<ARTICLE> UT
<CIK>                                            0000046189
<NAME>                             ESSEX COUNTY GAS COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER>                                          1,000
       
                                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                        12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               AUG-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                    AUG-31-1995
<BOOK-VALUE>                                       PER-BOOK
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<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       86,535
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<PREFERRED>                                               0
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<LEASES-CURRENT>                                         46
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<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                        6
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          2.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          2.00