VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TR FOR INVT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUN
N-30D, 1998-06-10
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<PAGE>   1
 
                    TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
Letter to Shareholders...........................  1
Glossary of Terms................................  5
Performance Results..............................  7
Portfolio of Investments.........................  8
Statement of Assets and Liabilities.............. 11
Statement of Operations.......................... 12
Statement of Changes in Net Assets............... 13
Financial Highlights............................. 14
Notes to Financial Statements.................... 15
Dividend Reinvestment Plan....................... 18
</TABLE>
 
VTJ SAR 6/98
<PAGE>   2
 
                             LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
May 21, 1998
 
Dear Shareholder,
    The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997,
signed into law by President Clinton
last year, was created to fill the need
for a broad variety of tax-advantaged
investments to promote asset growth. We
are pleased that you selected our Trust
as a vehicle to provide the potential
for tax-free income within your
investment portfolio. As you are aware,              [PHOTO]
dividends distributed by the Trust are
generally free from federal income       DENNIS J. MCDONNELL AND DON G. POWELL
taxes, and often from state and local
taxes as well. At Van Kampen American Capital, we strive not only for a high
level of current income, but total return performance as well.
 
ECONOMIC OVERVIEW
 
    After nearly seven years of continuous growth, the economy remained buoyant
with few signs of accelerating inflation. Wholesale prices in the first quarter
plummeted at an annual rate of 4.2 percent, while consumer prices inched up 0.2
percent and employment costs rose just 0.7 percent. However, inflationary
pressures were eased by factors such as lower oil prices, increasing
productivity, and a pending budget surplus. The Asian financial crisis led to a
stronger dollar and a decline in the prices of Asian imports, which in turn has
discouraged price increases on competing U.S. goods.
    To date, Asia's slowdown has had a modest impact on U.S. economic growth. In
the first quarter, the U.S. economy grew at a 4.2 percent annual rate, its
fastest pace in the past year. Strong consumer spending and inventory buildup by
manufacturers offset a decrease in exports to Asia. Despite the economy's
strength, the Federal Reserve Board refrained from raising interest rates, given
the lack of domestic inflationary pressure and concerns about Asia's economic
future.
    New Jersey's strong credit profile reflects an improving economy and
financial position. The state economy has experienced above-average growth and
low unemployment while enjoying budget surpluses and moderate debt levels.
Looking ahead, continued growth in the economy should allow estimated surpluses
to provide for proposed budget items.
 
MARKET OVERVIEW
 
    Against the backdrop of benign inflation and no action by the Fed, U.S. bond
prices rose during the past six months, although they ended the reporting period
below the highs reached in early January.
 
                                                           Continued on page two
 
                                        1
 
<PAGE>   3
 
    The yield of the 30-year Treasury bond, which moves in the opposite
direction of its price, fell from 6.15 percent on October 31 to 5.95 percent on
April 30. Bond prices hit a record high as yields reached 5.69 percent in early
January amidst expectations that the Fed would cut interest rates, but the yield
went back to 6.00 percent in early March after the Fed chose not to act. Yields
were volatile for the rest of the reporting period, as foreign investors sold
U.S. Treasury holdings and investors began to fear that the Fed was leaning
toward a rate hike.
    Municipal bond yields generally moved in unison with Treasuries but did not
gain nearly as much in price. By the end of the reporting period, the average
yield of AAA-rated, 30-year generic general obligation bonds was 5.14 percent,
two basis points above the yield posted on October 31 of last year. The
underperformance of municipal bonds can be attributed in part to heavy supply
that outpaced demand. Supply increased as state and local governments took
advantage of low interest rates by issuing bonds to refinance outstanding issues
with higher interest rates, as well as to fund new projects. In the first
quarter, long-term municipal issuance totaled $71 billion, up from $40 billion a
year earlier.
    More than half of the new issue volume was AAA-rated and insured, which
significantly diminished the amount of uninsured, higher-yielding securities
available in the marketplace. The dominance of insured volume and the high
demand for uninsured paper created an imbalance that compressed the yields
between higher-quality and lower-quality bonds.
 
[CREDIT QUALITY GRAPH]

Portfolio Composition by Credit Quality
   as of April 30, 1998*


<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>
AAA.............................  66.0%
AA..............................  19.0%
A...............................   9.9%
BBB.............................   2.7%
Non-Rated.......................   2.4%
</TABLE>

* As a Percentage of Long-Term Investments 
Based upon the highest credit quality ratings as issued by Standard & Poor's 
or Moody's. 

TRUST STRATEGY
 
    We used the following strategies to manage the Trust during the period:
 
    We maintained a portfolio consisting primarily of high-quality bonds with a
heavy emphasis on AAA-rated insured securities. Under current market conditions,
we believe the yield spread between higher-rated and lower-rated securities does
not adequately compensate the investor for the additional credit risk on the
lower-rated securities. Also,
 
                                                         Continued on page three
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
high-quality bonds generally have performed better than lower-quality holdings
when interest rates are falling, which was the case for most of the reporting
period.
    Overall, we limited the number of new acquisitions because current market
yields were below the average yield of bonds in the Trust. In addition, many new
issues were too small or too expensive for the Trust to purchase. Despite these
constraints, we were able to buy several long-term bonds in order to extend the
call protection of the Trust and to support its dividend-paying ability. These
purchases replaced some bonds that had been prerefunded and repriced to their
first call date. We expect approximately 9.5 percent of the Trust's assets to be
called away by issuers during the next three years.
    In making purchases, we emphasized long-term zero-coupon or discount bonds
bought at deep discounts to their face value. In a falling interest rate
environment, these bonds have the potential to appreciate in value faster than
premium bonds as they move closer to maturity. They also have a longer duration,
which makes them more sensitive to changing interest rates. Discount bonds
helped offset the declining duration of the portfolio that occurred as more
bonds were repriced to their first call date. As of April 30, the duration of
the Trust was 7.03 years, compared with 7.28 years for the Lehman Brothers New
Jersey Municipal Bond Index. Because of the longer-term nature of the Trust, the
calculation of this index's duration has been adjusted to eliminate bonds with
maturities of five years or less.
 
