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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Ou2ABSsbsBHGUYd60tJciBoyI0EhQJ9kp4fIHjF1VKdM4W1k9hRbs9vRPRZr5jKE
 e4ZyQ0IBbBKgiM2mb7d2AQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001099343-03-000062.txt : 20030821
<SEC-HEADER>0001099343-03-000062.hdr.sgml : 20030821
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030821111634
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001099343-03-000062
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030819
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030821

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MURPHEY NICOLE L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001245548

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-04605
		FILM NUMBER:		03859321

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1680 38TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 800
		CITY:			BOULDER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80301
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3034422156

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST FINANCIAL FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000790202
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		IRS NUMBER:				133341573
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GATEWAY ENTER THREE 100 MULBERRY ST
		CITY:			NEWARK
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07102-4077
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2013677530

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GATEWAY CENTER THREE 100 MULBERRY STREET
		CITY:			NEWARK
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07102-4077

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST SAVINGS & BANKING INSTITUTIONS FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19860402
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-08-19</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000790202</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST FINANCIAL FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001245548</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MURPHEY NICOLE L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Assistant Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nicole L. Murphey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-08-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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