<ARTICLE> UT
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<BOOK-VALUE>                                  PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                      655,250
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                      9,484
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                          72,812
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                        50,691
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 788,237
<COMMON>                                        86,200
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                       10,461
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                            228,161
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                 324,822
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                           213,235
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                              37,000
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                            0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                       0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                        0
<PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT>                            0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                          0
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                     0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                 213,180
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                  788,237
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                      138,730
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                             8,054
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                     113,335
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                     121,389
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                         17,341
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                 262
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                  17,603
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         4,684
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,919
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                          0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                   12,919
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                         6,396
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                        3,980
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                          35,945
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    14.99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    14.99