<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from SEC Form
10-Q. Items 1 through 22 are as of September 30, 2000. Items 23 through 38 are
for the nine months ended September 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<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> 437,627
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 3,723
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 73,343
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 24,452
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 539,145
<COMMON> 16,517
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 120,596
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 60,189
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 197,302
0
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 183,628
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 11,200
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 147,015
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 539,145
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 220,660
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 11,308
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 179,835
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 191,143
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 29,517
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 1,531
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 31,048
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,112
<NET-INCOME> 20,936
0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 20,936
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 16,117
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 7,096
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 45,494
<EPS-BASIC> 1.28
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.28
</TABLE>
