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:  October 15, 1998


                        EASTERN UTILITIES ASSOCIATES
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in this charter)


           Massachusetts                 1-5366          04-1271872
    (State or other jurisdiction of    (Commission    (I.R.S.  Employer
   incorporation or organization)     File Number)   Identification No.)


     One Liberty Square, Boston, Massachusetts                02109
     (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)


Item 5.   Other Events.

In a press release dated October 15, 1998, Eastern Utilities Associates (EUA)
announced that it has agreed to sell its Somerset Station electric generating
plant for $55 million to NRG Energy, Inc.  This sale is subject to federal and
state regulatory approvals.

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and
Exhibits.

Exhibit 99a  Press Release dated October 15, 1998.


                                   SIGNATURE

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



                                   EASTERN UTILITIES ASSOCIATES
                                            (Registrant)


                                   By:  /s/ John R. Stevens
                                        John R. Stevens
                                        President



Date: October 15, 1998