<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 B000000 01/31/97
000 C000000 0000918848
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 3.0.a
000 J000000 A
001 A000000 ML ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
001 B000000 811-7177
001 C000000 6092822800
002 A000000 P.O. BOX 9011
002 B000000 PRINCETON
002 C000000 NJ
002 D010000 08543
002 D020000 9011
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 Y
007 B000000 5
007 C010100 1
007 C020100 ML FUNDAMENTAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
007 C030100 N
007 C010200 2
007 C020200 ML GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY PORTFOLIO
007 C030200 N
007 C010300 3
007 C020300 ML QUALITY BOND PORTFOLIO
007 C030300 N
007 C010400 4
007 C020400 ML U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
007 C030400 N
007 C010500 5
007 C020500 ML GROWTH OPPORTUNITY PORTFOLIO
007 C030500 N
007 C010600 6
007 C010700 7
007 C010800 8
007 C010900 9
007 C011000 10
008 A00AA01 MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
008 B00AA01 A
008 C00AA01 801-11583
008 D01AA01 PRINCETON
008 D02AA01 NJ
008 D03AA01 08543
008 D04AA01 9011
008 A00AA02 MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT U.K., LTD.
<PAGE> PAGE 2
008 B00AA02 S
008 C00AA02 801-31780
008 D01AA02 LONDON
008 D05AA02 ENGLAND
008 D06AA02 EC24 9LY
011 A00AA01 MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
011 B00AA01 8-14663
011 C01AA01 PRINCETON
011 C02AA01 NJ
011 C03AA01 08543
011 C04AA01 9011
012 A00AA01 MERRILL LYNCH FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
012 B00AA01 84-01339
012 C01AA01 JACKSONVILLE
012 C02AA01 FL
012 C03AA01 32246
012 C04AA01 6484
013 A00AA01 DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
013 B01AA01 PRINCETON
013 B02AA01 NJ
013 B03AA01 08540
014 A00AA01 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INC.
014 B00AA01 8-7221
018 00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00 189
019 C00AA00 MERRILLLYN
020 A000001 INSTINET CORPORATION
020 B000001 13-3443395
020 C000001 17
020 A000002 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
020 B000002 13-2655998
020 C000002 16
020 A000003 CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
020 B000003 13-5659485
020 C000003 13
020 A000004 UBS SECURITIES LLC
020 B000004 13-3873456
020 C000004 12
020 A000005 NEUBERGER & BERMAN
020 B000005 13-5521910
020 C000005 11
020 A000006 SALOMON BROTHERS INC
020 B000006 13-3082694
020 C000006 10
020 A000007 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
020 B000007 13-2518466
020 C000007 9
020 A000008 BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
020 B000008 13-3299429
020 C000008 9
<PAGE> PAGE 3
020 A000009 SCHRODER WERTHEIM & CO. INCORPORATED
020 B000009 13-2697272
020 C000009 9
020 A000010 MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
020 B000010 94-1701676
020 C000010 9
021 000000 249
022 A000001 HSBC SECURITIES, INC.
022 B000001 13-2650272
022 C000001 595722
022 D000001 7198
022 A000002 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP.
022 C000002 409426
022 D000002 0
022 A000003 NIKKO SECURITIES CO. INTERNATIONAL, INC.(THE)
022 B000003 94-1302123
022 C000003 139724
022 D000003 307
022 A000004 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
022 B000004 13-5108880
022 C000004 22353
022 D000004 7461
022 A000005 FORD MOTOR CREDIT CORP.
022 C000005 27536
022 D000005 0
022 A000006 CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
022 B000006 13-5659485
022 C000006 15851
022 D000006 3925
022 A000007 SALOMON BROTHERS INC
022 B000007 13-3082694
022 C000007 8655
022 D000007 3357
022 A000008 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
022 B000008 13-2655998
022 C000008 6809
022 D000008 3111
022 A000009 MORGAN (J.P.) SECURITIES INC.
022 B000009 13-3224016
022 C000009 5937
022 D000009 2206
022 A000010 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
022 B000010 13-2518466
022 C000010 4698
022 D000010 2627
023 C000000 1272860
023 D000000 49696
026 A000000 N
026 B000000 Y
026 C000000 N
026 D000000 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 4
026 E000000 N
026 F000000 N
026 G010000 N
026 G020000 N
026 H000000 N
027 000000 Y
054 A00AA00 Y
054 B00AA00 Y
054 C00AA00 N
054 D00AA00 N
054 E00AA00 N
054 F00AA00 N
054 G00AA00 N
054 H00AA00 Y
054 I00AA00 N
054 J00AA00 Y
054 K00AA00 N
054 L00AA00 N
054 M00AA00 Y
054 N00AA00 N
077 A000000 Y
077 B000000 Y
077 O000000 Y
078 000000 N
080 A00AA00 ICI MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
080 C00AA00 2500
081 A00AA00 Y
081 B00AA00 110
082 A00AA00 N
082 B00AA00 0
083 A00AA00 N
083 B00AA00 0
084 A00AA00 N
084 B00AA00 0
085 A00AA00 Y
085 B00AA00 N
015 A000101 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000101 C
015 C010101 NEW YORK
015 C020101 NY
015 C030101 10286
015 E010101 X
015 A000102 BANQUE BRUSSELS LAMBERT
015 B000102 S
015 C010102 BRUSSELS
015 D010102 BELGIUM
015 E040102 X
015 A000103 ROYAL TRUST CORPORATION OF CANADA
015 B000103 S
015 C010103 TORONTO
015 D010103 CANADA
<PAGE> PAGE 5
015 E040103 X
015 A000104 DEN DANSKE BANK
015 B000104 S
015 C010104 COPENHAGEN
015 D010104 DENMARK
015 E040104 X
015 A000105 UNION BANK OF FINLANDI
015 B000105 S
015 C010105 HELSINKI
015 D010105 FINLAND
015 E040105 X
015 A000106 BANQUE PARIBAS
015 B000106 S
015 C010106 PARIS
015 D010106 FRANCE
015 E040106 X
015 A000107 DRESDNER BANK
015 B000107 S
015 C010107 FRANKFURT
015 D010107 GERMANY
015 E040107 X
015 A000108 HONGKONG SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, LTD.
015 B000108 S
015 C010108 HONG KONG
015 D010108 HONG KONG
015 E040108 X
015 A000109 CITIBANK N.A.
015 B000109 S
015 C010109 NEW YORK
015 C020109 NY
015 C030109 10043
015 E010109 X
015 A000110 BANCO NATIONALE DE MEXICO
015 B000110 S
015 C010110 MEXICO
015 D010110 MEXICO
015 E040110 X
015 A000111 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP
015 B000111 S
015 C010111 MELBOURNE
015 D010111 AUSTRALIA
015 E040111 X
015 A000112 DEN NORSKE BANK
015 B000112 S
015 C010112 OSLO
015 D010112 NORWAY
015 E040112 X
015 A000113 UNITED OVERSEAS BANK
015 B000113 S
015 C010113 SINGAPORE
015 D010113 SINGAPORE
<PAGE> PAGE 6
015 E040113 X
015 A000114 BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA
015 B000114 S
015 C010114 MADRID
015 D010114 SPAIN
015 E040114 X
015 A000115 SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN
015 B000115 S
015 C010115 STOCKHOLM
015 D010115 SWEDEN
015 E040115 X
015 A000116 UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND
015 B000116 S
015 C010116 ZURICH
015 D010116 SWITZERLAND
015 E040116 X
015 A000117 BANCA COMMERCIALE ITALIANA
015 B000117 S
015 C010117 ROME
015 D010117 ITALY
015 E040117 X
015 A000118 RITS
015 B000118 S
015 C010118 AUSTRALIA
015 D010118 AUSTRALIA
015 E040118 X
015 A000119 CIK
015 B000119 S
015 C010119 BELGIUM
015 D010119 BELGIUM
015 E040119 X
015 A000120 CDS
015 B000120 S
015 C010120 CANADA
015 D010120 CANADA
015 E040120 X
015 A000121 CEDEL, S.A.
015 B000121 S
015 C010121 CEDEL
015 D010121 CEDEL
015 E040121 X
015 A000122 VP
015 B000122 S
015 C010122 DENMARK
015 D010122 DENMARK
015 E040122 X
015 A000123 SICOVAM
015 B000123 S
015 C010123 FRANCE
015 D010123 FRANCE
015 E040123 X
<PAGE> PAGE 7
015 A000124 THE DEUTSCHER KASSENVEREIN AG
015 B000124 S
015 C010124 GERMANY
015 D010124 GERMANY
015 E040124 X
015 A000125 CCASS
015 B000125 S
015 C010125 HONG KONG
015 D010125 HONG KONG
015 E040125 X
015 A000126 MONTE TITOLI S.P.A.
015 B000126 S
015 C010126 ITALY
015 D010126 ITALY
015 E040126 X
015 A000127 S.D. INDEVAL, S.A. DE C.V.
015 B000127 S
015 C010127 MEXICO
015 D010127 MEXICO
015 E040127 X
015 A000128 NECIGEF
015 B000128 S
015 C010128 NETHERLANDS
015 D010128 NETHERLANDS
015 E040128 X
015 A000129 VPS
015 B000129 S
015 C010129 NORWAY
015 D010129 NORWAY
015 E040129 X
015 A000130 CDP
015 B000130 S
015 C010130 SINGAPORE
015 D010130 SINGAPORE
015 E040130 X
015 A000131 SCLV
015 B000131 S
015 C010131 SPAIN
015 D010131 SPAIN
015 E040131 X
015 A000132 SEGA
015 B000132 S
015 C010132 SWITZERLAND
015 D010132 SWITZERLAND
015 E040132 X
015 A000133 MEESPIERSON, N.V.
015 B000133 S
015 C010133 NETHERLANDS
015 D010133 NETHERLANDS
015 E040133 X
015 A000134 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
<PAGE> PAGE 8
015 B000134 S
015 C010134 NEW YORK
015 C020134 NY
015 C030134 10006
015 E010134 X
015 A000135 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B000135 S
015 C010135 NEW YORK
015 C020135 NY
015 C030135 10017
015 E010135 X
015 A000136 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B000136 S
015 C010136 NEW YORK
015 C020136 NY
015 C030136 10167
015 E010136 X
015 A000137 MORGAN GUARANTEE TRUST CO.
015 B000137 S
015 C010137 NEW YORK
015 C020137 NY
015 C030137 10260
015 E010137 X
015 A000138 YASUDA TRUST
015 B000138 S
015 C010138 TOKYO
015 D010138 JAPAN
015 E040138 X
015 A000139 VPC
015 B000139 S
015 C010139 SWEDEN
015 D010139 SWEDEN
015 E040139 X
015 A000140 CITIBANK, BUDAPEST
015 B000140 S
015 C010140 BUDAPEST
015 D010140 HUNGARY
015 E040140 X
015 A000141 AUSTRACLEAR LIMITED
015 B000141 S
015 C010141 SYDNEY
015 D010141 AUSTRALIA
015 E040141 X
015 A000142 BANK HANDLOWY W WARZAWIE, S.A.
015 B000142 S
015 C010142 POLAND
015 D010142 POLAND
015 E040142 X
015 A000143 NDS
015 B000143 S
015 C010143 POLAND
<PAGE> PAGE 9
015 D010143 POLAND
015 E040143 X
015 A000144 KSD
015 B000144 S
015 C010144 KOREA
015 D010144 KOREA
015 E040144 X
015 A000145 BANK OF TOKYO MITSUBISHI
015 B000145 S
015 C010145 TOKYO
015 D010145 JAPAN
015 E040145 X
024 000100 N
025 A000101 GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP L.P.
025 C000101 D
025 D000101 795
025 D000102 0
025 D000103 0
025 D000104 0
025 D000105 0
025 D000106 0
025 D000107 0
025 D000108 0
028 A010100 1301
028 A020100 0
028 A030100 0
028 A040100 410
028 B010100 1210
028 B020100 0
028 B030100 0
028 B040100 399
028 C010100 1495
028 C020100 0
028 C030100 0
028 C040100 399
028 D010100 1271
028 D020100 0
028 D030100 0
028 D040100 688
028 E010100 2080
028 E020100 1521
028 E030100 0
028 E040100 434
028 F010100 1938
028 F020100 0
028 F030100 0
028 F040100 872
028 G010100 9295
028 G020100 1521
028 G030100 0
028 G040100 3202
<PAGE> PAGE 10
028 H000100 365
029 000100 Y
030 A000100 35
030 B000100 5.25
030 C000100 0.00
031 A000100 2
031 B000100 0
032 000100 0
033 000100 33
034 000100 Y
035 000100 61
036 A000100 N
036 B000100 0
037 000100 N
038 000100 0
039 000100 N
040 000100 Y
041 000100 Y
042 A000100 0
042 B000100 0
042 C000100 100
042 D000100 0
042 E000100 0
042 F000100 0
042 G000100 0
042 H000100 0
043 000100 410
044 000100 0
045 000100 Y
046 000100 N
047 000100 Y
048 000100 0.650
048 A010100 0
048 A020100 0.000
048 B010100 0
048 B020100 0.000
048 C010100 0
048 C020100 0.000
048 D010100 0
048 D020100 0.000
048 E010100 0
048 E020100 0.000
048 F010100 0
048 F020100 0.000
048 G010100 0
048 G020100 0.000
048 H010100 0
048 H020100 0.000
048 I010100 0
048 I020100 0.000
048 J010100 0
<PAGE> PAGE 11
048 J020100 0.000
048 K010100 0
048 K020100 0.000
049 000100 N
050 000100 N
051 000100 N
052 000100 N
053 A000100 N
055 A000100 N
055 B000100 N
056 000100 Y
057 000100 N
058 A000100 N
059 000100 Y
