<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DECEMBER
31, 1996, AQUARION COMPANY FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                             470
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    10796
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1253
<INVENTORY>                                       2883
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 49622
<PP&E>                                          454716
<DEPRECIATION>                                  131328
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  449092
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            47763
<BONDS>                                         148487
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          7080
<OTHER-SE>                                      115871
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    449092
<SALES>                                          94804
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 94804
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    63492
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                9311
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  23124
<INCOME-TAX>                                      9284
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              13840
<DISCONTINUED>                                  (4835)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      9005
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.30