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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 9)*

MERIDIAN RESOURCE CORPORATION


(Name of Issuer)

COMMON STOCK


(Title of Class of Securities)

58977Q109


(Cusip Number)



(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

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

        o Rule 13d-1 (b)

        o Rule 13d-1 (c)

        o Rule 13d-1 (d)

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the notes).

 


Table of Contents

             
13G
CUSIP No. 58977Q109 Page 2 of 8

  1. Name of Reporting Person:
(A) KAYNE ANDERSON CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.P.
(B) RICHARD A. KAYNE
I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only):
95-4486379
124-34-0063

  2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group:
    (a) o  
    (b) x  

  3. SEC Use Only:

  4. Citizenship or Place of Organization:
(A) IS A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(B) IS A U.S. CITIZEN

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each Reporting
Person With
5. Sole Voting Power:
(A) 0
(B) 689,349

6. Shared Voting Power:
(A) 4,130,645
(B) 4,130,645

7. Sole Dispositive Power:
(A) 0
(B) 689,349

8.Shared Dispositive Power:
(A) 4,130,645
(B) 4,130,645

  9.Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:
(A) 4,130,645
(B) 4,819,994

  10.Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares:
o

  11.Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9):
(A) 6.6%
(B) 7.6%

  12.Type of Reporting Person:
(A) IA
(B) IN


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4. Ownership
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which            Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding            Company.
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
Item. 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Item 10. Certification.
SIGNATURE


Table of Contents

United States
Securities and Exchange Commission

Schedule 13G

*********************

             
Item 1.   (a)   Issuer:   Meridian Resource Corporation
    (b)   Address:   1401 Enclave Parkway, Suite 300
            Houston, TX 77077
                 
Item 2.   (a)   Filing Persons:   Kayne Anderson   Richard A. Kayne
            Capital Advisors, L.P.    
                 
    (b)   Addresses:   1800 Avenue of the Stars,   1800 Avenue of the Stars,
            Second Floor   Second Floor
            Los Angeles, CA 90067   Los Angeles, CA 90067
             
    (c)   Citizenship:   Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. is a
            California limited partnership
            Richard A. Kayne is a U.S. Citizen
             
    (d)   Title of Class    
        of Services:   Common Stock
             
    (e)   Cusip Number:   58977Q109
     
Item 3.   If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b) or 13d-2(b), check whether the person filing is a:
         
    (e)   Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., is an investment adviser registered under section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
     
Item 4.   Ownership
                         
    (a)   Amount Beneficially Owned:                
                         
    Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.    
                         
      Managed Investment Limited Partnerships      
4,080,220

   
                         
      Other Managed Accounts      
50,425

   
                         
      Richard A. Kayne      
689,349

   
             
Total
 

4,819,994

   
                         
    (b)   Percent of Class:      
7.6
%
   

PAGE 3 OF 8


Table of Contents

United States
Securities and Exchange Commission

Schedule 13G
Amendment No. 9

Meridian Resource Corporation (Issuer)
**************************

     
Item 5.   Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
    If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting persons have ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following o .
Not applicable.
     
Item 6.   Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
    Not applicable.
     
Item 7.   Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company.
    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 we certify that, to the best of our knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purposes or effect.

PAGE 4 OF 8


Table of Contents

United States
Securities and Exchange Commission

Schedule 13G
Amendment No. 9

Meridian Resource Corporation (Issuer)
**************************

SIGNATURE

     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.

     
February 12, 2004

Date
 
/S/ RICHARD A. KAYNE

Richard A. Kayne

KAYNE ANDERSON CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.P.

         
By:   Kayne Anderson Investment Management, Inc.
         
    By:   /S/ DAVID J. SHLADOVSKY
       
        David J. Shladovsky, Secretary

PAGE 5 OF 8


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JOINT FILING AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(f)(1)

This agreement is made pursuant to Rule 13d-1(f)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) by and between the parties listed below, each referred to herein as a “Joint Filer.” The Joint Filers agree that a statement of beneficial ownership as required by Section 13(d) of the Act and the Rules thereunder may be filed on each of their behalf on Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G, as appropriate, and that said joint filing may thereafter be amended by further joint filings. The Joint Filers state that they each satisfy the requirements for making a joint filing under Rule 13d-1.

     
February 12, 2004

Date
 
/S/ RICHARD A. KAYNE

Richard A. Kayne

KAYNE ANDERSON CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.P.

         
By:   Kayne Anderson Investment Management, Inc.
         
    By:   /S/ DAVID J. SHLADOVSKY
       
        David J. Shladovsky, Secretary

PAGE 6 OF 8


Table of Contents

United States
Securities and Exchange Commission

Schedule 13G
Amendment No. 9

(cover page)
Meridian Resource Corporation (Issuer)
**************************

     
Box 9.   The reported shares are owned by investment accounts managed, with discretion to purchase or sell securities, by Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., a registered investment adviser.
     
    Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. is the general partner of the limited partnerships. Richard A. Kayne is the controlling shareholder of the corporate owner of Kayne Anderson Investment Management, Inc., the general partner of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. Mr. Kayne is also a limited partner of each of the limited partnerships. Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares reported, except those shares attributable to it by virtue of its general partner interests in the limited partnerships. Mr. Kayne disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares reported, except those shares held by him or attributable to him by virtue of his limited partnership interests in the limited partnerships and by virtue of his indirect interest in the interest of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. in the limited partnerships.

PAGE 7 OF 8


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UNDERTAKING

The undersigned agree jointly to file the attached Statement of Beneficial Ownership on Schedule 13G with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission and Meridian Resource Corporation.

Dated: February 12, 2004

     
/S/ RICHARD A. KAYNE

Richard A. Kayne

KAYNE ANDERSON CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.P.

         
By:   Kayne Anderson Investment Management, Inc.
         
    By:   /S/ DAVID J. SHLADOVSKY
       
        David J. Shladovsky, Secretary

PAGE 8 OF 8