PRICE T ROWE CORPORATE INCOME FUND INC
497K1, 1999-01-22
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<PAGE>
 
   FUND PROFILE
 ______________, 1999
 
T. Rowe Price Corporate Income Fund
 
 A bond fund seeking a high level of income and some capital growth.
 
 This profile summarizes key information about the fund that is included in the
 fund's prospectus. The fund's prospectus includes additional information about
 the fund, including a more detailed description of the risks associated with
 investing in the fund that you may want to consider before you invest. You may
 obtain the prospectus and other information about the fund at no cost by
 calling 1-800-XXX-XXXX, or by visiting our Web site at www.troweprice.com.
 
 1. What is the fund's objective?
 
   The objective is to provide high income and some capital growth.
 
   
 2. What is the fund's principal investment strategy?    
 
   We will invest at least 65% of total assets in corporate debt securities
   issued by U.S. and foreign companies. Holdings will be a mix of long-term
   investment-grade and noninvestment-grade bonds (also called high-yield or
   junk bonds). The fund may invest in a variety of other securities in an
   effort to enhance income and achieve some capital growth. These include
   convertible debt and preferred stock, together limited to no more than 25% of
   assets; U.S. Treasury and agency securities; and mortgage- and asset-backed
   securities, including some mortgage derivatives. In addition, up to 25% of
   assets may be invested in (non-U.S. dollar) foreign securities, and there is
   no limit on the fund's investments in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign
   securities. We expect the fund's weighted average maturity to exceed 10
   years.
<PAGE>
 
   
   At least 65% of the fund's net assets must, at the time of purchase, have
   received an investment-grade rating (AAA, AA, A, BBB) from at least one
   rating agency (or, if unrated, must have a T. Rowe Price equivalent), but
   could be rated noninvestment-grade (junk) by other agencies. Such bonds are
   called "split-rated." Up to one-third of total assets can be in bonds rated
   junk by all agencies that assign a rating. However, none of these ratings can
   be lower than B, and B-rated issues will not compose more than 10% of total
   assets.
 
   This investment program gives us considerable flexibility in seeking high
   income. Within the limits described, we can seek the most advantageous
   combination of securities. For example, when the difference is small between
   the yields of various quality levels, we may concentrate investments in
   higher-quality issues. When the difference is large, we may move down the
   credit scale to secure higher yields. Likewise, we may purchase bonds issued
   by foreign companies, including U.S. dollar-denominated Yankee bonds, when
   they offer higher yields than U.S. bonds of comparable quality and maturity.
    
 
   Further information about the fund's investments, including a review of
   market conditions and fund strategies and their impact on performance, is
   available in the annual and semiannual shareholder reports. To obtain free
   copies of any of these documents, or for shareholder inquiries, call
   1-800-XXX-XXXX.
 
 
 3. What are the main risks of investing in the fund?
 
   A major source of risk for the fund is price declines caused by rising
   interest rates, but credit risk can be equally important.
 
   
  . Interest rate risk The decline in bond prices that usually accompanies a
   rise in interest rates. Longer-maturity bonds typically suffer greater
   declines than those with shorter maturities.
 
  . Credit risk The chance that any fund holding could have its credit rating
   downgraded, or that a bond issuer will default (the failure of an issuer to
   make timely payments of interest or principal), potentially reducing the
   fund's income level and share price. High-yield bonds are speculative since
   their issuers are more vulnerable to financial setbacks and recession than
   more creditworthy companies, but BBB-rated bonds (and, especially,
   split-rated ones) may have speculative elements as well. High-yield bond
   issuers include small companies lacking the history or capital to merit
   investment-grade status, former blue chip companies downgraded because of
   financial problems, and firms with heavy debt loads.    
 
   The fund may continue to hold a security that has been downgraded or loses
   its investment grade rating after purchase.
 