060 A000100 Y
060 B000100 Y
061 000100 100
062 A000100 N
062 B000100 0.0
062 C000100 0.0
062 D000100 0.0
062 E000100 0.0
062 F000100 0.0
062 G000100 0.0
062 H000100 0.0
062 I000100 0.0
062 J000100 0.0
062 K000100 0.0
062 L000100 0.0
062 M000100 0.0
062 N000100 0.0
062 O000100 0.0
062 P000100 0.0
062 Q000100 0.0
062 R000100 0.0
066 A000100 Y
066 B000100 N
066 C000100 Y
066 D000100 N
066 E000100 N
066 F000100 N
066 G000100 N
067 000100 N
068 A000100 N
068 B000100 N
069 000100 N
070 A010100 Y
070 A020100 N
070 B010100 Y
070 B020100 N
070 C010100 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 12
070 C020100 N
070 D010100 Y
070 D020100 N
070 E010100 N
070 E020100 N
070 F010100 Y
070 F020100 N
070 G010100 Y
070 G020100 N
070 H010100 Y
070 H020100 N
070 I010100 N
070 I020100 N
070 J010100 Y
070 J020100 N
070 K010100 Y
070 K020100 N
070 L010100 Y
070 L020100 Y
070 M010100 Y
070 M020100 N
070 N010100 Y
070 N020100 N
070 O010100 Y
070 O020100 N
070 P010100 Y
070 P020100 Y
070 Q010100 N
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 Y
070 R020100 N
071 A000100 38665
071 B000100 31126
071 C000100 38618
071 D000100 81
072 A000100 12
072 B000100 245
072 C000100 614
072 D000100 0
072 E000100 0
072 F000100 284
072 G000100 97
072 H000100 0
072 I000100 242
072 J000100 22
072 K000100 0
072 L000100 118
072 M000100 10
072 N000100 88
072 O000100 0
072 P000100 0
<PAGE> PAGE 13
072 Q000100 0
072 R000100 33
072 S000100 18
072 T000100 410
072 U000100 7
072 V000100 0
072 W000100 9
072 X000100 1338
072 Y000100 0
072 Z000100 -479
072AA000100 7343
072BB000100 1107
072CC010100 2839
072CC020100 0
072DD010100 0
072DD020100 0
072EE000100 2518
073 A010100 0.0000
073 A020100 0.0000
073 B000100 0.0000
073 C000100 0.0000
074 A000100 5
074 B000100 0
074 C000100 9039
074 D000100 0
074 E000100 0
074 F000100 45339
074 G000100 0
074 H000100 0
074 I000100 0
074 J000100 129
074 K000100 0
074 L000100 166
074 M000100 121
074 N000100 54799
074 O000100 290
074 P000100 72
074 Q000100 0
074 R010100 0
074 R020100 0
074 R030100 0
074 R040100 198
074 S000100 0
074 T000100 54239
074 U010100 324
074 U020100 3722
074 V010100 0.00
074 V020100 0.00
074 W000100 0.0000
074 X000100 17648
074 Y000100 0
<PAGE> PAGE 14
075 A000100 0
075 B000100 43704
076 000100 0.00
015 A000201 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000201 C
015 C010201 NEW YORK
015 C020201 NY
015 C030201 10286
015 E010201 X
015 A000202 BANK OF TOKYO MITSUBISHI
015 B000202 S
015 C010202 TOKYO
015 D010202 JAPAN
015 E040202 X
015 A000203 GIROCREDIT BANK
015 B000203 S
015 C010203 VIENNA
015 D010203 AUSTRIA
015 E040203 X
015 A000204 BANQUE BRUSSELS LAMBERT
015 B000204 S
015 C010204 BRUSSELS
015 D010204 BELGIUM
015 E040204 X
015 A000205 ROYAL TRUST CORPORATION OF CANADA
015 B000205 S
015 C010205 TORONTO
015 D010205 CANADA
015 E040205 X
015 A000206 BANCO DE CHILE
015 B000206 S
015 C010206 CHILE
015 D010206 CHILE
015 E040206 X
015 A000207 STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
015 B000207 S
015 C010207 LONDON
015 D010207 ENGLAND
015 E040207 X
015 A000208 DEN DANSKE BANK
015 B000208 S
015 C010208 COPENHAGEN
015 D010208 DENMARK
015 E040208 X
015 A000209 UNION BANK OF FINLANDI
015 B000209 S
015 C010209 FINLAND
015 D010209 FINLAND
015 E040209 X
015 A000210 BANQUE PARIBAS
015 B000210 S
<PAGE> PAGE 15
015 C010210 PARIS
015 D010210 FRANCE
015 E040210 X
015 A000211 DRESDNER BANK
015 B000211 S
015 C010211 FRANKFURT
015 D010211 GERMANY
015 E040211 X
015 A000212 CREDIT BANK A.E.
015 B000212 S
015 C010212 ATHENS
015 D010212 GREECE
015 E040212 X
015 A000213 HONGKONG SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, LTD.
015 B000213 S
015 C010213 HONG KONG
015 D010213 HONG KONG
015 E040213 X
015 A000214 ALLIED IRISH BANK
015 B000214 S
015 C010214 DUBLIN
015 D010214 IRELAND
015 E040214 X
015 A000215 ISRAEL DISCOUNT BANK LIMITED
015 B000215 S
015 C010215 TEL AVIV
015 D010215 ISRAEL
015 E040215 X
015 A000216 CITIBANK N.A.
015 B000216 S
015 C010216 NEW YORK
015 C020216 NY
015 C030216 10043
015 E010216 X
015 A000217 BANCA COMMERCIALE ITALIANA
015 B000217 S
015 C010217 ROME
015 D010217 ITALY
015 E040217 X
015 A000218 YASUDA TRUST
015 B000218 S
015 C010218 TOKYO
015 D010218 JAPAN
015 E040218 X
015 A000219 HONGKONG BANK MALAYSIA BERHAD
015 B000219 S
015 C010219 KUALA LUMPUR
015 D010219 MALAYSIA
015 E040219 X
015 A000220 BANCO NATIONAL DE MEXICO
015 B000220 S
<PAGE> PAGE 16
015 C010220 MEXICO
015 D010220 MEXICO
015 E040220 X
015 A000221 DEN NORSKE BANK
015 B000221 S
015 C010221 OSLO
015 D010221 NORWAY
015 E040221 X
015 A000222 BANCO COMERICAL PORTUGUES
015 B000222 S
015 C010222 LISBON
015 D010222 PORTUGAL
015 E040222 X
015 A000223 UNITED OVERSEAS BANK
015 B000223 S
015 C010223 SINGAPORE
015 D010223 SINGAPORE
015 E040223 X
015 A000224 STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA LIMITED
015 B000224 S
015 C010224 JOHANNESBURG
015 D010224 SOUTH AFRICA
015 E040224 X
015 A000225 BANK OF SEOUL
015 B000225 S
015 C010225 SEOUL
015 D010225 SOUTH KOREA
015 E040225 X
015 A000226 BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA
015 B000226 S
015 C010226 MADRID
015 D010226 SPAIN
015 E040226 X
015 A000227 SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN
015 B000227 S
015 C010227 STOCKHOLM
015 D010227 SWEDEN
015 E040227 X
015 A000228 UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND
015 B000228 S
015 C010228 ZURICH
015 D010228 SWITZERLAND
015 E040228 X
015 A000229 SIAM COMMERICAL BANK PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED
015 B000229 S
015 C010229 BANGKOK
015 D010229 THAILAND
015 E040229 X
015 A000230 MEESPIERSON, N.V.
015 B000230 S
015 C010230 NETHERLANDS
<PAGE> PAGE 17
015 D010230 NETHERLANDS
015 E040230 X
015 A000231 CAJA DE VALORES S.A.
015 B000231 S
015 C010231 ARGENTINA
015 D010231 ARGENTINA
015 E040231 X
015 A000232 RITS
015 B000232 S
015 C010232 AUSTRALIA
015 D010232 AUSTRALIA
015 E040232 X
015 A000233 CIK
015 B000233 S
015 C010233 BELGIUM
015 D010233 BELGIUM
015 E040233 X
015 A000234 BOVESPA
015 B000234 S
015 C010234 BRAZIL
015 D010234 BRAZIL
015 E040234 X
015 A000235 CDS
015 B000235 S
015 C010235 CANADA
015 D010235 CANADA
015 E040235 X
015 A000236 CEDEL, S.A.
015 B000236 S
015 C010236 CEDEL
015 D010236 CEDEL
015 E040236 X
015 A000237 SHANGHAI SECURITIES CLEARING
015 B000237 S
015 C010237 SHANGHAI
015 D010237 CHINA
015 E040237 X
015 A000238 SHENZHEN SECURITIES CLEARING CORPORATION
015 B000238 S
015 C010238 SHENZHEN
015 D010238 CHINA
015 E040238 X
015 A000239 VP
015 B000239 S
015 C010239 DENMARK
015 D010239 DENMARK
015 E040239 X
015 A000240 SICOVAM
015 B000240 S
015 C010240 FRANCE
015 D010240 FRANCE
<PAGE> PAGE 18
015 E040240 X
015 A000241 THE DEUTSCHER KASSENVEREIN AG
015 B000241 S
015 C010241 GERMANY
015 D010241 GERMANY
015 E040241 X
015 A000242 THE CENTRAL DEPOSITORY
015 B000242 S
015 C010242 GREECE
015 D010242 GREECE
015 E040242 X
015 A000243 CCASS
015 B000243 S
015 C010243 HONG KONG
015 D010243 HONG KONG
015 E040243 X
015 A000244 MONTE TITOLI S.P.A.
015 B000244 S
015 C010244 ITALY
015 D010244 ITALY
015 E040244 X
015 A000245 MCD
015 B000245 S
015 C010245 MALAYSIA
015 D010245 MALAYSIA
015 E040245 X
015 A000246 S.D. INDEVAL, S.A. DE C.V.
015 B000246 S
015 C010246 MEXICO
015 D010246 MEXICO
015 E040246 X
015 A000247 NECIGEF
015 B000247 S
015 C010247 NETHERLANDS
015 D010247 NETHERLANDS
015 E040247 X
015 A000248 VPS
015 B000248 S
015 C010248 NORWAY
015 D010248 NORWAY
015 E040248 X
015 A000249 CENTRAL DE VALORES MOBILIARIOS
015 B000249 S
015 C010249 PORTUGAL
015 D010249 PORTUGAL
015 E040249 X
015 A000250 CDP
015 B000250 S
015 C010250 SINGAPORE
015 D010250 SINGAPORE
015 E040250 X
<PAGE> PAGE 19
015 A000251 SCLV
015 B000251 S
015 C010251 SPAIN
015 D010251 SPAIN
015 E040251 X
015 A000252 THE CENTRAL DEPOSITORY SYSTEM (PVT) LIMITED
015 B000252 S
015 C010252 SRI LANKA
015 D010252 SRI LANKA
015 E040252 X
015 A000253 VPC
015 B000253 S
015 C010253 SWEDEN
015 D010253 SWEDEN
015 E040253 X
015 A000254 SEGA
015 B000254 S
015 C010254 SWITZERLAND
015 D010254 SWITZERLAND
015 E040254 X
015 A000255 TSCD
015 B000255 S
015 C010255 TAIWAN
015 D010255 TAIWAN
015 E040255 X
015 A000256 SDC
015 B000256 S
015 C010256 THAILAND
015 D010256 THAILAND
015 E040256 X
015 A000257 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B000257 S
015 C010257 NEW YORK
015 C020257 NY
015 C030257 10006
015 E010257 X
015 A000258 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B000258 S
015 C010258 NEW YORK
015 C020258 NY
015 C030258 10017
015 E010258 X
015 A000259 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B000259 S
015 C010259 NEW YORK
015 C020259 NY
015 C030259 10167
015 E010259 X
015 A000260 MORGAN GUARANTEE TRUST CO.
015 B000260 S
015 C010260 NEW YORK
<PAGE> PAGE 20
015 C020260 NY
015 C030260 10260
015 E010260 X
015 A000261 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP
015 B000261 S
015 C010261 AUSTRALIA
015 D010261 AUSTRALIA
015 E040261 X
015 A000262 CITIBANK, BUDAPEST
015 B000262 S
015 C010262 HUNGARY
015 D010262 HUNGARY
015 E040262 X
015 A000263 WSP
015 B000263 S
015 C010263 AUSTRIA
015 D010263 AUSTRIA
015 E040263 X
015 A000264 CAJA DE VALORES S.A.
015 B000264 S
015 C010264 PERU
015 D010264 PERU
015 E040264 X
015 A000265 CREST
015 B000265 S
015 C010265 UNITED KINGDOM
015 D010265 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040265 X
015 A000266 BANK HANDLOWY W WARZAWIE, S.A.
015 B000266 S
015 C010266 POLAND
015 D010266 POLAND
015 E040266 X
015 A000267 AUSTRACLEAR LIMITED
015 B000267 S
015 C010267 AUSTRALIA
015 D010267 AUSTRALIA
015 E040267 X
015 A000268 KSD
015 B000268 S
015 C010268 KOREA
015 D010268 KOREA
015 E040268 X
015 A000269 NDS
015 B000269 S
015 C010269 POLAND
015 D010269 POLAND
015 E040269 X
015 A000270 FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON
015 B000270 S
015 C010270 BOSTON
<PAGE> PAGE 21
015 C020270 MA
015 C030270 02105
015 E010270 X
024 000200 N
028 A010200 1205
028 A020200 0
028 A030200 0
028 A040200 292
028 B010200 1384
028 B020200 0
028 B030200 0
028 B040200 397
028 C010200 1784
028 C020200 0
028 C030200 0
028 C040200 432
028 D010200 1259
028 D020200 0
028 D030200 0
028 D040200 415
028 E010200 1260
028 E020200 516
028 E030200 0
028 E040200 315
028 F010200 1948
028 F020200 0
028 F030200 0
028 F040200 822
028 G010200 8840
028 G020200 516
028 G030200 0
028 G040200 2673
028 H000200 219
029 000200 Y
030 A000200 29
030 B000200 5.25
030 C000200 0.00
031 A000200 1
031 B000200 0
032 000200 0
033 000200 28
034 000200 Y
035 000200 56
036 A000200 N
036 B000200 0
037 000200 N
038 000200 0
039 000200 N
040 000200 Y
041 000200 Y
042 A000200 0
<PAGE> PAGE 22
042 B000200 0
042 C000200 100
042 D000200 0
042 E000200 0
042 F000200 0
042 G000200 0
042 H000200 0
043 000200 322
044 000200 0
045 000200 Y
046 000200 N
047 000200 Y
048 000200 0.750
048 A010200 0
048 A020200 0.000
048 B010200 0
048 B020200 0.000
048 C010200 0
048 C020200 0.000
048 D010200 0
048 D020200 0.000
048 E010200 0
048 E020200 0.000
048 F010200 0
048 F020200 0.000
048 G010200 0
048 G020200 0.000
048 H010200 0
048 H020200 0.000
048 I010200 0
048 I020200 0.000
048 J010200 0
048 J020200 0.000
048 K010200 0
048 K020200 0.000
