UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (Mark One) X QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998 or __ TRANSACTION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transaction period from January 1, 1998 to March 31, 1998 Commission file number 0-18516 ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION (exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization: Delaware I.R.S. Employer Identification Number: 51-0002090 Address of principal executive officers: 664 Churchmans Road, Newark, Delaware Zip Code: 19702 Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (302) 453-6900 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. X Yes No As of April 27, 1998, 1,283,246 shares and 508,281 shares of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively, were outstanding. ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION INDEX TO FORM 10-Q Part I - Financial Information: Page(s) Item 1 - Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheet - March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997 3 Consolidated Statement of Income for the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 4 Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings for the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 4 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 5 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 6-9 Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition 9-10 Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 10 Part II - Other Information: Item 1 - Legal Proceedings 10-11 Item 2 - Changes in Securities 11 Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities 11 Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 11 Item 5 - Other Information 11 Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 11-13 Signatures 14 Part I - Financial Information Item I - Financial Statements ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (In thousands) Unaudited December 31, March 31, 1998 1997 ASSETS Utility plant, at original cost less accumulated depreciation $101,294 $ 97,694 Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 310 146 Accounts receivable, net 2,281 2,131 Unbilled operation revenues 1,612 1,869 Materials and supplies-at cost on FIFO basis 637 610 Prepaid property taxes 260 519 Prepaid expenses and other 505 388 State and federal income taxes --- 135 5,605 5,798 Other assets Non-utility property (less accumulated depreciation 1998-$146;1997-$145) 347 349 Other deferred assets 1,175 1,208 1,522 1,557 Regulatory assets, net 2,803 2,818 $111,224 $107,867 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' equity Common stock $ 1,791 $ 1,780 Additional paid-in capital 17,841 17,648 Retained earnings 6,760 6,887 Preferred stock 272 272 Total common stockholders' equity 26,664 26,587 Preferred stock-mandatorily redeemable 488 600 Long-term debt, net of current portion 32,093 32,103 59,245 59,290 Current liabilities Notes payable 3,147 1,164 Current portion of long-term debt 46 46 Current portion of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock 112 112 Accounts payable 3,238 2,616 Overdraft payable 600 510 State and federal taxes 90 --- Deferred income taxes 194 189 Interest accrued 870 880 Customer deposits 385 370 Dividends payable 20 --- Other 739 360 9,441 6,247 Deferred credits and other liabilities Net advances for construction 18,066 17,880 Postretirement benefit obligation 1,690 1,704 Deferred investment tax credits 1,020 1,029 Deferred income taxes 176 176 20,952 20,789 Net contributions in aid of construction 21,586 21,541 $111,224 $107,867 See notes to the consolidated financial statements. ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME Unaudited (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1998 1997 OPERATING REVENUES Water sales $ 5,548 $ 4,892 Other utility operating revenue 73 87 5,621 4,979 OPERATING EXPENSES Utility operating expenses 3,365 3,078 Non-utility operating expenses 5 --- Related party expenses 57 62 Depreciation and amortization 606 586 State and federal income taxes 217 126 Property and other taxes 377 378 4,627 4,230 OPERATING INCOME 994 749 ALLOWANCE FOR FUNDS USED DURING CONSTRUCTION 49 47 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) 16 (22) INCOME BEFORE INTEREST CHARGES 1,059 774 INTEREST CHARGES Long-term debt 673 564 Short-term debt 37 --- Amortization of debt expense 8 4 Other 14 9 732 577 NET INCOME $ 327 $ 197 DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK 22 25 NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK $ 305 $ 172 INCOME PER COMMON SHARE: Basic $ 0.17 $ 0.10 Diluted $ 0.17 $ 0.10 CASH DIVIDEND PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.23 $ 0.23 AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING Basic 1,787,687 1,753,045 Diluted 1,803,211 1,764,087 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RETAINED EARNINGS Unaudited (In thousands) For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1998 1997 Balance, beginning of period $ 6,887 $ 6,614 Net income 327 197 7,214 6,811 Dividends 454 451 Balance, end of period $ 6,760 $ 6,360 See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Unaudited (In thousands) For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1998 1997 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES NET INCOME $ 327 $ 197 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 568 548 Deferred income taxes, net (4) --- Allowance for funds used during construction (49) (47) Changes in Assets and Liabilities: Accounts receivable (150) 188 Unbilled operating revenue 257 160 Materials and supplies (27) (54) State and federal income taxes 225 