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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 FeEsazStqEGiQXT+3jOLau7ihRxoAPdX1kGvSh192DcnbSZXHUQjNSpYL5vYjG46
 H6K/AHFnzy/57xhR0RvbVw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000893220-98-000979.txt : 19980518
<SEC-HEADER>0000893220-98-000979.hdr.sgml : 19980518
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000893220-98-000979
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	35-CERT
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		19980515
SROS:			NONE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000022099
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION [4923]
		IRS NUMBER:				131594808
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		35-CERT
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	070-08791
		FILM NUMBER:		98622698

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12355 SUNRISE VALLEY DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			RESTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20191-3458
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7032950394

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12355 SUNRISE VALLEY DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			RESTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20191-3458

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	COLUMBIA GAS SYSTEM INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>35-CERT
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>RULE 24 COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP FILE 70-8791
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    May 15, 1998
Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 5th Street, NW
Washington, DC  20549

Dear Sirs:

                       Interim Report Under Rule 24 of the
                   Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935
                              Columbia Energy Group
                                File No. 70-8791

         In compliance with the terms and conditions of Rule 24 of the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and the Order of the Commission dated May 8,
1996, the declarant, Columbia Energy Group ("Columbia"), hereby certifies that
from January 1, 1998 through the last day of the quarter ended March 31, 1998,
Columbia issued the following shares of authorized common stock ($10 par value)
to participants of its Long-Term Incentive Plan.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Number of Shares Issued      Price of Shares Issued or
Date of Issuance          or Options Awarded          Option Exercise Price             Type of award
- ----------------          ------------------          ---------------------             -------------
<S>                    <C>                          <C>                                <C>
February 17, 1998              817,300                       $76.15625                  Non-Qualified
                                                                                        Option
                                                   
March 31, 1998                  36,000                       $77.56250                  Non-Qualified
                                                                                        Option
</TABLE>


                                           Very truly yours,

                                           COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP


                                           By:    //s//J. W. Trost
                                              ---------------------------------
                                                    J. W. Trost, Vice President
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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