<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001225208-16-037433.txt : 20160803
<SEC-HEADER>0001225208-16-037433.hdr.sgml : 20160803
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160803151246
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001225208-16-037433
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20160728
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160803
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160803

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:		100 MUNSON STREET
		CITY:			GREENFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01301
		BUSINESS PHONE:		800-272-2700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MUNSON STREET
		CITY:			GREENFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01301

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OATES JAMES M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001180238

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05620
		FILM NUMBER:		161803569

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP
		STREET 2:		200 CLARENDON ST
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc3.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-07-28</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001180238</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>OATES JAMES M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>100 PEARL STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HARTFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06103</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ William Renahan, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-08-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
