BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST INC
N-30D, 1996-06-27
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                        THE BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST INC.
                       SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
                          REPORT OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                    May 31, 1996

Dear Trust Shareholder:

    After posting  strong  returns  during 1995,  the fixed income  markets have
given  back much of their  gains in 1996 in  response  to a  strengthening  U.S.
economy.  Accelerating  economic  growth has raised  concerns about an increased
inflationary   environment,   which  could  erode  the  value  of  fixed  income
investments.  The  stronger  economy  also has led some market  participants  to
consider the possibility that the Federal Reserve may increase interest rates to
thwart  inflation  threats after three  interest rate  reductions  over the past
twelve months.

    Despite the pick-up in economic growth, we believe that current inflationary
fears will  subside.  Commodity  prices have risen but  manufacturers  will have
difficulty  passing  along the  increased  costs of raw  materials to consumers,
whose debt levels as a percentage of disposable  income are at the highest point
since the recessionary highs of 1990. We believe that the overleveraged consumer
will have to retrench,  restricting  future  economic  expansion  and creating a
positive environment for bonds in the latter half of this year.

    The following  semi-annual  report provides detailed market commentary and a
review of portfolio  management  activity.  We believe that BlackRock's duration
controlled  management  style and risk management  capabilities  will allow each
of our Trusts to achieve its long-term investment objective.

    We look forward to  maintaining  your respect and  confidence and to serving
your financial needs in the coming years.

Sincerely,



Laurence D. Fink                        Ralph L. Schlosstein
Chairman                                President




                                       1
<PAGE>

                                                                    May 31, 1996

Dear Shareholder:

    We are pleased to present the  semi-annual  report for The BlackRock  Income
Trust Inc.  ("the Trust") for the six months ended April 30, 1996. We would like
to take this  opportunity  to review the Trust's stock price and net asset value
(NAV)  performance,  summarize market  developments and discuss recent portfolio
management activity.

    The Trust is a  diversified,  actively  managed  closed-end  bond fund whose
shares are traded on the New York Stock  Exchange  under the symbol  "BKT".  The
Trust's  investment  objective is to provide high current income consistent with
the  preservation  of  capital.  The Trust  seeks this  objective  by  investing
primarily in mortgage-backed securities backed by U.S. Government agencies (such
as  Fannie  Mae,  Freddie  Mac or  Ginnie  Mae) and,  to a lesser  extent,  U.S.
Government   securities,    asset-backed   securities   and   privately   issued
mortgage-backed securities. At least 85% of the Trust's assets must be issued or
guaranteed  by the U.S.  Government or its agencies or rated "AAA" by Standard &
Poor's or "Aaa" by Moody's at the time of purchase  (up to 5% can be unrated and
deemed by the Adviser to be of equivalent credit quality);  the remaining 15% of
the  Trust's  assets must be rated at least "AA" by Standard & Poor's or "Aa" by
Moody's at the time of purchase.

    The table below  summarizes  the  performance of the Trust's stock price and
NAV (the market value of its bonds per share) over the period:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              4/30/96   10/31/95   Change     High      Low
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Price                    $6.00     $7.25    (17.24%)    $7.25     $6.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value (NAV)          $7.42     $7.66     (3.13%)    $7.85     $7.30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Premium/(Discount) to NAV     (19.14%)   (5.35%)  (13.79%)   (7.71%)   (20.00%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ten Year Treasury Yield        6.65%     6.01%    (10.58%)    6.68%     5.52%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Fixed Income Markets

    The  domestic  fixed  income  markets  witnessed  two  profoundly  different
environments  during  the six  month  period,  presenting  both  challenges  and
opportunities  to the management of the Trust. The Treasury market rally of 1995
continued through the middle of February 1996, as market demand for fixed income
securities remained strong due to a combination of moderate economic growth, low
absolute  levels of inflation  and two  reductions of the Fed funds target rate.
The rally halted during mid-February,  however, as data indicating  accelerating
economic growth, in conjunction with a sharp rise in commodity prices, rekindled
inflationary  concerns.  Positive  news  for  the  economy  which  may  indicate
increased  levels of inflation can cause bond yields to rise and prices to fall.
The March 8th release of the February  employment  report showed a  surprisingly
strong gain of 705,000 new jobs  (subsequently  revised downward to 624,000) and
produced the largest one-day price decline in U.S. bond prices in the last seven
years.  For the first quarter of 1996,  economic  growth as measured by GDP grew
2.8%, which represented a strong rebound from the 0.5% gain posted in the fourth
quarter of 1995.

    Interest rate movements  reflected the change in investor  sentiment  toward
fixed income  securities.  Interest  rates across the Treasury  yield curve fell
dramatically from November to mid-January,  as evidenced by the decline in yield
levels on the ten-year  Treasury,  which  declined 49 basis points  (0.49%) from
6.01% on  October  31,  1995 to a low of  5.52% on  January  19.  However,  data
released during February  suggesting  renewed  economic vigor placed pressure on
bond prices,  as thoughts of a stronger economy dampened  investor  expectations
that interest rates would continue to fall. These fears translated into a


                                       2
<PAGE>

sharp rise in bond yields  across the  Treasury  yield  curve.  The yield of the
ten-year  Treasury  ended the  semi-annual  period at 6.64%,  an increase of 112
basis points in three and one-half months and a net rise of 63 basis points from
October 31, 1995.

    The   mortgage-backed   securities   (MBS)  market  posted  strong  relative
performance  during  the first four  months of 1996,  as rising  interest  rates
resulted in a reduction in prepayment risk.  Still,  many investors  remained on
the sidelines, convinced that even historically high mortgage yields relative to
Treasuries  offered  inadequate  compensation  for the perceived risks of owning
MBS. Due to such narrow participation, MBS performance in 1996 has been somewhat
short of  expectations,  creating  a window of  purchasing  opportunity  for the
Trust.


The Trust's Portfolio and Investment Strategy

    BlackRock  actively manages the Trust's portfolio  holdings  consistent with
BlackRock's  overall market outlook and the Trust's investment  objectives.  The
Trust is  managed  to  maintain  an  interest  rate  sensitivity  (or  duration)
resembling that of a ten year Treasury; this means that the portfolio's NAV will
change  similarly to the price of the ten year given a change in interest rates.
The  following  chart  compares  the Trust's  current and October 31, 1995 asset
composition.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Composition                                  April 30, 1996    October 31, 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjustable Rate Mortgages                          20%               18%
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Mortgage Pass-Throughs                             15%               24%
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FHA Project Loans                                  14%               15%
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U.S. Treasury Securities                           12%                2%
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Agency Multiple Class Mortgage Pass-Throughs       11%               16%
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Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities                11%               10%
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Non-Agency Multiple Class Mortgage Pass-Throughs    6%                7%
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Asset-Backed Securities                             6%                4%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CMO Residuals                                       3%                3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities               1%                1%
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Corporate Bonds                                     1%                0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After increasing exposure to the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) sector for
much of 1995, the Trust reduced its overall mortgage holdings from 94% of assets
on October 31, 1995 to 81% on April 30, 1996.  Most  significantly,  the Trust's
mortgage  pass-through  exposure  was  reduced by almost  half to  capture  that
sector's strong performance.

    Additionally,  the Trust  moderately  increased its adjustable rate mortgage
(ARM) allocations as the rising interest rate environment  during the first four
months of 1996 produced mixed performance in that market.  Currently, we believe
that the ARM sector  represents  attractive  value,  particularly  seasoned GNMA
ARMs,  which are  expected to perform  well as  prepayment  rates should slow in
response to the higher interest rate environment.

    The Trust's Board of Directors announced on December 14, 1995 a reduction in
the Trust's monthly  dividend rate from $0.0625 ($0.75  annualized) to $0.046875
($0.5625  annualized)  effective with the January 1996 payment. The reduction in
the Trust's  dividend was made with the expectation that the Trust would be able
to sustain its dividend through its earned income without  returning  capital to
shareholders.  This  in  turn  should  provide  for  greater  long-term  earning
potential for the Trust.

    The new dividend rate reflected a decline in the amount of investment income
the Trust earned as interest rates declined sharply from late 1994 through early
1996.  The two main  reasons for the  reduction  to the Trust's  income  earning
potential:

                                       3
<PAGE>

first,  an increase  in mortgage  refinancing  resulted in the  reinvestment  of
prepaid  principal from higher  yielding bonds into lower  yielding  bonds;  and
second, the leverage employed by the Trust generated less excess income due to a
flattening  of the yield curve.  The Fed funds target rate  declined  only 0.25%
from late 1994 through December 1995,  while the yield of the  ten year Treasury
fell from 7.83% at year-end  1994 to 5.57% on December 31,  1995.  This led to a
dramatic  reduction in the yield spread between the Trust's  borrowing costs and
the yields on available long term investments for the Trust.

    We look  forward  to  continuing  to manage  the Trust to  benefit  from the
opportunities  available to investors in the fixed income  markets as well as to
maintain the Trust's ability to meet its investment objectives. We thank you for
your  investment in The BlackRock  Income Trust Inc. Please feel free to contact
our marketing  center at (800)  227-7BFM  (7236) if you have specific  questions
which were not addressed in this report.
Sincerely,






Robert Kapito                           Keith T. Anderson
Vice Chairman and Portfolio Manager     Managing Director and Portfolio Manager
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.    BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.



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                        The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.
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Symbol on New York Stock Exchange:                          BKT
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Initial Offering Date:                                 July 22, 1988
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Closing Stock Price as of 4/30/96:                         $6.00
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Net Asset Value as of 4/30/96:                             $7.42
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Yield on Closing Stock Price as of 4/30/96 ($6.00)1:        9.38%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Monthly Distribution per Share2:                  $0.046875
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Annualized Distribution per Share2:               $0.56250
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------
1 Yield on Closing Stock  Price is calculated by dividing the current annualized
 distribution per share by the closing stock price per share.

