-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Kqn/+8kfVwT/BfkwnfmVb1kVhETLb8RWZGcXeQErY2a1drwfpAPt9hEbhvuCR+Vx
 o0ics0lp/29sSLFwtMHw2Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001010521-00-000144.txt : 20000207
<SEC-HEADER>0001010521-00-000144.hdr.sgml : 20000207
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001010521-00-000144
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	497
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20000204

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HANCOCK JOHN TAX EXEMPT SERIES FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000811921
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0831

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		497
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	033-12947
		FILM NUMBER:		523594

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 HUNTINGTON AVE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6173751702

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 HUNTINGTON AVENUE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HANCOCK JOHN TAX EXEMPT SERIES TRUST
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19901023
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>497
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES
<TEXT>


                   Supplement to all John Hancock Prospectuses

John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company has changed its name to John Hancock
Life Insurance Company, an affiliate of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.


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