<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Kemper
Total Return Fund Semiannual report for the fiscal year ended 04/30/2000 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000095603
<NAME> KEMPER TOTAL RETURN FUND
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 012
<NAME> KEMPER TOTAL RETURN FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 2,948,542
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 3,596,789
<RECEIVABLES> 47,119
<ASSETS-OTHER> 549
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,644,457
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 14,303
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 9,691
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 23,994
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 2,759,355
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 4,878
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 3,786
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 4,020
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 208,841
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 648,247
<NET-ASSETS> 630,450
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 9,901
<INTEREST-INCOME> 51,090
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 22,424
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 38,567
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 211,095
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (77,103)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 172,559
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (409)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (1,825)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 21,674
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (11,326)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2,036
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (61,560)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 8,178
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 144,519
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 9,729
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 22,547
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 49,161
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.32
<PER-SHARE-NII> .08
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .43
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .10
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> .46
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.27
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.85
</TABLE>