   
   The fund's credit risk is greater than a Treasury fund or one with all
   high-quality bonds, but less than a fund focusing entirely on high-yield
   (junk) bonds. Higher--    
<PAGE>
 
   
   quality bond prices are generally affected primarily by changes in interest
   rate levels, but high-yield bond prices are affected by other factors as
   well: changes in a company's financial situation, economic forecasts, stock
   market conditions, and overall market psychology that can lead to the kind of
   volatility associated with stocks. High-yield bonds are generally less liquid
   than high-quality bonds, meaning that large transactions can cause
   substantial price changes.
 
  . Foreign investing risk  To the extent the fund holds foreign bonds, it will
   be subject to special risks whether the bonds are denominated in U.S. dollars
   or foreign currencies. These risks include potentially adverse political and
   economic developments overseas, greater volatility, less liquidity, and the
   possibility that foreign currencies will decline against the dollar, lowering
   the value of securities denominated in those currencies and possibly the
   fund's share price. Currency risk affects the fund to the extent that it
   holds nondollar foreign bonds.    
 
   In addition, we may hold derivative securities to hedge or enhance a
   particular type of exposure, such as to rising or falling interest rates.
   Since some derivatives are unusually volatile, a small position could cause a
   significant loss.
 
   As with any mutual fund, there can be no guarantee the fund will achieve its
   objective.
 
  . The fund's share price may decline, so when you sell your shares, you may
   lose money. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not
   insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any
   other government agency.
 
 
 4. How can I tell if the fund is appropriate for me?
 
   
   Consider your investment goals, your time horizon for achieving them, and
   your tolerance for risk. If you can accept the possibility of share price
   declines in an effort to achieve high income and some capital growth, the
   fund could be an appropriate part of your overall investment strategy. If you
   are investing for principal safety and liquidity, you should consider a money
   market fund. The fund should not represent your complete investment program
   or be used for short-term trading purposes.    
 
   The fund can be used in both regular and tax-deferred accounts, such as IRAs.
 
 
 5. How has the fund performed in the past?
 
   The bar chart and the average annual total return table indicate risk by
   illustrating how much returns can differ from one year to the next. Although
   the fund has experienced no losses, its returns, as shown in the chart, have
   reflected
<PAGE>
 
   changes in prevailing interest rates. The fund's past performance is no
   guarantee of its future returns.
 
   
<TABLE>
 INSERT CIF PROFILE BAR CHART
HERE
<CAPTION>
  Calendar Year Total Returns
 -------------------------------
 <S>           <C>
  1996               4.69%
  1997              12.57
  1998               2.28
 -------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
    
 
   
   The fund can also experience short-term performance swings. The best calendar
   quarter return during the years depicted in the chart was 4.89% in the third
   quarter of 1997, and the worst was -4.02% in the third quarter of 1998.    
 
   
<TABLE>
 Average Annual Total Returns
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Periods ended December 31, 1998
                                                                                              Since inception
                                                                                1 year          (10/31/95)
 <S>                                                                        <C>             <C>                  <S>
 
  Corporate Income Fund                                                         2.28%              7.30%
                                                                            -------------------------------------
  Lehman Aggregate Bond Index                                                   8.69               7.87
  Lipper Corporate Debt Funds--BBB Rated Average                                6.23               7.58
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
    
 
 These figures include changes in principal value, reinvested dividends, and
 capital gain distributions, if any.
 
 
 6. What fees or expenses will I pay?
 
   The fund is 100% no load. There are no fees or charges to buy or sell fund
   shares, reinvest dividends, or exchange into other T. Rowe Price funds. There
   are no 12b-1 fees.
 
