BLACKROCK 1998 TERM TRUST INC
N-30D, 1996-08-26
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                       THE BLACKROCK 1998 TERM TRUST INC.
                       SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
                          REPORT OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        

                                                                   July 31, 1996


Dear Trust Shareholder:

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

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

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

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


Sincerely,



Laurence D. Fink                      Ralph L. Schlosstein
Chairman                              President




                                       1
<PAGE>

                                                                   July 31, 1996

Dear Shareholder:

    We are pleased to present the semi-annual report for The BlackRock 1998 Term
Trust Inc.  ("the  Trust") for the six months ended June 30, 1996. We would like
to take this  opportunity  to review the Trust's stock price and net asset value
(NAV)  performance,  summarize market  developments and discuss recent portfolio
management activity.

    The Trust is a  diversified,  actively  managed  closed-end  bond fund whose
shares are traded on the New York Stock  Exchange  under the symbol  "BBT".  The
Trust's  investment  objective is to return $10 per share (its initial  offering
price) to  shareholders  on or about  December  31,  1998 while  providing  high
current  income.  The Trust seeks these  objectives  by investing in  investment
grade  fixed   income   securities,   including   corporate   debt   securities,
mortgage-backed  securities backed by U.S.  Government  agencies (such as Fannie
Mae,  Freddie  Mac  or  Ginnie  Mae),  asset-backed  securities  and  commercial
mortgage-backed  securities.  All of the  Trust's  assets must be rated "BBB" by
Standard  & Poor's  or "Baa" by  Moody's  at time of  purchase  or be  issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies.

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


                              --------------------------------------------------
                               6/30/96     12/31/95     Change     High     Low
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Price                     $9.25       $8.875       4.23%    $9.25    $8.75
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value (NAV)           $9.76       $9.79       (0.31%)   $9.90    $9.66
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fixed Income Markets

    The  domestic  fixed  income  markets  witnessed  two  profoundly  different
environments  during the past six months,  providing an exciting and challenging
environment  in which to manage the Trust.  The  Treasury  market  rally of 1995
continued through the middle of February 1996, as market demand for fixed income
securities remained strong due to a combination of moderate economic growth, low
absolute  levels of inflation  and two  reductions of the Fed funds target rate.
The rally halted during mid-February,  however, as data indicating  accelerating
economic  growth  rekindled  inflationary  concerns.  The  strengthening  of the
economy continued throughout the second quarter,  leading market participants to
become more  resolute in their  belief that the  Federal  Reserve  will  tighten
monetary  policy  during the second half of 1996,  which would  result in rising
interest rates.  These fears  translated into a sharp rise in bond yields across
the Treasury yield curve,  resulting in the fixed income markets rescinding much
of their 1995 gains.

    Interest rate movements  reflected the change in investor  sentiment  toward
fixed income  securities.  Interest  rates across the Treasury  yield curve fell
dramatically through  mid-February,  as evidenced by the decline in yield levels
on the 10-year Treasury.  Continuing the bond market rally of 1995, the yield of
the 10-year Treasury fell to 5.52% on January 19, its lowest yield since October
1993.  However,  data released during February suggesting renewed economic vigor
placed  pressure  on bond  prices,  as the  possibility  of a  stronger  economy
dampened investor expectations that interest rates would continue to fall. These
fears  translated  into a sharp rise in bond yields  across the  Treasury  yield
curve. The yield of the ten-year Treasury ended the semi-annual period at 6.71%,
a net increase of 114 basis points (1.14%) during the first half of 1996.

    The mortgage-backed  securities (MBS) market outperformed Treasuries for the
period,  as rising  interest  rates coupled with a reduction in prepayment  risk
provided  investors an opportunity to  fundamentally  reassess  mortgages  after
1995's Treasury market rally.  Still, many investors  remained on the sidelines,
convinced that even historically wide mortgage yield 




                                       2
<PAGE>


spreads  offered  inadequate  compensation  for the  perceived  risks of  owning
mortgages. As a result of this narrow participation, MBS performance in 1996 has
been good but somewhat  short of  expectations  given the sharp rise in interest
rates.

    Corporate  bond  performance  relative to Treasuries was hampered by a heavy
new net issue  supply,  which  expanded  above 1995  levels  despite  the rising
interest rate  environment of 1996.  However,  the yield  premium,  or "spread",
offered by corporate  bonds remained  narrow  throughout  the period.  Corporate
yield  spreads  are not  expected  to widen  significantly,  as a  subsiding  of
recessionary  fears in response to the strengthening U.S. economy is expected to
support corporate bond prices.

The Trust's Portfolio and Investment Strategy

    BlackRock  actively manages the Trust's portfolio  holdings  consistent with
BlackRock's  overall market outlook and the Trust's investment  objectives.  The
following  chart  compares  the  Trust's  current  and  December  31, 1995 asset
composition.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Composition                                  June 30, 1996     December 31, 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate Bonds                                   51%                 23%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset-Backed Securities                           24%                  7%
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Mortgage Pass-Throughs                            10%                 28%
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Adjustable Rate Mortgages                          3%                 14%
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U.S. Government Securities                         3%                  4%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Agency Multiple Class Mortgage Pass-Throughs   3%                  3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Municipal Bonds                                    3%                  2%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities                2%                  5%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency Multiple Class Mortgage Pass-Throughs       1%                  2%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxable Zero Coupon Bonds                          0%                 10%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CMO Residuals                                      0%                  2%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Rating % of Corporates
                                             -----------------------------------
        Credit Rating                        June 30, 1996     December 31, 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AAA or equivalent                            3%                   1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AA or equivalent                            12%                  17%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      A or equivalent                             46%                  48%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     BBB or equivalent                            39%                  34%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The  Trust  maintained  its focus on the  primary  investment  objective  of
returning  $10 per share to  investors  on or about  its  termination  date.  In
conjunction with this objective,  the Trust has been reducing its holdings which
are subject to cash flow risk or which can extend  beyond the Trust's  scheduled
maturity  date.  BlackRock has been  opportunistically  selling bonds with




                                       3
<PAGE>


these  characteristics,  or "tail  risk",  and  emphasized  securities  offering
attractive  yield  spreads  over  Treasury  securities,  cash flows prior to the
Trust's  termination  date  and  fixed  maturities   approximating  the  Trust's
termination  date.To that end, the Trust  further  increased  its  allocation to
investment  grade  corporate  bonds,  which now  comprise  approximately  51% of
portfolio  assets.  Corporate  bonds allow the Trust to both match the  maturity
date of the bond with the  Trust's  scheduled  termination  date by  providing a
definite maturity value when they mature and a more defined cash flow. The Trust
also  increased  its  exposure  to  asset-backed  securities  (ABS),  which  are
generally  collateralized  by auto or credit  card loans.  ABS offer  attractive
yields  relative  to  comparable   duration   securities  in  addition  to  more
predictable cash flows than mortgage-backed  securities. 

