PILGRIM AMERICA MASTERS SERIES INC
N-30D, 1997-09-18
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                                Pilgrim America
                                     Funds


                                 Masters Series
                                 ______________

                             Pilgrim America Masters
                            Asia-Pacific Equity Fund

                             Pilgrim America Masters
                               MidCap Value Fund

                             Pilgrim America Masters
                               LargeCap Value Fund


                                 Annual Report
                                 June 30, 1997

<PAGE>
                                Pilgrim America
                                     Funds

                                 Masters Series
                                 ______________

                                 Annual Report
                                 June 30, 1997

                               Table of Contents

Chairman's Message ........................................................    4
Portfolio Manager's Reports:
        Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund ..................    5
        Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund .........................   11
        Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund .......................   15
Report of Independent Auditors ............................................   19
Statements of Assets and Liabilities ......................................   20
Statements of Operations ..................................................   21
Statements of Changes in Net Assets .......................................   22
Financial Highlights ......................................................   23
Notes to Financial Statements .............................................   26
Portfolios of Investments:
        Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund ..................   32
        Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund .........................   39
        Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund .......................   42
Tax Information ...........................................................   46

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       3
<PAGE>
                         Pilgrim America Masters Series

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present the Annual Report for Pilgrim  America  Masters Series
of  Funds   ("Masters   Series")  which  consists  of  Pilgrim  America  Masters
Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund, Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund and Pilgrim
America  Masters  LargeCap  Value Fund.  In the following  pages,  the portfolio
manager for each Fund of the Masters Series  discusses the results of operations
for the fiscal  year ended June 30,  1997,  as well as the  markets  and factors
which have affected each of the Funds during this period.

The  Masters  Series is  designed  to give  investors  access to  private  money
managers who typically  manage similar  portfolios  primarily for high net worth
individuals  and  institutional  investors.  Each money  manager  has  extensive
knowledge and proven experience in their specialized market segments.

The Masters Series  commenced  operations on September 1, 1995.  Pilgrim America
Masters  Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of
companies based in the Asia-Pacific Region. Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value
Fund invests  primarily  in equity  securities  of companies  that have a market
capitalization  between $200  million and $5 billion.  Pilgrim  America  Masters
LargeCap  Value Fund invests  primarily in equity  securities of companies  that
have a market capitalization in excess of $5 billion.

At Pilgrim  America,  we are  dedicated to providing  core  investments  for the
serious  investor.  We believe that the key to success is matching  quality core
investments  to the  individual  needs of investors.  Core  investments  are the
foundation  of every  portfolio  and the  basis of  other  important  investment
decisions.  Pilgrim  America  prides  itself  on  providing  a  family  of  core
investments  to help you  reach  your  financial  goals.  Our goal is for  every
investor to have a successful investment experience.

Thank you for selecting  Pilgrim  America  Masters  Series.  We  appreciate  the
confidence you have placed with us in serving your investment needs.

Sincerely,


/s/ Robert W. Stallings
Robert W. Stallings
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Pilgrim America Group, Inc.
August 20, 1997

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       4
<PAGE>
                Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO MANAGER'S REPORT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to report the results of operations for Pilgrim  America  Masters
Asia-Pacific Equity Fund ("the Fund"), for the year ended June 30, 1997.

For the twelve  months,  the Fund earned a total return of 5.78%(1)  compared to
2.82% for the Morgan Stanley Capital  International  All Countries Far East Free
ex-Japan  Index (the "MSCI"),  a measure of the  performance of Far East markets
excluding  Japan.  During the same time,  the Fund's net assets  increased  from
$42.6 million to $73.8 million.

General Economic Environment

With one or two notable  exceptions,  the region has  continued to suffer from a
combination of negative  cyclical and structural  factors.  The cyclical factors
include decelerating growth and earnings led by very weak exports. This has also
resulted in persistent trade deficits and, as a consequence,  high real interest
rates in spite of an improving inflation  environment.  Structural problems have
also been  evident in some  countries  such as  Thailand  and Korea.  Within the
region,  Hong  Kong  benefited  from a soft  landing  in China  and an  improved
property market. The macro-economic  outlook for Taiwan is generally positive as
evidenced by strong  industrial  production  and rising  imports,  which will be
beneficial  for  corporate  earnings  growth.  The Hong Kong and  Taiwan  equity
markets  led the region as the other  countries  continued  to deal with  rising
local interest rates,  declining  profit growth,  current  account  deficits and
rising political uncertainty.

Specific Equity Market Conditions

The table below  summarizes the total returns of the countries in which the Fund
invests.  The MSCI  Country  Indices  are  unmanaged,  market  capitalization  -
weighted  indices  representing  a broadly  diversified  mix of publicly  traded
companies listed on the principal stock exchange of each respective country. The
indices are calculated by Morgan Stanley Capital International on a total return
basis for the  period  indicated,  including  the  effects  of any  dividend  or
distributions.

                                                   Total Return
                Country                          7/1/96 - 6/30/97
                -------                          ----------------
                Hong Kong                             +29.63%
                Malaysia                               -4.48%
                Singapore                             -10.94%
                Thailand                              -59.07%
                Indonesia                             +16.74%

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       5
<PAGE>
                Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund

                                                   Total Return
                Country                          7/1/96 - 6/30/97
                -------                          ----------------
                Philippines                           -13.75%
                South Korea                           -19.18%
                Taiwan                                +30.05%
                China                                 +35.49%
                                                 
As  previously  mentioned,  Hong  Kong  benefited  from a  subdued  inflationary
environment and strength in the residential  property  sector.  In addition,  an
improvement in China's economic  condition fueled investors'  interest in "China
concept"  stocks.  The  political   overhang   attributed  to  the  handover  of
sovereignty was removed with the election of a pro-business  Chief Executive for
the future Special  Administrative  Zone. In the run-up to the  reunification of
Hong Kong with China,  widespread positive sentiment was evident as witnessed by
the surge in the "red chips"  (Mainland  Chinese  companies listed in Hong Kong)
and the high turnover volume.

The equity risk premium is rising in Malaysia.  Although  Malaysia  continued to
experience  economic  slowing,  improvements  were seen in the trade  balance as
exports  staged a moderate  recovery.  Investors  took  caution of the market as
concerns  that the  recent  guidelines  set by Bank  Negara to limit  lending to
property and stock purchases could hurt corporate  earnings.  Sentiment was also
affected by the  financial  crisis in Thailand  which  triggered a sharp rise in
domestic  interest  rates as the  Malaysian  central bank joined other  regional
banks to fend off currency  speculators.  The economic  slowing in Singapore was
more than anticipated as electrical  products companies saw a fall in industrial
production for the first time since 1992. Further,  property prices may continue
to  depreciate  some but most of that  news has  already  been  priced.  The new
guidelines  in  the  allocation  of  public  housing  between  first-timers  and
upgraders to reduce the waiting period continued to influence sentiment.
Additionally, the financial crisis in Thailand resulted in some selling pressure
on banking stocks as investors were worried about  Singapore  banks' exposure to
Thailand as the latter's financial crisis escalated.

Economic  statistics in Thailand continued to show a slowing economy with little
improvements in exports.  This reduced expectations for a needed cut in interest
rates to jump start economic  growth.  The  deteriorating  economic  environment
prompted Moody's to place Thailand's sovereign rating and a number of Thai banks
under review,  while Standard & Poor's  downgraded  Thai Farmers Bank's and Siam
Commercial Bank's ratings. These moves prompted the Bank of Thailand to increase
provisioning  requirements  for banks and finance  companies  and to establish a
$3.87 (US) billion property bail-out scheme.  Huge speculative attacks were made
against  Thailand's  currency,  the baht, with the government  imposing  capital
controls and restricting  access to the baht.  Subsequently,  early July saw the
Thai  authorities  change to a managed  float of the baht,  which  prompted much
renewed interest in the market on higher

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       6
<PAGE>
                Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund

volumes. Indonesia experienced some of the highest earnings growth in the region
and is expected to show continued growth through 1997. Additionally,  fears of a
tighter monetary policy were reduced on subdued inflation. These two factors led
to  increased  investor  interest in  Indonesia.  In  addition,  Indonesia  also
experienced significant liquidity as additional mutual funds were mobilized into
the system. Similar to Singapore,  the Philippines also suffered from a slowdown
in electrical component exports as well as disappointing bank earnings. This led
to  profit-taking  by investors.  Concerns that the  Philippines  would suffer a
Thai-style  crisis also  continued to influence  market  sentiment.  As the Thai
financial  crisis  escalated,  the  Philippine  central  bank  raised  overnight
borrowing rates to defend the Peso which caused pressure on the index.

Earnings in Korea were impacted by inventory build-up in semi-conductors,  steel
and autos.  Sentiment was also impacted by cross border tensions with the North.
The proposed  controversial  labor bill which would give  employers the right to
lay off  employees  prompted  labor  unions  across  the  country  to  begin  an
indefinite strike. In addition,  bankruptcy rumors continue to plague the market
as concerns over banks and other companies  prompted  investigations by the Bank
of  Korea,  which  subsequently  injected  funds  into the  market  to  increase
liquidity.  Finally,  Taiwan continued to show signs of an economic  slowdown in
GDP, domestic investment, M2 growth and unemployment.  Against this backdrop was
the inclusion by MSCI of Taiwan in the Combined Far East Free (excluding  Japan)
Index,  which  resulted in a flow of funds into Taiwan  stocks during the second
half of 1996.  However,  in the first  half of 1997,  the market  experienced  a
strong  liquidity-driven rally as optimistic comments by the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission,  the proposal of new market liberalization measures and the
announcements of privatization plans all helped to boost sentiment. Expectations
of a stronger  economy in 1997, low bank deposit rates and the upward  revisions
of corporate earnings further supported the rally.

Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund

Our strategy for most of the twelve-month period was to overweight Hong Kong and
Indonesia. This proved to help the Fund's performance as Hong Kong and Indonesia
led the  region's  markets.  The key for the next twelve  months will be when to
take profits in the Hong Kong  market,  and  re-deploy  funds to the rest of the
region.  At  present,  the  dynamics  of a bull  market in Hong Kong are intact.
Optimism remains high regarding  prospects for the on-going  integration of Hong
Kong into China,  and Hong Kong's role as  "financier" of China's move towards a
privatized economy.  Whilst some excesses, in terms of property valuations,  are
building,  we are reluctant to reduce Hong Kong's exposure until more compelling
opportunities are evident elsewhere. The present trend towards weaker currencies
in Southeast Asia,  together with a bottoming in export performance is, perhaps,
providing  the  background  for a switch out of Hong Kong later in the year.

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       7
<PAGE>
                Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund

We wish to  remind  shareholders  that the Fund  offers  an  automatic  dividend
reinvestment  plan,  which  provides an easy and cost  effective  way to acquire
additional  shares of the Fund  without  incurring  a sales  charge.  Should you
decide to switch from cash dividends to automatic investment, please notify your
broker or contact the  Transfer  Agent,  c/o DST Systems,  Inc.,  PO Box 419338,
Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6338 or call (800) 992-0180.

We thank  you for  giving  us this  opportunity  to help you work  towards  your
investment needs.

Sincerely,

HSBC Asset Management Americas, Inc.
HSBC Asset Management Hong Kong Limited

See footnotes on page 10.

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       8
<PAGE>
                Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPARISON OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
JUNE 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparison  of the Change in Value of a $10,000  Investment  in Pilgrim  America
Masters  Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund (the  "Fund") and the MSCI Far East  ex-Japan
(Free) Index (the "MSCI").

Based on a $10,000  initial  investment,  the graph below  illustrates the total
return of the Fund against the MSCI. Note that the MSCI has inherent performance
advantages over any fund since it has no cash in its portfolio, imposes no sales
charges and incurs no operating expenses. An investor cannot invest in an index.
The Fund's  performance  reflected  below  assumes the  deduction of the Class A
maximum sales charges in all cases.

                         Growth of a $10,000 Investment

                                                    9/1/95    6/30/96    6/30/97
                                                    ------    -------    -------
MSCI Far East ex-Japan (Free) Index                $10,000    $11,385    $11,707
Pilgrim America Asia-Pacific Equity Fund           $ 9,425    $ 9,780    $10,345

All returns assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.


                        SEC Average Annual Total Returns
                               as of June 30, 1997
               --------------------------------------------------

                                             1 Year            Inception*
                                             ------            ----------
Pilgrim America 
    Asia-Pacific Equity Fund Class A         -0.29%              1.87%

MSCI Far East ex-Japan 
    (Free) Index                              2.82%              8.99%

September 1, 1995 (commencement of operations).
                            See Footnotes on page 10

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       9
<PAGE>
                Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)  Excluding   the  Class  A  maximum  sales  charge  of  5.75%  and  assuming
     reinvestment  of all  dividends  and  distributions.  Average  annual total
     returns   including   the  Class  A  maximum   sales  charge  and  assuming
     reinvestment of all dividends and distributions for the year ended June 30,
     1997 and from  September 1, 1995  (commencement  of operations) to June 30,
     1997 were -0.29% and 1.87%, respectively.

     Performance figures shown pertain only to Class A shares of the Fund. Class
     B and M  shares,  which  are also  offered  by the  Fund,  are  subject  to
     different  fees and  expenses  which will affect their  performance.  Total
     returns for Class B and M shares,  excluding the  applicable  sales charges
     for the year  ended  June 30,  1997  were  5.04% and  5.26%,  respectively.
     Average  annual total returns  excluding the  applicable  sales charges and
     assuming  reinvestment  of all dividends and  distributions  for the period
     from September 1, 1995  (commencement of operations) to June 30, 1997, were
     4.50% and 4.69%, respectively.

     Total returns for Class B and M shares including the applicable  contingent
     deferred  sales charge of 5.00% (Class B Shares only) or the maximum  sales
     charge of 3.50% (Class M shares only) for the year ended June 30, 1997 were
     0.00% and 1.61%,  respectively.  Average annual total returns including the
     applicable   sales   charges  for  the  period  from   September   1,  1995
     (commencement  of  operations)  to June 30,  1997,  were  2.38% and  2.69%,
     respectively.

     All  returns  figures  reflect  a partial  waiver  of fees for the  periods
     stated. Without such a waiver, returns would have been lower.

     Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investment return and
     principal value of an investment will fluctuate.  Shares, when redeemed may
     be worth more or less than their original cost.

     This letter contains statements that may be  "forward-looking"  statements.
     Actual  results  could  differ  materially  from  those  projected  in  the
     "forward-looking" statements.

     The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio  manager,
     only  through the end of the period as stated on the cover.  The  manager's
     views  are  subject  to  change  at any time  based  on  market  and  other
     conditions.

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       10
<PAGE>
                    Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO MANAGER'S REPORT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to report the results of operations for Pilgrim  America  Masters
MidCap Value Fund (the "Fund") for the year ended June 30, 1997.

For the twelve months,  the Fund earned a total return of 23.89%(1)  compared to
22.96% the Russell MidCap(tm) Index.

                             SECOND QUARTER REVIEW
                           "The race is on . . . . . "

As with a well tuned  racing car, all  cylinders  are firing at the same time to
sustain a bull  market in stocks.  The  economy  is  growing  at a steady  pace;
inflation  is  actually  declining;  interest  rates  remain low and the Federal
Reserve continues to pursue a stable money policy; unemployment is dipping below
5% for the  first  time in many  years;  the  recent  tax  reductions;  even the
mutterings of Japan's  Hashimoto and Alan Greenspan  cannot talk the market down
from record  high  levels.  It is no wonder  that money flows into equity  funds
continue to test  managers'  ability to put these  assets to work.  For the time
being,  we are willing to ride this wave with the majority of  managers.  To use
the analogy above,  however,  even a good race car has to pull off the track for
some  adjustments;  history  tells us that  highly  positive  trends  can be the
genesis of their own undoing.  For instance,  low  unemployment  implies a tight
labor market  which can be an early  harbinger of  inflationary  pressures;  or,
valuations,  particularly for large company stocks,  reach levels that cannot be
justified by potential  earnings growth and the first signs of a profit slowdown
generates a selling  wave;  or, the pace of money flows into mutual funds abates
with any market  correction  that lasts more than a few days.  The point is that
any number of  unforeseen  surprises  could set off a chain  reaction that would
upset the "race" and turn  unbridled  enthusiasm  into  cautious  optimism  then
skittishness and finally outright fear of losing money.

While  we  suspect  the  above  chain  reaction  will not  occur,  we have to be
sensitive  to its  possibility  in  our  day to  day  processing  of  investment
candidates.  Our value approach should work towards  protecting  portfolios in a
market  decline,  but our  tolerance  for "paying up" for  companies  undergoing
change is being regularly tested.  Corporate America continues to restructure at
a rapid pace, but valuations of these companies are being inexorably  dragged to
higher levels by the general market. 

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       11
<PAGE>
                    Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund

Nevertheless,  during the quarter ended June 30, 1997 we have made new purchases
in stocks that reflect well our  interest in  companies  undergoing  change with
compelling  value.  Mapco Inc., for instance,  (formerly  Mid-American  Pipeline
Company) is an energy company which has sold several businesses in the past year
in order to expand its operations in natural gas liquids and propane gas, and is
also  repurchasing  shares.  Newmont  Mining  Corp.  has been  added to  provide
exposure in the gold mining  industry which is currently very much out of favor;
Newmont acquired Santa Fe Gold in late 1996 which positions the combined company
as the second  largest  gold miner in the world and will  result in  substantial
cost savings.  Likewise, Fort Howard Corp. is merging with James River resulting
in the second largest tissue manufacturer after Kimberly Clark.  Again,  savings
derived from the  combination  will be significant as the two companies are very
complementary  to each  other.  In each  case,  we feel these  investments  have
minimal  downside  risk  but  whose  potential  has not been  recognized  in the
marketplace.

We wish to  remind  shareholders  that the Fund  offers  an  automatic  dividend
reinvestment  plan,  which  provides an easy and cost  effective  way to acquire
additional  shares of the Fund  without  incurring  a sales  charge.  Should you
decide to switch from cash dividends to automatic investment, please notify your
broker or contact the  Transfer  Agent,  c/o DST Systems,  Inc.,  PO Box 419338,
Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6338 or call (800) 992-0180.

We thank  you for  giving  us this  opportunity  to help you work  towards  your
investment needs.

Sincerely,

CRAMER ROSENTHAL MCGLYNN, INC.

See Footnotes on page 14

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       12
<PAGE>
                    Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPARISON OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
JUNE 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparison  of the Change in Value of a $10,000  Investment  in Pilgrim  America
Masters  MidCap  Value Fund (the "Fund") and the Russell  MidCap(tm)  Index (the
"Russell Index").

Based on a $10,000  initial  investment,  the graph below  illustrates the total
return of the Fund against the Russell  Index.  Note that the Russell  Index has
inherent  performance  advantages  over  any  fund  since  it has no cash in its
portfolio,  imposes  no sales  charges  and  incurs no  operating  expenses.  An
investor  cannot  invest in an index.  The Fund's  performance  reflected  below
assumes the deduction of the Class A maximum sales charges in all cases.

                         Growth of a $10,000 Investment

                                                    9/1/95    6/30/96    6/30/97
                                                    ------    -------    -------
Russell MidCap(tm) Index                           $10,000    $11,506    $14,148
Pilgrim America MidCap Value Fund Class A          $ 9,425    $11,355    $14,068

All returns assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.


                        SEC Average Annual Total Returns
                               as of June 30, 1997
               --------------------------------------------------

                                             1 Year            Inception*
                                             ------            ----------
Pilgrim America MidCap Value Fund Class A     16.78%             20.50%
 
Russell MidCap(tm) Index                      22.96%             20.88%

September 1, 1995 (commencement of operations).

                            See Footnotes on page 14

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       13
<PAGE>
                    Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)  Excluding   the  Class  A  maximum  sales  charge  of  5.75%  and  assuming
     reinvestment  of all  dividends  and  distributions.  Average  annual total
     returns including the maximum sales charge and assuming reinvestment of all
     dividends  and  distributions  for the year  ended  June 30,  1997 and from
     September 1, 1995  (commencement of operations) to June 30, 1997 was 16.78%
     and 20.50%, respectively.

     Performance figures shown pertain only to Class A shares of the Fund. Class
     B and M  shares,  which  are also  offered  by the  Fund,  are  subject  to
     different  fees and  expenses  which will affect their  performance.  Total
     returns for Class B and M shares,  excluding the  applicable  sales charges
     and assuming  reinvestment of all dividends and  distributions for the year
     ended June 30,  1997 were  22.95% and from  23.21%,  respectively.  Average
     annual total returns  excluding the  applicable  sales charges and assuming
     reinvestment  of all  dividends  and  distributions  for  the  period  from
     September 1, 1995 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 1997 were 23.57%
     and 23.72%, respectively.

     Total returns for Class B and M shares including the applicable  contingent
     deferred  sales charge of 5.00% (Class B shares only) or the maximum  sales
     charge of 3.50% (Class M shares only) for the year ended June 30, 1997 were
     17.90% and 18.92%, respectively. Average annual total returns including the
     applicable   sales   charges  for  the  period  from   September   1,  1995
     (commencement  of  operations)  to June 30,  1997 were  21.72% and  21.35%,
     respectively.

     All return figures reflect a partial waiver of fees for the periods stated.
     Without such a waiver, returns would have been lower.

(2)  The Russell MidCap(tm) Index is a broad based measure of the performance of
     MidCap stocks.

     Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investment return and
     principal value of an investment will fluctuate.  Shares, when redeemed may
     be worth more or less than their original cost.

     This letter contains statements that may be  "forward-looking"  statements.
     Actual  results  could  differ  materially  from  those  projected  in  the
     "forward-looking" statements.

     The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio  manager,
     only  through the end of the period as stated on the cover.  The  manager's
     views  are  subject  to  change  at any time  based  on  market  and  other
     conditions.

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       14
<PAGE>
                    Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO MANAGER'S REPORT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to report the results of operations for Pilgrim  America  Masters
LargeCap Value Fund (the "Fund") for the year ended June 30, 1997.

For the twelve months,  the Fund earned a total return of 23.24%(1)  compared to
34.70% for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (the "S&P 500").(2)

ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND EQUITY MARKET CONDITIONS

Despite higher  valuations  going into 1997,  equity prices have continued their
march to new highs finishing the second quarter with a strong upward move led by
high P/E growth stocks such as Coca- Cola and  Microsoft.  We stated  previously
that  interest  rates would be a key  influence on stock prices in 1997 and this
has been correct as long rates,  after an initial increase in January,  declined
through  mid-February,  allowing the stock  market to reach new highs.  In March
through  late-April,  interest rates increased and then finally  decreased again
into late June. This caused the stock market to rally to new all-time highs.

Earnings  were also a key positive  influence on equity prices in the first half
of  1997.  Corporations  have  reported  net  results  which  were  better  than
expectations and most strategists have increased their yearly earnings estimates
for the S&P 500. This has contributed to the increase in stock prices in 1997.

The above factors along with  overwhelming  confidence  exhibited by the general
public in the current  economic  situation has led investors to bid stock prices
up to valuation  levels not seen since the early 1960's.  Growth stocks have led
the way to higher equity prices.

LARGECAP VALUE FUND

Your fund, while underperforming the S&P 500 in the first half of 1997, produced
an attractive return relative to inflation, long bonds and other value funds. In
a market led by high P/E growth stocks,  it is always difficult for a value fund
to keep pace -- the current market is no exception. As an example, if we look at
the largest 50 stocks in the S&P 500, we see that three  quarters of the highest
P/E stocks accounted for the highest returns in the S&P Top 50 through May 1997.

We seek to  construct  portfolios  with stocks that are selling at a discount to
the overall market when looking at forward years estimated earnings.  This means
we are not going to own issues that sell at significant

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       15
<PAGE>
                    Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund

premiums to the market valuation on initial  purchase.  This allows us to defend
values in a down market. However, given our valuation discipline, outperformance
in a strong growth stock market is difficult to achieve.

Our underweighting in Consumer Staple, Health Care and certain Technology issues
contributed  to our  relative  underperformance  for the  first  half  of  1997.
Currently we have above average  exposure to certain Basic Material  issues such
as DuPont  (E.I.)  DeNemours & Co.,  James River Corp.  of Virginia and Aluminum
Company of America;  Consumer  Cyclical  issues  including  Ford Motor Co.,  May
Department  Stores Co. and Sears,  Roebuck and Co.; and  Transportation  issues,
including  Burlington  Northern  S.F.  and CSX Corp.  We  continue to have solid
exposure to Financial and Energy issues.

We believe these stocks offer great value in an over-valued market and we expect
these and our other issues to increase in value over time.

We wish to  remind  shareholders  that the Fund  offers  an  automatic  dividend
reinvestment  plan,  which  provides an easy and cost  effective  way to acquire
additional  shares in the Fund,  without  incurring a sales  charge.  Should you
decide to switch from cash dividends to automatic investment, please notify your
broker or contact the  Transfer  Agent,  c/o DST Systems,  Inc.,  PO Box 419338,
Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6338 or call (800) 992-0180.

We thank  you for  giving  us this  opportunity  to help you work  towards  your
investment needs.

Sincerely,

ARK ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC.

