SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
                         Washington, D.C.   20549 
 
     -------------------------------------------------------- 
 
                                 FORM 11-K/A 
      THE ORIGINAL FILING IS BEING RE-FILED IN ITS ENTIRITY
          FOR ANNUAL REPORTS OF EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE, SAVINGS 
            AND SIMILAR PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE  
                      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
 
     ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
(Mark one) 
 
[X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [No Fee Required] 
 
          FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 
 
                                    or 
 
[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE 
     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [No fee required] 
 
          For the transition period from         to  
                                         -------    --------- 
     ----------------------------------------------------- 
 
                      COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-17605 
 
A.   Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if 
     different from that of the issuer named below: 
 
          YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC. 
          401(k) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN 
 
B.   Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan 
     and the address of its principal executive office: 
 
          YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC. 
          599 Research Parkway 
          Meriden, CT 06450 
 
 
 
 
                        YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC. 
                   401(k) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN 
                    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES 
                      AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 
 
                                   INDEX 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
  Statement of Net Assets Available for  
    Benefits as of December 31, 1997 
 
  Statement of Net Assets Available for 
    Benefits as of December 31, 1996 
 
  Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available 
    for Benefits for the Year Ended December 31, 1997 
 
  Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available 
    for Benefits for the Year Ended December 31, 1996 
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES: 
  Schedule I:  Item 27a - Schedule of Assets Held  
                 for Investment Purposes as of  
                 December 31, 1997 
 
  Schedule II: Item 27d - Schedule of Reportable  
                 Transactions for the 
                 Year Ended December 31, 1997 
 
 
All schedules, except as set forth above, are omitted as not 
applicable or not required. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 
                 ---------------------------------------- 
 
 
To the Plan Administrator of the 
 
          Yankee Energy System, Inc. 
          401(k) Employee Stock Ownership Plan: 
 
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets 
available for benefits of Yankee Energy System, Inc. 401(k) 
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 1997 
and 1996, and the related statements of changes in net assets 
available for benefits for the years then ended.  These financial 
statements and schedules referred to below are the responsibility 
of the Plan's management.  Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. 
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted 
auditing standards.  Those standards require that we plan and 
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An 
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting 
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An 
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and 
significant estimates made by the management, as well as 
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We 
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our 
opinion. 
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above 
present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets 
available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 1997 and 
1996, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for 
the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted 
accounting principles. 
 
Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the 
basic financial statements taken as a whole.  The supplemental 
schedules of reportable transactions and assets held for 
investment purposes are presented for purposes of additional 
analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial 
statements but are supplementary information required by the 
Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and 
Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 
1974.  The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the 
auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial 
statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material 
respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a 
whole. 
 
Hartford, Connecticut 
May 29, 1998 
 
 
 
 
                        YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC. 
                   401(k) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN 
              STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS  
                          AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 
 
 
                                                  Merrill Lynch 
                                                  Retirement      
                                     Cash         Preservation 
                                     Fund         Trust 
                                   ----------     ------------- 
                                            
ASSETS: 
     Cash                           $90,629      $     - 
     Short term investments             -          7,910,067 
     Mutual funds                       -               - 
     Common stock                       -               - 
     Employer contributions 
          receivable                    -              7,212 
     Employee contributions 
          receivable                    -             44,590 
     Accrued interest receivable       8,950            - 
                                    --------      ------------ 
          Total assets                99,579       7,961,869 
                                    --------      ------------ 
 
LIABILITIES: 
     Note payable-long term                             
     Note payable-current               -               - 
     Accounts payable                   -               - 
                                    --------      ----------- 
          Total liabilities             -               - 
                                    --------      ----------- 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
     BENEFITS                       $ 99,579      $7,961,869 
                                    =========     =========== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                 Merrill Lynch 
                                 Growth Fund       Northeast 
                                 Investment and    Utilities 
                                 Retirement        Stock 
                                 Class A           Fund 
                                 --------------   ----------- 
                                            
ASSETS: 
     Cash                           $     -       $     - 
     Short term investments               -             - 
     Mutual funds                    6,984,408          - 
     Common stock                         -        1,047,860 
     Employer contributions 
          receivable                     4,202          - 
     Employee contributions 
          receivable                    53,412          - 
     Accrued interest receivable          -             - 
                                    -----------   ----------- 
          Total assets               7,042,022     1,047,860 
                                    -----------   ----------- 
 
LIABILITIES: 
     Note payable-long term                             
     Note payable-current                 -             - 
     Accounts payable                     -             - 
                                    ----------    ----------- 
          Total liabilities               -             - 
                                    ----------    ----------- 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
     BENEFITS                       $7,042,022    $1,047,860 
                                    ==========    =========== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                    Merrill       Merrill  
                                    Lynch         Lynch 
                                    Basic Value   Capital  
                                    Fund          Fund 
                                    Class A       Class A 
                                    -----------   ---------- 
                                            
ASSETS: 
     Cash                           $     -       $     - 
     Short term investments               -             - 
     Mutual funds                    4,394,646     2,213,837 
     Common stock                         -             - 
     Employer contributions 
          receivable                     2,506         2,076 
     Employee contributions 
          receivable                    30,682        18,051 
     Accrued interest receivable          -             - 
                                    -----------   ----------- 
          Total assets               4,427,834     2,233,964 
                                    -----------   ----------- 
 
LIABILITIES: 
     Note payable-long term                             
     Note payable-current                 -             - 
     Accounts payable                     -             - 
                                    ----------    ----------- 
          Total liabilities               -             - 
                                    ----------    ----------- 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
     BENEFITS                       $4,427,834    $2,233,964 
                                    ==========    ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                  Merrill  
                                                  Lynch 
                                    YES, Inc.     Global 
                                    Loan          Allocation 
                                    Fund          Fund Class A 
                                    ----------    ------------ 
                                            
