralized  by  assets  of a  corporation,  partnership,  limited  liability
company,  or other business  entity that is organized or domiciled in the United
States,  Canada or in U.S.  territories and/or possessions.  The Trust primarily
invests in Senior Loans that have interest rates that float  periodically  based
upon a benchmark  indicator of prevailing interest rates, such as the Prime Rate
or LIBOR, and will invest only in Senior Loans that are U.S. dollar-denominated.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Trust's gross assets is invested
in Senior Loans.

     Under the Trust's  policies,  Senior Loans are considered loans that hold a
senior  position in the capital  structure  of the  borrower.  These may include
loans that hold the most senior position,  that hold an equal ranking with other
senior debt, or loans that are, in the judgment of Pilgrim  Investments,  in the
category of senior debt of the  borrower.  Generally,  the Senior Loans in which
the Trust  invests are fully  collateralized  with assets  and/or cash flow that
Pilgrim Investments believes have a market value at the time of acquisition that
equals or exceeds the principal  amount of the Senior Loan.  The Trust also only
purchases  interests  in Senior  Loans of  borrowers  that  Pilgrim  Investments
believes can meet debt service requirements from cash flow. Senior Loans vary in
yield according to their terms and conditions,  how often they pay interest, and
when rates are reset.  The Trust does not invest in Senior Loans whose  interest
rates are tied to non-domestic interest rates other than LIBOR.

     Senior Loans that the Trust may acquire include participation  interests in
lease financings ("Lease  Participations") where the collateral quality,  credit
quality of the  borrower and the  likelihood  of payback are believed by Pilgrim
Investments  to be the same as those applied to  conventional  Senior  Loans.  A
Lease  Participation  is also required to have a floating  interest rate that is
indexed to a benchmark  indicator of prevailing interest rates, such as LIBOR or
the Prime Rate.

     Subject to  certain  limitations,  the Trust may  acquire  Senior  Loans of
borrowers engaged in any industry. With respect to no more than 25% of its total
assets,  the Trust may  acquire  Senior  Loans that are  unrestricted  as to the
percentage  of a single  issue the Trust may hold and,  with respect to at least
75% of its  total  assets,  the Trust  will hold no more than 25% of the  amount
borrowed from all lenders in a single Senior Loan or other issue. The investment
standards  in this  paragraph  are  fundamental  and may not be changed  without
approval by Shareholders.

     Investors  should  recognize  that  there  can  be no  assurance  that  the
investment  objective  of the  Trust  will be  realized.  Moreover,  substantial
increases in interest  rates may cause an increase in loan defaults as borrowers
may lack  resources to meet higher debt service  requirements.  The value of the
Trust's  assets may also be  affected  by other  uncertainties  such as economic
developments  affecting  the  market  for Senior  Loans or  affecting  borrowers
generally.  For additional information on Senior Loans, see "General Information
on Senior Loans -- About Senior Loans."

     Investment in the Trust's shares is intended to offer several benefits. The
Trust offers investors the opportunity to seek a high level of current income by
investing in a professionally  managed portfolio  comprised  primarily of Senior
Loans,  a type of  investment  typically  not  available  directly to individual
investors.  Other benefits are the professional  credit analysis provided to the
Trust by the Investment Manager and portfolio diversification.

     The Trust can  normally  be  expected to have a more stable net asset value
per  share  than  investment  companies  investing  primarily  in  fixed  income
securities  (other than money  market  funds and some  short-term  bond  funds).
Generally,  the net asset  value of the shares of an  investment  company  which
invests  primarily  in  fixed-income   securities   changes  as  interest  rates
fluctuate.  When interest rates decline,  the value of a fixed-income  portfolio
normally can be expected to increase. The Investment Manager expects the Trust's
net asset value to be relatively stable during normal market conditions, because
the  floating and variable  rate Senior Loans in which the Trust  invests  float
periodically in response to changes in interest rates. However, because variable
interest  rates  only  reset  periodically,  the  Trust's  net  asset  value may
fluctuate from time to time in the event of an imperfect correlation between the
interest  rates on the Trust's  loans and  prevailing  interest  rates.  Also, a

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
default on a Senior Loan in which the Trust has invested or a sudden and extreme
increase  in  prevailing  interest  rates may cause a decline in the Trust's net
asset value.  Changes in interest  rates can be expected to affect the dividends
paid by the Trust, so that the yield on an investment in the Trust's shares will
likely fluctuate in response to changes in prevailing interest rates.

PORTFOLIO MATURITY

     Although the Trust has no restrictions on portfolio  maturity,  normally at
least 80% of the net assets  invested  in Senior  Loans are  composed  of Senior
Loans with maturities of one to ten years with rates of interest which typically
reset  either  daily,  monthly,  or  quarterly.  The  maximum  period of time of
interest  rate  reset on any  Senior  Loans in which the Trust may invest is one
year. In addition, the Trust will ordinarily maintain a dollar-weighted  average
time to next interest rate adjustment on its Senior Loans of 90 days or less.

     In the event of a change in the  benchmark  interest rate on a Senior Loan,
the rate payable to lenders under the Senior Loan will,  in turn,  change at the
next  scheduled  reset date. If the benchmark  rate goes up, the Trust as lender
would earn  interest at a higher rate,  but only on and after the reset date. If
the benchmark rate goes down, the Trust as lender would earn interest at a lower
rate, but only on and after the reset date.

CREDIT ANALYSIS

     In acquiring a Senior Loan,  Pilgrim  Investments  considers  the following
factors:  positive cashflow coverage of debt service;  adequate working capital;
appropriate  capital  structure;  leverage ratio consistent with industry norms;
historical  experience  of attaining  business and  financial  projections;  the
quality and  experience of management;  and adequate  collateral  coverage.  The
Trust  does  not  impose  any  minimum  standard  regarding  the  rating  of any
outstanding debt securities of borrowers.

     Pilgrim  Investments  performs its own  independent  credit analysis of the
borrower.  In so doing,  Pilgrim  Investments may utilize information and credit
analyses  from the agents that  originate or  administer  loans,  other  lenders
investing in a Senior Loan, and other sources. These analyses will continue on a
periodic basis for any Senior Loan purchased by the Trust. See "Risk Factors and
Special Considerations -- Credit Risks and Realization of Investment Objective."

OTHER INVESTMENTS

     Assets  not  invested  in Senior  Loans  will  generally  consist  of other
instruments,  including  Hybrid  Loans,  unsecured  loans,  subordinated  loans,
short-term debt instruments with remaining maturities of 120 days or less (which
may have yields tied to the Prime Rate,  commercial  paper rates,  federal funds
rate or LIBOR),  longer  term debt  securities,  equity  securities  acquired in
connection  with  investment  or  restructuring  of a  Senior  Loan,  and  other
instruments as described under  "Additional  Information  About  Investments and
Investment  Techniques"  in the SAI.  Short-term  instruments  may  include  (i)
commercial  paper  rated A-1 by  Standard & Poor's  Ratings  Services  or P-1 by
Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.,  or of  comparable  quality as determined by
Pilgrim Investments,  (ii) certificates of deposit,  bankers'  acceptances,  and
other bank deposits and obligations,  and (iii) securities  issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.  During periods when,
in the  opinion of Pilgrim  Investments,  a temporary  defensive  posture in the
market is  appropriate,  the Trust may hold up to 100% of its assets in cash, or
in the instruments described above.

HYBRID LOANS

     The growth of the syndicated  loan market has produced loan structures with
characteristics  similar  to  Senior  Loans  but  which  resemble  bonds in some
respects,   and  generally  offer  less  covenant  or  other   protections  than
traditional Senior Loans while still being collateralized  ("Hybrid Loans"). The
Trust may invest  only in Hybrid  Loans that are secured  debt of the  borrower,
although  they  may  not in all  instances  be  considered  senior  debt  of the
borrower.  With Hybrid Loans, the Trust may not possess a senior claim to all of
the  collateral  securing  the Hybrid  Loan.  Hybrid  Loans also may not include
covenants  that are typical of Senior  Loans,  such as covenants  requiring  the
maintenance  of minimum  interest  coverage  ratios.  As a result,  Hybrid Loans

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
present additional risks besides those associated with traditional Senior Loans,
although  they may provide a  relatively  higher  yield.  Because the lenders in
Hybrid Loans waive or forego certain loan covenants,  their negotiating power or
voting  rights in the event of a default  may be  diminished.  As a result,  the
lenders'  interests may not be represented as  significantly as in the case of a
conventional Senior Loan. In addition,  because the Trust's security interest in
some of the  collateral  may be  subordinate  to  other  creditors,  the risk of
nonpayment  of interest or loss of  principal  may be greater  than would be the
case with conventional  Senior Loans. The Trust will invest only in Hybrid Loans
which meet credit standards  established by Pilgrim  Investments with respect to
Hybrid Loans and nonetheless  provide certain  protections to the lender such as
collateral  maintenance or call protection.  The Trust may only invest up to 20%
of its assets in Hybrid Loans as part of its  investment in "Other  Investments"
as  described  above,  and  Hybrid  Loans  will not count  toward the 80% of the
Trust's assets that are normally invested in Senior Loans.

SUBORDINATED AND UNSECURED LOANS

     The Trust may also  invest up to 5% of its total  assets,  measured  at the
time of investment, in subordinated and unsecured loans. The Trust may acquire a
subordinated  loan only if, at the time of  acquisition,  it acquires or holds a
Senior Loan from the same  borrower.  The primary  risk  arising from a holder's
subordination is the potential loss in the event of default by the issuer of the
loans.  Subordinated loans in an insolvency bear an increased share, relative to
senior  secured  lenders,  of the ultimate risk that the  borrower's  assets are
insufficient to meet its  obligations to its creditors.  Unsecured loans are not
secured  by any  specific  collateral  of the  borrower.  They do not  enjoy the
security  associated  with  collateralization  and may  pose a  greater  risk of
nonpayment  of interest or loss of principal  than do secured  loans.  The Trust
will acquire unsecured loans only where the Investment Manager believes,  at the
time of acquisition, that the Trust would have the right to payment upon default
that is not subordinate to any other creditor.  The maximum of 5% of the Trust's
assets invested in subordinated  and unsecured loans will constitute part of the
20% of the  Trust's  assets  that may be  invested  in  "Other  Investments"  as
described  above,  and will not count toward the 80% of the Trust's  assets that
are normally invested in Senior Loans.

USE OF LEVERAGE

     The Trust is  permitted to borrow up to 33 1/3%,  or such other  percentage
permitted by law, of its total assets  (including the amount  borrowed) less all
liabilities other than borrowings.

     The  Trust  is  currently  a party  to  credit  facilities  with  financial
institutions  that permit the Trust to borrow up to $650,000,000.  Borrowing may
be made for the purpose of  acquiring  additional  income-producing  investments
when the  Investment  Manager  believes that such use of borrowed  proceeds will
enhance the Trust's net yield.  The amount of  outstanding  borrowings  may vary
with prevailing market or economic conditions.  In addition,  although the Trust
has not  conducted a tender  offer since 1992 or  repurchased  its shares  since
January 1994, in the event that it determines to again conduct a tender offer or
repurchase  its shares,  the Trust may use borrowings to finance the purchase of
its shares.  For  information  on risks  associated  with  borrowing,  see "Risk
Factors and Special Considerations -- Borrowing and Leverage."

                       GENERAL INFORMATION ON SENIOR LOANS

PRIMARY MARKET OVERVIEW

     The  primary  market for Senior  Loans has become much larger and varied in
recent  years.  The volume of loans  originated  in the Senior  Loan  market has
increased  from $376  billion in 1992 to $1.1  trillion  in 1997.  Senior  Loans
tailored to the institutional  investor,  such as the Trust, have increased from
$2.5 billion in 1993 to nearly  $25.0  billion in 1997.  In 1997,  the volume of
leveraged  loans  (priced at LIBOR + 1.5% or higher)  reached the highest  level
since 1989 with $194.0 billion in volume. Leveraged loan volume of $74.5 billion
in the fourth  quarter  of 1997 is above  fourth  quarter  volume in each of the
preceding two years.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
The following plot points replace a bar chart appearing in the prospectus:

                    Year           Volume ($bil.)
                    ----           --------------

                    1988                284.4
                    1989                333.2
                    1990                241.3
                    1991                234.4
                    1992                375.5
                    1993                389.3
                    1994                665.3
                    1995                816.9
                    1996                887.6
                    1997               1111.9

     Source: Loan Pricing Corporation.

     The  total  Senior  Loan  market  for  both  leveraged  and   non-leveraged
transactions has averaged an annual growth rate of 24.2% since 1992. The Trust's
net assets,  $734  million at the end of 1992 and $1 billion at the end of 1997,
have grown at an average annual growth rate of 7.0% for the same period.

     At the same time primary Senior Loan volume has grown,  demand has remained
strong as  institutional  investors  other  than  banks  have begun to enter the
Senior Loan  market.  Investment  companies,  insurance  companies,  and private
investment vehicles are joining U.S. and foreign banks as lenders.  The entrance
of new investors has helped grow the bank loan trading market with record volume
of $62.0 billion during 1997. The active secondary  market,  coupled with banks'
focus on portfolio management and the move toward standard market practices, has
helped  increase the liquidity for Senior Loans.  With this growth in volume and
demand, Senior Loans have adopted innovative structures and characteristics,  as
described elsewhere in this Prospectus.

ABOUT SENIOR LOANS

     Senior Loans vary from other types of debt in that they  generally hold the
most senior position in the capital structure of a borrower.  Priority liens are
obtained by the lenders that typically  provide the first right to cash flows or
proceeds  from the  sale of a  borrower's  collateral  if the  borrower  becomes
insolvent  (subject to the  limitations  of  bankruptcy  law,  which may provide
higher  priority to certain  claims  such as, for  example,  employee  salaries,
employee  pensions and taxes).  Thus,  Senior Loans are generally  repaid before
unsecured bank loans, corporate bonds,  subordinated debt, trade creditors,  and
preferred or common stockholders.

     Senior Loans  typically  will be secured by pledges of collateral  from the
borrower  in the form of  tangible  assets  such as cash,  accounts  receivable,
inventory,  property,  plant and  equipment,  common and/or  preferred  stock of
subsidiaries,  and intangible assets including  trademarks,  copyrights,  patent
rights and franchise value.  The Trust may also receive  guarantees as a form of
collateral.  In some  instances,  the Trust may invest in Senior  Loans that are
secured  only by  stock  of the  borrower  or its  subsidiaries  or  affiliates.
Generally,  the agent on a Senior Loan is responsible for monitoring  collateral
and for exercising  remedies  available to the lenders such as foreclosure  upon
collateral.

     Senior Loans generally are arranged through private  negotiations between a
borrower and several financial institutions ("lenders") represented in each case
by an agent  ("agent"),  which usually is one or more of the lenders.  The Trust
will acquire  Senior Loans from and sell Senior Loans to the following  lenders:
money center banks,  selected regional banks and selected  non-banks,  insurance
companies,  finance companies,  other investment  companies,  private investment
funds, and lending  companies.  The Trust may also acquire Senior Loans from and
sell Senior Loans to U.S.  branches of foreign  banks which are regulated by the

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
Federal Reserve System or appropriate state regulatory authorities. On behalf of
the lenders,  generally the agent is primarily  responsible  for negotiating the
loan agreement ("loan agreement"), which establishes the terms and conditions of
the Senior Loan and the rights of the borrower  and the  lenders.  The agent and
the  other  original  lenders   typically  have  the  right  to  sell  interests
("participations") in their share of the Senior Loan to other participants.  The
agent and the other  original  lenders also may assign all or a portion of their
interests in the Senior Loan to other participants.

     The Trust's  investment  in Senior Loans  generally may take one of several
forms including: acting as one of the group of lenders originating a Senior Loan
(an "original lender"); purchase of an assignment ("assignment") or a portion of
a Senior Loan from a third party, or acquiring a participation in a Senior Loan.
The Trust may pay a fee or forego a portion of  interest  payments to the lender
selling a participation or assignment  under the terms of such  participation or
assignment.

     The agent  that  arranges  a Senior  Loan is  frequently  a  commercial  or
investment  bank or other  entity that  originates  a Senior Loan and the entity
that  invites   other  parties  to  join  the  lending   syndicate.   In  larger
transactions,  it is common to have several agents; however,  generally only one
such agent has primary  responsibility  for documentation and  administration of
the  Senior  Loan.  Agents are  typically  paid fees by the  borrower  for their
services.  The Trust may serve as the agent or co-agent for a Senior  Loan.  See
"Additional   Information  About   Investments  and  Investment   Techniques  --
Originating Senior Loans" in the SAI.

     When the Trust is a member of the originating  syndicate group for a Senior
Loan, it may share in a fee paid to the original  lenders.  When the Trust is an
original  lender or acquires an  assignment,  it will have a direct  contractual
relationship with the borrower,  may enforce compliance by the borrower with the
terms of the Senior Loan  agreement,  and may have  rights  with  respect to any
funds  acquired by other  lenders  through  set-off.  Lenders  also have certain
voting and consent rights under the  applicable  Senior Loan  agreement.  Action
subject to lender vote or consent generally  requires the vote or consent of the
holders of some specified percentage of the outstanding  principal amount of the
Senior Loan.  Certain  decisions,  such as reducing the amount or increasing the
time for payment of interest on or repayment  of principal of a Senior Loan,  or
releasing collateral therefor,  frequently require the unanimous vote or consent
of all lenders affected.

     When the Trust is a purchaser of an assignment it typically succeeds to all
the rights and obligations  under the loan agreement of the assigning lender and
becomes a lender under the loan agreement  with the same rights and  obligations
as the assigning  lender.  Assignments  are,  however,  arranged through private
negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights
and  obligations  acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may be more limited
than those held by the assigning  lender.  The Trust will purchase an assignment
or act as lender with respect to a  syndicated  Senior Loan only where the agent
with respect to such Senior Loan is determined by the  Investment  Manager to be
creditworthy at the time of acquisition.

     To a lesser extent,  the Trust invests in  participations  in Senior Loans.
With respect to any given Senior Loan,  the rights of the Trust when it acquires
a  participation  may be more limited than the rights of original  lenders or of
investors who acquire an  assignment.  Participations  may entail  certain risks
relating to the  creditworthiness  of the parties from which the  participations
are obtained.  Participation by the Trust in a lender's portion of a Senior Loan
typically  results in the Trust having a contractual  relationship only with the
lender,  not with the borrower.  The Trust has the right to receive  payments of
principal,  interest  and any fees to which it is entitled  only from the lender
selling the  participation and only upon receipt by such lender of such payments
from the  borrower.  In connection  with  purchasing  participations,  the Trust
generally  will have no right to enforce  compliance  by the  borrower  with the
terms of the Senior Loan  agreement,  nor any rights  with  respect to any funds
acquired by other lenders  through  set-off against the borrower with the result
that the Trust may be  subject to delays,  expenses  and risks that are  greater
than those that exist where the Trust is the original lender,  and the Trust may
not directly  benefit from the collateral  supporting the Senior Loan because it
may be treated as a creditor of the lender instead of the borrower. As a result,
the Trust may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender selling
the  participation.  In  the  event  of  insolvency  of  the  lender  selling  a
participation,  the Trust may be treated as a general  creditor of such  lender,
and may not benefit from any set-off  between such lender and the  borrower.  In
the event of bankruptcy or  insolvency  of the borrower,  the  obligation of the
borrower to repay the Senior Loan may be subject to certain defenses that can be
asserted by such borrower as a result of improper  conduct of the lender selling
the  participation.  The Trust will only  acquire  participations  if the lender

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
selling the  participations  and any other persons  interpositioned  between the
Trust  and  the  lender  are  determined  by  the   Investment   Manager  to  be
creditworthy.

     When the Trust is an  original  lender,  it will have a direct  contractual
relationship  with the  borrower.  If the terms of an  interest in a Senior Loan
provide  that the Trust is in privity  with the  borrower,  the Trust has direct
recourse  against the borrower in the event the borrower  fails to pay scheduled
principal or interest.  In all other cases,  the Trust looks to the agent to use
appropriate  credit remedies  against the borrower.  When the Trust purchases an
assignment,  the Trust typically  succeeds to the rights of the assigning lender
under the Senior  Loan  agreement,  and  becomes a lender  under the Senior Loan
agreement.  When the Trust purchases a participation in a Senior Loan, the Trust
typically  enters into a  contractual  arrangement  with the lender  selling the
participation, and not with the borrower.

     Should  an agent  become  insolvent,  or enter  Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation ("FDIC") receivership or bankruptcy, any interest in the Senior Loan
transferred  by such person and any Senior Loan  repayment held by the agent for
the benefit of  participants  may be included  in the agent's  estate  where the
Trust acquires a  participation  interest from an original  lender,  should that
original lender become insolvent, or enter FDIC receivership or bankruptcy,  any
interest in the Senior Loan  transferred by the original  lender may be included
in its estate.  In such an event, the Trust might incur certain costs and delays
in realizing payment or may suffer a loss of principal and interest.

                     RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

     The following  summarizes  certain risks that should be  considered,  among
others,  in connection with an investment in the Trust. For further  information
on risks associated with the possible  investments of the Trust, see "Additional
Information  About  Investments  and Investment  Techniques" in the Statement of
Additional Information.

     This  Prospectus  includes  certain  statements  that may be  deemed  to be
"forward-looking   statements."   All  statements,   other  than  statements  of
historical facts, included in this Prospectus that address activities, events or
developments that the Trust or Pilgrim Investments, as the case may be, expects,
believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future,  including such matters
as the use of proceeds,  investment strategies,  and other such matters could be
considered  forward-looking  statements.  These  statements are based on certain
assumptions and analyses made by the Trust or Pilgrim  Investments,  as the case
may be, in light of its  experience  and its  perception of  historical  trends,
current  conditions,  expected future developments and other factors it believes
are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of
assumptions,  risks and  uncertainties,  including  the risk  factors  discussed
below,  general economic and business conditions,  the investment  opportunities
(or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by the Trust,  changes in
laws or regulations  and other factors,  many of which are beyond the control of
the Trust.  Prospective investors are cautioned that any such statements are not
guarantees of future  performance  and that actual results or  developments  may
differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

     DISCOUNT OR PREMIUM FROM NAV. The Trust's  Shares have traded in the market
above,  at, and below NAV since  March 9, 1992,  when the  Trust's  shares  were
listed on the NYSE.  The reasons for the Trust's  Shares trading at a premium to
or  discount  from NAV are not known to the  Trust,  nor can the  Trust  predict
whether  its Shares  will trade in the future at a premium to or  discount  from
NAV,  and if so, the level of such  premium or  discount.  Shares of  closed-end
investment  companies  frequently  trade at a discount from NAV. The possibility
that  shares of the Trust will trade at a discount  from NAV is a risk  separate
and distinct from the risk that the Trust's NAV may decrease.

     The Offering may be conducted  only if Shares of the Trust are trading at a
price equal to at least the  Trust's NAV per Share plus the per Share  amount of
the commission and any front-end  administrative  fees to be paid at the time of
the sale of the  Shares.  At any time  when  shares of a  closed-end  investment
company are purchased at a premium above NAV, the NAV of the shares purchased is
less than the amount invested by the shareholder. Furthermore, to the extent the
Shares of the Trust are trading at a premium above the minimum sales price,  the
Trust will receive and benefit from the difference in those amounts.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
     CREDIT RISKS AND REALIZATION OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. While all investments
involve  some amount of risk,  Senior  Loans  generally  involve  less risk than
equity  instruments  of the same issuer  because the payment of principal of and
interest on debt instruments is a contractual  obligation of the issuer that, in
most instances, takes precedence over the payment of dividends, or the return of
capital, to the issuer's shareholders.  Although the Trust will generally invest
in Senior  Loans that will be fully  collateralized  with  assets  whose  market
value, at the time of acquisition, equals or exceeds the principal amount of the
Senior Loan, the value of the collateral may decline below the principal  amount
of the Senior Loan subsequent to the Trust's  investment in such Senior Loan. In
addition, to the extent that collateral consists of stock of the borrower or its
subsidiaries  or  affiliates,  the Trust  will be  subject to the risk that this
stock  may  decline  in  value,  be  relatively  illiquid,  or may  lose  all or
substantially   all   of   its   value,   causing   the   Senior   Loan   to  be
undercollateralized.  Senior Loans are also subject to the risk of nonpayment of
scheduled  interest  or  principal  payments.  In the event of a failure  to pay
scheduled  interest or principal payments on Senior Loans held by the Trust, the
Trust could experience a reduction in its income, and would experience a decline
in the  market  value  of the  particular  Senior  Loan  so  affected,  and  may
experience a decline in the NAV of Trust Shares or the amount of its  dividends.
To the extent that the Trust's  investment  is in a Senior  Loan  acquired  from
another lender, the Trust may be subject to certain credit risks with respect to
that lender.  See "About Senior Loans." Further,  there is no assurance that the
liquidation  of the  collateral  underlying  a Senior  Loan  would  satisfy  the
issuer's  obligation  to the  Trust in the  event of  non-payment  of  scheduled
interest or principal, or that collateral could be readily liquidated.  The risk
of non-payment of interest and principal also applies to other debt  instruments
in which the Trust may invest.  As of October 31, 1998,  approximately  0.88% of
the Trust's net assets and 0.62% of total  assets  consisted  of  non-performing
Senior Loans.

     In the event of a bankruptcy  of the borrower,  the Trust could  experience
delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the
collateral  securing  the Senior  Loan.  Among the credit  risks  involved  in a
bankruptcy  would be an assertion  that the pledging of collateral to secure the
Senior Loan  constituted a fraudulent  conveyance or preferential  transfer that
would have the effect of nullifying or  subordinating  the Trust's rights to the
rights of other creditors of the borrower under applicable law.

     Investment decisions will be based largely on the credit analysis performed
by the  Investment  Manager's  investment  personnel,  and such  analysis may be
difficult to perform for many  issuers.  Information  about  interests in Senior
Loans  generally will not be in the public  domain,  and interests are generally
not currently rated by any nationally  recognized  rating service.  Many issuers
have not  issued  securities  to the public  and are not  subject  to  reporting
requirements under federal securities laws.  Generally,  issuers are required to
provide financial  information to lenders,  including the Trust, and information
may be available from other Senior Loan participants or agents that originate or
administer Senior Loans.

     While  debt  instruments  generally  are  subject to the risk of changes in
interest  rates,  the interest rates of the Senior Loans in which the Trust will
invest will float with a specified  interest rate. Thus the risk that changes in
interest   rates  will  affect  the  market   value  of  such  Senior  Loans  is
significantly decreased.

     BORROWING  AND  LEVERAGE.  The Trust is permitted  to enter into  borrowing
transactions  representing up to 33 1/3% (or such other percentage  permitted by
law) of its total assets  (including the amount  borrowed) less all  liabilities
other  than  borrowings.   Borrowing  for  investment  purposes  increases  both
investment  opportunity and investment risk.  Capital raised through  borrowings
will be subject to interest and other costs.  There can be no assurance that the
Trust's  income from  borrowed  proceeds will exceed these costs;  however,  the
Investment  Manager  seeks to  borrow  for the  purposes  of  making  additional
investments  only if it  believes,  at the time of entering  into a Senior Loan,
that the total return on such investment will exceed interest payments and other
costs. In addition, the Investment Manager intends to mitigate the risk that the
costs of borrowing will exceed the total return on an investment by borrowing on
a variable rate basis.  In the event of a default on one or more Senior Loans or
other interest-bearing instruments held by the Trust, borrowing would exaggerate
the loss to the Trust and may  exaggerate  the effect on the  Trust's  NAV.  The
Trust's  lenders  will have  priority  to the  Trust's  assets  over the Trust's
Shareholders.

     As  prescribed  by the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940,  as amended  (the
"Investment  Company  Act"),  the Trust will be required  to maintain  specified
asset coverages of at least 300% with respect to any bank borrowing  immediately
following any such borrowing and on an ongoing basis as a condition of declaring
dividends.  The Trust's  inability  to make  distributions  as a result of these

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
requirements could cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a regulated  investment
company and/or subject the Trust to income or excise taxes.

     The average annualized  interest rate on the Trust's borrowings for the six
months ended August 31, 1998 was 6.1%. At that rate,  and assuming the Trust has
borrowed an amount equal to 33 1/3% of its net assets plus borrowings, the Trust
must produce a 2.03% annual return (net of expenses) in order to cover  interest
payments.  The Trust  intends to borrow  only for  investment  purposes  when it
believes at the time of borrowing  that total return on  investment  will exceed
interest and other costs.

     The  following  table is designed to  illustrate  the effect on return to a
holder of the Trust's Common Shares of the leverage  obtained by the Trust's use
of borrowing,  using the annualized  interest rate described  above and assuming
hypothetical  annual  returns on the  Trust's  portfolio  of minus 10 to plus 10
percent. As can be seen, leverage generally increases the return to shareholders
when portfolio return is positive and decreases return when the portfolio return
is negative.  Actual returns may be greater or less than those  appearing in the
table.

Assumed Portfolio Return,
  net of expenses(1) ..............     (10%)      (5%)      0%      5%     10%
Corresponding Return to
  Common Shareholders(2) ..........  (18.04%)  (10.54%)  (3.05%)  4.45%  11.95%

- ----------
(1)  The Assumed  Portfolio  Return is required by regulation of the  Commission
     and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, the projected or actual
     performance of the Trust.
(2)  In order to compute the "Corresponding  Return to Common Shareholders," the
     "Assumed  Portfolio Return" is multiplied by the total value of the Trust's
     assets at the  beginning  of the  Trust's  fiscal year to obtain an assumed
     return to the Trust. From this amount, all interest accrued during the year
     is subtracted to determine the return available to Shareholders. The return
     available to Shareholders is then divided by the total value of the Trust's
     net  assets  as of the  beginning  of the  fiscal  year  to  determine  the
     "Corresponding Return to Common Shareholders."

     SECONDARY MARKET FOR THE TRUST'S SHARES. The issuance of Shares through the
Offering  may have an adverse  effect on the  secondary  market for the  Trust's
Shares.  The increase in the amount of the Trust's  outstanding Shares resulting
from the Offering  may put downward  pressure on the market price for the Shares
of the Trust.  Shares will not be issued  pursuant  to the  Offering at any time
when  Shares are  trading at a price lower than a price equal to the Trust's NAV
per  Share  plus the per  Share  amount  of  commissions  to be paid to  Pilgrim
Securities.

     The  Trust  also  issues  Shares  of  the  Trust  through  its  Shareholder
Investment Program,  and to specific investors pursuant to privately  negotiated
transactions.   See  "Dividends  and  Distributions  --  Shareholder  Investment
Program."  Shares  may be issued  under the  Shareholder  Investment  Program or
pursuant to privately negotiated  transactions at a discount to the market price
for such Shares,  which may put downward pressure on the market price for Shares
of the Trust.

     When the Trust's shares are trading at a premium,  the Trust may also issue
Shares of the Trust that are sold through transactions effected on the NYSE. The
increase in the amount of the Trust's  outstanding  Shares  resulting  from that
offering  may also put  downward  pressure on the market price for the Shares of
the Trust.

     LIMITED  SECONDARY  MARKET FOR SENIOR  LOANS.  Although it is growing,  the
secondary  market for Senior Loans is currently  limited.  There is no organized
exchange or board of trade on which  Senior  Loans may be traded;  instead,  the
secondary  market for Senior Loans is an unregulated  inter-dealer or inter-bank
market. Accordingly, some or many of the Senior Loans in which the Trust invests
will be  relatively  illiquid.  In  addition,  Senior  Loans in which  the Trust
invests  generally  require  the  consent  of the  borrower  prior  to  sale  or
assignment.  These consent  requirements may delay or impede the Trust's ability
to sell Senior Loans. The Trust may have difficulty disposing of illiquid assets

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
if it needs cash to repay debt,  to pay  dividends,  to pay  expenses or to take
advantage of new investment opportunities.  Although the Trust has not conducted
a tender offer since 1992,  in the event that it  determines  to again conduct a
tender offer, limitations of a secondary market may result in difficulty raising
cash to  purchase  tendered  Shares.  These  events  may cause the Trust to sell
securities at lower prices than it would  otherwise  consider to meet cash needs
and may cause the Trust to  maintain  a greater  portion  of its  assets in cash
equivalents than it would otherwise,  which could negatively impact performance.
If the Trust purchases a relatively  large Senior Loan to generate  income,  the
limitations of the secondary market may inhibit the Trust from selling a portion
of the Senior Loan and reducing its exposure to a borrower  when the  Investment
Manager deems it advisable to do so.

     In addition,  because the secondary market for Senior Loans may be limited,
it may be  difficult  to  value  Senior  Loans.  Market  quotations  may  not be
available and valuation may require more research than for liquid securities. In
addition, elements of judgment may play a greater role in the valuation, because
there is less reliable, objective data available.

     DEMAND FOR SENIOR LOANS.  Although the volume of Senior Loans has increased
in recent years,  demand for Senior Loans has also grown.  An increase in demand
may benefit the Trust by providing increased liquidity for Senior Loans, but may
also adversely  affect the rate of interest  payable on Senior Loans acquired by
the Trust and the  rights  provided  to the Trust  under the terms of the Senior
Loan.
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST

     The Trust was organized as a  Massachusetts  business  trust on December 2,
1987,  and is  registered  with  the  Commission  as a  diversified,  closed-end
management  investment  company  under the  Investment  Company Act. The Trust's
Agreement and  Declaration of Trust, a copy of which is on file in the office of
the Secretary of State of the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  authorizes  the
issuance of an unlimited  number of shares of  beneficial  interest  without par
value.

     The  Trust  issues  shares  of  beneficial  interest  in the  Trust.  Under
Massachusetts  law,  Shareholders  could, under certain  circumstances,  be held
liable for the obligations of the Trust.  However, the Agreement and Declaration
of Trust  disclaims  shareholder  liability for acts or obligations of the Trust
and  requires  that  notice of such  disclaimer  be given to all parties in each
agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the
Trustees,  and each party thereto must expressly  waive all rights or any action
directly against  Shareholders.  The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides
for  indemnification out of the Trust's property for all loss and expense of any
Shareholder held liable on account of being or having been a Shareholder.  Thus,
the risk of a Shareholder  incurring  financial  loss on account of  shareholder
liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust would be unable to meet
its obligations  wherein the  complaining  party was held not to be bound by the
disclaimer.

     As of ________, 1998, to the best of the Trust's knowledge, no Shareholders
owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Shares of
the Trust.  The number of Common  Shares  outstanding  as of  _______,  1998 was
__________,  none of which were held by the Trust.  The Shares are listed on the
NYSE.

DIVIDENDS, VOTING AND LIQUIDATION RIGHTS

     Each Share of the Trust has one vote and shares  equally in  dividends  and
distributions  when and if  declared  by the Trust and in the Trust's net assets
upon liquidation. All Shares, when issued, are fully paid and are non-assessable
by the Trust.  There are no preemptive or conversion rights applicable to any of
the Shares.  Trust  Shares do not have  cumulative  voting  rights and, as such,
holders  of more  than 50% of the  Shares  voting  for  trustees  can  elect all
trustees and the remaining Shareholders would not be able to elect any trustees.

STATUS OF SHARES

     The Board of Trustees may classify or reclassify any unissued Shares of the
Trust  into  Shares of any  series by  setting  or  changing  in any one or more
respects,  from  time  to  time,  prior  to the  issuance  of such  Shares,  the

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
preferences,   conversion  or  other  rights,   voting   powers,   restrictions,
limitations  as  to  dividends,   qualifications,  or  terms  or  conditions  of
redemption of such shares.  Any such  classification  or  reclassification  will
comply with the provisions of the Investment Company Act.

FUNDAMENTAL AND NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES OF THE TRUST

     The  investment  objective  of the  Trust,  certain  policies  of the Trust
specified herein as "fundamental"  and the investment  restrictions of the Trust
described in the Statement of Additional Information are fundamental policies of
the Trust and may not be changed without a "Majority  Vote" of the  shareholders
of the Trust.  The term "Majority Vote" means the  affirmative  vote of (a) more
than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or (b) 67% or more of the shares
present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust are
represented  at the meeting in person or by proxy,  whichever is less. All other
policies of the Trust may be modified by  resolution of the Board of Trustees of
the Trust.

                    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

INVESTMENT MANAGER

     Pilgrim Investments,  40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200, Phoenix, Arizona
85004, serves as Investment Manager to the Trust and has overall  responsibility
for the management of the Trust. The Trust and Pilgrim  Investments have entered
into an Investment  Management  Agreement that requires  Pilgrim  Investments to
provide all investment advisory and portfolio management services for the Trust.
It also requires  Pilgrim  Investments to assist in managing and supervising all
aspects of the general  day-to-day  business  activities  and  operations of the
Trust, including custodial,  transfer agency,  dividend disbursing,  accounting,
auditing,  compliance and related  services.  Pilgrim  Investments  provides the
Trust with office space,  equipment and  personnel  necessary to administer  the
Trust.  The agreement with Pilgrim  Investments  can be canceled by the Board of
Trustees  upon 60 days'  written  notice.  Organized in December  1994,  Pilgrim
Investments is registered as an investment adviser with the Commission.  Pilgrim
Investments  serves as investment  manager to seven other registered  investment
companies  (or series  thereof),  as well as  privately  managed  accounts,  and
currently has assets under  management of exceeding $5 billion as of the date of
this Prospectus.

     Pilgrim  Investments  is an indirect,  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Pilgrim
America  Capital  Corporation  ("Pilgrim  Capital")  (NASDAQ:  PACC)  (formerly,
Express America Holdings Corporation). Through its subsidiaries, Pilgrim Capital
engages in the financial  services  business,  focusing on providing  investment
advisory,  administrative  and distribution  services to open-end and closed-end
investment companies and private accounts.

     Pilgrim  Investments bears its expenses of providing the services described
above. Pilgrim Investments currently receives from the Trust an annual fee, paid
monthly, of 0.80% of the average daily net assets of the Trust plus the proceeds
of any outstanding borrowings.  Pilgrim Investments has agreed to reduce its fee
until  November  12,  1999 to 0.60% of the  average  daily net  assets  plus the
proceeds of any outstanding borrowings, over $1.15 billion.

     The Trust pays all operating  and other  expenses of the Trust not borne by
Pilgrim  Investments  including,  but not  limited  to,  audit and  legal  fees,
transfer  agent,  registrar and  custodian  fees,  expenses in preparing  tender
offers,   shareholder  reports  and  proxy  solicitation   materials  and  other
miscellaneous business expenses. The Trust also pays all taxes imposed on it and
all brokerage  commissions and  loan-related  fees. The Trust is responsible for
paying all of the expenses of the Offering.

     PORTFOLIO  MANAGEMENT.  The  Trust's  portfolio  is managed by a  portfolio
management  team  consisting  of a Senior  Portfolio  Manager,  three  Assistant
Portfolio Managers, and credit analysts.

     HOWARD  TIFFEN is a Senior Vice  President of Pilgrim  Investments  and the
     President,  Chief Operating  Officer,  and Senior Portfolio  Manager of the
     Trust. He has had primary  responsibility for investment  management of the
     Trust since November,  1995. Prior to November 1995, Mr. Tiffen worked as a
     Managing  Director  of  various  divisions  of Bank  of  America  (and  its
     predecessor, Continental Bank).

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
     JAMES R. REIS is  Executive  Vice  President,  Chief  Credit  Officer,  and
     Assistant  Secretary  of the Trust.  Mr. Reis is  Director,  Vice  Chairman
     (since December  1994),  Executive Vice President  (since April 1995),  and
     Treasurer  (since  September  1996),  of Pilgrim  Group,  Inc.  and Pilgrim
     Investments  and Director  (since  December  1994),  Vice  Chairman  (since
     November  1995) and  Assistant  Secretary  (since  January 1995) of Pilgrim
     Securities. Mr. Reis is also Executive Vice President,  Assistant Secretary
     of each of the  other  funds in the  Pilgrim  Group  of  Funds,  and  Chief
     Financial  Officer  (since  December  1993),  Vice  Chairman and  Assistant
     Secretary  (since  April  1993) and former  President  (May 1991 - December
     1993) of Pilgrim Capital (formerly,  Express America Holdings Corporation).
     Mr. Reis currently  serves or has served as an officer or director of other
     affiliates of Pilgrim Capital.

     DANIEL  A.  NORMAN  is  Senior  Vice  President,  Treasurer  and  Assistant
     Portfolio  Manager  of the  Trust.  He has  served as  Assistant  Portfolio
     Manager of the Trust  since  September  1996.  Mr.  Norman is a Senior Vice
     President and Assistant  Secretary of Pilgrim  Investments  (since December
     1994),  and Senior Vice  President of Pilgrim  Securities  (since  November
     1995).  Mr. Norman has served as an officer of other affiliates of Pilgrim
     Capital since February 1992.

     JEFFREY A. BAKALAR has served as Assistant  Portfolio  Manager of the Trust
     since January 1998. Mr. Bakalar is a Vice President of Pilgrim  Investments
     (since February 1998).  Prior to joining Pilgrim  Investments,  Mr. Bakalar
     was Vice  President of First  National Bank of Chicago (July 1994 - January
     1998) and Corporate  Finance Officer of the  Securitized  Products Group of
     Continental Bank (November 1993 - July 1994).

     MICHEL PRINCE, CFA, has served as Assistant  Portfolio Manager of the Trust
     since May 1998.  Mr.  Prince is a Vice  President  of  Pilgrim  Investments
     (since May 1998). Prior to joining Pilgrim Investments, Mr. Prince was Vice
     President  of Rabobank  International,  Chicago  Branch  (July 1996 - April
     1998) and Vice  President of Fuji Bank,  Chicago  Branch (April 1992 - July
     1996).