See Footnotes on page 18

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       16
<PAGE>
                    Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPARISON OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparison  of the Change in Value of a $10,000  Investment  in Pilgrim  America
Masters  LargeCap  Value Fund (the  "Fund") and the  Standard & Poor's 500 Index
(the "S&P 500").
Based on a $10,000  initial  investment,  the graph below  illustrates the total
return  of the Fund  against  the S&P 500.  Note  that the S&P 500 has  inherent
performance  advantages  over  any fund  since it has no cash in its  portfolio,
imposes no sales charges and incurs no operating  expenses.  An investor  cannot
invest in an index. The Fund's performance reflected below assumes the deduction
of the Class A maximum sales charge in all cases.

                         Growth of a $10,000 Investment

                                                    9/1/95    6/30/96    6/30/97
                                                    ------    -------    -------
Pilgrim America LargeCap Value Fund Class A        $10,000    $11,269    $13,888
S&P 500 Index                                      $ 9,425    $12,166    $16,446

All returns assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.

                        SEC Average Annual Total Returns
                              as of June 30, 1997
                        --------------------------------

                                                  1 Year         Inception*
                                                  ------         ---------

Pilgrim America LargeCap Value Fund Class A       16.14%           19.66%

S&P 500 Index                                     34.70%           31.24%

*September 1, 1995 (commencement of operations).

                           See Footnotes on page 18.

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       17
<PAGE>
                    Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)  Excluding   the  Class  A  maximum  sales  charge  of  5.75%  and  assuming
     reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.  Total return including of
     the maximum  sales charge and assuming  reinvestment  of all  dividends and
     distributions  for the year ended June 30, 1997 and from  September 1, 1995
     (commencement  of  operations)  to June 30,  1997 was  16.14%  and  19.66%,
     respectively.

     Performance figures shown pertain only to Class A shares of the Fund. Class
     B and M  shares,  which  are also  offered  by the  Fund,  are  subject  to
     different  fees and  expenses  which will affect their  performance.  Total
     returns for Class B and M shares,  excluding the  applicable  sales charges
     and assuming  reinvestment of all dividends and  distributions for the year
     ended June 30, 1997 were 22.23% and 22.58%,  respectively.  Average  annual
     total  returns   excluding  the  applicable   sales  charges  and  assuming
     reinvestment  of all  dividends  and  distributions  for  the  period  from
     September 1, 1995 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 1997 were 22.64%
     and 22.95%, respectively.

     Total returns for Class B and M shares including the applicable  contingent
     deferred  sales charge of 5.00% (Class B shares only) or the maximum  sales
     charge of 3.50% (Class M shares only) for the year ended June 30, 1997 were
     17.23% and 18.25%, respectively. Average annual total returns including the
     applicable   sales   charges  for  the  period  from   September   1,  1995
     (commencement  of  operations)  to June 30,  1997 were  20.78% and  20.60%,
     respectively.

     All return figures  reflect a partial waiver of fees for the period stated.
     Without such a waiver, returns would have been lower.

(2)  The S&P 500 is an unmanaged  index of 500 common  stocks and is a generally
     accepted measure of stock market performance.

     Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investment return and
     principal value of an investment will fluctuate.  Shares, when redeemed may
     be worth more or less than their original cost.

     This letter contains statements that may be  "forward-looking"  statements.
     Actual  results  could  differ  materially  from  those  projected  in  the
     "forward-looking" statements.

     The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio  manager,
     only  through the end of the period as stated on the cover.  The  manager's
     views  are  subject  to  change  at any time  based  on  market  and  other
     conditions.

                             Pilgrim America Funds
                                       18

<PAGE>
                        Pilgrim America Masters Series

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Pilgrim America Masters Series, Inc:

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolios of investments,  of Pilgrim America Masters  Asia-Pacific  Equity
Fund,  Pilgrim  America  Masters MidCap Value Fund and Pilgrim  America  Masters
LargeCap Value Fund (the three funds comprising  Pilgrim America Masters Series,
Inc.),  as of June 30, 1997,  and the related  statements of operations  for the
year  then  ended,  and  statements  of  changes  in net  assets  and  financial
highlights  for the year ended June 30,  1997 and the period from  September  1,
1995  (commencement of operations) to June 30, 1996. These financial  statements
and financial  highlights are the responsibility of the Funds'  management.  Our
responsibility  is to  express  an opinion  on these  financial  statements  and
financial highlights 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  and  financial
highlights 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 securities owned as of June
30, 1997,  by  correspondence  with the  custodian  and  brokers.  An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by  management,   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 financial  statements and financial  highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material  respects,  the financial position of each
of the funds  comprising  Pilgrim America  Masters  Series,  Inc. as of June 30,
1997, the results of their  operations for the year then ended,  and the changes
in their net assets and  financial  highlights  for the year ended June 30, 1997
and the period from  September  1, 1995 to June 30,  1996,  in  conformity  with
generally accepted accounting principles.



                                     KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Los Angeles, California
August 1, 1997
                                       19
<PAGE>
                         Pilgrim America Masters Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Asia-Pacific         MidCap            LargeCap
                                                                            Equity             Value              Value
                                                                             Fund              Fund               Fund
                                                                        -------------      ------------       ------------
<S>                                                                     <C>                <C>                <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities at market value (cost $64,343,405,
 $ 42,439,445 and $23,558,068, respectively)                            $ 69,994,175       $ 47,987,102       $ 26,337,966
Short-term securities at amortized cost                                    3,015,000            840,000            770,000
Foreign currency (cost $403,014)                                             402,897               --                 --
Cash                                                                            --               13,265             11,173
Receivables:
  Fund shares sold                                                         1,004,231            443,184             81,725
  Dividends and interest                                                     164,555             64,285             45,614
  Due from affiliate                                                          39,828             14,700             26,319
  Investment securities sold                                                 301,219          1,190,821            212,161
Prepaid expenses                                                              18,968             11,153              8,521
Deferred organization expenses                                                82,542             82,542             82,542
                                                                        ------------       ------------       ------------
                    Total Assets                                          75,023,415         50,647,052         27,576,021
                                                                        ------------       ------------       ------------
LIABILITIES:
Investment securities purchased                                              464,120          1,579,339            241,597
Payable for fund shares redeemed                                             351,933            416,376             13,246
Payable to custodian                                                         246,376               --                 --
Payable to affiliate                                                           4,000                988                714
Other accrued expenses and liabilities                                       147,735             29,338             29,465
                                                                        ------------       ------------       ------------
                    Total Liabilities                                      1,214,164          2,026,041            285,022
                                                                        ------------       ------------       ------------
NET ASSETS                                                              $ 73,809,251       $ 48,621,011       $ 27,290,999
                                                                        ============       ============       ============
Net Assets consist of:
  Paid-in capital                                                       $ 70,391,026       $ 42,169,206       $ 23,043,531
  Undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income                      (49,943)          (120,796)             3,755
  Accumulated net realized gains (losses) on investments and
   foreign currency transactions                                          (2,172,447)         1,024,944          1,463,815
  Net unrealized appreciation of investments and other
   assets, liabilities and forward contracts denominated
   in foreign currencies                                                   5,640,615          5,547,657          2,779,898
                                                                        ------------       ------------       ------------
  Net Assets                                                            $ 73,809,251       $ 48,621,011       $ 27,290,999
                                                                        ============       ============       ============
Class A:
Net assets                                                              $ 32,485,341       $ 16,984,786       $  8,961,061
Shares authorized ($0.01, $0.01 and $0.01 par value, respectively)        24,000,000         28,000,000         28,000,000
Shares outstanding                                                         2,972,096          1,160,047            632,342
Net asset value and redemption price per share                          $      10.93       $      14.64       $      14.17
Maximum offering price per share(1)                                     $      11.60       $      15.53       $      15.03
Class B:
Net assets                                                              $ 30,169,197       $ 23,258,020       $ 13,611,428
Shares authorized ($0.01, $0.01 and $0.01 par value, respectively)        24,000,000         28,000,000         28,000,000
Shares outstanding                                                         2,785,961          1,605,501            969,360
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share(2)             $      10.83       $      14.49       $       14.4
Class M:
Net assets                                                              $ 11,154,713       $  8,378,205       $  4,718,510
Shares authorized ($0.01, $0.01 and $0.01 par value, respectively)        12,000,000         14,000,000         14,000,000
Shares outstanding                                                         1,026,749            578,062            334,564
Net asset value and redemption price per share                          $      10.86       $      14.49       $      14.10
Maximum offering price per share(3)                                     $      11.25       $      15.02       $      14.61
</TABLE>

- ------------
(1) Maximum  offering  price is computed at  100/94.25  of net asset  value.  On
    purchases of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.
(2) Redemption  price per share is equal to the net asset  value per share  less
    any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
(3) Maximum  offering  price is computed at  100/96.50  of net asset  value.  On
    purchases of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       20
<PAGE>
                         Pilgrim America Masters Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Asia-Pacific         MidCap           LargeCap
                                                             Equity             Value            Value
                                                              Fund              Fund              Fund
                                                          ------------      -----------       -----------
<S>                                                       <C>               <C>            <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
   Interest                                               $   124,741       $    98,690       $    50,845
   Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of
    $88,263, $810 and $104, respectively)                   1,099,411           308,127           323,575
                                                          -----------       -----------       -----------
        Total investment income                             1,224,152           406,817           374,420
                                                          -----------       -----------       -----------
EXPENSES:
   Investment management fees                                 773,252           250,512           174,325
   Distribution expenses
    Class A Shares                                             69,149            23,128            15,378
    Class B Shares                                            247,869           111,392            81,801
    Class M Shares                                             70,601            34,954            23,260
   Transfer agent and registrar fees                          235,993            71,323            71,400
   Custodian fees                                             184,471            14,460            39,622
   Miscellaneous expenses                                      41,960               363             1,138
   Reports to shareholders                                     40,325            14,426             9,164
   Registration and filing fees                                39,916            27,616            22,666
   Professional fees                                           34,961             8,373             5,995
   Recordkeeping and pricing fees                              22,497            10,311             8,582
   Organization expense                                        22,098            22,098            22,098
   Shareholder service fees                                    19,293             8,202             5,511
   Insurance expense                                            5,187               815               602
   Directors' fees                                              3,385               803               763
                                                          -----------       -----------       -----------
        Total expenses                                      1,810,957           598,776           482,305
                                                          -----------       -----------       -----------
   Less:
     Waived and reimbursed fees                              (334,704)          (49,495)         (100,148)
     Earnings credits                                          (6,359)           (1,073)           (1,225)
                                                          -----------       -----------       -----------
     Net expenses                                           1,469,894           548,208           380,932
                                                          -----------       -----------       -----------
     Net investment loss                                     (245,742)         (141,391)           (6,512)
                                                          -----------       -----------       -----------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES)
 FROM INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY
 TRANSACTIONS:
   Net realized gains (losses) from:
     Investments                                           (2,050,338)        1,180,396         1,682,366
     Foreign currency transactions                            (62,302)             --                --
   Net change in unrealized appreciation of:
     Investments                                            5,856,620         5,149,275         2,599,255
     Other assets, liabilities and forward contracts
       denominated in foreign currencies                      (12,204)             --                --
                                                          -----------       -----------       -----------
     Net gain from investments                              3,731,776         6,329,671         4,281,621
                                                          -----------       -----------       -----------
     Net increase in net assets
       resulting from operations                          $ 3,486,034       $ 6,188,280       $ 4,275,109
                                                          ===========       ===========       ===========
</TABLE>
                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       21
<PAGE>
                         Pilgrim America Masters Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Asia-Pacific Equity Fund          MidCap Value Fund             LargeCap Value Fund   
                                            ----------------------------   --------------------------   ----------------------------
                                                 Year         Ten Months       Year        Ten Months        Year        Ten Months 
                                                 Ended          Ended         Ended          Ended          Ended           Ended   
                                               June 30,        June 30,      June 30,       June 30,       June 30,       June 30,  
                                                 1997          1996(a)         1997         1996(a)         1997           1996(a)  
                                            ------------   -------------   ------------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>          
Increase in net assets from operations:                                                                                            
Net investment income (loss)                $   (245,742)  $     (3,977)  $   (141,391)  $    32,309   $     (6,512)  $      8,132 
Net realized gain (loss) from investments     (2,050,338)       (46,713)     1,180,396        65,110      1,682,366        146,051 
Net realized loss from foreign                                                                                                     
 currency transactions                           (62,302)       (27,170)          --            --             --             --   
Net change in unrealized                                                                                                           
 appreciation (depreciation)                                                                                                       
 of investments                                5,856,620       (204,282)     5,149,275       398,382      2,599,255        180,643 
Net change in unrealized                                                                                                           
 appreciation (depreciation) of other                                                                                              
 investments denominated                                                                                                           
 in foreign currency                             (12,204)           481           --            --             --             --   
                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------   ------------ 
Net increase (decrease) in                                                                                                         
 net assets resulting from                                                                                                         
 operations                                    3,486,034       (281,661)     6,188,280       495,801      4,275,109        334,826 
                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------   ------------ 
Distributions to shareholders:                                                                                                     
Net investment income:                                                                                                             
 Class A shares                                     --             --             --          (4,590)          --           (6,203)
 Class B shares                                     --             --             --          (1,500)          --             (801)
 Class M shares                                     --             --             --            (711)          --           (1,128)
Excess of net investment income:                                                                                                   
 Class A shares                                     --           (8,287)       (16,602)         --          (21,236)        (3,494)
 Class B shares                                     --             (897)        (9,771)         --           (2,711)          (451)
 Class M shares                                     --             (768)       (11,821)         --           (1,802)          (635)
Net realized gains:                                                                                                                
 Class A shares                                     --             --          (87,623)         --         (118,836)       (11,797)
 Class B shares                                     --             --         (100,153)         --         (169,692)        (1,745)
 Class M shares                                     --             --          (40,101)         --          (60,108)        (2,424)
Excess of realized gains:                                                                                                          
 Class A shares                                     --           (1,570)          --            --             --             --   
 Class B shares                                     --             (783)          --            --             --             --   
 Class M shares                                     --             (399)          --            --             --             --   
Tax return of capital:                                                                                                             
 Class A Shares                                  (30,685)          --             --            --             --             --   
 Class B shares                                     --             --             --            --             --             --   
 Class M shares                                   (1,611)          --             --            --             --             --   
                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------   ------------ 
 Total distributions                             (32,296)       (12,704)      (266,071)       (6,801)      (374,385)       (28,678)
                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------   ------------ 
Capital share transactions:                                                                                                        
Net proceeds from sale of shares              85,779,972     44,111,419     43,491,828     5,793,907     20,775,389      5,027,606 
Shares resulting from dividend                                                                                                     
 reinvestment                                     30,383         11,795        229,750         6,614        321,069         26,938 
Cost of shares redeemed                      (58,091,003)    (1,226,688)    (7,265,617)      (79,680)    (2,900,008)      (199,867)
                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------   ------------ 
Net increase in net assets                                                                                                         
 resulting from capital share                                                                                                      
 transactions                                 27,719,352     42,896,526     36,455,961     5,720,841     18,196,450      4,854,677 
                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------   ------------ 
Net increase in net assets                    31,173,090     42,602,161     42,378,170     6,209,841     22,097,174      5,160,825 
                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------   ------------ 
Net assets, beginning of period               42,636,161         34,000      6,242,841        33,000      5,193,825         33,000 
                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------   ------------   ------------ 
Net assets, end of period **                $ 73,809,251   $ 42,636,161   $ 48,621,011   $ 6,242,841   $ 27,290,999   $  5,193,825 
                                            ============   ============   ============   ===========   ============   ============ 
** Including undistributed                                                                                                         
 (overdistributed) net investment                                                                                                  
 income (loss) of:                          $    (49,943)  $    (20,456)  $   (120,796)  $    45,510   $      3,755   $     15,422 
                                            ============   ============   ============   ===========   ============   ============ 
</TABLE>
     (a) The Fund commenced operations September 1, 1995.