2 The distribution is not constant and is subject to change.



                                       4
<PAGE>

(Left Column)

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The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.
Portfolio of Investments
April 30, 1996
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal
Amount                                                                  Value
(000)                       Description                               (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS-138.7%
                 Mortgage Pass-Throughs-58.9%
                 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
$33,510@           6.50%, 4/01/26 - 1/01/99 ...................... $ 31,467,901
  1,735            6.774%, 2/01/18, 1 year CMT (ARM) .............    1,739,244
  7,151++          7.50%, 7/01/07 - 2/01/23 ......................    7,194,508
  1,591            8.00%, 11/01/15 ...............................    1,642,618
  3,618            8.50%, 5/01/01 - 3/01/08, 15 year .............    3,742,286
  1,931            8.50%, 6/01/06 - 4/01/25 ......................    1,991,362
  5,083            9.00%, 9/01/20 ................................    5,353,228
     42            10.50%, 6/01/19 ...............................       46,604
                 Federal Housing Administration,
  1,912            Altercare Bucyrus, 8.25%, 6/25/34 .............    1,924,347
  2,328            Beachwood Manor, 8.25%, 10/01/34 ..............    2,366,491
  4,308            Brookville, 7.50%, 8/01/28 ....................    4,192,286
  3,749            Country Estates, 8.375%, 1/01/35 ..............    3,833,319
  1,519            Elkton Care Center, 7.30%, 6/01/35 ............    1,456,793
                   GMAC,
  6,369              Series 33, 7.43%, 9/01/21 ...................    6,395,173
  2,208              Series 46, 7.43%, 1/01/22 ...................    2,211,476
    913              Series 48, 7.43%, 6/01/22 ...................      911,034
    505              Series 51, 7.43%, 2/01/23 ...................      506,040
  8,097              Series 56, 7.43%, 11/01/22 ..................    8,115,047
                   Merrill,
  1,294              Series 54, 7.43%, 5/15/23 ...................    1,295,039
  3,416              Series 95, 7.43%, 3/01/22 ...................    3,421,960
  1,260            Middlesex, 8.625%, 9/01/34 ....................    1,306,732
  1,688            Overlook Green South, 7.50%, 9/01/34 ..........    1,640,344
  4,875            Parkside, 7.30%, 2/01/13 ......................    4,730,294
  1,918            Providence Apartments, 
                     7.25%, 12/01/34 .............................    1,832,130
                   Reilly,
  3,154              Series 34, 7.43%, 8/01/19 ...................    3,171,785
  1,903              Series 41, 8.28%, 3/01/20 ...................    1,903,658
    572              Series 74, 7.43%, 10/01/23 ..................      549,208
  2,344            Retreat at Windmere, 7.375%, 11/01/34 .........    2,259,802
  2,119            Rosewood, 7.875%, 12/01/34 ....................    2,117,265
  1,523            Senaca Hills, 8.525%, 8/01/34 .................    1,565,132
  1,431            St. Camillus Nursing, 7.875%, 5/01/35 .........    1,415,526
  2,327            Summit Place, 7.90%, 11/01/34 .................    2,304,758
  2,885            Tuttle Grove, 7.25%, 10/01/35 .................    2,756,552


(Right Column)

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Principal
Amount                                                                  Value
(000)                       Description                               (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Federal Housing Administration,
                   USGI,
$ 4,442              Polaris 982, 7.43%, 11/01/21 ................ $  4,452,838
    943              Series 87, 7.43%, 12/01/22 ..................      944,111
  5,144              Series 99, 7.43%, 10/01/23 ..................    5,151,661
  2,800              Series 1003, 7.43%, 3/01/24 .................    2,637,406
  2,814              Series 6302, 7.43%, 12/01/21 ................    2,825,455
  7,199              Yorkville 6094, 7.43%, 6/01/21 ..............    7,214,138
  3,633            Waterford, 8.625%, 7/25/27 ....................    3,751,066
  1,418            Whitehall, 8.25%, 5/25/35 .....................    1,441,213
                 Federal National Mortgage Association,
  2,500            6.50%, Series 1994-M1, Class B,
                   10/25/03, Multifamily .........................    2,411,719
  2,170            7.00%, 11/01/08 ...............................    2,173,081
  8,997+           7.377%, 1/01/25, 1 year CMT (ARM) .............    9,221,655
    164            7.50%, 2/01/22 - 9/01/23 ......................      162,321
  1,087            7.609%, 12/01/22 ..............................    1,109,764
  2,082            7.785%, 1/01/01, 7 year Multifamily ...........    2,135,100
  7,925            8.00%, 5/01/08 - 5/01/22 ......................    8,051,241
    739            9.317%, 6/01/19, 10 year Multifamily ..........      784,460
  1,887            9.484%, 7/01/19, Multifamily ..................    2,006,277
  1,465            9.497%, 6/01/24, Multifamily ..................    1,602,213
    273            9.50%, 1/01/19 - 6/01/20 ......................      290,874
    787            9.732%, 7/01/19, 10 year Multifamily ..........      860,471
                 Government National Mortgage
                   Association,
  3,267            6.00%, 3/15/09 - 4/15/09, 15 year .............    3,110,920
  3,500            6.00%, 12/20/99, 1 year CMT (ARM) .............    3,482,500
 45,982+           6.50%, 2/20/23 - 6/20/25,
                     1 year CMT (ARM) ............................   46,452,697
 24,938++          7.00%, 5/20/25 - 6/20/25, 1 year
                     CMT (ARM) ...................................   25,265,508
 15,216@           7.00%, 10/15/17 - 1/15/99 .....................   14,649,952
  2,544            7.25%, 11/15/04 - 1/15/06 .....................    2,560,967
     87            8.50%, 5/15/01 - 2/15/17 ......................       89,884
  1,409            9.00%, 6/15/18 - 9/15/21 ......................    1,479,249
     14            9.50%, 7/15/16 ................................       14,788
    233            10.00%, 7/15/17 - 11/15/19 ....................      255,841
    673            11.00%, 8/15/18 - 6/15/20 .....................      752,548
                                                                   ------------
                                                                    274,701,860
                                                                   ------------

See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       5
<PAGE>

(Left Column)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P/      Principal
Moody's    Amount                                                     Value
Rating*    (000)                 Description                         (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Multiple Class Mortgage
                         Pass-Throughs-33.3%
AAA        $2,100        Citicorp Mortgage Securities Inc.,
                           Series 1994-9, Class A-4, 6/25/09 ..... $  1,904,532

AAA        25,845@@      Community Program Loan Trust,
                           Series 1987-A, Class A-4,
                           10/01/18 ..............................   21,483,656
                         Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                           Corporation, Multiclass Mortgage
                           Participation Certificate,
            8,000          Series 120, Class 120-H, 2/15/21 ......    8,294,000
            1,000          Series 1388, Class 1388-H,
                             6/15/07 .............................      786,950
            8,693
                           Series 1443, Class 1443-OC
                             12/15/22 (ARM) ......................    7,354,224
           17,384+/@@      Series 1584, Class 1584-FB
                             9/15/23 (ARM) .......................   17,840,002
            1,804          Series 1596, Class 1596-SB
                             12/15/12 (ARM) ......................    1,237,740
           28,852@@        Series 1632, Class 1632-S,
                             4/15/23 (ARM) .......................    1,099,992
           32,000          Series 1809, Class 1809-SC
                             12/15/23 (ARM) ......................    2,770,000
                         Federal National Mortgage Association,
                           REMIC Pass-Through Certificates,
            4,741          Trust 1988-16, Class 16-B,
                             6/25/18 .............................    5,003,513
            3,069          Trust 1991-38, Class 38-F,
                             4/25/21 (ARM) .......................    3,224,246
            2,341          Trust 1991-38, Class 38-SA,
                             4/25/21 (ARM) .......................    2,197,457
            4,150          Trust 1991-87, Class 87-S,
                             8/25/21 (ARM) .......................    4,238,019
            5,000          Trust 1992-43, Class 43-E,
                             4/25/22 .............................    4,858,850
           34,759+/@@      Trust 1992-69, Class 69-Z,
                             5/25/22 .............................   34,966,183
            4,780          Trust 1993-107, Class 107-SA,
                             6/25/08 (ARM) .......................    3,720,612
           28,780          Trust G1994-6, Class 6-PK,
                             11/17/22 (I) ........................    4,694,664
            6,797          Trust 1996-14, Class 14-M,
                             10/25/21 ............................    5,256,070
           14,300          Trust 1996-14, Class 14-PE,
                             8/25/23 (P) .........................    3,861,000
                         Prudential Home Mortgage
                           Securities Co., Mortgage
                           Pass-Through Certificate
Aaa           743          Series 1993-43 Class 16,
                             10/25/23 (ARM) ......................      521,886
Aa2         4,660          Series 1993-55 Class A-1,
                             12/26/23 (ARM) ......................    4,747,527
AAA           890        Resolution Trust Corporation,
                           Mortgage Pass-Through
                           Certificates, Series 1992-2,
                           Class B-3, 11/25/21 ...................      893,117

(Right Column)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P/      Principal
Moody's    Amount                                                     Value
Rating*    (000)                 Description                         (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AAA       $14,092        Salomon Capital Access
                           Corporation, Collateralized
                           Mortgage Obligations,
                           Series 1986-1, Class C,
                           9/01/15 ............................... $ 14,302,892
                                                                   ------------
                                                                    155,257,132
                                                                   ------------
                         Commercial Mortgage-
                         Backed Securities-0.4%
AA          2,000        PaineWebber Mortgage
                           Acceptance Corporation IV,
                           Series 1995-M1,
                           Class B, 6.95%, 1/15/07 ...............    1,962,199
A         140,000        KPAC, Series 1994-C1,
                           Zero Coupon, 2/01/01 ..................        1,400
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      1,963,599
                                                                   ------------
                         Corporate Bond-0.6%
A           2,500        Travelers Aetna Property Casualty Co.,
                           6.75%, 4/15/01 ........................    2,491,600
                                                                   ------------
                         Asset-Backed Securities-8.0%
Aaa        14,062@@      Chase Manhattan Grantor Trust,
                           Series 1996-Class A, Automobile
                           Loan Pass-Through, 5.20%,
                           2/15/02 ...............................   13,855,047
                         Discover Card Master Trust,
AAA         3,650          Series 1993-1, Class A, 5.77%,
                           10/16/01 ..............................    3,660,257
AAA         7,200          Series 1996-3, Class A, 6.05%,
                           8/18/08 ...............................    6,619,500
AAA         6,000          Series 1996-4, Class A, 5.81%,
                           10/16/13 ..............................    5,996,220
AAA         5,000        First Chicago Master Trust,
                           Series 1994-J, Class A, 5.72%,
                           1/16/01 ...............................    5,009,350
AAA         1,191        NationsBank Auto Grantor Trust,
                           Series 1995-A, Class A, 5.85%,
                           6/15/02 ...............................    1,186,870
AAA           848        Premier Auto Trust, Series 1995-1,
                           Class A2, 7.35%, 5/04/97 ..............      848,048
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     37,175,292
                                                                   ------------

                         Stripped Mortgage-Backed
                         Securities-16.1%
AAA         1,158        Chase Mortgage Finance Corporation,
                           Mortgage Pass-Through
                           Certificates, Series 1994-A,
                           Class AP, 1/25/10 (P/O) ...............      839,225
AAA         1,653@@      Collateralized Mortgage Obligation,
                           Trust 36, Class A, 10/25/17 (P/O) .....    1,207,980
                         DBL, Collateralized Mortgage Obligation,
AAA           670          Trust K, Class 1, 9/23/17 (P/O) .......      388,213
AAA         2,075          Trust V, Class 1, 9/01/18 (P/O) .......    1,530,092
                         Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                           Corporation,
            6,061          Series 188, Class 188-G, 
                             9/15/21 (I/O) .......................    1,894,147
               30          Series 1003, Class 1003-O,
                             10/15/20 (I/O) ......................      823,867

