MOLECULAR GAS IN THE POSTSTARBURST GALACTIC NUCLEUS OF NGC-4736

We present (CO)-C-12(J = 1-0) observations of the poststarburst nucleu s of NGC 4736. Although star in the nuclear region is currently inacti ve, there is a substantial amount of molecular gas, similar to 10(7) M ., in the central similar to 300 PC region. Comparing the observed mol ecular-gas surface density with the threshold gas density for star for mation proposed by Kennicutt (1989, AAA 50.157.264), we find that the nuclear gas disk is stable for gravitational instability. We discuss p ossible scenarios for the nuclear starburst evolution of NGC 4736 in t erms of either bar-driven instability fueling or minor-merger driven f ueling (or triggering).