ASSETS: 
     Cash                           $     -       $     - 
     Short term investments            951,067          - 
     Mutual funds                         -          712,512 
     Common stock                         -             - 
     Employer contributions 
          receivable                      -              670 
     Employee contributions 
          receivable                      -            7,096 
     Accrued interest receivable          -             - 
                                    -----------   ----------- 
          Total assets                 951,067       720,278 
                                    -----------   ----------- 
 
LIABILITIES: 
     Note payable-long term                             
     Note payable-current                -              - 
     Accounts payable                    -              - 
                                    ----------    ----------- 
          Total liabilities              -              - 
                                    ----------    ----------- 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
     BENEFITS                       $ 951,067    $ 720,278 
                                    ==========    ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                  YES, Inc. 
                                   YES, Inc.      Voluntary 
                                   Allocation     Stock 
                                   Fund           Fund 
                                   ----------     --------- 
                                            
ASSETS: 
     Cash                           $     -       $     - 
     Short term investments               -             - 
     Mutual funds                         -             - 
     Common stock                    3,980,953     1,936,395 
     Employer contributions 
          receivable                   531,686         1,869 
     Employee contributions 
          receivable                      -           11,622  
     Accrued interest receivable          -             - 
                                    -----------   ----------- 
          Total assets               4,512,639     1,949,886 
                                    -----------   ----------- 
 
LIABILITIES: 
     Note payable-long term                             
     Note payable-current                 -             - 
     Accounts payable                     -             - 
                                    ----------    ----------- 
          Total liabilities               -             - 
                                    ----------    ----------- 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
     BENEFITS                       $4,512,639    $1,949,886 
                                    ==========    ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                   Loan           1997 
                                   Suspense       Total 
                                   --------       ---------- 
                                            
ASSETS: 
     Cash                           $     -       $    90,629 
     Short term investments               -         8,861,134 
     Mutual funds                         -        14,305,403 
     Common stock                    2,224,355      9,189,563 
     Employer contributions 
          receivable                      -           550,221 
     Employee contributions 
          receivable                      -           165,453 
     Accrued interest receivable          -             8,950 
                                    -----------   ----------- 
          Total assets               2,224,355     33,171,353 
                                    -----------   ----------- 
 
LIABILITIES: 
     Note payable-long term             
     Note payable-current              200,000        200,000 
     Accounts payable                  400,000        400,000 
                                    ----------    ----------- 
          Total liabilities            600,000        600,000 
                                    ----------    ----------- 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
     BENEFITS                       $1,624,355    $32,571,353 
                                    ==========    =========== 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial 
statements. 
 
 
 
 
                        YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC. 
                   401(k) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN 
            STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS 
                          AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 
 
                                                Merrill Lynch 
                                                Retirement 
                                     Cash       Preservation 
                                     Fund       Trust 
                                     -------    ------------ 
                                           
ASSETS: 
    Cash                              $3,289    $     - 
    Short term investments              -        7,504,288 
    Mutual funds                        -             - 
    Common stock                        -             -    
    Employer contributions 
      receivable                        -            6,358 
    Employee contributions  
      receivable                        -           37,672 
    Accrued interest receivable        6,058       - 
                                   ----------   ---------- 
          Total assets                 9,347     7,548,318 
                                   ----------   ----------  
 
LIABILITIES: 
 
    Note payable-long term              -             - 
    Note payable-current                -             -  
    Accounts payable                    -             -  
                                   ----------   ---------- 
        Total liabilities               -             -  
                                   ----------   ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
PLAN BENEFITS                    $     9,347    $7,548,318 
                                 ============   ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                              Merrill Lynch 
                              Growth Fund         Northeast 
                              Investment and      Utilities 
                              Retirement          Stock 
                              Class A             Fund 
                              --------------      --------- 
                                               
ASSETS: 
    Cash                        $       -       $     - 
    Short term investments              -             - 
    Mutual funds                   5,444,954          - 
    Common stock                        -        1,346,425 
    Employer contributions 
      receivable                       2,840          - 
    Employee contributions  
      receivable                      39,311          - 
    Accrued interest                    -             - 
      receivable 
                                   ----------   ---------- 
          Total assets             5,487,105     1,346,425 
                                   ----------   ----------  
 
LIABILITIES: 
 
    Note payable-long term              -             - 
    Note payable-current                -             -  
    Accounts payable                    -             -  
                                   ----------   ---------- 
        Total liabilities               -             -  
                                   ----------   ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
PLAN BENEFITS                    $ 5,487,105    $1,346,425 
                                  ===========   ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
                              Merrill Lynch    
                              Basic Value     Merrill Lynch 
                              Fund            Capital Fund 
                              Class A         Class A 
                              -------------   ------------- 
                                                         
ASSETS: 
    Cash                        $       -       $     - 
    Short term investments              -             - 
    Mutual funds                   2,877,346     1,616,090 
    Common stock                        -             - 
    Employer contributions 
      receivable                       1,691         1,439 
    Employee contributions  
      receivable                      24,489        14,483 
    Accrued interest receivable         -              - 
                                   ----------   ---------- 
          Total assets              2,903,526    1,632,012 
                                   ----------   ----------  
 
LIABILITIES: 
 
    Note payable-long term               -             - 
    Note payable-current                 -             -  
    Accounts payable                     -             -  
                                   ----------   ---------- 
        Total liabilities               -             - 
                                   ----------   ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
PLAN BENEFITS                    $ 2,903,526    $1,632,012 
                                  ===========   ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
                                               Merrill Lynch 
                                   Yes, Inc.   Global 
                                   Loan        Allocation 
                                   Fund        Fund Class A 
                                   ---------   ------------ 
                                                         
 
ASSETS: 
    Cash                        $       -       $     - 
    Short term investments           641,534          -    
    Mutual funds                        -          383,005 
    Common stock                        -             - 
    Employer contributions 
      receivable                        -              430 
    Employee contributions  
      receivable                        -            6,452 
    Accrued interest receivable         -             - 
                                   ----------   ---------- 
          Total assets               641,534       389,887 
                                   ----------   ----------  
 