    The  increased  corporate  bond and  asset-backed  security  positions  were
accompanied  by  a  corresponding   decrease  in  securities  which  offer  less
predictable  cash flow streams and maturity dates.  Specifically,  the Trust has
sold mortgage-backed  securities such as agency pass-throughs and collateralized
mortgage-backed obligations,  which have characteristics that are typically more
sensitive to interest rate movements than most fixed  maturity  securities.  For
example,  the  maturity of a mortgage  bond can extend if  interest  rates rise;
conversely,  a sharp  decline in  interest  rates can cause a  mortgage  bond to
prepay,  which exposes the Trust to  reinvestment  risk in a lower interest rate
environment.  Over the  semi-annual  period,  this  strategy  has  worked to the
Trust's  benefit,  as mortgages  outperformed  most sectors of the taxable fixed
income market. The Trust expects to continue its tail risk reduction strategy as
the Trust's maturity date approaches.

    We look  forward  to  continuing  to manage  the Trust to  benefit  from the
opportunities  available to investors  in the fixed  income  markets.  BlackRock
remains confident in the Trust's ability to return its initial offering price at
its  scheduled  termination  date.  We  thank  you for  your  investment  in The
BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc. Please feel free to contact our marketing  center
at (800) 227-7BFM (7236) if you have specific questions which were not addressed
in this report.

Sincerely,  




Robert S. Kapito                           Michael P. Lustig  
Vice Chairman and Portfolio Manager        Vice President and Portfolio Manager
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.       BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Symbol on New York Stock Exchange:                                     BBT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Offering Date:                                            April 19, 1991
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Stock Price as of 6/30/96:                                    $9.25
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value as of 6/30/96:                                        $9.76
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yield on Closing Stock Price as of 6/30/96 ($9.25)1:                  5.41%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Monthly Distribution per Share2:                            $0.04167
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Annualized Distribution per Share2:                         $0.50004
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ----------------  
1Yield on Closing Stock Price is  calculated by dividing the current  annualized
 distribution per share by the closing stock price per share.
2Distribution not constant and is subject to change.





                                       4
<PAGE>




(LEFT COLUMN)



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.
Portfolio of Investments
June 30, 1996
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Principal
             Amount                                                    Value
Rating*       (000)               Description                         (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS-144.0%
                           Mortgage Pass-Throughs-14.2%
                           Federal Home Loan Bank,
            $ 2,000++         4.95%, 3/04/98 ...................    $  1,963,000
              5,000+          8.575%, 10/30/97 .................       5,056,250

                           Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
                              Corporation,
             12,221+          4.50%, 12/01/98, 5 Year ..........      11,771,382
              1,097           6.50%, 10/01/08 ..................       1,090,407
              2,026++         8.00%, 10/01/09 ..................       2,114,005
              4,201+          8.25%, 6/01/09 - 9/01/09 .........       4,301,429
              1,020+          8.50%, 5/01/99 - 4/01/19 .........       1,056,070
              6,206+          8.50%, 10/01/06 - 12/01/06,
                                 15 Year .......................       6,382,798
              5,476++         8.50%, 5/1/99, 7 Year ............       5,617,884
              5,537++         9.00%, 12/01/05, 15 Year .........       5,740,787
              1,125           9.50%, 6/01/10 - 6/01/17 .........       1,175,078
                           Federal National Mortgage 
                              Association,
                356           7.00%, 11/01/08 ..................         354,838
              4,735           7.50%, 12/01/01-5/01/08, 15 Year .       4,755,773
             25,238+          9.50%, 2/01/01 - 11/01/21 ........      26,912,868
                           Government National Mortgage 
                              Association,
              2,033++         7.00%, 10/20/23, 1 Year CMT,
                                 (ARM) .........................       2,060,780
              1,071           8.50%, 3/15/20 - 11/15/21 ........       1,101,447
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      81,454,796
                                                                    ------------
                           Multiple Class Mortgage
                           Pass-Throughs-10.0%
                           CBA Mortgage Corp.,
 AAA          5,000           Series 1993- C1, Class A2, 
                                 12/25/03 ......................       5,074,123
 AA           5,489           Series 1993 -C1, Class B, 
                                 12/01/03 ......................       5,556,176
 BBB          7,000           Series 1993-C1, Class D, 
                                 12/25/03 ......................       6,931,371
                           Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                              Corporation, Multiclass Mortgage
                              Participation Certificates,
              1,105           Series 68, Class 68-G, 5/15/19 ...       1,119,576
              1,607           Series 1134, Class 1134-H,
                                 9/15/96, (ARM) ................       1,635,445
              6,459+          Series 1269, Class 1269-S,
                                 5/15/97, (ARM) ................       6,382,142
              1,519           Series 1402, Class 1402-F,
                                 10/15/97, (ARM) ...............       1,385,465
              3,084           Series 1436, Class 1436-SE,
                                 12/15/97, (ARM) ...............       2,563,247
              1,625           Series 1441, Class 1441-SA,
                                 12/15/97, (ARM) ...............       1,582,555
                471           Series 1513, Class 1513-JA,
                                 11/15/01, (I) .................         183,565
             43,721           Series 1557, Class 1557-SA,
                                 8/15/98, (ARM) ................         929,067
              2,000           Series 1700, Class 1700-B,
                                 7/15/23, (P) ..................       1,750,000



(Right Column)

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

                           Federal National Mortgage 
                              Association, REMIC
                              Pass-Through Certificates,

            $ 1,638           Trust 269, Class 269-1,
                                 8/01/22 .......................    $  1,714,029
              5,000           Trust 1990-43, Class 43-G,
                                 7/25/03 .......................       5,075,700
              1,028           Trust 1991-79, Class 79-S,
                                 7/25/98, (ARM) ................       1,117,184
                381           Trust 1991-127, Class 127-S,
                                 9/25/98, (ARM) ................         384,344
              3,412           Trust 1992-3, Class 3-S,
                                 1/25/99, (ARM) ................       3,851,012
              1,794           Trust 1992-119, Class 119-S,
                                 8/25/99, (ARM) ................       1,646,488
              5,924           Trust G1993-26, Class 26-PH,
                                 11/25/11, (I) .................         301,769
              3,000           Trust G1993-26, Class 26-PT,
                                 12/25/17, (I) .................         646,467
             31,720           Trust G1993-35, Class 35-S,
                                 1/25/22, (ARM) ................       1,476,928
             11,000           Trust 1993-82, Class 82-J,
                                 11/25/10, (I) .................         727,980
              2,996           Trust 1993-129, Class 129-J,
                                 2/25/07, (I) ..................         325,379
 Aaa            575        American Southwest Financial 
                              Corp., Series 48, Class 48-E, 
                              9/01/17 ..........................         575,172
 AAA          4,227        PaineWebber Trust, Collateral 
                              Mortgage Obligation, Series A, 
                              Class A-5, 9/01/17 ...............       4,226,859
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      57,162,043
                                                                    ------------
                           Corporate Bonds-73.9%
                           Finance & Banking-34.3%
 AA           10,000@+     AT&T Capital Corp., 5.81%, 
                              12/04/98 .........................       9,755,110
 A2            5,000       Allstate Corp., 5.875%, 6/15/98 .....       4,936,600
 A+            6,150       American Express,
                              11.625%, 12/12/00 ................       6,651,840
 Baa1         11,100+      Aristar, Inc., 8.875%, 8/15/98 ......      11,596,158
                           Associates Corp. of North America,
 Aa3           6,150          5.58%, 12/14/98 ..................       6,020,183
 Aa3           1,500          7.30%, 3/15/98 ...................       1,520,130
 A             6,475       Beneficial Corp., 6.95%, 7/03/97 ....       6,524,979
 A3            3,000       Comerica, Inc., 10.125%, 6/01/98 ....       3,176,940
 A1            3,000       First Chicago Corp., 8.50%, 
                              6/01/98 ..........................       3,111,390
 A2            6,000       Fleet Financial Group, Inc.,
                              6.00%, 10/26/98 ..................       5,939,460
 A1           10,000       Goldman Sachs Group,
                              6.10%, 4/15/98 ...................       9,931,662
 Baa1          3,000       Greyhound Financial Corp.,
                              8.50%, 2/15/99 ...................       3,127,380
 A3            5,000       Huntington Bankshares, Inc.,
                              5.68%, 12/08/98 ..................       4,903,750


                       See Notes to Financial Statements.