     ROBERT L.  WILSON has served as  Assistant  Portfolio  Manager of the Trust
     since July 1998.  Mr.  Wilson is a Vice  President  of Pilgrim  Investments
     (since July 1998). Prior to joining Pilgrim  Investments,  Mr. Wilson was a
     Vice President of Bank of Hawaii (May 1997 - June 1998);  Vice President of
     Union Bank of California (November 1994 - May 1997); and Vice President, of
     Bank of California (October 1990 - November 1994).

     JASON T. GROOM has served as Assistant Portfolio Manager of the Trust since
     July 1998. Mr. Groom is an Assistant Vice President of Pilgrim  Investments
     (since July 1998). Prior to joining Pilgrim  Investments,  Mr. Groom was an
     Associate in the  Corporate  Finance Group of  NationsBank  (January 1998 -
     June  1998);  Assistant  Vice  President,  Corporate  Finance  Group of The
     Industrial  Bank  of  Japan  Limited  (August  1995 -  December  1997);  an
     Associate in the Corporate  Finance  Group of The Long-Term  Credit Bank of
     Japan  Limited  (August 1994 - August 1995);  he received a masters  degree
     from the  American  Graduate  School of  International  Management  (1992 -
     1993).

     CHARLES EDWARD LEMIEUX,  CFA, has served as Assistant  Portfolio Manager of
     the Trust since July 1998.  Mr.  LeMieux is an Assistant  Vice President of
     Pilgrim   Investments   (since  July  1998).   Prior  to  joining   Pilgrim
     Investments,  Mr. LeMieux was Assistant Treasurer Cash Management with Salt
     River Project  (October  1993 - June 1998) and Senior Metals  Trader/Senior
     Financial  Analyst with Phelps Dodge  Corporation  (January  1992 - October
     1993).

THE ADMINISTRATOR

     The  Administrator  of the  Trust is  Pilgrim  Group,  Inc.  Its  principal
business  address is, 40 North  Central  Avenue,  Suite 1200,  Phoenix,  Arizona
85004. The Administrator is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pilgrim Capital and the
immediate parent company of Pilgrim Investments.

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
     Under an  Administration  Agreement  between  Pilgrim  Group,  Inc. and the
Trust,  Pilgrim Group, Inc. administers the Trust's corporate affairs subject to
the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust. In that connection  Pilgrim Group,
Inc.  monitors the  provisions of the Senior Loan  agreements and any agreements
with respect to interests in Senior Loans and is responsible  for  recordkeeping
with respect to the Senior Loans in the Trust's  portfolio.  Pilgrim Group, Inc.
also  furnishes  the  Trust  with  office  facilities  and  furnishes  executive
personnel  together with clerical and certain  recordkeeping and  administrative
services.  These include preparation of annual and other reports to shareholders
and to the Commission.  Pilgrim Group,  Inc. also handles the filing of federal,
state and local  income tax  returns not being  furnished  by the  Custodian  or
Transfer Agent (as defined below).  The  Administrator has authorized all of its
officers  and  employees  who have been  elected as  Trustees or officers of the
Trust  to  serve  in  the  latter  capacities.  All  services  furnished  by the
Administrator  under  the  Administration  Agreement  may be  furnished  by such
officers or employees of the Administrator.

     The Trust pays  Pilgrim  Group,  Inc. for the  services  performed  and the
facilities  furnished by Pilgrim Group,  Inc. as  Administrator a fee,  computed
daily and payable  monthly.  The  Administration  Agreement  states that Pilgrim
Group,  Inc.  is  entitled  to  receive a fee at an annual  rate of 0.15% of the
average  daily net  assets of the Trust  plus the  proceeds  of any  outstanding
borrowings, up to $800 million; and 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the
Trust  plus the  proceeds  of any  outstanding  borrowings,  in  excess  of $800
million.

TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

     The transfer agent,  dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the Shares
is DST Systems,  Inc. ("DST"),  whose principal business address is 330 West 9th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105. In addition,  DST acquires shares on behalf
of the Trust for  distribution  to  Shareholders  under the Trust's  Shareholder
Investment Program.

     United  Missouri  Trust  Company  of  New  York  serves  as  a  Co-Transfer
Agent/Co-Registrar for the Trust to perform certain transfer agency functions.

CUSTODIAN

     The Trust's  securities  and cash are held under a Custody  Agreement  with
Investors Fiduciary Trust Company ("IFTC"),  whose principal business address is
801 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The  Trust  has  entered  into  a   Distribution   Agreement  with  Pilgrim
Securities,  a form of which has been filed as an  exhibit  to the  Registration
Statement of which this  Prospectus is a part.  The summary of the  Distribution
Agreement  contained  herein  is  qualified  by  reference  to the  Distribution
Agreement.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the  Distribution  Agreement,
the  Trust may issue  and sell  Shares  of the Trust  from time to time  through
Pilgrim Securities,  which is the principal  underwriter of the Shares,  through
certain  broker-dealers  which have entered into selected dealer agreements with
Pilgrim Securities. The Shares will only be sold on such days as shall be agreed
to by the Trust and Pilgrim Securities.

     The Shares will be sold at market  prices,  which shall be determined  with
reference to trades on the New York Stock  Exchange,  subject to a minimum price
to be established  each day by the Trust.  The minimum price on any day will not
be less  than the  current  NAV per  Share  plus  the per  Share  amount  of the
commission to be paid to Pilgrim  Securities.  The Trust and Pilgrim  Securities
will  suspend  the sale of Shares if the per share  price of the  Shares is less
than the minimum price. As of __________, 1998, the last reported sales price of
a Share of the Trust on the NYSE was $__________.

     The  compensation to Pilgrim  Securities with respect to the Shares will be
at a fixed  commission  rate of 4% of the  gross  sales  price  per Share of the
Shares sold. Pilgrim Securities will compensate broker-dealers  participating in
the  offering  at a rate of 3% of the gross  sales price per Share of the Shares
purchased  from  the  Trust by such  broker-dealer.  Dealer  reallowance  may be
changed by Pilgrim Securities from time to time.

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
     Settlements  of sales  of  Shares  will  occur on the  third  business  day
following the date on which any such sales are made. Unless otherwise  indicated
in a further prospectus  supplement,  Pilgrim Securities as underwriter will act
as underwriter on a reasonable efforts basis.

     In connection  with the sale of the Shares on behalf of the Trust,  Pilgrim
Securities may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Act, and
the  compensation  of  Pilgrim  Securities  may  be  deemed  to be  underwriting
commissions or discounts.  Pilgrim Securities also serves as distributor for the
Trust in connection  with the sale of shares of the Trust  pursuant to privately
negotiated  transactions  and pursuant to optional cash investments in excess of
$5,000. In addition,  Pilgrim  Securities  provides  administrative  services in
connection with a separate at-the-market offering of shares of the Trust.

     The  offering  of  Shares  pursuant  to  the  Distribution  Agreement  will
terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all Shares subject thereto or (ii)
termination of the Distribution Agreement. The Trust and Pilgrim Securities each
have the right to terminate the Distribution  Agreement in its discretion at any
time.

     The Trust will bear the expenses of the Offering.  These expenses  include,
but are not limited to, the expense of preparation of the Prospectus and SAI for
the  Offering,  the  expense of counsel  and  auditors  in  connection  with the
Offering, and others.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

     It is expected  that the net proceeds of the  Offering  will be invested in
Senior  Loans  and  other  securities  consistent  with the  Trust's  investment
objective and policies. Pending investment in Senior Loans, the proceeds will be
used to pay down the Trust's outstanding borrowings under its credit facilities.
See "Financial Highlights and Investment  Performance - Policy on Borrowing." As
of ___________,  1998, $____________ was outstanding. By paying down the Trust's
borrowings,  it  will  be  possible  to  invest  the  proceeds  of the  Offering
consistent   with  the  Trust's   investment   objectives  and  policies  almost
immediately. As investment opportunities are identified, it is expected that the
Trust  will   redeploy  its   available   credit  to  increase  its   investment
opportunities in additional Senior Loans.

                           DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     DISTRIBUTION POLICY. Income dividends are declared and paid monthly. Income
dividends  may be  distributed  in cash or  reinvested  in  additional  full and
fractional  shares  pursuant  to  the  Trust's  Shareholder  Investment  Program
discussed below.  Shareholders receive statements on a periodic basis reflecting
any distributions credited or paid to their account. Income dividends consist of
interest  accrued  and  amortization  of fees earned  less any  amortization  of
premiums paid and the estimated expenses of the Trust, including fees payable to
Pilgrim  Investments.  Income dividends are calculated  monthly under guidelines
approved by the Trustees.  Each dividend is payable to Shareholders of record at
the time of declaration.  Accrued amounts of fees received,  including  facility
fees,  will be taken in as  income  and  passed  on to  Shareholders  as part of
dividend  distributions.  Any fees or commissions paid to facilitate the sale of
portfolio  Senior Loans in  connection  with  quarterly  tender  offers or other
portfolio  transactions may reduce the dividend yield. The Trust may make one or
more annual payments from any net realized capital gains, if any.

     SHAREHOLDER  INVESTMENT PROGRAM. The Trust's Shareholder Investment Program
(the "Program") allows participating  Shareholders to reinvest all dividends and
capital gain  distributions in additional  shares of the Trust. The Program also
allows  participants to make optional cash investments  monthly through DST (the
"Program  Agent"),  in  amounts  ranging  from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of
$5,000. Subject to the permission of the Trust,  participating  Shareholders may
also make optional cash  investments  in excess of the monthly  maximum.  Shares
purchased by participants in the Program in connection with the  reinvestment of
dividends or optional cash investments may be issued by the Trust if the Trust's
Shares are trading at a premium to net asset  value.  If the Trust's  Shares are
trading at a discount to net asset  value,  Shares  purchased  under the Program
will be purchased on the open market.  Shares  issued by the Trust in connection
with the  reinvestment  of  dividends  will be issued at the  greater of (i) net
asset value or (ii) a discount of 5% to the market  price.  Shares issued by the
Trust in connection with optional cash investments will be issued at the greater
of (i) net asset value or (ii) a discount, determined by the Trust, ranging from

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
0% to 5% to the market price. All distributions to Shareholders whose Shares are
registered  in their own names  automatically  will be paid in cash,  unless the
Shareholder  elects to reinvest the  distributions  in additional  shares of the
Trust pursuant to the Program.  Shareholders  who receive  dividends and capital
gain  distributions in cash may elect to participate in the Program by notifying
DST.  Additional  information about the Program may be obtained from The Pilgrim
Group's  Shareholder  Services  Department at 1 (800)  992-0180.  For additional
information, see "Shareholder Investment Program" in the SAI.

                                   TAX MATTERS

     The Trust intends to operate as a "regulated  investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. To do so, the Trust must meet certain
income,  distribution and  diversification  requirements.  In any fiscal year in
which the Trust so qualifies and distributes to Shareholders  substantially  all
of its net  investment  income  and net  capital  gains,  the  Trust  itself  is
generally relieved of any federal income or excise tax.

     All dividends and capital gains  distributed  to  Shareholders  are taxable
whether  they are  reinvested  or received in cash,  unless the  Shareholder  is
exempt from  taxation or entitled  to tax  deferral.  Dividends  paid out of the
Trust's investment  company taxable income (including  interest,  dividends,  if
any,  and net  short-term  capital  gains)  will be taxable to  Shareholders  as
ordinary  income.  If a portion of the Trust's income consists of dividends paid
by U.S.  corporations,  a  portion  of the  dividends  paid by the  Trust may be
eligible for the corporate  dividends-received  deduction.  Distributions of net
capital  gains (the excess of net long-term  capital  gains over net  short-term
capital  losses),  if any,  designated as capital gain  dividends are taxable as
long-term  capital  gains,  regardless  of how long a  Shareholder  has held the
Trust's  Shares,  and will generally be subject to a maximum federal tax rate of
20%. Early each year, Shareholders will be notified as to the amount and federal
tax status of all dividends  and capital gains paid during the prior year.  Such
dividends  and  capital  gains  may also be  subject  to  state or local  taxes.
Dividends declared in October,  November, or December with a record date in such
month and paid during the following  January will be treated as having been paid
by the Trust and received by Shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in
which  declared,  rather  than the  calendar  year in which  the  dividends  are
actually received.

     If a  Shareholder  sells or otherwise  disposes of his or her Shares of the
Trust,  he or she may realize a capital  gain or loss which will be long-term or
short-term, generally depending on the holding period for the Shares.

     If  a  Shareholder   has  not  furnished  a  certified   correct   taxpayer
identification number (generally a Social Security number) and has not certified
that withholding does not apply, or if the Internal Revenue Service has notified
the Trust  that the  taxpayer  identification  number  listed on the  account is
incorrect  according  to their  records  or that the  Shareholder  is subject to
backup  withholding,  federal law  generally  requires the Trust to withhold 31%
from any dividends and/or redemptions (including exchange redemptions).  Amounts
withheld are applied to federal tax liability; a refund may be obtained from the
Service  if  withholding  results  in  overpayment  of taxes.  Federal  law also
requires  the Trust to  withhold  30% or the  applicable  tax  treaty  rate from
ordinary income dividends paid to certain  nonresident  alien and other non-U.S.
shareholder accounts.

     This is a brief summary of some of the federal  income tax laws that affect
an  investment  in the Trust.  Please see the SAI and a tax  adviser for further
information.
                                  LEGAL MATTERS

     The validity of the Shares  offered  hereby will be passed on for the Trust
by Dechert Price & Rhoads, Washington, D.C., counsel to the Trust.

                                     EXPERTS

     The financial  statements and financial highlights contained in the Trust's
February 28, 1998 annual report to shareholders  except for those periods ending
prior to  February  29,  1996  have been  incorporated  by  reference  herein in
reliance  upon the  report  of KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP,  independent  auditors,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting  and  auditing.  The address of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP is 725 South
Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90017-5491.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT

     The Trust has filed with the Commission,  Washington,  D.C., a Registration
Statement under the Securities Act,  relating to the Shares offered hereby.  For
further  information with respect to the Trust and its Common Shares,  reference
is made to such Registration Statement and the exhibits filed with it.

                               SHAREHOLDER REPORTS

     The  Trust  issues  reports  that  include  financial  information  to  its
shareholders quarterly.

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The Trust's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended February
28, 1998 are  incorporated  into the SAI by  reference  from the Trust's  Annual
Report to  Shareholders.  The Trust will furnish  without  charge  copies of its
Annual Report and any subsequent Quarterly or Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders
upon request to the Trust, 40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200, Phoenix, Arizona
85004, toll-free telephone (800) 992-0180.

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                       OF
                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                                                            PAGE
Change of Name..............................................................  2
Additional Information about Investments and Investment Techniques..........  2
Investment Restrictions.....................................................  8
Trustees and Officers.......................................................  9
Investment Management and Other Services.................................... 11
Portfolio Transactions...................................................... 12
Net Asset Value............................................................. 14
Methods Available to Reduce Market Value Discount from NAV.................. 14
Shareholder Investment Program.............................................. 15
Tax Matters................................................................. 18
Advertising and Performance Data............................................ 21
Financial Statements........................................................ 22



                                      -29-
<PAGE>
5,000,000 Shares of Beneficial Interest                            PILGRIM FUNDS
      PILGRIM PRIME RATE TRUST
 New York Stock Exchange Symbol: PPR

           40 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE, SUITE 1200, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85004
                                 (800) 992-0180
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND ADVISORS AND AGENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENT MANAGER                          DISTRIBUTOR
Pilgrim Investments, Inc.                   Pilgrim Securities, Inc.
40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200         40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4424                      Phoenix, Arizona 85004

ADMINISTRATOR                               TRANSFER AGENT
Pilgrim Group, Inc.                         DST Systems, Inc.
40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200         P.O. Box 419368
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4424                      Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6368

CUSTODIAN                                   LEGAL COUNSEL
Investors Fiduciary Trust Company           Dechert Price & Rhoads
801 Pennsylvania                            1775 Eye Street, N.W.
Kansas City, Missouri 64105                 Washington, D.C. 20006

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS                        INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS AND ANALYSTS
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP                       Call Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust
725 South Figueroa Street                   1-800-336-3436, Extension 8256
Los Angeles, California 90017

NO  DEALER,  SALESPERSON  OR ANY OTHER  PERSON HAS BEEN  AUTHORIZED  TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY  REPRESENTATIONS  OTHER THAN THOSE  CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE TRUST OR THE  INVESTMENT  MANAGER.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY
OTHER THAN THE SHARES  OFFERED BY THIS  PROSPECTUS,  NOR DOES IT  CONSTITUTE  AN
OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION  OF ANY OFFER TO BUY THE SHARES BY ANYONE IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED,  OR IN WHICH
THE PERSON  MAKING SUCH OFFER OR  SOLICITATION  IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO
ANY SUCH  PERSON  TO WHOM IT IS  UNLAWFUL  TO MAKE SUCH  OFFER OR  SOLICITATION.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,  CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT INFORMATION  CONTAINED HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.  HOWEVER,  IF ANY MATERIAL
CHANGE OCCURS WHILE THIS  PROSPECTUS  IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE  DELIVERED,  THIS
PROSPECTUS WILL BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED ACCORDINGLY.

                                   PROSPECTUS
                                ___________, 1998
<PAGE>
                            PILGRIM PRIME RATE TRUST

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust") is a diversified,  closed-end  management
investment  company  registered  under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as
amended (the "Investment  Company Act"). The Trust's investment  objective is to
seek as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of
capital.  The Trust seeks to achieve its  objective  by  investing  primarily in
senior  floating-rate loans ("Senior Loans"),  the interest rates of which float
periodically based upon a benchmark indicator of prevailing interest rates, such
as the Prime Rate or the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR").  Under normal
circumstances,  at least 80% of the  Trust's  net assets are  invested in Senior
Loans. The Trust is managed by Pilgrim Investments,  Inc. ("Pilgrim Investments"
or the "Investment Manager").

This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus, but should
be read in conjunction with the Prospectus for the Trust dated ___________, 1998
(the "Prospectus"). This SAI does not include all information that a prospective
investor should consider before  purchasing  shares of the Trust,  and investors
should obtain and read the Prospectus prior to purchasing  shares. A copy of the
Prospectus  may be  obtained  without  charge,  by calling  Pilgrim  Investments
toll-free at (800)  992-0180.  This SAI  incorporates  by  reference  the entire
Prospectus.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE
Change Of Name.............................................................  2

Additional Information About Investments...................................  2

Investment Restrictions....................................................  8

Trustees and Officers......................................................  9

Investment Management and Other Services................................... 11

Portfolio Transactions..................................................... 12

Net Asset Value............................................................ 14

Methods Available to Reduce Market Value Discount from NAV................. 14

Shareholder Investment Program............................................. 15

Tax Matters................................................................ 18

Advertising and Performance Data........................................... 21

Financial Statements....................................................... 22


The  Prospectus  and this SAI omit certain of the  information  contained in the
registration  statement  filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the
"Commission"),  Washington, D.C. The registration statement may be obtained from
the  Commission  upon  payment  of  the  fee  prescribed,  or  inspected  at the
Commission's office at no charge.

This SAI is dated ____________, 1998.
<PAGE>
                                 CHANGE OF NAME

The Trust changed its name from "Pilgrim  Prime Rate Trust" to "Pilgrim  America
Prime Rate  Trust" in April,  1996,  and then  changed its name back to "Pilgrim
Prime Rate Trust" on November 16, 1998.

                    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENTS
                            AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES

Some of the different types of securities in which the Trust may invest, subject
to its investment  objective,  policies and  restrictions,  are described in the
Prospectus under  "Investment  Objective and Policies."  Additional  information
concerning certain of the Trust's  investments and investment  techniques is set
forth below.

EQUITY SECURITIES

In  connection  with its purchase or holding of interests in Senior  Loans,  the
Trust may acquire (and subsequently sell) equity securities or exercise warrants
that it receives.  The Trust will acquire such  interests only as an incident to
the intended  purchase or ownership of Senior Loans or if, in connection  with a
reorganization  of a  borrower,  the  Trust  receives  an equity  interest  in a
reorganized  corporation or other form of business entity or warrants to acquire
such an equity  interest.  The Trust normally will not hold more than 20% of its
total  assets in equity  securities.  Equity  securities  will not be treated as
Senior Loans;  therefore, an investment in such securities will not count toward
the 80% of the  Trust's  net assets  that  normally  will be  invested in Senior
Loans.  Equity  securities  are subject to financial and market risks and can be
expected to fluctuate in value.

LEASE PARTICIPATIONS

The credit quality standards and general  requirements that the Trust applies to
Lease  Participations  including  collateral quality,  the credit quality of the
borrower  and the  likelihood  of payback  are  substantially  the same as those
applied to conventional  Senior Loans. A Lease Participation is also required to
have a floating  interest rate that is indexed to the federal funds rate, LIBOR,
or Prime Rate in order to be eligible for investment.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has established  regulations which
set  forth  circumstances  under  which  national  banks  may  engage  in  lease
financings.  Among  other  things,  the  regulation  requires  that a lease be a
net-full payout lease  representing the noncancelable  obligation of the lessee,
and that the bank make  certain  determinations  with  respect to any  estimated
residual value of leased property relied upon by the bank to yield a full return
on the  lease.  The  Trust  may  invest  in lease  financings  only if the Lease
Participation meets these banking law requirements.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

In  general,  the  Trust  does not  engage,  nor does it intend to engage in the
foreseeable  future,  in  repurchase  agreements.  The  Trust  has the  ability,
however,  pursuant  to its  investment  objective  and  policies,  to enter into
repurchase agreements (a purchase of, and a simultaneous commitment to resell, a
financial  instrument  at an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date) only with
member banks of the Federal Reserve  System,  member firms of the New York Stock
Exchange  ("NYSE") or other  entities  determined by Pilgrim  Investments  to be
creditworthy.  When  participating  in  repurchase  agreements,  the Trust  buys
securities  from a vendor,  E.G., a bank or brokerage  firm,  with the agreement
that the vendor will  repurchase  the  securities  at a higher  price at a later
date. The Trust may be subject to various delays and risks of loss if the vendor
is unable to meet its  obligation to repurchase.  Under the  Investment  Company
Act, repurchase agreements are deemed to be collateralized loans of money by the
Trust to the seller. In evaluating whether to enter into a repurchase agreement,
Pilgrim Investments will consider carefully the  creditworthiness of the vendor.
If the member bank or member firm that is the party to the repurchase  agreement
petitions for  bankruptcy or otherwise  becomes  subject to the U.S.  Bankruptcy
Code,  the law  regarding  the rights of the Trust to  enforce  the terms of the
repurchase  agreement  is  unsettled.  The  securities  underlying  a repurchase
agreement  will be marked to market every  business day so that the value of the
collateral  is at least  equal to the value of the loan,  including  the accrued
interest  thereon,  and  Pilgrim  Investments  will  monitor  the  value  of the
collateral.  No specific  limitation  exists as to the percentage of the Trust's
assets which may be used to participate in repurchase agreements.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

In  general,  the  Trust  does not  engage,  nor does it intend to engage in the
foreseeable future, in reverse repurchase agreements. The Trust has the ability,
however,  pursuant  to its  investment  objective  and  policies,  to enter into
reverse repurchase  agreements.  A reverse repurchase agreement is an instrument
under which the Trust may sell an underlying debt instrument and  simultaneously
obtain the commitment of the purchaser to sell the security back to the Trust at
an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date. Reverse repurchase  agreements will
be  considered  borrowings  by  the  Trust  and  as  such  are  subject  to  the
restrictions  on borrowing.  Borrowings by the Trust create an  opportunity  for
greater total return,  but at the same time,  increase exposure to capital risk.
The Trust will  maintain in a  segregated  account  with its  custodian  cash or
liquid high grade  portfolio  securities  in an amount  sufficient  to cover its
obligations  with  respect  to  reverse  repurchase  agreements.  The Trust will
receive payment for such  securities only upon physical  delivery or evidence of
book entry  transfer by its custodian.  Regulations  of the  Commission  require
either that securities sold by the Trust under a reverse repurchase agreement be
segregated  pending repurchase or that the proceeds be segregated on the Trust's
books and records pending repurchase.  Reverse repurchase agreements may involve
certain  risks  in the  event of  default  or  insolvency  of the  other  party,
including  possible loss from delays or restrictions upon the Trust's ability to
dispose of the  underlying  securities.  An  additional  risk is that the market
value of securities sold by the Trust under a reverse repurchase agreement could
decline below the price at which the Trust is obligated to repurchase them.

LENDING SENIOR LOANS AND OTHER PORTFOLIO INSTRUMENTS

To generate  additional  income,  the Trust may lend its  portfolio  securities,
including  an  interest  in a Senior  Loan,  in an amount up to 33 1/3% of total
Trust  assets to  broker-dealers,  major  banks,  or other  recognized  domestic
institutional borrowers of securities. No lending may be made with any companies
affiliated with Pilgrim Investments. During the time portfolio securities are on
loan,  the  borrower  pays the  Trust any  dividends  or  interest  paid on such
securities,  and the Trust may invest the cash  collateral  and earn  additional
income,  or it may receive an  agreed-upon  amount of  interest  income from the
borrower who has delivered equivalent  collateral or a letter of credit. As with
other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.

The Trust may seek to increase its income by lending  financial  instruments  in
its portfolio in accordance with present regulatory policies, including those of
the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System and the  Commission.  The
lending  of  financial  instruments  is a  common  practice  in  the  securities
industry.  The loans are  required  to be secured  continuously  by  collateral,
consistent with the requirements of the Investment  Company Act discussed below,
maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of
the portfolio  instruments loaned. The Trust has the right to call a Senior Loan
and  obtain  the  portfolio  instruments  loaned  at any time on such  notice as
specified in the transaction documents. For the duration of the Senior Loan, the
Trust will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest paid by the issuer
on the portfolio  instruments  loaned and may also receive  compensation for the
loan of the  financial  instrument.  Any gain or loss in the market price of the
instruments loaned that may occur during the term of the Senior Loan will be for
the account of the Trust.

The  Trust  may lend its  portfolio  instruments  so long as the  terms  and the
structure  of such  loans  are not  inconsistent  with the  requirements  of the
Investment Company Act, which currently require that (a) the borrower pledge and
maintain with the Trust collateral consisting of cash, a letter of credit issued
by a  domestic  U.S.  bank,  or  securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by the U.S.
government  having a value at all  times  not less than 100% of the value of the
instruments  loaned, (b) the borrowers add to such collateral whenever the price
of the instruments  loaned rises (I.E.,  the value of the loan is "marked to the
market" on a daily basis),  (c) the loan be made subject to  termination  by the
Trust at any time,  and (d) the Trust  receive  reasonable  interest on the loan
(which may include the Trust's investing any cash collateral in interest bearing
short-term  investments),  any  distributions on the loaned  instruments and any
increase in their market value. The Trust may lend its portfolio  instruments to
member  banks  of the  Federal  Reserve  System,  members  of the  NYSE or other
entities  determined by Pilgrim  Investments  to be  creditworthy.  All relevant
facts  and  circumstances,  including  the  creditworthiness  of  the  qualified
institution, will be monitored by Pilgrim Investments, and will be considered in
making decisions with respect to the lending of portfolio instruments.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
The  Trust  may  pay  reasonable  negotiated  fees  in  connection  with  loaned
instruments. In addition, voting rights may pass with the loaned securities, but
if a material  event were to occur  affecting such a loan, the Trust will retain
the right to call the loan and vote the  securities.  If a default occurs by the
other  party to such  transaction,  the  Trust  will have  contractual  remedies
pursuant to the agreements  related to the  transaction but such remedies may be
subject to bankruptcy and insolvency  laws which could  materially and adversely
affect the Trust's rights as a creditor. However, the loans will be made only to
firms deemed by Pilgrim  Investments to be of good financial  standing and when,
in the judgment of Pilgrim  Investments,  the consideration  which can be earned
currently from loans of this type justifies the attendant risk.

INTEREST RATE HEDGING TRANSACTIONS

Generally,  the Trust  does not  engage,  nor does it intend to  engage,  in the
foreseeable  future, in interest rate swaps, or the purchase or sale of interest
rate caps and  floors.  The  Trust has the  ability,  however,  pursuant  to its
investment  objectives and policies,  to engage in certain hedging  transactions
including interest rate swaps and the purchase or sale of interest rate caps and
floors. The Trust may undertake these  transactions  primarily for the following
reasons: to preserve a return on or value of a particular  investment or portion
of the Trust's  portfolio,  to protect against decreases in the anticipated rate
of return on floating or variable  rate  financial  instruments  which the Trust
owns or  anticipates  purchasing at a later date,  or for other risk  management
strategies such as managing the effective  dollar-weighted  average  duration of
the Trust's  portfolio.  Market  conditions  will determine  whether and in what
circumstances  the Trust would  employ any of the hedging  techniques  described
below.

Interest  rate swaps  involve the  exchange by the Trust with  another  party of
their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, E.G., an exchange of an
obligation to make floating rate payments on a specified  dollar amount referred
to as the  "notional"  principal  amount  for an  obligation  to make fixed rate
payments. For example, the Trust may seek to shorten the effective interest rate
redetermination  period of a Senior Loan in its  portfolio  that has an interest
rate  redetermination  period of one year. The Trust could exchange its right to
receive  fixed  income  payments  for one year from a borrower  for the right to
receive payments under an obligation that readjusts monthly.  In such event, the
Trust would  consider the interest  rate  redetermination  period of such Senior
Loan to be the shorter period. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the
purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest
rate, to receive  payments of interest on a notional  principal  amount from the
party  selling such  interest  rate cap. The purchase of an interest  rate floor
entitles  the  purchaser,  to the extent  that a  specified  index falls below a
predetermined  interest  rate,  to receive  payments  of  interest on a notional
principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. The Trust will
not enter into swaps, caps or floors if, on a net basis, the aggregate  notional
principal  amount with respect to such agreements  exceeds the net assets of the
Trust  or to the  extent  the  purchase  of  swaps,  caps  or  floors  would  be
inconsistent with the Trust's other investment restrictions.

The Trust will not treat swaps covered in accordance with applicable  regulatory
guidance as senior  securities.  The Trust will usually enter into interest rate
swaps on a net basis,  I.E.,  where the two parties make net  payments  with the
Trust  receiving  or paying,  as the case may be, only the net amount of the two
payments.  The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Trust's obligations over
its  entitlement  with respect to each interest rate swap will be accrued and an
amount of cash or liquid  securities  having an aggregate  NAV at least equal to
the accrued  excess will be  maintained  in a segregated  account.  If the Trust
enters  into a swap on other than a net basis,  the Trust will  maintain  in the
segregated  account the full amount of the Trust's  obligations  under each such
swap.  The Trust may enter into swaps,  caps and floors with member banks of the
Federal  Reserve  System,  members of the NYSE or other  entities  determined by
Pilgrim Investments. If a default occurs by the other party to such transaction,
the Trust will have contractual  remedies pursuant to the agreements  related to
the  transaction  but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy  and insolvency
laws  which  could  materially  and  adversely  affect the  Trust's  rights as a
creditor.

The swap,  cap and floor market has grown  substantially  in recent years with a
large number of banks and financial services firms acting both as principals and
as agents utilizing  standardized swap  documentation.  As a result, this market
has become relatively liquid. There can be no assurance, however, that the Trust
will be able to enter into interest rate swaps or to purchase interest rate caps
or floors at prices or on terms Pilgrim Investments believes are advantageous to
the Trust.  In  addition,  although the terms of interest  rate swaps,  caps and
floors may provide for  termination,  there can be no  assurance  that the Trust
will be able to  terminate an interest  rate swap or to sell or offset  interest
rate caps or floors that it has purchased.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
The successful utilization of hedging and risk management  transactions requires
skills  different  from those needed in the  selection of the Trust's  portfolio
securities and depends on Pilgrim Investments's ability to predict correctly the
direction and degree of movements in interest rates. Although the Trust believes
that use of the  hedging and risk  management  techniques  described  above will
benefit the Trust,  if Pilgrim  Investments's  judgment  about the  direction or
extent of the  movement  in interest  rates is  incorrect,  the Trust's  overall
performance   would  be  worse  than  if  it  had  not  entered  into  any  such
transactions.  The Trust will incur brokerage and other costs in connection with
its hedging transactions.

BORROWING

Under  the  Investment  Company  Act,  the  Trust  is  not  permitted  to  incur
indebtedness  unless  immediately  after such  incurrence the Trust has an asset
coverage of 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of indebtedness.
Additionally,  under the  Investment  Company Act, the Trust may not declare any
dividend or other  distribution upon any class of its capital stock, or purchase
any such capital stock,  unless the aggregate  indebtedness  of the Trust has at
the time of the  declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time
of any such  purchase  an asset  coverage of at least 300% after  deducting  the
amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case may be.

ORIGINATING SENIOR LOANS

Although  the Trust does not act,  nor does it intend to act in the  foreseeable
future,  as an "agent" in originating and  administering a loan on behalf of all
lenders or as one of a group of "co-agents" in originating Senior Loans, it does
have the ability to do so. Senior Loans are typically  arranged  through private
negotiations between a borrower and several financial  institutions  ("lenders")
represented  in each  case by one or more  such  lenders  acting as agent of the
several  lenders.  On  behalf  of the  several  lenders,  the  agent,  which  is
frequently  the entity  that  originates  the Senior  Loan and invites the other
parties  to join  the  lending  syndicate,  will be  primarily  responsible  for
negotiating  the Senior Loan  agreements  that  establish  the  relative  terms,
conditions and rights of the borrower and the several lenders. The co-agents, on
the other hand, are not responsible for administration of a Senior Loan, but are
part of the  initial  group of lenders  that commit to  providing  funding for a
Senior  Loan.  In large  transactions,  it is  common  to have  several  agents;
however,  one such agent typically has primary  responsibility for documentation
and  administration  of the Senior Loan. The agent is required to administer and
manage the Senior  Loan and to service or monitor the  collateral.  The agent is
also  responsible  for the collection of principal and interest and fee payments
from the borrower and the  apportionment  of these payments to the credit of all
lenders which are parties to the loan  agreement.  The agent is charged with the
responsibility  of monitoring  compliance  by the borrower with the  restrictive
covenants  in the loan  agreement  and of  notifying  the lenders of any adverse
change in the borrower's financial condition.  In addition,  the agent generally
is  responsible  for  determining  that the  lenders  have  obtained a perfected
security interest in the collateral securing the Senior Loan.

Lenders  generally rely on the agent to collect their portion of the payments on
the Senior Loan and to use appropriate  creditor  remedies against the borrower.
Typically  under  loan  agreements,  the  agent is  given  broad  discretion  in
enforcing the loan  agreement and is obligated to use the same care it would use
in the management of its own property.  The borrower  compensates  the agent for
these services.  Such  compensation may include special fees paid on structuring
and  funding  the Senior  Loan and other fees paid on a  continuing  basis.  The
precise duties and rights of an agent are defined in the loan agreement.

When the Trust is an agent, it has, as a party to the loan  agreement,  a direct
contractual  relationship with the borrower and, prior to allocating portions of
the Senior Loan to the lenders,  if any,  assumes all risks  associated with the
Senior Loan. The agent may enforce  compliance by the borrower with the terms of
the loan  agreement.  Agents  also have  voting  and  consent  rights  under the
applicable  loan  agreement.  Action subject to agent vote or consent  generally
requires the vote or consent of the holders of some specified  percentage of the
outstanding  principal  amount  of the  Senior  Loan,  which  percentage  varies
depending on the relevant loan agreement.  Certain  decisions,  such as reducing
the amount or  increasing  the time for payment of interest on or  repayment  of
principal of a Senior Loan, or releasing collateral therefor, frequently require
the unanimous vote or consent of all lenders affected.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
Pursuant to the terms of a loan agreement, the Trust as agent typically has sole
responsibility  for  servicing and  administering  a loan on behalf of the other
lenders.  Each lender in a Senior Loan is generally  responsible  for performing
their own credit analysis and their own investigation of the financial condition
of the borrower.  Generally,  loan agreements will hold the Trust liable for any
action taken or omitted that amounts to gross negligence or willful  misconduct.
In the event of a borrower's default on a loan, the loan agreements provide that
the lenders do not have recourse  against the Trust for its activities as agent.
Instead, lenders will be required to look to the borrower for recourse.

Acting in the  capacity  of an agent in a Senior  Loan may  subject the Trust to
certain risks in addition to those associated with the Trust's current role as a
lender. An agent is charged with the above described duties and responsibilities
to lenders and borrowers subject to the terms of the loan agreement.  Failure to
adequately  discharge such  responsibilities  in accordance with the standard of
care set forth in the loan  agreement  may  expose  the Trust to  liability  for
breach of contract.  If a  relationship  of trust is found between the agent and
the  lenders,  the  agent  will be held  to a  higher  standard  of  conduct  in
administering the loan. In consideration of such risks, the Trust will invest no
more than 10% of its total  assets in Senior  Loans in which it acts as agent or
co-agent and the size of any  individual  loan will not exceed 5% of the Trust's
total assets.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SENIOR LOANS

Senior Loans are direct  obligations of corporations or other business  entities
and are  arranged by banks or other  commercial  lending  institutions  and made
generally to finance internal growth, mergers, acquisitions,  stock repurchases,
and leveraged buyouts.  Senior Loans usually include restrictive covenants which
must be maintained by the borrower.  Such  covenants,  in addition to the timely
payment of interest and principal,  may include mandatory prepayment  provisions
arising from free cash flow, restrictions on dividend payments and usually state
that a borrower  must  maintain  specific  minimum  financial  ratios as well as
establishing  limits on total debt. A breach of a covenant,  which is not waived
by the agent,  is normally  an event of  acceleration,  I.E.,  the agent has the
right to call the  outstanding  Senior Loan.  In addition,  loan  covenants  may
include mandatory prepayment  provisions stemming from free cash flow. Free cash
flow is cash  that is in  excess  of  capital  expenditures  plus  debt  service
requirements  of principal and interest.  The free cash flow shall be applied to
prepay the Senior Loan in an order of maturity  described in the loan documents.
Under  certain  interests in Senior  Loans,  the Trust may have an obligation to
make additional loans upon demand by the borrower.  The Trust intends to reserve
against such  contingent  obligations by segregating  sufficient  assets in high
quality short-term liquid investments or borrowing to cover such obligations.

In a typical  interest in a Senior Loan, the agent  administers the loan and has
the right to monitor the collateral. The agent is also required to segregate the
principal  and interest  payments  received  from the borrower and to hold these
payments for the benefit of the lenders.  The Trust  normally looks to the agent
to  collect  and  distribute  principal  of  and  interest  on  a  Senior  Loan.
Furthermore, the Trust looks to the agent to use normal credit remedies, such as
to  foreclose  on  collateral;  monitor  credit loan  covenants;  and notify the
lenders  of  any  adverse  changes  in the  borrower's  financial  condition  or
declarations of insolvency. At times the Trust may also negotiate with the agent
regarding the agent's exercise of credit remedies under a Senior Loan. The agent
is  compensated  for these  services by the borrower as is set forth in the loan
agreement.  Such  compensation  may take the form of a fee or other  amount paid
upon the making of the Senior Loan and/or an ongoing fee or other amount.

The loan  agreement in  connection  with Senior Loans sets forth the standard of
care to be exercised by the agents on behalf of the lenders and usually provides
for the  termination  of the agent's agency status in the event that it fails to
act  properly,  becomes  insolvent,  enters  FDIC  receivership,  or if not FDIC
insured,  enters into bankruptcy or if the agent resigns.  In the event an agent
is unable to perform its  obligations as agent,  another lender would  generally
serve in that capacity.

The Trust  believes that the principal  credit risk  associated  with  acquiring
Senior Loans from another lender is the credit risk associated with the borrower
of the  underlying  Senior  Loan.  The Trust may incur  additional  credit risk,
however,  when the Trust acquires a participation  in a Senior Loan from another
lender because the Trust must assume the risk of insolvency or bankruptcy of the
other  lender from which the Senior Loan was  acquired.  However,  in  acquiring
Senior  Loans,  the Trust  conducts an analysis and  evaluation of the financial
condition of each such lender.  In this regard,  if the lenders have a long-term
debt rating,  the long-term debt of all such Participants is rated BBB or better

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
by  Standard & Poor's  Ratings  Services  or Baa or better by Moody's  Investors
Service,  Inc.,  or has  received  a  comparable  rating by  another  nationally
recognized  rating service.  In the absence of rated long-term debt, the lenders
or, with respect to a bank, the holding  company of such lenders have commercial
paper  outstanding  which is rated at least  A-1 by  Standard  & Poor's  Ratings
Services or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service,  Inc. In the absence of such rated
long-term  debt or rated  commercial  paper if a bank,  the  Trust  may  acquire
participations  in Senior Loans from lenders whose long-term debt and commercial
paper is of comparable  quality to the foregoing  rating standards as determined
by the Manager under the supervision of the Trustees. The Trust also diversifies
its  portfolio  with  respect to lenders  from which the Trust  acquires  Senior
Loans. See "Investment Restrictions."

Senior Loans,  unlike certain bonds,  usually do not have call protection.  This
means that interests comprising the Trust's portfolio, while having a stated one
to ten-year term, may be prepaid,  often without  penalty.  The Trust  generally
holds  Senior Loans to maturity  unless it has become  necessary to sell them to
satisfy any  shareholder  tender  offers or to adjust the Trust's  portfolio  in
accordance with Pilgrim  Investments's  view of current or expected  economic or
specific industry or borrower conditions.

