<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 A000000 06/30/96
000 C000000 0000835620
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 3.0.a
000 J000000 A
001 A000000 MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC.
001 B000000 811-5603
001 C000000 6092827165
002 A000000 P.O. BOX 9066
002 B000000 PRINCETON
002 C000000 NJ
002 D010000 08543
002 D020000 9066
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 N
007 B000000 0
007 C010100 1
007 C010200 2
007 C010300 3
007 C010400 4
007 C010500 5
007 C010600 6
007 C010700 7
007 C010800 8
007 C010900 9
007 C011000 10
008 A000001 FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
008 B000001 A
008 C000001 801-12485
008 D010001 PRINCETON
008 D020001 NJ
008 D030001 08543
008 D040001 9011
011 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
011 B000001 8-14663
011 C010001 PRINCETON
011 C020001 NJ
011 C030001 08543
011 C040001 9011
012 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
012 B000001 84-01339
012 C010001 JACKSONVILLE
012 C020001 FL
012 C030001 32246
<PAGE> PAGE 2
012 C040001 6484
013 A000001 DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
013 B010001 PRINCETON
013 B020001 NJ
013 B030001 08540
014 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INC.
014 B000001 8-7221
015 A000001 STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY
015 B000001 C
015 C010001 BOSTON
015 C020001 MA
015 C030001 02101
015 E010001 X
015 A000002 CENTRAL TRUST OF CHINA
015 B000002 S
015 C010002 TAIPEI
015 D010002 TAIWAN
015 E040002 X
015 A000003 ANZ BANKING GROUP (NEW ZEALAND) LTD.
015 B000003 S
015 C010003 WELLINGTON
015 D010003 NEW ZEALAND
015 E040003 X
015 A000004 GIROCREDIT BANK
015 B000004 S
015 C010004 VIENNA
015 D010004 AUSTRIA
015 E040004 X
015 A000005 GENERALE BANK
015 B000005 S
015 C010005 BRUSSELS
015 D010005 BELGIUM
015 E040005 X
015 A000006 CANADA TRUSTCO MORTGAGE COMPANY
015 B000006 S
015 C010006 TORONTO
015 D010006 CANADA
015 E040006 X
015 A000007 BANQUE PARIBAS
015 B000007 S
015 C010007 PARIS
015 D010007 FRANCE
015 E040007 X
015 A000008 MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY
015 B000008 S
015 C010008 NEW YORK
015 C020008 NY
015 C030008 10286
015 E010008 X
015 A000009 MEESPIERSON N.V.
015 B000009 S
<PAGE> PAGE 3
015 C010009 AMSTERDAM
015 D010009 NETHERLANDS
015 E040009 X
015 A000010 WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION
015 B000010 S
015 C010010 AUSTRALIA
015 D010010 AUSTRALIA
015 E040010 X
015 A000011 BANCO SANTANDER, S.A.
015 B000011 S
015 C010011 MADRID
015 D010011 SPAIN
015 E040011 X
015 A000012 CESKOSLOVENSKA OBICHODNI BANKA
015 B000012 S
015 C010012 PRAGUE
015 D010012 CZECH REPUBLIC
015 E040012 X
015 A000013 NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE S.A.
015 B000013 S
015 C010013 ATHENS
015 D010013 GREECE
015 D020013 GR-105 64
015 E040013 X
015 A000015 BANK OF SEOUL
015 B000015 S
015 C010015 SEOUL
015 D010015 KOREA
015 E040015 X
015 A000016 CITITRUST COLUMBIA S.A. SOCIEDAD FIDUCIARIA
015 B000016 S
015 C010016 BOGOTA
015 D010016 COLUMBIA
015 E040016 X
015 A000017 BANK OF IRELAND
015 B000017 S
015 C010017 DUBLIN
015 D010017 IRELAND
015 E040017 X
015 A000018 BANCO COMERCIAL PORTUGUES
015 B000018 S
015 C010018 LISBON
015 D010018 PORTUGAL
015 E040018 X
015 A000019 UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND
015 B000019 S
015 C010019 ZURICH
015 D010019 SWITZERLAND
015 E040019 X
015 A000020 SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN
015 B000020 S
<PAGE> PAGE 4
015 C010020 STOCKHOLM
015 D010020 SWEDEN
015 E040020 X
015 A000021 THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SINGAPORE LIMITED
015 B000021 S
015 C010021 SINGAPORE
