<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
related Form 10-K financial statements for The Cleveland Electric
Illuminating Company and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements. (Amounts in 1,000's). Income tax expense includes
$12,613,000 related to other income.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000020947
<NAME> THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<BOOK-VALUE>                                  PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                    3,035,710
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                    721,255
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                         326,440
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                     2,125,356
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,208,761
<COMMON>                                       931,962
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                            0
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                             34,654
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<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          116,246
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<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                   1,358,932
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                   1,470,188
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                        394,766
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                               9,141
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                 403,907
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