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  <p style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">UNITED
  STATES</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:avoid;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON, DC 20549</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:avoid;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>
  
  <p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:avoid;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">CURRENT
  REPORT<br>
  Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of the<br>
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) <b>May&nbsp;8, 2008</b></font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:avoid;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact Name of Registrant
  as Specified in Charter)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center">
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><!-- SET mrlNoTableShading --><b>Maryland</b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">000-50697</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">33-1089684</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or Other
    Jurisdiction<br>
    of Incorporation)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission<br>
    File Number)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer<br>
    Identification No.)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="66%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:66.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">280
    Park Avenue, 22<sup>nd</sup> Floor, Building East, New York, NY</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">10017</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="66%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:66.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of
    Principal Executive Offices)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Zip Code)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  </div>
  
  <p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code <b>(212) 750-7300</b></font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">N/A</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last
  Report)</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:20.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box
  below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
  filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (<i>see</i> General Instruction A.2. below):</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:20.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:20.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;Written
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)</p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:20.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:20.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)</p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:20.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:20.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.14d-2(b))</p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:20.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:20.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.13e-4(c))</p>
  
  <div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 6.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">
  
  <p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\zaria\08-13579-1\task2917180\13579-1-ba.htm',USER='105281',CD='May  6 13:45 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 2.02&#160;
  Results of Operations and Financial Condition</font></u>.</b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On May&nbsp;8, 2008, the Registrant issued a press
  release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March&nbsp;31,
  2008.&#160; The text of the press release is
  included as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 to this Form&nbsp;8-K.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The information
  disclosed under this Item 2.02, including Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 hereto, is being
  furnished and shall not be deemed &#147;filed&#148; for purposes of Section&nbsp;18 of
  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by
  reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as
  expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 7.01&#160; Regulation
  FD Disclosure</font></u>.</b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Registrant
  issued a press release, filed herewith as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1, and by this
  reference incorporated herein, on May&nbsp;8, 2008 announcing the declaration
  of a second quarter dividend of $0.42 per share.&#160; The dividend is payable on June&nbsp;30, 2008
  to stockholders of record as of June&nbsp;16, 2008.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The information
  disclosed under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 hereto, is being
  furnished and shall not be deemed &#147;filed&#148; for purposes of Section&nbsp;18 of
  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by
  reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as
  expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01&#160; Financial
  Statements and Exhibits.</font></u></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(d)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Exhibits:</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="11%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.66%;">
    <p align="left" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><!-- SET mrlNoTableShading -->Exhibit&nbsp;Number</p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.76%;">
    <p style="font-weight:bold;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="85%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:85.58%;">
    <p style="font-weight:bold;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">Description</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="11%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.66%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="85%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:85.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.66%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:85.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release, dated as of May&nbsp;8, 2008</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='2',FILE='C:\JMS\zaria\08-13579-1\task2917180\13579-1-ba.htm',USER='105281',CD='May  6 13:45 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.16%;">
    <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><!-- SET mrlNoTableShading --></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;May&nbsp;8, 2008</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
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    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.08%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ Richard S. Davis</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
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    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.08%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:</font></p>
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    <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Richard S. Davis</font></p>
    </td>
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    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.08%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chief Financial Officer</font></p>
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    <td width="28" style="border:none;"></td>
    <td width="17" style="border:none;"></td>
    <td width="327" style="border:none;"></td>
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>
  
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibit&nbsp;Index</font></u></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
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    <td width="11%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.5%;">
    <p align="left" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><!-- SET mrlNoTableShading -->Exhibit&nbsp;Number</p>
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    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
    <p style="font-weight:bold;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
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    <td width="85%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:85.84%;">
    <p style="font-weight:bold;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">Description</font></b></p>
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    <td width="11%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="85%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:85.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
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    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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    <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:85.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release, dated as of May&nbsp;8, 2008</font></p>
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4</font></p>
  
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ARES CAPITAL CORP", "cik": "0001287750", "irs-number": "331089684", "state-of-incorporation": "MD", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "814-00663", "film-number": "08811901"}, "business-address": {"street1": "280 PARK AVENUE, 22ND FLOOR", "street2": "BUILDING EAST", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10017", "phone": "2127507300"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "280 PARK AVENUE, 22ND FLOOR", "street2": "BUILDING EAST", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10017"}}
text: UNITED
  STATES
  SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, DC 20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT
  REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)
  May 8, 2008
  ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
  (Exact Name of Registrant
  as Specified in Charter)
  Maryland
  000-50697
  33-1089684
  (State or Other
    Jurisdiction
  of Incorporation)
  (Commission
  File Number)
  (IRS Employer
  Identification No.)
  280
    Park Avenue, 22
  nd
  Floor, Building East, New York, NY
  10017
  (Address of
    Principal Executive Offices)
  (Zip Code)
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code
  (212) 750-7300
  N/A
  (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last
  Report)
  Check the appropriate box
  below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
  filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (
  see
  General Instruction A.2. below):
  o
  Written
  communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)
  o
  Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)
  o
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  o
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Item 2.02 
  Results of Operations and Financial Condition
  .
  On May 8, 2008, the Registrant issued a press
  release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31,
  2008.  The text of the press release is
  included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.
  The information
  disclosed under this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1 hereto, is being
  furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of
  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by
  reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as
  expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
  Item 7.01  Regulation
  FD Disclosure
  .
  The Registrant
  issued a press release, filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1, and by this
  reference incorporated herein, on May 8, 2008 announcing the declaration
  of a second quarter dividend of $0.42 per share.  The dividend is payable on June 30, 2008
  to stockholders of record as of June 16, 2008.
  The information
  disclosed under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 hereto, is being
  furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of
  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by
  reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as
  expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
  Item 9.01  Financial
  Statements and Exhibits.
  (d)           Exhibits:
  Exhibit Number
  Description
  99.1
  Press Release, dated as of May 8, 2008
  2
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
  Date:   May 8, 2008
  By:
  /s/ Richard S. Davis
  Name:
  Richard S. Davis
  Title:
  Chief Financial Officer
  3
  Exhibit Index
  Exhibit Number
  Description
  99.1
  Press Release, dated as of May 8, 2008
  4