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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC  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):  April 30, 1999


CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY
                                                                             
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



          Delaware                    1-3196               13-0596475
                                                                             
    (State of incorporation)       (Commission            (IRS Employer
                                   File Number)         Identification No.)




         CNG Tower, 625 Liberty Avenue,   Pittsburgh, PA  15222-3199
                                                                             
        (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)



     Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (412) 690-1000



                               Not Applicable
                                                                             
       (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

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ITEM 5.    OTHER EVENTS


On April 30, 1999, the Board of Directors of Consolidated Natural Gas 
Company ("CNG") adopted amendments ("Amendments") to the Severance Pay 
Policy of Consolidated Natural Gas Company and Its Participating 
Subsidiaries Who Are Not Represented by a Recognized Union (the "Severance 
Pay Policy").  The Amendments increase the amount of severance pay for most 
employees by changing the formulas to be used in calculating such pay.  
Medical coverage for separated employees is also adjusted to increase 
benefits for those who elect COBRA continuation of medical coverage.  The 
Amendments also extend post-termination life insurance coverage, allow 
employees to reach their early retirement date during the severance pay 
period, and allow for certain proration of incentive program benefits.  

The enhanced severance benefits under the Severance Pay Policy (the 
"Enhanced Policy") would be effective pursuant to a special program with 
respect to future reductions in work force, not involving a change of 
control of CNG, as designated by the employer.  It will apply to the 
reduction in connection with CNG's current plans to consolidate its 
regulated business units.  The Enhanced Policy would also be effective with 
respect to reductions in work force following the earliest event triggering 
a CNG change of control (as defined in the Severance Pay Policy), which 
includes CNG shareholder approval of a merger, and the Enhanced Policy will 
continue for a minimum of 2 years following the closing of the transaction 
which triggered the change of control.

The estimated incremental cost per employee is $47,000.  The ultimate 
total cost of the reduction in work force programs depends on the actual 
number of employees whose jobs are involuntarily eliminated.   

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                                SIGNATURE

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.

                                         CONSOLIDATED NATURAL GAS COMPANY
                                         ________________________________
                                                   (Registrant)


                                          By        D. M. WESTFALL
                                           ______________________________
                                                   (D. M. Westfall)
                                                Senior Vice President and
May 7, 1999                                      Chief Financial Officer