WITTER DEAN DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST, 485BPOS, 1996-12-24

WITTER DEAN DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
485BPOS, 1996-12-24

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<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 24, 1996
REGISTRATION NO.: 33-44782
811-6515
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
[X]
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
[ ]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 5
[X]
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940
[X]
AMENDMENT NO. 6
[X]

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
(A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST)
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)

TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)

REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 392-1600
SHELDON CURTIS, ESQ.
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

Copy to:
DAVID M. BUTOWSKY, ESQ.
GORDON ALTMAN BUTOWSKY
WEITZEN SHALOV & WEIN
114 WEST 47TH STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036

APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:

As soon as practicable after this Post-Effective Amendment becomes effective.

IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX)

X immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
---- on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485.

THE REGISTRANT HAS REGISTERED AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF ITS SHARES UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 PURSUANT TO SECTION (A)(1) OF RULE 24F-2 UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940. PURSUANT TO SECTION (B)(2) OF RULE 24F-2, THE
REGISTRANT FILED A RULE 24F-2 NOTICE FOR ITS FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
1996 WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 12, 1996.

AMENDING THE PROSPECTUS AND UPDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORM N-1A
PART A
ITEM CAPTION PROSPECTUS
- --------- -------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
1. Cover Page

2. Summary of Fund Expenses; Prospectus Summary

3. Financial Highlights; Performance Information

4. Investment Objective and Policies; The Fund and its Management;
Cover Page; Investment Restrictions; Prospectus Summary;
Financial Highlights

5. The Fund and Its Management; Back Cover; Investment Objectives
and Policies

6. Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Additional Information

7. Purchase of Fund Shares; Shareholder Services

8. Redemptions and Repurchases; Shareholder Services

9. Not Applicable
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PART B
ITEM STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------- -------------------------------------
<S> <C>
10. Cover Page

11. Table of Contents

12. The Fund and Its Management

13. Investment Practices and Policies; Investment Restrictions; Portfolio
Transactions and Brokerage

14. The Fund and Its Management; Trustees and Officers

15. Trustees and Officers

16. The Fund and Its Management; The Distributor; Custodian and
Transfer Agent; Independent Accountants

17. Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage

18. Description of Shares of the Fund;

19. Redemption and Repurchases; Statement of Assets and
Liabilities; Shareholder Services

20. Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

21. The Distributor

22. Performance Information

23. Financial Statements
</TABLE>
PART C

Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the
appropriate item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.

<PAGE>

PROSPECTUS -- DECEMBER 24, 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end diversified
management investment company whose primary investment objective is a high
level of current income. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks to maximize
total return but only to the extent consistent with its primary objective.
The Fund seeks to achieve its objectives by equally allocating its assets
among three separate groupings of various types of fixed income securities.
Up to one-third of the securities in which the Fund may invest will include
securities rated Baa/BBB or lower. (See "Investment Objective and Policies.")

Shares of the Fund are continuously offered at net asset value without the
imposition of a sales charge. However, redemptions and/or repurchases are
subject in most cases to a contingent deferred sales charge, scaled down from
5% to 1% of the amount redeemed, if made within six years of purchase, which
charge will be paid to the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
See "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge." In
addition, the Fund pays the Distributor a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee
pursuant to a Plan of Distribution at the annual rate of 0.85% of the lesser
of the (i) average daily aggregate net sales or (ii) average daily net assets
of the Fund. See "Purchase of Fund Shares--Plan of Distribution."

This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information you should know before
investing in the Fund. It should be read and retained for future reference.
Additional information about the Fund is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information, dated December 24, 1996, which has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, and which is available at no charge
upon request of the Fund at the address or telephone numbers listed below.
The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by reference.

DEAN WITTER
DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(212) 392-2550 OR
869-NEWS (TOLL-FREE)
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Summary .................................................... 2

Summary of Fund Expenses .............................................. 3

Financial Highlights .................................................. 4

The Fund and its Management ........................................... 5

Investment Objectives and Policies .................................... 5

Risk Considerations .................................................. 12

Investment Restrictions ............................................... 20

Purchase of Fund Shares ............................................... 21

Shareholder Services .................................................. 24

Redemptions and Repurchases ........................................... 26

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes .................................... 28

Performance Information ............................................... 29

Additional Information ................................................ 30

Appendix--Ratings of Investments ...................................... 31

SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR
ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK, AND THE SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY
OTHER AGENCY.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.,
DISTRIBUTOR

<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
The The Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust, and is an open-end diversified
Fund management investment company which allocates an equal portion of its total assets among three
groupings of fixed-income securities.
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Shares of beneficial interest with $0.01 par value (see page 30).
Offered
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offering At net asset value without sales charge (see page 21). Shares redeemed within six years of
Price purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under most circumstances (see pages
26-27).
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum Minimum initial investment, $1000 ($100 if the account is opened through EasyInvest (Service
Purchase Mark) ); minimum subsequent investment, $100 (see page 21).
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment A high level of current income; total return (income plus capital appreciation) is a secondary
Objectives objective.
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment A balanced allocation of assets consisting of approximately one-third of the Fund's assets
Policies invested equally in each of the following categories: 1. high quality fixed-income securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, issued or
guaranteed by foreign governments, or issued by foreign or U.S. companies which include bank
instruments, commercial paper, loan participation interests and certain indexed securities,
which have remaining maturities at the time of purchase of not more than three years; 2. high
quality fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities,
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government Agency securities; and 3. high yield, high risk
fixed-income securities, primarily rated Baa/BBB or lower, and non-rated securities of
comparable quality. (see pages 5-19).
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital"), the Investment Manager of the Fund, and its
Manager wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., serve in various investment
management, advisory, management and administrative capacities to 100 investment companies and
other portfolios with assets of approximately $91 billion at November 30, 1996 (see pages 4-5).
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.40% of daily net assets
Fee (see page 5).
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and Dividends are declared and paid monthly. Capital gains distributions, if any, are paid at least
Capital Gains once a year or are retained for reinvestment by the Fund. Dividends and capital gains
Distributions distributions are automatically invested in additional shares at net asset value unless the
shareholder elects to receive cash (see page 28).
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributor Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Distributor receives from the Fund a
and distribution fee accrued daily and payable monthly at the rate of 0.85% per annum of the lesser
Distribution of (i) the Fund's average daily aggregate net sales or (ii) the Fund's average daily net assets.
Fee This fee compensates the Distributor for the services provided in distributing shares of the
Fund and for sales-related expenses. The Distributor also receives the proceeds of any
contingent deferred sales charges (see pages 21-22).
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption-- Shares are redeemable by the shareholder at net asset value. An account may be involuntarily
Contingent redeemed if the total value of the account is less than $100 or, if the account was opened
Deferred through EasyInvest, if after twelve months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the
Sales account. Although no commission or sales load is imposed upon the purchase of shares, a
Charge contingent deferred sales charge (scaled down from 5% to 1%) is imposed on any redemption of
shares if after such redemption the aggregate current value of an account with the Fund is less
than the aggregate amount of the investor's purchase payments made during the six years
preceding the redemption. However, there is no charge imposed on redemption of shares purchased
through reinvestment of dividends or distributions (see pages 26-28).
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risks The value of the Fund's portfolio securities, and therefore the net asset value of the Fund's
shares, may increase or decrease due to various factors, principally changes in prevailing
interest rates. Generally, a rise in interest rates will result in a decrease in net asset
value, while a drop in interest rates will result in an increase in net asset value.
Mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayments or refinancings of the mortgage pools
underlying such securities which may have an impact upon the yield and the net asset value of
the Fund's shares. Asset-backed securities involve risks resulting mainly from the fact that
such securities do not usually contain the complete benefit of a security interest in the
related collateral. Certain of the high yield, high risk fixed-income securities in which the
Fund may invest are subject to greater risk of loss of income and principal than the higher
rated lower yielding fixed-income securities. The foreign securities and markets in which the
Fund will invest pose different and generally greater risks than those risks customarily
associated with domestic securities and markets including fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates, foreign tax rates and foreign securities exchange controls. The Fund may enter
into repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, may purchase securities on a
when-issued and delayed delivery basis and may utilize certain investment techniques including
options and futures for hedging purposes all of which involve certain special risks (see pages
12 through 19).
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The above is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information appearing
elsewhere in the Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information.

<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder
of the Fund will incur. The expenses and fees set forth in the table are for
the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
- --------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases ............................................. None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends .................................. None
Deferred Sales Charge
(as a percentage of the lesser of original purchase price or redemption proceeds) ... 5.0%
</TABLE>

A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed at the following declining
rates:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE PERCENTAGE
-------------------------------- ----------
<S> <C>
First ............................... 5.0%
Second .............................. 4.0%
Third ............................... 3.0%
Fourth .............................. 2.0%
Fifth ............................... 2.0%
Sixth ............................... 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter .............. None

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Redemption Fees .......................................................... None
Exchange Fee ............................................................. None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as a Percentage of Average Net Assets)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fees .......................................................... 0.40%
12b-1 Fees* .............................................................. 0.85%
Other Expenses ........................................................... 0.17%
Total Fund Operating Expenses ............................................ 1.42%
</TABLE>
[FN]
- ------------

* A portion of the 12b-1 fee equal to 0.20% of the Fund's average daily
net assets is characterized as a service fee within the meaning of
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") guidelines
(see "Purchase of Fund Shares").

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
- ------- ------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end
of each time period: ........................................ $64 $75 $98 $170

You would pay the following expenses on the same investment,
assuming no redemption: ..................................... $14 $45 $78 $170
</TABLE>

THE ABOVE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES OF THE FUND MAY BE GREATER OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.

The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. For a more complete description of these costs and expenses, see
"The Fund and its Management," "Plan of Distribution" and "Redemptions and
Repurchases."

Long-term shareholders of the Fund may pay more in sales charges and
distribution fees than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales
charges permitted by the NASD.

3
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent accountants. The financial highlights should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements, notes thereto and the unqualified
report of independent accountants which are contained in the Statement of
Additional Information. Further information about the performance of the Fund
is contained in the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders, which may be
obtained without charge upon request to the Fund.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31 APRIL 9, 1992*
--------------------------------------------- THROUGH OCTOBER 31,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period .. $9.62 $9.37 $10.20 $10.01 $ 10.00
Net investment income .................. 0.78 0.77 0.74 0.77 0.37
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.10 0.20 (0.80) 0.20 --
Total from investment operations ...... 0.88 0.97 (0.06) 0.97 0.37
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income ................. (0.72) (0.72) (0.64) (0.73) (0.36)
Net realized gain ..................... -- -- (0.01) (0.05) --
Paid-in-capital ....................... -- -- (0.12) -- --
Total dividends and distributions ..... (0.72) (0.72) (0.77) (0.78) (0.36)
Net asset value, end of period ......... $9.78 $9.62 $ 9.37 $10.20 $ 10.01
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+ .............. 9.49% 10.76% (0.69)% 10.00% 3.73%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses ............................... 1.42% 1.44% 1.51% 1.58% (4) 0.85%(2)(3)
Net investment income .................. 8.38% 8.30% 7.91% 7.92% (4) 7.86%(2)(3)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands $745,581 $542,544 $407,038 $167,137 $55,297
Portfolio turnover rate ................ 82% 87% 60% 117% 37%(1)
</TABLE>

- ------------
* Commencement of operations.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on
the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
(3) If the Fund had borne all expenses that were assumed or waived by the
Investment Manager, the above annualized expense and net investment
income ratios would have been 2.08% and 6.63%, respectively.
(4) If the Fund had borne all expenses that were assumed or waived by the
Investment Manager, the above annualized expense and net investment
income ratios would have been 1.66% and 7.84%, respectively.

4
<PAGE>

THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end
diversified management investment company. The Fund is a trust of the type
commonly known as a "Massachusetts business trust" and was organized under
the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on December 20, 1991.

Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital" or the "Investment
Manager"), whose address is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048,
is the Fund's Investment Manager. The Investment Manager, which was
incorporated in July, 1992, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter,
Discover & Co. ("DWDC"), a balanced financial services organization providing
a broad range of nationally marketed credit and investment products.

InterCapital and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company
Inc., serve in various investment management, advisory, management and
administrative capacities to 100 investment companies, thirty of which are
listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with combined total assets of
approximately $87.9 billion as of November 30, 1996. The Investment Manager
also manages portfolios of pension plans, other institutions and individuals
which aggregated approximately $3.1 billion at such date.

The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and manage the investment of the Fund's
assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities. InterCapital has retained Dean Witter Services Company
Inc. to perform the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund. The
Fund's Trustees review the various services provided by or under the
direction of the Investment Manager to ensure that the Fund's general
investment policies and programs are being properly carried out and that
administrative services are being provided to the Fund in a satisfactory
manner.

As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and for expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays
the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
annual rate of 0.40% to the Fund's net assets determined as of the close of
each business day. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the Fund
accrued total compensation to the Investment Manager amounting to 0.40% of
the Fund's average daily net assets and the Fund's total expenses amounted to
1.42% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The primary investment objective of the Fund is to provide a high level of
current income. As a secondary objective the Fund seeks to maximize total
return but only to the extent consistent with its primary objective. The
investment objectives of the Fund are fundamental policies and may not be
changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund's
shares. There is no assurance that the Fund's investment objectives will be
achieved.

The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objectives by investing at
least 65% of its total assets in fixed-income securities and by equally
allocating, under normal circumstances, an approximately one-third portion of
its total assets among three separate groupings of various types of
fixed-income securities. The Investment Manager will adjust the Fund's assets
not less than quarterly to reflect any changes in the relative values of the
securities in each grouping so that following the adjustment the value of the
Fund's investments in each grouping will be equal to the extent practicable.

The three groupings in which the Fund will invest its total assets are as
follows:

5
<PAGE>

1. High quality fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including zero coupon
securities) or high quality fixed income securities issued or guaranteed by a
foreign government or supranational organization or any of their political
subdivisions, authorities, agencies or instrumentalities or fixed income
securities issued by a corporation, all of which are rated AAA or AA by
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or Aaa or Aa by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or, if unrated, are determined by the Investment
Manager to be of equivalent quality; in certificates of deposit and bankers'
acceptances issued or guaranteed by, or time deposits maintained at, banks
(including foreign branches of U.S. banks or U.S. or foreign branches of
foreign banks) having total assets of more than $500 million and determined
by the Investment Manager to be of high creditworthiness; commercial paper
rated A-1 or A-2 by S&P, Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's or Duff 1 or Duff 2 by
Duff & Phelps Inc. or, if unrated, issued by U.S. or foreign companies having
outstanding debt securities rated A or higher by S&P or Moody's; and in loan
participation interests having a remaining term not exceeding one year in
loans extended by banks to such companies. Certain foreign securities
purchased by the Fund will not have received ratings by a recognized U.S.
rating agency. In such cases the Investment Manager will review the issuers
of such securities with respect to the quality of their management, balance
sheet and financial ratios, cash flows and earnings to establish that the
securities purchased by the Fund are of a comparable quality to issuers
receiving high quality ratings by a recognized U.S. rating agency. All of the
securities described above will have remaining maturities, at the time of
purchase, of not more than three years.

The Investment Manager will actively manage the Fund's assets in this
grouping in accordance with a global market strategy (see "Investment
Objective and Policies--Portfolio Management," in the Prospectus). Consistent
with such a strategy, the Investment Manager intends to allocate the Fund's
investments among securities denominated in the currencies of a number of
foreign countries and, within each such country, among different types of
debt securities. The Investment Manager will adjust the Fund's exposure to
different currencies based on its perception of the most favorable markets
and issuers. In allocating the Fund's assets among various markets, the
Investment Manager will assess the relative yield and anticipated direction
of interest rates in particular markets, the level of inflation, liquidity
and financial soundness of each market, and the general market and economic
conditions existing in each market as well as the relationship of currencies
of various countries to the U.S. dollar and to each other. In its
evaluations, the Investment Manager will utilize its internal financial,
economic and credit analysis resources as well as information obtained from
other sources.

A portion of the Fund's investments in securities of U.S. issuers are
likely to be in commercial paper, bankers acceptances and other short-term
debt instruments issued by U.S. corporations. However, at times during which
there exists large-scale political or economic uncertainty, the Fund is
likely to increase its investments in U.S. Government securities (including
zero coupon securities). In such cases, the securities which the Fund is most
likely to purchase are U.S. Treasury bills and U.S. Treasury notes with
remaining maturities of under three years, both of which are direct
obligations of the U.S. Government. The Fund may also purchase securities
issued by various agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government.
These will include obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States (such as those issued by the Government National Mortgage
Association); obligations whose issuing agency or instrumentality has the
right to borrow, to meet its obligations, from an existing line of credit
with the U.S. Treasury (such as those issued by the Federal National Mortgage
Association); and obligations backed by the credit of the issuing agency or
instrumentality (such as those issued by the Federal Farm Credit System).

The securities in which the Fund will be investing may be denominated in
any currency or multinational currency, including the U.S. dollar. In

6
<PAGE>
addition to the U.S. dollar, such currencies will include, among others: the
Australian dollar; Deutsche mark; Japanese yen; French franc; British pound;
Canadian dollar; Swiss franc; Dutch guilder; Austrian schilling; Spanish
peseta; Swedish krona; and European Currency Unit ("ECU").

The Fund may invest, without limitation in this grouping, in notes and
commercial paper, the principal amount of which is indexed to certain
specific foreign currency exchange rates. Indexed notes and commercial paper
typically provide that their principal amount is adjusted upwards or
downwards (but not below zero) at maturity to reflect fluctuations in the
exchange rate between two currencies during the period the obligation is
outstanding, depending on the terms of the specific security. In selecting
the two currencies, the Investment Manager will consider the correlation and
relative yields of various currencies. The Fund will purchase an indexed
obligation using the currency in which it is denominated and, at maturity,
will receive interest and principal payments thereon in that currency. The
amount of principal payable by the issuer at maturity, however, will vary
(i.e., increase or decrease) in response to the change (if any) in the
exchange rates between the two specified currencies during the period from
the date the instrument is issued to its maturity date. The potential for
realizing gains as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates may
enable the Fund to hedge the currency in which the obligation is denominated
(or to effect cross-hedges against other currencies) against a decline in the
U.S. dollar value of investments denominated in foreign currencies, while
providing an attractive money market rate of return. The Fund will purchase
such indexed obligations to generate current income or for hedging purposes
and will not speculate in such obligations.

As indicated above, the Fund may invest in securities denominated in a
multi-national currency unit. An illustration of a multi-national currency
unit is the ECU, which is a "basket" consisting of specified amounts of the
currencies of the member states of the European Community, a Western European
economic cooperative organization that includes, among other countries,
France, West Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The specific
amounts of currencies comprising the ECU may be adjusted by the Council of
Ministers of the European Community to reflect changes in relative values of
the underlying currencies. The Investment Manager does not believe that such
adjustments will adversely affect holders of ECU-denominated obligations or
the marketability of such securities. European supranational entities, in
particular, issue ECU-denominated obligations. The Fund may invest in
securities denominated in the currency of one nation although issued by a
governmental entity, corporation or financial institution of another nation.
For example, the Fund may invest in a British pound-denominated obligation
issued by a United States corporation. Such investments involve credit risks
associated with the issuer and currency risks associated with the currency in
which the obligation is denominated.

2. (i) Fixed-rate and adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities
("Mortgage-Backed Securities") which are issued or guaranteed by the United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or by private issuers
which are rated Aaa by Moody's or AAA by S&P or, if not rated, are determined
to be of comparable quality by the Investment Manager; (ii) securities backed
by other assets such as automobile or credit card receivables and home equity
loans ("Asset-Backed Securities") which are rated Aaa by Moody's or AAA by
S&P or, if not rated are determined to be of comparable quality by the
Investment Manager; (iii) U.S Treasury securities (bills, notes, bonds and
zero coupon securities) (without restrictions as to remaining maturity at
time of purchase) and (iv) U.S. Government agency securities (discount notes,
medium-term notes, debentures and zero coupon securities) (without
restrictions as to remaining maturity at time of purchase). The term
Mortgage-Backed Securities as used herein includes adjustable rate mortgage
securities and derivative mortgage products such as collateralized mortgage
obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities, all as described below.

There are currently three basic types of Mortgage-Backed Securities: (i)
those issued or

7
<PAGE>
guaranteed by the United States Government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association
("GNMA"), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") (securities issued by GNMA, but not
those issued by FNMA or FHLMC, are backed by the "full faith and credit" of
the United States); (ii) those issued by private issuers that represent an
interest in or are collateralized by Mortgage-Backed Securities issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities; and (iii) those issued by private issuers that represent
an interest in or are collateralized by whole mortgage loans or
Mortgage-Backed Securities without a government guarantee but usually having
some form of private credit enhancement.

The Fund will invest in mortgage pass-through securities representing
participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans originated by
United States governmental or private lenders such as banks, broker-dealers
and financing corporations and guaranteed, to the extent provided in such
securities, by the United States Government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities. Such securities, which are ownership interests in the
underlying mortgage loans, differ from conventional debt securities, which
provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts (usually
semiannually) and principal payments at maturity or on specified call dates.
Mortgage pass-through securities provide for monthly payments that are a
"pass-through" of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any
prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans,
net of any fees paid to the guarantor of such securities and the servicer of
the underlying mortgage loans.

The guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities in which the Fund may
invest include those issued or guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC. GNMA
certificates are direct obligations of the U.S. Government and, as such, are
backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United States. FNMA is a
federally chartered, privately owned corporation and FHLMC is a corporate
instrumentality of the United States. FNMA and FHLMC certificates are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but the issuing
agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its obligations,
from an existing line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. The U.S. Treasury has
no legal obligation to provide such line of credit and may choose not to do
so.

Certificates for Mortgage-Backed Securities evidence an interest in a
specific pool of mortgages. These certificates are, in most cases, "modified
pass-through" instruments, wherein the issuing agency guarantees the payment
of principal and interest on mortgages underlying the certificates, whether
or not such amounts are collected by the issuer on the underlying mortgages.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities. The Fund may also invest in
adjustable rate mortgage securities ("ARMs"), which are pass-through mortgage
securities collateralized by mortgages with adjustable rather than fixed
rates. ARMs eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool generally provide for a
fixed initial mortgage interest rate for either the first three, six, twelve
or thirteen scheduled monthly payments. Thereafter, the interest rates are
subject to periodic adjustment based on changes to a designated benchmark
index.

ARMs contain maximum and minimum rates beyond which the mortgage interest
rate may not vary over the lifetime of the security. In addition, certain
ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the
mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period.
Alternatively, certain ARMs contain limitations on changes in the required
monthly payment. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay
the interest accruing on an ARM, any such excess interest is added to the
principal balance of the mortgage loan, which is repaid through future
monthly payments. If the monthly payment for such an instrument exceeds the
sum of the interest accrued at the applicable mortgage interest rate and the
principal payment required at such point to amortize the outstanding
principal balance over the

8
<PAGE>
remaining term of the loan, the excess is utilized to reduce the then
outstanding principal balance of the ARM.

Private Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Private mortgage pass-through
securities are structured similarly to the GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage
pass-through securities and are issued by originators of and investors in
mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks,
commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the
foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a pool of conventional
fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage loans. Since private mortgage
pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity having the
credit status of GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, such securities generally are
structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Multiclass Pass-Through
Securities. Collateralized mortgage obligations or "CMOs" are debt
obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through
securities. Typically, CMOs are collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC
Certificates, but also may be collateralized by whole loans or private
mortgage pass-through securities (such collateral collectively hereinafter
referred to as "Mortgage Assets"). Multiclass pass-through securities are
equity interests in a trust composed of Mortgage Assets. Payments of
principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets, and any reinvestment income
thereon, provide the funds to pay debt service on the CMOs or make scheduled
distributions on the multiclass pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued
by agencies or instrumentalities of the United States government, or by
private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings
and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and
special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. The issuer of a series of CMOs
may elect to be treated as a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
("REMIC"). REMICs include governmental and/or private entities that issue a
fixed pool of mortgages secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are
similar to CMOs in that they issue multiple classes of securities, but unlike
CMOs, which are required to be structured as debt securities, REMICs may be
structured as indirect ownership interests in the underlying assets of the
REMICs themselves. However, there are no effects on the Fund from investing
in CMOs issued by entities that have elected to be treated as REMICs, and all
future references to CMOs shall also be deemed to include REMICs. In
addition, in reliance upon a recent interpretation by the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may invest without limitation in
CMOs and other Mortgage-Backed Securities which are not by definition
excluded from the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and which have obtained exemptive orders from such provisions from
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In a CMO, a series of bonds or certificates is issued in multiple classes.
Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a "tranche", is issued at a specific
fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution
date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Assets may cause the CMOs to be
retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final
distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on
a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis. Certain CMOs may have variable or
floating interest rates and others may be stripped (securities which provide
only the principal or interest feature of the underlying security).

The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated
among the several classes of a CMO series in a number of different ways.
Generally, the purpose of the allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the
various classes is to obtain a more predictable cash flow to the individual
tranches than exists with the underlying collateral of the CMO. As a general
rule, the more predictable the cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the
anticipated yield will be on that tranche at the time of issuance relative to
prevailing market yields on Mortgage-Backed Securities. As part of the
process of creating more predictable cash flows on most of

9
<PAGE>
the tranches in a series of CMOs, one or more tranches generally must be
created that absorb most of the volatility in the cash flows on the
underlying mortgage loans. The yields on these tranches are generally higher
than prevailing market yields on Mortgage-Backed Securities with similar
maturities. As a result of the uncertainty of the cash flows of these
tranches, the market prices of and yield on these tranches generally are more
volatile.

The Fund also may invest in, among other things, parallel pay CMOs and
Planned Amortization Class CMOs ("PAC Bonds"). Parallel pay CMOs are
structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than
one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating
the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which, as
with other CMO structures, must be retired by its stated maturity date or
final distribution date but may be retired earlier. PAC Bonds generally
require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date. PAC
Bonds always are parallel pay CMOs with the required principal payment on
such securities having the highest priority after interest has been paid to
all classes.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities
are derivative multiclass mortgage securities. Stripped Mortgage-Backed
Securities may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the United
States Government, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage
loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial
banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities usually are structured with two
classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal
distribution on a pool of Mortgage Assets. A common type of Stripped
Mortgage-Backed Securities will have one class receiving some of the interest
and most of the principal from the Mortgage Assets, while the other class
will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the
most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the
interest-only or "IO" class), while the other class will receive all of the
principal (the principal-only or "PO" class). PO classes generate income
through the accretion of the deep discount at which such securities are
purchased, and, while PO classes do not receive periodic payments of
interest, they receive monthly payments associated with scheduled
amortization and principal prepayment from the Mortgage Assets underlying the
PO class. The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the
rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying
Mortgage Assets, and a rapid rate of principal repayments may have a material
adverse effect on the Fund's yield to maturity. If the underlying Mortgage
Assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund
may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities even if
the securities are rated Aaa by Moody's or AAA by S&P.

The Fund may purchase Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities for income, or
for hedging purposes to protect the Fund's portfolio against interest rate
fluctuations. For example, since an IO class will tend to increase in value
as interest rates rise, it may be utilized to hedge against a decrease in
value of other fixed-income securities in a rising interest rate environment.
The Fund understands that the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
considers Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities representing interest only or
principal only components of U.S. Government or other debt securities to be
illiquid securities. The Fund will treat such securities as illiquid so long
as the staff maintains such a position. The Fund may not invest more than 10%
of its total assets in illiquid securities.

Asset-Backed Securities. The securitization techniques used to develop
Mortgage-Backed Securities are also applied to a broad range of other assets.
Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, various types of
assets, primarily automobile and credit card receivables and home equity
loans, are being securitized in pass-through structures similar to the
mortgage pass-through structures described above or in a pay-through
structure similar to the CMO structure.

10
<PAGE>
New instruments and variations of existing Mortgage-Backed Securities and
Asset-Backed Securities continue to be developed. The Fund may invest in any
such instruments or variations as may be developed, to the extent consistent
with its investment objectives and policies and applicable regulatory
requirements.

Zero Coupon Securities. A portion of the fixed-income securities purchased
by the Fund may be zero coupon securities. Such securities are purchased at a
discount from their face amount, giving the purchaser the right to receive
their full value at maturity. The interest earned on such securities is,
implicitly, automatically compounded and paid out at maturity. While such
compounding at a constant rate eliminates the risk of receiving lower yields
upon reinvestment of interest if prevailing interest rates decline, the owner
of a zero coupon security will be unable to participate in higher yields upon
reinvestment of interest received on interest-paying securities if prevailing
interest rates rise.

A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its life.
Therefore, to the extent the Fund invests in zero coupon securities, it will
not receive current cash available for distribution to shareholders. In
addition, zero coupon securities generally are subject to substantially
greater price fluctuations during periods of changing prevailing interest
rates than are comparable securities which pay interest on a current basis.
Current federal tax law requires that a holder (such as the Fund) of a zero
coupon security accrue a portion of the discount at which the security was
purchased as income each year even though the Fund receives no interest
payments in cash on the security during the year.

3. High yield, high risk fixed-income securities rated Baa or lower by
Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P or, if not rated, are determined by the
Investment Manager to be of comparable quality. The high yield, high risk
fixed-income securities in this grouping may include both convertible and
nonconvertible debt securities and preferred stock. Fixed-income securities
rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P have speculative characteristics greater
than those of more highly rated bonds, while fixed-income securities rated Ba
or BB or lower by Moody's and Standard & Poor's, respectively, are considered
to be speculative investments. Furthermore, the Fund does not have any
minimum quality rating standard for its investments. As such, the Fund may
invest in securities rated as low as Caa, Ca or C by Moody's or CCC, CC, C or
C1 by Standard & Poor's. Fixed-income securities rated Caa or Ca by Moody's
may already be in default on payment of interest or principal, while bonds
rated C by Moody's, their lowest bond rating, can be regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Bonds rated C1 by S&P, their lowest bond rating, are no longer making
interest payments.

During temporary defensive periods when market conditions warrant
reduction of some or all of the Fund's securities holdings or when
temporarily holding cash pending investment, this portion of the Fund may
invest in U.S. Treasury securities or other money market instruments. Under
such circumstances the money market instruments in which this portion of the
Fund may invest, in addition to U.S. Treasury securities (bills, notes, bonds
and zero coupons securities), are American bank obligations, such as
certificates of deposit; Eurodollar certificates of deposit; obligations of
American savings institutions; and commercial paper of American issuers rated
within the two highest grades by Moody's or S&P or, if not rated, are issued
by a company having an outstanding debt issue rated at least AA by S&P or Aa
by Moody's.

A description of corporate bond ratings is contained in the Appendix.
Non-rated securities will also be considered for investment by the Fund when
the terms of the securities themselves makes them appropriate investments for
the Fund.

The ratings of fixed-income securities by Moody's and S&P are a generally
accepted barometer of credit risk. However, as the creditworthiness of
issuers of lower-rated fixed-income securities is more problematical than
that of issuers of higher-

11
<PAGE>
rated fixed-income securities, the achievement of the Fund's investment
objectives will be more dependent upon the Investment Manager's own credit
analysis than would be the case with a mutual fund investing primarily in
higher quality bonds. The Investment Manager will utilize a security's credit
rating as simply one indication of an issuer's creditworthiness and will
principally rely upon its own analysis of any security currently held by the
Fund or potentially purchasable by the Fund for its portfolio.

RISK CONSIDERATIONS

The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in
the market value of its portfolio securities. The market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities will increase or decrease due to a variety of economic,
market or political factors which cannot be predicted. The Fund's yield will
also vary based on the yield of the Fund's portfolio securities.

All fixed-income securities are subject to two types of risks: the credit
risk and the interest rate risk. The credit risk relates to the ability of
the issuer to meet interest or principal payments or both as they come due.
Generally, higher yielding fixed-income securities are subject to a credit
risk to a greater extent than lower yielding fixed-income securities. The
interest rate risk refers to the fluctuations in the net asset value of any
portfolio of fixed-income securities resulting from the inverse relationship
between price and yield of fixed-income securities; that is, when the general
level of interest rates rises, the prices of outstanding fixed-income
securities decline, and when interest rates fall, prices rise.

Foreign Securities. Investors should carefully consider the risks of
investing in securities of foreign issuers and securities denominated in
non-U.S. currencies. Fluctuations in the relative rates of exchange between
the currencies of different nations may affect the value of the Fund's
investments. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S.
dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated in
that currency and thereby impact upon the Fund's yield on such assets and the
net asset value of a share of the Fund as well as the value of the Fund's
distributions. For example, if a substantial portion of the Fund's assets are
denominated in Japanese yen and the relative exchange rate of the yen falls
with respect to the U.S. dollar (i.e., a yen is worth a smaller fraction of a
dollar than it had been) then the Fund will be receiving a lesser amount of
interest on its fixed-income securities denominated in yen (when converted
into U.S. dollars) and when the Fund's assets are valued for purposes of
determining the net asset value per share of the Fund, the net assets of the
Fund reflected by the yen-denominated securities will have declined in U.S.
dollar value and the net asset value of the Fund (always stated in U.S.
dollars) may have also declined.

Foreign currency exchange rates are determined by forces of supply and
demand on the foreign exchange markets. These forces are themselves affected
by the international balance of payments and other economic and financial
conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors. Moreover,
foreign currency exchange rates may be affected by the regulatory control of
the exchanges on which the currencies trade. The foreign currency
transactions of the Fund will be conducted on a spot basis or through forward
contracts or futures contracts (see below). The Fund may incur certain costs
in connection with these currency transactions.

Investments in foreign securities will also occasion risks relating to
political and economic developments abroad, including the possibility of
expropriations or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the use or transfer
of Fund assets and any effects of foreign social, economic or political
instability. Foreign companies are not subject to the regulatory requirements
of U.S. companies and, as such, there may be less publicly available
information about such companies. Moreover, foreign companies are generally
not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and
requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.

Securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable
securities of U.S. issuers and, as such, their price changes may be more
volatile.

12
<PAGE>
Furthermore, foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally subject to
less government and exchange scrutiny and regulation than their American
counterparts. Brokerage commissions, dealer concessions and other transaction
costs may be higher on foreign markets than the U.S. In addition, differences
in clearance and settlement procedures on foreign markets may occasion delays
in settlements of Fund trades effected in such markets. Inability to dispose
of portfolio securities due to settlement delays could result in losses to
the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of such securities and the
inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement
problems could result in a failure of the Fund to make potentially
advantageous investments.

----------------------

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities. Mortgage-Backed and
Asset-Backed Securities have certain different characteristics than
traditional debt securities. Among the major differences are that interest
and principal payments are made more frequently, usually monthly, and that
principal may be prepaid at any time because the underlying mortgage loans or
other assets generally may be prepaid at any time. As a result, if the Fund
purchases such a security at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than
expected may reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower
than expected may have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity.
Alternatively, if the Fund purchases these securities at a discount, faster
than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected
prepayments may reduce, yield to maturity. The Fund may invest a portion of
its assets in derivative Mortgage-Backed Securities such as Stripped
Mortgage-Backed Securities which are highly sensitive to changes in
prepayment and interest rates. The Investment Manager will seek to manage
these risks (and potential benefits) by investing in a variety of such
securities and through hedging techniques.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities, like all fixed income
securities, generally decrease in value as a result of increases in interest
rates. In addition, although generally the value of fixed-income securities
increases during periods of falling interest rates and, as stated above,
decreases during periods of rising interest rates, as a result of prepayments
and other factors, this is not always the case with respect to
Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities.

Although the extent of prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans depends on
various economic and other factors, as a general rule prepayments on fixed
rate mortgage loans will increase during a period of falling interest rates
and decrease during a period of rising interest rates. Accordingly, amounts
available for reinvestment by the Fund are likely to be greater during a
period of declining interest rates and, as a result, likely to be reinvested
at lower interest rates than during a period of rising interest rates.
Asset-Backed Securities, although less likely to experience the same
prepayment rates as Mortgage-Backed Securities, may respond to certain of the
same factors influencing prepayments, while at other times different factors,
such as changes in credit use and payment patterns resulting from social,
legal and economic factors, will predominate. Mortgage-Backed and
Asset-Backed Securities generally decrease in value as a result of increases
in interest rates and may benefit less than other fixed income securities
from declining interest rates because of the risk of prepayment.

There are certain risks associated specifically with CMOs. CMOs issued by
private entities are not U.S. Government securities and are not guaranteed by
any government agency, although the securities underlying a CMO may be
subject to a guarantee. Therefore, if the collateral securing the CMO, as
well as any third party credit support or guarantees, is insufficient to make
payment, the holder could sustain a loss. However, as stated above, the Fund
will invest only in CMOs which are rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's or, if
unrated, are determined to be of comparable quality. Also, a number of
different factors, including the extent of prepayment of principal of the
Mortgage Assets, affect the availability of cash for principal payments by
the CMO issuer on any payment date and, accordingly, affect the timing of
principal payments on each CMO class.

13
<PAGE>
Asset-Backed Securities involve certain risks that are not posed by
Mortgage-Backed Securities, resulting mainly from the fact that Asset-Backed
Securities do not usually contain the complete benefit of a security interest
in the related collateral. For example, credit card receivables generally are
unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state
and federal consumer credit laws, some of which may reduce the ability to
obtain full payment. In the case of automobile receivables, due to various
legal and economic factors, proceeds from repossessed collateral may not
always be sufficient to support payments on these securities.

High Yield Securities. Because of the special nature of the Fund's
investment in high yield securities, commonly known as "junk bonds", the
Investment Manager must take account of certain special considerations in
assessing the risks associated with such investments. Although the growth of
the high yield securities market in the 1980s had paralleled a long economic
expansion, recently many issuers have been affected by adverse economic and
market conditions. It should be recognized that an economic downturn or
increase in interest rates is likely to have a negative effect on the high
yield bond market and on the value of the high yield securities held by the
Fund, as well as on the ability of the securities' issuers to repay principal
and interest on their borrowings.

The prices of high yield securities have been found to be less sensitive
to changes in prevailing interest rates than higher-rated investments, but
are likely to be more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual
corporate developments. During an economic downturn or substantial period of
rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial
stress which would adversely affect their ability to service their principal
and interest payment obligations, to meet their projected business goals or
to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of a fixed-income security
owned by the Fund defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek
recovery. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty and change can be
expected to result in an increased volatility of market prices of high yield
securities and a concomitant volatility in the net asset value of a share of
the Fund. Moreover, the market prices of certain of the Fund's portfolio
securities which are structured as zero coupon and payment-in-kind securities
are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes and thereby tend to
be more volatile than securities which pay interest periodically and in cash
(see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" for a discussion of the tax
ramifications of investments in such securities).

