NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 761
487, 1994-10-26
Previous: DEFINED ASSET FUNDS MUNICIPAL INVT TR FD INTERM TERM SER 243, S-6EL24, 1994-10-26
Next: MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND OF MLMSMST, 497, 1994-10-26




<PAGE>


                                                      File No. 33-55815
                                                      40 Act File No. 811-2271


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-6

For Registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities of Unit
Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2

A.  Exact name of Trust:     NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 761

B.  Name of Depositor:       JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED

C.  Complete address of Depositor's principal executive offices:

                             333 West Wacker Drive
                             Chicago, Illinois  60606

D.  Name and complete address of agents for service:

                             JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                             Attn:  James J. Wesolowski
                             333 West Wacker Drive
                             Chicago, Illinois 60606

                             CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
                             Attn:  Daniel C. Bird, Jr.
                             111 West Monroe Street
                             Chicago, Illinois  60603

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

- -----
- -----    immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

- -----
- -----    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

- -----
- -----    60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)

- -----
- -----    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485 or 486

E.  Title and amount of securities being registered:  An indefinite number of
    Units as permitted by Rule 24f-2.

F.  Proposed maximum offering price to the public of the securities being
    registered:  Not presently determinable.

G.  Amount of filing fee:  $500 in accordance with Rule 24f-2.

H.  Approximate date of proposed sale to the public:

    As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration
    Statement.
______
          Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective
  X       on 10/26/94 at 1:30 p.m. pursuant to Rule 487.
______



<PAGE>
   
                                OCTOBER 26, 1994
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
 
NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
             PROSPECTUS
            Series 761
             October 26, 1994
    
INTEREST  INCOME TO THE  TRUSTS AND TO  UNITHOLDERS, IN THE  OPINION OF COUNSEL,
UNDER EXISTING LAW IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX. CAPITAL GAINS, IF ANY, ARE
SUBJECT TO TAX. IN ADDITION, INTEREST INCOME OF STATE TRUSTS IS, IN THE  OPINION
OF  COUNSEL,  EXEMPT,  TO THE  EXTENT  INDICATED,  FROM STATE  AND  LOCAL TAXES.
INTEREST INCOME OF ANY TRUST  OTHER THAN A STATE TRUST  MAY BE SUBJECT TO  STATE
AND LOCAL TAXES.
 
CURRENTLY  OFFERED AT PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE PLUS INTEREST ACCRUED TO THE DATE OF
SETTLEMENT. MINIMUM PURCHASE--EITHER $5,000 OR 50 UNITS, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
 
   
THE NUVEEN  TAX-EXEMPT  UNIT  TRUST,  SERIES 761  consists  of  four  underlying
separate  unit  investment  trusts  designated  as  Georgia  Insured  Trust  40,
Massachusetts Insured Trust 119, Ohio Insured Trust 119 and Pennsylvania Insured
Trust 188.  Each Trust  initially consists  of delivery  statements relating  to
contracts  to  purchase Bonds  and, thereafter,  will  consist of  a diversified
portfolio of obligations issued by or on behalf of states and territories of the
United States and authorities and political subdivisions thereof (see  SCHEDULES
OF INVESTMENTS), the interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuers,  exempt from  Federal income tax  under existing law.  In addition, the
interest on Bonds in each State Trust is, in the opinion of bond counsel to  the
issuers  of the obligations, exempt from such  State's income taxes, if any. All
obligations in each Traditional Trust are rated in the category "A" or better by
Standard & Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. on the Date  of
Deposit.  All  obligations in  each  Insured Trust  are  covered by  policies of
insurance obtained  from  the  Municipal Bond  Investors  Assurance  Corporation
guaranteeing  payment of principal  and interest when due.  All such policies of
insurance remain effective  so long  as the  obligations are  outstanding. As  a
result of such insurance, the Bonds in each portfolio of the Insured Trusts have
received  a rating of "Aaa" by Moody's  Investors Service, Inc. and the Bonds in
the Insured Trusts and the  Units of each such Trust  have received a rating  of
"AAA"  by Standard & Poor's Corporation. INSURANCE  RELATES ONLY TO THE BONDS IN
THE INSURED TRUSTS AND NOT TO THE UNITS OFFERED HEREBY OR TO THEIR MARKET VALUE.
(See Section 5.)
    
 
THE OBJECTIVES of the Trusts are  tax-exempt income and conservation of  capital
through  a diversified  investment in tax-exempt  Bonds. (SEE SECTIONS  2, 3 AND
11.) The payment of interest and  the preservation of principal are, of  course,
dependent upon the continuing ability of the issuers of Bonds and of any insurer
thereof  to meet  their obligations thereunder.  There is no  guarantee that the
Trusts' objectives will be achieved. (SEE PAGE A-1.)
 
DISTRIBUTIONS of  interest received  by each  Trust will  be made  semi-annually
unless  the Unitholder elects to receive them monthly or quarterly. (SEE SECTION
13.) Distribution of funds in the Principal Account, if any, will ordinarily  be
made semi-annually.
 
FOR  ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS to Unitholders in
each Trust on the  business day prior to  the Date of Deposit.  (SEE PAGE 3  AND
SECTION 9.)
 
THE  PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE  per Unit of  each Trust during  the initial offering
period is equal to a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in  such
Trust's  portfolio plus  a sales charge  of up  to 4.90% of  the Public Offering
Price (equivalent to  5.152% of the  net amount invested);  the sales charge  is
somewhat  lower on Trusts  with lesser average maturities.  (SEE SECTION 6.) The
Secondary Market Public Offering Price per Unit for each Trust will be equal  to
a  pro rata share of the  sum of BID prices of the  Bonds in such Trust plus the
sales charges determined based on the number of years remaining to the  maturity
of  each  Bond. Accrued  interest from  the  preceding Record  Date to,  but not
including, the settlement date (normally  five business days after purchase)  is
added  to the Public Offering Price. The  sales charge is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales involving at least $50,000  or 500 Units and will be applied  on
whichever basis is more favorable to the purchaser. (SEE SECTION 6.)
 
A  UNITHOLDER MAY REDEEM UNITS at the office of the Trustee, United States Trust
Company of New York, at prices based upon the BID prices of the Bonds. The price
received  upon  redemption  may  be  more  or  less  than  the  amount  paid  by
Unitholders,  depending upon the  value of the  Bonds on the  date of tender for
redemption. (SEE  SECTION 19.)  The Sponsor,  although not  required to  do  so,
intends  to make a secondary market for the  Units of the Trusts at prices based
upon the BID  prices of the  Bonds in  the respective Trusts.  (SEE SECTION  7.)
RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
UNITS OF THE TRUST ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD  OR ANY  OTHER AGENCY  AND INVOLVE  INVESTMENT RISK, INCLUDING THE
POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
  NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      INDEX                                             SECTION         PAGE
<C>   <S>                                              <C>        <C>
      SPECIFIC TRUST MATTERS
      Georgia Insured Trust 40                                3         8-15
      Massachusetts Insured Trust 119                         3        16-26
      Ohio Insured Trust 119                                  3        27-34
      Pennsylvania Insured Trust 188                          3        35-44
      GENERAL MATTERS
      Accrued Interest                                        8         A-17
      Accumulation Plan                                      14         A-24
      Bonds, How Selected                                     3            7
      Bonds, Initial Determination of Offering Price         10         A-19
      Bonds, Limited Right of Substitution                    4          A-7
      Bond Ratings                                            3         8-44
      Bonds, Removal from Trust                              21         A-33
      Call Provisions of Portfolio Bonds                   3, 4     8-44,A-8
      Capital Gains Taxability                               11         A-19
      Dealer Discount                                        17         A-29
      Description of Units of Trust                           1            5
      Distributions to Unitholders                           13         A-23
      Distribution Payment Dates                          3, 13   8-44, A-23
      Distribution of Units to the Public                    17         A-29
      Essential Information Regarding the Trusts             --            4
      Estimated Long Term Return and Estimated Current
      Return                                                  9      3, A-18
      Evaluation                                             16         A-28
      Expenses to Fund                                       12         A-22
      Insurance on Bonds in the Insured Trusts                5         A-10
      Insurance on Certain Bonds in the Traditional
      Trusts                                                  5         A-12
      Interest Income to Trust                                3         8-44
      Investments, Schedules of                               3         8-44
      Legality of Units                                      24         A-37
      Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee       22        A-34
      Market for Units                                        7         A-16
      Minimum Transaction                                    17         A-29
      Objectives of the Trusts                                2            6
      Optional Distribution Plan                             13         A-23
      Other Information                                      24         A-36
      Ownership and Transfer of Units                        18         A-30
      Public Offering Price of Units                          6         A-13
      Quantity Purchases                                      6         A-13
      Record Dates                                           13         A-23
      Ratings, Description of                                24         A-38
      Redemption of Units by Trustee                         19         A-31
      Reports to Unitholders                                 15         A-28
      Repurchase of Units by Sponsor                         20         A-33
      Risk Factors                                            3          A-1
      Sales Charge                                            6         A-13
      Sponsor, Information About                             23         A-35
      State Tax Status                                        3         8-44
      Successor Trustees and Sponsors                        22         A-34
      Tax Status of Unitholders                              11         A-19
      Trustee, Information About                             22         A-34
      Trust Indenture, Amendment and Termination             24         A-36
      Unit Value                                             16         A-28
</TABLE>
 
                  2
<PAGE>
                          ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS
                                      AND
                    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS FOR THE TRUSTS
 
Following  are the  Estimated Long Term  and Estimated Current  Returns for each
Trust on the  business day  prior to  the Date  of Deposit,  under the  monthly,
quarterly and semi-annual plans of distribution (SEE SECTION 3):
 
                          ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Georgia Insured Trust 40.................      5.99%         6.02%           6.04%
  Massachusetts Insured Trust 119..........      6.08%         6.11%           6.12%
  Ohio Insured Trust 119...................      5.99%         6.02%           6.04%
  Pennsylvania Insured Trust 188...........      6.10%         6.13%           6.15%
</TABLE>
 
                           ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Georgia Insured Trust 40.................      5.86%         5.90%           5.91%
  Massachusetts Insured Trust 119..........      5.92%         5.95%           5.97%
  Ohio Insured Trust 119...................      5.80%         5.83%           5.85%
  Pennsylvania Insured Trust 188...........      5.97%         6.01%           6.03%
</TABLE>
 
    The  Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to
the investor earned  over the estimated  life of the  Trust. The Estimated  Long
Term  Return represents an  average of the  yields to maturity  (or call) of the
Bonds in  the Trust's  portfolio  calculated in  accordance with  accepted  bond
practice and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges. Under accepted bond
practice,  tax-exempt bonds  are customarily  offered to  investors on  a "yield
price" basis, which involves computation of  yield to maturity or to an  earlier
call date (whichever produces the lower yield), and which takes into account not
only the interest payable on the bonds but also the amortization or accretion to
a  specified date of any premium over  or discount from the par (maturity) value
in the bond's  purchase price. In  calculating Estimated Long  Term Return,  the
average  yield for  the Trust's  portfolio is  derived by  weighting each Bond's
yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining to the
date to which the Bond is priced. Once the average portfolio yield is  computed,
this  figure is then reduced to reflect estimated expenses and the effect of the
maximum sales  charge paid  by investors.  The Estimated  Long Term  Return  and
Estimated  Current Return calculations do not take  into account the effect of a
first distribution which may be less than a regular distribution or may be  paid
at  some point after 30 days (or a  second distribution which may be less than a
normal distribution for Unitholders who choose quarterly or semi-annual plans of
distribution), and it also does not  take into account the difference in  timing
of  payments  to  Unitholders  who  choose  quarterly  or  semi-annual  plans of
distribution, each of which will reduce the return.
 
    Estimated Current Return  is computed  by dividing the  Net Annual  Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion of discount, if any, on the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
the Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
 
    Net  Annual Interest  Income per Unit,  used to  calculate Estimated Current
Return, will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and  the
Evaluator  and with the redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds. A Trust
may experience expenses and  portfolio changes different  from those assumed  in
the  calculation of Estimated Long  Term Return. There thus  can be no assurance
that the Estimated  Current Returns or  the Estimated Long  Term Returns  quoted
herein will be realized in the future. Both the Estimated Current Return and the
Estimated  Long Term Return quoted  herein are based on  the market value of the
underlying Bonds on the  business day prior to  the Date of Deposit;  subsequent
calculations  of these performance measures will reflect the then current market
value of the underlying Bonds and may be higher or lower. For more  information,
see Section 9. The Sponsor will provide estimated cash flow information relating
to  a Trust without  charge to each  potential investor in  a Trust who receives
this prospectus and makes  an oral or  written request to  the Sponsor for  such
information.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
                 ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS ON
                               OCTOBER 25, 1994+
    
           Sponsor and Evaluator...... John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
           Trustee........... United States Trust Company of New York
                  -------------------------------------------
 
The  income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been calculated
for  Unitholders   receiving   MONTHLY   distributions.   Unitholders   choosing
distributions  quarterly or  semi-annually will receive  slightly higher returns
because of the lower Trustee's fees and expenses under such plans. (SEE  SECTION
3 FOR DATA RELATING TO THESE PLANS.)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          GEORGIA          MASSACHUSETTS           OHIO            PENNSYLVANIA
                                                          INSURED             INSURED             INSURED             INSURED
                                                         TRUST 40            TRUST 119           TRUST 119           TRUST 188
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000
Number of Units.....................................          35,000              35,000              35,000              35,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....        1/35,000            1/35,000            1/35,000            1/35,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $    3,338,616      $    3,240,041      $    3,199,985      $    3,275,832
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $        95.39      $        92.57      $        91.43      $        93.60
    Plus Sales Charge*..............................  $         4.91      $         4.77      $         4.71      $         4.82
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $       100.30      $        97.34      $        96.14      $        98.42
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $        94.89      $        92.09      $        90.98      $        93.10
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $        95.39      $        92.57      $        91.43      $        93.60
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $         5.41      $         5.25      $         5.16      $         5.32
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit...............  $         4.91      $         4.77      $         4.71      $         4.82
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Interest Income
  Per Unit
    Annual Interest Income(2).......................  $       6.1149      $       6.0015      $       5.8036      $       6.1139
    Less Estimated Annual Expense...................  $        .2356      $        .2379      $        .2261      $        .2357
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Estimated Net Annual Interest Income(3).........  $       5.8793      $       5.7636      $       5.5775      $       5.8782
Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit......................  $       .01633      $       .01601      $       .01549      $       .01632
Estimated Current Return(4).........................           5.86%               5.92%               5.80%               5.97%
Estimated Long Term Return(4).......................           5.99%               6.08%               5.99%               6.10%
BECAUSE CERTAIN OF THE BONDS IN THE TRUSTS WILL NOT BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE UNTIL AFTER THE SETTLEMENT DATE FOR A PURCHASE OF
UNITS  MADE ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, INTEREST THAT ACCRUES ON THOSE  BONDS BETWEEN THE DATE OF DEPOSIT AND SUCH DELIVERY DATE WILL
BE TREATED AS A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL RATHER THAN AS TAX-EXEMPT INCOME. THE AMOUNT OF ANY SUCH RETURN OF PRINCIPAL IS NOT  INCLUDED
IN  THE ANNUAL INTEREST INCOME SHOWN ABOVE.  FOR THE VARIOUS TRUSTS, THE FOLLOWING  SETS FORTH THE LATEST SCHEDULED BOND DELIVERY
DATE, THE AMOUNT PER UNIT THAT WILL BE TREATED AS A RETURN  OF PRINCIPAL TO UNITHOLDERS WHO PURCHASE ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT,  AND
THE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN AFTER THE FIRST YEAR, ASSUMING THE PORTFOLIO AND ESTIMATED ANNUAL EXPENSES DO NOT VARY FROM THAT SET
FORTH ABOVE (SEE SECTIONS 3 AND 12 AND THE "SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS"):
                                   LATEST SCHEDULED         PER UNIT         ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
                                    DELIVERY DATE     RETURN OF PRINCIPAL      AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
                                  ------------------  --------------------   -------------------------
  GEORGIA INSURED TRUST.........  NOVEMBER 17, 1994   $           .04                     5.90        %
 
  PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST....   NOVEMBER 8, 1994   $           .01                     5.98        %
<FN>
- ----------
Evaluations  for purpose of sale,  purchase or redemption of  Units are made as of  4 p.m. Eastern time  on the business day next
following receipt of an order by the Sponsor or Trustee. (See Section 6.)
 + The business day prior to the Date of Deposit.
 * National and State, 5.152%;  Long Intermediate, 4.439%; Intermediate, 4.058%;  Short Intermediate, 3.093%; Short Term,  2.564%
   (4.9%, 4.25%, 3.9%, 3.0% and 2.5% of the Public Offering Prices, respectively.)
(1)  Units are offered at the Public  Offering Price plus accrued interest from the  preceding Record Date to, but not including,
    the date of settlement (normally five business days after purchase).  The Date of Deposit of the Fund has been designated  as
    the  First Record  Date for all  plans of distribution  of the Trusts  and, accordingly, for  Units purchased on  the Date of
    Deposit, the following  amounts of accrued  interest to  the Settlement Date  will be  added to the  Public Offering  Prices:
    Georgia   Insured  Trust--$.10,  Massachusetts  Insured  Trust--$.10,  Ohio  Insured  Trust--$.09  and  Pennsylvania  Insured
    Trust--$.10. (See Section 8.)
(2) Assumes delivery of  all Bonds. (See Section  4.) Interest income does  not include accretion of  original issue discount  on
    "zero coupon" Bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount Bonds. (See "General Trust Information" in Section
    3.)
(3) The  amount and timing of interest distributions from each Trust under the various plans of distribution are shown in Section
    3.
(4) Estimated Long Term Return  for each Trust represents  the average of the yields  to maturity (or call)  of the Bonds in  the
    Trust's  portfolio calculated in accordance with accepted bond practices  and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges.
    Estimated Current Return is computed by dividing the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price, and in
    contrast to Estimated Long Term  Return does not reflect the  amortization of premium or accretion  of discount, if any.  For
    more information see page 3 and Section 9.
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                   ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS
                                  (CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Record Dates............................................................See Section 13
Distribution Dates......................................................See Section 13
Minimum Principal Distribution..........................................$0.10 Per Unit
Date Trusts Established...............................................October 26, 1994
Settlement Date.......................................................November 2, 1994
Mandatory Termination Date..............................................See Section 24
Minimum Value of Each Trust.............................................See Section 24
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.............$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Trustee's Annual Fees:
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ------------------------------------------
                    TRUST                        MONTHLY       QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  -----------------------------------------     ----------     ----------     ------------
  <S>                                           <C>            <C>            <C>
  Georgia Insured Trust 40.................     $  1.7257      $  1.4057      $   1.2157
  Massachusetts Insured Trust 119..........        1.7482         1.4282          1.2382
  Ohio Insured Trust 119...................        1.6307         1.3107          1.1207
  Pennsylvania Insured Trust 188...........        1.7265         1.4065          1.2165
  ------------
  *  Each Trustee annual fee is  per $1,000 principal amount of  the underlying Bonds in a
    Trust for that portion of the Trust that represents a particular plan of distribution.
</TABLE>
 
                          ---------------------------
 
THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
   
SERIES 761
    
 
   
1.  WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 761?
    
 
   
Series 761 of the Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust is one  of a series of  separate
but  similar  investment companies  created  by the  Sponsor,  each of  which is
designated by a different Series number. This Series consists of four underlying
separate  unit  investment  trusts,  combined  under  one  trust  indenture  and
agreement, designated Georgia Insured Trust 40, Massachusetts Insured Trust 119,
Ohio  Insured Trust 119  and Pennsylvania Insured Trust  188. The various trusts
are collectively referred to herein as the "Trusts"; the trusts in which few  or
none  of the  Bonds are  insured are sometimes  referred to  as the "Traditional
Trusts", the trusts in which  all of the Bonds  are insured as described  herein
are  sometimes referred to as  the "Insured Trusts", and  the state trusts (both
Traditional and Insured) are sometimes referred to as the "State Trusts."  THERE
ARE NO TRADITIONAL TRUSTS IN THIS SERIES. This Series was created under the laws
of  the State  of New  York pursuant  to a  Trust Indenture  and Agreement dated
October 26, 1994 (the "Indenture") between  John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated  (the
"Sponsor") and United States Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee").
    
 
   
    The  Sponsor has deposited with the  Trustee delivery statements relating to
contracts for the  purchase of  municipal debt obligations  together with  funds
represented by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a major commercial bank
in  the amount, including accrued interest,  required for their purchase (or the
obligations themselves) in  the principal amount  of $14,000,000 (the  "Bonds"),
which initially constitute the underlying securities of the
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
Trusts.  Bonds  may  include  fixed rate  obligations  with  regularly scheduled
interest payments, zero coupon bonds  and stripped obligations, which  represent
evidences of ownership interests with respect to either a principal payment or a
payment  of interest  on a  tax-exempt obligation  ("Stripped Obligations"). See
"SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS" and "GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION" for a discussion of zero
coupon bonds  and Stripped  Obligations. The  following principal  amounts  were
deposited  in each Trust: $3,500,000 in the Georgia Insured Trust, $3,500,000 in
the Massachusetts  Insured  Trust, $3,500,000  in  the Ohio  Insured  Trust  and
$3,500,000  in the Pennsylvania  Insured Trust. Some  of the delivery statements
may relate to contracts for  the purchase of "when  issued" or other Bonds  with
delivery  dates after the date of settlement for  a purchase made on the Date of
Deposit. See the "Schedules of Investments"  and Section 4. For a discussion  of
the  Sponsor's obligations  in the event  of a  failure of any  contract for the
purchase of any of the Bonds and its limited right to substitute other bonds  to
replace any failed contract, see Section 4.
    
 
    Payment  of interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust, and of principal at
maturity, is guaranteed under policies of  insurance obtained by the Sponsor  or
by  the issuers of the Bonds. (See Section  5.) As a general matter, neither the
issuer nor the Sponsor has obtained insurance  with respect to the Bonds in  any
Traditional Trust.
 
   
    The  Trustee has delivered to the  Sponsor registered Units for 35,000 Units
of the Georgia Insured Trust, 35,000  Units of the Massachusetts Insured  Trust,
35,000  Units of  the Ohio  Insured Trust and  35,000 Units  of the Pennsylvania
Insured Trust,  which together  represent ownership  of the  entire Series,  and
which are offered for sale by this Prospectus. Each Unit of a Trust represents a
fractional  undivided interest in the principal and  net income of such Trust in
the ratio  of  10 Units  for  each $1,000  principal  value of  Bonds  initially
deposited in such Trust.
    
 
2.  WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?
 
The  objectives of the Trusts are income  exempt from Federal income tax and, in
the case of State Trusts, where applicable, state income and intangibles  taxes,
and  conservation of capital, through an  investment in obligations issued by or
on behalf of  states and territories  of the United  States and authorities  and
political  subdivisions thereof,  the interest  on which  is, in  the opinion of
recognized bond counsel  to the  issuing governmental  authorities, exempt  from
Federal income tax under existing law. Bonds in any State Trust have been issued
primarily  by  or on  behalf of  the State  for  which such  Trust is  named and
counties, municipalities, authorities  and political  subdivisions thereof,  the
interest  on which Bonds is, in the opinion of bond counsel, exempt from Federal
and certain state income tax and  intangibles taxes, if any, for purchasers  who
qualify  as residents of that State.  Insurance guaranteeing the timely payment,
when due, of all principal and interest  on the Bonds in each Insured Trust  has
been obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds from Municipal Bond
Investors  Assurance  Corporation,  and  as  a  result  of  such  insurance  the
obligations in the Insured Trusts are rated "Aaa" by Moody's Investors  Service,
Inc. and "AAA" by Standard & Poor's Corporation. (SEE SECTION 5) All obligations
in each Traditional Trust are rated in the category "A" or better (SP-1 or MIG 2
or  better  in the  case  of short  term obligations  included  in a  Short Term
Traditional Trust)  by  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation  or  Moody's  Investors
Service,  Inc.  (including  provisional or  conditional  ratings).  In addition,
certain Bonds  in  certain  Traditional  Trusts  may  be  covered  by  insurance
guaranteeing  the timely payment, when due,  of all principal and interest. (SEE
SECTION 3.) The  portfolios of National  and State Trusts  consist of  long-term
(approximately    15   to   40   year    maturities)   obligations;   those   of
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
Long Intermediate Trusts consist of intermediate to long term (approximately  11
to  19 year  maturities) obligations;  those of  Intermediate Trusts  consist of
intermediate term (approximately 5 to 15 year maturities) obligations; those  of
Short Intermediate Trusts consist of short to intermediate term (approximately 3
to  7 year maturities)  obligations; and those  of Short Term  Trusts consist of
short term (approximately  1 to  5 year  maturities) obligations.  There is,  of
course,  no  guarantee  that the  Trusts'  objectives  will be  achieved.  For a
comparison of net  after-tax return for  various tax brackets  see the  "Taxable
Equivalent Estimated Current Return Tables" included in this Prospectus.
 
    Each  Trust consists  of fixed-rate  municipal debt  obligations. Because of
this an investment in a Trust should be made with an understanding of the  risks
which an investment in such debt obligations may entail, including the risk that
the  value of the debt obligations and  therefore of the Units will decline with
increases in  interest  rates. In  general,  the  longer the  period  until  the
maturity  of a  Bond, the more  sensitive its  value will be  to fluctuations in
interest rates. During the past decade, there have been substantial fluctuations
in interest  rates, and,  accordingly, in  the value  of debt  obligations.  The
Sponsor cannot predict whether such fluctuations will recur.
 
3.  SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS
 
In  selecting  Bonds for  the respective  Trusts,  the following  factors, among
others, were considered:  (i) the Standard  & Poor's Corporation  rating of  the
Bonds  or the Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating of the Bonds (see Section 2
for a description  of minimum rating  standards), (ii) the  prices of the  Bonds
relative   to  other  bonds  of  comparable  quality  and  maturity,  (iii)  the
diversification of Bonds as to purpose of issue and location of issuer, (iv) the
maturity dates of the Bonds, and (v) in the case of the Insured Trusts only, the
availability of Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation insurance on such
Bonds.
 
    In order for Bonds in the Insured  Trusts to be eligible for Municipal  Bond
Investors Assurance Corporation insurance, they must have credit characteristics
which,  in the opinion of the insurer,  would qualify them as "investment grade"
obligations. Insurance is not  a substitute for the  basic credit of an  issuer,
but  supplements the existing credit  and provides additional security therefor.
(SEE SECTION 5.)
 
    Certain bonds may carry a "mandatory put" (also referred to as a  "mandatory
tender"  or "mandatory repurchase") feature pursuant to which the holder of such
bonds will receive payment of the full principal amount thereof on a stated date
prior to the maturity date unless  such holder affirmatively acts to retain  the
bond.  Under the Indenture,  the Trustee does  not have the  authority to act to
retain Bonds with  such features; accordingly,  it will receive  payment of  the
full  principal amount of any such Bonds on the stated put date and such date is
therefore treated as the maturity date of such Bonds in selecting Bonds for  the
respective  Trusts and for  purposes of calculating the  average maturity of the
Bonds in any Trust.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
GEORGIA INSURED TRUST 40
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Georgia Insured Trust  40 consists of 7 obligations issued
by entities located in Georgia and one obligation issued by an entity located in
the Territory of Puerto Rico. Four Bonds in the Trust are general obligations of
the governmental  entities issuing  them and  are backed  by the  taxing  powers
thereof.  Four Bonds in the Trust are  payable as to principal and interest from
the income of  a specific  project or  authority and  are not  supported by  the
issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources of payment for these Bonds are divided
as  follows: Dedicated-Tax Supported Revenue, 1; Combination Utility Revenue, 1;
Municipal Lease Revenue, 1; Water and/or Sewer  Revenue, 1. All of the Bonds  in
the Trust, as insured, are rated AAA by Standard & Poor's Corporation and Aaa by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
    
 
   
    At  the Date of  Deposit, the average  maturity of the  Bonds in the Georgia
Insured Trust is 24.9  years. The average  maturity of the Bonds  in a Trust  is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect  to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time  as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately  14.3% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 12.8% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)   are    original   issue    discount   bonds.    See   "GENERAL    TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL  ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS AND  STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for a
discussion of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks  associated
therewith.
    
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered into contracts to acquire the Bonds between October  24,
1994  and October 25,  1994. The following  summarizes certain information about
the Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,325,318       $13,298           $215,375      $3,321,116                 .50%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither  cost  to  Sponsor  nor   profit  (or  loss)  to  Sponsor   reflects
underwriting  profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through its
participation  in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or   underwriting
syndicate  purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive bid
basis as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at  a
profit.  The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as a
manager or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of  any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders  may elect  to have  interest distributions  made on  a monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the Georgia Insured Trust,  less estimated expenses, is  estimated to accrue  at
the rate of $.01647 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,
$.01642  per Unit per day  under the quarterly plan  of distribution and $.01633
per Unit per day under the monthly plan of distribution. It is anticipated  that
the    amount   of   interest    to   be   distributed    per   Unit   in   each
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
year under each plan  of distribution will initially  be substantially equal  to
the Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
 
    Details  of interest  distributions per  Unit of  the Georgia  Insured Trust
under the various plans appear in  the following table based upon estimated  Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       NORMAL
                                                                                                                   DISTRIBUTIONS
GEORGIA INSURED TRUST                     1994                                  1995                                  PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................       12/1            2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................      12/15           2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5750(1)                                                               $  5.9180
                                                              --------   $.4929 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5750(1)   $   .9912(2)   $  1.4868      $  1.4868      $  1.4868      $  5.9500
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5750(1)                  $  2.4870(3)                  $  2.9844      $  5.9690
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 *  Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1) The first distribution will be paid to all  Unitholders, regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution  may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2)  The  second distribution  under the  quarterly distribution  plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  5-month distribution; subsequent  semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The  accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest to
be distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are  redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--GEORGIA INSURED TRUST
 
    For  a discussion  of the  Federal tax  status of  income earned  on Georgia
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, counsel to the Sponsor under  existing
law:
 
        For  Georgia income  tax purposes, the  Georgia Insured Trust  is not an
    association taxable as a corporation, and the income of the Georgia  Insured
    Trust  will be  treated as  the income of  the Unitholders.  Interest on the
    Georgia Bonds which is exempt from  Georgia income tax when received by  the
    Georgia  Insured Trust, and which would be exempt from Georgia income tax if
    received directly  by a  Unitholder, will  retain its  status as  tax-exempt
    interest  when distributed by the Georgia  Insured Trust and received by the
    Unitholders.
 
        If the Trustee disposes  of a Georgia Bond  (whether by sale,  exchange,
    payment  on maturity, retirement or otherwise) or if a Unitholder redeems or
    sells his  Unit, the  Unitholder will  recognize gain  or loss  for  Georgia
    income tax purposes to the same extent that gain or loss would be recognized
    for  federal income tax purposes (except in the case of Georgia Bonds issued
    before March  11, 1987  issued with  original issue  discount owned  by  the
    Georgia  Insured Trust  in which  case gain or  loss for  Georgia income tax
    purposes would be determined by accruing  said original issue discount on  a
    ratable  basis). Due  to the  amortization of  bond premium  and other basis
    adjustments required by the Internal Revenue Code, a Unitholder, under  some
    circumstances,  may realize taxable gain  when his or her  Units are sold or
    redeemed for an amount equal to their original cost.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
        Because obligations  or  evidences of  debt  of Georgia,  its  political
    subdivisions  and public institutions and bonds  issued by the Government of
    Puerto Rico are exempt  from the Georgia  intangible personal property  tax,
    the  Trust will  not be subject  to such tax  as the result  of holding such
    obligations, evidences  of debt  or bonds.  Although there  currently is  no
    published  administrative interpretation or opinion  of the Attorney General
    of  Georgia  dealing  with  the  status  of  bonds  issued  by  a  political
    subdivision  of Puerto  Rico, we  have in  the past  been advised  orally by
    representatives of the Georgia Department  of Revenue that such bonds  would
    also  be considered exempt from  such tax. Based on  that advice, and in the
    absence of a published administrative interpretation to the contrary, we are
    of the opinion that the Trust would not be subject to such tax as the result
    of holding bonds issued by a political subdivision of Puerto Rico.
 
        Amounts paid by the Insurer under an insurance policy or policies issued
    to the Trust, if any, with respect  to the Georgia Bonds in the Trust  which
    represent  maturing interest  on defaulted  obligations held  by the Trustee
    will be  exempt from  State income  taxes if,  and to  the extent  as,  such
    interest  would have been so  exempt if paid by  the issuer of the defaulted
    obligations provided  that, at  the time  such policies  are purchased,  the
    amounts paid for such policies are reasonable, customary and consistent with
    the  reasonable expectation that the issuer  of the obligations, rather than
    the insurer, will pay debt service on the obligations.
 
        We express no opinion regarding  whether a Unitholder's ownership of  an
    interest in the Trust is subject to the Georgia intangible personal property
    tax.  Although the application  of the Georgia  intangible personal property
    tax to  the  ownership  of  the  Units by  the  Unitholders  is  not  clear,
    representatives  of  the  Georgia Department  of  Revenue have  in  the past
    advised us orally  that, for purposes  of the intangible  property tax,  the
    Department considers a Unitholder's ownership of an interest in the Trust as
    a  whole  to  be taxable  intangible  property separate  from  any ownership
    interest in the underlying tax-exempt Georgia Bonds.
 
        Neither the Georgia Bonds nor the Units will be subject to Georgia sales
    or use tax.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--GEORGIA
 
    The following brief summary regarding the  economy of Georgia is based  upon
information  drawn from publicly available sources  and is included for purposes
of providing information about general economic  conditions that may or may  not
affect  issuers of  the Georgia obligations.  The Sponsor  has not independently
verified any of the information contained in such publicly available documents.
 
    CONSTITUTIONAL  CONSIDERATIONS.    The  Georgia  Constitution  permits   the
issuance  by  the State  of general  obligation debt  and of  certain guaranteed
revenue debt. The State  may incur guaranteed revenue  debt by guaranteeing  the
payment  of  certain revenue  obligations issued  by  an instrumentality  of the
State.  The  Georgia  Constitution  prohibits  the  incurring  of  any   general
obligation  debt or guaranteed revenue debt if the highest aggregate annual debt
service requirement for the then current year or any subsequent fiscal year  for
outstanding  general obligation debt and  guaranteed revenue debt, including the
proposed debt, exceed 10 percent of the total revenue receipts, less refunds, of
the State treasury in  the fiscal year immediately  preceding the year in  which
any such debt is to be incurred.
 
    The  Georgia Constitution  also permits  the State  to incur  public debt to
supply a temporary deficit in the State treasury in any fiscal year created by a
delay in collecting the taxes of
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
that year. Such debt must not exceed, in the aggregate, 5% of the total  revenue
receipts,  less refunds,  of the State  treasury in the  fiscal year immediately
preceding the year in  which such debt  is incurred. The  debt incurred must  be
repaid  on or  before the  last day  of the  fiscal year  in which  it is  to be
incurred out of  the taxes  levied for  that fiscal year.  No such  debt may  be
incurred  in any fiscal year  if there is then  outstanding unpaid debt from any
previous fiscal year  which was incurred  to supply a  temporary deficit in  the
State  treasury. No such short-term debt  has been incurred under this provision
since the  inception  of  the  constitutional  authority  referred  to  in  this
paragraph.
 
    Virtually  all of the issues  of long-term debt obligations  issued by or on
behalf of the State of Georgia and counties, municipalities and other  political
subdivisions  and public authorities thereof are required by law to be validated
and confirmed in a judicial proceeding prior to issuance. The legal effect of an
approved validation in Georgia  is to render incontestable  the validity of  the
pertinent bond issue and the security therefor.
 
    THE  STATE AND ITS ECONOMY.   The State operates  on a fiscal year beginning
July 1 and ending June 30. Thus, the 1994 fiscal year ended June 30, 1994. Based
on data of the Georgia Department of Revenue, receipts of the State from  income
tax  and sales tax  for the 1992  fiscal year comprised  approximately 48.8% and
37.5%, respectively, of the total State tax revenues. Such data shows that total
State treasury  receipts for  the 1992  fiscal year  increased by  approximately
2.16%  over such collections in the 1991  fiscal year. The estimated 1993 fiscal
year figures indicate that receipts of the  State from income tax and sales  tax
for the 1993 fiscal year comprised approximately 48.1% and 38%, respectively, of
the  total State tax revenues. Total estimated State tax revenue collections for
the 1993  fiscal year  indicate an  increase of  approximately 9.89%  over  such
collections  in the  1992 fiscal  year. The  estimated 1994  fiscal year figures
indicate that receipts of the State from  income tax and sales tax for the  1994
fiscal  year will comprise  approximately 48.8% and  37.9%, respectively, of the
total State tax revenues. Total estimated State tax revenue collections for  the
1994  fiscal  year  indicate  an  increase  of  approximately  9.56%  over  such
collections in the 1993 fiscal year.
 
    Georgia experienced an economic  slowdown in the  late 1980s that  continued
into  1992. The 1991 fiscal year ended  with a balanced budget, but only because
the State had borrowed approximately  $90 million from surpluses maintained  for
special  uses. In light  of weaker than expected  monthly revenue collections in
May and June of 1991, Georgia  lawmakers, in a special legislative session,  cut
budgeted  expenditures for the  1992 fiscal year by  $415 million. Georgia ended
its 1992 fiscal year, however, with strong monthly revenue collections. For  the
last  four months  of fiscal  year 1992,  Georgia's revenues  were more  than 6%
higher than revenues  reported one  year earlier for  the same  time period.  By
year-end,  revenue collections  fell only 0.1%  short of that  expected to cover
1992 expenditures. This shortfall  was made up from  funds allocated to but  not
used  by state agencies. The  authorized 1993 fiscal year  budget consists of an
$8.3 billion  spending  plan  and  approximately $750  million  in  new  general
obligation  debt. On  March 23, 1993,  the Georgia General  Assembly approved an
$8.9 billion budget for  the 1994 fiscal year  which includes authorization  for
$792 million of general obligation borrowing.
 
   
    Although  the  20-county  Atlanta  metropolitan  region  continues  to drive
economic expansion in Georgia,  the region's core  city faces growing  problems.
Atlanta  has lost  population since  1970, has  become poorer,  and the business
sector has stagnated. In contrast  to Atlanta's problems, the expanding  economy
and  widening tax base of  the metropolitan area as a  whole continues to be the
driving force in the state's expansion.
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
    The Georgia economy has  performed relatively well  during recent years  and
generally  has expanded at a rate greater  than the national average during that
period. However, growth  in 1988  through 1992  slowed somewhat  and was  modest
compared to the pace of the early 1980's. Georgia's economy, however, has made a
robust  recovery through the 1993 and 1994 fiscal years. The 1992 annual average
unemployment rate for Georgia was 6.9%  as compared to the 1992 national  annual
average unemployment rate of 7.4%. The 1993 annual average unemployment rate for
Georgia  was 5.7% as  compared to the 1993  national annual average unemployment
rate of 6.7%. Throughout  1994, the monthly unemployment  rate for Georgia  (not
seasonally   adjusted)  has   remained  below   the  national   average  monthly
unemployment rate (not seasonally  adjusted). In June  and July 1994,  Georgia's
unemployment  rate was 5.8% and 6.0%,  respectively, as compared to the national
average unemployment rate of 6.2% for both months.
    
 
   
    In July, 1994, widespread  flooding in central  and southern Georgia  caused
extensive damage and destruction of farmland, private residences, businesses and
local and state government facilities. As of July 12, 1994, Governor Zell Miller
refused  to estimate the dollar  value of the damage  but other sources estimate
that damage could exceed  $300 million. Thirty-one  counties have been  declared
federal  disaster areas. Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard and Poor's
Corporation are observing the  situation in Georgia,  but neither rating  agency
has expressed any immediate credit concerns.
    
 
    BOND  RATINGS.   Currently,  Moody's Investors  Service, Inc.  rates Georgia
general obligation bonds Aaa and Standard & Poor's Corporation rates such  bonds
AA+.
 
    LEGAL  PROCEEDINGS.  Georgia is involved  in certain legal proceedings that,
if decided against the State, may  require the State to make significant  future
expenditures  or may substantially  impair revenues. Several  lawsuits have been
filed  against  Georgia  asserting  that  the  decision  in  DAVIS  V.  MICHIGAN
DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY, 489 U.S. 803 (1989), invalidating Michigan's practice of
taxing  retirement benefits paid by the federal government while exempting state
retirement  benefits,  also  invalidates  Georgia's  tax  treatment  of  Federal
Retirement  Benefits for years prior to  1989. Under Georgia's applicable 3 year
statute  of  limitation  the  maximum  potential  liability  under  these  suits
calculated  to April  1, 1992  would appear  to be  no greater  than 128 million
dollars. The plaintiffs in  these suits, however, have  requested refunds for  a
period  from 1980  which could  result in a  maximum potential  liability in the
range of  591 million  dollars. Any  such  liability would  be predicated  on  a
holding  by a Georgia  court or the  United States Supreme  Court that the DAVIS
decision is applicable to  Georgia's prior method  of taxing Federal  Retirement
Benefits,  that the DAVIS  decision is to  be given a  retroactive effect, i.e.,
that the  decision  affects  prior  tax  years  and  that  a  refund  remedy  is
appropriate.  In Georgia's "test  case", the Georgia Supreme  Court held that no
refunds are due. On June 28, 1993, however, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated  that
holding  and remanded the  case for further  consideration in light  of the U.S.
Supreme Court decision  in HARPER  V. VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT  OF TAXATION  (Decided
June  18, 1993). In  HARPER, the Court  held that its  decision in DAVIS applied
retroactively to federal retirees who  were denied Virginia personal income  tax
refunds.
 
