<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON
PAGES 3 AND 4 OF THE PARTNERSHIP'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>     0000899281
<NAME>    SITHE/INDEPENDENCE FUNDING CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                             186
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,178
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      5,997
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               102,606
<PP&E>                                         758,530
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,623
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 849,904
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           51,610
<BONDS>                                        698,403
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      92,559
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   849,904
<SALES>                                        113,410
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               113,410
<CGS>                                           68,255
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   68,255
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,802
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 29,817
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,817
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,817
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0