EXHIBIT 5

                         South Carolina Electric & Gas Company
                                 1426 Main Street
                            Columbia, South Carolina  29201


                                     
                                                April 10, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC  20549          


Gentlemen:


     South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (the "Company") has
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 for the registration under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, of a proposed public offering of 1,000,000
shares of the Company's Cumulative Preferred Stock, $100 par value
per share (the "Stock").

     I am familiar with the preparation of the aforesaid
Registration Statement and the preliminary Prospectus and
Prospectus Supplement forming a part thereof and am familiar with
the proceedings of the Company in connection with the proposed
issuance and sale of the Stock.  I have also made such further
investigation as I have deemed pertinent and necessary as a basis
for this opinion.

     Based on the foregoing, I hereby advise you that it is my
opinion, upon (a) the aforesaid Registration Statement, as it may
be amended, becoming effective; (b) the filing of articles of
amendment setting forth the relative rights, preferences and
limitations with respect to the Stock with the Office of the
Secretary of State of South Carolina; and (c) the due execution,
registration and delivery of the Stock to the purchaser or
purchasers thereof against receipt of the purchase price therefor;
the Stock will have been duly authorized and legally and validly
issued and will be fully paid and non-assessable.

    I hereby consent to the use of this opinion in connection with
the aforesaid Registration Statement and I also consent to the
making of the statements with reference to me under the heading
"Legal Opinions" in the aforesaid Prospectus and Registration
Statement.

                                     Very truly yours,


                                     s/H. T. Arthur
                                     H. T. Arthur
                                     General Counsel




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