    Another  suit filed against Georgia seeks a $31 million refund plus interest
of liquor taxes imposed under a  Georgia statute found retroactively invalid  by
the  U.S. Supreme Court. The  trial court's decision that  no refunds are due is
currently being reviewed by the Georgia Supreme Court.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    Two additional suits have  been filed with the  State of Georgia by  foreign
producers  of  alcoholic beverages  seeking $96  million  in refunds  of alcohol
import taxes imposed under another statute.  These claims constitute 99% of  all
such taxes paid during the preceding three years.
 
   
    In  BOARD  OF  PUBLIC  EDUCATION FOR  SAVANNAH/CHATHAM  COUNTY  V.  STATE OF
GEORGIA, the local school board claimed that the State should finance the  major
portion of the costs of its desegregation program. The Savannah Board originally
requested  restitution in  the amount of  $30 million, but  the Federal District
Court set forth a formula which would  require a State payment in the amount  of
approximately  $6  million.  Both sides  have  moved for  reconsideration.  In a
similar case,  a Federal  district court  held that  the State  of Georgia  must
reimburse  DeKalb County's school system for $24.6 million that was spent to bus
students as part of  an effort to  integrate schools between  1977 and 1992.  In
addition,  the court ruled that Georgia  must pay for the county's desegregation
busing costs since 1992. School officials estimate those expenses at $9 million.
    
 
   
    The foregoing information does  not purport to be  a complete or  exhaustive
description  of all  conditions to  which the  issuers of  Bonds in  the Georgia
Insured Trust are subject. Many factors including national economic, social  and
environmental  policies and conditions, which are  not within the control of the
issuers of Bonds could affect or could  have an adverse impact on the  financial
condition  of the State and various  agencies and political subdivisions located
in the  State. Since  Georgia Bonds  in the  Georgia Insured  Trust (other  than
general  obligation bonds issued by the  State) are payable from revenue derived
from a specific source or authority, the  impact of a pronounced decline in  the
national  economy  or difficulties  in significant  industries within  the State
could result in a decrease in the  amount of revenues realized from such  source
or  by such authority  and thus adversely  affect the ability  of the respective
issuers of  the Georgia  Bonds in  the Georgia  Insured Trust  to pay  the  debt
service  requirements  on the  Georgia Bonds.  Similarly, such  adverse economic
developments could result in  a decrease in tax  revenues realized by the  State
and thus could adversely affect the ability of the State to pay the debt service
requirements  of any  Georgia general  obligation bonds  in the  Georgia Insured
Trust.
    
 
GEORGIA TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers  that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993. For
cases in which more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket,  the
highest  state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined state
and Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  tax payments  are
currently  deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The  tables illustrate what you
would have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the tax-exempt  estimated
current  return for your income  tax bracket. A taxpayer's  marginal tax rate is
affected by both his taxable income  and his adjusted gross income. Locate  your
adjusted  gross and  your taxable  income (which  is your  adjusted gross income
reduced by any deductions and exemptions), then locate your tax bracket based on
joint or single  tax filing.  Read across  to the  equivalent taxable  estimated
current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      20.0   %     5.94    6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50    7.81    8.13
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      32.5         7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89    9.26    9.63
                 111.8-167.7      33.0         7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      35.0         7.31    7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00
                 111.8-167.7      36.0         7.42    7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16
                 167.7-290.2      38.5         7.72    8.13    8.54    8.94    9.35    9.76   10.16   10.57
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      41.0         8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02
                 167.7-290.2      43.5         8.41    8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06   11.50
                  Over 290.2      41.0   2     8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      47.5         9.05    9.52   10.00   10.48   10.95   11.43   11.90   12.38
                  Over 290.2      44.5   3     8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      20.0         5.94    6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50    7.81    8.13
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      32.5         7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89    9.26    9.63
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      35.0         7.31    7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00
                 111.8-234.3      36.5         7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      41.5         8.12    8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68   11.11
                  Over 234.3      41.0   2     8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      44.5   3     8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71
<FN>
- ------------------
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a single return  entitled to only one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the total
amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CD's and  money  market  accounts or  money  market  funds, each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of  the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide
stability of principal, but pay interest  at rates that vary with the  condition
of  the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
OCTOBER 26, 1994
GEORGIA INSURED TRUST 40
(SERIES 761)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   250,000      The City of Atlanta, Georgia, Certificates of       2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       241,113
                   Participation (Atlanta Pretrial Detention
                   Center Project), Series 1992, 6.25% Due
                   12/1/17.
    250,000      Downtown Development Authority of the City of       2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             242,733
                   Atlanta (Georgia), Refunding Revenue Bonds
                   (Underground Atlanta Project), Series 1992,
                   6.25% Due 10/1/16. (General Obligation
                   Bonds.)
    500,000      Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority     No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             485,000
                   (Georgia), Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Refunding
                   Series P, 6.25% Due 7/1/20.
    500,000      Bartow County School District (Georgia),            2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             453,555
                   General Obligation School Bonds (Series 1993
                   Bonds), 5.70% Due 5/1/14.
    500,000      City of Cordele (Georgia), Combined Public          2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             491,785
                   Utility Revenue Refunding and Improvement
                   Bonds, Series 1994, 6.375% Due 11/1/24. (When
                   issued.)
    500,000      The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (Georgia),     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             427,430
                   Revenue Refunding Certificates, Series 1993,
                   5.50% Due 1/1/20. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about June 15, 1993 at
                   a price of 94.499% of principal
                   amount.)(General Obligation Bonds.)
    500,000     * Oconee County (Georgia), Water and Sewerage        2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             497,000
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1994, 6.50% Due 9/1/17.
                   (When issued.)
    500,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2004 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             500,000
                   Bonds of 1994 (General Obligation Bonds),
                   6.50% Due 7/1/23.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,338,616
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 45.
 
   
* These Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the  normal
  settlement  date. Their expected delivery date is November 17, 1994. Contracts
  relating to  Bonds  with delivery  dates  after  the date  of  settlement  for
  purchase  made  on the  Date of  Deposit constitute  approximately 14%  of the
  aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST 119
    
   
    The  Portfolio of Massachusetts Insured Trust  119 consists of 7 obligations
issued by entities  located in  Massachusetts and  one obligation  issued by  an
entity  located in  the Territory  of Puerto  Rico. Two  Bonds in  the Trust are
general obligations of the governmental entities issuing them and are backed  by
the  taxing powers thereof. Six  Bonds in the Trust  are payable as to principal
and interest from  the income of  a specific  project or authority  and are  not
supported  by the issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources of payment for these
Bonds are divided  as follows: College  and University Revenue,  3; Health  Care
Facility  Revenue, 2;  Water and/or Sewer  Revenue, 1.  All of the  Bonds in the
Trust, as insured, are  rated AAA by  Standard & Poor's  Corporation and Aaa  by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
    
 
   
    At  the  Date  of  Deposit,  the  average  maturity  of  the  Bonds  in  the
Massachusetts Insured Trust is 24.5 years. The average maturity of the Bonds  in
a  Trust is  calculated based upon  the stated  maturities of the  Bonds in such
Trust (or, with respect to Bonds for which funds or securities have been  placed
in  escrow to  redeem such  Bonds on a  stated call  date, based  upon such call
date). The average maturity  of the Bonds  in a Trust  may increase or  decrease
from time to time as Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately  15.0% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 13.1% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)   are    original   issue    discount   bonds.    See   "GENERAL    TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL  ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS AND  STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for a
discussion of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks  associated
therewith.
    
 
    Approximately  36% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily  derived
from  payments  to  colleges  and  universities,  including  tuition,  dormitory
revenues, grants and endorsements.
 
    Approximately 21% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily derived
from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities.
 
    For a discussion of  the risks associated with  investments in the bonds  of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The  Sponsor entered into contracts to acquire the Bonds between October 24,
1994 and October 25,  1994. The following  summarizes certain information  about
the Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,227,608       $12,433           $210,054      $3,223,166                 .48%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither   cost  to  Sponsor  nor  profit   (or  loss)  to  Sponsor  reflects
underwriting profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through  its
participation   in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or  underwriting
syndicate purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive  bid
basis  as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at a
profit. The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as  a
manager  or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the Massachusetts Insured Trust, less estimated expenses, is estimated to accrue
at the rate of $.01615 per
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
Unit  per day under the  semi-annual plan of distribution,  $.01609 per Unit per
day under the quarterly plan of distribution and $.01601 per Unit per day  under
the  monthly plan of distribution. It is anticipated that the amount of interest
to be distributed per  Unit in each  year under each  plan of distribution  will
initially be substantially equal to the Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per
Unit for that plan.
    
 
    Details  of  interest distributions  per Unit  of the  Massachusetts Insured
Trust under the various plans appear in the following table based upon estimated
Net Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       NORMAL
                                                                                                                   DISTRIBUTIONS
MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST               1994                                  1995                                  PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................       12/1            2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................      12/15           2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5603(1)                                                               $  5.7636
                                                              --------   $.4803 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5603(1)   $   .9654(2)   $  1.4481      $  1.4481      $  1.4481      $  5.7956
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5603(1)                  $  2.4225(3)                  $  2.9070      $  5.8146
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1)  The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders,  regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) The  second distribution  under the  quarterly  distribution plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent  quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  5-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST
 
    For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Massachusetts
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    In the opinion  of Edwards &  Angell, special Massachusetts  counsel to  the
Trust, based on rulings by the Commissioner of Revenue and under existing law:
 
        For  Massachusetts income tax purposes, each  Trust will be treated as a
    corporate trust under Section 8 of  Chapter 62 of the Massachusetts  General
    Laws  ("M.G.L.") and not  as a grantor  trust under Section  10(e) of M.G.L.
    Chapter 62.
 
        The Trust will not be held  to be engaging in business in  Massachusetts
    within  the meaning of said Section 8 and will, therefore, not be subject to
    Massachusetts income tax.
 
        Unitholders who  are  subject  to Massachusetts  income  taxation  under
    M.G.L. Chapter 62 will not be required to include their respective shares of
    the  earnings of  or distributions from  the Massachusetts  Insured Trust in
    their Massachusetts  gross  income  to  the extent  that  such  earnings  or
    distributions represent tax-exempt interest excludable from gross income for
    Federal  income tax purposes received by  the Massachusetts Insured Trust on
    obligations  issued   by   Massachusetts,  its   counties,   municipalities,
    authorities,  political subdivisions or instrumentalities or by Puerto Rico,
    the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands or other  possessions
    of  the United States within  the meaning of Section  103(c) of the Internal
    Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Massachusetts Obligations").
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
        In the  case  of a  Massachusetts  Insured Trust,  Unitholders  who  are
    subject to Massachusetts income taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 62 will not be
    required   to  include  their  respective  shares  of  the  earnings  of  or
    distributions from such  Trust in  their Massachusetts gross  income to  the
    extent  that such earnings or distributions are derived from the proceeds of
    insurance obtained  by  the  Sponsor of  such  Trust  or by  the  issuer  or
    underwriter  of an  obligation held  by such  Trust that  represent maturing
    interest on defaulted obligations  held by the Trustee,  if and to the  same
    extent  that such earnings or distributions  would have been excludable from
    the gross income of  such Unitholders if derived  from interest paid by  the
    issuer of the defaulted obligation.
 
        Unitholders  which  are corporations  subject  to taxation  under M.G.L.
    Chapter 63  will be  required  to include  their  respective shares  of  the
    earnings  of or  distributions from the  Trust in  their Massachusetts gross
    income to the extent that such earnings or distributions represent  interest
    from  bonds, notes  or indebtedness  of any  state, including Massachusetts,
    except for interest which is specifically exempted from such tax by the acts
    authorizing issuance of said Massachusetts Obligations.
 
        The Massachusetts Insured  Trust's capital gains  and/or capital  losses
    which  are includable  in the  Federal gross  income of  Unitholders who are
    subject to  Massachusetts  income  taxation  under  M.G.L.  Chapter  62,  or
    Unitholders  which are corporations subject  to Massachusetts taxation under
    M.G.L. Chapter 63  will be included  as capital gains  and/or losses in  the
    Unitholders'  Massachusetts gross income,  except for capital  gain which is
    specifically  exempted  from  taxation  under  such  Chapters  by  the  acts
    authorizing issuance of said Massachusetts Obligations.
 
        Unitholders  which are corporations subject  to tax under M.G.L. Chapter
    63 and which  are tangible  property corporations  will not  be required  to
    include  the Units  when determining the  value of  their tangible property.
    Unitholders which are intangible property  corporations will be required  to
    include the Units when determining their net worth.
 
        Gains or losses realized on sales or redemptions of Units by Unitholders
    who are subject to Massachusetts income taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 62, or
    Unitholders  which are corporations subject to Massachusetts income taxation
    under M.G.L. Chapter  63, will  be includable in  their Massachusetts  gross
    income.  In  determining such  gain or  loss Unitholders  will, to  the same
    extent required for Federal tax purposes, have to adjust their tax bases for
    their  Units  for  accrued  interest  received,  if  any,  on  Massachusetts
    Obligations  delivered to  the Trustee after  the Unitholders  pay for their
    Units, for amortization  of premiums, if  any, on Massachusetts  Obligations
    held  by the  Massachusetts Insured  Trust, and  for accrued  original issue
    discount with respect to  each Massachusetts Obligation  which, at the  time
    the Massachusetts Obligation was issued, had original issue discount.
 
        The  Units of the  Trust are not  subject to any  property tax levied by
    Massachusetts or any political  subdivision thereof, nor  to any income  tax
    levied  by any such political subdivision.  They are includable in the gross
    estate of a deceased holder who is a resident of Massachusetts for  purposes
    of the Massachusetts Estate Tax.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--MASSACHUSETTS
 
    Without  intending  to be  complete,  the following  briefly  summarizes the
current financial situation, as  well as some of  the complex factors  affecting
the   financial   situation,   in  the   Commonwealth   of   Massachusetts  (the
"COMMONWEALTH"). It  is derived  from sources  that are  generally available  to
investors    and   is   based    in   part   on    information   obtained   from
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
various agencies in Massachusetts. No independent verification has been made  of
the accuracy or completeness of the following information.
 
    There  can  be no  assurance that  current or  future statewide  or regional
economic difficulties,  and  the  resulting  impact  on  Commonwealth  or  local
governmental  finances generally, will not adversely  affect the market value of
Massachusetts Obligations in the Trust or the ability of particular obligors  to
make timely payments of debt service on (or relating to) those obligations.
 
    Since  1988, there  has been  a significant  slowdown in  the Commonwealth's
economy, as indicated by  a rise in  unemployment, a slowing  of its per  capita
income  growth and declining state revenues.  In fiscal 1991, the Commonwealth's
expenditures for  state  government  programs  exceeded  current  revenues,  and
although  fiscal 1992 revenues exceeded expenditures,  no assurance can be given
that lower than expected tax revenues will not resume and continue.
 
    1993 FISCAL  YEAR  BUDGET.    On  July 20,  1992  the  Governor  signed  the
Commonwealth's  budget  for  fiscal  1993. This  budget  is  based  on estimated
budgeted revenue and  other sources  of $14.641 billion,  including current  tax
revenue estimates of $9.940 billion. Based on December 31, 1992 tax collections,
tax revenues for the fiscal 1993 budget were revised upwards on January 27, 1993
from  the  original  consensus tax  estimate  of $9.685  billion.  Estimated tax
revenues for  fiscal 1993  are  approximately $456.4  million greater  than  tax
revenues  for fiscal  1992. As  modified by  legislation enacted  since July 20,
1992, the fiscal 1993  budget provides for  estimated budgeted expenditures  and
other  uses of $14.976 billion,  which equals the sum  of projected revenues and
other sources plus approximately $319.4 million of the estimated $549.4  million
positive  budgetary fund balances existing  as of the close  of fiscal 1992. The
projected fiscal  1993  budgeted  expenditures  and  other  uses  represents  an
increase  of 11.6% from fiscal  1992. The fiscal 1993  budget remains subject to
certain of  the Governor's  line-item vetoes,  which may  be overridden  by  the
legislature.
 
    With  regard to revenues, the fiscal  1993 budget depends on certain non-tax
revenue sources, the availability of which is subject to certain  contingencies.
The  fiscal  1993 budget  assumes  continued federal  reimbursements  related to
uncompensated care  payments,  which  is expected  to  be  approximately  $212.7
million in fiscal 1993.
 
    The  fiscal 1993 budget  also assumes that  the sale of  certain assets will
generate approximately $45.0  million in  non-tax revenues,  however, there  are
currently  no agreements to sell  such assets and the market  for some or all of
such assets  in unfavorable.  The fiscal  1993 budget  also assumes  receipt  of
approximately  $80.0  million from  the  Massachusetts Water  Resource Authority
("MWRA") under an arrangement which would, among other things, relieve the  MWRA
of certain comparable future financial commitments to the Commonwealth.
 
    1992  FISCAL YEAR.  The Commonwealth's  budgeted expenditures and other uses
were approximately $13.420 billion  in fiscal 1992, which  is $238.7 million  or
1.7%  lower than fiscal  1991 budgeted expenditures.  Final fiscal 1992 budgeted
expenditures were $300  million more  than the  initial July  1991 estimates  of
budgetary  expenditures,  due in  part to  increases  in certain  human services
programs, including an increase of $268.7  million for the Medicaid program  and
$50.0  million  for  mental retardation  consent  decree  requirements. Budgeted
revenues and other sources for fiscal 1992 totaled approximately $13.728 billion
(including  tax  revenues  of  $9.484   billion),  reflecting  an  increase   of
approximately  0.7% from  fiscal 1991  to 1992  and an  increase of  5.4% in tax
revenues for the same  period. Overall, fiscal 1992  is estimated to have  ended
with an excess of revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses of
$312.3 million. After payment in full of the quarterly
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
distribution  of local aid to the  Commonwealth's cities and towns ("LOCAL AID")
in the  amount  of $514.0  million  due on  June  30, 1992,  retirement  of  the
Commonwealth's  outstanding  commercial  paper  (except  for  approximately  $50
million of bond anticipation notes) and certain other short term borrowings,  as
of  June 30, 1992,  the end of  fiscal 1992, the  Commonwealth showed a year-end
cash position of approximately $731 million, as compared with the Commonwealth's
cash balance of $182.3 million at the end of fiscal 1991.
 
    1991 FISCAL YEAR.  Budgeted expenditures for fiscal 1991 were  approximately
$13.659 billion, as against budgeted revenues and other sources of approximately
$13.634  billion. The Commonwealth  suffered an operating  loss of approximately
$21.2 million. Application of the adjusted  fiscal 1990 fund balances of  $258.3
resulted  in  a  fiscal 1991  budgetary  surplus  of $237.1  million.  State law
requires that approximately $59.2 million of the fiscal year ending balances  of
$237.1  million be placed in the Stabilization  Fund, a reserve from which funds
can be appropriated (i) to make up any difference between actual state  revenues
in  any fiscal year  in which actual  revenues fall below  the allowable amount,
(ii) to replace state and local losses by federal funds or (iii) for any  event,
as  determined by the legislature, which threatens the health, safety or welfare
of the  people  or the  fiscal  stability of  the  Commonwealth or  any  of  its
political subdivisions.
 
    Upon  taking office in January  1991, the new Governor  proposed a series of
legislative and  administrative  actions, including  withholding  of  allotments
under  Section 9C of Chapter  29 of the General  Laws, intended to eliminate the
projected deficits.  The  new Governor's  review  of the  Commonwealth's  budget
indicated  projected spending of $14.105 billion  with an estimated $850 million
in budget balancing measures that would be  needed prior to the close of  fiscal
1991.  At that time, estimated tax revenues were revised to $8.845 billion, $903
million less than was estimated at the time the fiscal 1991 budget was  adopted.
The  Legislature  adopted a  number of  the  Governor's recommendations  and the
Governor took certain administrative actions not requiring legislative approval,
including the adoption of a state employee furlough program. It is estimated  by
the  Commonwealth that spending reductions  achieved through savings initiatives
and withholding of  allotments total approximately  $484.3 million in  aggregate
for  fiscal  1991.  However,  these  savings  and  reductions  may  be  impacted
negatively by  litigation pursued  by third  parties concerning  the  Governor's
action under Section 9C of Chapter 29 of the General Laws and with regard to the
state employee furlough program.
 
    In  addition, the new administration  in May 1991 filed  an amendment to its
Medicaid state  plan that  enables  it to  claim  50% federal  reimbursement  on
uncompensated  care payments  for certain  hospitals in  the Commonwealth.  As a
result, in fiscal 1991 the Commonwealth obtained additional non-tax revenues  in
the  form  of  federal reimbursements  equal  to approximately  $513  million on
account of uncompensated care payments. This reimbursement claim was based  upon
recent  amendments of federal law contained in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act  of  1990  and,  consequently,  on  relatively  undeveloped  federal   laws,
regulations  and guidelines. At the request of the federal Health Care Financing
Administration, the Office of Inspector General of the United States  Department
of  Health and Human Services  has commenced an audit  of the reimbursement. The
administration, which had  reviewed the  matter with the  Health Care  Financing
Administration   prior  to   claiming  the  reimbursement,   believes  that  the
Commonwealth will prevail in  the audit. If the  Commonwealth does not  prevail,
the  Commonwealth  would have  the  right to  contest  an appeal,  but  could be
required to pay all or part of Medicaid reimbursements with interest and to have
such amount deducted from future reimbursement payments.
 
    1990, 1989 AND 1988 FISCAL YEARS.  In July 1989, the former Governor  vetoed
certain provisions included in the budget legislation for fiscal 1990, including
approximately $273
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
million of the fiscal 1990 appropriations, including $100 million for Local Aid.
One  of the  Governor's vetoes  occasioned a  default by  the Commonwealth  on a
September 1, 1989 payment of $2.5 million on a general obligation contract  with
the  Massachusetts Community Development  Finance Corporation to  which its full
faith and credit had been pledged, which payment was made on September 17,  1990
after  a supplemental appropriation  was proposed by the  Governor and passed by
the legislature. The legislature overrode the Governor's veto of $100 million of
Local Aid and the Governor then indicated that he was withholding the  allotment
for  such  expenditure. The  Supreme Judicial  Court invalidated  the Governor's
withholding of $210 million of appropriated funds for certain Local Aid purposes
in May 1990.
 
    Budgeted expenditures for fiscal 1988,  1989 and 1990 totaled  approximately
$11.6  billion, $12.6 billion and $13.3 billion, respectively. Budgeted revenues
for fiscal  1988,  1989 and  1990  totaled approximately  $11.3  billion,  $12.0
billion and $12.0 billion, respectively.
 
    EMPLOYMENT.   Reversing  a trend of  relatively low  unemployment during the
early  and  mid  1980s,  the  Massachusetts  unemployment  rate  has   increased
significantly   during  the  last  three   years  to  where  the  Commonwealth's
unemployment rate exceeds the national  unemployment rate. In 1989, the  average
Massachusetts unemployment rate was 4.0%, representing an 0.8% increase over the
average  1987 unemployment  rate, while  the average  United States unemployment
rate was 5.3%, representing a 0.9% decrease over the average 1987 United  States
unemployment  rate. During  1990, the Massachusetts  unemployment rate increased
from 4.5%  in January  to 6.1%  in  July to  6.7% in  August. During  1991,  the
Massachusetts  unemployment rate averaged  9.0% while the  average United States
unemployment rate was 6.7%. The Massachusetts unemployment rate in October  1992
was   8.4%,  down  from  8.6%  for  September  1992.  Other  factors  which  may
significantly and  adversely  affect the  employment  rate in  the  Commonwealth
include  the recently announced proposal by  the Clinton Administration to close
United  States  military  bases  and  reduce  federal  government  spending   on
defense-related  industries. Due to this and  other considerations, there can be
no assurances that  unemployment in the  commonwealth will not  increase in  the
future.
 
    DEBT  RATINGS.   S&P  currently rates  the Commonwealth's  uninsured general
obligation bonds at A, having upgraded the rating from BBB on September 9, 1992.
At the same time, S&P upgraded the rating of state and agency notes from SP2  to
SP1.  In raising  the ratings, S&P  cited the  Commonwealth's improved financial
status as key to the  upgrade. Prior to these  actions by S&P, the  Commonwealth
had experienced a steady decline in its S&P rating, with its most recent decline
beginning in May 1989, when S&P lowered its rating on the Commonwealth's general
obligation  bonds  and  other  Commonwealth  obligations  from  AA+  to  AA  and
continuing a series of further reductions until March 1992, when the rating  was
affirmed at BBB.
 
    Moody's  currently  rates  the Commonwealth's  uninsured  general obligation
bonds at A, having upgrade the rating from Baa on September 9, 1992. Moody's, in
raising the rating on  the bonds, pointed to  the Commonwealth's application  of
conservative  revenue assumptions and  efforts to impose  spending discipline as
having reduced the state's financial vulnerability and restored fiscal  control.
Prior to this increase, the Commonwealth had experienced a steady decline in its
rating by Moody's since May 1989. In May 1989, Moody's lowered its rating on the
Commonwealth's  notes from MIG-1 to MIG-2,  and its rating on the Commonwealth's
commercial paper  from  P-1  to  P-2.  On June  21,  1989  Moody's  reduced  the
Commonwealth's  general obligation  rating from Aa  to A. On  November 15, 1989,
Moody's reduced the rating on the  Commonwealth's general obligations from A  to
Baa1,  citing the Commonwealth's lowering of  revenue estimates, its fiscal year
1990 deficit and to the legislature's apparent lack of consensus on how to  deal
with it. On March 9, 1990, Moody's reduced the
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
rating  of the Commonwealth's general obligation  bonds from Baa1 to Baa, citing
"extended inaction"  in resolving  the  Commonwealth's growing  budget  deficit.
There can be no assurance that these ratings will continue.
 
    In  recent  years, the  Commonwealth and  certain of  its public  bodies and
municipalities have faced serious financial difficulties which have affected the
credit standing  and borrowing  abilities of  Massachusetts and  its  respective
entities  and may have contributed to higher interest rates on debt obligations.
The continuation of, or an increase in, such financial difficulties could result
in declines  in  the market  values  of,  or default  on,  existing  obligations
including  Massachusetts Obligations  in the Trust.  Should there  be during the
term of  the Trust  a financial  crisis relating  to Massachusetts,  its  public
bodies  or municipalities, the market value and marketability of all outstanding
bonds issued by the  Commonwealth and its  public authorities or  municipalities
including  the Massachusetts Obligations in the Trust and interest income to the
Trust could be adversely affected.
 
    TOTAL BOND  AND  NOTE  LIABILITIES.    The  total  general  obligation  bond
indebtedness  of the Commonwealth  as of January 1,  1993 was approximately $7.9
billion. There  were  also outstanding  approximately  $339 million  in  general
obligation  notes and other  short term general obligation  debt. The total bond
and note  liabilities of  the  Commonwealth as  of  January 1,  1993,  including
guaranteed bond and contingent liabilities, was approximately $12.4 billion.
 
    DEBT  SERVICE.    During  the  1980s,  capital  expenditures  were increased
substantially, which  has had  a short  term impact  on the  cash needs  of  the
Commonwealth  and also  accounts for a  significant rise in  debt service during
that period. Payments for debt service on Commonwealth general obligation  bonds
and  notes have risen at an average annual  rate of 18.7% from $563.7 million in
fiscal 1988 to an estimated $942.3 million in fiscal 1991. Debt service payments
in fiscal  1992 were  $898.3  million. Debt  service  payments for  fiscal  1992
reflect  a $261 million one-time reduction achieved  as a result of the issuance
of the refunding bonds in September and October 1991. Debt service  expenditures
are projected to be $1.195 billion for fiscal 1993 and $1.311 billion for fiscal
1994.  The amounts represented  do not include  debt service on  notes issued to
finance the  fiscal  1989  deficit and  certain  Medicaid  related  liabilities,
certain debt service contract assistance to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority,  the Massachusetts Convention Center  Authority and the Massachusetts
Government Land  Bank, as  well as  grants to  municipalities under  the  school
building  assistance program to  defray a portion  of the debt  service costs on
local school bonds.
 
    In January 1990, legislation  was passed to impose  a limit on debt  service
beginning  in  fiscal  1991,  providing  that no  more  than  10%  of  the total
appropriations in any fiscal  year may be expended  for payment of interest  and
principal  on general obligation debt (excluding the Fiscal Recovery Bonds). The
percentage of total  appropriations expended from  the budgeted operating  funds
for  debt service (excluding  debt service on Fiscal  Recovery Bonds) for fiscal
1992 is 4.9% which is projected to increase to 6.1% in fiscal 1993.
 
    CERTAIN  LIABILITIES.    Among  the  material  future  liabilities  of   the
Commonwealth  are  significant unfunded  general  liabilities of  its retirement
systems and a program to fund  such liabilities; a program whereby, starting  in
1978,  the  Commonwealth began  assuming full  financial responsibility  for all
costs of  the  administration of  justice  within the  Commonwealth;  continuing
demands to raise aggregate aid to cities, towns, schools and other districts and
transit  authorities above current levels;  and Medicaid expenditures which have
increased each year since the program was initiated. The Commonwealth has signed
consent decrees to continue  improving mental health care  and programs for  the
mentally retarded in
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
order  to meet federal  standards, including those  governing receipt of federal
reimbursements under  various programs,  and  the parties  in those  cases  have
worked cooperatively to resolve the disputed issues.
 
    As  a result  of comprehensive  legislation approved  in January,  1988, the
Commonwealth is  required,  beginning in  fiscal  1989 to  fund  future  pension
liabilities  currently and  to amortize the  Commonwealth's unfunded liabilities
over 40 years. Total pension costs increased  at an average annual rate of  5.8%
from  $600.2  million in  fiscal  1988 to  $751.5  million in  fiscal  1992. The
estimated pension costs (inclusive of current benefits and pension reserves) for
fiscal year 1993  are $873.8  million, representing  an increase  of 16.2%  over
fiscal 1992 expenditures.
 
    LITIGATION.    The Commonwealth  is  engaged in  various  lawsuits involving
environmental and related  laws, including an  action brought on  behalf of  the
U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency alleging violations of the Clean Water Act
and seeking to  enforce the clean-up  of Boston Harbor.  The MWRA, successor  in
liability   to  the  Metropolitan  District   Commission,  has  assumed  primary
responsibility for developing  and implementing  a court-approved  plan for  the
construction  of the treatment  facilities necessary to  achieve compliance with
federal requirements. Under the Clean Water Act, the Commonwealth may be  liable
for costs of compliance in these or any other Clean Water cases if the MWRA or a
municipality  is  prevented from  raising revenues  necessary  to comply  with a
judgment. The MWRA currently projects that the total cost of construction of the
treatment facilities  required under  the court's  order is  approximately  $3.5
billion in current dollars.
 
    The  Massachusetts Hospital Association has brought an action challenging an
element of  the  Medicaid  rate-setting  methodologies  for  hospitals.  If  the
plaintiff  hospitals  are  successful,  the  Commonwealth  may  face  additional
liabilities on  the order  of $70  million  to $100  million. The  parties  have
recently  agreed to a process  of settlement and payment  of fiscal 1988 through
1991 claims, with payment to be made in fiscal 1993.
 
    There are  also  actions  pending  in which  recipients  of  human  services
benefits,  such as welfare  recipients, the mentally  retarded, the elderly, the
handicapped, children, residents of state  hospitals and inmates of  corrections
institutions,  seek  expanded  levels  of services  and  benefits  and  in which
providers of services to such recipients  challenge the rates at which they  are
reimbursed  by  the Commonwealth.  To  the extent  that  such actions  result in
judgments requiring the Commonwealth to provide expanded services or benefits or
pay increased  rates, additional  operating and  capital expenditures  might  be
needed to implement such judgments.
 
    In  December, 1988, nine  municipalities of the  Commonwealth which claim to
own substantial interests in a nuclear  power plant in Seabrook, New  Hampshire,
filed  suit against  the Commonwealth,  the Governor,  the Attorney  General and
other  state  officials  claiming  damages  arising  from  their  opposition  to
licensure  of the plant. The  municipalities allege damages in  the amount of $1
billion. The Commonwealth's motion to dismiss was allowed, but the plaintiffs in
that case have appealed and the case is under advisement in the Appeals Court.
 
    In addition there are several tax  matters in litigation which could  result
in significant refunds to taxpayers if decisions unfavorable to the Commonwealth
are  rendered.  The amount  of taxes  and interest  at issue  in those  cases is
approximately $195 million.
 
    A variety of  other civil suits  pending against the  Commonwealth may  also
affect  its future liabilities.  These include challenges  to the Commonwealth's
allocation of school aid under Section 9C of Chapter 29 of the General Laws  and
to  adopt a state employee furlough program. No prediction is possible as to the
ultimate outcome of these proceedings.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    Many factors, in addition  to those cited  above, do or  may have a  bearing
upon  the financial condition of the Commonwealth, including social and economic
conditions, many of which are not within the control of the Commonwealth.
 
    EXPENDITURE AND TAX LIMITATION  MEASURES.  Limits  have been established  on
state  tax revenues by legislation approved by  the Governor on October 25, 1986
and by an initiative petition  approved by the voters  on November 4, 1986.  The
Executive  Office for Administration and  Finance currently estimates that state
tax revenues will not reach the limit imposed by either the initiative  petition
or the legislative enactment in fiscal 1992.
 
    Proposition  2 1/2, passed by the voters in 1980, led to large reductions in
property taxes,  the major  source of  income for  cities and  towns, and  large
increases in state aid to offset such revenue losses. According to the Executive
Office  for Administration and Finance, all of the 351 cities and towns have now
achieved a property  tax level of  no more  than 2.5% of  full property  values.
Under the terms of Proposition 2 1/2, the property tax levy can now be increased
annually for all cities and towns, almost all by 2.5% of the prior fiscal year's
tax  levy  plus  2.5%  of  the  value  of  new  properties  and  of  significant
improvements to  property.  Legislation  has also  been  enacted  providing  for
certain  local  option  taxes.  A  voter  initiative  petition  approved  at the
statewide general election in November, 1990 further regulates the  distribution
of  Local Aid of no  less than 40% of  collections from individual income taxes,
sales and  use taxes,  corporate excise  taxes,  and the  balance of  the  state
lottery   fund.  If  implemented   in  accordance  with   its  terms  (including
appropriation of  the necessary  funds), the  petition as  approved would  shift
several hundred million dollars to direct Local Aid.
 
    OTHER  TAX MEASURES.   To provide  revenue to  pay debt service  on both the
deficit and  Medicaid-related borrowings  and to  fund certain  direct  Medicaid
expenditures,  legislation  was enacted  imposing an  additional tax  on certain
types of personal income for 1989 and 1990 taxable years at rates of 0.375%  and
0.75%  respectively, effectively raising the tax rate  of 1989 from 5% to 5.375%
and for 1990 to 5.75%. Recent legislation has effectively further increased  tax
rates  to 5.95% for  tax year 1990 to  6.25% for tax year  1991 and returning to
5.95% for tax year 1992 and subsequent  tax years. The tax is applicable to  all
personal   income  except   income  derived   from  dividends,   capital  gains,
unemployment compensation,  alimony,  rent, interest,  pensions,  annuities  and
IRA/Keogh  distributions.  The  income  tax rate  on  other  interest (excluding
interest on obligations  of the United  States and of  the Commonwealth and  its
subdivisions),  dividends  and net  capital gains  (after  a 50%  reduction) was
increased from 10% to 12%  for tax year 1990  and subsequent years, by  recently
enacted legislation.
 
    OTHER  ISSUERS OF  MASSACHUSETTS OBLIGATIONS.   There are a  number of state
agencies, instrumentatlities and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth that
issue Municipal Obligations, some  of which may  be conduit revenue  obligations
payable  from payments  from private  borrowers. These  entities are  subject to
various economic  risks  and  uncertainties,  and  the  credit  quality  of  the
securities  issued  by them  may vary  considerably from  the credit  quality of
obligations backed by the full faith  and credit of the Commonwealth. The  brief
summary above does not address, nor does it attempt to address, any difficulties
and   the  financial  situations   of  those  other   issuers  of  Massachusetts
Obligations.
 
MASSACHUSETTS TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers  that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993. For
cases in which more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket,  the
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
highest  state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined state
and Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  tax payments  are
currently  deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The  tables illustrate what you
would have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the tax-exempt  estimated
current  return for your income  tax bracket. A taxpayer's  marginal tax rate is
affected by both his taxable income  and his adjusted gross income. Locate  your
adjusted  gross and  your taxable  income (which  is your  adjusted gross income
reduced by any deductions and exemptions), then locate your tax bracket based on
joint or single  tax filing.  Read across  to the  equivalent taxable  estimated
current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      25.0   %     6.67    7.00    7.33    7.67    8.00    8.33    8.67    9.00
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
                 111.8-167.7      37.5         8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60   10.00   10.40   10.80
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      39.5         8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74   11.16
                 111.8-167.7      40.0         8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83   11.25
                 167.7-290.2      42.0         8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21   11.64
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      44.5         9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71   12.16
                 167.7-290.2      47.0         9.43    9.91   10.38   10.85   11.32   11.79   12.26   12.74
                  Over 290.2      44.5   2     9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71   12.16
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      50.5        10.10   10.61   11.11   11.62   12.12   12.63   13.13   13.64
                  Over 290.2      48.0   3     9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54   12.02   12.50   12.98
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      25.0   %     6.67    7.00    7.33    7.67    8.00    8.33    8.67    9.00
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      39.5         8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74   11.16
                 111.8-234.3      40.5         8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      45.5         9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47   11.93   12.39
                  Over 234.3      44.5   2     9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71   12.16
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      48.0   3     9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54   12.02   12.50   12.98
<FN>
- ------------------
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a single return  entitled to only one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the total
amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CD's and  money  market  accounts or  money  market  funds, each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of  the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide
stability of principal, but pay interest  at rates that vary with the  condition
of  the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
OCTOBER 26, 1994
MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST 119
(SERIES 761)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority,         2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa
                   General Transportation System Bonds, 1994
                   Series B Bonds,
                 285M-5.875% Due 3/1/19,                                                                    $       256,930
                 215M-5.90% Due 3/1/24.                                                                             193,016
                   (General Obligation Bonds.)
    250,000      Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             231,850
                   Authority, Revenue Bonds, Baystate Medical
                   Center Issue, Series D, 6.00% Due 7/1/15.
    525,000      Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             425,770
                   Authority Revenue Bonds, Boston College
                   Issue, Series K, 5.25% Due 6/1/23. (Original
                   issue discount bonds delivered on or about
                   November 16, 1993 at a price of 93.875% of
                   principal amount.)
    500,000      Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             429,935
                   Authority, Revenue Bonds, Massachusetts
                   General Hospital Issue, Series G, 5.375% Due
                   7/1/13.
    500,000      Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency,            2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             495,000
                   Revenue Bonds, Babson College Issue, Series
                   1992A, 6.50% Due 10/1/22.
    250,000      Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency,            2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             245,040
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, College of the Holy
                   Cross - 1992 Issue II, 6.375% Due 11/1/15.
    500,000      Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust,      2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             487,500
                   Water Pollution Abatement Revenue Bonds (SESD
                   Loan Program), 1994 Series A, 6.375% Due
                   2/1/15. (When issued.)
    475,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2004 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             475,000
                   Bonds of 1994 (General Obligation Bonds),
                   6.50% Due 7/1/23.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,240,041
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 45.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
   
OHIO INSURED TRUST 119
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Ohio Insured Trust 119 consists of 7 obligations issued by
entities located in Ohio. One Bond in  the Trust is a general obligation of  the
governmental  entity issuing it and  is backed by the  taxing power thereof. Six
Bonds in the Trust are payable as to principal and interest from the income of a
specific project or  authority and are  not supported by  the issuer's power  to
levy  taxes. The  sources of  payment for  these bonds  are divided  as follows:
College and University  Revenue, 1;  Electrical System Revenue,  1; Health  Care
Facility  Revenue, 2; Municipal Lease Revenue, 1; Water and/or Sewer Revenue, 1.
All of the Bonds in  the Trust, as insured, are  rated AAA by Standard &  Poor's
Corporation and Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
    
 
   
    At  the  Date of  Deposit, the  average maturity  of the  Bonds in  the Ohio
Insured Trust is 22.2  years. The average  maturity of the Bonds  in a Trust  is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect  to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time  as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
    Approximately  29% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily  derived
from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities.
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered into contracts to acquire the Bonds between October  24,
1994  and October 25,  1994. The following  summarizes certain information about
the Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,196,521       $3,464            $203,125      $3,184,360                 .45%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither  cost  to  Sponsor  nor   profit  (or  loss)  to  Sponsor   reflects
underwriting  profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through its
participation  in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or   underwriting
syndicate  purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive bid
basis as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at  a
profit.  The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as a
manager or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of  any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders  may elect  to have  interest distributions  made on  a monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the Ohio Insured Trust, less estimated  expenses, is estimated to accrue at  the
rate  of $.01563 per  Unit per day  under the semi-annual  plan of distribution,
$.01558 per Unit per  day under the quarterly  plan of distribution and  $.01549
per  Unit per day under the monthly plan of distribution. It is anticipated that
the amount of interest to be distributed  per Unit in each year under each  plan
of  distribution  will initially  be substantially  equal  to the  Estimated Net
Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
    Details of interest distributions per Unit  of the Ohio Insured Trust  under
the  various plans appear in the following table based upon estimated Net Annual
Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       NORMAL
                                                                                                                   DISTRIBUTIONS
OHIO INSURED TRUST                        1994                                  1995                                  PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................       12/1            2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................      12/15           2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5421(1)                                                               $  5.5775
                                                              --------   $.4647 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5421(1)   $   .9348(2)   $  1.4022      $  1.4022      $  1.4022      $  5.6095
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5421(1)                  $  2.3445(3)                  $  2.8134      $  5.6285
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1)  The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders,  regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) The  second distribution  under the  quarterly  distribution plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent  quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  5-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--OHIO INSURED TRUST
 
    For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Ohio  Insured
Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The   Ohio  Insured   Trust  is  comprised   primarily  of  interest-bearing
obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of Ohio, political  subdivisions
thereof,  or agencies or instrumentalities  thereof (the "Ohio Obligations"), or
by the governments  of Puerto  Rico, the  Virgin Islands,  the Northern  Mariana
Islands or Guam (collectively, "Obligations").
 
