NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 778
487, 1995-01-12
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<PAGE>


                                                      File No. 33-56815
                                                      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 778

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 01/12/95 at 1:30 p.m. pursuant to Rule 487.
______



<PAGE>
   
                                JANUARY 12, 1995
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
 
NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
             PROSPECTUS
            Series 778
             January 12, 1995
    
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 778  consists  of  four  underlying
separate  unit investment trusts designated  as North Carolina Traditional Trust
284, Short  Intermediate  Insured  Trust  38,  Florida  Insured  Trust  204  and
Massachusetts  Insured  Trust 122.  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.) For Estimated Cash Flow Tables for Short Intermediate Insured  Trust
38, see page 15.
    
 
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
      North Carolina Traditional Trust 284                    3         8-13
      Short Intermediate Insured Trust 38                     3        14-19
      Florida Insured Trust 204                               3        20-28
      Massachusetts Insured Trust 122                         3        29-41
      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         8-41
      Bonds, Removal from Trust                              21         A-33
      Call Provisions of Portfolio Bonds                   3, 4     8-41,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   8-41, 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         8-41
      Investments, Schedules of                               3         8-41
      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         8-41
      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>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  North Carolina Traditional Trust 284.....      5.94%         5.98%           6.00%
  Short Intermediate Insured Trust 38......      5.31%         5.34%           5.35%
  Florida Insured Trust 204................      6.00%         6.03%           6.05%
  Massachusetts Insured Trust 122..........      6.05%         6.09%           6.11%
</TABLE>
 
                           ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  North Carolina Traditional Trust 284.....      5.75%         5.78%           5.80%
  Short Intermediate Insured Trust 38......      5.14%         5.17%           5.19%
  Florida Insured Trust 204................      5.88%         5.91%           5.93%
  Massachusetts Insured Trust 122..........      5.88%         5.92%           5.94%
</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
                               JANUARY 11, 1995+
    
           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>
                                                                               SHORT
                                                      NORTH CAROLINA       INTERMEDIATE           FLORIDA          MASSACHUSETTS
                                                        TRADITIONAL           INSURED             INSURED             INSURED
                                                         TRUST 284           TRUST 38            TRUST 204           TRUST 122
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $    3,500,000      $    7,500,000      $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000
Number of Units.....................................          35,000              75,000              35,000              35,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....        1/35,000            1/75,000            1/35,000            1/35,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $    3,200,362      $    7,427,982      $    3,240,389      $    3,163,415
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $        91.44      $        99.04      $        92.58      $        90.38
    Plus Sales Charge*..............................  $         4.71      $         3.06      $         4.77      $         4.66
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $        96.15      $       102.10      $        97.35      $        95.04
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $        90.99      $        98.79      $        92.05      $        89.92
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $        91.44      $        99.04      $        92.58      $        90.38
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $         5.16      $         3.31      $         5.30      $         5.12
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit...............  $         4.71      $         3.06      $         4.77      $         4.66
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Interest Income
  Per Unit
    Annual Interest Income(2).......................  $       5.7586      $       5.4592      $       5.9561      $       5.8233
    Less Estimated Annual Expense...................  $        .2302      $        .2129      $        .2363      $        .2331
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Estimated Net Annual Interest Income(3).........  $       5.5284      $       5.2463      $       5.7198      $       5.5902
Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit......................  $       .01535      $       .01457      $       .01588      $       .01552
Estimated Current Return(4).........................           5.75%               5.14%               5.88%               5.88%
Estimated Long Term Return(4).......................           5.94%               5.31%               6.00%               6.05%
 
<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:  North
    Carolina  Traditional  Trust--$.12, Short  Intermediate Insured  Trust--$.12, Florida  Insured Trust--$.13  and Massachusetts
    Insured Trust--$.12. (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...............................................January 12, 1995
Settlement Date.......................................................January 20, 1995
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>
  North Carolina Traditional Trust 284.....     $  1.6708      $  1.3508      $   1.1608
  Short Intermediate Insured Trust 38......        1.6506         1.3306          1.1406
  Florida Insured Trust 204................        1.7321         1.4121          1.2221
  Massachusetts Insured Trust 122..........        1.7002         1.3802          1.1902
  ------------
  *  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 778
    
 
   
1.  WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 778?
    
 
   
Series 778 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 North Carolina Traditional  Trust 284, Short Intermediate
Insured Trust 38, Florida Insured Trust 204 and Massachusetts Insured Trust 122.
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." This Series was created under the laws of the State of New  York
pursuant  to  a  Trust  Indenture  and Agreement  dated  January  12,  1995 (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 $18,000,000 (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 North  Carolina Traditional Trust,
$7,500,000 in the Short  Intermediate Insured Trust,  $3,500,000 in the  Florida
Insured  Trust and  $3,500,000 in the  Massachusetts 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 North Carolina Traditional Trust, 75,000 Units of the Short  Intermediate
Insured Trust, 35,000 Units of the Florida Insured Trust and 35,000 Units of the
Massachusetts  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. Only Units of the Short Intermediate Insured
Trust are  offered  for  sale  to Virginia  and  Washington  residents  by  this
Prospectus.
    
 
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
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
Trusts  consist  of   long-term  (approximately  15   to  40  year   maturities)
obligations;  those of 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>
   
NORTH CAROLINA TRADITIONAL TRUST 284
    
   
    The  Portfolio  of  North  Carolina  Traditional  Trust  284  consists  of 9
obligations issued by entities located in North Carolina. Two Bonds in the Trust
are general obligations of the governmental entities issuing them and are backed
by the  taxing powers  thereof.  Seven 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: Electrical System  Revenue, 1; Health
Care Facility  Revenue,  2;  Combination Utility  Revenue,  1;  Municipal  Lease
Revenue, 3. Nine issues in the Trust were rated by Standard & Poor's Corporation
as  follows: 6--AAA, 1-- AA, 2--A+. Nine  issues were rated by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. as follows: 6--Aaa, 1--Aa, 2--A1.
    
   
    At the Date  of Deposit,  the average  maturity of  the Bonds  in the  North
Carolina Traditional Trust is 22.3 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  28.6% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 27.1% 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  37% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust are  obligations of  issuers  whose revenues  are primarily  derived  from
municipal  lease obligations. Insurance guaranteeing  prompt payment of interest
and principal on  certain of the  Bonds in the  Trust has been  obtained by  the
issuer  or underwriter of such  Bonds from a commercial  insurer. Such Bonds are
rated "Aaa" or "Aa" by Moody's or "AAA" or "AA" by Standard & Poor's, reflecting
those rating agencies' current assessment of the creditworthiness of the insurer
and its ability to pay claims on its policies of insurance. Fourteen percent  of
the  aggregate principal amount of the Bonds,  included in the above amount, are
obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from municipal lease
obligations, but which are covered by such insurance.
 
    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 January 10,
1995 and January 11,  1995. 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>
  $3,185,819       $14,543           $201,550      $3,184,487                 .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.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
    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  North Carolina Traditional Trust, less  estimated expenses, is estimated to
accrue at the rate  of $.01549 per  Unit per day under  the semi-annual plan  of
distribution,  $.01544 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of distribution
and $.01535 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 North Carolina Traditional
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
NORTH CAROLINA TRADITIONAL TRUST                                  1995                               PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................       2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .2916(1)                                              $  5.5284
                                                        --------  $.4605 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .2916(1)   $  1.3896(2)   $  1.3896      $  1.3896    $  5.5604
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .2916(1)   $  1.3941(3)                  $  2.7882    $  5.5794
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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) Regular 3-month distribution.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  3-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--NORTH CAROLINA TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For a  discussion  of the  Federal  tax status  of  income earned  on  North
Carolina Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The  assets of the Trust will consist of interest-bearing obligations issued
by or on behalf of the State  of North Carolina, its political subdivisions  and
authorities  and, provided  the interest thereon  is exempt  from North Carolina
income taxes by the laws  or treaties of the United  States, by or on behalf  of
the  United States territories or possessions (including Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, Guam and  the Northern Mariana  Islands), their political  subdivisions
and authorities (the "North Carolina Bonds").
 
    In  the opinion of Moore & Van Allen, special North Carolina counsel for the
Series, under existing law:
 
        The North Carolina Traditional Trust is not an association taxable as  a
    corporation  for North Carolina  income tax purposes.  Interest on the North
    Carolina Bonds which is exempt from North Carolina income tax when  received
    by the North Carolina Traditional Trust will retain its status as tax-exempt
    interest when distributed to Unitholders.
 
        For  North Carolina  income tax  purposes, each  Unitholder will  have a
    taxable event when, upon redemption or  sale of his Units, he receives  cash
    or  other  property.  Gain  or  loss will  be  determined  by  computing the
    difference between  the  proceeds of  such  a  redemption or  sale  and  the
    Unitholder's adjusted basis for the Units.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
        For  North Carolina  income tax  purposes, each  Unitholder will  have a
    taxable event when the North Carolina  Traditional Trust disposes of one  of
    the  North Carolina Bonds (whether by  sale, payment at maturity, retirement
    or otherwise); provided that  when any of the  North Carolina Bonds held  by
    the  North Carolina Traditional Trust  have been issued under  an act of the
    General Assembly of North Carolina that  provides that all income from  such
    North Carolina Bond, including a profit made from the sale thereof, shall be
    free  from all  taxation by  the State  of North  Carolina, any  such profit
    received by the Trust will retain its tax-exempt status in the hands of each
    Unitholder.
 
        Ownership of the Units  representing a pro rata  ownership of the  North
    Carolina  Bonds is exempt from the North Carolina tax on intangible personal
    property so long as the  corpus of the Trust  is composed entirely of  North
    Carolina  obligations or is  composed entirely of  obligations of the United
    States and its possessions  and North Carolina and  at least eighty  percent
    (80%) of the fair market value of such obligations represents North Carolina
    obligations;  provided that  for this exemption  to apply,  the Trustee must
    periodically provide  to  the  North Carolina  Department  of  Revenue  such
    information  about  the  North  Carolina Traditional  Trust  as  required by
    applicable law.
 
        Interest on indebtedness paid or  accrued by a Unitholder in  connection
    with  ownership of Units in the North Carolina Traditional Trust will not be
    deductible by the Unitholder for North Carolina state income tax purposes.
 
        Amortization of  North Carolina  Bond premiums  is mandatory  for  North
    Carolina   state  income  tax  purposes  for  all  North  Carolina  resident
    Unitholders. Amortization for the taxable  year is accomplished by  lowering
    the  basis or adjusted basis  of the Units, with  no deduction against gross
    income for the year.
 
        Trust Units will be subject to North Carolina inheritance and estate tax
    if owned by a North Carolina resident on the date of his death. Neither  the
    North  Carolina Bonds nor  the Units will  be subject to  the North Carolina
    sales tax or use tax.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--NORTH CAROLINA
 
    The economic profile of North Carolina consists primarily of  manufacturing,
agriculture,   tourism  and  mining.  The  North  Carolina  Employment  Security
Commission's  preliminary   figures  indicate   that  non-agricultural   payroll
employment  accounted for  approximately 3,250,500  jobs in  September 1993, the
largest segment of which was the approximately 852,600 in manufacturing.  During
the  period  1985  to  1990,  per capita  income  in  North  Carolina  grew from
approximately $11,669 to approximately $16,266, an increase of 39.4%.
 
    Agriculture is  a basic  element in  the economy  of North  Carolina.  Gross
agricultural  income in 1992 was $5.2 billion, which placed North Carolina tenth
in cash  receipts in  commodities. A  strong agribusiness  sector also  supports
farmers with farm inputs (fertilizer, insecticide, pesticide and farm machinery)
and  processing  of  commodities  produced  by  farmers  (vegetable  canning and
cigarette manufacturing).
 
    The North Carolina Department of  Commerce, Division of Travel and  Tourism,
has reported that in 1992 approximately $7.6 billion was spent on tourism in the
State  (up 12.3% from 1989), and that  approximately $8.0 billion will have been
spent by the end of fiscal year  1993. The Department also estimated that as  of
the  third  quarter  of  1993  approximately  255,000  people  were  employed in
tourism-related jobs.
 