                                       5


<PAGE>



(LEFT COLUMN)


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

                           Finance & Banking-(cont'd)
 Aaa         $ 1,400       International Bank For 
                              Reconstruction & Development 
                              Colts, 8.85%, 2/16/98 ............    $  1,453,052
 A2            3,000       International Lease Finance Corp.,
                              6.30%, 11/01/99 ..................       2,957,827
 A1            6,000+      ITT Hartford Group, 8.20%, 
                              10/15/98 .........................       6,201,634
 A2            3,000       John Deere Capital Corp.,
                              7.14%, 9/15/98 ...................       3,031,950
 Baa1          9,960       Lehman Brothers, Inc.,
                              5.75%, 11/15/98 ..................       9,746,358
 A1            2,000       Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.,
                              7.75%, 3/01/99 ...................       2,044,360
 A1            4,000       Morgan Stanley Group, Inc.,
                              5.625%, 3/01/99 ..................       3,899,521
 Baa3          8,800       New American Capital, Inc.,
                              6.91016%, 4/12/00 ................       8,844,000
 A3            4,300       Northern Trust Corp.,
                              9.00%, 5/15/98 ...................       4,487,480
                           Norwest Corp.,
 Aa3          10,000          5.75%, 11/16/98 ..................       9,831,288
 Aa3           5,000          6.00%, 10/13/98 ..................       4,956,450
 Aa3           1,000          7.70%, 11/15/97 ..................       1,018,660
 Baa1         13,897       PaineWebber Group, Inc.,
                              6.25%, 6/15/98 ...................      13,792,987
 A3            5,000       Ryder Systems, Inc.,
                              5.78%, 4/27/98 ...................       4,949,100
                           Salomon, Inc.,
 Baa1          5,000          6.70%, 12/01/98 ..................       4,986,200
 Baa1         10,000          7.43%, 12/30/98 ..................      10,126,436
 BBB          11,300       Sears Overseas Finance,
                              Zero Coupon, 7/12/98 .............       9,908,723
                           Smith Barney Holdings, Inc.,
 A2            1,000          5.50%, 1/15/99 ...................         973,670
 A2            9,000++        5.625%, 11/15/98 .................       8,812,170
 A3            7,000       Textron Financal Services,
                              6.10%, 6/24/98 ...................       6,940,641
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     196,158,089
                                                                    ------------

                           Corporate Bonds-
                           Industrials-22.1%
 A            10,000       Atlantic Richfield, 10.25%, 7/02/00 .      10,459,000
                           Caterpillar Financial Services,
 A2            5,000          5.18%, 10/01/98 ..................       4,861,787
 A2            1,500          5.93%, 12/15/98 ..................       1,477,422
 A3           10,000       Chrysler Financial Corp.,
                              6.04%, 12/07/98 ..................       9,875,213
 Aa3           7,100++     Coca Cola Enterprises, Inc.,
                              7.875%, 9/15/98 ..................       7,307,746
 AA            3,000       Du Pont De Nemours,
                              8.50%, 6/25/98 ...................       3,113,695
 Baa3         10,500       Enterprise Rental, 
                              7.875%, 3/15/98 ..................      10,712,840
 A1            8,000       Ford Motor Credit Co., 
                              8.00%, 1/15/99 ...................       8,246,759
 AAA           1,000       General Electric Capital Corp., 
                              6.65%, 4/14/08 ...................       1,005,600
                           General Motors Acceptance Corp.,
 A3            8,000++        6.125%, 9/18/98 ..................       7,914,588
 A3            3,600          7.30%, 2/02/98                           3,656,772
 A2            3,000       Hydro Quebec, 9.30%, 10/28/98 .......       3,167,459
 A3            5,000       Lockheed Martin Corp.,
                              6.625%, 6/15/98 ..................       5,017,950




(RIGHT COLUMN)


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

 Baa2        $ 7,000       MCN Investment Corp.,
                              5.84%, 2/01/99 ...................    $  6,853,305
 A2            8,000       National Fuel Gas Co.,
                              5.58%, 3/01/99 ...................       7,782,080
 AAA           8,225       Outlet Broadcast, Inc.,
                              10.875%, 7/15/03 .................       9,171,698
 A1            2,000       Pepsico, Inc., 6.125%, 1/15/98 ......       1,991,020
 Baa2            200       Tenneco Credit Corp.,
                              10.125%, 12/01/97 ................         211,650
 Baa2          1,700       Tenneco, Inc., 10.00%, 8/01/98 ......       1,809,392
 A1            1,000       Texaco Capital, Inc., 8.26%, 
                              9/15/98 ..........................       1,037,240
 Baa1          7,000       TTX Co., 6.28%, 6/28/99 .............       6,909,032
                           Union Oil Co.,
 Baa2          7,500          8.40%, 1/15/99 ...................       7,788,190
 Baa2          5,000          8.81%, 5/18/98 ...................       5,181,900
 Baa2          1,000          8.84%, 5/18/98 ...................       1,036,900
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     126,589,238
                                                                    ------------
                           Corporate Bonds-
                           Utilities-13.4%
 Baa2         12,500++     Commonwealth Edison,
                              6.00%, 3/15/98 ...................      12,375,850
 Baa2            196       Connecticut Light & Power Co.,
                              7.625%, 4/01/97 ..................         196,000
 Baa1          5,000       Duquesne Light Co., 5.85%, 6/01/98 ..       4,920,900
  A3           5,000       GTE Corp., 8.85%, 3/01/98 ...........       5,181,823
 BBB+          2,000       Gulf States Utilities Co., 
                              7.35%, 11/01/98 ..................       2,017,140
                           National Rural Utilities Cooperative,
 A1           10,000          5.20%, 1/15/99 ...................       9,680,699
 AA+           1,000          7.93%, 1/15/99 ...................       1,031,113
 A2            5,000       PacifiCorp, 8.95%, 6/30/98 ..........       5,230,519
 Baa1          7,000       Philadelphia Electric Co.,
                              5.375%, 8/15/98 ..................       6,847,093
 A2            5,000       Portland General Electric Co.,
                              5.65%, 5/15/98 ...................       4,924,750
 A3            9,000       Puget Sound Power & Light Co.,
                              7.875%, 10/01/97 .................       9,163,955
                           Texas Utilities Electric Co.,
 Baa2          6,600          5.50%, 10/01/98 ..................       6,448,266
 Baa2          1,400          5.75%, 7/01/98 ...................       1,379,014
 Baa2          7,050          5.875%, 4/01/98 ..................       6,982,108
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      76,379,230
                                                                    ------------
                           Corporate Bonds-
                           Sovereign & Provincial-4.1%
 Baa3          2,000       Colombia Republic,
                              7.125%, 5/11/98 ..................       1,995,389
 Baa2          8,000       Corporacion Andina De Fomento,
                              6.625%, 10/14/98 7,938,081
 A1            4,000       Ford Capital B.V., 9.00%, 8/15/98 ...       4,191,480
                           Hydro Quebec,
 A2            1,000          7.67%, 11/30/98 ..................       1,022,318
 A2            7,000          9.55%, 1/06/98 ...................       7,308,138
 Aa3           1,000       Ontario Province, 15.75%, 3/15/12 ...       1,117,460
                                                                     -----------
                                                                      23,572,866
                                                                     -----------
                           Asset-Backed Securities-35.2%
 AAA          13,707++     Airplanes Pass-thru Trust, Series-1 
                              Class A5, 5.84609%, 3/15/19 ......      13,715,210
                           Banc One Auto Grantor Trust,
 AAA          22,078++        Series 1996-A Class A, 6.10%, 
                                 10/15/02 ......................      22,063,867
 AAA          11,200          Series 1996-B Class A, 6.55%, 
                                 2/15/03 .......................      11,249,000


                       See Notes to Financial Statements.