049 000200 N
050 000200 N
051 000200 N
052 000200 N
053 A000200 Y
053 B000200 Y
053 C000200 N
055 A000200 N
055 B000200 N
056 000200 Y
057 000200 N
058 A000200 N
059 000200 Y
060 A000200 Y
060 B000200 Y
061 000200 100
<PAGE> PAGE 23
062 A000200 N
062 B000200 0.0
062 C000200 0.0
062 D000200 0.0
062 E000200 0.0
062 F000200 0.0
062 G000200 0.0
062 H000200 0.0
062 I000200 0.0
062 J000200 0.0
062 K000200 0.0
062 L000200 0.0
062 M000200 0.0
062 N000200 0.0
062 O000200 0.0
062 P000200 0.0
062 Q000200 0.0
062 R000200 0.0
066 A000200 Y
066 B000200 N
066 C000200 N
066 D000200 N
066 E000200 N
066 F000200 N
066 G000200 Y
067 000200 N
068 A000200 N
068 B000200 Y
069 000200 N
070 A010200 Y
070 A020200 N
070 B010200 Y
070 B020200 N
070 C010200 Y
070 C020200 N
070 D010200 Y
070 D020200 N
070 E010200 Y
070 E020200 N
070 F010200 Y
070 F020200 N
070 G010200 Y
070 G020200 N
070 H010200 Y
070 H020200 N
070 I010200 N
070 I020200 N
070 J010200 Y
070 J020200 Y
070 K010200 Y
070 K020200 N
<PAGE> PAGE 24
070 L010200 Y
070 L020200 Y
070 M010200 Y
070 M020200 Y
070 N010200 Y
070 N020200 N
070 O010200 Y
070 O020200 N
070 P010200 Y
070 P020200 Y
070 Q010200 N
070 Q020200 N
070 R010200 Y
070 R020200 N
071 A000200 59985
071 B000200 38015
071 C000200 30249
071 D000200 126
072 A000200 12
072 B000200 628
072 C000200 528
072 D000200 0
072 E000200 0
072 F000200 256
072 G000200 77
072 H000200 0
072 I000200 209
072 J000200 47
072 K000200 0
072 L000200 99
072 M000200 9
072 N000200 268
072 O000200 0
072 P000200 0
072 Q000200 0
072 R000200 27
072 S000200 14
072 T000200 322
072 U000200 17
072 V000200 0
072 W000200 11
072 X000200 1356
072 Y000200 88
072 Z000200 -112
072AA000200 2238
072BB000200 785
072CC010200 2911
072CC020200 0
072DD010200 23
072DD020200 91
072EE000200 430
<PAGE> PAGE 25
073 A010200 0.0000
073 A020200 0.0000
073 B000200 0.0000
073 C000200 0.0000
074 A000200 1
074 B000200 0
074 C000200 1515
074 D000200 7766
074 E000200 1335
074 F000200 32278
074 G000200 0
074 H000200 0
074 I000200 0
074 J000200 284
074 K000200 0
074 L000200 387
074 M000200 755
074 N000200 44321
074 O000200 237
074 P000200 62
074 Q000200 0
074 R010200 0
074 R020200 0
074 R030200 0
074 R040200 169
074 S000200 0
074 T000200 43853
074 U010200 229
074 U020200 3470
074 V010200 0.00
074 V020200 0.00
074 W000200 0.0000
074 X000200 15738
074 Y000200 0
075 A000200 0
075 B000200 34133
076 000200 0.00
015 A000301 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000301 C
015 C010301 NEW YORK
015 C020301 NY
015 C030301 10286
015 E010301 X
015 A000302 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B000302 S
015 C010302 NEW YORK
015 C020302 NY
015 C030302 10006
015 E010302 X
015 A000303 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B000303 S
<PAGE> PAGE 26
015 C010303 NEW YORK
015 C020303 NY
015 C030303 10017
015 E010303 X
015 A000304 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B000304 S
015 C010304 NEW YORK
015 C020304 NY
015 C030304 10167
015 E010304 X
015 A000305 MORGAN GUARANTEE TRUST CO.
015 B000305 S
015 C010305 NEW YORK
015 C020305 NY
015 C030305 10260
015 E010305 X
024 000300 Y
025 A000301 BEAR STEARNS CO.
025 C000301 D
025 D000301 201
025 D000302 0
025 D000303 0
025 D000304 0
025 D000305 0
025 D000306 0
025 D000307 0
025 D000308 0
028 A010300 264
028 A020300 46
028 A030300 0
028 A040300 54
028 B010300 277
028 B020300 38
028 B030300 0
028 B040300 115
028 C010300 341
028 C020300 39
028 C030300 0
028 C040300 101
028 D010300 269
028 D020300 50
028 D030300 0
028 D040300 83
028 E010300 184
028 E020300 0
028 E030300 0
028 E040300 116
028 F010300 287
028 F020300 127
028 F030300 0
028 F040300 160
<PAGE> PAGE 27
028 G010300 1622
028 G020300 300
028 G030300 0
028 G040300 629
028 H000300 109
029 000300 Y
030 A000300 5
030 B000300 4.00
030 C000300 0.00
031 A000300 1
031 B000300 0
032 000300 0
033 000300 4
034 000300 Y
035 000300 9
036 A000300 N
036 B000300 0
037 000300 N
038 000300 0
039 000300 N
040 000300 Y
041 000300 Y
042 A000300 0
042 B000300 0
042 C000300 100
042 D000300 0
042 E000300 0
042 F000300 0
042 G000300 0
042 H000300 0
043 000300 43
044 000300 0
045 000300 Y
046 000300 N
047 000300 Y
048 000300 0.500
048 A010300 0
048 A020300 0.000
048 B010300 0
048 B020300 0.000
048 C010300 0
048 C020300 0.000
048 D010300 0
048 D020300 0.000
048 E010300 0
048 E020300 0.000
048 F010300 0
048 F020300 0.000
048 G010300 0
048 G020300 0.000
048 H010300 0
<PAGE> PAGE 28
048 H020300 0.000
048 I010300 0
048 I020300 0.000
048 J010300 0
048 J020300 0.000
048 K010300 0
048 K020300 0.000
049 000300 N
050 000300 N
051 000300 N
052 000300 N
053 A000300 Y
053 B000300 Y
053 C000300 N
055 A000300 Y
055 B000300 N
056 000300 Y
057 000300 N
058 A000300 N
059 000300 Y
060 A000300 Y
060 B000300 Y
061 000300 100
062 A000300 Y
062 B000300 0.0
062 C000300 8.1
062 D000300 0.0
062 E000300 0.0
062 F000300 0.0
062 G000300 0.0
062 H000300 0.0
062 I000300 0.0
062 J000300 0.0
062 K000300 0.0
062 L000300 0.0
062 M000300 9.3
062 N000300 0.0
062 O000300 0.0
062 P000300 82.4
062 Q000300 0.0
062 R000300 0.0
063 A000300 0
063 B000300 8.9
064 A000300 N
064 B000300 N
066 A000300 N
067 000300 N
068 A000300 N
068 B000300 N
069 000300 N
070 A010300 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 29
070 A020300 N
070 B010300 N
070 B020300 N
070 C010300 Y
070 C020300 N
070 D010300 N
070 D020300 N
070 E010300 Y
070 E020300 N
070 F010300 N
070 F020300 N
070 G010300 Y
070 G020300 N
070 H010300 N
070 H020300 N
070 I010300 N
070 I020300 N
070 J010300 Y
070 J020300 Y
070 K010300 Y
070 K020300 N
070 L010300 N
070 L020300 Y
070 M010300 N
070 M020300 N
070 N010300 Y
070 N020300 N
070 O010300 Y
070 O020300 N
070 P010300 Y
070 P020300 N
070 Q010300 N
070 Q020300 N
070 R010300 Y
070 R020300 N
071 A000300 10000
071 B000300 6451
071 C000300 7081
071 D000300 91
072 A000300 12
072 B000300 549
072 C000300 0
072 D000300 0
072 E000300 1
072 F000300 40
072 G000300 20
072 H000300 0
072 I000300 42
072 J000300 11
072 K000300 0
072 L000300 22
<PAGE> PAGE 30
072 M000300 2
072 N000300 106
072 O000300 0
072 P000300 0
072 Q000300 0
072 R000300 9
072 S000300 3
072 T000300 43
072 U000300 4
072 V000300 0
072 W000300 9
072 X000300 311
072 Y000300 268
072 Z000300 507
072AA000300 36
072BB000300 87
072CC010300 0
072CC020300 231
072DD010300 172
072DD020300 335
072EE000300 35
073 A010300 0.0000
073 A020300 0.0000
073 B000300 0.0000
073 C000300 0.0000
074 A000300 1
074 B000300 0
074 C000300 758
074 D000300 8635
074 E000300 0
074 F000300 0
074 G000300 0
074 H000300 0
074 I000300 0
074 J000300 153
074 K000300 63
074 L000300 164
074 M000300 75
074 N000300 9849
074 O000300 362
074 P000300 5
074 Q000300 0
074 R010300 0
074 R020300 0
074 R030300 0
074 R040300 67
074 S000300 0
074 T000300 9415
074 U010300 276
074 U020300 685
074 V010300 0.00
<PAGE> PAGE 31
074 V020300 0.00
074 W000300 0.0000
074 X000300 2967
074 Y000300 0
075 A000300 0
075 B000300 8048
076 000300 0.00
015 A000401 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000401 C
015 C010401 NEW YORK
015 C020401 NY
015 C030401 10286
015 E010401 X
015 A000402 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B000402 S
015 C010402 NEW YORK
015 C020402 NY
015 C030402 10006
015 E010402 X
015 A000403 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B000403 S
015 C010403 NEW YORK
015 C020403 NY
015 C030403 10017
015 E010403 X
015 A000404 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B000404 S
015 C010404 NEW YORK
015 C020404 NY
015 C030404 10167
015 E010404 X
015 A000405 MORGAN GUARANTEE TRUST CO.
015 B000405 S
015 C010405 NEW YORK
015 C020405 NY
015 C030405 10260
015 E010405 X
024 000400 Y
025 A000401 NIKKOS SECURITIES COMPANY
025 C000401 D
025 D000401 481
025 D000402 0
025 D000403 0
025 D000404 0
025 D000405 0
025 D000406 0
025 D000407 0
025 D000408 0
028 A010400 189
028 A020400 58
028 A030400 0
<PAGE> PAGE 32
028 A040400 146
028 B010400 134
028 B020400 47
028 B030400 0
028 B040400 187
028 C010400 263
028 C020400 45
028 C030400 0
028 C040400 164
028 D010400 184
028 D020400 58
028 D030400 0
028 D040400 116
028 E010400 255
028 E020400 0
028 E030400 0
028 E040400 304
028 F010400 276
028 F020400 170
028 F030400 0
028 F040400 246
028 G010400 1301
028 G020400 378
028 G030400 0
028 G040400 1163
028 H000400 15
029 000400 Y
030 A000400 2
030 B000400 4.00
030 C000400 0.00
031 A000400 0
031 B000400 0
032 000400 0
033 000400 2
034 000400 Y
035 000400 6
036 A000400 N
036 B000400 0
037 000400 N
038 000400 0
039 000400 N
040 000400 Y
041 000400 Y
042 A000400 0
042 B000400 0
042 C000400 100
042 D000400 0
042 E000400 0
042 F000400 0
042 G000400 0
042 H000400 0
<PAGE> PAGE 33
043 000400 41
044 000400 0
045 000400 Y
046 000400 N
047 000400 Y
048 000400 0.500
048 A010400 0
048 A020400 0.000
048 B010400 0
048 B020400 0.000
048 C010400 0
048 C020400 0.000
048 D010400 0
048 D020400 0.000
048 E010400 0
048 E020400 0.000
048 F010400 0
048 F020400 0.000
048 G010400 0
048 G020400 0.000
048 H010400 0
048 H020400 0.000
048 I010400 0
048 I020400 0.000
048 J010400 0
048 J020400 0.000
048 K010400 0
048 K020400 0.000
049 000400 N
050 000400 N
051 000400 N
052 000400 N
053 A000400 Y
053 B000400 Y
053 C000400 N
055 A000400 N
055 B000400 N
056 000400 Y
057 000400 N
058 A000400 N
059 000400 Y
060 A000400 Y
060 B000400 Y
061 000400 100
062 A000400 Y
062 B000400 0.0
062 C000400 9.0
062 D000400 4.4
062 E000400 0.0
062 F000400 0.0
062 G000400 0.0
<PAGE> PAGE 34
062 H000400 0.0
062 I000400 0.0
062 J000400 0.0
062 K000400 0.0
062 L000400 0.0
062 M000400 13.6
062 N000400 80.1
062 O000400 0.0
062 P000400 0.0
062 Q000400 0.0
062 R000400 0.0
063 A000400 0
063 B000400 6.1
064 A000400 N
064 B000400 N
066 A000400 N
067 000400 N
068 A000400 N
068 B000400 N
069 000400 N
070 A010400 Y
070 A020400 Y
070 B010400 N
070 B020400 N
070 C010400 Y
070 C020400 N
070 D010400 N
070 D020400 N
070 E010400 Y
070 E020400 N
070 F010400 N
070 F020400 N
070 G010400 Y
070 G020400 N
070 H010400 N
070 H020400 N
070 I010400 N
070 I020400 N
070 J010400 Y
070 J020400 N
070 K010400 Y
070 K020400 N
070 L010400 N
070 L020400 N
070 M010400 N
070 M020400 N
070 N010400 Y
070 N020400 N
070 O010400 Y
070 O020400 N
070 P010400 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 35
070 P020400 N
070 Q010400 N
070 Q020400 N
070 R010400 Y
070 R020400 N
071 A000400 3932
071 B000400 2666
071 C000400 9758
071 D000400 27
072 A000400 12
072 B000400 703
072 C000400 0
072 D000400 0
072 E000400 0
072 F000400 53
072 G000400 5
072 H000400 0
072 I000400 26
072 J000400 12
072 K000400 0
072 L000400 13
072 M000400 3
072 N000400 170
072 O000400 0
072 P000400 0
072 Q000400 0
072 R000400 11
072 S000400 4
072 T000400 41
072 U000400 9
072 V000400 0
072 W000400 6
072 X000400 353
072 Y000400 312
072 Z000400 662
072AA000400 12
072BB000400 12
072CC010400 0
072CC020400 194
072DD010400 346
072DD020400 308
072EE000400 77
073 A010400 0.0000
073 A020400 0.0000
073 B000400 0.0000
073 C000400 0.0000
074 A000400 1
074 B000400 481
074 C000400 999
074 D000400 10377
074 E000400 0
<PAGE> PAGE 36
074 F000400 0
074 G000400 0
074 H000400 0
074 I000400 0
074 J000400 0
074 K000400 70
074 L000400 106
074 M000400 74
074 N000400 12108
074 O000400 974
074 P000400 4
