ALLIANCE SHORT TERM MULTI MARKET TRUST INC
497, 1997-11-13
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<PAGE>

This is filed pursuant to Rule 497(c).
File Nos. 33-27131 and 811-05771. 



<PAGE>



                           THE ALLIANCE BOND FUNDS
_______________________________________________________________________________

                P.O. BOX 1520, SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07096-1520
                           TOLL FREE (800) 221-5672
                   FOR LITERATURE: TOLL FREE (800) 227-4618


                          PROSPECTUS AND APPLICATION


                              OCTOBER 31, 1997


U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS              GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
- -ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM U.S.          -ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN
  GOVERNMENT FUND                    GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
- -U.S. GOVERNMENT                   -ALLIANCE GLOBAL DOLLAR
  PORTFOLIO                        GOVERNMENT FUND
- -ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY         -ALLIANCE GLOBAL STRATEGIC
  GOVERNMENT FUND                    INCOME TRUST

MORTGAGE FUND                      CORPORATE BOND FUNDS
- -ALLIANCE MORTGAGE                 -CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
  SECURITIES INCOME FUND           -ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND

MULTI-MARKET FUNDS
- -ALLIANCE WORLD INCOME TRUST
- -ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM
  MULTI-MARKET TRUST
- -ALLIANCE MULTI-MARKET
  STRATEGY TRUST


TABLE OF CONTENTS                                       PAGE
The Funds at a Glance                                      2
Expense Information                                        4
Financial Highlights                                       7
Glossary                                                  15
Description of the Funds                                  16
  Investment Objectives and Policies                      16
  Additional Investment Practices                         24
  Certain Fundamental Investment Policies                 35
  Risk Considerations                                     37
Purchase and Sale of Shares                               41
Management of the Funds                                   44
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes                        46
General Information.                                      48
Appendix A: Bond Ratings                                 A-1
Appendix B: General Information About Canada,
  Mexico and Argentina                                   B-1


Adviser
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
1345 Avenue Of The Americas
New York, New York 10105


The Alliance Bond Funds provide a broad selection of investment alternatives to
investors seeking high current income. The U.S. Government Funds invest mainly
in U.S. Government securities and the Mortgage Fund invests in mortgage-related
securities, while the Multi-Market Funds diversify their investments among debt
markets around the world and the Global Bond Funds invest primarily in foreign
government securities. The Corporate Bond Funds invest primarily in corporate
debt securities.

Each fund or portfolio (each a "Fund") is, or is a series of, an open-end
management investment company. This Prospectus sets forth concisely the
information which a prospective investor should know about each Fund before
investing. A "Statement of Additional Information" for each Fund that provides
further information regarding certain matters discussed in this Prospectus and
other matters that may be of interest to some investors has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated herein by reference. For
a free copy, write Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the indicated address or
call the "For Literature" telephone number shown above.

Each Fund (except Alliance World Income Trust) offers three classes of shares
through this Prospectus. These shares may be purchased, at the investor's
choice, at a price equal to their net asset value (i) plus an initial sales
charge imposed at the time of purchase (the "Class A shares"), (ii) with a
contingent deferred sales charge imposed on most redemptions made within three
years of purchase (four years of purchase for Alliance Global Strategic Income
Trust and Alliance High Yield Fund) (the "Class B shares"), or (iii) without
any initial or contingent deferred sales charge, as long as the shares are held
for one year or more (the "Class C shares"). Alliance World Income Trust offers
only one class of shares, which may be purchased at a price equal to its net
asset value without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge. See
"Purchase and Sale of Shares."


AN INVESTMENT IN THESE SECURITIES IS NOT A DEPOSIT OR OBLIGATION OF, OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK AND IS NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.

INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY AND TO RETAIN IT FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE.

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


ALLIANCE
INVESTING WITHOUT THE MYSTERY.SM


(r)/SM These are registered marks used under licenses from the owner, Alliance
Capital Management L.P.


1



THE FUNDS AT A GLANCE

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information contained in this Prospectus.

THE FUNDS' INVESTMENT ADVISER IS . . .
Alliance Capital Management L.P. ("Alliance"), a global investment manager
providing diversified services to institutions and individuals through a broad
line of investments including more than 100 mutual funds. Since 1971, Alliance
has earned a reputation as a leader in the investment world with over $217
billion in assets under management as of September 30, 1997. Alliance provides
investment management services to 28 of the FORTUNE 100 companies.


U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS

SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
SEEKS . . . High current income consistent with preservation of capital.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of U.S. Government
securities.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
SEEKS . . . As high a level of current income as is consistent with safety of
principal.

INVESTS SOLELY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of U.S. Government securities
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income, consistent with low volatility
of net asset value.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of U.S. Government
securities, including mortgage-related securities, and repurchase agreements
relating to U.S. Government securities.


MORTGAGE FUND

MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND
SEEKS . . . A high level of current income consistent with prudent investment 
risk.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of mortgage-related
securities.


MULTI-MARKET FUNDS

WORLD INCOME TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income that is available from a
portfolio of high-quality debt securities having remaining maturities of not
more than one year.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of debt securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. The Fund
maintains at least 35% of its net assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities.

SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income through investment in a
portfolio of high-quality debt securities having remaining maturities of not
more than three years.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of debt securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. While the Fund
normally will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in debt securities
denominated in foreign currencies, the Fund will invest at least 25% of its net
assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities.

MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income that is available from a
portfolio of high-quality debt securities having remaining maturities of not
more than five years.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of debt securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. The Fund
expects to maintain at least 70% of its assets in debt securities denominated
in foreign currencies, but not more than 25% of the Fund's total assets may be
invested in debt securities denominated in a single currency other than the
U.S. Dollar.


GLOBAL BOND FUNDS

NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income that is available from a
portfolio of investment grade debt securities issued or guaranteed by the
governments of the United States, Canada and Mexico.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of government securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the Canadian Dollar and the Mexican Peso. The
Fund expects to maintain at least 25% of its assets in securities denominated
in the U.S. Dollar. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total
assets in debt securities issued by governmental entities in Argentina.


2



GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND
SEEKS . . . Primarily a high level of current income and, secondarily, capital
appreciation.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of sovereign debt
obligations and in U.S. and non-U.S. corporate fixed-income securities.
Substantially all of the Fund's assets are invested in lower-rated securities.

GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST
SEEKS . . . Primarily a high level of current income and secondarily capital
appreciation.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of fixed-income
securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers.


CORPORATE BOND FUNDS

CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
SEEKS . . . Primarily to maximize income over the long term; secondarily, the
Fund will attempt to increase its capital through appreciation of its
investments.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of U.S. Dollar-denominated
corporate bonds issued by domestic and foreign issuers that give promise of
relatively attractive yields.

HIGH YIELD FUND
SEEKS . . . A high total return by maximizing current income and, to the extent
consistent with that objective, capital appreciation.

INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified mix of high yield, below investment
grade fixed-income securities involving greater volatility of price and risk of
principal and income than higher quality fixed-income securities.


Distributions . . .
The Funds intend to make monthly distributions to shareholders. These
distributions may include ordinary income and capital gain (each of which is
taxable) and a return of capital (which is generally non-taxable). See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."


A WORD ABOUT RISK . . .
The prices of the shares of the Alliance Bond Funds will fluctuate daily as the
prices of the individual bonds in which they invest fluctuate, so that your
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Price fluctuations may be caused by changes in the general level of interest
rates or changes in bond credit quality ratings. Changes in interest rates have
a greater effect on bonds with longer maturities than those with shorter
maturities. Some of the Funds invest in high-yield, high-risk bonds that are
rated below investment grade and are considered to have predominantly
speculative characteristics. The prices of non-U.S. Dollar denominated bonds
also fluctuate with changes in foreign exchange rates. Investment in the Global
Bond Funds, the Multi-Market Funds and any other Fund that may invest a
significant amount of its assets in non-U.S. securities involves risks not
associated with Funds that invest primarily in securities of U.S. issuers.
While the Funds invest principally in fixed-income securities, in order to
achieve their investment objectives, the Funds may at times use certain types
of derivative instruments, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These
instruments involve risks different from, and, in certain cases, greater than,
the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully
discussed in this Prospectus. See "Description of the Funds-Additional
Investment Practices" and "-Risk Considerations."

GETTING STARTED . . .
Shares of the Funds are available through your financial representative and
most banks, insurance companies and brokerage firms nationwide. Shares of each
Fund (except WORLD INCOME) can be purchased for a minimum initial investment of
$250, and subsequent investments can be made for as little as $50. For detailed
information about purchasing and selling shares, see "Purchase and Sale of
Shares." In addition, the Funds offer several time and money saving services to
investors. Be sure to ask your financial representative about:


AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM
RETIREMENT PLANS
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
DIVIDEND DIRECTION PLANS
AUTO EXCHANGE
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS
CHECK-WRITING
A CHOICE OF PURCHASE PLANS
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
24 HOUR INFORMATION


ALLIANCE
INVESTING WITHOUT THE MYSTERY.SM


(r)/SM These are registered marks used under licenses from the owner, Alliance
Capital Management L.P.


3



                             EXPENSE INFORMATION
_______________________________________________________________________________

SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES are one of several factors to consider when
you invest in a Fund. The following tables summarize your maximum transaction
costs from investing in a Fund, other than WORLD INCOME, and annual operating
expenses for each class of shares of each Fund. WORLD INCOME, which has only
one class of shares, has no sales charge on purchases or reinvested dividends,
no deferred sales charge, and no redemption fee or exchange fee. For each Fund,
the "Examples" below show the cumulative expenses attributable to a
hypothetical $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return, in each class for
the periods specified.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 CLASS A SHARES   CLASS B SHARES(B)  CLASS B SHARES(D)   CLASS C SHARES
                                                 --------------   -----------------  -----------------  ----------------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>                <C>                <C>
Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)                  4.25%(a)            None               None               None

Sales charge imposed on dividend reinvestments         None              None               None               None
Deferred sales charge (as a percentage of
original purchase price or redemption
proceeds, whichever is lower)                          None          3.0% during        4.0% during        1.0% during
                                                                   the first year,    the first year,    the first year,
                                                                   decreasing 1.0%    decreasing 1.0%     0% thereafter
                                                                    annually to 0%     annually to 0%
                                                                   after the third   after the fourth
                                                                       year (c)           year (e)

Exchange fee                                           None              None               None               None
</TABLE>


(A) REDUCED FOR LARGER PURCHASES. PURCHASES OF $1,000,000 OR MORE ARE NOT
SUBJECT TO AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE BUT MAY BE SUBJECT TO A 1% DEFERRED SALES
CHARGE ON REDEMPTIONS WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASE. SEE "PURCHASE AND SALE OF
SHARES-HOW TO BUY SHARES" -PAGE 41.

(B) FOR ALL FUNDS EXCEPT GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME AND HIGH YIELD.

(C) CLASS B SHARES OF EACH FUND, OTHER THAN GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME AND HIGH
YIELD, AUTOMATICALLY CONVERT TO CLASS A SHARES AFTER SIX YEARS. SEE "PURCHASE
AND SALE OF SHARES-HOW TO BUY SHARES" -PAGE 41.

(D) FOR GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME AND HIGH YIELD ONLY.

(E) SHARES OF GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME AND HIGH YIELD AUTOMATICALLY CONVERT TO
CLASS A SHARES AFTER EIGHT YEARS. SEE "PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES-HOW TO BUY
SHARES"-PAGE 41.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES                                                     EXAMPLES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT             CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                  -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
<S>                                    <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
  Management fees(b)(after waiver)      None     None     None     After 1 year      $ 56     $ 51      $ 21      $ 31      $ 21
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%    After 3 years     $ 85     $ 76      $ 66      $ 66      $ 66
  Other expenses                                                   After 5 years     $116     $113      $113      $113      $113
    Interest expense                     .01%     .01%     .01%    After 10 years    $204     $210      $210      $244      $244
    Other operating expenses (a)(b)
      (after reimbursement)             1.10%    1.10%    1.10%
  Total other expenses                  1.11%    1.11%    1.10%
  Total fund operating expenses(b)(j)
    (after waiver/reimbursement)        1.41%    2.11%    2.11%
      
U.S. GOVERNMENT                        CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                  -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
  Management fees                        .53%     .53%     .53%    After 1 year      $ 52     $ 48      $ 18      $ 27      $ 17
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%    After 3 years     $ 74     $ 64      $ 54      $ 54      $ 54
  Other expenses(a)                      .19%     .20%     .19%    After 5 years     $ 96     $ 94      $ 94      $ 93      $ 93
  Total fund operating expenses         1.02%    1.73%    1.72%    After 10 years    $162     $168      $168      $203      $203
      

LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT            CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                  -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
  Management fees                        .65%     .65%     .65%    After 1 year      $ 64     $ 60      $ 30      $ 40      $ 30
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%    After 3 years     $109     $101      $ 91      $ 90      $ 90
  Other expenses                                                   After 5 years     $156     $155      $155      $154      $154
    Interest expense                     .64%     .64%     .63%    After 10 years    $287     $294      $294      $324      $324
    Other operating expenses(a)          .63%     .65%     .64%
  Total other expenses                  1.27%    1.29%    1.27%
  Total fund operating expenses(h)      2.22%    2.94%    2.92%
</TABLE>


PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 6.


4



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES                                                     EXAMPLES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------------------------------
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME             CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                  -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
<S>                                    <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
  Management fees                        .50%     .50%     .50%     After 1 year     $ 59     $ 54      $ 24      $ 34      $ 24
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%     After 3 years    $ 93     $ 84      $ 74      $ 74      $ 74
  Other expenses                                                    After 5 years    $130     $127      $127      $127      $127
    Interest expense                     .65%     .63%     .65%     After 10 years   $233     $238      $238      $272      $272
    Other operating expenses(a)          .23%     .24%     .23%
  Total other expenses                   .88%     .87%     .88%
  Total fund operating expenses(g)      1.68%    2.37%    2.38%
      
WORLD INCOME
  Management fees(c)(after waiver)                .49%              After 1 year              $ 21
  12b-1 fees(c)(after waiver)                     .68%              After 3 years             $ 66
  Other expenses(a)                               .93%              After 5 years             $113
  Total fund operating                                              After 10 years            $243
    expenses(c)(after waiver)                    2.10%
   
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET                CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                  -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
  Management fees                        .55%     .55%     .55%     After 1 year     $ 55     $ 50      $ 20      $ 30      $ 20
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%     After 3 years    $ 82     $ 73      $ 63      $ 62      $ 62
  Other expenses(a)                      .44%     .45%     .43%     After 5 years    $110     $108      $108      $107      $107
  Total fund operating expenses         1.29%    2.00%    1.98%     After 10 years   $192     $198      $198      $231      $231
      
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY                  CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                  -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
  Management fees                        .60%     .60%     .60%     After 1 year     $ 58     $ 54      $ 24      $ 34      $ 24
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%     After 3 years    $ 92     $ 83      $ 73      $ 73      $ 73
  Other expenses                                                    After 5 years    $128     $126      $126      $125      $125
    Interest expense                     .04%     .04%     .04%     After 10 years   $229     $235      $235      $268      $268
    Other operating expenses(a)          .70%     .71%     .70%
  Total other expenses                   .74%     .75%     .74%
  Total fund operating expenses(d)      1.64%    2.35%    2.34%
      
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME       CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                  -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
  Management fees(e)                     .74%     .74%     .74%     After 1 year     $ 65     $ 61      $ 31      $ 41      $ 31
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%     After 3 years    $112     $104      $ 94      $ 94      $ 94
  Other expenses                                                    After 5 years    $162     $160      $160      $160      $160
    Interest expense                     .93%     .93%     .92%     After 10 years   $299     $305      $305      $336      $336
    Other operating expenses(a)          .37%     .38%     .38%
  Total other expenses                  1.30%    1.31%    1.30%
  Total fund operating expenses(f)      2.34%    3.05%    3.04%
      
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT               CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                  -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
  Management fees                        .75%     .75%     .75%     After 1 year     $ 58     $ 53      $ 23      $ 33      $ 23
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%     After 3 years    $ 89     $ 81      $ 71      $ 70      $ 70
  Other expenses(a)                      .50%     .51%     .50%     After 5 years    $123     $121      $121      $120      $120
  Total fund operating expenses         1.55%    2.26%    2.25%     After 10 years   $219     $225      $225      $258      $258

GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME                CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                  -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
  Management fees(i)(after waiver)      None     None     None      After 1 year     $ 61     $ 56      $ 26      $ 36      $ 26
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%     After 3 years    $100     $ 91      $ 81      $ 81      $ 81
  Other expenses(a)(i)                                              After 5 years    $141     $138      $138      $138      $138
    (after reimbursement)               1.60%    1.60%    1.60%     After 10 years   $255     $261      $261      $293      $293
  Total fund operating
    expenses(i)(after waiver/
    reimbursement)                      1.90%    2.60%    2.60%
</TABLE>


PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 6.


5



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES                                                     EXAMPLES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATE BOND                         CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                 -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
<S>                                    <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>             <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
Management fees                          .57%     .57%     .57%     After 1 year     $ 53     $ 48      $ 18      $ 29      $ 18
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%     After 3 years    $ 77     $ 67      $ 57      $ 57      $ 57
  Other expenses(a)                      .25%     .25%     .25%     After 5 years    $102     $ 99      $ 99      $ 99      $ 99
  Total fund operating expenses         1.12%    1.82%    1.82%     After 10 years   $173     $179      $179      $214      $214
      
HIGH YIELD                             CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C                  CLASS A  CLASS B+  CLASS B++  CLASS C+  CLASS C++
- -------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------                  -------  --------  ---------  --------  ---------
  Management fees(k)(after waiver)      None     None     None      After 1 year     $ 59     $ 64      $ 24      $ 34      $ 24
  12b-1 fees                             .30%    1.00%    1.00%     After 3 years    $ 94     $ 95      $ 75      $ 75      $ 75
  Other expenses(a)(k)
    (after reimbursement)               1.40%    1.40%    1.40%     After 5 years    $131     $128      $128      $128      $128
  Total fund operating
    expenses(k)(after waiver/
    reimbursement)                      1.70%    2.40%    2.40%     After 10 years   $235     $256      $256      $274      $274
</TABLE>


+   ASSUMES REDEMPTION AT END OF PERIOD AND, WITH RESPECT TO SHARES HELD TEN
YEARS, CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES TO CLASS A SHARES AFTER SIX YEARS (EIGHT
YEARS IN THE CASE OF GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME AND HIGH YIELD).

++  ASSUMES NO REDEMPTION AT END OF PERIOD AND, WITH RESPECT TO SHARES HELD TEN
YEARS, CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES TO CLASS A SHARES AFTER SIX YEARS. (EIGHT
YEARS IN THE CASE OF GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME AND HIGH YIELD)

(A) THESE EXPENSES INCLUDE A TRANSFER AGENCY FEE PAYABLE TO ALLIANCE FUND
SERVICES, INC., AN AFFILIATE OF ALLIANCE.

(B) NET OF VOLUNTARY FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS. ABSENT SUCH
WAIVERS AND REIMBURSEMENTS, MANAGEMENT FEES WOULD HAVE BEEN .55%, OTHER
EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 1.57% FOR CLASS A, 1.55% FOR CLASS B AND 1.54% FOR
CLASS C AND TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 2.42% FOR CLASS A,
3.10% FOR CLASS B AND 3.09% FOR CLASS C.

(C) NET OF VOLUNTARY FEE WAIVERS. ABSENT SUCH WAIVERS, ANNUALIZED MANAGEMENT
FEES WOULD HAVE BEEN .65%, ANNUALIZED RULE 12B-1 FEES WOULD HAVE BEEN .90% AND
ANNUALIZED TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 2.48%.

(D) EXCLUDING INTEREST EXPENSE, TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN
FOR CLASS A, 1.60%, FOR CLASS B, 2.31% AND FOR CLASS C, 2.30%.

(E) REPRESENTS .65 OF 1% OF THE FUND'S AVERAGE DAILY ADJUSTED TOTAL NET ASSETS.

 (F) EXCLUDING INTEREST EXPENSE, TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN
FOR CLASS A, 1.41%, FOR CLASS B, 2.12%, AND FOR CLASS C, 2.12%.

(G) EXCLUDING INTEREST EXPENSE, TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN
FOR CLASS A, 1.03%, FOR CLASS B, 1.74%, AND FOR CLASS C, 1.73%.

(H) EXCLUDING INTEREST EXPENSE, TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN
FOR CLASS A, 1.58%, FOR CLASS B, 2.30%, AND FOR CLASS C, 2.29%.

(I) NET OF VOLUNTARY FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. ABSENT SUCH WAIVERS
AND REIMBURSEMENTS, MANAGEMENT FEES WOULD HAVE BEEN .75%, OTHER EXPENSES WOULD
HAVE BEEN 18.15% FOR CLASS A, 17.82% FOR CLASS B, AND 17.74% FOR CLASS C AND
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 19.20% FOR CLASS A, 19.57% FOR
CLASS B, AND 19.49% FOR CLASS C.

 (J) EXCLUDING INTEREST EXPENSE, TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN
FOR CLASS A, 1.40% FOR CLASS B, 2.10% AND FOR CLASS C, 2.10%.

(K) NET OF VOLUNTARY FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS. ABSENT SUCH
WAIVERS AND REIMBURSEMENTS, MANAGEMENT FEES WOULD HAVE BEEN .75%, OTHER
EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 2.06% (ANNUALIZED) FOR CLASS A, 2.10% (ANNUALIZED)
FOR CLASS B, AND 2.09% (ANNUALIZED) FOR CLASS C; AND TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
WOULD HAVE BEEN 2.06% (ANNUALIZED) FOR CLASS A, 3.85% (ANNUALIZED) FOR
CLASS B, AND 3.84% (ANNUALIZED) FOR CLASS C.


The purpose of the tables on pages 4,5 and 6 is to assist the investor in
understanding the various costs and expenses that shareholders of a Fund will
bear directly or indirectly. Long-term shareholders of a Fund may pay aggregate
sales charges totaling more than the economic equivalent of the maximum initial
sales charges permitted by the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. See "Management of the Funds-Distribution Services
Agreements." The Rule 12b-1 fee for each class comprises a service fee not
exceeding .25% of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund
attributable to the class and an asset-based sales charge equal to the
remaining portion of the Rule 12b-1 fee. With respect to each of SHORT-TERM
U.S. GOVERNMENT, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME,
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME and LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, "interest expense"
represents interest paid by the Fund on borrowings for the purpose of making
additional portfolio investments. Such borrowings are intended to enable each
of those Funds to produce higher net yields to shareholders than the Funds
could pay without such borrowings. See "Description of Funds-Risk
Considerations-Effects of Borrowing." Excluding interest expense, total fund
operating expenses of each of SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME and
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT would be lower (see notes (b), (d), (f), (g),
(h) and (j) above) and the cumulative expenses shown in the Examples above
with respect to those Funds would be lower. The Examples set forth above
assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and utilize a 5%
annual rate of return as mandated by Commission regulations. "Other Expenses"
are based on estimated amounts for HIGH YIELD'S current fiscal year. THE
EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED REPRESENTATIVE OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES;
ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. ACTUAL RETURNS WILL
VARY.


6



                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
_______________________________________________________________________________

The tables on the following pages present, for each Fund, per share income and
capital changes for a share outstanding throughout each period indicated. The
information in the tables relating to SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT has been
audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, the independent accountants for the Fund, and
the information in the tables relating to U.S. GOVERNMENT, LIMITED MATURITY
GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, CORPORATE BOND and HIGH YIELD has been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the independent auditors for these Funds. A
report of Price Waterhouse LLP or Ernst & Young LLP, as the case may be, on the
information with respect to each Fund appears in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information. The following information for each Fund should be read
in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes which are
included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Further information about a Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's
annual report to shareholders, which may be obtained without charge by
contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or the "For Literature"
telephone number shown on the cover of this Prospectus.


7



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  NET                            NET            NET
                                 ASSET                      REALIZED AND      INCREASE
                                 VALUE                       UNREALIZED     (DECREASE) IN   DIVIDENDS FROM  DISTRIBUTIONS
                             BEGINNING OF  NET INVESTMENT  GAIN (LOSS) ON  NET ASSET VALUE  NET INVESTMENT     FROM NET
  FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD         PERIOD      INCOME (LOSS)   INVESTMENTS    FROM OPERATIONS      INCOME      REALIZED GAINS
  ---------------------      ------------  --------------  --------------  ---------------  --------------  --------------
<S>                          <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT#
  CLASS A
  Year Ended 8/31/97            $ 9.66         $.47(h)          $.03             $.50            $(.46)          $0.00
  Year Ended 8/31/96              9.70          .47             (.02)             .45             (.49)           0.00
  Year Ended 8/31/95              9.67          .42              .05              .47             (.41)           0.00
  Period Ended 8/31/94**          9.77          .14             (.09)             .05             (.12)           0.00
  Year Ended 4/30/94             10.22          .35             (.29)             .06             (.42)           0.00
  5/4/92+ to 4/30/93             10.00          .46              .34              .80             (.46)           (.12)

  CLASS B
  Year Ended 8/31/97            $ 9.77         $.41(h)          $.02             $.43            $(.39)          $0.00
  Year Ended 8/31/96              9.81          .41             (.03)             .38             (.42)           0.00
  Year Ended 8/31/95              9.78          .36              .04              .40             (.34)           0.00
  Period Ended 8/31/94**          9.88          .10             (.07)             .03             (.11)           0.00
  Year Ended 4/30/94             10.31          .40             (.39)             .01             (.35)           0.00
  5/4/92+ to 4/30/93             10.00          .38              .33              .71             (.38)           (.02)

  CLASS C
  Year Ended 8/31/97            $ 9.76         $.41(h)          $.02             $.43            $(.39)          $0.00
  Year Ended 8/31/96              9.80          .40             (.02)             .38             (.42)           0.00
  Year Ended 8/31/95              9.77          .34              .06              .40             (.34)           0.00
  Period Ended 8/31/94**          9.87          .10             (.07)             .03             (.11)           0.00
  8/2/93++ to 4/30/94            10.34          .26             (.42)            (.16)            (.25)           0.00

U.S. GOVERNMENT
  CLASS A
  Year Ended 6/30/97            $ 7.52         $.57(h)         $(.10)            $.47            $(.57)          $0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/96              7.96          .58             (.44)             .14             (.58)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/95              7.84          .64              .13              .77             (.65)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/94              8.64          .65             (.80)            (.15)            (.65)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/93              8.34          .69              .29              .98             (.68)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/92              8.01          .70              .35             1.05             (.72)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/91              8.14          .81             (.11)             .70             (.83)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/90              8.49          .86             (.38)             .48             (.83)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/89              8.51          .89             (.03)             .86             (.88)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/88              8.90          .93             (.39)             .54             (.93)           0.00

  CLASS B
  Year Ended 6/30/97            $ 7.52         $.52(h)         $(.10)            $.42            $(.52)          $0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/96              7.96          .52             (.44)             .08             (.52)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/95              7.84          .58              .13              .71             (.59)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/94              8.64          .59             (.80)            (.21)            (.59)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/93              8.34          .62              .30              .92             (.62)           0.00
  9/30/91++ to 6/30/92            8.25          .49              .09              .58             (.49)           0.00

  CLASS C
  Year Ended 6/30/97            $ 7.52         $.52(h)         $(.10)            $.42            $(.52)          $0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/96              7.96          .52             (.44)             .08             (.52)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/95              7.83          .58              .14              .72             (.59)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/94              8.64          .59             (.81)            (.22)            (.59)           0.00
  5/3/93++ to 6/30/93             8.56          .10              .08              .18             (.10)           0.00

LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT
  CLASS A
  Six Months Ended 5/31/97
    unaudited                   $ 9.45         $.26(h)         $(.14)            $.12            $(.27)          $0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/96             9.52          .51(h)          (.04)             .47             (.51)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/95             9.51          .52(h)           .02              .54             (.50)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/94             9.94          .42             (.32)             .10             (.48)           (.01)
  Year Ended 11/30/93             9.84          .57              .11              .68             (.58)           0.00
  6/1/92+ to 11/30/92            10.00          .35             (.17)             .18             (.34)           0.00

  CLASS B
  Six Months Ended 5/31/97
    unaudited                   $ 9.45         $.24(h)         $(.15)            $.09            $(.24)          $0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/96             9.52          .44(h)          (.04)             .40             (.44)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/95             9.52          .46(h)           .01              .47             (.44)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/94             9.94          .39             (.35)             .04             (.42)           (.01)
  Year Ended 11/30/93             9.84          .49              .12              .61             (.51)           0.00
  6/1/92+ to 11/30/92            10.00          .31             (.17)             .14             (.30)           0.00

  CLASS C
  Six Months Ended 5/31/97
    unaudited)                  $ 9.45         $.24(h)         $(.15)            $.09            $(.24)          $0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/96             9.52          .45(h)          (.05)             .40             (.45)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/95             9.52          .46(h)           .01              .47             (.44)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/94             9.94          .37             (.33)             .04             (.42)           (.01)
  5/3/93++ to 11/30/93            9.98          .27             (.03)             .24             (.28)           0.00
</TABLE>


PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.


8



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  DISTRIBUTIONS                                          TOTAL       NET ASSETS                 RATIO OF NET
    IN EXCESS                 TOTAL                    INVESTMENT    AT END OF        RATIO      INVESTMENT
     OF NET       RETURN    DIVIDENDS     NET ASSET      RETURN        PERIOD     OF EXPENSES   INCOME (LOSS)  PORTFOLIO
   INVESTMENT       OF         AND        VALUE END   BASED ON NET     (000'S      TO AVERAGE    TO AVERAGE    TURNOVER
     INCOME      CAPITAL  DISTRIBUTIONS   OF PERIOD  ASSET VALUE(B)   OMITTED)     NET ASSETS    NET ASSETS       RATE
  ------------  --------  -------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------  -------------  ---------
<S>             <C>       <C>            <C>         <C>             <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>


     $0.00       $(0.07)    $(.53)         $9.63         5.29%         $3,901      1.41%(d)(e)       4.90%        65%
      0.00         0.00      (.49)          9.66         4.71           3,455      1.53(d)(e)        4.85        110
      (.03)        0.00      (.44)          9.70         5.14           2,997      1.40(d)           4.56         15
      (.03)(a)     0.00      (.15)(c)       9.67          .53           2,272      1.40(d)           3.98        144
      (.09)(a)     0.00      (.51)(c)       9.77          .52           2,003      1.27(d)           4.41         55
      0.00         0.00      (.58)(c)      10.22         8.20           6,081      1.00*(d)          4.38*       294

     $0.00       $(0.07)    $(.46)         $9.74         4.45%         $6,458      2.11%(d)(e)       4.13%        65%
      0.00         0.00      (.42)          9.77         3.89           6,781      2.23(d)(e)        4.11        110
      (.03)        0.00      (.37)          9.81         4.32           6,380      2.10(d)           3.82         15
      (.02)(a)     0.00      (.13)(c)       9.78          .28           6,281      2.10(d)           3.22        144
      (.09)(a)     0.00      (.44)(c)       9.88          .03           7,184      2.05(d)           3.12         55
      0.00         0.00      (.40)(c)      10.31         7.22           1,292      1.75*(d)          3.36*       294

     $0.00       $(0.07)    $(.46)         $9.73         4.45%         $5,012      2.11%(d)(e)       4.15%        65%
      0.00         0.00      (.42)          9.76         3.90           4,850      2.22(d)(e)        4.11        110
      (.03)        0.00      (.37)          9.80         4.33           5,180      2.10(d)           3.80         15
      (.02)(a)     0.00      (.13)(c)       9.77          .28           7,128      2.10(d)           3.26        144
      (.06)(a)     0.00      (.31)(c)       9.87        (1.56)          8,763      2.10*(d)          2.60*        55



     $0.00       $(0.01)    $(.58)         $7.41         6.49%       $354,782      1.02%             7.66%       330%
      0.00         0.00      (.58)          7.52         1.74         397,894      1.01              7.38        334
      0.00         0.00      (.65)          7.96        10.37         463,660      1.01              8.27        190
      0.00         0.00      (.65)          7.84        (1.93)        482,595      1.02              7.76        188
      0.00         0.00      (.68)          8.64        12.23         527,968      1.10              8.04        386
      0.00         0.00      (.72)          8.34        13.52         492,448      1.12              8.43        418
      0.00         0.00      (.83)          8.01         8.97         491,910      1.07             10.02        402
      0.00         0.00      (.83)          8.14         5.99         510,675      1.09             10.35        455
      0.00         0.00      (.88)          8.49        10.87         532,525      1.11             10.70        148
      0.00         0.00      (.93)          8.51         6.41         529,909      1.14             10.70        149

     $0.00       $(0.01)    $(.53)         $7.41         5.69%       $471,889      1.73%             6.95%       330%
      0.00         0.00      (.52)          7.52         1.01         628,628      1.72              6.67        334
      0.00         0.00      (.59)          7.96         9.52         774,097      1.72              7.57        190
      0.00         0.00      (.59)          7.84        (2.63)        756,282      1.72              7.04        188
      0.00         0.00      (.62)          8.64        11.45         552,471      1.81              7.25        386
      0.00         0.00      (.49)          8.34         6.95          32,227      1.80*             7.40*       418

     $0.00       $(0.01)    $(.53)         $7.41         5.69%       $115,607      1.72%             6.96%       330%
      0.00         0.00      (.52)          7.52         1.01         166,075      1.71              6.68        334
      0.00         0.00      (.59)          7.96         9.67         181,948      1.71              7.59        190
      0.00         0.00      (.59)          7.83        (2.75)        231,859      1.70              6.97        188
      0.00         0.00      (.10)          8.64         2.12          67,757      1.80*             6.00*       386



     $0.00        $0.00     $(.27)         $9.30         1.30%        $18,100      2.38%*(e)         5.38%*       67%
      0.00         (.03)     (.54)          9.45         5.11          16,248      2.22(e)           5.44        159
      0.00         (.03)     (.53)          9.52         5.91          27,887      2.14(e)           5.53        293
      0.00         (.04)     (.53)          9.51         1.03          43,173      1.34(e)           4.78        375
      0.00         0.00      (.58)          9.94         7.02          59,215      1.54(e)           5.66        499
      0.00         0.00      (.34)          9.84         1.84          24,186      1.44*(d)(e)       6.58*(d)    101

     $0.00        $0.00     $(.24)         $9.30          .94%        $40,862      3.12%*(e)         4.64%*       67%
      0.00         (.03)     (.47)          9.45         4.36          50,386      2.94(e)           4.73        159
      0.00         (.03)     (.47)          9.52         5.05          84,362      2.85(e)           4.83        293
      0.00         (.03)     (.46)          9.52          .42         136,458      2.08(e)           4.12        375
      0.00         0.00      (.51)          9.94         6.27         168,157      2.26(e)           4.98        499
      0.00         0.00      (.30)          9.84         1.50         149,188      2.13*(d)(e)       6.01*(d)    101

     $0.00        $0.00     $(.24)         $9.30          .94%        $35,558      3.10%*(e)         4.66%*       67%
      0.00         (.02)     (.47)          9.45         4.38          43,457      2.92(e)           4.75        159
      0.00         (.03)     (.47)          9.52         5.06          68,459      2.85(e)           4.84        293
      0.00         (.03)     (.46)          9.52          .42         141,838      2.04(e)           4.10        375
      0.00         0.00      (.28)          9.94         2.40         228,703      1.74*(e)          3.70*       499
</TABLE>


PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.


9



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  NET                            NET            NET
                                 ASSET                      REALIZED AND      INCREASE
                                 VALUE                       UNREALIZED     (DECREASE) IN   DIVIDENDS FROM  DISTRIBUTIONS
                             BEGINNING OF  NET INVESTMENT  GAIN (LOSS) ON  NET ASSET VALUE  NET INVESTMENT     FROM NET
  FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD         PERIOD      INCOME (LOSS)   INVESTMENTS    FROM OPERATIONS      INCOME      REALIZED GAINS
  ---------------------      ------------  --------------  --------------  ---------------  --------------  --------------
<S>                          <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME
  CLASS A
  Six Months Ended 6/30/97
    unaudited                    $8.51        $ .28(h)        $  .02            $ .30           $ (.29)          $0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/96             8.75          .54(h)          (.19)             .35             (.51)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/95             8.13          .57(h)           .64             1.21             (.57)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/94             9.29          .57            (1.13)            (.56)            (.58)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/93             9.08          .67              .23              .90             (.67)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/92             9.21          .77             (.09)             .68             (.81)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/91             8.79          .88              .41             1.29             (.87)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/90             8.76          .87              .03              .90             (.87)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/89             8.81          .97             (.05)             .92             (.97)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/88             9.03          .99             (.23)             .76             (.98)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/87             9.74         1.00             (.68)             .32            (1.00)           (.03)
  CLASS B
  Six Months Ended 6/30/97
    unaudited                    $8.51        $ .24(h)        $  .02            $ .26           $ (.25)          $0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/96             8.75          .48(h)          (.19)             .29             (.46)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/95             8.13          .51(h)           .64             1.15             (.51)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/94             9.29          .51            (1.14)            (.63)            (.51)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/93             9.08          .61              .22              .83             (.60)           0.00
  1/30/92++ to 12/31/92           9.16          .68             (.08)             .60             (.68)           0.00
  CLASS C
  Six Months Ended 6/30/97
    unaudited                    $8.51        $ .25(h)        $  .01            $ .26           $ (.25)          $0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/96             8.75          .48(h)          (.19)             .29             (.46)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/95             8.13          .51(h)           .64             1.15             (.51)           0.00
  Year Ended 12/31/94             9.29          .51            (1.14)            (.63)            (.51)           0.00
  5/3/93++ to 12/31/93            9.30          .40             0.00              .40             (.40)           0.00
  WORLD INCOME
  Six Months Ended 4/30/97
    unaudited                    $1.67        $ .04(h)        $ (.02)           $ .02           $ (.05)          $0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/96             1.66          .09(h)           .02              .11             (.10)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/95             1.88          .11(h)          (.23)            (.12)            0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/94             1.90          .18             (.12)             .06             (.05)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/93             1.91          .22             (.16)             .06             (.07)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/92             1.98          .19             (.17)             .02             (.09)           0.00
  12/3/90+ to 10/31/91            2.00          .14             (.03)             .11             (.13)           0.00
  SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET
  CLASS A
  Six Months Ended 4/30/97
    unaudited                    $7.73        $ .26(h)        $  .01            $ .27           $ (.31)          $0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/96             7.47          .60(h)           .35              .95             (.69)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/95             8.71          .46(h)          (.98)            (.52)            0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/94             9.25          .93             (.86)             .07             0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/93             9.25          .92             (.32)             .60             (.60)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/92             9.94          .91             (.86)             .05             (.72)           (.02)
  Year Ended 10/31/91             9.89          .97              .06             1.03             (.97)           (.01)
  Year Ended 10/31/90             9.69         1.09              .19             1.28            (1.08)           0.00
  5/5/89+ to 10/31/89             9.70          .53             (.01)             .52             (.53)           0.00
  CLASS B
  Six Months Ended 4/30/97
    unaudited                    $7.73        $ .23(h)        $  .01            $ .24           $ (.28)          $0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/96             7.47          .54(h)           .35              .89             (.63)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/95             8.71          .41(h)          (.99)            (.58)            0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/94             9.25          .94             (.93)             .01             0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/93             9.25          .87             (.34)             .53             (.53)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/92             9.94          .84             (.86)            (.02)            (.65)           (.02)
  Year Ended 10/31/91             9.89          .89              .07              .96             (.90)           (.01)
  2/5/90++ to 10/31/90            9.77          .74              .12              .86             (.74)           0.00

  CLASS C
  Six Months Ended 4/30/97
    unaudited                    $7.73        $ .24(h)        $ 0.00            $ .24           $ (.28)          $0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/96             7.47          .51(h)           .38              .89             (.63)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/95             8.71          .39(h)          (.97)            (.58)            0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/94             9.25          .58             (.57)             .01             0.00            0.00
  5/3/93++ to 10/31/93            9.18          .28              .05              .33             (.26)           0.00

MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY
  CLASS A
  Six Months Ended 4/30/97
    unaudited                    $7.23        $ .24(h)        $  .04            $ .28           $ (.33)          $0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/96             6.83          .59(h)           .48             1.07             (.67)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/95             8.04          .77(h)         (1.31)            (.54)            0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/94             8.94          .85            (1.08)            (.23)            (.09)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/93             8.85         1.02             (.26)             .76             (.67)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/92             9.91         1.00            (1.23)            (.23)            (.81)           (.02)
  5/29/91+ to 10/28/91           10.00          .42             (.09)             .33             (.42)           0.00

  CLASS B
  Six Months Ended 4/30/97
    unaudited                    $7.23        $ .22(h)        $  .03            $ .25           $ (.30)          $0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/96             6.83          .53(h)           .47             1.00             (.60)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/95             8.04          .44(h)         (1.05)            (.61)            0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/94             8.94          .88            (1.18)            (.30)            (.08)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/93             8.85          .92             (.22)             .70             (.61)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/92             9.91         1.04            (1.34)            (.30)            (.74)           (.02)
  5/29/91+ to 10/28/91           10.00          .39             (.09)             .30             (.39)           0.00

  CLASS C
  Six Months Ended 4/30/97
    unaudited                    $7.23        $ .21(h)        $  .04            $ .25           $ (.30)          $0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/96             6.83          .54(h)           .47             1.01             (.61)           0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/95             8.04          .44(h)         (1.04)            (.60)            0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 10/31/94             8.94          .46             (.75)            (.29)            (.09)           0.00
  5/3/93++ to 10/31/93            8.76          .32              .16              .48             (.30)           0.00
</TABLE>


PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.


10



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DISTRIBUTIONS                                              TOTAL      NET ASSETS                 RATIO OF NET
  IN EXCESS                    TOTAL                    INVESTMENT    AT END OF        RATIO      INVESTMENT
   OF NET         RETURN     DIVIDENDS     NET ASSET      RETURN        PERIOD     OF EXPENSES   INCOME (LOSS)  PORTFOLIO
 INVESTMENT         OF          AND        VALUE END   BASED ON NET     (000'S      TO AVERAGE    TO AVERAGE    TURNOVER
   INCOME        CAPITAL   DISTRIBUTIONS   OF PERIOD  ASSET VALUE(B)   OMITTED)     NET ASSETS    NET ASSETS       RATE
- ------------  -----------  -------------  ----------  --------------  ----------  -------------  -------------  ---------
<S>           <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>             <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>


   $0.00          $0.00       $(.29)         $8.52         3.54%       $380,439      1.56%*(e)         6.55%*       66%
    0.00           (.08)       (.59)          8.51         4.23         412,899      1.68(e)           6.38        208
    0.00           (.02)       (.59)          8.75        15.34         502,390      1.66(e)           6.77        285
    0.00           (.02)       (.60)          8.13        (6.14)        553,889      1.29(e)           6.77        438
    (.02)          0.00        (.69)          9.29        10.14         848,069      1.00              7.20        622
    0.00           0.00        (.81)          9.08         7.73         789,898      1.18              8.56        555
    0.00           0.00        (.87)          9.21        15.44         544,171      1.16              9.92        439
    0.00           0.00        (.87)          8.79        11.01         495,353      1.12             10.09        393
    0.00           0.00        (.97)          8.76        10.98         556,077      1.13             11.03        328
    0.00           0.00        (.98)          8.81         8.64         619,572      1.11             10.80        239
    0.00           0.00       (1.03)          9.03         3.49         682,650      1.15             10.79        211

   $0.00          $0.00       $(.25)         $8.52         3.16%       $383,923      2.28%*(e)         5.83%*       66%
    0.00           (.07)       (.53)          8.51         3.46         477,196      2.37(e)           5.66        208
    0.00           (.02)       (.53)          8.75        14.48         737,593      2.37(e)           6.06        285
    0.00           (.02)       (.53)          8.13        (6.84)        921,418      2.00(e)           6.05        438
    (.02)          0.00        (.62)          9.29         9.38       1,454,303      1.70              6.47        622
    0.00           0.00        (.68)          9.08         7.81       1,153,957      1.67*             5.92*       555

   $0.00          $0.00       $(.25)         $8.52         3.16%        $31,079      2.26%*(e)         5.84%*       66%
    0.00           (.07)       (.53)          8.51         3.46          35,355      2.38(e)           5.67        208
    0.00           (.02)       (.53)          8.75        14.46          45,558      2.35(e)           6.07        285
    0.00           (.02)       (.53)          8.13        (6.84)         58,338      1.97(e)           6.06        438
    (.01)          0.00        (.41)          9.29         4.34          91,724      1.67*             5.92*       622

   $0.00          $0.00       $(.05)         $1.64         1.73%        $41,024      2.29%*(d)         4.43%       N/A
    0.00           0.00        (.10)          1.67         6.98          44,890      2.10(d)           5.37        N/A
    0.00           (.10)       (.10)          1.66        (6.35)         55,778      1.97(d)           6.46        N/A
    0.00           (.03)       (.08)          1.88         3.27         103,310      1.70(d)           3.96        N/A
    0.00           0.00        (.07)          1.90         3.51         149,623      1.54 (d)          5.14        N/A
    0.00           0.00        (.09)          1.91         1.26         318,716      1.59(d)           7.21        N/A
    0.00           0.00        (.13)          1.98         6.08       1,059,222      1.85*(d)          7.29*       N/A



   $0.00          $0.00       $(.31)         $7.69         3.51%       $402,165      1.28%*            6.82%*      143%
    0.00           0.00        (.69)          7.73        13.23         386,545      1.29              7.85        208
    0.00           (.72)       (.72)          7.47        (5.74)        320,333      1.23              7.39        230
    0.00           (.61)       (.61)          8.71          .84         593,677      1.13              7.28        109
    0.00           0.00        (.60)          9.25         6.67         953,571      1.16              8.26        182
    0.00           0.00        (.74)          9.25          .49       1,596,903      1.10              9.00        133
    0.00           0.00        (.98)          9.94        10.91       2,199,393      1.09              9.64        146
    0.00           0.00       (1.08)          9.89        13.86       1,346,035      1.18             10.81        152
    0.00           0.00        (.53)          9.69         5.57         210,294      1.14*            10.83*        10

   $0.00          $0.00       $(.28)         $7.69         3.13%       $185,161      1.99%*            6.05%*      143%
    0.00           0.00        (.63)          7.73        12.34         273,109      2.00              7.14        208
    0.00           (.66)       (.66)          7.47        (6.50)        523,530      1.95              6.69        230
    0.00           (.55)       (.55)          8.71          .12       1,003,633      1.85              6.58        109
    0.00           0.00        (.53)          9.25         5.91       1,742,703      1.87              7.57        182
    0.00           0.00        (.67)          9.25         (.24)      2,966,071      1.81              8.28        133
    0.00           0.00        (.91)          9.94        10.11       3,754,003      1.81              8.87        146
    0.00           0.00        (.74)          9.89         9.07       1,950,330      1.86*             9.90*       152

   $0.00          $0.00       $(.28)         $7.69         3.13%         $7,002      1.97%*            6.09%*      143%
    0.00           0.00        (.63)          7.73        12.35          10,031      1.98              7.15        208
    0.00           (.66)       (.66)          7.47        (6.49)          3,416      1.92              6.66        230
    0.00           (.55)       (.55)          8.71          .12           8,136      1.83              6.50        109
    0.00           0.00        (.26)          9.25         3.66           5,538      1.82*             7.19*       182



   $0.00          $0.00       $(.33)         $7.18         3.94%        $64,439      1.59%*            6.71%*      200%
    0.00           0.00        (.67)          7.23        16.37          68,776      1.64(f)           8.40        215
    0.00           (.67)       (.67)          6.83        (6.47)         76,837      1.60(f)           8.56        400
    0.00           (.58)       (.67)          8.04        (2.64)         52,385      1.41(f)           7.17        605
    0.00           0.00        (.67)          8.94         9.01          82,977      1.94(f)           9.17(g)     200
    0.00           0.00        (.83)          8.85        (2.80)        141,526      2.53(f)          10.58(g)     239
    0.00           0.00        (.42)          9.91         3.68         143,594      2.81*(f)         10.17*(g)    121

   $0.00          $0.00       $(.30)         $7.18         3.50%        $77,031      2.30%*            6.00%*      200%
    0.00           0.00        (.60)          7.23        15.35          88,427      2.35(f)           7.69        215
    0.00           (.60)       (.60)          6.83        (7.31)        116,551      2.29(f)           7.53        400
    0.00           (.52)       (.60)          8.04        (3.35)        233,896      2.11(f)           6.44        605
    0.00           0.00        (.61)          8.94         8.25         431,186      2.64(f)           8.46(g)     200
    0.00           0.00        (.76)          8.85        (3.51)        701,465      3.24(f)           9.83(g)     239
    0.00           0.00        (.39)          9.91         3.36         662,981      3.53*(f)          9.40*(g)    121

   $0.00          $0.00       $(.30)         $7.18         3.51%         $1,292      2.29%*            5.97%*      200%
    0.00           0.00        (.61)          7.23        15.36           1,076      2.34(f)           7.62        215
    0.00           (.61)       (.61)          6.83        (7.29)            786      2.29(f)           7.55        400
    0.00           (.52)       (.61)          8.04        (3.34)          1,252      2.08(f)           6.10        605
    0.00           0.00        (.30)          8.94         5.54             718      2.44*(f)          7.17*(g)    200
</TABLE>


PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.


11



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  NET                            NET            NET
                                 ASSET                      REALIZED AND      INCREASE
                                 VALUE                       UNREALIZED     (DECREASE) IN   DIVIDENDS FROM  DISTRIBUTIONS
                             BEGINNING OF  NET INVESTMENT  GAIN (LOSS) ON  NET ASSET VALUE  NET INVESTMENT     FROM NET
  FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD         PERIOD      INCOME (LOSS)   INVESTMENTS    FROM OPERATIONS      INCOME      REALIZED GAINS
  ---------------------      ------------  --------------  --------------  ---------------  --------------  --------------
<S>                          <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
INCOME
  CLASS A
  Six Months Ended 5/31/97
    unaudited                   $ 8.01        $ .55(h)        $ (.09)          $  .46           $ (.49)         $ 0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/96             6.75         1.09(h)          1.14             2.23             (.75)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/95             8.13         1.18(h)         (1.59)            (.41)            0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/94            10.35         1.02            (2.12)           (1.10)            (.91)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/93             9.70         1.09              .66             1.75            (1.09)           (.01)
  3/27/92+ to 11/30/92           10.00          .69             (.31)             .38             (.68)           0.00

  CLASS B
  Six Months Ended 5/31/97
    unaudited                   $ 8.01        $ .53(h)        $ (.11)          $  .42           $ (.45)         $ 0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/96             6.75         1.04(h)          1.12             2.16             (.69)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/95             8.13         1.13(h)         (1.61)            (.48)            0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/94            10.35          .96            (2.13)           (1.17)            (.84)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/93             9.70         1.01              .67             1.68            (1.02)           (.01)
  3/27/92+ to 11/30/92           10.00          .64             (.31)             .33             (.63)           0.00

  CLASS C
  Six Months Ended 5/31/97
    unaudited                   $ 8.01        $ .53(h)        $ (.11)          $  .42           $ (.45)         $ 0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/96             6.75         1.05(h)          1.11             2.76             (.69)           0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/95             8.13         1.13(h)         (1.61)            (.48)            0.00            0.00
  Year Ended 11/30/94            10.34          .96            (2.12)           (1.16)            (.84)           0.00
  5/3/93++ to 11/30/93           10.04          .58              .30              .88             (.58)           0.00

GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT
  CLASS A
  Year Ended 8/31/97            $10.01        $ .88(h)        $ 1.85           $ 2.73           $ (.95)         $(1.15)
  Year Ended 8/31/96              8.02          .84             2.10             2.94             (.95)           0.00
  Year Ended 8/31/95              9.14          .86            (1.10)            (.24)            (.88)           0.00
  2/25/94+ to 8/31/94            10.00          .45             (.86)            (.41)            (.45)           0.00

  CLASS B
  Year Ended 8/31/97            $10.01        $ .81(h)        $ 1.84           $ 2.65           $ (.87)         $(1.15)
  Year Ended 8/31/96              8.02          .78             2.08             2.86             (.87)           0.00
  Year Ended 8/31/95              9.14          .80            (1.11)            (.31)            (.81)           0.00
  2/25/94+ to 8/31/94            10.00          .42             (.86)            (.44)            (.42)           0.00

  CLASS C
  Year Ended 8/31/97            $10.01        $ .82(h)        $ 1.84           $ 2.66           $ (.88)         $(1.15)
  Year Ended 8/31/96              8.02          .77             2.10             2.87             (.88)           0.00
  Year Ended 8/31/95              9.14          .79            (1.10)            (.31)            (.81)           0.00
  2/25/94+ to 8/31/94            10.00          .42             (.86)            (.44)            (.42)           0.00

GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME
  CLASS A
  Six Months Ended 4/30/97
    unaudited                   $10.83        $ .35           $ .50            $  .85           $ (.51)         $ (.10)
  1/9/96+ to 10/31/96            10.00          .69              .95             1.64             (.81)           0.00

  CLASS B
  Six Months Ended 4/30/97
    unaudited                   $10.83        $ .30            $ .52           $  .82           $ (.48)         $ (.10)
  3/25/96++ to 10/31/96           9.97          .41             1.01             1.42             (.56)           0.00

  CLASS C
  Six Months Ended 4/30/97
    unaudited                   $10.83        $ .32            $ .50           $  .82           $ (.48)         $ (.10)
  3/25/96++ to 10/31/96           9.97          .39             1.03             1.42             (.56)           0.00

CORPORATE BOND
  CLASS A
  Year Ended 6/30/97            $13.29        $1.15(h)         $ .97           $ 2.12           $(1.22)         $ 0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/96             12.92         1.26              .27             1.53            (1.16)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/95             12.51         1.19              .36             1.55            (1.14)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/94             14.15         1.11            (1.36)            (.25)           (1.11)           (.25)
  Year Ended 6/30/93             12.01         1.25             2.13             3.38            (1.24)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/92             11.21         1.06              .82             1.88            (1.08)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/91             11.39         1.11             (.06)            1.05            (1.23)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/90             12.15         1.24             (.86)             .38            (1.14)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/89             11.82         1.12              .32             1.44            (1.11)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/88             12.24         1.10             (.38)             .72            (1.14)           0.00
  Nine Months Ended 6/30/87      12.25          .86             (.06)             .80             (.81)           0.00
  Year Ended 9/30/86             11.52         1.20              .73             1.93            (1.20)           0.00

  CLASS B
  Year Ended 6/30/97            $13.29        $1.05(h)         $ .98           $ 2.03           $(1.13)         $ 0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/96             12.92         1.15              .29             1.44            (1.07)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/95             12.50         1.11              .36             1.47            (1.05)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/94             14.15         1.02            (1.37)            (.35)           (1.04)           (.25)
  1/8/93++ to 6/30/93            12.47          .49             1.69             2.18             (.50)           0.00

  CLASS C
  Year Ended 6/30/97            $13.29        $1.04(h)         $ .99           $ 2.03           $(1.13)         $ 0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/96             12.93         1.14              .29             1.43            (1.07)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/95             12.50         1.10              .38             1.48            (1.05)           0.00
  Year Ended 6/30/94             14.15         1.02            (1.37)            (.35)           (1.05)           (.25)
  5/3/93++ to 6/30/93            13.63          .16              .53              .69             (.17)           0.00

HIGH YIELD
  CLASS A
  4/22/97+ to 8/31/97           $10.00        $ .37(h)         $1.15           $ 1.52           $ (.35)         $ 0.00

  CLASS B
  4/22/97+ to 8/31/97           $10.00        $ .31(h)         $1.19           $ 1.50           $ (.33)         $ 0.00

  CLASS C
  4/22/97+ to 8/31/97           $10.00        $ .32(h)         $1.18           $ 1.50           $ (.33)         $ 0.00
</TABLE>


PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.


12



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DISTRIBUTIONS                                              TOTAL       NET ASSETS                 RATIO OF NET
  IN EXCESS                    TOTAL                    INVESTMENT     AT END OF        RATIO      INVESTMENT
   OF NET         RETURN     DIVIDENDS     NET ASSET      RETURN         PERIOD     OF EXPENSES   INCOME (LOSS)  PORTFOLIO
 INVESTMENT         OF          AND        VALUE END   BASED ON NET      (000'S      TO AVERAGE    TO AVERAGE    TURNOVER
   INCOME        CAPITAL   DISTRIBUTIONS   OF PERIOD  ASSET VALUE(B)    OMITTED)     NET ASSETS    NET ASSETS       RATE
- ------------  -----------  -------------  ----------  --------------  -----------  -------------  -------------  ---------
<S>           <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>


   $0.00          $0.00      $ (.49)        $ 7.98         5.91%      $  430,758      2.23%*(f)       14.06%*       142%
    0.00           (.22)       (.97)          8.01        35.22          385,784      2.34(f)         14.82         166
    0.00           (.97)       (.97)          6.75        (3.59)         252,608      2.62(f)         18.09         180
    0.00           (.21)      (1.12)          8.13       (11.32)         303,538      1.70(f)         11.22         131
    0.00           0.00       (1.10)         10.35        18.99          268,233      1.61(f)         10.77         254
    0.00           0.00        (.68)          9.70         3.49           61,702      2.45*(d)(f)     10.93*         86

   $0.00          $0.00      $ (.45)        $ 7.98         5.44%      $1,342,657      2.94%*(f)       13.36%*       142%
    0.00           (.21)       (.90)          8.01        33.96        1,329,719      3.05(f)         14.20         166
    0.00           (.90)       (.90)          6.75        (4.63)       1,123,074      3.33(f)         17.31         180
    0.00           (.21)      (1.05)          8.13       (11.89)       1,639,602      2.41(f)         10.53         131
    0.00           0.00       (1.03)         10.35        18.15        1,313,591      2.31(f)         10.01         254
    0.00           0.00        (.63)          9.70         3.30          216,317      3.13*(d)(f)     10.16*         86

   $0.00          $0.00      $ (.45)        $ 7.98         5.44%      $  261,454      2.93%*(f)       13.37%*       142%
   $0.00           (.21)       (.90)          8.01        33.96          250,676      3.04(f)         14.22         166
    0.00           (.90)       (.90)          6.75        (4.63)         219,009      3.33(f)         17.32         180
    0.00           (.21)      (1.05)          8.13       (11.89)         369,714      2.39(f)         10.46         131
    0.00           0.00        (.58)         10.34         9.00          310,230      2.21*(f)         9.74*        254



   $0.00          $0.00      $(2.10)        $10.64        30.04%      $   37,416      1.55%            8.49%        314%
    0.00           0.00        (.95)         10.01        38.47           23,253      1.65             9.23         315
    0.00           0.00        (.88)          8.02        (1.48)          12,020      1.93            11.25         301
    0.00           0.00        (.45)          9.14        (3.77)          10,995       .75*(d)         9.82*        100

   $0.00          $0.00      $(2.02)        $10.64        29.14%      $   93,377      2.26%            7.81%        314%
    0.00           0.00        (.87)         10.01        37.36           84,295      2.37             8.57         315
    0.00           0.00        (.81)          8.02        (2.40)          62,406      2.64            10.52         301
    0.00           0.00        (.42)          9.14        (4.17)          47,030      1.45*(d)         9.11*        100

   $0.00          $0.00      $(2.03)        $10.64        29.17%      $   25,130      2.25%            7.82%        314%
    0.00           0.00        (.88)         10.01        37.40           14,511      2.35             8.52         315
    0.00           0.00        (.81)          8.02        (2.36)           9,330      2.63            10.46         301
    0.00           0.00        (.42)          9.14        (4.16)          10,404      1.45*(d)         9.05*        100



   $0.00          $0.00      $ (.61)        $11.07         7.71%      $    5,649      1.90%*(d)        6.57%*       730%
    0.00           0.00        (.81)         10.83        17.31            2,295      1.90*(d)         8.36*        282

   $0.00          $0.00      $ (.58)        $11.07         7.63       $   10,212      2.60             5.79         730
    0.00           0.00        (.56)         10.83        14.47              800      2.60*(d)         7.26*        282

   $0.00          $0.00      $ (.58)        $11.07         7.64       $    2,470      2.60             5.86         730
    0.00           0.00        (.56)         10.83        14.47              750      2.60*(d)         7.03*        282



   $0.00          $0.00      $(1.22)        $14.19        16.59%      $  370,845      1.12%            8.34%        307%
    0.00           0.00       (1.16)         13.29        12.14          277,369      1.20             9.46         389
    0.00           0.00       (1.14)         12.92        13.26          230,750      1.24             9.70         387
    (.03)          0.00       (1.39)         12.51        (2.58)         219,182      1.30             7.76         372
    0.00           0.00       (1.24)         14.15        29.62          216,171      1.39             9.29         579
    0.00           0.00       (1.08)         12.01        17.43           60,356      1.48             8.98         610
    0.00           0.00       (1.23)         11.21         9.71           62,268      1.44             9.84         357
    0.00           0.00       (1.14)         11.39         3.27           68,049      1.51            10.70         480
    0.00           0.00       (1.11)         12.15        12.99           52,381      1.84             9.53         104
    0.00           0.00       (1.14)         11.82         6.24           37,587      1.81             9.24          98
    0.00           0.00        (.81)         12.24         7.32           41,072      1.27             9.17          95
    0.00           0.00       (1.20)         12.25        17.19           45,178      1.08             9.80         240

   $0.00          $0.00      $(1.13)        $14.19        15.80%      $  480,326      1.82%            7.62%        307%
    0.00           0.00       (1.07)         13.29        11.38          338,152      1.90             8.75         389
    0.00           0.00       (1.05)         12.92        12.54          241,393      1.99             9.07         387
    (.01)          0.00       (1.30)         12.50        (3.27)         184,129      2.00             7.03         372
    0.00           0.00        (.50)         14.15        17.75           55,508      2.10*            7.18*        579

   $0.00          $0.00      $(1.13)        $14.19        15.80%      $  174,762      1.82%            7.61%        307%
    0.00           0.00       (1.07)         13.29        11.30           83,095      1.90             8.74         389
    0.00           0.00       (1.05)         12.93        12.62           51,028      1.84             8.95         387
    0.00           0.00       (1.30)         12.50        (3.27)          50,860      1.99             6.98         372
    0.00           0.00        (.17)         14.15         5.08            5,115      2.05*            5.51*        579



   $0.00          $0.00      $ (.35)        $11.17        15.33%      $    5,889      1.70%*(d)        8.04%*        73%

   $0.00          $0.00      $ (.33)        $11.17        15.07%      $   43,297      2.40*(d)         7.19*         73%

   $0.00          $0.00      $ (.33)        $11.17        15.07%      $    7,575      2.40*(d)         7.24*         73%
</TABLE>


PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.


