NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 727
487, 1994-04-29
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<PAGE>


                                                      File No. 33-53183
                                                      40 Act File No. 811-2271


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-6

For Registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities of Unit
Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2

A.  Exact name of Trust:     NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 727

B.  Name of Depositor:       JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED

C.  Complete address of Depositor's principal executive offices:

                             333 West Wacker Drive
                             Chicago, Illinois  60606

D.  Name and complete address of agents for service:

                             JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                             Attn:  James J. Wesolowski
                             333 West Wacker Drive
                             Chicago, Illinois 60606

                             CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
                             Attn:  Daniel C. Bird, Jr.
                             111 West Monroe Street
                             Chicago, Illinois  60603

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

- -----
- -----    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 or 486

E.  Title and amount of securities being registered:  An indefinite number of
    Units as permitted by Rule 24f-2.

F.  Proposed maximum offering price to the public of the securities being
    registered:  Not presently determinable.

G.  Amount of filing fee:  $500 in accordance with Rule 24f-2.

H.  Approximate date of proposed sale to the public:

    As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration
    Statement.
______
          Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective
  X       on 4/29/94 at 1:30 p.m. pursuant to Rule 487.
______



<PAGE>
 
   
                                 APRIL 29, 1994
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
             PROSPECTUS
            Series 727
             April 29, 1994
    
INTEREST  INCOME TO THE  TRUSTS AND TO  UNITHOLDERS, IN THE  OPINION OF COUNSEL,
UNDER EXISTING LAW IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX. CAPITAL GAINS, IF ANY, ARE
SUBJECT TO TAX. IN ADDITION, INTEREST INCOME OF STATE TRUSTS IS, IN THE  OPINION
OF  COUNSEL,  EXEMPT,  TO THE  EXTENT  INDICATED,  FROM STATE  AND  LOCAL TAXES.
INTEREST INCOME OF ANY TRUST  OTHER THAN A STATE TRUST  MAY BE SUBJECT TO  STATE
AND LOCAL TAXES.
 
CURRENTLY  OFFERED AT PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE PLUS INTEREST ACCRUED TO THE DATE OF
SETTLEMENT. MINIMUM PURCHASE--EITHER $5,000 OR 50 UNITS, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
   
THE NUVEEN  TAX-EXEMPT  UNIT  TRUST,  SERIES 727  consists  of  five  underlying
separate  unit investment trusts  designated as Virginia  Traditional Trust 286,
Intermediate Insured Trust 74, Florida Insured Trust 189, Michigan Insured Trust
54 and Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179. Each Trust initially consists of delivery
statements relating to contracts to purchase Bonds and, thereafter, will consist
of a diversified portfolio of obligations issued  by or on behalf of states  and
territories  of  the United  States and  authorities and  political subdivisions
thereof (see SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS), the interest on which is, in the opinion
of bond counsel to  the issuers, exempt from  Federal income tax under  existing
law.  In addition, the interest on Bonds in  each State Trust is, in the opinion
of bond counsel  to the  issuers of the  obligations, exempt  from such  State's
income taxes, if any. All obligations in each Traditional Trust are rated in the
category  "A" or  better by Standard  & Poor's Corporation  or Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. on the Date of Deposit. All obligations in each Insured Trust  are
covered  by policies  of insurance  obtained from  the Municipal  Bond Investors
Assurance Corporation guaranteeing payment of  principal and interest when  due.
All  such policies of insurance remain effective  so long as the obligations are
outstanding. As a result of such insurance,  the Bonds in each portfolio of  the
Insured  Trusts have  received a rating  of "Aaa" by  Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. and the Bonds in the Insured Trusts  and the Units of each such Trust  have
received  a rating of "AAA" by  Standard & Poor's Corporation. INSURANCE RELATES
ONLY TO THE BONDS IN THE INSURED TRUSTS  AND NOT TO THE UNITS OFFERED HEREBY  OR
TO THEIR MARKET VALUE. (See Section 5.)
    
 
THE  OBJECTIVES of the Trusts are  tax-exempt income and conservation of capital
through a diversified  investment in tax-exempt  Bonds. (SEE SECTIONS  2, 3  AND
11.)  The payment of interest and the  preservation of principal are, of course,
dependent upon the continuing ability of the issuers of Bonds and of any insurer
thereof to meet  their obligations thereunder.  There is no  guarantee that  the
Trusts' objectives will be achieved.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS  of interest  received by  each Trust  will be  made semi-annually
unless the Unitholder elects to receive them monthly or quarterly. (SEE  SECTION
13.)  Distribution of funds in the Principal Account, if any, will ordinarily be
made semi-annually.
 
   
FOR ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS to Unitholders  in
each  Trust on the  business day prior to  the Date of Deposit.  (SEE PAGE 3 AND
SECTION 9.) For Estimated  Cash Flow Tables for  Intermediate Insured Trust  74,
see page 18.
    
 
THE  PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE  per Unit of  each Trust during  the initial offering
period is equal to a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in  such
Trust's  portfolio plus  a sales charge  of up  to 4.90% of  the Public Offering
Price (equivalent to  5.152% of the  net amount invested);  the sales charge  is
somewhat  lower on Trusts  with lesser average maturities.  (SEE SECTION 6.) The
Secondary Market Public Offering Price per Unit for each Trust will be equal  to
a  pro rata share of the  sum of BID prices of the  Bonds in such Trust plus the
sales charges determined based on the number of years remaining to the  maturity
of  each  Bond. Accrued  interest from  the  preceding Record  Date to,  but not
including, the settlement date (normally  five business days after purchase)  is
added  to the Public Offering Price. The  sales charge is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales involving at least $50,000  or 500 Units and will be applied  on
whichever basis is more favorable to the purchaser. (SEE SECTION 6.)
 
A  UNITHOLDER MAY REDEEM UNITS at the office of the Trustee, United States Trust
Company of New York, at prices based upon the BID prices of the Bonds. The price
received  upon  redemption  may  be  more  or  less  than  the  amount  paid  by
Unitholders,  depending upon the  value of the  Bonds on the  date of tender for
redemption. (SEE  SECTION 19.)  The Sponsor,  although not  required to  do  so,
intends  to make a secondary market for the  Units of the Trusts at prices based
upon the BID  prices of the  Bonds in  the respective Trusts.  (SEE SECTION  7.)
RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
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.
<PAGE>
  NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Index                                             Section         Page
<C>   <S>                                              <C>        <C>
      SPECIFIC TRUST MATTERS
      Virginia Traditional Trust 286                          3         9-16
      Intermediate Insured Trust 74                           3        17-24
      Florida Insured Trust 189                               3        25-33
      Michigan Insured Trust 54                               3        34-42
      Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179                          3        43-51
      GENERAL MATTERS
      Accrued Interest                                        8         A-16
      Accumulation Plan                                      14         A-24
      Bonds, How Selected                                     3            8
      Bonds, Initial Determination of Offering Price         10         A-18
      Bonds, Limited Right of Substitution                    4          A-7
      Bond Ratings                                            3         9-51
      Bonds, Removal from Trust                              21         A-32
      Call Provisions of Portfolio Bonds                   3, 4     9-51,A-6
      Capital Gains Taxability                               11         A-18
      Dealer Discount                                        17         A-28
      Description of Units of Trust                           1            6
      Distributions to Unitholders                           13         A-22
      Distribution Payment Dates                          3, 13   9-51, A-22
      Distribution of Units to the Public                    17         A-28
      Essential Information Regarding the Trusts             --            4
      Estimated Long Term Return and Estimated Current
      Return                                                  9      3, A-17
      Evaluation                                             16         A-28
      Expenses to Fund                                       12         A-21
      Insurance on Bonds in the Insured Trusts                5          A-9
      Insurance on Certain Bonds in the Traditional
      Trusts                                                  5         A-12
      Interest Income to Trust                                3         9-51
      Investments, Schedules of                               3         9-51
      Legality of Units                                      24         A-36
      Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee       22        A-33
      Market for Units                                        7         A-15
      Minimum Transaction                                    17         A-28
      Objectives of the Trusts                                2            7
      Optional Distribution Plan                             13         A-22
      Other Information                                      24         A-35
      Ownership and Transfer of Units                        18         A-29
      Public Offering Price of Units                          6         A-12
      Quantity Purchases                                      6         A-12
      Record Dates                                           13         A-22
      Ratings, Description of                                24         A-37
      Redemption of Units by Trustee                         19         A-30
      Reports to Unitholders                                 15         A-27
      Repurchase of Units by Sponsor                         20         A-32
      Sales Charge                                            6         A-12
      Sponsor, Information About                             23         A-34
      State Tax Status                                        3         9-51
      Successor Trustees and Sponsors                        22         A-34
      Tax Status of Unitholders                              11         A-18
      Trustee, Information About                             22         A-33
      Trust Indenture, Amendment and Termination             24         A-35
      Unit Value                                             16         A-28
</TABLE>
 
                  2
<PAGE>
                          ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS
                                      AND
                    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS FOR THE TRUSTS
 
Following  are the  Estimated Long Term  and Estimated Current  Returns for each
Trust on the  business day  prior to  the Date  of Deposit,  under the  monthly,
quarterly and semi-annual plans of distribution (SEE SECTION 3):
 
                          Estimated Long Term Returns
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Virginia Traditional Trust 286...........      5.73%         5.76%           5.78%
  Intermediate Insured Trust 74............      5.05%         5.07%           5.09%
  Florida Insured Trust 189................      5.61%         5.64%           5.66%
  Michigan Insured Trust 54................      5.66%         5.69%           5.71%
  Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179...........      5.69%         5.72%           5.74%
</TABLE>
 
                           Estimated Current Returns
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Virginia Traditional Trust 286...........      5.69%         5.72%           5.74%
  Intermediate Insured Trust 74............      4.83%         4.86%           4.88%
  Florida Insured Trust 189................      5.53%         5.56%           5.58%
  Michigan Insured Trust 54................      5.56%         5.59%           5.61%
  Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179...........      5.62%         5.65%           5.67%
</TABLE>
 
    The  Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to
the investor earned  over the estimated  life of the  Trust. The Estimated  Long
Term  Return represents an  average of the  yields to maturity  (or call) of the
Bonds in  the Trust's  portfolio  calculated in  accordance with  accepted  bond
practice and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges. Under accepted bond
practice,  tax-exempt bonds  are customarily  offered to  investors on  a "yield
price" basis, which involves computation of  yield to maturity or to an  earlier
call date (whichever produces the lower yield), and which takes into account not
only the interest payable on the bonds but also the amortization or accretion to
a  specified date of any premium over  or discount from the par (maturity) value
in the bond's  purchase price. In  calculating Estimated Long  Term Return,  the
average  yield for  the Trust's  portfolio is  derived by  weighting each Bond's
yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining to the
date to which the Bond is priced. Once the average portfolio yield is  computed,
this  figure is then reduced to reflect estimated expenses and the effect of the
maximum sales  charge paid  by investors.  The Estimated  Long Term  Return  and
Estimated  Current Return calculations do not take  into account the effect of a
first distribution which may be less than a regular distribution or may be  paid
at  some point after 30 days (or a  second distribution which may be less than a
normal distribution for Unitholders who choose quarterly or semi-annual plans of
distribution), and it also does not  take into account the difference in  timing
of  payments  to  Unitholders  who  choose  quarterly  or  semi-annual  plans of
distribution, each of which will reduce the return.
 
    Estimated Current Return  is computed  by dividing the  Net Annual  Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion of discount, if any, on the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
the Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
 
    Net  Annual Interest  Income per Unit,  used to  calculate Estimated Current
Return, will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and  the
Evaluator  and with the redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds. A Trust
may experience expenses and  portfolio changes different  from those assumed  in
the  calculation of Estimated Long  Term Return. There thus  can be no assurance
that the Estimated  Current Returns or  the Estimated Long  Term Returns  quoted
herein will be realized in the future. Both the Estimated Current Return and the
Estimated  Long Term Return quoted  herein are based on  the market value of the
underlying Bonds on the  business day prior to  the Date of Deposit;  subsequent
calculations  of these performance measures will reflect the then current market
value of the underlying Bonds and may be higher or lower. For more  information,
see Section 9. The Sponsor will provide estimated cash flow information relating
to  a Trust without  charge to each  potential investor in  a Trust who receives
this prospectus and makes  an oral or  written request to  the Sponsor for  such
information.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
                 ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS ON
                                APRIL 28, 1994+
    
           Sponsor and Evaluator...... John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
           Trustee........... United States Trust Company of New York
                  -------------------------------------------
 
The  income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been calculated
for  Unitholders   receiving   MONTHLY   distributions.   Unitholders   choosing
distributions  quarterly or  semi-annually will receive  slightly higher returns
because of the lower Trustee's fees and expenses under such plans. (SEE  SECTION
3 FOR DATA RELATING TO THESE PLANS.)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Virginia          Intermediate           Florida
                                                        Traditional           Insured             Insured
                                                         Trust 286           Trust 74            Trust 189
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $    3,500,000      $   10,000,000      $    3,500,000
Number of Units.....................................          35,000             100,000              35,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....        1/35,000           1/100,000            1/35,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $    3,339,135      $    9,781,545      $    3,326,475
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $        95.40      $        97.82      $        95.04
    Plus Sales Charge*..............................  $         4.92      $         3.97      $         4.90
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $       100.32      $       101.79      $        99.94
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $        94.88      $        97.45      $        94.58
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $        95.40      $        97.82      $        95.04
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $         5.44      $         4.34      $         5.36
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit.......  $         4.92      $         3.97      $         4.90
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Interest Income
  Per Unit
    Annual Interest Income(2).......................  $       5.9214      $       5.1082      $       5.7498
    Less Estimated Annual Expense...................  $        .2180      $        .1965      $        .2246
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Estimated Net Annual Interest Income(3).........  $       5.7034      $       4.9117      $       5.5252
Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit......................  $       .01584      $       .01364      $       .01534
Estimated Current Return(4).........................           5.69%               4.83%               5.53%
Estimated Long Term Return(4).......................           5.73%               5.05%               5.61%
BECAUSE  CERTAIN OF THE BONDS IN THE  TRUSTS WILL NOT BE DELIVERED TO  THE TRUSTEE UNTIL AFTER THE SETTLEMENT
DATE FOR A PURCHASE OF UNITS MADE  ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, INTEREST  THAT ACCRUES ON THOSE BONDS BETWEEN  THE
DATE  OF DEPOSIT AND SUCH  DELIVERY DATE WILL BE TREATED  AS A RETURN OF  PRINCIPAL RATHER THAN AS TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME. THE AMOUNT OF ANY SUCH RETURN OF PRINCIPAL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL INTEREST INCOME SHOWN ABOVE.
FOR THE VARIOUS TRUSTS, THE FOLLOWING SETS FORTH THE LATEST SCHEDULED BOND DELIVERY DATE, THE AMOUNT PER UNIT
THAT WILL BE TREATED AS  A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL TO  UNITHOLDERS WHO PURCHASE ON THE  DATE OF DEPOSIT, AND  THE
ESTIMATED  CURRENT RETURN AFTER THE FIRST  YEAR, ASSUMING THE PORTFOLIO AND  ESTIMATED ANNUAL EXPENSES DO NOT
VARY FROM THAT SET FORTH ABOVE (SEE SECTIONS 3 AND 12 AND THE "SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS"):
                                   LATEST SCHEDULED         PER UNIT         ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
                                    DELIVERY DATE     RETURN OF PRINCIPAL      AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
                                  ------------------  --------------------   -------------------------
  INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST....     MAY 19, 1994     $           .04                     4.86        %
  FLORIDA INSURED TRUST.........     MAY 19, 1994     $           .01                     5.54        %
<FN>
- ----------
Evaluations for purpose of sale,  purchase or redemption of  Units are made as of  4 p.m. Eastern time  on the business day  next
following receipt of an order by the Sponsor or Trustee. (See Section 6.)
 + The business day prior to the Date of Deposit.
 *  National and State, 5.152%; Long  Intermediate, 4.439%; Intermediate, 4.058%; Short  Intermediate, 3.093%; Short Term, 2.564%
   (4.9%, 4.25%, 3.9%, 3.0% and 2.5% of the Public Offering Prices, respectively.)
(1) Units are offered at the Public  Offering Price plus accrued interest from the  preceding Record Date to, but not  including,
    the  date of settlement (normally five business days after purchase). The  Date of Deposit of the Fund has been designated as
    the First Record  Date for all  plans of distribution  of the Trusts  and, accordingly, for  Units purchased on  the Date  of
    Deposit,  the following  amounts of accrued  interest to  the Settlement Date  will be  added to the  Public Offering Prices:
    Virginia Traditional Trust--$.11, Intermediate Insured Trust--$.10 and Florida Insured Trust-- $.11. (See Section 8.)
(2) Assumes delivery of  all Bonds. (See Section  4.) Interest income does  not include accretion of  original issue discount  on
    "zero coupon" Bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount Bonds. (See "General Trust Information" in Section
    3.)
(3)  The amount and timing of interest distributions from each Trust under the various plans of distribution are shown in Section
    3.
(4) Estimated Long Term Return  for each Trust represents  the average of the yields  to maturity (or call)  of the Bonds in  the
    Trust's  portfolio calculated in accordance with accepted bond practices  and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges.
    Estimated Current Return is computed by dividing the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price, and in
    contrast to Estimated Long Term  Return does not reflect the  amortization of premium or accretion  of discount, if any.  For
    more information see page 3 and Section 9.
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
 
The  income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been calculated
for  Unitholders   receiving   MONTHLY   distributions.   Unitholders   choosing
distributions  quarterly or  semi-annually will receive  slightly higher returns
because of the lower Trustee's fees and expenses under such plans. (SEE  SECTION
3 FOR DATA RELATING TO THESE PLANS.)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Michigan          Pennsylvania
                                                          Insured             Insured
                                                         Trust 54            Trust 179
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>
                                                      ---------------     ---------------
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000
Number of Units.....................................          35,000              35,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....        1/35,000            1/35,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $    3,310,307      $    3,354,700
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $        94.58      $        95.85
    Plus Sales Charge*..............................  $         4.87      $         4.94
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $        99.45      $       100.79
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $        94.08      $        95.37
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $        94.58      $        95.85
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $         5.37      $         5.42
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit.......  $         4.87      $         4.94
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Interest Income
  Per Unit
    Annual Interest Income(2).......................  $       5.7476      $       5.8889
    Less Estimated Annual Expense...................  $        .2204      $        .2236
                                                      ---------------     ---------------
    Estimated Net Annual Interest Income(3).........  $       5.5272      $       5.6653
Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit......................  $       .01535      $       .01573
Estimated Current Return(4).........................           5.56%               5.62%
Estimated Long Term Return(4).......................           5.66%               5.69%
BECAUSE  CERTAIN OF THE  BONDS IN THE TRUSTS  WILL NOT BE DELIVERED  TO THE TRUSTEE UNTIL
AFTER THE SETTLEMENT DATE FOR A PURCHASE OF  UNITS MADE ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT,  INTEREST
THAT  ACCRUES ON THOSE BONDS BETWEEN  THE DATE OF DEPOSIT AND  SUCH DELIVERY DATE WILL BE
TREATED AS A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL RATHER THAN AS TAX-EXEMPT INCOME. THE AMOUNT OF ANY SUCH
RETURN OF PRINCIPAL IS NOT  INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL INTEREST  INCOME SHOWN ABOVE. FOR  THE
VARIOUS  TRUSTS, THE FOLLOWING  SETS FORTH THE  LATEST SCHEDULED BOND  DELIVERY DATE, THE
AMOUNT PER UNIT THAT  WILL BE TREATED AS  A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL  TO UNITHOLDERS WHO  PUR-
CHASE  ON THE  DATE OF DEPOSIT,  AND THE ESTIMATED  CURRENT RETURN AFTER  THE FIRST YEAR,
ASSUMING THE PORTFOLIO  AND ESTIMATED ANNUAL  EXPENSES DO  NOT VARY FROM  THAT SET  FORTH
ABOVE (SEE SECTIONS 3 AND 12 AND THE "SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS"):
                                   LATEST SCHEDULED         PER UNIT         ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
                                    DELIVERY DATE     RETURN OF PRINCIPAL      AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
                                  ------------------  --------------------   -------------------------
  MICHIGAN INSURED TRUST........     MAY 12, 1994     $           .01                     5.57        %
  PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST....     MAY 10, 1994     $           .02                     5.64        %
<FN>
- ----------
Evaluations  for purpose of sale,  purchase or redemption of  Units are made as of  4 p.m. Eastern time  on the business day next
following receipt of an order by the Sponsor or Trustee. (See Section 6.)
 + The business day prior to the Date of Deposit.
 * National and State, 5.152%;  Long Intermediate, 4.439%; Intermediate, 4.058%;  Short Intermediate, 3.093%; Short Term,  2.564%
   (4.9%, 4.25%, 3.9%, 3.0% and 2.5% of the Public Offering Prices, respectively.)
(1)  Units are offered at the Public  Offering Price plus accrued interest from the  preceding Record Date to, but not including,
    the date of settlement (normally five business days after purchase).  The Date of Deposit of the Fund has been designated  as
    the  First Record  Date for all  plans of distribution  of the Trusts  and, accordingly, for  Units purchased on  the Date of
    Deposit, the following  amounts of accrued  interest to  the Settlement Date  will be  added to the  Public Offering  Prices:
    Michigan Insured Trust--$.11 and Pennsylvania Insured Trust--$.11. (See Section 8.)
(2)  Assumes delivery of  all Bonds. (See Section  4.) Interest income does  not include accretion of  original issue discount on
    "zero coupon" Bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount Bonds. (See "General Trust Information" in Section
    3.)
(3) The amount and timing of interest distributions from each Trust under the various plans of distribution are shown in  Section
    3.
(4)  Estimated Long Term Return  for each Trust represents  the average of the yields  to maturity (or call)  of the Bonds in the
    Trust's portfolio calculated in accordance with accepted bond  practices and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales  charges.
    Estimated Current Return is computed by dividing the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price, and in
    contrast  to Estimated Long Term  Return does not reflect the  amortization of premium or accretion  of discount, if any. For
    more information see page 3 and Section 9.
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                   ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS
                                  (CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
Record Dates......................................................................See Section 13
Distribution Dates................................................................See Section 13
Minimum Principal Distribution....................................................$0.10 Per Unit
Date Trusts Established...........................................................April 29, 1994
Settlement Date......................................................................May 6, 1994
Mandatory Termination Date........................................................See Section 24
Minimum Value of Each Trust.......................................................See Section 24
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.......................$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Trustee's Annual Fees:
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ------------------------------------------
                    TRUST                        MONTHLY       QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  -----------------------------------------     ----------     ----------     ------------
  <S>                                           <C>            <C>            <C>
  Virginia Traditional Trust 286...........     $  1.5489      $  1.2289      $   1.0389
  Intermediate Insured Trust 74............        1.5197         1.1997          1.0097
  Florida Insured Trust 189................        1.6151         1.2951          1.1051
  Michigan Insured Trust 54................        1.5736         1.2536          1.0636
  Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179...........        1.6056         1.2856          1.0956
  ------------
  * Each Trustee annual fee  is per $1,000 principal amount  of the underlying Bonds in  a
    Trust for that portion of the Trust that represents a particular plan of distribution.
</TABLE>
 
                          ---------------------------
 
THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
   
SERIES 727
    
 
   
1.  WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 727?
    
 
   
Series  727 of the Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust is one  of a series of separate
but similar  investment companies  created  by the  Sponsor,  each of  which  is
designated by a different Series number. This Series consists of five underlying
separate  unit  investment  trusts,  combined  under  one  trust  indenture  and
agreement, designated Virginia Traditional Trust 286, Intermediate Insured Trust
74, Florida  Insured  Trust 189,  Michigan  Insured Trust  54  and  Pennsylvania
Insured Trust 179. The various trusts are collectively referred to herein as the
"Trusts"; the trusts in which few or none of the Bonds are insured are sometimes
referred  to as the "Traditional  Trusts", the trusts in  which all of the Bonds
are insured  as described  herein  are sometimes  referred  to as  the  "Insured
Trusts",  and  the state  trusts (both  Traditional  and Insured)  are sometimes
referred to as the "State Trusts." This Series was created under the laws of the
State of New York pursuant  to a Trust Indenture  and Agreement dated April  29,
1994  (the "Indenture") between  John Nuveen &  Co. Incorporated (the "Sponsor")
and United States Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee").
    
 
   
    The Sponsor has deposited with  the Trustee delivery statements relating  to
contracts  for the  purchase of municipal  debt obligations  together with funds
represented by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a major commercial bank
in the amount, including accrued interest,  required for their purchase (or  the
obligations  themselves) in the  principal amount of  $24,000,000 (the "Bonds"),
which initially constitute the underlying securities of the
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
   
Trusts. Bonds  may  include  fixed rate  obligations  with  regularly  scheduled
interest  payments, zero coupon bonds  and stripped obligations, which represent
evidences of ownership interests with respect to either a principal payment or a
payment of interest  on a  tax-exempt obligation  ("Stripped Obligations").  See
"SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS" and "GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION" for a discussion of zero
coupon  bonds  and Stripped  Obligations. The  following principal  amounts were
deposited  in  each  Trust:  $3,500,000  in  the  Virginia  Traditional   Trust,
$10,000,000 in the Intermediate Insured Trust, $3,500,000 in the Florida Insured
Trust,   $3,500,000  in  the  Michigan  Insured  Trust  and  $3,500,000  in  the
Pennsylvania Insured  Trust.  Some of  the  delivery statements  may  relate  to
contracts  for the purchase of "when issued"  or other Bonds with delivery dates
after the date of settlement for a purchase made on the Date of Deposit. See the
"Schedules of Investments"  and Section  4. For  a discussion  of the  Sponsor's
obligations in the event of a failure of any contract for the purchase of any of
the  Bonds and its limited right to substitute other bonds to replace any failed
contract, see Section 4.
    
 
    Payment of interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust, and of principal  at
maturity,  is guaranteed under policies of  insurance obtained by the Sponsor or
by the issuers of the Bonds. (See  Section 5.) AS A GENERAL MATTER, NEITHER  THE
ISSUER  NOR THE SPONSOR HAS OBTAINED INSURANCE  WITH RESPECT TO THE BONDS IN ANY
TRADITIONAL TRUST.
 
   
    The Trustee has delivered to the  Sponsor registered Units for 35,000  Units
of  the Virginia  Traditional Trust, 100,000  Units of  the Intermediate Insured
Trust, 35,000 Units of the Florida  Insured Trust, 35,000 Units of the  Michigan
Insured Trust and 35,000 Units of the Pennsylvania Insured Trust, which together
represent ownership of the entire Series, and which are offered for sale by this
Prospectus.  Each Unit of a Trust  represents a fractional undivided interest in
the principal and net  income of such Trust  in the ratio of  10 Units for  each
$1,000 principal value of Bonds initially deposited in such Trust. Only Units of
the  Virginia Traditional Trust  and Intermediate Insured  Trust are offered for
sale to Virginia residents  by this Prospectus. Only  Units of the  Intermediate
Insured Trust are offered for sale to Washington residents by this Prospectus.
    
 
2.  WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?
 
The  objectives of the Trusts are income  exempt from Federal income tax and, in
the case of State Trusts, where applicable, state income and intangibles  taxes,
and  conservation of capital, through an  investment in obligations issued by or
on behalf of  states and territories  of the United  States and authorities  and
political  subdivisions thereof,  the interest  on which  is, in  the opinion of
recognized bond counsel  to the  issuing governmental  authorities, exempt  from
Federal income tax under existing law. Bonds in any State Trust have been issued
primarily  by  or on  behalf of  the State  for  which such  Trust is  named and
counties, municipalities, authorities  and political  subdivisions thereof,  the
interest  on which Bonds is, in the opinion of bond counsel, exempt from Federal
and certain state income tax and  intangibles taxes, if any, for purchasers  who
qualify  as residents of that State.  Insurance guaranteeing the timely payment,
when due, of all principal and interest  on the Bonds in each Insured Trust  has
been obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds from Municipal Bond
Investors  Assurance  Corporation,  and  as  a  result  of  such  insurance  the
obligations in the Insured Trusts are rated "Aaa" by Moody's Investors  Service,
Inc.  and "AAA" by Standard & Poor's Corporation. (SEE SECTION 5)All obligations
in each Traditional Trust are rated in the category "A" or better (SP-1 or MIG 2
or better  in the  case  of short  term obligations  included  in a  Short  Term
Traditional  Trust)  by  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation  or  Moody's Investors
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
Service, Inc.  (including  provisional  or conditional  ratings).  In  addition,
certain  Bonds  in  certain  Traditional  Trusts  may  be  covered  by insurance
guaranteeing the timely payment, when due,  of all principal and interest.  (SEE
SECTION  3.) The  portfolios of National  and State Trusts  consist of long-term
(approximately 15 to 40 year maturities) obligations; those of Long Intermediate
Trusts consist  of  intermediate to  long  term  (approximately 11  to  19  year
maturities)  obligations; those  of Intermediate Trusts  consist of intermediate
term (approximately  5  to  15  year maturities)  obligations;  those  of  Short
Intermediate  Trusts consist of short to intermediate term (approximately 3 to 7
year maturities) obligations; and  those of Short Term  Trusts consist of  short
term (approximately 1 to 5 year maturities) obligations. There is, of course, no
guarantee  that the Trusts' objectives will be achieved. For a comparison of net
after-tax return for various tax brackets see the "Taxable Equivalent  Estimated
Current Return Tables" included in this Prospectus.
 
    Each  Trust consists  of fixed-rate  municipal debt  obligations. Because of
this an investment in a Trust should be made with an understanding of the  risks
which an investment in such debt obligations may entail, including the risk that
the  value of the debt obligations and  therefore of the Units will decline with
increases in  interest  rates. In  general,  the  longer the  period  until  the
maturity  of a  Bond, the more  sensitive its  value will be  to fluctuations in
interest rates. During the past decade, there have been substantial fluctuations
in interest  rates, and,  accordingly, in  the value  of debt  obligations.  The
Sponsor cannot predict whether such fluctuations will recur.
 
3.  SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS
 
In  selecting  Bonds for  the respective  Trusts,  the following  factors, among
others, were considered:  (i) the Standard  & Poor's Corporation  rating of  the
Bonds  or the Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating of the Bonds (see Section 2
for a description  of minimum rating  standards), (ii) the  prices of the  Bonds
relative   to  other  bonds  of  comparable  quality  and  maturity,  (iii)  the
diversification of Bonds as to purpose of issue and location of issuer, (iv) the
maturity dates of the Bonds, and (v) in the case of the Insured Trusts only, the
availability of Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation insurance on such
Bonds.
 
    In order for Bonds in the Insured  Trusts to be eligible for Municipal  Bond
Investors Assurance Corporation insurance, they must have credit characteristics
which,  in the opinion of the insurer,  would qualify them as "investment grade"
obligations. Insurance is not  a substitute for the  basic credit of an  issuer,
but  supplements the existing credit  and provides additional security therefor.
(SEE SECTION 5.)
 
    Certain bonds may carry a "mandatory put" (also referred to as a  "mandatory
tender"  or "mandatory repurchase") feature pursuant to which the holder of such
bonds will receive payment of the full principal amount thereof on a stated date
prior to the maturity date unless  such holder affirmatively acts to retain  the
bond.  Under the Indenture,  the Trustee does  not have the  authority to act to
retain Bonds with  such features; accordingly,  it will receive  payment of  the
full  principal amount of any such Bonds on the stated put date and such date is
therefore treated as the maturity date of such Bonds in selecting Bonds for  the
respective  Trusts and for  purposes of calculating the  average maturity of the
Bonds in any Trust.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST 286
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Virginia  Traditional Trust 286  consists of 7 obligations
issued by entities located in Virginia. Seven Bonds in the Trust are payable  as
to principal and interest from the income of a specific project or authority and
are  not supported by the  issuer's power to levy  taxes. The sources of payment
for these  Bonds  are divided  as  follows: Bridge  and  Toll Road  Revenue,  1;
Electrical  System Revenue, 1; Health Care  Facility Revenue, 2; Municipal Lease
Revenue, 2; Water and/or Sewer Revenue, 1. Seven issues in the Trust were  rated
by  Standard &  Poor's Corporation  as follows:  1--AAA, 3--AA,  1-- AA-, 1--A+,
1--A. Six issues were rated by  Moody's Investors Service, Inc. as follows:  1--
Aaa, 4--Aa, 1--A2.
    
 
   
    At  the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of  the Bonds in the Virginia
Traditional Trust is 27.5 years. The average maturity of the Bonds in a Trust is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow  to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity  of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately 28.6% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in  the
Trust (accounting for approximately 27.6% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)    are   original    issue   discount    bonds.   See    "GENERAL   TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for  a
discussion  of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks associated
therewith.
    
 
    Approximately 29% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust consists of municipal lease obligations.
 
    Approximately  29% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily  derived
from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities.
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered into  contracts to acquire the  Bonds between April  22,
1994  and April 26, 1994. The following summarizes certain information about the
Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Difference between Trustee's
                                                               Determination of Offering Price and
   Cost to    Profit (or loss)   Annual Interest   Bid Price              the Bid Price
   Sponsor       to Sponsor      Income to Trust    of Bonds       (as % of principal amount)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,323,245       $15,890           $207,250      $3,321,010                 .52%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither  cost  to  Sponsor  nor   profit  (or  loss)  to  Sponsor   reflects
underwriting  profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through its
participation  in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or   underwriting
syndicate  purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive bid
basis as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at  a
profit.  The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as a
manager or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of  any
of the Bonds.
 
    Unitholders  may elect  to have  interest distributions  made on  a monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the Virginia Traditional
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
Trust, less estimated expenses,  is estimated to accrue  at the rate of  $.01598
per  Unit per day under  the semi-annual plan of  distribution, $.01593 per Unit
per day under the quarterly  plan of distribution and  $.01584 per Unit per  day
under  the monthly plan  of distribution. It  is anticipated that  the amount of
interest to be distributed per Unit in each year under each plan of distribution
will initially  be substantially  equal  to the  Estimated Net  Annual  Interest
Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
    Details of interest distributions per Unit of the Virginia Traditional Trust
under  the various plans appear in the  following table based upon estimated Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       Normal
                                                                                                                   Distributions
Virginia Traditional Trust                               1994                                  1995                   per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................        6/1            8/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       6/15           8/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5068(1)                                                               $  5.7034
                                                              --------   $.4752 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5068(1)   $   .9558(2)   $  1.4337      $  1.4337      $  1.4337      $  5.7354
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5068(1)                  $  2.3970(3)                  $  2.8764      $  5.7544
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1)  The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders,  regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) The  second distribution  under the  quarterly  distribution plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent  quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  5-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For a discussion  of the  Federal tax status  of income  earned on  Virginia
Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The   assets   of   the   Virginia  Traditional   Trust   will   consist  of
interest-bearing obligations  issued by  or  on behalf  of the  Commonwealth  of
Virginia,  its counties,  municipalities, authorities  or political subdivisions
and, provided the interest thereon is  exempt from Virginia income taxes by  the
laws  or treaties of  the United States, by  or on behalf  of the United States'
territories or possessions, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands  and
the  Northern Mariana Islands, and  their political subdivisions and authorities
(the "Virginia Bonds").
 
    In the opinion of Christian, Barton, Epps, Brent & Chappell, special counsel
for the Series for Virginia tax matters, under existing law:
 
        The Virginia Traditional Trust will be  treated as a trust for  Virginia
    income tax purposes and not as an association taxable as a corporation. As a
    result,  income of  the Virginia  Traditional Trust  will be  treated as the
    income of the Unitholders.
 
        The calculation of Virginia taxable income begins with Federal  adjusted
    gross  income in the case of an  individual or Federal taxable income in the
    case of a corporation, estate or trust. Certain modifications are specified,
    but no such modification requires
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    the addition of interest  on obligations such as  the Virginia Bonds in  the
    Virginia  Traditional  Trust. Accordingly,  amounts  representing tax-exempt
    interest for Federal income tax purposes received or accrued by the Virginia
    Traditional Trust with respect to the  Virginia Bonds, will not be taxed  to
    the Virginia Traditional Trust or to the Unitholders for Virginia income tax
    purposes.
 
        In  this  respect, to  the extent  that interest  on obligations  of the
    Commonwealth or  any political  subdivision  or instrumentality  thereof  is
    included  in federal adjusted  gross income, Virginia  law provides that the
    income shall  be  subtracted in  arriving  at Virginia  taxable  income.  In
    addition,  Virginia  income  tax  exemption  is  independently  provided for
    interest on  certain  obligations,  including  those  issued  by  industrial
    development   authorities  created  pursuant   to  the  Virginia  Industrial
    Development and  Revenue  Bond  Act, by  the  Virginia  Housing  Development
    Authority, by the Virginia Resources Authority and by the Virginia Education
    Loan Authority. Where such an independent exemption is provided, interest on
    such  obligations is exempt from Virginia  income taxation without regard to
    any exemption from  Federal income  taxes, including interest  which may  be
    subject  to Federal income tax in  the hands of a recipient  who is, or is a
    related person  to,  a substantial  user  of facilities  financed  with  the
    proceeds of obligations upon which such interest is paid.
 
        As  a general rule, to the extent that  gain (whether as a result of the
    sale of Virginia Bonds by the Virginia  Traditional Trust or as a result  of
    the sale of a Unit by the Unitholder) is subject to Federal income taxation,
    such  gain will  be included  in the  Unitholder's Virginia  taxable income.
    Under the language  of certain  enabling legislation, however,  such as  the
    Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, the Virginia Resources
    Authority  Act and  the Virginia  Housing Development  Authority Act, profit
    made on the sale of obligations issued by authorities created thereunder  is
    expressly  exempt from  Virginia income taxation.  Such enabling legislation
    does not appear  to require a  disallowance in the  calculation of  Virginia
    taxes  of any loss  that may be  deductible for Federal  income tax purposes
    with respect  to  such  obligations, although  the  Virginia  Department  of
    Taxation has taken a contrary view.
 
        No   income  tax  is  imposed  by   any  political  subdivision  of  the
    Commonwealth of Virginia.  The Commonwealth  of Virginia does  not impose  a
    gift  tax. The Virginia estate  tax is equal to  the maximum state death tax
    credit allowable against the Federal estate tax payable by the estate.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--VIRGINIA
 
    The Trust  is  susceptible  to political,  economic  or  regulatory  factors
affecting  issuers  of Virginia  Bonds. Without  intending  to be  complete, the
following briefly  summarizes some  of these  matters, as  well as  some of  the
complex  factors  affecting  the  financial  situation  in  the  Commonwealth of
Virginia (the "Commonwealth"  or "Virginia"). This  information is derived  from
sources  that  are generally  available to  investors  and is  based in  part on
information  obtained  from  various   agencies  in  Virginia.  No   independent
verification  has been  made of  the accuracy  or completeness  of the following
information.
 
    There can  be no  assurance that  current or  future statewide  or  regional
economic  difficulties, and the resulting impact  on State or local governmental
finances generally will not adversely affect the market value of Virginia  Bonds
held in the portfolio of the Trust or the ability of particular obligors to make
timely payments of debt service on (or relating to) those obligations.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
    The  Commonwealth's  financial  condition  is  supported  by  a  broad-based
economy,  including  manufacturing,  tourism,  agriculture,  ports,  mining  and
fisheries.  Manufacturing continues to be a  major source of employment, ranking
behind only services, wholesale and retail trade, and government (federal, state
and local). The federal government  is a major employer  in Virginia due to  the
heavy  concentration of federal employees  in the metropolitan Washington, D.C.,
segment of Northern Virginia  and the military employment  in the Hampton  Roads
area, which houses the nation's largest concentration of military installations.
However,  the expected retrenchment  of the military sector  as a consequence of
the end of the Cold War remains a cloud on the economic horizon and cutbacks can
be expected to occur.
 
    Although the Commonwealth enjoyed  an economic boom  in the mid-1980's,  the
Commonwealth's economy began to slow toward the end of the decade, and went into
a  recession with the rest of the nation  after July, 1990. Growth since the end
of the recession in March, 1991, has been weak.
 
    The impact  of  national trends  on  the  Commonwealth is  clearly  seen  in
personal   income  figures.   While  year-to-year  percentage   changes  in  the
Commonwealth  personal  income  parallel  those  at  the  national  level,   the
Commonwealth  figures  were higher  during  the first  half  of the  1980's. The
differential has  narrowed since  1988  and testifies  to  the lethargy  of  the
Commonwealth's  economy.  From a  peak  of 107  percent  of national  per capita
income, the Commonwealth has  experienced a relative decline  to 104 percent  in
1992.  Compared to the South Atlantic region, the Commonwealth's real per capita
income has declined slightly from a peak  of 109 percent in 1987 to 108  percent
in 1992.
 
    After  real  personal  income  in  the  Commonwealth  had  fallen  for seven
consecutive quarters ending with  the last quarter of  1991, it rose  throughout
1992.   Personal  income  declined  in  the  first  quarter  of  1993,  although
forthcoming data revisions are  likely to show  much milder decreases.  Overall,
the data suggest a fitful recovery continues.
 
    Virginia's  nonagricultural  employment  figures  also  mirror  the national
economy. During the  period 1983-1990, the  Commonwealth substantially  outpaced
the  nation in  growth of nonagricultural  employment, with  4.1 percent average
annual growth compared to  2.8 percent nationally; however,  the trend line  for
both  has been flat since 1990. For  the period 1985-1990, the Commonwealth went
ahead of the South Atlantic region, but  was hit harder during the recession  in
1990. Since then, the region has outperformed the Commonwealth.
 
    With  respect to unemployment, Virginia's unemployment rate has consistently
been below that of the nation. For the decade of 1980 to 1990, the  differential
has  been two percentage  points, although it decreased  to below one percentage
point in  1991 and  1992. For  the last  month of  FY 1993,  the  Commonwealth's
unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, compared to the national rate of 7.1 percent.
 
    Employment  trends in  Virginia are  varied from  sector to  sector and from
region to region. For example, an overall increase of 0.8 percent in FY 1993 was
driven by modest increases in government and service sectors, whereas  wholesale
and  retail  trade  employment  was  flat.  Employment  dropped  in  six  of ten
categories, with mining experiencing the  greatest percent loss at 3.6  percent.
The  service sector  is now  the largest  employer in  Virginia and  mininig and
manufacturing are now at  lower levels than in  1980. All of the  Commonwealth's
MSAs  showed increased  employment from  FY 1992  to FY  1993, ranging  from 0.5
percent to  1.8 percent,  with most  employment increases  being experienced  in
metropolitan areas.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    Highest  rates of unemployment are  concentrated in southwest Virginia where
mining jobs  have  been lost  and  the lowest  unemployment  rates are  seen  in
Northern  Virginia where much federally-related  employment is concentrated. Not
suprisingly, there is  great overlap  between areas of  lowest unemployment  and
those of highest per capita income.
 
    The  Commonwealth's recovery has  been hurt by the  defense cutbacks, but so
far the  employment and  output reductions  in the  Commonwealth have  not  been
severe.  Further cuts are anticipated in 1995. Base closing actions in 1993 will
result in a statewide net loss of  7,800 defense related jobs, with the  largest
impact  being  experienced in  Northern  Virginia. The  national  recession, the
overheated construction market in Northern Virginia and the restructuring of the
banking industry have also contributed to the Commonwealth's problems. Even  the
Commonwealth's  export  sector,  whose conspicuous  growth  had  been promising,
reflected disappointing results in 1992, with  a loss of 2.6 percent in  current
dollars, although the Commonwealth's exports have expanded rapidly to most areas
of the world over the past five years, averaging 11.3 percent annually.
 
    The  evidence  of  a  slow  economic  recovery,  coupled  with  major  plant
downsizings as  well  as military  base  closures,  with more  likely  in  1995,
portends  slow growth in the near term.  Additional defense cutbacks in the next
three years may be  very difficult if  the recovery has  not gained momentum  by
then.
 
    The  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  has  historically  operated  on  a fiscally
conservative basis  and is  required  by its  Constitution  to have  a  balanced
biennial  budget. At the end of the June 30, 1993, fiscal year, the General Fund
had an ending fund balance computed on a budgetary cash basis of $331.8 million,
of  which  $942,000  was  in  required  reserves.  $271.2  million  thereof  was
designated for expenditure during the next fiscal year, leaving an undesignated,
unreserved   fund  balance  of  $59.7   million,  the  second  consecutive  such
undesignated fund balance since  1988. Computed on a  modified accrual basis  in
accordance  with  generally  accepted accounting  principles,  the  General Fund
balance at the end of  the fiscal year ended June  30, 1993, was $78.8  million,
compared  with a General Fund balance of minus  $121.8 million at the end of the
fiscal year ended  June 30, 1992.  This is the  first year since  1989 that  the
General  Fund, measured on a  modified accrual basis, has  shown a positive fund
balance.
 
