-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 FqZfTK3OlrMxnEa5HjK/VLGW9G2bOfTCVKl6dzLelMopJkU36Bhwc04vq0Yt7l5R
 o98JLCGP7bCBOluo0Viqcw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001346081-06-000017.txt : 20060407
<SEC-HEADER>0001346081-06-000017.hdr.sgml : 20060407
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060407144528
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001346081-06-000017
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060330
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060407
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060407

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HIGH INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000910068
		IRS NUMBER:				133735236
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		125 BROAD STREET
		STREET 2:		10TH FLOOR - MF2
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10004
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-291-2556

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		125 BROAD STREET
		STREET 2:		10TH FLOOR - MF2
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10004

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SMITH BARNEY HIGH INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930913

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SMITH BARNEY HIGH INCOME FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930802

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BAIN PETER L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001206658

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-07920
		FILM NUMBER:		06747585

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 LIGHT STREET
		CITY:			BALTIMORE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21202

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LEGG MASON INC
		STREET 2:		100 LIGHT ST
		CITY:			BALTIMORE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-03-30</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000910068</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HIGH INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HIO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001206658</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAIN PETER L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>LEGG MASON INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>100 LIGHT ST</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BALTIMORE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>21202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Director of the Adviser</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert M. Nelson by Power of Attorney for Peter Bain</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-04-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----