LIABILITIES: 
 
    Note payable-long term              -             - 
    Note payable-current                -             -  
    Accounts payable                    -             - 
                                   ----------   ---------- 
        Total liabilities               -             -  
                                   ----------   ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
PLAN BENEFITS                    $   641,534    $ 389,887 
                                  ===========   ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
                               
                                YES, Inc.         YES, Inc. 
                                Allocation        Voluntary 
                                Fund              Stock Fund 
                                ----------        ---------- 
                                                         
ASSETS: 
    Cash                        $       -       $     - 
    Short term investments              -             - 
    Mutual funds                        -             - 
    Common stock                   3,004,905     1,752,396 
    Employer contributions 
      receivable                     453,532         2,015 
    Employee contributions  
      receivable                        -           10,950 
    Accrued interest receivable         -             - 
                                   ----------   ---------- 
          Total assets             3,458,437     1,765,361 
                                   ----------   ----------  
 
LIABILITIES: 
 
    Note payable-long term              -             - 
    Note payable-current                -             -  
    Accounts payable                    -             -  
                                   ----------   ---------- 
        Total liabilities               -             -  
                                   ----------   ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
PLAN BENEFITS                    $ 3,458,437    $1,765,361 
                                  ===========   ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
                                 Loan             1996 
                                 Suspense         Total 
                                 --------         ----- 
                                                         

   
ASSETS: 
    Cash                        $       -       $    3,289 
    Short term investments              -        8,145,822 
    Mutual funds                        -       10,321,395 
    Common stock                   2,235,151     8,338,877 
    Employer contributions 
      receivable                        -          468,305 
    Employee contributions  
      receivable                        -          133,357 
    Accrued interest receivable         -            6,058 
                                   ----------   ---------- 
          Total assets             2,235,151    27,417,103 
                                   ----------   ----------  
 
LIABILITIES: 
 
    Note payable-long term           600,000       600,000 
    Note payable-current             400,000       400,000 
    Accounts payable                    -             -    
                                   ----------   ---------- 
        Total liabilities          1,000,000     1,000,000 
                                   ----------   ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
PLAN BENEFITS                    $ 1,235,151   $26,417,103 
                                 ===========   =========== 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial 
statements. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                       YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC. 
  
                401(k) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN 
  STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS 
                FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 
 
                                             Participant Directed 
                                             -------------------- 
                                             Merrill Lynch 
                                   Cash      Retirement 
                                   Fund      Preservation Trust 
                                   ------    ------------------ 
                                        
ADDITIONS: 
    Employee contributions 
      and rollovers             $       -       $  501,591 
    Employer contributions              -           80,099 
    Interfund transfers in              -          817,274 
    Earnings -  
        Interest                       2,246        22,946  
        Dividends                       -          498,892 
        Realized gain (loss)            -             - 
        Unrealized gain (loss)          -             - 
                                -------------  ------------ 
    Total additions                    2,246     1,920,802 
                                ------------   ------------ 
DEDUCTIONS: 
 
    Interfund transfers out             -        1,089,426 
    Benefit payments                 (87,986)      417,825 
    Interest expense                    -             -   
                                ------------    ----------  
        Total deductions             (87,986)    1,507,251  
                                ------------    ---------- 
    Net increase (decrease)           90,232       413,551 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
BENEFITS, beginning of year            9,347     7,548,318 
                                ------------    ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
BENEFITS, end of year           $    99,579     $7,961,869 
                                 ===========    ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                   Participant Directed 
                              -------------------------------- 
                                 Merrill Lynch 
                                 Growth Fund         Northeast 
                                 Investment and      Utilities 
                                 Retirement          Stock 
                                 Class A             Fund 
                                 --------------      ---------- 
                                                
ADDITIONS: 
    Employee contributions 
      and rollovers              $   632,772      $   - 
    Employer contributions            40,609          - 
    Interfund transfers in           584,797          - 
    Earnings -  
        Interest                      16,042          - 
        Dividends                    551,523        24,170 
        Realized gain (loss)         134,653      (176,425) 
        Unrealized gain (loss)       356,739        45,303       
                                -------------  ------------ 
    Total additions                2,317,135      (106,952) 
                                ------------   ------------ 
DEDUCTIONS: 
 
    Interfund transfers out          480,600       121,692 
    Benefit payments                 281,618        69,921 
    Interest expense                    -             -   
                                ------------    ----------  
        Total deductions             762,218       191,613 
                                ------------    ---------- 
    Net increase (decrease)        1,554,917      (298,565) 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
BENEFITS, beginning of year        5,487,105     1,346,425 
                                ------------    ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
BENEFITS, end of year            $ 7,042,022   $ 1,047,860 
                                 ===========    ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                   Participant Directed 
                              -------------------------------- 
                                 Merrill Lynch  Merrill Lynch 
                                 Basic Value    Capital 
                                 Fund           Fund 
                                 Class A        Class A 
                                 -------------  ------------- 
                                           
ADDITIONS: 
    Employee contributions 
      and rollovers              $   382,515    $  204,417 
    Employer contributions            23,753        20,299 
    Interfund transfers in           557,437       169,691 
    Earnings -  
        Interest                       9,916         7,872 
        Dividends                    327,192       180,196 
        Realized gain (loss)          58,317        10,272 
        Unrealized gain (loss)       520,943       175,699       
                                -------------  ----------- 
    Total additions                1,880,073       768,446 
                                ------------   ----------- 
DEDUCTIONS: 
 