    As of  June  30, 1993,  total  debt  for the  Commonwealth  aggregated  $7.5
billion.  Of  that amount,  $2  billion was  tax-supported.  Outstanding general
obligation debt backed by the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth was $817
million at June  30, 1993.  Of that  amount, $511  million was  also secured  by
revenue producing capital projects.
 
    The   Virginia  Constitution  contains  limits  on  the  amount  of  general
obligation  bonds  which   the  Commonwealth   can  issue.   These  limits   are
substantially  in excess of current levels of outstanding bonds, and at June 30,
1993 would permit  an additional total  of approximately $5.3  billion of  bonds
secured  by  revenue-producing  projects  and  approximately  $5.50  billion  of
unsecured general  obligation bonds  for capital  projects, with  not more  than
approximately  $1.46 billion of the latter to be issued in any four-year period.
Bonds which are not secured by revenue-producing projects must be approved in  a
State-wide election.
 
    The  Commonwealth of Virginia maintains ratings  of AAA by Standard & Poor's
Corporation and  Aaa by  Moody's  Investors Service  on its  general  obligation
indebtedness,  reflecting  in  part  its  sound  fiscal  management, diversified
economic base  and  low debt  ratios.  There can  be  no assurances  that  these
conditions will continue. Nor are these same conditions
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
necessarily  applicable to securities  which are not  general obligations of the
Commonwealth.  Securities  issued   by  specific  municipalities,   governmental
authorities or similar issuers may be subject to economic risks or uncertainties
peculiar to the issuers of such securities or the sources from which they are to
be paid.
 
VIRGINIA TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The  following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current returns
for individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current  returns
under  combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal Federal
tax rates and marginal state tax  rates currently available and scheduled to  be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993.  For
cases  in which more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket, the
highest state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined  state
and  Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  tax payments are
currently deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The  tables illustrate what  you
would  have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the tax-exempt estimated
current return for your  income tax bracket. A  taxpayer's marginal tax rate  is
affected  by both his taxable income and  his adjusted gross income. Locate your
adjusted gross and  your taxable  income (which  is your  adjusted gross  income
reduced by any deductions and exemptions), then locate your tax bracket based on
joint  or single  tax filing.  Read across  to the  equivalent taxable estimated
current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross       State and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      20.0   %     6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50    7.81    8.13    8.44
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      32.0         7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93
                 111.8-167.7      33.0         7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70   10.07
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      35.0         7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00   10.38
                 111.8-167.7      36.0         7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16   10.55
                 167.7-290.2      38.0         8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08   10.48   10.89
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      40.5         8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
                 167.7-290.2      43.5         8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06   11.50   11.95
                  Over 290.2      40.5   2     8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      47.0         9.43    9.91   10.38   10.85   11.32   11.79   12.26   12.74
                  Over 290.2      44.0   3     8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross       State and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      20.0         6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50    7.81    8.13    8.44
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      32.0         7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      35.0         7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00   10.38
                 111.8-234.3      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      41.5         8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68   11.11   11.54
                  Over 234.3      40.5   2     8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      44.0   3     8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05
<FN>
- ------------------
      1 The table reflects the effect of the limitations  on itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions.  They
were  designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect, raise
the current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled  to
four  personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for taxpayers  filing a single return  entitled to only one personal
exemption. These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the  total
amount  of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the limitation  on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A comparison of  tax-free and equivalent  taxable estimated current  returns
with  the returns on various  taxable investments is one  element to consider in
making an  investment  decision.  The Sponsor  may  from  time to  time  in  its
advertising  and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds,  bank
CD's  and  money  market accounts  or  money  market funds,  each  of  which has
investment characteristics  that  may  differ  from those  of  the  Trust.  U.S.
Government  bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds  provide
stability  of principal, but pay interest at  rates that vary with the condition
of the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust  are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
April 29, 1994
VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST 286
(Series 727)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Commonwealth Transportation Board, Commonwealth     2002 at 102         AA         Aa      $       514,690
                   of Virginia, Transportation Contract Revenue
                   Refunding Bonds, Series 1992 (Route 28
                   Project), 6.50% Due 4/1/18.
    500,000      Industrial Development Authority of Albemarle       2002 at 102         A+         --              509,435
                   County, Virginia, Health Services Revenue
                   Bonds (The University of Virginia Health
                   Services Foundation), Series 1992, 6.50% Due
                   10/1/22.
    500,000      Fairfax County Economic Development Authority       2004 at 102         AA         Aa              456,535
                   (Virginia), Lease Revenue Bonds (Government
                   Center Properties), Series 1994, 5.50% Due
                   5/15/18. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about March 15, 1994 at a
                   price of 93.654% of principal amount.)
    500,000      Fairfax County (Virginia), Water Authority,         2002 at 100        AA-         Aa              465,000
                   Water Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 1992,
                   5.75% Due 4/1/29. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about December 8, 1992
                   at a price of 92.25% of principal amount.)
    500,000      Industrial Development Authority of the Town of     2004 at 102         A          A2              443,200
                   Louisa, Virginia, Pollution Control Revenue
                   Bonds (Virginia Electric and Power Company
                   Project), Series 1994, 5.45% Due 1/1/24.
    500,000      Industrial Development Authority of the City of     2004 at 102         AA         Aa              448,465
                   Norfolk (Virginia), Hospital Revenue and
                   Refunding Bonds (Sentara Hospitals-Norfolk),
                   Series 1994A, 5.50% Due 11/1/17.
    500,000      Richmond Metropolitan Authority (Virginia),         2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             501,810
                   Expressway Revenue and Refunding Bonds,
                   Series 1992-B, 6.25% Due 7/15/22. (FGIC
                   Insured.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,339,135
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 52.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST 74
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Intermediate Insured Trust  74 consists of 11 intermediate
term (approximately  5 to  15 year  maturities) obligations  issued by  entities
located  in  7 states  and one  obligation issued  by an  entity located  in the
District of Columbia.  Five Bonds in  the Trust are  general obligations of  the
governmental  entities issuing them and are backed by the taxing powers thereof.
Seven Bonds in  the Trust  are payable  as to  principal and  interest from  the
income  of a specific project or authority and are not supported by the issuer's
power to levy  taxes. The  sources of  payment for  these Bonds  are divided  as
follows:  Dedicated-Tax Supported Revenue, 1; College and University Revenue, 1;
Health Care Facility Revenue, 2; Municipal Lease Revenue, 2; Water and/or  Sewer
Revenue, 1. All of the Bonds in the Trust, as insured, are rated AAA by Standard
&  Poor's Corporation and Aaa by  Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Twenty percent
of the principal amount  of Bonds in  the Trust consists  of issues of  entities
located  in the State  of Florida and 20%  of the principal  amount in the Trust
consists  of  issues  of  entities  located  in  the  State  of  Michigan;  such
concentration  may involve more risk  than if such Bonds  were issued by issuers
located in several states.
    
 
   
    At  the  Date  of  Deposit,  the  average  maturity  of  the  Bonds  in  the
Intermediate  Insured Trust is 9.9 years. The average maturity of the Bonds in a
Trust is calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such  Trust
(or,  with respect to  Bonds for which  funds or securities  have been placed in
escrow to redeem such Bonds on a  stated call date, based upon such call  date).
The  average maturity of the Bonds in a Trust may increase or decrease from time
to time as Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately 5.0% of  the aggregate principal  amount of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  (accounting for approximately 3.1% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds) are  original issue  discount obligations.  All of  these original  issue
discount bonds are "zero coupon" bonds. See "GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION--ORIGINAL
ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS  AND  STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for  a  discussion  of  the
characteristics of such bonds and of the risks associated therewith.
    
 
    Approximately 25% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily derived
from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities.
 
    For a discussion of  the risks associated with  investments in the bonds  of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The  Sponsor entered into  contracts to acquire the  Bonds between March 29,
1994 and April 28, 1994. The following summarizes certain information about  the
Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Difference between Trustee's
                                                               Determination of Offering Price and
   Cost to    Profit (or loss)   Annual Interest   Bid Price              the Bid Price
   Sponsor       to Sponsor      Income to Trust    of Bonds       (as % of principal amount)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $9,750,805       $30,740           $514,500      $9,744,670                 .37%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither   cost  to  Sponsor  nor  profit   (or  loss)  to  Sponsor  reflects
underwriting profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through  its
participation   in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or  underwriting
syndicate purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive  bid
basis  as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at a
profit. The Sponsor  did not participate  as either the  sole underwriter or  as
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
a manager or member of a syndicate that acted as the original underwriter of any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders  may elect  to have  interest distributions  made on  a monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the Intermediate Insured Trust, less estimated expenses, is estimated to  accrue
at  the  rate  of  $.01378  per  Unit per  day  under  the  semi-annual  plan of
distribution, $.01373 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of  distribution
and  $.01364 per  Unit per  day under  the monthly  plan of  distribution. It is
anticipated that the amount of interest to be distributed per Unit in each  year
under  each plan  of distribution will  initially be substantially  equal to the
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
    Details of interest distributions per Unit of the Intermediate Insured Trust
under the various plans appear in  the following table based upon estimated  Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       Normal
                                                                                                                   Distributions
Intermediate Insured Trust                               1994                                  1995                   per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................        6/1            8/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       6/15           8/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .4396(1)                                                               $  4.9485
                                                              --------   $.4122 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .4396(1)   $   .8298(2)   $  1.2447      $  1.2447      $  1.2447      $  4.9805
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .4396(1)                  $  2.0820(3)                  $  2.4984      $  4.9995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 *  Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1) The first distribution will be paid to all  Unitholders, regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution  may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2)  The  second distribution  under the  quarterly distribution  plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  5-month distribution; subsequent  semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The  accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest to
be distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are  redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST
 
    For  a discussion of the tax status of income earned on Intermediate Insured
Trust Units, See Section 11.
 
   
ESTIMATED MONTHLY CASH FLOW TABLE FOR INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST 74
    
 
   
    Following is an Estimated  Monthly Cash Flow  Table for the  above-captioned
Trust.  As discussed below, the Table assumes  that the Bonds will remain in the
Trust until the date to which each bond is priced under accepted bond  practice.
The  Table is based on data and assumptions as to maturity and redemption dates,
bond pricing dates and  call dates, if any,  as of the date  of deposit, and  is
thus  subject to  change. Accordingly, Unitholders  should not  assume that they
will in fact receive cash in the amounts and on the dates specified in the Table
and the Table cannot be used to predict the exact amount of distributions by the
Trust.
    
 
    The  Table  shows  the  amount  of  each  month's  interest  and   principal
distributions  on one Unit  of the Trust if  every bond in the  Trust were to be
redeemed on the  date to which  it is priced  (the " 'priced  to' date").  Under
accepted bond pricing practice, tax-exempt bonds are
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
customarily  offered  to  investors on  a  "yield price"  basis,  which involves
computation of yield either  to maturity or to  an earlier call date,  whichever
produces  the lower yield.  A bond whose  market value exceeds  its par value (a
"premium bond") will  generally be priced  to its  call date, if  any; in  other
words,  its "priced to" date is its call date. In contrast, the "priced to" date
for discount  bonds  will generally  be  the  maturity date.  This  Table,  upon
application  of accepted Bond  practice, illustrates a  pricing to maturity date
despite the existence  of optional redemption  features for some  of the  Bonds.
There can be no assurance that every Bond will in fact remain in the Trust until
maturity.  Some Bonds may be sold by  the Trustee before maturity, either to pay
Unitholders  who  have  redeemed  their  Units  or  pursuant  to  the  Sponsor's
continuing  program  of credit  surveillance. Certain  Bonds  may be  subject to
sinking fund redemptions or extraordinary  redemptions, as more fully  described
below  at "Composition  of Trusts--Sale, maturity  and redemption  of bonds", as
well as optional redemptions  set forth in the  Schedule of Investments on  page
23.
 
    The  Trust's actual cash flow will depend  on (1) the actual call experience
of the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio, which in turn will depend on the  factors
described  above, (2)  the extent  to which Bonds  are sold  as a  result of the
Sponsor's continuing program of credit surveillence, and (3) the extent to which
Bonds are sold or the proceeds of Bond calls or sales are used to pay for  units
redeemed. For the reasons above, it is unlikely that interest and principal will
be distributed in the amounts and on the dates indicated in the Table.
 
            ESTIMATED PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST DISTRIBUTIONS PER UNIT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Month                     Monthly
  /Year                     Option
- ---------                 -----------
<S>        <C>            <C>
                           $
 May 94                       0.0000
 Jun 94                       0.4398
 Jul 94                       0.4123
 Aug 94                       0.4123
 Sep 94                       0.4123
 Oct 94                       0.4123
 Nov 94                       0.4123
 Dec 94                       0.4123
 Jan 95                       0.4123
 Feb 95                       0.4123
 Mar 95                       0.4123
 Apr 95                       0.4123
 May 95                       0.4123
 Jun 95                       0.4123
 Jul 95                       0.4123
 Aug 95                       0.4123
 Sep 95                       0.4123
 Oct 95                       0.4123
 Nov 95                       0.4123
 Dec 95                       0.4123
 Jan 96                       0.4123
 Feb 96                       0.4123
 Mar 96                       0.4123
 Apr 96                       0.4123
 May 96                       0.4123
 Jun 96                       0.4123
 Jul 96                       0.4123
 Aug 96                       0.4123
 Sep 96                       0.4123
 Oct 96                       0.4123
 Nov 96                       0.4123
 Dec 96                       0.4123
 
<CAPTION>
  Month                     Monthly
  /Year                     Option
- ---------                 -----------
<S>        <C>            <C>
                           $
 Jan 97                       0.4123
 Feb 97                       0.4123
 Mar 97                       0.4123
 Apr 97                       0.4123
 May 97                       0.4123
 Jun 97                       0.4123
 Jul 97                       0.4123
 Aug 97                       0.4123
 Sep 97                       0.4123
 Oct 97                       0.4123
 Nov 97                       0.4123
 Dec 97                       0.4123
 Jan 98                       0.4123
 Feb 98                       0.4123
 Mar 98                       0.4123
 Apr 98                       0.4123
 May 98                       0.4123
 Jun 98                       0.4123
 Jul 98                       0.4123
 Aug 98                       0.4123
 Sep 98                       0.4123
 Oct 98                       0.4123
 Nov 98                       0.4123
 Dec 98                       0.4123
 Jan 99                       0.4123
 Feb 99                       0.4123
 Mar 99                       0.4123
 Apr 99                       0.4123
 May 99                       0.4123
 Jun 99                       0.4123
 Jul 99                       0.4123
 Aug 99                       0.4123
</TABLE>
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Month                     Monthly
  /Year                     Option
- ---------                 -----------
                           $
<S>        <C>            <C>
 Sep 99                       0.4123
 Oct 99                       0.4123
 Nov 99                       0.4123
 Dec 99                       0.4123
 Jan 00                       0.4123
 Feb 00                       0.4123
 Mar 00                       0.4123
 Apr 00                       0.4123
 May 00                       0.4123
 Jun 00                       0.4123
 Jul 00                       0.4123
 Aug 00                       0.4123
 Sep 00                       0.4123
 Oct 00                       0.4123
 Nov 00                       0.4123
 Dec 00                       0.4123
 Jan 01                       0.4123
 Feb 01                       0.4123
 Mar 01                       0.4123
 Apr 01                       0.4123
 May 01                       0.4123
 Jun 01                       0.4123
 Jul 01                       0.4123
 Aug 01                       0.4123
 Sep 01                       0.4123
 Oct 01                       0.4123
 Nov 01                       0.4123
 Dec 01                       0.4123
 Jan 02                       0.4123
 Feb 02                       0.4123
 Mar 02                       0.4123
<CAPTION>
  Month                     Monthly
  /Year                     Option
- ---------                 -----------
<S>        <C>            <C>
                           $
 Apr 02                       0.4123
 May 02                       0.4123
 Jun 02                       0.4123
 Jul 02                       0.4123
 Aug 02                       0.4123
 Sep 02                       0.4123
 Oct 02                       0.4123
 Nov 02                       0.4123
 Dec 02                       0.4123
 Jan 03                       0.4123
 Feb 03                       0.4123
 Mar 03                      10.4123
 Apr 03                       0.3702
 May 03                       1.3702
 Jun 03                       0.3704
 Jul 03                      14.3704
 Aug 03                       0.3281
 Sep 03                       0.3281
 Oct 03                       0.3281
 Nov 03                       0.3281
 Dec 03                       0.3281
 Jan 04                       0.3281
 Feb 04                       0.3281
 Mar 04                       0.3281
 Apr 04                       0.3281
 May 04                      20.3281
 Jun 04                       5.2422
 Jul 04                      20.2201
 Aug 04                      15.1313
 Sep 04                       0.0662
 Oct 04                      15.0662
</TABLE>
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
NATIONALLY DIVERSIFIED TRUST TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
(INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST)
 
    The  following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current returns
for individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current  returns
under  published  1994  marginal  Federal  tax  rates.  The  tables  incorporate
increased tax  rates for  higher-income tax  payers that  were included  in  the
Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. The tables illustrate what you would have to
earn on taxable investments to equal the tax-exempt estimated current return for
your  income tax bracket. A taxpayer's marginal tax rate is affected by both his
taxable income and his adjusted gross income. Locate your adjusted gross  income
and  your taxable  income (which  is your adjusted  gross income  reduced by any
deductions and  exemptions), then  locate your  tax bracket  based on  joint  or
single  tax  filing. Read  across to  the  equivalent taxable  estimated current
return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted
    Taxable        Gross                                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.00%   4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      15.0   %     4.71    5.00    5.29    5.59    5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      28.0         5.56    5.90    6.25    6.60    6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99
                 111.8-167.7      29.0         5.63    5.99    6.34    6.69    7.04    7.39    7.75    8.10
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      31.0         5.80    6.16    6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33
                 111.8-167.7      32.0         5.88    6.25    6.62    6.99    7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46
                 167.7-290.2      34.5         6.11    6.49    6.87    7.25    7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      37.0         6.35    6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13
                 167.7-290.2      40.0         6.67    7.08    7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58
                  Over 290.2      37.0   2     6.35    6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      44.0         7.14    7.59    8.04    8.48    8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27
                  Over 290.2      41.0   3     6.78    7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75
</TABLE>
 
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted
    Taxable        Gross                                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.00%   4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      15.0   %     4.71    5.00    5.29    5.59    5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      28.0         5.56    5.90    6.25    6.60    6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      31.0         5.80    6.16    6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33
                 111.8-234.3      32.5         5.93    6.30    6.67    7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      38.0         6.45    6.85    7.26    7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27
                  Over 234.3      37.0   2     6.35    6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      41.0   3     6.78    7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75
<FN>
- ------------------
      1 The table reflects the effect of the limitations  on itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions.  They
were  designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect, raise
the current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled  to
four  personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for taxpayers  filing a single return  entitled to only one personal
exemption. These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the  total
amount  of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the limitation  on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    A comparison of  tax-free and equivalent  taxable estimated current  returns
with  the returns on various  taxable investments is one  element to consider in
making an  investment  decision.  The Sponsor  may  from  time to  time  in  its
advertising  and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds,  bank
CD's  and  money  market accounts  or  money  market funds,  each  of  which has
investment characteristics  that  may  differ  from those  of  the  Trust.  U.S.
Government  bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds  provide
stability  of principal, but pay interest at  rates that vary with the condition
of the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust  are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
April 29, 1994
INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST 74
(Series 727)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   400,000      North Slope Borough, Alaska, General Obligation  No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa     $       243,216
                   Bonds, Series 1992A, 0.00% Due 6/30/03.
                   (Original issue discount bonds delivered on
                   or about September 1, 1992 at a price of
                   52.714% of principal amount.)
  1,500,000      District of Columbia, Hospital Revenue           No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa           1,476,630
                   Refunding Bonds (Medlantic Healthcare Group,
                   Inc. Issue), Series 1993A, 5.40% Due 8/15/04.
  1,000,000     * Certificates of Participation (School Board of  No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa           1,003,780
                   Hillsborough County, Florida, Master Lease
                   Program), Series 1994, 5.50% Due 7/1/04.
                   (When issued.)
  1,000,000      City of Homestead, Florida, Special Insurance    No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             996,430
                   Assessment Revenue Bonds, Series 1993
                   (Hurricane Andrew Covered Claims Assistance
                   Program), 5.25% Due 3/1/03.
  1,000,000     * Fort Wayne South Side School Bldg. Corp., First    2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa           1,003,770
                   Mortgage Bonds, Series 1994, Allen County,
                   Indiana, 5.55% Due 7/15/04. (General
                   Obligation Bonds.) (When issued.)
  1,000,000      St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District     No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa           1,007,760
                   No. 2, State of Louisiana, Hospital Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1994, 5.70% Due 10/1/04. (When
                   issued.)
  1,000,000      Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Counties of        2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa           1,000,000
                   Ottawa and Muskegon, State of Michigan,
                   School Building and Site Bonds, Series A,
                   5.40% Due 5/1/04. (General Obligation Bonds.)
  1,000,000      Southfield Public Schools, Oakland County,       No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             992,340
                   Michigan, School Facilities Bonds, Series
                   1994, 5.30% Due 5/1/04. (General Obligation
                   Bonds.) (When issued.)
    500,000      New York City (New York), Educational             2004 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             490,090
                   Construction Fund, Revenue Bonds, Series
                   1994, 5.10% Due 10/1/04.
    100,000      Dormitory Authority of the State of New York,    No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa              61,759
                   State University Educational Facilities
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1994A, 0.00% Due
                   5/15/03. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about March 3, 1994 at a
                   price of 64.927% of principal amount.)
    500,000      New York State Environmental Facilities          No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             505,770
                   Corporation, State Water Pollution Control,
                   Revolving Fund Revenue Bonds, Series 1994A,
                   5.50% Due 6/15/04.
</TABLE>
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST 74 (Continued)
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
$                                                                                                           $
  1,000,000      The School District of Philadelphia,             No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa           1,000,000
                   Pennsylvania, General Obligation Bonds,
                   Series A of 1994, 5.35% Due 7/1/03.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$10,000,000                                                                                                 $     9,781,545
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 52.
 
   
* These  Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the normal
  settlement date. Their expected delivery dates range from May 17, 1994 to  May
  19,  1994. Contracts relating to  Bonds with delivery dates  after the date of
  settlement for purchase made on  the Date of Deposit constitute  approximately
  20% of the aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
   
FLORIDA INSURED TRUST 189
    
   
    The  Portfolio of Florida Insured Trust 189 consists of 9 obligations issued
by entities located in Florida and one obligation issued by an entity located in
the Territory of Puerto Rico. Two Bonds in the Trust are general obligations  of
the  governmental  entities issuing  them and  are backed  by the  taxing powers
thereof. Eight Bonds in the Trust are payable as to principal and interest  from
the  income of  a specific  project or  authority and  are not  supported by the
issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources of payment for these Bonds are divided
as follows: Dedicated-Tax Supported Revenue, 2; College and University  Revenue,
1;  Electrical System  Revenue, 1;  Health Care  Facility Revenue,  2; Municipal
Lease Revenue, 1; Water and/or Sewer Revenue, 1. All of the Bonds in the  Trust,
as  insured, are rated AAA  by Standard & Poor's  Corporation and Aaa by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc.
    
 
   
    At the Date of  Deposit, the average  maturity of the  Bonds in the  Florida
Insured  Trust is 27.5  years. The average maturity  of the Bonds  in a Trust is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow  to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity  of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately 21.4% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in  the
Trust (accounting for approximately 20.5% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)    are   original    issue   discount    bonds.   See    "GENERAL   TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for  a
discussion  of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks associated
therewith.
    
 
    Approximately 21% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  consists of obligations supported by tax revenues specifically pledged to
secure the obligations.
 
    Approximately 21% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily derived
from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities.
 
    For a discussion of  the risks associated with  investments in the bonds  of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The  Sponsor entered into  contracts to acquire the  Bonds between April 25,
1994 and April 28, 1994. The following summarizes certain information about  the
Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Difference between Trustee's
                                                               Determination of Offering Price and
   Cost to    Profit (or loss)   Annual Interest   Bid Price              the Bid Price
   Sponsor       to Sponsor      Income to Trust    of Bonds       (as % of principal amount)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,328,967      $(2,492)           $201,763      $3,310,387                 .46%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither   cost  to  Sponsor  nor  profit   (or  loss)  to  Sponsor  reflects
underwriting profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through  its
participation   in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or  underwriting
syndicate purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive  bid
basis  as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at a
profit. The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as  a
manager  or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the  Florida Insured Trust,  less estimated expenses, is  estimated to accrue at
the rate of $.01548 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,
$.01543 per Unit per  day under the quarterly  plan of distribution and  $.01534
per Unit per day under the monthly plan of
    
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
distribution.  It is anticipated  that the amount of  interest to be distributed
per Unit  in  each  year under  each  plan  of distribution  will  initially  be
substantially  equal to  the Estimated Net  Annual Interest Income  per Unit for
that plan.
 
    Details of  interest distributions  per Unit  of the  Florida Insured  Trust
under  the various plans appear in the  following table based upon estimated Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       Normal
                                                                                                                   Distributions
Florida Insured Trust                                    1994                                  1995                   per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................        6/1            8/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       6/15           8/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .4921(1)                                                               $  5.5400
                                                              --------   $.4614 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .4921(1)   $   .9282(2)   $  1.3923      $  1.3923      $  1.3923      $  5.5720
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .4921(1)                  $  2.3295(3)                  $  2.7954      $  5.5910
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1)  The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders,  regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) The  second distribution  under the  quarterly  distribution plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent  quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  5-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--FLORIDA INSURED TRUST
 
    For a  discussion of  the Federal  tax status  of income  earned on  Florida
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The assets of the Florida Insured Trust (the "Trust") will consist solely of
interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of Florida, its
political  subdivisions and authorities  or by the  Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa,  or the Northern Mariana Islands  (the
"Florida Bonds").
 
    In  the opinion  of Carlton, Fields,  Ward, Emmanuel, Smith  & Cutler, P.A.,
special counsel for the Trust for Florida tax matters, under existing law:
 
        For Florida state income tax purposes, the Trust will not be subject  to
    the  Florida income tax imposed by the Florida Code so long as the Trust has
    no income subject to federal  taxation. In addition, political  subdivisions
    of Florida do not impose any income taxes.
 
        Because   Florida  does  not  impose   an  income  tax  on  individuals,
    non-corporate Unitholders will not be subject  to any Florida income tax  on
    income  realized by the Trust. Each  corporate Unitholder will be subject to
    Florida income taxation  on its share  of the income  realized by the  Trust
    notwithstanding  the tax  exempt status  of the  interest received  from any
    bonds under Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other
    federal law,  unless the  interest  income constitutes  nonbusiness  income.
    Nevertheless,  any corporate Unitholder that  has its commercial domicile in
    Florida will be taxable  under the Florida  Code on its  share of the  Trust
    income which constitutes nonbusiness income.
 
        Trust  Units will  be subject  to Florida  estate tax  only if  owned by
    Florida residents,  certain natural  persons not  domiciled in  Florida,  or
    certain  natural persons  not residents of  the United  States. However, the
    Florida estate tax is  limited to the amount  of the credit allowable  under
    the    applicable    Federal   Revenue    Act   (currently    Section   2011
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
    (and in some cases Section  2102) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as
    amended) for death taxes actually paid to the several states.
 
        Neither  the Florida Bonds nor the Units  will be subject to the Florida
    ad valorem property tax or Florida sales or use tax.
 
        Because  Bonds  issued  by  the  State  of  Florida  or  its   political
    subdivisions  or  by  the  Commonwealth of  Puerto  Rico,  Guam,  the Virgin
    Islands, American Samoa  and the  Northern Mariana Islands  are exempt  from
    Florida  intangible personal  property taxation  under Chapter  199, Florida
    Statutes, as amended, the  Trust will not be  subject to Florida  intangible
    personal  property tax. In addition, the  Unitholders will not be subject to
    Florida intangible personal property tax on the Units.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--FLORIDA
 
    POPULATION.  In 1980, Florida was the  seventh largest state in the U.S.  by
population. The State has grown dramatically since then and as of April 1, 1992,
ranks fourth with an estimated population of 13.4 million. Florida's attraction,
as both a growth and retirement state, has kept net migration fairly steady with
an  average of  252,000 new residents  a year  from 1982 through  1991. The U.S.
average population increase  since 1982  is about 1%  annually, while  Florida's
average  annual rate  of increase  is about  2.8%. Florida  continues to  be the
fastest growing of the eleven largest  states. This strong population growth  is
one  reason the State's economy is performing better than the nation as a whole.
In addition to attracting senior citizens to Florida as a place for  retirement,
the  State is also recognized as attracting  a significant number of working age
individuals. Since 1982, the prime working  age population (18-44) has grown  at
an  average  annual rate  of  3.3%. The  share  of Florida's  total  working age
population (18-59) to total State population is approximately 54%. This share is
not expected to change appreciably into the twenty-first century.
 
    INCOME.  The  State's personal  income has  been growing  strongly the  last
several  years and has generally  outperformed both the U.S.  as a whole and the
southeast in particular, according  to the U.S. Department  of Commerce and  the
Florida  Consensus Economic Estimating Conference. This  is due to the fact that
Florida's population has been growing at a very strong pace and, since the early
1970's, the State's economy has diversified so as to provide greater  insulation
from  national  economic  downturns.  As a  result,  Florida's  real  per capita
personal income has tracked  closely with the national  average and has  tracked
above  the southeast. From 1983 through 1992, the State's real per capita income
rose at an average of 5.4% per  year, while the national real per capita  income
increased at an average of 5.5% per year.
 
    Because  Florida has  a proportionately  greater retirement  age population,
property income (dividends,  interest, and rent)  and transfer payments  (Social
Security  and pension  benefits, among other  sources of  income) are relatively
more important  sources  of  income.  For example,  Florida's  total  wages  and
salaries  and other labor income in 1992 was 61% of total personal income, while
a similar  figure  for  the nation  for  1990  was 72%.  Transfer  payments  are
typically  less  sensitive to  the business  cycle  than employment  income and,
therefore, act as stabilizing forces in weak economic periods.
 
    The State's per capita personal income in 1992 of $19,347 was slightly below
the national  average  of  $19,841  and significantly  ahead  of  that  for  the
southeast United States, which was $17,661. Real personal income in the State is
estimated  to increase 3.7% in 1993-94 and  4.6% in 1994-95. Personal income was
also affected by Huricane  Andrew which should have  some lingering effects.  By
the end of 1994-95, real personal income per capita in the State is projected to
average 4.8% higher than its 1992-93 level.
 
    EMPLOYMENT.   Since 1980, the  State's job creation rate  is well over twice
the rate for the nation as a whole, and its growth rate in new  non-agricultural
jobs is the fastest of the 11 most populous states, second only to California in
the absolute number of new jobs created.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
Contributing  to the State's  rapid rate of  growth in employment  and income is
international trade. Since  1980, the  State's unemployment  rate has  generally
been  below that of the  U.S. In recent years,  however, as the State's economic
growth has slowed  from its previous  highs, the State's  unemployment rate  has
tracked  above the national average. The average  rate in Florida since 1980 has
been 6.5% while the national average  is 7.1%. According to the U.S.  Department
of  Commerce, the Florida  Department of Labor and  Employment Security, and the
Florida Consensus Economic Estimating Conference (together, the "Organization"),
the State's unemployment  rate was  8.2% during 1992.  As of  October 1993,  the
Organization  estimates that the unemployment rate  will be 6.5% for 1993-94 and
6.0% in 1994-95.
 
    The rate of job creation in Florida's manufacturing sector has exceeded that
of the U.S. From the beginning of 1980 through 1992, the State added over 37,000
new manufacturing  jobs, an  8.4%  increase. During  the same  period,  national
manufacturing  employment declined nine out of the thirteen years, for a loss of
2,852,000 jobs.
 
    Total non-farm employment in Florida is expected to increase 2.8% in 1993-94
and rise 3.8%  in 1994-95.  These figures,  as well  as the  figures for  income
above,  include the  post-Hurricane Andrew impact.  Trade and  services, the two
largest sources of employment in  the State, account for  more than half of  the
total  non-farm employment. Employment in the service sector's should experience
an increase of 3.9% in 1993-94, while growing 47% in 1994-95. Trade is  expected
to  expand 2.3% in 1994 and 3.4% in  1995. The service sector is now the State's
largest employment category.
 
    CONSTRUCTION.  The State's economy has in the past been highly dependent  on
the   construction  industry   and  construction   related  manufacturing.  This
dependency has declined in recent  years and continues to do  so as a result  of
continued  diversification of the  State's economy. For  example, in 1980, total
contract construction employment  as a  share of total  non-farm employment  was
just  over 7.0%, and in 1992 the share had edged downward to 5.0%. This trend is
expected to continue  as the  State's economy continues  to diversify.  Florida,
nevertheless,  has a dynamic construction industry, with single and multi-family
housing starts accounting for  8.3% of total U.S.  housing starts in 1992  while
the  State's population is 5.3% of  the U.S. total population. Florida's housing
starts since  1980 have  represented an  average of  11.1% of  the U.S.'s  total
annual  starts, and  since 1980,  total housing  starts have  averaged 160,400 a
year.
 
    A driving  force  behind the  State's  construction industry  has  been  the
State's  rapid rate  of population growth.  Although the State  currently is the
fourth most populous  state, its annual  population growth is  now projected  to
decline  as the number of people moving into the State is expected to hover near
the mid  250,000 range  annually throughout  the 1990's.  This population  trend
should   provide  plenty  of  fuel  for  business  and  home  builders  to  keep
construction activity lively in  Florida for some time  to come. However,  other
factors  do  influence the  level  of construction  in  the State.  For example,
federal tax reform in 1986 and other changes to the federal income tax code have
eliminated tax deductions for  owners of more than  two residential real  estate
properties   and  have  lengthened  depreciation  schedules  on  investment  and
commercial properties.  Economic  growth  and existing  supplies  of  commercial
buildings and homes also contribute to the level of construction activity in the
State.
 
    Hurricane Andrew left some parts of south Florida devastated. Post-Hurricane
Andrew clean up and rebuilding have changed the outlook for the State's economy.
Single  and  multi-family housing  starts in  1993-94 are  projected to  reach a
combined level  of 120,000,  and to  increase to  138,100 next  year.  Lingering
recessionary  effects on consumers and tight credit  are some of the reasons for
relatively slow core construction  activity, as well  as lingering effects  from
the 1986 tax reform legislation discussed above. However, construction is one of
the  sectors most severely affected by  Hurricane Andrew. Low interest rates and
pent up  demand  combined  with  improved consumer  confidence  should  lead  to
improved  housing  starts.  The construction  figures  above  include additional
housing starts as a result
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
of  destruction  by  Hurricane  Andrew.  Total  construction  expenditures   are
forecasted to increase 13.8% this year and increase 14.3% next year.
 
    TOURISM.     Tourism  is   one  of  Florida's   most  important  industries.
Approximately 40.9 million tourists  visited the State in  1992, as reported  by
the  Florida Department of  Commerce. In terms of  business activities and state
tax revenues, tourists in Florida in  1992 represented an estimated 4.5  million
additional  residents. Visitors to the  State tend to arrive  equally by air and
car. The State's tourism industry over the years has become more  sophisticated,
attracting  visitors year-round and, to a  degree, reducing its seasonality. The
dollar's  depreciation  has  enhanced  the  State's  tourism  industry.  Tourist
arrivals  should be  flat this  year, but  recover next  year with  4.0% growth.
Tourist arrivals to Florida  by air and  car are expected  to diverge from  each
other,  air decreasing 5.1% and auto increasing  5.3%. By the end of the State's
current fiscal  year,  41.9  million domestic  and  international  tourists  are
expected  to have visited the State, up 0.2%. In 1994-95 tourist arrivals should
approximate 43.6 million.
 
    REVENUES AND EXPENSES.  Estimated  fiscal year 1992-93 General Revenue  plus
Working  Capital funds available  to the State total  $13,554.8 million, an 8.2%
increase over  1992-93. This  reflects a  transfer of  $190 million,  out of  an
estimated  $220.0 million in non-recurring revenue due to Hurricane Andrew, to a
hurricane relief trust fund. Of the  total General Revenue plus Working  Capital
funds  available to the  State, $12,959.2 million of  that is Estimated Revenues
(excluding the Hurricane Andrew  impact), which represents  an increase of  7.5%
over  the previous  year's Estimated  Revenues. With  effective General Revenues
plus Working  Capital Fund  appropriations  at $13,276.9  million,  unencumbered
reserves at the end of 1993-94 are estimated at $277.9 million. Estimated fiscal
year  1994-95  General  Revenue  plus  Working  Capital  Funds  available  total
$14,310.7 million, a 5.6% increase over 1993-94. This amount reflects a transfer
of $159,000  million in  non-recurring  revenue due  to  Hurricane Andrew  to  a
hurricane  relief fund. The  $13,944.0 million in  Estimated Revenues (excluding
Hurricane Andrew impact) represent an increase of 7.6% over the previous  year's
Estimated  Revenues.  The massive  effort to  rebuild  and replace  destroyed or
damaged property  in  the  wake  of Hurricane  Andrew  is  responsible  for  the
substantial  positive revenue impacts shown  here. Most of the  impact is in the
increase in the State's sales tax.
 
    In fiscal  year  1992-93, approximately  62%  of the  State's  total  direct
revenue  to its three operating funds was derived from State taxes, with Federal
grants and other special revenue accounting for the balance. State sales and use
tax, corporate income  tax, intangible  personal property tax  and beverage  tax
amounted  to 68%, 7%,  4% and 4%,  respectively, of total  General Revenue Funds
available during fiscal 1992-93. In that same year, expenditures for  education,
health  and welfare, and  public safety amounted to  approximately 49%, 30%, and
11%, respectively, of total expenditures from the General Revenue Fund.
 
    The State's sales and use tax (6%) currently accounts for the State's single
largest source of tax receipts. Sightly less  than 10% of the State's sales  and
use tax is designated for local governments and is distributed to the respective
counties  in which  collected for  use by  the counties,  and the municipalities
therein. In  addition to  this distribution,  local governments  may assess  (by
referendum)  a 0.5%  or a 1.0%  discretionary sales surtax  within their county.
Proceeds from  this local  option  sales tax  are  earmarked for  funding  local
infrastructure programs and acquiring land for public recreation or conservation
or  protection of  natural resources as  provided under  applicable Florida law.
Certain  charter   counties   have   other   additional   taxing   powers,   and
non-consolidated  counties with  a population  in excess  of 800,000  may levy a
local option sales tax to fund indigent health care. It alone cannot exceed 0.5%
and when combined  with the infrastructure  surtax cannot exceed  1.0%. For  the
fiscal  year ended June 30,  1993, sales and use  tax receipts (exclusive of the
tax on gasoline  and special fuels)  totalled $9,426.0 million,  an increase  of
12.5% over fiscal year 1991-92.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
    The  second largest source of State tax  receipts is the tax on motor fuels.
However, these revenues are almost  entirely dedicated trust funds for  specific
purposes and are not included in the State's General Revenue Fund.
 
    The  State imposes an alcoholic beverage wholesale tax (excise tax) on beer,
wine, and  liquor. This  tax  is one  of the  State's  major tax  sources,  with
revenues totalling $442.2 million in fiscal year ending June 30, 1993. Alcoholic
beverage  tax  receipts  increased  1.6% from  the  previous  year's  total. The
revenues collected from this tax are deposited into the State's General  Revenue
Fund.
 
    The  State imposes  a corporate  income tax.  All receipts  of the corporate
income tax are credited to the General  Revenue Fund. For the fiscal year  ended
June  30, 1993, receipts  from this source  were $846.6 million,  an increase of
5.6% from fiscal year 1991-92.
 
    The State  imposes a  documentary stamp  tax on  deeds and  other  documents
relating  to  realty,  corporate shares,  bonds,  certificates  of indebtedness,
promissory notes, wage assignments, and retail charge accounts. The  documentary
stamp  tax collections  totalled $639.0  million during  fiscal year  1992-93, a
27.0% increase from the previous fiscal year. Beginning in fiscal year  1992-93,
71.29% of these taxes is to be deposited to the General Revenue Fund.
 
    The  State imposes  an intangible  personal property  tax on  stocks, bonds,
including bonds secured by liens  in Florida real property, notes,  governmental
leaseholds,  and certain other intangibles not secured by a lien on Florida real
property. The  annual  rate  of  tax  is  2  mils.  The  State  also  imposes  a
non-recurring  2 mil tax on mortgages and  other obligations secured by liens on
Florida real  property.  In  fiscal  year  1992-93,  total  intangible  personal
property  tax collections  were $783.4  million, a  33% increase  over the prior
year. Of the tax proceeds, 66.5% is distributed to the General Revenue Fund.
 
    The State's severance tax taxes oil, gas and sulphur production, as well  as
the severance of phosphate rock and other solid minerals. Total collections from
severance  taxes total $64.5 million during  fiscal year 1992-93, down 4.0% from
the previous year. Currently  60% of this amount  is transferred to the  General
Revenue Fund.
 
    The  State began its  own lottery in  1988. State law  requires that lottery
revenues be  distributed  50.0%  to the  public  in  prizes, 38.0%  for  use  in
enhancing  education, and  the balance,  12.0%, for  costs of  administering the
lottery. Fiscal  year  1992-93  lottery ticket  sales  totalled  $2.13  billion,
providing education with approximately $810.4 million.
 
    The   State  has  continuously   been  dependent  on   the  highly  cyclical
construction and  construction  related  manufacturing  industries.  While  that
dependency  has  decreased, the  State is  still  somewhat at  the mercy  of the
construction and construction related manufacturing industries. The construction
industry is driven to a great extent by the State's rapid growth in  population.
While  the  rate  of  population  growth  in  the  State  has  slowed  somewhat,
expectations are that it  will continue to  remain somewhat constant  throughout
the  1990's. However, there can  be no assurance that  population growth will in
fact continue throughout  the 1990's  in which case  there could  be an  adverse
impact  on the State's economy through the loss of construction and construction
related manufacaturing jobs. Also, while interest rates remain low currently, an
increase in interest rates could significantly adversely impact the financing of
new construction within the State, thereby adversely impacting unemployment  and
other  economic  factors within  the  State. In  addition,  available commercial
office space has tended to remain high over the past few years. So long as  this
glut  of commercial rental  space continues, construction of  this type of space
will likely continue to remain slow.
 
    DEBT-BALANCED BUDGET REQUIREMENT.  At the end of fiscal 1992,  approximately
$5.21  billion in principal amount of debt  secured by the full faith and credit
of the State was outstanding. In addition, since July 1, 1992, the State  issued
about $1.26 billion in principal amount of full faith and credit bonds.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
    The  State Constitution  and statutes  mandate that  the State  budget, as a
whole, and each separate fund within the  State budget, be kept in balance  from
currently  available revenues each  fiscal year. If  the Governor or Comptroller
believe a deficit will occur in any State fund, by statute, he must certify  his
opinion to the Administrative Commission, which then is authorized to reduce all
State agency budgets and releases by a sufficient amount to prevent a deficit in
any  fund.  Additionally, the  State  Constitution prohibits  issuance  of State
obligations to fund State operations.
 
    LITIGATION.  Currently under litigation are several issues relating to State
actions or State taxes that put  at risk substantial amounts of General  Revenue
Fund  monies.  Accordingly, there  is  no assurance  that  any of  such matters,
individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse affect on the
State's financial position.
 
