NATIONAL FUEL GAS &lt;NFG> SETS SPLIT, HIGHER PAYOUT

  National Fuel Gas Co said its board has
  approved a two-for-one stock split and will consider an
  increased cash dividend at its June meeting.
      The company also said management will recommend, at the
  June board meeting, an increase of 12 cts per share in the
  current annual dividend rate of 2.28 dlrs a share, raising it
  to 2.40 dlrs per share, or 1.20 dlrs a share after the split.
      National Fuel Gas said the split will be paid to holders of
  record May 29.  A spokeswoman said the distribution date for
  the split has not been determined.
      The company said the split is subject to approval of the
  Securities and Exchange Commission under the Public Utility
  Holding Act. The company now has 11,928,871 shares outstanding.
  