134 Prepaid property taxes 259 246 Prepaid expenses and other (117) (241) Other deferred assets 33 61 Regulatory assets 15 (114) Postretirement benefit obligation (14) 1 Accounts payable 622 (1,649) Interest accrued (10) (34) Customer deposits and other, net 394 138 NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2,329 (466) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures (net of AFUDC) (4,219) (2,045) Proceeds from sale of assets 3 1 NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (4,216) (2,044) CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net borrowings under line of credit agreement 1,983 3,033 Overdraft payable 90 160 Net advances and contributions in aid of construction 331 13 Repayment on long-term note --- (25) Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock 204 62 Dividends (434) (429) Principal payments under capital lease obligations (11) (88) Retirement of preferred stock (112) (112) NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 2,051 2,614 NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 164 104 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 146 148 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 310 $ 252 Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: Interest paid $ 734 $ 543 Income taxes paid $ --- $ --- See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1 - GENERAL The unaudited financial statements of Artesian Resources Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Company or Artesian Resources), including its principal operating company, Artesian Water Company, Inc. (Artesian Water), presented herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 1997 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have not been examined by independent accountants in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, but in the opinion of management such consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly summarize the Company's financial position and results of operations. The results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1998. NOTE 2 - REGULATORY ASSETS Certain expenses, which are recoverable through rates as permitted by the State of Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC), are deferred and amortized during future periods using various methods. Expenses related to rate proceedings are amortized on a straight-line basis over two years. The post retirement benefit obligation, which is being amortized over twenty years is adjusted for the difference between the net periodic post retirement benefit costs and the cash payments. The deferred income taxes will be amortized over future years as the tax effects of temporary differences previously flowed through to the customer reverse. Regulatory assets, net of amortization, comprise: March 31, 1998 December 31, 1997 (,000) (,000) Postretirement benefit obligation $1,690 $1,704 Deferred income taxes recoverable in future rates 716 710 Expense of rate proceedings 397 404 $2,803 $2,818 NOTE 3 - NON-UTILITY OPERATING EXPENSES Non-utility operating expenses totaling $5,000 are attributable to Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc. (Artesian Wastewater). Artesian Wastewater plans to provide wastewater treatment services in Delaware. On March 12, 1997 Artesian Wastewater became a one-third member in AquaStructure Delaware, L.L.C. which intends to develop and market various proposals to provide wastewater treatment services. NOTE 4 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The office building and shop complex utilized by Artesian Water are leased at an annual rental of $184,000 from a partnership, White Clay Realty, in which certain of Artesian Resources' officers and directors are partners. The lease expires in 2002, with provisions for renewals for two five year periods thereafter. Management believes that the payments made to White Clay Realty for the lease of its office building and shop complex are generally comparable to what Artesian Water would have to pay to unaffiliated parties for similar facilities. Artesian Water leases certain parcels of land for water production wells from Glendale Enterprises Limited, a company wholly-owned by Ellis D. Taylor, Chairman Emeritus of Artesian Resources, at an annual rental of $42,000. The initial term of the lease was for ten years ending September 30, 1995 and, thereafter, renewal is automatic from year to year unless 60 days written notice is given by either party before the end of the year's lease. The annual rental is adjusted each year by the consumer price index as of June 30 of the preceding year. Artesian Water has the right to terminate this lease by giving 60 days written notice should the water supply be exhausted or other conditions beyond the control of Artesian Water materially and adversely affect its interest in the lease. Expenses associated with related party transactions are as follows: For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1998 1997 (,000) (,000) White Clay Realty $ 46 $ 51 Glendale Enterprises 11 11 $ 57 $ 62 NOTE 5 - DEBT As of April 6, 1998 Artesian Water has available unsecured lines of credit, with no financial covenant restrictions, totaling $30.0 million which are renewable annually at the bank's discretion. Borrowings under the lines of credit bear interest based on the London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.0% for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days, or the bank's Federal Funds Rate plus 1.0%, at the option of Artesian Water. NOTE 6 - RATE PROCEEDINGS On October 3, 1997, Artesian Water filed a petition with the PSC to implement new rates to achieve a projected increased