Top 5 Portfolio Sectors as of April 30, 1998*

    General Purpose.................................... 28.2%
    Water & Sewer...................................... 15.2%
    Health Care........................................ 14.3%
    Transportation..................................... 11.1%
    Public Building....................................  9.1%
    
    *As a Percentage of Long-Term
    Investments
 
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
 
    For the six-month period ended April 30, 1998, the Trust generated a total
return of 5.10 percent(1). This reflects a gain in market price per common share
from $16.5625 on October 31, 1997, to $16.9375 on April 30, 1998, plus
reinvestment of all dividends. The Trust had a tax-exempt distribution rate of
5.60 percent(3), based on the closing price of its common shares. Because income
from the Trust is exempt from federal and New Jersey income taxes, this
distribution rate is equivalent to a yield of 9.35 percent(4) on a taxable
investment (for investors in the combined federal and state income tax bracket
of 40.1 percent). Please refer to the chart on page seven for additional
performance numbers.
 
                                                          Continued on page four
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
Six-month Dividend History
For the Period Ended April 30, 1998



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Distribution per Common Share
<S>                                            <C>
Nov 1997...................................... $.079
Dec 1997...................................... $.079
Jan 1998...................................... $.079
Feb 1998...................................... $.079
Mar 1998...................................... $.079
Apr 1998...................................... $.079
</TABLE>

The dividend history represents past performance of the Trust and does not
predict the Trust's future distributions.
 
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
 
    We expect the economy to slow from its brisk first-quarter pace, although
the extent of the slowdown depends on the continued effects of Asia's crisis and
on Fed policy. We believe the Fed is biased toward raising rates, given concerns
about the economy's increasing strength. If economic strength ignites
inflationary pressures, then we believe the Fed would raise interest rates later
this year. As a result, the yield of the 30-year Treasury bond could top 6.25
percent.
    We will continue to track market developments and their effects on the
Trust. When appropriate, we will make adjustments to the portfolio. As we
mentioned earlier, our goal remains a high level of current income for
investors. Thank you for your continued support and confidence in Van Kampen
American Capital and the management of your Trust.
 
Sincerely,
 
[SIG]
Don G. Powell                                                              

Chairman                                                                   
Van Kampen American Capital                                                
Investment Advisory Corp.                                                  

[SIG]
Dennis J. McDonnell          

President                    
Van Kampen American Capital  
Investment Advisory Corp.    

 
                                              Please see footnotes on page seven
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                               GLOSSARY OF TERMS
 
BASIS POINT: A measure used in quoting bond yields. One hundred basis points is
equal to one percent. For example, if a bond's yield changes from 7.00 to 6.65
percent, it is a 35 basis point move.
 
CALL FEATURE: Allows the issuer to buy back a bond on specific call dates before
maturity. Call dates and prices are set when the bond is issued. To compensate
the bond holder for loss of income and ownership, the call price is usually
higher than the face value of the bond. Bonds are usually called when interest
rates drop so significantly that the issuer can save money by issuing new bonds
at lower rates.
 
A callable bond is "priced to call" when it is selling at a premium, because it
is assumed that the issuer will redeem the bond at its call date, rather than at
maturity.
 
COUPON RATE: The stated rate of interest a bond pays until maturity, expressed
as a percentage of its face value.
 
CREDIT RATING: An evaluation of an issuer's credit history and capability of
repaying obligations. Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Services are two
companies that assign bond ratings. Standard & Poor's ratings range from a high
of AAA to a low of D; Moody's ratings range from a high of Aaa to a low of D.
 
CREDIT SPREAD: The difference in yield between higher-quality issues and
lower-quality issues. Normally, lower-quality issues provide higher yields than
higher-quality issues in order to compensate investors for the additional credit
risk.
 
DISCOUNT BOND: A bond whose market price is lower than its face value (or "par
value"). Because bonds usually mature at face value, a discount bond has more
potential to appreciate in price than a par bond.
 
DURATION: A measure of the sensitivity of a bond's price to changes in interest
rates, expressed in years. Each year of duration represents an expected
one-percent change in the price of the bond for every one-percent change in
interest rates. The longer a fund's duration, the greater the effect of interest
rate movements on net asset value. Typically, funds with shorter durations have
performed better in rising rate environments, while funds with longer durations
have performed better when rates decline.
 
FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD (THE FED): A group that meets eight times a year to
establish monetary policy and monitor the economic pulse of the United States.
 
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS: Bonds backed by the full faith and credit (taxing
authority) of the issuer for timely payment of interest and principal. These
bonds are issued to finance essential government projects, such as highways and
schools.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
INFLATION: An economic situation in which money supply and business activity
dramatically increase, accompanied by sharply rising prices. Inflation is widely
measured by the Consumer Price Index, an economic indicator that measures the
change in the cost of purchased goods and services.
 
