-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000851170-98-000003.txt : 19980211
<SEC-HEADER>0000851170-98-000003.hdr.sgml : 19980211
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000851170-98-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	N-23C-1
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	19980131
FILED AS OF DATE:		19980210
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:		98527498

	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 January 31, 1998

MFS Charter Income Trust
Date        Identification   Shares      Repurchase   NAV         Broker
            of Security      Repurchased Price
1/8/98      Shares of        20,500      9.9375       10.83       Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
1/12/98     Shares of        80,000      10.0000      10.87       Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
1/14/98     Shares of        75,000      10.0000      10.80       Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest
1/22/98     Shares of        60,000      10.0000      10.81       Merrill Lynch
            Beneficial
            Interest












Total Shares Repurchased:  235,500
Remarks: None.

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




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