Senior Loans frequently  require full or partial prepayment of a loan when there
are asset sales or a securities  issuance.  Prepayments on Senior Loans may also
be made by the borrower at its  election.  The rate of such  prepayments  may be
affected by, among other things,  general business and economic  conditions,  as
well as the financial status of the borrower.  Prepayment would cause the actual
duration of a Senior Loan to be shorter than its stated maturity. Prepayment may
be deferred by the Trust. This should, however, allow the Trust to reinvest in a
new loan and recognize as income any  unamortized  loan fees. In many cases this
will result in a new facility fee payable to the Trust.

Because  interest rates paid on these Senior Loans  periodically  fluctuate with
the market,  it is expected that the prepayment  and a subsequent  purchase of a
new  Senior  Loan by the Trust will not have a  material  adverse  impact on the
yield of the portfolio. See "Portfolio Transactions."

Under a Senior Loan,  the borrower  generally  must pledge as collateral  assets
which may  include  one or more of the  following:  cash;  accounts  receivable;
inventory; property, plant and equipment; both common and preferred stock in its
subsidiaries,  trademarks,  copyrights,  patent rights and franchise  value. The
Trust may also receive guarantees as a form of collateral.  In some instances, a
Senior Loan may be secured  only by stock in a borrower or its  affiliates.  The
market  value  of  the  assets  serving  as  collateral  will,  at the  time  of
investment,  in the  opinion  of the  Investment  Manager,  equal or exceed  the
principal  amount of the Senior  Loan.  The  valuations  of these  assets may be
performed by an independent appraisal. If the agent becomes aware that the value
of the collateral has declined,  the agent may take action as it deems necessary
for the  protection of its own interests and the interests of the other lenders,
including, for example, giving the borrower an opportunity to provide additional
collateral or accelerating  the loan. There is no assurance,  however,  that the
borrower  would provide  additional  collateral or that the  liquidation  of the
existing  collateral  would  satisfy the  borrower's  obligation in the event of
nonpayment of scheduled interest or principal,  or that such collateral could be
readily liquidated.

The Trust may be required to pay and may receive various fees and commissions in
the process of purchasing,  selling and holding Senior Loans.  The fee component
may include any, or a combination of, the following elements:  arrangement fees,
non-use fees, facility fees, letter of credit fees and ticking fees. Arrangement
fees are paid at the  commencement of a loan as compensation  for the initiation
of the  transaction.  A non-use fee is paid based upon the amount  committed but
not used  under  the  loan.  Facility  fees are  on-going  annual  fees  paid in
connection  with a loan.  Letter of credit  fees are paid if a loan  involves  a
letter of credit.  Ticking fees are paid from the initial commitment  indication
until loan closing if for an extended  period.  The amount of fees is negotiated
at the time of transaction.

In order to allow national  banks to purchase  shares of the Trust for their own
accounts  without  limitation,  the Trust invests only in obligations  which are
eligible for purchase by national  banks for their own accounts  pursuant to the
provisions  of  paragraph  seven of Section 24 of U.S.  Code Title 12.  National
banks  which  are  contemplating  purchasing  shares  of the Trust for their own
accounts should refer to Banking Circular 220, issued by the U.S. Comptroller of
the Currency on November 21, 1986, for a description  of certain  considerations
applicable to such purchases.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
                             INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Trust has adopted the following restrictions relating to its investments and
activities,  which may not be changed without a Majority Vote (as defined in the
Investment Company Act). The Trust may not:

     +    Issue senior securities,  except insofar as the Trust may be deemed to
          have issued a senior  security by reason of (i) entering  into certain
          interest  rate  hedging  transactions,   (ii)  entering  into  reverse
          repurchase  agreements,  or (iii)  borrowing  money in an  amount  not
          exceeding 33 1/3%, or such other  percentage  permitted by law, of the
          Trust's  total  assets   (including  the  amount  borrowed)  less  all
          liabilities other than borrowings.

     +    Invest more than 25% of its total assets in any industry.

     +    Invest in marketable warrants other than those acquired in conjunction
          with Senior Loans and such warrants will not  constitute  more than 5%
          of its assets.

     +    Make  investments  in  any  one  issuer  other  than  U.S.  Government
          securities if,  immediately  after such purchase or acquisition,  more
          than 5% of the value of the Trust's  total assets would be invested in
          such issuer,  or the Trust would own more than 25% of any  outstanding
          issue,  except  that  up to 25% of the  Trust's  total  assets  may be
          invested without regard to the foregoing restrictions. For the purpose
          of the foregoing restriction,  the Trust will consider the borrower of
          a Senior Loan to be the issuer of such Senior Loan. In addition,  with
          respect to a Senior Loan under  which the Trust does not have  privity
          with the borrower or would not have a direct  cause of action  against
          the  borrower  in the  event of the  failure  of the  borrower  to pay
          scheduled  principal or interest,  the Trust will also separately meet
          the foregoing  requirements and consider each  interpositioned bank (a
          lender from which the Trust acquires a Senior Loan) to be an issuer of
          the Senior Loan.

     +    Act as an underwriter of securities,  except to the extent that it may
          be deemed to act as an  underwriter in certain cases when disposing of
          its portfolio  investments  or acting as an agent or one of a group of
          co-agents in originating Senior Loans.

     +    Purchase  or sell  equity  securities  (except  that  the  Trust  may,
          incidental  to the  purchase or  ownership  of an interest in a Senior
          Loan,  or as part of a  borrower  reorganization,  acquire,  sell  and
          exercise  warrants  and/or  acquire or sell other equity  securities),
          real  estate,  real  estate  mortgage  loans,  commodities,  commodity
          futures contracts,  or oil or gas exploration or development programs;
          or sell short,  purchase or sell straddles,  spreads,  or combinations
          thereof, or write put or call options.

     +    Make loans of money or property  to any person,  except that the Trust
          (i) may make loans to  corporations  or other  business  entities,  or
          enter into leases or other arrangements that have the  characteristics
          of a loan; (ii) may lend portfolio instruments;  and (iii) may acquire
          securities subject to repurchase agreements.

     +    Purchase shares of other  investment  companies,  except in connection
          with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization.

     +    Make  investments on margin or hypothecate,  mortgage or pledge any of
          its assets except for the purpose of securing  borrowings as described
          above in connection  with the issuance of senior  securities  and then
          only in an amount up to 33 1/3%, or such other percentage permitted by
          law, of the value of the Trust's  total assets  (including  the amount
          borrowed) less all liabilities other than borrowings.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
If a percentage  restriction  is adhered to at the time of  investment,  a later
increase  or  decrease  in  percentage  resulting  from a change in value of the
Trust's investments or amount of total assets will not be considered a violation
of any of the foregoing restrictions.

There is no limitation on the percentage of the Trust's total assets that may be
invested  in  instruments  which  are  not  readily  marketable  or  subject  to
restrictions on resale, and to the extent the Trust invests in such instruments,
the Trust's  portfolio  should be considered  illiquid.  The extent to which the
Trust  invests in such  instruments  may affect its  ability to realize  the net
asset  value  (NAV) of the Trust in the event of the  voluntary  or  involuntary
liquidation of its assets.

                              TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES.  The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees. The Trustees
and Officers of the Trust are listed below. An asterisk (*) has been placed next
to the name of each  Trustee  who is an  "interested  person,"  as that  term is
defined in the  Investment  Company Act, by virtue of that person's  affiliation
with the Trust or Pilgrim Investments.

     Mary A. Baldwin, Ph.D, 2525 E. Camelback Road, Suite 200, Phoenix,  Arizona
     85016.  (Age  59.)  Trustee.   Realtor,   Coldwell  Banker  Success  Realty
     (formerly,  The  Prudential  Arizona  Realty)  for more  than the last five
     years. Ms. Baldwin is also Vice President,  United States Olympic Committee
     (November  1996-Present),  and formerly  Treasurer,  United States  Olympic
     Committee  (November  1992-November  1996).  Ms. Baldwin also is a director
     and/or trustee of each of the funds managed by the Investment Manager.

     John P. Burke, 260 Constitution  Plaza,  Hartford,  Connecticut 06130. (Age
     66.)  Trustee.  Commissioner  of  Banking,  State of  Connecticut  (January
     1995-Present).  Mr.  Burke was formerly  President of Bristol  Savings Bank
     (August  1992-January  1995) and  President  of  Security  Savings and Loan
     (November 1989-August 1992). Mr. Burke is a director and/or trustee of each
     of the funds managed by the Investment Manager.

     Al Burton,  2300 Coldwater  Canyon,  Beverly Hills,  California 90210. (Age
     70.)  Trustee.  President of Al Burton  Productions  for more than the last
     five years;  formerly Vice President,  First Run  Syndication,  Castle Rock
     Entertainment  (July  1992-November  1994).  Mr.  Burton also is a director
     and/or trustee of each of the funds managed by the Investment Manager.

     Jock Patton, 40 North Central Avenue,  Suite 1200, Phoenix,  Arizona 85004.
     (Age 52.) Trustee. Private Investor.  Director of Artisoft, Inc. Mr. Patton
     was formerly President and Co-owner,  StockVal, Inc. (April 1993-June 1997)
     and a  partner  and  director  of the  law  firm  of  Streich,  Lang,  P.A.
     (1972-1993).  Mr. Patton is also a director  and/or  trustee of each of the
     funds managed by the Investment Manager.

     *Robert W. Stallings, 40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200, Phoenix, Arizona
     85004. (Age 49.) Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Trustee.  Chairman,
     Chief  Executive  Officer  and  President  of Pilgrim  Group,  Inc.  (since
     December 1994); Chairman, Pilgrim Investments,  Inc. (since December 1994);
     Director,  Pilgrim Securities,  Inc. (since December 1994); Chairman, Chief
     Executive  Officer and  President of each of the other Pilgrim Funds (since
     April  1995).  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer of  Pilgrim  America
     Capital  Corporation  (formerly,   Express  America  Holdings  Corporation)
     ("Pilgrim  Capital")  (since  August  1990).  Director and officer of other
     affiliates of Pilgrim Capital.

The Board of Trustees  has an Audit  Committee  comprised  of the  disinterested
Trustees. The Trust pays each Trustee who is not an interested person a pro rata
share, based on all of the investment  companies in the Pilgrim Group, of (i) an
annual retainer of $20,000; (ii) $1,500 per quarterly and special Board meeting;
(iii) $500 per committee meeting;  (iv) $500 per special telephonic meeting; and

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
(v) out-of-pocket expenses. The pro rata share paid by the Trust is based on the
Trust's  average  net assets for the  previous  quarter as a  percentage  of the
average net assets of all the funds managed by Pilgrim Investments for which the
Trustees serve in common as directors/trustees.

COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES

The following table sets forth information regarding compensation of Trustees by
the Trust and other  funds  managed by Pilgrim  Investments  for the fiscal year
ended  February 28, 1998.  Officers of the Trust and Trustees who are interested
persons of the Trust do not receive any compensation from the Trust or any other
funds managed by Pilgrim  Investments.  In the column headed "Total Compensation
From  Trust and Fund  Complex  Paid to  Trustees,"  the  number  in  parentheses
indicates the total number of boards in the Pilgrim family of funds on which the
Trustee serves.

================================================================================
                                                         TOTAL COMPENSATION
                                        AGGREGATE        FROMTRUST AND FUND
                                       COMPENSATION         COMPLEX PAID
  NAME OF PERSON, POSITION              FROM TRUST           TO TRUSTEES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary A. Baldwin (1)(2), Trustee          $ 14,616         $ 28,300 (5 boards)
John P. Burke (2)(3), Trustee            $ 14,667         $ 28,400 (5 boards)
Al Burton (2)(4), Trustee                $ 14,667         $ 28,400 (5 boards)
Bruce S. Foerster (1)(5), Trustee        $ 14,667         $ 28,400 (5 boards)
Jock Patton (2)(6), Trustee              $ 14,667         $ 28,400 (5 boards)
Robert W. Stallings (7), Trustee
and Chairman                             $      0         $      0 (5 boards)
================================================================================
- ----------
(1)  Commenced service as a Trustee on April 7, 1995.
(2)  Member of the Audit Committee.
(3)  Commenced service as Trustee on May 5, 1997.
(4)  Commenced service as a Trustee on April 19, 1994.
(5)  Mr. Foerster resigned as a Trustee of the Trust effective September 30,
     1998.
(6)  Commenced service as a Trustee on August 28, 1995.
(7)  "Interested person," as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Trust
     because of affiliation with the Investment Manager.

OFFICERS

     HOWARD TIFFEN, PRESIDENT, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, AND SENIOR PORTFOLIO
     MANAGER
     40 North Central  Avenue,  Suite 1200,  Phoenix,  Arizona 85004.  (Age 50.)
     Senior Vice President (since November 1995), Pilgrim  Investments. Formerly
     Managing  Director  of  various  divisions  of Bank  of  America  (and  its
     predecessor, Continental Bank) (1982-1995).

     JAMES R. REIS, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER, AND
     ASSISTANT SECRETARY
     40 North Central  Avenue,  Suite 1200,  Phoenix,  Arizona 85004.  (Age 40.)
     Director, Vice Chairman (since December 1994), and Executive Vice President
     (since April 1995), Pilgrim Group and Pilgrim Investments;  Director (since
     December 1994), Vice Chairman (since November 1995) and Assistant Secretary
     (since  January 1995) of Pilgrim  Securities;  Executive Vice President and
     Assistant  Secretary of each of the other Pilgrim  Funds;  Chief  Financial
     Officer (since December 1993), Vice Chairman and Assistant Secretary (since
     April 1993) and former President (May 1991-December 1993), Pilgrim Capital.
     Presently  serves  or  has  served  as an  officer  or  director  of  other
     affiliates of Pilgrim Capital.

     JAMES M. HENNESSY, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY
     40 North Central  Avenue,  Suite 1200,  Phoenix,  Arizona 85004.  (Age 49.)
     Executive  Vice  President  (since April 1998) and  Secretary  (since April
     1995),  Pilgrim  Capital,

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
     Executive Vice President and Secretary, Pilgrim Group, Pilgrim Investments,
     Pilgrim Securities,  and of each of the Pilgrim Funds.  Presently serves or
     has served as an officer of other affiliates of Pilgrim Capital.

     DANIEL A. NORMAN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER, AND ASSISTANT PORTFOLIO
     MANAGER
     40 North Central  Avenue,  Suite 1200,  Phoenix,  Arizona 85004.  (Age 40.)
     Senior Vice President and Assistant  Secretary,  Pilgrim Investments (since
     December 1994);  Senior Vice President,  Pilgrim Securities (since November
     1995).  Formerly  an  officer  of other affiliates of Pilgrim Capital.

     MICHAEL J. ROLAND, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
     40 North Central  Avenue,  Suite 1200,  Phoenix,  Arizona  85004.  (Age 40)
     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer PAGI, Pilgrim Investments
     Pilgrim  Securities  (since June 1998) and Pilgrim Financial (since August,
     1998).  He  served  in same  capacity  from  January,  1995 - April,  1997.
     Formerly Chief  Financial  Officer of Endeaver Group (April,  1997 to June,
     1998).

     ROBERT S. NAKA, VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY
     40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200, Phoenix, Arizona 85004. (Age 35.) Vice
     President,  Pilgrim Investments (since April 1997) and Pilgrim Group (since
     February 1997). Vice President and Assistant Secretary of each of the funds
     in the Pilgrim Group of Funds.  Formerly  Assistant Vice President  (August
     1995 - February 1997),  Pilgrim Group and Operations  Manager (April 1992 -
     April 1995), Pilgrim Group.

     ROBYN L. ICHILOV, VICE PRESIDENT
     40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200, Phoenix,  Arizona 85004. (Age 30) Vice
     President,  Pilgrim  Investments  (since August 1997) and Pilgrim Financial
     (since  May 1998),  Accounting  Manager  (since  November  1995).  Formerly
     Assistant Vice President and Accounting  Supervisor for Paine Webber (June,
     1993 - April, 1995).

As of _________,  1998,  the Trustees and Officers of the Trust as a group owned
beneficially less than 1% of the Trust's shares.

                    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

INVESTMENT  MANAGER.  The Investment Manager serves as investment manager to the
Trust and has  overall  responsibility  for the  management  of the  Trust.  The
Investment  Management  Agreement  between the Trust and the Investment  Manager
requires  the  Investment  Manager to oversee the  provision  of all  investment
advisory services for the Trust. The Investment Manager,  which was organized in
December  1994, is registered as an investment  adviser with the  Commission and
serves as investment adviser to seven other registered  investment companies (or
series thereof),  as well as privately managed  accounts,  and as of the date of
this Statement of Additional  Information  had total assets under  management of
approximately $5.4 billion.

The  Investment  Manager is a wholly owned  subsidiary of Pilgrim  Group,  which
itself is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Pilgrim Capital, a Delaware corporation,
the shares of which are traded on the NASDAQ National Market System and which is
a holding  company  that  through  its  subsidiaries  engages  in the  financial
services business.

The Investment  Manager pays all of its expenses arising from the performance of
its obligations under the Investment Management  Agreement,  including executive
salaries  and  expenses  of the  Trustees  and  Officers  of the  Trust  who are
employees of the Investment  Manager or its affiliates.  Other expenses incurred
in the  operation  of the  Trust  are  borne by the  Trust,  including,  without
limitation,   expenses   incurred  in  connection   with  the  sale,   issuance,
registration  and transfer of its shares;  fees of its  Custodian,  Transfer and
Shareholder  Servicing  Agent;  salaries  of officers  and fees and  expenses of
Trustees or members of any advisory  board or committee of the Trust who are not
members of, affiliated with or interested persons of the Investment Manager; the
cost of preparing and printing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses of the
Trust or other  communications  for  distribution  to its  shareholders;  legal,

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
auditing and  accounting  fees;  the fees of any trade  association of which the
Trust is a member; fees and expenses of registering and maintaining registration
of its shares for sale under Federal and applicable  State  securities laws; and
all  other  charges  and  costs  of its  operation  plus any  extraordinary  and
non-recurring expenses.

For the fiscal years ended February 28, 1998, February 28, 1997 and February 29,
1996, Pilgrim Investments (or, prior to April 7, 1995, its predecessor) was paid
$10,369,772,  $8,268,263 and $7,122,089,  respectively, for services rendered to
the Trust.

The Investment  Management Agreement continues from year to year if specifically
approved at least  annually by the Trustees or the  Shareholders.  But in either
event,  the Investment  Management  Agreement must also be approved by vote of a
majority  of the  Trustees  who are not  parties  to the  Investment  Management
Agreement or "interested persons" of any such party, cast in person at a meeting
called for that purpose.

The use of the name  "Pilgrim" in the Trust's name is pursuant to the Investment
Management Agreement between the Trust and Pilgrim Investments, and in the event
that  Agreement is  terminated,  the Trust has agreed to amend its Agreement and
Declaration of Trust to remove the reference to "Pilgrim."

THE ADMINISTRATOR.  The Administrator of the Trust is Pilgrim Group, which is an
affiliate of the Investment  Manager.  In connection with its  administration of
the  corporate  affairs  of the Trust,  the  Administrator  bears the  following
expenses:  the  salaries  and  expenses  of all  personnel  of the Trust and the
Administrator  except for the fees and expenses of Trustees not affiliated  with
the  Administrator  or Pilgrim  Investments;  costs to prepare  information  for
determination of daily NAV by the recordkeeping  and accounting agent;  expenses
to maintain  certain of the Trust's books and records that are not maintained by
Pilgrim Investments,  the custodian, or transfer agent; costs incurred to assist
in the preparation of financial  information for the Trust's income tax returns,
proxy statements,  quarterly, semi-annual, and annual shareholder reports; costs
of providing  shareholder  services in  connection  with any tender offers or to
shareholders  proposing to transfer  their  shares to a third  party;  providing
shareholder services in connection with the dividend  reinvestment plan; and all
expenses  incurred  by the  Administrator  or by the  Trust in  connection  with
administering  the  ordinary  course of the  Trust's  business  other than those
assumed by the Trust, as described below.

Except as indicated above and under "Investment Management Agreement," the Trust
is responsible for the payment of its other expenses including: the fees payable
to Pilgrim  Investments;  the fees  payable to the  Administrator;  the fees and
expenses of Trustees  who are not  affiliated  with Pilgrim  Investments  or the
Administrator;  the fees and  certain  expenses  of the  Trust's  custodian  and
transfer agent,  including the cost of providing records to the Administrator in
connection with its obligation of maintaining required records of the Trust; the
charges and expenses of the Trust's legal counsel and  independent  accountants;
commissions  and  any  issue  or  transfer  taxes  chargeable  to the  Trust  in
connection  with its  transactions;  all taxes and corporate fees payable by the
Trust to governmental  agencies;  the fees of any trade association of which the
Trust is a member;  the cost of share  certificates  representing  shares of the
Trust;  organizational  and  offering  expenses  of the  Trust  and the fees and
expenses  involved in registering and maintaining  registration of the Trust and
of its shares with the Commission  including the preparation and printing of the
Trust's  registration  statement and prospectuses  for such purposes;  allocable
communications  expenses,  with respect to investor services and all expenses of
shareholders  and  Trustees'  meetings  and of  preparing,  printing and mailing
reports,  proxy  statements and  prospectuses to  shareholders;  and the cost of
insurance;   and  litigation  and  indemnification  expenses  and  extraordinary
expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Trust's business.

For the fiscal years ended February 28, 1998, February 28, 1997 and February 29,
1996, PAGI (or, prior to April 7, 1995, its  predecessor)  was paid  $1,778,473,
$1,441,271 and $1,264,932, respectively, for services rendered to the Trust.

                             PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Trust will generally have at least 80% of its net assets  invested in Senior
Loans.  The remaining  assets of the Trust will generally  consist of short-term
debt instruments with remaining maturities of 120 days or less and certain other
instruments such as subordinated  loans up to a maximum of 5% of the Trust's net
assets,  Hybrid Loans,  unsecured loans,  interest rate swaps,  caps and floors,

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements.  The Trust will acquire
Senior Loans from and sell Senior Loans to major money  center  banks,  selected
regional banks and selected non-banks,  insurance  companies,  finance companies
and leasing  companies  which  usually  act as lenders on senior  collateralized
loans.  The Trust may also  purchase  Senior Loans from and sell Senior Loans to
U.S. branches of foreign banks which are regulated by the Federal Reserve System
or  appropriate  state  regulatory  authorities.   The  Trust's  interest  in  a
particular  Senior Loan will  terminate  when the Trust receives full payment on
the loan or sells a Senior Loan in the secondary  market.  Costs associated with
purchasing or selling Senior Loans in the secondary  market include  commissions
paid to brokers and  processing  fees paid to agents.  These costs are allocated
between the purchaser and seller as agreed between the parties.

Purchases and sales of short-term debt and other  financial  instruments for the
Trust's  portfolio  usually are principal  transactions,  and normally the Trust
will deal  directly  with the  underwriters  or dealers who make a market in the
securities involved unless better prices and execution are available  elsewhere.
Such market makers usually act as principals for their own account. On occasion,
securities  may  be  purchased   directly  from  the  issuer.   Short-term  debt
instruments  are  generally  traded on a net basis and do not  normally  involve
either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. The cost of portfolio securities
transactions of the Trust that are not transactions with principals will consist
primarily of brokerage  commissions or dealer or underwriter spreads between the
bid and  asked  price,  although  purchases  from  underwriters  may  involve  a
commission or concession paid by the issuer.

While  Pilgrim  Investments  seeks to obtain the most  favorable  net results in
effecting  transactions in the Trust's portfolio securities,  brokers or dealers
who provide research  services may receive orders for transactions by the Trust.
Such research  services  ordinarily  consist of assessments  and analyses of the
business  or  prospects  of a company,  industry,  or economic  sector.  Pilgrim
Investments  is authorized to pay spreads or  commissions  to brokers or dealers
furnishing  such  services  which are in excess of spreads or  commissions  that
other  brokers or dealers not  providing  such  research may charge for the same
transaction,  even if the  specific  services  were not imputed to the Trust and
were useful to the Investment Manager in advising other clients.  Information so
received will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be
performed  by Pilgrim  Investments  under the  Investment  Management  Agreement
between Pilgrim  Investments and the Trust. The expenses of Pilgrim  Investments
will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such  supplemental
information.  Pilgrim  Investments  may use any  research  services  obtained in
providing   investment  advice  to  its  other  investment   advisory  accounts.
Conversely,  such information  obtained by the placement of business for Pilgrim
Investments or other entities advised by Pilgrim  Investments will be considered
by and may be useful to Pilgrim  Investments in carrying out its  obligations to
the Trust.

The Trust does not intend to effect any brokerage  transaction  in its portfolio
securities  with any  broker-dealer  affiliated  directly or indirectly with the
Investment Manager,  except for any sales of portfolio  securities pursuant to a
tender  offer,  in which event the  Investment  Manager will offset  against the
management  fee a part of any tender fees which  legally may be received by such
affiliated  broker-dealer.  To the extent  certain  services  which the Trust is
obligated to pay for under the Investment  Management Agreement are performed by
the Investment Manager,  the Trust will reimburse the Investment Manager for the
costs of  personnel  involved in placing  orders for the  execution of portfolio
transactions.

The Trust paid $0, $0, and  $7,400 in  brokerage  commissions  during the fiscal
years ended  February  28,  1998,  February  28,  1997 and  February  29,  1996,
respectively.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE

The annual  rate of the Trust's  total  portfolio  turnover  for the years ended
February  28, 1998 and February 28,  1997,  was 90% and 82%,  respectively.  The
annual  turnover  rate of the Trust is generally  expected to be between 50% and
100%,  although  as  part  of its  investment  policies,  the  Trust  places  no
restrictions on portfolio turnover and the Trust may sell any portfolio security
without regard to the period of time it has been held. The annual  turnover rate
of the Trust also includes Senior Loans for which the full payment on the Senior
Loan has been prepaid by the  borrower.  The  Investment  Manager  believes that
prepaid Senior Loans generally comprise  approximately 25% to 75% of the Trust's
total portfolio turnover each year.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
                                 NET ASSET VALUE

The NAV per  share of the  Trust is  determined  once  daily as of the  close of
trading on the NYSE on each day it is open, by dividing the value of the Trust's
portfolio securities plus all cash and other assets (including dividends accrued
but  not  collected)  less  all  liabilities  (including  accrued  expenses  but
excluding  capital  and  surplus)  by  the  number  of  shares  outstanding.  In
accordance  with  generally  accepted   accounting   principles  for  investment
companies, dividend income is accrued on the ex-dividend date. The NAV per share
is made available for publication.

Generally,  Senior  Loans are  valued at fair  value in the  absence  of readily
ascertainable market values believed to be reliable. Fair value is determined by
Pilgrim  Investments  under procedures  established and monitored by the Trust's
Board of Trustees. In valuing a loan, Pilgrim Investments considers, among other
factors:  (i) the  creditworthiness of the issuer and any interpositioned  bank;
(ii) the  current  interest  rate,  period  until next  interest  rate reset and
maturity date of the Senior Loan;  (iii) recent market prices for similar loans,
if any;  and (iv)  recent  prices in the market  for  instruments  with  similar
quality,  rate,  period  until next  interest  rate reset,  maturity,  terms and
conditions,  if any. Pilgrim Investments may also consider prices or quotations,
if any,  provided by banks,  dealers or pricing services which may represent the
prices at which  secondary  market  transactions  in the loans held by the Trust
have or could have  occurred.  However,  because the secondary  market in Senior
Loans has not yet fully developed,  Pilgrim  Investments will not currently rely
solely on such prices or quotations.  Securities for which the primary market is
a national  securities  exchange or the NASDAQ National Market System are stated
at the last  reported  sale  price  on the day of  valuation.  Debt  and  equity
securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which
no sale was  reported  on that  date are  valued  at the mean  between  the last
reported  bid and asked  price.  Securities  other than  Senior  Loans for which
reliable  quotations  are not  readily  available  and all other  assets will be
valued at their  respective fair values as determined in good faith by, or under
procedures  established  by, the Board of Trustees of the Trust.  Investments in
securities  maturing in less than 60 days are valued at  amortized  cost,  which
when combined with accrued interest, approximates market value.

           METHODS AVAILABLE TO REDUCE MARKET VALUE DISCOUNT FROM NAV

In  recognition  of the  possibility  that the  Trust's  shares  may  trade at a
discount  from NAV, the Trustees  have  determined  that it would be in the best
interest  of  shareholders  for the Trust to take action to attempt to reduce or
eliminate a market value discount from NAV. To that end, the Trustees  presently
contemplate  that the Trust will take action either to repurchase  shares in the
open market in accordance  with Section 23(c) of the Investment  Company Act and
Rule 23c-1 thereunder or to consider the making of tender offers to purchase its
own shares at NAV.  Since  Trust  shares  became  listed on the NYSE on March 9,
1992, the Trust has  authorized  two  repurchase  programs and has conducted one
tender  offer that  expired  May 1, 1992.  The  Trustees  presently  intend each
quarter to consider the making of such tender  offers.  The Trustees  will at no
time be required to make such tender offers. Moreover, there can be no assurance
that tender offers will result in the Trust's shares trading at a price which is
equal to their NAV. The Trust anticipates that the market price may, among other
things,  be determined  by the relative  demand for and supply of such shares in
the market, the Trust's investment performance,  the Trust's yield, and investor
perception of the Trust's  overall  attractiveness  as an investment as compared
with other investment alternatives.

In deciding  whether the Trust will entertain  tender offers and whether it will
accept shares tendered,  the Trustees will consider several factors.  One of the
principal  factors  in the  Board's  determinations  on  whether  or not to make
quarterly  offers  will be the  strength  of the public  market for the  Trust's
shares.  Other factors  include the desire to reduce or eliminate a market value
discount from NAV. In addition,  the Trustees will take into  consideration  the
liquidity of its assets in determining  whether to make a tender offer or accept
tendered  shares.  In  paying   shareholders  for  tendered  shares,  the  Trust
anticipates  that it will use cash on hand,  such as proceeds  from sales of new
Trust shares and specified  pay-downs  from Senior Loans,  and proceeds from the
sale of cash  equivalents  held by the Trust.  The Trust may also  borrow to pay
Shareholders for tendered  shares.  To the extent more shares are anticipated to
be  tendered or are  tendered  than could be paid for out of such  amounts,  the
liquidity  of the Senior Loans held by the Trust may be a  consideration  in the
Trust's determination whether to make a tender offer or, if an offer is made, in
its determination of whether it will accept shares tendered.  Accepting tendered
shares may require the Trust to sell  portfolio  investments  and incur  certain
costs which it otherwise  would not have.  Under most Senior  Loans,  it will be

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
necessary  for the Trust to obtain the  consent of the agent or lender from whom
the Trust  purchased the Senior Loan prior to selling the Senior Loan to a third
party.  Senior  Loans  such  as  those  the  Trust  intends  to  invest  in have
historically  been  considered by the investment  community to be liquid assets,
although in certain instances,  the conversion of such instruments into cash has
taken several days or longer.  The market for Senior Loans is relatively  new as
compared to markets for more established debt  instruments.  Accordingly,  while
Pilgrim  Investments does not anticipate any material  difficulty in meeting the
liquidity needs for tender offers, there can be no guarantee that the Trust will
be able to liquidate a particular  Senior Loan it holds within a given period of
time.

Furthermore, even if a tender offer has been made, it is the Trustees' announced
policy,  which may be changed by the  Trustees,  not to effect  tender offers or
accept  tenders if: (1) such  transactions,  if  consummated,  would  impair the
Trust's status as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code")  (which would make the Trust a taxable  entity,
causing  its  income  to be taxed at the  corporate  level  in  addition  to the
taxation of shareholders who receive  dividends from the Trust) or (2) there is,
in the judgment of the  Trustees,  any (a) material  legal action or  proceeding
instituted or threatened  challenging such transactions or otherwise  materially
adversely  affecting  the Trust,  (b)  declaration  of a banking  moratorium  by
federal or state authorities or any suspension of payment by banks in the United
States,  (c)  limitation  affecting  the Trust or the  issuers of its  portfolio
instruments  imposed by federal or state  authorities on the extension of credit
by lending institutions or on the exchange of foreign currency, (d) commencement
of war, armed  hostilities or other  international or national calamity directly
or indirectly involving the United States, or (e) other event or condition which
would have a material  adverse effect on the Trust or its shareholders if shares
were  repurchased.  The  Trustees  may  modify  these  conditions  in  light  of
experience.

Any tender  offer  made by the Trust will be at a price  equal to the NAV of the
shares. Each shareholder will be notified in accordance with the requirements of
the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment  Company Act,  either by
publication  or  mailing or both.  Each  offering  document  will  contain  such
information  as is  prescribed  by such  laws  and  the  rules  and  regulations
promulgated  thereunder.  Other  procedures  to be  used  in  connection  with a
particular  tender offer will be determined  by the Trustees in accordance  with
the provisions of applicable law, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Any  tender  offer  that  the  Trust  makes  may  have the  effect  of  reducing
shareholder  return as a result of the  expenses  incurred  with  respect to the
tender offers, the reduced level of interest earned on the money received by the
Trust  as  payment  for  shares  newly  purchased  which  may be  held  in  cash
equivalents in anticipation of tender offers, and the cost of borrowing money to
fund the tender offers.

                         SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT PROGRAM

The Trust  maintains a Shareholder  Investment  Program (the  "Program"),  which
allows  participating  shareholders  to reinvest all  dividends and capital gain
distributions  ("Dividends") in additional shares of the Trust. The Program also
allows   participants  to  purchase  additional  shares  through  optional  cash
investments in amounts ranging from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $5,000 per
month.  Subject to the permission of the Trust,  participating  Shareholders may
also make optional cash investments in excess of the monthly maximum. Shares may
be issued by the Trust under the Program only if the Trust's  Shares are trading
at a premium to net asset value. If the Trust's Shares are trading at a discount
to net asset value,  Shares purchased under the Program will be purchased on the
open market.

Shareholders may elect to participate in the Program by telephoning the Trust or
submitting a completed  Participation  Form to DST Systems,  Inc.  ("DST"),  the
Program  administrator.  DST will credit to each participant's  account funds it
receives  from:   (a)  Dividends   paid  on  Trust  shares   registered  in  the
participant's  name  and (b)  optional  cash  investments.  DST will  apply  all
Dividends and optional cash  investments  received to purchase Shares as soon as
practicable  beginning on the relevant  Investment Date (as described below) and
not  later  than six  business  days  after the  Investment  Date,  except  when
necessary to comply with applicable  provisions of the federal  securities laws.
For more information on distribution policy, see "Dividends and Distributions."

In order for  participants  to purchase shares through the Program in any month,
the Administrator must receive from the participant any optional cash investment
not  exceeding  $5,000  by the  OCI  Payment  Due  Date  and any  optional  cash

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
investment exceeding $5,000 by the Waiver Payment Due Date. The "DRIP Investment
Date" will be the date upon which  Dividends  will be  reinvested  in additional
Shares of the  Trust,  which  will be on the  Dividend  Payment  Date.  The "OCI
Investment  Date" will be the date,  set in  advance  by the  Trust,  upon which
optional cash investments not exceeding $5,000,  are first applied by DST to the
purchase  of Shares.  The  "Waiver  Investment  Date"  will be the date,  set in
advance by the Trust,  upon which optional cash  investments  exceeding  $5,000,
which have been approved by the Trust, are first applied by the Administrator to
the  purchase of Shares.  Participants  may obtain a schedule  of  upcoming  OCI
Payment Due Dates, Waiver Payment Due Dates and Investment Dates by referring to
the Summary Program Description or calling the Trust at (800) 992-0180.

If the Market Price (the  volume-weighted  average  sales price,  per share,  as
reported  on the New York Stock  Exchange  Composite  Transaction  Tape as shown
daily on Bloomberg's  AQR screen) plus estimated  commissions  for Shares of the
Trust is less than the net asset value on the Valuation  Date  (defined  below),
DST will purchase Shares on the open market through a bank or securities  broker
as provided  herein.  Open market  purchases  may be effected on any  securities
exchange on which shares of the Trust trade or in the  over-the-counter  market.
If the Market Price,  plus  estimated  commissions,  exceeds the net asset value
before DST has completed its purchases, DST will use reasonable efforts to cease
purchasing Shares, and the Trust shall issue the remaining Shares. If the Market
Price, plus estimated commissions, is equal to or exceeds the net asset value on
the  Valuation  Date,  the Trust  will issue the  Shares to be  acquired  by the
Program.  The "Valuation Date" is a date preceding the DRIP Investment Date, OCI
Investment Date, and Waiver Investment Date on which it is determined,  based on
the Market  Price and net asset  value of Shares of the Trust,  whether DST will
purchase  Shares on the open  market or the Trust  will issue the Shares for the
Program. The Trust may, without prior notice to participants,  determine that it
will not issue new Shares for purchase  pursuant to the  Program,  even when the
Market Price plus estimated  commissions  equals or exceeds net asset value,  in
which case DST will purchase Shares on the open market.

With the  exception  of  Shares  purchased  in  connection  with  optional  cash
investments  in excess of $5,000,  Shares  issued by the Trust under the Program
will be issued  commission free.  Shares purchased for the Program directly from
the Trust in connection  with the  reinvestment of Dividends will be acquired on
the DRIP  Investment  Date at the greater of (i) net asset value at the close of
business on the Valuation  Date or (ii) the average of the daily Market Price of
the Shares during the "DRIP Pricing  Period,"  minus a discount of 5%. The "DRIP
Pricing Period" for a dividend  reinvestment is the Valuation Date and the prior
Trading Day. A "Trading  Day" means any day on which trades of the Shares of the
Trust are reported on the NYSE.

Except in the case of cash  investments made pursuant to Requests for Waiver (as
discussed below),  Shares purchased directly from the Trust pursuant to optional
cash  investments  will be acquired on an OCI Investment  Date at the greater of
(i) net asset value at the close of business on the  Valuation  Date or (ii) the
average of the daily  Market Price of the Shares  during the OCI Pricing  Period
minus a discount,  determined at the sole  discretion of the Trust and announced
in  advance,  ranging  from  0% to  5%.  The  "OCI  Pricing  Period"  for an OCI
Investment  Date  means the  period  beginning  four  Trading  Days prior to the
Valuation  Date  through and  including  the  Valuation  Date.  The discount for
optional cash  investments  is set by the Trust and may be changed or eliminated
by the Trust without prior notice to  participants at any time. The discount for
optional cash  investments is determined on the last business day of each month.
In all instances,  however,  the discount on Shares issued directly by the Trust
shall not exceed 5% of the market price, and Shares may not be issued at a price
less than net asset value without prior specific  approval of shareholders or of
the  Commission.  Optional cash  investments  received by DST no later than 4:00
p.m. Eastern time on the OCI Payment Due Date to be invested on the relevant OCI
Investment Date.

Optional  cash  investments  in  excess  of  $5,000  per  month may be made only
pursuant to a Request for Waiver accepted in writing by the Trust. A Request for
Waiver must be received by the Trust no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the
Request for Waiver Deadline date. Good funds on all approved Requests For Waiver
must be  received  by DST not later  than 4:00 P.M.  Eastern  time on the Waiver
Payment Due Date in order for such funds to be invested on the  relevant  Waiver
Investment Date.

It is solely within the Trust's  discretion as to whether  approval for any cash
investments in excess of $5,000 will be granted.  In deciding whether to approve
a Request for Waiver,  the Trust will consider relevant factors  including,  but
not  limited  to,  whether the Program is then  acquiring  newly  issued  Shares
directly  from the Trust or  acquiring  shares  from  third  parties in the open
market,  the Trust's need for additional funds, the  attractiveness of obtaining

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
such additional funds through the sale of Shares as compared to other sources of
funds,  the  purchase  price  likely  to apply to any sale of  Shares  under the
Program,  the participant  submitting the request, the extent and nature of such
participant's prior  participation in the Program,  the number of Shares held by
such participant and the aggregate amount of cash investments for which Requests
for  Waiver  have been  submitted  by all  participants.  If such  requests  are
submitted for any Waiver  Investment  Date for an aggregate  amount in excess of
the  amount  the Trust is then  willing  to  accept,  the  Trust may honor  such
requests  in order of  receipt,  pro rata or by any other  method that the Trust
determines in its sole discretion to be appropriate.

Shares  purchased  directly from the Trust in connection with approved  Requests
for Waiver will be acquired on the Waiver  Investment Date at the greater of (i)
net asset  value at the close of  business on the  Valuation  Date,  or (ii) the
average of the daily  Market Price of the Shares for the Waiver  Pricing  Period
minus the pre-announced  Waiver Discount (as defined below), if any,  applicable
to such shares.  The "Waiver Pricing Period" for a Waiver  Investment Date means
the period  beginning  four Trading Days prior to the Valuation Date through and
including the Valuation  Date. The Trust may establish a discount  applicable to
cash investments  exceeding $5,000 (the "Waiver  Discount") on the last business
day of each month. The Waiver Discount, which may vary each month between 0% and
5%, will be established in the Trust's sole discretion after a review of current
market  conditions,  the level of  participation  in the Program and current and
projected  capital  needs of the Trust.  The Waiver  Discount will apply only to
Shares purchased directly from the Trust.

The  Trust  may  establish  for  each  Waiver  Pricing  Period a  minimum  price
applicable to the purchase of newly issued Shares  through  Requests for Waiver,
which will be a stated  dollar  amount that the Market Price of the Shares for a
Trading Day of the Waiver Pricing Period must equal or exceed. In the event that
such  minimum  price is not  satisfied  for a Trading Day of the Waiver  Pricing
Period,  then  such  Trading  Day and the  trading  prices  for that day will be
excluded from (i) the Waiver  Pricing Period and (ii) the  determination  of the
purchase price of the Shares for all cash  investments made pursuant to Requests
for Waiver  approved by the Trust.  The  minimum  price shall apply only to cash
investments  made pursuant to Requests for Waiver  approved by the Trust and not
to the reinvestment of Dividends or optional cash investments that do not exceed
$5,000.  No shares will be issued and funds  submitted  pursuant to Requests for
Waiver will be returned to the  participant if the minimum price is not obtained
for at least three of the five Trading Days.

Participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage  commissions with respect to
DST's open market  purchases in connection with the reinvestment of Dividends or
purchases made with optional cash investments.

From time to time, financial intermediaries,  including brokers and dealers, and
other persons may wish to engage in positioning transactions in order to benefit
from the discount  from market price of the Shares  acquired  under the Program.
Such  transactions  could cause  fluctuations in the trading volume and price of
the Shares.  The  difference  between the price such owners pay to the Trust for
Shares acquired under the Program,  after  deduction of the applicable  discount
from the market  price,  and the price at which such Shares are  resold,  may be
deemed  to  constitute  underwriting  commissions  received  by such  owners  in
connection with such transactions.

Subject to the availability of Shares registered for issuance under the Program,
there is no total  maximum  number of Shares that can be issued  pursuant to the
Program.

The Program is intended  for the benefit of  investors  in the Trust and not for
persons or entities who  accumulate  accounts  under the Program over which they
have control for the purpose of exceeding the $5,000 per month  maximum  without
seeking the advance  approval  of the Trust or who engage in  transactions  that
cause or are designed to cause aberrations in the price or trading volume of the
Shares.  Notwithstanding  anything  in the  Program to the  contrary,  the Trust
reserves the right to exclude from  participation,  at any time,  (i) persons or
entities who attempt to circumvent  the  Program's  standard  $5,000  maximum by
accumulating  accounts over which they have control or (ii) any other persons or
entities, as determined in the sole discretion of the Trust.

Currently,  persons who are not Shareholders of the Trust may not participate in
the Program.  The Board of Trustees of the Trust may elect to change this policy
at a future date, and permit non-Shareholders to participate in the Program.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
Shareholders  may  request to  receive  their  Dividends  in cash at any time by
giving DST written  notice or by  contacting  the Trust's  Shareholder  Services
Department at (800) 992-0180.  Shareholders  may elect to close their account at
any time by giving DST written notice.  When a participant closes their account,
the  participant  upon request will receive a certificate for full Shares in the
Account.  Fractional  Shares will be held and aggregated  with other  Fractional
Shares  being  liquidated  by DST as agent of the  Program and paid for by check
when actually sold.

The automatic reinvestment of Dividends does not affect the tax characterization
of the Dividends  (i.e.,  capital gains and income are realized even though cash
is not  received).  If shares  are issued  pursuant  to the  Program's  dividend
reinvestment  provisions or cash  purchase  provisions at a discount from market
price, participants may have income equal to the discount.

Additional   information  about  the  Program  may  obtained  from  the  Trust's
Shareholder Services Department at (800) 992-0180.

See "Tax  Matters--Distributions"  for a  discussion  of the federal  income tax
ramifications of obtaining shares under the Program.

                                   TAX MATTERS

The   following  is  only  a  summary  of  certain  U.S.   federal   income  tax
considerations generally affecting the Trust and its shareholders. No attempt is
made to present a detailed  explanation of the tax treatment of the Trust or its
shareholders,  and the following  discussion is not intended as a substitute for
careful tax planning.  Shareholders  should  consult with their own tax advisers
regarding the specific federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences
of investing in the Trust.

QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY

The Trust has elected  each year to be taxed as a regulated  investment  company
under  Subchapter M of the Code. As a regulated  investment  company,  the Trust
generally is not subject to federal  income tax on the portion of its investment
company  taxable  income (i.e.,  taxable  interest,  dividends and other taxable
ordinary income, net of expenses,  and net short-term capital gains in excess of
net long-term  capital  losses) and net capital  gains (i.e.,  the excess of net
long-term capital gains over net short-term  capital losses) that it distributes
to  shareholders,  provided that it  distributes  at least 90% of its investment
company  taxable income for the taxable year (the  "Distribution  Requirement"),
and satisfies certain other requirements of the Code that are described below.

In  addition  to  satisfying   the   Distribution   Requirement   and  an  asset
diversification requirement discussed below, a regulated investment company must
derive at least 90% of its gross income for each  taxable  year from  dividends,
interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale
or other  disposition  of stock or  securities or foreign  currencies  and other
income  (including,  but not limited to, gains from options,  futures or forward
contracts)  derived  with  respect to its  business of  investing in such stock,
securities or currencies.

In general,  gain or loss recognized by the Trust on the disposition of an asset
will be a capital gain or loss. However, gain recognized on the disposition of a
debt  obligation  purchased by the Trust at a market discount  (generally,  at a
price  less than its  principal  amount)  other than at  original  issue will be
treated as ordinary  income to the extent of the portion of the market  discount
which accrued during the period of time the Trust held the debt obligation.

In  general,  investments  by the Trust in zero coupon or other  original  issue
discount securities will result in income to the Trust equal to a portion of the
excess of the face value of the securities over their issue price (the "original
issue discount") each year that the Trust holds the securities,  even though the
Trust receives no cash interest payments. This income is included in determining
the amount of income which the Trust must distribute to maintain its status as a
regulated investment company and to avoid federal income and excise taxes.

In addition to  satisfying  the  requirements  described  above,  the Trust must
satisfy  an  asset  diversification  test in  order to  qualify  as a  regulated
investment company. Under this test, at the close of each quarter of the Trust's
taxable  year,  at least 50% of the value of the Trust's  assets must consist of
cash  and  cash  items  (including  receivables),  U.S.  Government  securities,

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
securities of other  regulated  investment  companies,  and  securities of other
issuers (as to which the Trust has not invested more than 5% of the value of the
Trust's  total assets in securities of any such issuer and as to which the Trust
does not hold more than 10% of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of any such
issuer),  and no more than 25% of the value of its total  assets may be invested
in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S.  Government  securities and
securities of other regulated investment  companies),  or in two or more issuers
which the Trust  controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or
businesses.

If for any taxable  year the Trust does not  qualify as a  regulated  investment
company,  all of its taxable  income  (including  its net capital  gain) will be
subject  to  tax  at  regular   corporate   rates   without  any  deduction  for
distributions  to  shareholders,  and  such  distributions  will be  taxable  as
ordinary dividends to the extent of the Trust's current and accumulated earnings
and   profits.   Such   distributions   generally   will  be  eligible  for  the
dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders.

EXCISE TAX ON REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES

A 4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on a regulated investment company that
fails to  distribute  in each  calendar  year an amount equal to at least 98% of
ordinary  taxable income for the calendar year, at least 98% of capital gain net
income (I.E., capital gains in excess of capital losses) for the one-year period
ended on October 31 of such  calendar year and any ordinary  taxable  income and
capital gain net income for previous years that was not distributed during those
years.  A  distribution  will be treated as paid on  December  31 of the current
calendar  year if it is declared  by the Trust in October,  November or December
with a record date in such a month and paid by the Trust  during  January of the
following  calendar year. Such  distributions will be taxable to shareholders in
the  calendar  year in which the  distributions  are  declared,  rather than the
calendar year in which the distributions are received.

The Trust  intends  to make  sufficient  distributions  or deemed  distributions
(discussed  below) of its ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income to
avoid liability for the excise tax.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS

The Trust has the ability,  pursuant to its investment  objectives and policies,
to hedge its investments in a variety of transactions,  including  interest rate
swaps and the purchase or sale of interest  rate caps and floors.  The treatment
of these  transactions  for federal income tax purposes may in some instances be
unclear,  and the regulated  investment company  qualification  requirements may
limit the extent to which the Trust can engage in hedging transactions.

In addition,  recently enacted rules may affect the timing and character of gain
if the Trust engages in  transactions  that reduce or eliminate its risk of loss
with  respect to  appreciated  financial  positions.  If the Trust  enters  into
certain transactions in property while holding substantially identical property,
the Trust  would be treated as if it had sold and  immediately  repurchased  the
property  and would be taxed on any gain (but not  loss)  from the  constructive
sale.  The  character  of gain from a  constructive  sale would  depend upon the
Trust's holding period in the property.  Loss from a constructive  sale would be
recognized  when the property was  subsequently  disposed of, and its  character
would depend on the Trust's  holding period and the  application of various loss
deferral provisions in the Code.

DISTRIBUTIONS

The Trust anticipates  distributing  substantially all of its investment company
taxable  income for each taxable  year.  Such  distributions  will be taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income.  If a portion of the Trust's income consists of
dividends  paid by U.S.  corporations,  a portion of the  dividends  paid by the
Trust may be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction.

The Trust may either retain or distribute to  shareholders  its net capital gain
for each  taxable  year.  The Trust  currently  intends to  distribute  any such
amounts.  If net capital gain is  distributed  and  designated as a capital gain
dividend,  it will generally be taxable to shareholders at a maximum federal tax
rate of 20%.  Distributions  are subject to these capital gains rates regardless
of the length of time the  shareholder has held his shares.  Conversely,  if the
Trust  elects to retain its net capital  gain,  the Trust will be taxed  thereon
(except  to  the  extent  of  any  available  capital  loss  carryovers)  at the

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
applicable corporate tax rate. In such event, it is expected that the Trust also
will elect to treat such gain as having been distributed to  shareholders.  As a
result,  each  shareholder will be required to report his pro rata share of such
gain on his tax return as long-term  capital  gain,  will be entitled to claim a
tax credit for his pro rata share of tax paid by the Trust on the gain, and will
increase  the  tax  basis  for his  shares  by an  amount  equal  to the  deemed
distribution less the tax credit.

Distributions by the Trust in excess of the Trust's earnings and profits will be
treated  as a return  of  capital  to the  extent of (and in  reduction  of) the
shareholder's tax basis in his shares; any such return of capital  distributions
in excess of the  shareholder's  tax basis will be treated as gain from the sale
of his shares, as discussed below.

Distributions  by the  Trust  will be  treated  in the  manner  described  above
regardless  of whether  such  distributions  are paid in cash or  reinvested  in
additional  shares of the Trust. If the NAV at the time a shareholder  purchases
shares of the Trust reflects undistributed income or gain, distributions of such
amounts will be taxable to the shareholder in the manner described  above,  even
though such  distributions  economically  constitute  a return of capital to the
shareholder.

The Trust will be  required in certain  cases to withhold  and remit to the U.S.
Treasury 31% of all taxable  distributions  payable to any  shareholder  (1) who
fails to provide the Trust with a certified,  correct tax identification  number
or  other  required  certifications,  or  (2) if the  Internal  Revenue  Service
notifies the Trust that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding.

SALE OF SHARES

A shareholder  will  recognize gain or loss on the sale or exchange of shares of
the Trust in an amount generally equal to the difference between the proceeds of
the sale and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. In general, any
such gain or loss will be considered capital gain or loss if the shares are held
as capital assets,  and gain or loss will be long-term or short-term,  depending
upon the shareholder's holding period for the shares.  However, any capital loss
arising from the sale of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a
long-term  capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gains distributed
(or deemed distributed) with respect to such shares.  Also, any loss realized on
a sale or  exchange  of shares  will be  disallowed  to the  extent  the  shares
disposed of are replaced  (including  shares  acquired  through the  Shareholder
Investment  Program  within a period of 61 days  beginning  30 days  before  and
ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of. In such case,  the tax basis of
the acquired shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

TENDER OFFERS TO PURCHASE SHARES

As described  earlier,  the Trust will  consider  making  tender  offers for its
shares on a quarterly basis. Under current law, a shareholder, who pursuant to a
tender offer,  tenders all of his shares and any shares considered owned by such
shareholder  under  attribution rules contained in the Code, will recognize gain
or loss,  taxable  as  described  above (see "Sale of  Shares").  Different  tax
consequences  may apply to shareholders who tender less than all their shares in
connection with a tender offer and possibly to non-tendering  shareholders.  The
tax  consequences to shareholders of a tender offer will be more fully described
in offering documents related to the tender offer.

FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS

U.S.  taxation of a shareholder  who, as to the United States,  is a nonresident
alien  individual,  foreign  trust or estate,  foreign  corporation,  or foreign
partnership ("foreign shareholder") depends on whether the income from the Trust
is  "effectively  connected"  with a U.S.  trade or business  carried on by such
shareholder.

If the income from the Trust is not  effectively  connected with a U.S. trade or
business  carried  on by a  foreign  shareholder,  distributions  of  investment
company  taxable income will be subject to U.S.  withholding  tax at the rate of
30% (or lower treaty rate). Such a foreign shareholder would generally be exempt
from U.S. federal income tax on gains realized on the sale or exchange of shares
of the Trust, capital gain dividends, and amounts retained by the Trust that are
designated as undistributed capital gains.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
If the  income  from the Trust is  effectively  connected  with a U.S.  trade or
business carried on by a foreign  shareholder,  then distributions of investment
company taxable income,  capital gain dividends,  amounts  retained by the Trust
that are designated as  undistributed  capital gains and any gains realized upon
the sale or  exchange  of shares of the Trust will be  subject  to U.S.  federal
income tax at the rates  applicable to U.S.  citizens or domestic  corporations.
Such shareholders that are classified as corporations for U.S. tax purposes also
may be subject to a branch profits tax.

In the case of foreign noncorporate  shareholders,  the Trust may be required to
withhold  U.S.  federal  income tax at a rate of 31% on  distributions  that are
otherwise  exempt from  withholding  tax (or taxable at a reduced  treaty  rate)
unless such  shareholders  furnish the Trust with proper  notification  of their
foreign status.

The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder  entitled to claim the benefits of
an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described  herein.  Foreign
shareholders  are urged to consult  their own tax  advisers  with respect to the
particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Trust, including the
applicability of foreign taxes.

EFFECT OF FUTURE LEGISLATION; OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The foregoing  general  discussion of U.S.  federal income tax  consequences  is
based on the Code and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder as in effect on
the date of this SAI.  Future  legislative  or  administrative  changes or court
decisions may significantly  change the conclusions  expressed  herein,  and any
such  changes or  decisions  may have a  retroactive  effect with respect to the
transactions contemplated herein.

Income  received by the Trust from foreign sources may be subject to withholding
and other taxes imposed by such foreign  jurisdictions,  absent  treaty  relief.
Distributions  to shareholders  also may be subject to state,  local and foreign
taxes, depending upon each shareholder's particular situation.  Shareholders are
urged to consult their tax advisers as to the particular consequences to them of
an investment in the Trust.

                        ADVERTISING AND PERFORMANCE DATA

ADVERTISING

From time to time,  advertisements  and other sales  materials for the Trust may
include information concerning the historical performance of the Trust. Any such
information  may include  trading  volume of the Trust's  shares,  the number of
Senior  Loan   investments,   annual  total  return,   aggregate  total  return,
distribution rate,  average compounded  distribution rate and yield of the Trust
for specified periods of time, and diversification  statistics. Such information
may also include  performance  and risk  rankings and similar  information  from
independent  organizations such as Lipper Analytical Services,  Inc. ("Lipper"),
Morningstar,   Value  Line,  Inc.,  CDA  Technology,   Inc.  or  other  industry
publications.  These rankings will typically compare the Trust to all closed-end
funds,  to other  Senior Loan funds,  and/or  also to taxable  closed-end  fixed
income funds. Any such use of rankings and ratings in  advertisements  and sales
literature  will  conform  with the  guidelines  of the  NASD  and  subsequently
approved by the  Commission on July 13, 1994.  Ranking  comparisons  and ratings
should not be considered  representative of the Trust's relative performance for
any future period.

Reports and promotional  literature may also contain the following  information:
(i) number of shareholders;  (ii) average account size; (iii)  identification of
street and registered  account holdings;  (iv) lists or statistics of certain of
the Trust's  holdings  including,  but not limited  to,  portfolio  composition,
sector weightings,  portfolio turnover rates, number of holdings, average market
capitalization  and modern  portfolio  theory  statistics alone or in comparison
with  itself  (over  time) and with its peers and  industry  group;  (v)  public
information about the asset class; and (vi) discussions  concerning  coverage of
the Trust by analysts.

In  addition,   reports  and  promotional  literature  may  contain  information
concerning the Investment  Manager,  Pilgrim  Capital,  the Portfolio  Managers,
Pilgrim Group, Inc. or affiliates of the Trust, the Investment Manager,  Pilgrim
Capital or Pilgrim Group, Inc. including (i) performance rankings of other funds
managed by the Investment Manager, or the individuals employed by the Investment
Manager who exercise  responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Trust,
including  rankings  of  investment  companies  published  by Lipper  Analytical
Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Value Line, Inc., CDA Technologies,  Inc., or

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
other  rating  services,  companies,  publications  or  other  persons  who rank
investment  companies or other  investment  products on overall  performance  or
other criteria;  (ii) lists of clients,  the number of clients,  or assets under
management;  (iii) information regarding the acquisition of the Pilgrim Funds by
Pilgrim Capital; (iv) the past performance of Pilgrim Capital and Pilgrim Group,
Inc.; (v) the past performance of other funds managed by the Investment Manager;
(vi) quotes from a portfolio manager of the Trust or industry  specialists;  and
(vii)  information  regarding  rights  offerings  conducted by closed-end  funds
managed by the Investment Manager.

The Trust may compare the  frequency of its reset period to the  frequency  with
which the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") changes.  Further,  the Trust
may compare its yield to (i) LIBOR, (ii) the federal funds rate, (iii) the prime
rate,  quoted  daily in THE WALL  STREET  JOURNAL as the base rate on  corporate
loans at large U.S.  money center  commercial  banks,  (iv) one or more averages
compiled  by  DONOGHUE'S  MONEY FUND  REPORT,  a widely  recognized  independent
publication  that monitors the performance of money market mutual funds, (v) the
average yield reported by the Bank Rate Monitor  National Index for money market
deposit accounts offered by the 100 leading banks and thrift institutions in the
ten largest standard  metropolitan  statistical areas, (vi) yield data published
by Lipper,  or (vii) the yield on an  investment in 90-day  Treasury  bills on a
rolling basis,  assuming quarterly  compounding.  Further, the Trust may compare
such other yield data described above to each other.  The Trust may also compare
its total  return,  NAV  stability  and yield to other fixed income  investments
(such as  Certificates of Deposit),  open-end mutual funds and Unit  Investments
Trusts. As with yield and total return  calculations,  yield comparisons  should
not be considered  representative  of the Trust's yield or relative  performance
for any future period.

The Trust may provide information designed to help individuals  understand their
investment goals and explore various financial strategies.  Such information may
include  information  about current economic,  market and political  conditions;
materials  that  describe  general  principles  of  investing,   such  as  asset
allocation,  diversification,  risk tolerance, and goal setting; worksheets used
to project  savings needs based on assumed  rates of inflation and  hypothetical
rates of return; and action plans offering  investment  alternatives.  Materials
may also include discussions of other investment  companies in the Pilgrim Group
of Funds,  products and services,  and  descriptions  of the benefits of working
with investment professionals in selecting investments.

PERFORMANCE DATA

The Trust may quote annual total return and aggregate  total return  performance
data.  Total return  quotations  for the  specified  periods will be computed by
finding the rate of return (based on net investment income and any capital gains
or losses on  portfolio  investments  over such  periods)  that would equate the
initial  amount  invested  to the  value  of such  investment  at the end of the
period. On occasion,  the Trust may quote total return calculations published by
Lipper,  a  widely   recognized   independent   publication  that  monitors  the
performance of both open-end and closed-end investment companies.

The Trust's  distribution  rate is calculated on a monthly basis by  annualizing
the  dividend  declared  in the  month and  dividing  the  resulting  annualized
dividend amount by the Trust's  corresponding  month-end net asset value (in the
case of NAV) or the last  reported  market  price (in the case of  Market).  The
distribution  rate is based solely on the actual  dividends  and  distributions,
which are made at the discretion of management. The distribution rate may or may
not include all investment income, and ordinarily will not include capital gains
or losses, if any.

Total return and  distribution  rate and  compounded  distribution  rate figures
utilized by the Trust are based on historical  performance  and are not intended
to indicate future performance.  Distribution rate, compounded distribution rate
and NAV per share can be expected to fluctuate over time. Total return will vary
depending  on  market  conditions,   the  Senior  Loans,  and  other  securities
comprising the Trust's portfolio,  the Trust's operating expenses and the amount
of net realized and unrealized capital gains or losses during the period.

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The  financial  statements  contained  in the Trust's  February  28, 1998 Annual
Report to Shareholders and August 31, 1998  Semi-Annual  Report are incorporated
herein by reference.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
                                     PART C

                                OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

     1.   Financial Statements

          Contained in Part A:

          Financial  Highlights  for the years ended  February 28,  1998,  1997;
          February 29, 1996;  February 28, 1995, 1994, 1993;  February 29, 1992;
          February 28, 1991,  1990 and 1989, and for the six months ended August
          31, 1998.

          Financial  Statements  are  incorporated  in  Part B by  reference  to
          Registrant's   February   28,  1998  Annual   Report   (audited)   and
          Registrant's August 31, 1998 Semi-Annual Report (unaudited)

     2.   Exhibits

          (a)  (i)   Agreement and Declaration of Trust (1)

               (ii)  Amendment to the Agreement and  Declaration  of Trust dated
                     March 26, 1996 and effective April 12, 1996 (1)

               (iii) Amendment to the Agreement and  Declaration  of Trust dated
                     October 23, 1998 and effective November 16, 1998.

          (b)  (i) By-Laws (2)

               (ii) Amendment to By-Laws (2)

          (c)  Not Applicable

          (d)  Not Applicable

          (e)  Form of Shareholder Investment Program (5)

          (f)  Not Applicable

          (g)  (i)  Form  of  Amended   and   Restated   Investment   Management
                    Agreement (3)

               (ii) Form of Amendment to Investment Management Agreement (6)

          (h)  (i)  Form of Distribution Agreement

               (ii) Form of Dealer Agreement*

          (i)  Not Applicable

                                      C-1
<PAGE>
          (j)  Form of Custody Agreement (3)

          (k)  (i)  Form of Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (3)

               (ii) Form of Recordkeeping Agreement (3)

               (iii) Form of Revolving Loan Agreement (6)

               (iv) Form of Credit Agreement

          (l)  Opinion of Dechert Price & Rhoads

          (m)  Not Applicable

          (n)  Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

          (o)  Not Applicable

          (p)  Certificate of Initial Capital (4)

          (q)  Not Applicable

          (r)  Financial Data Schedule

- ----------
*    To be filed by amendment.

(1)  Incorporated  herein by  reference  to  Amendment  No.  20 to  Registrant's
     Registration  Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940
     Act") on Form N-2 (File No. 811-5410), filed on September 16, 1996.

(2)  Incorporated  herein by  reference  to  Amendment  No.  24 to  Registrant's
     Registration  Statement under the 1940 Act on Form N-2 (File No. 811-5410),
     filed on November 7, 1997.

(3)  Incorporated  herein by  reference  to  Amendment  No.  22 to  Registrant's
     Registration  Statement under the 1940 Act on Form N-2 (File No. 811-5410),
     filed on June 23, 1997.

(4)  Incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  Pre-Effective  Amendment  No. 1 to
     Registrant's  initial   registration   statement  on  form  N-2  (File  No.
     33-18886), filed on January 22, 1988.

(5)  Incorporated  herein by  reference  to  Amendment  No.  27 to  Registrant's
     Registration  Statement under the 1940 Act on Form N-2 (File No. 811-5410),
     filed on May 15, 1998.

(6)  Incorporated  herein by  reference  to  Amendment  No.  28 to  Registrant's
     Registration  Statement under the 1940 Act on Form N-2 (File No. 811-5410),
     filed on August 19, 1998.

ITEM 25. MARKETING AGREEMENTS

         Not Applicable.

                                      C-2
<PAGE>
ITEM 26. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

     The  following  table sets  forth  estimated  expenses  to be  incurred  in
connection with the offering described in the registration statement.

Registration Fees.................................................  $13,335.31

Trustee Fees......................................................  $   250.00

Transfer Agent's Fees.............................................  $10,000.00

Printing Expenses.................................................  $10,000.00

Legal Fees........................................................  $25,000.00

New York Stock Exchange Listing Fees..............................  $17,500.00

National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Fees.............  $ 5,296.81

Accounting Fees and Expenses......................................  $ 5,000.00

Miscellaneous Expenses............................................  $ 2,000.00

         Total....................................................  $78,382.19

ITEM 27. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 28. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

         As of October 31, 1998:

         (1)  TITLE OF CLASS            (2)  NUMBER OF RECORD HOLDERS
              --------------                 ------------------------

              Shares of Beneficial                    62,509
              Interest

ITEM 29. INDEMNIFICATION

         Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust generally provides that
the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers  (including  persons
who serve at the Trust's  request as directors,  officers or trustees of another
organization  in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder,  creditor or
otherwise)  ("Covered Persons") against all liabilities and expenses,  including
amounts  paid in  satisfaction  of  judgments,  in  compromise  or as fines  and
penalties,  and counsel fees reasonably  incurred in connection with the defense
or  disposition  of any  action,  suit or  other  proceeding,  whether  civil or
criminal,  by reason of being or having been such a Covered  Person  except with
respect to any matter as to which such  Covered  Person  shall have been finally
adjudicated  (a) not to have acted in good faith in the  reasonable  belief that
such Covered  Person's action was in the best interest of the Trust or (b) to be
liable to the Trust or its  shareholders by reason of willful  misfeasance,  bad
faith,  gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties involved in the conduct
of such Covered Person's office.

                                      C-3
<PAGE>
         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be  permitted  to  Trustees,  officers  and  controlling  persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,  the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission,  such indemnification is
against  public  policy as expressed in the  Securities  Act and is,  therefore,
unenforceable.  In the  event  that a claim  for  indemnification  against  such
liabilities  (other than the payment of the  Registrant of expenses  incurred or
paid by a  Trustee,  officer  or  controlling  person of the  Registrant  in the
successful  defense of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such
Trustee,  officer or controlling  person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will submit, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been  settled by  controlling  precedent,  to a court of  appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such  indemnification  by it is against public
policy as  expressed  in the  Securities  Act and will be  governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 30. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER

         Certain of the officers and  directors of the  Registrant's  Investment
Manager also serve as officers and/or directors for other registered  investment
companies in the Pilgrim America family of funds and with Pilgrim America Group,
Inc. and its  subsidiaries.  Information as to the directors and officers of the
Adviser is included in the Investment  Manager's Form ADV and amendments thereto
filed with the Commission and is incorporated  herein by reference thereto.  For
additional  information,  see "Investment  Management and Other Services" in the
Prospectus.

ITEM 31. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

         The amounts and records of the  Registrant  will be  maintained  at its
office at 40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 and at the
office of its custodian,  Investors  Fiduciary Trust Company,  801 Pennsylvania,
Kansas City, Missouri 64105.

ITEM 32. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 33. UNDERTAKINGS

         1. The Registrant  undertakes to suspend the Offer until the prospectus
is  amended  if (1)  subsequent  to the  effective  date  of  this  registration
statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset
value as of the  effective  date of this  registration  statement or (2) the net
asset value  increases  to an amount  greater than the net proceeds as stated in
the prospectus included in this registration statement.

         2. Not Applicable.

         3. Not Applicable.

         4. The Registrant hereby undertakes:

               a. to file,  during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                    (1) to include any prospectus  required by Section  10(a)(3)
of the Securities Act of 1933;

                                      C-4
<PAGE>
                    (2) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the  effective  date of the  registration  statement  (or the most  recent
post-effective  amendment  thereof)  which,  individually  or in the  aggregate,
represent a fundamental  change in the information set forth in the registration
statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
securities  offered (if the total dollar value of  securities  offered would not
exceed that which was  registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of
the estimated  maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 if, in the aggregate, the changes
in volume  and price  represent  no more than 20 percent  change in the  maximum
aggregate  offering price set forth in the  "Calculation  of  Registration  Fee"
table in the effective registration statement.

                    (3) to include any material  information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously  disclosed in the registration  statement or
any material change to such information in the registration statement.

               b. that, for the purpose of determining  any liability  under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof; and

               c. to  remove  from  registration  by means  of a  post-effective
amendment  any of the  securities  being  registered  which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

         5. Not Applicable.

         6. The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means
designed to ensure equally prompt delivery,  within two business days of receipt
of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.

                                      C-5
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration
Statement  to  be  signed  on  its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereto  duly
authorized,  in the City of  Phoenix  in the State of  Arizona  this 30th day of
November, 1998.

                                 PILGRIM PRIME RATE TRUST


                                 By: /s/ Robert W. Stallings
                                   ------------------------------
                                   Robert W. Stallings
                                   Chief Executive Officer

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:

Signatures                            Title                          Date
- ----------                            -----                          ----

/s/ Robert W. Stallings          Chief Executive Officer       November 30, 1998
- ---------------------------      and Trustee
Robert W. Stallings*

                                 Chief Financial Officer       November 30, 1998
- ---------------------------
Michael A. Roland*

                                 Trustee                       November 30, 1998
- ---------------------------
Mary A. Baldwin*

                                 Trustee                       November 30, 1998
- ---------------------------
John P. Burke*

                                 Trustee                       November 30, 1998
- ---------------------------
Al Burton*

                                 Trustee                       November 30, 1998
- ---------------------------
Jock Patton*


* By: /s/ Robert W. Stallings
     ---------------------------
     Robert W. Stallings
     Attorney-in-Fact**

- ----------
**  Powers of attorney are included herein.
<PAGE>
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,  being a duly
elected Trustee of Pilgrim  America Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust"),  constitutes
and appoints Robert W. Stallings,  James R. Reis,  James M. Hennessy,  Daniel A.
Norman,  Jeffrey S. Puretz and Jeffrey L. Steele and each of them,  his true and
lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution  for his in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to  sign  the  Trust's  registration  statement  on  Form  N-2  and  any and all
amendments thereto,  and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite and necessary to be done, as
fully to all  intents  and  purposes  as he might or could do in person,  hereby
ratifying and conforming all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents, or any of
them, or his substitute or  substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

Dated:  November 2, 1998

                                                  /s/ Robert W. Stallings
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Robert W. Stallings
<PAGE>
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,  being a duly
elected Trustee of Pilgrim  America Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust"),  constitutes
and appoints Robert W. Stallings,  James R. Reis,  James M. Hennessy,  Daniel A.
Norman,  Jeffrey S. Puretz and Jeffrey L. Steele and each of them,  her true and
lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution  for her in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to  sign  the  Trust's  registration  statement  on  Form  N-2  and  any and all
amendments thereto,  and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite and necessary to be done, as
fully to all  intents and  purposes  as she might or could do in person,  hereby
ratifying and conforming all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents, or any of
them, or his substitute or  substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

Dated:  November 2, 1998

                                                  /s/ Mary A. Baldwin
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Mary A. Baldwin
<PAGE>
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,  being a duly
elected Trustee of Pilgrim  America Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust"),  constitutes
and appoints Robert W. Stallings,  James R. Reis,  James M. Hennessy,  Daniel A.
Norman,  Jeffrey S. Puretz and Jeffrey L. Steele and each of them,  his true and
lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution  for his in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to  sign  the  Trust's  registration  statement  on  Form  N-2  and  any and all
amendments thereto,  and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite and necessary to be done, as
fully to all  intents  and  purposes  as he might or could do in person,  hereby
ratifying and conforming all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents, or any of
them, or his substitute or  substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

Dated:  November 2, 1998

                                                  /s/ John P. Burke
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  John P. Burke
<PAGE>
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,  being a duly
elected Trustee of Pilgrim  America Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust"),  constitutes
and appoints Robert W. Stallings,  James R. Reis,  James M. Hennessy,  Daniel A.
Norman,  Jeffrey S. Puretz and Jeffrey L. Steele and each of them,  his true and
lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution  for his in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to  sign  the  Trust's  registration  statement  on  Form  N-2  and  any and all
amendments thereto,  and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite and necessary to be done, as
fully to all  intents  and  purposes  as he might or could do in person,  hereby
ratifying and conforming all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents, or any of
them, or his substitute or  substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

Dated:  November 2, 1998

                                                  /s/ Al Burton
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Al Burton
<PAGE>
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,  being a duly
elected Trustee of Pilgrim  America Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust"),  constitutes
and appoints Robert W. Stallings,  James R. Reis,  James M. Hennessy,  Daniel A.
Norman,  Jeffrey S. Puretz and Jeffrey L. Steele and each of them,  his true and
lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution  for his in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to  sign  the  Trust's  registration  statement  on  Form  N-2  and  any and all
amendments thereto,  and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite and necessary to be done, as
fully to all  intents  and  purposes  as he might or could do in person,  hereby
ratifying and conforming all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents, or any of
them, or his substitute or  substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

Dated:  November 2, 1998

                                                  /s/ Jock Patton
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Jock Patton
<PAGE>
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,  being Senior
Vice President and Chief  Financial  Officer of Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust
(the "Trust"),  constitutes  and appoints  Robert W.  Stallings,  James R. Reis,
James M. Hennessy, Daniel A. Norman, Jeffrey S. Puretz and Jeffrey L. Steele and
each of them, his true and lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and agents with full power
of substitution and  resubstitution for his in his name, place and stead, in any
and all capacities,  to sign the Trust's registration  statement on Form N-2 and
any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange
Commission,  granting  unto said  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done,  as fully to all  intents  and  purposes  as he might or could do in
person,  hereby  ratifying and  conforming all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and
agents,  or any of them, or his  substitute or  substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Dated:  November 2, 1998


                                                  /s/ Michael J. Roland
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Michael J. Roland
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number               Name of Exhibit
- --------------               ---------------

2(a)(iii)                    Form of Amendment to the Agreement and Declaration
                             of Trust

2(h)                         Form of Distribution Agreement

2(k)(iv)                     Form of Credit Agreement

2(l)                         Opinion of Dechert Price & Rhoads

2(n)                         Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick

2(r)[EDGAR Exhibit 27]       Financial Data Schedule

                           WRITTEN INSTRUMENT AMENDING
                     THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
                                       OF
                        PILGRIM AMERICA PRIME RATE TRUST

         This   Amendment   to  the   Agreement   and   Declaration   of   Trust
("Declaration")  of Pilgrim  America Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust") is made this
23rd day of October,  1998 by the parties  signatory  hereto, as Trustees of the
Trust (the "Trustees").

                                   WITNESSETH

         WHEREAS,  the  Declaration  of Trust was made on December 2, 1987,  and
amended on April 12, 1996, and the Trustees now desire to amend the  Declaration
to change the name of the Trust; and

         WHEREAS,  Article IX,  Section 7 of the  Declaration  provides that the
Trustees may amend the  Declaration  without the vote or consent of Shareholders
to change the name of the Trust by an  instrument  signed by a  majority  of the
Trustees; and

         WHEREAS,  the Trustees have determined that the following  amendment to
the Declaration  shall not adversely  affect the rights of the  Shareholders the
Trust;

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  the Trustees hereby declare that Article I, Section 1
be amended, effective November 16, 1998 to read as follows:

          Section 1.  NAME.  This Trust  shall be known as  "Pilgrim  Prime Rate
          Trust," and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under
          that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned have executed this instrument this
23rd day of October, 1998.


- --------------------------              --------------------------
Robert W. Stallings                     Al Burton


- --------------------------              --------------------------
Mary A. Baldwin                         Jock Patton


- --------------------------
John P. Burke
<PAGE>
                                   CERTIFICATE


         Pursuant to Article IX Section 5 of the  Declaration,  the  undersigned
Trustee hereby acknowledges and certifies that this Amendment to the Declaration
of Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust is made in accordance with the provisions of
the Declaration and shall become effective on the 16th day of November, 1998.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned has executed this instrument this
23rd day of October, 1998.


                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Robert W. Stallings
<PAGE>
                                   CERTIFICATE


         Pursuant to Article IX Section 5 of the  Declaration,  the  undersigned
Trustee hereby acknowledges and certifies that this Amendment to the Declaration
of Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust is made in accordance with the provisions of
the Declaration and shall become effective on the 16th day of November, 1998.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned has executed this instrument this
23rd day of October, 1998.



                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Mary A. Baldwin
<PAGE>
                                   CERTIFICATE


         Pursuant to Article IX Section 5 of the  Declaration,  the  undersigned
Trustee hereby acknowledges and certifies that this Amendment to the Declaration
of Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust is made in accordance with the provisions of
the Declaration and shall become effective on the 16th day of November, 1998.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned has executed this instrument this
23rd day of October, 1998.


                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Al Burton
<PAGE>
                                   CERTIFICATE


         Pursuant to Article IX Section 5 of the  Declaration,  the  undersigned
Trustee hereby acknowledges and certifies that this Amendment to the Declaration
of Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust is made in accordance with the provisions of
the Declaration and shall become effective on the 16th day of November, 1998.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned has executed this instrument this
23rd day of October, 1998.


                                             -----------------------------------
                                             John P. Burke
<PAGE>
                                   CERTIFICATE


         Pursuant to Article IX Section 5 of the  Declaration,  the  undersigned
Trustee hereby acknowledges and certifies that this Amendment to the Declaration
of Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust is made in accordance with the provisions of
the Declaration and shall become effective on the 16th day of November, 1998.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned has executed this instrument this
23rd day of October, 1998.


                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Jock Patton

                            PILGRIM PRIME RATE TRUST
                       40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
                             Phoenix, Arizona 85004

                                                           _______________, 1998
Pilgrim Securities, Inc.
40 North Central  Avenue, Suite 1200
Phoenix, Arizona  85004

                  Re:  DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

Gentlemen:

         Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust is a Massachusetts business trust operating as
a  closed-end  management  investment  company  (hereinafter  referred to as the
"Trust").  The Trust has filed a  registration  statement on Form N-2 (File Nos.
333-_______ and 811-5410) (the  "Registration  Statement")  under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "1933 Act") to register  shares of the Trust which may be issued
and sold from time to time.

         You have informed us that Pilgrim  Securities,  Inc. is registered as a
broker-dealer under the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is
a member in good standing of the National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,
Inc. You have  indicated  your desire to act as  distributor  for certain of the
shares of the Trust issued pursuant to the Registration  Statement. We have been
authorized  by the Trust to  execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  to you by a
resolution of our Board of Trustees (the "Trustees") adopted at a meeting of the
Trustees, at which a majority of Trustees,  including a majority of our Trustees
who are not  otherwise  interested  persons  of our  investment  manager  or its
related  organizations,  were present and voted in favor of the said  resolution
approving this Agreement.

                  1.  APPOINTMENT  OF  DISTRIBUTOR.  Upon the  execution of this
Agreement and in  consideration  of the agreements on your part herein expressed
and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, we hereby appoint you as the
distributor  for shares of the Trust to be issued  pursuant to the  Registration
Statement (the  "Shares"),  and agree that we will deliver to you such Shares as
you may sell.  You agree to use  reasonable  efforts to promote  the sale of the
Shares, but you are not obligated to sell any specific number of the Shares. The
Shares  will  only be sold on such  days as  shall be  agreed  to by you and the
Trust.

                  2.  SELECTED  DEALERS.  You may  enter  into  selected  dealer
agreements,  on such terms and conditions as you determine are not  inconsistent
with  this  Agreement,  with  broker-dealers  for the sale of the  Shares.  Such
selected  broker-dealers  shall sell Shares only at the public offering price as
set  forth  in  the  Trust's  then-current  Prospectus  under  the  Registration
Statement.  This Agreement  shall not be construed as authorizing  any dealer or
other person to accept  orders for sale on our behalf or to otherwise act as our
agent  for any  purpose.  You  shall  not be  responsible  for
<PAGE>
the acts of other  dealers or agents except as and to the extent that they shall
be acting for you or under your direction or authority.

                  3. OFFERING  PRICE.  The public offering price per Share shall
be determined in accordance with the then current  Prospectus of the Trust under
the Registration  Statement. In no event shall the public offering price be less
than the  current  net asset  value per Share  plus the per Share  amount of the
commission to be paid to you (the "Minimum  Price").  You shall suspend the sale
of Shares if the per share price of the Shares is less than the Minimum Price.

                  4. SALES COMMISSION.

                           (a)  You  shall  be   entitled  to  receive  a  sales
commission from the Trust of 4% of the gross sales price per Share of the Shares
sold.

                           (b)  You  may  allow  selected   broker-dealers  such
commissions or discounts (not exceeding the total sales commission) as you shall
deem advisable, which shall be payable from the commissions payable to you under
Section 4(a) above.

                  5. FURNISHING OF INFORMATION.  We will furnish you with copies
of the  Registration  Statement,  and we  warrant  that the  statements  therein
contained are true and correct as of the date of the Registration  Statement, as
it may be amended or  supplemented  from time to time.  We will also furnish you
with  such  other  information  which  you  may  reasonably  request  for use in
connection with the  distribution of the Shares,  including,  at least annually,
audited financial  statements of our books and accounts certified by independent
public accountants.

                  6. CONDUCT OF  BUSINESS.  Other than the  currently  effective
Prospectus and Statement of Additional  Information,  you will not use any sales
materials or statements  except  literature or advertising which conforms to the
requirements of federal and state securities laws and regulations and which have
been filed, where necessary,  with the appropriate regulatory  authorities.  You
will  furnish  us with  copies  of all  material  prior to their use and no such
material shall be published if we shall reasonably and promptly object.