    Interfund transfers out          231,238       136,224 
    Benefit payments                 124,527        30,270 
    Interest expense                    -             -   
                                ------------    ----------  
        Total deductions             355,765       166,494 
                                ------------    ---------- 
    Net increase (decrease)        1,524,308       601,952 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN 
BENEFITS, beginning of year        2,903,526     1,632,012 
                                ------------    ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN 
BENEFITS, end of year            $ 4,427,834   $ 2,233,964 
                                 ===========    ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
                                               Participant  
                                               Directed 
                                               -------------- 
                                               Merrill Lynch 
                                               Global 
                                    YES, Inc.  Allocation 
                                    Loan Fund  Fund Class A 
                                    ---------  ------------ 
                                          
ADDITIONS: 
    Employee contributions 
      and rollovers              $      -       $  115,365 
    Employer contributions              -            7,004 
    Interfund transfers             (322,609)      188,801 
    Earnings -  
        Interest                        -            1,787 
        Dividends                       -           89,538 
        Realized gain (loss)            -            2,748 
        Unrealized gain (loss)          -          (36,449)      
                                -------------  ------------ 
    Total additions                 (322,609)      368,794 
                                -------------  ----------- 
DEDUCTIONS: 
 
    Interfund transfers out         (632,142)       37,825 
    Benefit payments                    -              578 
    Interest expense                    -             -   
                                -------------   ----------  
        Total deductions            (632,142)       38,403 
                                ------------    ---------- 
    Net increase (decrease)          309,533       330,391 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN 
BENEFITS, beginning of year          641,534       389,887 
                                ------------    ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN 
BENEFITS, end of year            $   951,067   $   720,278 
                                 ===========    ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                Participant  
                                                Directed 
                                                -------------- 
                                 YES, Inc.      YES, Inc. 
                                 Allocation     Voluntary 
                                 Fund           Stock Fund 
                                 ----------     ----------  
                                           
ADDITIONS: 
    Employee contributions 
      and rollovers              $      -       $  148,551 
    Employer contributions           531,686        20,572 
    Interfund transfers                 -           67,039 
    Earnings -  
        Interest                        -           57,613 
        Dividends                       -          100,870 
        Realized gain (loss)           8,310        18,975 
        Unrealized gain (loss)       805,365       381,526     
                                -------------  ------------ 
    Total additions                1,345,361       795,146 
                                -------------  ------------ 
DEDUCTIONS: 
 
    Interfund transfers out          106,068       491,499 
    Benefit payments                 185,091       119,122 
    Interest expense                    -             -   
                                ------------    ----------  
        Total deductions             291,159       610,621 
                                ------------    ---------- 
    Net increase (decrease)        1,054,202       184,525 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN 
BENEFITS, beginning of year        3,458,437     1,765,361 
                                ------------    ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN 
BENEFITS, end of year            $ 4,512,639   $ 1,949,886 
                                 ===========    ========== 
 
 
 
 
 
                                 Loan           1997 
                                 Suspense       Total 
                                 --------       ----- 
                                            
ADDITIONS: 
    Employee contributions 
      and rollovers              $      -       $1,985,211 
    Employer contributions              -          724,022 
    Interfund transfers in              -        2,062,430 
    Earnings -  
        Interest                        -          118,422 
        Dividends                       -        1,772,381 
        Realized gain (loss)            -           56,850 
        Unrealized gain (loss)       442,737     2,691,863     
                                -------------  ------------ 
    Total additions                  442,737     9,411,179 
                                -------------  ------------ 
DEDUCTIONS: 
 
    Interfund transfers out             -        2,062,430 
    Benefit payments                    -        1,140,966 
    Interest expense                  53,533        53,533  
                                ------------    ----------  
        Total deductions              53,533     3,256,929 
                                ------------    ---------- 
    Net increase (decrease)          389,204     6,154,250 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN 
BENEFITS, beginning of year        1,235,151    26,417,103 
                                ------------    ---------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR PLAN 
BENEFITS, end of year            $ 1,624,355   $32,571,353 
                                 ===========   =========== 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial 
statements. 
 
 
 
 
 
                        YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC. 
401(K) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN 
         STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR
BENEFITS 
 
              FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 
 
                                                  Participant 
                                                  Directed 
                                                  ------------- 
                                                  Merrill Lynch 
                                                  Retirement 
                                Cash              Preservation 
                                Fund              Trust 
                              ----------          ------------ 
                                             
ADDITIONS: 
  Employee contributions 
     and rollovers            $      -            $   522,829 
  Employer contributions             -                 92,877 
  Interfund transfers in             -              8,015,932  
  Earnings - 
     Interest                       3,902              16,054 
     Dividends                       -                460,811 
     Realized gain (loss)            -                   - 
     Unrealized gain (loss)          -                   -     
                               ----------         ----------- 
       Total additions              3,902           9,108,503 
                              -----------         ----------- 
 
DEDUCTIONS: 
  Interfund transfers out            -              8,304,202 
  Benefit payments                (43,488)            815,616 
  Interest expense                   -                   - 
                              ------------        ----------- 
       Total deductions           (43,488)          9,119,818 
                              ------------        ----------- 
 
       Net increase (decrease)     47,390             (11,315) 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
  BENEFITS, beginning 
  of year                         (38,043)          7,559,633 
                              ------------        -----------     
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
  BENEFITS, end of year       $     9,347         $ 7,548,318 
                              ================    =============== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                     Participant Directed 
                              ---------------------------------- 
                              Merrill Lynch        
                              Growth Fund         Northeast 
                              Investment and      Utilities 
                              Retirement          Stock 
                              Class A             Fund 
                              ---------------     ---------- 
                                             
ADDITIONS: 
  Employee contributions 
     and rollovers            $   455,932         $      - 
  Employer contributions           36,917                - 
  Interfund transfers in          514,186                -    
  Earnings - 
     Interest                      10,252                -    
     Dividends                    403,618             180,442 
     Realized gain (loss)          18,955            (174,552) 
     Unrealized gain (loss)       767,965          (1,123,798) 
                              -----------         ------------ 
       Total additions          2,207,825          (1,117,908) 
                              -----------         ------------ 
 
