Exhibit 23









                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT




         We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement
Nos. 333-24065 and 333-62019 of South Jersey Gas Company on Form S-3 of our
reports dated February 19, 2003, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of
South Jersey Gas Company for the year ended December 31, 2002.





DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 13, 2003