<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AQUARION COMPANY FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                             656
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    11516
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1706
<INVENTORY>                                       3992
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 39433
<PP&E>                                          477910
<DEPRECIATION>                                  140412
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  458622
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            39058
<BONDS>                                         156380
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          7189
<OTHER-SE>                                      122914
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    458622
<SALES>                                          79137
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 79137
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    50126
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   482
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                8837
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  20862
<INCOME-TAX>                                      9206
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              11656
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     11656
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.64