SUPPLEMENT DATED JULY 1, 2002 TO THE PROSPECTUS OF
                    MORGAN STANLEY VARIABLE INVESTMENT SERIES
                                 CLASS X SHARES
                                DATED MAY 1, 2002



The paragraph pertaining to the Dividend Growth Portfolio of the Fund in the
section of the Prospectus titled "PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT" is hereby replaced by
the following:


      DIVIDEND GROWTH PORTFOLIO--The Portfolio is managed by the Large-Cap
      Value Equity team. Current members of the team include Richard M. Behler,
      a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, Brian Kramp, an Executive
      Director of the Investment Manager, Matthew S. Levitties, a Vice
      President of the Investment Manager, Eric F. Scharpf, a Vice President of
      the Investment Manager, Douglas W. Kugler, a Senior Associate of the
      Investment Manager, and Matthew H. Taylor, an Associate of the Investment
      Manager.