DEDUCTIONS: 
  Interfund transfers out         536,912             284,207 
  Benefit payments                 95,986             170,834 
  Interest expense                   -                   - 
                              -----------         ----------- 
       Total deductions           632,898             455,041 
                              -----------         -----------     
 
       Net increase (decrease)  1,574,927          (1,572,949) 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
  BENEFITS, beginning 
  of year                       3,912,178           2,919,374 
                              -----------         ----------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
  BENEFITS, end of year       $ 5,487,105         $ 1,346,425 
                              ===========         ===========     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                     Participant Directed 
                              ---------------------------------- 
                              Merrill Lynch 
                              Basic Value         Merrill Lynch 
                              Fund                Capital Fund 
                              Class A             Class A 
                              -------------       ------------- 
                                              
ADDITIONS: 
  Employee contributions 
     and rollovers            $   305,796         $   178,113 
  Employer contributions           22,085              19,631 
  Interfund transfers in          286,737             221,832 
  Earnings - 
     Interest                       5,230               4,965 
     Dividends                    189,645             152,542 
     Realized gain (loss)          23,071               4,282 
     Unrealized gain (loss)       201,889              19,176 
                              -----------         -----------     
       Total additions          1,034,453             600,541 
                              -----------         ----------- 
 
DEDUCTIONS: 
  Interfund transfers out          99,466             102,754 
  Benefit payments                232,219             133,268 
  Interest expense                   -                   - 
                              -----------         -----------     
       Total deductions           331,685             236,022 
                              -----------         -----------     
 
       Net increase (decrease)    702,768             364,519 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
  BENEFITS, beginning 
  of year                       2,200,758           1,267,493 
                              -----------         -----------     
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
  BENEFITS, end of year       $ 2,903,526         $ 1,632,012 
                              ===========         =========== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                  Participant 
                                                  Directed 
                                                  -------------- 
                                                  Merrill Lynch 
                              YES, Inc.           Global  
                                Loan              Allocation 
                                Fund              Fund Class A 
                              ---------           ------------ 
                                             
ADDITIONS: 
  Employee contributions 
     and rollovers            $      -            $    58,146 
  Employer contributions             -                  4,058 
  Interfund transfers in         (157,164)            197,097 
  Earnings - 
     Interest                        -                    726 
     Dividends                       -                 34,166 
     Realized gain (loss)            -                    122 
     Unrealized gain (loss)          -                  5,192  
                              -----------         ----------- 
       Total additions           (157,164)            299,507 
                              ------------        ----------- 
 
DEDUCTIONS: 
  Interfund transfers out        (464,282)              5,546 
  Benefit payments                  5,034               8,076 
  Interest expense                   -                   - 
                              ------------        -----------     
       Total deductions          (459,248)             13,622 
                              ------------        ----------- 
 
       Net increase (decrease)    302,084             285,885 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
  BENEFITS, beginning 
  of year                         399,450             104,002 
                              -----------         -----------     
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
  BENEFITS, end of year       $   641,534         $   389,887 
                              ===========         ===========     
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                  Participant 
                                                  Directed 
                                                  ------------- 
                                                  YES, Inc. 
                              YES, Inc.           Voluntary 
                              Allocation          Stock 
                              Fund                Fund 
                              ----------          --------- 
                                             
ADDITIONS: 
  Employee contributions 
     and rollovers            $      -            $   153,995 
  Employer contributions          454,268              25,290 
  Interfund transfers in             -                 70,522 
  Earnings - 
     Interest                        -                  8,565 
     Dividends                        155             126,651 
     Realized gain (loss)          (1,417)                869 
     Unrealized gain (loss)      (593,296)           (315,788) 
                              ------------        ------------ 
       Total additions           (140,290)             70,104 
                              ------------        ------------    
 
DEDUCTIONS: 
  Interfund transfers out         120,423             159,914 
  Benefit payments                298,637             114,052 
  Interest expense                   -                   - 
                              -----------         -----------     
       Total deductions           419,060             273,966 
                              -----------         ----------- 
 
       Net increase (decrease)   (559,350)           (203,862) 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
  BENEFITS, beginning 
  of year                       4,017,787           1,969,223 
                              -----------         ----------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
  BENEFITS, end of year       $ 3,458,437         $ 1,765,361 
                              ===========         =========== 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                               Loan               1996 
                               Suspense           Total 
                               --------           ----- 
                                             
ADDITIONS: 
  Employee contributions 
     and rollovers            $      -            $ 1,674,811 
  Employer contributions             -                655,126 
  Interfund transfers in             -              9,149,142 
  Earnings - 
     Interest                        -                 49,694 
     Dividends                       -              1,548,030 
     Realized gain (loss)            -               (128,670) 
     Unrealized gain (loss)      (525,770)         (1,564,430) 
                              ------------        ------------ 
       Total additions           (525,770)         11,383,703 
                              ------------        ------------ 
 
DEDUCTIONS: 
  Interfund transfers out            -              9,149,142 
  Benefit payments                   -              1,830,234 
  Interest expense                (47,748)            (47,748) 
                              ------------        -----------     
       Total deductions           (47,748)         10,931,628 
                              ------------        -----------     
 
       Net increase (decrease)   (478,022)           452,075 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR 
  BENEFITS, beginning 
  of year                       1,713,173          25,965,028 
                              -----------         ----------- 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR  
  BENEFITS, end of year       $ 1,235,151         $26,417,103 
                              ===========         =========== 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial 
statements. 
 
 
 
 
                        YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC. 
                   401(K) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN 
                NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 
 
 
1.   Establishment of The Plan: 
     ------------------------- 
     The Yankee Energy System, Inc. 401(k) Employee Stock 
     Ownership Plan (the Plan) was established and effective on 
     July 1, 1989 (the effective date) following the divestiture 
     of the gas business of the Connecticut Light and Power 
     Company (CL&P), a wholly owned subsidiary of Northeast 
     Utilities (NU), and the related creation of Yankee Energy 
     System, Inc. (YES).  Each transferred gas employee 
     participating in the Northeast Utilities Tax Reduction Act 
     Employee Stock Ownership Plan (TRAESOP), Payroll Based 
     Employee Stock Ownership Plan (PAYSOP) or Supplemental 
     Retirement Savings Plan became a participant in the Plan 
     effective July 1, 1989.  Participant account balances and 
     $7,203,056 in assets were transferred to the Plan on the 
     effective date.  The assets were comprised of NU common 
     stock and cash.  
 
