<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000934666
<NAME> NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          49,861
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,671
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      5,410
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               101,508
<PP&E>                                         503,591
<DEPRECIATION>                                 129,506
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 566,392
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,662
<BONDS>                                        490,287
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (187,479)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   566,392
<SALES>                                        272,262
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               272,262
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  186,559<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,514
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              49,841
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,924
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,924
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,924
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES DEPRECIATION OF $24,978
</FN>