TEMPLETON GLOBAL INVESTMENT TRUST
497, 1997-08-01
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                            PROSPECTUS & APPLICATION

                INVESTMENT STRATEGY:        Templeton
                       GLOBAL GROWTH
                          AND INCOME        Growth and
                                            Income Fund


                                            AUGUST 1, 1997





                                        LOGO


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




This  prospectus  describes  Templeton  Growth and Income Fund (the "Fund").  It
contains  information you should know before investing in the Fund.  Please keep
it for future reference.


THE FUND MAY BORROW MONEY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES, WHICH MAY INVOLVE GREATER
RISK AND ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE FUND. IN ADDITION, THE FUND MAY INVEST UP TO
15% OF ITS ASSETS IN ILLIQUID SECURITIES, INCLUDING UP TO 10% OF ITS ASSETS IN
RESTRICTED SECURITIES, WHICH MAY INVOLVE GREATER RISK AND INCREASED FUND
EXPENSES.


The Fund is a  diversified  series of  Templeton  Global  Investment  Trust (the
"Trust"), an open-end management investment company.

The Trust has a Statement of  Additional  Information  ("SAI"),  dated August 1,
1997, which may be amended from time to time. It includes more information about
the  Fund's  procedures  and  policies.  It has been  filed  with the SEC and is
incorporated  by  reference  into this  prospectus.  For a free copy or a larger
print version of this  prospectus,  call 1-800/DIAL BEN or write the Fund at its
address.

SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK,  AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY  INSURED BY THE FEDERAL  DEPOSIT  INSURANCE
CORPORATION,  THE  FEDERAL  RESERVE  BOARD,  OR ANY  OTHER  AGENCY  OF THE  U.S.
GOVERNMENT.  SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE
LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.


LIKE ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY
THE  SEC OR ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS  THE  SEC OR ANY  STATE
SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


<PAGE>


TEMPLETON GROWTH
AND INCOME FUND

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


THIS  PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFERING OF THE  SECURITIES  HEREIN  DESCRIBED IN ANY
STATE, JURISDICTION OR COUNTRY IN WHICH THE OFFERING IS NOT AUTHORIZED. NO SALES
REPRESENTATIVE, DEALER, OR OTHER PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR
MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.  FURTHER
INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM DISTRIBUTORS.


<PAGE>






<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                         <C>                                                      <C>

TEMPLETON                    TABLE OF CONTENTS
GROWTH AND                   ABOUT THE FUND
INCOME FUND                  Expense Summary.....................................     2
- -----------------------      Financial Highlights................................     4
August 1, 1997               How Does the Fund Invest Its Assets?................     5

When reading this            What Are the Fund's Potential Risks?................     12
prospectus, you              Who Manages the Fund?...............................     16
will see certain terms       How Does the Fund Measure Performance?..............     19
beginning with capital       How Taxation Affects the Fund and Its Shareholders..     20
letters. This means the      How Is the Trust Organized?.........................     20
term is explained in
our glossary section.        ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
                             How Do I Buy Shares?................................     21
                             May I Exchange Shares for Shares of Another Fund?...     28
                             How Do I Sell Shares?...............................     32
                             What Distributions Might I Receive From the Fund?...     36
                             Transaction Procedures and Special Requirements.....     37
                             Services to Help You Manage Your Account............     42
                             What If I Have Questions About My Account?..........     44


                             GLOSSARY

                             Useful Terms and Definitions........................     46

</TABLE>





      700 Central Avenue
      P.O. Box 33030
      St. Petersburg, FL
      33733-8030

      1-800/DIAL BEN

                      4 - Templeton Growth and Income Fund


<PAGE>




ABOUT THE FUND

EXPENSE SUMMARY


This table is  designed to help you  understand  the costs of  investing  in the
Fund. It is based on the  historical  expenses of each class,  after fee waivers
and expense  limitations,  for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997.  The Fund's
actual expenses may vary.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             CLASS I                CLASS II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- --------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>                 <C>

A. SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES(+)
           MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE
          (as a percentage of Offering Price)                                    5.75%                1.99%
           .........Paid at time of purchase                                     5.75(++)             1.00(+++)
           .........Paid at redemption(++++)                                     None                 0.99%
           Exchange Fee (per transaction)                                       $5.00*               $5.00*

B. ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)

   Management Fees (after fee waiver)                                            0.00%**              0.00**
   Rule 12b-1 Fees                                                               0.35%***             1.00**
   Other Expenses (after fee waiver and expense reimbursement)                   0.90%**              0.90**
                                                                                 ----                 ----
   Total Fund Operating Expenses (after fee waiver and expense                   1.25%**              1.90**
    reimbursement)                                                               ====                 ====

</TABLE>


C. EXAMPLE

    Assume the annual return for each class is 5%, operating expenses  are as
    described above, and you sell your shares after the number of years shown.
    These are the projected expenses for each $1,000 that you invest in the
    Fund.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                ONE YEAR     THREE YEARS   FIVE YEARS    TEN YEARS
                ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------
<S>            <C>          <C>            <C>           <C> 


Class I         $  70****        $ 95        $ 122         $ 200
Class II        $  39            $ 69        $ 112         $ 230

</TABLE>

          For the same Class II investment, you would pay projected expenses of
          $29 if you did not sell your shares at the end of the first year. Your
          projected expenses for the remaining periods would be the same.

          THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE. IT DOES NOT REPRESENT PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES
          OR RETURNS. ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURNS MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE
          SHOWN.  The Fund pays its  operating  expenses.  The effects of these
          expenses are reflected  in the Net Asset Value or dividends of each
          class and are not directly charged to your account.


(+)IF YOUR TRANSACTION IS PROCESSED THROUGH YOUR SECURITIES  DEALER,  YOU MAY BE
CHARGED A FEE BY YOUR SECURITIES DEALER FOR THIS SERVICE.

(++)THERE IS NO FRONT-END SALES CHARGE IF YOU INVEST $1 MILLION OR MORE IN CLASS
I SHARES.

(+++)ALTHOUGH CLASS II HAS A LOWER FRONT-END SALES CHARGE THAN CLASS I, ITS RULE
12B-1 FEES ARE  HIGHER.  OVER TIME YOU MAY PAY MORE FOR CLASS II SHARES.  PLEASE
SEE "HOW DO I BUY SHARES? -- DECIDING WHICH CLASS TO BUY."

(++++)A  CONTINGENT  DEFERRED SALES CHARGE MAY APPLY TO ANY CLASS II PURCHASE IF
YOU SELL THE SHARES  WITHIN 18 MONTHS AND TO CLASS I PURCHASES  OF $1 MILLION OR
MORE IF YOU SELL THE SHARES WITHIN ONE YEAR. A CONTINGENT  DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
MAY ALSO APPLY TO  PURCHASES  BY CERTAIN  RETIREMENT PLANS THAT  QUALIFY TO BUY
CLASS I SHARES WITHOUT A FRONT-END SALES CHARGE. THE CHARGE IS 1% OF THE VALUE
OF THE SHARES SOLD OR THE NET ASSET VALUE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, WHICHEVER IS
LESS.  THE NUMBER IN THE TABLE  SHOWS THE  CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF OFFERING
PRICE.  WHILE THE  PERCENTAGE IS DIFFERENT  DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE CHARGE IS
SHOWN BASED ON THE NET ASSET VALUE OR THE OFFERING PRICE, THE DOLLAR AMOUNT PAID
BY YOU WOULD BE THE SAME.  SEE "HOW DO I SELL  SHARES?  --  CONTINGENT  DEFERRED
SALES CHARGE" FOR DETAILS.


*$5.00 FEE IS ONLY FOR MARKET TIMERS.   WE PROCESS ALL OTHER EXCHANGES WITHOUT
A FEE.


**FOR THE PERIOD SHOWN, GLOBAL ADVISORS AND FT SERVICES HAD AGREED IN ADVANCE TO
WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE  MANAGEMENT AND  ADMINISTRATION  FEES AND TO MAKE CERTAIN
PAYMENTS TO REDUCE THE FUND'S EXPENSES. WITHOUT THIS REDUCTION,  MANAGEMENT FEES
WOULD HAVE BEEN 0.75%,  OTHER EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 1.14% AND TOTAL OPERATING
EXPENSES  WOULD HAVE BEEN  2.24% FOR CLASS I AND 2.89% FOR CLASS II.  AFTER JULY
31, 1998, THIS ARRANGEMENT MAY END AT ANY TIME UPON NOTICE TO THE BOARD.


***THE  COMBINATION  OF FRONT-END  SALES CHARGES AND RULE 12B-1 FEES COULD CAUSE
LONG-TERM  SHAREHOLDERS TO PAY MORE THAN THE ECONOMIC  EQUIVALENT OF THE MAXIMUM
FRONT-END SALES CHARGE PERMITTED UNDER THE NASD'S RULES.

****ASSUMES A CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE WILL NOT APPLY.


<PAGE>




FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


This table  summarizes the Fund's  financial  history.  The information has been
audited by McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, the Fund's independent auditors. Their audit
report  covering  each of the  four  years  since  the  Fund's  commencement  of
operations on March 14, 1994, appears in the financial  statements in the Fund's
Annual  Report to  Shareholders  for the fiscal year ended March 31,  1997.  The
Annual Report to Shareholders  also includes more  information  about the Fund's
performance. For a free copy, please call Fund Information.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CLASS I SHARES
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31                                  1997         1996         1995      1994(1)
- ------------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------ ----------- -----------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>           <C>          <C> 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
(For a share outstanding
  throughout the period)
Net asset value, beginning of period             $   11.39     $   10.05    $   10.01   $  10.00
                                                 ---------     ---------    ---------   --------
Income from investment
  operations:
  Net investment income                                .22           .29          .16       .009
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)             1.60          1.54         (.02)      .001
                                                 ---------     ---------    ---------   --------
Total from investment operations                      1.82          1.83          .14        .01
                                                 ---------     ---------    ---------   --------
Distributions:
  Dividends from net investment income                (.22)         (.29)        (.10)       --
  Distributions from net realized gains               (.04)         (.20)         --         --
                                                 ---------     ---------    --------    -------
Total distributions                                   (.26)         (.49)        (.10)       --
                                                 ---------     ---------    ---------   -------
Change in net asset value                             1.56          1.34          .04        .01
                                                 ---------     ---------    ---------   --------
Net asset value, end of period                   $   12.95     $   11.39    $   10.05   $  10.01
                                                 =========     =========    =========   ========
TOTAL RETURN(2)                                      16.19%        18.78%       1.43%       0.10%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000)                   $ 25,020      $ 11,732     $  5,953    $   100
Ratio of expenses to average net assets               2.24%         2.71%        6.11%     32.15%(3)
Ratio of expenses, net of reimbursement, to
  average net assets                                  1.25%         1.25%        1.25%      1.25%(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average
  net assets                                          2.21%         2.98%        2.51%      1.89%(3)
Portfolio turnover rate                              20.72%        10.21%       19.33%       --
Average commission rate paid (per share)         $   .0050     $   .0250

</TABLE>


(1)FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 14, 1994 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO MARCH 31, 1994.
(2)TOTAL RETURN DOES NOT REFLECT SALES  COMMISSIONS.  NOT ANNUALIZED FOR PERIODS
OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR. 
(3)ANNUALIZED.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CLASS II SHARES
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31                                               1997        1996(1)

- ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- -----------
<S>                                                               <C>        <C>  


CLASS II SHARES
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
Net asset value, beginning of period                              $  11.33   $  10.19
                                                                  --------   --------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income                                                .21        .22
  Net realized and unrealized gain                                    1.52       1.41
                                                                  --------   --------
Total from investment operations                                      1.73       1.63
                                                                  --------   --------
Distributions:
  Dividends from net investment income                                (.18)      (.29)
  Distributions from net realized gains                               (.04)      (.20)
                                                                  --------   -------- 
Total distributions                                                   (.22)      (.49)
                                                                  --------   -------- 
Change in net asset value                                             1.51       1.14
                                                                  --------   --------
Net asset value, end of period                                    $  12.84   $  11.33
                                                                  ========   ========
TOTAL RETURN(2)                                                      15.35%     16.51%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000)                                   $ 6,017    $  2,205
Ratio of expenses to average net assets                               2.89%     3.31%(3)
Ratio of expenses, net of reimbursement, to average
Ratio of expenses, net of reimbursement, to average
  net assets                                                          1.90%     1.90%(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets                  1.51%      1.59%(3)
Portfolio turnover rate                                              20.72%     10.21%
Average commission rate paid (per share)                          $   .0050   $ .0250

</TABLE>


(1)FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF SALES) TO MARCH 31, 1996.
(2)TOTAL RETURN DOES NOT REFLECT SALES  COMMISSIONS OR THE  CONTINGENT DEFERRED
SALES CHARGE. NOT ANNUALIZED FOR PERIODS OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR.
(3)ANNUALIZED.


HOW DOES THE FUND INVEST ITS ASSETS?


THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund's investment  objective is high total return,  comprising a combination
of income and  capital  appreciation.  The Fund seeks to achieve  its  objective
through a flexible  policy of investing  primarily in equity and debt securities
of domestic  and foreign  companies.  The Fund's  investment  objective  and the
investment restrictions set forth under "Investment Restrictions" in the SAI are
fundamental  and may not be  changed  without  shareholder  approval.  All other
investment   policies  and  practices  described  in  this  prospectus  are  not
fundamental, and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. There
can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be achieved.


TYPES OF SECURITIES IN WHICH THE FUND MAY INVEST

As used in  this  prospectus,  "equity securities"  refers to common  stock,
preferred stock, securities convertible into or exchangeable for such
securities, warrants or rights to subscribe to or purchase such securities, and
sponsored or unsponsored  American  Depositary  Receipts ("ADRs"),   European
Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and  Global  Depositary  Receipts   ("GDRs")
(collectively, "depositary receipts") as described below. Global Advisors will
select equity investments  for  the  Fund on  the  basis  of   fundamental
company-by-company analysis (rather than broader analyses of specific industries
or sectors of the economy). Although Global  Advisors will consider  historical
value measures,  such as  price/earnings  ratios,  operating  profit margins and
liquidation  values,  the primary factor in selecting equity  securities will be
the company's  current price relative to its long-term  earnings  potential, as
determined by Global Advisors.