2.   Plan Description: 
     ---------------- 
 
     The following description of the Plan provides only general 
     information.  Participants should refer to the Plan 
     agreement for a more complete description of the Plan's 
     provisions. 
 
     General - 
     ------- 
 
     The Plan is a defined contribution 401(k) Employee Stock 
     Ownership Plan established to provide benefits to eligible 
     employees.  Participation in the Plan is voluntary.  Union 
     employees become eligible to participate on the first day of 
     the month following the completion of one year of service.  
     Non-union employees become eligible to participate on the 
     first day of the month following the completion of six 
     months of service.  
 
     Contributions - 
     ------------- 
 
     Participants contribute between 1% and 12% of compensation 
     subject to limitations set forth by the Plan.  Investment of 
     employee contributions in the various funds is at the 
     employees' discretion.  YES matches 100% of non-union 
     employee pre-tax contributions annually up to 3% of 
     compensation and 50% of union employee pre-tax contributions 
     each month up to 5% of compensation. 
 
     Benefit payments - 
     ---------------- 
 
     Unless a participant elects otherwise, benefit distributions 
     are made in a lump sum not later than sixty days following 
     the end of the Plan year following the later of the 
     participant's 65th birthday, the 10th anniversary of the 
     date on which participation commenced or the termination of 
     employment.  In the event of the death of a participant 
     prior to distribution, benefits will be paid to a designated 
     beneficiary in a lump sum. 
 
     Vesting - 
     ------- 
 
     Non-union employees become 100% vested upon commencing 
     participation in the Plan.  Union employees shall at all 
     times be fully vested in employee contributions and will 
     vest in the employer contributions in accordance with the 
     following schedule: 
 
 
 
 
          Years of Service           Vesting % 
          ----------------           -------- 
                               
               1                         20% 
               2                         40% 
               3                         60% 
               4                         80% 
               5 or more                100% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     The account balances of union employees, as of June 3, 1989, 
     formerly participating in the NU Supplemental Retirement 
     Savings Plan and NU TRAESOP and PAYSOP became fully vested 
     on July 1, 1989. 
 
     Not withstanding the foregoing, union participants shall be 
     fully vested in employer contributions upon reaching age 65 
     or in the event of death or total disability.  Any union 
     employee forfeitures will be used to reduce future employer 
     contributions. 
 
     Loans - 
     ----- 
     Participants may borrow up to the lesser of 50% of the 
     participant's vested interest in his total account or 
     $50,000, reduced by the highest outstanding balance of loans 
     from the Plan during the one-year period preceding the date 
     of the loan. 
 
     Investment options - 
     ------------------ 
 
     The Plan consists of ten funds as follows: 
 
          Cash Fund - 
               Represents a cash fund which is used as a 
               temporary account for overnight transactions and 
               features an investment sweep option to earn 
               interest daily.  
 
          Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust -  
               Provides preservation of participants' 
               investments, liquidity and current income that is 
               typically higher than money market funds. 
 
          Merrill Lynch Growth Fund for Investment and Retirement 
          Class A -  
               Invests in securities, primarily equities. 
 
          Northeast Utilities Stock Fund - 
               Account maintains Northeast Utilities stock 
               belonging to transferred CL&P and Northeast 
               Utilities Service Company (NUSCO) employees 
               formerly participating in the NU Supplemental 
               Retirement Savings Plan. 
 
          Merrill Lynch Basic Value Fund Class A - 
               Invests in securities, primarily equities. 
 
          Merrill Lynch Capital Fund Class A - 
               Invests in equity securities, corporate bonds and 
               money market securities. 
 
          YES, Inc. Loan Fund - 
               Represents a clearing account for participant 
               loans. 
 
          Merrill Lynch Global Allocation Fund Class A - 
               Invests in U.S. and foreign equity, debt and money 
               market securities. 
 
          YES, Inc. Allocation Fund - 
               Represents the employer matching fund which 
               invests in Yankee Energy System, Inc. common 
               stock.  
 
          YES, Inc. Voluntary Stock Fund - 
               Invests in Yankee Energy System, Inc. common 
               stock. 
 
3.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: 
     ------------------------------------------ 
 
     Basis of accounting - 
     ------------------- 
 
     The accompanying financial statements and schedules of the 
     Plan have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. 
 
     Administrative expenses - 
     ----------------------- 
 
     Administrative expenses of the Plan are paid from the Plan 
     assets unless paid by Yankee Energy System, Inc. (the 
     Company).  Administrative expenses of approximately $59,000 
     and $41,000 were paid by the Company in 1997 and 1996, 
     respectively.   
 
     Valuation of investments - 
     ------------------------ 
 
     The Plan's investments are stated at fair value.  Securities 
     traded on the national securities exchange are valued at the 
     last reported sales price on the last business day of the 
     plan year.  Investments traded in the over-the-counter 
     market and listed securities for which no sale was reported 
     on that date are valued at the last reported bid price. 
 
     Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements- 
     ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 
     generally accepted accounting principles and the Department 
     of Labor Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure 
     under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
     requires management of the plan to make estimates and 
     assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and 
     liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the 
     reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting 
     period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. 
 
