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<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,845,925
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 26,572,124
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,841,669
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7,207,281
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 219,249,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 14.13
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.63
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.65)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.11
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.98
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000860916
<NAME> PRUDENTIAL MULTI-SECTOR FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 003
<NAME> MULTI-SECTOR FUND (CLASS C)
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 376,825,034
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 424,217,825
<RECEIVABLES> 7,874,712
<ASSETS-OTHER> 7,893,956
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 13,449,580
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 10,045,192
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 352,196,308
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 31,305,092
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 33,473,389
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 2,351,373
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 14,632,498
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 47,311,542
<NET-ASSETS> (64,778,481)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 5,346,239
<INTEREST-INCOME> 2,316,393
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 7,207,281
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 455,351
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 42,517,921
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (20,779,387)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 22,193,885
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (53,476,827)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> (464,569)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 116,532,381
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (196,343,364)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 50,651,007
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (60,907,487)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,845,925
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 26,572,124
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,841,669
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7,207,281
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 4,708,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 14.13
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.63
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.65)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.11
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.98
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000860916
<NAME> PRUDENTIAL MULTI-SECTOR FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 004
<NAME> MULTI-SECTOR FUND (CLASS Z)
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 376,825,034
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 424,217,825
<RECEIVABLES> 7,874,712
<ASSETS-OTHER> 7,893,956
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 13,449,580
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 10,045,192
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 352,196,308
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 31,305,092
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 33,473,389
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 2,351,373
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 14,632,498
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 47,311,542
<NET-ASSETS> (64,778,481)
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 5,346,239
<INTEREST-INCOME> 2,316,393
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 7,207,281
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 455,351
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 42,517,921
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (20,779,387)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 22,193,885
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (53,476,827)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> (464,569)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 116,532,381
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (196,343,364)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 50,651,007
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (60,907,487)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,845,925
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 26,572,124
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,841,669
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7,207,281
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 19,206,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 14.41
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.78
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.69)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.50
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.98
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
For the fiscal yera ended 4/30/97
File number : 811-06047
SUB-ITEM 77C
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
An Annual Meeting of Shareholders
was called for October 30, 1996. At
such meeting the shareholders approved
the following proposals:
a) Approval that Edward D. Beach,
Delayne Dedrick Gold, Robert F.
Gunia, Donald D. Lennox, Douglas H.
McCorkindale, Mendel A. Melzer,
Thomas T. Mooney, Stephen P. Munn,
Richard A. Redeker, Robin B. Smith,
Louis A. Weil, III and Clay T.
Whitehead are duly elected to serve
as Directors of the Fund until the
earlier to occur of (i) the next
meeting of Shareholders at which
Directors are elected and until his
or her successor shall have been
duly elected and shall have
qualified or (ii) their terms
expire in accordance with the
Fund's retirement policy.
b) Approval of the proposed
amendment of the Fund's fundamental
investment restriction relating to
securities lending, as described in
such Fund's proxy statement.
For Against
Abstain
11,518,101
826,828 800,376
C) Approval of the selection of
independent accountants for the
Fund conditioned upon the right by
vote of a majority of such Fund's
outstanding voting shares at any
meeting called for the purpose to
terminate such employment forthwith
without penalties.
For Against
Abstain
16,171,506
255,437 651,504
D) In their discretion on any
other business which may properly
come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
For the fiscal year ended 4/30/97
File number : 811-06047
SUB-ITEM 77 D
Policies with Respect to Securities
Investments
A) On October 30, 1996, the
Shareholders approved an investment
policy modification increasing the
percentage of portfolio securities
that the Fund may lend from 10% to
30%, as described in the Fund's
proxy statement.
B) On February 19, 1997
the Directors approved a change in
investment policy permitting the
Fund to hold up to 15% of its net
assets in repurchase agreements
which have a maturity of longer than
7 days or in other illiquid
securities.
n-sar/pif2-97/77d
For the fiscal year ended 4/30/97
File number: 811-06047
SUB-ITEM 77 0
EXHIBITS
Transactions Effected Pursuant to Rule 10f-3
I.
1. Name of Issuer
Associates First Capital
2. Date of Purchase
5/7/96
3. Number of Securities Purchased
21,500
4. Dollar Amount of Purchase
$623,500
5. Price Per Unit
$29.00
6. Name(s) of Underwriter(s) or Dealer(s)
From whom Purchased
Goldman Sachs
7. Other Members of the Underwriting
Syndicate
Merrill Lync, Pierce, Fenner and Smith
Inc.
Lehman Brothers Inc.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
Montgomery Securities
Morgan Stanley & Co.
CS First Boston Corporation
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Smith Barney Inc.
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc.
Alex, Brown & Sons Incorporated
A.G Edwards & Sons Inc.
Oppenheimer & Co.
William Blair & Co.
Advest, Inc.
Dain Bosworth Inc.
EVEREN Securities, Inc.
First of Michigan Corp.
First Southwest Co.
Furman Selz Inc.
Edward D. Jones & Co.
Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc.
