<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 575,843
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 56,122
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 222,977
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 65,915
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 920,857
<COMMON> 0
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 215,484
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 45,456
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 256,969
0
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 268,947
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 96,700
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 0
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 4,396
<LEASES-CURRENT> 1,965
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 291,880
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 920,857
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 934,643
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 18,146
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 874,367
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 892,513
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 42,130
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 4,320
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 46,450
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,703
<NET-INCOME> 26,747
0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 26,747
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 12,671
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 8,905
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 46,232
<EPS-BASIC> 2.07
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.07
</TABLE>