<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 548,249
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 2,295
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 113,799
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 115,955
<OTHER-ASSETS> 376
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 780,674
<COMMON> 5,848
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 125,817
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 60,634
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 192,299
35,000
1,804
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 207,123
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 93,800
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 11,876
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 238,772
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 780,674
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 287,498
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 9,747
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 247,421
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 257,168
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 30,330
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 0
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 30,330
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 15,246
<NET-INCOME> 15,084
2,307
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 12,777
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 10,600
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 11,787
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 34,829
<EPS-BASIC> 5.46
<EPS-DILUTED> 5.46
</TABLE>