Form 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

[ X ]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                    SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended            June 30, 2000
                              ---------------------------------------

                                       OR

[   ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                    SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                    to
                               -----------------      ---------------
Commission File Number 1-2297


                         EASTERN ENTERPRISES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 MASSACHUSETTS                       04-1270730
       ------------------------------            ------------------
       (State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. Employer
        incorporation or organization)           Identification No.)


                   9 RIVERSIDE ROAD, WESTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02493
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                     (Address of principal executive offices)
                                  (Zip Code)

                                781-647-2300
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


              Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                          if changed since last report.


   Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  (1) has filed all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X    No
    ----    ----
The number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding  of Eastern  Enterprises as of
July 20, 2000 was 27,156,450.



                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Company or group of companies for which report is filed:
  EASTERN ENTERPRISES AND SUBSIDIARIES ("Eastern")

Consolidated Statements of Operations
- -------------------------------------

                                                        Three months ended                     Six months ended
                                                             June 30,                              June 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)               2000             1999                 2000                1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 
Revenues                                            $204,788         $170,520             $638,483           $ 515,349
Operating costs and expenses:
  Operating costs                                    145,421          123,020              428,421             353,008
  Selling, general & admini-
      strative expenses                               34,104           27,819               69,606              59,049
  Depreciation & amortization                         21,732           17,984               54,809              43,649
                                                    --------         --------             --------            --------
                                                     201,257          168,823              552,836             455,706
                                                    --------         --------             --------            --------
Operating earnings                                     3,531            1,697               85,647              59,643
Other income (expense):
  Interest income                                      1,789            2,653                2,423               4,870
  Interest expense                                   (12,563)          (8,635)             (24,687)            (17,414)
  Other, net                                           2,053              178                2,256               1,103
                                                    --------         --------             --------            --------
Earnings before income
  taxes                                               (5,190)          (4,107)              65,639              48,202
Provision for income taxes                            (1,729)          (1,539)              28,061              18,474
                                                    --------         --------             --------           ---------
Net earnings (loss)                                 $ (3,461)        $ (2,568)            $ 37,578           $  29,728
                                                    ========         ========             ========           =========

Basic earnings per share                            $   (.13)        $   (.11)            $   1.38           $    1.31
                                                    ========         ========             ========           =========

Diluted earnings per share                          $   (.13)        $   (.11)            $   1.37           $    1.31
                                                    ========         ========             ========           =========

Dividends per share                                 $    .43         $    .42             $    .86           $     .84
                                                    ========         ========             ========           =========



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 3

Eastern Enterprises and Subsidiaries
- ------------------------------------


Consolidated Balance Sheets
- ---------------------------



                                                                      June 30,           Dec. 31,             June 30,
(In thousands)                                                            2000               1999                 1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     
ASSETS

Current assets:
  Cash and short-term investments                                      $30,898           $ 44,332             $179,851
  Receivables, less reserves                                           112,786            135,409               99,573
  Inventories                                                           67,827             74,555               44,158
  Deferred gas costs                                                    48,436             64,503                    -
  Other current assets                                                   8,168              5,008                7,646
                                                                    ----------         ----------            ---------
     Total current assets                                              268,115            323,807              331,228

Property and equipment, at cost                                      2,214,956          2,197,156            1,751,233
   Less--accumulated depreciation                                      936,958            906,953              788,874
                                                                    ----------         ----------            ---------
      Net property and equipment                                     1,277,998          1,290,203              962,359


  Goodwill, less amortization                                          243,960            247,137                    -
  Deferred postretirement health care
    costs                                                               69,972             72,760               75,888
  Investments                                                           14,064             14,671               15,708
  Deferred charges and other costs,
    less amortization                                                   71,222             71,179               70,013
                                                                    ----------         ----------           ----------
    Total other assets                                                 399,218            405,747              161,609
                                                                    ----------         ----------           ----------

     Total assets                                                   $1,945,331         $2,019,757           $1,455,196
                                                                    ==========         ==========           ==========