<TABLE>
 Fees and Expenses of the Fund
<CAPTION>
                                     Annual fund operating expenses
                              (expenses that are deducted from fund assets)
 -----------------------------
 <S>                          <C>                                            <S>
                                                  0.47%
  Management fee                                   /a/
  Other expenses                                  0.80%
  Total annual fund                               1.27%
  operating expenses                               /a/
  Amount of fee
  waiver/reimbursement                            0.47%
  Net expenses                                    0.80%
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 
   
 /a/
   The fund's management fee and total expense ratio would have been 0.47% and
   1.27%, respectively, had T. Rowe Price not agreed to limit the fund's expense
   during its initial period of operations. From October 31, 1995, through May
   31, 1997 T. Rowe Price agreed to waive fees and bear any expenses which would
   cause the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets to exceed 0.80%.
   Effective June 1, 1997, T. Rowe Price agreed to    
<PAGE>
 
   
   extend the existing expense limitation of 0.80% for a period of two years
   through May 31, 1999. Fees waived or expenses paid or assumed under these
   agreements are subject to reimbursement to T. Rowe Price by the fund whenever
   the fund's expense ratio is below 0.80%; however, no reimbursement will be
   made after May 31, 1999 (for the first agreement) or May 31, 2001 (for the
   second agreement), or if it would result in the expense ratio exceeding
   0.80%. Any amounts reimbursed will have the effect of increasing fees
   otherwise paid by the fund.    
 
 
 
   
   Example.  The following table gives you a rough idea of how expense ratios
   may translate into dollars and helps you to compare the cost of investing in
   this fund with that of other funds. Although your actual costs may be higher
   or lower, the table shows how much you would pay if operating expenses remain
   the same, the expense limitation currently in place is not renewed, you
   invest $10,000, you earn a 5% annual return, and you hold the investment for
   the following periods:    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    <S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <S>
             1 year             3 years      5 years     10 years
              $82                $308         $607        $1,473
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 
 
 7. Who manages the fund?
 
   The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price Associates. Founded in 1937, T. Rowe
   Price and its affiliates manage investments for individual and institutional
   accounts. The company offers a comprehensive array of stock, bond, and money
   market funds directly to the investing public.
 
   Robert M. Rubino manages the fund day-to-day and has been chairman of its
   Investment Advisory Committee since 1998. He has been managing investments
   for T. Rowe Price since 1993.
 
   
   The following questions and answers about buying and selling shares and
   services do not apply to employer-sponsored retirement plans. If you are a
   participant in one of these plans, please call your plan's toll-free number
   for additional information.    
 
 
 8. How can I purchase shares?
 
   
   Fill out and return a New Account Form in the postpaid envelope, along with
   your check. The minimum initial purchase is $2,500 ($1,000 for IRAs and gifts
   or transfers to minors) or $50 if investing through Automatic Asset Builder.
   The minimum subsequent investment is $100 ($50 for IRAs, gifts or transfers
   to minors, or Automatic Asset Builder). You can also open an account by bank
   wire, by exchanging from another T. Rowe Price fund, or by transferring
   assets from another financial institution.    
 
 
 9. How can I sell shares?
 
   
   You may redeem or sell any portion of your regular or IRA account on any
   business day. Simply write to us or call. You can also access your account at
   any time via Tele*Access /(R)/ or our Web site. We offer free exchange among
   our entire family of domestic and international funds. Restrictions may apply
   in special circumstances, and some redemption requests need a signature
   guarantee. A $5 fee is charged for wire redemptions under $5,000.    
<PAGE>
 
   
 10. When will I receive income and capital gain distributions?
 
   The fund distributes income monthly and net capital gains, if any, at
   year-end. For regular accounts, income and short-term gains are taxable at
   ordinary income rates, and long-term gains are taxable at the capital gains
   rate. Distributions are reinvested automatically in additional shares unless
   you choose another option, such as receiving a check. Distributions paid to
   IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are automatically reinvested.
    
