<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ORION POWER HOLDINGS INC. FOR THE SIX-MONTH
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 44,222
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 147,968
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 54,783
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 432,348
<PP&E> 2,727,751
<DEPRECIATION> 57,534
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,218,817
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 121,240
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 676
<OTHER-SE> 767,037
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,218,817
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 341,674
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 266,067
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 52,303
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 56,506
<INCOME-PRETAX> 23,304
<INCOME-TAX> 9,554
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,750
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 13,750
<EPS-BASIC> .28
<EPS-DILUTED> .27
</TABLE>