    In the wake of the  U.S. Supreme Court decisions  holding that a Hawaii  law
unfairly  discriminated against  out-of-state liquor producers,  suits have been
filed in the State's courts contesting a  similar State law (in effect prior  to
1985) that seek $384 million in tax refunds. A trial court, in a ruling that was
subsequently  upheld  by  the Florida  Supreme  Court,  found the  State  law in
question to  be  unconstitutional but  made  its ruling  operate  prospectively,
thereby denying any tax refunds. The issue of whether the unconstitutionality of
the tax should be applied retroactively was decided in favor of the taxpayers by
the  U.S. Supreme Court on June 4, 1990.  On remand from the U.S. Supreme Court,
the Florida Supreme Court, on January 15, 1991, mandated further proceedings  to
fashion a "clear and certain remedy" consistent with constitutional restrictions
and the opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court. The Florida Department of Revenue has
proposed  to the Florida Supreme Court that the Department be allowed to collect
back taxes from those  who received a  tax preference under  the prior law.  The
Florida  Supreme Court  remanded the  matter to  the Circuit  Court for  the 2nd
Judicial Circuit to hear arguments on the method chosen by the State to  provide
a  clear and certain remedy. On October  15, 1992, the Circuit Court trial judge
orally stated  that the  method chosen  by the  State is  unconstitutional.  The
Circuit  Court has not issued a written,  final order, which the State is likely
to appeal. An  unfavorable outcome could  result in the  State having to  refund
over $340 million.
 
    Florida  law provides preferential tax treatment  to insurers who maintain a
home office in the State.  Certain insurers challenged the constitutionality  of
this  tax preference and  sought a refund  of taxes paid.  Recently, the Florida
Supreme Court ruled  in favor of  the State.  This case and  others, along  with
pending refund claims, total about $200 million.
 
    The  State  maintains a  bond rating  of  Aa and  AA from  Moody's Investors
Service and Standard & Poor's Corporation, respectively, on the majority of  its
general  obligation bonds, although the rating of a particular series of revenue
bonds relates primarily to the project,  facility, or other revenue source  from
which  such series derives funds for repayment.  While these ratings and some of
the information  presented above  indicate  that the  State is  in  satisfactory
economic  health, there can be no assurance that  there will not be a decline in
economic conditions or that particular Florida Bonds purchased by the fund  will
not be adversely affected by any such changes.
 
    The  sources for the information presented above include official statements
and financial statements  of the  State of Florida.  While the  Sponsor has  not
independently  verified this information,  it has no reason  to believe that the
information is not correct in all material respects.
 
FLORIDA TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under  published  1994  marginal  Federal  tax  rates.  The  tables  incorporate
increased  tax  rates  for higher-income  taxpayers  that were  included  in the
Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. The tables illustrate
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
what you  would have  to earn  on taxable  investments to  equal the  tax-exempt
estimated  current return for your income tax bracket. A taxpayer's marginal tax
rate is  affected by  both his  taxable income  and his  adjusted gross  income.
Locate your adjusted gross and your taxable income (which is your adjusted gross
income  reduced by any deductions and  exemptions), then locate your tax bracket
based on  joint or  single tax  filing. Read  across to  the equivalent  taxable
estimated current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross       State and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      15.0   %     5.59    5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76    7.06    7.35    7.65
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      28.0         6.60    6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99    8.33    8.68    9.03
                 111.8-167.7      29.0         6.69    7.04    7.39    7.75    8.10    8.45    8.80    9.15
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
                 111.8-167.7      32.0         6.99    7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56
                 167.7-290.2      34.5         7.25    7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78    9.16    9.54    9.92
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      37.0         7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32
                 167.7-290.2      40.0         7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83
                  Over 290.2      37.0   2     7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      44.0         8.48    8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61
                  Over 290.2      41.0   3     8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross       State and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      15.0   %     5.59    5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76    7.06    7.35    7.65
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      28.0         6.60    6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99    8.33    8.68    9.03
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
                 111.8-234.3      32.5         7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89    9.26    9.63
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      38.0         7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08   10.48
                  Over 234.3      37.0   2     7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      41.0   3     8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02
<FN>
- ------------------
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a single return  entitled to only one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the total
amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CD's and  money  market  accounts or  money  market  funds, each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of  the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide
stability of principal, but pay interest  at rates that vary with the  condition
of  the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
April 29, 1994
FLORIDA INSURED TRUST 189
(Series 727)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      State Board of Education of Florida, Public         2003 at 101        AAA         Aaa     $       431,835
                   Education Capital Outlay Refunding Bonds,
                   1993 Series D, 5.125% Due 6/1/22. (General
                   Obligation Bonds.)
    165,000     * State of Florida Board of Regents, Florida         2004 at 101        AAA         Aaa             163,763
                   State University Housing Facility Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1994, 6.00% Due 5/1/23. (When
                   issued.)
    500,000      City of Boynton Beach, Florida, Utility System      2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             509,635
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1992, 6.25% Due
                   11/1/12.
    100,000     * Certificates of Participation (School Board of     2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa              98,838
                   Hillsborough County, Florida, Master Lease
                   Program), Series 1994, 6.00% Due 7/1/14.
                   (When issued.)
    500,000      Jacksonville Electric Authority (Jacksonville,      2002 at 101        AAA         Aaa             435,895
                   Florida), Electric System Revenue Bonds,
                   Series Three 1993A, 5.25% Due 10/1/28.
                   (Original issue discount bonds delivered on
                   or about February 18, 1993 at a price of
                   87.05% of principal amount.)
    500,000      City of Opa-Locka, Florida, Capital Improvement     2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             500,000
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1994, 6.125% Due
                   1/1/24.
    220,000      Orange County (Florida), Health Facilities          2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             215,477
                   Authority Hospital Revenue Bonds (Orlando
                   Regional Healthcare System Project), Series
                   1993, 6.00% Due 11/1/24.
    250,000      Orange County, Florida, Tourist Development Tax     2002 at 100        AAA         Aaa             246,250
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1992B, 6.00% Due
                   10/1/21. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about April 21, 1992 at a
                   price of 91.375% of principal amount.)
    530,000      Pinellas County (Florida), Health Facilities        2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             488,920
                   Authority, Hospital Revenue Bonds, Series
                   1993 (Morton Plant Health System Project),
                   5.625% Due 11/15/23.
    235,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2002 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             235,862
                   Refunding Bonds, Series 1992A (General
                   Obligation Bonds.), 6.00% Due 7/1/14.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,326,475
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 52.
 
   
* These Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the  normal
  settlement  date. Their expected delivery dates range from May 17, 1994 to May
  19, 1994. Contracts relating  to Bonds with delivery  dates after the date  of
  settlement  for purchase made on the  Date of Deposit constitute approximately
  8% of the aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
   
MICHIGAN INSURED TRUST 54
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Michigan Insured Trust 54 consists of 6 obligations issued
by entities located in Michigan and  one obligation issued by an entity  located
in  the  Territory  of  Puerto  Rico.  Three  Bonds  in  the  Trust  are general
obligations of the  governmental entities  issuing them  and are  backed by  the
taxing  powers thereof. Four Bonds in the  Trust are payable as to principal and
interest from  the  income  of a  specific  project  or authority  and  are  not
supported  by the issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources of payment for these
Bonds are divided as follows:  Dedicated-Tax Supported Revenue, 1;  Multi-Family
Housing  Revenue,  1; Transportation  Facility  Revenue, 1;  Water  and/or Sewer
Revenue, 1. All of the Bonds in the Trust, as insured, are rated AAA by Standard
& Poor's Corporation and Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
    
 
   
    At the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of  the Bonds in the  Michigan
Insured  Trust is 26.7  years. The average maturity  of the Bonds  in a Trust is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow  to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity  of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately 14.3% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in  the
Trust (accounting for approximately 13.2% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)    are   original    issue   discount    bonds.   See    "GENERAL   TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for  a
discussion  of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks associated
therewith.
    
 
    For a discussion of  the risks associated with  investments in the bonds  of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The  Sponsor entered into  contracts to acquire the  Bonds between April 26,
1994 and April 28, 1994. The following summarizes certain information about  the
Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Difference between Trustee's
                                                               Determination of Offering Price and
   Cost to    Profit (or loss)   Annual Interest   Bid Price              the Bid Price
   Sponsor       to Sponsor      Income to Trust    of Bonds       (as % of principal amount)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,302,165       $8,142            $201,625      $3,292,807                 .50%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither   cost  to  Sponsor  nor  profit   (or  loss)  to  Sponsor  reflects
underwriting profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through  its
participation   in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or  underwriting
syndicate purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive  bid
basis  as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at a
profit. The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as  a
manager  or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the  Michigan Insured Trust, less estimated  expenses, is estimated to accrue at
the rate of $.01549 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,
$.01544 per Unit per  day under the quarterly  plan of distribution and  $.01535
per  Unit per day under the monthly plan of distribution. It is anticipated that
the   amount   of   interest    to   be   distributed    per   Unit   in    each
    
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
year  under each plan  of distribution will initially  be substantially equal to
the Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
 
    Details of interest  distributions per  Unit of the  Michigan Insured  Trust
under  the various plans appear in the  following table based upon estimated Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       Normal
                                                                                                                   Distributions
Michigan Insured Trust                                   1994                                  1995                   per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................        6/1            8/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       6/15           8/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .4921(1)                                                               $  5.5403
                                                              --------   $.4614 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .4921(1)   $   .9282(2)   $  1.3923      $  1.3923      $  1.3923      $  5.5723
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .4921(1)                  $  2.3295(3)                  $  2.7954      $  5.5913
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1)  The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders,  regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) The  second distribution  under the  quarterly  distribution plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent  quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  5-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--MICHIGAN INSURED TRUST
 
    For a discussion  of the  Federal tax status  of income  earned on  Michigan
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    In  the opinion  of Dickinson,  Wright, Moon,  Van Dusen  & Freeman, special
Michigan counsel to the Series, under existing law:
 
        The  assets  of  a  Michigan  Trust  will  consist  of  interest-bearing
    obligations  issued by or on behalf of  the State of Michigan, and counties,
    municipalities, authorities  and  political subdivisions  thereof,  and,  in
    limited  instances, bonds issued  by Puerto Rico,  the Virgin Islands, Guam,
    the Northern  Mariana  Islands or  possessions  of the  United  States  (the
    "Michigan Bonds").
 
        Under the Michigan income tax act, the Michigan single business tax act,
    the  Michigan intangibles tax  act, the Michigan city  income tax act (which
    authorizes the only income  tax ordinance that may  be adopted by cities  in
    Michigan),  and  under  the  law which  authorizes  a  "first  class" school
    district to levy an  excise tax upon income,  the Michigan Insured Trust  is
    not subject to tax. The income of the Michigan Insured Trust will be treated
    as the income of the Unitholders and be deemed to have been received by them
    when received by the Michigan Insured Trust.
 
        Interest  on the Michigan  Bonds in the Michigan  Insured Trust which is
    exempt from  Federal income  tax is  exempt from  Michigan state  and  local
    income taxes and from the Michigan single business tax. Further, any amounts
    paid  under  the  insurance  representing  maturing  interest  on  defaulted
    obligations held by the Trustee will  be excludable from Michigan state  and
    local   income  taxes  and  from  the   Michigan  single  business  tax  if,
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    and to the same extent as, such interest would have been excludable if  paid
    by the respective issuer.
 
        For  purposes  of  the  foregoing Michigan  tax  laws  (corporations and
    financial institutions are  not subject  to the Michigan  income tax),  each
    Unitholder  will  be  considered to  have  received  his pro  rata  share of
    Michigan Bond interest when  it is received by  the Michigan Insured  Trust,
    and  each Unitholder  will have  a taxable  event when  the Michigan Insured
    Trust disposes of a Michigan Bond (whether by sale, exchange, redemption  or
    payment  at maturity) or when the Unitholder  redeems or sells Units. Due to
    the requirement that  tax cost be  reduced to reflect  amortization of  bond
    premium, under some circumstances a Unitholder may realize taxable gain when
    Units  are sold  or redeemed  for an  amount equal  to, or  less than, their
    original cost. The tax cost of each  Unit to a Unitholder will be  allocated
    for  purposes of these Michigan  tax laws in the same  manner as the cost is
    allocated for Federal income tax purposes.
 
        Pursuant to the  position of the  Michigan Department of  Treasury in  a
    bulletin  dated December 19, 1986, reaffirmed  in a bulletin dated March 31,
    1989, the portion of the Michigan Insured Trust represented by the  Michigan
    Bonds  will be exempt  from the Michigan Intangibles  Tax. The Department of
    Treasury has not indicated a position  with respect to treatment of  amounts
    paid  under  a policy  of  insurance with  respect  to maturing  interest on
    defaulted obligations (which amounts would  have been excludable if paid  by
    the  respective issuer) for purposes of  determining the income base for the
    Michigan Intangibles Tax.
 
        If a Unitholder is subject to the Michigan single business tax (i.e., is
    engaged in a "business activity" as defined in the Michigan single  business
    tax  act), and has a taxable event  for Federal income tax purposes when the
    Michigan Insured Trust sells or  exchanges Michigan Bonds or the  Unitholder
    sells  or exchanges Units,  such event may  impact on the  adjusted tax base
    upon which the  single business tax  is computed. Any  capital gain or  loss
    realized  from such taxable  event which was included  in the computation of
    the Unitholder's Federal taxable income, plus  the portion, if any, of  such
    capital  gain excluded in such computation and minus the portion, if any, of
    such capital loss  not deducted in  such computation for  the year the  loss
    occurred,  will be included in the adjusted  tax base. The adjusted tax base
    of any person  other than  a corporation  is affected  by any  gain or  loss
    realized  from  the taxable  event  only to  the  extent that  the resulting
    Federal taxable income is derived from "business activity."
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--MICHIGAN
 
    As described above, except to the extent the Michigan Insured Trust  invests
in  temporary investments, the Michigan  Insured Trust will invest substantially
all of its net assets in Michigan Bonds. The Michigan Insured Trust is therefore
susceptible to political,  economic or regulatory  factors affecting issuers  of
Michigan  Bonds.  The  information  set forth  below  is  derived  from official
statements prepared in connection with the issuance of Michigan Bonds and  other
sources  that are generally available to  investors. The information is provided
as general information intended to give  a recent historical description and  is
not  intended to indicate future or continuing  trends in the financial or other
positions of the State of Michigan (the "State"). This information has not  been
independently verified.
 
    There  can  be no  assurance that  current or  future statewide  or regional
economic difficulties, and the  resulting impact on  issuers and other  obligors
with respect to the Michigan
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
Insured  Trust generally, will not adversely affect the market value of Michigan
Bonds held in  the portfolio of  the Michigan  Insured Trust or  the ability  of
particular  obligors to make timely payments of debt service on (or relating to)
those obligations.
 
    The principal sectors of  the State's economy  are manufacturing of  durable
goods  (including automobile  and office  equipment manufacturing),  tourism and
agriculture. As reflected in historical employment figures, the State's  economy
has   lessened  its  dependence  upon  durable  goods  manufacturing.  In  1960,
employment in such  industry accounted for  33% of the  State's workforce.  This
figure  fell  to 17%  by  1992. However,  manufacturing  (including auto-related
manufacturing) continues to be an important  part of the State's economy.  These
industries  are highly cyclical. This factor  could adversely affect the revenue
streams of the State and its political subdivisions because of its impact on tax
sources, particularly sales taxes, income taxes and single business taxes.
 
    Recently, as well as historically, the average monthly unemployment rate  in
the  State has been higher  than the average figures  for the United States. For
example, for 1992 the average monthly unemployment rate in the State was 8.8% as
compared  to  a  national  average  of  7.4%.  For  1993,  the  average  monthly
unemployment  rate in the  State was 8.7%  as compared to  a national average of
6.8%.
 
    BUDGET.   The  budget  of  the  State  is  a  complete  financial  plan  and
encompasses the revenues and expenditures, both operating and capital outlay, of
the  General Fund and special  revenue funds. The budget  is prepared on a basis
consistent with  generally accepted  accounting principles  (GAAP). The  State's
Fiscal  Year begins on  October 1 and  ends September 30  of the following year.
Under State  law, the  executive budget  recommendations for  any fund  may  not
exceed  the estimated  revenue thereof, and  an itemized  statement of estimated
revenues in each operating  fund must be contained  in an appropriation bill  as
passed  by the Legislature, the total of which may not be less than the total of
all  appropriations  made  from  the  fund  for  that  fiscal  year.  The  State
Constitution  provides that proposed expenditures from  and revenues of any fund
must be in balance and that any prior year's surplus or deficit in any fund must
be included in the succeeding year's budget for that fund.
 
    The State's Constitution limits the amount of total State revenues that  may
be  raised from taxes  and other sources. State  revenues (excluding federal aid
and revenues used for  payment of principal and  interest on general  obligation
bonds)  in  any fiscal  year  are limited  to  a specified  percentage  of State
personal income  in  the prior  calendar  year or  average  of the  prior  three
calendar years, whichever is greater. The State may raise taxes in excess of the
limit in emergency situations.
 
    The  State  finances its  operations through  the  State's General  Fund and
special revenue funds. The General Fund receives revenues of the State that  are
not  specifically required to be included  in the special revenue funds. General
Fund revenues are obtained  approximately 59 percent from  the payment of  State
taxes  and 41  percent from  federal and  non-tax revenue  sources. Tax revenues
credited to the  General Fund include  the State's personal  income tax,  single
business  tax,  use tax,  and  approximately 38%  of  sales tax  collections. In
addition the State levies various  other taxes. Approximately one-half of  total
General  Fund expenditures are  made by the State's  Department of Education and
Department of Social Services. Other  significant expenditures from the  General
Fund  provide funds for law enforcement,  general State government, debt service
and capital outlays.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
    Despite modest surplus in the three preceding fiscal years, the State  ended
fiscal  years 1989-90 and  1990-91 with negative balances  of $310.3 million and
$169.4 million, respectively. This  negative balance had  been eliminated as  of
the  end of fiscal year 1991-92, which ended September 30, 1992. The State ended
fiscal year 1992-93 with a projected  balance of $26 million after the  transfer
of $286.2 million to the BSF described below.
 
    The  State budget  for the  1993-94 fiscal year,  which began  on October 1,
1993, was passed by the Legislature in September 1993. This budget passed by the
Legislature totaled $7,955.5 million from General Fund/general purpose revenues.
The Governor  vetoed $2.3  million of  these appropriations.  In December  1993,
supplemental  appropriations  of  $45 million  were  adopted and  signed  by the
Governor.
 
    The  State  also   maintains  the  Counter-Cyclical   Budget  and   Economic
Stabilization  Fund  ("BSF")  which  accumulates balances  during  the  years of
significant economic  growth  and  which  may  be  utilized  during  periods  of
budgetary  shortfalls. The unreserved balance for the BSF for the 1990-91 fiscal
year end was  $182.2 million,  and for  the 1991-92  fiscal year  end was  $20.1
million.  Approximately $286.2 million is expected  to be transferred to the BSF
bringing the preliminary accrued balance of the BSF as of September 30, 1993  to
$307.1 million.
 
    DEBT.   The State  Constitution limits State general  obligation debt to (i)
short-term debt for State  operating purposes which must  be repaid in the  same
fiscal year in which it is issued and which cannot exceed 15% of the undedicated
revenues  received by the State during the preceding fiscal year, (ii) short and
long term debt unlimited  in amount for  the purpose of  making loans to  school
districts and (iii) long term debt for voter-approved purposes.
 
    The  State has issued and has  outstanding general obligation full faith and
credit  bonds  for  water   resources,  environmental  protection  program   and
recreation  program purposes totalling, as  of September 30, 1993, approximately
$386 million. In November 1988 the State's voters approved the issuance of  $800
million   of  general   obligation  bonds   for  environmental   protection  and
recreational purposes; of this amount  approximately $440 million remains to  be
issued.  The State issued  $900 million in general  obligation notes in February
1993 which matured  on September 30,  1993. The State  issued $40.95 million  in
general  obligation school loan notes in October 1993 which will mature on April
28, 1994.
 
    OTHER ISSUERS OF  MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS.   There are  a number  of
state  agencies, instrumentalities and political  subdivisions of the State that
issue bonds,  some of  which may  be conduit  revenue obligations  payable  from
payments  from private borrowers. These entities are subject to various economic
risks and uncertainties, and the credit quality of the securities issued by them
may vary considerably from  obligations backed by the  full faith and credit  of
the State.
 
    RATINGS.   Currently  the State's general  obligation bonds are  rated A1 by
Moody's, "AA" by S&P and "AA" by Fitch Investors Service, Inc.
 
    LITIGATION.   The State  is a  party to  various legal  proceedings  seeking
damages  or  injunctive  or other  relief.  In addition  to  routine litigation,
certain of these proceedings  could, if unfavorably resolved  from the point  of
view  of  the  State, substantially  affect  State programs  or  finances. These
lawsuits involve  programs  generally  in  the  areas  of  corrections,  highway
maintenance,  social services, tax collection, commerce and budgetary reductions
to school
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
districts and governmental units and court funding. The ultimate disposition  of
these proceedings is not determinable.
 
    PROPERTY  TAX.  At the present time, the  State does not levy any ad valorem
taxes on real or tangible personal property. In addition, the State Constitution
limits the extent  to which  municipalities or political  subdivisions may  levy
taxes  upon  real  and  personal  property  through  a  process  that  regulates
assessments.
 
    On August 19, 1993,  the Governor signed  into law Act  145, Public Acts  of
Michigan,  1993 ("Act 145"),  a measure which  would have significantly impacted
financing of primary and secondary school  operations and which has resulted  in
additional  property tax  and school finance  reform legislation.  Act 145 would
have exempted all  property in  the State of  Michigan from  millage levied  for
local  and intermediate school districts  operating purposes, other than millage
levied for community colleges, effective July 1, 1994. In order to replace local
property tax revenues lost as a result of Act 145, the Michigan Legislature,  in
December  1993, enacted several  statutes which address  property tax and school
finance reform.
 
    The property  tax  and school  finance  reform measures  included  a  ballot
proposal  which was approved by  the voters on March  15, 1994. Effective May 1,
1994, the State sales  and use tax will  be increased from 4%  to 6%, the  State
income  tax  will be  decreased from  4.6% to  4.4%, the  cigarette tax  will be
increased from  $.25 to  $.75 per  pack  and an  additional tax  of 16%  of  the
wholesale  price will be  imposed on certain  other tobacco products.  A 2% real
estate transfer tax will  be effective January 1,  1995, which will decrease  to
0.75%  in April 1995.  Beginning in 1994,  a state-wide property  tax of 6 mills
will be  imposed on  all real  and personal  property currently  subject to  the
general property tax. The ability of school districts to levy property taxes for
school  operating purposes will be partially restored. A school board will, with
voter approval, be able to levy  up to the lesser of  18 mills or the number  of
mills  levied in 1993 for school  operating purposes, on non-homestead property.
The adopted  ballot  proposal  contained  additional  provisions  regarding  the
ability of local school districts to levy taxes as well as a limit on assessment
increases  for each parcel of property, beginning in 1995 to the lesser of 5% or
the rate of inflation.  When property is subsequently  sold, its assessed  value
will revert to the current assessment level of 50% of true cash value. Under the
adopted  ballot proposal,  much of the  additional revenue generated  by the new
taxes will be dedicated to the State School Aid Fund.
 
    The adopted ballot  proposal contained  a system of  financing local  school
operating  costs relying  upon a foundation  allowance amount which  may vary by
district based upon historical spending levels. State funding would provide each
school district  an amount  equal  to the  difference between  their  foundation
allowance  and the  revenues generated by  their local property  tax levy. Local
school districts would also be entitled  to levy supplemental property taxes  to
generate  additional revenue  if their foundation  allowance is  less than their
historical per pupil expenditures. The proposal also contained provisions  which
allow  for the  levy of a  limited number  of enhancement mills  on regional and
local school district bases.
 
    The adopted ballot proposal will shift  significant portions of the cost  of
local  school  operations from  local school  districts to  the State  and raise
additional State  revenues  to  fund  these  additional  State  expenses.  These
additional  revenues will be included  within the State's constitutional revenue
limitations and may impact the State's  ability to raise additional revenues  in
the future.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
MICHIGAN TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The  following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current returns
for individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current  returns
under  combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal Federal
tax rates and marginal state tax  rates currently available and scheduled to  be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993.  For
cases  in which more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket, the
highest state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined  state
and  Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  tax payments are
currently deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The  tables illustrate what  you
would  have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the tax-exempt estimated
current return for your  income tax bracket. A  taxpayer's marginal tax rate  is
affected  by both his taxable income and  his adjusted gross income. Locate your
adjusted gross and  your taxable  income (which  is your  adjusted gross  income
reduced by any deductions and exemptions), then locate your tax bracket based on
joint  or single  tax filing.  Read across  to the  equivalent taxable estimated
current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross      State* and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      22.0   %     5.45    5.77    6.09    6.41    6.73    7.05    7.37    7.69
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      33.5         6.39    6.77    7.14    7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02
                 111.8-167.7      34.5         6.49    6.87    7.25    7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78    9.16
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      36.5         6.69    7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45
                 111.8-167.7      37.5         6.80    7.20    7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60
                 167.7-290.2      39.5         7.02    7.44    7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      42.0         7.33    7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34
                 167.7-290.2      44.5         7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
                  Over 290.2      42.0   2     7.33    7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      48.5         8.25    8.74    9.22    9.71   10.19   10.68   11.17   11.65
                  Over 290.2      45.5   3     7.80    8.26    8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross      State* and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      22.0   %     5.45    5.77    6.09    6.41    6.73    7.05    7.37    7.69
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      33.5         6.39    6.77    7.14    7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      36.5         6.69    7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45
                 111.8-234.3      38.0         6.85    7.26    7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      43.0         7.46    7.89    8.33    8.77    9.21    9.65   10.09   10.53
                  Over 234.3      42.0   2     7.33    7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      45.5   3     7.80    8.26    8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01
<FN>
- ------------------
* The effective state tax rate which is used in the table is based on a 4.47% state personal income tax rate which is a  weighted
average  rate that takes  into account a change  in tax rates which  was recently approved  by Michigan voters and  a 3.5% tax on
intangible income. The combined tax brackets reflect Federal and state income and state intangibles taxes but do not reflect  the
effect  of the exemption from local income taxes; accordingly, Michigan residents subject to such local income taxes would need a
somewhat higher taxable return than those shown to equal the tax-exempt yield of the Michigan Trust.
      1 The table reflects the effect of the limitations  on itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions.  They
were  designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect, raise
the current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled  to
four  personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for taxpayers  filing a single return  entitled to only one personal
exemption. These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the  total
amount  of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the limitation  on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A comparison of  tax-free and equivalent  taxable estimated current  returns
with  the returns on various  taxable investments is one  element to consider in
making an  investment  decision.  The Sponsor  may  from  time to  time  in  its
advertising  and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds,  bank
CD's  and  money  market accounts  or  money  market funds,  each  of  which has
investment characteristics  that  may  differ  from those  of  the  Trust.  U.S.
Government  bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds  provide
stability  of principal, but pay interest at  rates that vary with the condition
of the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust  are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
April 29, 1994
MICHIGAN INSURED TRUST 54
(Series 727)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   525,000      Michigan State Housing Development Authority,       2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       474,117
                   Limited Obligation Revenue Bonds (Charter
                   Square Project), Series 1994, 5.50% Due
                   1/15/21.
    500,000      State of Michigan, State Trunk Line Fund Bonds,     2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             476,000
                   Series 1994A, 5.80% Due 11/15/24.
    500,000      Coldwater Community Schools, County of Branch,      2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             502,085
                   State of Michigan, 1994 School Building and
                   Site Bonds, 6.30% Due 5/1/23. (General
                   Obligation Bonds.) (When issued.)
    500,000      Livonia Public Schools School District, County      2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             457,445
                   of Wayne, State of Michigan, 1993 Refunding
                   Bonds, 5.50% Due 5/1/21. (General Obligation
                   Bonds.)
    460,000     * City of Mt. Pleasant, County of Isabella, State    2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             446,200
                   of Michigan, Water Supply System Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1994, 6.00% Due 2/1/20. (When
                   issued.)
    500,000      Charter County of Wayne, Michigan, Airport          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             437,570
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds (Detroit Metropolitan
                   Wayne County Airport), Subordinate Lien,
                   Series 1993C, 5.25% Due 12/1/21. (Original
                   issue discount bonds delivered on or about
                   November 23, 1993 at a price of 94.807% of
                   principal amount.)
    515,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2002 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             516,890
                   Refunding Bonds, Series 1992A (General
                   Obligation Bonds.), 6.00% Due 7/1/14.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,310,307
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 52.
 
   
* These  Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the normal
  settlement date.  Their expected  delivery  date is  May 12,  1994.  Contracts
  relating  to  Bonds  with delivery  dates  after  the date  of  settlement for
  purchase made  on the  Date of  Deposit constitute  approximately 13%  of  the
  aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
   
PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 179
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Pennsylvania  Insured Trust 179  consists of 7 obligations
issued by  entities located  in Pennsylvania  .  Seven Bonds  in the  Trust  are
payable  as to principal and  interest from the income  of a specific project or
authority and are not supported by the issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources
of payment  for these  bonds  are divided  as  follows: College  and  University
Revenue, 1; Electrical System Revenue, 1; Health Care Facility Revenue, 3; Water
and/or  Sewer Revenue, 2. All  of the Bonds in the  Trust, as insured, are rated
AAA by Standard & Poor's Corporation and Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
    
 
   
    At  the  Date  of  Deposit,  the  average  maturity  of  the  Bonds  in  the
Pennsylvania Insured Trust is 26.4 years. The average maturity of the Bonds in a
Trust  is calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust
(or, with respect to  Bonds for which  funds or securities  have been placed  in
escrow  to redeem such Bonds on a stated  call date, based upon such call date).
The average maturity of the Bonds in a Trust may increase or decrease from  time
to time as Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately  28.6% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 27.4% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)   are    original   issue    discount   bonds.    See   "GENERAL    TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL  ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS AND  STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for a
discussion of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks  associated
therewith.
    
 
    Approximately  29% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily  derived
from the sale of water and/or sewerage services.
 
    Approximately  43% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily  derived
from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities.
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered into  contracts to acquire the  Bonds between April  25,
1994  and April 26, 1994. The following summarizes certain information about the
Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Difference between Trustee's
                                                               Determination of Offering Price and
   Cost to    Profit (or loss)   Annual Interest   Bid Price              the Bid Price
   Sponsor       to Sponsor      Income to Trust    of Bonds       (as % of principal amount)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,337,221       $17,479           $206,750      $3,337,825                 .48%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither  cost  to  Sponsor  nor   profit  (or  loss)  to  Sponsor   reflects
underwriting  profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through its
participation  in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or   underwriting
syndicate  purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive bid
basis as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at  a
profit.  The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as a
manager or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of  any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders  may elect  to have  interest distributions  made on  a monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the Pennsylvania Insured Trust, less estimated expenses, is estimated to  accrue
at  the  rate  of  $.01587  per  Unit per  day  under  the  semi-annual  plan of
distribution, $.01582 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of  distribution
and  $.01573 per  Unit per  day under  the monthly  plan of  distribution. It is
anticipated that  the amount  of interest  to be  distributed per  Unit in  each
    
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
year  under each plan  of distribution will initially  be substantially equal to
the Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
 
    Details of interest distributions per Unit of the Pennsylvania Insured Trust
under the various plans appear in  the following table based upon estimated  Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       Normal
                                                                                                                   Distributions
Pennsylvania Insured Trust                               1994                                  1995                   per Year
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................        6/1            8/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................       6/15           8/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5049(1)                                                               $  5.6835
                                                              --------   $.4734 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5049(1)   $   .9522(2)   $  1.4283      $  1.4283      $  1.4283      $  5.7155
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5049(1)                  $  2.3880(3)                  $  2.8656      $  5.7345
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 *  Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1) The first distribution will be paid to all  Unitholders, regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution  may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2)  The  second distribution  under the  quarterly distribution  plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  5-month distribution; subsequent  semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The  accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest to
be distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are  redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST
 
    For  a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Pennsylvania
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    In the opinion of  Dechert Price & Rhoads,  special Pennsylvania counsel  to
the Series, under existing law:
 
        Units  evidencing  fractional  undivided interests  in  the Pennsylvania
    Insured Trust  are  not  subject  to any  of  the  personal  property  taxes
    presently  in effect in Pennsylvania to the extent of that proportion of the
    Trust represented by Bonds issued  by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,  its
    agencies  and  instrumentalities, or  by  any county,  city,  borough, town,
    township,  school  district,  municipality  and  local  housing  or  parking
    authority  in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or issued by Puerto Rico, the
    Virgin Islands, Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands ("Pennsylvania Bonds").
    The taxes referred to  above include the County  Personal Property Tax,  the
    additional  personal property taxes  imposed on Pittsburgh  residents by the
    School District of Pittsburgh  and by the  City of Pittsburgh.  Pennsylvania
    Insured  Trust Units may  be taxable under  the Pennsylvania inheritance and
    estate taxes.
 
        The proportion  of interest  income  representing interest  income  from
    Pennsylvania  Bonds distributed  to Unitholders of  the Pennsylvania Insured
    Trust is not taxable under the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax or under the
    Corporate Net Income Tax  imposed on corporations by  Article IV of the  Tax
    Reform Code. Nor will such interest be taxable under the Philadelphia School
    District Investment Income Tax imposed on Philadelphia resident individuals.
 
        The disposition by the Pennsylvania Insured Trust of a Pennsylvania Bond
    (whether  by sale,  exchange, redemption  or payment  at maturity)  will not
    constitute a taxable event to  a Unitholder under the Pennsylvania  Personal
    Income Tax if the Pennsylvania
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
    Bond  was issued prior  to February 1,  1994. Further, although  there is no
    published authority on  the subject, counsel  is of the  opinion that (i)  a
    Unitholder  of the Pennsylvania Insured Trust  will not have a taxable event
    under the  Pennsylvania state  and local  income taxes  referred to  in  the
    preceding  paragraph  (other than  the Corporate  Net  Income Tax)  upon the
    redemption or sale of his Unit  to the extent that the Pennsylvania  Insured
    Trust  is then comprised  of Pennsylvania Bonds issued  prior to February 1,
    1994 and  (ii) the  dispositions  by the  Pennsylvania  Insured Trust  of  a
    Pennsylvania  Bond  (whether by  sale,  exchange, redemption  or  payment at
    maturity) will not  constitute a  taxable event  to a  Unitholder under  the
    Corporate  Net  Income Tax  or the  Philadelphia School  District Investment
    Income Tax if the  Pennsylvania Bond was issued  prior to February 1,  1994.
    (The  School District tax has  no application to gain  on the disposition of
    property held by the taxpayer for more than six months.)
 
        Gains on the  sale, exchange, redemption,  or payment at  maturity of  a
    Pennsylvania Bond issued on or after February 1, 1994, will be taxable under
    all of these taxes, as will gains on the redemption or sale of a unit to the
    extent  that the Trust is comprised of Pennsylvania Bonds issued on or after
    February 1, 1994.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--PENNSYLVANIA
 
   
    RISK  FACTORS--Prospective   investors   should   consider   the   financial
difficulties and pressures which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and certain of
its municipal subdivisions have undergone. Both the Commonwealth and the City of
Philadelphia have historically experienced significant revenue shortfalls. There
can  be no assurance that the  Commonwealth will not experience further declines
in economic conditions or that  portions of the municipal obligations  purchased
by  the Fund  will not  be affected  by such  declines. Without  intending to be
complete, the following briefly  summarizes some of  these difficulties and  the
current  financial situation, as  well as some of  the complex factors affecting
the financial situation in the Commonwealth. It is derived from sources that are
generally available to investors  and is based in  part on information  obtained
from  various agencies in the Commonwealth. No independent verification has been
made of the following information.
    
 
    STATE ECONOMY--Pennsylvania  has been  historically  identified as  a  heavy
industry  state although that reputation has  changed recently as the industrial
composition of the Commonwealth  diversified when the  coal, steel and  railroad
industries began to decline. The major new sources of growth in the Commonwealth
are  in  the  service  sector, including  trade,  medical  and  health services,
education and financial institutions. The Commonwealth's agricultural industries
are also an important component of  its economic structure, accounting for  more
than $3.6 billion in crop and livestock products annually while agribusiness and
food related industries support $38 billion in economic activity annually.
 
    Non-agricultural  employment within the  Commonwealth has increased steadily
from 1984 to its 1992 level of  81.3 percent of total employment. The growth  in
employment  experienced  in the  Commonwealth  is comparable  to  the nationwide
growth  in  employment  which  has   occurred  during  this  period.  In   1992,
manufacturing  employment  represented  18.7  percent  of  all  non-agricultural
employment in  the Commonwealth  while the  services sector  accounted for  29.3
percent and the trade sector accounted for 22.7 percent.
 
   
    The  Commonwealth is currently  facing a slowdown  in its economy. Moreover,
economic strengths and weaknesses vary  in different parts of the  Commonwealth.
In  general,  heavy  industry  and  manufacturing  have  been  facing increasing
competition from foreign producers. During 1992, the annual average unemployment
rate in the Commonwealth was 7.5 percent compared to 7.4 percent for the  United
States. For March 1994 the unadjusted
    
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
   
unemployment  rate was 6.9  percent in the  Commonwealth and 6.8  percent in the
United  States,  while  the  seasonally  adjusted  unemployment  rate  for   the
Commonwealth was 6.8 percent and for the United States was 6.5 percent.
    
    STATE  BUDGET--The  Commonwealth operates  under an  annual budget  which is
formulated and submitted for legislative approval by the Governor each February.
The Pennsylvania  Constitution  requires  that the  Governor's  budget  proposal
consist  of three parts: (i) a  balanced operating budget setting forth proposed
expenditures and estimated revenues from all sources and, if estimated  revenues
and available surplus are less than proposed expenditures, recommending specific
additional  sources of revenue sufficient to  pay the deficiency; (ii) a capital
budget setting forth proposed expenditures to  be financed from the proceeds  of
obligations  of the  Commonwealth or its  agencies or from  operating funds; and
(iii) a financial plan for not less than the succeeding five fiscal years, which
includes for each year projected  operating expenditures and estimated  revenues
and  projected expenditures for capital projects.  The General Assembly may add,
change or delete  any items  in the  budget prepared  by the  Governor, but  the
Governor  retains veto  power over the  individual appropriations  passed by the
legislature. The Commonwealth's fiscal  year begins on July  1 and ends on  June
30.
 
    All  funds  received by  the Commonwealth  are  subject to  appropriation in
specific amounts by the  General Assembly or by  executive authorization by  the
Governor.  Total appropriations enacted  by the General  Assembly may not exceed
the ensuing  year's  estimated revenues,  plus  (less) the  unappropriated  fund
balance  (deficit) of the preceding year, except for constitutionally authorized
debt service payments. Appropriations from the principal operating funds of  the
Commonwealth  (the General  Fund, the Motor  License Fund and  the State Lottery
Fund)  are  generally  made  for  one  fiscal  year  and  are  returned  to  the
unappropriated  surplus of the fund if not spent or encumbered by the end of the
fiscal year. The Constitution specifies that a surplus of operating funds at the
end of a fiscal year must be appropriated for the ensuing year.
 
    Pennsylvania  uses  the  "fund"  method  of  accounting  for  receipts   and
disbursements. For purposes of government accounting, a "fund" is an independent
fiscal  and accounting entity  with a self-balancing  set of accounts, recording
cash and/or other resources together with all related liabilities and  equities.
In  the  Commonwealth,  over  120 funds  have  been  established  by legislative
enactment or  in certain  cases  by administrative  action  for the  purpose  of
recording  the receipts and disbursement of moneys received by the Commonwealth.
Annual budgets are adopted each fiscal year for the principal operating funds of
the Commonwealth  and  several other  special  revenue funds.  Expenditures  and
encumbrances  against these  funds may  only be  made pursuant  to appropriation
measures enacted  by the  General Assembly  and approved  by the  Governor.  The
General  Fund,  the  Commonwealth's  largest fund,  receives  all  tax revenues,
non-tax revenues and federal grants and  entitlements that are not specified  by
law  to be deposited elsewhere. The majority of the Commonwealth's operating and
administrative expenses are payable from the  General Fund. Debt service on  all
bond  indebtedness of the Commonwealth, except  that issued for highway purposes
or for the benefit of other special  revenue funds, is payable from the  General
Fund.
 
    Financial  information for the principal operating funds of the Commonwealth
are maintained on a budgetary basis of accounting, which is used for the purpose
of ensuring compliance with the enacted operating budget. The Commonwealth  also
prepares  annual  financial  statements in  accordance  with  generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP"). Budgetary basis financial reports are based on a
modified cash basis  of accounting  as opposed to  a modified  accrual basis  of
accounting    prescribed   by   GAAP.    Financial   information   is   adjusted
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
at fiscal year-end to  reflect appropriate accruals  for financial reporting  in
conformity with GAAP.
 
   
    RECENT  FINANCIAL  RESULTS--From fiscal  1984,  when the  Commonwealth first
prepared its financial  statements on  a GAAP  basis, through  fiscal 1989,  the
Commonwealth  reported a  positive unreserved-undesignated fund  balance for its
governmental fund types at each fiscal year end. Slowing economic growth  during
1990, leading to a national economic recession beginning in fiscal 1991, reduced
revenue   growth  and   increased  expenditures  and   contributed  to  negative
unreserved-undesignated fund balances  at the end  of the 1990  and 1991  fiscal
years.  At the end  of fiscal 1990 and  fiscal 1991, the unreserved-undesignated
fund balance was  a negative  $205.8 million  and a  negative $1,189.2  million,
respectively,  a drop of  $579.6 million and  $983.4 million, respectively, from
the year-earlier amounts. The decline in the fiscal 1990 unreserved-undesignated
fund balance  for government  fund types  was  largely the  result of  a  $718.2
million  operating  deficit in  the  General Fund  which  caused the  total fund
balance of the General  Fund to fall  to a negative $119.8  million at June  30,
1990.  The decline in  the fiscal 1991  unreserved-undesignated fund balance was
principally the  result of  operating  deficits of  $1,076.6 million  and  $66.2
million, respectively, in the General Fund and the State Lottery Fund.
    
 
    Rising   demands  on  state  programs  caused  by  the  economic  recession,
particularly for  medical  assistance  and cash  assistance  programs,  and  the
increased  costs  of special  education programs  and correction  facilities and
programs, contributed  to  increased  expenditures in  fiscal  1991,  while  tax
revenues  for  the  1991 fiscal  year  were  severely affected  by  the economic
recession. Total corporation tax receipts and sales and use tax receipts  during
fiscal  1991  were,  respectively, 7.3  percent  and 0.9  percent  below amounts
collected during fiscal 1990. Personal income tax receipts also were affected by
the recession but  not to  the extent  of the  other major  General Fund  taxes,
increasing only 2.0 percent over fiscal 1990 collections.
 
    The  Commonwealth experienced a $454 million  general fund deficit as of the
end of  its 1991  fiscal  year. The  deficit reflected  below-estimate  economic
activity  and  growth  rates  of  economic  indicators  and  total  tax  revenue
shortfalls of $817  million (4.1  percent) below  those assumed  in the  enacted
budget.  Economic conditions  also affected  expenditure trends  during the 1991
fiscal year,  with expenditures  for medical  assistance costs  and other  human
service  programs  running  $512 million  above  estimates assumed  in  the 1991
budget. In  January 1991,  the Commonwealth  initiated a  number of  cost-saving
measures,  including the firing of 2,000  state employees, deferral of paychecks
and reduction of funds  to state universities,  which resulted in  approximately
$871 million cost savings.
 
   
    Actions  taken during fiscal 1992 to bring the General Fund budget back into
balance, including tax increases and  expenditure restraints resulted in a  $1.1
billion  reduction  for the  unreserved-undesignated  fund deficit  for combined
governmental fund types and a return  to a positive fund balance. Total  general
fund  revenues for fiscal 1992 were $14,516.8 million, which is approximately 22
percent higher than fiscal 1991 revenues of $11,877.3 million due in large  part
to  tax  increases.  The  increased  revenues  funded  substantial  increases in
education, social services  and corrections  programs. As  a result  of the  tax
increases  and  certain appropriation  lapses, fiscal  1992  ended with  an $8.8
million surplus after  having started  the year with  an unappropriated  balance
deficit of $454 million.
    
 
   
    Financial performance continued to improve during fiscal 1993 resulting in a
positive unreserved-undesignated balance for combined governmental fund types at
June  30, 1993, as a  result of a $420.4 million  increase in the balance. These
gains were produced by continued efforts to control expenditures growth.
    
