<PAGE> PAGE 1
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<PAGE> PAGE 2
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<PAGE> PAGE 3
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<PAGE> PAGE 4
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<PAGE> PAGE 5
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<PAGE> PAGE 6
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<PAGE> PAGE 7
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<PAGE> PAGE 8
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<PAGE> PAGE 9
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<PAGE> PAGE 10
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<PAGE> PAGE 11
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<PAGE> PAGE 12
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<PAGE> PAGE 13
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<PAGE> PAGE 14
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<PAGE> PAGE 15
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<PAGE> PAGE 16
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<PAGE> PAGE 17
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<PAGE> PAGE 18
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<PAGE> PAGE 19
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<PAGE> PAGE 20
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074 X000600 585
074 Y000600 0
075 A000600 0
075 B000600 216325
<PAGE> PAGE 21
076 000600 0.00
083 A000600 N
083 B000600 0
084 A000600 N
084 B000600 0
085 A000600 N
085 B000600 N
015 A000701 STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY
015 B000701 C
015 C010701 BOSTON
015 C020701 MA
015 C030701 02266
015 C040701 8600
015 E010701 X
015 A000702 BANKERS TRUST CO.
015 B000702 S
015 C010702 NEW YORK
015 C020702 NY
015 C030702 10015
015 E010702 X
015 A000703 BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000703 S
015 C010703 NEW YORK
015 C020703 NY
015 C030703 10006
015 E010703 X
015 A000704 THE CHASE MANHATTAN CORP.
015 B000704 S
015 C010704 NEW YORK
015 C020704 NY
015 C030704 10006
015 E010704 X
015 A000705 MORGAN GUARANTY BANK & TRUST CO.
015 B000705 S
015 C010705 NEW YORK
015 C020705 NY
015 C030705 10015
015 E010705 X
015 A000706 NATIONSBANK OF NORTH CAROLINA
015 B000706 S
015 C010706 CHARLOTTE
015 C020706 NC
015 C030706 28255
015 E010706 X
015 A000707 PNC BANK, NA
015 B000707 S
015 C010707 PITTSBURGH
015 C020707 PA
015 C030707 15265
015 E010707 X
024 000700 N
<PAGE> PAGE 22
025 D000701 0
025 D000702 0
025 D000703 0
025 D000704 0
025 D000705 0
025 D000706 0
025 D000707 0
025 D000708 0
028 A010700 186
028 A020700 0
028 A030700 0
028 A040700 285
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028 B030700 0
028 B040700 371
028 C010700 1085
028 C020700 20
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028 C040700 326
028 D010700 347
028 D020700 9
028 D030700 0
028 D040700 718
028 E010700 138
028 E020700 9
028 E030700 0
028 E040700 749
028 F010700 300
028 F020700 9
028 F030700 0
028 F040700 338
028 G010700 2550
028 G020700 57
028 G030700 0
028 G040700 2787
028 H000700 0
037 000700 N
038 000700 0
039 000700 N
040 000700 Y
041 000700 Y
042 A000700 0
042 B000700 0
042 C000700 0
042 D000700 0
042 E000700 0
042 F000700 0
042 G000700 0
042 H000700 0
043 000700 1
<PAGE> PAGE 23
044 000700 0
045 000700 Y
046 000700 N
047 000700 Y
048 000700 0.400
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048 A020700 0.000
048 B010700 0
048 B020700 0.000
048 C010700 0
048 C020700 0.000
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048 D020700 0.000
048 E010700 0
048 E020700 0.000
048 F010700 0
048 F020700 0.000
048 G010700 0
048 G020700 0.000
048 H010700 0
048 H020700 0.000
048 I010700 0
048 I020700 0.000
048 J010700 0
048 J020700 0.000
048 K010700 0
048 K020700 0.000
049 000700 N
050 000700 N
051 000700 N
052 000700 N
053 A000700 Y
053 B000700 Y
055 A000700 N
055 B000700 N
056 000700 N
057 000700 N
058 A000700 N
059 000700 Y
060 A000700 Y
060 B000700 Y
061 000700 25000
062 A000700 Y
062 B000700 0.0
062 C000700 0.0
062 D000700 0.9
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062 F000700 0.0
062 G000700 0.0
062 H000700 0.0
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<PAGE> PAGE 24
062 J000700 0.0
062 K000700 0.0
062 L000700 0.0
062 M000700 0.0
062 N000700 90.8
062 O000700 0.0
062 P000700 0.0
062 Q000700 5.6
062 R000700 5.2
063 A000700 0
063 B000700 7.3
064 A000700 N
064 B000700 N
070 A010700 Y
070 A020700 Y
070 B010700 N
070 B020700 N
070 C010700 N
070 C020700 N
070 D010700 N
070 D020700 N
070 E010700 N
070 E020700 N
070 F010700 N
070 F020700 N
070 G010700 N
070 G020700 N
070 H010700 N
070 H020700 N
070 I010700 N
070 I020700 N
070 J010700 N
070 J020700 N
070 K010700 N
070 K020700 Y
070 L010700 N
070 L020700 N
070 M010700 N
070 M020700 N
070 N010700 Y
070 N020700 Y
070 O010700 Y
070 O020700 N
070 P010700 N
070 P020700 Y
070 Q010700 N
070 Q020700 N
070 R010700 N
070 R020700 N
071 A000700 6520
071 B000700 6046
<PAGE> PAGE 25
071 C000700 17615
071 D000700 34
072 A000700 6
072 B000700 622
072 C000700 16
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072 Z000700 611
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072CC010700 0
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072DD010700 573
072DD020700 20
072EE000700 15
073 A010700 0.3300
073 A020700 0.3100
073 B000700 0.0100
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074 A000700 1
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<PAGE> PAGE 26
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074 N000700 17797
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074 T000700 17209
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074 V010700 9.67
074 V020700 9.67
074 W000700 0.0000
074 X000700 95
074 Y000700 0
075 A000700 0
075 B000700 17528
076 000700 0.00
083 A000700 N
083 B000700 0
084 A000700 N
084 B000700 0
085 A000700 Y
085 B000700 N
SIGNATURE STEPHEN A. KEEN
TITLE GENERAL COUNSEL
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000912763
<NAME> Federated Total Return Series, Inc.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 072
<NAME> Federated Mortgage Fund - Institutional Service Shares
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (20,741)
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.670
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.60
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0.000
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000912763
<NAME> Federated Total Return Series, Inc.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 071
<NAME> Federated Mortgage Fund - Institutional Shares
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (14,674)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (268,109)
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<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (368,770)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
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<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 35,056
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<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.30
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0.000
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000912763
<NAME> Federated Total Return Series, Inc.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 051
<NAME> Federated Limited Duration Fund - Institutional Shares
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-mos
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<PERIOD-END> Mar-31-2000
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<EXPENSES-NET> (148,468)
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<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (745,872)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2,205,084
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (1,185,784)
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<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 9,649,344
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<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
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<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 154,913
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 416,204
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 9.880
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.340
