VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Schedule of Classification, Carrying Value, and Maximum Exposure to Loss of Unconsolidated VIEs) (Details) RSO (Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities, Maximum Exposure to Loss	$ 3,530
RSO [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	66,314
Intangible assets	11,233
Total assets	77,547
Borrowings	51,005
Total liabilities	51,005
Net asset (liability)	26,542
RSO [Member] | Investments in Unconsolidated Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities, Maximum Exposure to Loss	66,314
RSO [Member] | Intangible Assets [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities, Maximum Exposure to Loss	11,233
RSO [Member] | LEAF [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	41,016
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	41,016
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	41,016
RSO [Member] | Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	1,548
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	1,548
Borrowings	51,005
Total liabilities	51,005
Net asset (liability)	(49,457)
RSO [Member] | Resource Capital Asset Management [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	0
Intangible assets	11,233
Total assets	11,233
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	11,233
RSO [Member] | RRE VIP Borrower, LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	0
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	0
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	0
RSO [Member] | Varde Investment Partners, LP [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	674
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	674
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	674
RSO [Member] | Life Care Funding, LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	1,530
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	1,530
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	1,530
RSO [Member] | CVC Global Credit Opportunities Fund, LP [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	16,177
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	16,177
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	16,177
RSO [Member] | Harvest CLO VII Limited [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities	5,369
Intangible assets	0
Total assets	5,369
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net asset (liability)	$ 5,369