<ARTICLE> UT
<CIK> 0000106170
<NAME>WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER>1,000
       
                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                           JUN-30-1996
<BOOK-VALUE>                              PER-BOOK
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<OTHER-ASSETS>                                   0
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<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                 194,330
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<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                           1,248
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<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                    12,250
<NET-INCOME>                                12,125
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                  2,424
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