The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 4

Eastern Enterprises and Subsidiaries
- ------------------------------------

Consolidated Balance Sheets
- ---------------------------

                                                                     June 30,             Dec. 31,              June 30,
(In thousands)                                                          2000                 1999                  1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
  Current debt                                                 $   80,453           $  123,251             $   5,632
  Accounts payable                                                 59,569               75,770                38,048
  Accrued expenses                                                 51,407               37,516                39,172
  Other current liabilities                                        45,806               50,234                45,245
                                                               ----------           ----------             ---------
     Total current liabilities                                    237,235              286,771               128,097

Gas inventory financing                                            33,567               54,020                31,438

Long-term debt                                                    503,168              515,232               383,173

Reserves and other liabilities:
  Deferred income taxes                                           179,591              179,426               135,306
  Postretirement health care                                       98,414              100,016                96,750
  Preferred stock of subsidiary                                    21,438               26,454                29,377
  Other reserves                                                  101,077              103,208                91,509
                                                               ----------           ----------              --------
      Total reserves and other
         liabilities                                              400,520              409,104               352,942

Commitments and Contingencies

Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, $1.00 par value
   Authorized shares -- 50,000,000;
   Issued shares -- 27,173,322 at
     June 30, 2000; 27,131,090 at
     December 31, 1999, and 22,649,457
  Capital in excess of par value                                  246,382              244,449                56,004
  Retained earnings                                               497,942              483,710               481,315
  Accumulated other comprehensive
    (loss)                                                            (73)                 (77)                  (63)
  Treasury stock at cost - 16,892
     shares at June 30, 2000 and
     10,461 shares at June 30, 1999                                  (583)                (583)                 (359)
                                                               ----------           ----------            ----------
       Total shareholders' equity                                 770,841              754,630               559,546
                                                               ----------           ----------            ----------

     Total liabilities and

       shareholders' equity                                    $1,945,331           $2,019,757            $1,455,196
                                                               ==========           ==========            ==========



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 5

Eastern Enterprises and Subsidiaries
- ------------------------------------


Consolidated Statement of Cash flows
- ------------------------------------


                                                                                         Six months ended June 30,
(In thousands)                                                                               2000            1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings                                                                        $ 37,578            $ 29,728
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
    cash provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization                                                         54,809              43,649
  Income taxes and tax credits                                                          12,356              (1,007)
  Net gain on sale of assets                                                            (1,819)               (262)
  Other changes in assets and liabilities:
    Receivables                                                                         22,623               5,559
    Inventories                                                                          6,728              11,709
    Deferred gas costs                                                                  16,068              62,055
    Accounts payable                                                                   (16,201)            (18,292)
    Other                                                                               (4,158)             (3,176)
                                                                                       -------              ------
   Net cash provided by operating activities                                           127,984             129,963
                                                                                       -------             -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Capital expenditures                                                                 (35,472)            (29,431)
  Proceeds on sale of assets                                                             7,442               3,906
  Investments                                                                           (6,392)             (3,776)
  Other                                                                                 (6,017)             (1,353)
                                                                                       -------             -------
  Net cash used by investing activities                                                (40,439)            (30,654)
                                                                                       -------             -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Dividends paid                                                                       (23,290)            (18,950)
  Repayment of long-term debt and preferred stock                                      (17,203)             (2,107)
  Changes in notes payable                                                             (42,735)            (37,835)
  Changes in gas inventory financing                                                   (20,453)            (21,206)
  Other                                                                                  2,702                 804
                                                                                      --------             -------
Net cash used by financing activities                                                 (100,979)            (79,294)
                                                                                      --------             -------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                              (13,434)             20,015
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                          44,332             159,836
                                                                                      --------             -------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period                                      30,898             179,851
Short-term investments                                                                       -                   -
                                                                                      --------            --------
Cash and short-term investments                                                       $ 30,898            $179,851
                                                                                      ========            ========



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 6





                      EASTERN ENTERPRISES AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  June 30, 2000

1.  Accounting Policies

It is Eastern's opinion that the financial  information contained in this report
reflects all  adjustments  necessary to present a fair  statement of results for
the periods reported. All of these adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
Results for the periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected
for the year, due to the seasonal nature of Eastern's operations. All accounting
policies  have been  applied in a manner  consistent  with prior  periods.  Such
financial  information  is subject to year-end  adjustments  and annual audit by
independent public accountants.

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the  reported  amounts  of assets  and  liabilities,  the  disclosure  of
contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and
the  reported  amounts of revenues  and expenses  during the  reporting  period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain  information  and footnote  disclosures  normally  included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles
have been  condensed  or  omitted  in this Form 10-Q.  Therefore  these  interim
financial  statements  should be read in conjunction  with Eastern's 1999 Annual
Report filed on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Earnings Per Share

Basic  earnings  per  share is based on the  weighted  average  number of shares
outstanding.  Diluted  earnings  per share gives effect to the exercise of stock
options using the treasury stock method, as reflected below:


                                                                Three months ended           Six months ended
                                                                     June 30,                    June 30,
(In thousands)                                                  2000          1999          2000         1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           
Weighted average shares                                       27,153        22,636        27,146       22,618
Dilutive effect of options                                       269            88           254          107
                                                              ------        ------        ------       ------
Adjusted weighted average shares                              27,422        22,724        27,400       22,725
                                                              ======        ======        ======       ======



Comprehensive Income

The following is a summary of the  reclassification  adjustments  and the income
tax effects for the components of other comprehensive  income (loss) for the six
months ended June 30:




                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 7




                                                 Unrealized Holding
                                                  Gains (Losses) on       Reclassification
                                                      Investments          Adjustments for           Other
                                                 Arising During the      Gains Included in      Comprehensive
(In thousands)                                          Period               Net Income         Income (Loss)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           
2000

Pretax                                                $ 1,178              $  (1,172)               $     6
Income tax benefit (expense)                             (411)                   409                     (2)
                                                      -------              ---------                -------
   Net change                                         $   767              $    (763)               $     4
                                                      =======              =========                =======
1999

Pretax                                                $   213              $    (148)               $     65
Income tax benefit (expense)                              (75)                    52                     (23)
                                                      -------              ---------                --------
   Net change                                         $   138              $     (96)               $     42
                                                      =======              =========                ========




2.                Planned Merger with KeySpan

On November 4, 1999, Eastern signed a definitive agreement that provides for the
merger  of  Eastern  with  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  KeySpan  Corporation
("KeySpan"),  with  Eastern  surviving  the merger and  becoming a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of KeySpan.  In the  merger,  holders of Eastern  common  stock will
receive $64.00 in cash plus, in certain circumstances,  an accrued dividend, per
share of Eastern common stock, as well as an additional $0.006 per share per day
for each day after August 6, 2000 up to the closing date. The transaction, which
is subject to receipt of approval from the Securities  and Exchange  Commission,
is  expected to close in the fall of 2000,  although  it is possible  the merger
will not close until 2001.  The merger was approved by Eastern  Shareholders  on
April 26, 2000.

3.  Planned Merger with EnergyNorth, Inc.
Under a  definitive  agreement  signed  in  1999,  Eastern  expects  to  acquire
EnergyNorth,  Inc.  ("EnergyNorth")  for  approximately  $203  million  in  cash
simultaneously  with  Eastern's  merger with KeySpan.  If the KeySpan  merger is
terminated,  the  agreement  provides  for  Eastern to acquire  EnergyNorth  for
approximately $78 million in cash and 1.7 million in Eastern shares,  subject to
a collar arrangement.

The New Hampshire  Public  Utility  Commission  gave final approval to Eastern's
acquisition  of  EnergyNorth  in an order issued on May 9, 2000.  The merger was
approved by EnergyNorth shareholders on April 27, 2000.

