MUNICIPAL INVT TR FD MULTISTATE SER 74 DEFINED ASSET FUNDS
485BPOS, 1998-12-04
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<PAGE>
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 4, 1998
 
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-55467
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                   ------------------------------------------
 
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 4
                                       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:
 
                        MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
                             MULTISTATE SERIES--74
                              DEFINED ASSET FUNDS
 
B. NAMES OF DEPOSITORS:
 
               MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
                           SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
                       PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
                            PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
                           DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
 
C. COMPLETE ADDRESSES OF DEPOSITORS' PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
 

 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE,
     FENNER & SMITH
      INCORPORATED
   DEFINED ASSET FUNDS
  POST OFFICE BOX 9051
PRINCETON, NJ 08543-9051                          SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
                                                        388 GREENWICH
                                                     STREET--23RD FLOOR
                                                     NEW YORK, NY 10013

 

  PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES  PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
      INCORPORATED          1285 AVENUE OF THE         TWO WORLD TRADE
   ONE NEW YORK PLAZA            AMERICAS            CENTER--59TH FLOOR
   NEW YORK, NY 10292       NEW YORK, NY 10019       NEW YORK, NY 10048

 
D. NAMES AND COMPLETE ADDRESSES OF AGENTS FOR SERVICE:
 

  TERESA KONCICK, ESQ.       ROBERT E. HOLLEY        LAURIE A. HESSLEIN
      P.O. BOX 9051          1200 HARBOR BLVD.        388 GREENWICH ST.
PRINCETON, NJ 08543-9051    WEEHAWKEN, NJ 07087      NEW YORK, NY 10013
 
   LEE B. SPENCER, JR.          COPIES TO:           DOUGLAS LOWE, ESQ.
   ONE NEW YORK PLAZA     PIERRE DE SAINT PHALLE, DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
   NEW YORK, NY 10292              ESQ.                TWO WORLD TRADE
                           450 LEXINGTON AVENUE      CENTER--59TH FLOOR
                            NEW YORK, NY 10017       NEW YORK, NY 10048

 
The issuer has registered an indefinite number of Units under the Securities Act
of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2 and filed the Rule 24f-2 Notice for the most
recent fiscal year on March 10, 1998.
 
Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective on December
11, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.  / x /
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                     DEFINED ASSET FUNDSSM
- --------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------
 

                              MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
                              MULTISTATE SERIES--74
                              (A UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST)
                              O   CALIFORNIA, NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK PORTFOLIOS
                              O   PORTFOLIOS OF INSURED MUNICIPAL BONDS
                              O   DESIGNED FOR FEDERALLY TAX-FREE INCOME
                              O   EXEMPT FROM SOME STATE TAXES
                              O   MONTHLY DISTRIBUTIONS

 

SPONSORS:
Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith         -------------------------------------------------
Incorporated                   The Securities and Exchange Commission has not
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.      approved or disapproved these Securities or
Prudential Securities          passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any
Incorporated                   representation to the contrary is a criminal
PaineWebber Incorporated       offense.
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.      Prospectus dated December 11, 1998.

 
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Defined Asset FundsSM
Defined Asset FundsSM is America's oldest and largest family of unit investment
trusts, with over $115 billion sponsored over the last 25 years. Defined Asset
Funds has been a leader in unit investment trust research and product
innovation. Our family of Funds helps investors work toward their financial
goals with a full range of quality investments, including municipal, corporate
and government bond portfolios, as well as domestic and international equity
portfolios.
 
Defined Asset Funds offer a number of advantages:
   o A disciplined strategy of buying and holding with a long-term view is the
     cornerstone of Defined Asset Funds.
   o Fixed portfolio: Defined Funds follow a buy and hold investment strategy;
     funds are not managed and portfolio changes are limited.
o Defined Portfolios: We choose the stocks and bonds in advance, so you know
  what you're investing in.
o Professional research: Our dedicated research team seeks out stocks or bonds
      appropriate for a particular fund's objectives.
o Ongoing supervision: We monitor each portfolio on an ongoing basis.
No matter what your investment goals, tolerance for risk or time horizon,
there's probably a Defined Asset Fund that suits your investment style. Your
financial professional can help you select a Defined Asset Fund that works best
for your investment portfolio.
 
THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, THE
EVALUATION DATE.
 

CONTENTS
                                                                PAGE
                                                          -----------
California Intermediate Insured Portfolio--
   Risk/Return Summary..................................           3
California Insured Portfolio-- Risk/Return Summary......           6
New Jersey Insured Portfolio-- Risk/Return Summary......           9
New York Insured Portfolio--
   Risk/Return Summary..................................          12
What You Can Expect From Your Investment................          16
   Monthly Income.......................................          16
   Return Figures.......................................          16
   Records and Reports..................................          16
The Risks You Face......................................          17
   Interest Rate Risk...................................          17
   Call Risk............................................          17
   Reduced Diversification Risk.........................          17
   Liquidity Risk.......................................          17
   Concentration Risk...................................          17
   State Concentration Risk.............................          18
   Bond Quality Risk....................................          20
   Insurance Related Risk...............................          20
   Litigation and Legislation Risks.....................          20
Selling or Exchanging Units.............................          21
   Sponsors' Secondary Market...........................          21
   Selling Units to the Trustee.........................          21
   Exchange Option......................................          21
How The Fund Works......................................          22
   Pricing..............................................          22
   Evaluations..........................................          22
   Income...............................................          22
   Expenses.............................................          22
   Portfolio Changes....................................          23
   Fund Termination.....................................          23
   Certificates.........................................          23
   Trust Indenture......................................          23
   Legal Opinion........................................          24
   Auditors.............................................          24
   Sponsors.............................................          24
   Trustee..............................................          25
   Underwriters' and Sponsors' Profits                            25
   Public Distribution..................................          25
   Code of Ethics.......................................          25
   Year 2000 Issues.....................................          25
Taxes...................................................          25
Supplemental Information................................          27
Financial Statements....................................         D-1

 
                                       2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE INSURED PORTFOLIO--RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
 

       1.  WHAT IS THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE?
           The Fund seeks interest income that is exempt from regular
           federal income taxes and some state and local taxes by
           investing in a fixed portfolio consisting primarily of
           insured, intermediate term municipal revenue bonds.
       2.  WHAT ARE MUNICIPAL REVENUE BONDS?
           Municipal revenue bonds are bonds issued by states,
           municipalities and public authorities to finance the cost
           of buying, building or improving various projects intended
           to generate revenue, such as airports, health care
           facilities, housing and municipal electric, water and sewer
           utilities. Generally, payments on these bonds depend solely
           on the revenues generated by the projects, excise taxes or
           state appropriations, and are not backed by the
           government's taxing power.
 
       3.  WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY?
        O  The Fund plans to hold to maturity 7 intermediate
           tax-exempt municipal bonds with an aggregate face amount of
           $2,785,000.
        o  The Fund is a unit investment trust which means that,
           unlike a mutual fund, the Portfolio is not managed.
        o  The bonds are rated AAA or Aaa by Standard & Poor's,
           Moody's or Fitch.
        o  Many of the bonds can be called at a premium declining over
           time to par value. Some bonds may be called earlier at par
           for extraordinary reasons.
        o  100% of the bonds are insured by insurance companies that
           guarantee timely payments of principal and interest on the
           bonds (but not Fund units or the market value of the bonds
           before they mature).
 
           The Portfolio consists of municipal bonds of the following
           types:

 

                                                  APPROXIMATE
                                                   PORTFOLIO
                                                   PERCENTAGE

 

/ / General Obligation                                 19%
/ / Hospitals/Health Care                              29%
/ / Housing                                            11%
/ / Refunded Bonds                                     7%
/ / Special Tax                                        34%

 

       4.  WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANT RISKS?
           YOU CAN LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THIS CAN
           HAPPEN FOR VARIOUS REASONS, INCLUDING:
        o  Rising interest rates, an issuer's worsening financial
           condition or a drop in bond ratings can reduce the price of
           your units.
        o  Because the Fund is concentrated in hospital/health care
           and special tax bonds, adverse developments in these
           sectors may affect the value of your units.
        o  Assuming no changes in interest rates, when you sell your
           units, they will generally be worth less than your cost
           because your cost included a sales fee.
        o  The Fund will receive early returns of principal if bonds
           are called or sold before they mature. If this happens your
           income will decline and you may not be able to reinvest the
           money you receive at as high a yield or as long a maturity.
 
           ALSO, THE PORTFOLIO IS CONCENTRATED IN BONDS OF CALIFORNIA
           SO IT IS LESS DIVERSIFIED THAN A NATIONAL FUND AND IS
           SUBJECT TO RISKS PARTICULAR TO CALIFORNIA WHICH ARE BRIEFLY
           DESCRIBED UNDER STATE CONCENTRATION RISKS LATER IN THIS
           PROSPECTUS CALIFORNIA.

 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 

       5.  IS THIS FUND APPROPRIATE FOR YOU?
           Yes, if you want federally tax-free income. You will
           benefit from a professionally selected and supervised
           portfolio whose risk is reduced by investing in insured
           bonds of several different issuers.
           The Fund is not appropriate for you if you want a
           speculative investment that changes to take advantage of
           market movements, if you do not want a tax-advantaged
           investment or if you cannot tolerate any risk.

 
           DEFINING YOUR INCOME
 

           WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT (Payable on the 25th day of
           the month to holders of record on the 10th day
           of the month):
           Regular Monthly Income per unit                           $    4.35
           Annual Income per unit:                           $   52.23
           These figures are estimates determined on the evaluation
           day; actual payments may vary.

 

       6.  WHAT ARE THE FUND'S FEES AND EXPENSES?
           This table shows the costs and expenses you may pay,
           directly or indirectly, when you invest in the Fund.

 

           INVESTOR FEES
                                                               2.75%
           Maximum Sales Fee (Load) on new purchases
           (as a percentage of $1,000 invested)

 

           Employees of some of the Sponsors and their affiliates may
           pay a reduced sales fee of no less than $5.00 per unit.
           The maximum sales fee is reduced if you invest at least
           $100,000, as follows:

 

                                                 YOUR MAXIMUM
                                                    SALES FEE
                     IF YOU INVEST:                  WILL BE:
           -----------------------------------  -----------------
           Less than $100,000                            2.75%
           $100,000 to $249,999                          2.50%
           $250,000 to $499,999                          2.25%
           $500,000 to $999,999                          2.00%
           $1,000,000 and over                           1.75%
 
           Maximum Exchange Fee                          1.75%

 
           ESTIMATED ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 

                                                        AMOUNT
                                                      PER UNIT
                                                    -----------
                                                     $    0.70
           Trustee's Fee
                                                     $    0.45
           Portfolio Supervision,
           Bookkeeping and
           Administrative Fees
                                                     $    0.52
           Evaluator's Fee
                                                     $    0.38
           Other Operating Expenses
                                                    -----------
                                                     $    2.05
           TOTAL

 

       7.  IS THE FUND MANAGED?
           Unlike a mutual fund, the Fund is not managed and bonds are
           not sold because of market changes. Rather, experienced
           Defined Asset Funds financial analysts regularly review the
           bonds in the Fund. The Fund may sell a bond if certain
           adverse credit or other conditions exist.
       8.  HOW DO I BUY UNITS?
           The minimum investment is one unit.
           You can buy units from any of the Sponsors and other
           broker-dealers. The Sponsors are listed later in this
           prospectus. Some banks may offer units for sale through
           special arrangements with the Sponsors, although certain
           legal restrictions may apply.
           UNIT PRICE PER UNIT                      $1,100.43
           (as of September 30, 1998)
           Unit price is based on the net asset value of the Fund plus
           the sales fee. An amount equal to any principal cash, as
           well as net accrued but undistributed interest on the unit,
           is added to the unit price. An independent evaluator prices
           the bonds at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time every business day. Unit
           price changes every day with changes in the prices of the
           bonds in the Fund.

 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 

       9.  HOW DO I SELL UNITS?
           You may sell your units at any time to any Sponsor or the
           Trustee for the net asset value determined at the close of
           business on the date of sale. You will not pay any other
           fee when you sell your units.
      10.  HOW ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE AND TAXED?
           The Fund pays income monthly.
           In the opinion of bond counsel when each bond was issued,
           interest on the bonds in this Fund is generally 100% exempt
           from regular federal income tax. Your income may also be
           exempt from some California state and local personal income
           taxes if you live in California.
           You will also receive principal payments if bonds are sold
           or called or mature, when the cash available is more than
           $5.00 per unit. You will be subject to tax on any gain
           realized by the Fund on the disposition of bonds.
 
      11.  WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
           REINVESTMENT
           You will receive your income in cash unless you choose to
           compound your income by reinvesting at no sales fee in the
           Municipal Fund Investment Accumulation Program, Inc. This
           program is an open-end mutual fund with a comparable
           investment objective, but the bonds will generally not be
           insured. Income from this program will generally be subject
           to state and local income taxes. For more complete
           information about the program, including charges and fees,
           ask the Trustee for the program's prospectus. Read it
           carefully before you invest. The Trustee must receive your
           written election to reinvest at least 10 days before the
           record day of an income payment.
           EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
           You may exchange units of this Fund for units of certain
           other Defined Asset Funds. You may also exchange into this
           Fund from certain other funds. We charge a reduced sales
           fee on exchanges.

 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
CALIFORNIA INSURED PORTFOLIO--RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
 

       1.  WHAT IS THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE?
           The Fund seeks interest income that is exempt from regular
           federal income taxes and some state and local taxes by
           investing in a fixed portfolio consisting primarily of
           insured, long term municipal revenue bonds.
       2.  WHAT ARE MUNICIPAL REVENUE BONDS?
           Municipal revenue bonds are bonds issued by states,
           municipalities and public authorities to finance the cost
           of buying, building or improving various projects intended
           to generate revenue, such as airports, health care
           facilities, housing and municipal electric, water and sewer
           utilities. Generally, payments on these bonds depend solely
           on the revenues generated by the projects, excise taxes or
           state appropriations, and are not backed by the
           government's taxing power.
 
       3.  WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY?
        O  The Fund plans to hold to maturity 7 long-term tax-exempt
           municipal bonds with an aggregate face amount of
           $2,505,000.00.
        o  The Fund is a unit investment trust which means that,
           unlike a mutual fund, the Portfolio is not managed.
        o  The bonds are rated AAA or Aaa by Standard & Poor's,
           Moody's or Fitch.
        o  Many of the bonds can be called at a premium declining over
           time to par value. Some bonds may be called earlier at par
           for extraordinary reasons.
        o  The Fund is concentrated in refunded bonds.
        o  100% of the bonds are insured by insurance companies that
           guarantee timely payments of principal and interest on the
           bonds (but not Fund units or the market value of the bonds
           before they mature).
 
