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EXPIRES: October 31, 1994
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1 )*
Beazer Homes U.S.A. Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)
- --------------
(CUSIP NUMBER)
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement. (A
fee is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement
on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the
class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment
subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less
of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7).
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the
1934 Act (however, see the Notes).
Page 2 of 12 Pages
CUSIP NO. 07556Q10 13G
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
NONE
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
545,000
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
NONE
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
545,000
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
545,000
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
8.3%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
HC, CO
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT!
Page 3 of 12 Pages
CUSIP NO. 07556Q10 13G
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
NONE
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
545,000
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
NONE
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
545,000
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
545,000
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
8.3%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
HC, CO
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT!
Page 4 of 12 Pages
CUSIP NO. 07566Q10 13G
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Princeton Services, Inc.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
NONE
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
545,000
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
NONE
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
545,000
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
545,000
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
8.3%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
HC, CO
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT!
Page 5 of 12 Pages
CUSIP NO. 07556Q10 13G
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
NONE
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
545,000
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
NONE
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
545,000
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
545,000
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
8.3%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IA, PN
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT!
Page 6 of 12 Pages
Merrill Lynch Variable Series
CUSIP No. 07556Q10 13G
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Merrill Lynch Variable Series Fund, Inc. (Basic Value Focus)
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Maryland
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
NONE
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
350,000
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
NONE
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
350,000
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
350,000
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.3%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IA, PN
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT!
Page 7 of 12 Pages
SCHEDULE 13G
ITEM 1 (a) Name of Issuer:
--------------
Beazer Homes USA Inc.
ITEM 1 (b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
-----------------------------------------------
5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
STE C 550
Atlanta, Georgia 30342
ITEM 2 (a) Name of Persons Filing:
---------------------
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc..
Princeton Services, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
Merrill Lynch Variable Series Fund, Inc.
ITEM 2 (b) Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
World Financial Center, North Tower
250 Vesey Street
New York, New York 10281
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
World Financial Center, North Tower
250 Vesey Street
New York, New York 10281
Princeton Services, Inc.
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
Merrill Lynch Variable Series Fund, Inc.
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Page 8 of 12 Pages
ITEM 2 (c) Citizenship:
-----------
See Item 4 of Cover Pages
ITEM 2 (d) Title of Class of Securities:
----------------------------
Common Stock
ITEM 2 (e) CUSIP NUMBER:
07556Q10
ITEM 3
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML&Co."), Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. ("ML
Group") and Princeton Services, Inc. ("PSI") are parent holding companies, in
accordance with (S) 240.13d-1(b) (ii) (G) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "1934 Act") . Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P
(d/b/a) Merrill Lynch Asset Management ("MLAM") is an investment adviser
registered under (S) 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, (the "Advisers
Act").
ITEM 4 Ownership
---------
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
See Item 9 of Cover Pages. Pursuant to (S) 240.13d-4 of the 1934 Act,
ML&Co., ML Group and PSI disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities of
Beazer Homes U.S.A. Inc. (the "Company") referred to herein, and the filing
of this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that such persons
are, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the 1934 Act, the
beneficial owner of any securities of the Company covered by this statement.
(b) Percent of Class:
See Item 11 of Cover Pages
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
See Item 5 of Cover Pages
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
See Item 6 of the Cover Pages
(iii) sole power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of:
See Item 7 of Cover Pages
Page 9 of 12 Pages
(iv) share power to dispose of or direct the disposition of:
See Item 8 of Cover Pages
ITEM 5 Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
--------------------------------------------
Not Applicable
ITEM 6 Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
---------------------------------------------------------------
MLAM is an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Advisers
Advisers Act and acts as an investment adviser to several investment
companies registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the "Investment Company Act") and private accounts. With respect to securities
held by those investment companies and private accounts, several persons have
the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from or
the proceeds from the sale of, such securities. Merrill Lynch Variable Series
Funds, Inc., a reporting person on this Schedule 13G for which MLAM serves as
investment adviser, has an interest which relates to more than 5% of the class
of securities reported herein.
ITEM 7 Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which
---------------------------------------------------------
Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
See Exhibit A
ITEM 8 Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
----------------------------------------------------------
Not Applicable
Page 10 of 12 Pages
ITEM 9 Notice of Dissolution of Group.
------------------------------
Not Applicable
ITEM 10 Certification
-------------
By signing below each of the undersigned certifies that, to the best of
their knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in
the ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of and
do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of
such securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant
in any transaction having such purpose or effect.