INSURED BOND: A bond that is insured against default by the municipal bond
insurer. If the issuer defaults, the insurance company will step in and take
over payments of interest and principal. As a result of this protection against
credit risk, most municipal bonds are AAA-rated. Insurance on the bonds does not
relate to mutual fund shares which will fluctuate in price.
 
INVESTMENT GRADE BONDS: Securities rated BBB and above by Standard & Poor's or
Baa and above by Moody's Investor Services. Bonds rated below BBB or Baa are
noninvestment grade.
 
MARKET PRICE: The price of a share of a closed-end fund trading on a stock
exchange. When the price is less than a fund's NAV, the fund is trading at a
discount. When the price is more than the NAV, the fund is trading at a premium.
 
MUNICIPAL BOND: A debt security issued by a state, municipality, or other
governmental entity to finance capital expenditures such as the construction of
highways or public works.
 
NET ASSET VALUE (NAV): The value of a fund share, calculated by deducting a
fund's liabilities from its total assets and dividing this amount by the number
of shares outstanding.
 
PREREFUNDING: A process whereby new bonds are issued to refinance an outstanding
bond issue. This typically occurs when interest rates decline and an issuer
replaces its higher-yielding bonds with current lower-yielding issues.
 
PREMIUM BOND: A bond whose market price is above its face value (or "par
value"). Because bonds usually mature at face value, a premium bond has less
potential to appreciate in price than a par bond.
 
YIELD SPREAD: The difference between the yields of distinct bonds, due to
variant credit ratings or maturities. When yield spreads between bonds of
different credit quality are narrow, there is less incentive to own the
lower-quality bond. When yield spreads between bonds of different maturities are
narrow, there is less incentive to own the bond with the longer maturity. In
both cases, the investor is not being compensated for the additional risk.
 
ZERO COUPON BONDS: A corporate or municipal debt security that trades at a deep
discount to face value and pays no interest. It may be redeemed at maturity for
full face value.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
            PERFORMANCE RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 1998
 
             VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE
                             NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
                           (NYSE TICKER SYMBOL--VTJ)
 
 COMMON SHARE TOTAL RETURNS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
Six-month total return based on market price(1)...........     5.10%
Six-month total return based on NAV(2)....................     2.23%
 
 DISTRIBUTION RATES
 
Distribution rate as a % of closing common stock
  price(3)................................................     5.60%
Taxable-equivalent distribution rate as a % of closing
common stock price(4).....................................     9.35%
 
 SHARE VALUATIONS
 
Net asset value...........................................  $  17.49
Closing common stock price................................  $16.9375
Six-month high common stock price (02/13/98)..............  $18.1250
Six-month low common stock price (11/05/97)...............  $15.9375
Preferred share rate(5)...................................    3.200%
</TABLE>
 
(1)Total return based on market price assumes an investment at the market price
at the beginning of the period indicated, reinvestment of all distributions for
the period in accordance with the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan, and sale
of all shares at the closing common stock price at the end of the period
indicated.
 
(2)Total return based on net asset value (NAV) assumes an investment at the
beginning of the period indicated, reinvestment of all distributions for the
period, and sale of all shares at the end of the period, all at NAV.
 
(3)Distribution rate represents the monthly annualized distributions of the
Trust at the end of the period and not the earnings of the Trust.
 
(4)The taxable-equivalent distribution rate is calculated assuming a 40.1%
combined federal and state income tax bracket, which takes into consideration
the deductibility of individual state taxes paid.
 
(5)See "Notes to Financial Statements" footnote #4, for more information
concerning Preferred Share reset periods.
 
A portion of the interest income may be taxable for those investors subject to
the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).
 
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment return, stock
price and net asset value will fluctuate with market conditions. Trust shares,
when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                            PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
 
