EXHIBIT 24.3
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The  undersigned,  as  Controller  of Central  and South West  Corporation  (the
"Corporation"), hereby makes, constitutes and appoints E. R. Brooks and Glenn D.
Rosilier, and each of them severally,  her true and lawful  attorney-in-fact and
agents,  each with full power and authority (acting alone and without the other)
to  execute  in the  name  and on  behalf  of the  undersigned,  in any  and all
capacities,  the  Corporation's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1996 and any and
all amendments  thereto,  to be filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended,  and any other documents and instruments  incidental thereto, and to
file the  same,  with all  exhibits  thereto  and all  documents  in  connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  hereby granting to such
attorney-in-fact,  and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority  of
substitution  and  revocation in the premises and full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person and hereby  ratifying and  confirming  all that such
attorney-in-fact and agent, or any of them, may do or cause to be done by virtue
of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney this 23rd
day of January, 1997.


                                                     Lawrence B. Connors
                                                     Controller






Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of January, 1997.

                                                     Kenneth C. Raney, Jr.
                                                     Notary Public

My Commission Expires:
07/09/00