<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN EXHIBIT 99 OF CONSOLIDATED NATURAL
GAS COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<BOOK-VALUE>                                  PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                    3,008,263
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                  1,069,037
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                       1,393,021
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                       364,635
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                 165,649
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,000,605
<COMMON>                                       261,068
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                      496,722
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                          1,424,624
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>               2,205,152
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                         1,426,315
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                   0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                            0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                 374,000
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                  104,000
<PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT>                            0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                          0
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                     0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>               1,913,876
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                6,000,605
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                    3,794,309
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                           155,830
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                   3,246,335
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                   3,402,165
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                        392,144
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                               9,304
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                 401,448
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                       103,175
<NET-INCOME>                                   298,273
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                          0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                  298,273
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                       183,671
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                      103,257
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                         407,165
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.11