                  You shall  comply with the  applicable  federal and state laws
and  regulations  where our shares are offered for sale and conduct your affairs
with us and with dealers,  brokers or investors in  accordance  with the Conduct
Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

                  7. OTHER ACTIVITIES.  Your services pursuant to this Agreement
shall not be deemed to be exclusive, and you may render similar services and act
as an underwriter,  distributor or dealer for other investment  companies in the
offering of their shares.
<PAGE>
                  8.  SUSPENSION OF SALES.  We reserve the right at all times to
suspend or limit the public  offering of the shares upon written  notice to you,
and to reject any order in whole or in part.

                  9. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.

                           (a) You shall bear all  expenses  incurred  by you in
connection  with your duties and activities  under this Agreement  including the
payment to selected  dealers of any sales  commissions  for sales of the Trust's
Shares.

                           (b) The Trust  shall bear all costs and  expenses  of
the  Trust,   including  expenses  (including  legal  fees)  pertaining  to  the
preparation  and filing of the  Registration  Statement and  Prospectus  and any
amendment or supplement  thereto,  and expenses  pertaining to the  preparation,
printing and  distribution  of any reports or  communications  to  shareholders,
including  Prospectuses  and  Statements  of Additional  Information,  annual or
interim reports or proxy materials.

                  10. TERMINATION.  This Agreement: (i) may be terminated by the
Trust at any time without the payment of any penalty, and (ii) may be terminated
by you at any time  without the payment of any  penalty.  This  Agreement  shall
remain in full force and effect unless terminated  pursuant to this provision or
by the mutual agreement of the parties.

                  11. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement shall be subject to the laws
of the State of Arizona and shall be  interpreted  and  construed to further and
promote the operation of the Trust as a closed-end investment company.

                  12.  STANDARD OF CARE. You shall be responsible for exercising
reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement.

                  13.  DECLARATION OF TRUST AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  A copy
of the  Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of State
of the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  and  notice is hereby  given that this
Agreement  is executed  by an officer of the Trust on behalf of the  trustees of
the Trust,  as trustees and not  individually,  and that the obligations of this
Agreement  with  respect  to the Trust  shall be  binding  upon the  assets  and
properties  of the  Trust  only and  shall  not be  binding  upon the  assets or
properties of the trustees,  officers,  employees, agents or shareholders of the
Trust individually.

                  If the foregoing meets with your approval,  please acknowledge
your  acceptance  by  signing  each  of the  enclosed  counterparts  hereof  and
returning such  counterparts  to us,  whereupon this shall  constitute a binding
agreement as of the date first above written.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            PILGRIM PRIME RATE TRUST



                                            By:_____________________________




Agreed to and Accepted:

PILGRIM SECURITIES, INC.



By:      ______________________________


================================================================================

                  SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 2, 1998

                                      AMONG

                        PILGRIM AMERICA PRIME RATE TRUST


                         BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                            AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                              AS SYNDICATION AGENT,

                      STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
                            AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,

                                DEUTSCHE BANK AG,
                             AS DOCUMENTATION AGENT,

                                       AND

                                 COMMERZBANK AG
                                  AS CO-AGENT,

                                       AND

                  THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO


                                   ARRANGED BY

                         BANCAMERICA ROBERTSON STEPHENS

================================================================================
<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
ARTICLE I

     DEFINITIONS............................................................  2
     1.1     Certain Defined Terms..........................................  2
     1.2     Other Interpretive Provisions.................................. 19
     1.3     Fiscal Periods................................................. 20

ARTICLE II

     THE CREDITS............................................................ 21
      2.1    Amounts and Terms of Commitments............................... 21
      2.2    Loan Accounts.................................................. 21
      2.3    Procedure for Committed Borrowing.............................. 22
      2.4    Conversion and Continuation Elections for Committed Borrowings. 23
      2.5    Bid Borrowings................................................. 24
      2.6    Procedure for Bid Borrowings................................... 25
      2.7    Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Commitments.............. 28
      2.8    Prepayments.................................................... 29
      2.9    Repayment...................................................... 29
      2.10   Interest....................................................... 29
      2.11   Fees........................................................... 31
      2.12   Computation of Fees and Interest............................... 31
      2.13   Payments by the Company........................................ 31
      2.14   Payments by the Banks to the Administrative Agent.............. 32
      2.15   Sharing of Payments, Etc....................................... 33
      2.16   Subsequent Bank................................................ 34
      2.17   Swing Loans.................................................... 34
      2.18   Extension of Revolving Termination Date........................ 35

ARTICLE III

     TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY................................. 36
     3.1     Taxes. ........................................................ 36
     3.2     Illegality..................................................... 37
     3.3     Increased Costs and Reduction of Return........................ 38
     3.4     Funding Losses................................................. 39
     3.5     Inability to Determine Rates................................... 40
     3.6     Certificates of Banks.......................................... 40
     3.7     Survival....................................................... 41

                                       i
<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)
                                                                           PAGE
ARTICLE IV

     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT...................................................41
     4.1     Conditions of Initial Loans....................................41
     4.2     Conditions to All Borrowings...................................43
     4.3.    Consequences of Effectiveness, etc.............................43
     4.4.    Reallocation of Loans..........................................44
     4.5.    Amounts Outstanding Under the Original  Agreement
             Deemed to Be Loans Under This Agreement........................44

ARTICLE V

     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.........................................44
     5.1     Existence and Power............................................44
     5.2     Registration of Company and Company's Shares...................45
     5.3     Authorization; No Contravention................................45
     5.4     Governmental Authorization.....................................45
     5.5     Binding Effect.................................................45
     5.6     Litigation.....................................................46
     5.7     No Default.....................................................46
     5.8     ERISA Compliance...............................................46
     5.9     Use of Proceeds................................................46
     5.10    Financial Condition............................................46
     5.11    Taxes..........................................................47
     5.12    Environmental Matters..........................................47
     5.13    No Burdensome Restrictions.....................................47
     5.14    Subsidiaries...................................................47
     5.15    Full Disclosure................................................47
     5.16    Regulations U and X............................................47
     5.17    Investment Policies and Investment Restrictions................48
     5.18    Advisory Contract..............................................48
     5.19    Compliance with Laws...........................................48
     5.20    Tax Status.....................................................48
     5.21    Year 2000 Problem..............................................48

ARTICLE VI

     AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS..................................................48
     6.1     Financial Statements...........................................49

                                       ii
<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)
                                                                           PAGE

     6.2     Notices........................................................50
     6.3     Preservation of Existence, Etc.................................51
     6.4     Insurance......................................................51
     6.5     Payment of Obligations.........................................52
     6.6     Compliance with Laws...........................................52
     6.7     Inspection of Property and Books and Records...................52
     6.8     Environmental Laws.............................................52
     6.9     Investment Adviser.............................................52
     6.10    Regulated Investment Company...................................53

ARTICLE VII

     NEGATIVE COVENANTS.....................................................53
     7.1     Limitation on Liens............................................53
     7.2     Consolidations and Mergers.....................................53
     7.3     Limitation on Indebtedness.....................................54
     7.4     Transactions with Affiliates...................................54
     7.5     Contingent Obligations.........................................54
     7.6     Lease Obligations..............................................54
     7.7     Business Activities; Investment Policies.......................54
     7.8     Accounting Changes.............................................55
     7.9     Financial Covenants............................................55
     7.10    Change of Custodian or Auditor.................................55
     7.11    Pension Plans..................................................55

ARTICLE VIII

     EVENTS OF DEFAULT......................................................55
     8.1     Event of Default...............................................55
     8.2     Remedies.......................................................58
     8.3     Rights Not Exclusive...........................................58

ARTICLE IX

     THE AGENTS.............................................................59
     9.1     Appointment and Authorization..................................59
     9.2     Delegation of Duties...........................................59
     9.3     Liability of Agents............................................59
     9.4     Reliance by Agents.............................................60
     9.5     Notice of Default..............................................60

                                      iii
<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)
                                                                           PAGE

     9.6     Credit Decision................................................60
     9.7     Indemnification................................................61
     9.8     Agent in Individual Capacity...................................61
     9.9     Successor Agent................................................62
     9.10    Withholding Tax................................................62
     9.11    Other Agents...................................................64

ARTICLE X

     MISCELLANEOUS..........................................................64
     10.1    Amendments and Waivers.........................................64
     10.2    Notices........................................................65
     10.3    No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.................................66
     10.4    Costs and Expenses.............................................66
     10.5    Indemnity......................................................67
     10.6    Payments Set Aside.............................................68
     10.7    Successors and Assigns.........................................68
     10.8    Assignments, Participations, etc...............................68
     10.9    Set-off........................................................71
     10.10   Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, Etc................72
     10.11   Counterparts...................................................72
     10.12   Severability...................................................72
     10.13   No Third Parties Benefited.....................................72
     10.14   Governing Law and Jurisdiction.................................72
     10.15   Waiver of Jury Trial...........................................73
     10.16   Entire Agreement...............................................73
     10.18   Continuing Effectiveness, etc..................................73
     10.19   Facsimile Execution............................................74

SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.1   Commitments and Pro Rata Shares
Schedule 7.1   Permitted Liens
Schedule 10.2  Lending Offices; Address for Notice

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A      Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit B      Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation

                                       iv
<PAGE>

Exhibit C      Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit D      Form of Legal Opinion of Company's Counsel
Exhibit E      Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit F      Form of Competitive Bid Request
Exhibit G      Form of Competitive Bid
Exhibit H      Form of Committed Loan Note
Exhibit I      Form of Bid Loan Note
Exhibit J      Form of Swing Loan Note
Exhibit K      Form of Subsequent Bank Supplement
Exhibit L      Form of Security Agreement




                                        v
<PAGE>
                  SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

         This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of
September  2, 1998 by the parties  hereto and amends and  restates  that certain
Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement dated as of June 26, 1997,  among Pilgrim
America Prime Rate Trust, a Massachusetts  business trust (the  "COMPANY"),  the
several  financial  institutions  from  time to  time  party  to this  Agreement
(collectively,  the "BANKS";  individually,  a "BANK"), Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association,  as co-administrative agent and syndication agent
for the Banks and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as co-administrative  and
paying agent for the Banks, and Deutsche Bank AG, as co-agent.

         WHEREAS,  the Company,  certain of the Banks,  Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association,  as co-administrative agent and syndication agent
for the Banks, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as co-administrative and
paying agent for the Banks,  have  entered  into an Amended and Restated  Credit
Agreement dated as of June 26, 1997 (the "ORIGINAL  AGREEMENT"),  which provided
for the Banks to extend Loans to the Company from time to time; and

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  and the  Banks  desire  to amend  the  Original
Agreement  in certain  respects,  all as more fully  hereinafter  set forth (the
"REFINANCING");

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  the parties  hereto  agree that the Credit  Agreement
shall be amended and restated,  as of the Refinancing Date, upon satisfaction of
the conditions set forth herein, to state in its entirety as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

         1.1 CERTAIN  DEFINED  TERMS.  The  following  terms have the  following
meanings:

               "ABSOLUTE   RATE"  has  the  meaning   specified  in   subsection
          2.6(b)(ii)(D).

               "ABSOLUTE RATE AUCTION" means a solicitation of Competitive  Bids
          setting forth Absolute Rates pursuant to Section 2.6.

               "ABSOLUTE  RATE BID LOAN" means a Bid Loan that bears interest at
          a rate determined with reference to the Absolute Rate.
<PAGE>
               "ACT"  means  the   Investment   Company  Act  of  1940  and  the
          regulations promulgated thereunder.

               "ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT"  means  State  Street in its  capacity as
          administrative  agent  for the  Banks  hereunder,  and  any  successor
          administrative agent arising under Section 9.9.

               "AFFILIATE"  of any  Person  means  (a) any  Person  directly  or
          indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by or under common  control with
          such  other  Person;  (b) any  officer,  trustee,  director,  partner,
          co-partner or employee of such other Person;  (c) if such other Person
          is an investment company, any investment adviser thereof or any member
          of an  advisory  board  thereof;  and (d) if such  other  Person is an
          unincorporated investment company not having a board of directors, the
          board of trustees or other similar governing body.

               "AGENT" means the Administrative  Agent, the Documentation  Agent
          or the Syndication Agent.

               "AGENT-RELATED  PERSONS" means BofA,  Deutsche,  State Street and
          any successor  agent  arising  under Section 9.9,  together with their
          respective Affiliates (including,  in the case of BofA, the Arranger),
          and the officers,  directors,  employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact
          of such Persons and Affiliates.

               "AGENT'S PAYMENT OFFICE" means the address of the Agent set forth
          on SCHEDULE  10.2, or such other address as the Agent may from time to
          time specify.

               "AGREEMENT" means this Credit Agreement.

               "APPLICABLE MARGIN" means 0.40%.

               "ARRANGER"  means  BancAmerica  Robertson  Stephens,  a  Delaware
          corporation.

               "ASSET  COVERAGE"  means,  at any time, the "asset  coverage" (as
          defined in Section 18(h) of the Act) of the Loans; provided,  however,
          that in calculating  total assets for the purpose of determining asset
          coverage,  any asset  with  respect  to which any  payment  is due but
          unpaid for at least five days shall be subtracted from total assets.

               "ASSIGNEE" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.8(a).

                                       3
<PAGE>
               "ATTORNEY  COSTS"  means and  includes  all  reasonable  fees and
          disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel, the allocated
          cost of internal legal services and all  reasonable  disbursements  of
          internal legal counsel.

               "BANK"  has the  meaning  specified  in the  introductory  clause
          hereto.

               "BANKRUPTCY CODE" means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978
          (11 U.S.C. ss. 101, ET SEQ.).

               "BASE RATE" means, for any day, the higher of:

                    (a) the rate of  interest in effect for such day as publicly
               announced from time to time by BofA in San Francisco, California,
               as its "reference  rate." (The "reference  rate" is a rate set by
               BofA  based  upon  various  factors  including  BofA's  costs and
               desired return,  general  economic  conditions and other factors,
               and is used as a reference  point for pricing  some loans,  which
               may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate); or

                    (b) 0.50% per annum above the latest Federal Funds Rate.

               Any change in the  reference  rate  announced  by BofA shall take
          effect at the opening of business on the day  specified  in the public
          announcement of such change.

               "BID BORROWING" means a Borrowing hereunder  consisting of one or
          more  Bid  Loans  made to the  Company  on the same day by one or more
          Banks.

               "BID LOAN"  means a Loan by a Bank to the Company  under  Section
          2.5, which may be a LIBOR Bid Loan or an Absolute Rate Bid Loan.

               "BID LOAN  LENDER"  means,  in respect of any Bid Loan,  the Bank
          making such Bid Loan to the Company.

               "BID LOAN NOTE" means a promissory  note  executed by the Company
          in favor of a Bank pursuant to subsection 2.2(b), in substantially the
          form of EXHIBIT I. For the avoidance of doubt,  any reference in a Bid
          Loan Note to provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to mean this
          Agreement as supplemented by the terms of the Competitive Bid accepted
          by the Company in respect of the relevant  Bid Loan  evidenced by such
          Bid Loan Note.

               "BOFA"  means  Bank  of  America   National   Trust  and  Savings
          Association, a national banking association.

                                       4
<PAGE>
               "BORROWING" means a borrowing hereunder,  other than Swing Loans,
          consisting  of Loans made to the  Company on the same day by the Banks
          under Article II, and may be a Committed  Borrowing or a Bid Borrowing
          and,  other than in the case of Federal  Funds Rate  Committed  Loans,
          having the same Interest Period.

               "BORROWING BASE" has the meaning set forth in subsection 6.1(d).

               "BORROWING  BASE  CERTIFICATE"  means a certificate as defined in
          subsection 6.1(d).

               "BORROWING  DATE"  means  any date on which a  Borrowing  occurs,
          which shall under no circumstances be prior to the Closing Date.

               "BUSINESS  DAY"  means any day other than a  Saturday,  Sunday or
          other  day on  which  commercial  banks  in  Boston,  New  York or San
          Francisco  are  authorized  or  required  by law to close and,  if the
          applicable  Business Day relates to any Offshore Rate Loan, means such
          a day on which  dealings  are  carried on in the  applicable  offshore
          dollar interbank market.

               "CAPITAL  ADEQUACY  REGULATION"  means any guideline,  request or
          directive of any central bank or other Governmental  Authority, or any
          other law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law,
          in  each  case,  regarding  capital  adequacy  of any  bank  or of any
          corporation controlling a bank.

               "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means, at any time:

                    (a) any evidence of Indebtedness, maturing not more than one
               year after such time,  issued or  guaranteed by the United States
               Government;

                    (b)  commercial  paper,  maturing  not more than nine months
               from the date of issue, which is issued by

                         (i) a  corporation  (other  than  an  Affiliate  of the
                    Company) organized under the laws of any state of the United
                    States  or of the  District  of  Columbia  and  rated A-1 by
                    Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or P-1 by Moody's  Investors
                    Service, Inc., or

                         (ii) any Bank (or its holding company);

                    (c) any  certificate  of  deposit  or  bankers'  acceptance,
               maturing not more than one year after such time,  which is issued
               by either

                         (i) a commercial  banking  institution that is a member
                    of the Federal Reserve System and has a combined capital and
                    surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000,

                                       5
<PAGE>
                    PROVIDED that the deposits  offered by such  institution are
                    rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or P-1
                    by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or

                         (ii) any Bank, or

                    (d) any repurchase  agreement entered into with any Bank (or
               other commercial  banking  institution of the stature referred to
               in CLAUSE (C)(I)) which

                         (i) is secured by a fully perfected  security  interest
                    in any  obligation  of the type  described in any of CLAUSES
                    (A) through (C); and

                         (ii) has a market  value  at the time  such  repurchase
                    agreement  is  entered  into of not  less  than  100% of the
                    repurchase  obligation  of such  Bank (or  other  commercial
                    banking institution) thereunder.

               "CHANGE OF CONTROL"  means a change of control of the  Investment
          Adviser which would  constitute an "assignment"  within the meaning of
          the Act of the Investment  Management  Agreement or the Administrative
          Agreement referred to in Section 5.19.

               "CLOSING DATE" means the date on which all  conditions  precedent
          set forth in Section 4.1 are  satisfied or waived by all Banks (or, in
          the case of  subsection  4.1(v),  waived  by the  Person  entitled  to
          receive such payment).

               "CODE" means the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, and  regulations
          promulgated thereunder.

               "COLLATERAL  AGENT"  shall have the meaning assigned to such term
          in ANNEX X to the GE Capital Facility.

               "COMMITMENT",  as to each  Bank,  has the  meaning  specified  in
          Section 2.1.

               "COMMITTED  BORROWING" means a Borrowing hereunder  consisting of
          Committed  Loans of the same Type made to the  Company on the same day
          by the Banks ratably according to their respective Commitments and, in
          the case of Offshore Rate  Committed  Loans,  having the same Interest
          Periods.

               "COMMITTED  LOAN"  means a Loan by a Bank  to the  Company  under
          Section 2.1, and may be an Offshore Rate  Committed  Loan or a Federal
          Funds Rate Committed Loan (each, a "TYPE" of Committed Loan).

               "COMMITTED  LOAN NOTE" means a  promissory  note  executed by the
          Company  in  favor  of  a  Bank  pursuant  to  subsection  2.2(b),  in
          substantially the form of EXHIBIT H.

                                       6
<PAGE>
               "COMPANY" has the meaning  specified in the  introductory  clause
          hereto.

               "COMPETITIVE  BID" means an offer by a Bank to make a Bid Loan in
          accordance with subsection 2.6(c).

               "COMPETITIVE BID REQUEST" has the meaning specified in subsection
          2.6(a).

               "CONTINGENT  OBLIGATION"  means, as to any Person,  any direct or
          indirect liability of that Person, whether or not contingent,  with or
          without  recourse,  (a)  with  respect  to  any  Indebtedness,  lease,
          dividend,   letter  of  credit  or  other   obligation  (the  "primary
          obligations") of another Person (the "primary obligor"), including any
          obligation  of that Person (i) to  purchase,  repurchase  or otherwise
          acquire such primary  obligations  or any security  therefor,  (ii) to
          advance or provide  funds for the  payment  or  discharge  of any such
          primary  obligation,  or to maintain working capital or equity capital
          of the  primary  obligor or  otherwise  to  maintain  the net worth or
          solvency  or any  balance  sheet  item,  level of income or  financial
          condition  of  the  primary  obligor,   (iii)  to  purchase  property,
          securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner
          of any such primary  obligation of the ability of the primary  obligor
          to make  payment of such  primary  obligation,  or (iv)  otherwise  to
          assure or hold  harmless  the  holder of any such  primary  obligation
          against loss in respect thereof (each, a "GUARANTY  OBLIGATION");  (b)
          with respect to any Surety  Instrument  issued for the account of that
          Person  or  as  to  which  that   Person  is   otherwise   liable  for
          reimbursement of drawings or payments;  (c) to purchase any materials,
          supplies or other property from, or to obtain the services of, another
          Person  if  the  relevant   contract  or  other  related  document  or
          obligation requires that payment for such materials, supplies or other
          property,  or for such services,  shall be made  regardless of whether
          delivery of such materials, supplies or other property is ever made or
          tendered,  or such services are ever performed or tendered;  or (d) in
          respect of any Swap Contract.  The amount of any Contingent Obligation
          shall,  in the case of Guaranty  Obligations,  be deemed  equal to the
          stated or determinable  amount of the primary obligation in respect of
          which  such   Guaranty   Obligation  is  made  or,  if  such  Guaranty
          Obligaamount,  the maximum  liability  in respect  thereof,  or if not
          stated  or  if  indeterminable,  the  maximum  reasonably  anticipated
          liability  in  respect  thereof,  and in the case of other  Contingent
          Obligations,  shall  be equal to the  maximum  reasonably  anticipated
          liability in respect thereof.

               "CONTRACTUAL  OBLIGATION"  means, as to any Person, any provision
          of  any  security   issued  by  such  Person  or  of  any   agreement,
          undertaking,  contract,  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of trust or other
          instrument,  document or  agreement to which such Person is a party or
          by which it or any of its property is bound.

               "CONVERSION/CONTINUATION  DATE"  means any date on  which,  under
          Section 2.4, the Company (a) converts  Committed  Loans of one Type to
          another Type,  or (b)  continues as Committed  Loans of the same Type,

                                       7
<PAGE>
          but  with a new  Interest  Period,  Committed  Loans  having  Interest
          Periods expiring on such date.

               "CUSTODIAN" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in ANNEX
          X to the GE Capital Facility.

               "CUSTODIAL AGENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
          ANNEX X to the GE Capital Facility.

               "DEFAULT" means any event or circumstance  which, with the giving
          of  notice,  the  lapse  of  time,  or both,  would  (if not  cured or
          otherwise remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.

               "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT" means account number 37926342 at State Street.

               "DEUTSCHE" means Deutsche Bank AG.

               "DOCUMENTATION  AGENT" means  Deutsche Bank AG in its capacity as
          documentation  agent  for  the  Banks  hereunder,  and  any  successor
          documentation agent arising under Section 9.9.

               "DOLLARS", "DOLLARS" and "$" each mean lawful money of the United
          States.

               "ELIGIBLE  ASSIGNEE"  means (i) a  commercial  bank  organized or
          licensed  under the laws of the United  States,  or any state thereof,
          and having a combined  capital and  surplus of at least  $100,000,000;
          (ii) a commercial  bank organized  under the laws of any other country
          which is a member of the  Organization  for Economic  Cooperation  and
          Development  (the  "OECD"),  or a  political  subdivision  of any such
          country,  and  having  a  combined  capital  and  surplus  of at least
          $100,000,000,  provided  that such bank is acting  through a branch or
          agency  located  in the  United  States;  and  (iii) a Person  that is
          primarily  engaged in the business of  commercial  banking and that is
          (A) a Subsidiary  of a Bank,  (B) a Subsidiary  of a Person of which a
          Bank is a Subsidiary, or (C) a Person of which a Bank is a Subsidiary;
          and (iv) any other  financial  institution  (other than an  investment
          company) in good  standing  under the laws of any  country  which is a
          member of the OECD and which has a combined  capital and surplus of at
          least $100,000,000.

               "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS" means all claims, however asserted, by any
          Governmental Authority or other Person alleging potential liability or
          responsibility  for violation of any Environmental Law, or for release
          or injury to the environment.

               "ENVIRONMENTAL  LAWS"  means all  federal,  state or local  laws,
          statutes, common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes,
          together with all administrative  orders,  directed duties,  requests,
          licenses,  authorizations  and permits of, and  agreements  with,  any

                                       8
<PAGE>
          Governmental  Authorities,  in each case  relating  to  environmental,
          health, safety and land use matters.

               "ERISA"  means the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of
          1974, and regulations promulgated thereunder.

               "EURODOLLAR  RESERVE PERCENTAGE" has the meaning specified in the
          definition of "Offshore Rate".

               "EVENT  OF  DEFAULT"  means any of the  events  or  circumstances
          specified in Section 8.1.

               "EXCHANGE  ACT" means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and
          regulations promulgated thereunder.

               "FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation,  and any
          Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

               "FEDERAL  FUNDS RATE" means,  for any day, the rate which appears
          on Telerate  Page 5, as quoted by Garvin Guy Butler,  as of 12:00 noon
          (in the case of any calculation other than the interest rate for Swing
          Loans) or 9:30 a.m.  (in the case of the  calculation  of the interest
          rate for Swing  Loans)  New York time as the  "Federal  Funds  Offered
          Rate"; or, if any relevant day such rate is not so published, the rate
          for  such  day  will  be the  arithmetic  mean  as  determined  by the
          Administrative  Agent  of  the  rates  for  the  last  transaction  in
          overnight  Federal funds  arranged prior to such time (Boston time) on
          that  day  by  each  of  three   leading   brokers  of  Federal  funds
          transactions in New York City selected by the Administrative Agent.

               "FEDERAL FUNDS RATE  COMMITTED  LOAN" means a Committed Loan that
          bears interest based on the Federal Funds Rate.

               "FEE LETTERS" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.11(a).

               "FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
          and any  Governmental  Authority  succeeding  to any of its  principal
          functions.

               "GAAP" means generally accepted  accounting  principles set forth
          in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting  Principles Board
          and  the  American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants  and
          statements and  pronouncements of the Financial  Accounting  Standards
          Board (or agencies with similar  functions of  comparable  stature and
          authority within the U.S. accounting profession), which are applicable
          to the  circumstances  as of the  date  of  the  financial  statements
          referred to in subsection 5.10(a) hereof.

                                       9
<PAGE>
               "GE CAPITAL FACILITY" means the Revolving Loan Agreement dated as
          of July 16,  1998 among  Pilgrim  America  Prime Rate  Trust,  Pilgrim
          America  Investments,  Inc., Edison Asset  Securitization,  L.L.C. and
          General Electric Capital Corporation.

               "GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORITY"  means any  nation or  government,  any
          state or other  political  subdivision  thereof,  any central bank (or
          similar  monetary  or  regulatory   authority)  thereof,   any  entity
          exercising   executive,    legislative,    judicial,   regulatory   or
          administrative  functions  of or  pertaining  to  government,  and any
          corporation  or other entity  owned or  controlled,  through  stock or
          capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

               "GUARANTY OBLIGATION" has the meaning specified in the definition
          of "Contingent Obligation."

               "INDEBTEDNESS" of any Person means, without duplication,  (a) all
          indebtedness   for  borrowed  money;   (b)  all  obligations   issued,
          undertaken  or assumed as the deferred  purchase  price of property or
          services  (other  than trade  payables  entered  into in the  ordinary
          course  of  business  on  ordinary  terms);   (c)  all  non-contingent
          reimbursement   or  payment   obligations   with   respect  to  Surety
          Instruments; (d) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures
          or similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced incurred in
          connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses; (e)
          all  indebtedness  created or arising  under any  conditional  sale or
          other title retention agreement,  or incurred as financing,  in either
          case with respect to property  acquired by the Person (even though the
          rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such  agreement in the
          event  of  default  are  limited  to  repossession  or  sale  of  such
          property); (f) all obligations with respect to capital leases; (g) all
          net obligations  with respect to Swap Contracts;  (h) all indebtedness
          referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above  secured by (or for which
          the  holder of such  Indebtedness  has an  existing  right),  property
          (including  accounts and contracts rights) owned by such Person,  even
          though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of
          such  Indebtedness;  and (i) all  Guaranty  Obligations  in respect of
          indebtedness  or  obligations  of others of the kinds  referred  to in
          clauses (a) through (g) above.

               "INDEMNIFIED  LIABILITIES"  has the meaning  specified in Section
          10.5.

               "INDEMNIFIED PERSON" has the meaning specified in Section 10.5.

               "INSOLVENCY  PROCEEDING" means (a) any case, action or proceeding
          before  any  court  or  other   Governmental   Authority  relating  to
          bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency,  liquidation,  receivership,
          dissolution,  winding-up  or relief  of  debtors,  or (b) any  general
          assignment for the benefit of creditors,  composition,  marshalling of
          assets for creditors,  or other, similar arrangement in respect of its
          creditors  generally  or any  substantial  portion  of its  creditors;
          undertaken  under U.S.  Federal,  state or foreign law,  including the
          Bankruptcy Code.

                                       10
<PAGE>
               "INTEREST  PAYMENT  DATE" means,  as to any Offshore Rate Loan or
          Absolute  Rate  Bid  Loan,  the  last  day  of  each  Interest  Period
          applicable to such Loan; as to any Federal Funds Rate Committed  Loan,
          the  last  Business  Day  of  each  calendar  quarter;  and  as to any
          Committed  Loan,  each  date such  Committed  Loan is  converted  into
          another Type of Committed  Loan;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that (a) if any
          Interest  Period for an Offshore Rate Loan exceeds  three months,  the
          date that falls three  months  after the  beginning  of such  Interest
          Period and after each  Interest  Payment  Date  thereafter  is also an
          Interest  Payment Date, and (b) as to any Bid Loan,  such  intervening
          dates,  if any,  prior to the maturity  thereof as may be specified by
          the  Company  and agreed to by the  applicable  Bid Loan Lender in the
          applicable Competitive Bid shall also be Interest Payment Dates.

               "INTEREST  PERIOD"  means,  (a) as to any Offshore Rate Loan, the
          period  commencing on the Borrowing Date of such Loan, or (in the case
          of any Offshore Rate  Committed  Loan) on the  Conversion/Continuation
          Date on which the Loan is  converted  into or continued as an Offshore
          Rate  Committed  Loan,  and ending on the date one, two,  three or six
          months  thereafter  as  selected  by  the  Company  in its  Notice  of
          Borrowing,   Notice  of  Conversion/Continuation  or  Competitive  Bid
          Request, as the case may be; and (b) as to any Absolute Rate Bid Loan,
          a  period  of not  less  than 30 days  and not  more  than 180 days as
          selected by the Company in the applicable Competitive Bid Request;

          PROVIDED that:

                    (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that
               is not a Business Day, that Interest  Period shall be extended to
               the  following  Business  Day unless,  in the case of an Offshore
               Rate Loan,  the result of such  extension  would be to carry such
               Interest Period into another  calendar month, in which event such
               Interest Period shall end on the preceding Business Day;

                    (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to an Offshore Rate Loan
               that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a
               day for which there is no  numerically  corresponding  day in the
               calendar  month at the end of such Interest  Period) shall end on
               the last  Business Day of the  calendar  month at the end of such
               Interest Period; and

                    (iii) no Interest  Period for any Loan shall  extend  beyond
               the scheduled Maturity Date.

               "INVESTMENT ADVISER" has the meaning specified in Section 6.9.

                                       11
<PAGE>
               "INVESTMENT  POLICIES"  means the policies  described in the most
          recent prospectus of the Company prior to the date hereof.

               "INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS" means the restrictions described in the
          most recent prospectus of the Company prior to the date hereof.

               "IRS" means the Internal  Revenue  Service,  and any Governmental
          Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

               "LENDER  AGENT"  shall have the meaning  assigned to such term in
          Annex X of the GE Capital Facility.

               "LENDERS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in ANNEX X
          to the GE Capital Facility.

               "LENDING  OFFICE" means, as to any Bank, the office or offices of
          such Bank  specified  as its  "Lending  Office" or  "Domestic  Lending
          Office" or "Offshore Lending Office",  as the case may be, on SCHEDULE
          10.2,  or such  other  office or offices as such Bank may from time to
          time notify the Company and the Administrative Agent.

               "LIBOR  RATE" means,  for any  Interest  Period with respect to a
          LIBOR  Bid  Loan or an  Offshore  Rate  Committed  Loan,  the  rate of
          interest per annum  determined by the  Administrative  Agent to be the
          arithmetic mean (rounded upward,  if necessary,  to the nearest 1/16th
          of  1%)  of  the  rates  of  interest   per  annum   notified  to  the
          Administrative  Agent by State Street as the rate of interest at which
          dollar deposits in the approximate amount of, in the case of LIBOR Bid
          Loans, the LIBOR Bid Loans to be borrowed in such Bid Borrowing,  and,
          in the case of  Offshore  Rate  Committed  Loans,  the  Offshore  Rate
          Committed  Loan to be made by State  Street,  and  having  a  maturity
          comparable to such Interest  Period,  would be offered to State Street
          by major  banks in the  London  interbank  market  at its  request  at
          approximately  11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the
          commencement of such Interest Period.

               "LIBOR AUCTION" means a solicitation of Competitive  Bids setting
          forth a LIBOR Bid Margin pursuant to Section 2.6.

               "LIBOR BID LOAN" means any Bid Loan that bears interest at a rate
          based upon the LIBO Rate.

               "LIBOR  BID  MARGIN"  has the  meaning  specified  in  subsection
          2.6(b)(ii)(C).

               "LIEN"  means any  security  interest,  mortgage,  deed of trust,
          pledge,  hypothecation,  assignment,  charge or  deposit  arrangement,
          segregated  asset  arrangement  established in connection with reverse
          repurchase  transactions,  encumbrance,  lien  (statutory or other) or

                                       12
<PAGE>
          preferential  arrangement of any kind or nature  whatsoever in respect
          of  any  property  (including  those  created  by,  arising  under  or
          evidenced by any conditional sale or other title retention  agreement,
          the interest of a lessor under a capital  lease,  any financing  lease
          having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing,
          or the filing of any financing statement naming the owner of the asset
          to which such lien  relates as debtor,  under the  Uniform  Commercial
          Code or any comparable  law) and any contingent or other  agreement to
          provide any of the  foregoing,  but not  including  the  interest of a
          lessor under an operating lease.

               "LOAN"  means an  extension  of credit  by a Bank to the  Company
          under  Article II, and may be a Committed  Loan, a Bid Loan or a Swing
          Loan.

               "LOAN  DOCUMENTS"  means this Agreement,  any Notes, the Security
          Agreement,  the Fee Letters and all other  documents  delivered to any
          Agent or any Bank in connection herewith and therewith.

               "MAJORITY  BANKS"  means at any time (a)  prior to the  Revolving
          Termination  Date,  Banks  then  holding  more  than  50% of the  then
          aggregate  unpaid  principal  amount of the Committed  Loans,  and (b)
          after the Revolving Termination Date, Banks then holding more than 50%
          of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans;  PROVIDED,
          HOWEVER,  that if at any time (i) prior to the  Revolving  Termination
          Date, no Committed Loans are outstanding,  or (ii) after the Revolving
          Termination Date, no Loans are outstanding,  Majority Banks shall mean
          Banks then holding more than 50% of the Commitments.

               "MARGIN  STOCK" means  "margin  stock" as such term is defined in
          Regulation T, U or X of the FRB.

               "MASTER  COLLATERAL  AGENTS"  shall have the meaning  assigned to
          such term in ANNEX X to the GE Capital Facility.

               "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means (a) a material adverse change in,
          or a material adverse effect upon, the business, properties, condition
          (financial or  otherwise) or prospects of the Company;  (b) a material
          impairment  of the  ability of the  Company to perform  under any Loan
          Document and to avoid any Event of Default;  or (c) a material adverse
          effect upon the legality,  validity,  binding effect or enforceability
          against the Company of any Loan Document.

               "MATURITY  DATE" means the earlier to occur of (a) the date three
          years after the Revolving  Termination Date; and (b) the date on which
          all Loans become due and payable (by acceleration or otherwise).

                                       13
<PAGE>
               "1933  ACT"  means  the  Securities  Act of 1933 and  regulations
          promulgated thereunder.

               "NOTES"  means the Committed  Loan Notes,  the Bid Loan Notes and
          the Swing Loan Note.

               "NOTICE OF BORROWING" means a notice in substantially the form of
          EXHIBIT A.

               "NOTICE   OF   CONVERSION/CONTINUATION"   means   a   notice   in
          substantially the form of EXHIBIT B.

               "OBLIGATIONS"   means   all   advances,    debts,    liabilities,
          obligations,  covenants and duties  arising  under any Loan  Document,
          owing by the  Company  to any  Bank,  any  Agent,  or any  Indemnified
          Person,  whether  direct or  indirect  (including  those  acquired  by
          assignment),  absolute  or  contingent,  due  or to  become  due,  now
          existing or hereafter arising.

               "OFFSHORE  RATE" means,  for any Interest  Period with respect to
          Offshore Rate Committed  Loans  comprising part of the same Borrowing,
          the rate of interest per annum (rounded  upward to the nearest 1/100th
          of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent as follows:

                Offshore Rate =    LIBOR RATE
                                ------------------------------------
                                1.00 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage
          Where,

                    "EURODOLLAR  RESERVE  PERCENTAGE"  means for any day for any
               Interest  Period the maximum reserve  percentage  (expressed as a
               decimal,  rounded upward to the nearest  1/100th of 1%) in effect
               on  such  day  (whether  or not  applicable  to any  Bank)  under
               regulations  issued from time to time by the FRB for  determining
               the  maximum  reserve   requirement   (including  any  emergency,
               supplemental or other marginal reserve  requirement) with respect
               to Eurocurrency  funding (currently  referred to as "Eurocurrency
               liabilities") having a term comparable to such Interest Period.

                    The Offshore Rate shall be adjusted  automatically as to all
               Offshore  Rate  Committed  Loans  then   outstanding  as  of  the
               effective   date  of  any  change  in  the   Eurodollar   Reserve
               Percentage.

               "OFFSHORE  RATE  COMMITTED  LOAN" means any  Committed  Loan that
          bears interest based on the Offshore Rate.

                                       14
<PAGE>
               "OFFSHORE  RATE  LOAN"  means any LIBOR Bid Loan or any  Offshore
          Rate Committed Loan.

               "OPERATING AGENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
          ANNEX X to the GE Capital Facility.

               "ORGANIZATION   DOCUMENTS"   means,  for  any  corporation,   the
          certificate or articles of incorporation,  the bylaws, any certificate
          of  designation  or  instrument  relating  to the rights of  preferred
          shareholders of such  corporation,  any shareholder  rights agreement,
          and all  applicable  resolutions  of the  board of  directors  (or any
          committee  thereof) of such  corporation and, for any trust, its trust
          agreement,  bylaws,  any  certificate  of  designation  or  instrument
          relating to the rights of preferred shareholders of such trust and all
          applicable  resolutions  of the board of  trustees  (or any  committee
          thereof) of such trust.

               "ORIGINAL  AGREEMENT"  is  defined  in the first  recital to this
          Agreement.

               "ORIGINATING  BANK"  has  the  meaning  specified  in  subsection
          10.8(d).

               "OTHER  TAXES" means any present or future  stamp or  documentary
          taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies
          which arise from any payment  made  hereunder  or from the  execution,
          delivery  or  registration  of, or  otherwise  with  respect  to, this
          Agreement or any other Loan Documents.

               "PARTICIPANT" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.8(d).

               "PBGC" means the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation,  or any
          Governmental  Authority  succeeding to any of its principal  functions
          under ERISA.

               "PENSION  PLAN" means a pension  plan (as defined in Section 3(2)
          of ERISA)  subject to Title IV of ERISA,  other  than a  Multiemployer
          Plan,  with  respect to which the Company or any ERISA  Affiliate  may
          have any liability.

               "PERMITTED LIENS" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.

               "PERSON" means an individual, partnership,  corporation, business
          trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated  association,  joint
          venture or Governmental Authority.

               "PLAN" means any "pension plan" or "welfare benefit plan" as such
          terms are defined under ERISA.

               "PRO  RATA  SHARE"  means,  as to  any  Bank  at  any  time,  the
          percentage  equivalent  (expressed as a decimal,  rounded to the ninth
          decimal place) at such time of such Bank's  Commitment  divided by the
          combined Commitments of all Banks.

                                       15
<PAGE>
               "REFINANCING" is defined in the second recital to this Agreement.

               "REFINANCING DATE" means September 2, 1998.

               "REPORTABLE  EVENT" means, any of the events set forth in Section
          4043(b) of ERISA or the  regulations  thereunder,  other than any such
          event for which the 30-day  notice  requirement  under  ERISA has been
          waived in regulations issued by the PBGC.

               "REQUIREMENT OF LAW" means, as to any Person,  any law (statutory
          or  common),  treaty,  rule  or  regulation  or  determination  of  an
          arbitrator or of a Governmental  Authority, in each case applicable to
          or  binding  upon the  Person or any of its  property  or to which the
          Person or any of its property is subject.

               "RESPONSIBLE  OFFICER"  means the chief  executive  officer,  the
          president, the secretary or the assistant secretary of the Company, or
          any  other  officer  having   substantially  the  same  authority  and
          responsibility;   or,  with  respect  to  compliance   with  financial
          covenants,  the chief financial officer, the treasurer,  the secretary
          or the assistant secretary of the Company, or any other officer having
          substantially the same authority and responsibility.

               "REVOLVING TERMINATION DATE" means the earlier to occur of:

                    (a) September 1, 1999, as such date may be extended pursuant
               to Section 2.18; and

                    (b)  the  date  on  which  the   Commitments   terminate  in
               accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

               "SEC"  means  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  or any
          Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

               "SECURITY  AGREEMENT"  means a  security  agreement  in the  form
          attached as EXHIBIT L.

               "STATE  STREET"  means  State  Street Bank and Trust  Company,  a
          Massachusetts banking corporation.

               "SUBSIDIARY"  of a Person  means  any  corporation,  association,
          partnership, joint venture or other business entity of which more than
          50% of the  voting  stock or other  equity  interests  (in the case of
          Persons other than  corporations),  is owned or controlled directly or
          indirectly by the Person,  or one or more of the  Subsidiaries  of the
          Person, or a combination thereof. Unless the context otherwise clearly
          requires, references herein to a "Subsidiary" refer to a Subsidiary of
          the Company.

                                       16
<PAGE>
               "SURETY  INSTRUMENTS"  means all  letters  of  credit  (including
          standby  and  commercial),   bankers'  acceptances,  bank  guaranties,
          shipside bonds, surety bonds and similar instruments.

               "SWAP  CONTRACTS"  means swap agreements (as such term is defined
          in Section 101 of the  Bankruptcy  Code) and any other  agreements  or
          arrangements  designed to provide protection  against  fluctuations in
          interest or currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

               "SWING LOAN" means a Loan by Administrative  Agent to the Company
          under Section 2.17.

               "SWING LOAN NOTE" means a promissory note executed by the Company
          in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 2.2(b), in
          substantially the form of EXHIBIT J.

               "SYNDICATION  AGENT"  means BofA in its  capacity as  syndication
          agent for the Banks  hereunder,  and any successor  syndication  agent
          arising under Section 9.9.

               "TAXES"  means  any and all  present  or  future  taxes,  levies,
          imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with
          respect  thereto  arising from any payment made  hereunder or from the
          execution,  delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to,
          this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

               "TOTAL ASSETS" means,  an amount equal to the aggregate  value of
          all items that would be set forth as assets on a balance sheet of such
          Company  on such date,  prepared  in  accordance  with the Act and the
          rules and  regulations  under the Act. The assets of the Company shall
          be valued in accordance with the Act, the rules and regulations  under
          the Act,  and the  valuation  procedures  set forth in its most recent
          statement of additional  information.  Upon the written request of the
          Administrative  Agent,  the Company  shall  promptly  furnish all such
          information  as the  Administrative  Agent  shall  reasonably  request
          relating  to the  value  of any  asset  or the  assignment  of  values
          thereto.

               "TOTAL LIABILITIES" means as of any date, the aggregate amount of
          all items that would be set forth as liabilities on a balance sheet of
          the Company on such date in accordance with GAAP.

               "TRUST AGREEMENT" means Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the
          Company dated December 2, 1987, as amended April 12, 1996.

               "TYPE" has the meaning  specified in the  definition of Committed
          Loan.

                                       17
<PAGE>
               "UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY" means the excess of a Plan's benefit
          liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value
          of that Plan's assets,  determined in accordance  with the assumptions
          used for funding the Pension Plan  pursuant to Section 412 of the Code
          for the applicable plan year.

               "UNITED  STATES"  and  "U.S."  each  means the  United  States of
          America.

               "WHOLLY-OWNED  SUBSIDIARY"  means any corporation in which (other
          than directors' qualifying shares required by law) 100% of the capital
          stock of each class  having  ordinary  voting  power,  and 100% of the
          capital  stock of every other class,  in each case,  at the time as of
          which any  determination is being made, is owned,  beneficially and of
          record,  by the Company,  or by one or more of the other  Wholly-Owned
          Subsidiaries, or both.

         1.2 OTHER INTERPRETIVE PROVISIONS.

           (a) The  meanings  of defined  terms are  equally  applicable  to the
singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

           (b) The words "hereof", "herein", "hereunder" and similar words refer
to  this  Agreement  as a  whole  and not to any  particular  provision  of this
Agreement; and subsection,  Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this
Agreement unless otherwise specified.

           (c) (i)  The  term  "documents"  includes  any  and all  instruments,
documents,  agreements,  certificates,  indentures,  notices and other writings,
however evidenced.

               (ii) The term  "including"  is not limiting and means  "including
without limitation."

               (iii) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date
to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and including"; the words
"to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding",  and the word "through" means "to
and including."

           (d) Unless otherwise  expressly  provided  herein,  (i) references to
agreements  (including  this  Agreement  and any other Loan  Document) and other
contractual  instruments  shall be deemed to include all subsequent  amendments,
supplements,  restatements  and  other  modifications  thereto,  but only to the
extent such amendments,  supplements,  restatements and other  modifications are
not  prohibited by the terms of any Loan  Document,  and (ii)  references to any
statute or  regulation  are to be  construed  as  including  all  statutory  and
regulatory  provisions  consolidating,  amending,  replacing,  supplementing  or
interpreting the statute or regulation.

           (e) The captions and headings of this  Agreement are for  convenience
of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

                                       18
<PAGE>
           (f) This Agreement and other Loan Documents may use several different
limitations,  tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters. All
such  limitations,  tests and  measurements  are  cumulative  and shall  each be
performed in accordance with their terms.  Unless otherwise  expressly  provided
herein,  any  reference  to any action of any Agent,  the Banks or the  Majority
Banks by way of  consent,  approval  or waiver  shall be deemed  modified by the
phrase "in its/their sole discretion."

           (g) This  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  are the result of
negotiations  among and have been reviewed by counsel to the Agents, the Company
and the other parties,  and are the products of all parties.  Accordingly,  they
shall not be  construed  against the Banks or the Agents  merely  because of the
Agents' or Banks' involvement in their preparation.

         1.3 FISCAL PERIODS.

           Unless the context otherwise clearly requires,  all references herein
to "fiscal year" and "fiscal  quarter" shall refer to such fiscal periods of the
Company.
                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE CREDITS

         2.1 AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS.

           Each Bank  severally  agrees,  on the terms and  conditions set forth
herein,  to make  loans to the  Company  from time to time on any  Business  Day
during the period from the Refinancing Date to the Revolving  Termination  Date,
in an  aggregate  amount  not to exceed at any time  outstanding  the amount set
forth on SCHEDULE 2.1 (as such amount may be reduced  under  Section 2.7 or as a
result of one or more assignments under Section 10.8, each Bank's "COMMITMENT");
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that, after giving effect to any Committed  Borrowing,  the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans shall not at any time exceed
the lesser of (i) the combined  Commitments or (ii) the Borrowing  Base.  Within
the  limits of each  Bank's  Commitment,  and  subject  to the  other  terms and
conditions  hereof,  the Company may borrow under this Section 2.1, prepay under
Section 2.8 and reborrow under this Section 2.1; and PROVIDED FURTHER,  that the
Company shall not have Federal Funds Rate  Committed  Loans  outstanding  for 30
consecutive days or longer.

         2.2 LOAN ACCOUNTS.

           (a) The Loans  made by each Bank  shall be  evidenced  by one or more
loan  accounts  or records  maintained  by such Bank in the  ordinary  course of
business.  The loan accounts or records maintained by the  Administrative  Agent
and each Bank shall be  conclusive  absent  manifest  error of the amount of the

                                       19
<PAGE>
Loans made by the Banks to the Company and the interest  and  payments  thereon.
Any failure so to record or any error in doing so shall not,  however,  limit or
otherwise affect the obligation of the Company hereunder to pay any amount owing
with respect to the Loans.

           (b) Upon the  request  of any Bank made  through  the  Administrative
Agent,  the  Loans  made by such  Bank may be  evidenced  by one or more  Notes,
instead of loan accounts.  Each such Bank shall endorse on the schedules annexed
to its Notes  the  date,  amount  and  maturity  of each Loan made by it and the
amount of each  payment of principal  made by the Company with respect  thereto.
Each such Bank is irrevocably authorized by the Company to endorse its Notes and
each Bank's record shall be conclusive absent manifest error; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the failure of a Bank to make,  or an error in making,  a notation  thereon
with respect to any Loan shall not limit or otherwise  affect the obligations of
the  Company  hereunder  or  under  any such  Note to such  Bank.  If Notes  are
delivered to a Bank, the Committed Loans made by such Bank would be evidenced by
a Committed  Loan Note,  the Bid Loans made by such Bank would be evidenced by a
Bid Loan Note and, in the case of the Administrative Agent, the Swing Loans made
by the Administrative Agent would be evidenced by a Swing Loan Note.

           Promptly following the Refinancing Date, each Bank that is a party to
the  Original  Agreement  shall  return  to the  Company  for  cancellation  any
promissory note issued to it by the Company under the Original Agreement and not
theretofore cancelled.

         2.3 PROCEDURE FOR COMMITTED BORROWING.

           (a)  Each  Committed  Borrowing  shall  be made  upon  the  Company's
irrevocable written notice delivered to the Administrative  Agent in the form of
a Notice of Borrowing (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent
prior to 12:00 noon (Boston time) (i) three Business Days prior to the requested
Borrowing  Date, in the case of Offshore Rate Committed  Loans;  and (ii) on the
requested  Borrowing  Date, in the case of Federal Funds Rate  Committed  Loans,
specifying:

               (A) the amount of the Committed  Borrowing,  which shall be in an
          aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and multiples of $1,000,000;

               (B) the requested Borrowing Date, which shall be a Business Day;

               (C)  the  Type  of  Committed  Loans   comprising  the  Committed
          Borrowing; and

               (D)  the  duration  of  the  Interest  Period  applicable  to any
          Offshore Rate Committed  Loans included in such notice.  If the Notice
          of Borrowing  fails to specify the duration of the Interest Period for
          any Committed  Borrowing  comprised of Offshore Rate Committed  Loans,
          such Interest Period shall be three months.

                                       20
<PAGE>
           (b) The  Administrative  Agent will promptly  notify each Bank of its
receipt of any  Notice of  Borrowing  and of the amount of such  Bank's Pro Rata
Share of that Committed Borrowing.

           (c) Each  Bank will  make the  amount  of its Pro Rata  Share of each
Committed Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Company at the Administrative  Agent's Payment Office by 2:00 p.m. (Boston time)
on the Borrowing Date requested by the Company in funds immediately available to
the Administrative  Agent. The proceeds of all such Committed Loans will then be
made  available  to the  Company by the  Administrative  Agent by deposit to the
Deposit Account or such other account as the Company may direct.

           (d) After giving effect to any Committed Borrowing,  there may not be
more than ten  different  Interest  Periods in effect in respect of all Offshore
Rate Committed Loans and Bid Loans together then outstanding.

         2.4 CONVERSION AND CONTINUATION ELECTIONS FOR COMMITTED BORROWINGS.

           (a)  The  Company  may,  upon  irrevocable   written  notice  to  the
Administrative Agent in accordance with subsection 2.4(b):

               (i) elect,  as of any Business  Day, in the case of Federal Funds
          Rate Committed Loans, or as of the last day of the applicable Interest
          Period,  in the case of Offshore Rate Committed  Loans, to convert any
          such  Committed  Loans (or any part thereof in an amount not less than
          $1,000,000) into Committed Loans of the other Type; or

               (ii) elect, as of the last day of the applicable Interest Period,
          to continue any Offshore Rate Committed Loans having Interest  Periods
          expiring  on such day (or any part  thereof in an amount not less than
          $1,000,000);

PROVIDED,  that if at any time the aggregate  amount of Offshore Rate  Committed
Loans in respect of any Committed Borrowing is reduced, by payment,  prepayment,
or conversion of part thereof,  to be less than  $1,000,000,  such Offshore Rate
Committed  Loans shall  automatically  convert into Federal Funds Rate Committed
Loans,  and on and after  such date the right of the  Company to  continue  such
Committed  Loans as, and  convert  such  Committed  Loans  into,  Offshore  Rate
Committed Loans shall terminate.

           (b) The Company shall deliver a Notice of Conversion/ Continuation to
be received by the Administrative  Agent not later than 12:00 noon (Boston time)
at least (i) three Business Days in advance of the Conversion/Continuation Date,

                                       21
<PAGE>
if the  Committed  Loans are to be converted  into or continued as Offshore Rate
Committed Loans; and (ii) on the Conversion/Continuation  Date, if Offshore Rate
Committed  Loans are to be converted  into Federal Funds Rate  Committed  Loans,
specifying:

               (A) the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date;

               (B) the  aggregate  amount of Committed  Loans to be converted or
          continued;

               (C) the Type of  Committed  Loans  resulting  from  the  proposed
          conversion or continuation; and

               (D) other than in the case of conversions into Federal Funds Rate
          Committed Loans, the duration of the requested Interest Period.

           (c) If upon the  expiration  of any  Interest  Period  applicable  to
Offshore  Rate  Committed  Loans,  the Company has failed to select timely a new
Interest  Period to be applicable to such Offshore Rate Committed  Loans,  or if
any Default or Event of Default then exists, the Company shall be deemed to have
elected to convert such  Offshore Rate  Committed  Loans into Federal Funds Rate
Committed Loans effective as of the expiration date of such Interest Period.

           (d) The  Administrative  Agent will promptly  notify each Bank of its
receipt  of a Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  or,  if no  timely  notice is
provided by the Company, the Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Bank
of the details of any automatic  conversion.  All conversions and  continuations
shall be made ratably according to the respective  outstanding principal amounts
of the  Committed  Loans with respect to which the notice was given held by each
Bank.

           (e) Unless all the Banks otherwise  agree,  during the existence of a
Default or Event of Default,  the Company may not elect to have a Committed Loan
converted into or continued as an Offshore Rate Committed Loan.

           (f)  After  giving  effect  to  any  conversion  or  continuation  of
Committed  Loans,  there may not be more than ten different  Interest Periods in
effect in respect of all Offshore Rate  Committed  Loans and Bid Loans  together
then outstanding.

           2.5 BID BORROWINGS.  In addition to Committed  Borrowings pursuant to
Section 2.3,  each Bank  severally  agrees that the Company may, as set forth in
Section  2.6,  from  time to time  request  the  Banks  prior  to the  Revolving
Termination  Date to submit  offers to make Bid Loans to the Company;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Banks may, but shall have no obligation to, submit such offers

                                       22
<PAGE>
and the Company may, but shall have no  obligation  to,  accept any such offers;
and  PROVIDED,  FURTHER,  that at no time  shall (a) the  outstanding  aggregate
principal  amount  of all Bid  Loans  made by all  Banks,  plus the  outstanding
aggregate  principal  amount of all Committed  Loans made by all Banks and Swing
Loans made by the  Administrative  Agent exceed the combined  Commitments or the
Borrowing Base; (b) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of Bid Loans from
any one Bank exceed $100,000,000; (c) the outstanding aggregate principal amount
of Bid Loans made by all Banks  exceed 60% of the combined  Commitments;  or (d)
the number of Interest Periods for Bid Loans then outstanding plus the number of
Interest Periods for Offshore Rate Committed Loans then outstanding exceed ten.

           2.6 PROCEDURE FOR BID BORROWINGS.

           (a) When the Company  wishes to request the Banks to submit offers to
make Bid Loans  hereunder,  it shall  transmit  to the Banks by  telephone  call
followed  promptly by facsimile  transmission a notice in substantially the form
of EXHIBIT F (a  "COMPETITIVE  BID  REQUEST") so as to be received no later than
12:00 noon (Boston  time) (x) four Business Days prior to the date of a proposed
Bid Borrowing in the case of a LIBOR Auction,  or (y) two Business Days prior to
the date of a proposed Bid  Borrowing in the case of an Absolute  Rate  Auction,
specifying:

               (i) the date of such Bid  Borrowing,  which  shall be a  Business
          Day;

               (ii) the aggregate amount of such Bid Borrowing, which shall be a
          minimum  amount of  $5,000,000 or in multiples of $1,000,000 in excess
          thereof;

               (iii) whether the Competitive  Bids requested are to be for LIBOR
          Bid Loans or Absolute Rate Bid Loans or both; and

               (iv) the  duration of the  Interest  Period  applicable  thereto,
          subject to the  provisions  of the  definition  of  "Interest  Period"
          herein.

Subject to subsection 2.6(b),  the Company may not request  Competitive Bids for
more than three Interest Periods in a single Competitive Bid Request and may not
request Competitive Bids more than once in any period of five Business Days.

           (b) (i) Each  Bank may at its  discretion  submit a  Competitive  Bid
containing  an offer or offers to make Bid Loans in response to any  Competitive
Bid Request.  Each  Competitive  Bid must comply with the  requirements  of this
subsection 2.6(b) and must be submitted to the Company by facsimile transmission
at the  Company's  office for notices set forth on SCHEDULE  10.2 not later than
(1) 9:30 a.m. (Boston time) three Business Days prior to the proposed  Borrowing
Date,  in the case of a LIBOR  Auction  or (2) 9:30  a.m.  (Boston  time) on the
proposed Borrowing Date, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction.

                                       23
<PAGE>

               (ii) Each Competitive Bid shall be in  substantially  the form of
          EXHIBIT G, specifying therein:

                    (A) the proposed Borrowing Date;

                    (B) the  principal  amount of each Bid Loan for  which  such
               Competitive Bid is being made,  which principal amount (x) may be
               equal to, greater than or less than the Commitment of the quoting
               Bank,  (y) must be  $5,000,000  or in multiples of  $1,000,000 in
               excess  thereof,  and (z) may not exceed the principal  amount of
               Bid Loans for which Competitive Bids were requested;

                    (C) in case the Company elects a LIBOR  Auction,  the margin
               above or below the LIBO Rate (the "LIBOR BID MARGIN") offered for
               each such Bid Loan,  expressed  as a  percentage  (rounded to the
               nearest  1/16th  of 1%) to be  added  to or  subtracted  from the
               applicable LIBO Rate and the Interest Period applicable thereto;

                    (D) in case the Company elects an Absolute Rate Auction, the
               rate of interest per annum (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th
               of 1%) (the "ABSOLUTE RATE") offered for each such Bid Loan; and

                    (E) the identity of the quoting Bank.

          A  Competitive  Bid may  contain  up to three  separate  offers by the
          quoting Bank with  respect to each  Interest  Period  specified in the
          related Competitive Bid Request.

               (iii) Any Competitive Bid shall be disregarded if it:

                    (A) is not  substantially  in  conformity  with EXHIBIT G or
               does not specify all of the  information  required by  subsection
               (b)(ii) of this Section;

                    (B) contains qualifying, conditional or similar language;

                    (C)  proposes  terms  other than or in addition to those set
               forth in the applicable Competitive Bid Request; or

                    (D) arrives after the time set forth in subsection (b)(i) of
               this Section.

               (iv)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in this
          subsection 2.6(b), a Competitive Bid by any Bank may contain, and will
          not be  disregarded  if it does contain,  a restriction  on the use of
          proceeds thereof.

                                       24
<PAGE>
           (c) Any subsequent Competitive Bid by a Bank that amends, modifies or
is otherwise  inconsistent with a previous  Competitive Bid shall be disregarded
by the Company unless subsequent  Competitive Bid is submitted solely to correct
a manifest error in such former  Competitive Bid and only if received within the
times set forth in subsection 2.6(b). Subject only to the provisions of Sections
3.2,  3.5 and 4.2  hereof  and  the  provisions  of  this  subsection  (c),  any
Competitive  Bid shall be  irrevocable  except with the  written  consent of the
Administrative Agent given on the written instructions of the Company.

           (d) Not later than 10:30 a.m. (Boston time) three Business Days prior
to the proposed  Borrowing  Date, in the case of a LIBOR Auction,  or 10:30 a.m.
(Boston  time) on the proposed  Borrowing  Date, in the case of an Absolute Rate
Auction,  the Company shall notify the Banks of its acceptance or non-acceptance
of the offers so notified to it pursuant to subsection 2.6(b). The Company shall
be under no  obligation to accept any offer and may choose to reject all offers.
In the case of  acceptance,  such notice shall specify the  aggregate  principal
amount of offers for each  Interest  Period  that is  accepted.  The Company may
accept any Competitive Bid in whole or in part; PROVIDED that:

          (i) the  aggregate  principal  amount  of each Bid  Borrowing  may not
     exceed the  applicable  amount  set forth in the  related  Competitive  Bid
     Request;

          (ii) the principal  amount of each Bid Borrowing must be $5,000,000 or
     in any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;

          (iii)  acceptance of offers may only be made on the basis of ascending
     (i.e., from the lowest effective yield to the highest) LIBOR Bid Margins or
     Absolute Rates within each Interest Period, as the case may be; and

          (iv) the  Company  may not  accept  any  offer  that is  described  in
     subsection   2.6(b)(iii)  or  that  otherwise  fails  to  comply  with  the
     requirements of this Agreement.

           (e) If offers  are made by two or more  Banks with the same LIBOR Bid
Margins or Absolute Rates, as the case may be, for a greater aggregate principal
amount  than the amount in respect of which  such  offers are  accepted  for the
related Interest  Period,  the principal amount of Bid Loans in respect of which
such offers are accepted  shall be allocated by the  Administrative  Agent among
such Banks as nearly as possible (in such multiples,  not less than  $1,000,000,
as the Company may deem  appropriate)  in proportion to the aggregate  principal
amounts of such offers. Determination by the Company of the amounts of Bid Loans
shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

           (f) (i) The Company will promptly notify each Bank having submitted a
Competitive  Bid if its  offer  has been  accepted  and,  if its  offer has been
accepted,  of the  amount  of the Bid Loan or Bid  Loans to be made by it on the
date of the Bid  Borrowing.  The Company  shall also  notify the  Administrative
Agent of the Bid Loan or Bid Loans to be made.

                                       25
<PAGE>
          (ii) Each Bank,  which has  received  notice  pursuant  to  subsection
2.6(f)(i) that its Competitive Bid has been accepted,  shall make the amounts of
such Bid Loans  available  to the  Administrative  Agent for the  account of the
Company at the Administrative Agent's Payment Office, by 2:00 p.m. (Boston time)
on  such  date  of  Bid  Borrowing,   in  funds  immediately  available  to  the
Administrative  Agent  for the  account  of the  Company  at the  Administrative
Agent's Payment Office.

          (iii) Promptly following each Bid Borrowing,  the Company shall notify
each Bank of the  ranges of bids  submitted  and the  highest  and  lowest  Bids
accepted for each  Interest  Period  requested by the Company and the  aggregate
amount borrowed pursuant to such Bid Borrowing.

           (g) If, on or prior to the proposed  Borrowing  Date, the Commitments
have not been terminated and if, on such proposed  Borrowing Date all applicable
conditions  to  funding  referenced  in  Sections  3.2,  3.5 and 4.2  hereof are
satisfied,  the Bank or Banks whose  offers the Company has  accepted  will fund
each Bid Loan so  accepted.  Nothing in this Section 2.6 shall be construed as a
right of first offer in favor of the Banks or to otherwise  limit the ability of
the Company to request and accept credit  facilities from any Person  (including
any of the Banks),  provided that no Default or Event of Default would otherwise
arise or exist as a result of the Company  executing,  delivering  or performing
under such credit facilities.

           2.7 VOLUNTARY  TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF  COMMITMENTS.  The Company
may, upon not less than five Business  Days' prior notice to the  Administrative
Agent,  terminate the Commitments,  or permanently  reduce the Commitments by an
aggregate  minimum  amount of  $5,000,000  or a multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof; UNLESS, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of Committed
Loans made on the effective date thereof, the then outstanding  principal amount
of the Loans would exceed the amount of the combined Commitments then in effect.
Once  reduced  in  accordance  with this  Section,  the  Commitments  may not be
increased.  Any  reduction  of the  Commitments  shall be  applied  to each Bank
according to its Pro Rata Share. All accrued facility fees to, but not including
the effective date of any reduction or termination of Commitments, shall be paid
on the effective date of such reduction or termination.

           2.8 PREPAYMENTS.

           (a) If at any time the outstanding principal amount of the Loans plus
other liabilities (as determined in the calculation of the Borrowing Base) shall
exceed the then-current Borrowing Base, the Company shall immediately prepay the
outstanding  principal  amount of such Loans or other  liabilities  in an amount
equal to such  excess,  together  with  interest  accrued  thereon  and  amounts
required under Section 3.4.

           (b) Subject to Section 3.4, the Company may, at any time or from time
to time,  ratably prepay Committed Loans in whole or in part, in minimum amounts
of $1,000,000 or multiple thereof upon irrevocable notice to the Administrative

                                       26
<PAGE>
Agent  not  later  than  12:00  noon  (Boston  time) on the  date of a  proposed
prepayment of Federal Funds Rate  Committed  Loans and three Business Days prior
to the date of a proposed  prepayment of Offshore  Rate  Committed  Loans.  Such
notice of prepayment  shall specify the date and amount of such  prepayment  and
the Type(s) of  Committed  Loans to be prepaid.  The  Administrative  Agent will
promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of any such notice,  and of such Bank's
Pro Rata Share of such prepayment.  If such notice is given by the Company,  the
Company  shall make such  prepayment  and the payment  amount  specified in such
notice shall be due and payable on the date  specified  therein,  together  with
accrued  interest  to each  such  date on the  amount  prepaid  and any  amounts
required pursuant to Section 3.4.

           (c) Bid Loans may not be voluntarily prepaid.

           2.9 REPAYMENT.

           (a) All Loans which are outstanding on the Revolving Termination Date
shall be repaid in  twelve  substantially  equal  quarterly  installments.  Such
installments  shall be  payable  at  quarterly  intervals  after  the  Revolving
Termination  Date,  commencing  on  a  date  one  quarter  after  the  Revolving
Termination Date and continuing  until the Maturity Date;  PROVIDED that, in any
event, all Loans shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date.

           (b) The  Company  shall  repay  each  Bid Loan on the last day of the
relevant Interest Period.

           2.10 INTEREST.

           (a) Each  Committed  Loan  shall  bear  interest  on the  outstanding
principal amount thereof from the applicable  Borrowing Date at a rate per annum
equal to the Offshore  Rate or the Federal  Funds Rate,  as the case may be (and
subject to the  Company's  right to convert to other  Types of  Committed  Loans
under  Section  2.4),  PLUS the  Applicable  Margin.  Each Bid Loan  shall  bear
interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the relevant Borrowing
Date at a rate per annum  equal to the LIBO Rate plus (or  minus)  the LIBOR Bid
Margin, or at the Absolute Rate, as the case may be.

           (b)  Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each  Interest
Payment  Date.  Interest  shall  also be paid on the date of any  prepayment  of
Committed  Loans  under  Section 2.8 for the portion of the Loans so prepaid and
upon payment (including prepayment) in full thereof and, during the existence of
any Event of  Default,  interest  shall be paid on demand of the  Administrative
Agent at the request or with the consent of the Majority Banks.

           (c) Notwithstanding  subsection (a) of this Section,  while any Event
of Default exists or after  acceleration,  the Company shall pay interest (after
as well as before entry of judgment  thereon to the extent  permitted by law) on

                                       27
<PAGE>
the principal amount of all outstanding  Loans, at a rate per annum equal to the
Base Rate PLUS 2% plus the Applicable Margin per annum; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that,
until the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any Offshore Rate Loan
outstanding on the date of occurrence of such Event of Default or  acceleration,
the principal  amount of such Loan shall,  during the continuation of such Event
of Default or after acceleration, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the
rate which would otherwise be applicable with respect to such Loans PLUS 2%.

           (d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding,  the obligations
of the Company to any Bank  hereunder  shall be subject to the  limitation  that
payments of interest  shall not be required for any period for which interest is
computed hereunder,  to the extent (but only to the extent) that contracting for
or receiving  such payment by such Bank would be contrary to the  provisions  of
any law  applicable  to such Bank limiting the highest rate of interest that may
be lawfully  contracted for, charged or received by such Bank, and in such event
the  Company  shall pay such Bank  interest  at the highest  rate  permitted  by
applicable law.

           2.11 FEES.

           (a)  ARRANGEMENT AND AGENCY FEES. The Company shall pay (i) an agency
fee to the Administrative  Agent for its own account,  as required by the letter
agreement  between the Company and the  Administrative  Agent dated September 2,
1998; and (ii) fees to the Arranger and the Syndication Agent for the Arranger's
and the  Syndication  Agent's own account,  as required by the letter  agreement
between  the Company  and the  Arranger  dated  September  2, 1998.  The letters
referred to in this subsection  2.11(a) are hereinafter  referred to as the "FEE
LETTERS".

           (b) FACILITY FEES. The Company shall pay to the Administrative  Agent
for the account of each Bank a facility fee on the average  daily amount of such
Bank's  Commitment  (whether  or not used),  computed  on a  quarterly  basis in
arrears on the last  Business Day of each calendar  quarter,  equal to 0.10% per
annum. Such facility fee shall accrue from the Closing Date to the Maturity Date
and shall be due and payable  quarterly  in arrears on the last  Business Day of
each March,  June,  September and December  commencing on September 30, 1998, to
the  Maturity  Date,  with the final  payment to be made on the  Maturity  Date;
PROVIDED  that, in connection  with any reduction or  termination of Commitments
under Section 2.7, the accrued  facility fee calculated for the period ending on
such date shall also be paid on the date of such reduction or termination,  with
the following quarterly payment being calculated on the basis of the period from
such reduction or termination date to such quarterly  payment date. The facility
fees  provided  in  this  subsection   shall  accrue  at  all  times  after  the
above-mentioned  commencement  date,  including  at any time during which one or
more conditions in Article IV are not met.

                                       28
<PAGE>
           2.12 COMPUTATION OF FEES AND INTEREST.

           (a) All  computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis
of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed. Interest and fees shall accrue during
each period  during which  interest or such fees are computed from the first day
thereof to the last day thereof.

           (b) Each  determination  of an  interest  rate by the  Administrative
Agent  shall be  conclusive  and  binding  on the  Company  and the Banks in the
absence of manifest error.

           2.13 PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY.

           (a) All  payments  to be made by the  Company  shall be made  without
set-off,  recoupment or  counterclaim.  Except as otherwise  expressly  provided
herein,  all payments by the Company shall be made to the  Administrative  Agent
for the account of the Banks at the  Administrative  Agent's Payment Office, and
shall be made in dollars and in immediately  available funds, no later than 2:00
p.m. (Boston time) on the date specified herein. The  Administrative  Agent will
promptly distribute to each Bank its applicable share as provided herein of such
payment in like funds as received.  Any payment  received by the  Administrative
Agent later than 2:00 p.m.  (Boston  time) shall be deemed to have been received
on the following Business Day and any applicable  interest or fee shall continue
to accrue.

           (b)  Subject  to  the  provisions  set  forth  in the  definition  of
"Interest  Period"  herein,  whenever  any  payment is due on a day other than a
Business Day, such payment shall be made on the following Business Day, and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the  computation of interest
or fees, as the case may be.

           (c) Unless the Administrative  Agent receives notice from the Company
prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Banks that the Company will
not make such payment in full as and when required, the Administrative Agent may
assume  that the  Company  has made such  payment in full to the  Administrative
Agent on such date in immediately  available funds and the Administrative  Agent
may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, distribute
to each Bank on such due date an amount  equal to the amount then due such Bank.
If and to the  extent  the  Company  has not made  such  payment  in full to the
Administrative  Agent,  each Bank  shall  repay to the  Administrative  Agent on
demand such amount  distributed to such Bank,  together with interest thereon at
the Federal Funds Rate for each day from the date such amount is  distributed to
such Bank until the date repaid.

           2.14 PAYMENTS BY THE BANKS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

           (a) Unless the Administrative Agent receives notice from a Bank on or
prior to the Closing  Date or, with respect to any  Borrowing  after the Closing
Date, at least one Business Day prior to the date of such  Borrowing,  that such
Bank  will  not  make   available  as  and  when   required   hereunder  to  the
Administrative  Agent for the  account of the  Company the amount of that Bank's

                                       29
<PAGE>
Bid Loan or its Pro Rata Share of a Committed Borrowing, as the case may be, the
Administrative Agent may assume that each Bank has made such amount available to
the  Administrative  Agent in immediately  available funds on the Borrowing Date
and the  Administrative  Agent may (but shall not be so  required),  in reliance
upon such assumption, make available to the Company on such date a corresponding
amount.  If and to the  extent  any Bank  shall  not have  made its full  amount
available to the  Administrative  Agent in immediately  available  funds and the
Administrative  Agent in such  circumstances  has made  available to the Company
such amount,  that Bank shall on the Business Day following  such Borrowing Date
make such amount available to the Administrative  Agent,  together with interest
at the  Federal  Funds Rate for each day  during  such  period.  A notice of the
Administrative  Agent  submitted to any Bank with respect to amounts owing under
this  subsection (a) shall be conclusive,  absent manifest error. If such amount
is so made available,  such payment to the Administrative Agent shall constitute
such Bank's Loan on the date of Borrowing for all purposes of this Agreement. If
such amount is not made  available to the  Administrative  Agent on the Business
Day following  the  Borrowing  Date,  the  Administrative  Agent will notify the
Company of such failure to fund and,  upon demand by the  Administrative  Agent,
the  Company  shall  pay  such  amount  to  the  Administrative  Agent  for  the
Administrative  Agent's  account,  together with  interest  thereon for each day
elapsed  since  the date of such  Borrowing,  at a rate per  annum  equal to the
interest rate applicaoans comprising such Borrowing.

           (b) The  failure of any Bank to make any Loan on any  Borrowing  Date
shall not relieve any other Bank of any  obligation  hereunder to make a Loan on
such Borrowing  Date,  but no Bank shall be  responsible  for the failure of any
other Bank to make a Loan to be made by such other Bank on any Borrowing Date.

           2.15 SHARING OF PAYMENTS,  ETC. If, other than as expressly  provided
elsewhere  herein,  any Bank shall obtain on account of the Committed Loans made
by it any payment (whether voluntary,  involuntary,  through the exercise of any
right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its Pro Rata Share, such Bank shall
immediately (a) notify the  Administrative  Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase
from the other Banks such  participations in the Committed Loans made by them as
shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Bank to share the excess payment pro
rata with each of them;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that if all or any portion of such
excess payment is thereafter  recovered from the purchasing  Bank, such purchase
shall to that  extent  be  rescinded  and each  other  Bank  shall  repay to the
purchasing Bank the purchase price paid therefor,  together with an amount equal
to such paying  Bank's  ratable share  (according  to the  proportion of (i) the
amount of such paying  Bank's  required  repayment  to (ii) the total  amount so
recovered  from the  purchasing  Bank) of any  interest or other  amount paid or
payable by the purchasing Bank in respect of the total amount so recovered.  The
Company  agrees that any Bank so  purchasing a  participation  from another Bank
may, to the fullest extent permitted by law,  exercise all its rights of payment
(including  the right of set-off,  but subject to Section  10.9) with respect to
such  participation  as fully as if such Bank were the  direct  creditor  of the
Company in the amount of such participation.  The Administrative Agent will keep

                                       30
<PAGE>
records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error)
of participations  purchased under this Section and will in each case notify the
Banks following any such purchases or repayments.

           2.16  SUBSEQUENT  BANK.  Upon the  agreement  of the  Company and the
Syndication  Agent,  one or more additional  Banks  ("SUBSEQUENT  BANKS") may be
added to this  Agreement at any time pursuant to the terms of a Subsequent  Bank
Supplement  substantially in the Form of EXHIBIT K hereto.  Upon the addition of
such Subsequent Bank(s),  the aggregate of the Commitments shall be increased to
up to $300,000,000  and each Bank's Pro Rata Share of the aggregate  Commitments
shall be amended  accordingly.  The  Subsequent  Banks  shall  purchase  and the
existing Banks shall sell such assignments of existing Loans as may be necessary
to cause the  outstanding  Loans of each Borrowing to equal the  appropriate Pro
Rata Share.

           The addition of such Subsequent Banks is further conditioned upon the
payment by the Company of any amount sufficient to compensate the existing Banks
for any cost related to breakage of existing  Interest  Periods or to compensate
the Subsequent Banks for the cost of funding existing Loans for the remainder of
the existing Interest Periods.

           The Company agrees to deliver such Notes and other  documentation  as
may be necessary to evidence its  obligation  to the Banks after the addition of
the Subsequent Banks hereunder and under the other various Loan Documents.

           2.17 SWING LOANS.

           (a) MAKING OF SWING LOANS. The Administrative  Agent may elect in its
sole  discretion  to make loans of a Federal  Funds  Rate Loan Type (the  "SWING
LOAN(S)") to the Company solely for the Administrative  Agent's own account from
time to time on or after the Closing Date and prior to the Revolving Termination
Date up to an  aggregate  principal  amount at any one time  outstanding  not to
exceed  $50,000,000;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that after giving effect to any Swing
Loan, the aggregate  principal amount of all outstanding  Loans shall not exceed
the lesser of (i) the  combined  Commitments  or (ii) the  Borrowing  Base.  The
Administrative  Agent may make Swing Loans (subject to the conditions  precedent
set forth in SECTION  4.2),  PROVIDED  that the  Administrative  Agent  received
notice  no  later  than  2:00  p.m.   (Boston  time)  either  (i)  by  facsimile
transmission  of a Notice of borrowing  in writing or (ii) by  telephone  notice
from a  Responsible  Officer for funding of a Swing Loan on the  Business Day on
which such Swing Loan is requested to be made.  The  Administrative  Agent shall
not make any Swing Loan after the Administrative Agent becomes aware that one or
more of the conditions precedent contained in SECTION 4.2 is not satisfied until
such conditions have been satisfied or waived.

           (b) LOAN  REQUESTS FOR SWING LOANS.  If the Company  shall request by
telephone notice and obtain a Swing Loan, it shall deliver promptly by facsimile
transmission to the Administrative  Agent and the Administrative  Agent a Notice
of Borrowing  signed by a Responsible  Officer  confirming such telephone notice
for a Swing Loan. If the  information  contained in any such Notice of borrowing
differs in any  material  respect  from the action  taken by the  Administrative
Agent,  the records of the  Administrative  Agent shall govern,  absent manifest
error.

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<PAGE>
           (c) REPAYMENT OF SWING LOANS.  Each  outstanding  Swing Loan shall be
payable on the Business Day next following the day the Swing Loan was made, with
interest at the rate applicable to Federal Funds Rate Loans accrued thereon, and
shall be subject to all the terms and  conditions  applicable  to Loans,  except
that all interest  thereon shall be payable to the  Administrative  Agent solely
for its own  account.  On the due date for such Swing  Loan,  unless the Company
delivers or has previously delivered to the Administrative Agent a notice of its
intention  to repay and does repay the Swing  Loan  prior to 12:00 noon  (Boston
time), such Swing Loan shall automatically  convert to a Federal Funds Rate Loan
under this  Agreement,  and each Bank  (other  than the  Administrative  Agent),
shall,  absent the gross negligence or willful  misconduct of the Administrative
Agent in making such Swing Loan,  irrevocably and unconditionally  purchase from
the Administrative  Agent,  without recourse or warranty,  an undivided interest
and  participation in such Swing Loan in an amount equal to such Bank's Pro Rata
Share and promptly pay such amount to the  Administrative  Agent in  immediately
available  funds (which payment shall be due by 2:00 p.m.  (Boston time) on such
day if the  Administrative  Agent requests  payment therefor prior to 12:00 noon
(Boston  time) on such day;  otherwise  such  payment  shall be due by 2:00 p.m.
(Boston time) on the first Business Day after the Administrative  Agent requests
the same). Such payment shall be made by the other Banks whether or not an Event
of Default or a Default is then continuing or any other condition  precedent set
forth  in  SECTION  4.2 is then  met and  whether  or not the  Company  has then
requested  a Loan in such  amount.  If such  amount  is not in fact  paid to the
Administrative  Agent by any Bank, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to
recover such amount on demand from such Bank,  together  with  accrued  interest
thereon from the due date therefor (if made prior to 2:00 p.m.,  Boston time) on
any Business Day until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative  Agent
by such Bank,  at the Federal  Funds  Rate.  The failure of any Bank to pay such
amount to the  Administrative  Agent  shall not  relieve  any other  Bank of its
obligation to the Administrative Agent hereunder.

           2.18 EXTENSION OF REVOLVING  TERMINATION DATE. Between 60 and 45 days
prior to the  Revolving  Termination  Date,  the  Company  may, by notice to the
Administrative  Agent, request that all Banks extend for one additional year the
Revolving  Termination  Date. Such extension so requested shall become effective
if (and only if) on or prior to 30 days after such notice,  each Bank shall have
consented to such extension in writing by notice to the Administrative Agent. If
a Bank shall not respond to any such request, it shall be deemed to have refused
to  extend.  If any  Bank (a  "NON-EXTENDING  BANK")  shall  not  agree  to such
extension, but Banks holding at least 80% of the Commitments shall agree to such
extension,  the  Company  may request one or more of the other Banks to purchase
the Commitment of the Non-Extending Bank or, with the consent of the Agents, the
Company may request an Eligible  Assignee  to  purchase  the  Commitment  of the
Non-Extending  Bank (any  such Bank or  Eligible  Assignee  purchasing  all or a
portion of such Commitment being called a "REPLACEMENT BANK"). Any such purchase
by a Replacement Bank shall be subject to the terms of Section 10.8, except that

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<PAGE>

the Company shall pay any cost related to breakage of existing  Interest Periods
or the cost of funding  existing  Loans for the  remainder of existing  Interest
Periods.  A requested  extension shall not be effective unless all Non-Extending
Banks are replaced by Replacement Banks.

                                   ARTICLE III

                     TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

           3.1 TAXES.

           (a) Any and all  payments  by the  Company to each Bank or each Agent
under this  Agreement and any other Loan  Document  shall be made free and clear
of, and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes. In addition, the Company
shall pay all Other Taxes.

