<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     (Replace this text with the legend)
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000934667
<NAME>                        Northeast Energy Associates
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                                         USD
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1.000
<CASH>                                          61,203
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,036
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      4,752
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               103,043
<PP&E>                                         504,044
<DEPRECIATION>                                 154,498
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 541,431
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           39,328
<BONDS>                                        468,724
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (197,186)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   541,431
<SALES>                                        312,154
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               312,154
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  202,157<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,147
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              65,108
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 36,673
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,673
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,673
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0

<FN>
<F1> Includes depreciation of $24,992
</FN>