                                       6

<PAGE>

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

                           Asset-Backed Securities-(cont'd)
 AAA         $27,630++     Banc One Credit Card Master Trust, 
                              Series 1994-C Class A,
                              7.80%, 12/15/00 ..................   $ 28,467,534
 AAA          11,900++     Chevy Chase Auto Receivables, 
                              Series 1996-1 Class A,
                              6.60%, 12/15/02 ..................     11,903,719
 AAA           6,427+      Daimler Benz Auto Grantor Trust, 
                              Series 1995-A Class A,
                              5.85%, 5/15/02 ...................      6,400,602
 AAA          14,600++     Dayton Hudson Credit Card Trust, 
                              Series 1995-1 Class A,
                              6.10%, 2/25/02 ...................     14,497,344
                           Discover Card Master Trust,
 AAA          27,295++        Series 1991-D Class A, 8.00%, 
                                 10/15/00 ......................     28,058,407
 AAA          12,380+         Series 1991-F Class A, 7.85%, 
                                 11/21/00 ......................     12,689,500
 AAA          18,699++     Ford Credit Grantor Trust, Series 
                              1995-B Class A, 5.90%,
                                 10/15/00 ......................     18,587,916
 AAA          18,687++     Nations Bank Auto Grantor Trust, 
                              Series 1995-A Class A,
                              5.85%, 6/15/02 ...................     18,616,532
 AAA           8,509++     Premier Auto Trust, Series 1994-2 
                              Class A4, 6.00%, 5/15/98 .........      8,514,376
 AAA           4,023+      SPNB Home Equity Loan, Series 
                              1991-A Class A2, 
                              8.90%, 3/10/06 ...................      4,053,564
 BBB           2,543       Telmex Trust, Series 1996, 
                              6.50%, 4/01/97 ...................      2,543,262
                                                                    ------------
                                                                    201,360,833
                                                                    ------------
                           Stripped Mortgage-Backed
                           Securities-2.7%
 AAA               5       American Housing Trust VIII, 
                              Mortgage Pass-Through 
                              Certificates, Series 8, Class M, 
                              1/25/21 (I/O) ....................      1,711,578
               2,784       Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
                              Corporation, Multiclass 
                              Mortgage Participation 
                              Certificates,
                              Series 1700, Class 1700-A,
                              2/15/24 (P/O) ....................      2,744,190
                           Federal National Mortgage 
                              Association,
              16,843          Trust 15, Class 2, 
                                 4/01/02 (I/O) .................      2,673,896
                   6          Trust 1991-101, Class 101-D, 
                                 8/25/18 (I/O) .................         20,127
                7,013+        Trust 1991-121, Class
                                 121-B, 9/25/98 (P/O) ..........      6,309,843
                   94         Trust 1992-192, Class 192-G, 
                                 5/25/04 (I/O) .................      1,157,489 
                2,232         Trust 1993-G35, Class
                                 G35-N, 11/25/23 (P/0) .........        680,688
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     15,297,811
                                                                    ------------



(RIGHT COLUMN)

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

                           U.S Government Securities-4.2%
                           United States Treasury Notes,
              $  365          5.250%, 1/31/01 ..................   $    348,403
              11,610++        5.875%, 4/30/98 ..................     11,564,605
              12,300+         6.375%, 5/15/99 ..................     12,326,937
                                                                   -------------
                                                                     24,239,945
                                                                   -------------
                           Municipal Bonds-3.8%
AAA           7,800        Alameda County California Pension 
                              Obligation, Taxable,
                              Series A, 7.25%, 12/01/98 ........      7,940,088
AAA           1,415        Long Beach California Pension 
                              Obligation, Taxable Refunding,
                              6.13%, 9/01/98 ...................      1,410,896
BBB+          6,000        New York City, Taxable Bonds 
                              Series G, Zero Coupon, 2/01/98 ...      5,944,740
A             5,000        Sacramento California Utility 
                              District Electric, Taxable 
                              Refunding Series F, 5.90%, 
                              11/15/98 .........................      4,936,800
AAA           1,540        Western Minnesota Municipal 
                              Power Agency Supply, Taxable 
                              Refunding Series A,
                              5.88%, 1/01/98 ...................      1,531,330
                                                                   -------------
                                                                     21,763,854
                                                                   -------------
                           Total long-term investments
                              (cost $832,474,761) ..............    823,978,705

                        INVESTMENTS SOLD SHORT-(4.4%)
            (25,000)       United States Treasury Notes,
                              6.00%, 5/31/98
                              (proceeds $24,830,078) ...........    (24,945,250)
                                                                   -------------
                           Total investments, net of short
                              sale-139.6%
                              (cost $807,644,683) ..............    799,033,455
                              Liabilities in excess of
                                 other assets-(39.6%) ..........   (226,770,350)
                                                                   -------------
                           NET ASSETS-100% .....................   $572,263,105
                                                                   =============
- ----------
 *Using the higher of Standard & Poor's or Moody's rating.
 +$75,665,830 principal amount pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase
  agreements.
++Entire principal amount pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase
  agreements.
 @$2,438,778 principal amount pledged as collateral for futures   transactions.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS
ARM      -Adjustable Rate Mortgage.
CMO      -Collateralized Mortgage Obligation.
CMT      -Constant Maturity Treasury.
I        -Denotes a CMO with Interest Only Characteristics.
I/O      -Interest Only.
P        -Denotes a CMO with Principal Only Characteristics.
P/O      -Principal Only.
REMIC    -Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       7


