<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
from the Form 10-Q for June 30, 1998, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000044545
<NAME> GULF POWER COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                     JUN-30-1998
<BOOK-VALUE>                                                   PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                                     1,049,473
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                                         637
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                                          171,402
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                                         72,021
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                                        0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                1,293,533
<COMMON>                                                         38,060
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                                       218,450
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                                             163,326
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                                  419,836
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                            85,000
<PREFERRED>                                                       5,025
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                                            247,187
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                               14,000
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                                        97,000
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                                        0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                                    30,000
<PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT>                                         8,661
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                                           0
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                                      0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                                  386,824
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                                 1,293,533
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                                       318,080
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                                             13,640
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                                      265,461
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                                      279,101
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                                          38,979
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                                 (789)
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                                   38,190
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                         17,555
<NET-INCOME>                                                     20,635
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                         418
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                                    20,217
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                         38,200
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                                             0
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                                           50,243
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         0
        


</TABLE>