<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CASCADE NATURAL GAS
CORPORATION INCLUDED IN THE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE 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> 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> 283,190
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 635
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 39,734
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 6,769
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 330,328
<COMMON> 11,045
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 97,380
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 15,477
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 123,902
62
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 125,000
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 0
<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> 81,364
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 330,328
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 204,184
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 10,040
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 168,720
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 168,720
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 35,464
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 420
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 25,844
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,381
<NET-INCOME> 17,463
3
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 17,460
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 7,953
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 0
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 32,040
<EPS-BASIC> 1.58
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.58
</TABLE>
