diff --git a/icu4c/source/i18n/msgfmt.h b/icu4c/source/i18n/msgfmt.h
index 5a86b615ec4..562aa97a89d 100644
--- a/icu4c/source/i18n/msgfmt.h
+++ b/icu4c/source/i18n/msgfmt.h
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 * COPYRIGHT:                                                                   *
 *   (C) Copyright Taligent, Inc.,  1997                                        *
 *   (C) Copyright International Business Machines Corporation,  1997-1999      *
+*   Copyright (C) 1999 Alan Liu and others. All rights reserved.               *
 *   Licensed Material - Program-Property of IBM - All Rights Reserved.         *
 *   US Government Users Restricted Rights - Use, duplication, or disclosure    *
 *   restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.                     *
@@ -338,6 +339,13 @@ public:
                                   FieldPosition& pos,
                                   UErrorCode& status) const;
 
+    /**
+     * Redeclared Format method.
+     */
+    UnicodeString& format(const Formattable& obj,
+                          UnicodeString& result,
+                          UErrorCode& status) const;
+
     /**
      * Parses the string.
      * <P>
@@ -554,5 +562,12 @@ MessageFormat::getDynamicClassID() const
     return MessageFormat::getStaticClassID(); 
 }
 
+inline UnicodeString&
+MessageFormat::format(const Formattable& obj,
+                      UnicodeString& result,
+                      UErrorCode& status) const {
+    return Format::format(obj, result, status);
+}
+
 #endif // _MSGFMT
 //eof