PRICE T ROWE SHORT TERM U S GOVERNMENT FUND INC
497K3B, 2000-04-20
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                                                               April 1, 2000
 FUND PROFILE
T. ROWE PRICE
Short-Term U.S.Government Fund

 A bond fund seeking higher than money market income, high credit quality, and
 minimal price fluctuation.

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

FUND PROFILE
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 What is the fund's objective?

   The fund seeks the highest current income consistent with minimal share price
   fluctuation.


 What is the fund's principal investment strategy?

   We will invest primarily in a diversified portfolio of short-term U.S.
   government-backed securities. At least 65% of total assets will normally
   consist of: Treasury issues; agency-backed fixed rate, adjustable rate, and
   balloon mortgage securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations
   (CMOs); and government agency notes and bonds. Mortgage-backed securities,
   such as those issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie
   Mae), the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal
   Home Loan Mortgage Association (Freddie Mac), tend to offer higher yields
   than Treasuries with comparable maturities but with little or no additional
   credit risk.

   Up to 35% of the fund's assets may be invested in nongovernment securities
   such as corporate notes and bonds and asset-backed securities. These
   securities must meet the fund's high credit-quality standards and be rated AA
   or higher by at least one major rating agency at the time of purchase or, if
   unrated, must have a T. Rowe Price equivalent. Within this broad structure,
   investment decisions reflect the manager's outlook for interest rates and the
   economy as well as the relative prices and yields of the various securities.

   While the fund's weighted average effective maturity will not exceed three
   years, there is no limit on the effective maturity of individual issues at
   the time of purchase. (An issue's effective maturity is based on its nearest
   call or expected prepayment date rather than its maturity date.)

   We also may make limited investments in derivatives, which can provide higher
   yields and in some cases reduce interest rate risk; certain derivative
   securities, however, could make the portfolio more risky.

   The fund may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the
   portfolio's average maturity or quality, or to shift assets into
   higher-yielding securities.

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


 What are the main risks of investing in the fund?

  . Interest rate risk  Investors should be concerned primarily with this risk.
   An increase in interest rates could cause the fund's share price to fall,
   resulting in a loss of principal. That's because the bonds and notes in the
   fund's portfolio
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                                                                               2


                                                                           2

FUND PROFILE
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   become less attractive to other investors when securities with higher yields
   become available. Even GNMAs and other securities whose principal and
   interest payments are guaranteed can decline in price if rates rise. The
   longer a bond's maturity, the greater its potential for price declines if
   rates rise and for price gains if rates fall.

  . Prepayment risk and extension risk Because the fund can invest extensively
   in mortgage-backed securities, it has special risks related to changing
   interest rates. A mortgage-backed bond, unlike most other bonds, can be hurt
   when interest rates fall, because homeowners tend to refinance and prepay
   principal. The loss of high-yielding underlying mortgages and the
   reinvestment of proceeds at lower interest rates can reduce the bond's
   potential price gain in response to falling interest rates, reduce the bond's
   yield, or even cause the bond's price to fall below what an investor paid for
   it, resulting in a capital loss. Any of these developments could cause a
   decrease in the fund's income, share price, or total return.

   Extension risk refers to a rise in interest rates that causes a fund's
   average maturity to lengthen unexpectedly due to a drop in mortgage
   prepayments. This would increase the fund's sensitivity to rising rates and
   its potential for price declines.

  . Credit risk  Due to its high credit quality, the risk that the fund will
   experience declines in price and income as a result of credit downgrades or
   defaults is limited. However, while Treasury and Ginnie Mae securities are
   backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, those sold by
   Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are privately
   owned, government-chartered corporations that pool mortgages and guarantee
   the timely payment of interest and ultimate payment of principal. Of course,
   the fund's nongovernment securities do not carry any type of U.S. government
   guarantee.

  . The fund may continue to hold a security that has been downgraded or loses
   its investment-grade rating after purchase.

  . Derivatives risk  Shareholders are also exposed to derivatives risk, the
   potential that our investments in these complex and volatile instruments
   could affect the fund's share price. In addition to CMOs and better-known
   instruments such as futures, other derivatives that may be used in limited
   fashion by the fund include interest-only (IO) and principal-only (PO)
   securities known as "strips." The value of these instruments is derived from
   an underlying pool of mortgage-backed securities or a CMO. All these
   instruments can be highly volatile, and their value can fall dramatically in
   response to rapid or unexpected changes in the mortgage or interest rate
   environment.

