<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001124468
<NAME> NRG SOUTH CENTRAL GENERATING LLC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          25,989
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   54,408
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     30,329
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               114,020
<PP&E>                                       1,093,979
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,714
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,215,566
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          150,411
<BONDS>                                        763,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     296,815
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,215,566
<SALES>                                        201,375
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               202,718
<CGS>                                          136,726
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  153,262
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (657)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              37,598
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,515
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,515
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0