WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> OPUR1
<CIK> 0000022099
<NAME> COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
<SUBSIDIARY>
   <NUMBER> 1
   <NAME> CEG
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999             JUN-30-1999
<BOOK-VALUE>                                  PER BOOK                PER BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                    4,164,100               4,164,100
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                    743,100                 743,100
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                       1,785,100               1,785,100
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                       137,200                 137,200
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                 373,100                 373,100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,202,600               7,202,600
<COMMON>                                           800                     800
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                    1,599,800               1,599,800
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                            550,900                 550,900
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                2,071,00               2,071,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                         1,950,600               1,950,600
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                   0                       0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                            0                       0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                 174,500                 174,500
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                      300                     300
<PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT>                            0                       0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                      3,000                   3,000
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                     0                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>               3,181,000               3,181,000
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                7,202,600               7,202,600
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                    1,700,200               4,258,300
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                             4,100                  89,400
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                   1,635,900               3,921,400
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                   1,635,900               3,921,400
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                         64,300                 336,900
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                               6,500                  10,700
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                  70,800                 347,600
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        40,600                  81,700
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,100                 176,500
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                          0                       0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                   26,100                 176,500
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                        18,500                  35,100
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                       34,400                  69,500
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                         236,600                 701,900
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.32                    2.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32                    2.12


</TABLE>