 
 
 11. What services are available?
 
   A wide range, including but not limited to:
 
  . retirement plans for individuals and large and small businesses;
 
  . automated information and transaction services by telephone or computer;
 
  . electronic transfers between fund and bank accounts;
 
  . automatic investing and automatic exchange;
 
   
  . brokerage services;
 
  . asset manager accounts.    
<PAGE>
 
   
To Open a Mutual Fund, Asset Manager, or Brokerage Account    
 Investor Services
 1-800-XXX-XXXX
 
   
For Information on Existing Accounts    
 Shareholder Services
 1-800-225-5132
 
   
For Yields and Prices and Account Transactions    
 Tele*Access/(R)/
 1-800-638-2587 24 hours, 7 days
 
For Fund Information and Account Transactions on the Internet
 www.troweprice.com
 
   
Investor Centers
 101 East Lombard St. Baltimore, MD 21202
 
 T. Rowe Price Financial Center 10090 Red Run Blvd. Owings Mills, MD 21117
 
 Farragut Square 900 17th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006
 
 ARCO Tower 31st Floor 515 South Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90071
 
 4200 West Cypress St. 10th Floor Tampa, FL 33607
 
Headquarters
 100 East Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21202    
<PAGE>
 
   
NEW ACCOUNT FORM                                   (LOGO)    
You may purchase shares of a T. Rowe Price fund after
reviewing the information in the profile or after requesting
and reviewing the fund's prospectus (and other information).
 
Please note: an IRA will not be established using this form.
If you want to open an IRA, call 1-800-638-5660 to request
an IRA New Account Form.
Mail this form to: T. Rowe Price
P.O. Box 17300, Baltimore, MD 21298-9353
 
For help with this form, call toll free 1-800-638-5660.
 
Please do not remove the mailing label from this form.
 
1 PROVIDE YOUR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Owner's or Minor's Social Security or Tax ID Number
(Use Minor's Social Security Number for Custodial Account)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
 
Joint Owner's or Custodian's Social Security or Tax ID Number
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
 
2 DESIGNATE TYPE OF ACCOUNT AND OWNER NAME(S)
Please print in CAPITAL LETTERS. Choose one:
__   Individual or Joint Account.*
     *Joint tenancy with right of survivorship unless you instruct otherwise.
     Owner's Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
    ________________________________
       Title: Mr. Ms. Mrs. Dr.
 
     Joint Owner's Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
        ________________________________
        Title: Mr. Ms. Mrs. Dr.
 
__   Custodial Account.
       Uniform Gift or Transfer to Minors Act (UGMA or UTMA)
       Custodian's Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
      ________________________________
 
       Minor's Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
      ________________________________
 
       State of Residence (Minor's or Custodian's)
      ________________________________
 
__    Trust, Corporation, Business, or Other Entity Account.*
       *Please attach the first and last pages of the trust agreement or a copy
of
        the corporate resolution.
        Name of Trust, Corporation, or Other Entity
        _________________________________________________________
 
        Trustee Names or Type of Entity
         ________________________________________________________
 
<PAGE>
 
        Name of Trust Beneficiary (Optional)        Date of Trust Agreement
     ________________                              __-__-__
                      month   day    year
 
__   Check this box if your organization is incorporated or tax-exempt under
        Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a qualified retirement plan
        under Section 401(a), or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7),
and
        you DO NOT want us to file information returns on your behalf.
 
3 PROVIDE YOUR ADDRESS
Street Address or P.O. Box
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
 
City                 State
____________________                          __
 
ZIP Code
_ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
 
4 PROVIDE OTHER ACCOUNT DATA
Daytime Phone                               Ext.
_ _ _  _ _ _ - _ _ _ _                             _ _ _ _
 
Evening Phone                               Ext.
_ _ _  _ _ _ - _ _ _ _                             _ _ _ _
 
Date of Birth (Owner/Minor)
 
Date of Birth (Joint Owner/Custodian)
_ _ - _ _ - _ _                   _ _ - _ _ - _ _
month day  year                 month  day   year
 
__ U.S. Citizen             __     Resident Alien
__ Nonresident Alien. My permanent foreign address for tax purposes is:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Owner's Occupation / Employer Name (Optional)
_____________________________________
Employer Address (Optional)
__________________________________________________________________________
 
5 SELECT YOUR FUND(S)
Please print the fund name(s) exactly as listed inside the Investment Kit you
received with this form. Fill in the amount of your investment for each fund.
The minimum initial investment is $2,500 per fund ($1,000 for UGMAs/UTMAs)
but is waived if you use Automatic Asset Builder (see Sections 6 and 7E).
 