See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       6
<PAGE>

(Left Column)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P/      Principal
Moody's    Amount                                                     Value
Rating*    (000)                 Description                         (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                           Corporation,
          $   681          Series 1418, Class 1418-M,
                             11/15/22 (P/O) ......................  $   186,950
            3,388          Series 1473, Class 1473-JA,
                             2/15/05 (I/O) .......................      258,300
            9,461          Series 1690, Class 1690-B,
                             11/15/23 (P/O) ......................    3,116,153
                         Federal National Mortgage Association,
           30,170          Trust 2, Class 2, 2/01/17 (I/O) .......    9,330,795
            2,726          Trust 9, Class 2, 2/01/17 (I/O) .......      808,415
           31,597          Trust 23, Class 2, 9/01/17 (I/O) ......   10,031,979
            8,908          Trust 95, Class 2, 10/01/20 (I/O) .....    2,861,553
           14,430          Trust 103, Class 2, 9/01/06 (I/O) .....    2,786,850
            2,234          Trust 141, Class 2, 9/25/21 (I/O) .....      712,183
            7,069          Trust 225, Class 1, 2/01/23 (P/O) .....    5,082,968
            5,500          Trust 1991-110, Class 110-E,
                             5/25/21 (P/O) .......................    3,549,205
               60          Trust G1992-34, Class 34-A
                             4/25/22 (I/O) .......................    1,836,947
            1,405          Trust G1993-2, Class 2-KB,
                             1/25/23 (P/O) .......................      393,750
           12,614          Trust 1993-213, Class 213-H,
                             9/25/23 (P/O) .......................    9,495,115
                         First Boston Mortgage
                           Securities Corporation,
AAA         1,955          Series 1987-C, Class Z,
                             4/25/17 (I/O) .......................      423,912
AAA        23,170          Series 1988-E, Class 2,
                             10/01/18 (I/O) ......................    7,095,727
AAA        19,871        Greenwich Capital Acceptance Inc.,
                           Series 1994-LB3, Class S,
                           8/25/24 (I/O) .........................      509,185
                         Housing Security Incorporated,
AAA           478          Series 1992-EB, Class B-8,
                           9/25/22 (P/O) .........................      276,062
AAA           713          Series 1993-D, Class D-8,
                           6/25/23 (P/O) .........................      411,362
AAA           679        ML Trust XIX, Collateralized
                           Mortgage Obligation, Class B,
                           11/25/17 (P/O) ........................      509,148
AAA             1        Prudential Home Mortgage Securities
                           Company, Mortgage Pass-Through
                           Certificates, Series 1993-29,
                           Class A18, 8/25/08 (I/O) ..............    3,150,000
                         Prudential Securities Inc.,
                           Collateralized Mortgage Obligation,
AAA             6          Trust 15, Class 1G, 5/20/21 (I/O) .....      607,105
AAA            93          Trust 1991-24, Class O,
                           3/25/21 (I/O) .........................    4,316,099
AAA         4,052        Residential Funding Corporation,
                           Trust 1992-S6, Class S6-A11
                           2/25/22 (I/O) .........................       34,190
AAA         1,102        Structured Mortgage Asset Trust,
                           Series 1993-3C, Class CX
                           4/25/24 (P/O) .........................      629,803
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     75,097,280
                                                                   ------------

(Right Column)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P/      Principal
Moody's    Amount                                                     Value
Rating*    (000)                 Description                         (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         CMO Residuals**-4.1%
AAA       $ 5,522        American Housing Trust III, Senior
                           Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates,
                           Series 1, Class 4, (REMIC)#,
                           3/25/19 ...............................  $   848,046
AAA            25        Collateralized Mortgage Obligation,
                           Trust 13#, 1/20/03 ....................      995,510
AAA             4        Collateralized Mortgage Securities
                           Corporation, Collateralized
                           Mortgage Obligations,
                           Series 1990-3, Class 3-R,
                           (REMIC)#, 5/25/20 .....................      265,236
AAA            45        FBC Mortgage Securities Trust 16,
                           Variable Rate Collateralized
                           Mortgage Obligation,
                           Series A#, 7/01/17 ....................    1,185,125
AAA         3,115        FBC Mortgage Securities Trust 19,
                           Variable Rate Collateralized
                           Mortgage Obligation,
                           Series A#, 10/20/18 ...................      249,800
                         Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                           Corporation, Multiclass Mortgage
                           Participation Certificates,
              450          Series 32, Class 32-R, (REMIC),
                             3/15/20 .............................      509,243
                7          Series 1017, Class 1017-R,
                           (REMIC), 11/15/20 .....................    1,186,706
           13,537          Series 1119, Class 1119-R,
                           (REMIC), 8/15/21 ......................    3,599,970
                         Federal National Mortgage Association,
                           REMIC Pass-Through Certificates,
            1,100          Trust 1989-99, Class 99-R,
                             12/25/19 ............................    1,275,000
               10          Trust 1990-12, Class 12-R,
                             2/25/20 .............................    1,975,000
              100          Trust 1990-57, Class 57-R,
                             5/25/20 .............................    1,077,000
               27          Trust 1990-86, Class 86-R,
                             7/25/20 .............................    2,028,000
AAA         7,310        ML Collateralized Mortgage
                           Obligations, Trust V#, 3/20/18 ........    2,521,982
AAA            10        P-B Collateralized Mortgage
                           Obligation, Trust 8,
                           Class 8-H, (REMIC)#, 3/01/19 ..........      198,000
AAA            43        PaineWebber, Collateralized
                           Mortgage Obligation,
                           Series N, Class 7, (REMIC)#,
                           1/01/19 ...............................      365,091
AAA         1,059        Ryland Acceptance Corporation,
                           Collateralized Mortgage Bonds,
                           Series 33, Class A#, 6/20/18 ..........      307,780


See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       7
<PAGE>

(Left Column)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P/      Principal
Moody's    Amount                                                     Value
Rating*    (000)                 Description                         (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AAA       $   995        Smith Barney Mortgage Capital
                           Trust VIII, Collateralized
                           Mortgage Obligations, Series 1,
                           Class 1-R, (REMIC)#, 5/01/19 .......... $    346,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     18,933,489
                                                                   ------------
                         U.S Government Securities-17.3%
                         U.S. Treasury Notes,
           14,251++        5.375%, 11/30/97 ......................   14,121,886
           12,790          6.25%, 2/15/03 ........................   12,568,221
            7,600+         6.50%, 5/15/05 ........................    7,500,212
           24,750++        6.375%, 3/31/01 .......................   24,703,470
           15,500        United States Treasury Bond,
                           12.75%, 11/15/10 ......................   21,871,895
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     80,765,684
                                                                   ------------

                         Total long-term investments
                           (cost $660,398,183) ...................  646,385,936
                                                                   ------------
         Contracts***
         ------------
                         SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
                         CALL OPTION PURCHASED-0.4%
              503        U.S. Treasury Bond,
                           expiring June 1996 @ $106
                           (cost $7,044,389) .....................    1,697,625
                                                                   ------------
                         Total investments before
                           investments sold short-139.1%
                           (cost $667,442,572) ...................  648,083,561
                                                                   ------------
        Principal
         Amount
          (000)
        ---------
                         INVESTMENTS SOLD SHORT-(4.1%)

          (15,000)       Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                           Corporation, 7.00%, 1/01/99 ...........  (14,479,650)

           (4,655)       United States Treasury Notes,
                           5.00%, 2/15/99 ........................   (4,516,095)
                                                                   ------------
                         Total investments sold short
                           (proceeds $18,973,863) ................  (18,995,745)
                         Total investments,
                           net of short sales-135.0%
                           (cost $648,468,709) ...................  629,087,816
                         Liabilities in excess of
                           other assets-(35.0%) .................. (163,041,350)
                                                                   ------------
                         NET ASSETS-100% ......................... $466,046,466
                                                                   ============

- ------------------
  *Using the higher of Standard & Poor's or Moody's rating.
 **Illiquid securities representing 2.9% of portfolio assets.
***One contract equals 100,000 face value.
  #Private placements restricted as to resale.
  +$1,784,098 principal amount pledged as collateral for futures
   transactions.
 ++$44,949,725 principal amount pledged as collateral for mortgage
   dollar rolls.
  @Entire principal amount pledged as collateral for mortgage swap.
 @@$10,147,437 principal amount pledged as collateral for mortgage
   swap.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Key to Abbreviations

     ARM   --Adjustable Rate Mortgage.
     CMO   --Collateralized Mortgage Obligation.
     CMT   --Constant Maturity Treasury.
     I     --Denotes a CMO with interest only characteristics.
     I/O   --Interest Only.
     P     --Denotes a CMO with principal only characteristics.
     P/O   --Principal Only.
     REMIC --Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


See Notes to Financial Statements.




                                       8
<PAGE>

(Left Column)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 30, 1996
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets

Investments, at value (cost $667,442,572) (Note 1) ..............  $648,083,561
Cash ............................................................       113,190
Receivable for investments sold .................................    23,094,184
Deposit with brokers for investments
  sold short (Note 1) ...........................................    19,020,413
Interest receivable .............................................     8,762,982
Unrealized appreciation on interest rate floor
  (Notes 1 & 3) .................................................        46,679
                                                                   ------------
                                                                    699,121,009
                                                                   ------------
Liabilities

Reverse repurchase agreements (Note 4) ..........................   146,433,199
Payable for investments purchased ...............................    62,142,357
Investments sold short, at value
  (proceeds $18,973,863) (Note 1) ...............................    18,995,745
Unrealized depreciation on mortgage swap
  (Notes 1 & 3) .................................................     3,588,398
Unrealized depreciation on interest rate cap
  (Notes 1 & 3) .................................................       340,500
Dividends payable ...............................................       312,978
Advisory fee payable (Note 2) ...................................       249,568
Due to broker-variation margin ..................................       174,977
Interest payable ................................................       100,804
Administration fee payable (Note 2) .............................        76,790
Other accrued expenses ..........................................       659,227
                                                                   ------------
                                                                    233,074,543
                                                                   ------------
Net Assets ......................................................  $466,046,466
                                                                   ============
Net assets were comprised of:
  Common stock, at par (Note 5) .................................  $    628,499
  Paid-in capital in excess of par ..............................   563,355,769
                                                                   ------------
                                                                    563,984,268
                                                                   ------------
  Distributions in excess of net investment income ..............      (927,411)
  Accumulated net realized losses ...............................   (73,668,123)
  Net unrealized depreciation ...................................   (23,342,268)
                                                                   ------------
  Net assets, April 30, 1996 ....................................  $466,046,466
                                                                   ============
Net asset value per share:
  ($466,046,466 d/b 62,849,878 shares of
  common stock issued and outstanding) ..........................         $7.42
                                                                          =====

(Right Column)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.
Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended April 30, 1996
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Investment Income
Income
  Interest (net of premium amortization of $6,973,428
    and interest expense of $6,336,382) .........................  $ 21,312,106
                                                                   ------------
Expenses
  Investment advisory ...........................................     1,565,652
  Administration ................................................       481,739
  Custodian .....................................................       146,500
  Transfer agent ................................................       112,000
  Reports to shareholders .......................................        99,500
  Directors .....................................................        38,000
  Audit .........................................................        29,000
  Legal .........................................................        12,500
  Miscellaneous .................................................       114,396
                                                                   ------------
    Total operating expenses ....................................     2,599,287
                                                                   ------------
  Net investment income .........................................    18,712,819
                                                                   ------------
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investments (Note 3)
Net realized gain (loss)
  Investments ...................................................    (5,243,967)
  Futures .......................................................     1,137,043
  Short sales ...................................................      (282,639)
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     (4,389,563)
                                                                   ------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
  Investments ...................................................    (9,967,938)
  Futures .......................................................        52,396
  Short Sales ...................................................       (21,882)
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     (9,937,424)
                                                                   ------------
Net loss on investments .........................................   (14,326,987)
                                                                   ------------
Net Increase In Net Assets
Resulting from Operations .......................................  $  4,385,832
                                                                   ============