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
    FISCAL 1993 BUDGET--On June 30, 1992, the Pennsylvania legislature presented
the Governor with  a $14.126  billion general fund  budget for  the 1993  fiscal
year,  which began  on July  1, 1992.  Before signing  the budget,  the Governor
deleted approximately $73 million in certain  state expenditures such as aid  to
county courts and district justices. As a result, the budget for the 1993 fiscal
year was approximately $14.046 billion, which is approximately $105 million more
than the fiscal 1992 budget. On February 9, 1993, the Governor announced that he
anticipated  that the 1993 budget  would be in balance at  the end of the fiscal
year.
 
    FISCAL 1994 BUDGET--On  May 28, 1993,  the Governor signed  a $14.9  billion
general  fund budget, an increase of  approximately five percent from the fiscal
1993 budget.  A substantial  amount  of the  increase  is targeted  for  medical
assistance programs and prisons.
 
    FISCAL  1995  BUDGET--On February  8, 1994,  the  Governor proposed  a $15.9
billion general fund budget,  an increase of over  four percent from the  Fiscal
1994 budget. A substantial amount of the increase is targeted for human services
and prisons.
 
    DEBT  LIMITS AND OUTSTANDING DEBT--The Pennsylvania Constitution permits the
issuance of the following  types of debt: (i)  debt to suppress insurrection  or
rehabilitate  areas affected by  disaster; (ii) electorate  approved debt; (iii)
debt for capital projects subject to an aggregate outstanding debt limit of 1.75
times the annual average  tax revenues of the  preceding five fiscal years;  and
(iv) tax anticipation notes payable in the fiscal year of issuance.
 
    Under the Pennsylvania Fiscal Code, the Auditor General is required annually
to  certify  to  the  Governor  and  the  General  Assembly  certain information
regarding the Commonwealth's indebtedness. According to the most recent  Auditor
General  certificate, the average annual tax  revenues deposited in all funds in
the five fiscal years ended June 30, 1993 was $14.5 billion, and therefore,  the
net  debt limitation for the 1994 fiscal  year is $27.1 billion. Outstanding net
debt totaled $4.0 billion  at June 30,  1993, a decrease  of $42.2 million  from
June  30, 1992. At February 28, 1994, the amount of debt authorized by law to be
issued, but not yet incurred was $15.0 billion.
 
    DEBT RATINGS--All outstanding general  obligation bonds of the  Commonwealth
are rated AA- by S&P and A1 by Moody's.
 
    CITY  OF  PHILADELPHIA--The City  of  Philadelphia experienced  a  series of
general fund deficits for fiscal years  1988 through 1992 which have  culminated
in  the City's present serious financial difficulties. In its 1992 Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report, Philadelphia reported a cumulative general fund deficit
of $71.4 million for fiscal year 1992.
 
    In June  1991, the  Pennsylvania  legislature established  the  Pennsylvania
Intergovernmental  Cooperation  Authority  ("PICA"), a  five-member  board which
oversees the  fiscal  affairs  of  the City  of  Philadelphia.  The  Legislation
empowers  PICA to  issue notes  and bonds  on behalf  of Philadelphia,  and also
authorizes Philadelphia to levy  a one-percent sales tax  the proceeds of  which
would  be used  to pay off  the bonds.  In return for  PICA's fiscal assistance,
Philadelphia is required, among other things, to establish a five-year financial
plans  that  include  balanced  annual   budgets.  Under  the  legislation,   if
Philadelphia  does not  comply with  such requirements,  PICA may  withhold bond
revenues and certain state funding.
 
    In May 1992,  the city counsel  of Philadelphia approved  the Mayor's  first
five-year  plan and  adopted a fiscal  1993 budget.  On June 5,  1992, PICA sold
approximately $480 million in bonds at yields ranging from 5.25 percent to  6.88
percent.  The proceeds  of the bonds  were used to  cover shortfalls accumulated
over fiscal years 1988 through 1991, projected deficits
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
for fiscal  years  1992  and  1993,  construction  projects  and  other  capital
expenditures. In accordance with the enabling legislation, PICA was guaranteed a
percentage  of the wage  tax revenue expected to  be collected from Philadelphia
residents to permit repayment of the bonds.
 
    In January 1993, Philadelphia anticipated  a cumulative general fund  budget
deficit  of $57 million for the 1993 fiscal year. In response to the anticipated
deficit, the Mayor unveiled a financial plan eliminating the budget deficit  for
the  1993 budget year through  significant service cuts that  included a plan to
privatize certain city  provided services. Due  to an upsurge  in tax  receipts,
cost-cutting  and additional  PICA borrowings,  Philadelphia completed  the 1993
fiscal year with a balanced general fund budget.
 
    In January 1994, the Mayor proposed a $2.3 billion city general fund  budget
that  included no  tax increases,  no significant service  cuts and  a series of
modest health  and welfare  program  increases. At  that  time, the  Mayor  also
unveiled  a $2.2 billion program  (the "Philadelphia Economic Stimulus Program")
designed to stimulate Philadelphia's economy and  stop the loss of 1,000 jobs  a
month.  However, the success  of the Philadelphia  Economic Stimulus Program has
been predicated upon several contingencies including, among others, $250 million
in revenues from riverboat gambling over the next three years, which first  must
be  approved by the state legislature,  and $100 million in federal "empowerment
zone" subsidies, which Philadelphia may or may not receive. As of January  1994,
the  1994 general  fund budget  was running  at a  deficit of  approximately $10
million. The Mayor has predicted that the  general fund will be balanced by  the
end of the 1994 fiscal year.
 
    The  Standard & Poor's Corporation rating on Philadelphia general obligation
bonds is "BB." The Moody's Investors Service rating is currently "Ba."
 
    LITIGATION--The Commonwealth is  a party  to numerous lawsuits  in which  an
adverse  final decision could materially  affect the Commonwealth's governmental
operations and consequently its ability to pay debt service on its  obligations.
The  Commonwealth also faces tort claims made  possible by the limited waiver of
sovereign immunity effected by Act 152, approved September 28, 1978.
 
PENNSYLVANIA TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers  that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993. For
cases in which more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket,  the
highest  state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined state
and Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  tax payments  are
currently  deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The  tables illustrate what you
would have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the tax-exempt  estimated
current  return for your income  tax bracket. A taxpayer's  marginal tax rate is
affected by both his taxable income  and his adjusted gross income. Locate  your
adjusted  gross and  your taxable  income (which  is your  adjusted gross income
reduced by any deductions and exemptions), then locate your tax bracket based on
joint or single  tax filing.  Read across  to the  equivalent taxable  estimated
current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross      State* and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      17.5   %     5.76    6.06    6.36    6.67    6.97    7.27    7.58    7.88
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      30.0         6.79    7.14    7.50    7.86    8.21    8.57    8.93    9.29
                 111.8-167.7      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      33.0         7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70
                 111.8-167.7      34.0         7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85
                 167.7-290.2      36.0         7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      39.0         7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66
                 167.7-290.2      41.5         8.12    8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68   11.11
                  Over 290.2      39.0   2     7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      45.5         8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47   11.93
                  Over 290.2      42.5   3     8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Federal
    Federal      Adjusted      Combined
    Taxable        Gross      State* and                   Tax-Exempt Estimated Current Return
    Income        Income        Federal       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000's)     (1,000's)     Tax Rate1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      17.5         5.76    6.06    6.36    6.67    6.97    7.27    7.58    7.88
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      30.0         6.79    7.14    7.50    7.86    8.21    8.57    8.93    9.29
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      33.0         7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70
                 111.8-234.3      34.5         7.25    7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78    9.16    9.54    9.92
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      39.5         7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74
                  Over 234.3      39.0   2     7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      42.5   3     8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30
<FN>
- ------------------
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a single return  entitled to only one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the total
amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CD's and  money  market  accounts or  money  market  funds, each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of  the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide
stability of principal, but pay interest  at rates that vary with the  condition
of  the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
   
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Schedule of Investments at Date of Deposit
April 29, 1994
PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 179
(Series 727)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Allegheny County Hospital Development Authority     2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       483,250
                   (Pennsylvania), Health Center Revenue
                   Refunding Bonds, Series 1992B (Presbyterian
                   University Health System, Inc. Project),
                   6.00% Due 11/1/23. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about December 21, 1992
                   at a price of 94.634% of principal amount.)
    500,000     * Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, Allegheny     2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             502,500
                   County, Pennsylvania, Sewer Revenue Bonds,
                   Series B of 1994, 6.25% Due 12/1/14. (When
                   issued.)
    500,000      The Hospital Authority of the County of Beaver      2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             500,000
                   (Pennsylvania), Hospital Revenue Bonds,
                   Series 1992A (The Medical Center, Beaver,
                   Pa., Inc.), 6.25% Due 7/1/22.
    500,000      Berks County Municipal Authority                 No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             474,000
                   (Pennsylvania), Hospital Revenue Bonds (The
                   Reading Hospital and Medical Center Project),
                   Series of 1993, 5.70% Due 10/1/14.
    500,000      Delaware County Authority (Commonwealth of          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             452,955
                   Pennsylvania), University Revenue Bonds,
                   Series of 1993 (Villanova University), 5.50%
                   Due 8/1/23.
    500,000      Lehigh County Industrial Development Authority      2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             505,710
                   (Pennsylvania), Pollution Control Revenue
                   Refunding Bonds, 1992 Series A (Pennsylvania
                   Power & Light Company Project), 6.40% Due
                   11/1/21.
    500,000     * City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Water and      2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             436,285
                   Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series 1993, 5.25%
                   Due 6/15/23. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about August 26, 1993 at a
                   price of 92.499% of principal amount.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,354,700
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 52.
 
   
* These Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the  normal
  settlement  date.  Their expected  delivery date  is  May 10,  1994. Contracts
  relating to  Bonds  with delivery  dates  after  the date  of  settlement  for
  purchase  made  on the  Date of  Deposit constitute  approximately 29%  of the
  aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
NOTES TO SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS
 
    (1) Contracts,  which  are  "when-issued"  or  "regular  way"  contracts  or
        contracts having delivery dates beyond the normal settlement date,  have
        been  deposited with the Trustee on the Date of Deposit. The performance
        of such contracts is secured by an irrevocable letter of credit,  issued
        by  a major commercial bank, which  has been deposited with the Trustee.
        At the Date  of Deposit, Bonds  may have been  delivered to the  Sponsor
        pursuant  to certain of these contracts; the Sponsor has assigned to the
        Trustee all of its right, title and interest in and to such Bonds.
 
    (2) The Bonds are first subject to optional redemption in the years, and  at
        the  prices, shown.  Unless otherwise  indicated, the  Bonds, except for
        Bonds issued at a substantial original issue discount, are redeemable at
        declining prices (but not below par value) in subsequent years. Original
        issue  discount  bonds,  including  zero  coupon  bonds,  are  generally
        redeemable  at  prices  based on  the  issue  price plus  the  amount of
        original issue discount accreted to redemption plus, if applicable, some
        premium, the amount of which will decline in subsequent years. The Bonds
        may also be subject to sinking fund redemption without premium prior  to
        the dates shown.
 
        Certain  Bonds may be subject to redemption without premium prior to the
        date shown  pursuant  to  special  or  mandatory  call  provisions;  for
        example,  if bond proceeds are not able  to be used as contemplated, the
        project is condemned or sold, or the project is destroyed and  insurance
        proceeds  are used to  redeem the bonds.  Single family mortgage revenue
        bonds and housing authority bonds are  most likely to be called  subject
        to  such provisions, but other bonds may have similar call features. See
        Section 4 and "General Trust Information" in this Section.
 
        The Trustee's determination of the offering prices of Bonds in the  Fund
        may  be  greater or  less than  the  amounts that  may be  received upon
        redemption or  maturity  of  such Bonds.  Subject  to  rules  concerning
        amortization  of bond  premium and of  original issue  discount, gain or
        loss realized  by  the Trustee  on  disposition  of any  Bonds  will  be
        recognized  as taxable capital gain or loss by Unitholders. (See Section
        4.)
 
    (3) See "Description  of  Ratings" herein.  All  the Bonds  in  the  Insured
        Trusts,  as insured by the  Insurer, are rated AAA  by Standard & Poor's
        Corporation and Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (See Section 5.)
 
    (4) As determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services on behalf of the  Trustee
        as  of the close of  business on the business  day preceding the Date of
        Deposit. The prices as determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services  have
        been rounded to the nearest dollar.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     TO  THE  BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  OF JOHN  NUVEEN  & CO.  INCORPORATED AND
     UNITHOLDERS OF NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 727:
    
 
   
       We have audited  the accompanying  statements of  condition and  the
     related  schedules of investments at date  of deposit (included in the
     prospectus  herein)  of  Nuveen  Tax-Exempt  Unit  Trust,  Series  727
     (comprising Virginia Traditional Trust 286, Intermediate Insured Trust
     74,   Florida  Insured  Trust  189,  Michigan  Insured  Trust  54  and
     Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179), as of April 29, 1994. These financial
     statements are the responsibility  of the Sponsor. Our  responsibility
     is  to express an  opinion on these financial  statements based on our
     audits.
    
 
       We conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
     auditing  standards. Those standards 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.  Our  procedures included
     confirmation of the irrevocable letter  of credit arrangement for  the
     purchase  of securities,  described in Note  (1) to  the statements of
     condition, by correspondence with the Trustee. An audit also  includes
     assessing  the  accounting principles  used and  significant estimates
     made by  the Sponsor,  as  well as  evaluating the  overall  financial
     statement   presentation.  We  believe  that   our  audits  provide  a
     reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
   
       In  our  opinion,  the  statements  of  condition  and  the  related
     schedules  of investments at date of deposit referred to above present
     fairly, in all material  respects, the financial  position of each  of
     the  trusts constituting the Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727
     as of April 29, 1994, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
     principles.
    
 
                                                      ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO.
 
   
     Chicago, Illinois,
     April 29, 1994.
    
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
                            Statements of Condition
 
   
                    NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 727
    
 
   
(Virginia Traditional Trust 286, Intermediate Insured Trust 74, Florida Insured
    Trust 189, Michigan Insured Trust 54 and Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179)
    
   
                              As of April 29, 1994
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Virginia          Intermediate           Florida
                                            Traditional           Insured             Insured
    TRUST PROPERTY                           Trust 286           Trust 74            Trust 189
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Sponsor's contracts to purchase
 Tax-Exempt Bonds, backed by an
 irrevocable letter of credit(1)(2).....  $     3,339,135     $     9,781,545     $     3,326,475
Accrued interest to April 29, 1994 on
  underlying Bonds(1)...................           36,404              48,600              61,409
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,375,539     $     9,830,145     $     3,387,884
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
   LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
Liability:
    Accrued interest to April 29, 1994
      on underlying Bonds(3)............  $        36,404     $        48,600     $        61,409
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Interest of Unitholders:
    Units of fractional undivided
      interest outstanding (Virginia
      Traditional Trust 286-- 35,000;
      Intermediate Insured Trust 74--
      100,000; Florida Insured Trust
      189--35,000)
      Cost to investors(4)..............  $     3,511,167     $    10,178,480     $     3,497,855
        Less: Gross underwriting
          commission(5).................         (172,032)           (396,935)           (171,380)
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Net amount applicable to
      investors.........................  $     3,339,135     $     9,781,545     $     3,326,475
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,375,539     $     9,830,145     $     3,387,884
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
<FN>
(1) Represented by contracts  to purchase Tax-Exempt  Bonds which include "when  issued" or "regular  way" or "delayed  delivery"
    contracts  for which an irrevocable letter of  credit issued by a major commercial  bank has been deposited with the Trustee.
    The amount of such letter of credit  and any cash deposited exceeds the amount  necessary for the purchase of the Bonds  plus
    accrued  interest to the Date of  Deposit. At the Date of  Deposit, Bonds may have been  delivered to the Sponsor pursuant to
    certain of these contracts; the  Sponsor has assigned to  the Trustee all of  its rights, title and  interest in and to  such
    Bonds.
(2)  Aggregate value (at offering prices) as of the Date of  Deposit of the Bonds listed under "Schedules of Investments" herein,
    and their aggregate cost to the Trusts are the same. Such offering prices were determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services as
    of the close of business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See Section 10.) Insurance coverage providing for
    the timely payment, when due, of all principal  of and interest on the Bonds in  the Insured Trusts has been obtained by  the
    Sponsor  or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the
    Units. Both the bid and the offering prices of the underlying  Bonds and of the Units may include value attributable to  such
    policies of insurance.
(3) Representing, as set forth in Section 8, advancement by the Trustee of an amount equal to the accrued Bond interest as of the
    Date of Deposit from the later of the last payment date on the Bonds or the date of issuance thereof.
(4) Aggregate Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as set forth under Section 6.
(5) The gross underwriting commission has been calculated on the assumption that the Units offered by this prospectus are sold in
    single transactions involving less than $50,000 or 500 Units. At this level, the sales charge is 4.90% of the Public Offering
    Price  in the case of National and State Trusts, 4.25% thereof in  the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 3.90% in the case of
    Intermediate Trusts, 3.00% in the  case of Short Intermediate Trusts  and 2.50% in the case  of Short Term Trusts. In  single
    transactions involving 500 Units or more, the sales charge is reduced. (See Section 6.)
</TABLE>
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
   
                            Statements of Condition
                              As of April 29, 1994
                                  (Continued)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Michigan          Pennsylvania
                                              Insured             Insured
    TRUST PROPERTY                           Trust 54            Trust 179
                                          ---------------     ---------------
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>
Sponsor's contracts to purchase
 Tax-Exempt Bonds, backed by an
 irrevocable letter of credit(1)(2).....  $     3,310,307     $     3,354,700
Accrued interest to April 29, 1994 on
  underlying Bonds(1)...................           48,331              60,824
                                          ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,358,638     $     3,415,524
                                          ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------
   LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
Liability:
    Accrued interest to April 29, 1994
      on underlying Bonds(3)............  $        48,331     $        60,824
                                          ---------------     ---------------
Interest of Unitholders:
    Units of fractional undivided
      interest outstanding (Michigan
      Insured Trust 54--35,000;
      Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179--
      35,000)
      Cost to investors(4)..............  $     3,480,854     $     3,527,534
        Less: Gross underwriting
          commission(5).................         (170,547)           (172,834)
                                          ---------------     ---------------
    Net amount applicable to
      investors.........................  $     3,310,307     $     3,354,700
                                          ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,358,638     $     3,415,524
                                          ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------
<FN>
(1)  Represented by contracts  to purchase Tax-Exempt  Bonds which include "when  issued" or "regular  way" or "delayed delivery"
    contracts for which an irrevocable letter of  credit issued by a major commercial  bank has been deposited with the  Trustee.
    The  amount of such letter of credit and  any cash deposited exceeds the amount necessary  for the purchase of the Bonds plus
    accrued interest to the Date of  Deposit. At the Date of  Deposit, Bonds may have been  delivered to the Sponsor pursuant  to
    certain  of these contracts; the  Sponsor has assigned to  the Trustee all of  its rights, title and  interest in and to such
    Bonds.
(2) Aggregate value (at offering prices) as of the Date  of Deposit of the Bonds listed under "Schedules of Investments"  herein,
    and their aggregate cost to the Trusts are the same. Such offering prices were determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services as
    of the close of business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See Section 10.) Insurance coverage providing for
    the  timely payment, when due, of all principal  of and interest on the Bonds in  the Insured Trusts has been obtained by the
    Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of  the
    Units.  Both the bid and the offering prices of the underlying  Bonds and of the Units may include value attributable to such
    policies of insurance.
(3) Representing, as set forth in Section 8, advancement by the Trustee of an amount equal to the accrued Bond interest as of the
    Date of Deposit from the later of the last payment date on the Bonds or the date of issuance thereof.
(4) Aggregate Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as set forth under Section 6.
(5) The gross underwriting commission has been calculated on the assumption that the Units offered by this prospectus are sold in
    single transactions involving less than $50,000 or 500 Units. At this level, the sales charge is 4.90% of the Public Offering
    Price in the case of National and State Trusts, 4.25% thereof  in the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 3.90% in the case  of
    Intermediate  Trusts, 3.00% in the case  of Short Intermediate Trusts and  2.50% in the case of  Short Term Trusts. In single
    transactions involving 500 Units or more, the sales charge is reduced. (See Section 6.)
</TABLE>
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION
 
    An  investment in Units of any Trust should be made with an understanding of
the risks that  such an investment  may entail.  As set forth  in the  portfolio
summaries above, the Trusts may contain or be concentrated in one or more of the
types  of  bonds  discussed  below.  The  following  paragraphs  discuss certain
circumstances which may adversely affect the ability of issuers of Bonds held in
the portfolio of a Trust  to make payment of  principal and interest thereon  or
which  may adversely affect the  ratings of such Bonds;  with respect to Insured
Trusts, however, because  of the  insurance obtained by  the Sponsor  or by  the
issuers  of  the Bonds,  such  changes should  not  adversely affect  an Insured
Trust's receipt of principal and interest, the Standard & Poor's AAA or  Moody's
Aaa  ratings of  the Bonds  in the  Insured Trust  portfolio, or  the Standard &
Poor's AAA rating of the Units of each such Insured Trust.
 
    HEALTH FACILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of  the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may  be
obligations  of issuers  whose revenues  are derived  from services  provided by
hospitals or other health care  facilities, including nursing homes. Ratings  of
bonds  issued  for health  care facilities  are  sometimes based  on feasibility
studies that contain projections of  occupancy levels, revenues and expenses.  A
facility's  gross  receipts and  net income  available for  debt service  may be
affected by future events and  conditions including, among other things,  demand
for  services, the ability of the facility  to provide the services required, an
increasing shortage of qualified nurses or a dramatic rise in nursing  salaries,
physicians'  confidence  in  the  facility,  management  capabilities,  economic
developments in  the service  area, competition  from other  similar  providers,
efforts  by  insurers  and  governmental agencies  to  limit  rates, legislation
establishing state rate-setting agencies,  expenses, government regulation,  the
cost  and possible unavailability of  malpractice insurance, and the termination
or restriction of governmental  financial assistance, including that  associated
with  Medicare, Medicaid and other similar  third party payor programs. Medicare
reimbursements are currently calculated on a prospective basis and are not based
on a provider's actual costs. Such method of reimbursement may adversely  affect
reimbursements to hospitals and other facilities for services provided under the
Medicare  program and thereby may have an  adverse effect on the ability of such
institutions to satisfy  debt service requirements.  In the event  of a  default
upon  a bond  secured by hospital  facilities, the limited  alternative uses for
such facilities may result  in the recovery upon  such collateral not  providing
sufficient funds to fully repay the bonds.
 
    Certain  hospital  bonds  provide for  redemption  at par  upon  the damage,
destruction or  condemnation of  the  hospital facilities  or in  other  special
circumstances.
 
    HOUSING  OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the Bonds  in a Trust  may be obligations of
issuers whose  revenues are  primarily derived  from mortgage  loans to  housing
projects  for  low  to  moderate  income  families.  Such  issues  are generally
characterized by mandatory redemption at par  or, in the case of original  issue
discount  bonds, accreted  value in  the event of  economic defaults  and in the
event of a failure of the operator of a project to comply with certain covenants
as to the operation of the project. The failure of such operator to comply  with
certain  covenants related  to the tax-exempt  status of interest  on the Bonds,
such as provisions requiring that a  specified percentage of units be rented  or
available for rental to low or moderate income families, potentially could cause
interest on such Bonds to be subject to Federal income taxation from the date of
issuance of the Bonds. The ability of such issuers to make debt service payments
will   be  affected  by  events  and  conditions  affecting  financed  projects,
including, among other  things, the  achievement and  maintenance of  sufficient
occupancy  levels and adequate  rental income, employment  and income conditions
prevailing in local labor markets, increases  in taxes, utility costs and  other
operating  expenses, the managerial ability of project managers, changes in laws
and
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
governmental  regulations,  the  appropriation  of  subsidies,  and  social  and
economic  trends affecting  the localities  in which  the projects  are located.
Occupancy of such housing projects may be adversely affected by high rent levels
and income limitations imposed under Federal and state programs.
 
    SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS.  Some  of the Bonds in a Trust may  be
single  family  mortgage revenue  bonds,  which are  issued  for the  purpose of
acquiring from originating financial institutions notes secured by mortgages  on
residences located within the issuer's boundaries and owned by persons of low or
moderate  income. Mortgage loans  are generally partially  or completely prepaid
prior to  their final  maturities as  a result  of events  such as  sale of  the
mortgaged  premises, default, condemnation or casualty loss. Because these bonds
are subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption in whole or in part from  such
prepayments of mortgage loans, a substantial portion of such bonds will probably
be  redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior to their ordinary
call dates. Extraordinary mandatory redemption without premium could also result
from the  failure of  the originating  financial institutions  to make  mortgage
loans in sufficient amounts within a specified time period. The redemption price
of  such issues  may be  more or  less than  the offering  price of  such bonds.
Additionally, unusually high rates of  default on the underlying mortgage  loans
may  reduce revenues available  for the payment  of principal of  or interest on
such mortgage revenue bonds. Single  family mortgage revenue bonds issued  after
December 31, 1980 were issued under Section 103A of the Internal Revenue Code of
1954,  as amended, or  Section 143 of  the Internal Revenue  Code of 1986, which
Sections contain certain  requirements relating to  the use of  the proceeds  of
such  bonds in  order for the  interest on  such bonds to  retain its tax-exempt
status. In each  case, the issuer  of the  bonds has covenanted  to comply  with
applicable  requirements and bond  counsel to such issuer  has issued an opinion
that the interest on the bonds is exempt from Federal income tax under  existing
laws   and  regulations.  There  can  be   no  assurance  that  such  continuing
requirements will  be satisfied;  the failure  to meet  such requirements  could
cause  interest on the Bonds to be  subject to Federal income taxation, possibly
from the date of issuance of the Bonds.
 
    FEDERALLY ENHANCED  OBLIGATIONS.   Some of  the mortgages  which secure  the
various  health care or housing projects which underlie the previously discussed
Health Facility, Housing,  and Single Family  Mortgage Revenue Obligations  (the
"Obligations")  in a Trust may be  insured by the Federal Housing Administration
("FHA"). Under FHA  regulations, the  maximum insurable  mortgage amount  cannot
exceed  90%  of the  FHA's  estimated value  of  the project.  The  FHA mortgage
insurance does not constitute a guarantee of timely payment of the principal  of
and  interest on the Obligations. Payment  of mortgage insurance benefits may be
(1) less than the principal amount of Obligations outstanding or (2) delayed  if
disputes  arise as to  the amount of the  payment or if  certain notices are not
given to the FHA within  the prescribed time periods.  In addition, some of  the
previously  discussed Obligations may be secured by mortgage-backed certificates
guaranteed by the  Government National Mortgage  Association ("GNMA"), a  wholly
owned  corporate  instrumentality  of  the  United  States,  and/or  the Federal
National  Mortgage  Association  ("Fannie   Mae")  a  federally  chartered   and
stockholder-owed  corporation. GNMA and  Fannie Mae guarantee  timely payment of
principal and  interest  on the  mortgage-backed  certificates, even  where  the
underlying   mortgage  payments   are  not  made.   While  such  mortgage-backed
certificates are often pledged  to secure payment of  principal and interest  on
the  Obligations, timely payment of interest and principal on the Obligations is
not insured or guaranteed by  the United States, GNMA,  Fannie Mae or any  other
governmental  agency or  instrumentality. The  GNMA mortgage-backed certificates
constitute a general obligation  of the United States  backed by its full  faith
and  credit. The obligations of Fannie  Mae, including its obligations under the
Fannie Mae mortgage-backed securities, are obligations
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
solely of Fannie Mae and are not backed  by, or entitled to, the full faith  and
credit of the United States.
 
    INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Certain  of the Bonds  in a  Trust may be
industrial revenue bonds  ("IRBs"), including pollution  control revenue  bonds,
which  are  tax-exempt  securities  issued  by  states,  municipalities,  public
authorities or similar entities to  finance the cost of acquiring,  constructing
or improving various industrial projects. These projects are usually operated by
corporate entities. Issuers are obligated only to pay amounts due on the IRBs to
the  extent that funds are available from the unexpended proceeds of the IRBs or
receipts or revenues of the issuer  under an arrangement between the issuer  and
the  corporate operator of  a project. The arrangement  may be in  the form of a
lease, installment sale agreement, conditional sale agreement or loan agreement,
but in each case  the payments to  the issuer are designed  to be sufficient  to
meet  the payments  of amounts  due on  the IRBs.  Regardless of  the structure,
payment of IRBs is solely dependent  upon the creditworthiness of the  corporate
operator  of  the project  and,  if applicable,  corporate  guarantor. Corporate
operators or  guarantors may  be affected  by  many factors  which may  have  an
adverse  impact on  the credit  quality of  the particular  company or industry.
These include cyclicality of revenues and earnings, regulatory and environmental
restrictions, litigation  resulting  from  accidents  or  environmentally-caused
illnesses,  extensive competition  and financial deterioration  resulting from a
corporate restructuring pursuant to a leveraged buy-out, takeover or  otherwise.
Such  a restructuring may  result in the  operator of a  project becoming highly
leveraged which may have an impact on such operator's creditworthiness which  in
turn  would have  an adverse impact  on the  rating and/or market  value of such
Bonds. Further, the  possibility of  such a  restructuring may  have an  adverse
impact  on the market for and consequently  the value of such Bonds, even though
no actual takeover or other action is ever contemplated or effected. The IRBs in
a Trust may be subject to  special or extraordinary redemption provisions  which
may  provide for redemption  at par or,  in the case  of original issue discount
bonds, accreted value. The  Sponsor cannot predict the  causes or likelihood  of
the redemption of IRBs in a Trust prior to the stated maturity of such Bonds.
 
    ELECTRIC  UTILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of issuers  whose revenues are  primarily derived from  the sale  of
electric  energy. The problems  faced by such issuers  include the difficulty in
obtaining approval for timely  and adequate rate  increases from the  applicable
public  utility  commissions,  the difficulty  of  financing  large construction
programs, increased competition,  reductions in estimates  of future demand  for
electricity  in certain areas of the  country, the limitations on operations and
increased costs  and delays  attributable to  environmental considerations,  the
difficulty  of the capital  market in absorbing utility  debt, the difficulty in
obtaining fuel at reasonable prices and  the effect of energy conservation.  All
of  such issuers  have been  experiencing certain  of these  problems in varying
degrees. In addition, Federal, state and municipal governmental authorities  may
from  time to time review existing, and impose additional, regulations governing
the licensing, construction  and operation  of nuclear power  plants, which  may
adversely  affect the ability of the issuers of  certain of the Bonds in a Trust
to make payments of principal and/or interest on such Bonds.
 
    TRANSPORTATION FACILITY REVENUE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may  be
obligations  of issuers which  are payable from and  secured by revenues derived
from the ownership and operation of airports, public transit systems and  ports.
The  major portion of  an airport's gross operating  income is generally derived
from fees received  from airlines pursuant  to use agreements  which consist  of
annual  payments for airport  use, occupancy of  certain terminal space, service
fees and  leases. Airport  operating income  may therefore  be affected  by  the
ability  of the airlines to meet their obligations under the use agreements. The
air transport industry  is experiencing significant  variations in earnings  and
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
traffic,  due  to  increased  competition,  excess  capacity,  increased  costs,
deregulation, traffic constraints  and other factors,  and several airlines  are
experiencing  severe financial difficulties. In  particular, facilities with use
agreements involving airlines experiencing financial difficulty may experience a
reduction in revenue  due to the  possible inability of  these airlines to  meet
their  use  agreement obligations  because  of such  financial  difficulties and
possible bankruptcy.  The  Sponsor cannot  predict  what effect  these  industry
conditions  may have on airport revenues which  are dependent for payment on the
financial condition of the  airlines and their usage  of the particular  airport
facility.  Bonds that are secured primarily by the revenue collected by a public
transit system  typically are  additionally secured  by a  pledge of  sales  tax
receipts  collected  at  the state  or  local  level, or  of  other governmental
financial assistance. Transit system net revenues will be affected by variations
in  utilization,  which  in  turn  may  be  affected  by  the  degree  of  local
governmental  subsidization, demographic and  population shifts, and competition
from other  forms of  transportation; and  by increased  costs, including  costs
resulting  from previous deferrals of maintenance. Port authorities derive their
revenues primarily from fees imposed on ships using the facilities. The rate  of
utilization  of such facilities may fluctuate depending on the local economy and
on competition from  competing forms  of transportation  such as  air, rail  and
trucks.
 
    WATER  AND/OR SEWERAGE  OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the  Bonds in a  Trust may be
obligations of issuers whose revenues are derived from the sale of water  and/or
sewerage services. Such Bonds are generally payable from user fees. The problems
of  such  issuers  include  the  ability  to  obtain  timely  and  adequate rate
increases, population decline resulting in  decreased user fees, the  difficulty
of  financing  large construction  programs, the  limitations on  operations and
increased costs  and delays  attributable to  environmental considerations,  the
increasing  difficulty of obtaining or discovering  new supplies of fresh water,
the effect  of  conservation  programs  and the  impact  of  "no-growth"  zoning
ordinances. All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems
in varying degrees.
 
    UNIVERSITY  AND COLLEGE REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Some of the  Bonds in a Trust
may be  obligations of  issuers which  are, or  which govern  the operation  of,
colleges  and universities and  whose revenues are  derived mainly from tuition,
dormitory revenues,  grants and  endowments. General  problems of  such  issuers
include  the prospect of a declining  percentage of the population consisting of
"college" age  individuals,  possible  inability  to  raise  tuitions  and  fees
sufficiently  to cover increased  operating costs, the  uncertainty of continued
receipt of  Federal grants  and  state funding,  and government  legislation  or
regulations  which may adversely  affect the revenues or  costs of such issuers.
All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems in  varying
degrees.
 
    BRIDGE AUTHORITY AND TOLLROAD OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may
be  obligations  of issuers  which derive  their payments  from bridge,  road or
tunnel toll revenues. The revenues of such an issuer could be adversely affected
by competition from toll-free vehicular bridges and roads and alternative  modes
of transportation. Such revenues could also be adversely affected by a reduction
in  the availability of fuel to motorists  or significant increases in the costs
thereof. Specifically, governmental regulations restricting the use of  vehicles
in  the New  York City  metropolitan area may  adversely affect  revenues of the
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
 
    DEDICATED-TAX SUPPORTED  BONDS.    Some of  the  Bonds  in a  Trust  may  be
obligations of issuers which are payable from and secured by tax revenues from a
designated  source, which revenues are pledged  to secure the bonds. The various
types of  Bonds described  below differ  in structure  and with  respect to  the
rights of the bondholders to the underlying property. Each type of dedicated-tax
supported  Bond has distinct risks, only some  of which are set forth below. One
type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is secured by the incremental tax  received
on   either  real   property  or   on  sales   within  a   specifically  defined
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
geographical area; such tax generally will  not provide bondholders with a  lien
on  the underlying property or revenues. Another type of dedicated-tax supported
Bond is  secured by  a special  tax levied  on real  property within  a  defined
geographical  area in such a manner that the  tax is levied on those who benefit
from the  project; such  bonds typically  provide for  a statutory  lien on  the
underlying  property for unpaid  taxes. A third  type of dedicated-tax supported
Bond may be secured by a tax levied upon the manufacture, sale or consumption of
commodities or upon the license to pursue certain occupations or upon  corporate
privileges  within a taxing jurisdiction. As to any of these types of Bonds, the
ability of  the  designated  revenues  to satisfy  the  interest  and  principal
payments  on such  bonds may be  affected by  changes in the  local economy, the
financial success of the  enterprise responsible for the  payment of the  taxes,
the  value of  any property on  which taxes may  be assessed and  the ability to
collect such  taxes in  a timely  fashion. Each  of these  factors will  have  a
different affect on each distinct type of dedicated-tax supported bonds.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be obligations that
are  secured  by lease  payments  of a  governmental  entity. Such  payments are
normally subject to  annual budget  appropriations of  the leasing  governmental
entity.  A governmental  entity that enters  into such a  lease agreement cannot
obligate future  governments to  appropriate  for and  make lease  payments  but
covenants  to take such action as is necessary to include any lease payments due
in its budgets and to make the appropriations therefor. A governmental  entity's
failure to appropriate for and to make payments under its lease obligation could
result  in insufficient funds  available for payment  of the obligations secured
thereby.
 
    ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS.   Certain of  the
Bonds  in a Trust may be original  issue discount bonds. These Bonds were issued
with nominal  interest rates  less than  the rates  then offered  by  comparable
securities  and as a consequence  were originally sold at  a discount from their
face, or par, values. This original  issue discount, the difference between  the
initial  purchase price and face value, is deemed under current law to accrue on
a daily basis and the accrued  portion is treated as tax-exempt interest  income
for  federal income tax purposes. On sale  or redemption, gain, if any, realized
in excess of the earned  portion of original issue  discount will be taxable  as
capital  gain. See "What is the Tax Status of Unitholders". The current value of
an original issue discount bond reflects the present value of its face amount at
maturity. In a stable interest rate environment, the market value of an original
issue discount bond would  tend to increase  more slowly in  early years and  in
greater increments as the bond approached maturity.
 
    Certain  of the original issue discount bonds  in a Trust may be zero coupon
bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not provide for the payment of any current interest;
the buyer receives only the right to receive a final payment of the face  amount
of  the bond at its maturity. The effect of  owning a zero coupon bond is that a
fixed yield is earned not only on  the original investment but also, in  effect,
on  all  discount  earned  during  the life  of  the  obligation.  This implicit
reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk of being unable to
reinvest the income on such obligation at a rate as high as the implicit  yield,
but  at the same time also eliminates the holder's ability to reinvest at higher
rates in  the  future.  For  this  reason, zero  coupon  bonds  are  subject  to
substantially  greater  price  fluctuations during  periods  of  changing market
interest rates  than are  securities  of comparable  quality that  pay  interest
currently.
 
    Original  issue discount bonds, including zero  coupon bonds, may be subject
to redemption at prices  based on the  issue price plus  the amount of  original
issue   discount  accreted  to  redemption   (the  "accreted  value")  plus,  if
applicable, some premium.  Pursuant to  such call provisions  an original  issue
discount  bond may be called prior to its maturity date at a price less than its
face value. See the  "Schedules of Investments" for  more information about  the
call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
    Certain of the Bonds in a Trust may be Stripped Obligations, which represent
evidences  of ownership  with respect  to either  the principal  amount of  or a
payment of interest on a tax-exempt  obligation. An obligation is "stripped"  by
depositing  it with  a custodian, which  then effects a  separation in ownership
between the bond and any interest payment which has not yet become payable,  and
issues evidences of ownership with respect to such constituent parts. A Stripped
Obligation  therefore has economic characteristics similar to zero coupon bonds,
as described above.
 
    Each Stripped Obligation has  been purchased at a  discount from the  amount
payable  at maturity. With respect to each Unitholder, the Internal Revenue Code
treats as "original issue discount" that portion of the discount which  produces
a yield to maturity (as of the date of purchase of the Unitholder's Units) equal
to  the lower of the coupon rate of interest on the underlying obligation or the
yield to maturity on the basis of  the purchase price of the Unitholder's  Units
which  is allocable to  each Stripped Obligation.  Original issue discount which
accrues with respect to a Stripped Obligation will be exempt from Federal income
taxation to the  same extent  as interest  on the  underlying obligations.  (See
Section 11, " What Is The Tax Status of Unitholders".)
 
    Unitholders  should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the state
and local tax consequences of owning  original issue discount bonds or  Stripped
Obligations.  Under applicable  provisions governing determination  of state and
local taxes, interest on original  issue discount bonds or Stripped  Obligations
may  be deemed to  be received in  the year of  accrual even though  there is no
corresponding cash payment.
 
4.  COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS
 
Each Trust initially consists  of delivery statements  relating to contracts  to
purchase Bonds (or of such Bonds) as are listed under "Schedules of Investments"
and,  thereafter, of  such Bonds as  may continue to  be held from  time to time
(including certain securities deposited in  the Trust in substitution for  Bonds
not delivered to the Trust or in exchange or substitution for Bonds upon certain
refundings),  together  with  accrued  and  undistributed  interest  thereon and
undistributed cash realized from the disposition of Bonds.
 
    "WHEN-ISSUED"  AND  "DELAYED  DELIVERY"  TRANSACTIONS.    The  contracts  to
purchase  Bonds delivered to  the Trustee represent an  obligation by issuers or
dealers to deliver  Bonds to the  Sponsor for deposit  in the Trusts.  Normally,
"regular  way"  contracts are  settled and  the Bonds  delivered to  the Trustee
within a relatively  short period  of time.  However, certain  of the  contracts
relate  to Bonds which have not been issued  as of the Date of Deposit and which
are commonly referred to  as "when issued"  or "when, as  and if issued"  Bonds.
Although  the Sponsor does not believe it is  likely, one or more of the issuers
of such Bonds might decide not to proceed with such offerings. If such Bonds, or
replacement bonds  described below,  are not  acquired by  a Trust  or if  their
delivery  is  delayed, the  Estimated Current  Returns  and Estimated  Long Term
Returns shown herein may be reduced.  Certain of the contracts for the  purchase
of  Bonds provide for delivery dates after  the date of settlement for purchases
made on  the  Date of  Deposit.  Interest on  such  "when issued"  and  "delayed
delivery"  Bonds accrues to the benefit of Unitholders commencing with the first
settlement date for the Units. However,  in the opinion of counsel,  Unitholders
who  purchase their Units prior to the date such Bonds are actually delivered to
the Trustee must reduce the  tax basis of their  Units for interest accruing  on
such  Bonds during the interval between their purchase of Units and the delivery
of the Bonds because such amounts constitute a return of principal. As a  result
of  such adjustment, the  Estimated Current Returns set  forth herein (which are
based on the Public Offering Price as of  the business day prior to the Date  of
Deposit)  may be  slightly lower than  Unitholders will receive  after the first
year, assuming the Portfolio does not change
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
and estimated annual expense does not vary from that set forth under  "Essential
Information  Regarding the  Trusts." Those  Bonds in  each Trust  purchased with
delivery dates after the date  of settlement for purchases  made on the Date  of
Deposit are so noted in the Schedules of Investments.
 
    LIMITED  REPLACEMENT OF CERTAIN BONDS.   Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee
shall be liable in any  way for any default, failure  or defect in any Bond.  In
the  event of a failure to deliver any  Bond that has been purchased for a Trust
under a contract, including those  Bonds purchased on a  when, as and if  issued
basis  ("Failed Bonds"), the Sponsor is authorized under the Indenture to direct
the Trustee to acquire  other specified Bonds ("Replacement  Bonds") to make  up
the original corpus of the Trust. The Replacement Bonds must be purchased within
20  days after  delivery of notice  of the failed  contract and the  cost to the
Trust (exclusive  of  accrued interest)  may  not  exceed the  amount  of  funds
reserved  for the purchase of  the Failed Bonds. The  Replacement Bonds (i) must
satisfy the criteria previously described  for Bonds originally included in  the
Trust  and, with respect  to Bonds purchased  for a State  Trust, shall have the
benefit of an exemption from state taxation of interest to an extent equal to or
greater than that of  the Bonds they  replace, (ii) must  have a fixed  maturity
date  after the date of purchase of not  less than approximately 15 years in the
case of National or State Trusts, approximately  11 years in the case of a  Long
Intermediate  Trust, approximately 5 years in  the case of Intermediate or State
Intermediate Trusts, approximately 3 years in  the case of a Short  Intermediate
Trust  and approximately 1 year in the case of a Short Term Trust, but not later
than the maturity date of the Failed Bonds, (iii) must be acquired at a cost  to
the  Trust equal to the  cost of the same principal  amount of Bonds provided in
the failed contract and  have a current  return and yield  to maturity not  less
than the current return and yield to maturity of the Failed Bonds and (iv) shall
not  be "when,  as and if  issued" Bonds.  Whenever a Replacement  Bond has been
acquired for a  Trust, the Trustee  shall, within five  days after the  delivery
thereof,  mail or deliver a notice of such acquisition to all Unitholders of the
Trust involved. Once the original corpus  of the Trust is acquired, the  Trustee
will  have no power  to vary the investment  of the Trust;  i.e., the Trust will
have no managerial  power to  take advantage of  market variation  to improve  a
Unitholder's investment.
 
