SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C.ss.  1350,  the  undersigned  officers of  Federated  Total
Return Government Bond Fund (the  "Registrant"),  hereby certify, to the best of
our knowledge,  that the Registrant's  Report on Form N-CSR for the period ended
8/31/03 (the "Report") fully complies with the  requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d),  as  applicable,  of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and that the
information  contained in the Report fairly presents,  in all material respects,
the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.


Dated: October 23, 2003
/s/ J. Christopher Donahue
Title: President, Principal Executive Officer



Dated: October 23, 2003
/s/ Richard J. Thomas
Title: Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer


This  certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C.ss.  1350 and
is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.