Exhibit 24
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                            SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Each of the undersigned, in his capacity as an officer or director, or
both, as the case may be, of South Jersey Gas Company, a New Jersey
corporation, does hereby appoint Charles Biscieglia, David A. Kindlick and
George L. Baulig, and each of them, severally, as his or her true and lawful
attorneys or attorney to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his
or her capacity as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of said
corporation, its Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 on
Form 10-K, pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
any and all amendments thereto and instruments necessary or incidental in
connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange
Commission; and does hereby provide that each of said attorneys shall have
power to act hereunder with or without the other said attorneys, and shall have
full power of substitution and resubstitution and that each of said attorneys
shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf
of the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever required to
be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he or she
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said
attorneys and each of them.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument, this
27th day of March 1998.



                                                /s/ Charles Biscieglia
                                                Charles Biscieglia, President


                                                /s/ Anthony G. Dickson
                                                Anthony G. Dickson, Director



                                                /s/ Clarence D. McCormick
                                                Clarence D. McCormick, Director



                                                _______________________________
                                                Peter M. Mitchell, Director



                                                /s/ Frederick R. Raring
                                                Frederick R. Raring, Director





                                                 Exhibit 24
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Power of Attorney -- 10-K                                   Page 2 of 2




                                                /s/ Shirli M. Vioni
                                                Shirli M. Vioni, Director




                                                /s/ David A. Kindlick
                                                David A. Kindlick, Vice
                                                President, Rates and Budgeting



                                                /s/ George L. Baulig
                                                George L. Baulig, Secretary