           (b) The Company  agrees to indemnify  and hold harmless each Bank and
each Agent for the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes  (including  any Taxes or
Other Taxes imposed by any  jurisdiction  on amounts payable under this Section)
paid by such Bank or Agent and any  liability  (including  penalties,  interest,
additions  to tax and  expenses)  arising  therefrom  or with  respect  thereto,
whether or not such  Taxes or Other  Taxes were  correctly  or legally  asserted
(other than taxes on the income of a Bank by a jurisdiction with which such Bank
has an effective  connection).  Payment under this indemnification shall be made
within  30 days  after  the date  the Bank or the  Agent  makes  written  demand
therefor.

           (c) If the Company shall be required by law to deduct or withhold any
Taxes or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to any Bank
or Agent, then:

               (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after
          making all required deductions and withholdings  (including deductions
          and  withholdings  applicable  to  additional  sums payable under this
          Section)  such Bank or Agent,  as the case may be,  receives an amount
          equal to the sum it would  have  received  had no such  deductions  or
          withholdings been made;

               (ii) the Company shall make such deductions and withholdings;

               (iii) the Company shall pay the full amount  deducted or withheld
          to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance with
          applicable law; and

               (iv) the Company shall also pay to each Bank or any Agent for the
          account of such Bank,  at the time  interest is paid,  all  additional
          amounts which the  respective  Bank specifies as necessary to preserve
          the  after-tax  yield the Bank  would have  received  if such Taxes or
          Other Taxes had not been imposed.

                                       33
<PAGE>
           (d)  Within 30 days after the date of any  payment by the  Company of
Taxes or Other Taxes,  the Company  shall furnish the  Administrative  Agent the
original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing  payment thereof,  or other
evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

           (e) If the Company is required to pay additional  amounts to any Bank
or Agent  pursuant to subsection  (c) of this Section,  then such Bank shall use
reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions) to change
the  jurisdiction  of its Lending Office so as to eliminate any such  additional
payment  by the  Company  which may  thereafter  accrue,  if such  change in the
judgment of such Bank is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank.

           3.2 ILLEGALITY.

           (a) If any Bank determines  that the  introduction of any Requirement
of Law, or any change in any  Requirement  of Law, or in the  interpretation  or
administration  of any  Requirement  of Law, has made it  unlawful,  or that any
central bank or other  Governmental  Authority has asserted that it is unlawful,
for any Bank or its applicable Lending Office to make Offshore Rate Loans, then,
on notice thereof by the Bank to the Company through the  Administrative  Agent,
any obligation of that Bank to make Offshore Rate Loans (including in respect of
any LIBOR Bid Loan as to which the Company has accepted such Bank's  Competitive
Bid,  but as to which the  Borrowing  Date has not  arrived)  shall be suspended
until  the Bank  notifies  the  Administrative  Agent and the  Company  that the
circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist.

           (b) If a Bank determines that it is unlawful to maintain any Offshore
Rate Loan, the Company shall, upon its receipt of notice of such fact and demand
from such Bank (with a copy to the  Administrative  Agent),  prepay in full such
Offshore  Rate  Loans of that  Bank then  outstanding,  together  with  interest
accrued  thereon and amounts  required under Section 3.4, either on the last day
of the Interest  Period thereof,  if the Bank may lawfully  continue to maintain
such  Offshore  Rate  Loans to such  day,  or  immediately,  if the Bank may not
lawfully  continue  to  maintain  such  Offshore  Rate Loan.  If the  Company is
required to so prepay any Offshore Rate Committed Loan, then  concurrently  with
such prepayment,  the Company shall borrow from the affected Bank, in the amount
of such repayment, a Federal Funds Rate Committed Loan.

           (c) If the  obligation of any Bank to make or maintain  Offshore Rate
Committed  Loans has been so terminated or suspended,  the Company may elect, by
giving notice to the Bank through the Administrative  Agent that all Loans which
would  otherwise be made by the Bank as Offshore Rate  Committed  Loans shall be
instead Federal Funds Rate Committed Loans.

           (d) Before giving any notice to the  Administrative  Agent under this
Section,  the  affected  Bank shall  designate a different  Lending  Office with
respect to its Offshore Rate Loans if such  designation  will avoid the need for
giving such  notice or making  such demand and will not, in the  judgment of the
Bank, be illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to the Bank.

                                       34
<PAGE>
           3.3 INCREASED COSTS AND REDUCTION OF RETURN.

           (a) If any Bank determines  that, due to either (i) the  introduction
of or any change  (other than any change by way of  imposition of or increase in
reserve requirements  included in the calculation of the Offshore Rate) in or in
the  interpretation of any law or regulation or (ii) the compliance by that Bank
with any  guideline  or  request  from any  central  bank or other  Governmental
Authority  (whether or not having the force of law), there shall be any increase
in the cost to such Bank of agreeing to make or making,  funding or  maintaining
any Offshore  Rate Loans,  then the Company  shall be liable for, and shall from
time  to  time,  upon  demand  (with a copy  of  such  demand  to be sent to the
Administrative  Agent), pay to the Administrative  Agent for the account of such
Bank,  additional  amounts as are  sufficient to  compensate  such Bank for such
increased costs.

           (b) If any Bank shall have  determined  that (i) the  introduction of
any  Capital  Adequacy  Regulation,  (ii) any  change  in any  Capital  Adequacy
Regulation,  (iii) any change in the  interpretation  or  administration  of any
Capital Adequacy Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental  Authority
charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or (iv) compliance by
the Bank (or its Lending  Office) or any  corporation  controlling the Bank with
any Capital Adequacy  Regulation,  affects or would affect the amount of capital
required or expected to be maintained by the Bank or any corporation controlling
the Bank and  (taking  into  consideration  such  Bank's  or such  corporation's
policies  with  respect to capital  adequacy and such Bank's  desired  return on
capital)  determines  that  the  amount  of  such  capital  is  increased  as  a
consequence  of  its  Commitment,  Loans,  credits  or  obligations  under  this
Agreement  above  what such Bank or  corporation  would  have been  required  to
maintain but for the occurrence of such circumstances, then, upon demand of such
Bank to the Company through the  Administrative  Agent, the Company shall pay to
the  Bank,  from  time to time as  specified  by the  Bank,  additional  amounts
sufficient to compensate the Bank for such increase.

           (c) No Bank shall be entitled to compensation  under this Section 3.3
for any costs  incurred or reduction  suffered  with respect to any date that it
has such costs  unless it shall have  notified  the Company  that it will demand
compensation  for such costs or reductions  under paragraph (a) or (b) above, as
applicable, not more than 120 days after the later of (i) such date and (ii) the
date on which it shall have become aware of such costs or reductions;  provided,
however,  that the Company shall not be responsible  for any amount in excess of
its allocated share of such cost incurred or reductions suffered by the Company.

           3.4 FUNDING  LOSSES.  The Company shall  reimburse each Bank and hold
each Bank harmless from any loss or expense  (other than lost profits) which the
Bank may sustain or incur as a consequence of:

           (a) the failure of the Company to make on a timely  basis any payment
of principal of any Offshore Rate Loan;

                                       35
<PAGE>
           (b) the  failure  of the  Company  to  borrow a Loan or  continue  or
convert  a  Committed  Loan  after the  Company  has given (or is deemed to have
given) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation;

           (c)  the  failure  of the  Company  to  make  any  prepayment  of any
Committed Loan in accordance with any notice delivered under Section 2.8;

           (d) the  prepayment  (including  pursuant  to  Section  2.8) or other
payment  (including  after  acceleration  thereof) of any Offshore Rate Loan, or
Absolute  Rate  Bid  Loan  on a day  that is not the  last  day of the  relevant
Interest Period; or

           (e) the automatic  conversion  under Section 2.4 of any Offshore Rate
Committed  Loan to a Federal Funds Rate  Committed Loan on a day that is not the
last day of the relevant Interest Period;

including any such loss or expense  arising from the liquidation or reemployment
of funds obtained by it to maintain its Offshore Rate Loans or from fees payable
to terminate the deposits from which such funds were  obtained.  For purposes of
calculating  amounts  payable by the Company to the Banks under this Section and
under  subsection  3.3(a),  each  Offshore  Rate  Loan  made by a Bank (and each
related reserve,  special deposit or similar  requirement) shall be conclusively
deemed to have been  funded at the LIBO Rate used in  determining  the  Offshore
Rate for such Offshore Rate Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the
interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period,
whether or not such Offshore Rate Loan is in fact so funded.

           3.5 INABILITY TO DETERMINE RATES. If the Administrative  Agent or the
Majority Banks  determine that for any reason  adequate and reasonable  means do
not exist for determining  the LIBO Rate for any requested  Interest Period with
respect  to a proposed  Offshore  Rate  Loan,  or that the LIBO Rate  applicable
pursuant to subsection 2.10(a) for any requested Interest Period with respect to
a proposed Offshore Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to
the Banks of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify
the Company and each Bank.  Thereafter,  the  obligation of the Banks to make or
maintain   Offshore  Rate  Loans   hereunder   shall  be  suspended   until  the
Administrative  Agent, upon the instruction of the Majority Banks,  revokes such
notice in  writing.  Upon  receipt of such  notice,  the  Company may revoke any
Notice of Borrowing or Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  then submitted by it.
If the Company  does not revoke such  Notice,  the Banks shall make,  convert or
continue  the  Committed  Loans,  as  proposed  by the  Company,  in the  amount
specified in the applicable notice submitted by the Company,  but such Committed
Loans shall be made, converted into or continued as Federal Funds Rate Committed
Loans.

           3.6  CERTIFICATES  OF  BANKS.  Any  Bank  claiming  reimbursement  or
compensation under this Article III shall deliver to the Company (with a copy to
the Administrative  Agent) a certificate  setting forth in reasonable detail the
amount  payable to the Bank  hereunder and the Bank's  calculations  thereof and
such  certificate  shall be conclusive and binding on the Company in the absence
of manifest error.

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<PAGE>
           3.7 SURVIVAL.  The agreements and  obligations of the Company in this
Article III shall survive the payment of all other Obligations.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

           4.1  CONDITIONS  OF  INITIAL  LOANS.   This  Agreement  shall  become
effective on the Refinancing  Date. The occurrence of the  Refinancing  shall be
subject  to the  prior  or  concurrent  satisfaction  of each  of the  following
conditions precedent:

               (a)  DOCUMENTATION.  Receipt  by the  Administrative  Agent on or
before the Refinancing Date of (i) evidence, in form and substance  satisfactory
to the Administrative  Agent, that the GE Capital Facility shall have closed and
(ii)  all  of  the  following,   in  form  and  substance  satisfactory  to  the
Administrative   Agent  and  each  Bank,  and  in  sufficient   copies  for  the
Administrative Agent and each Bank:

               (i)  CREDIT  AGREEMENT.  This  Agreement  executed  by each party
          thereto;

               (ii) RESOLUTIONS; INCUMBENCY.

                    (A) Copies of the  resolutions  of the board of  trustees of
               the Company  authorizing the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,
               certified  as of the  Refinancing  Date  by the  Secretary  or an
               Assistant Secretary of the Company and

                    (B) A certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
               the  Company  certifying  the  names and true  signatures  of the
               officers  of the  Company  authorized  to  execute,  deliver  and
               perform,  as  applicable,  this  Agreement,  and all  other  Loan
               Documents to be delivered by it hereunder;

               (iii)  ORGANIZATION   DOCUMENTS;   GOOD  STANDING.  Each  of  the
          following documents:

                    (A)  to  the  extent  not   previously   delivered   to  the
               Syndication   Agent,   any  amendment  to  the  Trust  Agreement,
               certified by the Secretary or Assistant  Secretary of the Company
               as of the initial Borrowing Date; and

                                       37
<PAGE>
                    (B) a good standing  certificate  from the Company issued by
               the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

               (iv) SECURITY AGREEMENT.  The Security Agreement duly executed by
          the parties  thereto,  together  with  evidence,  satisfactory  to the
          Administrative  Agent,  that all filings and other actions  reasonably
          intended to perfect the Administrative  Agent's Lien on any collateral
          granted under the Security  Agreement have been duly made and done and
          are in full force and effect and together with certified copies of the
          Intercreditor Agreement and Custody Agreement referred to therein.

               (v) LEGAL OPINION. An opinion of Dechert Price & Rhoads,  counsel
          to the Company,  addressed to the Agents and the Banks,  substantially
          in the form of EXHIBIT D;

               (vi)  PAYMENT OF FEES.  Evidence of payment by the Company of all
          accrued and unpaid fees, costs and expenses to the extent then due and
          payable on the Refinancing Date,  together with Attorney Costs of BofA
          to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Refinancing Date;  including
          any such costs,  fees and  expenses  arising  under or  referenced  in
          Sections 2.11 and 10.4;

               (vii) CERTIFICATE. A certificate signed by a Responsible Officer,
          dated as of the Refinancing Date, stating that:

                    (A) the representations and warranties  contained in Article
               V are true and correct on and as of such date,  as though made on
               and as of such date;

                    (B) no Default or Event of Default exists; and

                    (C) there has occurred  since February 28, 1998, no event or
               circumstance that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to
               result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

               (viii) OTHER DOCUMENTS. Such other approvals, opinions, documents
          or materials as the Agent or any Bank may request.

           4.2 CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS. The obligation of each Bank to make
any  Committed  Loan to be made by it (other than the  reimbursement  of a Swing
Loan  pursuant  to Section  2.17),  or any Bid Loan as to which the  Company has
accepted the relevant  Competitive  Bid (including its initial Loan) or of State
Street to make any Swing Loan, is subject to the  satisfaction  of the following
conditions precedent on the relevant Borrowing Date:

          (a) NOTICE OF BORROWING.  As to any Committed Loan, the Administrative
Agent shall have received (with a copy for each Bank) a Notice of Borrowing;

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<PAGE>
           (b)   CONTINUATION   OF   REPRESENTATIONS    AND   WARRANTIES.    The
representations  and warranties in Article V shall be true and correct on and as
of  such  Borrowing  Date  with  the  same  effect  as if made on and as of such
Borrowing  Date  (except  to the  extent  such  representations  and  warranties
expressly refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct
as of such earlier date);

           (c) NO EXISTING  DEFAULT.  No Default or Event of Default shall exist
or shall result from such Borrowing; and

           (d) BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE.  The Administrative  Agent shall have
received a Borrowing Base  Certificate  giving effect to the proposed Loan dated
within two Business Days of such Loan.

Each Notice of Borrowing and  Competitive  Bid Request  submitted by the Company
hereunder  shall  constitute  a  representation  and  warranty  by  the  Company
hereunder,  as of the  date  of  each  such  notice  or  request  and as of each
Borrowing Date, that the conditions in Section 4.2 are satisfied.

           SECTION 4.3 CONSEQUENCES OF  EFFECTIVENESS,  ETC. On the Refinancing
Date the Original Agreement shall be automatically  amended and restated to read
as set  forth  herein.  On  and  after  the  Refinancing  Date  the  rights  and
obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed by this Agreement;  PROVIDED
that rights and  obligations  of the parties  hereto with  respect to the period
prior to the Refinancing Date shall continue to be governed by the provisions of
the Original Agreement. On the Refinancing Date, the Pro Rata Share of each Bank
shall immediately become the percentage set forth opposite the name of such Bank
on SCHEDULE  2.1.  With effect from and including  the  Refinancing  Date,  each
Person listed on the signature  pages hereof that is not a party to the Original
Agreement  shall become a party to this  Agreement.  Any Bank that is a party to
the Original  Agreement whose Pro Rata Share becomes 0% on the occurrence of the
Refinancing  shall,  upon the occurrence  thereof and the  reallocation of Loans
pursuant to SECTION  4.4,  cease to be a Bank party to this  Agreement,  and all
accrued fees and other  amounts  payable  under the Original  Agreement  for the
account of such Bank shall be due and  payable on such date;  PROVIDED  that the
provisions of SECTIONS  3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 10.4 and 10.5 shall  continue to inure to
the benefit of each such Bank.

           SECTION  4.4   REALLOCATION  OF  LOANS.  On  the  occurrence  of  the
Refinancing,  (a) each Bank that, as a result of the  adjustment of the Pro Rata
Shares,  is to have a greater  principal  amount of Loans  outstanding than such
Bank had  outstanding  immediately  prior to the  occurrence of the  Refinancing
shall, if requested by the Administrative  Agent,  deliver to the Administrative
Agent  immediately  available funds to cover such Loans (and the  Administrative
Agent shall,  to the extent of the funds so received and the funds received from
any Banks that are not parties to the Original Agreement, disburse funds to each
Bank that, as a result of such  adjustment of the Pro Rata Shares,  is to have a
lesser  principal amount  outstanding  than such Bank had outstanding  under the
Original Agreement), and (b) immediately prior to the Refinancing each Bank that

                                       39
<PAGE>
is not a party to the Original  Agreement  shall  deliver to the  Administrative
Agent immediately available funds to cover its Loans that will equal such Bank's
Pro  Rata  Share  of the  aggregate  principal  amount  outstanding  under  this
Agreement immediately after the occurrence of the Refinancing.

           SECTION 4.5 AMOUNTS  OUTSTANDING UNDER THE ORIGINAL  AGREEMENT DEEMED
TO BE LOANS UNDER THIS Agreement. The principal amounts of Loans owing under the
Original  Agreement  as at the  Refinancing  Date to each  Bank  that is a party
thereto (as reallocated  pursuant to this Agreement) shall be deemed to be Loans
made by that Bank hereunder.

                                    ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

           The Company represents and warrants to each Agent and each Bank that:

           5.1 EXISTENCE AND POWER. The Company:

           (a) is a business trust duly organized,  validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of Massachusetts;

           (b) has the  power  and  authority  and  all  governmental  licenses,
authorizations,  consents and approvals to own its assets, carry on its business
and to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents;

           (c) is duly  qualified and is licensed and in good standing under the
laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or
the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; and

           (d) is in compliance with all  Requirements of Law;  except,  in each
case  referred to in clause (c) or clause (d), to the extent that the failure to
do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

           5.2  REGISTRATION OF COMPANY AND COMPANY'S  SHARES.  The Company is a
registered  investment  company under the Act and has registered the sale of its
shares under the 1933 Act and the Act.

           5.3  AUTHORIZATION;  NO  CONTRAVENTION.  The execution,  delivery and
performance  by the Company of this  Agreement  and each other Loan  Document to
which the Company is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action, and do not and will not:

                                       40
<PAGE>
           (a)  contravene  the  terms  of  any of  the  Company's  Organization
Documents;

           (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the
creation of any Lien under, any document  evidencing any Contractual  Obligation
to which the Company is a party or any order, injunction,  writ or decree of any
Governmental Authority to which the Company or its property is subject;

           (c) violate any Requirement of Law; or

           (d) violate the Investment Policies or Investment Restrictions.

           5.4  GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORIZATION.  No approval,  consent,  exemption,
authorization,   or  other  action  by,  or  notice  to,  or  filing  with,  any
Governmental   Authority  is  necessary  or  required  in  connection  with  the
execution,  delivery or performance by, or enforcement  against,  the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

           5.5 BINDING  EFFECT.  This  Agreement and each other Loan Document to
which the Company is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations
of the  Company  enforceable  against  the  Company  in  accordance  with  their
respective  terms,  except  as  enforceability  may  be  limited  by  applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

           5.6  LITIGATION.  There are no  actions,  suits,  proceedings,  labor
controversies,  claims or  disputes  pending,  or to the best  knowledge  of the
Company, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before
any Governmental Authority, against the Company or any of its properties which:

           (a) purport to affect or pertain to this  Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; or

           (b) if  determined  adversely to the  Company,  would  reasonably  be
expected to have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  No  injunction,  writ,  temporary
restraining  order or any order of any  nature  has been  issued by any court or
other  Governmental  Authority  purporting to enjoin or restrain the  execution,
delivery  or  performance  of this  Agreement  or any other  Loan  Document,  or
directing  that  the  transactions   provided  for  herein  or  therein  not  be
consummated as herein or therein provided.

           5.7 NO DEFAULT. No Default or Event of Default exists or would result
from the incurring of any  Obligations  by the Company.  As of the Closing Date,
the  Company  is not  in  default  under  or  with  respect  to any  Contractual
Obligation  in any  respect  which,  individually  or  together  with  all  such
defaults,  could  reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect,  or
that would, if such default had occurred after the Closing Date, create an Event
of Default under subsection 8.1(e).

                                       41
<PAGE>
           5.8 ERISA COMPLIANCE.

           The Company has not established or maintained, nor is it liable under
any Plan.

           5.9 USE OF  PROCEEDS.  The  proceeds  of the  Loans are to be used to
provide  liquidity for one or more of the following:  (i) periodic tender offers
for the repurchase of the Company's shares, (ii) to fund general working capital
needs and (iii) to fund  obligations with respect to unfunded loans or revolving
credit  commitments.  The  Company  may also use the  proceeds  of the  Loans to
leverage the Company's portfolio to enhance yield.

           5.10 FINANCIAL CONDITION.

           (a) The audited  financial  statements of the Company dated  February
28, 1998, and the related  statements of income or  operations,  equity and cash
flows for the period ended on such date:

               (i) were prepared in conformity  with GAAP  consistently  applied
          throughout the period covered thereby,  except as otherwise  expressly
          noted therein;

               (ii) fairly present the financial  condition of the Company as of
          the date  thereof and  results of  operations  for the period  covered
          thereby; and

               (iii)  show all  material  indebtedness  and  other  liabilities,
          direct or contingent of the Company as of the date thereof,  including
          liabilities   for   taxes,   material   commitments   and   Contingent
          Obligations.

           (b) Since  February  28,  1998,  there has been no  Material  Adverse
Effect.

           5.11 TAXES.  The Company has filed all Federal and other material tax
returns  and reports  required  to be filed,  and has paid all Federal and other
material  taxes,  assessments,  fees and other  governmental  charges  levied or
imposed upon it or its properties,  income or assets  otherwise due and payable,
except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings
and for which  adequate  reserves have been  provided in  accordance  with GAAP.
There is no proposed tax  assessment  against the Company  that would,  if made,
have a Material Adverse Effect.

           5.12  ENVIRONMENTAL  MATTERS.  Environmental  Laws and  Environmental
Claims could not,  individually  or in the aggregate,  reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

           5.13 NO  BURDENSOME  RESTRICTIONS.  The  Company is not a party to or
bound by any  Contractual  Obligation,  or  subject  to any  restriction  in any
Organization  Document,  or any  Requirement of Law,  which could  reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       42
<PAGE>
           5.14 SUBSIDIARIES. The Company has no Subsidiaries.

           5.15 FULL DISCLOSURE.  None of the representations or warranties made
by the Company in the Loan  Documents  as of the date such  representations  and
warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the statements  contained in any
exhibit,  report,  statement  or  certificate  furnished  by or on behalf of the
Company in  connection  with the Loan  Documents  (including  the  offering  and
disclosure materials delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Banks prior
to the Closing Date),  contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
any  material  fact  required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  to make the
statements  made  therein,  in light of the  circumstances  under which they are
made, not misleading as of the time when made or delivered.

           5.16  REGULATIONS U AND X. The Company is not engaged in the business
of extending  credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and
no  proceeds  of any  Loans  will be used by the  Company  for a  purpose  which
violates,  or would be inconsistent with, FRB Regulation U or X. Terms for which
meanings  are  provided in F.R.S.  Board  Regulation  U or X or any  regulations
substituted therefore,  as from time to time in effect, are used in this Section
with such meanings.

           5.17 INVESTMENT POLICIES AND INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS.  The Company is
in compliance with all of the Investment Policies and Investment Restrictions.

           5.18 ADVISORY CONTRACT. The Company's Amended and Restated Investment
Management Agreement with the Investment Adviser dated April 7, 1997, as further
amended August 7, 1998 and Administrative  Agreement with Pilgrim America Group,
Inc.,  dated  April 7,  1997,  are in the form  delivered  to the Agents and the
Banks.

           5.19  COMPLIANCE  WITH LAWS.  The Company is in  compliance  with all
applicable  laws  and  regulations   (including  the  Act  and  all  regulations
thereunder), and all applicable ordinances,  decrees,  requirements,  orders and
judgments  of, and all of the  material  terms of any  applicable  licenses  and
permits issued by, any governmental  body, agency or official to the extent that
non-compliance would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. The
Company has received no notice of any action to be taken by the SEC with respect
to the  Company  that would be  materially  adverse to the  Company's  financial
condition or  operations.  The SEC has not made any request for any  information
from the Company since April 1995 other than  information that is routine and/or
periodic in nature.

           5.20 TAX STATUS. The Company has taken all steps reasonably necessary
to maintain its status as a regulated investment company under the Code.

           5.21 YEAR 2000 PROBLEM. The Company has reviewed the areas within its
business and operations which could be adversely  affected by, and has developed
or is developing a program to address on a timely basis, the "Year 2000 Problem"
(that is, the risk that computer  applications used by the Company may be unable

                                       43
<PAGE>

to recognize and perform properly  date-sensitive  functions  involving  certain
dates prior to and any date after  December 31, 1999).  Based on such review and
program,  the Company reasonably  believes that the "Year 2000 Problem" will not
have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

           So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder,  or any Loan
or other  Obligation  shall remain  unpaid or  unsatisfied,  unless the Majority
Banks waive compliance in writing:

           6.1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Company shall deliver to each Bank and
each Agent:

               (a) As soon as  available  and in any event  within 60 days after
          each of its Fiscal Years,  a copy of its annual  audited  Statement of
          Assets and Liabilities, including a statement of investments, prepared
          in  conformity  with GAAP and  certified by an  independent  certified
          public accountant who, in the commercially  reasonable judgment of the
          Majority Banks, shall be satisfactory to the Majority Banks,  together
          with a certificate from such accountant (i) acknowledging to the Banks
          such  accountant's  understanding  that the Banks are  relying on such
          Statement of Assets and Liabilities, (ii) containing a computation of,
          and showing compliance with, the financial ratios contained in SECTION
          7.9 and (iii) to the effect that, in making the examination  necessary
          for the  signing of such  Statement  of Assets and  Liabilities,  such
          accountant  has not  become  aware of any Event of  Default or Default
          that has occurred and is continuing,  or if such accountant has become
          aware of any such event,  describing it and the steps,  if any,  being
          taken to cure it;


               (b)  Within 60 days  after the end of the first six months of its
          Fiscal  Year,  a copy of its  published  semi-annual  report and asset
          statement, prepared in conformity with GAAP;

               (c) (i)  Within 15 days  following  the filing  thereof,  (i) any
          preliminary proxy materials filed with the SEC, (ii) at least annually
          within  60 days  after  the end of each  fiscal  year of the  Company,
          copies of its current  annual  report,  except that if its  Investment
          Policies are changed  materially  (including any change in its ability
          to  borrow  hereunder),   copies  of  any  revised  prospectus  (or  a
          prospectus  supplement) marked to show changes from the prospectus (or
          prospectus  supplement) and statement of additional  information  most
          recently  delivered to the Banks  reflecting any such changes shall be
          provided to the Banks within 15 days after the same become  available,
          and  (iii)  within 15 days of the  filing  thereof,  any  registration
          statement filed with the SEC;

                                       44
<PAGE>
               (d) Within 5 days after the end of each month,  (i) a certificate
          substantially in the form of EXHIBIT C ("BORROWING BASE  CERTIFICATE")
          setting  forth its (A)  borrowing  base (as  calculated  in the manner
          contemplated  by the form of Borrowing Base  Certificate)  ("BORROWING
          BASE")  and (B) Asset  Coverage  as of the last day of such  month and
          (ii) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer certifying that, to
          the best of such Person's knowledge,  no Event of Default has occurred
          and is  continuing  or, if an Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is
          continuing, the steps being taken to remedy the same;

               (e) Within 15 days after the last day of each fiscal  quarter,  a
          list of assets held by the Company as of such day and,  within 60 days
          after the last day of each fiscal quarter, an opinion Meenan, McDevitt
          & Company or such other Person as shall be  reasonably  acceptable  to
          the Majority  Banks as to the  fairness of the values  assigned by the
          Company to the assets held by the Company as of such day; and

               (f) Promptly, such additional information regarding the business,
          financial  or  corporate  affairs of the  Company  as the  Syndication
          Agent, at the request of any Bank, may from time to time request.

           6.2 NOTICES.  The Company shall  promptly  notify each Agent and each
Bank:

           (a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default,  and of the
occurrence  or  existence of any event or  circumstance  that  foreseeably  will
become a Default or Event of Default;

           (b) of any matter that has resulted or may  reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of,
or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Company; (ii) any dispute,
litigation, investigation,  proceeding or suspension between the Company and any
Governmental   Authority;   or  (iii)  the  commencement  of,  or  any  material
development  in, any litigation or proceeding  affecting the Company;  including
pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;

           (c) the scheduling of  consideration  by the board of trustees of the
Company  of a change in the  Investment  Adviser,  administrator,  custodian  or
independent  accountant,  or the  appointment  of any  sub-adviser of any Person
acting in a similar capacity to the Investment Adviser;  PROVIDED that a mailing
to  shareholders  with respect to any of the foregoing shall not be deemed to be
sufficient notice hereunder;

           (d) of any  material  change  in  accounting  policies  or  financial
reporting practices by the Company; and

           (e) of any change in the name of the Company.

                                       45
<PAGE>
           Without limiting any of the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2,
the Company will promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Bank of (and,
to the extent possible, give the Administrative Agent and each Bank at least ten
days' prior written notice of) any contribution  failure sufficient to give rise
to a Lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA.

           Each notice  under this  Section  shall be  accompanied  by a written
statement by a  Responsible  Officer  setting  forth  details of the  occurrence
referred to therein,  and stating what action the Company  proposes to take with
respect thereto and at what time. Each notice under this subsection 6.2(a) shall
describe with  particularity any and all clauses or provisions of this Agreement
or other Loan  Document  that have been (or  foreseeably  will be)  breached  or
violated.

           6.3 PRESERVATION OF EXISTENCE, ETC. The Company shall:

           (a) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its  existence and
good standing under the laws of its state of organization;

           (b) preserve  and maintain in full force and effect all  governmental
rights, privileges,  qualifications,  permits, licenses and franchises necessary
or desirable in the normal conduct of its business;

           (c) use reasonable  efforts,  in the ordinary course of business,  to
preserve its business organization and goodwill; and

           (d)  preserve  or renew all of its  registered  patents,  trademarks,
trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

           6.4  INSURANCE.  The Company will  maintain or cause to be maintained
with responsible  insurance  companies  insurance with respect to its properties
and  business  to the extent  required  under  applicable  law,  including  such
fidelity bond coverage as shall be required by Rule 17g-1  promulgated under the
Act or any  successor  provision,  (b) errors and  omissions,  and  director and
officer liability insurance, and (c) other insurance against such casualties and
contingencies,  and,  with respect to CLAUSES (B) and (C) hereof,  of such types
and in such amounts as are substantially  similar to the coverages maintained by
the Company as of the date of this Agreement, and the Company will, upon request
of the  Administrative  Agent,  furnish to each Bank at  reasonable  intervals a
certificate of a Responsible  Officer setting forth the nature and extent of all
insurance maintained by Company in accordance with this Section.

           6.5 PAYMENT OF  OBLIGATIONS.  The Company  shall pay and discharge as
the same shall  become due and payable,  all its  obligations  and  liabilities,
including:

           (a) all tax  liabilities,  assessments  and  governmental  charges or
levies upon it or its properties or assets,  unless the same are being contested
in good faith by  appropriate  proceedings  and adequate  reserves in accordance
with GAAP are being maintained by the Company;

                                       46
<PAGE>
           (b) all lawful  claims which,  if unpaid,  would by law become a Lien
upon its property; and

           (c) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but subject to any
subordination  provisions  contained in any  instrument or agreement  evidencing
such Indebtedness.

           6.6 COMPLIANCE  WITH LAWS. The Company shall comply,  in all material
respects  with all  Requirements  of Law of any  Governmental  Authority  having
jurisdiction over it or its business,  such compliance to include  compliance in
all material respects with the Act, the 1933 Act and the Exchange Act.

           6.7  INSPECTION OF PROPERTY AND BOOKS AND RECORDS.  The Company shall
maintain  proper  books of record and account,  in which full,  true and correct
entries  in  conformity  with  GAAP  consistently  applied  shall be made of all
financial  transactions  and matters  involving  the assets and  business of the
Company. The Company shall permit representatives and independent contractors of
any Agent or Bank to visit and  inspect  any of its  properties,  to examine its
organizational,  financial and  operating  records,  and make copies  thereof or
abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs,  finances and accounts with its
directors,  officers, and independent public accountants,  all at the expense of
the Company and at such  reasonable  times during normal  business  hours and as
often as may be  reasonably  desired,  upon  reasonable  advance  notice  to the
Company;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  when an Event of Default exists any Agent or Bank
may do any of the  foregoing  at the  expense of the  Company at any time during
normal business hours and without advance notice.

           6.8   ENVIRONMENTAL   LAWS.   The  Company   shall  comply  with  all
Environmental Laws.

           6.9  INVESTMENT  ADVISER.  The  Company,  to the extent  permitted by
applicable  law, (a) shall at all times maintain  Pilgrim  America  Investments,
Inc.  as  its  investment  adviser  (the  "INVESTMENT  ADVISER"),  or (b) if the
contract  by which  such  Investment  Adviser  is  retained  by the  Company  is
terminated  pursuant to or by reason of the  operation of the Act, the Company's
trustees or shareholders or any action taken by the SEC, the Investment  Adviser
shall continue to serve as the Company's  investment adviser,  with or without a
fee, and a successor investment adviser shall thereafter be approved, within 120
days of such termination, in the manner provided by the Act and with the consent
of the Majority Banks.

           6.10  REGULATED  INVESTMENT  COMPANY.  The Company  will at all times
maintain its status as a  "regulated  investment  company"  under the Code and a
"registered investment company" under the Act.

                                       47
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE VII

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation  shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied,  unless the Majority Banks
waive compliance in writing:

           7.1   LIMITATION  ON  LIENS.   The  Company  shall  not  directly  or
indirectly, make, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with
respect to any part of its  property,  whether now owned or hereafter  acquired,
other than the following ("PERMITTED LIENS"):

           (a) any Lien  existing on property of the Company on the Closing Date
and set forth in SCHEDULE 7.1 securing Indebtedness  outstanding on such date or
otherwise described in SCHEDULE 7.1;

           (b) any Lien deemed to have been created under any Loan Document;

           (c) Liens for taxes, fees,  assessments or other governmental charges
which are not delinquent or remain  payable  without  penalty,  provided that no
notice of lien has been filed or recorded under the Code;

           (d) Liens  consisting  of  judgment  or  judicial  attachment  liens,
provided that the  enforcement of such Liens is effectively  stayed and all such
Liens in the  aggregate  at any time  outstanding  for the Company do not exceed
$1,000,000.

           7.2  CONSOLIDATIONS  AND  MERGERS.   The  Company  shall  not  merge,
consolidate  with or into, or convey,  transfer,  lease or otherwise  dispose of
(whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially
all of its assets  (whether now owned or  hereafter  acquired) to or in favor of
any Person.

           7.3 LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS.  The Company shall not create, incur,
assume,  suffer to exist,  or otherwise  become or remain directly or indirectly
liable with respect to, any Indebtedness or any preferred shares, except:

           (a) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement;

           (b) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the GE Capital Facility;

           (c)  Indebtedness  consisting  of  Contingent  Obligations  permitted
pursuant to Section 7.5;

           (d) Deferred taxes; and

                                       48
<PAGE>
           (e) Obligations to Persons who provide services to the Company in the
ordinary  course  of  business  as  an  investment  company  and  similar  trade
obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business.

           7.4  TRANSACTIONS  WITH  AFFILIATES.  Except for fees  payable to the
Investment  Adviser,  the Company shall not, enter into any transaction with any
Affiliate  of the  Company,  except  upon  fair  and  reasonable  terms  no less
favorable  to the Company  than would be obtained in a  comparable  arm's-length
transaction  with a Person not an Affiliate  of the Company or such  Subsidiary;
PROVIDED that any such transaction  must be made in substantial  compliance with
Section 17 of the Act or an exemption therefrom.

           7.5  CONTINGENT  OBLIGATIONS.  The Company  shall not create,  incur,
assume or suffer to exist any Contingent  Obligations  except  endorsements  for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

           7.6 LEASE  OBLIGATIONS.  The  Company  shall not  create or suffer to
exist any  obligations  for the payment of rent for any property  under lease or
agreement to lease.

           7.7 BUSINESS ACTIVITIES;  INVESTMENT POLICIES.  The Company shall not
engage in any business activity,  except as a diversified  closed-end management
investment  company and such activities as may be incidental or related thereto.
In addition to, and not in  limitation  of the  foregoing,  the Company will not
become an open-end management investment company under the Act without the prior
written consent of the Banks. The Company will not violate any of the Investment
Policies or Investment Restrictions. The Company will not amend, rescind, modify
or otherwise  change any of the Investment  Policies or Investment  Restrictions
without written notice to the Banks and a written  determination by the Majority
Banks,  that such change will not result in a  fundamental  change in the credit
quality of the Company.

           7.8 ACCOUNTING  CHANGES.  The Company shall not make any  significant
change in  accounting  treatment or reporting  practices,  except as required by
GAAP, or change the fiscal year of the Company.

           7.9 FINANCIAL COVENANTS. The Company shall not permit:

           (a) its Asset Coverage to be less than 300% at any time;

           (b) the five largest  investments  of the Company  (including  as one
investment multiple investments in one Person or one Person and its Subsidiaries
and Affiliates) to exceed 25% of the Total Assets of the Company; or

           (c) the sum at any time of the  unused  portion of  Commitments  plus
Cash  Equivalent  Investments  to be an  amount  less  than the sum of  unfunded
Indebtedness of the Company.

                                       49
<PAGE>
           7.10 CHANGE OF  CUSTODIAN  OR AUDITOR.  The  Company  shall  promptly
provide written notice to the Banks of any change in its custodian or auditor.

           7.11 PENSION  PLANS.  The Company  shall not enter into, or incur any
liability relating to, any Plan.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

           8.1 EVENT OF DEFAULT. Any of the following shall constitute an "EVENT
OF DEFAULT":

           (a)  NON-PAYMENT.  The Company fails to pay, (i) when and as required
to be paid  herein,  any amount of  principal  of any Loan (ii)  within two days
after the same  becomes  due,  any amount of interest on any Bid Loan,  or (iii)
within five days after the same  becomes  due,  any other  interest,  fee or any
other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

           (b) REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY. Any representation or warranty by the
Company  made or deemed made  herein,  in any other Loan  Document,  or which is
contained in any  certificate,  document or financial or other  statement by the
Company or any Responsible Officer,  furnished at any time under this Agreement,
or in or under any other Loan Document,  is incorrect in any material respect on
or as of the date made or deemed made; or

           (c) SPECIFIC  DEFAULTS.  The Company  fails to perform or observe any
term, covenant or agreement contained in Article VII; or

           (d) OTHER DEFAULTS. The Company fails to perform or observe any other
term or covenant  contained in this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document,  and
such default shall  continue  unremedied  for a period of 20 days after the date
upon which written  notice thereof is given to the Company by any Agent or Bank;
or

           (e)  CROSS-DEFAULT.  (A) A default or breach shall occur under the GE
Capital  Facility,  and such  default or breach (i) involves the failure to make
any payment when due in respect of the GE Capital  Facility or (ii)  causes,  or
permits the Lender  Agent,  the Operating  Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent or any
Lender to cause,  Debt,  under or with  respect to the GE Capital  Facility,  to
become  due prior to its stated  maturity  or prior to its  regularly  scheduled
dates of  payment,  regardless  of whether  such right is  exercised  or (B) the
Company  (i)  fails  to make any  payment  in  respect  of any  Indebtedness  or
Contingent  Obligation having an aggregate  principal amount (including  undrawn
committed or available  amounts and  including  amounts  owing to all  creditors
under any combined or syndicated  credit  arrangement)  of more than  $1,000,000
when due  (whether by scheduled  maturity,  required  prepayment,  acceleration,
demand,  or otherwise) and such failure  continues after the applicable grace or

                                       50
<PAGE>
notice period,  if any,  specified in the relevant  document on the date of such
failure; or (ii) fails to perform or observe any other condition or covenant, or
any  other  event  shall  occur or  condition  exist,  under  any  agreement  or
instrument relating to any such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation,  and such
failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified
in the  relevant  document  on the date of such  failure  if the  effect of such
failure,  event or condition is to cause,  or to permit the holder or holders of
such  Indebtedness or beneficiary or  beneficiaries  of such  Indebtedness (or a
trustee  or  agent on  behalf  of such  holder  or  holders  or  beneficiary  or
beneficiaries)  to cause such  Indebtedness to be declared to be due and payable
prior to its stated maturity, or such Contingent Obligation to become payable or
cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or

           (f)  INSOLVENCY;  VOLUNTARY  PROCEEDINGS.  The  Company (i) ceases or
fails to be  solvent,  or  generally  fails to pay,  or  admits in  writing  its
inability  to pay,  its debts as they become due,  subject to  applicable  grace
periods,  if any,  whether at stated  maturity or  otherwise;  (ii)  voluntarily
ceases to conduct its  business in the  ordinary  course;  (iii)  commences  any
Insolvency  Proceeding  with  respect  to  itself;  or (iv)  takes any action to
effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing; or

           (g)  INVOLUNTARY   PROCEEDINGS.   (i)  Any   involuntary   Insolvency
Proceeding  is commenced or filed  against the Company,  or any writ,  judgment,
warrant of attachment, execution or similar process, is issued or levied against
a  substantial  part of the  Company's  properties,  and any such  proceeding or
petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment,  warrant of attachment,
execution  or similar  process  shall not be  released,  vacated or fully bonded
within 60 days after  commencement,  filing or levy; (ii) the Company admits the
material allegations of a petition against it in any Insolvency  Proceeding,  or
an order for relief (or  similar  order  under  non-U.S.  law) is ordered in any
Insolvency  Proceeding;  or (iii) the Company acquiesces in the appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian,  conservator,  liquidator, mortgagee in possession
(or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself or a substantial portion
of its property or business; or

           (h)  MONETARY  JUDGMENTS.  One or more  non-interlocutory  judgments,
non-interlocutory  orders,  decrees or arbitration awards is entered against the
Company  involving  in the  aggregate a liability  (to the extent not covered by
independent  third-party  insurance  as to which the  insurer  does not  dispute
coverage)  as to any  single or related  series of  transactions,  incidents  or
conditions,  of  $1,000,000  or more,  and the same  shall  remain  unsatisfied,
unvacated  and unstayed  pending  appeal for a period of 10 days after the entry
thereof; or

           (i)  NON-MONETARY  JUDGMENTS.  Any  non-monetary  judgment,  order or
decree is entered against the Company which does or would reasonably be expected
to  have a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  and  there  shall  be any  period  of 10
consecutive  days during which a stay of  enforcement of such judgment or order,
by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or

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           (j) CHANGE OF CONTROL. There occurs any Change of Control; or

           (k) INVESTMENT POLICIES. The Company shall violate or take any action
that would result in a violation of any of its Investment Policies or Investment
Restrictions, except for violations or the taking of such actions that would not
in the determination of the Majority Banks result in a fundamental change in the
credit quality of the Company; or

           (l) INVESTMENT ADVISER.  Pilgrim America  Investments,  Inc. shall no
longer be the Investment Adviser; or

           (m)  SECURITY  AGREEMENT.  The Security  Agreement  or any  provision
thereof  shall cease to be in full force and effect,  or shall cease to give the
Collateral  Agent the Liens,  rights,  powers  and  privileges  purported  to be
created  thereby,  or the  Company  shall  default  in the  due  performance  or
observance  of any term,  covenant or  agreement  on its part to be performed or
observed pursuant to the Security Agreement; or

           (n) CHANGE IN  CUSTODIAN  OR AUDITOR.  The Company  shall  change its
custodian or auditor,  and the Majority  Banks  determine in writing such change
has resulted in a fundamental change in the credit quality of the Company.

