<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COGENTRIX
DELAWARE HOLDINGS, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          81,472
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   72,276
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     19,794
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               177,503
<PP&E>                                         699,061
<DEPRECIATION>                                 250,912
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,640,132
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          183,037
<BONDS>                                        803,380
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     461,154
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,640,132
<SALES>                                        252,551
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               359,712
<CGS>                                          203,296
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  203,296
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,874
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              46,560
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 98,982
<INCOME-TAX>                                    39,533
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             59,449
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    59,449
<EPS-BASIC>                                     59,449
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   59,449