As  used  in  this  prospectus, "debt  securities"  refers  to  bonds,  notes,
debentures,  commercial  paper, time deposits, bankers' acceptances, and may
include  structured  investments,  which are  rated in any rating  category  by
Moody's or S&P or which are unrated by any rating  agency.  Such  securities may
include high-risk, lower quality debt securities,  commonly referred to as "junk
bonds." See "What Are the Fund's Potential Risks?" As an operating policy, which
may be changed by the Board,  the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total
assets in debt  securities  rated lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P.  Debt
securities are subject to certain market and credit risks. See "How Do the Funds
Invest their Assets?  -- Debt  Securities" in the SAI for  descriptions  of debt
securities rated Baa by Moody's and BBB by S&P.

Securities  considered  for purchase by the Fund may be listed or unlisted, and
may be issued by companies in various industries,  with various levels of market
capitalization. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 65% of
its total assets in issuers  domiciled in at least three different  nations (one
of which may be the U.S.). The percentage of the Fund's assets to be invested in
equity  and  debt  securities  will  vary  from  time to time,  based on  Global
Advisors'   assessment  of  the  relative  total  return  potential  of  various
investment vehicles.

The Fund does not emphasize  short-term  trading  profits and usually expects to
have an annual  portfolio  turnover  rate  generally  not  exceeding 50% for the
equity  portion of its  portfolio.  Global  Advisors  may  engage in  short-term
trading in the fixed income portion of the Fund's  portfolio when it believes it
is consistent with the Fund's investment objective. Also, a security may be sold
and another of comparable quality simultaneously  purchased to take advantage of
what Global  Advisors  believes to be a temporary  disparity in the normal yield
relationship  between the two securities.  As a result of the Fund's  investment
policies,  under certain market conditions,  the portfolio turnover rate for the
fixed  income  portion  of its  portfolio  may be  higher  than  that  of  other
investment companies. A higher turnover rate increases transaction costs and may
increase the amount of the Fund's  short-term  capital  gain,  which is taxed as
ordinary income when distributed to shareholders.

When Global Advisors believes that market conditions warrant, the Fund may adopt
a temporary  defensive position and may invest up to 100% of its total assets in
the following  money market  securities,  denominated in U.S.  dollars or in the
currency of any foreign country, issued by entities organized in the U.S. or any
foreign   country:   short-term  (less  than  twelve  months  to  maturity)  and
medium-term  (not  greater than five years to  maturity)  obligations  issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government or the governments of foreign countries, their
agencies or  instrumentalities;  finance company and corporate commercial paper,
and other  short-term  corporate  obligations,  in each case  rated  Prime-1  by
Moody's  or A or  better  by S&P  or,  if  unrated,  of  comparable  quality  as
determined by Global Advisors;  obligations (including  certificates of deposit,
time deposits and bankers' acceptances) of banks; and repurchase agreements with
banks  and  broker-dealers   with  respect  to  such  securities.   When  deemed
appropriate by Global Advisors,  the Fund may invest cash balances in repurchase
agreements and other money market investments to maintain liquidity in an amount
to meet expenses or for day-to-day operating purposes.

DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS.  ADRs are depositary receipts typically used by a U.S. bank
or trust company which evidence  ownership of underlying  securities issued by a
foreign  corporation.  EDRs and GDRs are  typically  issued by foreign  banks or
trust  companies,  although  they  also  may be  issued  by U.S.  banks or trust
companies,  and evidence  ownership of underlying  securities issued by either a
foreign or a U.S. corporation. Generally, depositary receipts in registered form
are designed for use in the U.S.  securities  market and depositary  receipts in
bearer  form  are  designed  for use in  securities  markets  outside  the  U.S.
Depositary  receipts may not  necessarily be denominated in the same currency as
the underlying securities into which they may be converted.  Depositary receipts
may be issued  pursuant to  sponsored  or  unsponsored  programs.  In  sponsored
programs, an issuer has made arrange- ments to have its securities traded in the
form of depositary  receipts.  In  unsponsored  programs,  the issuer may not be
directly  involved  in  the  creation  of  the  program.   Although   regulatory
requirements  with respect to sponsored and  unsponsored  programs are generally
similar, in some cases it may be easier to obtain financial  information from an
issuer  that  has   participated  in  the  creation  of  a  sponsored   program.
Accordingly,  there  may be less  information  available  regarding  issuers  of
securities  underlying  unsponsored  programs and there may not be a correlation
between  such  information  and the  market  value of the  depositary  receipts.
Depositary  receipts  also  involve  the risks of other  investments  in foreign
securities,  as discussed below. For purposes of the Fund's investment policies,
the Fund's  investments in depositary  receipts will be deemed to be investments
in the underlying securities.

OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE FUND

The  Fund is  also  authorized  to use the  various  securities  and  investment
techniques described below. Although these strategies are regularly used by some
investment companies and other institutional  investors in various markets, some
of these strategies  cannot at the present time be used to a significant  extent
by the Fund in some of the  markets in which the Fund will invest and may not be
available for extensive use in the future.

BORROWING.  The Fund may borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets
from banks to increase its holdings of portfolio securities. Under the 1940 Act,
the Fund is required to maintain  continuous asset coverage of 300% with respect
to such borrowings and to sell (within three days) sufficient portfolio holdings
to restore  such  coverage if it should  decline to less than 300% due to market
fluctuations or otherwise,  even if such liquidations of the Fund's holdings may
be  disadvantageous  from an  investment  standpoint.  Leveraging  by  means  of
borrowing may  exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of
portfolio  securities on the Fund's Net Asset Value,  and money borrowed will be
subject to interest  and other costs (which may include  commitment  fees and/or
the cost of maintaining  minimum  average  balances) which may or may not exceed
the income received from the securities purchased with borrowed funds.


LOANS OF PORTFOLIO  SECURITIES.  The Fund may lend to  broker-dealers  portfolio
securities with an aggregate market value of up to one-third of the Fund's total
assets to generate income for the purpose of offsetting operating expenses. Such
loans must be secured by collateral (consisting of any combination of cash, U.S.
government  securities or  irrevocable  letters of credit) in an amount at least
equal (on a daily  marked-to-market  basis) to the current  market  value of the
securities  loaned.  The Fund may terminate the loans at any time and obtain the
return  of the  securities  loaned  within  five  business  days.  The Fund will
continue to receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned  securities and
will continue to retain any voting rights with respect to the securities. In the
event  that  the  borrower   defaults  on  its  obligation  to  return  borrowed
securities, because of insolvency or otherwise, the Fund could experience delays
and costs in gaining  access to the  collateral  and could  suffer a loss to the
extent  that the value of the  collateral  falls  below the market  value of the
borrowed securities.


REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  For temporary defensive purposes and for cash management
purposes,  the Fund may,  without limit,  enter into repurchase  agreements with
U.S. banks and broker-dealers. Under a repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires a
security  from a U.S.  bank or a  registered  broker-dealer  and  simultaneously
agrees to resell the security back to the bank or  broker-dealer  at a specified
time and price. The repurchase price is in excess of the original purchase price
paid by the Fund by an amount which reflects an  agreed-upon  rate of return and
which is not tied to any coupon rate on the underlying security.  Under the 1940
Act,  repurchase  agreements  are considered to be loans  collateralized  by the
underlying security and therefore will be fully collateralized.  However, if the
bank or  broker-dealer  should  default  on its  obligation  to  repurchase  the
underlying  security,  the  Fund  may  experience  a delay  or  difficulties  in
exercising its rights to realize upon the security and might incur a loss if the
value  of  the  security  declines,  as  well  as  incur  disposition  costs  in
liquidating the security.

ILLIQUID AND RESTRICTED  SECURITIES.  The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total
assets in illiquid  securities,  for which there is a limited trading market and
for which a low trading volume of a particular security may result in abrupt and
erratic  price  movements.  The Fund may be unable to dispose of its holdings in
illiquid  securities  at  then-current  market prices and may have to dispose of
such  securities  over  extended  periods of time.  The Fund may also  invest in
securities  that are sold (i) in private  placement  transactions  between their
issuers  and their  purchasers  and that are neither  listed on an exchange  nor
traded over-the-counter, or (ii) in transactions between qualified institutional
buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. Such restricted  securities are
subject to contractual or legal restrictions on subsequent transfer. As a result
of the absence of a public trading  market,  such  restricted  securities may in
turn be less liquid and more difficult to value than publicly traded securities.
Although these  securities may be resold in privately  negotiated  transactions,
the prices realized from the sales could, due to illiquidity, be less than those
originally paid by the Fund or less than their fair value. In addition,  issuers
whose  securities  are not publicly  traded may not be subject to the disclosure
and other  investor  protection  requirements  that may be  applicable  if their
securities were publicly traded. If any privately placed or Rule 144A securities
held by the Fund are required to be registered  under the securities laws of one
or more jurisdictions  before being resold, the Fund may be required to bear the
expenses  of  registration.  The Fund will limit its  investment  in  restricted
securities  to 10%  of its  total  assets,  except  that  Rule  144A  securities
determined by the Board to be liquid are not subject to this limitation.


OPTIONS ON  SECURITIES OR INDICES.  The Fund may write (i.e.,  sell) covered put
and call options and purchase put and call options on  securities  or securities
indices that are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or in the over-the-counter
markets. An option on a security is a contract that permits the purchaser of the
option,  in return for the premium paid,  the right to buy a specified  security
(in the case of a call option) or to sell a specified security (in the case of a
put option) from or to the writer of the option at a designated price during the
term of the option. An option on a securities index permits the purchaser of the
option,  in return for the premium  paid,  the right to receive  from the seller
cash equal to the  difference  between  the  closing  price of the index and the
exercise  price of the  option.  The Fund may write a call or put option only if
the option is "covered." This means that so long as the Fund is obligated as the
writer of a call option,  it will own the underlying  securities  subject to the
call, or hold a call at the same or lower exercise price,  for the same exercise
period,  and on the same securities as the written call. A put is covered if the
Fund  maintains  liquid  assets  with a value equal to the  exercise  price in a
segregated account, or holds a put on the same underlying securities at an equal
or greater  exercise  price.  The value of the  underlying  securities  on which
options  may be written at any one time will not exceed 15% of the total  assets
of the Fund.  The Fund will not purchase  put or call  options if the  aggregate
premium paid for such options would exceed 5% of its total assets at the time of
purchase.

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FOREIGN  CURRENCIES.  The Fund
will normally conduct its foreign  currency  exchange  transactions  either on a
spot (i.e.,  cash)  basis at the spot rate  prevailing  in the foreign  currency
exchange market,  or through entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell
foreign  currencies.  The Fund will generally not enter into a forward  contract
with a term of greater than one year.  A forward  contract is an  obligation  to
purchase or sell a specific  currency for an agreed price at a future date which
is individually  negotiated and privately  traded by currency  traders and their
customers.


The  Fund  will   generally   enter  into  forward   contracts  only  under  two
circumstances.  First,  when the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or
sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency, it may desire to "lock in"
the U.S.  dollar  price of the  security  in  relation  to another  currency  by
entering into a forward contract to buy the amount of foreign currency needed to
settle the transaction.  Second, when Global Advisors believes that the currency
of a  particular  foreign  country  may suffer or enjoy a  substantial  movement
against another  currency,  it may enter into a forward  contract to sell or buy
the former foreign  currency (or another currency which acts as a proxy for that
currency)  approximating  the  value  of  some  or all of the  Fund's  portfolio
securities denominated in such foreign currency. This second investment practice
is generally referred to as "cross-hedging." The Fund has no specific limitation
on the percentage of assets it may commit to forward  contracts,  subject to its
stated  investment  objective and policies,  except that the Fund will not enter
into a forward  contract  if the  amount of  assets  set aside to cover  forward
contracts  would  impede  portfolio  management  or the  Fund's  ability to meet
redemption  requests.  Although  forward  contracts  will be used  primarily  to
protect the Fund from  adverse  currency  movements,  they also involve the risk
that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted.


The Fund may  purchase  put and call  options  and  write  covered  put and call
options on foreign  currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in
the U.S. dollar value of foreign  currency-denominated  portfolio securities and
against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of such securities to be acquired.  As
in the case of other  kinds of options,  however,  the writing of an option on a
foreign  currency  constitutes  only a partial  hedge,  up to the  amount of the
premium  received,  and the Fund could be required  to purchase or sell  foreign
currencies at  disadvantageous  exchange rates,  thereby incurring  losses.  The
purchase of an option on a foreign  currency may  constitute an effective  hedge
against fluctuations in exchange rates although,  in the event of rate movements
adverse to the Fund's position,  it may forfeit the entire amount of the premium
plus related  transaction costs.  Options on foreign currencies to be written or
purchased   by  the  Fund  are  traded  on  U.S.   and  foreign   exchanges   or
over-the-counter.

FUTURES  CONTRACTS.  For  hedging  purposes  only,  the  Fund  may buy and  sell
financial futures  contracts,  stock and bond index futures  contracts,  foreign
currency  futures  contracts  and options on any of the  foregoing.  A financial
futures contract is an agreement  between two parties to buy or sell a specified
debt security at a set price on a future date.  An index futures  contract is an
agreement to take or make delivery of an amount of cash based on the  difference
between the value of the index at the  beginning  and at the end of the contract
period.  A futures contract on a foreign currency is an agreement to buy or sell
a specified amount of a currency for a set price on a future date.