McDonald & Company Securities, Inc.
Piper Jaffray
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc.
Wheat, First Securities, Inc.
Bear, Sterns and Company, Inc.
J.P. Morgan Securities
PaineWebber Incorporated
J.C. Bradford and Company
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell/C.J.
Lawerence Inc.
Gruntal And Co. Inc.
Guzman and Co.
The Robertson-Humphrey Company Inc.
Salomon Brothers Inc.
Scott & Stringfellow Inc.
Muriel Siebert $ Co. Inc.
Stifel, Nicholas & Co. Inc.
Sutro & Co. Inc.
Wasserstein Parella Securities, Inc.
Chase Securites Securites Inc.
Citicorp Securities Inc.
Stephens Inc.
NatCity Investments
Samuel A. Ramirez
Roney & Co.
Utendahl Capital Partners LP
The Williams Capital Group LP
II.
1. Name of Issuer
Dupont Photomasks
2. Date of Purchase
6/13/96
3. Number of Securities Purchased
23,900
4. Dollar Amount of Purchase
$406,300
5. Price Per Unit
$17.00
6. Name(s) of Underwriter(s) or Dealer(s)
From whom Purchased
Goldman Sachs
7. Other Members of the Underwriting
Syndicate
Merrill Lynch Pierce
Lehman Brothers Inc.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
Montgomery Securities
Morgan Stanley & Co.
CS First Boston Corporation
Smith Barney Inc.
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc.
Alex, Brown & Sons Incorporated
A.G Edwards & Sons Inc.
Advest, Inc.
EVEREN Securities, Inc.
SoundView Financial Group, Inc.
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc.
Starr Securities, Inc.
III.
1. Name of Issuer
United Auto Group, Inc.
2. Date of Purchase
10/23/96
3. Number of Securities Purchased
11,600
4. Dollar Amount of Purchase
$348,000
5. Price Per Unit
$30.00
6. Name(s) of Underwriter(s) or Dealer(s)
From whom Purchased
JP Morgan & Co.
7. Other Members of the Underwriting
Syndicate
Montgomery Securities
Smith Barney, Inc.
Bear, Sterns & Co.
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corp.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
Schroeder, Wertheim & Co., Inc.
Stephens, Inc.
Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc.
Monnes, Crespi, Hardt & Co., Inc.
William Blair & Company, LLC
Brean Murray & Co., Inc.
The Buckingham Research Group, Inc.
Burnham Securities, Inc.
The Chicago Corporation
Doft & Co.
Interstate/Johnson Lane Corporation
Johnston, Lemon & Co., Inc.
Ladenberg, Thalmann & Co., Inc.
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc.
Scotia Capital Markets (USA) Inc.
Southeast Research Partners, Inc.
IV.
1. Name of Issuer
Titan Exploration, Inc.
2. Date of Purchase
12/16/96
3. Number of Securities Purchased
20,400
4. Dollar Amount of Purchase
$224,400
5. Price Per Unit
$11.00
6. Name of Underwriter or Dealer
from whom Purchased:
CS First Boston
7. Other Members of the Underwriting
Syndicate
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation
Howard, Weil, Labouisse, Friedrichs
Incorporated
J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc.
Petrie Parkman & Co., Inc.
To the Shareholders and
Board of Directors of
Prudential Multi-Sector Fund, Inc.
In planning and performing our audit of
the financial statements of Prudential
Multi-Sector Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") for
the year ended April 30, 1997, we
considered its internal control,
including control activities for
safeguarding securities, in order to
determine our auditing procedures for
the purpose of expressing our opinion on
the financial statements and to comply
with the requirements of Form N-SAR, not
to provide assurance on internal
control.
The management of the Fund is
responsible for establishing and
maintaining internal control. In
fulfilling this responsibility,
estimates and judgments by management
are required to assess the expected
benefits and related costs of control
activities. Generally, control
activities that are relevant to an audit
pertain to the entity's objective of
preparing financial statements for
external purposes that are fairly
presented in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. Those
control activities include the
safeguarding of assets against
unauthorized acquisition, use or
disposition.
Because of inherent limitations in
internal control, errors or
irregularities may occur and not be
detected. Also, projection of any
evaluation of internal control to future
periods is subject to the risk that it
may become inadequate because of changes
in conditions or that the effectiveness
of the design and operation may
deteriorate.
Our consideration of internal control
would not necessarily disclose all
matters in internal control that might
be material weaknesses under standards
established by the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants. A
material weakness is a condition in
which the design or operation of any
specific internal control components
does not reduce to a relatively low
level the risk that errors or
irregularities in amounts that would be
material in relation to the financial
statements being audited may occur and
not be detected within a timely period
by employees in the normal course of
performing their assigned functions.
However, we noted no matters involving
internal control, including control
activities for safeguarding securities,
that we consider to be material
weaknesses as defined above as of April
30, 1997.
This report is intended solely for the
information and use of management and
the Board of Directors of the Fund and
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Price Waterhouse LLP
New York, NY
June 24, 1997
