<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Southwest
Gas Corporation's Form 10-Q for the quarter 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> 1,626,123
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 92,559
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 133,654
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 0
<OTHER-ASSETS> 46,880
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,899,216
<COMMON> 32,988
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 446,613
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 36,144
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 515,745
0
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 860,399
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 39,075
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 6,802
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 477,195 <F1>
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 1,899,216
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 494,449
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 6,802
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 435,247
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 435,247
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 59,202
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> (3,194)<F2>
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 56,008
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> (33,737)
<NET-INCOME> 15,469
0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 15,469
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 12,796
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 0
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 122,857
<EPS-BASIC> 0.50
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.49
<FN>
<F1> Includes: trust originated preferred securities of $60,000, current
liabilities, net of current long-term debt maturities and short-term debt, of
$180,970 and deferred income taxes and other credits of $236,225
<F2> Includes distributions related to trust originated preferred securities
of $2,738
</FN>
</TABLE>
