-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 FCWsxkYTaUiR2PP4hB5ghb/DkuAIz+xVfRxOG8gYDMg1LMrR7oQumVo/57QURN46
 GUa38D7L1S/mtfAHx4tCGQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001290874-04-000002.txt : 20040518
<SEC-HEADER>0001290874-04-000002.hdr.sgml : 20040518
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040518152739
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001290874-04-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040512
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040518

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Huddleston Megan
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001290874

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05620
		FILM NUMBER:		04816085

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212.451.1146

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ZWEIG FUND
		STREET 2:		900 THIRD AVE - 31ST
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000836412
		IRS NUMBER:				133474242
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 THIRD AVE., 31ST FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212 451-1100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		900 THIRD AVE., 31ST FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000836412</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ZTR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001290874</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Huddleston Megan</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ZWEIG FUND</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>900 THIRD AVE - 31ST</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Megan Huddleston</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
