<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Potomac Edison Company
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> 0
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 14,394
<SECURITIES> 5,556
<RECEIVABLES> 589,285
<ALLOWANCES> (31,555)
<INVENTORY> 141,532
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 882,985
<PP&E> 9,383,322
<DEPRECIATION> 3,918,549
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 7,405,663
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,537,251
<BONDS> 2,566,783
0
74,000
<COMMON> 153,045
<OTHER-SE> 1,561,457<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 7,405,663
<SALES> 1,058,458
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,058,458
<CGS> 779,051
<TOTAL-COSTS> 891,383
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,260
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 55,410
<INCOME-PRETAX> 115,170
<INCOME-TAX> 39,075
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 76,095
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 76,095
<EPS-BASIC> 0.69
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.69
<FN>
<F1>Includes $398,407 for treasure stock (at cost) and $1,801 other comprehensive
income.
</FN>
</TABLE>