Signature.
- ---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, each
of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement
is true, complete and correct.
Date: February 14, 1997
Merrill Lynch & Co, Inc.
/s/ Richard B. Alsop
- ----------------------------
Name: Richard B. Alsop
Title: Attorney-In-Fact*
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
/s/ Richard B. Alsop
- -----------------------------
Name: Richard B. Alsop
Title: Attorney-In-Fact**
Princeton Services, Inc.
/s/ Richard B. Alsop
- -----------------------------
Name: Richard B. Alsop
Title: Attorney-In-Fact***
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
By: Princeton Services, Inc. (General Partner)
/s/ Richard B. Alsop
- -------------------------
Name: Richard B. Alsop
Title Attorney-In-Fact****
Merrill Lynch Variable Series Fund, Inc.
/s/ Richard B. Alsop
- ------------------------------------
Name: Richard B. Alsop
Title Attorney-In-Fact*****
* Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 17, 1995, included
as Exhibit B to this Schedule 13G.
** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 17, 1995, included
as Exhibit C to this Schedule 13G.
*** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 30, 1995, included
as Exhibit D to this Schedule 13G.
**** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 30, 1995, included
as Exhibit E to this Schedule 13G.
***** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney dated July 2, 1996, included as
Exhibit F to this Schedule 13G.
Page 11 of 12 Pages
EXHIBIT A TO SCHEDULE 13G
-------------------------
ITEM 7 DISCLOSURE RESPECTING SUBSIDIARIES
-----------------------------------------
Three of the persons filing this report, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a
Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at World Financial
Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York ("ML&Co."), Merrill
Lynch Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business
at World Financial Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York
("ML Group"), and Princeton Services, Inc. a Delaware corporation with its
principal place of business at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey,
("PSI") are parent holding companies pursuant to (S)240 13d-1(b) (1) (ii) (G)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"). The relevant
subsidiaries of ML&Co. are ML Group and PSI, which is the general partner of
Merrill Lynch Asset Management ("MLAM")). The relevant subsidiary of ML Group
is PSI.
ML & Co. may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the reported
securities of Beazer Homes U.S.A., Inc. (the "Company") as set forth herein,
by virtue of its control of its wholly owned subsidiary, ML Group.
ML Group, a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of ML& Co., may be deemed
to be the beneficial owner of certain of the reported securities of the Company
as set forth herein, by virtue of its control of its wholly-owned subsidiary,
PSI.
PSI, a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of ML Group, may be deemed to be
the beneficial owner of certain of the reported securities of the Company as
set forth herein, by virtue of its being the general partner of MLAM.
MLAM is an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, (the "Advisers Act"). MLAM may be deemed to
be the beneficial owner of certain of the reported securities of the Company
as set forth herein, as a result of acting as investmnet adviser to one or
more investment companies registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, (the "Investment Company Act") and/or one or more private
accounts.
As registered investment company advised by FAM, Merrill Lynch Variable
Series Funds, Inc. is the beneficial owner of certain of the reported
securities of the Company as reported herein, and is a reporting person
hereunder.
Pursuant to (S) 240.13d-4 of the 1934 Act, ML & Co., ML Group and PSI
disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities of the Company reported herein,
and the filing of this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that
any such entity is, for purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the 1934 Act, the
beneficial owner of any of the securities of the Company.
Page 12 of 12 Pages
EXHIBIT B
---------
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Corporation"), a
corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its
principal place of business at World Financial Center, North Tower, New York,
New York, 10281, does hereby make, constitute and appoint Richard B. Alsop,
Richard D. Kreuder, Andrea Lowenthal, Gregory T. Russo, or any other individual
from time to time elected or appointed as Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of the Corporation, acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch
& Co., Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as
its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and stead
(i) to execute on behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or
delivered, as required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Act") and the regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate,
of original, copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange
Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together
with any amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f)(1) of the
Act, as may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to
any equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially
owned by the undersigned and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant
to Section 13(d) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, (ii) to execute on
behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or delivered, any number,
as appropriate, of original copies or electronic filings of any forms (inclu-
ding, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission Form 3, 4 and 5)
required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Act and the regulations
thereunder, and (iii) generally to take such other actions and perform such
other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects
as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power of Attorney
shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 17th day of November, 1995.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
By: /s/ David H. Komansky
- ----------------------------
Name: David H. Komansky
Title: President and Chief Operating Officer
EXHIBIT C
---------
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a
corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its
principal place of business at World Financial Center, North Tower, New York,
New York, 10281, does hereby make, constitute and appoint Richard B. Alsop,
Richard D. Kreuder, Andrea Lowenthal, Gregory T. Russo, or any other individual
from time to time elected or appointed as Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of the Corporation, acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch
& Co., Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as
its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and stead
(i) to execute on behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or
delivered, as required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Act") and the regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate,
of original, copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange
Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together
with any amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f)(1) of the
Act, as may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to
any equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially
owned by the undersigned and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant
to Section 13(d) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, (ii) to execute on
behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or delivered, any number,
as appropriate, of original copies or electronic filings of any forms (inclu-
ding, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission Form 3, 4 and 5)
required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Act and the regulations
thereunder, and (iii) generally to take such other actions and perform such
other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects
as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power of Attorney
shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 17th day of November, 1995.
