<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000934667
<NAME> NORTHEAST ENERGY ASSOCIATES
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          45,211
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,301
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      3,468
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                99,587
<PP&E>                                         503,696
<DEPRECIATION>                                 142,009
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 551,364
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           50,712
<BONDS>                                        479,505
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (204,449)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   551,364
<SALES>                                        154,428
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               154,428
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  102,741<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,108
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              24,093
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,666
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,666
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,666
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDED DEPRECIATION OF $12,503
</FN>