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.090)
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.790
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.35
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0.000
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000912763
<NAME> Federated Total Return Series, Inc.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 052
<NAME> Federated Limited Duration Fund - Institutional Serv Shares
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Sep-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> Mar-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 87,572,879
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 85,891,888
<RECEIVABLES> 856,086
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 33,663
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 86,781,637
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1,075,000
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
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<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 87,434,224
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 890,973
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 885,588
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 4,984
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (540,375)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (1,680,991)
<NET-ASSETS> 8,718,448
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<INTEREST-INCOME> 2,658,722
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<EXPENSES-NET> (148,468)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 2,663,349
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 33,348
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (745,872)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1,950,825
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (280,658)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 183,934
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (189,740)
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<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 9,649,344
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<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (573,723)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 154,913
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 416,204
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 8,404,694
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 9.880
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.330
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.090)
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<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.000
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.790
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.65
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0.000
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000912763
<NAME> Federated Total Return Series, Inc.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 011
<NAME> Federated Total Return Bond Fund - Institutional Shares
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Sep-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> Mar-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 218,628,613
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 213,805,267
<RECEIVABLES> 11,195,261
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<TOTAL-ASSETS> 225,002,209
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 998,800
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<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 228,541,901
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 17,278,163
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 14,280,313
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 13,316
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (835,580)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (4,823,346)
<NET-ASSETS> 174,003,500
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 2,238,850
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3,908,682
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (336,644)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 5,810,888
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (807,339)
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (118,283)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 7,647,850
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (4,757,308)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 107,308
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 56,092,884
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 47,674
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 103,314
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 348,197
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 758,094
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 152,784,258
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.180
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.340
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.100)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.340)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (0.010)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.070
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.35
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0.000
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000912763
<NAME> Federated Total Return Series, Inc.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 012
<NAME> Federated Total Return Bond Fund - Institutional Service Shares
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Sep-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> Mar-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 218,628,613
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 213,805,267
<RECEIVABLES> 11,195,261
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<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 1,681
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 225,002,209
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<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 228,541,901
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 4,855,162
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 2,099,123
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 13,316
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (835,580)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (4,823,346)
<NET-ASSETS> 48,892,791
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 2,238,850
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3,908,682
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (336,644)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 5,810,888
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (807,339)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (417,470)
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<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (692,343)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (13,272)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3,731,676
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (1,012,447)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 36,810
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 56,092,884
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<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
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[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0.000
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000912763
<NAME> Federated Total Return Series, Inc.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 061
<NAME> Federated Ultrashort Bond Fund - Institutional Shares
<S> <C>
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (9,694)
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[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0.000
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000912763
<NAME> Federated Total Return Series, Inc.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 062
<NAME> Federated Ultrashort Bond Fund - Institutional Service Shares
<S> <C>
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[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
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</TABLE>
