<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0001061588 <NAME> NERCO <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 0 248 <SECURITIES> 3,435 0 <RECEIVABLES> 394 297 <ALLOWANCES> 0 0 <INVENTORY> 570 592 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 4,852 1,593 <PP&E> 40,482 39,787 <DEPRECIATION> (11,623) (9,993) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 43,126 37,337 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 9,931 9,998 <BONDS> 41,835 37,596 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 20 20 <OTHER-SE> (12,184) (13,127) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 43,126 37,337 <SALES> 45,049 81,364 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 45,049 81,364 <CGS> 12,722 23,384 <TOTAL-COSTS> 41,769 76,262 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,864 1,918 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,416 3,184 <INCOME-TAX> 473 1,083 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 943 2,100 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 943 2,100 <EPS-PRIMARY> .72 1.22 <EPS-DILUTED> .72 1.22