015 D010021 SINGAPORE
015 E040021 X
015 A000022 CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE
015 B000022 S
015 C010022 OSLO
015 D010022 NORWAY
015 D020022 1
015 E040022 X
015 A000023 CITIBANK, N.A.
015 B000023 S
015 C010023 NEW YORK
015 C020023 NY
015 C030023 10015
015 E010023 X
015 A000024 SUMITOMO TRUST & BANKING COMPANY LIMITED
015 B000024 S
015 C010024 TOKYO
015 D010024 JAPAN
015 D020024 104
015 E040024 X
015 A000025 STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
015 B000025 S
015 C010025 LONDON
015 D010025 ENGLAND
015 E040025 X
015 A000026 DRESDNER BANK A.G.
015 B000026 S
015 C010026 FRANKFURT
015 D010026 GERMANY
015 D020026 6000
015 E040026 X
015 A000027 KANSALLIS-OSAKE PANKKI
015 B000027 S
015 C010027 HELSINKI
015 D010027 FINLAND
015 E040027 X
015 A000028 DEN DANSKE BANK
015 B000028 S
015 C010028 COPENHAGEN
015 D010028 DENMARK
015 D020028 DK-1092
015 E040028 X
015 A000029 CITIBANK BUDAPEST RT.
015 B000029 S
015 C010029 BUDAPEST
<PAGE> PAGE 5
015 D010029 HUNGARY
015 E040029 X
015 A000030 NATIONAL BANK OF EGYPT
015 B000030 S
015 C010030 CAIRO
015 D010030 EGYPT
015 E040030 X
015 A000031 BANQUE COMMERCIALE DU MARAQUE
015 B000031 S
015 C010031 CASABLANCA
015 D010031 MOROCCO
015 E040031 X
015 A000032 CITIBANK POLAND, S.A.
015 B000032 S
015 C010032 WARSAW
015 D010032 POLAND
015 E040032 X
015 A000033 STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
015 B000033 S
015 C010033 JOHANNESBURG
015 D010033 SOUTH AFRICA
015 E040033 X
015 A000034 OESTERREICHISCHE KONTROLLBANK AG
015 B000034 S
015 C010034 AUSTRIA
015 D010034 AUSTRIA
015 E040034 X
015 A000035 CAJA DE VALORES S.A.
015 B000035 S
015 C010035 ARGENTINA
015 D010035 ARGENTINA
015 E040035 X
015 A000036 AUSTRACLEAR LIMITED
015 B000036 S
015 C010036 AUSTRALIA
015 D010036 AUSTRALIA
015 E040036 X
015 A000037 RITS
015 B000037 S
015 C010037 AUSTRALIA
015 D010037 AUSTRALIA
015 E040037 X
015 A000038 CIK
015 B000038 S
015 C010038 BELGIUM
015 D010038 BELGIUM
015 E040038 X
015 A000039 BANQUE NATIONALE DE BELGIQUE
015 B000039 S
015 C010039 BELGIUM
015 D010039 BELGIUM
<PAGE> PAGE 6
015 E040039 X
015 A000040 BOVESPA
015 B000040 S
015 C010040 BRAZIL
015 D010040 BRAZIL
015 E040040 X
015 A000041 SELIC
015 B000041 S
015 C010041 BRAZIL
015 D010041 BRAZIL
015 E040041 X
015 A000042 CDS
015 B000042 S
015 C010042 CANADA
015 D010042 CANADA
015 E040042 X
015 A000043 THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORP.
015 B000043 S
015 C010043 HONG KONG
015 D010043 HONG KONG
015 E040043 X
015 A000044 SHENZHEN SECURITIES CLEARING CO.
015 B000044 S
015 C010044 CHINA
015 D010044 CHINA
015 E040044 X
015 A000045 SCP
015 B000045 S
015 C010045 CZECH REPUBLIC
015 D010045 CZECH REPUBLIC
015 E040045 X
015 A000046 CITIBANK MEXICO S.A.
015 B000046 S
015 C010046 MEXICO
015 D010046 MEXICO
015 E040046 X
015 A000047 VP
015 B000047 S
015 C010047 DENMARK
015 D010047 DENMARK
015 E040047 X
015 A000048 THE CENTRAL SHARE REGISTER OF FINLAND
015 B000048 S
015 C010048 FINLAND
015 D010048 FINLAND
015 E040048 X
015 A000049 SICOVAM
015 B000049 S
015 C010049 FRANCE
015 D010049 FRANCE
015 E040049 X
<PAGE> PAGE 7
015 A000050 BANQUE DE FRANCE
015 B000050 S
015 C010050 FRANCE
015 D010050 FRANCE
015 E040050 X
015 A000051 THE DEUTSCHER KASSENVEREIN AG
015 B000051 S
015 C010051 GERMANY
015 D010051 GERMANY
015 E040051 X
015 A000052 THE CENTRAL SECURITIES DEPOSITORY
015 B000052 S
015 C010052 GREECE
015 D010052 GREECE
015 E040052 X
015 A000053 CCASS
015 B000053 S
015 C010053 HONG KONG
015 D010053 HONG KONG
015 E040053 X
015 A000054 GSO
015 B000054 S
015 C010054 IRELAND
015 D010054 IRELAND
015 E040054 X
015 A000055 MONTE TITOLI S.P.A.
015 B000055 S
015 C010055 ITALY
