<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
Exhibit 27
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
10-Q SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE UT
PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANIES
APPENDIX E TO ITEM 601 (C) OF REGULATION S-K
(Thousands of Dollars)
</LEGEND>
<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> 823,126
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 0
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 293,320
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 728,260
<OTHER-ASSETS> 13,968
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,858,674
<COMMON> 120,033
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 0
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 434,899
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 554,932
0
80,000
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 463,145
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 30,000
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 730,597
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 1,858,674
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 669,694
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 47,165
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 533,616
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 580,781
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 88,913
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 17,988
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 106,901
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 28,837
<NET-INCOME> 78,064
2,857
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 75,207
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 54,171
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 0 <F1>
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 139,267
<EPS-BASIC> 0.00 <F2>
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.00 <F2>
<FN>
<F1> Required in fiscal year-end only.
<F2> Information not normally disclosed in financial statements and notes.
</FN>
</TABLE>