4.  Business Segments

Eastern's  reportable  business  segment  information for revenues and operating
earnings is presented below:



Revenues:                                               Three months ended June 30,             Six months ended June 30,
(In thousands)                                                2000             1999             2000                 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     
Natural Gas Distribution                                  $127,876         $101,368         $483,658             $381,651
Marine Transportation                                       70,405           65,783          141,675              127,109
Other Services                                               6,507            3,369           13,150                6,589
                                                          --------         --------         --------             --------
                                                          $204,788         $170,520         $638,483             $515,349
                                                          ========         ========         ========             ========






                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 8






Operating Earnings:                               Three months ended June 30,         Six months ended June 30,
(In thousands)                                           2000           1999            2000             1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          
Natural Gas Distribution                            $ 2,274          $(1,916)        $ 83,459         $ 55,378
Marine Transportation                                 4,190            5,758            7,265            8,899
Other Services                                         (205)          (1,244)            (630)          (2,540)
Headquarters                                         (2,728)            (901)          (4,447)          (2,094)
                                                    -------          -------         --------         --------
                                                    $ 3,531          $ 1,697         $ 85,647         $ 59,643
                                                    =======          =======         ========         ========


5.  Inventories

The components of inventories were as follows:



                                                            June 30,       December 31,          June 30,
(In thousands)                                                 2000               1999               1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         
Supplemental gas supplies                                   $51,210            $57,935            $32,170
Other materials, supplies and
  marine fuels                                               16,617             16,620             11,988
                                                            -------            -------            -------
                                                            $67,827            $74,555            $44,158
                                                            =======            =======            =======




6.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following are supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:




                                                                    Six months ended June 30,
                                                                           2000         1999
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               
                 Cash paid during the year for:
                   Interest, net of amounts capitalized                 $23,674      $17,290
                   Income taxes                                         $16,064      $19,325






                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 9

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations

In November 1999 Eastern signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by KeySpan
Corporation  ("KeySpan") for $64.00 per share in cash, as discussed in Note 2 of
Notes to  Financial  Statements.  Such  information  is  incorporated  herein by
reference. The transaction is expected to close in the fall of 2000.

In 1999 Eastern  signed a  definitive  agreement  to acquire  EnergyNorth,  Inc.
("EnergyNorth")  for  approximately  $203  million in cash  simultaneously  with
Eastern's merger with KeySpan,  as discussed in Note 3. If the KeySpan merger is
terminated,  the  agreement  provides  for  Eastern to acquire  EnergyNorth  for
approximately $78 million in cash and 1.7 million in Eastern shares,  subject to
a collar arrangement.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenues: Consolidated revenues for the second quarter of 2000 and the first six
months of 2000 were $205 million and $638 million,  respectively, up 20% and 24%
from 1999.

Natural Gas Distribution

The natural gas  distribution  segment  includes  the  operations  of Boston Gas
Company,  Essex Gas Company and Colonial Gas Company,  which Eastern acquired in
August 1999.  Revenues for the second  quarter of 2000 were $127.9  million,  an
increase of $26.5  million  from 1999.  The 26%  increase in revenues  primarily
reflects  the  inclusion of Colonial Gas  revenues  ($26.7  million),  growth in
throughput  ($3 million) and higher  rates,  partially  offset by lower sales to
non-firm  customers ($5 million).  Weather in the second  quarter was 19% colder
than 1999, or 24% colder than normal.

Year-to-date 2000 revenues were $483.7 million, an increase of $102.0 million or
27% from 1999.  The increase  primarily  reflects the  inclusion of Colonial Gas
revenues  ($113.0  million),  throughput  growth ($13 million) and higher rates.
Partially  offsetting  were the pass  through of lower gas costs ($13  million),
lower  non-firm  sales ($6 million),  the impact of warmer  weather in the first
quarter ($5 million) and the migration of firm customers to  transportation-only
service.  The pass  through  of higher or lower gas costs and the  migration  to
transportation-only  service have no impact on the segment's operating earnings.
Natural gas distribution  earns all of its margins on the local  distribution of
gas and none on the resale of the commodity.  Year-to-date weather was 3% colder
than 1999, but 1% warmer than normal.

