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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 JXmEfPCmP/52GQkfTBWBBB51oDWXMmSLD1RevOQ4vkzcSi7ELVS9OHoWaou+mY8o
 Z1NKWVmLvLgrSvi2P7Je1g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000203248-04-000654.txt : 20041207
<SEC-HEADER>0000203248-04-000654.hdr.sgml : 20041207
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041207111444
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000203248-04-000654
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041203
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041207
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041207

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:			OGLESBY JAMES H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001184014

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06407
		FILM NUMBER:		041187732

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O FLEISCHMAN & WALSH LLP
		STREET 2:		1919 PENNSYLVANIA AVE.,  NW #600
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20006
		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>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>oglesby1232004_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001184014</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>OGLESBY JAMES H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE PEI CENTER</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WILKES-BARRE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>18711</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President of Division</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>48.1976</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>23.94</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>16163.26</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Supplemental Plan</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">All shares reported hereon, have been adjusted to reflect the 5% stock dividend distributed to shareholders of record on
 August 20, 2004.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Reporting Person also indirectly owns 3,977 shares of common stock through the Issuer's 401 (K) Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This information concerns shares held under the Issuer's Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan.  This report also 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.  The purchase price, as reported, is exclusive of an $.08 per share
 brokerage commission.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Dennis K. Morgan for James H. Oglesby</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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