-----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,
 Ttd2jT4Aik7vB037Uhz0usBmWd8ObqEs/Oynb7R0oD8JC7fleJnl46mAJPakMv49
 uL7/8LzfdM5mGxCklzJvQQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-017459.txt : 20040325
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-017459.hdr.sgml : 20040325
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040325111140
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-017459
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040325
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040325

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CALAMOS NICK P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001248582

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-21484
		FILM NUMBER:		04688703

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1111 EAST WARRENVILLE ROAD
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60563-1493
		BUSINESS PHONE:		630 245 7200

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001275214
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1111 E WARRENVILLE RD
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60653
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8003239943

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1111 E WARRENVILLE RD
		CITY:			NAPPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60653
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c84028_01npc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001275214</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CSQ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001248582</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CALAMOS NICK P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1111 E. WARRENVILLE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NAPERVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60563</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>No securities are beneficially owned.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Nick P. Calamos</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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