    The North  Carolina  Employment  Security  Commission  estimated  the  North
Carolina  unemployment rate in September 1993 to be 3.7% of the labor force (not
seasonably adjusted)  and  4.2%  (seasonably  adjusted),  as  compared  with  an
unemployment  rate  nationwide  of  6.4%  (not  seasonably  adjusted)  and  6.7%
(seasonably adjusted).
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    General obligations of  the State  are currently  rated "AAA"  and "Aaa"  by
Standard  & Poor's and Moody's, respectively. There can be no assurance that the
economic conditions in which these ratings, or the ratings of the other bonds in
the Portfolio, are based will continue or that particular bond issues may not be
adversely  affected  by  changes  in   economic  or  political  conditions,   by
uncertainties  peculiar to the issuers thereof or the revenue sources from which
they are to  be paid. The  factual information provided  above was derived  from
publications  of various North Carolina departments or agencies and has not been
independently verified.  Investors are  encouraged to  consult the  Schedule  of
Investments  at Date  of Deposit  for the  North Carolina  Traditional Trust and
their own investment advisors  regarding the merits of  particular bonds in  the
Portfolio.
 
NORTH CAROLINA 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 1995 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.
 
                                       11
<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- 39.0 $     0-114.7      21.0   %     6.33    6.65    6.96    7.28    7.59    7.91    8.23    8.54
    39.0- 94.3       0-114.7      33.0         7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70   10.07
                 114.7-172.1      34.0         7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85   10.23
    94.3-143.6       0-114.7      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
                 114.7-172.1      37.0         7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71
                 172.1-294.6      39.5         8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74   11.16
   143.6-256.5   114.7-172.1      42.0         8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21   11.64
                 172.1-294.6      44.5         9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71   12.16
                  Over 294.6      42.0   2     8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21   11.64
    Over 256.5   172.1-294.6      48.5         9.71   10.19   10.68   11.17   11.65   12.14   12.62   13.11
                  Over 294.6      45.5   3     9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47   11.93   12.39
</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- 23.4 $     0-114.7      21.0   %     6.33    6.65    6.96    7.28    7.59    7.91    8.23    8.54
    23.4- 56.6       0-114.7      33.0         7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70   10.07
    56.6-118.0       0-114.7      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
                 114.7-237.2      38.0         8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08   10.48   10.89
   118.0-256.5   114.7-237.2      42.5         8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30   11.74
                  Over 237.2      42.0   2     8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21   11.64
    Over 256.5    Over 237.2      45.5   3     9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47   11.93   12.39
<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.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
JANUARY 12, 1995
NORTH CAROLINA TRADITIONAL TRUST 284
(SERIES 778)
    
 
<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      North Carolina Medical Care Commission Hospital     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       217,235
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds (Memorial Mission
                   Hospital Project), Series 1993, 5.50% Due
                   10/1/18. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1,     2003 at 100        AAA         Aaa             448,315
                   Catawba Electric Revenue Bonds, Series 1992,
                   5.75% Due 1/1/20. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about December 10, 1992
                   at a price of 92.75% of principal
                   amount.)(MBIA Insured.)
    300,000      Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Parking        2003 at 102         A+         A1              292,776
                   Facilities Refunding Certificates of
                   Participation, Series 1994, 6.35% Due
                   12/1/18.
    500,000      City of Charlotte, North Carolina, Public           2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             472,420
                   Improvement Bonds, Series 1994, 5.90% Due
                   2/1/19. (General Obligation Bonds.)
    500,000      City of Charlotte, North Carolina, Refunding        2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             419,435
                   Certificates of Participation (Convention
                   Facility Project), Series 1993C, 5.25% Due
                   12/1/20. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about August 25, 1993 at a
                   price of 93.801% of principal amount.)(AMBAC
                   Insured.)
    150,000      Craven Regional Medical Authority (North            2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             128,856
                   Carolina), Insured Health Care Facilities
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1993, 5.50% Due
                   10/1/23. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      Certificates of Participation (1994 Hospital        2004 at 102         AA         Aa              472,670
                   and Office Facilities Project) County of
                   Durham, North Carolina, 6.00% Due 5/1/14.
    300,000      City of Gastonia, North Carolina, Combined          2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             285,180
                   Utilities System Revenue Bonds, Series 1994,
                   6.00% Due 5/1/14. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      City of Wilmington, North Carolina, General         2004 at 102         A+         A1              463,475
                   Obligation, Water Bonds, Series 1994, 5.60%
                   Due 6/1/10.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,200,362
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 42.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
SHORT INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST 38
    
   
    The Portfolio of Short Intermediate Insured Trust 38 consists of 11 short to
intermediate  term (approximately 3 to 7  year maturities) obligations issued by
entities located in 9 states. Three  Bonds in the Trust are general  obligations
of  the governmental entities issuing  them and are backed  by the taxing powers
thereof. Eight 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, 2;  Electrical System Revenue,  1;
Health  Care Facility Revenue, 2; Municipal Lease Revenue, 1; Water and/or Sewer
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. Twenty  percent
of  the principal amount  of Bonds in  the Trust consists  of issues of entities
located in the State of Texas; such concentration may involve more risk than  if
such Bonds were issued by issuers located in several states.
    
 
   
    At  the Date  of Deposit,  the average  maturity of  the Bonds  in the Short
Intermediate Insured Trust is 5.0 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  6.7% of  the aggregate principal  amount of the  Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 5.1% of the aggregate offering price of  the
Bonds)  are original  issue discount  obligations. All  of these  original issue
discount bonds are "zero coupon" 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  20% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust consists of obligations supported by tax revenues specifically pledged  to
secure the obligations.
 
    Approximately  20% 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 water and/or sewerage services.
 
    Approximately  20% 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 January  3,
1995  and January 11,  1995. 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>
  $7,407,147       $20,835           $409,438      $7,409,232                 .25%
</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 participated  as either  the  sole underwriter  or manager
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
or as a member of the syndicates  which were the original underwriters of  10.0%
of the
aggregate principal amount 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 Short Intermediate Insured Trust,  less estimated expenses, is estimated  to
accrue  at the rate  of $.01471 per Unit  per day under  the semi-annual plan of
distribution, $.01466 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of  distribution
and  $.01457 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 Short Intermediate 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
SHORT INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST                                  1995                               PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................       2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .2768(1)                                              $  5.2463
                                                        --------  $.4371 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .2768(1)   $  1.3194(2)   $  1.3194      $  1.3194    $  5.2783
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .2768(1)   $  1.3239(3)                  $  2.6478    $  5.2973
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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) Regular 3-month distribution.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  3-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--SHORT INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST
 
    For  a discussion of the  tax status of income  earned on Short Intermediate
Insured Trust Units, See Section 11.
 
   
ESTIMATED MONTHLY CASH FLOW TABLE FOR SHORT INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST 38
    
   
    Following is an Estimated  Monthly Cash Flow  Table for the  above-captioned
Trust.  As discussed below, the Table assumes  that the Bonds will remain in the
Trust until the date to which each bond is priced under accepted bond  practice.
The  Table is based on data and assumptions as to maturity and redemption dates,
bond pricing dates and  call dates, if any,  as of the date  of deposit, and  is
thus  subject to  change. Accordingly, Unitholders  should not  assume that they
will in fact receive cash in the amounts and on the dates specified in the Table
and the Table cannot be used to predict the exact amount of distributions by the
Trust.
    
 
    The  Table  shows  the  amount  of  each  month's  interest  and   principal
distributions  on one Unit  of the Trust if  every bond in the  Trust were to be
redeemed on the  date to which  it is priced  (the " 'priced  to' date").  Under
accepted  bond  pricing practice,  tax-exempt bonds  are customarily  offered to
investors on a "yield price" basis,  which involves computation of yield  either
to  maturity or to an  earlier call date, whichever  produces the lower yield. A
bond whose market value exceeds its par value (a "premium bond") will  generally
be  priced to its call date, if any; in other words, its "priced to" date is its
call date. In contrast, the "priced  to" date for discount bonds will  generally
be the maturity date. Because none of the Bonds in
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
the  Trust have  optional call dates,  each Bond in  the Trust is  priced to its
maturity date regardless of whether  the Bond is a  discount or a premium  bond,
i.e.  the Table assumes that each Bond  will remain in the Trust until maturity.
There can be no assurance that every Bond will in fact remain in the Trust until
maturity. Some Bonds may be sold by  the Trustee before maturity, either to  pay
Unitholders  who  have  redeemed  their  Units  or  pursuant  to  the  Sponsor's
continuing program of credit  surveillance. Certain Bonds may  be subject to  to
sinking  fund redemptions or extraordinary  redemptions, as more fully described
below at "Composition of Trusts--Sale, maturity and redemption of bonds"
 
    The Trust's actual cash flow  will depend on (1)  the extent to which  Bonds
are sold as a result of the Sponsor's continuing program of credit surveillence,
and  (2) the extent to which  Bonds are sold to pay  for units redeemed. For the
reasons above, it is unlikely that interest and principal will be distributed in
the amounts and on the dates indicated in the Table.
 
            ESTIMATED PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST DISTRIBUTIONS PER UNIT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Month                     Monthly
  /Year                     Option
- ---------                 -----------
<S>        <C>            <C>
                           $
 Feb 95                       0.2768
 Mar 95                       0.4371
 Apr 95                       0.4371
 May 95                       0.4371
 Jun 95                       0.4371
 Jul 95                       0.4371
 Aug 95                       0.4371
 Sep 95                       0.4371
 Oct 95                       0.4371
 Nov 95                       0.4371
 Dec 95                       0.4371
 Jan 96                       0.4371
 Feb 96                       0.4371
 Mar 96                       0.4371
 Apr 96                       0.4371
 May 96                       0.4371
 Jun 96                       0.4371
 Jul 96                       0.4371
 Aug 96                       0.4371
 Sep 96                       0.4371
 Oct 96                       0.4371
 Nov 96                       0.4371
 Dec 96                       0.4371
 Jan 97                       0.4371
 Feb 97                       0.4371
 Mar 97                       0.4371
 Apr 97                       0.4371
 May 97                       0.4371
 Jun 97                       0.4371
 Jul 97                       0.4371
 Aug 97                       0.4371
 Sep 97                       0.4371
 Oct 97                       0.4371
 Nov 97                       0.4371
 
<CAPTION>
  Month                     Monthly
  /Year                     Option
- ---------                 -----------
<S>        <C>            <C>
                           $
 Dec 97                       0.4371
 Jan 98                       0.4371
 Feb 98                       0.4371
 Mar 98                       0.4371
 Apr 98                       0.4371
 May 98                       0.4371
 Jun 98                       0.4371
 Jul 98                       0.4371
 Aug 98                       0.4371
 Sep 98                       0.4371
 Oct 98                       0.4371
 Nov 98                       0.4371
 Dec 98                       0.4371
 Jan 99                       0.4371
 Feb 99                       0.4371
 Mar 99                       0.4371
 Apr 99                       0.4371
 May 99                       0.4371
 Jun 99                       0.4371
 Jul 99                      27.1038
 Aug 99                       0.3088
 Sep 99                       0.3088
 Oct 99                       0.3088
 Nov 99                      10.3088
 Dec 99                      10.2606
 Jan 00                      13.5465
 Feb 00                       0.1926
 Mar 00                       0.1926
 Apr 00                      10.1926
 May 00                      10.1413
 Jun 00                      10.0939
 Jul 00                       0.0457
 Aug 00                      10.0228
</TABLE>
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
NATIONALLY DIVERSIFIED TRUST TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
(SHORT INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST)
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under  published  1995  marginal  Federal  tax  rates.  The  tables  incorporate
increased  tax  rates for  higher-income tax  payers that  were included  in the
Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. 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 income
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.
 
