INDIANA ENERGY INC
S-8, 1999-10-18
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION
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                                                           Registration No: 333-

================================================================================
                                    FORM S-8
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                              INDIANA ENERGY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            INDIANA                                            35-1654378
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)                          Identification No.)

         1630 North Meridian Street
              Indianapolis, Indiana                                46202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                        (Zip Code)

                  INDIANA ENERGY, INC. RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

            Niel C. Ellerbrook, President and Chief Executive Officer
                              Indiana Energy, Inc.
             1630 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
                     (Name and address of agent for service)

                                  317/926-3351
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
================================================================================
                                         Proposed      Proposed
                                         maximum       maximum
                                         offering      aggregate    Amount of
Type of securities     Amount to be      price per     offering     registration
to be registered        registered        unit (1)     price (1)    fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common Stock,         1,000,000         $20.10       $20,100,000     $5,587.80
without par value     shares (2)(3)
================================================================================

(1)  Estimated  solely for the purpose of calculating the  registration  fee and
     based on average of the high and low sales prices per share of Common Stock
     of Indiana Energy, Inc. on October 13, 1999, pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) and
     Rule 457(a)

(2)  In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this
     registration  statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to
     be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan described herein.

(3)  Any  additional  shares of  Common  Stock to be issued as a result of stock
     dividends,  stock splits, or similar  transactions shall be covered by this
     Registration Statement as provided in Rule 416.


<PAGE>

                                     PART I

                           INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE
                            SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

         The document(s) containing information specified by part I of this Form
S-8 Registration Statement (the "Registration  Statement") will be sent or given
to participants in the Indiana Energy,  Inc.  Retirement Savings Plan,  formerly
known as the Indiana Gas Company,  Inc. Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan"), as
specified  in  Rule  428(b)(1)   promulgated  by  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (the "Commission")  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933  Act").  Such  document(s)  are not being  filed with the  Commission  but
constitute  (along  with  the  documents  incorporated  by  reference  into  the
Registration  Statement pursuant to Item 3 of part II hereof), a prospectus that
meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the 1933 Act.



<PAGE>

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.  Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

         The  following   documents  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (the  "Commission")  by Indiana  Energy,  Inc. (the "Company") or the
Plan* pursuant to the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange  Act") are
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

               (a) Annual  Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended
          September 30, 1998.

               (b) Current  Reports on Form 8-K of the Company  dated October 9,
          1998,  October 12, 1998, October 30, 1998, January 27, 1999, April 22,
          1999, April 30, 1999, June 11, 1999, June 14, 1999 and July 30, 1999.

               (c)  Quarterly  Reports  on  Form  10-Q  of the  Company  for the
          quarters ended December 31, 1999, March 31, 1999, and June 30, 1999.

               (d)  Annual  Report  on Form  11-K of the  Indiana  Energy,  Inc.
          Retirement Savings Plan for the year ended December 31, 1998.

               (e) The Company's  definitive proxy statement,  dated December 4,
          1998,  filed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, in connection
          with the annual  meeting of its  shareholders  to be held  January 27,
          1999.

               (f) The  description  of the Common Stock  contained in Item 4 of
          the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-B dated  February 28,
          1986,  and all amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating
          such description.

               (g) The  description of the Company's  Rights To Purchase  Common
          Stock  contained in the Company's  Amendment on Form 8-A filed on June
          17, 1996 to the Form 8 Registration Statement filed on August 4, 1986.

- -------------------

*        The Indiana Gas Company,  Inc.  Retirement  Savings Plan for Bargaining
         Unit Employees was merged into the Plan effective  October 1, 1994. The
         merger did not involve any change in  participant  account  balances or
         the benefits with respect to either of the plans.


<PAGE>

                  (h) All reports and other documents  subsequently filed by the
         Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange
         Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective  amendment which indicates
         that all securities  offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters
         all  securities  then remaining  unsold,  as of the date of filing such
         documents.


Item 4.  Description of Securities.

         Not applicable.

Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

         Not applicable.

Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

         The  following  discussion  of the  indemnification  provisions  of the
Indiana Business Corporation Law (Indiana Code ss. 23-1-37) (the "IBCL"),  which
applies  to the  Company,  is a  summary,  is not meant to be  complete,  and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the IBCL.

