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

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>      UT
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NEW CENTURY
ENERGIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND
CONSOLIDATED  CONDENSED  STATMENTS  OF INCOME AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED  SEPTEMBER  30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                  1,000
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                            SEP-30-1998
<BOOK-VALUE>                                               PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT>                                 5,761,092
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                                 367,064
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      760,166
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES>                                    573,506
<OTHER-ASSETS>                                                    0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            7,461,828
<COMMON>                                                    111,731
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                                 1,625,854
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                                         698,685
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ>                            2,436,270
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       294,000
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET>                                      2,186,241
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES>                                           33,000
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE>                                         0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS>                              530,307
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT>                               116,040
<PREFERRED-STOCK-CURRENT>                                         0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS>                                  35,902
<LEASES-CURRENT>                                              5,077
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB>                            1,824,991
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB>                             7,461,828
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE>                                 2,715,023
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE>                                        109,322
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                                2,222,347
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                                2,222,347
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS>                                     492,676
<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                                            5,390
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN>                              498,066
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    155,230
<NET-INCOME>                                                233,514
<PREFERRED-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                       0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM>                                     0
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                                    194,169
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS>                                   125,928
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS>                                      502,977
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  2.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  2.10
        

</TABLE>