           The Portfolio consists of municipal bonds of the following
           types:

 

                                                  APPROXIMATE
                                                   PORTFOLIO
                                                   PERCENTAGE

 

/ / General Obligation                                 21%
/ / Hospitals/Health Care                              14%
/ / Lease Rental Appropriation                         20%
/ / Refunded Bonds                                     45%

 

       4.  WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANT RISKS?
           YOU CAN LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THIS CAN
           HAPPEN FOR VARIOUS REASONS, INCLUDING:
        o  Rising interest rates, an issuer's worsening financial
           condition or a drop in bond ratings can reduce the price of
           your units.
        o  Assuming no changes in interest rates, when you sell your
           units, they will generally be worth less than your cost
           because your cost included a sales fee.
        o  The Fund will receive early returns of principal if bonds
           are called or sold before they mature. If this happens your
           income will decline and you may not be able to reinvest the
           money you receive at as high a yield or as long a maturity.
 
           ALSO, THE PORTFOLIO IS CONCENTRATED IN BONDS OF CALIFORNIA
           SO IT IS LESS DIVERSIFIED THAN A NATIONAL FUND AND IS
           SUBJECT TO RISKS PARTICULAR TO CALIFORNIA WHICH ARE BRIEFLY
           DESCRIBED UNDER STATE CONCENTRATION RISKS LATER IN THIS
           PROSPECTUS.

 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 

       5.  IS THIS FUND APPROPRIATE FOR YOU?
           Yes, if you want federally tax-free income. You will
           benefit from a professionally selected and supervised
           portfolio whose risk is reduced by investing in insured
           bonds of several different issuers.
           The Fund is not appropriate for you if you want a
           speculative investment that changes to take advantage of
           market movements, if you do not want a tax-advantaged
           investment or if you cannot tolerate any risk.

 
           DEFINING YOUR INCOME
 

           WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT (Payable on the 25th day of
           the month to holders of record on the 10th day
           of the month):
           Regular Monthly Income per unit                           $    4.89
           Annual Income per unit:                           $   58.77
           These figures are estimates determined on the evaluation
           day; actual payments may vary.

 

       6.  WHAT ARE THE FUND'S FEES AND EXPENSES?
           This table shows the costs and expenses you may pay,
           directly or indirectly, when you invest in the Fund.

 

           INVESTOR FEES
                                                               2.90%
           Maximum Sales Fee (Load) on new purchases
           (as a percentage of $1,000 invested)

 

           Employees of some of the Sponsors and their affiliates may
           pay a reduced sales fee of no less than $5.00 per unit.
           The maximum sales fee is reduced if you invest at least
           $100,000, as follows:

 

                                                 YOUR MAXIMUM
                                                    SALES FEE
                     IF YOU INVEST:                  WILL BE:
           -----------------------------------  -----------------
           Less than $100,000                            2.90%
           $100,000 to $249,999                          2.65%
           $250,000 to $499,999                          2.40%
           $500,000 to $999,999                          2.15%
           $1,000,000 and over                           1.90%
 
           Maximum Exchange Fee                          1.90%

 
           ESTIMATED ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 

                                                        AMOUNT
                                                      PER UNIT
                                                    -----------
                                                     $    0.68
           Trustee's Fee
                                                     $    0.44
           Portfolio Supervision,
           Bookkeeping and
           Administrative Fees
                                                     $    0.56
           Evaluator's Fee
                                                     $    0.40
           Other Operating Expenses
                                                    -----------
                                                     $    2.08
           TOTAL

 

       7.  HOW HAVE SIMILAR FUNDS PERFORMED IN THE PAST?
           In the following chart we show past performance of prior
           California Portfolios, which had investment objectives,
           strategies and types of bonds substantially similar to this
           Fund. These prior Series differed in that they charged a
           higher sales fee. These prior California Series were offered
           between March 30, 1988 and September 27, 1996 and were
           outstanding on September 30, 1998. OF COURSE, PAST
           PERFORMANCE OF PRIOR SERIES IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE
           RESULTS OF THIS FUND.
           AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND TOTAL RETURNS
           FOR PRIOR SERIES
           Reflecting all expenses. For periods ended 9/30/98.

 

                   WITH SALES FEE                    NO SALES FEE
            1 YEAR     5 YEARS   10 YEARS    1 YEAR     5 YEARS   10 YEARS

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

High         6.54%      5.07%      7.45%     11.50%      6.15%      8.05%
Average      4.38       4.38       7.32       7.66       5.39       7.91
Low          2.62       3.84       7.19       4.39       4.75       7.68

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

Average
Sales fee    3.18%      5.01%      5.70%

 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Note: All returns represent changes in unit price with distributions reinvested
 into the Municipal Fund Investment Accumulation Program.
 

       8.  IS THE FUND MANAGED?
           Unlike a mutual fund, the Fund is not managed and bonds are
           not sold because of market changes. Rather, experienced
           Defined Asset Funds financial analysts regularly review the
           bonds in the Fund. The Fund may sell a bond if certain
           adverse credit or other conditions exist.

 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 

       9.  HOW DO I BUY UNITS?
           The minimum investment is one unit.
           You can buy units from any of the Sponsors and other
           broker-dealers. The Sponsors are listed later in this
           prospectus. Some banks may offer units for sale through
           special arrangements with the Sponsors, although certain
           legal restrictions may apply.
           UNIT PRICE PER UNIT                     $1,122.50
           (as of September 30, 1998)
           Unit price is based on the net asset value of the Fund plus
           the sales fee. An amount equal to any principal cash, as
           well as net accrued but undistributed interest on the unit,
           is added to the unit price. An independent evaluator prices
           the bonds at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time every business day.
           Unit price changes every day with changes in the prices of
           the bonds in the Fund.
      10.  HOW DO I SELL UNITS?
           You may sell your units at any time to any Sponsor or the
           Trustee for the net asset value determined at the close of
           business on the date of sale. You will not pay any other
           fee when you sell your units.

 

      11.  HOW ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE AND TAXED?
           The Fund pays income monthly.
           In the opinion of bond counsel when each bond was issued,
           interest on the bonds in this Fund is generally 100% exempt
           from regular federal income tax. Your income may also be
           exempt from some California state and local personal income
           taxes if you live in California.
           You will also receive principal payments if bonds are sold
           or called or mature, when the cash available is more than
           $5.00 per unit. You will be subject to tax on any gain
           realized by the Fund on the disposition of bonds.
      12.  WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
           REINVESTMENT
           You will receive your income in cash unless you choose to
           compound your income by reinvesting at no sales fee in the
           Municipal Fund Investment Accumulation Program, Inc. This
           program is an open-end mutual fund with a comparable
           investment objective. Income from this program will
           generally be subject to state and local income taxes. For
           more complete information about the program, including
           charges and fees, ask the Trustee for the program's
           prospectus. Read it carefully before you invest. The Trustee
           must receive your written election to reinvest at least 10
           days before the record day of an income payment.
           EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
           You may exchange units of this Fund for units of certain
           other Defined Asset Funds. You may also exchange into this
           Fund from certain other funds. We charge a reduced sales fee
           on exchanges.

 
                                       8
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
NEW JERSEY INSURED PORTFOLIO--RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
 

       1.  WHAT IS THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE?
           The Fund seeks interest income that is exempt from regular
           federal income taxes and some state and local taxes by
           investing in a fixed portfolio consisting primarily of
           insured, long term municipal revenue bonds.
       2.  WHAT ARE MUNICIPAL REVENUE BONDS?
           Municipal revenue bonds are bonds issued by states,
           municipalities and public authorities to finance the cost
           of buying, building or improving various projects intended
           to generate revenue, such as airports, health care
           facilities, housing and municipal electric, water and sewer
           utilities. Generally, payments on these bonds depend solely
           on the revenues generated by the projects, excise taxes or
           state appropriations, and are not backed by the
           government's taxing power.
 
       3.  WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY?
        O  The Fund plans to hold to maturity 7 long-term tax-exempt
           municipal bonds with an aggregate face amount of
           $2,785,000.
        o  The Fund is a unit investment trust which means that,
           unlike a mutual fund, the Portfolio is not managed.
        o  The bonds are rated AAA or Aaa by Standard & Poor's,
           Moody's or Fitch.
        o  Many of the bonds can be called at a premium declining over
           time to par value. Some bonds may be called earlier at par
           for extraordinary reasons.
        o  100% of the bonds are insured by insurance companies that
           guarantee timely payments of principal and interest on the
           bonds (but not Fund units or the market value of the bonds
           before they mature).
 
           The Portfolio consists of municipal bonds of the following
           types:

 

                                                  APPROXIMATE
                                                   PORTFOLIO
                                                   PERCENTAGE

 

/ / Hospitals/Health Care                              34%
/ / Industrial Development Revenue                     24%
/ / Refunded Bonds                                     16%
/ / Universities/Colleges                              26%

 

       4.  WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANT RISKS?
           YOU CAN LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THIS CAN
           HAPPEN FOR VARIOUS REASONS, INCLUDING:
        o  Rising interest rates, an issuer's worsening financial
           condition or a drop in bond ratings can reduce the price of
           your units.
        o  Because the Fund is concentrated in hospital/health care
           and university/college bonds, adverse developments in these
           sectors may affect the value of your units.
        o  Assuming no changes in interest rates, when you sell your
           units, they will generally be worth less than your cost
           because your cost included a sales fee.
        o  The Fund will receive early returns of principal if bonds
           are called or sold before they mature. If this happens your
           income will decline and you may not be able to reinvest the
           money you receive at as high a yield or as long a maturity.
 
           ALSO, THE PORTFOLIO IS CONCENTRATED IN BONDS OF NEW JERSEY
           SO IT IS LESS DIVERSIFIED THAN A NATIONAL FUND AND IS
           SUBJECT TO RISKS PARTICULAR TO NEW JERSEY WHICH ARE BRIEFLY
           DESCRIBED UNDER STATE CONCENTRATION RISKS LATER IN THIS
           PROSPECTUS.

 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 

       5.  IS THIS FUND APPROPRIATE FOR YOU?
           Yes, if you want federally tax-free income. You will
           benefit from a professionally selected and supervised
           portfolio whose risk is reduced by investing in insured
           bonds of several different issuers.
           The Fund is not appropriate for you if you want a
           speculative investment that changes to take advantage of
           market movements, if you do not want a tax-advantaged
           investment or if you cannot tolerate any risk.

 
           DEFINING YOUR INCOME
 

           WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT (Payable on the 25th day of
           the month to holders of record on the 10th day
           of the month):
           Regular Monthly Income per unit                           $    4.80
           Annual Income per unit:                           $   57.70
           These figures are estimates determined on the evaluation
           day; actual payments may vary.

 

       6.  WHAT ARE THE FUND'S FEES AND EXPENSES?
           This table shows the costs and expenses you may pay,
           directly or indirectly, when you invest in the Fund.

 

           INVESTOR FEES
                                                               2.90%
           Maximum Sales Fee (Load) on new purchases
           (as a percentage of $1,000 invested)

 

           Employees of some of the Sponsors and their affiliates may
           pay a reduced sales fee of no less than $5.00 per unit.
           The maximum sales fee is reduced if you invest at least
           $100,000, as follows:

 

                                                 YOUR MAXIMUM
                                                    SALES FEE
                     IF YOU INVEST:                  WILL BE:
           -----------------------------------  -----------------
           Less than $100,000                            2.90%
           $100,000 to $249,999                          2.65%
           $250,000 to $499,999                          2.40%
           $500,000 to $999,999                          2.15%
           $1,000,000 and over                           1.90%
 
           Maximum Exchange Fee                          1.90%

 
           ESTIMATED ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 

                                                        AMOUNT
                                                      PER UNIT
                                                    -----------
                                                     $    0.69
           Trustee's Fee
                                                     $    0.45
           Portfolio Supervision,
           Bookkeeping and
           Administrative Fees
                                                     $    0.51
           Evaluator's Fee
                                                     $    0.38
           Other Operating Expenses
                                                    -----------
                                                     $    2.03
           TOTAL

 

       7.  HOW HAVE SIMILAR FUNDS PERFORMED IN THE PAST?
           In the following chart we show past performance of prior New
           Jersey Portfolios, which had investment objectives,
           strategies and types of bonds substantially similar to this
           Fund. These prior Series differed in that they charged a
           higher sales fee. These prior New Jersey Series were offered
           between March 30, 1988 and August 1, 1996 and were
           outstanding on September 30, 1998. OF COURSE, PAST
           PERFORMANCE OF PRIOR SERIES IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE
           RESULTS OF THIS FUND.
           AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND TOTAL RETURNS
           FOR PRIOR SERIES
           Reflecting all expenses. For periods ended 9/30/98.

 

                   WITH SALES FEE                    NO SALES FEE
            1 YEAR     5 YEARS   10 YEARS    1 YEAR     5 YEARS   10 YEARS

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

High         5.85%      4.70%      7.28%     10.78%      5.88%      7.88%
Average      4.15       4.23       7.20       7.29       5.28       7.80
Low          3.11       3.79       7.12       4.52       4.74       7.72

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

Average
Sales fee    3.04%      5.19%      5.82%

 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Note: All returns represent changes in unit price with distributions reinvested
 into the Municipal Fund Investment Accumulation Program.
 

       8.  IS THE FUND MANAGED?
           Unlike a mutual fund, the Fund is not managed and bonds are
           not sold because of market changes. Rather, experienced
           Defined Asset Funds financial analysts regularly review the
           bonds in the Fund. The Fund may sell a bond if certain
           adverse credit or other conditions exist.

 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 

       9.  HOW DO I BUY UNITS?
           The minimum investment is one unit.
           You can buy units from any of the Sponsors and other
           broker-dealers. The Sponsors are listed later in this
           prospectus. Some banks may offer units for sale through
           special arrangements with the Sponsors, although certain
           legal restrictions may apply.
           UNIT PRICE PER UNIT                     $1,115.58
           (as of September 30, 1998)
           Unit price is based on the net asset value of the Fund plus
           the sales fee. An amount equal to any principal cash, as
           well as net accrued but undistributed interest on the unit,
           is added to the unit price. An independent evaluator prices
           the bonds at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time every business day.
           Unit price changes every day with changes in the prices of
           the bonds in the Fund.
      10.  HOW DO I SELL UNITS?
           You may sell your units at any time to any Sponsor or the
           Trustee for the net asset value determined at the close of
           business on the date of sale. You will not pay any other
           fee when you sell your units.

