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SIGNATURE MICHAEL PIGNATARO
TITLE CFO
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000879357
<NAME> THE LATIN AMERICA EQUITY FUND, INC.
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 134374201
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 178341254
<RECEIVABLES> 636043
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<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 2227748
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 700954
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2928702
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 132525519
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 8598377
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 8598377
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 2967835
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 16.89
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.18
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</TABLE>
Registrant Name: The Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.
SEC File Number: 811-6413
CIK Number: 0000879357
RESULTS OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS (UNAUDITED)
On April 22, 1997, the annual meeting of shareholders of
The Latin America Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") was held
and the following matters were voted upon:
(1) To re-elect four directors to the Board of Directors of the Fund.
Name of Director For Withheld Non-Votes
Dr. Enrique R. Arzac 5,043,823 253,969 3,300,585
George W. Landau 5,038,254 259,538 3,300,585
William W. Priest, Jr. 5,034,164 263,628 3,300,585
Richard W. Watt 5,036,721 261,071 3,300,585
In addition to the directors re-elected at the meeting,
James J. Cattano, Peter A. Gordon and Martin M. Torino
continue to serve as directors of the Fund.
(2) To ratify the selection of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as
independent public accountants for the year ending December 31, 1997.
For Against Abstain Non-Votes
5,081,694 192,961 23,137 3,300,585
(3) To approve an amendment to the Fund's investment restrictions
to permit the Fund to issue "senior securities" to the extent
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
For Against Abstain Non-Votes
1,863,009 1,006,961 139,934 5,588,473
The Fund did not receive the required votes to approve the
above proposal.
(4) To approve an amendment to the Fund's Articles of Incorporation
relating to the size of the Board of Directors and the removal
of Directors.
For Against Abstain Non-Votes
4,769,306 387,856 140,630 3,300,585
