<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> OPUR1
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheets and the statements of capitalization at
September 30, 2000, and the consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income and the consolidated statements of cash flow for
the nine months ended September 30, 2000, and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PRO-FORMA
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 1,198,041
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 626
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 65,922
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 32,321
<OTHER-ASSETS> 62,552
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,359,462
<COMMON> 7,036
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 287,689
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 111,766
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 406,491
0
1,760
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 459,475
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 80,550
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 12,974
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 398,212
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 1,359,462
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 206,340
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 26,584
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 115,349
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 141,933
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 64,407
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 3,890
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 68,297
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 27,867
<NET-INCOME> 40,430
80
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 40,350
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 22,161
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 33,840
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 49,480
<EPS-BASIC> 0.98
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.97
</TABLE>
