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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MBIlJM9lPp/B7iHsaG9V3GK99mDxfcE4QDx4D+tdoFULC5D3qG74FTQTs37/OmI1
 f3J6rKP4kU3laoSxcOh4IQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001222403-06-000003.txt : 20061207
<SEC-HEADER>0001222403-06-000003.hdr.sgml : 20061207
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061207143434
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001222403-06-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061206
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061207
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061207

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AYLWARD GEORGE R JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001222403

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05620
		FILM NUMBER:		061262256

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O THE PHOENIX COMPANIES INC
		STREET 2:		ONE AMERICAN ROW
		CITY:			HARTFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06102-5056
		BUSINESS PHONE:		860-403-6205

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THE PHOENIX COMPANIES, INC.
		STREET 2:		ONE AMERICAN ROW
		CITY:			HARTFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06102-5056
</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>2006-12-06</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001222403</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AYLWARD GEORGE R JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>THE PHOENIX COMPANIES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE AMERICAN ROW</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HARTFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06102-5056</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc.</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David Dickerson as Attorney in Fact for George R. Aylward</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-12-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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