When the Fund enters into a futures  contract,  it must make an initial deposit,
known as "initial  margin," as a partial  guarantee of its performance under the
contract.  As the value of the security,  index or currency  fluctuates,  either
party to the contract is required to make additional  margin payments,  known as
"variation  margin," to cover any  additional  obligation  it may have under the
contract.  In addition,  when the Fund enters into a futures  contract,  it will
segregate  assets or "cover" its position in  accordance  with the 1940 Act. See
"How Do the Funds Invest their  Assets?  -- Futures  Contracts" in the SAI. With
respect to positions in futures and related options that do not constitute "bona
fide  hedging"  positions,  the Fund will not enter into a futures  contract  or
related option contract if, immediately thereafter, the aggregate initial margin
deposits  relating to such  positions  plus premiums paid by it for open futures
option positions,  less the amount by which any such options are "in-the-money,"
would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets.


WHAT ARE THE FUND'S POTENTIAL RISKS?


You should  understand  that all  investments  involve  risk and there can be no
guarantee  against loss  resulting from an investment in the Fund, nor can there
be any assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be attained.  As with
any  investment in  securities,  the value of, and income from, an investment in
the Fund can  decrease as well as  increase,  depending  on a variety of factors
which may  affect  the values  and  income  generated  by the  Fund's  portfolio
securities,  including  general  economic  conditions  and  market  factors.  In
addition to the  factors  which  affect the value of  individual  securities,  a
shareholder  may  anticipate  that the  value  of the  shares  of the Fund  will
fluctuate with  movements in the broader  equity and bond markets.  A decline in
the  stock  market  of any  country  in which  the Fund is  invested  in  equity
securities may also be reflected in declines in the price of shares of the Fund.
Changes in the prevailing rates of interest in any of the countries in which the
Fund is invested in fixed income securities will likely affect the value of such
holdings and thus the value of Fund shares.  Increased rates of interest,  which
frequently  accompany  inflation  and/or a growing  economy are likely to have a
negative  effect on the value of Fund shares.  In addition,  changes in currency
valuations  will affect the price of shares of the Fund.  History  reflects both
decreases  and  increases  in stock  markets and  interest  rates in  individual
countries and throughout the world,  and in currency  valuations,  and these may
reoccur unpredictably in the future. Additionally,  investment decisions made by
Global Advisors will not always be profitable or prove to have been correct. The
Fund is not intended as a complete investment program.


The Fund has the right to purchase securities in any foreign country,  developed
or  developing.  Investors  should  consider  carefully  the  substantial  risks
involved in  investing in  securities  issued by companies  and  governments  of
foreign  nations,  which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic
investments.  There is the  possibility  of  expropriation,  nationalization  or
confiscatory taxation,  taxation of income earned in foreign nations (including,
for example, withholding taxes on interest and dividends) or other taxes imposed
with respect to investments in foreign nations, foreign exchange controls (which
may  include  suspension  of the  ability  to  transfer  currency  from a  given
country),  foreign investment controls on daily stock market movements,  default
in foreign government securities, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments  which could affect  investment in securities of issuers in foreign
nations.  Some countries may withhold  portions of interest and dividends at the
source.  In  addition,  in  many  countries  there  is less  publicly  available
information  about issuers than is available in reports  about  companies in the
U.S. Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing
and financial reporting  standards,  and auditing practices and requirements may
not be comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.  The Fund may encounter
difficulties or be unable to vote proxies,  exercise shareholder rights,  pursue
legal remedies, and obtain judgments in foreign courts.

Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to investment
in foreign  countries  are generally  more  expensive  than in the U.S.  Foreign
securities markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures,  and
in certain  markets there have been times when  settlements  have been unable to
keep pace with the volume of  securities  transactions,  making it  difficult to
conduct  such  transactions.  Delays in  settlement  could  result in  temporary
periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned  thereon.
The inability of the Fund to make intended security  purchases due to settlement
problems  could  cause  the Fund to miss  attractive  investment  opportunities.
Inability to dispose of portfolio  securities  due to settlement  problems could
result either in losses to the Fund due to  subsequent  declines in value of the
portfolio  security  or, if the Fund has  entered  into a  contract  to sell the
security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.

In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and regulation of
business and industry practices,  stock exchanges,  brokers and listed companies
than in the U.S. There is an increased risk, therefore, of uninsured loss due to
lost,  stolen,  or  counterfeit  stock  certificates.  In addition,  the foreign
securities  markets  of many of the  countries  in which the Fund may invest may
also be smaller, less liquid, and subject to greater price volatility than those
in the U.S. The Fund may invest in Eastern  European  countries,  which involves
special risks.  As an open-end  investment  company,  the Fund is limited in the
extent to which it may invest in illiquid  securities.  See "What Are the Funds'
Potential Risks?" in the SAI.

Prior governmental approval of foreign investments may be required under certain
circumstances in some developing countries, and the extent of foreign investment
in  domestic  companies  may  be  subject  to  limitation  in  other  developing
countries.  Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of
individual companies in developing  countries to prevent,  among other concerns,
violation of foreign investment limitations.

Repatriation  of  investment  income,  capital and  proceeds of sales by foreign
investors  may  require  governmental   registration  and/or  approval  in  some
developing  countries.  The Fund could be  adversely  affected by delays in or a
refusal to grant any  required  governmental  registration  or approval for such
repatriation.

Further,  the economies of developing  countries generally are heavily dependent
upon  international  trade and,  accordingly,  have been and may  continue to be
adversely affected by trade barriers,  exchange controls, managed adjustments in
relative currency values and other protectionist  measures imposed or negotiated
by the countries with which they trade.  These  economies also have been and may
continue to be adversely  affected by economic  conditions in the countries with
which they trade.

The Fund usually effects currency exchange  transactions on a spot (i.e.,  cash)
basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign exchange market.  However, some
price spread on currency  exchange  transactions (to cover service charges) will
be incurred when the Fund converts assets from one currency to another.

As a  non-fundamental  policy,  the Fund will  limit its  investment  in Russian
securities  to 5% of its total assets.  Russian  securities  involve  additional
significant  risks,  including  political and social  uncertainty  (for example,
regional  conflicts  and  risk  of  war),  currency  exchange  rate  volatility,
pervasiveness of corruption and crime in the Russian economic system,  delays in
settling portfolio  transactions and risk of loss arising out of Russia's system
of share registration and custody. For more information on these risks and other
risks  associated  with  Russian  securities,  please  see "What Are the  Funds'
Potential Risks?" in the SAI.


On July 1, 1997,  Hong Kong reverted to the  sovereignty  of China.  As with any
major  political  transfer of power,  this could  result in  political,  social,
economic,  market or other  developments in Hong Kong,  China or other countries
that could affect the value of Fund investments.

Although the Fund's  current  investment  policy is that it will not invest more
than 5% of its total  assets in debt  securities  rated lower than BBB by S&P or
Baa by Moody's,  the Board may consider a change in this operating policy if, in
its judgment,  economic conditions change such that a higher level of investment
in  high-risk,  lower  quality  debt  securities  would be  consistent  with the
interests  of the Fund  and its  shareholders.  High-risk,  lower  quality  debt
securities,  commonly referred to as "junk bonds," are regarded,  on balance, as
predominantly  speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation and may be in
default. Unrated debt securities are not necessarily of lower quality than rated
securities,  but they may not be  attractive  to as many buyers.  Regardless  of
rating levels,  all debt  securities  considered for purchase  (whether rated or
unrated) will be carefully  analyzed by Global Advisors to insure, to the extent
possible, that the planned investment is sound. The Fund may, from time to time,
invest up to 5% of its total  assets in  defaulted  debt  securities  if, in the
opinion of Global Advisors,  the issuer may resume interest payments in the near
future.

Leveraging  by means of borrowing may  exaggerate  the effect of any increase or
decrease in the value of portfolio securities on the Fund's Net Asset Value, and
money  borrowed  will be subject to interest  and other costs (which may include
commitment fees and/or the cost of maintaining  minimum average  balances) which
may or may not exceed the income  received from the  securities  purchased  with
borrowed  funds.  The use of leverage  will  significantly  increase  the Fund's
investment risk.

Option and foreign  currency  exchange  transactions  and futures  contracts are
commonly  referred  to as  derivative  instruments.  Successful  use of  futures
contracts  and  related  options is subject to special  risk  considerations.  A
liquid secondary market for any futures or options contract may not be available
when a futures or options  position is sought to be closed.  In addition,  there
may be an imperfect  correlation  between movements in the securities or foreign
currency on which the futures or options  contract is based and movements in the
securities  or currency in the Fund's  portfolio.  Successful  use of futures or
options  contracts is further dependent on Global Advisors' ability to correctly
predict  movements  in  the  securities  or  foreign  currency  markets,  and no
assurance  can be given that its  judgment  will be correct.  Successful  use of
options  on   securities   or  stock   indices   is  subject  to  similar   risk
considerations.  In addition, by writing covered call options, the Fund gives up
the  opportunity,  while the  option  is in  effect,  to  profit  from any price
increase in the underlying  security above the option exercise price.  There are
further  risk  factors,   including  possible  losses  through  the  holding  of
securities in domestic and foreign custodian banks and  depositories,  described
elsewhere in this prospectus and in the SAI.


WHO MANAGES THE FUND?


THE  BOARD.  The  Board  oversees  the  management  of the Fund and  elects  its
officers. The officers are responsible for the Fund's day-to-day operations. The
Board also monitors the Fund to ensure no material  conflicts  exist between the
Fund's  classes  of  shares.  While  none  is  expected,   the  Board  will  act
appropriately to resolve any material conflict that may arise.

INVESTMENT  MANAGER.  Global  Advisors  manages the Fund's  assets and makes its
investment  decisions.  Global Advisors also performs similar services for other
funds. It is wholly owned by Resources,  a publicly owned company engaged in the
financial  services  industry through its  subsidiaries.  Charles B. Johnson and
Rupert H. Johnson,  Jr. are the principal  shareholders of Resources.  Together,
Global  Advisors  and its  affiliates  manage over $199  billion in assets.  The
Templeton  organization has been investing  globally since 1940. Global Advisors
and its  affiliates  have  offices in  Argentina,  Australia,  Bahamas,  Canada,
France,  Germany,  Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan,  Korea,  Luxembourg,  Poland,
Russia,  Singapore,  South Africa,  Taiwan,  United Kingdom,  U.S., and Vietnam.
Please  see  "Investment  Management  and  Other  Services"  and  "Miscellaneous
Information" in the SAI for information on securities transactions and a summary
of the Fund's Code of Ethics.

PORTFOLIO  MANAGEMENT.  The Fund's lead portfolio manager since 1996 is Richard
Sean Farrington. Mr. Farrington is a vice president of Global Advisors. He holds
a BA in economics from Harvard University.  Mr. Farrington is a Chartered
Financial Analyst and is a past president of the Bahamas Society of Financial
Analysts.  He joined the Templeton organization in 1991 and now manages several
mutual funds. Mr. Farrington's research responsibilities include global coverage
of the electrical equipment industry, as well as non-U.S. electric utilities. He
is also responsible for country coverage of Hong Kong, China and Taiwan.

Mark G.  Holowesko and Jeffrey A. Everett have  secondary  portfolio  management
responsibilities for the Fund. Mr. Holowesko is president of Global Advisors. He
holds a BA in economics from Holy Cross College and an MBA from Babson  College.
He is a Chartered  Financial  Analyst,  Chartered  Investment  Counselor,  and a
founding member of the  International  Society of Financial  Analysts.  Prior to
joining the  Templeton  organization,  Mr.  Holowesko  worked with RoyWest Trust
Corporation  (Bahamas) Limited as an investment  analyst.  His duties at RoyWest
included  managing  trust and  individual  accounts,  as well as  equity  market
research  worldwide.  Mr.  Holowesko  is  responsible  for  coordinating  equity
research  worldwide for Global Advisors and managing  several mutual funds.  Mr.
Everett is an  executive  vice  president of Global  Advisors.  He holds a BS in
finance from  Pennsylvania  State  University and is also a Chartered  Financial
Analyst.  Prior to  joining  the  Templeton  organization,  Mr.  Everett  was an
investment  officer at First  Pennsylvania  Investment  Research,  a division of
First  Pennsylvania  Corporation,  where  he  analyzed  equity  and  convertible
securities. He also coordinated research for Centre Square Investment Group, the
pension  management  subsidiary of First Pennsylvania  Corporation.  Mr. Everett
joined  the  Templeton  organization  in 1989 and is  responsible  for  managing
several offshore accounts at Templeton,  as well as several Templeton funds. Mr.
Everett's  current  research  responsibilities  include  real estate and country
coverage of Australia and Italy.

MANAGEMENT FEES.  During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997,  management fees,
before any advance waiver,  totaled 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the
Fund.  Total  operating  expenses were 2.24% for Class I and 2.89% for Class II.
Under an  agreement  by Global  Advisors  to waive  its  fees,  the Fund paid no
(0.00%)  management fees and the Fund paid total operating expenses of 1.25% for
Class I and 1.90% for Class II.  After July 31,  1998,  Global  Advisors may end
this arrangement at any time upon notice to the Board.

PORTFOLIO  TRANSACTIONS.  Global  Advisors tries to obtain the best execution on
all transactions. If Global Advisors believes more than one broker or dealer can
provide the best execution,  it may consider  research and related  services and
the  sale of Fund  shares,  as well as  shares  of other  funds in the  Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds, when selecting a broker or dealer.  Please see "How Do
the Funds Buy Securities for their Portfolios?" in the SAI for more information.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. Since October 1, 1996, FT Services has provided certain
administrative  services  and  facilities  for the  Fund.  Prior  to that  date,
Templeton Global Investors,  Inc. provided the same services to the Fund. During
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997,  administration  fees,  before any advance
waiver,  totaled  0.15% of the  average  daily net assets of the Fund.  Under an
agreement by the  administrators  to waive their fees,  the Fund paid no (0.00%)
administration  fees.  Please see "Investment  Management and Other Services" in
the SAI for more information.


