<ARTICLE> UT
<CIK> 0000012473
<NAME> BLACKSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
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<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                        85650
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                        196
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<OTHER-ASSETS>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  134145
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<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                        17908
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                              14547
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<PREFERRED>                                       6130
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                             32000
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                   0
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<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                       130202
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                              3245
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<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                (71)
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<NET-INCOME>                                      4905
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0