<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<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> 1,000,474
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 0
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 133,194
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 143,561
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,277,229
<COMMON> 159
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 302,833
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 97,747
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 400,739
0
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 368,781
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 15,600
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 148,282
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 15,688
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 2,970
<LEASES-CURRENT> 449
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 324,720
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 1,277,229
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 691,017
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 22,315
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 607,233
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 629,548
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 61,469
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 10,440
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 71,909
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 32,408
<NET-INCOME> 39,501
0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 39,501
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 26,931
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 8,567
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 117,417
<EPS-BASIC> 1.26
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.25
</TABLE>