015 D010055 ITALY
015 E040055 X
015 A000056 MALAYSIAN CENTRAL DEPOSITORY
015 B000056 S
015 C010056 MALAYSIA
015 D010056 MALAYSIA
015 E040056 X
015 A000057 THE CENTRAL DEPOSITORY (PVT) LIMITED
015 B000057 S
015 C010057 SRI LANKA
015 D010057 SRI LANKA
015 E040057 X
015 A000058 KSD
015 B000058 S
015 C010058 KOREA
015 D010058 KOREA
015 E040058 X
015 A000059 S.D. INDEVAL
015 B000059 S
015 C010059 MEXICO
015 D010059 MEXICO
015 E040059 X
015 A000060 BANCO DE MEXICO
<PAGE> PAGE 8
015 B000060 S
015 C010060 MEXICO
015 D010060 MEXICO
015 E040060 X
015 A000061 THE RESERVE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND
015 B000061 S
015 C010061 NEW ZEALAND
015 D010061 NEW ZEALAND
015 E040061 X
015 A000062 VPS
015 B000062 S
015 C010062 NORWAY
015 D010062 NORWAY
015 E040062 X
015 A000063 CAVAL
015 B000063 S
015 C010063 PERU
015 D010063 PERU
015 E040063 X
015 A000064 THE NATIONAL DEPOSITORY OF SECURITIES
015 B000064 S
015 C010064 POLAND
015 D010064 POLAND
015 E040064 X
015 A000065 CENTRAL DE VALORES MOBILIARIES
015 B000065 S
015 C010065 PORTUGAL
015 D010065 PORTUGAL
015 E040065 X
015 A000066 CDP
015 B000066 S
015 C010066 SINGAPORE
015 D010066 SINGAPORE
015 E040066 X
015 A000067 SCLV
015 B000067 S
015 C010067 SPAIN
015 D010067 SPAIN
015 E040067 X
015 A000068 VPC
015 B000068 S
015 C010068 SWEDEN
015 D010068 SWEDEN
015 E040068 X
015 A000069 SEGA
015 B000069 S
015 C010069 SWITZERLAND
015 D010069 SWITZERLAND
015 E040069 X
015 A000070 TSCD
015 B000070 S
<PAGE> PAGE 9
015 C010070 TAIWAN
015 D010070 TAIWAN
015 E040070 X
015 A000071 SDC
015 B000071 S
015 C010071 THAILAND
015 D010071 THAILAND
015 E040071 X
015 A000072 CGO
015 B000072 S
015 C010072 UNITED KINGDOM
015 D010072 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040072 X
015 A000073 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000073 S
015 C010073 NEW YORK
015 C020073 NY
015 C030073 10015
015 E010073 X
015 A000074 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B000074 S
015 C010074 NEW YORK
015 C020074 NY
015 C030074 10006
015 E010074 X
015 A000075 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B000075 S
015 C010075 NEW YORK
015 C020075 NY
015 C030075 10017
015 E010075 X
015 A000076 SSCCRC
015 B000076 S
015 C010076 CHINA
015 D010076 CHINA
015 E040076 X
015 A000077 NECIGEF
015 B000077 S
015 C010077 NETHERLANDS
015 D010077 NETHERLANDS
015 E040077 X
015 A000078 BANCO DE ESPANA ANOTATIONES EN CUENTA
015 B000078 S
015 C010078 SPAIN
015 D010078 SPAIN
015 E040078 X
015 A000079 TAKAS VE SAKLAMA
015 B000079 S
015 C010079 TURKEY
015 D010079 TURKEY
015 E040079 X
<PAGE> PAGE 10
015 A000080 CMO
015 B000080 S
015 C010080 UNITED KINGDOM
015 D010080 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040080 X
015 A000081 EUROCLEAR
015 B000081 S
015 C010081 BELGIUM
015 D010081 BELGIUM
015 E040081 X
015 A000082 CEDEL, S.A.
015 B000082 S
015 C010082 LUXEMBOURG
015 D010082 LUXEMBOURG
015 E040082 X
015 A000083 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B000083 S
015 C010083 NEW YORK
015 C020083 NY
015 C030083 10167
015 E010083 X
015 A000084 STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, BERHAD
015 B000084 S
015 C010084 MALAYSIA
015 D010084 MALAYSIA
015 E040084 X
015 A000085 SCP
015 B000085 S
015 C010085 SLOVAK REPUBLIC
015 D010085 SLOVAK REPUBLIC
015 E040085 X
015 A000086 AUSTRACLEAR NZ
015 B000086 S
015 C010086 NEW ZEALAND
015 D010086 NEW ZEALAND
015 E040086 X
015 A000087 THE BANK OF ENGLAND
015 B000087 S
015 C010087 UNITED KINGDOM
015 D010087 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040087 X
018 000000 Y
019 A000000 Y
019 B000000 180
019 C000000 MERRILLLYN
020 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INC.