    In  the opinion of  Squire, Sanders &  Dempsey, special Ohio  counsel to the
Series, provided that at all  times at least fifty percent  of the value of  the
total  assets of the Ohio Insured Trust  consist of Ohio Obligations, or similar
obligations of other states or their subdivisions, under existing Ohio law:
 
        The Ohio Insured Trust is not taxable as a corporation or otherwise  for
    purposes of the Ohio personal income tax, Ohio school district income taxes,
    the Ohio corporation franchise tax, or the Ohio dealers in intangibles tax.
 
        Income  of the Ohio Insured  Trust will be treated  as the income of the
    Unitholders for  purposes  of the  Ohio  personal income  tax,  Ohio  school
    district  income taxes, Ohio municipal income taxes and the Ohio corporation
    franchise tax  in proportion  to  the respective  interest therein  of  each
    Unitholder.
 
        Interest  on Obligations held  by the Ohio Insured  Trust is exempt from
    the Ohio personal income  tax, Ohio municipal income  taxes and Ohio  school
    district  income taxes and is excluded from  the net income base of the Ohio
    corporation  franchise  tax  when  distributed  or  deemed  distributed   to
    Unitholders.
 
        Proceeds  paid under insurance  policies, if any, to  the Trustee of the
    Ohio Insured Trust, representing maturing interest on defaulted  obligations
    held  by the Ohio  Trust will be  exempt from the  Ohio personal income tax,
    Ohio school district income taxes, Ohio  municipal income taxes and the  net
    income base of the Ohio corporation franchise tax if, and to the same extent
    as,  such interest would be  exempt from such taxes  if paid directly by the
    issuer of such obligations.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
        Gains and losses realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition  by
    the  Ohio  Insured Trust  of Ohio  Obligations  are excluded  in determining
    adjusted gross and taxable income for  purposes of the Ohio personal  income
    tax,  Ohio municipal income taxes and  Ohio school district income taxes and
    are excluded from the net income base of the Ohio corporation franchise  tax
    when distributed or deemed distributed to Unitholders.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--OHIO
 
   
    As  described  above, the  Trust will  invest substantially  all of  its net
assets in  securities  issued  by  or  on  behalf  of  (or  in  certificates  of
participation  in lease  purchase obligations of)  the State  of Ohio, political
subdivisions of the State, or agencies or instrumentalities of the State or  its
political subdivisions (Ohio Obligations). The Trust is therefore susceptible to
general  or particular political, economic or regulatory factors that may affect
issuers of Ohio Obligations. The following information constitutes only a  brief
summary  of  some of  the  many complex  factors that  may  have an  effect. The
information does not apply to "conduit"  obligations on which the public  issuer
itself  has  no  financial  responsibility.  This  information  is  derived from
official statements of certain Ohio  issuers published in connection with  their
issuance  of securities  and from other  publicly available  information, and is
believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of any of the
following information.
    
 
   
    Generally, the  creditworthiness of  Ohio Obligations  of local  issuers  is
unrelated  to that  of obligations  of the  State itself,  and the  State has no
responsibility to  make  payments  on  those local  obligations.  There  may  be
specific factors that at particular times apply in connection with investment in
particular  Ohio Obligations or in those obligations of particular Ohio issuers.
It is possible that the investment may be in particular Ohio Obligations, or  in
those  of  particular issuers,  as to  which those  factors apply.  However, the
information below is intended only as a general summary, and is not intended  as
a  discussion of any specific factors  that may affect any particular obligation
or issuer.
    
 
    The timely payment of principal of and interest on Ohio Obligations has been
guaranteed by  bond insurance  purchased  by the  issuers,  the Trust  or  other
parties. Those Ohio Obligations may not be subject to the factors referred to in
this section of the Prospectus.
 
   
    Ohio is the seventh most populous state; the 1990 Census count of 10,847,000
indicated  a 0.5% population increase from 1980. The Census estimate for 1992 is
11,021,000.
    
   
    While diversifying more into the service and other non-manufacturing  areas,
the  Ohio  economy continues  to  rely in  part  on durable  goods manufacturing
largely concentrated in motor vehicles and equipment, steel, rubber products and
household appliances. As a result, general  economic activity, as in many  other
industrially-developed  states, tends  to be  more cyclical  than in  some other
states and in the nation as a whole. Agriculture is an important segment of  the
economy,  with over half  the State's area devoted  to farming and approximately
15% of total employment in agribusiness.
    
 
   
    In prior years, the State's overall unemployment rate was commonly  somewhat
higher  than the national figure. For example, the reported 1990 average monthly
State rate was 5.7%, compared the to 5.5% national figure. However, for the last
three years the State rates were below  the national rates (6.5% versus 6.8%  in
1993).  The unemployment rate and its effects vary among geographic areas of the
State.
    
 
    There can  be no  assurance  that future  national, regional  or  state-wide
economic  difficulties, and  the resulting impact  on State  or local government
finances  generally,  will  not  adversely  affect  the  market  value  of  Ohio
Obligations held in the Trust portfolio or the
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
ability  of particular obligors to  make timely payments of  debt service on (or
lease payments relating to) those obligations.
 
   
    The State operates on the basis of a fiscal biennium for its  appropriations
and  expenditures, and  is precluded by  law from ending  its July 1  to June 30
fiscal year "FY" or fiscal biennium in a deficit position. Most State operations
are financed through the General Revenue  Fund "GRF", for which personal  income
and  sales-use taxes are the  major sources. Growth and  depletion of GRF ending
fund balances show a consistent pattern related to national economic conditions,
with the ending FY  balance reduced during less  favorable and increased  during
more  favorable economic periods. The State has well-established procedures for,
and has timely taken, necessary actions to ensure resource/expenditure  balances
during  less favorable economic  periods. Those procedures  included general and
selected reductions in appropriations spending.
    
 
   
    Key biennium-ending fund balances  at June 30, 1989  were $475.1 million  in
the  GRF and $353  million in the  Budget Stabilization Fund  ("BSF", a cash and
budgetary management fund). In  the next two  fiscal years necessary  corrective
steps were taken to respond to lower receipts and higher expenditures in certain
categories  than earlier estimated. Those  steps included selected reductions in
appropriations spending and the transfer of $64 million from the BSF to the GRF.
Reported June 30, 1991 ending fund  balances were $135.3 million (GRF) and  $300
million (BSF).
    
 
   
    To  allow time to resolve certain budget differences for the latest complete
biennium, an interim appropriations act was  enacted effective July 1, 1991;  it
included GRF debt service and lease rental appropriations for the entire 1992-93
biennium,  while continuing most  other appropriations for  a month. Pursuant to
the general appropriations act for the entire biennium, passed on July 11, 1991,
$200 million was transfered from the BSF to the GRF in FY 1992.
    
 
   
    Based on the updated results and forecast in the course of FY 1992, both  in
light  of  a  continuing  uncertain  nationwide  economic  situation,  there was
projected and then timely  addressed an FY 1992  imbalance in GRF resources  and
expenditures.  GRF  receipts  significantly  below  original  forecasts resulted
primarily from lower  collections of certain  taxes, particularly sales-use  and
personal  income  taxes.  Higher  expenditure  levels  came  in  certain  areas,
particularly human services, including Medicaid. The Governor ordered most State
agencies to reduce GRF spending in the last six months of FY 1992 by a total  of
approximately  $184 million. As  authorized by the  General Assembly, the $100.4
million BSF  balance  and  additional  amounts from  certain  other  funds  were
transferred  late in the  FY to the GRF,  and adjustments made  in the timing of
certain tax payments. Other administrative revenue and spending actions resolved
the remaining imbalance.
    
 
   
    A significant GRF shortfall (approximately $520 million) was then  projected
for  the next  year, FY  1993. It was  addressed by  appropriate legislative and
administrative actions.  The  Governor ordered,  effective  July 1,  1992,  $300
million   in  selected   GRF  spending  reductions.   Subsequent  executive  and
legislative  action  in  December  1992--a  combination  of  tax  revisions  and
additional  spending  reductions--resulted in  a  balance of  GRF  resources and
expenditures for the 1992-93 biennium. The June 30, 1993 ending GRF fund balance
was approximately $111 million, of which, as a first step to BSF  replenishment,
$21  million was  deposited in  the BSF.  (Based on  June 30,  1994 balances, an
additional $260  million has  been deposited  in the  BSF, which  has a  current
balance of $281 million.)
    
   
    No  spending  reductions  were  applied to  appropriations  needed  for debt
service on or lease rentals relating to any State obligations.
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
   
    The GRF appropriations act for the  current 1994-95 biennium was passed  and
signed  by  the  Governor  on  July  1,  1993.  It  included  all  necessary GRF
appropriations for State debt service  and lease rental payments then  projected
for the biennium.
    
   
    The  State's incurrence or assumption  of debt without a  vote of the people
is,  with  limited  exceptions,  prohibited  by  current  State   constitutional
provisions.  The State may incur  debt, limited in amount  to $750,000, to cover
casual deficits  or failures  in  revenues or  to  meet expenses  not  otherwise
provided  for. The Constitution expressly precludes  the State from assuming the
debts of any local government or corporation. An exception is made in both cases
for any debt incurred  to repel invasion, suppress  insurrection, or defend  the
State in war.
    
 
   
    By  13 constitutional amendments, the last adopted in 1993, Ohio voters have
authorized the incurrence of State  debt and the pledge  of taxes or excises  to
its  payment. At  October 17,  1994, $674.4  million (excluding  certain highway
bonds payable primarily from highway use charges) of this debt was  outstanding.
The  only such State debt then still  authorized to be incurred were portions of
the highway bonds, and the following: (a) up to $100 million of obligations  for
coal  research and  development may  be outstanding  at any  time ($38.9 million
outstanding); and  (b)  of $480  million  of obligations  authorized  for  local
infrastructure improvements, no more than $120 million of which may to be issued
in  any calendar year ($608.2 million outstanding) and (c) up to $200 million in
general obligation bonds  for parks,  recreation and  natural resource  purposes
which  may be outstanding at any one time (no more than $50 million to be issued
in any one year, with the first $20 million having been issued).
    
 
   
    The Constitution  also  authorizes the  issuance  of State  obligations  for
certain  purposes, the owners of which do not  have the right to have excises or
taxes levied to pay debt service. Those special obligations include  obligations
issued by the Ohio Public Facilities Commission and the Ohio Building Authority,
$4.3 billion of which were outstanding at October 17, 1994.
    
 
    A  1990  constitutional  amendment authorizes  greater  State  and political
subdivision participation (including financing) in the provision of housing. The
General  Assembly  may  for  that  purpose  authorize  the  issuance  of   State
obligations secured by a pledge of all or such portion as it authorizes of State
revenues  or  receipts, (but  not  by a  pledge of  the  State's full  faith and
credit).
 
   
    A constitutional amendment  being submitted  at the  November 1994  election
would  pledge the full faith and credit and taxing power of the State to meeting
certain guarantees under the State's  tuition credit program which provides  for
the  purchase of tuition credits, for the benefit of State residents, guaranteed
to cover  a  specified amount  when  applied to  the  cost of  higher  education
tuition.  (1965 constitutional provision that authorized student loan guarantees
payable from available  State moneys has  never been implemented,  apart from  a
"guarantee fund" approach funded essentially from program revenues.)
    
   
    State  and local agencies  issue obligations that  are payable from revenues
from or  relating  to certain  facilities  (but  not from  taxes).  By  judicial
interpretation,   these  obligations   are  not   "debt"  within  constitutional
provisions. In general, payment  obligations under lease-purchase agreements  of
Ohio  public agencies (in which certificates of participation may be issued) are
limited in duration to the agency's  fiscal period, and are renewable only  upon
appropriations being made available for the subsequent fiscal period.
    
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
   
    Local school districts in Ohio receive a major portion (state-wide aggregate
in  the  range of  46% in  recent years)  of their  operating moneys  from State
subsidies, but are dependent on local property taxes, and in 102 districts  from
voter-authorized  income  taxes,  for  significant  portions  of  their budgets.
Litigation, similar  to  that  in  other  states,  is  pending  questioning  the
constitutionality  of Ohio's system of school  funding. The trial court recently
concluded that aspects of the system (including basic operating assistance)  are
unconstitutional,  and  ordered  the State  to  provide  for and  fund  a system
complying with the Ohio Constitution. The State has appealed. A small number  of
the  State's  612  local school  districts  have  in any  year  required special
assistance to avoid  year-end deficits.  A current program  provides for  school
district cash need borrowing directly from commercial lenders, with diversion of
State  subsidy  distributions  to  repayment if  needed.  Borrowings  under this
program totalled $68.6 million for 44 districts (including $46.6 million for one
district) in FY 1992, $94.5 million for 27 districts (including $75 million  for
one)  in FY 1993,  and $15.6 million for  28 districts in FY  1994. FY 1994 loan
approval totalled at June 20, 1994, $18.9 million for 25 districts.
    
 
    Ohio's 943 incorporated cities and  villages rely primarily on property  and
municipal  income taxes for their operations, and, with other local governments,
receive local government support and  property tax relief moneys distributed  by
the  State. For those few municipalities that on occasion have faced significant
financial problems,  there  are statutory  procedures  for a  joint  State/local
commission to monitor the municipality's fiscal affairs and for development of a
financial  plan to eliminate deficits and  cure any defaults. Since inception in
1979, these procedures have been  applied to 23 cities  and villages; for 18  of
them the fiscal situation was resolved and the procedures terminated.
 
    At  present the State itself  does not levy any ad  valorem taxes on real or
tangible personal property. Those taxes are levied by political subdivisions and
other local taxing districts. The Constitution has since 1934 limited the amount
of the aggregate  levy (including  a levy  for unvoted  general obligations)  of
property  taxes by all overlapping subdivisions,  without a vote of the electors
or a municipal charter  provision, to 1%  of true value  in money, and  statutes
limit  the amount of the aggregate levy to 10 mills per $1 of assessed valuation
(commonly referred to as the  "ten-mill limitation"). Voted general  obligations
of  subdivisions are payable from property taxes that are unlimited as to amount
or rate.
 
OHIO TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers  that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993. For
cases in which more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket,  the
highest  state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined state
and Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  tax payments  are
currently  deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The  tables illustrate what you
would have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the tax-exempt  estimated
current  return for your income  tax bracket. A taxpayer's  marginal tax rate is
affected by both his taxable income  and his adjusted gross income. Locate  your
adjusted  gross and  your taxable  income (which  is your  adjusted gross income
reduced by any deductions and exemptions), then locate your tax bracket based on
joint or single  tax filing.  Read across  to the  equivalent taxable  estimated
current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      19.0   %     6.17    6.48    6.79    7.10    7.41    7.72    8.02    8.33
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      32.5         7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89    9.26    9.63   10.00
                 111.8-167.7      33.0         7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70   10.07
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      36.0         7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16   10.55
                 111.8-167.7      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
                 167.7-290.2      39.0         8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66   11.07
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      42.0         8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21   11.64
                 167.7-290.2      44.5         9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71   12.16
                  Over 290.2      42.0   2     8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21   11.64
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      48.0         9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54   12.02   12.50   12.98
                  Over 290.2      45.0   3     9.09    9.55   10.00   10.45   10.91   11.36   11.82   12.27
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      19.0   %     6.17    6.48    6.79    7.10    7.41    7.72    8.02    8.33
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      31.5         7.30    7.66    8.03    8.39    8.76    9.12    9.49    9.85
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      36.0         7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16   10.55
                 111.8-234.3      37.0         7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      42.5         8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30   11.74
                  Over 234.3      42.0   2     8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21   11.64
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      45.0   3     9.09    9.55   10.00   10.45   10.91   11.36   11.82   12.27
<FN>
- ------------------
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a single return  entitled to only one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the total
amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CD's and  money  market  accounts or  money  market  funds, each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of  the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide
stability of principal, but pay interest  at rates that vary with the  condition
of  the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
OCTOBER 26, 1994
OHIO INSURED TRUST 119
(SERIES 761)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, State       2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       420,295
                   of Ohio, Collateralized Air Quality
                   Development Revenue Refunding Bonds, 1994
                   Series B (The Cincinnati Gas & Electric
                   Company Project), 5.45% Due 1/1/24.
    500,000      Ohio Higher Educational Facility Commission,        2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             480,610
                   Higher Educational Facility Revenue Bonds
                   (Ohio Wesleyan University 1994 Project),
                   6.125% Due 11/15/17.
    500,000      County of Clermont, Ohio, Hospital Facilities       2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             459,210
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1993 B (Mercy
                   Health System), 5.875% Due 9/1/15.
    500,000      The Franklin County Convention Facilities           2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             461,985
                   Authority (Ohio), Tax and Lease Revenue
                   Anticipation Refunding Bonds, Series 1992,
                   5.80% Due 12/1/13.
    500,000      County of Lucas, Ohio, Hospital Refunding           2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             428,255
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1993C (St. Vincent
                   Medical Center), 5.375% Due 8/15/17.
    500,000      North Royalton City School District, Ohio,          2009 at 102        AAA         Aaa             474,815
                   School Improvement Bonds, Series 1994, 6.00%
                   Due 12/1/14. (General Obligation Bonds.)
    500,000      County of Warren, Ohio, Waterworks System           2004 at 101        AAA         Aaa             474,815
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1994 (Warren County
                   Water District), 6.00% Due 12/1/14.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,199,985
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 45.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
   
PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 188
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Pennsylvania  Insured Trust 188  consists of 6 obligations
issued by  entities located  in Pennsylvania  and one  obligation issued  by  an
entity  located in  the Territory  of Puerto  Rico. Two  Bonds in  the Trust are
general obligations of the governmental entities issuing them and are backed  by
the  taxing powers thereof. Five Bonds in  the Trust are payable as to principal
and interest from  the income of  a specific  project or authority  and are  not
supported  by the issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources of payment for these
bonds are divided  as follows:  Dedicated-Tax Supported  Revenue, 1;  Electrical
System  Revenue, 2;  Health Care Facility  Revenue, 2.  All of the  Bonds in the
Trust, as insured, are  rated AAA by  Standard & Poor's  Corporation and Aaa  by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
    
 
   
    At  the  Date  of  Deposit,  the  average  maturity  of  the  Bonds  in  the
Pennsylvania Insured Trust is 26.7 years. The average maturity of the Bonds in a
Trust is calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such  Trust
(or,  with respect to  Bonds for which  funds or securities  have been placed in
escrow to redeem such Bonds on a  stated call date, based upon such call  date).
The  average maturity of the Bonds in a Trust may increase or decrease from time
to time as Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
    Approximately 30% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily derived
from the sale of electric energy.
 
    Approximately 27% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily derived
from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities.
 
    For a discussion of  the risks associated with  investments in the bonds  of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The  Sponsor entered into contracts to acquire the Bonds between October 24,
1994 and October 25,  1994. The following  summarizes certain information  about
the Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,266,868       $8,964            $214,413      $3,258,332                 .50%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither   cost  to  Sponsor  nor  profit   (or  loss)  to  Sponsor  reflects
underwriting profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through  its
participation   in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or  underwriting
syndicate purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive  bid
basis  as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at a
profit. The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as  a
manager  or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the  Pennsylvania Insured Trust, less estimated expenses, is estimated to accrue
at the  rate  of  $.01646  per  Unit per  day  under  the  semi-annual  plan  of
distribution,  $.01641 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of distribution
and $.01632 per  Unit per  day under  the monthly  plan of  distribution. It  is
anticipated  that the amount of interest to be distributed per Unit in each year
under each plan  of distribution will  initially be substantially  equal to  the
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    Details of interest distributions per Unit of the Pennsylvania Insured Trust
under  the various plans appear in the  following table based upon estimated Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       NORMAL
                                                                                                                   DISTRIBUTIONS
PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST                1994                                  1995                                  PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      --------------
Record Date*..........................       12/1            2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................      12/15           2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5726(1)                                                               $  5.8904
                                                              --------   $.4908 every month   --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5726(1)   $   .9870(2)   $  1.4805      $  1.4805      $  1.4805      $  5.9224
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5726(1)                  $  2.4750(3)                  $  2.9700      $  5.9414
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1)  The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders,  regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) The  second distribution  under the  quarterly  distribution plan  represents a  2-month distribution;  subsequent  quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  5-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST
 
    For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on  Pennsylvania
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    In  the opinion of  Dechert Price & Rhoads,  special Pennsylvania counsel to
the Series, under existing law:
 
        Units evidencing  fractional  undivided interests  in  the  Pennsylvania
    Insured  Trust  are  not  subject  to any  of  the  personal  property taxes
    presently in effect in Pennsylvania to the extent of that proportion of  the
    Trust  represented by Bonds issued by  the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, its
    agencies and  instrumentalities,  or by  any  county, city,  borough,  town,
    township,  school  district,  municipality  and  local  housing  or  parking
    authority in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or issued by Puerto Rico,  the
    Virgin Islands, Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands ("Pennsylvania Bonds").
    The  taxes referred to  above include the County  Personal Property Tax, the
    additional personal property  taxes imposed on  Pittsburgh residents by  the
    School  District of Pittsburgh  and by the  City of Pittsburgh.  The City of
    Pittsburgh, the School  District of Pittsburgh  and Allegheny County  cannot
    impose  personal property taxes as of  January 1, 1995. Pennsylvania Insured
    Trust Units may  be taxable  under the Pennsylvania  inheritance and  estate
    taxes.
 
        The  proportion  of interest  income  representing interest  income from
    Pennsylvania Bonds distributed  to Unitholders of  the Pennsylvania  Insured
    Trust is not taxable under the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax or under the
    Corporate  Net Income Tax imposed  on corporations by Article  IV of the Tax
    Reform Code. Nor will such interest be taxable under the Philadelphia School
    District Investment Income Tax imposed on Philadelphia resident individuals.
 
        The disposition by the Pennsylvania Insured Trust of a Pennsylvania Bond
    (whether by  sale, exchange,  redemption or  payment at  maturity) will  not
    constitute  a taxable event to a  Unitholder under the Pennsylvania Personal
    Income Tax if the Pennsylvania
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
    Bond was issued  prior to February  1, 1994. Further,  although there is  no
    published  authority on the  subject, counsel is  of the opinion  that (i) a
    Unitholder of the Pennsylvania Insured Trust  will not have a taxable  event
    under  the  Pennsylvania state  and local  income taxes  referred to  in the
    preceding paragraph  (other than  the  Corporate Net  Income Tax)  upon  the
    redemption  or sale of his Unit to  the extent that the Pennsylvania Insured
    Trust is then comprised  of Pennsylvania Bonds issued  prior to February  1,
    1994  and  (ii) the  dispositions  by the  Pennsylvania  Insured Trust  of a
    Pennsylvania Bond  (whether  by sale,  exchange,  redemption or  payment  at
    maturity)  will not  constitute a  taxable event  to a  Unitholder under the
    Corporate Net  Income Tax  or the  Philadelphia School  District  Investment
    Income  Tax if the Pennsylvania  Bond was issued prior  to February 1, 1994.
    (The School District tax  has no application to  gain on the disposition  of
    property held by the taxpayer for more than six months.)
 
        Gains  on the  sale, exchange, redemption,  or payment at  maturity of a
    Pennsylvania Bond issued on or after February 1, 1994, will be taxable under
    all of these taxes, as will gains on the redemption or sale of a unit to the
    extent that the Trust is comprised of Pennsylvania Bonds issued on or  after
    February 1, 1994.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--PENNSYLVANIA
 
    RISK   FACTORS--Prospective   investors   should   consider   the  financial
difficulties and pressures which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and certain of
its municipal subdivisions have undergone. Both the Commonwealth and the City of
Philadelphia have historically experienced significant revenue shortfalls. There
can be no assurance that the  Commonwealth will not experience further  declines
in  economic conditions or that portions  of the municipal obligations purchased
by the Fund  will not  be affected  by such  declines. Without  intending to  be
complete,  the following briefly  summarizes some of  these difficulties and the
current financial situation, as  well as some of  the complex factors  affecting
the financial situation in the Commonwealth. It is derived from sources that are
generally  available to investors  and is based in  part on information obtained
from various agencies in the Commonwealth. No independent verification has  been
made of the following information.
 
    STATE  ECONOMY--Pennsylvania  has been  historically  identified as  a heavy
industry state although that reputation  has changed recently as the  industrial
composition  of the Commonwealth  diversified when the  coal, steel and railroad
industries began to decline. The major new sources of growth in the Commonwealth
are in  the  service  sector,  including trade,  medical  and  health  services,
education and financial institutions. The Commonwealth's agricultural industries
are  also an important component of  its economic structure, accounting for more
than $3.6 billion in crop and livestock products annually while agribusiness and
food related industries support $38 billion in economic activity annually.
 
    Non-agricultural employment within the  Commonwealth has increased  steadily
from  1984 to its 1992 level of 81.3  percent of total employment. The growth in
employment experienced  in  the Commonwealth  is  comparable to  the  nationwide
growth   in  employment  which  has  occurred   during  this  period.  In  1993,
manufacturing  employment  represented  18.4  percent  of  all  non-agricultural
employment  in the  Commonwealth while  the services  sector accounted  for 29.9
percent and the trade sector accounted for 22.4 percent.
 
    The Commonwealth recently experienced a  slowdown in its economy.  Moreover,
economic  strengths and weaknesses vary in  different parts of the Commonwealth.
In general,  heavy  industry  and  manufacturing  have  been  facing  increasing
competition from foreign producers. During 1993, the annual average unemployment
rate  in the Commonwealth was 7.0 percent compared to 6.8 percent for the United
States. For August 1994 the unadjusted
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
unemployment rate was  6.2 percent in  the Commonwealth and  5.9 percent in  the
United   States,  while  the  seasonally  adjusted  unemployment  rate  for  the
Commonwealth was 6.3 percent and for the United States was 6.1 percent.
 
    STATE BUDGET--The  Commonwealth operates  under an  annual budget  which  is
formulated and submitted for legislative approval by the Governor each February.
The  Pennsylvania  Constitution  requires that  the  Governor's  budget proposal
consist of three parts: (i) a  balanced operating budget setting forth  proposed
expenditures  and estimated revenues from all sources and, if estimated revenues
and available surplus are less than proposed expenditures, recommending specific
additional sources of revenue sufficient to  pay the deficiency; (ii) a  capital
budget  setting forth proposed expenditures to  be financed from the proceeds of
obligations of the  Commonwealth or its  agencies or from  operating funds;  and
(iii) a financial plan for not less than the succeeding five fiscal years, which
includes  for each year projected  operating expenditures and estimated revenues
and projected expenditures for capital  projects. The General Assembly may  add,
change  or delete  any items  in the  budget prepared  by the  Governor, but the
Governor retains veto  power over  the individual appropriations  passed by  the
legislature.  The Commonwealth's fiscal year  begins on July 1  and ends on June
30.
 
    All funds  received by  the  Commonwealth are  subject to  appropriation  in
specific  amounts by the  General Assembly or by  executive authorization by the
Governor. Total appropriations enacted  by the General  Assembly may not  exceed
the  ensuing  year's estimated  revenues,  plus (less)  the  unappropriated fund
balance (deficit) of the preceding year, except for constitutionally  authorized
debt  service payments. Appropriations from the principal operating funds of the
Commonwealth (the General  Fund, the Motor  License Fund and  the State  Lottery
Fund)  are  generally  made  for  one  fiscal  year  and  are  returned  to  the
unappropriated surplus of the fund if not spent or encumbered by the end of  the
fiscal year. The Constitution specifies that a surplus of operating funds at the
end of a fiscal year must be appropriated for the ensuing year.
 
    Pennsylvania   uses  the  "fund"  method  of  accounting  for  receipts  and
disbursements. For purposes of government accounting, a "fund" is an independent
fiscal and accounting entity  with a self-balancing  set of accounts,  recording
cash  and/or other resources together with  all related liabilities and equities
that are  segregated for  the  purpose of  carrying  on specific  activities  or
attaining  certain objectives in accordance with the fund's special regulations,
restrictions or  limitations. In  the  Commonwealth, over  150 funds  have  been
established  by  legislative enactment  or  in certain  cases  by administrative
action for the  purpose of  recording the  receipts and  disbursement of  moneys
received  by the Commonwealth.  Annual budgets are adopted  each fiscal year for
the principal  operating funds  of the  Commonwealth and  several other  special
revenue  funds. Expenditures  and encumbrances against  these funds  may only be
made pursuant  to appropriation  measures enacted  by the  General Assembly  and
approved  by the  Governor. The General  Fund, the  Commonwealth's largest fund,
receives all tax revenues, non-tax revenues and federal grants and  entitlements
that  are not specified  by law to  be deposited elsewhere.  The majority of the
Commonwealth's operating  and  administrative  expenses  are  payable  from  the
General  Fund. Debt service on all bond indebtedness of the Commonwealth, except
that issued for  highway purposes or  for the benefit  of other special  revenue
funds, is payable from the General Fund.
 
    Financial  information for the principal operating funds of the Commonwealth
are maintained on a budgetary basis of accounting, which is used for the purpose
of ensuring compliance with the enacted operating budget. The Commonwealth  also
prepares  annual  financial  statements in  accordance  with  generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP"). Budgetary basis financial reports are based on a
modified cash basis of accounting as opposed to a
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
modified accrual basis of accounting  prescribed by GAAP. Financial  information
is  adjusted at  fiscal year-end to  reflect appropriate  accruals for financial
reporting in conformity with GAAP.
 
    RECENT FINANCIAL  RESULTS--From fiscal  1984,  when the  Commonwealth  first
prepared  its financial  statements on  a GAAP  basis, through  fiscal 1989, the
Commonwealth reported a  positive unreserved-undesignated fund  balance for  its
governmental  fund types at each fiscal year end. Slowing economic growth during
1990, leading to a national economic recession beginning in fiscal 1991, reduced
revenue  growth  and   increased  expenditures  and   contributed  to   negative
unreserved-undesignated  fund balances  at the end  of the 1990  and 1991 fiscal
years. The  negative unreserved-undesignated  fund balance  was due  largely  to
operating  deficits in the General Fund and  the State Lottery Fund during those
fiscal years. Actions taken  during fiscal 1992 to  bring the General Fund  back
into  balance, including tax increases and expenditure restraints, resulted in a
$1.1 billion reduction to the unreserved-undesignated fund deficit for  combined
governmental  fund  types at  June 30,  1993, as  a result  of a  $420.4 million
increase in  the balance.  These gains  were produced  by continued  efforts  to
control  expenditure growth.  The Combined  Balance Sheet  as of  June 30, 1993,
showed total fund  balance and  other credits  for the  total governmental  fund
types  of $1,959.9 million, a  $732.1 million increase from  the balance at June
30, 1992. During  fiscal 1993,  total assets  increased by  $1,296.7 million  to
$7,096.4  million,  while  liabilities  increased  $564.6  million  to  $5,136.5
million.
 
    FISCAL 1991 FINANCIAL RESULTS--The Commonwealth experienced a $453.6 million
general fund  deficit  as of  the  end of  its  1991 fiscal  year.  The  deficit
reflected  higher than  budgeted expenditures,  below-estimate economic activity
and growth rates of economic indicators  and total tax revenue shortfalls  below
those assumed in the enacted budget.
 
    Rising   demands  on  state  programs  caused  by  the  economic  recession,
particularly for  medical  assistance  and cash  assistance  programs,  and  the
increased  costs  of special  education programs  and correction  facilities and
programs, contributed  to  increased  expenditures in  fiscal  1991,  while  tax
revenues  for  the  1991 fiscal  year  were  severely affected  by  the economic
recession. Total corporation tax receipts and sales and use tax receipts  during
fiscal  1991  were,  respectively, 7.3  percent  and 0.9  percent  below amounts
collected during fiscal 1990. Personal income tax receipts also were affected by
the recession but  not to  the extent  of the  other major  General Fund  taxes,
increasing only 2.0 percent over fiscal 1990 collections.
 
    A   number  of  actions  were  taken  throughout  the  fiscal  year  by  the
Commonwealth to mitigate  the effects of  the recession on  budget revenues  and
expenditures.  The  Commonwealth  initiated a  number  of  cost-saving measures,
including the  firing  of  2,000  state employees,  deferral  of  paychecks  and
reduction  of funds to state universities,  which resulted in approximately $871
million cost savings.
 
    FISCAL 1992 FINANCIAL RESULTS--Actions taken during fiscal 1992 to bring the
General Fund budget back into  balance, including tax increases and  expenditure
restraints  resulted in a $1.1 billion reduction for the unreserved-undesignated
fund deficit for  combined governmental fund  types and a  return to a  positive
fund  balance.  Total  General  Fund revenues  for  fiscal  1992  were $14,516.8
million, which is approximately 22 percent  higher than fiscal 1991 revenues  of
$11,877.3  million due  in large part  to tax increases.  The increased revenues
funded substantial  increases  in  education, social  services  and  corrections
programs.  As a  result of the  tax increases and  certain appropriation lapses,
fiscal 1992 ended  with an $8.8  million surplus after  having started the  year
with an unappropriated General Fund balance deficit of $453.6 million.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
    FISCAL  1993 FINANCIAL RESULTS--Fiscal 1993 closed with revenues higher than
anticipated and expenditures approximately as projected, resulting in an  ending
unappropriated  balance surplus of  $242.3 million. A  deduction in the personal
income tax  rate  in  July  1992  and the  one-time  receipt  of  revenues  from
retroactive  corporate tax increases  in fiscal 1992  were responsible, in part,
for the low growth in fiscal 1993.
 
    FISCAL 1994 FINANCIAL RESULTS--Commonwealth revenues during the 1994  fiscal
year  totaled $15,210.7 million,  $38.6 million above  the fiscal year estimate,
and 3.9 percent  over commonwealth  revenues during  the 1993  fiscal year.  The
sales  tax was an  important contributor to the  higher than estimated revenues.
The strength of collections  from the sales tax  offset the lower than  budgeted
performance  of the personal  income tax that  ended the 1994  fiscal year $74.4
million below estimate. The shortfall in the personal income tax was largely due
to shortfalls in income not subject  to withholding such as interest,  dividends
and  other income. Expenditures, excluding pooled financing expenditures and net
of all fiscal 1994 appropriation lapses, totaled $14,934.4 million  representing
a  7.2 percent  increase over fiscal  1993 expenditures.  Medical assistance and
prisons spending contributed to the rate of spending growth for the 1994  fiscal
year.  The Commonwealth maintained an operating balance on a budgetary basis for
fiscal 1994  producing a  fiscal year  ending unappropriated  surplus of  $335.8
million.
 
    FISCAL  1995 BUDGET--On June  16, 1994, the Governor  signed a $15.7 billion
general fund budget, an  increase of over  3.9% from the  Fiscal 1994 budget.  A
substantial   amount  of  the  increase   is  targeted  for  medical  assistance
expenditures, reform of the state-funded public assistance program and education
subsidies to local  school districts.  The budget also  includes tax  reductions
totaling  an estimated $166.4 million benefiting principally low income families
and corporations. The fiscal 1995 budget  projects a $4 million fiscal  year-end
unappropriated surplus.
 
    DEBT  LIMITS AND OUTSTANDING DEBT--The Pennsylvania Constitution permits the
issuance of the following  types of debt: (i)  debt to suppress insurrection  or
rehabilitate  areas affected by  disaster; (ii) electorate  approved debt; (iii)
debt for capital projects subject to an aggregate outstanding debt limit of 1.75
times the annual average  tax revenues of the  preceding five fiscal years;  and
(iv) tax anticipation notes payable in the fiscal year of issuance.
 
    Under the Pennsylvania Fiscal Code, the Auditor General is required annually
to  certify  to  the  Governor  and  the  General  Assembly  certain information
regarding the Commonwealth's indebtedness. According to the most recent  Auditor
General  certificate, the average annual tax  revenues deposited in all funds in
the five fiscal years ended June 30, 1993 was $14.5 billion, and therefore,  the
net  debt limitation for the 1994 fiscal  year is $27.1 billion. Outstanding net
debt totaled $5.1 billion at June 30, 1994, an increase of $37 million from June
30, 1993. At  February 28,  1994, the  amount of debt  authorized by  law to  be
issued, but not yet incurred was $15.0 billion.
 
    DEBT  RATINGS--All outstanding general obligation  bonds of the Commonwealth
are rated AA- by S&P and A1 by Moody's.
 
    CITY  OF   PHILADELPHIA--The   City   of   Philadelphia   (the   "City"   or
"Philadelphia")   is  the   largest  city  in   the  Commonwealth.  Philadelphia
experienced a series of general fund deficits for fiscal years 1988 through 1992
which have culminated in the  City's present serious financial difficulties.  In
its   1992  Comprehensive  Annual  Financial  Report,  Philadelphia  reported  a
cumulative general fund deficit of $71.4 million for fiscal year 1992.
 
    In June  1991, the  Pennsylvania  legislature established  the  Pennsylvania
Intergovern-
mental  Cooperation Authority ("PICA"),  a five-member board  which oversees the
fiscal
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
affairs of the  City of  Philadelphia. The  Legislation empowers  PICA to  issue
notes  and bonds on behalf of  Philadelphia, and also authorizes Philadelphia to
levy a one-percent sales tax the proceeds of which would be used to pay off  the
bonds.  In return for PICA's fiscal  assistance, Philadelphia is required, among
other things, to  establish a  five-year financial plans  that include  balanced
annual budgets. Under the legislation, if Philadelphia does not comply with such
requirements, PICA may withhold bond revenues and certain state funding.
 
    At  this time, the City is operating  under a five-year fiscal plan approved
by PICA on April 6, 1992. Full implementation of the five-year plan was  delayed
due  to labor  negotiations that  were not  completed until  October 1992, three
months after the expiration  of the old  labor contracts. The  terms of the  new
labor  contracts are  estimated to cost  approximately $144.4  million more than
what was budgeted in the original five-year plan. An amended five-year plan  was
approved  by  PICA in  May  1993. The  Mayor's  latest update  of  the five-year
financial plan was approved by PICA on May 2, 1994.
 
    On June 5,  1992, PICA sold  approximately $480 million  in bonds at  yields
ranging  from 5.25 percent to 6.88 percent.  The proceeds of the bonds were used
to cover shortfalls accumulated over  fiscal years 1988 through 1991,  projected
deficits for fiscal years 1992 and 1993, construction projects and other capital
expenditures. In accordance with the enabling legislation, PICA was guaranteed a
percentage  of the wage  tax revenue expected to  be collected from Philadelphia
residents to permit repayment of the bonds.  In July 1993 and August 1993,  PICA
issued  $643.4 million and $178.7 million,  respectively, of special Tax Revenue
Bonds to  refund  certain general  obligation  bonds of  the  City and  to  fund
additional capital projects.
 
    In  January 1993, Philadelphia anticipated  a cumulative general fund budget
deficit of $57 million for the 1993 fiscal year. In response to the  anticipated
deficit,  the Mayor unveiled a financial plan eliminating the budget deficit for
the 1993 budget year  through significant service cuts  that included a plan  to
privatize  certain city  provided services. Due  to an upsurge  in tax receipts,
cost-cutting and  additional PICA  borrowings, Philadelphia  completed the  1993
fiscal  year with a balanced general fund  budget. The audit findings for fiscal
1993 show a surplus of  approximately $3 million of  the fiscal year ended  June
30, 1993.
 
    In  January 1994, the Mayor proposed a $2.3 billion city general fund budget
that included no  tax increases,  no significant service  cuts and  a series  of
modest  health  and welfare  program  increases. At  that  time, the  Mayor also
unveiled a $2.2 billion program  (the "Philadelphia Economic Stimulus  Program")
designed  to stimulate Philadelphia's economy and stop  the loss of 1,000 jobs a
month. However, the success  of the Philadelphia  Economic Stimulus Program  has
been predicated upon several contingencies including, among others, $250 million
in  revenues from riverboat gambling over the next three years, which first must
be approved by the state legislature,  and $100 million in federal  "empowerment
zone"  subsidies, which Philadelphia may or may not receive. As of January 1994,
the 1994  general fund  budget was  running at  a deficit  of approximately  $10
million.  The Mayor has predicted that the  general fund will be balanced by the
end of the 1994 fiscal  year. The fiscal 1994 budget  projects no deficit and  a
balanced budget for the year ended June 30, 1994.
 
    The  Standard & Poor's Corporation rating on Philadelphia general obligation
bonds is "BB." The Moody's Investors Service rating is currently "Ba."
 
    LITIGATION--The Commonwealth is  a party  to numerous lawsuits  in which  an
adverse  final decision could materially  affect the Commonwealth's governmental
operations and consequently its ability to pay debt service on its  obligations.
The Commonwealth also faces
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
tort  claims made possible by the  limited waiver of sovereign immunity effected
by Act 152, approved September 28, 1978.
 
