UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                       WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                             FORM 8-K
                          CURRENT REPORT

            PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
               SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 7, 1997


                  SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        New Mexico                      1-3789               75-0575400
(State or other jurisdiction of    (Commission File No.)   (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                           Identification No.)

                  Tyler at Sixth, Amarillo, Texas 79101
         (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code (806) 378-2121



ITEM 5. other events

         Reference is made to the press release  filed as an exhibit  hereto for
information  with  respect  to  the  Company's  recorded  charge  related  to  a
subsidiary project.

ITEM 7. financial statements and exhibits

         (c)  Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed herewith:

               99   Press Release, dated February 7, 1997, of Southwestern
                    Public Service Company.


SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



         SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY


                  /s/ Bill D. Helton
         By
                  Bill D. Helton
                  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



DATE:   February 7, 1997