<ARTICLE> BD
<CIK> 0000917259
<NAME> ML PRINCIPAL PROTECTION LP

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-1999
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