CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our report included in this Form 10-Q,  into NiSource Inc.'s  (formerly known
as NIPSCO Industries, Inc.) previously filed Form S-8 Registration Statement No.
33-30619;  Form S-8 Registration  Statement No. 33-30621;  Form S-8 Registration
Statement No. 333-08263; Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-19981; Form S-8
Registration  Statement  No.  333-19983;  Form S-8  Registration  Statement  No.
333-19985;  Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-26847; Form S-8 Registration
Statement No. 333-59151; Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-59153; Form S-3
Registration  Statement  No.  333-69279;  Form S-8  Registration  Statement  No.
333-72367;  Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-72401; Form S-3 Registration
Statement No. 333-76645 and Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-76909.


                                                        /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Chicago, Illinois

November 10, 1999