13



#   PRIOR TO JULY 22, 1993, EQUITABLE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
("EQUITABLE") SERVED AS THE INVESTMENT ADVISER TO THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS (THE
"TRUST"), OF WHICH SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT IS A SERIES. ON JULY 22, 1993,
ALLIANCE ACQUIRED THE BUSINESS AND SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE ASSETS OF EQUITABLE
AND BECAME INVESTMENT ADVISER TO THE TRUST.

+   COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.

++  COMMENCEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION.

*   ANNUALIZED.

**  REFLECTS NEWLY ADOPTED FISCAL YEAR END.

(A) INCLUDES WITH RESPECT TO SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT A RETURN OF CAPITAL FOR
THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1994 OF $(0.08) FOR CLASS A, $(0.08) FOR CLASS B AND
$(0.05) FOR CLASS C AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 1994 OF $(0.03) FOR
CLASS A AND $(0.02) FOR CLASS B AND CLASS C.

(B) TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN IS CALCULATED ASSUMING AN INITIAL INVESTMENT MADE
AT THE NET ASSET VALUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD, REINVESTMENT OF ALL
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS AT THE NET ASSET VALUE DURING THE PERIOD, AND A
REDEMPTION ON THE LAST DAY OF THE PERIOD. INITIAL SALES CHARGE OR CONTINGENT
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE IS NOT REFLECTED IN THE CALCULATION OF TOTAL INVESTMENT
RETURN. TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURNS CALCULATED FOR PERIODS OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR
ARE NOT ANNUALIZED.

(C) "TOTAL DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS" INCLUDES DIVIDENDS IN EXCESS OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME AND RETURN OF CAPITAL. SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT HAD
DIVIDENDS IN EXCESS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME, FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
1994, WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES OF $(.01); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES,
$(.01); AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, $(.01).

(D) NET OF EXPENSES ASSUMED AND/OR WAIVED/REIMBURSED. IF SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES, THE EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 2.20% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1993, 2.17% FOR THE YEAR
ENDED APRIL 30, 1994, 2.95% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 1994,
3.71% FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1995, 3.04% FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
1996 AND 2.42% FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B
SHARES, 4.81% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1993, 3.21% FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1994,
3.60% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 1994, 4.33% FOR THE YEAR
ENDED AUGUST 31, 1995, 3.74% FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 AND 3.10% FOR
THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 3.10%
(ANNUALIZED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1994, 3.64% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 1994 (ANNUALIZED), 4.23% FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
1995, 3.72% FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 AND 3.10% FOR THE YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 1997. IF LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES, THE
EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 1.55%
(ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992; AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 2.28% (ANNUALIZED)
FOR 1992. THE RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS FOR LIMITED
MATURITY GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 6.47%
(ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992; AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 5.86% (ANNUALIZED)
FOR 1992. IF WORLD INCOME HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES, THE EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD HAVE
BEEN 1.87% FOR 1992, 1.92% FOR 1993, 2.08% FOR 1994, 2.35% FOR 1995, 2.48% FOR
1996 AND 2.67% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997. IF NORTH
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES, THE EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD
HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 2.49% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992; AND WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 3.16% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992. IF GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 25, 1994 TO AUGUST
31, 1994, THE EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES,
1.91% (ANNUALIZED); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 2.63% (ANNUALIZED); AND
WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 2.59% (ANNUALIZED). IF GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME
HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 9, 1996 TO OCTOBER 31, 1996, THE
EXPENSE RATIO WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 19.20%
(ANNUALIZED) AND 5.07% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997;
WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 25, 1996 TO OCTOBER 31,
1996, 19.57% (ANNUALIZED); AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 19.49%
(ANNUALIZED). IF HIGH YIELD HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES, THE EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD
HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 3.11% (ANNUALIZED); WITH RESPECT
TO CLASS B SHARES, 3.85% (ANNUALIZED); AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES,
3.84% (ANNUALIZED).

(E) IF SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT HAD NOT BORNE INTEREST EXPENSES, THE RATIO OF
EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES
1.40% FOR 1996 AND 1997; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 2.10% FOR 1996 AND
1997; AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES 2.10% FOR 1996 AND 1997. IF LIMITED
MATURITY GOVERNMENT HAD NOT BORNE INTEREST EXPENSES, THE RATIO OF EXPENSES TO
AVERAGE NET ASSETS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 1.42% 
(ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992, 1.33% FOR 1993, 1.20% FOR 1994, 1.41% FOR 1995, 1.58%
FOR 1996, AND 1.62% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 1997; WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 2.10% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992, 2.07% FOR 1993, 1.91%
FOR 1994, 2.11% FOR 1995, 2.30% FOR 1996 AND 2.36% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 1997; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 1.58% (ANNUALIZED),
FOR 1993, 1.89% FOR 1994, 2.10% FOR 1995, 2.29% FOR 1996 AND 2.34% (ANNUALIZED)
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 1997. IF MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND HAD
NOT BORNE INTEREST EXPENSE THE RATIO OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS WOULD
HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES .97% FOR 1994, 1.03% FOR 1995, 1.03%
FOR 1996 AND 1.07% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997; WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 1.68% FOR 1994, 1.74% FOR 1995, 1.74% FOR 1996 AND
1.77% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C
SHARES 1.69% FOR 1994, 1.73% FOR 1995, 1.73% FOR 1996, AND 1.76% (ANNUALIZED)
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997.

(F) INCLUDES INTEREST EXPENSES. IF MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY HAD NOT BORNE INTEREST
EXPENSES OR LOAN FEES, THE RATIO OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS WOULD HAVE
BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 1.33% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1991, 1.33% FOR
1992, 1.40% FOR 1993, 1.30% FOR 1994, 1.55% FOR 1995, AND 1.60% FOR 1996; WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 2.05% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1991, 2.05% FOR 1992, 2.11%
FOR 1993, 2.01% FOR 1994, 2.22% FOR 1995, AND 2.31% FOR 1996; WITH RESPECT TO
CLASS C SHARES, 2.11% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1993, 1.99% FOR 1994, 2.24% FOR 1995,
AND 2.30% FOR 1996. IF NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME HAD NOT BORNE INTEREST
EXPENSES, THE RATIO OF EXPENSES (NET OF INTEREST EXPENSES) TO AVERAGE NET
ASSETS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 1.66% (ANNUALIZED) FOR
1992, 1.33% FOR 1993, 1.37% FOR 1994, 1.51% FOR 1995, 1.41% FOR 1996 AND 1.41%
(ANNUALIZED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAY 31, 1997; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES,
2.35% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992, 2.04% FOR 1993, 2.07% FOR 1994, 2.22% FOR 1995,
2.12% FOR 1996 AND 2.12% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAY 31, 1997; AND
WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 2.04% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1993, 2.06% FOR 1994,
2.21% FOR 1995, 2.12% FOR 1996, AND 2.12% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAY
31, 1997.

(G) INCLUDES LOAN FEES. IF MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY HAD NOT INCURRED LOAN FEES,
THE RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 11.65% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1991, 11.78% FOR 1992 AND
9.73% FOR 1993; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 10.88% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1991,
11.02% FOR 1992 AND 8.99% FOR 1993; AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 7.50%
(ANNUALIZED) FOR 1993.

(H) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING.


14



                                   GLOSSARY
_______________________________________________________________________________

The following terms are frequently used in this Prospectus. Many of these terms
are explained in greater detail under "Description of the Funds-Additional
Investment Practices" and in Appendix A.

BONDS are fixed, floating and variable rate debt obligations.

DEBT SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, bills and repurchase agreements.

FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES are debt securities, convertible securities and
preferred stocks and include floating rate and variable rate instruments.
Fixed-income securities may be rated (or if unrated, for purposes of the Funds'
investment policies may be determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality
to those rated) TRIPLE-A (Aaa or AAA), HIGH QUALITY (Aa or AA or above), HIGH
GRADE (A or above) or INVESTMENT GRADE (Baa or BBB or above) by, as the case
may be, Moody's, S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or may be lower-rated securities,
as defined below. In the case of "split-rated" fixed-income securities (i.e.,
securities assigned non-equivalent credit quality ratings, such as Baa by
Moody's but BB by S&P, or, to take another example, Ba by Moody's and BB by S&P
but B by Fitch), a Fund will use the rating deemed by Alliance to be the most
appropriate under the circumstances.

LOWER-RATED SECURITIES are fixed-income securities rated Ba or BB or below, or
determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality, and are commonly referred
to as "junk bonds."

EQUITY SECURITIES are common and preferred stocks, securities convertible into
common and preferred stocks, and rights and warrants to subscribe for the
purchase of common and preferred stocks.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, corporate notes and preferred
stocks that are convertible into common and preferred stock.

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. These securities include
securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, those
supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and those
backed only by the credit of the issuing agency itself. The first category
includes U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES (which are U.S. Treasury bills, notes and
bonds) and certificates issued by GNMA (see below). U.S. Government securities
not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include
certificates issued by FNMA and FHLMC (see below).

MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES are pools of mortgage loans that are assembled for
sale to investors (such as mutual funds) by various governmental,
government-related and private organizations. These securities include:

   ARMS, which are adjustable-rate mortgage securities;
   SMRS, which are stripped mortgage-related securities;
   CMOS, which are collateralized mortgage obligations;
   GNMA CERTIFICATES, which are securities issued by the Government National
   Mortgage Association;
   FNMA CERTIFICATES, which are securities issued by the Federal National
   Mortgage Association; and
   FHLMC CERTIFICATES, which are securities issued by the Federal Home Loan
   Mortgage Corporation.

INTEREST-ONLY or IO securities are debt securities that receive only the
interest payments on an underlying debt that has been structured to have two
classes, one of which is the IO class and the other of which is the
PRINCIPAL-ONLY or PO class, which class receives only the principal payments on
the underlying debt obligation. POs are similar to, and are sometimes referred
to as, ZERO COUPON SECURITIES, which are debt securities issued without
interest coupons.

FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed, as to
payment of principal and interest, by a foreign government or any of its
political subdivisions, authorities, agencies or instrumentalities.

SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS are foreign government debt securities, loan
participations between foreign governments and financial institutions and
interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring
the investment characteristics of foreign government securities.

WORLD BANK is the commonly used name for the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development.

LIBOR is the London Interbank Offered Rate.

NRSRO is a nationally recognized securities rating organization.

MOODY'S is Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

S&P is Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

DUFF & PHELPS is Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.

FITCH is Fitch Investors Service, L.P.

PRIME COMMERCIAL PAPER is commercial paper rated Prime-1 or higher by Moody's,
A-1 or higher by S&P, Fitch-1 by Fitch or Duff 1 by Duff & Phelps. HIGHER
QUALITY COMMERCIAL PAPER is commercial paper rated at least Prime-2 by Moody's,
A-2 by S&P, Fitch-2 by Fitch or Duff 2 by Duff & Phelps.

QUALIFYING BANK DEPOSITS are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of banks having total assets of more than $1
billion and which are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

RULE 144A SECURITIES are securities that may be resold pursuant to Rule 144A
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT").

1940 ACT is the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

CODE is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

COMMISSION is the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EXCHANGE is the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.


15



                           DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS
_______________________________________________________________________________

Except as noted, (i) the Funds' investment objectives are "fundamental" and
cannot be changed without a shareholder vote, and (ii) the Funds' investment
policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a shareholder
vote. No Fund will change a non-fundamental objective or policy without
notifying its shareholders. There is no guarantee that any Fund will achieve
its investment objective.


INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS
The U.S. Government Funds are diversified investment companies that have been
designed to offer investors high current income consistent with preservation of
capital by investing primarily in U.S. Government securities.

ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund ("Short-Term U.S. Government") seeks
high current income consistent with preservation of capital by investing
primarily in a portfolio of U.S. Government securities. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund maintains an average dollar-weighted portfolio maturity
of not more than three years and invests at least 65% of its total assets in
U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements and forward commitments
relating to U.S. Government securities. In periods of rising interest rates the
Fund may, to the extent it invests in mortgage-related securities, be subject
to the risk that its average dollar-weighted portfolio maturity may be extended
as a result of lower than anticipated prepayment rates. See "Additional
Investment Practices-Mortgage-Related Securities." The Fund's investment
objective is not fundamental.

In addition to investing in U.S. Government securities, the Fund may invest a
portion of its assets in securities of non-governmental issuers. Although these
investments will be of high quality at the time of purchase, they generally
involve higher levels of credit risk than do U.S. Government securities, as
well as the risk (present with all fixed-income securities) of fluctuations in
value as interest rates change. The Fund will not be obligated to dispose of
any security whose credit quality falls below high quality.

The Fund may also (i) invest in certain SMRS, (ii) invest in variable, floating
and inverse floating rate instruments, (iii) make short sales "against the
box," (iv) enter into various hedging transactions, such as interest rate
swaps, caps and floors, (v) enter into reverse repurchase agreements, (vi)
purchase and sell futures contracts for hedging purposes, (vii) purchase and
sell call and put options on futures contracts or on securities, for hedging
purposes or to earn additional income, (viii) make secured loans of portfolio
securities, (ix) enter into repurchase agreements, and (x) purchase securities
for future delivery. The Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets
in securities the disposition of which is restricted under Federal securities
laws (excluding, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Rule 144A
securities). For additional information on the use, risks and costs of these
practices, see "Additional Investment Practices."

U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
U.S. Government Portfolio ("U.S. Government") seeks as high a level of current
income as is consistent with safety of principal. As a matter of fundamental
policy, the Fund pursues its objective by investing solely in U.S. Government
securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
These include U.S. Treasury securities, including zero coupon Treasury
securities, and GNMA certificates, including certain SMRS and variable and
floating rate instruments. The average weighted maturity of the Fund's
portfolio of U.S. Government securities is expected to vary between one year or
less and 30 years. For additional information on the use, risks and cost of
these practices, see "Additional Investment Practices." The Fund's investment
objective is not fundamental.

Counsel to the Fund has advised the Fund that, in their view, shares of the
Fund are a legal investment for, among other investors, (i) savings and loan
associations and commercial banks chartered under the laws of the United
States, (ii) savings and loan associations chartered under the laws of
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut*, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii*,
Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota*, Texas, Utah and Virginia, (iii)
credit unions chartered under the laws of California, Florida*, Georgia,
Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland*, Nevada*, New Hampshire, Ohio*, Oregon*,
Pennsylvania*, South Carolina, Utah, Washington and West Virginia, and (iv)
commercial banks chartered under the laws of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Connecticut*, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii*, Idaho,
Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
Mexico, New York, North Carolina*, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas,
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Institutions in
the asterisked(*) states should obtain prior state regulatory approval before
investing in shares of the Fund. In addition, the Fund believes that it is
currently a legal investment for savings and loan associations, credit unions
and commercial banks chartered under the laws of certain other states.

ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc. ("Limited Maturity Government")
seeks the highest level of current income, consistent with low volatility of
net asset value. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund normally has at
least 65% of the value of its total assets invested in U.S. Government
securities, including mortgage-related securities, and repurchase agreements
relating to U.S. Government securities. For a description of these securities,
see "Additional Investment Practices."


16



In pursuing its investment objective and policies, the Fund takes advantage of
a wide range of maturities of debt securities and adjusts the dollar-weighted
average maturity of its portfolio from time to time, depending on its
assessment of relative yields on securities of different maturities and the
expected effect of future changes in interest rates on the market value of the
Fund's portfolio. At all times, however, each security held by the Fund has
either a remaining maturity of not more than ten years or a duration not
exceeding that of a ten-year Treasury note. Duration is a measure that relates
the price volatility of a security to changes in interest rates. The duration
of a debt security is the weighted average term to maturity, expressed in
years, of the present value of all future cash flows, including coupon payments
and principal repayments. Thus, by definition, duration is always less than or
equal to full maturity.

The Fund believes that because of the nature of its assets, it is not exposed
to any material risk of loss as a result of default on its portfolio
securities. The Fund is, however, exposed to the risk that the prices of such
securities will fluctuate, in some cases significantly, as interest rates
change.

The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in (i) high quality
asset-backed securities, including mortgage-related securities that are not
U.S. Government securities, (ii) Treasury securities issued by private
corporate issuers, (iii) certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of domestic and foreign banks having total
assets of more than $1 billion, (iv) higher quality commercial paper or, if not
rated, issued by companies that have high quality debt issues outstanding and
(v) high quality debt securities of corporate issuers.

The Fund may also (i) enter into futures contracts and purchase and write
options on futures contracts, (ii) enter into forward commitments for the
purchase or sale of securities, (iii) enter into interest rate swaps, caps and
floors, (iv) invest in Eurodollar instruments, (v) purchase and write put and
call options on foreign currencies, (vi) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments, (vii) enter into repurchase agreements
pertaining to the types of securities in which it invests, (viii) use reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls and (ix) make secured loans of its
portfolio securities. For additional information on the use, risks and costs of
these investment practices, see "Additional Investment Practices."

The Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its total assets in debt
securities denominated in U.S. Dollars or in foreign currencies and issued or
guaranteed by foreign governments or issued by foreign non-governmental
issuers, provided that such foreign debt securities are of high quality. The
percentage of the Fund's assets invested in foreign debt securities will vary
and its portfolio of foreign debt securities may include those of a number of
foreign countries or, depending upon market conditions, those of a single
country. See "Risk Considerations-Foreign Investment."


MORTGAGE FUND

ALLIANCE MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc. ("Mortgage Securities Income")
is a diversified investment company that seeks a high level of current income
to the extent consistent with prudent investment risk. The Fund invests
primarily in a diversified portfolio of mortgage-related securities, including
CMOs, and, as a matter of fundamental policy, maintains at least 65% of its
total assets in mortgage-related securities.

The Fund expects that governmental, government-related or private entities may
create mortgage loan pools offering pass-through investments in addition to
those described in this Prospectus. The mortgages underlying these securities
may be instruments whose principal or interest payments may vary or whose terms
to maturity may differ from customary long-term fixed-rate mortgages. As new
types of mortgage-related securities are developed and offered to investors,
the Fund will consider making investments in such new types of securities. The
Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in lower-rated mortgage-related
securities. See "Risk Considerations-Securities Ratings" and "-Investment in
Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities." The average weighted maturity of the
Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is expected to vary between two and
ten years.

The Fund may invest up to 35% of the value of its total assets in (i) U.S.
Government securities, (ii) qualifying bank deposits, (iii) prime commercial
paper or, if not rated, issued by companies which have an outstanding high
quality debt issue, (iv) high grade debt securities secured by mortgages on
commercial real estate or residential rental properties, and (v) high grade
asset-backed securities.

The Fund may also (i) invest in repurchase agreements pertaining to the types
of securities in which it invests, (ii) enter into forward commitments for the
purchase or sale of securities, (iii) purchase put and call options written by
others and write covered put and call options on the types of securities in
which the Fund may invest for hedging purposes, (iv) enter into interest rate
swaps, caps and floors, (v) enter into interest rate futures contracts, (vi)
invest in variable floating and inverse floating rate instruments, and (vii)
lend portfolio securities. The Fund will not invest in illiquid securities if,
as a result, more than 10% of its total assets would be illiquid. For
additional information on the use, risk and costs of these practices, see
"Additional Investment Practices."


MULTI-MARKET FUNDS

The Multi-Market Funds are non-diversified investment companies that have been
designed to offer investors a higher yield than a money market fund and less
fluctuation in net asset value than a longer-term bond fund.


17



ALLIANCE WORLD INCOME TRUST

ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST

ALLIANCE MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST

Alliance World Income Trust, Inc. ("World Income"), Alliance Short-Term
Multi-Market Trust, Inc. ("Short-Term Multi-Market") and Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy Trust, Inc. ("Multi-Market Strategy") each seek the highest level of
current income, consistent with what Alliance considers to be prudent
investment risk, that is available from a portfolio of high quality debt
securities having remaining maturities of not more than, with respect to WORLD
INCOME, one year, with respect to SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, three years, and
with respect to MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, five years. Each Fund seeks high current
yields by investing in a portfolio of debt securities denominated in the U.S.
Dollar and selected foreign currencies. The Multi-Market Funds seek investment
opportunities in foreign, as well as domestic, securities markets. WORLD
INCOME, which is not a money market fund, will maintain at least 35% of its net
assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities. SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET will
normally maintain a substantial portion of its assets in debt securities
denominated in foreign currencies, but will invest at least 25% of its net
assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities. MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY normally
expects to maintain at least 70% of its assets in debt securities denominated
in foreign currencies.

In pursuing their investment objectives, the Multi-Market Funds seek to
minimize credit risk and fluctuations in net asset value by investing only in
short-term debt securities. Normally, a high proportion of these Funds'
portfolios consists of money market instruments. Alliance actively manages the
Multi-Market Funds' portfolios in accordance with a multi-market investment
strategy, allocating a Fund's investments among securities denominated in the
U.S. Dollar and the currencies of a number of foreign countries and, within
each such country, among different types of debt securities. Alliance adjusts
each Multi-Market Fund's exposure to each currency such that the percentage of
assets invested in securities of a particular country or denominated in a
particular currency varies in accordance with Alliance's assessment of the
relative yield and appreciation potential of such securities and the relative
strength of a country's currency. Fundamental economic strength, credit quality
and interest rate trends are the principal factors considered by Alliance in
determining whether to increase or decrease the emphasis placed upon a
particular type of security or industry sector within a Fund's investment
portfolio. None of the Multi-Market Funds invests more than 25% of its net
assets in debt securities denominated in a single currency other than the U.S.
Dollar.

The returns available from short-term foreign currency-denominated debt
instruments can be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. Alliance
believes that the use of foreign currency hedging techniques, including
"cross-hedges" (see "Additional Investment Practices-Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts"), can help protect against declines in the U.S. Dollar
value of income available for distribution to shareholders and declines in the
net asset value of a Fund's shares resulting from adverse changes in currency
exchange rates. For example, the return available from securities denominated
in a particular foreign currency would diminish in the event the value of the
U.S. Dollar increased against such currency. Such a decline could be partially
or completely offset by an increase in value of a cross-hedge involving a
forward exchange contract to sell a different foreign currency, where such
contract is available on terms more advantageous to a Fund than a contract to
sell the currency in which the position being hedged is denominated. It is
Alliance's belief that cross-hedges can therefore provide significant
protection of net asset value in the event of a general rise in the U.S. Dollar
against foreign currencies. However, a cross-hedge cannot protect against
exchange rate risks perfectly, and if Alliance is incorrect in its judgment of
future exchange rate relationships, a Fund could be in a less advantageous
position than if such a hedge had not been established.

Each Multi-Market Fund invests in debt securities denominated in the currencies
of countries whose governments are considered stable by Alliance. In addition
to the U.S. Dollar, such currencies include, among others, the Australian
Dollar, Austrian Schilling, British Pound Sterling, Canadian Dollar, Danish
Krone, Dutch Guilder, European Currency Unit ("ECU"), French Franc, Irish
Pound, Italian Lira, Japanese Yen, Mexican Peso, New Zealand Dollar, Norwegian
Krone, Spanish Peseta, Swedish Krona, Swiss Franc and German Mark.

An issuer of debt securities purchased by a Multi-Market Fund may be domiciled
in a country other than the country in whose currency the instrument is
denominated. In addition, the Funds may purchase debt securities (sometimes
referred to as "linked" securities) that are denominated in one currency while
the principal amounts of, and value of interest payments on, such securities
are determined with reference to another currency. In this regard, as of the
date of this Prospectus each Fund has invested in U.S. Dollar denominated
securities issued by Mexican issuers and/or Peso-linked securities. The value
of these investments may fluctuate inversely in correlation with changes in the
Peso-U.S. Dollar exchange rate and with the general level of interest rates in
Mexico. For a general description of Mexico, see Appendix B and each
Multi-Market Fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Each Multi-Market Fund may invest in debt securities denominated in the ECU,
which is a "basket" consisting of specified amounts of the currencies of
certain of the member states of the European Union, a fifteen-nation
organization engaged in cooperative economic activities. The specific amounts
of currencies comprising the ECU may be adjusted by the Council of Ministers of
the European Union to reflect changes in relative values of the underlying
currencies.

Each Multi-Market Fund may invest in debt securities issued by supranational
organizations including the World Bank, which was chartered to finance
development projects in developing member countries; the European Union; the
European Coal and Steel Community, which is an economic union of various
European nations' steel and coal industries; and the Asian


18



Development Bank, which is an international development bank established to
lend funds, promote investment and provide technical assistance to member
nations in the Asian and Pacific regions.

Each Multi-Market Fund seeks to minimize investment risk by limiting its
portfolio investments to debt securities of high quality, and WORLD INCOME will
invest 65% (and normally substantially all) of its total assets in high quality
income-producing debt securities. Accordingly, the Multi-Market Funds'
portfolio securities will consist of (i) U.S. Government securities, (ii) high
quality foreign government securities, (iii) obligations issued by
supranational entities and corporate debt securities having a triple-A rating,
with respect to WORLD INCOME, or a high quality rating, with respect to
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET and MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, (iv) certificates of deposit
and bankers' acceptances issued or guaranteed by, or time deposits maintained
at, banks (including foreign branches of foreign banks) having total assets of
more than $1 billion, with respect to WORLD INCOME, or $500 million, with
respect to SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET and MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, and determined by
Alliance to be of high quality, and (v) prime commercial paper or unrated
commercial paper determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality and issued
by U.S. or foreign companies having outstanding: in the case of WORLD INCOME,
triple-A debt securities; in the case of MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, high quality
debt securities; and in the case of SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, high grade debt
securities.

As a matter of fundamental policy, each Multi-Market Fund concentrates at least
25% of its total assets in debt instruments issued by domestic and foreign
companies engaged in the banking industry, including bank holding companies.
Such investments may include certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers'
acceptances, and obligations issued by bank holding companies, as well as
repurchase agreements entered into with banks (as distinct from non-banks) in
accordance with the policies set forth with respect to the Funds in "Additional
Investment Practices-Repurchase Agreements." See "Risk
Considerations-Investment in the Banking Industry."

Each Multi-Market Fund may also (i) invest in indexed commercial paper, (ii)
enter into futures contracts and purchase and write options on futures
contracts, (iii) purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies,
(iv) purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts, (v) with
respect to SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET and MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, enter into
interest rate swaps, caps and floors, (vi) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments, (vii) make secured loans of its portfolio
securities, and (viii) enter into repurchase agreements. A Multi-Market Fund
will not invest in illiquid securities if, as a result, more than 10% of its
assets would be so invested. For additional information on the use, risks and
costs of these practices, see "Additional Investment Practices." MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY maintains borrowings of approximately 25% of its total assets less
liabilities (other than the amount borrowed). See "Risk Considerations-Effects
of Borrowing."


GLOBAL BOND FUNDS

The Global Bond Funds are non-diversified investment companies that have been
designed to offer investors a high level of current income through investments
primarily in foreign government securities.

ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc. ("North American
Government Income") seeks the highest level of current income, consistent with
what Alliance considers to be prudent investment risk, that is available from a
portfolio of debt securities issued or guaranteed by the United States, Canada
and Mexico, their political subdivisions (including Canadian provinces but
excluding states of the United States), agencies, instrumentalities or
authorities ("Government securities"). The Fund invests in investment grade
securities denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the Canadian Dollar and the Mexican
Peso and expects to maintain at least 25% of its assets in securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 25% of
its total assets in debt securities issued by governmental entities of
Argentina ("Argentine Government securities"). The Fund expects that it will
not retain a debt security which is down graded below BBB or Baa, or, if
unrated, determined by Alliance to have undergone similar credit quality
deterioration, subsequent to purchase by the Fund. There may be circumstances,
however, such as the downgrading to below investment grade of all of the
securities of a governmental issuer in one of the countries in which the Fund
has substantial investments, under which the Fund, after considering all the
circumstances, would conclude that it is in the best interests of the
shareholders to retain its holdings in securities of that issuer. The average
weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is
expected to vary between one year or less and 30 years.

Alliance believes that the increasingly integrated economic relationship among
the United States, Canada and Mexico, characterized by the reduction and
projected elimination of most barriers to free trade among the three nations
and the growing coordination of their fiscal and monetary policies, will over
the long term benefit the economic performance of all three countries and
promote greater correlation of currency fluctuation among the U.S. and Canadian
Dollars and the Mexican Peso. See, however, Appendix B and the Fund's Statement
of Additional Information with respect to the current state of the Mexican
economy.

Alliance will actively manage the Fund's assets in relation to market
conditions and general economic conditions and adjust the Fund's investments in
an effort to best enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective. Thus,
the percentage of the Fund's assets invested in a particular country or
denominated in a particular currency will vary in accordance with Alliance's
assessment of the relative yield and appreciation potential of such securities
and the relationship of the country's currency to the U.S. Dollar. The Fund
invests at least, and normally substantially more than, 65% of its total assets
in Government securities. To the extent that its assets are not invested in
Government securities, however, the Fund may invest the


19



balance of its total assets in investment grade debt securities issued by the
governments of countries located in Central and South America or any of their
political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, provided
that such securities are denominated in their local currencies. The Fund will
not invest more than 10% of its total assets in debt securities issued by the
governmental entities of any one such country, except that the Fund may invest
up to 25% of its total assets in Argentine Government securities. The Fund will
normally invest at least 65% of its total assets in income-producing
securities. For a general description of Canada, Mexico and Argentina, see
Appendix B and the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Canadian Government securities include the sovereign debt of Canada or any of
its provinces and Government of Canada bonds and Government of Canada Treasury
bills. Canada Treasury bills are debt obligations with maturities of less than
one year. A new issue of Government of Canada bonds frequently consists of
several different bonds with maturities ranging from one to 25 years.

All Canadian provinces have outstanding bond issues and several provinces also
guarantee bond issues of provincial authorities, agents and Crown corporations.
Each new issue yield is based upon a spread from an outstanding Government of
Canada issue of comparable term and coupon. Many Canadian municipalities,
municipal financial authorities and Crown corporations raise funds through the
bond market in order to finance capital expenditures. Unlike U.S. municipal
securities, which have special tax status, Canadian municipal securities have
the same tax status as other Canadian Government securities and trade similarly
to such securities. The Canadian municipal market may be less liquid than the
provincial bond market.

Canadian Government securities in which the Fund may invest include a modified
pass-through vehicle issued pursuant to the program established under the
National Housing Act of Canada. Certificates issued pursuant to this program
benefit from the guarantee of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, a
federal Crown corporation that is (except for certain limited purposes) an
agency of the Government of Canada whose guarantee is an unconditional
obligation of the Government of Canada in most circumstances (similar to that
of GNMA in the United States).

Mexican Government securities denominated and payable in the Mexican Peso
include (i) Cetes, which are book-entry securities sold directly by the Mexican
Government on a discount basis and with maturities that range from seven to 364
days, (ii) Bonds, which are long-term development bonds issued directly by the
Mexican Government with a minimum term of 364 days, and (iii) Ajustabonos,
which are adjustable-rate bonds with a minimum three-year term issued directly
by the Mexican Government with the face amount adjusted each quarter by the
quarterly inflation rate.

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in Argentine Government
securities that are denominated and payable in the Argentine Peso. Argentine
Government securities include (i) Bono de Inversion y Crecimiento ("BIC"),
which are investment and growth bonds issued directly by the Argentine
Government with maturities of up to ten years, (ii) Bono de Consolidacion
Economica ("BOCON"), which are economic consolidation bonds issued directly by
the Argentine Government with maturities of up to ten years and (iii) Bono de
Credito a la Exportacion ("BOCREX"), which are export credit bonds issued
directly by the Argentine government with maturities of up to four years.
Although not all Argentine Government securities are rated investment grade
quality by S&P, Moody's, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, Alliance believes that there
are unrated Argentine Government securities that are of investment grade
quality.

The Fund may also (i) enter into futures contracts and purchase and write
options on futures contracts for hedging purposes, (ii) purchase and write put
and call options on foreign currencies, (iii) purchase or sell forward foreign
currency exchange contracts, (iv) write covered put and call options and
purchase put and call options on U.S. Government and foreign government
securities traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges, and write put and
call options for cross-hedging purposes, (v) enter into interest rate swaps,
caps and floors, (vi) enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale
of securities, (vii) invest in variable, floating and inverse floating rate
instruments, (viii) make secured loans of its portfolio securities, and (ix)
enter into repurchase agreements. The Fund will not invest in illiquid
securities if, as a result, 10% of its net assets would be so invested. For
additional information on the use, risks and costs of these practices, see
"Additional Investment Practices." The Fund also maintains borrowings of
approximately one-third of the Fund's total assets less liabilities (other than
the amount borrowed). See "Risk Considerations-Effects of Borrowing."


ALLIANCE GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND

Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc. ("Global Dollar Government") seeks
primarily a high level of current income, and secondarily capital appreciation.
In seeking to achieve these objectives, the Fund invests at least 65% of its
total assets in sovereign debt obligations. The Fund's investments in sovereign
debt obligations will emphasize obligations of a type customarily referred to
as "Brady Bonds" that are issued as part of debt restructurings and that are
collateralized in full as to principal due at maturity by zero coupon U.S.
Government securities ("collateralized Brady Bonds"). See "Additional
Investment Practices-Brady Bonds" and "Risk Considerations-Sovereign Debt
Obligations." The Fund may also invest up to 35% of its total assets in U.S.
and non-U.S. corporate fixed-income securities. See "Risk Considerations-U.S.
Corporate Fixed-Income Securities." The Fund will limit its investments in
sovereign debt obligations and U.S. and non-U.S. corporate fixed-income
securities to U.S. Dollar-denominated securities. Alliance expects that, based
upon current market conditions, the Fund's portfolio of U.S. fixed-income
securities will have an average maturity range of approximately nine to 15
years and the Fund's portfolio of non-U.S. fixed-income securities will have an
average maturity range of approximately 15 to 25 years. Alliance anticipates
that the Fund's portfolio of sovereign debt obligations will have a longer
average maturity.


20



Substantially all of the Fund's assets will be invested in lower-rated
securities, which may include securities having the lowest rating for
non-subordinated debt instruments (i.e., rated C by Moody's or CCC or lower by
S&P, Duff & Phelps and Fitch) and unrated securities of comparable investment
quality. These securities are considered to have extremely poor prospects of
ever attaining any real investment standing, to have a current identifiable
vulnerability to default, to be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest
and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or
economic conditions, and/or to be in default or not current in the payment of
interest or principal. For a description of bond ratings, see Appendix A. The
Fund may also invest in investment grade securities. Unrated securities will be
considered for investment by the Fund when Alliance believes that the financial
condition of the issuers of such obligations and the protection afforded by the
terms of the obligations themselves limit the risk to the Fund to a degree
comparable to that of rated securities which are consistent with the Fund's
investment objectives and policies. As of August 31, 1997, the percentages of
the Fund's assets invested in securities rated (or considered by Alliance to be
of equivalent quality to securities rated) in particular rating categories were
5% in A and above, 67% in Ba or BB, 9% in B, 2% in CCC and 5% in non-rated. See
"Risk Considerations-Securities Ratings," "-Investment in Fixed-Income
Securities Rated Baa and BBB," "-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income
Securities" and Appendix A.

With respect to its investments in sovereign debt obligations and non-U.S.
corporate fixed-income securities, the Fund will emphasize investments in
countries that are considered at the time of purchase to be emerging or
developing countries by the World Bank. A substantial part of the Fund's
investment focus is expected to be in securities or obligations of Argentina,
Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Russia and Venezuela because these
countries are now, or are expected by Alliance at a future date to be, the
principal participants in debt restructuring programs (including, in the case
of Argentina, Mexico, the Philippines and Venezuela, issuers of currently
outstanding Brady Bonds) that, in Alliance's opinion, will provide the most
attractive investment opportunities for the Fund. Alliance anticipates that
other countries that will provide investment opportunities for the Fund
include, among others, Bolivia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
Jordan, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Poland, Thailand, Turkey and Uruguay. See
"Additional Investment Practices-Brady Bonds."

The Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in the sovereign debt
obligations and corporate fixed-income securities of issuers in any one of
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Russia or Venezuela, each
of which is an emerging market country, and the Fund will limit investments in
the sovereign debt obligations of each such country (or of any other single
foreign country) to less than 25% of its total assets. The Fund expects that it
will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in the sovereign debt
obligations and corporate fixed-income securities of issuers in any other
single foreign country and is not required to invest any minimum amount of its
assets in the securities or obligations of issuers located in any particular
country.

A substantial portion of the Fund's investments will be in (i) securities which
were initially issued at discounts from their face values ("Discount
Obligations") and (ii) securities purchased by the Fund at a price less than
their stated face amount or, in the case of Discount Obligations, at a price
less than their issue price plus the portion of "original issue discount"
previously accrued thereon, i.e., purchased at a "market discount."

The Fund may also (i) invest in structured securities, (ii) invest in fixed and
floating rate loans that are arranged through private negotiations between an
issuer of sovereign debt obligations and one or more financial institutions and
in participations in and assignments of these types of loans, (iii) invest in
other investment companies, (iv) invest in warrants, (v) enter into interest
rate swaps, caps and floors, (vi) enter into forward commitments for the
purchase or sale of securities, (vii) make secured loans of its portfolio
securities, (viii) enter into repurchase agreements pertaining to the types of
securities in which it invests, (ix) use reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls, (x) enter into standby commitment agreements, (xi) make short
sales of securities or maintain a short position, (xii) write put and call
options on securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and write
call options for cross-hedging purposes, (xiii) purchase and sell
exchange-traded options on any securities index composed of the types of
securities in which it may invest, and (xiv) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments. The Fund may also at any time, with respect
to up to 35% of its total assets, temporarily invest funds awaiting
reinvestment or held for reserves for dividends and other distributions to
shareholders in U.S. Dollar-denominated money market instruments. For
additional information on the use, risks and costs of these practices, see
"Additional Investment Practices." While the Fund does not currently intend to
do so, it reserves the right to borrow an amount not to exceed one-third of the
Fund's assets less liabilities (other than the amount borrowed). See "Risk
Considerations-Effects of Borrowing."


ALLIANCE GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST

Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc. ("Global Strategic Income") is a
non-diversified investment company that seeks primarily a high level of current
income and secondarily capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its investment
objectives by investing primarily in a portfolio of fixed-income securities of
U.S. and non-U.S. companies and U.S. Government and foreign government
securities and supranational entities, including lower-rated securities. The
Fund may also use derivative instruments to attempt to enhance income. The
average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is
expected to vary between five years and 30 years in accordance with Alliance's
changing perceptions of the relative attractiveness of various maturity ranges.


21



Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the value of the Fund's total
assets will be invested in the fixed-income securities of issuers located in
three countries, one of which may be the United States. No more than 25% of the
value of its total assets, however, will be invested in the securities of any
one foreign government. U.S. Government securities in which the Fund may invest
include mortgage-related securities and zero coupon securities. Fixed-income
securities in which the Fund may invest include preferred stock,
mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, and zero coupon securities.
The Fund may also invest in rights and warrants (for debt securities or for
equity securities that are acquired in connection with debt instruments), and
loan participations and assignments.

The Fund will maintain at least 65% of the value of its total assets in
investment grade securities and may maintain not more than 35% of the value of
its total assets in lower-rated securities. See "Risk Considerations-Securities
Ratings" and "-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities." Unrated
securities will be considered for investment by the Fund when Alliance believes
that the financial condition of the issuers of such obligations and the
protection afforded by the terms of the obligations themselves limit the risk
to the Fund to a degree comparable to that of rated securities which are
consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and policies. Lower-rated
securities in which the Fund may invest include Brady Bonds and fixed-income
securities of issuers located in emerging markets. There is no minimum rating
requirement applicable to the Fund's investments in lower-rated fixed-income
securities.

The Fund may also: (i) invest in foreign currencies, (ii) purchase and write
put and call options on securities and foreign currencies, (iii) purchase or
sell forward foreign exchange contracts, (iv) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments, (v) invest in indexed commercial paper, (vi)
invest in structured securities, (vii) lend portfolio securities amounting to
not more than 25% of its total assets, (viii) enter into repurchase agreements
pertaining to the types of securities in which it invests, (ix) use reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls, (x) purchase and sell securities on a
forward commitment basis, (xi) enter into standby commitments, (xii) enter into
contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of fixed-income
securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial indices,
including any index of U.S. Government securities, foreign government
securities or common stock, and purchase and write options on futures
contracts, (xiii) invest in Eurodollar instruments, (xiv) enter into interest
rate swaps, caps and floors, and (xv) make short sales of securities or
maintain a short position. For additional information on the use, risks and
costs of these policies and practices see "Additional Investment Practices" and
"Risk Consideration." The Fund may borrow in order to purchase securities or
make other investments, although it currently intends to limit its ability to
borrow to an amount not to exceed 25% of its total assets. See "Risk
Considerations-Effects of Borrowing."


CORPORATE BOND FUNDS

CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
Corporate Bond Portfolio ("Corporate Bond") is a diversified investment company
that seeks primarily to maximize income over the long term consistent with
providing reasonable safety in the value of each shareholder's investment, and
secondarily to increase its capital through appreciation of its investments in
order to preserve and, if possible, increase the purchasing power of each
shareholder's investment. In pursuing these objectives, the Fund's policy is to
invest in readily marketable securities which give promise of relatively
attractive yields, but which do not involve substantial risk of loss of
capital. The Fund follows a policy of maintaining at least 65% of its net
assets invested in debt securities. Such objectives and policies cannot be
changed without the approval of the shareholders. Although the Fund also
follows a policy of maintaining at least 65% of its total assets invested in
corporate bonds, it is permitted to invest in securities of non-corporate
issuers.

The Fund follows an investment strategy which in certain respects can be
regarded as more aggressive than the strategies of many other funds investing
primarily in corporate bonds. In this regard, the Fund's investment portfolio
normally tends to have a relatively long average maturity and duration, and to
place significant emphasis on both foreign corporate and sovereign debt
obligations and corporate bonds that are expected to benefit from improvement
in their issuers' credit fundamentals. Consequently, in recent years the Fund
frequently has experienced greater net asset value volatility than most other
corporate bond funds. Prospective investors in the Fund should therefore be
prepared to accept the degree of volatility associated with its investment
strategy. See "Risk Considerations."

There is no minimum rating requirement applicable to the Fund's investments in
fixed-income securities, except the Fund expects that it will not retain a
security that is downgraded below B, or if unrated, determined by Alliance to
have undergone similar credit quality deterioration subsequent to purchase.
Currently, the Fund believes its objectives and policies may best be
implemented by investing at least 65% of its total assets in fixed-income
securities considered investment grade or higher. The remainder of the Fund's
assets may be invested in lower-rated fixed-income securities. See "Risk
Considerations-Securities Ratings," "-Investment in Fixed-Income Securities
Rated Baa and BBB," "-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities" and
Appendix A. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, on a weighted average
basis, the percentages of the Fund's assets invested in securities rated (or
considered by Alliance to be of equivalent quality to securities rated) in
particular rating categories were 29% in A and above, 41% in Baa or BBB, 14% in
Ba or BB, and 12% in B. The Fund did not invest in securities rated below B by
each of Moody's, S&P, Duff & Phelps and Fitch or, if not rated, considered by
Alliance to be of equivalent quality to securities so rated.

The Fund may invest up to 50% of the value of its total assets in foreign
debt securities which will consist primarily of corporate


22



fixed-income securities and sovereign debt obligations. Not more than 15% of
the Fund's total assets may be invested in  sovereign debt obligations in the
form of foreign government loan participations and assignments, which may be
lower rated and considered to be predominantly speculative as regards the
issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal. All of the Fund's
investments, whether foreign or domestic, are U.S. Dollar-denominated.

Within the foregoing limitations, the Fund has complete flexibility as to the
types of securities in which it will invest and the relative proportions
thereof, and the Fund plans to vary the proportions of its holdings of long-
and short-term fixed-income securities and of equity securities in order to
reflect its assessment of prospective cyclical changes even if such action may
adversely affect current income. However, substantially all of the Fund's
investments will be income producing. The average weighted maturity of the
Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is expected to vary between one
year or less and 30 years.

The Fund may also (i) invest in structured securities, (ii) invest in fixed and
floating rate loans that are arranged through private negotiations between an
issuer of sovereign debt obligations and one or more financial institutions and
in participations in and assignments of these type of loans, (iii) for hedging
purposes, purchase put and call options written by others and write covered put
and call options on the types of securities in which the Fund may invest, (iv)
for hedging purposes, enter into various hedging transactions, such as interest
rate swaps, caps and floors, (v) invest in variable, floating and inverse
floating rate instruments, (vi) invest in zero coupon and pay-in-kind
securities, and (vii) invest in CMOs and multi-class pass-through. As a matter
of fundamental policy, the Fund will not purchase illiquid securities. For
additional information on the use, risks and costs of these practices, see
"Additional Investment Practices."


ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND

ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC. ("High Yield") is a diversified management
investment company that seeks primarily to achieve high total return by
maximizing current income and, to the extent consistent with that objective,
capital appreciation. The Fund pursues this objective by investing
primarily in a diversified mix of high yield, below investment grade
fixed-income securities involving greater volatility of price and risk of
principal and income than higher quality fixed-income securities. The below
investment grade debt securities in which the Funds invest are known as
"junk bonds." The Fund is managed to maximize current income by taking
advantage of market developments, yield disparities and variations in the
creditworthiness of issuers. The Funds use various strategies in attempting
to achieve its objective.

Under normal circumstances, at least 65% of the Fund's total assets will be
invested in high yield fixed-income securities rated below investment grade by
two or more NRSROs (i.e., rated lower than Baa by Moody's or lower than BBB or
lower by S&P) or unrated but deemed by Alliance to be equivalent to such
lower-rated securities. The Fund will not, however, invest more than 10% of its
total assets in (i) fixed-income securities which are rated lower than B3 or B-
or their equivalents by two or more NRSROs or if unrated are of equivalent
quality as determined by Alliance, and (ii) money market instruments of any
entity which has an outstanding issue of unsecured debt that is rated lower
than B3 or B- or their equivalents by two or more NRSROs or if unrated is of
equivalent quality as determined by Alliance.

As of August 31, 1997, on a weighted average basis, the percentages of the
Fund's assets invested in securities rated (or considered by Alliance to be of
equivalent quality to securities rated) in particular rating categories were
12% in A and above, 3% in Ba or BB, 53% in B, 2% in CCC and 13% in unrated
securities. The Fund did not invest in securities rated below CCC by each of
Moody's, S&P, Duff & Phelps and Fitch or, if not rated, considered by
Alliance to be of equivalent quality to securities so rated.

Certain of the Fund's investments may be in fixed-income securities which
provide high current yields because of risks other than credit. For example,
the Fund may invest in securities which have prepayment risks, and non-U.S.
dollar denominated foreign securities, which have currency risks.

See Appendix A, "Bond Ratings," for a description of each rating category. In
the event that any securities held by the Fund fall below those ratings, the
Fund will not be obligated to dispose of such securities and may continue to
hold such securities if, in the opinion of Alliance, such investment is
considered appropriate under the circumstances.

A portion of the Fund's assets may be invested in foreign
securities, and the Fund may buy and sell foreign currencies principally for
the purpose of preserving the value of foreign securities or in anticipation of
purchasing foreign securities. See "Risk Considerations-Foreign Investment" and
"-Currency Considerations."

In addition, and although not to be emphasized, in furtherance of its
investment objective, the Fund may (i) invest in mortgage-backed and
asset-backed securities, (ii) enter into repurchase agreements, (iii) invest in
loan participations and assignments of loans to corporate, governmental, or
other borrowers originally made by institutional lenders or lending syndicates,
(iv) enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities and
purchase and sell securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, (v)
write covered put and call options on fixed-income securities, securities
indices and foreign currencies and purchase put or call options on fixed-income
securities, securities indices and foreign curencies, (vi) purchase and sell
futures contracts and related options on debt securities and on indices of debt
securities, (vii) enter into contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific
currency for hedging purposes only, and (viii) lend portfolio securities. For
additional information on the uses, risks and costs of these practices, see
"Additional Investment Practices."

In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may from time to time make investments
in (i) U.S. Government securities, (ii)


23



certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, bank notes, time deposits and
interest bearing savings deposits issued or guaranteed by certain domestic and
foreign banks, (iii) commercial paper (rated at least A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by
Moody's or, if not rated, issued by domestic or foreign companies having high
quality outstanding debt securities) and participation interests in loans
extended by banks to such companies, (iv) corporate debt obligations with
remaining maturities of less than one year rated at least high quality as well
as corporate debt obligations rated at least high grade provided the
corporation also has outstanding an issue of commercial paper rated at least
A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 Moody's, and (v) floating rate or master demand notes.


ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT PRACTICES

Some or all of the Funds may engage in the following investment practices to
the extent described in this Prospectus. See the Statement of Additional
Information of each Fund for a further discussion of the uses, risks and costs
of engaging in these practices.

DERIVATIVES. The Funds may use derivatives in furtherance of their investment
objectives. Derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is
derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. These
assets, rates, and indices may include bonds, stocks, mortgages, commodities,
interest rates, currency exchange rates, bond indices and stock indices.
Derivatives can be used to earn income or protect against risk, or both. For
example, one party with unwanted risk may agree to pass that risk to another
party who is willing to accept the risk, the second party being motivated, for
example, by the desire either to earn income in the form of a fee or premium
from the first party, or to reduce its own unwanted risk by attempting to pass
all or part of that risk to the first party.

Derivatives can be used by investors such as the Funds to earn income and
enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of a portfolio, and either
to replace more traditional direct investments or to obtain exposure to
otherwise inaccessible markets. Each of the Funds is permitted to use
derivatives for one or more of these purposes, although most of the Funds
generally use derivatives primarily as direct investments in order to enhance
yields and broaden portfolio diversification. Each of these uses entails
greater risk than if derivatives were used solely for hedging purposes.
Derivatives are a valuable tool which, when used properly, can provide
significant benefit to Fund shareholders. A Fund may take a significant
position in those derivatives that are within its investment policies if, in
Alliance's judgement, this represents the most effective response to current or
anticipated market conditions. The MULTI-MARKET FUNDS, HIGH YIELD and GLOBAL
STRATEGIC INCOME, in particular, generally make extensive use of carefully
selected forwards and other derivatives to achieve the currency hedging that is
an integral part of their investment strategy. Alliance's use of derivatives is
subject to continuous risk assessment and control from the standpoint of each
Fund's investment objectives and policies.

Derivatives may be (i) standardized, exchange-traded contracts or (ii)
customized, privately negotiated contracts. Exchange-traded derivatives tend to
be more liquid and subject to less credit risk than those that are privately
negotiated.

There are four principal types of derivative instruments-options, futures,
forwards and swaps-from which virtually any type of derivative transaction can
be created.

  OPTIONS-An option, which may be standardized and exchange-traded, or
customized and privately negotiated, is an agreement that, for a premium
payment or fee, gives the option holder (the buyer) the right but not the
obligation to buy or sell the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount
based on an underlying asset, rate or index) at a specified price (the exercise
price) during a period of time or on a specified date. A call option entitles
the holder to purchase, and a put option entitles the holder to sell, the
underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset,
rate or index). Likewise, when an option is exercised the writer of the option
is obligated to sell (in the case of a call option) or to purchase (in the case
of a put option) the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an
underlying asset, rate or index).

  FUTURES-A futures contract is an agreement that obligates the buyer to buy
and the seller to sell a specified quantity of an underlying asset (or settle
for cash the value of a contract based on an underlying asset, rate or index)
at a specific price on the contract maturity date. Futures contracts are
standardized, exchange-traded instruments and are fungible (i.e., considered to
be perfect substitutes for each other). This fungibility allows futures
contracts to be readily offset or cancelled through the acquisition of equal
but opposite positions, which is the primary method in which futures contracts
are liquidated. A cash-settled futures contract does not require physical
delivery of the underlying asset but instead is settled for cash equal to the
difference between the values of the contract on the date it is entered into
and its maturity date.

  FORWARDS-A forward contract is an obligation by one party to buy, and the
other party to sell, a specific quantity of an underlying commodity or other
tangible asset for an agreed upon price at a future date. Forward contracts are
customized, privately negotiated agreements designed to satisfy the objectives
of each party. A forward contract usually results in the delivery of the
underlying asset upon maturity of the contract in return for the agreed upon
payment.

  SWAPS-A swap is a customized, privately negotiated agreement that obligates
two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals (payment
dates) based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or
rates (interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps, currency exchange
rates in the case of currency swaps) for a specified amount of an underlying
asset (the "notional" principal amount). The payment flows are netted against
each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. Except
for currency swaps, the notional principal


24



amount is used solely to calculate the payment streams but is not exchanged.
With respect to currency swaps, actual principal amounts of currencies may be
exchanged by the counterparties at the initiation, and again upon the
termination, of the transaction.

Debt instruments that incorporate one or more of these building blocks for the
purpose of determining the principal amount of and/or rate of interest payable
on the debt instruments are often referred to as "structured securities." An
example of this type of structured security is indexed commercial paper. The
term is also used to describe certain securities issued in connection with the
restructuring of certain foreign obligations. See "Indexed Commercial Paper"
and "Structured Securities" below. The term "derivative" is also sometimes used
to describe securities involving rights to a portion of the cash flows from an
underlying pool of mortgages or other assets from which payments are passed
through to the owner of, or that collateralize, the securities. These
securities are described below under "Mortgage-Related Securities" and "Other
Asset-Backed Securities."

Derivatives involve risks different from, and, in certain cases, greater than,
the risks presented by more traditional investments. Following is a general
discussion of important risk factors and issues concerning the use of
derivatives that investors should understand before investing in a Fund.

  MARKET RISK-This is the general risk attendant to all investments that the
value of a particular investment will change in a way detrimental to the Fund's
interest.

  MANAGEMENT RISK-Derivative products are highly specialized instruments that
require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated
with stocks and bonds. The use of a derivative requires an understanding not
only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself, without
the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under all possible
market conditions. In particular, the use and complexity of derivatives require
the maintenance of adequate controls to monitor the transactions entered into,
the ability to assess the risk that a derivative adds to a Fund's portfolio,
and the ability to forecast price, interest rate or currency exchange rate
movements correctly.

  CREDIT RISK-This is the risk that a loss may be sustained by a Fund as a
result of the failure of another party to a derivative (usually referred to as
a "counterparty") to comply with the terms of the derivative contract. The
credit risk for exchange-traded derivatives is generally less than for
privately negotiated derivatives, since the clearing house, which is the issuer
or counterparty to each exchange-traded derivative, provides a guarantee of
performance. This guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e.,
margin requirements) operated by the clearing house in order to reduce overall
credit risk. For privately negotiated derivatives, there is no similar clearing
agency guarantee. Therefore, the Funds consider the creditworthiness of each
counterparty to a privately negotiated derivative in evaluating potential
credit risk.

  LIQUIDITY RISK-Liquidity risk exists when a particular instrument is
difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly
large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many privately
negotiated derivatives), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or
liquidate a position at an advantageous price.

  LEVERAGE RISK-Since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse
changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, rate or index can result
in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative
itself. In the case of swaps, the risk of loss generally is related to a
notional principal amount, even if the parties have not made any initial
investment. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss,
regardless of the size of the initial investment.

  OTHER RISKS-Other risks in using derivatives include the risk of mispricing
or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to
correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates and indices. Many
derivatives, in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and
often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash
payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a Fund.
Derivatives do not always perfectly or even highly correlate or track the value
of the assets, rates or indices they are designed to closely track.
Consequently, a Fund's use of derivatives may not always be an effective means
of, and sometimes could be counterproductive to, furthering the Fund's
investment objective.

DERIVATIVES USED BY THE FUNDS. Following is a description of specific
derivatives currently used by one or more of the Funds.

OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. In purchasing an option on securities, a Fund would be
in a position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the
underlying securities increased (in the case of a call) or decreased (in the
case of a put) by an amount in excess of the premium paid; otherwise the Fund
would experience a loss not greater than the premium paid for the option. Thus,
a Fund would realize a loss if the price of the underlying security declined or
remained the same (in the case of a call) or increased or remained the same (in
the case of a put) or otherwise did not increase (in the case of a put) or
decrease (in the case of a call) by more than the amount of the premium. If a
put or call option purchased by a Fund were permitted to expire without being
sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund.

A Fund may write a put or call option in return for a premium, which is
retained by the Fund whether or not the option is exercised. Except with
respect to uncovered call options written for cross-hedging purposes, none of
the Funds will write uncovered call or put options on securities. A call option
written by a Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security, has an
absolute and immediate right to acquire that security upon conversion or
exchange of another security it holds, or


25



holds a call option on the underlying security with an exercise price equal
to or less than that of the call option it has written. A put option written
by a Fund is covered if the Fund holds a put option on the underlying
securities with an exercise price equal to or greater than that of the put
option it has written.

The risk involved in writing an uncovered put option is that there could be a
decrease in the market value of the underlying securities. If this occurred, a
Fund could be obligated to purchase the underlying security at a higher price
than its current market value. Conversely, the risk involved in writing an
uncovered call option is that there could be an increase in the market value of
the underlying security, and a Fund could be obligated to acquire the
underlying security at its current price and sell it at a lower price. The risk
of loss from writing an uncovered put option is limited to the exercise price
of the option, whereas the risk of loss from writing an uncovered call option
is potentially unlimited.

A Fund may write a call option on a security that it does not own in order to
hedge against a decline in the value of a security that it owns or has the
right to acquire, a technique referred to as "cross-hedging." A Fund would
write a call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of writing a covered
call option, when the premium to be received from the cross-hedge transaction
exceeds that to be received from writing a covered call option, while at the
same time achieving the desired hedge. The correlation risk involved in
cross-hedging may be greater than the correlation risk involved with other
hedging strategies.

SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, CORPORATE
BOND and HIGH YIELD generally purchase or write privately negotiated options on
securities. A Fund that does so will effect such transactions only with
investment dealers and other financial institutions (such as commercial banks
or savings and loan institutions) deemed creditworthy by Alliance. Alliance has
adopted procedures for monitoring the creditworthiness of such counterparties.
Privately negotiated options purchased or written by a Fund may be illiquid,
and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an
advantageous time. See "Illiquid Securities" below. Neither MORTGAGE SECURITIES
INCOME nor CORPORATE BOND will purchase an option on a security if, immediately
thereafter, the aggregate cost of all outstanding options purchased by such
Fund would exceed 2% of the Fund's total assets. Nor will either such Fund
write an option if, immediately thereafter, the aggregate value of the Fund's
portfolio securities subject to outstanding options would exceed 15% of the
Fund's total assets.

OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. An option on a securities index is similar to an
option on a security except that, rather than taking or making delivery of a
security at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the holder
the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the
closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case of a call) or
less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option.

OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. A Fund invests in options on foreign currencies
that are privately negotiated or traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges for the
purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. Dollar value of foreign
currency denominated securities held by a Fund and against increases in the
U.S. Dollar cost of securities to be acquired. The purchase of an option on a
foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in
exchange rates, although if rates move adversely, a Fund may forfeit the entire
amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.

RIGHTS AND WARRANTS. GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest in warrants, and
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may invest in rights and warrants, which are option
securities permitting their holders to subscribe for other securities. GLOBAL
DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest in warrants, and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may
invest in rights and warrants, for debt securities or for equity securities
that are acquired in connection with debt instruments. Rights are similar to
warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration. Rights and
warrants do not carry with them dividend or voting rights with respect to the
underlying securities, or any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result,
an investment in rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than
certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a right or a
warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying
securities, and a right or a warrant ceases to have value if it is not
exercised prior to its expiration date. GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may invest up
to 20% of its total assets in rights and warrants.

FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. Futures contracts that a
Fund may buy and sell may include futures contracts on fixed-income or other
securities or foreign currencies, and contracts based on interest rates or
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, foreign
government securities or corporate debt securities.

Options on futures contracts are options that call for the delivery of futures
contracts upon exercise. Options on futures contracts written or purchased by a
Fund will be traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges and, except with respect to
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, will be used only for
hedging purposes.

LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL STRATEGIC
INCOME will not enter into a futures contract or write or purchase an option on
a futures contract if immediately thereafter the market values of the
outstanding futures contracts of the Fund and the currencies and futures
contracts subject to outstanding options written by the Fund would exceed 50%
of its total assets. MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME will not write or purchase
options on futures contracts. Nor will LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE
SECURITIES INCOME, WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME or GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME enter
into a futures contract or, if


26



otherwise permitted, write or purchase an option on a futures contract, if
immediately thereafter the aggregate of initial margin deposits on all the
outstanding futures contracts of the Fund and premiums paid on outstanding
options on futures contracts would exceed 5% of the market value of the total
assets of the Fund. In addition, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME and GLOBAL
STRATEGIC INCOME will not enter into any futures contract (i) other than one on
fixed-income securities or based on interest rates, or (ii) if immediately
thereafter the sum of the then aggregate futures market prices of financial
instruments required to be delivered under open futures contract sales and the
aggregate futures market prices of instruments required to be delivered under
open futures contract purchases would exceed 30% of the value of the Fund's
total assets.

HIGH YIELD will not purchase or sell futures contracts or options on futures
contracts unless either (i) the futures contracts or options thereon are for
"bona fide hedging" purposes (as that term is defined under the Commodities
Futures Trading Commission regulations) or (ii) if for other purposes, the sum
of amounts of initial margin deposits and premiums required to establish
non-hedging positions would not exceed 5% of the Fund's liquidation value.

EURODOLLAR INSTRUMENTS. Eurodollar instruments are essentially U.S.
Dollar-denominated futures contracts or options thereon that are linked to
LIBOR. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate
for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings.
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME intend to use
Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in
LIBOR (to which many short-term borrowings and floating rate securities in
which each Fund invests are linked).

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. Each Fund that purchases or sells
forward contracts on foreign currencies ("forward contracts") attempts to
minimize the risk to it from adverse changes in the relationship between the
U.S. Dollar and other currencies. A Fund may enter into a forward contract, for
example, when it enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security
denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. Dollar price
of the security (a "transaction hedge"). When a Fund believes that a foreign
currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. Dollar, it may enter
into a forward sale contract to sell an amount of that foreign currency
approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities
denominated in such foreign currency, or when the Fund believes that the U.S.
Dollar may suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it may
enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed
dollar amount (a "position hedge"). Instead of entering into a position hedge,
a Fund may, in the alternative, enter into a forward contract to sell a
different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. Dollar amount where the Fund
believes that the U.S. Dollar value of the currency to be sold pursuant to the
forward contract will fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. Dollar value
of the currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated (a
"cross-hedge").

FORWARD COMMITMENTS. Forward commitments are forward contracts for the purchase
or sale of securities, including purchases on a "when-issued" basis or
purchases or sales on a "delayed delivery" basis. In some cases, a forward
commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such
as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt
restructuring or approval of a proposed financing by appropriate authorities
(i.e., a "when, as and if issued" trade).

When forward commitments with respect to fixed-income securities are
negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at
the time the commitment is made, but payment for and delivery of the securities
take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two
months after the transaction, but settlements beyond two months may be
negotiated. Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject
to market fluctuation, and no interest or dividends accrues to the purchaser
prior to the settlement date. At the time a Fund enters into a forward
commitment, it records the transaction and thereafter reflects the value of the
security purchased or, if a sale, the proceeds to be received, in determining
its net asset value. Any unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected in
such valuation would be canceled if the required conditions did not occur and
the trade were canceled.

The use of forward commitments helps a Fund to protect against anticipated
changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising
interest rates and falling bond prices, a Fund might sell securities in its
portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling bond
prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, a Fund
might sell a security in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar
security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, thereby obtaining the
benefit of currently higher cash yields. No forward commitments will be made by
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT or GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME if, as a result, the Fund's aggregate
forward commitments under such transactions would be more than 25% of the total
assets of GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and 30% of the total assets of each of the
other Funds.

A Fund's right to receive or deliver a security under a forward commitment may
be sold prior to the settlement date. The Funds enter into forward commitments,
however, only with the intention of actually receiving securities or delivering
them, as the case may be. If a Fund, however, chooses to dispose of the right
to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or dispose of its
right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it may realize a gain
or incur a loss.

INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS (SWAPS, CAPS AND FLOORS). Each Fund that may enter
into interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions expects to do so primarily
for hedging purposes,


27



which may include preserving a return or spread on a particular investment or
portion of its portfolio or protecting against an increase in the price of
securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Funds do not
intend to use these transactions in a speculative manner.

Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of
floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a
contractually-based principal (or "notional") amount. Interest rate swaps are
entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with
the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the
two payments). Interest rate caps and floors are similar to options in that the
purchase of an interest rate cap or floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent
that a specified index exceeds (in the case of a cap) or falls below (in the
case of a floor) a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest
on a notional amount from the party selling the interest rate cap or floor. A
Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, caps and floors on either an
asset-based or liability-based basis, depending upon whether it is hedging its
assets or liabilities.

There is no limit on the amount of interest rate transactions that may be
entered into by a Fund that is permitted to enter into such transactions.
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
INCOME and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may enter into interest rate swaps involving
payments to the same currency or in different currencies. SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT, LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, GLOBAL
DOLLAR GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND will not enter
into an interest rate swap, cap or floor transaction unless the unsecured
senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is then
rated in the highest rating category of at least one NRSRO. Each of SHORT-TERM
MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME will enter into interest rate swap, cap or floor
transactions with its respective custodian, and with other counterparties, but
only if: (i) for transactions with maturities under one year, such other
counterparty has outstanding prime commercial paper; or (ii) for transactions
with maturities greater than one year, the counterparty has high quality debt
securities outstanding.

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of
banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents
utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has
become well established and relatively liquid. Caps and floors are less liquid
than swaps. These transactions do not involve the delivery of securities or
other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, unless there is a
counterparty default, the risk of loss to a Fund from interest rate
transactions is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is
contractually obligated to make.

STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS. Standby commitment agreements are similar to put
options that commit a Fund, for a stated period of time, to purchase a stated
amount of a security that may be issued and sold to the Fund at the option of
the issuer. The price and coupon of the security are fixed at the time of the
commitment. At the time of entering into the agreement, the Fund is paid a
commitment fee regardless of whether the security ultimately is issued. The
Funds will enter into such agreements only for the purpose of investing in the
security underlying the commitment at a yield and price considered advantageous
and unavailable on a firm commitment basis. No Fund will enter into a standby
commitment with a remaining term in excess of 45 days. The Funds will limit
their investments in standby commitments so that the aggregate purchase price
of the securities subject to the commitments does not exceed 20% or 25% with
respect to GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, of their respective assets.

There is no guarantee that the security subject to a standby commitment will be
issued. In addition, the value of the security, if issued, on the delivery date
may be more or less than its purchase price. Since the issuance of the security
is at the option of the issuer, a Fund will bear the risk of capital loss in
the event the value of the security declines and may not benefit from an
appreciation in the value of the security during the commitment period if the
issuer decides not to issue and sell the security to the Fund.

INDEXED COMMERCIAL PAPER. Indexed commercial paper may have its principal
linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates whereby its principal
amount is adjusted upwards or downwards (but not below zero) at maturity to
reflect changes in the referenced exchange rate. Each Fund that invests in such
commercial paper may do so without limitation. A Fund will receive interest and
principal payments on such commercial paper in the currency in which such
commercial paper is denominated, but the amount of principal payable by the
issuer at maturity will change in proportion to the change (if any) in the
exchange rate between the two specified currencies between the date the
instrument is issued and the date the instrument matures. While such commercial
paper entails the risk of loss of principal, the potential for realizing gains
as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates enables a Fund to
hedge (or cross-hedge) against a decline in the U.S. Dollar value of
investments denominated in foreign currencies while providing an attractive
money market rate of return. A Fund will purchase such commercial paper for
hedging purposes only, not for speculation.

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. Government securities may be backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States, supported only by the right of the
issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or backed only by the credit of the
issuing agency itself. These securities include:

  (i)   the following U.S. Treasury securities, which are backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States and differ only in their interest rates,
maturities and times of


28



issuance: U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of one year or less with no interest
paid and hence issued at a discount and repaid at full face value upon
maturity), U.S. Treasury notes (maturities of one to ten years with interest
payable every six months) and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally maturities of
greater than ten years with interest payable every six months);

  (ii)  obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government, such as securities issued by GNMA, the Farmers Home Administration,
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Export-Import Bank, the
General Services Administration and the Small Business Administration; and

  (iii) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. Government, such as securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC, and governmental
CMOs.

The maturities of the U.S. Government securities listed in paragraphs (i) and
(ii) above usually range from three months to 30 years. Such securities, except
GNMA certificates, normally provide for periodic payments of interest in fixed
amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. For
information regarding GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC certificates and CMOs, see
"Mortgage-Related Securities" below.

U.S. Government securities also include zero coupon securities and
principal-only securities and certain SMRS. In addition, other U.S. Government
agencies and instrumentalities have issued stripped securities that are similar
to SMRS. Such securities include those that are issued with an IO class and a
PO class. See "Mortgage-Related Securities" and "Zero Coupon and
Principal-Only Securities" below. Although these stripped securities are
purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment
banking firms acting as brokers or dealers, these securities were only recently
developed. As a result, established trading markets have not yet developed and,
accordingly, these securities may be illiquid.

Guarantees of securities by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities guarantee only the payment of principal and interest on the
securities, and do not guarantee the securities' yield or value or the yield or
value of the shares of a Fund that holds the securities.

U.S. Government securities are considered among the safest of fixed-income
investments. As a result, however, their yields are generally lower than the
yields available from other fixed-income securities.

MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES. The mortgage-related securities in which a Fund
may invest typically are securities representing interests in pools of mortgage
loans made to home owners. The mortgage loan pools may be assembled for sale to
investors (such as a Fund) by governmental or private organizations.
Mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA are backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States; those issued by FNMA and FHLMC are not so backed.
Mortgage-related securities bear interest at either a fixed rate or an
adjustable rate determined by reference to an index rate. Mortgage-related
securities frequently provide for monthly payments that consist of both
interest and principal, unlike more traditional debt securities, which normally
do not provide for periodic repayments of principal.

Securities representing interests in pools created by private issuers generally
offer a higher rate of interest than securities representing interests in pools
created by governmental issuers because there are no direct or indirect
governmental guarantees of the underlying mortgage payments. However, private
issuers sometimes obtain committed loan facilities, lines of credit, letters of
credit, surety bonds or other forms of liquidity and credit enhancement to
support the timely payment of interest and principal with respect to their
securities if the borrowers on the underlying mortgages fail to make their
mortgage payments. The ratings of such non-governmental securities are
generally dependent upon the ratings of the providers of such liquidity and
credit support and would be adversely affected if the rating of such an
enhancer were downgraded. A Fund may buy mortgage-related securities without
credit enhancement if the securities meet the Fund's investment standards.
Although the market for mortgage-related securities is becoming increasingly
liquid, those of certain private organizations may not be readily marketable.

One type of mortgage-related security is of the "pass-through" variety. The
holder of a pass-through security is considered to own an undivided beneficial
interest in the underlying pool of mortgage loans and receives a pro rata share
of the monthly payments made by the borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of
any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities. Prepayments of
mortgages resulting from the sale, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying
properties are also paid to the holders of these securities, which, as
discussed below, frequently causes these securities to experience significantly
greater price and yield volatility than experienced by traditional fixed-income
securities. Some mortgage-related securities, such as securities issued by
GNMA, are referred to as "modified pass-through" securities. The holders of
these securities are entitled to the full and timely payment of principal and
interest, net of certain fees, regardless of whether payments are actually made
on the underlying mortgages.

Another form of mortgage-related security is a "pay-through" security, which is
a debt obligation of the issuer secured by a pool of mortgage loans pledged as
collateral that is legally required to be paid by the issuer, regardless of
whether payments are actually made on the underlying mortgages.
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) are the predominant type of
"pay-through" mortgage-related security. In a CMO, a series of bonds or
certificates is issued in multiple classes. Each class of a CMO, often referred
to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific coupon rate and has a stated
maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on collateral



29



underlying a CMO may cause one or more tranches of the CMO to be retired
substantially earlier than the stated maturities or final distribution dates
of the collateral. The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may
be allocated among several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. In a
common structure, payments of principal, including any principal prepayments,
on the underlying mortgages are applied to the classes of the series of a CMO
in the order of their respective stated maturities or final distribution dates,
so that no payment of principal will be made on any class of a CMO until all
other classes having an earlier stated maturity or final distribution date have
been paid in full. One or more tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates that
reset periodically, or "float," at a specified increment over an index such as
LIBOR. Floating-rate CMOs may be backed by fixed or adjustable rate mortgages.
To date, fixed-rate mortgages have been more commonly utilized for this
purpose. Floating-rate CMOs are typically issued with lifetime caps on the
coupon rate thereon. These caps, similar to the caps on adjustable-rate
mortgages described below, represent a ceiling beyond which the coupon rate
on a floating-rate CMO may not be increased regardless of increases in the
interest rate index to which the floating-rate CMO is tied. The collateral
securing the CMOs may consist of a pool of mortgages, but may also consist of
mortgage-backed bonds or pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued by a U.S.
Government instrumentality or agency or by a private issuer. Although payment
of the principal of, and interest on, the underlying collateral securing
privately issued CMOs may be guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC, these CMOs
represent obligations solely of the private issuer and are not insured or
guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC, any other governmental agency or any other
person or entity.

Another type of mortgage-related security, known as adjustable-rate mortgage
securities (ARMS), bears interest at a rate determined by reference to a
predetermined interest rate or index. There are two main categories of rates or
indices: (i) rates based on the yield on U.S. Treasury securities and (ii)
indices derived from a calculated measure such as a cost of funds index or a
moving average of mortgage rates. Some rates and indices closely mirror changes
in market interest rate levels, while others tend to lag changes in market rate
levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.

ARMS may be secured by fixed-rate mortgages or adjustable-rate mortgages. ARMS
secured by fixed-rate mortgages generally have lifetime caps on the coupon
rates of the securities. To the extent that general interest rates increase
faster than the interest rates on the ARMS, these ARMS will decline in value.
The adjustable-rate mortgages that secure ARMS will frequently have caps that
limit the maximum amount by which the interest rate or the monthly principal
and interest payments on the mortgages may increase. These payment caps can
result in negative amortization (i.e., an increase in the balance of the
mortgage loan). Furthermore, since many adjustable-rate mortgages only reset on
an annual basis, the values of ARMS tend to fluctuate to the extent that
changes in prevailing interest rates are not immediately reflected in the
interest rates payable on the underlying adjustable-rate mortgages.

Stripped mortgage-related securities (SMRS) are mortgage-related securities
that are usually structured with two classes of securities collateralized by a
pool of mortgages or a pool of mortgaged-backed bonds or pass-through
securities, with each class receiving different proportions of the principal
and interest payments from the underlying assets. A common type of SMRS has one
class of interest-only securities (IOs) receiving all of the interest payments
from the underlying assets; while the other class of securities, principal-only
securities (POs), receives all of the principal payments from the underlying
assets. IOs and POs are extremely sensitive to interest rate changes and are
more volatile than mortgage-related securities that are not stripped. IOs tend
to decrease in value as interest rates decrease, while POs generally increase
in value as interest rates decrease. If prepayments of the underlying mortgages
are greater than anticipated, the amount of interest earned on the overall pool
will decrease due to the decreasing principal balance of the assets. Changes in
the values of IOs and POs can be substantial and occur quickly, such as
occurred in the first half of 1994 when the value of many POs dropped
precipitously due to increases in interest rates. For this reason, none of the
Funds relies on IOs and POs as the principal means of furthering its investment
objective.

The value of mortgage-related securities is affected by a number of factors.
Unlike traditional debt securities, which have fixed maturity dates,
mortgage-related securities may be paid earlier than expected as a result of
prepayments of underlying mortgages. Such prepayments generally occur during
periods of falling mortgage interest rates. If property owners make unscheduled
prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will result in the early
payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. In that event, a Fund
may be unable to invest the proceeds from the early payment of the
mortgage-related securities in investments that provide as high a yield as the
mortgage-related securities. Early payments associated with mortgage-related
securities causes these securities to experience significantly greater price
and yield volatility than is experienced by traditional fixed-income
securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by the level of
general interest rates, general economic conditions and other social and
demographic factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of
mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of
mortgage-related securities. Conversely, during periods of rising interest
rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective life of
mortgage-related securities, subjecting them to greater risk of decline in
market value in response to rising interest rates. If the life of a
mortgage-related security is inaccurately predicted, a Fund may not be able to
realize the rate of return it expected.

As with fixed-income securities generally, the value of mortgage-related
securities can also be adversely affected by increases in general interest
rates relative to the yield provided by such securities. Such an adverse effect
is especially


30



possible with fixed-rate mortgage securities. If the yield available on other
investments rises above the yield of the fixed-rate mortgage securities as a
result of general increases in interest rate levels, the value of the
mortgage-related securities will decline. Although the negative effect
could be lessened if the mortgage-related securities were to be paid earlier
(thus permitting a Fund to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in investments
yielding the higher current interest rate), as described above the rate of
mortgage prepayments and early payments of mortgage-related securities
generally tend to decline during a period of rising interest rates.

Although the values of ARMS may not be affected as much as the values of
fixed-rate mortgage securities by rising interest rates, ARMS may still decline
in value as a result of rising interest rates. Although, as described above,
the yields on ARMS vary with changes in the applicable interest rate or index,
there is often a lag between increases in general interest rates and increases
in the yield on ARMS as a result of relatively infrequent interest rate reset
dates. In addition, adjustable-rate mortgages and ARMS often have interest rate
or payment caps that limit the ability of the adjustable-rate mortgages or ARMS
to fully reflect increases in the general level of interest rates.

OTHER ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. The securitization techniques used to develop
mortgage-related securities are being applied to a broad range of financial
assets. Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, various
types of assets, including automobile loans and leases, credit card
receivables, home equity loans, equipment leases and trade receivables, are
being securitized in structures similar to the structures used in mortgage
securitizations. These asset-backed securities are subject to risks associated
with changes in interest rates and prepayment of underlying obligations similar
to the risks of investment in mortgage-related securities discussed above.

Each type of asset-backed security also entails unique risks depending on the
type of assets involved and the legal structure used. For example, credit card
receivables are generally unsecured obligations of the credit card holder and
the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal
consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off
certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due.
There have also been proposals to cap the interest rate that a credit card
issuer may charge. In some transactions, the value of the asset-backed security
is dependent on the performance of a third party acting as credit enhancer or
servicer. Furthermore, in some transactions (such as those involving the
securitization of vehicle loans or leases) it may be administratively
burdensome to perfect the interest of the security issuer in the underlying
collateral and the underlying collateral may become damaged or stolen.

ZERO COUPON AND PRINCIPAL-ONLY SECURITIES. Zero coupon securities and
principal-only (PO) securities are debt securities that have been issued
without interest coupons or stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, and
include receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt
obligations and coupons. Such a security pays no interest to its holder during
its life. Its value to an investor consists of the difference between its face
value at the time of maturity and the price for which it was acquired, which is
generally an amount significantly less than its face value. Such securities
usually trade at a deep discount from their face or par value and are subject
to greater fluctuations in market value in response to changing interest rates
than debt obligations of comparable maturities and credit quality that make
current distributions of interest. On the other hand, because there are no
periodic interest payments to be reinvested prior to maturity, these securities
eliminate reinvestment risk and "lock in" a rate of return to maturity.

Zero coupon Treasury securities are U.S. Treasury bills issued without interest
coupons. Principal-only Treasury securities are U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, and receipts or
certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations and
coupons. Currently the only U.S. Treasury security issued without coupons is
the Treasury bill. Although the U.S. Treasury does not itself issue Treasury
notes and bonds without coupons, under the U.S. Treasury STRIPS program
interest and principal payments on certain long-term Treasury securities may be
maintained separately in the Federal Reserve book entry system and may be
separately traded and owned. In addition, in the last few years a number of
banks and brokerage firms have separated ("stripped") the principal portions
from the coupon portions of U.S. Treasury bonds and notes and sold them
separately in the form of receipts or certificates representing undivided
interests in these instruments (which instruments are generally held by a bank
in a custodial or trust account). The staff of the Commission has indicated
that, in its view, these receipts or certificates should be considered as
securities issued by the bank or brokerage firm involved and, therefore, should
not be included in a Fund's categorization of U.S. Government securities. The
Funds disagree with the staff's position but will not treat such securities as
U.S. Government securities until final resolution of the issue.

Current federal tax law requires that a holder (such as a Fund) of a zero
coupon security accrue a portion of the discount at which the security was
purchased as income each year even though the holder receives no interest
payment in cash on the security during the year. As a result, in order to make
the distributions necessary for a Fund not to be subject to federal income or
excise taxes, the Fund might be required to pay out as an income distribution
each year an amount, obtained by liquidation of portfolio securities or
borrowings if necessary, greater than the total amount of cash that the Fund
has actually received as interest during the year. Each Fund believes, however,
that it is highly unlikely that it would be necessary to liquidate portfolio
securities or borrow money in order to make such required distributions or to
meet its investment objective. For a discussion of the tax treatment of zero
coupon Treasury securities, see "Dividends, Distributions


31



and Taxes-Zero Coupon Treasury Securities" in the Statement of Additional
Information of each Fund that is permitted to invest in such securities.

GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND may also invest in "pay-in-kind"
debentures (i.e., debt obligations the interest on which may be paid in the
form of obligations of the same type rather than cash), which have
characteristics similar to zero coupon securities.

VARIABLE, FLOATING AND INVERSE FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. Fixed-income
securities may have fixed, variable or floating rates of interest. Variable and
floating rate securities pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically,
according to a specified formula. A "variable" interest rate adjusts at
predetermined intervals (e.g., daily, weekly or monthly), while a "floating"
interest rate adjusts whenever a specified benchmark rate (such as the bank
prime lending rate) changes.

A Fund may invest in fixed-income securities that pay interest at a coupon rate
equal to a base rate, plus additional interest for a certain period of time if
short-term interest rates rise above a predetermined level or "cap." The amount
of such an additional interest payment typically is calculated under a formula
based on a short-term interest rate index multiplied by a designated factor.

Leveraged inverse floating rate debt instruments are sometimes known as inverse
floaters. The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite
direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is
indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent
that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the
change in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in
inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in market value, such
that, during periods of rising interest rates, the market values of inverse
floaters will tend to decrease more rapidly than those of fixed rate securities.

STRUCTURED SECURITIES. Structured securities in which GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT,
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND may invest represent interests in
entities organized and operated solely for the purpose of restructuring the
investment characteristics of sovereign debt obligations, with respect to
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, or foreign government
securities, with respect to CORPORATE BOND. This type of restructuring involves
the deposit with or purchase by an entity, such as a corporation or trust, of
specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans or Brady Bonds) and the
issuance by that entity of one or more classes of structured securities backed
by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on
the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured
securities to create securities with different investment characteristics such
as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the
extent of the payments made with respect to structured securities is dependent
on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments. Because
structured securities typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit
risk generally will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments.
Structured securities of a given class may be either subordinated or
unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated
structured securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks
than unsubordinated structured securities. GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest
up to 25% of its total assets, and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND
may invest without limit, in these types of structured securities.

LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS. A Fund's investments in loans are expected
in most instances to be in the form of participations in loans and assignments
of all or a portion of loans from third parties. A Fund's investment in loan
participations typically will result in the Fund having a contractual
relationship only with the lender and not with the borrower. A Fund will
acquire participations only if the lender interpositioned between the Fund and
the borrower is a lender having total assets of more than $25 billion and whose
senior unsecured debt is rated investment grade or higher. When a Fund
purchases a loan assignment from a lender it will acquire direct rights against
the borrower on the loan. Because loan assignments are arranged through private
negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, however, the
rights and obligations acquired by a Fund as the purchaser of an assignment may
differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

The assignability of certain sovereign debt obligations, with respect to GLOBAL
DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, or foreign government
securities, with respect to CORPORATE BOND and HIGH YIELD, is restricted by the
governing documentation as to the nature of the assignee such that the only way
in which the Fund may acquire an interest in a loan is through a participation
and not an assignment. A Fund may have difficulty disposing of assignments and
participations because to do so it will have to assign such securities to a
third party. Because there may not be a liquid market for such investments,
they can probably be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors.
The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse effect on the value
of such investments and a Fund's ability to dispose of particular
participations and assignments when necessary to meet its liquidity needs in
response to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the
creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid secondary market for
participations and assignments also may make it more difficult for the Fund to
assign a value to these investments for purposes of valuing the Fund's
portfolio and calculating its net asset value.

GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may invest up to 25%, and
CORPORATE BOND may invest up to 15%, of their total assets, in loan
participations and assignments. The government that is the borrower on the loan
will be considered by a Fund to be the issuer of a loan participation or
assignment for purposes of its fundamental investment policy that it may not
invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers conducting
their principal business activities in the same industry (i.e., foreign
government).


32



BRADY BONDS. Brady Bonds are created through the exchange of existing
commercial bank loans to foreign entities for new obligations in connection
with debt restructurings under a plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of
the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the "Brady Plan"). Brady Bonds have been
issued only recently, and, accordingly, do not have a long payment history.
They may be collateralized or uncollateralized and issued in various currencies
(although most are U.S. Dollar-denominated) and they are actively traded in the
over-the-counter secondary market.

U.S. Dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed-rate
par bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are generally collateralized in full
as to principal due at maturity by U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations that
have the same maturity as the Brady Bonds. Interest payments on these Brady
Bonds generally are collateralized by cash or securities in an amount that, in
the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at least one year of rolling interest
payments based on the applicable interest rate at that time and is adjusted at
regular intervals thereafter. Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to "value
recovery payments" in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute
supplemental interest payments but generally are not collateralized. Brady
Bonds are often viewed as having up to four valuation components: (i)
collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity, (ii) collateralized
interest payments, (iii) uncollateralized interest payments, and (iv) any
uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized
amounts constitute the "residual risk"). In the event of a default with respect
to collateralized Brady Bonds as a result of which the payment obligations of
the issuer are accelerated, the U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations held as
collateral for the payment of principal will not be distributed to investors,
nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral
will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted
Brady Bonds, which will continue to be outstanding, at which time the face
amount of the collateral will equal the principal payments that would have then
been due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. In addition, in light of the
residual risk of Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the history of defaults
with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of
countries issuing Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds are to be viewed as
speculative.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities include bonds, debentures,
corporate notes and preferred stocks that are convertible into common stock.
Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the same general
characteristics as non-convertible debt securities, which provide a stable
stream of income with generally higher yields than those of equity securities
of the same or similar issuers. The price of a convertible security will
normally vary with changes in the price of the underlying stock, although the
higher yield tends to make the convertible security less volatile than the
underlying common stock. As with debt securities, the market value of
convertible securities tends to decrease as interest rates rise and increase
as interest rates decline. While convertible securities generally offer lower
interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar
quality, they enable investors to benefit from increases in the market price of
the underlying common stock. Convertible debt securities that are rated Baa or
lower by Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch and comparable
unrated securities may share some or all of the risks of debt securities with
those ratings. For a description of these risks, see "Risk
Considerations-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities."

SHORT SALES. A short sale is effected by selling a security that a Fund does
not own, or if the Fund owns the security, it is not to be delivered upon
consummation of the sale. A short sale is "against the box" if a Fund owns or
has the right to obtain without payment securities identical to those sold
short. SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT each may make
short sales only against the box and only for the purpose of deferring
realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition,
each of these Funds may not make a short sale if, as a result, more than 10% of
net assets (taken at market value), with respect to GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT,
and 10% of total assets, with respect to SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, would be
held as collateral for short sales.

GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may make a short sale in anticipation that the market
price of that security will decline. When the Fund makes a short sale of a
security that it does not own, it must borrow from a broker-dealer the security
sold short and deliver the security to the broker-dealer upon conclusion of the
short sale. The Fund may be required to pay a fee to borrow particular
securities and is often obligated to pay over any payments received on such
borrowed securities. The Fund's obligation to replace the borrowed security
will be secured by collateral deposited with a broker-dealer qualified as a
custodian. Depending on the arrangements the Fund makes with the broker-dealer
from which it borrowed the security regarding remittance of any payments
received by the Fund on such security, the Fund may not receive any payments
(including interest) on its collateral deposited with the broker-dealer.

In order to defer realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may also make short sales "against the box."
The Fund may not make a short sale, if as a result, more than 25% of its total
assets would be held as collateral for short sales.

If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short
sale and the time a Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a
loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a short-term
capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the
transaction costs described above. Although a Fund's gain is limited to the
price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically
unlimited.

Certain special federal income tax considerations may apply to short sales
entered into by a Fund. See "Dividends,


33



Distributions and Taxes" in the relevant Fund's Statement of Additional
Information.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a
security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon
future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater
than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period
the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit a Fund to
keep all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility in
pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. A Fund requires continual
maintenance of collateral in an amount equal to, or in excess of, the resale
price. If a vendor defaults on its repurchase obligation, a Fund would suffer a
loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less
than the repurchase price. If a vendor goes bankrupt, a Fund might be delayed
in, or prevented from, selling the collateral for its benefit. There is no
percentage restriction on any Fund's ability to enter into repurchase
agreements, except that SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT may enter into repurchase
agreements on not more than 25% of its total assets. The Funds may enter into
repurchase agreements with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or
"primary dealers" (as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York),
although LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT currently enter into repurchase agreements only with their
custodians and such primary dealers.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND DOLLAR ROLLS. Reverse repurchase agreements
involve sales by a Fund of portfolio assets concurrently with an agreement by
the Fund to repurchase the same assets at a later date at a fixed price. During
the reverse repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive
principal and interest payments on these securities. Generally, the effect of
such a transaction is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested
in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase
agreement, while it will be able to keep the interest income associated with
those portfolio securities. Such transactions are advantageous only if the
interest cost to a Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the
cost of otherwise obtaining the cash.

Dollar rolls involve sales by a Fund of securities for delivery in the current
month and the Fund's simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially
similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During
the roll period, a Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities.
A Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the
lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the "drop")
as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls involve the risk that the market
value of the securities a Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement
may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities
under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or
becomes insolvent, a Fund's use of the proceeds of the agreement may be
restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or
receiver, whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities.

Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls are speculative techniques and
are considered borrowings by the Funds. SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT may enter
into reverse repurchase agreements with commercial banks and registered
broker-dealers in order to increase income, in an amount up to 33-1/3% of its
total assets. Under normal circumstances, LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT does not
expect to engage in reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls with respect
to greater than 50% of its total assets. Reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls together with any borrowings by GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT will not
exceed 33% of its total assets less liabilities (other than amounts borrowed).
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with
commercial banks and registered broker-dealers in order to increase income, in
an amount up to 25% of its total assets. Reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls together with any borrowings by GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME will not
exceed 25% of its total assets. See "Risk Considerations-Effects of Borrowing."

LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. A Fund may make secured loans of portfolio
securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, provided that cash,
liquid high grade debt securities or bank letters of credit equal to at least
100% of the market value of the securities loaned is deposited and maintained
by the borrower with the Fund. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as
with other secured extensions of credit, consist of possible loss of rights in
the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In determining whether to
lend securities to a particular borrower, Alliance will consider all relevant
facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While
securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income earned
thereon and the Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities,
thereby earning additional income, or receive an agreed-upon amount of income
from a borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. Each Fund will have
the right to regain record ownership of loaned securities or equivalent
securities in order to exercise ownership rights such as voting rights,
subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest or distributions. A Fund
may pay reasonable finders', administrative and custodial fees in connection
with a loan. A Fund will not lend portfolio securities in excess of 50%, with
respect to HIGH YIELD, 25%, with respect to SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT and
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, and 20%, with respect to each of LIMITED MATURITY
GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT, of its total assets, nor will a Fund lend portfolio securities
to any officer, director, employee or affiliate of the Fund or Alliance.


34



ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Subject to any more restrictive applicable investment
policies, none of the Funds will maintain more than 15% of its net assets in
illiquid securities. Illiquid securities generally include (i) direct
placements or other securities that are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on resale or for which there is no readily available market (e.g.,
when trading in the security is suspended or, in the case of unlisted
securities, when market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or
offers), including many currency swaps and any assets used to cover currency
swaps, (ii) over-the-counter options and assets used to cover over-the-counter
options, and (iii) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days. Rule
144A securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale but have
a readily available market are not deemed illiquid. Alliance will monitor the
liquidity of each Fund's Rule 144A portfolio securities under the supervision
of the Directors of that Fund. A Fund that invests in illiquid securities may
not be able to sell such securities and may not be able to realize their full
value upon sale.

INVESTMENT IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES. GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest
in other investment companies whose investment objectives and policies are
consistent with those of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest not
more than 10% of its total assets in securities of other investment companies.
In addition, under the 1940 Act the Fund may not own more than 3% of the total
outstanding voting stock of any investment company and not more than 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of any
investment company. If the Fund acquired shares in investment companies,
shareholders would bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund
(including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such
investment companies (including management and advisory fees).

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. A Fund may, following written notice to its shareholders,
take advantage of other investment practices that are not currently
contemplated for use by the Fund, or are not available but may yet be
developed, to the extent such investment practices are consistent with the
Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Such
investment practices, if they arise, may involve risks that are different from
or exceed those involved in the practices described above.

DEFENSIVE POSITION. For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may invest in
certain types of short-term, liquid, high grade or high quality (depending on
the Fund) debt securities. These securities may include U.S. Government
securities, qualifying bank deposits, money market instruments, prime
commercial paper and other types of short-term debt securities, including notes
and bonds. For Funds that may invest in foreign countries, such securities may
also include short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type
mentioned above issued by foreign governmental entities, companies and
supranational organizations. For a complete description of the types of
securities in which a Fund may invest while in a temporary defensive position,
see the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Portfolio turnover rates are set forth under "Financial
Highlights." These rates of portfolio turnover are greater than those of most
other investment companies. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves
correspondingly greater brokerage and other expenses than a lower rate, which
must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. High portfolio turnover also
may result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in each Fund's Statement of Additional
Information.

CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
Each Fund has adopted certain fundamental investment policies listed below,
which may not be changed without the approval of its shareholders. Additional
investment restrictions with respect to a Fund are set forth in its Statement
of Additional Information.

SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT may not (i) invest more than 5% of its total assets
in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and
repurchase agreements relating thereto), although up to 25% of the Fund's total
assets may be invested without regard to this restriction, or (ii) invest 25%
or more of its total assets in the securities of any one industry.

U.S. GOVERNMENT may not (i) borrow money except from banks for temporary or
emergency purposes and then only in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of
its total assets at the time the borrowing is made, (ii) make loans to other
persons, (iii) effect a short sale of any security, (iv) purchase securities on
margin, but it may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the
clearance of purchases and sales of securities, or (v) write, purchase or sell
puts, calls or combinations thereof.

LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT may not (i) invest more than 5% of its total assets
in the securities of any one issuer or own more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer (other than U.S. Government securities),
except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets may be invested
without regard to the 5% and 10% limitations, (ii) invest 25% or more of its
total assets in securities of companies engaged principally in any one
industry, except that this restriction does not apply to investments in the
mortgage and mortgage-financed industry (in which more than 25% of the value of
the Fund's total assets will, except for temporary defensive positions, be
invested) or U.S. Government securities, (iii) borrow money except from banks
for emergency or temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value
of the total assets of the Fund, except that the Fund may engage in reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls in an amount up to 50% of the Fund's
total assets, and (iv) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its
assets, except to secure permitted borrowings.

MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME may not (i) invest more than 5% of the value of its
total assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
securities), except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets may
be invested without regard to this limitation, (ii) invest more than 25% of


35



the value of its total assets in the securities of issuers conducting their
principal business activities in a single industry, except that this limitation
shall not apply to investments in the mortgage and mortgage-financed industry
(in which more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets will, except
for temporary defensive positions, be invested) or U.S. Government securities,
(iii) borrow money except from banks for temporary or emergency purposes,
including the meeting of redemption requests which might require the untimely
disposition of securities, borrowing in the aggregate may not exceed 15%, and
borrowing for purposes other than meeting redemptions may not exceed 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) less
liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is
made, outstanding borrowings in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets will be repaid before any subsequent investments are made, (iv) pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except in an amount of
not more than 15% of the value of its total assets to secure borrowings for
temporary or emergency purposes and except as provided in (vi) below, provided,
however, that this limitation does not apply to deposits made in connection
with the entering into and holding of interest rate futures contracts, (v)
invest more than 10% of the value of its total assets in the aggregate in
illiquid securities or other illiquid investments and repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days, or (vi) lend its portfolio securities if
immediately after such a loan more than 20% of the value of the Fund's total
assets would be subject to such loans.

WORLD INCOME may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities
of companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the banking
industry except that this restriction does not apply to U.S. Government
securities, (ii) borrow money except from banks for temporary or emergency
purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which might require the
untimely disposition of securities; borrowing in the aggregate may not exceed
15%, and borrowing for purposes other than meeting redemptions may not exceed
5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) less
liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is
made; securities will not be purchased while borrowings in excess of 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets are outstanding, or (iii) pledge, hypothecate,
mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted
borrowings.

SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in
securities of companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the
banking industry, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S.
Government securities, (ii) borrow money except from banks for temporary or
emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which might
require the untimely disposition of securities; borrowing in the aggregate may
not exceed 15%, and borrowing for purposes other than meeting redemptions may
not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the amount
borrowed) less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the
borrowing is made; securities will not be purchased while borrowings in excess
of 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets are outstanding, or (iii) pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure
permitted borrowings.

MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in
securities of companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the
banking industry, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S.
Government securities, (ii) borrow money, except the Fund may, in accordance
with provisions of the 1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after such
borrowing, there is asset coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act,
and (b) borrow for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding
5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund, or (iii) pledge, hypothecate,
mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted
borrowings.

NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total
assets in securities of companies engaged principally in any one industry
except that this restriction does not apply to U.S. Government securities, (ii)
borrow money, except that the Fund may, in accordance with provisions of the
1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after such borrowing, there is asset
coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act, and (b) borrow for
temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of
the total assets of the Fund, or (iii) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or
otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings.

GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in
the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in any
one industry, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S. Government
securities, (ii) purchase more than 10% of any class of the voting securities
of any one issuer, (iii) borrow money, except the Fund may, in accordance with
provisions of the 1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after such borrowing,
there is asset coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act, (b) borrow
for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value
of the total assets of the Fund, and (c) enter into reverse repurchase
agreements and dollar rolls, (iv) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise
encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings, or (v) purchase a
security if, as a result (unless the security is acquired pursuant to a plan of
reorganization or an offer of exchange), the Fund would own more than 3% of the
total outstanding voting stock of any investment company or more than 5% of the
value of the Fund's net assets would be invested in securities of any one or
more investment companies.

GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may not (i) borrow money, except the Fund may, in
accordance with provisions of the 1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after
such borrowing there is asset coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940
Act, (b) borrow for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding
5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund, and


36



(c) enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls, or (ii)
pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to
secure permitted borrowings.

CORPORATE BOND may not (i) invest more than 5% of its total assets in the
securities of any one issuer other than U.S. Government securities, or (ii) own
more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer.

HIGH YIELD may not (i) invest in any one industry if that investment would make
the Fund's holding in that industry exceed 25% of the Fund's total assets and
(ii) will not make an investment unless, when considering all its other
investments, 75% of the value of its assets would consist of cash, cash items,
U.S. Government Securities, securities of other investment companies and other
securities.


RISK CONSIDERATIONS

FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The value of each Fund's shares will fluctuate with
the value of its investments. The value of each Fund's investments will change
as the general level of interest rates fluctuates. During periods of falling
interest rates, the values of a Fund's securities will generally rise, although
if falling interest rates are viewed as a precursor to a recession, the values
of a Fund's securities may fall along with interest rates. Conversely, during
periods of rising interest rates, the values of a Fund's securities will
generally decline. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on
fixed-income securities with longer maturities and durations than those with
shorter maturities and durations.

In seeking to achieve a Fund's investment objective, there will be times, such
as during periods of rising interest rates, when depreciation and realization
of capital losses on securities in a Fund's portfolio will be unavoidable.
Moreover, medium- and lower-rated securities and non-rated securities of
comparable quality may be subject to wider fluctuations in yield and market
values than higher-rated securities under certain market conditions. Such
fluctuations after a security is acquired do not affect the cash income
received from that security but will be reflected in the net asset value of a
Fund.

U.S. CORPORATE FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The U.S. corporate fixed-income
securities in which GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and HIGH YIELD invest may include
securities issued in connection with corporate restructurings such as takeovers
or leveraged buyouts, which may pose particular risks. Securities issued to
finance corporate restructurings may have special credit risks due to the
highly leveraged conditions of the issuer. In addition, such issuers may lose
experienced management as a result of the restructuring. Furthermore, the
market price of such securities may be more volatile to the extent that
expected benefits from the restructuring do not materialize. The Funds may also
invest in U.S. corporate fixed-income securities that are not current in the
payment of interest or principal or are in default, so long as Alliance
believes such investment is consistent with the Fund's investment objectives.
The Funds' rights with respect to defaults on such securities will be subject
to applicable U.S. bankruptcy, moratorium and other similar laws.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT. The securities markets of many foreign countries are
relatively small, with the majority of market capitalization and trading volume
concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a small number of
industries. Consequently, a Fund whose investment portfolio includes such
securities may experience greater price volatility and significantly lower
liquidity than a portfolio invested solely in securities of U.S. companies.
These markets may be subject to greater influence by adverse events generally
affecting the market, and by large investors trading significant blocks of
securities, than is usual in the United States. Securities registration,
custody and settlements may in some instances be subject to delays and legal
and administrative uncertainties. Furthermore, foreign investment in the
securities markets of certain foreign countries is restricted or controlled to
varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude
investment in certain securities and may increase the cost and expenses of a
Fund. In addition, the repatriation of investment income, capital or the
proceeds of sales of securities from certain of the countries is controlled
under regulations, including in some cases the need for certain advance
government notification or authority, and if a deterioration occurs in a
country's balance of payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions
on foreign capital remittances. A Fund could also be adversely affected by
delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for
repatriation, as well as by the application to it of other restrictions on
investment. Investing in local markets may require a Fund to adopt special
procedures or seek local governmental approvals or other actions, any of which
may involve additional costs to a Fund. The liquidity of a Fund's investments
in any country in which any of these factors exists could be affected, and
Alliance will monitor the effect of any such factor or factors on a Fund's
investments. Furthermore, transaction costs including brokerage commissions for
transactions both on and off the securities exchanges in many foreign countries
are generally higher than in the U.S.

Issuers of securities in foreign jurisdictions are generally not subject to the
same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters as
insider trading rules, restrictions on market manipulation, shareholder proxy
requirements and timely disclosure of information. The reporting, accounting
and auditing standards of foreign countries may differ, in some cases
significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects, and less information
may be available to investors in foreign securities than to investors in U.S.
securities. Substantially less information is publicly available about certain
non-U.S. issuers than is available about most U.S. issuers.

The economies of individual foreign countries may differ favorably or
unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic
product or gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment,
resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Nationalization,


37



expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, political changes,
government regulation, political or social instability or diplomatic
developments could affect adversely the economy of a foreign country or the
Fund's investments in that country. In the event of nationalization,
expropriation or other confiscation, a Fund could lose its entire investment in
securities in the country involved. In addition, laws in foreign countries
governing business organizations, bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less
protection to security holders such as the Fund than that provided by U.S. laws.

WORLD INCOME may invest a portion of its net assets in securities denominated
in the ECU. There are risks associated with concentration of investments in a
particular region of the world such as Western Europe since the economies and
markets of the countries in the region tend to be interrelated and may be
adversely affected by political, economic and other events in a similar manner.

Alliance believes that, except for currency fluctuations between the U.S.
Dollar and the Canadian Dollar, the matters described above are not likely to
have a material adverse effect on NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME'S
investments in the securities of Canadian issuers or investments denominated in
Canadian Dollars. The factors described above are more likely to have a
material adverse effect on the Fund's investments in the securities of Mexican
and other non-Canadian foreign issuers, including investments in securities
denominated in Mexican Pesos or other non-Canadian foreign currencies. If not
hedged, however, currency fluctuations could affect the unrealized appreciation
and depreciation of Canadian Government securities as expressed in U.S. Dollars.

CURRENCY CONSIDERATIONS. Those Funds that invest some portion of their assets
in securities denominated in, and receive revenues in, foreign currencies will
be adversely affected by reductions in the value of those currencies relative
to the U.S. Dollar. These changes will affect a Fund's net assets,
distributions and income. If the value of the foreign currencies in which a
Fund receives income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of the
income and the making of Fund distributions, a Fund may be required to
liquidate securities in order to make distributions if the Fund has
insufficient cash in U.S. Dollars to meet the distribution requirements that
the Fund must satisfy to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal
income tax purposes. Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the time a
Fund incurs expenses in U.S. Dollars and the time cash expenses are paid, the
amount of the currency required to be converted into U.S. Dollars in order to
pay expenses in U.S. Dollars could be greater than the equivalent amount of
such expenses in the currency at the time they were incurred. In light of these
risks, a Fund may engage in certain currency hedging transactions, which
themselves, involve certain special risks. See "Additional Investment
Practices" above.

SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS. No established secondary markets may exist for many
of the sovereign debt obligations in which GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL
STRATEGIC INCOME will invest. Reduced secondary market liquidity may have an
adverse effect on the market price and a Fund's ability to dispose of
particular instruments when necessary to meet its liquidity requirements or in
response to specific economic events such as a deterioration in the
creditworthiness of the issuer. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain
sovereign debt obligations may also make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain
accurate market quotations for the purpose of valuing its portfolio. Market
quotations are generally available on many sovereign debt obligations only from
a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of
those dealers or prices for actual sales.

By investing in sovereign debt obligations, the Funds will be exposed to the
direct or indirect consequences of political, social and economic changes in
various countries. Political changes in a country may affect the willingness of
a foreign government to make or provide for timely payments of its obligations.
The country's economic status, as reflected, among other things, in its
inflation rate, the amount of its external debt and its gross domestic product,
will also affect the government's ability to honor its obligations.

The sovereign debt obligations in which the Funds will invest in many cases
pertain to countries that are among the world's largest debtors to commercial
banks, foreign governments, international financial organizations and other
financial institutions. In recent years, the governments of some of these
countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their external debt
obligations, which led to defaults on certain obligations and the restructuring
of certain indebtedness. Restructuring arrangements have included, among other
things, reducing and rescheduling interest and principal payments by
negotiating new or amended credit agreements or converting outstanding
principal and unpaid interest to Brady Bonds, and obtaining new credit to
finance interest payments. Certain governments have not been able to make
payments of interest on or principal of sovereign debt obligations as those
payments have come due. Obligations arising from past restructuring agreements
may affect the economic performance and political and social stability of those
issuers.

The ability of governments to make timely payments on their obligations is
likely to be influenced strongly by the issuer's balance of payments, including
export performance, and its access to international credits and investments. To
the extent that a country receives payment for its exports in currencies other
than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars could be
adversely affected. To the extent that a country develops a trade deficit, it
will need to depend on continuing loans from foreign governments, multi-lateral
organizations or private commercial banks, aid payments from foreign
governments and on inflows of foreign investment. The access of a country to
these forms of external funding may not be certain, and a withdrawal of
external funding could adversely affect the capacity of a government to make
payments on its obligations. In addition, the cost of servicing debt
obligations can be affected by a change in international interest rates
since the majority of these obligations carry interest rates that are adjusted
periodically based upon international rates.


38



The Funds are permitted to invest in sovereign debt obligations that are not
current in the payment of interest or principal or are in default so long as
Alliance believes it to be consistent with the Funds' investment objectives.
The Funds may have limited legal recourse in the event of a default with
respect to certain sovereign debt obligations it holds. For example, remedies
from defaults on certain sovereign debt obligations, unlike those on private
debt, must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party
itself. Legal recourse therefore may be significantly diminished. Bankruptcy,
moratorium and other similar laws applicable to issuers of sovereign debt
obligations may be substantially different from those applicable to issuers of
private debt obligations. The political context, expressed as the willingness
of an issuer of sovereign debt obligations to meet the terms of the debt
obligation, for example, is of considerable importance. In addition, no
assurance can be given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not
contest payments to the holders of securities issued by foreign governments in
the event of default under commercial bank loan agreements.

EFFECTS OF BORROWING. A Fund's loan agreements provide for additional
borrowings and for repayments and reborrowings from time to time, and each Fund
that may borrow expects to effect borrowings and repayments at such times and
in such amounts as will maintain investment leverage in an amount approximately
equal to its borrowing target. The loan agreements provide for a selection of
interest rates that are based on the bank's short-term funding costs in the
U.S. and London markets.

Borrowings by a Fund result in leveraging of the Fund's shares of common stock.
Utilization of leverage, which is usually considered speculative, however,
involves certain risks to a Fund's shareholders. These include a higher
volatility of the net asset value of a Fund's shares of common stock and the
relatively greater effect on the net asset value of the shares. So long as a
Fund is able to realize a net return on its investment portfolio that is higher
than the interest expense paid on borrowings, the effect of leverage will be to
cause the Fund's shareholders to realize a higher current net investment income
than if the Fund were not leveraged. On the other hand, interest rates on U.S.
Dollar-denominated and foreign currency-denominated obligations change from
time to time as does their relationship to each other, depending upon such
factors as supply and demand forces, monetary and tax policies within each
country and investor expectations. Changes in such factors could cause the
relationship between such rates to change so that rates on U.S.
Dollar-denominated obligations may substantially increase relative to the
foreign currency-denominated obligations in which the Fund may be invested. To
the extent that the interest expense on borrowings approaches the net return on
a Fund's investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the Fund's
shareholders will be reduced, and if the interest expense on borrowings were to
exceed the net return to shareholders, a Fund's use of leverage would result in
a lower rate of return than if a Fund were not leveraged. Similarly, the effect
of leverage in a declining market could be a greater decrease in net asset
value per share than if the Fund were not leveraged. In an extreme case if a
Fund's current investment income were not sufficient to meet the interest
expense on borrowings, it could be necessary for the Fund to liquidate certain
of its investments, thereby reducing the net asset value of a Fund's shares.

In the event of an increase in rates on U.S. Government securities or other
changed market conditions, to the point where leverage by MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME or NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME could
adversely affect the Funds' shareholders, as noted above, or in anticipation of
such changes, each Fund may increase the percentage of its investment portfolio
invested in U.S. Government securities, which would tend to offset the negative
impact of leverage on Fund shareholders. Each Fund may also reduce the degree
to which it is leveraged by repaying amounts borrowed.

Under the 1940 Act, a Fund is not permitted to borrow unless immediately after
such borrowing there is "asset coverage," as that term is defined and used in
the 1940 Act, of at least 300% for all borrowings of the Fund. In addition,
under the 1940 Act, in the event asset coverage falls below 300%, a Fund must
within three days reduce the amount of its borrowing to such an extent that the
asset coverage of its borrowings is at least 300%. Assuming, for example,
outstanding borrowings representing not more than one-third of a Fund's total
assets less liabilities (other than such borrowings), the asset coverage of the
Fund's portfolio would be 300%; while outstanding borrowings representing 25%
of the Fund's total assets less liabilities (other than such borrowings), the
asset coverage of the Fund's portfolio would be 400%. A Fund will maintain
asset coverage of outstanding borrowings of at least 300% and if necessary
will, to the extent possible, reduce the amounts borrowed by making repayments
from time to time in order to do so. Such repayments could require a Fund to
sell portfolio securities at times considered disadvantageous by Alliance and
such sales could cause the Fund to incur related transaction costs and to
realize gains on securities held for less than three months. Until the start
of a Fund's first tax year beginning after August 5, 1997, not more than 30%
of a Fund's gross income may be derived from the sale or disposition of stocks
and securities held for less than three months to maintain the Fund's tax
status as a regulated investment company. Such gains would limit the ability
of a Fund to sell other securities held for less than three months that a Fund
might wish to sell in the ordinary course of its portfolio management and
thus might adversely affect the Fund's yield. See "Dividends, Distributions
and Taxes."

Each of MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL
STRATEGIC INCOME and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may borrow to repurchase its
shares or to meet redemption requests. In addition, each Fund may borrow for
temporary purposes (including the purposes mentioned in the preceding sentence)
in an amount not exceeding 5% of the


39



value of the assets of the Fund. Borrowings for temporary purposes are not
subject to the 300% asset average limit described above. See "Certain
Fundamental Investment Policies." SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, LIMITED
MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME,
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may also borrow through
the use of reverse repurchase agreements, and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT,
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME also through the use
of dollar rolls to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. See "Investment
Objectives and Policies-Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls."

INVESTMENT IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY. Due to the investment policies of
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, WORLD INCOME and SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET with respect to
investments in the banking industry, those Funds will have greater exposure to
the risk factors which are characteristic of such investments. In particular,
the value of and investment return on each Fund's shares will be affected by
economic or regulatory developments in or related to the banking industry.
Sustained increases in interest rates can adversely affect the availability and
cost of funds for a bank's lending activities, and a deterioration in general
economic conditions could increase the exposure to credit losses. The banking
industry is also subject to the effects of: the concentration of loan
portfolios in particular business such as real estate, energy, agriculture or
high technology-related companies; national and local regulation; and
competition within those industries as well as with other types of financial
institutions. In addition, each Fund's investments in commercial banks located
in several foreign countries are subject to additional risks due to the
combination in such banks of commercial banking and diversified securities
activities. As discussed above, however, the Funds will seek to minimize their
exposure to such risks by investing only in debt securities which are
determined to be of high quality.

SECURITIES RATINGS. The ratings of fixed-income securities by S&P, Moody's,
Duff & Phelps and Fitch are a generally accepted barometer of credit risk. They
are, however, subject to certain limitations from an investor's standpoint. The
rating of an issuer is heavily weighted by past developments and does not
necessarily reflect probable future conditions. There is frequently a lag
between the time a rating is assigned and the time it is updated. In addition,
there may be varying degrees of difference in credit risk of securities within
each rating category.

INVESTMENT IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES RATED BAA AND BBB. Securities rated Baa
or BBB are considered to have speculative characteristics and share some of the
same characteristics as lower-rated securities, as described below. Sustained
periods of deteriorating economic conditions or of rising interest rates are
more likely to lead to a weakening in the issuer's capacity to pay interest and
repay principal than in the case of higher-rated securities.

INVESTMENT IN LOWER-RATED FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. Lower-rated securities are
subject to greater risk of loss of principal and interest than higher-rated
securities. They are also generally considered to be subject to greater market
risk than higher-rated securities, and the capacity of issuers of lower-rated
securities to pay interest and repay principal is more likely to weaken than is
that of issuers of higher-rated securities in times of deteriorating economic
conditions or rising interest rates. In addition, lower-rated securities may be
more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic conditions than
investment grade securities. Securities rated Ba or BB are judged to have
speculative elements or to be predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's ability to pay interest and repay principal. Securities rated B are
judged to have highly speculative elements or to be predominantly speculative.
Such securities may have small assurance of interest and principal payments.
Securities rated Baa by Moody's are also judged to have speculative
characteristics.

The market for lower-rated securities may be thinner and less active than that
for higher-rated securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which
these securities can be sold. To the extent that there is no established
secondary market for lower-rated securities, a Fund may experience difficulty
in valuing such securities and, in turn, the Fund's assets.

Alliance will try to reduce the risk inherent in investment in lower-rated
securities through credit analysis, diversification and attention to current
developments and trends in interest rates and economic and political
conditions. However, there can be no assurance that losses will not occur.
Since the risk of default is higher for lower-rated securities, Alliance's
research and credit analysis are a correspondingly more important aspect of its
program for managing a Fund's securities than would be the case if a Fund did
not invest in lower-rated securities. In considering investments for the Fund,
Alliance will attempt to identify those high-yielding securities whose
financial condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is
expected to improve in the future. Alliance's analysis focuses on relative
values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage,
earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer.

