<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION, INCLUDED
IN THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 284,844
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 613
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 35,940
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 6,457
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 327,854
<COMMON> 11,045
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 97,380
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 10,736
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 119,161
62
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 125,000
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 1,500
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 0
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 82,131
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 327,854
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 241,936
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 9,051
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 206,939
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 206,939
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 34,997
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 649
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 26,595
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,221
<NET-INCOME> 15,374
4
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 15,370
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 10,604
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 0
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 32,256
<EPS-BASIC> 1.39
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.39
</TABLE>
