<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COGENTRIX
ENERGY, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS
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>                                         118,461
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,862
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     22,612
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               208,730
<PP&E>                                         700,656
<DEPRECIATION>                                 281,737
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,166,261
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          176,018
<BONDS>                                      1,650,029
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           130
<OTHER-SE>                                     151,668
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,166,261
<SALES>                                        174,456
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               262,036
<CGS>                                          159,844
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  159,844
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,826
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              46,922
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,444
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,166
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,278
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,278
<EPS-BASIC>                                     107.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   107.37