<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUL-31-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 1,043,900
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 24,871
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 253,982
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 63,496
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,386,249
<COMMON> 310,489
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 0
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 232,002
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 542,491
0
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 391,000
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 127,000
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 32,000
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 293,758
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 1,386,249
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 682,814
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 40,701
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 551,697
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 592,398
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 90,416
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 8,448
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 98,864
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 27,580
<NET-INCOME> 71,284
0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 71,284
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 33,880
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 0
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 41,165
<EPS-BASIC> 2.26
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.25
</TABLE>