JOHN HANCOCK INSTITUTIONAL SERIES TRUST
-John Hancock Small Capitalization Equity Fund
-John Hancock Dividend Performers Fund
-John Hancock Active Bond Fund
-John Hancock Global Bond Fund
-John Hancock Multi-Sector Growth Fund
John Hancock Fundamental Value Fund
-John Hancock International Equity Fund
Supplement to Prospectus dated July 1, 1996
The paragraphs under the following headings in the "Organization and Management
of the Funds" section on pages 22 and 23 of the prospectus are replaced as
follows:
Fundamental Value Fund
Timothy E. Keefe, leader of the fund's portfolio management team since September
1996, is a senior vice president of the adviser. He joined John Hancock Funds in
July 1996 and has been in the investment business since 1986.
International Equity Fund
John L.F. Wills is primarily responsible for the management of the Fund since
its inception. Mr. Wills is managing director of JHAI and has been associated
with the Adviser since 1987.
September 10 ,1996
KB00S 9/96
