<ARTICLE> UT
<CIK> 0000741612
<NAME> TNP ENTERPRISES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<BOOK-VALUE>                                  PER-BOOK
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<OTHER-ASSETS>                                       0
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<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                   0
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<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                 (7)
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.76
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