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED
    TAXABLE        GROSS                                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 39.0 $     0-114.7      15.0   %     5.00    5.29    5.59    5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76    7.06
    39.0- 94.3       0-114.7      28.0         5.90    6.25    6.60    6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99    8.33
                 114.7-172.1      29.0         5.99    6.34    6.69    7.04    7.39    7.75    8.10    8.45
    94.3-143.6       0-114.7      31.0         6.16    6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70
                 114.7-172.1      32.0         6.25    6.62    6.99    7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82
                 172.1-294.6      34.5         6.49    6.87    7.25    7.63    8.02    8.40    8.78    9.16
   143.6-256.5   114.7-172.1      37.0         6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52
                 172.1-294.6      40.0         7.08    7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00
                  Over 294.6      37.0   2     6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52
    Over 256.5   172.1-294.6      44.0         7.59    8.04    8.48    8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71
                  Over 294.6      41.0   3     7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17
</TABLE>
 
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED
    TAXABLE        GROSS                                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 23.4 $     0-114.7      15.0   %     5.00    5.29    5.59    5.88    6.18    6.47    6.76    7.06
    23.4- 56.6       0-114.7      28.0         5.90    6.25    6.60    6.94    7.29    7.64    7.99    8.33
    56.6-118.0       0-114.7      31.0         6.16    6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70
                 114.7-237.2      32.5         6.30    6.67    7.04    7.41    7.78    8.15    8.52    8.89
   118.0-256.5   114.7-237.2      38.0         6.85    7.26    7.66    8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68
                  Over 237.2      37.0   2     6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52
    Over 256.5    Over 237.2      41.0   3     7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17
<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>
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    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.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
JANUARY 12, 1995
SHORT INTERMEDIATE INSURED TRUST 38
(SERIES 778)
    
 
<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      North Slope Borough, Alaska, General Obligation  No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa     $       507,775
                   Bonds, Series 1994B, 6.10% Due 6/30/99.
    750,000      Merrillville Multi-School Building Corporation   No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             755,835
                   (Merrillville, Indiana), First Mortgage
                   Refunding Bonds, Series 1992, 5.80% Due
                   7/1/99. (General Obligation Bonds.)
    750,000      City of Ames, Iowa, Hospital Revenue Bonds       No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             748,178
                   (Mary Greeley Medical Center Project), Series
                   1992, 5.70% Due 8/15/00.
    750,000      Kentucky Development Finance Authority, Sisters  No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             759,263
                   of Charity of Nazareth Health Corporation,
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1991, 6.00%
                   Due 11/1/99.
    750,000      City of Boston, Massachusetts, General           No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             767,595
                   Obligation Bonds, 1991 Series A, 6.10% Due
                   7/1/99.
    500,000      Nebraska Public Power District, Power Supply     No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             451,225
                   System Revenue Bonds, 1993 Series C, 4.125%
                   Due 1/1/00.
    750,000      New York Local Government Assistance             No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             777,623
                   Corporation (A Public Benefit Corporation of
                   the State of New York), Series 1991D Bonds,
                   6.375% Due 4/1/00.
    500,000      New York State Urban Development Corporation,    No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             375,425
                   State Office Facilities Lease Rental Bonds,
                   Series A (South Mall Facility), 0.00% Due
                   1/1/00. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about March 22, 1989 at a
                   price of 44.303% of principal amount.)
    750,000      Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation       No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             763,830
                   Authority, Special Tax Revenue Bonds (City of
                   Philadelphia Funding Program), Series of
                   1992, 6.00% Due 6/15/00.
    750,000      City of Houston, Texas, Water and Sewer System   No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             761,040
                   Junior Lien Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series
                   1991C, 5.90% Due 12/1/99.
    750,000      City of San Antonio, Texas, Water System         No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             760,193
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1992, 5.90%
                   Due 5/15/00.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 7,500,000                                                                                                 $     7,427,982
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 42.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
   
FLORIDA INSURED TRUST 204
    
   
    The  Portfolio of Florida Insured Trust 204 consists of 7 obligations issued
by entities located in Florida and one obligation issued by an entity located in
the Territory of Puerto Rico. One Bond  in the Trust is a general obligation  of
the  governmental entity issuing it  and is backed by  the taxing power thereof.
Seven 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, 1;
Health Care Facility Revenue, 2; Municipal Lease Revenue, 1; Water and/or  Sewer
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 Florida
Insured Trust is 29.4  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 the sale of water and/or sewerage services.
 
    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 on January 11, 1995.
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>
  $3,228,582       $11,807           $208,463      $3,221,951                 .53%
</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  Florida Insured Trust,  less estimated expenses, is  estimated to accrue at
the rate of $.01603 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,
$.01597 per Unit per  day under the quarterly  plan of distribution and  $.01588
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.
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    Details of  interest distributions  per Unit  of the  Florida 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
FLORIDA INSURED TRUST                                             1995                               PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................       2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .3017(1)                                              $  5.7198
                                                        --------  $.4764 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .3017(1)   $  1.4373(2)   $  1.4373      $  1.4373    $  5.7518
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .3017(1)   $  1.4427(3)                  $  2.8854    $  5.7708
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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) Regular 3-month distribution.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  3-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--FLORIDA INSURED TRUST
 
    For  a discussion  of the  Federal tax  status of  income earned  on Florida
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The assets of the Florida Insured Trust (the "Trust") will consist solely of
interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of Florida, its
political subdivisions and authorities  or by the  Commonwealth of Puerto  Rico,
Guam,  the Virgin Islands, American Samoa,  or the Northern Mariana Islands (the
"Florida Bonds").
 
    In the opinion  of Carlton, Fields,  Ward, Emmanuel, Smith  & Cutler,  P.A.,
special counsel for the Trust for Florida tax matters, under existing law:
 
        For  Florida state income tax purposes, the Trust will not be subject to
    the Florida income tax imposed by the Florida Code so long as the Trust  has
    no  income subject to federal  taxation. In addition, political subdivisions
    of Florida do not impose any income taxes.
 
        Because  Florida  does  not  impose   an  income  tax  on   individuals,
    non-corporate  Unitholders will not be subject  to any Florida income tax on
    income realized by the Trust. Each  corporate Unitholder will be subject  to
    Florida  income taxation on  its share of  the income realized  by the Trust
    notwithstanding the  tax exempt  status of  the interest  received from  any
    bonds under Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other
    federal  law,  unless the  interest  income constitutes  nonbusiness income.
    Nevertheless, any corporate Unitholder that  has its commercial domicile  in
    Florida  will be taxable  under the Florida  Code on its  share of the Trust
    income which constitutes nonbusiness income.
 
        Trust Units  will be  subject to  Florida estate  tax only  if owned  by
    Florida  residents,  certain natural  persons not  domiciled in  Florida, or
    certain natural persons  not residents  of the United  States. However,  the
    Florida  estate tax is limited  to the amount of  the credit allowable under
    the applicable  Federal Revenue  Act (currently  Section 2011  (and in  some
    cases  Section 2102) of the  Internal Revenue Code of  1986, as amended) for
    death taxes actually paid to the several states.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
        Neither the Florida Bonds nor the  Units will be subject to the  Florida
    ad valorem property tax or Florida sales or use tax.
 
        Because   Bonds  issued  by  the  State  of  Florida  or  its  political
    subdivisions or  by  the  Commonwealth  of Puerto  Rico,  Guam,  the  Virgin
    Islands,  American Samoa  and the Northern  Mariana Islands  are exempt from
    Florida intangible  personal property  taxation under  Chapter 199,  Florida
    Statutes,  as amended, the  Trust will not be  subject to Florida intangible
    personal property tax. In addition, the  Unitholders will not be subject  to
    Florida intangible personal property tax on the Units.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--FLORIDA
 
    POPULATION.   In 1980,  Florida was the  seventh most populous  state in the
U.S. The State has grown dramatically since then and as of April 1, 1993,  ranks
fourth  with an estimated  population of 13.4  million. Florida's attraction, as
both a growth and retirement state, has kept net migration fairly steady with an
average of 292,988 new residents a year from 1983 through 1993. The U.S. average
population increase since  1982 is  about 1% annually,  while Florida's  average
annual  rate of  increase is  about 2.5%.  Florida continues  to be  the fastest
growing of the ten largest states.  This strong population growth is one  reason
the State's economy is performing better than the nation as a whole. In addition
to attracting senior citizens to Florida as a place for retirement, the State is
also  recognized as attracting a significant  number of working age individuals.
Since 1983, the  prime working age  population (18-44) has  grown at an  average
annual rate of 2.6%. The share of Florida's total working age population (18-59)
to  total State population is  approximately 54%. This share  is not expected to
change appreciably into the twenty-first century.
 
    INCOME.  The  State's personal  income has  been growing  strongly the  last
several  years and has generally  outperformed both the U.S.  as a whole and the
southeast in particular, according  to the U.S. Department  of Commerce and  the
Florida  Consensus Economic Estimating Conference. This  is due to the fact that
Florida's population has been growing at a very strong pace and, since the early
1970's, the State's economy has diversified so as to provide greater  insulation
from  national  economic  downturns.  As a  result,  Florida's  real  per capita
personal income has tracked  closely with the national  average and has  tracked
above  the southeast. From 1984 through 1993, the State's real per capita income
rose at an average of 5.4% per  year, while the national real per capita  income
increased at an average of 5.5% per year.
 
    Because  Florida has  a proportionately  greater retirement  age population,
property income (dividends,  interest, and rent)  and transfer payments  (Social
Security  and pension  benefits, among other  sources of  income) are relatively
more important  sources  of  income.  For example,  Florida's  total  wages  and
salaries  and other labor income in 1993 was 62% of total personal income, while
a similar  figure  for  the nation  for  1990  was 72%.  Transfer  payments  are
typically  less  sensitive to  the business  cycle  than employment  income and,
therefore, act as stabilizing forces in weak economic periods.
 
    The State's per capita personal income in 1992 of $19,711 was slightly below
the national  average  of  $20,105  and significantly  ahead  of  that  for  the
southeast United States, which was $17,296. Real personal income in the State is
estimated  to  increase 5.5%  in  1993-94 and  4.7% in  1994-95.  By the  end of
1994-95, real personal income  per capita in the  State is projected to  average
6.7% higher than its 1992-93 level.
 
    EMPLOYMENT.   Since 1980, the State's job  creation rate is almost twice the
rate for the nation as a whole, and its growth rate in new non-agricultural jobs
is the fastest of the 11 most populous states, second only to California in  the
absolute  number of new jobs created. Contributing  to the State's rapid rate of
growth in employment and income is international trade. Since 1980, the  State's
unemployment  rate has generally  been below that  of the U.S.  In recent years,
however, as the  State's economic  growth has  slowed from  its previous  highs,
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
the  State's  unemployment  rate has  tracked  above the  national  average. The
average rate in Florida since 1980 has  been 6.5% while the national average  is
7.1%.  According to the  U.S. Department of Commerce,  the Florida Department of
Labor and Employment  Security, and  the Florida  Consensus Economic  Estimating
Conference  (together, the  "Organization"), the  State's unemployment  rate was
8.2% during  1992. As  of  January 1994,  the  Organization estimates  that  the
unemployment rate will be 6.7% for 1993-94 and 6.1% in 1994-95.
 
    The rate of job creation in Florida's manufacturing sector has exceeded that
of the U.S. From the beginning of 1980 through 1993, the State added over 50,000
new  manufacturing jobs,  an 11.7%  increase. During  the same  period, national
manufacturing employment declined ten out of  the fourteen years, for a loss  of
2,977,000 jobs.
 
    Total non-farm employment in Florida is expected to increase 2.7% in 1993-94
and  rise  3.8% in  1994-95.  Trade and  services,  the two  largest  sources of
employment in  the State,  account for  more  than half  of the  total  non-farm
employment.  Employment in the service sector's should experience an increase of
3.9% in 1993-94, while growing 4.9% in 1994-95. Trade is expected to expand 2.2%
in 1994  and  3.4% in  1995.  The service  sector  is now  the  State's  largest
employment category.
 
    CONSTRUCTION.   The State's economy has in the past been highly dependent on
the  construction  industry   and  construction   related  manufacturing.   This
dependency  has declined in recent  years and continues to do  so as a result of
continued diversification of the  State's economy. For  example, in 1980,  total
contract  construction employment  as a share  of total  non-farm employment was
just over 7.0%, and in 1993 the share had edged downward to 5.0%. This trend  is
expected  to continue  as the State's  economy continues  to diversify. Florida,
nevertheless, has a dynamic construction industry, with single and  multi-family
housing  starts accounting for 8.5%  of total U.S. housing  starts in 1993 while
the State's population is 5.3% of  the U.S. total population. Florida's  housing
starts  since 1980  have represented  an average  of 11.0%  of the  U.S.'s total
annual starts, and  since 1980,  total housing  starts have  averaged 156,450  a
year.
 