    To  the extent the right of  limited substitution described in the preceding
paragraph shall not  be utilized  to acquire  Replacement Bonds  for the  entire
principal amount of Failed Bonds, the Sponsor shall refund to all Unitholders of
the  Trust  involved the  sales  charge attributable  to  such Failed  Bonds not
replaced, and  the principal  and accrued  interest attributable  to such  Bonds
shall  be distributed  not more  than 30  days after  the determination  of such
failure or at such earlier time as  the Trustee in its sole discretion deems  to
be  in  the interest  of  the Unitholders.  Any  such accrued  interest  paid to
Unitholders will be paid by the Sponsor and, accordingly, will not be treated as
tax-exempt income. In the event Failed Bonds  in a Trust could not be  replaced,
the  Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for such Trust would be reduced and the
Estimated Current Return thereon might be lowered.
 
    SALE, MATURITY AND REDEMPTION OF BONDS.  Certain of the Bonds may from  time
to  time  under certain  circumstances be  sold  or redeemed  or will  mature in
accordance with their terms. The proceeds from  such events will be used to  pay
for   Units  redeemed  or   distributed  to  Unitholders   and  not  reinvested;
accordingly, no assurance can be given that  a Trust will retain for any  length
of time its present size and composition.
 
    All  of the Bonds in  each Trust are subject to  being called or redeemed in
whole or  in part  prior to  their stated  maturities pursuant  to the  optional
redemption  provisions described in  the "Schedules of  Investments" and in most
cases pursuant to sinking fund, special or extraordinary redemption  provisions.
A  bond  subject to  optional  call is  one which  is  subject to  redemption or
refunding   prior   to   maturity   at    the   option   of   the   issuer.    A
 
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
refunding  is a method by which a bond issue is redeemed, at or before maturity,
by the proceeds of a new bond  issue. A bond subject to sinking fund  redemption
is  one  which  is  subject to  partial  call  from  time to  time  from  a fund
accumulated for  the scheduled  retirement of  a portion  of an  issue prior  to
maturity.  Special  or  extraordinary  redemption  provisions  may  provide  for
redemption of  all or  a portion  of an  issue upon  the occurrence  of  certain
circumstances  related to  defaults or  unanticipated changes  in circumstances.
Events that may  permit or require  the special or  extraordinary redemption  of
bonds include, among others: substantial damage to or destruction of the project
for  which the proceeds  of the bonds were  used; exercise by  a local, state or
federal governmental  unit  of  its power  of  eminent  domain to  take  all  or
substantially  all of the project for which the proceeds of the bonds were used;
a final determination that the interest on the bonds is taxable; changes in  the
economic  availability  of raw  materials, operating  supplies or  facilities or
technological or other  changes which render  the operation of  the project  for
which  the proceeds of  the bonds were  used uneconomical; changes  in law or an
administrative or judicial decree which render the performance of the  agreement
under which the proceeds of the bonds were made available to finance the project
impossible  or  which  create  unreasonable burdens  or  which  impose excessive
liabilities, such as taxes, not imposed on the date the bonds are issued on  the
issuer  of the bonds or the user of the proceeds of the bonds; an administrative
or judicial decree  which requires the  cessation of a  substantial part of  the
operations  of  the  project  financed  with  the  proceeds  of  the  bonds;  an
overestimate of the costs of the project to be financed with the proceeds of the
bonds resulting in excess proceeds which may  be applied to redeem bonds; or  an
underestimate  of a source of funds securing the bonds resulting in excess funds
which may be applied to  redeem bonds. The Sponsor is  unable to predict all  of
the  circumstances which may result in such redemption of an issue of Bonds. See
the discussion of the  various types of bond  issues, above, for information  on
the  call provisions of such bonds,  particularly single family mortgage revenue
bonds.
 
    The exercise of redemption or call provisions will (except to the extent the
proceeds of the called Bonds are used to pay for Unit redemptions) result in the
distribution of  principal  and may  result  in a  reduction  in the  amount  of
subsequent  interest distributions;  it may  also affect  the current  return on
Units of the Trust involved. Redemption pursuant to optional call provisions  is
more  likely to  occur, and  redemption pursuant to  sinking fund  or special or
extraordinary redemption provisions may occur,  when the Bonds have an  offering
side  evaluation which  represents a  premium over  par. Redemption  pursuant to
optional call provisions  may be,  and redemption  pursuant to  sinking fund  or
special or extraordinary redemption provisions is likely to be, at a price equal
to the par value of the bonds without any premium (in the case of original issue
discount  bonds, such redemption is generally to be made at the issue price plus
the amount of original issue discount  accreted to the date of redemption;  such
price  is referred to herein  as "accreted value"). Because  Bonds may have been
valued at prices above or below par value or the then current accreted value  at
the  time Units were  purchased, Unitholders may  realize gain or  loss upon the
redemption of portfolio  Bonds. (See Sections  11 and 13  and the "Schedules  of
Investments.")
 
    CERTAIN  TAX  MATTERS;  LITIGATION.   Certain  of  the Bonds  in  each Trust
portfolio may be subject  to continuing requirements such  as the actual use  of
bond proceeds, manner of operation of the project financed from bond proceeds or
rebate  of excess  earnings on  bond proceeds that  may affect  the exemption of
interest on such  Bonds from Federal  income taxation. Although  at the time  of
issuance  of each  of the  Bonds in each  Trust an  opinion of  bond counsel was
rendered as to the exemption of interest on such obligations from Federal income
taxation, and the issuers covenanted  to comply with all requirements  necessary
to retain the tax-exempt status of the Bonds, there can be no assurance that the
 
                                      A-8
<PAGE>
respective  issuers  or  other obligors  on  such obligations  will  fulfill the
various continuing  requirements  established  upon issuance  of  the  Bonds.  A
failure to comply with such requirements may cause a determination that interest
on  such  obligations  is  subject  to  Federal  income  taxation,  perhaps even
retroactively from the  date of  issuance of  such Bonds,  thereby reducing  the
value of the Bonds and subjecting Unitholders to unanticipated tax liabilities.
 
    To  the best knowledge of the Sponsor,  there is no litigation pending as of
the Date of Deposit in respect of  any Bonds which might reasonably be  expected
to  have a  material adverse effect  on any of  the Trusts. It  is possible that
after the Date of Deposit, litigation may be initiated with respect to Bonds  in
any  Trust. Any  such litigation may  affect the  validity of such  Bonds or the
tax-exempt nature of the interest thereon,  but while the outcome of  litigation
of  such nature can never be entirely predicted, the opinions of bond counsel to
the issuer of  each Bond  on the  date of issuance  state that  such Bonds  were
validly issued and that the interest thereon is, to the extent indicated, exempt
from Federal income tax.
 
5.  WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?
 
INSURANCE ON BONDS IN INSURED TRUSTS
 
Insurance  guaranteeing  the  timely payment,  when  due, of  all  principal and
interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust has been obtained by the Sponsor  or
by  the  issuers or  underwriters  of Bonds  from  the Municipal  Bond Investors
Assurance Corporation (the "Insurer"). Some of  the Bonds in each Insured  Trust
may  be covered by a policy or policies  of insurance obtained by the issuers or
underwriters of  the  Bonds  from  Municipal  Bond  Insurance  Association  (the
"Association") or Bond Investors Guaranty Insurance Company ("BIG"). The Insurer
has  issued a policy or policies of insurance  covering each of the Bonds in the
Insured Trusts, each policy to remain in force until the payment in full of such
Bonds and whether or not the Bonds continue  to be held by an Insured Trust.  By
the  terms  of each  policy the  Insurer will  unconditionally guarantee  to the
holders or owners of the Bonds the payment, when due, required of the issuer  of
the  Bonds of an amount equal  to the principal of and  interest on the Bonds as
such payments shall become due but not be paid (except that in the event of  any
acceleration  of the due  date of principal  by reason of  mandatory or optional
redemption, default or otherwise, the payments  guaranteed will be made in  such
amounts  and  at  such times  as  would have  been  due  had there  not  been an
acceleration). The  Insurer will  be  responsible for  such payments,  less  any
amounts  received by the holders or owners of the Bonds from any trustee for the
bond issuers or  from any other  sources other than  the Insurer. The  Insurer's
policies  relating to small  industrial development bonds  and pollution control
revenue bonds also guarantee the full and complete payments required to be  made
by  or on behalf  of an issuer  of Bonds pursuant  to the terms  of the Bonds if
there occurs an event which results in the loss of the tax-exempt status of  the
interest  on such Bonds,  including principal, interest  or premium payments, if
any, as and when thereby required. The Insurer has indicated that its  insurance
policies  do not insure the payment of  principal or interest on bonds which are
not required to be paid by the issuer thereof because the bonds were not validly
issued; as  indicated  under  "What  is the  Tax  Status  of  Unitholders?"  the
respective  issuing authorities have received  opinions of bond counsel relating
to the valid issuance of each of the Bonds in the Insured Trusts. The  Insurer's
policy  also does not insure against non-payment  of principal of or interest on
the Bonds resulting from the insolvency, negligence or any other act or omission
of the trustee or other paying agent for the Bonds. The policy is not covered by
the Property/ Casualty Insurance  Security Fund specified in  Article 76 of  the
New  York  Insurance Law.  The policies  are  non-cancellable and  the insurance
premiums have been fully paid on or
 
                                      A-9
<PAGE>
prior to the Date  of Deposit, either by  the Sponsor or, if  a policy has  been
obtained by a Bond issuer, by such issuer.
 
    Upon  notification from  the trustee  for any bond  issuer or  any holder or
owner of the Bonds or coupons that such trustee or paying agent has insufficient
funds to pay any  principal or interest  in full when due,  the Insurer will  be
obligated  to deposit funds  promptly with State Street  Bank and Trust Company,
N.A., New York, New York, as fiscal  agent for the Insurer, sufficient to  fully
cover the deficit. If notice of nonpayment is received on or after the due date,
the  Insurer will provide for payment  within one business day following receipt
of the notice. Upon payment  by the Insurer of  any Bonds, coupons, or  interest
payments,  the Insurer shall succeed  to the rights of  the owner of such Bonds,
coupons or interest payments with respect thereto.
 
    The Insurer is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA, Inc., a New  York
Stock  Exchange listed company. MBIA, Inc. is  not obligated to pay the debts of
or claims against the  Insurer. The Insurer is  a limited liability  corporation
rather  than a  several liability association.  The Insurer is  domiciled in the
State of New York and licensed to do business in all 50 states, the District  of
Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
 
    As  of December  31, 1992  the Insurer had  admitted assets  of $2.6 billion
(audited), total liabilities of  $1.7 billion (audited),  and total capital  and
surplus  of  $896  million  (audited) determined  in  accordance  with statutory
accounting  practices   prescribed   or  permitted   by   insurance   regulatory
authorities.  As of December 31,  1993, the Insurer had  admitted assets of $3.1
billion (audited),  total  liabilities  of $2.1  billion  (audited),  and  total
capital  and surplus  of $978  million (audited)  determined in  accordance with
statutory accounting practices prescribed  or permitted by insurance  regulatory
authorities.  Copies of the Insurer's year  end financial statements prepared in
accordance with statutory accounting practices  are available from the  Insurer.
The address of the Insurer is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504.
 
    Each  insurance company comprising the Association will be severally and not
jointly obligated  under  the Association  policy  in the  following  respective
percentages:  The  AEtna  Casualty  and  Surety  Company,  33%;  Fireman's  Fund
Insurance Company, 30%;  The Travelers Indemnity  Company, 15%; AEtna  Insurance
Company  (now  known  as CIGNA  Property  and  Casualty Company),  12%;  and The
Continental Insurance Company, 10%.  As a several  obligor, each such  insurance
company  will be  obligated only to  the extent  of its percentage  of any claim
under the  Association  policy and  will  not be  obligated  to pay  any  unpaid
obligation  of any  other member  of the  Association. Each  insurance company's
participation is backed by all of its assets. However, each insurance company is
a multiline insurer involved in several lines of insurance other than  municipal
bond  insurance, and the assets of each insurance company also secure all of its
other insurance policy and surety bond obligations.
 
    The following table sets forth certain unaudited financial information  with
respect  to  the  five  insurance  companies  comprising  the  Association.  The
statistics, which have been furnished by the Association, are as reported by the
insurance  companies  to  the  New  York  State  Insurance  Department  and  are
determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles. No representation
is  made herein as to the accuracy or  adequacy of such information or as to the
absence of material adverse changes in  such information subsequent to the  date
thereof.  In addition,  these numbers  are subject to  revision by  the New York
State Insurance Department which, if revised, could either increase or  decrease
the amounts.
 
                                      A-10
<PAGE>
                      MUNICIPAL BOND INSURANCE ASSOCIATION
            FIVE MEMBER COMPANIES ASSETS AND POLICYHOLDERS' SURPLUS
                              AS OF JUNE 30, 1993.
                                (000's omitted)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             New York         New York         New York
                                                             Statutory        Statutory     Policyholders'
                                                              Assets         Liabilities        Surplus
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>              <C>
The AEtna Casualty & Surety Company.....................  $     9,670,645  $     8,278,113   $   1,392,532
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company........................        6,571,313        4,880,776       1,690,537
The Travelers Indemnity Company.........................       10,194,126        8,280,211       1,913,915
CIGNA Property and Casualty Company (formerly AEtna
  Insurance Company)....................................        6,198,088        5,634,331         563,757
The Continental Insurance Company.......................        2,574,504        2,223,194         351,310
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
        Total...........................................  $    35,208,676  $    29,296,625   $   5,912,051
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                          ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    Standard   &  Poor's  Corporation  rates  all  new  issues  insured  by  the
Association "AAA" Prime Grade.
 
    Moody's Investors Service rates all  bond issues insured by the  Association
"Aaa"  and  short term  loans  "MIG 1",  both designated  to  be of  the highest
quality.
 
    Each such rating should be evaluated  independently of any other rating.  No
application  has  been  made to  any  other  rating agency  in  order  to obtain
additional ratings  on the  Bonds.  The ratings  reflect the  respective  rating
agency's  current assessment of the creditworthiness  of the Association and its
ability to pay claims on its  policies of insurance. Any further explanation  as
to  the  significance  of  the  above ratings  may  be  obtained  only  from the
applicable rating agency.
 
    Moody's Investors Service rates all bond issues insured by the Insurer "Aaa"
and short-term loans "MIG 1," both designated to be of the highest quality.
 
    Standard & Poor's  Ratings Group,  a division  of McGraw  Hill ("Standard  &
Poor's") rates all new issues insured by the Insurer "AAA" Prime Grade."
 
    The  Moody's Investors  Service rating  of the  Insurer should  be evaluated
independently of the  Standard & Poor's  Corporation rating of  the Insurer.  No
application  has  been  made to  any  other  rating agency  in  order  to obtain
additional ratings  on the  Bonds.  The ratings  reflect the  respective  rating
agency's  current  assessment of  the creditworthiness  of  the Insurer  and its
ability to  pay  claims  on  its policies  of  insurance  (See  "Description  of
Ratings.")  Any further explanation as to  the significance of the above ratings
may be obtained only from the applicable rating agency.
 
    The above ratings are  not recommendations to buy,  sell or hold the  Bonds,
and  such ratings may  be subject to revision  or withdrawal at  any time by the
rating agencies. Any downward revision or  withdrawal of either or both  ratings
may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Bonds.
 
    Because  the insurance on the  Bonds will be effective  so long as the Bonds
are outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining  the
market  value  of  the  Bonds  and therefore  some  value  attributable  to such
insurance will be included in the value of the Units of the Insured Trusts.  The
insurance  does not, however, guarantee the market  value of the Bonds or of the
Units.
 
                                      A-11
<PAGE>
INSURANCE ON CERTAIN BONDS IN TRADITIONAL TRUSTS
 
    Insurance guaranteeing the timely  payment, when due,  of all principal  and
interest  on certain Bonds in a Traditional  Trust may have been obtained by the
Sponsor, issuer or underwriter  of the particular Bonds  involved or by  another
party.  Such insurance, which  provides coverage substantially  the same as that
obtained with  respect  to  Bonds  in Insured  Trusts  as  described  above,  is
effective  so long as the insured Bond is outstanding and the insurer remains in
business. Insurance relates  only to the  particular Bond and  not to the  Units
offered hereby or to their market value. Insured Bonds have received a rating of
"Aaa"  by  Moody's Investors  Service, Inc.  and/or "AAA"  by Standard  & Poor's
Corporation in recognition of such insurance.
 
    If a Bond  in a Traditional  Trust is insured,  the Schedule of  Investments
will identify the insurer. Such insurance will be provided by Financial Guaranty
Insurance   Company  ("FGIC"),  AMBAC   Indemnity  Corporation  ("AMBAC"),  Bond
Investors Guaranty  Insurance  Company, now  known  as MBIA  Corp.  of  Illinois
("BIG"),   Capital  Guaranty  Insurance  Company  ("CGIC"),  Financial  Security
Assurance,   Inc.   ("FSA"),   Municipal   Bond   Insurance   Association   (the
"Association"),  Municipal  Bond  Investors  Assurance  Corporation  ("MBIA") or
Connie Lee Insurance Company  ("ConnieLee"). The Sponsor  to date has  purchased
and  presently intends  to purchase  insurance for  Bonds in  Traditional Trusts
exclusively from MBIA (see the  preceding disclosure regarding MBIA). There  can
be  no assurance  that any insurer  listed therein  will be able  to satisfy its
commitments in the  event claims  are made in  the future.  However, Standard  &
Poor's  Corporation has rated  the claims-paying ability  of each insurer "AAA,"
and Moody's Investors Service has rated all bonds insured by each such  insurer,
except  ConnieLee, "Aaa." Moody's Investor's Service  gives no ratings for bonds
insured by ConnieLee.
 
    Because any such insurance  will be effective so  long as the insured  Bonds
are  outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining the
market value  of  such Bonds  and  therefore  some value  attributable  to  such
insurance  will be included in the value of the Units of the Trust that includes
such Bonds. The insurance does not,  however, guarantee the market value of  the
Bonds or of the Units.
 
6.  HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?
 
The  Public Offering Price of the Units of  each Trust is equal to the Trustee's
determination of the aggregate  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds deposited  therein
(minus  any  advancement to  the  principal account  of  the Trust  made  by the
Trustee) plus a sales charge of 5.152%  of the aggregate offering prices in  the
case  of National and State  Trusts, 4.439% of the  aggregate offering prices in
the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 4.058% of the aggregate offering prices in
the case of Intermediate Trusts, 3.093% of the aggregate offering prices in  the
case of Short Intermediate Trusts and 2.564% of the aggregate offering prices in
the  case of Short  Term Trusts, in each  case adding to  the total thereof cash
held by the Trust,  if any, and dividing  the sum so obtained  by the number  of
Units  outstanding in the Trust. This  computation produces a gross underwriting
profit equal to 4.90% of the Public  Offering Price in the case of National  and
State  Trusts,  4.25%  of  the  Public  Offering  Price  in  the  case  of  Long
Intermediate Trusts,  3.90%  of  the  Public  Offering  Price  in  the  case  of
Intermediate  Trusts, 3.00% of  the Public Offering  Price in the  case of Short
Intermediate Trusts and 2.50% of the Public Offering Price in the case of  Short
Term Trusts.
 
    The  sales charge applicable to quantity purchases is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales to any  purchaser of at least $50,000  or 500 Units and will  be
applied  on whichever basis is more favorable  to the purchaser. For purposes of
calculating the applicable  sales charge,  purchasers who  have indicated  their
intent  to purchase a specified amount of Units of any Trust described herein in
the primary offering period  or units of any  other series of Nuveen  Tax-Exempt
Unit  Trusts in the primary offering period by executing and delivering a letter
of intent to the Sponsor, which letter of intent must be in a form acceptable to
the
 
                                      A-12
<PAGE>
Sponsor and shall have a maximum  duration of thirteen months, will be  eligible
to  receive a reduced sales charge according to the following table based on the
amount of intended aggregate purchases as expressed in the letter of intent.  By
establishing  a letter of intent, a Unitholder agrees that the first purchase of
Units following the execution of  such letter of intent will  be at least 5%  of
the  total  amount  of  the  intended  aggregate  purchases  expressed  in  such
Unitholder's letter of intent. Further, through the establishment of the  letter
of intent, such Unitholder agrees that units representing 5% of the total amount
of  the intended purchases will be held in escrow by United States Trust Company
of New York pending  completion of these purchases.  All distributions on  units
held in escrow will be credited to such Unitholder's account. If total purchases
prior  to the  expiration of  the letter  of intent  period equal  or exceed the
amount specified in a  Unitholder's letter of intent,  the units held in  escrow
will  be transferred  to such Unitholder's  account. If the  total purchases are
less than the amount specified, the Unitholder involved must pay the Sponsor  an
amount  equal to the difference between the amounts paid for these purchases and
the amounts which  would have  been paid  if the  higher sales  charge had  been
applied.  If such Unitholder does  not pay the additional  amount within 20 days
after  written  request   by  the   Sponsor  or   the  Unitholder's   securities
representative,  the Sponsor will instruct the  Trustee to redeem an appropriate
number of the  escrowed units to  meet the required  payment. By establishing  a
letter  of intent, a Unitholder irrevocably  appoints the Sponsor as attorney to
give instructions to redeem any or all of such Unitholder's escrowed units, with
full power  of substitution  in the  premises. A  Unitholder or  his  securities
representative must notify the Sponsor whenever such Unitholder makes a purchase
of Units that he wishes to be counted towards the intended amount. Sales charges
during the primary offering period are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          National and State     Long Intermediate Trusts
                                                                Trusts                                       Intermediate Trusts
                                                       ------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                         Percent      Percent      Percent      Percent      Percent      Percent
                                                           of         of Net         of         of Net         of         of Net
                                                        Offering      Amount      Offering      Amount      Offering      Amount
                  Number of Units*                        Price      Invested       Price      Invested       Price      Invested
- -----------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Less than 500........................................        4.90%       5.152%        4.25%       4.439%        3.90%       4.058%
500 but less than 1,000..............................        4.75        4.987         4.15        4.330         3.70        3.842
1,000 but less than 2,500............................        4.50        4.712         3.85        4.004         3.50        3.627
2,500 but less than 5,000............................        4.25        4.439         3.60        3.734         3.25        3.359
5,000 but less than 10,000...........................        3.50        3.627         3.35        3.466         3.00        3.093
10,000 but less than 25,000..........................        3.00        3.093         3.00        3.093         2.75        2.828
25,000 but less than 50,000..........................        2.50        2.564         2.50        2.564         2.50        2.564
50,000 or more.......................................        2.00        2.041         2.00        2.041         2.00        2.041
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Short Intermediate
                                                                Trusts              Short Term Trusts
                                                       ------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                         Percent      Percent      Percent      Percent
                                                           of         of Net         of         of Net
                                                        Offering      Amount      Offering      Amount
                  Number of Units*                        Price      Invested       Price      Invested
- -----------------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Less than 500........................................        3.00%       3.093%        2.50%       2.564%
500 but less than 1,000..............................        2.80        2.881         2.30        2.354
1,000 but less than 2,500............................        2.60        2.670         2.10        2.145
2,500 but less than 5,000............................        2.35        2.407         1.85        1.885
5,000 but less than 10,000...........................        2.10        2.145         1.60        1.626
10,000 but less than 25,000..........................        1.85        1.885         1.35        1.368
25,000 but less than 50,000..........................        1.80        1.833         1.25        1.266
50,000 or more.......................................        1.50        1.523         1.15        1.163
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint  sales charges are computed both on  a dollar basis and on the basis
 of the number of Units purchased, using the equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000,
 2,500 Units to $250,000 etc., and will  be applied on that basis which is  more
 favorable to the purchaser.
 
    For  "secondary market"  sales the  Public Offering  Price per  Unit of each
Trust is determined by adding to the Trustee's determination of the BID price of
each Bond in the Trust  a sales charge determined  in accordance with the  table
set forth below based upon the number of years remaining to the maturity of each
such  Bond, adjusting  the total to  reflect the amount  of any cash  held in or
advanced to the principal account of the Trust
 
                                      A-13
<PAGE>
and dividing the result by the number of Units then outstanding. For purposes of
this calculation, Bonds will be deemed to mature on their stated maturity  dates
unless:  (a) the Bonds  have been called  for redemption or  funds or securities
have been placed in escrow to redeem them on an earlier call date, in which case
such call date shall  be deemed to be  the date upon which  they mature; or  (b)
such  Bonds are subject to  a "mandatory put," in  which case such mandatory put
date shall be deemed to be the date upon which they mature.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Trustee may terminate a Trust if
the net asset value of such Trust, as shown by any evaluation, is less than  20%
of  the  original principal  amount of  the  Trust. In  the course  of regularly
appraising the  value  of Bonds  in  each Trust,  the  Sponsor will  attempt  to
estimate  the date on which a Trust's value  will fall below the 20% level based
on anticipated bond events over a five year period, including maturities, escrow
calls and  current  calls or  refundings,  assuming certain  market  rates.  The
Sponsor  intends from time to time to recommend that certain Trusts whose values
have fallen or are anticipated to fall  below the 20% level be terminated  based
on  certain criteria which  could adversely affect  the Trust's diversification.
Once the Sponsor has determined that a  Trust's value has or may fall below  the
20%  level within a five-year period, for purposes of computing the sales charge
using the table set forth below, the maturity of each bond in such Trust will be
deemed to be the earlier of the estimated termination date of the Trust, or  the
actual  date used  when pricing the  bond under  Municipal Securities Rulemaking
Board rules and interpretations issued thereunder.
 
    The effect of this method of sales charge calculation will be that different
sales charge rates will  be applied to  the various Bonds  in a Trust  portfolio
based  upon  the maturities  of  such Bonds,  in  accordance with  the following
schedule. As  shown, the  sales charge  on  Bonds in  each maturity  range  (and
therefore the aggregate sales charge on the purchase) is reduced with respect to
purchases of at least $50,000 or 500 Units:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Amount of Purchase*
                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
                                            $50,000     $100,000     $250,000     $500,000     $1,000,000     $2,500,000
                                Under         to           to           to           to            to             to
Years to Maturity              $50,000      $99,999     $249,999     $499,999     $999,999     $2,499,999     $4,999,999
- ---------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------
Less than 1................           0            0            0            0            0             0              0
1 but less than 2..........       1.523%       1.446%       1.369%       1.317%       1.215%        1.061%          .900%
2 but less than 3..........       2.041        1.937        1.833        1.729        1.626         1.420          1.225
3 but less than 4..........       2.564        2.433        2.302        2.175        2.041         1.781          1.546
4 but less than 5..........       3.093        2.961        2.828        2.617        2.459         2.175          1.883
5 but less than 7..........       3.627        3.433        3.239        3.093        2.881         2.460          2.165
7 but less than 10.........       4.167        3.951        3.734        3.520        3.239         2.828          2.489
10 but less than 13........       4.712        4.467        4.221        4.004        3.788         3.253          2.842
13 but less than 16........       5.263        4.988        4.712        4.439        4.167         3.627          3.169
16 or more.................       5.820        5.542        5.263        4.987        4.603         4.004          3.500
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                          <C>
 
                              $5,000,000
Years to Maturity               or more
- ---------------------------  -------------
Less than 1................            0
1 but less than 2..........         .750%
2 but less than 3..........        1.030
3 but less than 4..........        1.310
4 but less than 5..........        1.590
5 but less than 7..........        1.870
7 but less than 10.........        2.150
10 but less than 13........        2.430
13 but less than 16........        2.710
16 or more.................        3.000
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint  sales charges are computed both on a dollar basis and on the basis
  of the  number  of Units  purchased,  using the  equivalent  of 500  Units  to
  $50,000,  2,500 Units  to $250,000,  etc., and will  be applied  on that basis
  which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The secondary market sales charges above  are expressed as a percent of  the
net  amount invested; expressed as  a percent of the  Public Offering Price, the
maximum sales charge on  any Trust, including one  consisting entirely of  Bonds
with  16 years  or more to  maturity, would be  5.50% (5.820% of  the net amount
invested). For purposes of illustration, the sales charge on a Trust  consisting
entirely  of Bonds maturing  in 13 to  16 years would  be 5% (5.263%  of the net
amount invested); that on a Trust consisting entirely of Bonds maturing in  five
to  seven years would be 3.5% (3.627% of the net amount invested); and that on a
Trust consisting entirely of Bonds maturing in three to four years would be 2.5%
(2.564% of the net  amount invested). The actual  secondary market sales  charge
included in the Public Offering Price of any particular Trust will depend on the
maturities of the Bonds in the portfolio of such Trust.
 
                                      A-14
<PAGE>
    At  all  times while  Units are  being  offered for  sale, the  Sponsor will
appraise or cause to  be appraised daily  the value of  the underlying Bonds  in
each  Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each day on which the New York Stock
Exchange (the "Exchange") is normally open  and will adjust the Public  Offering
Price  of the Units commensurate with such appraisal. Such Public Offering Price
will be effective for all orders received by a dealer or the Sponsor at or prior
to 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each such day. Orders received after that time,  or
on a day when the Exchange is closed for a scheduled holiday or weekend, will be
held until the next determination of price.
 
    As  more fully set forth  in Section 8, accrued  interest from the preceding
Record Date to, but not including, the settlement date of the transaction  (five
business  days after  purchase) will  be added to  the Public  Offering Price to
determine the purchase price of Units.
 
    The above graduated  sales charges  will apply  on all  purchases of  Nuveen
investment  company  securities on  any one  day  by the  same purchaser  in the
amounts stated, and for this purpose purchases of this Series will be aggregated
with concurrent  purchases of  any other  Series or  of shares  of any  open-end
management  investment company of which the Sponsor is principal underwriter and
with respect to the purchase of which a sales charge is imposed.
 
    Purchases by or for the account of  an individual and his or her spouse  and
children  under 21 years of  age will be aggregated  to determine the applicable
sales charge. The graduated  sales charges are also  applicable to a trustee  or
other  fiduciary  purchasing  securities for  a  single trust  estate  or single
fiduciary account.
 
    Units may be purchased at the  Public Offering Price without a sales  charge
by officers or directors and by bona fide, full-time employees of Nuveen, Nuveen
Advisory Corp., Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. and The John Nuveen Company,
including  in each case these individuals and their immediate family members (as
defined above).
 
    The initial or primary Public Offering Price  of the Units in each Trust  is
based upon a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices per Unit of the Bonds in such
Trust  plus the  applicable sales charge.  The secondary  market Public Offering
Price of each Trust is based upon a pro rata share of the BID prices per Unit of
the Bonds in such Trust plus the applicable sales charge. The OFFERING prices of
Bonds in a Trust may be expected to average approximately 1% to 2% more than the
BID prices of such Bonds  in the case of  National, Long Intermediate and  State
Trusts,  3/4%  to 1  1/2% in  the  case of  Intermediate and  Short Intermediate
Trusts, and  1/2% to  3/4% in  the case  of Short  Term Trusts.  The  difference
between the bid side evaluation and the offering side evaluation of the Bonds in
each  Trust on the  business day prior  to the Date  of Deposit is  shown in the
discussion of each Trust portfolio.
 
    Whether or not Units are being offered for sale, the Sponsor will  determine
the aggregate value of each Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time: (i) on each June
30 or December 31 (or, if such date is not a business day, the last business day
prior  thereto), (ii) on any day on which  a Unit is tendered for redemption (or
the next succeeding business day  if the date of  tender is a non-business  day)
and (iii) at such other times as may be necessary. For this purpose, a "business
day" shall be any day on which the Exchange is normally open. (See Section 16.)
 
7.  MARKET FOR UNITS
 
During  the  initial public  offering period,  the Sponsor  intends to  offer to
purchase Units of each  Trust at a  price equivalent to the  pro rata share  per
Unit  of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such Trust (plus accrued interest).
Afterward, although  it  is not  obligated  to do  so,  the Sponsor  intends  to
maintain  a secondary  market for  Units of  each Trust  at its  own expense and
continuously to offer  to purchase  Units of each  Trust at  prices, subject  to
 
                                      A-15
<PAGE>
change  at  any time,  which  are based  upon  the BID  prices  of Bonds  in the
respective portfolios of the Trusts. If the supply of Units of any of the Trusts
of this Series exceeds  demand, or for some  other business reason, the  Sponsor
may discontinue purchases of Units of such Trust at such prices. UNITHOLDERS WHO
WISH  TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNITS SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE TRUSTEE OR THEIR BROKER AS
TO THE  CURRENT  REDEMPTION PRICE  (SEE  SECTION  19). In  connection  with  its
secondary  marketmaking activities, the Sponsor may from time to time enter into
secondary market  joint  account  agreements with  other  brokers  and  dealers.
Pursuant to such an agreement the Sponsor will purchase Units from the broker or
dealer at the bid price and will place the Units into a joint account managed by
the  Sponsor; sales from  the account will  be made in  accordance with the then
current prospectus and the Sponsor and  the broker or dealer will share  profits
and  losses in  the joint account  in accordance  with the terms  of their joint
account agreement.
 
    Certificates, if any, for Units are  delivered to the purchaser as  promptly
after  the date of settlement (five business days after purchase) as the Trustee
can complete the mechanics of registration. Normally, Certificates, if any,  are
mailed  by  the  Trustee within  48  hours after  registration  instructions are
received. Purchasers of Units to whom Certificates are issued will be unable  to
exercise  any right of redemption until they have received their Certificates as
tender of the Certificate, properly endorsed for transfer. (See Section 19.)
 
    Each Unit  of each  respective Trust  initially offered  by this  Prospectus
represents  that fractional  undivided interest  in such  Trust as  is set forth
under "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts." To the extent that any Units
of any Trust are  redeemed by the  Trustee, the aggregate  value of the  Trust's
assets  will decrease by  the amount paid  to the redeeming  Unitholder, but the
fractional undivided  interest  of  each  unredeemed Unit  in  such  Trust  will
increase  proportionately. The  Sponsor will  initially, and  from time  to time
thereafter, hold Units in connection with their offering.
 
8.  WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?
 
Accrued interest is the accumulation of unpaid interest on a bond from the  last
day  on which  interest thereon  was paid.  Interest on  Bonds in  each Trust is
accounted for daily on an accrual basis. For this reason, the purchase price  of
Units  of a Trust will  include not only the Public  Offering Price but also the
proportionate share  of accrued  interest to  the date  of settlement.  Interest
accrues  to the  benefit of Unitholders  commencing with the  settlement date of
their purchase transaction.
 
    Accrued interest does not include accrual of original issue discount on zero
coupon bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount bonds.  (See
"Summary  of Portfolios--General Trust Information" and  "What Is The Tax Status
of Unitholders.")
 
    In an effort to reduce the  amount of accrued interest that investors  would
have  to pay in addition to the Public Offering Price, the Trustee has agreed to
advance to each Trust the amount of accrued interest due on the Bonds as of  the
Date  of Deposit (which has been designated  the first Record Date for all plans
of distribution).  This accrued  interest will  be paid  to the  Sponsor as  the
holder  of record of  all Units on  the Date of  Deposit. Consequently, when the
Sponsor sells Units of a  Trust, the amount of accrued  interest to be added  to
the  Public Offering Price to determine the  purchase price of the Units of such
Trust purchased by an investor will include only accrued interest from the  Date
of  Deposit to,  but not  including, the  date of  settlement of  the investor's
purchase (five business days  after purchase), less  any distributions from  the
related  Interest Account.  The Trustee  will recover  its advancements (without
interest or  other cost  to the  Trusts)  from interest  received on  the  Bonds
deposited in each Trust.
 
    The  Trustee has no  cash for distribution to  Unitholders until it receives
interest payments on the Bonds in  the Trusts. Since municipal bond interest  is
accrued daily but
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>
paid  only semi-annually, during the initial  months of the Trusts, the Interest
Accounts, consisting of accrued but uncollected interest and collected  interest
(cash),  will  be predominantly  the uncollected  accrued  interest that  is not
available for distribution. However, due to advances by the Trustee, the Trustee
will provide a first distribution between approximately 30 and 60 days after the
Date of Deposit. Assuming each Trust  retains its original size and  composition
and expenses and fees remain the same, annual interest collected and distributed
will  approximate  the  estimated  Net  Annual  Interest  Income  stated herein.
However, the amount of  accrued interest at  any point in  time will be  greater
than  the amount that the Trustee will have actually received and distributed to
the Unitholders. Therefore, there will always remain an item of accrued interest
that is included in the Purchase Price and the redemption price of the Units.
 
    Interest is accounted  for daily and  a proportionate share  of accrued  and
undistributed  interest computed from the preceding  Record Date is added to the
daily valuation of each Unit  of each Trust. (See Sections  3 and 13.) As  Bonds
mature,  or are redeemed or sold, the  accrued interest applicable to such bonds
is collected and subsequently distributed  to Unitholders. Unitholders who  sell
or redeem all or a portion of their Units will be paid their proportionate share
of  the remaining accrued interest to, but not including, the fifth business day
following the date of sale or tender.
 
9.  WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?
 
The Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to  the
investor  earned over the estimated  life of the Trust.  The Estimated Long Term
Return represents an average of the yields to maturity (or call) of the Bonds in
the Trust's portfolio calculated in  accordance with accepted bond practice  and
adjusted  to reflect expenses  and sales charges.  Under accepted bond practice,
tax-exempt bonds are customarily offered to investors on a "yield price"  basis,
which  involves computation  of yield  to maturity  or to  an earlier  call date
(whichever produces the lower yield), and which takes into account not only  the
interest  payable  on the  bonds but  also  the amortization  or accretion  to a
specified date of any premium over or discount from the par (maturity) value  in
the  bond's  purchase  price. In  calculating  Estimated Long  Term  Return, the
average yield for  the Trust's  portfolio is  derived by  weighting each  Bond's
yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining to the
date  to which the Bond is priced. Once the average portfolio yield is computed,
this figure is then reduced to reflect estimated expenses and the effect of  the
maximum  sales  charge  paid  by  investors.  The  Estimated  Long  Term  Return
calculation does not take into account the effect of a first distribution  which
may  be less than a regular  distribution or may be paid  at some point after 30
days (or a second distribution which may be less than a normal distribution  for
Unitholders  who choose quarterly or semi-annual  plans of distribution), and it
also does  not  take  into account  the  difference  in timing  of  payments  to
Unitholders  who choose quarterly or semi-annual  plans of distribution, each of
which will reduce the return.
 
    Estimated Current Return  is computed  by dividing the  Net Annual  Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion of discount, if any, on the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
the Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
 
    Net  Annual Interest  Income per Unit,  used to  calculate Estimated Current
Return, will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and  the
Evaluator  and with the redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds. A Trust
may experience expenses and  portfolio changes different  from those assumed  in
the calculation of Estimated Long Term
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>
Return.  There thus can  be no assurance  that the Estimated  Current Returns or
Estimated Long Term Returns quoted herein will be realized in the future.  Since
both  the Estimated  Current Return  and the  Estimated Long  Term Return quoted
herein are based on the market value of the underlying Bonds on the business day
prior to  the Date  of  Deposit, subsequent  calculations of  these  performance
measures  will reflect the then current market value of the underlying Bonds and
may be higher or lower.
 
    A portion of the  monies received by  a Trust may be  treated, in the  first
year  only, as a return of principal due to the inclusion in the Trust portfolio
of "when-issued"  or  other  Bonds  having delivery  dates  after  the  date  of
settlement  for purchases  made on  the Date of  Deposit. A  consequence of this
treatment is that in the computation  of Estimated Current Return for the  first
year, such monies are excluded from Net Annual Interest Income and treated as an
adjustment  to the Public Offering  Price. (See "Essential Information Regarding
the Trusts" and Sections 4 and 11.)
 
    For a statement of the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit under the monthly
plan of  distribution,  and Estimated  Long  Term Yield  and  Estimated  Current
Returns based on the Public Offering Prices of the Trusts in this Series, all as
of  the day prior to  the Date of Deposit,  see "Essential Information Regarding
the Trusts."
 
10.  HOW WAS THE PRICE OF THE BONDS DETERMINED AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT?
 
The prices at which the Bonds deposited in the Trusts would have been offered to
the public on the business day prior  to the Date of Deposit were determined  by
the  Trustee on the basis  of an evaluation of such  Bonds prepared by Kenny S&P
Evaluation Services, a  firm regularly  engaged in the  business of  evaluating,
quoting  or appraising comparable bonds. With respect to Bonds in Insured Trusts
and insured Bonds in Traditional Trusts, Kenny S&P Evaluation Services evaluated
the Bonds as so insured. (See Section 5).
 
    The amount by which  the Trustee's determination of  the OFFERING PRICES  of
the  Bonds deposited  in the Trusts  was greater or  less than the  cost of such
Bonds to  the  Sponsor was  PROFIT  OR LOSS  to  the Sponsor  exclusive  of  any
underwriting  profit.  (See Section  3.) The  Sponsor  also may  realize FURTHER
PROFIT OR  SUSTAIN  FURTHER LOSS  as  a result  of  fluctuations in  the  Public
Offering  Price of the Units. Cash, if  any, made available to the Sponsor prior
to the settlement date for a purchase  of Units, or prior to the acquisition  of
all  Portfolio securities by a Trust, may  be available for use in the Sponsor's
business, and may be of benefit to the Sponsor.
 
11.  WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?
 
At the  respective times  of issuance  of  the Bonds  opinions relating  to  the
validity  thereof and to  the exemption of interest  thereon from Federal income
tax were rendered  by bond  counsel to  the respective  issuing authorities.  In
addition,  with respect to  State Trusts, where applicable,  bond counsel to the
issuing authorities rendered opinions  as to the exemption  of interest on  such
Bonds,  when held by residents  of the state in which  the issuers of such Bonds
are located, from state income taxes and certain state or local intangibles  and
local  income taxes.  For a  discussion of  the tax  status of  State Trusts see
"Summary of  Portfolios--  Tax Status"  for  the respective  State  Trust.  (See
Sections  2 and 3.)  Neither the Sponsor  nor its counsel  have made any special
review for the Trusts of the proceedings  relating to the issuance of the  Bonds
or of the basis for the opinions rendered in connection therewith.
 
    Taxpayers  must  disclose  on  their  Federal  tax  returns  the  amount  of
tax-exempt  interest  earned  during  the  year.  Federally  tax-exempt  income,
including  income on Units  of the Trusts,  will be taken  into consideration in
computing the portion, if any, of social security benefits received that will be
included in a taxpayer's gross income subject to the Federal income tax.
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>
    Gain realized on the sale or redemption of the Bonds by the Trustee or of  a
Unit  by  a Unitholder  is includable  in  gross income  for Federal  income tax
purposes, and may be  includable in gross income  for state tax purposes.  (Such
gain  does not include  any amounts received  in respect of  accrued interest or
accrued original  issue  discount,  if  any.) It  should  be  noted  that  under
provisions  of the Revenue Reconciliation Act  of 1993 (the "Tax Act") described
below that subject accretion of market discount on tax-exempt bonds to  taxation
as  ordinary income,  gain realized on  the sale  or redemption of  Bonds by the
Trustee or of Units by a Unitholder that would have been treated as capital gain
under prior law is treated as ordinary  income to the extent it is  attributable
to  accretion of market discount.  Market discount can arise  based on the price
the Trust pays  for the  Bonds or the  price a  Unitholder pays for  his or  her
Units.
 
    In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Counsel to the Sponsor, under existing
law:
 
    (1) the  Trusts  are not  associations taxable  as corporations  for Federal
        income tax purposes. Tax-exempt interest received by each of the  Trusts
        on  Bonds  deposited  therein  will  retain  its  status  as  tax-exempt
        interest, for Federal income tax  purposes, when received by the  Trusts
        and  when distributed  to the  Unitholders, except  that the alternative
        minimum tax and  environmental tax (the  "Superfund Tax") applicable  to
        corporate  Unitholders  may, in  certain  circumstances, include  in the
        amount on which  such taxes  are calculated  a portion  of the  interest
        income  received by  the Trust. See  "Certain Tax  Matters Applicable to
        Corporate Unitholders", below;
 
    (2) each Unitholder of a Trust is considered  to be the owner of a pro  rata
        portion  of such Trust under Subpart E, subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and will have a taxable event
        when the Trust  disposes of  a Bond or  when the  Unitholder redeems  or
        sells  Units. Unitholders must  reduce the tax basis  of their Units for
        their share of accrued interest received by the Trust, if any, on  Bonds
        delivered  after  the  date the  Unitholders  pay for  their  Units and,
        consequently, such Unitholders may have  an increase in taxable gain  or
        reduction  in capital loss  upon the disposition of  such Units. Gain or
        loss upon the sale or redemption  of Units is measured by comparing  the
        proceeds  of  such sale  or redemption  with the  adjusted basis  of the
        Units. If the  Trustee disposes of  Bonds (whether by  sale, payment  at
        maturity,  redemption or otherwise),  gain or loss  is recognized to the
        Unitholder. The amount of any such gain or loss is measured by comparing
        the Unitholder's  pro  rata  share  of  the  total  proceeds  from  such
        disposition  with  the  Unitholder's  basis for  his  or  her fractional
        interest in  the asset  disposed of.  In the  case of  a Unitholder  who
        purchases Units, such basis (before adjustment for earned original issue
        discount   and  amortized  bond  premium,   if  any)  is  determined  by
        apportioning the  cost of  the  Units among  each  of the  Trust  assets
        ratably  according to value as of the  date of acquisition of the Units.
        The  tax  cost   reduction  requirements  of   said  Code  relating   to
        amortization  of bond premium  may, under some  circumstances, result in
        the Unitholder realizing a taxable gain  when his or her Units are  sold
        or redeemed for an amount equal to their original cost; and
 
    (3) any  amounts paid on defaulted Bonds  held by the Trustee under policies
        of insurance issued with respect to  such Bonds will be excludable  from
        Federal  gross income if, and to the same extent as, such interest would
        have been so excludable if paid by the respective issuer. Paragraph  (2)
        of   this  opinion   is  accordingly   applicable  to   policy  proceeds
        representing maturing interest.
 