MERRILL LYNCH GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Rosemary T. Berkery
- ------------------------------
Name: Rosemary T. Berkery
Title: Vice President and Director
EXHIBIT D
---------
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Princeton Services Inc., a corporation duly organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business
at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 does hereby make,
constitute and appoint Richard B. Alsop, Andrea Lowenthal, Richard D. Kreuder,
Gregory T. Russo, or Dauna R. Williams, acting severally, each of whose address
is Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York,
New York 10281, as its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its
name, place and stead to execute and cause to be filed and/or delivered, as
required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act")
and the regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate, of original,
copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange Commission
Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together with any
amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f) (1) of the Act, as
may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to any
equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially owned
by the undersigned and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant to
Section 13(d) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, and generally to take
such other actions and perform such other things necessary to effectuate the
foregoing as fully in all respects as if the undersigned could do if personally
present. This Power of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked, in
writing, by the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of November, 1995.
PRINCETON SERVICES INC.
By: /s/ Philip L. Kirstein
- --------------------------------------
Name: Philip L. Kirstein
Title: Director, Senior Vice President
Secretary and General Counsel
EXHIBIT E
---------
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. d/b/a Merrill Lynch
Asset Management, a Limited Partnership duly organized under the laws of the
State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at 800 Scudders Mill
Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 does hereby make, constitute and appoint
Richard B. Alsop, Andrea Lowenthal, Richard D. Kreuder, Gregory T. Russo,
or Dauna R. Williams, acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch
& Co., Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as
its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and stead
to execute and cause to be filed and/or delivered, as required under Section
13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") and the regulations
thereunder, any number, as appropriate, of original, copies, or electronic
filings of the Securities and Exchange Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule
13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together with any amendments and joint filing
agreements under Rule 13d-1(f) (1) of the Act, as may be required thereto) to
be filed and/or delivered with respect to any equity security (as defined in
Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially owned by the undersigned and which
must be reported by the undersigned pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act and
the regulations thereunder, and generally to take such other actions and
perform such other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in
all respects as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power
of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the
undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of November, 1995.
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
d/b/a Merrill Lynch Asset Management
By: Princeton Services, Inc., General Partner
By: /s/ Philip L. Kirstein
- ---------------------------------------------
Name: Philip L. Kirstein
Title: Director, Senior Vice President
Secretary and General Counsel
EXHIBIT F
---------
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Merrill Lynch Variable Series Fund, Inc., a corporation
duly organized under the laws of the State of Maryland, with its principal
place of business at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 does
hereby make, constitute and appoint Richard B. Alsop, Andrea Lowenthal,
Richard D. Kreuder, Gregory T. Russo, or Dauna R. Williams, acting severally,
each of whose address is Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., World Financial Center,
North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as its true and lawful attorneys-in-
fact, for it and in its name, place and stead to execute and cause to be filed
and/or delivered, as required under Section 13 (d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the "Act") and the regulations thereunder, any number, as
appropriate, of original, copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and
Exchange Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports
(together with any amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1 (f)
(1) of the Act, as may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with
respect to any equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act)
beneficially owned by the undersigned and which must be reported by the
undersigned pursuant to Section 13 (d) of the Act and the regulations
thereunder, and generally to take such other actions and perform such other
things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects as if
the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power of Attorney shall
remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 2nd day of July 1996.
Merrill Lynch Variable Series Fund, Inc.
By: /s/ Ira P. Shapiro
- --------------------------------------
Name: Ira P. Shapiro
Title: Secretary