THE RULE 12B-1 PLANS


Class I and Class II have  separate  distribution  plans or "Rule  12b-1  Plans"
under which they may pay or reimburse Distributors or others for the expenses of
activities  that are  primarily  intended  to sell  shares of the  class.  These
expenses  may  include,  among  others,  distribution  or  service  fees paid to
Securities  Dealers or others who have executed a servicing  agreement  with the
Fund,  Distributors  or its  affiliates;  a prorated  portion  of  Distributors'
overhead  expenses;  and the expenses of printing  prospectuses and reports used
for  sales  purposes;  and  preparing  and  distributing  sales  literature  and
advertisements.

Payments  by the Fund  under the Class I plan may not  exceed  0.35% per year of
Class I's average daily net assets.  Expenses not  reimbursed in any quarter may
be reimbursed in future quarters or years. This includes expenses not reimbursed
because they exceeded the applicable  limit under the plan. As of March 31, 1997
expenses under the Class I plan that may be  reimbursable  in future quarters or
years totaled $920,441,  or 3.68% of Class I's net assets. During the first year
after certain Class I purchases  made without a sales charge,  Distributors  may
keep the Rule 12b-1 fees associated with the purchase.

Under the Class II plan, the Fund may pay  Distributors  up to 0.75% per year of
Class II's average daily net assets to pay  Distributors or others for providing
distribution  and related  services and bearing  certain Class II expenses.  All
distribution  expenses over this amount will be borne by those who have incurred
them.  During the first year after a purchase  of Class II shares,  Distributors
may keep this portion of the Rule 12b-1 fees associated with the purchase.


The  Fund may also pay a  servicing  fee of up to 0.25%  per year of Class  II's
average  daily net assets  under the Class II plan.  This fee may be used to pay
Securities  Dealers or others for, among other things,  helping to establish and
maintain  customer  accounts and records,  helping with requests to buy and sell
shares,  receiving and answering  correspondence,  monitoring  dividend payments
from  the Fund on  behalf  of  customers,  and  similar  servicing  and  account
maintenance activities.

The  Rule  12b-1  fees  charged  to  each  class  are  based  only  on the  fees
attributable to that particular  class.  For more  information,  please see "The
Funds' Underwriter" in the SAI.

HOW DOES THE FUND MEASURE PERFORMANCE?


From time to time, each class of the Fund advertises its  performance.  The more
commonly used measure of  performance is total return.  Performance  figures are
usually calculated using the maximum sales charges,  but certain figures may not
include sales charges.


Total return is the change in value of an investment over a given  period. It
assumes any dividends and capital gains are reinvested.


The investment results of each class will vary.  Performance figures are always
based on past performance and do not guarantee future results.  For a more
detailed description of how the Fund calculates its performance figures,  please
see "How Do the Funds Measure Performance?" in the SAI.

HOW TAXATION AFFECTS THE FUND AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS

The following  discussion  reflects some of the tax  considerations  that affect
mutual  funds  and  their  shareholders.  For more  information  on tax  matters
relating  to the Fund  and its  shareholders,  see  "Additional  Information  on
Distributions and Taxes" in the SAI.

The Fund  intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a regulated
investment  company  under  Subchapter  M of the Code.  A  regulated  investment
company  generally  is not  subject  to  federal  income tax on income and gains
distributed  in a  timely  manner  to its  shareholders.  The  Fund  intends  to
distribute to shareholders  substantially  all of its net investment  income and
net realized  capital gains,  which  generally will be taxable income or capital
gains in their hands. Distributions declared in October, November or December to
shareholders  of record on a date in such month and paid  during  the  following
January will be treated as having been received by  shareholders  on December 31
in the year such distributions were declared.  The Fund will inform shareholders
each  year of the  amount  and  nature of such  income or gains.  Sales or other
dispositions of Fund shares generally will give rise to taxable gain or loss.


HOW IS THE TRUST ORGANIZED?


The Fund is a diversified series of the Trust, an open-end management investment
company,  commonly  called a mutual fund.  The Trust was organized as a Delaware
business  trust on December 21, 1993,  and is registered  with the SEC. The Fund
offers two  classes of shares:  Templeton  Growth and Income Fund -- Class I and
Templeton Growth and Income Fund -- Class II. All shares  outstanding before the
offering of Class II shares are considered Class I shares. Additional series and
classes of shares may be offered in the future.

Shares of each class represent proportionate interests in the assets of the Fund
and have the same voting and other rights and  preferences as any other class of
the Fund for  matters  that affect the Fund as a whole.  For  matters  that only
affect one class,  however, only shareholders of that class may vote. Each class
will vote separately on matters affecting only that class, or expressly required
to be voted on  separately  by state or federal  law.  Shares of each class of a
series  have the same  voting  and other  rights  and  preferences  as the other
classes and series of the Trust for matters that affect the Trust as a whole.


The Trust has noncumulative  voting rights.  This gives holders of more than 50%
of the shares  voting the ability to elect all of the  members of the Board.  If
this happens,  holders of the remaining  shares voting will not be able to elect
anyone to the Board.


The Trust does not intend to hold annual  shareholder  meetings.  The Trust or a
series of the Trust may hold special  meetings,  however,  for matters requiring
shareholder  approval.  A  meeting  may  also  be  called  by the  Board  in its
discretion  or for the purpose of  considering  the removal of a Board member if
requested  in  writing  to do so by  shareholders  holding  at least  10% of the
outstanding  shares.  In  certain  circumstances,  we are  required  to help you
communicate with other shareholders about the removal of a Board member.



ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT


HOW DO I BUY SHARES?

OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT

To open your account,  contact your  investment  representative  or complete and
sign the enclosed  shareholder  application  and return it to the Fund with your
check.  PLEASE  INDICATE  WHICH  CLASS OF SHARES YOU WANT TO BUY.  IF YOU DO NOT
SPECIFY A CLASS, YOUR PURCHASE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY INVESTED IN CLASS I SHARES.


<PAGE>




                                                       MINIMUM
                                                    INVESTMENTS*

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

To Open Your Account........................            $ 100
To Add to Your Account......................            $  25


*We may waive these minimums for retirement plans. We may also refuse any order
to buy shares.

DECIDING WHICH CLASS TO BUY

You should  consider a number of factors when deciding  which class of shares to
buy. IF YOU PLAN TO BUY $1 MILLION OR MORE IN A SINGLE PAYMENT OR YOU QUALIFY TO
BUY CLASS I SHARES WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE, YOU MAY NOT BUY CLASS II SHARES.

Generally, you should consider buying Class I shares if:


o you expect to invest in the Fund over the long term;

o you qualify to buy Class I shares at a reduced sales charge; or

o you plan to buy $1 million or more over time.


You should consider Class II shares if:


o you expect to invest less than $50,000 in the Franklin Templeton Funds; and

o you plan to sell a substantial number of your shares within  approximately six
years or less of your investment.


Class I shares are generally more attractive for long-term  investors because of
Class II's higher Rule 12b-1 fees.  These may  accumulate  over time to outweigh
the lower Class II front-end  sales charge and result in lower income  dividends
for Class II  shareholders.  If you  qualify  to buy Class I shares at a reduced
sales  charge  based upon the size of your  purchase  or  through  our Letter of
Intent or cumulative  quantity discount  programs,  but plan to hold your shares
less than  approximately  six  years,  you  should  evaluate  whether it is more
economical for you to buy Class I or Class II shares.

For purchases of $1 million or more, it is considered more beneficial for you to
buy Class I shares since there is no front-end  sales charge,  even though these
purchases may be subject to a Contingent  Deferred Sales Charge. Any purchase of
$1 million or more is therefore  automatically  invested in Class I shares.  You
may accumulate  more than $1 million in Class II shares  through  purchases over
time, but if you plan to do this you should  determine  whether it would be more
beneficial for you to buy Class I shares through a Letter of Intent.

Please  consider all of these factors  before  deciding which class of shares to
buy. There are no conversion features attached to either class of shares.

PURCHASE PRICE OF FUND SHARES

For Class I shares,  the sales  charge you pay depends on the dollar  amount you
invest,  as shown in the table below. The sales charge for Class II shares is 1%
and, unlike Class I, does not vary based on the size of your purchase.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      TOTAL SALES CHARGE                    AMOUNT PAID
                                                     AS A PERCENTAGE OF                  TO DEALER AS A
                                              -----------------------------------------
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE                                OFFERING            NET AMOUNT           PERCENTAGE OF
AT OFFERING PRICE                                   PRICE              INVESTED           OFFERING PRICE
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------------
<S>                                           <C>                   <C>                  <C>    

CLASS I
Under $50,000...........................              5.75%                6.10%                 5.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000..........              4.50%                4.71%                 3.75%
$100,000 but less than $250,000.........              3.50%                3.63%                 2.80%
$250,000 but less than $500,000.........              2.50%                2.56%                 2.00%
$500,000 but less than
  $1,000,000............................              2.00%                2.04%                 1.60%
$1,000,000 or more*.....................             None                 None                   None
CLASS II
Under $1,000,000*.......................              1.00%                1.01%                 1.00%
</TABLE>

*A Contingent  Deferred  Sales Charge of 1% may apply to Class I purchases of $1
million or more and any Class II purchase.  Please see "How Do I Sell Shares? --
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge." Please also see "Other Payments to Securities
Dealers" below for a discussion of payments Distributors may make out of its own
resources to  Securities  Dealers for certain  purchases.  Purchases of Class II
shares are limited to purchases  below $1 million.  Please see  "Deciding  Which
Class to Buy."


SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS AND WAIVERS

    If you qualify to buy shares under one of the sales  charge  reduction or
    waiver categories  described below,  please include a written statement with
    each purchase order explaining which privilege applies. If you don't include
    this statement,  we cannot  guarantee that you will receive the sales charge
    reduction or waiver.


CUMULATIVE  QUANTITY  DISCOUNTS  -- CLASS I ONLY.  To determine if you may pay a
reduced  sales  charge,  the amount of your current Class I purchase is added to
the cost or current value,  whichever is higher,  of your existing shares in the
Franklin  Templeton  Funds, as well as those of your spouse,  children under the
age of 21 and grandchildren  under the age of 21. If you are the sole owner of a
company,  you may also  add any  company  accounts,  including  retirement  plan
accounts. Companies with one or more retirement plans may add together the total
plan assets  invested in the Franklin  Templeton  Funds to  determine  the sales
charge that applies.

LETTER OF INTENT -- CLASS I ONLY.  You may buy Class I shares at a reduced sales
charge  by  completing  the  Letter  of  Intent   section  of  the   shareholder
application.  A Letter of Intent is a  commitment  by you to invest a  specified
dollar  amount  during  a 13 month  period.  The  amount  you  agree  to  invest
determines the sales charge you pay on Class I shares.


BY COMPLETING THE LETTER OF INTENT SECTION OF THE SHAREHOLDER  APPLICATION,  YOU
ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:


o   You authorize  Distributors to reserve 5% of your total intended purchase in
    Class I shares registered in your name until you fulfill your Letter.

o   You give Distributors a security interest in the reserved shares and appoint
    Distributors as attorney-in-fact.

o   Distributors  may  sell  any or all of the  reserved  shares  to  cover  any
    additional sales charge if you do not fulfill the terms of the Letter.

o   Although you may  exchange  your shares,  you may not sell  reserved  shares
    until you complete the Letter or pay the higher sales charge.


Your periodic  statements  will include the reserved  shares in the total shares
you own. We will pay or reinvest dividend and capital gain  distributions on the
reserved shares as you direct.  Our policy of reserving shares does not apply to
certain retirement plans.


If you would like more information about the Letter of Intent privilege,  please
see "How Do I Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares?  -- Letter of Intent" in the SAI or
call Shareholder Services.

GROUP PURCHASES -- CLASS I ONLY. If you are a member of a qualified  group,  you
may buy Class I shares at a reduced  sales charge that applies to the group as a
whole.  The sales  charge  is based on the  combined  dollar  value of the group
members' existing investments, plus the amount of the current purchase.


A qualified group is one that:


o   Was formed at least six months ago,

o   Has a purpose  other than  buying Fund shares
    at a discount,

o   Has more than 10 members,

o   Can   arrange   for   meetings   between  our
    representatives and group members,

o   Agrees to  include  Franklin  Templeton  Fund sales and other  materials  in
    publications  and  mailings  to  its  members  at  reduced  or  no  cost  to
    Distributors,

o   Agrees to arrange  for payroll  deduction  or

    other bulk  transmission  of  investments  to
    the Fund, and


o   Meets other uniform criteria that allow Distributors to achieve cost savings
    in distributing shares.

SALES CHARGE WAIVERS.  The Fund's front-end sales charge and Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge do not apply to certain purchases.  For waiver categories 1, 2 or 3
below: (i) the  distributions or payments must be reinvested  within 365 days of
their payment date, and (ii) Class II distributions  may be reinvested in either
Class I or Class II shares.  Class I  distributions  may only be  reinvested  in
Class I shares.

The Fund's  sales  charges do not apply if you are  buying  Class I shares  with
money from the following  sources or Class II shares with money from the sources
in waiver categories 1 or 4:

1.   Dividend and capital gain distributions from any Franklin Templeton Fund or
     a real estate  investment  trust  (REIT)  sponsored  or advised by Franklin
     Properties, Inc.


2.  Distributions  from an existing  retirement  plan  invested in the  Franklin
Templeton Funds.


3.  Annuity  payments  received  under  either an  annuity  option or from death
benefit  proceeds,  only if the annuity contract offers as an investment  option
the Franklin Valuemark Funds, the Templeton Variable Annuity Fund, the Templeton
Variable Products Series Fund, or the Franklin Government  Securities Trust. You
should contact your tax advisor for information on any tax consequences that may
apply.


