SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       The Securities Exchange Act of 1934




        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 16, 1999
                                                          ---------------


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


Massachusetts                       1-2297                       04-1270730
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(State or other            (Commission File Number)           (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                                          Identification No.)
incorporation)



                  9 Riverside Road, Weston, Massachusetts              02493
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                  (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)


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


              None
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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)






Item 1 through 4 and Items 6, 7(a) and (b), 8 and 9.  Not Applicable.
- ----------------------------------------------------



Item 5.  Other Events
         ------------

          Incorporated  herewith is one PRESS RELEASE attached hereto as Exhibit
          99.1.



Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
         ---------------------------------

          (c)     Exhibits

         99.1 - Press Release








                                    SIGNATURE




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




                                       EASTERN ENTERPRISES


Date: August 18, 1999                  By: /s/ L. William Law, Jr.
      ---------------                          ----------------------
                                               L. William Law, Jr.
                                               Senior Vice President, General
                                                Counsel and Secretary