                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       22
<PAGE>
                Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Class A                      Class B                        Class M
                                       --------------------------    ---------------------------    --------------------------
                                                         Ten                            Ten                             Ten
                                          Year          Months          Year           Months            Year          Months
                                         Ended          Ended          Ended            Ended           Ended          Ended
                                        June 30,       June 30,        June 30,        June 30,        June 30,       June 30,
                                          1997         1996 (a)         1997           1996 (a)          1997         1996 (a)
                                       -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------    ------------     ---------
<S>                                    <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>              <C>      
Per Share Operating
 Performance
Net asset value, beginning of period        $10.35        $10.00          $10.31         $10.00           $10.32        $10.00
Income from investment operations:
 Net investment income (loss)                 0.02          0.03           (0.07)         (0.01)           (0.05)          --
 Net realized and unrealized gain on
  investments and foreign currency
  transactions                                0.58          0.34            0.59           0.32             0.59          0.33
                                       -----------     ---------     -----------     ----------     ------------     ---------
  Total from investment operations            0.60          0.37            0.52           0.31             0.54          0.33
                                       -----------     ---------     -----------     ----------     ------------     ---------
Less distributions:
 Net investment income                         --            --              --             --               --            --
 In excess of net investment income            --           0.02             --             --               --           0.01
 Realized gains on investments                 --            --              --             --               --            --
 Tax return of capital                        0.02           --              --             --               --            --
                                       -----------     ---------     -----------     ----------     ------------     ---------
  Total distributions                         0.02          0.02             --             --               --           0.01
                                       -----------     ---------     -----------     ----------     ------------     ---------
Net asset value, end of period         $     10.93     $   10.35     $     10.83     $    10.31     $      10.86     $   10.32
                                       ===========     =========     ===========     ==========     ============     =========
Total Return (b)                              5.78%         3.76%           5.04%          3.19%            5.26%         3.32%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (000's)      $    32,485     $  18,371     $    30,169      $  17,789      $    11,155     $   6,476
Ratios to average net assets:
 Expenses (c)(d)                              2.00%         2.00%(e)        2.75%          2.75%(e)         2.50%         2.50%(e)
 Net investment income (loss) (c)(d)          0.00%         0.33%(e)       (0.79)%        (0.38)%(e)       (0.55)%       (0.16)%(e)
Portfolio turnover rate                         38%           15%(e)          38%            15%(e)           38%           15%(e)
Average commission rate paid           $    0.0096           --      $    0.0096            --       $    0.0096            --
</TABLE>

- ------------
(a) The Fund commenced operations on September 1, 1995.
(b) Total  return is  calculated  assuming  reinvestment  of all  dividends  and
    capital gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction of
    sales  charges.  Total  return  information  for  less  than one year is not
    annualized.
(c) Prior to the waiver and  reimbursement of expenses for the period ended June
    30, 1997, the ratios of expenses to average net assets were 2.54%, 3.29% and
    3.04% and the ratios of net  investment  income (loss) to average net assets
    were (0.53)%, (1.33)% and (1.09)% for Class A, B and M shares, respectively.
(d) Prior to the waiver and  reimbursement of expenses for the period ended June
    30,  1996,  the  annualized  ratios of  expenses  to average net assets were
    3.47%,  4.10% and 3.88% and the annualized  ratios of net investment  income
    (loss) to average net assets were (1.14)%,  (1.73)% and (1.53)% for Class A,
    B and M shares, respectively.
(e) Annualized.

                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       23
<PAGE>
                   Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Class A                     Class B                    Class M
                                       --------------------------- --------------------------- --------------------------
                                                        Ten                         Ten                        Ten
                                          Year         Months         Year         Months        Year         Months
                                         Ended         Ended         Ended         Ended         Ended        Ended
                                        June 30,      June 30,      June 30,      June 30,     June 30,      June 30,
                                          1997        1996 (a)        1997        1996 (a)       1997        1996 (a)
                                       ----------- --------------- ----------- --------------- ---------- ---------------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>             <C>         <C>             <C>        <C>
Per Share Operating
 Performance
Net asset value, beginning of period   $  11.99     $   10.00      $  11.94     $   10.00      $  11.93    $   10.00
Income from investment
 operations:
 Net investment income (loss)             (0.02)         0.13         (0.05)         0.07         (0.03)        0.06
 Net realized and unrealized
  gains on investments                     2.85          1.91          2.76          1.90          2.76         1.91
                                       --------     ---------      --------     ---------      --------    ---------
  Total from investment operations         2.83          2.04          2.71          1.97          2.73         1.97
                                       --------     ---------      --------     ---------      --------    ---------
Less distributions:
 Net investment income                       --          0.05            --          0.03            --         0.04
 In excess of net investment income        0.07            --          0.05            --          0.06           --
 Realized gains on investments             0.11            --          0.11            --          0.11           --
                                       --------     ---------      --------     ---------      --------    ---------
  Total distributions                      0.18          0.05          0.16          0.03          0.17         0.04
                                       --------     ---------      --------     ---------      --------    ---------
Net asset value, end of period         $  14.64     $   11.99      $  14.49     $   11.94      $  14.49    $   11.93
                                       ========     =========      ========     =========      ========    =========
Total Return (b)                          23.89%        20.48%        22.95%        19.80%        23.21%       19.82%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (000's)      $ 16,985     $   2,389      $ 23,258     $   2,123      $  8,378    $   1,731
Ratios to average net assets:
 Expenses (c)(d)                           1.75%         1.75%(e)      2.50%         2.50%(e)      2.25%        2.25%(e)
 Net investment income (loss) (c)(d)      (0.13)%        2.00%(e)     (0.90)%        1.27%(e)     (0.63)%       1.16%(e)
Portfolio turnover rate                      86%           60%(e)        86%           60%(e)        86%          60%(e)
Average commission rate paid           $ 0.0592            --      $ 0.0592            --      $ 0.0592           --
</TABLE>

- ------------
(a) The Fund commenced operations on September 1, 1995.
(b) Total  return is  calculated  assuming  reinvestment  of all  dividends  and
    capital gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction of
    sales  charges.  Total  return  information  for  less  than one year is not
    annualized.
(c) Prior to the waiver and  reimbursement of expenses for the period ended June
    30, 1997, the ratios of expenses to average net assets were 1.94%, 2.69% and
    2.44% and the ratios of net  investment  income (loss) to average net assets
    were (0.32)%, (1.11)% and (0.81)% for Class A, B and M shares, respectively.
(d) Prior to the waiver and  reimbursement of expenses for the period ended June
    30,  1996,  the  annualized  ratios of  expenses  to average net assets were
    4.91%,  5.32% and 4.72% and the annualized  ratios of net investment  income
    (loss) to average net assets were (1.17)%,  (1.56)% and (1.32)% for Class A,
    B and M shares, respectively.
(e) Annualized.

                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       24
<PAGE>
                  Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Class A                        Class B                         Class M
                                       ----------------------         ---------------------------       --------------------------
                                                        Ten                               Ten                             Ten
                                         Year          Months            Year            Months            Year           Months
                                         Ended         Ended             Ended           Ended            Ended          Ended
                                        June 30,      June 30,          June 30,        June 30,         June 30,        June 30,
                                          1997        1996 (a)            1997          1996 (a)           1997          1996 (a)
                                       ----------    ----------        ---------      -----------       ---------       ----------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>                 <C>           <C>      
Per Share Operating                                                                                                    
 Performance                                                                                                           
Net asset value, beginning of period    $ 11.77      $   10.00        $  11.71       $     10.00         $  11.73      $   10.00
Income from investment                                                                                                 
 operations:                                                                                                           
 Net investment income (loss)              0.06           0.07           (0.02)             0.06               --           0.06
 Net realized and unrealized                                                                                           
  gains on investments                     2.63           1.87            2.59              1.81             2.62           1.83
                                        -------      ---------        --------       ----------          --------      ---------
  Total from investment                                                                                                
   operations                              2.69           1.94            2.57              1.87             2.62           1.89
                                        -------      ---------        --------       ----------          --------      ---------
Less distributions:                                                                                                    
 Net investment income                       --           0.07              --              0.06               --           0.06
 In excess of net investment income        0.05           0.01              --              0.01             0.01           0.01
 Realized gains on investments             0.24           0.09            0.24              0.09             0.24           0.09
                                        -------      ---------        --------       ----------          --------      ---------
  Total distributions                      0.29           0.17            0.24              0.16             0.25           0.16
                                        -------      ---------        --------       ----------          --------      ---------
Net asset value, end of period          $ 14.17      $   11.77        $  14.04       $     11.71         $  14.10      $   11.73
                                        =======      =========        ========       ==========          ========      =========
Total Return (b)                          23.24%         19.56%          22.23%            18.85%           22.58%         19.06%
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                                                                               
Net assets, end of period (000's)       $ 8,961      $   2,530        $ 13,611       $     1,424         $  4,719      $   1,240
Ratios to average net assets:                                                                                          
 Expenses (c)(d)                           1.75%          1.75%(e)        2.50%             2.50%(e)         2.25%          2.25%(e)
 Net investment income (loss) (c)(d)       0.41%          0.65%(e)       (0.35)%           (0.25)%(e)       (0.10)%         0.06%(e)
Portfolio turnover rate                      86%            59%(e)          86%               59%(e)           86%            59%(e)
Average commission rate paid            $0.0586             --        $ 0.0586                --         $ 0.0586             --
</TABLE>

- ------------
(a) The Fund commenced operations on September 1, 1995.
(b) Total  return is  calculated  assuming  reinvestment  of all  dividends  and
    capital gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction of
    sales  charges.  Total  return  information  for  less  than one year is not
    annualized.
(c) Prior to the waiver and  reimbursement of expenses for the period ended June
    30, 1997, the ratios of expenses to average net assets were 2.33%, 3.08% and
    2.83% and the ratios of net  investment  income (loss) to average net assets
    were (0.18)%, (0.91)% and (0.68)% for Class A, B and M shares, respectively.
(d) Prior to the waiver and  reimbursement of expenses for the period ended June
    30,  1996,  the  annualized  ratios of  expenses  to average net assets were
    5.44%,  5.79% and 5.90% and the annualized  ratios of net investment  income
    (loss) to average net assets were (3.04)%,  (3.53)% and (3.59)% for Class A,
    B and M shares, respectively.
(e) Annualized.