                           April 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Par
Amount
 (000)                      Description                     Coupon    Maturity  Market Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>       <C>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>
          MUNICIPAL BONDS  98.9%
          NEW JERSEY  90.2%
$ 2,500   Aberdeen Twp, NJ Muni Util Auth Swr Rev Cap Impt
          Ser B (Prerefunded @ 02/01/02) (FGIC Insd)......   6.500%   02/01/22  $  2,732,800
  2,000   Bergen Cnty, NJ Util Auth Wtr Pollutn Ctl Rev
          Ser A (Prerefunded @ 06/15/02) (FGIC Insd)......   6.500    12/15/12     2,197,260
  1,000   Bordentown, NJ Swr Auth Rev Ser C (MBIA Insd)...   6.800    12/01/25     1,076,390
  1,500   Brick Twp, NJ Muni Util Auth Rev (AMBAC Insd)...   6.500    12/01/12     1,638,960
  2,000   Camden Cnty, NJ Muni Util Auth Swr Rev Cap
          Apprec Ser B (FGIC Insd)........................       *    09/01/14       830,900
  2,500   Camden Cnty, NJ Muni Util Auth Swr Rev Cap
          Apprec Ser B (FGIC Insd)........................       *    09/01/15       975,975
  4,095   Camden, NJ (FSA Insd)...........................       *    02/15/11     2,177,230
  1,845   East Orange, NJ Brd Ed Ctfs Partn Cap Apprec
          (FSA Insd)......................................       *    02/01/25       451,103
  2,330   Edgewater, NJ Muni Util Auth Rev Swr Rfdg (MBIA
          Insd)...........................................       *    11/01/12     1,122,431
    840   Essex Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Lease Jail & Youth
          House Proj (Prerefunded @ 12/01/04) (AMBAC
          Insd)...........................................   6.600    12/01/07       955,945
  1,000   Essex Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Util Sys Orange
          Franchise A (MBIA Insd).........................   5.750    07/01/27     1,041,330
  3,000   Essex Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Irvington Twp Sch
          Dist (Prerefunded @10/01/02) (FSA Insd).........   6.625    10/01/17     3,325,050
  4,875   Hudson Cnty, NJ Ctfs Partn Correctional Fac Rfdg
          (MBIA Insd).....................................   6.600    12/01/21     5,253,300
  2,000   Mercer Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Ewing Brd Edl
          Lease Proj (Prerefunded @ 05/15/02) (MBIA
          Insd)...........................................   6.400    05/15/11     2,187,540
  2,300   Mercer Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Gtd Site &
          Disposal Fac Proj Solid Waste Rfdg..............       *    04/01/08     1,445,159
  6,500   Mercer Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Gtd Site &
          Disposal Fac Proj Solid Waste Rfdg..............       *    04/01/10     3,612,245
  7,055   Mercer Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Gtd Site &
          Disposal Fac Proj Solid Waste Rfdg..............       *    04/01/12     3,452,788
  2,500   New Jersey Bldg Auth St Bldg Rev (Prerefunded @
          06/15/99).......................................   6.250    06/15/13     2,613,375
    515   New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Econ Dev Rev Ser F
          (LOC: Banque Nationale Paris)...................   6.600    06/01/12       553,306
    430   New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Econ Dev Rev Ser Y
          (LOC: Banque Nationale Paris)...................   6.600    06/01/12       461,983
    520   New Jersey Econ Dev Auth First Mtg Cadbury Corp
          Proj A (ACA Insd) (a)...........................   5.500    07/01/28       505,788
  2,000   New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Mkt Transition Fac Rev
          Sr Lien Ser A (MBIA Insd).......................   5.800    07/01/07     2,145,180
  1,000   New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Mkt Transition Fac Rev
          Sr Lien Ser A (MBIA Insd).......................   5.800    07/01/08     1,069,500
  1,500   New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Mkt Transition Fac Rev
          Sr Lien Ser A (MBIA Insd).......................   5.800    07/01/09     1,604,250
</TABLE>
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
                      PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                           April 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Par
Amount
 (000)                      Description                     Coupon    Maturity  Market Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>       <C>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>
          NEW JERSEY (CONTINUED)
$10,000   New Jersey Econ Dev Auth St Contract Econ
          Recovery (MBIA Insd)............................   5.900%   03/15/21  $ 10,986,200
  4,575   New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Atlantic
          City Med Cent Ser C Rfdg........................   6.800    07/01/11     5,022,755
    500   New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Christ Hosp
          Group Issue (Connie Lee Insd)...................   7.000    07/01/04       564,635
    250   New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Elizabeth
          Genl Med Cent Ser C.............................   7.375    07/01/15       265,733
  2,200   New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Genl Hosp
          Cent at Passaic (FSA Insd)......................   6.500    07/01/11     2,499,618
  2,000   New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Genl Hosp
          Cent at Passaic (FSA Insd)......................   6.750    07/01/19     2,383,320
  2,000   New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Hackensack
          Med Cent (FGIC Insd)............................   6.625    07/01/11     2,153,880
  2,500   New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Hackensack
          Med Cent (FGIC Insd)............................   6.625    07/01/17     2,688,500
  1,150   New Jersey St...................................   6.800    07/15/06     1,317,854
  4,750   New Jersey St Hsg & Mtg Fin Agy Rev.............   6.600    11/01/14     5,119,122
  4,800   New Jersey St Hwy Auth Garden St Pkwy Genl Rev
          Sr Pkwy.........................................   6.250    01/01/14     5,175,936
  1,000   Newark, NJ Sch Qualified Bond Act (MBIA Insd)...   5.300    09/01/14     1,008,720
  2,000   North Bergen Twp, NJ (FSA Insd).................       *    08/15/09     1,169,340
  2,675   Passaic Vly, NJ Wtr Comm Wtr Supply Rev Cap
          Apprec Ser A (FGIC Insd)........................       *    12/15/09     1,539,409
  2,000   Passaic Vly, NJ Wtr Comm Wtr Supply Rev Cap
          Apprec Ser A (FGIC Insd)........................       *    12/15/10     1,085,440
  1,000   Paterson, NJ (FSA Insd).........................   6.600    02/15/07     1,085,730
  2,850   Port Auth NY & NJ Cons Ser 78...................   6.500    04/15/11     3,067,654
  2,000   Rockaway Vly, NJ Regl Swr Auth Swr Rev Rfdg
          (MBIA Insd).....................................       *    12/15/09     1,150,960
  1,225   Rutgers St Univ of NJ Ser A Rfdg................   6.500    05/01/18     1,324,948
  2,000   Salem Cnty, NJ Indl Pollutn Ctl Fin Auth Rev Pub
          Svc Elec & Gas Ser D Rfdg (MBIA Insd)...........   6.550    10/01/29     2,205,600
    165   Union City, NJ (FSA Insd).......................   6.375    11/01/10       189,976
  1,500   Union City, NJ (Prerefunded @ 09/01/02) (MBIA
          Insd)...........................................   6.700    09/01/12     1,664,730
  1,000   Univ Medicine & Dentistry Ser A (MBIA Insd).....   5.000    09/01/17       972,160
                                                                                ------------
                                                                                  98,072,008
                                                                                ------------
          GUAM  4.2%
  1,000   Guam Arpt Auth Rev Ser B........................   6.700    10/01/23     1,090,600
  1,800   Guam Govt Ltd Oblig Hwy Ser A Rfdg (FSA Insd)...   6.300    05/01/12     1,938,654
  1,500   Guam Govt Ser A.................................   5.625    09/01/02     1,512,360
                                                                                ------------
                                                                                   4,541,614
                                                                                ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
                      PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                           April 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Par
Amount
 (000)                      Description                     Coupon    Maturity  Market Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>       <C>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>
          PUERTO RICO  4.5%
$ 1,750   Puerto Rico Comwlth Hwy & Tran Auth Hwy Rev Ser
          T (Prerefunded @ 07/01/02)......................   6.500%   07/01/22  $  1,919,137
  1,700   Puerto Rico Comwlth Pub Impt (Prerefunded @
          07/01/02) (b)...................................   6.800    07/01/21     1,883,311
  1,000   Puerto Rico Pub Bldgs Auth Rev Gtd Ser K
          (Prerefunded @ 07/01/02)........................   6.875    07/01/21     1,110,420
                                                                                ------------
                                                                                   4,912,868
                                                                                ------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS  98.9%
  (Cost $97,005,810)..........................................................   107,526,490
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES  1.1%...................................     1,146,814
                                                                                ------------
NET ASSETS  100.0%............................................................  $108,673,304
                                                                                ============ 
</TABLE>
 