         The IBCL authorizes a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers,
employees  and agents  against  expenses in certain  proceedings  provided  such
person  (i)  acted in good  faith,  (ii)  reasonably  believed  if  acting in an
official capacity, that his conduct was in the best interest of the corporation,
or in all  other  cases,  that his  conduct  was at  least  not  opposed  to the
corporation's best interest,  and (iii) in the case of criminal  proceedings the
individual had reasonable  cause to believe that his conduct was lawful,  or had
no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.  The IBCL provides
further that a corporation shall indemnify its directors,  officers,  employees,
and agents  who are  wholly  successful,  on the  merits or  otherwise,  against
expenses in the defense of such proceedings.  The IBCL provides,  however,  that
this indemnification should not be deemed exclusive of any other indemnification
rights provided by the Articles of Incorporation,  By-Laws,  resolution or other
authorizations  adopted by a majority  vote of the voting shares then issued and
outstanding.

         Under  the same  statute,  an  Indiana  corporation  may  purchase  and
maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, employee or
agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a  director,  officer,  employee or agent of another  enterprise  against any
liability  asserted  against him and  incurred by him in any such  capacity,  or
arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the
power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of the IBCL.

         Section  8.08,  Clause (b) of  Article 8 of the  Amended  and  Restated
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company provides as follows:


<PAGE>

         Clause (b).  Indemnification  of Corporate Persons and Related Matters.
The following  provisions  apply to the  indemnification  by the  Corporation of
Corporate Persons and matters related thereto:

                  (i) Indemnification Standards. The Corporation shall indemnify
         any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to
         any  threatened,  pending  or  completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,
         whether civil or criminal,  administrative or investigative,  formal or
         informal  (an  "Action"),  by  reason  of the fact  that he is or was a
         Corporate Person of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request
         of the Corporation as a Corporate Person, partner, trustee or member or
         in another authorized capacity (collectively, an "Authorized Capacity")
         of or for another Legal Entity,  whether or not organized or formed for
         profit  (collectively,  "Another Entity"),  against expenses (including
         attorneys'  fees)  ("Expenses")  and  judgments,  penalties,  fines and
         amounts paid in settlement  actually and reasonably  incurred by him in
         connection  with such  Action,  if such person (1) acted in good faith,
         (2)  acted in a manner  he  reasonably  believed  (A) with  respect  to
         actions as a  Corporate  Person of the  Corporation,  to be in the best
         interests  of the  Corporation,  or (B) with  respect  to actions in an
         Authorized  Capacity of or for Another  Entity,  was not opposed to the
         best interests of the Corporation, and (3) with respect to any criminal
         Action,  either (A) had  reasonable  cause to believe  his  conduct was
         lawful,  or (B) had no  reasonable  cause to believe  his  conduct  was
         unlawful. The termination of any Action by judgment, order, settlement,
         conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent,  shall
         not,  of  itself,  be  determinative  that the  person did not meet the
         standards  for  indemnification  set forth in this  Clause  (b)(i) (the
         "Indemnification Standards").

                  (ii) Indemnification in Successfully  Defended Actions. To the
         extent  that  a  person  who  is  or  was a  Corporate  Person  of  the
         Corporation,  or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation in
         an Authorized Capacity of or for Another Entity, has been successful on
         the merits or  otherwise  in the  defense of any Action  referred to in
         Clause (b)(i) above, or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter in
         any such Action,  the Corporation  shall indemnify him against Expenses
         actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

                  (iii)  Indemnification  Procedure.  Unless ordered by a court,
         any  indemnification  of any person under Clause  (b)(i) above shall be
         made by the Corporation  only as authorized in the specific case upon a
         determination  that  indemnification  of such  person  is proper in the
         circumstances  because  he  met  the  Indemnification  Standards.  Such
         determination  shall be made (1) by the Board,  by a majority vote of a
         quorum  consisting  of Directors who are not at the time parties to the
         Action  involved  ("Parties");  or (2) if a quorum  cannot be  obtained
         under  Subparagraph  (1),  by  a  majority  vote  of a  Committee  duly
         designated by the Board (in which designation Directors who are Parties
         may  participate),  consisting  solely of two or more Directors who are
         not at the time Parties; or (3) by written opinion of independent legal

