SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------

                                   FORM 8 - K


             Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)                January 9, 2003
                                                                ---------------

                         Commission File Number: 1-14222

                         SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P.
                         -------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


        Delaware                                             22-3410353
        --------                                             ----------
(State or other jurisdiction                              (I.R.S. Employer
       of incorporation)                                 Identification No.)

                                240 Route 10 West
                              Whippany, N.J. 07981
                                 (973) 887-5300
                              --------------------
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)





                                                               Page 1 of 5
                                                   Exhibit Index on Page 4



ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c) Exhibits.    A copy of the Press Release  has been furnished as Exhibit 99.1
                 to this Current Report.


ITEM 9.  REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On January 9, 2003, Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (the "Partnership") issued a
press release (the "Press  Release")  announcing the  Partnership's  Fiscal 2003
First  Quarter  Results  Conference  Call. A copy of the Press  Release has been
furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.















                                   Page 2 of 5


                                   SIGNATURES

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant  has duly  caused this report  to be signed on  its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                          SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P.

January 9, 2003                           By:  /s/  Janice G. Meola
                                            -----------------------
                                            Name:  Janice G. Meola
                                            Title: General Counsel & Secretary
















                                   Page 3 of 5




                                    EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.                           Exhibit
- -----------                           -------

99.1                                  Press Release dated January 9, 2003