FORM N-23C-1
STATEMENT BY REGISTERED CLOSED-END
INVESTMENT COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO PURCHASES OF ITS OWN
SECURITIES PURSUANT TO RULE N-23C-1 DURING THE LAST CALENDAR MONTH
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REPORT FOR CALENDAR MONTH ENDING: December 1996
NAME OF REGISTERED CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANY: Putnam Premier Income Trust
Date of Identification Number of Price Per Approximate Asset Value Name of Seller or
Each of Security Shares Share or Approximate Asset of Seller's Broker
Transaction Purchased Coverage per Share at
Time of Purchase
<C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
12/12/96 746853100 53,500 7.750 8.82 Smith Barney
12/16/96 746853100 60,000 7.750 8.82 Smith Barney
12/17/96 746853100 60,000 7.750 8.82 Smith Barney
12/23/96 746853100 65,000 7.750 8.78 Smith Barney
12/24/96 746853100 65,000 7.750 8.80 Smith Barney
12/31/96 746853100 67,500 7.750 8.84 Smith Barney
PUTNAM PREMIER INCOME TRUST
Name of Registrant
By: /s/ Charles E. Porter
Title: Executive Vice President
</TABLE> Date: January 6, 1997