020 B000001 13-5674085
020 C000001 41
020 A000002 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
020 B000002 13-2655998
020 C000002 34
<PAGE> PAGE 11
020 A000003 MCMAHAN SECURITIES CO. L.P.
020 B000003 06-1229141
020 C000003 10
020 A000004 INSTINET CORPORATION
020 B000004 13-3443395
020 C000004 8
020 A000005 SALOMON BROTHERS INC
020 B000005 13-3082694
020 C000005 2
020 A000006 FORUM CAPITAL MARKETS L.P.
020 B000006 06-1351111
020 C000006 2
020 A000007 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
020 B000007 13-5108880
020 C000007 2
020 A000008 AVCO FINANCIAL SERVICES
020 C000008 1
020 A000009 CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
020 B000009 13-5659485
020 C000009 1
020 A000010 JEFFRIES & COMPANY, INC.
020 B000010 95-2622900
020 C000010 1
021 000000 101
022 A000001 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP.
022 C000001 1458303
022 D000001 0
022 A000002 FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO.
022 C000002 1026079
022 D000002 0
022 A000003 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
022 B000003 13-2655998
022 C000003 465342
022 D000003 462407
022 A000004 SBC CAPITAL MARKETS INC.
022 C000004 177137
022 D000004 178869
022 A000005 DEUTSCHE MORGAN GRENFELL/C.J. LAWRENCE INC.
022 B000005 13-2730828
022 C000005 154186
022 D000005 200042
022 A000006 MORGAN (J.P.) SECURITIES INC.
022 B000006 13-3224016
022 C000006 188562
022 D000006 156283
022 A000007 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
022 B000007 13-5108880
022 C000007 192586
022 D000007 101877
022 A000008 BT SECURITIES CORPORATION
022 C000008 83828
<PAGE> PAGE 12
022 D000008 108515
022 A000009 HSBC SECURITIES, INC.
022 B000009 13-2650272
022 C000009 61638
022 D000009 49352
022 A000010 FUJI SECURITIES INC.
022 B000010 36-2880742
022 C000010 86759
022 D000010 14878
023 C000000 4255119
023 D000000 1714908
024 000000 Y
025 A000001 GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP L.P.
025 C000001 D
025 D000001 29889
025 D000002 0
025 D000003 0
025 D000004 0
025 D000005 0
025 D000006 0
025 D000007 0
025 D000008 0
026 A000000 N
026 B000000 Y
026 C000000 N
026 D000000 Y
026 E000000 N
026 F000000 N
026 G010000 N
026 G020000 N
026 H000000 N
027 000000 Y
028 A010000 25508
028 A020000 2690
028 A030000 0
028 A040000 43413
028 B010000 10704
028 B020000 3626
028 B030000 0
028 B040000 39737
028 C010000 7767
028 C020000 4157
028 C030000 0
028 C040000 34696
028 D010000 5810
028 D020000 3301
028 D030000 0
028 D040000 30869
028 E010000 5289
028 E020000 4067
028 E030000 0
<PAGE> PAGE 13
028 E040000 38163
028 F010000 4483
028 F020000 3091
028 F030000 0
028 F040000 36770
028 G010000 59561
028 G020000 20932
028 G030000 0
028 G040000 223648
028 H000000 3137
029 000000 Y
030 A000000 49
030 B000000 4.00
030 C000000 0.00
031 A000000 5
031 B000000 0
032 000000 0
033 000000 44
034 000000 Y
035 000000 1125
036 A000000 N
036 B000000 0
037 000000 N
038 000000 0
039 000000 N
040 000000 Y
041 000000 Y
042 A000000 0
042 B000000 0
042 C000000 100
042 D000000 0
042 E000000 0
042 F000000 0
042 G000000 0
042 H000000 0
043 000000 4429
044 000000 0
045 000000 Y
046 000000 N
047 000000 Y
048 000000 0.600
048 A010000 0
048 A020000 0.000
048 B010000 0
048 B020000 0.000
048 C010000 0
048 C020000 0.000
048 D010000 0
048 D020000 0.000
048 E010000 0
048 E020000 0.000
<PAGE> PAGE 14
048 F010000 0
048 F020000 0.000
048 G010000 0
048 G020000 0.000
048 H010000 0
048 H020000 0.000
048 I010000 0
048 I020000 0.000
048 J010000 0
048 J020000 0.000
048 K010000 0
048 K020000 0.000
049 000000 N
050 000000 N
051 000000 N
052 000000 N
053 A000000 N
054 A000000 Y
054 B000000 Y
054 C000000 N
054 D000000 N
054 E000000 N
054 F000000 N
054 G000000 N
054 H000000 Y
054 I000000 N
054 J000000 Y
054 K000000 N
054 L000000 N
054 M000000 Y
054 N000000 N
055 A000000 N
055 B000000 N
056 000000 Y
057 000000 N
058 A000000 N
059 000000 Y
060 A000000 N
060 B000000 N
061 000000 0
062 A000000 Y
062 B000000 0.5
062 C000000 0.0
062 D000000 0.0
062 E000000 0.0
062 F000000 0.0
062 G000000 0.0
062 H000000 0.0
062 I000000 6.2
062 J000000 0.0
062 K000000 0.0
<PAGE> PAGE 15
062 L000000 0.0
062 M000000 0.0
062 N000000 0.0
062 O000000 0.0
062 P000000 39.3
062 Q000000 49.0
062 R000000 3.4
063 A000000 0
063 B000000 6.6
064 A000000 N
066 A000000 N
067 000000 N
068 A000000 N
068 B000000 N
069 000000 N
070 A010000 Y
070 A020000 N
070 B010000 N
070 B020000 N
070 C010000 Y
070 C020000 Y
070 D010000 N
070 D020000 N
070 E010000 Y
070 E020000 Y
070 F010000 Y
070 F020000 N
070 G010000 Y
070 G020000 N
070 H010000 N
070 H020000 N
070 I010000 Y
070 I020000 N
070 J010000 Y
070 J020000 Y
070 K010000 Y
070 K020000 N
070 L010000 Y
070 L020000 Y
070 M010000 Y
070 M020000 Y
070 N010000 Y
070 N020000 N
070 O010000 N
070 O020000 N
070 P010000 Y
070 P020000 Y
070 Q010000 N
070 Q020000 N
070 R010000 Y
070 R020000 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 16
071 A000000 1415750
071 B000000 1589448
071 C000000 1330606
071 D000000 106
072 A000000 6