   As with any mutual fund, there can be no guarantee the fund will achieve its
   objective.
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                                                                           3

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


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

   Consider your investment goals, your time horizon for achieving them, and
   your tolerance for risk. This fund is expected to be a good choice for
   investors seeking more income than provided by very short-term investments,
   such as money market funds and CDs, with less principal risk than longer-term
   investments. If you are investing primarily for principal safety and
   liquidity, you should consider a money market fund. Unlike a CD, an
   investment in the fund is not guaranteed by the federal government.

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

  . The fund should not represent your complete investment program or be used
   for short-term trading purposes.


 How has the fund performed in the past?

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

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Calendar Year Total Returns
  "92"   "93"   "94"   "95"   "96"   "97"   "98"    "99"
 --------------------------------------------------------
 <S>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
 3.96   2.77   -0.63  11.11  4.30   6.65   6.89    1.72
 --------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



          Quarter ended              Total return

 Best quarter                            9/30/98 3.56%

 Worst quarter                           6/30/94 -0.80%





<TABLE>
 Table 1  Average Annual Total Returns
<CAPTION>
                                             Periods ended 3/31/00
                                                           Since inception
                                       1 year   5 years     (09/30/1991)
 --------------------------------------
 <S>                                   <C>      <C>       <C>
  Short-Term U.S. Government Fund       2.93%    5.65%          4.65%

  Salomon Smith Barney 6-Month
  Treasury Bill Index                   5.02     5.35            4.84
  Salomon Smith Barney 2-Year
  Treasury Note Index                   2.69     5.63            5.61
  Lipper Short U.S. Government Funds    3.27     5.21            5.10
  Average
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</TABLE>



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


 What fees or expenses will I pay?

   The fund is 100% no load. There are no fees or charges to buy or sell fund
   shares, reinvest dividends, or exchange into other T. Rowe Price funds. There
   are no 12b-1 fees. Like all mutual funds, the fund charges the following:
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                                                                           5

FUND PROFILE
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  . A management fee  The percent of fund assets paid to the fund's investment
   manager. The fund's fee comprises a group fee, 0.32% as of June 30, 1999, and
   an individual fund fee of 0.10%.

  . "Other" administrative expenses  Primarily the servicing of shareholder
   accounts, such as providing statements and reports, disbursing dividends, and
   providing custodial services.


<TABLE>
 Table 2  Fees and Expenses of the Fund
<CAPTION>
                                               Annual fund operating expenses
                                        (expenses that are deducted from fund assets)
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                   <C>
  Management fee                                           0.42%/a/

  Other expenses                                           0.35%

  Total annual fund operating
  expenses                                                 0.77%/a/

  Fee waiver/reimbursement                                 0.07%

  Net expenses                                             0.70%
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


 /a/
   To limit the fund's expenses, T. Rowe Price contractually obligated itself to
   waive its fees and bear any expenses through May 31, 2000, which would cause
   the fund's ratio of expenses to average net asset to exceed 0.70%. The fund
   previously operated under a 0.70% limitation that expired May 31, 1998. Fees
   waived or expenses paid or assumed under these agreements are subject to
   reimbursement to T. Rowe Price by the fund whenever the fund's expense ratio
   is below 0.70%; however, no reimbursement will be made after May 31, 2000
   (for the first agreement); after May 31, 2002 (for the second agreement); or
   if it would result in the expense ratio exceeding 0.70%. Any amounts
   reimbursed will have the effect of increasing fees otherwise paid by the
   fund.


   Example.  The following table gives you a rough idea of how expense ratios
   may translate into dollars and helps you to compare the cost of investing in
   this fund with that of other funds. Although your actual costs may be higher
   or lower, the table shows how much you would pay if operating expenses remain
   the same, the expense limitation currently in place is not renewed, you
   invest $10,000, you earn a 5% annual return, and you hold the investment for
   the following periods:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   1 year      3 years      5 years       10 years
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 <S>         <C>          <C>          <C>
    $72         $232         $414           $941
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</TABLE>



 Who manages the fund?

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

   Connice A. Bavely manages the fund day-to-day and has been chairman of its
   Investment Advisory Committee since 1999. She joined T. Rowe Price as a
   senior portfolio manager in 1998 and was appointed chairman of the
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FUND PROFILE
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   committee in 1999. Prior to joining T. Rowe Price, Ms. Bavely was a partner
   and senior portfolio manager at Atlantic Asset Management Partners, LLC for
   six years.


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


 How can I purchase shares?

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


 How can I sell shares?

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


 When will I receive income and capital gain distributions?

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


 What services are available?

   A wide range, including but not limited to:

  . retirement plans for individuals and large and small businesses;

  . automated information and transaction services by telephone or computer;

  . electronic transfers between fund and bank accounts;

  . automatic investing and automatic exchange;

  . brokerage services; and

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

LOGO
                                                                     RPS F69-035
 T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., Distributor
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