<ARTICLE>                     5

<CIK>                         0001051828
<NAME>                        MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING IV, L.P.
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000



                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                   485,189
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               485,189
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 485,189
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    412,372
<COMMON>                                        72,817
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   485,189
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                34,428
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,428
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,428
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    34,428
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0