 

      11.  HOW ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE AND TAXED?
           The Fund pays income monthly.
           In the opinion of bond counsel when each bond was issued,
           interest on the bonds in this Fund is generally 100% exempt
           from regular federal income tax. Your income may also be
           exempt from some New Jersey state and local personal income
           taxes if you live in New Jersey.
           You will also receive principal payments if bonds are sold
           or called or mature, when the cash available is more than
           $5.00 per unit. You will be subject to tax on any gain
           realized by the Fund on the disposition of bonds.
      12.  WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
           REINVESTMENT
           You will receive your income in cash unless you choose to
           compound your income by reinvesting at no sales fee in the
           Municipal Fund Investment Accumulation Program, Inc. This
           program is an open-end mutual fund with a comparable
           investment objective, but the bonds generally will not be
           insured. Income from this program will generally be subject
           to state and local income taxes. For more complete
           information about the program, including charges and fees,
           ask the Trustee for the program's prospectus. Read it
           carefully before you invest. The Trustee must receive your
           written election to reinvest at least 10 days before the
           record day of an income payment.
           EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
           You may exchange units of this Fund for units of certain
           other Defined Asset Funds. You may also exchange into this
           Fund from certain other funds. We charge a reduced sales fee
           on exchanges.

 
                                       11
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
NEW YORK INSURED PORTFOLIO--RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
 

       1.  WHAT IS THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE?
           The Fund seeks interest income that is exempt from regular
           federal income taxes and some state and local taxes by
           investing in a fixed portfolio consisting primarily of
           insured, long term municipal revenue bonds.
       2.  WHAT ARE MUNICIPAL REVENUE BONDS?
           Municipal revenue bonds are bonds issued by states,
           municipalities and public authorities to finance the cost
           of buying, building or improving various projects intended
           to generate revenue, such as airports, health care
           facilities, housing and municipal electric, water and sewer
           utilities. Generally, payments on these bonds depend solely
           on the revenues generated by the projects, excise taxes or
           state appropriations, and are not backed by the
           government's taxing power.
 
       3.  WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY?
        O  The Fund plans to hold to maturity 7 long-term tax-exempt
           municipal bonds with an aggregate face amount of
           $2,785,000.
        o  The Fund is a unit investment trust which means that,
           unlike a mutual fund, the Portfolio is not managed.
        o  The bonds are rated AAA or Aaa by Standard & Poor's,
           Moody's or Fitch.
        o  Many of the bonds can be called at a premium declining over
           time to par value. Some bonds may be called earlier at par
           for extraordinary reasons.
        o  The Fund is concentrated in refunded bonds.
        o  100% of the bonds are insured by insurance companies that
           guarantee timely payments of principal and interest on the
           bonds (but not Fund units or the market value of the bonds
           before they mature).
 
           The Portfolio consists of municipal bonds of the following
           types:

 

                                                  APPROXIMATE
                                                   PORTFOLIO
                                                   PERCENTAGE

 

/ / Hospitals/Health Care                              16%
/ / Housing                                            16%
/ / Industrial Development Revenue                     34%
/ / Refunded Bonds                                     34%

 

       4.  WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANT RISKS?
           YOU CAN LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THIS CAN
           HAPPEN FOR VARIOUS REASONS, INCLUDING:
        o  Rising interest rates, an issuer's worsening financial
           condition or a drop in bond ratings can reduce the price of
           your units.
        o  Because the Fund is concentrated in industrial development
           revenue and refunded bonds, adverse developments in these
           sectors may affect the value of your units.
        o  Assuming no changes in interest rates, when you sell your
           units, they will generally be worth less than your cost
           because your cost included a sales fee.
        o  The Fund will receive early returns of principal if bonds
           are called or sold before they mature. If this happens your
           income will decline and you may not be able to reinvest the
           money you receive at as high a yield or as long a maturity.
 
           ALSO, THE PORTFOLIO IS CONCENTRATED IN BONDS OF NEW YORK SO
           IT IS LESS DIVERSIFIED THAN A NATIONAL FUND AND IS SUBJECT
           TO RISKS PARTICULAR TO NEW YORK WHICH ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED
           UNDER STATE CONCENTRATION RISKS LATER IN THIS PROSPECTUS.

 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 

       5.  IS THIS FUND APPROPRIATE FOR YOU?
           Yes, if you want federally tax-free income. You will
           benefit from a professionally selected and supervised
           portfolio whose risk is reduced by investing in insured
           bonds of several different issuers.
           The Fund is not appropriate for you if you want a
           speculative investment that changes to take advantage of
           market movements, if you do not want a tax-advantaged
           investment or if you cannot tolerate any risk.

 
           DEFINING YOUR INCOME
 

           WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT (Payable on the 25th day of
           the month to holders of record on the 10th day
           of the month):
           Regular Monthly Income per unit                           $    4.84
           Annual Income per unit:                           $   58.11
           These figures are estimates determined on the evaluation
           day; actual payments may vary.

 

       6.  WHAT ARE THE FUND'S FEES AND EXPENSES?
           This table shows the costs and expenses you may pay,
           directly or indirectly, when you invest in the Fund.

 

           INVESTOR FEES
                                                               2.90%
           Maximum Sales Fee (Load) on new purchases
           (as a percentage of $1,000 invested)

 

           Employees of some of the Sponsors and their affiliates may
           pay a reduced sales fee of no less than $5.00 per unit.
           The maximum sales fee is reduced if you invest at least
           $100,000, as follows:

 

                                                 YOUR MAXIMUM
                                                    SALES FEE
                     IF YOU INVEST:                  WILL BE:
           -----------------------------------  -----------------
           Less than $100,000                            2.90%
           $100,000 to $249,999                          2.65%
           $250,000 to $499,999                          2.40%
           $500,000 to $999,999                          2.15%
           $1,000,000 and over                           1.90%
 
           Maximum Exchange Fee                          1.90%

 
           ESTIMATED ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 

                                                        AMOUNT
                                                      PER UNIT
                                                    -----------
                                                     $    0.70
           Trustee's Fee
                                                     $    0.45
           Portfolio Supervision,
           Bookkeeping and
           Administrative Fees
                                                     $    0.51
           Evaluator's Fee
                                                     $    0.42
           Other Operating Expenses
                                                    -----------
                                                     $    2.08
           TOTAL

 

       7.  HOW HAVE SIMILAR FUNDS PERFORMED IN THE PAST?
           In the following chart we show past performance of prior New
           York Portfolios, which had investment objectives, strategies
           and types of bonds substantially similar to this Fund. These
           prior Series differed in that they charged a higher sales
           fee. These prior New York Series were offered between
           January 14, 1988 and September 11, 1997 and were outstanding
           on September 30, 1998. OF COURSE, PAST PERFORMANCE OF PRIOR
           SERIES IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS OF THIS FUND.
           AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND TOTAL RETURNS
           FOR PRIOR SERIES
           Reflecting all expenses. For periods ended 9/30/98.

 

                   WITH SALES FEE                    NO SALES FEE
            1 YEAR     5 YEARS   10 YEARS    1 YEAR     5 YEARS   10 YEARS

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

High         6.94%      5.26%      7.87%     11.62%      6.02%      8.47%
Average      4.47       4.41       7.51       7.72       5.44       8.10
Low          2.18       3.81       7.37       4.79       4.76       7.59

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

Average
Sales fee    3.17%      5.11%      5.73%

 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Note: All returns represent changes in unit price with distributions reinvested
 into the Municipal Fund Investment Accumulation Program.
 

       8.  IS THE FUND MANAGED?
           Unlike a mutual fund, the Fund is not managed and bonds are
           not sold because of market changes. Rather, experienced
           Defined Asset Funds financial analysts regularly review the
           bonds in the Fund. The Fund may sell a bond if certain
           adverse credit or other conditions exist.

 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 

       9.  HOW DO I BUY UNITS?
           The minimum investment is one unit.
           You can buy units from any of the Sponsors and other
           broker-dealers. The Sponsors are listed later in this
           prospectus. Some banks may offer units for sale through
           special arrangements with the Sponsors, although certain
           legal restrictions may apply.
           UNIT PRICE PER UNIT                     $1,105.61
           (as of September 30, 1998)
           Unit price is based on the net asset value of the Fund plus
           the sales fee. An amount equal to any principal cash, as
           well as net accrued but undistributed interest on the unit,
           is added to the unit price. An independent evaluator prices
           the bonds at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time every business day.
           Unit price changes every day with changes in the prices of
           the bonds in the Fund.
      10.  HOW DO I SELL UNITS?
           You may sell your units at any time to any Sponsor or the
           Trustee for the net asset value determined at the close of
           business on the date of sale. You will not pay any other
           fee when you sell your units.

 

      11.  HOW ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE AND TAXED?
           The Fund pays income monthly.
           In the opinion of bond counsel when each bond was issued,
           interest on the bonds in this Fund is generally 100% exempt
           from regular federal income tax. Your income may also be
           exempt from some New York state and local personal income
           taxes if you live in New York.
           You will also receive principal payments if bonds are sold
           or called or mature, when the cash available is more than
           $5.00 per unit. You will be subject to tax on any gain
           realized by the Fund on the disposition of bonds.
      12.  WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
           REINVESTMENT
           You will receive your income in cash unless you choose to
           compound your income by reinvesting at no sales fee in the
           Municipal Fund Investment Accumulation Program, Inc. This
           program is an open-end mutual fund with a comparable
           investment objective, but the bonds will generally not be
           insured. Income from this program will generally be subject
           to state and local income taxes. For more complete
           information about the program, including charges and fees,
           ask the Trustee for the program's prospectus. Read it
           carefully before you invest. The Trustee must receive your
           written election to reinvest at least 10 days before the
           record day of an income payment.
           EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
           You may exchange units of this Fund for units of certain
           other Defined Asset Funds. You may also exchange into this
           Fund from certain other funds. We charge a reduced sales fee
           on exchanges.

 
                                       14
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TAX-FREE VS. TAXABLE INCOME: A COMPARISON OF TAXABLE AND TAX-FREE YIELDS
 
                            FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE><CAPTION>

                                  COMBINED
                                  EFFECTIVE
TAXABLE INCOME 1998*              TAX RATE                       TAX-FREE YIELD OF
 SINGLE RETURN      JOINT RETURN     %       3%     3.5%     4%     4.5%     5%     5.5%     6%     6.5%
                                                        IS EQUIVALENT TO A TAXABLE YIELD OF

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

<S>              <C>                <C>       <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>
$      0- 25,350  $     $0- 42,350  20.10     3.75   4.38     5.01   5.63     6.26   6.88     7.51   8.14
$ 25,351- 61,400  $ 42,351-102,300  34.70     4.59   5.36     6.13   6.89     7.66   8.42     9.19   9.95
$ 61,401-128,100  $102,301-155,950  37.42     4.79   5.59     6.39   7.19     7.99   8.79     9.59  10.39
$128,101-278,450  $155,951-278,450  41.95     5.17   6.03     6.89   7.75     8.61   9.47    10.34  11.20
OVER $278,450        OVER $278,450  45.22     5.48   6.39     7.30   8.21     9.13  10.04    10.95  11.87
</TABLE>

 
                            FOR NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE><CAPTION>

                                  COMBINED
                                  EFFECTIVE
TAXABLE INCOME 1998*              TAX RATE                       TAX-FREE YIELD OF
 SINGLE RETURN      JOINT RETURN     %       3%     3.5%     4%     4.5%     5%     5.5%     6%     6.5%
                                                        IS EQUIVALENT TO A TAXABLE YIELD OF

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

<S>              <C>                <C>       <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>
                  $      0- 42,350  17.08     3.62   4.22     4.82   5.43     6.03   6.63     7.24   7.84
$      0- 25,350                    17.98     3.66   4.27     4.88   5.49     6.10   6.71     7.31   7.92
$ 25,351- 61,400  $ 42,351-102,300  31.98     4.41   5.15     5.88   6.62     7.35   8.09     8.82   9.56
$ 61,401-128,100  $102,301-155,950  35.40     4.64   5.42     6.19   6.97     7.74   8.51     9.29  10.06
$128,101-278,450  $155,951-278,450  40.08     5.01   5.84     6.68   7.51     8.34   9.18    10.01  10.85
OVER $278,450        OVER $278,450  43.45     5.30   6.19     7.07   7.96     8.84   9.73    10.61  11.49
</TABLE>

 
                          FOR NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE><CAPTION>

                                  COMBINED
                                  EFFECTIVE
TAXABLE INCOME 1998*              TAX RATE                       TAX-FREE YIELD OF
 SINGLE RETURN      JOINT RETURN     %       3%     3.5%     4%     4.5%     5%     5.5%     6%     6.5%
                                                        IS EQUIVALENT TO A TAXABLE YIELD OF

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

<S>              <C>                <C>       <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>
$      0- 25,350  $      0- 42,350  24.55     3.38   4.64     5.30   5.96     6.63   7.29     7.95   8.62
$ 25,351- 61,400  $ 42,351-102,300  36.14     4.70   5.48     6.28   7.05     7.83   8.61     9.40  10.18
$ 61,401-128,100  $102,301-155,950  38.80     4.90   5.72     6.54   7.35     8.17   8.99     9.80  10.62
$128,101-278,450  $155,951-278,450  43.24     5.29   6.17     7.05   7.83     8.81   9.69    10.57  11.45
OVER $278,450        OVER $278,450  46.43     5.60   6.53     7.47   8.40     9.33  10.27    11.20  12.13
</TABLE>

 
                          FOR NEW YORK STATE RESIDENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE><CAPTION>

                                  COMBINED
                                  EFFECTIVE
TAXABLE INCOME 1998*              TAX RATE                       TAX-FREE YIELD OF
 SINGLE RETURN      JOINT RETURN     %       3%     3.5%     4%     4.5%     5%     5.5%     6%     6.5%
                                                        IS EQUIVALENT TO A TAXABLE YIELD OF

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

<S>              <C>                <C>       <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>
$      0- 25,350  $      0- 42,350  20.82     3.79   4.42     5.05   5.68     6.31   6.95     7.58   8.21
$ 25,351- 61,400  $ 42,351-102,300  32.93     4.47   5.22     5.96   6.71     7.46   8.20     8.95   9.69
$ 61,401-128,100  $102,301-155,950  35.73     4.67   5.45     6.22   7.00     7.78   8.56     9.34  10.11
$128,101-278,450  $155,951-278,450  40.38     5.03   5.87     6.71   7.55     8.39   9.23    10.06  10.90
OVER $278,450        OVER $278,450  43.74     5.33   6.22     7.11   8.00     8.89   9.78    10.66  11.55
</TABLE>

 
To compare the yield of a taxable security with the yield of a tax-free
security, find your taxable income and read across. The table incorporates 1998
federal and applicable State (and City) income tax rates and assumes that all
income would otherwise be taxed at the investor's highest tax rate. Yield
figures are for example only.
 
*Based upon net amount subject to federal income tax after deductions and
exemptions. This table does not reflect the possible effect of other tax
factors, such as alternative minimum tax, personal exemptions, the phase out of
exemptions, itemized deductions or the possible partial disallowance of
deductions. Consequently, investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers
in this regard.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR INVESTMENT
 
MONTHLY INCOME
 
The Fund will pay you regular monthly income. Your monthly income may vary
because of:
   o elimination of one or more bonds from the Fund's portfolio because of
     calls, redemptions or sales;
   o a change in the Fund's expenses; or
   o the failure by a bond's issuer to pay interest.
 
