<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000835620
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 004
   <NAME> CLASS D
       
<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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<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1652040
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<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (58956768)
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (645251)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1248269
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1347999)
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<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                5244401
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.05
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</TABLE>