074 Q000400 0
074 R010400 0
074 R020400 0
074 R030400 0
074 R040400 60
074 S000400 0
074 T000400 11070
074 U010400 471
074 U020400 615
074 V010400 0.00
074 V020400 0.00
074 W000400 0.0000
074 X000400 1833
074 Y000400 0
075 A000400 0
075 B000400 10506
076 000400 0.00
015 A000501 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000501 C
015 C010501 NEW YORK
015 C020501 NY
015 C030501 10286
015 E010501 X
015 A000502 CITIBANK, N.A.
015 B000502 S
015 C010502 NEW YORK
015 C020502 NY
015 C030502 10006
015 E010502 X
015 A000503 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B000503 S
015 C010503 NEW YORK
015 C020503 NY
015 C030503 10006
015 E010503 X
015 A000504 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B000504 S
015 C010504 NEW YORK
015 C020504 NY
015 C030504 10017
<PAGE> PAGE 37
015 E010504 X
015 A000505 MORGAN GUARANTEE TRUST CO.
015 B000505 S
015 C010505 NEW YORK
015 C020505 NY
015 C030505 10266
015 E010505 X
015 A000506 FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON
015 B000506 S
015 C010506 BOSTON
015 C020506 MA
015 C030506 02105
015 E010506 X
015 A000507 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND BANKING CORP.
015 B000507 S
015 C010507 AUSTRALIA
015 D010507 AUSTRALIA
015 E040507 X
015 A000508 GIROCREDIT BANK
015 B000508 S
015 C010508 AUSTRIA
015 D010508 AUSTRIA
015 E040508 X
015 A000509 BANQUE BRUSSELS LAMBERT
015 B000509 S
015 C010509 BELGIUM
015 D010509 BELGIUM
015 E040509 X
015 A000510 ROYAL TRUST CORPORATION OF CANADA
015 B000510 S
015 C010510 CANADA
015 D010510 CANADA
015 E040510 X
015 A000511 BANCO DE CHILE
015 B000511 S
015 C010511 CHILE
015 D010511 CHILE
015 E040511 X
015 A000512 STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
015 B000512 S
015 C010512 LONDON
015 D010512 ENGLAND
015 E040512 X
015 A000513 CESKOSLOVENSKA OBCHODNI BANKA, A.S.
015 B000513 S
015 C010513 CZECH REPUBLIC
015 D010513 CZECH REPUBLIC
015 E040513 X
015 A000514 DEN DANSKE BANK
015 B000514 S
015 C010514 DENMARK
<PAGE> PAGE 38
015 D010514 DENMARK
015 E040514 X
015 A000515 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO
015 B000515 S
015 C010515 NEW YORK
015 C020515 NY
015 C030515 10167
015 E010515 X
015 A000516 UNION BANK OF FINLANDI
015 B000516 S
015 C010516 FINLAND
015 D010516 FINLAND
015 E040516 X
015 A000517 BANQUE PARIBAS
015 B000517 S
015 C010517 FRANCE
015 D010517 FRANCE
015 E040517 X
015 A000518 DRESDNER BANK
015 B000518 S
015 C010518 GERMANY
015 D010518 GERMANY
015 E040518 X
015 A000519 CREDIT BANK, A.E.
015 B000519 S
015 C010519 GREECE
015 D010519 GREECE
015 E040519 X
015 A000520 HONGKONG SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, LTD.
015 B000520 S
015 C010520 HONG KONG
015 D010520 HONG KONG
015 E040520 X
015 A000521 CITIBANK, BUDAPEST
015 B000521 S
015 C010521 HUNGARY
015 D010521 HUNGARY
015 E040521 X
015 A000522 ALLIED IRISH BANK
015 B000522 S
015 C010522 IRELAND
015 D010522 IRELAND
015 E040522 X
015 A000523 ISRAEL DISCOUNT BANK LIMITED
015 B000523 S
015 C010523 ISRAEL
015 D010523 ISRAEL
015 E040523 X
015 A000524 BANCO COMMERCIALE ITALIANA (BCI)
015 B000524 S
015 C010524 ITALY
<PAGE> PAGE 39
015 D010524 ITALY
015 E040524 X
015 A000525 YASUDA TRUST
015 B000525 S
015 C010525 JAPAN
015 D010525 JAPAN
015 E040525 X
015 A000526 HONGKONG BANK MALAYSIA BERHAD
015 B000526 S
015 C010526 MALAYSIA
015 D010526 MALAYSIA
015 E040526 X
015 A000527 CREST
015 B000527 S
015 C010527 LONDON
015 D010527 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040527 X
015 A000528 BANK OF TOKYO MITSUBISHI
015 B000528 S
015 C010528 TOKYO
015 D010528 JAPAN
015 E040528 X
015 A000529 MEESPIERSON, N.V.
015 B000529 S
015 C010529 NETHERLANDS
015 D010529 NETHERLANDS
015 E040529 X
015 A000530 DEN NORSKE BANK
015 B000530 S
015 C010530 NORWAY
015 D010530 NORWAY
015 E040530 X
015 A000531 BANK HANDLOWY W WARZAWIE, S.A.
015 B000531 S
015 C010531 POLAND
015 D010531 POLAND
015 E040531 X
015 A000532 BANCO COMERCIAL PORTUGUES
015 B000532 S
015 C010532 PORTUGAL
015 D010532 PORTUGAL
015 E040532 X
015 A000533 UNITED OVERSEAS BANK
015 B000533 S
015 C010533 SINGAPORE
015 D010533 SINGAPORE
015 E040533 X
015 A000534 STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA LIMITED
015 B000534 S
015 C010534 SOUTH AFRICA
015 D010534 SOUTH AFRICA
<PAGE> PAGE 40
015 E040534 X
015 A000535 BANK OF SEOUL
015 B000535 S
015 C010535 SOUTH KOREA
015 D010535 SOUTH KOREA
015 E040535 X
015 A000536 BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA
015 B000536 S
015 C010536 SPAIN
015 D010536 SPAIN
015 E040536 X
015 A000537 SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN
015 B000537 S
015 C010537 SWEDEN
015 D010537 SWEDEN
015 E040537 X
015 A000538 UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND
015 B000538 S
015 C010538 SWITZERLAND
015 D010538 SWITZERLAND
015 E040538 X
015 A000539 SIAM COMMERICAL BANK PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED
015 B000539 S
015 C010539 THAILAND
015 D010539 THAILAND
015 E040539 X
015 A000540 CAJA DE VALORES S.A.
015 B000540 S
015 C010540 ARGENTINA
015 D010540 ARGENTINA
015 E040540 X
015 A000541 AUSTRACLEAR LIMITED
015 B000541 S
015 C010541 AUSTRALIA
015 D010541 AUSTRALIA
015 E040541 X
015 A000542 RITS
015 B000542 S
015 C010542 AUSTRALIA
015 D010542 AUSTRALIA
015 E040542 X
015 A000543 WSP
015 B000543 S
015 C010543 AUSTRIA
015 D010543 AUSTRIA
015 E040543 X
015 A000544 CIK
015 B000544 S
015 C010544 BELGIUM
015 D010544 BELGIUM
015 E040544 X
<PAGE> PAGE 41
015 A000545 BOVESPA
015 B000545 S
015 C010545 BRAZIL
015 D010545 BRAZIL
015 E040545 X
015 A000546 CDS
015 B000546 S
015 C010546 CANADA
015 D010546 CANADA
015 E040546 X
015 A000547 CEDEL, S.A.
015 B000547 S
015 C010547 CEDEL
015 D010547 CEDEL
015 E040547 X
015 A000548 SHANGHAI SECURITIES CLEARING CORPORATION
015 B000548 S
015 C010548 SHANGHAI
015 D010548 CHINA
015 E040548 X
015 A000549 SSCC
015 B000549 S
015 C010549 SHENZHEN
015 D010549 CHINA
015 E040549 X
015 A000550 SCP
015 B000550 S
015 C010550 CZECH REPUBLIC
015 D010550 CZECH REPUBLIC
015 E040550 X
015 A000551 VP
015 B000551 S
015 C010551 DENMARK
015 D010551 DENMARK
015 E040551 X
015 A000552 SICOVAM
015 B000552 S
015 C010552 FRANCE
015 D010552 FRANCE
015 E040552 X
015 A000553 THE DEUTSCHER KASSENVEREIN AG
015 B000553 S
015 C010553 GERMANY
015 D010553 GERMANY
015 E040553 X
015 A000554 THE CENTRAL DEPOSITORY
015 B000554 S
015 C010554 GREECE
015 D010554 GREECE
015 E040554 X
015 A000555 CCASS
<PAGE> PAGE 42
015 B000555 S
015 C010555 HONG KONG
015 D010555 HONG KONG
015 E040555 X
015 A000556 THE CENTRAL DEPOSITORY
015 B000556 S
015 C010556 HUNGARY
015 D010556 HUNGARY
015 E040556 X
015 A000557 TASE
015 B000557 S
015 C010557 ISRAEL
015 D010557 ISRAEL
015 E040557 X
015 A000558 MONTE TITOLI S.P.A.
015 B000558 S
015 C010558 ITALY
015 D010558 ITALY
015 E040558 X
015 A000559 JASDEC
015 B000559 S
015 C010559 JAPAN
015 D010559 JAPAN
015 E040559 X
015 A000560 MCD
015 B000560 S
015 C010560 MALAYSIA
015 D010560 MALAYSIA
015 E040560 X
015 A000561 S.D. INDEVAL, S.A. DE C.V.
015 B000561 S
015 C010561 MEXICO
015 D010561 MEXICO
015 E040561 X
015 A000562 NECIGEF
015 B000562 S
015 C010562 NETHERLANDS
015 D010562 NETHERLANDS
015 E040562 X
015 A000563 VPS
015 B000563 S
015 C010563 NORWAY
015 D010563 NORWAY
015 E040563 X
015 A000564 CAVAL
015 B000564 S
015 C010564 PERU
015 D010564 PERU
015 E040564 X
015 A000565 NDS
015 B000565 S
<PAGE> PAGE 43
015 C010565 POLAND
015 D010565 POLAND
015 E040565 X
015 A000566 CENTRAL DE VALORES MOBILIARIOS
015 B000566 S
015 C010566 PORTUGAL
015 D010566 PORTUGAL
015 E040566 X
015 A000567 CDP
015 B000567 S
015 C010567 SINGAPORE
015 D010567 SINGAPORE
015 E040567 X
015 A000568 KSD
015 B000568 S
015 C010568 SOUTH KOREA
015 D010568 SOUTH KOREA
015 E040568 X
015 A000569 SCLV
015 B000569 S
015 C010569 SPAIN
015 D010569 SPAIN
015 E040569 X
015 A000570 THE CENTRAL DEPOSITORY SYSTEM (PVT) LIMITED
015 B000570 S
015 C010570 SRI LANKA
015 D010570 SRI LANKA
015 E040570 X
015 A000571 VPC
015 B000571 S
015 C010571 SWEDEN
015 D010571 SWEDEN
015 E040571 X
015 A000572 SEGA
015 B000572 S
015 C010572 SWITZERLAND
015 D010572 SWITZERLAND
015 E040572 X
015 A000573 TSCD
015 B000573 S
015 C010573 TAIWAN
015 D010573 TAIWAN
015 E040573 X
015 A000574 SDC
015 B000574 S
015 C010574 THAILAND
015 D010574 THAILAND
015 E040574 X
015 A000575 TVS
015 B000575 S
015 C010575 TURKEY
<PAGE> PAGE 44
015 D010575 TURKEY
015 E040575 X
015 A000576 BANCO NACIONAL DE MEXICO (BANAMEX)
015 B000576 S
015 C010576 MEXICO
015 D010576 MEXICO
015 E040576 X
024 000500 N
028 A010500 788
028 A020500 0
028 A030500 0
028 A040500 68
028 B010500 789
028 B020500 0
028 B030500 0
028 B040500 89
028 C010500 1049
028 C020500 0
028 C030500 0
028 C040500 82
028 D010500 1084
028 D020500 0
028 D030500 0
028 D040500 100
028 E010500 853
028 E020500 0
028 E030500 0
028 E040500 75
028 F010500 1481
028 F020500 0
028 F030500 0
028 F040500 152
028 G010500 6044
028 G020500 0
028 G030500 0
028 G040500 566
028 H000500 172
029 000500 Y
030 A000500 20
030 B000500 5.25
030 C000500 0.00
031 A000500 1
031 B000500 0
032 000500 0
033 000500 19
034 000500 Y
035 000500 10
036 A000500 N
036 B000500 0
037 000500 N
038 000500 0
<PAGE> PAGE 45
039 000500 N
040 000500 Y
041 000500 Y
042 A000500 0
042 B000500 0
042 C000500 100
042 D000500 0
042 E000500 0
042 F000500 0
042 G000500 0
042 H000500 0
043 000500 79
044 000500 0
045 000500 Y
046 000500 N
047 000500 Y
048 000500 0.650
048 A010500 0
048 A020500 0.000
048 B010500 0
048 B020500 0.000
048 C010500 0
048 C020500 0.000
048 D010500 0
048 D020500 0.000
048 E010500 0
048 E020500 0.000
048 F010500 0
048 F020500 0.000
048 G010500 0
048 G020500 0.000
048 H010500 0
048 H020500 0.000
048 I010500 0
048 I020500 0.000
048 J010500 0
048 J020500 0.000
048 K010500 0
048 K020500 0.000
049 000500 N
050 000500 N
051 000500 N
052 000500 N
053 A000500 Y
053 B000500 Y
053 C000500 N
055 A000500 N
055 B000500 N
056 000500 Y
057 000500 N
058 A000500 N
<PAGE> PAGE 46
059 000500 Y
060 A000500 N
060 B000500 N
061 000500 100
062 A000500 N
062 B000500 0.0
062 C000500 0.0
062 D000500 0.0
062 E000500 0.0
062 F000500 0.0
062 G000500 0.0
062 H000500 0.0
062 I000500 0.0
062 J000500 0.0
062 K000500 0.0
062 L000500 0.0
062 M000500 0.0
062 N000500 0.0
062 O000500 0.0
062 P000500 0.0
062 Q000500 0.0
062 R000500 0.0
066 A000500 Y
066 B000500 N
066 C000500 N
066 D000500 Y
066 E000500 N
066 F000500 N
066 G000500 N
067 000500 N
068 A000500 N
068 B000500 N
069 000500 N
070 A010500 Y
070 A020500 N
070 B010500 Y
070 B020500 N
070 C010500 Y
070 C020500 N
070 D010500 Y
070 D020500 N
070 E010500 Y
070 E020500 N
070 F010500 Y
070 F020500 N
070 G010500 Y
070 G020500 N
070 H010500 Y
070 H020500 N
070 I010500 N
070 I020500 N
<PAGE> PAGE 47
070 J010500 Y
070 J020500 N
070 K010500 Y
070 K020500 N
070 L010500 Y
070 L020500 Y
070 M010500 Y
070 M020500 N
070 N010500 Y
070 N020500 N
070 O010500 Y
070 O020500 N
070 P010500 Y
070 P020500 N
070 Q010500 N
070 Q020500 N
070 R010500 Y
070 R020500 N
071 A000500 16329
071 B000500 3926
071 C000500 7603
071 D000500 52
072 A000500 12
072 B000500 70
072 C000500 106
072 D000500 0
072 E000500 0
072 F000500 58
072 G000500 24
072 H000500 0
072 I000500 70
072 J000500 14