                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       25
<PAGE>
                        Pilgrim America Masters Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Significant Accounting Policies

Organization.  Pilgrim America Masters Series ("Masters  Series") is an open-end
management  investment  company that was organized as a Maryland  Corporation in
1995 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended. This
Masters  Series  consists  of three  separate  diversified  open-end  investment
companies:  Pilgrim  America  Masters  Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund  ("Asia-Pacific
Equity Fund"),  Pilgrim  America Masters MidCap Value Fund ("MidCap Value Fund")
and Pilgrim America Masters  LargeCap Value Fund ("LargeCap  Value Fund"),  each
with its own investment objective and policies.

Each Fund  offers  three  classes of shares,  Class A, Class B and Class M. Each
class  represents  interests in the same assets of the  applicable  Fund and the
classes are identical except for differences in their sales charge structure and
ongoing  distribution  fees. In addition,  Class B shares,  along with their pro
rata  reinvested  dividend  shares,  automatically  convert  to  Class A  shares
approximately eight years after purchase.  The following significant  accounting
policies  are  consistently  followed by the Funds in the  preparation  of their
financial  statements,  and  such  policies  are in  conformity  with  generally
accepted accounting principles for investment companies.

A. Security Valuation. Securities which are listed on the U.S. and foreign stock
   exchanges  are valued at the last sales price on the day the  securities  are
   being  valued.  Debt and  equity  securities  traded in the  over-the-counter
   market and listed  securities  for which no sales were  reported on that date
   are  valued  at the  mean  between  the  last  reported  bid and ask  prices.
   Short-term  debt  securities  maturing  in 60  days  or less  are  valued  at
   amortized  cost.  Securities  for which  market  quotations  are not  readily
   available are valued at fair value as determined by policies set by the Board
   of Directors.  All investments  quoted in foreign currencies are valued daily
   in  U.S.  dollars  on  the  basis  of the  foreign  currency  exchange  rates
   prevailing at the time such valuation is determined by each Fund's custodian.

B. Security  Transactions and Revenue Recognition.  Securities  transactions are
   accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains or losses are reported on the
   basis of identified cost of securities delivered. Interest income is recorded
   on an accrual basis and dividend income is recorded on the  ex-dividend  date
   (except in the case of certain securities of Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund, which
   are  recorded  as soon after the  ex-date as the Fund  becomes  aware of such
   dividend).

C. Foreign  Currency  Translation. The books and  records of Asia-Pacific Equity
   Fund   are   maintained   in  U.S.  dollars.  Foreign  currency  amounts  are
   translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

   (1)   Market value of investment securities,  other assets and liabilities --
         at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the day.

   (2)   Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses -- at
         the  rates  of  exchange  prevailing  on the  respective  dates of such
         transactions.

   Although the net assets and the market value of Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund are
   presented at the foreign  exchange rates at the end of the day,  Asia-Pacific
   Equity  Fund does not  isolate  the  portion  of the  results  of  operations
   resulting  from changes in foreign  exchange  rates on  investments  from the
   fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held.
                                       26
<PAGE>
                        Pilgrim America Masters Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Such  fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or
   losses from  investments.  Reported net realized  foreign  exchange  gains or
   losses arise from sales and  maturities  of short-term  securities,  sales of
   foreign  currencies,  currency gains or losses realized between the trade and
   settlement  dates on  securities  transactions,  the  difference  between the
   amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the
   Fund's books, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received
   or paid. Net unrealized  foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes
   in the value of assets and liabilities  other than  investments in securities
   at fiscal year end,  resulting  from  changes in the exchange  rate.  Foreign
   security and currency  transactions  may involve certain  considerations  and
   risks not typically  associated with investing in U.S. companies and the U.S.
   Government.  These  risks  include but are not  limited to  re-evaluation  of
   currencies and future adverse political and economic developments which could
   cause securities and their markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile
   than those of comparable U.S. companies and the U.S. Government.

D. Foreign Currency Exchange  Transactions.  Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund may enter
   into foreign currency exchange  transactions to convert to and from different
   foreign currencies and to and from the U.S. dollar in connection with planned
   purchases  or  sales  of  securities.  The  Fund  either  enters  into  these
   transactions  on a spot  basis at the spot  rate  prevailing  in the  foreign
   currency  exchange  market or uses  forward  foreign  currency  contracts  to
   purchase or sell foreign currencies.  Asia-Pacific Equity Fund may not invest
   more than 5% of its assets (at market value at the time of the investment) in
   forward  foreign  currency  contracts.  Risks may arise  upon  entering  into
   forward contracts from the potential  inability of counterparties to meet the
   terms of their  forward  contracts  and from  unanticipated  movements in the
   value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.

E. Distributions  to  Shareholders.  The  Funds  record  distributions  to their
   shareholders on the ex-date.  The Funds intend to make  distributions  on net
   investment income and capital gains, if any, at least annually. The amount of
   distributions  from net investment income, and net realized capital gains are
   determined  in  accordance  with federal  income tax  regulations,  which may
   differ  from  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  These  "book/tax"
   differences  are either  considered  temporary or  permanent  in nature.  Key
   differences are the treatment of short-term  capital gains,  foreign currency
   transactions,  organization  costs and other  temporary  differences.  To the
   extent that these  differences  are  permanent  in nature,  such  amounts are
   reclassified  within the capital  accounts  based on their federal  tax-basis
   treatment;   temporary   differences   do  not   require   reclassifications.
   Distributions  which exceed net  investment  income and net realized  capital
   gains for financial  reporting purposes but not for tax purposes are reported
   as  distributions  in excess of net  investment  income  and/or net  realized
   capital  gains.  To the  extent  they  exceed net  investment  income and net
   realized  capital gains for tax purposes,  they are reported as distributions
   of  paid-in  capital.  Accordingly,  amounts  as of June 30,  1997  have been
   reclassified as follows:

                                            Asia-Pacific    MidCap     LargeCap
                                            Equity Fund   Value Fund  Value Fund
                                            ------------  ----------  ----------
      Paid-in capital                         (236,615)     (20,594)    (20,594)
      Undistributed (overdistributed) net
       investment income                       248,551       13,279      20,594
      Accumulated net realized gains
       (losses) on investments and
       foreign currency transactions           (11,936)       7,315         --
                                       27
<PAGE>
                        Pilgrim America Masters Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. Federal Income Taxes.  Each Fund's policy is to comply with the  requirements
   of the Internal  Revenue Code that are  applicable  to regulated  investments
   companies and to distribute  substantially  all of its net investment  income
   and any net realized capital gains to its shareholders.  Therefore, a federal
   income tax provision is not required.  In addition,  by  distributing  during
   each calendar year  substantially  all of its net  investment  income and net
   capital gains, each Fund intends not to be subject to any federal excise tax.

   Capital loss carryforwards were as follows at June 30, 1997:

                                        Amounts     Expiration Dates
                                        -------     ----------------
         Asia-Pacific Equity Fund       $651,710         2004
         MidCap Value Fund                   --           N/A
         LargeCap Value Fund                 --           N/A

   The Board of Directors  intends to offset net capital gains with each capital
   loss carryforward until each carryforward has been fully utilized or expires.
   In addition,  no capital gain  distributions  shall be made until the capital
   loss carryforward has been fully utilized or expires.

G. Use  of  Estimates. Management  of  the Funds has made certain  estimates and
   assumptions  relating  to  the reporting of assets and liabilities to prepare
   these  financial  statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
   principals. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

H. Repurchase  Agreements.  Each  Fund may  invest  any  portion  of its  assets
   otherwise invested in money market instruments in U.S. Government  securities
   and  concurrently  enter  into  repurchase  agreements  with  respect to such
   securities.  Such  repurchase  agreements  will be made only with  government
   securities  dealers  recognized  by the  Board of  Governors  of the  Federal
   Reserve System or with member banks of the Federal Reserve System. Under such
   agreements,  the seller of the security agrees to repurchase it at a mutually
   agreed  upon time and price.  The resale  price is in excess of the  purchase
   price and  reflects an agreed upon  interest  rate for the period of time the
   agreement is outstanding.  The period of the repurchase agreements is usually
   short, from overnight to one week, while the underlying  securities generally
   have  longer  maturities.   Each  Fund  will  always  receive  as  collateral
   securities  acceptable  to it whose market value is equal to at least 100% of
   the amount  invested  by the Fund,  and the Fund will make  payment  for such
   securities only upon physical  delivery or evidence of book entry transfer to
   the account of its custodian.  If the seller  defaults,  a Fund might incur a
   loss or delay in the  realization  of proceeds if the value of the collateral
   securing the  repurchase  agreement  declines and it might incur  disposition
   costs in liquidating the collateral.

I. Deferred Organization  Expenses. All expenses incurred in connection with the
   organization and  registration of the Funds under the Investment  Company Act
   of 1940 and the Securities  Act of 1933 are being paid for by the Funds.  The
   total  organization  expenses are being amortized by each Fund equally over a
   period of five years from the date of commencement of its operations.


(2) Investment Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Each  of  the  Funds  has  entered  into an Investment Management Agreement with
Pilgrim  America Investments, Inc. ("the Manager"), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Pilgrim  America  Group,  Inc.  ("PAG").  The  investment  management agreements
compensate  the  Manager  with a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the
following annual rates: Asia-Pacific Equity Fund pays the Manager a fee at an
                                       28
<PAGE>
                        Pilgrim America Masters Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund's  average daily net assets;  MidCap Value Fund
and LargeCap Value Fund pay the Manager a fee at an annual rate of 1.00% of each
Fund's average daily net assets.

The manager has carefully  selected  Portfolio Managers for each of the Funds on
the  basis  of  their  successful  application  of  a  well-defined,   long-term
investment  approach  over  a  period  of  several  market  cycles.  HSBC  Asset
Management  Americas Inc. and HSBC Asset  Management Hong Kong Limited  ("HSBC")
serve  jointly as the  Portfolio  Managers  to  Asia-Pacific  Equity  Fund.  CRM
Advisors,  LLC ("CRM")  serves as Portfolio  Manager to MidCap  Value Fund.  Ark
Asset Management Co., Inc. ("ARK") serves as Portfolio Manager to LargeCap Value
Fund. As compensation  for their services to the Funds, the Manager (and not the
Fund) pays HSBC,  CRM and ARK fees at annual rates of 0.50% of the average daily
net assets of  Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund,  MidCap Value Fund and LargeCap  Value
Fund, respectively.

The Manager is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the Masters
Series.

On September 1, 1995,  the Funds adopted a Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act (the "12b-1  Plans"),  whereby Pilgrim  America  Securities,  Inc. (the
"Distributor")  is  compensated  by  the  Funds  for  expenses  incurred  in the
distribution of each Funds' shares. Pursuant to the 12b-1 Plans, the Distributor
is  entitled  to  compensation  each month for actual  expenses  incurred in the
distribution  and  promotion of each Fund's  shares,  including  the printing of
prospectuses  and reports used for sales  purposes,  expenses of  preparing  and
printing  of sales  literature  and other such  distribution  related  expenses,
including any  distribution or service fees paid to securities  dealers who have
executed a distribution agreement with the Distributor.

Under the 12b-1 Plans,  each class of shares of the Funds pay the Distributor at
the annual  rate of 0.25% of the  average  daily net assets of Class A, 1.00% of
the  average  daily net  assets of Class B and  0.75% of the  average  daily net
assets of Class M.

Each of the Funds has entered into a Service Agreement with PAG whereby PAG will
act as the shareholder  service agent for each Fund. The agreement provides that
PAG will be compensated  for incoming and outgoing  shareholder  telephone calls
and letters and all  reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses  incurred in connection
with the  performance of such services.  At June 30, 1997,  Asia-Pacific  Equity
Fund, MidCap Value Fund and LargeCap Value Fund owed PAG $4,000,  $988 and $714,
respectively in service fees.

