MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC
SC 13G/A, 1994-02-14
SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES
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<PAGE>
 
                                                      OMB APPROVAL
                                    OMB NUMBER                         3235-0145
                                    EXPIRES:                    OCTOBER 31, 1994
                                    ESTIMATED AVERAGE BURDEN
                                    HOURS PER RESPONSE........             14.90


                                 UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13G

                   Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                            (Amendment No.    3   )*
                                           -------  


                          Associated Natural Gas Corp.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)


                                  Common Stock
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title Of Class of Securities)


                                   045744109
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)


    Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement  [_].  (A
    fee is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement
    on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the
    class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment
    subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of
    such class.) (See Rule 13d-7).

    *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
    person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
    securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
    would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

    The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
    deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
    Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that
    section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act
    (however, see the Notes).
<PAGE>
 
CUSIP NO. 045744109                   13G                PAGE 2 OF 11 PAGES


1  NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
   S.S OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
          Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.


2  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*   Joint Filing
                                                                     (a) [_]
                                                                     (b) [_] 

3  SEC USE ONLY


4  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
        Delaware


NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

          5 SOLE VOTING POWER
            None

          6 SHARED VOTING POWER
            1,250,000

          7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
            None

          8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
            1,250,000


9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
        1,250,000


10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
        
           
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
        9.6%


12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
        HC, CO



                     *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
 
CUSIP NO. 04574410                    13G                 PAGE 3  OF  11  PAGES

1  NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
   S.S OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
          Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.


2  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*   Joint Filing
                                                                    (a) [_]
                                                                    (b) [_] 

3 SEC USE ONLY


4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
         Delaware


NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

          5 SOLE VOTING POWER
            None

          6 SHARED VOTING POWER
            1,250,000

          7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
            None

          8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
            1,250,000


9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
       1,250,000


10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
       
           
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
       9.6%


12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
       HC, CO


                     *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
 
CUSIP NO. 045744109                  13G                PAGE  4  OF  11  PAGES


1  NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
   S.S OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
          Princeton Services, Inc.


2  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*   Joint Filing
                                                                    (a) [_]
                                                                    (b) [_] 
3  SEC USE ONLY


4  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
         Delaware


NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

          5 SOLE VOTING POWER
            None

          6 SHARED VOTING POWER
            1,250,000

          7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
            None

          8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
            1,250,000


9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
          1,250,000


10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
          
           
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
          9.6%


12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
          HC, CO



                     *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
 
CUSIP NO. 045744109                  13G                 PAGE  5  OF  11  PAGES


1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
  S.S OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
         Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.


2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*   Joint Filing
                                                                    (a) [_]
                                                                    (b) [_] 

3 SEC USE ONLY


4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
         Delaware


NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

          5 SOLE VOTING POWER
            None

          6 SHARED VOTING POWER
            1,250,000

          7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
            None

          8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
            1,250,000


9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
       1,250,000


10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
       

11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
       9.65


12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
       IA, PN



                     *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
 
CUSIP NO. 045744109                 13G                 PAGE  6  OF  11  PAGES


1  NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
   S.S OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
          Merrill Lynch Growth Fund for Investment and Retirement


2  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*   Joint Filing
                                                                    (a) [_]
                                                                    (b) [_] 

3  SEC USE ONLY


4  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
          Massachusetts


NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

          5 SOLE VOTING POWER
            None

          6 SHARED VOTING POWER
            1,250,000

          7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
            None

          8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
            1,250,000


9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
         1,250,000


10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

    
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
         9.6%


12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
         IA, CO



                     *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 13G


Item 1 (a)    Name of Issuer:
              ---------------

              Associated Natural Gas Corp.

Item 1 (b)    Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
              -----------------------------------------------

              900 Republic Plaza
              370 17th Street
              Denver, Colorado  80202

Item 2 (a)    Names of Persons Filing:
              ----------------------- 

              Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
              Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
              Princeton Services, Inc.
              Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
              Merrill Lynch Growth Fund for Investment and Retirement

Item 2 (b)    Address of Principal Business Office, or, if None, Residences:
              -------------------------------------------------------------

              Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
              World Financial Center, North Tower
              250 Vesey Street
              New York, New York  10281

              Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
              World Financial Center, North Tower
              250 Vesey Street
              New York, New York  10281

              Princeton Services, Inc.
              800 Scudders Mill Road
              Plainsboro, New Jersey  08536

              Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
              800 Scudders Mill Road
              Plainsboro, New Jersey  08536

              Merrill Lynch Growth Fund for Investment and Retirement
              800 Scudders Mill Road
              Plainsboro, New Jersey  08536

Item 2 (c)    Citizenship:
              ----------- 

              See Item 4 of Cover Pages

                               Page 7 of 11 Pages
<PAGE>

Item 2 (d)    Title of Class of Securities:
              ---------------------------- 

              Common Stock


Item 2 (e)    CUSIP Number:
              ------------ 

              045744109

Item 3

          Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML&Co."), Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. ("ML
Group") and Princeton Services, Inc. ("PSI") are parent holding companies, in
accordance with (S) 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).  Merrill Lynch Asset Management,
L.P. (d/b/a Merrill Lynch Asset Management ("MLAM")) is an investment adviser
registered under (S) 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.  Merrill Lynch
Growth Fund for Investment and Retirement is an investment company registered
under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Item 4        Ownership
              ---------

              (a) Amount Beneficially Owned:


          See Item 9 of Cover Pages.  Pursuant to (S) 240.13d-4, ML&Co., ML
Group, PSI, MLAM and Merrill Lynch Growth Fund for Investment and Retirement
(the "Reporting Persons") disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities of
Associated Natural Gas Corp. (the "Company") referred to herein, and the filing
of this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that the Reporting
Persons are, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the beneficial owner of any securities of the Company
covered by this statement.

