<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.CERT906
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>dex99cert906.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

         Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

I, Daniel T. Geraci, President of The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc., certify
that:

     1.   The Form N-CSR of the Registrant (the "Report") fully complies with
          the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
          Act of 1934, as amended; and

     2.   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
          material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
          of the Registrant.


Date:  March 5, 2004                      /s/ Daniel T. Geraci
     -------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
                                        Daniel T. Geraci, President
                                        (principal executive officer)

I, Nancy G. Curtiss, Treasurer of The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc., certify
that:

     1.   The Form N-CSR of the Registrant (the "Report") fully complies with
          the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
          Act of 1934, as amended; and

     2.   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
          material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
          of the Registrant.


Date:  March 5, 2004                      /s/ Nancy G. Curtiss
     -------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
                                        Nancy G. Curtiss, Treasurer
                                        (principal financial officer)

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
