<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 A000000 02/28/99
000 C000000 0000908882
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 6.1
000 J000000 A
001 A000000 MERRILL LYNCH UTILITY INCOME FUND, INC.
001 B000000 811-7071
001 C000000 6092822800
002 A000000 P.O. BOX 9011
002 B000000 PRINCETON
002 C000000 NJ
002 D010000 08543
002 D020000 9011
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 N
007 B000000 0
007 C010100 1
007 C010200 2
007 C010300 3
007 C010400 4
007 C010500 5
007 C010600 6
007 C010700 7
007 C010800 8
007 C010900 9
007 C011000 10
008 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
008 B000001 A
008 C000001 801-11583
008 D010001 PRINCETON
008 D020001 NJ
008 D030001 08543
008 D040001 9011
008 A000002 MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT U.K., LTD.
008 B000002 S
008 C000002 801-31780
008 D010002 LONDON
008 D050002 ENGLAND
008 D060002 EC24 9LY
011 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
011 B000001 8-14663
011 C010001 PRINCETON
011 C020001 NJ
011 C030001 08543
<PAGE> PAGE 2
011 C040001 9011
012 A000001 FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
012 B000001 84-01339
012 C010001 JACKSONVILLE
012 C020001 FL
012 C030001 32246
012 C040001 6484
013 A000001 DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
013 B010001 PRINCETON
013 B020001 NJ
013 B030001 08540
014 A000001 MLPF&S AND OTHER BROKER/DEALER AFFILIATES
014 B000001 8-7221
015 A000001 STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
015 B000001 C
015 C010001 NORTH QUINCY
015 C020001 MA
015 C030001 02171
015 E010001 X
015 A000002 MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST CO. OF NEW YORK
015 B000002 S
015 C010002 NEW YORK
015 C020002 NY
015 C030002 10260
015 E010002 X
015 A000003 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B000003 S
015 C010003 NEW YORK
015 C020003 NY
015 C030003 10006
015 E010003 X
015 A000004 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
015 B000004 S
015 C010004 NEW YORK
015 C020004 NY
015 C030004 10017
015 E010004 X
015 A000005 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B000005 S
015 C010005 NEW YORK
015 C020005 NY
015 C030005 10167
015 E010005 X
015 A000006 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000006 S
015 C010006 NEW YORK
015 C020006 NY
015 C030006 10286
015 E010006 X
018 000000 Y
019 A000000 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 3
019 B000000 218
019 C000000 MERRILLLYN
020 A000001 BRIDGE TRADING COMPANY
020 B000001 43-1450530
020 C000001 14
020 A000002 CIBC OPPENHEIMER CORP.
020 B000002 13-2798343
020 C000002 4
020 A000003 BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
020 B000003 13-4973745
020 C000003 3
020 A000004 BT. ALEX BROWN INCORPORATED
020 B000004 13-3311934
020 C000004 2
020 A000005 JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
020 B000005 95-2622900
020 C000005 1
020 A000006 BERSTEIN (SANFORD C.) & CO., INC.
020 B000006 13-2625874
020 C000006 1
020 C000007 0
020 C000008 0
020 C000009 0
020 C000010 0
021 000000 25
022 A000001 HSBC SECURITIES, INC.
022 B000001 13-2650272
022 C000001 82344
022 D000001 16971
022 A000002 GENERAL MOTORS ACCEPTANCE CORP.
022 C000002 91825
022 D000002 0
022 A000003 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP.
022 C000003 60628
022 D000003 0
022 A000004 FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO.
022 C000004 50269
022 D000004 0
022 A000005 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
022 B000005 13-2655998
022 C000005 48630
022 D000005 0
022 A000006 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
022 B000006 13-5108880
022 C000006 11040
022 D000006 0
022 A000007 ASSOCIATE CORP. OF NORTH AMERICA
022 C000007 10615
022 D000007 0
022 A000008 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
022 B000008 22-2347336
<PAGE> PAGE 4
022 C000008 9812
022 D000008 0
022 A000009 SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
022 B000009 11-2418191
022 C000009 6284
022 D000009 0
022 A000010 PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
022 B000010 13-2638166
022 C000010 5211
022 D000010 0
023 C000000 384952
023 D000000 16971
024 000000 N
026 A000000 N
026 B000000 Y
026 C000000 N
026 D000000 Y
026 E000000 N
026 F000000 N
026 G010000 N
026 G020000 N
026 H000000 N
027 000000 Y
028 A010000 7119
028 A020000 92
028 A030000 0
028 A040000 985
028 B010000 17891
028 B020000 115
028 B030000 0
028 B040000 2649
028 C010000 4351
028 C020000 153
028 C030000 0
028 C040000 1310
028 D010000 3175
028 D020000 165
028 D030000 0
028 D040000 1605
028 E010000 3285
028 E020000 1297
028 E030000 0
028 E040000 1701
028 F010000 2333
028 F020000 160
028 F030000 0
028 F040000 2449
028 G010000 38154
028 G020000 1982
028 G030000 0
028 G040000 10699
<PAGE> PAGE 5
028 H000000 2448
029 000000 Y
030 A000000 14
030 B000000 4.00
030 C000000 0.00
031 A000000 1
031 B000000 0
032 000000 0
033 000000 13
034 000000 Y
035 000000 29
036 A000000 N
036 B000000 0
037 000000 N
038 000000 0
039 000000 N
040 000000 Y
041 000000 Y
042 A000000 0
042 B000000 0
042 C000000 100
042 D000000 0
042 E000000 0
042 F000000 0
042 G000000 0
042 H000000 0
043 000000 204
044 000000 0
045 000000 Y
046 000000 N
047 000000 Y
048 000000 0.550
048 A010000 0
048 A020000 0.000
048 B010000 0
048 B020000 0.000
048 C010000 0
048 C020000 0.000
048 D010000 0
048 D020000 0.000
048 E010000 0
048 E020000 0.000
048 F010000 0
048 F020000 0.000
048 G010000 0
048 G020000 0.000
048 H010000 0
048 H020000 0.000
048 I010000 0
048 I020000 0.000
048 J010000 0
<PAGE> PAGE 6
048 J020000 0.000
048 K010000 0
048 K020000 0.000
049 000000 N
050 000000 N
051 000000 N
052 000000 N
053 A000000 Y
053 B000000 Y
053 C000000 N
054 A000000 Y
054 B000000 Y
054 C000000 N
054 D000000 N
054 E000000 N
054 F000000 N
054 G000000 N
054 H000000 Y
054 I000000 N
054 J000000 Y
054 K000000 N
054 L000000 N
054 M000000 Y
054 N000000 N
055 A000000 N
055 B000000 N
056 000000 Y
