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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001373165-09-000001.txt : 20090106
<SEC-HEADER>0001373165-09-000001.hdr.sgml : 20090106
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090106123203
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001373165-09-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090106
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090106

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Terwilliger Joel
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001373165

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-04605
		FILM NUMBER:		09509010

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(303) 442-2156

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2344 SPRUCE STREET, STE A
		CITY:			BOULDER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80302

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST OPPORTUNITY 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:		2344 SPRUCE STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE A
		CITY:			BOULDER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80302
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3034445483

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2344 SPRUCE STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE A
		CITY:			BOULDER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80302

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST FINANCIAL FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST SAVINGS & BANKING INSTITUTIONS FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19860402
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001373165</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Terwilliger Joel</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2344 SPRUCE STREET, STE A</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOULDER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80302</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Compliance Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>13.9101</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.271</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>577.9101</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares acquired through participation in broker's reinvestment plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Joel Terwilliger</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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