Fund Name                                 Amount
__________________________________                $________
 
Fund Name                                 Amount
__________________________________                $________
 
Fund Name                                 Amount
__________________________________                $________
 
<PAGE>
 
Fund Name                                 Amount
__________________________________                $________
 
     Total Investment$________
 
 
6 CHOOSE YOUR INVESTMENT METHOD
 
A.    __ By check.
       Make payable to T. Rowe Price Funds. (Otherwise it may be returned.)
 
B.    __ By Automatic Asset Builder.
       See Section 7E for instructions.
 
C.    __ By wire.
        Please call 1-800-225-5132 for the following information and wiring
        instructions:
 
     Account Number
     _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - _
 
     Date of Wire
     _ _ - _ _ - _ _
     month      day        year
 
 (over, please)
7 SELECT YOUR ACCOUNT SERVICE OPTIONS
 
A.   TO RECEIVE YOUR DISTRIBUTIONS
Your dividends and capital gains will be reinvested unless you indicate
                                                    ------
otherwise.
 
        __ Pay dividends and capital gains to me by check.
        __ Transfer dividends and capital gains to my bank account.
             (Please complete Section 7C if you elect this option.)
        __ Pay dividends to me by check and reinvest capital gains.
 
B.   TO EXCHANGE AND REDEEM FUND SHARES
You can use the telephone or your personal computer to check your account
balance, redeem shares, or make exchanges among any identically registered
accounts unless you check the boxes below.
         ------
 
     __ I do NOT want telephone/computer exchange.
     __ I do NOT want telephone/computer redemption.
 
C. TO MAKE TRANSFERS BETWEEN YOUR BANK AND T. ROWE PRICE
This service makes purchasing or redeeming fund shares even more convenient.
Simply call a T. Rowe Price representative or Tele*Access (R) and your
transaction
will be processed by electronically moving money between your bank
account and your mutual fund accounts.
 
Transfers occur only when you initiate them ($100 minimum) and are made
through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network or by wire.* This service
becomes available approximately 20 days after your application is
processed. Since you initiate transfers by phone or computer, be sure that
you did not decline the phone/computer redemption service above.
 
<PAGE>
 
     __ Check this box to set up this service. YOU MUST ALSO ATTACH A BLANK,
     VOIDED CHECK (other than your investment check) from your bank
     account to this form.
 
     Any co-owner of your bank account who is not a co-owner of
                                              ---
     your mutual fund account must sign below.
 
X___________________________________________
Bank Account Co-owner's Signature
 
*There is a $5 fee for wire redemptions under $5,000 but no fee for ACH
transactions.
 
            ATTACH VOIDED CHECK HERE
D. TO SET UP CHECKWRITING
You can write checks for $500 or more on all T. Rowe Price money market and
bond fund accounts (except the High Yield and Emerging Markets Bond funds).
Those authorized to write checks should read the checking agreement and sign
below.
 
By signing this form, I agree to all of State Street Bank's checking account
rules, and to any conditions and limitations on redeeming checks from the
T. Rowe Price Funds. I also agree that:
 
(1) This form applies to any other identically registered T. Rowe Price
fund checking account I establish later;
 
(2) If I am subject to IRS backup withholding, I may write checks only on
money fund accounts;
 
(3) State Street Bank and the Fund reserve the right to change, revoke, or
close any checking account;
 
(4) The signatures are authentic, and, for organizations, I have submitted
an original or certified resolution authorizing the individuals with legal
capacity to sign and act on behalf of the organization.
 
(Do not detach this section from the rest of the form.)
 
_____________________________________________________
Fund Name                               Fund Name
_____________________________________________________
Print Name of Owner, Custodian, or Trustee
 
X___________________________________________________
Signature                                   Date
_____________________________________________________
Print Name of Joint Owner, Co-trustee, Corporate Officer, etc.
 
