================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14D-9
SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 14(d)(4) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. 26)
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
(NAME OF SUBJECT COMPANY)
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
(NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING STATEMENT)
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01
(TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
197648108
(CUSIP NUMBER OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
MICHAEL W. O'DONNELL
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
13880 DULLES CORNER LANE
HERNDON, VIRGINIA 20171
(703) 561-6000
(NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE NOTICE
AND COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE PERSON(S) FILING STATEMENT)
COPY TO:
NEIL T. ANDERSON, ESQ.
SULLIVAN & CROMWELL
125 BROAD STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
(212) 558-4000
================================================================================
<PAGE>
This Amendment No. 26 amends and supplements the Solicitation/
Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on July 6, 1999, and as subsequently amended July 6, 1999,
July 9, 1999, July 12, 1999, July 15, 1999, July 16, 1999, July 20, 1999, July
22, 1999, July 30, 1999, August 3, 1999, August 4, 1999, August 5, 1999, August
6, 1999, August 9, 1999, August 11, 1999, August 12, 1999, August 13, 1999,
August 16, 1999, August 17, 1999, August 19, 1999, August 31, 1999, September 2,
1999, September 3, 1999, September 7, 1999 and September 9, 1999 (as so amended,
the "Schedule 14D-9"), by Columbia Energy Group, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), relating to the tender offer by NiSource Inc., an Indiana
corporation, to purchase for cash through its wholly-owned subsidiary, CEG
Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, all of the outstanding common shares,
par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Offer"). Capitalized terms used
but not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Schedule 14D-9.
ITEM 6. RECENT TRANSACTIONS AND INTENT WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES.
Item 6 is hereby supplemented and amended by adding the following:
On September 9, 1999, pursuant to its previously announced repurchase
program, the Company purchased 100,000 Shares on the open market at a weighted
average price per share of $58.3869.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
By: /s/ Michael W. O'Donnell
---------------------------------
Name: Michael W. O'Donnell
Title: Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: September 10, 1999