    A  driving  force  behind the  State's  construction industry  has  been the
State's rapid rate  of population growth.  Although the State  currently is  the
fourth  most populous  state, its annual  population growth is  now projected to
decline as the number of people moving into the State is expected to hover  near
the  mid 250,000  range annually  throughout the  1990's. This  population trend
should  provide  plenty  of  fuel  for  business  and  home  builders  to   keep
construction  activity lively in  Florida for some time  to come. However, other
factors do  influence the  level  of construction  in  the State.  For  example,
federal tax reform in 1986 and other changes to the federal income tax code have
eliminated  tax deductions for  owners of more than  two residential real estate
properties  and  have  lengthened  depreciation  schedules  on  investment   and
commercial  properties.  Economic growth  and  existing supplies  of  homes also
contribute to the level of construction activity in the State.
 
    Hurricane Andrew left some parts of south Florida devastated. Post-Hurricane
Andrew clean up and rebuilding have changed the outlook for the State's economy.
Single and  multi-family housing  starts in  1993-94 are  projected to  reach  a
combined  level  of 118,000,  and to  increase to  134,300 next  year. Lingering
recessionary effects on consumers and tight  credit are some of the reasons  for
relatively  slow core construction  activity, as well  as lingering effects from
the 1986 tax reform legislation discussed above. However, construction is one of
the sectors most severely affected by  Hurricane Andrew. Low interest rates  and
pent  up  demand  combined  with improved  consumer  confidence  should  lead to
improved housing  starts.  The  construction figures  above  include  additional
housing   starts  as  a  result  of   destruction  by  Hurricane  Andrew.  Total
construction expenditures  are  forecasted  to  increase  15.6%  this  year  and
increase 13.3% next year.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    The   State  has  continuously   been  dependent  on   the  highly  cyclical
construction and  construction  related  manufacturing  industries.  While  that
dependency  has  decreased, the  State is  still  somewhat at  the mercy  of the
construction and construction related manufacturing industries. The construction
industry is driven to a great extent by the State's rapid growth in  population.
There  can be no  assurance that population growth  will continue throughout the
1990's in which case  there could be  an adverse impact  on the State's  economy
through  the loss of  construction and construction  related manufacturing jobs.
Also, while interest rates remain low  currently, an increase in interest  rates
could  significantly adversely impact  the financing of  new construction within
the State, thereby adversely impacting  unemployment and other economic  factors
within  the State. In addition, available  commercial office space has tended to
remain high over the past few years.  So long as this glut of commercial  rental
space  continues, construction  of this  type of  space will  likely continue to
remain slow.
 
    TOURISM.    Tourism  is  one  of  the  State's  most  important  industries.
Approximately  41.1 million tourists  visited the State in  1993, as reported by
the Florida Department of  Commerce. In terms of  business activities and  state
tax  revenues, tourists in Florida in  1993 represented an estimated 4.5 million
additional residents. Visitors to  the State tend to  arrive equally by air  and
car.  The State's tourism industry over the years has become more sophisticated,
attracting visitors year-round and, to  a degree, reducing its seasonality.  The
dollar's  depreciation  has  enhanced  the  State's  tourism  industry.  Tourist
arrivals are  expected to  decline by  almost  two percent  this year,  but  are
expected  to recover next year with 5.0%  growth. Tourist arrivals to Florida by
air and car are  expected to diverge  from each other,  air decreasing 5.6%  and
auto  increasing  1.6%. By  the end  of  the State's  current fiscal  year, 41.0
million domestic and  international tourists  are expected to  have visited  the
State. In 1994-95 tourist arrivals should approximate 43.0 million.
 
    REVENUES  AND EXPENSES.  Estimated fiscal  year 1993-94 General Revenue plus
Working Capital funds available  to the State total  $13,582.7 million, an  8.4%
increase  over 1992-93.  This reflects  a transfer  of $190  million, out  of an
estimated $220.0 million in non-recurring revenue due to Hurricane Andrew, to  a
hurricane  relief trust fund. Of the  total General Revenue plus Working Capital
funds available to the  State, $12,943.5 million of  that is Estimated  Revenues
(excluding  the Hurricane Andrew  impact), which represents  an increase of 7.3%
over the previous  year's Estimated  Revenues. With  effective General  Revenues
plus  Working  Capital Fund  appropriations  at $13,276.9  million, unencumbered
reserves at the end of 1993-94 are estimated at $302.8 million. Estimated fiscal
year 1994-95 General Revenue plus Working Capital and Budget Stabilization funds
available total $14,573.7  million, a  7.3% increase over  1993-94. This  amount
reflects  a transfer of $159.0 million in non-recurring revenue due to Hurricane
Andrew to a hurricane relief fund.  The $13,860.8 million in Estimated  Revenues
(excluding  Hurricane  Andrew impact)  represent an  increase  of 7.1%  over the
previous year's Estimated Revenues.  The massive effort  to rebuild and  replace
destroyed or damaged property in the wake of Hurricane Andrew is responsible for
the  substantial positive revenue impacts  shown here. Most of  the impact is in
the increase in the State's sales tax.
 
    In fiscal  year  1992-93, approximately  62%  of the  State's  total  direct
revenue  to its three operating funds was derived from State taxes, with Federal
grants and other special revenue accounting for the balance. State sales and use
tax, corporate income  tax, intangible  personal property tax  and beverage  tax
amounted  to 68%, 7%,  4% and 4%,  respectively, of total  General Revenue Funds
available during fiscal 1992-93. In that same year, expenditures for  education,
health  and welfare, and  public safety amounted to  approximately 49%, 30%, and
11%, respectively, of total expenditures from the General Revenue Fund.
 
    The State's sales and use tax (6%) currently accounts for the State's single
largest source of tax receipts. Sightly less  than 10% of the State's sales  and
use tax is designated for
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
local  governments  and  is  distributed to  the  respective  counties  in which
collected for use by the counties,  and the municipalities therein. In  addition
to  this distribution, local governments may assess  (by referendum) a 0.5% or a
1.0% discretionary sales surtax  within their county.  Proceeds from this  local
option  sales tax  are earmarked for  funding local  infrastructure programs and
acquiring land for public  recreation or conservation  or protection of  natural
resources  as provided  under applicable  Florida law.  Certain charter counties
have other  additional  taxing  powers, and  non-consolidated  counties  with  a
population  in  excess of  800,000 may  levy a  local option  sales tax  to fund
indigent health care.  It alone cannot  exceed 0.5% and  when combined with  the
infrastructure  surtax cannot  exceed 1.0%. For  the fiscal year  ended June 30,
1993, sales and use tax receipts (exclusive  of the tax on gasoline and  special
fuels) totalled $9,426.0 million, an increase of 12.5% over fiscal year 1991-92.
 
    The  second largest source of State tax  receipts is the tax on motor fuels.
However, these revenues are almost  entirely dedicated trust funds for  specific
purposes and are not included in the State's General Revenue Fund.
 
    The  State imposes an alcoholic beverage wholesale tax (excise tax) on beer,
wine, and  liquor. This  tax  is one  of the  State's  major tax  sources,  with
revenues totalling $442.2 million in fiscal year ending June 30, 1993. Alcoholic
beverage  tax  receipts  increased  1.6% from  the  previous  year's  total. The
revenues collected from this tax are deposited into the State's General  Revenue
Fund.
 
    The  State imposes  a corporate  income tax.  All receipts  of the corporate
income tax are credited to the General  Revenue Fund. For the fiscal year  ended
June  30, 1993, receipts  from this source  were $846.6 million,  an increase of
5.6% from fiscal year 1991-92.
 
    The State  imposes a  documentary stamp  tax on  deeds and  other  documents
relating  to  realty,  corporate shares,  bonds,  certificates  of indebtedness,
promissory notes, wage assignments, and retail charge accounts. The  documentary
stamp  tax collections  totalled $639.0  million during  fiscal year  1992-93, a
27.0% increase from the previous fiscal year. Beginning in fiscal year  1992-93,
71.29% of these taxes is to be deposited to the General Revenue Fund.
 
    The  State  imposes  a gross  receipts  tax  on electric,  natural  gas, and
telecommunications services.  All gross  receipt utilities  tax collections  are
credited  to the State's Public Education  Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust
Fund. In fiscal year 1992-93, this amounted to $447.9 million.
 
    The State  imposes an  intangible personal  property tax  on stocks,  bonds,
including  bonds secured by liens in  Florida real property, notes, governmental
leaseholds, and certain other intangibles not secured by a lien on Florida  real
property.  The  annual  rate  of  tax  is  2  mils.  The  State  also  imposes a
non-recurring 2 mil tax on mortgages  and other obligations secured by liens  on
Florida  real  property.  In  fiscal  year  1992-93,  total  intangible personal
property tax collections  were $783.4  million, a  33% increase  over the  prior
year. Of the tax proceeds, 66.5% is distributed to the General Revenue Fund.
 
    The  State's severance tax taxes oil, gas and sulphur production, as well as
the severance of phosphate rock and other solid minerals. Total collections from
severance taxes total $64.5 million during  fiscal year 1992-93, down 4.0%  from
the  previous year. Currently 60%  of this amount is  transferred to the General
Revenue Fund.
 
    The State began  its own lottery  in 1988. State  law requires that  lottery
revenues  be  distributed  50.0% to  the  public  in prizes,  38.0%  for  use in
enhancing education,  and the  balance, 12.0%,  for costs  of administering  the
lottery.  Fiscal  year  1992-93  lottery ticket  sales  totalled  $2.13 billion,
providing education with approximately $810.4 million.
 
    DEBT-BALANCED BUDGET REQUIREMENT.  At the end of fiscal 1993,  approximately
$5.61  billion in principal amount of debt  secured by the full faith and credit
of the State was outstanding. In addition, since July 1, 1993, the State  issued
about $1.13 billion in principal amount of full faith and credit bonds.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
    The  State Constitution  and statutes  mandate that  the State  budget, as a
whole, and each separate fund within the  State budget, be kept in balance  from
currently  available revenues each  fiscal year. If  the Governor or Comptroller
believe a deficit will occur in any State fund, by statute, he must certify  his
opinion to the Administrative Commission, which then is authorized to reduce all
State agency budgets and releases by a sufficient amount to prevent a deficit in
any  fund.  Additionally, the  State  Constitution prohibits  issuance  of State
obligations to fund State operations.
 
    LITIGATION.  Currently under litigation are several issues relating to State
actions or State taxes that put  at risk substantial amounts of General  Revenue
Fund  monies.  Accordingly, there  is  no assurance  that  any of  such matters,
individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse affect on the
State's financial position.
 
    Florida law provides preferential tax  treatment to insurers who maintain  a
home  office in the State. Certain  insurers challenged the constitutionality of
this tax preference  and sought a  refund of taxes  paid. Recently, the  Florida
Supreme  Court ruled  in favor of  the State.  This case and  others, along with
pending refund claims, total about $150 million.
 
    The State imposes a $295  fee on the issuance  of certificates of title  for
motor  vehicles previously titled outside the State.  The State has been sued by
plaintiffs alleging  that this  fee violates  the Commerce  Clause of  the  U.S.
Constitution.  The Circuit Court in which the case was filed has granted summary
judgment for the plaintiffs  and has enjoined further  collection of the  impact
fee  and  has ordered  refunds to  all those  who  have paid  the fee  since the
collection of the fee went into effect. The State has appealed the lower Court's
decision and an  automatic stay has  been granted  to the State  allowing it  to
continue  to collect the fee.  The potential refund exposure  to the State if it
should lose the case may be in excess of $100 million.
 
    The State  maintains a  bond rating  of  Aa and  AA from  Moody's  Investors
Service  and Standard & Poor's Corporation, respectively, on the majority of its
general obligation bonds, although the rating of a particular series of  revenue
bonds  relates primarily to the project,  facility, or other revenue source from
which such series derives funds for  repayment. While these ratings and some  of
the  information  presented above  indicate that  the  State is  in satisfactory
economic health, there can be no assurance  that there will not be a decline  in
economic  conditions or that particular Florida Bonds purchased by the fund will
not be adversely affected by any such changes.
 
    The sources for the information presented above include official  statements
and  financial statements  of the  State of Florida.  While the  Sponsor has not
independently verified this information,  it has no reason  to believe that  the
information is not correct in all material respects.
 
FLORIDA 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  published  1995  marginal  Federal  tax  rates.  The  tables  incorporate
increased tax  rates  for higher-income  taxpayers  that were  included  in  the
Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. 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.
 
