WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  





                                                                    Exhibit 27

                     CENTRAL ILLINOIS PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
                             10-K DECEMBER 31, 1998
                           FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE UT
          PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANIES
                  APPENDIX E TO ITEM 601 (C) OF REGULATION S-K
                             (Thousands of Dollars)


<ARTICLE> UT
       
                                                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                             12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                         DEC-31-1998
<BOOK-VALUE>                                            PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                              1,465,450
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                                    0
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   219,332
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                                  31,904
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                            47,711
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         1,764,397
<COMMON>                                                 120,033
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                                      0
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                                      455,337
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                           575,370
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                               80,000
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                                     528,446
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                        46,700
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                                 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                             60,000
<PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT>                                      0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                                    0
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                               0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                           473,881
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                          1,764,397
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                                847,424
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                                      45,769
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                               681,611
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                               727,380
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                                  120,044
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                          (939)
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                           119,105
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  38,958
<NET-INCOME>                                              80,147
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                3,745
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                             76,402
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                  72,285
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                                 36,678
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                                   123,344
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                               0.00  <F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                               0.00  <F1>

<FN>
<F1> INFORMATION NOT NORMALLY DISCLOSED IN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES.
</FN>