sc13g
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Blue Rhino Corporation

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock

(Title of Class of Securities)

095811105

(CUSIP Number)

December 31, 2002

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

  [      ] Rule 13d-1 (b)
  [  X ] Rule 13d-1 (c)
  [      ] Rule 13d-1 (d)

 

SCHEDULE 13G

     
  CUSIP No. 095811105     Page 2 of 5 Pages
             
1.   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS        
             
    Allied Capital Corporation        
             
    I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)        
 
    52-1081052        
2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*   (a)
(b) 		  [ ]
[ ]
 
3.   SEC USE ONLY        
 
4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION        
 
    Maryland        
 
    5.   SOLE VOTING POWER
 
NUMBER OF       1,070,179
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY   6.   SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY        
EACH       0
REPORTING
PERSON   7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH      
      1,070,179
 
    8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
        0
9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON    
 
    1,070,179    
10.   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 9 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*    
        [  ]
 
11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9    
 
    6%    
12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*    
 
    CO    

 

 

     
  CUSIP No. 095811105     Page 3 of 5 Pages
     
Item 1(a).   Name of Issuer:
 
    Blue Rhino Corporation
 
Item 1(b).   Address of Issuer:
 
    104 Cambridge Plaza Drive
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104
 
Item 2(b).   Name of Person Filing:
 
    Allied Capital Corporation
 
Item 2(b).   Address of Principal Business Office:
 
    1919 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D,C, 20006-3434
 
Item 2(c).   Citizenship:
 
    Maryland
 
Item 2(d).   Title of Class of Securities
 
    Common Stock, par value $.001 per share
 
Item 2(e).   CUSIP No.:
 
    095811105

 

 

     
  CUSIP No. 095811105     Page 4 of 5 Pages

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to rule 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether
the person filing is a:

           
  (a)   ______   Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act.
 
  (b)   ______   Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act.
 
  (c)   ______   Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act.
 
  (d)   ______   Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
  (e)   ______   An investment adviser in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E).
 
  (f)   ______   An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F).
 
  (g)   ______   A parent holding company or control person in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).
 
  (h)   ______   A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
 
  (i)   ______   A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
  (j)   ______   Group, in accordance with Section 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).
     
Item 4.   Ownership
 
    With respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of common stock of Blue Rhino Corporation by Allied Capital Corporation, see Items 5 through 8 of the cover pages to this Schedule 13G, which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 5.   Ownership of Five Percent or Less of Class
 
    If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ].
 
Item 6.   Ownership of More Than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person
 
    Not applicable.

 

 

     
  CUSIP No. 095811105     Page 5 of 5 Pages
     
Item 7.   Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person
 
    Not Applicable.
 
Item 8.   Identification and Classification of Members of the Group
 
    Not Applicable.
 
Item 9.   Notice of Dissolution of Group
 
    Not Applicable.
 
Item 10.   Certification
 
    By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held with the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.
 
    After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
    DATED: February 14, 2003
 
    ALLIED CAPITAL CORPORATION
       
  By:   /s/ Penni F. Roll  
   
 
    Penni F. Roll
Chief Financial Officer