<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 2,387,375
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 148,462
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 731,169
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 0
<OTHER-ASSETS> 881,642
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,148,648
<COMMON> 1,137
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 740,240
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 883,329
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 1,584,997
0
10,159
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 1,304,157
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 167,426
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 7,355
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 1,074,554
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 4,148,648
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 1,256,345
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 72,916
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 163,239
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 990,867
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 265,478
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 15,010
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 0
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 57,576
<NET-INCOME> 149,798
198
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 0
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 49,057
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 0
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 194,883
<EPS-BASIC> 1.32
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.32
</TABLE>
