SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C.    20549


                                   FORM 8-A



             FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                  PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 (b) OR (g) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934





                    Van Kampen American Capital Bond Fund
            (Exact name of registant as specified in its charter)



Delaware                                                52-0906083
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(State of incorporation                                 (I.R.S. Employer
or organization)                                        Identification No.)



One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Il                60181
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(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)



Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:



Title of each class                         Name of each exchange on which
to be so registered                         each class is to be registered
- -------------------                         ------------------------------



Shares of Beneficial Interest,              Chicago Stock Exchange
Par Value $.01 per share



Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:



Inapplicable





Item 1.  Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered
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         The information set forth under the caption "Description of
Registrant's Securities to be Registered" filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24,1985, is
incorporated herein by reference.



Item 2.  Exhibits (Filed with the Chicago Stock Exchange)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

         First Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust certified by the
         Assistant Secretary of the Fund


         By-laws and Resolutions certified by a Secretary or Assistant
         Secretary of the Fund


         Opinion of Counsel


         Schedule relating to the number of Common shareholders


         Specimen Share Certificate





 SIGNATURE



         Pursuant to the requirement of Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly 
authorized.





                                   Van Kampen American Capital Bond Fund


Date: December 9, 1996             By /s/ Dennis J. McDonnell
                                          -------------------
                                          Dennis J. McDonnell
                                          Executive Vice President