THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC. DECLARES
SECOND QUARTER DISTRIBUTION OF $0.27 PER SHARE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rye, NY
May 23, 2002
NYSE - GAB
CUSIP 362397101
For information:
Carter Austin
(914) 921-5071

The Board of Directors of The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (NYSE - GAB) declared a $0.27 per share cash distribution payable on June 24, 2002 to common stock shareholders of record on June 14, 2002, pursuant to the Gabelli Equity Trust's 10% Distribution Policy. Long term capital gains, if any, will be included on a pro-rata basis in all distributions throughout the year.

Under the Equity Trust's payout policy, the Fund will pay out a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund. The Fund will pay $0.27 per share in each of the first three quarters of the year and an adjusting distribution in the fourth quarter of a sufficient amount to pay 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund, as of the last day of the four preceding calendar quarters, or to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, whichever is greater.

The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company with $1.4 billion in total assets whose primary investment objective is long term growth of capital.