<PAGE>


(LEFT COLUMN)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 1996
(Unaudited)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets
Investments, at value (cost $832,474,761)
   (Note 1) ...................................................    $823,978,705
Cash ..........................................................       2,231,442
Deposit with broker as collateral for
   investments sold short (Note 1) ............................      25,031,250
Interest receivable ...........................................      12,316,596
Receivable for investments sold ...............................       4,245,283
                                                                   ------------
                                                                    867,803,276 
                                                                   ------------
Liabilities
Reverse repurchase agreements (Note 4) ........................     267,043,600
Investment sold short at value
   (proceeds $24,830,078) (Note 1) ............................      24,945,250
Payable for investments purchased .............................       2,258,055
Interest payable ..............................................         707,414
Dividends payable .............................................         293,089
Advisory fee payable (Note 2) .................................         187,695
Administration fee payable (Note 2) ...........................          46,924
Other accrued expenses ........................................          58,144
                                                                   ------------
                                                                    295,540,171
                                                                   ------------
Net Assets ....................................................    $572,263,105
                                                                   ============
Net assets were comprised of:
   Common stock, at par (Note 5) ..............................    $    586,605
   Paid-in capital in excess of par ...........................     553,528,394
                                                                   ------------
                                                                    554,114,999
   Undistributed net investment income ........................      26,072,749
   Accumulated net realized gain ..............................         686,585
   Net unrealized depreciation ................................      (8,611,228)
                                                                   ------------
   Net assets, June 30, 1996 ..................................    $572,263,105
                                                                   ============
Net asset value per share:
   ($572,263,105 - 58,660,527 shares of
   common stock Issued and outstanding) .......................           $9.76
                                                                          =====



(RIGHT COLUMN)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.
Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended June 30, 1996
(Unaudited)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Investment Income
Income
  Interest (net of premium amortization of
    $5,942,012 and interest expense
    of $7,130,851) ..............................................   $18,674,258
                                                                    -----------
Operating expenses                                               
  Investment advisory ...........................................     1,146,414
  Administration ................................................       286,603
  Reports to shareholders .......................................       147,000
  Custodian .....................................................        77,000
  Transfer agent ................................................        36,000
  Directors .....................................................        34,000
  Audit .........................................................        22,000
  Legal .........................................................        17,000
  Miscellaneous .................................................       159,995
                                                                    -----------
    Total operating expenses ....................................     1,926,012
                                                                    -----------
Net investment income before excise tax .........................    16,748,246
  Excise tax ....................................................       300,000
                                                                    -----------
Net investment income ...........................................    16,448,246
                                                                   ------------

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investments (Note 3)
Net realized gain (loss)
  Investments ...................................................      (368,211)
  Short sales ...................................................      (238,268)
  Futures .......................................................       494,189
                                                                    -----------
                                                                       (112,290)
                                                                    -----------
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
  Investments ...................................................    (5,281,084)
  Futures .......................................................      (875,208)
  Short sales ...................................................      (115,172)
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     (6,271,464)
                                                                    -----------
  Net loss on investments .......................................    (6,383,754)
                                                                    -----------

Net Increase In Net Assets
Resulting from Operations .......................................    $10,064,492
                                                                     ===========


                       See Notes to Financial Statements.



                                       8



<PAGE>

Left Column


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.
Statement of Cash Flows
Six Months Ended June 30, 1996
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Increase (Decrease) in Cash
Cash flows used for operating activities:
  Interest received .............................................  $ 26,893,718
  Operating expenses and excise taxes paid ......................    (2,866,096)
  Interest expense paid .........................................    (7,828,930)
  Proceeds from disposition of short-term
    portfolio investments, net ..................................     8,818,591
  Purchase of long-term portfolio investments ...................  (982,699,702)
  Proceeds from disposition of long-term portfolio investments ..   948,240,361
  Variation margin on futures ...................................      (213,894)
  Other .........................................................         7,713 
                                                                   ------------ 
  Net cash flows used for
    operating activities ........................................    (9,648,239)
                                                                   ------------ 
Cash flows provided by financing activities:
  Increase in reverse repurchase agreements .....................    26,172,371
  Cash dividends paid ...........................................   (14,373,130)
                                                                   ------------ 
  Net cash flows provided by financing
    activities ..................................................    11,799,241
                                                                   ------------ 
Net increase in cash ............................................     2,151,002
Cash at beginning of period .....................................        80,440
                                                                   ------------ 
Cash at end of period ...........................................  $  2,231,442
                                                                   ============ 

Reconciliation of Net Increase in Net
Assets Resulting from Operations to
Net Cash Flows Used for
Operating Activities
Net increase in net assets resulting from 
  operations ....................................................  $ 10,064,492
                                                                   ------------ 
Decrease in investments .........................................    24,725,585
Net realized loss ...............................................       112,290
Increase in unrealized depreciation .............................     6,271,464
Increase in interest receivable .................................    (4,853,403)
Decrease in depreciation of interest rate floor .................      (988,963)
Increase in receivable for investments sold .....................    (4,245,283)
Decrease in variation margin receivable .........................       167,125
Increase in deposits with broker for 
  investments sold short ........................................   (25,031,250)
Decrease in other assets ........................................        12,649
Decrease in payable for investments purchased ...................   (39,485,095)
Decrease in interest payable ....................................      (698,079)
Increase in payable for securities sold short ...................    24,945,250
Decrease in accrued expenses and other 
  liabilities ...................................................      (645,021)
                                                                   ------------ 
  Total adjustments .............................................   (19,712,731)
                                                                   ------------ 
Net cash used for operating activities ..........................  $ (9,648,239)
                                                                   ============ 




Right Column

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.
Statements of Changes
in Net Assets
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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

Operations:

  Net investment income .....................   $ 16,448,246       $ 40,073,177


  Net realized gain (loss)
    on investments,
    short sales and futures .................       (112,290)         6,555,447


  Net change in net
    unrealized appreciation
    (depreciation) on
    investments, short
    sales and futures .......................     (6,271,464)        32,584,414
                                                ------------       ------------

  Net increase
    in net assets
    resulting from
    operations ..............................     10,064,492         79,213,038


  Dividends from net
    investment income .......................    (12,221,805)       (31,166,089)
                                                ------------       ------------

  Total increase (decrease) .................     (2,157,313)        48,046,949


Net Assets

Beginning of period .........................    574,420,418        526,373,469
                                                ------------       ------------

End of period ...............................   $572,263,105       $574,420,418
                                                ============       ============


                       See Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       9



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.
Financial Highlights
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                               Six Months                                                  One Month
                                                 Ended              Year Ended December 31,                  Ended   April 30, 1991*
                                                June 30,   --------------------------------------------  December 31,to November 30,
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:                  1996       1995        1994        1993       1992         1991**       1991    
                                                  ----       ----        ----        ----       ----         -----        ----
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>     
Net asset value, beginning of period .........  $   9.79    $   8.97    $   9.91    $ 10.22    $  10.39     $ 10.16    $   9.50
                                                --------    --------    --------    -------    --------     -------    --------
  Net investment income (net of $.12, 
    $.29, $.13, $.14, $.18, $.02 and 
    $.06, respectively, of interest 
    expense) .................................       .28         .68         .58        .81         .92        .09           .48
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
    on investments, short sales and 
    futures ..................................      (.10)        .67        (.89)      (.40)       (.31)       .28           .62
                                                --------    --------    --------    -------    --------     -------    --------
Net increase (decrease) from investment 
  operations .................................       .18        1.35        (.31)    .41.61         .37        1.10
                                                --------    --------    --------    -------    --------     -------    --------
Dividends from net investment income .........      (.21)       (.53)       (.63)      (.72)       (.78)       (.14)        (.42)  
                                                --------    --------    --------    -------    --------     -------    --------
Capital charge with respect to issuance 
  of shares ..................................       -          -          -           -           -           -            (.02)
                                                --------    --------    --------    -------    --------     -------    --------
Net asset value, end of period*** ............  $   9.76    $   9.79    $   8.97    $   9.91    $  10.22    $  10.39    $  10.16#
                                                ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ======== 
Market value, end of period*** ...............  $   9.25    $  8.875    $   8.00    $ 10.125    $  9.875    $  10.50    $  10.25
                                                ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========

TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+: ....................     6.62%      17.73%     (15.15%)     10.13%       1.40%       3.84%      12.46%

RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Operating expenses @ .........................      .68%++      .67%       0.81%       0.81%       0.75%       0.72%++     0.76%++
Net investment income ........................     5.77%++     7.21%       6.21%       7.95%       9.01%      10.12%++     8.53%++

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Average net assets (in thousands) ............  $573,155    $555,561    $546,853    $600,058    $601,439    $599,876    $561,711
Portfolio turnover ...........................      110%        136%        193%         55%          8%          1%        154%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) .....  $572,263    $574,420    $526,373    $581,169    $599,324    $609,231    $595,698
Reverse repurchase agreements 
  outstanding, end of period (in 
  thousands) .................................  $267,044    $240,871    $175,091    $272,866    $267,893    $284,142    $270,208
Asset coverage+++ ............................  $  3,143    $  3,385    $  4,006    $  3,130    $  3,237    $  3,144    $  3,205
<FN>
- ---------------- 
*   Commencement of investment operations.
**  Subsequent to November 30, 1991 (The Trust's prior fiscal  year-end) the Trust
    changed its fiscal year-end to December 31.
*** Net asset value and market value  published  in The Wall Street  Journal each
    Monday.
#   Net asset value immediately after closing of first public offering was $9.48.
@   The ratios of operating expenses, including interest expense, to average net
    assets were 3.18%,  3.76%,  2.19%,  2.14%,  2.56%,  3.08%  and 1.71% for the
    periods  indicated  above,  respectively.  The ratios of operating expenses,
    including interest expense and excise tax, to average net assets were 3.28%,
    3.85%, 2.28%, 2.15%, 2.63%, 3.08%, and 1.73% for the periods indicated above,
    respectively.  
+   Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock at
    the current  market price on the first day and a sale at the current  market
    price on the last day of each period reported.  Dividends and  distributions
    are assumed,  for purposes of this  calculation,  to be reinvested at prices
    obtained under the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan. This calculation does
    not reflect brokerage  commissions.  Total investment returns for periods of
    less than one full year are not annualized.
+   +Annualized.
++  Per $1,000 of reverse repurchase agreement outstanding.
</FN>
</TABLE>

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


                       See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       10


<PAGE>

Left Column


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. Accounting
Policies

The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc. (the "Trust"), a Maryland  corporation,  is a
diversified  closed-end  management investment company. The investment objective
of the  Trust  is to  manage  a  portfolio  of  investment  grade  fixed  income
securities  that will return at least $10 per share (the initial public offering
price per share) to  investors  on or shortly  before  December  31,  1998 while
providing high monthly income. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by
the Trust to meet their obligations may be affected by economic  developments in
a  specific  industry  or region.  No  assurance  can be given that the  Trust's
investment objective will be achieved.

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

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

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


Right Column

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

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

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

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

                                       11



<PAGE>

Left Column

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

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

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


  Financial  futures  contracts,  when used by the Trust,  help in maintaining a
targeted duration.  Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a security
or a portfolio to relative changes in interest rates.  For instance,  a duration
of "one" means that a  portfolio's  or a  security's  price would be expected to
change by approximately one percent with a one percent change in interest rates,
while a duration of "five"  would imply that the price would move  approximately
five  percent in  relation to a one percent  change in interest  rates.  Futures
contracts  can be sold to  effectively  shorten  an  otherwise  longer  duration
portfolio.  In the same sense,  futures contracts can be purchased to lengthen a
portfolio that is shorter than its duration  target.  Thus, by buying or selling
futures contracts, the Trust can effectively "hedge"


                                       
Right Column

more  volatile  positions  so that  changes in interest  rates do not change the
duration of the portfolio unexpectedly.

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

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

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

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

  Interest rate caps are  intended  to both manage the  duration  of the Trust's
portfolio and its exposure to changes

                                       12


<PAGE>

Left Column


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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Right Column

income tax  provision is required.  As part of its tax  planning  strategy,  the
Trust intends to retain a portion of its taxable income and pay an excise tax on
the undistributed amounts.

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

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

Deferred  Organization  Expenses:  A total of $70,000 was incurred in connection
with the organization of the Trust. These costs have been deferred and are being
amortized  ratably  over a period  of  sixty  months  from  the  date the  Trust
commenced investment operations.


Note 2. Agreements

The  Trust  has  an  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  with  BlackRock  Financial
Management  Inc. (the  "Adviser"),  a wholly-owned  corporate  subsidiary of PNC
Asset  Management  Group,  Inc., the holding company for PNC's asset  management
business,   and  an   Administration   Agreement  with  Prudential  Mutual  Fund
Management, Inc. ("PMF"), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of The Prudential
Insurance Co.
of America.

  The  investment  advisory  fee paid to the  Adviser  was  computed  weekly and
payable  monthly at an annual  rate of 0.40% of the Trust's  average  weekly net
assets from  January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1996 and 0.30% from January 1, 1997
to the termination or liquidation of the Trust. The  administration  fee paid to
PMF was also computed  weekly and payable  monthly at an annual rate of 0.10% of
the Trust's  average weekly net assets from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1996
and 0.08% from January 1, 1997 to the termination or liquidation of the Trust.

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


Note 3. Portfolio
Securities

Purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments,
and dollar rolls for the six months ended June 30, 1996 aggregated  $943,214,617
and $899,841,779 respectively.

                                       13



<PAGE>


Left Column


  The Trust may invest up to 60% of its total assets in securities which are not
readily marketable, including those which are restricted as to disposition under
securities law  ("restricted  securities").  At June 30, 1996, the Trust did not
hold any illiquid securities.

  The Trust may from  time to time  purchase  in the  secondary  market  certain
mortgage  pass-through  securities  packaged or master  serviced by PNC Mortgage
Securities Corp. (or Sears Mortgage if PNC Mortgage  Securities Corp.  succeeded
to rights and duties of Sears) or mortgage related  securities  containing loans
or mortgages  originated  by PNC Bank or its  affiliates.  It is possible  under
certain  circumstances,  PNC Mortgage  Securities  Corp. or its affiliates could
have interests  that are in conflict with the holders of these  mortgage  backed
securities,  and such holders could have rights against PNC Mortgage  Securities
Corp. or its affiliates.

  The federal  income tax basis of the Trust's  investments at June 30, 1996 was
substantially the same as for financial reporting purposes and, accordingly, net
unrealized  depreciation  for federal income tax purposes was $8,496,056  (gross
unrealized appreciation-$3,341,407; gross unrealized depreciation-$11,837,463).

  For federal income tax purposes,  the Trust has a capital loss carryforward at
December  31,  1995 of  approximately  $2,036,500  of which  will  expire at the
termination  of the Trust.  Such  carryforward  amount is after  realization  of
approximately  $7,549,000 in net taxable gains recognized  during the year ended
December 31, 1995. Accordingly,  no capital gains distribution is expected to be
paid to until net gains have been realized in excess of such amounts.


