<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     (Replace this text with the legend)
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000934666
<NAME>                        North Jersey 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>