<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COGENTRIX
ENERGY, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          87,645
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,908
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     17,884
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               167,107
<PP&E>                                         760,909
<DEPRECIATION>                                 164,294
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 928,484
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           91,633
<BONDS>                                        681,851
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           130
<OTHER-SE>                                      86,151
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   928,484
<SALES>                                         99,122
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               101,014
<CGS>                                           79,673
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   79,673
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   477
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,078
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,786
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,812
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,974
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    703
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,271
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    11.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    11.60