4. Redemptions from any Franklin Templeton Fund if you:


o Originally paid a sales charge on the shares,

o Reinvest the money within 365 days of the redemption date, and

o Reinvest the money in the SAME CLASS of shares.

     An  exchange  is not  considered  a  redemption  for  this  privilege.  The
     Contingent  Deferred  Sales  Charge  will not be waived if the shares  were
     subject to a Contingent  Deferred  Sales  Charge when sold.  We will credit
     your account in shares,  at the current value,  in proportion to the amount
     reinvested for any Contingent Deferred Sales Charge paid in connection with
     the earlier redemption, but a new Contingency Period will begin.


     If you immediately  placed your redemption  proceeds in a Franklin Bank CD,
     you may reinvest them as described  above.  The proceeds must be reinvested
     within 365 days from the date the CD matures, including any rollover.


The Fund's sales charges also do not apply to Class I purchases by:

5. Trust  companies  and bank trust  departments  agreeing to invest in Franklin
Templeton  Funds over a 13 month  period at least $1 million of assets held in a
fiduciary,  agency,  advisory,  custodial or similar capacity and over which the
trust  companies  and bank  trust  departments  or  other  plan  fiduciaries  or
participants,  in the case of  certain  retirement  plans,  have  full or shared
investment  discretion.  We  will  accept  orders  for  these  accounts  by mail
accompanied  by a check or by  telephone  or  other  means  of  electronic  data
transfer directly from the bank or trust company,  with payment by federal funds
received by the close of business on the next business day following the order.

6. Group annuity separate accounts offered to retirement plans

7.  Chilean retirement plans that meet the requirements described under
"Retirement Plans" below

8. An Eligible Governmental Authority. Please consult your legal and investment
advisors to determine if an investment in the Fund is  permissible and suitable
for you and the effect,  if any, of  payments  by the Fund on  arbitrage  rebate
calculations.

9.  Broker-dealers,   registered  investment  advisors  or  certified  financial
planners  who have  entered  into an  agreement  with  Distributors  for clients
participating in comprehensive fee programs

10. Registered Securities Dealers and their

affiliates, for their investment accounts only


11.  Current  employees of  Securities  Dealers and their  affiliates  and their
family members, as allowed by the internal policies of their employer

12.  Officers,  trustees,  directors  and  full-time  employees  of the Franklin
Templeton  Funds or the Franklin  Templeton  Group,  and their  family  members,
consistent with our then-current policies

13.  Investment  companies  exchanging  shares or selling  assets  pursuant to a
merger, acquisition or exchange offer

14. Accounts managed by the Franklin Templeton Group

15. Certain unit investment trusts and their

holders reinvesting distributions from the trusts


RETIREMENT PLANS. Retirement plans that (i) are sponsored by an employer with at
least 100  employees,  or (ii) have plan assets of $1 million or more,  or (iii)
agree to invest at least  $500,000  in the  Franklin  Templeton  Funds over a 13
month period may buy Class I shares without a front-end sales charge. Retirement
plans that are not  Qualified  Retirement  Plans or SEPs,  such as 403(b) or 457
plans, must also meet the requirements described under "Group Purchases -- Class
I Only" above.  For retirement  plan accounts  opened on or after May 1, 1997, a
Contingent  Deferred  Sales Charge may apply if the account is closed within 365
days of the retirement plan account's initial purchase in the Franklin Templeton
Funds.  Please see "How Do I Sell Shares?  -- Contingent  Deferred Sales Charge"
for details.

Any retirement  plan that does not meet the  requirements  to buy Class I shares
without a front-end  sales charge and that was a  shareholder  of the Fund on or
before  February 1, 1995,  may buy shares of the Fund subject to a maximum sales
charge of 4% of the Offering Price, 3.2% of which will be retained by Securities
Dealers.

HOW DO I BUY SHARES IN CONNECTION WITH
RETIREMENT PLANS?

Your  individual or  employer-sponsored  retirement plan may invest in the Fund.
Plan documents are required for all retirement plans.  Trust Company can provide
the plan documents for you and serve as custodian or trustee.

Trust Company can provide you with brochures  containing  important  information
about its plans. To establish a Trust Company  retirement plan, you will need an
application  other than the one  included in this  prospectus.  For a retirement
plan brochure or application, call Retirement Plan Services.

Please consult your legal,  tax or retirement plan specialist  before choosing a
retirement  plan.  Your investment  representative  or advisor can help you make
investment decisions within your plan.


OTHER PAYMENTS TO SECURITIES DEALERS


The payments  described below may be made to Securities Dealers who initiate and
are  responsible  for Class II  purchases  and certain  Class I  purchases  made
without a sales  charge.  The  payments  are subject to the sole  discretion  of
Distributors,  and are paid by  Distributors or one of its affiliates and not by
the Fund or its shareholders.

1. Class II  purchases -- up to 1% of the purchase
   price.

2. Class I  purchases  of $1 million or more -- up
   to 1% of the amount invested.

3. Class I purchases made without a front-end sales charge by certain retirement
   plans  described  under "Sales  Charge  Reductions  and Waivers -- Retirement
   Plans" above -- up to 1% of the amount invested. For retirement plan accounts
   opened on or after May 1, 1997, a Contingent  Deferred  Sales Charge will not
   apply to the account if the Securities Dealer chooses to receive a payment of
   0.25% or less or if no payment is made.

4. Class I purchases by trust  companies  and bank trust  departments,  Eligible
Governmental  Authorities,  and  broker-dealers  or others on behalf of  clients
participating  in  comprehensive  fee  programs  -- up to  0.25%  of the  amount
invested.

5.  Class I  purchases  by  Chilean  retirement  plans -- up to 1% of the amount
invested.

A Securities  Dealer may receive only one of these payments for each  qualifying
purchase. Securities Dealers who receive payments in connection with investments
described in paragraphs 1, 2 or 5 above or a payment of up to 1% for investments
described  in  paragraph  3 will be  eligible  to  receive  the Rule  12b-1  fee
associated with the purchase starting in the thirteenth calendar month after the
purchase.

FOR BREAKPOINTS THAT MAY APPLY AND INFORMATION ON ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION
PAYABLE TO SECURITIES DEALERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF FUND SHARES, PLEASE
SEE "HOW DO I BUY, SELL AND EXCHANGE SHARES? -- OTHER PAYMENTS TO SECURITIES
DEALERS" IN THE SAI.


MAY I EXCHANGE SHARES FOR SHARES OF ANOTHER FUND?

We  offer a wide  variety  of  funds.  If you  would  like,  you can  move  your
investment  from your Fund  account  to an  existing  or new  account in another
Franklin Templeton Fund (an "exchange").  Because it is technically a sale and a
purchase of shares, an exchange is a taxable transaction.

If you own Class I shares,  you may exchange  into any of our money funds except
Franklin  Templeton  Money Fund II ("Money Fund II").  Money Fund II is the only
money fund exchange option available to Class II shareholders.  Unlike our other
money funds, shares of Money Fund II may not be purchased directly and no drafts
(checks) may be written on Money Fund II accounts.


Before  making  an  exchange,  please  read the  prospectus  of the fund you are
interested in. This will help you learn about the fund, its investment objective
and policies,  and its rules and requirements for exchanges.  For example,  some
Franklin  Templeton Funds do not accept  exchanges and others may have different
investment minimums. Some Franklin Templeton Funds do not offer Class II shares.

METHOD                      STEPS TO FOLLOW

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

BY MAIL                   1. Send us written instructions signed by
                             all account owners
                          
                          2. Include any outstanding share certificates
                             for the shares you want to exchange

- ------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
                                                      
BY PHONE                  Call Shareholder Services or TeleFACTS(R)

                           If you do not want the ability  to exchange by  
                           phone to apply to your account, please let us know.

- ------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
THROUGH YOUR DEALER       Call your investment representative
- ------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------

Please refer to  "Transaction Procedures and Special Requirements"  for other
important information on how to exchange shares.

WILL SALES CHARGES APPLY TO MY EXCHANGE?

You generally  will not pay a front-end  sales charge on exchanges.  If you have
held your  shares  less than six months,  however,  you will pay the  percentage
difference between the sales charge you previously paid and the applicable sales
charge of the new fund.  If you have  never paid a sales  charge on your  shares
because,  for example,  they have always been held in a money fund, you will pay
the Fund's applicable sales charge no matter how long you have held your shares.
These charges may not apply if you qualify to buy shares without a sales charge.

We will not impose a Contingent  Deferred Sales Charge when you exchange shares.
Any  shares  subject  to a  Contingent  Deferred  Sales  Charge  at the  time of
exchange,  however,  will  remain  so in the new  fund.  See the  discussion  on
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges below and under "How Do I Sell Shares?"


CONTINGENT  DEFERRED  SALES CHARGE -- CLASS I. For accounts  with Class I shares
subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, we will first exchange any shares
in your account  that are not subject to the charge.  If there are not enough of
these to meet your  exchange  request,  we will exchange  shares  subject to the
charge in the order they were purchased. If you exchange Class I shares into one
of our money  funds,  the time your  shares are held in that fund will not count
towards the completion of any Contingency Period.

CONTINGENT  DEFERRED SALES CHARGE -- CLASS II. For accounts with Class II shares
subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, shares are exchanged into the new
fund  proportionately  based on the  amount of shares  subject  to a  Contingent
Deferred  Sales  Charge and the length of time the  shares  have been held.  For
example,  suppose  you own $1,000 in shares  that have  never been  subject to a
Contingent  Deferred  Sales  Charge,  such as shares  from the  reinvestment  of
dividends and capital gains ("free shares"), $2,000 in shares that are no longer
subject to a Contingent  Deferred  Sales  Charge  because you have held them for
longer than 18 months  ("matured  shares"),  and $3,000 in shares that are still
subject to a Contingent  Deferred  Sales Charge ("CDSC liable  shares").  If you
exchange $3,000 into a new fund, $500 will be exchanged from free shares, $1,000
from matured shares, and $1,500 from CDSC liable shares.


Likewise, CDSC liable shares purchased at different times will be exchanged into
a new fund proportionately. For example, assume you purchased $1,000 in shares 3
months ago, 6 months ago,  and 9 months ago. If you  exchange  $1,500 into a new
fund,  $500 will be  exchanged  from  shares  purchased  at each of these  three
different times.

While Class II shares are  exchanged  proportionately,  they are redeemed in the
order purchased.  In some cases,  this means exchanged shares may be CDSC liable
even though they would not be subject to a Contingent  Deferred  Sales Charge if
they were sold. The tax consequences of a sale or exchange are determined by the
Code and not by the method used by the Fund to transfer shares.

If you exchange  your Class II shares for shares of Money Fund II, the time your
shares  are  held  in  that  fund  will  count  towards  the  completion  of any
Contingency Period.

EXCHANGE RESTRICTIONS

Please be aware that the following restrictions apply to exchanges:


o You may only exchange shares within the SAME CLASS, except as noted below.

o The accounts must be identically registered. You may, however, exchange shares
from a Fund  account  requiring  two or  more  signatures  into  an  identically
registered money fund account requiring only one signature for all transactions.
PLEASE  NOTIFY US IN WRITING IF YOU DO NOT WANT THIS OPTION TO BE  AVAILABLE  ON
YOUR  ACCOUNT.   Additional   procedures  may  apply.  Please  see  "Transaction
Procedures and Special Requirements."

o   Trust Company IRA or 403(b)  retirement plan accounts may exchange shares as
    described above.  Restrictions may apply to other types of retirement plans.
    Please contact  Retirement Plan Services for information on exchanges within
    these plans.

o The fund you are exchanging into must be eligible for sale in your state.

o We may  modify  or  discontinue  our  exchange  policy if we give you 60 days'
written notice.

o   Your  exchange may be  restricted  or refused if you have:  (i) requested an
    exchange  out of the Fund within two weeks of an earlier  exchange  request,
    (ii) exchanged shares out of the Fund more than twice in a calendar quarter,
    or (iii) exchanged  shares equal to at least $5 million,  or more than 1% of
    the Fund's net assets. Shares under common ownership or control are combined
    for  these  limits.  If you  have  exchanged  shares  as  described  in this
    paragraph,  you will be considered a Market Timer. Each exchange by a Market
    Timer,  if accepted,  will be charged $5.00.  Some of our funds do not allow
    investments by Market Timers.

Because   excessive   trading  can  hurt  Fund   performance,   operations   and
shareholders,  we may refuse any  exchange  purchase  if (i) we believe the Fund
would be harmed or unable to invest  effectively,  or (ii) the Fund  receives or
anticipates simultaneous orders that may significantly affect the Fund.

LIMITED EXCHANGES BETWEEN DIFFERENT CLASSES OF SHARES

Certain  funds in the  Franklin  Templeton  Funds  offer  classes  of shares not
offered by the Fund,  such as "Advisor  Class" or "Class Z" shares.  Because the
Fund does not currently offer an Advisor Class,  you may exchange  Advisor Class
shares  of any  Franklin  Templeton  Fund for  Class I shares of the Fund at Net
Asset Value. If you do so and you later decide you would like to exchange into a
fund that  offers an Advisor  Class,  you may  exchange  your Class I shares for
Advisor  Class shares of that fund.  Certain  shareholders  of Class Z shares of
Franklin  Mutual  Series Fund Inc.  may also  exchange  their Class Z shares for
Class I shares of the Fund at Net Asset Value.


HOW DO I SELL SHARES?

You may sell (redeem) your shares at any time.


METHOD                            STEPS TO FOLLOW

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

BY MAIL                    1.  Send us written  instructions
                               signed by all account owners. If you would
                               like your  redemption  proceeds wired to a
                               bank  account,  your  instructions  should
                               include:

                                  o   The name, address and telephone number
                                      of the bank where you want the proceeds
                                      sent

                                  o   Your bank account number

                                  o   The Federal Reserve ABA routing number

                                  o   If you are using a savings and loan or
                                      credit union, the name of the 
                                      corresponding bank and the account number

                           2.  Include any outstanding share certificates
                               for the shares you are selling

                           3.  Provide a signature guarantee if required

                           4.  Corporate, partnership and trust accounts
                               may need to send additional documents.
                               Accounts under court jurisdiction may have
                               other requirements.