The secondary market for high yield securities may be less liquid than the
markets for higher quality securities and, as such, may have an adverse
effect on the market prices of certain securities. The limited liquidity of
the market may also adversely affect the ability of the Fund's Trustees to
arrive at a fair value for certain high yield securities at certain times and
could make it difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities.

New laws and proposed new laws may have a potentially negative impact on
the market for high yield bonds. For example, present legislation requires
federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments
in high yield bonds. This legislation and other proposed legislation may have
an adverse effect upon the value of high yield securities and a concomitant
negative impact upon the net asset value of a share of the Fund.

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the monthly dollar weighted
average ratings of the debt obligations held by the Fund, expressed as a
percentage of the Fund's total investments, were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
RATINGS INVESTMENTS
- ------- --------------------
<S> <C>
AAA/Aaa 53.2%
AA/Aa 0.2%
A/A 1.1%
BBB/Baa 0.0%
BB/Ba 2.4%
B/B 23.0%
CCC/Caa 1.7%
CC/Ca 0.0%
C/C 0.0%
D 0.0%
Unrated 18.4%
</TABLE>

14
<PAGE>
OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements,
which may be viewed as a type of secured lending by the Fund, and which
typically involve the acquisition by the Fund of debt securities from a
selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or
broker-dealer. The agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the
institution, and that the institution will repurchase, the underlying
security at a specified price and at a fixed time in the future, usually not
more than seven days from the date of purchase. While repurchase agreements
involve certain risks not associated with direct investments in debt
securities, the Fund follows procedures designed to minimize those risks.
These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with large,
well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions whose financial
condition will be continually monitored by the Investment Manager subject to
procedures established by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. In addition, the
value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement will be at least
equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest earned on the
repurchase agreement.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls. The Fund may also use
reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls as part of its investment
strategy. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of
portfolio assets concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the
same assets at a later date at a fixed price. During the reverse repurchase
agreement period, the Fund continues to receive principal and interest
payments on these securities. Generally, the effect of such a transaction is
that the Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio
securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement,
while it will be able to keep the interest income associated with those
portfolio securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the interest
cost to the Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the cost
of obtaining the cash otherwise.

The Fund may enter into dollar rolls in which the Fund sells securities
for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase
substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future
date. During the roll period, the Fund foregoes principal and interest paid
on the securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the
current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase
(often referred to as the "drop") as well as by the interest earned on the
cash proceeds of the initial sale.

The Fund will establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in
which it will maintain cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid
portfolio securities equal in value to its obligations in respect of reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. Reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the
Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the
repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse
repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes
insolvent, the Fund's use of the proceeds of the agreement may be restricted
pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver,
whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities.
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls are speculative techniques
involving leverage, and are considered borrowings by the Fund. Under the
requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"),
the Fund is required to maintain an asset coverage (including the proceeds of
the borrowings) of at least 300% of all borrowings. The Fund does not expect
to engage in reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls with respect to
greater than 25% of the Fund's total assets.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. From
time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Fund may purchase
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or may purchase or sell
securities on a forward commitment basis. When such transactions are
negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the commitment, but delivery
and payment can take

15
<PAGE>

place a month or more after the date of the commitment. The securities so
purchased are subject to market fluctuation and no interest accrues to the
purchaser during this period. At the time of delivery of the securities, the
value may be more or less than the purchase price. There is no overall limit
on the percentage of the Fund's assets which may be committed to the purchase
of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis.
An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase
of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis
may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.

When, As and If Issued Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a
"when, as and if issued" basis under which the issuance of the security
depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval of a
merger, corporate reorganization, leveraged buyout or debt restructuring. If
the anticipated event does not occur and the securities are not issued, the
Fund will have lost an investment opportunity. There is no overall limit on
the percentage of the Fund's assets which may be committed to the purchase of
securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis. An increase in the percentage
of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a "when, as
and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of its net asset value.

Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in
securities for which there is no readily available market including certain
of those which are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act") or which are otherwise not readily marketable. (Securities eligible for
resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and determined to be
liquid pursuant to the procedures discussed in the following paragraph, are
not subject to the foregoing restriction.) These securities are generally
referred to as private placements or restricted securities. Limitations on
the resale of such securities may have an adverse effect on their
marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at
reasonable prices. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering such
securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting such
registration.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, which permits the Fund to sell restricted securities
to qualified institutional buyers without limitation. The Investment Manager,
pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Fund, will make a
determination as to the liquidity of each restricted security purchased by
the Fund. If a restricted security is determined to be "liquid," such
security will not be included within the category "illiquid securities,"
which under current policy may not exceed 15% of the Fund's total assets.
However, investing in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of
increasing the level of Fund illiquidity to the extent the Fund, at a
particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified institutional
buyers interested in purchasing such securities.

Common Stocks. The Fund may invest in common stocks in an amount up to 20%
of its total assets in the circumstances described below when consistent with
the Fund's investment objectives.

16
<PAGE>
The Fund may acquire common stocks when attached to or included in a unit
with fixed-income securities, or when acquired upon conversion of
fixed-income securities or upon exercise of warrants attached to fixed-income
securities and may purchase common stocks directly when such acquisitions are
determined by the Investment Manager to further the Fund's investment
objectives.

For example, the Fund may purchase the common stock of companies involved
in takeovers or recapitalizations where the issuer, or a controlling
stockholder, has offered, or pursuant to a "going private" transaction is
effecting, an exhange of its common stock for newly-issued fixed-income
securities. By purchasing the common stock of the company issuing the
fixed-income securities prior to the consummation of the transaction or
exchange offer, the Fund will be able to obtain the fixed-income securities
directly from the issuer at their face value, eliminating the payment of a
dealer's mark-up otherwise payable when fixed-income securities are acquired
from third parties, thereby increasing the net yield to the shareholders of
the Fund. While the Fund will incur brokerage commissions in connection with
its purchase of common stocks, it is anticipated that the amount of such
commissions will be significantly less than the amount of such mark-up.

Fixed-income securities acquired by the Fund through the purchase of
common stocks under the circumstances described in the preceding paragraph
are subject to the general credit risks and interest rate risks to which all
fixed-income securities purchased by the Fund are subject. Such securities
generally will be rated Baa/BBB or lower as are the other high yield, high
risk fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest. In addition, since
corporations involved in takeover situations are often highly leveraged, that
factor will be evaluated by the Investment Manager as part of its credit risk
determination with respect to the purchase of particular common stocks for
the Fund's investment portfolio. In the event the Fund purchases common stock
of a corporation in anticipation of a transaction (pursuant to which the
common stock is to be exchanged for fixed-income securities) which fails to
take place, the Investment Manager will continue to hold such common stocks
for the Fund's portfolio only if it determines that continuing to hold such
common stock under those circumstances is consistent with the Fund's
investment objectives.

OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS

The Fund is permitted to enter into call and put options on its portfolio
securities, including U.S. Government securities and mortgage-backed
securities and on various foreign currencies which are listed on several U.S.
and foreign securities exchanges and are written in over-the-counter
transactions ("OTC options"). Listed options are issued or guaranteed by the
exchange on which they trade or by a clearing corporation such as the Options
Clearing Corporation ("OCC"). The Fund is permitted to write covered call
options on portfolio securities which are denominated in either U.S. dollars
or foreign currencies, without limit, in order to hedge against the decline
in the value of a security or currency in which such security is denominated
and to close out long call option positions. The Fund may purchase listed and
OTC call and put options in amounts equalling up to 5% of its total assets.
The Fund may purchase call options only to close out a covered call position
or to protect against an increase in the price of a security it anticipates
purchasing or, in the case of call options on a foreign currency, to hedge
against an adverse exchange rate change of the currency in which the security
it anticipates purchasing is denominated vis-a-vis the currency in which the
exercise price is denominated. The Fund may purchase put options on
securities which it holds in its portfolio only to protect itself against a
decline in the value of the security. The Fund may also purchase put options
to close out written put positions. There are no other limits on the Fund's
ability to purchase call and put options.

The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts that are
currently traded, or may in the future be traded, on U.S. and foreign
commodity exchanges on such underlying fixed-income securities as U.S.
Treasury bonds, notes, bills, and zero

<PAGE>

coupon securities, mortgage-backed securities and/or any foreign government
fixed-income security ("interest rate" futures), on various currencies
("currency" futures) and on such indexes of U.S. or foreign fixed-income
securities as may exist or come into being, such as the Moody's Investment
Grade Corporate Bond Index ("index" futures). The Fund will purchase or sell
interest rate futures contracts for the purpose of hedging some or all of the
value of its portfolio securities (or anticipated portfolio securities)
against changes in prevailing interest rates. The Fund will purchase or sell
index futures contracts for the purpose of hedging some or all of its
portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) securities against changes in their
prices.

The Fund may also purchase and write call and put options on futures
contracts which are traded on an exchange and enter into closing transactions
with respect to such options to terminate an existing position. The Fund will
purchase and write options on futures contracts for identical purposes to
those set forth above for the purchase of a futures contract and the sale of
a futures contract or to close out a long or short position in futures
contracts.

Risks of Options and Futures Transactions. The Fund may close out its
position as writer of an option, or as a buyer or seller of a futures
contract, only if a liquid secondary market exists for options or futures
contracts of that series. There is no assurance that such a market will
exist, particularly in the case of OTC options, as such options will
generally only be closed out by entering into a closing purchase transaction
with the purchasing dealer. Also, Exchanges may limit the amount by which the
price of many futures contracts may move on any day. If the price moves equal
the daily limit on successive days, then it may prove impossible to liquidate
a futures position until the daily limit moves have ceased.

While the futures contracts and options transactions to be engaged in by
the Fund for the purpose of hedging the Fund's portfolio securities are not
speculative in nature, there are risks inherent in the use of such
instruments. One such risk is that the Fund's Investment Manager could be
incorrect in its expectations as to the direction or extent of various
interest rate or price movements or the time span within which the movements
take place. For example, if the Fund sold futures contracts for the sale of
securities in anticipation of an increase in interest rates, and then
interest rates went down instead, causing bond prices to rise, the Fund would
lose money on the sale. Another risk which will arise in employing futures
contracts to protect against the price volatility of portfolio securities is
that the prices of securities, currencies and indexes subject to futures
contracts (and thereby the futures contract prices) may correlate imperfectly
with the behavior of the U.S. dollar cash prices of the Fund's portfolio
securities and their denominated currencies. Another such risk is that prices
of interest rate futures contracts may not move in tandem with the changes in
prevailing interest rates against which the Fund seeks a hedge. See the
Statement of Additional Information for further discussion of such risks.

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

In order to hedge against adverse price movements in the securities held
in its portfolio and the currencies in which they are denominated (as well as
the securities it might wish to purchase and their denominated currencies)
the Fund may engage in transactions in forward foreign currency contracts. A
forward foreign currency exchange contract ("forward contract") involves an
obligation to purchase or sell a currency at a future date, which may be any
fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the
parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. The Fund may enter into
forward contracts as a hedge against fluctuations in future foreign exchange
rates.

The Fund will enter into forward contracts under various circumstances.
When the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security
denominated in a foreign currency, it may, for example, desire to "lock in"
the price of the security in U.S. dollars or some other foreign currency
which the Fund is temporarily holding in its portfolio. By entering into a
forward contract for the purchase or

18
<PAGE>
sale, for a fixed amount of dollars or other currency, of the amount of
foreign currency involved in the underlying security transactions, the Fund
will be able to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an
adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar or other currency
which is being used for the security purchase and the foreign currency in
which the security is denominated during the period between the date on which
the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or
received.

At other times, when, for example, the Investment Manager believes that
the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline
against the U.S. dollar or some other foreign currency, the Fund may enter
into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of dollars or other
currency, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or
all of the Fund's portfolio securities (or securities which the Fund has
purchased for its portfolio) denominated in such foreign currency. Under
identical circumstances, the Fund may enter into a forward contract to sell,
for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other currency, an amount of foreign
currency other than the currency in which the securities to be hedged are
denominated approximating the value of some or all of the portfolio
securities to be hedged. This method of hedging, called "cross-hedging," will
be selected by the Investment Manager when it is determined that the foreign
currency in which the portfolio securities are denominated has insufficient
liquidity or are trading at a discount as compared with some other foreign
currency with which it tends to move in tandem.

In addition, when the Fund's Investment Manager anticipates purchasing
securities at some time in the future, and wishes to lock in the current
exchange rate of the currency in which those securities are denominated
against the U.S. dollar or some other foreign currency, the Fund may enter
into a forward contract to purchase an amount of currency equal to some or
all of the value of the anticipated purchase, for a fixed amount of U.S.
dollars or other currency. The Fund may, however, close out the forward
contract prior to purchasing the security which was the subject of the
anticipatory hedge.

Lastly, the Fund is permitted to enter into forward contracts with respect
to currencies in which certain of its portfolio securities are denominated
and on which options have been written (see "Options and Futures
transactions").

In all of the above circumstances, if the currency in which the Fund's
portfolio securities (or anticipated portfolio securities) are denominated
rises in value with respect to the currency which is being purchased (or
sold), then the Fund will have realized fewer gains than had the Fund not
entered into the forward contracts. Moreover, the precise matching of the
forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not
generally be possible, since the future value of such securities in foreign
currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of
those securities between the date the forward contract is entered into and
the date it matures. The successful use of the foregoing investment practices
draws upon the Investment Manager's special skills and experience with
respect to such instruments and usually depends upon the Investment Manager's
ability to forecast currency exchange rate movements correctly. Should
exchange rates move in an unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the
anticipated benefits of forward contracts or may realize losses and thus be
in a worse position than if such strategies had not been used. Unlike many
exchange-traded futures contracts and options on futures contracts, there are
no daily price fluctuation limits with respect to options on currencies and
forward contracts, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to
an unlimited extent over a period of time. In addition, the correlation
between movements in the prices of such instruments and movements in the
price of currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could
produce unanticipated losses.

The Fund is not required to enter into such transactions with regard to
its foreign currency-denominated securities and will not do so unless deemed
appropriate by the Investment Manager. The Fund generally will not enter into
a forward contract with a term of greater than one year,

19
<PAGE>
although it may enter into forward contracts for periods of up to five years.
The Fund may be limited in its ability to enter into hedging transactions
involving forward contracts by the Internal Revenue Code requirements
relating to qualifications as a regulated investment company (see "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes").

Except as specified, the investment policies and practices discussed above
are not fundamental policies of the Fund and may be changed without
shareholder approval.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by its Investment Manager with a
view to achieving the Fund's investment objectives. In determining which
securities to purchase for the Fund or hold in the Fund's portfolio, the
Investment Manager will rely on information from various sources, including
the rating of the security, research, analysis and appraisals of brokers and
dealers, including Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer
affiliate of InterCapital, the views of Trustees of the Fund and others
regarding economic developments and interest rate trends, and the Investment
Manager's own analysis of factors they deem relevant. The Fund is managed
within InterCapital's Taxable Income Group, which manages 25 funds and fund
portfolios, with approximately $13.1 billion in assets at November 30, 1996.
Peter M. Avelar, Rajesh K. Gupta and Vinh Q. Tran have been the primary
portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception. Peter M. Avelar, Senior
Vice President of InterCapital, has been managing portfolios comprised of
high yield fixed-income securities at InterCapital for over five years.
Rajesh K. Gupta, Senior Vice President of InterCapital, has been managing
portfolios comprised of government securities at InterCapital for over five
years. Vinh Q. Tran, Vice President of InterCapital, has been managing
portfolios comprised of worldwide fixed-income securities at InterCapital for
over five years.

Securities purchased by the Fund are generally sold by dealers acting as
principal for their own accounts. Brokerage commissions are not normally
charged but such transactions generally involve costs in the form of spreads
between bid and asked prices. Orders for transactions in other portfolio
securities and commodities are placed for the Fund with a number of brokers
and dealers, including Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR") a broker-dealer
affiliate of InterCapital. Pursuant to an order of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Fund may effect principal transactions in certain
money market instruments with DWR. In addition, the Fund may incur brokerage
commissions on transactions conducted through DWR.

The Fund may sell portfolio securities without regard to the length of
time that they have been held, in order to take advantage of new investment
opportunities or yield differentials, or because the Fund desires to preserve
gains or limit losses due to changing economic conditions, interest rate
trends, or the financial condition of the issuer.

The expenses of the Fund relating to its portfolio management are likely
to be greater than those incurred by other investment companies investing
primarily in securities issued by domestic issuers such as custodial costs,
brokerage commissions and other transaction charges related to investing on
foreign markets are generally higher than in the United States. Short-term
gains and losses may result from the aforementioned portfolio transactions.
See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" for a discussion of the tax
implications of the Fund's trading policy.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions which
have been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the Act, a
fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Act. For
purposes of the following limitations (with the exception of Restriction 4):
(i) all percentage limitations apply immediately after a purchase or initial
investment, and (ii) any subsequent change in any applicable

20
<PAGE>
percentage resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in total or
net assets does not require elimination of any security from the portfolio.

The Fund may not:

1. Invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one
issuer (other than obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities).

2. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three
years of continuous operation. This restriction shall not apply to
Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities or to any obligation issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities.

3. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers in any one industry, except that the Fund will invest at least 25%
of its total assets in Mortgage-Backed Securities under normal market
conditions. For the purpose of this restriction, gas, electric, water and
telephone utilities will be treated as being a separate industry. This
restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the
United States Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

4. Borrow money in excess of 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets
(including the proceeds of the borrowings).

5. Purchase more than 10% of the voting securities, or more than 10% of
any class of securities, of any issuer. For purposes of this restriction,
all outstanding debt securities of an issuer are considered as one class
and all preferred stocks of an issuer are considered as one class.

PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fund offers its shares for sale to the public on a continuous basis.
Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Fund and Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment
Manager, shares of the Fund are distributed by the Distributor and offered by
DWR and other dealers who have entered into selected dealer agreements with
the Distributor ("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The principal executive office
of the Distributor is located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York
10048.

The minimum initial purchase is $1,000. Subsequent purchases of $100 or
more may be made by sending a check, payable to Dean Witter Diversified
Income Trust, directly to Dean Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent") at
P.O. Box 1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303 or by contacting an account executive of
DWR or other Selected-Broker Dealer. The minimum initial purchase in the case
of investments through EasyInvest, an automatic purchase plan (see
"Shareholder Services"), is $100, provided that the schedule of automatic
investments will result in investments totalling at least $1,000 within the
first twelve months. In the case of investments pursuant to Systematic
Payroll Deduction Plans (including Individual Retirement Plans), the Fund, in
its discretion, may accept investments without regard to any minimum amounts
which would otherwise be required if the Fund has reason to believe that
additional investments will increase the investment in all accounts under
such Plans to at least $1,000. Certificates for shares purchased will not be
issued unless a request is made by the shareholder in writing to the Transfer
Agent. The offering price will be the net asset value per share next
determined following receipt of an order (see "Determination of Net Asset
Value").

Shares of the Fund are sold through the Distributor on a normal three
business day settlement basis; that is payment is due on the third business
day (settlement date) after the order is placed with the Distributor. Since
DWR and other Selected

21
<PAGE>

Broker-Dealers forward investors' funds on settlement date, they will benefit
from the temporary use of the funds if payment is made prior thereto. As
noted above, orders placed directly with the Transfer Agent must be
accompanied by payment. Investors will be entitled to receive income
dividends and capital gains distributions if their order is received by the
close of business on the day prior to the record date for such dividends and
distributions. While no sales charge is imposed at the time shares are
purchased, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed at the time of
redemption (see "Redemptions and Repurchases"). Sales personnel are
compensated for selling shares of the Fund at the time of their sale by the
Distributor and/or Selected Broker-Dealer. In addition, some sales personnel
of the Selected Broker-Dealer will receive various types of non-cash
compensation as special sales incentives, including trips, educational and/or
business seminars and merchandise. The Fund and the Distributor reserve the
right to reject any purchase orders.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Act (the "Plan"), under which the Fund pays the Distributor a fee, which
is accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.85% of the
lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's shares
since the inception of the Fund (not including reinvestments of dividends or
capital gains distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset
value of the Fund's shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon which a
contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived; or (b) the
Fund's average daily net assets. This fee is treated by the Fund as an
expense in the year it is accrued. A portion of the fee payable pursuant to
the Plan, equal to 0.20% of the Fund's average daily net assets, is
characterized as a service fee within the meaning of NASD guidelines. The
service fee is a payment made for personal service and/or maintenance of
shareholder accounts.

Amounts paid under the Plan are paid to the Distributor to compensate it
for the services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and
others in the distribution of the Fund's shares, including the payment of
commissions for sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to and
expenses of DWR's account executives and others who engage in or support
distribution of shares, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing
and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the
offering of the Fund's shares to other than current shareholders; and
preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising
materials. In addition, the Distributor may utilize fees paid pursuant to the
Plan to compensate DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers for their
opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in
the form of a carrying charge on any unreimbursed distribution expenses.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the Fund accrued payments
under the Plan amounting to $5,383,849, which amount is equal to 0.85% of the
Fund's average daily net assets for the fiscal period. These payments accrued
under the Plan were calculated pursuant to clause (b) of the compensation
formula under the Plan.

At any given time, the expenses in distributing shares of the Fund may be
in excess of the total of (i) the payments made by the Fund pursuant to the
Plan, and (ii) the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by
investors upon the redemption of shares (see "Redemptions and
Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge"). For example, if $1 million
in expenses in distributing shares of the Fund had been incurred and $750,000
had been received as described in (i) and (ii) above, the excess expense
would amount to $250,000. The Distributor has advised the Fund that such
excess amount, including the carrying charge described above, totalled
$12,284,935 at October 31, 1996, which was equal to 1.65% of the Fund's net
assets on such date. Because there is no requirement under the Plan that the
Distributor be reimbursed for all distribution expenses or any requirement
that the Plan be continued from year to year, this excess amount does not
constitute a liability of the Fund.

22
<PAGE>
Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay expenses incurred
in excess of payments made to the Distributor under the Plan, and the
proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon
redemption of shares, if for any reason the Plan is terminated the Trustees
will consider at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses. Any
cumulative expenses incurred, but not yet recovered through distribution fees
or contingent deferred sales charges, may or may not be recovered through
future distribution fees or contingent deferred sales charges.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined by taking the
value of all the assets of the Fund, subtracting all liabilities, dividing by
the number of shares outstanding and adjusting the result to the nearest
cent. The net asset value per share is determined by the Investment Manager
as of 4:00 P.M. New York time (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange
closes prior to 4:00 P.M., at such earlier time) on each day that the New
York Stock Exchange is open. The net asset value per share will not be
determined on Good Friday and on such other federal and non-federal holidays
as are observed by the New York Stock Exchange.

In the calculation of the Fund's net asset value: (1) an equity portfolio
security listed or traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange or other
domestic or foreign stock exchange is valued at its latest sale price on that
exchange prior to the time assets are valued; if there were no sales that
day, the security is valued at the latest bid price (in cases where
securities are traded on more than one exchange, the securities are valued on
the exchange designated as the primary market pursuant to procedures adopted
by the Trustees); and (2) all other portfolio securities for which
over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the
latest bid price. When market quotations are not readily available, including
circumstances under which it is determined by the Investment Manager that
sale or bid prices are not reflective of a security's market value, portfolio
securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under
procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund's
Trustees. For valuation purposes, quotations of foreign portfolio securities,
other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency
are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates
prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange.

Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less
at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, unless the Trustees
determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the
Trustees.

Certain of the Fund's portfolio securities may be valued by an outside
pricing service approved by the Fund's Trustees. The pricing service may
utilize a matrix system incorporating security quality, maturity and coupon
as the evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff,
including review of broker-dealer market price quotations in determining what
it believes is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by such
pricing service.

Generally, trading in foreign securities, as well as corporate bonds,
United States Government securities and money market instruments, is
substantially completed each day at various times prior to the regular close
of the New York Stock Exchange. The values of such securities used in
computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of such
times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to
the regular close of the New York Stock Exchange. Occasionally, events which
affect the values of such securities and such exchange rates may occur
between the times at which they are determined and the close of the New York
Stock Exchange and will therefore not be reflected in the computation of the
Fund's net asset value. If events materially affecting the value of such
securities occur during such period, then these securities will be valued at
their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by
and under the supervision of the Trustees.

23
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions. All income dividends
and capital gains distributions are automatically paid in full and fractional
shares of the Fund (or, if specified by the shareholder, any other open-end
investment company for which InterCapital serves as investment manager
(collectively, with the Fund, the "Dean Witter Funds")), unless the
shareholder requests that they be paid in cash. Shares so acquired are not
subject to the imposition of a contingent deferred sales charge upon their
redemption (see "Redemptions and Repurchases").

EasyInvest (Service Mark). Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an
automatic purchase plan which provides for any amount from $100 to $5,000 to
be transferred automatically from a checking or savings account, on a
semi-monthly, monthly or quarterly basis, to the Fund's Transfer Agent for
investment in shares of the Fund (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" and
"Redemptions and Repurchases--Involuntary Redemption").

Systematic Withdrawal Plan. A systematic withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal
Plan") is available for shareholders who own or purchase shares of the Fund
having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon the then current net asset
value. The Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly or quarterly (March, June,
September, December) checks in any dollar amount, not less than $25, or in
any whole percentage of the account balance, on an annualized basis. Any
applicable contingent deferred sales charge will be imposed on shares
redeemed under the Withdrawal Plan (see "Redemptions and
Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge"). Therefore, any shareholder
participating in the Withdrawal Plan will have sufficient shares redeemed
from his or her account so that the proceeds (net of any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge) to the shareholder will be the designated
monthly or quarterly amount.

Shareholders should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for further information about any of
the above services.

Tax Sheltered Retirement Plans. Retirement plans are available through the
Distributor for use by corporations, the self-employed, eligible Individual
Retirement Accounts and Custodial Accounts under Section 403(b)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Adoption of such plans should be on advice of legal
counsel or tax adviser.

For further information regarding plan administration, custodial fees and
other details, investors should contact their account executive or the
Transfer Agent.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

The Fund makes available to its shareholders an "Exchange Privilege"
allowing the exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of other Dean Witter
Funds sold with a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC funds"), and for
shares of Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Limited
Term Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Balanced
Growth Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund, Dean Witter Intermediate Term
U.S. Treasury Trust and five Dean Witter Funds which are money market funds
(the foregoing eleven non-CDSC funds are hereinafter referred to as the
"Exchange Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares of the Fund
acquired by purchase (not by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have been
held for thirty days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of shares
acquired by exchange or dividend reinvestment.

An exchange to another CDSC fund or any Exchange Fund that is not a money
market fund is on the basis of the next calculated net asset value per share
of each fund after the exchange order is received. When exchanging into a
money market fund from the Fund, shares of the Fund are redeemed out of the
Fund at their next calculated net asset value and the proceeds of the
redemption are used to purchase shares of the money market fund at their net
asset value determined the following business day. Subsequent exchanges
between any of the money market funds and any of the CDSC funds can be
effected on the same basis. No contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") is
im-

24
<PAGE>
posed at the time of any exchange, although any applicable CDSC will be
imposed upon ultimate redemption. Shares of the Fund acquired in exchange for
shares of another CDSC fund having a different CDSC schedule than that of
this Fund will be subject to the CDSC schedule of this Fund, even if such
shares are subsequently re-exchanged for shares of the CDSC fund originally
purchased. During the period of time the shareholder remains in the Exchange
Fund (calculated from the last day of the month in which the Exchange Fund
shares were acquired), the holding period (for the purpose of determining the
rate of the CDSC) is frozen. If those shares are subsequently reexchanged for
shares of a CDSC fund, the holding period previously frozen when the first
exchange was made resumes on the last day of the month in which shares of a
CDSC fund are reacquired. Thus, the CDSC is based upon the time (calculated
as described above) the shareholder was invested in a CDSC fund (see
"Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge"). However, in
the case of shares of the Fund exchanged into an Exchange Fund, upon a
redemption of shares which results in a CDSC being imposed, a credit (not to
exceed the amount of the CDSC) will be given in an amount equal to the
Exchange Fund 12b-1 distribution fees which are attributable to those shares.
(Exchange Fund 12b-1 distribution fees are described in the prospectuses for
those funds.)

In addition, shares of the Fund may be acquired in exchange for shares of
Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge ("front-end sales charge
funds") but shares of the Fund, however acquired, may not be exchanged for
shares of front-end sales charge funds. Shares of a CDSC fund acquired in
exchange for shares of a front-end sales charge fund (or in exchange for
shares of other Dean Witter Funds for which shares of a front-end sales
charge fund have been exchanged) are not subject to any CDSC upon their
redemption.

Purchases and exchanges should be made for investment purposes only. A
pattern of frequent exchanges may be deemed by the Investment Manager to be
abusive and contrary to the best interests of the Fund's other shareholders
and, at the Investment Manager's discretion, may be limited by the Fund's
refusal to accept additional purchases and/or exchanges from the investor.
Although the Fund does not have any specific definition of what constitutes a
pattern of frequent exchanges, and will consider all relevant factors in
determining whether a particular situation is abusive and contrary to the
best interests of the Fund and its other shareholders, investors should be
aware that the Fund and each of the other Dean Witter Funds may in their
discretion limit or otherwise restrict the number of times this Exchange
Privilege may be exercised by any investor. Any such restriction will be made
by the Fund on a prospective basis only, upon notice to the shareholder not
later than ten days following such shareholder's most recent exchange.

The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain a copy and examine it carefully
before investing. Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement
and any other conditions imposed by each fund. An exchange will be treated
for federal income tax purposes the same as a repurchase or redemption of
shares, on which the shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss. However,
the ability to deduct capital losses on an exchange may be limited in
situations where there is an exchange of shares wihin ninety days after the
shares are purchased. The Exchange Privilege is only available in states
where an exchange may legally be made.

Also, the Exchange Privilege may be terminated or revised at any time by
the Fund and/or any of such Dean Witter Funds for which shares of the Fund
may be exchanged, upon such notice as may be required by applicable
regulatory agencies.

If DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer is the current dealer of record and
its account numbers are part of the account information, shareholders may
initiate an exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of any of the Dean
Witter Funds (for which the Exchange Privilege is available) pursuant to this
Exchange Privilege by contacting their account executive (no Exchange
Privilege Authorization Form

25
<PAGE>
is required). Other shareholders (and those shareholders who are clients of
DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer but who wish to make exchanges directly
by writing or telephoning the Transfer Agent) must complete and forward to
the Transfer Agent an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form, copies of which
may be obtained from the Transfer Agent, to initiate an exchange. If the
Authorization Form is used, exchanges may be made in writing or by contacting
the Transfer Agent at (800) 869-NEWS (toll free). The Fund will employ
reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange instructions communicated over
the telephone are genuine. Such procedures may include requiring various
forms of personal identification such as name, mailing address, social
security or other tax identification number and DWR or other Selected
Broker-Dealer account number (if any). Telephone instructions may also be
recorded. If such procedures are not employed, the Fund may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Telephone exchange
instructions will be accepted if received by the Transfer Agent between 9:00
and 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open.
Any shareholder wishing to make an exchange who has previously filed an
Exchange Privilege Authorization Form and who is unable to reach the Fund by
telephone should contact his or her DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive, if appropriate, or make a written exchange request.
Shareholders are advised that during periods of drastic economic or market
changes it is possible that the telephone exchange procedures may be
difficult to implement, although this has not been the experience of the Dean
Witter Funds in the past.

Shareholders should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for further information about the
Exchange Privilege.

REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Redemption. Shares of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at any time at
their current net asset value per share next determined; however, such
redemption proceeds may be reduced by the amount of any applicable contingent
deferred sales charges (see below). If shares are held in a shareholder's
account without a share certificate, a written request for redemption sent to
the Fund's Transfer Agent at P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303 is required.
If certificates are held by the shareholder(s), the shares may be redeemed by
surrendering the certificate(s) with a written request for redemption, along
with any additional information required by the Transfer Agent.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Shares of the Fund which are held for
six years or more after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month
in which the shares were purchased) will not be subject to any charge upon
redemption. Shares redeemed sooner than six years after purchase may,
however, be subject to a charge upon redemption. This charge is called a
"contingent deferred sales charge" ("CDSC"), which will be a percentage of
the dollar amount of shares redeemed and will be assessed on an amount equal
to the lesser of the current market value or the cost of the shares being
redeemed. The size of this percentage will depend upon how long the shares
have been held, as set forth in the table below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED
YEAR SINCE SALES CHARGE AS A
PURCHASE PERCENTAGE OF AMOUNT
PAYMENT MADE REDEEMED
------------ ---------------------
<S> <C>
First ..................... 5.0%
Second .................... 4.0%
Third ..................... 3.0%
Fourth .................... 2.0%
Fifth ..................... 2.0%
Sixth ..................... 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter ... None
</TABLE>

26
<PAGE>
A CDSC will not be imposed on: (i) any amount which represents an increase
in value of shares purchased within the six years preceding the redemption;
(ii) the current net asset value of shares purchased more than six years
prior to the redemption; and (iii) the current net asset value of shares
purchased through reinvestment of dividends or distributions and/or shares
acquired in exchange for shares of Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end
sales charge or of other Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for such
shares. Moreover, in determining whether a CDSC is applicable it will be
assumed that amounts described in (i), (ii) and (iii) above (in that order)
are redeemed first.

In addition, the CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the case
of:

(1) redemptions of shares held at the time a shareholder dies or becomes
disabled, only if the shares are: (A) registered either in the name of an
individual shareholder (not a trust), or in the names of such shareholder and
his or her spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship; or (B) held
in a qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan, Individual
Retirement Account ("IRA") or Custodial Account under Section 403(b)(7) of
the Internal Revenue Code ("403(b) Custodial Account"), provided in either
case that the redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial
determination of disability;

(2) redemptions in connection with the following retirement plan
distributions: (A) lump-sum or other distributions from a qualified
corporate or self-employed retirement plan following retirement (or, in the
case of a "key employee" of a "top heavy" plan, following attainment of age
59 1/2); (B) distributions from an IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account following
attainment of age 59 1/2; or (C) a tax-free return of an excess contribution
to an IRA; and

(3) all redemptions of shares held for the benefit of a participant in a
corporate or self-employed retirement plan qualified under Section 401(k) of
the Internal Revenue Code which offers investment companies managed by the
Investment Manager or its subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., as
self-directed investment alternatives and for which Dean Witter Trust Company
or Dean Witter Trust FSB, each of which is an affiliate of the Investment
Manager, serves as Trustee ("Eligible 401(k) Plan"), provided that
either: (A) the plan continues to be an Eligible 401(k) Plan after the
redemption; or (B) the redemption is in connection with the complete
termination of the plan involving the distribution of all plan assets to
participants.

With reference to (1) above, for the purpose of determining disability,
the Distributor utilizes the definition of disability contained in Section
72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, which relates to the inability to
engage in gainful employment. With reference to (2) above, the term
"distribution" does not encompass a direct transfer of IRA, 403(b) Custodial
Account or retirement plan assets to a successor custodian or trustee. All
waivers will be granted only following receipt by the Distributor of
confirmation of the shareholder's entitlement.

Repurchase. DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers are authorized to
repurchase shares represented by a share certificate which is delivered to
any of their offices. Shares held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate may also be repurchased by DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers
upon the telephonic request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is the
net asset value next computed (see "Purchase of Fund Shares") after such
repurchase order is received by DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer, reduced
by any applicable CDSC.

The CDSC, if any, will be the only fee imposed by the Fund, the
Distributor, DWR, and other Selected Broker-Dealers. The offer by DWR and
other Selected Broker-Dealers to repurchase shares may be suspended without
notice by them at any time. In that event, shareholders may redeem their
shares through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set forth above under
"Redemption."

Payment for Shares Redeemed or Repurchased. Payment for shares presented
for repurchase or redemption will be made by check within seven days after
receipt by the Transfer Agent of the

27
<PAGE>
certificate and/or written request in good order. Such payment may be
postponed or the right of redemption suspended under unusual circumstances.
If the shares to be redeemed have recently been purchased by check, payment
of the redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time needed to
verify that the check used for investment has been honored (not more than
fifteen days from the time of receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent).
Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another Selected
Broker-Dealer are referred to their account executive regarding restrictions
on redemption of shares of the Fund pledged in the margin account.

Reinstatement Privilege. A shareholder who has had his or her shares
redeemed or repurchased and has not previously exercised this reinstatement
privilege may, within thirty days after the date of the redemption or
repurchase, reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds of such redemption
or repurchase in shares of the Fund at the net asset value next determined
after a reinstatement request, together with the proceeds, is received by the
Transfer Agent and receive a pro rata credit for any CDSC paid in connection
with such redemption or repurchase.

Involuntary Redemption. The Fund reserves the right, on sixty days'
notice, to redeem at their net asset value the shares of any shareholder
(other than shares held in an Individual Retirement Account or Custodial
Account under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code) whose shares
have a value of less than $100 as a result of redemptions or repurchases, or
such lesser amount as may be fixed by the Board of Trustees or, in the case
of an account opened through EasyInvest (Service Mark), if after twelve
months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the account. However,
before the Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds to the
shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares is
less than the applicable amount and allow the shareholder sixty days to make
an additional investment in an amount which will increase the value of the
account to at least the applicable amount or more before the redemption is
processed. No CDSC will be imposed on any involuntary redemption.

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dividends and Distributions. The Fund intends to declare and pay monthly
income dividends and to distribute net short-term and net long-term capital
gains, if any, at least once each year. The Fund may, however, determine
either to distribute or to retain all or a portion of any long-term capital
gains in any year for reinvestment.

All dividends and capital gains distributions will be paid in additional
Fund shares and automatically credited to the shareholder's account without
issuance of a share certificate unless the shareholder requests in writing
that all dividends and/or distributions be paid in cash. (See "Shareholder
Services--Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions".)

Taxes. Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment
income and net capital gains to shareholders and otherwise remain qualified
as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code, it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay any federal
income tax on such income and capital gains.

Gains or losses on the Fund's transactions in certain listed options on
and futures and options on futures traded on U.S. exchanges generally are
treated as 60% long-term gain or loss and 40% short-term gain or loss. When
the Fund engages in options and futures transactions, various tax regulations
applicable to the Fund may have the effect of causing the Fund to recognize a
gain or loss for tax purposes before that gain or loss is realized, or to
defer recognition of a realized loss for tax purposes. Recognition, for tax
purposes, of an unrealized loss may result in a lesser amount of the Fund's
realized net gains being available for distribution.

