<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> UT
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 277,657
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 0
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 61,412
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 4,821
<OTHER-ASSETS> 234,713
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 578,603
<COMMON> 0
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 225,667
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> (3,909)
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 221,758
0
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 120,000
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 60,820
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 100,000
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 0
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 620
<LEASES-CURRENT> 573
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 74,832
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 578,603
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 129,275
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 4,143
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 110,304
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 114,447
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 14,828
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 278
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 15,106
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13,205
<NET-INCOME> 1,901
0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 1,901
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 6,039
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 6,400
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> (415)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.00
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.00
</TABLE>