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

BY PHONE                   Call Shareholder Services. If you would like
                           your redemption proceeds wired to a bank
                           account, other than an escrow account, you
                           must first sign up for the wire feature. To
                           sign up, send us written instructions, with a
                           signature guarantee. To avoid any delay in
                           processing, the instructions should include
                           the items listed in "By Mail" above.

                           Telephone requests will be accepted:

                                  o   If the request is $50,000 or less.
                                      Institutional accounts may exceed $50,000 
                                      by completing a separate agreement. Call
                                      Institutional Services to receive a copy.

                                  o   If there are no share certificates issued
                                      for the shares you want to sell or you
                                      have already returned them to the Fund

                                  o   Unless you are selling shares in a Trust
                                      Company retirement plan account

                                  o   Unless the address on your account was
                                      changed by phone within the last 15 days

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

                                 If you  do  not  want  the  ability  to
                                 redeem by phone to apply to your  account,
                                 please let us know.

- ------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------
THROUGH YOUR DEALER             Call your investment representative
- ------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------


We will send your  redemption  check  within  seven days  after we receive  your
request in proper  form.  If you would  like the check sent to an address  other
than the address of record or made payable to someone other than the  registered
owners on the  account,  send us  written  instructions  signed  by all  account
owners, with a signature  guarantee.  We are not able to receive or pay out cash
in the form of currency.

The wiring of redemption  proceeds is a special  service that we make  available
whenever possible for redemption  requests of $1,000 or more. If we receive your
request in proper form before 4:00 p.m.  Eastern time, your wire payment will be
sent the next business day. For requests received in proper form after 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time, the payment will be sent the second business day. By offering this
service  to you,  the Fund is not bound to meet any  redemption  request in less
than the seven day period  prescribed  by law.  Neither  the Fund nor its agents
shall be liable to you or any other  person if,  for any  reason,  a  redemption
request by wire is not processed as described in this section.

If you sell shares you recently  purchased  with a check or draft,  we may delay
sending you the  proceeds  for up to 15 days or more to allow the check or draft
to clear. A certified or cashier's check may clear in less time.


Under unusual circumstances,  we may suspend redemptions or postpone payment for
more than seven days as permitted by federal securities law.

Please refer to  "Transaction  Procedures  and Special  Requirements"  for other
important information on how to sell shares.

TRUST COMPANY RETIREMENT PLAN ACCOUNTS


To comply with IRS  regulations,  you need to complete  additional  forms before
selling  shares  in a Trust  Company  retirement  plan  account.  Tax  penalties
generally apply to any distribution  from these plans to a participant under age
59 1/2, unless the distribution meets an exception stated in the Code. To obtain
the necessary forms, please call Retirement Plan Services.


CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE


For Class I purchases,  if you did not pay a front-end  sales charge because you
invested  $1  million  or more or agreed to invest $1  million  or more  under a
Letter of Intent,  a Contingent  Deferred Sales Charge may apply if you sell all
or a part of your  investment  within  the  Contingency  Period.  Once  you have
invested $1 million or more, any additional Class I investments you make without
a sales charge may also be subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge if they
are sold within the Contingency Period. For any Class II purchase,  a Contingent
Deferred  Sales Charge may apply if you sell the shares  within the  Contingency
Period.  The charge is 1% of the value of the shares sold or the Net Asset Value
at the time of purchase, whichever is less.

Certain  retirement  plan  accounts  opened  on or after May 1,  1997,  and that
qualify  to buy Class I shares  without a  front-end  sales  charge  may also be
subject to a Contingent  Deferred Sales Charge if the retirement plan account is
closed  within  365  days of the  account's  initial  purchase  in the  Franklin
Templeton Funds.

We will  first  redeem any shares in your  account  that are not  subject to the
charge.  If there are not enough of these to meet your  request,  we will redeem
shares subject to the charge in the order they were purchased.


Unless otherwise specified,  when you request to sell a stated dollar amount, we
will redeem additional shares to cover any Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. For
requests  to sell a stated  number of shares,  we will  deduct the amount of the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, if any, from the sale proceeds.

WAIVERS. We waive the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for:


o   Exchanges

o   Account fees

o   Sales of shares purchased pursuant to a sales charge waiver

o   Sales of  shares  purchased  without a  front-end  sales  charge by  certain
    retirement  plan  accounts if (i) the account was opened before May 1, 1997,
    or (ii) the Securities Dealer of record received a payment from Distributors
    of 0.25%  or  less,  or (iii)  Distributors  did not  make  any  payment  in
    connection with the purchase,  as described  under "How Do I Buy Shares?  --
    Other Payments to Securities Dealers"

o  Redemptions  by the Fund when an account  falls  below the  minimum  required
account size

o   Redemptions following the death of the shareholder or beneficial owner

o Redemptions  through a systematic  withdrawal  plan set up before  February 1,
1995

o   Redemptions through a systematic withdrawal plan set up on or after February
    1, 1995, at a rate of up to 1% a month of an account's Net Asset Value.  For
    example,  if you maintain an annual balance of $1 million in Class I shares,
    you can redeem up to $120,000 annually through a systematic  withdrawal plan
    free of charge.  Likewise,  if you maintain an annual  balance of $10,000 in
    Class II shares, $1,200 may be redeemed annually free of charge.

o   Distributions  from  individual  retirement  plan  accounts  due to death or
    disability or upon periodic distributions based on life expectancy

o   Tax-free returns of excess contributions from employee benefit plans

o Redemptions by Trust Company  employee benefit plans or employee benefit plans
serviced by ValuSelect(R)

o   Participant   initiated   distributions   from  employee  benefit  plans  or
    participant initiated exchanges among investment choices in employee benefit
    plans

WHAT DISTRIBUTIONS MIGHT I RECEIVE FROM THE FUND?

The Fund intends to pay a dividend at least annually representing  substantially
all of its net investment income and any net realized capital gains.

Dividends and capital gains are calculated and distributed the same way for each
class.  The  amount of any income  dividends  per share  will  differ,  however,
generally due to the difference in the Rule 12b-1 fees of Class I and Class II.


Dividend payments are not guaranteed,  are subject to the Board's discretion and
may vary with each  payment.  THE FUND DOES NOT PAY  "INTEREST" OR GUARANTEE ANY
FIXED RATE OF RETURN ON AN INVESTMENT IN ITS SHARES.


If you buy shares shortly  before the record date,  please keep in mind that any
distribution  will  lower the value of the  Fund's  shares by the  amount of the
distribution  and you will then  receive a portion of the price you paid back in
the form of a taxable distribution.


DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS

You may receive your distributions from the Fund in any of these ways:


1. BUY  ADDITIONAL  SHARES OF THE FUND -- You may buy  additional  shares of the
same class of the Fund  (without a sales  charge or  imposition  of a Contingent
Deferred  Sales  Charge) by  reinvesting  capital gain  distributions,  dividend
distributions,  or both. If you own Class II shares,  you may also reinvest your
distributions  in  Class I  shares  of the  Fund.  This is a  convenient  way to
accumulate additional shares and maintain or increase your earnings base.

2.  BUY  SHARES  OF  OTHER  FRANKLIN  TEMPLETON  FUNDS  -- You may  direct  your
distributions to buy the same class of shares of another Franklin Templeton Fund
(without a sales charge or imposition of a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge). If
you own Class II shares,  you may also direct your  distributions to buy Class I
shares  of  another  Franklin  Templeton  Fund.  Many  shareholders  find this a
convenient way to diversify their investments.

3. RECEIVE  DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH -- You may receive capital gain distributions,
dividend  distributions,  or both in cash. If you have the money sent to another
person or to a checking account, you may need a signature guarantee.

TO  SELECT  ONE  OF  THESE  OPTIONS,  PLEASE  COMPLETE  SECTIONS  6 AND 7 OF THE
SHAREHOLDER  APPLICATION  INCLUDED WITH THIS  PROSPECTUS OR TELL YOUR INVESTMENT
REPRESENTATIVE  WHICH OPTION YOU PREFER. IF YOU DO NOT SELECT AN OPTION, WE WILL
AUTOMATICALLY REINVEST DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE SAME CLASS
OF THE FUND. You may change your distribution option at any time by notifying us
by mail or phone. Please allow at least seven days before the record date for us
to process the new option. For Trust Company retirement plans, special forms are
required to receive distributions in cash.



TRANSACTION PROCEDURES AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS


SHARE PRICE

When you buy shares, you pay the Offering Price. This is the Net Asset Value per
share of the class you wish to purchase, plus any applicable sales charges. When
you sell shares,  you receive the Net Asset Value per share minus any applicable
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges.

The  Net  Asset  Value  we use  when  you  buy or sell  shares  is the one  next
calculated after we receive your transaction  request in proper form. If you buy
or sell shares  through your  Securities  Dealer,  however,  we will use the Net
Asset Value next calculated after your Securities  Dealer receives your request,
which is promptly  transmitted to the Fund.  Your  redemption  proceeds will not
earn  interest  between  the time we receive  the order from your dealer and the
time we receive any required documents.

HOW AND WHEN SHARES ARE PRICED


The Fund is open for business  each day the NYSE is open.  We determine  the Net
Asset  Value  per  share of each  class as of the  scheduled  close of the NYSE,
generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. You can find the prior day's closing Net Asset
Value and Offering Price for each class in many newspapers.

The Net Asset Value of all  outstanding  shares of each class is calculated on a
pro rata basis. It is based on each class'  proportionate  participation  in the
Fund,  determined by the value of the shares of each class. Each class, however,
bears the Rule 12b-1 fees payable  under its Rule 12b-1 plan.  To calculate  Net
Asset  Value per share of each  class,  the  assets of each class are valued and
totaled,  liabilities are  subtracted,  and the balance,  called net assets,  is
divided by the number of shares of the class outstanding.  The Fund's assets are
valued as described under "How Are Fund Shares Valued?" in the SAI.

PROPER FORM

An order to buy shares is in proper form when we receive your signed shareholder
application and check. Written requests to sell or exchange shares are in proper
form when we receive written  instructions signed by all registered owners, with
a signature  guarantee if necessary.  We must also receive any outstanding share
certificates for those shares.

WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS

Written instructions must be signed by all registered owners. To avoid any delay
in processing your transaction, they should include:


o   Your name,

o   The Fund's name,

o   The class of shares,

o   A description of the request,

o   For exchanges, the name of the fund you are exchanging into,

o   Your account number,

o   The dollar amount or number of shares, and


 the evening if preferred.e we may reach you during the day, or in

SIGNATURE GUARANTEES

For our mutual  protection,  we require a signature  guarantee in the  following
situations:


1) You wish to sell over $50,000 worth of shares,

2) You want the proceeds to be paid to someone other than the registered owners,

3) The proceeds are not being sent to the address of record,  preauthorized bank
account, or preauthorized brokerage firm account,

4) We receive instructions from an agent, not the registered owners,

5) We believe a signature  guarantee would protect us against  potential  claims
based on the instructions received.

A signature guarantee verifies the authenticity of your signature. You should be
able to obtain a signature guarantee from a bank, broker,  credit union, savings
association, clearing agency, or securities exchange or association. A NOTARIZED
SIGNATURE IS NOT SUFFICIENT.


SHARE CERTIFICATES

We will  credit  your  shares  to  your  Fund  account.  We do not  issue  share
certificates  unless you  specifically  request them. This eliminates the costly
problem of replacing lost, stolen or destroyed certificates. If a certificate is
lost, stolen or destroyed,  you may have to pay an insurance premium of up to 2%
of the value of the certificate to replace it.


Any outstanding  share  certificates must be returned to the Fund if you want to
sell or  exchange  those  shares  or if you  would  like to  start a  systematic
withdrawal plan. The certificates  should be properly endorsed.  You can do this
either  by  signing  the  back  of the  certificate  or by  completing  a  share
assignment  form.  For your  protection,  you may  prefer  to  complete  a share
assignment  form and to send the  certificate  and  assignment  form in separate
envelopes.


TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS

You may initiate  many  transactions  by phone.  Please refer to the sections of
this  prospectus  that  discuss the  transaction  you would like to make or call
Shareholder Services.


When you call,  we will request  personal or other  identifying  information  to
confirm that instructions are genuine.  We may also record calls. We will not be
liable for  following  instructions  communicated  by telephone if we reasonably
believe they are genuine. For your protection, we may delay a transaction or not
implement  one if we are not  reasonably  satisfied  that the  instructions  are
genuine. If this occurs, we will not be liable for any loss.

If our lines are busy or you are otherwise  unable to reach us by phone, you may
wish to ask your  investment  representative  for  assistance or send us written
instructions,  as described  elsewhere in this prospectus.  If you are unable to
execute a transaction by phone, we will not be liable for any loss.

TRUST COMPANY  RETIREMENT PLAN ACCOUNTS.  We cannot accept  instructions to sell
shares or change  distribution  options  on Trust  Company  retirement  plans by
phone.  While you may exchange shares of Trust Company IRA and 403(b) retirement
accounts  by phone,  certain  restrictions  may be imposed  on other  retirement
plans.

To obtain any required forms or more information about  distribution or transfer
procedures, please call Retirement Plan Services.


ACCOUNT REGISTRATIONS AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS


When  you open an  account,  we need  you to tell us how you  want  your  shares
registered.  How you register your account will affect your ownership rights and
ability  to make  certain  transactions.  If you  have  questions  about  how to
register your account,  you should  consult your  investment  representative  or
legal advisor.  Please keep the following  information in mind when  registering
your account.

