<ARTICLE> UT
<CIK> 0000741612
<NAME> TNP ENTERPRISES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
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<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                         (3,809)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31