<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 128,117
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 1,786
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 24,563
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 1,402
<OTHER-ASSETS> 5,813
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 161,681
<COMMON> 49
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 18,901
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 49,906
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 68,856
0
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 55,222
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 2,795
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 34,808
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 161,681
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 59,895
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 4,663
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 43,484
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 48,147
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 11,748
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> (223)
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 11,525
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,631
<NET-INCOME> 7,894
0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 7,894
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 3,530
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 4,378<F1>
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 12,153
<EPS-BASIC> 1.61
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.60
<FN>
<F1>Total interest on bonds represents annual interest expense to be incurred
during fiscal year 2000 on long-term debt outstanding under first mortgage
bonds and long-term secured notes.
</FN>
</TABLE>