PENNSYLVANIA TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers  that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993. For
cases in which more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket,  the
highest  state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined state
and Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  tax payments  are
currently  deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The  tables illustrate what you
would have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the tax-exempt  estimated
current  return for your income  tax bracket. A taxpayer's  marginal tax rate is
affected by both his taxable income  and his adjusted gross income. Locate  your
adjusted  gross and  your taxable  income (which  is your  adjusted gross income
reduced by any deductions and exemptions), then locate your tax bracket based on
joint or single  tax filing.  Read across  to the  equivalent taxable  estimated
current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS      STATE* AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      17.5   %     6.06    6.36    6.67    6.97    7.27    7.58    7.88    8.18
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      30.0         7.14    7.50    7.86    8.21    8.57    8.93    9.29    9.64
                 111.8-167.7      31.0         7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      33.0         7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70   10.07
                 111.8-167.7      34.0         7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85   10.23
                 167.7-290.2      36.0         7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16   10.55
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      39.0         8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66   11.07
                 167.7-290.2      41.5         8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68   11.11   11.54
                  Over 290.2      39.0   2     8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66   11.07
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      45.5         9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47   11.93   12.39
                  Over 290.2      42.5   3     8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30   11.74
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS      STATE* AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      17.5         6.06    6.36    6.67    6.97    7.27    7.58    7.88    8.18
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      30.0         7.14    7.50    7.86    8.21    8.57    8.93    9.29    9.64
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      33.0         7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70   10.07
                 111.8-234.3      34.5         7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78    9.16    9.54    9.92   10.31
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      39.5         8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74   11.16
                  Over 234.3      39.0   2     8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84   10.25   10.66   11.07
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      42.5   3     8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30   11.74
<FN>
- ------------------
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a single return  entitled to only one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the total
amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CD's and  money  market  accounts or  money  market  funds, each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of  the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide
stability of principal, but pay interest  at rates that vary with the  condition
of  the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
OCTOBER 26, 1994
PENNSYLVANIA INSURED TRUST 188
(SERIES 761)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation          2003 at 100        AAA         Aaa     $       447,710
                   Authority, Special Tax Revenue Bonds (City of
                   Philadelphia Funding Program), Series of
                   1993, 5.875% Due 6/15/23.
    535,000      Allegheny County Hospital Development Authority     2002 at 100        AAA         Aaa             507,635
                   (Pennsylvania), Health Center Revenue Bonds,
                   Series 1992A (Presbyterian University Health
                   System, Inc. Project), 6.25% Due 11/1/23.
    425,000      Dauphin County General Authority, Hospital          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             379,130
                   Revenue Bonds, HAPSCO Group, Inc. Tax-Exempt
                   Loan Program (The Western Pennsylvania
                   Hospital Project), Fixed Rate Bonds, 1993
                   Series A-1, 5.75% Due 7/1/16.
    465,000     * Derry Area School District (Westmoreland           2003 at 100        AAA         Aaa             396,413
                   County, Pennsylvania), General Obligation
                   Bonds, Refunding Series of 1993, 5.50% Due
                   2/1/21.
    525,000      Lehigh County Industrial Development Authority      2002 at 102        AAA         Aaa             505,444
                   (Pennsylvania), Pollution Control Revenue
                   Refunding Bonds, 1992 Series A (Pennsylvania
                   Power & Light Company Project), 6.40% Due
                   11/1/21.
    525,000      York County Industrial Development Authority        2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             514,500
                   (Pennsylvania), Pollution Control Revenue
                   Refunding Bonds, 1994 Series A (Public
                   Service Electric and Gas Company Peach Bottom
                   Project), 6.45% Due 10/1/19. (When issued.)
    525,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2004 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             525,000
                   Bonds of 1994 (General Obligation Bonds),
                   6.50% Due 7/1/23.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,275,832
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 45.
 
   
* These Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the  normal
  settlement  date. Their expected delivery date  is November 8, 1994. Contracts
  relating to  Bonds  with delivery  dates  after  the date  of  settlement  for
  purchase  made  on the  Date of  Deposit constitute  approximately 13%  of the
  aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
NOTES TO SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS
 
    (1) Contracts,  which  are  "when-issued"  or  "regular  way"  contracts  or
        contracts having delivery dates beyond the normal settlement date,  have
        been  deposited with the Trustee on the Date of Deposit. The performance
        of such contracts is secured by an irrevocable letter of credit,  issued
        by  a major commercial bank, which  has been deposited with the Trustee.
        At the Date  of Deposit, Bonds  may have been  delivered to the  Sponsor
        pursuant  to certain of these contracts; the Sponsor has assigned to the
        Trustee all of its right, title and interest in and to such Bonds.
 
    (2) The Bonds are first subject to optional redemption in the years, and  at
        the  prices, shown.  Unless otherwise  indicated, the  Bonds, except for
        Bonds issued at a substantial original issue discount, are redeemable at
        declining prices (but not below par value) in subsequent years. Original
        issue  discount  bonds,  including  zero  coupon  bonds,  are  generally
        redeemable  at  prices  based on  the  issue  price plus  the  amount of
        original issue discount accreted to redemption plus, if applicable, some
        premium, the amount of which will decline in subsequent years. The Bonds
        may also be subject to sinking fund redemption without premium prior  to
        the dates shown.
 
        Certain  Bonds may be subject to redemption without premium prior to the
        date shown  pursuant  to  special  or  mandatory  call  provisions;  for
        example,  if bond proceeds are not able  to be used as contemplated, the
        project is condemned or sold, or the project is destroyed and  insurance
        proceeds  are used to  redeem the bonds.  Single family mortgage revenue
        bonds and housing authority bonds are  most likely to be called  subject
        to  such provisions, but other bonds may have similar call features. See
        Section 4 and "General Trust Information" in this Section.
 
        The Trustee's determination of the offering prices of Bonds in the  Fund
        may  be  greater or  less than  the  amounts that  may be  received upon
        redemption or  maturity  of  such Bonds.  Subject  to  rules  concerning
        amortization  of bond  premium and of  original issue  discount, gain or
        loss realized  by  the Trustee  on  disposition  of any  Bonds  will  be
        recognized  as taxable capital gain or loss by Unitholders. (See Section
        4.)
 
    (3) See "Description  of  Ratings" herein.  All  the Bonds  in  the  Insured
        Trusts,  as insured by the  Insurer, are rated AAA  by Standard & Poor's
        Corporation and Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (See Section 5.)
 
    (4) As determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services on behalf of the  Trustee
        as  of the close of  business on the business  day preceding the Date of
        Deposit. The prices as determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services  have
        been rounded to the nearest dollar.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     TO  THE  BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  OF JOHN  NUVEEN  & CO.  INCORPORATED AND
     UNITHOLDERS OF NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 761:
    
 
   
       We have audited  the accompanying  statements of  condition and  the
     related  schedules of investments at date  of deposit (included in the
     prospectus  herein)  of  Nuveen  Tax-Exempt  Unit  Trust,  Series  761
     (comprising Georgia Insured Trust 40, Massachusetts Insured Trust 119,
     Ohio  Insured Trust  119 and  Pennsylvania Insured  Trust 188),  as of
     October 26, 1994. These financial statements are the responsibility of
     the Sponsor.  Our responsibility  is to  express an  opinion on  these
     financial statements based on our audits.
    
 
       We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally accepted
     auditing standards. Those standards require  that we plan and  perform
     the  audit to obtain reasonable  assurance about whether the financial
     statements are  free  of  material  misstatement.  An  audit  includes
     examining,  on  a  test  basis, evidence  supporting  the  amounts and
     disclosures in  the  financial  statements.  Our  procedures  included
     confirmation  of the irrevocable letter  of credit arrangement for the
     purchase of securities,  described in  Note (1) to  the statements  of
     condition,  by correspondence with the Trustee. An audit also includes
     assessing the  accounting principles  used and  significant  estimates
     made  by  the Sponsor,  as well  as  evaluating the  overall financial
     statement  presentation.  We  believe   that  our  audits  provide   a
     reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
   
       In  our  opinion,  the  statements  of  condition  and  the  related
     schedules of investments at date of deposit referred to above  present
     fairly,  in all material  respects, the financial  position of each of
     the trusts constituting the Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series  761
     as  of  October  26,  1994,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
     accounting principles.
    
 
                                                        ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
     Chicago, Illinois,
     October 26, 1994.
    
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
                            Statements of Condition
   
                    NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 761
    
   
 (Georgia Insured Trust 40, Massachusetts Insured Trust 119, Ohio Insured Trust
                    119 and Pennsylvania Insured Trust 188)
    
   
                             AS OF OCTOBER 26, 1994
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              GEORGIA          MASSACHUSETTS           OHIO            PENNSYLVANIA
                                              INSURED             INSURED             INSURED             INSURED
    TRUST PROPERTY                           TRUST 40            TRUST 119           TRUST 119           TRUST 188
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Tax-
 Exempt Bonds, backed by an irrevocable
 letter of credit(1)(2).................  $     3,338,616     $     3,240,041     $     3,199,985     $     3,275,832
Accrued interest to October 26, 1994 on
  underlying Bonds(1)...................           60,269              56,201              49,019              76,062
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,398,885     $     3,296,242     $     3,249,004     $     3,351,894
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
   LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
LIABILITY:
    Accrued interest to October 26, 1994
      on underlying Bonds(3)............  $        60,269     $        56,201     $        49,019     $        76,062
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided
      interest outstanding (Georgia
      Insured Trust 40--35,000;
      Massachusetts Insured Trust
      119--35,000; Ohio Insured Trust
      119--35,000; Pennsylvania Insured
      Trust 188--35,000)
      Cost to investors(4)..............  $     3,510,621     $     3,406,968     $     3,364,848     $     3,444,603
        Less: Gross underwriting
          commission(5).................         (172,005)           (166,927)           (164,863)           (168,771)
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Net amount applicable to
      investors.........................  $     3,338,616     $     3,240,041     $     3,199,985     $     3,275,832
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,398,885     $     3,296,242     $     3,249,004     $     3,351,894
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
<FN>
(1) Represented by contracts  to purchase Tax-Exempt  Bonds which include "when  issued" or "regular  way" or "delayed  delivery"
    contracts  for which an irrevocable letter of  credit issued by a major commercial  bank has been deposited with the Trustee.
    The amount of such letter of credit  and any cash deposited exceeds the amount  necessary for the purchase of the Bonds  plus
    accrued  interest to the Date of  Deposit. At the Date of  Deposit, Bonds may have been  delivered to the Sponsor pursuant to
    certain of these contracts; the  Sponsor has assigned to  the Trustee all of  its rights, title and  interest in and to  such
    Bonds.
(2)  Aggregate value (at offering prices) as of the Date of  Deposit of the Bonds listed under "Schedules of Investments" herein,
    and their aggregate cost to the Trusts are the same. Such offering prices were determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services as
    of the close of business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See Section 10.) Insurance coverage providing for
    the timely payment, when due, of all principal  of and interest on the Bonds in  the Insured Trusts has been obtained by  the
    Sponsor  or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the
    Units. Both the bid and the offering prices of the underlying  Bonds and of the Units may include value attributable to  such
    policies of insurance.
(3) Representing, as set forth in Section 8, advancement by the Trustee of an amount equal to the accrued Bond interest as of the
    Date of Deposit from the later of the last payment date on the Bonds or the date of issuance thereof.
(4) Aggregate Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as set forth under Section 6.
(5) The gross underwriting commission has been calculated on the assumption that the Units offered by this prospectus are sold in
    single transactions involving less than $50,000 or 500 Units. At this level, the sales charge is 4.90% of the Public Offering
    Price  in the case of National and State Trusts, 4.25% thereof in  the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 3.90% in the case of
    Intermediate Trusts, 3.00% in the  case of Short Intermediate Trusts  and 2.50% in the case  of Short Term Trusts. In  single
    transactions involving 500 Units or more, the sales charge is reduced. (See Section 6.)
</TABLE>
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION
 
    RISK FACTORS.
 
    An  investment in Units of any Trust should be made with an understanding of
the risks that such an investment may  entail. These include the ability of  the
issuer,  or,  if  applicable,  an  insurer, to  make  payments  of  interest and
principal when due, the  effects of changes in  interest rates generally,  early
call provisions and the potential for changes in the tax status of the Bonds. As
set  forth  in the  portfolio  summaries above,  the  Trusts may  contain  or be
concentrated in one or more of the types of bonds discussed below. The following
paragraphs discuss certain circumstances which may adversely affect the  ability
of  issuers  of Bonds  held  in the  portfolio  of a  Trust  to make  payment of
principal and interest thereon or which may adversely affect the ratings of such
Bonds; with  respect  to  Insured  Trusts, however,  because  of  the  insurance
obtained  by the Sponsor or by the issuers of the Bonds, such changes should not
adversely affect  an Insured  Trust's  receipt of  principal and  interest,  the
Standard  & Poor's AAA or Moody's Aaa ratings  of the Bonds in the Insured Trust
portfolio, or the Standard & Poor's AAA rating of the Units of each such Insured
Trust. For  economic risks  specific  to the  individual Trusts,  see  "Economic
Factors" for each Trust.
 
    HEALTH  FACILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of  the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of  issuers whose  revenues are  derived from  services provided  by
hospitals  or other health care facilities,  including nursing homes. Ratings of
bonds issued  for health  care  facilities are  sometimes based  on  feasibility
studies  that contain projections of occupancy  levels, revenues and expenses. A
facility's gross  receipts and  net income  available for  debt service  may  be
affected  by future events and conditions  including, among other things, demand
for services, the ability of the  facility to provide the services required,  an
increasing  shortage of qualified nurses or a dramatic rise in nursing salaries,
physicians'  confidence  in  the  facility,  management  capabilities,  economic
developments  in  the service  area, competition  from other  similar providers,
efforts by  insurers  and  governmental agencies  to  limit  rates,  legislation
establishing  state rate-setting agencies,  expenses, government regulation, the
cost and possible unavailability of  malpractice insurance, and the  termination
or  restriction of governmental financial  assistance, including that associated
with Medicare, Medicaid and other  similar third party payor programs.  Medicare
reimbursements are currently calculated on a prospective basis and are not based
on  a provider's actual costs. Such method of reimbursement may adversely affect
reimbursements to hospitals and other facilities for services provided under the
Medicare program and thereby may have an  adverse effect on the ability of  such
institutions  to satisfy  debt service requirements.  In the event  of a default
upon a bond  secured by hospital  facilities, the limited  alternative uses  for
such  facilities may result  in the recovery upon  such collateral not providing
sufficient funds to fully repay the bonds.
 
    Certain hospital  bonds  provide for  redemption  at par  upon  the  damage,
destruction  or  condemnation of  the hospital  facilities  or in  other special
circumstances.
 
    HOUSING OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the Bonds  in a Trust  may be obligations  of
issuers  whose revenues  are primarily  derived from  mortgage loans  to housing
projects for  low  to  moderate  income  families.  Such  issues  are  generally
characterized  by mandatory redemption at par or,  in the case of original issue
discount bonds, accreted  value in  the event of  economic defaults  and in  the
event of a failure of the operator of a project to comply with certain covenants
as  to the  operation of  the project.  The failure  of such  operator to comply
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
with certain  covenants related  to the  tax-exempt status  of interest  on  the
Bonds,  such as  provisions requiring  that a  specified percentage  of units be
rented or available for rental to  low or moderate income families,  potentially
could cause interest on such Bonds to be subject to Federal income taxation from
the  date of  issuance of the  Bonds. The ability  of such issuers  to make debt
service payments will be  affected by events  and conditions affecting  financed
projects,  including,  among other  things, the  achievement and  maintenance of
sufficient occupancy levels  and adequate rental  income, employment and  income
conditions  prevailing in local labor markets, increases in taxes, utility costs
and other  operating  expenses,  the managerial  ability  of  project  managers,
changes  in laws and  governmental regulations, the  appropriation of subsidies,
and social and economic  trends affecting the localities  in which the  projects
are  located. Occupancy  of such housing  projects may be  adversely affected by
high rent  levels  and  income  limitations  imposed  under  Federal  and  state
programs.
 
    SINGLE  FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS.  Some of  the Bonds in a Trust may be
single family  mortgage revenue  bonds,  which are  issued  for the  purpose  of
acquiring  from originating financial institutions notes secured by mortgages on
residences located within the issuer's boundaries and owned by persons of low or
moderate income. Mortgage  loans are generally  partially or completely  prepaid
prior  to their  final maturities  as a  result of  events such  as sale  of the
mortgaged premises, default, condemnation or casualty loss. Because these  bonds
are  subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption in whole or in part from such
prepayments of mortgage loans, a substantial portion of such bonds will probably
be redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior to their  ordinary
call dates. Extraordinary mandatory redemption without premium could also result
from  the failure  of the  originating financial  institutions to  make mortgage
loans in sufficient amounts within a specified time period. The redemption price
of such  issues may  be more  or less  than the  offering price  of such  bonds.
Additionally,  unusually high rates of default  on the underlying mortgage loans
may reduce revenues  available for the  payment of principal  of or interest  on
such  mortgage revenue bonds. Single family  mortgage revenue bonds issued after
December 31, 1980 were issued under Section 103A of the Internal Revenue Code of
1954, as amended, or  Section 143 of  the Internal Revenue  Code of 1986,  which
Sections  contain certain  requirements relating to  the use of  the proceeds of
such bonds in  order for the  interest on  such bonds to  retain its  tax-exempt
status.  In each  case, the issuer  of the  bonds has covenanted  to comply with
applicable requirements and bond  counsel to such issuer  has issued an  opinion
that  the interest on the bonds is exempt from Federal income tax under existing
laws  and  regulations.  There  can   be  no  assurance  that  such   continuing
requirements  will be  satisfied; the  failure to  meet such  requirements could
cause interest on the Bonds to  be subject to Federal income taxation,  possibly
from the date of issuance of the Bonds.
 
    FEDERALLY  ENHANCED OBLIGATIONS.   Some  of the  mortgages which  secure the
various health care or housing projects which underlie the previously  discussed
Health  Facility, Housing, and  Single Family Mortgage  Revenue Obligations (the
"Obligations") in a Trust may be  insured by the Federal Housing  Administration
("FHA").  Under FHA  regulations, the  maximum insurable  mortgage amount cannot
exceed 90%  of  the FHA's  estimated  value of  the  project. The  FHA  mortgage
insurance  does not constitute a guarantee of timely payment of the principal of
and interest on the Obligations. Payment  of mortgage insurance benefits may  be
(1)  less than the principal amount of Obligations outstanding or (2) delayed if
disputes arise as to  the amount of  the payment or if  certain notices are  not
given
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
to  the  FHA  within the  prescribed  time  periods. In  addition,  some  of the
previously discussed Obligations may be secured by mortgage-backed  certificates
guaranteed  by the Government  National Mortgage Association  ("GNMA"), a wholly
owned corporate  instrumentality  of  the  United  States,  and/or  the  Federal
National   Mortgage  Association  ("Fannie  Mae")   a  federally  chartered  and
stockholder-owed corporation. GNMA  and Fannie Mae  guarantee timely payment  of
principal  and  interest on  the  mortgage-backed certificates,  even  where the
underlying  mortgage  payments   are  not  made.   While  such   mortgage-backed
certificates  are often pledged  to secure payment of  principal and interest on
the Obligations, timely payment of interest and principal on the Obligations  is
not  insured or guaranteed by  the United States, GNMA,  Fannie Mae or any other
governmental agency or  instrumentality. The  GNMA mortgage-backed  certificates
constitute  a general obligation of  the United States backed  by its full faith
and credit. The obligations of Fannie  Mae, including its obligations under  the
Fannie  Mae mortgage-backed securities, are obligations solely of Fannie Mae and
are not backed  by, or  entitled to,  the full faith  and credit  of the  United
States.
 
    INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Certain  of the Bonds  in a  Trust may be
industrial revenue bonds  ("IRBs"), including pollution  control revenue  bonds,
which  are  tax-exempt  securities  issued  by  states,  municipalities,  public
authorities or similar entities to  finance the cost of acquiring,  constructing
or improving various industrial projects. These projects are usually operated by
corporate entities. Issuers are obligated only to pay amounts due on the IRBs to
the  extent that funds are available from the unexpended proceeds of the IRBs or
receipts or revenues of the issuer  under an arrangement between the issuer  and
the  corporate operator of  a project. The arrangement  may be in  the form of a
lease, installment sale agreement, conditional sale agreement or loan agreement,
but in each case  the payments to  the issuer are designed  to be sufficient  to
meet  the payments  of amounts  due on  the IRBs.  Regardless of  the structure,
payment of IRBs is solely dependent  upon the creditworthiness of the  corporate
operator  of  the project  and,  if applicable,  corporate  guarantor. Corporate
operators or  guarantors may  be affected  by  many factors  which may  have  an
adverse  impact on  the credit  quality of  the particular  company or industry.
These include cyclicality of revenues and earnings, regulatory and environmental
restrictions, litigation  resulting  from  accidents  or  environmentally-caused
illnesses,  extensive competition  and financial deterioration  resulting from a
corporate restructuring pursuant to a leveraged buy-out, takeover or  otherwise.
Such  a restructuring may  result in the  operator of a  project becoming highly
leveraged which may have an impact on such operator's creditworthiness which  in
turn  would have  an adverse impact  on the  rating and/or market  value of such
Bonds. Further, the  possibility of  such a  restructuring may  have an  adverse
impact  on the market for and consequently  the value of such Bonds, even though
no actual takeover or other action is ever contemplated or effected. The IRBs in
a Trust may be subject to  special or extraordinary redemption provisions  which
may  provide for redemption  at par or,  in the case  of original issue discount
bonds, accreted value. The  Sponsor cannot predict the  causes or likelihood  of
the redemption of IRBs in a Trust prior to the stated maturity of such Bonds.
 
    ELECTRIC  UTILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of issuers  whose revenues are  primarily derived from  the sale  of
electric  energy. The problems  faced by such issuers  include the difficulty in
obtaining approval for timely  and adequate rate  increases from the  applicable
public  utility  commissions,  the difficulty  of  financing  large construction
programs, increased competition, reductions in estimates of
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
future demand for electricity in certain  areas of the country, the  limitations
on  operations  and increased  costs  and delays  attributable  to environmental
considerations, the difficulty of the capital market in absorbing utility  debt,
the  difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable  prices and the effect of energy
conservation. All  of  such issuers  have  been experiencing  certain  of  these
problems   in  varying  degrees.  In  addition,  Federal,  state  and  municipal
governmental authorities  may from  time  to time  review existing,  and  impose
additional,  regulations governing the licensing,  construction and operation of
nuclear power plants, which may adversely  affect the ability of the issuers  of
certain of the Bonds in a Trust to make payments of principal and/or interest on
such Bonds.
 
    TRANSPORTATION  FACILITY REVENUE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be
obligations of issuers which  are payable from and  secured by revenues  derived
from  the ownership and operation of airports, public transit systems and ports.
The major portion of  an airport's gross operating  income is generally  derived
from  fees received  from airlines pursuant  to use agreements  which consist of
annual payments for airport  use, occupancy of  certain terminal space,  service
fees  and  leases. Airport  operating income  may therefore  be affected  by the
ability of the airlines to meet their obligations under the use agreements.  The
air  transport industry is  experiencing significant variations  in earnings and
traffic,  due  to  increased  competition,  excess  capacity,  increased  costs,
deregulation,  traffic constraints and  other factors, and  several airlines are
experiencing severe financial difficulties.  In particular, facilities with  use
agreements involving airlines experiencing financial difficulty may experience a
reduction  in revenue due  to the possible  inability of these  airlines to meet
their use  agreement  obligations because  of  such financial  difficulties  and
possible  bankruptcy.  The Sponsor  cannot  predict what  effect  these industry
conditions may have on airport revenues  which are dependent for payment on  the
financial  condition of the  airlines and their usage  of the particular airport
facility. Bonds that are secured primarily by the revenue collected by a  public
transit  system  typically are  additionally secured  by a  pledge of  sales tax
receipts collected  at  the state  or  local  level, or  of  other  governmental
financial assistance. Transit system net revenues will be affected by variations
in  utilization,  which  in  turn  may  be  affected  by  the  degree  of  local
governmental subsidization, demographic and  population shifts, and  competition
from  other forms  of transportation;  and by  increased costs,  including costs
resulting from previous deferrals of maintenance. Port authorities derive  their
revenues  primarily from fees imposed on ships using the facilities. The rate of
utilization of such facilities may fluctuate depending on the local economy  and
on  competition from  competing forms  of transportation  such as  air, rail and
trucks.
 
    WATER AND/OR SEWERAGE  OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the  Bonds in a  Trust may  be
obligations  of issuers whose revenues are derived from the sale of water and/or
sewerage services. Such Bonds are generally payable from user fees. The problems
of such  issuers  include  the  ability  to  obtain  timely  and  adequate  rate
increases,  population decline resulting in  decreased user fees, the difficulty
of financing  large construction  programs, the  limitations on  operations  and
increased  costs and  delays attributable  to environmental  considerations, the
increasing difficulty of obtaining or  discovering new supplies of fresh  water,
the  effect  of  conservation  programs and  the  impact  of  "no-growth" zoning
ordinances. All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems
in varying degrees.
 
    UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE REVENUE  OBLIGATIONS.  Some of  the Bonds in a  Trust
may  be obligations  of issuers  which are,  or which  govern the  operation of,
colleges and universities and  whose revenues are  derived mainly from  tuition,
dormitory revenues, grants and
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
endowments. General problems of such issuers include the prospect of a declining
percentage  of the population consisting  of "college" age individuals, possible
inability to raise tuitions and  fees sufficiently to cover increased  operating
costs, the uncertainty of continued receipt of Federal grants and state funding,
and  government  legislation  or  regulations  which  may  adversely  affect the
revenues or costs of  such issuers. All of  such issuers have been  experiencing
certain of these problems in varying degrees.
 
    BRIDGE AUTHORITY AND TOLLROAD OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may
be  obligations  of issuers  which derive  their payments  from bridge,  road or
tunnel toll revenues. The revenues of such an issuer could be adversely affected
by competition from toll-free vehicular bridges and roads and alternative  modes
of transportation. Such revenues could also be adversely affected by a reduction
in  the availability of fuel to motorists  or significant increases in the costs
thereof. Specifically, governmental regulations restricting the use of  vehicles
in  the New  York City  metropolitan area may  adversely affect  revenues of the
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
 
    DEDICATED-TAX SUPPORTED  BONDS.    Some of  the  Bonds  in a  Trust  may  be
obligations of issuers which are payable from and secured by tax revenues from a
designated  source, which revenues are pledged  to secure the bonds. The various
types of  Bonds described  below differ  in structure  and with  respect to  the
rights of the bondholders to the underlying property. Each type of dedicated-tax
supported  Bond has distinct risks, only some  of which are set forth below. One
type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is secured by the incremental tax  received
on  either real property or on  sales within a specifically defined geographical
area; such  tax  generally will  not  provide bondholders  with  a lien  on  the
underlying property or revenues. Another type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is
secured  by a special tax levied on  real property within a defined geographical
area in such  a manner  that the tax  is levied  on those who  benefit from  the
project;  such bonds  typically provide for  a statutory lien  on the underlying
property for unpaid taxes. A third  type of dedicated-tax supported Bond may  be
secured by a tax levied upon the manufacture, sale or consumption of commodities
or  upon the license to pursue  certain occupations or upon corporate privileges
within a taxing jurisdiction. As to any of these types of Bonds, the ability  of
the  designated revenues to satisfy the  interest and principal payments on such
bonds may be affected by changes in the local economy, the financial success  of
the  enterprise  responsible for  the payment  of  the taxes,  the value  of any
property on which taxes may be assessed and the ability to collect such taxes in
a timely fashion. Each  of these factors  will have a  different affect on  each
distinct type of dedicated-tax supported bonds.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be obligations that
are  secured  by lease  payments  of a  governmental  entity. Such  payments are
normally subject to  annual budget  appropriations of  the leasing  governmental
entity.  A governmental  entity that enters  into such a  lease agreement cannot
obligate future  governments to  appropriate  for and  make lease  payments  but
covenants  to take such action as is necessary to include any lease payments due
in its budgets and to make the appropriations therefor. A governmental  entity's
failure to appropriate for and to make payments under its lease obligation could
result  in insufficient funds  available for payment  of the obligations secured
thereby.
 
    ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS.   Certain of  the
Bonds  in a Trust may be original  issue discount bonds. These Bonds were issued
with nominal  interest rates  less than  the rates  then offered  by  comparable
securities and as a consequence were
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
originally  sold at a  discount from their  face, or par,  values. This original
issue discount,  the difference  between  the initial  purchase price  and  face
value,  is deemed under current  law to accrue on a  daily basis and the accrued
portion is  treated  as  tax-exempt  interest  income  for  federal  income  tax
purposes.  On sale or redemption, gain, if any, realized in excess of the earned
portion of original issue discount will be taxable as capital gain. See "What is
the Tax Status of Unitholders". The current value of an original issue  discount
bond  reflects the  present value of  its face  amount at maturity.  In a stable
interest rate environment, the market value  of an original issue discount  bond
would  tend to increase more slowly in  early years and in greater increments as
the bond approached maturity.
 
    Certain of the original issue discount bonds  in a Trust may be zero  coupon
bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not provide for the payment of any current interest;
the  buyer receives only the right to receive a final payment of the face amount
of the bond at its maturity. The effect  of owning a zero coupon bond is that  a
fixed  yield is earned not only on  the original investment but also, in effect,
on all  discount  earned  during  the life  of  the  obligation.  This  implicit
reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk of being unable to
reinvest  the income on such obligation at a rate as high as the implicit yield,
but at the same time also eliminates the holder's ability to reinvest at  higher
rates  in  the  future.  For  this reason,  zero  coupon  bonds  are  subject to
substantially greater  price  fluctuations  during periods  of  changing  market
interest  rates  than are  securities of  comparable  quality that  pay interest
currently.
 
    Original issue discount bonds, including  zero coupon bonds, may be  subject
to  redemption at prices  based on the  issue price plus  the amount of original
issue  discount  accreted  to  redemption   (the  "accreted  value")  plus,   if
applicable,  some premium.  Pursuant to such  call provisions  an original issue
discount bond may be called prior to its maturity date at a price less than  its
face  value. See the  "Schedules of Investments" for  more information about the
call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    Certain of the Bonds in a Trust may be Stripped Obligations, which represent
evidences of  ownership with  respect to  either the  principal amount  of or  a
payment  of interest on a tax-exempt  obligation. An obligation is "stripped" by
depositing it with  a custodian, which  then effects a  separation in  ownership
between  the bond and any interest payment which has not yet become payable, and
issues evidences of ownership with respect to such constituent parts. A Stripped
Obligation therefore has economic characteristics similar to zero coupon  bonds,
as described above.
 
    Each  Stripped Obligation has  been purchased at a  discount from the amount
payable at maturity. With respect to each Unitholder, the Internal Revenue  Code
treats  as "original issue discount" that portion of the discount which produces
a yield to maturity (as of the date of purchase of the Unitholder's Units) equal
to the lower of the coupon rate of interest on the underlying obligation or  the
yield  to maturity on the basis of  the purchase price of the Unitholder's Units
which is allocable to  each Stripped Obligation.  Original issue discount  which
accrues with respect to a Stripped Obligation will be exempt from Federal income
taxation  to the  same extent  as interest  on the  underlying obligations. (See
Section 11, " What Is The Tax Status of Unitholders".)
 
    Unitholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the  state
and  local tax consequences of owning  original issue discount bonds or Stripped
Obligations. Under applicable  provisions governing determination  of state  and
local taxes, interest on original
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
issue discount bonds or Stripped Obligations may be deemed to be received in the
year of accrual even though there is no corresponding cash payment.
 
4.  COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS
 
Each  Trust initially consists  of delivery statements  relating to contracts to
purchase Bonds (or of such Bonds) as are listed under "Schedules of Investments"
and, thereafter, of  such Bonds as  may continue to  be held from  time to  time
(including  certain securities deposited in the  Trust in substitution for Bonds
not delivered to the Trust or in exchange or substitution for Bonds upon certain
refundings), together  with  accrued  and  undistributed  interest  thereon  and
undistributed cash realized from the disposition of Bonds.
 
    "WHEN-ISSUED"  AND  "DELAYED  DELIVERY"  TRANSACTIONS.    The  contracts  to
purchase Bonds delivered to  the Trustee represent an  obligation by issuers  or
dealers  to deliver Bonds  to the Sponsor  for deposit in  the Trusts. Normally,
"regular way"  contracts are  settled and  the Bonds  delivered to  the  Trustee
within  a relatively  short period  of time.  However, certain  of the contracts
relate to Bonds which have not been issued  as of the Date of Deposit and  which
are  commonly referred to  as "when issued"  or "when, as  and if issued" Bonds.
Although the Sponsor does not believe it  is likely, one or more of the  issuers
of such Bonds might decide not to proceed with such offerings. If such Bonds, or
replacement  bonds described  below, are  not acquired  by a  Trust or  if their
delivery is  delayed, the  Estimated  Current Returns  and Estimated  Long  Term
Returns  shown herein may be reduced. Certain  of the contracts for the purchase
of Bonds provide for delivery dates  after the date of settlement for  purchases
made  on  the Date  of  Deposit. Interest  on  such "when  issued"  and "delayed
delivery" Bonds accrues to the benefit of Unitholders commencing with the  first
settlement  date for the Units. However,  in the opinion of counsel, Unitholders
who purchase their Units prior to the date such Bonds are actually delivered  to
the  Trustee must reduce the  tax basis of their  Units for interest accruing on
such Bonds during the interval between their purchase of Units and the  delivery
of  the Bonds because such amounts constitute a return of principal. As a result
of such adjustment, the  Estimated Current Returns set  forth herein (which  are
based  on the Public Offering Price as of  the business day prior to the Date of
Deposit) may be  slightly lower than  Unitholders will receive  after the  first
year,  assuming the Portfolio does not  change and estimated annual expense does
not vary from that set forth under "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts."
Those Bonds  in each  Trust purchased  with  delivery dates  after the  date  of
settlement  for  purchases made  on  the Date  of Deposit  are  so noted  in the
Schedules of Investments.
 
    LIMITED REPLACEMENT OF CERTAIN BONDS.   Neither the Sponsor nor the  Trustee
shall  be liable in any way  for any default, failure or  defect in any Bond. In
the event of a failure to deliver any  Bond that has been purchased for a  Trust
under  a contract, including those  Bonds purchased on a  when, as and if issued
basis ("Failed Bonds"), the Sponsor is authorized under the Indenture to  direct
the  Trustee to acquire  other specified Bonds ("Replacement  Bonds") to make up
the original corpus of the Trust. The Replacement Bonds must be purchased within
20 days after  delivery of notice  of the failed  contract and the  cost to  the
Trust  (exclusive  of  accrued interest)  may  not  exceed the  amount  of funds
reserved for the purchase  of the Failed Bonds.  The Replacement Bonds (i)  must
satisfy  the criteria previously described for  Bonds originally included in the
Trust and, with respect  to Bonds purchased  for a State  Trust, shall have  the
benefit of an exemption from state taxation of interest to an extent equal to or
greater  than that of  the Bonds they  replace, (ii) must  have a fixed maturity
date after the date of purchase of  not less than approximately 15 years in  the
case  of National or State Trusts, approximately 11  years in the case of a Long
Intermediate Trust, approximately 5 years in  the case of Intermediate or  State
Intermediate  Trusts, approximately 3 years in  the case of a Short Intermediate
Trust and
 
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
approximately 1 year in the case of a  Short Term Trust, but not later than  the
maturity date of the Failed Bonds, (iii) must be acquired at a cost to the Trust
equal  to the cost of the same principal  amount of Bonds provided in the failed
contract and have  a current  return and  yield to  maturity not  less than  the
current  return and yield to maturity of the  Failed Bonds and (iv) shall not be
"when, as and if  issued" Bonds. Whenever a  Replacement Bond has been  acquired
for  a Trust, the  Trustee shall, within  five days after  the delivery thereof,
mail or deliver a  notice of such  acquisition to all  Unitholders of the  Trust
involved.  Once the original corpus  of the Trust is  acquired, the Trustee will
have no power to vary the investment of the Trust; i.e., the Trust will have  no
managerial power to take advantage of market variation to improve a Unitholder's
investment.
 
    To  the extent the right of  limited substitution described in the preceding
paragraph shall not  be utilized  to acquire  Replacement Bonds  for the  entire
principal amount of Failed Bonds, the Sponsor shall refund to all Unitholders of
the  Trust  involved the  sales  charge attributable  to  such Failed  Bonds not
replaced, and  the principal  and accrued  interest attributable  to such  Bonds
shall  be distributed  not more  than 30  days after  the determination  of such
failure or at such earlier time as  the Trustee in its sole discretion deems  to
be  in  the interest  of  the Unitholders.  Any  such accrued  interest  paid to
Unitholders will be paid by the Sponsor and, accordingly, will not be treated as
tax-exempt income. In the event Failed Bonds  in a Trust could not be  replaced,
the  Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for such Trust would be reduced and the
Estimated Current Return thereon might be lowered.
 
    SALE, MATURITY AND REDEMPTION OF BONDS.  Certain of the Bonds may from  time
to  time  under certain  circumstances be  sold  or redeemed  or will  mature in
accordance with their terms. The proceeds from  such events will be used to  pay
for   Units  redeemed  or   distributed  to  Unitholders   and  not  reinvested;
accordingly, no assurance can be given that  a Trust will retain for any  length
of time its present size and composition.
 
    All  of the Bonds in  each Trust are subject to  being called or redeemed in
whole or  in part  prior to  their stated  maturities pursuant  to the  optional
redemption  provisions described in  the "Schedules of  Investments" and in most
cases pursuant to sinking fund, special or extraordinary redemption  provisions.
A  bond  subject to  optional  call is  one which  is  subject to  redemption or
refunding prior to maturity at the option of the issuer. A refunding is a method
by which a bond issue is redeemed, at  or before maturity, by the proceeds of  a
new  bond  issue. A  bond subject  to sinking  fund redemption  is one  which is
subject to  partial call  from time  to time  from a  fund accumulated  for  the
scheduled  retirement of  a portion  of an issue  prior to  maturity. Special or
extraordinary redemption  provisions may  provide  for redemption  of all  or  a
portion  of an  issue upon  the occurrence  of certain  circumstances related to
defaults or unanticipated changes  in circumstances. Events  that may permit  or
require  the special or extraordinary redemption of bonds include, among others:
substantial damage to or  destruction of the project  for which the proceeds  of
the  bonds were used; exercise by a local, state or federal governmental unit of
its power of eminent domain to take all or substantially all of the project  for
which  the  proceeds of  the bonds  were  used; a  final determination  that the
interest on the bonds  is taxable; changes in  the economic availability of  raw
materials,  operating supplies or  facilities or technological  or other changes
which render the operation of  the project for which  the proceeds of the  bonds
were  used uneconomical; changes in law  or an administrative or judicial decree
which render the performance  of the agreement under  which the proceeds of  the
bonds  were made  available to  finance the  project impossible  or which create
unreasonable burdens or which impose  excessive liabilities, such as taxes,  not
imposed  on the date the bonds are issued on the issuer of the bonds or the user
of the  proceeds  of the  bonds;  an  administrative or  judicial  decree  which
requires  the cessation of a  substantial part of the  operations of the project
financed with the proceeds of the bonds;
 
                                      A-8
<PAGE>
an overestimate of the costs of the project to be financed with the proceeds  of
the  bonds resulting in excess proceeds which may be applied to redeem bonds; or
an underestimate of  a source of  funds securing the  bonds resulting in  excess
funds which may be applied to redeem bonds. The Sponsor is unable to predict all
of  the circumstances which may result in  such redemption of an issue of Bonds.
See the discussion of the various  types of bond issues, above, for  information
on  the  call  provisions of  such  bonds, particularly  single  family mortgage
revenue bonds.
 
    The exercise of redemption or call provisions will (except to the extent the
proceeds of the called Bonds are used to pay for Unit redemptions) result in the
distribution of  principal  and may  result  in a  reduction  in the  amount  of
subsequent  interest distributions;  it may  also affect  the current  return on
Units of the Trust involved. Redemption pursuant to optional call provisions  is
more  likely to  occur, and  redemption pursuant to  sinking fund  or special or
extraordinary redemption provisions may occur,  when the Bonds have an  offering
side  evaluation which  represents a  premium over  par. Redemption  pursuant to
optional call provisions  may be,  and redemption  pursuant to  sinking fund  or
special or extraordinary redemption provisions is likely to be, at a price equal
to the par value of the bonds without any premium (in the case of original issue
discount  bonds, such redemption is generally to be made at the issue price plus
the amount of original issue discount  accreted to the date of redemption;  such
price  is referred to herein  as "accreted value"). Because  Bonds may have been
valued at prices above or below par value or the then current accreted value  at
the  time Units were  purchased, Unitholders may  realize gain or  loss upon the
redemption of portfolio  Bonds. (See Sections  11 and 13  and the "Schedules  of
Investments.")
 
    CERTAIN  TAX  MATTERS;  LITIGATION.   Certain  of  the Bonds  in  each Trust
portfolio may be subject  to continuing requirements such  as the actual use  of
bond proceeds, manner of operation of the project financed from bond proceeds or
rebate  of excess  earnings on  bond proceeds that  may affect  the exemption of
interest on such  Bonds from Federal  income taxation. Although  at the time  of
issuance  of each  of the  Bonds in each  Trust an  opinion of  bond counsel was
rendered as to the exemption of interest on such obligations from Federal income
taxation, and the issuers covenanted  to comply with all requirements  necessary
to retain the tax-exempt status of the Bonds, there can be no assurance that the
respective  issuers  or  other obligors  on  such obligations  will  fulfill the
various continuing  requirements  established  upon issuance  of  the  Bonds.  A
failure to comply with such requirements may cause a determination that interest
on  such  obligations  is  subject  to  Federal  income  taxation,  perhaps even
retroactively from the  date of  issuance of  such Bonds,  thereby reducing  the
value of the Bonds and subjecting Unitholders to unanticipated tax liabilities.
 
