<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000934666
<NAME> NORTH JERSEY ENERGY ASSOCIATES
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          75,144
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   55,024
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      6,186
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               138,326
<PP&E>                                         504,093
<DEPRECIATION>                                 148,263
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 583,785
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           65,994
<BONDS>                                        479,505
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (189,879)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   583,785
<SALES>                                        237,805
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               237,805
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  153,407<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,531
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              35,876
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,236
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,236
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,236
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1> Includes depreciation of $18,757
</FN>