The  manager  has  voluntarily   agreed  to  limit  other  expenses,   excluding
distribution  fees,  interest,  taxes,  brokerage and extraordinary  expenses to
1.75%, 1.50% and 1.50% of all classes of shares of the Asia-Pacific Equity Fund,
MidCap Value Fund and LargeCap Value Fund, respectively. This expense limitation
will apply to each Fund  individually  until June 30,  1997.  At June 30,  1997,
Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund,  MidCap  Value Fund and  LargeCap  Value Fund accrued
$39,828,  $14,700 and  $26,319,  respectively  as a  reimbursement  due from the
manager.

(3) Investment Transactions

For the year ended June 30, 1997,  the cost of purchases  and proceeds  from the
sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:

                        Asia-Pacific        MidCap          LargeCap
                         Equity Fund      Value Fund       Value Fund
                        -------------     ----------       ---------- 
         Purchases       $ 47,358,195     $ 56,200,763    $ 31,622,958
         Sales             22,312,681       20,087,394      14,090,678
                                       29
<PAGE>
                        Pilgrim America Masters Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(4) Capital Shares

Transactions in capital shares and dollars were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Class A Shares                  Class B Shares                 Class M Shares
                              ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ----------------------------
                                   Year          Ten Months         Year         Ten Months        Year        Ten Months
                                  Ended            Ended           Ended           Ended           Ended         Ended
                                 June 30,         June 30,        June 30,        June 30,       June 30,       June 30,
                                   1997             1996            1997            1996           1997           1996
                              --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- -------------
<S>                           <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>
Asia-Pacific
 Equity Fund
 (Number of shares)
Shares sold                      6,022,829       1,839,719       1,612,143       1,749,194         566,273         653,491
Shares issued as
 reinvestment of
 dividends                           2,937             944            --               151             157              96
Shares redeemed                 (4,828,816)        (68,717)       (551,927)        (23,700)       (167,256)        (26,112)
                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
Net increase in
 shares outstanding              1,196,950       1,771,946       1,060,216       1,725,645         399,174         627,475
                              ============    ============    ============    ============    ============    ============
Asia-Pacific
 Equity Fund ($)
Shares sold                   $ 63,317,753    $ 19,083,997    $ 16,573,290    $ 18,231,217    $  5,888,929    $  6,796,205
Shares issued as
 reinvestment of
 dividends                          28,842           9,350            --             1,497           1,541             948
Shares redeemed                (50,678,714)       (711,977)     (5,661,337)       (244,539)     (1,750,952)       (270,172)
                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
Net increase in
 shares outstanding           $ 12,667,881    $ 18,381,370    $ 10,911,953    $ 17,988,175    $  4,139,518    $  6,526,981
                              ============    ============    ============    ============    ============    ============
MidCap Value Fund
 (Number of shares)
Shares sold                      1,232,243         201,649       1,639,838         178,110         472,644         145,744
Shares issued as
 reinvestment of
 dividends                           6,530             443           7,579             137           3,974              56
Shares redeemed                   (277,940)         (5,978)       (219,806)           (457)        (43,618)           (838)
                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
Net increase in shares out-
 standing                          960,833         196,114       1,427,611         177,790         433,000         144,962
                              ============    ============    ============    ============    ============    ============
MidCap Value Fund ($)
Shares sold                   $ 16,074,019    $  2,157,665    $ 21,333,357    $  1,976,175    $  6,084,452    $  1,660,067
Shares issued as
 reinvestment of
 dividends                          82,971           4,608          96,914           1,428          49,865             578
Shares redeemed                 (3,689,711)        (65,602)     (2,999,461)         (4,699)       (576,445)         (9,379)
                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
Net increase in shares out-
 standing                     $ 12,467,279    $  2,096,671    $ 18,430,810    $  1,972,904    $  5,557,872    $  1,651,266
                              ============    ============    ============    ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>
                                       30
<PAGE>
                        Pilgrim America Masters Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  Class A Shares                     Class B Shares                    Class M Shares
                         --------------------------------   --------------------------------   ------------------------------
                              Year           Ten Months           Year          Ten Months         Year           Ten Months
                              Ended            Ended             Ended            Ended            Ended            Ended
                            June 30,          June 30,          June 30,         June 30,         June 30,         June 30,
                              1997              1996              1997             1996             1997             1996
                         --------------   ---------------   ---------------   --------------   --------------   -------------
<S>                      <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>
LargeCap Value Fund
 (Number of shares)
Shares sold                  538,935           217,003           896,451          130,422          258,463          106,606
Shares issued as
 reinvestment of
 dividends                    10,222             1,977            10,999              279            4,609              270
Shares redeemed             (131,788)           (7,107)          (59,761)          (9,130)         (34,204)          (1,280)
                         -----------       -----------       -----------       ----------       ----------       ----------
Net increase in shares
 outstanding                 417,369           211,873           847,689          121,571          228,868          105,596
                         ===========       ===========       ===========       ==========       ==========       ==========
LargeCap Value Fund ($)
Shares sold              $ 6,622,780       $ 2,326,399       $10,967,866       $1,501,267       $3,184,743       $1,199,940
Shares issued as
 reinvestment of
 dividends                   126,842            21,090           136,496            2,970           57,731            2,878
Shares redeemed           (1,694,967)          (81,933)         (768,404)        (103,183)        (436,637)         (14,751)
                         -----------       -----------       -----------       ----------       ----------       ----------
Net increase in shares
 outstanding             $ 5,054,655       $ 2,265,556       $10,335,958       $1,401,054       $2,805,837       $1,188,067
                         ===========       ===========       ===========       ==========       ==========       ==========
</TABLE>

(5) Custodial Agreement

     Investors Fiduciary Trust Company (IFTC) serves as the Funds' custodian and
recordkeeper.  Custody fees paid to IFTC are reduced by an earnings credit based
on the cash balances held by IFTC for each of the Funds. For the year ended June
30, 1997,  Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund,  MidCap Value Fund and LargeCap Value Fund
received earnings credits of $6,359, $1,073 and $1,225, respectively.
                                       31
<PAGE>
               Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              COMMON STOCKS: 92.1%
                                                                        Market
  Shares                                                                 Value
  ------                                                                 -----
                 CHINA: 0.9%                                         
                 Automotive: 0.5%                                    
  666,000        Quingling Motor Co.                                 $   343,875
                                                                     -----------
                 Diversified Holdings: 0.4%                                     
  278,000        First Tractor Co.                                       183,013
  522,000        Zhejiang Expressway CL H                                126,676
                                                                     -----------
                                                                         309,689
                                                                     -----------
                         Total China Common Stocks                       653,564
                                                                     -----------
                 HONG KONG: 43.1%                                               
                 Banks: 1.2%                                                    
1,400,000        FPB Bank Holding Company, Ltd.                          867,433
                                                                     -----------
                 Commercial & Industrial: 9.8%                                  
  175,000        Citic Pacific, Ltd.                                   1,093,326
  250,000        Cosco Pacific                                           579,256
  407,000        Hutchison Whampoa, Ltd.                               3,519,943
  225,000        Swire Pacific, Ltd.                                   2,025,784
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       7,218,309
                                                                     -----------
                 Construction: 0.5%                                             
  131,000        Cheung Kong Infrastructure                              379,624
                                                                     -----------
                 Financial: 8.8%                                                
  336,096        Bank of East Asia                                     1,401,304
  320,000        Dao Heng Bank Group, Ltd.                             1,751,388
  304,000        Liu Chong Hing Bank                                     800,516
  250,000        Union Bank of Hong Kong                                 722,860
  300,000        Wing Hang Bank, Ltd.                                  1,812,314
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       6,488,382
                                                                     -----------
                 Food Distributor: 0.4%                                         
  250,000        Ng Fung Hong Ltd.                                       374,338
                                                                     -----------
                 Manufacturing: 1.1%                                            
  130,000(a)     Shanghai Industrial Holding                             808,829
                                                                     -----------
                 Properties: 15.1%                                              
  340,000        Cheung Kong Holdings, Ltd.                            3,357,429
  200,000        China Resources Enterprises                             981,025
  122,000        Hysan Development Co., Ltd.                             359,843
  280,000        New World Development Co., Ltd.                       1,669,808
  280,000        Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.                         3,370,337
  325,000        Wharf Holdings, Ltd.                                  1,409,578
                                                                     -----------
                                                                      11,148,020
                                                                     -----------
                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       32                      
<PAGE>
               Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Market
  Shares                                                                 Value
  ------                                                                 -----
                 Utilities: 6.2%                                     
1,152,000        Beijing Data Power                                  $   531,612
  165,000        China Light & Power Co., Ltd.                           935,007
  235,000        Hong Kong Electric Holdings, Ltd.                       946,431
  900,000        Hong Kong Telecommunications, Ltd.                    2,149,219
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       4,562,269
                                                                     -----------
                        Total Hong Kong Common Stocks                 31,847,204
                                                                     -----------
                 INDONESIA: 8.1%                                                
                 Banks: 1.6%                                                    
  690,000        PT Bank Danamon                                         361,739
  784,000        PT Lippo Bank                                           805,921
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       1,167,660
                                                                     -----------
                 Manufacturing/Electronic: 3.6%                                 
  380,400        PT Indofood Sukses Makmur                               875,921
1,107,000        PT Telekommunikasi Indonesia - Class B                1,809,345
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       2,685,266
                                                                     -----------
                 Mines & Minerals: 0.2%                                         
  119,000        PT Tambang Timah                                        184,714
                                                                     -----------
                 Real Estate & Financial Services: 0.6%                         
  332,000        PT Kawasan Industries                                   443,668
                                                                     -----------
                 Tobacco Products: 1.7%                                         
  155,000        PT Gudang Garam                                         650,082
  155,000(a)     PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna                            591,129
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       1,241,211
                                                                     -----------
                 Transportation: 0.4%                                
  119,500        PT Semem Gresik                                         267,794
                                                                     -----------
                        Total Indonesia Common Stocks                  5,990,313
                                                                     -----------
                 MALAYSIA: 14.3%                                                
                 Commercial & Industrial: 8.0%                                  
  163,000        Genting Berhad                                          781,418
  360,000        Leader Universal Holding                                647,544
  380,000        Magnum Corporation Berhad                               572,108
  688,000        Renong Berhad                                           899,525
  396,000        Sime Darby Berhad                                     1,317,908
  207,000        Telekom Malaysia Berhad                                 967,750
  150,000        Tenaga Nasional Berhad                                  730,983
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       5,917,236
                                                                     -----------
                 Financial: 5.4%                                                
  214,000        Affin Holdings Berhad                                   508,716
   16,300        DCB Sakura Merchant Shares                                  -- 
  238,000        Malayan Banking Berhad                                2,498,811
  290,000        RHB Capital BHD                                         919,176
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       3,926,703
                                                                     -----------
                                                                             
                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       33
<PAGE>
               Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Market
   Shares                                                               Value
   ------                                                               -----
                 Properties: 0.9%                                    
  94,000 (a)     United Engineers Malaysia                           $   677,813
                                                                     -----------
                       Total Malaysia Common Stocks                   10,521,752
                                                                     -----------
                 PHILIPPINES: 3.8%                                              
                 Banks: 0.5%                                                    
   55,000        Bank of Philippine Island                               350,318
                                                                     -----------
                 Communications: 1.1%                                           
   12,500        Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., ADR             803,125
                                                                     -----------
                 Home Building: 0.4%                                            
  715,000        C & P Homes, Inc.                                       268,369
                                                                     -----------
                 Miscellaneous: 0.4%                                            
   43,000(a)     Benpres Holdings GDR                                    293,346
                                                                     -----------
                 Real Estate & Financial Services: 1.0%                         
2,602,000        SM Prime Holdings, Inc.                                 769,472
                                                                     -----------
                 Utilities: 0.4%                                                
   65,000        Manila Electric Co. - Class B                           320,367
                                                                     -----------
                       Total Philippines Common Stocks                 2,804,997
                                                                     -----------
                 SINGAPORE: 9.9%                                                
                 Commercial & Industrial: 0.9%                                  
  144,250        Keppel Corp., Ltd.                                      634,993
                                                                     -----------
                 Financial: 4.2%                                                
  139,400        Overseas-Chinese Bank                                 1,443,044
  105,000        Overseas Union Bank                                     653,634
   99,000        United Overseas Bank                                  1,017,906
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       3,114,584
                                                                     -----------
                 Food and Beverage: 0.4%                                        
   42,400        Fraser & Neave, Ltd.                                    302,497
                                                                     -----------
                 Hotels: 0.5%                                                   
  170,000        Marco Polo Developments                                 363,853
                                                                     -----------
                 Properties: 1.7%                                               
   99,000(a)     City Developments, Ltd.                                 969,434
   65,000        Singapore Land, Ltd.                                    295,517
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       1,264,951
                                                                     -----------
                 Publishing: 1.3%                                               
   48,000        Singapore Press Holdings, Ltd.                          966,916
                                                                     -----------
                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements     
                                       34
<PAGE>
               Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Market 
Shares                                                                   Value
- ------                                                                   -----
              Transportation: 0.9%                                    
73,000        Singapore Airlines, Ltd.                                $  653,564
                                                                      ----------
                 Total Singapore Common Stocks                         7,301,358
                                                                      ----------
              SOUTH KOREA: 4.2%                                                 
              Banks: 0.5%                                                       
19,824        Kook Min Bank                                              374,245
                                                                      ----------
              Construction: 0.4%                                                
16,632(a)     Dong Ah Construction                                       314,659
                                                                      ----------
              Electrical Equipment: 0.8%                                        
 4,550        LG Information & Communication                             563,626
                                                                      ----------
              Manufacturing/Electronic: 0.7%                                    
 5,035        Samsung Electronics Co.                                    399,738
 1,000        Sungmi Telecom Electronics                                 123,874
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         523,612
                                                                      ----------
              Mines & Minerals 0.4%                                             
 2,550        Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., ADR                          81,600
 3,320        Samchully Co.                                              213,108
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         294,708
                                                                      ----------
              Oil & Gas: 0.4%                                                   
 6,759        Daehan City Gas Co.                                        303,698
                                                                      ----------
                                                                                