NON-RATED SECURITIES. Non-rated securities will also be considered for
investment by NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT,
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, CORPORATE BOND and HIGH YIELD when Alliance believes
that the financial condition of the issuers of such securities, or the
protection afforded by the terms of the securities themselves, limits the risk
to the Fund to a degree comparable to that of rated securities which are
consistent with the Fund's objective and policies.

NON-DIVERSIFIED STATUS. Each of WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME is a "non-diversified" investment
company, which means the Fund is not limited in the proportion of its


40



assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. However,
each Fund intends to conduct its operations so as to qualify to be taxed as a
"regulated investment company" for purposes of the Code, which will relieve
the Fund of any liability for federal income tax to the extent its earnings
are distributed to shareholders. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in
each Fund's Statement of Additional Information. To so qualify, among other
requirements, each Fund will limit its investments so that, at the close of
each quarter of the taxable year, (i) not more than 25% of the Fund's total
assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer, and (ii) with
respect to 50% of its total assets, not more than 5% of its total assets will
be invested in the securities of a single issuer and the Fund will not own more
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. A Fund's
investments in U.S. Government securities are not subject to these limitations.
Because each of WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY,
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC
INCOME is a non-diversified investment company, it may invest in a smaller
number of individual issuers than a diversified investment company, and an
investment in such Fund may, under certain circumstances, present greater
risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified investment company.

Foreign government securities are not treated like U.S. Government securities
for purposes of the diversification tests described in the preceding paragraph,
but instead are subject to these tests in the same manner as the securities of
non-governmental issuers. In this regard sovereign debt obligations issued by
different issuers located in the same country are often treated as issued by a
single issuer for purposes of these diversification tests. Certain issuers of
structured securities and loan participations may be treated as separate
issuers for the purposes of these tests. Accordingly, in order to meet the
diversification tests and thereby maintain its status as a regulated investment
company, each of GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME
will be required to diversify its portfolio of foreign government securities in
a manner which would not be necessary if the Fund had made similar investments
in U.S. Government securities.



                         PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
_______________________________________________________________________________

HOW TO BUY SHARES

You can purchase shares of any of the Funds at a price based on the next
calculated net asset value after receipt of a proper purchase order either
through broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries, or directly
through Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. ("AFD"), each Fund's principal
underwriter. The minimum initial investment in each Fund (except WORLD INCOME)
is $250. The minimum for subsequent investments in each Fund is $50.
Investments of $25 or more are allowed under the automatic investment program
of each Fund. Share certificates are issued only upon request. See the
Subscription Application and Statements of Additional Information for more
information.

Existing shareholders may make subsequent purchases by electronic funds
transfer if they have completed the Telephone Transactions section of the
Subscription Application or the Shareholder Options form obtained from Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS"), each Fund's registrar, transfer agent and dividend
disbursing agent. Telephone purchase orders can be made by calling (800)
221-5672 and may not exceed $500,000.

Each Fund (except WORLD INCOME) offers three classes of shares through this
Prospectus, Class A, Class B and Class C. WORLD INCOME offers only one class of
shares, which may be purchased without any initial sales charge or contingent
deferred sales charge ("CDSC"). The Funds may refuse any order to purchase
shares. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to restrict purchases of
Fund shares (including through exchanges) when they appear to evidence a
pattern of frequent purchases and sales made in response to short-term
considerations.

CLASS A SHARES-INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase Class A shares at net asset value plus an initial sales
charge, as follows:


                                     Initial Sales Charge
                                     as % of                    Commission to
                                   Net Amount     as % of     Dealer/Agent as %
Amount Purchased                    Invested  Offering Price  of Offering Price
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than $100,000                     4.44%        4.25%            4.00%
$100,000 to less than $250,000         3.36         3.25             3.00
$250,000 to less than $500,000         2.30         2.25             2.00
$500,000 to less than $1,000,000       1.78         1.75             1.50


On purchases of $1,000,000 or more, you pay no initial sales charge but may pay
a CDSC equal to 1% of the lesser of net asset value at the time of redemption
or original cost if you redeem within one year; Alliance may pay the dealer or
agent a fee of up to 1% of the dollar amount purchased. Certain purchases of
Class A shares may qualify for reduced or eliminated sales charges in
accordance with a Fund's Combined Purchase Privilege, Cumulative Quantity
Discount, Statement of Intention, Privilege for Certain Retirement Plans,
Reinstatement Privilege and Sales at Net Asset Value programs. Consult the
Subscription Application and Statements of Additional Information.

CLASS B SHARES-DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE

You can purchase Class B shares at net asset value without an initial sales
charge. However, you may pay a CDSC if you redeem shares within three years
(four years in the case of GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and HIGH YIELD) after
purchase. The amount of the CDSC (expressed as a percentage of the lesser of
the current net asset value or original cost) will vary according to the number
of years from the purchase of Class B shares until the redemption of those
shares.


41



The amount of the CDSC for each Fund is as set forth below. Class B shares of a
Fund purchased prior to the date of this Prospectus may be subject to a
different CDSC schedule, which was disclosed in the Fund's prospectus in use at
the time of purchase and is set forth in the Fund's current Statement of
Additional Information.


GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and HIGH YIELD:
          Year Since Purchase             CDSC
          First                          4.00%
          Second                         3.00%
          Third                          2.00%
          Fourth                         1.00%
          Fifth and thereafter            None


ALL OTHER FUNDS:
          Year Since Purchase             CDSC
          First                           3.0%
          Second                          2.0%
          Third                           1.0%
          Fourth and thereafter           None


Class B shares are subject to higher distribution fees than Class A shares for
a period of six years, eight years in the case of GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and
HIGH YIELD (after which they convert to Class A shares). The higher fees mean
a higher expense ratio, so Class B shares pay correspondingly lower dividends
and may have a lower net asset value than Class A shares.


CLASS C SHARES-ASSET-BASED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE

You can purchase Class C shares without any initial sales charge. A Fund will
thus receive the full amount of your purchase, and, if you hold your shares for
one year or more, you will receive the entire net asset value of your shares
upon redemption. Class C shares incur higher distribution fees than Class A
shares and do not convert to any other class of shares of the Fund. The higher
fees mean a higher expense ratio, so Class C shares pay correspondingly lower
dividends and may have a lower net asset value than Class A shares.
Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a CDSC
equal to 1% of the lesser of their original cost or net asset value at the time
of redemption.


APPLICATION OF THE CDSC

Shares obtained from dividend or distribution reinvestment are not subject to
the CDSC. The CDSC is deducted from the amount of the redemption and is paid to
AFD. The CDSC will be waived on redemptions of shares following the death or
disability of a shareholder, to meet the requirements of certain qualified
retirement plans or pursuant to a monthly, bimonthly or quarterly systematic
withdrawal plan. See the Statements of Additional Information.

HOW THE FUNDS VALUE THEIR SHARES
The net asset value of each class of shares of a Fund is calculated by dividing
the value of the Fund's net assets allocable to that class by the outstanding
shares of that class. Shares are valued each day the Exchange is open as of the
close of regular trading (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The securities in
a Fund are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of
market quotations or, if such quotations are not readily available, such other
methods as the Fund's Directors or Trustees believe accurately reflect fair
market value.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Certain employee benefit plans, including employer-sponsored tax-qualified
401(k) plans and other defined contribution retirement plans ("Employee Benefit
Plans"), may establish requirements as to the purchase, sale or exchange of
shares of the Funds, including maximum and minimum initial investment
requirements, that are different from those described in this Prospectus. Such
Employee Benefit Plans may also not offer all classes of shares of the Funds.
In order to enable participants investing through such Employee Benefit Plans
to purchase shares of the Funds, the maximum and minimum investment amounts
may be different for shares purchased through these Employee Benefit Plans
from those described in this Prospectus. In addition, the Class A, Class B and
Class C CDSC may be waived for investments made through such Employee Benefit
Plans.

GENERAL
The decision as to which class of shares is most beneficial to you depends on
the amount and intended length of your investment. If you are making a large
investment, thus qualifying for a reduced sales charge, you might consider
Class A shares. If you are making a smaller investment, you might consider
Class B shares because 100% of your purchase is invested immediately. If you
are unsure of the length of your investment, you might consider Class C shares
because there is no initial sales charge and, as long as the shares are held
for one year or more, no CDSC. Consult your financial agent. Dealers and agents
may receive differing compensation for selling Class A, Class B or Class C
shares. There is no size limit on purchases of Class A shares. The maximum
purchase of Class B shares is $250,000. The maximum purchase of Class C shares
is $1,000,000.

GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and HIGH YIELD FUND offer a fourth class of shares,
Advisor Class shares, by means of separate prospectuses. Advisor Class shares
may be purchased and held solely by (i) accounts established under a fee-based
program sponsored and maintained by a registered broker-dealer or other
financial intermediary and approved by AFD, (ii) a self-directed defined
contribution employee benefit plan (e.g., a 401(k) plan) that has at least
1,000 participants or $25 million in assets and (iii) certain other categories
of investors described in the prospectuses for the Advisor Class, including
investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated with,
Alliance and its affiliates or the Funds. Advisor Class shares are offered
without any initial sales charge or CDSC and without an ongoing distribution
fee and are expected, therefore, to have different performance than Class A,
Class B or Class C shares. You may obtain more information about Advisor Class
shares by contacting AFS at (800) 221-5672 or by contacting your financial
representative.


42



A transaction, service, administrative or other similar fee may be charged by
your broker-dealer, agent, financial intermediary or other financial
representative with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Class A,
Class B or Class C shares made through such financial representative. Such
financial intermediaries may also impose requirements with respect to the
purchase, sale or exchange of shares that are different from, or in addition
to, those imposed by a Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial
and subsequent investment amounts.


In addition to the discount or commission paid to dealers or agents, AFD from
time to time pays additional cash or other incentives to dealers or agents,
including EQ Financial Consultants Inc., an affiliate of AFD, in connection
with the sale of shares of the Funds. Such additional amounts may be utilized,
in whole or in part, in some cases together with other revenues of such dealers
or agents, to provide additional compensation to registered representatives who
sell shares of the Funds. On some occasions, such cash or other incentives will
be conditioned upon the sale of a specified minimum dollar amount of the shares
of a Fund and/or other Alliance Mutual Funds during a specific period of time.
Such incentives may take the form of payment for attendance at seminars, meals,
sporting events or theater performances, or payment for travel, lodging and
entertainment incurred in connection with travel by persons associated with a
dealer or agent and their immediate family members to urban or resort locations
within or outside the United States. Such dealer or agent may elect to receive
cash incentives of equivalent amount in lieu of such payments.


HOW TO SELL SHARES

You may "redeem", i.e., sell your shares in a Fund to the Fund on any day the
Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary. The
price you will receive is the net asset value (less any applicable CDSC) next
calculated after the Fund receives your request in proper form. Proceeds
generally will be sent to you within seven days. However, for shares recently
purchased by check or electronic funds transfer, a Fund will not send proceeds
until it is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds transfer
has been collected (which may take up to 15 days).

SELLING SHARES THROUGH YOUR BROKER
Your broker must receive your request before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, and your
broker must transmit your request to the Fund by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, for
you to receive that day's net asset value (less any applicable CDSC). Your
broker is responsible for furnishing all necessary documentation to a Fund and
may charge you for this service.

SELLING SHARES DIRECTLY TO A FUND
Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power form to AFS, along with
certificates, if any, that represent the shares you want to sell. For your
protection, signatures must be guaranteed by a bank, a member firm of a
national stock exchange or other eligible guarantor institution. Stock power
forms are available from your financial intermediary, AFS and many commercial
banks. Additional documentation is required for the sale of shares by
corporations, intermediaries, fiduciaries and surviving joint owners. For
details contact:

Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1520
(800) 221-5672


Alternatively, a request for redemption of shares for which no stock
certificates have been issued can also be made by telephone to (800) 221-5672.
Telephone redemption requests must be made by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund
business day in order to receive that day's net asset value, and, except for
certain omnibus accounts, may be made only once in any 30-day period. A
shareholder who has completed the Telephone Transactions section of the
Subscription Application, or the Shareholder Options form obtained from AFS,
can elect to have the proceeds of his or her redemption sent to his or her bank
via an electronic funds transfer. Proceeds of telephone redemptions also may be
sent by check to a shareholder's address of record. Redemption requests by
electronic funds transfer may not exceed $100,000 and redemption requests by
check may not exceed $50,000. Telephone redemption is not available for shares
held in nominees or "street name" accounts or retirement plan accounts or
shares held by a shareholder who has changed his or her address of record
within the previous 30 calendar days.

GENERAL
The sale of shares is a taxable transaction for federal tax purposes. Under
unusual circumstances, a Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment for
up to seven days or longer, as permitted by federal securities law. The Funds
reserve the right to close an account that through redemption has remained
below $200 for 90 days. Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to
increase the account value before the account is closed.

During drastic economic or market developments, you might have difficulty
reaching AFS by telephone, in which event you should issue written instructions
to AFS. AFS is not responsible for the authenticity of telephonic requests to
purchase, sell or exchange shares. AFS will employ reasonable procedures to
verify that telephone requests are genuine, and could be liable for losses
resulting from unauthorized transactions if it failed to do so. Dealers and
agents may charge a commission for handling telephonic requests. The telephone
service may be suspended or terminated at any time without notice.


SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

AFS offers a variety of shareholder services. For more information about these
services or your account, call AFS's toll-free number, (800) 221-5672. Some
services are described in the attached Subscription Application. A shareholder
manual explaining all available services will be provided upon request. To
request a shareholder manual, call (800) 227-4618.

HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES

You may exchange your shares of WORLD INCOME for Class A shares of other
Alliance Mutual Funds and shares of most


43



Alliance money market funds. You may exchange your shares of any other
Fund for shares of the same class of other Alliance Mutual Funds (including
AFD Exchange Reserves, a money market fund managed by Alliance). Exchanges of
shares are made at the net asset values next determined, without sales or
service charges. Exchanges may be made by telephone or written request.
Telephone exchange requests must be received by AFS by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time
on a Fund business day in order to receive that day's net asset value.

Shares will continue to age without regard to exchanges for the purpose of
determining the CDSC, if any, upon redemption and, in the case of Class B
shares, for the purpose of conversion to Class A shares. After an exchange,
your Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares in accordance
with the conversion schedule applicable to the Class B shares of the Alliance
Mutual Fund you originally purchased for cash ("original shares"). When
redemption occurs, the CDSC applicable to the original shares is applied.

Please read carefully the prospectus of the mutual fund into which you are
exchanging before submitting the request. Call AFS at (800) 221-5672 to
exchange uncertificated shares. An exchange is a taxable capital transaction
for federal tax purposes. The exchange service may be changed, suspended, or
terminated on 60 days' written notice.



                           MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
_______________________________________________________________________________

ADVISER

Alliance, which is a Delaware limited partnership with principal offices at
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105, has been retained under
an advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") to provide investment advice
and, in general, to conduct the management and investment program of each Fund,
subject to the general supervision and control of the Directors or Trustees of
the Fund.

Alliance is a leading international investment manager supervising client
accounts with assets as of September 30, 1997 totaling more than $217 billion
(of which more than $81 billion represented the assets of investment 
companies). Alliance's clients are primarily major corporate employee benefit 
funds, public employee retirement systems, investment companies, foundations 
and endowment funds. The 54 registered investment companies managed by Alliance
comprising 116 separate investment portfolios currently have over two million
shareholders. As of September 30, 1997, Alliance was retained as an investment
manager for 28 of the Fortune 100 companies.

Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC"), the sole general partner of,
and the owner of a 1% general partnership interest in, Alliance, is an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United
States ("Equitable"), one of the largest life insurance companies in the United
States, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Equitable Companies
Incorporated, a holding company controlled by AXA-UAP, a French insurance 
holding company. Certain information concerning the ownership and control of 
Equitable by AXA-UAP is set forth in each Fund's Statement of Additional 
Information under "Management of the Fund."

The following table lists the person or persons who are primarily responsible
for the day-to-day management of each Fund's portfolio, the length of time that
each person has been primarily responsible, and each person's principal
occupation during the past five years.

                                                           Principal occupation
                        Employee; time period;               during the past
Fund                      title with ACMC                      five years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-Term U.S.         Patricia J. Young since 1995       Associated with
Government              -Senior Vice President             Alliance.

                        Jeffrey S. Phlegar                 Associated with
                        since 1997- Vice President         Alliance.

U.S. Government         Wayne D. Lyski since 1983          Associated with
                        -Executive Vice President          Alliance.

                        Patricia J. Young since 1997       (see above)
                        -(see above)

                        Jeffrey S. Phlegar                 (see above)
                        since 1997-(see above)

Limited Maturity        Patricia J. Young                  (see above)
Government              since inception-(see above)

                        Jeffrey S. Phlegar                 (see above)
                        since 1997-(see above)

Mortgage Securities     Patricia J. Young since            (see above)
Income                  1992-(see above)

                        Jeffrey S. Phlegar                 (see above)
                        since 1997-(see above)

World Income            Douglas J. Peebles since           Associated with
                        inception-Vice President           Alliance.

Short-Term              Douglas J. Peebles since           (see above)
Multi-Market            1995-(see above)

Multi-Market Strategy   Douglas J. Peebles since           (see above)
                        inception-(see above)

North American          Wayne D. Lyski since inception     (see above)
Government Income       -(see above)

Global Dollar           Wayne D. Lyski since inception     (see above)
Government              -(see above)

Global Strategic        Wayne D. Lyski since inception     (see above)
Income                  -(see above)

                        Douglas J. Peebles since           (see above)
                        inception-(see above)

Corporate Bond          Wayne D. Lyski since               (see above)
                        1987-(see above)

                        Paul J. DeNoon since               (see above)
                        January 1992-(see above)


44



                                                           Principal occupation
                        Employee; time period;               during the past
Fund                      title with ACMC                      five years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield              Wayne C. Tappe                     Associated with
                        since 1991-Vice President*         Alliance.

                        Nelson Jantzen                     Associated with
                        since 1991-Senior                  Alliance.
                        Vice President*


* ASSOCIATED WITH EQUITABLE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION ("EQUITABLE
CAPITAL") PRIOR TO JULY 22, 1993. ON THAT DATE ALLIANCE ACQUIRED THE BUSINESS
AND SUBSTANTIALLY ALL THE ASSETS OF EQUITABLE CAPITAL.

PERFORMANCE OF A SIMILARLY MANAGED PORTFOLIO
Alliance is the investment adviser of a portfolio (the "Historical Portfolio")
of a registered investment company, sold only to separate accounts of insurance
companies in connection with variable life insurance contracts and variable
annuities certificates and contracts (the "Contracts"), that has substantially
the same investment objective and policies and has been managed in accordance
with essentially the same investment strategies and techniques as those
contemplated for HIGH YIELD. See "Description of the Funds." Alliance since
July 22, 1993, and prior thereto, Equitable Capital, whose advisory business
Alliance acquired on that date, have served as investment adviser to the
Historical Portfolio since its inception in 1987.

The following tables set forth performance results for the Historical Portfolio
since its inception (January 2, 1987), together with those of the Lipper High
Current Yield Mutual Funds Average as a comparative benchmark. As of February
28, 1997, the assets in the Historical Portfolio totalled approximately $234
million. The data below do not represent the performance of the Fund.

The performance data do not reflect account charges applicable to the
Contracts or imposed at the insurance company separate account level. In
addition, the performance data do not reflect the Fund's estimated higher
expenses, which, if reflected, would lower the performance of the Historical
Portfolio. The performance data have not been adjusted for taxes, if any,
payable with respect to the Historical Portfolio. The rates of return shown for
the Historical Portfolio are not an estimate or guarantee of future investment
performance of the Fund.

The Lipper High Current Yield Bond Funds Average is a survey of the performance
of a large number of mutual funds the investment objective of each of which is
similar to that of the Fund. This survey is published by Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc. ("Lipper"), a firm recognized for its reporting of performance
of actively managed funds. According to Lipper, performance data are presented
net of investment management fees, operating expenses and, for funds with Rule
12b-1 plans, asset-based sales charges.

The performance results presented below are based on percent changes in net
asset values of the Historical Portfolio with dividends and capital gains
reinvested. Cumulative rates of return reflect performance over a stated period
of time. Annualized rates of return represent the rate of growth that would
have produced the corresponding cumulative return had performance been constant
over the entire period.


                                       ANNUALIZED RATES OF RETURN
                                     PERIODS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997
                                     -------------------------------
PORTFOLIO/BENCHMARK           1 YEAR   3 YEARS   5 YEARS   10 YEARS  INCEPTION*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historical Portfolio          21.06%    13.25%    14.85%     11.78%     11.62%
Lipper High Current Yield
  Mutual Funds Average        13.38      8.47     11.42       9.27       9.57


                                         CUMULATIVE RATES OF RETURN
                                      PERIODS ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 1997
                                      --------------------------------
PORTFOLIO/BENCHMARK           1 YEAR   3 YEARS   5 YEARS   10 YEARS  INCEPTION*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historical Portfolio          21.06%    45.24%    99.87%    204.39%    205.67%
Lipper High Current Yield
  Mutual Funds Average        13.38     27.72     71.98     144.71     153.00

* JANUARY 2, 1987


EXPENSES OF THE FUND

In addition to the payments to Alliance under its Advisory Agreement,
HIGH YIELD pays certain other costs, including (i) custody, transfer and
dividend disbursing expenses, (ii) fees of the Directors who are not affiliated
with Alliance, (iii) legal and auditing expenses, (iv) clerical, accounting and
other office costs, (v) costs of printing the Fund's prospectuses and
shareholder reports, (vi) costs of maintaining the Fund's existence, (vii)
interest charges, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions, (viii) costs of
stationary and supplies, (ix) expenses and fees related to registration and
filing with the Commission and with state regulatory authorities, and (x) upon
the approval of the Board of Directors, costs of personnel of Alliance or its
affiliates rendering clerical, accounting and other office services and (xi)
such promotional, shareholder servicing and other expenses as may be
contemplated by the Distribution Services Agreement, described below.


DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENTS

Rule 12b-1 adopted by the Commission under the 1940 Act permits an investment
company to pay expenses associated with the distribution of its shares in
accordance with a duly adopted plan. Each Fund has adopted one or more "Rule
12b-1 plans" (for each Fund, a "Plan") and has entered into a Distribution
Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with AFD. Pursuant to its Plan, a Fund
pays to AFD a Rule 12b-1 distribution services fee, which may not exceed for
each Fund other than WORLD INCOME an annual rate of .30% (.50% with respect to
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT) of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets
attributable to the Class A shares, 1.00% of the Fund's aggregate average daily
net assets attributable to the Class B shares and 1.00% of the Fund's aggregate
average daily net assets attributable to the Class C shares, and for WORLD
INCOME may not exceed an annual rate of .90% of the Fund's aggregate average
daily net assets, for distribution expenses. The Trustees of SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT currently limit payments with respect to Class A shares under the
Plan to .30% of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to
Class A shares. The Plans provide that a portion of the distribution services
fee in


45



an amount not to exceed .25% of the aggregate average daily net assets
of each Fund attributable to each class of shares constitutes a service fee
used for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts.

The Plans provide that AFD will use the distribution services fee received from
a Fund in its entirety for payments (i) to compensate broker-dealers or other
persons for providing distribution assistance, (ii) to otherwise promote the
sale of shares of the Fund, and (iii) to compensate broker-dealers, depository
institutions and other financial intermediaries for providing administrative,
accounting and other services with respect to the Fund's shareholders. In this
regard, some payments under the Plans are used to compensate financial
intermediaries with trail or maintenance commissions in an amount equal to,
with respect to each Fund other than WORLD INCOME, .25%, annualized, with
respect to Class A shares and Class B shares, and 1.00%, annualized, with
respect to Class C shares, and, with respect to WORLD INCOME, .90%, annualized,
of the assets maintained in a Fund by their customers. Distribution services
fees received from the Funds, except SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, with respect
to Class A shares will not be used to pay any interest expenses, carrying
charges or other financing costs or allocation of overhead of AFD.
Distribution services fees received from the Funds, with respect to Class B and
Class C shares, may be used for these purposes. The Plans also provide that
Alliance may use its own resources to finance the distribution of each Fund's
shares.

The Funds are not obligated under the Plans to pay any distribution services
fee in excess of the amounts set forth above. Except as noted below for
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, with respect to Class A shares of each Fund,
distribution expenses accrued by AFD in one fiscal year may not be paid from
distribution services fees received from the Fund in subsequent fiscal years.
AFD's compensation with respect to Class B and Class C shares under the Plans
of the other Funds is directly tied to the expenses incurred by AFD. Actual
distribution expenses for Class B and Class C shares for any given year,
however, will probably exceed the distribution services fees payable under the
applicable Plan with respect to the class involved and, in the case of Class B
and Class C shares, payments received from CDSCs. The excess will be carried
forward by AFD and reimbursed from distribution services fees payable under the
Plan with respect to the class involved and, in the case of Class B and Class C
shares, payments subsequently received through CDSCs, so long as the Plan is in
effect. Since AFD's compensation under the Plan of SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT
is not directly tied to its expenses incurred, the amount of compensation
received by it during any year may be more or less than its actual expenses.

Unreimbursed distribution expenses incurred as of the end of each Fund's most
recently completed fiscal year, and carried over for reimbursement in future
years in respect of the Class B and Class C shares for all Funds (except
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT), were, as of that time, as follows:


               Amount of Unreimbursed Distribution Expenses
                                      (as % of Net Assets of Class)
                              -----------------------------------------------
                                     Class B                 Class C
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government               $ 8,593,091    (1.56%)   $3,589,130    (2.63%)
Limited Maturity Government   $   472,895     (.73%)   $2,677,214    (4.92%)
Mortgage Securities Income    $12,491,371    (2.79%)   $2,688,747    (6.50%)
Short-Term Multi-Market       $26,166,892    (6.40%)   $1,343,129   (20.59%)
Multi-Market Strategy         $ 9,610,982    (9.58%)   $  454,910   (57.38%)
North American
  Government Income           $35,196,166    (2.88%)   $3,291,519    (1.40%)
Global Dollar Government      $ 2,214,590    (2.54%)   $  460,747    (2.29%)
Corporate Bond                $ 9,163,392    (2.23%)   $2,093,526    (1.77%)
Global Strategic Income       $   131,691   (53.37%)   $   84,063   (37.53%)
High Yield*                   $ 1,679,237     (8.5%)   $   79,092    (2.36%)

* FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD APRIL 22, 1997 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) THROUGH
AUGUST 31, 1997.


The Plans are in compliance with rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. which effectively limit the annual asset-based sales
charges and service fees that a mutual fund may pay on a class of shares to
 .75% and .25%, respectively, of the average annual net assets attributable to
that class. The rules also limit the aggregate of all front-end, deferred and
asset-based sales charges imposed with respect to a class of shares by a mutual
fund that also charges a service fee to 6.25% of cumulative gross sales of
shares of that class, plus interest at the prime rate plus 1% per annum.

The Glass-Steagall Act and other applicable laws may limit the ability of a
bank or other depository institution to become an underwriter or distributor of
securities. However, in the opinion of the Funds' management, based on the
advice of counsel, these laws do not prohibit such depository institutions from
providing services for investment companies such as the administrative,
accounting and other services referred to in the Agreements. In the event that
a change in these laws prevented a bank from providing such services, it is
expected that other service arrangements would be made and that shareholders
would not be adversely affected. The State of Texas requires that shares of a
Fund may be sold in that state only by dealers or other financial institutions
that are registered there as broker-dealers.



                      DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
_______________________________________________________________________________

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Dividends on shares of a Fund will be declared on each Fund business day from
the Fund's net investment income. Dividends on shares for Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays will be declared on the previous business day. Each Fund pays
dividends on its shares after the close of business on the twentieth day of
each month or, if such day is not a business day, the first business day
thereafter. At your election (which you may change at least 30 days prior to
the record date for a particular dividend or distribution), dividends and
distributions are paid in cash or reinvested without charge in additional


46



shares of the same class having an aggregate net asset value as of the payment
date of the dividend or distribution equal to the cash amount thereof.

If you receive an income dividend or capital gains distribution in cash you
may, within 120 days following the date of its payment, reinvest the dividend
or distribution in additional shares of that Fund without charge by returning
to Alliance, with appropriate instructions, the check representing such
dividend or distribution. Thereafter, unless you otherwise specify, you will be
deemed to have elected to reinvest all subsequent dividends and distributions
in shares of that Fund.

Cash dividends can be paid by check or, if the shareholder so elects,
electronically via the ACH network. There is no sales or other charge in
connection with the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
Dividends paid by a Fund, if any, with respect to Class A, Class B and Class C
shares will be calculated in the same manner at the same time on the same day
and will be in the same amount, except that the higher distribution services
fees applicable to Class B and Class C shares, and any incremental transfer
agency costs relating to Class B shares, will be borne exclusively by the
class to which they relate.

While it is the intention of each Fund to distribute to its shareholders
substantially all of each fiscal year's net income and net realized capital
gains, if any, the amount and timing of any such dividend or distribution must
necessarily depend upon the realization by such Fund of income and capital
gains from investments. There is no fixed dividend rate, and there can be no
assurance that a Fund will pay any dividends or realize any capital gains.

If you buy shares just before a Fund deducts a distribution from its net asset
value, you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of
the price back as a taxable distribution.


FOREIGN INCOME TAXES

Investment income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may
be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent that
any Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, each Fund
intends, if possible, to operate so as to meet the requirements of the Code to
"pass through" to the Fund's shareholders credits or deductions for foreign
income taxes paid, but there can be no assurance that any Fund will be able to
do so.


U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

Each Fund intends to qualify to be taxed as a "regulated investment company"
under the Internal Revenue Code. So long as a Fund distributes at least 90% of
its income, qualification as a regulated investment company relieves that Fund
of Federal income taxes on that part of its taxable income, including net
capital gains, which it pays out to its shareholders. Dividends out of net
ordinary income and distributions of net short-term capital gains are taxable
to the recipient shareholders as ordinary income. The investment objectives of
the Funds are such that only a small portion, if any, of a Fund's distributions
is expected to qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporate
shareholders.

Pursuant to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, two different tax rates apply to
net capital gains-that is, the excess of net gains from capital assets held for
more than one year over net losses from capital assets held for not more than
one year. One rate (generally 28%) applies to net gains on capital assets held
for more than one year but not more than 18 months ("mid-term gains") and a
second rate (generally 20%) applies to the balance of such net capital gains
("adjusted net capital gains"). Distributions of mid-term gains and adjusted
net capital gains will be taxable to shareholders as such, regardless of how
long a shareholder has held shares in the Fund.

Under current federal tax law, the amount of income dividend or capital gains
distribution declared by a Fund during October, November or December of a year
to shareholders of record as of a specified date in such a month that is paid
during January of the following year is includable in the prior year's taxable
income of shareholders that are calendar year taxpayers.

Any dividend or distribution received by a shareholder on shares of a Fund will
have the effect of reducing the net asset value of such shares by the amount of
such dividend or distribution. Furthermore, a dividend or distribution made
shortly after the purchase of such shares by a shareholder, although in effect
a return of capital to that particular shareholder, would be taxable to him or
her as described above. Any loss realized on the sale of shares held six months
or less will be a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain
distributions received by the shareholder with respect to such shares.

A dividend or capital gains distribution with respect to shares of a Fund held
by a tax-deferred or qualified plan, such as an individual retirement account,
403(b)(7) retirement plan or corporate pension or profit-sharing plan,
generally will not be taxable to the plan. Distributions from such plans will
be taxable to individual participants under applicable tax rules without
regard to the character of the income earned by the qualified plan.

Distributions by a Fund may be subject to state and local taxes. U.S.
GOVERNMENT, LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, WORLD
INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT INCOME and CORPORATE BOND are qualified to do business in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and, therefore, are subject to the Pennsylvania
foreign franchise and corporate net income tax in respect of their business
activities in Pennsylvania. Accordingly, shares of such Funds are exempt from
Pennsylvania personal property taxes. These Funds anticipate continuing such
business activities but reserve the right to suspend them at any time,
resulting in the termination of the exemptions.

A Fund will be required to withhold 31% of any payments made to a shareholder
if the shareholder has not provided a certified


47


taxpayer identification number to the Fund, or the Secretary of the Treasury
notifies a Fund that a shareholder has not reported all interest and dividend
income required to be shown on the shareholder's federal income tax return.

Under certain circumstances, if a Fund realizes losses from fluctuations in
currency exchange rates after paying a dividend, all or a portion of the
dividend may subsequently be characterized as a return of capital. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in the Statements of Additional
Information.

Shareholders will be advised annually as to the federal tax status of dividends
and capital gains distributions made by a Fund for the preceding year.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding their own tax
situation.



                             GENERAL INFORMATION
_______________________________________________________________________________

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Consistent with the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best price and execution, a Fund may
consider sales of its shares as a factor in the selection of dealers to enter
into portfolio transactions with the Fund.


ORGANIZATION

Each of the following Funds is a Maryland corporation organized in the year
indicated: U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO and CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO (each a
series of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.) (1973), ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY
GOVERNMENT FUND, INC. (1992), ALLIANCE MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND, INC.
(1983), ALLIANCE WORLD INCOME TRUST, INC. (1990), ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM
MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC. (1989), ALLIANCE MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST, INC.
(1991), ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST, INC. (1992), ALLIANCE
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND, INC. (1993), ALLIANCE GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME
TRUST, INC. (1995) and ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC. (1996). Prior to March 1,
1996, ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND, INC. was known as Alliance
Mortgage Strategy Trust, Inc. Prior to January 4, 1993, CORPORATE BOND
PORTFOLIO was known as Monthly Income Portfolio. ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT FUND is a series of The Alliance Portfolios, a Massachusetts
business trust that was organized in 1987. Prior to August 2, 1993, The
Alliance Portfolios was known as The Equitable Funds and SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT was known as The Equitable Short-Term U.S. Government Fund.

It is anticipated that annual shareholder meetings will not be held;
shareholder meetings will be held only when required by federal or state law.
Shareholders have available certain procedures for the removal of Directors or
Trustees.

A shareholder in a Fund will be entitled to share pro rata with other holders
of the same class of shares all dividends and distributions arising from the
Fund's assets and, upon redeeming shares, will receive the then current net
asset value of the Fund represented by the redeemed shares less any applicable
CDSC. The Funds are empowered to establish, without shareholder approval,
additional portfolios, which may have different investment objectives, and
additional classes of shares. If an additional portfolio or class were
established in a Fund, each share of the portfolio or class would normally be
entitled to one vote for all purposes. Generally, shares of each portfolio and
class would vote together as a single class on matters, such as the election of
Directors or Trustees, that affect each portfolio and class in substantially
the same manner. Class A, Class B and Class C shares have identical voting,
dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that each class bears its own
distribution and transfer agency expenses. Each class of shares votes
separately with respect to a Fund's Rule 12b-1 distribution plan and other
matters for which separate class voting is appropriate under applicable law.
Shares are freely transferable, are entitled to dividends as determined by the
Directors and Trustees and, in liquidation of a Fund, are entitled to receive
the net assets of the Fund. Since this Prospectus sets forth information about
all the Funds, it is theoretically possible that a Fund might be liable for any
materially inaccurate or incomplete disclosure in this Prospectus concerning
another Fund. Based on the advice of counsel, however, the Funds believe that
the potential liability of each Fund with respect to the disclosure in this
Prospectus extends only to the disclosure relating to that Fund. Certain
additional matters relating to a Fund's organization are discussed in its
Statement of Additional Information.


PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME

On July 25, 1995, a Consolidated and Supplemental Class Action Complaint
("Complaint") styled In re ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST,
INC. LITIGATION was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District
of New York against the Fund, Alliance, ACMC, AFD, The Equitable Companies
Incorporated ("ECI"), a parent of the Adviser, and certain current and former
officers and directors of the Fund and ACMC, alleging violations of the federal
securities laws, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the
Fund's investments in Mexican and Argentine securities. The Complaint sought
certification of a plaintiff class of all persons who purchased or owned Class
A, B or C shares of the Fund from March 27, 1992 through December 23, 1994.
Plaintiffs alleged that during 1995 the Fund's losses exceeded $750,000,000 and
sought as relief unspecified damages, costs and attorney's fees. On September
26, 1996, the District Court granted defendants' motion to dismiss the
Complaint as to all claims.

On October 29, 1996, plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file an amended
complaint. In the proposed amended complaint ("Amended Complaint"), plaintiffs
asserted claims against the Fund, Alliance, ACMC, AFD, ECI, and certain current
and former officers and directors of the Fund and ACMC alleging violations of
federal securities laws, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. The principal
allegations of the Amended Complaint related to the Fund's hedging practices,
the Fund's investments in certain


48



mortgage-backed securities, and the risks and objectives of the Fund as
described in the Fund's marketing materials. The Amended Complaint made
similar request for class certification and damages as the Complaint. On
July 15, 1997, the District Court denied plaintiffs' motion to file the
Amended Complaint and dismissed the case. On August 13, 1997, plaintiffs
filed a Notice of Appeal of the District Court's denial of their motion to
file the Amended Complaint to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Second Circuit.

The Fund and Alliance believe that the allegations in the Complaint and the
Amended Complaint are without merit and intend to defend vigorously against
those claims.


REGISTRAR, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND-DISBURSING AGENT

AFS, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance, located at 500 Plaza
Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094, acts as each Fund's registrar, transfer
agent and dividend-disbursing agent for a fee based upon the number of
shareholder accounts maintained for the Fund. The transfer agency fee with
respect to Class B shares will be higher than the transfer agency fee with
respect to Class A shares or Class C shares.


PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

AFD, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance, located at 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105, is the principal underwriter of shares
of the Funds.


PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

From time to time, the Funds advertise their "yield" and "total return," which
are computed separately for Class A, Class B and Class C shares. A Fund's yield
for any 30-day (or one-month) period is computed by dividing the net investment
income per share earned during such period by the maximum public offering price
per share on the last day of the period, and then annualizing such 30-day (or
one-month) yield in accordance with a formula prescribed by the Commission
which provides for compounding on a semi-annual basis. A Fund may also state in
sales literature an "actual distribution rate" for each class which is computed
in the same manner as yield except that actual income dividends declared per
share during the period in question are substituted for net investment income
per share. The actual distribution rate is computed separately for Class A,
Class B and Class C shares. Advertisements of a Fund's total return disclose
its average annual compounded total return for the periods prescribed by the
Commission. A Fund's total return for each such period is computed by finding,
through the use of a formula prescribed by the Commission, the average annual
compounded rate of return over the period that would equate an assumed initial
amount invested to the value of the investment at the end of the period. For
purposes of computing total return, income dividends and capital gains
distributions paid on shares of a Fund are assumed to have been reinvested when
paid and the maximum sales charges applicable to purchases and redemptions of a
Fund's shares are assumed to have been paid. A Fund's advertisements may quote
performance rankings or ratings of a Fund by financial publications or
independent organizations such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and
Morningstar, Inc. or compare a Fund's performance to various indices.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This Prospectus and the Statements of Additional Information, which have been
incorporated by reference herein, do not contain all the information set forth
in the Registration Statements filed by the Funds with the Commission under the
Securities Act. Copies of the Registration Statements may be obtained at a
reasonable charge from the Commission or may be examined, without charge, at
the offices of the Commission in Washington, D.C.



THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH
OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

THIS PROSPECTUS IS INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER BY EACH FUND ONLY OF THE
SECURITIES OF WHICH IT IS THE ISSUER AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER
BY ANY FUND OF THE SECURITIES OF ANY OTHER FUND WHOSE SECURITIES ARE ALSO
OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS. NO FUND INTENDS TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION AS TO
THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS PROSPECTUS RELATING TO
ANY OTHER FUND. SEE "GENERAL INFORMATION-ORGANIZATION."


49



                           APPENDIX A: BOND RATINGS
_______________________________________________________________________________

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

Aaa-Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa-Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high
grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than the Aaa
securities.

A-Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.

Baa-Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payment and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba-Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.

B-Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa-Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.

Ca-Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C-Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.

Absence of Rating-When no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been
suspended or withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the quality of the
issue.

Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:

1.  An application for rating was not received or accepted.

2.  The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or companies that are
not rated as a matter of policy.

3.  There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.

4.  The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published
in Moody's publications.


Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the
effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer
available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a
bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.

Note-Moody's applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system. The
modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.


STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS SERVICES

AAA-Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

AA-Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.

A-Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB-Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

BB, B, CCC, CC, C-Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded as having
predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and
CCC the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and


A-1


protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or
major exposures to adverse conditions.

CI-The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.

D-Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if
the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.

Plus (+) or Minus (-)-The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.

NR-Not rated.


DUFF & PHELPS CREDIT RATING CO.

AAA-Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only
slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.

AA+,AA, AA- -High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is modest
but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions.

A+, A, A- -Protection factors are average but adequate. However, risk factors
are more variable and greater in periods of economic stress.

BBB+, BBB, BBB- -Below average protection factors but still considered
sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable variability in risk during
economic cycles.

BB+, BB, BB- -Below investment grade but deemed likely to meet obligations when
due. Present or prospective financial protection factors fluctuate according to
industry conditions or company fortunes. Overall quality may move up or down
frequently within this category.

B+, B, B- -Below investment grade and possessing risk that obligations will not
be met when due. Financial protection factors will fluctutate widely according
to economic cycles, industry conditions and/or company fortunes. Potential
exists for frequent changes in the rating within this category or into a higher
or lower rating grade

CCC-Well below investment grade securities. Considerable uncertainty exists as
to timely payment of principal or interest. Protection factors are narrow and
risk can be substantial with unfavorable economic/industry conditions, and/or
with unfavorable company developments.

DD-Defaulted debt obligations. Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal and/or
interest payments.


FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, L.P.

AAA-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality.
The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay
principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

AA-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F- 1+.

A-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.

BBB-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however,
are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore impair
timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below
investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.

BB-Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However,
business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the
obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.

B-Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued
timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin
of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout
the life of the issue.

CCC-Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may
lead to default.

The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous business and economic
environment.

CC-Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.

C-Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.

DDD, DD, D-Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. DDD
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and D represents
the lowest potential for recovery.

Plus (+) Minus (-)-Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the AAA, DDD, DD or D categories.

NR-Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.


A-2



                       APPENDIX B: GENERAL INFORMATION
                      ABOUT CANADA, MEXICO AND ARGENTINA
_______________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CANADA

Canada consists of a federation of ten Provinces and two federal territories
(which generally fall under federal authority) with a constitutional division
of powers between the federal and Provincial governments. The Parliament of
Canada has jurisdiction over all areas not assigned exclusively to the
Provincial legislatures, and has jurisdiction over such matters as the federal
public debt and property, the regulation of trade and commerce, currency and
coinage, banks and banking, national defense, the postal services, navigation
and shipping and unemployment insurance.

The Canadian economy is based on the free enterprise system, with business
organizations ranging from small owner-operated businesses to large
multinational corporations. Manufacturing and resource industries are large
contributors to the country's economic output, but as in many other highly
developed countries, there has been a gradual shift from a largely
goods-producing economy to a predominantly service-based one. Agriculture and
other primary production play a small but key role in the economy. Canada is
also an exporter of energy to the United States in the form of natural gas (of
which Canada has substantial reserves) and hydroelectric power, and has
significant mineral resources.

Canadian Dollars are fully exchangeable into U.S. Dollars without foreign
exchange controls or other legal restriction. Since the major developed-country
currencies were permitted to float freely against one another, the range of
fluctuation in the U.S. Dollar/Canadian Dollar exchange rate generally has been
narrower than the range of fluctuation between the U.S. Dollar and most other
major currencies. Between 1991 and 1995, Canada experienced a weakening of its
currency. In January 1995, the Canadian Dollar fell to a nine-year low against
the U.S. Dollar, decreasing in value compared to the U.S. Dollar by
approximately 20% from October 1991. Since January 1996, however, the Canadian
Dollar has remained steady in value against the U.S. Dollar at a level
approximately 3% to 4% above that low. The range of fluctuation that occurred
in the past is not necessarily indicative of the range of fluctuation that
will occur in the future. Future rates of exchange cannot be accurately
predicted.


GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES

The United Mexican States ("Mexico") is a nation formed by 31 states and a
Federal District (Mexico City). The Political Constitution of Mexico, which
took effect on May 1, 1917, established Mexico as a Federal Republic and
provides for the separation of executive, legislative and judicial branches.
The President and the members of the General Congress are elected by popular
vote.

Over the past decade, the Mexican economy has experienced improvement in a
number of areas, including eight consecutive years (1987-1994) of growth in
gross domestic product and a substantial reduction in the rate of inflation and
in public sector financial deficit. In 1994, Mexico experienced an economic
crisis that led to the devaluation of the Peso in December 1994. Much of the
past improvement in the Mexican economy has been attributable to a series of
economic policy initiatives initiated by the Mexican government over the past
decade, which seek to modernize and reform the Mexican economy, control
inflation, reduce the financial deficit, increase public revenues through the
reform of the tax system, establish a competitive and stable currency exchange
rate, liberalize trade restrictions and increase investment and productivity,
while reducing the government's role in the economy. In this regard, the
Mexican government has been proceeding with a program for privatizing certain
state owned enterprises, developing and modernizing the securities markets,
increasing investment in the private sector and permitting increased levels of
foreign investment. The adoption effective January 1, 1994 by Canada, the
United States and Mexico of the North American Free Trade Agreement could also
contribute to the growth of the Mexican economy.

In 1994 Mexico faced internal and external conditions that resulted in an
economic crisis that continues to affect the Mexican economy adversely. Growing
trade and current account deficits, which could no longer be financed by
inflows of foreign capital, were factors contributing to the crisis. A
weakening economy and unsettling political and social developments caused
investors to lose confidence in the Mexican economy. This resulted in a large
decline in foreign reserves followed by a sharp and rapid devaluation of the
Mexican Peso. The ensuing economic and financial crisis resulted in higher
inflation and domestic interest rates, a contraction in real gross domestic
product and a liquidity crisis.

In response to the adverse economic conditions that developed at the end of
1994, the Mexican government instituted a new economic program; and a new
accord among the government and the business and labor sectors of the economy
was entered into in an effort to stabilize the economy and the financial
markets. To help relieve Mexico's liquidity crisis and restore financial
stability to Mexico's economy, the Mexican government also obtained financial
assistance from the United States, other countries and certain international
agencies conditioned upon the implementation and continuation of the economic
reform program.

In October 1995, and again in October 1996, the Mexican government
announced new accords designed to encourage economic growth and reduce
inflation. While it cannot be accurately predicted whether these accords will
achieve their objectives, the Mexican economy has stabilized since the
economic crisis of 1994, and the high inflation and high interest rates that
continued to be a factor after 1994 have subsided as well. After declining for
five consecutive quarters



B-1


beginning with the first quarter of 1995, Mexico's
gross domestic product began to grow in the second quarter of 1996. That
growth was sustained in 1996, resulting in a 5.1% increase from 1995, and,
according to preliminary estimates, continued at the same rate during the
first quarter of 1997, compared with the first quarter of 1996. In addition,
inflation dropped from a 52% annual rate in 1995 to a 27.7% annual rate in
1996. In May 1997, the monthly inflation rate was 0.9%, the first time since
December 1994 that the monthly inflation rate was below 1%. The inflation rate
for the first half of 1997 was 8.7%, compared with 15.3% for the first half of
1996. Mexico's economy may also be influenced by international economic
conditions, particularly those in the United States, and by world prices for
oil and other commodities. The recovery of the economy will require continued
economic and fiscal discipline as well as stable political and social
conditions. There is no assurance that Mexico's economic policy initiatives
will be successful or that succeeding administrations will continue these
initiatives.

In August 1976, the Mexican government established a policy of allowing the
Mexican Peso to float against the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. Under this
policy, the value of the Mexican Peso consistently declined against the U.S.
Dollar. Under economic policy initiatives implemented since December 1987, the
Mexican government introduced a series of schedules allowing for the gradual
devaluation of the Mexican Peso against the U.S. Dollar. These gradual
devaluations continued until December 1994. On December 22, 1994, the Mexican
government announced that it would permit the Peso to float against other
currencies, resulting in a precipitous decline against the U.S. Dollar. By
December 31, 1996, the Peso-Dollar exchange rate had decreased approximately
40% from that on December 22, 1994. In 1996, the average annual Peso-Dollar
exchange rate decreased approximately 15% from that in 1995, which itself had
decreased approximately 47% from that in 1994. The Peso-Dollar exchange rate
has been relatively stable in 1997. On September 30, 1997, the Peso-Dollar
exchange rate was 7.77.

Mexico has in the past imposed strict foreign exchange controls. There is no
assurance that future regulatory actions in Mexico would not affect the Fund's
ability to obtain U.S. Dollars in exchange for Mexican Pesos.


GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA

The Republic of Argentina ("Argentina") consists of 23 provinces and the
federal capital of Buenos Aires. Its federal constitution provides for an
executive branch headed by a President, a legislative branch and a judicial
branch. Each province has its own constitution, and elects its own governor,
legislators and judges, without the intervention of the federal government.

The military has intervened in the political process on several occasions since
the 1930's and has ruled the country for 22 of the past 65 years. The most
recent military government ruled the country from 1976 to 1983. Four
unsuccessful military uprisings have occurred since 1983, the most recent in
December 1990.

Shortly after taking office in 1989, the country's current President adopted
market-oriented and reformist policies, including a large privatization
program, a reduction in the size of the public sector and an opening of the
economy to international competition.

In the decade prior to the announcement of a new economic plan in March 1991,
the Argentine economy was characterized by low and erratic growth, declining
investment rates and rapidly worsening inflation. Despite its strengths, which
include a well-balanced natural resource base and a high literacy rate, the
Argentine economy failed to respond to a series of economic plans in the
1980's. The 1991 economic plan represented a pronounced departure from its
predecessors in calling for raising revenues, cutting expenditures and reducing
the public deficit. The extensive privatization program commenced in 1989 was
accelerated, the domestic economy deregulated and opened up to foreign trade
and the frame-work for foreign investment reformed. As a result of the economic
stabilization reforms, gross domestic product increased for four consecutive
years before declining in 1995. During 1996, however, gross domestic product
increased 4.3% from 1995. During the first quarter of 1997, gross domestic
product increased 8.1% compared to the first quarter of 1996, and preliminary
data for the third quarter of 1997 indicate an 8.4% increase from the second
quarter of 1996. The rate of inflation is generally viewed to be under control.

Significant progress was also made between 1991 and 1994 in rescheduling
Argentina's debt with both external and domestic creditors, which improved
fiscal cash flows in the medium terms and allowed a return to voluntary credit
markets. Further reforms are currently being implemented in order to sustain
and continue the progress to date. There is no assurance that Argentina's
economic policy initiatives will be successful or that succeeding
administrations will continue these initiatives.

In 1995 economic policy was directed toward the effects of the Mexican currency
crisis. The Mexican currency crisis led to a run on bank deposits, which has
been brought under control by a series of measures designed to strengthen the
financial system. The measures included the "dollarization" of banking
reserves, the establishment of two trust funds and strengthening bank reserve
requirements.

In 1991 the Argentine government enacted currency reforms, which required the
domestic currency to be fully backed by international reserves, in an effort to
make the Argentine Peso fully convertible into the U.S. Dollar at a rate of one
to one.

The Argentine Peso has been the Argentine currency since January 1, 1992. Since
that date, the rate of exchange from the Argentine Peso to the U.S. Dollar has
remained approximately one to one. The fixed exchange rate has been
instrumental in stabilizing the economy, but has not reduced pressures from
high rates of unemployment. It is not clear that the government will be able to
resist pressure to devalue the currency. However, the historic range is not
necessarily

B-2



indicative of fluctuations that may occur in the exchange rate over time and
future rates of exchange cannot be accurately predicted. The Argentine foreign
exchange market was highly controlled until December 1989, when a free
exchange rate was established for all foreign currency transactions. Argentina
has eliminated restrictions on foreign direct investment and capital
repatriation. In 1993, legislation was adopted abolishing previous requirements
of a three-year waiting period for capital repatriation. Under the legislation,
foreign investors are permitted to remit profits at any time.


B-3


                 ALLIANCE BOND FUNDS SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION
_______________________________________________________________________________


SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND
WORLD INCOME TRUST
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST
CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
HIGH YIELD FUND


TO OPEN YOUR NEW ALLIANCE ACCOUNT...
Please complete the application and mail it to:

ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC.
P.O. BOX 1520
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07096-1520

For certified or overnight deliveries, send to:

ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC.
500 PLAZA DRIVE
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY  07094


SECTION 1   YOUR ACCOUNT REGISTRATION (REQUIRED)
Complete one of the available choices.  To ensure proper tax reporting to the
IRS:

*  Individuals, Joint Tenants, Transfer on Death and Gift/Transfer to a Minor:
     .  Indicate your name(s) exactly as it appears on your social security
        card.

*  Transfer on Death: 
     .  Ensure that your state participates

*  Trust/Other:
     .  Indicate the name of the entity exactly as it appeared on the notice
        you received from the IRS when your Employer Identification number
        was assigned.

SECTION 2   YOUR ADDRESS (REQUIRED) Complete in full.
*  Non-Resident Alien: 
     .  Indicate your permanent country of residence.

SECTION 3   YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT (REQUIRED)
For each Fund in which you are investing:  1 Write the three digit Fund number
in the column titled 'INDICATE THREE DIGIT FUND NUMBER LOCATED BELOW'. 

2 Write the dollar amount of your initial purchase in the column titled
'INDICATE DOLLAR AMOUNT'.

(If you are eligible for a reduced sales charge, you must also complete Section
4F).  3 Check off a distribution option for your dividends.  4 Check off a
distribution option for your capital gains.  All distributions (dividends

and capital gains) will be reinvested into your fund account unless you direct
otherwise.  If you want distributions sent directly to your bank account, then
you must complete Section 4D and attach a preprinted, voided check for that
account.  If you want your distributions sent to a third party you must
complete Section 4E.

SECTION 4   YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS (COMPLETE ONLY THOSE OPTIONS YOU WANT)
A.  AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS (AIP) - You can make periodic investments into
any of your Alliance Funds in one of three ways.  First, by a periodic
withdrawal ($25 minimum) directly from your bank account and invested into an
Alliance Fund.  Second, you can direct your distributions (dividends and
capital gains) from one Alliance Fund into another Fund.  Or third, you can
automatically exchange monthly ($25 minimum) shares of one Alliance Fund for
shares of another Fund.  To elect one of these options, complete the
appropriate portion of Section 4A & 4D. 

If more than one dividend direction or monthly exchange is desired, please call
our Literature Center to obtain a Shareholder Account Services Options Form for
completion.

B.  TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS VIA EFT - Complete this option if you would like to
be able to transact via telephone between your fund account and your bank
account.

C.  SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS (SWP) - Complete this option if you wish to
periodically redeem dollars from one of your fund accounts.  Payments can be
made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to your bank account or by check.

D.  BANK INFORMATION - If you have elected any options that involve
transactions between your bank account and your fund account or have elected
cash distribution options and would like the payments sent to your bank
account, please tape a preprinted, voided check of the account you wish to use
to this section of the application.

E.  THIRD PARTY PAYMENT DETAILS - If you have chosen cash distributions and/or
a Systematic Withdrawal Plan and would like the payments sent to a person
and/or address other than those provided in section 1 or 2, complete this
option.  Medallion Signature Guarantee  is required if your account is not
maintained by a broker dealer.

F.  REDUCED CHARGES (CLASS A ONLY) - Complete if you would like to link fund
accounts that have combined balances that might exceed $100,000 so that future
purchases will receive discounts.  Complete if you intend to purchase over
$100,000 within 13 months.

SECTION 5   SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION (REQUIRED) All owners must sign.  If it
is a custodial, corporate, or trust account, the custodian, an authorized
officer, or the trustee respectively must sign.

IF WE CAN ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US AT:  (800)
221-5672.


FOR LITERATURE CALL:  (800) 227-4618




THE ALLIANCE BOND FUNDS SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION 
_______________________________________________________________________________

1. YOUR ACCOUNT REGISTRATION  (Please Print in Capital Letters and Mark Check
Boxes Where Applicable)

__ Individual Account { __ Male  __ Female } - or - __ Joint Account  - or -

__ Transfer On Death { __ Male  __ Female } - or - __ Gift/Transfer to a Minor

___________________________________________  ____  ____________________________
Owner or Custodian  (First Name)             (MI)  (Last Name)

________________________________________________________________________
(First Name) Joint Owner*, Transfer On Death Beneficiary or Minor's Name  
____  ______________________________
(MI)  (Last Name)

______________-____-_________________
Social Security Number of Owner or Minor (required to open account)

If Uniform Gift/Transfer to Minor Account:  ________ Minor's State of Residence


If Joint Tenants Account:  * The Account will be registered "Joint Tenants with
right of Survivorship" unless you indicate otherwise below:
__ In Common   __ By Entirety   __ Community Property

__ Trust  - or -  __ Corporation  - or -  Other________________________________

___________________________________________  ____  ____________________________
Name of Trustee if applicable (First Name)   (MI)  (Last Name)

_______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Trust or Corporation or Other Entity

_______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Trust or Corporation or Other Entity continued

_________________________
Trust Dated (MM,DD,YYYY)

________________________________________
Tax ID Number (required to open account)

__ Employer ID Number  - OR -  __ Social Security   Number


2. YOUR ADDRESS

__________________________  ___________________________________________________
Street Number               Street Name

_______________________________________________  ______  ______________________
City                                             State   Zip code

____________________________    ________-________-____________
If Non-U.S., Specify Country    Daytime Phone Number

__ U.S. Citizen   __ Resident Alien   __ Non-Resident Alien


70846GEN-TABFApp


1



3. YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT
The minimum investment is $250 per fund.
The maximum investment in Class B is $250,000; Class C is $1,000,000.


I hereby subscribe for shares of the following Alliance Bond Fund(s) and elect
distribution options as indicated.

BROKER/DEALER USE ONLY:  WIRE CONFIRM #  _________________________

DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS:

R  REINVEST DISTRIBUTIONS into my fund account.

C  SEND MY DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH to the address I have provided in Section 2. 
(Complete Section 4D for direct deposit to your bank account.  Complete Section
4E for payment to a third party)

D  DIRECT MY DISTRIBUTIONS TO ANOTHER ALLIANCE FUND.  Complete the appropriate
portion of Section 4A to direct your distributions (dividends and capital
gains) to another Alliance Fund (the $250 minimum investment requirement
applies to Funds into which distributions are directed).