057 000000 N
058 A000000 N
059 000000 Y
060 A000000 Y
060 B000000 Y
061 000000 0
062 A000000 N
062 B000000 0.0
062 C000000 0.0
062 D000000 0.0
062 E000000 0.0
062 F000000 0.0
062 G000000 0.0
062 H000000 0.0
062 I000000 0.0
062 J000000 0.0
062 K000000 0.0
062 L000000 0.0
062 M000000 0.0
062 N000000 0.0
062 O000000 0.0
062 P000000 0.0
062 Q000000 0.0
062 R000000 0.0
<PAGE> PAGE 7
066 A000000 Y
066 B000000 N
066 C000000 N
066 D000000 N
066 E000000 N
066 F000000 Y
066 G000000 N
067 000000 N
068 A000000 N
068 B000000 N
069 000000 N
070 A010000 Y
070 A020000 N
070 B010000 Y
070 B020000 N
070 C010000 Y
070 C020000 N
070 D010000 Y
070 D020000 N
070 E010000 Y
070 E020000 N
070 F010000 Y
070 F020000 N
070 G010000 Y
070 G020000 N
070 H010000 Y
070 H020000 N
070 I010000 N
070 I020000 N
070 J010000 Y
070 J020000 N
070 K010000 Y
070 K020000 N
070 L010000 Y
070 L020000 N
070 M010000 Y
070 M020000 N
070 N010000 Y
070 N020000 N
070 O010000 Y
070 O020000 N
070 P010000 Y
070 P020000 N
070 Q010000 Y
070 Q020000 N
070 R010000 Y
070 R020000 N
071 A000000 25461
071 B000000 166
071 C000000 51485
071 D000000 1
<PAGE> PAGE 8
072 A000000 6
072 B000000 705
072 C000000 1004
072 D000000 0
072 E000000 0
072 F000000 166
072 G000000 35
072 H000000 0
072 I000000 36
072 J000000 5
072 K000000 0
072 L000000 24
072 M000000 7
072 N000000 26
072 O000000 0
072 P000000 0
072 Q000000 0
072 R000000 14
072 S000000 12
072 T000000 204
072 U000000 1
072 V000000 0
072 W000000 3
072 X000000 533
072 Y000000 145
072 Z000000 1321
072AA000000 1
072BB000000 6
072CC010000 0
072CC020000 2447
072DD010000 177
072DD020000 1063
072EE000000 1366
073 A010000 0.0000
073 A020000 0.0000
073 B000000 0.0000
073 C000000 0.0000
074 A000000 0
074 B000000 0
074 C000000 8725
074 D000000 17977
074 E000000 0
074 F000000 38935
074 G000000 0
074 H000000 0
074 I000000 0
074 J000000 0
074 K000000 0
074 L000000 502
074 M000000 26
074 N000000 66165
<PAGE> PAGE 9
074 O000000 0
074 P000000 37
074 Q000000 0
074 R010000 0
074 R020000 0
074 R030000 0
074 R040000 571
074 S000000 0
074 T000000 65557
074 U010000 843
074 U020000 5309
074 V010000 0.00
074 V020000 0.00
074 W000000 0.0000
074 X000000 5520
074 Y000000 0
075 A000000 0
075 B000000 61538
076 000000 0.00
077 A000000 N
078 000000 N
SIGNATURE DONALD C. BURKE
TITLE TREASURER
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000908882
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH UTILITY INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 001
<NAME> CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 64280184
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 65637563
<RECEIVABLES> 501803
<ASSETS-OTHER> 26205
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 66165571
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 608502
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 608502
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 63991341
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 382015
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 191156
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 213406
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (5057)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1357379
<NET-ASSETS> 4071959
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1004278
<INTEREST-INCOME> 704487
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (387795)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 1320970
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (5055)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (2447414)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (1131499)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (82215)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (78738)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 296188
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (116852)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 11523
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 25698998
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 132395
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 1366325
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 165985
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 533188
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 3586245
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.04
<PER-SHARE-NII> .29
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.16)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.28)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.23)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.66
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.07
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000908882
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH UTILITY INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 002
<NAME> CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 64280184
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 65637563
<RECEIVABLES> 501803
<ASSETS-OTHER> 26205
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 66165571
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 608502
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 608502
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 63991341
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 4754440
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 2949299
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 213406
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (5057)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1357379
<NET-ASSETS> 50663330
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1004278
<INTEREST-INCOME> 704487
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (387795)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 1320970
