<ARTICLE>  UT
<CIK>                         0000741612
<NAME>                        TNP Enterprises, Inc.
             
                        
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
                          
       
                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  9-Mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   Sep-30-1997
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<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                   0
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<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                        114
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                   22,306
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<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                          67,976
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.68