<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<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> 357,196,000
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 369,826,000
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 221,733,000
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 0
<OTHER-ASSETS> 54,866,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,003,621,000
<COMMON> 23,294,000
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 73,276,000
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 177,610,000
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 271,289,000
0
4,000,000
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 214,714,000
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 170,775,000
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 7,052,000
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 332,900,000
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 1,003,621,000
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 1,038,191,000
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 16,294,000
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 963,517,000
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 979,811,000
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 58,380,000
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> (5,050,000)
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 53,330,000
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,886,000
<NET-INCOME> 33,444,000
37,000
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 33,407,000
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 18,036,000
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 9,819,000
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 38,573,000
<EPS-BASIC> 1.53
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.52
</TABLE>