-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 O6PfatTKGo4WfecFRa3Ti02Sc/3KIz1OtbtDopdJIr8LZFIZZHwKM9ttTPEVw6aD
 bVMTzi1A0gIq8ScpVb7DsA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-06-081636.txt : 20061214
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-06-081636.hdr.sgml : 20061214
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061214190831
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-06-081636
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061213
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061214
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061214

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARES CAPITAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001287750
		IRS NUMBER:				331089684
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		280 PARK AVENUE, 22ND FLOOR
		STREET 2:		BUILDING EAST
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127507300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		280 PARK AVENUE, 22ND FLOOR
		STREET 2:		BUILDING EAST
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WEINER MICHAEL D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001267619

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	814-00663
		FILM NUMBER:		061278392

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10250 CONSTELLATION BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2900
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3108431985

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10250 CONSTELLATION BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2900
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067-6229
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-12-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001287750</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ARES CAPITAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ARCC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001267619</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WEINER MICHAEL D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1999 AVENUE OF THE STARS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1900</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP and General Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>The reported number of securities does not include securities of Ares Capital Corporation beneficially owned by Ares Management LLC or its affiliates as to which the Reporting Person may have certain pecuniary interests. The filing of this statement shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Person, for the purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is a beneficial owner of, and the Reporting Person expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of, any equity security not directly held by the Reporting Person.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael D. Weiner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-12-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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