    To  the best knowledge of the Sponsor,  there is no litigation pending as of
the Date of Deposit in respect of  any Bonds which might reasonably be  expected
to  have a  material adverse effect  on any of  the Trusts. It  is possible that
after the Date of Deposit, litigation may be initiated with respect to Bonds  in
any  Trust. Any  such litigation may  affect the  validity of such  Bonds or the
tax-exempt nature of the interest thereon,  but while the outcome of  litigation
of  such nature can never be entirely predicted, the opinions of bond counsel to
the issuer of  each Bond  on the  date of issuance  state that  such Bonds  were
validly issued and that the interest thereon is, to the extent indicated, exempt
from Federal income tax.
 
                                      A-9
<PAGE>
5.  WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?
 
INSURANCE ON BONDS IN INSURED TRUSTS
 
Insurance  guaranteeing  the  timely payment,  when  due, of  all  principal and
interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust has been obtained by the Sponsor  or
by  the  issuers or  underwriters  of Bonds  from  the Municipal  Bond Investors
Assurance Corporation (the "Insurer"). Some of  the Bonds in each Insured  Trust
may  be covered by a policy or policies  of insurance obtained by the issuers or
underwriters of  the  Bonds  from  Municipal  Bond  Insurance  Association  (the
"Association") or Bond Investors Guaranty Insurance Company ("BIG"). The Insurer
has  issued a policy or policies of insurance  covering each of the Bonds in the
Insured Trusts, each policy to remain in force until the payment in full of such
Bonds and whether or not the Bonds continue  to be held by an Insured Trust.  By
the  terms  of each  policy the  Insurer will  unconditionally guarantee  to the
holders or owners of the Bonds the payment, when due, required of the issuer  of
the  Bonds of an amount equal  to the principal of and  interest on the Bonds as
such payments shall become due but not be paid (except that in the event of  any
acceleration  of the due  date of principal  by reason of  mandatory or optional
redemption, default or otherwise, the payments  guaranteed will be made in  such
amounts  and  at  such times  as  would have  been  due  had there  not  been an
acceleration). The  Insurer will  be  responsible for  such payments,  less  any
amounts  received by the holders or owners of the Bonds from any trustee for the
bond issuers or  from any other  sources other than  the Insurer. The  Insurer's
policies  relating to small  industrial development bonds  and pollution control
revenue bonds also guarantee the full and complete payments required to be  made
by  or on behalf  of an issuer  of Bonds pursuant  to the terms  of the Bonds if
there occurs an event which results in the loss of the tax-exempt status of  the
interest  on such Bonds,  including principal, interest  or premium payments, if
any, as and when thereby required. The Insurer has indicated that its  insurance
policies  do not insure the payment of  principal or interest on bonds which are
not required to be paid by the issuer thereof because the bonds were not validly
issued; as  indicated  under  "What  is the  Tax  Status  of  Unitholders?"  the
respective  issuing authorities have received  opinions of bond counsel relating
to the valid issuance of each of the Bonds in the Insured Trusts. The  Insurer's
policy  also does not insure against non-payment  of principal of or interest on
the Bonds resulting from the insolvency, negligence or any other act or omission
of the trustee or other paying agent for the Bonds. The policy is not covered by
the Property/ Casualty Insurance  Security Fund specified in  Article 76 of  the
New  York  Insurance Law.  The policies  are  non-cancellable and  the insurance
premiums have been fully paid on or prior to the Date of Deposit, either by  the
Sponsor or, if a policy has been obtained by a Bond issuer, by such issuer.
 
    Upon  notification from  the trustee  for any bond  issuer or  any holder or
owner of the Bonds or coupons that such trustee or paying agent has insufficient
funds to pay any  principal or interest  in full when due,  the Insurer will  be
obligated  to deposit funds  promptly with State Street  Bank and Trust Company,
N.A., New York, New York, as fiscal  agent for the Insurer, sufficient to  fully
cover the deficit. If notice of nonpayment is received on or after the due date,
the  Insurer will provide for payment  within one business day following receipt
of the notice. Upon payment  by the Insurer of  any Bonds, coupons, or  interest
payments,  the Insurer shall succeed  to the rights of  the owner of such Bonds,
coupons or interest payments with respect thereto.
 
    The Insurer is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA, Inc., a New  York
Stock  Exchange listed company. MBIA, Inc. is  not obligated to pay the debts of
or claims against the  Insurer. The Insurer is  a limited liability  corporation
rather  than a  several liability association.  The Insurer is  domiciled in the
State of New York and licensed to do business in all 50 states, the District  of
Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
 
                                      A-10
<PAGE>
    As  of December  31, 1993  the Insurer had  admitted assets  of $3.1 billion
(audited), total liabilities of  $2.1 billion (audited),  and total capital  and
surplus  of  $978  million  (audited) determined  in  accordance  with statutory
accounting  practices   prescribed   or  permitted   by   insurance   regulatory
authorities.  As  of June  30, 1994,  the  Insurer had  admitted assets  of $3.3
billion (unaudited), total  liabilities of $2.2  billion (unaudited), and  total
capital  and surplus of  $1.1 billion (unaudited)  determined in accordance with
statutory accounting practices prescribed  or permitted by insurance  regulatory
authorities.  Copies of the Insurer's year  end financial statements prepared in
accordance with statutory accounting practices  are available from the  Insurer.
The address of the Insurer is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504.
 
    Each  insurance company comprising the Association will be severally and not
jointly obligated  under  the Association  policy  in the  following  respective
percentages:  The  AEtna  Casualty  and  Surety  Company,  33%;  Fireman's  Fund
Insurance Company, 30%;  The Travelers Indemnity  Company, 15%; AEtna  Insurance
Company  (now  known  as CIGNA  Property  and  Casualty Company),  12%;  and The
Continental Insurance Company, 10%.  As a several  obligor, each such  insurance
company  will be  obligated only to  the extent  of its percentage  of any claim
under the  Association  policy and  will  not be  obligated  to pay  any  unpaid
obligation  of any  other member  of the  Association. Each  insurance company's
participation is backed by all of its assets. However, each insurance company is
a multiline insurer involved in several lines of insurance other than  municipal
bond  insurance, and the assets of each insurance company also secure all of its
other insurance policy and surety bond obligations.
 
    The following table sets forth certain unaudited financial information  with
respect  to  the  five  insurance  companies  comprising  the  Association.  The
statistics, which have been furnished by the Association, are as reported by the
insurance  companies  to  the  New  York  State  Insurance  Department  and  are
determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles. No representation
is  made herein as to the accuracy or  adequacy of such information or as to the
absence of material adverse changes in  such information subsequent to the  date
thereof.  In addition,  these numbers  are subject to  revision by  the New York
State Insurance Department which, if revised, could either increase or  decrease
the amounts.
 
                      MUNICIPAL BOND INSURANCE ASSOCIATION
      FIVE MEMBER COMPANIES ASSETS AND POLICYHOLDERS' SURPLUS (UNAUDITED)
                              AS OF JUNE 30, 1994.
                                (000'S OMITTED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NEW YORK         NEW YORK         NEW YORK
                                                              STATUTORY        STATUTORY     POLICYHOLDERS'
                                                               ASSETS         LIABILITIES       SURPLUS
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
<S>                                                        <C>              <C>              <C>
The AEtna Casualty & Surety Company......................  $    10,169,558  $     8,299,548   $  1,870,010
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.........................        6,751,350        4,893,824      1,857,526
The Travelers Indemnity Company..........................       10,246,669        8,486,034      1,760,635
CIGNA Property and Casualty Company (formerly AEtna
  Insurance Company).....................................        4,992,242        4,924,356         67,886
The Continental Insurance Company........................        2,712,535        2,351,467        361,068
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
        Total............................................  $    34,872,354  $    28,955,229   $  5,917,125
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
    Standard   &  Poor's  Corporation  rates  all  new  issues  insured  by  the
Association "AAA" Prime Grade.
 
    Moody's Investors Service rates all  bond issues insured by the  Association
"Aaa"  and  short term  loans  "MIG 1",  both designated  to  be of  the highest
quality.
 
                                      A-11
<PAGE>
    Each such rating should be evaluated  independently of any other rating.  No
application  has  been  made to  any  other  rating agency  in  order  to obtain
additional ratings  on the  Bonds.  The ratings  reflect the  respective  rating
agency's  current assessment of the creditworthiness  of the Association and its
ability to pay claims on its  policies of insurance. Any further explanation  as
to  the  significance  of  the  above ratings  may  be  obtained  only  from the
applicable rating agency.
 
    Moody's Investors Service rates all bond issues insured by the Insurer "Aaa"
and short-term loans "MIG 1," both designated to be of the highest quality.
 
    Standard & Poor's  Ratings Group,  a division  of McGraw  Hill ("Standard  &
Poor's") rates all new issues insured by the Insurer "AAA" Prime Grade."
 
    The  Moody's Investors  Service rating  of the  Insurer should  be evaluated
independently of the  Standard & Poor's  Corporation rating of  the Insurer.  No
application  has  been  made to  any  other  rating agency  in  order  to obtain
additional ratings  on the  Bonds.  The ratings  reflect the  respective  rating
agency's  current  assessment of  the creditworthiness  of  the Insurer  and its
ability to  pay  claims  on  its policies  of  insurance  (See  "Description  of
Ratings.")  Any further explanation as to  the significance of the above ratings
may be obtained only from the applicable rating agency.
 
    The above ratings are  not recommendations to buy,  sell or hold the  Bonds,
and  such ratings may  be subject to revision  or withdrawal at  any time by the
rating agencies. Any downward revision or  withdrawal of either or both  ratings
may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Bonds.
 
    Because  the insurance on the  Bonds will be effective  so long as the Bonds
are outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining  the
market  value  of  the  Bonds  and therefore  some  value  attributable  to such
insurance will be included in the value of the Units of the Insured Trusts.  The
insurance  does not, however, guarantee the market  value of the Bonds or of the
Units.
 
INSURANCE ON CERTAIN BONDS IN TRADITIONAL TRUSTS
 
    Insurance guaranteeing the timely  payment, when due,  of all principal  and
interest  on certain Bonds in a Traditional  Trust may have been obtained by the
Sponsor, issuer or underwriter  of the particular Bonds  involved or by  another
party.  Such insurance, which  provides coverage substantially  the same as that
obtained with  respect  to  Bonds  in Insured  Trusts  as  described  above,  is
effective  so long as the insured Bond is outstanding and the insurer remains in
business. Insurance relates  only to the  particular Bond and  not to the  Units
offered hereby or to their market value. Insured Bonds have received a rating of
"Aaa"  by  Moody's Investors  Service, Inc.  and/or "AAA"  by Standard  & Poor's
Corporation in recognition of such insurance.
 
    If a Bond  in a Traditional  Trust is insured,  the Schedule of  Investments
will identify the insurer. Such insurance will be provided by Financial Guaranty
Insurance   Company  ("FGIC"),  AMBAC   Indemnity  Corporation  ("AMBAC"),  Bond
Investors Guaranty  Insurance  Company, now  known  as MBIA  Corp.  of  Illinois
("BIG"),   Capital  Guaranty  Insurance  Company  ("CGIC"),  Financial  Security
Assurance,   Inc.   ("FSA"),   Municipal   Bond   Insurance   Association   (the
"Association"),  Municipal  Bond  Investors  Assurance  Corporation  ("MBIA") or
Connie Lee Insurance Company  ("ConnieLee"). The Sponsor  to date has  purchased
and  presently intends  to purchase  insurance for  Bonds in  Traditional Trusts
exclusively from MBIA (see the  preceding disclosure regarding MBIA). There  can
be  no assurance  that any insurer  listed therein  will be able  to satisfy its
commitments in the
 
                                      A-12
<PAGE>
event claims are made in the future. However, Standard & Poor's Corporation  has
rated  the claims-paying  ability of each  insurer "AAA,"  and Moody's Investors
Service has rated  all bonds  insured by  each such  insurer, except  ConnieLee,
"Aaa."  Moody's  Investor's  Service  gives  no  ratings  for  bonds  insured by
ConnieLee.
 
    Because any such insurance  will be effective so  long as the insured  Bonds
are  outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining the
market value  of  such Bonds  and  therefore  some value  attributable  to  such
insurance  will be included in the value of the Units of the Trust that includes
such Bonds. The insurance does not,  however, guarantee the market value of  the
Bonds or of the Units.
 
6.  HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?
 
The  Public Offering Price of the Units of  each Trust is equal to the Trustee's
determination of the aggregate  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds deposited  therein
(minus  any  advancement to  the  principal account  of  the Trust  made  by the
Trustee) plus a sales charge of 5.152%  of the aggregate offering prices in  the
case  of National and State  Trusts, 4.439% of the  aggregate offering prices in
the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 4.058% of the aggregate offering prices in
the case of Intermediate Trusts, 3.093% of the aggregate offering prices in  the
case of Short Intermediate Trusts and 2.564% of the aggregate offering prices in
the  case of Short  Term Trusts, in each  case adding to  the total thereof cash
held by the Trust,  if any, and dividing  the sum so obtained  by the number  of
Units  outstanding in the Trust. This  computation produces a gross underwriting
profit equal to 4.90% of the Public  Offering Price in the case of National  and
State  Trusts,  4.25%  of  the  Public  Offering  Price  in  the  case  of  Long
Intermediate Trusts,  3.90%  of  the  Public  Offering  Price  in  the  case  of
Intermediate  Trusts, 3.00% of  the Public Offering  Price in the  case of Short
Intermediate Trusts and 2.50% of the Public Offering Price in the case of  Short
Term Trusts.
 
    The  sales charge applicable to quantity purchases is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales to any  purchaser of at least $50,000  or 500 Units and will  be
applied  on whichever basis is more favorable  to the purchaser. For purposes of
calculating the applicable  sales charge,  purchasers who  have indicated  their
intent  to purchase a specified amount of Units of any Trust described herein in
the primary offering period  or units of any  other series of Nuveen  Tax-Exempt
Unit  Trusts in the primary offering period by executing and delivering a letter
of intent to the Sponsor, which letter of intent must be in a form acceptable to
the Sponsor  and shall  have a  maximum  duration of  thirteen months,  will  be
eligible  to receive  a reduced  sales charge  according to  the following table
based on the amount of intended  aggregate purchases as expressed in the  letter
of  intent. By  establishing a  letter of intent,  a Unitholder  agrees that the
first purchase of Units following the execution of such letter of intent will be
at least 5% of the total amount of the intended aggregate purchases expressed in
such Unitholder's letter of  intent. Further, through  the establishment of  the
letter of intent, such Unitholder agrees that units representing 5% of the total
amount  of the intended purchases will be  held in escrow by United States Trust
Company of New York pending completion of these purchases. All distributions  on
units  held in escrow  will be credited  to such Unitholder's  account. If total
purchases prior to the expiration of the letter of intent period equal or exceed
the amount  specified in  a Unitholder's  letter of  intent, the  units held  in
escrow  will be transferred to such Unitholder's account. If the total purchases
are less than the amount specified, the Unitholder involved must pay the Sponsor
an amount equal to the difference  between the amounts paid for these  purchases
and  the amounts which would have been paid  if the higher sales charge had been
applied. If such Unitholder  does not pay the  additional amount within 20  days
after   written  request   by  the   Sponsor  or   the  Unitholder's  securities
representative, the Sponsor will instruct  the Trustee to redeem an  appropriate
number  of the escrowed  units to meet  the required payment.  By establishing a
letter of intent, a Unitholder irrevocably  appoints the Sponsor as attorney  to
 
                                      A-13
<PAGE>
give instructions to redeem any or all of such Unitholder's escrowed units, with
full  power  of substitution  in the  premises. A  Unitholder or  his securities
representative must notify the Sponsor whenever such Unitholder makes a purchase
of Units that he wishes to be counted towards the intended amount. Sales charges
during the primary offering period are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         NATIONAL AND STATE      LONG INTERMEDIATE
                                                               TRUSTS                  TRUSTS           INTERMEDIATE TRUSTS
                                                       ----------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
                                                         PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT
                                                           OF        OF NET        OF        OF NET        OF        OF NET
                                                        OFFERING     AMOUNT     OFFERING     AMOUNT     OFFERING     AMOUNT
                  NUMBER OF UNITS*                        PRICE     INVESTED      PRICE     INVESTED      PRICE     INVESTED
- -----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
Less than 500........................................        4.90%      5.152%       4.25%      4.439%       3.90%      4.058%
500 but less than 1,000..............................        4.75       4.987        4.15       4.330        3.70       3.842
1,000 but less than 2,500............................        4.50       4.712        3.85       4.004        3.50       3.627
2,500 but less than 5,000............................        4.25       4.439        3.60       3.734        3.25       3.359
5,000 but less than 10,000...........................        3.50       3.627        3.35       3.466        3.00       3.093
10,000 but less than 25,000..........................        3.00       3.093        3.00       3.093        2.75       2.828
25,000 but less than 50,000..........................        2.50       2.564        2.50       2.564        2.50       2.564
50,000 or more.......................................        2.00       2.041        2.00       2.041        2.00       2.041
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SHORT INTERMEDIATE
                                                               TRUSTS            SHORT TERM TRUSTS
                                                       ----------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
                                                         PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT
                                                           OF        OF NET        OF        OF NET
                                                        OFFERING     AMOUNT     OFFERING     AMOUNT
                  NUMBER OF UNITS*                        PRICE     INVESTED      PRICE     INVESTED
- -----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
Less than 500........................................        3.00%      3.093%       2.50%      2.564%
500 but less than 1,000..............................        2.80       2.881        2.30       2.354
1,000 but less than 2,500............................        2.60       2.670        2.10       2.145
2,500 but less than 5,000............................        2.35       2.407        1.85       1.885
5,000 but less than 10,000...........................        2.10       2.145        1.60       1.626
10,000 but less than 25,000..........................        1.85       1.885        1.35       1.368
25,000 but less than 50,000..........................        1.80       1.833        1.25       1.266
50,000 or more.......................................        1.50       1.523        1.15       1.163
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint sales charges are computed both on  a dollar basis and on the  basis
 of the number of Units purchased, using the equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000,
 2,500  Units to $250,000 etc., and will be  applied on that basis which is more
 favorable to the purchaser.
 
    For "secondary market"  sales the  Public Offering  Price per  Unit of  each
Trust is determined by adding to the Trustee's determination of the BID price of
each  Bond in the Trust  a sales charge determined  in accordance with the table
set forth below based upon the number of years remaining to the maturity of each
such Bond, adjusting  the total to  reflect the amount  of any cash  held in  or
advanced  to the principal account  of the Trust and  dividing the result by the
number of Units then outstanding. For  purposes of this calculation, Bonds  will
be  deemed to mature on  their stated maturity dates  unless: (a) the Bonds have
been called for redemption or funds or securities have been placed in escrow  to
redeem  them on  an earlier  call date, in  which case  such call  date shall be
deemed to be the date upon which they mature; or (b) such Bonds are subject to a
"mandatory put," in which case such mandatory put date shall be deemed to be the
date upon  which  they  mature.  Any assumptions  regarding  maturity  made  for
purposes  of  determining the  appropriate  sales charge  in  no way  predict or
guarantee the actual remaining life of a given Trust.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Trustee may terminate a Trust if
the net asset value of such Trust, as shown by any evaluation, is less than  20%
of  the  original principal  amount of  the  Trust. In  the course  of regularly
appraising the  value  of Bonds  in  each Trust,  the  Sponsor will  attempt  to
estimate  the date on which a Trust's value  will fall below the 20% level based
on anticipated bond events over a five year period, including maturities, escrow
calls and  current  calls or  refundings,  assuming certain  market  rates.  The
Sponsor  intends from time to time to recommend that certain Trusts whose values
 
                                      A-14
<PAGE>
have fallen or are anticipated to fall  below the 20% level be terminated  based
on  certain criteria which  could adversely affect  the Trust's diversification.
Once the Sponsor has determined that a  Trust's value has or may fall below  the
20%  level within a five-year period, for purposes of computing the sales charge
using the table set forth below, the maturity of each bond in such Trust will be
deemed to be the earlier of the estimated termination date of the Trust, or  the
actual  date used  when pricing the  bond under  Municipal Securities Rulemaking
Board rules and interpretations issued thereunder.
 
    The effect of this method of sales charge calculation will be that different
sales charge rates will  be applied to  the various Bonds  in a Trust  portfolio
based  upon  the maturities  of  such Bonds,  in  accordance with  the following
schedule. As  shown, the  sales charge  on  Bonds in  each maturity  range  (and
therefore the aggregate sales charge on the purchase) is reduced with respect to
purchases of at least $50,000 or 500 Units:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  AMOUNT OF PURCHASE*
                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
                                            $50,000     $100,000     $250,000     $500,000     $1,000,000     $2,500,000
                                UNDER         TO           TO           TO           TO            TO             TO
YEARS TO MATURITY              $50,000      $99,999     $249,999     $499,999     $999,999     $2,499,999     $4,999,999
- ---------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------
Less than 1................           0            0            0            0            0             0              0
1 but less than 2..........       1.523%       1.446%       1.369%       1.317%       1.215%        1.061%          .900%
2 but less than 3..........       2.041        1.937        1.833        1.729        1.626         1.420          1.225
3 but less than 4..........       2.564        2.433        2.302        2.175        2.041         1.781          1.546
4 but less than 5..........       3.093        2.961        2.828        2.617        2.459         2.175          1.883
5 but less than 7..........       3.627        3.433        3.239        3.093        2.881         2.460          2.165
7 but less than 10.........       4.167        3.951        3.734        3.520        3.239         2.828          2.489
10 but less than 13........       4.712        4.467        4.221        4.004        3.788         3.253          2.842
13 but less than 16........       5.263        4.988        4.712        4.439        4.167         3.627          3.169
16 or more.................       5.820        5.542        5.263        4.987        4.603         4.004          3.500
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                          <C>
 
                              $5,000,000
YEARS TO MATURITY               OR MORE
- ---------------------------  -------------
Less than 1................            0
1 but less than 2..........         .750%
2 but less than 3..........        1.030
3 but less than 4..........        1.310
4 but less than 5..........        1.590
5 but less than 7..........        1.870
7 but less than 10.........        2.150
10 but less than 13........        2.430
13 but less than 16........        2.710
16 or more.................        3.000
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint  sales charges are computed both on a dollar basis and on the basis
  of the  number  of Units  purchased,  using the  equivalent  of 500  Units  to
  $50,000,  2,500 Units  to $250,000,  etc., and will  be applied  on that basis
  which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The secondary market sales charges above  are expressed as a percent of  the
net  amount invested; expressed as  a percent of the  Public Offering Price, the
maximum sales charge on  any Trust, including one  consisting entirely of  Bonds
with  16 years  or more to  maturity, would be  5.50% (5.820% of  the net amount
invested). For purposes of illustration, the sales charge on a Trust  consisting
entirely  of Bonds maturing  in 13 to  16 years would  be 5% (5.263%  of the net
amount invested); that on a Trust consisting entirely of Bonds maturing in  five
to  seven years would be 3.5% (3.627% of the net amount invested); and that on a
Trust consisting entirely of Bonds maturing in three to four years would be 2.5%
(2.564% of the net  amount invested). The actual  secondary market sales  charge
included in the Public Offering Price of any particular Trust will depend on the
maturities of the Bonds in the portfolio of such Trust.
 
    At  all  times while  Units are  being  offered for  sale, the  Sponsor will
appraise or cause to  be appraised daily  the value of  the underlying Bonds  in
each  Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each day on which the New York Stock
Exchange (the "Exchange") is normally open  and will adjust the Public  Offering
Price  of the Units commensurate with such appraisal. Such Public Offering Price
will be effective for all orders received by a dealer or the Sponsor at or prior
to 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each such day. Orders received after that time,  or
on a day when the Exchange is closed for a scheduled holiday or weekend, will be
held until the next determination of price.
 
    As  more fully set forth  in Section 8, accrued  interest from the preceding
Record Date to, but not including, the settlement date of the transaction  (five
business  days after  purchase) will  be added to  the Public  Offering Price to
determine the purchase price of Units.
 
                                      A-15
<PAGE>
   
    The above graduated sales charges will apply on all applicable purchases  of
Nuveen investment company securities on any one day by the same purchaser in the
amounts stated, and for this purpose purchases of this Series will be aggregated
with  concurrent purchases  of any  other Series  or of  shares of  any open-end
management investment company of which the Sponsor is principal underwriter  and
with respect to the purchase of which a sales charge is imposed.
    
 
    Purchases  by or for the account of an  individual and his or her spouse and
children under 21 years  of age will be  aggregated to determine the  applicable
sales  charge. The graduated sales  charges are also applicable  to a trustee or
other fiduciary  purchasing  securities for  a  single trust  estate  or  single
fiduciary account.
 
    Units  may be purchased at the Public  Offering Price without a sales charge
by officers or directors and by bona fide, full-time employees of Nuveen, Nuveen
Advisory Corp., Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. and The John Nuveen Company,
including in each case these individuals and their immediate family members  (as
defined above).
 
   
    Units  may be  purchased in  the primary or  secondary market  at the Public
Offering Price for  non-breakpoint purchases  minus the  concession the  Sponsor
typically  allows  to  brokers  and dealers  for  non-breakpoint  purchases (see
Section 17)  by  investors  who purchase  Units  through  registered  investment
advisers, certified financial planners and registered broker-dealers who in each
case  either charge periodic fees for financial planning, investment advisory or
asset management  services, or  provide  such services  in connection  with  the
establishment  of an  investment account  for which  a comprehensive  "wrap fee"
charge is imposed, and by bank trust departments investing funds over which they
exercise exclusive discretionary  investment authority  and that are  held in  a
fiduciary,  agency,  custodial or  similar  capacity. Investors  and  bank trust
departments purchasing Units through this program will not receive sales  charge
reductions for quantity purchases.
    
   
    The  initial or primary Public Offering Price  of the Units in each Trust is
based upon a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices per Unit of the Bonds in such
Trust plus the  applicable sales  charge. The secondary  market Public  Offering
Price of each Trust is based upon a pro rata share of the BID prices per Unit of
the Bonds in such Trust plus the applicable sales charge. The OFFERING prices of
Bonds in a Trust may be expected to average approximately 1% to 2% more than the
BID  prices of such Bonds  in the case of  National, Long Intermediate and State
Trusts, 3/4%  to 1  1/2% in  the  case of  Intermediate and  Short  Intermediate
Trusts,  and  1/2% to  3/4% in  the case  of Short  Term Trusts.  The difference
between the bid side evaluation and the offering side evaluation of the Bonds in
each Trust on  the business day  prior to the  Date of Deposit  is shown in  the
discussion of each Trust portfolio.
    
 
    Whether  or not Units are being offered for sale, the Sponsor will determine
the aggregate value of each Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time: (i) on each June
30 or December 31 (or, if such date is not a business day, the last business day
prior thereto), (ii) on any day on  which a Unit is tendered for redemption  (or
the  next succeeding business day  if the date of  tender is a non-business day)
and (iii) at such other times as may be necessary. For this purpose, a "business
day" shall be any day on which the Exchange is normally open. (See Section 16.)
 
7.  MARKET FOR UNITS
 
During the  initial public  offering period,  the Sponsor  intends to  offer  to
purchase  Units of each  Trust at a price  equivalent to the  pro rata share per
Unit of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such Trust (plus accrued  interest).
Afterward,  although  it is  not  obligated to  do  so, the  Sponsor  intends to
maintain a secondary  market for  Units of  each Trust  at its  own expense  and
continuously  to offer  to purchase  Units of each  Trust at  prices, subject to
change at  any time,  which  are based  upon  the BID  prices  of Bonds  in  the
respective
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>
portfolios  of the Trusts. If the  supply of Units of any  of the Trusts of this
Series exceeds  demand, or  for  some other  business  reason, the  Sponsor  may
discontinue  purchases of  Units of such  Trust at such  prices. UNITHOLDERS WHO
WISH TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNITS SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE TRUSTEE OR THEIR BROKER  AS
TO  THE  CURRENT  REDEMPTION PRICE  (SEE  SECTION  19). In  connection  with its
secondary marketmaking activities, the Sponsor may from time to time enter  into
secondary  market  joint  account  agreements with  other  brokers  and dealers.
Pursuant to such an agreement the Sponsor will purchase Units from the broker or
dealer at the bid price and will place the Units into a joint account managed by
the Sponsor; sales from  the account will  be made in  accordance with the  then
current  prospectus and the Sponsor and the  broker or dealer will share profits
and losses in  the joint account  in accordance  with the terms  of their  joint
account agreement.
 
    Certificates,  if any, for Units are  delivered to the purchaser as promptly
after the date of settlement (five business days after purchase) as the  Trustee
can  complete the mechanics of registration. Normally, Certificates, if any, are
mailed by  the  Trustee within  48  hours after  registration  instructions  are
received.  Purchasers of Units to whom Certificates are issued will be unable to
exercise any right of redemption until they have received their Certificates  as
tender of the Certificate, properly endorsed for transfer. (See Section 19.)
 
    Each  Unit of  each respective  Trust initially  offered by  this Prospectus
represents that fractional  undivided interest  in such  Trust as  is set  forth
under "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts." To the extent that any Units
of  any Trust are  redeemed by the  Trustee, the aggregate  value of the Trust's
assets will decrease  by the amount  paid to the  redeeming Unitholder, but  the
fractional  undivided  interest  of  each unredeemed  Unit  in  such  Trust will
increase proportionately.  The Sponsor  will initially,  and from  time to  time
thereafter, hold Units in connection with their offering.
 
8.  WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?
 
Accrued  interest is the accumulation of unpaid interest on a bond from the last
day on which  interest thereon  was paid.  Interest on  Bonds in  each Trust  is
accounted  for daily on an accrual basis. For this reason, the purchase price of
Units of a Trust will  include not only the Public  Offering Price but also  the
proportionate  share of  accrued interest  to the  date of  settlement. Interest
accrues to the  benefit of Unitholders  commencing with the  settlement date  of
their purchase transaction.
 
    Accrued interest does not include accrual of original issue discount on zero
coupon  bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount bonds. (See
"Summary of Portfolios--General Trust Information"  and "What Is The Tax  Status
of Unitholders.")
 
    In  an effort to reduce the amount  of accrued interest that investors would
have to pay in addition to the Public Offering Price, the Trustee has agreed  to
advance  to each Trust the amount of accrued interest due on the Bonds as of the
Date of Deposit (which has been designated  the first Record Date for all  plans
of  distribution). This  accrued interest  will be  paid to  the Sponsor  as the
holder of record of  all Units on  the Date of  Deposit. Consequently, when  the
Sponsor  sells Units of a  Trust, the amount of accrued  interest to be added to
the Public Offering Price to determine the  purchase price of the Units of  such
Trust  purchased by an investor will include only accrued interest from the Date
of Deposit  to, but  not including,  the date  of settlement  of the  investor's
purchase  (five business days  after purchase), less  any distributions from the
related Interest Account.  The Trustee  will recover  its advancements  (without
interest  or  other cost  to the  Trusts)  from interest  received on  the Bonds
deposited in each Trust.
 
    The Trustee has no  cash for distribution to  Unitholders until it  receives
interest  payments on the Bonds in the  Trusts. Since municipal bond interest is
accrued daily but  paid only  semi-annually, during  the initial  months of  the
Trusts, the Interest Accounts,
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>
consisting  of accrued but  uncollected interest and  collected interest (cash),
will be predominantly the uncollected accrued interest that is not available for
distribution. However, due to advances by the Trustee, the Trustee will  provide
a  first distribution  between approximately  30 and 60  days after  the Date of
Deposit. Assuming  each Trust  retains  its original  size and  composition  and
expenses  and fees  remain the same,  annual interest  collected and distributed
will approximate  the  estimated  Net  Annual  Interest  Income  stated  herein.
However,  the amount of  accrued interest at  any point in  time will be greater
than the amount that the Trustee will have actually received and distributed  to
the Unitholders. Therefore, there will always remain an item of accrued interest
that is included in the Purchase Price and the redemption price of the Units.
 
    Interest  is accounted  for daily and  a proportionate share  of accrued and
undistributed interest computed from the preceding  Record Date is added to  the
daily  valuation of each Unit  of each Trust. (See Sections  3 and 13.) As Bonds
mature, or are redeemed or sold,  the accrued interest applicable to such  bonds
is  collected and subsequently distributed  to Unitholders. Unitholders who sell
or redeem all or a portion of their Units will be paid their proportionate share
of the remaining accrued interest to, but not including, the fifth business  day
following the date of sale or tender.
 
9.  WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?
 
The  Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to the
investor earned over the  estimated life of the  Trust. The Estimated Long  Term
Return represents an average of the yields to maturity (or call) of the Bonds in
the  Trust's portfolio calculated in accordance  with accepted bond practice and
adjusted to reflect expenses  and sales charges.  Under accepted bond  practice,
tax-exempt  bonds are customarily offered to investors on a "yield price" basis,
which involves  computation of  yield to  maturity or  to an  earlier call  date
(whichever  produces the lower yield), and which takes into account not only the
interest payable  on the  bonds but  also  the amortization  or accretion  to  a
specified  date of any premium over or discount from the par (maturity) value in
the bond's  purchase  price. In  calculating  Estimated Long  Term  Return,  the
average  yield for  the Trust's  portfolio is  derived by  weighting each Bond's
yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining to the
date to which the Bond is priced. Once the average portfolio yield is  computed,
this  figure is then reduced to reflect estimated expenses and the effect of the
maximum  sales  charge  paid  by  investors.  The  Estimated  Long  Term  Return
calculation  does not take into account the effect of a first distribution which
may be less than a  regular distribution or may be  paid at some point after  30
days  (or a second distribution which may be less than a normal distribution for
Unitholders who choose quarterly or  semi-annual plans of distribution), and  it
also  does  not  take into  account  the  difference in  timing  of  payments to
Unitholders who choose quarterly or  semi-annual plans of distribution, each  of
which will reduce the return.
 
    Estimated  Current Return  is computed by  dividing the  Net Annual Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion of discount, if any, on the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
the Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
 
    Net Annual Interest  Income per  Unit, used to  calculate Estimated  Current
Return,  will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and the
Evaluator and with the redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds. A  Trust
may  experience expenses and  portfolio changes different  from those assumed in
the calculation of Estimated  Long Term Return. There  thus can be no  assurance
that the Estimated Current Returns or Estimated
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>
Long  Term Returns quoted herein will be  realized in the future. A Unitholder's
actual return may vary significantly from the Estimated Long-Term Return,  based
on  their holding period, market interest  rate changes, other factors affecting
the prices of  individual bonds in  the portfolio, and  differences between  the
expected  remaining life of portfolio  bonds and the actual  length of time that
they remain  in  the  Trust; such  actual  holding  periods may  be  reduced  by
termination  of  the  Trust,  as  described  in  "AMENDMENT  AND  TERMINATION OF
INDENTURE." Since both the Estimated Current Return and the Estimated Long  Term
Return  quoted herein are based  on the market value  of the underlying Bonds on
the business day prior to the Date of Deposit, subsequent calculations of  these
performance  measures  will  reflect  the  then  current  market  value  of  the
underlying Bonds and may be higher or lower.
 
    A portion of the  monies received by  a Trust may be  treated, in the  first
year  only, as a return of principal due to the inclusion in the Trust portfolio
of "when-issued"  or  other  Bonds  having delivery  dates  after  the  date  of
settlement  for purchases  made on  the Date of  Deposit. A  consequence of this
treatment is that in the computation  of Estimated Current Return for the  first
year, such monies are excluded from Net Annual Interest Income and treated as an
adjustment  to the Public Offering  Price. (See "Essential Information Regarding
the Trusts" and Sections 4 and 11.)
 
    For a statement of the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit under the monthly
plan of  distribution,  and Estimated  Long  Term Yield  and  Estimated  Current
Returns based on the Public Offering Prices of the Trusts in this Series, all as
of  the day prior to  the Date of Deposit,  see "Essential Information Regarding
the Trusts."
 
10.  HOW WAS THE PRICE OF THE BONDS DETERMINED AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT?
 
The prices at which the Bonds deposited in the Trusts would have been offered to
the public on the business day prior  to the Date of Deposit were determined  by
the  Trustee on the basis  of an evaluation of such  Bonds prepared by Kenny S&P
Evaluation Services, a  firm regularly  engaged in the  business of  evaluating,
quoting  or appraising comparable bonds. With respect to Bonds in Insured Trusts
and insured Bonds in Traditional Trusts, Kenny S&P Evaluation Services evaluated
the Bonds as so insured. (See Section 5).
 
    The amount by which  the Trustee's determination of  the OFFERING PRICES  of
the  Bonds deposited  in the Trusts  was greater or  less than the  cost of such
Bonds to  the  Sponsor was  PROFIT  OR LOSS  to  the Sponsor  exclusive  of  any
underwriting  profit.  (See Section  3.) The  Sponsor  also may  realize FURTHER
PROFIT OR  SUSTAIN  FURTHER LOSS  as  a result  of  fluctuations in  the  Public
Offering  Price of the Units. Cash, if  any, made available to the Sponsor prior
to the settlement date for a purchase  of Units, or prior to the acquisition  of
all  Portfolio securities by a Trust, may  be available for use in the Sponsor's
business, and may be of benefit to the Sponsor.
 
11.  WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?
 
At the  respective times  of issuance  of  the Bonds  opinions relating  to  the
validity  thereof and to  the exemption of interest  thereon from Federal income
tax were rendered  by bond  counsel to  the respective  issuing authorities.  In
addition,  with respect to  State Trusts, where applicable,  bond counsel to the
issuing authorities rendered opinions  as to the exemption  of interest on  such
Bonds,  when held by residents  of the state in which  the issuers of such Bonds
are located, from state income taxes and certain state or local intangibles  and
local  income taxes.  For a  discussion of  the tax  status of  State Trusts see
"Summary of  Portfolios--  Tax Status"  for  the respective  State  Trust.  (See
Sections  2 and 3.)  Neither the Sponsor  nor its counsel  have made any special
review for the Trusts of the proceedings  relating to the issuance of the  Bonds
or of the basis for the opinions rendered in connection therewith.
 
                                      A-19
<PAGE>
    Taxpayers  must  disclose  on  their  Federal  tax  returns  the  amount  of
tax-exempt  interest  earned  during  the  year.  Federally  tax-exempt  income,
including  income on Units  of the Trusts,  will be taken  into consideration in
computing the portion, if any, of social security benefits received that will be
included in a taxpayer's gross income subject to the Federal income tax.
 
    Gain realized on the sale or redemption of the Bonds by the Trustee or of  a
Unit  by  a Unitholder  is includable  in  gross income  for Federal  income tax
purposes, and may be  includable in gross income  for state tax purposes.  (Such
gain  does not include  any amounts received  in respect of  accrued interest or
accrued original  issue  discount,  if  any.) It  should  be  noted  that  under
provisions  of the Revenue Reconciliation Act  of 1993 (the "Tax Act") described
below that subject accretion of market discount on tax-exempt bonds to  taxation
as  ordinary income,  gain realized on  the sale  or redemption of  Bonds by the
Trustee or of Units by a Unitholder that would have been treated as capital gain
under prior law is treated as ordinary  income to the extent it is  attributable
to  accretion of market discount.  Market discount can arise  based on the price
the Trust pays  for the  Bonds or the  price a  Unitholder pays for  his or  her
Units.
 
    In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Counsel to the Sponsor, under existing
law:
 
    (1) the  Trusts  are not  associations taxable  as corporations  for Federal
        income tax purposes. Tax-exempt interest received by each of the  Trusts
        on  Bonds  deposited  therein  will  retain  its  status  as  tax-exempt
        interest, for Federal income tax  purposes, when received by the  Trusts
        and  when distributed  to the  Unitholders, except  that the alternative
        minimum tax and  environmental tax (the  "Superfund Tax") applicable  to
        corporate  Unitholders  may, in  certain  circumstances, include  in the
        amount on which  such taxes  are calculated  a portion  of the  interest
        income  received by  the Trust. See  "Certain Tax  Matters Applicable to
        Corporate Unitholders", below;
 
    (2) each Unitholder of a Trust is considered  to be the owner of a pro  rata
        portion  of such Trust under Subpart E, subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and will have a taxable event
        when the Trust  disposes of  a Bond or  when the  Unitholder redeems  or
        sells  Units. Unitholders must  reduce the tax basis  of their Units for
        their share of accrued interest received by the Trust, if any, on  Bonds
        delivered  after  the  date the  Unitholders  pay for  their  Units and,
        consequently, such Unitholders may have  an increase in taxable gain  or
        reduction  in capital loss  upon the disposition of  such Units. Gain or
        loss upon the sale or redemption  of Units is measured by comparing  the
        proceeds  of  such sale  or redemption  with the  adjusted basis  of the
        Units. If the  Trustee disposes of  Bonds (whether by  sale, payment  at
        maturity,  redemption or otherwise),  gain or loss  is recognized to the
        Unitholder. The amount of any such gain or loss is measured by comparing
        the Unitholder's  pro  rata  share  of  the  total  proceeds  from  such
        disposition  with  the  Unitholder's  basis for  his  or  her fractional
        interest in  the asset  disposed of.  In the  case of  a Unitholder  who
        purchases Units, such basis (before adjustment for earned original issue
        discount   and  amortized  bond  premium,   if  any)  is  determined  by
        apportioning the  cost of  the  Units among  each  of the  Trust  assets
        ratably  according to value as of the  date of acquisition of the Units.
        The  tax  cost   reduction  requirements  of   said  Code  relating   to
        amortization  of bond premium  may, under some  circumstances, result in
        the Unitholder realizing a taxable gain  when his or her Units are  sold
        or redeemed for an amount equal to their original cost; and
 
    (3) any  amounts paid on defaulted Bonds  held by the Trustee under policies
        of insurance issued with respect to  such Bonds will be excludable  from
        Federal  gross income if, and to the same extent as, such interest would
        have been so excludable if
 
                                      A-20
<PAGE>
        paid by the respective issuer provided  that, at the time such  policies
        are  purchased,  the  amounts  paid for  such  policies  are reasonable,
        customary and consistent with the reasonable expectation that the issuer
        of the bonds,  rather than  the insurer, will  pay debt  service on  the
        bonds. Paragraph (2) of this opinion is accordingly applicable to policy
        proceeds representing maturing interest.
 
