<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ORION POWER HOLDINGS INC. FOR THE SIX-MONTH
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                          44,222
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  147,968
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     54,783
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               432,348
<PP&E>                                       2,727,751
<DEPRECIATION>                                  57,534
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,218,817
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          121,240
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           676
<OTHER-SE>                                     767,037
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,218,817
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               341,674
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  247,067
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                71,303
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                19,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              56,506
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,304
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,554
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,750
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,750
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .27