EXHIBIT 2



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the  incorporation  by reference in  Registration  Statements Nos.
33-4780  and  33-44581  on  Forms  S-8  of  Public  Service   Enterprise   Group
Incorporated  of our report dated June 25, 1997  appearing in this Annual Report
on  Form  11-K  of the  Public  Service  Electric  and Gas  Company  Thrift  and
Tax-Deferred Savings Plan for the year ended December 31, 1996.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Parsippany, New Jersey
June 30, 1997