<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000910068
<NAME> HIGH INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
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<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                  01.21
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>