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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EaSFXdlJSJSc3S1eWxybdhsPGtH8RfEaGRIOkYA1wtFzu8TDWXTSL1wQsmfIwBHz
 yPch05BKSeVZWlKlbbVnDQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001422581-08-000005.txt : 20080104
<SEC-HEADER>0001422581-08-000005.hdr.sgml : 20080104
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080104131902
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001422581-08-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080101
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080104
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080104

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:		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 SAVINGS & BANKING INSTITUTIONS FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19860402

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Pappas Thomas L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001313315

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-04605
		FILM NUMBER:		08510429

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617-790-7168

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLP
		STREET 2:		75 STATE STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02109
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-01-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001313315</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Pappas Thomas L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>75 STATE STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02109</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Officer of Investment Advisor</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/JOHN E. BRUNO - ATTORNEY-IN-FACT</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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