CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cost	$ 88,693,000		$ 98,354,000
Value	479,775,000	[1]	489,273,000	[1]
ALAMO GROUP INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Seguin, Texas	[2],[3]	Seguin, Texas	[2],[3]
Description of company	Tractor-mounted mowing and mobile excavation equipment for governmental, industrial and agricultural markets; street-sweeping equipment for municipalities.	[2],[3]	Tractor-mounted mowing and mobile excavation equipment for governmental, industrial and agricultural markets; street-sweeping equipment for municipalities.	[2],[3]
Equity (in hundredths)	22.00%	[2],[3],[4]	22.00%	[2],[3],[4]
Investment	2,832,300 shares common stock (acquired 4-1-73 thru 5-09-11)	[2],[3],[5]	2,830,300 shares common stock (acquired 4-1-73 thru 5-25-07)	[2],[3],[5]
Cost	2,191,000	[2],[3]	2,191,000	[2],[3]
Value	61,602,000	[1],[2],[3]	62,267,000	[1],[2],[3]
ATLANTIC CAPITAL BANCSHARES, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Atlanta, Georgia		Atlanta, Georgia
Description of company	Holding company of Atlantic Capital Bank, a full service commercial bank.		Holding company of Atlantic Capital Bank, a full service commercial bank.
Equity (in hundredths)	1.90%	[4]	1.90%	[4]
Investment	300,000 shares common stock (acquired 4-10-07)	[5]	300,000 shares common stock (acquired 4-10-07)	[5]
Cost	3,000,000		3,000,000
Value	2,068,000	[1]	2,257,000	[1]
BALCO, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Wichita, Kansas	[3]	Wichita, Kansas	[3]
Description of company	Specialty architectural products used in the construction and remodeling of commercial and institutional buildings.	[3]	Specialty architectural products used in the construction and remodeling of commercial and institutional buildings.	[3]
Equity (in hundredths)	90.90%	[3],[4]	90.90%	[3],[4]
Investment	445,000 shares common stock and 60,920 shares Class B non-voting common stock (acquired 10-25-83 and 5-30-02)	[3],[5]	445,000 shares common stock and 60,920 shares Class B non-voting common stock (acquired 10-25-83 and 5-30-02)	[3],[5]
Cost	625,000	[3]	625,000	[3]
Value	4,100,000	[1],[3]	5,200,000	[1],[3]
BOXX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Austin, Texas	[6]	Austin, Texas	[6]
Description of company	Workstations for computer graphic imaging and design.	[6]	Workstations for computer graphic imaging and design.	[6]
Equity (in hundredths)	14.90%	[4],[6]	14.90%	[4],[6]
Investment	3,125,354 shares Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 3,125,354 shares of common stock at 0.50 per share (acquired 8-20-99 thru 8-8-01)	[5],[6]	3,125,354 shares Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 3,125,354 shares of common stock at 0.50 per share (acquired 8-20-99 thru 8-8-01)	[5],[6]
Cost	1,500,000	[6]	1,500,000	[6]
Value	378,000	[1],[6]	2	[1],[6]
CINATRA CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Houston, Texas		Houston, Texas
Description of company	Cleans above ground oil storage tanks with a patented, automated system.		Cleans above ground oil storage tanks with a patented, automated system.