Indicate three digit Fund  Indicate Dollar  Distributions Options *Check One*
number located below           Amount       Dividends         Capital Gains
- -------------------------  ---------------  ----------------  ---------------
_______________            $______________  R    C    D       R    C    D
_______________            $______________  R    C    D       R    C    D
_______________            $______________  R    C    D       R    C    D

TOTAL INVESTMENT           $______________

MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO:  ALLIANCE FUNDS



ALLIANCE BOND FUND NAMES AND NUMBERS
_______________________________________________________________________________

For checkwriting privileges, please send the enclosed signature card with
your application.  Checkwriting is offered on Class A and Class C shares 
only, and is not offered on Corporate Bond Portfolio, High Yield Fund and 
World Income Trust.
A Medallion Signature Guarantee is required if your account is not maintained
by a broker/dealer.  For Class C shares, checkwriting may result in the
imposition of a contingent deferred sales charge against your account.  The
minimum amount for checkwriting is $500.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Initial Sales   Contingent Deferred     Asset-Based
                                             Charge           Sales Charge        Sales Charge
                                                A                   B                   C
                                          -------------   -------------------   --------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>                   <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS
  SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND               37                  51                 337
  U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO                     46                  76                 346
  LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND              88                  89                 388
  MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND               52                  63                 352

MULTI-MARKET FUNDS
  WORLD INCOME TRUST                            54         not offered         not offered
  SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST                 70                  68                 370
  MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST                   22                  23                 322

GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
  NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST        55                  56                 355
  GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND                166                 266                 366
  GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST                124                 224                 324

CORPORATE BOND FUNDS
  CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO                      95                 295                 395
  HIGH YIELD FUND                              103                 203                 303
</TABLE>


2



4. YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS

A.  AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS (AIP)

__ WITHDRAW FROM MY BANK ACCOUNT VIA EFT*

I authorize Alliance to draw on my bank account for investment in my fund
account(s) as indicated below (Complete Section 4D also for the bank account
you wish to use).

1- ___________  ______________________  ______ , _________.00   __
   Fund Number  Beginning Date (MM,DD)  Amount ($25 minimum)    Frequency
2- ___________  ______________________  ______ , _________.00   __
   Fund Number  Beginning Date (MM,DD)  Amount ($25 minimum)    Frequency
3- ___________  ______________________  ______ , _________.00   __
   Fund Number  Beginning Date (MM,DD)  Amount ($25 minimum)    Frequency

Frequency:
M = monthly
Q = quarterly
A = Annually


* ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER.  YOUR BANK MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL
AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION (NACHA)


__ DIRECT MY DISTRIBUTIONS

As indicated in Section 3, I would like my dividends and/or capital gains
directed to the same class of shares of another Alliance Fund. 

FROM: ___________  ______________________________ - __
      Fund Number  Account Number (If existing)

TO: ___________  ______________________________ - __
    Fund Number  Account Number (If existing)


__ EXCHANGE MY SHARES MONTHLY

I authorize Alliance to transact monthly exchanges, within the same class of
shares, between my fund accounts as listed below. 
FROM: ___________  ______________________________ - __
      Fund Number  Account Number (If existing)

      ______ ,___________.00    ________
      Amount ($25 minimum)      Day of Exchange**

TO: ___________  ______________________________ - __
    Fund Number  Account Number (If existing)


** SHARES EXCHANGED WILL BE REDEEMED AT THE NET ASSET VALUE ON THE "DAY OF
EXCHANGE" (IF THE "DAY OF EXCHANGE" IS NOT A FUND BUSINESS DAY, THE EXCHANGE
TRANSACTION WILL BE PROCESSED ON THE NEXT FUND BUSINESS DAY).  THE EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE IS NOT AVAILABLE IF SHOCK CERTIFICATES HAVE BEEN ISSUED.


B.  PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS VIA EFT

You can call our toll-free number 1-800-221-5672 and instruct Alliance Fund
Services, Inc. in a recorded conversation to purchase, redeem or exchange
shares for your account.  Purchase and redemption requests will be processed
via electronic funds transfer (EFT) to and from your bank account.

INSTRUCTIONS: 
* Review the information in the Prospectus about telephone transaction
services.

* If you select the telephone purchase or redemption privilege, you must write
"VOID" across the face of a check from the bank account you wish to use and
attach it to Section 4D of this application.

__ PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS VIA EFT

I hereby authorize Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to effect the purchase and/or
redemption of Fund shares for my account according to my telephone instructions
or telephone instructions from my Broker/Agent, and to withdraw money or credit
money for such shares via EFT from the bank account I have selected. 

Redemption proceeds will not be made available for 15 calendar days after the
purchase date.


3



4. YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS (CONTINUED)

C.  SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS (SWP)

In order to establish a SWP, you must reinvest all dividends and capital gains.

__ I authorize Alliance to transact periodic redemptions from my fund account
and send the proceeds to me as indicated below.

1- ___________  ______________________  ______ , _________.00   __
   Fund Number  Beginning Date (MM,DD)  Amount ($25 minimum)    Frequency
2- ___________  ______________________  ______ , _________.00   __
   Fund Number  Beginning Date (MM,DD)  Amount ($25 minimum)    Frequency
3- ___________  ______________________  ______ , _________.00   __
   Fund Number  Beginning Date (MM,DD)  Amount ($25 minimum)    Frequency

Frequency:
M = monthly
Q = quarterly
A = Annually


PLEASE SEND MY SWP PROCEEDS TO:

__ My Address of Record (via check)

__ My checking account-via EFT (complete section 4D)
Your bank must be a member of the National Automated Clearing House Association
(NACHA) in order for you to receive SWP proceeds directly into your bank
account.  Otherwise payment will be made by check

__ The Payee and address specified in section 4E (via check)
(Medallion Signature Guarantee required)


D.  BANK INFORMATION   This bank account information will be used for:

__ Distributions (Section 3)
__ Telephone Transactions (Section 4B)
__ Automatic Investments (Section 4A)
__ Withdrawals (Section 4C)


PLEASE TAPE A PRE-PRINTED VOIDED CHECK HERE*

* THE ABOVE SERVICES CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED WITHOUT A PRE-PRINTED VOIDED CHECK. 

FOR EFT TRANSACTIONS, THE FUND REQUIRES SIGNATURES OF BANK ACCOUNT OWNERS
EXACTLY AS THEY APPEAR ON BANK RECORDS.  IF THE REGISTRATION AT THE BANK
DIFFERS FROM THAT ON THE ALLIANCE MUTUAL FUND, ALL PARTIES MUST SIGN IN SECTION
5.

VOID
ABA Routing Number
Check Number
Bank Account Number

______________________________
Your Bank's ABA Routing Number

______________________________________________
Your Bank Account Number

__ Checking Account        __ Savings Account


4



4. YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS (CONTINUED)

E.  THIRD PARTY PAYMENT DETAILS  Your signature(s) in Section 5 must be
Medallion Signature Guaranteed if your account is not maintained by a
broker/dealer.  This third party payee information will be used for:

__ Distributions (section 3)    __ Systematic Withdrawals (section 4C)

_________________________________  _____  _____________________________________
Name  (First Name)                 (MI)   (Last Name)
___________________________  __________________________________________________
Street Number                Street Name

______________________________________________  _____  ________________________
City                                            State  Zip code


F.  REDUCED CHARGES (CLASS A ONLY)  If you, your spouse or minor children
own shares in other Alliance Funds, you may be eligible for a reduced sales
charge. Please complete the Right of Accumulation section or the Statement
of Intent section.

__ A. RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION
Please link the tax identification numbers or account numbers listed below for
Right of Accumulation privileges, so that this and future purchases will
receive any discount for which they are eligible.

_________________________  _________________________  _________________________
Tax ID or Account Number   Tax ID or Account Number   Tax ID or Account Number

__ B. STATEMENT OF INTENT
I want to reduce my sales charge by agreeing to invest the following amount
over a 13-month period:

__ $100,000     __ $250,000     __ $500,000     __ $1,000,000

If the full amount indicated is not purchased within 13 months, I understand
that an additional sales charge must be paid from my account.


DEALER/AGENT AUTHORIZATION - FOR SELECTED DEALERS OR AGENTS ONLY.

We hereby authorize Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to act as our agent in
connection with transactions under this authorization form; and we guarantee
the signature(s) set forth in Section 5, as well as the legal capacity of the
shareholder.

_________________________________________  ____________________________________
Dealer/Agent Firm                          Authorized Signature

____________________________________  ____  ___________________________________
Representative First Name             MI    Last Name

_________________________________________  ____________________________________
Dealer/Agent Firm Number                   Representative Number

_________________________________________  ____________________________________
Branch Number                              Branch Telephone Number

_______________________________________________________________________________
Branch Office Address

_______________________________________________  _____  _______________________
City                                             State  Zip Code


5



5. SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION -- THIS SECTION MUST BE COMPLETED

TELEPHONE EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS BY CHECK

Unless I have checked one or both boxes below, these privileges will
automatically apply, and by signing this application, I hereby authorize
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to act on my telephone instructions, or on
telephone instructions from any person representing himself to be an authorized
employee of an investment dealer or agent requesting a redemption or exchange
on my behalf.  (NOTE: Telephone exchanges may only be processed between
accounts that have identical registrations.)  Telephone redemption checks will
only be mailed to the name and address of record; and the address must not have
changed within the last 30 days.  The maximum telephone redemption amount is
$50,000.  This service can be enacted once every 30 days.

__ I do not elect the telephone exchange service

__ I do not elect the telephone redemption by check service


By selecting any of the above telephone privileges, I agree that neither the
Fund nor Alliance, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. or other Fund Agent will be liable for any loss, injury, damage or expense
as a result of acting upon telephone instructions purporting to be on my
behalf, that the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine, and that neither the
Fund nor any such party will be responsible for the authenticity of such
telephone instructions.  I understand that any or all of these privileges may
be discontinued by me or the Fund at any time.  I understand and agree that the
Fund reserves the right to refuse any telephone instructions and that my
investment dealer or agent reserves the right to refuse to issue any telephone
instructions I may request.

For non-residents only:  Under penalties of perjury, I certify that to the best
of my knowledge and belief, I qualify as a foreign person as indicated in
Section 2.

I am of legal age and capacity and have received and read the Prospectus and
agree to its terms.

I CERTIFY UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE NUMBER SHOWN IN SECTION 1 OF THIS
FORM IS MY CORRECT TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OR I AM WAITING FOR A NUMBER TO BE
ISSUED TO ME AND THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THIS ACCOUNT IS SUBJECT TO
BACKUP WITHHOLDING.

THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE DOES NOT REQUIRE YOUR CONSENT TO ANY PROVISION
OF THIS DOCUMENT OTHER THAN THE CERTIFICATION REQUIRED TO AVOID BACKUP
WITHHOLDING.

______________________________________________________  _______________________
Signature                                               Date

______________________________________________________  _______________________
Signature                                               Date


Medallion Signature Guarantee required if completing Section 4E and your mutual
fund is not maintained by a broker dealer


6



SIGNATURE CARD

Dealer/Bank Name: _______________________________________

FUND ACCT. NO.:* ________________________________________

FUND NAME:* _____________________________________________

*Information Necessary to Complete Request


ACCOUNT NAME(S) AS REGISTERED:
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________


SHAREHOLDER ADDRESS:
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________


SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:*
_________________________________________________________


AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES:
1. _________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________


Joint Accounts check one:
  __ Either owner is authorized to sign Redemption Checks
  __ All owners are required to sign Redemption Checks
(If no box is checked, only one signature will be required.)

Checkbooks are not transferable to other accounts.  If you change account
numbers, change funds or change of ownership you must reapply for check-writing.

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY      Subject to conditions on reverse side.



SIGNATURE CARD

The payment of funds is authorized by the signature(s) appearing on the reverse
side.  Each signatory guarantees the genuineness of the other signatures.

State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank") is hereby appointed agent by
the person(s) signing this card (the "Depositor(s)") and, as agent, is
authorized and directed, upon presentment of checks to the Bank.

(1)  IF PERTAINING TO AN ALLIANCE DEPOSIT ACCOUNT (THE "ACCOUNT") - to direct
Alliance, which as the Depositor's agent and nominee maintains such Account on
the Depositors behalf at one or more depository institutions, to withdraw funds
from the Account in the amounts of such checks for deposit in this checking
account.  Alliance hereby appointed the Depositor's agent and, where
appropriate, messenger for the purpose of effecting such withdrawals. 

(2)  IF PERTAINING TO AN ALLIANCE MUTUAL FUND (THE "FUND") - to transmit such
checks to the Fund or its transfer agent as requests to redeem shares
registered in the name of the Depositor(s) in the amounts of such checks for
deposit in this checking account.

This checking arrangement is subject to the applicable terms and restrictions,
including charges, set forth in the current Prospectus or Information Statement
for each Alliance mutual fund or deposit account as to which the Depositor has
arranged to redeem shares or withdraw funds by check-writing.  The Bank is
further authorized to effect withdrawals or redemptions to defray the Bank's
charges relating to this checking arrangement.  The Depositor(s) agrees that he
shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Bank pertaining to this
checking arrangement as amended from time to time, that the Bank has the right
not to honor checks which do not meet the Banks normal standards for checks
presented to it, that the Bank and Alliance have the right to change, modify or
terminate this check-writing service at any time; and that the Bank shall be
liable only for its own negligence.

MEDALLION SIGNATURE GUARANTEE - Signatures must be guaranteed by an institution
that is an "eligible guarantor" as defined in Rule 17 Ad-15 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.  This would include such institutions such as banks and
brokerage firms.

Send this card with any necessary authorizing documentation to:

ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES
ATTN: CHECKWRITING DEPARTMENT
P.O. BOX 1520
SECAUCUS, NJ  07096-1520
MEDALLION SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (see reverse)






<PAGE>

This is filed pursuant to Rule 497(c).
File Nos. 33-27131 and 811-05771. 



<PAGE>

The Registrant's Advisor Class Prospectus is incorporated herein
by reference to Part A of the Amendment to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on
February 28, 1997.



<PAGE>

                                       ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM
(LOGO)(R)                              MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
____________________________________________________________
P.O. Box 1520, Secaucus, New Jersey  07096-1520
Toll Free (800) 221-5672
For Literature:  Toll Free (800) 227-4618
____________________________________________________________

               STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                        February 28, 1997
                 (as amended October 31, 1997) 
____________________________________________________________

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus but
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current
Prospectus that offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares of
Alliance Short-Term Multi-Market Trust, Inc. (the "Fund") and, if
the Fund begins to offer Advisor Class shares, the Prospectus
that offers the Advisor Class shares of the Fund (the "Advisor
Class Prospectus" and, together with any Prospectus that offers
the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, the "Prospectus(es)").
The Fund currently does not offer Advisor Class shares.  Copies
of the Prospectus(es) of the Fund may be obtained by contacting
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or the "For
Literature" telephone number shown above.

                        TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                             Page

Description of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management of the Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expenses of the Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redemption and Repurchase of Shares . . . . . . . . . .
Shareholder Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Asset Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes. . . . . . . . . . .
Portfolio Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Statements and Report of
  Independent Auditors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix A (Obligations of U.S. Government
  Agencies or Instrumentalities). . . . . . . . . . . .       A-1
Appendix B (Bond and Commercial Paper Ratings). . . . .       B-1
Appendix C (Futures Contracts). . . . . . . . . . . . .       C-1
Appendix D (Additional Information About
   The United Mexican States) . . . . . . . . . . . . .       D-1
_____________________
(R):  This registered service mark used under license from the
owner, Alliance Capital Management L.P.



<PAGE>

______________________________________________________________

                     DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
______________________________________________________________

         Except as otherwise indicated, the investment policies
of the Fund are not "fundamental policies" and, therefore, may be
changed by the Board of Directors without a shareholder vote.
However, the Fund will not change its investment policies without
contemporaneous written notice to its shareholders.  The Fund's
investment objective may not be changed without shareholder
approval.  There can be, of course, no assurance that the Fund
will achieve its investment objective.  The following policies
and restrictions supplement, and should be read in conjunction
with, the information set forth in the Fund's Prospectus under
the heading "Description of the Fund." 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

         The Fund is a non-diversified, open-end management
investment company which seeks the highest level of current
income, consistent with what Alliance Capital Management L.P.
(the "Adviser"), the Fund's investment adviser, considers to be
prudent investment risk, that is available from a portfolio of
high-quality debt securities having remaining maturities of not
more than three years.  The Fund seeks high current yields by
investing in a portfolio of debt securities denominated in the
U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies.  Accordingly, the
Fund will seek investment opportunities in foreign, as well as
domestic, securities markets.  While the Fund normally will
maintain a substantial portion of its assets in debt securities
denominated in foreign currencies, the Fund will invest at least
25% of its net assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities.  The
Fund is designed for the investor who seeks a higher yield than a
money market fund or certificate of deposit and less fluctuation
in net asset value than a longer-term bond fund.  Certificates of
deposit are insured and generally have fixed interest rates while
yields for the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates
and other market conditions.

HOW THE FUND PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVE

         The Fund seeks to minimize credit risk and fluctuations
in net asset value by investing only in shorter-term debt
securities.  Normally, a high proportion of the Fund's portfolio
consists of money market instruments.  The Adviser actively
manages the Fund's portfolio in accordance with a multi-market
investment strategy, allocating the Fund's investments among
securities denominated in the U.S. Dollar and the currencies of a
number of foreign countries and, within each such country, among
different types of debt securities.  The Adviser adjusts the


                                2



<PAGE>

Fund's exposure to each currency based on its perception of the
most favorable markets and issuers.  In this regard, the
percentage of assets invested in securities of a particular
country or denominated in a particular currency will vary in
accordance with the Adviser's assessment of the relative yield
and appreciation potential of such securities and the
relationship of a country's currency to the U.S. Dollar.
Fundamental economic strength, credit quality and interest rate
trends are the principal factors considered by the Adviser in
determining whether to increase or decrease the emphasis placed
upon a particular type of security or industry sector within the
Fund's investment portfolio.  The Fund will not invest more than
25% of its net assets in debt securities denominated in a single
currency other than the U.S. Dollar.

         The returns available from short- term foreign currency-
denominated debt instruments can be adversely affected by changes
in exchange rates.  The Adviser believes that the use of foreign
currency hedging techniques, including "cross-hedges" (see
"Additional Investment Policies and Practices--Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange Contracts," below), can help protect against
declines in the U.S. Dollar value of income available for
distribution to shareholders and declines in the net asset value
of the Fund's shares resulting from adverse changes in currency
exchange rates.  For example, the return available from
securities denominated in a particular foreign currency would
diminish in the event the value of the U.S. Dollar increased
against such currency.  Such a decline could be partially or
completely offset by an increase in value of a cross-hedge
involving a forward exchange contract to sell a different foreign
currency, where such contract is available on terms more
advantageous to the Fund than a contract to sell the currency in
which the position being hedged is denominated.  It is the
Adviser's belief that cross-hedges can therefore provide
significant protection of net asset value in the event of a
general rise in the U.S. Dollar against foreign currencies.
However, a cross-hedge cannot protect against exchange rate risks
perfectly, and if the Adviser is incorrect in its judgment of
future exchange rate relationships, the Fund could be in a less
advantageous position than if such a hedge had not been
established. 

         The Fund invests in debt securities denominated in the
currencies of countries whose governments are considered stable
by the Adviser.  In addition to the U.S. Dollar, such currencies
include, among others, the Australian Dollar, Austrian Schilling,
British Pound Sterling, Canadian Dollar, Danish Krone, Dutch
Guilder, European Currency Unit ("ECU"), French Franc, Irish
Pound, Italian Lira, Japanese Yen, Mexican Peso, New Zealand
Dollar, Norwegian Krone, Spanish Peseta, Swedish Krona, Swiss
Franc and German Mark.


                                3



<PAGE>

         An issuer of debt securities purchased by the Fund may
be domiciled in a country other than the country in whose
currency the instrument is denominated.  In addition, the Fund
may purchase debt securities denominated in one currency the
principal amounts of which and value of interest payments on
which are determined with reference (or "linked") to another
currency.  The value of these investments may fluctuate inversely
in correlation with changes in the Peso-Dollar exchange rate and
with the general level of interest rates in Mexico.  For a
general description of Mexico, see Appendix D. 

         The Fund seeks to minimize investment risk by limiting
its portfolio investments to debt securities of high quality.
Accordingly, the Fund's portfolio consists only of:  (i) debt
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities ("U.S. Government Securities");
(ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by a foreign government or
any of its political subdivisions, authorities, agencies, or
instrumentalities, or by supranational entities, all of which are
rated AAA or AA by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") or
Aaa or Aa by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's") ("High
Quality Ratings") or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be
of equivalent quality; (iii) corporate debt securities having at
least one High Quality Rating or, if unrated, determined by the
Adviser to be of equivalent quality; (iv) certificates of deposit
and bankers' acceptances issued or guaranteed by, or time
deposits maintained at, banks (including foreign branches of U.S.
banks or U.S. or foreign branches of foreign banks) having total
assets of more than $500 million and determined by the Adviser to
be of high quality; and (v) commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P,
Prime-1 by Moody's, Fitch-1 by Fitch Investors Service, Inc., or
Duff 1 by Duff & Phelps Inc. or, if not rated, issued by U.S. or
foreign companies having outstanding debt securities rated AAA,
AA or A by S&P, or Aaa, Aa or A by Moody's and determined by the
Adviser to be of high quality.

         The Fund may invest without limitation in commercial
paper which is indexed to certain specific foreign currency
exchange rates.  The terms of such commercial paper provide that
its principal amount is adjusted upwards or downwards (but not
below zero) at maturity to reflect changes in the exchange rate
between two currencies while the obligation is outstanding.  The
Fund will purchase such commercial paper with the currency in
which it is denominated and, at maturity, will receive interest
and principal payments thereon in that currency, but the amount
of principal payable by the issuer at maturity will change in
proportion to the change (if any) in the exchange rate between
the two specified currencies between the date the instrument is
issued and the date the instrument matures.  While such
commercial paper entails the risk of loss of principal, the
potential for realizing gains as a result of changes in foreign


                                4



<PAGE>

currency exchange rates enables the Fund to hedge (or cross-
hedge) against a decline in the U.S. Dollar value of investments
denominated in foreign currencies while providing an attractive
money market rate of return.  The Fund will purchase such
commercial paper for hedging purposes only, not for speculation. 

         Under normal circumstances, and as a matter of
fundamental policy, the Fund "concentrates" at least 25% of its
total assets in debt instruments issued by domestic and foreign
companies engaged in the banking industry, including bank holding
companies.  Such investments may include certificates of deposit,
time deposits, bankers' acceptances, and obligations issued by
bank holding companies, as well as repurchase agreements entered
into with banks (as distinct from non-bank dealers) in accordance
with the policies set forth in "Additional Investment Policies
and Practices--Repurchase Agreements" below.  However, when
business or financial conditions warrant the Fund may, for
temporary defensive purposes, vary from its policy of investing
at least 25% of its total assets in the banking industry.  For
example, the Fund may reduce its position in debt instruments
issued by domestic and foreign banks and bank holding companies
and increase its position in U.S. Government Securities or cash
equivalents.

         Due to the Fund's investment policy with respect to
investments in the banking industry, the Fund will have greater
exposure to the risk factors which are characteristic of such
investments.  In particular, the value of an investment return on
the Fund's shares will be affected by economic or regulatory
developments in or related to the banking industry.  Sustained
increases in interest rates can adversely affect the availability
and cost of funds for a bank's lending activities, and a
deterioration in general economic conditions could increase the
exposure to credit losses.  The banking industry is also subject
to the effects of:  the concentration of loan portfolios in
particular businesses such as real estate, energy, agriculture or
high technology-related companies; national and local regulation;
and completion within those industries as well as with other
types of financial institutions.  In addition, the Fund's
investments in commercial banks located in several foreign
countries are subject to additional risks due to the combination
in such banks of commercial banking and diversified securities
activities.  As discussed above, however, the Fund will seek to
minimize its exposure to such risks by investing only in debt
securities which are determined to be of high quality.

         The Fund may invest in debt securities issued by
supranational organizations such as:  the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (the "World Bank"), which was
chartered to finance development projects in developing member
countries; the European Union, which is a fifteen-nation


                                5



<PAGE>

organization engaged in cooperative economic activities; the
European Coal and Steel Community, which is an economic union of
various European nations' steel and coal industries; and the
Asian Development Bank, which is an international development
bank established to lend funds, promote investment and provide
technical assistance to member nations in the Asian and Pacific
regions.

         The Fund may invest in debt securities denominated in
the ECU, which is a "basket" consisting of specified amounts of
the currencies of certain of the fifteen member states of the
European Union.  The specific amounts of currencies comprising
the ECU may be adjusted by the Council of Ministers of the
European Union to reflect changes in relative values of the
underlying currencies.  The Adviser does not believe that such
adjustments will adversely affect holders of ECU-denominated
obligations or the marketability of such securities.  European
governments and supranationals, in particular, issue ECU-
denominated obligations.

         Investing in securities issued by foreign governments
and corporations involves considerations and possible risks not
typically associated with investing in obligations issued by the
U.S. government and domestic corporations.  The values of foreign
investments are affected by changes in currency rates or exchange
control regulations, application of foreign tax laws, including
withholding taxes, changes in governmental administration or
economic or monetary policy (in this country or abroad) or
changed circumstances in dealings between nations.  Costs are
incurred in connection with conversions between various
currencies.  In addition, foreign brokerage commissions are
generally higher than in the United States, and foreign
securities markets may be less liquid, more volatile and less
subject to governmental supervision than in the United States.
Investments in foreign countries could be affected by other
factors not present in the United States, including
expropriation, confiscatory taxation, lack of uniform accounting
and auditing standards and potential difficulties in enforcing
contractual obligations and could be subject to extended
settlement periods.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES

         The following additional investment policies supplement
those set forth above.

         LOAN PARTICIPATIONS.  The Fund may invest up to 5% of
its total assets in high quality participation interests having
remaining maturities not exceeding one year in loans extended by
banks to U.S. and foreign companies.  In a typical corporate loan
syndication, a number of lenders, usually banks ("co-lenders"),


                                6



<PAGE>

lend a corporate borrower a specified sum pursuant to the terms
and conditions of a loan agreement.  One of the co-lenders
usually agrees to act as the agent bank with respect to the loan.
The loan agreement among the corporate borrower and the
co-lenders identifies the agent bank as well as sets forth the
rights and duties of the parties.  The agreement often (but not
always) provides for the collateralization of the corporate
borrower's obligations thereunder and includes various types of
restrictive covenants which must be met by the borrower.

         The participation interests acquired by the Fund may,
depending on the transaction, take the form of a direct
co-lending relationship with the corporate borrower, an
assignment of an interest in the loan by a co-lender or another
participant, or a participation in the seller's share of the
loan.  Typically, the Fund will look to the agent bank to collect
principal of and interest on a participation interest, to monitor
compliance with loan covenants, to enforce all credit remedies,
such as foreclosures on collateral, and to notify co-lenders of
any adverse changes in the borrower's financial condition or
declarations of insolvency.  The agent bank in such cases will be
qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 Act") to serve as a custodian for a registered
investment company such as the Fund.  The agent bank is
compensated for these services by the borrower pursuant to the
terms of the loan agreement.

         When the Fund acts as co-lender in connection with a
participation interest or when the Fund acquires a participation
interest the terms of which provide that the Fund will be in
privity with the corporate borrower, the Fund will have direct
recourse against the borrower in the event the borrower fails to
pay scheduled principal and interest.  In cases where the Fund
lacks such direct recourse, the Fund will look to the agent bank
to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower.

         The Fund believes that the principal credit risk
associated with acquiring participation interests from a
co-lender or another participant is the credit risk associates
with the underlying corporate borrower.  The Fund may incur
additional credit risk, however, when the Fund is in the position
of a participant rather than a co-lender because the Fund must
assume the risk of insolvency of the co-lender from which the
participation interest was acquired and that of any person
interpositioned between the Fund and the co-lender.  However, in
acquiring participation interests the Fund will conduct analysis
and evaluation of the financial condition of each such co-lender
and participant to ensure that the participation interest meets
the Fund's high quality standard and will continue to do so as
long as it holds a participation.



                                7



<PAGE>

         ILLIQUID SECURITIES.  The Fund will not invest in
illiquid securities if immediately after such investment more
than 10% of the Fund's total assets (taken at market value) would
be invested in such securities.  In addition, the Fund will not
maintain more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
For this purpose, illiquid securities include, among others, (a)
except as provided below, direct placements or other securities
which are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale
or for which there is no readily available market (e.g., trading
in the security is suspended or, in the case of unlisted
securities, market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids
or offers), (b) options purchased by the Fund over-the-counter
and the cover for options written by the Fund over-the-counter,
and (c) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days.
See "Additional Investment Policies and Practices," below.
Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale
but have a readily available market are not deemed illiquid for
purposes of this limitation.

         Historically, illiquid securities have included
securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale
because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), securities which are
otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having
a maturity of longer than seven days.  Securities which have not
been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as
private placements or restricted securities and are purchased
directly from the issuer or in the secondary market.  Mutual
funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these
restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential
for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation.  Limitations
on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of
portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose
of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at
reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty
satisfying redemptions within seven days.  A mutual fund might
also have to register such restricted securities in order to
dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay.
Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of
securities.

         In recent years, however, a large institutional market
has developed for certain securities that are not registered
under the Securities Act including repurchase agreements,
commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and
corporate bond and notes.  Institutional investors depend on an
efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security
can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand
for repayment.  The fact that there are contractual or legal
restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain



                                8



<PAGE>

institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such
investments.

         Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows a broader
institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to
restriction on resale to the general public.  Rule 144A
establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified
institutional buyers.  An insufficient number of qualified
institutional buyers interested in purchasing certain restricted
securities held by the Fund, however, could affect adversely the
marketability of such portfolio securities and the Fund might be
unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable
prices.  Rule 144A has already produced enhanced liquidity for
many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such
securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation
and the consequent inception of the PORTAL System, an automated
system for the clearance and settlement of transactions in
unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers which is
sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD").

         The Adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board
of Directors, will monitor the liquidity of restricted securities
in the Fund's portfolio that are eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A.  In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser will
consider, among others, the following factors:  (1) the frequency
of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers
issuing quotations to purchase or sell the security; (3) the
number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) the
number of dealers undertaking to make a market in the security;
(5) the nature of the security (including its unregistered
nature) and the nature of the marketplace for the security (e.g.,
the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of
soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer); and (6) any
applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
interpretation or position with respect to such type of
securities.

         NET ASSET VALUE FLUCTUATIONS.  The net asset value of
the Fund's shares will change as the general levels of interest
rates fluctuate.  When interest rates decline, the value of a
portfolio primarily invested in debt securities can be expected
to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a
portfolio primarily invested in debt securities can be expected
to decline. However, a shorter average maturity is generally
associated with a lower level of market value volatility and,
accordingly, it is expected that the net asset value of the
Fund's shares normally will fluctuate less than that of a longer-
term bond fund.



                                9



<PAGE>

         NON-DIVERSIFIED FUND.  The Fund is a "non-diversified"
investment company, which means the Fund is not limited in the
proportion of its assets that may be invested in the securities
of a single issuer.  However, the Fund conducts, and intends to
continue to conduct, its operations so as to qualify as a
"regulated investment company" for purposes of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), which will relieve
the Fund of any liability for federal income tax to the extent
its earnings are distributed to shareholders.  See "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes--U.S. Federal Income Taxes."  To so
qualify, among other requirements, the Fund will limit its
investments so that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable
year, (i) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund's
total assets will be invested in the securities of a single
issuer, and (ii) with respect to 50% of the market value of its
total assets, not more than 5% of the market value of its total
assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer and
the Fund will not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of a single issuer.  For purposes of the Fund's
requirement to maintain diversification for tax purposes, the
issuer of a loan participation will be the underlying borrower.
In cases where the Fund does not have recourse directly against
the borrower, both the borrower and each agent bank and co-lender
interposed between the Fund and the borrower will be deemed
issuers of the loan participation for tax diversification
purposes.  The Fund's investments in U.S. Government Securities
are not subject to these limitations.  Because the Fund, as a
non-diversified investment company, may invest in a smaller
number of individual issuers than a diversified investment
company, an investment in the Fund may, under certain
circumstances, present greater risk to an investor than an
investment in a diversified company.

         U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.  For a description of
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.  See Appendix A.

         FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS.  The
Fund may enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future
delivery of fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or
contracts based on financial indices including any index of U.S.
Government Securities, foreign government securities or corporate
debt securities ("futures contracts") and may purchase and write
put and call options to buy or sell futures contracts ("options
on futures contracts").  A "sale" of a futures contract means the
acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities
or foreign currencies called for by the contract at a specified
price on a specified date.  A "purchase" of a futures contract
means the incurring of a contractual obligation to acquire the
securities or foreign currencies called for by the contract at a
specified price on a specified date.  The purchaser of a futures


                               10



<PAGE>

contract on an index agrees to take or make delivery of an amount
of cash equal to the difference between a specified dollar
multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of the
contract ("current contract value") and the price at which the
contract was originally struck.  No physical delivery of the
fixed-income securities underlying the index is made.  Options on
futures contracts to be written or purchased by the Fund will be
traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter.  These
investment techniques will be used only to hedge against
anticipated future changes in interest or exchange rates which
otherwise might either adversely affect the value of the Fund's
portfolio securities or adversely affect the prices of securities
which the Fund intends to purchase at a later date.  These
investment techniques will not be used for speculation.

         See Appendix C for further discussion of the use, risks
and costs of futures contracts and options on futures contracts.

         The Fund will not enter into any futures contracts or
options on futures contracts if the aggregate of the market value
of the outstanding futures contracts of the Fund and the market
value of the currencies and futures contracts subject to
outstanding options written by the Fund would exceed 50% of the
market value of the total assets of the Fund; or if immediately
thereafter the amount of margin deposits on all the futures
contracts of the Fund and premiums paid on options on futures
contracts would exceed 5% of the market value of the total assets
of the Fund.

         For information on the use, risks and costs of options
on foreign currencies, see Appendix C.

         OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES.  The Fund may purchase
and write put and call options on foreign currencies for the
purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. Dollar value
of foreign currency-denominated portfolio securities and against
increases in the U.S. Dollar cost of such securities to be
acquired.  As in the case of other kinds of options, however, the
writing of an option on a foreign currency constitutes only a
partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the
Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at
disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses.  The
purchase of an option on a foreign currency may constitute an
effective hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although,
in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund's position, it
may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related
transaction costs.  Options on foreign currencies to be written
or purchased by the Fund are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges
or over-the-counter.  There is no specific percentage limitation
on the Fund's investments in options on foreign currencies.



                               11



<PAGE>

         See Appendix C for further discussion of the use, risks
and costs of options on foreign currencies.

         FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS.  The Fund
may purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts
("forward contracts") to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund
from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar
and foreign currencies.  A forward contract is an obligation to
purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price at a
future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded
by currency traders and their customers.  The Fund may enter into
a forward contract, for example, when it enters into a contract
for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign
currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. Dollar price of the
security ("transaction hedge").  The Fund may not engage in
transaction hedges with respect to the currency of a particular
country to an extent greater than the aggregate amount of the
Fund's transactions in that currency.  Additionally, for example,
when the Fund believes that a foreign currency may suffer a
substantial decline against the U.S. Dollar, it may enter into a
forward sale contract to sell an amount of that foreign currency
approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio
securities denominated in such foreign currency, or when the Fund
believes that the U.S. Dollar may suffer a substantial decline
against a foreign currency, it may enter into a forward purchase
contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount
("position hedge").  In this situation the Fund may, in the
alternative, enter into a forward contract to sell a different
foreign currency for a fixed U.S. Dollar amount where the Fund
believes that the U.S. Dollar value of the currency to be sold
pursuant to the forward contract will fall whenever there is a
decline in the U.S. Dollar value of the currency in which
portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated ("cross-hedge").
To the extent required by applicable law, the Fund's Custodian
will place cash not available for investment in U.S. Government
Securities or other liquid assets in a separate account of the
Fund having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Fund's
commitments under forward contracts entered into with respect to
position hedges and cross-hedges.  If the value of the securities
placed in a separate account declines, additional cash or liquid
assets will be placed in the account on a daily basis so that the
value of the account will equal the amount of the Fund's
commitments with respect to such contracts.  As an alternative to
maintaining all or part of the separate account, the Fund may
purchase a call option permitting the Fund to purchase the amount
of foreign currency being hedged by a forward sale contract at a
price no higher than the forward contract price or the Fund may
purchase a put option permitting the Fund to sell the amount of
foreign currency subject to a forward purchase contract at a
price as high or higher than the forward contract price.  In



                               12



<PAGE>

addition, the Fund may use such other methods of "cover" as are
permitted by applicable law.

         While these contracts are not presently regulated by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"), the CFTC may
in the future assert authority to regulate forward contracts. In
such event the Fund's ability to utilize forward contracts in the
manner set forth in the Prospectus may be restricted. Forward
contracts will reduce the potential gain from a positive change
in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar and foreign
currencies.  Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result
in poorer overall performance for the Fund if it had not entered
into such contracts.  The use of foreign currency forward
contracts will not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying U.S.
Dollar equivalent value of the prices of or rates of return on
the Fund's foreign currency-denominated portfolio securities and
the use of such techniques will subject the Fund to certain
risks.

         The matching of the increase in value of a forward
contract and the decline in the U.S. Dollar equivalent value of
the foreign currency-denominated asset that is the subject of the
hedge generally will not be precise.  In addition, the Fund may
not always be able to enter into foreign currency forward
contracts at attractive prices and this will limit the Fund's
ability to use such contract to hedge or cross-hedge its assets.
Also, with regard to the Fund's use of cross-hedges, there can be
no assurance that historical correlations between the movement of
certain foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar will
continue.  Thus, at any time poor correlation may exist between
movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies
underlying the Fund's cross-hedges and the movements in the
exchange rates of the foreign currencies in which the Fund's
assets that are the subject of such cross-hedges are denominated.

         INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS.  The Fund may enter into
interest rate swaps and may purchase or sell interest rate caps
and floors.  The Fund expects to enter into these transactions
primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular
investment or portion of its portfolio.  The Fund may also enter
into these transactions to protect against any increase in the
price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later
date.  The Fund does not intend to use these transactions as a
speculative investment.  Interest rate swaps involve the exchange
by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to
pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate
payments for fixed rate payments.  The exchange commitments can
involve payments to be made in the same currency or in different
currencies.  The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the
purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a
predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a


                               13



<PAGE>

contractually-based principal amount from the party selling such
interest rate cap.  The purchase of an interest rate floor
entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index
falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments on
a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest
rate floor.

         The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, caps and
floors on either an asset-based or liability-based basis
depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities,
and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis,
i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund
receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of
the two payments.  The net amount of the excess, if any, of the
Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to each
interest rate swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount
of cash or liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at
least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in a
segregated account by the Fund's Custodian.  If the Fund enters
into an interest rate swap on other than a net basis, the Fund
would maintain a segregated account with its Custodian in the
full amount accrued on a daily basis of the Fund's obligations
with respect to the swap.  The Fund will enter into interest rate
swap, cap or floor transactions with its Custodian, and with
other counterparties, but only if:  (i) for transactions with
maturities under one year, such other counterparty has
outstanding short-term paper rated at least A-1 by S&P or Prime-1
by Moody's, or (ii) for transactions with maturities greater than
one year, the counterparty has outstanding debt securities rated
at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's.  If there is a default by
the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have
contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the
transaction.  The swap market has grown substantially in recent
years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms
acting both as principals and agents utilizing standardized swap
documentation.  The Adviser has determined that, as a result, the
swap market has become relatively liquid.  Caps and floors are
more recent innovations for which standardized documentation has
not been developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than
swaps.  To the extent the Fund sells (i.e., writes) caps and
floors, it will maintain in a segregated account liquid assets
having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the full
amount, accrued on a daily basis, of the Fund's obligations with
respect to any caps or floors.  The use of interest rate swaps is
a highly specialized activity which involves investment
techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio securities transactions.  If the Adviser is
incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates and
other applicable factors, the investment performance of the Fund
would diminish compared with what it would have been if these
investment techniques were not used.  Moreover, even if the


                               14



<PAGE>

Adviser is correct in its forecasts, there is a risk that the
swap position may correlate imperfectly with the price of the
asset or liability being hedged.

         There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap
transactions that may be entered into by the Fund.  These
transactions do not involve the delivery of securities or other
underlying assets or principal.  Accordingly, the risk of loss
with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount
of interest payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to
make.  If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, the
Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest
payments that the Fund contractually is entitled to receive.  The
Fund may purchase and sell (i.e., write) caps and floors without
limitation, subject to the segregated account requirement
described above.

         GENERAL.  The successful use of the foregoing investment
practices draws upon the Adviser's special skills and experience
with respect to such instruments and usually depends on the
Adviser's ability to forecast interest rate and currency exchange
rate movements correctly.  Should interest or exchange rates move
in an unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated
benefits of futures contracts, options or forward contracts or
may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if such
strategies had not been used.  Unlike many exchange- traded
futures contracts and options on futures contracts, there are no
daily price fluctuation limits with respect to options on
currencies and forward contracts, and adverse market movements
could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of
time.  In addition, the correlation between movements in the
prices of such instruments and movements in the price of the
securities and currencies hedged or used for cover will not be
perfect and could produce unanticipated losses.

         The Fund's ability to dispose of its positions in
futures contracts, options and forward contracts will depend on
the availability of liquid markets in such instruments.  Markets
in options and futures with respect to a number of fixed-income
securities and currencies are relatively new and still
developing.  It is impossible to predict the amount of trading
interest that may exist in various types of futures contracts,
options and forward contracts.  If a secondary market does not
exist with respect to an option purchased or written by the Fund
over-the-counter, it might not be possible to effect a closing
transaction in the option (i.e., dispose of the option) with the
result that (i) an option purchased by the Fund would have to be
exercised in order for the Fund to realize any profit and
(ii) the Fund may not be able to sell currencies or portfolio
securities covering an option written by the Fund until the
option expires or it delivers the underlying futures contract or


                               15



<PAGE>

currency upon exercise.  Therefore, no assurance can be given
that the Fund will be able to utilize these instruments
effectively for the purposes set forth above. 

         LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES.  The Fund may make
secured loans of its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and
financial institutions provided that cash, U.S. Government
Securities or other liquid high-quality debt securities or bank
letters of credit equal to at least 100% of the market value of
the securities loaned is deposited and maintained by the borrower
with the Fund.  The risks in lending portfolio securities, as
with other extensions of credit, consist of possible loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
In determining whether to lend securities to a particular
borrower, the Adviser (subject to review by the Board of
Directors) will consider all relevant facts and circumstances,
including the creditworthiness of the borrower.  While securities
are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income earned
thereon and the Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio
securities, thereby earning additional income, or receive an
agreed-upon amount of income from a borrower who has delivered
equivalent collateral.  The Fund will have the right to regain
record ownership of loaned securities or equivalent securities in
order to exercise ownership rights such as voting rights,
subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest or other
distributions.  The Fund may pay reasonable finders,
administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan.  The
Fund will not lend portfolio securities in excess of 20% of the
value of its total assets, nor will the Fund lend its portfolio
securities to any officer, director, employee or affiliate of the
Fund or the Adviser.  The Board of Directors will monitor the
Fund's lending of portfolio securities.

         REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  The Fund may enter into
"repurchase agreements" with member banks of the Federal Reserve
System or "primary dealers" (as designated by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York) in U.S. Government Securities.  There is no
percentage restriction on the Fund's ability to enter into
repurchase agreements.  Currently the Fund enters into repurchase
agreements only with its Custodian and such primary dealers.  A
repurchase agreement arises when a buyer such as the Fund
purchases a security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to
the vendor at an agreed-upon future date, normally one day or a
few days later.  The resale price is greater than the purchase
price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate which is effective
for the period of time the buyer's money is invested in the
security and which is related to the current market rate rather
than the coupon rate on the purchased security.  Such agreements
permit the Fund to keep all of its assets at work while retaining
"overnight" flexibility in pursuit of investments of a longer-
term nature.  The Fund requires continual maintenance by its


                               16



<PAGE>

Custodian for its account in the Federal Reserve/Treasury Book
Entry System of collateral in an amount equal to, or in excess
of, the market value of the securities which are the subject of
this agreement.  In the event a vendor defaulted on its
repurchase obligation, the Fund might suffer a loss to the extent
that the proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less than
the repurchase price.  In the event of a vendor's bankruptcy, the
Fund might be delayed in, or prevented from, selling the
collateral for the Fund's benefit.  The Fund's Board of Directors
has established procedures, which are periodically reviewed by
the Board, pursuant to which the Adviser monitors the
creditworthiness of the dealers with which the Fund enters into
repurchase agreement transactions.

         PORTFOLIO TURNOVER.  The Fund may engage in active
short-term trading to benefit from yield disparities among
different issues of securities, to seek short-term profits during
periods of fluctuating interest rates, or for other reasons. Such
trading will increase the Fund's rate of turnover (which rate may
be higher than that of other investment companies) and the
incidence of short-term capital gain taxable as ordinary income.
The annual portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended in
1995 and 1996 were 230% and 208%, respectively.  Management
anticipates that the annual turnover in the Fund will not be in
excess of 500%.  An annual turnover rate of 500% occurs, for
example, when all of the securities in the Fund's portfolio are
replaced five times in a period of one year.  A high rate of
portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater expenses than
a lower rate, which expenses must be borne by the Fund and its
shareholders.  High portfolio turnover also may result in the
realization of substantial net short-term capital gains. 

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

         The following restrictions, which supplement those set
forth in the Fund's Prospectus, may not be changed without
shareholder approval, which means the affirmative vote of the
holders of (i) 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting
at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented,
or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is
less.

         The Fund may not:

         1.   Make loans except through (i) the purchase of debt
obligations in accordance with its investment objectives and
policies; (ii) the lending of portfolio securities; or (iii) the
use of repurchase agreements;

         2.   Participate on a joint or joint and several basis
in any securities trading account;


                               17



<PAGE>

         3.   Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising
control;

         4.   Make short sales of securities or maintain a short
position, unless at all times when a short position is open it
owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible
into or exchangeable for, without payment of any further
consideration, securities of the same issue as, and equal in
amount to, the securities sold short ("short sales against the
box"), and unless not more than 10% of the Fund's net assets
(taken at market value) is held as collateral for such sales at
any one time (it is the Fund's present intention to make such
sales only for the purpose of deferring realization of gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes);

         5.   Purchase a security if, as a result (unless the
security is acquired pursuant to a plan of reorganization or an
offer of exchange), the Fund would own any securities of an open-
end investment-company or more than 3% of the total outstanding
voting stock of any closed-end investment company or more than 5%
of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in
securities of any one or more closed-end investment companies; or

         6.   (i) Purchase or sell real estate, except that it
may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real
estate or purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in
real estate or interests therein; (ii) purchase or sell
commodities or commodity contracts (except currencies futures
contracts on currencies and related options, forward contracts or
contracts for the future acquisition or delivery of fixed-income
securities and related options, futures contracts and options on
futures contracts and other similar contracts); (iii) invest in
interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or
development programs; (iv) purchase securities on margin, except
for such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance
of transactions; and (v) act as an underwriter of securities,
except that the Fund may acquire restricted securities under
circumstances in which, if such securities were sold, the Fund
might be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the
Securities Act.

         To maintain portfolio diversification and reduce
investment risk, as a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may
not: (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of
companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the
banking industry, except that this restriction does not apply to
U.S. Government Securities; (ii) borrow money except from banks
for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of
redemption requests which might require the untimely disposition
of securities; borrowing in the aggregate may not exceed 15%, and
borrowing for purposes other than meeting redemptions may not


                               18



<PAGE>

exceed 5%, of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the
amount borrowed) less liabilities (not including the amount
borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made; securities will not
be purchased while borrowings in excess of 5% of the value of the
Fund's total assets are outstanding; or (iii) pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to
secure permitted borrowings.

         In addition to the restrictions set forth above, in
connection with the qualification of its shares for sale in
certain states, the Fund has undertaken not to:  (i) invest in
warrants if, such warrants valued at the lower cost or market,
would exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets;
(ii) purchase the securities of any company that has a record of
less than three years of continuous operation (including that of
any predecessors) if such purchase at the time thereof would
cause more than 5% of its total assets, taken at current value,
to be invested in the securities of such companies; or
(iii) purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads and any
combination thereof if by reason thereof the value of its
aggregate investment in such classes of securities would exceed
5% of its total assets.  Included within such amount, but not to
exceed 2% of the Fund's net assets, may be warrants which are not
listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock
Exchange.  Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to
securities may be deemed to be without value. 

         Whenever any investment policy or restriction states a
minimum or maximum percentage of the Fund's assets which may be
invested in any security or other asset, it is intended that such
minimum or maximum percentage limitation be determined
immediately after and as a result of the Fund's acquisition of
such security or other asset.  Accordingly, any later increase or
decrease in percentage beyond the specified limitations resulting
from a change in values or net assets will not be considered a
violation.

_______________________________________________________________

                     MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
_______________________________________________________________

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         The Directors and officers of the Fund, their ages and
their principal occupations during the past five years are set
forth below.  Each such Director and officer is also a trustee,
director or officer of other registered investment companies
sponsored by the Adviser.  Unless otherwise specified, the
address of each such persons is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, New York  10105.


                               19



<PAGE>

DIRECTORS

         JOHN D. CARIFA,* 52, Chairman and President of the Fund,
is the President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of
Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC") with which he
has been associated since prior to 1992. 

         RUTH BLOCK, 66, was formerly an Executive Vice President
and Chief Insurance Officer of The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States ("Equitable") since prior to 1992.
She is a Director of Ecolab Incorporated (specialty chemicals)
and Amoco Corporation (oil and gas).  Her address is P.O. Box
4653, Stamford, Connecticut  06903. 

         DAVID H. DIEVLER, 68, was formerly a Senior Vice
President of ACMC, with which he had been associated since prior
to 1992.  He is currently an independent consultant.   His
address is P.O. Box 167, Spring Lake, New Jersey 07762. 

         JAMES R. GREENE, 76, has been an independent financial
consultant since prior to 1992.  He is also a Director of ASARCO,
Incorporated (metals smelting and refining), Bank Leumi Trust
Co., Buck Engineering Company (manufacturing), American Reliance
Insurance Co. (insurance) and United Tote (computer software).
His address is 134 Buttonwood Drive, Fair Haven, New Jersey
07701. 

         DR. JAMES M. HESTER, 73, is President of the Harry Frank
Guggenheim Foundation and a Director of Union Carbide
Corporation, with which he has been associated since prior to
1992.  He was formerly President of New York University, the New
York Botanical Garden and Rector of the United Nations
University.  His address is 45 East 89th Street, New York, New
York  10128. 

         CLIFFORD L. MICHEL, 58, is a member of the law firm of
Cahill Gordon & Reindel with which he has been associated since
prior to 1992.  He is President, Chief Executive Officer of
Wenonah Development Company (investment holding company) and a
Director of Placer Dome, Inc. (mining).  His address is St.
Bernard's Road, Gladstone, New Jersey 07934. 

         DONALD J. ROBINSON, 63, was formerly a partner of
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and is currently senior counsel to
that firm. His address is 666 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor, New York,
New York 10103. 

____________________

*   An "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the 1940
    Act.


                               20



<PAGE>

OFFICERS

         JOHN D. CARIFA, CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT, (see biography,
above).

         WAYNE D. LYSKI, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, 56, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC with which he has been
associated since prior to 1992. 

         KATHLEEN A. CORBET, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, 37, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC since July 1993.  Prior thereto,
she was employed by Equitable Capital Management Corporation
since prior to 1992. 

         F. JEANNE GOETZ, VICE PRESIDENT, 43, is a Senior Vice
President of ACMC with which she has been associated since prior
to 1992. 

         JOHN J. KELLEY, VICE PRESIDENT, 37, is a Vice President
of ACMC with which he has been associated since April 1994.
Previously, he was a Senior Vice President at C. J. Lawrence/
Deutsche Bank, New York, since prior to 1992.

         DOUGLAS J. PEEBLES, VICE PRESIDENT, 32, is a Vice
President of ACMC with which he has been associated since prior
to 1992. 

         CHRISTIAN G. WILSON, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, 28, is a
Vice President of ACMC with which he has been associated since
prior to 1992.

         EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR., SECRETARY, 47, is a Senior Vice
President and General Counsel of Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc. ("AFD") with which he has been associated since prior to
1992. 

         DOMENICK PUGLIESE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, 36, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD with which he has
been associated since May 1995.  Previously, he was Vice
President and Counsel of Concord Financial Holding Corporation
since 1994, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of
Prudential Securities since 1992. 

         MARK D. GERSTEN, TREASURER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
47, is a Vice President of AFD and a Senior Vice President of
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS") with which he has been
associated since prior to 1992. 

         JUAN RODRIGUEZ, CONTROLLER, 40, is an Assistant Vice
President of AFS with which he has been associated since prior to
1992.  


                               21



<PAGE>

         CARLA, LaROSE, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 34, is a Manager of
AFS with which she has been associated since prior to 1992. 

         JOSEPH J. MANTINEO, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 38, is a Vice
President of AFS with which he has been associated since prior to
1992. 

         VINCENT S. NOTO, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 32, is an
Assistant Vice President of AFS with which he has been associated
since prior to 1992. 

         The aggregate compensation paid by the Fund to each of
the Directors during its fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the
aggregate compensation paid to each of the Directors during
calendar year 1996 by all of the funds to which the Adviser
provides investment advisory services (collectively, the
"Alliance Fund Complex") and the total number of registered
investment companies (and separate investment portfolios within
those companies), in the Alliance Fund Complex with respect to
which each of the Directors serves as a director or trustee are
set forth below.  Neither the Fund nor any other fund in the
Alliance Fund Complex provides compensation in the form of
pension or retirement benefits to any of its directors or
trustees.  Each of the Directors is a director or trustee of one
or more other registered investment companies in the Alliance
Fund Complex. 

                                                                Total Number
                                                 Total Number   of Investment
                                                 of Funds in    Portfolios
                                                 the Alliance   Within the
                                  Total          Fund Complex,  Funds,
                                  Compensation   Including the  Including the
                                  from the       Fund, as to    Fund, as to
                    Aggregate     Alliance Fund  which the      which the
                    Compensation  Complex,       Director is a  Director is
                    from          Including      Director or    a Director
Name of Director    the Fund      the Fund       Trustee        or Trustee
_________________   _____________ _____________  _____________  _____________

John D. Carifa      $ -0-         $ -0-          52             114
Ruth Block          $3,395        $157,500       38             76
David H. Dievler    $3,374        $182,000       45             79
James R. Greene     $3,867        $ 63,000       11             23
Dr. James M. Hester $3,402        $148,500       39             73
Clifford L. Michel  $3,402        $146,068       39             88
Donald J. Robinson  $  409        $137,250       42             102


         As of October 15, 1997, the Directors and officers of
the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund.


                               22



<PAGE>

Adviser

         Alliance Capital Management L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership with principal offices at 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, has been retained under an
investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") to
provide investment advice and, in general, to conduct the
management and investment program of the Fund under the
supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors (see "Management of
the Fund" in the Prospectus).

         Alliance is a leading international investment manager
supervising client accounts with assets as of September 30, 1997
of more than $217 billion (of which more than $81 billion
represented the assets of investment companies).  The Adviser's
clients are primarily major corporate employee benefit funds,
public employee retirement systems, investment companies,
foundation and endowment funds.  As of September 30, 1997, the
Adviser was an investment manager of employee benefit fund assets
for 28 of the FORTUNE 100 companies.  As of that date, the
Adviser and its subsidiaries employed approximately 1,500
employees who operated out of domestic offices and the offices of
subsidiaries in Bahrain, Bangalore, Chennai, Istanbul, London,
Madrid, Mumbai, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo and Toronto and affiliate
offices located in Vienna, Warsaw, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and
Moscow. The 54 registered investment companies comprising more
than 116 separate investment portfolios managed by the Adviser
currently have more than two million shareholders.

         Alliance Capital Management Corporation, the sole
general partner of, and the owner of a 1% general partnership
interest in, the Adviser, is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary
of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
("Equitable"), one of the largest life insurance companies in the
United States and a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Equitable
Companies Incorporated ("ECI"). ECI is a holding company
controlled by AXA-UAP, a French insurance holding company which
at September 30, 1997, beneficially owned approximately 59% of
the outstanding voting shares of ECI.  As of June 30, 1997, ACMC,
Inc. and Equitable Capital Management Corporation, each a wholly-
owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Equitable, together with
Equitable, owned in the aggregate approximately 57% of the issued
and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial
ownership of limited partnership interests in the Adviser.

         AXA-UAP is a holding company for an international group
of insurance and related financial services companies.  AXA-UAP's
insurance operations include activities in life insurance,
property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. The insurance
operations are diverse geographically, with activities
principally in Western Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific


                               23



<PAGE>

area.  AXA-UAP is also engaged in asset management, investment
banking, securities trading, brokerage, real estate and other
financial services activities principally in the United States,
as well as in Western Europe and the Asia/Pacific area.

         Based on information provided by AXA-UAP, as of
September 30, 1997 more than 25% of the voting power of AXA-UAP
was controlled directly and indirectly by FINAXA, a French
holding company.  As of September 30, 1997 more than 25% of the
voting power of FINAXA was controlled directly and indirectly by
four French mutual insurance companies (the "Mutuelles AXA"), one
of which, AXA Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle, itself controlled
directly and indirectly more than 25% of the voting power of
FINAXA.  Acting as a group, the Mutuelles AXA control AXA-UAP and
FINAXA.

         Under the Advisory Agreement with the Fund, the Adviser
provides investment advisory services and order placement
facilities for the Fund and pays all compensation of Directors
and officers of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the
Adviser.  The Adviser or its affiliates also furnishes the Fund,
without charge, management supervision and assistance and office
facilities and provides persons satisfactory to the Fund's Board
of Directors to serve as the Fund's officers.

         The Adviser is, under the Advisory Agreement,
responsible for certain expenses incurred by the Fund, including,
for example, office facilities and certain administrative
services, and any expenses incurred in promoting the sale of Fund
shares (other than the portion of the promotional expenses borne
by the Fund in accordance with an effective plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and the costs of printing Fund
prospectuses and other reports to shareholders and fees related
to registration with the Commission and with state regulatory
authorities).

         The Fund has, under the Advisory Agreement, assumed the
obligation for payment of all of its other expenses.  As to the
obtaining of services other than those specifically provided to
the Fund by the Adviser, the Fund may utilize personnel employed
by the Adviser or by other subsidiaries of Equitable.  The Fund
may employ its own personnel or contract for services to be
provided to the Fund at cost and the payments specifically
approved by the Fund's Board of Directors.  The Fund paid to the
Adviser a total of $169,691 in respect of such services during
the fiscal year of the Fund ended in 1996. 

         For the fiscal years of the Fund ended October 31, 1994,
1995 and 1996, the Adviser received an advisory fee in the amount
of $11,648,245, $6,033,815 and $4,077,972, respectively.



                               24



<PAGE>

         The Advisory Agreement became effective on July 22,
1992.  The Advisory Agreement was approved by the unanimous vote,
cast in person, of the Fund's Directors, including the Directors
who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested
persons of any such party, at a meeting called for such purpose
and held on September 11, 1991.  At a meeting held on June 11,
1992, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund
approved the Advisory Agreement.

         The Advisory Agreement continues in effect for
successive twelve-month periods (computed from each January 1),
provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by a majority vote of the holders of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund or by a majority vote of the
Directors, and in either case, by a majority of the Directors who
neither are interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
the Fund nor have any direct or indirect financial interest in
the Advisory Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval.  Most recently, the Board
of Directors approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement
until December 31, 1997 at their meeting held on December 18,
1996.

         The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty on
60 days' written notice, by a vote of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities or by a vote of a majority of the
Fund's Directors or by the Adviser on 60 days' written notice,
and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the
Adviser, or of reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder,
the Adviser shall not be liable for any action or failure to act
in accordance with its duties thereunder.

