<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<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> 562,383
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 56,289
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 190,340
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 65,752
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 874,764
<COMMON> 0
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 215,423
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 48,697
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 258,880
0
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 268,938
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 62,240
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 0
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 2,639
<LEASES-CURRENT> 1,286
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 280,781
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 874,764
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 712,724
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 18,911
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 652,304
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 671,063
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 41,661
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 282
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 41,943
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 15,125
<NET-INCOME> 26,818
0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 26,818
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 9,502
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 6,600
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 51,127
<EPS-BASIC> $2.08
<EPS-DILUTED> $2.08
</TABLE>