<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JUNE 30,
1998 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN WISCONSIN POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
<CIK>   0000107832
<NAME>  WISCONSIN POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<BOOK-VALUE>                                  PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                    1,214,762
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                    147,820
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                          98,542
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                        49,721
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                 117,183
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,628,028
<COMMON>                                        66,183
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                      199,334
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                            305,925
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                 571,442
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     59,963
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                           354,586
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                              57,303
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                       56,975
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                       0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                    8,899
<PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT>                            0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                          0
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                     0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                 518,860
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                1,628,028
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                      375,313
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                            10,870<F1>
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                     330,833
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                     330,833<F1>
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                         44,480
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                 122 
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                  44,602
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        17,367
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,365
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                      1,656
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                   14,709
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                        29,170
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                       30,569
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                         109,752
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1> Income tax expense is not included in Operating Expenses in the Consolidated
Statements of Income.
<F2> Earnings per share of common stock is not reflected because all common shares are
held by Interstate Energy Corporation (formerly WPL Holdings, inc.).
</FN>