         Certain other clients of the Adviser may have investment
objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund. The Adviser
may, from time to time, make recommendations which result in the
purchase or sale of a particular security by its other clients
simultaneously with the Fund.  If transactions on behalf of more
than one client during the same period increase the demand for
securities being purchased or the supply of securities being
sold, there may be an adverse effect on price or quantity.  It is
the policy of the Adviser to allocate advisory recommendations
and the placing of orders in a manner which is deemed equitable
by the Adviser to the accounts involved, including the Fund.
When two or more of the clients of the Adviser (including the
Fund) are purchasing or selling the same security on a given day
from the same broker-dealer, such transactions may be averaged as
to price.




                               25



<PAGE>

         The Adviser may act as an investment adviser to other
persons, firms or corporations, including investment companies,
and is the investment adviser to the following registered
investment companies:  ACM Institutional Reserves, Inc., AFD
Exchange Reserves, The Alliance Fund, Inc., Alliance All-Asia
Investment Fund, Inc., Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc., Alliance
Bond Fund, Inc., Alliance Capital Reserves, Alliance Developing
Markets Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Small Cap
Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.,
Alliance Government Reserves, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund,
Inc., Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance High Yield
Fund, Inc., Alliance Income Builder Fund, Inc., Alliance
International Fund, Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund,
Inc., Alliance Money Market Fund, Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.,
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income
Fund II, Alliance Municipal Trust, Alliance New Europe Fund,
Inc., Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.,
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc, Alliance/Regent Sector
Opportunity Fund, Inc., Alliance Technology Fund, Inc., Alliance
Utility Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Variable Products Series
Fund, Inc., Alliance World Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund, Inc., Fiduciary Management Associates, The
Alliance Portfolios and The Hudson River Trust, all registered
open-end investment companies; and to ACM Government Income Fund,
Inc., ACM Government Securities Fund, Inc., ACM Government
Spectrum Fund, Inc., ACM Government Opportunity Fund, Inc., ACM
Managed Dollar Income Fund, Inc., ACM Managed Income Fund, Inc.,
ACM Municipal Securities Income Fund, Inc., Alliance All-Market
Advantage Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc.,
Alliance World Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance World
Dollar Government Fund II, Inc., The Austria Fund, Inc., The
Korean Investment Fund, Inc., The Southern Africa Fund, Inc. and
The Spain Fund, Inc., all registered closed-end investment
companies. 

______________________________________________________________

                      EXPENSES OF THE FUND
______________________________________________________________

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT

         The Fund has entered into a Distribution Services
Agreement (the "Agreement") with Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc., the Fund's principal underwriter (the "Principal
Underwriter"), to permit the Principal Underwriter to distribute
the Fund's shares and to permit the Fund to pay distribution
services fees to defray expenses associated with the distribution


                               26



<PAGE>

of its Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares in
accordance with a plan of distribution which is included in the
Agreement and has been duly adopted and approved in accordance
with Rule 12b-1 adopted by the Commission under the 1940 Act (the
"Rule 12b-1 Plan").

         Distribution services fees are accrued daily and paid
monthly and are charged as expenses of the Fund as accrued.  The
distribution services fees attributable to the Class B shares and
Class C shares are designed to permit an investor to purchase
such shares through broker-dealers without the assessment of an
initial sales charge, and at the same time to permit the
Principal Underwriter to compensate broker-dealers in connection
with the sale of such shares.  In this regard, the purpose and
function of the combined contingent deferred sales charge and
distribution services fee on the Class B shares and Class C
shares are the same as those of the initial sales charge and
distribution services fee with respect to the Class A shares and
that in each case the sales charge and distribution services fee
provide for the financing of the distribution of the relevant
class of the Fund's shares. 

         Under the Agreement, the Treasurer of the Fund reports
the amounts expended under the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the purposes
for which such expenditures were made to the Directors of the
Fund for their review on a quarterly basis.  Also, the Agreement
provides that the selection and nomination of disinterested
Directors (as defined in the 1940 Act) are committed to the
discretion of such disinterested Directors then in office.

         The Agreement became effective on July 22, 1992, with
respect to Class A shares and Class B shares, and was amended as
of April 30, 1993 to permit the distribution of an additional
class of shares, Class C shares and September 30, 1996 with
respect to Advisor Class shares.

         The Adviser may from time to time and from its own funds
or such other resources as may be permitted by rules of the
Commission make payments for distribution services to the
Principal Underwriter; the latter may in turn pay part or all of
such compensation to brokers or other persons for their
distribution assistance.

         During the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31, 1996,
with respect to Class A shares, distribution services fees for
expenditures payable to the Principal Underwriter amounted to
$977,782 which constituted .30 of 1% of the Fund's average daily
net assets attributable to Class A shares during such fiscal
year, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources
aggregating $463,753.  Of the $1,441,535 paid by the Fund and the
Adviser under the Plan with respect to Class A shares, $110,555


                               27



<PAGE>

was spent on advertising, $11,270 on the printing and mailing of
prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders,
$972,086 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial
intermediaries (including $174,930 to the Fund's Principal
Underwriter), $118,762 for compensation to sales personnel and
$228,862 was spent on the printing of sales literature, travel,
entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses.

         During the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31, 1996,
with respect to Class B shares, distribution services fees for
expenditures payable to the Principal Underwriter amounted to
$4,089,969, which constituted 1.00% of the Fund's average daily
net assets attributable to Class B shares during such fiscal
year, and the Adviser made payments from its own resources
aggregating $-0-.  Of the $1,997,496 paid by the Fund and the
Adviser under the Plan with respect to Class B shares, $63,022
was spent on advertising, $7,231 on the printing and mailing of
prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders,
$1,194,669 for compensation to broker-dealers and other financial
intermediaries (including $105,040 to the Fund's Principal
Underwriter), $8,644 for compensation to sales personnel,
$130,266 was spent on the printing of sales literature, travel,
entertainment, due diligence and other promotional expenses and
$593,664 was spent on financing of interest relating to Class B
shares.

         During the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31, 1996,
with respect to Class C shares, distribution services fees for
expenditures payable to the Principal Underwriter amounted to
$65,381, which constituted 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net
assets attributable to Class C shares during such fiscal year,
and the Adviser made payments from its own resources aggregating
$306,594.  Of the $371,975 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under
the Plan with respect to Class C shares, $57,666 was spent on
advertising, $7,677 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses
for persons other than current shareholders, $190,852 for
compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries
(including $96,357 to the Fund's Principal Underwriter), $5,130
for compensation to sales personnel and $110,650 was spent on the
printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due
diligence and other promotional expenses.

         The Agreement will continue in effect for successive
twelve-month periods (computed from each January 1) with respect
to each class of the Fund, provided, however, that such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the
Directors of the Fund or by vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
that class, and in either case, by a majority of the Directors of
the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested
persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, of any such party (other


                               28



<PAGE>

than as directors of the Fund) and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Rule 12b-1 Plan or any
agreement related thereto.  Most recently the Directors approved
the continuance of the Agreement until December 31, 1997 at their
meeting held on December 18, 1996.

         In the event that the Agreement is terminated or not
continued with respect to the Class A shares, Class B shares or
Class C shares, (i) no distribution services fees (other than
current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the
Fund to the Principal Underwriter with respect to that class, and
(ii) the Fund would not be obligated to pay the Principal
Underwriter for any amounts expended under the Agreement not
previously recovered by the Principal Underwriter from
distribution services fees in respect of shares of such class or
through deferred sales charges.

         All material amendments to the Agreement must be
approved by a vote of the Directors or holders of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities, voting separately by class, and in
either case, by a majority of the disinterested Directors, cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval; and the Agreement may not be amended in order to
increase materially the costs that the Fund may bear pursuant to
the Agreement without the approval of a majority of the holders
of the outstanding voting shares of the class or classes
affected.  The Agreement may be terminated (a) by the Fund
without penalty at any time by a majority vote of the holders of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, voting separately
by class or by a majority vote of the disinterested Directors as
defined in the 1940 Act, or (b) by the Principal Underwriter.  To
terminate the Agreement, any party must give the other party 60
days' written notice; to terminate the Rule 12b-1 Plan only, the
Fund is not required to give prior written notice to the
Principal Underwriter.  The Agreement will terminate
automatically in the event of its assignment.

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

         Alliance Fund Services, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser, receives a transfer agency fee per
account holder of each of the Class A shares, Class B shares,
Class C shares and Advisor Class shares of the Fund, plus
reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.  The transfer agency
fee with respect to the Class B and Class C shares is higher than
the transfer agency fee with respect to the Class A and Advisor
Class shares.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the
Fund paid Alliance Fund Services, Inc. $1,828,807 for transfer
agency services. 




                               29



<PAGE>

_______________________________________________________________

                       PURCHASE OF SHARES
_______________________________________________________________

         The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus(es) under "Purchase and Sale of Shares--How
To Buy Shares."

GENERAL

         Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis at
a price equal to their net asset value plus an initial sales
charge at the time of purchase ("Class A shares"), with a
contingent deferred sales charge ("Class B shares"), without any
initial sales charge and, as long as the shares held for one year
or more, without any contingent deferred sales charge ("Class C
shares"), or to investors eligible to purchase Advisor Class
shares, without any initial, contingent deferred or asset-based
sales charge, in each case as described below.  Shares of the
Fund that are offered subject to a sales charge are offered
through (i) investment dealers that are members of NASD and have
entered into selected dealer agreements with the Principal
Underwriter ("selected dealers"), (ii) depository institutions
and other financial intermediaries or their affiliates, that have
entered into selected agent agreements with the Principal
Underwriter ("selected agents"), and (iii) the Principal
Underwriter.

         Advisor Class shares of the Fund may be purchased and
held solely (i) through accounts established under fee-based
programs, sponsored and maintained by registered broker-dealers
or other financial intermediaries and approved by the Principal
Underwriter, (ii) through self-directed defined contribution
employee benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) plans) that have at least
1,000 participants or $25 million in assets, (iii) by the
categories of investors described in clauses (i) through (iv),
below under "--Sales at Net Asset Value" (other than officers,
directors and present and full-time employees of selected dealers
or agents, or relatives of such person, or any trust, individual
retirement account or retirement plan account for the benefit of
such relative, none of whom is eligible on the basis solely of
such status to purchase and hold Advisor Class shares), or (iv)
by directors and present or retired full-time employees of CB
Commercial Real Estate Group, Inc. 

         Generally, a fee-based program must charge an asset-
based or other similar fee and must invest at least $250,000 in
Advisor Class shares of each Fund in which the program invests in
order to be approved by AFD for investment in Advisor Class
shares.


                               30



<PAGE>

         Investors may purchase shares of the Fund either through
selected broker-dealers, agents, financial intermediaries or
other financial representatives, or directly through the
Principal Underwriter.  A transaction, service, administrative or
other similar fee may be charged by your broker-dealer, agent,
financial intermediary or other financial representative with
respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Class A, Class B,
Class C or Advisor Class shares made through such financial
representative.  Such financial representative may also impose
requirements with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of
shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed
by the Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and
subsequent investment amounts.  Sales personnel of selected
dealers and agents distributing the Fund's shares may receive
differing compensation for selling Class A, Class B, Class C or
Advisor Class shares. 

         The Fund may refuse any order for the purchase of
shares.  The Fund reserves the right to suspend the sale of the
Fund's shares to the public in response to conditions in the
securities markets or for other reasons. 

         The public offering price of shares of the Fund is their
net asset value, plus, in the case of Class A shares, a sales
charge which will vary depending on the purchase alternative
chosen by the investor, as shown in the table below under
"--Class A Shares."  On each Fund business day on which a
purchase or redemption order is received by the Fund and trading
in the types of securities in which the Fund invests might
materially affect the value of Fund shares, the per share net
asset value is computed in accordance with the Fund's Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws as of the next close of regular trading
on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") (currently
4:00 p.m. Eastern time) by dividing the value of the Fund's total
assets, less its liabilities, by the total number of its shares
then outstanding.  A Fund business day is any day on which the
Exchange is open for trading.

         The respective per share net asset values of the Class
A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares are expected to be
substantially the same.  Under certain circumstances, however,
the per share net asset values of the Class B and Class C shares
may be lower than the per share net asset values of the Class A
and Advisor Class shares, as a result of the differential daily
expense accruals of the distribution and transfer agency fees
applicable with respect to those classes of shares.  Even under
those circumstances, the per share net asset values of the four
classes eventually will tend to converge immediately after the
payment of dividends, which will differ by approximately the
amount of the expense accrual differential among the classes.



                               31



<PAGE>

         The Fund will accept unconditional orders for its shares
to be executed at the public offering price equal to their net
asset value next determined (plus applicable Class A sales
charges), as described below.  Orders received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange
on each day the Exchange is open for trading are priced at the
net asset value computed as of the close of regular trading on
the Exchange on that day (plus applicable Class A sales charges).
In the case of orders for purchase of shares placed through
selected dealers, agents, or financial representatives, as
applicable, the applicable public offering price will be the net
asset value as so determined, but only if the selected dealer,
agent or financial representative receives the order prior to the
close of regular trading on the Exchange and transmits it to the
Principal Underwriter prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.  The
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, if
applicable, is responsible for transmitting such orders by
5:00 p.m.  If the selected dealer, agent or financial
representative fails to do so, the investor's right to that day's
closing price must be settled between the investor and the
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, if
applicable.  If the selected dealer, agent or financial
representative, as applicable, receives the order after the close
of regular trading on the Exchange, the price will be based on
the net asset value determined as of the close of regular trading
on the Exchange on the next day it is open for trading.

         Following the initial purchase of Fund shares, a
shareholder may place orders to purchase additional shares by
telephone if the shareholder has completed the appropriate
portion of the Subscription Application or an "Autobuy"
application obtained by calling the "For Literature" telephone
number shown on the cover of this Statement of Additional
Information.  Except with respect to certain omnibus accounts,
telephone purchase orders and may not exceed $500,000.  Payment
for shares purchased by telephone can be made only by electronic
funds transfer from a bank account maintained by the shareholder
at a bank that is a member of the National Automated Clearing
House Association ("NACHA").  If a shareholder's telephone
purchase request is received before 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on a
Fund business day, the order to purchase shares is automatically
placed the following Fund business day, and the applicable public
offering price will be the public offering price determined as of
the close of business on such following business day. 

         Full and fractional shares are credited to a
subscriber's account in the amount of his or her subscription. As
a convenience to the subscriber, and to avoid unnecessary expense
to the Fund, stock certificates representing shares of the Fund
are not issued except upon written request to the Fund by the
shareholder or his or her authorized selected dealer or agent.


                               32



<PAGE>

This facilitates later redemption and relieves the shareholder of
the responsibility for and inconvenience of lost or stolen
certificates.  No certificates are issued for fractional shares,
although such shares remain in the shareholder's account on the
books of the Fund.

         In addition to the discount or commission paid to
dealers or agents, the Principal Underwriter from time to time
pays additional cash or other incentives to dealers or agents,
including EQ Financial Consultants, Inc., formerly Equico
Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Principal Underwriter, in
connection with the sale of shares of the Fund.  Such additional
amounts may be utilized, in whole or in part, to provide
additional compensation to registered representatives who sell
shares of the Fund.  On some occasions, cash or other incentives
will be conditioned upon the sale of a specified minimum dollar
amount of the shares of the Fund and/or other Alliance Mutual
Funds, as defined below, during a specific period of time.  On
some occasions, such cash or other incentives may take the form
of payment for attendance at seminars, meals, sporting events or
theater performances, or payment for travel, lodging and
entertainment incurred in connection with travel taken by persons
associated with a dealer or agent and their immediate family
members to urban or resort locations within or outside the United
States.  Such dealer or agent may elect to receive cash
incentives of equivalent amount in lieu of such payments.

         Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares each
represent an interest in the same portfolio of investments of the
Fund, have the same rights and are identical in all respects,
except that (i) Class A shares bear the expense of the initial
sales charge (or contingent deferred sales charge, when
applicable) and Class B and Class C shares bear the expense of
the deferred sales charge, (ii) Class B shares and Class C shares
each bear the expense of a higher distribution services fee than
that borne by Class A shares, and Advisor Class shares do not
bear such a fee, (iii) Class B and Class C shares bear higher
transfer agency costs than that borne by Class A and Advisor
Class shares, (iv) each of Class A, Class B and Class C shares
has exclusive voting rights with respect to provisions of the
Rule 12b-1 Plan pursuant to which its distribution services fee
is paid and other matters for which separate class voting is
appropriate under applicable law, provided that, if the Fund
submits to a vote of the Class A shareholders, an amendment to
the Rule 12b-1 Plan that would materially increase the amount to
be paid thereunder with respect to the Class A shares, then such
amendment will also be submitted to the Class B and Advisor Class
shareholders and the Class A shareholders, the Class B
shareholders and the Advisor Class shareholders will vote
separately by class, and (v) Class B and Advisor Class shares are
subject to a conversion feature.  Each class has different


                               33



<PAGE>

exchange privileges and certain different shareholder service
options available.

         The Directors of the Fund have determined that currently
no conflict of interest exists between or among the Class A,
Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares.  On an ongoing basis,
the Directors of the Fund, pursuant to their fiduciary duties
under the 1940 Act and state law, will seek to ensure that no
such conflict arises.

         ALTERNATIVE RETAIL PURCHASE ARRANGEMENTS--CLASS A, CLASS
B AND CLASS C SHARES** 

         The alternative purchase arrangements available with
respect to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares
permit an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that
is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length
of time the investor expects to hold the shares, and other
circumstances.  Investors should consider whether, during the
anticipated life of their investment in the Fund, the accumulated
distribution services fee and contingent deferred sales charges
on Class B shares prior to conversion, or the accumulated
distribution services fee and contingent deferred sales charge on
Class C shares, would be less than the initial sales charge and
accumulated distribution services fee on Class A shares purchased
at the same time, and to what extent such differential would be
offset by the higher return of Class A shares.  Class A shares
will normally be more beneficial than Class B shares to the
investor who qualifies for reduced initial sales charges on Class
A shares, as described below.  In this regard, the Principal
Underwriter will reject any order (except orders from certain
retirement plans) for more than $250,000 for Class B shares.
Class C shares will normally not be suitable for the investor who
qualifies to purchase Class A shares at net asset value.  For
this reason, the Principal Underwriter will reject any order for
more than $1,000,000 for Class C shares.

         Class A shares are subject to a lower distribution
services fee and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher
dividends per share than Class B shares or Class C shares.
However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time
of purchase, investors purchasing Class A shares would not have
all their funds invested initially and, therefore, would
initially own fewer shares.  Investors not qualifying for reduced
initial sales charge who expect to maintain their investment for
an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A
shares because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on
____________________

**  Advisor Class shares are sold only to investors described
    above in this section under "--General."


                               34



<PAGE>

Class B shares or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales
charge on Class A shares during the life of the investment.
Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration
against the fact that, because of such initial sales charges, not
all their funds will be invested initially.

         Other investors might determine, however, that it would
be more advantageous to purchase Class B shares or Class C shares
in order to have all their funds invested initially, although
remaining subject to higher continuing distribution charges and
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge for a three-
year and one-year period, respectively.  For example, based on
current fees and expenses, an investor subject to the 4.25%
initial sales charge or Class A shares would have to hold his or
her investment approximately seven years for the Class C
distribution services fee to exceed the initial sales charge plus
the accumulated distribution services fee of Class A shares.  In
this example, an investor intending to maintain his or her
investment for a longer period might consider purchasing Class A
shares. This example does not take into account the time value of
money, which further reduces the impact of the Class C
distribution services fees on the investment, fluctuations in net
asset value or the effect of different performance assumptions.

         Those investors who prefer to have all of their funds
invested initially but may not wish to retain Fund shares for the
three-year period during which Class B shares are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge may find it more advantageous to
purchase Class C shares.

         During the Fund's fiscal years ended in 1994, 1995 and
1996, the aggregate amount of underwriting commission payable
with respect to shares of the Fund were $3,785,248, $257,441 and
$251,737, respectively.  Of that amount, the Principal
Underwriter received amounts of $50,487, $19,677 and $16,307,
respectively, representing that portion of the sales charges paid
on shares of the Fund sold during the year which was not
reallowed to selected dealers (and was, accordingly, retained by
the Principal Underwriter).  During the Fund's fiscal years ended
in 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Principal Underwriter received
contingent deferred sales charges of $-0-, $-0- and $-0-,
respectively, on Class A shares, $273,441, $1,340,337 and
$3,115,562, respectively, on Class B shares, and $-0-, $-0- and
$-0-, respectively, on Class C shares. 

CLASS A SHARES

         The public offering price of Class A shares is the net
asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below.




                               35



<PAGE>

                          Sales Charge

                                                 Discount or
                                                 Commission
                                    As % of      to Dealers
                        As % of     the          or Agents
                        Net         Public       As % of
Amount of               Amount      Offering     Offering
Purchase                Invested    Price        Price
________                ________    ________     ____________

Less than
   $100,000             4.44%       4.25%        4.00%
$100,000 but
    less than
    $250,000            3.36        3.25         3.00
$250,000 but
    less than
    $500,000            2.30        2.25         2.00
$500,000 but
    less than
    $1,000,000*         1.78        1.75         1.50

____________________

* There is no initial sales charge on transactions of $1,000,000
or more.

         With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A
shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge equal to 1% of the lesser of the
cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the
time of redemption.  Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.
In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.  The
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares will be waived
on certain redemptions, as described below under "-- Class B
Shares."  In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class A shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge (for example, because an
initial sales charge was paid with respect to the shares, or they
have been held beyond the period during which the charge applies
or were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions) and, second, of shares held longest during the
time they are subject to the sales charge.  Proceeds from the
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares are paid to
the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in


                               36



<PAGE>

connection with the sales of Class A shares, such as the payment
of compensation to selected dealers or agents for selling Class A
shares.  With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more made
through selected dealers or agents, the Adviser may, pursuant to
the Distribution Services Agreement described above, pay such
dealers or agents from its own resources a fee of up to 1% of the
amount invested to compensate such dealers or agents for their
distribution assistance in connection with such purchases.

         No initial sales charge is imposed on Class A shares
issued (i) pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of income
dividends or capital gains distributions, (ii) in exchange for
Class A shares of other "Alliance Mutual Funds" (as that term is
defined under "Combined Purchase Privilege" below), except that
an initial sales charge will be imposed on Class A shares issued
in exchange for Class A shares of AFD Exchange Reserves ("AFDER")
that were purchased for cash without the payment of an initial
sales charge and without being subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge or (iii) upon the automatic conversion of Class B
shares or Advisor Class shares as described below under
"--Class B Shares Conversion Feature" and "-- Conversion of
Advisor Class Shares to Class A Shares."  The Fund receives the
entire net asset value of its Class A shares sold to investors.
The Principal Underwriter's commission is the sales charge shown
above less any applicable discount or commission "reallowed" to
selected dealers and agents.  The Principal Underwriter will
reallow discounts to selected dealers and agents in the amounts
indicated in the table above.  In this regard, the Principal
Underwriter may elect to reallow the entire sales charge to
selected dealers and agents for all sales with respect to which
orders are placed with the Principal Underwriter.  A selected
dealer who receives reallowance in excess of 90% of such a sales
charge may be deemed to be an "underwriter" under the Securities
Act.

         Set forth below is an example of the method of computing
the offering price of the Class A shares.  The example assumes a
purchase of Class A shares of the Fund aggregating less than
$100,000 subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth above
at a price based upon the net asset value of Class A shares of
the Fund on October 15, 1997. 












                               37



<PAGE>


         Net Asset Value per Class A Share
           at October 15, 1997                   $7.65

         Per Share Sales Charge - 4.25%
           of offering price   (4.44%              .34
           of net asset value per share)         _____

         Class A Per Share Offering Price
           to the Public                         $7.99
                                                 =====

         Investors choosing the initial sales charge alternative
may under certain circumstances be entitled to pay (i) no initial
sales charge (but be subject in most such cases to a contingent
deferred sales charge) or (ii) a reduced initial sales charge.
The circumstances under which investors may pay a reduced initial
sales charge are described below.

         COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE.  Certain persons may
qualify for the sales charge reductions indicated in the schedule
of such charges above by combining purchases of shares of the
Fund into a single "purchase," if the resulting "purchase" totals
at least $100,000.  The term "purchase" refers to: (i) a single
purchase by an individual, or to concurrent purchases, which in
the aggregate are at least equal to the prescribed amounts, by an
individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of
21 years purchasing shares of the Fund for his, her or their own
account(s); (ii) a single purchase by a trustee or other
fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust, estate or single
fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary is involved;
or (iii) a single purchase for the employee benefit plans of a
single employer.  The term "purchase" also includes purchases by
any "company," as the term is defined in the 1940 Act, but does
not include purchases by any such company which has not been in
existence for at least six months or which has no purpose other
than the purchase of shares of the Fund or shares of other
registered investment companies at a discount.  The term
"purchase" does not include purchases by any group of individuals
whose sole organizational nexus is that the participants therein
are credit card holders of a company, policy holders of an
insurance company, customers of either a bank or broker-dealer or
clients of an investment adviser.  A "purchase" may also include
shares, purchased at the same time through a single selected
dealer or agent, of any other "Alliance Mutual Fund."  Currently,
the Alliance Mutual Funds include:

AFD Exchange Reserves
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.


                               38



<PAGE>

  -Corporate Bond Portfolio
  -U.S. Government Portfolio
Alliance Developing Markets Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc.
Alliance Income Builder Fund, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
  -California Portfolio
  -Insured California Portfolio
  -Insured National Portfolio
  -National Portfolio
  -New York Portfolio
Alliance Municipal Income Fund II
  -Arizona Portfolio
  -Florida Portfolio
  -Massachusetts Portfolio
  -Michigan Portfolio
  -Minnesota Portfolio
  -New Jersey Portfolio
  -Ohio Portfolio
  -Pennsylvania Portfolio
  -Virginia Portfolio
Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc.
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance/Regent Sector Opportunity Fund, Inc.
Alliance Short-Term Multi-Market Trust, Inc.
Alliance Technology Fund, Inc.
Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance World Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Portfolios
  -Alliance Growth Fund
  -Alliance Conservative Investors Fund
  -Alliance Growth Investors Fund
  -Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
  -Alliance Strategic Balanced Fund




                               39



<PAGE>

         Prospectuses for the Alliance Mutual Funds may be
obtained without charge by contacting Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. at the address or the "For Literature" telephone number
shown on the front cover of this Statement of Additional
Information.

         CUMULATIVE QUANTITY DISCOUNT (RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION). An
investor's purchase of additional Class A shares of the Fund may
qualify for a Cumulative Quantity Discount.  The applicable sales
charge will be based on the total of:

         (i)  the investor's current purchase;

        (ii)  the net asset value (at the close of business on
the previous day) of (a) all shares of the Fund held by the
investor and (b) all shares of any other Alliance Mutual Fund
held by the investor; and

       (iii)  the net asset value of all shares described in
paragraph (ii) owned by another shareholder eligible to combine
his or her purchase with that of the investor into a single
"purchase" (see above).

         For example, if an investor owned shares of an Alliance
Mutual Fund worth $200,000 at their then current net asset value
and, subsequently, purchased Class A shares of the Fund worth an
additional $100,000, the sales charge for the $100,000 purchase
would be at the 2.25% rate applicable to a single $300,000
purchase of shares of the Fund, rather than the 3.25% rate.

         To qualify for the Combined Purchase Privilege or to
obtain the Cumulative Quantity Discount on a purchase through a
selected dealer or agent, the investor or selected dealer or
agent must provide the Principal Underwriter with sufficient
information to verify that each purchase qualifies for the
privilege or discount.

         STATEMENT OF INTENTION.  Class A investors may also
obtain the reduced sales charges shown in the table above by
means of a written Statement of Intention, which expresses the
investor's intention to invest not less than $100,000 within a
period of 13 months in Class A shares (or Class A, Class B, Class
C and/or Advisor Class shares) of the Fund or any other Alliance
Mutual Fund. Each purchase of shares under a Statement of
Intention will be made at the public offering price or prices
applicable at the time of such purchase to a single transaction
of the dollar amount indicated in the Statement of Intention.  At
the investor's option, a Statement of Intention may include
purchases of shares of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund
made not more than 90 days prior to the date that the investor
signs the Statement of Intention; however, the 13-month period


                               40



<PAGE>

during which the Statement of Intention is in effect will begin
on the date of the earliest purchase to be included.

         Investors qualifying for the Combined Purchase Privilege
described above may purchase shares of the Alliance Mutual Funds
under a single Statement of Intention.  For example, if at the
time an investor signs a Statement of Intention to invest at
least $100,000 in Class A shares of the Fund, the investor and
the investor's spouse each purchase shares of the Fund worth
$20,000 (for a total of $40,000), it will be necessary to invest
only a total of $60,000 during the following 13 months in shares
of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund, to qualify for the
3.25% sales charge on the total amount being invested (the sales
charge applicable to an investment of $100,000).

         The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation
upon the investor to purchase the full amount indicated.  The
minimum initial investment under a Statement of Intention is 5%
of such amount.  Shares purchased with the first 5% of such
amount will be held in escrow (while remaining registered in the
name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher sales
charge applicable to the shares actually purchased if the full
amount indicated is not purchased, and such escrowed shares will
be involuntarily redeemed to pay the additional sales charge, if
necessary.  Dividends on escrowed shares, whether paid in cash or
reinvested in additional Fund shares, are not subject to escrow.
When the full amount indicated has been purchased, the escrow
will be released.  To the extent that an investor purchases more
than the dollar amount indicated on the Statement of Intention
and qualifies for a further reduced sales charge, the sales
charge will be adjusted for the entire amount purchased at the
end of the 13-month period.  The difference in the sales charge
will be used to purchase additional shares of the Fund subject to
the rate of the sales charge applicable to the actual amount of
the aggregate purchases.

         Investors wishing to enter into a Statement of Intention
in conjunction with their initial investment in Class A shares of
the Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus while current
Class A shareholders desiring to do so can obtain a form of
Statement of Intention by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
at the address or telephone numbers shown on the cover of this
Statement of Additional Information.

         CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS.  Multiple participant payroll
deduction retirement plans may also purchase shares of the Fund
or any other Alliance Mutual Fund at a reduced sales charge on a
monthly basis during the 13-month period following such a plan's
initial purchase.  The sales charge applicable to such initial
purchase of shares of the Fund will be that normally applicable,


                               41



<PAGE>

under the schedule of the sales charges set forth in this
Statement of Additional Information, to an investment 13 times
larger than such initial purchase.  The sales charge applicable
to each succeeding monthly purchase will be that normally
applicable, under such schedule, to an investment equal to the
sum of (i) the total purchase previously made during the 13-month
period and (ii) the current month's purchase multiplied by the
number of months (including the current month) remaining in the
13-month period.  Sales charges previously paid during such
period will not be retroactively adjusted on the basis of later
purchases.

         REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE.  A shareholder who has caused
any or all of his or her Class A or Class B shares of the Fund to
be redeemed or repurchased may reinvest all or any portion of the
redemption or repurchase proceeds in Class A shares of the Fund
at net asset value without any sales charge, provided that
(i) such reinvestment is made within 120 calendar days after the
redemption or repurchase date, and (ii) for Class B shares, a
contingent deferred sales charge has been paid and the Principal
Underwriter has approved, at its discretion, the reinvestment of
such shares.  Shares are sold to a reinvesting shareholder at the
net asset value next determined as described above.  A
reinstatement pursuant to this privilege will not cancel the
redemption or repurchase transaction; therefore, any gain or loss
so realized will be recognized for federal income tax purposes
except that no loss will be recognized to the extent that the
proceeds are reinvested in shares of the Fund within 30 calendar
days after the redemption or repurchase transaction. Investors
may exercise the reinstatement privilege by written request sent
to the Fund at the address shown on the cover of this Statement
of Additional Information. 

         SALES AT NET ASSET VALUE.  The Fund may sell its Class A
shares at net asset value (i.e., without an initial sales charge)
and without a contingent deferred sales charge to certain
categories of investors, including: (i) investment management
clients of the Adviser or its affiliates; (ii) officers and
present or former Directors of the Fund; present or former
directors and trustees of other investment companies managed by
the Adviser; present or retired full-time employees of the
Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
and their affiliates; officers and directors of ACMC, the
Principal Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their
affiliates; officers, directors and present and full-time
employees of selected dealers or agents; or the spouse, sibling,
direct ancestor or direct descendant (collectively "relatives")
of any such person; or any trust, individual retirement account
or retirement plan account for the benefit of any such person or
relative; or the estate of any such person or relative, if such
shares are purchased for investment purposes (such shares may not


                               42



<PAGE>

be resold except to the Fund); (iii) the Adviser, the Principal
Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates
certain employee benefit plans for employees of the Adviser, the
Principal Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their
affiliates; (iv) registered investment advisers or other
financial intermediaries who charge a management, consulting or
other fee for their service and who purchase shares through a
broker or agent approved by the Principal Underwriter and clients
of such registered investment advisers or financial
intermediaries whose accounts are linked to the master account of
such investment adviser or financial intermediary on the books of
such approved broker or agent; (v) persons participating in a
fee-based program, sponsored and maintained by a registered
broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and approved by the
Principal Underwriter, pursuant to which such persons pay an
asset-based fee to such broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary, or its affiliate or agent, for services in the
nature of investment advisory or administrative services;
(vi) persons who establish to the Principal Underwriter's
satisfaction that they are investing, within such time period as
may be designated by the Principal Underwriter, proceeds of
redemption of shares of such other registered investment
companies as may be designated from time to time by the Principal
Underwriter; and (vii) employer-sponsored qualified pension or
profit-sharing plans (including Section 401(k) plans), custodial
accounts maintained pursuant to Section 403(b)(7) retirement
plans and individual retirement accounts (including individual
retirement accounts to which simplified employee pension (SEP)
contributions are made), if such plans or accounts are
established or administered under programs sponsored by
administrators or other persons that have been approved by the
Principal Underwriter. 

CLASS B SHARES

         Investors may purchase Class B shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class B shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge at the time of purchase.  The Class B shares are
sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund will
receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment.

         Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge on
the Class B shares are paid to the Principal Underwriter and are
used by the Principal Underwriter to defray the expenses of the
Principal Underwriter related to providing distribution-related
services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B
shares, such as the payment of compensation to selected dealers
and agents for selling Class B shares.  The combination of the
contingent deferred sales charge and the distribution services
fee enables the Fund to sell the Class B shares without a sales


                               43



<PAGE>

charge being deducted at the time of purchase.  The higher
distribution services fee incurred by Class B shares will cause
such shares to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower
dividends than those related to Class A shares.

         CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE.  Class B shares that
are redeemed within three years of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge at the rates set forth below
charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. The
charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the
cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the
time of redemption.  Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.
In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.

         To illustrate, assume that an investor purchased 100
Class B shares at $10 per share (at a cost of $1,000) and in the
second year after purchase, the net asset value per share is $12
and, during such time, the investor has acquired 10 additional
Class B shares upon dividend reinvestment.  If at such time the
investor makes his or her first redemption of 50 Class B shares
(proceeds of $600), 10 Class B shares will not be subject to the
charge because of dividend reinvestment.  With respect to the
remaining 40 Class B shares, the charge is applied only to the
original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in net
asset value of $2 per share.  Therefore, $400 of the $600
redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 2.0% (the
applicable rate in the second year after purchase as set forth
below).

         The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge, if
any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of
payment for the purchase of Class B shares until the time of
redemption of such shares.

                                       CONTINGENT DEFERRED
                                       SALES CHARGE AS A %
                                       OF DOLLAR AMOUNT
         YEAR SINCE PURCHASE           SUBJECT TO CHARGE

         First                           3.0%
         Second                          2.0%
         Third                           1.0%
         Fourth and Thereafter           None

         In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class B shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that were acquired
upon the reinvestment of dividends or distributions and, second,
of shares held longest during the time they are subject to the


                               44



<PAGE>

sales charge.  When shares acquired in an exchange are redeemed,
the applicable contingent deferred sales charge and conversion
schedules will be the schedules that applied at the time of the
purchase of shares of the corresponding class of the Alliance
Mutual Fund originally purchased by the shareholder.

         The contingent deferred sales charge is waived on
redemptions of shares (i) following the death or disability, as
defined in the Code, of a shareholder, (ii) to the extent that
the redemption represents a minimum required distribution from an
individual retirement account or other retirement plan to a
shareholder who has attained the age of 70-1/2, (iii) that had
been purchased by present or former Directors or Trustees of the
Fund, by the relative of any such person, by any trust,
individual retirement account or retirement plan account for the
benefit of any such person or relative, or by the estate of any
such person or relative; or (iv) pursuant to a systematic
withdrawal plan (see "Shareholder Services--Systematic Withdrawal
Plan" below).

         CONVERSION FEATURE.  Six years after the end of the
calendar month in which the shareholder's purchase order was
accepted, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A
shares and will no longer be subject to a higher distribution
services fee.  Such conversion will occur on the basis of the
relative net asset values of the two classes, without the
imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.  The purpose
of the conversion feature is to reduce the distribution services
fee paid by holders of Class B shares that have been outstanding
long enough for the Principal Underwriter to have been
compensated for distribution expenses incurred in the sale of
such shares.

         For purposes of conversion to Class A, Class B shares
purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions
paid in respect of Class B shares in a shareholder's account will
be considered to be held in a separate sub-account.  Each time
any Class B shares in the shareholder's account (other than those
in the sub-account) convert to Class A, an equal pro-rata portion
of the Class B shares in the sub-account will also convert to
Class A.

         The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares is
subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of counsel
to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares does not constitute a taxable event under federal income
tax law.  The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares may
be suspended if such an opinion is no longer available at the
time such conversion is to occur.  In that event, no further
conversions of Class B shares would occur, and shares might
continue to be subject to the higher distribution services fee


                               45



<PAGE>

for an indefinite period which may extend beyond the period
ending six years after the end of the calendar month in which the
shareholder's purchase order was accepted.

CLASS C SHARES

         Investors may purchase Class C shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class C shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge either at the time of purchase or, as long as the
shares are held for one year or more, upon redemption.  Class C
shares are sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund
will receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment
as long as the shares are held for one year or more, and without
a contingent deferred sales charge so that the investor will
receive as proceeds upon redemption the entire net asset value of
his or her Class C shares.  The Class C distribution services fee
enables the Fund to sell Class C shares without either an initial
or contingent deferred sales charge, as long as the shares are
held for one year or more. Class C shares do not convert to any
other class of shares of the Fund and incur higher distribution
services fees and transfer agency costs than Class A shares and
Advisor Class shares, and will thus have a higher expense ratio
and pay correspondingly lower dividends than Class A shares and
Advisor Class shares. 

         Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of
purchase will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of
1%, charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto.
The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of
the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at
the time of redemption.  Accordingly, no sales charge will be
imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
purchase price.  In addition, no charge will be assessed on
shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions.  The contingent deferred sales charge on Class C
shares will be waived on certain redemptions, as described above
under "--Class B Shares."

         In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class C shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge (for example, because the
shares have been held beyond the period during which the charge
applies or were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or
distributions) and, second, of shares held longest during the
time they are subject to the sales charge.

         Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge are
paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter


                               46



<PAGE>

related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Class C shares, such as the
payment of compensation to selected dealers and agents for
selling Class C shares.  The combination of the contingent
deferred sales charge and the distribution services fee enables
the Fund to sell the Class C shares without a sales charge being
deducted at the time of purchase.  The higher distribution
services fee incurred by Class C shares will cause such shares to
have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends than those
related to Class A shares and Advisor Class shares.

CONVERSION OF ADVISOR CLASS SHARES TO CLASS A SHARES

         Advisor Class shares may be held solely through the fee-
based program accounts, employee benefit plans and registered
investment advisory or other financial intermediary relationships
described above under "Purchase of Shares--General," and by
investment advisory clients of, and by certain other persons
associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Fund.  If
(i) a holder of Advisor Class shares ceases to participate in the
fee-based program, or plan, or to be associated with the
investment advisory or financial intermediary that satisfies the
requirements to purchase shares set forth under "Purchase of
Shares--General" or (ii) the holder is otherwise no longer
eligible to purchase Advisor Class shares as described in the
Advisor Class Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information (each, a "Conversion Event"), then all Advisor Class
shares held by the shareholder will convert automatically and
without notice to the shareholder, other than the notice
contained in the Advisor Class Prospectus and this Statement of
Additional Information, to Class A shares of the Fund during the
calendar month following the month in which the Fund is informed
of the occurrence of the Conversion Event.  The failure of a
shareholder or the fee-based program to satisfy the minimum
investment requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares will not
constitute a Conversion Event.  The conversion would occur on the
basis of the relative net asset values of the two classes and
without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
Class A shares currently bear a .30% distribution services fee
and have a higher expense ratio than Advisor Class shares.  As a
result, Class A shares may pay correspondingly lower dividends
and have a lower net asset value than Advisor Class shares.

         The conversion of Advisor Class shares to Class A shares
is subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of
counsel to the effect that the conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares does not constitute a taxable event under
federal income tax law.  The conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares may be suspended if such an opinion is no
longer available at the time such conversion is to occur.  In
that event, the Advisor Class shareholder would be required to


                               47



<PAGE>

redeem his or her Advisor Class shares, which would constitute a
taxable event under federal income tax law.

_______________________________________________________________

               REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES
_______________________________________________________________

         The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus(es) under "Purchase and Sale of Shares--How
to Sell Shares."  If you are an Advisor Class shareholder through
an account established under a fee-based program your fee-based
program may impose requirements with respect to the purchase,
sale or exchange of Advisor Class shares of the Fund that are
different from those described herein.  A transaction fee may be
charged by your financial representative with respect to the
purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class shares made through
such financial representative.

REDEMPTION

         Subject only to the limitations described below, the
Fund's Articles of Incorporation require that the Fund redeem the
shares tendered to it, as described below, at a redemption price
equal to their net asset value as next computed following the
receipt of shares tendered for redemption in proper form.  Except
for any contingent deferred sales charge which may be applicable
to Class A shares, or Class B shares or Class C shares, there is
no redemption charge.  Payment of the redemption price will be
made within seven days after the Fund's receipt of such tender
for redemption.  If a shareholder is in doubt about what
documents are required by his or her fee-based program or
employee benefit plan, the shareholder should contact his or her
financial representative.

         The right of redemption may not be suspended or the date
of payment upon redemption postponed for more than seven days
after shares are tendered for redemption, except for any period
during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend
and holiday closings) or during which the Commission determines
that trading thereon is restricted, or for any period during
which an emergency (as determined by the Commission) exists as a
result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is
not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value
of its net assets, or for such other periods as the Commission
may by order permit for the protection of security holders of the
Fund.

         Payment of the redemption price will be made in cash.
The value of a shareholder's shares on redemption or repurchase


                               48



<PAGE>

may be more or less than the cost of such shares to the
shareholder, depending upon the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time of such redemption or
repurchase.  Redemption proceeds on Class A, Class B and Class C
shares will reflect the deduction of the contingent deferred
sales charge, if any.  Payment received by a shareholder upon
redemption or repurchase of his or her shares, assuming the
shares constitute capital assets in his or her hands, will result
in long-term or short-term capital gains (or loss) depending upon
the shareholder's holding period and basis in respect of the
shares redeemed.

         To redeem shares of the Fund for which no stock
certificates have been issued, the registered owner or owners
should forward a letter to the Fund containing a request for
redemption.  The signature or signatures on the letter must be
guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" as defined in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

         To redeem shares of the Fund represented by stock
certificates, the investor should forward the appropriate stock
certificate or certificates, endorsed in blank or with blank
stock powers attached, to the Fund with the request that the
shares represented thereby, or a specified portion thereof, be
redeemed.  The stock assignment form on the reverse side of each
stock certificate surrendered to the Fund for redemption must be
signed by the registered owner or owners exactly as the
registered name appears on the face of the certificate or,
alternatively, a stock power signed in the same manner may be
attached to the stock certificate or certificates or, where
tender is made by mail, separately mailed to the Fund.  The
signature or signatures on the assignment form must be guaranteed
in the manner described above.

         TELEPHONE REDEMPTION BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER.  Each
Fund shareholder is entitled to request redemption by electronic
funds transfer, once in any 30-day period (except for certain
omnibus accounts), of shares for which no stock certificates have
been issued by telephone at (800) 221-5672 by a shareholder who
has completed the appropriate portion of the Subscription
Application or, in the case of an existing shareholder, an
"Autosell" application obtained from Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
A telephone redemption request may not exceed $100,000 (except
for certain omnibus accounts), and must be made by 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time on a Fund business day as defined above.  Proceeds
of telephone redemptions will be sent by electronic funds
transfer to a shareholder's designated bank account at a bank
selected by the shareholder that is a member of the NACHA. 




                               49



<PAGE>

         TELEPHONE REDEMPTION BY CHECK.  Except for certain
omnibus accounts or as noted below, each Fund shareholder is
eligible to request redemption by check, once in any 30-day
period, of Fund shares for which no stock certificates have been
issued by telephone at (800) 221-5672 before 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time on a Fund business day in an amount not exceeding $50,000.
Proceeds of such redemptions are remitted by check to the
shareholder's address of record. Telephone redemption by check is
not available with respect to shares (i) for which certificates
have been issued, (ii) held in nominee or "street name" accounts,
(iii) held by a shareholder who has changed his or her address of
record within the preceding 30 calendar days or (iv) held in any
retirement plan account.  A shareholder otherwise eligible for
telephone redemption by check may cancel the privilege by written
instruction to Alliance Fund Services, Inc., or by checking the
appropriate box on the Subscription Application found in the
Prospectus.

         TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS--GENERAL.  During periods of
drastic economic or market developments, such as the market break
of October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by telephone
(although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in
connection with the 1987 market break).  If a shareholder were to
experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written
instructions to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address shown
on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information.  The
Fund reserves the right to suspend or terminate its telephone
redemption service at any time without notice.  Neither the Fund
nor the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter or Alliance Fund
Services, Inc. will be responsible for the authenticity of
telephone requests for redemptions that the Fund reasonably
believes to be genuine.  The Fund will employ reasonable
procedures in order to verify that telephone requests for
redemptions are genuine, including, among others, recording such
telephone instructions and causing written confirmations of the
resulting transactions to be sent to shareholders.  If the Fund
did not employ such procedures, it could be liable for losses
arising from unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.
Selected dealers or agents may charge a commission for handling
telephone requests for redemptions.

REPURCHASE

         The Fund may repurchase shares through the Principal
Underwriter, selected financial intermediaries or selected
dealers or agents.  The repurchase price will be the net asset
value next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives
the request (less the contingent deferred sales charge, if any,
with respect to the Class A, Class B and Class C shares), except
that requests placed through selected dealers or agents before


                               50



<PAGE>

the close of regular trading on the Exchange on any day will be
executed at the net asset value determined as of such close of
regular trading on that day if received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to its close of business on that day (normally
5:00 p.m. Eastern time).  The financial intermediary or selected
dealer or agent is responsible for transmitting the request to
the Principal Underwriter by 5:00 p.m.  If the financial
intermediary or selected dealer or agent fails to do so, the
shareholder's right to receive that day's closing price must be
settled between the shareholder and the dealer or agent.  A
shareholder may offer shares of the Fund to the Principal
Underwriter either directly or through a selected dealer or
agent.  Neither the Fund nor the Principal Underwriter charges a
fee or commission in connection with the repurchase of shares
(except for the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, with
respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares).  Normally, if
shares of the Fund are offered through a financial intermediary
or selected dealer or agent, the repurchase is settled by the
shareholder as an ordinary transaction with or through the
selected dealer or agent, who may charge the shareholder for this
service.  The repurchase of shares of the Fund as described above
is a voluntary service of the Fund and the Fund may suspend or
terminate this practice at any time.

GENERAL

         The Fund reserves the right to close out an account that
through redemption has remained below $200 for 90 days.
Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to increase the
account value before the account is closed.  No contingent
deferred sales charge will be deducted from the proceeds of this
redemption.  In the case of a redemption or repurchase of shares
of the Fund recently purchased by check, redemption proceeds will
not be made available until the Fund is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date.

_______________________________________________________________

                      SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
_______________________________________________________________

         The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus(es) under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares--Shareholder Services."  The shareholder services set
forth below are applicable to Class A, Class B, Class C and
Advisor Class shares unless otherwise indicated.  If you are an
Advisor Class shareholder through an account established under a
fee-based program your fee-based program may impose requirements
with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares of the Fund that are different from those described


                               51



<PAGE>

herein.  A transaction fee may be charged by your financial
representative with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of
Advisor Class shares made through such financial representative.

AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM

         Investors may purchase shares of the Fund through an
automatic investment program utilizing electronic funds transfers
drawn on the investor's own bank account.  Under such a program,
pre-authorized monthly drafts for a fixed amount (at least $25)
are used to purchase shares through the selected dealer or
selected agent designated by the investor at the public offering
price next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives
the proceeds from the investor's bank.  In electronic form,
drafts can be made on or about a date each month selected by the
shareholder. Investors wishing to establish an automatic
investment program in connection with their initial investment
should complete the appropriate portion of the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus.  Current shareholders should
contact Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or telephone
numbers shown on the cover of this Statement of Additional
Information to establish an automatic investment program. 

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

         You may exchange your investment in the Fund for shares
of the same class of other Alliance Mutual Funds (including AFD
Exchange Reserves, a money market fund managed by Adviser).  In
addition, (i) present officers and full-time employees of the
Adviser, (ii) present Directors or Trustees of any Alliance
Mutual Fund and (iii) certain employee benefit plans for
employees of the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates may, on a tax-free
basis, exchange Class A shares of the Fund for Advisor Class
shares of the Fund.  Exchanges of shares are made at the net
asset value next determined and without sales or service charges.
Exchanges may be made by telephone or written request.  Telephone
exchange requests must be received by Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day in order to
receive that day's net asset value.

         Shares will continue to age without regard to exchanges
for purpose of determining the CDSC, if any, upon redemption and,
in the case of Class B shares, for the purpose of conversion to
Class A shares.  After an exchange, your Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares in accordance with the
conversion schedule applicable to the Class B shares of the
Alliance Mutual Fund you originally purchased for cash ("original
shares").  When redemption occurs, the CDSC applicable to the
original shares is applied.



                               52



<PAGE>

         Please read carefully the prospectus of the mutual fund
into which you are exchanging before submitting the request.
Call Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at (800) 221-5672 to exchange
uncertificated shares.  Except with respect to exchanges of Class
A shares of the Fund for Advisor Class shares of the Fund,
exchanges of shares as described above in this section are
taxable transactions for federal income tax purposes.  The
exchange service may be changed, suspended, or terminated on 60
days written notice. 

         All exchanges are subject to the minimum investment
requirements and any other applicable terms set forth in the
Prospectus for the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are being
acquired.  An exchange is effected through the redemption of the
shares tendered for exchange and the purchase of shares being
acquired at their respective net asset values as next determined
following receipt by the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are
being exchanged of (i) proper instructions and all necessary
supporting documents as described in such fund's Prospectus, or
(ii) a telephone request for such exchange in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the following paragraph.  Exchanges
involving the redemption of shares recently purchased by check
will be permitted only after the Alliance Mutual Fund whose
shares have been tendered for exchange is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date.

         Each Fund shareholder, and the shareholder's selected
dealer, agent or financial representative, as applicable, are
authorized to make telephone requests for exchanges unless
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., receives written instruction to the
contrary from the shareholder, or the shareholder declines the
privilege by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus.  Such telephone requests
cannot be accepted with respect to shares then represented by
stock certificates.  Shares acquired pursuant to a telephone
request for exchange will be held under the same account
registration as the shares redeemed through such exchange.

         Eligible shareholders desiring to make an exchange
should telephone Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with their account
number and other details of the exchange, at (800) 221-5672
before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day as defined
above.  Telephone requests for exchange received before 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time on a Fund business day will be processed as of the
close of business on that day.  During periods of drastic
economic or market developments, such as the market break of
October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by telephone
(although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in
connection with the 1987 market break).  If a shareholder were to


                               53



<PAGE>

experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written
instructions to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address shown
on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information.

         A shareholder may elect to initiate a monthly "Auto
Exchange" whereby a specified dollar amount's worth of his or her
Fund shares (minimum $25) is automatically exchanged for shares
of another Alliance Mutual Fund.  Auto Exchange transactions
normally occur on the 12th day of each month, or the Fund
business day prior thereto. 

         None of the Alliance Mutual Funds, the Adviser, the
Principal Underwriter or Alliance Fund Services, Inc. will be
responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests for
exchanges that the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine.  The
Fund will employ reasonable procedures in order to verify that
telephone requests for exchanges are genuine, including, among
others, recording such telephone instructions and causing written
confirmations of the resulting transactions to be sent to
shareholders.  If the Fund did not employ such procedures, it
could be liable for losses arising from unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions.  Selected dealers, agents or
financial representatives, as applicable, may charge a commission
for handling telephone requests for exchanges.

         The exchange privilege is available only in states where
shares of the Alliance Mutual Fund being acquired may be legally
sold.  Each Alliance Mutual Fund reserves the right, at any time
on 60 days' notice to its shareholders, to reject any order to
acquire its shares through exchange or otherwise to modify,
restrict or terminate the exchange privilege.

RETIREMENT PLANS

         The Fund may be a suitable investment vehicle for part
or all of the assets held in various types of retirement plans,
such as those listed below.  The Fund has available forms of such
plans pursuant to which investments can be made in the Fund and
other Alliance Mutual Funds.  Persons desiring information
concerning these plans should contact Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. at the "For Literature" telephone number on the cover of
this Statement of Additional Information, or write to: 

              Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
              Retirement Plans
              P.O. Box 1520
              Secaucus, N.J.  07096-1520

         INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT ("IRA").  Individuals who
receive compensation, including earnings from self-employment,
are entitled to establish and make contributions to an IRA.


                               54



<PAGE>

Taxation of the income and gains paid to an IRA by the Fund is
deferred until distribution from the IRA.  An individual's
eligible contributions to an IRA will be deductible if neither
the individual nor his or her spouse is an active participant in
an employer-sponsored retirement plan.  If the individual or his
or her spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan, the individual's contributions to an IRA may be
deductible, in whole or in part, depending on the amount of the
adjusted gross income of the individual and his or her spouse.

         EMPLOYER-SPONSORED QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS.  Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor qualified
money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans, including
Section 401(k) plans ("qualified plans"), under which annual tax-
deductible contributions are made within prescribed limits based
on compensation paid to participating individuals.  The minimum
initial investment requirement may be waived with respect to
certain of these qualified plans.

         If the aggregate net asset value of shares of the
Alliance Mutual Funds held by a qualified plan reaches $1 million
on or before December 15 in any year, all Class B or Class C
shares of the Fund held by the plan can be exchanged at the
plan's request, without any sales charge, for Class A shares of
the Fund.

         SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLAN ("SEP").  Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor a SEP
under which they make annual tax-deductible contributions to an
IRA established by each eligible employee within prescribed
limits based on employee compensation.

         403(B)(7) RETIREMENT PLAN.  Certain tax-exempt
organizations and public educational institutions may sponsor
retirement plans under which an employee may agree that monies
deducted from his or her compensation, minimum $25 per pay
period, may be contributed by the employer to a custodial account
established for the employee under the plan.

         The Alliance Plans Division of Frontier Trust Company, a
subsidiary of Equitable, which serves as custodian or trustee
under the retirement plan prototype forms available from the
Fund, charges certain nominal fees for establishing an account
and for annual maintenance.  A portion of these fees is remitted
to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. as compensation for its services
to the retirement plan accounts maintained with the Fund.

         Distributions from retirement plans are subject to
certain Code requirements in addition to normal redemption
procedures.  For additional information please contact Alliance
Fund Services, Inc.


                               55



<PAGE>

SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN

         GENERAL.  Any shareholder who owns or purchases shares
of the Fund having a current net asset value of at least $4,000
(for quarterly or less frequent payments), $5,000 (for bi-monthly
payments) or $10,000 (for monthly payments) may establish a
systematic withdrawal plan under which the shareholder will
periodically receive a payment in a stated amount of not less
than $50 on a selected date.  Systematic withdrawal plan
participants must elect to have their dividends and distributions
from the Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares of
the Fund.

         Shares of the Fund owned by a participant in the Fund's
systematic withdrawal plan will be redeemed as necessary to meet
withdrawal payments and such payments will be subject to any
taxes applicable to redemptions and, except as discussed below,
any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.  Shares acquired
with reinvested dividends and distributions will be liquidated
first to provide such withdrawal payments and thereafter other
shares will be liquidated to the extent necessary, and depending
upon the amount withdrawn, the investor's principal may be
depleted.  A systematic withdrawal plan may be terminated at any
time by the shareholder or the Fund.

         Withdrawal payments will not automatically end when a
shareholder's account reaches a certain minimum level.
Therefore, redemptions of shares under the plan may reduce or
even liquidate a shareholder's account and may subject the
shareholder to the Fund's involuntary redemption provisions.  See
"Redemption and Repurchase of Shares--General."  Purchases of
additional shares concurrently with withdrawals are undesirable
because of sales charges when purchases are made.  While an
occasional lump-sum investment may be made by a holder of Class A
shares who is maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan, such
investment should normally be an amount equivalent to three times
the annual withdrawal or $5,000, whichever is less.

         Payments under a systematic withdrawal plan may be made
by check or electronically via the Automated Clearing House
("ACH") network.  Investors wishing to establish a systematic
withdrawal plan in conjunction with their initial investment in
shares of the Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus, while current
Fund shareholders desiring to do so can obtain an application
form by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or
the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the cover of this
Statement of Additional Information.

         CDSC Waiver for Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
Under a systematic withdrawal plan, up to 1% monthly, 2% bi-


                               56



<PAGE>

monthly or 3% quarterly of the value at the time of redemption of
the Class B or Class C shares in a shareholders account may be
redeemed free of any contingent deferred sales charge.

         With respect to Class B shares, the waiver applies only
with respect to shares acquired after July 1, 1995.  Class B
shares that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
(such as shares acquired with reinvested dividends or
distributions) will be redeemed first and will count toward the
foregoing limitations.  Remaining Class B shares that are held
the longest will be redeemed next. Redemptions of Class B shares
in excess of the foregoing limitations will be subject to any
otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

         With respect to Class C shares, shares held the longest
will be redeemed first and will count toward the foregoing
limitations.  Redemptions in excess of those limitations will be
subject to any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales
charge.

DIVIDEND DIRECTION PLAN

         A shareholder who already maintains, in addition to his
or her Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class Fund account, a
Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class account with one or
more other Alliance Mutual Funds may direct that income dividends
and/or capital gains paid on his or her Class A, Class B, Class C
or Advisor Class Fund shares be automatically reinvested, in any
amount, without the payment of any sales or service charges, in
shares of the same class of such other Alliance Mutual Fund(s).
Further information can be obtained by contacting Alliance Fund
Services, Inc. at the address or the "For Literature" telephone
number shown on the cover of this Statement of Additional
Information.  Investors wishing to establish a dividend direction
plan in connection with their initial investment should complete
the appropriate section of the Subscription Application found in
the Prospectus.  Current shareholders should contact Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. to establish a dividend direction plan.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS

         Each shareholder of the Fund receives semi-annual and
annual reports which include a portfolio of investments,
financial statements and, in the case of the annual report, the
report of the Fund's independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, as
well as a monthly cumulative dividend statement and a
confirmation of each purchase and redemption.  By contacting his
or her broker or Alliance Fund Services, Inc., a shareholder can
arrange for copies of his or her account statements to be sent to
another person.