JOINT OWNERSHIP. If you open an account with two or more owners, we register the
account  as "joint  tenants  with  rights of  survivorship"  unless  you tell us
otherwise.  An account registered as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship"
is shown as "Jt Ten" on your account statement. For any account with two or more
owners, ALL owners must sign instructions to process transactions and changes to
the  account.  Even if the law in your state says  otherwise,  we cannot  accept
instructions to change owners on the account unless all owners agree in writing.
If you would  like  another  person or owner to sign for you,  please  send us a
current power of attorney.


GIFTS AND  TRANSFERS TO MINORS.  You may set up a custodial  account for a minor
under your state's Uniform  Gifts/Transfers  to Minors Act. Other than this form
of registration, a minor may not be named as an account owner.


TRUSTS.  You should  register  your  account as a trust only if you have a valid
written trust  document.  This avoids future  disputes or possible  court action
over who owns the account.


REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. For corporate,  partnership and trust accounts,  please send
us the  following  documents  when you open your  account.  This will help avoid
delays in  processing  your  transactions  while we  verify  who may sign on the
account.


TYPE OF ACCOUNT                   DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

- --------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
CORPORATION                       Corporate Resolution
- --------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

PARTNERSHIP                       1. The pages from the partnership agreement
                                     that identify the general partners, or
                                  2. A certification for a partnership
                                     agreement

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

TRUST                             1. The pages from the trust document that
                                     identify the trustees, or

                                  2. A certification for trust
- --------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------


STREET OR  NOMINEE  ACCOUNTS.  If you have Fund shares held in a "street" or
"nominee" name account with your Securitie  Dealer, you may transfer the shares
to the street or nominee name account of another Securities Dealer. Both dealers
must have an agreement with Distributors  or we cannot process the  transfer.
Contact your Securities Dealer to initiate the transfer. We will process the
transfer  after we receive authorization  in proper form from your delivering
Securities Dealer. Accounts may be transferred  electronically through the NSCC.
For accounts  registered in street or nominee name, we may take  instructions
directly from the Securities Dealer or your nominee.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU HAVE AN INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIVE

If there is a  Securities  Dealer  or other  representative  of  record  on your
account, we are authorized: (1) to provide confirmations, account statements and
other   information   about  your  account   directly  to  your  dealer   and/or
representative; and (2) to accept telephone and electronic instructions directly
from your dealer or representative, including instructions to exchange or redeem
your  shares.  Electronic  instructions  may be  processed  through  established
electronic trading systems and programs used by the Fund. Telephone instructions
directly from your  representative  will be accepted unless you have let us know
that you do not want telephone privileges to apply to your account.


TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER


The IRS requires us to have your correct Social  Security or tax  identification
number on a signed  shareholder  application or applicable tax form. Federal law
requires us to withhold 31% of your taxable  distributions  and sale proceeds if
(i) you have not furnished a certified correct taxpayer  identification  number,
(ii) you have not certified that withholding does not apply,  (iii) the IRS or a
Securities Dealer notifies the Fund that the number you gave us is incorrect, or
(iv) you are subject to backup withholding.


We may  refuse  to open an  account  if you fail to  provide  the  required  tax
identification number and certifications.  We may also close your account if the
IRS  notifies  us that  your tax  identification  number  is  incorrect.  If you
complete  an  "awaiting  TIN"  certification,  we must  receive  a  correct  tax
identification  number  within  60 days of your  initial  purchase  to keep your
account open.

KEEPING YOUR ACCOUNT OPEN

Due to the relatively  high cost of  maintaining a small  account,  we may close
your  account if the value of your shares is less than $50. We will only do this
if the value of your account fell below this amount because you voluntarily sold
your shares and your account has been inactive  (except for the  reinvestment of
distributions)  for at least six months.  Before we close your account,  we will
notify you and give you 30 days to increase the value of your account to $100.

SERVICES TO HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT


AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN


Our  automatic  investment  plan offers a convenient  way to invest in the Fund.
Under the plan, you can have money transferred  automatically from your checking
account to the Fund each month to buy additional  shares.  If you are interested
in this program,  please refer to the shareholder application included with this
prospectus or contact your  investment  representative.  The market value of the
Fund's shares may fluctuate and a systematic  investment  plan such as this will
not assure a profit or protect  against a loss. You may  discontinue the program
at any time by notifying Investor Services by mail or phone.


SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN

Our  systematic  withdrawal  plan  allows you to sell your  shares  and  receive
regular payments from your account on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual
basis. The value of your account must be at least $5,000 and the minimum payment
amount for each withdrawal must be at least $50. For retirement plans subject to
mandatory distribution requirements, the $50 minimum will not apply.


If you would like to establish a systematic withdrawal plan, please complete the
systematic withdrawal plan section of the shareholder  application included with
this  prospectus and indicate how you would like to receive your  payments.  You
may choose to direct  your  payments  to buy the same class of shares of another
Franklin  Templeton  Fund or have the money  sent  directly  to you,  to another
person,  or  to  a  checking  account.  Once  your  plan  is  established,   any
distributions paid by the Fund will be automatically reinvested in your account.

You will  generally  receive  your  payment  by the end of the  month in which a
payment is  scheduled.  When you sell your shares under a systematic  withdrawal
plan, it is a taxable transaction.

To avoid  paying  sales  charges  on money you plan to  withdraw  within a short
period of time, you may not want to set up a systematic  withdrawal  plan if you
plan to buy shares on a regular  basis.  Shares  sold under the plan may also be
subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.  Please see "Contingent  Deferred
Sales Charge" under "How Do I Sell Shares?"

You may discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan, change the amount and schedule
of  withdrawal  payments,  or suspend one payment by  notifying us in writing at
least  seven  business  days  before the end of the month  preceding a scheduled
payment.  Please see "How Do I Buy,  Sell and  Exchange  Shares?  --  Systematic
Withdrawal Plan" in the SAI for more information.

TELEFACTS(R)

From a touch-tone phone, you may call our TeleFACTS(R)  system (day or night) at
1-800/247-1753 to:

o   obtain information about your account;

o   obtain price and performance information about any Franklin Templeton Fund;

o   exchange shares between identically registered Franklin accounts; and

o   request duplicate statements and deposit slips for Franklin accounts.

You will need the code number for each class to use TeleFACTS(R). The code
number is 414 for Class I and 514 for Class II.


STATEMENTS AND REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

We will send you the following statements and reports on a regular basis:


o   Confirmation and account statements reflecting transactions in your account,
    including additional purchases and dividend reinvestments. PLEASE VERIFY THE
    ACCURACY OF YOUR STATEMENTS WHEN YOU RECEIVE THEM.

o   Financial  reports of the Fund will be sent every six months. To reduce Fund
    expenses, we attempt to identify related shareholders within a household and
    send only one copy of a report.  Call Fund  Information if you would like an
    additional free copy of the Fund's financial reports.


INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTS


Additional  methods of buying,  selling or exchanging  shares of the Fund may be
available  to  institutional  accounts.  Institutional  investors  may  also  be
required to complete an institutional account application. For more information,
call Institutional Services.


AVAILABILITY OF THESE SERVICES

The services above are available to most shareholders.  If, however, your shares
are held by a financial  institution,  in a street name  account,  or  networked
through the NSCC, the Fund may not be able to offer these  services  directly to
you. Please contact your investment representative.

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY ACCOUNT?


If you have any questions about your account, you may write to Investor Services
at 700 Central Avenue, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg,  Florida 33733-8030.  The
Fund and  Distributors  are also  located at this  address.  Global  Advisors is
located at P.O. Box N-7759, Lyford Cay, Nassau, Bahamas. You may also contact us
by phone at one of the numbers listed below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  HOURS OF OPERATION (EASTERN TIME)
DEPARTMENT NAME                            TELEPHONE NO.          (MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY)

- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                    <C>   

Shareholder Services                       1-800/632-2301         8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Dealer Services                            1-800/524-4040         8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.


Fund Information                           1-800/DIAL BEN         8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
                                           (1-800/342-5236)       9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Saturday)

Retirement Plan Services                   1-800/527-2020         8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.


Institutional Services                     1-800/321-8563         9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

TDD (hearing impaired)                     1-800/851-0637         8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

</TABLE>

Your phone call may be  monitored or recorded to ensure we provide you with high
quality  service.  You will  hear a regular  beeping  tone if your call is being
recorded.


<PAGE>




GLOSSARY

USEFUL TERMS AND DEFINITIONS


1933 ACT -- Securities Act of 1933, as amended

1940 ACT -- Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended

BOARD -- The Board of Trustees of the Trust

CD -- Certificate of deposit

CLASS I AND CLASS II -- The Fund offers two classes of shares, designated "Class
I" and "Class II." The two classes  have  proportionate  interests in the Fund's
portfolio. They differ, however,  primarily in their sales charge structures and
Rule 12b-1 plans.

CODE -- Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended

CONTINGENCY  PERIOD -- For Class I shares,  the 12 month  period  during which a
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may apply. For Class II shares, the contingency
period is 18 months.  Regardless of when during the month you purchased  shares,
they will age one month on the last day of that month and each following month.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC)-- A sales charge of 1% that may apply if
you sell your shares within the Contingency Period.

DISTRIBUTORS  --  Franklin/Templeton  Distributors,  Inc., the Fund's  principal
underwriter.  The SAI lists the  officers and Board  members who are  affiliated
with Distributors. See "Officers and Trustees."

ELIGIBLE  GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORITY  --  Any  state  or  local  government  or any
instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof that has determined the
Fund is a legally  permissible  investment  and that can only buy  shares of the
Fund without paying sales charges.

FRANKLIN  TEMPLETON  FUNDS -- The U.S.  registered  mutual funds in the Franklin
Group of Funds(R) and the  Templeton  Group of Funds except  Franklin  Valuemark
Funds, Franklin Government Securities Trust, Templeton Capital Accumulator Fund,
Inc.,  Templeton  Variable Annuity Fund, and Templeton  Variable Products Series
Fund

FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GROUP -- Franklin  Resources,  Inc., a publicly owned holding
company, and its various subsidiaries

FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GROUP OF FUNDS -- All U.S. registered investment companies in
the Franklin Group of Funds(R) and the Templeton Group of Funds

FT SERVICES -- Franklin Templeton Services, Inc., the Fund's administrator

GLOBAL ADVISORS -- Templeton  Global  Advisors  Limited,  the Fund's  investment
manager

INVESTOR  SERVICES --  Franklin/Templeton  Investor  Services,  Inc., the Fund's
shareholder servicing and transfer agent

IRS -- Internal Revenue Service

LETTER -- Letter of Intent

MARKET  TIMERS  --  Market  Timers  generally  include  market  timing  or asset
allocation services, accounts administered so as to buy, sell or exchange shares
based  on  predetermined  market  indicators,  or  any  person  or  group  whose
transactions  seem to  follow a timing  pattern  or whose  transactions  include
frequent or large exchanges.

MOODY'S -- Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

NASD -- National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) -- The value of a mutual fund is  determined  by deducting
the fund's  liabilities  from the total assets of the  portfolio.  The net asset
value per share is determined by dividing the net asset value of the fund by the
number of shares outstanding.

NSCC -- National Securities Clearing Corporation

NYSE -- New York Stock Exchange

OFFERING PRICE -- The public  offering price is based on the Net Asset Value per
share of the  class  and  includes  the  front-end  sales  charge.  The  maximum
front-end sales charge is 5.75% for Class I and 1% for Class II.

QUALIFIED  RETIREMENT PLANS -- An employer  sponsored  pension or profit-sharing
plan that  qualifies  under section 401 of the Code.  Examples  include  401(k),
money purchase pension, profit sharing and defined benefit plans.

RESOURCES -- Franklin Resources, Inc.

SAI -- Statement of Additional Information

S&P --  Standard  &  Poor's  Ratings  Service,  a  division  of The  McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc.

SEC -- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

SECURITIES  DEALER -- A financial  institution  that, either directly or through
affiliates,  has an agreement with  Distributors  to handle  customer orders and
accounts  with the Fund.  This  reference is for  convenience  only and does not
indicate a legal conclusion of capacity.

SEP -- An employer sponsored  simplified employee pension plan established under
section 408(k) of the Code

TELEFACTS(R) -- FRANKLIN TEMPLETON'S AUTOMATED CUSTOMER SERVICING SYSTEM

TRUST COMPANY -- Franklin Templeton Trust Company. Trust Company is an affiliate
of Distributors and both are wholly owned subsidiaries of Resources.

U.S. -- United States

WE/OUR/US -- Unless the context indicates a different meaning, these terms refer
to the Fund  and/or  Investor  Services,  Distributors,  or other  wholly  owned
subsidiaries of Resources.



<PAGE>




INSTRUCTIONS AND IMPORTANT NOTICE

SUBSTITUTE W-9 INSTRUCTIONS INFORMATION

GENERAL.  Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability
of persons  subject to backup  withholding  will be reduced by the amount of tax
withheld.  If  withholding  results in an  overpayment of taxes, a refund may be
obtained from the IRS.

OBTAINING  A  NUMBER.  If you do not  have  a  Social  Security  Number/Taxpayer
Identification Number or you do not know your SSN/TIN, you must obtain Form SS-5
or Form SS-4 from your local Social Security or IRS office and apply for one. If
you  have  checked  the  "Awaiting  TIN"  box  and  signed  the   certification,
withholding will apply to payments relating to your account unless you provide a
certified TIN within 60 days.