                                       26
<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      5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%   7.00%   7.25%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 39.0 $     0-114.7      15.0   %     6.47    6.76    7.06    7.35    7.65    7.94    8.24    8.53
    39.0- 94.3       0-114.7      28.0         7.64    7.99    8.33    8.68    9.03    9.38    9.72   10.07
                 114.7-172.1      29.0         7.75    8.10    8.45    8.80    9.15    9.51    9.86   10.21
    94.3-143.6       0-114.7      31.0         7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78   10.14   10.51
                 114.7-172.1      32.0         8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93   10.29   10.66
                 172.1-294.6      34.5         8.40    8.78    9.16    9.54    9.92   10.31   10.69   11.07
   143.6-256.5   114.7-172.1      37.0         8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71   11.11   11.51
                 172.1-294.6      40.0         9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83   11.25   11.67   12.08
                  Over 294.6      37.0   2     8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71   11.11   11.51
    Over 256.5   172.1-294.6      44.0         9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05   12.50   12.95
                  Over 294.6      41.0   3     9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02   11.44   11.86   12.29
</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      5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%   7.00%   7.25%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 23.4 $     0-114.7      15.0   %     6.47    6.76    7.06    7.35    7.65    7.94    8.24    8.53
    23.4- 56.6       0-114.7      28.0         7.64    7.99    8.33    8.68    9.03    9.38    9.72   10.07
    56.6-118.0       0-114.7      31.0         7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78   10.14   10.51
                 114.7-237.2      32.5         8.15    8.52    8.89    9.26    9.63   10.00   10.37   10.74
   118.0-256.5   114.7-237.2      38.0         8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08   10.48   10.89   11.29   11.69
                  Over 237.2      37.0   2     8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71   11.11   11.51
    Over 256.5    Over 237.2      41.0   3     9.32    9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02   11.44   11.86   12.29
<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.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
JANUARY 12, 1995
FLORIDA INSURED TRUST 204
(SERIES 778)
    
 
<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      State of Florida, Department of Management          2003 at 101        AAA         Aaa     $       219,718
                   Services, Division of Facilities Management,
                   Florida Facilities Pool Revenue Refunding
                   Bonds, Series 1992, 5.40% Due 9/1/14.
    500,000      Hillsborough County Industrial Development          2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             475,000
                   Authority (Florida), Pollution Control
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds (Tampa Electric
                   Company Project), Series 1994, 6.25% Due
                   12/1/34.
    525,000      City of Miramar, Florida, Water Improvement         2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             460,010
                   Assessment Bonds, Series 1993, 5.60% Due
                   10/1/24.
    225,000      Orange County, Florida, Sales Tax Refunding         2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             191,896
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1993A, 5.25% Due
                   1/1/16.
    500,000      Seminole County, Florida, Water and Sewer        No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             475,275
                   Revenue Refunding and Improvement Bonds,
                   Series 1992, 6.00% Due 10/1/19.
    500,000      South Broward Hospital District (Florida),          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             420,365
                   Hospital Revenue and Refunding Revenue Bonds,
                   Series 1993, 5.50% Due 5/1/28.
    500,000      City of Tampa, Florida, Allegany Health System      2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             498,125
                   Revenue Bonds, St. Joseph's Hospital, Inc.
                   Issue, Series 1994, 6.50% Due 12/1/23.
    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                                                                                                 $     3,240,389
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 42.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
   
MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST 122
    
   
    The  Portfolio of Massachusetts Insured Trust  122 consists of 6 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. 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: Bridge  and Toll  Road Revenue,  1; Health  Care
Facility  Revenue,  2; Transportation  Facility 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
Massachusetts  Insured Trust is 25.1 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 28.6% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in  the
Trust (accounting for approximately 26.0% 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 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 January 10,
1995 and January 11,  1995. 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>
  $3,145,378       $18,037           $203,815      $3,147,165                 .46%
</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  $.01567  per  Unit per  day  under  the  semi-annual  plan of
distribution, $.01561 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of  distribution
and  $.01552 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
    
 
                                       29
<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  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                                       1995                               PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................       2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .2872(1)                                              $  5.5902
                                                        --------  $.4656 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .2872(1)   $  1.4049(2)   $  1.4049      $  1.4049    $  5.6222
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .2872(1)   $  1.4103(3)                  $  2.8206    $  5.6412
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<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) Regular 3-month distribution.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  3-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").
 
        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
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
    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 various agencies  in
Massachusetts.  No independent  verification has  been made  of the  accuracy or
completeness of the following information.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
    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, 1993 and 1994 revenues exceeded expenditures, no assurance
can be given that lower than expected tax revenues will not resume and continue.
    
 
   
    1995 FISCAL  YEAR  BUDGET.__On  July  10,  1994,  the  Governor  signed  the
Commonwealth's  budget  for fiscal  1995.  The fiscal  1995  budget is  based on
estimated budgeted revenues and other sources of approximately $16.364  billion,
which  includes  tax revenue  estimates  of approximately  $11.234  billion. Tax
revenues for fiscal 1995  were originally estimated at  $11.328 billion in  May,
1994,  however, due to the slowing of the  rate of growth in certain tax revenue
categories in  the months  following  the signing  of the  budget,  particularly
income  tax,  the Secretary  of  the Administration  on  September 26,  1994, as
required by law, reduced  the fiscal 1995 tax  revenue estimate by $75  million.
The  tax  revenue estimate  includes $19.3  million  of tax  cuts signed  by the
Governor in  the fiscal  1995 budget.  Estimated fiscal  1995 tax  revenues  are
approximately  $627  million higher  than fiscal  1994  tax revenues  of $10.607
billion.
    
   
____As signed  by  the Governor,  the  budget authorizes  approximately  $16.482
billion  in fiscal  1995 expenditures. The  Governor exercised  his authority to
veto and  reduce  individual  line  items  and  reduced  total  expenditures  by
approximately  $298.2 million and vetoed certain  other law changes contained in
the fiscal 1995 budget. The $16.482 billion of fiscal 1995 expenditures includes
a reserve  against  certain contingencies  currently  in the  amount  of  $102.7
million.  On October  7, 1994, the  Governor filed  a supplemental appropriation
recommendation aggregating approximately $44.5  million, which expenditures  are
included in the $102.7 million contingency reserve for fiscal 1995 expenditures.
    
   
____The  fiscal 1995 budget is based  on numerous spending and revenue estimates
the achievement of which cannot be assured.
    
   
____On November 8, 1994, the voters  in the statewide general election  approved
an  initiative petition that would slightly increase the portion of the gasoline
tax revenue credited to the Highway Fund, one of the Commonwealth's three  major
budgetary  funds, prohibit the transfer of money  from the Highway Fund to other
funds for non-highway purposes and not permit including the Highway Fund balance
in the  computation "consolidated  net surplus"  for purposes  of state  finance
laws.  The initiative petition also  provides that no more  than 15% of gasoline
tax revenues may be used for mass transportation purposes, such as  expenditures
related  to the  Massachusetts Bay  Transit Authority.  The Executive  Office of
Administration and  Finance is  analyzing the  effect, if  any, this  initiative
petition,  which became  law on December  8, 1994,  may have on  the fiscal 1995
budget and  it currently  does not  expect  it to  have any  materially  adverse
impact.  This is not a  constitutional amendment and is  subject to amendment or
repeal by the  Legislature, which  may also,  notwithstanding the  terms of  the
petition,  appropriate moneys from the Highway Fund in such amounts and for such
purposes as it  determines, subject  only to a  constitutional restriction  that
such moneys be used for highways or mass transit purposes.
    
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
   
____1994  FISCAL YEAR.__The Commonwealth is in the process of closing its fiscal
1994 financial records. Financial information  for fiscal 1994 is unaudited  and
provided  by the office of the  Comptroller based upon the Preliminary Financial
Report of  the  Commonwealth  for  fiscal 1994  issued  by  the  Comptroller  on
September 15, 1994. Audited financial information is expected to be published in
January, 1995.
    
   
____Fiscal  1994 tax revenue collections were approximately $10.607 billion, $87
million below the Department of Revenue's fiscal year 1994 tax revenue  estimate
of  $10.694 billion and  $677 million above  fiscal 1993 tax  revenues of $9.930
billion. Budgeted  revenues  and  other  sources,  including  non-tax  revenues,
collected   in  fiscal   1994  were  approximately   $15.551  billion.  Budgeted
expenditures and other uses of funds  in fiscal 1994 were approximately  $15.533
billion.
    
   
____As  of June 30,  1994, the Commonwealth  showed a year-end  cash position of
approximately $757 million, as compared to a projected position of $599 million.
    
   
____In June, 1993,  the Legislature  adopted and  the Governor  signed into  law
comprehensive   education  reform  legislation.  This  legislation  required  an
increase in expenditures for education purposes above fiscal 1993 base  spending
of  $1.288 billion of  approximately $175 million in  fiscal 1994. The Executive
Office  for  Administration  and  Finance   expects  the  annual  increases   in
expenditures  above  the  fiscal 1993  base  spending  of $1.288  billion  to be
approximately $396 million in fiscal 1995, $632 million in fiscal 1996 and  $875
million  in fiscal 1997. Additional annual  increases are also expected in later
fiscal years. The  fiscal 1995 budget  as signed by  the Governor includes  $396
million in appropriations to satisfy this legislation.
    
   
____1993  FISCAL YEAR.__The Commonwealth's budgeted  expenditures and other uses
were approximately $14.696 billion in fiscal 1993, which is approximately $1.280
billion or  9.6% higher  than fiscal  1992 expenditures  and other  uses.  Final
fiscal  1993 budgeted expenditures were $23  million lower than the initial July
1992 estimates of fiscal 1993 budgeted expenditures. Budgeted revenues and other
sources for fiscal  1993 totalled approximately  $14.710 billion, including  tax
revenues  of  $9.930  billion. Total  revenues  and other  sources  increased by
approximately 6.9% from fiscal 1992 to fiscal 1993, while tax revenues increased
by 4.7%  for the  same period.  Overall, fiscal  1993 ended  with a  surplus  of
revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses of $13.1 million and
aggregate   ending  fund  balances  in  the  budgeted  operating  funds  of  the
Commonwealth of  approximately $562.5  million.  After payment  in full  of  the
distribution  of local aid to the  Commonwealth's cities and towns ("Local Aid")
and the retirement of short term debt,  the Commonwealth showed a year end  cash
position of approximately $622.2 million, as compared to a projected position of
$485.1 million.
    
   
____1992  FISCAL YEAR.__The Commonwealth's budgeted  expenditures and other uses
were approximately $13.4 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 totalled approximately $13.7 billion
(including tax revenues of approximately  $9.5 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    Local   Aid   in   the
    
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
   
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
million 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  approximately $14.1 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
approximately $8.8 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 actions 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  AND  1989  FISCAL YEARS.__In  July  1989, the  former  Governor vetoed
certain provisions included in the budget legislation for fiscal 1990, including
approximately $273 million  of the  fiscal 1990  appropriations, including  $100
million for Local Aid. One of the
    
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
   
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 1989 and 1990 totalled approximately $12.6
billion and $13.3 billion, respectively.  Budgeted revenues for fiscal 1989  and
1990 totalled approximately $12.0 billion and $12.0 billion, respectively.
    
   
____EMPLOYMENT.__Reversing  a trend  of relatively  low unemployment  during the
early and  mid 1980's,  the Massachusetts  unemployment rate  beginning in  1990
increased  significantly to where the  Commonwealth's unemployment rate exceeded
the national 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  during
1992  averaged 8.5% while the average  United States unemployment rate was 7.4%.
Since 1993, the  average monthly  unemployment rate has  declined steadily.  The
Massachusetts  unemployment rate in  August 1994 was 5.9%,  as compared with the
United States unemployment rate of 6.1% for the same period. Other factors which
may significantly and adversely affect  the employment rate in the  Commonwealth
include reductions in 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+. At the same  time, S&P currently rates state and agency
notes at SP1. From 1989 through 1992, the Commonwealth had experienced a  steady
decline  in its  S&P rating, with  its 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 A1. From 1989 through 1992,  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,  and  on March  9,  1990, Moody's  reduced  the rating  of the
Commonwealth's general  obligation bonds  from  Baa1 to  Baa.  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
    
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
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 (including Fiscal Recovery Bonds) as of October
1,  1994  was   approximately  $9.1   billion.  There   were  also   outstanding
approximately  $289 million  in general  obligation notes  and other  short term
general obligation debt. The total bond and note liabilities of the Commonwealth
as of October 1, 1994, including guaranteed bond and contingent liabilities, was
approximately $12.8 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 22.2% from $770.9 million  in
fiscal 1990 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
were approximately $1.140 billion and $1.155  billion for fiscal 1993 and  1994,
respectively,  and are projected  to be approximately  $1.249 billion for fiscal
1995. The fiscal 1993 and fiscal 1994 debt service expenditures reflect  savings
of  $62.9 million and $57.3 million, respectively, achieved through the issuance
of refunding bonds in October 1992, and March, May and August 1993. 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 ($181.9
million projected in fiscal 1995), the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority
($24.6 million projected in fiscal 1995), the Massachusetts Government Land Bank
($6.0 million projected in  fiscal 1995) and  the Massachusetts Water  Pollution
Abatement  Trust ($13.9 million projected in fiscal  1995), 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 ($179.2  million projected in
fiscal 1995).
    