                               57



<PAGE>

CHECKWRITING

         A new Class A or Class C investor may fill out the
Signature Card which is included in the Prospectus to authorize
the Fund to arrange for a checkwriting service through State
Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank") to draw against Class
A or Class C shares of the Fund redeemed from the investor's
account.  Under this service, checks may be made payable to any
payee in any amount not less than $500 and not more than 90% of
the net asset value of the Class A or Class C shares in the
investor's account (excluding for this purpose the current
month's accumulated dividends and shares for which certificates
have been issued).  A Class A or Class C shareholder wishing to
establish this checkwriting service subsequent to the opening of
his or her Fund account should contact the Fund by telephone or
mail. Corporations, fiduciaries and institutional investors are
required to furnish a certified resolution or other evidence of
authorization.  This checkwriting service will be subject to the
Bank's customary rules and regulations governing checking
accounts, and the Fund and the Bank each reserve the right to
change or suspend the checkwriting service.  There is no charge
to the shareholder for the initiation and maintenance of this
service or for the clearance of any checks.

         When a check is presented to the Bank for payment, the
Bank, as the shareholder's agent, causes the Fund to redeem, at
the net asset value next determined, a sufficient number of full
and fractional shares of the Fund in the shareholder's account to
cover the check.  Because the level of net assets in a
shareholder's account constantly changes due, among various
factors, to market fluctuations, a shareholder should not attempt
to close his or her account by use of a check.  In this regard,
the Bank has the right to return checks (marked "insufficient
funds") unpaid to the presenting bank if the amount of the check
exceeds 90% of the assets in the account.  Canceled (paid) checks
are returned to the shareholder.  The checkwriting service
enables the shareholder to receive the daily dividends declared
on the shares to be redeemed until the day that the check is
presented to the Bank for payment.

_______________________________________________________________

                         NET ASSET VALUE
_______________________________________________________________

         Fund securities that are actively traded in the over-
the-counter market, including listed securities for which the
primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued at
the mean between the most recently quoted bid and asked prices
provided by the principal market makers.  Any security for which
the primary market is on an exchange is valued at the last sale


                               58



<PAGE>

price on such exchange on the day of valuation or, if there was
no sale on such day, the last bid price quoted on such day.
Options will be valued at market value or fair value if no market
exists.  Futures contracts will be valued in a like manner,
except that open futures contracts sales will be valued using the
closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the
most recently quoted asked price.  Securities and assets for
which market quotations are not readily available are valued at
fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction
of the Board of Directors of the Fund.  However, readily
marketable fixed-income securities may be valued on the basis of
prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are
believed by the Adviser to reflect the fair market value of such
securities.  The prices provided by a pricing service take into
account institutional size trading in similar groups of
securities and any developments related to specific securities.
U.S. Government Securities and other debt instruments having 60
days or less remaining until maturity are stated at amortized
cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or by
amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity
if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days (unless in
either case the Fund's Board of Directors determines that this
method does not represent fair value).

         For purposes of determining the Fund's net asset value
per share, all assets and liabilities initially expressed in
foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. Dollars at the
mean of the bid and asked prices of such currencies against the
U.S. Dollar last quoted by a major bank which is a regular
participant in the institutional foreign exchange markets or on
the basis of a pricing service which takes into account the
quotes provided by a number of such major banks.

         The assets belonging to the Class A shares, Class B
shares, Class C shares and Advisor Class shares will be invested
together in a single portfolio.  The net asset value of each
class will be determined separately by subtracting the accrued
expenses and liabilities allocated to that class from the assets
belonging to that class.

_______________________________________________________________

               DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
_______________________________________________________________

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

         The Fund intends for each taxable year to be qualified
as a "regulated investment company" under the Code.
Qualification as a regulated investment company relieves the Fund
of federal income tax and excise taxes on the portion of its


                               59



<PAGE>

investment company taxable income and net capital gains which it
pays out to its shareholders.  Such qualification does not, of
course, involve governmental supervision of management or
investment practices or policies.  Investors should consult their
own counsel for a complete understanding of the requirements the
Fund must meet to qualify for such treatment.  The information
set forth in the Prospectus and the following discussion relate
solely to the U.S. Federal income taxes on dividends and
distributions by the Fund and assumes that the Fund qualifies as
a regulated investment company.  Investors should consult their
own counsel for further details, including their possible
entitlement to foreign tax credits that might be "passed through"
to them under the rules described below, and the application of
state and local tax laws to his or her particular situation.

         In order to qualify as a regulated investment company
for any taxable year, the fund must, among other things, derive
at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest,
certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the
sale or other disposition of stock, securities, or foreign
currency, or certain other income (including, but not limited to,
gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with
respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
currency.  In addition, the Fund will qualify as a regulated
investment company for any taxable year only if it satisfies the
diversification requirements set forth in the Fund's Prospectus
under the heading "Additional Investment Considerations--Non-
Diversified Status." 

         The Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends in
the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application
of the 4% federal excise tax imposed on certain undistributed
income of regulated investment companies.  The Fund will be
required to pay the 4% excise tax to the extent it does not
distribute to its shareholders during any calendar year an amount
equal to at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for
the calendar year, (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income and
foreign currency gains for the twelve months ended October 31 of
such year, and (iii) any ordinary income or capital gains from
the preceding calendar year that was not distributed during such
year.  Certain distributions of the Fund which are paid in
January of a given year but are declared in the prior October,
November or December to shareholders of record as of a specified
date during such a month may be treated as having been
distributed in December and will be taxable to shareholders as if
received in December. 

         Dividends of net ordinary income and distributions of
any net realized short-term capital gain are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income.  Since the Fund expects to
derive substantially all of its gross income (exclusive of


                               60



<PAGE>

capital gains) from sources other than dividends, it is expected
that none of the Fund's dividends or distributions will qualify
for the dividends-received deduction for corporations.

         Pursuant to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, two
different tax rates apply to net capital gains--that is, the
excess of net gains from capital assets held for more than one
year over net losses from capital assets held for not more than
one year.  One rate (generally 28%) applies to net gains on
capital assets held for more than one year but not more than 18
months ("mid-term gains"), and a second rate (generally 20%)
applies to the balance of such net capital gains ("adjusted net
capital gains").  Except as noted below, distributions of net
capital gains will be treated in the hands of shareholders as
mid-term gains to the extent designated by the Fund as deriving
from net gains from assets held for more than one year but not
more than 18 months, and the balance will be treated as adjusted
net capital gains.  Gains derived from assets sold before May 7,
1997 and held for more than 18 months will be treated as mid-term
gains.  Gains derived from assets sold after May 6, 1997 and
before July 29, 1997 and held for more than one year will be
treated as adjusted net capital gains.  Distributions of mid-term
gains and adjusted net capital gains will be taxable to
shareholders as such, regardless of how long a shareholder has
held shares in the Fund.  Any dividend or distribution received
by a shareholder on shares of the Fund will have the effect of
reducing the net asset value of such shares by the amount of such
dividend or distribution.  Furthermore, a dividend or
distribution made shortly after the purchase of such shares by a
shareholder, although in effect a return of capital to that
particular shareholder, would be taxable to him as described
above.  If a shareholder has held shares in the Fund for six
months or less and during that period has received a distribution
of net capital gains, any loss recognized by the shareholder on
the sale of those shares during the six-month period will be
treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the
distribution. 

         Dividends and distributions are taxable in the manner
discussed regardless of whether they are paid to the shareholder 
in cash or are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund's
Common Stock.

         The Fund generally will be required to withhold tax at
the rate of 31% with respect to distributions of net ordinary
income and net realized capital gains payable to a noncorporate
shareholder unless the shareholder certifies on his or her
subscription application that the social security or taxpayer
identification number provided is correct and that the
shareholder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service
that he or she is subject to backup withholding.


                               61



<PAGE>

FOREIGN TAX CREDITS

         Income received by the Fund may also be subject to
foreign income taxes, including withholding taxes.  The United
States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries
which entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of such taxes or
exemption from taxes on such income.  It is impossible to
determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the
amount of the Fund's assets to be invested within various
countries is not known.  If more than 50% of the value of the
Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of
stocks or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be
eligible and intends to file an election with the Internal
Revenue Service to pass through to its shareholders the amount of
foreign taxes paid by the Fund.  However, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will be able to do so.  Pursuant to this
election a shareholder will be required to (i) include in gross
income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his
pro-rata share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund, (ii) treat his
pro-rata share of such foreign taxes as having been paid by him,
and (iii) either deduct such pro-rata share of foreign taxes in
computing his taxable income or treat such foreign taxes as a
credit against United States federal income taxes.  Shareholders
who are not liable for federal income taxes, such as retirement
plans qualified under section 401 of the Code, will not be
affected by any such pass through of taxes by the Fund.  No
deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by an individual
shareholder who does not itemize deductions.  In addition,
certain individual shareholders may be subject to rules which
limit or reduce their availability to fully deduct, or claim a
credit for, their pro-rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the
Fund.  A shareholder's foreign tax credit with respect to a
dividend received from the Fund will be disallowed unless the
shareholder holds shares in the Fund on the ex-dividend date and
for at least 15 other days during the 30-day period beginning 15
days prior to the ex-dividend date.  Each shareholder will be
notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable
year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will pass through
for that year and, if so, such notification will designate (i)
the shareholder's portion of the foreign taxes paid to each such
country, and (ii) the portion of dividends that represents income
derived from sources within each such country. 

         The federal income tax status of each year's
distributions by the Fund will be reported to shareholders and to
the Internal Revenue Service.  The foregoing is only a general
description of the treatment of foreign taxes under the United
States federal income tax laws.  Because the availability of a
foreign tax credit or deduction will depend on the particular
circumstances of each shareholder, potential investors are
advised to consult their own tax advisers.


                               62



<PAGE>

CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS--"SECTION 988" GAINS OR LOSSES

         Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to
fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time the
Fund accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or
other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time
the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such
liabilities are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss.
Similarly, gains or losses from the disposition of foreign
currencies, from the disposition of debt securities denominated
in a foreign currency, or from the disposition of a forward
contract denominated in a foreign currency which are attributable
to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the
date of acquisition of the asset and the date of disposition also
are treated as ordinary gain or loss.  These gains or losses,
referred to under the Code as "section 988" gains or losses,
increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's investment company
taxable income available to be distributed to its shareholders as
ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount
of the Fund's net capital gain.  Because section 988 losses
reduce the amount of ordinary dividends the Fund will be allowed
to distribute for a taxable year, such section 988 losses may
result in all or a portion of prior dividend distributions for
such year being recharacterized as a non-taxable return of
capital to shareholders, rather than as an ordinary dividend,
reducing each shareholder's basis in his or her Fund shares.  To
the extent that such distributions exceed such shareholder's
basis, each distribution will be treated as a gain from the sale
of shares.

OPTIONS, FUTURES AND FORWARD CONTRACTS

         Certain listed options, regulated futures contracts, and
forward foreign currency contracts are considered "section 1256
contracts" for federal income tax purposes.  Section 1256
contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year will
be "marked to market" and treated for federal income tax purposes
as though sold for fair market value on the last business day of
such taxable year.  Gain or loss realized by the Fund on section
1256 contracts other than forward foreign currency contracts will
be considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or
loss, although the Fund may elect to have the gain or loss it
realizes on certain contracts taxed as "section 988" gain or
loss.  Gain or loss realized by the Fund on forward foreign
currency contracts generally will be treated as section 988 gain
or loss and will therefore be characterized as ordinary income or
loss and will increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's net
investment income available to be distributed to shareholders as
ordinary income, as described above.  The Fund can elect to
exempt its section 1256 contracts which are part of a "mixed



                               63



<PAGE>

straddle" (as described below) from the application of section
1256.

         The Treasury Department has the authority to issue
regulations that would permit or require the Fund either to
integrate a foreign currency hedging transaction with the
investment that is hedged and treat the two as a single
transaction, or otherwise to treat the hedging transaction in a
manner that is consistent with the hedged investment.  The
regulations issued under this authority generally should not
apply to the type of hedging transactions in which the Fund
intends to engage.

         With respect to options traded over-the-counter or on
certain foreign exchanges, gain or loss realized by the Fund upon
the lapse or sale of such options held by the Fund will be either
long-term or short-term capital gain or loss depending upon the
Fund's holding period with respect to such option.  However, gain
or loss realized upon the lapse or closing out of such options
that are written by the Fund will be treated as short-term
capital gain or loss.  In general, if the Fund exercises an
option, or an option that the Fund has written is exercised, gain
or loss on the option will not be separately recognized but the
premium received or paid will be included in the calculation of
gain or loss upon disposition of the property underlying the
option.

         Gain or loss realized by the Fund on the lapse or sale
of put and call options on foreign currencies which are traded
over-the-counter or on certain foreign exchanges will be treated
as section 988 gain or loss and will therefore be characterized
as ordinary income or loss and will increase or decrease the
amount of the Fund's net investment income available to be
distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, as described
above.  The amount of such gain or loss shall be determined by
subtracting the amount paid, if any, for or with respect to the
option (including any amount paid by the Fund upon termination of
an option written by the Fund) from the amount received, if any,
for or with respect to the option (including any amount received
by the Fund upon termination of an option held by the Fund).  In
general, if the Fund exercises such an option on a foreign
currency, or if such an option that the Fund has written is
exercised, gain or loss on the option will be recognized in the
same manner as if the Fund had sold the option (or paid another
person to assume the Fund's obligation to make delivery under the
option) on the date on which the option is exercised, for the
fair market value of the option.  The foregoing rules will also
apply to other put and call options which have as their
underlying property foreign currency and which are traded over-
the-counter or on certain foreign exchanges to the extent gain or



                               64



<PAGE>

loss with respect to such options is attributable to fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates.

TAX STRADDLES

         Any option, futures contract, interest rate swap, cap or
floor, forward foreign currency contract, or other position
entered into or held by the Fund in conjunction with any other
position held by the Fund may constitute a "straddle" for federal
income tax purposes. A straddle of which at least one, but not
all, the positions are section 1256 contracts may constitute a
"mixed straddle".  In general, straddles are subject to certain
rules that may affect the character and timing of the Fund's
gains and losses with respect to straddle positions by requiring,
among other things, that (i) loss realized on disposition of one
position of a straddle not be recognized to the extent that the
Fund has unrealized gains with respect to the other position in
such straddle; (ii) the Fund's holding period in straddle
positions be suspended while the straddle exists (possibly
resulting in gain being treated as short-term capital gain rather
than long-term capital gain); (iii) losses recognized with
respect to certain straddle positions which are part of a mixed
straddle and which are non-section 1256 positions be treated as
60% long-term and 40% short-term capital loss; (iv) losses
recognized with respect to certain straddle positions which would
otherwise constitute short-term capital losses be treated as
long-term capital losses; and (v) the deduction of interest and
carrying charges attributable to certain straddle positions may
be deferred.  The Treasury Department is authorized to issue
regulations providing for the proper treatment of a mixed
straddle where at least one position is ordinary and at least one
position is capital.  No such regulations have yet been issued.
Various elections are available to the Fund which may mitigate
the effects of the straddle rules, particularly with respect to
mixed straddles.  In general, the straddle rules described above
do not apply to any straddles held by the Fund all of the
offsetting positions of which consist of section 1256 contracts.

TAXATION OF FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS

         The foregoing discussion relates only to U.S. federal
income tax law as it affects shareholders who are U.S. residents
or U.S. corporations.  The effects of federal income tax law on
shareholders who are non-resident aliens or foreign corporations
may be substantially different.  Foreign investors should consult
their counsel for further information as to the U.S. tax
consequences of receipt of income from the Fund.






                               65



<PAGE>

_______________________________________________________________

                     PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
_______________________________________________________________

         Subject to the general supervision of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, the Adviser is responsible for the
investment decisions and the placing of the orders for portfolio
transactions for the Fund.  The Fund's portfolio transactions
occur primarily with issuers, underwriters or major dealers
acting as principals.  Such transactions are normally on a net
basis which do not involve payment of brokerage commissions.  The
cost of securities purchased from an underwriter usually includes
a commission paid by the issuer to the underwriter; transactions
with dealers normally reflect the spread between bid and asked
prices.  Premiums are paid with respect to options purchased by
the Fund and brokerage commissions are payable with respect to
transactions in exchange-traded futures contracts.

         The Fund has no obligation to enter into transactions in
portfolio securities with any dealer, issuer, underwriter or
other entity.  In placing orders, it is the policy of the Fund to
obtain the best price and execution for its transactions.  Where
best price and execution may be obtained from more than one
dealer, the Adviser may, in its discretion, purchase and sell
securities through dealers who provide research, statistical and
other information to the Adviser.  Such services may be used by
the Adviser for all of its investment advisory accounts and,
accordingly, not all such services may be used by the Adviser in
connection with the Fund.  The supplemental information received
from a dealer is in addition to the services required to be
performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, and the
expenses of the Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a
result of the receipt of such information.

_______________________________________________________________

                       GENERAL INFORMATION
_______________________________________________________________

CAPITALIZATION

         The authorized capital stock of the Fund currently
consists of 1,200,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01
par value, 1,200,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, $.01 par
value, and 1,200,000,000 shares of Class C Common Stock, $.01 par
value 1,200,000,000 shares of Advisor Class Common Stock, $.01
par value.  Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares
each represent interests in the assets of the Fund and have
identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights on the
same terms and conditions, except that expenses related to the


                               66



<PAGE>

distribution of each class and transfer agency expenses of each
class are borne solely by each class and each class of shares has
exclusive voting rights with respect to provisions of any
applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution plan which pertain to a
particular class and other matters for which separate class
voting is appropriate under applicable law.

         The Fund's Board of Directors may, without shareholder
approval, increase or decrease the number of authorized but
unissued shares of the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and
Advisor Class Common Stock.

         The Board of Directors is authorized to reclassify and
issue any unissued shares to any number of additional series and
classes without shareholder approval.  Accordingly, the Board in
the future, for reasons such as the desire to establish one or
more additional portfolios of the Fund with different investment
objectives, policies or restrictions, may create additional
series of shares.  Any issuance of shares of another series would
be governed by the 1940 Act and the law of the State of Maryland.
If shares of another series were issued in connection with the
creation of a second portfolio, each share of either portfolio
would normally be entitled to one vote for all purposes.
Generally, shares of both portfolios would vote as a single
series for the election of Directors and on any other matter that
affected both portfolios in substantially the same manner.  As to
matters affecting each portfolio differently, such as approval of
the Advisory Agreement and changes in investment policy, shares
of each portfolio would vote as separate series.

         Procedures for calling a shareholders meeting for the
removal of Directors of the Fund, similar to those set forth in
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, are available to shareholders of
the Fund.  Meetings of shareholders may be called by 10% of the
Fund's outstanding shareholders.

         As of the close of business on October 15, 1997, there
were 70,378,662 shares of common stock of the Fund outstanding.
Of this amount, 56,095,455  shares were Class A shares,
13,486,906 shares were Class B shares and 796,301 shares were
Class C shares.  To the knowledge of the Fund, the following
persons owned of record, and no person owned beneficially, 5% or
more of the outstanding shares of the Fund as of October 15,
1997: 









                               67



<PAGE>

                                 NO. OF
NAME AND ADDRESS                 SHARES       CLASS A   CLASS B  CLASS C

Merrill Lynch for the Sole      13,258,567    23.64%
Benefit of Its Customers
Attn:  Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr East,
  3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

Merrill Lynch for the Sole       2,365,446    17.54%
Benefit of Its Customers
Attn:  Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr East,
  3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette          368,238                       46.24%
Securities Corp., Inc. 
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ  07303-2052

Merrill Lynch for the Sole          66,790                        8.39%
Benefit of Its Customers
Attn:  Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr East,
  3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

CUSTODIAN

         Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.("Brown Brothers"), 40
Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, will act as the Fund's
custodian for the assets of the Fund, but plays no part in
deciding on the purchase or sale of portfolio securities.
Subject to the supervision of the Fund's Directors, Brown
Brothers may enter into sub-custodial agreements for the holding
of the Fund's foreign securities. 

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

         Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, serves as the Fund's
Principal Underwriter and as such may solicit orders from the
public to purchase shares of the Fund.  Under the Agreement, the
Fund has agreed to indemnify the Principal Underwriter, in the
absence of its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence
or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, against
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act, as amended.



                               68



<PAGE>

COUNSEL

         Legal matters in connection with the issuance of the
shares offered hereby are passed upon by Seward & Kissel, New
York, New York.  Seward & Kissel has relied upon the opinion of
Venable, Baetjer and Howard, LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, for
matters relating to Maryland law. 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

         Ernst & Young LLP, New York, New York, have been
appointed independent auditors for the Fund. 

YIELD AND TOTAL RETURN QUOTATIONS

         From time to time the Fund advertises its "yield,"
"actual distribution rate" and "total return."  The Fund will
compute yield and total return figures separately for Class A,
Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares.  The Fund's yield for
any 30-day (or one-month) period is computed by dividing the net
investment income per share earned during such period by the
maximum public offering price per share on the last day of the
period, and then annualizing such 30-day (or one-month) yield in
accordance with a formula prescribed by the Commission which
provides for compounding on a semi-annual basis.  The Fund's
"actual distribution rate," which may be advertised in items of
sales literature, is computed in the same manner as yield except
that actual income dividends declared per share during the period
in question are substituted for net investment income per share.
The actual distribution rate is computed separately for each
class of shares.  Compounded separately for each class, the
Fund's "Total Return" is its average compounded total return for
its most recently completed one-, five- and ten-year periods (or,
if shorter, the period since the Fund's inception).  The Fund's
total return for each such period is computed by finding, through
the use of a formula prescribed by the Commission, the average
annual compounded rate of return over the period that would
equate an assumed initial amount invested in the value of such
investment at the end of the period.  For purposes of computing
total return, income dividends and capital gains distributions
paid on shares of the Fund are assumed to have been reinvested
when received and the maximum sales charge applicable to
purchases of Fund shares is assumed to have been paid. 

         The Fund's yield for the month ended April 30, 1997 was
4.67% for Class A shares, 4.14% for Class B shares and 4.17% for
Class C shares.  The Fund's actual distribution rate for such
period was 7.38% for Class A shares, 6.96% for Class B shares and
6.96% for Class C shares.  The Fund's total return for the one-
year period ended April 30, 1997 was 4.90% for Class A shares,
5.76% for Class B shares and 7.77% for Class C shares.  For the


                               69



<PAGE>

five-year period through April 30, 1997, the Fund's total return
was 2.33% for Class A shares and 2.47% for Class B shares.  For
the period May 5, 1989 (inception) through April 30, 1997, the
Fund's total return was 5.42% for Class A shares, for the period
February 5, 1990 (commencement of distribution) through April 30,
1997, the Fund's total return was 4.68% for Class B shares and
for the period May 3, 1993 (commencement of distribution)
through April 30, 1997, the Fund's total return was 2.97% for
Class C shares. 

         Yield and total return are not fixed and will fluctuate
in response to prevailing market conditions or as a function of
the type, and quality of the securities in the Fund's portfolio,
the Fund's average portfolio maturity and its expenses.
Quotations of yield and total return do not include any provision
for the effect of individual income taxes.  An investor's
principal invested in the Fund is not fixed and will fluctuate in
response to prevailing market conditions.

         Advertisements quoting performance rankings or ratings
of the Fund as measured by financial publications or by
independent organizations such as Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. ("Lipper") and Morningstar, Inc. and advertisements
presenting the historical record of payments of income dividends
by the Fund may also from time to time be sent to investors or
placed in newspapers, magazines such as THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE
WALL STREET JOURNAL, BARRONS, INVESTOR's DAILY, MONEY MAGAZINE,
CHANGING TIMES, BUSINESS WEEK and FORBES or other media on behalf
of the Fund. The Fund has been ranked by Lipper in the category
known as "short world income funds."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         Any shareholder inquiries may be directed to the
shareholder's broker or other financial adviser or to Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. at the address or telephone numbers shown on
the front cover of this Statement of Additional Information. This
Statement of Additional Information does not contain all the
information set forth in the Registration Statement filed by the
Fund with the Commission or under the Securities Act.  Copies of
the Registration Statement may be obtained at a reasonable charge
from the Commission or may be examined, without charge, at the
offices of the Commission in Washington, D.C.










                               70



<PAGE>



ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
APRIL 30, 1997

ALLIANCE CAPITAL




PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
APRIL 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED)               ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

                                              PRINCIPAL
                                                AMOUNT
                                                 (000)      U.S. $ VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA-10.2%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-10.2%
Republic of Australia
  12.00%, 7/15/99 (a)
  (cost $60,230,326)                     AU$     69,737      $60,339,491

CZECH REPUBLIC-2.7%
DEBT OBLIGATIONS-2.7%
ING Capital Holdings
  11.50%, 7/08/97 (b)                    CZK    168,000        5,404,167
International Bank For 
  Reconstruction & Development
  11.50%, 10/09/97 (a)                          332,500       10,666,209
Total Czech Republic Securities
  (cost $18,613,140)                                          16,070,376

DENMARK-7.6%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-7.6%
Kingdom of Denmark
  9.00%, 11/15/98 (a)
  (cost $54,596,699)                     DKK    277,000       44,963,660

FINLAND-5.4%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-5.4%
Government of Finland
  11.00%, 1/15/99 (a)
  (cost $39,795,056)                     FIM    150,000       32,181,383

GERMANY-3.4%
DEBT OBLIGATION-3.4%
Bayerische Landesbank
  6.00%, 10/15/98 (a)
  (cost $19,978,983)                     US$     20,000       19,914,000

ITALY-4.3%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-4.3%
Republic of Italy
  6.00%, 2/15/00 (a)
  (cost $25,711,619)                     ITL 44,500,000       25,536,312
 
MEXICO-4.4%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS-4.4%
Mexican Treasury Bills
  23.30%, 2/04/98 (a)(c)                 MXP     94,888       10,104,552
  23.60%, 10/02/97 (a)(c)                        40,555        4,647,883
  23.70%, 4/02/98 (c)                            97,378       10,369,642
  32.50%, 7/31/97 (a)(c)                          8,422        1,004,416
Total Mexican Securities
  (cost $26,150,500)                                          26,126,493

NORWAY-4.6%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-4.6%
Kingdom of Norway
  9.00%, 1/31/99 (a)
  (cost $29,268,034)                     NOK    180,000       27,336,691

POLAND-2.0%
SOVEREIGN DEBT RELATED-2.0%
Morgan Guaranty Trust
  Indexed to Poland Zloty
  21.80%, 5/21/97 (c)(d)
  (cost $12,034,872)                     US$     12,175       11,826,577

SPAIN-4.2%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-4.2%
Government of Spain
  7.40%, 7/30/99 (a)
  (cost $27,817,228)                     ESP  3,518,000       25,033,009

SWEDEN-4.7%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-4.7%
Kingdom of Sweden
  11.00%, 1/21/99 (a)
  (cost $32,845,551)                     SEK    200,900       28,070,926

UNITED KINGDOM-3.8%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-3.8%
U.K. Treasury Gilts
  7.25%, 3/30/98 (a)
  (cost $22,313,218)                     GBP     13,910       22,676,449


5



PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)     ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

                                              PRINCIPAL
                                                AMOUNT
                                                 (000)      U.S. $ VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED STATES-40.2%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-8.3%
U.S. Treasury Note
  5.875%, 11/15/99 (a)                   US$     50,000     $ 49,406,250

CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT-4.0%
Rabobank FRN
  6.42%, 2/23/98 (a)(c)                          25,000       23,745,750

DEBT OBLIGATION-2.5%
Federal Business Development Bank
  6.375%, 5/21/99 (a)                            15,000       14,981,310

TIME DEPOSITS-25.4%
Deutsche Bank
  5.42%, 6/16/97                                 30,000       30,000,000
Dresdner Bank
  5.34%, 5/12/97                                 30,000       30,000,000
Rabobank
  5.63%, 5/01/97                         US$     30,000       30,000,000
Republic National Bank of New York
  5.69%, 5/01/97                                 30,500       30,500,000
Societe Generale
  5.63%, 5/01/97                                 30,600       30,600,000
                                                            -------------
                                                             151,100,000
Total United States Securities
  (cost $239,665,417)                                        239,233,310

TOTAL INVESTMENTS-97.5%
  (cost $609,020,643)                                        579,308,677
Other assets less liabilities-2.5%                            15,019,675

NET ASSETS-100%                                             $594,328,352


(a)  Securities, or portion thereof, with an aggregate market value of 
$400,608,291 have been segregated to collateralize forward exchange currency 
contracts.

(b)  The redemption value of this security is indexed to the spread between the 
Czech Crown and the U.S. Dollar exchange rate.

(c)  Interest rate represents annualized yield to maturity at purchase date.

(d)  The redemption value of this security is indexed to the spread between the 
Polish Zloty and the U.S. Dollar exchange rate.

     Glossary:
     FRN - Floating rate note.

     See notes to financial statements.


6



STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
APRIL 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED)               ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

ASSETS
  Investments in securities, at value (cost $609,020,643)         $579,308,677
  Cash, at value (cost $73,054)                                         73,120
  Receivable for investment securities sold                        101,727,107
  Interest receivable                                               11,679,755
  Unrealized appreciation of forward exchange currency contracts     6,480,544
  Receivable for capital stock sold                                     83,399
  Other assets                                                          19,243
  Total assets                                                     699,371,845

LIABILITIES
  Payable for investment securities purchased                      101,093,372
  Payable for capital stock redeemed                                 1,639,830
  Dividend payable                                                   1,237,274
  Advisory fee payable                                                 272,503
  Distribution fee payable                                             261,807
  Accrued expenses                                                     538,707
  Total liabilities                                                105,043,493

NET ASSETS                                                        $594,328,352

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
  Capital stock, at par                                           $    772,555
  Additional paid-in capital                                       674,396,288
  Distributions in excess of net investment income                  (9,630,092)
  Accumulated net realized loss on investments, swaps and 
    foreign currency transactions                                  (47,543,849)
  Net unrealized depreciation of investments and foreign 
    currency denominated assets and liabilities                    (23,666,550)
                                                                  $594,328,352

CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
  CLASS A SHARES
  Net asset value and redemption price per share ($402,165,049/
    52,278,915 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding )          $7.69
  Sales Charge--4.25% of public offering price                             .34
  Maximum offering price                                                 $8.03

  CLASS B SHARES
  Net asset value and offering price per share ($185,161,411/
    24,066,511 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding )          $7.69

  CLASS C SHARES
  Net asset value and offering price per share ($7,001,892/
    910,118 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding )             $7.69


See notes to financial statements.


7



STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED)
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

INVESTMENT INCOME
  Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $13,706)              $25,565,459

EXPENSES
  Advisory fee                                        $1,740,677 
  Distribution fee - Class A                             589,848 
  Distribution fee - Class B                           1,151,769 
  Distribution fee - Class C                              46,996 
  Transfer agency                                        773,764 
  Custodian                                              343,954 
  Printing                                                76,079 
  Administrative                                          62,906 
  Audit and legal                                         62,132 
  Registration                                            28,062 
  Directors' fees                                          9,508 
  Miscellaneous                                            8,820 
  Total expenses                                                     4,894,515
  Net investment income                                             20,670,944
    
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, 
SWAPS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
  Net realized gain on investment and swap transactions              2,800,588
  Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions                24,644,461
  Net change in unrealized appreciation of:
    Investment and swap transactions                               (32,457,943)
    Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities              6,706,631
  Net gain on investments, swaps and foreign currency transactions   1,693,737
    
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS                         $22,364,681
    
    
See notes to financial statements.


8



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS       ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

                                                 SIX MONTHS ENDED  YEAR ENDED
                                                  APRIL 30, 1997   OCTOBER 31,
                                                    (UNAUDITED)       1996
                                                  --------------  -------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS
  Net investment income                            $ 20,670,944   $ 55,591,338
  Net realized gain on investments, swaps and 
    foreign currency transactions                    27,445,049     11,274,542
  Net change in unrealized appreciation 
    (depreciation) of investments, swaps and 
    foreign currency denominated assets and 
    liabilities                                     (25,751,312)    21,264,259
  Net increase in net assets from operations         22,364,681     88,130,139

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
  Net investment income
    Class A                                         (15,822,612)   (29,452,332)
    Class B                                          (8,360,845)   (33,967,382)
    Class C                                            (342,047)      (524,790)

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
  Net decrease                                      (73,195,016)  (201,779,228)
  Total decrease                                    (75,355,839)  (177,593,593)

NET ASSETS
  Beginning of year                                 669,684,191    847,277,784
  End of period                                    $594,328,352   $669,684,191
    
    
See notes to financial statements.


9



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED)               ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

NOTE A: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Alliance Short-Term Multi-Market Trust, Inc. (the "Fund"), was incorporated in 
the State of Maryland on February 17, 1989 as a non-diversified, open-end 
investment management company. The Fund offers Class A, Class B and Class C 
shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 4.25% 
for purchases not exceeding $1,000,000. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 
or more, Class A shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to 
a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%. Class B shares are sold with a 
contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 3% to zero depending on 
the period of time the shares are held. Class B shares will automatically 
convert to Class A shares six years after the end of the calendar month of 
purchase. Class C shares purchased on or after July 1, 1996 are subject to a 
contingent deferred sales charge on redemptions made within the first year 
after purchase. All three classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, 
liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except that 
each class bears different distribution expenses and has exclusive voting 
rights with respect to its distribution plan. The following is a summary of 
significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.

1. SECURITY VALUATION
Investments are stated at value. Investments for which market quotations are 
readily available are valued at the closing price on the day of valuation or, 
if no such closing price is available, at the mean of the last bid and ask 
price quoted on such day. However, readily marketable portfolio securities may 
be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service when such prices 
are believed by the adviser to reflect the fair value of such securities. 
Options are valued at market value or fair value using methods determined by 
the Board of Directors. Securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued 
at amortized cost, which approximates market value, unless this method does not 
represent fair value. Securities for which market quotations are not readily 
available and restricted securities are valued in good faith at fair value as 
determined by the Board of Directors. In determining fair value, consideration 
is given to cost, operating and other financial data.

2. CURRENCY TRANSLATION
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under 
forward foreign exchange currency contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at 
the mean of the quoted bid and asked price of such currencies against the U.S. 
dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated at the rates 
of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and 
expenses are translated at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.

Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange 
gains and losses from sales and maturities of securities, holdings of foreign 
currencies, exchange gains and losses realized between the trade and settlement 
dates on security transactions, and the difference between the amount of 
interest recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts 
actually received or paid. Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 
of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities represents net currency 
gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and 
liabilities at period end exchange rates.

3. TAXES
It is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code 
applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its 
investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if applicable, to 
shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are 
required.

4. INVESTMENT INCOME AND INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on 
the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are 
determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund accretes discounts as an 
adjustment to interest income.

5. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend 
date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations.

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund's distributions of income and capital 
gains are subject to recharacterization, which may include a tax return of 
capital, at the end of the year to reflect the final investment results for 
that year.


10



                                         ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

NOTE B: ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays Alliance 
Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser"), an advisory fee at an annual rate of 
 .55 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such fee is accrued 
daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Fund paid $62,906 to the Adviser 
representing the costs of certain legal and accounting services provided to the 
Fund by the Adviser for the six months ended April 30, 1997.

The Fund compensates Alliance Fund Services, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of 
the Adviser) under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and 
facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Fund. Such compensation 
amounted to $446,905 for the six months ended April 30, 1997.

Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser) 
serves as the Distributor of the Fund's shares. The Distributor received 
front-end sales charges of $7,981 from the sale of Class A shares and $25,738, 
and $2,727 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by 
shareholders of Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively for the six 
months ended April 30, 1997.

NOTE C: DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the "Agreement") 
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the 
Agreement, the Fund pays a distribution fee to the Distributor at an annual 
rate of .30 of 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class A 
shares and 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to both Class B and 
Class C shares. Such fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement 
provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for 
distribution assistance and promotional activities. The Distributor has 
incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in 
the amount of $25,671,274, and $1,422,409, for Class B and C shares, 
respectively. Such costs may be recovered from the Fund in future periods so 
long as the agreement remains in effect. In accordance with the Agreement, 
there is no provision for recovery of unreimbursed distribution costs incurred 
by the Distributor beyond the current fiscal year for Class A shares. The 
Agreement also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance 
the distribution of the Fund's shares.

NOTE D: INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments 
and U.S. government obligations) aggregated $213,535,348 and $297,610,591 
respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 1997. There were purchases of 
$49,753,906 and sales of $50,156,250 of U.S. government and government agency 
obligations for the six months ended April 30, 1997.

At April 30, 1997, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was 
the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross 
unrealized appreciation of investments was $813,505 and gross unrealized 
depreciation of investments was $30,525,471, resulting in net unrealized 
depreciation of $29,711,966 (excluding foreign currency transactions). At 
October 31, 1996, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of $74,988,898 of 
which $35,175,465 expires in the year 2001, $20,009,696 expires in the year 
2002, and $19,803,737 expires in the year 2003.

1. FORWARD EXCHANGE CURRENCY CONTRACTS
The Fund enters into forward exchange currency contracts for investment 
purposes and to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange 
rates on its foreign portfolio holdings and to hedge certain firm purchase and 
sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies. A forward exchange 
currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a 
future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the 
difference between the original contracts and the closing of such contracts is 
included in realized gains or losses from foreign currency transactions.


11



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT.)
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

Fluctuations in the value of forward exchange currency contracts are recorded 
for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund.

The Fund's custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment 
or other liquid assets in a separate account of the Fund having a value equal 
to the aggregate amount of the Fund's commitments under forward exchange 
currency contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.

Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the 
terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign 
currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The face or contract amount, in U.S. 
dollars, as reflected in the following table, reflects the total exposure the 
Fund has in that particular currency contract.

At April 30, 1997, the Fund had outstanding forward exchange currency 
contracts, as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                CONTRACT      VALUE ON        U.S. $       UNREALIZED
                                                 AMOUNT     ORIGINATION      CURRENT      APPRECIATION
                                                 (000)          DATE          VALUE      (DEPRECIATION)
                                             ------------  -------------  -------------  --------------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
FOREIGN CURRENCY BUY CONTRACTS
Deutsche Marks, expiring 5/02/97-7/07/97          25,124    $16,027,012    $14,558,157    $(1,468,855)
Indonesian Rupiah, expiring 1/16/98           40,944,500     16,237,760     16,143,893        (93,867)
Japanese Yen, expiring 5/06/97                 1,000,000      8,183,306      7,881,915       (301,391)
Spanish Pesetas, expiring 5/30/97              3,500,000     24,424,285     23,953,909       (470,376)
FOREIGN CURRENCY SALE CONTRACTS
Australian Dollars, expiring 7/10/97              53,012     41,386,703     41,321,763         64,940
British Pounds, expiring 5/07/97                  10,000     16,279,500     16,205,036         74,464
Deutsche Marks, expiring 5/21/97-7/28/97         124,701     74,344,005     72,392,910      1,951,095
Finnish Markka, expiring 6/17/97                  93,181     18,040,424     17,973,952         66,472
French Francs, expiring 5/30/97                  140,281     24,757,650     24,079,585        678,065
Italian Lira, expiring 5/12/97                44,329,418     26,070,761     25,867,928        202,833
Japanese Yen, expiring 5/06/97                 1,000,000      8,192,692      7,881,915        310,777
Spanish Pesetas, expiring 5/30/97              3,560,000     24,856,430     24,364,548        491,882
Swedish Krona, expiring 5/28/97                  225,599     29,451,530     28,774,204        677,326
Swiss Francs, expiring 7/07/97                    59,445     44,922,781     40,625,602      4,297,179
                                                                                          ------------
                                                                                          $ 6,480,544
</TABLE>

   
12



                                         ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

2. OPTION TRANSACTIONS
For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund purchases and writes (sells) put 
and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign 
currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and 
over-the-counter markets.

The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium 
whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk 
of loss of premium and change in market value should the counterparty not 
perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in 
the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired 
through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The 
proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased 
by the premiums paid.

When the Fund writes an option, the premium received by the Fund is recorded as 
a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the 
option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised 
are recorded by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from options 
written. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a 
closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated 
as a realized gain, or if the premium is less than the amount paid for the 
closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is 
exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying 
security or currency in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or 
loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the 
security or currency purchased by the Fund. In writing an option, the Fund 
bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or 
currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the 
Fund could result in the Fund selling or buying a security or currency at a 
price different from the current market value. There were no transactions in 
written options for the six months ended April 30, 1997.

3. INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS
The Fund enters into currency and interest rate swaps to protect itself from 
interest rate fluctuations on the underlying debt instruments as well as 
foreign currency fluctuations. A swap is an agreement that obligates two 
parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or 
calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified 
amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against 
each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other.

Risks may arise as a result of the failure of another party to the swap 
contract to comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by 
the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interest payment 
to be received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the 
contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each 
counterparty to a swap contract in evaluating potential credit risk. 
Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or 
in the value of the foreign securities.

The Fund records a net receivable or payable on a daily basis for the net 
interest income or expense expected to be received or paid in the interest 
period. Net interest received or paid on these contracts is recorded as 
interest income (or as an offset to interest income). Fluctuations in the value 
of swap contracts are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized 
appreciation or depreciation of swap contracts. Realized gains and losses from 
terminated swaps are included in net realized gains on investment and swap 
transactions. There were no outstanding currency or interest rate swap 
contracts at April 30, 1997.


13



                                         ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

NOTE E: CAPITAL STOCK
There are 3,600,000,000 shares of $.01 par value capital stock authorized, 
divided into three classes, designated Class A, Class B and Class C shares. 
Each Class consists of 1,200,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital 
stock were as follows:

                               SHARES                         AMOUNT
                    ---------------------------  ------------------------------
                   SIX MONTHS ENDED  YEAR ENDED  SIX MONTHS ENDED  YEAR ENDED
                     APRIL 30,1997   OCTOBER 31,  APRIL 30,1997    OCTOBER 31,
                      (UNAUDITED)       1996       (UNAUDITED)        1996
                     ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------
CLASS A
Shares sold              726,771     1,644,560    $  5,642,586   $  14,914,054
Shares issued in 
  reinvestment of 
  dividends              904,906     1,871,073       7,021,655      14,187,089
Shares converted 
  from Class B         7,608,587    18,067,959      59,105,340     135,505,124
Shares redeemed       (6,998,046)  (14,414,336)    (54,310,752)   (109,253,251)
Net increase           2,242,218     7,169,256    $ 17,458,829   $  55,353,016

CLASS B
Shares sold              501,020     1,642,627    $  3,891,659   $  12,447,906
Shares issued in 
  reinvestment of 
  dividends              505,368     1,874,160       3,923,002      14,192,671
Shares converted 
  to Class A          (7,608,587)  (18,067,959)    (59,105,340)   (135,505,124)
Shares redeemed       (4,685,080)  (20,143,299)    (36,364,982)   (154,702,486)
Net decrease         (11,287,279)  (34,694,471)   $(87,655,661)  $(263,567,033)
     
CLASS C
Shares sold               95,357     1,298,950    $    739,956   $   9,914,742
Shares issued in 
  reinvestment of 
  dividends               10,880        25,478          84,439         193,464
Shares redeemed         (494,560)     (482,972)     (3,822,579)     (3,673,417)
Net increase(decrease)  (388,323)      841,456    $ (2,998,184)  $   6,434,789
     
     
14



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                     ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               CLASS A
                                           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             SIX MONTHS
                                                ENDED                        YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                           APRIL 30,1997  --------------------------------------------------------------
                                            (UNAUDITED)      1996         1995         1994         1993         1992
                                           -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year             $7.73         $7.47        $8.71        $9.25        $9.25        $9.94
  
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                            .26(a)        .60(a)       .46(a)       .93          .92          .91
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
  on investments, swaps and foreign 
  currency transactions                          .01           .35         (.98)        (.86)        (.32)        (.86)
Net increase (decrease) in net asset 
  value from operations                          .27           .95         (.52)         .07          .60          .05
  
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income            (.31)         (.69)          -0-          -0-        (.60)        (.72)
Tax return of capital                             -0-           -0-        (.72)        (.61)          -0-          -0-
Distributions from net realized gain              -0-           -0-          -0-          -0-          -0-        (.02)
Total dividends and distributions               (.31)         (.69)        (.72)        (.61)        (.60)        (.74)
Net asset value, end of period                 $7.69         $7.73        $7.47        $8.71        $9.25        $9.25
  
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net 
  asset value (b)                               3.51%        13.23%       (5.74)%        .84%        6.67%         .49%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)   $402,165      $386,545     $320,333     $593,677     $953,571   $1,596,903
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.28%(c)      1.29%        1.23%        1.13%        1.16%        1.10%
Ratio of net investment income to 
  average net assets                            6.82%(c)      7.85%        7.39%        7.28%        8.26%        9.00%
Portfolio turnover rate                          143%          208%         230%         109%         182%         133%
</TABLE>


See footnote summary on page 17.


15



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)         ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                CLASS B
                                           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             SIX MONTHS
                                                ENDED                         YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                           APRIL 30,1997  --------------------------------------------------------------
                                            (UNAUDITED)      1996         1995         1994         1993         1992
                                           -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year             $7.73         $7.47        $8.71        $9.25        $9.25        $9.94
  
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                            .23(a)        .54(a)       .41(a)       .94          .87          .84
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
  on investments, swaps and foreign 
  currency transactions                          .01           .35         (.99)        (.93)        (.34)        (.86)
Net increase (decrease) in net asset 
  value from operations                          .24           .89         (.58)         .01          .53         (.02)
  
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income            (.28)         (.63)          -0-          -0-        (.53)        (.65)
Tax return of capital                             -0-           -0-        (.66)        (.55)          -0-          -0-
Distributions from net realized gain              -0-           -0-          -0-          -0-          -0-        (.02)
Total dividends and distributions               (.28)         (.63)        (.66)        (.55)        (.53)        (.67)
Net asset value, end of period                 $7.69         $7.73        $7.47        $8.71        $9.25        $9.25
  
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net 
  asset value(b)                                3.13%        12.34%       (6.50)%        .12%        5.91%        (.24)%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)   $185,161      $273,109     $523,530   $1,003,633   $1,742,703   $2,966,071
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.99%(c)      2.00%        1.95%        1.85%        1.87%        1.81%
Ratio of net investment income to 
  average net assets                            6.05%(c)      7.14%        6.69%        6.58%        7.57%        8.28%
Portfolio turnover rate                          143%          208%         230%         109%         182%         133%
</TABLE>


See footnote summary on page 17.


16



                                         ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
_______________________________________________________________________________

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         CLASS C
                                           ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             SIX MONTHS                                         MAY 3,1993(D)
                                                ENDED               YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,           TO
                                           APRIL 30,1997  -------------------------------------  OCTOBER 31,
                                            (UNAUDITED)      1996         1995         1994         1993
                                           -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period           $7.73        $7.47        $8.71        $9.25        $9.18
  
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                            .24(a)       .51(a)       .39(a)       .58          .28
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
  on investments, swaps and foreign 
  currency transactions                           -0-         .38         (.97)        (.57)         .05
Net increase (decrease) in net asset 
  value from operations                          .24          .89         (.58)         .01          .33
  
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income            (.28)        (.63)          -0-          -0-        (.26)
Tax return of capital                             -0-          -0-        (.66)        (.55)          -0-
Total dividends and distributions               (.28)        (.63)        (.66)        (.55)        (.26)
Net asset value, end of period                 $7.69        $7.73        $7.47        $8.71        $9.25
  
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net 
  asset value(b)                                3.13%       12.35%       (6.49)%        .12%        3.66%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)     $7,002      $10,031       $3,416       $8,136       $5,538
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.97%(c)     1.98%        1.92%        1.83%        1.82%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to 
  average net assets                            6.09%(c)     7.15%        6.66%        6.50%        7.19%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate                          143%         208%         230%         109%         182%
</TABLE>


(a)  Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made 
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all 
dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and a 
redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charge or contingent 
deferred sales charge is not reflected in the calculation of the total 
investment return. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than 
one year is not annualized.

(c)  Annualized.

(d)  Commencement of distribution.


17





















































<PAGE>


PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
OCTOBER 31, 1996
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________


                                               PRINCIPAL
                                                 AMOUNT
                                                 (000)      U.S. $ VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUSTRALIA-8.9%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-8.9%
Republic of Australia
  12.00%, 7/15/99 (a)
  (cost $58,978,727)                     AU$     66,250      $59,298,538

CANADA-6.5%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS-6.5%
Government of Canada
  6.25%, 9/15/98(a)                      CA$     15,000       11,592,155
  6.50%, 8/01/99(a)                              40,700       31,732,615
Total Canadian Securities
  (cost $41,357,473)                                          43,324,770

CZECH REPUBLIC-4.6%
DEBT OBLIGATIONS-4.6%
ING Baring Securities
  11.00%, 5/29/97 (b)                    CZK    334,125       12,379,138
ING Capital Holdings
  11.50%, 7/08/97 (b)                           168,000        6,254,270
International Bank For 
  Reconstruction & Development
  11.50%, 10/09/97(a)                           332,500       12,374,535
Total Czech Republic Securities 
  (cost $30,666,659)                                          31,007,943

DENMARK-7.7%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-7.7%
Kingdom of Denmark
  9.00%, 11/15/98(a)
  (cost $54,596,699)                     DKK    277,000       51,784,778

FINLAND-5.6%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-5.6%
Government of Finland
  11.00%, 1/15/99(a)
  (cost $39,795,056)                     FIM    150,000       37,869,149

GERMANY-6.1%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-6.1%
Government of Germany
  5.75%, 5/28/99(a)
  (cost $40,237,575)                     DEM     60,000       41,237,862
 
ITALY-4.0%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-4.0%
Republic of Italy
  10.50%, 11/01/98(a)
  (cost $24,865,649)                     ITL 38,600,000      27,025,790

MEXICO-4.2%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS-4.2%
Mexican Treasury Bills
  29.00%, 11/28/96(a)(c)                 MXP    119,664       14,550,165
  30.74%, 1/02/97(a)(c)                         107,436       12,730,473
  32.53%, 7/31/97(a)(c)                           8,422          862,099
Total Mexican Securities 
  (cost $29,058,166)                                          28,142,737

NORWAY-4.5%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-4.5%
Kingdom of Norway
  9.00%, 1/31/99(a)
  (cost $30,095,595)                     NOK    178,400       30,034,725

SPAIN-4.2%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-4.2%
Government of Spain
  7.40%, 7/30/99(a)
  (cost $27,794,616)                     ESP  3,518,000       28,040,578

SWEDEN-5.1%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-5.1%
Kingdom of Sweden
  11.00% 1/21/99(a)
  (cost $32,845,551)                     SEK    200,900       33,997,562

UNITED KINGDOM-3.3%
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-3.3%
U.K. Treasury Gilts
  12.25%, 3/26/99
  (cost $21,826,916)                     GBP     12,100       22,012,753

UNITED STATES-32.9%
DEBT OBLIGATIONS-12.0%
Bayerische Landesbank
  6.00%, 10/15/98(a)                     US$     20,000       20,034,000
Federal Business Development Bank
  6.375%, 5/21/99(a)                             15,000       15,067,500


5



PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

                                               PRINCIPAL
                                                 AMOUNT
                                                 (000)      U.S. $ VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------

KFW International Finance, Inc.
  8.25%, 3/18/98(a)                      US$      4,250     $  4,377,500
SMM Trust Co., Ltd. FRN
  7.91%, 1/22/97(a)(d)                           41,000       40,877,000
                                                              80,356,000

GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION-7.5%
U.S. Treasury Note
  6.00%, 8/15/99(a)                              50,000       50,156,250

CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT-3.5%
Rabobank FRN
  6.42%, 2/23/98(a)(c)                           25,000       23,190,000
 
TIME DEPOSIT-9.9%
Societe Generale
  5.65%, 11/01/96                        US$     66,300       66,300,000
Total United States Securities
  (cost $219,777,433)                                        220,002,250

TOTAL INVESTMENTS-97.6%
  (cost $651,896,115)                                        653,779,435
Other assets less liabilities-2.4%                            15,904,756

NET ASSETS-100%                                             $669,684,191


(a)  Securities, or portion thereof, with an aggregate market value of 
$535,770,286 have been segregated to collateralize forward exchange currency 
contracts.

(b)  The redemption value of these securities are indexed to the spread between 
the Czech Crown and the U.S. Dollar exchange rate.

(c)  Interest rate represents annualized yield to maturity at purchase date.

(d)  Stated interest rate in effect at October 31, 1996.

     Glossary:
     FRN - Floating Rate Note.

     See notes to financial statements.


6



STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
OCTOBER 31, 1996
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

ASSETS
  Investments in securities, at value (cost $651,896,115)         $653,779,435
  Cash                                                                  17,849
  Interest receivable                                               20,252,728
  Receivable for capital stock sold                                 13,663,436
  Unrealized appreciation of swap contracts                            862,657
  Total assets                                                     688,576,105

LIABILITIES
  Payable for capital stock redeemed                                15,583,470
  Dividend payable                                                   1,613,142
  Unrealized depreciation of forward exchange currency contracts       752,889
  Advisory fee payable                                                 315,251
  Distribution fee payable                                              44,804
  Accrued expenses                                                     582,358
  Total liabilities                                                 18,891,914

NET ASSETS                                                        $669,684,191

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
  Capital stock, at par                                           $    866,889
  Additional paid-in capital                                       747,496,970
  Distributions in excess of net investment income                  (5,775,532)
  Accumulated net realized loss on investments, swaps and 
    foreign currency transactions                                  (74,988,898)
  Net unrealized appreciation of investments, swaps and 
    foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities              2,084,762
                                                                  $669,684,191

CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
  CLASS A SHARES
  Net asset value and redemption price per share ($386,544,660/
    50,036,697 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding)           $7.73
  Sales charge--4.25% of public offering price                             .34
  Maximum offering price                                                 $8.07

  CLASS B SHARES
  Net asset value and offering price per share ($273,108,736/
     35,353,790 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding)          $7.73

  CLASS C SHARES
  Net asset value and offering price per share ($10,030,795/
    1,298,441 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding)            $7.73


See notes to financial statements.


7



STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

INVESTMENT INCOME
  Interest(net of foreign taxes withheld of $243,519)              $68,095,559

EXPENSES
  Advisory fee                                        $4,077,972 
  Distribution fee - Class A                             977,782 
  Distribution fee - Class B                           4,089,969 
  Distribution fee - Class C                              65,381 
  Transfer agency                                      1,828,807 
  Custodian                                              838,181 
  Printing                                               217,952 
  Administrative                                         169,691 
  Audit and legal                                        160,608 
  Registration                                            36,820 
  Directors' fees                                         27,304 
  Miscellaneous                                           13,754 
  Total expenses                                                    12,504,221
  Net investment income                                             55,591,338
    
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS,
SWAPS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
  Net realized gain on investment and swap transactions             12,818,217
  Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions                (1,543,675)
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
    Investment and swap transactions                                11,280,039
    Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities              9,984,220
  Net gain on investments, swaps and foreign 
    currency transactions                                           32,538,801
    
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS                         $88,130,139
    
    
See notes to financial statements.


8



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

                                                   YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                                   OCTOBER 31,     OCTOBER 31,
                                                      1996            1995
                                                 -------------  ---------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS
  Net investment income                          $ 55,591,338   $   76,244,033
  Net realized gain (loss) on investments, 
    swaps and foreign currency transactions        11,274,542     (178,828,835)
  Net change in unrealized appreciation 
    (depreciation) of investments, swaps, 
    and foreign currency denominated assets 
    and liabilities                                21,264,259      (10,683,058)
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets from 
    operations                                     88,130,139     (113,267,860)

DIVIDENDSANDDISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
  Net investment income
    Class A                                       (29,452,332)              -0-
    Class B                                       (33,967,382)              -0-
    Class C                                          (524,790)              -0-
  Tax return of capital
    Class A                                                -0-     (38,284,995)
    Class B                                                -0-     (58,142,957)
    Class C                                                -0-        (436,849)

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
  Net decrease                                   (201,779,228)    (548,036,954)
  Total decrease                                 (177,593,593)    (758,169,615)

NET ASSETS
  Beginning of year                               847,277,784    1,605,447,399
  End of year                                    $669,684,191   $  847,277,784
    
    
See notes to financial statements.


9



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 31, 1996
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

NOTE A: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Alliance Short-Term Multi-Market Trust, Inc. (the "Fund"), was incorporated in 
the State of Maryland on February 17, 1989 as a non-diversified, open-end 
investment management company. The Fund offers Class A, Class B and Class C 
shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 4.25%. 
Class B shares are sold with a contingent deferred sales charge which declines 
from 3.0% to zero depending on the period of time the shares are held. Class B 
shares will automatically convert to Class A shares six years after the end of 
the calendar month of purchase. Class C shares purchased on or after July 1, 
1996 are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.0% on redemptions 
made within the first year after purchase. All three classes of shares have 
identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and 
conditions, except that each class bears different distribution expenses and 
has exclusive voting rights with respect to its distribution plan. The 
following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.

1. SECURITY VALUATION
Investments are stated at value. Investments for which market quotations are 
readily available are valued at the closing price on the day of valuation or, 
if no such closing price is available, at the mean of the last bid and ask 
price quoted on such day. Options are valued at market value or fair value 
using methods determined by the Board of Directors. Securities which mature in 
60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value, 
unless this method does not represent fair value. Securities for which market 
quotations are not readily available and restricted securities are valued in 
good faith at fair value as determined by the Board of Directors. In 
determining fair value, consideration is given to cost, operating and other 
financial data.

2. CURRENCY TRANSLATION
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under 
forward foreign exchange currency contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at 
the mean of the quoted bid and asked price of such currencies against the U.S. 
dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated at the rates 
of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and 
expenses are translated at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.

Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange 
gains and losses from sales and maturities of securities, holdings of foreign 
currencies, exchange gains and losses realized between the trade and settlement 
dates on security transactions, and the difference between the amount of 
interest recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts 
actually received or paid. Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 
of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities represents net currency 
gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and 
liabilities at period end exchange rates.

3. TAXES
It is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code 
applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its 
investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if applicable, to 
shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are 
required.

4. INVESTMENT INCOME AND INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on 
the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are 
determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund accretes discounts as 
adjustments to interest income.

5. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend 
date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations.

6. RECLASSIFICATION OF NET ASSETS
As of October 31, 1996, the Fund, reclassed certain components of net assets. 
The reclassification resulted in a net decrease to distributions in excess of 
net investment income of $5,254,490, and a net increase to accumulated net 
realized loss on investments, swaps and foreign currency transactions and 
additional paid-in capital of $5,461,935 and $207,445 respectively. These 
reclassifications were the result of permanent book to tax differences 
resulting primarily from foreign currency gains. Net assets were not effected 
by the change.


10



ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

NOTE B: ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays Alliance 
Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser"), an advisory fee at an annual rate of 
 .55 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such fee is accrued 
daily and paid monthly.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Fund paid $169,691 to the Adviser 
representing the costs of certain legal and accounting services provided to the 
Fund by the Adviser for the year ended October 31, 1996.

The Fund compensates Alliance Fund Services, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of 
the Adviser) under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and 
facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Fund. Such compensation 
amounted to $1,261,242 for the year ended October 31, 1996.

Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser) 
serves as the Distributor of the Fund's shares. The Distributor received 
front-end sales charges of $16,307 from the sale of Class A shares and $273,441 
in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders 
of Class B shares for the year ended October 31, 1996.

NOTE C: DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the "Agreement") 
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the 
Agreement, the Fund pays a distribution fee to the Distributor at an annual 
rate of .30 of 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class A 
shares and 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to both Class B and 
Class C shares. Such fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement 
provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for 
distribution assistance and promotional activities. The Distributor has 
incurred expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in 
the amount of $26,166,892, and $1,343,129, for Class B and C shares, 
respectively. Such costs may be recovered from the Fund in future periods so 
long as the agreement remains in effect. In accordance with the Agreement, 
there is no provision for recovery of unreimbursed distribution costs incurred 
by the Distributor beyond the current fiscal year for Class A shares. The 
Agreement also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance 
the distribution of the Fund's shares.