4.   Investments: 
     ----------- 
 
     The fair market value of individual investments that 
     represent 5% or more of the Plan's total net assets as of 
     December 31, 1997 and 1996 are as follows: 
 
 
 
 
                               1997           1996 
                                        ----           ---- 
 
                                                   
     Yankee Energy System, Inc.  
       common stock                    $8,141,703      $6,992,452 
 
     Northeast Utilities common stock        -          1,346,425 
 
     Merrill Lynch Growth Fund  
       Investment and 
       Retirement Class A               6,984,408       5,444,954 
 
     Merrill Lynch Retirement  
       Preservation Trust 
       Money Market                     7,910,067       7,504,288 
 
     Merrill Lynch Basic Value  
       Fund Class A                     4,394,646       2,877,346 
 
     Merrill Lynch Capital  
       Fund Class A                     2,213,837       1,616,090 
 
 
 
     During 1997, the Plan's investments appreciated in fair 
     value by $2,748,713 as follows: 
 
 
 
                                             Net Appreciation 
                                              (Depreciation) 
                                              in Fair Value 
                                               During Year 
                                             ------------- 
 
     Year ended December 31, 1997: 
 
     Fair value as determined by quoted market value: 
 
                                          
            Mutual funds                     $ 1,222,922 
            YES, Inc. common stock             1,656,913 
            NU common stock                     (131,122) 
                                             ----------- 
                                             $ 2,748,713 
                                             =========== 
 
 
     During 1996, the Plan's investments depreciated in fair 
     value by $1,693,100, as follows: 
 
 
 
 
                                             Net Appreciation 
                                             (Depreciation) 
                                              in Fair Value 
                                               During Year 
                                             ----------------- 
 
     Year ended December 31, 1996: 
 
     Fair value as determined by quoted market value: 
                     
                                            
          Mutual funds                        $ 1,040,652 
          YES, Inc. common stock               (1,435,402) 
          NU common stock                      (1,298,350)  
                                              ------------  
                                              $(1,693,100) 
                                              ============ 
 
 
5.   Note Payable: 
     ------------ 
 
     The Plan has secured a $4,000,000 loan from a commercial 
     bank to Fleet Bank, N.A., the former trustee, the proceeds 
     of which were used to buy YES common stock for the Plan.  
     YES has guaranteed the loan.  The loan will be repaid over a 
     ten year period ending July 1, 1999 at $400,000 per year 
     plus interest at a rate of 10.38%.  Employer non-union 
     matching contributions are used to make annual principal 
     payments.  Interest is paid from the earnings of the YES, 
     Inc. loan fund.  As the loan is paid down, an equivalent 
     amount of YES stock, which serves as collateral, is released 
     and allocated to participants. 
 
6.   Tax Status: 
     ---------- 
 
     The Plan obtained its latest determination letter on March 
     20, 1996 in which the Internal Revenue Service stated that 
     the form of the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance 
     with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue 
     Code.  The Plan has been amended since the determination 
     letter was received.  However, the Plan administrator 
     believes that the Plan is currently designed and being 
     operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of 
     the Internal Revenue Code.  Therefore, the Plan 
     administrator believes that the Plan was qualified as of the 
     financial statement date. 
 
7.   Voting Rights: 
     ------------- 
 
     Each participant is entitled to exercise voting rights 
     attributable to the shares allocated to his account and is 
     notified by Merrill Lynch (the Trustee) prior to the time 
     that such rights are to be exercised.  The Trustee is not 
     permitted to vote any share for which instructions have not 
     been given by a participant.  The Trustee is required, 
     however, to vote any unallocated shares on behalf of the 
     collective best interest of plan participants and 
     beneficiaries. 
 
8.   Termination of the Plan: 
     ----------------------- 
 
     YES may suspend, terminate, or completely discontinue 
     contributions under the Plan with respect to its employees 
     subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income 
     Security Act of 1974 relating to plan terminations. 
 
     Upon termination or partial termination of the Plan, the 
     rights of all affected participants to their accounts to the 
     date of such termination shall be fully vested to the extent 
     funded. 
 
9.   Subsequent Event: 
     ---------------- 
 
     During 1998, the following changes to the Plan were made: 
 
     Effective January 1, 1998, YES will match 100% of non- 
     union Yankee Energy Services Company employee pre-tax 
     contributions annually up to 5% of compensation. 
 
     Effective July 1, 1998, the Plan added five additional 
     investment options. 
 
     MFS Strategic Income Fund - 
     Invests in foreign and domestic fixed income securities. 
 
     Alliance Premier Growth Fund - 
     Invests in a limited number of primarily large U. S. company 

     common stocks and other equity securities.  
      
     Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund - 
     Invests in small company stocks. 
 
     AIM International Equity Fund - 
     Invests in primarily foreign equity securities. 
 
     S&P 500 Index Fund - 
     Invests in securities listed on Standard & Poor's 
     500 Index. 




 
 
                                                  SCHEDULE I 
                                                  EIN# 06-1236430 
                                                  PLAN# 001 
 
                     YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC. 
               401 (k) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN 
      ITEM 27a - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES 
                       AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 
 
                                      (c)Description of  
                                        investment, including 
                                        maturity date, rate of 
(a)(b) Identity of issue, borrower      interest, collateral, 
       lessor or similar party          par or maturity value 
- ----------------------------------      ---------------------- 
                                      
     Common Stock: 
     ------------ 
 
*Yankee Energy System, Inc.                305,081 shares 
 
*Northeast Utilities                        88,711 shares 
 
          Total common stock 
 
     Mutual Funds: 
     ------------ 
 
*Merrill Lynch Growth Fund 
   Investment and Retirement 
   Class A                                 244,084 shares 
 
*Merrill Lynch Basic Value  
   Fund Class A                            118,517 shares 
 
*Merrill Lynch Capital Fund 
   Class A                                  64,151 shares 
 
*Merrill Lynch Global  
   Allocation Fund Class A                  50,390 shares 
 
          Total Mutual Funds 
 
     Short Term Investments: 
     ---------------------- 
 
*Merrill Lynch Retirement 
   Preservation Trust                    7,910,067 shares 
 