Shareholders who are required to pay taxes on their income will normally
have to pay federal income taxes, and any applicable state and/or local

28
<PAGE>
income taxes, on the dividends and distributions they receive from the Fund.
Such dividends and distributions, to the extent that they are derived from
net investment income and net short-term capital gains, are taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary dividend income regardless of whether the shareholder
receives such distributions in additional shares or in cash.

Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder
has held the Fund's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is
received in additional shares or in cash. Since the Fund's income is expected
to be derived primarily from interest rather than dividends, only a small
portion, if any, of the Fund's dividends and distributions is expected to be
eligible for the dividends received deduction to corporation shareholders.

The Fund may at times make payments from sources other than income or net
capital gains. Payments from such sources will, in effect, represent a return
of a portion of each shareholder's investment. All, or a portion, of such
payments will not be taxable to shareholders.

After the end of the calendar year, shareholders will receive full
information on their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax
purposes.

To avoid being subject to a 31% federal backup withholding tax on taxable
dividends, capital gains distributions and the proceeds of redemptions and
repurchases, shareholders' taxpayer identification numbers must be furnished
and certified as to their accuracy. Shareholders who are not citizens or
residents of, or entities organized in, the United States may be subject to
withholding taxes of up to 30% on certain payments received from the Fund.

Dividends, interest and gains received by the Fund may give rise to
withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. If it qualifies for
and has made the appropriate election with the Internal Revenue Service, the
Fund will report annually to its shareholders the amount per share of such
taxes, to enable shareholders to claim United States foreign tax credits or
deductions with respect to such taxes. In the absence of such an election,
the Fund would deduct foreign tax in computing the amount of its
distributable income.

The foregoing discussion relates solely to the federal income tax
consequences of an investment in the Fund. Distributions may also be subject
to state and local taxes; therefore, each shareholder is advised to consult
his or her own tax adviser.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From time to time the Fund may quote its "yield" and/or its "total return"
in advertisements and sales literature. Both the yield and the total return
of the Fund are based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate
future performance. The yield of the Fund is computed by dividing the Fund's
net investment income over a 30-day period by an average value (using the
average number of shares entitled to receive dividends and the net asset
value per share at the end of the period), all in accordance with applicable
regulatory requirements. Such amount is compounded for six months and then
annualized for a twelve-month period to derive the Fund's yield.

The "average annual total return" of the Fund refers to a figure
reflecting the average annualized percentage increase (or decrease) in the
value of an initial investment in the Fund of $1,000 over periods of one,
five and ten years, or over the life of the Fund if less than any of the
foregoing. Average annual total return reflects all income earned by the
Fund, any appreciation or depreciation of the Fund's assets and all expenses
incurred by the Fund, for the stated periods. It also assumes reinvestment of
all dividends and distributions paid by the Fund.

In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, and year-by-

29
<PAGE>
year or other types of total return figures. The Fund may also advertise the
growth of hypothetical investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in shares
of the Fund. The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance
relative to certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent
organizations (such as mutual fund performance rankings of Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc.).

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

Voting Rights. All shares of beneficial interest of the Fund are of $0.01
par value and are equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges.

The Fund is not required to hold Annual Meetings of Shareholders and in
ordinary circumstances the Fund does not intend to hold such meetings. The
Trustees may call Special Meetings of Shareholders for action by shareholder
vote as may be required by the Act or the Declaration of Trust. Under certain
circumstances, the Trustees may be removed by action of the Trustees or by
the shareholders.

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the
obligations of the Fund. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an
express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the
Fund, requires that Fund obligations include such disclaimer and provides for
indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's property for
any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus,
the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder
liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be
unable to meet its obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder
personal liability and the nature of the Fund's assets and operations, the
possibility of the Fund being unable to meet its obligations is remote and,
in the opinion of Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, the risk to Fund
shareholders of personal liability is remote.

Code of Ethics. Directors, officers and employees of InterCapital, Dean
Witter Services Company Inc. and the Distributor are subject to a strict Code
of Ethics adopted by those companies. The Code of Ethics is intended to
ensure that the interests of shareholders and other clients are placed ahead
of any personal interest, that no undue personal benefit is obtained from a
person's employment activities and that actual and potential conflicts of
interest are avoided. To achieve these goals and comply with regulatory
requirements, the Code of Ethics requires, among other things, that personal
securities transactions by employees of the companies be subject to an
advance clearance process to monitor that no Dean Witter Fund is engaged at
the same time in a purchase or sale of the same security. The Code of Ethics
bans the purchase of securities in an initial public offering, and also
prohibits engaging in futures and options transactions and profiting on
short-term trading (that is, a purchase within sixty days of a sale or a sale
within sixty days of a purchase) of a security. In addition, investment
personnel may not purchase or sell a security for their personal account
within thirty days before or after any transaction in any Dean Witter Fund
managed by them. Any violations of the Code of Ethics are subject to
sanctions, including reprimand, demotion or suspension or termination of
employment. The Code of Ethics comports with regulatory requirements and the
recommendations in the 1994 report by the Investment Company Institute
Advisory Group on Personal Investing.

Shareholder Inquiries. All inquiries regarding the Fund should be directed
to the Fund at the telephone numbers or address set forth on the front cover
of this Prospectus.

30
<PAGE>
APPENDIX--RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE INC. ("MOODY'S")

BOND RATINGS
------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Aaa Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment
risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to
change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position
of such issues.

Aa Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group
they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because
margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may
be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat
larger than in Aaa securities.

A Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper
medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but
elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations; i.e., they are neither highly protected
nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain
protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time.
Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as
well.

Bonds rated Aaa, Aa, A and Baa are considered investment grade bonds.

Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as
well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and therefore
not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes
bonds in this class.

B Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of desirable investments. Assurance of interest
and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may
be small.

Caa Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements
of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca Bonds which are rated Ca present obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often
in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
</TABLE>

31
<PAGE>
Conditional Rating: Municipal bonds for which the security depends upon
the completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated
conditionally. These are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under
construction, (b) earnings of projects unseasoned in operation experience,
(c) rentals which begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments to
which some other limiting condition attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes
probable credit stature upon completion of construction or elimination of
basis of condition.

Rating Refinements: Moody's may apply numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in
each generic rating classification from Aa through B in its corporate and
municipal bond rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security
ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2
indicates a mid-range ranking; and a modifier 3 indicates that the issue
ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability to repay
punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in excess
of nine months. Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged
to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated
issuers: Prime-1, Prime-2, Prime-3.

Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations. Issuers rated Prime-2 have a strong capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations; and Issuers rated Prime-3
have an acceptable capacity for repayment of short-term promissory
obligations. Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.

STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION ("STANDARD & POOR'S")

BOND RATINGS
------------
A Standard & Poor's bond rating is a current assessment of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. This
assessment may take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers,
or lessees.

The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. The
ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations: (1)
likelihood of default-capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the
timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation; (2) nature of and provisions of the obligation; and
(3) protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the
event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of
bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit in connection with any rating
and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings
may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or
unavailability of, such information, or for other reasons.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
AAA Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal
is extremely strong.

AA Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the highest-rated
issues only in small degree.

32
<PAGE>
A Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible
to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.

BBB Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally
exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to
lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than for debt in higher-rated
categories.

Bonds rated AAA, AA, A and BBB are considered investment grade bonds.

BB Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative grade debt. However, it faces major
ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate
capacity to meet timely interest and principal payment.

B Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but presently has the capacity to meet interest payments and
principal repayments. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions would likely impair capacity or willingness
to pay interest and repay principal.

CCC Debt rated CCC has a current identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial
and economic conditions to meet timely payments of interest and repayments of principal. In the event of adverse
business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

CC The rating CC is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC
rating.

C The rating C is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC--debt
rating.

CI The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

NR Indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating or
that Standard & Poor's does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.

Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest degree
of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed
by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show
relative standing within the major ratings categories.

In the case of municipal bonds, the foregoing ratings are sometimes followed by a "p" which indicates that the rating
is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project being financed by the bonds
being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful
and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion
of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood or risk of default upon failure of such completion.
</TABLE>

33
<PAGE>
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

Standard and Poor's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more
than 365 days. The commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to
purchase or sell a security. The ratings are based upon current information
furnished by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers
reliable. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of
changes in or unavailability of such information. Ratings are graded into
group categories, ranging from "A" for the highest quality obligations to "D"
for the lowest. Ratings are applicable to both taxable and tax-exempt
commercial paper. The categories are as follows:

Issues assigned A ratings are regarded as having the greatest capacity for
timely payment. Issues in this category are further refined with the
designation 1, 2 and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
A-1 indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is very strong.

A-2 indicates capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is strong. However, the relative degree
of safety is not as overwhelming as for issues designated "A-1".

A-3 indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment. Obligations carrying this designation are, however, somewhat
more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
</TABLE>

34
<PAGE>
THE DEAN WITTER FAMILY OF FUNDS

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc. Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust Dean Witter High Income Securities
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
Trust Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S.
Trust Treasury Trust

EQUITY FUNDS DEAN WITTER RETIREMENT SERIES
Dean Witter American Value Fund Liquid Asset Series
Dean Witter Natural Resource Development U.S. Government Money Market Series
Securities Inc. U.S. Government Securities Series
Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc. Intermediate Income Securities Series
Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust American Value Series
Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust Capital Growth Series
Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series Dividend Growth Series
Dean Witter Utilities Fund Strategist Series
Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities Utilities Series
Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc. Value-Added Market Series
Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc. Global Equity Series
Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust ASSET ALLOCATION FUNDS
Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities Dean Witter Strategist Fund
Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund ACTIVE ASSETS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund Active Assets Money Trust
Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
Dean Witter Information Fund Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
Dean Witter Japan Fund Active Assets Government Securities Trust
Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
Dean Witter Special Value Fund

FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
Dean Witter
Diversified Income Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048

TRUSTEES
Michael Bozic
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Manuel H. Johnson
Michael E. Nugent
Philip J. Purcell
John L. Schroeder

OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Sheldon Curtis
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel

Peter M. Avelar
Vice President

Rajesh K. Gupta
Vice President

Vinh Q. Tran
Vice President

Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer

CUSTODIANS
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, New York 10286

The Chase Manhattan Bank
One Chase Plaza
New York, New York 10005

TRANSFER AGENT
AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital, Inc.

DEAN WITTER
DIVERSIFIED
INCOME TRUST

PROSPECTUS--DECEMBER 24, 1996

<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER
DIVERSIFIED
INCOME TRUST

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DECEMBER 24, 1996

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company whose primary investment objective
is a high level of current income. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks
to maximize total return but only to the extent consistent with its primary
objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by equally
allocating its assets among three separate groupings of various types of
fixed income securities. Certain of the securities in which the Fund may
invest will include securities rated Baa/BBB or lower.

A Prospectus for the Fund dated December 24, 1996, which provides the
basic information you should know before investing in the Fund, may be
obtained without charge from the Fund at the address or telephone numbers
listed below or from the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc.,
or from Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. at any of its branch offices. This
Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It contains
information in addition to and more detailed than that set forth in the
Prospectus. It is intended to provide additional information regarding the
activities and operations of the Fund, and should be read in conjunction with
the Prospectus.

Dean Witter
Diversified Income Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS

<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
The Fund and its Management ............ 3
Trustees and Officers .................. 6
Investment Practices and Policies ..... 12
Investment Restrictions ................ 31
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage ... 32
The Distributor ........................ 34
Shareholder Services ................... 37
Redemptions and Repurchases ............ 42
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes .... 44
Performance Information ................ 46
Description of Shares of the Fund ..... 47
Custodian and Transfer Agent .......... 47
Independent Accountants ................ 48
Reports to Shareholders ................ 48
Legal Counsel .......................... 48
Experts ................................ 48
Registration Statement ................. 48
Financial Statements--October 31, 1996.. 49
Report of Independent Accountants ..... 69
</TABLE>

2
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE FUND

The Fund is a trust of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust" and was organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on December 20, 1991.

THE INVESTMENT MANAGER

Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital" or the "Investment
Manager"), a Delaware corporation, whose address is Two World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048, is the Fund's Investment Manager. InterCapital is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ("DWDC") a Delaware
corporation. In an internal reorganization which took place in January, 1993,
InterCapital assumed the investment advisory, administrative and management
activities previously performed by the InterCapital Division of Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer affiliate of InterCapital. (As used in
this Statement of Additional Information, the terms "InterCapital" and
"Investment Manager" refer to DWR's InterCapital Division prior to the
internal reorganization and to Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. thereafter). The
daily management of the Fund is conducted by or under the direction of
officers of the Fund and of the Investment Manager, subject to review by the
Fund's Board of Trustees. Information as to these Trustees and officers is
contained under the caption "Trustees and Officers".

InterCapital is the investment manager or investment adviser of the
following investment companies: Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.,
InterCapital Income Securities Inc., InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond
Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust, InterCapital Insured
Municipal Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust, InterCapital
Insured Municipal Income Trust, InterCapital California Insured Municipal
Income Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital
California Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital New York Quality
Municipal Securities, InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities, InterCapital
California Insured Municipal Securities, Dean Witter High Yield Securities
Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter Developing Growth
Securities Trust, Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, Dean Witter
Natural Resource Development Securities Inc., Dean Witter Dividend Growth
Securities Inc., Dean Witter American Value Fund, Dean Witter U.S. Government
Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Variable Investment Series, Dean Witter World
Wide Investment Trust, Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund, Dean
Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust, Dean Witter California Tax-Free
Income Fund, Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean
Witter-Convertible Securities Trust, Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust,
Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series, High Income Advantage Trust, High
Income Advantage Trust II, High Income Advantage Trust III, Dean Witter
Government Income Trust, Dean Witter Utilities Fund, Dean Witter California
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter Strategist Fund, Dean Witter World
Wide Income Trust, Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities, Dean Witter
New York Municipal Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities,
Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter Precious Metals and
Minerals Trust, Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc., Dean Witter
Pacific Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust,
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust,
Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust, Dean Witter Retirement Series, Dean Witter
Limited Term Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond, Dean Witter Global
Dividend Growth Securities, Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund, Dean Witter
National Municipal Trust, Dean Witter High Income Securities, Dean Witter
International Small Cap Fund, Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Dean Witter
Select Dimensions Investment Series, Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation
Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund,
Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund,
Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Information
Fund, Dean Witter Japan Fund, Dean Witter Income Builder Fund, Dean Witter
Special Value Fund, Active Assets Money Trust, Active Assets Tax-Free Trust,
Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust, Active Assets Government Securities
Trust, Municipal Income Trust, Municipal Income Trust II, Municipal Income
Trust III, Municipal Income Opportunities Trust, Municipal Income
Opportunities Trust II, Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III, Prime
Income Trust and Municipal Premium Income Trust. The foregoing investment
companies, together with the Fund, are

3
<PAGE>

collectively referred to as the Dean Witter Funds. In addition, Dean Witter
Services Company Inc. ("DWSC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of InterCapital
serves as manager for the following companies for which TCW Funds Management,
Inc. is the investment adviser: TCW/DW Core Equity Trust, TCW/DW North
American Government Income Trust, TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund, TCW/DW
Income and Growth Fund, TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund, TCW/DW Balanced Fund,
TCW/DW Total Return Trust, TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust, TCW/DW Global Telecom
Trust, TCW/DW Strategic Income Trust, TCW/DW Emerging Market Opportunities
Trust, TCW/DW Term Trust 2000, TCW/DW Term Trust 2002 and TCW/DW Term Trust
2003 (the "TCW/DW Funds"). InterCapital also serves as (i) sub-adviser to
Templeton Global Opportunities Trust, an open-end investment company; (ii)
administrator of The Black Rock Strategic Term Trust Inc., a closed-end
investment company; and (iii) sub-administrator of Mass Mutual Participation
Investors and Templeton Global Governments Income Trust, closed-end
investment companies.

Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the "Agreement") with the
Investment Manager, the Fund has retained the Investment Manager to manage
the investment of the Fund's assets, including the placing of orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Investment Manager obtains and
evaluates such information and advice relating to the economy, securities
markets and specific securities as it considers necessary or useful to
continuously manage the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its
investment objective.

Under the terms of the Agreement, in addition to managing the Fund's
investments, the Investment Manager maintains certain of the Fund's books and
records and furnishes, at its own expense, such office space, facilities,
equipment, clerical help, bookkeeping and certain legal services as the Fund
may reasonably require in the conduct of its business, including the
preparation of prospectuses, proxy statements and reports required to be
filed with Federal and state securities commissions (except insofar as the
participation or assistance of independent accountants and attorneys is, in
the opinion of the Investment Manager, necessary or desirable). In addition,
the Investment Manager pays the salaries of all personnel, including officers
of the Fund, who are employees of the Investment Manager. The Investment
Manager also bears the cost of telephone service, heat, light, power and
other utilities provided to the Fund.

Effective December 31, 1993, pursuant to a Services Agreement between
InterCapital and DWSC, DWSC began to provide the administrative services to
the Fund which were previously performed directly by InterCapital. On April
17, 1995, DWSC was reorganized in the State of Delaware, necessitating the
entry into a new Services Agreement by InterCapital and DWSC on that date.
The foregoing internal reorganizations did not result in any change in the
nature or scope of the administrative services being provided to the Fund or
any of the fees being paid by the Fund for the overall services being
performed under the terms of the existing Management Agreement.

Expenses not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager under the
Agreement (see "The Fund and its Management" in the Prospectus), or by the
Distributor of the Fund's shares (see "The Distributor") will be paid by the
Fund. The expenses borne by the Fund include, but are not limited to:
expenses of the Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (see "The
Distributor"), charges and expenses of any registrar, custodian, stock
transfer and dividend disbursing agent; brokerage commissions; taxes;
engraving and printing share certificates; registration costs of the Fund and
its shares under Federal and state securities laws; the cost and expense of
printing, including typesetting, and distributing prospectuses and statements
of additional information of the Fund and supplements thereto to the Fund's
shareholders; all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of
preparing, printing and mailing proxy statements and reports to shareholders;
fees and travel expenses of Trustees or members of any advisory board or
committee who are not employees of the Investment Manager or any corporate
affiliate of the Investment Manager; all expenses incident to any dividend,
withdrawal or redemption options; charges and expenses of any outside service
used for pricing of the Fund's shares; fees and expenses of legal counsel,
including counsel to the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund
or of the Investment Manager (not including compensation or expenses of
attorneys who are employees of the Investment Manager) and independent
accountants; membership dues of industry

4
<PAGE>
associations; interest on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance premiums on
property or personnel (including officers and Trustees) of the Fund which
inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses (including, but not limited to,
legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification
relating thereto); and all other costs of the Fund's operation.

As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays the
Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
annual rate of 0.40% to the net assets of the Fund, determined as of the
close of each business day. Total compensation accrued to the Investment
Manager under the Agreement for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1994,
October 31, 1995 and October 31, 1996, amounted to $1,257,413, $1,875,972 and
$2,533,576, respectively.

The Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder,
the Investment Manager is not liable to the Fund or any of its investors for
any act or omission by the Investment Manager or for any losses sustained by
the Fund or its investors. The Agreement in no way restricts the Investment
Manager from acting as investment manager or adviser to others.

The Investment Manager has paid the organizational expenses of the Fund
prior to the offering of the Fund's shares. The Fund has agreed to reimburse
the Investment Manager for such expenses in an amount up to a maximum of
$200,000. The Fund has deferred and is amortizing the organizational expenses
on the straight-line method over a period not to exceed five years from the
date of commencement of the Fund's operations.

The Agreement was initially approved by the Board of Trustees on October
30, 1992 and by the shareholders of the Fund at a Special Meeting of
Shareholders held on January 12, 1993. The Agreement is substantially
identical to a prior investment management agreement which was initially
approved by the Board of Trustees on January 23, 1992, and by DWR, as the
then sole shareholder of the Fund on February 25, 1992. The Agreement took
effect on June 30, 1993 upon the spin-off by Sears, Roebuck and Co. of its
remaining shares of DWDC. The Agreement may be terminated at any time,
without penalty, on thirty days' notice by the Board of Trustees of the Fund,
by the holders of a majority, as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Act"), of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or by
the Investment Manager. The Agreement will automatically terminate in the
event of its assignment (as defined in the Act). Under its terms, the
Agreement had an initial term ending April 30, 1994 and will remain in effect
from year to year thereafter, provided continuance of the Agreement is
approved at least annually by the vote of the holders of a majority, as
defined in the Act, of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund; provided that in either event such continuance is
approved annually by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund who
are not parties to the Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the
Act) of any such party, which vote must be cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval. At their meeting held on April
17, 1996, the Fund's Board of Trustees, including all of the Independent
Trustees, approved the continuation of the Agreement until April 30, 1997.

The Fund has acknowledged that the name "Dean Witter" is a property right
of DWR. The Fund has agreed that DWR or its parent company may use or, at any
time, permit others to use, the name "Dean Witter". The Fund has also agreed
that in the event the Agreement is terminated, or if the affiliation between
InterCapital and its parent is terminated, the Fund will eliminate the name
"Dean Witter" from its name if DWR or its parent company shall so request.

5
<PAGE>
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Trustees and Executive Officers of the Fund, their principal business
occupations during the last five years and their affiliations, if any, with
InterCapital and with the 82 Dean Witter Funds and the 14 TCW/DW Funds are
shown below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic (55) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture
Trustee Corporation (since November, 1995); Director or Trustee of
c/o Levitz Furniture Corporation the Dean Witter Funds; formerly President and Chief Executive
6111 Broken Sound Parkway, N.W. Officer of Hills Department Stores (May, 1991-July, 1995);
Boca Raton, Florida formerly variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears
Merchandise Group of Sears, Roebuck and Co.; Director or Trustee
of the Dean Witter Funds; Director of Eaglemark Financial
Services Inc., the United Negro College Fund, Weirton Steel
Corporation.

Charles A. Fiumefreddo* (63) Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of InterCapital,
Chairman of the Board, Dean Witter Distributors Inc. and DWSC; Executive Vice President
President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee and Director of DWR; Chairman, Director or Trustee, President
Two World Trade Center and Chief Executive Officer of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman,
New York, New York Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Chairman
and Director of Dean Witter Trust Company ("DWTC"); Director
and/or officer of various DWDC subsidiaries; formerly Executive
Vice President and Director of DWDC (until February, 1993).

Edwin J. Garn (64) Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly United
Trustee States Senator (R-Utah) (1974-1992) and Chairman, Senate
c/o Huntsman Chemical Corporation Banking Committee (1980-1986); formerly Mayor of Salt Lake
500 Huntsman Way City, Utah (1971-1974); formerly Astronaut, Space Shuttle
Salt Lake City, Utah Discovery (April 12-19, 1985); Vice Chairman, Huntsman Chemical
Corporation (since January, 1993); Director of Franklin Quest
(time management systems) and John Alden Financial Corporation;
member of the board of various civic and charitable
organizations.

John R. Haire (71) Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Committee
Trustee of the Independent Directors or Trustees and Director or Trustee
Two World Trade Center of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman of the Audit Committee
New York, New York and Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees
and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly President, Council
for Aid to Education (1978-1989), Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Anchor Corporation, an Investment Adviser
(1964-1978); Director of Washington National Corporation
(insurance).

6
<PAGE>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (47) Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc., a consulting
Trustee firm; Koch Professor of International Economics and Director
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc. of the Center for Global Market Studies at George Mason
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. University (since September, 1990); Director or Trustee of
Washington, D.C. the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director
of NASDAQ (since June, 1995); Co-Chairman and a founder of
the Group of Seven Council (G7C), an international economic
commission (since September, 1990); Director of Greenwich
Capital Markets, Inc. (broker-dealer); formerly Vice Chairman
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(1986-1990) and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury
(1982-1986).

Michael E. Nugent (60) General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., a private investment
Trustee partnership (since April, 1988); Director or Trustee of the
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P. Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly Vice
237 Park Avenue President, Bankers Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation
New York, New York (1984-1988); Director of various business organizations.
Philip J. Purcell* (53) Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Trustee of DWDC, DWR and Novus Credit Services Inc.; Director of
Two World Trade Center InterCapital, DWSC and Distributors; Director or Trustee of
New York, New York the Dean Witter Funds; Director and/or officer of various
DWDC subsidiaries.

John L. Schroeder (66) Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Director
Trustee of Citizens Utilities Company; formerly Executive Vice
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky President and Chief Investment Officer of the Home Insurance
Weitzen, Shalov & Wein Company (August, 1991-September, 1995); formerly Chairman
Counsel to the Independent Trustees and Chief Investment Officer of Axe-Houghton Management and
114 West 47th Street the Axe-Houghton Funds (1983-1991).
New York, New York

Sheldon Curtis (64) Senior Vice President and General Counsel of InterCapital;
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant
Two World Trade Center General Counsel of Dean Witter Distributors Inc.; Senior Vice
New York, New York President and Secretary of DWTC (since October, 1989); Assistant
Secretary of DWR; Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Peter M. Avelar (38) Senior Vice President of InterCapital (since April, 1992);
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York

7
<PAGE>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
Rajesh K. Gupta (36) Senior Vice President of Interapital; Vice President of various
Vice President Dean Witter Funds.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York

Vinh Q. Tran (50) Vice President of InterCapital; Vice President of various
Vice President Dean Witter Funds.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York

Thomas F. Caloia (50) First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since January,
Treasurer 1993) of InterCapital and DWSC; and Treasurer of the Dean
Two World Trade Center Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
</TABLE>

New York, New York [FN]
- ------------

* Denotes Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in
the Act.

In addition, Robert M. Scanlan, President of InterCapital and Chief
Operating Officer of InterCapital and DWSC, Executive Vice President of
Distributors and DWTC and Director of DWTC, Robert S. Giambrone, Senior Vice
President of InterCapital, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC and a Director of DWTC
and Joseph J. McAlinden, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment
Officer of InterCapital, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC and a Director of DWTC
are Vice Presidents of the Fund. In addition, Barry Fink and Marilyn K.
Cranney, First Vice Presidents and Assistant General Counsels of InterCapital
and DWSC, and Lou Anne D. McInnis and Ruth Rossi, Vice Presidents and
Assistant General Counsels of InterCapital and DWSC, and Carsten Otto and
Frank Bruttomesso, Staff Attorneys with InterCapital and DWSC, are Assistant
Secretaries of the Fund.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, AND THE COMMITTEES

The Board of Trustees consists of eight (8) trustees. These same
individuals also serve as directors or trustees for all of the Dean Witter
Funds, and are referred to in this section as Trustees. As of the date of
this Statement of Additional Information, there are a total of 82 Dean Witter
Funds, comprised of 122 portfolios. As of November 30, 1996, the Dean Witter
Funds had total net assets of approximately $82.1 billion and more than five
million shareholders.

Six Trustees (75% of the total number) have no affiliation or business
connection with InterCapital or any of its affiliated persons and do not own
any stock or other securities issued by InterCapital's parent company, DWDC.
These are the "disinterested" or "independent" Trustees. The other two
Trustees (the "management Trustees") are affiliated with InterCapital. Four
of the six independent Trustees are also Independent Trustees of the TCW/DW
Funds.

Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties
for the Independent Trustees. The Dean Witter Funds seek as Independent
Trustees individuals of distinction and experience in business and finance,
government service or academia; these are people whose advice and counsel are
in demand by others and for whom there is often competition. To accept a
position on the Funds' Boards, such individuals may reject other attractive
assignments because the Funds make substantial demands on their time. Indeed,
by serving on the Funds' Boards, certain Trustees who would otherwise be
qualified and in demand to serve on bank boards would be prohibited by law
from doing so.

All of the Independent Trustees serve as members of the Audit Committee
and the Committee of the Independent Trustees. Three of them also serve as
members of the Derivatives Committee. During the calendar year ended December
31, 1995, the three Committees held a combined total of fifteen meetings. The
Committees hold some meetings at InterCapital's offices and some outside
InterCapital. Management Trustees or officers do not attend these meetings
unless they are invited for purposes of furnishing information or making a
report.

8
<PAGE>

The Committee of the Independent Trustees is charged with recommending to
the full Board approval of management, advisory and administration contracts,
Rule 12b-1 plans and distribution and underwriting agreements; continually
reviewing Fund performance; checking on the pricing of portfolio securities,
brokerage commissions, transfer agent costs and performance, and trading
among Funds in the same complex; and approving fidelity bond and related
insurance coverage and allocations, as well as other matters that arise from
time to time. The Independent Trustees are required to select and nominate
individuals to fill any Independent Trustee vacancy on the Board of any Fund
that has a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution. Most of the Dean Witter Funds
have such a plan.

The Audit Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the
engagement or discharge of the Fund's independent accountants; directing
investigations into matters within the scope of the independent accountants'
duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the
independent accountants the audit plan and results of the auditing
engagement; approving professional services provided by the independent
accountants and other accounting firms prior to the performance of such
services; reviewing the independence of the independent accountants;
considering the range of audit and non-audit fees; reviewing the adequacy of
the Fund's system of internal controls; and preparing and submitting
Committee meeting minutes to the full Board.

Finally, the Board of each Fund has formed a Derivatives Committee to
establish parameters for and oversee the activities of the Fund with respect
to derivative investments, if any, made by the Fund.

DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE OF THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES AND AUDIT
COMMITTEE

The Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees and the Audit
Committee maintains an office at the Funds' headquarters in New York. He is
responsible for keeping abreast of regulatory and industry developments and
the Funds' operations and management. He screens and/or prepares written
materials and identifies critical issues for the Independent Trustees to
consider, develops agendas for Committee meetings, determines the type and
amount of information that the Committees will need to form a judgment on
various issues, and arranges to have that information furnished to Committee
members. He also arranges for the services of independent experts and
consults with them in advance of meetings to help refine reports and to focus
on critical issues. Members of the Committees believe that the person who
serves as Chairman of both Committees and guides their efforts is pivotal to
the effective functioning of the Committees.

The Chairman of the Committees also maintains continuous contact with the
Funds' management, with independent counsel to the Independent Trustees and
with the Funds' independent auditors. He arranges for a series of special
meetings involving the annual review of investment advisory, management and
other operating contracts of the Funds and, on behalf of the Committees,
conducts negotiations with the Investment Manager and other service
providers. In effect, the Chairman of the Committees serves as a combination
of chief executive and support staff of the Independent Trustees.

The Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees and the Audit
Committee is not employed by any other organization and devotes his time
primarily to the services he performs as Committee Chairman and Independent
Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds and as an Independent Trustee and, since
July 1, 1996, as Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees and
the Audit Committee of the TCW/DW Funds. The current Committee Chairman has
had more than 35 years experience as a senior executive in the investment
company industry.

ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SAME INDIVIDUALS AS INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FOR ALL DEAN
WITTER FUNDS

The Independent Trustees and the Funds' management believe that having the
same Independent Trustees for each of the Dean Witter Funds avoids the
duplication of effort that would arise from having different groups of
individuals serving as Independent Trustees for each of the Funds or even of
sub-groups of Funds. They believe that having the same individuals serve as
Independent Trustees of all the Funds tends to increase their knowledge and
expertise regarding matters which affect the Fund complex generally and
enhances their ability to negotiate on behalf of each Fund with the Fund's
service providers. This arrangement also precludes the possibility of
separate groups of Independent Trustees

9
<PAGE>

arriving at conflicting decisions regarding operations and management of the
Funds and avoids the cost and confusion that would likely ensue. Finally,
having the same Independent Trustees serve on all Fund Boards enhances the
ability of each Fund to obtain, at modest cost to each separate Fund, the
services of Independent Trustees, and a Chairman of their Committees, of the
caliber, experience and business acumen of the individuals who serve as
Independent Trustees of the Dean Witter Funds.

COMPENSATION OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

The Fund pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $1,000 plus a per
meeting fee of $50 for meetings of the Board of Trustees or committees of the
Board of Trustees attended by the Trustee (the Fund pays the Chairman of the
Audit Committee an annual fee of $750 and pays the Chairman of the Committee
of the Independent Trustees an additional annual fee of $1,200). The Fund
also reimburses such Trustees for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. Trustees and
officers of the Fund who are or have been employed by the Investment Manager
or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement
from the Fund.

The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Trustees by the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996.

FUND COMPENSATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE
NAME OF INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION
TRUSTEE FROM THE FUND
- -------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic ............. $ 950
Edwin J. Garn ............. 950
John R. Haire ............. 1,889
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson .... 950
Michael E. Nugent ......... 950
John L. Schroeder ......... 792
</TABLE>

The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 1995 for
services to the 79 Dean Witter Funds and, in the case of Messrs. Haire,
Johnson, Nugent and Schroeder, the 11 TCW/DW Funds that were in operation at
December 31, 1995. With respect to Messrs. Haire, Johnson, Nugent and
Schroeder, the TCW/DW Funds are included solely because of a limited exchange
privilege between those Funds and five Dean Witter Money Market Funds. Mr.
Schroeder was elected as a Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds on April 20, 1995.

COMPENSATION FROM DEAN WITTER FUNDS AND TCW/DW FUNDS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR SERVICE AS
CHAIRMAN OF TOTAL
FOR SERVICE AS COMMITTEES OF COMPENSATION
DIRECTOR OR FOR SERVICE AS INDEPENDENT PAID FOR
TRUSTEE AND TRUSTEE AND DIRECTORS/ SERVICES TO 79
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMITTEE MEMBER TRUSTEES AND DEAN WITTER
NAME OF INDEPENDENT OF 79 DEAN WITTER OF 11 TCW/DW AUDIT FUNDS AND 11
TRUSTEE FUNDS FUNDS COMMITTEES TCW/DW FUNDS
- -------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic ............. $126,050 -- -- $126,050
Edwin J. Garn ............. 136,450 -- -- 136,450
John R. Haire ............. 98,450 $82,038 $217,350(1) 397,838
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson .... 136,450 82,038 -- 218,488
Michael E. Nugent ......... 124,200 75,038 -- 199,238
John L. Schroeder ......... 136,450 46,964 -- 183,414
</TABLE>

- ----------------
(1) For the 79 Dean Witter Funds in operation at December 31, 1995. As
noted above, on July 1, 1996, Mr. Haire became Chairman of the
Committee of the Independent Trustees and the Audit Committee of the
TCW/DW Funds in addition to continuing to serve in such positions for
the Dean Witter Funds.

10
<PAGE>

As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, 57 of the Dean
Witter Funds, including the Fund, have adopted a retirement program under
which an Independent Trustee who retires after serving for at least five
years (or such lesser period as may be determined by the Board) as an
Independent Director or Trustee of any Dean Witter Fund that has adopted the
retirement program (each such Fund referred to as an "Adopting Fund" and each
such Trustee referred to as an "Eligible Trustee") is entitled to retirement
payments upon reaching the eligible retirement age (normally, after attaining
age 72). Annual payments are based upon length of service. Currently, upon
retirement, each Eligible Trustee is entitled to receive from the Adopting
Fund, commencing as of his or her retirement date and continuing for the
remainder of his or her life, an annual retirement benefit (the "Regular
Benefit") equal to 25.0% of his or her Eligible Compensation plus 0.4166666%
of such Eligible Compensation for each full month of service as an
Independent Director or Trustee of any Adopting Fund in excess of five years
up to a maximum of 50.0% after ten years of service. The foregoing
percentages may be changed by the Board.(2) "Eligible Compensation" is
one-fifth of the total compensation earned by such Eligible Trustee for
service to the Adopting Fund in the five year period prior to the date of the
Eligible Trustee's retirement. Benefits under the retirement program are not
secured or funded by the Adopting Funds.

The following table illustrates the retirement benefits accrued to the
Fund's Independent Trustees by the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31,
1996 and by the 57 Dean Witter Funds (including the Fund) as of December 31,
1995, and the estimated retirement benefits for the Fund's Independent
Trustees from the Fund as of October 31, 1996 and from the 57 Dean Witter
Funds as of December 31, 1995.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM THE FUND AND ALL DEAN WITTER FUNDS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR ALL ADOPTING FUNDS
--------------------------------
ESTIMATED ANNUAL
RETIREMENT BENEFITS BENEFITS UPON
ACCRUED AS EXPENSES RETIREMENT(3)
-------------------- -------------------
ESTIMATED
CREDITED YEARS ESTIMATED
OF SERVICE AT PERCENTAGE OF BY ALL FROM FROM ALL
NAME OF INDEPENDENT RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE BY THE ADOPTING THE ADOPTING
TRUSTEE (MAXIMUM 10) COMPENSATION FUND FUNDS FUND FUNDS
- -------------------------- --------------- --------------- -------- ---------- ------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic ............. 10 50.0% $ 393 $ 26,359 $ 950 $ 51,550
Edwin J. Garn ............. 10 50.0 663 41,901 950 51,550
John R. Haire ............. 10 50.0 3,297 261,763 1,889 130,404
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson .... 10 50.0 264 16,748 950 51,550
Michael E. Nugent ......... 10 50.0 498 30,370 950 51,550
John L. Schroeder ......... 8 41.7 763 51,812 792 42,958
</TABLE>

- --------------------
(2) An Eligible Trustee may elect alternate payments of his or her
retirement benefits based upon the combined life expectancy of such
Eligible Trustee and his or her spouse on the date of such Eligible
Trustee's retirement. The amount estimated to be payable under this
method, through the remainder of the later of the lives of such
Eligible Trustee and spouse, will be the actuarial equivalent of the
Regular Benefit. In addition, the Eligible Trustee may elect that the
surviving spouse's periodic payment of benefits will be equal to either
50% or 100% of the previous periodic amount, an election that,
respectively, increases or decreases the previous periodic amount so
that the resulting payments will be the actuarial equivalent of the
Regular Benefit.

(3) Based on current levels of compensation. Amount of annual benefits also
varies depending on the Trustee's elections described in Footnote (2)
above.

As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the aggregate
number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund owned by the Fund's
officers and Trustees as a group was less than 1 percent of the Fund's shares
of beneficial interest outstanding.

11
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES

As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in, among other
securities, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities. Such securities include:

(1) U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of one year or less), U.S. Treasury
notes (maturities of one to ten years) and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally
maturities of greater than ten years), all of which are direct obligations
of the U.S. Government and, as such, are backed by the "full faith and
credit" of the United States.

(2) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S.
Government which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States. Among the agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations
are the Federal Housing Administration, the Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
Export-Import Bank, the Farmers Home Administration, the General Services
Administration, the Maritime Administration and the Small Business
Administration. The maturities of such obligations range from three months
to 30 years.

(3) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but whose
issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its
obligations, from an existing line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. Among
the agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations are the
Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal National Mortgage Association
("FNMA"), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") and the
U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Treasury has no legal obligation to provide
such line of credit and may choose not to do so.

(4) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but which are
backed by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality. Among the
agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations are the Federal
Farm Credit System and the Federal Home Loan Banks.

Neither the value nor the yield of the U.S. Government securities which
may be invested in by the Fund are guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Such
values and yield will fluctuate with changes in prevailing interest rates,
economic factors and fiscal and monetary policies. Generally, as prevailing
interest rates rise, the value of any U.S. Government securities held by the
Fund will fall. Such securities with longer maturities generally tend to
produce higher yields and are subject to greater market fluctuation as a
result of changes in interest rates than debt securities with shorter
maturities.

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

Certain of the U.S. Government securities in which the Fund may invest,
e.g., certificates issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, are "mortgage-backed
securities," which evidence an interest in a specific pool of mortgages.
These certificates are, in most cases, "modified pass-through" instruments,
wherein the issuing agency guarantees the timely payment of the principal and
interest on mortgages underlying the certificates, whether or not such
amounts are collected by the issuer on the underlying mortgages. (A
pass-through security is formed when mortgages are pooled together and
undivided interests in the pool or pools are sold. The cash flow from the
mortgages is passed through to the holders of the securities in the form of
periodic payments of interest, principal and prepayments net of a service
fee).

The average life of such certificates varies with the maturities of the
underlying mortgage instruments, which may be up to thirty years but which
may include mortgage instruments with maturities of fifteen years, adjustable
rate mortgage instruments, variable rate mortgage instruments, graduated rate
mortgage instruments and/or other types of mortgage instruments. The assumed
average life of mortgages backing the majority of GNMA and FNMA certificates
is twelve years, and of FHLMC certificates is ten years. This average life is
likely to be substantially shorter than the original maturity of the mortgage
pools underlying the certificates, as a pool's duration may be shortened by
unscheduled

12
<PAGE>
or early payments of principal on the underlying mortgages. (Such prepayments
occur when the holder of an individual mortgage prepays the remaining
principal before the mortgage's scheduled maturity date.) In periods of
falling interest rates, the rate of prepayment tends to increase thereby
shortening the actual average life of a pool of mortgage-related securities.
Conversely, in periods of rising rates, the rate of prepayment tends to
decrease, thereby lengthening the actual average life of the pool. Prepayment
rates vary widely, and therefore it is not possible to accurately predict the
average life or realized yield of a particular pool.

The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by factors including
the prevailing level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the
location and age of the mortgage and other social and demographic conditions.
Prepayment rates are important because of their effect on the yield and price
of the securities. If the Fund has purchased securities backed by pools
containing mortgages whose yields exceed the prevailing interest rate, any
premium (i.e., a price in excess of principal amount) paid for such
securities may be lost. As a result, the net asset value of shares of the
Fund and the Fund's ability to achieve its investment objectives may be
adversely affected by mortgage prepayments.

GNMA Certificates. Certificates of the Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA Certificates") are mortgage-backed securities, which
evidence an undivided interest in a pool or pools of mortgages insured by the
Federal Housing Administration ("FHA") or the Farmers Home Administration or
guaranteed by the Veterans Administration ("VA"). The GNMA Certificates that
the Fund will invest in are the "modified pass-through" type in that GNMA
guarantees the timely payment of monthly installments of principal and
interest due on the mortgage pool whether or not such amounts are collected
by the issuer on the underlying mortgages. The National Housing Act provides
that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the timely
payment of principal and interest by GNMA of the amounts due on the GNMA
Certificates. Additionally, GNMA is empowered to borrow without limitation
from the U.S. Treasury if necessary to make any payments required under its
guarantee.

The average life of GNMA Certificates varies with the maturities of the
underlying mortgage instruments some of which have maturities of 30 years.
The average life of the GNMA Certificate is likely to be substantially less
than the original maturity of the underlying mortgage pool because of
prepayments or refinancing of the mortgages or foreclosure. (Due to GNMA
guarantee, foreclosures impose no risk to principal investments.) Statistics
indicate that the average life of the type of mortgages backing the majority
of GNMA Certificates is approximately 12 years and for this reason it is
standard practice to treat GNMA Certificates as 30-year mortgage-backed
securities which prepay fully in the twelfth year.

Yields on pass-through securities are typically quoted by investment
dealers and vendors based on the actual maturities of the underlying
instruments and the associated average life assumption. Historically, actual
average life has been consistent with the 12-year assumption referred to
above. The actual yield of each GNMA Certificate is influenced by the
prepayment experience of the mortgage pool underlying the Certificates. Such
prepayments are passed through to the registered holder of the Certificate
along with the regular monthly payments of principal and interest, which has
the effect of reducing future payments, and consequently the yield.
Reinvestment by the Fund of prepayments may occur at higher or lower interest
rates than the original investment.

FHLMC Certificates. FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United
States created pursuant to the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, as amended
(the "FHLMC Act"). FHLMC was established primarily for the purpose of
increasing the availability of mortgage credit for the financing of needed
housing. The principal activity of FHLMC currently consists of the purchase
of first lien, conventional, residential mortgage loans and participation
interests in such mortgage loans and the resale of the mortgage loans so
purchased in the form of mortgage securities, primarily FHLMC Certificates.

FHLMC guarantees to each registered holder of a FHLMC Certificate the
timely payment of interest at the rate provided for by such FHLMC
Certificate, whether or not received. FHLMC also guarantees to each
registered holder of a FHLMC Certificate ultimate collection of all principal
of the related mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, but does not,
generally, guarantee the timely payment of scheduled principal. FHLMC may
remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of collection of

13
<PAGE>
principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage loan, but not
later than 30 days following (i) foreclosure sale, (ii) payment of a claim by
any mortgage insurer or (iii) the expiration of any right of redemption,
whichever occurs later, but in any event no later than one year after demand
has been made upon the mortgagor for accelerated payment of principal. The
obligations of FHLMC under its guarantee are obligations solely of FHLMC and
are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. The FHLMC
has the right, however, to borrow from an existing line of credit with the
U.S. Treasury in order to meet its obligations.

FHLMC Certificates represent a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage
loans (a "FHLMC Certificate group") purchased by FHLMC. The mortgage loans
underlying the FHLMC Certificates will consist of fixed rate or adjustable
rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of between ten and thirty
years, substantially all of which are secured by first liens on one-to
four-family residential properties or multifamily projects. Each mortgage
loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the FHLMC Act. A FHLMC
Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole
loans and undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising
another FHLMC Certificate group.

FNMA Certificates. The Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") is a
federally chartered and privately owned corporation organized and existing
under the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act. FNMA was
originally established in 1938 as a U.S. Government agency to provide
supplemental liquidity to the mortgage market and was transformed into a
stockholder owned and privately managed corporation by legislation enacted in
1968. FNMA provides funds to the mortgage market primarily by purchasing home
mortgage loans from local lenders, thereby replenishing their funds for
additional lending. FNMA acquires funds to purchase home mortgage loans from
many capital market investors that may not ordinarily invest in mortgage
loans directly, thereby expanding the total amount of funds available for
housing.

Each FNMA Certificate will entitle the registered holder thereof to
receive amounts representing such holder's pro rata interest in scheduled
principal payments and interest payments (at such FNMA Certificate's
pass-through rate, which is net of any servicing and guarantee fees on the
underlying mortgage loans), and any principal prepayments on the mortgage
loans in the pool represented by such FNMA Certificate and such holder's
proportionate interest in the full principal amount of any foreclosed or
otherwise finally liquidated mortgage loan. The full and timely payment of
principal of and interest on each FNMA Certificate will be guaranteed by
FNMA, which guarantee is not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government.

Each FNMA Certificate will represent a pro rata interest in one or more
pools of FHA Loans, VA Loans or conventional mortgage loans (i.e., mortgage
loans that are not insured or guaranteed by any governmental agency) of the
following types: (i) fixed rate level payment mortgage loans; (ii) fixed rate
growing equity mortgage loans; (iii) fixed rate graduated payment mortgage
loans; (iv) variable rate California mortgage loans; (v) other adjustable
rate mortgage loans; and (vi) fixed rate mortgage loans secured by
multifamily projects. FNMA Certificates have an assumed average life similar
to GNMA Certificates.

ZERO COUPON SECURITIES

Zero coupon securities are debt obligations which do not entitle the
holder to any periodic payments prior to maturity and are issued and trade at
a discount from their face amounts. The discount varies depending on the time
remaining until maturity, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the
security and perceived credit quality of the issuer. There are currently two
basic types of zero coupon securities, those created by separating the
interest and principal components of a previously issued interest-paying
security and those originally issued in the form of a face amount only
security with no interest payments prior to maturity. Zero coupon securities
may be created by separating the interest and principal components of
securities (i) issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its
agencies or instrumentalities or (ii) issued or guaranteed by municipal
issuers or (iii) issued by private corporate issuers. In addition, they may
be issued directly by private corporate or tax-exempt issuers. The U.S.
Treasury zero coupon securities in which the Trust may invest will either be
acquired through the U.S. Treasury's STRIPS program in which selected
Treasury securities are maintained in the book-entry

14
<PAGE>
system operated by the Federal Reserve Banks in a manner that permits
separate trading and ownership of the component interest and principal
payments on such Treasury securities or through the acquisition of deposit
receipts which evidence ownership of direct interests in such component
parts. Investment banks may strip U.S. Treasury and municipal securities and
sell the strips under proprietary names. Zero coupon securities of the U.S.
Government and certain of its agencies and instrumentalities, foreign
governments, private issuers and municipal issuers, including state and local
governments and certain of their agencies and instrumentalities, are
currently available.

Zero coupon securities do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments
prior to maturity and therefore are issued and trade at a discount from their
face or par value. The discount, in the absence of financial difficulties of
the issuer, decreases as the final maturity of the security approaches. Zero
coupon securities can be sold prior to their due date in the secondary market
at the then prevailing market price, which depends primarily on the time
remaining to maturity, prevailing levels of interest rates and the perceived
credit quality of the issuer. The market prices of zero coupon securities are
more volatile than the market prices of securities of comparable quality and
similar maturity that pay interest periodically and may respond to a greater
degree to fluctuations in interest rates than do such non-zero coupon
securities.

Because accrued income on zero coupon securities of municipal issuers is
generally not taxable to holders, zero coupon securities of municipal issuers
have lower yields than other zero coupon securities. The accrued income on
securities in which the Trust intends to invest will generally not be taxable
to the Trust; however, when distributed to shareholders, the accrued income
will be taxed in the same manner as other distributions. Any accrued income
from zero coupon securities of municipal issuers which is not distributed
will increase the net asset value of the Trust's shares. Tax-exempt income
attributable to zero coupon securities of municipal issuers and retained by
the Trust is expected to constitute a portion of the liquidating distribution
returned to investors at the termination of the Trust. See "Dividends and
Distributions; Dividend Reinvestment Plan."

Current federal income tax law requires that a holder of a zero coupon
security report as income each year the portion of the original issue
discount on such security (other than tax-exempt original issue discount from
a zero coupon security of a municipal issuer) that accrues during that year
even though the holder receives no cash payments during the year. Current
federal income tax law also requires that companies such as the Trust which
seek to qualify for pass-through federal income tax treatment as regulated
investment companies distribute substantially all of their net investment
income each year, including tax-exempt and non-cash income. See "Taxation."
Accordingly, although the Trust will receive no payments on its zero coupon
securities prior to their maturity, it will be required, in order to maintain
its desired tax treatment, to include in its distribution calculation the
income attributable to its zero coupon securities. If the income attributable
to zero coupon securities exceeds 10% of the Trust's net investment income
each year, the Trust may have to liquidate portfolio securities at a time
when it may not be advantageous to do so in order to raise cash to meet such
distribution requirements. See "Dividends and Distributions; Dividend
Reinvestment Plan."

HIGH YIELD SECURITIES

As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund will also invest in high yield,
high risk fixed-income securities rated Baa or lower by Moody's Investors
Service Inc. ("Moody's"), or BBB or lower by Standard & Poor's Corporation
("Standard & Poor's). The ratings of fixed-income securities by Moody's and
Standard & Poor's are a generally accepted barometer of credit risk. They
are, however, subject to certain limitations from an investor's standpoint.

Such limitations include the following: the rating of an issuer is heavily
weighted by past developments and does not necessarily reflect probable
future conditions; there is frequently a lag between the time a rating is
assigned and the time it is updated; and there may be varying degrees of
difference in credit risk of securities in each rating category. The
Investment Manager will attempt to reduce the overall portfolio credit risk
through diversification and selection of portfolio securities based on
considerations mentioned below.

15
<PAGE>
While the ratings provide a generally useful guide to credit risks, they
do not, nor do they purport to, offer any criteria for evaluating the
interest rate risk. Changes in the general level of interest rates cause
fluctuations in the prices of fixed-income securities already outstanding and
will therefore result in fluctuation in net asset value of the Fund's shares.
The extent of the fluctuation is determined by a complex interaction of a
number of factors. The Investment Manager will evaluate those factors it
considers relevant and will make portfolio changes when it deems it
appropriate in seeking to reduce the risk of depreciation in the value of the
Fund's portfolio. However, in seeking to achieve the Fund's primary
objective, there will be times, such as during periods of rising interest
rates, when depreciation and realization of capital losses on securities in
the portfolio will be unavoidable. Moreover, medium and lower-rated
securities and non-rated securities of comparable quality tend to be subject
to wider fluctuations in yield and market values than higher rated
securities. Such fluctuations after a security is acquired do not affect the
cash income received from that security but are reflected in the net asset
value of the Fund's portfolio.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

Foreign investments involve certain risks, including the political or
economic instability of the issuer or of the country of issue, the difficulty
of predicting international trade patterns and the possibility of imposition
of exchange controls. Such securities may also be subject to greater
fluctuations in price than securities of United States corporations or of the
United States Government. In addition, there may be less publicly available
information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Foreign
companies generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic
companies. There is generally less government regulation of stock exchanges,
brokers and listed companies abroad than in the United States, and with
respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of expropriation
or confiscatory taxation, or diplomatic developments which could affect
investment in those countries. Finally, in the event of a default of any such
foreign debt obligations, it may be more difficult for the Fund to obtain or
to enforce a judgment against the issuers of such securities. In addition to
the above-mentioned risks, securities denominated in foreign currency,
whether issued by a foreign or a domestic issuer, may be affected favorably
or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control
regulations, and costs may be incurred in connection with conversions between
various currencies. It may not be possible to hedge against the risks of
currency fluctuation.

OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES

Repurchase Agreements. When cash may be available for only a few days, it
may be invested by the Fund in repurchase agreements until such time as it
may otherwise be invested or used for payments of obligations of the Fund. A
repurchase agreement may be viewed as a type of secured lending by the Fund
which typically involves the acquisition by the Fund of government securities
from a selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan
association or broker-dealer. The agreement provides that the Fund will sell
back to the institution, and that the institution will repurchase, the
underlying security ("collateral") at a specified price and at a fixed time
in the future, usually not more than seven days from the date of purchase.
The collateral will be maintained in a segregated account and will be
marked-to-market daily to determine whether the full value of the collateral,
as specified in the agreement, is always at least equal to the purchase price
plus accrued interest. If required, additional collateral will be requested
from the counterparty and when received added to the account to maintain full
collateralization. In the event the original seller defaults on its
obligations to repurchase, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the
Fund will seek to sell the collateral, which action could involve costs or
delays. In such case, the Fund's ability to dispose of the collateral to
recover its investment may be restricted or delayed. The Fund will accrue
interest from the institution until the time when the repurchase is to occur.
Although such date is deemed by the Fund to be the maturity date of a
repurchase agreement, the maturities of securities subject to repurchase
agreements are not subject to any limits and may exceed one year.

While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with
direct investments in debt securities, the Fund follows procedures designed
to minimize such risks. Repurchase agreements will be

16
<PAGE>

transacted only with large, well-capitalized and well-established financial
institutions whose financial condition will be continuously monitored by the
management of the Fund subject to procedures established by the Trustees. The
procedures also require that the collateral underlying the agreement be
specified. The Fund does not presently intend to enter into repurchase
agreements so that more than 5% of the Fund's total assets are subject to
such agreements. For the fiscal period ended October 31, 1996, the Fund did
not enter into repurchase agreements in an amount exceeding 5% of its total
assets.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may also use reverse repurchase
agreements for purposes of meeting redemptions or as part of its investment
strategy. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of
portfolio assets concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the
same assets at a later date at a fixed price. Generally, the effect of such a
transaction is that the Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in
the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase
agreement, while it will be able to keep the interest income associated with
those portfolio securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the
interest cost to the Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than
the cost of obtaining the cash otherwise. Opportunities to achieve this
advantage may not always be available, and the Fund intends to use the
reverse repurchase technique only when it will be to its advantage to do so.
The Fund will establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in which
it will maintain cash or cash equivalents or other liquid portfolio
securities (i.e., U.S. Government securities) equal in value to its
obligations in respect of reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase
agreements are considered borrowings by the Fund and, in accordance with
legal requirements, the Fund will maintain an asset coverage (including the
proceeds) of at least 300% with respect to all reverse repurchase agreements.
Reverse repurchase agreements may not exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets.
For the fiscal period ended October 31, 1996, the Fund did not enter into any
reverse repurchase agreements.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. As
discussed in the Prospectus, from time to time, in the ordinary course of
business, the Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment
basis. When such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time
of the commitment, but delivery and payment can take place a month or more
after the date of the commitment. The securities so purchased are subject to
market fluctuation and no interest accrues to the purchaser during this
period. While the Fund will only purchase securities on a when-issued,
delayed delivery or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring
the securities, the Fund may sell the securities before the settlement date,
if it is deemed advisable. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to
purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund will
record the transaction and thereafter reflect the value, each day, of such
security in determining the net asset value of the Fund. At the time of
delivery of the securities, the value may be more or less than the purchase
price. The Fund will also establish a segregated account with the Fund's
custodian bank in which it will continuously maintain cash or U.S. Government
securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal in value to commitments
of such when-issued or delayed delivery securities; subject to the
requirement, the Fund may purchase securities on such basis without limit. An
increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may increase the
volatility of the Fund's net asset value. For the fiscal year ended October
31, 1996, the Fund's investments in securities on a when-issued, delayed
delivery or forward commitment basis exceeded 5% of the Fund's total assets.

When, As and If Issued Securities. As discussed in the Prospectus, the
Fund may purchase securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis under which
the issuance of the security depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent
event, such as approval of a merger, corporate reorganization, leveraged
buyout or debt restructuring. The commitment for the purchase of any such
security will not be recognized in the portfolio of the Fund until the
Investment Manager determines that issuance of the security is probable. At
such time, the Fund will record the transaction and, in determining its net
asset value, will reflect the value of the security daily. At such time, the
Fund will also establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in
which it will continuously maintain cash or U.S. Government securities or
other liquid portfolio securities equal in value to recognized commitments
for such securities.

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Settlement of the trade will occur within five business days of the
occurrence of the subsequent event. The value of the Fund's commitments to
purchase the securities of any one issuer, together with the value of all
securities of such issuer owned by the Fund, may not exceed 5% of the value
of the Fund's total assets at the time the initial commitment to purchase
such securities is made (see "Investment Restrictions"). Subject to the
foregoing restrictions, the Fund may purchase securities on such basis
without limit. An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed
to the purchase of securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may
increase the volatility of its net asset value. The Fund may also sell
securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis provided that the issuance of
the security will result automatically from the exchange or conversion of a
security owned by the Fund at the time of the sale. For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1996 the Fund did not purchase any securities on a when, as and
if issued basis.

Lending of Portfolio Securities. Consistent with applicable regulatory
requirements, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers
and other financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at
any time by the Fund (subject to notice provisions described below), and are
at all times secured by cash or appropriate high-grade debt obligations,
which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable
regulations and that are at least equal to the market value, determined
daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund
continues to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same
time earning interest or a portion of the interest on the cash amounts
deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations.
The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not
permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are
qualified for sale and will not lend more than 25% of the value of its total
assets. A loan may be terminated by the borrower on one business day's
notice, or by the Fund on two business days' notice. If the borrower fails to
deliver the loaned securities within two days after receipt of notice, the
Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the
borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with
any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some
cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the
securities fail financially. However, these loans of portfolio securities
will be made only to firms deemed by the Fund's management to be creditworthy
and when the income which can be earned from such loans justifies the
attendant risks. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is required to
return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price
during the loan period would inure to the Fund. The creditworthiness of firms
to which the Fund lends it portfolio securities will be monitored on an
ongoing basis by the Fund's management pursuant to procedures adopted and
reviewed, on an ongoing basis, by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

When voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to
the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned
securities, to be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the
exercise of such rights if the matters involved would have a material effect
on the Fund's investment in such loaned securities. The Fund will pay
reasonable finder's, administrative and custodial fees in connection with a
loan of its securities. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the Fund
did not lend any of its portfolio securities.

Common Stocks. As stated in the Prospectus, consistent with the Fund's
investment objectives, the Fund will invest in common stocks only in certain
circumstances. First, the Fund may purchase common stock which is included in
a unit with fixed-income securities purchased by the Fund. Second, the Fund
may acquire common stock when fixed-income securities owned by the Fund are
converted by the issuer into common stock. Third, the Fund may exercise
warrants attached to fixed-income securities purchased by the Fund. Finally,
the Fund may purchase the common stock of companies involved in takeovers or
recapitalizations where the issuer or a controlling stockholder has offered,
or pursuant to a "going private" transaction is effecting, a transaction
involving the issuance of newly issued fixed-income securities to holders of
such common stock. Purchasing the common stock directly in the last
circumstance enables the Fund to acquire the fixed-income securities directly
from the issuer at face value, thereby eliminating the payment of a
third-party dealer mark-up. The maximum percentage of the Fund's total assets
which may be invested in common stocks at any one time is 20%.

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FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may enter into forward foreign
currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") as a hedge against
fluctuations in future foreign exchange rates. The Fund will conduct its
foreign currency exchange transaction either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at
the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through
entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A
forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific
currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the
date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time
of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted
directly between currency traders and their customers. Such forward contracts
will be entered into only with United States banks and their foreign
branches, insurance companies and other dealers whose assets total $1 billion
or more, or foreign banks whose assets total $1 billion or more. A forward
contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged
at any stage for trades.

When the Fund's Investment Manager believes that the currency of a
particular foreign country may experience a substantial movement against the
U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward contract to purchase or sell, for a
fixed amount of dollars or other currency, the amount of foreign currency
approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities
denominated in such foreign currency. The Fund will also not enter into such
forward contracts or maintain a net exposure to such contracts where the
consummation of the contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of
foreign currency in excess of the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or
other assets denominated in that currency. Under normal circumstances,
consideration of the prospect for currency parities will be incorporated into
the longer term investment decisions made with regard to overall
diversification strategies. However, the management of the Fund believes that
it is important to have the flexibility to enter into such forward contracts
when it determines that the best interests of the Fund will be served. The
Fund's custodian bank will place cash, U.S. Government securities or other
appropriate liquid portfolio securities in a segregated account of the Fund
in an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total assets committed to the
consummation of forward contracts entered into under the circumstances set
forth above. If the value of the securities placed in the segregated account
declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the account on a
daily basis so that the value of the account will equal the amount of the
Fund's commitments with respect to such contracts.

Where, for example, the Fund is hedging a portfolio position consisting of
foreign fixed-income securities denominated in a foreign currency against
adverse exchange rate moves vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar, at the maturity of the
forward contract for delivery by the Fund of a foreign currency, the Fund may
either sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency,
or it may retain the security and terminate its contractual obligation to
deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an "offsetting" contract with the
same currency trader obligating it to purchase, on the same maturity date,
the same amount of the foreign currency. It is impossible to forecast the
market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of the contract.
Accordingly, it may be necessary for the Fund to purchase additional foreign
currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the
market value of the security is less than the amount of foreign currency the
Fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security
and make delivery of the foreign currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to
sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency received upon the sale
of the portfolio securities if its market value exceeds the amount of foreign
currency the Fund is obligated to deliver.

If the Fund retains the portfolio securities and engages in an offsetting
transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or loss to the extent that there has
been movement in spot or forward contract prices. If the Fund engages in an
offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward contract
to sell the foreign currency. Should forward prices decline during the period
between the Fund's entering into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign
currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase
of the foreign currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent the price
of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the currency it
has agreed to purchase. Should forward prices increase, the Fund will suffer
a loss to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase
exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to sell.

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If the Fund purchases a fixed-income security which is denominated in U.S.
dollars but which will pay out its principal based upon a formula tied to the
exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency, it may hedge
against a decline in the principal value of the security by entering into a
forward contract to sell or purchase an amount of the relevant foreign
currency equal to some or all of the principal value of the security.

At times when the Fund has written a call or put option on a fixed-income
security or the currency in which it is denominated, it may wish to enter
into a forward contract to purchase or sell the foreign currency in which the
security is denominated. A forward contract would, for example, hedge the
risk of the security on which a call currency option has been written
declining in value to a greater extent than the value of the premium received
for the option. The Fund will maintain with its Custodian at all times, cash,
U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities in a
segregated account equal in value to all forward contract obligations and
option contract obligations entered into in hedge situations such as this.

Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it
does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S.
dollars on a daily basis. It will, however, do so from time to time, and
investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although
foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize
a profit based on the spread between the prices at which they are buying and
selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign
currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange
should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.

OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS

The Fund may write covered call options against securities held in its
portfolio and covered put options on eligible portfolio securities and
purchase options of the same series to effect closing transactions, and may
hedge against potential changes in the market value of its investments (or
anticipated investments) by purchasing put and call options on portfolio (or
eligible portfolio) securities (and the currencies in which they are
denominated) and engaging in transactions involving futures contracts and
options on such contracts.

Call and put options on U.S. Treasury notes, bonds and bills and on
various foreign currencies are listed on several U.S. and foreign securities
exchanges and are written in over-the-counter transactions ("OTC Options").
Listed options are issued or guaranteed by the exchange on which they trade
or by a clearing corporation such as the Options Clearing Corporation
("OCC"). Ownership of a listed call option gives the Fund the right to buy
from the OCC (in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange, the
underlying security or currency covered by the option at the stated exercise
price (the price per unit of the underlying security or currency) by filing
an exercise notice prior to the expiration date of the option. The writer
(seller) of the option would then have the obligation to sell, to the OCC (in
the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange, the underlying security
or currency at that exercise price prior to the expiration date of the
option, regardless of its then current market price. Ownership of a listed
put option would give the Fund the right to sell the underlying security or
currency to the OCC (in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange
at the stated exercise price. Upon notice of exercise of the put option, the
writer of the option would have the obligation to purchase the underlying
security or currency from the OCC (in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation
or exchange at the exercise price.

Options on Treasury Bonds and Notes. Because trading interest in options
written on Treasury bonds and notes tends to center on the most recently
auctioned issues, the exchanges on which such securities trade will not
continue indefinitely to introduce options with new expirations to replace
expiring options on particular issues. Instead, the expirations introduced at
the commencement of options trading on a particular issue will be allowed to
run their course, with the possible addition of a limited number of new
expirations as the original ones expire. Options trading on each issue of
bonds or notes will thus be phased out as new options are listed on more
recent issues, and options representing a full range of expirations will not
ordinarily be available for every issue on which options are traded.

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Options on Treasury Bills. Because a deliverable Treasury bill changes
from week to week, writers of Treasury bill calls cannot provide in advance
for their potential exercise settlement obligations by acquiring and holding
the underlying security. However, if the Fund holds a long position in
Treasury bills with a principal amount of the securities deliverable upon
exercise of the option, the position may be hedged from a risk standpoint by
the writing of a call option. For as long as the call option is outstanding,
the Fund will hold the Treasury bills in a segregated account with its
Custodian, so that they will be treated as being covered.

Options on GNMA Certificates. Currently, options on GNMA Certificates are
only traded over-the-counter. Since the remaining principal balance of GNMA
Certificates declines each month as a result of mortgage payments, the Fund,
as a writer of a GNMA call holding GNMA Certificates as "cover" to satisfy
its delivery obligation in the event of exercise, may find that the GNMA
Certificates it holds no longer have a sufficient remaining principal balance
for this purpose. Should this occur, the Fund will purchase additional GNMA
Certificates from the same pool (if obtainable) or replacement GNMA
Certificates in the cash market in order to maintain its cover. A GNMA
Certificate held by the Fund to cover an option position in any but the
nearest expiration month may cease to represent cover for the option in the
event of a decline in the GNMA coupon rate at which new pools are originated
under the FHA/VA loan ceiling in effect at any given time, as such decline
may increase the prepayments made on other mortgage pools. If this should
occur, the Fund will no longer be covered, and the Fund will either enter
into a closing purchase transaction or replace such Certificate with a
Certificate which represents cover. When the Fund closes out its position or
replaces such Certificate, it may realize an unanticipated loss and incur
transaction costs.

Options on Foreign Currencies. The Fund may purchase and write options on
foreign currencies for purposes similar to those involved with investing in
forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For example, in order to protect
against declines in the dollar value of portfolio securities which are
denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund may purchase put options on an
amount of such foreign currency equivalent to the current value of the
portfolio securities involved. As a result, the Fund would be enabled to sell
the foreign currency for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, thereby "locking in"
the dollar value of the portfolio securities (less the amount of the premiums
paid for the options). Conversely, the Fund may purchase call options on
foreign currencies in which securities it anticipates purchasing are
denominated to secure a set U.S. dollar price for such securities and protect
against a decline in the value of the U.S. dollar against such foreign
currency. The Fund may also purchase call and put options to close out
written options positions.

The Fund may also write call options on foreign currency to protect
against potential declines in its portfolio securities which are denominated
in foreign currencies. If the U.S. dollar value of the portfolio securities
falls as a result of a decline in the exchange rate between the foreign
currency in which it is denominated and the U.S. dollar, then a loss to the
Fund occasioned by such value decline would be ameliorated by receipt of the
premium on the option sold. At the same time, however, the Fund gives up the
benefit of any rise in value of the relevant portfolio securities above the
exercise price of the option and, in fact, only receives a benefit from the
writing of the option to the extent that the value of the portfolio
securities falls below the price of the premium received. The Fund may also
write options to close out long call option positions. A put option on a
foreign currency would be written by the Fund for the same reason it would
purchase a call option, namely, to hedge against an increase in the U.S.
dollar value of a foreign security which the Fund anticipates purchasing.
Here, the receipt of the premium would offset, to the extent of the size of
the premium, any increased cost to the Fund resulting from an increase in the
U.S. dollar value of the foreign security. However, the Fund could not
benefit from any decline in the cost of the foreign security which is greater
than the price of the premium received. The Fund may also write options to
close out long put and call option positions.

The markets in foreign currency options are relatively new and the Fund's
ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to
the maintenance of a liquid secondary market. Although the Fund will not
purchase or write such options unless and until, in the opinion of the
Investment Manager, the market for them has developed sufficiently to ensure
that the risks in connection with such

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options are not greater than the risks in connection with the underlying
currency, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist
for a particular option at any specific time. In addition, options on foreign
currencies are affected by all of those factors which influence foreign
exchange rates and investments generally.

The value of a foreign currency option depends upon the value of the
underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the price of
the option position may vary with changes in the value of either or both
currencies and have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign
security, including foreign securities held in a "hedged" investment
portfolio. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank
market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved
in the use of foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by
having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of
less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that
are less favorable than for round lots.

There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign
currencies or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through
dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis.
Quotation information available is generally representative of very large
transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively
smaller transactions (i.e., less than $1 million) where rates may be less
favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global,
around-the-clock market. To the extent that the U.S. options markets are
closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open,
significant price and rate movements may take place in the underlying markets
that are not reflected in the options market.

OTC Options. Exchange-listed options are issued by the OCC (in the U.S.)
or other clearing corporation or exchange which assures that all transactions
in such options are properly executed. OTC options are purchased from or sold
(written) to dealers or financial institutions which have entered into direct
agreements with the Fund. With OTC options, such variables as expiration
date, exercise price and premium will be agreed upon between the Fund and the
transacting dealer, without the intermediation of a third party such as the
OCC. If the transacting dealer fails to make or take delivery of the
securities or amount of foreign currency underlying an option it has written,
in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund would lose the premium
paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction.
The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only with member banks of the
Federal Reserve System or primary dealers in U.S. Government securities or
with affiliates of such banks or dealers which have capital of at least $50
million or whose obligations are guaranteed by an entity having capital of at
least $50 million.

Covered Call Writing. The Fund is permitted to write covered call options
on portfolio securities and the currencies in which they are denominated,
without limit, in order to aid in achieving its investment objectives.
Generally, a call option is "covered" if the Fund owns, or has the right to
acquire, without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash
consideration held for the Fund by its Custodian in a segregated account) the
underlying security (currency) subject to the option except that in the case
of call options on U.S. Treasury bills, the Fund might own U.S. Treasury
bills of a different series from those underlying the call option, but with a
principal amount and value corresponding to the exercise price and a maturity
date no later than that of the security (currency) deliverable under the call
option. A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same
security as the underlying security (currency) of the written option, where
the exercise price of the call used for coverage is equal to or less than the
exercise price of the call written or greater than the exercise price of the
call written if the mark to market difference is maintained by the Fund in
cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities which
the Fund holds in a segregated account maintained with its Custodian.

The Fund will receive from the purchaser, in return for a call it has
written, a "premium"; i.e., the price of the option. Receipt of these
premiums may better enable the Fund to earn a higher level of current income
than it would earn from holding the underlying securities (currencies) alone.
Moreover, the premium received will offset a portion of the potential loss
incurred by the Fund if the securities (currencies) underlying the option are
ultimately sold (exchanged) by the Fund at a loss. Furthermore, a premium
received on a call written on a foreign currency will ameliorate any
potential loss of value on

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the portfolio security due to a decline in the value of the currency.
However, during the option period, the covered call writer has, in return for
the premium on the option, given up the opportunity for capital appreciation
above the exercise price should the market price of the underlying security
(or the exchange rate of the currency in which it is denominated) increase,
but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security
(or the exchange rate of the currency in which it is denominated) decline.
The premium received will fluctuate with varying economic market conditions.
If the market value of the portfolio securities (or the currencies in which
they are denominated) upon which call options have been written increases,
the Fund may receive a lower total return from the portion of its portfolio
upon which calls have been written than it would have had such calls not been
written.

As regards listed options and certain OTC options, during the option
period, the Fund may be required, at any time, to deliver the underlying
security (currency) against payment of the exercise price on any calls it has
written (exercise of certain listed and OTC options may be limited to
specific expiration dates). This obligation is terminated upon the expiration
of the option period or at such earlier time when the writer effects a
closing purchase transaction. A closing purchase transaction is accomplished
by purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written.
However, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be
unable to effect a closing purchase transaction.

Closing purchase transactions are ordinarily effected to realize a profit
on an outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security (currency)
from being called, to permit the sale of an underlying security (or the
exchange of the underlying currency) or to enable the Fund to write another
call option on the underlying security (currency) with either a different
exercise price or expiration date or both. The Fund may realize a net gain or
loss from a closing purchase transaction depending upon whether the amount of
the premium received on the call option is more or less than the cost of
effecting the closing purchase transaction. Any loss incurred in a closing
purchase transaction may be wholly or partially offset by unrealized
appreciation in the market value of the underlying security (currency).
Conversely, a gain resulting from a closing purchase transaction could be
offset in whole or in part or exceeded by a decline in the market value of
the underlying security (currency).

If a call option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain in the
amount of the premium on the option less the commission paid. Such a gain,
however, may be offset by depreciation in the market value of the underlying
security (currency) during the option period. If a call option is exercised,
the Fund realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security
(currency) equal to the difference between the purchase price of the
underlying security (currency) and the proceeds of the sale of the security
(currency) plus the premium received on the option less the commission paid.

Options written by the Fund will normally have expiration dates of up to
eighteen months from the date written. The exercise price of a call option
may be below, equal to or above the current market value of the underlying
security at the time the option is written. See "Risks of Options and Futures
Transactions," below.

Covered Put Writing. As stated in the Prospectus, as a writer of a covered
put option, the Fund incurs an obligation to buy the security underlying the
option from the purchaser of the put, at the option's exercise price at any
time during the option period, at the purchaser's election (certain listed
and OTC put options written by the Fund will be exercisable by the purchaser
on a specific date). A put is "covered" if, at all times, the Fund maintains,
in a segregated account maintained on its behalf at the Fund's Custodian,
cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities in an
amount equal to at least the exercise price of the option, at all times
during the option period. Similarly, a short put position could be covered by
the Fund by its purchase of a put option on the same security (currency) as
the underlying security of the written option, where the exercise price of
the purchased option is equal to or more than the exercise price of the put
written or less than the exercise price of the put written if the marked to
market difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government
securities or other liquid portfolio securities which the Fund holds in a
segregated account maintained at its Custodian. In writing puts, the Fund
assumes the risk of loss should the market value of the underlying security
(currency) decline below the exercise price of the option (any loss being
decreased by the receipt of the

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premium on the option written). In the case of listed options, during the
option period, the Fund may be required, at any time, to make payment of the
exercise price against delivery of the underlying security (currency). The
operation of and limitations on covered put options in other respects are
substantially identical to those of call options.

The Fund will write put options for three purposes: (1) to receive the
income derived from the premiums paid by purchasers; (2) when the Investment
Manager wishes to purchase the security (or a security denominated in the
currency underlying the option) underlying the option at a price lower than
its current market price, in which case it will write the covered put at an
exercise price reflecting the lower purchase price sought; and (3) to close
out a long put option position. The potential gain on a covered put option is
limited to the premium received on the option (less the commissions paid on
the transaction) while the potential loss equals the differences between the
exercise price of the option and the current market price of the underlying
securities (currencies) when the put is exercised, offset by the premium
received (less the commissions paid on the transaction).

Purchasing Call and Put Options. The Fund may purchase listed and OTC call
and put options in amounts equalling up to 5% of its total assets. The Fund
may purchase a call option in order to close out a covered call position (see
"Covered Call Writing" above), to protect against an increase in price of a
security it anticipates purchasing or, in the case of a call option on
foreign currency, to hedge against an adverse exchange rate move of the
currency in which the security it anticipates purchasing is denominated
vis-a-vis the currency in which the exercise price is denominated. The
purchase of the call option to effect a closing transaction on a call written
over-the-counter may be listed or an OTC option. In either case, the call
purchased is likely to be on the same securities (currencies) and have the
same terms as the written option. If purchased over-the-counter, the option
would generally be acquired from the dealer or financial institution which
purchased the call written by the Fund.

The Fund may purchase put options on securities (currencies) which it
holds in its portfolio to protect itself against a decline in the value of
the security and to close out written put option positions. If the value of
the underlying security (currency) were to fall below the exercise price of
the put purchased in an amount greater than the premium paid for the option,
the Fund would incur no additional loss. In addition, the Fund may sell a put
option which it has previously purchased prior to the sale of the securities
(currencies) underlying such option. Such a sale would result in a net gain
or loss depending on whether the amount received on the sale is more or less
than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put option which is
sold. And such gain or loss could be offset in whole or in part by a change
in the market value of the underlying security (currency). If a put option
purchased by the Fund expired without being sold or exercised, the premium
would be lost.

Risks of Options Transactions. During the option period, the covered call
writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity
for capital appreciation above the exercise price should the market price of
the underlying security (or the value of its denominated currency) increase,
but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security
(or the value of its denominated currency) decline. The writer has no control
over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer
of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it
cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its
obligation under the option and must deliver or receive the underlying
securities at the exercise price.

Prior to exercise or expiration, an option position can only be terminated
by entering into a closing purchase or sale transaction. If the covered call
option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction or to
purchase an offsetting OTC option, it cannot sell the underlying security
until the option expires or the option is exercised. Accordingly, a covered
call option writer may not be able to sell an underlying security at a time
when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so. A secured put option writer
who is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction or to purchase an
offsetting OTC option would continue to bear the risk of decline in the
market price of the underlying security until the option expires or is
exercised. In addition, a secured put writer would be unable to utilize the
amount held in cash or U.S. Government or other liquid portfolio securities
as security for the put option for other investment purposes until the
exercise or expiration of the option.

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<PAGE>
The Fund's ability to close out its position as a writer of an option is
dependent upon the existence of a liquid secondary market on Option
Exchanges. There is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly
in the case of OTC options, as such options will generally only be closed out
by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the purchasing dealer.
However, the Fund may be able to purchase an offsetting option which does not
close out its position as a writer but constitutes an asset of equal value to
the obligation under the option written. If the Fund is not able to either
enter into a closing purchase transaction or purchase an offsetting position,
it will be required to maintain the securities subject to the call, or the
collateral underlying the put, even though it might not be advantageous to do
so, until a closing transaction can be entered into (or the option is
exercised or expires).

Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on
an Exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii)
restrictions on transactions imposed by an Exchange; (iii) trading halts,
suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes
or series of options or underlying securities; (iv) interruption of the
normal operations on an Exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an
Exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC") to handle current
trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more Exchanges to discontinue
the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which
event the secondary market on that Exchange (or in that class or series of
options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that Exchange
that had been issued by the OCC as a result of trades on that Exchange would
generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages
in transactions in options, the Fund could experience delays and/or losses in
liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur
a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker. Similarly, in
the event of the bankruptcy of the writer of an OTC option purchased by the
Fund, the Fund could experience a loss of all or part of the value of the
option. Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with brokers or
financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Fund's management.

Each of the Exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum
number of options on the same underlying security or futures contract
(whether or nor covered) which may be written by a single investor, whether
acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options
are written on the same or different Exchanges or are held or written on one
or more accounts or through one or more brokers). An Exchange may order the
liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits and it may
impose other sanctions or restrictions. These position limits may restrict
the number of listed options which the Fund may write.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which
the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets
close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying market that cannot be
reflected in the option markets.

The extent to which the Fund may enter into transactions involving options
may be limited by the Internal Revenue Code's requirements for qualification
as a regulated investment company and the Fund's intention to qualify as such
(see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in the Prospectus).

Futures Contracts and Options On Futures. The Fund may invest in financial
futures contracts ("futures contracts") and related options thereon. These
futures contracts and related options thereon will be used only as a hedge
against anticipated interest rate changes. A futures contract sale creates an
obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver the specific type of instrument
called for in the contract at a specified future time for a specified price.
A futures contract purchase would create an obligation by the Fund, as
purchaser, to take delivery of the specific type of financial instrument at a
specified future time at a specified price. The specific securities delivered
or taken, respectively, at settlement date, would not be determined until or
near that date. The determination would be in accordance with the rules of
the exchange on which the futures contract sale or purchase was effected.

Although the terms of futures contracts specify actual delivery or receipt
of securities, in most instances the contracts are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery

25
<PAGE>
of the securities. Closing out of a futures contract is usually effected by
entering into an offsetting transaction. An offsetting transaction for a
futures contract sale is effected by the Fund entering into a futures
contract purchase for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of
financial instrument and same delivery date. If the price in the sale exceeds
the price in the offsetting purchase, the Fund is immediately paid the
difference and thus realizes a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds
the sale price, the Fund pays the difference and realizes a loss. Similarly,
the closing out of a futures contract purchase is effected by the Fund
entering into a futures contract sale. If the offsetting sale price exceeds
the purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain, and if the offsetting sale
price is less than the purchase price, the Fund realizes a loss.

Unlike a futures contract, which requires the parties to buy and sell a
security on a set date, an option on a futures contract entitles its holder
to decide on or before a future date whether to enter into such a contract.
If the holder decides not to enter into the contract, the premium paid for
the contract is lost. Since the price of the option is fixed at the point of
sale, there are no daily payments of cash to reflect the change in the value
of the underlying contract, as discussed below for futures contracts. The
value of the option does change and is reflected in the net asset value of
the Fund.

The Fund is required to maintain margin deposits with brokerage firms
through which it effects futures contracts and options thereon. The initial
margin requirements vary according to the type of the underlying security. In
addition, due to current industry practice, daily variations in gains and
losses on open contracts are required to be reflected in cash in the form of
variation margin payments. The Fund may be required to make additional margin
payments during the term of the contract.

Financial futures contracts are traded in an auction environment on the
floors of several Exchanges--principally, the Chicago Board of Trade, the
Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the New York Futures Exchange. Each Exchange
guarantees performance under contract provisions through a clearing
corporation, a nonprofit organization managed by the Exchange membership
which is also responsible for handling daily accounting of deposits or
withdrawals of margin.

Interest Rate Futures Contracts. As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may
purchase and sell interest rate, currency, and index futures contracts
("futures contracts"), that are traded on U.S. and foreign commodity
exchanges, on such underlying securities as U.S. Treasury bonds, notes and
bills and/or any foreign government fixed-income security ("interest rate"
futures), on various currencies ("currency futures") and on such indexes of
U.S. and foreign securities as may exist or come into being ("index"
futures).

The Fund will purchase or sell interest rate futures contracts for the
purpose of hedging some or all of the value of its portfolio securities (or
anticipated portfolio securities) against changes in prevailing interest
rates. If the Investment Manager anticipates that interest rates may rise and
concomitantly, the price of certain of its portfolio securities fall, the
Fund may sell an interest rate futures contract. If declining interest rates
are anticipated, the Fund may purchase an interest rate futures contract to
protect against a potential increase in the price of securities the Fund
intends to purchase. Subsequently, appropriate securities may be purchased by
the Fund in an orderly fashion; as securities are purchased, corresponding
futures positions would be terminated by offsetting sales of contracts.

The Fund will purchase or sell index futures contracts for the purpose of
hedging some or all of its portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) securities
against changes in their prices. If the Investment Manager anticipates that
the prices of securities held by the Fund may fall, the Fund may sell an
index futures contract. Conversely, if the Fund wishes to hedge against
anticipated price rises in those securities which the Fund intends to
purchase, the Fund may purchase an index futures contract.

The Fund will purchase or sell currency futures on currencies in which its
portfolio securities (or anticipated portfolio securities) are denominated
for the purposes of hedging against anticipated changes in currency exchange
rates. The Fund will enter into currency futures contracts for the same
reasons as set forth above for entering into forward foreign currency
contracts; namely, to "lock-in" the value of a security purchased or sold in
a given currency vis-a-vis a different currency or to hedge against an
adverse currency exchange rate movement of a portfolio security's (or
anticipated portfolio security's) denominated currency vis-a-vis a different
currency.

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<PAGE>
In addition to the above, interest rate, index and currency futures will
be bought or sold in order to close out a short or long position maintained
by the Fund in a corresponding futures contract.

Although most interest rate futures contracts call for actual delivery or
acceptance of securities, the contracts usually are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. A futures contract
sale is closed out by effecting a futures contract purchase for the same
aggregate amount of the specific type of security (currency) and the same
delivery date. If the sale price exceeds the offsetting purchase price, the
seller would be paid the difference and would realize a gain. If the
offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the seller would pay the
difference and would realize a loss. Similarly, a futures contract purchase
is closed out by effecting a futures contract sale for the same aggregate
amount of the specific type of security (currency) and the same delivery
date. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the purchaser
would realize a gain, whereas if the purchase price exceeds the offsetting
sale price, the purchaser would realize a loss. There is no assurance that
the Fund will be able to enter into a closing transaction.

When the Fund enters into an interest rate futures contract, it is
initially required to deposit with the Fund's Custodian, in a segregated
account in the name of the broker performing the transaction, an "initial
margin" of cash or U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio
securities equal to approximately 2% of the contract amount. Initial margin
requirements are established by the Exchanges on which futures contracts
trade and may, from time to time, change. (In addition, brokers may establish
margin deposit requirements in excess of those required by the Exchanges.

Initial margin in futures transactions is different from margin in
securities transactions in that initial margin does not involve the borrowing
of funds by a brokers' client but is, rather, a good faith deposit on the
futures contract which will be returned to the Fund upon the proper
termination of the futures contract. The margin deposits made are marked to
market daily and the Fund may be required to make subsequent deposits of cash
or U.S. Government securities called "variation margin", with the Fund's
futures contract clearing broker, which are reflective of price fluctuations
in the futures contract. Currently, interest rate futures contracts can be
purchased on debt securities such as U.S. Treasury Bills and Bonds, U.S.
Treasury Notes with Maturities between 6 1/2 and 10 years, GNMA Certificates
and Bank Certificates of Deposit.

Additionally, the Fund may invest in Mortgage-Backed Securities, such as
floating rate CMOs or adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities, which have
interest rates subject to periodic adjustment based on changes to a
designated index. One index which may serve as such a benchmark is the London
Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR. In order for the Fund to hedge its exposure
to fluctuations in short-term interest rates for its portfolio securities
subject to the LIBOR rate, the Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts on
U.S. dollar denominated Eurodollar instruments linked to the LIBOR rate.

Currency Futures. Generally, foreign currency futures provide for the
delivery of a specified amount of a given currency, on the exercise date, for
a set exercise price denominated in U.S. dollars or other currency. Foreign
currency futures contracts would be entered into for the same reason and
under the same circumstances as forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
The Investment Manager will assess such factors as cost spreads, liquidity
and transaction costs in determining whether to utilize futures contracts or
forward contracts in its foreign currency transactions and hedging strategy.
Currently, currency futures exist for, among other foreign currencies, the
Japanese yen, West German marks, Canadian dollars, British pounds, Swiss
francs and European currency unit.

Purchasers and sellers of foreign currency futures contracts are subject
to the same risks that apply to the buying and selling of futures generally.
In addition, there are risks associated with foreign currency futures
contracts and their use as a hedging device similar to those associated with
options on foreign currencies described above. Further, settlement of a
foreign currency futures contract must occur within the country issuing the
underlying currency. Thus, the Fund must accept or make delivery of the
underlying foreign currency in accordance with any U.S. or foreign
restrictions or regulations regarding the maintenance of foreign banking
arrangements by U.S. residents and may be required to pay any fees, taxes or
charges associated with such delivery which are assessed in the issuing
country.

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<PAGE>
Options on foreign currency futures contracts may involve certain
additional risks. Trading options on foreign currency futures contracts is
relatively new. The ability to establish and close out positions on such
options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market. To reduce
this risk, the Fund will not purchase or write options on foreign currency
futures contracts unless and until, in the Investment Manager's opinion, the
market for such options has developed sufficiently that the risks in
connection with such options are not greater than the risks in connection
with transactions in the underlying foreign currency futures contracts.

Index Futures Contracts. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may
invest in index futures contracts. An index futures contract sale creates an
obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver cash at a specified future
time. An index futures contract purchase would create an obligation by the
Fund, as purchaser, to take delivery of cash at a specified future time.
Futures contracts on indexes do not require the physical delivery of
securities, but provide for a final cash settlement on the expiration date
which reflects accumulated profits and losses credited or debited to each
party's account.

The Fund is required to maintain margin deposits with brokerage firms
through which it effects index futures contracts in a manner similar to that
described above for interest rate futures contracts. Currently, the initial
margin requirements range from 3% to 10% of the contract amount for index
futures. In addition, due to current industry practice, daily variations in
gains and losses on open contracts are required to be reflected in cash in
the form of variation margin payments. The Fund may be required to make
additional margin payments during the term of the contract.

At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may
elect to close the position by taking an opposite position which will operate
to terminate the Fund's position in the futures contract. A final
determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required
to be paid by or released to the Fund and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.

Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase and write call and put
options on futures contracts which are traded on an exchange and enter into
closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an existing
position. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (in
return for the premium paid) to assume a position in a futures contract (a
long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a
put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option.
Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the
writer of the option to the holder of the option is accompanied by delivery
of the accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account, which
represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract at
the time of exercise exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the
case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the futures contract.

The Fund will purchase and write options on futures contracts for
identical purposes to those set forth above for the purchase of a futures
contract (purchase of a call option or sale of a put option) and the sale of
a futures contract (purchase of a put option or sale of a call option), or to
close out a long or short position in futures contracts. If, for example, the
Investment Manager wished to protect against an increase in interest rates
and the resulting negative impact on the value of a portion of its
fixed-income portfolio, it might write a call option on an interest rate
futures contract, the underlying security of which correlates with the
portion of the portfolio the Investment Manager seeks to hedge. Any premiums
received in the writing of options on futures contracts may, of course,
provide a further hedge against losses resulting from price declines in
portions of the Fund's portfolio.

Limitations on Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. The Fund may not
enter into futures contracts or purchase related options thereon if,
immediately thereafter, the amount committed to margin plus the amount paid
for premiums for unexpired options on futures contracts exceeds 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets, after taking into account unrealized gains
and unrealized losses on such contracts it has entered into, provided,
however, that in the case of an option that is in-the-money (the exercise
price of the call (put) option is less (more) than the market price of the
underlying security) at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be
excluded in calculating the 5%. However, there is no overall limitation on
the percentage of the Fund's assets which may be subject to a hedge position.
In addition, in accordance with the regulations of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission ("CFTC")

28
<PAGE>
under which the Fund is exempted from registration as a commodity pool
operator, the Fund may only enter into futures contracts and options on
futures contracts transactions for purposes of hedging a part or all of its
portfolio. If the CFTC changes its regulations so that the Fund would be
permitted to write options on futures contracts for purposes other than
hedging the Fund's investments without CFTC registration, the Fund may engage
in such transactions for those purposes. Except as described above, there are
no other limitations on the use of futures and options thereon by the Fund.

The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit
initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to those
applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an
option on a futures contract are included in initial margin deposits.

Risks of Transactions in Futures Contracts and Related Options. As stated
in the Prospectus, the Fund may sell a futures contract to protect against
the decline in the value of securities (or the currency in which they are
denominated) held by the Fund. However, it is possible that the futures
market may advance and the value of securities (or the currency in which they
are denominated) held in the portfolio of the Fund may decline. If this
occurred, the Fund would lose money on the futures contract and also
experience a decline in value of its portfolio securities. However, while
this could occur for a very brief period or to a very small degree, over time
the value of a diversified portfolio will tend to move in the same direction
as the futures contracts.

If the Fund purchases a futures contract to hedge against the increase in
value of securities it intends to buy (or the currency in which they are
denominated), and the value of such securities (currencies) decreases, then
the Fund may determine not to invest in the securities as planned and will
realize a loss on the futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in
the price of the securities.

In order to assure that the Fund is entering into transactions in futures
contracts for hedging purposes as defined by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission either: 1) a substantial majority (i.e., approximately 75%) of all
anticipatory hedge transactions (transactions in which the Fund does not own
at the time of the transaction, but expects to acquire, the securities
underlying the relevant futures contract) involving the purchase of futures
contracts will be completed by the purchase of securities which are the
subject of the hedge or 2) the underlying value of all long positions in
futures contracts will not exceed the total value of a) all short-term debt
obligations held by the Fund; b) cash held by the Fund; c) cash proceeds due
to the Fund on investments within thirty days; d) the margin deposited on the
contracts; and e) any unrealized appreciation in the value of the contracts.

If the Fund has sold a call option on a futures contract, it will cover
this position by holding, in a segregated account maintained at its
Custodian, cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio
securities equal in value (when added to any initial or variation margin on
deposit) to the market value of the securities (currencies) underlying the
futures contract or the exercise price of the option. Such a position may
also be covered by owning the securities (currencies) underlying the futures
contract, or by holding a call option permitting the Fund to purchase the
same contract at a price no higher than the price at which the short position
was established.

In addition, if the Fund holds a long position in a futures contract it
will hold cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio
securities equal to the purchase price of the contract (less the amount of
initial or variation margin on deposit) in a segregated account maintained
for the Fund by its Custodian. Alternatively, the Fund could cover its long
position by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with an
exercise price as high as or higher than the price of the contract held by
the Fund.

Exchanges limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract may
move on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive days,
then it may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the daily
limit moves have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund
would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin
on open futures positions. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient
cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin
requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition,
the Fund

29
<PAGE>
may be required to take or make delivery of the instruments underlying
interest rate futures contracts it holds at a time when it is disadvantageous
to do so. The inability to close out options and futures positions could also
have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its
portfolio.

Futures contracts and options thereon which are purchased or sold on
foreign commodities exchanges may have greater price volatility than their
U.S. counterparts. Furthermore, foreign commodities exchanges may be less
regulated and under less governmental scrutiny than U.S. exchanges. Brokerage
commissions, clearing costs and other transaction costs may be higher on
foreign exchanges. Greater margin requirements may limit the Fund's ability
to enter into certain commodity transactions on foreign exchanges. Moreover,
differences in clearance and delivery requirements on foreign exchanges may
occasion delays in the settlement of the Fund's transactions effected on
foreign exchanges.

In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages
in transactions in futures or options thereon, the Fund could experience
delays and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through
the broker and/or incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the
broker. Similarly, in the event of the bankruptcy of the writer of an OTC
option purchased by the Fund, the Fund could experience a loss of all or part
of the value of the option. Transactions are entered into by the Fund only
with brokers or financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Investment
Manager.

While the futures contracts and options transactions to be engaged in by
the Fund for the purpose of hedging the Fund's portfolio securities are not
speculative in nature, there are risks inherent in the use of such
instruments. One such risk which may arise in employing futures contracts to
protect against the price volatility of portfolio securities (and the
currencies in which they are denominated) is that the prices of securities
and indexes subject to futures contracts (and thereby the futures contract
prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash prices of the
Fund's portfolio securities (and the currencies in which they are
denominated). Another such risk is that prices of interest rate futures
contracts may not move in tandem with the changes in prevailing interest
rates against which the Fund seeks a hedge. A correlation may also be
distorted by the fact that the futures market is dominated by short-term
traders seeking to profit from the difference between a contract or security
price objective and their cost of borrowed funds. Such distortions are
generally minor and would diminish as the contract approached maturity.

There may exist an imperfect correlation between the price movements of
futures contracts purchased by the Fund and the movements in the prices of
the securities (currencies) which are the subject of the hedge. If
participants in the futures market elect to close out their contracts through
offsetting transactions rather than meet margin deposit requirements,
distortions in the normal relationship between the debt securities or
currency markets and futures markets could result. Price distortions could
also result if investors in futures contracts opt to make or take delivery of
underlying securities rather than engage in closing transactions due to the
resultant reduction in the liquidity of the futures market. In addition, due
to the fact that, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit
requirements in the futures markets are less onerous than margin requirements
in the cash market, increased participation by speculators in the futures
market could cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of
price distortions in the futures market and because of the imperfect
correlation between movements in the prices of securities and movements in
the prices of futures contracts, a correct forecast of interest rate trends
may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
futures contracts and related options in which the Fund may invest. In the
event a liquid market does not exist, it may not be possible to close out a
futures position, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would
continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In
addition, limitations imposed by an exchange or board of trade on which
futures contracts are traded may compel or prevent the Fund from closing out
a contract which may result in reduced gain or increased loss to the Fund.
The absence of a liquid market in futures contracts might cause the Fund to
make or take delivery of the underlying securities (currencies) at a time
when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

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<PAGE>
The extent to which the Fund may enter into transactions involving futures
contracts and options thereon may be limited by the Internal Revenue Code's
requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company and the
Fund's intention to qualify as such (see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes"
in the Prospectus).

Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of
call or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to the
Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options
(plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the
purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss
to the Fund notwithstanding that the purchase or sale of a futures contract
would not result in a loss, as in the instance where there is no movement in
the prices of the futures contract or underlying securities (currencies).

The Investment Manager has substantial experience in the use of the
investment techniques described above under the heading "Options and Futures
Transactions," which techniques require skills different from those needed to
select the portfolio securities underlying various options and futures
contracts.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund may sell portfolio securities without regard to the length of
time they have been held whenever such sale will, in the Investment Manager's
opinion, strengthen the Fund's position and contribute to its investment
objective. As a result, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate may exceed 100%. A
100% turnover rate would occur, for example, if 100% of the securities held
in the Fund's portfolio (excluding all securities whose maturities at
acquisition were one year or less) were sold and replaced within one year.
During the fiscal years ended October 31, 1994, October 31, 1995 and October
31, 1996, the Fund's portfolio turnover rates were 60%, 87% and 82%,
respectively.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition to the investment restrictions enumerated in the Prospectus,
the investment restrictions listed below have been adopted by the Fund as
fundamental policies, except as otherwise indicated. Under the Act, a
fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Act. Such a
majority is defined as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares present at
a meeting of shareholders, if the holders of 50% of the outstanding shares of
the Fund are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund.

The Fund may not:

1. Purchase or sell real estate or interests therein, although the Fund
may purchase securities of issuers which engage in real estate operations
and securities secured by real estate or interests therein.

2. Purchase oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or royalty contracts
or exploration or development programs, except that the Fund may invest in
the securities of companies which operate, invest in, or sponsor such
programs.

3. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of
assets. For this purpose, Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset-Backed
Securities are not deemed to be investment companies.

4. Issue senior securities as defined in the Act except insofar as the
Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security by reason of (a)
entering into any repurchase or reverse repurchase agreement; (b)
purchasing any securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis; (c)
purchasing or selling futures contracts, forward foreign exchange
contracts or options; (d) borrowing money in accordance with restrictions
described above; or (e) lending portfolio securities.

5. Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase of
publicly distributed debt obligations in which the Fund may invest
consistent with its investment objectives and policies; (b) by investment
in repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements; or (c) by lending its
portfolio securities.

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<PAGE>
6. Engage in the underwriting of securities, except insofar as the Fund
may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in disposing
of a portfolio security.

7. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of any
other issuer.

8. Purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts except that the
Fund may purchase or write interest rate, currency and stock and bond
index futures contracts and related options thereon.

9. Pledge its assets or assign or otherwise encumber them except to
secure permitted borrowings. (For the purpose of this restriction,
collateral arrangements with respect to the writing of options and
collateral arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for
futures are not deemed to be pledges of assets.)

10. Purchase securities on margin (but the Fund may obtain short-term
loans as are necessary for the clearance of transactions). The deposit or
payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with
futures contracts or related options thereon is not considered the
purchase of a security on margin.

11. Invest in securities of any company if, to the knowledge of the Fund,
any officer or trustee of the Fund or of the Investment Manager owns more
than 1/2 of 1% of the outstanding securities of such company, and such
officers and directors who own more than 1/2 of 1% own in the aggregate
more than 5% of the outstanding securities of such company; and

12. Invest more than 5% of its net assets in warrants (valued at the
lower of cost or market), including not more than 2% of such assets which
are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange. However,
warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to other securities may
be deemed to be without value.

13. Make short sales of securities.

If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of
portfolio securities or amount of total or net assets will not be considered
a violation of any of the foregoing restrictions.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees, the
Investment Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities
for the Fund, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the
transactions, and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases
and sales of securities on a stock exchange are effected through brokers who
charge a commission for their services. The Fund expects that the primary
market for the securities in which it intends to invest will generally be the
over-the-counter market. In the over-the-counter market, securities are
generally traded on a "net" basis with dealers acting as principal for their
own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the security
usually includes a profit to the dealer. The Fund expects that securities
will be purchased at times in underwritten offerings where the price includes
a fixed amount of compensation, generally referred to as the underwriter's
concession or discount. Options and futures transactions will usually be
effected through a broker and a commission will be charged. On occasion, the
Fund may also purchase certain money market instruments directly from an
issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid. During the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1994, the Fund did not pay any brokerage commissions
and during the fiscal years ended October 31, 1995 and October 31, 1996, the
Fund paid $85,553 and $91,481, respectively, in brokerage commissions.

The Investment Manager currently serves as investment manager to a number
of clients, including other investment companies, and may in the future act
as investment manager or adviser to others. It is the practice of the
Investment Manager to cause purchase and sale transactions to be allocated
among the Fund and others whose assets it manages in such manner as it deems
equitable. In making such allocations among the Fund and other client
accounts, various factors are considered including the respective investment
objectives, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable

32
<PAGE>

securities, the availability of cash for investment, the size of investment
commitments generally held and the opinions of the persons responsible for
managing the portfolios of the Fund and other client accounts. In the case of
certain initial and secondary public offerings, the Investment Manager may
utilize a pro-rata allocation process based on the size of the Dean Witter
Funds involved and the number of shares available from the public offering.

The policy of the Fund regarding purchases and sales of securities for its
portfolio is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most
favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with
this policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange,
the Fund's policy is to pay commissions which are considered fair and
reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible
commissions are paid in all circumstances. The Fund believes that a
requirement always to seek the lowest possible commission cost could impede
effective portfolio management and preclude the Fund and the Investment
Manager from obtaining a high quality of brokerage and research services. In
seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any
transaction, the Investment Manager relies upon its experience and knowledge
regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its
judgment in evaluating the brokerage and research services received from the
broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily
subjective and imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value for those
services is not ascertainable.

The Fund anticipates that certain of its transactions involving foreign
securities will be effected on securities exchanges. Fixed commissions on
such transactions are generally higher than negotiated commissions on
domestic transactions. There is also generally less government supervision
and regulation of foreign securities exchanges and brokers than in the United
States.

In seeking to implement the Fund's policies, the Investment Manager
effects transactions with those brokers and dealers who the Investment
Manager believes provide the most favorable prices and are capable of
providing efficient executions. If the Investment Manager believes such
prices and executions are obtainable from more than one broker or dealer, it
may give consideration to placing portfolio transactions with those brokers
and dealers who also furnish research and other services to the Fund or the
Investment Manager. Such services may include, but are not limited to, any
one or more of the following: information as to the availability of
securities for purchase or sale; statistical or factual information or
opinions pertaining to investment; wire services; and appraisals or
evaluations of portfolio securities. The Fund will not purchase at a higher
price or sell at a lower price in connection with transactions effected with
a dealer, acting as principal, who furnishes research services to the Fund
than would be the case if no weight were given by the Fund to the dealer's
furnishing of such services. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995,
the Fund did not direct the payment of any brokerage commissions because of
research services provided.

The information and services received by the Investment Manager from
brokers and dealers may be of benefit to the Investment Manager in the
management of accounts of some of its other clients and may not in all cases
benefit the Fund directly. While the receipt of such information and services
is useful in varying degrees and would generally reduce the amount of
research or services otherwise performed by the Investment Manager and
thereby reduce its expenses, it is of indeterminable value and the management
fee paid to the Investment Manager is not reduced by any amount that may be
attributable to the value of such services.

Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund
may effect principal transactions in certain money market instruments with
DWR. The Fund will limit its transactions with DWR to U.S. Government and
Government Agency Securities, Bank Money Instruments (i.e., Certificates of
Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances) and Commercial Paper. Such transactions
will be effected with DWR only when the price available from DWR is better
than that available from other dealers.

Consistent with the policy described above, brokerage transactions in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may
be effected through DWR. In order for DWR to effect any portfolio
transactions for the Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration
received by DWR must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees
or other remuneration paid to other brokers

33
<PAGE>

in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being
purchased or sold on an exchange during a comparable period of time. This
standard would allow DWR to receive no more than the remuneration which would
be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate
arm's-length transaction. Furthermore, the Trustees of the Fund, including a
majority of the Trustees who are not "interested" persons of the Fund, as
defined in the Act, have adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to
provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to DWR are
consistent with the foregoing standard. During the fiscal year ended October
31, 1996 the Fund did not pay any brokerage commissions to DWR.

THE DISTRIBUTOR
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

As discussed in the Prospectus, shares of the Fund are distributed
exclusively by Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The
Distributor has entered into a selected dealer agreement with DWR, which
through its own sales organization sells shares of the Fund. In addition, the
Distributor may enter into selected dealer agreements with other selected
broker-dealers. The Distributor, a Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of DWDC. The Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the
Trustees who are not, and were not at the time they voted, interested persons
of the Fund, as defined in the Act (the "Independent Trustees"), approved, at
their meeting held on October 30, 1992, the current Distribution Agreement
appointing the Distributor as exclusive distributor of the Fund's shares and
providing for the Distributor to bear distribution expenses not borne by the
Fund. The current Distribution Agreement is substantially identical to the
Fund's previous distribution agreements. The Distribution Agreements took
effect on June 30, 1993 upon the spin-off by Sears, Roebuck and Co. of its
remaining shares of DWDC. By its terms, the Distribution Agreement had an
initial term ending April 30, 1994 and will remain in effect from year to
year thereafter if approved by the Board. At their meeting held on April 17,
1996, the Trustees, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the
most recent continuation of the Distribution Agreement until April 30, 1997.

The Distributor bears all expenses it may incur in providing services
under the Distribution Agreement. Such expenses include the payment of
commissions for sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to
account executives. The Distributor also pays certain expenses in connection
with the distribution of the Fund's shares, including the costs of preparing,
printing and distributing advertising or promotional materials, and the costs
of printing and distributing prospectuses and supplements thereto to
prospective shareholders. The Fund bears the costs of initial typesetting,
printing and distribution of prospectuses and supplements thereto to
shareholders. The Fund bears the costs of registering the Fund and its shares
under federal and state securities laws. The Fund and the Distributor have
agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under the
Distribution Agreement, the Distributor uses its best efforts in rendering
services to the Fund, but in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations, the Distributor is
not liable to the Fund or any of its shareholders for any error of judgment
or mistake of law or for any act or omission or for any losses sustained by
the Fund or its shareholders.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Act (the "Plan") pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor
compensation accrued daily and payable monthly at the annual rate of 0.85% of
the lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's
shares since the inception of the Fund (not including reinvestment of
dividends or distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset value
of the Fund's shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon which a
contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived, or (b) the
Fund's average daily net assets. The Distributor also receives the proceeds
of contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of
shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plan.
(see "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the
Prospectus). The Distributor has informed the Fund and it and/or DWR received
approximately $1,128,359, $1,025,982 and $726,000 in contingent deferred
sales charges for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, October 31, 1995
and October 31, 1994, respectively.

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<PAGE>
The Distributor has informed the Fund that a portion of the fees payable
by the Fund each year pursuant to the Plan equal to 0.20% of the Fund's
average daily net assets is characterized as a "service fee" under the Rules
of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (of
which the Distributor is a member). Such portion of the fee is a payment made
for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The
remaining portion of the Plan fees payable by the Fund is characterized as an
"asset-based sales charge" as such is defined by the aforementioned Rules of
Fair Practice.

Under its terms, the Plan has an initial term ending April 30, 1992, and
provides that it will remain in effect from year to year thereafter, provided
such continuance is approved annually by a vote of the Trustees, including a
majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as
defined in the Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan (the "Independent 12b-1 Trustees"). The Plan was
initially adopted on January 23, 1992 at a meeting of the Trustees called for
the purpose of voting on such Plan. In determining to approve the Plan, the
Trustees of the Fund, including each of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees,
concluded that the Plan would be in the best interest of the Fund and would
have a reasonable likelihood of benefiting the Fund and its shareholders. The
Plan was approved by DWR, as the then sole shareholder of the Fund, on
February 25, 1992 and by the shareholders of the Fund at a Special Meeting of
Shareholders held on January 12, 1993.

At their meeting held on October 30, 1992, the Trustees of the Fund,
including all of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees, approved certain amendments
to the Plan which took effect in January, 1993 and were designed to reflect
the fact that upon reorganization described above, the share distribution
activities theretofore performed for the Fund by DWR were assumed by the
Distributor and DWR's sales activities are now being performed pursuant to
the terms of a selected dealer agreement between the Distributor and DWR. The
amendments provide that payments under the Plan will be made to the
Distributor rather than to DWR as before the Amendment and that the
Distributor in turn is authorized to make payments to DWR or other selected
broker-dealers (or direct that the Fund pay such entities directly). The
Distributor is also authorized to retain part of such fee as compensation for
its own distribution-related expenses. At their meeting held on April 28,
1993, the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees,
also approved certain technical amendments to the Plan in connection with
recent amendments adopted by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. to its Rules of Fair Practice. At their meeting held on October 26,
1995, the Trustees of the Fund, including all of the Independent 12b-1
Trustees, approved an amendment to the Plan to permit payments to be made
under the Plan with respect to certain distribution expenses incurred in
connection with the distribution of shares, including personal services to
shareholders with respect to holdings of such shares, of an investment
company whose assets are acquired by the Fund in a tax-free reorganization.

The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Fund's
method of distribution. Under this distribution method, shares of the Fund
are sold without a sales load being deducted at the time of purchase, so that
the full amount of an investor's purchase payment will be invested in shares
without any deduction for sales charges. Shares of the Fund may be subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge, payable to the Distributor, if redeemed
during the six years after their purchase. DWR compensates its account
executives by paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale of
the Fund's shares, currently a gross sales credit of up to 4% of the amount
sold and an annual residual commission of up to .20 of 1% of the current
value (not including reinvested dividends or distributions) of the amount
sold. The gross sales credit is a charge which reflects commissions paid by
DWR to its account executives and DWR's Fund associated distribution-related
expenses, including sales compensation, and overhead. The distribution fee
that the Distributor receives from the Fund under the Plan, in effect,
offsets distribution expenses incurred under the Plan on behalf of the Fund's
opportunity costs, such as the gross sales credit and an assumed interest
charge thereon ("carrying charge"). In the Distributor's reporting of the
distribution expenses to the Fund, such assumed interest (computed at the
"broker's call rate") is calculated on the gross sales credit as it is
reduced by amounts received by the Distributor under the Plan and any
contingent deferred sales charge received by the Distributor upon

35
<PAGE>
redemption of shares of the Fund. No other interest charge is included as a
distribution expense in the Distributor's calculation of its distribution
costs for this purpose. The broker's call rate is the interest rate charged
to securities brokers on loans secured by exchange-listed securities.

The Fund accrued $5,383,849 to the Distributor and DWR, pursuant to the
Plan, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996. This is an accrual at an
annual rate of 0.85% of the average daily net assets of the Fund and was
calculated pursuant to clause (b) of the compensation formula under the Plan.
The Fund paid 100% of the $5,383,849 accrued under the Plan for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996, to the Distributor and DWR. The Distributor and
DWR estimate that they have spent, pursuant to the Plan, $28,427,175 on
behalf of the Fund since the inception of the Plan. It is estimated that this
amount was spent in approximately the following ways: (i) 5.94%
($1,687,363)--advertising and promotional expenses; (ii) 0.64%
($181,410)--printing of prospectuses for distribution to other than current
shareholders; and (iii) 93.42% ($26,558,403)--other expenses, including the
gross sales credit and the carrying charge, of which 4.93% ($1,310,232)
represents carrying charges, 38.07% ($10,111,892) represents commission
credits to DWR branch offices for payments of commissions to account
executives and 57.00% ($15,136,279) represents overhead and other branch
office distribution-related expenses. The term "overhead and other branch
office distribution-related expenses" represents (a) the expenses of
operating DWR's branch offices in connection with the sale of Fund shares,
including lease costs, the salaries and employee benefits of operations and
sales support personnel, utility costs, communications costs and the costs of
stationery and supplies; (b) the costs of client sales seminars; (c) travel
expenses of mutual fund sales coordinators to promote the sale of Fund
shares; and (d) other expenses relating to branch promotion of Fund share
sales.

At any given time, the expenses in distributing shares of the Fund which
may be more or less than the total of (i) the payments made by the Fund
pursuant to the Plan and (ii) the proceeds of contingent deferred sales
charges paid by investors upon redemption of shares. The Distributor has
advised the Fund that such excess amount, including the carrying charge
designed to approximate the opportunity costs incurred by DWR which arise
from it having advanced monies without having received the amount of any
sales charges imposed at the time of sale of the Fund's shares, totalled
$12,284,935 at October 31, 1996. Because there is no requirement under the
Plan that the Distributor be reimbursed for all its expenses or any
requirement that the Plan be continued from year to year, this excess amount
does not constitute a liability of the Fund. Although there is no legal
obligation for the Fund to pay expenses incurred in excess of payments made
to the Distributor under the Plan, and the proceeds of contingent deferred
sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of shares, if for any reason
the Plan is terminated, the Trustees will consider at that time the manner in
which to treat such expenses. Any cumulative expenses incurred, but not yet
recovered through distribution fees or contingent deferred sales charges, may
or may not be recovered through future distribution fees or contingent
deferred sales charges.

No interested person of the Fund nor any Trustee of the Fund who is not an
interested person of the Fund, as defined in the Act, has any direct or
indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan except to the extent
that the Distributor, InterCapital, DWR or certain of their employees may be
deemed to have such an interest as a result of benefits derived from the
successful operation of the Plan or as a result of receiving a portion of the
amounts expended thereunder by the Fund.

Under its terms, the Plan continued until April 30, 1992 and provides that
it will remain in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such
continuance is approved annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner
described above. The most recent continuance of the Plan for one year, until
April 30, 1997, was approved by the Trustees of the Fund, including a
majority of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees, at a meeting held on April 17,
1996. Prior to approving the continuation of the Plan, the Trustees requested
and received from the Distributor and reviewed all the information which they
deemed necessary to arrive at an informed determination. In making their
determination to continue the Plan, the Trustees considered: (1) the Fund's
experience under the Plan and whether such experience indicates that the Plan
is operating as anticipated; (2) the benefits the Fund had obtained, was
obtaining and would be likely to obtain under the Plan; and (3) what services
had been provided and were continuing to be provided under the Plan to the
Fund and its shareholders. Based upon their review, the Trustees of the

36
<PAGE>
Fund, including each of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees, determined that
continuation of the Plan would be in the best interest of the Fund and would
have a reasonable likelihood of continuing to benefit the Fund and its
shareholders. In the Trustees' quarterly review of the Plan, they will
consider its continued appropriateness and the level of compensation provided
therein.

The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent
for the services described therein without approval by the shareholders of
the Fund, and all material amendments to the Plan must also be approved by
the Trustees in the manner described above. The Plan may be terminated at any
time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the
Independent 12b-1 Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the Act) on not more than thirty
days' written notice to any other party to the Plan. The Plan will
automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the
Act). So long as the Plan is in effect, the election and nomination of
Independent 12b-1 Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the
Independent 12b-1 Trustees.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

As stated in the Prospectus, short-term securities with remaining
maturities of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at
amortized cost, unless the Trustees determine such does not reflect the
securities' market value, in which case these securities will be valued at
their fair value as determined by the Trustees. Other short-term debt
securities will be valued on a mark-to-market basis until such time as they
reach a remaining maturity of sixty days, whereupon they will be valued at
amortized cost using their value on the 61st day unless the Trustees
determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the
Trustees. Listed options on debt securities are valued at the latest sale
price on the exchange on which they are listed unless no sales of such
options have taken place that day, in which case they will be valued at the
mean between their latest bid and asked prices. Unlisted options on debt
securities and all options on equity securities are valued at the mean
between their latest bid and asked prices. Futures are valued at the latest
sale price on the commodities exchange on which they trade unless the
Trustees determine such price does not reflect their market value, in which
case they will be valued at their fair value as determined by the Trustees.
All other securities and other assets are valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the
supervision of the Trustees.

The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined at 4:00 p.m., New
York time (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to 4:00
p.m., at such earlier time), on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open,
by taking the value of all the assets of the Fund, subtracting all
liabilities, dividing by the number of shares outstanding and adjusting the
result to the nearest cent. The New York Stock Exchange currently observes
the following holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas
Day.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Upon the purchase of shares of the Fund, a Shareholder Investment Account
is opened for the investor on the books of the Fund, maintained by the Fund's
Transfer Agent, Dean Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent"). This is an
open account in which shares owned by the investor are credited by the
Transfer Agent in lieu of issuance of a share certificate. If a share
certficate is desired, it must be requested in writing for each transaction.
Certificates are issued only for full shares and may be redeposited in the
account at any time. There is no charge to the investor for issuance of a
certificate. Whenever a transaction takes place in the Shareholder Investment
Account, the shareholder will be mailed a confirmation of the transaction
from the Fund or from DWR or other selected broker-dealer.

Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions. As stated in the
Prospectus, all income dividends and capital gains distributions are
automatically paid in full and fractional shares of the Fund, unless the
shareholder requests that they be paid in cash. Each purchase of shares of
the Fund is made upon the condition that the Transfer Agent is thereby
automatically appointed as agent of the investor to receive all dividends and
capital gains distributions on shares owned by the investor. Such dividends
and distributions will be paid, at the net asset value per share, in shares
of the Fund (or in cash if the

37
<PAGE>
shareholder so requests) as of the close of business on the record date. At
any time an investor may request the Transfer Agent, in writing, to have
subsequent dividends and/or capital gains distributions paid to him or her in
cash rather than shares. To assure sufficient time to process the change,
such request should be received by the Transfer Agent at least five business
days prior to the record date of the dividend or distribution. In the case of
recently purchased shares for which registration instructions have not been
received on the record date, cash payments will be made to DWR or other
selected broker-dealer, and will be forwarded to the shareholder, upon the
receipt of proper instructions.

Targeted Dividends. (Service Mark) In states where it is legally
permissible, shareholders may also have all income dividends and capital
gains distributions automatically invested in shares of an open-end Dean
Witter Fund other than Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust. Such investment
will be made as described above for automatic investment in shares of the
Fund, at the net asset value per share of the selected Dean Witter Fund as of
the close of business on the payment date of the dividend or distribution and
will begin to earn dividends, if any, in the selected Dean Witter Fund the
next business day. To participate in the Targeted Dividends program,
shareholders should contact their DWR or other selected broker-dealer account
executive or the Transfer Agent. Shareholders of the Fund must be
shareholders of the Dean Witter Fund targeted to receive investments from
dividends at the time they enter the Targeted Dividends program. Investors
should review the prospectus of the targeted Dean Witter Fund before entering
the program.

EasyInvest. (Service Mark) Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an
automatic purchase plan which provides for any amount from $100 to $5,000 to
be transferred automatically from a checking or savings account, on a
semi-monthly, monthly or quarterly basis, to the Transfer Agent for
investment in shares of the Fund. Shares purchased through EasyInvest will be
added to the shareholder's existing account at the net asset value calculated
the same business day the transfer of funds is effected. For further
information or to subscribe to EasyInvest, shareholders should contact their
DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or the Transfer Agent.

Investment of Distributions Received in Cash. Any shareholder who receives
a cash payment representing a dividend or distribution may invest such
dividend or distribution at net asset value, without the imposition of a
contingent deferred sales charge upon redemption, by returning the check or
the proceeds to the Transfer Agent within thirty days after the payment date.
If the shareholder returns the proceeds of a dividend or distribution, such
funds must be accompanied by a signed statement indicating that the proceeds
constitute a dividend or distribution to be invested. Such investment will be
made at the net asset value per share next determined after receipt of the
check or the proceeds by the Transfer Agent.

Direct Investments through Transfer Agent. A shareholder may make
additional investments in Fund shares at any time by sending a check in any
amount, not less than $100, payable to Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust,
directly to the Fund's Transfer Agent. Such amounts will be applied to the
purchase of Fund shares at the net asset value per share next determined
after receipt of the check or purchase payment by the Transfer Agent. The
shares so purchased will be credited to the investor's account.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan. As discussed in the Prospectus, a systematic
withdrawal plan ("Withdrawal Plan") is available for shareholders who own or
purchase shares of the Fund having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon the
then current net asset value. The Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly or
quarterly (March, June, September and December) checks in any dollar amount,
not less than $25, or in any whole percentage of the account balance, on an
annualized basis. Any applicable contingent deferred sales charge will be
imposed on shares redeemed under the Withdrawal Plan (see "Redemptions and
Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge"). Therefore, any shareholder
participating in the Withdrawal Plan will have sufficient shares redeemed
from his or her account so that the proceeds (net of any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge) to the shareholder will be the designated
monthly or quarterly amount.

Dividends and capital gains distributions on shares held under the
Systematic Withdrawal Plan will be invested in additional full and fractional
shares at net asset value (without a sales charge). Shares will

38
<PAGE>
be credited to an open account for the investor by the Transfer Agent; no
share certificates will be issued. A shareholder is entitled to a share
certificate upon written request to the Transfer Agent, although in that
event the shareholder's Systematic Withdrawal Plan will be terminated.

The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in tendering to the
Fund for redemption sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the
amount of the periodic withdrawal payment designated in the application. The
shares will be redeemed at their net asset value determined, at the
shareholder's option, on the tenth or twenty-fifth day (or next following
business day) of the relevant month or quarter and normally a check for the
proceeds will be mailed by the Transfer Agent or amounts credited to a
shareholder's DWR or other selected broker-dealer brokerage account, within
five business days after the date of redemption. The Withdrawal Plan may be
terminated at any time by the Fund.

Withdrawal Plan payments should not be considered as dividends, yields or
income. If periodic withdrawal plan payments continously exceed net
investment income and net capital gains, the shareholder's original
investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted.

Each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares and any gain or loss
realized must be recognized for federal income tax purposes. Although the
shareholder may make additional investments of $2,500 or more under the
Withdrawal Plan, withdrawals made concurrently with purchases of additional
shares may be inadvisable because of the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to the redemption of shares purchased during the preceding six
years (see "Redemption and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").

Any shareholder who wishes to have payments under the Withdrawal Plan made
to a third party or sent to an address other than the one listed on the
account must send complete written instructions to the Transfer Agent to
enroll in the Withdrawal Plan. The shareholder's signature on such
instructions must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor acceptable to the
Transfer Agent (shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent for a
determination as to whether a particular institution is such an eligible
guarantor). A shareholder may, at any time, change the amount and interval of
withdrawal payments through his or her account executive or by written
notification to the Transfer Agent. In addition, the party and/or the address
to which checks are mailed may be changed by written notification to the
Transfer Agent, with signature guarantees required in the manner described
above. The shareholder may also terminate the Withdrawal Plan at any time by
written notice to the Transfer Agent. In the event of such termination, the
account will be continued as a regular shareholder investment account. The
shareholder may also redeem all or part of the shares held in the Withdrawal
Plan account (see "Redemptions and Repurchases" in the Prospectus) at any
time.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund makes available to its
shareholders an Exchange Privilege whereby shareholders of the Fund may
exchange their shares for shares of other Dean Witter Funds sold with a
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC funds"), and for shares of Dean
Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal
Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund,
Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund, Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury
Trust and five Dean Witter Funds which are money market funds (the foregoing
eleven non-CDSC funds are hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Funds").
Exchanges may be made after the shares of the Fund acquired by purchase (not
by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have been held for thirty days. There
is no waiting period for exchanges of shares acquired by exchange or dividend
reinvestment. An exchange will be treated for federal income tax purposes the
same as a repurchase or redemption of shares, on which the shareholder may
realize a capital gain or loss.

Any new account established through the Exchange Privilege will have the
same registration and cash dividend or dividend reinvestment plan as the
present account, unless the Transfer Agent receives written notification to
the contrary. For telephone exchanges, the exact registration of the existing
account and the account number must be provided.

39
<PAGE>
Any shares held in certificate form cannot be exchanged but must be
forwarded to the Transfer Agent and deposited into the shareholder's account
before being eligible for exchange. (Certificates mailed in for deposit
should not be endorsed.)

As described below, and in the Prospectus under the captions "Exchange
Privilege" and "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge", a contingent deferred
sales charge ("CDSC") may be imposed upon a redemption, depending on a number
of factors, including the number of years from the time of purchase until the
time of redemption or exchange ("holding period"). When shares of the Fund or
any other CDSC fund are exchanged for shares of an Exchange Fund, the
exchange is executed at no charge to the shareholder, without the imposition
of the CDSC at the time of the exchange. During the period of time the
shareholder remains in the Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day of the
month in which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired), the holding period or
"year since purchase payment made" is frozen. When shares are redeemed out of
the Exchange Fund, they will be subject to a CDSC which would be based upon
the period of time the shareholder held shares in a CDSC fund. However, in
the case of shares exchanged into an Exchange Fund on or after April 23,
1990, upon a redemption of shares which results in a CDSC being imposed, a
credit (not to exceed the amount of the CDSC) will be given in an amount
equal to the Exchange Fund 12b-1 distribution fees incurred on or after that
date which are attributable to those shares. Shareholders acquiring shares of
an Exchange Fund pursuant to this exchange privilege may exchange those
shares back into a CDSC fund from the Exchange Fund, with no CDSC being
imposed on such exchange. The holding period previously frozen when shares
were first exchanged for shares of the Exchange Fund resumes on the last day
of the month in which shares of a CDSC fund are reacquired. A CDSC is imposed
only upon an ultimate redemption, based upon the time (calculated as
described above) the shareholder was invested in a CDSC fund.

In addition, shares of the Fund may be acquired in exchange for shares of
Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge ("FESC funds"), but
shares of the Fund, however acquired, may not be exchanged for shares of FESC
funds. Shares of a CDSC fund acquired in exchange for shares of an FESC fund
(or in exchange for shares of other Dean Witter Funds for which shares of an
FESC fund have been exchanged) are not subject to any CDSC upon their
redemption.

When shares initially purchased in a CDSC fund are exchanged for shares of
another CDSC fund or for shares of an Exchange Fund, the date of purchase of
the shares of the fund exchanged into, for purposes of the CDSC upon
redemption, will be the last day of the month in which the shares being
exchanged were originally purchased. In allocating the purchase payments
between funds for purposes of the CDSC, the amount which represents the
current net asset value of shares at the time of the exchange which were (i)
purchased more than three or six years (depending on the CDSC schedule
applicable to the shares) prior to the exchange, (ii) originally acquired
through reinvestment of dividends or distributions and (iii) acquired in
exchange for shares of FESC funds, or for shares of other Dean Witter Funds
for which shares of FESC funds have been exchanged (all such shares called
"Free Shares"), will be exchanged first. Shares of Dean Witter American Value
Fund acquired prior to April 30, 1984, shares of Dean Witter Dividend Growth
Securities Inc. and Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
acquired prior to July 2, 1984, and shares of Dean Witter Strategist Fund
acquired prior to November 8, 1989 are also considered Free Shares and will
be the first Free Shares to be exchanged. After an exchange, all dividends
earned on shares in an Exchange Fund will be considered Free Shares. If the
exchanged amount exceeds the value of such Free Shares, an exchange is made,
on a block-by-block basis, of non-Free Shares held for the longest period of
time (except that if shares held for identical periods of time but subject to
different CDSC schedules are held in the same Exchange Privilege Account, the
shares of that block that are subject to a lower CDSC rate will be exchanged
prior to the shares of that block that are subject to a higher CDSC rate).
Shares equal to any appreciation in the value of non-Free Shares exchanged
will be treated as Free Shares, and the amount of the purchase payments for
the non-Free Shares of the fund exchanged into will be equal to the lesser of
(a) the purchase payments for, or (b) the current net asset value of, the
exchanged non-Free Shares. If an exchange between funds would result in
exchange of only part of a particular block of non-Free Shares, then shares
equal to any appreciation in the value of the block (up to the amount of the
exchange) will be treated as Free Shares and exchanged first, and the
purchase payment for that block

40
<PAGE>
will be allocated on a pro rata basis between the non-Free Shares of that
block to be retained and the non-Free Shares to be exchanged. The prorated
amount of such purchase payment attributable to the retained non-Free Shares
will remain as the purchase payment for such shares, and the amount of
purchase payment for the exchanged non-Free Shares will be equal to the
lesser of (a) the prorated amount of the purchase payment for, or (b) the
current net asset value of, those exchanged non-Free Shares. Based upon the
procedures described in the CDSC fund Prospectus under the caption
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge", any applicable CDSC will be imposed upon
the ultimate redemption of shares of any fund, regardless of the number of
exchanges since those shares were originally purchased.

With respect to the repurchase of shares of the Fund, the application of
proceeds to the purchase of new shares in the Fund or any other of the funds
and the general administration of the Exchange Privilege, the Transfer Agent
acts as agent for the Distributor and for the shareholder's selected
broker-dealer, if any, in the performance of such functions. With respect to
exchanges, redemptions or repurchases, the Transfer Agent shall be liable for
its own negligence and not for the default or negligence of its
correspondents or for losses in transit. The Fund shall not be liable for any
default or negligence of the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or any selected
broker-dealer.

The Distributor and any selected broker-dealer have authorized and
appointed the Transfer Agent to act as their agent in connection with the
application of proceeds of any redemption of Fund shares to the purchase of
the shares of any other fund and the general administration of the Exchange
Privilege. No commission or discounts will be paid to the Distributor or any
selected broker-dealer for any transactions pursuant to this Exchange
Privilege.

Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement and any other
conditions imposed by each fund. (The minimum initial investment is $5,000
for Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income
Trust, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, and Dean Witter
New York Municipal Money Market Trust, although those funds may, at their
discretion, accept initial investments of as low as $1,000. The minimum
initial investment for Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust is $10,000
although that Fund, in its discretion, may accept initial purchases of as low
as $5,000. The minimum initial investment is $5,000 for Dean Witter Special
Value Fund. The minimum initial investment for all other Dean Witter Funds
for which the Exchange Privilege is available is $1,000.) Upon exchange into
an Exchange Fund, the shares of that fund will be held in a special Exchange
Privilege Account separately from accounts of those shareholders who have
acquired their shares directly from that fund. As a result, certain services
normally available to shareholders of those funds, including the check
writing feature, will not be available for funds held in that account.

The Fund and each of the other Dean Witter Funds may limit the number of
times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any investor within a
specified period of time. Also, the Exchange Privilege may be terminated or
revised at any time by the Fund and/or any of the Dean Witter Funds for which
shares of the Fund have been exchanged, upon such notice as may be required
by applicable regulatory agencies (presently sixty days' prior written notice
for termination or material revision), provided that six months' prior
written notice of termination will be given to the shareholders who hold
shares of the Exchange Funds pursuant to this Exchange Privilege, and
provided further that the Exchange Privilege may be terminated or materially
revised at times (a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other
than customary weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on that Exchange is
restricted, (c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the
Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net
assets, (d) during any other period when the Securities and Exchange
Commission by order so permits (provided that applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall govern as to
whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist), or (e), if the Fund
would be unable to invest amounts effectively in accordance with its
investment objective(s), policies and restrictions.

The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain a copy and examine it carefully
before investing. An exchange will be treated for federal income tax purposes
the same as a repurchase or redemption of shares, on which the

41
<PAGE>
shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss. However, the ability to
deduct capital losses on an exchange may be limited in situations where there
is an exchange of shares within ninety days after the shares are purchased.
The Exchange Privilege is only available in states where an exchange may
legally be made.

For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.

REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Redemption. As stated in the Prospectus, shares of the Fund can be
redeemed for cash at any time at the net asset value per share next
determined; however, such redemption proceeds may be reduced by the amount of
any applicable contingent deferred sales charges (see below). If shares are
held in a shareholder's account without a share certificate, a written
request for redemption to the Fund's Transfer Agent at P.O. Box 983, Jersey
City, NJ 07303 is required. If certificates are held by the shareholder, the
shares may be redeemed by surrendering the certificates with a written
request for redemption. The share certificate, or an accompanying stock
power, and the request for redemption, must be signed by the shareholder or
shareholders exactly as the shares are registered. Each request for
redemption, whether or not accompanied by a share certificate, must be sent
to the Fund's Transfer Agent, which will redeem the shares at their net asset
value next computed (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" in the Prospectus) after
it receives the request, and certificate, if any, in good order. Any
redemption request received after such computation will be redeemed at the
next determined net asset value. The term "good order" means that the share
certificate, if any, and request for redemption are properly signed,
accompanied by any documentation required by the Transfer Agent, and bear
signature guarantees when required by the Fund or the Transfer Agent. If
redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary,
the Transfer Agent may require that written evidence of authority acceptable
to the Transfer Agent be submitted before such request is accepted.

Whether certificates are held by the shareholder or shares are held in a
shareholder's account, if the proceeds are to be paid to any person other
than the record owner, or if the proceeds are to be paid to a corporation
(other than the Distributor or a selected broker-dealer for the account of
the shareholder), partnership, trust or fiduciary, or sent to the shareholder
at an address other than the registered address, signatures must be
guaranteed by an eligible guarantor acceptable to the Transfer Agent
(shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent for a determination as to
whether a particular institution is such an eligible guarantor). A stock
power may be obtained from any dealer or commercial bank. The Fund may change
the signature guarantee requirements from time to time upon notice to
shareholders, which may be by means of a new prospectus.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. As stated in the Prospectus, a
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") will be imposed on any redemption
by an investor if after such redemption the current value of the investor's
shares of the Fund is less than the dollar amount of all payments by the
shareholder for the purchase of Fund shares during the preceding six years.
However, no CDSC will be imposed to the extent that the net asset value of
the shares redeemed does not exceed: (a) the current net asset value of
shares purchased more than six years prior to the redemption, plus (b) the
current net asset value of shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends
or distributions of the Fund or another Dean Witter Fund (see "Shareholder
Services--Targeted Dividends"), plus (c) the current net asset value of
shares acquired in exchange for (i) shares of Dean Witter front-end sales
charge funds, or (ii) shares of other Dean Witter Funds for which shares of
front-end sales charge funds have been exchanged (see "Shareholder
Services--Exchange Privilege"), plus (d) increases in the net asset value of
the investor's shares above the total amount of payments for the purchase of
Fund shares made during the preceding six years. The CDSC will be paid to the
Distributor.

In determining the applicability of the CDSC to each redemption, the
amount which represents an increase in the net asset value of the investor's
shares above the amount of the total payments for the purchase of shares
within the last six years will be redeemed first. In the event the redemption
amount exceeds such increase in value, the next portion of the amount
redeemed will be the amount which

42
<PAGE>
represents the net asset value of the investor's shares purchased more than
six years prior to the redemption and/or shares purchased through
reinvestment of dividends or distributions and/or shares acquired in exchange
for shares of Dean Witter front-end sales charge funds, or for shares of
other Dean Witter funds for which shares of front-end sales charge funds have
been exchanged. A portion of the amount redeemed which exceeds an amount
which represents both such increase in value and the value of shares
purchased more than six years prior to the redemption and/or shares purchased
through reinvestment of dividends or distributions and/or shares acquired in
the above-described exchanges will be subject to a CDSC.

The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years
from the time of payment for the purchase of Fund shares until the time of
redemption of such shares. For purposes of determining the number of years
from the time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments made
during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the last
day of the month. The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED
YEAR SINCE SALES CHARGE AS A
PURCHASE PERCENTAGE OF AMOUNT
PAYMENT MADE REDEEMED
- -------------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C>
First ..................... 5.0%
Second .................... 4.0%
Third ..................... 3.0%
Fourth .................... 2.0%
Fifth ..................... 2.0%
Sixth ..................... 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter ... None

</TABLE>

In determining the rate of the CDSC it will be assumed that a redemption
is made of shares held by the investor for the longest period of time within
the applicable six-year period. This will result in any such CDSC being
imposed at the lowest possible rate. Accordingly, shareholders may redeem,
without incurring any CDSC, amounts equal to any net increase in the value of
their shares above the amount of their purchase payments made within the past
six years and amounts equal to the current value of shares purchased more
than six years prior to the redemption and shares purchased through
reinvestment of dividends or distributions or acquired in exchange for shares
of Dean Witter front-end sales charge funds, or for shares of other Dean
Witter Funds for which shares of front-end sales charge funds have been
exchanged. The CDSC will be imposed, in accordance with the table shown
above, on any redemptions within six years of purchase which are in excess of
these amounts and which redemptions are not (a) requested within one year of
death or initial determination of disability of a shareholder, or (b) made
pursuant to certain taxable distributions from retirement plans or retirement
accounts, as described in the Prospectus.

Payment for Shares Redeemed or Repurchased. As discussed in the
Prospectus, payment for shares presented for repurchase or redemption will be
made by check within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the
certificate and/or written request in good order. The term good order means
that the share certificate, if any, and request for redemption are properly
signed, accompanied by any documentation required by the Transfer Agent, and
bear signature guarantees when required by the Fund or the Transfer Agent.
Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times
(a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary
weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on that Exchange is restricted, (c)
when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of
securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or
(d) during any other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission by
order so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions
prescribed in (b) or (c) exist. If the shares to be redeemed have recently
been purchased by check (including a certified or bank cashier's check),
payment of redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time needed to
verify that the check used for investment has been honored (not more than

43
<PAGE>
fifteen days from the time of receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent).
Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another selected
broker-dealer are referred to their account executive regarding restrictions
on redemption of shares of the Fund pledged in the margin account.

Transfers of Shares. In the event a shareholder requests a transfer of
shares to a new registration, such shares will be transferred without sales
charge at the time of transfer. With regard to the status of shares which are
either subject to the contingent deferred sales charge or free of such charge
(and with regard to the length of time shares subject to the charge have been
held), any transfer involving less than all of the shares in an account will
be made on a pro-rata basis (that is, by transferring shares in the same
proportion that the transferred shares bear to the total shares in the
account immediately prior to the transfer). The transferred shares will
continue to be subject to any applicable contingent deferred sales charge as
if they had not been so transferred.

Reinstatement Privilege. As described in the Prospectus, a shareholder who
has had his or her shares redeemed or repurchased and has not previously
exercised this reinstatement privilege may, within thirty days after the date
of the redemption or repurchase, reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds
of such redemption or repurchase in shares of the Fund at net asset value
(without sales charge) next determined after a reinstatement request,
together with the proceeds, is received by the Transfer Agent.

Exercise of the reinstatement privilege will not affect the federal income
tax treatment of any gain or loss realized upon the redemption or repurchase,
except that if the redemption or repurchase resulted in a loss and
reinstatement is made in shares of the Fund, some or all of the loss,
depending on the amount reinstated, will not be allowed as a deduction for
federal income tax purposes but will be applied to adjust the cost basis of
the shares acquired upon reinstatement.

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund will determine either to
distribute or to retain all or part of any net long-term capital gains in any
year for reinvestment. If any such gains are retained, the Fund will pay
federal income tax thereon, and will notify shareholders that, following an
election by the Fund, the shareholders will be required to include such
undistributed gains in determining their taxable income and may claim their
share of the tax paid by the Fund as a credit against their individual
federal income tax.

Gains or losses on sales of securities by the Fund will generally be
long-term capital gains or losses if the securities have been held by the
Fund for more than twelve months. Gains or losses on the sale of securities
held for twelve months or less will be generally short-term gains or losses.

At October 31, 1996, the Fund had net capital loss carryovers of
approximately $9,067,000 of which $3,024,000 will be available through
October 31, 2002, $3,677,000 will be available through October 31, 2003 and
$2,366,000 will be available through 2004 to offset future capital gains to
the extent provided by regulations. To the extent that these carryover losses
are used to offset future capital gains, it is probable that the gains so
offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

The Fund has qualified and intends to remain qualified as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the
"Code"). If so qualified, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax
on its net investment income and capital gains, if any, realized during any
fiscal year in which it distributes such income and capital gains to its
shareholders. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders
each calendar year a sufficient amount of ordinary income and capital gains
to avoid the imposition of a 4% excise tax. Shareholders will normally have
to pay federal income taxes, and any state and/or local income taxes, on the
dividends and distributions they receive from the Fund. Such dividends and
distributions, to the extent that they are derived from net investment income
or short-term capital gains, are taxable to the shareholder as ordinary
income regardless of whether the shareholder receives such payments in
additional shares or in cash. Any dividends declared in the last quarter of
any year which are paid in the following year prior to February 1 will be
deemed received by the shareholder in the prior year.

44
<PAGE>
Any dividend or capital gains distribution received by a shareholder from
any investment company will have the effect of reducing the net asset value
of the shareholder's stock in that company by the exact amount of the
dividend or capital gains distribution. Furthermore, capital gains
distributions and dividends are subject to federal income taxes. If the net
asset value of the shares should be reduced below a shareholder's cost as a
result of the payment of dividends or the distribution of realized net
long-term capital gains, such payment or distribution would be in part a
return of the shareholder's investment to the extent of such reduction below
the shareholder's cost, but nonetheless would be fully taxable. Therefore, an
investor should consider the tax implications of purchasing Fund shares
immediately prior to a dividend or distribution record date.

Any loss realized by shareholders upon a redemption of shares within six
months of the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital
loss to the extent of any distributions of net long-term capital gains during
the six-month period.

Dividends, interest and capital gains received by the Fund may give rise
to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions
between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such
taxes. Investors may be entitled to claim United States foreign tax credits
or deductions with respect to such taxes, subject to certain provisions and
limitations contained in the Code. If more than 50% of the Fund's total
assets at the close of its fiscal year consist of securities of foreign
corporations, the Fund would be eligible and would determine whether or not
to file an election with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to which
shareholders of the Fund will be required to include their respective pro
rata portions of such withholding taxes in their United States income tax
returns as gross income, treat such respective pro rata portions as taxes
paid by them, and deduct such respective pro rata portions in computing their
taxable income or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits against
their United States income taxes. If the Fund makes such election, it will
report annually to its shareholders the amount per share of such withholding.

Special Rules for Certain Foreign Currency Transactions. In general, gains
from foreign currencies and from foreign currency options, foreign currency
futures and forward foreign exchange contracts relating to investments in
stock, securities or foreign currencies are currently considered to be
qualifying income for purposes of determining whether the Fund qualifies as a
regulated investment company. It is currently unclear, however, who will be
treated as the issuer of certain foreign currency instruments or how foreign
currency options, futures, or forward foreign currency contracts will be
valued for purposes of the regulated investment company diversification
requirements applicable to the Fund.

Under Code Section 988, special rules are provided for certain
transactions in a foreign currency other than the taxpayer's functional
currency (i.e., unless certain special rules apply, currencies other than the
U.S. dollar). In general, foreign currency gains or losses from forward
contracts, from futures contracts, and from options will be treated as
ordinary income or loss under Code Section 988. Also, certain foreign
exchange gains or losses derived with respect to foreign fixed-income
securities are also subject to Section 988 treatment. In general, therefore,
Code Section 988 gains or losses will increase or decrease the amount of the
Fund's investment company taxable income available to be distributed to
shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the
amount of the Fund's net capital gain. Additionally, if Code Section 988
losses exceed other investment company taxable income during a taxable year,
the Fund would not be able to make any ordinary dividend distributions.

After the end of the calendar year, shareholders will be sent full
information on their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax
purposes, including information as to the portion taxable as ordinary income,
the portion taxable as long-term capital gains and the portion eligible for
the dividends received deduction. To avoid being subject to a 31% federal
backup withholding tax on taxable dividends, capital gains distributions and
the proceeds of redemptions and repurchases, shareholders' taxpayer
identification numbers must be furnished and certified as to their accuracy.

Shareholders are urged to consult their attorneys or tax advisers
regarding specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes.

45
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

As discussed in the Prospectus, from time to time the Fund may quote its
"yield" and/or its "total return" in advertisements and sales literature.
Yield is calculated for any 30-day period as follows: the amount of interest
and/or dividend income for each security in the Fund's portfolio is
determined in accordance with regulatory requirements; the total for the
entire portfolio constitutes the Fund's gross income for the period. Expenses
accrued during the period are subtracted to arrive at "net investment
income". The resulting amount is divided by the product of the maximum
offering price per share on the last day of the period multiplied by the
average number of Fund shares outstanding during the period that were
entitled to dividends. This amount is added to 1 and raised to the sixth
power. 1 is then subtracted from the result and the difference is multiplied
by 2 to arrive at the annualized yield. For the 30-day period ended October
31, 1996, the Fund's yield, calculated pursuant to this formula, was 7.35%.

The Fund's "average annual total return" represents an annualization of
the Fund's total return over a particular period and is computed by finding
the annual percentage rate which will result in the ending redeemable value
of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning of a one, five or
ten year period, or for the period from the date of commencement of the
Fund's operations, if shorter than any of the foregoing. The ending
redeemable value is reduced by any contingent deferred sales charge at the
end of the one, five, or ten year or other period. For the purpose of this
calculation, it is assumed that all dividends and distributions are
reinvested. The formula for computing the average annual total return
involves a percentage obtained by dividing the ending redeemable value by the
amount of the initial investment, taking a root of the quotient (where the
root is equivalent to the number of years in the period) and subtracting 1
from the result. The average annual total return of the Fund for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996 and for the period April 9, 1992 (commencement of
operations) through October 31, 1996 was 4.49% and 6.88%, respectively.

In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or
other types or total return figures. Such calculations may or may not reflect
the deduction of the contingent deferred sales charge which, if reflected,
would reduce the performance quoted. For example, the average annual total
return of the Fund may be calculated in the manner described above, but
without deduction for any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Based
on this calculation, the average annual total return of the Fund for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996 and for the period April 9, 1992 through
October 31, 1996 was 9.49% and 7.22%, respectively.

In addition, the Fund may compute its aggregate total return for specified
periods by determining the aggregate percentage rate which will result in the
ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning of the
period. For the purpose of this calculation, it is assumed that all dividends
and distributions are reinvested. The formula for computing aggregate total
return involves a percentage obtained by dividing the ending value (without
reduction for any sales charge) by the initial $1,000 investment and
subtracting 1 from the result. Based upon the foregoing calculations, the
Fund's total return for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996 and for the
period April 9, 1992 through October 31, 1996 was 9.49% and 37.42%,
respectively.

The Fund may also advertise the growth of hypothetical investments of
$10,000, $50,000, and $100,000 in shares of the Fund by adding 1 to the
Fund's aggregate total return to date (expressed as a decimal and without
taking into account the effect of any applicable CDSC) and multiplying by
10,000, $50,000, and $100,000, as the case may be. Investments of $10,000,
$50,000 or $100,000 in the Fund at inception would have grown to $13,742,
$68,710, and $137,420, respectively at October 31, 1996.

The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance relative to
certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent
organizations.

46
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF THE FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The shareholders of the Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full
share held. All of the Trustees, except for Messrs. Bozic, Purcell and
Schroeder, have been elected by the shareholders of the Fund at a Special
Meeting of Shareholders held on January 12,1993. Messrs. Bozic, Purcell and
Schroeder were elected by the other Trustees of the Fund on April 8, 1994.
The Trustees themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of
office of the Trustees, and they may at any time lengthen their own terms or
make their terms of unlimited duration and appoint their own successors,
provided that always at least a majority of the Trustees has been elected by
the shareholders of the Fund. Under certain circumstances the Trustees may be
removed by action of the Trustees. The shareholders also have the right under
certain circumstances to remove the Trustees in accordance with the
provisions of Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The voting
rights of shareholders are not cumulative, so that holders of more than 50
percent of the shares voting can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being
selected, while the holders of the remaining shares would be unable to elect
any Trustees.

The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to authorize the creation of
additional series of shares (the proceeds of which would be invested in
separate, independently managed portfolios) and additional classes of shares
within any series (which would be used to distinguish among the rights of
different categories of shareholders, as might be required by future
regulations or other unforeseen circumstances). The Trustees have not
presently authorized any such additional series or classes of shares.

The Declaration of Trust further provides that no Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Fund is liable to the Fund or to a shareholder, nor
is any Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable to any third persons in
connection with the affairs of the Fund, except as such liability may arise
from his or its own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of his duties. It also provides that all third persons
shall look solely to the Fund's property for satisfaction of claims arising
in connection with the affairs of the Fund. With the exceptions stated, the
Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee, officer, employee or agent is
entitled to be indemnified against all liability in connection with the
affairs of the Fund.

The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest. The Fund shall be of unlimited duration subject to the
provisions in the Declaration of Trust concerning termination by action of
the shareholders.

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Bank of New York, 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286 is
the Custodian of the Fund's assets as described in groupings 2 and 3 in the
Prospectus. The Chase Manhattan Bank, One Chase Plaza, New York, New York
10005 is the Custodian of the Fund's assets as described in grouping 1 in the
Prospectus. As Custodian, The Chase Manhattan Bank has contracted with
various foreign banks and depositaries to hold portfolio securities of
non-U.S. issuers on behalf of the Fund. Any Fund cash balances with either
Custodian in excess of $100,000 are unprotected by Federal deposit insurance.
Such amounts may, at times, be substantial.

Dean Witter Trust Company, Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, Jersey
City, New Jersey 07311 is the Transfer Agent of the Trust's shares and
Dividend Disbursing Agent for payment of dividends and distributions on Trust
shares and Agent for shareholders under various investment plans described
herein. Dean Witter Trust Company is an affiliate of Dean Witter InterCapital
Inc., the Fund's Investment Manager, and Dean Witter Distributors Inc., the
Fund's Distributor. As Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, Dean
Witter Trust Company's responsibilities include maintaining shareholder
accounts, disbursing cash dividends and reinvesting dividends, processing
account registration changes, handling purchase and redemption transactions,
mailing prospectuses and reports, mailing and tabulating proxies, processing
share certificate transactions, and maintaining shareholder records and
lists. For these services Dean Witter Trust Company receives a per
shareholder account fee from the Fund.

47
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Price Waterhouse LLP serves as the independent accountants of the Fund.
The independent accountants are responsible for auditing the annual financial
statements of the Fund.

REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fund will send to shareholders, at least semi-annually, reports
showing the Fund's portfolio and other information. An annual report,
containing financial statements audited by independent accountants, will be
sent to shareholders each year.

The Fund's fiscal year ends on October 31. The financial statements of the
Fund must be audited at least once a year by independent accountants whose
selection is made annually by the Fund's Board of Trustees.

LEGAL COUNSEL
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sheldon Curtis, Esq., who is an officer and the General Counsel of the
Investment Manager, is an officer and the General Counsel of the Fund.

EXPERTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Financial Statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31,
1996 included in this Statement of Additional Information and incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus have been so included and incorporated in
reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Statement of Additional Information and the Prospectus do not contain
all of the Information set forth in the Registration Statement the Fund has
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The complete Registration
Statement may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
payment of the fee prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Commission.