Marine Transportation

Revenues for the second  quarter and first six months of 2000 were $70.4 million
and  $141.7  million,  respectively.  The  increases  of 7%  and  11%  from  the
comparable  periods of 1999 were  mainly the result of higher  rates  associated
with fuel adjustment mechanisms contained in multi-year and annual contracts and
from higher coal tonnage delivered to electric utilities.  As a result of higher
fuel prices for diesel fuel, Midland's fuel cost rose 73% for the second quarter
and  78%  year-to-date,  as  compared  to  1999.  Due to the  fuel-related  rate
increases,  market  improvement  in spot rates and a higher mix of coal tonnage,
rates  per ton mile  rose 17% and 12% in the  second  quarter  and year to date,
respectively, over 1999.



                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 10

Tonnage  transported  for the  second  quarter  and  first  six  months  of 2000
increased 2% and 8%,  respectively.  Coal tonnage  increased 12% for the quarter
and 13% year to date, reflecting tonnage for a new customer as well as increased
demand for existing accounts.  Partially  offsetting was a reduction in non-coal
tonnage,  which  declined 13% and 1% for the second quarter and fist six months,
respectively,  reflecting  reduced  movements  of grain,  ores and stone.  While
tonnage for the quarter  increased,  ton-miles  declined 7% reflecting the lower
mix of non-coal tonnage with its long hauls to and from the Gulf of Mexico.  For
the  first six  months of 2000,  ton miles  increased  1% over  1999,  primarily
reflecting increased movements of coal and steel in the first quarter.

Other Services

Revenues  for the second  quarter and first six months of 2000 were $6.5 million
and $13.2 million,  respectively, up from $3.4 million and $6.6 million from the
comparable periods in 1999, primarily reflecting the results of Transgas,  which
was acquired as part of Colonial Gas.

Operating Earnings:  Consolidated  operating earnings for the second quarter and
first six months of 2000 were $3.5 million and $85.6 million,  respectively,  up
from $1.7 and $59.6 million for the comparable periods in 1999.

Natural Gas Distribution

For the second  quarter of 2000,  natural gas  distribution  recorded  operating
earnings of $2.3  million,  as compared to an operating  loss of $1.9 million in
1999.  The  improvement  primarily  reflected  the  inclusion  of Colonial  Gas'
operating  earnings  of $2.5  million,  throughput  growth and the  absence of a
non-recurring  retiree benefit charge in 1999, partially offset by higher system
maintenance costs and wage and benefit increases.

For the first six months of 2000,  natural gas distribution  recorded  operating
earnings of $83.5 million, up 51% from 1999. The improvement primarily reflected
the  inclusion  of  Colonial  Gas'  operating  earnings  of  $29.9  million  and
throughput growth,  partially offset by a cumulative adjustment to gas costs for
prior years which decreased operating earnings by $3 million.

Marine Transportation

Operating earnings for the second quarter and first six months of 2000 were $4.2
million and $7.3 million, respectively,  both down $1.6 million from 1999. While
fuel cost escalation  increased  rates, as discussed above, the year-to-date net
negative  impact of higher  fuel costs is  estimated  to be  approximately  $2.5
million,  most of which  occurred in the first  quarter.  Higher  labor,  vessel
charter and maintenance  also contributed to higher costs in the second quarter.
Operating  results from cargo  handling and support  operations  were also lower
than in 1999.

Other Services

Operating losses for the second quarter and  year-to-date  were $0.2 million and
$0.6  million,  as  compared  to  losses  of  $1.2  million  and  $2.5  million,
respectively,  in 1999. More than half the  improvement  from last year reflects
the inclusion of Transgas results.




