<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Form
10-Q for September 30, 2000, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000092122
<NAME> THE SOUTHERN COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<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> 25,119,366
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 8,399,122
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 7,467,076
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 2,546,345
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 43,531,909
<COMMON> 3,503,112
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 1,205,734
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 4,670,841
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 9,379,687
2,320,175
368,126
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 3,971,526
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 3,499,989
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 7,883,576
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 2,017,809
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 339,212
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 92,123
<LEASES-CURRENT> 3,079
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 13,656,607
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 43,531,909
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 13,247,213
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 611,408
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 10,640,598
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 10,640,598
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 2,606,615
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 306,669
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 2,301,876
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,086,736
<NET-INCOME> 1,215,140
14,259
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 1,200,881
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 655,135
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 0
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 2,307,909
<EPS-BASIC> 1.85
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.85
</TABLE>