072 B000000 60742
072 C000000 1117
072 D000000 0
072 E000000 0
072 F000000 4285
072 G000000 90
072 H000000 0
072 I000000 861
072 J000000 124
072 K000000 0
072 L000000 134
072 M000000 25
072 N000000 55
072 O000000 0
072 P000000 0
072 Q000000 0
072 R000000 32
072 S000000 29
072 T000000 4429
072 U000000 0
072 V000000 0
072 W000000 25
072 X000000 10089
072 Y000000 0
072 Z000000 51770
072AA000000 49115
072BB000000 31247
072CC010000 0
072CC020000 26937
072DD010000 9880
072DD020000 41886
072EE000000 0
073 A010000 0.0000
073 A020000 0.0000
073 B000000 0.0000
073 C000000 0.0000
074 A000000 6610
074 B000000 0
074 C000000 90386
074 D000000 1203052
074 E000000 40307
074 F000000 6663
074 G000000 0
074 H000000 0
074 I000000 0
074 J000000 126156
<PAGE> PAGE 17
074 K000000 0
074 L000000 43050
074 M000000 295
074 N000000 1516519
074 O000000 135028
074 P000000 1280
074 Q000000 0
074 R010000 0
074 R020000 11802
074 R030000 295
074 R040000 5906
074 S000000 0
074 T000000 1362208
074 U010000 27766
074 U020000 130013
074 V010000 0.00
074 V020000 0.00
074 W000000 0.0000
074 X000000 87109
074 Y000000 0
075 A000000 0
075 B000000 1444167
076 000000 0.00
077 A000000 Y
077 O000000 Y
078 000000 N
SIGNATURE GERALD M. RICHARD
TITLE TREASURER
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000835620
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 001
<NAME> CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1354573326
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1340112761
<RECEIVABLES> 169206227
<ASSETS-OTHER> 6904526
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1516223514
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 135027903
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 18988027
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 154015930
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1444562966
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 26430201
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 30010112
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (67175179)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (15180203)
<NET-ASSETS> 228307698
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1117212
<INTEREST-INCOME> 60741585
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (10089153)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 51769644
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 17868788
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (26937242)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42701190
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (9522558)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 219519
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (4135555)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 336125
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (152220141)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (85047460)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4285150
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 10089153
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 244240027
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.69
<PER-SHARE-NII> .33
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.05)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.33)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.64
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .78
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000835620
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 002
<NAME> CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1354573326
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1340112761
<RECEIVABLES> 169206227
<ASSETS-OTHER> 6904526
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1516223514
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 135027903
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 18988027
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 154015930
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1444562966
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 129119385
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 142991509
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (67175179)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (15180203)
<NET-ASSETS> 1114652067
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1117212
<INTEREST-INCOME> 60741585
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (10089153)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 51769644
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 17868788
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (26937242)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42701190
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (41655441)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 5742322
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (21662678)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2048232
