<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000835620
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 001
   <NAME> CLASS A
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        683714839
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         16228036
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (6759128)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         338745
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<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5244401
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .80
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</TABLE>