<PAGE> 1
March 6, 1997
Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Dear Sirs:
Interim Report Under Rule 24 of the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935
The Columbia Gas System, Inc
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, The Columbia Gas System, Inc. ("Columbia"), hereby
certifies that from October 1, 1996 through the last day of the quarter ended
December 31, 1996, Columbia issued no 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>
N/A N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
Very truly yours,
THE COLUMBIA GAS SYSTEM, INC.
By: //s//J. W. Trost
--------------------------------
J. W. Trost, Vice President
