BENCHMARKS REPORT

Industry Measure: Business Segment Data

SIC:	4924
INDUSTRY:	NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION

BENCHMARKS FOR THE INDUSTRY

NO. OF SEGMENTS REPORTING IN THE INDUSTRY:
90

1997 SALES FOR THE INDUSTRY:
$ 53986

(Total Sales in $Millions)

OPERATING MARGIN:
12.0
(Allocated Operating Profits (divided by) Segment Sales)

ASSET INTENSITY:
142.7
(Allocated Assets (divided by) Segment Sales)

SALES GROWTH:
3.6
(Compound 3-Year Growth Rate in Sales for the
Median Participant in the Industry)

BENCHMARKS FOR THE TOP FOUR COMPETITORS

ROA: Allocated Operating Profits (divided by) Allocated Operating Assets