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

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>  UT
<LEGEND>

                                                                      Exhibit 27

                     CENTRAL ILLINOIS PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
                               10-Q MARCH 31, 2000
                           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)


</LEGEND>



                                                           Value
                                                      -----------------

<S>                                                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                               MAR-31-2000
<BOOK-VALUE>                                                  PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                                    1,470,465
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                                          0
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                                         282,322
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                                        17,831
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                                  29,784
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                               1,800,402
<COMMON>                                                       120,033
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                                            0
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                                            421,594
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                                 541,627
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                0
<PREFERRED>                                                     80,000
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                                           488,086
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                                   0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                                            0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                                       0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                                   87,000
<PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT>                                            0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                                          0
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                                     0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                                 603,689
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                                1,800,402
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                                      255,327
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                                            14,163
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                                     205,430
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                                     219,593
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                                         35,734
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                                 377
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                                  36,111
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                         9,779
<NET-INCOME>                                                    26,332
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                        993
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                                   25,339
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                        18,057
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                                            0  <F1>
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                                          65,732
<EPS-BASIC>                                                       0.00  <F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                     0.00  <F2>

<FN>
<F1>  Required in fiscal year-end only.
<F2>  Information not normally disclosed in financial statements and notes.
</FN>




</TABLE>