<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COGENTRIX
ENERGY, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         108,391
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,687
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     16,940
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,482
<PP&E>                                         694,637
<DEPRECIATION>                                 197,507
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,314,708
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          135,105
<BONDS>                                      1,003,468
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           130
<OTHER-SE>                                      68,782
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,314,708
<SALES>                                         81,276
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                90,039
<CGS>                                           56,135
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   56,135
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,955
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,243
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,706
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,323
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,383
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (743)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,640
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    37.73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    37.73