

                                  UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549




                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

    Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934




Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)      July 17, 1997




                            EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




      PENNSYLVANIA                     1-3551                  25-0464690
(State or other jurisdiction         (Commission              (IRS Employer
    of incorporation)               File Number)           Identification No.)




420 BOULEVARD OF THE ALLIES, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA                 15219
       (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)




Registrant's telephone number, including area code      (412) 261-3000



                                      NONE
             (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


<PAGE>


ITEM 5.  Other Events

         The Registrant  (ERI)  completed its previously  announced  purchase of
         Northeast Energy Services Company (NORESCO).  A Form 8-K announcing the
         definitive agreement to acquire NORESCO was filed on May 19, 1997.

ITEM 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

   (c)   A press  release  announcing  the closing of the merger with  Northeast
         Energy  Services  Company  (NORESCO)  is  filed as  Exhibit  99 to this
         report.




                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 12 of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.



                                               EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC.
                                                     (Registrant)


                                   By         /s/ A. Mark Abramovic
                                                   A. Mark Abramovic
                                               Senior Vice President and
                                                Chief Financial Officer


      July 17, 1997



<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX





Exhibit No.                 Document Description           Sequential Page No.


    99          Press release announcing the closing of the merger  4
                with Northeast Energy Services Company (NORESCO)