See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       9
<PAGE>

(Left Column)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.
Statement of Cash Flows
Six Months Ended April 30, 1996
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Increase (Decrease) in Cash
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
  Interest received ........................................... $    31,893,477
  Operating expenses paid .....................................      (2,347,318)
  Interest expense paid .......................................      (5,767,761)
  Purchase of short-term portfolio
    investments including options, net ........................      (5,745,717)
  Purchase of long-term portfolio investments .................  (2,084,474,620)
  Proceeds from disposition of long-term
    portfolio investments .....................................   2,155,375,336
  Variation margin on futures .................................      (1,364,416)
                                                                ---------------
  Net cash flows provided by operating activities .............      87,568,981
                                                                ---------------
Cash flows used for financing activities:
  Decrease in reverse repurchase agreements ...................     (68,004,676)
  Cash dividends paid .........................................     (19,789,124)
                                                                ---------------
  Net cash used for financing activities ......................     (87,793,800)
                                                                ---------------
Net decrease in cash ..........................................        (224,819)
Cash at beginning of period ...................................         338,009
                                                                ---------------
Cash at end of period ......................................... $       113,190
                                                                ---------------
Reconciliation of Net Increase in Net
Assets to Net Cash Provided by
Operating Activities
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations .......... $     4,385,832
                                                                ---------------
Decrease in investments .......................................      31,384,036
Increase in interest receivable ...............................      (2,165,397)
Decrease in receivable for investments sold ...................      36,567,899
Increase in depreciation on mortgage swap .....................       1,085,947
Decrease in variation margin receivable .......................         205,610
Increase in appreciation of interest rate floor ...............         (46,679)
Net realized loss .............................................       4,389,563
Increase in unrealized depreciation ...........................       9,937,424
Increase in deposits with brokers for
  investments sold short ......................................     (19,020,413)
Increase in payable for investments sold short ................      18,995,745
Increase in payable for investments purchased .................       2,437,737
Decrease in interest payable ..................................        (488,464)
Decrease in depreciation of interest rate cap .................        (351,828)
Increase in accrued expenses and other
  liabilities .................................................         251,969
                                                                ---------------
  Total adjustments ...........................................      83,183,149
                                                                ---------------
Net cash provided by operating activities ..................... $    87,568,981
                                                                ===============


(Right Column)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.
Statements of Changes
in Net Assets
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Increase (Decrease)                              Six Months          Year
in Net Assets                                       Ended            Ended
                                                April 30, 1996  October 31, 1995
                                                --------------  ----------------

Operations:

  Net investment income .......................  $ 18,712,819     $ 31,941,790

  Net realized loss on investments,
    futures, short sales and options ..........    (4,389,563)     (16,509,006)

  Net change in net unrealized
    appreciation (depreciation) on
    investments, futures,
    short sales and options ...................    (9,937,424)      57,353,523
                                                 ------------     ------------
  Net increase (decrease) in
    net assets resulting from
    operations ................................     4,385,832       72,786,307

Dividends from net investment
  income ......................................   (18,712,819)     (41,414,771)

Distributions in excess of net
  investment income ...........................      (927,411)        (192,946)

Return of capital .............................           -         (5,529,060)
                                                 ------------     ------------
  Total (decrease) increase ...................   (15,254,398)      25,649,530


Net Assets

  Beginning of period .........................   481,300,864      455,651,334
                                                 ------------     ------------
  End of period ...............................  $466,046,466     $481,300,864
                                                 ============     ============


See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       10
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.
Financial Highlights
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               Six Months                    Year Ended October 31,
                                                                 Ended       ------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:                            April 30, 1996   1995        1994        1993        1992        1991
                                                            --------------   ----        ----        ----        ----        ----
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period .........................  $ 7.66      $ 7.25      $ 8.75      $ 8.90      $ 9.43      $ 8.49
                                                                ------      ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
  Net investment income (net of $.10, $.22, $.10, $.09, $.09,
    and $.07, respectively, of interest expense) .............     .30         .51         .73         .91         .74        1.05

  Net realized and unrealized gain (losses) on
    investments, short sales, futures and
    options ..................................................    (.23)        .65       (1.45)       (.21)       (.31)        .92
                                                                ------      ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations ...........     .07        1.16        (.72)        .70         .43        1.97
                                                                ------      ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
Dividends from net investment income .........................    (.30)       (.66)       (.78)       (.85)       (.83)      (1.03)

Distributions in excess of net investment income .............    (.01)        -           -           -          (.05)        -

Return of capital distribution ...............................     -          (.09)        -           -          (.08)        -
                                                                ------      ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
  Total dividends and distributions ..........................    (.31)       (.75)       (.78)       (.85)       (.96)      (1.03)
                                                                ------      ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
Net asset value, end of period* ..............................  $ 7.42      $ 7.66      $ 7.25      $ 8.75      $ 8.90      $ 9.43
                                                                ======      ======      ======      ======      ======      ======
Per share market value, end of period* .......................  $    6      $ 7-1/4     $ 6-3/8     $ 8-3/8     $ 9-1/8     $10-1/8
                                                                ======      =======     =======     =======     =======     =======
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+ ..................................... (13.15%)     26.50%     (15.31%)      1.01%       (.55%)     37.55%

RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:

Operating expenses# ..........................................   1.09%**     1.08%       1.10%       1.03%       1.02%       1.07%

Net investment income ........................................   7.81%**     6.85%       9.21%      10.19%       7.85%      11.95%

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

Average net assets (in thousands) ............................$481,681    $466,449    $496,707    $558,530    $582,984    $541,488

Portfolio turnover ...........................................    298%        267%        223%        121%        131%        261%

Net assets, end of period (in thousands) .....................$466,046    $481,301    $455,651    $549,755    $555,737    $582,845

Reverse repurchase agreements outstanding,
  end of period (in thousands) ...............................$146,433    $214,438    $109,286    $74,700     $168,150    $ 83,025

Asset coverage++ .............................................$  4,183    $  3,244    $  5,169    $ 8,360     $  4,305    $  8,020

<FN>

 * NAV and market value are published in The Wall Street Journal each Monday.

** Annualized.

 # The ratios of operating  expenses  including  interest expense to average net
   assets were 3.71%,  4.08%,  2.32%,  2.02%,  1.97%,  and 1.88% for the periods
   indicated above, respectively.

 + Total investment return is calculated  assuming a purchase of common stock at
   the current  market  price on the first day and a sale at the current  market
   price on the last day of each year reported.  Dividends and distributions are
   assumed,  for  purposes  of this  calculation,  to be  reinvested  at  prices
   obtained under the Trust's dividend  reinvestment plan. This calculation does
   not reflect brokerage  commissions.  Total investment  returns for periods of
   less than one full year are not annualized.

++ Per $1,000 of reverse repurchase agreement outstanding.

   The information above represents the unaudited operating performance data for
   a share of common  stock  outstanding,  total  investment  return,  ratios to
   average  net  assets and other  supplemental  data,  for each of the  periods
   indicated.   This  information  has  been  determined  based  upon  financial
   information  provided in the financial  statements  and market value data for
   the Trust's shares.

</FN>
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       11

<PAGE>

(Left column)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. Accounting
Policies

The BlackRock  Income Trust Inc. (the  "Trust"),  a Maryland  corporation,  is a
diversified  closed-end  management investment company. The investment objective
of the Trust is to achieve high monthly income  consistent with  preservation of
capital.  The  ability of issuers of debt  securities  held by the Trust to meet
their  obligations  may be  affected  by  economic  developments  in a  specific
industry  or  region.  No  assurance  can be given that the  Trust's  investment
objective will be achieved.

    The following is a summary of significant  accounting  policies  followed by
the Trust.

Securities Valuation:  The Trust values mortgage-backed,  asset-backed and other
debt securities on the basis of current market quotations provided by dealers or
pricing services approved by the Trust's Board of Directors.  In determining the
value of a particular  security,  pricing  services may use certain  information
with respect to transactions in such securities, quotations from dealers, market
transactions in comparable  securities,  various  relationships  observed in the
market  between  securities,  and  calculated  yield measures based on valuation
technology commonly employed in the market for such securities.  Exchange-traded
options are valued at their last sales price as of the close of options  trading
on the applicable  exchanges.  In the absence of a last sale, options are valued
at the average of the quoted bid and asked prices as of the close of business. A
futures  contract  is  valued  at the last  sale  price  as of the  close of the
commodities  exchange on which it trades  unless the Trust's  Board of Directors
determines  that such price does not reflect  its fair  value,  in which case it
will be  valued  at its  fair  value  as  determined  by the  Trust's  Board  of
Directors.  Any  securities  or other  assets  for  which  such  current  market
quotations  are not readily  available are valued at fair value as determined in
good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision and
responsibility of the Trust's Board of Directors.

    Short-term  securities  which  mature  in more  than 60 days are  valued  at
current market quotations. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less
are valued at amortized  cost,  if their term to maturity  from date of purchase
was 60 days or less,  or by  amortizing  their  value  on the 61st day  prior to
maturity,  if their original term to maturity from date of purchase  exceeded 60
days.


(Right column)

    In  connection  with  transactions  in  repurchase  agreements,  the Trust's
custodian takes possession of the underlying collateral securities, the value of
which at least  equals  the  principal  amount  of the  repurchase  transaction,
including  accrued  interest.  To the  extent  that any  repurchase  transaction
exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is  marked-to-market  on a
daily basis to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults and
the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy  proceedings are commenced
with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the
Trust may be delayed or limited.

Option  Selling/Purchasing:  When the Trust  sells or  purchases  an option,  an
amount  equal to the  premium  received  or paid by the Trust is  recorded  as a
liability or an asset and is  subsequently  adjusted to the current market value
of the option  written or purchased.  Premiums  received or paid from writing or
purchasing  options  which  expire  unexercised  are treated by the Trust on the
expiration date as realized gains or losses.  The difference between the premium
and the  amount  paid or  received  on  effecting  a  closing  purchase  or sale
transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain
or loss. If an option is exercised, the premium paid or received is added to the
proceeds from the sale or cost of the purchase in determining  whether the Trust
has realized a gain or a loss on investment  transactions.  The Trust, as writer
of an option, may have no control over whether the underlying  securities may be
sold  (call) or  purchased  (put) and as a result  bears the  market  risk of an
unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option.

    Options,  when used by the Trust,  help in maintaining a targeted  duration.
Duration is a measure of the price  sensitivity  of a security or a portfolio to
relative changes in interest rates. For instance, a duration of "one" means that
a portfolio's or a security's price would be expected to change by approximately
one percent  with a one percent  change in interest  rates,  while a duration of
five  would  imply  that the price  would  move  approximately  five  percent in
relation to a one percent change in interest rates.