* Zero coupon bond
(a) Security purchased on a when issued or delayed delivery basis.
 
(b) Asset segregated as collateral for when issued or delayed delivery purchase
    commitments.
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
                      STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
 
                           April 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
ASSETS:
Total Investments (Cost $97,005,810)........................  $107,526,490
Cash........................................................       434,013
Interest Receivable.........................................     1,534,847
Other.......................................................         2,594
                                                              ------------
      Total Assets..........................................   109,497,944
                                                              ------------
LIABILITIES:
Payables:
  Investments Purchased.....................................       507,457
  Investment Advisory Fee...................................        58,485
  Income Distributions--Common and Preferred Shares.........        51,047
  Administrative Fee........................................        17,995
  Affiliates................................................         9,476
Accrued Expenses............................................        96,297
Trustees' Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans........        83,883
                                                              ------------
      Total Liabilities.....................................       824,640
                                                              ------------
NET ASSETS..................................................  $108,673,304
                                                              ============
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Preferred Shares ($.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000
  shares, 800 issued with liquidation preference of 
  $50,000 per share)........................................  $ 40,000,000
                                                              ------------
Common Shares ($.01 par value with an unlimited number of
  shares authorized, 3,925,373 shares issued and 
  outstanding)..............................................        39,254
Paid in Surplus.............................................    57,511,539
Net Unrealized Appreciation.................................    10,520,680
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income.............       606,319
Accumulated Net Realized Loss...............................        (4,488)
                                                              ------------
      Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares................    68,673,304
                                                              ------------
NET ASSETS..................................................  $108,673,304
                                                              ============
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE ($68,673,304 divided
  by 3,925,373 shares outstanding)..........................  $      17.49
                                                              ============
</TABLE>
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
              For the Six Months Ended April 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Interest....................................................  $3,076,223
                                                              ----------
EXPENSES:
Investment Advisory Fee.....................................     354,193
Administrative Fee..........................................     108,982
Preferred Share Maintenance.................................      54,119
Trustees' Fees and Expenses.................................      13,184
Legal.......................................................       5,253
Custody.....................................................       2,894
Other.......................................................      55,471
                                                              ----------
    Total Expenses..........................................     594,096
                                                              ----------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME.......................................  $2,482,127
                                                              ==========
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS:
Net Realized Gain...........................................  $   66,264
                                                              ----------
Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation:
  Beginning of the Period...................................  10,822,322
  End of the Period.........................................  10,520,680
                                                              ----------
Net Unrealized Depreciation During the Period...............    (301,642)
                                                              ----------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS............................  $ (235,378)
                                                              ==========
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS..................  $2,246,749
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
                       STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
                For the Six Months Ended April 30, 1998 and the
                    Year Ended October 31, 1997 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Six Months Ended      Year Ended
                                                            April 30, 1998    October 31, 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                <C>
FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:
Operations:
Net Investment Income....................................    $  2,482,127     $  5,050,822
Net Realized Gain/Loss...................................          66,264          (70,752)
Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation During the
  Period.................................................        (301,642)       2,640,552
                                                             ------------     ------------
Change in Net Assets from Operations.....................       2,246,749        7,620,622
                                                             ------------     ------------
Distributions from Net Investment Income:
  Common Shares..........................................      (1,860,494)      (3,721,001)
  Preferred Shares.......................................        (691,374)      (1,402,750)
                                                             ------------     ------------
                                                               (2,551,868)      (5,123,751)
                                                             ------------     ------------
Distributions from Net Realized Gain:
  Common Shares..........................................             -0-          (36,667)
  Preferred Shares.......................................             -0-          (14,144)
                                                             ------------     ------------
                                                                      -0-          (50,811)
                                                             ------------     ------------
Total Distributions......................................      (2,551,868)      (5,174,562)
                                                             ------------     ------------
NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES......        (305,119)       2,446,060
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of the Period..................................     108,978,423      106,532,363
                                                             ------------     ------------
End of the period (Including accumulated undistributed
  net investment income of $606,319 and $676,060,
  respectively)..........................................    $108,673,304     $108,978,423
                                                             ============     ============
</TABLE>
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
  The following schedule presents financial highlights for one common share of
      the Trust outstanding throughout the periods indicated. (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    March 27, 1992
                                                                                                     (Commencement
                                  Six Months                Year Ended October 31                    of Investment
                                       Ended   -------------------------------------------------     Operations) to
                              April 30, 1998       1997       1996      1995      1994      1993   October 31, 1992
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>              <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
Net Asset Value,
 Beginning of the Period
 (a)........................     $ 17.572      $ 16.949    $16.912   $14.800   $18.181    $14.882           $14.678
                                 --------      --------    -------   -------   -------    -------           -------
 Net Investment Income......         .632         1.287      1.286     1.288     1.286      1.314              .578
 Net Realized and Unrealized
   Gain/Loss................        (.060)         .654       .081     2.138    (3.371)     3.309              .156
                                 --------      --------    -------   -------   -------    -------           -------
Total from Investment
 Operations.................         .572         1.941      1.367     3.426    (2.085)     4.623              .734
                                 --------      --------    -------   -------   -------    -------           -------
Less:
 Distributions from Net
   Investment Income:
   Paid to Common
     Shareholders...........         .474          .948       .940      .924      .924       .924              .385
   Common Share Equivalent
     of Distributions Paid
     to Preferred
     Shareholders...........         .176          .357       .360      .390      .292       .278              .145
 Distributions from Net
   Realized
   Gain:
   Paid to Common
     Shareholders...........          -0-          .009       .021       -0-      .061       .092               -0-
   Common Share Equivalent
     of Distributions Paid
     to Preferred
     Shareholders...........          -0-          .004       .009       -0-      .019       .030               -0-
                                 --------      --------    -------   -------   -------    -------           -------
Total Distributions.........         .650         1.318      1.330     1.314     1.296      1.324              .530
                                 --------      --------    -------   -------   -------    -------           -------
Net Asset Value, End of the
 Period.....................     $ 17.494      $ 17.572    $16.949   $16.912   $14.800    $18.181           $14.882
                                 ========      ========    =======   =======   =======    =======           =======
Market Price Per Share at
 End of the Period..........     $16.9375      $16.5625    $15.375   $14.750   $13.125    $16.750           $14.750
Total Investment Return at
 Market Price (b)...........        5.10%*       14.32%     10.91%    19.79%   (16.32%)    20.92%              .83%*
Total Return at Net Asset
 Value (c)..................        2.23%*        9.61%      6.09%    21.03%   (13.59%)    29.84%             1.62%*
Net Assets at End of the
 Period (In millions).......       $108.7        $109.0     $106.5    $106.4     $98.1    $ 111.4           $  98.4
Ratio of Expenses to Average
 Net Assets Applicable to
 Common Shares**............        1.71%         1.74%      1.80%     1.89%     1.85%      1.80%             1.77%
Ratio of Net Investment
 Income to Average Net
 Assets Applicable to Common
 Shares (d).................        5.17%         5.44%      5.50%     5.63%     5.99%      6.15%             4.83%
Portfolio Turnover..........           4%*           6%        11%       14%       12%        19%               28%*
 *  Non-Annualized
**  Ratio of Expenses to
    Average Net Assets 
    Including Preferred 
    Shares..................        1.09%         1.09%      1.12%     1.15%     1.15%      1.12%             1.23%
</TABLE>
 