X___________________________________________________
Signature                                   Date
 
How many signatures do you require on checks?
__ Only one owner                 __   All owners
 
                                  G00-008 6/30/98
<PAGE>
 
E. TO SET UP AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER
This service allows you to automatically invest in your fund account through
your
bank account and/or payroll deduction each month (minimum $50 per fund).
 
___ Check this box to invest from your bank account.
       Be sure to complete Section 7C and fill in the information below.
 
Fund Name
__________________________________________________________________________
 
Amount                Day of Month You Would Like to Invest
__________________________________                ____
 
Fund Name
__________________________________________________________________________
 
Amount                Day of Month You Would Like to Invest
_____________________                        ___
 
Fund Name
__________________________________________________________________________
 
Amount                Day of Month You Would Like to Invest
_____________________                        ___
 
Fund Name
__________________________________________________________________________
 
Amount                Day of Month You Would Like to Invest
_____________________                        ___
 
____ Check this box to invest through payroll deduction.
         T. Rowe Price will mail you instructions for this service.
 
8 SIGN YOUR NEW ACCOUNT FORM
By signing this form, I certify that:
 
- - I agree to be bound by the terms of the prospectus for each fund in which
I am investing. If I am purchasing shares after reviewing a fund profile, I
understand that I will receive the prospectus after I purchase shares in the
fund. I have the authority and legal capacity to purchase mutual fund shares,
am of legal age in my state, and believe each investment is suitable for me.
 
- - I authorize T. Rowe Price, the Funds, their affiliates and agents to act on
any
instructions believed to be genuine for any service authorized on this form,
including telephone/computer services. The Funds use reasonable procedures
(including shareholder identity verification) to confirm that instructions
given by telephone/computer are genuine, and the Funds are not liable for
acting on these instructions. (If these procedures are not followed, it is the
opinion of certain regulatory agencies that the Funds may be liable for any
loss that may result from acting on instructions given.) I understand that
anyone who can properly identify my account(s) can make phone/computer
transactions on my behalf.
 
- - The Funds can redeem shares from my account(s) to reimburse a fund for
any loss due to nonpayment or other indebtedness.
 
<PAGE>
 
- - By selecting the electronic transfer service in Section 7C, I hereby authorize
T. Rowe Price to initiate credit and debit entries to my (our) account at the
Financial Institution indicated and for the Financial Institution to credit or
debit the same to such account through the Automated Clearing House
(ACH) system, subject to the rules of the Financial Institution, ACH, and the
Fund. T. Rowe Price may correct any transaction error with a debit or credit
to my Financial Institution account and/or Fund account. THIS AUTHORIZATION,
including any credit or debit entries initiated thereunder, is in full
force and effect until I notify T. Rowe Price of its revocation by telephone
or in writing and T. Rowe Price has had sufficient time to act on it.
 
- - Under penalties of perjury, the tax identification number(s) shown on
this form is correct. If I fail to give the correct number or fail to sign this
form, T. Rowe Price may reject, restrict, or redeem my investment. I may
also be subject to IRS backup withholding (currently 31%) on all
distributions and redemptions, and I may be subject to a $50 IRS penalty.
 
- - Under penalties of perjury, I am NOT subject to IRS backup withholding
because 1) I have not been notified, or 2) notification has been revoked
(cross out "NOT" if you are currently subject to withholding), or 3) I have
indicated in Section 4 that I am a nonresident alien and certify that for
dividends I am not a U.S. citizen or resident (or I am filing for a foreign
corporation, partnership, estate, or trust).
 
- - For clarification on any of these certification issues, please contact us for
assistance.
 
- - The IRS does not require your consent to any provision of this document
other than the certifications required to avoid backup withholding.
 
 
PLEASE SIGN HERE
 
X__________________________________________________
Signature of Owner, Custodian, or Trustee         Date
 
X__________________________________________________
Signature of Joint Owner, Co-trustee, Corporate Officer, etc.   Date
 
Thank you for your investment. You will receive a confirmation shortly.
8
                     0142


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