Changes in interest rates generally will not affect your income because the
portfolio is fixed.
 
Along with your income, you will receive your share of any available bond
principal.
 
RETURN FIGURES
 
We cannot predict your actual return, which will vary with unit price, how long
you hold your investment and changes in the portfolio, interest income and
expenses.
 
Estimated Current Return equals the estimated annual cash to be received from
the bonds in the Fund less estimated annual Fund expenses, divided by the Unit
Price (including the maximum sales fee):
 

 Estimated Annual                  Estimated
 Interest Income        -       Annual Expenses
- -------------------------------------------------
                   Unit Price

 
Estimated Long Term Return is a measure of the estimated return over the
estimated life of the Fund. Unlike Estimated Current Return, Estimated Long Term
Return reflects maturities, discounts and premiums of the bonds in the Fund. It
is an average of the yields to maturity (or in certain cases, to an earlier call
date) of the individual bonds in the portfolio, adjusted to reflect the Fund's
maximum sales fee and estimated expenses. We calculate the average yield for the
portfolio by weighting each bond's yield by its market value and the time
remaining to the call or maturity date.
 
Yields on individual bonds depend on many factors including general conditions
of the bond markets, the size of a particular offering and the maturity and
quality rating of the particular issues. Yields can vary among bonds with
similar maturities, coupons and ratings.
 
These return quotations are designed to be comparative rather than predictive.
 
RECORDS AND REPORTS
 
You will receive:
o a monthly statement of income payments and any principal payments;
o a notice from the Trustee when new bonds are deposited in exchange or
  substitution for bonds originally deposited;
o an annual report on Fund activity; and
o annual tax information. This will also be sent to the IRS. You must report the
  amount of tax-exempt interest received during the year.
 
You may request:
o copies of bond evaluations to enable you to comply with federal and state tax
  reporting requirements; and
o audited financial statements of the Fund.
 
You may inspect records of Fund transactions at the Trustee's office during
regular business hours.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
THE RISKS YOU FACE
 
INTEREST RATE RISK
 
Investing involves risks, including the risk that your investment will decline
in value if interest rates rise. Generally, bonds with longer maturities will
change in value more than bonds with shorter maturities. Bonds in the Fund are
more likely to be called when interest rates decline. This would result in early
returns of principal to you and may result in early termination of the Fund. Of
course, we cannot predict how interest rates may change.
 
CALL RISK
 
Many bonds can be prepaid or 'called' by the issuer before their stated
maturity.
 
For example, some bonds may be required to be called pursuant to mandatory
sinking fund provisions.
 
Also, an issuer might call its bonds during periods of falling interest rates,
if the issuer's bonds have a coupon higher than current market rates.
 
An issuer might call its bonds in extraordinary cases, including if:
   o it no longer needs the money for the original purpose;
   o the project is condemned or sold;
   o the project is destroyed and insurance proceeds are used to redeem the
     bonds;
   o any related credit support expires and is not replaced; or
   o interest on the bonds become taxable.
 
If the bonds are called, your income will decline and you may not be able to
reinvest the money you receive at as high a yield or as long a maturity. An
early call at par of a premium bond will reduce your return.
 
REDUCED DIVERSIFICATION RISK
 
If many investors sell their units, the Fund will have to sell bonds. This could
reduce the diversification of your investment and increase your share of Fund
expenses.
 
LIQUIDITY RISK
 
You can always sell back your units, but we cannot assure you that a liquid
trading market will always exist for the bonds in the portfolio, especially
since current law may restrict the Fund from selling bonds to any Sponsor. The
bonds will generally trade in the over-the-counter market. The value of the
bonds, and of your investment, may be reduced if trading in bonds is limited or
absent.
 
CONCENTRATION RISK
 
When a certain type of bond makes up 25% or more of the portfolio, it is said to
be 'concentrated' in that bond type, which makes the Portfolio less diversified.
 
Here is what you should know about the California Intermediate and New Jersey
Portfolio's concentration in hospital and health care bonds.
   o payment for these bonds depends on revenues from private third-party payors
      and government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, which have
      generally undertaken cost containment measures to limit payments to health
     care providers;
   o hospitals face increasing competition resulting from hospital mergers and
      affiliations;
   o hospitals need to reduce costs as HMOs increase market penetration and
     hospital supply and drug companies raise prices;
   o hospitals and health care providers are subject to various legal claims by
     patients and others and are adversely affected by increasing costs of
     insurance; and
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
   o many hospitals are aggressively buying physician practices and assuming
     risk contracts to gain market share. If revenues do not increase
     accordingly, this practice could reduce profits;
   o Medicare is changing its reimbursement system for nursing homes. Many
     nursing home providers are not sure how they will be treated. In many
     cases, the providers may receive lower reimbursements and these would have
     to cut expenses to maintain profitability; and
   o most retirement/nursing home providers rely on entrance fees for operating
     revenues. If people live longer than expected and turnover is lower than
     budgeted, operating revenues would be adversely affected by less than
     expected entrance fees.
 
Here is what you should know about the New Jersey Portfolio's concentration in
university/college bonds. Payment for these bonds depends on:
   o level or amount and diversity of sources of revenue;
   o availability of endowments and other funds;
   o enrollment;
   o financial management;
   o reputation; and
   o for public institutions, the financial condition of the government and its
      educational policies.
 
Here is what you should know about the New York Portfolio's concentration in
industrial development revenue bonds (IDRs). IDRs are issued to finance various
privately operated projects such as pollution control and manufacturing
facilities. Payment for these bonds depends on:
   o creditworthiness of the corporate operator of the project being financed;
   o economic factors relating to the particular industry; and,
   o in some cases, creditworthiness of an affiliated or third-party guarantor.
 
Here is what you should know about the California and New York Portfolio's
concentration in refunded bonds. Refunded bonds are typically:
   o backed by direct obligations of the U.S. government; or
   o in some cases, backed by obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government and
      placed in escrow with an independent trustee;
   o noncallable prior to maturity; but
   o sometimes called for redemption prior to maturity.
 
SPECIAL TAX BONDS
 
Here is what you should know about the California Intermediate Fund's
concentration in special tax bonds. Special tax bonds are payable from and
secured by the revenues a municipality derives from a particular tax; for
example, a tax on hotel rentals, on the purchase of food and beverages, car
rentals, or liquor consumption. These bonds are not secured by general tax
revenues. Payment on these bonds may be adversely affected by:
   o a reduction in revenues resulting from a decline in the local economy or
      population; or
   o a decline in the consumption, use or cost of the goods and services that
     are subject to taxation.
 
Changes to the portfolio from bond redemptions, maturities and sales may affect
the Fund's concentrations over time.
 
STATE CONCENTRATION RISK
 
CALIFORNIA RISKS
 
Generally
 
From the late 1980s through the early 1990s, an economic recession eroded
California's
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
revenue base. At the same time rapid population growth caused State expenditures
to exceed budget appropriations.
 
   o As a result California experienced a period of sustained budget imbalance.
 
   o Since that time the California economy has improved and the extreme
     budgetary pressures have begun to lessen.
 
State Government
 
The 1997-98 Budget Act allocated a State budget of approximately $66.9 Billion
and contains no tax increases or reductions. Despite this somewhat improved
state, California's budget is still subject to certain unforeseeable events. For
example:
 
   o In December, 1994, Orange County and its investment pool filed for
     bankruptcy. While a settlement has been reached, the full impact on the
     State and Orange County is still unknown.
 
   o California faces constant fluctuations in other expenses (including health
     and welfare caseloads, property tax receipts, federal funding and natural
     disaster relief) that will undoubtedly create new budgetary pressure and
     reduce issuers' ability to pay their debts.
 
   o California's general obligation bonds are currently rated A1 by Moody's and
     A+ by Standard & Poor's.
 
Other Risks
 
Issuers' ability to make payments on bonds (and the remedies available to
bondholders) could also be adversely affected by the following constraints:
 
   o Certain provisions of California's Constitution, laws and regulatory system
      contain tax, spending and appropriations limits and prohibit certain new
     taxes.
 
   o Certain other California laws subject the users of bond proceeds to strict
     rules and limits regarding revenue repayment.
 
   o Bonds of healthcare institutions which are subject to the strict rules and
     limits regarding reimbursement payments of California's Medi-Cal program
     for health care services to welfare recipients and bonds secured by liens
     on real property are two of the types of bonds affected by these
     provisions.
 
NEW JERSEY RISKS
 
State and Local Government
 
Certain features of New Jersey law could affect the repayment of debt:
 
   o the State of New Jersey and its agencies and public authorities issue
     general obligation bonds, which are secured by the full faith and credit of
     the state, backed by its taxing authority, without recourse to specific
     sources of revenue, therefore, any liability to increase taxes could impair
     the state's ability to repay debt; and
 
   o the state is required by law to maintain a balanced budget, and state
     spending for any given municipality or county cannot increase by more than
     5% per year. This limit could make it harder for any particular county or
     municipality to repay its debts.
 
In recent years the state budget's main expenditures have been
 
   o elementary and secondary education, and
 
   o state agencies and programs, including police and corrections facilities,
     higher education, and environmental protection.
 
The state's general obligations are rated Aa1 by Moody's and AA+ by Standard &
Poor's.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
NEW YORK RISKS
 
Generally
 
For decades, New York's economy has trailed the rest of the nation. Both the
state and New York City have experienced long-term structural imbalances between
revenues and expenses, and have repeatedly relied substantially on non-recurring
measures to achieve budget balance. The pressures that contribute to budgetary
problems at both the state and local level include:
 
   o the high combined state and local tax burden;
 
   o a decline in manufacturing jobs, leading to above-average unemployment;
 
   o sensitivity to the financial services industry; and
 
   o dependence on federal aid.
 
State Government
 
The State government frequently has difficulty approving budgets on time. Budget
gaps of $1 billion and $4 billion are projected for the next two years. The
State's general obligation bonds are rated A by Standard & Poor's and A2 by
Moody's. There is $37 billion of state-related debt outstanding.
 
New York City Government
 
Even though the City had budget surpluses each year from 1981, budget gaps of $2
billion are projected for each of the next three years. New York City faces
fiscal pressures from:
 
   o aging public facilities that need repair or replacement;
 
   o welfare and medical costs;
 
   o expiring labor contracts; and
 
   o a high and increasing debt burden.
 
The City requires substantial state aid, and its fiscal strength depends heavily
on the securities industry. Its general obligation bonds are rated A-by Standard
& Poor's and A3 by Moody's.
 
BOND QUALITY RISK
 
A reduction in a bond's rating may decrease its value and, indirectly, the value
of your investment in the Fund.
 
INSURANCE RELATED RISK
 
The bonds are backed by insurance companies (as shown under Portfolios).
Insurance policies generally make payments only according to a bond's original
payment schedule and do not make early payments when a bond defaults or becomes
taxable. Although the federal government does not regulate the insurance
business, various state laws and federal initiatives and tax law changes could
significantly affect the insurance business. The claims-paying ability of the
insurance companies is generally rated A or better by Standard & Poor's or
another nationally recognized rating organization. The insurance company ratings
are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the rating agencies.
 
LITIGATION AND LEGISLATION RISKS
 
We do not know of any pending litigation that might have a material adverse
effect upon the Fund.
 
Future tax legislation could affect the value of the portfolio by:
   o limiting real property taxes,
   o reducing tax rates,
   o imposing a flat or other form of tax, or
   o exempting investment income from tax.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
SELLING OR EXCHANGING UNITS
 
You can sell your units at any time for a price based on net asset value. Your
net asset value is calculated each business day by:
   o adding the value of the bonds, net accrued interest, cash and any other
     Fund assets;
   o subtracting accrued but unpaid Fund expenses, unreimbursed Trustee
      advances, cash held to buy back units or for distribution to investors and
     any other Fund liabilities; and
   o dividing the result by the number of outstanding units.
 
Your net asset value when you sell may be more or less than your cost because of
sales fees, market movements and changes in the portfolio.
 
SPONSORS' SECONDARY MARKET
 
While we are not obligated to do so, we will buy back units at net asset value
without any other fee or charge. We may resell the units to other buyers or to
the Trustee. You should consult your financial professional for current market
prices to determine if other broker-dealers or banks are offering higher prices.
 
We have maintained the secondary market continuously for over 25 years, but we
could discontinue it without prior notice for any business reason.
 
SELLING UNITS TO THE TRUSTEE
 
Regardless of whether we maintain a secondary market, you can sell your units to
the Trustee at any time by sending the Trustee a letter (with any outstanding
certificates if you hold Unit certificates). You must properly endorse your
certificates (or execute a written transfer instrument with signatures
guaranteed by an eligible institution). Sometimes, additional documents are
needed such as a trust document, certificate of corporate authority, certificate
of death or appointment as executor, administrator or guardian.
 
Within seven days after your request and the necessary documents are received,
the Trustee will mail a check to you. Contact the Trustee for additional
information.
 
As long as we are maintaining a secondary market, the Trustee will sell your
units to us at a price based on net asset value. If there is no secondary
market, the Trustee may sell your units in the over-the-counter market for a
higher price, but it is not obligated to do so. In that case, you will receive
the net proceeds of the sale.
 
If the Fund does not have cash available to pay you for units you are selling,
the agent for the Sponsors will select bonds to be sold. Bonds will be selected
based on market and credit factors. These sales could be made at times when the
bonds would not otherwise be sold and may result in your receiving less than the
unit par value and also reduce the size and diversity of the Fund.
 
There could be a delay in paying you for your units:
   o if the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and
      holiday closings);
   o if the SEC determines that trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
     restricted or that an emergency exists making sale or evaluation of the
     bonds not reasonably practicable; and
   o for any other period permitted by SEC order.
 
EXCHANGE OPTION
 
You may exchange units of certain Defined Asset Funds for units of this Fund at
a maximum exchange fee of 1.90%. You may exchange units of this Fund for units
of certain other Defined Asset Funds at a reduced sales fee if your investment
goals change. To
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
exchange units, you should talk to your financial professional about what funds
are exchangeable, suitable and currently available.
 
Normally, an exchange is taxable and you must recognize any gain or loss on the
exchange. However, the IRS may try to disallow a loss if the portfolios of the
two funds are not materially different; you should consult your own tax adviser.
 
We may amend or terminate this exchange option at any time without notice.
 
HOW THE FUND WORKS
 
PRICING
 
The price of a unit includes interest accrued on the bonds, less expenses, from
the initial most recent Record Day up to, but not including, the settlement
date, which is usually three business days after the purchase date of the unit.
 
A portion of the price of a unit consists of cash so that the Trustee can
provide you with regular monthly income. When you sell your units you will
receive your share of this cash.
 
EVALUATIONS
 
An independent Evaluator values the bonds on each business day (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays as observed by the New York Stock
Exchange: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas).
Bond values are based on current bid or offer prices for the bonds or comparable
bonds. In the past, the difference between bid and offer prices of publicly
offered tax-exempt bonds has ranged from 0.5% of face amount on actively traded
issues to 3.5% on inactively traded issues; the difference has averaged between
1 and 2%.
 
