EXHIBIT 23.8
    

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

    We  hereby consent to the  use in the Registration  Statement on Form S-1 of
our reports  dated July  30,  1993, relating  to  the financial  statements  and
financial  statement schedules  of EMPIRE  GAS CORPORATION  (FORMERLY EMPIRE GAS
ACQUISITION CORPORATION) and  our report  dated May  27, 1994,  relating to  the
financial  statements of PSNC  PROPANE CORPORATION, all of  which appear in such
Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in such Registration Statement.

                                          BAIRD, KURTZ & DOBSON

   
Springfield, Missouri
June 9, 1994