*YES, Inc. Loan Fund                       951,067 shares 
 
          Total short term 
            investments 
 
          Total investments 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)(b) Identity of issue, borrower               (e) Current 
      lessor or similar party        (d) Cost       Value 
- ----------------------------------    --------    ---------- 
                                             
     Common Stock: 
     ------------ 
 
*Yankee Energy System, Inc.          $ 6,674,943   $ 8,141,703 
 
*Northeast Utilities                   1,920,471     1,047,860 
                                     -----------   ----------- 
          Total common stock           8,595,414     9,189,563 
                                     -----------   ----------- 
     Mutual Funds: 
     ------------ 
 
*Merrill Lynch Growth Fund 
   Investment and Retirement 
   Class A                             5,976,198     6,984,408 
 
*Merrill Lynch Basic Value  
   Fund Class A                        3,596,456     4,394,646 
 
*Merrill Lynch Capital Fund 
   Class A                             2,000,291     2,213,837 
 
*Merrill Lynch Global  
   Allocation Fund Class A               746,801       712,512 
                                     -----------   ----------- 
          Total Mutual Funds          12,319,746    14,305,403 
                                     -----------   ----------- 
     Short Term Investments: 
     ---------------------- 
 
*Merrill Lynch Retirement 
   Preservation Trust                  7,910,067     7,910,067 
 
*YES, Inc. Loan Fund                     951,067       951,067 
                                     -----------   ----------- 
          Total short term 
            investments                8,861,134     8,861,134 
                                     -----------   ----------- 
          Total investments          $29,776,294   $32,356,100 
                                     ===========   =========== 
 
 
*Indicates a party in interest. 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this 
schedule. 
 
 
 
 
                                                  SCHEDULE II 
                                                  EIN# 06-1236430 
                                                  PLAN# 001 
 
                        YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC. 
                   401(k) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN 
              ITEM 27d - SCHEDULE OF REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS 
                   FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 
 
(a) Identity of     (b) Description          (c) Purchase 
 party involved         of asset                 price 
- ---------------     ---------------          ------------ 
 
                                        
Merrill Lynch       Retirement  
                    Preservation Trust       $1,913,022 
                                                   - 
 
Merrill Lynch       Growth Fund 
                    Investment and  
                    Retirement 
                    Class A                   1,810,281 
 
Merrill Lynch    Basic Value Fund             1,293,806  
                 Class A  
                                                   - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Identity of     (b) Description          (d) Selling 
 party involved         of asset                 price 
- ---------------     ---------------          ------------ 
 
                                        
Merrill Lynch       Retirement  
                    Preservation Trust       $     -    
                                              1,496,845 
 
Merrill Lynch       Growth Fund 
                    Investment and 
                    Retirement                     -    
                    Class A                     748,080 
 
Merrill Lynch     Basic Value 
                  Fund Class A                     - 
                                                355,765 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Identity of     (b) Description          (e) Lease 
 party involved         of asset                 Rental 
- ---------------     ---------------          ------------ 
 
                                        
Merrill Lynch       Retirement  
                    Preservation Trust        $    - 
                                                   - 
 
Merrill Lynch       Growth Fund 
                    Investment and 
                    Retirement 
                    Class A                        - 
                                                   - 
 
Merrill Lynch   Basic Value                        - 
                   Fund Class A                    - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Identity of     (b) Description          (f) Expense incurred 
 party involved         of asset                 with transaction 
- ---------------     ---------------          -------------------- 
                                        
Merrill Lynch       Retirement  
                    Preservation Trust        $    - 
                                                   - 
 
Merrill Lynch       Growth Fund 
                    Investment and 
                    Retirement 
                    Class A                        - 
                                                   - 
 
Merrill Lynch      Basic Value                     - 
                   Fund Class A                    - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Identity of     (b) Description          (g) Cost of 
 party involved         of asset                 asset 
- ---------------     ---------------          ------------ 
                                        
Merrill Lynch       Retirement  
                    Preservation Trust       $1,913,022 
                                              1,496,845 
 
Merrill Lynch       Growth Fund 
                    Investment and            1,810,281 
                    Retirement 
                    Class A                     613,427 
                                                        
Merrill Lynch       Basic Value               1,293,808 
                    Fund Class A                297,447 
 
 
 
 
 
                                             (h) Current value 
(a) Identity of     (b) Description              of an asset on 
 party involved         of asset                 transaction date 
- ---------------     ---------------          -------------------- 
                                        
Merrill Lynch       Retirement               $1,913,022 
                    Preservation Trust        1,496,845 
                                                        
 
Merrill Lynch       Growth Fund Investment 
                    and Retirement            1,810,281 
                    Class A                     748,080 
                                                        
Merrill Lynch      Basic Value                1,293,806 
                   Fund Class A                 355,765 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Identity of     (b) Description          (i) Net gain 
 party involved         of asset                 or (loss) 
- ---------------     ---------------          ------------ 
                                        
Merrill Lynch       Retirement               $     - 
                    Preservation Trust             -    
                                                    
 
Merrill Lynch       Growth Fund                    - 
                    Investment and 
                    Retirement 
                    Class A                     134,653 
                                                        
Merrill Lynch      Basic Value                     - 
                   Fund Class A                  58,318 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this schedule. 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee
benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                    YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC.                    
               401(k) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN               
               ------------------------------------
                        (Name of the Plan)

 
                                                                  
Date July 27, 1998                By    /s/James M. Sepanski
    ---------------------            --------------------------
                                     James M. Sepanski
                                     Vice President
                                     Chief Financial Officer
                                     and Treasurer

Date July 27, 1998                 By   /s/Ellen J. Quinn
    ---------------------            ---------------------------
                                     Ellen J. Quinn
                                     Vice President

Date July 27, 1998                 By   /s/Robert J. Bourne
    ---------------------            ---------------------------
                                     Robert J. Bourne
                                     Assistant General Counsel
                                     and Assistant Secretary