Exhibit-99

     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

               NUI CORPORATION TO ACQUIRE 49 percent INTEREST IN
                            T.I.C. ENTERPRISES, INC.

     Bedminster, NJ - February 18, 1997--NUI Corporation (NYSE:NUI)
     announced today that it will acquire a 49 percent interest in the
     business of T.I.C. Enterprises, Inc. (T.I.C.) through a newly formed
     limited liability company.  T.I.C., a Georgia-based company with 1996
     annual revenues of approximately $14 million, is nationally recognized
     as a leader in sales and marketing outsourcing.  Companies --
     including Lucent Technologies, Xerox Corporation(R), several regional
     Bell operating companies and NUI's marketing affiliate, NUI Energy,
     Inc. -- have turned to T.I.C. to market their products and services in
     a highly effective and extremely profitable manner.

          " NUI is driven to ensure we have the right core competencies and
     the right bundle of products and services," said John Kean, Jr.,
     President and Chief Executive Officer of NUI Corporation. T.I.C.
     currently provides NUI with an effective, customer-driven retail sales
     force, providing instant access to bundled products.  We strongly
     believe that T.I.C.'s fundamental strengths and proven track record
     make it an excellent strategic fit under the NUI umbrella," Kean went
     on to state.

          James N. Greiff, President and Chief Executive Officer of T.I.C.
     Enterprises, Inc. stated, "We are excited about entering into the
     energy business with NUI, a respected player in the energy industry
     with a progressive and innovative management team.  T.I.C.'s ability
     to aggregate customers and manage a national sales team will position
     this partnership for rapid growth and solid financial performance.''

          Under the agreement, NUI will pay T.I.C. $22 million in cash for
     its interest, with additional incentive payments -- up to a maximum of
     $5.2 million - when 1997 earnings, before interest and taxes, exceed
     $5 million.  In addition, NUI has the option, during a period
     beginning April 2001, to purchase the remaining 51percent interest in
     T.I.C.  Subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals, the
     transaction is expected to close late May 1997.  The Company
     anticipates this transaction will not have a material impact on fiscal
     1997 per share earnings; while fiscal 1998 per share earnings are
     anticipated to benefit as a result of this transaction.

          NUI Corporation (National Utility Investors; NYSE: NUI), based in
     Bedminster, NJ, is a multi-state gas distribution, sales and service
     company serving more than 360,000 customers along the eastern
     seaboard.  NUI's utility operations include Elizabethtown Gas Company
     (NJ), City Gas Company of Florida, North Carolina Gas Service, Valley
     Cities Gas Service (PA), Elkton Gas Service (MD) and Waverly Gas
     Service (NY).  The Company's affiliates include NUI Energy, Inc., NUI
     Energy Brokers, Inc., NUI Environmental Group, Inc., Utility Business
     Services, Inc. and NUI Sales Management, Inc.

     Contact: Linda S. Lennox -  (908) 719-4222