<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
from the Form 10-Q for September 30, 1999, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000092122
<NAME> THE SOUTHERN COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                                                   <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                             9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   Dec-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                        Sep-30-1999
<BOOK-VALUE>                                                           PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                                            25,262,105
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                                           6,518,838
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                3,968,047
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                                              2,475,609
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                                                0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                       38,224,599
<COMMON>                                                              3,503,094
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                                             1,774,506
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                                                   4,248,125
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                                        9,525,725
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                 2,428,595
<PREFERRED>                                                             368,760
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                                                  3,976,254
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                                    1,004,048
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                                             7,407,549
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                                        2,362,465
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                                           489,748
<PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT>                                                     0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                                             125,894
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                                          5,331
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                                       10,530,230
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                                        38,224,599
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                                             8,969,294
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                                                    600,305
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                                            6,706,901
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                                            7,307,206
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                                               1,662,088
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                                      499,390
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                                        2,161,478
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                992,311
<NET-INCOME>                                                          1,169,167
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                              15,683
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                                         1,153,484
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                                696,014
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                                                     0
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                                                1,939,569
<EPS-BASIC>                                                              1.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              1.67




</TABLE>