<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE AES CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                             702
<SECURITIES>                                        49
<RECEIVABLES>                                      679
<ALLOWANCES>                                        49
<INVENTORY>                                        146
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,866
<PP&E>                                           5,990
<DEPRECIATION>                                     718
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  12,106
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,878
<BONDS>                                          6,837
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              550
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    12,106
<SALES>                                          2,111
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    14
<CGS>                                            1,432
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,432
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    44
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     7
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 417
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    214
<INCOME-TAX>                                        55
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                116
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       116
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.61