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  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;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<br>
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<br>
  </font>WASHINGTON, DC 20549</b></p>
  
  <p style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
  <div style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">
  
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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;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></b></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&#160; (Date of earliest
  event reported)&#160; <b>May&nbsp;1, 2008</b></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;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;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><font size="5" style="font-size:18.0pt;"><br>
  </font>(Exact Name of Registrant
  as Specified in Charter)</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;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
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   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;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;">Maryland</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;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="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;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>
  </table>
  
  </div>
  
  <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;">280 Park Avenue, 22<sup>nd</sup> Floor, Building East,
  New York, NY 10017</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;">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160;&#160;(Zip Code)</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;"><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-autospace:none;text-indent:.4in;"><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 &#160;the filing obligation of the registrant under
  any of the following provisions (<i>see</i>
  General Instruction &#160;A.2. below):</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.4in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#168;</font>
  Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)</p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.4in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#168;</font>
  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-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.4in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#168;</font>
  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-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.4in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#168;</font>
  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" 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">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
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  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\C900108\08-13106-1\task2907138\13106-1-ba.htm',USER='C900108',CD='May  1 01:26 2008' -->
  
  
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  <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.</font></u></b>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b><u style="font-weight:bold;">Regulation FD Disclosure.</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;1, 2008, the Registrant issued a
  press release, filed herewith as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 and incorporated by
  reference herein.</font></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;">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, as amended, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any
  filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly
  set forth by specific reference in such filing.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><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 9.01.</font></u>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <u>Financial Statements and
  Exhibits.</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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(d)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#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="12%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;Number</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.9%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="83%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:83.34%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="12%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.9%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="83%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:83.34%;">
    <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="12%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.76%;">
    <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="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.9%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="83%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:83.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release, dated May&nbsp;1, 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>
  
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  <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">&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;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:.5in;"><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%;">
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    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.66%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ARES CAPITAL
    CORPORATION</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.66%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; May&nbsp;1, 2008</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.66%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.66%;">
    <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="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="42%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ Richard
    S. Davis</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.66%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name: &nbsp;Richard S. Davis</font></p>
    </td>
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    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.66%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chief Financial Officer</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-indent:0in;"><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;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;Index</font></u></b></p>
  
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    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;Number</font></b></p>
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    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
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    <td width="83%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:83.92%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
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    <td width="12%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.66%;">
    <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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    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.42%;">
    <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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    <td width="83%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:83.92%;">
    <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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    <td width="12%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.66%;">
    <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="83%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:83.92%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release, dated May&nbsp;1, 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" 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": "08792027"}, "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 1, 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):
  ¨
  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)
  ¨
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)
  ¨
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
  Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  ¨
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
  Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Item 7.01.
  Regulation FD Disclosure.
  On May 1, 2008, the Registrant issued a
  press release, filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by
  reference herein.
  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, as amended, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any
  filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 May 1, 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 1, 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 May 1, 2008
  4