INCOME
 
The Trustee credits interest to an Income Account and other receipts to a
Capital Account. The Trustee may establish a Reserve Account by withdrawing from
these accounts amounts it considers appropriate to pay any material liability.
These accounts do not bear interest.
 
EXPENSES
 
The Trustee is paid monthly. It also benefits when it holds cash for the Fund in
non-interest bearing accounts. The Trustee may also receive additional amounts:
   o to reimburse the Trustee for the Fund's operating expenses;
   o for extraordinary services and costs of indemnifying the Trustee and the
      Sponsors;
   o costs of actions taken to protect the Fund and other legal fees and
     expenses;
   o expenses for keeping the Fund's registration statement current; and
   o Fund termination expenses and any governmental charges.
 
The Sponsors are currently reimbursed up to 45 cents per $1,000 face amount
annually for providing portfolio supervisory, bookkeeping and administrative
services and for any other expenses properly chargeable to the Fund. While this
fee may exceed the amount of these costs and expenses attributable to this Fund,
the total of these fees for all Series of Defined Asset Funds will not exceed
the aggregate amount attributable to all of these Series for any calendar year.
The Fund also pays the Evaluator's fees.
 
The Trustee's, Sponsors' and Evaluator's fees may be adjusted for inflation
without investors' approval.
 
The Sponsors will pay advertising and selling expenses at no charge to the Fund.
If Fund expenses exceed initial estimates, the Fund
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
will owe the excess. The Trustee has a lien on Fund assets to secure
reimbursement of Fund expenses and may sell bonds if cash is not available.
 
PORTFOLIO CHANGES
 
The Sponsors and Trustee are not liable for any default or defect in a bond; if
a contract to buy any bond.
 
Unlike a mutual fund, the portfolio is designed to remain intact and we may keep
bonds in the portfolio even if their credit quality declines or other adverse
financial circumstances occur. However, we may sell a bond in certain cases if
we believe that certain adverse credit conditions exist or if a bond becomes
taxable.
 
If we maintain a secondary market in units but are unable to sell the units that
we buy in the secondary market, we will redeem units, which will affect the size
and composition of the portfolio. Units offered in the secondary market may not
represent the same face amount of bonds that they did originally.
 
We decide whether or not to offer units for sale that we acquire in the
secondary market after reviewing:
   o diversity of the portfolio;
   o size of the Fund relative to its original size;
   o ratio of Fund expenses to income;
   o current and long-term returns;
   o degree to which units may be selling at a premium over par; and
   o cost of maintaining a current prospectus.
 
FUND TERMINATION
 
The Fund will terminate following the stated maturity or sale of the last bond
in the portfolio. The Fund may also terminate earlier with the consent of
investors holding 51% of the units or if total assets of the Fund have fallen
below 40% of the face amount of bonds deposited. We will decide whether to
terminate the Fund early based on the same factors used in deciding whether or
not to offer units in the secondary market.
 
When the Fund is about to terminate you will receive a notice, and you will be
unable to sell your units after that time. On or shortly before termination, we
will sell any remaining bonds, and you will receive your final distribution. Any
bond that cannot be sold at a reasonable price may continue to be held by the
Trustee in a liquidating trust pending its final sale.
 
You will pay your share of the expenses associated with termination, including
brokerage costs in selling bonds. This may reduce the amount you receive as your
final distribution.
 
CERTIFICATES
 
Certificates for units are issued on request. You may transfer certificates by
complying with the requirements for redeeming certificates, described above. You
can replace lost or mutilated certificates by delivering satisfactory indemnity
and paying the associated costs.
 
TRUST INDENTURE
 
The Fund is a 'unit investment trust' governed by a Trust Indenture, a contract
among the Sponsors, the Trustee and the Evaluator, which sets forth their duties
and obligations and your rights. A copy of the Indenture is available to you on
request to the Trustee. The following summarizes certain provisions of the
Indenture.
 
The Sponsors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture without your consent:
   o to cure ambiguities;
   o to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision;
   o to make any amendment required by any governmental agency; or
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   o to make other changes determined not to be materially adverse to your best
     interest (as determined by the Sponsors).
Investors holding 51% of the units may amend the Indenture. Every investor must
consent to any amendment that changes the 51% requirement. No amendment may
reduce your interest in the Fund without your written consent.
 
The Trustee may resign by notifying the Sponsors. The Sponsors may remove the
Trustee without your consent if:
 
   o it fails to perform its duties and the Sponsors determine that its
     replacement is in your best interest; or
   o it becomes incapable of acting or bankrupt or its affairs are taken over by
      public authorities.
Investors holding 51% of the units may remove the Trustee. The Evaluator may
resign or be removed by the Sponsors and the Trustee without the consent of
investors. The resignation or removal of either becomes effective when a
successor accepts appointment. The Sponsors will try to appoint a successor
promptly; however, if no successor has accepted within 30 days after notice of
resignation, the resigning Trustee or Evaluator may petition a court to appoint
a successor.
 
Any Sponsor may resign as long as one Sponsor with a net worth of $2 million
remains and agrees to the resignation. The remaining Sponsors and the Trustee
may appoint a replacement. If there is only one Sponsor and it fails to perform
its duties or becomes bankrupt the Trustee may:
   o remove it and appoint a replacement Sponsor;
   o liquidate the Fund; or
   o continue to act as Trustee without a Sponsor.
 
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated acts as agent for the
Sponsors.
 
The Trust Indenture contains customary provisions limiting the liability of the
Trustee, the Sponsors and the Evaluator.
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, as
counsel for the Sponsors, has given an opinion that the units are validly
issued. Special counsel located in the relevant states have given state and
local tax opinions.
 
AUDITORS
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 2 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281,
independent accountants, audited the Statements of Condition included in this
prospectus.
 
SPONSORS
 
The Sponsors are:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED (a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.)
P.O. Box 9051,
Princeton, NJ 08543-9051
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC. (an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup
Inc.)
388 Greenwich Street--23rd Floor,
New York, NY 10013
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC. (a principal operating subsidiary of Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co.)
Two World Trade Center--59th Floor,
New York, NY 10048
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Prudential Insurance Company of America)
One New York Plaza
New York, NY 10292
PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED (a wholly-owned subsidiary of PaineWebber Group Inc.)
1285 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10019
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
Each Sponsor is a Delaware corporation and it, or its predecessor, has acted as
sponsor to many unit investment trusts. As a registered broker-dealer each
Sponsor buys and sells securities (including investment company shares) for
others (including investment companies) and participates as an underwriter in
various selling groups.
 
TRUSTEE
 
The Chase Manhattan Bank, Unit Investment Trust Department, 4 New York
Plaza--6th Floor, New York, New York 10004, is the Trustee. It is supervised by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System and New York State banking authorities.
 
UNDERWRITERS' AND SPONSORS' PROFITS
 
Underwriters receive sales charges when they sell units. The Sponsors also
realized a profit or loss on the initial date of deposit of the bonds. Any cash
made available by you to the Sponsors before the settlement date for those units
may be used in the Sponsors' businesses to the extent permitted by federal law
and may benefit the Sponsors.
 
A Sponsor or Underwriter may realize profits or sustain losses on bonds in the
Fund which were acquired from underwriting syndicates of which it was a member.
 
In maintaining a secondary market, the Sponsors will also realize profits or
sustain losses in the amount of any difference between the prices at which they
buy units and the prices at which they resell or redeem them.
 
PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
 
The Sponsors do not intend to qualify units for sale in any foreign countries.
This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell units in any country where
units cannot lawfully be sold.
 
CODE OF ETHICS
 
Merrill Lynch, as agent for the Sponsors, has adopted a code of ethics requiring
preclearance and reporting of personal securities transactions by its employees
with access to information on portfolio transactions. The goal of the code is to
prevent fraud, deception or misconduct against the Fund and to provide
reasonable standards of conduct.
 
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
 
Many computer systems were designed in such a way that they may be unable to
distinguish between the year 2000 and the year 1900 (commonly known as the 'Year
2000 Problem'). We do not expect that the computer system changes necessary to
prepare for the Year 2000 will cause any major operational difficulties for the
Fund.
 
TAXES
 
The following summary describes some of the important income tax consequences of
holding units. It assumes that you are not a dealer, financial institution,
insurance company or other investor with special circumstances. You should
consult your own tax adviser about your particular circumstances.
 
At the date of issue of each bond, counsel for the issuer delivered an opinion
to the effect that interest on the bond is exempt from regular federal income
tax. However, interest may be subject to state and local taxes and federal
alternative minimum tax. Neither we nor our counsel have reviewed the issuance
of the bonds, related proceedings or the basis for the opinions of counsel for
the issuers. We cannot assure you that the issuer (or other users) have complied
or will comply with any requirements necessary for a bond to be tax-exempt. If
any of the bonds were determined
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
not to be tax-exempt, you could be required to pay income tax for current and
prior years, and if the Fund were to sell the bond, it might have to sell it at
a substantial discount.
 
In the opinion of our counsel, under existing law:
 
GENERAL TREATMENT OF THE FUND AND YOUR INVESTMENT
 
The Fund will not be taxed as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, and
you will be considered to own directly your share of each bond in the Fund.
 
INCOME OR LOSS UPON DISPOSITION
 
When all or part of your share of a bond is disposed of (for example, when the
Fund sells, exchanges or redeems a bond or when you sell or exchange your
units), you will generally recognize capital gain or loss. Your gain, however,
will generally be ordinary income to the extent of any accrued 'market
discount'. Generally you will have market discount to the extent that your basis
in a bond when you purchase a unit is less than its stated redemption price at
maturity (or, if it is an original issue discount bond, the issue price
increased by original issue discount that has accrued on the bond before your
purchase). You should consult your tax adviser in this regard.
 
If your net long-term capital gains exceed your net short-term capital losses,
the excess may be subject to tax at a lower rate than ordinary income. Any
capital gain from the Fund will be long-term if you are considered to have held
your investment on each bond for more than one year and short-term if you held
it for one year or less. If you are an individual and sell your units after
holding them for more than one year, you may be entitled to a 20% maximum
federal tax rate on any resulting gains. Consult your tax adviser in this
regard. Because the deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations,
you may not be able to deduct all of your capital losses.
 
YOUR BASIS IN THE BONDS
 
Your aggregate basis in the bonds will be equal to the cost of your units,
including any sales charges and the organizational expenses you pay, adjusted to
reflect any accruals of 'original issue discount,' 'acquisition premium' and
'bond premium'. You should consult your tax adviser in this regard.
 
EXPENSES
 
If you are not a corporate investor, you will not be entitled to a deduction for
your share of fees and expenses of the Fund. Also, if you borrowed money in
order to purchase or carry your units, you will not be able to deduct the
interest on this borrowing for federal income tax purposes. The IRS may treat
your purchase of units as made with borrowed money even if the money is not
directly traceable to the purchase of units.
 
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
 
Under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, the Fund will not
be taxed as a corporation. If you are a New York taxpayer, your income from the
Fund will not be tax-exempt in New York except to the extent that the income is
earned on bonds that are tax-exempt for New York purposes. Depending on where
you live, your income from the Fund may be subject to state and local taxation.
You should consult your tax adviser in this regard.
 
CALIFORNIA TAXES
 
In the opinion of O'Melveny & Myers LLP, Los Angeles, California, special
counsel on California tax matters:
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
Under the income tax laws of the State of California, the Trust will not be
taxed as a corporation and you will be considered to own directly your share of
each bond of the Trust. If you are a California taxpayer, your share of the
income from the bonds of the Trust will not be tax-exempt in California except
for California personal income tax purposes and only to the extent that the
income is earned on bonds that are exempt for such purposes. If you are a
California taxpayer and all or part of your share of a bond is disposed of (for
example, when a bond is sold, exchanged or redeemed at maturity or you sell or
exchange your units), you will recognize gain or loss for California tax
purposes. Depending on where you live, your income from the Trust may be subject
to state and local taxation. You should consult your tax advisor in this regard.
 
NEW JERSEY TAXES
 
In the opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
special counsel on New Jersey tax matters:
 
The Fund will not be taxed as a corporation under the current income tax laws of
the State of New Jersey. Your income from the Fund may be subject to taxation
depending on where you live. If you are a New Jersey taxpayer your income from
the Fund (including gains on sales of bonds by the Fund) and gains on sales of
units by you will be tax-exempt to the extent that income and gains are earned
on bonds that are tax-exempt for New Jersey purposes. You should consult your
tax adviser as to the consequences to you with respect to any investment you
make in the Fund.
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
 
You can receive at no cost supplemental information about the Fund by calling
the Trustee. The supplemental information includes more detailed risk disclosure
about the types of bonds that may be in the Fund's portfolios, general risk
disclosure concerning any insurance securing certain bonds, and general
information about the structure and operation of the Fund. The supplemental
information is also available from the SEC.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA (INTERMEDIATE MATURITIES),
CALIFORNIA, NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK TRUSTS)

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

The Sponsors, Trustee and Holders
of Municipal Investment Trust Fund,
Multistate Series - 74 (California (Intermediate Maturities),
California, New Jersey and New York Trusts):

We have audited the accompanying statements of condition of
Municipal Investment Trust Fund, Multistate Series - 74
(California (Intermediate Maturities), California, New Jersey
and New York Trusts), including the portfolios, as of
September 30, 1998 and the related statements of operations
and of changes in net assets for the years ended September 30,
1998, 1997 and 1996. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Trustee.  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. Securities owned at September
30, 1998, as shown in such portfolios, were confirmed to us
by The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by the Trustee, 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 financial statements referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of Municipal Investment Trust Fund,
Multistate Series - 74 (California (Intermediate Maturities),
California, New Jersey and New York Trust) at September 30,
1998 and the results of their operations and changes in their
net assets for the above-stated years in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.




DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, N.Y.
November 3, 1998






                                D -  1.
<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA (INTERMEDIATE MATURITIES) TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS


STATEMENT OF CONDITION
As of September 30, 1998

<TABLE>
     <S>                                               <C>             <C>
     TRUST PROPERTY:
       Investment in marketable securities -
          at value (cost $ 2,648,777 )(Note 1).........                $ 2,998,432
       Accrued interest ...............................                     39,343
       Cash - income ..................................                     12,182
       Cash - principal ...............................                      7,842
                                                                       -----------
         Total trust property .........................                  3,057,799


     LESS LIABILITIES:
       Income advance from Trustee.....................$    15,766
       Accrued Sponsors' fees .........................        999          16,765
                                                       -----------     -----------


     NET ASSETS, REPRESENTED BY:
       2,794 units of fractional undivided
          interest outstanding (Note 3)................  3,006,274

       Undistributed net investment income ............     34,760     $ 3,041,034
                                                       -----------     ===========

     UNIT VALUE ($ 3,041,034 / 2,794 units )...........                $  1,088.42
                                                                       ===========



</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.



















