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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Lg6a3QVhh1/t7t8bO7zW/cYCfffAhxNDnWFahSURzKfbxWBFrA++YgawvJxWJqNC
 h2hQd8aq+L58B69xs4Vq9Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001109742-04-000002.txt : 20040105
<SEC-HEADER>0001109742-04-000002.hdr.sgml : 20040105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040105103850
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001109742-04-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040102
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040105

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OLIN RONALD G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001109742

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05891
		FILM NUMBER:		04502230

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE WEST PACK SQ
		STREET 2:		STE 777
		CITY:			ASHEVILLE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28801

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE WEST PACK SQ
		STREET 2:		STE 777
		CITY:			ASHEVILLE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28801

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PROGRESSIVE RETURN FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000854580
		IRS NUMBER:				510323965
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BEAR STEARNS FUNDS MANAGEMENT INC
		STREET 2:		383 MADISON AVENUE - 23RD FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10179
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2122722093

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BEAR STEARNS FUNDS MANAGEMENT INC
		STREET 2:		383 MADISON AVENUE - 23RD FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10179

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PORTUGAL FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-02</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000854580</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PROGRESSIVE RETURN FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PGF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001109742</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>OLIN RONALD G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE WEST PACK SQ</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE 777</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ASHEVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28801</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Progressive Return Fund, Inc. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>29.22</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>461416.9654</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Ronald G. Olin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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