<PAGE>

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS October 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GOVERNMENT & CORPORATE BONDS (93.1%)
AUSTRALIA (3.4%)
Government Obligations
Au$ 23,211 Queensland Treasury Corp. (a) .................................. 8.00 % 05/14/97 $ 18,513,885
7,300 Queensland Treasury Corp. ...................................... 12.00 05/15/97 5,939,674
995 Queensland Treasury Corp. ...................................... 8.00 07/14/99 811,444
--------------
TOTAL AUSTRALIA ..................................................................... 25,265,003
--------------
CANADA (1.4%)
Government Obligations
Ca$ 7,150 Canada Treasury Bond ........................................... 8.00 11/01/98 5,707,601
6,200 Canada Treasury Bond ........................................... 5.75 03/01/99 4,752,298
--------------
TOTAL CANADA ........................................................................ 10,459,899
--------------
DENMARK (4.6%)
Government Obligations
DKr 152,900 Denmark Treasury Note (a) ...................................... 9.00 11/15/98 28,503,046
32,400 Denmark Treasury Note (a) ...................................... 6.00 02/15/99 5,723,694
--------------
34,226,740
--------------
GERMANY (2.6%)
Finance (0.5%)
DEM 6,000 Deutsche Finance BV (a) ........................................ 6.25 04/08/97 3,998,024
--------------
Government Obligations (2.1%)
16,800 Bundes Obligation (a) .......................................... 8.375 01/20/97 11,186,719
6,450 Bundes Obligation (a) .......................................... 6.875 02/24/99 4,523,073
--------------
15,709,792
--------------
TOTAL GERMANY ....................................................................... 19,707,816
--------------
IRELAND (0.9%)
Government Obligation
IEP 3,850 Ireland Treasury Bond .......................................... 9.75 06/01/98 6,611,019
--------------
ITALY (3.9%)
Finance (0.1%)
ITL 230 M Abbey National Treasury Bond (a) ............................... 11.00 04/21/97 153,349
900 M Credit Suisse Finance Gibraltar (a) ............................ 11.625 05/27/97 603,722
--------------
757,071
--------------
Government Obligation (3.8%)
40,425 M Italy Treasury Bond (a) ........................................ 9.50 02/01/99 27,964,218
--------------
TOTAL ITALY ......................................................................... 28,721,289
--------------
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

49
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NEW ZEALAND (1.9%)
Government Obligations
NZ$ 10,660 New Zealand Treasury Bond (a) .................................. 9.00 % 11/15/96 $ 7,528,215
9,500 New Zealand Treasury Bond (a) .................................. 10.00 07/15/97 6,794,190
--------------
TOTAL NEW ZEALAND ................................................................... 14,322,405
--------------
PORTUGAL (1.5%)
Government Obligation
PTE 1,693 M Portugal Treasury Bond (a) ..................................... 8.375 01/23/99 11,399,942
--------------
SPAIN (3.3%)
Government Obligations
ESP 1,016 M Spain Treasury Bond (a) ........................................ 11.45 08/30/98 8,572,475
941 M Spain Treasury Bond (a) ........................................ 9.90 10/31/98 7,788,068
990 M Spain Treasury Bond (a) ........................................ 9.40 04/30/99 8,204,450
--------------
TOTAL SPAIN ......................................................................... 24,564,993
--------------
SWEDEN (4.5%)
Finance (0.4%)
SEK 18,000 Deutsche Bank Finance NV ....................................... 10.25 02/24/97 2,776,166
--------------
Government Obligation (4.1%)
180,800 Sweden Treasury Bond (a) ....................................... 11.00 01/21/99 30,549,757
--------------
TOTAL SWEDEN ........................................................................ 33,325,923
--------------
UNITED KINGDOM (0.7%)
Government Obligation
pounds
sterling
3,200 United Kingdom Government Bond (Conv.) ........................ 7.00 08/06/97 5,238,296
--------------
UNITED STATES (64.4%)
Aerospace (0.6%)
$ 4,750 Sabreliner Corp. (Series B) .................................... 12.50 04/15/03 4,465,000
--------------
Automotive (1.4%)
4,800 Am General Corporation ......................................... 12.875 05/01/02 4,632,000
3,000 Envirotest Systems, Inc. ....................................... 9.125 03/15/01 2,760,000
2,500 Toyota Motor Corp. ............................................. 15.00 09/26/97 2,701,200
--------------
10,093,200
--------------
Broadcast Media (1.1%)
4,000 Paxson Communications Corp. .................................... 11.625 10/01/02 4,120,000
4,000 Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. .............................. 7.50 06/15/02 4,240,000
--------------
8,360,000
--------------
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
50
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Business Services (1.8%)
$ 7,376 Anacomp, Inc. .................................................. 13.00 +% 06/04/02 $ 7,781,680
5,250 Xerox Corp. .................................................... 15.00 06/10/97 5,534,760
--------------
13,316,440
--------------
Cable & Telecommunications (6.0%)
4,235 Adelphia Communications Corp. (Series B) ....................... 9.50 + 02/15/04 3,535,823
5,050 American Communications Services, Inc. ......................... 13.00 ++ 11/01/05 2,828,000
5,400 AT&T Capital Corp. ............................................. 15.00 05/05/97 5,644,782
3,846 Falcon Holdings Group L.P. (Series B) .......................... 11.00 + 09/15/03 3,548,166
1,850 Frontiervision Corp. ........................................... 11.00 10/15/06 1,836,125
9,000 Hyperion Telecommunications Inc. ............................... 13.00 ++ 04/15/03 5,265,000
6,800 IXC Communications Inc. (Series B) ............................. 12.50 10/01/05 7,140,000
28,500 In-Flight Phone Corp. (Series B) ............................... 14.00 ++ 05/15/02 10,830,000
4,000 Peoples Telephone Co., Inc. .................................... 12.25 07/15/02 4,200,000
--------------
44,827,896
--------------
Computer Equipment (1.5%)
4,000 Advanced Micro Devices ......................................... 11.00 08/01/03 4,180,000
3,300 Unisys Corp. ................................................... 15.00 07/01/97 3,489,750
3,275 Unisys Corp. (Conv.) ........................................... 8.25 03/15/06 3,741,687
--------------
11,411,437
--------------
Consumer Products (0.3%)
2,500 J.B. Williams Holdings, Inc. ................................... 12.00 03/01/04 2,562,500
--------------
Electrical & Alarm Systems (0.6%)
4,980 Mosler, Inc. ................................................... 11.00 04/15/03 4,606,500
--------------
Electronics -Semiconductors (0.5%)
4,400 Integrated Device Technology (Conv.) ........................... 5.50 06/01/02 3,564,000
--------------
Entertainment/Gaming & Lodging (4.9%)
12,455 Cobblestone Holdings, Inc. -144A* .............................. 0.00 06/01/04 4,779,606
4,400 Fitzgeralds Gaming Corp. (Units)++ ............................. 13.00 12/31/02 3,740,000
4,400 Lady Luck Gaming Finance Corp. ................................. 11.875 03/01/01 4,356,000
7,920 Motels of America, Inc. (Series B) ............................. 12.00 04/15/04 6,652,800
3,350 Nextlink Communications ........................................ 12.50 04/15/06 3,433,750
3,800 Orbcomm Global -144A* .......................................... 14.00 08/15/04 3,838,000
4,000 Players International, Inc. .................................... 10.875 04/15/05 3,980,000
1,500 Plitt Theaters, Inc. (Canada) .................................. 10.875 06/15/04 1,522,500
5,000 President Riverboat Casinos, Inc. .............................. 13.00 09/15/01 4,100,000
--------------
36,402,656
--------------
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
51
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Financial (0.4%)
$ 2,500 Household Finance Corp. ........................................ 15.00 % 09/25/97 $ 2,700,725
--------------
Foods & Beverages (2.9%)
9,100 Envirodyne Industries, Inc. .................................... 10.25 12/01/01 8,235,500
3,850 Great American Cookie Inc. ..................................... 10.875 01/15/01 3,368,750
22,550 Specialty Foods Acquisition Corp. (Series B) ................... 13.00 ++ 08/15/05 9,132,750
1,500 Specialty Foods Corp. .......................................... 11.25 08/15/03 1,200,000
--------------
21,937,000
--------------
Healthcare (0.9%)
6,300 Unilab Corp. ................................................... 11.00 04/01/06 4,819,500
1,850 Unison Healthcare .............................................. 12.25 11/01/06 1,863,875
--------------
6,683,375
--------------
Manufacturing (1.5%)
1,995 Alpine Group, Inc. (Series B) .................................. 12.25 07/15/03 2,134,650
4,000 Exide Electronics Group ........................................ 11.50 03/15/06 4,220,000
5,000 Uniroyal Technology Corp. ...................................... 11.75 06/01/03 4,950,000
--------------
11,304,650
--------------
Manufacturing -Diversified (1.4%)
3,000 Interlake Corp. ................................................ 12.125 03/01/02 3,150,000
2,800 J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. .................................... 12.50 05/15/04 2,744,000
4,815 Jordan Industries, Inc. ........................................ 10.375 08/01/03 4,706,662
--------------
10,600,662
--------------
Oil & Gas (0.3%)
2,500 Empire Gas Corp. ............................................... 7.00 07/15/04 2,175,000
--------------
Publishing (1.5%)
5,000 Affiliated Newspapers Investments, Inc. ........................ 13.25 ++ 07/01/06 3,900,000
11,200 Marvel Holdings, Inc. .......................................... 0.00 04/15/98 4,704,000
2,500 United States Banknote Corp. (Series B) ........................ 10.375 06/01/02 2,362,500
--------------
10,966,500
--------------
Restaurants (1.8%)
6,000 American Restaurant Group Holdings, Inc. ....................... 14.00 ++ 12/15/05 2,175,000
1,025 Boston Chicken Inc. (Conv.) .................................... 4.50 02/01/04 1,335,063
9,800 FRD Acquisition Corp. .......................................... 12.50 07/15/04 9,800,000
--------------
13,310,063
--------------
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
52
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Retail (1.1%)
$ 3,350 Apparel Ventures, Inc. (Series B) .............................. 12.25 % 12/31/00 $ 2,546,000
1,959 Cort Furniture Rental Corp. .................................... 12.00 09/01/00 2,064,296
10,450 County Seat Stores Co. (b) ..................................... 12.00 10/01/02 3,239,500
--------------
7,849,796
--------------
Textiles -Apparel Manufacturers (1.0%)
3,800 Reeves Industries, Inc. ........................................ 11.00 07/15/02 3,591,000
4,500 U.S. Leather, Inc. ............................................. 10.25 07/31/03 3,825,000
--------------
7,416,000
--------------
Transportation (0.4%)
3,040 Trans World Airlines Inc. ...................................... 12.00+ 11/03/98 2,986,800
--------------
U.S. Government & Agency Obligations (32.5%)
3,695 Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corp. (0.5%) ................................................... 8.00 10/01/24-
06/01/25 3,777,464
--------------
Federal National Mortgage Assoc. (a) (15.9%)
6,000 Principal Strip ................................................ 0.00 02/12/04-
02/01/05 3,539,600
3,950 ................................................................. 6.00 02/01/11-
03/01/11 3,804,523
22,903 ................................................................. 6.50 10/01/08-
02/01/24 22,314,898
31,624 ................................................................. 7.00 08/01/08-
12/01/25 31,087,877
20,770 ................................................................. 7.50 02/01/22-
11/01/25 20,808,572
14,040 ................................................................. 8.00 09/01/01-
06/01/26 14,367,088
21,808 ................................................................. 8.50 07/01/17-
05/01/25 22,591,917
--------------
118,514,475
--------------
Government National Mortgage Assoc. (a) (11.8%)
4,532 ................................................................. 6.50 11/20/23-
02/20/24 4,314,165
3,000 ................................................................. 6.50 ** 2,868,757
18,477 ................................................................. 7.00 12/15/22-
10/15/26 18,103,843
8,000 ................................................................. 7.00 ** 7,847,500
39,581 ................................................................. 7.50 05/15/17-
10/15/26 39,682,203

</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
53
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES VALUE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
COMMON STOCKS (c) (1.4%)
Electrical & Alarm Systems (0.1%)
33,600 Protection One, Inc. ........................................... 378,000
--------------
Entertainment/Gaming & Lodging (0.0%)
12,455 Cobblestone Holdings, Inc. ..................................... 211,735
2,000 Motels of America, Inc. -144A* ................................. 140,000
--------------
351,735
--------------

</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
54
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES VALUE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Foods & Beverages (0.6%)
332,675 Seven-Up/RC Bottling Co. Southern California, Inc. (d) ......... $ 3,825,762
198,750 Specialty Foods Acquisition Corp. -144A* ....................... 285,803
--------------
4,111,565
--------------
Healthcare (0.1%)
410,000 Unigene Laboratories, Inc. ..................................... 1,037,812
120,800 Unilab Corp. ................................................... 75,500
--------------
1,113,312
--------------
Manufacturing -Diversified (0.5%)
162,500 Thermadyne Holdings Corp. (d) .................................. 3,717,188
--------------
Oil & Gas (0.1%)
196,500 HarCor Energy, Inc. ............................................ 933,375
--------------
Restaurants (0.0%)
6,000 American Restaurant Group Holdings, Inc. -144A* ................ 36,000
--------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Identified Cost $10,153,560) .................................. 10,641,175
--------------
PREFERRED STOCKS (c) (0.4%)
Entertainment/Gaming & Lodging
80,000 Fitzgeralds Gaming Corp. (Units)++ ............................. 1,840,000
27,000 Lady Luck Gaming Finance Corp. ................................. 843,750
--------------
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
(Identified Cost $2,792,450) ................................... 2,683,750
--------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF EXPIRATION
WARRANTS DATE VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
WARRANTS (c) (0.1%)
Aerospace (0.0%)
1,000 Sabreliner Corp. (Restricted) -144A* ............................ 04/15/03 10,000
--------------
Cable & Telecommunications (0.1%)
9,000 Hyperion Telecommunication Inc. -144A* .......................... 04/01/01 450,000
11,500 In-Flight Phone Corp. -144A* .................................... 08/31/02 69,000
--------------
519,000
--------------
Containers (0.0%)
2,000 Crown Packaging Holdings, Ltd. (Canada) -144A* .................. 11/01/03 20
--------------
Entertainment/Gaming & Lodging (0.0%)
2,899 Fitzgerald Gaming Corp. ........................................ 12/19/98 13,045
3,500 Fitzgeralds South Inc. -144A* ................................... 03/15/99 4
--------------
13,049
--------------
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
55
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF EXPIRATION
WARRANTS DATE VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Manufacturing (0.0%)
4,000 Exide Electronics, Inc. -144A* .................................. 03/15/06 $ 140,000
49,000 Uniroyal Technology Corp. ...................................... 06/01/03 67,375
--------------
207,375
--------------
Oil & Gas (0.0%)
3,450 Empire Gas Corp. ............................................... 07/15/04 34,500
--------------
Retail (0.0%)
1,500 County Seat Holdings Co. ....................................... 10/15/98 15
--------------
TOTAL WARRANTS
(Identified Cost $1,040,968) ................................................. 783,959
--------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (6.4%)
TIME DEPOSITS (e) (0.4)
IRELAND (0.0%)
IEP 192 Bankers Trust .................................................. 5.50 % 11/06/96 312,069
--------------
ITALY (0.1%)
ITL 496,930 Bankers Trust .................................................. 7.50 11/06/96 327,229
--------------
NEW ZEALAND (0.1%)
NZ$ 1,310 Bankers Trust .................................................. 9.25 11/06/96 925,519
--------------
SPAIN (0.2%)
Banking -International
ESP 200,945 Bank of New York ............................................... 6.6875 11/06/96 1,571,478
--------------
TOTAL TIME DEPOSITS
(Identified Cost $3,131,932)....................................................... 3,136,295
--------------
GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (f) (3.7%)
NEW ZEALAND (1.8%)
NZ$ 19,680 New Zealand Treasury Bill (a) .................................. 8.83 04/09/97 13,398,471
--------------
UNITED STATES (1.9%)
$ 14,065 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. ............................... 5.53 11/01/96 14,065,000
--------------
TOTAL GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
(Amortized Cost $27,577,634) ..................................................... 27,463,471
--------------
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
56
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT (2.3%)
$ 17,192 The Bank of New York (dated 10/31/96; proceeds $17,194,809;
collateralized by $4,470,785 U.S. Treasury Bond 11.25% due
02/15/15 valued at $6,713,620 and $9,156,879 U.S. Treasury
Bond 8.00% due 11/15/21 valued at $10,822,466) (Identified
Cost $17,192,242) .............................................. 5.375% 11/01/96 $ 17,192,242
--------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Identified Cost $47,901,808) ....................................................... 47,792,008
--------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(Identified Cost $764,356,067) (g) ....................................... 101.4% 755,662,798
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF CASH AND OTHER ASSETS ........................... (1.4) (10,081,896)
----- --------------
NET ASSETS ............................................................... 100.0% $745,580,902
===== ==============
</TABLE>

- ------------
M In millions.

* Resale is restricted to qualified institutional investors.

** Security purchased on a forward commitment basis with an approximate
principal amount and no definite maturity date; the actual principal
amount and maturity date will be determined upon settlement.

++ Consists of one or more class of securities traded together as a
unit; generally bonds with attached stocks/warrants.

+ Payment-in-kind security.

++ Currently a zero coupon bond and will pay interest at the rate shown
at a future specified date.

(a) Some or all of these securities are segregated in connection with
open forward foreign currency contracts and securities purchased on a
forward committment basis.

(b) Non-income producing security, issuer in default.

(d) Acquired through exchange offer.

(e) Subject to withdrawal restrictions until maturity.

(f) Securities were purchased on a discount basis. The interest rates
shown have been adjusted to reflect a money market equivalent yield.

(g) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $764,502,942;
the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $16,176,596 and the
aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $25,016,740, resulting in
net unrealized depreciation of $8,840,144.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
57
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS OPEN AT OCTOBER 31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNREALIZED
CONTRACTS DELIVERY APPRECIATION/
TO DELIVER IN EXCHANGE FOR DATE DEPRECIATION
-------------- ---------------- ---------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 5,972,894 DKr 34,877,520 11/01/96 $ 9,015
DEM 17,950,000 $ 12,315,609 11/12/96 486,014
NLG 11,643,500 $ 7,093,951 01/13/97 210,837
DEM 9,120,000 $ 6,099,518 07/29/97 3,921
BEF 159,300,000 $ 5,211,281 07/31/97 (2,063)
CHF 43,000,000 $ 35,875,188 09/19/97 892,130
yen 2,245,000,000 $ 20,815,948 10/31/97 (15,529)
---------------
Net unrealized appreciation ................ $1,584,325
===============
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
58
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
OCTOBER 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value
(identified cost $764,356,067) ......... $755,662,798
Unrealized appreciation on open forward
foreign currency contracts ............. 1,601,917
Cash (including $921,121 in foreign
currency) .............................. 9,100,490
Receivable for:
Interest .............................. 16,715,307
Shares of beneficial interest sold ... 2,571,781
Compensated forward foreign currency
contracts ............................ 1,688,164
Investments sold ...................... 997,969
Deferred organizational expenses ....... 13,153
Prepaid expenses and other assets ...... 105,553
--------------
TOTAL ASSETS .......................... 788,457,132
--------------
LIABILITIES:
Unrealized depreciation on open forward
foreign currency contracts ............. 17,592
Payable for:
Investments purchased ................. 39,794,461
Shares of beneficial interest
repurchased .......................... 1,274,240
Dividends ............................. 745,239
Plan of distribution fee .............. 527,077
Investment management fee ............. 248,036
Compensated forward foreign currency
contracts ............................ 54,288
Accrued expenses and other payables .... 215,297
--------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES ..................... 42,876,230
--------------
NET ASSETS:
Paid-in-capital ......................... 747,402,397
Net unrealized depreciation ............. (7,061,216)
Accumulated undistributed net investment
income ................................. 12,819,524
Accumulated net realized loss ........... (7,579,803)
--------------
NET ASSETS ............................ $745,580,902
==============
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE,
76,228,524 shares outstanding
(unlimited shares authorized of $.01
par value) ............................. $9.78
=====
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
59
<PAGE>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
INTEREST INCOME (net of $299,738 foreign
withholding tax) ........................ $62,025,343
-------------
EXPENSES
Plan of distribution fee ................. 5,383,849
Investment management fee ................ 2,533,576
Transfer agent fees and expenses ........ 390,840
Custodian fees ........................... 307,103
Registration fees ........................ 135,460
Professional fees ........................ 82,977
Shareholder reports and notices .......... 58,262
Organizational expenses .................. 30,268
Trustees' fees and expenses .............. 24,345
Other .................................... 16,325
-------------
TOTAL EXPENSES ......................... 8,963,005
-------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME .................. 53,062,338
-------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS):
Net realized gain on:
Investments ............................ 1,695,473
Foreign exchange transactions .......... 3,212,632
-------------
NET GAIN ............................... 4,908,105
-------------
Net change in unrealized depreciation on:
Investments ............................ (3,517,689)
Translation of forward foreign currency
contracts, other assets and
liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies ............................ 3,458,343
-------------
NET DEPRECIATION ....................... (59,346)
-------------
NET GAIN ............................... 4,848,759
-------------
NET INCREASE ............................. $57,911,097
=============
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
60
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR
ENDED ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1996 OCTOBER 31, 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
Operations:
Net investment income ................................. $ 53,062,338 $ 38,917,441
Net realized gain (loss) .............................. 4,908,105 (6,654,035)
Net change in unrealized depreciation ................. (59,346) 15,624,921
---------------- ----------------
NET INCREASE ........................................ 57,911,097 47,888,327
Dividends from net investment income .................. (47,280,275) (35,658,766)
Net increase from transactions in shares of beneficial
interest ............................................. 192,406,387 123,275,734
---------------- ----------------
NET INCREASE ........................................ 203,037,209 135,505,295
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period ................................... 542,543,693 407,038,398
---------------- ----------------
END OF PERIOD
(Including undistributed net investment income of
$12,819,524 and $3,816,429, respectively) ........... $745,580,902 $542,543,693
================ ================
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
61
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 1996

1. ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified,
open-end management investment company. The Fund's primary investment
objective is to provide a high level of current income and, as a secondary
objective, seeks to maximize total return, but only when consistent with its
primary objective. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust
on December 20, 1991 and commenced operations on April 9, 1992.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ
from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting
policies:

A. VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS -- (1) an equity security listed or traded on the
New York, American or other domestic or foreign stock exchange is valued at
its latest sale price on that exchange prior to the time when assets are
valued; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the latest
bid price (in cases where securities are traded on more than one exchange,
the securities are valued on the exchange designated as the primary market by
the Trustees); (2) all other portfolio securities for which over-the-counter
market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest available
bid price prior to the time of valuation; (3) when market quotations are not
readily available, including circumstances under which it is determined by
the Investment Manager that sale or bid prices are not reflective of a
security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value
as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the
general supervision of the Trustees; (4) certain portfolio securities may be
valued by an outside pricing service approved by the Trustees. The pricing
service utilizes a matrix system incorporating security quality, maturity and
coupon as the evaluation model parameters, and/or research and evaluations by
its staff, including review of broker-dealer market price quotations, if
available, in determining what it believes is the fair valuation of the
portfolio securities valued by such pricing service; and (5) short-term debt
securities having a maturity date of more than sixty days at time of purchase
are valued on a mark-to-market basis until sixty days prior to maturity and
thereafter at amortized cost based on their value on the 61st day. Short-term
debt securities having a maturity date of sixty days or less at the time of
purchase are valued at amortized cost.
62
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

B. ACCOUNTING FOR INVESTMENTS -- Security transactions are accounted for on
the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains
and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost
method. Discounts are accreted over the life of the respective securities.
Interest income is accrued daily.

C. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION -- The books and records of the Fund are
maintained in U.S. dollars as follows: (1) the foreign currency market value
of investment securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts
are translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period; and
(2) purchases, sales, income and expenses are translated at the exchange
rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The resultant
exchange gains and losses are included in the Statement of Operations as
realized and unrealized gain/loss on foreign exchange transactions. Pursuant
to U.S. Federal income tax regulations, certain foreign exchange gains/losses
included in realized and unrealized gain/loss are included in or are a
reduction of ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. The Fund does
not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of
changes in the foreign exchange rates from the changes in the market prices
of the securities.

D. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS -- The Fund may enter into forward
foreign currency contracts which are valued daily at the appropriate exchange
rates. The resultant unrealized exchange gains and losses are included in the
Statement of Operations as unrealized foreign currencies gain or loss. The
Fund records realized gains or losses on delivery of the currency or at the
time the forward contract is extinguished (compensated) by entering into a
closing transaction prior to delivery.

E. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required.

F. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS -- The Fund records dividends
and distributions to its shareholders on the record date. The amount of
dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized
capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax
regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
These "book/tax" differences are either considered temporary or permanent in
nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts
are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis
treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends
and distributions which exceed net investment income and net realized capital
gains for financial reporting purposes but not for tax purposes are reported
as
63
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

dividends in excess of net investment income or distributions in excess of
net realized capital gains. To the extent they exceed net investment income
and net realized capital gains for tax purposes, they are reported as
distributions of paid-in-capital.

G. ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES -- Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. (the "Investment
Manager") paid the organizational expenses of the Fund in the amount of
approximately $151,000 which have been reimbursed for the full amount
thereof. Such expenses have been deferred and are being amortized on the
straight-line method over a period not to exceed five years from the
commencement of operations.

2. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment
Manager a management fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the
annual rate of 0.40% to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close
of each business day.

3. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Shares of the Fund are distributed by Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the
"Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager. The Fund has adopted
a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act
pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor compensation, accrued daily
and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.85% of the lesser of: (a) the
average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's shares since the inception
of the Fund (not including reinvestment of dividend or capital gain
distributions) less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's
shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon which a contingent deferred
sales charge has been imposed or upon which such charge has been waived; or
(b) the Fund's average daily net assets. Amounts paid under the Plan are paid
to the Distributor to compensate it for the services provided and the
expenses borne by it and others in the distribution of the Fund's shares,
including the payment of commissions for sales of the Fund's shares and
incentive compensation to, and expenses of, account executives of Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Manager and Distributor, and
other employees or selected broker-dealers, who engage in or support
distribution of the Fund's shares or who service shareholder accounts,
including
64
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

overhead and telephone expenses, printing and distribution of prospectuses
and reports used in connection with the offering of the Fund's shares to
other than current shareholders and preparation, printing and distribution of
sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the Distributor may
be compensated under the Plan for its opportunity costs in advancing such
amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any
unreimbursed expenses incurred by the Distributor.

Provided that the Plan continues in effect, any cumulative expenses incurred
but not yet recovered may be recovered through future distribution fees from
the Fund and contingent deferred sales charges from the Fund's shareholders.

Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay expenses incurred
in excess of payments made to the Distributor under the Plan and the proceeds
of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of
shares, if for any reason the Plan is terminated, the Trustees will consider
at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses. The Distributor has
advised the Fund that such excess amounts, including carrying charges,
totaled $12,284,935 at October 31, 1996.

The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the year ended October 31,
1996, it received approximately $1,128,000 in contingent deferred sales
charges from certain redemptions of the Fund's shares.

4. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities,
excluding short-term investments, for the year ended October 31, 1996 were as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PURCHASES SALES
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Corporate Bonds ........................ $347,502,734 $289,130,184
Foreign Government Bonds ............... 189,265,055 143,517,636
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations 136,990,181 69,146,818
</TABLE>

Dean Witter Trust Company, an affiliate of the Investment Manager and
Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. At October 31, 1996, the Fund had
transfer agent fees and expenses payable of approximately $37,000.

The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan
covering all independent Trustees of the Fund who will have served as
independent Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement.
Benefits under this plan are based on years of service and compensation
during the last five years of service. Aggregate pension costs for the year
ended October 31, 1996 included in Trustees' fees
65
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

and expenses in the Statement of Operations amounted to $10,068. At October
31, 1996, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of $28,014 which is
included in accrued expenses in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

5. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1996 OCTOBER 31, 1995
------------------------------ -----------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
-------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sold ...................... 36,480,365 $353,997,564 21,219,776 $201,648,052
Reinvestment of dividends . 2,052,285 19,859,631 1,592,451 15,089,111
-------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
38,532,650 373,857,195 22,812,227 216,737,163
Repurchased ............... (18,707,218) (181,450,808) (9,852,773) (93,461,429)
-------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Net increase .............. 19,825,432 $192,406,387 12,959,454 $123,275,734
============== ============== ============= ==============
</TABLE>

6. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS

At October 31, 1996, the Fund had a net capital loss carryover of
approximately $9,067,000 of which $3,024,000 will be available through
October 31, 2002 and $3,677,000 will be available through October 31, 2003
and $2,366,000 will be available through October 31, 2004 to offset future
capital gains to the extent provided by regulations.

As of October 31, 1996, the Fund had temporary book/tax differences primarily
attributable to the mark-to-market of open forward foreign currency exchange
contracts and compensated forward foreign currency exchange contracts and
permanent book/tax differences primarily attributable to foreign currency
gains. To reflect reclassifications arising from permanent book/tax
differences for the year ended October 31, 1996, accumulated net realized
loss was charged and accumulated undistributed net investment income was
credited $3,221,032.

7. PURPOSE OF AND RISKS RELATING TO CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts ("forward
contracts") to facilitate settlement of foreign currency denominated
portfolio transactions or to manage its foreign currency exposure or to sell,
for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other currency, the amount of foreign
currency approximating the value of some or all of its holdings denominated
in such foreign currency or an amount of foreign currency other than the
currency in which the securities to be hedged are denominated approximating
the value of some or all of its holdings to be hedged. Additionally, when the
Investment Manager anticipates
66
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 1996, continued

purchasing securities at some time in the future, the Fund may enter into a
forward contract to purchase an amount of currency equal to some or all the
value of the anticipated purchase for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other
currency.

To hedge against adverse interest rate, foreign currency and market risks,
the Fund may enter into written options on interest rate futures and interest
rate futures contracts ("derivative investments").

At October 31, 1996, there were outstanding forward contracts used to
facilitate settlement of foreign currency denominated portfolio transactions
and manage foreign currency exposure.

These derivative instruments involve elements of market risk in excess of the
amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears
the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rates underlying
the forward contracts. Risks may also arise upon entering into these
contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the
terms of their contracts.

At October 31, 1996, the Fund's cash balance consisted principally of
interest bearing deposits with Chase Manhattan Bank N.A., the Fund's
custodian.
67
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Selected ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period:

FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31 APRIL 9, 1992*
------------------------------------------------------ THROUGH
1996 1995 1994 1993 OCTOBER 31, 1992
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period .. $9.62 $9.37 $10.20 $10.01 $ 10.00
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------------
Net investment income .................. 0.78 0.77 0.74 0.77 0.37
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.10 0.20 (0.80) 0.20 --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------------
Total from investment operations ...... 0.88 0.97 (0.06) 0.97 0.37
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------------
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income ................. (0.72) (0.72) (0.64) (0.73) (0.36)
Net realized gain ..................... -- -- (0.01) (0.05) --
Paid-in-capital ....................... -- -- (0.12) -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------------
Total dividends and distributions ..... (0.72) (0.72) (0.77) (0.78) (0.36)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------------
Net asset value, end of period ......... $9.78 $9.62 $ 9.37 $10.20 $ 10.01
============ ============ ============ ============ ================
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+ .............. 9.49% 10.76% (0.69)% 10.00% 3.73%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses ............................... 1.42% 1.44% 1.51% 1.58%(4) 0.85%(2)(3)
Net investment income .................. 8.38% 8.30% 7.91% 7.92%(4) 7.86%(2)(3)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands $745,581 $542,544 $407,038 $167,137 $55,297
Portfolio turnover rate ................ 82% 87% 60% 117% 37%(1)
</TABLE>

- ------------
* Commencement of operations.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the
net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
(3) If the Fund had borne all expenses that were assumed or waived by the
Investment Manager, the above annualized expense and net investment
income ratios would have been 2.08% and 6.63%, respectively.
(4) If the Fund had borne all expenses that were assumed or waived by the
Investment Manager, the above annualized expense and net investment
income ratios would have been 1.66% and 7.84%, respectively.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
68
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TRUSTEES
OF DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities,
including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of
operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Dean Witter
Diversified Income Trust (the "Fund") at October 31, 1996, the results of its
operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of
the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each
of the four years in the period then ended and for the period April 9, 1992
(commencement of operations) through October 31, 1992, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements and
financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are
the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted
our audits of these financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October
31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers and the application
of alternative auditing procedures where confirmations from brokers were not
received, provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.

PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
December 17, 1996
69

<PAGE>

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST

PART C OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a) Financial Statements

(1) Financial statements and schedules, included
in Prospectus (Part A): Page in
Prospectus
----------
Financial highlights for the period April 9, 1992
through October 31, 1992 and for the fiscal years
ended October 31, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996........... 04

(2) Financial statements included in the Statement of
Additional Information (Part B): Page in
SAI
---
Portfolio of Investments at October 31, 1996.......... 49

Statement of assets and liabilities at
October 31, 1996...................................... 59

Statement of operations for the year ended
October 31, 1996...................................... 60

Statement of changes in net assets for the
years ended October 31, 1995 and 1996................. 61

Notes to Financial Statements......................... 62

Financial highlights for the period April 9, 1992
through October 31, 1992 and for the fiscal years
ended October 31, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996........... 68

(3) Financial statements included in Part C:

None

(b) Exhibits:

2. -- By-Laws of the Registrant, Amended and Restated
as of October 25, 1996

8. -- Form of Amendment to the Custody Agreement
between Registrant and The Bank of New York

11. -- Consent of Independent Accountants

16. -- Schedules for Computation of Performance Quotations
and Yield Quotation

<PAGE>

27. -- Financial Data Schedule

-----------------------------------
All other exhibits previously filed and incorporated by
reference.

Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With Registrant.

None

Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities.

(1) (2)
Number of Record Holders
Title of Class at November 30, 1996
-------------- ------------------------

Shares of Beneficial Interest 34,024

Item 27. Indemnification

Pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust and
under Section 4.8 of the Registrant's By-Laws, the indemnification of the
Registrant's trustees, officers, employees and agents is permitted if it is
determined that they acted under the belief that their actions were in or not
opposed to the best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to any
criminal proceeding, they had reasonable cause to believe their conduct was not
unlawful. In addition, indemnification is permitted only if it is determined
that the actions in question did not render them liable by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties
or by reason of reckless disregard of their obligations and duties to the
Registrant. Trustees, officers, employees and agents will be indemnified for
the expense of litigation if it is determined that they are entitled to
indemnification against any liability established in such litigation. The
Registrant may also advance money for these expenses provided that they give
their undertakings to repay the Registrant unless their conduct is later
determined to permit indemnification.

Pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust and
paragraph 8 of the Registrant's Investment Management Agreement, neither the
Investment Manager nor any trustee, officer, employee or agent of the
Registrant shall be liable for any action or failure to act, except in the case
of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
duties to the Registrant.

2
<PAGE>

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to trustees, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer,
or controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the Registrant
by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the shares
being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act, and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.

The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the
indemnification provision of its by-laws in a manner consistent with Release
11330 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, so long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of such
Act remains in effect.

Registrant, in conjunction with the Investment Manager, Registrant's
Trustees, and other registered investment management companies managed by the
Investment Manager, maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of Registrant, or who is or was serving at
the request of Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of
another trust or corporation, against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him or arising out of his position. However, in no event will
Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for
which Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify him.

Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.

See "The Fund and Its Management" in the Prospectus regarding the
business of the investment adviser. The following information is given
regarding officers of Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. InterCapital is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. The principal address of
the Dean Witter Funds is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.

The term "Dean Witter Funds" used below refers to the following
registered investment companies:

3
<PAGE>

Closed-End Investment Companies
- -------------------------------
(1) InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
(2) High Income Advantage Trust
(3) High Income Advantage Trust II
(4) High Income Advantage Trust III
(5) Municipal Income Trust
(6) Municipal Income Trust II
(7) Municipal Income Trust III
(8) Dean Witter Government Income Trust
(9) Municipal Premium Income Trust
(10) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust
(11) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust II
(12) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III
(13) Prime Income Trust
(14) InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust
(15) InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
(16) InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
(17) InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
(18) InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
(19) InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
(20) InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
(21) InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities
(22) InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
(23) InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities
(24) InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities

Open-end Investment Companies:
- ------------------------------
(1) Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(2) Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(3) Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(4) Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(5) Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(6) Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(7) Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(8) Dean Witter Retirement Series
(9) Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(10) Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
(11) Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(12) Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
(13) Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(14) Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(15) Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(16) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(17) Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(18) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(19) Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
(20) Dean Witter American Value Fund
(21) Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(22) Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(23) Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(24) Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(25) Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities

4
<PAGE>

(26) Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(27) Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(28) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(29) Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(30) Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(31) Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(32) Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(33) Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(34) Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(35) Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(36) Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
(37) Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(38) Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(39) Active Assets Money Trust
(40) Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(41) Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(42) Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(43) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(44) Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(45) Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46) Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(47) Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(48) Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(49) Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
(50) Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(51) Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(52) Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(53) Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(54) Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(55) Dean Witter Information Fund
(56) Dean Witter Japan Fund
(57) Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
(58) Dean Witter Special Value Fund

The term "TCW/DW Funds" refers to the following registered
investment companies:
Open-End Investment Companies
- -----------------------------
(1) TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
(2) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(3) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
(4) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
(5) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(6) TCW/DW Balanced Fund
(7) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
(8) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
(9) TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
(10) TCW/DW Strategic Income Trust

Closed-End Investment Companies
- -------------------------------
(1) TCW/DW Term Trust 2000
(2) TCW/DW Term Trust 2002
(3) TCW/DW Term Trust 2003
(4) TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust

5
<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ----------------- ------------------------------------------------

Charles A. Fiumefreddo Executive Vice President and Director of Dean
Chairman, Chief Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"); Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and Executive Officer and Director of Dean Witter
Director Distributors Inc. ("Distributors") and Dean
Witter Services Company Inc. ("DWSC"); Chairman
and Director of Dean Witter Trust Company
("DWTC"); Chairman, Director or Trustee,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Dean Witter Funds and Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds;
Formerly Executive Vice President and Director
of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ("DWDC");
Director and/or officer of various DWDC
subsidiaries.

Philip J. Purcell Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Director of DWDC and DWR; Director of DWSC and
Distributors; Director or Trustee of the Dean
Witter Funds; Director and/or officer of various
DWDC subsidiaries.

Richard M. DeMartini Executive Vice President of DWDC; President and
Director Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter Capital;
Director of DWR, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC;
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Member (since
January, 1993) and Chairman (since January,
1995) of the Board of Directors of NASDAQ.

James F. Higgins Executive Vice President of DWDC; President and
Director Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter
Financial; Director of DWR, DWSC, Distributors
and DWTC.

Thomas C. Schneider Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Executive Vice Officer of DWDC, DWR, DWSC and Distributors;
President, Chief Director of DWR, DWSC and Distributors.
Financial Officer and
Director

Christine A. Edwards Executive Vice President, Secretary and General
Director Counsel of DWDC and DWR; Executive Vice
President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of
Distributors; Director of DWR, DWSC and
Distributors.

6
<PAGE>

Robert M. Scanlan President and Chief Operating Officer of DWSC,
President and Chief Executive Vice President of Distributors;
Operating Officer Executive Vice President and Director of DWTC;
Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds and the
TCW/DW Funds.

John Van Heuvelen President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Executive Vice of DWTC.
President

Joseph J. McAlinden
Executive Vice President
and Chief Investment Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds and
Officer Director of DWTC.

Sheldon Curtis Assistant Secretary of DWR; Senior Vice
Senior Vice President, President, Secretary and General Counsel of
General Counsel and DWSC; Senior Vice President, Assistant General
Secretary Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Distributors;
Senior Vice President and Secretary of DWTC;
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of
the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
Peter M. Avelar
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Mark Bavoso
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Richard Felegy
Senior Vice President

Edward Gaylor
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Robert S. Giambrone
Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of DWSC, Distributors and
DWTC and Director of DWTC; Vice President of the
Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Rajesh K. Gupta
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kenton J. Hinchcliffe
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kevin Hurley
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Jenny B. Jones
Senior Vice President Vice President of Dean Witter Special Value
Fund.

