PRICE T ROWE INDEX TRUST INC
497K3B, 2000-04-20
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                                                               April 1, 2000

 FUND PROFILE


 A fund that seeks to match the performance of the Wilshire 5000 Equity Index, a
 broad index of common stocks.


TROWEPRICELOGO

This profile summarizes key information about the fund that is included in the
fund's prospectus. The fund's prospectus includes additional information about
the fund, including a more detailed description of the risks associated with
investing in the fund that you may want to consider before you invest. You may
obtain the prospectus and other information about the fund at no cost by calling
1-800-638-5660, or by visiting our Web site at www.troweprice.com.

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                                                                           1

FUND PROFILE
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 What is the fund's objective?

   To match the performance of the entire U.S. stock market. We use the Wilshire
   5000 Equity Index to represent the market as a whole. Because the largest
   stocks carry the most weight in the index, large-capitalization stocks make
   up a substantial majority of the Wilshire 5000's value.

   The inclusion of a stock in the Wilshire index is in no way an endorsement by
   Wilshire Associates of the stock as an investment, nor is Wilshire a sponsor
   of the fund or in any way affiliated with it.


 What is the fund's principal investment strategy?

   The fund uses a sampling strategy, investing substantially all of its assets
   in a broad spectrum of small-, mid-, and large-capitalization stocks
   representative of the Wilshire 5000 Index. The fund does not attempt to fully
   replicate the index by owning each of the stocks in it. Despite its name, the
   Wilshire 5000 includes more than 7,000 stocks.

   In an attempt to recreate the Wilshire index, we select stocks in terms of
   industry, size, and other characteristics. For example, if technology stocks
   made up 15% of the Wilshire index, the fund would invest about 15% of its
   assets in technology stocks with similar characteristics. Several factors are
   considered in selecting representative stocks, including historical price
   movement, market capitalization, transaction costs, and others.

   T. Rowe Price continually compares the composition of the fund to that of the
   index. If a misweighting develops, the portfolio is rebalanced in an effort
   to bring it into line with the index. When investing cash flow, the fund may
   purchase stocks, stock index futures, or stock options. This approach is
   intended to minimize any deviations in performance between the fund and
   index.

   The fund intends to remain fully invested during all market conditions. The
   fund may sell securities primarily to rebalance its portfolio or satisfy
   redemption requests.

   Further information about the fund's investments, including a review of
   market conditions and fund strategies and their impact on performance, is
   available in the annual and semiannual shareholder reports. To obtain free
   copies of any of these documents, call 1-800-638-5660.


 What are the main risks of investing in the fund?

   The fund is designed to track broad segments of the stock market--whether
   they are rising or falling. Markets as a whole can decline for many reasons,
   including adverse political or economic developments here or abroad, changes
   in investor psychology, or heavy institutional selling.
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                                                                               2


                                                                           2

FUND PROFILE
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   Since the fund is passively managed and seeks to remain fully invested at all
   times, assets cannot be shifted from one stock or group of stocks to another
   based on their prospects, or from stocks into bonds or cash equivalents in an
   attempt to cushion the impact of a market decline. Therefore, actively
   managed funds may outperform this fund. In addition, fund returns are likely
   to be slightly below those of the index because the fund has fees and
   transaction expenses while indices have none. The timing of cash flows and a
   fund's size can also influence returns. Further, the use of sampling will
   likely result in some deviation from the fund's index. While there is no
   guarantee, the investment manager expects the correlation between the fund
   and the index to be at least .95. A correlation of 1.00 means the return of a
   fund can be completely explained by the return of an index.

   If the fund uses futures and options, it is exposed to additional volatility
   and potential losses.

   As with any mutual fund, there can be no guarantee the fund will achieve its
   objective.

  . The fund's share price may decline, so when you sell your shares, you may
   lose money. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not
   insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any
   other government agency.


 How can I tell if the fund is appropriate for me?

   Consider your investment goals, your time horizon for achieving them, and
   your tolerance for risk. If you seek a relatively low-cost way of
   participating in the U.S. equity markets through a passively managed
   portfolio and you would like to participate in the entire U.S. stock market,
   you may want to consider the fund. The fund should not represent your
   complete investment program or be used for short-term trading purposes.

   The fund can be used in both regular and tax-deferred accounts, such as IRAs.

  . Equity investors should have a long-term investment horizon and be willing
   to wait out bear markets.


 How has the fund performed in the past?

   The bar chart and the average annual total return table indicate risk by
   illustrating how much returns can differ from one year to the next. The
   fund's past performance is no guarantee of its future returns.