                                D - 2.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA (INTERMEDIATE MATURITIES) TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS


STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE><CAPTION>



                                                           Years Ended September 30,
                                                    1998              1997              1996
                                                    ----              ----              ----

     <S>                                        <C>               <C>               <C>
     INVESTMENT INCOME:
       Interest income ........................ $   159,428       $   173,354       $   179,028
       Trustee's fees and expenses ............      (5,498)           (5,355)           (4,744)
       Sponsors' fees .........................      (1,352)           (1,431)           (1,460)
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Net investment income ..................     152,578           166,568           172,824
                                                ------------------------------------------------


     REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN
       ON INVESTMENTS:
       Realized gain on
         securities sold or redeemed ..........      16,896             3,940             1,177
       Unrealized appreciation
         of investments .......................      42,699            98,763            19,745
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Net realized and unrealized
          gain on investments .................      59,595           102,703            20,922
                                                ------------------------------------------------


     NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
       RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS .............. $   212,173       $   269,271       $   193,746
                                                ================================================



</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.




                                D - 3.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA (INTERMEDIATE MATURITIES) TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE><CAPTION>



                                                          Years Ended September 30,
                                                   1998              1997              1996
                                                   ----              ----              ----

     <S>                                       <C>               <C>               <C>
     OPERATIONS:
       Net investment income ..................$   152,578       $   166,568       $   172,824
       Realized gain on
         securities sold or redeemed ..........     16,896             3,940             1,177
       Unrealized appreciation
         of investments .......................     42,699            98,763            19,745
                                               ------------------------------------------------
       Net increase in net assets
         resulting from operations ............    212,173           269,271           193,746
                                               ------------------------------------------------
     DISTRIBUTIONS TO HOLDERS (Note 2):
       Income  ................................   (153,011)         (166,669)         (172,257)
       Principal ..............................     (7,579)           (4,058)
                                               ------------------------------------------------
       Total distributions ....................   (160,590)         (170,727)         (172,257)
                                               ------------------------------------------------
     SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
       Redemption amounts - income ............     (2,776)           (1,929)             (764)
       Redemption amounts - principal .........   (231,894)         (163,797)          (80,318)
                                               ------------------------------------------------
       Total share transactions ...............   (234,670)         (165,726)          (81,082)
                                               ------------------------------------------------

     NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS ...............   (183,087)          (67,182)          (59,593)

     NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR ..........  3,224,121         3,291,303         3,350,896
                                               ------------------------------------------------
     NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR ................$ 3,041,034       $ 3,224,121       $ 3,291,303
                                               ================================================
     PER UNIT:
       Income distributions during
         year .................................$     52.39       $     53.01       $     53.22
                                               ================================================
       Principal distributions during
         year .................................$      2.54       $      1.28
                                               =====================================
       Net asset value at end of
         year .................................$  1,088.42       $  1,069.71       $  1,038.27
                                               ================================================
     TRUST UNITS:
       Redeemed during year ...................        220               156                80
       Outstanding at end of year .............      2,794             3,014             3,170
                                               ================================================

</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                D - 4.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA (INTERMEDIATE MATURITES) TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a Unit
     Investment Trust. The following is a summary of significant accounting
     policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its
     financial statements. The policies are in conformity with generally 
     accepted accounting principles.

      (A)      Securities are stated at value as determined by the
               Evaluator based on bid side evaluations for the securities
               see "How to Sell Units - Trustee's Redemption of Units"
               in this Prospectus, Part B.

      (B)      The Fund is not subject to income taxes. Accordingly, no
               provision for such taxes is required.

      (C)      Interest income is recorded as earned.

2.   DISTRIBUTIONS

     A distribution of net investment income is made to Holders each month.
     Receipts other than interest, after deductions for redemptions and
     applicable expenses, are distributed as explained in "Income, Distibutions
     and Reinvestment - Distributions" in this Prospectus, Part B.

3.   NET CAPITAL

     Cost of 2,794 units at Date of Deposit ....................$ 2,796,050
     Less sales charge .........................................    111,872
                                                                -----------
     Net amount applicable to Holders ..........................  2,684,178
     Redemptions of units - net cost of 456 units redeemed
       less redemption amounts (principal)......................    (37,934)
     Realized gain on securities sold or redeemed ..............     22,012
     Principal distributions ...................................    (11,637)
     Unrealized appreciation of investments.....................    349,655
                                                                -----------

     Net capital applicable to Holders .........................$ 3,006,274
                                                                ===========

4.   INCOME TAXES

     As of September 30, 1998, unrealized appreciation of investments, based on
     cost for Federal income tax purposes, aggregated $349,655, all of which
     related to appreciated securities. The cost of investment securities for
     Federal income tax purposes was $2,648,777 at September 30, 1998.

                                D - 5.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA (INTERMEDIATE MATURITES) TRUST) (INSURED),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS

PORTFOLIO
As of September 30, 1998

<TABLE><CAPTION>


                                             Rating of                                            Optional
     Portfolio No. and Title of                Issues       Face                                 Redemption
            Securities                        (1) (4)       Amount    Coupon      Maturities(3) Provisions(3)    Cost      Value(2)
            ----------                       ---------  ----------- -----------   ------------  ------------  ----------  ---------


<S>                                          <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
   1 State of California, Var. Purpose G.O.     AAA     $   525,000     6.800 %      2002      None         $   570,118 $   586,819
     Bonds (MBIA Ins.)

   2 California Hsg. Fin. Agy., Hsg. Rev.       AAA         305,000     5.950        2005      02/01/05         305,000     327,601
     Bonds, 1994 Ser. E (MBIA Ins.)                                                            @  102.000

   3 Insured Hosp. Rev. Cert. of Part., CA,     AAA         185,000     6.350        2004(5)   07/01/02         192,437     206,281
     (Desert Hosp. Corp. Proj.), Ser. 1992                                                     @  102.000
     (FSAM Ins.)

   4 Los Angeles Cnty. Metro. Trans. Auth.,     AAA         460,000     4.800        2005      07/01/03         411,856     487,991
     CA, Prop. C Sales Tax Rev. Bonds,                                                         @  102.000
     Second Sr. Bonds, Ser. 1993-B (AMBAC
     Ins.)

   5 California Hlth. Facilities Fin. Auth.     AAA         300,000     5.000        2006      07/01/04         270,363     320,637
     Ins. Hlth. Fac. Rfdg. Rev. Bonds                                                          @  102.000
     Catholic Health Care West), 1994 Ser. B
     (AMBAC Ins.)

   6 Orange Cnty. Local Trans. Auth., CA,       AAA         500,000     4.700        2005      02/15/04         445,225     525,825
     Measure M Sales Tax Rev. Bonds (Ltd.                                                      @  102.000
     Tax Bonds), Second Sen. Bonds, Ser.
     1994 (Financial Guaranty Ins.)

   7 Certificates of Part. Rfdg. Ser. 1994,     AAA         510,000     5.000        2007      02/15/04         453,778     543,278
     CA, City of Walnut Creek (John Muir                                                       @  102.000
     Med. Ctr.) (MBIA Ins.)

                                                        -----------                                           ---------   ---------
     TOTAL                                              $ 2,785,000                                         $ 2,648,777 $ 2,998,432
                                                        ===========                                           =========   =========


                  See Notes to Portfolio.

</TABLE>







                                D - 6.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS



STATEMENT OF CONDITION
As of September 30, 1998

<TABLE>
     <S>                                                <C>             <C>
     TRUST PROPERTY:
       Investment in marketable securities -
          at value (cost $ 2,381,969 )(Note 1).........                 $ 2,811,500
       Accrued interest ...............................                      59,533
       Proceeds receivable from sale of securities ....                     137,556
       Cash - income ..................................                      13,152
       Cash - principal ...............................                          19
                                                                        -----------
         Total trust property .........................                   3,021,760


     LESS LIABILITIES:
       Income advance from Trustee..................... $    36,809
       Accrued Sponsors' fees .........................         962
       Redemptions payable ............................     131,962         169,733
                                                        -----------     -----------


     NET ASSETS, REPRESENTED BY:
       2,565 units of fractional undivided
          interest outstanding (Note 3)................   2,818,677

       Undistributed net investment income ............      33,350     $ 2,852,027
                                                        -----------     ===========

     UNIT VALUE ($ 2,852,027 / 2,565 units )...........                 $  1,111.90
                                                                        ===========



</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.




                                D -  7.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS


STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                            Years Ended September 30,
                                                     1998              1997              1996
                                                     ----              ----              ----

     <S>                                         <C>               <C>               <C>
     INVESTMENT INCOME:
       Interest income ........................  $   173,820       $   186,669       $   200,271
       Trustee's fees and expenses ............       (4,906)           (5,258)           (5,553)
       Sponsors' fees .........................       (1,301)           (1,399)           (1,494)
                                                 ------------------------------------------------
       Net investment income ..................      167,613           180,012           193,224
                                                 ------------------------------------------------


     REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN
       ON INVESTMENTS:
       Realized gain on
         securities sold or redeemed ..........       59,755            25,908            32,873
       Unrealized appreciation
         of investments .......................       79,497            74,858            58,651
                                                 ------------------------------------------------
       Net realized and unrealized
          gain on investments .................      139,252           100,766            91,524
                                                 ------------------------------------------------


     NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
       RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS ..............  $   306,865       $   280,778       $   284,748
                                                 ================================================



</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.




                                D -  8.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                           Years Ended September 30,
                                                    1998              1997              1996
                                                    ----              ----              ----

     <S>                                        <C>               <C>               <C>
     OPERATIONS:
       Net investment income .................. $   167,613       $   180,012       $   193,224
       Realized gain on
         securities sold or redeemed ..........      59,755            25,908            32,873
       Unrealized appreciation
         of investments .......................      79,497            74,858            58,651
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Net increase in net assets
         resulting from operations ............     306,865           280,778           284,748
                                                ------------------------------------------------
     DISTRIBUTIONS TO HOLDERS (Note 2):
       Income  ................................    (167,917)         (180,255)         (193,173)
       Principal ..............................     (26,427)          (15,489)           (2,879)
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Total distributions ....................    (194,344)         (195,744)         (196,052)
                                                ------------------------------------------------
     SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
       Redemption amounts - income ............      (4,070)           (3,161)           (4,539)
       Redemption amounts - principal .........    (365,130)         (270,270)         (355,965)
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Total share transactions ...............    (369,200)         (273,431)         (360,504)
                                                ------------------------------------------------

     NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS ...............    (256,679)         (188,397)         (271,808)

     NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR ..........   3,108,706         3,297,103         3,568,911
                                                ------------------------------------------------
     NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR ................ $ 2,852,027       $ 3,108,706       $ 3,297,103
                                                ================================================
     PER UNIT:
       Income distributions during
         year ................................. $     58.88       $     59.20       $     59.47
                                                ================================================
       Principal distributions during
         year ................................. $      9.57       $      4.96       $      0.87
                                                ================================================
       Net asset value at end of
         year ................................. $  1,111.90       $  1,071.97       $  1,044.05
                                                ================================================
     TRUST UNITS:
       Redeemed during year ...................         335               258               342
       Outstanding at end of year .............       2,565             2,900             3,158
                                                ================================================

</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                D -  9.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a Unit
     Investment Trust. The following is a summary of significant accounting
     policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its
     financial statements. The policies are in conformity with generally 
     accepted accounting principles.

      (A)      Securities are stated at value as determined by the
               Evaluator based on bid side evaluations for the securities
               see "How to Sell Units - Trustee's Redemption of Units"
               in this Prospectus, Part B.

      (B)      The Fund is not subject to income taxes. Accordingly, no
               provision for such taxes is required.

      (C)      Interest income is recorded as earned.

2.   DISTRIBUTIONS

     A distribution of net investment income is made to Holders each month.
     Receipts other than interest, after deductions for redemptions and 
     applicable expenses, are distributed as explained in "Income, 
     Distributions and Reinvestment - Distributions" in this Prospectus, Part B.

3.   NET CAPITAL

       Cost of 2,565 units at Date of Deposit .................... $ 2,537,584
       Less sales charge .........................................     114,194
                                                                   -----------
       Net amount applicable to Holders ..........................   2,423,390
       Redemptions of units - net cost of 935 units redeemed
         less redemption amounts (principal)......................    (107,985)
       Realized gain on securities sold or redeemed ..............     118,536
       Principal distributions ...................................     (44,795)
       Unrealized appreciation of investments.....................     429,531
                                                                   -----------

       Net capital applicable to Holders ......................... $ 2,818,677
                                                                   ===========

4.   INCOME TAXES

     As of September 30, 1998, unrealized appreciation of investments, based on
     cost for Federal income tax purposes, aggregated $429,531, all of which
     related to appreciated securities. The cost of investment securities for
     Federal income tax purposes was $2,381,969 at September 30, 1998.


                                D - 10.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA TRUST) (INSURED),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS

PORTFOLIO
As of September 30, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               Rating                                             Optional
     Portfolio No. and Title of                  of         Face                                 Redemption
            Securities                    Issues(1) (4)     Amount    Coupon      Maturities(3) Provisions(3)    Cost      Value(2)
            ----------                    -------------  ----------- -----------   ------------  ------------  ----------  ---------


<S>                                          <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
   1 California Statewide Comm. Dev. Auth.,     AAA     $   245,000     6.000 %      2021(5)   10/01/02     $   226,588 $   271,617
     Certs. of Participation, Good Samaritan                                                   @  102.000
     Hlth. Sys. (CAPMAC Inc.)
                                                             30,000     6.000        2021      10/01/02          27,746      32,746
                                                                                               @  102.000

   2 Los Angeles Cnty. CA, Trans. Comm.         AAA         245,000     6.000        2023(5)   07/01/02         224,692     270,377
     Proposition C Sales Tax Rev. Bonds,                                                       @  102.000
     Second Sr. Bonds, 1992 - A (MBIA Ins.)

   3 The Regents of the Univ. of California,    AAA         265,000     6.375        2024(5)   09/01/02         257,236     296,951
     Rev. Bonds (Multiple Purpose Projs.)                                                      @  102.000
     Proj.), Ser. D (MBIA Ins.)

   4 Pioneers Mem. Hosp. Dist. (Imperial        AAA         500,000     6.400        2017      10/01/04         491,130     567,050
     Cnty., CA), 1994 G.O. Bonds (AMBAC                                                        @  102.000
     Ins.)

   5 Certs. of Part. (1994 Natividad Med.       AAA         375,000     6.600        2023(5)   08/01/05         375,000     445,219
     Center Imp. Proj., Ser. C), Monterey                                                      @  102.000
     Cnty., CA (MBIA Ins.)

   6 Cnty. of Sacramento, CA, 1994 Public       AAA         500,000     6.400        2019      10/01/04         490,815     568,485
     Facilities Proj. Certificates of Part.                                                    @  102.000
     (AMBAC Ins.)

   7 City of Stockton, CA, Ins. Hlth. Facs.     AAA         345,000     5.500        2023      12/01/03         288,761     359,055
     Rev. Bonds (St. Joseph's Med. Center of                                                   @  102.000
     Stockton), Ser. 1993 A (MBIA Ins.)

                                                        -----------                                           ---------   ---------
     TOTAL                                              $ 2,505,000                                         $ 2,381,969 $ 2,811,500
                                                        ===========                                           =========   =========


                  See Notes to portfolios on page

</TABLE>



                                D -  11.
<PAGE>




<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (NEW JERSEY TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS

STATEMENT OF CONDITION
As of September 30, 1998

<TABLE>
     <S>                                                <C>             <C>
     TRUST PROPERTY:
       Investment in marketable securities -
          at value (cost $ 2,584,541 )(Note 1).........                 $ 3,061,244
       Accrued interest ...............................                      52,552
       Cash - income ..................................                      13,498
       Cash - principal ...............................                       2,567
                                                                        -----------
         Total trust property .........................                   3,129,861


     LESS LIABILITIES:
       Income advance from Trustee..................... $    29,242
       Accrued Sponsors' fees .........................         960          30,202
                                                        -----------     -----------


     NET ASSETS, REPRESENTED BY:
       2,812 units of fractional undivided
          interest outstanding (Note 3)................   3,063,811

       Undistributed net investment income ............      35,848     $ 3,099,659
                                                        -----------     ===========

     UNIT VALUE ($ 3,099,659 / 2,812 units )...........                 $  1,102.30
                                                                        ===========



</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.




                                D -  12.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (NEW JERSEY TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS


STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                           Years Ended September 30,
                                                    1998              1997              1996
                                                    ----              ----              ----

     <S>                                        <C>               <C>               <C>
     INVESTMENT INCOME:
       Interest income ........................ $   169,995       $   181,473       $   190,747
       Trustee's fees and expenses ............      (4,936)           (5,290)           (5,525)
       Sponsors' fees .........................      (1,300)           (1,386)           (1,445)
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Net investment income ..................     163,759           174,797           183,777
                                                ------------------------------------------------


     REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN
       ON INVESTMENTS:
       Realized gain on
         securities sold or redeemed ..........      17,545            11,427            10,745
       Unrealized appreciation
         of investments .......................      95,179           104,049            30,033
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Net realized and unrealized
          gain on investments .................     112,724           115,476            40,778
                                                ------------------------------------------------


     NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
       RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS .............. $   276,483       $   290,273       $   224,555
                                                ================================================



</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.




                                D -  13.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (NEW JERSEY TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                           Years Ended September 30,
                                                    1998              1997              1996
                                                    ----              ----              ----

     <S>                                        <C>               <C>               <C>
     OPERATIONS:
       Net investment income .................. $   163,759       $   174,797       $   183,777
       Realized gain on
         securities sold or redeemed ..........      17,545            11,427            10,745
       Unrealized appreciation
         of investments .......................      95,179           104,049            30,033
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Net increase in net assets
         resulting from operations ............     276,483           290,273           224,555
                                                ------------------------------------------------
     DISTRIBUTIONS TO HOLDERS (Note 2):
       Income  ................................    (163,759)         (174,920)         (183,948)
       Principal ..............................     (12,232)           (8,956)           (4,064)
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Total distributions ....................    (175,991)         (183,876)         (188,012)
                                                ------------------------------------------------
     SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
       Redemption amounts - income ............      (1,758)           (1,396)           (1,845)
       Redemption amounts - principal .........    (151,240)         (116,867)         (159,038)
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Total share transactions ...............    (152,998)         (118,263)         (160,883)
                                                ------------------------------------------------

     NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS ...............     (52,506)          (11,866)         (124,340)

     NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR ..........   3,152,165         3,164,031         3,288,371
                                                ------------------------------------------------
     NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR ................ $ 3,099,659       $ 3,152,165       $ 3,164,031
                                                ================================================
     PER UNIT:
       Income distributions during
         year ................................. $     57.59       $     57.90       $     58.08
                                                ================================================
       Principal distributions during
         year ................................. $      4.25       $      2.92       $      1.26
                                                ================================================
       Net asset value at end of
         year ................................. $  1,102.30       $  1,067.54       $  1,031.64
                                                ================================================
     TRUST UNITS:
       Redeemed during year ...................         141               114               158
       Outstanding at end of year .............       2,812             2,953             3,067
                                                ================================================

</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                D - 14.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (NEW JERSEY TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a Unit
     Investment Trust. The following is a summary of significant accounting
     policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its
     financial statements. The policies are in conformity with generally 
     accepted accounting principles.

      (A)      Securities are stated at value as determined by the
               Evaluator based on bid side evaluations for the securities
               see "How to Sell Units - Trustee Redemption of Units"
               in this Prospectus, Part B.

      (B)      The Fund is not subject to income taxes. Accordingly, no
               provision for such taxes is required.

      (C)      Interest income is recorded as earned.

2.   DISTRIBUTIONS

     A distribution of net investment income is made to Holders each month.
     Receipts other than interest, after deductions for redemptions and
     applicable expenses, are distributed as explained in "Income, Distributions
     and Reinvestment - Distributions" in this Prospectus, Part B.

3.   NET CAPITAL
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                                                                <C>

          Cost of 2,812 units at Date of Deposit .....................                                  $ 2,739,349
          Less sales charge ..........................................                                      123,278
                                                                                                        -----------
          Net amount applicable to Holders ...........................                                    2,616,071
          Redemptions of units - net cost of 438 units redeemed
            less redemption amounts (principal).......................                                      (45,121)
          Realized gain on securities sold or redeemed ...............                                       41,410
          Principal distributions ....................................                                      (25,252)
          Unrealized appreciation of investments......................                                      476,703
                                                                                                        -----------

          Net capital applicable to Holders ..........................                                  $ 3,063,811
                                                                                                        ===========

</TABLE>

4.   INCOME TAXES

     As of September 30, 1998, unrealized appreciation of investments, based on
     cost for Federal income tax purposes, aggregated $476,703, all of which
     related to appreciated securities. The cost of investment securities for
     Federal income tax purposes was $2,584,541 at September 30, 1998.


                                D - 15.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (NEW JERSEY TRUST) (INSURED),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS

PORTFOLIO
As of September 30, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             Rating of                                            Optional
     Portfolio No. and Title of                Issues       Face                                 Redemption
            Securities                        (1) (4)       Amount    Coupon      Maturities(3) Provisions(3)    Cost      Value(2)
            ----------                       ---------  ----------- -----------   ------------  ------------  ----------  ---------


<S>                                          <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
   1 New Jersey Econ. Dev. Auth., Gas           AAA     $   450,000     6.350 %      2022      10/01/04     $   438,503 $   507,623
     Facilities Rfdg. Rev. Bonds Corp.                                                         @  102.000
     Proj.), 1994 Ser. A (AMBAC Ins.)

   2 New Jersey Educl. Fac. Auth. Rev.          AAA         295,000     6.000        2024      07/01/04         273,851     324,916
     Bonds, New Jersey Institute of                                                            @  102.000
     Technology Issue, Ser. 1994 A (MBIA
     Ins.)

   3 New Jersey Hlth. Care Facilities           AAA         455,000     6.250        2024      07/01/04         434,329     507,871
     Financing Auth., Rev. Bonds Monmouth                                                      @  102.000
     Med. Center Iss., Ser. C (FSAM Ins.)

   4 Lacey Mun. Utils. Auth. (Ocean Cnty.,      AAA         445,000     6.250        2024(5)   12/01/04         427,512     509,102
     NJ), Water Rev. Bonds (Ser. 1994) (MBIA                                                   @  102.000
     Ins.)

   5 The Poll. Ctl. Fin. Auth. of Salem         AAA         210,000     6.250        2031      06/01/04         197,142     234,709
     Cnty., NJ, Poll. Ctl. Rev. Rfdg. Bonds,                                                   @  102.000
     Ser. 1994 B (MBIA Ins.)

   6 New Jersey Hlth. Care Fac. Fin. Auth.,     AAA         500,000     5.200        2024      07/01/04         403,840     508,250
     Rev. Bonds, Somerset Med. Ctr. Issue,                                                     @  102.000
     Ser. A (Financial Guaranty Ins.)

   7 New Jersey Educl. Facilities Auth.,        AAA         430,000     6.125        2022      07/01/02         409,364     468,773
     Rev. Bonds, Jersey City State College                                                     @  102.000
     Iss., Ser. 1992 D (MBIA Ins.)

                                                        -----------                                           ---------   ---------
     TOTAL                                              $ 2,785,000                                         $ 2,584,541 $ 3,061,244
                                                        ===========                                           =========   =========


                  See Notes to portfolios on page

</TABLE>






                                D - 16.
<PAGE>

INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (NEW YORK TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS


STATEMENT OF CONDITION
As of September 30, 1998

<TABLE>
     <S>                                                <C>             <C>
     TRUST PROPERTY:
       Investment in marketable securities -
          at value (cost $ 2,555,440 )(Note 1).........                 $ 3,025,478
       Accrued interest ...............................                      54,409
       Cash - income ..................................                      13,547
       Cash - principal ...............................                      11,691
                                                                        -----------
         Total trust property .........................                   3,105,125


     LESS LIABILITIES:
       Income advance from Trustee..................... $    28,740
       Accrued Sponsors' fees .........................         990          29,730
                                                        -----------     -----------


     NET ASSETS, REPRESENTED BY:
       2,799 units of fractional undivided
          interest outstanding (Note 3)................   3,037,169

       Undistributed net investment income ............      38,226     $ 3,075,395
                                                        -----------     ===========

     UNIT VALUE ($ 3,075,395 / 2,799 units )...........                 $  1,098.75
                                                                        ===========



</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.




                                D - 17.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (NEW YORK TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS


STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                           Years Ended September 30,
                                                    1998              1997              1996
                                                    ----              ----              ----

     <S>                                        <C>               <C>               <C>
     INVESTMENT INCOME:
       Interest income ........................ $   173,893       $   188,081       $   197,375
       Trustee's fees and expenses ............      (5,069)           (5,509)           (5,659)
       Sponsors' fees .........................      (1,349)           (1,448)           (1,462)
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Net investment income ..................     167,475           181,124           190,254
                                                ------------------------------------------------


     REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN
       ON INVESTMENTS:
       Realized gain on
         securities sold or redeemed ..........      25,888            28,616
       Unrealized appreciation
         of investments .......................      58,161            90,757            71,665
                                                ------------------------------------------------
       Net realized and unrealized
          gain on investments .................      84,049           119,373            71,665
                                                ------------------------------------------------


     NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
       RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS .............. $   251,524       $   300,497       $   261,919
                                                ================================================



</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.




                                D - 18.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (NEW YORK TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                            Years Ended September 30,
                                                     1998              1997              1996
                                                     ----              ----              ----

     <S>                                         <C>               <C>               <C>
     OPERATIONS:
       Net investment income ..................  $   167,475       $   181,124       $   190,254
       Realized gain on
         securities sold or redeemed ..........       25,888            28,616
       Unrealized appreciation
         of investments .......................       58,161            90,757            71,665
                                                 ------------------------------------------------
       Net increase in net assets
         resulting from operations ............      251,524           300,497           261,919
                                                 ------------------------------------------------
     DISTRIBUTIONS TO HOLDERS (Note 2):
       Income  ................................     (167,426)         (181,552)         (190,288)
       Principal ..............................       (8,035)
                                                 ------------------------------------------------
       Total distributions ....................     (175,461)         (181,552)         (190,288)
                                                 ------------------------------------------------
     SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
       Redemption amounts - income ............       (2,313)           (3,477)
       Redemption amounts - principal .........     (178,217)         (294,164)
                                                 ------------------------------------------------
       Total share transactions ...............     (180,530)         (297,641)
                                                 ------------------------------------------------

     NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS ....     (104,467)         (178,696)           71,631

     NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR ..........    3,179,862         3,358,558         3,286,927
                                                 ------------------------------------------------
     NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR ................  $ 3,075,395       $ 3,179,862       $ 3,358,558
                                                 ================================================
     PER UNIT:
       Income distributions during
         year .................................  $     58.12       $     58.37       $     58.55
                                                 ================================================
       Principal distributions during
         year .................................  $      2.71
                                                 ===================
       Net asset value at end of
         year .................................  $  1,098.75       $  1,072.47       $  1,033.40
                                                 ================================================
     TRUST UNITS:
       Redeemed during year ...................          166               285
       Outstanding at end of year .............        2,799             2,965             3,250
                                                 ================================================

</TABLE>




                  See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                D - 19.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (NEW YORK TRUST),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a Unit
     Investment Trust. The following is a summary of significant accounting
     policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its
     financial statements. The policies are in conformity with generally 
     accepted accounting principles.


      (A)      Securities are stated at value as determined by the
               Evaluator based on bid side evaluations for the securities
               see "How to Sell Units - Trustees Redemption of units"
               in this Prospectus, Part B.

      (B)      The Fund is not subject to income taxes. Accordingly, no
               provision for such taxes is required.

      (C)      Interest income is recorded as earned.

2.   DISTRIBUTIONS

     A distribution of net investment income is made to Holders each month.
     Receipts other than interest, after deductions for redemptions and
     applicable expenses, are distributed as explained in "Income, Distributions
     and Reinvestment - Distributions" in this Prospectus, Part B.

3.   NET CAPITAL
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                               <C>

          Cost of 2,799 units at Date of Deposit ..................... $ 2,699,150
          Less sales charge ..........................................     121,449
                                                                       -----------
          Net amount applicable to Holders ...........................   2,577,701
          Redemptions of units - net cost of 451 units redeemed
            less redemption amounts (principal).......................     (57,039)
          Realized gain on securities sold or redeemed ...............      54,504
          Principal distributions ....................................      (8,035)
          Unrealized appreciation of investments......................     470,038
                                                                       -----------

          Net capital applicable to Holders .......................... $ 3,037,169
                                                                       ===========

</TABLE>

4.   INCOME TAXES

     As of September 30, 1998, unrealized appreciation of investments, based on
     cost for Federal income tax purposes, aggregated $470,038, all of which
     related to appreciated securities. The cost of investment securities for
     Federal income tax purposes was $2,555,440 at September 30, 1998.


                                D - 20.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (NEW YORK TRUST) (INSURED),
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS

PORTFOLIO
As of September 30, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             Rating of                                            Optional
     Portfolio No. and Title of                Issues       Face                                 Redemption
            Securities                        (1) (4)       Amount    Coupon      Maturities(3) Provisions(3)    Cost      Value(2)
            ----------                       ---------  ----------- -----------   ------------  ------------  ----------  ---------


<S>                                          <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
   1 New York State Energy Research and Dev.    AAA     $   460,000     6.050 %      2034      04/01/04     $   418,664 $   506,115
     Auth., Poll. Ctl. Rfdg. Rev. Bonds (New                                                   @  102.000
     York State Elec. and Gas Corp. Proj.),
     1994 Ser. A (MBIA Ins.)

