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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000851170-98-000001.txt : 19980112
<SEC-HEADER>0000851170-98-000001.hdr.sgml : 19980112
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000851170-98-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	N-23C-1
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	19971231
FILED AS OF DATE:		19980109
SROS:			NYSE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000851170
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	 []
		IRS NUMBER:				043055815
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1130

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		N-23C-1
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	817-00192
		FILM NUMBER:		98503880

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 BOYLSTON ST
		STREET 2:		15TH FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6179545214

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 BOYLSTON STREET
		STREET 2:		15TH FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MFS PRINCIPAL INCOME TRUST
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19890906
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>N-23C-1
<SEQUENCE>1
<TEXT>

Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.
Statement of registered  closed-end investment company with respect to purchases
of its own securities pursuant to Rule N-23(c)-1 during the last calendar month.

Report for the calendar month ending December 31, 1997

MFS Charter Income Trust
Date        Identification   Shares      Repurchase   NAV         Broker
            of Security      Repurchased Price
12/08/97    Shares of        110,000     $9.7500      $10.71      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/09/97    Shares of        20,000      $9.7500      $10.71      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/09/97    Shares of        9,300       $9.7500      $10.71      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/10/97    Shares of        14,000      $9.8125      $10.71      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/11/97    Shares of        22,000      $9.7500      $10.65      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/12/97    Shares of        22,000      $9.7500      $10.67      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/12/97    Shares of        8,000       $9.7500      $10.67      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/15/97    Shares of        70,000      $9.8125      $10.68      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/16/97    Shares of        27,000      $9.8125      $10.69      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/17/97    Shares of        9,300       $9.8125      $10.67      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/18/97    Shares of        12,800      $9.8125      $10.68      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/22/97    Shares of        30,000      $9.8750      $10.70      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/26/97    Shares of        22,000      $9.8750      $10.72      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/30/97    Shares of        23,000      $9.7500      $10.72      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
12/31/97    Shares of        24,000      $9.8125      $10.73      Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest

Total Shares Repurchased:  423,400
Remarks: None.

MFS Charter Income Trust
by:  W. Thomas London
         W. Thomas London
         Treasurer




</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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