<PAGE>

         counsel (A) selected by the Board or Committee in the manner prescribed
         in Subparagraphs (1) or (2), respectively, or (B) if a quorum cannot be
         obtained and a Committee cannot be designated under  Subparagraphs  (1)
         and (2),  respectively,  selected by a majority  of the full Board,  in
         which selection  Directors who are Parties may  participate;  or (4) by
         the Shareholders who are not at the time Parties,  voting together as a
         single class.

                  (iv) Advances for Expenses.  Expenses  reasonably  incurred in
         defending   an  Action  by  any   person   who  may  be   entitled   to
         indemnification   under  Clause   (b)(i)  above  may  be  paid  by  the
         Corporation  in advance of the final  disposition of such Action if (1)
         such person furnishes the Corporation with (A) a written affirmation of
         his good faith belief that he has met,  and (B) a written  undertaking,
         executed  personally  or on  his  behalf,  to  repay  the  advance  (an
         "Undertaking") if it is ultimately determined that he did not meet, the
         Indemnification  Standards;  and (2) a determination is made, under the
         procedure set forth in Clause (b)(iii) above, that the facts then known
         to those making the  determination  would not preclude  indemnification
         under Clause (b)(i) above. An Undertaking must be an unlimited  general
         obligation  of the person making it, but need not be secured and may be
         accepted by the Corporation  without further reference to such person's
         financial ability to make repayment.

                  (v) Rights Not  Exclusive.  The  indemnification  provided  in
         these Articles (1) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
         which a person  seeking  indemnification  may be entitled under (A) any
         law,  (B)  the  By-Laws,  (C) any  resolution  of the  Board  or of the
         Shareholders,  (D) any other  authorization,  whenever  adopted,  after
         notice,  by a majority  vote of all Shares  entitled to vote on General
         Voting Matters,  or (E) the articles of incorporation,  code of by-laws
         or  other   governing   documents  or  any   resolution   of  or  other
         authorization  by  the  directors,  shareholders,  partners,  trustees,
         members,  owners or governing body, of Another Entity;  (2) shall inure
         to the  benefit  of the heirs,  executors  and  administrators  of such
         person;  and (3) shall continue as to any such person who has ceased to
         be a  Corporate  Person  of  the  Corporation  or to be  serving  in an
         Authorized Capacity for Another Entity.

                  (vi) Insurance.  The Corporation  shall have power to purchase
         and  maintain  insurance  on  behalf  of  any  person  who  is or was a
         Corporate  Person  of  the  Corporation,  or is or was  serving  at the
         request of the Corporation in an Authorized  Capacity of or for Another
         Entity,  against any liability  asserted against and incurred by him in
         any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not
         the  Corporation  would have the power to  indemnify  him against  such
         liability under the provisions of this Clause (b).

                  (vii)  Definition  of  Corporation.  For the  purposes of this
         Clause (b),  references to "the  Corporation"  include any  constituent
         corporation  absorbed in a consolidation or merger (a "Constituent") as
         well as the resulting or surviving  corporation (the "Survivor"),  such
         that any person who is or was a Corporate Person of such a Constituent,

<PAGE>

         or is  or  was  serving  at  the  request  of  such  Constituent  in an
         Authorized  Capacity of or for Another Entity,  shall stand in the same
         position  under the  provisions  of this Clause (b) with respect to the
         Survivor as he would if he had served the Survivor,  or at his request,
         in the same capacity.

         The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance with
an annual aggregate limit of $35,000,000 for the current policy period,  subject
to a $200,000  deductible  at the corporate  level,  for each wrongful act where
corporate  reimbursement is available to any director or officer. When corporate
reimbursement is not available as prescribed by applicable common law, statutory
law or the  Company's  governing  documents,  the  insurer  will  reimburse  the
directors and officers with no  deductible  with respect to losses  sustained by
them for specified wrongful acts while acting in their capacities,  individually
or collectively, as such directors or officers.

Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.

         Not applicable.

Item 8.  Exhibits.

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 3-A    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Indiana
               Energy,  Inc. (the "Company")  (incorporated by reference
               to Exhibit 3-A to the  Registrant's  Quarterly  Report on
               Form 10-Q for the  quarterly  period  ended  December 31,
               1997).

Exhibit 3-B    Amended  and  Restated  Code of  By-Laws  of the  Company
               (incorporated  by  reference  from  Exhibit  3-A  to  the
               Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  period
               ended March 31, 1997).

Exhibit 4-A    Specimen  of  the  Company's  Common  Stock   certificate
               (incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  4(c)  to  the
               Company's    Registration    Statement    on   Form   S-3
               (Registration No. 33-61976) filed May 3, 1993).

Exhibit 4-B    Amended and Restated  Rights  Agreement  between  Indiana
               Energy and  Continental  Bank,  N.A.  (Now First  Chicago
               Trust Company of New York),  as Rights  Agent,  including
               form of Right Certificate,  dated as of July 30, 1986, as
               amended  and  restated  as of  December  8, 1989,  and as
               further   amended  and   restated  as  of  May  31,  1996
               (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company's
               Amendment  to its  Registration  Statement  on Form  8-A,
               filed June 17, 1996).


<PAGE>

Exhibit 4-C    Applicable   provisions  of   Registrant's   Amended  and
               Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation   (incorporated  by
               reference  to Exhibit 3-A to the  Registrant's  Quarterly
               Report  on Form  10-Q  for  the  quarterly  period  ended
               December 31, 1997).

*Exhibit 5     Opinion  of  Barnes  &  Thornburg  with  respect  to  the
               legality of the securities registered hereunder.**

*Exhibit 23-A  Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

Exhibit 23-B   Consent  of Barnes &  Thornburg  (included  in opinion of
               counsel filed as Exhibit 5)

*Exhibit 24    Powers of Attorney  executed by directors and officers on
               whose behalf this registration statement was signed.

- -------------------------

*        Filed Herewith.

**       The Registrant  undertakes that Registrant has submitted or will submit
         the Plan and all  amendments  thereto to the Internal  Revenue  Service
         ("IRS") in a timely manner and has made all changes required by the IRS
         in order to qualify the Plan.


Item 9.  Undertakings.

         (a)      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                  (i) To include any prospectus  required by section 10(a)(3) of
         the Securities Act of 1933;

                  (ii) To reflect in the  prospectus any facts or events arising
         after the  effective  date  hereof (or the most  recent  post-effective
         amendment hereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,  represent a
         fundamental  change in the information  set forth in this  registration
         statement;

                  (iii) To include any material  information with respect to the
         plan of  distribution  not  previously  disclosed in this  registration
         statement  or  any  material   change  to  such   information  in  this
         registration statement;

provided,  however,  that the  undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii)
above  do  not  apply  if  the   information   required  to  be  included  in  a
post-effective  amendment by those  paragraphs is contained in periodic  reports
filed  by  the  registrant  pursuant  to  section  13 or  section  15(d)  of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 that are  incorporated  by  reference  in this
registration statement.

         (2) That,  for the  purpose  of  determining  any  liability  under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

         (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

         (b) The undersigned  registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's  annual  report  pursuant to section  13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (and each filing of an employee  benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934)
that is incorporated by reference in the registration  statement shall be deemed
to be a new registration  statement  relating to the securities offered therein,
and the  offering  of such  securities  at that  time  shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (c)  Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liabilities  arising  under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and  controlling
persons of the registrant  pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,
the  registrant  has been  advised  that in the  opinion of the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission such  indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is,  therefore,  unenforceable.  In the  event  that a claim  for
indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other  than  the  payment  by  the
registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling
person of the  registrant  in the  successful  defense  of any  action,  suit or
proceeding)  is  asserted by such  director,  officer or  controlling  person in
connection with the securities being registered,  the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit  to a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the  question  whether  such
indemnification  by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


<PAGE>






                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement  to be  signed  on  its  behalf  by  the  undersigned  thereunto  duly
authorized, in the City of Indianapolis, State of Indiana, on October 15, 1999.

