-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 4b/tHCEGRZ3gopZBtMniyQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001162675-09-000002.txt : 20090120
<SEC-HEADER>0001162675-09-000002.hdr.sgml : 20090119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090120192919
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001162675-09-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090115
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090120
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COGHILL CLINT D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001235155

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22239
		FILM NUMBER:		09535579

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE N WACKER DR
		STREET 2:		STE 4725
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3123341104

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AUTOBYTEL  INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001023364
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, DATA PROCESSING, ETC. [7370]
		IRS NUMBER:				330711569
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		18872 MACARTHUR BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92612-1400
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9492254500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		AUTO BY TEL CORP
		STREET 2:		18872 MACARTHUR BLVD 2ND FL
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92612-1400

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AUTOBYTEL COM INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19981230

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AUTO BY TEL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960920

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COGHILL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001162675
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22239
		FILM NUMBER:		09535580

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 N WACKER DR
		STREET 2:		STE 4350
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3123242000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 N WACKER DR
		STREET 2:		STE 4350
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CCM MASTER QUALIFIED FUND LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001235152
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			E9

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22239
		FILM NUMBER:		09535581

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE N WACKER DR
		STREET 2:		STE 4350
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3123242031

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MORGAN STANLEY FUND SERVICES (CAYMAN
		STREET 2:		LTD CENTURY YARD CRICKET SQ HUTCHINGS DR
		CITY:			PO BOX 2681 GEORGE TOWN
		STATE:			E9
		ZIP:			00000

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CCM MASTER FUND LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20030522
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001023364</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AUTOBYTEL  INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ABTL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001235152</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CCM MASTER QUALIFIED FUND LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MORGAN STANLEY FUND SERVICES (CAYMAN</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>LTD CENTURY YARD CRICKET SQ HUTCHINGS DR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PO BOX 2681 GEORGE TOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>E9</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>00000</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>CAYMAN ISLANDS</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001162675</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COGHILL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1 N WACKER DR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE 4350</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60606</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001235155</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COGHILL CLINT D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8118410</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8118410</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Indirectly by Coghill Capital Management, LLC and Clint D. Coghill</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Equity Swap</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>2.62</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-02-28</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>ABTL Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3894023</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Equity Swap</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>2.62</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-02-28</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>ABTL Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3894023</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Indirectly by Coghill Capital Management, LLC and Clint D. Coghill</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These securities may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Coghill Capital Management, L.L.C.  (&quot;CCM&quot;), the investment manager of CCM Master Qualified Fund, Ltd. (the &quot;Master Fund&quot;).  These securities may also be deemed to be beneficially owned by Clint Coghill, the President and majority owner of CCM.  Each of CCM and Mr. Coghill disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that such Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of the securities for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Under the terms of these total return equity swap agreements (the &quot;Swaps&quot;) (i) the Master Fund will be obligated to pay to the counterparty any capital depreciation of the reference shares as of maturity, plus interest, and (ii) the counterparty will be obligated to pay to the Master Fund any capital appreciation of the reference shares as of maturity.  Any dividends received by the counterparty on the reference shares during the term of the Swaps will be paid to the Master Fund.  All balances will be cash settled at maturity and there will be no transfer of voting or dispositive power over the reference shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CCM Master Qualified Fund, Ltd</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Coghill Capital Management, LLC</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Clint D. Coghill</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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