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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001316507-07-000015.txt : 20071212
<SEC-HEADER>0001316507-07-000015.hdr.sgml : 20071212
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071212162952
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001316507-07-000015
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20071031
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071212
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071212

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001275214
		IRS NUMBER:				043785941
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2020 CALAMOS COURT
		STREET 2:		C/O CALAMOS ADVISORS LLC
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60653
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6302451046

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2020 CALAMOS COURT
		STREET 2:		C/O CALAMOS ADVISORS LLC
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60653

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CALAMOS JOHN P SR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001248580

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-21484
		FILM NUMBER:		071302050

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1111 EAST WARRENVILLE ROAD
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60563-1493
		BUSINESS PHONE:		630-245-7200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2020 CALAMOS COURT
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60563
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-10-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001275214</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CSQ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001248580</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CALAMOS JOHN P SR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2020 CALAMOS COURT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NAPERVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60563</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>president and chairman</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>97010.82</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by John P. Calamos 1985 Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>45800</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by J&amp;L Capital LLC</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 7,283.581 shares acquired between November 2006 and October 2007 under the Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund dividend reinvestment plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The reporting person is managing member of the limited liability company that owns the reported securities.  The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John P. Calamos, Sr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-12-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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