We have calculated the static polarizability and hyperpolarizability of the ring structure of sulphur dioxide. Our best values for the mean dipole polarizability (alpha (alpha beta)), the first (beta (alpha beta gamma)) and second (gamma (alpha beta gamma delta)) hyperpolarizability, obtained at the CCSD(T) level of theory with alpha carefully optimized basis set, are <()over bar>=28.94 e(2)a(0)(2)E(h)(-1), <()over bar>=110.6 e(3)a(0)(3)E(h)(-2) and <()over bar>=6117 e(4)a(0)(4)E(h)(-3). At the same level of theory with a basis set of exactly the same size, the relevant quantities for the open structure are <()over bar>=25.84 e(2)a(0)(2)E(h)(-1), <()over bar>=30.1 e(3)a(0)(3)E(h)(-2) and <()over bar>=3390 e(4)a(0)(4)E(h)(-3) [D. Xenides and G. Maroulis, Chem. Phys. Lett. 319, 618 (2000)]. Thus, the ring structure of sulphur dioxide is significantly more polarizable than the isoelectronic open one. This is in marked contradistinction to ozone, in which case the open system represents the more polarizable form. Electric polarizability and hyperpolarizability increases as O-3(ring)