WHAT SSN/TIN TO GIVE. Please refer to the following guidelines:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


 ACCOUNT TYPE            GIVE SSN OF         ACCOUNT TYPE           GIVE EMPLOYER ID # OF

- ----------------------- ------------------ ----------------------- ------------------------------
<S>                      <C>               <C>                     <C>    

o Individual            Individual         o Trust, Estate,        Trust, Estate, or
                                             or                    Pension Plan Trust
                                             Pension Plan
                                             Trust

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

o Joint Individual       Owner who          o Corporation,          Corporation,
                         will be              Partnership,          Partnership, or
                         paying tax           or other              other organization
                         or                   organization
                         first-named
                         individual

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

o Unif. Gift/            Minor              o Broker nominee        Broker nominee
  Transfer to Minor

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

o Sole Proprietor        Owner of
                         business

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

o Legal Guardian         Ward,
                         Minor, or
                         Incompetent

- ----------------------- ------------------ ----------------------- ------------------------------
</TABLE>

EXEMPT RECIPIENTS.  Please provide your TIN and check the "Exempt Recipient" box
if you are an exempt recipient. Exempt recipients include:


<PAGE>



     A corporation                           A real estate investment trust 


     A financial institution                 A common  trust fund  operated
                                             by a bank under section 584(a)

     An organization exempt from             An exempt charitable remainder
     tax under section 501(a), or            trust or a non-exempt trust
     an individual retirement plan           described in section 4947(a)(1)


     A registered dealer in                  An entity registered at all
     securities or  commodities              times under the Investment
     registered in the U.S. or a             Company Act of 1940
     U.S. possession



<PAGE>



IRS PENALTIES. If you do not supply us with your SSN/TIN, you will be subject to
an IRS $50  penalty  unless  your  failure  is due to  reasonable  cause and not
willful neglect. If you fail to report certain income on your federal income tax
return,  you will be treated as  negligent  and subject to an IRS 20% penalty on
any  underpayment  of tax  attributable  to such  negligence,  unless  there was
reasonable cause for the resulting  underpayment and you acted in good faith. If
you falsify information on this form or make any other false statement resulting
in no  backup  withholding  on an  account  which  should be  subject  to backup
withholding,  you may be subject to an IRS $500  penalty  and  certain  criminal
penalties including fines and imprisonment.

SUBSTITUTE W-8 INSTRUCTIONS INFORMATION

EXEMPT FOREIGN PERSON. Check the "Exempt Foreign Person" box if you qualify as a
non-resident  alien or  foreign  entity  that is not  subject  to  certain  U.S.
information return reporting or to backup  withholding rules.  Dividends paid to
your  account  may be subject to  withholding  of up to 30%.  You are an "Exempt
Foreign  Person" if you are not (1) a citizen or resident of the U.S.,  or (2) a
U.S. corporation,  partnership,  estate, or trust. In the case of an individual,
an "Exempt Foreign  Person" is one who has been  physically  present in the U.S.
for less than 31 days during the current  calendar  year. An  individual  who is
physically  present in the U.S. for at least 31 days during the current calendar
year will  still be treated as an "Exempt  Foreign  Person,"  provided  that the
total number of days physically present in the current calendar year and the two
preceding  calendar  years does not exceed 183 days (counting all of the days in
the current  calendar year,  only  one-third of the days in the first  preceding
calendar year and only  one-sixth of the days in the second  preceding  calendar
year). In addition,  lawful permanent residents or green card holders may not be
treated as "Exempt Foreign Persons." If you are an individual or an entity,  you
must not now be,  or at this  time  expect  to be,  engaged  in a U.S.  trade or
business  with respect to which any gain derived from  transactions  effected by
the Fund/Payer during the calendar year is effectively connected to the U.S. (or
your transactions are exempt from U.S. taxes under a tax treaty).

PERMANENT  ADDRESS.  The  Shareholder  Application  must contain your  permanent
address if you are an "Exempt Foreign Person." If you are an individual, provide
your permanent  address.  If you are a partnership or  corporation,  provide the
address of your  principal  office.  If you are an estate or trust,  provide the
address of your permanent residence or the principal office of any fiduciary.

NOTICE OF CHANGE IN STATUS.  If you become a U.S.  citizen or resident after you
have provided  certification  of your foreign  status,  or if you cease to be an
"Exempt Foreign  Person," you must notify the Fund/Payer  within 30 days of your
change in status. Reporting will then begin on the account(s) listed, and backup
withholding  may also begin  unless you certify to the  Fund/Payer  that (1) the
taxpayer  identification  number you have given is correct, and (2) the Internal
Revenue Service has not notified you that you are subject to backup  withholding
because you failed to report certain  interest or dividend  income.  You may use
Form  W-9,   "Payer's   Request   for   Taxpayer   Identification   Number   and
Certification," to make these certifications. If an account is no longer active,
you do not have to notify a Fund/Payer or broker of your change in status unless
you also have another account with the same Fund/Payer that is still active.  If
you receive  interest  from more than one  Fund/Payer or have dealings with more
than one broker or barter  exchange,  file a certificate  with each. If you have
more than one account with the same  Fund/Payer,  the Fund/Payer may require you
to file a separate certificate for each account.

WHEN TO FILE. File these  certifications  with the Fund before a payment is made
to you,  unless  you have  already  done  this in  either  of the two  preceding
calendar years.

HOW OFTEN YOU MUST FILE. This certificate  generally remains in effect for three
calendar  years.  A  Fund/Payer  or  broker,  however,  may  require  that a new
certificate  be filed each time a payment is made.  On joint  accounts for which
each joint  owner is a foreign  person,  each must  provide a  certification  of
foreign status.


<PAGE>




                   RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AUTHORITY OF
                   CORPORATE /ASSOCIATION SHAREHOLDER

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




INSTRUCTION:

It will  be  necessary  for  corporate/association  shareholders to  provide  a
certified copy of a resolution or other certificate of authority supporting the
authority of designated officers of the corporation/association to issue oral
and  written instruction on  behalf of the corporation/association for  the
purchase, sale (redemption), transfer and/or exchange of Franklin Templeton Fund
shares. You may use the  following form of resolution or you may prefer to use
your own.


CERTIFIED COPY OF RESOLUTION (Corporation or Association)


The  undersigned  hereby  certifies  and affirms that he/she is the duly elected
________________ of --------------- a _______________  organized under the laws
Title                Corporate Name    Type of  Organization

of the State of __________________ and that the  following is a true and 
                    State
correct copy of a resolution  adopted by the Board of Directors by  unanimous  
written  consent (a copy  of  which  is   attached)  or  at  a  meeting  duly 
called  and  held  on _______________, 19__.

     "RESOLVED,    that    ---------------------------------- 
                             Name of Corporation/Association
     (the  "Company")  is  authorized  to  invest  the Company's assets in one
      or more investment companies (mutual funds) whose shares are distributed  
      by Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors"). Each such  
     investment company, or series  thereof, is referred to as a "Franklin 
     Templeton Fund" or "Fund."

    FURTHER  RESOLVED,  that any (enter number)  _____________  of the following
    officers of this Company (acting alone, if one, or acting together,  if more
    than one) is/are authorized to issue oral or written instructions (including
    the signing of drafts in the case of draft  accessed money fund accounts) on
    behalf of the Company for the purchase,  sale (redemption),  transfer and/or
    exchange  of  Fund  shares  and  to  execute  any  Fund  application(s)  and
    agreements  pertaining to Fund shares  registered or to be registered to the
    Company (referred to as a "Company  Instruction");  and, that this authority
    shall continue until  Franklin/Templeton  Investor Services, Inc. ("Investor
    Services")  receives written notice of revocation or amendment  delivered by
    registered mail. The Company's  officers  authorized to act on behalf of the
    Company under this resolution are (enter officer titles
    only):____________________________________________________________________

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (referred to as the "Authorized Officers").

    FURTHER  RESOLVED,  that  Investor  Services  may rely on the most  recently
    provided  incumbency  certificate  delivered  by  the  Company  to  Investor
    Services to identify  those  individuals  who are the  incumbent  Authorized
    Officers  and that  Investor  Services  shall  have no  independent  duty to
    determine  if there  has been  any  change  in the  individuals  serving  as
    incumbent Authorized Officers.

    FURTHER RESOLVED,  that the Company ("Indemnitor")  undertakes and agrees to
    indemnify and hold harmless  Distributors,  each affiliate of  Distributors,
    each  Franklin  Templeton  Fund and their  officers,  employees  and  agents
    (referred to hereafter  collectively as the "Indemnitees")  from and against
    any and all liability,  loss, suits, claims,  costs, damages and expenses of
    whatever amount and whatever nature (including without limitation reasonable
    attorneys' fees,  whether for consultation and advice or  representation  in
    litigation at both the trial and appellate level) any indemnitee may sustain
    or incur by reason of, in  consequence  of, or arising from or in connection
    with any action taken or not taken by an Indemnitee  in good faith  reliance
    on a Company Instruction given as authorized under this resolution."

The undersigned further certifies that the below named persons, whose signatures
appear opposite their names, are the incumbent Authorized Officers (as that term
is defined  in the above  resolution)  who have been duly  elected to the office
identified beside their name(s) (attach additional list if necessary).

                                          X
- ----------------------------------       -------------------------------------
Name/title (please print or type)         Signature

                                          X
- -----------------------------------       -------------------------------------
Name/title (please print or type)         Signature

                                          X
- -----------------------------------       -------------------------------------
Name/title (please print or type)         Signature

                                          X
- -----------------------------------       -------------------------------------
Name/title (please print or type)         Signature

Certified from minutes

X
- -----------------------------------
Signatur


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name/title (please print or type)
CORPORATE SEAL (if appropriate)



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<PAGE>



FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GROUP OF FUNDS


LITERATURE  REQUEST  E CALL  1-800/DIAL  BEN  (1-800/342-5236)  today for a free
descriptive  brochure  and  prospectus  on any of the funds  listed  below.  The
prospectus  contains  more complete  information,  including  fees,  charges and
expenses, and should be read carefully before investing or sending money.




<PAGE>




GLOBAL GROWTH


Franklin Global Health Care Fund
Franklin Templeton Japan Fund
Templeton Developing Markets Trust
Templeton Foreign Fund
Templeton Foreign Smaller
 Companies Fund
Templeton Global
 Infrastructure Fund
Templeton Global
 Opportunities Trust
Templeton Global Real Estate Fund
Templeton Global Smaller
 Companies Fund
Templeton Greater European Fund
Templeton Growth Fund
Templeton Latin America Fund
Templeton Pacific Growth Fund
Templeton World Fund


GLOBAL GROWTH AND INCOME

Franklin Global Utilities Fund
Franklin Templeton German
 Government Bond Fund
Franklin Templeton
 Global Currency Fund
Mutual European Fund
Templeton Global Bond Fund
Templeton Growth and Income Fund


GLOBAL INCOME

Franklin Global Government
Income Fund
Franklin Templeton Hard
 Currency Fund
Franklin Templeton High
 Income Currency Fund
Templeton Americas
 Government Securities Fund

GROWTH


Franklin Blue Chip Fund 
Franklin  California  Growth Fund 
Franklin DynaTech Fund
Franklin  Equity Fund 
Franklin Gold Fund 
Franklin  Growth Fund 
Franklin  MidCap
Growth Fund 
Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund
 Mutual Discovery Fund


GROWTH AND INCOME


Franklin Asset Allocation Fund
Franklin Balance Sheet
 Investment  Fund 
Franklin  Convertible  Securities  Fund 
Franklin Equity Income Fund 
Franklin  Income  Fund  
Franklin  MicroCap  Value  Fund  
Franklin  Natural
Resources Fund 
Franklin Real Estate  
Securities Fund 
Franklin  Rising  Dividends Fund 
Franklin  Strategic Income Fund 
Franklin Utilities Fund 
Franklin Value Fund
Mutual Beacon Fund 
Mutual  Qualified Fund
 Mutual Shares Fund 
Templeton  American
Trust, Inc.

FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Franklin Templeton
Conservative Target Fund
Franklin Templeton
Moderate Target Fund
Franklin Templeton
Growth Target Fund


INCOME

Franklin Adjustable Rate
 Securities Fund
Franklin Adjustable U.S.
Government Securities Fund
Franklin's AGE High Income Fund
Franklin Investment
Grade Income Fund
Franklin Short-Intermediate U.S.
Government Securities Fund
Franklin U.S. Government
Securities Fund
Franklin Money Fund
Franklin Federal Money Fund
FOR CORPORATIONS
Franklin Corporate Qualified
Dividend Fund


FRANKLIN FUNDS SEEKING
TAX-FREE INCOME

Federal Intermediate-Term
 Tax-Free Income Fund
Federal Tax-Free Income Fund
High Yield Tax-Free Income Fund
Insured Tax-Free Income Fund
Puerto Rico Tax-Free Income Fund
Tax-Exempt Money Fund

FRANKLIN STATE-SPECIFIC FUNDS
SEEKING TAX-FREE INCOME

Alabama
Arizona*
Arkansas**
California*
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida*
Georgia
Hawaii**
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts***
Michigan*
Minnesota***
Missouri
New Jersey
New York*
North Carolina
Ohio***
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee**
Texas
Virginia
Washington**


VARIABLE ANNUITIES+

Franklin Valuemark(R)
Franklin Templeton
 Valuemark Income Plus
(an immediate annuity)



<PAGE>


*Two or more fund  options  available:  long-term  portfolio,  intermediate-term
portfolio,  a portfolio  of insured  municipal  securities,  and/or a high yield
portfolio (CA) and a money market portfolio (CA and NY).

**The  fund may  invest  up to 100% of its  assets  in bonds  that pay  interest
subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.

***Portfolio  of insured  municipal
securities.


+Franklin  Valuemark and Franklin Templeton  Valuemark Income Plus are issued by
Allianz  Life  Insurance  Company  of  North  America  or by  its  wholly  owned
subsidiary,  Preferred  Life Insurance  Company of New York, and  distributed by
NALAC Financial Plans, LLC.

FGF02/97            [LOGO]Printed on recycled paperTL414 P 08/97


<PAGE>





TEMPLETON GLOBAL GROWTH
AND INCOME                                      Bulk Rate
P.O. Box 33031                                  U.S. Postage
St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8031                   PAID
- -----------------------------                   So. San
                                                Francisco, CA
                                                Permit No. 655
                                                ----------------


TL414 08/97       [LOGO] Printed on recycled paper






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