    Option selling and  purchasing is used by the Trust to  effectively  "hedge"
more  volatile  positions  so that  changes in interest  rates do not change the
duration of the portfolio  unexpectedly.  In general,  the Trust uses options to
hedge a long or short position or an overall portfolio that is longer or shorter
than the benchmark security. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the
right (but not  obligation)  to buy, and  obligates the seller to sell (when the
option is exercised),  the underlying position at the exercise price at any time
or at a specified time during the option  period.  A put option gives the holder
the


                                       12
<PAGE>

(Left Column)

right to sell and  obligates  the writer to buy the  underlying  position at the
exercise price at any time or at a specified time during the option period.  Put
options can be purchased to effectively  hedge a position or a portfolio against
price  declines if a portfolio is long.  In the same sense,  call options can be
purchased to hedge a portfolio that is shorter than its benchmark  against price
changes. The Trust can also sell (or write) covered call options and put options
to hedge portfolio positions.

    The main risk that is associated with purchasing  options is that the option
expires without being exercised.  In this case, the option expires worthless and
the premium paid for the option is considered the loss. The risk associated with
writing call options is that the Trust may forego the  opportunity  for a profit
if the  market  value of the  underlying  position  increases  and the option is
exercised. The risk in writing put options is that the Trust may incur a loss if
the  market  value  of the  underlying  position  decreases  and the  option  is
exercised.  In addition,  as with futures  contracts,  the Trust risks not being
able to enter into a closing transaction for the written option as the result of
an illiquid market.

Financial  Futures  Contracts:  A futures  contract is an agreement  between two
parties to buy and sell a financial instrument for a set price on a future date.
Initial margin deposits are made upon entering into futures contracts and can be
either  cash or  securities.  During the period the  futures  contract  is open,
changes in the value of the  contract  are  recognized  as  unrealized  gains or
losses by  "marking-to-market"  on a daily basis to reflect the market  value of
the contract at the end of each day's  trading.  Variation  margin  payments are
made or  received,  depending  upon  whether  unrealized  gains  or  losses  are
incurred. When the contract is closed, the Trust records a realized gain or loss
equal to the  difference  between  the  proceeds  from (or cost of) the  closing
transaction and the Trust's basis in the contract.

    Financial futures  contracts,  when used by the Trust, help in maintaining a
targeted duration.  Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a security
or a portfolio to relative changes in interest rates.  For instance,  a duration
of "one" means that a  portfolio's  or a  security's  price would be expected to
change by approximately one percent with a one percent change in interest rates,
while a duration of "five"  would imply that the price would move  approximately
five  percent in  relation to a one percent  change in interest  rates.  Futures
contracts  can be sold to  effectively  shorten  an  otherwise  longer  duration
portfolio.  In the same sense,  futures contracts can be purchased to lengthen a
portfolio that is shorter than its duration  target.  Thus, by buying or selling
futures contracts,  the Trust can effectively "hedge" more volatile positions so
that  changes in  interest  rates do not change the  duration  of the  portfolio
unexpectedly.


(Right column)

    The Trust may  invest  in  financial  futures  contracts  primarily  for the
purpose of hedging its existing  portfolio  securities or  securities  the Trust
intends  to  purchase  against  fluctuations  in  value  caused  by  changes  in
prevailing market interest rates.  Should interest rates move unexpectedly,  the
Trust  may  not  achieve  the  anticipated  benefits  of the  financial  futures
contracts and may realize a loss. The use of futures  transactions  involves the
risk of imperfect  correlation  in movements in the price of futures  contracts,
interest rates and the underlying  hedged assets.  The Trust is also at the risk
of not being able to enter into a closing  transaction for the futures  contract
because of an illiquid secondary market. In addition,  since futures are used to
shorten or lengthen a portfolio's  duration,  there is a risk that the portfolio
may have  temporarily  performed  better without the hedge or that the Trust may
lose  the  opportunity  to  realize  appreciation  in the  market  price  of the
underlying positions.

Short Sales: The Trust may make short sales of securities as a method of hedging
potential  price declines in similar  securities  owned.  When the Trust makes a
short  sale,  it may  borrow  the  security  sold  short and  deliver  it to the
broker-dealer  through  which  it made  the  short  sale as  collateral  for its
obligation  to deliver the security upon  conclusion of the sale.  The Trust may
have to pay a fee to borrow the  particular  securities  and may be obligated to
pay over any payments received on such borrowed  securities.  A gain, limited to
the price at which the Trust sold the security short, or a loss, unlimited as to
dollar amount,  will be recognized  upon the  termination of a short sale if the
market price is greater or less than the proceeds originally received.

Securities  Lending:  The Trust may lend its  portfolio  securities to qualified
institutions.  The loans are secured by collateral at least equal, at all times,
to the market  value of the  securities  loaned.  The Trust may bear the risk of
delay in recovery of, or even loss of rights in, the  securities  loaned  should
the borrower of the securities fail financially. The Trust receives compensation
for lending its  securities in the form of interest on the loan.  The Trust also
continues to receive interest on the securities  loaned, and any gain or loss in
the market price of the securities  loaned that may occur during the term of the
loan  will be for the  account  of the  Trust.  The  Trust  did  not  engage  in
securities lending during the six months ended April 30, 1996.

Mortgage  Swaps:  Mortgage  swaps are a variation on interest  rate swaps.  In a
simple  interest  rate swap,  one investor pays a floating rate of interest on a
notional  principal  amount and  receives a fixed rate of  interest  on the same
notional  principal  amount for a specified  period of time.  Alternatively,  an
investor  may pay a fixed  rate and  receive a  floating  rate.  Rate swaps were
conceived  as  asset/liability  management  tools.  In more complex  swaps,  the
notional principal amount may decline (or


                                       13
<PAGE>

(Left Column)

amortize) over time.  Mortgage swaps combine the fixed/floating  concept with an
amortizing   feature   that  is  indexed  to  mortgage   securities.   Scheduled
amortization and prepayments on the index pools reduce the notional amount.

    During the term of the swap, changes in the value of the swap are recognized
as unrealized gains or losses by "marking-to-market" to reflect the market value
of the swap. When the swap is terminated,  the Trust will record a realized gain
or loss  equal to the  difference  between  the  proceeds  from (or cost of) the
closing transaction and the Trust's basis in the contract, if any.

    Mortgage swaps are intended to enhance the Trust^s income earning ability by
effectively owning mortgage pass-throughs and locking-in the financing rate at a
very attractive spread to market levels.  This allows mortgage  pass-throughs to
be held more cheaply than if they were owned  outright  and  financed,  but at a
decreased level of liquidity.

    The Trust is exposed to credit loss in the event of  non-performance  by the
other  party to the  mortgage  swap.  However,  the  Trust  does not  anticipate
non-performance by any counterparty.

Interest  Rate Caps:  Interest  rate caps are  similar to  interest  rate swaps,
except  that one party  agrees to pay a fee,  while  the  other  party  pays the
excess, if any, of a floating rate over a specified fixed rate.

    Interest  rate caps are  intended to both manage the duration of the Trust's
portfolio and its exposure to changes in short term rates. Duration is a measure
of the price  sensitivity  of a security or a portfolio  to relative  changes in
interest rates. For instance,  a duration of "one" means that a portfolio's or a
security's price would be expected to change by approximately one percent with a
one percent  change in interest  rates,  while a duration of "five"  would imply
that the price  would  move  approximately  five  percent in  relation  to a one
percent  change  in  interest  rates.  Owning  interest  rate caps  reduces  the
portfolio's duration, making it less sensitive to changes in interest rates from
a market value perspective. The effect on income involves protection from rising
short term rates, which the Trust experiences primarily in the form of leverage.

    The Trust is exposed to credit loss in the event of  non-performance  by the
other party to the interest  rate cap.  However,  the Trust does not  anticipate
non-performance by any counterparty.

Interest  Rate Floors:  Interest rate floors are similar to interest rate swaps,
except  that one party  agrees to pay a fee,  while  the  other  party  pays the
excess, if any, of a floating rate under a specified fixed rate.


(Right column)

    Interest  rate floors are used by the Trust to both  manage the  duration of
the portfolio and its exposure to changes in short-term interest rates. Duration
is a measure of the price  sensitivity  of a security or a portfolio to relative
changes in  interest  rates.  For  instance,  a duration  of "one"  means that a
portfolio's or a security's  price would be expected to change by  approximately
one percent  with a one percent  change in interest  rates,  while a duration of
"five"  would  imply that the price  would move  approximately  five  percent in
relation to a one percent change in interest rates.  Owning interest rate floors
reduces  the  portfolio's  duration,  making it less  sensitive  to  changes  in
interest rates from a market value  perspective.  The effect on income  involves
protection from falling short term rates, which the Trust experiences  primarily
in the form of leverage.

    The Trust is exposed to credit loss in the event of  non-performance  by the
other party to the interest rate floor.  However,  the Trust does not anticipate
non-performance by any counterparty.

Securities  Transactions and Net Investment Income:  Securities transactions are
recorded  on the trade  date.  Realized  and  unrealized  gains and  losses  are
calculated  on the  identified  cost basis.  Interest  income is recorded on the
accrual  basis  and  the  Trust  accretes  discount  and  amortizes  premium  on
securities  purchased  using the interest  method.  Expenses are recorded on the
accrual basis which may require the use of certain estimates by management.

Taxes: It is the Trust's  intention to continue to meet the  requirements of the
Internal  Revenue Code  applicable  to  regulated  investment  companies  and to
distribute  substantially all of its taxable income to shareholders.  Therefore,
no federal income tax provision is required.

Dividends  and  Distributions:   The  Trust  declares  and  pays  dividends  and
distributions  monthly,  first from net  investment  income,  then from realized
short-term capital gains and other sources, if necessary.  Net long-term capital
gains,  if any,  in  excess  of loss  carryforwards  are  distributed  at  least
annually. Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

    Income  distributions  and capital  gain  distributions  are  determined  in
accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from generally  accepted
accounting principles.


Note 2. Agreements

The  Trust  has  an  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  with  BlackRock  Financial
Management, Inc. (the "Adviser") and an Administration Agreement with Prudential
Mutual Fund Man-


                                       14
<PAGE>

(Left Column)

agement,  Inc. ("PMF"), an indirect,  wholly-owned  subsidiary of The Prudential
Insurance Co. of America.

    The  investment  fee paid to the  Adviser is  computed  weekly  and  payable
monthly at an annual rate of 0.65% of the Trust's average weekly net assets. The
administration fee paid to PMF is also computed weekly and payable monthly at an
annual rate of 0.20% of the first $500 million of the Trust's average weekly net
assets and 0.15% of any excess.

    Pursuant to the agreements,  the Adviser provides continuous  supervision of
the investment portfolio and pays the compensation of officers of the Trust. PMF
pays occupancy and certain clerical and accounting costs of the Trust. The Trust
bears all other costs and expenses.


Note 3. Portfolio
Securities

Purchases and sales of investment securities,  other than short-term investments
and  dollar  rolls,   for  the  six  months  ended  April  30,  1996  aggregated
$2,085,665,278 and $2,101,066,145, respectively.