                                            INDIANA ENERGY, INC.


                                            By:  /s/ Niel C. Ellerbrook
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                 Niel C. Ellerbrook, President
                                                 and Chief Executive Officer

         Each person whose signature appears below authorizes Niel C. Ellerbrook
to file one or more  amendments  (including  post-effective  amendments)  to the
registration   statement,   which  amendments  may  make  such  changes  in  the
registration  statement  as he deems  appropriate,  and each such person  hereby
appoints Niel C.  Ellerbrook as  attorney-in-fact  to execute in the name and on
behalf of each person individually,  and in each capacity stated below, any such
amendment to the registration statement.

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
registration  statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities and on the date indicated.

         Signature                         Title                Date
         ---------                         -----                ----


(1)  Principal Executive Officer


/s/ Niel C. Ellerbrook                President and Chief       October 15, 1999
- -----------------------------------   Executive Officer
Niel C. Ellerbrook

(2)  Principal Financial Officer


/s/ Carl L. Chapman                   Senior Vice President     October 15, 1999
- -----------------------------------   and Chief Financial
Carl L. Chapman                       Officer

(3)  Principal Accounting Officer


/s/ Jerome A. Benkert Jr.             Vice President and        October 15, 1999
- -----------------------------------   Controller
Jerome A. Benkert Jr.




<PAGE>



(4)  A Majority of the Board
     of Directors

*Paul T. Baker                       Director
*Niel C. Ellerbrook                  Director
*Lawrence A. Ferger                  Director
*Anton H. George                     Director
*Don E. Marsh                        Director
*William G. Mays                     Director                 October 15, 1999
*J. Timothy McGinley                 Director
*Richard P. Rechter                  Director
*James C. Shook                      Director
*Jean L. Wojtowicz                   Director
*John E. Worthen                     Director

*By:  /s/ Niel C. Ellerbrook
      --------------------------------------
      (Niel C. Ellerbrook, Attorney-in-Fact)


<PAGE>




         INDIANA  ENERGY,   INC.   RETIREMENT  SAVINGS  PLAN.  Pursuant  to  the
requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933,  the Plan  has duly  caused  this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,  thereunto
duly authorized,  in the City of Indianapolis,  State of Indiana, on October 15,
1999.


                                             INDIANA ENERGY, INC.
                                             RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

                                             By the Plan Administrator


                                             /s/ Joseph E. Rosebrock
                                             ----------------------------
                                             Joseph E. Rosebrock








                                                                       EXHIBIT 5



                                                              October 15, 1999



Indiana Energy, Inc.
Indiana Gas Company, Inc.
Indiana Energy, Inc. Retirement
  Savings Plan Administrator
1630 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

To Whom it May Concern:

         You have  requested  our opinion in  connection  with the  Registration
Statement  on Form S-8 (the  "Registration  Statement")  to be filed by  Indiana
Energy,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission,
relating to the  registration of (1) up to 1,000,000 shares of the Common Stock,
without par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock") under the Indiana Energy,
Inc.  Retirement Savings Plan,  formerly known as the Indiana Gas Company,  Inc.
Retirement  Savings Plan (the "Plan"),  as such Plan may be amended from time to
time,  and (2) the  interests  in the Plan to be  issued to those  employees  of
Indiana Gas Company,  Inc., the Company, and their respective  subsidiaries that
participate in the Plan (the "Interests").  In connection with your request,  we
have made such  examination  of the  corporate  records and  proceedings  of the
Company and considered such questions of law and taken such further action as we
deemed necessary or appropriate to enable us to render this opinion.

         Based  upon  such  examination,  we are of the  opinion  that  when the
Interests  have been issued as  contemplated  by the Plan and when the steps set
forth in the next  paragraph  have been taken,  the Common Stock will be legally
issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable and the Interests will be legally issued;
provided,  however, that in the event the Common Stock is issued directly by the
Company to the Plan  (rather  than  purchased  in the open  market as  presently
contemplated),  such Common Stock will not be legally  issued,  fully paid,  and
non-assessable until duly authorized,  issued, and sold and the purchase thereof
paid, all as contemplated in the Plan.