   2 New York State Med. Care Fac. Fin.         AAA         440,000     5.800        2022      02/15/03         387,798     466,453
     Agy., Mental Hlth. Services Fac. Imp.                                                     @  102.000
     Rev. Bonds, Ser. A (AMBAC Ins.)

   3 New York State Thruway Auth., Gen. Rev.    AAA         250,000     5.500        2023(5)   01/01/02         212,188     263,500
     Bonds, Ser. A (Financial Guaranty Ins.)                                                   @  100.000

   4 Metro. Trans. Auth., NY, Transit Fac.      AAA         235,000     6.375        2020(5)   07/01/04         227,064     268,173
     Rev. Bonds, Ser. O (MBIA Ins.)                                                            @  101.500

   5 New York State Dorm. Auth., City Univ.     AAA         450,000     6.300        2024      07/01/04         432,468     507,123
     Sys. Consol., Third Gen. Resolution                                                       @  102.000
     Rev. Bonds, 1994 Ser. I
     (AMBAC Ins.)

   6 New York City Hsg. Dev. Corp., NY,         AAA         450,000     5.850        2025      05/01/03         397,908     468,149
     Multi-Fam. Hsg., Ser. A (AMBAC Ins.)                                                      @  102.000

   7 New York State Energy Research and Dev.    AAA         500,000     6.350        2032      05/15/02         479,350     545,965
     Auth., Poll. Ctl. Rfdg. Rev. Bonds,                                                       @  102.000
     Ser. 1992 A (Rochester Gas and Elec.
     Corp. Proj.) (MBIA Ins.)

                                                        -----------                                           ---------   ---------
     TOTAL                                              $ 2,785,000                                         $ 2,555,440 $ 3,025,478
                                                        ===========                                           =========   =========


                  See Notes to portfolios on page

</TABLE>








                                D - 21.

<PAGE>

MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 74 (CALIFORNIA (INTERMEDIATE MATURITIES),
CALIFORNIA, NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK TRUSTS)

NOTES TO PORTFOLIOS
As of September 30, 1998

(1)  The ratings of the bonds are by Standard & Poor's Rating Group or by
     Moody's Investors Service, Inc. if followed by "(m)", or by Fitch
     Investors's Service, Inc. if followed by "(f)"; "NR" indicates that this
     bond is not currently rated by any of the above-mentioned rating services.
     These ratings have been furnished by the Evaluator but not confirmed with
     the rating agencies. See "Description of Ratings" in Part B of this
     Prospectus.

(2)  See Notes to Financial Statements.

(3)  Optional redemption provisions, which may be exercised in whole or in part,
     are initially at prices of par plus a premium, then subsequently at prices
     declining to par. Certain securities may provide for redemption at par
     prior or in addition to any optional or mandatory redemption dates or
     maturity, for example, through the operation of a maintenance and
     replacement fund, if 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 securities. Many of the securities are also
     subject to mandatory sinking fund redemption commencing on dates which may
     be prior to the date on which securities may be optionally redeemed.
     Sinking fund redemptions are at par and redeem only part of the issue. Some
     of the securities have mandatory sinking funds which contain optional
     provisions permitting the issuer to increase the principal amount of
     securities called on a mandatory redemption date. The sinking fund
     redemptions with optional provisions may, and optional refunding
     redemptions generally will, occur at times when the redeemed securities
     have an offering side evaluation which represents a premium over par. To
     the extent that the securities were acquired at a price higher than the
     redemption price, this will represent a loss of capital when compared with
     the Public Offering Price of the Units when acquired. Distributions will
     generally be reduced by the amount of the income which would otherwise have
     been paid with respect to redeemed securities and there will be distributed
     to Holders any principal amount and premium received on such redemption
     after satisfying any redemption requests for Units received by the Fund.
     The estimated current return may be affected by redemptions. The tax effect
     on Holders of redemptions and related distributions is described under
     "Taxes" in this Prospectus, Part B.

(4)  All securities are insured, either on an individual basis or by portfolio
     insurance, by a municipal bond insurance company which has been assigned
     "AAA" claims paying ability by Standard & Poor's. Accordingly, Standard &
     Poor's has assigned a "AAA" rating to the securities. Securities covered by
     portfolio insurance are rated "AAA" only as long as they remain in the
     Trust. See "Risk Factors - Bonds Backed by Letters of Credit or Insurance"
     in this Prospectus, Part B.

(5)  Bonds with an aggregate face amount of $ 185,000 of the California
     (Intermediate Maturities) Trust, $ 1,130,000 of the California Trust, $
     445,000 of the New Jersey Trust and $485,000 of the New York Trust have
     been pre-refunded and are expected to be called for redemption on the
     optional redemption provision dates shown.

                                  D - 26.

<PAGE>
                             Defined
                             Asset FundsSM
 

HAVE QUESTIONS ?                         MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
Request the most                         MULTISTATE SERIES--74
recent free Information                  (A Unit Investment Trust)
Supplement that gives more               ---------------------------------------
details about the Fund,                  This Prospectus does not contain
by calling:                              complete information about the
The Chase Manhattan Bank                 investment company filed with the
1-800-323-1508                           Securities and Exchange Commission in
                                         Washington, D.C. under the:
                                         o Securities Act of 1933 (file no.
                                         33-55467) and
                                         o Investment Company Act of 1940 (file
                                         no. 811-1777).
                                         TO OBTAIN COPIES AT PRESCRIBED RATES--
                                         WRITE: Public Reference Section of the
                                         Commission
                                         450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
                                         D.C. 20549-6009
                                         CALL: 1-800-SEC-0330.
                                         VISIT: http://www.sec.gov.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         No person is authorized to give any
                                         information or representations about
                                         this Fund not contained in this
                                         Prospectus or the Information
                                         Supplement, and you should not rely on
                                         any other information.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         When units of this Fund are no longer
                                         available, this Prospectus may be used
                                         as a preliminary prospectus for a
                                         future series, but some of the
                                         information in this Prospectus will be
                                         changed for that series.
                                         Units of any future series may not be
                                         sold nor may offers to buy be accepted
                                         until that series has become effective
                                         with the Securities and Exchange
                                         Commission. No units can be sold in any
                                         State where a sale would be illegal.

 
                                                     15002--12/98
<PAGE>
                        MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
                               MULTISTATE SERIES
                              DEFINED ASSET FUNDS
                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
     This Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form S-6
comprises the following papers and documents:
 
     The facing sheet of Form S-6.
 
     The cross-reference sheet (incorporated by reference to the Cross-Reference
Sheet to the Registration Statement of Defined Asset Funds Municipal Insured
Series, 1933 Act File No. 33-54565).
 
     The Prospectus.
 
     The Signatures.
 
The following exhibits:
 
     1.1.1--Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust Effective as of
            October 21, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1.1 to the
            Registration Statement of Municipal Investment Trust Fund,
            Multistate Series--48, 1933 Act File No. 33-50247).
 
     4.1  --Consent of the Evaluator.
 
     5.1  --Consent of independent accountants.
 
     9.1  --Information Supplement (incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
            Amendment No. 4 to Exhibit 9.1 to the Registration Statement of
            Municipal Investment Trust Fund, Insured Series--207, 1933 Act File
         No. 33-54037).
 
                                      R-1
<PAGE>
                        MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
                             MULTISTATE SERIES--74
                              DEFINED ASSET FUNDS
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT,
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND, MULTISTATE SERIES--74, DEFINED ASSET FUNDS,
CERTIFIES THAT IT MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 485(B) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND STATE OF NEW YORK ON THE 4TH DAY OF
DECEMBER, 1998.
 
             SIGNATURES APPEAR ON PAGES R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6 AND R-7.
 
     A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated has signed this Registration Statement or
Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney
authorizing the person signing this Registration Statement or Amendment to the
Registration Statement to do so on behalf of such members.
 
     A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Salomon Smith Barney
Inc. has signed this Registration Statement or Amendment to the Registration
Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney authorizing the person signing this
Registration Statement or Amendment to the Registration Statement to do so on
behalf of such members.
 
     A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Prudential
Securities Incorporated has signed this Registration Statement or Amendment to
the Registration Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney authorizing the person
signing this Registration Statement or Amendment to the Registration Statement
to do so on behalf of such members.
 
     A majority of the members of the Executive Committee of the Board of
Directors of PaineWebber Incorporated has signed this Registration Statement or
Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney
authorizing the person signing this Registration Statement or Amendment to the
Registration Statement to do so on behalf of such members.
 
     A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Dean Witter Reynolds
Inc. has signed this Registration Statement or Amendment to the Registration
Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney authorizing the person signing this
Registration Statement or Amendment to the Registration Statement to do so on
behalf of such members.
 
                                      R-2
<PAGE>
               MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
                                   DEPOSITOR
 

By the following persons, who constitute  Powers of Attorney have been filed
  a majority of                             under
  the Board of Directors of Merrill         Form SE and the following 1933 Act
  Lynch, Pierce,                            File
  Fenner & Smith Incorporated:              Numbers: 33-43466 and 33-51607

 
      HERBERT M. ALLISON, JR.
      JOHN L. STEFFENS
      By ERNEST V. FABIO
       (As authorized signatory for Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
       Fenner & Smith Incorporated and
       Attorney-in-fact for the persons listed above)
 
                                      R-3
<PAGE>
                           SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
                                   DEPOSITOR
 

By the following persons, who constitute a majority of      Powers of Attorney
  the Board of Directors of Salomon Smith Barney Inc.:        have been filed
                                                              under the 1933 Act
                                                              File Numbers:
                                                              333-63417 and
                                                              333-63033

 
      MICHAEL A. CARPENTER
      DERYCK C. MAUGHAN
 
      By GINA LEMON
       (As authorized signatory for
       Salomon Smith Barney Inc. and
       Attorney-in-fact for the persons listed above)
 
                                      R-4
<PAGE>
                       PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
                                   DEPOSITOR
 

By the following persons, who constitute a majority of      Powers of Attorney
  the Board of Directors of Prudential Securities             have been filed
  Incorporated:                                               under Form SE and
                                                              the following 1933
                                                              Act File Numbers:
                                                              33-41631 and
                                                              333-15919

 
      ROBERT C. GOLDEN
      ALAN D. HOGAN
      A. LAURENCE NORTON, JR.
      LELAND B. PATON
      VINCENT T. PICA II
      MARTIN PFINSGRAFF
      HARDWICK SIMMONS
      LEE B. SPENCER, JR.
      BRIAN M. STORMS
 
      By RICHARD R. HOFFMANN
       (As authorized signatory for Prudential Securities
       Incorporated and Attorney-in-fact for the persons
       listed above)
 
                                      R-5
<PAGE>
                            PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
                                   DEPOSITOR
 

By the following persons, who constitute  Powers of Attorney have been filed
  the Board of Directors of PaineWebber     under
  Incorporated:                             the following 1933 Act File
                                            Number: 33-55073

 
      MARGO N. ALEXANDER
      TERRY L. ATKINSON
      BRIAN M. BAREFOOT
      STEVEN P. BAUM
      MICHAEL CULP
      REGINA A. DOLAN
      JOSEPH J. GRANO, JR.
      EDWARD M. KERSCHNER
      JAMES P. MacGILVRAY
      DONALD B. MARRON
      ROBERT H. SILVER
      MARK B. SUTTON
      By
       ROBERT E. HOLLEY
       (As authorized signatory for
       PaineWebber Incorporated
       and Attorney-in-fact for the persons listed above)
 
                                      R-6
<PAGE>
                           DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
                                   DEPOSITOR
 

By the following persons, who constitute  Powers of Attorney have been filed
  a majority of                             under Form SE and the following 1933
  the Board of Directors of Dean Witter     Act File Numbers: 33-17085 and
  Reynolds Inc.:                            333-13039

 
      RICHARD M. DeMARTINI
      ROBERT J. DWYER
      CHRISTINE A. EDWARDS
      JAMES F. HIGGINS
      MITCHELL M. MERIN
      STEPHEN R. MILLER
      RICHARD F. POWERS III
      PHILIP J. PURCELL
      THOMAS C. SCHNEIDER
      WILLIAM B. SMITH
      By
       MICHAEL D. BROWNE
       (As authorized signatory for
       Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
       and Attorney-in-fact for the persons listed above)
 
                                      R-7

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1
 
                               STANDARD & POOR'S
                    A DIVISION OF THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES
                                  J. J. KENNY
                                  65 BROADWAY
                           NEW YORK, N.Y. 10006-2551
                            TELEPHONE (212) 770-4422
                                FAX 212/797-8681
 
                                                   December 4, 1998
 
Frank A. Ciccotto, Jr
Vice President
Tax-Exempt Evaluations
 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
Defined Asset Funds
P.O. Box 9051
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9051
The Chase Manhattan Bank
4 New York Plaza--6th Floor
New York, New York 10081

 
RE: MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
     MULTISTATE SERIES--74, DEFINED ASSET FUNDS
 
Gentlemen:
 
     We have examined the post-effective Amendment to the Registration Statement
File No. 33-55467 for the above-captioned trust. We hereby acknowledge that
Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc. is currently
acting as the evaluator for the trust. We hereby consent to the use in the
Amendment of the reference to Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of J. J.
Kenny Co., Inc. as evaluator.
 
     In addition, we hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the
above-referenced Amendment to 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 copies of this letter with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
 
                                                   Sincerely,
                                                   FRANK A. CICCOTTO
                                                   Vice President

<PAGE>
                                                                     Exhibit 5.1
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Sponsors and Trustee of
Municipal Investment Trust Fund--Multistate Series--74, Defined Asset Funds
(California (Intermediate Maturities), California, New Jersey and New York
Trusts):
 
We consent to the use in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registration
Statement No. 33-55467 of our opinion dated November 3, 1998 appearing in the
Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement, and to the reference
to us under the heading 'Miscellaneous--Auditors' in such Prospectus.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, N.Y.
December 4, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER>1
<NAME>California Trust
<MULTIPLIER>                       1
       
<S>                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                  SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                       SEP-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>              2,381,969
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>             2,811,500
<RECEIVABLES>                      197,089
<ASSETS-OTHER>                     13,171
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     3,021,760
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>           0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>          (169,733)
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                (169,733)
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                    0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>           2,389,146
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>              2,565
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>              2,900
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>          33,350
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>             0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>           0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>           429,531
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER>2
<NAME>California Intermediate Trust
<MULTIPLIER>                       1
       
<S>                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      YEAR
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER>3
<NAME>New Jersey Trust
<MULTIPLIER>                       1
       
<S>                                <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER>4
<NAME>New York Trust
<MULTIPLIER>                       1
       
<S>                                <C>
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</TABLE>


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