(a) Net Asset Value at March 27, 1992, is adjusted for common and preferred
    share offering costs of $.322 per common share.
 
(b) Total Investment Return at Market Price reflects the change in market value
    of the common shares for the period indicated with reinvestment of dividends
    in accordance with the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan.
 
(c) Total Return at Net Asset Value (NAV) reflects the change in value of the
    Trust's assets with reinvestment of dividends based upon NAV.
 
(d) Net Investment Income is adjusted for the common share equivalent of
    distributions paid to preferred shareholders.
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                           April 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Van Kampen American Capital Trust for Investment Grade New Jersey Municipals
(the "Trust") is registered as a diversified closed-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Trust's
investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from
federal income taxes and New Jersey gross income taxes, consistent with
preservation of capital. The Trust will invest substantially all of its assets
in New Jersey municipal securities rated investment grade at the time of
investment. The Trust commenced investment operations on March 27, 1992.
 
    The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
A. SECURITY VALUATION--Investments are stated at value using market quotations
or, if such valuations are not available, estimates obtained from yield data
relating to instruments or securities with similar characteristics in accordance
with procedures established in good faith by the Board of Trustees. Short-term
securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized
cost.
 
B. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS--Security transactions are recorded on a trade date
basis. Realized gains and losses are determined on an identified cost basis. The
Trust may purchase and sell securities on a "when issued" or "delayed delivery"
basis with settlement to occur at a later date. The value of the security so
purchased is subject to market fluctuations during this period. The Trust will
maintain, in a segregated account with its custodian, assets having an aggregate
value at least equal to the amount of the when issued or delayed delivery
purchase commitments until payment is made.
 
C. INVESTMENT INCOME--Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Bond
premium and original issue discount are amortized over the expected life of each
applicable security.
 
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES--It is the Trust's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                           April 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no
provision for federal income taxes is required.
 