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (5055)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (2447414)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (1131499)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (961288)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (1060525)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2312446
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (639707)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 132402
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 25698998
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 132395
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 1366325
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 165985
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 533188
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 48309199
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.03
<PER-SHARE-NII> .25
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.16)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.23)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.23)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.66
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.84
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000908882
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH UTILITY INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 003
<NAME> CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 64280184
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 65637563
<RECEIVABLES> 501803
<ASSETS-OTHER> 26205
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 66165571
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 608502
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 608502
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 63991341
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 554434
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 258480
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 213406
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (5057)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1357379
<NET-ASSETS> 5896417
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1004278
<INTEREST-INCOME> 704487
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (387795)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 1320970
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (5055)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (2447414)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (1131499)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (102062)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (123178)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 358997
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (78537)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 15494
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 25698998
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 132395
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 1366325
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 165985
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 533188
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 5262677
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.01
<PER-SHARE-NII> .24
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.15)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.23)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.23)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.64
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.90
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000908882
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH UTILITY INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 004
<NAME> CLASS D
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 64280184
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 65637563
<RECEIVABLES> 501803
<ASSETS-OTHER> 26205
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 66165571
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 608502
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 608502
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 63991341
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 461176
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 213609
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 213406
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (5057)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1357379
<NET-ASSETS> 4925363
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1004278
<INTEREST-INCOME> 704487
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (387795)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 1320970
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (5055)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (2447414)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (1131499)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (94394)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (95886)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 345549
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (111840)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 13858
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 25698998
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 132395
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 1366325
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 165985
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 533188
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 4380217
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.06
<PER-SHARE-NII> .28
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.17)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.26)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.23)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.68
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.32
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
