-----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,
 Nj3KE10gWv5EM9AxKE+Mk1PhlR8537fRcCUVcFCI5VKtYHPuWIKw3tTehkR6TCgi
 O3Xu+GlZz9efUzDevTt0Tw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-05-000097.txt : 20050107
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-05-000097.hdr.sgml : 20050107
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050107102559
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-05-000097
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050107
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050107
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050107

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			McGarry Michael F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001313572

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-00266
		FILM NUMBER:		05517131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212 850-1451

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 PARK AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TRI-CONTINENTAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000099614
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		IRS NUMBER:				135441850
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 PARK AVENUE,
		STREET 2:		8TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2128501864

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		8TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TRI CONTINENTAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-07</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000099614</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TRI-CONTINENTAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001313572</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>McGarry Michael F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>100 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10017</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Co-Portfolio Manager</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Tri-Continental Corporation</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1205.8516</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Albert A. Pisano, power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----