    The Trust intends to utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws which
allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward for eight years following the
year of the loss and offset such losses against any future realized capital
gains. At October 31, 1997, the Trust had an accumulated capital loss
carryforward for tax purposes of $70,752 which will expire on October 31, 2005.
 
    At April 30, 1998, for federal income tax purposes, cost of long-term
investments is $97,005,810; the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is
$10,524,277 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $3,597 resulting
in net unrealized appreciation on investments of $10,520,680.
 
E. DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME AND GAINS--The Trust declares and pays dividends
monthly from net investment income to common shareholders. Net realized gains,
if any, are distributed annually on a pro rata basis to common and preferred
shareholders. Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may
include short-term capital gains which are included as ordinary income for tax
purposes.
 
2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of the Trust's Investment Advisory Agreement, Van Kampen
American Capital Investment Advisory Corp. (the "Adviser") will provide
investment advice and facilities to the Trust for an annual fee payable monthly
of .65% of the average net assets of the Trust. In addition, the Trust will pay
a monthly administrative fee to Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
or its affiliates (collectively "VKAC"), the Trust's Administrator, at an annual
rate of .20% of the average net assets of the Trust. The administrative services
provided by the Administrator include record keeping and reporting
responsibilities with respect to the Trust's portfolio and preferred shares and
providing certain services to shareholders.
 
    For the six months ended April 30, 1998, the Trust recognized expenses of
approximately $1,100 representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois), counsel to the Trust, of which a trustee of
the Trust is an affiliated person.
 
    For the six months ended April 30, 1998, the Trust recognized expenses of
approximately $23,100 representing VKAC's cost of providing accounting and legal
services to the Trust.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                           April 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and directors
of VKAC. The Trust does not compensate its officers or trustees who are officers
of VKAC.
 
    The Trust provides deferred compensation and retirement plans for its
trustees who are not officers of VKAC. Under the deferred compensation plan,
trustees may elect to defer all or a portion of their compensation to a later
date. Benefits under the retirement plan are payable for a ten-year period and
are based upon each trustee's years of service to the Trust. The maximum annual
benefit per trustee under the plan is $2,500.
 
3. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
 
During the period, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments,
excluding short-term investments, were $3,848,015 and $4,465,228, respectively.
 
4. PREFERRED SHARES
 
The Trust has outstanding 800 Auction Preferred Shares ("APS"). Dividends are
cumulative and the dividend rate is reset through an auction process every 28
days. The rate in effect on April 30, 1998, was 3.200%. During the six months
ended April 30, 1998, the rates ranged from 3.200% to 3.700%.
 
    The Trust pays annual fees equivalent to .25% of the preferred share
liquidation value for the remarketing efforts associated with the preferred
auctions. These fees are included as a component of Preferred Share Maintenance
expense.
 
    The APS are redeemable at the option of the Trust in whole or in part at the
liquidation value of $50,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends.
The Trust is subject to certain asset coverage tests and the APS are subject to
mandatory redemption if the tests are not met.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
                           DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
The Trust offers a dividend reinvestment plan (the "Plan") pursuant to which
Common Shareholders may elect to have dividends and capital gains distributions
reinvested in Common Shares of the Trust. The Trust declares dividends out of
net investment income, and will distribute annually net realized capital gains,
if any. Common Shareholders may join or withdraw from the Plan at any time.
 
    If you decide to participate in the Plan, State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as your Plan Agent, will automatically invest your dividends and
capital gains distributions in Common Shares of the Trust for your account.
 
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
 
If you wish to participate and your shares are held in your own name, call
1-800-341-2929 for more information and a Plan brochure. If your shares are held
in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you should contact your
nominee to see if it would participate in the Plan on your behalf. If you wish
to participate in the Plan, but your brokerage firm, bank or nominee is unable
to participate on your behalf, you should request that your shares be re-
registered in your own name which will enable your participation in the Plan.
 
HOW THE PLAN WORKS
 
Participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Common Shares valued on
the valuation date, generally at the lower of market price or net asset value,
except as specified below. The valuation date will be the dividend or
distribution payment date or, if that date is not a trading day on the national
securities exchange or market system on which the Common Shares are listed for
trading, the next preceding trading day. If the market price per Common Share on
the valuation date equals or exceeds net asset value per Common Share on that
date, the Trust will issue new Common Shares to participants valued at the
higher of net asset value or 95% of the market price on the valuation date. In
the foregoing situation, the Trust will not issue Common Shares under the Plan
below net asset value. If net asset value per Common Share on the valuation date
exceeds the market price per Common Share on that date, or if the Board of
Trustees should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable to the
Common Shareholders only in cash, participants in the Plan will be deemed to
have elected to receive Common Shares from the Trust valued at the market price
on that date. Accordingly, in this circumstance, the Plan Agent will, as agent
for the participants, buy the Trust's Common Shares in the open market for the
participants' accounts on or shortly after the payment date. If, before the Plan
Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value
per share of the Common Shares, the average per share purchase price paid by the
Plan Agent may exceed the net asset value of the Trust's Common Shares,
resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the dividend or
distribution had been paid in Common Shares issued by the Trust. All
reinvestments are in full and fractional Common Shares and are carried to three
decimal places.
 
    Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable.
Accordingly, the Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as
applied to any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the
changes sent to all Common Shareholders of the Trust at least 90 days before the
record date for the dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or
terminated by the Plan Agent by at least 90 days written notice to all Common
Shareholders of the Trust.
 