Equity (in hundredths)	73.40%	[4]	68.80%	[4]
Cost	13,564,000		10,125,000
Value	7,371,000	[1]	10,125,000	[1]
CINATRA CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 1 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	12 subordinated secured promissory note, due 2015 (acquired 5-19-10 thru 10-20-10)	[5]	12 subordinated secured promissory note, due 2012 (acquired 5-19-10 thru 10-20-10)	[5]
Cost	779,278,000		891,000
Value	545,000	[1]	891,000	[1]
CINATRA CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 2 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	12 subordinated secured promissory note, due 2016 (acquired 5-9-11 thru 10-26-11)	[5]	10 subordinated secured promissory note, due 2013 (acquired 7-14-08 thru 4-28-10)	[5]
Cost	2,286,000		6,201,000
Value	1,599,000	[1]	6,201,000	[1]
CINATRA CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 3 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	12 subordinated secured promissory note, due 2016 (acquired 9-9-11 and 10-26-11)	[5]	3,033,410 shares Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 3,033,410 shares common stock at 1.00 per share (acquired 7-14-08 thru 11-18-10)	[5]
Cost	1,265,000		3,033,000
Value	885,000	[1]	3,033,000	[1]
CINATRA CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 4 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	10 subordinated secured promissory note, due 2016 (acquired 7-14-08 thru 4-28-10)	[5]
Cost	6,201,000
Value	4,340,000	[1]
CINATRA CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 5 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	3,033,410 shares Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 3,033,410 shares common stock at 1.00 per share (acquired 7-14-08 thru 11-18-10)	[5]
Cost	3,033,000
Value	1	[1]
CINATRA CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 6 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	Warrants to purchase 1,269,833 shares of common stock at 1.00 per share, expiring 2021 (acquired 5-9-11 thru 8-31-11)	[5]
Cost	0
Value	0	[1]
ENCORE WIRE CORPORATION [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	McKinney, Texas	[2],[6]	McKinney, Texas	[2],[6]
Description of company	Electric wire and cable for residential, commercial and industrial construction use.	[2],[6]	Electric wire and cable for residential, commercial and industrial construction use.	[2],[6]
Equity (in hundredths)	16.90%	[2],[4],[6]	16.90%	[2],[4],[6]
Investment	4,086,750 shares common stock (acquired 7-16-92 thru 10-7-98)	[2],[5],[6]	4,086,750 shares common stock (acquired 7-16-92 thru 10-7-98)	[2],[5],[6]
Cost	5,800,000	[2],[6]	5,800,000	[2],[6]
Value	95,017,000	[1],[2],[6]	81,735,000	[1],[2],[6]
EXTREME INTERNATIONAL, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Sugar Land, Texas		Sugar Land, Texas
Description of company	Owns Bill Young Productions, Texas Video and Post, and Extreme and television commercials and corporate communications videos.		Owns Bill Young Productions, Texas Video and Post, and Extreme and television commercials and corporate communications videos.
Equity (in hundredths)	53.60%	[4]	53.60%	[4]
Cost	3,326,000		3,326,000
Value	9,882,000	[1]	11,603,000	[1]
EXTREME INTERNATIONAL, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 1 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	13,035 shares Series A Common Stock (acquired 9-26-08 and 12-18-08)	[5]	13,035 shares Series A Common Stock (acquired 9-26-08 and 12-18-08)	[5]
Cost	326,000		326,000
Value	695,000	[1]	815,000	[1]
EXTREME INTERNATIONAL, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 2 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	39,359.18 shares Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 157,437.72 shares of common stock at 25.00 per share (acquired 9-30-03)	[5]	39,359.18 shares Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 157,437.72 shares of common stock at 25.00 per share (acquired 9-30-03)	[5]
Cost	2,625,000		2,625,000
Value	8,388,000	[1]	9,850,000	[1]
EXTREME INTERNATIONAL, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 3 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	3,750 shares 8 Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 15,000 shares of common stock at 25.00 per share (acquired 9-30-03)	[5]	3,750 shares 8 Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 15,000 shares of common stock at 25.00 per share (acquired 9-30-03)	[5]
Cost	375,000		375,000
Value	799,000	[1]	938,000	[1]
HEELYS, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Carrollton, Texas	[2],[3]	Carrollton, Texas	[2],[3]
Description of company	Heelys stealth skate shoes, equipment and apparel sold through sporting goods chains, department stores and footwear retailers.	[2],[3]	Heelys stealth skate shoes, equipment and apparel sold through sporting goods chains, department stores and footwear retailers.	[2],[3]
Equity (in hundredths)	31.10%	[2],[3],[4]	31.60%	[2],[3],[4]
Investment	9,317,310  shares common stock (acquired 5-26-00)	[2],[3],[5]	9,317,310  shares common stock (acquired 5-26-00)	[2],[3],[5]
Cost	102,000	[2],[3]	102,000	[2],[3]
Value	15,261,000	[1],[2],[3]	19,194,000	[1],[2],[3]
HOLOGIC, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Bedford, Massachusetts	[2]	Bedford, Massachusetts	[2]
Description of company	Medical instruments including bone densitometers, mammography devices and digital radiography systems.	[2]	Medical instruments including bone densitometers, mammography devices and digital radiography systems.	[2]
Equity, description	< 1	[2]	< 1	[2],[4]
Investment	632,820 shares common stock (acquired 8-27-99)	[2],[5],[7]	632,820 shares common stock (acquired 8-27-99)	[2],[5],[7]
Cost	220,000	[2]	220,000	[2]
Value	11,074,000	[1],[2]	14,042,000	[1],[2]
iMEMORIES, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Scottsdale, Arizona		Scottsdale, Arizona
Description of company	Enables online video and photo sharing and DVD creation for home movies recorded in analog and new digital format.		Enables online video and photo sharing and DVD creation for home movies recorded in analog and new digital format.
Equity (in hundredths)	25.30%	[4]	27.20%	[4]
Cost	5,078,000		5,000,000
Value	5,078,000	[1]	5,000,000	[1]
iMEMORIES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 1 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	17,391,304 shares Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 19,891,304 shares of common stock at 0.23 per share (acquired 7-10-09)	[5]	10 convertible promissory note, due 2012 (acquired 9-13-10)	[5]
Cost	4,000,000		1,000,000
Value	4,000,000	[1]	1,000,000	[1]
iMEMORIES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 2 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	4,684,967 shares Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 4,684,967 shares of common stock at 0.23 per share (acquired 7-20-11)	[5]	17,391,304 shares Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 17,391,304 shares of common stock at 0.23 per share (acquired 7-10-09)	[5]
Cost	1,078,000		4,000,000
Value	1,078,000	[1]	4,000,000	[1]
iMEMORIES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 3 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	Warrants to purchase 2,500,000  shares of common stock at 0.12 per share, expiring 2020 (acquired 9-13-10 thru 1-21-11)	[5]	Warrant to purchase 968,750 shares of common stock at 0.12 per share, expiring 2020 (acquired 9-13-10)	[5]
Cost	0		0
Value	0	[1]	0	[1]
INSTAWARES HOLDING COMPANY, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Atlanta, Georgia
Description of company	Provides services to the restaurant industry via its five subsidiary companies.
Equity (in hundredths)	4.40%	[4]
Investment	3,846,154 Class D shares (acquired 5-20-11)	[5]
Cost	5,000,000
Value	5,000,000	[1]
KBI BIOPHARMA, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Durham, North Carolina		Durham, North Carolina
Description of company	Provides fully-integrated, outsourced drug development and bio-manufacturing services.		Provides fully-integrated, outsourced drug development and bio-manufacturing services.
Equity (in hundredths)	17.10%	[4]	17.10%	[4]
Investment	7,142,857 shares Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 10,204,082 shares of common stock at 0.49 per share (acquired 9-08-09)	[5]	7,142,857 shares Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 10,204,082 shares of common stock at 0.49 per share (acquired 9-08-09)	[5]
Cost	5,000,000		5,000,000
Value	1,900,000	[1]	4,200,000	[1]
MEDIA RECOVERY, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Dallas, Texas	[3]	Dallas, Texas	[3]
Description of company	Computer datacenter and office automation supplies and accessories; impact, tilt monitoring and temperature sensing devices to detect mishandling shipments; dunnage for protecting shipments.	[3]	Computer datacenter and office automation supplies and accessories; impact, tilt monitoring and temperature sensing devices to detect mishandling shipments; dunnage for protecting shipments.	[3]
Equity (in hundredths)	97.90%	[3],[4]	97.50%	[3],[4]
Cost	5,415,000	[3]	5,415,000	[3]
Value	18,600,000	[1],[3]	18,100,000	[1],[3]
MEDIA RECOVERY, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 1 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	800,000 shares Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 800,000 shares of common stock at 1.00 per share (acquired 11-4-97)	[3],[5]	800,000 shares Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 800,000 shares of common stock at 1.00 per share (acquired 11-4-97)	[3],[5]
Cost	800,000	[3]	800,000	[3]
Value	3,100,000	[1],[3]	3,000,000	[1],[3]
MEDIA RECOVERY, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 2 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	4,000,002 shares common stock (acquired 11-4-97)	[3],[5]	4,000,002 shares common stock (acquired 11-4-97)	[3],[5]
Cost	4,615,000	[3]	4,615,000	[3]
Value	15,500,000	[1],[3]	15,100,000	[1],[3]
PALLETONE, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Bartow, Florida	[6]	Bartow, Florida	[6]
Description of company	Manufacturer of wooden pallets and pressure-treated lumber.	[6]	Manufacturer of wooden pallets and pressure-treated lumber.	[6]