   
    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
1994 is 5.7% (on a preliminary  unaudited basis) which is projected to  increase
to 5.9% in fiscal 1995.
    
   
    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 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.
    
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
    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. 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, with approximately $1.78  billion to be spent on or
after January 1, 1994.
    
   
    The Department of  Public Welfare  has been  sued for  the alleged  unlawful
denial  of  personal  care  attendant  services  to  certain  disabled  Medicaid
recipients. The Superior Court has denied the plaintiff's motion for preliminary
injunction and has also denied  the plaintiff's motion for class  certification.
If  the plaintiffs  were to  prevail on their  claims and  the Commonwealth were
required to  provide  all  of the  services  sought  by the  plaintiffs  to  all
similarly  situation persons, it would substantially increase in the annual cost
to the  Commonwealth  that these  services  might eventually  be  required.  The
Department  of Public Welfare currently estimates this increase to be as much as
$200 million per year.
    
   
    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.
    
 
   
    The  Massachusetts Hospital Association has brought an action challenging an
element of the Medicaid rate setting methodologies for hospitals. On October 12,
1993, the  case  was  settled  with the  hospital  association  and  most  acute
hospitals,  thereby  reducing  the  Commonwealth's  potential  liability  in the
pending case or in related appeals to approximately $10 million.
    
   
____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. In BAYBANK, ET AL. V. COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE, the banks challenge
the  inclusion of income from tax exempt  obligations in the measure of the bank
excise tax. The  Appellate Tax Board  issued findings  of fact and  a report  in
favor  of the Commissioner of Revenue on September 30, 1993. The case is pending
before the Supreme Judicial  Court and is  expected to be  heard in March  1995.
Taking  into account all banks and all years at issue (1974 through 1986), there
are 142 appeals consolidated in this case.  The amount at issue is estimated  to
be  approximately $1.2 billion, which  amount includes interest of approximately
$900 million
    
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
   
and amounts involved in  other related applications  for abatement pending  with
the Commissioner of Revenue or with the Appellate Tax Board. The amount of taxes
and interest at issue in other cases is approximately $150 million.
    
   
____In  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  GOVERNMENT  EMPLOYEES  V.  COMMONWEALTH,  the
Superior  Court  declared  that  a  line  item  in  the  Commonwealth's  general
appropriations   act  for  fiscal  1994  that  increased  the  state  employees'
percentage share  of their  group  health insurance  premiums  from 10%  to  15%
violated  the terms of  several collective bargaining  agreements, and therefore
was invalid under the United States Constitution as regards employees covered by
the agreements. The Commonwealth appealed the Superior Court's decision and  the
Supreme Judicial Court has granted direct appellate review. Several other unions
have  filed  a  companion suit  asserting  that the  premium  increase similarly
violated other  collective bargaining  agreements.  The latter  suit is  in  its
initial  stages. If the Superior Court decision  in favor of the state employees
is  upheld,  the   Commonwealth's  aggregate  liability   is  estimated  to   be
approximately $32 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.
    
 
    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
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
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.
 
   
    ESTATE  TAX REVISIONS.__The  fiscal 1993  budget included  legislation which
gradually phases out the current Massachusetts estate tax and replaces it with a
"sponge tax" in 1997.  The "sponge tax"  is based on the  maximum amount of  the
credit  for state taxes allowed for federal  estate tax purposes. The estate tax
is phased out  by means  of annual  increases in  the basic  exemption from  the
current  $200,000  level.  The  exemption is  increased  to  $300,000  for 1993,
$400,000 for 1994,  $500,000 for 1995  and $600,000 for  1996. In addition,  the
legislation  includes a full marital deduction  starting July 1, 1994. Currently
the marital deduction  is limited  to 50%  of the  Massachusetts adjusted  gross
estate.  The  static  fiscal impact  of  the phase  out  of the  estate  tax was
estimated to be approximately $24.8 million  in fiscal 1994 and is estimated  to
be approximately $72.5 million in fiscal 1995.
    
   
    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 1995 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.
 
                                       39
<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- 39.0 $     0-114.7      25.0   %     6.67    7.00    7.33    7.67    8.00    8.33    8.67    9.00
    39.0- 94.3       0-114.7      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
                 114.7-172.1      37.5         8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60   10.00   10.40   10.80
    94.3-143.6       0-114.7      39.5         8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74   11.16
                 114.7-172.1      40.0         8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83   11.25
                 172.1-294.6      42.0         8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30   11.74
   143.6-256.5   114.7-172.1      44.5         9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71   12.16
                 172.1-294.6      47.0         9.43    9.91   10.38   10.85   11.32   11.79   12.26   12.74
                  Over 294.6      44.5   2     9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71   12.16
    Over 256.5   172.1-294.6      50.5        10.10   10.61   11.11   11.62   12.12   12.63   13.13   13.64
                  Over 294.6      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- 23.4 $     0-114.7      25.0   %     6.67    7.00    7.33    7.67    8.00    8.33    8.67    9.00
    23.4- 56.6       0-114.7      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
    56.6-118.0       0-114.7      39.5         8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74   11.16
                 114.7-237.2      40.5         8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
   118.0-256.5   114.7-237.2      45.5         9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47   11.93   12.39
                  Over 237.2      44.5   2     9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71   12.16
    Over 256.5    Over 237.2      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.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
JANUARY 12, 1995
MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST 122
(SERIES 778)
    
 
<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 Health and Educational Facilities     2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       470,200
                   Authority, Revenue Bonds (Daughters of
                   Charity National Health System-The Carney
                   Hospital), Series D, 6.10% Due 7/1/14.
    500,000      Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             413,520
                   Authority, Revenue Bonds, Lahey Clinic
                   Medical Center Issue, Series B, 5.375% Due
                   7/1/23. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about April 27, 1993 at a
                   price of 94.511% of principal amount.)
    500,000      Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue Bonds,        2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             464,700
                   Series 1992-B, 6.00% Due 7/1/23.
    500,000      Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, Turnpike          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             403,720
                   Revenue Bonds, 1993 Series A, 5.125% Due
                   1/1/23.
    500,000      Massachusetts Water Resources Authority,            2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             408,775
                   General Revenue Bonds, 1993 Series C, 5.25%
                   Due 12/1/20. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about December 2, 1993 at a
                   price of 92.784% of principal amount.)
    500,000      Town of Lenox, Massachusetts, General               2005 at 102        AAA         Aaa
                   Obligation Bonds,
                 185M-6.35% Due 1/15/11,                                                                            185,925
                 315M-6.45% Due 1/15/12.                                                                            316,575
                   (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                                                                                                 $     3,163,415
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 42.
 
                                       41
<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,  a division  of J.  J.
        Kenny Co., Inc., 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, a division  of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc.,
        have been rounded to the nearest dollar.
    
 
                                       42
<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 778:
    
 
   
       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  778
     (comprising North Carolina Traditional  Trust 284, Short  Intermediate
     Insured  Trust 38, Florida Insured Trust 204 and Massachusetts Insured
     Trust 122), as of January 12, 1995. 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  778
     as  of  January  12,  1995,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
     accounting principles.
    
 
                                                        ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
     Chicago, Illinois,
     January 12, 1995.
    
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
                            Statements of Condition
   
                    NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 778
    
   
  (North Carolina Traditional Trust 284, Short Intermediate Insured Trust 38,
         Florida Insured Trust 204 and Massachusetts Insured Trust 122)
    
   
                             AS OF JANUARY 12, 1995
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SHORT
                                          NORTH CAROLINA       INTERMEDIATE           FLORIDA          MASSACHUSETTS
                                            TRADITIONAL           INSURED             INSURED             INSURED
    TRUST PROPERTY                           TRUST 284           TRUST 38            TRUST 204           TRUST 122
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Tax-
 Exempt Bonds, backed by an irrevocable
 letter of credit(1)(2).................  $     3,200,362     $     7,427,982     $     3,240,389     $     3,163,415
Accrued interest to January 12, 1995 on
  underlying Bonds(1)...................           47,892              61,997              39,768               7,435
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,248,254     $     7,489,979     $     3,280,157     $     3,170,850
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
   LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
LIABILITY:
    Accrued interest to January 12, 1995
      on underlying Bonds(3)............  $        47,892     $        61,997     $        39,768     $         7,435
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided
      interest outstanding (North
      Carolina Traditional Trust 284
      --35,000; Short Intermediate
      Insured Trust 38--75,000; Florida
      Insured Trust 204-- 35,000;
      Massachusetts Insured Trust
      122--35,000)
      Cost to investors(4)..............  $     3,365,245     $     7,657,729     $     3,407,334     $     3,326,394
        Less: Gross underwriting
          commission(5).................         (164,883)           (229,747)           (166,945)           (162,979)
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Net amount applicable to
      investors.........................  $     3,200,362     $     7,427,982     $     3,240,389     $     3,163,415
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,248,254     $     7,489,979     $     3,280,157     $     3,170,850
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
<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>
 
                                       44
<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 September 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.  Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in this Prospectus, 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
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>
change  at  any time,  which  are based  upon  the BID  prices  of Bonds  in the
respective 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
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>
paid  only semi-annually, during the initial  months of the Trusts, the Interest
Accounts, 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
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>
Return.  There thus can  be no assurance  that the Estimated  Current Returns or
Estimated 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 division  of J.  J. Kenny  Co., Inc.,  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,  a division of J.  J. Kenny Co., Inc.,  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
 
                                      A-19
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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.) A  portion of a Unitholder's gain, to
the extent of accreted market discount, may be treated as ordinary income rather
than capital gain if the Bonds were purchased by a Trust at a market discount or
if the Unitholder purchased his  or her Units at a  market discount on or  after
April  30, 1993. 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
                           180,000 Units
                           North Carolina Traditional
                           Trust 284
                           Short Intermediate Insured
                           Trust 38
                           Florida Insured Trust 204
                           Massachusetts Insured Trust
                           122
</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.
 
   
   778
    
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 North
Carolina Traditional Trust  284 which  is incorporated in  the Prospectus  dated
January  12,  1995  and  is  qualified in  its  entirety  by  reference  to such
prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Dec-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Dec-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,185,819
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,200,362
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        47,892
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,248,254
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            47,892
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  47,892
<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>                                                      3,200,362
<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>                                                 91.44
<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 Short
Intermediate Insured  Trust 38  which is  incorporated in  the Prospectus  dated
January  12,  1995  and  is  qualified in  its  entirety  by  reference  to such
prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Dec-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Dec-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             7,407,147
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            7,427,982
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        61,997
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    7,489,979
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            61,997
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  61,997
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                75,000
<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>                                                      7,427,982
<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>                                                 99.04
<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 Florida
Insured Trust 204 which is incorporated in the Prospectus dated January 12, 1995
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Dec-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Dec-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,228,582
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,240,389
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        39,768
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,280,157
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            39,768
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  39,768
<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>                                                      3,240,389
<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>                                                 92.58
<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
Massachusetts Insured Trust 122  which is incorporated  in the Prospectus  dated
January  12,  1995  and  is  qualified in  its  entirety  by  reference  to such
prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Dec-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Dec-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,145,378
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,163,415
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         7,435
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,170,850
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                             7,435
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                   7,435
<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>                                                      3,163,415
<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>                                                 90.38
<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 778 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 778 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 01/12/95.

