February 15, 1994
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549-1004
Re: Rule 24f-2 Notice for The First Trust GNMA Series 42,
File No. 33-20247
Gentlemen:
As sponsor of The First Trust GNMA Series 42, we are
submitting the information required by Rule 24f-2 promulgated
under the investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. We also are
enclosing the opinion of counsel specified in paragraph (b)(1)(v)
of said Rule. The filing fee indicated below has been, or will
be, sent by wire transfer to the SEC's account in payment of the
fee prescribed by paragraph (c) of said Rule.
(i) Fiscal year for which notice is filed: Year ended
December 31, 1993
(ii) Number of securities registered other than pursuant to
Rule 24f-2 and remaining unsold at the beginning of the
above fiscal year: 0
(iii) Number of securities registered other than pursuant to
Rule 24f-2 during the above fiscal year: 0
(iv) Number of securities sold during the above fiscal year:
249.552
(v) Number of securities sold in reliance upon registration
pursuant to Rule 24f-2 during the above fiscal year*:
249.552
___________________________________
(1) Aggregate sales price to the public
of securities sold in reliance upon
registration pursuant to Rule 24f-2: $149,259.95
(2) Less actual aggregate redemption or
repurchase price of securities during
the fiscal year: $143,325.98
(3) Plus actual aggregate redemption or
repurchase price of securities
previously applied in filings pursuant
to Section 24(e)(1): -0-
$ 5,933.97
Amount of filing fee computed at one
twenty-nineth of one percent (1/29 of 1%)
of above total: $ 2.05
Very truly yours,
Nike Securities L.P.
By
Carlos E. Nardo
Senior Vice President