Note 4. Borrowings

Reverse  Repurchase  Agreements:  The Trust may enter  into  reverse  repurchase
agreements with qualified, third party broker-dealers as determined by and under
the  direction  of the  Trust's  Board of  Directors.  Interest  on the



Right Column

value of reverse  repurchase  agreements  issued and out standing  will be based
upon  competitive  market rates at the time of  issuance.  At the time the Trust
enters into a reverse  repurchase  agreement,  it will  establish and maintain a
segre-  gated  account  with the lender  the value of which at least  equals the
principal  amount  of the  reverse  repurchase  transaction,  including  accrued
interest.

  The average daily balance of reverse repurchase agreements  outstanding during
the six months ended June 30, 1996 was approximately  $256,140,090 at a weighted
average  interest rate of  approximately  5.50%.  The maximum  amount of reverse
repurchase  agreements  outstanding at any month-end during the six months ended
June 30,  1996 was  $286,088,438  on April 30,  1996  which was  33.23% of total
assets.

Dollar  Rolls:  The Trust may enter into  dollar  rolls in which the Trust sells
securities  for delivery in the current  month and  simultaneously  contracts to
repurchase  substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on
a specified future date.  During the roll period the Trust forgoes principal and
interest paid on the  securities.  The Trust will be compensated by the interest
earned on the cash  proceeds  of the  initial  sale and by the lower  repurchase
price at the future  date.  The Trust did not enter into dollar rolls during the
six months ended June 30, 1996.


Note 5. Capital

There are 200 million shares of $.01 par value common stock  authorized.  Of the
58,660,527 shares outstanding at June 30, 1996, the Adviser owned 10,527 shares.


Note 6. Dividends

Subsequent  to June 30, 1996,  the Board of  Directors  of the Trust  declared a
dividend from undistributed earnings of $0.04167 per share payable July 31, 1996
to shareholders of record on July 15, 1996.


                                       14



<PAGE>





Note 7. Quarterly Data

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Net realized and      
                                            unrealized          Net increase (decrease)
                                            gains (losses)          in net assets           Dividends                      Period
                       Net Investment      on investments,          resulting from             and                          and
Quarterly   Total         Income        short sales and futures       operations          distributions      Share price  net assets
 period    Income      Amount Per share     Amount  Per share      Amount   Per share    Amount   Per share   High   Low    value 
- -------    ------      ----------------     -----------------      ------------------    ------------------   ----------    -----   
<S>      <C>          <C>          <C>   <C>            <C>     <C>             <C>      <C>          <C>    <C>     <C>    <C> 

January 1, 
1994 to 
March 31, 
1994 ... $ 5,813,129  $ 4,623,469  0.08  $(28,012,603)  $(0.48)  $(23,389,134)  $(0.40)  $ 6,598,136  $0.11  $101/8  $83/4  $9.40   

April 1, 
1994 to 
June 30, 
1994 ...  15,424,399   14,277,739  0.24   (15,091,061)   (0.26)      (813,322)   (0.02)    9,165,121   0.16    91/4   85/8   9.23

July 1, 
1994 to 
September 30,
1994 ...   6,594,093    5,193,446  0.09    11,762,041     0.20     16,955,487     0.29     9,165,121   0.16     91/8  83/8   9.19

October 1, 
1994 to 
December 31, 
1994 ...  11,051,052    9,855,468  0.17   (20,499,471)   (0.35)   (10,644,003)   (0.18)   11,976,133   0.20     83/4  8      8.97

January 1, 
1995 to 
March 31, 
1995 ...   9,823,286    9,302,856  0.16    17,647,060     0.30     26,949,916     0.46     5,622,497   0.10     87/8  77/8   9.34

April 1, 
1995 to 
June 30, 
1995 ...  13,549,353   12,738,471  0.22     8,042,270     0.14     20,780,741     0.36     8,433,037   0.14     93/8  81/2   9.55

July 1, 
1995 to 
September 30, 
1995 ...   9,242,199    7,798,916  0.13     4,526,627     0.08     12,325,543     0.21     7,333,046   0.13     9     81/2   9.63

October 1, 
1995 to 
December 31, 
1995 ...  11,704,659   10,232,934  0.17     8,923,904     0.15     19,156,838     0.32     9,777,509   0.16     91/8  83/4   9.79

January 1, 
1996 to 
March 31, 
1996 ...   9,310,675    8,048,579  0.13    (6,082,149)   (0.10)     1,966,430     0.03     4,888,705   0.08     91/4  83/4   9.74

April 1, 
1996 to 
June 30, 
1996 ...   9,363,583    8,399,667  0.15      (301,605)    0.00      8,098,062      0.15    7,333,100   0.13     91/4  9      9.76
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       15


<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       THE BLACKROCK 1998 TERM TRUST INC.
                           DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (1) To elect three Directors to serve as follows:

       Director                        Class    Term       Expiring
       --------                        -----    ----       -------- 
       Richard E. Cavanagh ..........    I        3        years 1998
       James Grosfeld ...............    I        3        years  1998
       James Clayburn LaForce, Jr. ..    I        3        years  1998

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

    (2) To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as  independent  public
        accountants of the Trust for the fiscal year ending December31, 1996.

    (3) To modify  the  investment  restriction  prohibiting  investing  for the
        purpose  of  exercising  control  over  the  management  of  a  company.

Shareholders  elected the three Directors,  ratified the selection of Deloitte &
Touche  LLP  and  approved  the  modification  of  the  investment   restriction
prohibiting  investing for the purpose of exercising control over the management
of a company. The results of the voting was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   Votes for       Votes Against     Abstentions
                                                   ---------       -------------     -----------
       <S>                                         <C>                 <C>           <C>    
       Richard E. Cavanagh ......................  33,056,851             -             883,729
       James Grosfeld ...........................  33,027,046             -             913,534
       James Clayburn LaForce, Jr. ..............  33,014,143             -             926,438
       Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP ....  32,851,819          273,259          815,502
       Investment restriction ...................  27,220,300          966,690        1,684,196
</TABLE>


                                       16



<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       THE BLACKROCK 1998 TERM TRUST INC.
                               INVESTMENT SUMMARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Trust's Investment Objective

The Trust's  investment  objective is to manage a portfolio of investment  grade
fixed  income  securities  that will return at least $10 per share (the  initial
public  offering price per share) to investors on or shortly before December 31,
1998 while providing high monthly income.

Who Manages the Trust?

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. ("BlackRock") is the investment advisor for
the Trust.  BlackRock is a registered  investment advisor  specializing in fixed
income  securities.  Currently,  BlackRock  manages  over $41  billion of assets
across the government,  mortgage,  corporate and municipal sectors. These assets
are managed on behalf of institutional and individual investors in 21 closed-end
funds traded either on the New York Stock Exchange or American  Stock  Exchange,
several  open-end  funds and  separate  accounts for more than 80 clients in the
U.S. and overseas. BlackRock is a subsidiary of PNC Asset Management Group, Inc.
which  is  a  division  of  PNC  Bank,  one  of  the  nation's  largest  banking
organizations.

What Can the Trust Invest In?

The Trust may invest in all fixed income  securities  rated  investment grade or
higher ("AAA",  "AA",  "A" or "BBB").  Examples of securities in which the Trust
may invest include U.S. government and government agency securities, zero coupon
securities,  mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt securities, asset-backed
securities,  U.S.  dollar-denominated  foreign  debt  securities  and  municipal
securities. Under current market conditions,  BlackRock expects that the primary
investments of the Trust will be U.S. government  securities,  securities backed
by government  agencies (such as mortgage-backed  securities) and corporate debt
securities.

