<ARTICLE>                      5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from ESI 
Tractebel Acquisition Corp.'s balance sheet as of September 30, 1998 and statement
of operations for the period January 12, 1998 to September 30, 1998 and is 
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.

<CIK>                          0001059027
<NAME>                         ESI Tractebel Acquisition Corp.
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                     U.S. DOLLARS
<PERIOD-START>                 JAN-12-1998
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              JAN-12-1998
<PERIOD-END>                   SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                1
<CASH>                                  $0
<SECURITIES>                            $0
<RECEIVABLES>                       $4,395
<ALLOWANCES>                            $0
<INVENTORY>                             $0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    $4,395
<PP&E>                                  $0
<DEPRECIATION>                          $0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                    $224,547
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               $4,398
<BONDS>                           $220,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                   $0
<PREFERRED>                             $0
<COMMON>                                $6
<OTHER-SE>                              $0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>      $224,547
<SALES>                            $10,791
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                   $10,791
<CGS>                                   $0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                           $0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        $0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                        $0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 $10,782
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         $9
<INCOME-TAX>                            $3
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     $6
<DISCONTINUED>                          $0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         $0
<CHANGES>                               $0
<NET-INCOME>                            $6
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           $0
<EPS-DILUTED>                           $0