SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): December 7, 1998 ---------------- EASTERN ENTERPRISES ------------------------- (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) Massachusetts 1-2297 04-1270730 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (STATE OR OTHER (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER) (IRS EMPLOYER JURISDICTION OF IDENTIFICATION NO.) INCORPORATION) 9 Riverside Road, Weston, Massachusetts 02493 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (781) 647-2300 --------------- None ------------------------------------------------------------ (FORMER NAME OR FORMER ADDRESS, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT) ITEM 1 THROUGH 4 AND ITEMS 6 THROUGH 9. Not Applicable. - --------------------------------------- ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS - ------ ------------ For the month of October, 1998, the combined operations of Eastern Enterprises and Essex Gas Company had revenues of $52.4 million and a net loss of $1.1 million. The publication of these results effectively ends the affiliate restricted period as described in Accounting Series Release No. 135 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 65 (Topic 2E). 2 SIGNATURE 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 hereunto duly authorized. EASTERN ENTERPRISES Date: December 7, 1998 By: /s/ James J. Harper ------------------ --------------------- James J. Harper Vice President and Controller 3