What is the Adviser's Investment Strategy?

The Adviser will seek to meet the Trust's  investment  objective by managing the
assets of the Trust so as to return the initial  offering  price ($10 per share)
at maturity.  The Trust will implement a conservative strategy that will seek to
closely match the maturity of the assets of the portfolio with the future return
of the  initial  investment  at the end of  1998.  At the  Trust's  termination,
BlackRock expects that the value of the securities which have matured,  combined
with the value of the securities that are sold, will be sufficient to return the
initial offering price to investors.  On a continuous basis, the Trust will seek
its objective by actively managing its assets in relation to market  conditions,
interest rate changes and,  importantly,  the remaining  term to maturity of the
Trust.

In addition to seeking the return of the  initial  offering  price,  the Advisor
also seeks to provide high monthly income to investors.  The portfolio  managers
will attempt to achieve this  objective by investing in securities  that provide
competitive  income.  In  addition,  leverage  will be used (in an  amount up to
33-1/3% of total  assets) to enhance  the income of the  portfolio.  In order to
maintain  competitive  yields as the Trust approaches  maturity and depending on
market  conditions,  the Adviser will attempt to purchase  securities  with call
protection  or  maturities  as close to the Trust's  maturity  date as possible.
Securities with call protection should provide the portfolio with some degree of
protection against  reinvestment risk during times of lower prevailing  interest
rates. Since the Trust's primary goal is to return the initial offering price at
maturity, any cash that the Trust receives prior to its maturity date (i.e. cash
from early and  regularly  scheduled  payments of principal  on  mortgage-backed
securities) will be reinvested in securities with maturities which coincide with
the remaining term of the Trust. Since shorter-term  securities  typically yield
less than longer-term securities,  this strategy will likely result in a decline
in the Trust's income over time. However, the Adviser will attempt to maintain a
yield which is competitive with a comparable maturity Treasury at the same point
on the yield curve (i.e.  if the Trust has three years left until its  maturity,
the  Adviser  will  attempt  to  maintain  a yield  at a  spread  over a  3-year
Treasury).  It is  important  to note that the Trust  will be  managed  so as to
preserve the integrity of the return of the initial offering price.

                                       17


<PAGE>


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

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

Leverage Considerations in a Term Trust

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

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

Special Considerations and Risk Factors Relevant to Term Trusts

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

Return of Initial  Investment.  Although the objective of the Trust is to return
its initial offering price upon termination, there can be no assurance that this
objective will be achieved.

Dividend  Considerations.  The income and dividends paid by the Trust are likely
to  decline  to some  extent  over the term of the Trust due to the  anticipated
shortening of the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Trust's assets.

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

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

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

Corporate  Debt  Securities.  The value of corporate debt  securities  generally
varies inversely with changes in prevailing market interest rates. The Trust may
be subject to certain  reinvestment  risks in environments of declining interest
rates.

Zero Coupon Securities. Such securities receive no cash flows prior to maturity,
therefore, interim price movement on the securities are generally more sensitive
to interest rate movements than securities  that make periodic coupon  payments.
These securities appreciate in value over time and can play an important role in
helping the Trust achieve its primary objective.

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

Non-U.S  Securities.  The Trust may invest less than 10% of its total  assets in
non-U.S.  dollar-denominated  securities  which  involve  special  risks such as
currency, political and economic risks, although under current market conditions
does not do so.

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

                                       18


<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       THE BLACKROCK 1998 TERM TRUST INC.
                                    GLOSSARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adjustable Rate Mortgage-
Backed Securities (ARMs): 

Mortgage  instruments with interest rates that adjust at periodic intervals at a
fixed  amount  relative to the market  levels of interest  rates as reflected in
specified indexes. ARMs are backed by mortgage loans secured by real property.

Asset-Backed Securities:   

Securities  backed by various types of receivables such as automobile and credit
card receivables.

Closed-End  Fund:  

Investment vehicle which initially offers a fixed number of shares and trades on
a stock  exchange.  The fund invests in a portfolio of  securities in accordance
with its stated investment  objectives and policies.  One of the advantages of a
closed-end  fund  is  the  diversification  it  provides  through  its  multiple
holdings.

Collateralized
Mortgage Obligations (CMOs):  

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

Discount:         

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

Dividend:         

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

Dividend Reinvestment:     

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

FHA:     

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

FHLMC:   

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

FNMA:    

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

GNMA:    

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

Government Securities:       

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

                                       19


<PAGE>

Interest-Only  Securities  (I/O):  

Mortgage securities that receive only the interest cash flows from an underlying
pool of mortgage  loans or  underlying  pass-through  securities.  Also known as
STRIP.

Market Price:     

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

Mortgage  Dollar Rolls:  

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

Mortgage Pass-Throughs:    

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

Multiple-Class Pass-Throughs:       

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations.

Net  Asset  Value  (NAV):  

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

Principal-Only  Securities  (P/O):  

Mortgage  securities  that  receive  only  the  principal  cash  flows  from  an
underlying pool of mortgage loans or underlying  pass-through  securities.  Also
known as STRIP.

Project Loans:    

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

Premium:  

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

REMIC: 

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

Residuals:   

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

Reverse  Repurchase  Agreements:  

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

Stripped Mortgage Backed
Securities:       

Arrangements  in which a pool of  assets  is  separated  into two  classes  that
receive different  proportions of the interest and principal  distributions from
underlying mortgage-backed securities. IO's and PO's are examples of strips.



                                       20



<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
                           Summary of Closed-End Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taxable Trusts
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Termination
Perpetual Trusts                                    Stock Symbol      Date
The BlackRock Income Trust Inc. ......................   BKT          N/A
The BlackRock North American Government
  Income Trust Inc. ..................................   BNA          N/A

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

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

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



 If you would like further information please call BlackRock at (800) 227-7BFM
                 (7236) or consult with your financial advisor.



                                       21
<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
                                   An Overview
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    BlackRock Financial Management Inc.  (BlackRock) is a registered  investment
adviser which specializes in managing high quality fixed income securities, both
taxable and tax exempt.  BlackRock  currently manages over $41 billion of assets
across the government,  mortgage,  corporate and municipal sectors. These assets
are managed on behalf of institutional and individual investors in 21 closed-end
funds  traded  either  on the New York  Stock  Exchange  or the  American  Stock
Exchange, several open-end funds and over 80 institutional clients in the United
States and overseas.  BlackRock's  institutional investor base includes Chrysler
Corporation  Master Retirement Trust,  General  Retirement System of the City of
Detroit,  State Treasurer of Florida,  Ford Motor Company Pension Plan,  General
Electric Pension Trust and Unisys Corporation Master Trust.

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

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

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

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




                                       22
<PAGE>


(left column)

BlackRock

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

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

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

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

Custodian and Transfer Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
(800) 699-1BFM

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

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

  The  accompanying  financial statements as of
June 30, 1996 were not audited and accordingly,
no opinion is expressed on them.
  This report is for shareholder information.
This is not a prospectus intended for use in
the purchase or sale of any securities.

                       The BlackRock 1998 Term Trust Inc.
                   c/o Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Inc.
                                   32nd Floor
                                One Seaport Plaza
                               New York, NY 10292
                                 (800) 227-7BFM

                                                                    09247N-10-3
(right column)

The BlackRock
1998 Term
Trust Inc.
- -------------------------------------
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 1996





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