<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COGENTRIX
ENERGY INC'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          83,326
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,718
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     19,869
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               172,788
<PP&E>                                         483,651
<DEPRECIATION>                                 216,415
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,285,502
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          137,961
<BONDS>                                        939,211
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           130
<OTHER-SE>                                      91,879
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,285,502
<SALES>                                        250,525
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               319,455
<CGS>                                          200,127
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  200,127
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,800
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              52,811
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 56,717
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,237
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,480
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (743)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,737
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   119.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   119.64