   The fund can also experience short-term performance swings, as shown by the
   best and worst calendar quarter returns during the year depicted in the
   chart.
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FUND PROFILE
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LOGO


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Calendar Year Total Returns
                        "99"
 -------------------------------------------------
 <S>                    <C>
                       23.25
 -------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



          Quarter ended              Total return

 Best quarter                           12/31/98 21.33%

 Worst quarter                           9/30/98 -11.86%


<TABLE>
 Table 1  Average Annual Total Returns
<CAPTION>
                                       Periods ended 3/31/00
                                                  Since inception
                                     1 year        (01/30/1998)
 ---------------------------------
 <S>                              <C>           <C>
  Total Equity Market Index Fund     23.12%           23.32%

  Wilshire 5000 Index                23.61            23.38
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



 These figures include changes in principal value, reinvested dividends, and
 capital gain distributions, if any.

  Does not include account maintenance fee which, if reflected, would reduce the
 returns shown.


 What fees or expenses will I pay?

   The fund is 100% no load. However, the fund charges a redemption fee of
   0.50%, payable to the fund, for shares held less than six months, and a
   quarterly maintenance fee of $2.50 for accounts of less than $10,000. There
   are no other fees or charges to buy or sell fund shares, reinvest dividends,
   or exchange into other T. Rowe Price funds. There are no 12b-1 fees. The fund
   has a single, all-inclusive fee covering investment management and operating
   expenses. This will not fluctuate.
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                                                                               4


                                                                           4

FUND PROFILE
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<TABLE>
 Table 1 Fees and Expenses of the Fund
<CAPTION>
                              Shareholder fees (fees
                              paid directly from your           Annual fund operating expenses
                                    investment)         (expenses that are deducted from fund assets)
                                            Account                                     Total annual
                              Redemption  maintenance    Management       Other        fund operating
                                 fee        fee/a/          fee          expenses         expenses
 <S>                          <C>         <C>          <C>             <C>           <C>                 <S>

  Total Equity Market Index     0.50%         $10      0.40%/b/        --            0.40%/b/
  Fund
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


 /a/A $2.50 quarterly fee is charged for accounts with balances less than
   $10,000.

 /b/       The management fee includes operating expenses.


   Example.  The following table gives you a rough idea of how expense ratios
   may translate into dollars and helps you to compare the cost of investing in
   this fund with that of other funds. Although your actual costs may be higher
   or lower, the table shows how much you would pay if operating expenses remain
   the same, you invest $10,000, you earn a 5% annual return, and you hold the
   investment for the following periods:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  1 year*     3 years*     5 years*      10 years*
 ----------------------------------------------------
 <S>         <C>          <C>          <C>
    $41         $128         $224           $505
 ----------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


 * Does not include account maintenance fee for accounts of less than $10,000.


 Who manages the fund?

   The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Founded in 1937, T.
   Rowe Price and its affiliates manage investments for individual and
   institutional accounts. The company offers a comprehensive array of stock,
   bond, and money market funds directly to the investing public.

   Richard T. Whitney manages the fund day-to-day and has been chairman of its
   Investment Advisory Committee since 1998. He joined T. Rowe Price in 1985 and
   has been managing investments since 1986.


 Note: The following questions and answers about buying and selling shares and
 services do not apply to employer-sponsored retirement plans. If you are a
 participant in one of these plans, please call your plan's toll-free number for
 additional information.


 How can I purchase shares?

   Fill out the New Account Form and return it with your check in the postpaid
   envelope. The minimum initial purchase is $2,500 ($1,000 for IRAs and gifts
   or transfers to minors). The minimum subsequent investment is $100 ($50 for
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FUND PROFILE
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   IRAs, gifts or transfers to minors, or Automatic Asset Builder). You can also
   open an account by bank wire, by exchanging from another T. Rowe Price fund,
   or by transferring assets from another financial institution.


 How can I sell shares?

   You may redeem or sell any portion of your account on any business day.
   Simply write to us or call. You can also access your account at any time via
   Tele*Access /(R)/ or our Web site. We offer convenient exchange among our
   entire family of domestic and international funds. Restrictions may apply in
   special circumstances, and some redemption requests need a signature
   guarantee. A $5 fee is charged for wire redemptions under $5,000.


 When will I receive income and capital gain distributions?


   The fund distributes income and net capital gains, if any, at year-end. For
   regular accounts, income and short-term gains are taxable at ordinary income
   rates, and long-term gains are taxable at the capital gains rate.
   Distributions are reinvested automatically in additional shares unless you
   choose another option, such as receiving a check. Distributions paid to IRAs
   and employer-sponsored retirement plans are automatically reinvested.


 What services are available?

   A wide range, including but not limited to:

  . retirement plans for individuals and large and small businesses;

  . automated information and transaction services by telephone or computer;

  . electronic transfers between fund and bank accounts;

  . automatic investing and automatic exchange;

  . brokerage services; and

  . asset manager accounts.
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
www.troweprice.com

LOGO
                                                                         F23-035
 T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., Distributor
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