              (b) Percent of Class:

                          See Item 11 of Cover Pages

              (c) Number of shares as to which such person has:

                   (i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:

                          See Item 5 of Cover Pages

                  (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:

                          See Item 6 of Cover Pages

                 (iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

                          See Item 7 of Cover Pages

                               Page 8 of 11 Pages
<PAGE>

                  (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

                          See Item 8 of Cover Pages


Item 5         Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
               -------------------------------------------- 

               Not Applicable


Item 6         Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
               --------------------------------------------------------------- 

          MLAM is an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and acts as an investment adviser to investment
companies registered under Section 8 of  the Investment Company Act of 1940.
With respect to securities held by those investment companies, several persons
have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from,
or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities.  Merrill Lynch Growth Fund
for Investment and Retirement, a reporting person on this Schedule 13G for which
MLAM serves as investment adviser, has an interest that relates to more than 5%
of the class of securities reported herein.  No other person has an interest
that relates to more than 5% of the class of securities reported herein.

Item 7         Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding
               -------------------------------------------------------------
               Company.
               ------- 

               See Exhibit A

Item 8         Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
               --------------------------------------------------------- 

               Not Applicable

Item 9         Notice of Dissolution of Group.
               -------------------------------

               Not Applicable

Item 10        Certification.
               ------------- 

          By signing below each of the undersigned certifies that, to the best
of their knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in
the ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do
not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such
securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any
transaction having such purposes or effect.

                               Page 9 of 11 Pages
<PAGE>

Signature.
- --------- 

          After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief,
each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct.

Date:  February  14, 1994           Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

                                    /s/ David L. Dick
                                    -------------------------------
                                    Title: Assistant Secretary


                                    Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.

                                    /s/ David L. Dick
                                    -------------------------------
                                    Name: David L. Dick
                                    Title: Secretary


                                    Princeton Services, Inc.

                                    /s/ David L. Dick
                                    -------------------------------
                                    Name: David L. Dick
                                    Title: Attorney-in-Fact*


                                    Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
                                    By:  Princeton Services, Inc.
                                         (General Partner)

                                    /s/ David L. Dick
                                    -------------------------------
                                    Name: David L. Dick
                                    Title: Attorney-in-Fact*


                                    Merrill Lynch Growth Fund for Investment
                                      and Retirement

                                    /s/ David L. Dick
                                    -------------------------------
                                    Name: David L. Dick
                                    Title: Attorney-in-Fact**


________________
* Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated February 10, 1994, included as
an exhibit to Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., et. al. on February 14, 1994 with respect to Dial
REIT Inc.

** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated February 10, 1994, included as
an exhibit to Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., et. al. on February 14, 1994 with respect to Cirrus
Logic Inc.

                              Page 10 of 11 Pages
<PAGE>

                           EXHIBIT A TO SCHEDULE 13G
                           -------------------------

                   ITEM 7 DISCLOSURE RESPECTING SUBSIDIARIES
                   -----------------------------------------


          Three of the persons filing this report, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a
Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at World Financial
Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York ("ML&Co."), Merrill
Lynch Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business
at World Financial Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York
("ML Group"), and Princeton Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its
principal place of business at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey
("PSI"), are parent holding companies pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).
Pursuant to the instructions in Item 7 of Schedule 13G, the relevant
subsidiaries of ML&Co. are ML Group and PSI, which is the general partner of
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. (d/b/a Merrill Lynch Asset Management)
("MLAM").  The relevant subsidiary of ML Group is PSI.

          ML Group, a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of ML&Co., may be deemed to
be the beneficial owner of 9.6% of the common stock of Associated Natural Gas
Corp. (the "Company") by virtue of its control of its wholly-owned subsidiary,
PSI.

          PSI, a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of ML Group, may be deemed to be
the beneficial owner of 9.6% of the common stock of the Company by virtue of its
being the general partner of MLAM.

          MLAM, a Delaware limited partnership with its principal place of
business at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey, is an investment
adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
MLAM may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 9.6% of the common stock of the
Company as a result of its acting as investment adviser to investment companies
registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

          One registered investment company advised by MLAM, Merrill Lynch
Growth Fund Investment and Retirement (the "Fund"), is the beneficial owner of
9.6% of the securities of the Company.

          Pursuant to (S) 240.13d-4, ML&Co., ML Group, PSI, MLAM and the Fund
disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities of the Company, and the filing
of this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that any such entity
is, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the beneficial owner of any securities of the Company.

                              Page 11 of 11 Pages


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