revenue target, as subsequently amended, of approximately 23.3% or $5.2 million on an annualized basis. Artesian Water has been permitted to collect a temporary rate increase not in excess of 11.35% or $2.5 million on an annualized basis, under bond, until permanent rates are approved. These temporary rates became effective on December 3, 1997 and approximately $0.6 million in additional revenue was recognized during the first quarter of 1998 as a result of the increased rates. On April 20, 1998, Artesian Water entered into a proposed settlement agreement with the Division of the Public Advocate and the PSC staff which would allow Artesian Water to increase customer rates from a temporary increase of 11.35% implemented December 3, 1997 to an increase of approximately 13.2%, or $2.975 million annualized. The settlement agreement is subject to approval by the Hearing Examiner in the rate case and the PSC. Artesian Water believes that the rates will become effective on or about May 12, 1998, but the timing of the PSC decision and the amount of the permanent rates cannot be assured. The proposed annualized revenue increase of $2.975 million under the settlement agreement is based on a projected utility plant in service level of $124.2 million as of June 30, 1998. Artesian Water's actual June 30, 1998 utility plant in service balance will be subject to audit in July 1998 by the PSC. If the actual June 30, 1998 utility plant in service balance is more than $0.5 million below the $124.2 million projected utility plant in service level, then a refund equaling revenues related to the entire plant in service deficiency will be made to customers from the effective date of the rate increase put into place as a result of this proposed settlement. Every $0.5 million deficiency from the required utility plant in service level of $124.2 million equates to an annualized revenue reduction of approximately $48,000. Artesian Water's March 31, 1998 utility plant in service balance is $118.6 million with an additional $3.3 million in construction work in progress. The Company anticipates that the required utility plant in service level of $124.2 million will be achieved by June 30, 1998 and no refund to customers will be necessary under the terms of the proposed settlement agreement, although there can be no assurance that the need for a refund will not arise. NOTE 7 - NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE AND EQUITY PER COMMON SHARE In December 1997, the Company adopted SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share" which prescribes two methods for calculating net income per common share: "Basic" and "Diluted" methods. These calculations differ from those used in prior periods and as a result all prior period earnings per share data have been restated to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 128. Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive effect of employee stock options. The adoption of this statement had no effect on the results of operations, financial conditions, or long-term liquidity of the Company. The following table summarizes the shares used in computing basic and diluted net income per share: For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1998 1997 Average common shares outstanding during the period for Basic computation 1,787,687 1,753,045 Dilutive effect of employee stock options 15,524 11,042 Average common shares outstanding during the period for Diluted computation 1,803,211 1,764,087 Equity per common share was $14.74 and $14.44 at March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. These amounts were computed by dividing common stockholders' equity excluding preferred stock by the number of shares of common stock outstanding at the end of each quarter. NOTE 8 - IMPACT OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS 130). SFAS 130 requires that all items that are required to be recognized under accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. The Company has adopted this Statement effective January 1, 1998, and has no components of comprehensive income to report. In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS 131"). This Statement established standards for reporting information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to shareholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosure about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. In February 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 132 "Employers Disclosure about Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits" ("SFAS 132"), which revises employers' disclosures about pensions and other postretirement benefit plans, and does not change the measurement or recognition of those plans. The Company plans to adopt SFAS 131 and SFAS 132 in connection with the preparation of the December 31, 1998 consolidated financial statement and the adoption of these statements will not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operation. ITEM 2 ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS For the quarter ended March 31, 1998, Artesian Resources recorded net income of $327,000 which represents a $130,000 increase as compared to earnings of $197,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 1997. The increase is primarily attributable to two increases in Artesian Water's rates charged to customers of approximately 1.13% and 11.35% which were placed in effect May 1, 1997 and December 3, 1997, respectively, and a 2.4% growth in customers served. Water sales revenue increased $656,000, or 13.4%, for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 as compared to the same period in 1997. Payroll