         The steps to be taken which are referred to in the preceding  paragraph
consist of the following:

                  (1)  Compliance  with the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
         and with the securities  laws of the State of Indiana,  with respect to
         such  Plan  and the  issuance  and  sale of the  Common  Stock  and the
         issuance of the Interests thereunder; and

                  (2)  Issuance and sale of the Common Stock and the issuance of
         the Interests in accordance  with the terms and conditions set forth in
         such Plan and the Registration Statement, as amended from time to time.
<PAGE>

Indiana Energy, Inc.
Indiana Gas Company, Inc.
Indiana Energy, Inc. Retirement
  Savings Plan Committee
October 15, 1999
Page 2


         We  consent  to  the  filing  of  this  opinion  as  Exhibit  5 to  the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, however, we do not admit that we
are in the category of persons whose consent is required  under Section 7 of the
Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended,  or the  Rules  and  Regulations  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

                                                           Very truly yours,


                                                          /s/ Barnes & Thornburg




                                                                    EXHIBIT 23-A



                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference in this  Registration  Statement of our report dated  October 30, 1998
included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Indiana Energy,  Inc. for the year
ended  September 30, 1998,  and our report dated June 28, 1999,  included in the
Annual Report on Form 11-K of the Indiana Energy,  Inc.  Retirement Savings Plan
for the year ended December 31, 1998.



                                                         /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
October 15, 1999






                                                                      EXHIBIT 24



                              INDIANA ENERGY, INC.
                            LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY
                    (To Sign and File Registration Statement)

         The undersigned  director  and/or officer of INDIANA  ENERGY,  INC., an
Indiana  corporation (the "Company"),  which intends to file with the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission,   Washington,  D.C.,  under  the  provisions  of  the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  a Registration  Statement or Statements for
the  registration  of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Indiana
Energy,  Inc.  Retirement  Savings  Plan,  does hereby  appoint  each of Niel C.
Ellerbrook and Carl L. Chapman as such person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution and  resubstitution,  for such person
and in such person's name,  place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign
said  Registration  Statement or Statements and any and all amendments  thereto,
and to file  the  same,  with all  exhibits  thereto,  and  other  documents  in
connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission granting unto
said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act and thing  requisite  and  necessary  to be done,  as fully to all
intents  and  purposes  as such  person  might  or could  do in  person,  hereby
ratifying  and  confirming  all  that  said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or a
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has executed this Limited Power of
Attorney this 30th day of September, 1999.


/s/ Paul T. Baker                                    /s/ J. Timothy McGinley
- -----------------------------                        ---------------------------
Paul T. Baker                                        J. Timothy McGinley


/s/ Niel C. Ellerbrook                               /s/ Richard P. Rechter
- -----------------------------                        ---------------------------
Niel C. Ellerbrook                                   Richard P. Rechter


/s/ Lawrence A. Ferger                               /s/ James C. Shook
- -----------------------------                        ---------------------------
Lawrence A. Ferger                                   James C. Shook


/s/ Anton H. George                                  /s/ Jean L. Wojtowicz
- -----------------------------                        ---------------------------
Anton H. George                                      Jean L. Wojtowicz


/s/ Don E. Marsh                                     /s/ John E. Worthen
- -----------------------------                        ---------------------------
Don E. Marsh                                         John E. Worthen


/s/ William G. Mays
- -----------------------------
William G. Mays


<PAGE>



STATE OF INDIANA  )
                  )  SS:
COUNTY OF MARION  )


         Before me, a notary public, in and for said County and State personally
appeared Paul T. Baker, Niel C. Ellerbrook, Lawrence A. Ferger, Anton H. George,
Don E. Marsh, William G. Mays, J. Timothy McGinley, Richard P. Rechter, James C.
Shook, Jean L. Wojtowicz,  John E. Worthen, who executed the above and foregoing
Limited Power of Attorney on September 30, 1999.


         Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 30th day of September, 1999.


                                            /s/ Bernadette Londini
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                                   Notary Public
My Commission Expires:                      Bernadette Londini
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                          (printed)

October 10, 2007                            Residing in Hendricks County
- ---------------------------


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