<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000835620
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 003
   <NAME> CLASS C
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        961783719
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<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
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<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1237516
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1147722
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<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
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<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         16106997
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (330928)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         341213
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (270637)
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.59
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
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</TABLE>