<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
MARCH 31, 1997 AQUARION COMPANY FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                            3177
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     9998
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1326
<INVENTORY>                                       3372
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 37728
<PP&E>                                          460961
<DEPRECIATION>                                  134408
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  445506
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            37519
<BONDS>                                         153379
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          7115
<OTHER-SE>                                      116467
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    445506
<SALES>                                          23389
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 23389
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    16463
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    88
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                2876
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   4287
<INCOME-TAX>                                      1899
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               2388
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      2388
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .34