<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COGENTRIX
ENERGY, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 243,021
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 67,343
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 22,107
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 335,296
<PP&E> 1,040,144
<DEPRECIATION> 294,628
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,415,442
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 176,758
<BONDS> 1,872,306
0
0
<COMMON> 130
<OTHER-SE> 170,059
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,415,442
<SALES> 276,408
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 412,931
<CGS> 250,839
<TOTAL-COSTS> 250,839
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 8,050
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 74,048
<INCOME-PRETAX> 79,994
<INCOME-TAX> 31,276
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 48,718
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 41,718
<EPS-BASIC> 172.76
<EPS-DILUTED> 172.76
</TABLE>