<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
     FROM KENETECH CORPORATION'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 CONSOLIDATED
     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
     TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000807708
<NAME>                        KENETECH CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                               JAN-1-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                 SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                              1
<CASH>                                          5,601
<SECURITIES>                                   44,208
<RECEIVABLES>                                     110
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               50,966
<PP&E>                                            122
<DEPRECIATION>                                    (63)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 51,094
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           4,796
<BONDS>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                            4
<OTHER-SE>                                          0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   51,094
<SALES>                                         5,431
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                5,431
<CGS>                                              56
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      56
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (3,746)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                12,614
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (19,573)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            32,187
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   32,187
<EPS-BASIC>                                      0.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.77