                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 11

Other

Headquarters  operating loss for the second quarter and first six months of 2000
increased by $1.8 million and $2.4 million,  respectively,  primarily reflecting
expenses related to the KeySpan merger.

Net  interest  expense  for the  second  quarter  and first  six  months of 2000
increased by $4.8 million and $9.7 million,  respectively. The increase reflects
the  inclusion  of Colonial  Gas' net  interest  expense of $2.9 million for the
quarter and $5.7 million year-to-date and the use of $150 million of cash in the
Colonial Gas acquisition.

Other net for the second  quarter of 2000 includes a gain of $1.8 million on the
disposition of marine equipment.

The  increase  in the  effective  tax rate  from 38% to 43%  primarily  reflects
Colonial Gas goodwill amortization.

The 21%  increase  in  diluted  shares  outstanding  reflects  the  issuance  of
approximately 4.2 million shares of stock in the Colonial Gas acquisition.




                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 12


FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

This report and other company statements and statements issued or made from time
to time contain certain "forward-looking statements" concerning projected future
financial  performance,  expected plans or future  operations.  Eastern cautions
that actual results and developments may differ materially from such projections
or expectations.

Investors should be aware of important factors that could case actual results to
differ  materially  from  forward-looking  projections  or  expectations.  These
factors include,  but are not limited to: the effect of the pending mergers with
KeySpan and EnergyNorth, Eastern's ability to successfully integrate its new gas
distribution   operations,   temperatures  above  or  below  normal  in  eastern
Massachusetts,  changes in market conditions for barge  transportation,  adverse
weather and operating  conditions on the inland  waterways,  changes in economic
conditions,  including  interest  rates and the value of the dollar versus other
currencies,  regulatory  and court  decisions and  developments  with respect to
Eastern's previously-disclosed  environmental liabilities. Most of these factors
are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond Eastern's control.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Management  believes that projected cash flows from  operations,  in combination
with  currently  available  resources,  will be  more  than  sufficient  to meet
Eastern's   2000   capital   expenditure   requirements   and  working   capital
requirements,  potential funding of its environmental  liabilities,  normal debt
repayments and anticipated dividends to shareholders. Management expects KeySpan
to provide the funds needed for the acquisition of  EnergyNorth.  If the KeySpan
agreement is terminated,  management  expects the EnergyNorth  acquisition to be
funded through a combination of internal sources and additional borrowings.

Consolidated  capital  expenditures are budgeted at approximately  $100 million,
with about 90% at natural  gas  distribution  segment  and the balance at marine
transportation.




                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 13



                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION



Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     (a)          List of Exhibits

                  27.1  Financial Data Schedule

     (b)          Report of Form 8-K

                  There we no reports on Form 8-K filed in the Second Quarter
                  of 2000.




                                                                     Form 10-Q
                                                                     Page 14

                                SIGNATURES

         It is Eastern's  opinion that the  financial  information  contained in
this report  reflects all  adjustments  necessary to present a fair statement of
results  for the  period  reported.  All of  these  adjustments  are of a normal
recurring  nature.  Results  for the period are not  necessarily  indicative  of
results to be expected  for the year,  due to the  seasonal  nature of Eastern's
operations.  All  accounting  policies have been applied in a manner  consistent
with  prior  periods  other  than  changes   disclosed  in  Notes  to  Financial
Statements.  Such financial  information is subject to year-end  adjustments and
annual audit by independent public accountants.

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
Eastern  has  duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on  its  behalf  by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                            EASTERN ENTERPRISES



Date:        July 21, 2000                   By /s/ WALTER J. FLAHERTY
             -------------                      ----------------------
                                                    Walter J. Flaherty
                                            Executive Vice President and
                                            Chief Financial Officer





Date:        July 21, 2000                   By /S/  JAMES J. HARPER
             -------------                     ---------------------
                                                     James J. Harper
                                                Vice President and Controller
                                               (Chief Accounting Officer)