<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Potomac Edison Company
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> 0

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          14,394
<SECURITIES>                                     5,556
<RECEIVABLES>                                  589,285
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (31,555)
<INVENTORY>                                    141,532
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               882,985
<PP&E>                                       9,383,322
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,918,549
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,405,663
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,537,251
<BONDS>                                      2,566,783
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     74,000
<COMMON>                                       153,045
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,561,457<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,405,663
<SALES>                                      1,058,458
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,058,458
<CGS>                                          779,051
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  891,383
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,260
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              55,410
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                115,170
<INCOME-TAX>                                    39,075
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             76,095
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    76,095
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.69
<FN>
<F1>Includes $398,407 for treasure stock (at cost) and $1,801 other comprehensive
income.
</FN>