UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                  FORM N-CSR/A

                   CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
                         MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number        811-02363
                                          --------------------------------------

                       Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY                   10179
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip code)

                                 Jodi B. Levine

383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:        (212) 272-3550
                                                           ---------------------

Date of fiscal year end:    December 31, 2004
                            ------------------------------

Date of reporting period:     December 31, 2004
                              ----------------------------




                                     *****

PLEASE NOTE THIS FILING AMENDS SECTION 302 CERTIFICATIONS TO REFLECT THE MOST 
RECENT FORMAT. NO OTHER INFORMATION HAS BEEN AMENDED.

                                     *****


      Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file
reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to
stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders
under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1).
The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory,
disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

      A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form
N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not
required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR
unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget
("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the
information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the
burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information
under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss. 3507.