Equity (in hundredths)	7.70%	[4],[6]	8.40%	[4],[6]
Cost	1,703,000	[6]	1,749,000	[6]
Value	2,000,000	[1],[6]	1,600,000	[1],[6]
PALLETONE, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 1 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	12.3 senior subordinated notes, 2,000,000 principal due 2015 (acquired  9-25-06)	[5],[6]	12.3 senior subordinated notes, 2,000,000 principal due 2015 (acquired  9-25-06)	[5],[6]
Cost	1,553,000	[6]	1,553,000	[6]
Value	2,000,000	[1],[6]	1,600,000	[1],[6]
PALLETONE, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 2 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	150,000 shares common stock (acquired 10-18-01)	[5],[6]	150,000 shares common stock (acquired 10-18-01)	[5],[6]
Cost	150,000	[6]	150,000	[6]
Value	2	[1],[6]	2	[1],[6]
PALLETONE, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 3 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment			Warrant to purchase 15,294 shares of common stock at 1.00 per share, expiring 2011 (acquired 2-17-06)	[5],[6]
Cost			45,746	[6]
Value			0	[1],[6]
THE RECTORSEAL CORPORATION [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Houston, Texas	[3]	Houston, Texas	[3]
Description of company	Specialty chemicals for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, construction, industrial, oil field and automotive applications; smoke containment systems for building fires; also owns 20 of The Whitmore Manufacturing Company.	[3]	Specialty chemicals for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, construction, industrial, oil field and automotive applications; smoke containment systems for building fires; also owns 20 of The Whitmore Manufacturing Company.	[3]
Equity (in hundredths)	100.00%	[3],[4]	100.00%	[3],[4]
Investment	27,907 shares common stock (acquired 1-5-73 and 3-31-73)	[3],[5]	27,907 shares common stock (acquired 1-5-73 and 3-31-73)	[3],[5]
Cost	53,000	[3]	53,000	[3]
Value	153,700,000	[1],[3]	144,700,000	[1],[3]
TCI HOLDINGS, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Denver, Colorado		Denver, Colorado
Description of company	Cable television systems and microwave relay systems.		Cable television systems and microwave relay systems.
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Investment	21 shares 12 Series C Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock (acquired 1-30-90)	[5]	21 shares 12% Series C Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock (acquired 1-30-90)	[5]
Cost	0		0
Value	811,000	[1]	841,000	[1]
TRAX HOLDINGS, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Scottsdale, Arizona		Scottsdale, Arizona
Description of company	Provides a comprehensive set of solutions to improve the transportation validation, accounting, payment and information management process.		Provides a comprehensive set of solutions to improve the transportation validation, accounting, payment and information management process.
Equity (in hundredths)	26.20%	[4]	30.70%	[4]
Investment			1,061,279 shares Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 1,077,203 common stock at 4.64 per share (acquired 12-8-08 and 2-17-09)	[5]
Cost	8,200,000		5,000,000
Value	9,000,000	[1]	5,758,000	[1]
TRAX HOLDINGS, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 1 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	18 convertible  promissory note, 3,200,000 principal  due 2012 (acquired 4-6-11 thru 11-10-11)	[5]
Cost	3,200,000
Value	3,200,000	[1]
TRAX HOLDINGS, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 2 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment	1,061,279 shares Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible into 1,061,279 common stock at 4.64 per share (acquired 12-8-08 and 2-17-09)	[5]
Cost	5,000,000
Value	5,800,000	[1]
VIA HOLDINGS, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Sparks, Nevada		Sparks, Nevada
Description of company	Designer, manufacturer and distributor of high-quality office seating.		Designer, manufacturer and distributor of high-quality office seating.