    The Trust may  invest  without  limit in  securities  which are not  readily
marketable,  including  those  which are  restricted  as to dis  position  under
securities law ("restricted securities") although the Trust does not expect that
such investments will generally exceed 25% of its portfolio assets. At April 30,
1996,  the  Trust  held 2.9% of its  portfolio  assets  in  illiquid  securities
including 1.1% of its portfolio assets in securities restricted as to resale.

    The federal  income tax basis of the Trust's  investments  at April 30, 1996
was  $670,542,034  and,  accordingly,  net unrealized  depreciation  for federal
income tax purposes was $22,458,473 (gross unrealized  appreciation-$16,290,970;
gross unrealized depreciation-$38,749,443).

    For federal income tax purposes,  the Trust has a capital loss  carryforward
at  October  31,  1995  of  approximately  $64,731,200  of  which  approximately
$6,398,700  will expire in 1997,  approximately  $4,473,500 will expire in 1998,
approximately  $15,072,600 will expire in 2001,  approximately  $23,358,200 will
expire in 2002 and approximately  $15,428,200 will expire in 2003.  Accordingly,
no capital gains  distribution is expected to be paid to shareholders  until net
gains have been realized in excess of such amounts.

    During the six months ended April 30, 1996, the Trust entered into financial
futures contracts. Details of open contracts at April 30, 1996 are as follows:



(Right column)


                                        Value at      Value at      Unrealized
Number of                 Expiration     Trade        April 30,    Appreciation/
Contracts       Type         Date         Date          1996      (Depreciation)
- ---------       ----         ----         ----          ----      --------------
          Short position:
   256     2 yr. T-Note    June 1996   $26,466,919   $26,412,000      $ 54,919

          Long positions:
    55    Muni-Bond Index  June 1996     6,167,136     6,118,750       (48,386)
    13     5 yr. T-Note    June 1996     1,383,972     1,376,984        (6,988)
    50    10 yr. T-Note    June 1996     5,393,906     5,375,000       (18,906)
    65    10 yr. T-Note    Sept. 1996    6,916,715     6,969,219        52,504
   160    30 yr. T-Bond    June 1996    17,577,299    17,465,000      (112,299)
                                                                      --------
                                                                      $(79,156)
                                                                      ========

    The Trust entered into a FNMA mortgage swap with an original notional amount
of $150 million. Under this agreement,  the Trust receives a fixed rate and pays
a floating rate.  The swap settled on October 27, 1993.  Details of this swap is
as follows:

Current
Notional
 Amount          Fixed                               Termination     Unrealized
 (000)    Type   Rate         Floating Rate             Date        Depreciation
 -----    ----   ---- -------------------------------   ----        ------------
$97,313   FNMA    8%  1-mo. LIBOR minus 15 basis pts.  Oct.'96      $(3,588,398)



    The Trust  entered  into an interest  rate cap which  settled on November 5,
1991 with a notional  amount of $200 million.  Under this  agreement,  the Trust
receives the excess,  if any, of three-month LIBOR over the fixed rate of 8.50%.
The  agreement  terminates  on  November 5, 1996.  At April 30, 1996  unrealized
depreciation was $340,500.

    The Trust sold an interest rate floor which settled on December 4, 1995 with
a notional amount of approximately  $32 million which will decline over the term
of the agreement.  At April 30, 1996, the notional amount is  approximately  $28
million.  Under the agreement,  the Trust pays the excess, if any, of 8.15% over
one-month  LIBOR.  In exchange,  the Trust received a fee on settlement  date of
$1.4  million  which  is  being  recognized  into  income  over  the term of the
agreement.  The  agreement  terminates  on December 15, 2000.  At April 30, 1996
unrealized appreciation was $46,679.


Note 4. Borrowings

Reverse  Repurchase  Agreements:   The  Trust  enters  into  reverse  repurchase
agreements with qualified, third party broker-dealers as determined by and under
the  direction  of the  Trust's  Board of  Directors.  Interest  on the value of
reverse  repurchase  agreements issued and outstanding is based upon competitive
market  rates at the time of  issuance.  At the time  the  Trust  enters  into a
reverse repurchase agreement,  it establishes and maintains a segregated account
with the lender  containing liquid high grade securities having a value not less
than the repurchase price, including accrued interest, of the reverse repurchase
agreement.

                                       15
<PAGE>

(Left column)

     The average  daily  balance of reverse  repurchase  agreements  outstanding
during the six months ended April 30, 1996 was  approximately  $205,028,000 at a
weighted  average  interest rate of  approximately  5.65%. The maximum amount of
reverse repurchase agreements outstanding at any month-end during the period was
$243,918,988 as of November 30, 1995, which was 23.0% of total assets.

Dollar  Rolls:  The Trust  enters  into  dollar  rolls in which the Trust  sells
securities  for delivery in the current  month and  simultaneously  contracts to
repurchase  substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on
a specified future date.  During the roll period the Trust forgoes principal and
interest paid on the securities. The Trust is compensated by the interest earned
on the cash  proceeds of the initial sale and by the lower  repurchase  price at
the future date.

    The  average  monthly  balance of dollar  rolls  outstanding  during the six
months ended April 30, 1996 was approximately


(Right column)

    $7,141,170.  The maximum amount of dollar rolls outstanding at any month-end
during the year was  $31,133,190  as of April 30, 1996,  which was 4.5% of total
assets.


Note 5. Capital

There are 200 million  shares of 1 par value  common  stock  authorized.  Of the
62,849,878  shares  outstanding  at April 30,  1996,  the Adviser  owned  10,753
shares.


Note 6. Dividends

Since April 30, 1996,  the Board of Directors  of the Trust  declared  dividends
from undistributed earnings of $0.046875 per share payable May 31, 1996 and June
28,  1996 to  shareholders  of  record  on May  15,  1996  and  June  14,  1996,
respectively.



Note 7. Quarterly Data

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Net realized and
                                                      unrealized
                                                     gain (loss) on
                                                      investments,      Net increase
                                                      short sales,       (decrease)
                                                      futures and      in net assets        Dividends
                                  Net investment        options        resulting from          and                     
                                      income            written          operations        distributions                  Period end
Quarterly             Total                 Per                Per                 Per                Per    Share price   net asset
 period               income      Amount   share   Amount     share    Amount     share     Amount   share   High    Low     value
- ---------           ----------- ---------- ----- -----------  ----- -----------   -----  ----------- -----  ------- ------   -----
<S>                 <C>         <C>         <C>  <C>          <C>    <C>           <C>    <C>         <C>   <C>    <C>      <C>
November 1, 1993
to January 31, 1994 $13,196,365 $8,584,248 $.14 $(12,850,059) $(.21) $ (4,265,811) $(.07) $13,348,984 $.212 $8-5/8 $7-3/4   $8.47

February 1, 1994
to April 30, 1994     7,657,185  9,529,620  .15  (41,634,010)  (.66)  (32,104,390)  (.51)  12,306,006  .196  8-1/2  7        7.76

May 1, 1994
to July 31, 1994     18,431,996 16,068,999  .26   31,105,782    .49    47,174,781    .75   11,784,274  .188  7-3/8  6-5/8    7.55

August 1, 1994
to October 31, 1994  11,977,840 11,622,427  .18  (67,307,118) (1.07)  (55,684,691)  (.89)  11,784,229  .188  7-1/4  6-1/8    7.25

November 1, 1994
to January 31, 1995   7,966,522  6,718,106  .11    6,924,347    .11    13,642,453    .22   11,784,164  .188  6-7/8  5-7/8    7.28

February 1, 1995
to April 30, 1995    13,875,262 12,635,132  .20   12,679,455    .20    25,314,587    .40   11,784,196  .188  7-1/4  6-5/8    7.49

May 1, 1995
to July 31, 1995      9,186,628  7,888,261  .13    4,537,191    .07    12,425,452    .20   11,784,243  .188  7-3/8  6-7/8    7.50

August 1, 1995
to October 31, 1995   5,947,291  4,700,291  .07   16,703,524    .27    21,403,815    .34   11,784,174  .188  7-3/8  6-7/8    7.66

November 1, 1995
to January 31, 1996  11,192,969  9,880,763  .16   21,999,110    .35    31,879,873    .51   10,802,096  .172  7-1/4  6-1/4    7.85
 
February 1, 1996
to April 30, 1996    10,119,137  8,832,056  .14  (36,326,097)  (.58)  (27,494,041)  (.44)   8,838,134  .141  6-5/8  6        7.42

</TABLE>


                                       16
<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        THE BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST INC.
                           DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant  to  the  Trust's   Dividend   Reinvestment   Plan  (the   "Plan"),
shareholders may elect to have all  distributions of dividends and capital gains
automatically  reinvested by Boston  EquiServe  L.P. (the "Plan Agent") in Trust
shares  pursuant to the Plan.  Shareholders  who do not  participate in the Plan
will receive all  distributions  in cash paid by check in United States  dollars
mailed  directly  to the  shareholders  of record  (or if the shares are held in
street or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Custodian, as dividend
disbursing agent.

    The Plan Agent serves as agent for the  shareholders  in  administering  the
Plan.  After the Trust  declares a dividend or determines to make a capital gain
distribution,  the Plan Agent will, as agent for the  participants,  receive the
cash payment and use it to buy Trust shares in the open market,  on the New York
Stock Exchange or elsewhere,  for the participants' accounts. The Trust will not
issue shares under the Plan below net asset value.

    Participants  in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan upon written  notice to
the Plan Agent and will receive  certificates  for whole Trust shares and a cash
payment will be made for any fraction of a Trust share.

    The Plan Agent's fees for the handling of the  reinvestment of dividends and
distributions  will be paid by the Trust.  However,  each participant will pay a
pro rata  share of  brokerage  commissions  incurred  with  respect  to the Plan
Agent's open market  purchases in connection with the  reinvestment of dividends
and  distributions.  The automatic  reinvestment of dividends and  distributions
will not relieve  participants of any federal,  state or local income taxes that
may be payable on such dividend or distributions.

    Experience   under  the  Plan  may  indicate  that  changes  are  desirable.
Accordingly,  the Trust  reserves  the right to amend or  terminate  the Plan as
applied to any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the
change sent to all  shareholders of the Trust at least 90 days before the record
date  for the  dividend  or  distribution.  The  Plan  also  may be  amended  or
terminated  by the Plan  Agent  upon at least 90  days'  written  notice  to all
shareholders  of the Trust.  All  correspondence  concerning  the Plan should be
directed to the Plan Agent at (800) 699-1BFM.  The addresses are on the front of
this report.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    There have been no material changes in the Trust's investment  objectives or
policies that have not been approved by the  shareholders,  or to its charter or
by-laws,  or in the principal  risk factors  associated  with  investment in the
Trust.  There have been no changes in the persons who are primarily  responsible
for the day-to-day management of the Trust's portfolio.

    The Annual Meeting of Trust Shareholders was held May 8, 1996 to vote on the
following matters:

    (1) To elect three Directors as follows:

        Director                             Class        Term         Expiring
        --------                             -----        ----         --------
        Richard E. Cavanagh ...............    I         3 years         1999
        James Grosfeld ....................    I         3 years         1999
        James Clayburn LaForce, Jr. .......    I         3 years         1999

        Directors whose term of office  continues beyond this meeting are Andrew
        F. Brimmer, Kent Dixon, Frank J. Fabozzi,  Laurence D. Fink and Ralph L.
        Schlosstein

    (2) To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as  independent  public
        accountants of the Trust for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1996.