072 K000500 0
072 L000500 20
072 M000500 1
072 N000500 61
072 O000500 0
072 P000500 0
072 Q000500 0
072 R000500 0
072 S000500 4
072 T000500 79
072 U000500 16
072 V000500 0
072 W000500 1
072 X000500 348
072 Y000500 18
072 Z000500 -154
072AA000500 543
072BB000500 164
072CC010500 1543
<PAGE> PAGE 48
072CC020500 0
072DD010500 0
072DD020500 0
072EE000500 0
073 A010500 0.0000
073 A020500 0.0000
073 B000500 0.0000
073 C000500 0.0000
074 A000500 10
074 B000500 0
074 C000500 524
074 D000500 0
074 E000500 0
074 F000500 14325
074 G000500 0
074 H000500 0
074 I000500 0
074 J000500 319
074 K000500 0
074 L000500 163
074 M000500 77
074 N000500 15418
074 O000500 0
074 P000500 19
074 Q000500 0
074 R010500 0
074 R020500 0
074 R030500 0
074 R040500 57
074 S000500 0
074 T000500 15342
074 U010500 74
074 U020500 1239
074 V010500 0.00
074 V020500 0.00
074 W000500 0.0000
074 X000500 7536
074 Y000500 0
075 A000500 0
075 B000500 8930
076 000500 0.00
SIGNATURE GERALD M. RICHARD
TITLE TREASURER
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 011
<NAME> FUNDAMENTAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 49170466
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 54377700
<RECEIVABLES> 294652
<ASSETS-OTHER> 126347
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 54798699
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 290284
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 269718
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 560002
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 46058284
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 15411
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 10341
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (478635)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 3451814
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 5207234
<NET-ASSETS> 209226
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 614117
<INTEREST-INCOME> 245212
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (1337964)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (478635)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 6235956
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2839304
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 8596625
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (11190)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 7936
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (3359)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 493
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 22667934
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (2597)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 263201
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 284074
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1337964
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 162648
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.67
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.01)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 2.70
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.78)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.58
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.03
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 012
<NAME> FUNDAMENTAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 49170466
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 54377700
<RECEIVABLES> 294652
<ASSETS-OTHER> 126347
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 54798699
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 290284
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 269718
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 560002
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 46058284
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2600676
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1817144
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (478635)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 3451814
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 5207234
<NET-ASSETS> 34827598
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 614117
<INTEREST-INCOME> 245212
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (1337964)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (478635)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 6235956
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2839304
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 8596625
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (1597213)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1015710
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (305650)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 73472
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 22667934
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (2597)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 263201
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 284074
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1337964
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 28379246
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.55
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.15)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 2.65
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.66)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.39
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.11
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 013
<NAME> FUNDAMENTAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 49170466
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 54377700
<RECEIVABLES> 294652
<ASSETS-OTHER> 126347
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 54798699
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 290284
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 269718
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 560002
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 46058284
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1121527
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 691852
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (478635)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 3451814
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 5207234
<NET-ASSETS> 15021781
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 614117
<INTEREST-INCOME> 245212
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (1337964)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (478635)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 6235956
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2839304
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 8596625
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (693946)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 568727
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (170842)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 31790
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 22667934
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (2597)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 263201
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 284074
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1337964
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 11732631
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.55
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.15)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 2.66
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.67)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.39
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.15
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 014
<NAME> FUNDAMENTAL VALUE PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 49170466
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 54377700
<RECEIVABLES> 294652
<ASSETS-OTHER> 126347
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 54798699
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 290284
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 269718
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 560002
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 46058284
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 308620
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 212095
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (478635)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 3451814
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 5207234
<NET-ASSETS> 4180092
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 614117
<INTEREST-INCOME> 245212
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (1337964)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (478635)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 6235956
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2839304
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 8596625
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (215995)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 121551
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (35230)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 10204
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 22667934
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (2597)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 263201
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 284074
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1337964
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 3429136
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.65
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.04)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 2.68
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.75)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.54
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.27
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 021
<NAME> GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 38922276
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 42893999
<RECEIVABLES> 671298
<ASSETS-OTHER> 755712
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 44321009
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 237250
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 231100
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 468350
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 38754530
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 10815
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 279647
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (10827)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 491980
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 4616976
<NET-ASSETS> 129067
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 528065
<INTEREST-INCOME> 627518
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (1267977)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (112394)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1453296
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2910695