Equity (in hundredths)	3.20%	[4]	28.10%	[4]
Investment	12,686 shares common stock (acquired 3-4-11 and 3-25-11)	[5]	12,686 shares common stock (acquired 3-4-11 and 3-25-11)	[5]
Cost	4,926,000		4,926,000
Value	2	[1]	4	[1]
WELLOGIX, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Houston, Texas	[6]	Houston, Texas	[6]
Description of company	Developer and supporter of software used by the oil and gas industry.	[6]	Developer and supporter of software used by the oil and gas industry.	[6]
Equity (in hundredths)	19.10%	[4],[6]	19.20%	[4],[6]
Investment	4,788,371 shares Series A-1 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock, convertible into 4,788,371 shares of common stock at 1.0441 per share (acquired 8-19-05 thru 6-15-08)	[5],[6]	4,788,371 shares Series A-1 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock, convertible into 4,788,371 shares of common stock at 1.0441 per share (acquired 8-19-05 thru 6-15-08)	[5],[6]
Cost	5,000,000	[6]	5,000,000	[6]
Value	25,000	[1],[6]	2	[1],[6]
THE WHITMORE MANUFACTURING COMPANY [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location	Rockwall, Texas	[3]	Rockwall, Texas	[3]
Description of company	Specialized surface mining, railroad and industrial lubricants; coatings for automobiles and primary metals; fluid contamination control devices.	[3]	Specialized surface mining, railroad and industrial lubricants; coatings for automobiles and primary metals; fluid contamination control devices.	[3]
Equity (in hundredths)	80.00%	[3],[4]	80.00%	[3],[4]
Investment	80 shares common stock (acquired 8-31-79)	[3],[5]	80 shares common stock (acquired 8-31-79)	[3],[5]
Cost	1,600,000	[3]	1,600,000	[3]
Value	61,000,000	[1],[3]	55,600,000	[1],[3]
ALL COMPONENTS, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location			Pflugerville, Texas
Description of company			Electronics contract manufacturing; distribution and production of memory and other components for computer manufacturers, retailers and value-added resellers.
Equity (in hundredths)			80.40%	[4]
Cost			2,150,000
Value			13,500,000	[1]
ALL COMPONENTS, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 1 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment			8.25 subordinate note, 2,000,000 principal due 2012 (acquired 6-27-07)	[5]
Cost			2,000,000
Value			2,000,000	[1]
ALL COMPONENTS, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 2 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment			150,000 shares Series A Convertible Preferred Stock; convertible into 600,000 shares of common stock at 0.25 per share (acquired 9-16-94)	[5]
Cost			150,000
Value			8,431,000	[1]
ALL COMPONENTS, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 3 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment			Warrant to purchase 350,000 shares of common stock at 11.00 per share, expiring 2017 (acquired 6-27-07)	[5]
Cost			0
Value			3,069,000	[1]
PALM HARBOR HOMES, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location			Dallas, Texas	[2],[3]
Description of company			Integrated manufacturing, retailing, financing and insuring of manufactured housing and modular homes.	[2],[3]
Equity (in hundredths)			30.40%	[2],[3],[4]
Cost			10,932,000	[2],[3]
Value			2	[1],[2],[3]
PALM HARBOR HOMES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 1 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment			7,855,121 shares common stock (acquired 1-3-85 thru 7-31-95)	[2],[3],[5]
Cost			10,932,000	[2],[3]
Value			2	[1],[2],[3]
PALM HARBOR HOMES, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 2 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment			Warrant to purchase 286,625 shares of common stock at 3.14 per share, expiring 2019 (acquired 4-24-09)	[2],[3],[5]
Cost			0	[2],[3]
Value			0	[1],[2],[3]
PHI HEALTH, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location			Richardson, Texas
Description of company			Develops and sells cardiac MRI systems and software.