        Shareholders  elected the three  Directors and ratified the selection of
        Deloitte & Touche LLP. The results of the voting was as follows:

                                          Votes for   Votes Against  Abstentions
                                          ---------   -------------  -----------
        Richard E. Cavanagh ..........   49,717,576         0         1,559,957
        James Grosfeld ...............   49,702,986         0         1,574,547
        James Clayburn LaForce, Jr. ..   49,660,346         0         1,617,187

        Ratification of 
          Deloitte & Touche LLP ......   49,932,681      755,170        589,681

                                       17
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        THE BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST INC.
                               INVESTMENT SUMMARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Trust's Investment Objective

The  Trust's  investment  objective  is to manage a  portfolio  of high  quality
securities  to achieve high  monthly  income  consistent  with  preservation  of
capital.  The Trust will seek to distribute  monthly income that is greater than
that  obtainable on an annualized  basis by investment in United States Treasury
securities  having the same maturity as the average dollar weighted  maturity of
the Trust's investments.


Who Manages the Trust?

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. ("BlackRock") is the investment adviser for
the Trust.  BlackRock is a registered  investment adviser  specializing in fixed
income  securities.  Currently,  BlackRock  manages  over $39  billion of assets
across the government,  mortgage,  corporate and municipal sectors. These assets
are managed on behalf of institutional and individual investors in 21 closed-end
funds,  which trade on either the New York or American stock exchanges,  several
open-end  funds and  separate  accounts for more than 80 clients in the U.S. and
overseas.  BlackRock is a subsidiary  of PNC Asset  Management  Group which is a
division of PNC Bank, one of the nation's largest banking organizations.


What Can the Trust Invest In?

The Trust will invest at least 65% of its assets in mortgage-backed  securities.
At least 85% of the  Trust's  assets  must be rated at least "AAA" by Standard &
Poor's or "Aaa" by Moody's at the time of purchase;  of this 85% at least 80% of
the Trust's assets must be rated at least "AAA" by Standard & Poor's at the time
of purchase  while the remaining 5% can be invested in securities at least "AAA"
by  Standard & Poor's,  "Aaa" by Moody's or deemed  "AAA" by the  Advisor at the
time of  purchase.  Additionally,  15% of the Trust's  assets can be invested in
securities  rated at least "AA" by  Standard & Poor's or "Aa" by Moody's at time
of purchase. Under current market conditions, BlackRock expects that the primary
investments of the Trust will be U.S. government  securities,  securities backed
by government  agencies (such as mortgage-backed  securities),  privately issued
mortgage-backed   securities,    commercial   mortgage-backed   securities   and
asset-backed securities.


What is the Adviser's Investment Strategy?

The  Adviser  will  seek to meet  the  Trust  in  accordance  with  the  Trust's
investment  objective  by managing the assets of the Trust so as to provide high
monthly income consistent with the preservation of capital.  The Trust will seek
to provide  monthly  income that is greater than that which could be obtained by
investing in U.S.  Treasury  securities  with an average life similar to that of
the Trust's  assets.  Under current market  conditions,  the average life of the
Trust's assets is expected to be in the range of seven to ten years. Under other
market conditions,  the Trust's average life may vary and may not be predictable
using any formula. In seeking the investment objective, the Adviser may actively
manage  among  various   types  of   securities   in  different   interest  rate
environments.

Traditional  mortgage  pass-through   securities  make  interest  and  principal
payments on a monthly basis and can be a source of  attractive  levels of income
to the Trust. While  mortgage-backed  securities in the Trust are of high credit
quality,  they  typically  offer  a yield  spread  above  Treasuries  due to the
uncertainty  of the timing of their cash flows as they are subject to changes in
the rate of  prepayments  when  interest  rates  change  and  either a larger or
smaller  proportion of mortgage holders refinance their mortgages or move. While
mortgage-backed  securities  offer the opportunity for attractive  yields,  they
subject a portfolio to interest rate risk and  prepayment  exposure which result
in reinvestment risk when prepaid principal must be reinvested.

Multiple-class  mortgage  pass-through  securities,  or collateralized  mortgage
obligations  (CMOs),  are also an  investment  that  may be used in the  Trust's
portfolio.  These  securities are issued in multiple classes each of which has a
different  coupon  rate,  stated  maturity and  prioritization  on the timing of
receipt of cash  flows  coming  from  interest  and  principal  payments  on the
underlying mortgages. Principal prepayments can be allocated among the different
classes of a CMO in a number of ways; for instance,  they can be applied to each
of the classes in the order of their respective stated maturities.  This feature
allows an investor to better plan the  average  life of their  investment.  As a
result, these securities may be used by the Trust to help manage prepayment risk
and align the assets of the  portfolio  more closely  with its targeted  average
life.

Additionally,  in order to attempt to protect the  portfolio  from interest rate
risk, the Adviser will attempt to locate  securities with call protection,  such
as commercial  mortgage-backed securities with prepayment penalties or lockouts.
Securities with call protection should provide the portfolio with some degree of
protection against  reinvestment risk during times of lower prevailing  interest
rates.


                                       18
<PAGE>


How Are the Trust's Shares Purchased and Sold? Does the Trust Pay
Dividends Regularly?

The  Trust's  shares are traded on the New York Stock  Exchange  which  provides
investors with  liquidity on a daily basis.  Orders to buy or sell shares of the
Trust must be placed through a registered broker or financial advisor. The Trust
pays monthly  dividends which are typically paid on the last business day of the
month. For shares held in the shareholder's name, dividends may be reinvested in
additional  shares  of the fund  through  the  Trust's  transfer  agent,  Boston
EquiServe L.P.  Investors who wish to hold shares in a brokerage  account should
check with their  financial  advisor to determine  whether their  brokerage firm
offers dividend reinvestment services.


Leverage Considerations in the Trust

Under current  market  conditions,  leverage  increases the income earned by the
Trust.  The  Trust  employs  leverage  primarily  through  the  use  of  reverse
repurchase  agreements  and dollar rolls.  Leverage  permits the Trust to borrow
money at short-term  rates and reinvest that money in  longer-term  assets which
typically offer higher interest  rates.  The difference  between the cost of the
borrowed funds and the income earned on the proceeds that are invested in longer
term assets is the benefit to the Trust from leverage. In general, the portfolio
is typically leveraged at approximately 33-1/3% of total assets.

Leverage also increases the duration (or price  volatility of the net assets) of
the Trust,  which can improve the  performance  of the fund in a declining  rate
environment,  but can cause net  assets to decline  faster  than the market in a
rapidly rising rate environment.  BlackRock's  portfolio  managers  continuously
monitor and  regularly  review the  Trust's  use of  leverage  and the Trust may
reduce,  or unwind,  the amount of leverage  employed should BlackRock  consider
that reduction to be in the best interests of shareholders.


Special Considerations and Risk Factors Relevant to the Trust

The Trust is  intended  to be a  long-term  investment  and is not a  short-term
trading vehicle.

Investment  Objective.  Although  the  objective of the Trust is to provide high
monthly  income  consistent  with  preservation  of  capital,  there  can  be no
assurance that this objective will be achieved.

Dividend  Considerations.  Dividends  paid by the Trust are  likely to vary over
time as fixed income market conditions change. Future dividends may be higher or
lower than the dividend the Trust is currently paying.

Leverage.  The Trust utilizes leverage through reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls,  which  involves  special  risks.  The Trust's net asset value and
market value may be more volatile due to its use of leverage.

Market Price of Shares.  The shares of closed-end  investment  companies such as
the Trust trade on the New York Stock  Exchange  (NYSE symbol:  BKT) and as such
are subject to supply and demand influences.  As a result, shares may trade at a
discount or a premium to their net asset value.

Mortgage-Backed   and   Asset-Backed   Securities.   The  cash  flow  and  yield
characteristics of these securities differ from traditional debt securities. The
major  differences  typically include more frequent payments and the possibility
of prepayments which will change the yield to maturity of the security.

Illiquid  Securities.  The Trust may  invest in  securities  that are  illiquid,
although  under current  market  conditions the Trust expects to do so to only a
limited extent. These securities involve special risks.

Antitakeover  Provisions.  Certain antitakeover provisions will make a change in
the Trust's  business or management  more difficult  without the approval of the
Trust's Board of Directors and may have the effect of depriving  shareholders of
an  opportunity  to sell their shares at a premium above the  prevailing  market
price.


                                       19
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        THE BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST INC.
                                    GLOSSARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Adjustable Rate Mortgage-Backed  Mortgage  instruments  with interest rates that
Securities (ARMs):               adjust at periodic  intervals at a fixed amount
                                 over the  market  levels of  interest  rates as
                                 reflected in specified indexes. ARMS are backed
                                 by mortgage loans secured by real property.

Asset-Backed Securities:         Securities   backed   by   various   types   of
                                 receivables  such as automobile and credit card
                                 receivables.

Closed-End Fund:                 Investment  vehicle  which  initially  offers a
                                 fixed  number of shares  and  trades on a stock
                                 exchange.  The fund  invests in a portfolio  of
                                 securities  in   accordance   with  its  stated
                                 investment objectives and policies.

Collateralized                   Mortgage-backed   securities   which   separate
Mortgage Obligations (CMOs):     mortgage  pools  into  short-,   medium-,   and
                                 long-term  securities with different priorities
                                 for receipt of  principal  and  interest.  Each
                                 class  is  paid a  fixed  or  floating  rate of
                                 interest  at regular  intervals.  Also known as
                                 multiple-class mortgage pass-throughs.

Discount:                        When a fund's net asset  value is greater  than
                                 its stock  price the fund is said to be trading
                                 at a discount.

Dividend:                        This is income  generated  by  securities  in a
                                 portfolio and distributed to shareholders after
                                 the deduction of expenses.  This Trust declares
                                 and pays dividends on a monthly basis.

Dividend Reinvestment:           Shareholders    may    elect    to   have   all
                                 distributions  of dividends  and capital  gains
                                 automatically reinvested into additional shares
                                 of the Trust.

FHA:                             Federal  Housing  Administration,  a government
                                 agency that  facilitates  a secondary  mortgage
                                 market by providing  an agency that  guarantees
                                 timely  payment of interest  and  principal  on
                                 mortgages.

FHLMC:                           Federal  Home  Loan  Mortgage  Corporation,   a
                                 publicly owned, federally chartered corporation
                                 that facilitates a secondary mortgage market by
                                 purchasing   mortgages  from  lenders  such  as
                                 savings  institutions  and  reselling  them  to
                                 investors    by   means   of    mortgage-backed
                                 securities.   Obligations   of  FHLMC  are  not
                                 guaranteed  by the  U.S.  government,  however;
                                 they are backed by FHLMC's  authority to borrow
                                 from the U.S. government. Also known as Freddie
                                 Mac.

