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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000811612-00-000017.txt : 20000204
<SEC-HEADER>0000811612-00-000017.hdr.sgml : 20000204
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000811612-00-000017
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	SC 13G
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20000203

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PREFERRED INCOME FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000868578
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	 []
		IRS NUMBER:				954305694
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1130

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		SC 13G
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	005-55183
		FILM NUMBER:		522312

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		301 E COLORADO BLVD STE 720
		STREET 2:		C/O FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE INC
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91101
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8187957300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		301 COLORADO BLVD
		STREET 2:		STE 720
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91101

FILED BY:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMERCE GROUP INC /MA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000811612
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				042599931
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		SC 13G

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		211 MAIN ST
		CITY:			WEBSTER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01570
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5089439000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		211 MAIN STREET
		STREET 2:		211 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			WEBSTER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01570
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>SC 13G
<SEQUENCE>1
<TEXT>

OMB APPROVAL
OMB NUMBER: 3235-0145

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


SCHEDULE 13G


Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.  3  )*

Preferred Income Fund
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)

74037G-10-6
(CUSIP Number)

Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement "X"
(A fee is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous
statement on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five
percent of the class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has
filed no amendment subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of
five percent or less of such class.)  (See Rule 13d-7).

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class
of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information
which would alter the disclosure provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not
be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of
the Act (however, see the Notes).
















SEC 1745 (5-87)

<page



CUSIP NO. 74037G-10-6               THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
                                    SCHEDULE 13G
                                    FEBRUARY 3, 2000




1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
     S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

     The Commerce Group, Inc.
     ID#: 04-2599931

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                            (a)0
                                                            (b)0

3.   SEC USE ONLY

4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Commonwealth of Massachusetts


NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

     5.    SOLE VOTING POWER
           2,629,600 shares as of December 31, 1999

     6.    SHARED VOTING POWER
           N/A

     7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
           2,629,600 shares as of December 31, 1999

     8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
           N/A


9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

      2,629,600 shares as of December 31, 1999

10.   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
      SHARES*

      N/A

11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

      26.7%

12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

      HC

Page 2 of 4
<PAGE>




CUSIP NO. 74037G-10-6               THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
                                    SCHEDULE 13G
                                    FEBRUARY 3, 2000


Item 1.

a.   Preferred Income Fund
b.   301 E. Colorado Blvd.
     Pasadena, CA   91101-1911

Item 2.

a.   The Commerce Group, Inc.
b.   211 Main Street, Webster, MA  01570;
c.   Organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
d.   Common Stock of Preferred Income Fund;
e.   Preferred Income Fund  CUSIP - 74037G-10-6

Item 3.  If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-
         1(b), or 13d-2(b), check whether the person filing
         is a:

     Parent Holding Company, in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

Item 4.  Ownership

a.   2,629,600 shares of common stock as of December 31, 1999;
b.   26.7% of common stock owned;
c.   (i)     2,629,600 shares as of December 31, 1999;
     (ii)    N/A;
     (iii)   2,629,600 shares as of December 31, 1999;
     (iv)    N/A;

Item 5.  Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

         N/A;

Item 6.  Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of
         Another Person.

         N/A;

Item 7.  Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary
         Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By
         the Parent Holding Company

         The Commerce Insurance Company - (IC);
         Commerce West Insurance Company - (IC);
         American Commerce Insurance Company - (IC);




Page 3 of 4
<PAGE>




CUSIP NO. 74037G-10-6               THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
                                    SCHEDULE 13G
                                    FEBRUARY 3, 2000


Item 8.   Identification and Classification of Members of the
          Group

          N/A;

Item 9.   Notice of Dissolution of Group

          N/A;

Item 10.  Certification

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of
business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the
effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such
securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant
in any transaction having such purposes or effect.



SIGNATURE


After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.



                                                February 3, 2000
                                                       Date





                                                   Signature

                                          Gerald Fels,
                                          Executive Vice President &
                                          Chief Financial Officer







Page 4 of 4
<PAGE>

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