EXHIBIT 23.7


                        CONSENT OF PROSPECTIVE DIRECTOR

    I  hereby consent to my being named  a director of Empire Gas Corporation in
its Registration Statement  on Form  S-1 relating  to Senior  Secured Notes  due
2004.


                                                    /s/ JIM J. SHOEMAKE


                                          --------------------------------------

                                                     Jim J. Shoemake



June 3, 1994