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (152220141)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (85047460)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4285150
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 10089153
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1183853244
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.69
<PER-SHARE-NII> .29
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.06)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.29)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.63
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.54
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000835620
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 003
<NAME> CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1354573326
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1340112761
<RECEIVABLES> 169206227
<ASSETS-OTHER> 6904526
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1516223514
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 135027903
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 18988027
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 154015930
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1444562966
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 893594
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 622955
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (67175179)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (15180203)
<NET-ASSETS> 7707629
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1117212
<INTEREST-INCOME> 60741585
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (10089153)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 51769644
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 17868788
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (26937242)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42701190
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (230322)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 456277
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (199562)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 13924
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (152220141)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (85047460)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4285150
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 10089153
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 6601237
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.68
<PER-SHARE-NII> .29
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.05)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.29)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.63
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.60
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000835620
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 004
<NAME> CLASSD
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1354573326
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1340112761
<RECEIVABLES> 169206227
<ASSETS-OTHER> 6904526
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1516223514
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 135027903
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 18988027
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 154015930
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1444562966
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1335988
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 727249
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (67175179)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (15180203)
<NET-ASSETS> 11540190
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1117212
<INTEREST-INCOME> 60741585
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (10089153)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 51769644
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 17868788
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (26937242)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42701190
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (357830)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 744654
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (158143)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 22228
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (152220141)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (85047460)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4285150
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 10089153
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 9472089
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.69
<PER-SHARE-NII> .32
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.05)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.32)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.64
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.03
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