 
                                NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 778
                                (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))
                                                      )
                                                      )01/12/95
___________________

*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>

778

                   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
01/12/95


                         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 778                                           January 12, 1995         
                                                                              
Item 1.  This Indenture relates to the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust           
         Series 778.                                                          
                                                                              
Item 2.  The date of this Indenture is January 12, 1995.                      
                                                                              
Item 3.  Series 778 shall initially contain Trusts as follows:                
                                                                              
         (a)   North Carolina Traditional Trust 284                           
         (b)   Short Intermediate Insured Trust 38                            
         (c)   Florida Insured Trust 204                                      
         (d)   Massachusetts Insured Trust 122                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 4.  Each Trust shall initially consist of the following number of Units: 
                                                                              
         (a)   North Carolina Traditional Trust         35,000 Units          
         (b)   Short Intermediate Insured Trust         75,000 Units          
         (c)   Florida Insured Trust                    35,000 Units          
         (d)   Massachusetts 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)  North Carolina Traditional Trust        $ .2916 per Unit       
         ( 2)  Short Intermediate Insured Trust        $ .2768 per Unit       
         ( 3)  Florida Insured Trust                   $ .3017 per Unit       
         ( 4)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             $ .2872 per Unit       
                                                                              
         (b) The date of the second distribution from the Interest Account    
             of the respective Trusts will be as follows:                     
                                                                              
         ( 1)  North Carolina Traditional Trust        February 15, 1995      
         ( 2)  Short Intermediate Insured Trust        February 15, 1995      
         ( 3)  Florida Insured Trust                   February 15, 1995      
         ( 4)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             February 15, 1995      
                                                                              
         (c) The record date for the second distribution from the             
             Interest Account of the respective Trusts will be as             
             follows:                                                         
                                                                              
         ( 1)  North Carolina Traditional Trust        February 1, 1995       
         ( 2)  Short Intermediate Insured Trust        February 1, 1995       
         ( 3)  Florida Insured Trust                   February 1, 1995       
         ( 4)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             February 1, 1995       
                                                                              
                                                                              
         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                 
             May 1, 1995.                                                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
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)   North Carolina Traditional Trust        February 1, 1995       
         (b)   Short Intermediate Insured Trust        February 1, 1995       
         (c)   Florida Insured Trust                   February 1, 1995       
         (d)   Massachusetts Insured Trust             February 1, 1995       
                                                                              
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)  North Carolina Traditional Trust        $1.6708                
         ( 2)  Short Intermediate Insured Trust        $1.6506                
         ( 3)  Florida Insured Trust                   $1.7321                
         ( 4)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             $1.7002                
                                                                              
         (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)  North Carolina Traditional Trust                               
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.6708          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.3508          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.1608          
                                                                              
         ( 2)  Short Intermediate Insured Trust                               
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.6506          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.3306          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.1406          
                                                                              
         ( 3)  Florida Insured Trust                                          
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.7321          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.4121          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.2221          
                                                                              
         ( 4)  Massachusetts Insured Trust                                    
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.7002          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.3802          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.1902          
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                            ADDITIONAL SCHEDULES                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                         BONDS INITIALLY DEPOSITED                            
                                                                              
                  NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 778                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
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:  North Carolina Traditional Trust 284                    
         Schedule C:  Short Intermediate Insured Trust 38                     
         Schedule D:  Florida Insured Trust 204                               
         Schedule E:  Massachusetts Insured Trust 122                         


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.1

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

01/12/95


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

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 778

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 778 (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. 33-56815) 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)

01/12/95

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606
RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 778

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 778 (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 778.

    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. 33-56815) 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 MOORE & VAN ALLEN  LETTERHEAD)

01/12/95


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 778 - North Carolina Traditional 284
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attn:  James J. Wesolowski, Esq.
       Vice President, General Counsel
       and Corporate Secretary

United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 778 - North Carolina Traditional Trust 284
770 Broadway
New York, New York 10003

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special North Carolina counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 778 (the "Fund") concerning a Registration Statement (No.
33-56815) on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Registration Statement"), in connection with the issuance by the Fund of 
units of fractional undivided interests in the Fund (the "Units").  The Fund
has been organized under a Trust Indenture and Agreement, dated of even date 
hereof, between John Nuveen & Co., Incorporated (the "Depositor") and United 
States Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee").  The Fund will issue the 
Units in several unit investment trusts for designated states, one of which 
will be North Carolina Traditional Trust 284  (the "Trust").  The Units
will be purchased by various investors (the "Unitholders").  Each Unit of the
Trust represents a fractional undivided interest in the principal and net
income of the Trust in the ratio of 10 Units for each $1,000 principal amount 
of the obligations initially acquired by the Trust.  Each 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 North Carolina, its political 
subdivisions authorities and provided the interest thereon is exempt
from North Carolina income taxes by the laws or treaties of the United States,
by or on behalf of the United States territories or possessions (including
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands), their
political subdivisions and authorities (the "Bonds").  Distributions of the
interest received by the Trust will be made semiannually unless the
Unitholder elects otherwise.
 
    You have requested our opinion as to the application of North Carolina 
state and local taxes to the Trust and the Unitholders.  In rendering
our opinion, we have assumed (i) that the interest on all Bonds in the Trust 
will be exempt from Federal income tax and (ii) that the Bonds have been
issued in strict compliance with all requirements of North Carolina law or, 
where applicable, Federal or territorial law.  Furthermore, in rendering our
opinion, we have relied on the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, of even
date herewith, that:

    (i) The 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, as amended (the "Code");

    (ii)  Each Unitholder will be considered the owner of a pro rata
portion of the Trust and will be subject to federal income tax on the income
therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of
the Code;

    (iii)  The Trust, itself, will not be subject to federal income taxes;

    (iv)  Each item of Trust income will have the same character in the hands
of a Unitholder as it would have in the hands of the Trustee.  Accord-
ingly, to the extent that the income of the Trust consists of interest exclud-
able from federal gross income, such income will be excludable from the
federal gross income of the Unitholder; and

    (v)  Gain or loss will be recognized by a Unitholder upon the
redemption or sale of his Units or upon the maturity, redemption, sale, or
other disposition of a Bond held by the Trust.

<PAGE>

    Based upon the foregoing and under existing law, we are of the opinion 
that:

    (1)  The Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for North
Carolina income tax purposes.

    (2)  Interest on the Bonds which is exempt from North Carolina income tax
when received by the Trust will retain its status as tax-exempt interest when
distributed to Unitholders.

    (3)  For North Carolina income tax purposes, each Unitholder will
have a taxable event when, upon redemption or sale of his Unit, he receives 
cash or other property.  Gain or loss will be determined by computing the 
difference between the proceeds of such a redemption or sale and the 
Unitholder's adjusted basis for the Unit.

    (4)  For North Carolina income tax purposes, each Unitholder will
have a taxable event when the Trust disposes of one of the Bonds (whether by
sale, payment at maturity, retirement or otherwise); provided that when any of
the Bonds held by the Trust have been issued under an act of the General
Assembly of North Carolina that provides that all income from such Bond,
including a profit made from the sale thereof, shall be free from all taxation
by the State of North Carolina, any such profit received by the Trust will
retain its tax-exempt status in the hands of each Unitholder.

    (5)  Ownership of the Units representing a pro rata ownership of the Bonds
is exempt from the North Carolina tax on intangible personal property so long 
as the corpus of the Trust is composed entirely of North Carolina obligations 
or is composed entirely of obligations of the United States and its
possessions and North Carolina and at least eighty percent (80%) of the fair
market value of such obligations represents North Carolina obligations;
provided that for this exemption to apply, the Trustee must periodically
provide to the North Carolina Department of Revenue such information about
the Trust as required by applicable law.
 
    (6)  Interest on indebtedness paid or accrued by a Unitholder in connect-
ion with ownership of Units in the Trust will not be deductible by the
Unitholder for North Carolina income tax purposes.

    (7)  Amortization of Bond premiums is mandatory for North Carolina state
income tax purposes for all North Carolina resident Unitholders.
Amortization for the taxable year is accomplished by lowering the basis or
adjusted basis of the Units, with no deduction against gross income for the
year.

    (8)  Trust Units will be subject to North Carolina inheritance and estate
tax if owned by a North Carolina resident on the date of his death.

    (9)  Neither the Bonds nor the Units in the Trust will be subject to the
North Carolina sales tax or use tax.

    The foregoing opinion, which is based on the applicable law at the date of
this letter and on information provided to us by the Depositor, is an opinion
of counsel only and cannot be relied upon as binding on the State of North
Carolina or its taxing authorities.  This opinion is dependent upon laws,
regulations and administrative and judicial decisions that are subject to
change.  This opinion is being rendered to you and the Unitholders solely
for their benefit in connection with the purchase of the Units and may not
be relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose without our
prior written consent.

    This letter is not to be construed as a prediction of a favorable outcome
with respect to any issue for which no favorable prediction is made herein, or
as a guaranty of any tax result, or as offering an assurance or guaranty that 
a North Carolina state taxing authority might not differ with our 
conclusions, or raise other questions or issues upon audit.

    We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited in the Fund and held
by the Trust, and express no opinion as to whether the interest on any such
Bonds would in fact be tax-exempt if directly received by a Unitholder;
nor have we made any review of the proceedings relating to the issuance of the
Bonds or the basis for the bond counsel opinions or the opinions of Messrs.
Chapman and Cutler referred to herein.

    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.  In giving
such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of 
persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, 
as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Very truly yours,



MOORE & VAN ALLEN
By Ernest Riegel


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3

(On Carlton, Fields, Ward, Emmanuel, Smith & Cutler, P.A. LETTERHEAD)




01/12/95


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 778
Florida Insured Trust 204
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

Attn:  James J. Wesolowski, Esquire
       Vice President, General Counsel
       and Secretary

        Re:   
             Florida Insured Trust 204

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special Florida counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
- - including the above-captioned trust (the "Fund") in connection with the
issuance by the Fund of units of fractional undivided interests in the Fund
(the "Units").  In that connection, you have requested our opinion as to the
application of Florida state and local taxes to the Trust (as hereinafter
defined) and to investors who purchase units in the Trust.

    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, you have authorized us to assume
that the proposed offer and sale of the Units, including the units of the
Florida Trust, will be carried out in that same manner and upon the same terms
and conditions as those described in any prospectus for a previous Nuveen
Tax-Exempt Unit Trust that contained a Florida Insured Trust.
In addition, you have authorized us to assume and we have assumed that:

    (a)  The Fund has been organized under a Trust Indenture and Agreement
between John Nuveen & Co., Incorporated (the "Depositor") and United States
Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee").

    (b)  The Fund will issue the Units in several State Trusts; one of which
is the Florida Insured Trust (the "Trust").

    (c)  The Units will be purchased by various investors who may be 
individuals or corporations.

    (d)  Each Unit of the Trust represents a fractional undivided interest in
the principal and net income of the Trust in the ratio of ten Units for each
$1,000 principal amount of the obligations initially acquired by the Trust.

    (e)  Each Trust will be administered as a distinct entity with separate
certificates, investments, expenses, books, and records.

    (f)  The assets of the Trust will consist solely of interest-bearing
obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of Florida, its political
subdivisions, and authorities or by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam
or the Virgin Islands.

    (g)  Distributions of interest received by the Trust will be made
semi-annually, unless the Unitholder elects otherwise.

    (h)  The interest on all Bonds in the Trust will be exempt from Federal
income tax.(N.1)

    (i)  The Bonds have been issued in strict compliance with all requirements
of Florida, Federal or territorial law.

    (j)  The Fund is a registered investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.


    In rendering our opinion, you have advised us that Messrs. Chapman and
Cutler have rendered the following opinions and have authorized us to rely 
upon such opinions and we have relied upon such opinions that:

    (a)  The 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, as amended.

    (b)  Each Unitholder will be considered as owning a pro-rata share
of each asset of the Trust to which such Unit relates in the proportion
that the number of Units of the Trust held by him bears to the total number of
outstanding Units of the Trust and will be subject to Federal income tax on
the income therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of Subchapter J of
Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

    (c)  The Trust will not be subject to Federal income taxes.

<PAGE>

    (d)  For Federal income tax purposes, each item of Trust 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 the Trust
consists of interest excludable from Federal gross income under Section 103 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, such income will be excludable
from Federal gross income of the Unitholders.

