<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000835620
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 002
   <NAME> CLASS B
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
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<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      1205250778
<RECEIVABLES>                                 30148782
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<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       4002500
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
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<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           17386677
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        110549240
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        142991509
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
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<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2615568
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            113511396
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
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<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      8867779
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        133347417
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (77786819)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        9132221
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (45461514)
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<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (85047460)
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.52
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</TABLE>