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 4251597
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (1274)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (1213)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 5866
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (274907)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 209
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 18427986
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (132463)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (112356)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (71570)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 255998
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1355876
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 365896
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.82
<PER-SHARE-NII> .15
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.21
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.13)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.12)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.93
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.90
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 022
<NAME> GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 38922276
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 42893999
<RECEIVABLES> 671298
<ASSETS-OTHER> 755712
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 44321009
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 237250
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 231100
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 468350
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 38754530
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2569917
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1497764
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (10827)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 491980
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> e 4616976
<NET-ASSETS> 30468965
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 528065
<INTEREST-INCOME> 627518
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (1267977)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (112394)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1453296
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2910695
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 4251597
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (65176)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (298844)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1345701
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (304106)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 30558
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 18427986
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (132463)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (112356)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (71570)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 255998
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1355876
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 365896
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.76
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.04)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.29
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.03)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.12)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.86
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 4.01
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 023
<NAME> GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 38922276
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 42893999
<RECEIVABLES> 671298
<ASSETS-OTHER> 755712
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 44321009
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 237250
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 231100
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 468350
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 38754530
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 900077
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 443560
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (10827)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 491980
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 4616 976
<NET-ASSETS> 10658359
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 528065
<INTEREST-INCOME> 627518
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (1267977)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (112394)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1453296
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2910695
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 4251597
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (25328)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (104853)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 569220
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (123382)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 10679
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 18427986
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (132463)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (112356)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (71570)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 255998
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1355876
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 365896
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.75
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.05)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.29
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.03)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.12)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.84
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 4.06
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 024
<NAME> GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 38922276
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 42893999
<RECEIVABLES> 671298
<ASSETS-OTHER> 755712
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 44321009
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 237250
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 231100
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 468350
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 38754530
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 217736
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 140061
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (10827)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 491980
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 4616976
<NET-ASSETS> 2596268
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 528065
<INTEREST-INCOME> 627518
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (1267977)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (112394)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1453296
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2910695
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 4251597
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (21506)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (25165)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 99272
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (25507)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 3910
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 18427986
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (132463)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (112356)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (71570)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 255998
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1355876
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 365896
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.80
<PER-SHARE-NII> .05
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.29
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.10)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.12)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.92
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.17
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 031
<NAME> QUALITY BOND PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 9487473
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 9393059
<RECEIVABLES> 380081
<ASSETS-OTHER> 75506
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 9848646
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 361750
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 71754
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 433504
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 9564052
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 230122
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 213698
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (19779)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (34717)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (94414)
<NET-ASSETS> 2253978
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 549506
<OTHER-INCOME> 492
<EXPENSES-NET> (43479)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 506519
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (51285)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (231164)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 224070
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (150009)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (8426)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1729
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (298)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 14993
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 2826569
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 31507
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 40461
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 311759
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 3172717
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.27
<PER-SHARE-NII> .68
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.44)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.68)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.04)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.79
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.23
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 032
<NAME> QUALITY BOND PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 9487473
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 9393059
<RECEIVABLES> 380081
<ASSETS-OTHER> 75506
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 9848646
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 361750
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 71754
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 433504
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 9564052
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 492756