NOTE D: INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments 
and U.S. Government obligations) aggregated $1,057,429,421 and $1,094,502,405 
respectively, for the year ended October 31, 1996. There were purchases of 
$92,456,080 and sales of $41,802,656 of U.S. Government and government agency 
obligations for the year ended October 31, 1996.

1. FORWARD EXCHANGE CURRENCY CONTRACTS
The Fund enters into forward exchange currency contracts for investment 
purposes and to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange 
rates on its foreign portfolio holdings and to hedge certain firm purchase and 
sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies. A forward exchange 
currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a 
future date at a negotiated forward rate. The gain or loss arising from the 
difference between the original contracts and the closing of such contracts is 
included in realized gains or losses from foreign currency transactions.

Fluctuations in the value of forward exchange currency contracts are recorded 
for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund.

The Fund's custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment 
or other liquid high quality debt securities in a separate account of the Fund 
having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Fund's commitments under 
forward exchange currency contracts entered into with respect to position 
hedges.


11



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT.)
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the 
terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign 
currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The face or contract amount, in U.S. 
dollars, as reflected in the following table, reflects the total exposure the 
Fund has in that particular currency contract.

At October 31, 1996, the Fund had outstanding forward exchange currency 
contracts, as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CONTRACT     VALUE ON     U.S. $       UNREALIZED
                                             AMOUNT    ORIGINATION    CURRENT     APPRECIATION
                                             (000)         DATE        VALUE     (DEPRECIATION)
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------  --------------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
FOREIGN CURRENCY BUY CONTRACTS
Canadian Dollars, expiring 11/18/96           30,000   $22,394,745  $22,394,305        $(440)
Polish Zloty, expiring 4/11/97                37,000    12,442,411   12,402,904      (39,507)
FOREIGN CURRENCY SALE CONTRACTS
Australian Dollars, expiring 11/07/96         74,012    58,733,610   58,641,690       91,920
Canadian Dollars, expiring 11/18/96           54,644    39,973,837   40,790,655     (816,818)
Deutsche Marks, expiring 11/25/96-4/11/97    123,206    81,843,660   81,770,406       73,254
Finnish Markka, expiring 1/17/97             171,181    37,482,065   37,950,086     (468,021)
Italian Lira, expiring 11/27/96           42,500,000    27,716,005   27,984,069     (268,064)
Japanese Yen, expiring 11/07/96            3,016,210    27,173,063   26,519,928      653,135
Netherlands Guilder, expiring 12/31/96        50,400    29,716,981   29,818,934     (101,953)
Spanish Pesetas, expiring 11/25/96         3,560,000    27,745,304   27,880,059     (134,755)
Swedish Krona, expiring 11/25/96             225,599    34,104,114   34,344,494     (240,380)
Swiss Francs, expiring 1/06/97               101,486    81,397,014   80,898,274      498,740
                                                                                   $(752,889)
</TABLE>
     

2. OPTION TRANSACTIONS
For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund purchases and writes (sells) put 
and call options on U.S. and foreign government securities and foreign 
currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and 
over-the-counter markets.

The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium 
whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk 
of loss of premium and change in market value should the counterparty not 
perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in 
the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired 
through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The 
proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased 
by the premiums paid.


12



ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

When the Fund writes an option, the premium received by the Fund is recorded as 
a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the 
option written. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised 
are recorded by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from options 
written. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a 
closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated 
as a realized gain, or if the premium is less than the amount paid for the 
closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is 
exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying 
security or currency in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or 
loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the 
security or currency purchased by the Fund. In writing an option, the Fund 
bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or 
currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the 
Fund could result in the Fund selling or buying a security or currency at a 
price different from the current market value. There were no transactions in 
written options for the year ended October 31, 1996.

3. INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS
The Fund enters into currency and interest rate swaps to protect itself from 
interest rate fluctuations on the underlying debt instruments as well as 
foreign currency fluctuations. A swap is an agreement that obligates two 
parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or 
calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified 
amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against 
each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other.

Risks may arise as a result of the failure of another party to the swap 
contract to comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by 
the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interest payment 
to be received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the 
contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each 
counterparty to a swap contract in evaluating potential credit risk. 
Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or 
in the value of the foreign securities.

The Fund records a net receivable or payable on a daily basis for the net 
interest income or expense expected to be received or paid in the interest 
period. Net interest received or paid on these contracts is recorded as 
interest income (or as an offset to interest income). Fluctuations in the value 
of swap contracts are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized 
appreciation or depreciation of swap contracts. Realized gains and losses from 
terminated swaps are included in net realized gain on investment and swap 
transactions.

At October 31, 1996, the Fund had outstanding currency and interest rate swap 
contracts with the following terms:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          RATE TYPE 
                                               ---------------------------------    UNREALIZED
    SWAP           NOTIONAL       TERMINATION   PAYMENTS MADE  PAYMENTS RECEIVED   APPRECIATION
COUNTERPARTY        AMOUNT           DATE        BY THE FUND      BY THE FUND     (DEPRECIATION)
- ------------  ------------------  -----------  --------------  -----------------  --------------
<S>           <C>                 <C>          <C>             <C>                <C>
J.P. Morgan   USD     41,000,000   1/22/97       Fixed-7.91%       Floating+        $     -0-
J.P. Morgan   ITL 30,000,000,000   4/23/99     Floating-LIBOR     Fixed-9.25%        862,657
                                                                                    ---------
                                                                                    $862,657
</TABLE>


+  Floating is composed of three month LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) 
plus a fixed amount of .125%.


13



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT.)
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

At October 31, 1996, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes 
was the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross 
unrealized appreciation of investments was $7,865,896 and gross unrealized 
depreciation of investments was $5,982,576, resulting in net unrealized 
appreciation of $1,883,320 (excluding foreign currency transactions). At 
October 31, 1996, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of $74,988,898 of 
which $35,175,465 expires in the year 2001, $20,009,696 expires in the year 
2002, and $19,803,737 expires in the year 2003.

NOTE E: CAPITAL STOCK
There are 3,600,000,000 shares of $.01 par value capital stock authorized, 
divided into three classes, designated Class A, Class B and Class C shares. 
Each Class consists of 1,200,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital 
stock were as follows:

                               SHARES                         AMOUNT
                    ---------------------------  ------------------------------
                      YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED    YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                      OCTOBER 31,    OCTOBER 31,   OCTOBER 31,     OCTOBER 31,
                         1996           1995          1996            1995
                     ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------
Shares sold            1,644,560     2,011,084   $  14,914,054   $  15,716,134
Shares issued in 
  reinvestment of 
  dividends            1,871,073     2,981,786      14,187,089      23,083,728
Shares converted 
  from Class B        18,067,959            -0-    135,505,124              -0-
Shares redeemed      (14,414,336)  (30,294,790)   (109,253,251)   (233,197,213)
Net increase
  (decrease)           7,169,256   (25,301,920)  $  55,353,016   $(194,397,351)
     
CLASS B
Shares sold            1,642,627     2,069,111   $  12,447,906   $  16,026,464
Shares issued in 
  reinvestment of 
  dividends            1,874,160     3,656,313      14,192,671      28,470,965
Shares converted 
  to Class A         (18,067,959)           -0-   (135,505,124)             -0-
Shares redeemed      (20,143,299)  (50,907,467)   (154,702,486)   (394,607,766)
Net decrease         (34,694,471)  (45,182,043)  $(263,567,033)  $(350,110,337)

CLASS C
Shares sold            1,298,950       646,889   $   9,914,742   $   5,398,144
Shares issued in 
  reinvestment of 
  dividends               25,478        43,525         193,464         339,247
Shares redeemed         (482,972)   (1,167,573)     (3,673,417)     (9,266,657)
Net increase(decrease)   841,456      (477,159)  $   6,434,789   $  (3,529,266)
     
     
14



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       CLASS A
                                           --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                           --------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1996         1995         1994         1993         1992
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year            $7.47        $8.71        $9.25        $9.25         $9.94
      
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                           .60(a)       .46(a)       .93          .92           .91
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
  on investments, 
swaps and foreign currency transactions         .35         (.98)        (.86)        (.32)         (.86)
Net increase (decrease) in net asset 
  value from operations                         .95         (.52)         .07          .60           .05
      
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income           (.69)          -0-          -0-        (.60)         (.72)
Tax return of capital                            -0-        (.72)        (.61)          -0-           -0-
Distributions from net realized gain             -0-          -0-          -0-          -0-         (.02)
Total dividends and distributions              (.69)        (.72)        (.61)        (.60)         (.74)
Net asset value, end of year                  $7.73        $7.47        $8.71        $9.25         $9.25
      
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net 
  asset value(b)                              13.23%       (5.74)%        .84%        6.67%          .49%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)    $386,545     $320,333     $593,677     $953,571    $1,596,903
Ratio of expenses to average net assets        1.29%        1.23%        1.13%        1.16%         1.10%
Ratio of net investment income to 
  average net assets                           7.85%        7.39%        7.28%        8.26%         9.00%
Portfolio turnover rate                         208%         230%         109%         182%          133%
</TABLE>


See footnote summary on page 17.


15



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       CLASS B
                                           --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                           --------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1996         1995         1994         1993         1992
                                           -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year            $7.47        $8.71        $9.25        $9.25        $9.94
      
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                           .54(a)       .41(a)       .94          .87          .84
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
  on investments, 
swaps and foreign currency transactions         .35         (.99)        (.93)        (.34)        (.86)
Net increase (decrease) in net asset 
  value from operations                         .89         (.58)         .01          .53         (.02)
      
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income           (.63)          -0-          -0-        (.53)        (.65)
Tax return of capital                            -0-        (.66)        (.55)          -0-          -0-
Distributions from net realized gain             -0-          -0-          -0-          -0-        (.02)
Total dividends and distributions              (.63)        (.66)        (.55)        (.53)        (.67)
Net asset value, end of year                  $7.73        $7.47        $8.71        $9.25        $9.25

TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net 
  asset value(b)                              12.34%       (6.50)%        .12%        5.91%        (.24)%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)    $273,109     $523,530   $1,003,633   $1,742,703   $2,966,071
Ratio of expenses to average net assets        2.00%        1.95%        1.85%        1.87%        1.81%
Ratio of net investment income to average 
  net assets                                   7.14%        6.69%        6.58%        7.57%        8.28%
Portfolio turnover rate                         208%         230%         109%         182%         133%
</TABLE>


See footnote summary on page 17.


16



ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                CLASS C
                                           ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 MAY 3,1993(C)
                                                   YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,              TO
                                           ------------------------------------   OCTOBER 31,
                                               1996         1995         1994         1993
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  -------------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period          $7.47        $8.71        $9.25        $9.18
     
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income                           .51(a)       .39(a)       .58          .28
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
  on investments, 
swaps and foreign currency transactions         .38         (.97)        (.57)         .05
Net increase (decrease) in net asset 
  value from operations                         .89         (.58)         .01          .33
     
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income           (.63)          -0-          -0-        (.26)
Tax return of capital                            -0-        (.66)        (.55)          -0-
Total dividends and distributions              (.63)        (.66)        (.55)        (.26)
Net asset value, end of period                $7.73        $7.47        $8.71        $9.25
     
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net 
  asset value(b)                              12.35%       (6.49)%        .12%        3.66%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)   $10,031       $3,416       $8,136       $5,538
Ratio of expenses to average net assets        1.98%        1.92%        1.83%        1.82%(d)
Ratio of net investment income to 
  average net assets                           7.15%        6.66%        6.50%        7.19%(d)
Portfolio turnover rate                         208%         230%         109%         182%
</TABLE>


(a)  Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made 
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all 
dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and a 
redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charge or contingent 
deferred sales charge is not reflected in the calculation of total investment 
return. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year 
is not annualized.

(c)  Commencement of distribution.

(d)  Annualized.


17



REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.
_______________________________________________________________________________

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC.

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of 
Alliance Short-Term Multi-Market Trust, Inc. (the "Fund"), including the 
portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 1996, and the related statement of 
operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for 
each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for 
each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial 
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility 
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights 
based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial 
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a 
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of 
October 31, 1996, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes 
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. 
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to 
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
Alliance Short-Term Multi-Market Trust, Inc. at October 31, 1996, the results 
of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for 
each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights 
for each of the indicated periods, in conformity with generally accepted 
accounting principles.


New York, New York
December 12, 1996


18






















































<PAGE>

________________________________________________________________

                           APPENDIX A

                   DESCRIPTION OF OBLIGATIONS
             ISSUED OR GUARANTEED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT
                  AGENCIES OR INSTRUMENTALITIES
________________________________________________________________

         FEDERAL FARM CREDIT SYSTEM NOTES AND BONDS--are bonds
issued by a cooperatively owned nationwide system of banks and
associations supervised by the Farm Credit Administration, an
independent agency of the U.S. Government.  These bonds are not
guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         MARITIME ADMINISTRATION BONDS--are bonds issued and
provided by the Department of Transportation of the U.S.
Government and are guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         FHA DEBENTURES--are debentures issued by the Federal
Housing Administration of the U.S. Government and are guaranteed
by the U.S. Government.

         GNMA CERTIFICATES--are mortgage-backed securities which
represent a partial ownership interest in a pool of mortgage
loans issued by lenders such as mortgage bankers, commercial
banks and savings and loan associations.  Each mortgage loan
included in the pool is either insured by the Federal Housing
Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration.

         FHLMC BONDS--are bonds issued and guaranteed by the
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

         FNMA BONDS--are bonds issued and guaranteed by the
Federal National Mortgage Association.

         FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK NOTES AND BONDS--are notes and
bonds issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank System and are not
guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         STUDENT LOAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION ("SALLIE MAE") NOTES
AND BONDS--are notes and bonds issued by the Student Loan
Marketing Association.

         Although this list includes a description of the primary
types of U.S. Government agency or instrumentality obligations in
which the Fund intends to invest, the Fund may invest in
obligations of U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities
other than those listed above.




                               A-1



<PAGE>

_______________________________________________________________

                           APPENDIX B

                BOND AND COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
_______________________________________________________________

STANDARD & POOR'S BOND RATINGS

         A Standard & Poor's corporate debt rating is a current
assessment of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to
a specific obligation.  Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating
assigned by Standard & Poor's.  Capacity to pay interest and
repay principal is extremely strong.  Debt rated "AA" has a very
strong capacity to pay interest and to repay principal and
differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.  Debt
rated "A" has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
a debt of a higher rated category.

         The ratings from "AA" and "A" may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within
the major rating categories.

MOODY'S BOND RATINGS

         Excerpts from Moody's description of its corporate bond
ratings: Aaa - judged to be the best quality, carry the smallest
degree of investment risk; Aa - judged to be of high quality by
all standards; A - possess many favorable investment attributes
and are to be considered as higher medium grade obligations; Baa
- - considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither
highly protected nor poorly secured.

FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE BOND RATINGS

         AAA. Securities of this rating are regarded as strictly
high-grade, broadly marketable, suitable for investment by
Directors and fiduciary institutions, and liable to but slight
market fluctuation other than through changes in the money rate.
The factor last named is of importance varying with the length of
maturity.  Such securities are mainly senior issues of strong
companies, and are most numerous in the railway and public
utility fields, though some industrial obligations have this
rating.  The prime feature of an AAA rating is showing of
earnings several times or many times interest requirements with
such stability of applicable earnings that safety is beyond
reasonable question whatever changes occur in conditions.  Other
features may enter in, such as a wide margin of protection
through collateral security or direct lien on specific property


                               B-1



<PAGE>

as in the case of high class equipment certificates or bonds that
are first mortgages on valuable real estate.  Sinking funds or
voluntary reduction of the debt by call or purchase are often
factors, while guarantee or assumption by parties other than the
original debtor may also influence the rating.

         AA. Securities in this group are of safety virtually
beyond question, and as a class are readily salable while many
are highly active.  Their merits are not greatly unlike those of
the AAA class, but a security so rated may be of junior through
strong lien--in many cases directly following an AAA security--or
the margin of safety is less strikingly broad.  The issue may be
the obligation of a small company, strongly secured but
influenced as to ratings by the lesser financial power of the
enterprise and more local type of market.

         A. A securities are strong investments and in many cases
of highly active market, but are not so heavily protected as the
two upper classes or possibly are of similar security but less
quickly salable.  As a class they are more sensitive in standing
and market to material changes in current earnings of the
company. With favoring conditions such securities are likely to
work into a high rating, but in occasional instances changes
cause the rating to be lowered.

STANDARD & POOR'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

         A is the highest commercial paper rating category
utilized by S&P, which uses the number 1+, 1, 2 and 3 to denote
relative strength within its A classification.  Commercial paper
issues rated A by S&P have the following characteristics:
Liquidity ratios are better than industry average.  Long-term
debt rating is A or better.  The issuer has access to at least
two additional channels of borrowing.  Basic earnings and cash
flow are in an upward trend.  Typically, the issuer is a strong
company in a well-established industry and has superior
management.

MOODY'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

         Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting
institutions) have a superior capacity for repayment of short-
term promissory obligations.  Prime-1 repayment capacity will
normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:  Leading
market positions in well established industries; high rates of
return on funds employed; conservative capitalization structures
with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad
margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation; well established access to a range of
financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.



                               B-2



<PAGE>

         Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting
institutions) have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations.  This will normally be evidenced by many
of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more
subject to variation.  Capitalization characteristics, while
still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions.
Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

         Issuers rated Prime-3 (or related supporting
institutions) have an acceptable capacity for repayment of short-
term promissory obligations.  The effect of industry
characteristics and market composition may be more pronounced.
Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes
in the level of debt protection measurements and the requirement
for relatively high financial leverage.  Adequate alternate
liquidity is maintained.

FITCH-1, FITCH-2, DUFF 1 AND DUFF 2 COMMERCIAL
PAPER RATINGS

         Commercial paper rated "Fitch-1" is considered to be the
highest grade paper and is regarded as having the strongest
degree of assurance for timely payment.  "Fitch-2" is considered
very good grade paper and reflects an assurance of timely payment
only slightly less in degree than the strongest issue.

         Commercial paper issues rated "Duff 1" by Duff & Phelps,
Inc. have the following characteristics:  very high certainty of
timely payment, excellent liquidity factors supported by strong
fundamental protection factors, and risk factors which are very
small.  Issues rated "Duff 2" have a good certainty of timely
payment, sound liquidity factors and company fundamentals, small
risk factors, and good access to capital markets.



















                               B-3



<PAGE>

_______________________________________________________________

                           APPENDIX C
            FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES
                CONTRACTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES
_______________________________________________________________

FUTURES CONTRACTS

         The Fund may enter into contracts for the purchase or
sale for future delivery of fixed-income securities or foreign
currencies, or contracts based on financial indices including any
index of U.S. Government Securities, foreign government
securities or corporate debt securities.  U.S. futures contracts
have been designed by exchanges which have been designated
"contracts markets" by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
("CFTC"), and must be executed through a futures commission
merchant, or brokerage firm, which is a member of the relevant
contract market. Futures contracts trade on a number of exchange
markets, and, through their clearing corporations, the exchanges
guarantee performance of the contracts as between the clearing
members of the exchange.  The Fund will enter into futures
contracts which are based on debt securities that are backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, such as long-
term U.S. Treasury Bonds, Treasury Notes, Government National
Mortgage Association modified pass-through mortgage-backed
securities and three-month U.S. Treasury Bills.  The Fund may
also enter into futures contracts which are based on bonds issued
by entities other than the U.S. government.

         At the same time a futures contract is purchased or
sold, the Fund must allocate cash or securities as a deposit
payment ("initial deposit").  It is expected that the initial,
deposit would be approximately 1-1/2%-5% of a contract's face
value.  Daily thereafter, the futures contract is valued and the
payment of "variation margin" may be required, since each day the
Fund would provide or receive cash that reflects any decline or
increase in the contracts value.

         At the time of delivery of securities pursuant to such a
contract, adjustments are made to recognize differences in value
arising from the delivery of securities with a different interest
rate from that specified in the contract.  In some (but not many)
cases, securities called for by a futures contract may not have
been issued when the contract was written.

         Although futures contracts by their terms call for the
actual delivery or acquisition of securities, in most cases the
contractual obligation is fulfilled before the date of the
contract without having to make or take delivery of the
securities.  The offsetting of a contractual obligation is


                               C-1



<PAGE>

accomplished by buying (or selling, as the case may be) on a
commodities exchange an identical futures contract calling for
delivery in the same month.  Such a transaction, which is
effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation
to make or take delivery of the securities.  Since all
transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled
through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the
contracts are traded, the Fund will incur brokerage fees when it
purchases or sells futures contracts.

         The purpose of the acquisition or sale of a futures
contract, in the case of a portfolio, such as the portfolio of
the Fund, which holds or intends to acquire fixed-income
securities, is to attempt to protect the Fund from fluctuations
in interest or foreign exchange rates without actually buying or
selling fixed-income securities or foreign currency.  For
example, if interest rates were expected to increase, the Fund
might enter into futures contracts for the sale of debt
securities.  Such a sale would have much the same effect as
selling an equivalent value of the debt securities owned by the
Fund.  If interest rates did increase, the value of the debt
securities in the portfolio would decline, but the value of the
futures contracts to the Fund would increase at approximately the
same rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund from
declining as much as it otherwise would have.  The Fund could
accomplish similar results by selling debt securities and
investing in bonds with short maturities when interest rates are
expected to increase.  However, since the futures market is more
liquid than the cash market, the use of futures contracts as an
investment technique allows the Fund to maintain a defensive
position without having to sell its portfolio securities.

         Similarly, when it is expected that interest rates may
decline, futures contracts may be purchased to attempt to hedge
against anticipated purchases of debt securities at higher
prices. Since the fluctuations in the value of futures contracts
should be similar to those of debt securities, the Fund could
take advantage of the anticipated rise in the value of debt
securities without actually buying them until the market had
stabilized.  At that time, the futures contracts could be
liquidated and the Fund could then buy debt securities on the
cash market.  To the extent the Fund enters into futures
contracts for this purpose, the assets in the segregated asset
account maintained to cover the Fund's obligations with respect
to such futures contracts will consist of cash, cash equivalents
or high quality liquid debt securities from its portfolio in an
amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market
value of such futures contracts and the aggregate value of the
initial and variation margin payments made by the Fund with
respect to such futures contracts.



                               C-2



<PAGE>

         The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and
futures markets, due to differences in the nature of those
markets, are subject to distortions.  First, all participants in
the futures market are subject to initial deposit and variation
margin requirements.  Rather than meeting additional variation
margin requirements, investors may close futures contracts
through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal
relationship between the cash and futures markets.  Second, the
liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering
into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking
delivery.  To the extent participants decide to make or take
delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus
producing distortion.  Third, from the point of view of
speculators, the margin deposit requirements in the futures
market are less onerous than margin requirements in the
securities market.  Therefore, increased participation by
speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price
distortions.  Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct
forecast of general interest rate trends by the Adviser may still
not result in a successful transaction.

         In addition, futures contracts entail risks.  Although
the Fund believes, that use of such contracts will benefit the
Fund, if the Adviser's investment judgment about the general
direction of interest rates is incorrect, the Fund's overall
performance would be poorer than if it had not entered into any
such contract.  For example, if the Fund has hedged against the
possibility of an increase in interest rates which would
adversely affect the price of debt securities held in its
portfolio and interest rates decrease instead, the Fund will lose
part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its debt
securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting
losses in its futures positions.  In addition, in such
situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to
sell debt securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation
margin requirements.  Such sales of bonds may be, but will not
necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising
market.  The Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it
may be disadvantageous to do so.

OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS

         The Fund intends to purchase and write options on
futures contracts for hedging purposes.  The purchase of a call
option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the
purchase of a call option on an individual security.  Depending
on the pricing of the option compared to either the price of the
futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the
underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than
ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt securities.
As with the purchase of futures contracts, when the Fund is not


                               C-3



<PAGE>

fully invested it may purchase a call option on a futures
contract to hedge against a market advance due to declining
interest rates.

         The writing of a call option on a futures contract
constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the
security or foreign currency which is deliverable upon exercise
of the futures contract.  If the futures price at expiration of
the option is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the
full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge
against any decline that may have occurred in the Fund's
portfolio holdings.  The writing of a put option on a futures
contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of
the security or foreign currency which is deliverable upon
exercise of the futures contract.  If the futures price at
expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, the
Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which
provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of
securities which the Fund intends to purchase.  If a put or call
option the Fund has written is exercised, the Fund will incur a
loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it
receives.  Depending on the degree of correlation between changes
in the value of its portfolio securities and changes in the value
of its futures positions, the Fund's losses from existing options
on futures may to some extent be reduced or increased by changes
in the value of portfolio securities.

         The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is
similar in some respects to the purchase of protective put
options on portfolio securities.  For example, the Fund may
purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge the Fund's
portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.

         The amount of risk the Fund assumes when it purchases an
option on a futures contract is the premium paid for the option
plus related transaction costs.  In addition to the correlation
risks discussed above, the purchase of an option also entails the
risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures contract
will not be fully reflected in the value of the option purchased.

OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES

         The Fund may purchase and write options on foreign
currencies for hedging purposes in a manner similar to that in
which futures contracts on foreign currencies, or forward
contracts, will be utilized.  For example, a decline in the
dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio securities
are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such securities,
even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant.  In
order to protect against such diminutions in the value of
portfolio securities, the Fund may purchase put options on the


                               C-4



<PAGE>

foreign currency.  If the value of the currency does decline, the
Fund will have the right to sell such currency for a fixed amount
in dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in part, the
adverse effect on its portfolio which otherwise would have
resulted.

         Conversely, where a rise in the dollar value of a
currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated is
projected, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the
Fund may purchase call options thereon.  The purchase of such
options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the
adverse movements in exchange rates.  As in the case of other
types of options, however, the benefit to the Fund deriving from
purchases of foreign currency options will be reduced by the
amount of the premium and related transaction costs.  In
addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the
direction or to the extent anticipated the Fund could sustain
losses on transactions in foreign currency options which would
require it to forego a portion or all of the benefits of
advantageous changes in such rates.

         The Fund may write options on foreign currencies for the
same types of hedging purposes.  For example, where the Fund
anticipates a decline in the dollar value of foreign currency
denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations in exchange
rates it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a call
option on the relevant currency.  If the expected decline occurs,
the option will most likely not be exercised, and the diminution
in value of portfolio securities will be offset by the amount of
the premium received.

         Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to hedge
against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities
to be acquired, the Fund could write a put option on the relevant
currency which, if rates move in the manner projected, will
expire unexercised and allow the Fund to hedge such increased
cost up to the amount of the premium.  As in the case of other
types of options, however, the writing of a foreign currency
option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of
the premium, and only if rates move in the expected direction. If
this does not occur, the option may be exercised and the Fund
would be required to purchase or sell the underlying currency at
a loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium.
Through the writing of options on foreign currencies, the Fund
also may be required to forego all or a portion of the benefits
which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements
in exchange rates.

         The Fund intends to write covered call options on
foreign currencies.  A call option written on a foreign currency
by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying foreign


                               C-5



<PAGE>

currency covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate
right to acquire that foreign currency without additional cash
consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a
segregated account by its Custodian) upon conversion or exchange
of other foreign currency held in its portfolio.  A call option
is also covered if the Fund has a call on the same foreign
currency and in the same principal amount as the call written
where the exercise price of the call held (a) is equal to or less
than the exercise price of the call written or (b) is greater
than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is
maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government Securities and
other high quality liquid debt securities in a segregated account
with its Custodian.

         The Fund also intends to write call options on foreign
currencies that are not covered for cross-hedging purposes.  A
call option on a foreign currency is for cross-hedging purposes
if it is not covered, but is designed to provide a hedge against
a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the Fund
owns or has the right to acquire and which is denominated in the
currency underlying the option due to an adverse change in the
exchange rate.  In such circumstances, the Fund collateralizes
the option by maintaining in a segregated account with the Fund's
Custodian, cash or U.S. government securities or other high
quality liquid debt securities in an amount not less than the
value of the underlying foreign currency in U.S. dollars marked
to market daily.

ADDITIONAL RISKS OF OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS, FORWARD
CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES

         Unlike transactions entered into by the Fund in futures
contracts, options on foreign currencies and forward contracts
are not traded on contract markets regulated by the CFTC or (with
the exception of certain foreign currency options) by the SEC. To
the contrary, such instruments are traded through financial
institutions acting as market-makers, although foreign currency
options are also traded on certain national securities exchanges,
such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board
Options Exchange, subject to SEC regulation.  Similarly, options
on currencies may be traded over-the-counter.  In an over-the-
counter trading environment, many of the protections afforded to
exchange participants will not be available.  For example, there
are no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market
movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a
period of time.  Although the purchaser of an option cannot lose
more than the amount of the premium plus related transaction
costs, this entire amount could be lost.  Moreover, the option
writer and a trader of forward contracts could lose amounts
substantially in excess of their initial investments, due to the



                               C-6



<PAGE>

margin and collateral requirements associated with such
positions.

         Options on foreign currencies traded on national
securities exchanges are within the jurisdiction of the SEC, as
are other securities traded on such exchanges.  As a result, many
of the protections provided to traders on organized exchanges
will be available with respect to such transactions.  In
particular, all foreign currency option positions entered into on
a national securities exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the
Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), thereby reducing the risk
of counterparty default.  Further, a liquid secondary market in
options traded on a national securities exchange may be more
readily available than in the over-the-counter market,
potentially permitting the Fund to liquidate open positions at a
profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to limit losses in the
event of adverse market movements.

         The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign
currency options, however, is subject to the risks of the
availability of a liquid secondary market described above, as
well as the risks regarding adverse market movements, margining
of options written, the nature of the foreign currency market,
possible intervention by governmental authorities and the effects
of other political and economic events.  In addition, exchange-
traded options on foreign currencies involve certain risks not
presented by the over-the-counter market.  For example, exercise
and settlement of such options must be made exclusively through
the OCC, which has established banking relationships in
applicable foreign countries for this purpose.  As a result, the
OCC may, if it determines that foreign governmental restrictions
or taxes would prevent the orderly settlement of foreign currency
option exercises, or would result in undue burdens on the OCC or
its clearing member, impose special procedures on exercise and
settlement, such as technical changes in the mechanics of
delivery of currency, the fixing of dollar settlement prices or
prohibitions on exercise.

         In addition, futures contracts, options on futures
contracts, forward contracts and options on foreign currencies
may be traded on foreign exchanges.  Such transactions are
subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in
or the prices of foreign currencies or securities.  The value of
such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other
complex foreign political and economic factors, (ii) lesser
availability than in the United States of data, on which to make
trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon
economic events occurring in foreign markets during nonbusiness
hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different
exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin



                               C-7



<PAGE>

requirements than in the United States, and (v) lesser trading
volume.



















































                               C-8



<PAGE>

_______________________________________________________________

            APPENDIX D: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
                    THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES
_______________________________________________________________

Territory and Population

         The United Mexican States ("Mexico") occupies a
territory of approximately 1.97 million square kilometers (759
thousand square miles).  To the north, Mexico shares a border
with the United States of America, and to the south it has
borders with Guatemala and Belize.  Its coastline is along both
the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.  Mexico comprises 31
states and a Federal District (Mexico City).  It is the second
most populous nation in Latin America, with an estimated
population of 91.1 million, as reported by the National Institute
of Statistics, Geography and Informatics in 1995.

         Mexico's three largest cities are Mexico City,
Guadalajara and Monterrey, with estimated populations in 1995 of
16.4 million, 3.3 million and 2.9 million, respectively.  In the
1980s, Government efforts concerning family planning and birth
control, together with declining birth rates among women under 35
and those living in urban areas, have resulted in a reduction of
the population growth rate to a projected 1.6% in 1997. 

Government

         The present form of government was established by the
Constitution, which took effect on May 1, 1917.  The Constitution
establishes Mexico as a Federal Republic and provides for the
separation of the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
The President and the members of Congress are elected by popular
vote of Mexican citizens over 18 years of age.

         Executive authority is vested in the President, who is
elected for a single six-year term.  The executive branch
consists of 17 ministries, the office of the Federal Attorney
General, the Federal District Department and the office of the
Attorney General of the Federal District. 

         Federal Legislative authority is vested in the Congress,
which is composed of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
Senators serve a six-year term.  Deputies serve a three-year
term, and neither Senators nor Deputies may serve consecutive
terms in the same Chamber.  The Senate has 128 members, four from
each state and four from the Federal District.  The Chamber of
Deputies has 500 members, of whom 300 are elected by direct vote
from the electoral districts and 200 are elected by a system of
proportional representation.  The Constitution provides that the


                               D-1



<PAGE>

President may veto bills and that Congress may override such
vetoes with a two-thirds majority of each Chamber.  

         Federal Judicial authority is vested in the Supreme
Court of Justice, the Circuit and District courts, and the
Federal Judicial Board.  The Supreme Court has 11 members who are
selected by the Senate from a pool of candidates nominated by the
President.  Its members serve for 15 year terms, except for the
current members of the Court, whose appointments range from eight
to 20 years.

         Mexico has diplomatic relations with approximately 176
countries.  It is a charter member of the United Nations and a
founding member of the Organization of American States, the
International Monetary Fund (the "IMF"), the World Bank, the
International Finance Corporation, the Inter-American Development
Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Mexico became a member of the Organization for Economic
Corporation and Development (the "OECD") on April 14, 1994 and
the World Trade Organization ("WTO") on January 1, 1995 (the date
on which the WTO superseded the General Agreement on Trade and
Tariffs ("GATT")).

Politics

         The Partido Revolucionario Institucional ("PRI") is the
dominant political party in Mexico.  Since 1929 the PRI has won
all presidential elections and until the 1997 Congressional
elections held a majority in Congress.  Until 1989 it had also
won all of the state governorships.  The oldest opposition party
in Mexico is the Partido Accion Nacional ("PAN").  The third
major party in Mexico is the Partido de la Revolucion Democratica
("PRD"). 

         On August 21, 1994, elections were held to select a new
President of Mexico for a six-year term beginning on December 1,
1994.  In addition, elections were held for three-quarters of the
Senate and the entire Chamber of Deputies.  The candidate of the
PRI, Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon, won the Presidential election
with 48.77% of the votes, the candidate of the PAN was second
with 25.94% of the votes and the PRD candidate was third with
16.6% of the votes.  With respect to the Congressional elections,
the PRI maintained its majority in both chambers, with 93 seats
in the Senate and 298 seats in the Chamber of Deputies.  The PAN
had the second largest representation with 25 seats in the Senate
and 118 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and the PRD had the
third largest representation with 10 seats in the Senate and 70
seats in the Chamber of Deputies.  The PRI won two additional
seats pursuant to proportional representation and the PAN and the
PRD each won one seat in extraordinary elections held on
April 30, 1995.  In the mid-term Congressional elections on


                               D-2



<PAGE>

July 6, 1997, the PRI lost its majority in the Chamber of
Deputies and now holds 239 of its 500 seats.  Elections will next
be held by 2000 (Presidential).

         At the beginning of 1994 armed insurgents attacked (and
in some cases temporarily seized control of) several villages in
the southern state of Chiapas.  While the Government responded by
providing support to the local authorities and publicly offering
to negotiate a peaceful resolution that would address the
underlying concerns of the local population, the conflict
remained a source of debate and uncertainty for the remainder of
the year.  Negotiations with the insurgents continued through the
spring of 1994, but subsequently were broken off.  In December of
1994, the Congress approved the creation of a Congressional peace
commission, to be formed by members of both chambers of Congress,
which would be responsible for mediating the negotiations between
the Government and the insurgents.  By the end of 1994, however,
the insurgents had not agreed to resume negotiations and there
were additional incidents of civil unrest.

         In the Spring of 1995, the Government renewed its
efforts to resolve its differences with the insurgents in the
Chiapas region by facilitating their participation in the
political process.  On March 9, 1995, Congress approved a law
granting temporary amnesty to insurgents who participate in peace
talks with the Government, and on March 13, 1995, the law
establishing the framework for these peace talks took effect.  On
September 11, 1995, the Government and the insurgents reached an
agreement pursuant to which both sides accepted a common
political agenda and procedural rules, and agreed to the creation
of a working committee regarding the rights of indigenous
peoples.  This agreement was expected to represent a first step
toward a comprehensive peace agreement between the parties.  The
working committee began negotiations on October 17, 1995 and
concluded a second round of meetings on November 19, 1995 having
made significant progress in laying out the framework for a
plenary session that took place from January 10 through
January 19, 1996.  The attendees at the plenary session drafted
an agreement on a series of measures aimed at enhancing and
guaranteeing the rights of the indigenous population.  The
agreement was signed on February 16, 1996.  Talks with the
insurgents are currently on hold.

         On August 28, 1996, a newly formed group calling itself
the Popular Revolutionary Army attacked military and police
targets in small cities of some southern states of Mexico.  It is
generally believed that this group does not enjoy popular
support, and its terrorists attacks have been condemned by both
Government and nongovernment representatives.  The Government has
announced the apprehension of several alleged members of the
group.


                               D-3



<PAGE>

         In addition to the civil unrest in Chiapas, certain
national developments have led to disillusionment among the
electorate with the institutions of government.  These events
include the assassination of Luis Donaldo Colosio, the likely
successor to former President Salinas and the murder of Mr. Jose
Francisco Ruiz Massieu, a high-ranking PRI official.  There have
also been mushrooming revelations linking Mexico's drug cartels
with high Government and military officials.  These revelations
could jeopardize Mexico's status as an ally of the U.S. in the
war against narcotics smuggling.  While Mexico is currently
certified as an ally there is no assurance that the certification
will be maintained.  A loss of certification could result in the
termination of U.S. economic assistance to Mexico.

         On January 17, 1995, the major political parties of
Mexico entered into a new accord to further the opening of the
political process in Mexico.  On July 25, 1996, the Mexican
Government announced certain proposed constitutional amendments
aimed at reforming the electoral law that were ratified on
August 22, 1996.  The amendments, which had been agreed to by the
President and the leaders of the four major political parties
represented in Congress, among other things, exclude the
President from the Federal Electoral Institute, an autonomous
agency charged with organizing elections; eliminate the Electoral
Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, which had been responsible
for determining the validity of presidential elections; impose
limits on expenditures on political campaigns and controls on the
source of and uses of funds contributed to a political party;
grant voting rights to Mexican citizens residing abroad; reduce
from 315 to 300 the maximum number of congressional
representatives who may belong to a single party, and establish
an electoral procedure intended to result in a more proportional
representation in the Senate.  The Mexican Supreme Court is
empowered to determine the constitutionality of electoral laws
and the Mexican Federal Electoral Court, which has been part of
the executive branch, will become part of the judicial branch.

Money and Banking 

         Banco de Mexico, chartered in 1925, is the central bank
of Mexico.  It is the Federal Government's primary authority for
the execution of monetary policy and the regulation of currency
and credit.  It is authorized by law to regulate interest rates
payable on time deposits, to establish minimum reserve
requirements for credit institutions and to provide discount
facilities for certain types of bank loans.  The currency unit of
Mexico is the Peso.  Mexico repealed its exchange control rules
in 1991 and now maintains only a market exchange rate.

         A constitutional amendment relating to Banco de Mexico's
activities and role within the Mexican economy became effective


                               D-4



<PAGE>

on August 23, 1993.  The amendment's purpose was to reinforce the
independence of Banco de Mexico, which may in the future act as a
counterbalance to the executive and legislative branches in
monetary policy matters.  The amendment significantly strengthens
Banco de Mexico's authority with respect to monetary policy,
foreign exchange and related activities and the regulation of the
financial services industry.  On April 1, 1994, a new law
governing the activities of Banco de Mexico became effective.
The new law was intended to put into effect the greater degree of
autonomy granted to Banco de Mexico under the constitutional
amendment described above and also established a Foreign Exchange
Commission charged with determining the nation's exchange rate
policies.  

Trade Reform

         Mexico became a member of the GATT in 1986 and has been
a member of the WTO since January 1, 1995, the date on which the
WTO superseded the GATT.  Mexico has also entered into NAFTA with
the United States and Canada.  In addition, Mexico signed a
framework for a free trade agreement in 1992 with Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua as a step toward
establishing a free-trade area by the end of 1997, and entered
into a definitive free trade agreement with Costa Rica in April
1994.  A free trade agreement between Mexico and Chile went into
effect on January 1, 1992.  A free trade agreement with Colombia
and Venezuela was signed in June 1994 and a similar agreement
with Bolivia was signed in September 1994; both agreements
entered into force in January 1995.  In connection with the
implementation of NAFTA, amendments to several laws relating to
financial services (including the Banking Law and the Securities
Market Law) became effective on January 1, 1994.  These measures
permit non-Mexican financial groups and financial intermediaries,
through Mexican subsidiaries, to engage in various activities in
the Mexican financial system, including banking and securities
activities. 

Economic Information Regarding Mexico

         During the period from World War II through the mid-
1970's, Mexico experienced sustained economic growth.  During the
mid 1970's, Mexico experienced high inflation and, as a result,
the government embarked on a high-growth strategy based on oil
exports and external borrowing.  The steep decline in oil prices
in 1981 and 1982, together with high international interest rates
and the credit markets' unwillingness to refinance maturing
external Mexican credits, led in 1982 to record inflation,
successive devaluations of the peso by almost 500% in total, a
pubic sector deficit of 16.9% of GDP and, in August 1982, a
liquidity crisis that precipitated subsequent restructurings of a
large portion of the country's external debt.  Through much of


                               D-5



<PAGE>

the 1980's, the Mexican economy continued to experience high
inflation and large foreign indebtedness.  In February 1990,
Mexico became the first Latin American country to reach an
agreement with external creditor banks and multi-national
agencies under the U.S. Treasury's approach to debt reduction
known as the "Brady Plan."  

         The value of the peso has been central to the
performance of the Mexican economy.  From late 1982 until
November 11, 1991, Mexico maintained a dual foreign exchange rate
system, with a "controlled" rate and a "free market" rate.  The
controlled exchange rate applied to certain imports and exports
of goods, advances and payments of registered foreign debt and
funds used in connection with the in-bond industry (the industry
is comprised of companies which import raw materials without
paying a duty), and payments of royalties and technical
assistance under registered agreements requiring such payments.
The free market rate was used for all other types of
transactions.  The dual system assisted in controlling the value
of the Mexican Peso, particularly from 1983 to 1985.  In later
years the difference between the two rates was not significant.
Mexico has since repealed the controlled rate.

         A fixed exchange rate was maintained from February to
December 1988.  Thereafter, under a Government implemented
devaluation schedule, the intended annual rate of devaluation was
gradually lowered from 16.7% in 1989 to 11.4% in 1990, 4.5% in
1991 and 2.4% in 1992.  From October 1992 through December 20,
1994, the peso/dollar exchange rate was allowed to fluctuate
within a band that widened daily.  The ceiling of the band, which
was the maximum selling rate, depreciated at a daily rate of
0.0004 pesos (equal to approximately 4.5% per year), while the
floor of the band, i.e., the minimum buying rate, remained fixed.
Banco de Mexico agreed to intervene in the foreign exchange
market to the extent that the peso/dollar exchange rate reached
either the floor or the ceiling of the band.

         RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.  Beginning on January 1, 1994,
volatility in the peso/dollar exchange rate began to increase,
with the value of the peso relative to the dollar declining at
one point to an exchange rate of 3.375 pesos to the U.S. Dollar,
a decline of approximately 8.69% from the high of 3.1050 pesos
reached in early February.  This increased volatility was
attributed to a number of political and economic factors,
including a growing current account deficit, the relative
overvaluation of the peso, investor reactions to the increase in
U.S. interest rates, lower than expected economic growth in
Mexico in 1993, uncertainty concerning the Mexican Presidential
elections in August 1994 and certain related developments.  




                               D-6



<PAGE>

         On December 20, 1994, increased pressure on the
peso/dollar exchange rate led Mexico to increase the ceiling of
the Banco de Mexico intervention band.  That action proved
insufficient to address the concerns of foreign investors, and
the demand for foreign currency continued.  On December 22, the
Government adopted a free exchange rate policy, eliminating the
intervention band and allowing the peso to float freely against
the dollar.  The value of the peso continued to weaken relative
to the dollar in the following days.  There was substantial
volatility in the peso/dollar exchange during the first quarter
of 1995, with the peso/dollar exchange rate falling to a low
point of 7.588 pesos to the U.S. Dollar on March 13, 1995.  By
the end of April and through September 1995, the exchange rate
began to stabilize; however, the exchange rate began to show
signs of renewed volatility in October and November 1995.  The
peso/dollar exchange rate fell to a low for the year of 8.14
pesos to the U.S. Dollar on November 13, 1995.  The peso/dollar
exchange rate announced by Banco de Mexico on October 27, 1997
(to take effect on the second business day thereafter) for the
payment of obligations denominated in dollars and payable in
pesos was 8.39 pesos to the U.S. Dollar. 

         In order to address the adverse economic situation that
developed at the end of 1994, the Government announced in January
1995 a new economic program and a new accord among the Government
and the business and labor sectors of the economy, which,
together with a subsequent program announced in March 1995 and
the international support package described below, formed the
basis of Mexico's 1995 economic plan (the "1995 Economic Plan").
The objectives of the 1995 Economic Plan were to stabilize the
financial markets, lay the foundation for a return to lower
inflation rates over the medium-term, preserve Mexico's
international competitiveness, maintain the solvency of the
banking system and attempt to reassure long-term investors of the
strong underlying fundamentals of the Mexican economy.

         The central elements of the 1995 Economic Plan were
fiscal reform, aimed at increasing public revenues through price
and tax adjustments and reducing public sector expenditures;
restrictive monetary policy, characterized by limited credit
expansion; stabilization of the exchange rate while maintaining
the current floating exchange rate policy; reduction of the
current account deficit; introduction of certain financial
mechanisms to enhance the stability of the banking sector; and
maintenance and enhancement of certain social programs, to ease
the transition for the poorest segments of society.

         In addition to the actions described above, in the
beginning of 1995, the Government engaged in a series of
discussions with the IMF, the World Bank, the Inter-American
Development Bank and the U.S. and Canadian Governments in order


                               D-7



<PAGE>

to obtain the international financial support necessary to
relieve Mexico's liquidity crisis and aid in restoring financial
stability to Mexico's economy.  The proceeds of the loans and
other financial support have been and will be used to refinance
public sector short-term debt, primarily Tesobonos, to restore
the country's international reserves and to support the banking
sector.  The largest component of the international support
package is up to $20 billion in support from the United States
pursuant to four related agreements entered into on February 21,
1995.  During 1995, the U.S. Government and the Canadian
Government disbursed $13.7 billion of proceeds to Mexico under
these agreements and the North American Framework Agreement
("NAFA"), the proceeds of which were used by Mexico to refinance
maturing short-term debt, including Tesobonos and $1 billion of
short-term swaps under the NAFA.

         Using resources made available through the international
support package as well as operations by Banco de Mexico, in 1995
Mexico altered its debt profile significantly.  The outstanding
Tesobono balance was reduced from $29.2 billion at December 31,
1994 to $16.2 billion at the end of the first quarter of 1995,
$10.0 billion at the end of the second quarter, $2.5 billion at
the end of the third quarter and $246 million at the end of the
fourth quarter.  By February 16, 1996, Mexico had no Tesobonos
outstanding, and has not issued Tesobonos since that date.  As of
December 31, 1996, 100% of Mexico's net internal debt was
denominated and payable in pesos, as compared with only 44.3% of
such debt at the end of 1994.

         On May 31, 1995, the Government announced the Plan
Nacional de Desarrollo 1995-2000 (1995-2000 National Development
Plan, or the "Development Plan").  The Development Plan covers
five topics:  sovereignty; the rule of law; democratic
development; social development; and economic growth.  The
fundamental strategic objective of the Development Plan is to
promote vigorous and sustainable economic growth.  Among other
things, the Development Plan calls for steps to increase domestic
savings, preferences for channeling foreign investment into
direct productive investment, the elimination of unnecessary
regulatory obstacles to foreign participation in productive
activities and further deregulation of the economy.

         On October 29, 1995, the Government announced the
establishment of a new accord among the Government and the
business, labor and agricultural sectors of the economy known as
the Alianza para la Recuperacion Economica (Alliance for Economic
Recovery or "ARE").  The chief objectives of the ARE, which was
replaced by the ACE (as defined below), were to stimulate
economic recovery and job creation, and to strengthen the basis
for gradual and sustainable economic growth.



                               D-8



<PAGE>

         On October 26, 1996, the Government announced the
establishment of another accord among the Government and the
business, labor and agricultural sectors of the economy known as
the Alianza para el Crecimiento Economico (Alliance for Economic
Growth or "ACE").  The chief objectives of the ACE are to foster
sustainable economic growth by emphasizing (i) the export sector,
particularly through domestic and foreign investment, (ii) public
investment, particularly in the hydrocarbon, electricity,
transportation and water sectors, private consumption and
(iii) fiscal and monetary discipline in order to encourage an
environment of greater price stability and lower interest rates.

         On June 3, 1997, the Government announced the Programa
Nacional de Financiamiento del Desarrollo 1997-2000 (National
Development Financing Program 1997-2000, or "PRONAFIDE").  The
PRONAFIDE's goals are to:  (i) achieve, on average, real GDP
growth of 5% per year, (ii) generate more than one million jobs
per year, (iii) increase real wages and salaries, (iv) strengthen
the capacity of the Government to respond to social needs and
(v) avoid an economic crisis of the type suffered by Mexico
during the past 20 years. 

         The effects of the devaluation of the peso, as well as
the Government's response to that and related events, were
apparent in the performance of the Mexican economy during 1995
and 1996.  Recent trade figures show a reversal of Mexico's trade
deficit during 1995.  The value of imports (including in-bond
industries) decreased by 8.7% between 1994 and 1995, to $72.5
billion in 1995.  Although the value of imports (including in-
bond industries) in 1996 increased approximately 23.4% from 1995,
to $89.5 billion, exports increased by almost the same amount.
During 1995, Mexico registered a $7.089 billion trade surplus,
its first annual trade surplus since 1989.  Mexico registered a
surplus in its trade balance of $6.531 billion during 1996, down
approximately 7.9% from 1995.  During 1996, Mexico's current
account balance registered a deficit of $1.922 billion, as
compared with a deficit of $1.577 billion in 1995.

         Banco de Mexico is currently disclosing reserve figures
on a weekly basis.  On December 31, 1996, Mexico's international
reserves amounted to $17,509 million, as compared to $15,741
million at December 31, 1995, $6,148 million at December 31, 1994
and $24,538 million at December 31, 1993.

         During 1995 real GDP decreased by 6.9%, as compared with
a growth rate of 3.5% during 1994.  This downward trend continued
into the first quarter of 1996, but turned around in the second
quarter of 1996.  The real GDP continued to grow in the third and
fourth quarters of 1996, resulting in an overall GDP growth rate
of 5.1% for 1996.  According to preliminary estimates, the GDP
continued to grow by 5.1% during the first quarter of 1997,


                               D-9



<PAGE>

compared to the first quarter of 1996.  The Government currently
projects a 4.5% increase in the GDP for 1997.  Although the
Mexican economy has stabilized, there can be no assurance that
the government's plan will lead to a full recovery. 

Statistical and Related Information
Concerning Mexico

         The following provides certain statistical and related
information regarding historical rates of exchange between the
U.S. Dollar and the Mexican Peso, information concerning
inflation rates, historical information regarding the Mexican GDP
and information concerning interest rates on certain Mexican
Government Securities. Historical information is not necessarily
indicative of future fluctuations or exchange rates.  In 1982,
Mexico imposed strict foreign exchange controls which shortly
thereafter were relaxed and were eliminated in 1991. 

         CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES.  There is no assurance that
future regulatory actions in Mexico will not affect the Fund's
ability to obtain U.S. Dollars in exchange for Mexican Pesos.

         The following table sets forth the exchange rates of the
Mexican Peso to the U.S. Dollar with respect to each year from
1981 to 1996 and for each of the six months ended June 1997. 




























                              D-10



<PAGE>


                        Free Market Rate    Controlled Rate
                        ________________    _______________

                        End of             End of
                        Period    Average  Period    Average
                        ______    ________ _______   _______

1981. . . . . . .          26        24        --       --
1982. . . . . . .         148        57        96        57
1983. . . . . . .         161       150       143       120
1984. . . . . . .         210       185       192       167
1985. . . . . . .         447       310       371       256
1986. . . . . . .         915       637       923       611
1987. . . . . . .       2.209     1.378     2.198     1.366
1988. . . . . . .       2.281     2.273     2.257     2.250
1989. . . . . . .       2.681     2.483     2.637     2.453
1990. . . . . . .       2.943     2.838     2.939     2.807
1991. . . . . . .       3.075     3.016     3.065*    3.007*
1992. . . . . . .       3.119     3.094       --        -- 
1993. . . . . . .       3.192     3.155       --        -- 
1994. . . . . . .       5.325     3.222       --        -- 
1995. . . . . . .       7.643     6.419       --        --
1996. . . . . . .       7.851     7.598       --        --
1997
  January               7.839     7.831       --        --   
  February              7.784     7.793       --        --   
  March                 7.891     7.963       --        -- 
  April                 7.927     7.904       --        -- 
  May                   7.909     7.906       --        -- 
  June                  7.958     7.947       --        --  

* Through November 10, 1991.

Source:  Banco de Mexico.


         INFLATION AND CONSUMER PRICES.  Through much of the
1980's, the Mexican economy continued to be affected by high
inflation, low growth and high levels of domestic and foreign
indebtedness.  The annual inflation rate, as measured by the
consumer price index, rose from 28.7% in December 1981 to 159.2%
in December 1987.  In December 1987, the Mexican Government
agreed with labor and business to curb the economy's inflationary
pressures by freezing wages and prices (the "1987 accord").  The
1987 accord included the implementation of restrictive fiscal and
monetary policies, the elimination of trade barriers and the
reduction of import tariffs.  After substantive increases in
public sector prices and utility rates, price controls were
introduced.



                              D-11



<PAGE>

         The 1987 accord was succeeded by a series of additional
accords, each of which continued to stress the moderation of
inflation, fiscal discipline and a gradual devaluation of the
peso.  There was a gradual reduction in the number of goods and
services whose prices were covered by such accords.  The two most
recent of these accords also incorporated a reduction in the
income tax rate applicable to corporations and certain self-
employed individuals from 35% to 34% and a reduction in the
withholding tax applicable to interest payments on publicly
issued external debt and external debt payable to certain
financial institutions from 15% to 4.9%.  Under the later of
these two accords, tax benefits were proposed for workers
receiving salaries not exceeding twice the minimum wage and asset
taxes to be reduced to 1.8%.  These policies lowered the consumer
inflation rate from 159.2% in 1987, to 19.7% in 1989, 29.9% in
1990, 18.8% in 1991, 11.9% in 1992, 8.0% in 1993, and 7.1% in
1994.

         Over the medium-term, the Government is committed to
reversing the decline in real wages experienced in the last
decade through control of inflation, a controlled gradual upward
adjustment of wages and a reduction in income taxes for the lower
income brackets.  Nonetheless, the effect of the devaluation of
the peso and the Government's response to that event and related
developments caused a significant increase in inflation in 1995,
as well a decline in real wages for much of the population during
1995.  Inflation during 1995 (as measured by the increase in the
National Consumer Price Index), was 52.0%, as compared with 7.1%
during 1994.  Inflation during 1996 was 27.7%.  In May 1997, the
monthly consumer inflation rate was 0.9%, the first time the
monthly inflation rate was below 1% since December 1994.  The
inflation rate during the first six months of 1997 was 8.7%,
compared to 15.3% during the first six months of 1996. 

         CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.  The following table sets forth
the changes in the Mexican consumer price index for the year
ended December 31 for the years 1981 through 1996 and for the six
months ended June 30, 1997. 















                              D-12



<PAGE>


                                  Annual
                                  Increases in
                                  National Consumer
                                  Price Index     
                                  _________________

1981 .................................. 28.7%
1982................................... 98.9
1983................................... 80.8
1984................................... 59.2
1985................................... 63.7
1986...................................105.7
1987...................................159.2
1988................................... 51.7
1989...................................  9.7
1990................................... 29.9
1991................................... 18.8
1992................................... 11.9
1993...................................  8.0
1994...................................  7.1
1995................................... 52.0
1996................................... 27.7
1997(1)................................  8.7

(1)  For the six months ended June 30.

Source: Banco de Mexico.

























                              D-13



<PAGE>

         MEXICAN GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.  The following table
sets forth certain information concerning Mexico's GDP for the
years 1990 through 1996 at historical and constant prices.

                             Gross              Change from 
           Gross             Domestic Product   Prior Year at
           Domestic Product  at 1980 Prices(1)  Constant Prices
           ________________  _________________  _______________

            (millions of Mexican New Pesos)      (percentage)


1991. . . .    865,166               5,463            3.6
1992. . . .  1,019,156               5,616            2.8
1993. . . .  1,145,382               5,659            0.7
1994. .      1,272,799               5,858            3.5
1995(2).     1,604,368               5,452           (6.9)
1996(2)(3)   2,285,266               1,270.4(4)       3.0


(1) Constant peso with purchasing power at December 31, 1980,
    expressed in new pesos.
(2) Preliminary.
(3) Annualized.
(4) Constant peso with purchasing power at December 31, 1993.

Source: Ministry of Finance and Public Credit


























                              D-14



<PAGE>


         INTEREST RATES.  The following table sets forth the
average interest rates per annum on 28-day and 91-day Cetes, the
average weighted cost of term deposits for commercial banks
("CPP"), the average interest rate ("TIIP") and the equilibrium
interest rate ("TIIE") for the periods listed below:

                   Average Cetes and Interest Rates
                  _________________________________

                          28-Day   91-Day
                          Cetes    Cetes    CPP      TIIP    TIIE
                          _____    _____    _____    _____   _____

1990:
     Jan.-June            41.2     40.7     43.2%    _____   _____
     July-Dec.            28.3     29.4     31.0     _____   _____
1991:
     Jan.-June            21.2     21.7     24.3     _____   _____
     July-Dec.            17.3     18.0     20.8     _____   _____
1992:
     Jan.-June            13.8     13.8     16.9     _____   _____
     July-Dec.            17.4     18.0     20.7     _____   _____
1993:
     Jan.-June            16.4     17.3     20.9     20.4(1) _____
     July-Dec.            13.5     13.6     16.2     16.1    _____
1994:
     Jan.-June            13.0     13.5     14.2     15.3    _____
     July-Dec.            15.2     15.7     16.8     20.4    _____
1995:
     Jan.-June            55.0     54.3     49.6     63.6    71.2(2)
     July-Dec.            41.9     42.2     40.7     44.5    44.5
1996:
     Jan.-June            35.4     37.2     34.5     37.3    37.2
     July-Dec.            27.4     28.6     26.9     30.2    30.1
1997:
     January              23.6     24.6     24.1     25.9    26.0
     February             19.8     22.0     21.1     22.2    22.1
     March                21.7     22.3     21.1     24.0    24.0
     April                21.4     22.4     21.1     23.8    24.0
     May                  18.4     20.6     18.7     20.6    20.7
     June                 20.2     21.4     18.8     22.5    22.5

(1) February-June average
(2) Average for the last two weeks of March
Source: Banco de Mexico







                                D-15
00250181.AX0



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