              Steel: 0.2%                                                       
 2,580        Pohang Iron & Steel                                        184,784
                                                                      ----------
              Utilities-Electric: 0.8%                                          
15,000        Korea Electric Power                                       447,635
 5,805        Korea Electric Power Corp., ADR                            108,481
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         556,116
                                                                      ----------
                 Total South Korea Common Stocks                       3,115,448
                                                                      ----------
              TAIWAN: 5.0%                                                      
              Building Products: 0.3%                                           
16,125(a)     Asia Cement Corp.                                          249,534
                                                                      ----------
              Computer Systems/Software: 0.5%                                   
32,800        Asustek Computer Inc-GDR                                   361,948
                                                                      ----------
              Electrical Equipment: 0.4%                                        
13,500(a)     Yageo Corp.                                                273,375
                                                                      ----------
              Electronics-Defense: 1.2%                                         
49,000        Acer Inc. GDR                                              870,975
                                                                      ----------
                                                                
                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       35
<PAGE>
               Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Market 
       Shares                                                            Value
       ------                                                            -----
                     Machinery & Equipment: 0.3%                   
        9,760        Teco Electric & Machinery-GDR                   $   178,852
                                                                     -----------
                     Marine: 0.5%                                               
       21,000(a)     Evergreen Marine Corp.                              354,375
                                                                     -----------
                     Steel: 1.2%                                                
       42,681(a)     China Steel Corp., GDR                              901,636
                                                                     -----------
                     Technology: 0.6%                                           
       17,316        (a) Lite-On Technology Corp.                        474,891
                                                                     -----------
                         Total Taiwan Common Stocks                    3,665,586
                                                                     -----------
                     THAILAND: 2.8%                                             
                     Banks: 0.7%                                                
       40,000        Bangkok Bank Public Co., Ltd.                       286,519
       56,000        Thai Farmers Bank Public Co., Ltd.                  247,887
                                                                     -----------
                                                                         534,406
                                                                     -----------
                     Communications: 0.5%                                       
       44,000        Advanced Information Services PCL                   327,565
                                                                     -----------
                                                                                
                     Mines & Minerals: 0.5%                                     
       25,000        Banpu Public Co., Ltd.                              380,282
                                                                     -----------
                     Oil & Gas: 1.1%                                            
       55,000        PTT Exploration & Production                        832,193
                                                                     -----------
                         Total Thailand Common Stocks                  2,074,446
                                                                     -----------
                         Total Common Stocks (Cost $62,651,712)       67,974,668
                                                                     -----------
                             RIGHTS & WARRANTS: 0.0%
                                                                  
                     SOUTH KOREA: 0.0%                                          
                     Manufacturing/Electronic                                   
        5,035(a)     Samsung Electronics Co. Rights                          -- 
                                                                     -----------
                     SINGAPORE: 0.0%                                            
                     Financial                                                  
       21,000(a)     Overseas Union Bank Rights                           28,055
                                                                     -----------
                         Total Rights & Warrants (Cost $0)                28,055
                                                                     -----------

                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements             
                                       36
<PAGE>
               Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            CONVERTIBLE BONDS: 2.7%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal                                                                                   Market
 Amount                                                                                     Value
 ------                                                                                     -----  
<S>                 <C>                                                     <C>          <C>
                    TAIWAN: 2.7%
                    Industrial: 1.5%
 $240,000           Nan Ya Plastic Corp., 1.75% due July 2001                            $   339,600
  385,000           United Microelectronics, 0.25% due May 2004                              469,700
  163,000           Yageo Corp., 1.25% due July 2003                                         304,402
                                                                                         -----------
                                                                                           1,113,702
                                                                                         -----------
                    Marine: 1.2%                                                                    
  500,000           Far East Department Store, 3.00% due July 2001                           542,500
  300,000           Yangming Marine, 2.00% due October 2001                                  335,250
                                                                                         -----------
                                                                                             877,750
                                                                                         -----------
                         Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $1,691,693)                         1,991,452
                                                                                         -----------
                         Total Long-Term Investments (Cost $64,343,405)                   69,994,175
                                                                                         -----------
                              SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS: 4.1%

                    Commercial Paper: 4.1%
3,015,000           Merrill Lynch Commercial Paper, 6.22% due 07/01/97                      3,015,000
                                                                                         -----------
                    Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $3,015,000)                          3,015,000
                                                                                         -----------
                    Total Investments (Cost $67,358,405)*                     98.9%        73,009,175
                    Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities-Net         1.1            800,076
                                                                            ------       ------------
                         Total Net Assets                                    100.0%      $ 73,809,251
                                                                            ======       ============
                                                                                                   
(a) Non - income producing security                                                                
ADR - American  Depository Receipt
EDR - European  Depository  Receipt 
GDR - Global Depository Receipt 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $67,529,322. Net unrealized appreciation consists of:

          Gross Unrealized Appreciation                                                  $  9,877,013
          Gross Unrealized Depreciation                                                    (4,397,160)
                                                                                         ------------
Net Unrealized Appreciation                                                              $  5,479,853
                                                                                         ============
</TABLE>
                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       37
<PAGE>
               Pilgrim America Masters Asia-Pacific Equity Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund had the  following  outstanding  forward  foreign
currency exchange contracts as of June 30, 1997:

        Settlement                 Currency                   Currency
           Date                   to Receive                 to Deliver
        ----------            -----------------           -----------------  
          7/2/97                   $301,219                    430,653
                                                          Singapore dollars
                                                          
          7/3/97                  1,137,679                   $146,803
                               Hong Kong dollars          
                                                          
          7/3/97                   $258,807                  2,005,677
                                                          Hong Kong dollars
                                                          
          7/7/97                  3,595,539                   $464,072
                               Hong Kong dollars          
                                                    
Net  unrealized  depreciation  of $90 on these  contracts  at June  30,  1997 is
included in the accompanying financial statements.

                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       38
<PAGE>
                   Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             COMMON STOCKS: 98.7%
                                                                        Market
Shares                                                                  Value
- ------                                                                  -----
            Automotive: 3.0%                                       
70,000(a)   Mascotech, Inc.                                           $1,461,250
                                                                      ----------
            Banks: 2.9%                                                         
40,000      John Hancock Bank & Thrift Opportunity Fund                1,425,000
                                                                      ----------
            Broadcasting: 3.1%                                                  
70,000      Comcast Corp., Class A                                     1,496,250
                                                                      ----------
            Building Products: 5.8%                                             
70,000      Dal-Tile International Inc.                                1,299,375
60,000      Johns Manville Corp                                          708,750
20,000      Masco Corp.                                                  835,000
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       2,843,125
                                                                      ----------
            Capital Goods: 3.6%                                                 
75,000      Westinghouse Electric Corp.                                1,734,375
                                                                      ----------
            Chemicals: 2.4%                                                     
30,000      Mallinckrodt, Inc.                                         1,140,000
                                                                      ----------
            Commercial & Industrial: 1.8%                                       
54,900      Dial Corp.                                                   857,813
                                                                      ----------
            Computer Systems: 2.0%                                              
38,000      Data General Corp.                                           988,000
                                                                      ----------
            Defense: 2.3%                                                       
23,000      Litton Industries                                          1,111,188
                                                                      ----------
            Diversified Holding Company: 2.4%                                   
 3,500(a)   U.S. Industries, Inc.                                        124,688
42,000      Whitman Corp.                                              1,063,125
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       1,187,813
                                                                      ----------
            Electrical Equipment: 8.8%                                          
26,100      Raychem Corp.                                              1,941,188
20,000      Thomas & Betts Corp.                                       1,051,250
27,700(a)   Ucar International, Inc.                                   1,267,275
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       4,259,713
                                                                      ----------
            Financial: 1.3%                                                     
25,000      Glendale Federal Bank                                        653,125
                                                                      ----------
            Food Stores: 3.6%                                                   
28,000(a)   Meyer (Fred), Inc.                                         1,447,250
 6,000      Smith's Food & Drug                                          321,750
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       1,769,000
                                                                      ----------
                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       39
<PAGE>
                    Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Market
Shares                                                                  Value
- ------                                                                  -----   
              Foods: 2.6%                                             
30,000        Dole Food Co.                                           $1,282,500
                                                                      ----------
              Home Products: 1.9%                                               
21,500        Harmon International Industries                            905,688
                                                                      ----------
              Housewares: 3.0%                                                  
40,000        Tupperware Corp.                                         1,460,000
                                                                      ----------
              Industrial: 1.4%                                                  
16,600        Stanley Works                                              664,000
                                                                      ----------
              Medical: 2.0%                                                     
30,000 (a)    Allergan, Inc.                                             954,375
                                                                      ----------
              Medical Equipment: 1.9%                                           
40,000        Depuy Inc.                                                 920,000
                                                                      ----------
              Metals & Minerals: 2.0%                                           
40,000        Cyprus Amax Minerals Co.                                   980,000
                                                                      ----------
              Mines & Minerals: 2.1%                                            
26,000        Newmont Mining Corp.                                     1,014,000
                                                                      ----------
              Miscellaneous: 2.6%                                               
60,000        Trizec Hahn Corp.                                        1,282,500
                                                                      ----------
              Office Equipment & Services: 2.5%                                 
63,000        Viking Office Products                                   1,197,000
                                                                      ----------
                                                                                
              Oil & Gas: 7.3%                                                   
23,000 (a)    Amerada Hess Corp.                                       1,277,938
20,000 (a)    Coastal Corp.                                            1,063,750
68,500        Enserch Exploration                                        749,219
15,000        Mapco, Inc.                                                472,500
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       3,563,407
                                                                      ----------
              Packaging Products: 6.7%                                          
36,800        Ball Corp.                                               1,106,300
70,000        Owens-Illinois, Inc.                                     2,170,000
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       3,276,300
                                                                      ----------

                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       40
<PAGE>
                    Pilgrim America Masters MidCap Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Market
Shares                                                                  Value
- ------                                                                  -----  
            Paper and Forest Products: 3.6%
34,500      Fort Howard Corp.                                        $ 1,746,563
                                                                    ------------
                                                                   
            Paper Products: 1.8%                                 
63,600      Macmillan Bloedel Ltd.                                       866,550
                                                                    ------------
                                                                   
            Retail: 3.8%                                         
17,200      Harcourt General Inc.                                        819,150
36,500      Mail Boxes Etc.                                            1,017,438
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       1,836,588
                                                                     -----------
            Technology: 7.2%                                     
22,680      Ascent Entertainment Group                                   206,958
46,400      Comsat Corp                                                1,104,900
58,000      General Instrument Corp.                                   1,450,000
18,000(a)   Johnson Controls, Inc.                                       739,121
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       3,500,979
                                                                    ------------
                                                                   
            Utilities: 3.3%                                      
70,000      Long Island Lighting Co.                                   1,610,000
                                                                    ------------
                  Total Common Stocks (Cost $42,439,445)              47,987,102
                                                                    ------------
                                                                       
                          SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS: 1.7%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal
 Amount                                                                                        Value
- ---------                                                                                      -----
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>        
           Commercial Paper: 1.7%                                             
$840,000   Merrill Lynch Commercial Paper, 6.22% due 07/01/97                               $   840,000
                                                                                            -----------
             Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $840,000)                                       840,000
                                                                                            -----------
                                                                              