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 296940
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (19779)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (34717)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (94414)
<NET-ASSETS> 4824038
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 549506
<OTHER-INCOME> 492
<EXPENSES-NET> (43479)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 506519
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (51285)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (231164)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 224070
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (238507)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (17644)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 234175
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (61643)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 23284
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 2826569
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 31507
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 40461
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 311759
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 3172717
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.27
<PER-SHARE-NII> .59
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.44)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.59)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.04)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.79
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 4.08
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 033
<NAME> QUALITY BOND PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 9487473
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 9393059
<RECEIVABLES> 380081
<ASSETS-OTHER> 75506
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 9848646
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 361750
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 71754
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 433504
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 9564052
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 192563
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 109412
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (19779)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (34717)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (94414)
<NET-ASSETS> 1885012
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 549506
<OTHER-INCOME> 492
<EXPENSES-NET> (43479)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 506519
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (51285)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (231164)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 224070
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (96264)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (7230)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 124149
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (50842)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 9844
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 2826569
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 31507
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 40461
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 311759
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 3172717
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.27
<PER-SHARE-NII> .58
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.44)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.58)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.04)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.79
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 4.15
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 034
<NAME> QUALITY BOND PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 9487473
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 9393059
<RECEIVABLES> 380081
<ASSETS-OTHER> 75506
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 9848646
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 361750
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 71754
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 433504
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 9564052
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 46182
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 21505
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (19779)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (34717)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (94414)
<NET-ASSETS> 452114
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 549506
<OTHER-INCOME> 492
<EXPENSES-NET> (43479)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 506519
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (51285)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (231164)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 224070
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (21739)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (1417)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 29757
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (7148)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2068
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 2826569
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 31507
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 40461
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 311759
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 3172717
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.27
<PER-SHARE-NII> .65
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.44)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.65)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.04)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.79
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.47
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 041
<NAME> US GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 11845782
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 11857210
<RECEIVABLES> 175806
<ASSETS-OTHER> 74613
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 12107629
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 973896
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 63379
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1037275
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 11056285
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 439890
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 521489
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2641
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 11428
<NET-ASSETS> 4485747
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 703108
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (41401)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 661707
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 243
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (194411)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 467539
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (329353)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (32773)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3546
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (117931)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 32786
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1292996
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 72079
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 52827
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 353540
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 4938530
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.48
<PER-SHARE-NII> .69
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.21)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.69)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.07)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.20
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.92
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 042
<NAME> US GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 11845782
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 11857210
<RECEIVABLES> 175806
<ASSETS-OTHER> 74613
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 12107629
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 973896
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 63379
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1037275
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 11056285
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 442746
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 290485
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2641
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 11428
<NET-ASSETS> 4514545
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 703108
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (41401)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 661707
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 243
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (194411)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 467539
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (222614)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (29573)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 186113
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (52797)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 18945
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1292996
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 72079
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 52827
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 353540
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 3821924
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.48
<PER-SHARE-NII> .60
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.21)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.60)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.07)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.20
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.72
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 043
<NAME> US GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 11845782
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 11857210
<RECEIVABLES> 175806
<ASSETS-OTHER> 74613
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 12107629
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 973896
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 63379
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1037275
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 11056285
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 172388
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 104027
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2641
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 11428
<NET-ASSETS> 1757414
