<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON
PAGES F-3 AND F-4 OF THE PARTNERSHIP'S FORM 10K FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000899281
<NAME> SITHE/INDEPENDENCE FUNDING CORP.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                               3
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,384
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,872
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               110,576
<PP&E>                                         770,249
<DEPRECIATION>                                (56,975)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 838,047
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,296
<BONDS>                                        669,345
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     120,564
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   838,047
<SALES>                                        355,432
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               355,432
<CGS>                                          260,760
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  260,760
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              62,369
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 39,329
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,329
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,329
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0