           Total Investments (Cost $43,279,445)*                                 100.4%      48,827,102
           Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets-Net                     (0.4)        (206,091)
                                                                                ------      -----------
                  Total Net Assets                                               100.0%     $48,621,011
                                                                                ======      ===========
                                                                              
(a) Non-income producing security                                  

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is the same as for
  financial statement purposes. Net unrealized appreciation
  consists of:

    Gross Unrealized Appreciation                                                           $6,062,526
    Gross Unrealized Depreciation                                                             (514,869)
                                                                                            ----------
         Net Unrealized Appreciation                                                        $5,547,657
                                                                                            ==========
</TABLE>
                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       41
<PAGE>
                   Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              COMMON STOCKS: 96.5%

                                                                         Market
Shares                                                                   Value
- ------                                                                   -----
          Automotive: 4.4%                                           
16,300    Chrysler Corp.                                              $  534,844
14,500    Ford Motor Co.                                                 547,375
 1,600    Goodyear Tire & Rubber Corp.                                   101,300
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       1,183,519
                                                                      ----------
          Banks: 3.4%                                                           
 2,500    Bankers Trust NY                                               217,500
 2,200    Chase Manhattan Corp.                                          213,539
 3,200    First Chicago NBD                                              193,600
 1,100    Wells Fargo & Co.                                              296,450
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         921,089
                                                                      ----------
          Broadcasting: 2.0%                                                    
27,500    Tele-Communications, Inc.                                      409,063
 7,300    U.S. West Media Group                                          147,825
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         556,888
                                                                      ----------
          Building Products: 3.3%                                               
12,500    GTE Corp.                                                      548,438
 8,600    Masco Corp.                                                    359,050
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         907,488
                                                                      ----------
          Chemicals: 2.3%                                                       
 7,200    DuPont, (E.I.) DeNemours & Co.                                 452,700
   400    W.R. Grace & Co.                                                22,050
 3,100    Hercules Inc.                                                  148,413
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         623,163
                                                                      ----------
          Chemicals-Diversified: 1.6%                                           
 7,600    PPG Industries, Inc.                                           441,750
                                                                      ----------
          Communications: 1.2%                                                  
 9,600    AT&T Corp.                                                     336,600
                                                                      ----------
          Computer Systems: 1.2%                                                
 3,600    Digital Equipment                                              127,577
 5,800    Seagate Technology                                             204,088
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         331,665
                                                                      ----------
          Construction: 0.6%                                                   
 2,800    Fluor Corp.                                                    154,525
                                                                      ----------
          Consumer Products: 3.5%                                               
11,600    Anheuser Busch Co.                                             486,475
 6,100    Eastman Kodak Co.                                              468,175
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         954,650
                                                                      ----------
                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       42
<PAGE>
                  Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Market
Shares                                                                   Value
- ------                                                                   -----
         Defense: 3.1%                                                
 5,000   Lockheed Martin Corp.                                        $  517,813
 6,500   Raytheon Co.                                                    331,500
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         849,313
                                                                      ----------
         Drugs: 1.2%                                                            
 2,200   Bristol Myers Squibb Co.                                        178,200
 1,800   Georgia Pacific Corp.                                           153,675
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         331,875
                                                                      ----------
         Electrical Equipment: 1.7%                                             
10,900   Amp, Inc.                                                       455,075
                                                                      ----------
         Entertainment: 1.1%                                                    
10,400   Viacom, Inc.                                                    312,000
                                                                      ----------
         Financial: 0.9%                                                        
 5,600   Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co.                     241,153
                                                                      ----------
         Foods: 2.7%                                                            
26,025   Archer-Daniels-Midland                                          611,588
 1,200   CPC International, Inc.                                         110,775
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         722,363
                                                                      ----------
         Healthcare: 2.4%                                                       
 3,500   American Home Products                                          267,750
10,300   Humana, Inc.                                                    238,188
 2,800   United Healthcare Corp.                                         145,600
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         651,538
                                                                      ----------
         Hospitals: 2.9%                                                        
19,950   Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp.                                   784,284
                                                                      ----------
         Insurance: 8.0%                                                        
 4,600   Aetna Life & Casualty Co.                                       470,925
 7,500   Allstate Corp.                                                  547,500
 7,400   Chubb Corp.                                                     494,875
 3,700   General Re Corp.                                                673,400
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       2,186,700
                                                                      ----------
         Insurance Life: 1.7%                                                   
 7,000   American General Corp.                                          334,250
 2,800   Unum Corp.                                                      117,600
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         451,850
                                                                      --------- 
         Machinery & Equipment: 1.1%                                            
 7,900   Baker Hughes Inc.                                               305,631
                                                                      ----------
         Manufacturing: 1.3%                                                    
 4,300   AlliedSignal, Inc.                                              361,200
                                                                      ----------

                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       43
<PAGE>
                  Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Market
Shares                                                                  Value
- ------                                                                  -----  
         Metals & Minerals: 1.5%                                     
 5,600   Aluminum Company of America                                  $  422,100
                                                                      ----------
         Mines & Minerals: 1.8%                                                 
12,400   Newmont Mining Corp.                                            483,600
                                                                      ----------
         Miscellaneous: 1.6%                                                    
 4,300   Loews Corp.                                                     430,538
                                                                      ----------
         Natural Gas Pipeline: 1.8%                                             
11,800   Enron                                                           481,588
                                                                      ----------
         Natural Resources: 1.6%                                                
11,300   Unolocal                                                        438,581
                                                                      ----------
         Office Equipment, Products & Services: 1.9%                            
 6,600   Xerox Corp.                                                     520,575
                                                                      ----------
         Office Products & Services: 3.9%                                       
 3,500   Hewlett Packard                                                 196,000
 9,600   International Business Machines                                 865,800
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       1,061,800
                                                                      ----------
         Oil & Gas: 8.2%                                                       
 6,400   Amerada Hess Corp.                                              355,600
 3,200   Atlantic Richfield                                              225,600
 4,700   Burlington Resources                                            207,388
10,500   Dresser Industries Inc.                                         391,125
21,600   Occidental Petroleum Corp.                                      541,350
 2,200   Tenneco Inc.                                                     99,413
 1,100   Texaco, Inc.                                                    119,625
11,300   Union Pacific Resources Group, Inc.                             281,088
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       2,221,189
                                                                      ----------
         Paper and Forest Products: 3.2%                                        
 5,600   Champion International Corp.                                    309,400
 7,100   James River Corp. of Virginia                                   262,700
 6,000   Kimberly-Clark Corp.                                            298,500
                                                                      ----------
                                                                         870,600
                                                                      ----------
         Pollution Control: 1.1%                                                
 9,400   Waste Management Inc.                                           301,975
                                                                      ----------
         Publishing: 0.4%                                                       
 1,200   Gannett                                                         118,500
                                                                      ----------
                                                                                
         Railways: 3.9%                                                         
 5,400   Burlington Northern S.F.                                        485,325
10,600   CSX Corp.                                                       588,300
                                                                      ----------
                                                                       1,073,625
                                                                      ----------

                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       44
<PAGE>
                  Pilgrim America Masters LargeCap Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Market
  Shares                                                                 Value
  ------                                                                 -----
             Retail: 7.4%                                  
 12,500      Dillard Department Stores, Inc.                         $   432,813
 10,900      Federated Department Stores, Inc.                           378,775
  9,200      The Gap Inc.                                                357,650
  7,600      May Department Stores Co.                                   359,100
  9,400      Sears, Roebuck and Co.                                      505,250
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       2,033,588
                                                                     -----------
             Supermarket: 1.4%                                                  
 10,400      Albertson's, Inc.                                           379,600
                                                                     -----------
             Technology: 0.7%                                                  
  3,300      Rockwell                                                    194,700
                                                                     -----------
             Utilities: 4.5%                                                    
  9,200      Nynex Corp.                                                 530,150
  4,700      SBC Corp.                                                   290,800
 12,200      Texas Utilities                                             420,138
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       1,241,088
                                                                     -----------
                   Total Common Stocks (Cost $23,558,068)             26,337,966
                                                                     -----------
                                                                            
                          SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS: 2.8%

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal
  Amount                                                                                       Value
  ------                                                                                       -----
<S>          <C>                                                               <C>          <C>
             Commerical Paper: 2.8%                                            
$770,000     Merrill Lynch Commercial Paper, 6.22% due 07/01/97                             $   770,000
                                                                                            -----------
                   Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $770,000)                                 770,000
                                                                                            -----------
             Total Investments in Securities (Cost $24,328,068)*                99.3%        27,107,966
             Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities-Net                  0.7            183,033
                                                                               -----        -----------
                    Total Net Assets                                           100.0%       $27,290,999
                                                                               =====        ===========
(a)  Non-income producing security                                             
     ADR -  American  Depository  Receipt                                  

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $24,383,767. Net unrealized appreciation consists of:

          Gross Unrealized Appreciation                                                      $2,943,051
          Gross Unrealized Depreciation                                                        (218,852)
                                                                                             ----------
               Net Unrealized Appreciation                                                   $2,724,199
                                                                                             ==========
</TABLE>
                 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
                                       45
<PAGE>
                         Pilgrim America Masters Series
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dividends declared during the tax year ended June 30, 1997 were as follows:

                                     Asia-Pacific       MidCap        LargeCap
          Per Share Data:             Equity Fund     Value Fund     Value Fund
          ---------------             -----------     ----------     ----------
Ordinary Income:
Class A                                $   --          $0.0667        $0.0544
Class B                                    --           0.0484         0.0038
Class M                                    --           0.0626         0.0082
Short-term capital gains(a)*               --           0.1096         0.2224
Long-term capital gains(a)                 --           0.0047         0.0155
Tax return of capital:       
Class A                                 0.0160
Class B                                    --
Class M                                 0.0023

- ------------
(a) Amounts apply to all classes
* Taxable as ordinary income

Corporate  shareholders  are  generally  entitled to take the dividend  received
deduction  on the portion of the Fund's  dividend  distribution  that  qualifies
under tax law.  The  percentage  of the Funds'  fiscal year 1997 net  investment
income dividends that qualify for the corporate dividend received  deductions is
0.66%,  94.84% and 97.54% for  Asia-Pacific  Equity Fund,  MidCap Value Fund and
LargeCap Value Fund, respectively.

Shareholders are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect
to the tax  consequences  of their  investment  in the Funds.  In January  1998,
shareholders,  excluding corporate shareholders,  will received an IRS Form 1099
DIV regarding the federal tax status of the dividends and distributions received
by you in calendar year 1997.
                                       46
<PAGE>
                                Pilgrim America
                                     Funds

                               INVESTMENT MANAGER

                       Pilgrim America Investments, Inc.
                             Two Renaissance Square
                      40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
                             Phoenix, Arizona 85004

                                  DISTRIBUTION

                        Pilgrim America Securities, Inc.
                             Two Renaissance Square
                      40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
                             Phoenix, Arizona 85004
                                 1-800-334-3444

                          SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT

                          Pilgrim America Group, Inc.
                             Two Renaissance Square
                      40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
                             Phoenix, Arizona 85004
                                 1-800-331-1080

                                 TRANSFER AGENT

                               DST Systems, Inc.
                                P.O. Box 419541
                          Kansas City, Missouri 64141

                                   CUSTODIAN

                       Investors Fiduciary Trust Company
                              127 West 10th Street
                                   14th Floor
                          Kansas City, Missouri 64105

                                 LEGAL COUNSEL

                             Dechert Price & Rhoads
                              1500 K Street, N.W.
                             Washington, D.C 20005


                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

                             KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                           725 South Figueroa Street
                         Los Angeles, California 90017


This report and the financial  statements contained herein are submitted for the
general  information  of the  shareholders  of the  Funds.  This  report  is not
authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded
or accompanied by an effective prospectus.

          Two Renaissance Square, 40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200,
                             Phoenix, Arizona 85004
                                 1-800-331-1080

                             Pilgrim America Funds
<PAGE>
                             Pilgrim America Funds

                                 MASTERS SERIES
                                 --------------

                            Pilgrim America Masters
                            Asia-Pacific Equity Fund

                            Pilgrim America Masters
                               MidCap Value Fund

                            Pilgrim America Masters
                              LargeCap Value Fund

                                  ELITE SERIES
                                  ------------

                                Pilgrim America
                                 MagnaCap Fund

                                Pilgrim America
                                High Yield Fund

                               Pilgrim Government
                             Securities Income Fund

                                Pilgrim America
                                     Funds

  "Our goal is for every investor to have a successful investment experience."

Prospectuses containing more complete information regarding the Funds, including
charges and expenses,  may be obtained by calling  PILGRIM  AMERICA  SECURITIES,
INC.  DISTRIBUTOR  at  1-800-334-3444.  Please read the  prospectuses  carefully
before you invest or send money.

                              21-SS-071797 082997


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