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 703108
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (41401)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 661707
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 243
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (194411)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 467539
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (85215)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (12740)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 92431
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (33002)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 8932
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1292996
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 72079
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 52827
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 353540
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1481353
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.47
<PER-SHARE-NII> .59
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.21)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.59)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.07)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.19
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.78
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 044
<NAME> US GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 11845782
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 11857210
<RECEIVABLES> 175806
<ASSETS-OTHER> 74613
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 12107629
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 973896
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 63379
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1037275
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 11056285
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 30648
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 17359
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2641
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 11428
<NET-ASSETS> 312648
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 703108
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (41401)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 661707
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 243
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (194411)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 467539
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (16900)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (2220)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 18151
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (6300)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1438
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1292996
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 72079
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 52827
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 353540
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 264159
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.48
<PER-SHARE-NII> .66
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.21)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.66)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.07)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.20
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.14
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 051
<NAME> GROWTH OPPORTUNITY PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-01-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 13305812
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 14849172
<RECEIVABLES> 482500
<ASSETS-OTHER> 86340
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 15418012
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 76214
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 76214
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 13573697
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 4873
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 100
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (154034)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 378775
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1543360
<NET-ASSETS> 57448
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 105824
<INTEREST-INCOME> 70071
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (329929)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (154034)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 378775
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1543360
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1768101
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 205569
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (200796)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 15337798
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 57884
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 347907
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 692880
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> .03
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.76
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.79
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.08
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 052
<NAME> GROWTH OPPORTUNITY PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-01-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 13305812
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 14849172
<RECEIVABLES> 482500
<ASSETS-OTHER> 86340
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 15418012
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 76214
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 76214
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 13573697
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 840723
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 100
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (154034)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 378775
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1543360
<NET-ASSETS> 9816397
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 105824
<INTEREST-INCOME> 70071
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (329929)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (154034)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 378775
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1543360
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1768101
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 886181
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (45558)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 15337798
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 57884
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 347907
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 5254042
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.21)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.89
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.68
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 4.00
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 053
<NAME> GROWTH OPPORTUNITY PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-01-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 13305812
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 14849172
<RECEIVABLES> 482500
<ASSETS-OTHER> 86340
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 15418012
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 76214
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 76214
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 13573697
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 398309
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 100
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (154034)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 378775
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1543360
<NET-ASSETS> 4648954
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 105824
<INTEREST-INCOME> 70071
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (329929)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (154034)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 378775
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1543360
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1768101
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 429086
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (30877)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 15337798
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 57884
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 347907
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 2504549
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.22)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.89
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.67
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 4.05
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000918848
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH ASSET BUILDER PROGRAM, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 054
<NAME> GROWTH OPPORTUNITY PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> JAN-01-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 13305812
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 14849172
<RECEIVABLES> 482500
<ASSETS-OTHER> 86340
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 15418012
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 76214
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 76214
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 13573697
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 69522
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 100
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (154034)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 378775
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1543360
<NET-ASSETS> 818999
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 105824
<INTEREST-INCOME> 70071
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (329929)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (154034)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 378775
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1543360
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1768101
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 79059
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (9637)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 15337798
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 57884
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 347907
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 478110
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.11)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.89
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.78
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 3.13
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
