<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000835620
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 004
   <NAME> CLASS D
       
<S>                             <C>
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<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
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<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        961783719
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<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1633633
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (494742)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         391280
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.02
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</TABLE>