-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IACyW4fjFGZZDDhDD84BtyGahE1kzpAxaH46XXT1HxGlF0qSYGHA+06vAljKXI0t
 Ud8prw0H3/44YuIroFAFhg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001099343-03-000066.txt : 20030821
<SEC-HEADER>0001099343-03-000066.hdr.sgml : 20030821
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030821122817
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001099343-03-000066
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:			MILLER STEPHEN C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001245551

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-04605
		FILM NUMBER:		03859555

	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>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001245551</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MILLER STEPHEN C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1680 38TH STREET, SUITE 800</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOULDER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80301</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9343500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By self as an officer and director of Badlands Trust Company</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Mr. Miller is an officer and director of Badlands Trust Company (&quot;Badlands&quot;), which is a trustee of the Ernest Horejsi Trust No. 1B, the Lola Brown Trust No. 1B, the Mildred B. Horejsi Trust, the Stewart R. Horejsi Trust No. 2, the Susan L. Ciciora Trust and the John S. Horejsi Trust. All of which own Shares of First Financial Fund, Inc.  However, because two of the trustees of each trust are required to vote or exercise dispositive authority over Shares owned by the trusts, Mr. Miller disclaims beneficial ownership over the shares owned, directly or indirectly, by the trusts.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Stephen C. Miller</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-08-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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