<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.906CERT
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>dex99906cert.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                 Certification Pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under
            the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

I, George R. Aylward, President of The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. (the
"Registrant"), certify that:

    1. The Form N-CSR of the Registrant containing the financial statements
       (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: 3/9/07                      /s/ George R. Aylward
                                  -------------
                                  George R. Aylward, President
                                  (principal executive officer)

I, Nancy G. Curtiss, Treasurer of The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. (the
"Registrant"), certify that:

    1. The Form N-CSR of the Registrant containing the financial statements
       (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: 3/9/07                      /s/ Nancy G. Curtiss
                                  -------------
                                  Nancy G. Curtiss, Treasurer
                                  (principal financial officer)
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
