THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.
INCREASES ITS QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION TO $0.16 PER SHARE
BEGINNING IN MARCH 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rye, NY
November 24, 2003
NYSE - GAB
CUSIP 362397101
For information:
Carter Austin
(914) 921-5070

The Board of Directors of The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (NYSE:GAB) authorized an increase in the quarterly cash distribution pursuant to its 10% Distribution Policy from $0.14 per share to $0.16 per share. The increase will take effect beginning with the March 2004 distribution.

The $0.16 per share cash distribution for March 2004 will be payable on March 25, 2004 to common stock shareholders of record on March 17, 2004.

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. The Fund is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a subsidiary of Gabelli Asset Management Inc. (GBL - NYSE), which is a publicly traded NYSE listed company.