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, counsel to the Trustee, and, in the
absence  of a New York Trust from the Series, special counsel for the Series for
New York tax matters, under existing law:
 
        Under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, each  Trust
    is  not an association taxable as a corporation and the income of each Trust
    will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.
 
    For a summary  of each opinion  of special counsel  to the respective  State
Trusts for state tax matters, see Section 3.
 
    ALL STATEMENTS IN THE PROSPECTUS CONCERNING EXEMPTION FROM FEDERAL, STATE OR
OTHER TAXES ARE THE OPINION OF COUNSEL AND ARE TO BE SO CONSTRUED.
 
    The  redemption of Units in a Trust by  a Unitholder would result in each of
the remaining Unitholders of said Trust owning a greater proportionate  interest
in  the remaining assets of  said Trust. Although present  law does not directly
address this matter, it  would appear reasonable  that a remaining  Unitholder's
tax  basis in his  Units would include  his proportionate share  of any proceeds
received by the Trust on the sale of bonds which were not distributed to him but
were instead used by  the Trust to redeem  Units and that his  tax basis in  the
remaining  assets of the Trust  would accordingly be increased  by such share of
proceeds, based on the relative fair market value of the remaining assets of the
Trust as of the date of such redemption.
 
    Sections 1288 and 1272 of the Code provide a complex set of rules  governing
the  accrual of original issue discount. These rules provide that original issue
discount accrues either  on the basis  of a constant  compound interest rate  or
ratably over the term of the Bond, depending on the date the Bond was issued. In
addition,  special  rules apply  if the  purchase  price of  a Bond  exceeds the
original issue price plus the amount of original issue discount which would have
previously accrued based upon its issue price (its "adjusted issue price").  The
application  of these rules will also vary depending on the value of the Bond on
the date a Unitholder acquires his Units, and the price the Unitholder pays  for
his  Units. The  accrual of  tax-exempt original  issue discount  on zero coupon
bonds and other original issue discount bonds will result in an increase in  the
Unitholder's  basis in  such obligations and,  accordingly, in his  basis in his
Units.
 
    The Tax Act subjects  tax-exempt bonds to the  market discount rules of  the
Code  effective for  bonds purchased  after April  30, 1993.  In general, market
discount is the amount (if any) by which the stated redemption price at maturity
exceeds an investor's purchase price (except to the extent that such difference,
if any, is attributable to original  issue discount not yet accrued). Under  the
Tax Act, accretion of market discount is taxable as ORDINARY INCOME; under prior
law,  the  accretion had  been  treated as  capital  gain. Market  discount that
accretes while the Trust holds a Bond would be recognized as ordinary income  by
the  Unitholders when principal payments are received  on the Bond, upon sale or
at redemption (including early  redemption), or upon the  sale or redemption  of
his  or her  Units, unless  a Unitholder  elects to  include market  discount in
taxable income  as  it  accrues.  The market  discount  rules  are  complex  and
Unitholders  should consult their  tax advisors regarding  these rules and their
application.
 
    The Internal Revenue Code provides that interest on indebtedness incurred or
continued to purchase  or carry  obligations, the  interest on  which is  wholly
exempt from Federal
 
                                      A-21
<PAGE>
income  taxes, is not deductible. Because each Unitholder is treated for Federal
income tax purposes as the owner of a  pro rata share of the Bonds owned by  the
applicable  Trust, interest on borrowed funds used to purchase or carry Units of
such Trust will not be deductible  for Federal income tax purposes. Under  rules
used  by the  Internal Revenue Service  for determining when  borrowed funds are
considered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the
purchase of Units may be considered to  have been made with borrowed funds  even
though  the borrowed funds are  not directly traceable to  the purchase of Units
(however, these rules generally  do not apply to  interest paid on  indebtedness
incurred  to  purchase  or  improve a  personal  residence).  Similar  rules are
generally applicable for state tax purposes. Special rules apply in the case  of
certain  financial  institutions that  acquire  Units. Investors  with questions
regarding these issues should consult with their tax advisers.
 
    In general,  each  issue  of bonds  in  the  Trusts is  subject  to  certain
post-issuance  requirements which must be  met in order for  the interest on the
Bonds to be and remain exempt from Federal income taxation. Bond counsel to each
issuer generally has opined that, assuming continuing compliance by such issuers
with certain covenants, interest on such  Bonds will continue to be exempt  from
Federal income taxation (other than with respect to the application to corporate
Unitholders  of the alternative  minimum tax or the  Superfund Tax, as discussed
below).
 
    For purposes of computing  the alternative minimum  tax for individuals  and
corporations, interest on certain specified tax-exempt private activity bonds is
included as a preference item. The Trusts do not include any such bonds.
 
    For  taxpayers  other than  corporations,  net capital  gains  are presently
subject to a maximum tax  rate of 28 percent. However,  it should be noted  that
legislative proposals are introduced from time to time that affect tax rates and
could affect relative differences at which ordinary income and capital gains are
taxed.
 
    CERTAIN  TAX MATTERS  APPLICABLE TO  CORPORATE UNITHOLDERS.  In the  case of
certain corporations, the alternative minimum  tax and the Superfund Tax  depend
upon the corporation's alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the
corporation's  taxable income  with certain  adjustments. One  of the adjustment
items used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation (other  than
an S corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate Investment Trust, or
REMIC)  is an amount equal to 75%  of the excess of such corporation's "adjusted
current earnings" over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment  item
and  the  alternative tax  net  operation loss  deduction).  Although tax-exempt
interest received by each of the Trusts  on Bonds deposited therein will not  be
included  in the gross  income of corporations for  Federal income tax purposes,
"adjusted current earnings" includes all tax-exempt interest, including interest
on all Bonds in the Trust and tax-exempt original issue discount.
 
    Corporate Unitholders  are urged  to  consult their  own tax  advisers  with
respect  to the particular tax consequences  to them resulting under the Federal
tax law, including the corporate alternative minimum tax, the Superfund Tax  and
the branch profits tax imposed by Section 884 of the Code.
 
    EXCEPT  AS NOTED ABOVE AND IN SECTION  3, THE EXEMPTION OF INTEREST ON STATE
AND LOCAL  OBLIGATIONS FOR  FEDERAL  INCOME TAX  PURPOSES DOES  NOT  NECESSARILY
RESULT IN EXEMPTION UNDER THE INCOME OR OTHER TAX LAWS OF ANY STATE OR CITY. THE
LAWS  OF  THE  SEVERAL  STATES  VARY  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE  TAXATION  OF  SUCH
OBLIGATIONS.
 
12.  WHAT ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?
 
No annual advisory fee is charged the  Trusts by the Sponsor. The Sponsor  does,
however,  receive a fee  of $0.17 per  annum per $1,000  principal amount of the
underlying Bonds in
 
                                      A-22
<PAGE>
each Trust for regularly evaluating  the Bonds and for maintaining  surveillance
over the portfolio. (See Section 16.)
 
    The  Trustee receives for ordinary recurring services an annual fee for each
plan of  distribution for  each Trust  as set  forth in  "Essential  Information
Regarding  the Trusts." Each  annual fee is  per $1,000 principal  amount of the
underlying Bonds in  a Trust for  that portion  of the Trust  that represents  a
particular  plan of distribution. The Trustee's fee may be periodically adjusted
in response to fluctuations in short-term interest rates (reflecting the cost to
the Trustee of advancing funds to  a Trust to meet scheduled distributions)  and
may be further adjusted in accordance with the cumulative percentage increase of
the  United  States Department  of Labor's  Consumer  Price Index  entitled "All
Services Less Rent" since the establishment  of the Trusts. The Trustee has  the
use  of funds, if any, being held in the Interest and Principal Accounts of each
Trust for  future  distributions, payment  of  expenses and  redemptions.  These
Accounts  are non-interest  bearing to  Unitholders. Pursuant  to normal banking
procedures, the Trustee benefits from the use of funds held therein. Part of the
Trustee's compensation for its services to  the Fund is expected to result  from
such use of these funds.
 
    Premiums  for the policies  of insurance obtained  by the Sponsor  or by the
Bond issuers with respect to the Bonds in the Insured Trusts and with respect to
insured Bonds in Traditional Trusts have been paid in full prior to the  deposit
of the Bonds in the Trusts, and the value of such insurance has been included in
the evaluation of the Bonds in each Trust and accordingly in the Public Offering
Price  of Units of each Trust. There  are no annual continuing premiums for such
insurance.
 
    The Sponsor has borne all costs of creating and establishing the Trusts. The
following are  expenses of  the Trusts  and, when  paid by  or are  owed to  the
Trustee,  are secured by  a lien on the  assets of the Trust  or Trusts to which
such expenses are allocable: (1) the expenses and costs of any action undertaken
by the  Trustee to  protect  the Trusts  and the  rights  and interests  of  the
Unitholders;  (2) all taxes and other governmental charges upon the Bonds or any
part of the Trusts (no such taxes or charges are being levied or made or, to the
knowledge of the Sponsor, contemplated); (3)  amounts payable to the Trustee  as
fees  for  ordinary  recurring  services  and  for  extraordinary  non-recurring
services rendered  pursuant to  the Indenture,  all disbursements  and  expenses
including  counsel fees  (including fees of  bond counsel which  the Trustee may
retain) sustained or incurred  by the Trustee in  connection therewith; and  (4)
any  losses or liabilities accruing to the Trustee without negligence, bad faith
or willful misconduct on  its part. The  Trustee is empowered  to sell Bonds  in
order  to  pay  these  amounts  if funds  are  not  otherwise  available  in the
applicable Interest and Principal Accounts.
 
    The Indenture requires each Trust  to be audited on  an annual basis at  the
expense  of the Trust by independent public accountants selected by the Sponsor.
The Trustee  shall not  be  required, however,  to cause  such  an audit  to  be
performed  if its cost to a Trust shall exceed $.05 per Unit on an annual basis.
Unitholders of a  Trust covered by  an audit may  obtain a copy  of the  audited
financial statements upon request.
 
13.  WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
Interest received by the Trustee on the Bonds in each Trust, including that part
of  the proceeds of  any disposition of Bonds  which represents accrued interest
and including  any insurance  proceeds representing  interest due  on  defaulted
Bonds,  shall be credited to the "Interest  Account" of such Trust and all other
moneys received by the Trustee shall  be credited to the "Principal Account"  of
such Trust.
 
    The  pro rata share of  cash in the Principal Account  in each Trust will be
computed as of each semi-annual Record Date and distributions to the Unitholders
as of such Record Date
 
                                      A-23
<PAGE>
will be  made on  or shortly  after the  fifteenth day  of the  month.  Proceeds
received  from the disposition, including sale, call  or maturity, of any of the
Bonds and  all amounts  paid with  respect  to zero  coupon bonds  and  Stripped
Obligations  will be held  in the Principal  Account and either  used to pay for
Units redeemed  or  distributed on  the  Distribution Date  following  the  next
semi-annual Record Date. The Trustee is not required to make a distribution from
the  Principal Account of any Trust unless the amount available for distribution
in such account equals at least ten cents per Unit.
 
    The pro rata share of the Interest Account in each Trust will be computed by
the Trustee each month as of each Record Date and distributions will be made  on
or  shortly after the fifteenth day of the month to Unitholders of such Trust as
of the Record Date who are entitled to distributions at that time under the plan
of distribution chosen. Persons who purchase  Units between a Record Date and  a
Distribution Date will receive their first distribution on the Distribution Date
following the next Record Date under the applicable plan of distribution.
 
    Purchasers  of  Units  who desire  to  receive interest  distributions  on a
monthly or quarterly basis may elect to do so at the time of purchase during the
initial public offering  period. Those indicating  no choice will  be deemed  to
have  chosen the  semi-annual distribution  plan. All  Unitholders, however, who
purchase Units during the  initial public offering period  and who hold them  of
record on the first Record Date will receive the first distribution of interest.
Thereafter, Record Dates for monthly distributions will be the first day of each
month;  Record  Dates  for quarterly  distributions  will  be the  first  day of
February,  May,  August   and  November;  and   Record  Dates  for   semi-annual
distributions will be the first day of May and November.
 
    Details  of distributions  per Unit  of each  Trust under  the various plans
based upon estimated Net Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit are shown
in the tables appearing  in Section 3. The  amount of the regular  distributions
will  remain the same so long as each  Trust portfolio remains the same and fees
and expenses remain the same, and will generally change when Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or when fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
    The plan of  distribution selected  by a  Unitholder will  remain in  effect
until  changed.  Unitholders  purchasing  Units  in  the  secondary  market will
initially receive distributions  in accordance  with the election  of the  prior
owner.  Unitholders desiring to change  their plan of distribution  may do so by
sending  a   written   notice  requesting   the   change,  together   with   any
Certificate(s),  to  the  Trustee. The  notice  and any  Certificate(s)  must be
received by  the  Trustee not  later  than the  semi-annual  Record Date  to  be
effective   as  of   the  semi-annual  distribution   following  the  subsequent
semi-annual Record  Date. Unitholders  are requested  to make  any such  changes
within  45 days prior to the applicable Record Date. Certificates should only be
sent by registered or certified mail to minimize the possibility of their  being
lost or stolen. (See Section 18.) If no notice is received in proper form by the
Trustee,  the Unitholder  will be  deemed to have  elected to  continue the same
plan.
 
    As of the first day of each month the Trustee will deduct from the  Interest
Account  of a Trust or, to the extent funds are not sufficient therein, from the
Principal Account of  a Trust, amounts  needed for payment  of expenses of  such
Trust.  The Trustee also may withdraw from said accounts such amount, if any, as
it deems necessary to establish a  reserve for any governmental charges  payable
out  of such Trust. Amounts  so withdrawn shall not be  considered a part of the
Trust's assets until such time  as the Trustee shall return  all or any part  of
such amounts to the appropriate account.
 
    For  the purpose  of minimizing fluctuations  in the  distributions from the
Interest Account of a Trust, the  Trustee is authorized to advance such  amounts
as may be necessary to provide for interest distributions of approximately equal
amounts. The Trustee shall be
 
                                      A-24
<PAGE>
reimbursed,  without interest, for any such  advances from funds in the Interest
Account  of  such  Trust.  The  Trustee's  fee  takes  into  account  the  costs
attributable to the outlay of capital needed to make such advances.
 
    The  Trustee  shall withdraw  from the  Interest  Account and  the Principal
Account of a  Trust such amounts  as may  be necessary to  cover redemptions  of
Units of such Trust by the Trustee. (See Section 19.)
 
    Funds  which are available for future distributions, redemptions and payment
of expenses are held in accounts  which are non-interest bearing to  Unitholders
and are available for use by the Trustee pursuant to normal banking procedures.
 
14.  ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
The  Sponsor, John Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, is also the principal underwriter
of the  Nuveen Municipal  Bond Fund,  Inc. (the  "Bond Fund"),  Nuveen  Tax-Free
Reserves, Inc. ("Tax-Free Reserves"), Nuveen California Tax-Free Fund, Inc. (the
"California  Fund"),  Nuveen Tax-Free  Bond Fund,  Inc. ("Tax-Free  Bond Fund"),
Nuveen Insured Tax-Free  Bond Fund, Inc.  (the "Insured Bond  Fund") and  Nuveen
Tax-Free  Money  Market Fund,  Inc.  (the "Money  Market  Fund") and  the Nuveen
Multistate  Tax-Free  Trust  (the  "Multistate  Trust").  Each  of  these  funds
(together,  the  "Accumulation Funds")  is  an open-end,  diversified management
investment  company  into  which  Unitholders  may  choose  to  reinvest   Trust
distributions  automatically,  without any  sales  charge. (Reinvestment  in the
California Fund is available only  to Unitholders who are California  residents.
Reinvestment in the State Portfolios of the Tax-Free Bond Fund, the Insured Bond
Fund,  the  Money Market  Fund and  the  Multistate Trust  is available  only to
Unitholders who  are residents  of  the states  for  which such  portfolios  are
named.)  Unitholders may reinvest  both interest and  principal distributions or
principal distributions only. Each  Accumulation Fund has investment  objectives
which  differ in  certain respects from  those of  the Trusts and  may invest in
securities which would not be eligible for deposit in the Trusts. The investment
adviser to  each Accumulation  Fund  is Nuveen  Advisory Corp.,  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of  the  Sponsor. The  following  is  a general  description  of the
investment objectives  and  policies  of  each Accumulation  Fund.  For  a  more
detailed description, Unitholders should read the prospectus of the Accumulation
Fund in which they are interested.
 
THE BOND FUND
 
    The  Bond  Fund has  the  objective of  providing,  through investment  in a
professionally managed portfolio of long-term  municipal bonds, as high a  level
of  current interest income exempt from Federal income tax as is consistent with
preservation of capital. The Bond Fund  may include in its portfolio  tax-exempt
bonds  rated Baa or BBB or better by Moody's or Standard & Poor's, unrated bonds
which, in the  opinion of  the investment adviser,  have credit  characteristics
equivalent  to  bonds  rated  Baa  or  BBB  or  better,  and  certain  temporary
investments, including securities the interest income from which may be  subject
to Federal income tax.
 
TAX-FREE RESERVES
 
    Tax-Free  Reserves is a  "money market" fund that  includes in its portfolio
only obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  acquisition,
maintains an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or less, values its
portfolio at amortized cost and seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per
share. It provides checkwriting and expedited wire redemption privileges for its
shareholders.   Tax-Free  Reserves  has  the  objective  of  providing,  through
investment in  a professionally  managed portfolio  of high  quality  short-term
municipal  obligations, as high  a level of current  interest income exempt from
Federal income  tax  as is  consistent  with  preservation of  capital  and  the
maintenance of liquidity. Tax-Free
 
                                      A-25
<PAGE>
Reserves  may  include in  its portfolio  municipal  obligations rated  Aaa, Aa,
MIG-1, VMIG-1  or Prime-1  by Moody's  or AAA,  AA, SP-1  or A-1  by Standard  &
Poor's,  unrated municipal  obligations that, in  the opinion  of the investment
adviser, have credit characteristics equivalent  to obligations rated as  above,
tax-exempt  obligations backed by the U.S. Government, and temporary investments
that may be subject to Federal income tax.
 
THE CALIFORNIA FUND
 
    The California Fund has  the objective of  providing, through investment  in
professionally managed portfolios of California municipal obligations, as high a
level  of current interest income exempt from both Federal and California income
taxes as is consistent with the investment policies of each of the portfolios of
the California Fund  and with  preservation of  capital. Each  portfolio of  the
California  Fund may include  temporary investments that may  be subject to tax.
California Unitholders may reinvest in one of three portfolios of the California
Fund: The Nuveen California Tax-Free  Value Fund, the Nuveen California  Insured
Tax-Free Value Fund and the Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund.
 
    The  Nuveen California  Tax-Free Value  Fund invests  primarily in long-term
investment grade  California tax-exempt  bonds (I.E.,  bonds rated  in the  four
highest  categories by Moody's  or Standard &  Poor's or, if  unrated, that have
equivalent credit characteristics). The Nuveen California Insured Tax-Free Value
Fund invests  primarily in  the same  type of  investments as  the Special  Bond
Portfolio, each of which is covered by insurance guaranteeing the timely payment
of  principal  and  interest  or  is backed  by  a  deposit  of  U.S. Government
securities.
 
    The Nuveen  California  Tax-Free  Money Market  Fund  invests  primarily  in
high-quality  short term  California tax-exempt money  market instruments (I.E.,
obligations rated in the two highest categories by Moody's or Standard &  Poor's
or,  if unrated,  that have  equivalent credit  characteristics). This portfolio
will include  only  obligations  maturing  within one  year  from  the  date  of
acquisition, will maintain an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or
less, will value its portfolio at amortized cost and will seek to maintain a net
asset value of $1.00 per share. The Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund
provides for an expedited wire redemption privilege.
 
THE TAX-FREE BOND FUND
 
    The  Tax-Free Bond Fund consists of  the Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free Value
Fund, the Nuveen New  York Tax-Free Value Fund,  the Nuveen Ohio Tax-Free  Value
Fund,  and the Nuveen New  Jersey Tax-Free Value Fund,  which are each available
for reinvestment to Unitholders  who are residents of  the state for which  such
portfolio  is  named. The  Tax-Free Bond  Fund has  the objective  of providing,
through investment in a professionally managed portfolio of municipal bonds,  as
high  a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal income tax and
from the  income  tax  imposed  by  each  portfolio's  designated  state  as  is
consistent  with preservation of capital. The  Tax-Free Bond Fund may include in
each of its  portfolios tax-exempt  bonds rated Baa  or BBB  or better;  unrated
bonds   which,  in   the  opinion  of   the  investment   adviser,  have  credit
characteristics equivalent to  bonds rated  Baa or  BBB or  better; and  certain
temporary  investments, including securities the  interest income from which may
be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE INSURED BOND FUND
 
    The Insured Bond Fund  consists of the Nuveen  Insured Municipal Bond  Fund,
the  Nuveen Massachusetts  Insured Tax-Free Value  Fund and the  Nuveen New York
Insured Tax-Free  Value  Fund, which  are  each available  for  reinvestment  to
Unitholders.  (The Massachusetts and  New York Portfolios  are available only to
those Unitholders who are residents of the
 
                                      A-26
<PAGE>
state for which the portfolio is named.) The Insured Bond Fund has the objective
of  providing,  through  investment  in  professionally  managed  portfolios  of
municipal  bonds, as high  a level of  current interest income  exempt from both
Federal income tax  and, in the  case of designated  state portfolios, from  the
income  tax imposed by each portfolio's  designated state, as is consistent with
preservation of  capital. The  Insured Bond  Fund  may include  in each  of  its
portfolios the same type of investments as the Tax-Free Bond Fund, each of which
is  covered  by  insurance  guaranteeing the  timely  payment  of  principal and
interest or is backed by a deposit of U.S. Government securities.
 
THE MONEY MARKET FUND
 
    The Money Market Fund  consists of the  Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free  Money
Market  Fund and the Nuveen New York  Tax-Free Money Market Fund, which are each
available for reinvestment  to Unitholders who  are residents of  the state  for
which  such portfolio is named. The Money Market Fund includes in its portfolios
only obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  acquisition,
maintains  an average  maturity of  120 days or  less, values  its portfolios at
amortized cost and seeks to maintain a  net asset value of $1.00 per share.  The
Money  Market  Fund  has  the  objective  of  providing,  through  investment in
professionally  managed  portfolios   of  high   quality  short-term   municipal
obligations, as high a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal
income  tax and from the income tax imposed by each portfolio's designated state
as is consistent with stability of  principal and the maintenance of  liquidity.
The  Money  Market  Fund  may  include  in  each  of  its  portfolios  municipal
obligations rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, MIG-2, VMIG-1,  VMIG-2, Prime 1 or Prime 2  by
Moody's  or  AAA, AA,  SP-1,  SP-2, A-1  or A-2  by  Standard &  Poor's; unrated
municipal obligations  that, in  the  opinion of  the investment  adviser,  have
credit  characteristics equivalent to obligations  rated as above; and temporary
investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE MULTISTATE TRUST
 
    The Multistate Trust consists of the Nuveen Arizona Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen Florida Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen Maryland Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen Michigan Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen New Jersey Tax-Free Value  Fund,
the  Nuveen Pennsylvania  Tax-Free Value Fund  and the Nuveen  Virginia Tax Free
Value Fund, which  are each available  for reinvestment to  Unitholders who  are
residents  of the state for which such  portfolio is named. The Multistate Trust
has the objective of providing,  through investment in a professionally  managed
portfolio  of municipal bonds, as high a level of current interest income exempt
from both regular Federal  income tax and the  applicable state personal  income
tax  as is  consistent with  preservation of  capital. The  Multistate Trust may
include in  each of  its portfolios  tax-exempt bonds  rated "Baa"  or "BBB"  or
better,  unrated bonds  which, in  the opinion  of the  investment advisor, have
credit characteristics  equivalent to  bonds  rated "baa"  or "BBB"  or  better,
limited  to  no more  than 20%  of  the Multistate  Trust's assets,  and certain
temporary investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
    Each person who purchases Units of a  Trust may become a participant in  the
Accumulation  Plan and elect  to have his  or her distributions  on Units of the
Trust invested directly in shares of one of the Accumulation Funds.  Reinvesting
Unitholders   may  select  any  interest  distribution  plan.  Thereafter,  each
distribution  of  interest  income  or  principal  on  the  participant's  Units
(principal  only in  the case of  a Unitholder  who has chosen  to reinvest only
principal distributions) will, on the applicable distribution date, or the  next
day  on which the New  York Stock Exchange is  normally open ("business day") if
the distribution  date is  not  a business  day,  automatically be  received  by
Shareholder  Services, Inc., transfer agent for  each of the Accumulation Funds,
on behalf of such participant  and applied on that  date to purchase shares  (or
fractions   thereof)   of   the   Accumulation   Fund   chosen   at   net  asset
 
                                      A-27
<PAGE>
value as  computed  as  of  4:00  p.m. eastern  time  on  each  such  date.  All
distributions  will be  reinvested in the  Accumulation Fund chosen  and no part
thereof will be  retained in a  separate account. These  purchases will be  made
without a sales charge.
 
    Shareholder Services, Inc. will mail to each participant in the Accumulation
Plan  a quarterly  statement containing a  record of  all transactions involving
purchases of Accumulation Fund shares (or fractions thereof) with Trust interest
distributions or as a result of reinvestment of Accumulation Fund dividends. Any
distribution of principal used to purchase  shares of an Accumulation Fund  will
be  separately  confirmed by  Shareholder Services,  Inc. Unitholders  will also
receive  distribution  statements  from   the  Trustee  detailing  the   amounts
transferred to their Accumulation Fund accounts.
 
    Participants  may at any time, by so notifying the Trustee in writing, elect
to change  the  Accumulation  Fund  into which  their  distributions  are  being
reinvested,  to change from principal only  reinvestment to reinvestment of both
principal and interest or vice versa, or to terminate their participation in the
Accumulation Plan altogether and receive future distributions on their Units  in
cash.  There will be no  charge or other penalty for  such change of election or
termination.
 
    The character of  Trust distributions  for income tax  purposes will  remain
unchanged even if they are reinvested in an Accumulation Fund.
 
15.  HOW DETAILED ARE REPORTS TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
The  Trustee  shall  furnish Unitholders  of  a  Trust in  connection  with each
distribution, a statement of the amount of  interest and, if any, the amount  of
other  receipts (received  since the preceding  distribution) being distributed,
expressed in each case  as a dollar  amount representing the  pro rata share  of
each Unit of a Trust outstanding and a year to date summary of all distributions
paid  on said Units.  Within a reasonable period  of time after  the end of each
calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish to  each person who at any time  during
the  calendar  year was  a registered  Unitholder  of a  Trust a  statement with
respect to  such  Trust  (i)  as to  the  Interest  Account:  interest  received
(including  amounts  representing  interest  received  upon  any  disposition of
Bonds), and, except  for any  State Trust, the  percentage of  such interest  by
states  in which the issuers  of the Bonds are  located, deductions for fees and
expenses of such Trust, redemption of Units and the balance remaining after such
distributions and deductions,  expressed in  each case  both as  a total  dollar
amount  and as  a dollar  amount representing  the pro  rata share  of each Unit
outstanding on the  last business  day of  such calendar  year; (ii)  as to  the
Principal  Account: the dates of  disposition of any Bonds  and the net proceeds
received therefrom (excluding  any portion representing  accrued interest),  the
amount  paid for purchase of Replacement  Bonds, the amount paid upon redemption
of Units, deductions for  payment of applicable taxes  and fees and expenses  of
the  Trustee, and the balance remaining  after such distributions and deductions
expressed both as a total dollar amount and as a dollar amount representing  the
pro  rata  share of  each  Unit outstanding  on the  last  business day  of such
calendar year;  (iii)  a  list  of  the Bonds  held  and  the  number  of  Units
outstanding  on the last business day of such calendar year; (iv) the Unit Value
based upon the last computation thereof made during such calendar year; and  (v)
amounts actually distributed during such calendar year from the Interest Account
and  from  the Principal  Account, separately  stated,  expressed both  as total
dollar amounts and  as dollar amounts  representing the pro  rata share of  each
Unit outstanding.
 
    Each  annual statement will reflect pertinent  information in respect of all
plans of distribution so that Unitholders may be informed regarding the  results
of other plans of distribution.
 
                                      A-28
<PAGE>
16.  UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION
 
The  value of each  Trust is determined by  the Sponsor on the  basis of (1) the
cash on hand in the Trust or moneys  in the process of being collected, (2)  the
value  of the Bonds in  the Trust based on  the BID prices of  the Bonds and (3)
interest  accrued  thereon   not  subject  to   collection,  LESS  (1)   amounts
representing  taxes or governmental charges payable out of the Trust and (2) the
accrued expenses of the Trust. The result of such computation is divided by  the
number  of Units of such  Trust outstanding as of  the date thereof to determine
the per Unit value ("Unit Value") of  such Trust. The Sponsor may determine  the
value  of the Bonds in each Trust (1) on  the basis of current BID prices of the
Bonds obtained from dealers or brokers who customarily deal in bonds  comparable
to  those held by the Trust, (2) if bid  prices are not available for any of the
Bonds, on the basis of bid prices for comparable bonds, (3) by causing the value
of the Bonds to be determined by  others engaged in the practice of  evaluating,
quoting  or appraising comparable bonds or (4)  by any combination of the above.
Although the Unit Value of each Trust is  based on the BID prices of the  Bonds,
the Units are sold initially to the public at the Public Offering Price based on
the OFFERING prices of the Bonds.
 
    Because  the insurance obtained  by the Sponsor  or by the  issuers of Bonds
with respect to  the Bonds in  the Insured  Trusts and with  respect to  insured
Bonds  in Traditional Trusts is effective so long as such Bonds are outstanding,
such insurance will be  taken into account in  determining the bid and  offering
prices  of such  Bonds and therefore  some value attributable  to such insurance
will be included in the value of Units of Trusts that include such Bonds.
 
17.  HOW UNITS OF THE TRUSTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated is the Sponsor and sole Underwriter of the Units.
It is  the  intention  of  the  Sponsor  to  qualify  Units  of  National,  Long
Intermediate,  Intermediate, Short Intermediate  and Short Term  Trusts for sale
under the laws of  substantially all of  the states, and  Units of State  Trusts
only in the state for which the Trust is named and selected other states.
 
    Promptly following the deposit of Bonds in exchange for Units of the Trusts,
it  is the practice of the Sponsor to place all of the Units as collateral for a
letter or letters of credit from one or more commercial banks under an agreement
to release such Units from time to  time as needed for distribution. Under  such
an  arrangement  the Sponsor  pays  such banks  compensation  based on  the then
current interest  rate. This  is  a normal  warehousing arrangement  during  the
period of distribution of the Units to public investors.
 
    The  Sponsor plans to allow a discount  to brokers and dealers in connection
with  the  primary  distribution   of  Units  and   also  in  secondary   market
transactions. The primary market discounts are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DISCOUNT PER UNIT
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                 NATIONAL    LONG INTER-                  SHORT INTER-
                                AND STATE      MEDIATE     INTERMEDIATE      MEDIATE     SHORT TERM
NUMBER OF UNITS*                  TRUSTS       TRUSTS         TRUSTS         TRUSTS        TRUSTS
- ------------------------------  ----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------
Less than 500.................    $3.20         $2.90          $2.70          $2.00         $1.50
500 but less than 1,000.......     3.20         2.90           2.70           2.00          1.50
1,000 but less than 2,500.....     3.20         2.70           2.50           1.80          1.30
2,500 but less than 5,000.....     3.20         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
5,000 but less than 10,000....     2.50         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
10,000 but less than 25,000...     2.00         2.00           2.00           1.30           .80
25,000 but less than 50,000...     1.75         1.75           1.75           1.30           .60
50,000 or more................     1.75         1.50           1.50           1.00           .60
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint  sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
 dollar basis and  on the  basis of  the number  of Units  purchased, using  the
 equivalent  of 500 Units to  $50,000, 2,500 Units to  $250,000 etc. and will be
 applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
                                      A-29
<PAGE>
    The Sponsor currently intends  to maintain a secondary  market for Units  of
each  Trust. See  Section 7.  The amount of  the dealer  concession on secondary
market purchases of Trust Units through the Sponsor will be computed based  upon
the  value  of the  Bonds in  the  Trust portfolio,  including the  sales charge
computed as described in Section 6, and adjusted to reflect the cash position of
the Trust principal  account, and will  vary with  the size of  the purchase  as
shown in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               AMOUNT OF PURCHASE*
                            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                        $50,000   $100,000   $250,000   $500,000   $1,000,000  $2,500,000
                              UNDER       TO         TO         TO         TO          TO          TO      $5,000,000
YEARS TO MATURITY            $50,000    $99,999   $249,999   $499,999   $999,999   $2,499,999  $4,999,999   OR MORE
- --------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Less than 1...............      0          0          0          0          0          0           0           0
1 but less than 2.........    1.00%      .90%       .85%       .80%       .70%        .55%       .467%       .389%
2 but less than 3.........    1.30%      1.20%      1.10%      1.00%      .90%        .73%       .634%       .538%
3 but less than 4.........    1.60%      1.45%      1.35%      1.25%      1.10%       .90%       .781%       .662%
4 but less than 5.........    2.00%      1.85%      1.75%      1.55%      1.40%      1.25%       1.082%      .914%
5 but less than 7.........    2.30%      2.15%      1.95%      1.80%      1.65%      1.50%       1.320%      1.140%
7 but less than 10........    2.60%      2.45%      2.25%      2.10%      1.95%      1.70%       1.496%      1.292%
10 but less than 13.......    3.00%      2.80%      2.60%      2.45%      2.30%      2.00%       1.747%      1.494%
13 but less than 16.......    3.25%      3.15%      3.00%      2.75%      2.50%      2.15%       1.878%      1.606%
16 or more................    3.50%      3.50%      3.40%      3.35%      3.00%      2.50%       2.185%      1.873%
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
  dollar  basis and  on the basis  of the  number of Units  purchased, using the
  equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000, 2,500 Units to $250,000, etc., and will be
  applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The Sponsor reserves the  right to change  the foregoing dealer  concessions
from time to time.
 
   
    Registered  investment advisers, certified financial planners and registered
broker-dealers who  in  each case  either  charge periodic  fees  for  financial
planning,  investment  advisory or  asset management  services, or  provide such
services in connection with the establishment of an investment account for which
a comprehensive  "wrap  fee"  charge  is imposed,  and  bank  trust  departments
investing  funds  over which  they  exercise exclusive  discretionary investment
authority and  that  are held  in  a  fiduciary, agency,  custodial  or  similar
capacity,  are  not entitled  to receive  any dealer  concession for  primary or
secondary market purchases in which an investor purchases any number of Units at
the Public Offering Price for non-breakpoint purchases minus the concession  the
sponsor  typically allows  to brokers  and dealers  for non-breakpoint purchases
(see Section 6).
    
 
   
    Certain commercial banks are making Units  of the Trusts available to  their
customers  on  an agency  basis. A  portion of  the sales  charge paid  by these
customers is retained by or  remitted to the banks in  the amounts shown in  the
above  table.  The Glass-Steagall  Act prohibits  banks from  underwriting Trust
Units; the Act  does, however,  permit certain agency  transactions and  banking
regulators  have not indicated that these particular agency transactions are not
permitted under the Act. In Texas and  in certain other states, any bank  making
Units available must be registered as a broker-dealer under state law.
    
 
    To  facilitate the handling of transactions, sales of Units shall be limited
to transactions involving a minimum of  either $5,000 or 50 Units, whichever  is
less.  The Sponsor reserves the right to reject,  in whole or in part, any order
for the purchase of Units.
 
18.  OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS
 
The ownership of  Units is  evidenced by book  entry positions  recorded on  the
books  and records of the Trustee  unless the Unitholder expressly requests that
the purchased Units be evidenced in Certificate form. The Trustee is  authorized
to treat as the owner of Units that person who at the time is registered as such
on  the books of the Trustee. Any  Unitholder who holds a Certificate may change
to   book    entry    ownership   by    submitting    to   the    Trustee    the
 
                                      A-30
<PAGE>
Certificate  along with  a written  request that  the Units  represented by such
Certificate be held in book entry  form. Likewise, a Unitholder who holds  Units
in book entry form may obtain a Certificate for such Units by written request to
the  Trustee. Units may be held in denominations  of one Unit or any multiple or
fraction thereof. Fractions of Units are  computed to three decimal places.  Any
Certificates issued will be numbered serially for identification, and are issued
in  fully registered form, transferable  only on the books  of the Trustee. Book
entry Unitholders will  receive a  Book Entry  Position Confirmation  reflecting
their ownership.
 
    Certificates  for  Units will  bear an  appropriate  notation on  their face
indicating which plan of distribution has been selected. When a change is  made,
the   existing  Certificates  must  be  surrendered   to  the  Trustee  and  new
Certificates issued to  reflect the  currently effective  plan of  distribution.
There will be no charge for this service. Holders of book entry Units can change
their  plan of distribution  by making a  written request to  the Trustee, which
will issue a new Book Entry Position Confirmation to reflect such change.
 
    Units are transferable by  making a written request  to the Trustee and,  in
the  case of Units  evidenced by Certificate(s),  by presenting and surrendering
such Certificate(s) to the  Trustee, at its corporate  trust office in New  York
City, properly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer. The Certificate(s) should be sent registered or certified mail for the
protection  of the Unitholder.  Each Unitholder must  sign such written request,
and such Certificate(s) or transfer instrument,  exactly as his name appears  on
(a)  the face of the Certificate(s) representing the Units to be transferred, or
(b) the  Book  Entry  Position  Confirmation(s) relating  to  the  Units  to  be
transferred.  Such signature(s) must be guaranteed  by a guarantor acceptable to
the Trustee. In certain instances  the Trustee may require additional  documents
such  as,  but  not  limited  to,  trust  instruments,  certificates  of  death,
appointments  as  executor  or   administrator  or  certificates  of   corporate
authority.  Mutilated Certificates must  be surrendered to  the Trustee in order
for a replacement Certificate to be issued.
 
    Although at the date hereof  no charge is made  and none is contemplated,  a
Unitholder  may be  required to  pay $2.00 to  the Trustee  for each Certificate
reissued or transfer of Units requested and to pay any governmental charge which
may be imposed in connection therewith.
 
REPLACEMENT OF LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.
 
    To obtain a  new Certificate replacing  one that has  been lost, stolen,  or
destroyed,   the   Unitholder   must  furnish   the   Trustee   with  sufficient
indemnification and pay such expenses as the Trustee may incur.
 
    The indemnification protects the  Trustee, Sponsor, and  Trust from risk  if
the original Certificate is presented for transfer or redemption by a person who
purchased  it  in good  faith,  for value  and without  notice  of any  fraud or
irregularity.
 
    This indemnification  must  be  in the  form  of  an Open  Penalty  Bond  of
Indemnification.  The premium for such  an indemnity bond may  vary from time to
time, but currently amounts to 1% of  the market value of the Units  represented
by  the Certificate.  In the  case however,  of a  Trust as  to which  notice of
termination has been given, the premium currently amounts to 0.5% of the  market
value of the Units represented by such Certificate.
 
19.  HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE
 
Unitholders  may redeem all or a portion of  their Units by (1) making a written
request for such redemption (book entry Unitholders may use the redemption  form
on the reverse side of their Book Entry Position Confirmation) to the Trustee at
its  corporate trust office in New York City (redemptions of 1,000 Units or more
will require a signature guarantee), (2) in the
 
                                      A-31
<PAGE>
case of Units evidenced by a Certificate, by also tendering such Certificate  to
the Trustee, duly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer with
signatures  guaranteed  as explained  in Section  18 above,  and (3)  payment of
applicable governmental charges,  if any.  Certificates should be  sent only  by
registered  or certified mail to minimize the possibility of their being lost or
stolen. In order to effect a redemption  of Units evidenced by a Certificate,  a
Unitholder  must tender the  Certificate to the  Trustee or provide satisfactory
indemnity required in  connection with  lost, stolen  or destroyed  Certificates
(See  Section 18). No redemption fee will be charged. A Unitholder may authorize
the Trustee to honor telephone instructions for the redemption of Units held  in
book  entry  form. Units  represented  by Certificates  may  not be  redeemed by
telephone. The proceeds  of Units redeemed  by telephone will  be sent by  check
either  to  the Unitholder  at  the address  specified on  his  account or  to a
financial institution specified by the Unitholder  for credit to the account  of
the  Unitholder.  A Unitholder  wishing to  use this  method of  redemption must
complete a Telephone Redemption Authorization Form  and furnish the Form to  the
Trustee.  Telephone  Redemption  Authorization  Forms  can  be  obtained  from a
Unitholder's registered  representative  or by  calling  the Trustee.  Once  the
completed  Form is on file, the Trustee will honor telephone redemption requests
by any person.  If the telephone  redemption request is  received prior to  4:00
p.m.  eastern time,  the Unitholder  will be entitled  to receive  for each Unit
tendered the  Redemption  Price  as determined  above.  A  telephone  redemption
request  received after 4:00  p.m. eastern time  will be treated  as having been
received the  following business  day. The  redemption proceeds  will be  mailed
within seven calendar days following the telephone redemption request. Telephone
redemptions  are limited to 1,000 Units or less.  Only Units held in the name of
individuals may be redeemed by telephone; accounts registered in broker name, or
accounts of  corporations  or  fiduciaries (including  among  others,  trustees,
guardians,  executors and administrators)  may not use  the telephone redemption
privilege.
 
    On the seventh calendar day following the date of tender, or if the  seventh
calendar day is not a business day, on the first business day prior thereto, the
Unitholder  will be entitled to receive in cash for each Unit tendered an amount
equal to the Unit Value of such Trust determined by the Trustee, as of 4:00 p.m.
eastern time on the date of  tender as defined hereafter, plus accrued  interest
to,  but  not  including,  the  fifth business  day  after  the  date  of tender
("Redemption Price"). The  price received upon  redemption may be  more or  less
than  the amount paid by  the Unitholder depending on the  value of the Bonds on
the date of  tender. Such  value will vary  with market  and credit  conditions,
including  changes in  interest rate levels.  Unitholders should  check with the
Trustee or  their broker  to  determine the  Redemption Price  before  tendering
Units.
 
    While the Trustee has the power to determine Redemption Price when Units are
tendered,  the authority has by  practice been delegated by  the Trustee to John
Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, which  determines the  Redemption Price  on a  daily
basis.
 
    The  "date of  tender" is  deemed to be  the date  on which  the request for
redemption of Units is received  in proper form by  the Trustee, except that  as
regards a redemption request received after 4:00 p.m. eastern time or on any day
on  which the New York  Stock Exchange (the "Exchange")  is normally closed, the
date of tender  is the  next day  on which such  Exchange is  normally open  for
trading  and such request will be  deemed to have been made  on such day and the
redemption will be effected at the Redemption Price computed on that day.
 
    Accrued interest paid  on redemption  shall be withdrawn  from the  Interest
Account  of the  appropriate Trust or,  if the balance  therein is insufficient,
from the Principal Account of such  Trust. All other amounts paid on  redemption
shall  be withdrawn from the Principal Account. The Trustee is empowered to sell
underlying Bonds of  a Trust in  order to make  funds available for  redemption.
(See Section 21.) Units so redeemed shall be cancelled.
 
                                      A-32
<PAGE>
    To  the extent that Bonds  are sold from a Trust,  the size and diversity of
such Trust will  be reduced. Such  sales may be  required at a  time when  Bonds
would  not  otherwise  be sold  and  might  result in  lower  prices  than might
otherwise be realized.
 
    The Redemption Price is  determined on the  basis of the  BID prices of  the
Bonds  in each Trust, while  the initial Public Offering  Price of Units will be
determined on the  basis of the  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds as  of 4:00  p.m.
eastern  time on any day on which the  Exchange is normally open for trading and
such determination is made. As of any given time, the difference between the bid
and offering  prices of  such Bonds  may  be expected  to average  1% to  2%  of
principal  amount in the case of Bonds  in National, Long Intermediate and State
Trusts, 3/4%  to  1  1/2% in  the  case  of Bonds  in  Intermediate,  and  Short
Intermediate  Trusts and 1/2% to 3/4% in the case of Bonds in Short Term Trusts.
In the case of actively traded Bonds, the difference may be as little as 1/4  to
1/2  of 1%, and in  the case of inactively  traded Bonds such difference usually
will not exceed 3%. The difference between the aggregate offering prices of  the
Bonds  in each Trust  and the aggregate  bid prices thereof  on the business day
prior to  the Date  of Deposit  is shown  in the  discussion of  specific  trust
matters.
 
    The  right  of redemption  may be  suspended and  payment postponed  for any
period during  which  the Securities  and  Exchange Commission  determines  that
trading  in the municipal bond market is restricted or an emergency exists, as a
result  of  which  disposal  or  evaluation  of  the  Bonds  is  not  reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission
may by order permit.
 
    Under  regulations issued by the Internal  Revenue Service, the Trustee will
be required to withhold 31% of the principal amount of a Unit redemption if  the
Trustee  has not  been furnished  the redeeming  Unitholder's tax identification
number in the  manner required by  such regulations. Any  amount so withheld  is
transmitted  to  the  Internal  Revenue  Service and  may  be  recovered  by the
Unitholder only when filing  his or her tax  return. Under normal  circumstances
the  Trustee obtains the Unitholder's tax identification number from the selling
broker at the time the Certificate or Book Entry Return Confirmation is  issued,
and  this number is printed on the Certificate or Book Entry Return Confirmation
and on distribution statements. If a Unitholder's tax identification number does
not appear as  described above,  or if it  is incorrect,  the Unitholder  should
contact  the Trustee before redeeming Units to determine what action, if any, is
required to avoid this "back-up withholding."
 
20.  HOW UNITS MAY BE PURCHASED BY THE SPONSOR
 
The Trustee will notify the  Sponsor of any tender  of Units for redemption.  If
the  Sponsor's bid in  the secondary market  at that time  equals or exceeds the
Redemption Price it may purchase such Units by notifying the Trustee before  the
close  of business on the  second succeeding business day  and by making payment
therefor to  the  Unitholder not  later  than the  day  on which  payment  would
otherwise have been made by the Trustee. (See Section 19.) The Sponsor's current
practice  is to bid at the Redemption  Price in the secondary market. Units held
by the Sponsor may be tendered to the Trustee for redemption as any other Units.
 
    The Public Offering  Price upon  resale of any  Units thus  acquired by  the
Sponsor  will be  calculated in accordance  with the procedure  described in the
then currently effective prospectus relating to such Units. Any profit resulting
from the resale of  such Units will  belong to the  Sponsor which likewise  will
bear  any loss resulting from a lower  Public Offering Price or Redemption Price
subsequent to its acquisition of such Units.
 
                                      A-33
<PAGE>
21.  HOW BONDS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUSTS
 
Bonds will be removed from a Trust as they mature or are redeemed by the issuers
thereof. See  the "Schedules  of Investments"  and "General  Trust  Information"
under Section 3 for a discussion of call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    The  Indenture also empowers  the Trustee to  sell Bonds for  the purpose of
redeeming Units tendered by any Unitholder, and for the payment of expenses  for
which  income may not be available. Under the Indenture the Sponsor is obligated
to provide the Trustee with a current list of Bonds in each Trust to be sold  in
such  circumstances. In deciding which Bonds  should be sold the Sponsor intends
to consider, among  other things, such  factors as: (1)  market conditions;  (2)
market  prices  of  the  Bonds;  (3)  the  effect  on  income  distributions  to
Unitholders of the sale of various Bonds; (4) the effect on principal amount  of
underlying  Bonds  per Unit  of the  sale  of various  Bonds; (5)  the financial
condition of the issuers; and (6) the effect of the sale of various Bonds on the
investment character of the Trust. Such sales, if required, could result in  the
sale  of Bonds by the Trustee at prices less than original cost to the Trust. To
the extent Bonds are sold, the size and diversity of such Trust will be reduced.
 
    In addition, the  Sponsor is empowered  to direct the  Trustee to  liquidate
Bonds upon the happening of certain other events, such as default in the payment
of principal and/or interest, an action of the issuer that will adversely affect
its  ability to continue payment of the  principal of and interest on its Bonds,
or an  adverse  change  in  market, revenue  or  credit  factors  affecting  the
investment  character of the Bonds. If a default in the payment of the principal
of and/or interest  on any  of the  Bonds occurs, and  if the  Sponsor fails  to
instruct  the Trustee whether to  sell or continue to  hold such Bonds within 30
days after  notification by  the Trustee  to the  Sponsor of  such default,  the
Indenture  provides that  the Trustee shall  liquidate said  Bonds forthwith and
shall not be liable for any loss so incurred.
 
    In connection with its  determination as to the  sale or liquidation of  any
Bonds,  the Sponsor  will consider the  Bond's then current  rating, but because
such ratings are the opinions of the rating agencies as to the quality of  Bonds
they  undertake to rate and not absolute  standards of quality, the Sponsor will
exercise its independent judgment as to Bond creditworthiness.
 
    The Sponsor may also direct the Trustee to liquidate Bonds in a Trust if the
Bonds in  the  Trust  are  the  subject  of  an  advanced  refunding,  generally
considered  to be when refunding  bonds are issued and  the proceeds thereof are
deposited in irrevocable trust to retire the refunded Bonds on their  redemption
date.
 
    Except as stated in Section 4 regarding the limited right of substitution of
Replacement Bonds for Failed Bonds, and except for refunding securities that may
be  exchanged for Bonds under certain conditions specified in the Indenture, the
Indenture does  not permit  either the  Sponsor  or the  Trustee to  acquire  or
deposit  bonds either in addition  to, or in substitution  for, any of the Bonds
initially deposited in a Trust.
 
22.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEE
 
The Trustee is United States Trust Company of New York, with its principal place
of business at 114 West 47th Street, New York, New York 10036 and its  corporate
trust  office at  770 Broadway,  New York, New  York 10003.  United States Trust
Company of New York, established in  1853, has, since its organization,  engaged
primarily  in the  management of trust  and agency accounts  for individuals and
corporations. The Trustee is a member of the New York Clearing House Association
and is subject to supervision and examination by the Superintendent of Banks  of
the  State of New York, the Federal  Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve  System. In connection with the storage  and
handling  of certain  Bonds deposited  in the  Trusts, the  Trustee may  use the
services of The
 
                                      A-34
<PAGE>
Depository Trust Company. These services would include safekeeping of the  Bonds
and  coupon-clipping,  computer book-entry  transfer and  institutional delivery
services. The  Depository  Trust Company  is  a limited  purpose  trust  company
organized  under the  Banking Law  of the  State of  New York,  a member  of the
Federal Reserve System  and a  clearing agency registered  under the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
 
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITIES OF SPONSOR AND TRUSTEE
 
    The  Sponsor and the Trustee shall be  under no liability to Unitholders for
taking any action or for  refraining from any action  in good faith pursuant  to
the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be liable only for their own
negligence,  lack of good faith or willful  misconduct. The Trustee shall not be
liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the Trustee of
any of the Bonds. In the  event of the failure of  the Sponsor to act under  the
Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder and shall not be liable for any action
taken by it in good faith under the Indenture.
 
    The  Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges
imposed upon or in respect of the Bonds or upon the interest thereon or upon  it
as  Trustee under  the Indenture or  upon or in  respect of any  Trust which the
Trustee may be required  to pay under  any present or future  law of the  United
States  of  America or  of any  other taxing  authority having  jurisdiction. In
addition,  the  Indenture  contains  other  customary  provisions  limiting  the
liability of the Trustee.
 
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES AND SPONSORS
 
    The  Trustee or any successor trustee  may resign by executing an instrument
of resignation in writing and filing same with the Sponsor and mailing a copy of
a notice of resignation to all  Unitholders then of record. Upon receiving  such
notice,  the Sponsor is required to promptly appoint a successor trustee. If the
Trustee becomes incapable of acting or is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a
receiver or other public officer shall  take charge of its property or  affairs,
the  Sponsor  may  remove  the  Trustee  and  appoint  a  successor  by  written
instrument. The resignation  or removal of  a trustee and  the appointment of  a
successor trustee shall become effective only when the successor trustee accepts
its appointment as such. Any successor trustee shall be a corporation authorized
to  exercise  corporate  trust  powers, having  capital,  surplus  and undivided
profits of not less than $5,000,000. Any corporation into which a trustee may be
merged or with which it may  be consolidated, or any corporation resulting  from
any  merger or consolidation to  which a trustee shall be  a party, shall be the
successor trustee.
 
    If upon resignation  of a trustee  no successor has  been appointed and  has
accepted the appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee
may  apply  to  a court  of  competent  jurisdiction for  the  appointment  of a
successor.
 
    If the Sponsor fails to undertake any of its duties under the Indenture, and
no express  provision is  made for  action by  the Trustee  in such  event,  the
Trustee  may, in addition to its other  powers under the Indenture (1) appoint a
successor sponsor or (2) terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trusts.
 
23.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Sponsor and Underwriter, was founded in 1898
and is  the oldest  and  largest investment  banking  firm specializing  in  the
underwriting and distribution of tax-exempt securities and maintains the largest
research  department in the investment  banking community devoted exclusively to
the analysis of municipal securities. In  1961 the Sponsor began sponsoring  the
Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust and, since this  time, it has issued more than $30
billion  in   tax-exempt   unit   trusts,   including   over   $8   billion   in
 
                                      A-35
<PAGE>
insured  trusts.  The  Sponsor  is  also  principal  underwriter  of  the Nuveen
Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Tax-Free Reserves, Inc., Nuveen California Tax-Free Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Tax-Free
Bond  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Insured Tax-Free  Bond Fund, Inc.  and Nuveen Tax-Free
Money  Market  Fund,  Inc.,   all  registered  open-end  management   investment
companies,  and acted as co-managing underwriter of Nuveen Municipal Value Fund,
Inc., Nuveen California Municipal  Value Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen New York  Municipal
Value  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  Municipal  Income  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  California
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Premium Income Municipal  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Performance  Plus Municipal  Fund,
Inc.,  Nuveen California Performance Plus Municipal  Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York
Performance Plus Municipal  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Municipal Advantage Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  Municipal  Market Opportunity  Fund,  Inc., Nuveen  California Municipal
Market Opportunity  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen New  York Municipal  Market  Opportunity
Fund,  Inc., Nuveen Investment  Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen California
Investment Quality  Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen  New York  Investment  Quality
Municipal  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  Insured Quality  Municipal  Fund,  Inc., Nuveen
Florida  Investment  Quality  Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen  Pennsylvania  Investment
Quality  Municipal Fund,  Nuveen New  Jersey Investment  Quality Municipal Fund,
Inc., and  the Nuveen  Select Quality  Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen  California
Quality  Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen New  York Select  Quality Municipal Fund,
Inc., Nuveen  Quality  Income Municipal  Fund,  Inc., Nuveen  Insured  Municipal
Opportunity  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Florida  Quality Income  Municipal Fund, Nuveen
Michigan Quality Income Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen New Jersey Quality  Income
Municipal  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Ohio Quality Income  Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Pennsylvania  Quality  Income  Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen  Texas  Quality   Income
Municipal  Fund, Nuveen California  Quality Income Municipal  Fund, Inc., Nuveen
New York Quality Income Municipal  Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premier Insured  Municipal
Income  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Select Tax Free Income  Portfolio, Nuveen Select Tax
Free Income  Portfolio  2,  Nuveen Insured  California  Select  Tax-Free  Income
Portfolio,  Nuveen  Insured New  York Select  Tax-Free Income  Portfolio, Nuveen
Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc.,  Nuveen Select Tax Free Income  Portfolio
3,  Nuveen Select Maturities  Municipal Fund, Nuveen  Insured California Premium
Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Insured  Premium  Income Municipal  Fund,  Inc., Nuveen  Insured  Florida
Premium  Income Municipal Fund,  Nuveen Michigan Premium  Income Municipal Fund,
Inc., Nuveen New Jersey Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured  New
York  Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Ohio Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Pennsylvania  Premium Income  Municipal Fund,  Nuveen  Texas
Premium  Income Municipal  Fund, Nuveen Premium  Income Municipal  Fund 4, Inc.,
Nuveen Pennsylvania  Premium Income  Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen  Insured  Florida
Premium  Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Maryland Premium Income Municipal Fund,
Nuveen Virginia  Premium Income  Municipal  Fund, Nuveen  Massachusetts  Premium
Income  Municipal Fund, Nuveen Insured  California Premium Income Municipal Fund
2, Inc., Nuveen  Insured New York  Premium Income Municipal  Fund 2, Nuveen  New
Jersey  Premium  Income  Municipal  Fund  2,  Nuveen  Washington  Premium Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen  Georgia
Premium  Income Municipal Fund,  Nuveen Missouri Premium  Income Municipal Fund,
Nuveen Connecticut Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen North Carolina  Premium
Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen New Jersey Premium Income Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen
Florida  Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen New York Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Nuveen  California  Premium  Income Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen  Pennsylvania
Premium Income Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen Maryland Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen
Virginia  Premium Income Municipal Fund 2,  Nuveen Ohio Premium Income Municipal
Fund   2,   Nuveen   Insured   Premium   Income   Municipal   Fund   2,   Nuveen
 
                                      A-36
<PAGE>
California Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, all registered closed-end management
investment  companies.  These  registered  open-end  and  closed-end  investment
companies currently have  approximately $32.8 billion  in tax-exempt  securities
under  management.  Nationwide, more  than  1,000,000 individual  investors have
purchased Nuveen's  tax exempt  trusts and  funds. The  present corporation  was
organized  in 1967 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Corporation, successor
to the original John Nuveen & Co.  founded in 1898 as a sole proprietorship  and
incorporated  in  1953.  In  1974,  John  Nuveen  &  Co.  Incorporated  became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of The  St. Paul Companies,  Inc., a financial  services
management  company  located in  St. Paul,  Minnesota. On  May 19,  1992, common
shares comprising a  minority interest  in The  John Nuveen  Company ("JNC"),  a
newly  organized corporation which holds all of  the shares of Nuveen, were sold
to the  general  public  in an  initial  public  offering. St.  Paul  retains  a
controlling  interest in  JNC with over  70% of  JNC's shares. The  Sponsor is a
member  of  the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  and  the
Securities Industry Association and has its principal offices located in Chicago
(333  W. Wacker Drive) and New York (Swiss  Bank Tower, 10 East 50th Street). It
maintains 14 regional offices.
 
24.  OTHER INFORMATION
AMENDMENT OF INDENTURE
 
    The Indenture may  be amended  by the Trustee  and the  Sponsor without  the
consent  of any of  the Unitholders (1) to  cure any ambiguity  or to correct or
supplement any provision thereof which may be defective or inconsistent, or  (2)
to  make such  other provisions as  shall not adversely  affect the Unitholders,
provided, however, that the Indenture may not be amended to increase the  number
of Units in any Trust or to permit the deposit or acquisition of bonds either in
addition  to, or in substitution for any of the Bonds initially deposited in any
Trust except as stated in Section 4 regarding the limited right of  substitution
of  Replacement Bonds and  except for the substitution  of refunding bonds under
certain circumstances. The Trustee shall advise the Unitholders of any amendment
promptly after execution thereof.
 
TERMINATION OF INDENTURE
 
    Each Trust may be liquidated at any  time by written consent of 100% of  the
Unitholders  or by  the Trustee when  the value of  such Trust, as  shown by any
evaluation, is less than 20% of the original principal amount of such Trust  and
will  be  liquidated  by  the Trustee  in  the  event that  Units  not  yet sold
aggregating more  than 60%  of the  Units originally  created are  tendered  for
redemption  by the Sponsor thereby reducing the  net worth of such Trust to less
than 40%  of the  principal amount  of  the Bonds  originally deposited  in  the
portfolio. (See "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts.") The sale of Bonds
from  the Trusts upon termination  may result in realization  of a lesser amount
than might otherwise be realized  if such sale were  not required at such  time.
For  this  reason,  among  others,  the amount  realized  by  a  Unitholder upon
termination  may  be  less  than  the  principal  amount  of  Bonds   originally
represented  by the Units held by  such Unitholder. The Indenture will terminate
upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of the last Bond held thereunder,
but in no event shall it continue beyond the end of the calendar year  preceding
the  fiftieth anniversary of its execution for National and State Trusts, beyond
the end  of  the  calendar  year preceding  the  twentieth  anniversary  of  its
execution  for Long Intermediate,  and Intermediate Trusts or  beyond the end of
the calendar year  preceding the tenth  anniversary of its  execution for  Short
Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.
 
    Written  notice of  any termination  specifying the  time or  times at which
Unitholders may surrender their Certificates, if any, for cancellation shall  be
given  by  the  Trustee to  each  Unitholder  at the  address  appearing  on the
registration books of the Trust maintained by the
 
                                      A-37
<PAGE>
Trustee. Within a  reasonable time  thereafter the Trustee  shall liquidate  any
Bonds  in the Trust then held and shall  deduct from the assets of the Trust any
accrued costs,  expenses or  indemnities  provided by  the Indenture  which  are
allocable  to such  Trust, including estimated  compensation of  the Trustee and
costs of  liquidation and  any amounts  required  as a  reserve to  provide  for
payment of any applicable taxes or other governmental charges. The Trustee shall
then distribute to Unitholders of such Trust their pro rata share of the balance
of  the Interest and Principal Accounts.  With such distribution the Unitholders
shall be furnished  a final  distribution statement, in  substantially the  same
form  as the annual distribution statement, of the amount distributable. At such
time as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall determine that any amounts held
in reserve  are no  longer  necessary, it  shall  make distribution  thereof  to
Unitholders in the same manner.
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
    The legality of the Units offered hereby has been passed upon by Chapman and
Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. Special counsel for the
Trusts for respective state tax matters are named in "Tax Status" for each Trust
under  Section 3. Carter, Ledyard  & Milburn, 2 Wall  Street, New York, New York
10005, has acted as counsel for the Trustee with respect to the Series, and,  in
the absence of a New York Trust from the Series, as special New York tax counsel
for the Series.
 
AUDITORS
 
    The  Statements of Condition and Schedules of Investments at Date of Deposit
included  in  this  Prospectus  have  been  audited  by  Arthur  Andersen   LLP,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report in this Prospectus,
and  are included herein in reliance upon  the authority of said firm as experts
in giving said report.
 
                                      A-38
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS*
 
    STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION.  A  description of the applicable Standard  &
Poor's Corporation rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    A  Standard & Poor's rating is  a current assessment of the creditworthiness
of an obligor with  respect to a specific  debt obligation. This assessment  may
take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees.
 
    The  rating is not  a recommendation to  purchase, sell or  hold a security,
inasmuch as  it  does not  comment  as to  market  price or  suitability  for  a
particular investor.
 
    The  ratings are  based on  current information  furnished by  the issuer or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. Standard
& Poor's does not  perform an audit  in connection with any  rating and may,  on
occasion,  rely on unaudited financial information.  The ratings may be changed,
suspended or withdrawn  as a result  of changes in,  or unavailability of,  such
information, or for other circumstances.
 
    The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
 
     I.  Likelihood  of default--capacity and  willingness of the  obligor as to
         the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance
         with the terms of the obligation;
 
     II.  Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
 
    III.  Protection afforded by,  and relative position  of, the obligation  in
          the  event of  bankruptcy, reorganization or  other arrangements under
          the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
 
    AAA--This is the  highest rating  assigned by Standard  & Poor's  to a  debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
    AA--Bonds  rated AA have  a very strong  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal, and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
 
    A--Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher rated categories.
 
    BBB--Bonds rated BBB  are regarded  as having  an adequate  capacity to  pay
interest  and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are  more
likely  to lead to a  weakened capacity to pay  interest and repay principal for
bonds in this category than for bonds in the higher rated categories.
 
    PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from "AA" to "BB" may be modified by  the
addition  of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the major
rating categories.
 
    PROVISIONAL  RATINGS:  The   letter  "p"  indicates   that  the  rating   is
provisional.  A  provisional rating  assumes  the successful  completion  of the
project being financed by  the issuance of the  bonds being rated and  indicates
that  payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon
the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while
addressing credit  quality subsequent  to completion  of the  project, makes  no
comment  on the  likelihood of,  or the  risk of  default upon  failure of, such
completion. Accordingly,  the investor  should exercise  his own  judgment  with
respect to such likelihood and risk.
 
- ----------
*As published by the rating companies.
 
                                      A-39
<PAGE>
    NOTE  RATINGS:  A  Standard  & Poor's  note  rating  reflects  the liquidity
concerns and market access risks unique to  notes. Notes due in 3 years or  less
will  likely receive  a note  rating. Notes  maturing beyond  3 years  will most
likely receive a long-term debt rating.
 
    Note rating symbols are as follows:
 
        SP-1  Very strong  or strong  capacity to  pay principal  and  interest.
              Those   issues   determined   to   possess   overwhelming   safety
              characteristics will be given a plus (+) designation.
 
        SP-2  Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
 
RATINGS OF INSURED TRUST UNITS.
 
    A Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation's  rating on  the  units  of  an  insured
investment  trust (hereinafter referred to collectively as "units" and "trusts")
is a current assessment of creditworthiness with respect to the investment  held
by  such trust. This assessment takes  into consideration the financial capacity
of the  issuers and  of any  guarantors, insurers,  lessees or  mortgagors  with
respect to such investments. The assessment, however, does not take into account
the  extent to which trust  expenses or portfolio asset  sales for less than the
trust purchase price will reduce payment  to the unitholder of the interest  and
principal  required to be paid on the  portfolio assets. In addition, the rating
is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold units, inasmuch as the  rating
does not comment as to market price of the units or suitability for a particular
investor.
 
    Units rated "AAA" are composed exclusively of assets that are rated "AAA" by
Standard  &  Poor's and/or  certain  short-term investments.  Standard  & Poor's
defines its  AAA  rating for  such  assets as  the  highest rating  assigned  by
Standard  & Poor's  to a  debt obligation.  Capacity to  pay interest  and repay
principal is very strong.  However, unit ratings may  be subject to revision  or
withdrawal  at any time by Standard & Poor's and each rating should be evaluated
independently of any other rating.
 
    MOODY'S INVESTORS  SERVICE, INC.    A brief  description of  the  applicable
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality. They carry
the  smallest degree of investment  risk and are generally  referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally  stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to  change, such changes  as can be  visualized are most  unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues. Their safety is so absolute  that,
with  the  occasional  exception  of oversupply  in  a  few  specific instances,
characteristically, their  market  value  is affected  solely  by  money  market
fluctuations.
 
    Aa--Bonds  which  are rated  Aa  are judged  to be  of  high quality  by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high grade bonds. They are  rated lower than the  best bonds because margins  of
protection  may  not  be  as  large as  in  Aaa  securities  or  fluctuations of
protective elements may be of greater  amplitude or there may be other  elements
present  which  make the  long-term  risks appear  somewhat  larger than  in Aaa
securities. Their  market value  is virtually  immune to  all but  money  market
influences,  with  the  occasional exception  of  oversupply in  a  few specific
instances.
 
    A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes  and
are  to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered  adequate, but elements may be  present
which  suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. The market
value of A-rated bonds may be influenced to some degree by economic  performance
during  a sustained period of depressed business conditions, but, during periods
of normalcy, A-rated bonds frequently move in
 
                                      A-40
<PAGE>
parallel  with  Aaa  and  Aa  obligations,  with  the  occasional  exception  of
oversupply in a few specific instances.
 
    Moody's  bond rating  symbols may contain  numerical modifiers  of a generic
rating classification. The modifier 1 indicates that the bond ranks at the  high
end  of its  category; the  modifier 2  indicates a  mid-range ranking;  and the
modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
 
    Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa  are considered as medium grade  obligations,
i.e.,  they are neither  highly protected nor  poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear  adequate for the  present but certain  protective
elements  may be lacking or may  be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such  bonds lack outstanding  investment characteristics and  in
fact  have speculative  characteristics as well.  The market  value of Baa-rated
bonds is more  sensitive to changes  in economic circumstances,  and aside  from
occasional  speculative factors applying to some bonds of this class, Baa market
valuations move in  parallel with Aaa,  Aa and A  obligations during periods  of
economic normalcy, except in instances of oversupply.
 
    Con.  (--)--Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some
act or the  fulfillment of  some condition  are rated  conditionally. These  are
bonds  secured by (a)  earnings of projects under  construction, (b) earnings of
projects unseasoned  in  operation  experience, (c)  rentals  which  begin  when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition
attaches.  Parenthetical rating denotes probable  credit stature upon completion
of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
 
    NOTE RATINGS:
 
    MIG 1--This designation  denotes  best  quality.  There  is  present  strong
           protection  by established cash flows,  superior liquidity support or
           demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
 
    MIG 2--This designation  denotes high  quality.  Margins of  protection  are
           ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
                                      A-41
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-42
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-43
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-44
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                <S>        <C>
           NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
                           PROSPECTUS
                           140,000 Units
                           Georgia Insured Trust 40
                           Massachusetts Insured Trust
                           119
                           Ohio Insured Trust 119
                           Pennsylvania Insured Trust
                           188
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                 <S>        <C>
            NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
           SPONSOR             John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
                               333 West Wacker Drive
                               Chicago, IL 60606-1286
                               Telephone: 312.917.7700
 
                               Swiss Bank Tower
                               10 East 50th Street
                               New York, NY 10022
                               212.207.2000
 
           TRUSTEE             United States Trust Company
                               of New York
                               770 Broadway
                               New York, NY 10003
                               800.257.8787
 
     LEGAL COUNSEL             Chapman and Cutler
        TO SPONSOR             111 West Monroe Street
                               Chicago, IL 60603
 
       INDEPENDENT             Arthur Andersen LLP
            PUBLIC             33 West Monroe Street
       ACCOUNTANTS             Chicago, IL 60603
    FOR THE TRUSTS
</TABLE>
 
   Except as to statements made herein furnished by the Trustee, the Trustee has
   assumed  no responsibility for the accuracy, adequacy and completeness of the
   information contained in this Prospectus.
                   This Prospectus does not contain  all of the information  set
   forth in the registration statement and exhibits relating thereto, filed with
   the   Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,   Washington,  D.C.,  under  the
   Securities Act of 1933, and to which reference is made.
                   No person is authorized  to give any  information or to  make
   representations  not contained in  this Prospectus or  in supplementary sales
   literature prepared by the Sponsor, and any information or representation not
   contained therein must not be relied upon as having been authorized by either
   the Trusts, the Trustee or the  Sponsor. This Prospectus does not  constitute
   an  offer to sell,  or a solicitation of  an offer to  buy, securities in any
   State to any  person to  whom it is  not lawful  to make such  offer in  such
   state.  The  Trusts  are registered  as  a  Unit Investment  Trust  under the
   Investment Company Act  of 1940. Such  registration does not  imply that  the
   Trusts  or any of their Units  has been guaranteed, sponsored, recommended or
   approved by the United States or any State or agency or officer thereof.
 
   
   761
    
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This  schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Georgia
Insured Trust 40 which is incorporated in the Prospectus dated October 26,  1994
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Sep-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Sep-30-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,325,318
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,338,616
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        60,269
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,398,885
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            60,269
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  60,269
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      3,338,616
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 95.39
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This   schedule  contains  summary  financial  information  extracted  from  the
Massachusetts Insured Trust 119  which is incorporated  in the Prospectus  dated
October  26,  1994  and  is  qualified in  its  entirety  by  reference  to such
prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Sep-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Sep-30-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,227,608
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,240,041
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        56,201
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,296,242
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            56,201
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  56,201
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      3,240,041
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 92.57
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This  schedule contains  summary financial  information extracted  from the Ohio
Insured Trust 119 which is incorporated in the Prospectus dated October 26, 1994
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Sep-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Sep-30-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,196,521
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,199,985
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        49,019
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,249,004
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            49,019
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  49,019
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      3,199,985
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 91.43
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This   schedule  contains  summary  financial  information  extracted  from  the
Pennsylvania Insured Trust  188 which  is incorporated in  the Prospectus  dated
October  26,  1994  and  is  qualified in  its  entirety  by  reference  to such
prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Sep-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Sep-30-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,266,868
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,275,832
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        76,062
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,351,894
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            76,062
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  76,062
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      3,275,832
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 93.60
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>

Statement of differences between electronic filing and printed document.
   Pursuant to Rule 499(c) (7) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule
20-11 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant hereby identifies
those differences in the foregoing document between the electronic format in
which it is filed and the printed form in which it will be circulated:
   (1) The printed and distributed prospectus may be paged differently
because the printed document may contain a different amount of information on
each page from that contained in the electronic transmission.
   (2) On the cover page, in the index and on the last page of the printed
document, solid vertical bars will appear.
   (3) In the printed document, footnote symbols may include a "dagger" or
multiple "dagger".  The "dagger" symbol is represented as # in the electronic
document.
   (4) The printed and distributed prospectus will not  contain the
preliminary prospectus legend included at the beginning of the first
prospectus page.


<PAGE>

                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

A.  BONDING ARRANGEMENTS OF DEPOSITOR:

    The Depositor has obtained  the following Stockbrokers Blanket Bonds
for its officers, directors and employees:

    INSURER/POLICY NO.                                     AMOUNT

    United Pacific Insurance Co.                           $10,000,000
    Reliance Insurance Company
    B 74 92 20

    Aetna Casualty and Surety                              $10,000,000
    08 F10618BCA

    St. Paul Insurance Co.                                 $ 6,000,000
    400 HC 1051

B.  This amendment of Registration Statement comprises the following papers 
and documents:

              The facing sheet
              The Prospectus

              The signatures

              Consents of Independent Public
              Accountants and Counsel as indicated

              Exhibits as listed on page S-5


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

    The Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761 hereby
identifies Series 401, 507, 512, 515, 517, 519 and 723 of the Nuveen 
Tax-Exempt Unit Trust for purposes of the representations required by 
Rule 487 and represents the following:

    (1) that the portfolio securities deposited in the series as to the
securities of which this Registration Statement is being filed do not differ
materially in type or quality from those deposited in such previous series;

    (2) that, except to the extent necessary to identify the specific
portfolio securities deposited in, and to provide essential financial
information for, the series with respect to the securities of which this
Registration Statement is being filed, this Registration Statement does not
contain disclosures that differ in any material respect from those contained
in the registration statements for such previous series as to which the
effective date was determined by the Commission or the staff; and

    (3) that it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933.

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761 has duly caused this
Amendment of Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized in the City of Chicago and State of
Illinois on 10/26/94.

 
                                NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 761
                                (Registrant)

                                By JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                                (Depositor)


                       
                                By: Larry Woods Martin
                                    _________________________________
                                    Vice President


                        
                           Attest:  Morrison C. Warren
                                    __________________________________
                                    Assistant Secretary


<PAGE>

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
of Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in 
the capacities and on the dates indicated:


    SIGNATURE                     TITLE*                       DATE

Richard J. Franke       Chairman, Board of Directors  )
                        Chief Executive Officer and   )
                        Director                      )
                                                      )
Donald E. Sveen         President, Chief Operating    )
                        Officer and Director          )
                                                      )
                                             
Anthony T. Dean         Executive Vice President      ) Larry Woods Martin
                        and Director                  ) Attorney-In-Fact**
                                                      )
Timothy T. Schwertfeger Executive Vice President      )
                        and Director                  )

O. Walter Renfftlen     Vice President and Controller )
                        (Principal Accounting Officer))
                                                      )
                                                      )10/26/94
___________________

*The titles of the persons named herein represent their capacity in and
relationship to John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Depositor.

**The powers of attorney were filed on Form SE for Messrs. Franke, 
Sveen, Renfftlen, Dean and Schwertfeger with the Amendment to the 
Registration Statement on Form S-6 of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, 
Series 671 (File No. 33-49175). 



<PAGE>

761

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report and to all references to our Firm included in or made a part of this
Registration Statement.

                                 
                                            Arthur Andersen LLP
Chicago, Illinois
10/26/94


                         CONSENT OF CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

    The consent of Chapman and Cutler to the use of its name in the Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement is contained in its opinions filed by
this amendment as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to the Registration Statement.

                            CONSENT OF STATE COUNSEL

    The consents of special counsel to the Fund for state tax matters to the 
use of their names in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement 
are contained in their opinions filed by this amendment as Exhibit 3.3 to the
Registration Statement.

                   CONSENT OF STANDARD + POOR'S CORPORATION

    The consent of Standard + Poor's Corporation to the use of its name in
the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this
amendment as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.

                   CONSENT OF KENNY S+P EVALUATION SERVICES

    The consent of Kenny S+P Evaluation Services to the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment 
as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement.

                      CONSENT OF CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN

    The consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn to the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment 
as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement.

<PAGE>

                                LIST OF EXHIBITS


1.1 (a)  Copy of Trust Indenture and Agreement between John Nuveen &
         Co. Incorporated, Depositor, and United States Trust Company of
         New York, Trustee (as Exibit 1.1 (a) to the Sponsor's Registration
         Statement on Form S-6 relating to Series 723 of the Fund (file No.
         33-52527) and incorporated herein by reference).

1.1 (b)  Schedules to the Trust Indenture and Agreement.

2.1      Copy of Certificate of Ownership (Included in Exhibit 1.1(a) on
         pages 2 to 8, inclusive, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.1      Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered.

3.2      Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of securities
         being registered.

3.3      Opinions of special state counsel to the Fund for state tax matters
         as to income tax status to residents of the respective states of the
         units of the respective trusts and consents to the use of their names
         in the Prospectus.

4.1      Consent of Standard + Poor's Corporation.

4.2      Consent of Kenny S+P Evaluation Services.

4.3      Consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn.

                                                                      
<PAGE>                                                                        
                                                                              
Exhibit 1.1(b)                                                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                 SCHEDULE A                                   
                                                                              
                                                                              
Series 761                                           October 26, 1994         
                                                                              
Item 1.  This Indenture relates to the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust           
         Series 761.                                                          
                                                                              
Item 2.  The date of this Indenture is October 26, 1994.                      
                                                                              
Item 3.  Series 761 shall initially contain Trusts as follows:                
                                                                              
         (a)   Georgia Insured Trust 40                                       
         (b)   Massachusetts Insured Trust 119                                
         (c)   Ohio Insured Trust 119                                         
         (d)   Pennsylvania Insured Trust 188                                 
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 4.  Each Trust shall initially consist of the following number of Units: 
                                                                              
         (a)   Georgia Insured Trust                    35,000 Units          
         (b)   Massachusetts Insured Trust              35,000 Units          
         (c)   Ohio Insured Trust                       35,000 Units          
         (d)   Pennsylvania Insured Trust               35,000 Units          
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 5.  (a) The amount of the second distribution from the Interest          
             Account of the respective Trusts will be as follows:             
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Georgia Insured Trust                   $ .5750 per Unit       
         ( 2)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             $ .5603 per Unit       
         ( 3)  Ohio Insured Trust                      $ .5421 per Unit       
         ( 4)  Pennsylvania Insured Trust              $ .5726 per Unit       
                                                                              
         (b) The date of the second distribution from the Interest Account    
             of the respective Trusts will be as follows:                     
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Georgia Insured Trust                   December 15, 1994      
         ( 2)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             December 15, 1994      
         ( 3)  Ohio Insured Trust                      December 15, 1994      
         ( 4)  Pennsylvania Insured Trust              December 15, 1994      
                                                                              
         (c) The record date for the second distribution from the             
             Interest Account of the respective Trusts will be as             
             follows:                                                         
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Georgia Insured Trust                   December 1, 1994       
         ( 2)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             December 1, 1994       
         ( 3)  Ohio Insured Trust                      December 1, 1994       
         ( 4)  Pennsylvania Insured Trust              December 1, 1994       
                                                                              
                                                                              
         PAGE 2                                                               
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 6.  Record dates for subsequent semi-annual distributions from the       
         Interest Account for each of the respective Trusts will be the 1st   
         day of May and November of each year.                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 7.  (a) Record date for distibution from the Principal Account of each   
             of the respective Trusts will be the first day of May and        
             November of each year.                                           
                                                                              
         (b) The first record date for distributions from the Principal       
             Account of each of the respective Trusts will be                 
             November 1, 1994.                                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 8.  The Trust shall in no event continue beyond the end of the calendar  
         year preceding the fiftieth anniversary of the execution of this     
         Indenture for National and State Trusts, beyond the end of the       
         calendar year preceding the twentieth anniversary of its execution   
         for Long Intermediate and Intermediate Trusts and beyond the end of  
         the calendar year preceding the tenth anniversary of its execution   
         for Short Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.                        
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 9.  Quarterly distributions from the Interest Account of the respective  
         Trusts will be computed as of the 1st day of February, May, August,  
         and November.                                                        
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 10. Certain deductions from the Interest Account by the Trustee          
         will commence as follows:                                            
                                                                              
         (a)   Georgia Insured Trust                   December 1, 1994       
         (b)   Massachusetts Insured Trust             December 1, 1994       
         (c)   Ohio Insured Trust                      December 1, 1994       
         (d)   Pennsylvania Insured Trust              December 1, 1994       
                                                                              
Item 11. (a)  For services performed prior to the date indicated in           
              Item 5(c) of this Schedule A, the Trustee shall be paid at      
              the following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount       
              of Bonds:                                                       
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Georgia Insured Trust                   $1.7257                
         ( 2)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             $1.7482                
         ( 3)  Ohio Insured Trust                      $1.6307                
         ( 4)  Pennsylvania Insured Trust              $1.7265                
                                                                              
         (b)  For services performed on or after the date indicated in        
              Item 5(c) of this Schedule A, the Trustee shall be paid at      
              the following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount       
              of Bonds:                                                       
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Georgia Insured Trust                                          
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.7257          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.4057          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.2157          
                                                                              
         ( 2)  Massachusetts Insured Trust                                    
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.7482          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.4282          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.2382          
                                                                              
         ( 3)  Ohio Insured Trust                                             
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.6307          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.3107          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.1207          
                                                                              
         ( 4)  Pennsylvania Insured Trust                                     
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.7265          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.4065          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.2165          
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                            ADDITIONAL SCHEDULES                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                         BONDS INITIALLY DEPOSITED                            
                                                                              
                  NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 761                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
Incorporated herein and made a part hereof as indicated below are the         
following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount of Bonds:               
corresponding portions of the 'Schedules of Investments at Date of Deposit'   
contained in the Prospectus dated the Date of Deposit and relating to the     
above-named Series:                                                           
                                                                              
         Schedule B:  Georgia Insured Trust 40                                
         Schedule C:  Massachusetts Insured Trust 119                         
         Schedule D:  Ohio Insured Trust 119                                  
         Schedule E:  Pennsylvania Insured Trust 188                          


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.1

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

10/26/94


John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 761 (hereinafter referred to as the "Fund"), in connection
with the issuance under the Trust Indenture and Agreement dated the date 
hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor, and United 
States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, of Units of fractional 
undivided interest in the one or more Trusts of said Fund (hereinafter 
referred to as the "Units").
 
    In connection therewith, we have examined such pertinent records and
documents and matters of law as we have deemed necessary in order to enable us
to express the opinions hereinafter set forth.

