THE GABELLI CONVERTIBLE AND INCOME SECURITIES FUND
EXTENDS ITS RIGHTS OFFERING TO DECEMBER 17, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rye, NY
December 11, 2002
NYSE - GCV
CUSIP - 36240B109
For information:
Peter Latartara
(914) 921-5071
Prospectus for the Rights Offering


The Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities Fund (the "Fund") is extending its previously announced Rights Offering as provided for in the Prospectus for this Rights Offering. Rights may now be exercised at any time until 5:00 PM, New York time, on Tuesday, December 17, 2002. Any Rights submitted to the Subscription Agent for sale must be received by the Subscription Agent on or before Monday, December 16, 2002. Rights will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange through December 16, 2002. The Offer may be further extended to a date not later than December 30, 2002. This is the first Rights Offering conducted for the shareholders of the Fund.

As previously announced, three Rights will enable a shareholder to purchase one additional share of stock at the Subscription Price of $8.00 per share. Shareholders of record who exercise their full primary subscription Rights are eligible for an over-subscription privilege entitling them to subscribe, subject to certain limitations and a pro-rata allotment, for any additional shares not purchased pursuant to the primary subscription. In addition, under certain circumstances, the Fund may issue additional shares of new common stock to satisfy over-subscription requests in excess of available stock.

The Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities Fund Inc. is a closed-end, diversified management investment company with $86 million in total assets whose primary investment objective is to seek a high level of total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. 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.