<ARTICLE> UT
<CIK> 0000012473
<NAME> BLACKSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
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<PREFERRED>                                       6130
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                             35000
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                 735
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<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                       136911
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0