As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 11, 2002

1933 Act Registration No. 33-17619
1940 Act Registration No. 811-5349

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549

Form N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ( X )

Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 ( X )

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ( X )

Amendment No. 81 ( X )

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6303
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number,
including Area Code 312-655-4400

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

( )     Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
(x)    On December 20, 2002 pursuant to paragraph (b)
( )     60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
( )     On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
( )     75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485
( )     On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485

		n  Goldman Sachs Balanced Fund n  Goldman Sachs Research Select Fund(SM) n  Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund n  Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund n  Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund n  Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund n  Goldman Sachs Concentrated Growth Fund n  Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund n  Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund n  Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund

AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, AND YOU MAY LOSE MONEY IN A FUND.

 

	General Investment Management Approach
	Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a business unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Balanced, Research Select, Growth and Income, Large Cap Value, Strategic Growth, Concentrated Growth, Mid Cap Value, Growth Opportunities and Small Cap Value Funds. Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. serves as investment adviser to the Capital Growth Fund. Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. are each referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”

VALUE STYLE FUNDS

	Goldman Sachs’ Value Investment Philosophy:
	Through intensive, hands-on research our portfolio team seeks to identify:

	1.	Well-positioned businesses that have:

	n	Attractive returns on capital.
	n	Sustainable earnings and cash flow.
	n	Strong company management focused on long-term returns to shareholders.

	2.	Attractive valuation opportunities where:

	n	The intrinsic value of the business is not reflected in the stock price.

	Business quality, conservative valuation, and thoughtful portfolio construction are the key elements of our value approach.

GROWTH STYLE FUNDS

	Goldman Sachs’ Growth Investment Philosophy:

	1.	Invest as if buying the company/business, not simply trading its stock:

	n	Understand the business, management, products and competition.
	n	Perform intensive, hands-on fundamental research.
	n	Seek businesses with strategic competitive advantages.
	n	Over the long-term, expect each company’s stock price ultimately to track the growth in the value of the business.

	2.	Buy high-quality growth businesses that possess strong business franchises, favorable long-term prospects and excellent management.
	3.	Purchase superior long-term growth companies at a favorable price—seek to purchase at a fair valuation, giving the investor the potential to fully capture returns from above-average growth rates.

	Fund Investment Objectives and Strategies

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

	The Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital and current income. The Fund seeks growth of capital primarily through equity investments. The Fund seeks to provide current income through investment in fixed-income securities (bonds).

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

	Historically, stock and bond markets have often had different cycles, with one asset class rising when the other is falling. A balanced objective seeks to reduce the volatility associated with investing in a single market. There is no guarantee, however, that market cycles will move in opposition to one another or that a balanced investment program will successfully reduce volatility.
	The percentage of the portfolio invested in equity and fixed-income securities will vary from time to time as the Investment Adviser evaluates such securities’ relative attractiveness based on market valuations, economic growth and inflation prospects. The allocation between equity and fixed-income securities is subject to the Fund’s intention to pay regular quarterly dividends. The amount of quarterly dividends can also be expected to fluctuate in accordance with factors such as prevailing interest rates and the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in fixed-income securities.

	Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, between 45% and 65% of its total assets (not including securities lending collateral and any investment of that collateral) measured at time of purchase (“Total Assets”) in equity investments. Although the Fund’s equity investments consist primarily of publicly traded U.S. securities, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its Total Assets in foreign equity investments, including issuers in countries with emerging markets or economies (“emerging countries”) and equity investments quoted in foreign currencies. A portion of the Fund’s portfolio of equity investments may be selected primarily to provide current income (including interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), convertible securities, preferred stocks, utility stocks, and interests in limited partnerships).
	Fixed Income Securities.  The Fund invests at least 25% of its Total Assets in fixed-income senior securities. The remainder of the Fund’s assets are invested in other fixed-income securities and cash.
	The Fund’s fixed-income securities primarily include:

	n	Securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises
	n	Securities issued by corporations, banks and other issuers
	n	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

	The Fund may also invest up to 10% of its Total Assets in debt obligations (U.S. dollar and non-U.S.-dollar denominated) issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities and foreign corporations or other entities. The issuers of these securities may be located in emerging countries.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

	The Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital by investing in a focused portfolio of U.S. equity investments.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

	Equity Investments.   The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in equity investments selected for their potential to achieve capital appreciation over the long term. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, in approximately 40-50 companies that are considered by the Investment Adviser to be positioned for long-term growth or are positioned as value opportunities which, in the Investment Adviser’s view, have identifiable competitive advantages and whose intrinsic value is not reflected in the stock price.
	The Fund may invest in securities of any capitalization. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities (including securities of foreign issuers that are traded in the United States), it may invest up to 20% of its Net Assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.