7
<PAGE>

John B. Kemp, III Director of the Provident Savings Bank, Jersey
Senior Vice President City, New Jersey.

Anita Kolleeny
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Jonathan R. Page
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Ira N. Ross
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Rochelle G. Siegel
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Paul D. Vance
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Elizabeth A. Vetell
Senior Vice President

James F. Willison
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Ronald J. Worobel
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Thomas F. Caloia First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of
First Vice President DWSC, Assistant Treasurer of Distributors;
and Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the
Treasurer Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Marilyn K. Cranney Assistant Secretary of DWR; First Vice President
First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC; Assistant
and Assistant Secretary Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and the
TCW/DW Funds.

Barry Fink First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
First Vice President DWSC; Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter
and Assistant Secretary Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Michael Interrante First Vice President and Controller of DWSC;
First Vice President Assistant Treasurer of Distributors;First Vice
and Controller President and Treasurer of DWTC.

Robert Zimmerman
First Vice President

8
<PAGE>

Joan Allman
Vice President

Joseph Arcieri
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds

Kirk Balzer
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds

Douglas Brown
Vice President

Philip Casparius
Vice President

Thomas Chronert
Vice President

Rosalie Clough
Vice President

Patricia A. Cuddy
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

B. Catherine Connelly
Vice President

Salvatore DeSteno
Vice President Vice President of DWSC.

Frank J. DeVito
Vice President Vice President of DWSC.

Bruce Dunn
Vice President

Jeffrey D. Geffen
Vice President

Deborah Genovese
Vice President

Peter W. Gurman
Vice President

9
<PAGE>

John Hechtlinger
Vice President

Peter Hermann
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds

Elizabeth Hinchman
Vice President

David Hoffman
Vice President

David Johnson
Vice President

Christopher Jones
Vice President

James Kastberg
Vice President

Stanley Kapica
Vice President

Michael Knox
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds

Konrad J. Krill
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Paula LaCosta
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Thomas Lawlor
Vice President

Gerard Lian
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

LouAnne D. McInnis Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC;
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and
Assistant Secretary the TCW/DW Funds.

Sharon K. Milligan
Vice President

Julie Morrone
Vice President

10
<PAGE>

David Myers
Vice President

James Nash
Vice President

Richard Norris
Vice President

Anne Pickrell
Vice President Vice President of Dean Witter Global Short-
Term Income Fund Inc.
Hugh Rose
Vice President

Robert Rossetti
Vice President

Ruth Rossi Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC;
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and
Assistant Secretary the TCW/DW Funds.

Carl F. Sadler
Vice President

Rafael Scolari
Vice President Vice President of Prime Income Trust

Peter Seeley Vice President of Dean Witter World
Vice President Wide Income Trust

Jayne M. Stevlingson
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kathleen Stromberg
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Vinh Q. Tran
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Alice Weiss
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Katherine C. Wickham
Vice President

11
<PAGE>

Item 29. Principal Underwriters
(a) Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("Distributors"), a Delaware
corporation, is the principal underwriter of the Registrant.
Distributors is also the principal underwriter of the following
investment companies:
(1) Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(2) Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(3) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(4) Dean Witter Retirement Series
(5) Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(6) Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation
(7) Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
(8) Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
(9) Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(10) Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(11) Active Assets Money Trust
(12) Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
(13) Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(14) Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(15) Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(16) Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(17) Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(18) Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(19) Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(20) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(21) Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(22) Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(23) Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(24) Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(25) Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(26) Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(27) Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(28) Prime Income Trust
(29) Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(30) Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(31) Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(32) Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(33) Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(34) Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(35) Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(36) Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(37) Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(38) Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(39) Dean Witter American Value Fund
(40) Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(41) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(42) Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(43) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(44) Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(45) Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46) Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(47) Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(48) Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(49) Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund

12
<PAGE>

(50) Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(51) Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(52) Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(53) Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(54) Dean Witter Information Fund
(55) Dean Witter Japan Fund
(56) Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
(57) Dean Witter Special Value Fund
(1) TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
(2) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(3) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
(4) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
(5) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(6) TCW/DW Balanced Fund
(7) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
(8) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
(9) TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
(10) TCW/DW Strategic Income Trust

(b) The following information is given regarding directors and officers of
Distributors not listed in Item 28 above. The principal address of
Distributors is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. None of
the following persons has any position or office with the Registrant.

Positions and
Office with
Name Distributors
---- -------------
Fredrick K. Kubler Senior Vice President, Assistant
Secretary and Chief Compliance
Officer.

Michael T. Gregg Vice President and Assistant
Secretary.

Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder
are maintained by the Investment Manager at its offices, except records
relating to holders of shares issued by the Registrant, which are maintained by
the Registrant's Transfer Agent, at its place of business as shown in the
prospectus.

Item 31. Management Services

Registrant is not a party to any such management-related service
contract.

Item 32. Undertakings

Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a
prospectus is delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to
shareholders, upon request and without charge.

13
<PAGE>

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-
Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State
of New York on the 23rd day of December, 1996.

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST

By /s/ Sheldon Curtis
----------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President and Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-
Effective Amendment No. 5 has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signatures Title Date
---------- ----- ----

(1) Principal Executive Officer President, Chief
Executive Officer,
Trustee and Chairman
By /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo 12/23/96
---------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo

(2) Principal Financial Officer Treasurer and Principal
Accounting Officer

By /s/ Thomas F. Caloia 12/23/96
---------------------------
Thomas F. Caloia

(3) Majority of the Trustees

Charles A. Fiumefreddo (Chairman)
Philip J. Purcell

By /s/ Sheldon Curtis 12/23/96
---------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Attorney-in-Fact

Michael Bozic
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Manuel H. Johnson
Michael E. Nugent
John L. Schroeder

By /s/ David M. Butowsky 12/23/96
---------------------------
David M. Butowsky
Attorney-in-Fact

<PAGE>

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------

2. -- By-Laws of the Registrant, Amended and Restated
as of October 25, 1996

8. -- Form of Amendment to the Custody Agreement
between Registrant and The Bank of New York.

11. -- Consent of Independent Accountants

16. -- Schedules for Computation of Performance Quotations
and Yield Quotation

27. -- Financial Data Schedule

<PAGE>

BY-LAWS

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF OCTOBER 25, 1996

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

The terms "Commission", "Declaration", "Distributor", "Investment Adviser",
"Majority Shareholder Vote", "1940 Act", "Shareholder", "Shares", "Transfer
Agent", "Trust", "Trust Property", and "Trustees" have the respective meanings
given them in the Declaration of Trust of Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
dated December 20, 1991.

ARTICLE II
OFFICES

SECTION 2.1. Principal Office. Until changed by the Trustees, the principal
office of the Trust in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be in the City
of Boston, County of Suffolk.

SECTION 2.2. Other Offices. In addition to its principal office in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Trust may have an office or offices in the
City of New York, State of New York, and at such other places within and
without the Commonwealth as the Trustees may from time to time designate or the
business of the Trust may require.

ARTICLE III
SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS

SECTION 3.1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of Shareholders shall be held at
such place, within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as may be
designated from time to time by the Trustees.

SECTION 3.2. Meetings. Meetings of Shareholders of the Trust shall be held
whenever called by the Trustees or the President of the Trust and whenever
election of a Trustee or Trustees by Shareholders is required by the provisions
of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, for that purpose. Meetings of Shareholders
shall also be called by the Secretary upon the written request of the holders
of Shares entitled to vote not less than twenty-five percent (25% ) of all the
votes entitled to be cast at such meeting, except to the extent otherwise
required by Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, as made applicable to the Trust by
the provisions of Section 2.3 of the Declaration. Such request shall state the
purpose or purposes of such meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on
thereat. Except to the extent otherwise required by Section 16(c) of the 1940
Act, as made applicable to the Trust by the provisions of Section 2.3 of the
Declaration, the Secretary shall inform such Shareholders of the reasonable
estimated cost of preparing and mailing such notice of the meeting, and upon
payment to the Trust of such costs, the Secretary shall give notice stating the
purpose or purposes of the meeting to all entitled to vote at such meeting. No
meeting need be called upon the request of the holders of Shares entitled to
cast less than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at such meeting, to
consider any matter which is substantially the same as a matter voted upon at
any meeting of Shareholders held during the preceding twelve months.

SECTION 3.3. Notice of Meetings. Written or printed notice of every
Shareholders' meeting stating the place, date, and purpose or purposes thereof,
shall be given by the Secretary not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety
(90) days before such meeting to each Shareholder entitled to vote at such
meeting. Such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United
States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Shareholder at his address as it
appears on the records of the Trust.

<PAGE>

SECTION 3.4. Quorum and Adjournment of Meetings. Except as otherwise
provided by law, by the Declaration or by these By-Laws, at all meetings of
Shareholders the holders of a majority of the Shares issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall be
requisite and shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the
absence of a quorum, the Shareholders present or represented by proxy and
entitled to vote thereat shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to
time. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. At
any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be
transacted as if the meeting had been held as originally called.

SECTION 3.5. Voting Rights, Proxies. At each meeting of Shareholders, each
holder of record of Shares entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to one
vote in person or by proxy, executed in writing by the Shareholder or his duly
authorized attorney-in-fact, for each Share of beneficial interest of the Trust
and for the fractional portion of one vote for each fractional Share entitled
to vote so registered in his name on the records of the Trust on the date fixed
as the record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to vote at
such meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months from its date, unless
otherwise provided in the proxy. At all meetings of Shareholders, unless the
voting is conducted by inspectors, all questions relating to the qualification
of voters and the validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes
shall be decided by the chairman of the meeting. Pursuant to a resolution of a
majority of the Trustees, proxies may be solicited in the name of one or more
Trustees or Officers of the Trust.

SECTION 3.6. Vote Required. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the
Declaration of Trust, or by these By-Laws, at each meeting of Shareholders at
which a quorum is present, all matters shall be decided by Majority Shareholder
Vote.

SECTION 3.7. Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of
Shareholders, the Trustees may appoint Inspectors of Election to act at the
meeting or any adjournment thereof. If Inspectors of Election are not so
appointed, the chairman of any meeting of Shareholders may, and on the request
of any Shareholder or his proxy shall, appoint Inspectors of Election of the
meeting. In case any person appointed as Inspector fails to appear or fails or
refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Trustees
in advance of the convening of the meeting or at the meeting by the person
acting as chairman. The Inspectors of Election shall determine the number of
Shares outstanding, the Shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a
quorum, the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies, shall receive votes,
ballots or consents, shall hear and determine all challenges and questions in
any way arising in connection with the right to vote, shall count and tabulate
all votes or consents, determine the results, and do such other acts as may be
proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all Shareholders. On
request of the chairman of the meeting, or of any Shareholder or his proxy, the
Inspectors of Election shall make a report in writing of any challenge or
question or matter determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any
facts found by them.

SECTION 3.8. Inspection of Books and Records. Shareholders shall have such
rights and procedures of inspection of the books and records of the Trust as
are granted to Shareholders under the Corporations and Associations Law of the
State of Maryland.

SECTION 3.9. Action by Shareholders Without Meeting. Except as otherwise
provided by law, the provisions of these By-Laws relating to notices and
meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a
majority of the Shareholders entitled to vote upon the action consent to the
action in writing and such consents are filed with the records of the Trust.
Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of
Shareholders.

SECTION 3.10. Presence at Meetings. Presence at meetings of shareholders
requires physical attendance by the shareholder or his or her proxy at the
meeting site and does not encompass attendance by telephonic or other
electronic means.

2
<PAGE>

ARTICLE IV
TRUSTEES

SECTION 4.1. Meetings of the Trustees. The Trustees may in their discretion
provide for regular or special meetings of the Trustees. Regular meetings of
the Trustees may be held at such time and place as shall be determined from
time to time by the Trustees without further notice. Special meetings of the
Trustees may be called at any time by the President and shall be called by the
President or the Secretary upon the written request of any two (2) Trustees.

SECTION 4.2. Notice of Special Meetings. Written notice of special meetings
of the Trustees, stating the place, date and time thereof, shall be given not
less than two (2) days before such meeting to each Trustee, personally, by
telegram, by mail, or by leaving such notice at his place of residence or usual
place of business. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when
deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Trustee
at his address as it appears on the records of the Trust. Subject to the
provisions of the 1940 Act, notice or waiver of notice need not specify the
purpose of any special meeting.

SECTION 4.3. Telephone Meetings. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act,
any Trustee, or any member or members of any committee designated by the
Trustees, may participate in a meeting of the Trustees, or any such committee,
as the case may be, by means of a conference telephone or similar
communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means
constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

SECTION 4.4. Quorum, Voting and Adjournment of Meetings. At all meetings of
the Trustees, a majority of the Trustees shall be requisite to and shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present,
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees present shall be the act of
the Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is expressly
required for such action by law, the Declaration or these By-Laws. If at any
meeting of the Trustees there be less than a quorum present, the Trustees
present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other
than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall have been obtained.

SECTION 4.5. Action by Trustees Without Meeting. The provisions of these
By-Laws covering notices and meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, and
except as required by law, any action required or permitted to be taken at any
meeting of the Trustees may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing
setting forth the action shall be signed by all of the Trustees entitled to
vote upon the action and such written consent is filed with the minutes of
proceedings of the Trustees.

SECTION 4.6. Expenses and Fees. Each Trustee may be allowed expenses, if
any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Trustees, and
each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Trust or of its
investment manager or underwriter or of any corporate affiliate of any of said
persons shall receive for services rendered as a Trustee of the Trust such
compensation as may be fixed by the Trustees. Nothing herein contained shall be
construed to preclude any Trustee from serving the Trust in any other capacity
and receiving compensation therefor.

SECTION 4.7. Execution of Instruments and Documents and Signing of Checks
and Other Obligations and Transfers. All instruments, documents and other
papers shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Trust and all checks,
notes, drafts and other obligations for the payment of money by the Trust shall
be signed, and all transfer of securities standing in the name of the Trust
shall be executed, by the Chairman, the President, any Vice President or the
Treasurer or by any one or more officers or agents of the Trust as shall be
designated for that purpose by vote of the Trustees; notwithstanding the above,
nothing in this Section 4.7 shall be deemed to preclude the electronic
authorization, by designated persons, of the Trust's Custodian (as described
herein in Section 9.1) to transfer assets of the Trust, as provided for herein
in Section 9.1.

SECTION 4.8. Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, Employees and Agents.
(a) The Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative

3
<PAGE>

(other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact
that he is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust. The
indemnification shall be against expenses, including attorneys' fees,
judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding, if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment,
order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did
not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his
conduct was unlawful.

(b) The Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or on behalf of the Trust to obtain a judgment or decree in its favor
by reason of the fact that he is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent
of the Trust. The indemnification shall be against expenses, including
attorneys' fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the
defense or settlement of the action or suit, if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Trust; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue, or matter as to which the person has been adjudged to be liable
for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the Trust,
except to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought, or
a court of equity in the county in which the Trust has its principal office,
determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in
view of all circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for those expenses which the court shall deem proper,
provided such Trustee, officer, employee or agent is not adjudged to be liable
by reason of his willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

(c) To the extent that a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit
or proceeding referred to in subsection (a) or (b) or in defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses, including
attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
therewith.

(d) (1) Unless a court orders otherwise, any indemnification under
subsections (a) or (b) of this section may be made by the Trust only as
authorized in the specific case after a determination that indemnification of
the Trustee, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
subsections (a) or (b).

(2) The determination shall be made:

(i) By the Trustees, by a majority vote of a quorum which consists
of Trustees who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding; or

(ii) If the required quorum is not obtainable, or if a quorum of
disinterested Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a
written opinion; or

(iii) By the Shareholders.

(3) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 4.8, no person shall
be entitled to indemnification for any liability, whether or not there is
an adjudication of liability, arising by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties as described
in Section 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
("disabling conduct"). A person shall be deemed not liable by reason of
disabling conduct if, either:

(i) a final decision on the merits is made by a court or other
body before whom the proceeding was brought that the person to be
indemnified ("indemnitee") was not liable by reason of disabling conduct;
or
4
<PAGE>

(ii) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination,
based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnitee was not liable by
reason of disabling conduct, is made by either--

(A) a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither
"interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in Section 2(a)(19)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor parties to the action,
suit or proceeding, or

(B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

(e) Expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by a Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or
proceeding may be paid by the Trust in advance of the final disposition thereof
if:

(1) authorized in the specific case by the Trustees; and

(2) the Trust receives an undertaking by or on behalf of the Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust to repay the advance if it is not
ultimately determined that such person is entitled to be indemnified by
the Trust; and

(3) either, (i) such person provides a security for his undertaking, or

(ii) the Trust is insured against losses by reason of any lawful
advances, or

(iii) a determination, based on a review of readily available
facts, that there is reason to believe that such person ultimately
will be found entitled to indemnification, is made by either--

(A) a majority of a quorum which consists of Trustees who are
neither "interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in Section
2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, nor parties to the action, suit or
proceeding, or

(B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

(f) The indemnification provided by this Section shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled under any
by-law, agreement, vote of Shareholders or disinterested Trustees or otherwise,
both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity
while holding the office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
be a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent and inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such person; provided that no person may
satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement granted herein or to which he
may be otherwise entitled except out of the property of the Trust, and no
Shareholder shall be personally liable with respect to any claim for indemnity
or reimbursement or otherwise.

(g) The Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person
who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust, against any
liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or
arising out of his status as such. However, in no event will the Trust purchase
insurance to indemnify any officer or Trustee against liability for any act for
which the Trust itself is not permitted to indemnify him.

(h) Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to protect any
Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to its
security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.

ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES

SECTION 5.1. Executive and Other Committees. The Trustees, by resolution
adopted by a majority of the Trustees, may designate an Executive Committee
and/or committees, each committee to consist of two (2) or more of the Trustees
of the Trust and may delegate to such committees, in the intervals between
meetings of the Trustees, any or all of the powers of the Trustees in the
management of the business and affairs of the Trust. In the absence of any
member of any such committee, the members thereof present

5
<PAGE>

at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a
Trustee to act in place of such absent member. Each such committee shall keep
a record of its proceedings.

The Executive Committee and any other committee shall fix its own rules or
procedure, but the presence of at least fifty percent (50%) of the members of
the whole committee shall in each case be necessary to constitute a quorum of
the committee and the affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the
committee present at the meeting shall be necessary to take action.

All actions of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Trustees at
the meeting thereof next succeeding to the taking of such action.

SECTION 5.2. Advisory Committee. The Trustees may appoint an advisory
committee which shall be composed of persons who do not serve the Trust in any
other capacity and which shall have advisory functions with respect to the
investments of the Trust but which shall have no power to determine that any
security or other investment shall be purchased, sold or otherwise disposed of
by the Trust. The number of persons constituting any such advisory committee
shall be determined from time to time by the Trustees. The members of any such
advisory committee may receive compensation for their services and may be
allowed such fees and expenses for the attendance at meetings as the Trustees
may from time to time determine to be appropriate.

SECTION 5.3. Committee Action Without Meeting. The provisions of these
By-Laws covering notices and meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, and
except as required by law, any action required or permitted to be taken at any
meeting of any Committee of the Trustees appointed pursuant to Section 5.1 of
these By-Laws may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting
forth the action shall be signed by all members of the Committee entitled to
vote upon the action and such written consent is filed with the records of the
proceedings of the Committee.

ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS

SECTION 6.1. Executive Officers. The executive officers of the Trust shall
be a Chairman, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a
Treasurer. The Chairman shall be selected from among the Trustees but none of
the other executive officers need be a Trustee. Two or more offices, except
those of President and any Vice President, may be held by the same person, but
no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one
capacity. The executive officers of the Trust shall be elected annually by the
Trustees and each executive officer so elected shall hold office until his
successor is elected and has qualified.

SECTION 6.2. Other Officers and Agents. The Trustees may also elect one or
more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers
and may elect, or may delegate to the President the power to appoint, such
other officers and agents as the Trustees shall at any time or from time to
time deem advisable.

SECTION 6.3. Term and Removal and Vacancies. Each officer of the Trust
shall hold office until his successor is elected and has qualified. Any officer
or agent of the Trust may be removed by the Trustees whenever, in their
judgment, the best interests of the Trust will be served thereby, but such
removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the
person so removed.

SECTION 6.4. Compensation of Officers. The compensation of officers and
agents of the Trust shall be fixed by the Trustees, or by the President to the
extent provided by the Trustees with respect to officers appointed by the
President.

SECTION 6.5. Power and Duties. All officers and agents of the Trust, as
between themselves and the Trust, shall have such authority and perform such
duties in the management of the Trust as may be provided in or pursuant to
these By-Laws, or to the extent not so provided, as may be prescribed by the
Trustees; provided, that no rights of any third party shall be affected or
impaired by any such By-Law or resolution of the Trustees unless he has
knowledge thereof.

6
<PAGE>

SECTION 6.6. The Chairman. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of
the Shareholders and of the Trustees, shall be a signatory on all Annual and
Semi-Annual Reports as may be sent to shareholders, and he shall perform such
other duties as the Trustees may from time to time prescribe.

SECTION 6.7. The President. (a) The President shall be the chief executive
officer of the Trust; he shall have general and active management of the
business of the Trust, shall see that all orders and resolutions of the
Trustees are carried into effect, and, in connection therewith, shall be
authorized to delegate to one or more Vice Presidents such of his powers and
duties at such times and in such manner as he may deem advisable.

(b) In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at all
meetings of the shareholders and the Board of Trustees; and he shall perform
such other duties as the Board of Trustees may from time to time prescribe.

SECTION 6.8. The Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents shall be of such
number and shall have such titles as may be determined from time to time by the
Trustees. The Vice President, or, if there be more than one, the Vice
Presidents in the order of their seniority as may be determined from time to
time by the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or disability of
the President, exercise the powers and perform the duties of the President, and
he or they shall perform such other duties as the Trustees or the President may
from time to time prescribe.

SECTION 6.9. The Assistant Vice Presidents. The Assistant Vice President,
or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Vice Presidents, shall perform
such duties and have such powers as may be assigned them from time to time by
the Trustees or the President.

SECTION 6.10. The Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the
Trustees and all meetings of the Shareholders and record all the proceedings of
the meetings of the Shareholders and of the Trustees in a book to be kept for
that purpose, and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when
required. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the
Shareholders and special meetings of the Trustees, and shall perform such other
duties and have such powers as the Trustees, or the President, may from time to
time prescribe. He shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Trust and affix
or cause the same to be affixed to any instrument requiring it, and, when so
affixed, it shall be attested by his signature or by the signature of an
Assistant Secretary.

SECTION 6.11. The Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary, or, if
there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by
the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or disability of the
Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and
shall perform such duties and have such other powers as the Trustees or the
President may from time to time prescribe.

SECTION 6.12. The Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial
officer of the Trust. He shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate
accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Trust, and he
shall render to the Trustees and the President, whenever any of them require
it, an account of his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition
of the Trust; and he shall perform such other duties as the Trustees, or the
President, may from time to time prescribe.

SECTION 6.13. The Assistant Treasurers. The Assistant Treasurer, or, if
there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined
by the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or disability of the
Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and
shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Trustees, or
the President, may from time to time prescribe.

SECTION 6.14. Delegation of Duties. Whenever an officer is absent or
disabled, or whenever for any reason the Trustees may deem it desirable, the
Trustees may delegate the powers and duties of an officer or officers to any
other officer or officers or to any Trustee or Trustees.

7
<PAGE>

ARTICLE VII
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Subject to any applicable provisions of law and the Declaration, dividends
and distributions upon the Shares may be declared at such intervals as the
Trustees may determine, in cash, in securities or other property, or in Shares,
from any sources permitted by law, all as the Trustees shall from time to time
determine.

Inasmuch as the computation of net income and net profits from the sales of
securities or other properties for federal income tax purposes may vary from
the computation thereof on the records of the Trust, the Trustees shall have
power, in their discretion, to distribute as income dividends and as capital
gain distributions, respectively, amounts sufficient to enable the Trust to
avoid or reduce liability for federal income taxes.

ARTICLE VIII
CERTIFICATES OF SHARES

SECTION 8.1. Certificates of Shares. Certificates for Shares of each series
or class of Shares shall be in such form and of such design as the Trustees
shall approve, subject to the right of the Trustees to change such form and
design at any time or from time to time, and shall be entered in the records of
the Trust as they are issued. Each such certificate shall bear a distinguishing
number; shall exhibit the holder's name and certify the number of full Shares
owned by such holder; shall be signed by or in the name of the Trust by the
President, or a Vice President, and countersigned by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer and an Assistant Treasurer of the Trust;
shall be sealed with the seal; and shall contain such recitals as may be
required by law. Where any certificate is signed by a Transfer Agent or by a
Registrar, the signature of such officers and the seal may be facsimile,
printed or engraved. The Trust may, at its option, determine not to issue a
certificate or certificates to evidence Shares owned of record by any
Shareholder.

In case any officer or officers who shall have signed, or whose facsimile
signature or signatures shall appear on, any such certificate or certificates
shall cease to be such officer or officers of the Trust, whether because of
death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall
have been delivered by the Trust, such certificate or certificates shall,
nevertheless, be adopted by the Trust and be issued and delivered as though the
person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose
facsimile signature or signatures shall appear therein had not ceased to be
such officer or officers of the Trust.

No certificate shall be issued for any share until such share is fully
paid.

SECTION 8.2. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates. The
Trustees may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of
any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Trust alleged to have
been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon satisfactory proof of such loss, theft, or
destruction; and the Trustees may, in their discretion, require the owner of
the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give
to the Trust and to such Registrar, Transfer Agent and/or Transfer Clerk as may
be authorized or required to countersign such new certificate or certificates,
a bond in such sum and of such type as they may direct, and with such surety or
sureties, as they may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be
against them or any of them on account of or in connection with the alleged
loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate.

ARTICLE IX
CUSTODIAN

SECTION 9.1. Appointment and Duties. The Trust shall at times employ a bank
or trust company having capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least five
million dollars ($5,000,000) as custodian with authority as its agent, but
subject to such restrictions, limitations and other requirements, if any, as
may be contained in these By-Laws and the 1940 Act:

8
<PAGE>

(1) to receive and hold the securities owned by the Trust and deliver
the same upon written or electronically transmitted order;

(2) to receive and receipt for any moneys due to the Trust and deposit
the same in its own banking department or elsewhere as the Trustees may
direct;

(3) to disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers;

all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the Trustees
and the custodian. If so directed by a Majority Shareholder Vote, the custodian
shall deliver and pay over all property of the Trust held by it as specified in
such vote.

The Trustees may also authorize the custodian to employ one or more
sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of
the custodian and upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between
the custodian and such sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees.

SECTION 9.2. Central Certificate System. Subject to such rules, regulations
and orders as the Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct the custodian
to deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust in a system for
the central handling of securities established by a national securities
exchange or a national securities association registered with the Commission
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or such other person as may be
permitted by the Commission, or otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act,
pursuant to which system all securities of any particular class or series of
any issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be
transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of such
securities, provided that all such deposits shall be subject to withdrawal only
upon the order of the Trust.

ARTICLE X
WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting of
Shareholders, Trustees, or of any committee is required to be given in
accordance with law or under the provisions of the Declaration or these
By-Laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled
to such notice and filed with the records of the meeting, whether before or
after the holding thereof, or actual attendance at the meeting of shareholders,
Trustees or committee, as the case may be, in person, shall be deemed
equivalent to the giving of such notice to such person.

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 11.1. Location of Books and Records. The books and records of the
Trust may be kept outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at such place or
places as the Trustees may from time to time determine, except as otherwise
required by law.

SECTION 11.2. Record Date. The Trustees may fix in advance a date as the
record date for the purpose of determining Shareholders entitled to notice of,
or to vote at, any meeting of Shareholders, or Shareholders entitled to receive
payment of any dividend or the allotment of any rights, or in order to make a
determination of Shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any
case, shall be not more than ninety (90) days, and in case of a meeting of
Shareholders not less than ten (10) days, prior to the date on which particular
action requiring such determination of Shareholders is to be taken. In lieu of
fixing a record date the Trustees may provide that the transfer books shall be
closed for a stated period but not to exceed, in any case, twenty (20) days. If
the transfer books are closed for the purpose of determining Shareholders
entitled to notice of a vote at a meeting of Shareholders, such books shall be
closed for at least ten (10) days immediately preceding such meeting.

SECTION 11.3. Seal. The Trustees shall adopt a seal, which shall be in such
form and shall have such inscription thereon as the Trustees may from time to
time provide. The seal of the Trust may be affixed to any document, and the
seal and its attestation may be lithographed, engraved or otherwise

9
<PAGE>

printed on any document with the same force and effect as if it had been
imprinted and attested manually in the same manner and with the same effect
as if done by a Massachusetts business corporation under Massachusetts law.

SECTION 11.4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust shall end on such
date as the Trustees may by resolution specify, and the Trustees may by
resolution change such date for future fiscal years at any time and from time
to time.

SECTION 11.5. Orders for Payment of Money. All orders or instructions for
the payment of money of the Trust, and all notes or other evidences of
indebtedness issued in the name of the Trust, shall be signed by such officer
or officers or such other person or persons as the Trustees may from time to
time designate, or as may be specified in or pursuant to the agreement between
the Trust and the bank or trust company appointed as Custodian of the
securities and funds of the Trust.

ARTICLE XII
COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS

The Trustees are hereby empowered to take such action as they may deem to
be necessary, desirable or appropriate so that the Trust is or shall be in
compliance with any federal or state statute, rule or regulation with which
compliance by the Trust is required.

ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be amended, altered, or repealed, or new By-Laws may be
adopted, (a) by a Majority Shareholder Vote, or (b) by the Trustees; provided,
however, that no By-Law may be amended, adopted or repealed by the Trustees if
such amendment, adoption or repeal requires, pursuant to law, the Declaration,
or these By-Laws, a vote of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall in no event
adopt By-Laws which are in conflict with the Declaration, and any apparent
inconsistency shall be construed in favor of the related provisions in the
Declaration.

ARTICLE XIV
DECLARATION OF TRUST

The Declaration of Trust establishing Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust,
dated December 20, 1991, a copy of which is on file in the office of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name Dean
Witter Diversified Income Trust refers to the Trustees under the Declaration
collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and no Trustee,
Shareholder, officer, employee or agent of Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their
private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise,
in connection with the affairs of said Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust,
but the Trust Estate only shall be liable.

<PAGE>

AMENDMENT TO CUSTODY AGREEMENT

Amendment made as of this 17th day of April, 1996 by and between Dean
Witter Diversified Income Trust (the "Fund") and The Bank of New York (the
"Custodian") to the Custody Agreement between the Fund and the Custodian dated
April 8, 1992 (the "Custody Agreement"). The Custody Agreement is hereby
amended as follows:

Article XV Section 8 of the Custody Agreement shall be deleted and be
replaced by Sections 8.(a), 8.(b) and 8.(c) as set forth below:

"8. (a) The Custodian will use reasonable care with respect to its
obligations under this Agreement and the safekeeping of Securities and moneys
owned by the Fund. The Custodian shall indemnify the Fund against and save the
Fund harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever,
including attorneys' fees, howsoever arising or incurred as the result of the
failure of a subcustodian which is a banking institution located in a foreign
country and identified on Schedule A attached hereto (each, a "Subcustodian")
to exercise reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping of such Securities
and moneys to the same extent that the Custodian would be liable to the Fund if
the Custodian were holding such securities and moneys in New York. In the event
of any loss to the Fund by reason of the failure of the Custodian or a
Subcustodian to utilize reasonable care, the Custodian shall be liable to the
Fund only to the extent of the Fund's direct damages, to be determined based on
the market value of the Securities and moneys which are the subject of the loss
at the date of discovery of such loss and without reference to any special
conditions or circumstances.

8. (b) The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss which results from
(i) the general risk of investing, or (ii) investing or holding Securities and
moneys in a particular country including, but not limited to, losses resulting
from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; regulation
of the banking or securities industry; currency restrictions, devaluations or
fluctuations; or market conditions which prevent the orderly execution of
securities transactions or affect the value of Securities or moneys.

8. (c) Neither party shall be liable to the other for any loss due to
forces beyond its control including, but not limited to, strikes or work
stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear fusion,
fission or radiation, or acts of God."

<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized and their
respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above
written.

DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST

[SEAL] By: /s/ David A. Hughey
--------------------
David A. Hughey

Attest:

/s/ Robert M. Scanlan
- ---------------------
Robert M. Scanlan

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

[SEAL] By: /s/ Steve Grunston
--------------------
Steve Grunston
Attest:

/s/ Vincent M. Blazewicz
- ------------------------
Vincent M. Blazewicz

<PAGE>

SCHEDULE A

COUNTRY/MARKET SUBCUSTODIAN
- -------------- ------------
Argentina The Bank of Boston
Australia ANZ Banking Group Limited
Austria Girocredit Bank AG
Bangladesh* Standard Chartered Bank
Belgium Banque Bruxelles Lambert
Botswana* Stanbic Bank Botswana Ltd.
Brazil The Bank of Boston
Canada Royal Trust/Royal Bank of Canada
Chile The Bank of Boston/Banco de Chile
China Standard Chartered Bank
Colombia Citibank, N.A.
Denmark Den Danske Bank
Euromarket CEDEL
Euroclear
First Chicago Clearing Centre
Finland Union Bank of Finland
France Banque Paribas/Credit Commercial de France
Germany Dresdner Bank A.G.
Ghana* Merchant Bank Ghana Ltd.
Greece Alpha Credit Bank
Hong Kong Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Indonesia Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Ireland Allied Irish Bank
Israel Israel Discount Bank
Italy Banca Commerciale Italiana
Japan Yasuda Trust & Banking Co., Lt.
Korea Bank of Seoul
Luxembourg Kredietbank S.A.
Malaysia Hong Kong Bank Malaysia Berhad
Mexico Banco Nacional de Mexico (Banamex)
Netherlands Mees Pierson
New Zealnad ANZ Banking Group Limited
Norway Den Norske Bank
Pakistan Standard Chartered Bank
Peru Citibank, N.A.
Philippines Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Poland Bank Handlowy w Warsawie
Portugal Banco Comercial Portugues
Singapore United Overseas Bank
South Africa Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Spain Banco Bilbao Vizcaya
Sri Lanka Standard Chartered Bank

<PAGE>

SCHEDULE A

COUNTRY/MARKET SUBCUSTODIAN
- -------------- ------------
Sweden Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken
Switzerland Union Bank of Switerzland
Taiwan Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Thailand Siam Commercial Bank
Turkey Citibank, N.A.
United Kingdom The Bank of New York
United States The Bank of New York
Uruguay The Bank of Boston
Venezuela Citibank N.A.
Zimbabwe* Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Ltd.

* Not yet 17(f) compliant

<PAGE>

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated
December 17, 1996, relating to the financial statements and financial
highlights of Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust, which appears in such
Statement of Additional Information, and to the incorporation by reference
of our report into the Prospectus which constitutes part of this Registration
Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading
"Financial Highlights" in such Prospectus and to the references to us under
the headings "Independent Accountants" and "Experts" in the Statement of
Additional Information.

/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
- -------------------------
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
December 17, 1996

<PAGE>

SCHEDULE OF COMPUTATION OF YIELD QUOTATION
DW DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
30 day Yield as of 10/31/96

6
YIELD = 2{ [ ((a-b)/c * d) + 1] - 1}

WHERE: a = Dividends and interest earned during the period

b = Expenses accrued for the period

c = The average daily number of shares outstanding
during the period that were entitled to receive
dividends

d = The maximum offering price per share on the last
day of the period

6
YIELD = 2{ [(( 5258955.77-860196.29)/75000760.857*9.720020)+1]-1}

= 7.350774%

<PAGE>

SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATIONS OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST

(A) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (I.E. STANDARDIZED COMPUTATIONS)

_ _
| ______________________|
FORMULA: | | |
| /\ n | ERV |
T = | \ | ------------- | - 1
| \ | P |
| \| |
|_ _|

T = AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
n = NUMBER OF YEARS
ERV = ENDING REDEEMABLE VALUE
P = INITIAL INVESTMENT

(A)
$1,000 ERV AS OF AGGREGATE NUMBER OF AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P 31-Oct-96 TOTAL RETURN YEARS - n TOTAL RETURN - T
- ------------ --------- ------------ --------- ----------------
31-Oct-95 $1,044.90 4.49% 1.00 4.49%

09-Apr-92 $1,354.60 35.46% 4.56 6.88%

(B) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE
SALES CHARGE (NON STANDARD COMPUTATIONS)

_ _
| ______________________|
FORMULA: | | |
| /\ n | EV |
t = | \ | ------------- | - 1
| \ | P |
| \| |
|_ _|

EV
TR = ---------- - 1
P

t = AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
(NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
n = NUMBER OF YEARS
EV = ENDING VALUE (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
P = INITIAL INVESTMENT
TR = TOTAL RETURN (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)

(C) (B)
$1,000 EV AS OF TOTAL NUMBER OF AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P 31-Oct-96 RETURN - TR YEARS - n TOTAL RETURN - t
- ------------ --------- ----------- --------- ----------------
31-Oct-95 $1,094.90 9.49% 1.00 9.49%

09-Apr-92 $1,374.20 37.42% 4.56 7.22%

(D) GROWTH OF $10,000
(E) GROWTH OF $50,000
(F) GROWTH OF $100,000

FORMULA: G= (TR+1)*P
G= GROWTH OF INITIAL INVESTMENT
P= INITIAL INVESTMENT
TR= TOTAL RETURN SINCE INCEPTION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
$10,000 TOTAL (D) GROWTH OF (E) GROWTH OF (F) GROWTH OF
INVESTED - P RETURN - TR $10,000 INVESTMENT - G $50,000 INVESTMENT - G $100,000 INVESTMENT - G
- ------------ ----------- ---------------------- ---------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
09-Apr-92 37.42 $13,742 $68,710 $137,420
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 6

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 764,356,067
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 755,662,798
<RECEIVABLES> 21,973,221
<ASSETS-OTHER> 10,821,113
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 788,457,132
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 39,794,461
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 3,081,769
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 42,876,230
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 747,402,397
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 76,228,524
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 56,403,092
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 12,819,524
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (7,579,803)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (7,061,216)
<NET-ASSETS> 745,580,902
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 62,025,343
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 8,963,005
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 53,062,338
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 4,908,105
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (59,346)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 57,911,097
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (47,280,275)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 36,480,365
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (18,707,218)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2,052,285
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 203,037,209
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 3,816,429
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (9,266,876)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,533,576
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 8,963,005
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 633,394,013
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 9.62
<PER-SHARE-NII> .78
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .10
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.72)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.78
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.42
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0

</TABLE>