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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RUB4wQ5zOlS+8HCe7hC5eyZL//Am1YIgFz73EQKwhk9b/qVDoQ0d85NAXm8WELLh
 fFKhcNVO/9Apfs3MIMtb8A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950130-98-000095.txt : 19980113
<SEC-HEADER>0000950130-98-000095.hdr.sgml : 19980113
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950130-98-000095
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	N-8A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		19980112
SROS:			NYSE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEBT STRATEGIES FUND II INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001051003
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	 []

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		N-8A
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-08603
		FILM NUMBER:		98504401

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 9011
		CITY:			PRINCETON
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08543-9011

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 9011
		CITY:			PRINCETON
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08543-9011
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>N-8A
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>FORM N-8A
<TEXT>

<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                                   FORM N-8A

                         NOTIFICATION OF REGISTRATION
                       FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a) OF
                      THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940



        The undersigned investment company hereby notifies the Securities and
Exchange Commission that it registers under and pursuant to the provisions of
Section 8(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and in connection with such
Notification of Registration submits the following information:

Name:  DEBT STRATEGIES FUND II, INC.

Address of Principal Business Office (No. & Street, City, State, and Zip Code):

          Debt Strategies Fund II, Inc.
          800 Scudders Mill Road
          Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536

Telephone Number (including area code):  (609) 282-2800

Name and Address of Agent for Service of Process:

          Arthur Zeikel
          Debt Strategies Fund II, Inc.
          800 Scudders Mill Road
          Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536

Check Appropriate Box:

          Registrant is filing a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 8(b)
          of the Investment Company Act of 1940 concurrently with the filing of
          Form N-8A:

          YES [X]                                  NO [ ]
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the
Registrant has caused this Notification of Registration to be duly signed on its
behalf in the City of Plainsboro and State of New Jersey on the 12th day of
January, 1998.



                    DEBT STRATEGIES FUND II, INC.


                    By: /s/ George Pelose
                        ------------------------------------
                         George Pelose
                         President
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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