<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CONTINENTAL NATURAL GAS, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AND INCLUDES AMENDED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULES FOR PRIOR PERIODS
RESTATING EARNINGS PER SHARE DUE TO THE COMPANY'S ADOPTION OF SFAS NO. 128,
"EARNINGS PER SHARE".
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           1,237                  21,077
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,120<F1>              52,326<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                       328                     258
<INVENTORY>                                      1,680                   3,149
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                54,277                  76,459
<PP&E>                                         114,785                  61,045
<DEPRECIATION>                                 114,785                  61,045
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 178,934                 145,928
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,657                  83,992
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            66                      39
<OTHER-SE>                                      41,353                  22,114
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   178,934                 145,928
<SALES>                                        340,288                 245,530
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               340,618                 246,661
<CGS>                                          318,283                 225,535
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  337,028                 239,991
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,479                   2,686
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,479                   2,686
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,889)                   3,985
<INCOME-TAX>                                       644                   3,635
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,245)                   7,620
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                   (427)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,245)                   7,193
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.31)                    1.87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.31)                    1.67
<FN>
<F1>ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE IS PRESENTED NET IN THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET.
</FN>