JOHN HANCOCK INSTITUTIONAL SERIES TRUST
Supplement to Prospectus dated July 1, 1998
On page 21, the "Organization and Management of the Funds" has been changed as
follows:
John Hancock Active Bond Fund
Mr. James K. Ho, CFA, leads the Fund's portfolio management team and has been
primarily responsible for the management of the Fund since its inception. Mr.
Ho, an executive vice president, has been associated with the Adviser since 1985
and in the investment business since 1977. Other team members are Mr. Anthony A.
Goodchild and Mr. Benjamin A. Matthews, vice presidents, who have been
associated with the Adviser since 1994 and 1995, respectively, and have been in
the investment business for thirty and twenty-five years, respectively.
John Hancock Global Bond Fund
Fred Cavanaugh, Jr., Anthony A. Goodchild and James K. Ho lead the fund's
portfolio management team. Mr. Cavanaugh and Mr. Ho have been members of the
team since 1998 and Mr. Goodchild since inception. Mr. Cavanaugh, senior vice
president, has been in the investment business since 1973 and joined the Adviser
in 1986. Mr. Goodchild, senior vice president, has been in the investment
business since 1968 and joined the Adviser in 1994. Mr. Ho, executive vice
president, has been in the investment business since 1977 and joined the Adviser
in 1985.
September 25, 1998
KB0PS 9/98