           (o) MATERIAL  ADVERSE  EFFECT.  A Material  Adverse Effect shall have
occurred and be continuing.

           8.2  REMEDIES.  If any Event of Default  occurs,  the  Administrative
Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Majority Banks:

           (a) declare the Commitment of each Bank to make Committed Loans to be
terminated, whereupon such Commitments shall be terminated;

           (b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all
interest  accrued and unpaid  thereon,  and all other  amounts  owing or payable
hereunder or under any other Loan  Document to be  immediately  due and payable,
without presentment,  demand,  protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby expressly waived by the Company; and

           (c)  exercise  on  behalf of itself  and the  Banks  all  rights  and
remedies  available to it and the Banks under the Loan  Documents or  applicable
law;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in subsection
(f) or (g) of Section 8.1 (in the case of clause (i) of subsection  (g) upon the
expiration of the 60-day period mentioned therein),  the obligation of each Bank
to make Loans shall  automatically  terminate and the unpaid principal amount of
all  outstanding  Loans and all  interest and other  amounts as aforesaid  shall
automatically  become due and payable without further act of the  Administrative
Agent or any Bank.

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<PAGE>
           8.3 RIGHTS NOT EXCLUSIVE.  The rights  provided for in this Agreement
and the other Loan  Documents are  cumulative and are not exclusive of any other
rights,  powers,  privileges or remedies  provided by law or in equity, or under
any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   THE AGENTS

           9.1  APPOINTMENT  AND  AUTHORIZATION.   Each  Bank  hereby  appoints,
designates and authorizes each Agent to take such action on its behalf under the
provisions  of this  Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such
powers and perform such duties as are expressly  delegated to it by the terms of
this  Agreement  or any other Loan  Document,  together  with such powers as are
reasonably  incidental  thereto.  Notwithstanding  any provision to the contrary
contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, none of the
Agents shall have any duties or  responsibilities,  except those  expressly  set
forth herein or in each other Loan Document, nor shall any of the Agents have or
be deemed to have any  fiduciary  relationship  with any  Bank,  and no  implied
covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall
be read into this  Agreement  or any other  Loan  Document  or  otherwise  exist
against any of the Agents.

           9.2 DELEGATION OF DUTIES.  The Agents may execute any of their duties
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents,  employees
or  attorneys-in-fact  and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters  pertaining to such duties.  The Agents shall not be responsible for the
negligence or misconduct of any agent or  attorney-in-fact  that it selects with
reasonable care.

           9.3 LIABILITY OF AGENTS. None of the Agent-Related  Persons shall (i)
be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in
connection  with this  Agreement or any other Loan Document or the  transactions
contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct),
or (ii) be  responsible  in any  manner  to any of the  Banks  for any  recital,
statement,  representation  or warranty  made by the Company or any Affiliate of
the Company, or any officer thereof, contained in this Agreement or in any other
Loan  Document,  or in any  certificate,  report,  statement  or other  document
referred to or provided for in, or received by any Agent under or in  connection
with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity, effectiveness,
genuineness,  enforceability  or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document,  or for any  failure  of the  Company  or any other  party to any Loan
Document to perform its obligations  hereunder or thereunder.  No  Agent-Related
Person shall be under any  obligation  to any Bank to ascertain or to inquire as
to the  observance  or  performance  of any of the  agreements  contained in, or
conditions  of, this  Agreement  or any other Loan  Document,  or to inspect the
properties, books or records of the Company or any of the Company's Subsidiaries
or Affiliates.

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<PAGE>
           9.4  RELIANCE BY AGENTS.  Each Agent  shall be entitled to rely,  and
shall be fully  protected  in relying,  upon any  writing,  resolution,  notice,
consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone
message,  statement  or other  document  or  conversation  believed  by it to be
genuine and correct and to have been signed,  sent or made by the proper  Person
or Persons,  and upon advice and statements of legal counsel  (including counsel
to the Company),  independent  accountants  and other  experts  selected by such
Agent.  Each Agent shall be fully  justified  in failing or refusing to take any
action  under this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document  unless it shall first
receive such advice or concurrence of the Majority Banks as it deems appropriate
and, if it so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the
Banks  against any and all  liability and expense which may be incurred by it by
reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  Each Agent shall in all
cases be fully  protected in acting,  or in refraining  from acting,  under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance  with a request or consent of
the  Majority  Banks and such  request  and any  action  taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Banks.

           9.5 NOTICE OF  DEFAULT.  None of the  Agents  shall be deemed to have
knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except
with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required
to be paid to such Agent for the  account of the Banks,  unless such Agent shall
have  received  written  notice  from a Bank or the  Company  referring  to this
Agreement,  describing  such  Default or Event of Default and stating  that such
notice is a "notice of default."  Each Agent will notify the Banks as soon as is
reasonably  practicable  of its receipt of any such notice.  The  Administrative
Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as
may be  requested  by the  Majority  Banks  in  accordance  with  Article  VIII;
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that unless and until the Administrative Agent has received
any such request,  the Administrative  Agent may (but shall not be obligated to)
take such  action,  or refrain  from taking such  action,  with  respect to such
Default or Event of Default as it shall deem  advisable or in the best  interest
of the Banks.

           9.6  CREDIT  DECISION.  Each  Bank  acknowledges  that  none  of  the
Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no
act by any Agent hereinafter  taken,  including any review of the affairs of the
Company,  shall be deemed to constitute  any  representation  or warranty by any
Agent-Related  Person to any Bank.  Each Bank  represents  to the Agents that it
has,  independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based
on such  documents and  information as it has deemed  appropriate,  made its own
appraisal  of  and  investigation  into  the  business,  prospects,  operations,
property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Company, and
all applicable bank regulatory  laws relating to the  transactions  contemplated
hereby,  and made its own  decision to enter into this  Agreement  and to extend
credit  to the  Company  hereunder.  Each  Bank  also  represents  that it will,
independently  and without reliance upon any  Agent-Related  Person and based on
such  documents  and  information  as it shall  deem  appropriate  at the  time,
continue to make its own credit analysis,  appraisals and decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make
such  investigations  as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business,
prospects,   operations,   property,   financial   and   other   condition   and

                                       54
<PAGE>
creditworthiness of the Company. Except for notices, reports and other documents
expressly herein required to be furnished to the Banks by the Agent,  such Agent
shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Bank with any credit or
other  information  concerning the business,  prospects,  operations,  property,
financial and other condition or  creditworthiness of the Company which may come
into the possession of any of the Agent-Related Persons.

           9.7  INDEMNIFICATION.  Whether or not the  transactions  contemplated
hereby are consummated,  the Banks shall indemnify upon demand the Agent-Related
Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the Company and without
limiting the obligation of the Company to do so), pro rata, from and against any
and all Indemnified Liabilities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no Bank shall be liable
for the payment to the Agent-Related  Persons of any portion of such Indemnified
Liabilities  resulting  solely from such  Person's  gross  negligence or willful
misconduct.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each Bank shall reimburse each
Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or  out-of-pocket  expenses
(including  Attorney  Costs but without  duplication  of internal  and  external
counsel)  incurred by such Agent in connection with the preparation,  execution,
delivery,  administration,   modification,  amendment  or  enforcement  (whether
through  negotiations,  legal  proceedings  or otherwise) of, or legal advice in
respect of rights or  responsibilities  under,  this  Agreement,  any other Loan
Document  (excluding the Fee Letters only to the extent the terms and conditions
of such Fee Letters are not  otherwise  set forth or addressed  herein or in any
other Loan Document),  or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to
the extent  that the such Agent is not  reimbursed  for such  expenses  by or on
behalf of the Company. The undertaking in this Section shall survive the payment
of all Obligations hereunder and the resignation or replacement of the Agent.

           9.8 AGENT IN INDIVIDUAL  CAPACITY.  BofA, State Street,  Deutsche and
their  respective  Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the
account of, accept  deposits  from,  acquire  equity  interests in and generally
engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory,  underwriting or other
business with the Company and its  Affiliates  as though BofA,  State Street and
Deutsche  were not  Agents  hereunder  and  without  notice to or consent of the
Banks. The Banks  acknowledge  that,  pursuant to such  activities,  BofA, State
Street,   Deutsche  or  their  respective  Affiliates  may  receive  information
regarding  the  Company or its  Affiliates  (including  information  that may be
subject to confidentiality  obligations in favor of the Company) and acknowledge
that the Agents  shall be under no  obligation  to provide such  information  to
them. With respect to its Loans,  BofA, State Street and Deutsche shall have the
same rights and powers  under this  Agreement as any other Bank and may exercise
the same as though  it were not an  Agent,  and the  terms  "Bank"  and  "Banks"
include BofA, State Street and Deutsche in their individual capacity.

           9.9  SUCCESSOR  AGENT.   Either  the  Administrative   Agent  or  the
Syndication Agent may, and at the request of the Majority Banks shall, resign as
such Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Banks.  If such Agent  resigns under this
Agreement,  the  Majority  Banks shall  appoint from among the Banks a successor
agent for the Banks which  successor  agent  shall be  approved by the  Company,
which  approval shall not be  unreasonably  withheld.  If no successor  agent is
appointed  prior to the effective date of the  resignation  of such Agent,  such

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<PAGE>
Agent may appoint,  after consulting with the Banks and the Company, a successor
agent from among the Banks.  Upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor
agent  hereunder,  such successor agent shall succeed to all the rights,  powers
and  duties  of such  retiring  Agent  and the term  "Administrative  Agent"  or
"Syndication  Agent",  as applicable,  shall mean such successor  agent and such
retiring  Agent's  appointment,  powers  and  duties  as  such  Agent  shall  be
terminated. After any such retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as such Agent,
the  provisions of this Article IX and Sections 10.4 and 10.5 shall inure to its
benefit as to any  actions  taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was such
Agent under this Agreement.  If no successor  agent has accepted  appointment as
such Agent by the date which is 30 days  following a retiring  Agent's notice of
resignation,  such retiring Agent's  resignation  shall  nevertheless  thereupon
become  effective  and the Banks  shall  perform  all of the duties of the Agent
hereunder  until such time,  if any, as the Majority  Banks  appoint a successor
agent as provided for above.

           9.10 WITHHOLDING TAX.

           (a) If any Bank is a  "foreign  corporation,  partnership  or  trust"
within  the  meaning  of the Code and such  Bank  claims  exemption  from,  or a
reduction of, U.S. withholding tax under Sections 1441 or 1442 of the Code, such
Bank agrees with and in favor of the Company and the  Administrative  Agent,  to
deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent:

               (i) if such Bank claims an  exemption  from,  or a reduction  of,
          withholding tax under a United States tax treaty,  properly  completed
          IRS Forms 1001 and W-8 (or any  successor  form) before the payment of
          any interest in the first  calendar year and before the payment of any
          interest in each third succeeding  calendar year during which interest
          may be paid under this Agreement;

               (ii) if such Bank claims that interest paid under this  Agreement
          is exempt from United States withholding tax because it is effectively
          connected  with a United  States  trade or business of such Bank,  two
          properly  completed  and  executed  copies  of IRS  Form  4224 (or any
          successor form) before the payment of any interest is due in the first
          taxable year of such Bank and in each succeeding  taxable year of such
          Bank during which interest may be paid under this  Agreement,  and IRS
          Form W-9 (or any successor form); and

               (iii) such other form or forms as may be required  under the Code
          or other laws of the United  States as a condition to exemption  from,
          or reduction of, United States withholding tax.

           Such  Bank   agrees  to   promptly   notify  the   Company   and  the
Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances which would modify or render
invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

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<PAGE>
           (b) If any Bank claims  exemption from, or reduction of,  withholding
tax  under a United  States  tax  treaty  by  providing  IRS  Form  1001 (or any
successor  form) and such Bank sells,  assigns,  grants a  participation  in, or
otherwise  transfers all or part of the Obligations of the Company to such Bank,
such Bank agrees to promptly notify the Company and the Administrative  Agent of
the  percentage  amount  in  which  it is no  longer  the  beneficial  owner  of
Obligations  of the  Company  to such  Bank.  To the  extent of such  percentage
amount, the Company and the Administrative Agent will treat such Bank's IRS Form
1001 (or any successor form) as no longer valid.

           (c) If any Bank claiming exemption from United States withholding tax
by  filing  IRS Form  4224 (or any  successor  form)  with the  Company  and the
Administrative  Agent sells,  assigns,  grants a participation  in, or otherwise
transfers all or part of the  Obligations of the Company to such Bank, such Bank
agrees to undertake sole  responsibility  for complying with the withholding tax
requirements imposed by Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code.

           (d) If any Bank  realizes a reduction in the  applicable  withholding
tax, the Company and the  Administrative  Agent may  withhold  from any interest
payment to such Bank an amount  equivalent  to the  applicable  withholding  tax
after taking into account such  reduction.  If the forms or other  documentation
required by subsection  (a) of this Section are not delivered to the Company and
the  Administrative  Agent,  then the Company and the  Administrative  Agent may
withhold  from any  interest  payment to such Bank not  providing  such forms or
other documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.

           (e) If the IRS or any  other  Governmental  Authority  of the  United
States  or  other  jurisdiction  asserts  a  claim  that  the  Company  and  the
Administrative  Agent did not properly  withhold tax from amounts paid to or for
the account of any Bank (because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not
properly  executed,  or because  such Bank  failed to notify the Company and the
Administrative  Agent of a change in circumstances  which rendered the exemption
from, or reduction of,  withholding  tax  ineffective,  or for any other reason)
such Bank shall indemnify the Company and the Administrative Agent fully for all
amounts  paid,  directly or  indirectly,  by the Company and the  Administrative
Agent as tax or otherwise,  including penalties and interest,  and including any
taxes imposed by any  jurisdiction on the amounts payable to the Company and the
Administrative  Agent under this  Section,  together with all costs and expenses
(including  Attorney  Costs but without  duplication  for  internal and external
counsel).  The obligation of the Banks under this  subsection  shall survive the
payment  of  all   Obligations   and  the  resignation  or  replacement  of  the
Administrative Agent.

           9.11 OTHER AGENTS. None of the Banks identified on the facing page or
signature  pages of this  Agreement as a  "Co-Agent",  "Documentation  Agent" or
"Co-Administrative  Agent" shall have any right, power,  obligation,  liability,
responsibility  or duty under this Agreement other than those  applicable to all
Banks as such.  Without limiting the foregoing,  none of the Banks so identified
as "Co-Agent",  "Documentation Agent" or "Co-Administrative Agent" shall have or
be  deemed  to  have  any  fiduciary  relationship  with  any  Bank.  Each  Bank
acknowledges  that it has not relied,  and will not rely, on any of the Banks so
identified  in deciding to enter into this  Agreement or in taking or not taking
action hereunder.

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                                    ARTICLE X

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

           10.1 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.  No amendment or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any
departure by the Company therefrom,  shall be effective unless the same shall be
in writing and signed by the Majority Banks (or by the Syndication  Agent at the
written request of the Majority  Banks) and the Company and  acknowledged by the
Agents,  and then any such waiver and  consent  shall be  effective  only in the
specific  instance  and for the  specific  purpose  for which  given;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and
signed by all the Banks and the  Company  and  acknowledged  by the  Syndication
Agent, do any of the following:

           (a) increase or extend the  Commitment  of any Bank (or reinstate any
Commitment  terminated  pursuant  to  subsection  8.2(a))  except as provided in
Section 2.16, unless such Bank has consented thereto in writing;

           (b)  postpone or delay any date fixed by this  Agreement or any other
Loan Document for any payment of principal,  interest, fees or other amounts due
to the  Banks  (or any of them)  hereunder  or under  any  other  Loan  Document
including,  without limitation,  any date fixed for a mandatory  prepayment or a
mandatory reduction in the aggregate Commitments;

           (c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein
on any Loan, or (subject to clause (ii) below) any fees or other amounts payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

           (d) change the  percentage  of the  Commitments  or of the  aggregate
unpaid  principal  amount of the Loans which is required for the Banks or any of
them to take any action hereunder;

           (e) release all or  substantially  all the  collateral  securing  the
Obligations; or

           (f) amend this Section, or Sections 2.15, 6.9, 10.7, or any provision
herein providing for consent or other action by all Banks;

and, PROVIDED FURTHER, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing  and signed by an Agent in  addition  to the  Majority  Banks or all the
Banks, as the case may be, and the Company,  affect the rights or duties of such

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<PAGE>
Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document,  and (ii) the Fee Letters
may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed
by the parties thereto.

           10.2 NOTICES.

           (a) All  notices,  requests  and  other  communications  shall  be in
writing  (including,   unless  the  context  expressly  otherwise  provides,  by
facsimile  transmission,  provided that any matter transmitted by the Company by
facsimile  (i)  shall  be  immediately  confirmed  by a  telephone  call  to the
recipient at the number  specified on SCHEDULE  10.2, and (ii) shall be followed
promptly by  delivery  of a hard copy  original  thereof)  and mailed,  faxed or
delivered,  to the address or facsimile number specified for notices on SCHEDULE
10.2;  or, as  directed to the Company or the  applicable  Agent,  to such other
address as shall be  designated  by such party in a written  notice to the other
parties,  and as directed to any other party,  at such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice to the Company and such Agent.

           (b)  All  such  notices,  requests  and  communications  shall,  when
transmitted  by overnight  delivery,  or faxed,  be effective when delivered for
overnight  (next-day)  delivery,  or  transmitted  in legible  form by facsimile
machine,  respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day after the date
deposited  into the U.S.  mail,  or if  delivered,  upon  delivery;  except that
notices  pursuant  to Article  II or IX shall not be  effective  until  actually
received by the Administrative Agent.

           (c) Any  agreement  of the  Agents  and the Banks  herein to  receive
certain  notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the  convenience and at
the request of the  Company.  The Agents and the Banks shall be entitled to rely
on the  authority  of any Person  purporting  to be a Person  authorized  by the
Company to give such  notice  and the  Agents  and the Banks  shall not have any
liability  to the Company or other  Person on account of any action taken or not
taken by the Agents or the Banks in reliance  upon such  telephonic or facsimile
notice.  The  obligation of the Company to repay the Loans shall not be affected
in any way or to any  extent  by any  failure  by the  Agents  and the  Banks to
receive  written  confirmation  of any  telephonic  or  facsimile  notice or the
receipt by the Agents and the Banks of a confirmation  which is at variance with
the  terms  understood  by the  Agents  and the  Banks  to be  contained  in the
telephonic or facsimile notice.

           10.3 NO WAIVER;  CUMULATIVE  REMEDIES.  No failure to exercise and no
delay in exercising,  on the part of any Agent or Bank, any right, remedy, power
or privilege hereunder,  shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single
or partial exercise of any right,  remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude
any other or  further  exercise  thereof  or the  exercise  of any other  right,
remedy, power or privilege.

           10.4 COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Company shall:

           (a)  whether  or  not  the  transactions   contemplated   hereby  are
consummated,  pay or reimburse BofA and State Street  (including in its capacity
as an Agent)  within five  Business Days after demand for all costs and expenses

                                       59
<PAGE>
incurred by BofA and State  Street  (including  in its  capacity as an Agent) in
connection  with the  development,  preparation,  delivery,  administration  and
execution of, and any amendment,  supplement, waiver or modification to (in each
case,  whether or not  consummated),  this Agreement,  any Loan Document and any
other  documents  prepared  in  connection   herewith  or  therewith,   and  the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby,  including
reasonable  Attorney  Costs (but without  duplication  for internal and external
counsel)  incurred by BofA and State  Street  (including  in its  capacity as an
Agent) with respect thereto; and

           (b) pay or  reimburse  each Agent,  the Arranger and each Bank within
five Business Days after demand (subject to subsection  4.1(a)(v)) for all costs
and expenses  (including Attorney Costs but without duplication for internal and
external counsel) incurred by them in connection with the enforcement, attempted
enforcement,  or  preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or
any other Loan  Document  during the  existence  of an Event of Default or after
acceleration  of the  Loans  (including  in  connection  with any  "workout"  or
restructuring regarding the Loans, and including in any Insolvency Proceeding or
appellate proceeding).

           10.5 INDEMNITY.  Whether or not the transactions  contemplated hereby
are consummated, the Company shall indemnify and hold the Agent-Related Persons,
and  each  Bank  and  each of its  respective  officers,  directors,  employees,
counsel,  agents and attorneys-in-fact  (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON") harmless
from  and  against  any  and  all  liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, charges, expenses and disbursements
(including  Attorney  Costs but without  duplication  for  internal and external
counsel) of any kind or nature  whatsoever  which may at any time  (including at
any time following  repayment of the Loans and the  termination,  resignation or
replacement of any Agent or replacement of any Bank) be imposed on,  incurred by
or asserted  against  any such  Person in any way  relating to or arising out of
this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document contemplated by or
referred to herein, or the transactions contemplated hereby, or any action taken
or omitted by any such Person under or in connection  with any of the foregoing,
including with respect to any investigation, litigation or proceeding (including
any Insolvency  Proceeding or appellate proceeding) related to or arising out of
this  Agreement  or any  other  Loan  Document  or the  Loans  or the use of the
proceeds thereof,  whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party thereto (all
the foregoing, collectively, the "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES");  PROVIDED, that the
Company  shall have no  obligation  hereunder  to any  Indemnified  Person  with
respect to Indemnified  Liabilities  resulting solely from the bad faith,  gross
negligence  or willful  misconduct  of such  Indemnified  Person or the reckless
disregard by such  Indemnified  Person of his duties under this  Agreement.  The
agreements  in this Section shall survive  payment of all other  Obligations.  A
Person seeking indemnification from the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall
give   prompt   notice  to  the  Company  of  any  claim  in  respect  of  which
indemnification  may be  sought  and  shall  provide  to the  Company  a written
affirmation of entitlement to indemnification.

                                       60
<PAGE>
           10.6  PAYMENTS  SET ASIDE.  To the extent  that the  Company  makes a
payment to an Agent or the Banks,  or an Agent or the Banks exercise their right
of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof
are subsequently  invalidated,  declared to be fraudulent or  preferential,  set
aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by an Agent
or such Bank in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other
party,  in connection with any Insolvency  Proceeding or otherwise,  then (a) to
the extent of such recovery,  the obligation or part thereof originally intended
to be  satisfied  shall be revived and  continued in full force and effect as if
such  payment had not been made or such set-off had not  occurred,  and (b) each
Bank  severally  agrees to pay to such Agent  upon  demand its pro rata or other
applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by such Agent.

           10.7  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  The provisions of this Agreement shall
be  binding  upon and  inure to the  benefit  of the  parties  hereto  and their
respective  successors  and  assigns,  except that the Company may not assign or
transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of the Syndication Agent and each Bank.

           10.8 ASSIGNMENTS, PARTICIPATIONS, ETC.

           (a) Any Bank may,  with the  written  consent  of the  Company at all
times other than during the existence of an Event of Default and the Syndication
Agent, which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld, at any time assign and
delegate to one or more Eligible Assignees  (provided that no written consent of
the Company or the  Syndication  Agent shall be required in connection  with any
assignment and delegation by a Bank to an Eligible Assignee that is an Affiliate
of such Bank)  (each an  "ASSIGNEE")  all,  or any  ratable  part of all, of the
Loans,  the  Commitment  and the  other  rights  and  obligations  of such  Bank
hereunder,  in a  minimum  amount of  $5,000,000;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that the
Company and the Agents may continue to deal solely and  directly  with such Bank
in  connection  with the  interest so assigned to an Assignee  until (i) written
notice of such  assignment,  together with payment  instructions,  addresses and
related  information with respect to the Assignee,  shall have been given to the
Company  and the  Agents by such Bank and the  Assignee;  (ii) such Bank and its
Assignee  shall have  delivered  to the  Company  and the  Syndication  Agent an
Assignment and Acceptance in the form of EXHIBIT E ("ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE")
and (iii) the assignor  Bank or Assignee has paid to the  Syndication  Agent and
the  Administrative  Agent a  processing  fee of $1,500  each  except  where the
Assignee is an affiliate of the assigning Bank.

           (b) From and after the date that the  Syndication  Agent notifies the
assignor Bank that it has received (and provided its consent with respect to) an
executed   Assignment  and  Acceptance  and  payment  of  the   above-referenced
processing fee, (i) the Assignee  thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the
extent that rights and  obligations  hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant
to such  Assignment and  Acceptance,  shall have the rights and obligations of a
Bank under the Loan  Documents,  and (ii) the assignor Bank shall, to the extent
that rights and  obligations  hereunder and under the other Loan  Documents have
been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and  Acceptance,  relinquish its
rights and be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents.

                                       61
<PAGE>
           (c) Within  five  Business  Days  after its  receipt of notice by the
Syndication Agent that it has received an executed Assignment and Acceptance and
payment of the processing fee, (and provided that it consents to such assignment
in accordance with subsection 10.8(a)), the Company shall execute and deliver to
the Syndication  Agent, new Notes evidencing such Assignee's  assigned Loans and
Commitment and, if the assignor Bank has retained a portion of its Loans and its
Commitment,  replacement  Notes in the principal amount of the Loans retained by
the assignor  Bank (such Notes to be in exchange for, but not in payment of, the
Notes held by such Bank). Immediately upon each Assignee's making its processing
fee payment under the Assignment and Acceptance,  this Agreement shall be deemed
to be amended to the extent,  but only to the extent,  necessary  to reflect the
addition of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment of the Commitments arising
therefrom.   The  Commitment  allocated  to  each  Assignee  shall  reduce  such
Commitments of the assigning Bank by the amount the Commitment assigned.

           (d) Any Bank may at any time sell to one or more commercial  banks or
other  Persons  not  Affiliates  of the  Company (a  "PARTICIPANT")  (other than
investment  companies)  participating  interests in any Loans, the Commitment of
that  Bank  and the  other  interests  of that  Bank  (the  "Originating  Bank")
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that (i) the
originating Bank's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii)
the originating Bank shall remain solely responsible for the performance of such
obligations,  (iii) the Company and the Agents shall continue to deal solely and
directly with the originating  Bank in connection  with the  originating  Bank's
rights and obligations  under this Agreement and the other Loan  Documents,  and
(iv) no Bank shall transfer or grant any participating  interest under which the
Participant  has rights to approve  any  amendment  to, or any consent or waiver
with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent
such amendment,  consent or waiver would require  unanimous consent of the Banks
as  described  in the first  proviso  to Section  10.1.  In the case of any such
participation, the Participant shall be entitled to the benefit of Sections 3.1,
3.3 and 10.5 as  though it were  also a Bank  hereunder,  but shall not have any
rights under this Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents, and all amounts
payable by the Company  hereunder  shall be  determined  as if such Bank had not
sold  such  participation;  except  that,  if  amounts  outstanding  under  this
Agreement  are due and unpaid,  or shall have been declared or shall have become
due and payable upon the  occurrence  of an Event of Default,  each  Participant
shall be deemed to have the right of set-off  in  respect  of its  participating
interest  in amounts  owing  under this  Agreement  to the same extent as if the
amount of its  participating  interest were owing directly to it as a Bank under
this Agreement.

           (e) Each Bank agrees to take normal and  reasonable  precautions  and
exercise due care to maintain the confidentiality of all information  identified
as  "confidential" or "secret" by the Company and provided to it by the Company,
or by an Agent on the Company's  behalf,  under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document,  and  neither  it  nor  any of  its  Affiliates  shall  use  any  such

                                       62
<PAGE>
information  other than in connection  with or in  enforcement of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents;  except to the extent such  information (i) was or
becomes  generally  available to the public other than as a result of disclosure
by the Bank, or (ii) was or becomes available on a non-confidential basis from a
source  other  than the  Company,  provided  that such  source is not bound by a
confidentiality agreement with the Company known to the Bank; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that any Bank may disclose  such  information  (A) at the request or pursuant to
any requirement of any Governmental Authority to which the Bank is subject or in
connection with an examination of such Bank by any such authority;  (B) pursuant
to subpoena or other court  process;  (C) when  required to do so in  accordance
with the  provisions  of any  applicable  Requirement  of Law; (D) to the extent
reasonably required in connection with any litigation or proceeding to which any
Agent, any Bank or their  respective  Affiliates may be party; (E) to the extent
reasonably  required in connection with the exercise of any remedy  hereunder or
under any other Loan Document; (F) to such Bank's independent auditors and other
professional  advisors; (G) to any Affiliate of such Bank, or to any Participant
or Assignee, actual or potential,  provided that such Affiliate,  Participant or
Assignee  agrees  to keep  such  information  confidential  to the  same  extent
required of the Banks hereunder,  and (H) as to any Bank, as expressly permitted
under the terms of any other document or agreement regarding  confidentiality to
which the Company is party or is deemed party with such Bank.

           (f) Notwithstanding  any other provision in this Agreement,  any Bank
may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge,  all or any portion of
its rights under and interest in this Agreement and any Note held by it in favor
of any Federal  Reserve Bank in accordance  with Regulation A of the FRB or U.S.
Treasury Regulation 31 CFR ss. 203.14, and such Federal Reserve Bank may enforce
such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under applicable law.

           (g)  Any  Bank  may  transfer  and  carry  all  or a  portion  of its
Commitment and the Loans at the time held by it at, to or for the account of any
domestic or foreign  branch office of such Bank,  and such transfer shall not be
deemed an assignment or participation  pursuant to this Section 10.8;  provided,
however,  that such Bank shall not be  entitled  to receive  any amount  payable
pursuant to Section  3.3 hereof to the extent  that such  amount  would not have
been payable but for the transfer  referred to above;  provided,  further,  that
such Bank shall have delivered to the Syndication Agent revised information with
respect to it as set forth in Section 10.2.

           10.9  SET-OFF.  In addition  to any rights and  remedies of the Banks
provided  by  law,  if an  Event  of  Default  exists  or the  Loans  have  been
accelerated,  each Bank is authorized at any time and from time to time, without
prior notice to the Company,  any such notice being waived by the Company to the
fullest  extent  permitted  by law,  to set off and apply  any and all  deposits
(general or special, time or demand,  provisional or final) at any time held by,
and other  indebtedness  at any time owing by, such Bank to or for the credit or
the account of the Company against any and all  Obligations  owing to such Bank,
now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not any Agent or such Bank
shall have made demand under this  Agreement  or any Loan  Document and although

                                       63
<PAGE>
such  Obligations  may be contingent or unmatured.  Each Bank agrees promptly to
notify the Company and the Agents after any such set-off and application made by
such Bank;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that the failure to give such notice  shall not
affect the validity of such set-off and application.

           Without  limiting the  foregoing,  upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall have a right
of set-off with respect to the Deposit Account. To the extent the available cash
in the Deposit Account is insufficient to repay Loans due the Banks, the Company
authorizes the  Administrative  Agent in its capacity as custodian to dispose of
the  Company's  assets as  selected  by the  Investment  Adviser  to the  extent
necessary to repay all amounts due to the Banks. All payments so received by the
Administrative  Agent  with  respect  to the  Loans  shall be  applied  first to
interest and then to principal.

           10.10  NOTIFICATION  OF ADDRESSES,  LENDING  OFFICES,  ETC. Each Bank
shall  notify  the Agents in  writing  of any  changes  in the  address to which
notices to the Bank should be directed,  of addresses of any Lending Office,  of
payment  instructions  in respect of all payments to be made to it hereunder and
of such other administrative information as the Agents shall reasonably request.

           10.11  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
separate  counterparts,  each of  which,  when so  executed,  shall be deemed an
original,  and all of said  counterparts  taken  together  shall  be  deemed  to
constitute but one and the same instrument.

           10.12  SEVERABILITY.   The  illegality  or  unenforceability  of  any
provision of this  Agreement or any instrument or agreement  required  hereunder
shall not in any way  affect or impair the  legality  or  enforceability  of the
remaining  provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement  required
hereunder.

           10.13 NO THIRD PARTIES BENEFITED.  This Agreement is made and entered
into for the sole  protection and legal benefit of the Company,  the Banks,  the
Agents  and the  Agent-Related  Persons,  and  their  permitted  successors  and
assigns, and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of,
or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

           10.14 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION.

           (A) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY,
AND CONSTRUED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH,  THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK;  PROVIDED
THAT THE AGENTS AND THE BANKS SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

           (B) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING  WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR

                                       64
<PAGE>
OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND BY EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY  OF THIS  AGREEMENT,  EACH OF THE  COMPANY,  THE  AGENTS  AND THE BANKS
CONSENTS,  FOR  ITSELF  AND IN  RESPECT  OF ITS  PROPERTY,  TO THE  NONEXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION  OF THOSE  COURTS.  EACH OF THE  COMPANY,  THE AGENTS AND THE BANKS
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE
OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON  CONVENIENS,  WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER
HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT
OF THIS  AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT.  THE COMPANY,  THE AGENTS AND THE
BANKS EACH WAIVE  PERSONAL  SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS,  COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS,
WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY NEW YORK LAW.

           10.15  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  THE  COMPANY,  THE BANKS AND THE AGENTS
EACH WAIVE THEIR  RESPECTIVE  RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS,  OR THE TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED  HEREBY OR THEREBY, IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST
ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY AGENT-RELATED  PERSON,  PARTICIPANT OR ASSIGNEE,  WHETHER
WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS,  TORT CLAIMS,  OR OTHERWISE.  THE COMPANY,  THE
BANKS AND THE AGENTS EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION  SHALL BE
TRIED BY A COURT TRIAL  WITHOUT A JURY.  WITHOUT  LIMITING  THE  FOREGOING,  THE
PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT THEIR  RESPECTIVE  RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED
BY OPERATION OF THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION,  COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING
WHICH SEEKS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF
THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN  DOCUMENTS OR ANY PROVISION  HEREOF OR THEREOF.
THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,  RENEWALS,  SUPPLEMENTS OR
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

           10.16 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement,  together with the other Loan
Documents,  embodies the entire agreement and  understanding  among the Company,
the Banks and the Agents, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements
and understandings of such Persons,  verbal or written,  relating to the subject
matter hereof and thereof.

           SECTION 10.17 OFFICERS,  TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY NOT
BOUND.  Each Bank and Agent agrees that this  Agreement  has been executed by an
officer of the Company on behalf of the Company and not individually.  Each Bank
and Agent agrees that the  Obligations of the Company  hereunder are not binding

                                       65
<PAGE>
on the officers,  trustees or shareholders of the Company,  but are only binding
upon the Company and its assets and  property.  The  liability of the  officers,
trustees  and  shareholders  of the  Company is limited by the Trust  Agreement,
which  is  on  file  with  the  Secretary  of  State  of  The   Commonwealth  of
Massachusetts.

           SECTION 10.18  CONTINUING  EFFECTIVENESS,  ETC. After the Refinancing
Date, all references in the Loan Documents or other similar documents to "Credit
Agreement" or words of like import shall refer to this Agreement. The execution,
delivery and  effectiveness  of this  Agreement  shall not,  except as expressly
provided herein,  operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Banks
under any of the other Loan Documents,  nor constitute a waiver of any provision
of the Loan Documents.

           SECTION 10.19 FACSIMILE EXECUTION.  One or more executed counterparts
of this Agreement or any document or instrument  related hereto may be delivered
by facsimile,  with the intention that such counterparts have the same effect as
an original executed  counterpart hereof or thereof. Any party hereto delivering
an executed  counterpart of this Agreement or any related document or instrument
by facsimile, shall promptly provide an original of such executed counterpart to
the Syndication Bank.

                                       66
<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly  executed by their  proper and duly  authorized  officers as of the day and
year first above written.


                                                PILGRIM AMERICA PRIME RATE TRUST


                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------

                                      S-1
<PAGE>


                                                BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                                                AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as
                                                Syndication Agent



                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------

                                      S-2
<PAGE>


                                             STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                                             as Administrative Agent


                                             By:
                                                -----------------------------
                                             Title:
                                                   --------------------------

                                      S-3
<PAGE>


                                                DEUTSCHE BANK A.G., New York
                                                branch, as Documentation Agent



                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------


                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------

                                      S-4
<PAGE>


                                               COMMERZBANK A.G., Los Angeles
                                               Branch, as Co-Agent and as a Bank


                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------


                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------

                                      S-5
<PAGE>


                                              BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
                                              SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as a Bank


                                              By:
                                                 -----------------------------
                                              Title:
                                                    --------------------------


                                      S-6
<PAGE>


                                                STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
                                                COMPANY, as a Bank


                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------


                                      S-7
<PAGE>


                                             DEUTSCHE BANK A.G., New York and/or
                                             Cayman Islands branches, as a Bank


                                             By:
                                                -----------------------------
                                             Title:
                                                   --------------------------


                                             By:
                                                -----------------------------
                                             Title:
                                                   --------------------------

                                      S-8
<PAGE>


                                                THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD.,
                                                Chicago Branch, as a Bank


                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------

                                      S-9
<PAGE>


                                                BANK HAPOALIM B.M., as a Bank


                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------


                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------


                                      S-10
<PAGE>


                                                FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                                                as a Bank

                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------


                                      S-11
<PAGE>


                                                BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS, as a
                                                Bank


                                                By:
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Title:
                                                      --------------------------


                                      S-12

                             DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS
                              1775 Eye Street, N.W.
                                Washington, D.C.
                             Telephone: 202-261-3300
                                Fax: 202-261-3333


                                November 30, 1998


Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust
40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
Phoenix, Arizona 85004-4424

        Re:  Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust
             (File No. 811-5410)

Dear Sirs:

         In connection with the  registration  under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended,  of 5,000,000  shares of  beneficial  interest of Pilgrim Prime Rate
Trust (the "Trust"),  we have examined such matters as we have deemed  necessary
to give this opinion.

         On the basis of the foregoing, it is our opinion that the shares of the
Trust  have been duly  authorized  and,  when  paid for as  contemplated  by the
Trust's  Registration  Statement,   will  be  validly  issued,  fully  paid  and
non-assessable by the Trust.

         We hereby  consent  to the use of this  opinion  as an  exhibit  to the
Registration Statement and to all references to our firm therein.


                                       Very truly yours,


                                       /s/ Dechert Price & Rhoads


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Trustees
Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust:

We consent to the use of our report  incorporated herein by reference and to the
references to our firm under the headings  "Financial  Highlights and Investment
Performance" and "Experts" in the Prospectus.



/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Los Angeles, California
December 1, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     6
<CIK>                         826020
<NAME>                        PILGRIM PRIME RATE TRUST
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000
<CURRENCY>                    U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              FEB-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 MAR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   AUG-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            1,655,491
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           1,651,752
<RECEIVABLES>                                       16,601
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       1,403
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                     0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,669,756
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                            509,000
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                            8,164
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                517,164
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                          0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         1,174,283
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                              123,650
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                              110,764
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                           12,476
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                  0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                            30,428
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                           (3,739)
<NET-ASSETS>                                     1,152,592
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                        0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                   66,503
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       3,334
<EXPENSES-NET>                                      22,185
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             47,652
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                              (58)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          (5,319)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                               42,275
<EQUALIZATION>                                           0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                           47,104
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                    0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                             12,885
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                              0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                      0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                             118,189
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                             11,927
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                  0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                          30,370
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                5,674
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  13,813
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     22,211
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             1,078,270
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                 9.34
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                       0.04
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                             (0.03)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                  0.41
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                             0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                  0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                   9.32
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                       4.08
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                             452,049
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                  3.66
        

</TABLE>


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