Equity (in hundredths)			67.00%	[4]
Cost			5,752,000
Value			5,752,000	[1]
PHI HEALTH, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 1 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment			1,559,111 shares Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock convertible into 1,559,111 shares of common stock at 0.0015 per share (acquired 1-27-11)	[5]
Cost			2,339
Value			2,339	[1]
PHI HEALTH, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 2 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment			555,556 shares Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock convertible into 555,556 shares common stock at 2.25 per share (acquired 1-27-11)	[5]
Cost			1,250,000
Value			1,250,000	[1]
PHI HEALTH, INC. [Member] | Investment Type 3 [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment			4,500,000 Shares Series C-1 Convertible Preferred Stock convertible into 4,500,000 shares common stock at 0.20 per share (acquired 1-7-11 and 1-27-11)	[5]
Cost			4,500,000
Value			4,500,000	[1]
TEXAS CAPITAL BANCSHARES, INC. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Location			Dallas, Texas	[2]
Description of company			Regional bank holding company with banking operations in six Texas cities.	[2]
Equity (in hundredths)			1.60%	[2],[4]
Investment			489,656 shares common stock (acquired 5-1-00)	[2],[5],[7]
Cost			3,550,000	[2]
Value			12,711,000	[1],[2]
Ballast Point Ventures II, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Investment	2.2% limited partnership interest (acquired 8-4-08 thru 6-18-10)	[5]	2.2% limited partnership interest (acquired 8-4-08 thru 6-18-10)	[5]
Cost	1,425,000		1,200,000
Value	1,252,000	[1]	1,200,000	[1]
BankCap Partners Fund I, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Investment	5.5 limited partnership interest (acquired 7-14-06 thru 11-30-11)	[5]	5.5 limited partnership interest (acquired 7-14-06 thru 12-13-10)	[5]
Cost	5,808,000		5,762,000
Value	5,135,000	[1]	5,102,000	[1]
CapitalSouth Partners Fund III, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Investment	1.9 limited partnership interest (acquired 1-22-08 and 11-16-11)	[5]	1.9 limited partnership interest (acquired 1-22-08 and 2-12-09)	[5]
Cost	1,331,000		831,000
Value	1,432,000	[1]	790,000	[1]
CapStar Holdings Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	100.00%	[3],[4]	100.00%	[3],[4]
Investment	500 shares common stock (acquired 6-10-10)	[3],[5]	500 shares common stock (acquired 6-10-10)	[3],[5]
Cost	3,704,000	[3]	3,704,000	[3]
Value	4,372,000	[1],[3]	4,380,000	[1],[3]
Diamond State Ventures, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Investment	1.4 limited partnership interest (acquired 10-12-99 thru 8-26-05)	[5]	1.4 limited partnership interest (acquired 10-12-99 thru 8-26-05)	[5]
Cost	76,000		76,000
Value	175,000	[1]	178,000	[1]
Discovery Alliance, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[3],[4]	0.00%	[3],[4]
Investment	90.0 limited liability company (acquired  9-12-08 thru 10-20-11)	[3],[5]	90.0 limited liability company (acquired  9-12-08 thru 5-14-10)	[3],[5]
Cost	1,180,000,000	[3]	900,000	[3]
Value	1,242,000	[1],[3]	574,000	[1],[3]
Essex Capital Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Investment	10 unsecured promissory note due 8-19-10 (acquired 8-16-09)	[5]	10 unsecured promissory note due 8-19-10 (acquired 8-16-09)	[5]
Cost	0		0
Value	500,000	[1]	1,000,000	[1]
First Capital Group of Texas III, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Investment	3.0 limited partnership interest (acquired 12-26-00 thru 8-12-05)	[5]	3.0 limited partnership interest (acquired 12-26-00 thru 8-12-05)	[5]
Cost	779,000		779,000
Value	750,000	[1]	408,000	[1]
Humac Company [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	100.00%	[3],[4]	100.00%	[3],[4]
Investment	1,041,000 shares common stock (acquired 1-31-75 and 12-31-75)	[3],[5]	1,041,000 shares common stock (acquired 1-31-75 and 12-31-75)	[3],[5]
Cost	0	[3]	0	[3]
Value	154,000	[1],[3]	166,000	[1],[3]
STARTech Seed Fund I [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Investment	12.1 limited partnership interest (acquired 4-17-98 thru 1-5-00)	[5]	12.1 limited partnership interest (acquired 4-17-98 thru 1-5-00)	[5]
Cost	178,000		178,000
Value	40,000	[1]	53,000	[1]
STARTech Seed Fund II [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Investment	3.2 limited partnership interest (acquired 4-28-00 thru 2-23-05)	[5]	3.2 limited partnership interest (acquired 4-28-00 thru 2-23-05)	[5]
Cost	844,000		844,000
Value	338,000	[1]	317,000	[1]
Sterling Group Partners I, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity (in hundredths)	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Investment	1.7 limited partnership interest (acquired 4-20-01 thru 1-24-05)	[5]	1.6 limited partnership interest (acquired 4-20-01 thru 1-24-05)	[5]
Cost	1,064,000		1,064,000
Value	$ 516,000	[1]	$ 919,000	[1]