FNMA:                            Federal  National   Mortgage   Association,   a
                                 publicly owned, federally chartered corporation
                                 that facilitates a secondary mortgage market by
                                 purchasing   mortgages  from  lenders  such  as
                                 savings  institutions  and  reselling  them  to
                                 investors    by   means   of    mortgage-backed
                                 securities.  Obligations of FNMA are not guaran
                                 teed by the U.S. government,  however; they are
                                 backed by FNMA's  authority  to borrow from the
                                 U.S. government. Also known as Fannie Mae.

GNMA:                            Government  National  Mortgage  Association,  a
                                 government  agency that facilitates a secondary
                                 mortgage  market by  providing  an agency  that
                                 guarantees   timely  payment  of  interest  and
                                 principal on mortgages.  GNMA's obligations are
                                 supported  by the full  faith and credit of the
                                 U.S. Treasury. Also known as Ginnie Mae.

Government Securities:           Securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by the U.S.
                                 government,   or  one  of   its   agencies   or
                                 instrumentalities,  such  as  GNMA  (Government
                                 National Mortgage  Association),  FNMA (Federal
                                 National   Mortgage   Association)   and  FHLMC
                                 (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation).

Interest-Only Securities (I/O):  Mortgage   securities  that  receive  only  the
                                 interest cash flows from an underlying  pool of
                                 mortgage   loans  or  underlying   pass-through
                                 securities. Also known as a STRIP.

                                       20
<PAGE>




Market Price:                    Price per share of a  security  trading  in the
                                 secondary  market.  For a closed-end fund, this
                                 is the  price  at which  one  share of the fund
                                 trades  on the stock  exchange.  If you were to
                                 buy or sell  shares,  you would pay or  receive
                                 the market price.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls:           A  mortgage  dollar  roll is a  transaction  in
                                 which   the   Trust    sells    mortgage-backed
                                 securities  for  delivery in the current  month
                                 and  simultaneously   contracts  to  repurchase
                                 substantially  similar  (although not the same)
                                 securities on a specified  future date.  During
                                 the "roll"  period,  the Trust does not receive
                                 principal   and   interest   payments   on  the
                                 securities,  but is  compensated  for giving up
                                 these payments by the difference in the current
                                 sales  price (for which the  security  is sold)
                                 and lower  price  that the  Trust  pays for the
                                 similar security at the end date as well as the
                                 interest  earned  on the cash  proceeds  of the
                                 initial sale.

Mortgage Pass-Throughs:          Mortgage-backed  securities  issued  by  Fannie
                                 Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae.

Multiple-Class Pass-Throughs:    Collateralized Mortgage Obligations.

Net Asset Value (NAV):           Net asset  value is the total  market  value of
                                 all securities  held by the Trust,  plus income
                                 accrued   on   its   investments,   minus   any
                                 liabilities including accrued expenses, divided
                                 by the total number of outstanding  shares.  It
                                 is the underlying  value of a single share on a
                                 given  day.  Net  asset  value for the Trust is
                                 calculated  weekly and published in Barron's on
                                 Saturday  and  The  Wall  Street  Journal  each
                                 Monday.

Principal-Only Securities (P/O): Mortgage   securities  that  receive  only  the
                                 principal cash flows from an underlying pool of
                                 mortgage   loans  or  underlying   pass-through
                                 securities. Also known as a STRIP.

Project Loans:                   Mortgages    for    multi-family,    low-    to
                                 middle-income housing.

Premium:                         When a fund's  stock price is greater  than its
                                 net asset value, the fund is said to be trading
                                 at a premium.

REMIC:                           A real estate mortgage  investment conduit is a
                                 multiple-class      security      backed     by
                                 mortgage-backed  securities  or whole  mortgage
                                 loans  and  formed  as  a  trust,  corporation,
                                 partnership,  or segregated pool of assets that
                                 elects to be treated as a REMIC for federal tax
                                 purposes.  Generally,  Fannie  Mae  REMICs  are
                                 formed   as   trusts    and   are   backed   by
                                 mortgage-backed securities.

Residuals:                       Securities    issued   in    connection    with
                                 collateralized    mortgage   obligations   that
                                 generally  represent  the excess cash flow from
                                 the mortgage  assets  underlying  the CMO after
                                 payment of principal  and interest on the other
                                 CMO  securities   and  related   administrative
                                 expenses.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements:   In a reverse  repurchase  agreement,  the Trust
                                 sells  securities and agrees to repurchase them
                                 at a mutually  agreed  date and  price.  During
                                 this time,  the Trust  continues to receive the
                                 principal  and  interest   payments  from  that
                                 security.  At the end of the  term,  the  Trust
                                 receives the same securities that were sold for
                                 the same initial dollar amount plus interest on
                                 the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

Stripped Mortgage                Arrangements  in  which  a pool  of  assets  is
Backed Securities:               separated   into  two  classes   that   receive
                                 different   proportions  of  the  interest  and
                                 principal    distribution    from    underlying
                                 mortgage-backed  securities.  IO's and PO's are
                                 examples of STRIPs.


                                       21
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
                           SUMMARY OF CLOSED-END FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>   
Taxable Trusts
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Stock           Maturity
Perpetual Trusts                                                          Symbol            Date
                                                                          ------          --------
The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.                                             BKT              N/A
The BlackRock North American Government Income Trust Inc.                   BNA              N/A

Term Trusts
The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.                                          BBT             12/98
The BlackRock 1999 Term Trust Inc.                                          BNN             12/99
The BlackRock Target Term Trust Inc.                                        BTT             12/00
The BlackRock 2001 Term Trust Inc.                                          BLK             06/01
The BlackRock Strategic Term Trust Inc.                                     BGT             12/02
The BlackRock Investment Quality Term Trust Inc.                            BQT             12/04
The BlackRock Advantage Term Trust Inc.                                     BAT             12/05
The BlackRock Broad Investment Grade 2009 Term Trust Inc.                   BCT             12/09

Tax-Exempt Trusts
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Stock           Maturity
Perpetual Trusts                                                          Symbol            Date
                                                                          ------          --------
The BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc.                       BKN              N/A
The BlackRock California Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc.            RAA              N/A
The BlackRock Florida Investment Quality Municipal Trust                    RFA              N/A
The BlackRock New Jersey Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc.            RNJ              N/A
The BlackRock New York Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc.              RNY              N/A

Term Trusts
The BlackRock Municipal Target Term Trust Inc.                              BMN             12/06
The BlackRock Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.                        BRM             12/08
The BlackRock California Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.             BFC             12/08
The BlackRock Florida Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust                     BRF             12/08
The BlackRock New York Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.               BLN             12/08
The BlackRock Insured Municipal Term Trust Inc.                             BMT             12/10
</TABLE>


                      If you would like further information
          please do not hesitate to call BlackRock at (800) 227-7BFM or
                      consult with your financial advisor.

                                       22

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
                                   AN OVERVIEW
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    BlackRock  Financial  Management  (BlackRock)  is  a  registered  investment
adviser which specializes in managing high quality fixed income securities, both
taxable and tax exempt.  BlackRock  currently manages over $41 billion of assets
across the government,  mortgage,  corporate and municipal sectors. These assets
are managed on behalf of many  individual  investors  in  twenty-one  closed-end
funds  traded on either the New York or American  stock  exchanges,  and several
open-end funds and on behalf of more than 80 institutional clients in the United
States and overseas.  BlackRock's  institutional investor base includes Chrysler
Corporation  Master Retirement Trust,  General  Retirement System of the City of
Detroit,  State Treasurer of Florida,  Ford Motor Company Pension Plan,  General
Electric Pension Trust and Unisys Corporation Master Trust.

    BlackRock was formed in April 1988 by fixed income  professionals who sought
to create  an asset  management  firm  specializing  in  managing  fixed  income
securities for individuals and  institutional  investors.  The  professionals at
BlackRock have extensive experience creating, analyzing and trading a variety of
fixed income instruments,  including the most complex structured securities.  In
fact, individuals at BlackRock are responsible for many of the major innovations
in the  mortgage-backed  and  asset-backed  securities  markets,  including  the
creation of the CMO, the floating rate CMO, the senior/subordinated pass-through
and the multi-class asset-backed security.

    BlackRock  is  unique  among  asset  management  and  advisory  firms in the
significant  emphasis it places on the  development  of  proprietary  analytical
capabilities.  A quarter of the professionals at BlackRock work full-time in the
design,  maintenance  and use of such systems  which are otherwise not generally
available to investors.  BlackRock's  proprietary  analytical tools are used for
evaluating,  investing in and designing investment  strategies and portfolios of
fixed  income  securities,   including  mortgage   securities,   corporate  debt
securities or tax-exempt securities and a variety of hedging instruments.

    BlackRock  has  developed  investment  products  which respond to investors'
needs and has been  responsible  for several  major  innovations  in  closed-end
funds.  BlackRock  introduced  the first  closed-end  mortgage  fund,  the first
taxable  and  tax-exempt  closed-end  funds to offer a finite  term,  the  first
closed-end  fund to achieve a AAAf  rating by  Standard & Poor's,  and the first
closed-end  fund to invest  primarily in North American  Government  securities.
BlackRock's  closed-end funds currently have dividend  reinvestment  plans which
are  designed  to  provide  an  ongoing  source of  demand  for the stock in the
secondary market. BlackRock manages a ladder of alternative investment vehicles,
with each fund having specific investment objectives and policies.

    In view of our  continued  desire to  provide a high level of service to all
our shareholders, BlackRock maintains a toll-free number for your questions. The
number is (800) 227-7BFM (7236).  We encourage you to call us with any questions
you may have about your  BlackRock  funds and thank you for the continued  trust
you place in our abilities.



                      If you would like further information
           please do not hesitate to call BlackRock at (800) 227-7BFM

                                       23


<PAGE>


BlackRock


Directors
Laurence D. Fink, Chairman
Andrew F. Brimmer
Richard E. Cavanagh
Kent Dixon
Frank J. Fabozzi
James Grosfeld
James Clayburn La Force, Jr.
Ralph L. Schlosstein

Officers
Ralph L. Schlosstein, President
Scott Amero, Vice President
Keith T. Anderson, Vice President
Michael C. Huebsch, Vice President
Robert S. Kapito, Vice President
Richard M. Shea, Vice President/Tax
Henry Gabbay, Treasurer
James Kong, Assistant Treasurer
Kevin J. Mahoney, Assistant Treasurer
Karen H. Sabath, Secretary

Investment Adviser
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
(800) 227-7BFM

Administrator
Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.
One Seaport Plaza
New York, NY 10292

Custodian 
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171

Transfer Agent
Boston EquiServe L.P.
150 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021
(800) 699-1BFM

Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Two World Financial Center
New York, NY 10281-1434

Legal Counsel
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022

    The accompanying  financial statements as of
April 30, 1996 were not audited and accordingly, 
no opinion is expressed on them.

This report is for shareholder information.
This is not a prospectus intended for use in 
the purchase or sale of any securities.


                        The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.
                  c/o Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.
                                   32nd floor
                               One Seaport Plaza
                               New York, NY 10292
                                 (800) 227-7BFM

                                                                     09247F-10-0







The BlackRock
Income
Trust Inc.

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

Semi-Annual Report
April 30, 1996




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