SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P.
                               One Suburban Plaza
                                240 Route 10 West
                         Whippany, New Jersey 07981-0206


                                 April 11, 2003


Mr. Steven G. Hearne
Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporate Finance
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549


                     Re:       Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.
                               Registration Statement on Form S-3
                               File No. 333-104415
                               ----------------------------------

Dear Mr. Hearne:

           Pursuant to Rule 473 of the Securities Act of 1933, the following
delaying amendment is hereby incorporated into Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.'s
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-104415) previously filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission:

           "The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such
           date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until
           the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically
           states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become
           effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of
           1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on
           such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
           may determine."

           If you have any questions concerning this letter, please do not
hesitate to contact me at (973) 503-9987.



                               Sincerely,


                               SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P.

                               By: /s/ Janice G. Meola
                                   --------------------------------------
                                   Name: Janice G. Meola
                                   Title: General Counsel and Secretary,
                                          Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.