RSO VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Schedule of Classification, Carrying Value, and Maximum Exposure to Loss of Unconsolidated VIEs) (Details) (Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss	$ 3,835
Resource Capital Corp [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	64,789
Intangible assets	11,687
Total assets	76,476
Borrowings	50,956
Total liabilities	50,956
Net asset (liability)	25,520
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Investments in Unconsolidated Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss	64,789
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Intangible Assets [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss	11,687
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | LEAF Commercial Capital Inc [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	40,820
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	40,820
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	40,820
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	1,548
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	1,548
Borrowings	50,956
Total liabilities	50,956
Net asset (liability)	(49,408)
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Resource Capital Asset Management [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	0
Intangible assets	11,687
Total assets	11,687
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	11,687
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | RRE VIP Borrower, LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	(330)
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	(330)
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	(330)
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Varde Investment Partners, LP [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	575
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	575
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	575
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Life Care Funding, LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	1,651
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	1,651
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	1,651
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | CVC Global Credit Opportunities Fund, LP [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	15,526
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	15,526
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	15,526
Resource Capital Corp [Member] | Harvard CLO VII Limited [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	4,999
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	4,999
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	$ 4,999