    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

   1.   The execution and delivery of the Trust Indenture and Agreement and
the establishment of book entry positions and the execution and issuance of 
certificates evidencing the Units in the Trusts of the Fund have been duly 
authorized; and

    2.   The book entry positions and certificates positions evidencing the 
Units in the Trusts of the Fund when duly executed and delivered or duly 
established by the Depositor and the Trustee in accordance with the 
aforementioned Trust Indenture and Agreement, will constitute valid and 
binding obligations of such Trusts and the Depositor in accordance with the 
terms thereof.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-55815) relating to the Units referred
to above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Respectfully submitted,



CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.2

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

10/26/94

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606
RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 761 (the "Fund") in connection with the issuance under the
Trust Indenture and Agreement, dated the date hereof between John Nuveen & Co.
Incorporated, as Depositor, and United States Trust Company of New York, as
Trustee, of Units of fractional undivided interest (the "Units"), as evidenced
by a book entry position or certificate, if requested by the purchaser of 
Units, in the one or more Trusts of said Fund.

    We have also served as counsel for you in connection with all previous
Series of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust and as such have previously 
examined such pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have 
deemed necessary, including (but not limited to) the Trust Indenture and 
Agreements with respect to those series.  We have also examined such 
pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have deemed 
necessary including (but not limited to) the Trust Indenture and Agreement 
relating to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761.

    We have concluded that the Trust Indenture and Agreement for the Fund and
its counterpart in each of the prior issues of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust 
are in all material respects substantially identical.

    Based upon the foregoing, and upon such matters of law as we consider
to be applicable we are of the opinion that, under existing federal income
law:

    (i)  For Federal income tax purposes, each of the Trusts will not be
taxable as an association but will be governed by the provisions of 
Subchapter J (relating to Trusts) of Chapter 1, Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 (the "Code").

    (ii) Each Unitholder will be considered as owning a pro rata
share of each asset of the respective Trust of the Fund in the proportion
that the number of Units of such Trust held by him bears to the total number
of outstanding Units of such Trust. Under Subpart E, Subchapter J of Chapter
1 of the Code, income of each Trust will be treated as income of each
Unitholder thereof in the proportion described and an item of Fund income
will have the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as it would have in
the hands of the Trustee.  Accordingly, to the extent that the income of a
Trust consists of interest and original issue discount excludable from gross
income under Section 103 of the Code, such income will be excludable from
federal gross income of the Unitholder, except in the case of a Unitholder
who is a substantial user (or a person related to such user) of a facility
financed through issuance of any industrial development bonds or certain
private activity bonds held by the Trust. In the case of such Unitholder who
is a substantial user (and no other) interest received and original issue
discount with respect to his Units attributable to such industrial
development bonds or such private activity bonds is includable in his gross
income. In the case of certain corporations, interest on the Bonds is included
in computing the alternative minimum tax pursuant to Sections 56(f) and 56(g)
of the Code, the enviromental tax (the "Superfund Tax") imposed by Sections
59A of the Code, and the branch profits tax imposed by Section 884 of the Code
with repect to U.S. branches of foreign corporations.

    (iii) Gain or loss will be recognized to a Unitholder upon
redemption or sale of his Units.  Such gain or loss is measured by comparing 
the proceeds of such redemption or sale with the adjusted basis of such Units.
Before adjustment, such basis would normally be cost if the Unitholder had
acquired his Units by purchase, plus his aliquot share of advances by the
Trustee to the Trust to pay interest on Bonds delivered after the Unitholder's
settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued on the Bonds during
the period from the Unitholder's settlement date to the date such Bonds are
delivered to the Trust, but only to the extent that such advances are to be
repaid to the Trustee out of interest received by the Fund with respect to
such Bonds.  In addition, such basis will be increased by both the
Unitholder's aliquot share of the accrued original issued discount with
respect to each Bond held by the Trust with respect to which there was an
original issue discount and reduced by the annual amortization of bond
premium, if any, on Bonds held by the Trust.

<PAGE>

    (iv) If the Trustee disposes of a Trust asset (whether by sale, payment on
maturity, redemption or otherwise), gain or loss is recognized to the
Unitholder and the amount thereof is measured by comparing the
Unitholder's aliquot share of the total proceeds from the transaction
with his basis for his fractional interest in the asset disposed of.  Such 
basis is ascertained by apportioning the tax basis for his Units among each 
of the Trust assets (as of the date on which his Units were acquired) ratably 
according to their values as of the valuation date nearest the date on which 
he purchased such Units.  A Unitholder's basis in his Units and of his
fractional interest in each Trust asset must be reduced by the amount of his 
aliquot share of interest received by the Fund, if any, on Bonds delivered
after the Unitholder's settlement date to the extent that such
interest accrued on the Bonds during the period from the Unitholder's
settlement date to the date such Bonds are delivered to the Trust, must be 
reduced by the annual amortization of bond premium, if any, on Bonds held by 
the Trust and must be increased by the Unitholder's share of accrued
original issue discount with respect to each Bond which, at the time
the Bond was issued, had original issue discount.

     (v)  In the case of any Bond held by the Trust where the "stated
redemption price at maturity" exceeds the "issue price," such excess shall
be original issue discount.  With respect to each Unitholder, upon the
purchase of his Units subsequent to the original issuance of Bonds held by the
Trust Section 1272(a)(7) of the Code provides for a reduction in the accrued
"daily portion" of such original issue discount upon the purchase of a Bond
subsequent to the Bond's original issue, under certain circumstances.  In the
case of any Bond held by the Trust the interest on which is excludable from
gross income under Section 103 of the Code, any original issue discount which
accrues with respect thereto will be treated as interest which is excludable
from gross income under Section 103 of the Code.

    (vi)  In the case of any Bond which matures within one year of the date
issued, the accrual of tax-exempt original issue discount will generally be
computed daily on a ratable basis unless the Unitholder elects to accrue such
discount under a constant yield method, compounded daily.

    (vii)  In the case of any Bond which does not mature within one year
after the date issued, tax-exempt original issue discount will accrue
daily, computed generally under a constant yield method, compounded
semiannually (with straight line interpolation between compounding dates).

    (viii)  In the case of Trusts for which Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Corporation ("MBIA") insurance with respect to each of the Bonds deposited
therein has been obtained by the Depositor or the issuer or underwriter of the
Bonds, we have examined the form of MBIA's policy or several policies of
insurance (the "Policies") which have been delivered to the Trustee.  Assuming
issuance of Policies in such form, in our opinion, any amounts paid under said
Policies representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the
Trustee will be excludable from Federal gross income if, and to the same
extent as, such interest would have been so excludable if paid by the
respective issuer, provided that, at the time such policies are purchased,
the amounts paid for such policies are reasonable, customary and consistent
with the reasonable expectation that the issuer of the bonds, rather than
the insurer, will pay debt service on the bonds.  Paragraph (ii) of this 
opinion is accordingly applicable to Policy proceeds representing maturing 
interest.
<PAGE>

    Because the Trusts do not include any "specified private activity bonds"
within the meaning of Section 57(a)(5) of the Code issued on or after August
8, 1986, none of the Trust Fund's interest income shall be treated as an item
of tax preference when computing the alternative minimum tax.  In the case of
corporations, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986, the alter-
native minimum tax and the Superfund Tax depend upon the corporation's
alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the corporation's
taxable income with certain adjustments.

    Pursuant to Section 56(c) of the Code, one of the adjustment
items used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation
(other than an S Corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate
Investment Trust or REMIC) is an amount equal to 50% of the excess of such
corporation's "adjusted net book income" over an amount equal to its AMTI
(before such adjustment item and the alternative tax net operating
loss deduction).  For taxable years beginning after 1989, such adjustment item
will be 75% of the excess of such corporation's "adjusted current earnings"
over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment item and the
alternative tax net operating net operating loss deduction) pursuant to
Section 56(g) of the Code.  Both "adjusted net book income" and "adjusted
current earnings" include all tax-exempt interest, including interest on all
Bonds in the Trust, and tax-exempt original issue discount.

   Effective for tax returns filed after December 31, 1987,  all taxpayers
are required to disclose to the Internal Revenue Service the amount of
tax-exempt interest earned during the year.

    Section 265 of the Code generally provides for a reduction
in each taxable year of 100% of the otherwise deductible interest on
indebtedness incurred or continued by financial institutions, to which either 
Section 585 or Section 593 of the Code applies, to purchase or carry 
obligations acquired after August 7, 1986, the interest on which is exempt
from federal income taxes for such taxable year.  Under rules prescribed by 
Section 265, the amount of interest otherwise deductible by such financial
institutions in any taxable year which is deemed to be attributable to 
tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986 will be the amount
that bears the same ratio to the interest deduction otherwise allowable
(determined without regard to Section 265) to the taxpayer for the taxable
year as the taxpayer's average adjusted basis (within the meaning of Section
1016) of tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986, bears to
such average adjusted basis for all assets of the taxpayer, unless such 
financial institution can otherwise establish under regulations to be
prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the amount of interest on 
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such obligations.

<PAGE>

    We also call attention to the fact that, under Section 265 of the
Code,  interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry
Units by taxpayers other than certain financial institutions, as referred to
above, is not deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Under rules used by
the Internal Revenue Service for determining when borrowed funds are con-
sidered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the
purchase of Units may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even
though the borrowed funds are not directly traceable to the purchase of Units.
However, these rules generally do not apply to interest paid on indebtedness
incurred for expenditures of a personal nature such as a mortgage incurred to
purchase or improve a personal residence.

    "The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993" (the "Tax Act") subjects tax-exempt
bonds to the market discount rules of the Code effective for bonds purchased
after April 30, 1993.  In general, market discount is the amount (if any) by
which the stated redemption price at maturity exceeds an investor's purchase
price (except to the extent that such difference, if any, is attributable to
original issue discount not yet accrued).  Market discount can arise based on
the price a Trust pays for Bonds or the price a Unitholder pays for his or her
Units.  Under the Tax Act, accretion of market discount is taxable as ordinary
income; under prior law, the accretion had been treated as capital gain.  Market
discount that accretes while a Trust holds a Bond would be recognized as
ordinary income by the Unitholders when principal payments are received on the
Bond, upon sale or at redemption (including early redemption), or upon the sale
or redemption of his or her Units, unless a Unitholder elects to include market
discount in taxable income as it accrues.
     
    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-55815) relating to the Units referred
to above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Respectfully submitted,


CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON CHAPMAN & CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

10/26/94


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 761
c/o John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

United States Trust Company of New York,
   as Trustee for Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
   Trust, Series 761
770 Broadway
New York, New York  10003

          Re:   
               Georgia Insured Trust 40
Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series
761, with respect to certain matters preliminary to the issuance and sale
of units of interest therein (the "Units") pursuant to a Trust Indenture and
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "Indenture"), between John
Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as depositor (the "Depositor"), and United States
Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the "Trustee").  The Units represent
fractional undivided interests in the principal of and net income on
obligations deposited in one of several separate trusts including the
above-captioned trust (the "Trust"), will be evidenced by a certificate
(the "Certificate") and will be sold to various investors (the "Unitholders").
Each separate trust will be administered as a distinct entity with
separate certificates, investments, expenses, books and records.

         The assets of the Trust will consist of interest-bearing obligations
issued by or on behalf of the State of Georgia (the "State") or counties,
municipalities, authorities or political subdivisions thereof (the "Georgia
Bonds") or by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions
(the "Puerto Rico Bonds") (collectively, the "Bonds").  Distributions of
interest on the Bonds received by the Trust will be made semi-annually unless
a Unitholder elects to receive them monthly or quarterly.

         Although we express no opinion with respect therto, in rendering the
opinion expressed herein, we have assumed that the Bonds were validly issued
by the State of Georgia or its instrumentalities or municipalities and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or its instrumentalities or municipalities, as
the case may be.


PAGE END

<PAGE>

         Based on the foregoing, and review and consideration of existing
State laws, it is our opinion, and we herewith advise you, as follows:

    1.  For purposes of income taxation by the State of Georgia or any
of its counties or municipalities:

         (a)  The Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation and
each Unitholder of the Trust will be treated as the owner of a pro-rata
portion of the Trust, and the income of the Trust will therefore be treated
as the income of the Unitholder;

         (b)  Interest on the Georgia Bonds and the Puerto Rico Bonds
which is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes
when received by the Trust will be exempt from Georgia income taxation
and therefore will not be includible in the income of the Unitholder
for income tax purposes when distributed by the Trust and received by
the Unitholder;

         (c)  Each Unitholder of the Trust will recognize gain or
loss for income tax purposes if the Trustee disposes of a bond
(whether by sale, exchange, payment on maturity, retirement or other-
wise) or if the Unitholder redeems or sells Units of the Trust
to the extent that such transaction results in a recognized gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes;

         (d)  Due to the amortization of bond premium and the basis adjust-
ments required by the Internal Revenue Code, a Unitholder, under some
circumstances, may realize taxable gain when his or her Units are sold or
redeemed prior to the maturity of Bonds held by the Trust for an amount
equal to such Units' original cost;

         (e)  In the case of Georgia Bonds issued before March 11, 1987
with original issue discount the amount of gain or loss recognized for
income tax purposes upon such sale or redemption of Bonds or
Units may differ from the amount recognized for federal income tax purposes
because original issue discount on such Bonds will accrue on ratable basis
under Georgia law;

         (f)  Interest on indebtedness incurred by a Unitholder to
purchase or carry Units of the Trust and Trustee fees and related expenses
incurred by the Trust which are not deductible for federal income tax
purposes are also not deductible under Georgia law;

    2.  Units of the Trust are not subject to sales or use taxation by
the State of Georgia or any political subdivision thereof;

    3.  Georgia Bonds and Bonds issued by the Government of Puerto Rico are
not subject to intangible personal property  taxation by the State of
Georgia or any political subdivision thereof and although there is currently
no published administrative interpretation or opinion of the Attorney General
of Georgia dealing with the status of bonds issued by a political subdivision
of Puerto Rico, we have in the past, been advised orally by representatives
of the Georgia Department of Revenue that such bonds would also be considered
exempt from such tax;

    4.  No opinion is expressed regarding whether Units of the Trust
are subject to intangilble personal property taxation by the State of
Georgia, however, according to discussions with the Georgia Department of
Revenue, it is the Department's view that Units of the Trust would be
subject to such tax;

    5.  Georgia Bonds and Puerto Rico Bonds are not subject to sales or
use taxation by the State of Georgia or any political subdivision thereof;



    6.  In the case of Trusts for which an insurance policy or policies with
respect to the payment of principal and interest on the Georgia Bonds and
Puerto Rico Bonds has been obtained by the Depositor, any proceeds paid under
such policy or policies issued to the Trust, if any, with respect to the Bonds
in the Trust which represent maturing interest on defaulted obligations held
by the Trustee will be exempt from State income taxes if, and to the same ex-
tent as, such interest would have been so exempt if paid by the issurer of the
defaulted obligations provided that, at the time such policies are purchased, 
the amounts paid for such policies are reasonable, customary and consistent 
with the reasonable expectation that the issuer of the Bonds, rather than the 
insurer, will pay debt service on the Bonds.  Paragraph 1(b) of this opinion 
is accordingly applicable to policy proceeds representing maturing interest.

          We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited and held in
the Trust or the proceedings for the issuance thereof or the opinions of bond
counsel with respect thereto, and therefore express no opinion as to the
exemption from State income taxes of interest on the Bonds if received
directly by a Unitholder.

          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (No. 33-55815) filed pursuant to the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act"), with respect to the registration of the sale of
the Units by Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761, and to the 
references to our firm in such Registration Statement and the preliminary 
prospectus included therein.  In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit
that we are persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Act, or the 
rules and regulations thereunder.

Very truly yours,



Chapman & Cutler


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3

(ON EDWARDS & ANGELL LETTERHEAD)

10/26/94

Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
  Series 761
In care of John Nuveen & Co.
  Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL  60606

Attention of James J. Wesolowski, Esq.
             Vice President, General Counsel
             and Secretary

United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761
770 Broadway
New York, NY  10003

                 Re:   
                      Massachusetts Insured Trust 119

Dear Sirs:

    We have acted as special counsel, with respect to Massachusetts State and
local tax matters, to the above mentioned Trust(s) ("Trust(s)") of Nuveen Tax-
Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761 (the "Fund") concerning a Registration
Statement (No. 33-55815) on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Registration Statement"), covering the issuance by the Fund
of Units of fractional undivided interest in the Fund.

    We have not been furnished with a copy of the Registration Statement or
the prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement, relating to the
issuance by the Fund of the Units.  However, John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
has authorized us to assume that the proposed offer and sale of the Units will
be carried out in that same manner and upon the same terms and conditions as
that described in the prospectus for the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series
351 - Massachusetts Trust 182, dated November 6, 1985.

    We have been furnished with a copy of the opinion of Chapman and Cutler
on the federal tax status of the Fund, its constituent Trusts and their
Unitholders.

    In addition, we have also examined applicable Massachusetts law and a
ruling of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue dated February 7, 1985,
relating to Multi-State Series 162.

     Based on the foregoing it is our opinion that under existing law and
administration of the affairs of the Trust(s):

     A.  For Massachusetts income tax purposes, each Trust will be treated
         as a corporate trust under Section 8 of Chapter 62 of the
         Massachusetts General Laws ("M.G.L.") and not as a grantor trust
         under Section 10(e) of M.G.L. Chapter 62.

     B.  The Trust(s) will not be held to be engaging in business in
         Massachusetts within the meaning of said Section 8 and will,
         therefore, not be subject to Massachusetts income tax.
     C.  Unitholders who are subject to Massachusetts income taxation
         under M.G.L. Chapter 62 will not be required to include their
         respective shares of the earnings of or distributions from the
         Trust(s) in their Massachusetts gross income to the extent that such
         earnings or distributions represent tax-exempt interest excludable
         from gross income for federal income tax purposes received by the
         Trust(s) on obligations issued by Massachusetts, its counties,
         municipalities, authorities, political subdivisions or
         instrumentalities or by Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam,
         the Northern Mariana Islands or other possessions of the United
         States within the meaning of Section 103(c) of the Internal Revenue
         Code of 1986, as amended ("Obligations").

     D.  In the case of a Massachusetts Insured Trust, Unitholders who are
         subject to Massachusetts income taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 62
         will not be required to include their respective shares of the
         earnings of or distributions from such Trust in their Massachsetts
         gross income to the extent that such earnings or distributions are
         derived from the proceeds of insurance obtained by the Sponsor of
         such Trust or by the issuer or underwriter of an obligation held
         by such Trust that represent maturing interest on defaulted
         obligations held by the Trustee, if and to the same extent that
         such earnings or distributions would have been excludable from the
         gross income of such Unitholders if derived from interest paid by
         the issuer of the defaulted obligation.

     E.  Unitholders which are corporations subject to taxation
         under M.G.L. Chapter 63 will be required to include their
         respective shares of the earnings of or distributions from the
         Trust(s) in their Massachusetts gross income to the extent that such
         earnings or distributions represent interest from bonds, notes or
         indebtedness of any state, including Massachusetts, except for
         interest which is specifically exempted from such tax by the acts
         authorizing issuance of said Obligations.

     F.  Each Trust's capital gains and/or capital losses which are includable
         in the federal gross income of Unitholders who are
         subject to Massachusetts income taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 62,
         or Unitholders which are corporations subject to
         Massachusetts taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 63 will be included as
         capital gains and/or losses in the Unitholders' Massachusetts
         gross income, except for capital gain which is specifically exempted
         from taxation under such Chapters by the acts authorizing issuance of
         said Obligations.

     G.  Unitholders which are corporations subject to tax under
         M.G.L. Chapter 63 and which are tangible property corporations will
         not be required to include the Units when determining the value
         of their tangible property; such Unitholders which are
         intangible property corporations will be required to include the
         Units when determining their net worth.

     H.  Gains or losses realized on sales or redemptions of Units by
         Unitholders who are subject to Massachusetts income taxation
         under M.G.L. Chapter 62 or Unitholders which are corporations
         subject to Massachusetts taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 63 will be
         includable in their Massachusetts gross income.  In determining such
         gain or loss Unitholders will, to the same extent required for
         Federal tax purposes, have to adjust their tax bases for their Units
         for accrued interest received, if any, on Obligations delivered to
         the Trustee after the Unitholders pay for their Units, for
         amortization of premiums, if any, on Obligations held by the
         Trust(s), and for accrued original issue discount with respect to
         each Obligation which, at the time the Obligation was issued, had
         original issue discount.

     I.  The Units of the Trust(s) are not subject to any property tax levied
         by Massachusetts or any political subdivision thereof, nor to any
         income tax levied by any such political subdivision.  They are
         includable in the gross estate of a deceased Unitholder who is a
         resident of Massachusetts for purposes of the Massachusetts Estate
         Tax.

     The foregoing opinions are based upon present provisions of federal and
Massachusetts law, administrative interpretations thereof and court decisions.
With respect to Unitholders which are corporations subject to
Massachusetts taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 63, no opinion is rendered on the
includability of their respective shares of the earnings of or distributions
from the Trust(s) in their Massachusetts gross income to the extent that such
earnings or distributions represent interest from bonds, notes, or indebted-
ness of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands or
other possessions of the United States within the meaning of Section 103(c)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in such Registration
Statement and the Prospectus included therein.

Very truly yours,



EDWARDS & ANGELL


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON SQUIRE, SANDERS & DEMPSEY LETTERHEAD)

10/26/94

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606

U.S. Trust Company of New York
770 Broadway
New York, New York 10003

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761
      
     Ohio Insured Trust 119

Gentlemen:

    You have requested our opinion as to the Ohio tax aspects of the above-
captioned Trust(s) (the "Ohio Trust(s)"), which is(are) part of the
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust --  Series 761 (the "Fund").  We understand
that the Fund is organized under the Trust Indenture and Agreement, dated the
date hereof, between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor, and United
States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee.  We further understand that (i)
the Fund will issue Units of fractional undivided interests in several state
trusts, including the Ohio Trust(s), (ii) the Units will be purchased by
various investors ("Unitholders"), (iii) each Unit of the Ohio Trust(s)
represents a fractional undivided interest in the principal and net income of
the Ohio Trust(s) in the ratio of ten Units for each $1,000 of principal
amount of the obligations initially acquired by the Ohio Trust(s), and (iv)
each state trust will be administered as a distinct entity with separate
certificates, investments, expenses, books and records.

    In addition, we understand that (i) the Ohio Trust(s) is(are) comprised
primarily of interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the State
of Ohio, political subdivisions thereof, or agencies or instrumentalities
thereof ("Ohio Obligations"), or by the governments of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands or Guam ("Territorial Obligations")
(collectively, "Obligations"), (ii) at all times at least fifty percent of the
total assets of the Ohio Trust(s) will consist of Ohio Obligations, or similar
obligations of other states or their subdivisions, and (iii) distributions of
interest received by the Ohio Trust(s) will be made semi-annually unless the
Unitholder elects otherwise.  We further understand that, based on the opinion
of bond counsel with respect to each issue of Ohio Obligations held or to be
held by the Ohio Trust, rendered on the date of issuance thereof, interest on
each such issue is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes
under Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"),
or other provisions of federal law, provided that with respect to certain Ohio
and Territorial Obligations, certain representations are accurate and certain
covenants are satisfied.

 
    We understand that Chapman and Cutler has rendered an opinion that
for federal income tax purposes the Ohio Trust(s) will not be taxable as (an)
association(s) but will be governed by the provisions of subchapter J
(relating to trusts) of Chapter 1 of the Code; each Unitholder will be
considered the owner of a pro rata portion of the Unitholder's respective
Ohio Trust under Section 676(a) of the Code; the Ohio Trust(s) will not be
subject to federal income tax; each Unitholder will be considered to have
received his pro rata share of interest on the underlying bonds in the
Unitholder's respective Ohio Trust when it is received by such Ohio Trust;
and each Unitholder will have a taxable event when the Unitholder's respective
Ohio Trust disposes of an underlying obligation (whether by sale, exchange,
redemption, or payment at maturity) or when the Unitholder redeems or sells
his Units.
 
    Based on the foregoing and upon an examination of such other documents and
an investigation of such other matters of law as we have deemed necessary, we
are of the opinion that under existing Ohio law:

    1.   The Ohio Trust(s) is(are) not taxable as (a) corporation(s) or
otherwise for purposes of the Ohio personal income tax, Ohio school district
income taxes, the Ohio corporation franchise tax, or the Ohio dealers in
intangibles tax.

    2.   Income of the Ohio Trust(s) will be treated as the income of the
Unitholders for purposes of the Ohio personal income tax, Ohio school
district income taxes, Ohio municipal income taxes and the Ohio corporation
franchise tax in proportion to the respective interest therein of each
Unitholder.

    3.   Interest on Obligations held by the Ohio Trust(s) is exempt from the
Ohio personal income tax, Ohio municipal income taxes and Ohio school district 
income taxes, and is excluded from the net income base of the Ohio corporation 
franchise tax when distributed or deemed distributed to Unitholders.

    4.   Proceeds paid under insurance policies, if any, to the Trustee of
the Ohio Trust(s) representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held
by the Ohio Trust(s) will be exempt from the Ohio personal income tax, Ohio
school district income taxes, Ohio municipal income taxes and the net income
base of the Ohio corporation franchise tax to the same extent as if such
defaulted obligations were held directly by the unitholders.

     5.  Gains and losses realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition
by the Ohio Trust(s) of Ohio Obligations are excluded in determining adjusted
gross and taxable income for purposes of the Ohio personal income tax, Ohio
municipal income taxes and Ohio school district income taxes, and are excluded
from the net income base of the Ohio corporation franchise tax when
distributed or deemed distributed to Unitholders.


    We have not examined any of the obligations to be deposited in the Ohio
Trust(s) and express no opinion as to whether such obligations, interest
thereon, or gain from the sale or other disposition thereof would in fact be
exempt from any federal or Ohio taxes if such obligations were held, or such
interest or gain were received, directly by the Unitholders.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (No. 33-55815) relating to the Units referred to
above, and to the reference to our firm as special Ohio tax counsel in said
Registration Statement and in the Prospectus contained therein.

Respectfully submitted,



SQUIRE, SANDERS & DEMPSEY

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(On Dechert Price & Rhoads Letterhead)

10/26/94


John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761
      
     Pennsylvania Insured Trust 188

Gentlemen:

    You have requested our opinion as to the Pennsylvania tax aspects of the
above-captioned Trust(s) (the "Pennsylvania Trust(s)") which is (are) a part
of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust Series 761 ("Fund").  The Fund is
organized under the Trust Indenture and Agreement, of even date, between John
Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor, and United States Trust Company of
New York, as Trustee.  The Fund will contain several trusts, including the
Pennsylvania Trust(s), which will issue Units of fractional undivided
interests.  The Units will be purchased by various investors ("Unit Holder").
Each Unit of the Pennsylvania Trust(s) represents a fractional undivided
interest in the principal and net income of such Trust(s) in the ratio of ten
Units for each $1,000 of value of the obligations initially acquired by such
Trust(s).  Each Pennsylvania Trust will be administered as a distinct entity
with separate certificates, investments, expenses, books and records.
 
    The proceeds of the sale of the Units will be invested primarily in
interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, its agencies and instrumentalities, or political subdivisions
thereof, including any county, city, borough, town, township, school disrict,
municipality, and local housing or parking authority in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania or issued by Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam or the
Northern Mariana Islands ("Bonds").  Distributions of the interest received by
the Trust will be made semi-annually unless the Unit Holder elects otherwise.
In the opinion of bond counsel to each issuer, the interest on all bonds in
the Trust is exempt fromn federal income tax under existing law.

    You have advised us that for federal income tax purposes each Pennsylvania
Trust will not be taxable as an association but will be governed by the
provisions of Subchapter J (relating to Trusts) of Chapter 1 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.  Each Unit Holder will be considered the owner of a pro
rata portion of the Unit Holder's respective Pennsylvania Trust and will be
subject to tax on the income therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of
Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. A Pennsylvania
Trust itself will not be subject to federal income taxes. For federal income
tax purposes, each item of trust income will have the same character in the
hands of a Unit Holder as it would have in the hands of the Trustee.
Accordingly, to the extent that the income of a Pennsylvania Trust consists of
interest excludable from gross income under Section 103 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, such income will be excludable from federal gross income
of the Unit Holder.

    Based upon the above facts, it is our opinion that for Pennsylvania state
and local tax purposes, a Pennsylvania Trust will be recognized as a trust not
taxable as a corporation.  It will, therefore, not be subject to the 
Pennsylvania Capital Stock/Franchise Tax or the Pennsylvania Corporate Net
Income Tax.  Since all of the income of a Trust is either itself income exempt
from Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax, as described below, or is required by 
the terms of the Trust to be distributed to the holders of Units, a Trust 
should not be subject to Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax.  The Philadelphia
School District Investment Income Tax described below, is not imposed on 
trusts.

    Various personal property taxes are in effect in Pennsylvania, however, 
each of them exempts, inter alia, Bonds, cash, checking and savings accounts 
in and certificates of deposit issued by commercial banks, savings 
institutions or trust companies and United States Treasury obligations.  In
general, these taxes apply to a specified list of items of intangible 
personal property including, inter alia, mortgages and other evidences of
indebtedness and shares of stock issued by business corporations not doing
business in Pennsylvania.  The taxes referred to above include the County 
Personal Property Tax imposed on residents of Pennsylvania by the Act of 
June 17, 1913, P.L. 507, as amended, the additional personal property taxes 
imposed on Pittsburgh residents by the School District of Pittsburgh under 
the Act of June 20, 1947, P.L. 733, as amended, and by the City of Pittsburgh 
by Ordinance No. 599 of December 28, 1967, under the Act of December 31, 1965,
P.L. 1257, and any additional personal property taxes that the School District
of Philadelphia may reimpose on Philadelphia residents under the authority 
contained in the Act of May 23, 1949, P.L. 1676, as amended.  Units evidencing 
fractional undivided interests in a Pennsylvania Trust will not be subject to 
any of these personal property taxes to the extent of that proportion of a 
Pennsylvania Trust represented by Bonds and other exempt assets. Only that 
proportion of the Units represented by taxable assets will be subject to the 
personal property taxes.  Pennsylvania Trust Units may be taxable under the 
Pennsylvania inheritance and estate taxes.
 
    The interest and gain from obligations issued by the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania or by its political subdivisions or by any public authority of
either are exempt from tax under the Act of August 31, 1971, P.L. 395, 
Act No. 94.  However, that Act was repealed by the Act of December 3, 1993,
P.L. 473, Act No. 68 ("Act 68 of 1993") with respect to obligations issued
on or after February 1, 1994.  Pursuant to Act 68 of 1993, profits, gains or
income derived from the sale, exchange or other disposition of exempt 
government obligations issued after February 1, 1994 will be subject to
state or local taxation although interest and "income" derived from the
exempt obligations will continue to be exempt from all state and local 
taxation.  Therefore, the proportion of income representing interest from 
Bonds distributable to Unit Holders is not taxable under the Pennsylvania
Personal Income Tax imposed by Article III of the Pennsylvania "Tax Reform
Code of 1971", as amended by the Act of August 31, 1971, P.L. 362, Act No. 93,
or under the Corporate Net Income Tax imposed on corporations by Article IV of
the Tax Reform Code.  Similarly, such interest will not be taxable under the 
Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax imposed on

<PAGE>

Philadelphia resident individuals under the authority of the Act of August 9,
1963, P.L. 640, as implemented by Section 19-1804 of the Philadelphia Code,
as amended, and resolutions of the Board of Education of the School District
of Philadelphia made pursuant to the ordinances, and such interest will not be
subject to any of the taxes on net income from business activities in 
Philadelphia under Philadelphia Code Sections 19-1500 and 19-2600, imposing
a Net Profits Tax and a Business Privilege Tax respectively.  The City and
School District of Pittsburgh do not impose any taxes on unearned income.
 
    Under the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax Law, personal income tax is
imposed upon the following specified classes of income:  (1) compensation for
services, (2) net profits from the operation of a business, profession, or 
other activity, (3) net gains or income from the disposition of property, (4) 
net gains or income in the form of rents and royalties, (5) dividends, (6) 
interest from obligations not otherwise exempt, (7) gambling and lottery
winnings, (8) net gains or income from estates or trusts which fall under any 
of the preceding classifications.  Although there is no published authority
on the question, it is our opinion that any insurance proceeds paid in lieu of
interest on defaulted tax-exempt obligations will be exempt from Pennsylvania 
Personal Income Tax either as payment in lieu of tax-exempt interest or as 
payments of insurance proceeds which are not included in any of the classes 
of income specified as taxable under the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax 
Law.  Since Pennsylvania Corporate Net Income Tax is imposed upon the 
corporation's net income for federal income tax purposes, because such
insurance proceeds will be excluded from the federal income tax base, such
proceeds will not be subject to the Pennsylvania Corporate Net Income Tax.
Finally, since proceeds from insurance policies are expressly excluded from
the Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax, insurance proceeds
paid to replace defaulted payments under any Bonds held by the Pennsylvania
Trust(s) will not be subject to this tax.

    Under Act 68 of 1993, a Unit Holder's share of gain upon disposition of a 
Bond issued on or after February 1, 1994 by the Pennsylvania Trust, whether 
by sale, exchange, redemption or payment at maturity, will be taxable 
under the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax.  Gains on the disposition of Bonds
issued before February 1, 1994 will continue to be exempt.  See 72 P.S. Section
7303(a)(3) and 61 Pa. Code Section. 121.9(b)(3).  While there is no published 
authority with respect to the treatment of such gains for purposes of the 
Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax, it is our opinion that
gains upon dispositions of Bonds issued before February 1, 1994 are exempt from 
this tax under Act of August 31, 1971, P.L. 395, Act No. 94, and, if the 
question were litigated, the Pennsylvania courts should so hold.  Gains on the 
disposition of Bonds issued on or after February 1, 1994 will be taxable.  
In any event, the Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax has no
application to any gain on the disposition of property held for more than
six months. 

    In C.C. Collings & Co., Inc. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 514 A.2d 1373
(1986), and two related cases, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that 
gains or losses from the sale of obligations of the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, its political subdivisions, instrumentalities and agencies are 
not subject to the Corporate Net Income Tax.  Profits, gains or income
derived from the sale, exchange or other disposition of those exempt 
obligations issued on or after February 1, 1994, however, will be subject
to tax pursuant to Act 68 of 1993.  

    There is no published authority under any of the Pennsylvania state and
local income taxes described above with respect to gain from the redemption
or sale of a Unit.  To the extent that such gain represents the
Unit Holder's share of any unrealized gain on the Bonds issued before 
February 1, 1994 and held by the Trust, it is our opinion that such gain is 
exempt from the above-described Pennsylvania state and local income taxes and, 
if the question were litigated, the Pennsylvania courts should so hold.  To the
extent that such gain is attributable to unrealized gain on Bonds issued on 
or after February 1, 1994, such gain will be taxable under such taxes.  In any
event, the Philadelphia School District Investment Income Tax has no 
application to any gain on the disposition of property held for more than six 
months.
 
    Interest on obligations of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, or the
Northern Mariana Islands is, under federal law, exempt from taxation by states
and municipalities.  Federal law does not expressly exclude from taxation gain
realized upon the disposition of such obligations.  Therefore, a disposition
of such obligations by a Pennsylvania Trust could be a taxable event to a
Holder under each of the Pennsylvania state and local income taxes discussed
in the preceding paragraphs.  See Willcuts v. Bunn, 282 U.S. 216 (1931); U.S.
v. Stewart, 311 U.S. 60 (1940).  Similarly, to the extent that gain on the
redemption or sale of a Unit represents unrealized gain on such obligations
held by a Pennsylvania Trust, such gain could be taxable. 

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (No. 33-55815) relating to the Units referred to
above, and to the reference to our firm as special Pennsylvania tax counsel in
said Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Very truly yours,


DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.1

(ON STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION LETTERHEAD)

10/26/94

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL  60606

RE: Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761

Gentlemen:

    This is in response to your requests regarding the above-
captioned fund which consists of separate underlying unit investment trusts
(the "trusts"), SEC file # 33-55815.

    We have reviewed the information presented to us and have assigned a 'AAA'
rating to the units of each insured trust and a 'AAA' rating to the securities
contained in each insured trust.  The ratings are direct reflections of the
portfolio of each insured trust, which will be composed solely of securities
covered by bond insurance policies that insure against default in the payment
of principal and interest on the securities contained in each insured trust
for as long as they remain outstanding.  We understand that the bonds
described in the prospectus are the same as those in the attached list.
Since such policies have been issued by MBIA which has been assigned a 'AAA'
claims paying ability rating by S&P, S&P has assigned a 'AAA' rating to
the units of each insured trust and a 'AAA' rating to the securities contained
in each insured trust.

    You have permission to use the name of Standard & Poor's Corporation and
the above-assigned rating in connection with your dissemination of
information relating to the insured trusts provided that it is understood that
the ratings are not "market" ratings nor recommendations to buy, hold or sell
the units of the insured trusts or the securities contained in the insured
trusts.  Further, it should be understood the rating on the units of each
insured trust does not take into account the extent to which the trust's
expenses or portfolio asset sales for less than the trust's purchase price
will reduce payment to the unit holders of the interest and principal
required to be paid on the portfolio assets.  S&P reserves the right to
advise its own clients, subscribers, and the public of the ratings.  S&P
relies on the sponsor and its counsel, accountants, and other experts for the
accuracy and completeness of the information submitted in connection with the
ratings.  S&P does not independently verify the truth or accuracy of any such
information.

    This letter evidences our consent to the use of the name of Standard &
Poor's Corporation in connection with the rating assigned to the units of
each insured trust in the registration statement or prospectus relating to the
units and the trusts.  However, this letter should not be construed as a
consent by us, within the meaning of Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
to the use of the name of Standard & Poor's Corporation in connection with the
ratings assigned to the securities contained in the insured trusts.  You are
hereby authorized to file a copy of this letter with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

    Please be certain to send us three copies of your final prospectus as
soon as it becomes available.  Should we not receive them within a reasonable
amount of time after the closing or should they not conform to the
certification received by us, we reserve the right to nullify the ratings.

Very truly yours,

STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION


 By Vincent S. Orgo



<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.2

(On Kenny S+P Evaluation Services Inc., Letterhead)

10/26/94

John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761

Gentlemen:

      We have examined the Registration Statement File No. 33-55815,
for the above captioned trust.  We hereby acknowledge that Kenny S+P
Evaluation Services, a division of Kenny Information Systems, Inc. is
currently acting as the evaluator for the trust.  We hereby consent to the
use in the Registration Statement of the reference to Kenny S+P Evaluation
Services, a division of Kenny Information Systems, Inc. as evaluator.

     In addition, we hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the
Registration Statement for the respective bonds comprising the trust
portfolio are the ratings currently indicated in our KENNYBASE database.

     You are hereby authorized to file a copy of this letter with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 Sincerely,


 John R. Fitzgerald
 



<PAGE>


EXHIBIT 4.3

(ON CARTER LEDYARD & MILBURN LETTERHEAD)

10/26/94


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761
c/o John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 761
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761

Dear Sirs:

    We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "What is
the Tax Status of Unitholders?" in the Registration Statement and
related Prospectus of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761 for the
registration of units of fractional undivided interest in the Fund in the 
aggregate principal amount as set forth in the Closing Memorandum dated 
today's date.
 
Very truly yours,


CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
 


<PAGE>

                                   MEMORANDUM

                 Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 761
                               File No. 33-55815


    The Prospectus and the Indenture filed with Amendment No. 1 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-6 have been revised to reflect information
regarding the execution of the Indenture and the deposit of bonds on 10/26/94,
and to set forth certain statistical data based thereon.  In addition, there 
are a number of other changes from the Prospectus as originally filed to which
reference is made, including the increase in the size of the Fund, a
corresponding increase in the number of Units and a change in the individual
trusts constituting the Fund.  All references to the Units, prices and related
statistical data will apply to each trust of the Fund and the Units thereof
individually.

    Except for such updating, an effort has been made to set forth below each 
of the changes and also to reflect the same by marking the Prospectus 
transmitted with the Amendment.  Also, differences between the Final 
Prospectus relating to the previous series of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit 
Trust and the subject Prospectus have been indicated.

                                    FORM S-6

    FACING SHEET.  The file number is now shown.

                                 THE PROSPECTUS

     PAGE 3.       The "Estimated Long-Term Return" and "Estimated Current
Return" to Unitholders under each Trust under each of the distribution
plans are stated.

     PAGES 4 - 5.  Essential information for each of the Trusts, including
applicable footnotes, has been completed for this Series.

     PAGES 5 - 6.  The date of the Indenture has been inserted in Section 1
along with the size and number of Units of each of the Trusts.

     PAGE 8 et seq. The following information for each Trust appears on the
pages relating to such trust:

         The estimated daily accrual of interest under the plans of
         distribution for each of the Trusts

         Data regarding the composition of the portfolio of each
         Trust

         Disclosure regarding the states' economic and legislative
         matters relevant to investors of state trusts

         Concentrations of issues by purpose in each Trust

         The approximate percentage of the bonds in the
         portfolio of each Trust acquired in distributions where
         the Sponsor was either the sole underwriter or manager
         or member of the underwriting syndicate

         The percentage of "when issued" bonds in the portfolio
         of each Trust

         The schedule of investments for each Trust, including
         the notes thereto

         Descriptions of the opinions of the special tax
         counsel for state trusts

         The Record Dates and Distribution Dates for
         interest distributions for each Trust

         The distribution table for each Trust

         Taxable Equivalent Estimated Current Return Tables for residents
         of the respective jurisdictions

         The statements of condition for each Trust
         and the accountant's report with regard thereto.

         The amount of the Trustee's Fee

                             THE INDENTURE

The Schedules to the Indenture have been completed.


CHAPMAN AND CUTLER


Chicago, Illinois

10/26/94


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission