<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<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> 2,480,754
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 317,508
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 341,308
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 221,829
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,361,399
<COMMON> 449,697
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> (1,668)
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 479,702
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 927,731
62
39,000
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 926,943
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 222,125
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 73,957
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 1,171,581
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 3,361,399
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 742,737
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 48,829
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 574,992
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 623,821
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 118,916
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 46,792
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 165,708
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 56,775
<NET-INCOME> 139,006
1,236
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 137,770
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 77,020
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 45,544
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 221,446
<EPS-BASIC> 2.23
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.23
</TABLE>
