Exhibit 23









                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT






     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement
Nos. 33-27132 and 33-58349 on Form S-8 and Registration Statement No. 33-53127,
as amended, on Form S-3 of South Jersey Industries, Inc. of our reports dated
February 19, 2003 (which express an unqualified opinion and includes an
explanatory paragraph concerning the Company's change in method of presenting
revenues and expenses from trading in physical power contracts), appearing in
and incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of South Jersey
Industries, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2002.





DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 13, 2003