                                      A-19
<PAGE>
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, counsel to the Trustee, and, in the
absence of a New York Trust from the Series, special counsel for the Series  for
New York tax matters, under existing law:
 
        Under  the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, each Trust
    is not an association taxable as a corporation and the income of each  Trust
    will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.
 
    For  a summary of  each opinion of  special counsel to  the respective State
Trusts for state tax matters, see Section 3.
 
    ALL STATEMENTS IN THE PROSPECTUS CONCERNING EXEMPTION FROM FEDERAL, STATE OR
OTHER TAXES ARE THE OPINION OF COUNSEL AND ARE TO BE SO CONSTRUED.
 
    The redemption of Units in a Trust  by a Unitholder would result in each  of
the  remaining Unitholders of said Trust owning a greater proportionate interest
in the remaining assets  of said Trust. Although  present law does not  directly
address  this matter, it  would appear reasonable  that a remaining Unitholder's
tax basis in  his Units would  include his proportionate  share of any  proceeds
received by the Trust on the sale of bonds which were not distributed to him but
were  instead used by  the Trust to redeem  Units and that his  tax basis in the
remaining assets of the  Trust would accordingly be  increased by such share  of
proceeds, based on the relative fair market value of the remaining assets of the
Trust as of the date of such redemption.
 
    Sections  1288 and 1272 of the Code provide a complex set of rules governing
the accrual of original issue discount. These rules provide that original  issue
discount  accrues either on  the basis of  a constant compound  interest rate or
ratably over the term of the Bond, depending on the date the Bond was issued. In
addition, special  rules apply  if the  purchase  price of  a Bond  exceeds  the
original issue price plus the amount of original issue discount which would have
previously  accrued based upon its issue price (its "adjusted issue price"). The
application of these rules will also vary depending on the value of the Bond  on
the  date a Unitholder acquires his Units, and the price the Unitholder pays for
his Units. The  accrual of  tax-exempt original  issue discount  on zero  coupon
bonds  and other original issue discount bonds will result in an increase in the
Unitholder's basis in  such obligations and,  accordingly, in his  basis in  his
Units.
 
    The  Tax Act subjects tax-exempt  bonds to the market  discount rules of the
Code effective for  bonds purchased  after April  30, 1993.  In general,  market
discount is the amount (if any) by which the stated redemption price at maturity
exceeds an investor's purchase price (except to the extent that such difference,
if  any, is attributable to original issue  discount not yet accrued). Under the
Tax Act, accretion of market discount is taxable as ORDINARY INCOME; under prior
law, the  accretion had  been  treated as  capital  gain. Market  discount  that
accretes  while the Trust holds a Bond would be recognized as ordinary income by
the Unitholders when principal payments are  received on the Bond, upon sale  or
at  redemption (including early  redemption), or upon the  sale or redemption of
his or  her Units,  unless a  Unitholder elects  to include  market discount  in
taxable  income  as  it  accrues.  The market  discount  rules  are  complex and
Unitholders should consult their  tax advisors regarding  these rules and  their
application.
 
    The Internal Revenue Code provides that interest on indebtedness incurred or
continued  to purchase  or carry  obligations, the  interest on  which is wholly
exempt from Federal income taxes, is not deductible. Because each Unitholder  is
treated  for Federal income tax purposes as the owner of a pro rata share of the
Bonds owned by the applicable Trust, interest on borrowed funds used to purchase
or carry Units  of such  Trust will  not be  deductible for  Federal income  tax
purposes.  Under rules used by the Internal Revenue Service for determining when
borrowed funds are  considered used for  the purpose of  purchasing or  carrying
particular   assets,  the   purchase  of  Units   may  be   considered  to  have
 
                                      A-20
<PAGE>
been made with borrowed  funds even though the  borrowed funds are not  directly
traceable  to the purchase of Units (however, these rules generally do not apply
to interest paid  on indebtedness  incurred to  purchase or  improve a  personal
residence).  Similar  rules are  generally  applicable for  state  tax purposes.
Special rules apply in the case  of certain financial institutions that  acquire
Units. Investors with questions regarding these issues should consult with their
tax advisers.
 
    In  general,  each  issue of  bonds  in  the Trusts  is  subject  to certain
post-issuance requirements which must  be met in order  for the interest on  the
Bonds to be and remain exempt from Federal income taxation. Bond counsel to each
issuer generally has opined that, assuming continuing compliance by such issuers
with  certain covenants, interest on such Bonds  will continue to be exempt from
Federal income taxation (other than with respect to the application to corporate
Unitholders of the alternative  minimum tax or the  Superfund Tax, as  discussed
below).
 
    For  purposes of computing  the alternative minimum  tax for individuals and
corporations, interest on certain specified tax-exempt private activity bonds is
included as a preference item. The Trusts do not include any such bonds.
 
    For taxpayers  other  than corporations,  net  capital gains  are  presently
subject  to a maximum tax  rate of 28 percent. However,  it should be noted that
legislative proposals are introduced from time to time that affect tax rates and
could affect relative differences at which ordinary income and capital gains are
taxed.
 
    CERTAIN TAX  MATTERS APPLICABLE  TO CORPORATE  UNITHOLDERS. In  the case  of
certain  corporations, the alternative minimum tax  and the Superfund Tax depend
upon the corporation's alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the
corporation's taxable income  with certain  adjustments. One  of the  adjustment
items  used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation (other than
an S corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate Investment Trust, or
REMIC) is an amount equal to 75%  of the excess of such corporation's  "adjusted
current  earnings" over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment item
and the  alternative  tax net  operation  loss deduction).  Although  tax-exempt
interest  received by each of the Trusts  on Bonds deposited therein will not be
included in the gross  income of corporations for  Federal income tax  purposes,
"adjusted current earnings" includes all tax-exempt interest, including interest
on all Bonds in the Trust and tax-exempt original issue discount.
 
    Corporate  Unitholders  are urged  to consult  their  own tax  advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences  to them resulting under the  Federal
tax  law, including the corporate alternative minimum tax, the Superfund Tax and
the branch profits tax imposed by Section 884 of the Code.
 
    EXCEPT AS NOTED ABOVE AND IN SECTION  3, THE EXEMPTION OF INTEREST ON  STATE
AND  LOCAL  OBLIGATIONS FOR  FEDERAL INCOME  TAX  PURPOSES DOES  NOT NECESSARILY
RESULT IN EXEMPTION UNDER THE INCOME OR OTHER TAX LAWS OF ANY STATE OR CITY. THE
LAWS  OF  THE  SEVERAL  STATES  VARY  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE  TAXATION  OF  SUCH
OBLIGATIONS.
 
12.  WHAT ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?
 
No  annual advisory fee is charged the  Trusts by the Sponsor. The Sponsor does,
however, receive a fee  of $0.17 per  annum per $1,000  principal amount of  the
underlying  Bonds  in each  Trust  for regularly  evaluating  the Bonds  and for
maintaining surveillance over the portfolio. (See Section 16.)
 
    The Trustee receives for ordinary recurring services an annual fee for  each
plan  of  distribution for  each Trust  as set  forth in  "Essential Information
Regarding the Trusts."  Each annual fee  is per $1,000  principal amount of  the
underlying Bonds in a Trust for that
 
                                      A-21
<PAGE>
portion  of the  Trust that  represents a  particular plan  of distribution. The
Trustee's fee  may  be periodically  adjusted  in response  to  fluctuations  in
short-term interest rates (reflecting the cost to the Trustee of advancing funds
to  a Trust  to meet  scheduled distributions)  and may  be further  adjusted in
accordance  with  the  cumulative  percentage  increase  of  the  United  States
Department  of Labor's  Consumer Price Index  entitled "All  Services Less Rent"
since the establishment of the Trusts. The Trustee has the use of funds, if any,
being held  in the  Interest and  Principal Accounts  of each  Trust for  future
distributions,   payment  of  expenses  and   redemptions.  These  Accounts  are
non-interest bearing to Unitholders. Pursuant to normal banking procedures,  the
Trustee  benefits from  the use  of funds  held therein.  Part of  the Trustee's
compensation for its services to the Fund is expected to result from such use of
these funds.
 
    Premiums for the  policies of insurance  obtained by the  Sponsor or by  the
Bond issuers with respect to the Bonds in the Insured Trusts and with respect to
insured  Bonds in Traditional Trusts have been paid in full prior to the deposit
of the Bonds in the Trusts, and the value of such insurance has been included in
the evaluation of the Bonds in each Trust and accordingly in the Public Offering
Price of Units of each Trust. There  are no annual continuing premiums for  such
insurance.
 
    The Sponsor has borne all costs of creating and establishing the Trusts. The
following  are expenses  of the  Trusts and,  when paid  by or  are owed  to the
Trustee, are secured by  a lien on the  assets of the Trust  or Trusts to  which
such expenses are allocable: (1) the expenses and costs of any action undertaken
by  the  Trustee to  protect  the Trusts  and the  rights  and interests  of the
Unitholders; (2) all taxes and other governmental charges upon the Bonds or  any
part of the Trusts (no such taxes or charges are being levied or made or, to the
knowledge  of the Sponsor, contemplated); (3)  amounts payable to the Trustee as
fees  for  ordinary  recurring  services  and  for  extraordinary  non-recurring
services  rendered  pursuant to  the Indenture,  all disbursements  and expenses
including counsel fees  (including fees of  bond counsel which  the Trustee  may
retain)  sustained or incurred  by the Trustee in  connection therewith; and (4)
any losses or liabilities accruing to the Trustee without negligence, bad  faith
or  willful misconduct on  its part. The  Trustee is empowered  to sell Bonds in
order to  pay  these  amounts  if  funds are  not  otherwise  available  in  the
applicable Interest and Principal Accounts.
 
    The  Indenture requires each Trust  to be audited on  an annual basis at the
expense of the Trust by independent public accountants selected by the  Sponsor.
The  Trustee  shall not  be  required, however,  to cause  such  an audit  to be
performed if its cost to a Trust shall exceed $.05 per Unit on an annual  basis.
Unitholders  of a  Trust covered by  an audit may  obtain a copy  of the audited
financial statements upon request.
 
13.  WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
Interest received by the Trustee on the Bonds in each Trust, including that part
of the proceeds of  any disposition of Bonds  which represents accrued  interest
and  including  any insurance  proceeds representing  interest due  on defaulted
Bonds, shall be credited to the "Interest  Account" of such Trust and all  other
moneys  received by the Trustee shall be  credited to the "Principal Account" of
such Trust.
 
    The pro rata share of  cash in the Principal Account  in each Trust will  be
computed as of each semi-annual Record Date and distributions to the Unitholders
as of such Record Date will be made on or shortly after the fifteenth day of the
month. Proceeds received from the disposition, including sale, call or maturity,
of  any of the Bonds and all amounts  paid with respect to zero coupon bonds and
Stripped Obligations will be  held in the Principal  Account and either used  to
pay  for Units  redeemed or distributed  on the Distribution  Date following the
next semi-annual Record Date. The Trustee is not required to make a distribution
from
 
                                      A-22
<PAGE>
the Principal Account of any Trust unless the amount available for  distribution
in such account equals at least ten cents per Unit.
 
    The pro rata share of the Interest Account in each Trust will be computed by
the  Trustee each month as of each Record Date and distributions will be made on
or shortly after the fifteenth day of the month to Unitholders of such Trust  as
of the Record Date who are entitled to distributions at that time under the plan
of  distribution chosen. Persons who purchase Units  between a Record Date and a
Distribution Date will receive their first distribution on the Distribution Date
following the next Record Date under the applicable plan of distribution.
 
    Purchasers of  Units  who desire  to  receive interest  distributions  on  a
monthly or quarterly basis may elect to do so at the time of purchase during the
initial  public offering  period. Those indicating  no choice will  be deemed to
have chosen the  semi-annual distribution  plan. All  Unitholders, however,  who
purchase  Units during the initial  public offering period and  who hold them of
record on the first Record Date will receive the first distribution of interest.
Thereafter, Record Dates for monthly distributions will be the first day of each
month; Record  Dates  for quarterly  distributions  will  be the  first  day  of
February,   May,  August  and   November;  and  Record   Dates  for  semi-annual
distributions will be the first day of May and November.
 
    Details of distributions  per Unit  of each  Trust under  the various  plans
based upon estimated Net Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit are shown
in  the tables appearing in  Section 3. The amount  of the regular distributions
will remain the same so long as  each Trust portfolio remains the same and  fees
and expenses remain the same, and will generally change when Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or when fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
    The  plan of  distribution selected  by a  Unitholder will  remain in effect
until changed.  Unitholders  purchasing  Units  in  the  secondary  market  will
initially  receive distributions  in accordance with  the election  of the prior
owner. Unitholders desiring to  change their plan of  distribution may do so  by
sending   a   written  notice   requesting   the  change,   together   with  any
Certificate(s), to  the  Trustee. The  notice  and any  Certificate(s)  must  be
received  by  the Trustee  not  later than  the  semi-annual Record  Date  to be
effective  as  of   the  semi-annual  distribution   following  the   subsequent
semi-annual  Record Date.  Unitholders are  requested to  make any  such changes
within 45 days prior to the applicable Record Date. Certificates should only  be
sent  by registered or certified mail to minimize the possibility of their being
lost or stolen. (See Section 18.) If no notice is received in proper form by the
Trustee, the Unitholder  will be  deemed to have  elected to  continue the  same
plan.
 
    As  of the first day of each month the Trustee will deduct from the Interest
Account of a Trust or, to the extent funds are not sufficient therein, from  the
Principal  Account of a  Trust, amounts needed  for payment of  expenses of such
Trust. The Trustee also may withdraw from said accounts such amount, if any,  as
it  deems necessary to establish a  reserve for any governmental charges payable
out of such Trust. Amounts  so withdrawn shall not be  considered a part of  the
Trust's  assets until such time  as the Trustee shall return  all or any part of
such amounts to the appropriate account.
 
    For the purpose  of minimizing  fluctuations in the  distributions from  the
Interest  Account of a Trust, the Trustee  is authorized to advance such amounts
as may be necessary to provide for interest distributions of approximately equal
amounts. The  Trustee  shall  be  reimbursed, without  interest,  for  any  such
advances  from funds in  the Interest Account  of such Trust.  The Trustee's fee
takes into account  the costs attributable  to the outlay  of capital needed  to
make such advances.
 
                                      A-23
<PAGE>
    The  Trustee  shall withdraw  from the  Interest  Account and  the Principal
Account of a  Trust such amounts  as may  be necessary to  cover redemptions  of
Units of such Trust by the Trustee. (See Section 19.)
 
    Funds  which are available for future distributions, redemptions and payment
of expenses are held in accounts  which are non-interest bearing to  Unitholders
and are available for use by the Trustee pursuant to normal banking procedures.
 
14.  ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
The  Sponsor, John Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, is also the principal underwriter
of the  Nuveen Municipal  Bond Fund,  Inc. (the  "Bond Fund"),  Nuveen  Tax-Free
Reserves, Inc. ("Tax-Free Reserves"), Nuveen California Tax-Free Fund, Inc. (the
"California  Fund"),  Nuveen Tax-Free  Bond Fund,  Inc. ("Tax-Free  Bond Fund"),
Nuveen Insured Tax-Free  Bond Fund, Inc.  (the "Insured Bond  Fund") and  Nuveen
Tax-Free  Money  Market Fund,  Inc.  (the "Money  Market  Fund") and  the Nuveen
Multistate  Tax-Free  Trust  (the  "Multistate  Trust").  Each  of  these  funds
(together,  the  "Accumulation Funds")  is  an open-end,  diversified management
investment  company  into  which  Unitholders  may  choose  to  reinvest   Trust
distributions  automatically,  without any  sales  charge. (Reinvestment  in the
California Fund is available only  to Unitholders who are California  residents.
Reinvestment in the State Portfolios of the Tax-Free Bond Fund, the Insured Bond
Fund,  the  Money Market  Fund and  the  Multistate Trust  is available  only to
Unitholders who  are residents  of  the states  for  which such  portfolios  are
named.)  Unitholders may reinvest  both interest and  principal distributions or
principal distributions only. Each  Accumulation Fund has investment  objectives
which  differ in  certain respects from  those of  the Trusts and  may invest in
securities which would not be eligible for deposit in the Trusts. The investment
adviser to  each Accumulation  Fund  is Nuveen  Advisory Corp.,  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of  the  Sponsor. The  following  is  a general  description  of the
investment objectives  and  policies  of  each Accumulation  Fund.  For  a  more
detailed description, Unitholders should read the prospectus of the Accumulation
Fund in which they are interested.
 
THE BOND FUND
 
    The  Bond  Fund has  the  objective of  providing,  through investment  in a
professionally managed portfolio of long-term  municipal bonds, as high a  level
of  current interest income exempt from Federal income tax as is consistent with
preservation of capital. The Bond Fund  may include in its portfolio  tax-exempt
bonds  rated Baa or BBB or better by Moody's or Standard & Poor's, unrated bonds
which, in the  opinion of  the investment adviser,  have credit  characteristics
equivalent  to  bonds  rated  Baa  or  BBB  or  better,  and  certain  temporary
investments, including securities the interest income from which may be  subject
to Federal income tax.
 
TAX-FREE RESERVES
 
    Tax-Free  Reserves is a  "money market" fund that  includes in its portfolio
only obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  acquisition,
maintains an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or less, values its
portfolio at amortized cost and seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per
share. It provides checkwriting and expedited wire redemption privileges for its
shareholders.   Tax-Free  Reserves  has  the  objective  of  providing,  through
investment in  a professionally  managed portfolio  of high  quality  short-term
municipal  obligations, as high  a level of current  interest income exempt from
Federal income  tax  as is  consistent  with  preservation of  capital  and  the
maintenance  of  liquidity.  Tax-Free  Reserves  may  include  in  its portfolio
municipal obligations rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, VMIG-1 or Prime-1 by Moody's or AAA,
AA,   SP-1    or    A-1    by   Standard    &    Poor's,    unrated    municipal
 
                                      A-24
<PAGE>
obligations  that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  investment  adviser,  have credit
characteristics equivalent to obligations rated as above, tax-exempt obligations
backed by the U.S. Government, and temporary investments that may be subject  to
Federal income tax.
 
THE CALIFORNIA FUND
 
    The  California Fund has  the objective of  providing, through investment in
professionally managed portfolios of California municipal obligations, as high a
level of current interest income exempt from both Federal and California  income
taxes as is consistent with the investment policies of each of the portfolios of
the  California Fund  and with  preservation of  capital. Each  portfolio of the
California Fund may include  temporary investments that may  be subject to  tax.
California Unitholders may reinvest in one of three portfolios of the California
Fund:  The Nuveen California Tax-Free Value  Fund, the Nuveen California Insured
Tax-Free Value Fund and the Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund.
 
    The Nuveen California  Tax-Free Value  Fund invests  primarily in  long-term
investment  grade California  tax-exempt bonds  (I.E., bonds  rated in  the four
highest categories by  Moody's or Standard  & Poor's or,  if unrated, that  have
equivalent credit characteristics). The Nuveen California Insured Tax-Free Value
Fund  invests primarily  in the  same type  of investments  as the  Special Bond
Portfolio, each of which is covered by insurance guaranteeing the timely payment
of principal  and  interest  or  is  backed by  a  deposit  of  U.S.  Government
securities.
 
    The  Nuveen  California  Tax-Free  Money Market  Fund  invests  primarily in
high-quality short term  California tax-exempt money  market instruments  (I.E.,
obligations  rated in the two highest categories by Moody's or Standard & Poor's
or, if unrated,  that have  equivalent credit  characteristics). This  portfolio
will  include  only  obligations  maturing  within one  year  from  the  date of
acquisition, will maintain an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or
less, will value its portfolio at amortized cost and will seek to maintain a net
asset value of $1.00 per share. The Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund
provides for an expedited wire redemption privilege.
 
THE TAX-FREE BOND FUND
 
    The Tax-Free Bond Fund consists  of the Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free  Value
Fund,  the Nuveen New York  Tax-Free Value Fund, the  Nuveen Ohio Tax-Free Value
Fund, and the Nuveen  New Jersey Tax-Free Value  Fund, which are each  available
for  reinvestment to Unitholders who  are residents of the  state for which such
portfolio is  named. The  Tax-Free Bond  Fund has  the objective  of  providing,
through  investment in a professionally managed portfolio of municipal bonds, as
high a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal income tax  and
from  the  income  tax  imposed  by  each  portfolio's  designated  state  as is
consistent with preservation of capital. The  Tax-Free Bond Fund may include  in
each  of its  portfolios tax-exempt  bonds rated Baa  or BBB  or better; unrated
bonds  which,  in   the  opinion   of  the  investment   adviser,  have   credit
characteristics  equivalent to  bonds rated  Baa or  BBB or  better; and certain
temporary investments, including securities the  interest income from which  may
be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE INSURED BOND FUND
 
    The  Insured Bond Fund  consists of the Nuveen  Insured Municipal Bond Fund,
the Nuveen Massachusetts  Insured Tax-Free Value  Fund and the  Nuveen New  York
Insured  Tax-Free  Value  Fund, which  are  each available  for  reinvestment to
Unitholders. (The Massachusetts and  New York Portfolios  are available only  to
those  Unitholders who  are residents  of the state  for which  the portfolio is
named.) The Insured Bond Fund has the objective of providing, through investment
in professionally managed  portfolios of  municipal bonds,  as high  a level  of
current  interest income exempt from both Federal income tax and, in the case of
 
                                      A-25
<PAGE>
designated state portfolios,  from the  income tax imposed  by each  portfolio's
designated  state, as  is consistent with  preservation of  capital. The Insured
Bond Fund may include in each of its portfolios the same type of investments  as
the  Tax-Free Bond Fund, each of which  is covered by insurance guaranteeing the
timely payment of  principal and  interest or  is backed  by a  deposit of  U.S.
Government securities.
 
THE MONEY MARKET FUND
 
    The  Money Market Fund  consists of the  Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free Money
Market Fund and the Nuveen New York  Tax-Free Money Market Fund, which are  each
available  for reinvestment  to Unitholders who  are residents of  the state for
which such portfolio is named. The Money Market Fund includes in its  portfolios
only  obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of acquisition,
maintains an average  maturity of  120 days or  less, values  its portfolios  at
amortized  cost and seeks to maintain a net  asset value of $1.00 per share. The
Money Market  Fund  has  the  objective  of  providing,  through  investment  in
professionally   managed  portfolios   of  high   quality  short-term  municipal
obligations, as high a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal
income tax and from the income tax imposed by each portfolio's designated  state
as  is consistent with stability of  principal and the maintenance of liquidity.
The  Money  Market  Fund  may  include  in  each  of  its  portfolios  municipal
obligations  rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, MIG-2, VMIG-1,  VMIG-2, Prime 1 or Prime 2 by
Moody's or  AAA, AA,  SP-1,  SP-2, A-1  or A-2  by  Standard &  Poor's;  unrated
municipal  obligations  that, in  the opinion  of  the investment  adviser, have
credit characteristics equivalent to obligations  rated as above; and  temporary
investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE MULTISTATE TRUST
 
    The Multistate Trust consists of the Nuveen Arizona Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen Florida Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen Maryland Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen  Michigan Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen New Jersey Tax-Free Value Fund,
the Nuveen Pennsylvania  Tax-Free Value Fund  and the Nuveen  Virginia Tax  Free
Value  Fund, which  are each available  for reinvestment to  Unitholders who are
residents of the state for which  such portfolio is named. The Multistate  Trust
has  the objective of providing, through  investment in a professionally managed
portfolio of municipal bonds, as high a level of current interest income  exempt
from  both regular Federal  income tax and the  applicable state personal income
tax as is  consistent with  preservation of  capital. The  Multistate Trust  may
include  in each  of its  portfolios tax-exempt  bonds rated  "Baa" or  "BBB" or
better, unrated bonds  which, in  the opinion  of the  investment advisor,  have
credit  characteristics  equivalent to  bonds rated  "baa"  or "BBB"  or better,
limited to  no more  than 20%  of  the Multistate  Trust's assets,  and  certain
temporary investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
    Each  person who purchases Units of a  Trust may become a participant in the
Accumulation Plan and elect  to have his  or her distributions  on Units of  the
Trust  invested directly in shares of one of the Accumulation Funds. Reinvesting
Unitholders  may  select  any  interest  distribution  plan.  Thereafter,   each
distribution  of  interest  income  or  principal  on  the  participant's  Units
(principal only in  the case of  a Unitholder  who has chosen  to reinvest  only
principal  distributions) will, on the applicable distribution date, or the next
day on which the New  York Stock Exchange is  normally open ("business day")  if
the  distribution  date is  not  a business  day,  automatically be  received by
Shareholder Services, Inc., transfer agent  for each of the Accumulation  Funds,
on  behalf of such participant  and applied on that  date to purchase shares (or
fractions thereof)  of  the Accumulation  Fund  chosen  at net  asset  value  as
computed  as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each such date. All distributions will
be
 
                                      A-26
<PAGE>
reinvested in the Accumulation Fund chosen and no part thereof will be  retained
in a separate account. These purchases will be made without a sales charge.
 
    Shareholder Services, Inc. will mail to each participant in the Accumulation
Plan  a quarterly  statement containing a  record of  all transactions involving
purchases of Accumulation Fund shares (or fractions thereof) with Trust interest
distributions or as a result of reinvestment of Accumulation Fund dividends. Any
distribution of principal used to purchase  shares of an Accumulation Fund  will
be  separately  confirmed by  Shareholder Services,  Inc. Unitholders  will also
receive  distribution  statements  from   the  Trustee  detailing  the   amounts
transferred to their Accumulation Fund accounts.
 
    Participants  may at any time, by so notifying the Trustee in writing, elect
to change  the  Accumulation  Fund  into which  their  distributions  are  being
reinvested,  to change from principal only  reinvestment to reinvestment of both
principal and interest or vice versa, or to terminate their participation in the
Accumulation Plan altogether and receive future distributions on their Units  in
cash.  There will be no  charge or other penalty for  such change of election or
termination.
 
    The character of  Trust distributions  for income tax  purposes will  remain
unchanged even if they are reinvested in an Accumulation Fund.
 
15.  HOW DETAILED ARE REPORTS TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
The  Trustee  shall  furnish Unitholders  of  a  Trust in  connection  with each
distribution, a statement of the amount of  interest and, if any, the amount  of
other  receipts (received  since the preceding  distribution) being distributed,
expressed in each case  as a dollar  amount representing the  pro rata share  of
each Unit of a Trust outstanding and a year to date summary of all distributions
paid  on said Units.  Within a reasonable period  of time after  the end of each
calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish to  each person who at any time  during
the  calendar  year was  a registered  Unitholder  of a  Trust a  statement with
respect to  such  Trust  (i)  as to  the  Interest  Account:  interest  received
(including  amounts  representing  interest  received  upon  any  disposition of
Bonds), and, except  for any  State Trust, the  percentage of  such interest  by
states  in which the issuers  of the Bonds are  located, deductions for fees and
expenses of such Trust, redemption of Units and the balance remaining after such
distributions and deductions,  expressed in  each case  both as  a total  dollar
amount  and as  a dollar  amount representing  the pro  rata share  of each Unit
outstanding on the  last business  day of  such calendar  year; (ii)  as to  the
Principal  Account: the dates of  disposition of any Bonds  and the net proceeds
received therefrom (excluding  any portion representing  accrued interest),  the
amount  paid for purchase of Replacement  Bonds, the amount paid upon redemption
of Units, deductions for  payment of applicable taxes  and fees and expenses  of
the  Trustee, and the balance remaining  after such distributions and deductions
expressed both as a total dollar amount and as a dollar amount representing  the
pro  rata  share of  each  Unit outstanding  on the  last  business day  of such
calendar year;  (iii)  a  list  of  the Bonds  held  and  the  number  of  Units
outstanding  on the last business day of such calendar year; (iv) the Unit Value
based upon the last computation thereof made during such calendar year; and  (v)
amounts actually distributed during such calendar year from the Interest Account
and  from  the Principal  Account, separately  stated,  expressed both  as total
dollar amounts and  as dollar amounts  representing the pro  rata share of  each
Unit outstanding.
 
    Each  annual statement will reflect pertinent  information in respect of all
plans of distribution so that Unitholders may be informed regarding the  results
of other plans of distribution.
 
                                      A-27
<PAGE>
16.  UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION
 
The  value of each  Trust is determined by  the Sponsor on the  basis of (1) the
cash on hand in the Trust or moneys  in the process of being collected, (2)  the
value  of the Bonds in  the Trust based on  the BID prices of  the Bonds and (3)
interest  accrued  thereon   not  subject  to   collection,  LESS  (1)   amounts
representing  taxes or governmental charges payable out of the Trust and (2) the
accrued expenses of the Trust. The result of such computation is divided by  the
number  of Units of such  Trust outstanding as of  the date thereof to determine
the per Unit value ("Unit Value") of  such Trust. The Sponsor may determine  the
value  of the Bonds in each Trust (1) on  the basis of current BID prices of the
Bonds obtained from dealers or brokers who customarily deal in bonds  comparable
to  those held by the Trust, (2) if bid  prices are not available for any of the
Bonds, on the basis of bid prices for comparable bonds, (3) by causing the value
of the Bonds to be determined by  others engaged in the practice of  evaluating,
quoting  or appraising comparable bonds or (4)  by any combination of the above.
Although the Unit Value of each Trust is  based on the BID prices of the  Bonds,
the Units are sold initially to the public at the Public Offering Price based on
the OFFERING prices of the Bonds.
 
    Because  the insurance obtained  by the Sponsor  or by the  issuers of Bonds
with respect to  the Bonds in  the Insured  Trusts and with  respect to  insured
Bonds  in Traditional Trusts is effective so long as such Bonds are outstanding,
such insurance will be  taken into account in  determining the bid and  offering
prices  of such  Bonds and therefore  some value attributable  to such insurance
will be included in the value of Units of Trusts that include such Bonds.
 
17.  HOW UNITS OF THE TRUSTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated is the Sponsor and sole Underwriter of the Units.
It is  the  intention  of  the  Sponsor  to  qualify  Units  of  National,  Long
Intermediate,  Intermediate, Short Intermediate  and Short Term  Trusts for sale
under the laws of  substantially all of  the states, and  Units of State  Trusts
only in the state for which the Trust is named and selected other states.
 
    Promptly following the deposit of Bonds in exchange for Units of the Trusts,
it  is the practice of the Sponsor to place all of the Units as collateral for a
letter or letters of credit from one or more commercial banks under an agreement
to release such Units from time to  time as needed for distribution. Under  such
an  arrangement  the Sponsor  pays  such banks  compensation  based on  the then
current interest  rate. This  is  a normal  warehousing arrangement  during  the
period of distribution of the Units to public investors.
 
    The  Sponsor plans to allow a discount  to brokers and dealers in connection
with  the  primary  distribution   of  Units  and   also  in  secondary   market
transactions. The primary market discounts are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Discount per Unit
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                 National    Long Inter-                  Short Inter-
                                and State      mediate     Intermediate      mediate     Short Term
Number of Units*                  Trusts       Trusts         Trusts         Trusts        Trusts
- ------------------------------  ----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------
Less than 500.................    $3.20         $2.90          $2.70          $2.00         $1.50
500 but less than 1,000.......     3.20         2.90           2.70           2.00          1.50
1,000 but less than 2,500.....     3.20         2.70           2.50           1.80          1.30
2,500 but less than 5,000.....     3.20         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
5,000 but less than 10,000....     2.50         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
10,000 but less than 25,000...     2.00         2.00           2.00           1.30           .80
25,000 but less than 50,000...     1.75         1.75           1.75           1.30           .60
50,000 or more................     1.75         1.50           1.50           1.00           .60
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint  sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
 dollar basis and  on the  basis of  the number  of Units  purchased, using  the
 equivalent  of 500 Units to  $50,000, 2,500 Units to  $250,000 etc. and will be
 applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
                                      A-28
<PAGE>
    The Sponsor currently intends  to maintain a secondary  market for Units  of
each  Trust. See  Section 7.  The amount of  the dealer  concession on secondary
market purchases of Trust Units through the Sponsor will be computed based  upon
the  value  of the  Bonds in  the  Trust portfolio,  including the  sales charge
computed as described in Section 6, and adjusted to reflect the cash position of
the Trust principal  account, and will  vary with  the size of  the purchase  as
shown in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Amount of Purchase*
                            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                        $50,000   $100,000   $250,000   $500,000   $1,000,000  $2,500,000
                              Under       to         to         to         to          to          to      $5,000,000
Years to Maturity            $50,000    $99,999   $249,999   $499,999   $999,999   $2,499,999  $4,999,999   or more
- --------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Less than 1...............      0          0          0          0          0          0           0           0
1 but less than 2.........    1.00%      .90%       .85%       .80%       .70%        .55%       .467%       .389%
2 but less than 3.........    1.30%      1.20%      1.10%      1.00%      .90%        .70%       .634%       .538%
3 but less than 4.........    1.60%      1.45%      1.35%      1.25%      1.10%       .90%       .781%       .662%
4 but less than 5.........    2.00%      1.85%      1.75%      1.55%      1.40%      1.25%       1.082%      .914%
5 but less than 7.........    2.30%      2.15%      1.95%      1.80%      1.65%      1.50%       1.320%      1.140%
7 but less than 10........    2.60%      2.45%      2.25%      2.10%      1.95%      1.70%       1.496%      1.292%
10 but less than 13.......    3.00%      2.80%      2.60%      2.45%      2.30%      2.00%       1.747%      1.494%
13 but less than 16.......    3.25%      3.15%      3.00%      2.75%      2.50%      2.15%       1.878%      1.606%
16 or more................    3.50%      3.50%      3.40%      3.35%      3.00%      2.50%       2.185%      1.873%
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
  dollar  basis and  on the basis  of the  number of Units  purchased, using the
  equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000, 2,500 Units to $250,000, etc., and will be
  applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The Sponsor reserves the  right to change  the foregoing dealer  concessions
from time to time.
 
    Certain  commercial banks are making Units  of the Trusts available to their
customers on  an agency  basis. A  portion of  the sales  charge paid  by  these
customers  is retained by or  remitted to the banks in  the amounts shown in the
above table.  The Glass-Steagall  Act prohibits  banks from  underwriting  Trust
Units;  the Act  does, however, permit  certain agency  transactions and banking
regulators have not indicated that these particular agency transactions are  not
permitted  under the Act. In Texas and  in certain other states, any bank making
Units available must be registered as a broker-dealer under state law.
 
    To facilitate the handling of transactions, sales of Units shall be  limited
to  transactions involving a minimum of either  $5,000 or 50 Units, whichever is
less. The Sponsor reserves the right to  reject, in whole or in part, any  order
for the purchase of Units.
 
18.  OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS
 
The  ownership of  Units is  evidenced by book  entry positions  recorded on the
books and records of the Trustee  unless the Unitholder expressly requests  that
the  purchased Units be evidenced in Certificate form. The Trustee is authorized
to treat as the owner of Units that person who at the time is registered as such
on the books of the Trustee. Any  Unitholder who holds a Certificate may  change
to  book entry ownership by submitting to the Trustee the Certificate along with
a written request that the Units represented by such Certificate be held in book
entry form. Likewise, a Unitholder who holds Units in book entry form may obtain
a Certificate for such  Units by written  request to the  Trustee. Units may  be
held in denominations of one Unit or any multiple or fraction thereof. Fractions
of  Units are computed to three decimal  places. Any Certificates issued will be
numbered serially for identification, and  are issued in fully registered  form,
transferable  only  on the  books of  the Trustee.  Book entry  Unitholders will
receive a Book Entry Position Confirmation reflecting their ownership.
 
    Certificates for  Units will  bear  an appropriate  notation on  their  face
indicating  which plan of distribution has been selected. When a change is made,
the  existing  Certificates  must  be   surrendered  to  the  Trustee  and   new
Certificates issued to reflect the currently effective
 
                                      A-29
<PAGE>
plan  of distribution. There will be no charge for this service. Holders of book
entry Units can change their plan of distribution by making a written request to
the Trustee, which will issue a new Book Entry Position Confirmation to  reflect
such change.
 
    Units  are transferable by making  a written request to  the Trustee and, in
the case of Units  evidenced by Certificate(s),  by presenting and  surrendering
such  Certificate(s) to the Trustee,  at its corporate trust  office in New York
City, properly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer. The Certificate(s) should be sent registered or certified mail for the
protection of the Unitholder.  Each Unitholder must  sign such written  request,
and  such Certificate(s) or transfer instrument,  exactly as his name appears on
(a) the face of the Certificate(s) representing the Units to be transferred,  or
(b)  the  Book  Entry  Position  Confirmation(s) relating  to  the  Units  to be
transferred. Such signature(s) must be  guaranteed by a guarantor acceptable  to
the  Trustee. In certain instances the  Trustee may require additional documents
such  as,  but  not  limited  to,  trust  instruments,  certificates  of  death,
appointments   as  executor  or  administrator   or  certificates  of  corporate
authority. Mutilated Certificates must  be surrendered to  the Trustee in  order
for a replacement Certificate to be issued.
 
    Although  at the date hereof  no charge is made  and none is contemplated, a
Unitholder may be  required to  pay $2.00 to  the Trustee  for each  Certificate
reissued or transfer of Units requested and to pay any governmental charge which
may be imposed in connection therewith.
 
REPLACEMENT OF LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.
 
    To  obtain a new  Certificate replacing one  that has been  lost, stolen, or
destroyed,  the   Unitholder   must   furnish  the   Trustee   with   sufficient
indemnification and pay such expenses as the Trustee may incur.
 
    The  indemnification protects the  Trustee, Sponsor, and  Trust from risk if
the original Certificate is presented for transfer or redemption by a person who
purchased it  in good  faith,  for value  and without  notice  of any  fraud  or
irregularity.
 
    This  indemnification  must  be in  the  form  of an  Open  Penalty  Bond of
Indemnification. The premium for  such an indemnity bond  may vary from time  to
time,  but currently amounts to 1% of  the market value of the Units represented
by the  Certificate. In  the case  however, of  a Trust  as to  which notice  of
termination  has been given, the premium currently amounts to 0.5% of the market
value of the Units represented by such Certificate.
 
19.  HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE
 
Unitholders may redeem all or a portion  of their Units by (1) making a  written
request  for such redemption (book entry Unitholders may use the redemption form
on the reverse side of their Book Entry Position Confirmation) to the Trustee at
its corporate trust office in New York City (redemptions of 1,000 Units or  more
will  require a signature  guarantee), (2) in  the case of  Units evidenced by a
Certificate, by also tendering such Certificate to the Trustee, duly endorsed or
accompanied by  proper instruments  of transfer  with signatures  guaranteed  as
explained  in  Section  18 above,  and  (3) payment  of  applicable governmental
charges, if any.  Certificates should be  sent only by  registered or  certified
mail  to minimize  the possibility of  their being  lost or stolen.  In order to
effect a  redemption of  Units evidenced  by a  Certificate, a  Unitholder  must
tender the Certificate to the Trustee or provide satisfactory indemnity required
in  connection with lost, stolen or  destroyed Certificates (See Section 18). No
redemption fee will be charged. A Unitholder may authorize the Trustee to  honor
telephone  instructions for  the redemption  of Units  held in  book entry form.
Units represented by Certificates may not be redeemed by telephone. The proceeds
of Units redeemed by telephone will be sent by check either to the Unitholder at
the address specified on his account or to a financial institution specified  by
the Unitholder for credit to the account of the Unitholder. A Unitholder wishing
to use this method of redemption must complete a
 
                                      A-30
<PAGE>
Telephone  Redemption Authorization  Form and furnish  the Form  to the Trustee.
Telephone Redemption Authorization  Forms can  be obtained  from a  Unitholder's
registered  representative or by calling the Trustee. Once the completed Form is
on file, the Trustee will honor telephone redemption requests by any person.  If
the  telephone redemption request  is received prior to  4:00 p.m. eastern time,
the Unitholder will be entitled to receive for each Unit tendered the Redemption
Price as determined above.  A telephone redemption  request received after  4:00
p.m. eastern time will be treated as having been received the following business
day. The redemption proceeds will be mailed within seven calendar days following
the  telephone redemption  request. Telephone  redemptions are  limited to 1,000
Units or less. Only  Units held in  the name of individuals  may be redeemed  by
telephone;  accounts registered in  broker name, or  accounts of corporations or
fiduciaries  (including  among  others,   trustees,  guardians,  executors   and
administrators) may not use the telephone redemption privilege.
 
    On  the seventh calendar day following the date of tender, or if the seventh
calendar day is not a business day, on the first business day prior thereto, the
Unitholder will be entitled to receive in cash for each Unit tendered an  amount
equal to the Unit Value of such Trust determined by the Trustee, as of 4:00 p.m.
eastern  time on the date of tender  as defined hereafter, plus accrued interest
to, but  not  including,  the  fifth  business day  after  the  date  of  tender
("Redemption  Price"). The  price received upon  redemption may be  more or less
than the amount paid by  the Unitholder depending on the  value of the Bonds  on
the  date of  tender. Such  value will vary  with market  and credit conditions,
including changes in  interest rate  levels. Unitholders should  check with  the
Trustee  or  their broker  to determine  the  Redemption Price  before tendering
Units.
 
    While the Trustee has the power to determine Redemption Price when Units are
tendered, the authority has  by practice been delegated  by the Trustee to  John
Nuveen  & Co.  Incorporated, which  determines the  Redemption Price  on a daily
basis.
 
    The "date of  tender" is  deemed to  be the date  on which  the request  for
redemption  of Units is received  in proper form by  the Trustee, except that as
regards a redemption request received after 4:00 p.m. eastern time or on any day
on which the New  York Stock Exchange (the  "Exchange") is normally closed,  the
date  of tender  is the  next day on  which such  Exchange is  normally open for
trading and such request will  be deemed to have been  made on such day and  the
redemption will be effected at the Redemption Price computed on that day.
 
    Accrued  interest paid  on redemption shall  be withdrawn  from the Interest
Account of the  appropriate Trust or,  if the balance  therein is  insufficient,
from  the Principal Account of such Trust.  All other amounts paid on redemption
shall be withdrawn from the Principal Account. The Trustee is empowered to  sell
underlying  Bonds of a  Trust in order  to make funds  available for redemption.
(See Section 21.) Units so redeemed shall be cancelled.
 
    To the extent that Bonds  are sold from a Trust,  the size and diversity  of
such  Trust will  be reduced. Such  sales may be  required at a  time when Bonds
would not  otherwise  be  sold and  might  result  in lower  prices  than  might
otherwise be realized.
 
    The  Redemption Price is  determined on the  basis of the  BID prices of the
Bonds in each Trust, while  the initial Public Offering  Price of Units will  be
determined  on the  basis of the  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds as  of 4:00 p.m.
eastern time on any day on which  the Exchange is normally open for trading  and
such determination is made. As of any given time, the difference between the bid
and  offering  prices of  such Bonds  may be  expected  to average  1% to  2% of
principal amount in the case of  Bonds in National, Long Intermediate and  State
Trusts,  3/4%  to  1  1/2% in  the  case  of Bonds  in  Intermediate,  and Short
Intermediate Trusts and 1/2% to 3/4% in the case of Bonds in Short Term  Trusts.
In  the case of actively traded Bonds, the difference may be as little as 1/4 to
1/2 of 1%, and in  the case of inactively  traded Bonds such difference  usually
will  not  exceed  3%.  The difference  between  the  aggregate  offering prices
 
                                      A-31
<PAGE>
of the Bonds in each Trust and the aggregate bid prices thereof on the  business
day  prior to the Date  of Deposit is shown in  the discussion of specific trust
matters.
 
    The right  of redemption  may be  suspended and  payment postponed  for  any
period  during  which the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  determines that
trading in the municipal bond market is restricted or an emergency exists, as  a
result  of  which  disposal  or  evaluation  of  the  Bonds  is  not  reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission
may by order permit.
 
    Under regulations issued by the  Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee  will
be  required to withhold 31% of the principal amount of a Unit redemption if the
Trustee has not  been furnished  the redeeming  Unitholder's tax  identification
number  in the manner  required by such  regulations. Any amount  so withheld is
transmitted to  the  Internal  Revenue  Service and  may  be  recovered  by  the
Unitholder  only when filing  his or her tax  return. Under normal circumstances
the Trustee obtains the Unitholder's tax identification number from the  selling
broker  at the time the Certificate or Book Entry Return Confirmation is issued,
and this number is printed on the Certificate or Book Entry Return  Confirmation
and on distribution statements. If a Unitholder's tax identification number does
not  appear as  described above,  or if it  is incorrect,  the Unitholder should
contact the Trustee before redeeming Units to determine what action, if any,  is
required to avoid this "back-up withholding."
 
20.  HOW UNITS MAY BE PURCHASED BY THE SPONSOR
 
The  Trustee will notify the  Sponsor of any tender  of Units for redemption. If
the Sponsor's bid in  the secondary market  at that time  equals or exceeds  the
Redemption  Price it may purchase such Units by notifying the Trustee before the
close of business on  the second succeeding business  day and by making  payment
therefor  to  the Unitholder  not  later than  the  day on  which  payment would
otherwise have been made by the Trustee. (See Section 19.) The Sponsor's current
practice is to bid at the Redemption  Price in the secondary market. Units  held
by the Sponsor may be tendered to the Trustee for redemption as any other Units.
 
    The  Public Offering  Price upon  resale of any  Units thus  acquired by the
Sponsor will be  calculated in accordance  with the procedure  described in  the
then currently effective prospectus relating to such Units. Any profit resulting
from  the resale of  such Units will  belong to the  Sponsor which likewise will
bear any loss resulting from a  lower Public Offering Price or Redemption  Price
subsequent to its acquisition of such Units.
 
21.  HOW BONDS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUSTS
 
Bonds will be removed from a Trust as they mature or are redeemed by the issuers
thereof.  See  the "Schedules  of Investments"  and "General  Trust Information"
under Section 3 for a discussion of call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    The Indenture also  empowers the Trustee  to sell Bonds  for the purpose  of
redeeming  Units tendered by any Unitholder, and for the payment of expenses for
which income may not be available. Under the Indenture the Sponsor is  obligated
to  provide the Trustee with a current list of Bonds in each Trust to be sold in
such circumstances. In deciding which Bonds  should be sold the Sponsor  intends
to  consider, among  other things, such  factors as: (1)  market conditions; (2)
market  prices  of  the  Bonds;  (3)  the  effect  on  income  distributions  to
Unitholders  of the sale of various Bonds; (4) the effect on principal amount of
underlying Bonds  per Unit  of the  sale  of various  Bonds; (5)  the  financial
condition of the issuers; and (6) the effect of the sale of various Bonds on the
investment  character of the Trust. Such sales, if required, could result in the
sale of Bonds by the Trustee at prices less than original cost to the Trust.  To
the extent Bonds are sold, the size and diversity of such Trust will be reduced.
 
    In  addition, the  Sponsor is empowered  to direct the  Trustee to liquidate
Bonds upon the happening of certain other events, such as default in the payment
of principal and/or
 
                                      A-32
<PAGE>
interest, an action  of the  issuer that will  adversely affect  its ability  to
continue  payment of the principal  of and interest on  its Bonds, or an adverse
change in market, revenue or  credit factors affecting the investment  character
of the Bonds. If a default in the payment of the principal of and/or interest on
any  of  the Bonds  occurs, and  if the  Sponsor fails  to instruct  the Trustee
whether to sell or continue to hold such Bonds within 30 days after notification
by the Trustee to the Sponsor of  such default, the Indenture provides that  the
Trustee  shall liquidate said  Bonds forthwith and  shall not be  liable for any
loss so incurred.
 
    In connection with its  determination as to the  sale or liquidation of  any
Bonds,  the Sponsor  will consider the  Bond's then current  rating, but because
such ratings are the opinions of the rating agencies as to the quality of  Bonds
they  undertake to rate and not absolute  standards of quality, the Sponsor will
exercise its independent judgment as to Bond creditworthiness.
 
    The Sponsor may also direct the Trustee to liquidate Bonds in a Trust if the
Bonds in  the  Trust  are  the  subject  of  an  advanced  refunding,  generally
considered  to be when refunding  bonds are issued and  the proceeds thereof are
deposited in irrevocable trust to retire the refunded Bonds on their  redemption
date.
 
    Except as stated in Section 4 regarding the limited right of substitution of
Replacement Bonds for Failed Bonds, and except for refunding securities that may
be  exchanged for Bonds under certain conditions specified in the Indenture, the
Indenture does  not permit  either the  Sponsor  or the  Trustee to  acquire  or
deposit  bonds either in addition  to, or in substitution  for, any of the Bonds
initially deposited in a Trust.
 
22.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEE
 
The Trustee is United States Trust Company of New York, with its principal place
of business at 114 West 47th Street, New York, New York 10036 and its  corporate
trust  office at  770 Broadway,  New York, New  York 10003.  United States Trust
Company of New York, established in  1853, has, since its organization,  engaged
primarily  in the  management of trust  and agency accounts  for individuals and
corporations. The Trustee is a member of the New York Clearing House Association
and is subject to supervision and examination by the Superintendent of Banks  of
the  State of New York, the Federal  Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve  System. In connection with the storage  and
handling  of certain  Bonds deposited  in the  Trusts, the  Trustee may  use the
services  of  The  Depository  Trust  Company.  These  services  would   include
safekeeping  of the Bonds and  coupon-clipping, computer book-entry transfer and
institutional delivery  services.  The Depository  Trust  Company is  a  limited
purpose  trust company organized under the Banking Law of the State of New York,
a member of the  Federal Reserve System and  a clearing agency registered  under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITIES OF SPONSOR AND TRUSTEE
 
    The  Sponsor and the Trustee shall be  under no liability to Unitholders for
taking any action or for  refraining from any action  in good faith pursuant  to
the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be liable only for their own
negligence,  lack of good faith or willful  misconduct. The Trustee shall not be
liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the Trustee of
any of the Bonds. In the  event of the failure of  the Sponsor to act under  the
Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder and shall not be liable for any action
taken by it in good faith under the Indenture.
 
    The  Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges
imposed upon or in respect of the Bonds or upon the interest thereon or upon  it
as  Trustee under  the Indenture or  upon or in  respect of any  Trust which the
Trustee may be required  to pay under  any present or future  law of the  United
States  of  America or  of any  other taxing  authority having  jurisdiction. In
addition,  the  Indenture  contains  other  customary  provisions  limiting  the
liability of the Trustee.
 
                                      A-33
<PAGE>
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES AND SPONSORS
 
    The  Trustee or any successor trustee  may resign by executing an instrument
of resignation in writing and filing same with the Sponsor and mailing a copy of
a notice of resignation to all  Unitholders then of record. Upon receiving  such
notice,  the Sponsor is required to promptly appoint a successor trustee. If the
Trustee becomes incapable of acting or is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a
receiver or other public officer shall  take charge of its property or  affairs,
the  Sponsor  may  remove  the  Trustee  and  appoint  a  successor  by  written
instrument. The resignation  or removal of  a trustee and  the appointment of  a
successor trustee shall become effective only when the successor trustee accepts
its appointment as such. Any successor trustee shall be a corporation authorized
to  exercise  corporate  trust  powers, having  capital,  surplus  and undivided
profits of not less than $5,000,000. Any corporation into which a trustee may be
merged or with which it may  be consolidated, or any corporation resulting  from
any  merger or consolidation to  which a trustee shall be  a party, shall be the
successor trustee.
 
    If upon resignation  of a trustee  no successor has  been appointed and  has
accepted the appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee
may  apply  to  a court  of  competent  jurisdiction for  the  appointment  of a
successor.
 
    If the Sponsor fails to undertake any of its duties under the Indenture, and
no express  provision is  made for  action by  the Trustee  in such  event,  the
Trustee  may, in addition to its other  powers under the Indenture (1) appoint a
successor sponsor or (2) terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trusts.
 
23.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Sponsor and Underwriter, was founded in 1898
and is  the oldest  and  largest investment  banking  firm specializing  in  the
underwriting and distribution of tax-exempt securities and maintains the largest
research  department in the investment  banking community devoted exclusively to
the analysis of municipal securities. In  1961 the Sponsor began sponsoring  the
Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust and, since this  time, it has issued more than $30
billion in tax-exempt unit trusts, including over $8 billion in insured  trusts.
The  Sponsor is  also principal underwriter  of the Nuveen  Municipal Bond Fund,
Inc., the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Money  Market Fund, Inc., Nuveen Tax-Free  Reserves,
Inc.,  Nuveen California Tax-Free  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Tax-Free Bond Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Insured Tax-Free Bond Fund, Inc.  and Nuveen Tax-Free Money Market  Fund,
Inc.,  all  registered open-end  management investment  companies, and  acted as
co-managing underwriter of Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen  California
Municipal  Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen New  York Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Municipal Income  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen California  Municipal Income  Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  New York  Municipal Income Fund,  Inc., Nuveen  Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Performance  Plus Municipal  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen  California
Performance  Plus  Municipal  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  New  York  Performance  Plus
Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Municipal Advantage  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Municipal
Market  Opportunity Fund,  Inc., Nuveen California  Municipal Market Opportunity
Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen New  York Municipal  Market Opportunity  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
Investment  Quality Municipal  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  California Investment Quality
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New  York Investment Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  Insured Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen Florida Investment Quality
Municipal Fund, Nuveen  Pennsylvania Investment Quality  Municipal Fund,  Nuveen
New  Jersey  Investment  Quality Municipal  Fund,  Inc., and  the  Nuveen Select
Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen California  Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  New  York Select  Quality Municipal  Fund,  Inc., Nuveen  Quality Income
Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Insured Municipal  Opportunity Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
Florida  Quality Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Quality Income Municipal
Fund, Inc., Nuveen New Jersey Quality  Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Ohio
Quality   Income  Municipal  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  Pennsylvania  Quality  Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen Texas Quality Income
 
                                      A-34
<PAGE>
Municipal Fund, Nuveen  California Quality Income  Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
New  York Quality Income Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen Premier Insured Municipal
Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Select Tax Free Income  Portfolio, Nuveen Select  Tax
Free  Income  Portfolio  2,  Nuveen Insured  California  Select  Tax-Free Income
Portfolio, Nuveen  Insured New  York Select  Tax-Free Income  Portfolio,  Nuveen
Premium  Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc.,  Nuveen Select Tax Free Income Portfolio
3, Nuveen  Select  Maturities Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen Select  Tax  Free  Income
Portfolio  4,  Nuveen  Premium Income  Municipal  Fund 3,  Inc.,  Nuveen Insured
California Premium Income  Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Arizona Premium  Income
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Insured  Florida Premium Income  Municipal Fund, Nuveen  Michigan Premium Income
Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen New  Jersey Premium Income  Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen Insured New York Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Ohio Premium
Income  Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Pennsylvania Premium Income Municipal Fund,
Nuveen Texas Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund
4, Inc., Nuveen  Pennsylvania Premium  Income Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen  Insured
Florida  Premium  Income  Municipal  Fund  2,  Nuveen  Maryland  Premium  Income
Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen   Virginia  Premium  Income   Municipal  Fund,   Nuveen
Massachusetts  Premium Income Municipal Fund,  Nuveen Insured California Premium
Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc., Nuveen Insured New York Premium Income  Municipal
Fund  2, Nuveen  New Jersey Premium  Income Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen Washington
Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund  2,
Nuveen  Premium Income Municipal Fund 5, Nuveen Georgia Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Nuveen Missouri Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Connecticut  Premium
Income  Municipal  Fund, Nuveen  North Carolina  Premium Income  Municipal Fund,
Nuveen New Jersey Premium Income Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen Florida Premium Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen New York Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen California
Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Pennsylvania Premium Income Municipal Fund
3, Nuveen  Maryland Income  Municipal  Fund 2,  Nuveen Virginia  Premium  Income
Municipal  Fund 2, Nuveen  Ohio Premium Income Municipal  Fund 2, Nuveen Insured
Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen California Premium Income Municipal Fund
2, Nuveen  Premium Income  Municipal Fund  6, registered  closed-end  management
investment  companies.  These  registered  open-end  and  closed-end  investment
companies currently have  approximately $32.8 billion  in tax-exempt  securities
under  management.  Nationwide, more  than  1,000,000 individual  investors have
purchased Nuveen's  tax exempt  trusts and  funds. The  present corporation  was
organized  in 1967 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Corporation, successor
to the original John Nuveen & Co.  founded in 1898 as a sole proprietorship  and
incorporated  in  1953.  In  1974,  John  Nuveen  &  Co.  Incorporated  became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of The  St. Paul Companies,  Inc., a financial  services
management  company  located in  St. Paul,  Minnesota. On  May 19,  1992, common
shares comprising a  minority interest  in The  John Nuveen  Company ("JNC"),  a
newly  organized corporation which holds all of  the shares of Nuveen, were sold
to the  general  public  in an  initial  public  offering. St.  Paul  retains  a
controlling  interest in  JNC with over  70% of  JNC's shares. The  Sponsor is a
member  of  the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  and  the
Securities Industry Association and has its principal offices located in Chicago
(333  W. Wacker Drive) and New York (Swiss  Bank Tower, 10 East 50th Street). It
maintains 14 regional offices.
 
24.  OTHER INFORMATION
AMENDMENT OF INDENTURE
 
    The Indenture may  be amended  by the Trustee  and the  Sponsor without  the
consent  of any of  the Unitholders (1) to  cure any ambiguity  or to correct or
supplement any provision thereof which may be defective or inconsistent, or  (2)
to  make such  other provisions as  shall not adversely  affect the Unitholders,
provided, however, that the Indenture may not be amended to increase the  number
of   Units   in   any  Trust   or   to   permit  the   deposit   or  acquisition
 
                                      A-35
<PAGE>
of bonds  either  in addition  to,  or in  substitution  for any  of  the  Bonds
initially  deposited in any  Trust except as  stated in Section  4 regarding the
limited  right  of  substitution  of  Replacement  Bonds  and  except  for   the
substitution  of refunding bonds under  certain circumstances. The Trustee shall
advise the Unitholders of any amendment promptly after execution thereof.
 
TERMINATION OF INDENTURE
 
    Each Trust may be liquidated at any  time by written consent of 100% of  the
Unitholders  or by  the Trustee when  the value of  such Trust, as  shown by any
evaluation, is less than 20% of the original principal amount of such Trust  and
will  be  liquidated  by  the Trustee  in  the  event that  Units  not  yet sold
aggregating more  than 60%  of the  Units originally  created are  tendered  for
redemption  by the Sponsor thereby reducing the  net worth of such Trust to less
than 40%  of the  principal amount  of  the Bonds  originally deposited  in  the
portfolio. (See "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts.") The sale of Bonds
from  the Trusts upon termination  may result in realization  of a lesser amount
than might otherwise be realized  if such sale were  not required at such  time.
For  this  reason,  among  others,  the amount  realized  by  a  Unitholder upon
termination  may  be  less  than  the  principal  amount  of  Bonds   originally
represented  by the Units held by  such Unitholder. The Indenture will terminate
upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of the last Bond held thereunder,
but in no event shall it continue beyond the end of the calendar year  preceding
the  fiftieth anniversary of its execution for National and State Trusts, beyond
the end  of  the  calendar  year preceding  the  twentieth  anniversary  of  its
execution  for Long Intermediate,  and Intermediate Trusts or  beyond the end of
the calendar year  preceding the tenth  anniversary of its  execution for  Short
Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.
 
    Written  notice of  any termination  specifying the  time or  times at which
Unitholders may surrender their Certificates, if any, for cancellation shall  be
given  by  the  Trustee to  each  Unitholder  at the  address  appearing  on the
registration books of the Trust maintained  by the Trustee. Within a  reasonable
time thereafter the Trustee shall liquidate any Bonds in the Trust then held and
shall  deduct  from the  assets  of the  Trust  any accrued  costs,  expenses or
indemnities provided  by  the  Indenture  which are  allocable  to  such  Trust,
including estimated compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and any
amounts  required as a reserve to provide for payment of any applicable taxes or
other governmental charges. The Trustee shall then distribute to Unitholders  of
such  Trust their pro  rata share of  the balance of  the Interest and Principal
Accounts. With  such distribution  the Unitholders  shall be  furnished a  final
distribution   statement,  in  substantially   the  same  form   as  the  annual
distribution statement, of the amount distributable. At such time as the Trustee
in its sole discretion shall determine that  any amounts held in reserve are  no
longer  necessary, it shall make distribution thereof to Unitholders in the same
manner.
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
    The legality of the Units offered hereby has been passed upon by Chapman and
Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. Special counsel for the
Trusts for respective state tax matters are named in "Tax Status" for each Trust
under Section 3. Carter, Ledyard  & Milburn, 2 Wall  Street, New York, New  York
10005,  has acted as counsel for the Trustee with respect to the Series, and, in
the absence of a New York Trust from the Series, as special New York tax counsel
for the Series.
 
AUDITORS
 
    The Statements of Condition and Schedules of Investments at Date of  Deposit
included  in  this  Prospectus  have  been audited  by  Arthur  Andersen  & Co.,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report in this Prospectus,
and are included herein in reliance upon  the authority of said firm as  experts
in giving said report.
 
                                      A-36
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS*
 
    STANDARD  & POOR'S CORPORATION.  A  description of the applicable Standard &
Poor's Corporation rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    A Standard & Poor's rating is  a current assessment of the  creditworthiness
of  an obligor with respect  to a specific debt  obligation. This assessment may
take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees.
 
    The rating is  not a recommendation  to purchase, sell  or hold a  security,
inasmuch  as  it  does not  comment  as to  market  price or  suitability  for a
particular investor.
 
    The ratings are  based on  current information  furnished by  the issuer  or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. 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 circumstances.
 
    The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
 
     I.  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;
 
     II.  Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
 
    III.  Protection  afforded by, and  relative position of,  the obligation in
          the event of  bankruptcy, reorganization or  other arrangements  under
          the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
 
    AAA--This  is the  highest rating  assigned by Standard  & Poor's  to a debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
    AA--Bonds rated AA  have a very  strong capacity to  pay interest and  repay
principal, and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
 
    A--Bonds rated A have 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 bonds in higher rated categories.
 
    BBB--Bonds  rated BBB  are regarded  as having  an adequate  capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit 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
bonds in this category than for bonds in the higher rated categories.
 
    Plus  (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "BB" may be modified by the
addition of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the  major
rating categories.
 
    Provisional   Ratings:  The  letter   "p"  indicates  that   the  rating  is
provisional. A  provisional  rating assumes  the  successful completion  of  the
project  being financed by the  issuance of 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 of,  or the  risk of  default upon  failure of,  such
completion.  Accordingly,  the investor  should exercise  his own  judgment with
respect to such likelihood and risk.
 
- ----------
*As published by the rating companies.
 
                                      A-37
<PAGE>
    Note Ratings:  A  Standard  &  Poor's note  rating  reflects  the  liquidity
concerns  and market access risks unique to notes.  Notes due in 3 years or less
will likely  receive a  note rating.  Notes maturing  beyond 3  years will  most
likely receive a long-term debt rating.
 
    Note rating symbols are as follows:
 
        SP-1  Very  strong  or strong  capacity to  pay principal  and interest.
              Those   issues   determined   to   possess   overwhelming   safety
              characteristics will be given a plus (+) designation.
 
        SP-2  Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
 
RATINGS OF INSURED TRUST UNITS.
 
    A  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation's  rating on  the  units  of  an insured
investment trust (hereinafter referred to collectively as "units" and  "trusts")
is  a current assessment of creditworthiness with respect to the investment held
by such trust. This assessment  takes into consideration the financial  capacity
of  the  issuers and  of any  guarantors, insurers,  lessees or  mortgagors with
respect to such investments. The assessment, however, does not take into account
the extent to which trust  expenses or portfolio asset  sales for less than  the
trust  purchase price will reduce payment to  the unitholder of the interest and
principal required to be paid on  the portfolio assets. In addition, the  rating
is  not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold units, inasmuch as the rating
does not comment as to market price of the units or suitability for a particular
investor.
 
    Units rated "AAA" are composed exclusively of assets that are rated "AAA" by
Standard &  Poor's  and/or certain  short-term  investments. Standard  &  Poor's
defines  its  AAA rating  for  such assets  as  the highest  rating  assigned by
Standard &  Poor's to  a debt  obligation. Capacity  to pay  interest and  repay
principal  is very strong. However,  unit ratings may be  subject to revision or
withdrawal at any time by Standard & Poor's and each rating should be  evaluated
independently of any other rating.
 
    MOODY'S  INVESTORS  SERVICE, INC.   A  brief  description of  the applicable
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be 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. Their safety is so absolute that,
with the  occasional  exception  of  oversupply in  a  few  specific  instances,
characteristically,  their  market  value  is affected  solely  by  money market
fluctuations.
 
    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  fluctuations  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.  Their  market value  is virtually  immune to  all but  money market
influences, with  the  occasional exception  of  oversupply in  a  few  specific
instances.
 
    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. The  market
value  of A-rated bonds may be influenced to some degree by economic performance
during a sustained period of depressed business conditions, but, during  periods
of normalcy, A-rated bonds frequently move in
 
                                      A-38
<PAGE>
parallel  with  Aaa  and  Aa  obligations,  with  the  occasional  exception  of
oversupply in a few specific instances.
 
    Moody's bond rating  symbols may  contain numerical modifiers  of a  generic
rating  classification. The modifier 1 indicates that the bond ranks at the high
end of  its category;  the modifier  2 indicates  a mid-range  ranking; and  the
modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
 
    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. The market  value of  Baa-rated
bonds  is more  sensitive to changes  in economic circumstances,  and aside from
occasional speculative factors applying to some bonds of this class, Baa  market
valuations  move in parallel  with Aaa, Aa  and A obligations  during periods of
economic normalcy, except in instances of oversupply.
 
    Con. (--)--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.
 
    Note Ratings:
 
    MIG 1--This  designation  denotes  best  quality.  There  is  present strong
           protection by established cash  flows, superior liquidity support  or
           demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
 
    MIG 2--This  designation  denotes high  quality.  Margins of  protection are
           ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
                                      A-39
<PAGE>
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                                      A-40
<PAGE>
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                                      A-41
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-42
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                <S>        <C>
           NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
                           PROSPECTUS
                           240,000 Units
                           Virginia Traditional Trust
                           286
                           Intermediate Insured Trust
                           74
                           Florida Insured Trust 189
                           Michigan Insured Trust 54
                           Pennsylvania Insured Trust
                           179
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                 <S>        <C>
            NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
           Sponsor             John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
                               333 West Wacker Drive
                               Chicago, IL 60606-1286
                               Telephone: 312.917.7700
                               Swiss Bank Tower
                               10 East 50th Street
                               New York, NY 10022
                               212.207.2000
           Trustee             United States Trust Company
                               of New York
                               770 Broadway
                               New York, NY 10003
                               800.257.8787
     Legal Counsel             Chapman and Cutler
        to Sponsor             111 West Monroe Street
                               Chicago, IL 60603
       Independent             Arthur Andersen & Co.
            Public             33 West Monroe Street
       Accountants             Chicago, IL 60603
    for the Trusts
</TABLE>
 
   Except as to statements made herein furnished by the Trustee, the Trustee has
   assumed  no responsibility for the accuracy, adequacy and completeness of the
   information contained in this Prospectus.
                   This Prospectus does not contain  all of the information  set
   forth in the registration statement and exhibits relating thereto, filed with
   the   Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,   Washington,  D.C.,  under  the
   Securities Act of 1933, and to which reference is made.
                   No person is authorized  to give any  information or to  make
   representations  not contained in  this Prospectus or  in supplementary sales
   literature prepared by the Sponsor, and any information or representation not
   contained therein must not be relied upon as having been authorized by either
   the Trusts, the Trustee or the  Sponsor. This Prospectus does not  constitute
   an  offer to sell,  or a solicitation of  an offer to  buy, securities in any
   State to any  person to  whom it is  not lawful  to make such  offer in  such
   state.  The  Trusts  are registered  as  a  Unit Investment  Trust  under the
   Investment Company Act  of 1940. Such  registration does not  imply that  the
   Trusts  or any of their Units  has been guaranteed, sponsored, recommended or
   approved by the United States or any State or agency or officer thereof.
 
   
   727
    
 
<PAGE>

Statement of differences between electronic filing and printed document.
   Pursuant to Rule 499(c) (7) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule
20-11 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant hereby identifies
those differences in the foregoing document between the electronic format in
which it is filed and the printed form in which it will be circulated:
   (1) The printed and distributed prospectus may be paged differently
because the printed document may contain a different amount of information on
each page from that contained in the electronic transmission.
   (2) On the cover page, in the index and on the last page of the printed
document, solid vertical bars will appear.
   (3) In the printed document, footnote symbols may include a "dagger" or
multiple "dagger".  The "dagger" symbol is represented as # in the electronic
document.
   (4) The printed and distributed prospectus will not  contain the
preliminary prospectus legend included at the beginning of the first
prospectus page.


<PAGE>

                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

A.  BONDING ARRANGEMENTS OF DEPOSITOR:

    The Depositor has obtained  the following Stockbrokers Blanket Bonds
for its officers, directors and employees:

    INSURER/POLICY NO.                                     AMOUNT

    United Pacific Insurance Co.                           $10,000,000
    Reliance Insurance Company
    B 74 92 20

    Aetna Casualty and Surety                              $10,000,000
    08 F10618BCA

    St. Paul Insurance Co.                                 $ 6,000,000
    400 HC 1051

B.  This amendment of Registration Statement comprises the following papers 
and documents:

              The facing sheet
              The Prospectus

              The signatures

              Consents of Independent Public
              Accountants and Counsel as indicated

              Exhibits as listed on page S-5


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

    The Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727 hereby
identifies Series 401, 507, 512, 515, 517, 519 and 723 of the Nuveen 
Tax-Exempt Unit Trust for purposes of the representations required by 
Rule 487 and represents the following:

    (1) that the portfolio securities deposited in the series as to the
securities of which this Registration Statement is being filed do not differ
materially in type or quality from those deposited in such previous series;

    (2) that, except to the extent necessary to identify the specific
portfolio securities deposited in, and to provide essential financial
information for, the series with respect to the securities of which this
Registration Statement is being filed, this Registration Statement does not
contain disclosures that differ in any material respect from those contained
in the registration statements for such previous series as to which the
effective date was determined by the Commission or the staff; and

    (3) that it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933.

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727 has duly caused this
Amendment of Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized in the City of Chicago and State of
Illinois on 4/29/94.

 
                                NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 727
                                (Registrant)

                                By JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                                (Depositor)


                       
                                By: Larry Woods Martin
                                    _________________________________
                                    Vice President


                        
                           Attest:  Morrison C. Warren
                                    __________________________________
                                    Assistant Secretary


<PAGE>

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
of Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in 
the capacities and on the dates indicated:


    SIGNATURE                     TITLE*                       DATE

Richard J. Franke       Chairman, Board of Directors  )
                        Chief Executive Officer and   )
                        Director                      )
                                                      )
Donald E. Sveen         President, Chief Operating    )
                        Officer and Director          )
                                                      )
                                             
Anthony T. Dean         Executive Vice President      ) Larry Woods Martin
                        and Director                  ) Attorney-In-Fact**
                                                      )
Timothy T. Schwertfeger Executive Vice President      )
                        and Director                  )

O. Walter Renfftlen     Vice President and Controller )
                        (Principal Accounting Officer))
                                                      )
                                                      )4/29/94
___________________

*The titles of the persons named herein represent their capacity in and
relationship to John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Depositor.

**The powers of attorney were filed on Form SE for Messrs. Franke, 
Sveen, Renfftlen, Dean and Schwertfeger with the Amendment to the 
Registration Statement on Form S-6 of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, 
Series 671 (File No. 33-49175). 



<PAGE>

727

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report and to all references to our Firm included in or made a part of this
Registration Statement.

                                 
                                            Arthur Andersen & Company
Chicago, Illinois
4/29/94


                         CONSENT OF CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

    The consent of Chapman and Cutler to the use of its name in the Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement is contained in its opinions filed by
this amendment as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to the Registration Statement.

                            CONSENT OF STATE COUNSEL

    The consents of special counsel to the Fund for state tax matters to the 
use of their names in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement 
are contained in their opinions filed by this amendment as Exhibit 3.3 to the
Registration Statement.

                   CONSENT OF STANDARD + POOR'S CORPORATION

    The consent of Standard + Poor's Corporation to the use of its name in
the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this
amendment as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.

                   CONSENT OF KENNY S+P EVALUATION SERVICES

    The consent of Kenny S+P Evaluation Services to the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment 
as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement.

                      CONSENT OF CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN

    The consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn to the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment 
as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement.

<PAGE>

                                LIST OF EXHIBITS


1.1 (a)  Copy of Trust Indenture and Agreement between John Nuveen &
         Co. Incorporated, Depositor, and United States Trust Company of
         New York, Trustee (as Exibit 1.1 (a) to the Sponsor's Registration
         Statement on Form S-6 relating to Series 723 of the Fund (file No.
         33-52527) and incorporated herein by reference).

1.1 (b)  Schedules to the Trust Indenture and Agreement.

2.1      Copy of Certificate of Ownership (Included in Exhibit 1.1(a) on
         pages 2 to 8, inclusive, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.1      Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered.

3.2      Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of securities
         being registered.

3.3      Opinions of special state counsel to the Fund for state tax matters
         as to income tax status to residents of the respective states of the
         units of the respective trusts and consents to the use of their names
         in the Prospectus.

4.1      Consent of Standard + Poor's Corporation.

4.2      Consent of Kenny S+P Evaluation Services.

4.3      Consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn.

                                                                      
<PAGE>                                                                        
                                                                              
Exhibit 1.1(b)                                                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                 SCHEDULE A                                   
                                                                              
                                                                              
Series 727                                           April 29, 1994           
                                                                              
Item 1.  This Indenture relates to the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust           
         Series 727.                                                          
                                                                              
Item 2.  The date of this Indenture is April 29, 1994.                        
                                                                              
Item 3.  Series 727 shall initially contain Trusts as follows:                
                                                                              
         (a)   Virginia Traditional Trust 286                                 
         (b)   Intermediate Insured Trust 74                                  
         (c)   Florida Insured Trust 189                                      
         (d)   Michigan Insured Trust 54                                      
         (e)   Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179                                 
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 4.  Each Trust shall initially consist of the following number of Units: 
                                                                              
         (a)   Virginia Traditional Trust               35,000 Units          
         (b)   Intermediate Insured Trust              100,000 Units          
         (c)   Florida Insured Trust                    35,000 Units          
         (d)   Michigan Insured Trust                   35,000 Units          
         (e)   Pennsylvania Insured Trust               35,000 Units          
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 5.  (a) The amount of the second distribution from the Interest          
             Account of the respective Trusts will be as follows:             
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Virginia Traditional Trust              $ .5068 per Unit       
         ( 2)  Intermediate Insured Trust              $ .4396 per Unit       
         ( 3)  Florida Insured Trust                   $ .4921 per Unit       
         ( 4)  Michigan Insured Trust                  $ .4921 per Unit       
         ( 5)  Pennsylvania Insured Trust              $ .5049 per Unit       
                                                                              
         (b) The date of the second distribution from the Interest Account    
             of the respective Trusts will be as follows:                     
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Virginia Traditional Trust              June 15, 1994          
         ( 2)  Intermediate Insured Trust              June 15, 1994          
         ( 3)  Florida Insured Trust                   June 15, 1994          
         ( 4)  Michigan Insured Trust                  June 15, 1994          
         ( 5)  Pennsylvania Insured Trust              June 15, 1994          
                                                                              
         (c) The record date for the second distribution from the             
             Interest Account of the respective Trusts will be as             
             follows:                                                         
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Virginia Traditional Trust              June 1, 1994           
         ( 2)  Intermediate Insured Trust              June 1, 1994           
         ( 3)  Florida Insured Trust                   June 1, 1994           
         ( 4)  Michigan Insured Trust                  June 1, 1994           
         ( 5)  Pennsylvania Insured Trust              June 1, 1994           
                                                                              
                                                                              
         PAGE 2                                                               
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 6.  Record dates for subsequent semi-annual distributions from the       
         Interest Account for each of the respective Trusts will be the 1st   
         day of May and November of each year.                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 7.  (a) Record date for distibution from the Principal Account of each   
             of the respective Trusts will be the first day of May and        
             November of each year.                                           
                                                                              
         (b) The first record date for distributions from the Principal       
             Account of each of the respective Trusts will be                 
             May 1, 1994.                                                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 8.  The Trust shall in no event continue beyond the end of the calendar  
         year preceding the fiftieth anniversary of the execution of this     
         Indenture for National and State Trusts, beyond the end of the       
         calendar year preceding the twentieth anniversary of its execution   
         for Long Intermediate and Intermediate Trusts and beyond the end of  
         the calendar year preceding the tenth anniversary of its execution   
         for Short Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.                        
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 9.  Quarterly distributions from the Interest Account of the respective  
         Trusts will be computed as of the 1st day of February, May, August,  
         and November.                                                        
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 10. Certain deductions from the Interest Account by the Trustee          
         will commence as follows:                                            
                                                                              
         (a)   Virginia Traditional Trust              June 1, 1994           
         (b)   Intermediate Insured Trust              June 1, 1994           
         (c)   Florida Insured Trust                   June 1, 1994           
         (d)   Michigan Insured Trust                  June 1, 1994           
         (e)   Pennsylvania Insured Trust              June 1, 1994           
                                                                              
Item 11. (a)  For services performed prior to the date indicated in           
              Item 5(c) of this Schedule A, the Trustee shall be paid at      
              the following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount       
              of Bonds:                                                       
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Virginia Traditional Trust              $1.5489                
         ( 2)  Intermediate Insured Trust              $1.5197                
         ( 3)  Florida Insured Trust                   $1.6151                
         ( 4)  Michigan Insured Trust                  $1.5736                
         ( 5)  Pennsylvania Insured Trust              $1.6056                
                                                                              
         (b)  For services performed on or after the date indicated in        
              Item 5(c) of this Schedule A, the Trustee shall be paid at      
              the following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount       
              of Bonds:                                                       
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Virginia Traditional Trust                                     
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5489          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2289          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0389          
                                                                              
         ( 2)  Intermediate Insured Trust                                     
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5197          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.1997          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0097          
                                                                              
         ( 3)  Florida Insured Trust                                          
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.6151          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2951          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.1051          
                                                                              
         ( 4)  Michigan Insured Trust                                         
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5736          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2536          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0636          
                                                                              
         ( 5)  Pennsylvania Insured Trust                                     
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.6056          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2856          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0956          
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                            ADDITIONAL SCHEDULES                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                         BONDS INITIALLY DEPOSITED                            
                                                                              
                  NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 727                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
Incorporated herein and made a part hereof as indicated below are the         
following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount of Bonds:               
corresponding portions of the 'Schedules of Investments at Date of Deposit'   
contained in the Prospectus dated the Date of Deposit and relating to the     
above-named Series:                                                           
                                                                              
         Schedule B:  Virginia Traditional Trust 286                          
         Schedule C:  Intermediate Insured Trust 74                           
         Schedule D:  Florida Insured Trust 189                               
         Schedule E:  Michigan Insured Trust 54                               
         Schedule F:  Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179                          


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.1

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

4/29/94


John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 727 (hereinafter referred to as the "Fund"), in connection
with the issuance under the Trust Indenture and Agreement dated the date 
hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor, and United 
States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, of Units of fractional 
undivided interest in the one or more Trusts of said Fund (hereinafter 
referred to as the "Units").
 
    In connection therewith, we have examined such pertinent records and
documents and matters of law as we have deemed necessary in order to enable us
to express the opinions hereinafter set forth.

    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

   1.   The execution and delivery of the Trust Indenture and Agreement and
the establishment of book entry positions and the execution and issuance of 
certificates evidencing the Units in the Trusts of the Fund have been duly 
authorized; and

    2.   The book entry positions and certificates positions evidencing the 
Units in the Trusts of the Fund when duly executed and delivered or duly 
established by the Depositor and the Trustee in accordance with the 
aforementioned Trust Indenture and Agreement, will constitute valid and 
binding obligations of such Trusts and the Depositor in accordance with the 
terms thereof.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-53183) relating to the Units referred
to above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Respectfully submitted,



CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.2

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

4/29/94

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 727 (the "Fund") in connection with the issuance under the
Trust Indenture and Agreement, dated the date hereof between John Nuveen & Co.
Incorporated, as Depositor, and United States Trust Company of New York, as
Trustee, of Units of fractional undivided interest (the "Units"), as evidenced
by a book entry position or certificate, if requested by the purchaser of 
Units, in the one or more Trusts of said Fund.

    We have also served as counsel for you in connection with all previous
Series of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust and as such have previously 
examined such pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have 
deemed necessary, including (but not limited to) the Trust Indenture and 
Agreements with respect to those series.  We have also examined such 
pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have deemed 
necessary including (but not limited to) the Trust Indenture and Agreement 
relating to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727.

    We have concluded that the Trust Indenture and Agreement for the Fund and
its counterpart in each of the prior issues of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust 
are in all material respects substantially identical.

    Based upon the foregoing, and upon such matters of law as we consider
to be applicable we are of the opinion that, under existing federal income
law:

    (i)  For Federal income tax purposes, each of the Trusts will not be
taxable as an association but will be governed by the provisions of 
Subchapter J (relating to Trusts) of Chapter 1, Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 (the "Code").

    (ii) Each Unitholder will be considered as owning a pro rata
share of each asset of the respective Trust of the Fund in the proportion
that the number of Units of such Trust held by him bears to the total number
of outstanding Units of such Trust. Under Subpart E, Subchapter J of Chapter
1 of the Code, income of each Trust will be treated as income of each
Unitholder thereof in the proportion described and an item of Fund income
will have the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as it would have in
the hands of the Trustee.  Accordingly, to the extent that the income of a
Trust consists of interest and original issue discount excludable from gross
income under Section 103 of the Code, such income will be excludable from
federal gross income of the Unitholder, except in the case of a Unitholder
who is a substantial user (or a person related to such user) of a facility
financed through issuance of any industrial development bonds or certain
private activity bonds held by the Trust. In the case of such Unitholder who
is a substantial user (and no other) interest received and original issue
discount with respect to his Units attributable to such industrial
development bonds or such private activity bonds is includable in his gross
income. In the case of certain corporations, interest on the Bonds is included
in computing the alternative minimum tax pursuant to Sections 56(f) and 56(g)
of the Code, the enviromental tax (the "Superfund Tax") imposed by Sections
59A of the Code, and the branch profits tax imposed by Section 884 of the Code
with repect to U.S. branches of foreign corporations.

    (iii) Gain or loss will be recognized to a Unitholder upon
redemption or sale of his Units.  Such gain or loss is measured by comparing 
the proceeds of such redemption or sale with the adjusted basis of such Units.
Before adjustment, such basis would normally be cost if the Unitholder had
acquired his Units by purchase, plus his aliquot share of advances by the
Trustee to the Trust to pay interest on Bonds delivered after the Unitholder's
settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued on the Bonds during
the period from the Unitholder's settlement date to the date such Bonds are
delivered to the Trust, but only to the extent that such advances are to be
repaid to the Trustee out of interest received by the Fund with respect to
such Bonds.  In addition, such basis will be increased by both the
Unitholder's aliquot share of the accrued original issued discount with
respect to each Bond held by the Trust with respect to which there was an
original issue discount and reduced by the annual amortization of bond
premium, if any, on Bonds held by the Trust.

<PAGE>

    (iv) If the Trustee disposes of a Trust asset (whether by sale, payment on
maturity, redemption or otherwise), gain or loss is recognized to the
Unitholder and the amount thereof is measured by comparing the
Unitholder's aliquot share of the total proceeds from the transaction
with his basis for his fractional interest in the asset disposed of.  Such 
basis is ascertained by apportioning the tax basis for his Units among each 
of the Trust assets (as of the date on which his Units were acquired) ratably 
according to their values as of the valuation date nearest the date on which 
he purchased such Units.  A Unitholder's basis in his Units and of his
fractional interest in each Trust asset must be reduced by the amount of his 
aliquot share of interest received by the Fund, if any, on Bonds delivered
after the Unitholder's settlement date to the extent that such
interest accrued on the Bonds during the period from the Unitholder's
settlement date to the date such Bonds are delivered to the Trust, must be 
reduced by the annual amortization of bond premium, if any, on Bonds held by 
the Trust and must be increased by the Unitholder's share of accrued
original issue discount with respect to each Bond which, at the time
the Bond was issued, had original issue discount.

     (v)  In the case of any Bond held by the Trust where the "stated
redemption price at maturity" exceeds the "issue price," such excess shall
be original issue discount.  With respect to each Unitholder, upon the
purchase of his Units subsequent to the original issuance of Bonds held by the
Trust Section 1272(a)(7) of the Code provides for a reduction in the accrued
"daily portion" of such original issue discount upon the purchase of a Bond
subsequent to the Bond's original issue, under certain circumstances.  In the
case of any Bond held by the Trust the interest on which is excludable from
gross income under Section 103 of the Code, any original issue discount which
accrues with respect thereto will be treated as interest which is excludable
from gross income under Section 103 of the Code.

    (vi)  In the case of any Bond which matures within one year of the date
issued, the accrual of tax-exempt original issue discount will generally be
computed daily on a ratable basis unless the Unitholder elects to accrue such
discount under a constant yield method, compounded daily.

    (vii)  In the case of any Bond which does not mature within one year
after the date issued, tax-exempt original issue discount will accrue
daily, computed generally under a constant yield method, compounded
semiannually (with straight line interpolation between compounding dates).

    (viii)  In the case of Trusts for which Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Corporation ("MBIA") insurance with respect to each of the Bonds deposited
therein has been obtained by the Depositor or the issuer or underwriter of the
Bonds, we have examined the form of MBIA's policy or several policies of
insurance (the "Policies") which have been delivered to the Trustee.  Assuming
issuance of Policies in such form, in our opinion, any amounts paid under said
Policies representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the
Trustee will be excludable from Federal gross income if, and to the same
extent as, such interest would have been so excludable if paid by the
respective issuer.  Paragraph (ii) of this opinion is accordingly applicable
to Policy proceeds representing maturing interest.
<PAGE>

    Because the Trusts do not include any "specified private activity bonds"
within the meaning of Section 57(a)(5) of the Code issued on or after August
8, 1986, none of the Trust Fund's interest income shall be treated as an item
of tax preference when computing the alternative minimum tax.  In the case of
corporations, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986, the alter-
native minimum tax and the Superfund Tax depend upon the corporation's
alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the corporation's
taxable income with certain adjustments.

    Pursuant to Section 56(f) of the Code, one of the adjustment
items used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation
(other than an S Corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate
Investment Trust or REMIC) is an amount equal to 50% of the excess of such
corporation's "adjusted net book income" over an amount equal to its AMTI
(before such adjustment item and the alternative tax net operating
loss deduction).  For taxable years beginning after 1989, such adjustment item
will be 75% of the excess of such corporation's "adjusted current earnings"
over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment item and the
alternative tax net operating net operating loss deduction) pursuant to
Section 56(g) of the Code.  Both "adjusted net book income" and "adjusted
current earnings" include all tax-exempt interest, including interest on all
Bonds in the Trust, and tax-exempt original issue discount.

   Effective for tax returns filed after December 31, 1987,  all taxpayers
are required to disclose to the Internal Revenue Service the amount of
tax-exempt interest earned during the year.

