<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 539,508
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 26,044
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 127,992
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 156,235
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 849,779
<COMMON> 20,744
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 61,821
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 210,162
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 292,650
1,763
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 204,387
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 96,000
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 0
53
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 254,926
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 849,779
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 485,082
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 17,762
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 420,981
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 438,743
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 46,339
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 736
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 47,075
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 17,718
<NET-INCOME> 29,357
70
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 29,287
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 18,972
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 11,353
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 42,225
<EPS-BASIC> 1.55
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.55
<FN>
Capital-surplus-paid-in is net of $24,017 of treasury stock.
Page 22
</TABLE>
