<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ORION POWER HOLDINGS INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          78,549
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,271
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     10,427
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               197,961
<PP&E>                                         993,910
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,075
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,252,007
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,716
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           362
<OTHER-SE>                                     395,054
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,252,007
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               134,074
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   99,673
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,943
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,767
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,458
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,796
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,662
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,662
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .38