<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2000, and the Consolidated
Statement of Income for the six 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> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 447,081
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 136,057
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 132,845
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 7,582
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 723,565
<COMMON> 119,250
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> (226)
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 133,136
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 252,160
18,000
15,500
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 188,875
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 21,137
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 8,508
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 219,385
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 723,565
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 268,484
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 10,886
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 230,984
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 241,870
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 26,614
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 1,207
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 27,821
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,244
<NET-INCOME> 19,577
939
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 18,638
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 12,163
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 8,105
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 17,696
<EPS-BASIC> .78
<EPS-DILUTED> .78
</TABLE>
