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) March 12, 2011

ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

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 5.02  Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;

Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b) Departure of Directors.

On March 12, 2011 Douglas E. Coltharp notified Ares Capital Corporation (the “Company”) that he would not stand for reelection as a director of the Company when his current term expires at the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). Mr. Coltharp is expected to continue to serve the remainder of his term until the date of the Annual Meeting. Mr. Coltharp has served on the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) since its initial public offering in 2004 and currently serves as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board. Mr. Coltharp’s decision to resign was based on the demands on his time from other professional commitments, and not the result of any disagreement relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

The Company appreciates and thanks Mr. Coltharp for his service and commitment as a director and will continue to benefit from his perspectives and insights as a director and committee member until his term expires at the Annual Meeting.

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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.

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