EXHIBIT 11


                    THE COASTAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 STATEMENT RE COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS
                 (Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts,
                            and Thousands of Shares)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                                                                       September 30,             September 30,
                                                                  ----------------------    ---------------------
                                                                     2000        1999         2000         1999
                                                                  ---------   ----------    ---------   ---------
                                                                        (Unaudited)               (Unaudited)
<S>                                                               <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
------------------------
Net earnings..................................................    $   144.8   $    102.1    $   446.1   $   329.9
Dividends on preferred stock..................................            -            -           .2          .2
                                                                  ---------   ----------    ---------   ---------
Net earnings available to common stockholders.................    $   144.8   $    102.1    $   445.9   $   329.7
                                                                  =========   ==========    =========   =========

Average number of common shares outstanding...................      214,478      213,148      213,879     212,816
Average number of Class A common shares outstanding...........          323          348          334         350
                                                                  ---------   ----------    ---------   ---------
                                                                    214,801      213,496      214,213     213,166
                                                                  =========   ==========    =========   =========

Basic earnings per share......................................    $     .67   $      .48    $    2.08   $    1.55
                                                                  =========   ==========    =========   =========


DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
--------------------------
Net earnings used in calculating basic earnings per share.....    $   144.8   $    102.1    $   445.9   $   329.7
Dividends applicable to dilutive preferred stock:
   Series A...................................................            -            -            -           -
   Series B...................................................            -            -           .1          .1
   Series C...................................................            -            -           .1          .1
                                                                  ---------   ----------    ---------   ---------
Income available to common shareholders plus
   assumed conversions........................................    $   144.8   $    102.1    $   446.1   $   329.9
                                                                  =========   ==========    =========   =========

Average number of shares used in calculating basic earnings
   per share..................................................      214,801      213,496      214,213     213,166
Effect of dilutive securities:
   Options....................................................        3,507        2,835        3,170       2,524
   FELINE PRIDESSM............................................        3,014            -        1,517           -
   Series A, B and C preferred stock..........................        1,171        1,235        1,192       1,251
                                                                  ---------   ----------    ---------   ---------
                                                                    222,493      217,566      220,092     216,941
                                                                  =========   ==========    =========   =========

Diluted earnings per share....................................    $     .65   $      .47    $    2.03   $    1.52
                                                                  =========   ==========    =========   =========


<FN>
------------------------------------

   Convertible securities, FELINE PRIDESSM and options are not considered in the
   calculations if the effect of the conversion is anti-dilutive.
</FN>
</TABLE>