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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000203248-04-000419.txt : 20040813
<SEC-HEADER>0000203248-04-000419.hdr.sgml : 20040813
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040813120502
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000203248-04-000419
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040630
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040813

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SOUTHERN UNION CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000203248
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION [4924]
		IRS NUMBER:				750571592
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE PEI CENTER
		CITY:			WILKES-BARRE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18711
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(570) 820-2400

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BRODSKY DAVID L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001183999

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06407
		FILM NUMBER:		04972649

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		259 CLARK AVE
		CITY:			PALM BEACH
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33480
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5708202400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SOUTHERN UNION CO
		STREET 2:		ONE PEI CENTER
		CITY:			WILKES BARRE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18711-0601
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>brodsky6302004_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-06-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000203248</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SOUTHERN UNION CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SUG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001183999</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BRODSKY DAVID L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SOUTHERN UNION CO</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE PEI CENTER</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WILKES BARRE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>18711</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>1988-08-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5385.931</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Directors Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This information concerns shares held under the Issuer's Director's Deferred Compensation Plan. This report reflects shares
purchased for the plan by the plan trustee, at the sole discretion of the trustee, at such prices as were available in the
open market at the time of such purchases for the period ended June 30, 2004. Information reported herein is based on the
Plan Statement for the period ended June 30, 2004.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Reporting Person also directly owns 30,000 shares of common stock and may be deemed to own 4,095 shares of common stock
in the David L. Brodsky Retirement Plan, by Van Liew Capital and Trust Company, as Trustee and 5,385.931 shares of common
stock through the Issuer's Directors Deferred Compensation Plan. The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of
these indirectly owned shares of common stock and this report should not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Person is
the beneficial owner of such shares for purposes of Section 16 or any other purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Dennis K. Morgan for David L. Brodsky</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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