expense increased $167,000 due to the addition of several new positions as well as pay increases. Rate case amortization expense increased $98,000 due to using a two year amortization period for the deferred rate case costs associated with Docket 97-66 and Docket 97-340 as required under the pending rate case settlement agreement. The estimated total cost of these two dockets is higher than the total cost of Docket 94-164 which was amortized over the three years ended December 31, 1997. Purchased water expense decreased $127,000 primarily due to the renegotiated contract with the Chester Water Authority (CWA) which reduced the mandatory minimum takes from a daily average of four million gallons to three million gallons effective August 1, 1997. Total purchased water consumption is 20% lower in the first quarter of 1998 as compared to the same period in 1997 due to the decreased takes from CWA and to the timing of purchases from the City of Wilmington. Income taxes increased $91,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1998 as compared to the same period in 1997 due to the increased profitability of the Company. Interest expense and debt amortization expense increased by $155,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1998 as compared with the same period in 1997 due to a higher average debt outstanding of $35.0 million at a higher average interest rate for 1998 as compared to $30.0 million in average debt outstanding for 1997. The increase in the average debt outstanding is attributable to the issuance of Artesian Water's $10 million Series M and $5 million Series N Mortgage Bonds in June and September of 1997, respectively, and to increased borrowings on the lines of credit. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The primary sources of liquidity for the three months ended March 31, 1998 is $2.3 million provided by cash flow from operations and $2.0 million borrowed on Artesian Water's lines of credit. At March 31, 1998, Artesian Resources had a working capital deficit of $3.8 million primarily attributable to borrowings on the lines of credit and to an increase in accounts payable associated with the volume of construction projects currently in process. On April 6, 1998 Artesian Water increased its available unsecured lines of credit, with no financial covenant restrictions, to a total of $30.0 million and reduced the borrowing rate to the London Interbank Offering Rate plus 1.0% or the bank's Federal Funds Rate plus 1.0%. As of April 30, 1998 $3.6 million was drawn on the lines of credit. ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Not applicable. PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS On October 3, 1997, Artesian Water filed a petition with the PSC to implement new rates to achieve a projected increased revenue target, as subsequently amended, of approximately 23.3% or $5.2 million on an annualized basis. Artesian Water has been permitted to collect a temporary rate increase not in excess of 11.35% or $2.5 million on an annualized basis, under bond, until permanent rates are approved. These temporary rates became effective on December 3, 1997 and approximately $0.6 million in additional revenue was recognized during the first quarter of 1998 as a result of the increased rates. On April 20, 1998, Artesian Water entered into a proposed settlement agreement with the Division of the Public Advocate and the PSC staff which would allow Artesian Water to increase customer rates from a temporary increase of 11.35% implemented December 3, 1997 to an increase of approximately 13.2%, or $2.975 million annualized. The settlement agreement is subject to approval by the Hearing Examiner in the rate case and the PSC. Artesian Water believes that the rates will become effective on or about May 12, 1998, but the timing of the PSC decision and amount of the permanent rates cannot be assured. The proposed annualized revenue increase of $2.975 million under the settlement agreement is based on a projected utility plant in service level of $124.2 million as of June 30, 1998. Artesian Water's actual June 30, 1998 utility plant in service balance will be subject to audit in July 1998 by the PSC. If the actual June 30, 1998 utility plant in service balance is more than $0.5 million below the projected utility plant in service level, then a refund equaling revenues related to the entire plant in service deficiency will be made to customers from the effective date of the rate increase put into place as a result of this proposed settlement. Every $0.5 million deficiency from the required utility plant in service level of $124.2 million equates to an annualized revenue reduction of approximately $48,000. Artesian Water's March 31, 1998 utility plant in service balance is $118.6 million with an additional $3.3 million in construction work in progress. The Company anticipates that the required utility plant in service level of $124.2 million will be achieved by June 30, 1998 and no refund to customers will be necessary under the terms of the proposed settlement agreement, although there can be no assurance that the need for a refund will not arise. There are no other material legal proceedings pending at this date. ITEM 2 - CHANGES IN SECURITIES Not applicable. ITEM 3 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES Not applicable. ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS Not applicable. ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION Not applicable. ITEM 6 EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K No reports on Form 8-K were filed for the quarter ended March 31, 1998. EXHIBIT 11 - COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 1997 Earnings Income applicable to Common Stock $ 304,705 $ 171,576 Shares Average common shares outstanding during the period for Basic computation 1,787,687 1,753,045 Dilutive effect of employee stock options 15,524 11,042 Average common shares outstanding during the period for Diluted computation 1,803,211 1,764,087 Net income per Common Share Basic $ 0.17 $ 0.10 Diluted $ 0.17 $ 0.10 EXHIBIT 27 - FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE [LEGEND] This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of income and the consolidated statement of cash flows from the Company's March 31, 1998 Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. [/LEGEND] [PERIOD-TYPE] 3-MOS [FISCAL-YEAR-END] DEC-31-1998 [PERIOD-END] MAR-31-1998 [BOOK-VALUE] PER-BOOK [TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT] 101,294,000 [OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST] 347,000 [TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS] 5,605,000 [TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES] 3,978,000 [OTHER-ASSETS] 0 [TOTAL-ASSETS] 111,224,000 [COMMON] 1,791,000 [CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN] 17,841,000 [RETAINED-EARNINGS] 6,760,000 [TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ] 26,392,000 [PREFERRED-MANDATORY] 488,000 [PREFERRED] 272,000 [LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET] 32,000,000 [SHORT-TERM-NOTES] 3,147,000 [LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE] 0 [COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS] 0 [LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT] 0 [PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT] 112,000 [CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS] 93,000 [LEASES-CURRENT] 46,000 [OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB] 48,674,000 [TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB] 111,224,000 [GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE] 5,621,000 [INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE] 217,000 [OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES] 4,410,000 [TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES] 4,627,000 [OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS] 994,000 [OTHER-INCOME-NET] 65,000 [INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN] 1,059,000 [TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE] 732,000 [NET-INCOME] 327,000 [PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS] 22,000 [EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM] 305,000 [COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS] 434,000 [TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS] 2,677,000 [CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS] 2,329,000 <EPS-BASIC> 0.17 [EPS-DILUTED] 0.17 EXHIBIT 27 - FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE [LEGEND] This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of income and the consolidated statement of cash flows from the Company's March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q, restated as required under SFAS 128, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. [/LEGEND] [PERIOD-TYPE] 3-MOS [FISCAL-YEAR-END] DEC-31-1997 [PERIOD-END] MAR-31-1997 [BOOK-VALUE] PER-BOOK [TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT] 90,489,000 [OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST] 822,000 [TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS] 5,031,000 [TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES] 4,534,000 [OTHER-ASSETS] 0 [TOTAL-ASSETS] 100,876,000 [COMMON] 1,752,000 [CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN] 17,184,000 [RETAINED-EARNINGS] 6,360,000 [TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ] 25,296,000 [PREFERRED-MANDATORY] 599,500 [PREFERRED] 272,000 [LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET] 17,000,000 [SHORT-TERM-NOTES] 0 [LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE] 12,091,000 [COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS] 0 [LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT] 0 [PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT] 112,500 [CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS] 177,000 [LEASES-CURRENT] 286,000 [OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB] 45,042,000 [TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB] 100,876,000 [GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE] 4,979,000 [INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE] 126,000 [OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES] 4,104,000 [TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES] 4,230,000 [OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS] 749,000 [OTHER-INCOME-NET] 25,000 [INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN] 774,000 [TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE] 577,000 [NET-INCOME] 197,000 [PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS] 25,000 [EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM] 172,000 [COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS] 426,000 [TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS] 1,514,900 [CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS] (466,000) <EPS-BASIC> 0.10 [EPS-DILUTED] 0.10 SIGNATURES 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 thereunto duly authorized. ARTESIAN RESOURCES CORPORATION 5/6/98 /s/ Dian C. Taylor Dian C. Taylor President, CEO, and Chair of the Board Artesian Resources Corporation and Subsidiaries 5/6/98 /s/ David B. Spacht David B. Spacht Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer Artesian Resources Corporation and Subsidiaries g:\sec\10Q398.txt