COSTS OF THE PLAN
 
The Plan Agent's fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions will be paid by the Trust. However, each participant will pay a
pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan
Agent's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends
and distributions. No other charges will be made to participants for reinvesting
dividends or capital gains distributions, except for certain brokerage
commissions, as described above.
 
TAX IMPLICATIONS
 
You will receive tax information annually for your personal records and to help
you prepare your federal income tax return. The automatic reinvestment of
dividends and capital gains distributions does not relieve you of any income tax
which may be payable on dividends or distributions.
 
RIGHT TO WITHDRAW
 
Plan participants may withdraw at any time by calling 1-800-341-2929 or by
writing State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 8200, Boston, MA
02266-8200. If you withdraw, you will receive, without charge, a share
certificate issued in your name for all full Common Shares credited to your
account under the Plan and a cash payment will be made for any fractional Common
Share credited to your account under the Plan. You may again elect to
participate in the Plan at any time by calling 1-800-341-2929 or writing to the
Trust at:
                          Van Kampen American Capital
                             Attn: Closed-End Funds
                              2800 Post Oak Blvd.
                               Houston, TX 77056
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
                FUNDS DISTRIBUTED BY VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
 
EQUITY FUNDS

Domestic
   MS Aggressive Equity
   VKAC Aggressive Growth
   MS American Value
   VKAC Comstock
   VKAC Emerging Growth
   VKAC Enterprise
   VKAC Equity Income
   VKAC Growth
   VKAC Growth and Income
   VKAC Harbor
   VKAC Pace
   VKAC Real Estate Securities
   MS U.S. Real Estate
   VKAC Utility
   MS Value
International/Global
   MS Asian Growth
   MS Emerging Markets
   MS Global Equity
   MS Global Equity Allocation
   VKAC Global Managed Assets
   MS International Magnum
   MS Latin American
 
FIXED-INCOME FUNDS

Income
   VKAC Corporate Bond
   MS Global Fixed Income
   VKAC Global Government Securities
   VKAC Government Securities
   VKAC High Income Corporate Bond
   MS High Yield
   VKAC High Yield
   VKAC Short-Term Global Income
   VKAC Strategic Income
   VKAC U.S. Government
   VKAC U.S. Government Trust for Income
   MS Worldwide High Income
Tax Exempt Income
   VKAC California Insured Tax Free
   VKAC Florida Insured Tax Free Income
   VKAC High Yield Municipal
   VKAC Insured Tax Free Income
   VKAC Intermediate Term Municipal Income
   VKAC Municipal Income
   VKAC New York Tax Free Income
   VKAC Pennsylvania Tax Free Income
   VKAC Tax Free High Income
Capital Preservation
   VKAC Limited Maturity Government
   VKAC Prime Rate Income Trust
   VKAC Reserve
   VKAC Senior Floating Rate
   VKAC Tax Free Money
 
   To find out more about any of these funds, ask your financial adviser for a
   prospectus, which contains more complete information, including sales
   charges, risks, and expenses. Please read it carefully before you invest or
   send money.
 
   To view a current Van Kampen American Capital or Morgan Stanley fund
   prospectus or to receive additional fund information, choose from one of the
   following:
 
   - visit our web site at WWW.VKAC.COM -- to view prospectuses, select
     Investors' Place, then Download a Prospectus
 
   - call us at 1-800-341-2911 weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central time
     (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf users, call 1-800-421-2833)
 
   - e-mail us by visiting WWW.VKAC.COM and selecting Investors' Place
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
  VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
 
DAVID C. ARCH
ROD DAMMEYER
HOWARD J KERR
DENNIS J. MCDONNELL*--Chairman
STEVEN MULLER
THEODORE A. MYERS
DON G. POWELL*
HUGO F. SONNENSCHEIN
WAYNE W. WHALEN*
 
OFFICERS
 
DENNIS J. MCDONNELL*
  President
 
RONALD A. NYBERG*
  Vice President and Secretary
 
EDWARD C. WOOD, III*
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
CURTIS W. MORELL*
  Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
 
JOHN L. SULLIVAN*
  Treasurer
 
TANYA M. LODEN*
  Controller
 
PETER W. HEGEL*
  Vice President


INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
 
CUSTODIAN AND
TRANSFER AGENT
 
STATE STREET BANK
AND TRUST COMPANY
225 Franklin Street
P.O. Box 1713
Boston, Massachusetts 02105
 
LEGAL COUNSEL
 
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE,
MEAGHER & FLOM (ILLINOIS)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Peat Marwick Plaza
303 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
 
* "Interested" persons of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of
  1940.
 
(C) Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc., 1998. All rights reserved.
 
(SM) denotes a service mark of Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.
 
                                       20

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 11
   <NAME> TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       97,005,810
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                     107,526,490
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,534,847
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                           436,607
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             109,497,944
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       507,457
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      317,183
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            824,640
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                             40,000,000
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    57,550,793
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        3,925,373
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        3,925,373
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                      606,319
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        (4,488)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    10,520,680
<NET-ASSETS>                               108,673,304
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            3,076,223
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (594,096)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      2,482,127
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        66,264
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (301,642)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        2,246,749
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    2,551,868
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                              0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       (305,119)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        676,060
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (70,752)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          354,193
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                594,096
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        69,899,149
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                           17.572
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                  0.632
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                        (0.060)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                           (0.650)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        0.000
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                             0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                             17.494
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.71
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>


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