<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COGENTRIX
ENERGY, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         243,021
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   67,343
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     22,107
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               335,296
<PP&E>                                       1,040,144
<DEPRECIATION>                                 294,628
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,415,442
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          176,758
<BONDS>                                      1,872,306
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           130
<OTHER-SE>                                     170,059
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,415,442
<SALES>                                        276,408
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               412,931
<CGS>                                          250,839
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  250,839
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,050
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              74,048
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 79,994
<INCOME-TAX>                                    31,276
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,718
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    41,718
<EPS-BASIC>                                     172.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   172.76