[1] Debt Securities are generally valued on the basis of the price the security would command in order to provide a yield-to-maturity equivalent to the present yield of comparable debt instruments of similar quality. Issuers whose debt securities are judged to be of poor quality and doubtful collectability may instead be valued by assigning percentage discounts commensurate with the quality of such debt securities. Debt securities may also be valued based on the resulting value from the sale of the business at the estimated fair market value. Partnership Interests, Preferred Equity and Common Equity, including unrestricted marketable securities are valued at the closing sale price for the NYSE listed securities and the lower of the closing bid price or the last sale price for NASDAQ securities on the valuation date, and restricted marketable securities for which there is a public market are valued at the closing sale price for the NYSE listed securities and the lower of the closing bid price or the last sale price for NASDAQ securities on the valuation date adjusted in good faith by our Board of Directors if they deem a discount or premium would be likely or obtainable upon a sale or transfer of our interest. For those without a principal market, the Board of Directors considers the financial condition and operating results of the issuer; the long-term potential of the business of the issuer; the market for and recent sales prices of the issuer's securities; the values of similar securities issued by companies in similar businesses; the proportion of the issuer's securities owned by the Company; protective put analysis based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model; the nature and duration of resale restrictions; and the nature of any rights enabling the Company to require the issuer to register restricted securities under applicable securities laws. In determining the fair value of restricted securities, the Board of Directors considers the inherent value of such securities without regard to the restrictive feature and adjusts for any diminution in value resulting from restrictions on resale. Investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share (or its equivalent) and for which fair market value is not readily determinable, are valued using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent, such as member units or ownership interest in partners' capital to which a proportionate share of net assets is attributed) of the investment. Equity Warrants are valued using the Black-Scholes model which defines the fair value of a warrant in relation to the market price of its common stock, share price volatility, and time to maturity.

[2] Publicly-owned company

[3] Control investment

[4] The percentages in the "Equity" column express the potential equity interests held by Capital Southwest Corporation and Capital Southwest Venture Corporation (together, the "Company") in each issuer. Each percentage represents the amount of the issuer's common stock the Company owns or can acquire as a percentage of the issuer's total outstanding common stock, plus stock reserved for all warrants, convertible securities and employee stock options.

[5] Unrestricted securities (indicated by ±) are freely marketable securities having readily available market quotations. All other securities are restricted securities, which are subject to one or more restrictions on resale and are not freely marketable. At December 31, 2011, and March 31, 2011, restricted securities represented approximately 97.7% and 94.5% of the value of the consolidated investment portfolio, respectively. Our investments are carried at fair value in accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") and FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (ASC) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. In accordance with the 1940 Act, unrestricted minority-owned publicly traded securities, for which the market quotations are readily available, are valued at the closing sale price for the NYSE listed securities and the lower of the closing bid price or the last sale price for NASDAQ securities on the valuation date; and restricted publicly traded securities and other privately held securities are valued as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value in terms of the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the "exit price") and excludes transaction costs. Under ASC Topic 820, the fair value measurement also assumes that the transaction to sell an asset occurs in the principal market for the asset or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset. The principal market is the market in which the reporting entity would sell or transfer the asset with the greatest volume and level of activity for the asset. In determining the principal market for an asset or liability under ASC Topic 820, it is assumed that the reporting entity has access to the market as of the measurement date.

[6] Affiliated investments

[7] Unrestricted securities as defined in Note (b)