<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
related Form 10-Q financial statements for The Cleveland Electric
Illuminating Company and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements. (Amounts in 1,000's). Income tax expense includes
$9,262,000 related to other income.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000020947
<NAME> THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 2,529,509
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 806,212
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 307,540
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 2,378,079
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 6,021,340
<COMMON> 931,962
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 0
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 128,586
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 1,060,548
99,610
238,325
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 2,658,090
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 2,751
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 30,030
30,466
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 26,241
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 1,875,279
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 6,021,340
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 1,419,715
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 101,516
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 1,024,354
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 1,116,608
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 303,107
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 10,134
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 313,241
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 151,275
<NET-INCOME> 161,966
18,138
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 143,828
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 50,000
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 192,775
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 382,826
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