	A committee of portfolio managers representing the Investment Adviser’s Value and Growth investment teams will meet regularly to discuss stock selection and portfolio construction for the Fund. The Investment Adviser will rely on research generated by the portfolio managers/analysts that comprise the Investment Adviser’s Value and Growth investment teams.
	Other.   The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 20% of its Net Assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

	The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets (not including securities lending collateral and any investment of that collateral) measured at time of purchase (“Total Assets”) in equity investments. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity investments that are considered by the Investment Adviser to have long-term capital appreciation potential. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its Total Assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

	The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and growth of income.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

	Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets (not including securities lending collateral and any investment of that collateral) measured at time of purchase (“Total Assets”) in equity investments that the Investment Adviser considers to have favorable prospects for capital appreciation and/or dividend-paying ability. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its Total Assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
	Other.  The Fund may also invest up to 35% of its Total Assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations, that offer the potential to further the Fund’s investment objective.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

	The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and dividend income.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

	Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a diversified portfolio of equity investments in large-cap U.S. issuers with public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell 1000® Value Index at the time of investment. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 1000® Value Index is currently between $183 million and $227 billion. The Fund seeks its investment objective by investing in value opportunities that the Investment Adviser defines as companies with identifiable competitive advantages whose intrinsic value is not reflected in the stock price. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its Net Assets in foreign securities, including securities quoted in foreign currencies.
	Other.  The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Net Assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

	The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets (not including securities lending collateral and any investment of that collateral) measured at time of purchase (“Total Assets”) in equity investments. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity investments that are considered by the Investment Adviser to be strategically positioned for consistent long-term growth. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its Total Assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

	The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

	Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets (not including securities lending collateral and any investment of that collateral) measured at time of purchase (“Total Assets”) in equity investments selected for their potential to achieve capital appreciation over the long term. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, in approximately 30-45 companies that are considered by the Investment Adviser to be positioned for long-term growth.
	The Fund may invest in securities of companies of any capitalization. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its Total Assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
	Other.  The Fund may invest up to 10% of its Total Assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
	The Concentrated Growth Fund is “non-diversified” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and may invest a large percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than “diversified” mutual funds. Therefore, the Concentrated Growth Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio, and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

	The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

	Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a diversified portfolio of equity investments in mid-cap issuers with public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell Midcap® Value Index at the time of investment. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell Midcap® Value Index is currently between $183 million and $10.7 billion. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its Net Assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
	Other.  The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 20% of its Net Assets in companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell Midcap® Value Index at the time of investment and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

	The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets (not including securities lending collateral and any investment of that collateral) measured at time of purchase (“Total Assets”) in equity investments with a primary focus on mid-cap companies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity investments that are considered by the Investment Adviser to be strategically positioned for long-term growth. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its Total Assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.

	Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

	The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

	Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a diversified portfolio of equity investments in small-cap issuers with public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 2000® Value Index is currently between $9.7 million and $1.8 billion. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s investment horizon for ownership of stocks will be two to three years. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its Net Assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
	Other.  The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 20% of its Net Assets in companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

Other Investment Practices

The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also highlights the differences among the Funds in their use of these tech-niques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Funds’ annual/ semi-annual reports. For more information see Appendix A.

All Funds:

n	Credit/ Default Risk — The risk that an issuer or guarantor of fixed-income securities held by a Fund may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
n	Foreign Risk — The risk that when a Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to risk of loss not typically associated with domestic issuers. Loss may result because of less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions. A Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations. Foreign risks will normally be greatest when a Fund invests in issuers located in emerging countries.
n	Emerging Countries Risk — The securities markets of Asian, Latin and South American, Eastern European, African and other emerging countries are less liquid, are especially subject to greater price volatility, have smaller market capitalizations, have less government regulation and are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements as the securities markets of more developed countries. Further, investment in equity securities of issuers located in certain emerging countries involves risk of loss resulting from problems in share registration and custody and substantial economic and political disruptions. These risks are not normally associated with investments in more developed countries.
n	Stock Risk — The risk that stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. Recently, U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
n	Derivatives Risk — The risk that loss may result from a Fund’s investments in options, futures, swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to a Fund.
n	Interest Rate Risk — The risk that when interest rates increase, fixed income securities held by a Fund will decline in value. Long-term fixed-income securities will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed-income securities.
n	Management Risk — The risk that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended results.
n	Market Risk — The risk that the value of the securities in which a Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. A Fund’s investments may be overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors, which will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those sectors.

n	Liquidity Risk — The risk that a Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated in this Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. Funds that invest in non-investment grade fixed-income securities, small and mid-capitalization stocks, REITs and emerging country issuers will be especially subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. The Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios (the “Asset Allocation Portfolios”) expect to invest a significant percentage of their assets in the Funds and other funds for which Goldman Sachs now or in the future acts as investment adviser or underwriter. Redemptions by an Asset Allocation Portfolio of its position in a Fund may further increase liquidity risk and may impact a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).
n	Investment Style Risk — Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. A Fund may outperform or underperform other funds that employ a different investment style. Examples of different investment styles include growth and value investing. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth of earnings potential. Also, since growth companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their business, growth stocks may lack the dividends of some value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. Growth oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor. Value stocks are those that are undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors.

Specific Funds:

n	Mid Cap and Small Cap Risk — The securities of small capitalization and mid-capitalization companies involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable a Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price.
n	IPO Risk — The risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When a Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments

	in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance.
n	Non-diversification Risk — The Concentrated Growth Fund is not diversified, which means it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified” mutual fund. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest in approximately 30-45 companies. As a result of the relatively small number of issuers in which the Fund generally invests, it may be subject to greater risks than a more diversified fund. A change in the value of any single investment held by the Fund may affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect a diversified mutual fund that holds more investments. In particular, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer in the Fund and may be susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.

More information about the Funds’ portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.

	Fund Performance

HOW THE FUNDS HAVE PERFORMED

	The bar chart and table provide an indication of the risks of investing in a Fund by showing: (a) changes in the performance of a Fund’s Class A Shares from year to year; and (b) how the average annual total returns of a Fund’s Class A, B and C Shares compare to those of broad-based securities market indices. The bar chart and table assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. A Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
	The average annual total return calculation reflects a maximum initial sales charge of 5.5% for Class A Shares, the assumed contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for Class B Shares (5% maximum declining to 0% after six years), and the assumed CDSC for Class C Shares (1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase). The bar chart does not reflect the sales loads applicable to Class A Shares. If the sales loads were reflected, returns would be less. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. If expense limitations were not in place, a Fund’s performance would have been reduced. The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002. Since this Fund has less than one calendar year’s performance, no performance is provided in this section.

INFORMATION ON AFTER-TAX RETURNS

	These definitions apply to the after-tax returns.
	Average Annual Total Returns Before Taxes.  These returns do not reflect taxes on distributions on a Fund’s Class A Shares nor do they show how performance can be impacted by taxes when shares are redeemed (sold) by you.
	Average Annual Total Returns After Taxes on Distributions.  These returns assume that taxes are paid on distributions on a Fund’s Class A Shares (i.e., dividends and capital gains) but do not reflect taxes that may be incurred upon redemption (sale) of the Class A Shares at the end of the performance period.
	Average Annual Total Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Shares.  These returns reflect taxes paid on distributions on a Fund’s Class A Shares and taxes applicable when the shares are redeemed (sold).
	Note on Tax Rates.  The after-tax performance figures are calculated using the historically highest individual federal marginal income tax rates at the time of the distributions (as of the date of this Prospectus, 38.6% for ordinary income dividends and 20% for long-term capital gains distributions) and do not reflect state and local taxes. In calculating the federal income taxes due on redemptions, capital gains taxes resulting from a redemption are subtracted from the redemption proceeds and the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from the redemption are added to the redemption proceeds. Under certain circumstances, the addition of the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from redemptions may cause the Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares to be greater than the Returns After Taxes on Distributions or even the Returns Before Taxes.

	Balanced Fund

TOTAL RETURN		CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2002 was -15.10%. Best Quarter* Q2 ’97  +9.92% Worst Quarter* Q3 ’98  -8.71%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

	Research Select Fund

TOTAL RETURN		CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2002 was -35.29%.
Best Quarter* Q4 ’01  +13.33% Worst Quarter* Q3 ’01  -23.32%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

	Capital Growth Fund

TOTAL RETURN		CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2002 was -30.47%. Best Quarter* Q4 ’98  +24.31% Worst Quarter* Q3 ’01  -16.54%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

	Growth and Income Fund

TOTAL RETURN		CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2002 was -17.45%. Best Quarter* Q2 ’97  +15.18% Worst Quarter* Q3 ’98  -16.97%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN