Steve Rubell, 45, the co-owner of Studio 54 who reigned over New York's nightlife at the height of the disco craze until his arrest for skimming club receipts, died July 26 of complications from hepatitis and septic shock at Beth Israel Hospital.

He was a friend of celebrities such as Liza Minnelli and Madonna during his 25 years of business dealings with college buddy and longtime partner Ian Schrager. The pair became the toast of Manhattan nightlife after opening Studio 54 on April 26, 1977, playing host to Andy Warhol, Bianca Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor and Cheryl Tiegs night after night. Mr. Rubell's activities earned prominent mention in "The Andy Warhol Diaries," a current bestseller. Mr. Rubell often worked the club's front door, selectively admitting celebrities and spurning others queued outside. Among those he failed to recognize and turned away: John Kennedy Jr. and Warren Beatty.

Mr. Rubell and Schrager returned to New York, channeling their efforts into the hotel business. Within four years, they were operating Morgans hotel and running another nightclub, the Palladium. Once again, Mr. Rubell became prominent on the club scene. On opening night at the Palladium, Boy George, actor Matt Dillon and other celebrities turned out, and the club's business took off. Mr. Rubell and Schrager continued their hotel work, renovating and reopening the Royalton hotel in midtown Manhattan. They were in the process of renovating the Century Paramount hotel off Times Square and also had bought the Barbizon Hotel. Mr. Rubell is survived by his parents and a brother. JILL PERRY HUNTLEY McDOWELL Librarian Jill Perry Huntley McDowell, 55, a former librarian with a municipal association and several Virginia universities, died of cancer July 22 at her home in Garrett Park. Mrs. McDowell was a native of Black River Falls, Wis. She received a bachelor of library science degree from Northern Illinois University and a master's of library science degree from the University of North Carolina. From 1962 until 1982, she was a librarian at Southern Seminary Junior College in Buena Vista, Va., and at Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University in Lexington, where she lived for 20 years. She moved to the Washington area in 1983 and later worked as a reference manager with the National League of Cities for one year. Previously, she was a librarian at Montgomery College in Rockville and at an Alexandria environment consulting firm. Her first marriage to H. Robert Huntley ended in divorce. Survivors include her husband of three years, Eugene Charles McDowell of Garrett Park; her mother, Frances Roberts Perry of Black River Falls; her sister, Sarah Goldstein of Madison, Wis.; two daughters from her first marriage, Eve Huntley of Charlottesville and Rhea Kosovic of Washington; and three granddaughters. and Caroline Robinson Harrison, both of Durham, N.C.; and five grandchildren. SAMUEL L. FISHER JR. D.C. Recreation Official Samuel L. Fisher Jr., 54, former director of adult sports and softball commissioner with the D.C. Department of Recreation, died of cancer July 25 at Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton. He lived in Fort Washington. Mr. Fisher was a native of Washington. He was a graduate of Anacostia High School and the University of Richmond. He joined the D.C. government in 1959 as a supervisor of several playgrounds. He retired in 1984 when he became ill. Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Joan C. Fisher of Fort Washington.

Interment: Beth Moses Cemetery, West Babylon, New York