    Section 265 of the Code generally provides for a reduction
in each taxable year of 100% of the otherwise deductible interest on
indebtedness incurred or continued by financial institutions, to which either 
Section 585 or Section 593 of the Code applies, to purchase or carry 
obligations acquired after August 7, 1986, the interest on which is exempt
from federal income taxes for such taxable year.  Under rules prescribed by 
Section 265, the amount of interest otherwise deductible by such financial
institutions in any taxable year which is deemed to be attributable to 
tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986 will be the amount
that bears the same ratio to the interest deduction otherwise allowable
(determined without regard to Section 265) to the taxpayer for the taxable
year as the taxpayer's average adjusted basis (within the meaning of Section
1016) of tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986, bears to
such average adjusted basis for all assets of the taxpayer, unless such 
financial institution can otherwise establish under regulations to be
prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the amount of interest on 
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such obligations.

<PAGE>

    We also call attention to the fact that, under Section 265 of the
Code,  interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry
Units by taxpayers other than certain financial institutions, as referred to
above, is not deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Under rules used by
the Internal Revenue Service for determining when borrowed funds are con-
sidered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the
purchase of Units may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even
though the borrowed funds are not directly traceable to the purchase of Units.
However, these rules generally do not apply to interest paid on indebtedness
incurred for expenditures of a personal nature such as a mortgage incurred to
purchase or improve a personal residence.

    "The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993" (the "Tax Act") subjects tax-exempt
bonds to the market discount rules of the Code effective for bonds purchased
after April 30, 1993.  In general, market discount is the amount (if any) by
which the stated redemption price at maturity exceeds an investor's purchase
price (except to the extent that such difference, if any, is attributable to
original issue discount not yet accrued).  Market discount can arise based on
the price a Trust pays for Bonds or the price a Unitholder pays for his or her
Units.  Under the Tax Act, accretion of market discount is taxable as ordinary
income; under prior law, the accretion had been treated as capital gain.  Market
discount that accretes while a Trust holds a Bond would be recognized as
ordinary income by the Unitholders when principal payments are received on the
Bond, upon sale or at redemption (including early redemption), or upon the sale
or redemption of his or her Units, unless a Unitholder elects to include market
discount in taxable income as it accrues.
     
    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-53183) relating to the Units referred
to above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Respectfully submitted,


CHAPMAN AND CUTLER


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON CHRISTIAN, BARTON, EPPS, BRENT & CHAPPELL LETTERHEAD)

4/29/94

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

Attn:  James J. Wesolowski, Esquire
       General Counsel


United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Series 727
286
770 Broadway
New York, New York  10003

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special Virginia counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 727 (the "Fund") concerning a Registration Statement (No. 33-53183)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement"),
covering the issuance by the Fund of units of fractional undivided
interest pursuant to a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated as of the date
hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated and United States Trust Company
of New York.  The Fund will issue units in several State Trusts, one of which
is the Virginia Traditional Trust (the "Virginia Trust" or "Trust", the
units of which are referred to as "the Units").  The Units will be purchased
by various investors (the "Unitholders").  Each Trust will be administered as
a distinct entity with separate certificates, investments, expenses, books
and records.
    The assets of the Virginia Trust will consist of interest-bearing
obligations issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, its
counties, municipalities, authorities or political subdivisions, and, provided
the interest thereon is exempt from Virginia income taxes by the laws or
treaties of the United States, by or on behalf of United States territories
or possessions, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and the
Northern Mariana Islands, and their political subdivisions and authorities
(the "Bonds").

    You have requested our opinion as to the application of Virginia state and
local taxes to the Trust and the Unitholders.  In rendering our
opinion, we have assumed that the interest on all Bonds in the Trust will be 
exempt from Federal income tax.  Furthermore, in rendering our opinion, we 
have relied on the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, of even date 
herewith, that:
 
    (1)  the Trusts are not associations taxable as corporations for Federal
income tax purposes and tax-exempt interest received by each of the Trusts on
Bonds deposited therein will retain its status as tax-exempt interest, for
Federal income tax purposes, when distributed to a Unitholder;

    (2)  each Unitholder of a Trust is considered to be the owner of a
pro rata portion of such Trust under Subpart E, sub-chapter J of Chapter 1 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and will have a taxable event when the Trust
disposes of a Bond or when the Unitholder redeems or sells Units . . . .
If the Trustee disposes of Bonds (whether by sale, payment on maturity,
redemption or otherwise), gain or loss is recognized to the Unitholder.
The amount of any such gain or loss is measured by comparing the
Unitholder's pro rata share of the total proceeds from such disposition
with the Unitholder's basis for his or her fractional interest in the
asset disposed of.  In the case of a Unitholder who purchases Units,
such basis (before adjustment for earned original issue discount and 
amortized bond premium, if any) is determined by apportioning the cost of the
Units among each of the Trust assets ratably according to value as of the 
date of acquisition of the Units.  The tax cost reduction requirements of 
said Code relating to amortization of bond premium may, under some 
circumstances, result in the Unitholder realizing a taxable gain when
his or her Units are sold or redeemed for an amount equal to their original
cost.
 
    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the following opinion:

    The Trust will be treated as a trust for Virginia income tax purposes and
not as an association taxable as a corporation.  As a result, income of the
Trust will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.

<PAGE>

    The calculation of Virginia taxable income begins with federal adjusted
gross income in the case of an individual or federal taxable income in the 
case of a corporation, estate or trust.  Certain modifications are specified, 
but no such modification would require the addition of interest on the Bonds.
Accordingly, amounts representing tax-exempt interest for federal income tax
purposes received or accrued by the Trust with respect to the Bonds, will not 
be taxed to the Trust or to the Unitholders for Virginia income tax
purposes.  To the extent that interest on obligations of the Commonwealth or
any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof is included in federal
adjusted gross income, Virginia law provides that the income shall be 
subtracted in arriving at Virginia taxable income.  In addition, Virginia 
income tax exemption is independently provided for interest on certain 
obligations, including those issued by industrial development authorities 
created pursuant to the Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, 
by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, by the Virginia Resources 
Authority and by the Virginia Education Loan Authority.  Where such an 
independent exemption is provided, interest on such obligations is exempt 
from Virginia income taxation without regard to any exemption from federal 
income taxes.


    As a general rule, to the extent that gain (whether as a result of the
sale of Bonds by the Trust or as a result of the sale of a Unit by the
Unitholder) is subject to federal income taxation, such gain will be
included in the Unitholder's Virginia taxable income.  Under the
language of certain enabling legislation, however, such as the Virginia 
Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, the Virginia Resources Authority
Act and the Virginia Housing Development Authority Act, profit made on the
sale of obligations issued by authorities created thereunder is expressly
exempt from Virginia income taxation.  Such enabling legislation does not
appear to require a disallowance in the calculation of Virginia taxes of any
loss that may be deductible for federal income tax purposes with respect to
such obligations, although the Virginia Department of Taxation has taken a
contrary view.

    No income tax is imposed by any political subdivision of the Commonwealth 
of Virginia.  The Units and the obligations represented thereby are exempt 
from the Virginia tax on intangibles (other than the tax on the capital of
banks, as to which no opinion is expressed).  Intangibles (other than
merchants' capital) are not subject to taxation by any political subdivision.

    The Commonwealth of Virginia does not impose a gift tax.  The Virginia
estate tax is equal to the maximum state death tax credit allowable against 
the federal estate tax payable by the estate.

    We have not examined any of the Bonds, nor have we made any review of the
proceedings relating to the issuance of the Bonds or the basis for any 
opinions with respect to their validity or the tax-exempt status thereof for 
federal income tax purposes.  We have made no independent investigation as 
to, or passed on, the operation of the Trust or the sale of the Units in 
Virginia or in any other state.  No opinion was requested, nor is any opinion 
expressed, with respect to any tax consequences to the sponsor of the Trust, 
any underwriters, or any broker-dealers.

    We should point out that to the extent the Trust consists of property of
persons domiciled in Virginia, the Trust will in our opinion be considered a
"resident trust" for Virginia income tax purposes.  While we do not believe 
that the mere ownership by the Trust of the Bonds constitutes sufficient 
nexus to subject the Trust to the tax jurisdiction of Virginia, we express no 
opinion as to whether any activities with respect to the sale of Units in 
Virginia may establish such a nexus.  If a sufficient nexus exists, then if 
the Trust is required to file a federal fiduciary income tax return it will 
also be required to file a Virginia fiduciary income tax return.  Any such 
return would be for information purposes only, since each transaction of the 
Trust should be treated as a transaction of the several Certificateholders,
and not as a transaction of the Trust that could give rise to Virginia
taxable income of the Trust.
 
    We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of our name and the reference to our firm in the
Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein.

Very truly yours,


CHRISTIAN, BARTON, EPPS, BRENT & CHAPPELL


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3

(On Carlton, Fields, Ward, Emmanuel, Smith & Cutler, P.A. LETTERHEAD)




4/29/94


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727
Florida Insured Trust 189
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

Attn:  James J. Wesolowski, Esquire
       Vice President, General Counsel
       and Secretary

        Re:   
             Florida Insured Trust 189

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special Florida counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
- - including the above-captioned trust (the "Fund") in connection with the
issuance by the Fund of units of fractional undivided interests in the Fund
(the "Units").  In that connection, you have requested our opinion as to the
application of Florida state and local taxes to the Trust (as hereinafter
defined) and to investors who purchase units in the Trust.

    We have not been furnished with a copy of the Registration Statement or 
the prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement relating to the
issuance by the Fund of the Units.  However, you have authorized us to assume
that the proposed offer and sale of the Units, including the units of the
Florida Trust, will be carried out in that same manner and upon the same terms
and conditions as those described in any prospectus for a previous Nuveen
Tax-Exempt Unit Trust that contained a Florida Insured Trust.
In addition, you have authorized us to assume and we have assumed that:

    (a)  The Fund has been organized under a Trust Indenture and Agreement
between John Nuveen & Co., Incorporated (the "Depositor") and United States
Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee").

    (b)  The Fund will issue the Units in several State Trusts; one of which
is the Florida Insured Trust (the "Trust").

    (c)  The Units will be purchased by various investors who may be 
individuals or corporations.

    (d)  Each Unit of the Trust represents a fractional undivided interest in
the principal and net income of the Trust in the ratio of ten Units for each
$1,000 principal amount of the obligations initially acquired by the Trust.

    (e)  Each Trust will be administered as a distinct entity with separate
certificates, investments, expenses, books, and records.

    (f)  The assets of the Trust will consist solely of interest-bearing
obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of Florida, its political
subdivisions, and authorities or by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam
or the Virgin Islands.

    (g)  Distributions of interest received by the Trust will be made
semi-annually, unless the Unitholder elects otherwise.

    (h)  The interest on all Bonds in the Trust will be exempt from Federal
income tax.(N.1)

    (i)  The Bonds have been issued in strict compliance with all requirements
of Florida, Federal or territorial law.

    (j)  The Fund is a registered investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.


    In rendering our opinion, you have advised us that Messrs. Chapman and
Cutler have rendered the following opinions and have authorized us to rely 
upon such opinions and we have relied upon such opinions that:

    (a)  The Trust will not be taxable as an association but will be governed 
by the provisions of Subchapter J (relating to trusts) of Chapter 1 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

    (b)  Each Unitholder will be considered as owning a pro-rata share
of each asset of the Trust to which such Unit relates in the proportion
that the number of Units of the Trust held by him bears to the total number of
outstanding Units of the Trust and will be subject to Federal income tax on
the income therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of Subchapter J of
Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

    (c)  The Trust will not be subject to Federal income taxes.

<PAGE>

    (d)  For Federal income tax purposes, each item of Trust income will have
the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as it would have in the
hands of the Trustee.  Accordingly, to the extent that the income of the Trust
consists of interest excludable from Federal gross income under Section 103 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, such income will be excludable
from Federal gross income of the Unitholders.

    (e)  For Federal income tax purposes, each Unitholder will have a
taxable event when, upon redemption or sale of his Units, he receives 
cash or other property.  Gain or loss will be measured by comparing the
proceeds of such a redemption or sale with the Unitholder's adjusted
basis for the Unit.  Before adjustment, generally this basis would be cost, if
the Unitholder had purchased his Units, plus his share of certain
advances by the Trustee to the Trust and certain accrued original issue
discount.  For Federal income tax purposes, if the Trustee disposes of a Trust
asset (whether by sale, payment on maturity, retirement, or otherwise), gain
or loss will be recognized by each Unitholder, and such gain or loss is
computed by measuring the Unitholder's aliquot share of the total
proceeds from the transaction against his basis for his fractional interest in
the asset disposed of (such basis being determined by apportioning the basis
for his Units among all of the Trust's assets ratably according to their
values as of the valuation date nearest the date on which he purchased the
Units).  A Unitholder's basis in his Units and the basis for his
fractional interest in each Trust asset must be reduced by the amount of his
aliquot share of interest received, if any, on Bonds delivered after the
Unitholder's settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued
on the Bonds during the period from the Unitholder's settlement date to
the date such Bonds are delivered to the Trust and must be reduced annually by
amortization of premiums, if any, on obligations held by the Trust.
 
    For the purposes of this letter:

    (a)  "Florida Code" shall mean the Florida Income Tax Code, Chapter 220,
Florida Statutes, as amended.  In the Florida Income Tax Code, Chapter 220, 
Florida Statutes, the Florida Legistature has adopted, retroactively to 
January 1, 1994, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect 
on January 1, 1994, as the Internal Revenue Code under which a Corporate 
Unitholder must compute its income for purposes of Florida corporate income 
taxation.

    (b)  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended and in effect on January 1, 1994.

    (c)  "Non-Corporate Unitholder" shall mean a Unitholder
of the Florida Trust who is an individual not subject to the income
tax on corporations imposed by the Florida Code.

    (d)  "Corporate Unitholder" shall mean a Unitholder of the
Florida Trust that is a corporation subject to the income tax on
corporations imposed by the Florida Code.

    (e)  "Nonbusiness Income" is defined in the Florida Code and shall mean
rents and royalties from real or tangible personal property, capital gains,
interest, dividends, and patent and copyright royalties, to the extent that
they do not arise from transactions and activities in the regular course of a
Corporate Unitholder's trade or business.  The term Nonbusiness Income
does not include income from tangible and intangible property if the
acquisition, management, and disposition of the property constitute integral
parts of a Corporate Unitholder's regular trade or business operations,
or any amounts which could be included in apportionable income without
violating the due process clause of the United States Constitution.  For
purposes of this definition, "income" means gross receipts less all expenses
directly or indirectly attributable thereto.

    (f)  "Commercial domicile" shall mean the place that a corporation
maintains its principal place of business.  The term "commercial domicile" is
not specifically defined in Florida law for Florida corporate income tax
purposes.  However, the Florida Supreme Court has on at least two occasions
attributed meaning to this phrase, and recently enacted legislation amending
how Florida's intangible personal property tax law defines this phrase.  The 
Court has implied that a corporation's commercial domicile is its principal 
place of business, Department of Revenue v. Amrep Corp., 358 So.2d 1343, 1350
(Fla. 1978).  The Court has also stated in another case that a particular
corporation's domicile was in New York City where its head office and the
actual seat of its over-all business government was located and from where
its executive officers regularly exercised their complete authority and
controlled and directed all activities of the corporation, wherever carried
on.  Gay v. Bessemer Properties, Inc., 32 So.2d 587, 591 (Fla. 1947).  In
recently enacted legislation, a corporation is considered to acquire a
commercial domicile in Florida "when it maintains its chief or principal
office in [Florida] where executive or management functions are performed
or where the course of business operations is determined."  Section 199.175
(1)(b), Florida Statutes (1989).

    Based solely upon the assumptions you have permitted us to make and the
opinions of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler upon which you have authorized us to
rely, we are of the opinion that:

    (a)  For Florida state income tax purposes, the Trust will not be subject 
to the income tax imposed by the Florida Code so long as the Trust has no
income subject to federal income taxation.  In addition, political sub-
divisions of Florida do not impose any income taxes.

    (b)  Because Florida does not impose an income tax on individuals,
Non-Corporate Unitholders will not be subject to any Florida income tax
on income realized by the Trust.  Each Corporate Unitholder will be
subject to Florida income taxation on its share of the income realized by the
Trust notwithstanding the tax exempt status of the interest received
from any bonds under Section 103(a) of the Code or any other federal law,
unless the interest income constitutes Nonbusiness Income.  Nevertheless,
any Corporate Unitholder that has its commercial domicile in Florida will be
taxable under the Florida Code on its share of the Trust income which
constitutes Nonbusiness Income.

<PAGE>

    (c)  A Non-Corporate Unitholder will not be subject to Florida
income taxation with respect to gain realized when Bonds held in the Trust 
are sold, redeemed, or paid at maturity.  A Corporate Unitholder will
be subject to Florida income taxation with respect to gain realized on such a 
sale, redemption, or payment at maturity of a Bond held by the Trust, except
to the extent that the gain realized therefrom constitutes Nonbusiness
Income.  Nevertheless, to the extent that gains realized by a Corporate
Unitholder arising from a sale, redemption, or payment at maturity
constitute Nonbusiness Income, such gain will be taxable under the Florida
Code if the Corporate Unitholder's commercial domicile is in Florida.

    (d)  Any gain realized by a Non-Corporate Unitholder from the
redemption, sale, or other disposition of a Unit will not be subject to 
Florida income tax.  Any gain realized by a Corporate Unitholder from
the redemption, sale, or other disposition of a Unit will be subject to 
Florida income tax except to the extent that the gain realized therefrom
constitutes Nonbusiness Income. Nevertheless, to the extent that gain
realized by a Corporate Unitholder arising from a sale, redemption, or
other disposition of a Unit consitutes Nonbusiness Income, such gain will be
taxable under the Florida Code if the Corporate Unitholder's commercial
domicile is in Florida.
 
    (e)  A Non-Corporate Unitholder will not be subject to Florida
income taxation with respect to amounts paid under the Municipal Bond
Investors Assurance Corporation insurance policies representing interest on
defaulted obligations held by the Trustee.  A Corporate Unitholder
will be subject to Florida income taxation on its share of amounts paid under 
the Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation insurance policies
representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the Trustee
except to the extent that such payments constitute Nonbusiness Income as de-
fined in the Florida Code.  Nevertheless, any Corporate Unitholder that
has its commercial domicile in Florida will be taxable under the Florida Code
on its share of amounts paid under the Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Corporation insurance policies representing maturing interest on defaulted
obligations held by the Trustee even if such payments constitute Nonbusiness
Income.

    (f)  A Non-Corporate Unitholder will not be subject to Florida
income taxation with respect to gain realized with respect to amounts paid 
under the Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation
insurance policies representing principal on defaulted
obligations held by the Trustee.  A Corporate Unitholder will be
subject to Florida income taxation with respect to gain realized on its share 
of amounts paid under the Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation
insurance policies representing principal on defaulted obligations held by
the Trustee except to the extent that the gain realized constitutes
Nonbusiness Income.  Nevertheless, gain realized, by
any Corporate Unitholder that has its commercial domicile in Florida,
on such payments representing principal on defaulted obligations held by the
Trustee, will be taxable under the Florida Code even if such payments
constitute Nonbusiness Income.
 
    (g)  Even if interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a
Unitholder to purchase Units in the Trust is not deductible for Federal
income tax purposes, under Code section 265(a)(2) or any other law,  it will
be deductible, in effect, by Corporate Unitholders for Florida income tax
purposes if interest earned on the Units is other than Nonbusiness Income.
Nevertheless, if interest earned on the Units is Nonbusiness Income, any
Corporate Unitholder that has its commercial domicile in Florida may reduce
the amount of interest included as Nonbusiness Income by the amount of
expenses directly or indirectly attributable thereto.

    (h)  Trust Units will be subject to Florida estate tax only if owned by
Florida residents and may be subjected to Florida estate tax if owned by other
decendents.  However, the Florida estate tax is limited to the amount of the
credit allowable under the applicable Federal Revenue Act (currently Section
2011 (and in some cases Section 2102) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended) for death taxes actually paid to the several states.

    (i)  Neither the Bonds nor the Units will be subject to the Florida ad
valorem tax or Florida sales or use tax.

    (j)  Because Bonds issued by the State of Florida, its political
subdivisions or by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Virgin
Islands, are exempt from Florida intangible personal property taxation under
Chapter 199, Florida Statutes, the Trust will not be subject to Florida
intangible personal property tax.  In addition, the Unitholders will not be
subject to Florida intangible personal property tax on the Units.

    (k)  The sale, redemption, or other disposition by the Trust of Bonds
issued by the State of Florida, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the
Virgin Islands, will not subject either the Trust or the Unitholders to
Florida documentary stamp tax.

    (l)  The issuance and sale of the Units by the Trust will not
subject either the Trust or the Unitholders to Florida documentary
stamp tax.
 
    (m)  The transfer of Units by a Unitholder will not be
subject to Florida documentary stamp tax.

<PAGE>

    This opinion is limited to the law in effect as of the date hereof and
we assume no responsibility for changes in the law that may become effective
subsequent to the date of this opinion.  Furthermore, this letter is not to be
construed as a prediction of a favorable outcome with respect to any issue for
which no favorable prediction is made herein, or as a guaranty of any tax
result, or as offering an assurance or guaranty that a Florida state or local
taxing authority might not differ with our conclusions, or raise other
questions or issues upon audit, or that such action may not be judicially
sustained.

    We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited in the Fund and held
by the Trust, and we express no opinion as to whether the interest on any such
Bonds would, in fact, be tax-exempt if directly received by a 
Unitholder; nor have we made any review of the proceedings relating to
the issuance of the Bonds or the basis for the bond counsel opinions or the 
opinions of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler referred to herein.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-53183) and to the reference to our
firm in such Registration Statement and the Prospectus included
therein. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within 
the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

_______________________
(N.1) Section 2.01 of the Indenture provides that if the Depositor fails to
deposit Bonds, through no fault of its own, the Depositor may, as provided in
Section 3.14 of said Indenture, purchase replacement bonds (referred to as
"New Bonds") that will also be tax exempt bonds issued by the same states or 
their respective political subdivisions.


Very truly yours,



CARLTON FIELDS WARD EMMANUEL SMITH & CUTLER, P.A.
By: David P. Burke



<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON DICKINSON, WRIGHT, MOON, VAN DUSEN & FREEMAN LETTERHEAD)

4/29/94




John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee
770 Broadway
New York, New York  10003

Re:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727
 
Michigan Insured Trust 54

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special Michigan counsel to the captioned Trust(s)(the
"Michigan Trust(s)") of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust - Series 727
(the "Fund") concerning a Registration Statement (No. 33-53183) on Form S-6
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the issuance by the
Michigan Trust(s) of Units of fractional undivided interest in the Michigan
Trust(s) (the "Units").

    The Michigan Trust(s) has (have) been organized under a Trust Indenture
and Agreement dated as of 4/29/94 between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as
Depositor ("Nuveen"), and United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee
("Trustee").  The Fund will contain several trusts, including the Michigan
Trust(s), which will issue the Units.  The Units of the Michigan Trust(s)
will be purchased by various investors (the "Unitholders").  Each Unit of
a Michigan Trust represents a fractional undivided interest in a Michigan
Trust.  The Michigan Trust(s) and the other trusts each will be administered
as a distinct entity with separate certificates, investments, expenses, books
and records.  Further, Nuveen, the Trustee and Municipal Bond Investors
Assurance Corporation will enter into an agreement for any Michigan Insured
Trust providing for the provision of insurance (the "Insurance") against the
nonpayment of principal and interest when due.

    The assets of a Michigan Trust will consist of interest-bearing
obligations issued by or on  behalf of the State of Michigan, and counties,
municipalities, authorities and political subdivisions thereof, and, in
limited instances, bonds issued by Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the
Northern Mariana Islands or possessions of the United States (the "Bonds").
Distributions of the interest received by a Michigan Trust will generally
be made semi-annually unless the Unitholder elects otherwise.
We have been advised by Nuveen that in the opinion of bond counsel to each
issuer, the interest on all Bonds in a Michigan Trust is exempt from
Federal income tax under existing law.
 
    Chapman and Cutler, counsel for Nuveen, has advised us that for federal
income tax purposes a Michigan Trust will not be taxable as an association
but will be governed by the provisions of Subchapter J (relating to Trusts)
of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Each
Unitholder will be considered the owner of a pro rata portion of the
Unitholder's repective Michigan Trust and will be subject to tax on the income
therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  A Michigan Trust itself will
not be subject to federal income taxes.  For federal income tax purposes, each
item of income from a Michigan Trust will have the same character in the hands
of a Unitholder as it would have in the hands of the Trustee.  Accordingly, to
the extent that the income of a Michigan Trust consists of interest excludable
from gross income under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, such income will be excludable from federal gross income of the
Unitholder.  In addition, if Insurance has been obtained, Chapman and Cutler
has examined the form of the policy of Insurance being issued with respect to
the Bonds and based thereon has advised us that any amounts paid under the
Insurance representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the
Trustee will be excludable from federal gross income if, and to the same
extent as, such interest would have been so excludable if paid by the
respective issuer.

    Based upon the above information which, with Nuveen's consent, we have
relied upon, it is our opinion that for Michigan state and local tax pur-
poses, a Michigan Trust will be recognized as a trust not taxable as a
corporation.

    We are further of the opinion that under existing law:

    Under the Michigan income tax act, the Michigan single business tax act, 
the Michigan intangibles tax act, the Michigan city income tax act (which
authorizes the only income tax ordinance which may be adopted by cities in 
Michigan), and under the law which authorizes a "first class" school district
to levy an excise tax upon income, the Michigan Trust(s) will not be subject
to tax.  The income of a Michigan Trust will be treated as the income of the
Unitholders and be deemed to have been received by them when received
by their respective Michigan Trust.

    Interest on the Bonds in a Michigan Trust which is exempt from Federal
income tax is exempt from Michigan state and local income taxes and from the
Michigan single business tax.  Further, any amounts paid under any Insurance
representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the Trustee
will be excludable from Michigan state and local income taxes and from the
Michigan single business tax if, and to the same extent as, such interest
would have been so excludable if paid by the respective issuer.
 
    For purposes of the foregoing Michigan tax laws (corporations and
financial institutions are not subject to the Michigan income tax), each 
Unitholder will be considered to have received his pro rata share of
Bond interest when it is received by the Unitholder's respective Michigan
Trust, and each Unitholder will have a taxable event when the Unitholder's
respective Michigan Trust disposes of a Bond (whether by sale, exchange,
redemption or payment at maturity) or when the Unitholder redeems or sells
Units.  Due to the requirement that tax cost be reduced to reflect
amortization of bond premium, under some circumstances a Unitholder may
realize taxable gain when Units are sold or redeemed for an amount equal to,
or less than, their original cost.  The tax cost of each Unit to a Unitholder
will be allocated for purposes of these Michigan tax laws in the same manner
as the cost is allocated for Federal income tax purposes.

<PAGE>

    Pursuant to the position of the Michigan Department of Treasury in a
bulletin dated December 19, 1986, the portion of the tax exempt bond fund
represented by the Bonds will be exempt from the Michigan Intangibles
Tax.  The Department of Treasury has not indicated a position with respect
to treatment of amounts paid under a policy of insurance with respect to
maturing interest on defaulted obligations (which amounts would have been
exludable if paid by the respective issuer)  for purposes of determining
the income base for the Michigan Intangibles Tax.

    If a Unitholder is subject to the Michigan single business tax (i.e.
is engaged in a "business activity" as defined in the Michigan single
business tax act) and has a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes
when a Michigan Trust sells or exchanges Bonds or the Unitholder
sells or exchanges Units, such event may impact on the adjusted tax base upon
which the single business tax is computed.  Any capital gain or loss realized
from such taxable event which was included in the computation of the
Unitholder's Federal taxable income, plus the portion, if any, of such
capital gain excluded in such computation and minus the portion, if any, of
such capital loss not deducted in such computation for the year the loss
occurred, will be included in the adjusted tax base.  The adjusted tax base
of any person other than a corporation is affected by any gain or loss
realized from the taxable event only to the extent that the resulting Federal
taxable income is derived from "business activity".
 
    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-53183) relating to the Units and to
the reference to our Firm as special Michigan counsel in the Registration 
Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Very truly yours,


DICKINSON, WRIGHT, MOON, VAN DUSEN & FREEMAN 

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(On Dechert Price & Rhoads Letterhead)

4/29/94


John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727
      
     Pennsylvania Insured Trust 179

Gentlemen:

    You have requested our opinion as to the Pennsylvania tax aspects of the
above-captioned Trust(s) (the "Pennsylvania Trust(s)") which is (are) a part
of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust Series 727 ("Fund").  The Fund is
organized under the Trust Indenture and Agreement, of even date, between John
Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor, and United States Trust Company of
New York, as Trustee.  The Fund will contain several trusts, including the
Pennsylvania Trust(s), which will issue Units of fractional undivided
interests.  The Units will be purchased by various investors ("Unit Holder").
Each Unit of the Pennsylvania Trust(s) represents a fractional undivided
interest in the principal and net income of such Trust(s) in the ratio of ten
Units for each $1,000 of value of the obligations initially acquired by such
Trust(s).  Each Pennsylvania Trust will be administered as a distinct entity
with separate certificates, investments, expenses, books and records.
 
    The proceeds of the sale of the Units will be invested primarily in
interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, its agencies and instrumentalities, or political subdivisions
thereof, including any county, city, borough, town, township, school disrict,
municipality, and local housing or parking authority in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania or issued by Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam or the
Northern Mariana Islands ("Bonds").  Distributions of the interest received by
the Trust will be made semi-annually unless the Unit Holder elects otherwise.
In the opinion of bond counsel to each issuer, the interest on all bonds in
the Trust is exempt fromn federal income tax under existing law.

    You have advised us that for federal income tax purposes each Pennsylvania
Trust will not be taxable as an association but will be governed by the
provisions of Subchapter J (relating to Trusts) of Chapter 1 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.  Each Unit Holder will be considered the owner of a pro
rata portion of the Unit Holder's respective Pennsylvania Trust and will be
subject to tax on the income therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of
Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. A Pennsylvania
Trust itself will not be subject to federal income taxes. For federal income
tax purposes, each item of trust income will have the same character in the
hands of a Unit Holder as it would have in the hands of the Trustee.
Accordingly, to the extent that the income of a Pennsylvania Trust consists of
interest excludable from gross income under Section 103 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, such income will be excludable from federal gross income
of the Unit Holder.

    Based upon the above facts, it is our opinion that for Pennsylvania state
and local tax purposes, a Pennsylvania Trust will be recognized as a trust not
taxable as a corporation.  It will, therefore, not be subject to the 
Pennsylvania Capital Stock/Franchise Tax or the Pennsylvania Corporate Net
Income Tax.  Since all of the income of a Trust is either itself income exempt
from Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax, as described below, or is required by 
the terms of the Trust to be distributed to the holders of Units, a Trust 
should not be subject to Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax.  The Philadelphia
School District Investment Income Tax described below, is not imposed on 
trusts.

    Various personal property taxes are in effect in Pennsylvania, however, 
each of them exempts, inter alia, Bonds, cash, checking and savings accounts 
in and certificates of deposit issued by commercial banks, savings 
institutions or trust companies and United States Treasury obligations.  In
general, these taxes apply to a specified list of items of intangible 
personal property including, inter alia, mortgages and other evidences of
indebtedness and shares of stock issued by business corporations not doing
business in Pennsylvania.  The taxes referred to above include the County 
Personal Property Tax imposed on residents of Pennsylvania by the Act of 
June 17, 1913, P.L. 507, as amended, the additional personal property taxes 
imposed on Pittsburgh residents by the School District of Pittsburgh under 
the Act of June 20, 1947, P.L. 733, as amended, and by the City of Pittsburgh 
by Ordinance No. 599 of December 28, 1967, under the Act of December 31, 1965,
P.L. 1257, and any additional personal property taxes that the School District
of Philadelphia may reimpose on Philadelphia residents under the authority 
contained in the Act of May 23, 1949, P.L. 1676, as amended.  Units evidencing 
fractional undivided interests in a Pennsylvania Trust will not be subject to 
any of these personal property taxes to the extent of that proportion of a 
Pennsylvania Trust represented by Bonds and other exempt assets. Only that 
proportion of the Units represented by taxable assets will be subject to the 
personal property taxes.  Pennsylvania Trust Units may be taxable under the 
Pennsylvania inheritance and estate taxes.
 
    The interest and gain from obligations issued by the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania or by its political subdivisions or by any public authority of
either are exempt from tax under the Act of August 31, 1971, P.L. 395, 
Act No. 94.  However, that Act was repealed by the Act of December 3, 1993,
P.L. 473, Act No. 68 ("Act 68 of 1993") with respect to obligations issued
on or after February 1, 1994.  Pursuant to Act 68 of 1993, profits, gains or
income derived from the sale, exchange or other disposition of exempt 
government obligations issued after February 1, 1994 will be subject to
state or local taxation although interest and "income" derived from the
exempt obligations will continue to be exempt from all state and local 
taxation.  Therefore, the proportion of income representing interest from 
Bonds distributable to Unit Holders is not taxable under the Pennsylvania
Personal Income Tax imposed by Article III of the Pennsylvania "Tax Reform
Code of 1971", as amended by the Act of August 31, 1971, P.L. 362, Act No. 93,
or under the Corporate Net Income Tax imposed on corporations by Article IV of
the Tax Reform Code.  Similarly, such interest will not be taxable under the 
Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax imposed on

<PAGE>

Philadelphia resident individuals under the authority of the Act of August 9,
1963, P.L. 640, as implemented by Section 19-1804 of the Philadelphia Code,
as amended, and resolutions of the Board of Education of the School District
of Philadelphia made pursuant to the ordinances, and such interest will not be
subject to any of the taxes on net income from business activities in 
Philadelphia under Philadelphia Code Sections 19-1500 and 19-2600, imposing
a Net Profits Tax and a Business Privilege Tax respectively.  The City and
School District of Pittsburgh do not impose any taxes on unearned income.
 
    Under the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax Law, personal income tax is
imposed upon the following specified classes of income:  (1) compensation for
services, (2) net profits from the operation of a business, profession, or 
other activity, (3) net gains or income from the disposition of property, (4) 
net gains or income in the form of rents and royalties, (5) dividends, (6) 
interest from obligations not otherwise exempt, (7) gambling and lottery
winnings, (8) net gains or income from estates or trusts which fall under any 
of the preceding classifications.  Although there is no published authority
on the question, it is our opinion that any insurance proceeds paid in lieu of
interest on defaulted tax-exempt obligations will be exempt from Pennsylvania 
Personal Income Tax either as payment in lieu of tax-exempt interest or as 
payments of insurance proceeds which are not included in any of the classes 
of income specified as taxable under the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax 
Law.  Since Pennsylvania Corporate Net Income Tax is imposed upon the 
corporation's net income for federal income tax purposes, because such
insurance proceeds will be excluded from the federal income tax base, such
proceeds will not be subject to the Pennsylvania Corporate Net Income Tax.
Finally, since proceeds from insurance policies are expressly excluded from
the Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax, insurance proceeds
paid to replace defaulted payments under any Bonds held by the Pennsylvania
Trust(s) will not be subject to this tax.

    Under Act 68 of 1993, a Unit Holder's share of gain upon disposition of a 
Bond issued on or after February 1, 1994 by the Pennsylvania Trust, whether 
by sale, exchange, redemption or payment at maturity, will be taxable 
under the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax.  Gains on the disposition of Bonds
issued before February 1, 1994 will continue to be exempt.  See 72 P.S. Section
7303(a)(3) and 61 Pa. Code Section. 121.9(b)(3).  While there is no published 
authority with respect to the treatment of such gains for purposes of the 
Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax, it is our opinion that
gains upon dispositions of Bonds issued before February 1, 1994 are exempt from 
this tax under Act of August 31, 1971, P.L. 395, Act No. 94, and, if the 
question were litigated, the Pennsylvania courts should so hold.  Gains on the 
disposition of Bonds issued on or after February 1, 1994 will be taxable.  
In any event, the Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax has no
application to any gain on the disposition of property held for more than
six months. 

    In C.C. Collings & Co., Inc. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 514 A.2d 1373
(1986), and two related cases, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that 
gains or losses from the sale of obligations of the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, its political subdivisions, instrumentalities and agencies are 
not subject to the Corporate Net Income Tax.  Profits, gains or income
derived from the sale, exchange or other disposition of those exempt 
obligations issued on or after February 1, 1994, however, will be subject
to tax pursuant to Act 68 of 1993.  

    There is no published authority under any of the Pennsylvania state and
local income taxes described above with respect to gain from the redemption
or sale of a Unit.  To the extent that such gain represents the
Unit Holder's share of any unrealized gain on the Bonds issued before 
February 1, 1994 and held by the Trust, it is our opinion that such gain is 
exempt from the above-described Pennsylvania state and local income taxes and, 
if the question were litigated, the Pennsylvania courts should so hold.  To the
extent that such gain is attributable to unrealized gain on Bonds issued on 
or after February 1, 1994, such gain will be taxable under such taxes.  In any
event, the Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax has no 
application to any gain on the disposition of property held for more than six 
months.
 
    Interest on obligations of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, or the
Northern Mariana Islands is, under federal law, exempt from taxation by states
and municipalities.  Federal law does not expressly exclude from taxation gain
realized upon the disposition of such obligations.  Therefore, a disposition
of such obligations by a Pennsylvania Trust could be a taxable event to a
Holder under each of the Pennsylvania state and local income taxes discussed
in the preceding paragraphs.  See Willcuts v. Bunn, 282 U.S. 216 (1931); U.S.
v. Stewart, 311 U.S. 60 (1940).  Similarly, to the extent that gain on the
redemption or sale of a Unit represents unrealized gain on such obligations
held by a Pennsylvania Trust, such gain could be taxable. 

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (No. 33-53183) relating to the Units referred to
above, and to the reference to our firm as special Pennsylvania tax counsel in
said Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Very truly yours,


DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.1

(ON STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION LETTERHEAD)

4/29/94

John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

Re:     NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 727

        This is in response to your requests regarding the above-captioned
fund which consists of separate underlying insured and traditional unit
investment trusts, SEC file # 33-53183.

        INSURED TRUSTS.

        With respect to the insured trusts we have reviewed the information
presented to us and have assigned a 'AAA' rating to the units of each insured
trust and a 'AAA' rating to the securities contained in each insured trust.
The ratings are direct reflections of the portfolio of each insured trust,
which will be composed soley of securities covered by bond insurance policies
that insure against default in the payment of principal and interest on the
securities contained in each insured trust for as long as they remain
outstanding.  We understand that the bonds described in the prospectus are the
same as those in the attatched list.  Since such policies have been issued by
MBIA which has been assigned a 'AAA' claims paying ability rating by S&P, S&P
has assigned a 'AAA' to the units of each insured trust and a 'AAA' rating to
the securities contained in each trust.

        You have permission to use the name of Standard & Poor's Corporation
and the above-assigned rating in connection with your dissemination of
information relating to the insured trusts provided that it is understood
that the ratings are not 'market' ratings nor recommendations to buy, hold or
sell the units of the insured trusts or the securities contained in the
insured trusts.  Further, it should be understood the rating on the units of
each insured trust does not take into account the extent to which the trust's
expenses or portfolio asset sales for less than the principal required to be
paid on the portfolio assets.  S&P reserves the right to advise its own
clients, subscribers, and the public of the ratings.  S&P relies on the
sponsor and its counsel, accountants, and other experts for the accuracy and
completeness of the information submitted in connection with the ratings.  S&P
does not independently verify the truth or accuracy of any such information.

        This letter evidences our consent to the use of the name of Standard &
Poor's Corporation in connection with the rating assigned to the units of each
insured trust in the registration statement or prospectus relating to the
units and the trusts.  However, this letter should not be construed as a
consent by us, within the meaning of section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
to the use of Standard and Poor's Corporation in connection with the ratings
assigned to the securities contained in the insured trusts.  You are hereby
authorized to file a copy of this letter with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

        Please be certain to send us three copies of your final prospectus as
soon as it becomes available.  Should we not receive them within a reasonable
time after the closing or should they not conform to certification received by
us, we reserve the right to nullify the ratings.


<PAGE>



        TRADITIONAL TRUSTS.

        With respect to the traditional unit investment trusts within the
above-captioned fund, we have reviewed the information presented to us and we
hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the prospectus as being assigned
by Standard & Poor's Corporation to the securities contained in each
traditional trust of such fund are, according to our records, the ratings
currently assigned by Standard & Poor's Corporation to such securities.  You
understand that Standard & Poor's Corporation has not consented to, and will
not consent to, being named as "expert" under the federal securities laws,
including and without limitation, Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
with respect to the ratings on any securities contained in any of the
traditional trusts.

        Please note that the 'AAA' rating assigned to the units of each
insured trust does not apply to the units of any of the traditional trusts.


                                          STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION

                                          
                                          Vincent S. Orgo



 
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.2

(On Kenny Information Systems, Inc. Letterhead)

4/29/94

John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

Re:  Nuveen Tax Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727

Gentlemen:

     We have examined the registration statement File No. 33-53183,
for the above captioned trust.  We hereby acknowledge that
Kenny S&P Services, a division of Kenny Information Systems, Inc.
is currently acting as the evaluator for the trust. We hereby
consent to the use in the Registration Statement of the reference
to Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of Kenny Information
Systems, Inc. as evaluator.
     In addition, we hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the
Registration Statement for the respective bonds comprising the trust
portfolio are the ratings currently indicated in our KENNYBASE database.

     You are hereby authorized to file a copy of this letter with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sincerely,


F.A. Shinal



<PAGE>


EXHIBIT 4.3

(ON CARTER LEDYARD & MILBURN LETTERHEAD)

4/29/94


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727
c/o John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 727
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727

Dear Sirs:

    We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "What is
the Tax Status of Unitholders?" in the Registration Statement and
related Prospectus of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727 for the
registration of units of fractional undivided interest in the Fund in the 
aggregate principal amount as set forth in the Closing Memorandum dated 
today's date.
 
Very truly yours,


CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
 


<PAGE>

                                   MEMORANDUM

                 Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 727
                               File No. 33-53183


    The Prospectus and the Indenture filed with Amendment No. 1 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-6 have been revised to reflect information
regarding the execution of the Indenture and the deposit of bonds on 4/29/94,
and to set forth certain statistical data based thereon.  In addition, there 
are a number of other changes from the Prospectus as originally filed to which
reference is made, including the increase in the size of the Fund, a
corresponding increase in the number of Units and a change in the individual
trusts constituting the Fund.  All references to the Units, prices and related
statistical data will apply to each trust of the Fund and the Units thereof
individually.

    Except for such updating, an effort has been made to set forth below each 
of the changes and also to reflect the same by marking the Prospectus 
transmitted with the Amendment.  Also, differences between the Final 
Prospectus relating to the previous series of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit 
Trust and the subject Prospectus have been indicated.

                                    FORM S-6

    FACING SHEET.  The file number is now shown.

                                 THE PROSPECTUS

     PAGE 3.       The "Estimated Long-Term Return" and "Estimated Current
Return" to Unitholders under each Trust under each of the distribution
plans are stated.

     PAGES 4 - 6.  Essential information for each of the Trusts, including
applicable footnotes, has been completed for this Series.

     PAGES 6 - 7.  The date of the Indenture has been inserted in Section 1
along with the size and number of Units of each of the Trusts.

     PAGE 9 et seq. The following information for each Trust appears on the
pages relating to such trust:

         The estimated daily accrual of interest under the plans of
         distribution for each of the Trusts

         Data regarding the composition of the portfolio of each
         Trust

         Disclosure regarding the states' economic and legislative
         matters relevant to investors of state trusts

         Concentrations of issues by purpose in each Trust

         The approximate percentage of the bonds in the
         portfolio of each Trust acquired in distributions where
         the Sponsor was either the sole underwriter or manager
         or member of the underwriting syndicate

         The percentage of "when issued" bonds in the portfolio
         of each Trust

         The schedule of investments for each Trust, including
         the notes thereto

         Descriptions of the opinions of the special tax
         counsel for state trusts

         The Record Dates and Distribution Dates for
         interest distributions for each Trust

         The distribution table for each Trust

         Taxable Equivalent Estimated Current Return Tables for residents
         of the respective jurisdictions

         The statements of condition for each Trust
         and the accountant's report with regard thereto.

         The amount of the Trustee's Fee

                             THE INDENTURE

The Schedules to the Indenture have been completed.


CHAPMAN AND CUTLER


Chicago, Illinois

4/29/94


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