    (e)  For Federal income tax purposes, each Unitholder will have a
taxable event when, upon redemption or sale of his Units, he receives 
cash or other property.  Gain or loss will be measured by comparing the
proceeds of such a redemption or sale with the Unitholder's adjusted
basis for the Unit.  Before adjustment, generally this basis would be cost, if
the Unitholder had purchased his Units, plus his share of certain
advances by the Trustee to the Trust and certain accrued original issue
discount.  For Federal income tax purposes, if the Trustee disposes of a Trust
asset (whether by sale, payment on maturity, retirement, or otherwise), gain
or loss will be recognized by each Unitholder, and such gain or loss is
computed by measuring the Unitholder's aliquot share of the total
proceeds from the transaction against his basis for his fractional interest in
the asset disposed of (such basis being determined by apportioning the basis
for his Units among all of the Trust's assets ratably according to their
values as of the valuation date nearest the date on which he purchased the
Units).  A Unitholder's basis in his Units and the basis for his
fractional interest in each Trust asset must be reduced by the amount of his
aliquot share of interest received, 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 and must be reduced annually by
amortization of premiums, if any, on obligations held by the Trust.
 
    For the purposes of this letter:

    (a)  "Florida Code" shall mean the Florida Income Tax Code, Chapter 220,
Florida Statutes, as amended.  In the Florida Income Tax Code, Chapter 220, 
Florida Statutes, the Florida Legistature has adopted, retroactively to 
January 1, 1994, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect 
on January 1, 1994, as the Internal Revenue Code under which a Corporate 
Unitholder must compute its income for purposes of Florida corporate income 
taxation.

    (b)  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended and in effect on January 1, 1994.

    (c)  "Non-Corporate Unitholder" shall mean a Unitholder
of the Florida Trust who is an individual not subject to the income
tax on corporations imposed by the Florida Code.

    (d)  "Corporate Unitholder" shall mean a Unitholder of the
Florida Trust that is a corporation subject to the income tax on
corporations imposed by the Florida Code.

    (e)  "Nonbusiness Income" is defined in the Florida Code and shall mean
rents and royalties from real or tangible personal property, capital gains,
interest, dividends, and patent and copyright royalties, to the extent that
they do not arise from transactions and activities in the regular course of a
Corporate Unitholder's trade or business.  The term Nonbusiness Income
does not include income from tangible and intangible property if the
acquisition, management, and disposition of the property constitute integral
parts of a Corporate Unitholder's regular trade or business operations,
or any amounts which could be included in apportionable income without
violating the due process clause of the United States Constitution.  For
purposes of this definition, "income" means gross receipts less all expenses
directly or indirectly attributable thereto.

    (f)  "Commercial domicile" shall mean the place that a corporation
maintains its principal place of business.  The term "commercial domicile" is
not specifically defined in Florida law for Florida corporate income tax
purposes.  However, the Florida Supreme Court has on at least two occasions
attributed meaning to this phrase, and recently enacted legislation amending
Florida's intangible personal property tax law defines this phrase.  The 
Court has implied that a corporation's commercial domicile is its principal 
place of business, Department of Revenue v. Amrep Corp., 358 So.2d 1343, 1350
(Fla. 1978).  The Court also stated in another case that a particular
corporation's domicile was in New York City where its head office and the
actual seat of its over-all business government was located and from where
its executive officers regularly exercised their complete authority and
controlled and directed all activities of the corporation, wherever carried
on.  Gay v. Bessemer Properties, Inc., 32 So.2d 587, 591 (Fla. 1947).  In
recently enacted legislation, a corporation is considered to acquire a
commercial domicile in Florida "when it maintains its chief or principal
office in [Florida] where executive or management functions are performed
or where the course of business operations is determined."  Section 199.175
(1)(b), Florida Statutes (1989).

    Based solely upon the assumptions you have permitted us to make and the
opinions of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler upon which you have authorized us to
rely, we are of the opinion that:

    (a)  For Florida state income tax purposes, the Trust will not be subject 
to the income tax imposed by the Florida Code so long as the Trust has no
income subject to federal income taxation.  In addition, political sub-
divisions of Florida do not impose any income taxes.

    (b)  Because Florida does not impose an income tax on individuals,
Non-Corporate Unitholders will not be subject to any Florida income tax
on income realized by the Trust.  Each Corporate Unitholder will be
subject to Florida income taxation on its share of the income realized by the
Trust notwithstanding the tax exempt status of the interest received
from any bonds under Section 103(a) of the Code or any other federal law,
unless the interest income constitutes Nonbusiness Income.  Nevertheless,
any Corporate Unitholder that has its commercial domicile in Florida will be
taxable under the Florida Code on its share of the Trust income which
constitutes Nonbusiness Income.

<PAGE>

    (c)  A Non-Corporate Unitholder will not be subject to Florida
income taxation with respect to gain realized when Bonds held in the Trust 
are sold, redeemed, or paid at maturity.  A Corporate Unitholder will
be subject to Florida income taxation with respect to gain realized on such a 
sale, redemption, or payment at maturity of a Bond held by the Trust, except
to the extent that the gain realized therefrom constitutes Nonbusiness
Income.  Nevertheless, to the extent that gains realized by a Corporate
Unitholder arising from a sale, redemption, or payment at maturity
constitute Nonbusiness Income, such gain will be taxable under the Florida
Code if the Corporate Unitholder's commercial domicile is in Florida.

    (d)  Any gain realized by a Non-Corporate Unitholder from the
redemption, sale, or other disposition of a Unit will not be subject to 
Florida income tax.  Any gain realized by a Corporate Unitholder from
the redemption, sale, or other disposition of a Unit will be subject to 
Florida income tax except to the extent that the gain realized therefrom
constitutes Nonbusiness Income. Nevertheless, to the extent that gain
realized by a Corporate Unitholder arising from a sale, redemption, or
other disposition of a Unit consitutes Nonbusiness Income, such gain will be
taxable under the Florida Code if the Corporate Unitholder's commercial
domicile is in Florida.
 
    (e)  A Non-Corporate Unitholder will not be subject to Florida
income taxation with respect to amounts paid under the Municipal Bond
Investors Assurance Corporation insurance policies representing interest on
defaulted obligations held by the Trustee.  A Corporate Unitholder
will be subject to Florida income taxation on its share of amounts paid under 
the Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation insurance policies
representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the Trustee
except to the extent that such payments constitute Nonbusiness Income as de-
fined in the Florida Code.  Nevertheless, any Corporate Unitholder that
has its commercial domicile in Florida will be taxable under the Florida Code
on its share of amounts paid under the Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Corporation insurance policies representing maturing interest on defaulted
obligations held by the Trustee even if such payments constitute Nonbusiness
Income.

    (f)  A Non-Corporate Unitholder will not be subject to Florida
income taxation with respect to gain realized with respect to amounts paid 
under the Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation
insurance policies representing principal on defaulted
obligations held by the Trustee.  A Corporate Unitholder will be
subject to Florida income taxation with respect to gain realized on its share 
of amounts paid under the Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation
insurance policies representing principal on defaulted obligations held by
the Trustee except to the extent that the gain realized constitutes
Nonbusiness Income.  Nevertheless, gain realized, by
any Corporate Unitholder that has its commercial domicile in Florida,
on such payments representing principal on defaulted obligations held by the
Trustee, will be taxable under the Florida Code even if such payments
constitute Nonbusiness Income.
 
    (g)  Even if interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a
Unitholder to purchase Units in the Trust is not deductible for Federal
income tax purposes, under Code section 265(a)(2) or any other law,  it will
be deductible, in effect, by Corporate Unitholders for Florida income tax
purposes if interest earned on the Units is other than Nonbusiness Income.
Nevertheless, if interest earned on the Units is Nonbusiness Income, any
Corporate Unitholder that has its commercial domicile in Florida may reduce
the amount of interest included as Nonbusiness Income by the amount of
expenses directly or indirectly attributable thereto.

    (h)  Trust Units will be subject to Florida estate tax only if owned by
Florida residents and may be subjected to Florida estate tax if owned by other
decendents.  However, the Florida estate tax is limited to the amount of the
credit allowable under the applicable Federal Revenue Act (currently Section
2011 (and in some cases Section 2102) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended) for death taxes actually paid to the several states.

    (i)  Neither the Bonds nor the Units will be subject to the Florida ad
valorem tax or Florida sales or use tax.

    (j)  Because Bonds issued by the State of Florida, its political
subdivisions or by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Virgin
Islands, are exempt from Florida intangible personal property taxation under
Chapter 199, Florida Statutes, the Trust will not be subject to Florida
intangible personal property tax.  In addition, the Unitholders will not be
subject to Florida intangible personal property tax on the Units.

    (k)  The sale, redemption, or other disposition by the Trust of Bonds
issued by the State of Florida, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the
Virgin Islands, will not subject either the Trust or the Unitholders to
Florida documentary stamp tax.

    (l)  The issuance and sale of the Units by the Trust will not
subject either the Trust or the Unitholders to Florida documentary
stamp tax.
 
    (m)  The transfer of Units by a Unitholder will not be
subject to Florida documentary stamp tax.

<PAGE>

    This opinion is limited to the law in effect as of the date hereof and
we assume no responsibility for changes in the law that may become effective
subsequent to the date of this opinion.  Furthermore, this letter is not to be
construed as a prediction of a favorable outcome with respect to any issue for
which no favorable prediction is made herein, or as a guaranty of any tax
result, or as offering an assurance or guaranty that a Florida state or local
taxing authority might not differ with our conclusions, or raise other
questions or issues upon audit, or that such action may not be judicially
sustained.

    We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited in the Fund and held
by the Trust, and we express no opinion as to whether the interest on any such
Bonds would, in fact, be tax-exempt if directly received by a 
Unitholder; nor have we made any review of the proceedings relating to
the issuance of the Bonds or the basis for the bond counsel opinions or the 
opinions of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler referred to herein.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-56815) and to the reference to our
firm in such Registration Statement and the Prospectus included
therein. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within 
the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

_______________________
(N.1) Section 2.01 of the Indenture provides that if the Depositor fails to
deposit Bonds, through no fault of its own, the Depositor may, as provided in
Section 3.14 of said Indenture, purchase replacement bonds (referred to as
"New Bonds") that will also be tax exempt bonds issued by the same states or 
their respective political subdivisions.


Very truly yours,



CARLTON FIELDS WARD EMMANUEL SMITH & CUTLER, P.A.
By: David P. Burke


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3

(ON EDWARDS & ANGELL LETTERHEAD)

01/12/95

Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
  Series 778
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 778
770 Broadway
New York, NY  10003

                 Re:   
                      Massachusetts Insured Trust 122

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 778 (the "Fund") concerning a Registration
Statement (No. 33-56815) 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 4.1

(ON STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION LETTERHEAD)

01/12/95

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

Re:     NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 778

        This is in response to your requests regarding the above-captioned
fund which consists of separate underlying insured and traditional unit
investment trusts, SEC file # 33-56815.

        INSURED TRUSTS.

        With respect to the insured trusts 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 soley 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 attatched 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' to the units of each insured trust and a 'AAA' rating to
the securities contained in each 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 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 Standard and 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
time after the closing or should they not conform to certification received by
us, we reserve the right to nullify the ratings.


<PAGE>



        TRADITIONAL TRUSTS.

        With respect to the traditional unit investment trusts within the
above-captioned fund, we have reviewed the information presented to us and we
hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the prospectus as being assigned
by Standard & Poor's Corporation to the securities contained in each
traditional trust of such fund are, according to our records, the ratings
currently assigned by Standard & Poor's Corporation to such securities.  You
understand that Standard & Poor's Corporation has not consented to, and will
not consent to, being named as "expert" under the federal securities laws,
including and without limitation, Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
with respect to the ratings on any securities contained in any of the
traditional trusts.

        Please note that the 'AAA' rating assigned to the units of each
insured trust does not apply to the units of any of the traditional trusts.


                                          STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION

                                          
                                          Vincent S. Orgo



 
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.2

(On J. J. Kenny Co., Inc. Letterhead)

01/12/95

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

Re:  Nuveen Tax Exempt Unit Trust, Series 778

Gentlemen:

     We have examined the registration statement File No. 33-56815 
for the above-captioned trust.  We hereby acknowledge that
Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc.
is currently acting as the evaluator for the trust. We hereby
consent to the use in the Registration Statement of the reference
to Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc.
as evaluator.

     In addition, we hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the
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,


Donald H. Totter



<PAGE>

                                   MEMORANDUM

                 Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 778
                               File No. 33-56815


    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 01/12/95,
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

01/12/95


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